Rest Day! Planning Ahead: Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail

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Today I made up my at-a-glance calendar for February as well as taking the time to make up a google doc to keep track of my daily workouts (which are 95% from Jamie Eason's 12 Week Trainer, Phase 2)

I'm going to work out a shopping list and meal/snacks list as well so that I make sure I always have food on hand.  Although I am sticking pretty closely to Paleo, there are some aspects of Tim Ferris' "Slow Carb" as well (I add beans and lentils, because honestly my budget can't keep me full with JUST meat) AND I have at least one meal replacement shake a day as well, mainly because I can't afford to buy as much organic food/nutrients as I get in my shakes.)

Eating Enough:  I think I need to track my calories at least one week out of each month to make sure that I'm eating enough.  I think that I'm not getting enough calories each day... but, I am eating healthy, so that is still progress!

Here is the "Google Drive" Document that I use to track my daily workouts, weight, sets and reps.  I actually print it out and take it to the gym with me and then I input the numbers when I get home.  That way I can see at a glance how my levels of fitness and strength are improving over time.  Yeah, I'm a little OCD, but this is the best way for me to see continued progress.  I am the type that needs to SEE continued progress so that I can stay motivated to continue.

Here is a clip to see the chart I linked to above.  I like this format because I can type in the first weeka nd just cut and paste for the remaining weeks.  I also save a blank copy of this workout for sometime in the future when I want to go back through this routine again.

Parenting & Weight Loss... Not Letting my own past Poison my Daughters' Self Image

Parenting Moment:

My 14 year old daughter has been my most consistent gym companion (my husband was sick last week and injured this week).  It has been really nice to workout with her and have the opportunity to discuss health, body types, self image, fitness and nutrition.  It has been a good opportunity to discuss the difference between people as well.  Body types, fitness goals & strengths,dietary needs, etc.  She is a vegetarian and has recently chosen to cut out sugar (which led to an almost immediate 100% clearing up of her skin!) and I'm a no grains, Paleo leaning type.  

After growing up and struggling with such a severely messed up self/body image, I love that we can discuss all of these things without it having to be a "fat/skinny/attractive" thing, but a health conscious, individual preference and CHOICE.  I love that. Love it.

I don't claim to have done everything 100% in the parenting department, but I think I've done fairly well in this, and I'm really really proud of my kids for taking the initiative on their own to learn more, make a change in their eating habits and take care of themselves.  They are pretty awesome people, even for *gasp* Teenagers!

Me Moment:

I'm still being good about tracking workouts.  (YAY ME!) You can see how I'm switching things up a little.  To be honest, as far as leg workouts go, I was STILL sore from last Wednesday's leg workout, so I chose to mix things up a little bit.  With the little bit of cardio added in tonight, I was dripping with sweat before we were even half done!

I think its a great thing to mix things up "keep the body guessing" ala Gordon on Dodgeball.  I LOVE that movie:)

Tasty Tuesday: My Favorite, Super Easy, Clean Eating/Paleo Chicken Dish

Clean Eating/Paleo Chicken Dish

Watch my "how to video" and meet my scattered "before" self!

Let me know what you'd like to see on my vlog!

Any questions?

Recipes?

How To?

Exercises?

Do you want to see me ATTEMPT something??  

Ask Away!

Day #16: Back & Biceps Adding New Workouts, More Weights...

Day #16:  Back & Biceps  Adding New Workouts, More Weights...

I have to admit I'm feeling a little discouraged from time to time.  I know that I'm improving, but its kind of depressing at the same time that I can't SEE anything.  Then again, yes, I actually can feel a difference when I put on my jeans.  My belly is definitely less... bloated.  I think its that time of the month again, so I'm just feeling extra sensitive to everything.  I HAVE lost weight, but even losing 6-8 pounds and I'm still heavier than I've been before 2012.  It is really difficult for me to adjust to being this big.  I am struggling with feeling *good* about my progress... although I do vacillate between being totally thrilled that my muscles hurt and I know that I'm pushing myself and then feeling like I'm not doing ANYTHING.

Have I mentioned that I'm a teensy bit of a drama queen?  

And I might (just might) be a little bit black & white in my thinking.  

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I MUST keep this in mind!!!

And in my case, I think I'm harder on myself, so much so that I might not even notice before friends do!

But, I've managed to NOT pig out, to NOT get chocolate and instead I've stuck with my gym workouts.  I've managed to still keep tracking on my google drive document, and it feels great to see my improvements over even just a few weeks.

I'm planning on keeping this weightlifting workout and adding just a little, increasing my weight gradually.

My thoughts for Phase Two is as follows (not necessarily in any order):

1. Back, Biceps & Abs
2. Legs & Abs
3. Shoulders, Chest & Triceps
4. Full Body Workout (Tabata Style)
5. Rest Day
6. Full Body Workout (Choose one from my Pinterest Board)
7. Rest Day

I am also adding a daily challenge for myself in February.  My goal is to get myself moving in short spurts throughout the day, rather than letting myself get used to sitting on my ass all day before a nice hard workout.

*Daily Challenge  (Get February's Squatting Challenge Here)

February Squats Challenge!!!

I love squats.  I love that they work SO many muscles at once and I can just do them in spurts when I'm already getting up to do something.

I found this challenge on Pinterest, but from all of the different pins, not one of the ones I found was actually linked to a blog post.  I found a link to this tumblr, but I must say I'm woefully inadequate when dealing with tumblr, so I still can't find this particular post.  Hell, I don't even know if that's something you can DO on tumblr.  (I said I was woefully inadequate!)

ANYWAY, I'm going to do this challenge for February.  I think I'll print out one for my bathroom mirror and one for my fridge so the kids can do it with me if they want to.

I'll be enjoying squats and working up the nerve for a bigger challenge for March.  Maybe planks or burpees?

Share your favorite challenges with me!

Foodie Friday: Taco Style Lettuce Wrap

Grain Free Taco AKA Taco Style Lettuce Wrap

*This is a repost from my blog 365 Days of Clean Eating

Ingredients:

• Refried Beans (I make refried beans from dry beans)
• Cooked Ground Beef (I cook in bulk and freeze to make this a quick fix)
• Tomato
• Cheese of choice
• Green Leaf Lettuce leaves, whole (or you can just make this as a salad)
• Sour Cream (just a little bit)
• Spices to taste (I use these Mrs. Dash flavors)

I slice tomatoes instead of dicing so its less messy... unless I'm making this salad style

I mix a little bit of refried beans into the taco meat to extend it (because, hey, meat is ExPenSive!) and also to make it stick together a little bit more for less mess!

Add the tomato and get ready to fold and eat!

Viola!  Grain Free Taco!

Verdict:  Um, yeah.  I've had one of these every morning this week.  I LOVE it.  Having the seasoned ground beef and beans already put together in the fridge or freezer has been perfect for a quick fix meal!

OAMC:  Add some extra ground beef to your Once a Month Cooking plan and leave seasoned ground beef and refried beans to your list to make this a quick and healthy fix for your family!

What are your favorite quick fix meals?  How many grain free meals do you suppose you make in the course of a week?

Day #11: ASStastic Workout (oh, and some abs and legs, too)

Tonight is my Lower Body Workout Day

I am definitely a *Pear Shape*... or a mesomorph (& endomorph??) body type.  I tend to be muscular, and I gain muscle easily, but at this age, I am definitely far too good at gaining fat as well.  At any rate, when it comes to working out, I definitely want to build my upper body.  My lower body is definitely holding onto plenty of weight, but even now, a lot of it is muscle.

When I was at my most fit, my legs were thick.  There wasn't a lot of fat, but they were big.  Even at my lowest body fat, my calves were still 15 inches and too big to fit into pretty much any boots (and I love boots!).

Anyway, when I go to build muscle, most of my focus is going to be on my arms, shoulders, abs and back.  My legs can wait... or at least take it easy.  The one area of my lower body that I do want to work on?

That right, ladies, the ass.

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I can't tell you how much this shocks me.  Growing up, I always had ample ass--age.  I was called bubble butt throughout my childhood, and through my twenties, I still had the ass.  Even in my thirties.  Somewhere in my 40's, it left me.  Did I not appreciate it enough?  I don't know.  I always assumed it would be there.  One day I flipped to the side in Zumba and caught my reflection in the mirror and thought, "WOW!  These shorts actually make my ass look flat!"

Over the next couple of weeks, I started to take notice... my ass was GONE!

So, now that I'm been getting back in the swing of things, working on my goals, I definitely want my ass back!  As a matter of fact, the other day I was perusing my "Fitness Inspiration" board on Pinterest, and my 14 year old said, "Why are there so many butts on your page?"

Because that is where my lower body focus is going to be.  My husband isn't into boobs.  He isn't one to start drooling or getting that glazed over look when a woman with big boobs bounces by with a plunging neckline (even if its ME), but he certainly likes a nice back view.  This isn't the only reason I want my ass back, but I have to say, it might lend a little extra motivation for me.

All this to say, LOOK AT THIS AWESOME, or should I say ASS-SOME (hahaha) WORKOUT I FOUND!!!

That's right, ladies and gents, tonight, I'm going to work on my back view.  I'll let you know how hard it is to sit and stand tomorrow :)  Have a great workout!

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