Day 3 - you know how it goes!

Day 3, 30 Day Challenge menu

½ cup tea

Meal 1: ½ cups oats, 2 egg whites, 1 cup strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries mixed, 2 tbs PB (8:00)

20 oz water

34 oz water

Meal 2: hardboiled egg, ½ sweet potato (10:30)

Meal 3: 1-2 slices Ezekiel bread, PB and sliced strawberries (12:00)

34 oz water

Meal 4: chicken sausage, ½ serving squash bake, carrots and hummus (2:00)

Meal 5: roasted stuffed red pepper (quinoa, black beans, corn, salsa), salad with good seasons dressing (around 6:00)

Plain Seltzer

I know this menu looks strikingly similar to yesterday, but I am a creature of habit. I know what I like, so I make it and it’s satisfying. I’m super excited for roasted stuffed peppers for dinner!

Yesterdays menu changed quite a bit by the end of the day. Missed out on Meal 4 even though I was hungry, running to class because I got out of work late… yada, yada. Needless to say I was starving when I got home and ate probably about 4-5 oz of grilled chicken and ½ ear of corn.  Seltzer, bed, ahhhh….

The grilled chicken made yesterday marinated overnight in home prepared good seasons dressing. It was really amazing. My hubby told me he thinks Thing 1 ate half of what we cooked! I was hoping for leftovers today, but NO! LOL, that’s ok though, I’ll just make more.

I’m feeling good here on Day 3. I have almost no headache, but still feeling a little sluggish. I am eating (fueling) when I am truly hungry, and so far today, that has been quite a bit – you can see only 1.5 hours between “meal 2” and “meal 3”. I was so hungry and didn’t want to take my lunch break that early (I like to try and make it around 1 or 2 – makes the rest of the day feel short!)

More water – down the hatch. When I finish this bottle, I will have drunk 88 oz so far, and it’s 12:30 currently. Woohoo for me!

My poster presentation went well last night, but by the end of the 3 hours, my legs were on fire. Insult to injury, I guess. But my legs are feeling better today. I wish I had more opportunity to move during the day, because they feel so much better after I’ve moved a bit.

I’m dying for a workout today. Just something… (I hear you, Drazie, I really do… I am going to be careful!!). Maybe a walk tonight outside, or an easy going video. I need to just get my heart rate up a little and get a little sweat going and I KNOW I’ll feel good about it.

Ok, I’m done blathering on. I hope you are all doing well and doing what is good for you.

Peace.

Day 2 and a little funny...

Day 2, 30 Day Challenge menu

1.5 cups plain chai tea

Meal 1: ½ cup oats, ½ cup blueberries, 2 egg whites, 2 tbs pb

34 oz water

34 oz water

Meal 2: spaghetti squash bake, 1 chicken sausage, banana

34 oz water – working on this now

Meal 3: hardboiled egg, ½ sweet potato– working on this now

Meal 4: 2 slices Ezekiel bread, 2 tbs pb, 2 sliced strawberries – IF I’m hungry on the way to class.

Meal 5: grilled chicken on salad with red peppers, cucumbers, carrots and good seasons dressing. – When I get home (after 8. *sigh*)

A little plain seltzer water – I love bubbly water.

Yesterdays menu was very similar, but I added a bit more protein today – super, super important.

Woke up with my typical Challenge headache. But, it’s actually ebbing a little today. Tylenol and black tea are very helpful. It’s my body rebelling against the lack of crap. I know I will feel SO good in a few days, so it helps me soldier through.

My children, however, are not so helpful at helping me do ANYTHING except lose my patience and my mind. I won’t go into great detail, but let’s just say it involved permanent marker – in lots of places it shouldn’t be this morning – all before 6:45 AM.

That is all. Grrrr….

My breakfast was the same today as yesterday, and today it held me SO much longer. Eating junk makes you crave more junk and it makes you even hungrier. Even the “day after” eating crappy, if you are eating well, you are still going to feel more hungry than normal.  Today, since yesterday was such a clean eating day, my body is thanking me today by using the food as FUEL.

Go figure, right?

I’m in some pretty big pain from my Sunday workout at Tuff Girl. My legs are killing me, which I don’t care about so much (good hurt, you know), but that little spot where I popped a stitch is VERY sore. I’m not sure if I should bother the doc about it… but I also don’t know where to go from here with my workouts. I really, really want to start sweating again! I felt SOOO good after the workout on Sunday, even though I had regressed. I need a plan that will work me back up to where I was, without hurting myself.

When I started Tuff Girl I didn’t know what a really hard workout was. So, it was a progression that was made naturally. Going back into good, hard work in a progressive manner now is TOUGH. Everyone just keeps saying “why don’t you just start out by going for walks?” but it’s so hard to tone things down so much. A walk is not a workout for me, dammit! I went for a walk on Saturday that turned into a run. And now, being in pain, I feel incapable of even doing THAT.

I’m frustrated. Can you tell? I feel like the 30 day challenge is partly wasted if I can’t get in some good workouts.

Any suggestions on a good, maybe 2 week progression from any of you fitness trainers out there, I would appreciate it. Just to reiterate – 5 weeks out of abdominal surgery and have just recently hurt myself working out. Yeah. I’m a gem. Regardless, right now, I just want my abdomen to stop hurting.

Well, it’s taken me all day to finish this, so I’m going to post. After work is a Health and Wellness Faire and I am displaying my research poster for class. Basically I will be standing there for 3 hours along with about 35 others from the class (all with posters) just in case someone passes by and wants to ask me a question about my research. I really just want to be in bed. LOL

Not weight related, but I found it hilarious: http://gma.yahoo.com/photos/dad-chronicles-sons-temper-tantrums-on-tumblr-slideshow/dad-chronicles-sons-temper-tantrums-on-tumblr-photo--342463340.html

 Peace, bloggers

35 - and Day 1

Monday, day after my birthday. Day 1 of 30 Day Clean Eating Challenge at Tuff Girl. I’m very excited, even though I already have a headache from lack of caffeine. LOL

My birthday was like a normal day, except I got a pedicure. That was nice. I went with my mom. I love hanging out with her, and we don’t get to as often as I would like.

My hubby made me cupcakes from scratch. I won’t go into details, but they were NOT clean, totally amazing and they were worth ever last morsel. The rest of the batch went into work with him this morning. *Whew*

Yesterday was the intro meeting to the challenge. I’m already familiar with the rules, although they have been tweaked a little, I know the premise. I also got to work out. My legs are KILLING me today, but at least it’s for a reason!  We started out with a “fitness test”. We will repeat this “test” in 2 weeks to see how we are progressing. Here are my stats. PLEASE don’t laugh – remember I am 4.5 weeks post op, and I haven’t done a stitch of exercise in 5 weeks.

  *  Burpees in 20 sec: 8

  *  Burpees in 40: 13

  * Jam Ball Slams in 20: 11

  * Jam Ball Slams in 40: 21

  * Pushups in 1:00: 15, on box

  * Squats in 1:00: 37

  *Seated Band rows in 1:00: 25 with purple band (highest resistance)

  * Push press: 5 with 20 lbs, 3 with 25 – the premise was to do 5, then go up in weight. Do 5, go up – since I could only squeak out 3 with 25, I was done.

When I left Tuff Girl, my standard for push press was 25 – moving into 30’s. I was disappointed, but not surprised to drop weight there. One thing that did surprise me was how much pull I felt in my abdomen during push press.

After the test, we did some tabata rounds. Jump rope, pushups, jump rope, plank – repeat. 2 rounds of this, and then we did 2 rounds of forward kicks into pads while our partners held them for us and gave us some resistance. Felt good to kick the crap out of something. J

My arms held up great during everything. My abdomen was very, VERY sore last night. Tylenol and heating pad last night and it is not as bad today. My legs are most definitely the culprit now!

If you didn’t see my pic post from yesterday, check it out: http://lifeincareer-sis.blogspot.com/2013/04/happy-birthday-to-me.html

It’s got before and after surgery pics  - 4.5 weeks out. I will take more pics at the end of my 30 day challenge.

A little shout out to Kelly at http://www.curvyfitgirl.com/ - who sent me a sweet get well card. MWAH! SOO sweet!

Peace, bloggers. I hope you are all well

Happy Birthday to me

4.5 weeks post op:
Before and after shots

Experimentation results

Following up on this Friday. I am SO grateful for Fridays. I totally covet my Friday nights for total utter and complete relaxation. I can let my mind rest. Nothing to be worried about for at LEAST a day.

*inhale slowly, exhale slowly*

I tried some moves last night and walking at lunch today. My exertion tolerance is pitiful. Winded by jogging up a few flights of stairs. Ugh.

Squats – totally fine. Sumo squats are the better of the 2 tried.

Counter pushups – totally fine.

Plank – shaking almost immediately. Engaging core is difficult.

Toe pushups – not happening right now.

My arms feel really good, unless I am trying to stretch them a little too far. For example, if I reach up and drop my arms back in a dumbbell triceps extension, it hurts. I need to start stretching it slowly as I am using Vitamin E on my scars. So, modifications will be necessary. I can work the triceps doing a kickback, maybe… but things like dead-hang pull-ups are going to be further into the future than I would like. The dead-hang would probably rip me right open. TMI, I know. Sorry.

Feeling weak. Freakin’ HATE that. Slow progress is better than no progress… but damn, I’m having a hard time.

I am SO excited for my 30 Day challenge. Not weighing myself, only going my Body Fat %. I will take my current on Sunday, and then will do it again at the end of the 30 days. Not in between, and no getting on the scale. Part of the GAIN I was talking about yesterday has to include gaining TRUST in myself. I don’t want to go through the rest of my life feeling like I can’t “trust” myself and how I feel. I’m not talking about moderation or anything like that, because I know my body and mind have an adverse reaction to some substances (READ: SUGAR) – so staying away from that is not about “not trusting myself with it” it’s about knowing it does bad things to my body, so the sane person then rationalizes that they need to stay away from said poison. Duh.

Trust. It’s so freaking hard.

Thank God for the weekend… I hope you are all well. Peace

SHREDDED!

Thursday. A quiet Thursday – how remarkable!

Even though the doc gave me the OK to start exercising again, I admit, I’ve been a little scared. I mean, yesterday, I popped an internal stitch reaching into the back seat to wipe a 2 year old snotty nose. Really?? WTF? Hurts today… but anyway…

So I have slowly started experimenting. I don’t really know how much muscle I have lost in the last 4 weeks, so not sure what I can do. I did some pushups against a counter top this morning. Arms feel totally fine. No pulling, no excess stretching… it’s the abdomen that’s giving me trouble. After popping that stitch, I can’t engage my abs without pain. As most of you know, pretty much every form of exercise is going to require the abdominals being engaged. It’s frustrating to say the least. I plan on experimenting a little more tonight. Some planks, squats, knee or table top pushups… we shall see.

Sunday is my birthday. I told you I got myself a present – the 30 Day Challenge. I can’t think of a better gift right now. I am so excited. Hardcore. I think I am the MOST excited because now, after this surgery, it will be possible for me to actually see muscular results/changes. Will all the excess ab and arm skin, I could hardly make out any definition, even though I KNEW it was there. Now, it’s different.

This spring and summer is going to be MY time to SHRED. My time to GAIN.



What does shred mean? I think it’s different from one person to another. I don’t need to look like my amazing trainer Christa in order to feel like I am shredded for my body…



http://www.christadoran.com/



http://www.christadoran.com/



(although, what an incredible role model!). Shredding for me means leaning out more and more so that my muscle definition can come through. I don’t need or maybe even want to look like a fitness model. Those are some beautiful bodies, for sure, but it’s not for me. Why not? Those ladies spend their whole lives in constant pursuit of that body. I have so many things happening in my life, I can’t spend all of my waking time in search of the perfect visible abs! AND THAT’S OK!

“GAIN??? What are you talking about?” You may be thinking. I want to gain strength and toughness, muscular, mental and emotional. I want gain confidence. I want to gain total respect for myself. I have a lot to gain. It’s going to take hard work to gain. But I will.

I’m just about caught up with back school work. I registered for next semester – Nutrition III and Culinary Nutrition – STOKED about it. Classes will be fascinating! But I already can’t wait for this semester to be done. I need summer. I need some breathing room.

Thing 2 has been sick… I think I may have mentioned. He is still ill. Last night hubby took him to the pediatrician and they are stumped. Fever spiking up and down, but negative for ear infection, strep and flu. Chest sounded clear. Our instructions are to monitor the fever. If it “trends downward” we need to ride it out. If it stays consistent or gets worse, they need to see him for a chest x-ray and blood work. He hasn’t been to daycare all week and the only way it has been possible for me to be at work is because my hubby took off, and my father in law is being a super good sport, hanging out with the oh-so-whiney-one yesterday and today… probably even tomorrow.

So, that’s just a *little* stressful… I’m sure it’s nothing but a virus that’s hanging on too long, but it makes me very nervous. I can’t wait to get home to him tonight.

That’s all for now. I’ll report back tomorrow on my “experimenting” tonight.

Peace everyone...

All the little pending things... and friendship

I feel really strange writing this blog. I’ve gotten so out of the writing loop… I’m wondering if anyone out there is even still reading me! Well, anyway, here I am.

Just an update. I’m feeling well. I finally got the OK from my doctor to come back to work full time (I was back just part time last week) AND I got the OK to exercise, while still being careful. Thank GOD!

I have a birthday creeping up quickly, and I’ll be 35. Not sure why this feels so significant to me, but it does. Also can’t tell whether it feels significant in a good or bad way. LOL. I guess that will be my own decision!

As a birthday present to myself, I know I mentioned last entry, I am joining the Tuff Girl 30 Day Clean Eating Challenge. No cheating. No “just a bite”. No “it’s no big deal”. None. No sugar, No sugar substitute, weaning (again) off coffee. No “treats” made of crazy “clean” ingredients. Simple, straight-forward, whole food. A lot of love and support, a ton of sweat, and we will see where my body fat % is at the end. I will log on Monday my starting %, and then we will see where I am at the wrap-up.

Things on the financial end of this surgery are getting to the tight end. This next pay check will be beyond pitiful, and I am heavily relying on my fundraising to get everything I am responsible for paid over the next month. It’s very tight, but I thank God every day for the support I received from donors. The dream of those folds upon folds of hanging skin, causing rashes and infections, being removed from me forever would NEVER, EVER have come true. I am beyond blessed. I’m sure we will get through it.

I’m catching up with my school work. This week is particularly busy in that way. Test and quiz to make up, projects due, new projects to begin. I’m allowing myself to understand that this semester – perhaps not getting an A in both classes is OK. There is a lot to focus on, and if everything is less than perfect, well, that’s just the way it is. Kids and family are #1 – everything else makes it onto the list somewhere and gets dealt with accordingly.

Speaking of family – Thing 2 is home for day 2 of a wretched cold. The hubby is home with him, and I feel bitter that it’s not me. I’m always the one to stay home and take care of my babies when they are sick. It feels… just wrong to be at work when he is home, coughing and feverish. My husband is a wonderful caregiver. I have no worries at all. I just feel… I don’t know… like I am shirking my responsibilities as a mama. I know, I know…

Anyway. I truly hope all of you out there are doing your best, feeling good and making things happen for yourself. My view of the blogging world has changed a little. I used to have a feeling that I was “friends” with the people out there who I followed and followed me… but I know that that was probably a little disillusioned. Reading someone’s writing doesn’t mean you “know” them, and they don’t “know” you. I am not so friendless in the real world that my blog “friends” were my only solace (thank goodness!) but I see that for some, that is the case. The comments they get to their post are their life-line. Perhaps the only validation they have in life. This is sad for them and I worry for their well-being if that façade were ever to crumble for them.  *sigh* this was just one of the thoughts that kept me awake last night!

Anyway, Peace, bloggers. I sincerely hope you are all well.