Sundays

Lately Sundays mean the same thing to me.

Lots of meal prep:

This week is all about veggies.  Last week I don’t think one green, or any color, vegetable touched my lips.  This week I am working on balance in the Zone.

Girl time:

Serious BFF’s.  With matching shades.  And addictions to panera, shoes, shopping….all of it.  Love those girls so freaking hard.

Chihuahua Time:

Obviously Lola and Jake are having their own identity crisis’.  They are spending more time in Vice’s cage then on the couch.  I think it’s a sign I need to be home more.

My biggest weakness:

On Sunday I usually eat twizzlers TO MY FACE.  Seriously, it’s a horrible habit that I completely blame my mother for.  She loves twizzlers and passed that love onto me.

And last but not least time with J.  That kid is the best ❤

What’s your typical sunday like?

gm

Recovery, Food and Relaxing

Well, what are your thoughts on 13.2?

My thoughts are that it was a sprint, it sucked and my calves are still killing me from the box jumps.  Not sure my deal lately, but any kind of jumping absolutely annihilates my calves.  It’s at a point of beyond sore and it’s painful.  I have been rocking compression socks but about 48 hours later and I am still in pain. What the F!

The rest of this weekend was spent in recovery mode.  Protein, glutamine and fish oil followed by some (not pictured) BCAA’s…what else am I missing from my recovery regimen?

I am not necessarily eating strict paleo, but I am trying to avoid grains and just eat clean.  I am also still rockin my 24 day challenge and feelin’ good!

meal planning

homemade chicken cheese steaks minus the bun, extra fries 😉

Sunday came and I had a relaxing morning with the news, coffee and two very cute dogs!

Then…something comepletely crazy happened sunday evening.  I wanted steak for dinner.  I know, who am I!? 

J and I went to the food store, got some steak and cooked it up!  With sautéed peppers and onions it was just what I wanted!

I am guessing I had been missing something in m diet for me to crave steak like that. I haven’t had red meat like that in a looooong time and I have never purchased and cooked a steak myself either!  Nuts!

Am I missing any key recovery supplements?  My calves and I will thank you for any additional suggestions!

How did you do on 13.2?

I wanted at least 7 rounds but got 8 plus 5 reps so I am happy with that!

gm

3 is too many at once

Today something crazy happened.  THERE WAS SUNSHINE!  I know…craaaaazy.

I am starting to feel the negative effects of winter lately.  It seems to always be gray, freezing, and just blah.  Although the morning started like that, this afternoon things quickly changed for the better and the sun was shining!  I made sure to take full advantage and even though I already ran outside for the day I went on 2 nice long walks.

Why 2?  Because do you know how impossible it is to walk 3 dogs at once?

First was the chihuahuas. They are not as fun to take pictures of because they don’t listen but you get the idea.

Once I tired out those little legs, I went and got the big guy.  V is still learning the right way to walk on a leash so not only did we walk far and I tired him out that way… I also practiced his walking skills a lot so he is physically and mentally pooped.  Although he is tired now, the guy and his huge ears was loving life getting some fresh air!

I appreciate all the information you shared with me about dates the other day!  I have another earth shattering question that you fine folks can help me out with.

A Goji.  What?  Yea… a goji.  What is that? And why are they delicious?

As for the rest of the evening I have a shepherd’s pie a cookin and hopefully some tired dogs!

I hope the weather was suntastic by you and you made sure to enjoy it today too!

gm

Don’t Get Sick

While I am still working on getting all the particulars figured out, I can’t say much about my current adventure.   I can say that my mornings are awesome with some coffee out of a mug, chihuahua lap time and working from home.

Even though I am not working a 9-5 right now, I feel busier and more exhausted than if I was!  Starting up your own business is stressful!  I usually start paperwork or researching something around 630 am and continue to do so throughout the day.  I am also running a TON of errands, getting supplies, making phone calls and learning a ton.

This is a preeeettty stressful time for me so I am making sure to do everything possible to not get sick.  The added stress can take a toll on your immune system so making sure you are living an overall healthy lifestyle is important!

To avoid getting sick I make sure to do the following:

+ wash my hands. all.the.time
+ drink enough water.
+ exercise.  making sure I am still getting enough exercise is really important for me mentally and physically
+ sleep!  This one is huge for me.  I know personally if I don’t get enough sleep I am guaranteed to get sick!
+ eat a balanced diet.  When I am stressed I could live on donuts and french fries.  for real.  making sure to get the right nutrients is really important

By the end of my days lately I am still sitting in front of the computer typing something up or researching “just one more thing.”  Because I am following my personal rules on how to avoid getting sick I also allow myself a brew or two as I work 😉

Any other secret ways to avoid getting sick or feeling run down?  Tell me!

gm

Not Your Average Monday

Today was the first of many “Not your average Monday” for me. Not all went according to plan.  I am learning a lot about business and LLC, DBA ABCDEFGHSOIJSODJGD…

That’s what it seems like anyway.

I woke up at a weird-for-a-monday 6am and drank coffee out of a mug-Huge plus.

Once coffee was done I headed to work out.  I had a ton of phone calls and paperwork to take care of but that wasn’t until business hours so I fit a workout in first. Working out led to one too many pull ups and ripping my hand.  This time there was bloodshed. It doesn’t look bad but trust me…OUCH

After my workout I came home and spent a solid 3 hours on the phone instead of a solid 3 hours in a sterile hood.

Placed on hold, calling people back over and over, deposits on this, deposits on that. Who knew it was possible to spend so much money on what seems like nothing in such a short amount of time? Who knew you needed a security deposit on everything from cable to gas.  Like I said, this is a huge learning experience for me.  Give the girl a little slack.

Once phone calls were made I had to run errands. Running errands on a budget is not fun.  While I am working on getting to where I want to be…every penny counts!

After I spent the bare minimum, I came home to hang with the dogs and cook dinner.  Not my normal Manic Monday of going from job #1 to job #2 to home by 8:30 and straight to bed.

Despite V’s face, he is loving the extra time with me 😛

I have a jam-packed day full of meetings, appointments and painting tomorrow.

What’s something that was not so normal about your Monday?

gm

Weightloss- doggy style

How do you put a dog on a diet that can’t walk in the cold but also eats every.single.thing she sees?

Seriously?  Lola is overweight and I need help and suggestions on how to help a sister out!

Besides a fat dog, I have been sipping some java with my main man J

Mastering wall balls and wall climbs….

*** I started with kettle bell swings

And rockin some new gear that I am obsessing over.

My running is still there.  Nothing worth writing about but it’s there.

And remember when I was having a hard time with my dead lift?

Well, let’s just say I have made that 245 pounds my bitch and I dead lifted 255 pounds like a beast.  I mean, not really, it was hard as balls but I still did it!

A 255 pound pull has been my biggest accomplishment in the gym for me lately! What about you? What’s your biggest gym/run accomplishment lately?

gm

ps— I am really proud of this post.  I know there is still a lot that I didn’t talk about but when I am able to, I will fill you in 😉

Picture Post

Hey guys!  Sorry for the lack of posting.  Big things happening for this chick. Details to come but in the meantime….

I have been enjoying time with my doofy pups

I have been WODing and downing coffee like a champ

And I have been training one awesome chick at the gym.  She pushes herself really hard, knows what her goals are and is going after them.  All while doing that she still thought of her hardass trainer and got me a treat.  Seriously, she rocks

I will be back with big big news…keep an eye out 😉

tell me…..whats new?!

gm

Paleo Struggles

Lately my feelings on Tuesday have been pretty craptastic.  I was in the mindset that Tuesday sucked more than Monday and I typically found myself more tired and it harder to wake up on Tuesdays  Not today.  My first alarm went off super early and I popped right out of bed.  I even had time to take care of some house chores nice and early!

I recently posted that I wanted to try and eat more paleo-like.  That doesn’t mean I am going to be super strict yet but I am playing around with the idea.  I am food shopping with a paleo mindset, I decide on weekly dinners with the same mindset as well.

One thing that I was really struggling with at first was not eating my beloved peanut butter.  Sure I can have almond butter but…have you ever tasted almond butter?  Not exactly the same sweet treat as peanut butter is! I am happy to say that something finally clicked and I am now an almond butter fan.  I still purchase peanut butter for J but when reaching for a quick snack, lately almond butter has been my nut butter of choice.

One thing I gave up all together is yogurt.  Chobani, fage, yoplait.  You name it, I stopped eating it. This was the hardest for me.  Last week was the first full week I didn’t eat any yogurt and I found myself so incredibly starving. All the time.  I was hungry.  I would eat and no less than 2 hours later my stomach was growling again.  I was making sure my meals had the proper breakdown of fat, carbs and proteins but I was still starving.  I was trying to blame my lack of calcium that I was getting from yogurt but I think, in all reality, I just needed to eat more each meal.  So far my theory is working and I am not a hangry beast 95% of the day.

Another challenge I found myself having is dinner.  I need foods that I can eat on the fly…and really I mean I have approximately 10 minutes to eat dinner lately. And those 10 minutes are spent in a gym in front of at least 15 other people so it needs to be something quick, not stored in a fridge, not heated but also satisfying.  Am I asking for the impossible here? Any suggestions?

I am hoping that if I keep incorporating more paleo meals and snacks into my life the transition to eating 99% paleo will just occur naturally.  While I am excited to see how this way of eating will make me feel and effect or maybe affect, im still dumb and dont know the right choice my workouts….I am not about to give up ice cream or coffee creamer just yet…

And just because I love this….I leave you with Vice and Lola 🙂

thanks for the photo J 😉

gm

Dog time and Miagi

This weekend flew by!  For you too?  I guess that’s what happens when you’re having fun!

Both Friday and Saturday night was spent in and relaxing.  A lot of time catching up with the dogs, who I seem to neglect all week with my busy schedule, and even some qt with J’s sister.  No complaints here!

Saturday morning I headed to the gym nice and early. MIAGI was on the schedule and I wanted to fit it in before I had to coach.  Miagi is a bitch.

I did 50 reps of everything except wall climbs.  Those were the worst. I failed at 20.  Looking back, I think if I wasn’t doing this WOD alone I would have been able to complete more.  It took me 41:31.  Definitely a long one to do alone and I don’t think I pushed myself hard enough.  I need to stop being a pansy about the weights. I did 95#deadlifts but went much too light for clean and jerk and kb movements.

For some reason I haven’t been going heavy.  I haven’t seen many gains on my big lifts and that’s my own fault.  In the WOD’s I go way too light with a lot of the lifts.  I am not saying I am not sore as hell afterwards, I am just saying that if I want to see improvements in my strength, I need to go heavier.

My mom and SIL came to this WOD and I loved having them there!  They told me they are going to try to make it to a few classes a month, I am holding them to that! *hear that slull? I am holding you to that!*

Like I said, I relaxed both nights this weekend.  My Saturday night was spent vertical watching tv and puppy cuddling.

V was jealous about the chihuahuas on the couch…so he decided to pretend he was a lap dog too.  No V…you do not fit in Lola’s bed.  loser.

Sunday I hit the road for a quick run.  The sun was out, birds were chirping and it was actually warm!  I ended up being too warm in my long sleeve and pants so I rocked a tank….In January. Makes me so ready for spring!  I ran the same 5.5 mile loop as last week and went about 10 seconds faster per mile.  I am hoping to be able to incorporate more running into my schedule.  Right now I am only getting about 15-20 miles a week.  I am hoping to up it to around 25ish.  If only the days were longer!

gm

Quicker Recovery

Did you have the Merriest Christmas ever?! I hope so!  I sure did!  I am one spoiled girl by both my family and boyfriend’s family!  Boyfriend and I apparently think a lot alike because we unknowingly bought each other the same gift… North Face Twins!

I have been on my CrossFit kick still and even got signed up for a couple more certifications for Christmas!  I am still trying to figure out ways to help recover quicker too.  I am starting to add BCAA’s to my regimen as well as Fish Oil.  Any other suggestions?     

I also received the book It Starts With Food so I am taking that as a sign to play around with Paleo eating…hopefully I can handle being that strict!

The next few days I have off from work so I am hoping to get some things fixed around the house and of course spend quality time with the pups.

Until next time…. Hope you are enjoying the holidays!! 🙂

gm