New Goal: Produce Annihilation

Source: http://asmith9502.tumblr.com/post/60183837758

New goal: For a hungry day eat more and don't worry about the extra calories but make it fruits and veggies only.

One Month Checking In

Welp, it hasn't been my best month.  I went back to work after a long vacation and the new routine has been challenging my new healthy lifestyle thing, to say the least.  

Then skirmish went down like this:

Large ladies represent my fitness/schedule struggle.  Now you understand?

Now, it hasn't been as bad as it has been in previous falls, but I certainly haven't lost any weight.  I also haven't been counting calories because I am not put together enough to be making deliberate meals.  Every lunch is a kitchen sink lunch: lettuce + anything edible in the fridge.

No cats were harmed in the making of my salads.

But some nights I can't decide which is worse, my hunger or fatigue.  I think that I may be turning that corner, however.  There's a bit of an adjustment going on here and I know that this part is temporary.

Anyway. As for working out, I didn't miss a single weight lifting routine the entire month! Yay!  Triumph!  Remember, I am using Chris Powell's plan because he's sexy and I want to be sexy.  Here is how I progressed:

Day 1
Goblet Squat: 16 kg
Hammer Curl/Press: 15 lbs
Dumbbell Deadlift: 40 lbs
Dumbbell Pullover: 8 lbs
Planks: 50 seconds/46 seconds (2 rounds)

Day 30
Goblet Squat: 24 kg
Hammer Curl/Press: 15 lbs
Dumbbell Deadlift: 60 lbs
Dumbbell Pullover: 15 lbs
Renegade Rows: 12 lbs

I didn't switch over to the renegade rows until about 2 weeks in.  But before that, I improved my plank time to 80 seconds/68 seconds/60 seconds (3 rounds). And I know it doesn't look like I improved with the curl and press but I did On the first day, I couldn't complete more than 8 reps a set.  By the end, I was able to do 12 on the first set and 10 or so for the next two.

I'm getting stronger.  I can feel it but I sure can't see it because I need to get the food in check. I hate counting calories but I just don't trust myself not to. So for month 2, here are my goals:

1. Continue the CP plan without missing any workouts.
2. Add 2 cardio days, one being interval training. Bf says that cardio will give me more energy.  It's worth a shot!
3 Count dem calories.

Thought of the Day

"Working out at the gym to fit my underwear"

~ Weezer "Pork and Beans"

Yup.  That and my skinny jeans.  They just don't fit like they used to...

It's probably been a month since my last good outdoor run. 

Ran twice this weekend.  Okay, so it was only 30 minutes each day but I have to start somewhere, amiright? And at that, I'm sore!

Tomorrow begins month two of Chris Powell's 5 month program and I'm a little nervous because I took last Monday through Friday off because I was sick.  I know, through the wondrous power of logic, that I didn't lose all the muscle I gained in the last month, but it sort of feels like it.  Wish me luck, readers!

Here's to cardio.

Here's to lifting heavy.

Here's to counting calories.

Here's to keeping promises to myself.

Short Term Goals: Part 1 of Infinity

So on day two of this new health adventure/lifestyle (yesterday), I had a rendezvous with friends.  You know, the typical dinner and drinks thing.  My old self would throw caution to the wind, drink like a fish, and eat like it's my last meal.  This just would not do for my new, healthy take on life, now would it? (No, no it wouldn't!)

Old self always has room for more snacks.

One thing that I'm really, incredibly, good at is making excuses for my bad habits.  I feel no guilt going nuts and abandoning a diet for a "special occasion".  You may have noticed that I did not type special occasion, but rather "special occasion". Well, my perceptive little readers, that's because when it comes to food, I give that term a loose definition.  Special occasion = vacations, holidays, celebrations, dinner out, dinner in, hanging out with a friend I haven't seen in more than a day, going to the movies, walking by a Sweet Frog, breakfast, lunch, dinner...  You can probably tell that with so many occasions in my life deemed special, it's no wonder that weight loss has been difficult to achieve and maintain.

So here's what went down:

Fail! Even including the calories I burned running 5 miles that morning, I still went over my daily calorie goal by about 50 calories.

Victory! I got a bowl of vegetarian chili, and upon realizing that by "bowl", they meant "trough", I only ate half of it.  And with that, I only ate half of the tortilla chips.  I also ordered a small side salad to get my greens on and fill up.  This is what I chose instead of french fries and a burger. Niiiiiiice!

Victory! I really wanted some beer because we went to this place that has interesting beers.  Instead, I had 2 tequila and sodas, 1 ale, and a glass of cabernet.  Okay, so I had about two too many drinks but I am still navigating the social pressure thing and I will do better on the next test (tonight).  But I did choose half of my drinks responsibly and I think that's a (small) victory.

Now I know that I did some little things right and some little things wrong, but it's a step in the right direction. I'm happy with my decisions even if there is still a lot of room for improvement.  

This recap brings me to my first short term goal:

Short Term Goal #1/Infinity - Healthy eating at the wedding tonight.  

More specifically, this means:

• No bread
• No crackers
• Lots of raw veggies and fruit
• Lots of water 
• 2 drink maximum, clear liquor and soda only
• Enjoy family and friends - talk more, eat less.

I'm feeling up for the challenge.  Check back tomorrow to see if I make myself proud!

What small victories have you had in your pursuit of fitness and health? What excuses do you make to justify poor health related decisions?