That's right, I'm getting all the info in line in order to get things off to a strong start. And I've got a plethora of people on board for the same eating regiment as me and the Maestro. By the way, Carmine is the Maestro due to the fact that, well, that's what he is...the music director and conductor of several opera companies here in the city...so now you know to whom I refer. Anywho...it seems that people are ready and excited about getting healthy and they all agree that they want to do it even if it means it will be hard. Nothing worth having is ever easy...you just become accustomed to new habits. So that said, I want to give a big shout out to Kistin, Challis, Chelle, Giuditta and the Maestro for joining me in the Labor Day Challenge (the Fat Flush Plan). We're gonna eat, work-out and supplement our way to a lean healthy bodies. Let's see if we can all stay on the wagon together...strength in numbers, right! I think I'll even throw a little cooking party at my place on Sunday to prepare for the week and those who are so inclined can come over and join in the preparation fun. This is going to be GREAT *repeats over and over again*...Ok...this is going to be f@cking hard! But we can do this, especially with such a great support system, here and out there. So no worries, we'll make this happen AND we can share the work.
The Maestro was mentioning he was feeling a bit fatigued and blue for the past couple of days and couldn't understand why...I mentioned that perhaps it was due to the lack of physical activity. We haven't shredded in the past two days and that his body was already used to a daily dose of adrenaline from the fabulous Shred DVD. So sure enough he Shredded today and is bright-eyed and bushy-tailed...that's the great thing about exercise, it really sets you right both physically and mentally. It's such a fragile balance and we have to remember that usually the last thing we want to do is the first thing we probably need, like getting our butts moving! In fact, Mark Salinas mentions this very thing on his blog in an article he found on WebMD...check it out. Thanks for the share Mark.
I'm also excited about how many peeps Val of the Dietbook has on board with The Labor Day Challenge as well...I mean it really was her idea this time around...so kudos to her for challenging me and welcome to all those who are on the happy train to positive change! Granted there may be more grumbling during, but in the end I think we'll all be pleased with the results.
Ok, so now to my next snack and more reading up on the Fat Flush Plan.
Have a great day!
-Bex
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
The Labor Day Challenge
I know I'm a day behind on blogging, but I was recovering from my debaucherous birthday weekend :) More on that later.
Now, the Labor Day Challenge...hmmm...well as always I aim to get in shape...however this time, we're gonna attempt optimum health. So this entails several different phases of cleaning out and up the bod.
Phase 1 will be a healthy detox using natural aids of flaxseed oil, cranberry juice (100%) and lemon juice. I'm going to cut out major gluten, dairy and of course all processed foods for the first two weeks and really concentrate on healthy/organic fruits, veggies, and proteins. I know I can eat these things without incident.
After the first two weeks, I will continue to use natural supplements and start adding back the dairy and some of the grains (Phase 2)....I've got to figure out which one is giving me stomach aches and bloating...I had an episode last week when I started eating basic carbs again and I was in miserable shape, all curled up and fetal with stomach cramps...and that bloated, overly-full feeling continued throughout the weekend, even when I hadn't had anything to eat....so yeah, we've got some work to do to see what has been causing such odd effects.
Then Phase 3 will be the set way of eating once we've figured out what my reactents are and the bod is running like a well oiled machine. During all 3 Phases, we will continue to do the 30 Day Shred with other work-outs mixed in, ranging from yoga to interval cardio to weight training...I plan on keeping it mixed up and shocking the body as much as possible to keep it constantly growing and changing...besides, it'll keep me from getting bored. This is going to be a tough challenge...especially all the pre-planning, preparing the food and getting together the supplements. I plan on starting Week 1 next Monday 8/4/08 so that I can get ready properly...no half-assed attempts here.
I guess you see that I've been writing we, that's because the new roomie Carmine is going to do this with me. He's excited about getting in mad shape and having a healthy bod to show for it...so it'll be really nice to have a partner in this. Something's got to be said for those who keep us accountable, and a big thank you goes out to all you out there in blogland for that :) LOVE YOU FOLKS! You're the best blog friends a girl could have *sniffle, sniffle*
Ok, so now back to the research and accumulation of info for my crazy challenge goals. Look for the bday party update once I get the pics for show and tell.
Have a great day!
-Bex
Now, the Labor Day Challenge...hmmm...well as always I aim to get in shape...however this time, we're gonna attempt optimum health. So this entails several different phases of cleaning out and up the bod.
Phase 1 will be a healthy detox using natural aids of flaxseed oil, cranberry juice (100%) and lemon juice. I'm going to cut out major gluten, dairy and of course all processed foods for the first two weeks and really concentrate on healthy/organic fruits, veggies, and proteins. I know I can eat these things without incident.
After the first two weeks, I will continue to use natural supplements and start adding back the dairy and some of the grains (Phase 2)....I've got to figure out which one is giving me stomach aches and bloating...I had an episode last week when I started eating basic carbs again and I was in miserable shape, all curled up and fetal with stomach cramps...and that bloated, overly-full feeling continued throughout the weekend, even when I hadn't had anything to eat....so yeah, we've got some work to do to see what has been causing such odd effects.
Then Phase 3 will be the set way of eating once we've figured out what my reactents are and the bod is running like a well oiled machine. During all 3 Phases, we will continue to do the 30 Day Shred with other work-outs mixed in, ranging from yoga to interval cardio to weight training...I plan on keeping it mixed up and shocking the body as much as possible to keep it constantly growing and changing...besides, it'll keep me from getting bored. This is going to be a tough challenge...especially all the pre-planning, preparing the food and getting together the supplements. I plan on starting Week 1 next Monday 8/4/08 so that I can get ready properly...no half-assed attempts here.
I guess you see that I've been writing we, that's because the new roomie Carmine is going to do this with me. He's excited about getting in mad shape and having a healthy bod to show for it...so it'll be really nice to have a partner in this. Something's got to be said for those who keep us accountable, and a big thank you goes out to all you out there in blogland for that :) LOVE YOU FOLKS! You're the best blog friends a girl could have *sniffle, sniffle*
Ok, so now back to the research and accumulation of info for my crazy challenge goals. Look for the bday party update once I get the pics for show and tell.
Have a great day!
-Bex
Thursday, July 24, 2008
A New Year
Today is your birthday...duh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh...it's my birthday too yeah...duh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh...
Well it is my birthday, I don't know if it's yours or not, but happy birthday to all :) I feel like Frosty the Snowman, how every time he's brought to life he says "Happy Birthday!"...I may be tired today, but I definitely feel alive...granted it's more like Frankenstein's Monster, but I'm moving.
Yesterday I took a really fun class at the gym, Cardio Strip Tease...she really worked our core with the warm up, I was almost hurting by the end of it...but I guess due to my TOM condition I wasn't feeling very sexy. I know it's all mental, but there were moments I felt like I was an awkward adolescent again AND a hobbling old granny at the same time...my hips were stiff and I just didn't move very well...I had that moment of...Oh, I feel stupid.
Today I'm feeling like a Blobby McBlobbster...yeah, yeah, I know it's TOM, but the scale shows a 4.5 lb. gain (not to be confused with 45 - I think I'd throw myself in front of a taxi cab if I gained that much in a few days) and I feel like there should be a beeper warning anytime I decide to back up. I think once the Birthday week passes, I'm gonna really hunker down and eat ridiculously clean (yes cleaner than I've been eating...which may entail the half & half in my coffee in the mornings :( I wish I didn't get so bored with healthy eating...I could get alot more inventive with recipes, but it's a time issue. Maybe my new roomie will want to help me experiment with the cooking...he's already been great about the working out. Besides I'll be cooking for both of us, so I'm sure he'll be happy to help out, even if it's doing the dishes...oh God I hope he does the dishes...I hate that chore...especially after cooking for the week.
I'd really appreciate any insight to getting past my plateau, my weight seems to want to hover between 140 & 145 on my best days. I eat 5-6 small meals a day and work-out everyday (with an occasional 1 day off)...and the work-outs are always changing up at least every two weeks or so...I like to mix it up. Here's an example of my regular day.
7:30am Coffee w/half & half
10:30am 15-20 almonds
1:30 pm Lean beef & bean chili
4pm 0% Greek Yogurt w/1 splenda
6pm Chicken & Broccoli
8pm - Work-out: 30 Day Shred (currently on Lvl 2)
Sometimes around 12 or 2pm I'll throw in a lunchtime work-out at least 2-3 times a week...it consists of either a 45 minute dance or pilates class OR 35 minutes interval training on the treadmill. And yes, I'm finally getting sleep...6-7 hours a night currently.
Maybe I should up the lunchtime work-outs to 5 days a week, on-top of my evening 30 Day Shred sessions? Perhaps I should have more than just coffee w/half & half for my 7:30am meal? My clothes fit fine...I don't feel like I'm really gaining gaining...do we think the muscle composition is changing after being on the 30 day shred for 2 weeks? Oh I don't know, I'm just starting to get frustrated with the whole process...Why can't I break 140? I'm only 5'4...I need to drop some poundage...I still have a lot of belly & hip/thigh fat that's got to go but I think my arms are starting to look pretty decent. This is the point where I always start to freak...I always see a gain on the scale when I'm doing any type of training that builds muscle...and instead of riding it out I stop, so I don't keep gaining weight. Do I just keep gaining weight? When does the scale turn the other way and you start seeing the muscle that's under the fat? When does the fat finally melt away? 6 weeks? 8? Ever? I think I've got the formula right? Eat small lean meals and work out doing a mix of cardio vascular & weight baring exercise...both aerobic & anaerobic...what else do I need to do? What am I missing? I really want to start this new year off right. I want to get really lean and toned. I'm tired of having the jiggles and the dimples. Any wisdom out there?
Alright, well now that my cry for help is out there...I'm on to enjoying the rest of my Birthday and celebrating the end of the Birthday Challenge. I didn't lose the pounds that I may have wanted, but I still think I look pretty good and my back and arms are starting to shape up...granted I can't really see my back, but I'll trust that it's happening by the way it feels.
Have a great day everyone and a great weekend!
-Bex
Well it is my birthday, I don't know if it's yours or not, but happy birthday to all :) I feel like Frosty the Snowman, how every time he's brought to life he says "Happy Birthday!"...I may be tired today, but I definitely feel alive...granted it's more like Frankenstein's Monster, but I'm moving.
Yesterday I took a really fun class at the gym, Cardio Strip Tease...she really worked our core with the warm up, I was almost hurting by the end of it...but I guess due to my TOM condition I wasn't feeling very sexy. I know it's all mental, but there were moments I felt like I was an awkward adolescent again AND a hobbling old granny at the same time...my hips were stiff and I just didn't move very well...I had that moment of...Oh, I feel stupid.
Today I'm feeling like a Blobby McBlobbster...yeah, yeah, I know it's TOM, but the scale shows a 4.5 lb. gain (not to be confused with 45 - I think I'd throw myself in front of a taxi cab if I gained that much in a few days) and I feel like there should be a beeper warning anytime I decide to back up. I think once the Birthday week passes, I'm gonna really hunker down and eat ridiculously clean (yes cleaner than I've been eating...which may entail the half & half in my coffee in the mornings :( I wish I didn't get so bored with healthy eating...I could get alot more inventive with recipes, but it's a time issue. Maybe my new roomie will want to help me experiment with the cooking...he's already been great about the working out. Besides I'll be cooking for both of us, so I'm sure he'll be happy to help out, even if it's doing the dishes...oh God I hope he does the dishes...I hate that chore...especially after cooking for the week.
I'd really appreciate any insight to getting past my plateau, my weight seems to want to hover between 140 & 145 on my best days. I eat 5-6 small meals a day and work-out everyday (with an occasional 1 day off)...and the work-outs are always changing up at least every two weeks or so...I like to mix it up. Here's an example of my regular day.
7:30am Coffee w/half & half
10:30am 15-20 almonds
1:30 pm Lean beef & bean chili
4pm 0% Greek Yogurt w/1 splenda
6pm Chicken & Broccoli
8pm - Work-out: 30 Day Shred (currently on Lvl 2)
Sometimes around 12 or 2pm I'll throw in a lunchtime work-out at least 2-3 times a week...it consists of either a 45 minute dance or pilates class OR 35 minutes interval training on the treadmill. And yes, I'm finally getting sleep...6-7 hours a night currently.
Maybe I should up the lunchtime work-outs to 5 days a week, on-top of my evening 30 Day Shred sessions? Perhaps I should have more than just coffee w/half & half for my 7:30am meal? My clothes fit fine...I don't feel like I'm really gaining gaining...do we think the muscle composition is changing after being on the 30 day shred for 2 weeks? Oh I don't know, I'm just starting to get frustrated with the whole process...Why can't I break 140? I'm only 5'4...I need to drop some poundage...I still have a lot of belly & hip/thigh fat that's got to go but I think my arms are starting to look pretty decent. This is the point where I always start to freak...I always see a gain on the scale when I'm doing any type of training that builds muscle...and instead of riding it out I stop, so I don't keep gaining weight. Do I just keep gaining weight? When does the scale turn the other way and you start seeing the muscle that's under the fat? When does the fat finally melt away? 6 weeks? 8? Ever? I think I've got the formula right? Eat small lean meals and work out doing a mix of cardio vascular & weight baring exercise...both aerobic & anaerobic...what else do I need to do? What am I missing? I really want to start this new year off right. I want to get really lean and toned. I'm tired of having the jiggles and the dimples. Any wisdom out there?
Alright, well now that my cry for help is out there...I'm on to enjoying the rest of my Birthday and celebrating the end of the Birthday Challenge. I didn't lose the pounds that I may have wanted, but I still think I look pretty good and my back and arms are starting to shape up...granted I can't really see my back, but I'll trust that it's happening by the way it feels.
Have a great day everyone and a great weekend!
-Bex
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)