Day 195 - Back to Paleo

Started eating Paleo style this past Tuesday. The girls from team bootcamp and I decided to do it together, and I got my mom doing it also. So far so good! Lost 3 lbs already. Not gonna lie, I've really been wanting cake and really wanting ice cream, but I've been staying strong! 

And it seems no matter where I go there's always these yummy treats taunting me. I even missed a picture of the donuts to include in the picture above, and this was all in one day! A training session at the U provided all of these evil desserts. I stayed strong though, eating my fruit and veggies! Only 25 days to go! Best part is the last day is the day before my birthday, so I can't lie - my birthday I might have to have a day to myself guilt free.....and then right back to it!

I signed up for this race, so that should be fun. I think I may be a little addicted!

And now that I have this I'm ready to start traveling for these events. Over time obviously, but I can't wait to fill it in. I wonder how long it'll take. I'm so interested in traveling that I'm working this into my Moscow trip in December.

Can you imagine! Slovakia!! Earning my trifecta in Slovakia!! Talk about motivation!! Keep eating right, workin out and it'll all pay off!

3 lbs down...... 15 more to go. But I bought a new swimsuit today. Not quite looking good enough for a two piece but I still feel cute! I feel progress and I feel light. So now those tough pesky pounds need to go!

Day 186 - Spartan Sprint Achieved!

Now in 2 of 3 for earning my trifecta badge! The Spartan Sprint race held here in Minnesota was a blast, hot, but a blast!

I started my day volunteering at the race from 6am-12pm. It actually ended up being until 1, but who cares! I ended up earning a free race!!

My station was the Atlas Carry. This is where you pick up a concrete ball and carry it 30 feet, drop it, do 5 burpees, and then carry it back. The woman's ball is about 85 lbs, I believe, men's is 100.

So after I managed that area it was time for me to race. I almost didn't want to because I felt I was already over heated from being in the blazing sun for 7 hours. But I knew I wasn't going to not do it. So off I went, first thing was to climb the giant ski hill. After some up and down on the hill, I came to the Dunk Wall....

And man did that feel nice!! It was just what I needed. I was refreshed! And one by one I was slaying the obstacles. I did every single one of them by myself, all but 2. The rope climb, and some other monkey ring contraption they made. I am so proud of myself! My first Spartan I could barely do anything, and here I was competing in my 4th and I'm killin the game.

I may never be part of the Elite, but as long as I can keep doing better then my last race, I'll be satisfied. I really thought the Minnesota Sprint was going to be easy, come to find out it's the hardest Sprint they have, because of the distance, 5.25 miles. Took me 2:51 hours, which I'm not very happy about, but the fact I did all those obstacles makes me more estatic then anything! 

Even the javelin throw! 

So here's to me! And now it's time to slay the Beast!

Day 172 - Spartan Super Accomplished

 This past Saturday I traveled to the Chicago area to compete in the Spartan Super race. This race is 8-10 miles. I was only in competition with myself though, because I needed to beat my previous failure. Need I even mention the unfished Ultra Beast?

And let me tell you, it was great! And I can't even lie, pretty easy actually. Pretty easy for a Spartan race, that is. There were no ski hills to climb or super crazy terrain, it was a pretty mild course. I needed some help on a few walls and chose the burpees instead of the obstacle sometimes, because let's face it, sometimes I just needed help, but I also needed to listen to my body. I didn't really jog very much. This seemed to be the first race where it was a hurry up and wait situation, because there were many people and narrow path ways, and oh my gosh - THE MUD! 

Had to be the muddiest Spartan race ever! The one proud moment I did have though; was when the last mile had about 1/4 mile of just straight mud on the trail. Deep enough to lose your shoes in. It was tough but I kept pushing and didn't stop once, but others were not so lucky. Some people were taking breaks on the side lines because they were so tired. I have some words of encouragement but kept moving. That's one thing I can say about the Spartan races is that people encourage and help one another, and I love that. I can't tell you how many times people run pass and just shout some words to help you keep pushing. No matter how slow you go, you're faster than sitting on the couch.

So my mom got me these for my Mothers Day/Birthday Present. They are trail shoes and they made the world of a difference! Where people were slipping and sliding, I was sticking and moving. I will never do another race without them. 

Unfortunately they'll never look the same as the first day again, but they'll work just as good and I love them. If you're ever thinking about doing a run, I would recommend getting a pair of these. They are super comfortable, never came off, and kept me from sliding I don't even know how many times.

And this was a early Happy Birthday to myself. I wanted to get it mainly for my fitness journey, but it was great to have it for the race as well. I knew my pace, how far I ended up going, how long I took, and the bonus of putting it in my FitnessPal was the icing on the cake. I like that it's tracking my sleep cycles as well. The Sleep Cycle app, although helpful, just doesn't work as good in my opinion. 

And here's the results! Not too bad for 8.79 miles. Not to beat myself up, but it could be better, but I'll get there. I'm just glad I finished. I was worried with the iron deficiency thing I'd get too tired, but I listened to my body and didn't push myself too terrible. But I finished! 

Day 163 - Iron Deficiency Anemia

So this totally sucks. I'm glad to find out the reason I'm absolutely exhausted during my workouts now, but it sucks that I'm absolutely exhausted. I know this is a very common thing among women and it's an easy fix, but still, I want my energy back.

I had some blood work done at my pre-op appointment and this is what they found. I'm having surgery to remove a mass that was found in my uterus for all who didn't know. And the unstoppable bleeding I was experiencing lead to this. I was getting dizzy during my workouts and my hematocrit levels kept dropping so I was getting worried. So hopefully I'll get better soon, but until then...

Liver it is!! 

I pan fried it and then added some sautéed onions and mushrooms with some bacon, and it actually wasn't as horrible as I remember. Also going to get some spinach and start making some smoothies in the morning. And then whatever else I can get to get these levels up! I've got a race on Saturday!!

Had my weigh in yesterday was well. 60 day challenge started. Trainer wants me to start tracking what I eat as well. I usually do pretty good with tracking, but it doesn't stop me from eating the good stuff, I just don't track it. 

So here's today. But don't be fooled, it wasn't the heartiest of all the foods. Went to a co-workers house for lunch and she got us all this:

She also postponed her detox for this so, on to tomorrow. It'll be a better day. So much for starting on the first :(

Day 158 - Cake please!!

I'm gearing up for the Spartan Super in Chicago in a couple weeks. It's only 8-10 miles so it shouldn't be too hard. I did 14.8 which was short of 26 in the Ultrabeast about a months ago, but no worries - I won't fall short again! Determined to show that 26 mile obstacle course who's boss next year!! It was the first time I didn't finish a race, probably won't be my last either. Hate to say it, but that's the thing about making goals, once they're accomplished you gotta set the bar just a little bit higher!!

I didn't find the obstacles very hard. I did get some assistance with climbing walls and such, but the carrying of items was no problem!! So this Super will be no big deal. I also have a Spartan Sprint two weeks after the Super. It's only 3 miles so it should be even way easier. Why all the Spartans?? I was trying to achieve the Trifecta badge this year. But in order to do that now, I would need to sign up for another beast. Which there are a few coming this fall, so maybe I can still do it. Physically I'll be fine, it's just the financial and babysitter for the weekend part I gotta figure out. 

Yes - my subject included the want for cake! I was just fine until a discussion at lunch today included a topic on Costco shopping. Which then had me remember and mention the fact they have this delicious vanilla and custard sheet cake that is SO AMAZING! So now it's all I thought about today. Maybe I should make that my 60 day reward??? Hopefully won't even want it after 60 days....

So I turned my cravings over to these little bastards - LOL! And NO, I didn't eat all of these. I've had this since Valentine's Day, giving myself a treat here and there, sharing with the kids here and there. But today I saw the Best By date was May 2016, so I better get them eaten. 6 should be good for today. I also have to give some to the kids too. The more I share the less that'll get strapped to my thighs so... As much as I love them I must share. 

But I've been good for the last two days though. Small meals, fruits and veggies. Need to get some green leafy stuff in my life though. My hematocrit is pretty low. Lots of my meals also consist of .....

Love Love Love me some watermelon!! Fills you up, hydrates, cleans you out - all the while tasting delicious as ever!! 

Maybe I'll run in the morning....

Day 157 - Time to Come Back

So many things have been going on since my last post, so instead of boring you with the past, I'm just going to move forward with today. I'm starting to see my real issue of staying on the diet and exercise wagon. I hope on and off from time to time but don't really commit to a life style change, and I don't know why. Wish I knew, or someone could tell me. But let's give it another go shall we. Tomorrow is June 1st, and I love starting things on a first so why not. 

A couple of motivating things. 1) I started school and my first class is a writing class. One of our first assignments was writing about how we write. I mentioned I write a blog and a couple people wanted the link. What's more motivating than people actually wanting to read your writing? So, I figured I should get back into it so they actually have something to read. 2) Also starting the 60 day challenge at Lifetime Fitness. Official weigh in is on Saturday, but I don't want to wait. The longer I wait, the more "I better eat this before my diet starts" days I have, and then I just end up creating more work for myself. 

The eating right part starts tomorrow, but the exercise has been going on. I just need to get more consistent. I take a lot of "I'll just sit in the hot tub" days, and that needs to stop. I have two Spartan races in June, in which I need to perform well at, so there's no time to waste. 

This is what I did today on the treadmill, 4.5% incline at 3.6 speed. And instead of watching Netflix, I watched about 7 videos from the activities assigned in my class. Multi-tasking is a must to obtain all goals. So here I go, hopefully I can/will write here every day, I tend to loose sight of this after awhile as well, especially if nothing new is going on, but I'll do my best. Now.... To enjoy the last bowl of fatty goodness I'll have for awhile... Or 60 days at least.... Or 6... Maybe a cheat day once a week is necessary. Who knows?

Day 83 - Been Eatin too Much

Why is it as soon as I see a little progress I'm ready to eat up my whole kitchen?? A couple days this week I think I've lost my mind, today being one of those. No more though - gotta stay on track!! 

I mean look at that progress!!! Everything's finally coming together - clothes are feeing good - I'm feeling good - life is good. 

I. Can't. Stop. Now.

What should I do????? I need another mental break through or something. The food cravings need to stop!! 

I could just do this every day to combat it, but I don't think it'll be enough. Pray for me!!

Day 80 - Feelin and Lookin Great!

So my taco streak lasted 10 days, and on the 10th day I was really done, but now I'm feelin the urge again. I had a thing for banana bread for the past couple days also, which is probably not doing me any good, but my tastebuds are having a grand ole time. 

The weight loss portion is doing great!! Finally under 150 lbs again! Clothes I hadn't been able to wear in a long time are starting to fit again. Even though the picture above is the most recent, the stats from the week before were even better, and then I stopped eating tacos and started eating other stuff:( but still under 150 so life is good!!

This is my workout from today - look at the calories lost!! Best and longest so far. I keep working on my inclines too, but I know imma need to ramp it up because....

I signed up for the race!!  And although it's not Hawaii - it's still going to be awesome. And this one is just in time to end the 90 day challenge!! So now I'm really starting to train. In addition to the treadmill, I've also signed up for Team Bootcamp at Lifetime twice a week. And man - I'm gettin tired of squats and lunges!! LOL!! But if I finish this race - imma have to give him mad props!!

And as far as the 90 day challenge goes - I've crawled up to the number 8 spot at the Plymouth location! You have to be in the top 20 to submit an essay. So I'm super excited! I've been mentally writing this thing for awhile but I feel like I should actually get it on paper one of these days so I'm not feelin crunch time and forget all the good stuff. 

No social media is starting to get tough though. I can't believe how much stuff is linked to Facebook, it's almost ridiculous. Most contests I get emailed about are linked, updates, anything. Kinda sucks, but I also feel better not being connected as much, not sharing so much. Kind of refreshing. 

So I'm half way through the challenge, and I know this is when it gets tough, so pray for me to stay strong, because that's what imma do too. 

Day 66 - Down 11lbs!!

So it's been 21 days for the 90 day challenge, and we've been in a constant fast with the church for 5 days. I've been getting in at least 3 workouts a week, which I could probably do more, and I will. And I'm still down 11 lbs!! I feel so great!! 

It's been kinda hard though, constant struggle. The fast is helping, but i still wonder what's gonna happen after the fast, because the addiction is real. So I'm hoping I'll stay strong, but I've done 30 days before and we all know how that turned out afterwards. I don't know if I can tell very much in the picture but my clothes do fit differently. 

In addition to the weight portion of the challenge, the no social media thing is also doing rather well. At first, everything I did I was yearning to tell the world bout it through a post, and then I'm like "why?". Why do I need to tell everyone what I'm doing all the time? There are some people I care about and I'd want to tell, but then why not just text or make a phone call? I also take way less pictures now too, because where am I gonna post them? Nobody to show selfies, or what I'm eating at the moment, or the most fabulous kid event I'm attending. I take the memorable pictures, and things for this blog but other than that, it all seems rather mute. 

And now here is a new problem. Addiction to authentic tacos. It is real and I love it. 

Day 42 - Goodbye to the Fat Girl

So I've been enjoying myself the past week, eating whatever I want, savouring every last morsel. But like all good things, it must come to an end, because no one ever got fit eating junk. And even though I have been exercising, the amount I've done will not keep up with the amount of intake I've been consuming. 

And this was just some of the things today. Along with the Dairy Queen, tacos, pizza, chips, caribou coffee, and endless mini candy bars. So here's to you - thanks for being there for my feelings even though my waistline did not agree with it. Farewell to you along with the fat girl you once knew. And you all may not think I'm fat, but I've gotta plenty. You don't have to be obese to be fat. And although it's be very motivating to change if I shared my bikini photo, I will spare you the details so you can keep your dinner in your stomach. Plus I would rather show you my before when I get my after:)

Tomorrow marks the first day of the 90 day transformation challenge. No more time for playing around. I've been mentally preparing myself for this for quite some time now. I'm ready. I've even decided to step it up a notch. I'm going to be working on a complete transformation over the next 90 days. Mind, Body, Spirit.

So goodbye Facebook, goodbye Instagram, goodbye snapchat, goodbye social media. I am choosing to remove myself from the chains that bind me to my phone. I will be transforming my Mind and Spirit through the works of the good word. I will be studying the bible, increasing my prayers, and growing closer to the Lord almighty. If I feel the need to watch tv, I will turn to godly shows, documentaries and such, learning and growing more. Increasing my faith as I travel through my journey. 

Through the obvious working out and eating right I will transform my body. I already know how to do this, but I need to get better disciplined with it. I seem to lose track of it somewhere down the road. It will get boring down after awhile, so I'll need to think of ways to spice it up, because I need to complete this 90 days strong, confident and changed. 

There's so many reasons I chose to do this complete transformation. But the main reason is because it's time to be selfish. I need to do what's right for me and that's to grow closer to the Lord. When you are called to do something, you do it. And I've been so caught up in everything weirdly that I haven't heard my call. I've been searching for the meaning of life for a long time, but I've been too busy to hear the answer. I want to be selfish and hear my calling. My heart, eyes and ears are wide open and I'm ready to receive. 

So as I observe obedience, discipline and sacrifice: 

I will continue to blog, but I don't know how many people will follow because there's not a Facebook link to follow. So I'll just share and those who follow can check my page. I hope I help someone through my journey. We all travel our own, but it doesn't mean we do it alone. 

Day 33 - Wednesday's We Fast

Yes your read that correctly. The church has a fast on Wednesdays, so there's no eating or working out the body. It's all about working out and building spiritual strength through sacrifice of the flesh. And I don't know about you but I definitely need to build up strength with the Lord! Because without him I am nothing. So I am putting just as much effort into building my spirit as I am my body. So today I meditate, study the word, pray and end with the nights Bible study class. So do not confuse this with a rest day, because that's tomorrow. This is a spiritual workout. 

So this will be the last post you'll see on a Wednesday. As I will observe my fast. 

Day 32 - Cardio and Arms

Started my morning workout with a 5K. That was great. Got all the way up to 6.3mph at one point. It felt comfortable too,maybe I should be working on increasing my speed before my distance?? I don't know, trying it all for now. 

So I warm up walk for 5 minutes, then I run to the 2K mark, then walk, this time ran another 3/4 of a mile, then when I had a mile to the finish - I increased my incline to 15% for 1/2 mile, then 10% for 1/4, and then 5% for a little more all the way down to 0, then I stopped it because I also used that as my cool down. So I'm pretty happy with this routine. Now to get faster! Plus - look at those calories!! Inclines work it out!!

Then I moved to the machines to get some arm reps in. I did 4 sets of 15 on each, curl I did 40lbs and extension I did 30lbs. So not too bad! Then it was off to the steam room and a shower to get ready for work. 

I grabbed this lovely thing on my way out - and it was amazing! Pinapple and spinach smoothie - soooo goood! 

And that's all I'm going to share about what I consumed because the rest wasn't that great. I had enough Pho on my lunch break to feed a small army. Eggs and sausage for dinner, then a bowl of vanilla ice cream before bed. And honestly I almost don't care. I have to take before pictures and get weighed in for this 90 day challenge. And I feel like if I do too much clean eating then I won't transform as much. So everything within reason - and the beginning of this challenge will set it off. Like my bestie calls me "food snob" in full effect! 

And here's 1 month results - with no avail. I should've taken one before vacation - probably would've made a difference. So here's the deal folks - wanna look better for the long term? Don't let your taste buds go on a vacation with you. Remain a Food Snob!! 

And I found this on Facebook and just thought use share. Food for thought.