This blog has been relocated to:
www.thelifeofamd.blogspot.com
Please feel free to come on over and start following! I've changed up my "blogging" ways and now focus on not only life's curveballs but also on my Beachbody Coaching.
Hope to see you there!
PS - It's never too late to get fit :)
Monday, December 10, 2012
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Not-So, Paleo, Weekend
I made it 30 days on the Paleo trial.... and I liked it. So, I'm going to keep going with it. However, this weekend was terrible. I had a major set back that was back to the old days.
Friday I went to happy hour with a few of the locals. Had a few glasses of wine and all of a sudden, the devil popped up and told me I had to have Taco Bell. So, I gave in. Then he reappeared and said we needed a Dunkin Donuts stop. So, I gave in. Lastly though, I had the urge for a DiGiorno pizza. So, I bought one.
It was a bad bad night. I woke up Saturday and went to Kettlebell class at the gym where we were introduced to hand stand pushups. Crazy! Of course, mine needed to be modified because it was my first time doing them, but regardless, it was neat. On top of that, a few days before, I made the move from a 12" box jump to 14". Got through class, decided to try a 20" and made it! Talk about a self esteem boost!
Back to the weekend. Saturday night, we went to my friend Andrea's house in PA for a BBQ. We hung out for close to 6 hours or so and did a nice amount of drinking. Needless to say, I feel swollen. I don't know if weight gain has occured, because I don't want to know but tomorrow will tell all. The Bod Pod is coming to the gym and I've signed up for it. I'm going to find out my fat density and a whole bunch of other numbers that after this weekend, could throw me for a loop. We shall see!
Friday I went to happy hour with a few of the locals. Had a few glasses of wine and all of a sudden, the devil popped up and told me I had to have Taco Bell. So, I gave in. Then he reappeared and said we needed a Dunkin Donuts stop. So, I gave in. Lastly though, I had the urge for a DiGiorno pizza. So, I bought one.
It was a bad bad night. I woke up Saturday and went to Kettlebell class at the gym where we were introduced to hand stand pushups. Crazy! Of course, mine needed to be modified because it was my first time doing them, but regardless, it was neat. On top of that, a few days before, I made the move from a 12" box jump to 14". Got through class, decided to try a 20" and made it! Talk about a self esteem boost!
Back to the weekend. Saturday night, we went to my friend Andrea's house in PA for a BBQ. We hung out for close to 6 hours or so and did a nice amount of drinking. Needless to say, I feel swollen. I don't know if weight gain has occured, because I don't want to know but tomorrow will tell all. The Bod Pod is coming to the gym and I've signed up for it. I'm going to find out my fat density and a whole bunch of other numbers that after this weekend, could throw me for a loop. We shall see!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Day 10
Today is officially day 10 for the Paleo diet and my personal 30 day challenge. Things I've noticed so far:
- My energy level has increased.
- I've been sleeping a heck of a lot better then I have in the past 2-3 years.
- I'm naturally tired by 10pm and I am sound asleep until at least 5am. That's seven solid hours without
ANY interruption. I don't even feel Marley jump up to join me anymore.
- My phisical activity has improved. I feel stronger and seem to be recovering faster
- Several people have commented that my face appears thinner and not as swollen
- I see more definition in muscle tone and less fat (especially that lovely back fat!)
- Not to gross you out, but I am more regular now...
- The patches of acne that developed a few months ago are now gone. My skin looks much more clear.
What do I attribute this to? Well, for starts, a NO sugar, gluten, caffeine, cereal grains, legumes and dairy.
What's that you ask? You're 28, how are you surviving without drinking? For starts, I need to save money anyways and this is helping. But, I am allowed wine and the occasional beer. Keep in mind though, beer does contain wheat and since I'm REALLY trying to cut gluten out of my diet, I am staying away from beer.
Last night for dinner I made Pork Fried Rice for dinner from Health-Bent.com. Yeah yeah, we can't eat rice. So... the substitute was cauliflower throw in the food processor then cooked! It turned out REALLY yummy. There's enough left over to last a few meals too. Here's the recipe:
http://www.health-bent.com/proteins/pork-fried-rice
I was able to find wheat free soy sauce at Fresh Market. Overall, a great meal!
- My energy level has increased.
- I've been sleeping a heck of a lot better then I have in the past 2-3 years.
- I'm naturally tired by 10pm and I am sound asleep until at least 5am. That's seven solid hours without
ANY interruption. I don't even feel Marley jump up to join me anymore.
- My phisical activity has improved. I feel stronger and seem to be recovering faster
- Several people have commented that my face appears thinner and not as swollen
- I see more definition in muscle tone and less fat (especially that lovely back fat!)
- Not to gross you out, but I am more regular now...
- The patches of acne that developed a few months ago are now gone. My skin looks much more clear.
What do I attribute this to? Well, for starts, a NO sugar, gluten, caffeine, cereal grains, legumes and dairy.
What's that you ask? You're 28, how are you surviving without drinking? For starts, I need to save money anyways and this is helping. But, I am allowed wine and the occasional beer. Keep in mind though, beer does contain wheat and since I'm REALLY trying to cut gluten out of my diet, I am staying away from beer.
Last night for dinner I made Pork Fried Rice for dinner from Health-Bent.com. Yeah yeah, we can't eat rice. So... the substitute was cauliflower throw in the food processor then cooked! It turned out REALLY yummy. There's enough left over to last a few meals too. Here's the recipe:
http://www.health-bent.com/proteins/pork-fried-rice
I was able to find wheat free soy sauce at Fresh Market. Overall, a great meal!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
As the weekend closes
Today - weather not so hot.
But the run - AWESOME!
I'm 14 days away from the Pittsburgh Marathon and after today, I am pumped. I felt so good after the 13 miles, I even went in to the gym and did a past WOD. There was only one other guy in there, which was kinda nice too.
I don't know what made the run so fantastic. I ran from my house in Hampden, to Penn Station, up Charles Street to the Inner Harbor. Came back down Calvert Street to Penn Station and back to home. I love this route. It's scenic and there's just something about running through the city. Last summer, every time I ran it, I'd stop at all the Subway Restaurants along the way and they would let me have a cup of water. Today I opted to run with my camelback. I've been training for this race entirely alone, so my camelback has become a close friend. I'm almost thinking of wearing it race day. It might be weird without it and you know how us runners are addicted to "race day rituals". After all, I've worn the same underwear on every long run. Changing that could impact A LOT! :-)
Anyways, today I noticed that every hill I always walk, I was able to run. I ate a banana while on the run and felt more energy. Usually, banana's are just something to eat for me. Keep in mind, I haven't had any sugar, caffeine, gluten OR dairy for the past week.
Whatever it was, I hope I can pull it back out on race day!
But the run - AWESOME!
I'm 14 days away from the Pittsburgh Marathon and after today, I am pumped. I felt so good after the 13 miles, I even went in to the gym and did a past WOD. There was only one other guy in there, which was kinda nice too.
I don't know what made the run so fantastic. I ran from my house in Hampden, to Penn Station, up Charles Street to the Inner Harbor. Came back down Calvert Street to Penn Station and back to home. I love this route. It's scenic and there's just something about running through the city. Last summer, every time I ran it, I'd stop at all the Subway Restaurants along the way and they would let me have a cup of water. Today I opted to run with my camelback. I've been training for this race entirely alone, so my camelback has become a close friend. I'm almost thinking of wearing it race day. It might be weird without it and you know how us runners are addicted to "race day rituals". After all, I've worn the same underwear on every long run. Changing that could impact A LOT! :-)
Anyways, today I noticed that every hill I always walk, I was able to run. I ate a banana while on the run and felt more energy. Usually, banana's are just something to eat for me. Keep in mind, I haven't had any sugar, caffeine, gluten OR dairy for the past week.
Whatever it was, I hope I can pull it back out on race day!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
A slave to the kitchen
Today I began preparing meals for the week. That way, I don't have to worry about cooking all week and everything is all planned out. Just what I like... planning! Each meal can work as a breakfast, lunch OR dinner. That seems to be the way Paleo works. Since most everything you'd typically eat for breakfast is out of the picture here, with the exception of eggs and a few other things, you have to be creative.
Today I made: Butternut Squash Lasagna, Mexican Beef Stew, Banana Bread, Eggs to go and Banana Ice Cream. All Paleo recipes.
I was totally 5-5. Everything I made came out excellent! I was pretty surprised... and somehow I managed to spend about the same amount of money I would have spent making weight watcher meals for the week. That makes me very happy! I'm starting to really like almond butter and almond milk. Who would have thought?!
Today I made: Butternut Squash Lasagna, Mexican Beef Stew, Banana Bread, Eggs to go and Banana Ice Cream. All Paleo recipes.
I was totally 5-5. Everything I made came out excellent! I was pretty surprised... and somehow I managed to spend about the same amount of money I would have spent making weight watcher meals for the week. That makes me very happy! I'm starting to really like almond butter and almond milk. Who would have thought?!
Friday, April 29, 2011
2/5
Today is the end of week 2 of Kettlebell classes as well as day 5 of Paleo.
I think I'm doing well so far.
Yesterday however, I was talking to a friend about different kinds of chocolate and what we got for Easter. Of course, this made me crave chocolate, which is very un-paleo. I recently joined a Paleo support group run by one of the members of the gym and found a recipe for Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies.
After all, this week I lost 3 pounds and I feel trim and see the beginnings of "tone". It's almost a shock to my mirror. More trim then I ever have felt, but I've also done KB every day this week except for today and yesterday's workout was a bitch.
21-15-9 (That's three rounds. One round 21 times, one 15 times and one 9 times)
Knees to elbows
Turkish Get-ups
Sit-ups
Kettlebell swings
Push ups
BTW, I've done more pushups and burpees in the last 2 weeks then probably my entire life. It makes me wish I could repeat the grade school fitness test again. Sit and reach? I'd blow them away.
Tonight for dinner we hit up a "make your own burger" joint in Federal Hill. Overall, a great place! You can easily make a $20 burger with no problem. What did I make? Well, I had a bison burger with guac, jalapeno pepper slices and salsa on a lettuce wrap. I think that's as close to paleo that I could possibly get, but then again, I'm a beginner. I suppose it all depends on what it was cooked in too. Regardless, it was excellent!
I did have a minor setback when I got home which included the ears of a chocolate bunny, but it wasn't much at all and I feel like a little treat would be a good thing. How am I feeling? The recent acne issues I've been having are going away. I do seem to hit a mild lethargic slump in the afternoon, but it picks back up at night. Remember, no caffeine either. I haven't had soda OR coffee since Monday.
Pretty. Impressive.
I can say that I don't think my friends are enjoying this right now :-) Why? Simply because I went out with them and didn't drink. Alcohol in moderation is key and really, the only thing I can drink is wine. I can have one beer or one shot, but wine seems to be more approved... and sometimes when I drink with them, the word moderation isn't even part of my vocabulary. What's that?
What's up for the weekend? A 14 mile run and KB class in the morning. After that... cooking up 3 Paleo meals for the week and 2 snacks. I'm going into week two with gusto!
I think I'm doing well so far.
Yesterday however, I was talking to a friend about different kinds of chocolate and what we got for Easter. Of course, this made me crave chocolate, which is very un-paleo. I recently joined a Paleo support group run by one of the members of the gym and found a recipe for Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies.
- 1 c almond butter
- 1 egg
- 1/4 c cocoa powder
- 1/4 c chocolate chips (highest % cocoa, but NOT baking chocolate (bleh))
- 2 t vanilla extract
After all, this week I lost 3 pounds and I feel trim and see the beginnings of "tone". It's almost a shock to my mirror. More trim then I ever have felt, but I've also done KB every day this week except for today and yesterday's workout was a bitch.
21-15-9 (That's three rounds. One round 21 times, one 15 times and one 9 times)
Knees to elbows
Turkish Get-ups
Sit-ups
Kettlebell swings
Push ups
BTW, I've done more pushups and burpees in the last 2 weeks then probably my entire life. It makes me wish I could repeat the grade school fitness test again. Sit and reach? I'd blow them away.
Tonight for dinner we hit up a "make your own burger" joint in Federal Hill. Overall, a great place! You can easily make a $20 burger with no problem. What did I make? Well, I had a bison burger with guac, jalapeno pepper slices and salsa on a lettuce wrap. I think that's as close to paleo that I could possibly get, but then again, I'm a beginner. I suppose it all depends on what it was cooked in too. Regardless, it was excellent!
I did have a minor setback when I got home which included the ears of a chocolate bunny, but it wasn't much at all and I feel like a little treat would be a good thing. How am I feeling? The recent acne issues I've been having are going away. I do seem to hit a mild lethargic slump in the afternoon, but it picks back up at night. Remember, no caffeine either. I haven't had soda OR coffee since Monday.
Pretty. Impressive.
I can say that I don't think my friends are enjoying this right now :-) Why? Simply because I went out with them and didn't drink. Alcohol in moderation is key and really, the only thing I can drink is wine. I can have one beer or one shot, but wine seems to be more approved... and sometimes when I drink with them, the word moderation isn't even part of my vocabulary. What's that?
What's up for the weekend? A 14 mile run and KB class in the morning. After that... cooking up 3 Paleo meals for the week and 2 snacks. I'm going into week two with gusto!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
It's Thursday
Today is Day 4 on Paleo and by mid afternoon I was a little lethargic. Not too sure why. Could be a few reasons. One being - a total diet change and two - going back to work after 10 days of Spring Break. I completely messed up my routine over the last 10 days off and it's been a challenge getting back in.
This morning I had an IEP meeting that I felt could go one way or another. The first meeting I had with these parents in the beginning of the year was rather hostile. They were dealt a bad hand last year and they started the new year off rather guarded. However, their child has made amazing progress this year and I wanted them to know it. The big topic at hand happened to be her placement for next year. We are no longer housing the next step of the program she's part of (Together at 5, inclusion for 5 year olds) so our other options were to place her in another school with that program, place her in a self contained environment or try and retain her so she'd stay with the same teachers, same building and continue to make excellent growth. Mom and dad were very pleased with my suggestion (to retain her, self contained can't be an option at this time) and left the meeting with happy smiles. Whether or not the retention can actually occur, we're waiting to find out. Regardless, her parents have ended the year on a different note. That makes me happy.
Tonight I tried a new Paleo recipe. Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies. I left out the optional sugar portion to see what they'd taste like without it. Ingredients were minimal, but turned out great. Not as sweet as I would have liked, but certainly satisfied the chocolate urge I had going.
Keep smiling everyone! Tomorrow is Friday :-)
This morning I had an IEP meeting that I felt could go one way or another. The first meeting I had with these parents in the beginning of the year was rather hostile. They were dealt a bad hand last year and they started the new year off rather guarded. However, their child has made amazing progress this year and I wanted them to know it. The big topic at hand happened to be her placement for next year. We are no longer housing the next step of the program she's part of (Together at 5, inclusion for 5 year olds) so our other options were to place her in another school with that program, place her in a self contained environment or try and retain her so she'd stay with the same teachers, same building and continue to make excellent growth. Mom and dad were very pleased with my suggestion (to retain her, self contained can't be an option at this time) and left the meeting with happy smiles. Whether or not the retention can actually occur, we're waiting to find out. Regardless, her parents have ended the year on a different note. That makes me happy.
Tonight I tried a new Paleo recipe. Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies. I left out the optional sugar portion to see what they'd taste like without it. Ingredients were minimal, but turned out great. Not as sweet as I would have liked, but certainly satisfied the chocolate urge I had going.
Keep smiling everyone! Tomorrow is Friday :-)
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