Progress Pics

Today my CrossFit Challenge went to 9 sets and we are almost the end of teaching Amy how to do big girl push ups and building some lats.  So I thought I would take the opportunity to celebrate the progress and also look back to an old photo where I weighed the same (pre-baby even) and realize how much I have changed my body and mind without changing the scale.  Yes I even gave you a glimpse of said picture in this video.  This picture was 10 years old and I have made most of my changes in the past 4-5 years on diet and increasing my water intake.  But man when I look back at how much happier and stronger I feel - I wanted to remind myself and others that the number on the scale and the abs are not the thing to focus on - it's the health.  And one of my favorite quotes of all time right now is You can not have a happy ending with an unhappy journey.  And I am enjoying the process and the fun of trying new things and seeing what works in my life and what doesn't.  It's all just part of the process... and progress ;)

Lifestyle vs. Diet

I have been a cooking fool this week as I got through the sugar headaches and am HUNGRY. :)  I feel like all I did this week was eat as I was looking to find things to fit cravings without jumping off the ledge.  I talk in my vlog about the cookie and bars I made.  The only down side is all treats start with a nut base so it’s hard to get a different flavor.  I am going to try a hint of vanilla extract on my next ones or add dried fruit.  I must say the winner of the week was turning cauliflower into something more tasty.  I made a rice out of it with garlic, onion, and celery.

I shot this vlog last night and you can see - by the end of this week I was wondering how am I happy on this diet.  All the blogs I read that are paleo are lifestyle blogs where the person is not “dieting” they just live paleo.  That is the thing I am missing.  Every positive change that I have kept has always been a lifestyle change, not a diet.  So last night I ate a tortilla and beans.  CRAZY I know.  I was so happy that I furthered my binge to ice cream with a little chocolate syrup.  

AND 

THEN

BLAH!!!  Sickness.  I felt miserable.  I was burping and felt like my stomach was going to blow up.  I went to bed and was feeling rather reflective on what is the happy medium for me?

So this morning, I made these paleo pancakes from Everyday Paleo.  I couldn't believe it but they even got the kid approval!  

They aren’t sweet again but the blueberries with the almond meal base made me think of like a cobbler taste/feel.  A gift that those 10 days have brought me is learning what my body likes and doesn’t.   So over the next week, I am going to listen to my body a little more and stop feeling so restricted and when I want something take a few bites and leave it.  I think alot of the paleo elements will fit into my lifestyle but I am ready to choose for them to be there.  So this morning, I chose not to have sugar in my coffee and for some reason... it tasted so much sweeter.....

Maybe it's back to the basics of just reducing junk while creating good habits?  For every craving... say ok to one and no to the other and build a foundation for a lifestyle.

Big Hairy Goals... one step at a time

What a great way to end the first year of running with my son at the finish line asking if he could see my medal and saying he was proud I ran that long.  I think the biggest thing that I realized after having another 13.1 in the books had nothing to do with my finish time or being in shape.... It had to do with being an example of possibility to him.  He mentioned watching the youngest runner of the half (12) cross the finish line “well before you mom so maybe I can beat you someday”.  :)   

Today I am working on putting myself back together again with a massage and chiro adjustment and plenty of sleep!  I went to bed at 9pm last night and finally feel like I can bend my knees again.  (Note to self:  start taking my fish oils again for joints)  I took the day off activity but am trying to walk quite a bit today because I am getting stiff when I sit in front of the computer too long.

Today also marks a big day - Day 1 of the Paleo Challenge!  My goal is to give a try.  I am nervous, scared and kinda just feeling lazy at the work I think it is going to take to go Paleo for 6 weeks.  FUNNY but that is exactly how I felt a year ago when I tried to run my first mile and realized I was going to need to do 13 in August ;)  Yeah sure I would love to see if I actually have some abs under my beer layer but I think the bigger reason I am doing the challenge is to have focus.  I am the type that loves the competition or end date of an event.  I have been threatening to learn push ups since Raechelle was killing 50 at a time.  Meanwhile, I think I am 7 and stuck there.  You get what you focus on so I am on my way to 100 (even if they are assisted!)  I think push ups are empowering as a woman and they make me feel strong.  In the scheme of things, 6 weeks isn’t long and per my vlog, I will never know if I don’t try if I can do the diet or the push ups.....

So here we go!!  Will post mid week on what I am missing and what I love about the new approach.  So far... I miss SUGAR in my coffee!!! ;)

Post Workout Vlog - 3 weeks to Rock and Roll Vegas

Happy Saturday!!  I meant to post this video from yesterday before I went to bed but I got my butt kicked to the point I fell asleep on the couch by 9.  OOOOHHHH those days are BACK!  This morning after 9 hours of sleep, I still feel like I’m tired! ;)

But alas today, this pic will be me today on the forest preserve trail.  Today a 8 mile run on the schedule because we are officially 3 weeks from half marathon #2.  Raining and 55 degrees for that outing. I am SOOO HAPPY this upcoming run is in Vegas!

Went to Whole Foods last night and got an entire bag of greens and fresh food.  I am so excited to eat this morning!  Yesterday was cold cereal followed by PBJ so I was in need of some groceries.  

Kelly and I have some awesome ideas planned for taping some workouts.  You can see how I got my butt kicked in my quest for being able to do 10 push ups with good form!  :D  Think we will have one next week!!  Fun new things.

Well I gotta go do some coffee so I can wake up and RUN!!  WOO HOO!  Tell me how you are going to KICK SOME BUTT this weekend!  I can hear the Rocky music in the background ;)

OH and here is what I work on during the day with Voicemail to Text at Yap.  The consumer side is only on AT&T and the IPhone right now but pass it on in the US if you have friends who are interested.