Nailed It!

So, after getting my pull-up goal my new goal was to do a one-handed handstand! It was really scary when I first started trying it...I kept thinking I was going to fall or that my shoulder would just give out. After today's workout I hung around after with 3 other girls and our coach. I started practicing and was making improvements, but still wasn't quite getting it... One of the girls asked me why I was trying to do...what was the reasoning behind. And I was completely honest with her - I thought it would make a cool picture. My goals so far have been pretty vain...but they are something to work towards nonetheless. =) So, after explaining my reasoning I decided to try again. Everyone was chatting about the games and our team this weekend (Way to go TJ's Gym - 6th in the WORLD) and all of a sudden I was able to lift up my hand! I had interrupt and say "woo hoo" so I would have a witness! Then I remembered I had my camera in my purse, so Brandi was nice enough to take a photo of me!

Making Strides...

I can now do 2 pull-ups in a row!!! I have also been working on my kipping pull-ups but I tend to mess them up a bit so it is still a work in progress. However, I have been reflecting a bit since I first started CrossFit and I really can't believe how much stronger I have gotten in such a short period of time. When I first signed up my main goal was to get in shape for my wedding and do a pull-up; however, after attending classes and seeing all these things that other people can do - I just keep thinking to myself "I wanna do that!" Next on the list - 1 handed handstand. I just think it looks really cool and I want a picture doing it. Other than that my goals are to increase my 1 rep max (RM) on my lifts. I remember when I started deadlifted about 145 pounds and the other week I got up to 175! I know I have said this before, but one of the main reasons I love CrossFit is that I can really see an improvement everyday and it keeps me wanting to achieve more and more! On another note - I bought one of those big ass turkey legs for lunch today and it was super good!! Go Paleo!!! =)

New Photos - Swimsuit!!!

So, I finally felt I was ready to post some new photos of my in my swimsuit...it also helped that this was after a brutally hard work out so I was feeling extra fit! haha I have come a long way since I started CrossFit and eating better - I am really proud of where I am now, but I can't wait to see even more transformation in the next few months!

Losing Weight = Smaller Boobies

So, I had this conversation a couple weeks ago with my friend Kendall...who by the way is looking super sexy and fit these days! =) However, we both ran into the same situation... The sad part about women losing weight is that the first place you see it is in your boobs! I am glad to be losing weight and getting fit, but I have to say that I have seen a significant decrease in the cleavage department in the past couple months. Obviously breast size isn't the most important thing...but I do like my boobs! =) I know almost all women at some point have either put on weight or lost weight...or both. And I"m pretty sure about 90% of you would agree that one of the first places you see change is your boobs. If I could have it my way...I would keep my fat boobs and the rest skinny...but I guess you can't always get what you wish for! However, I will take smaller boobs if that means a smaller waist and buff arms. Sincerely, Flat and Fit

What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger!

The answer is yes - that is if your first question is "does this girl really like Kelly Clarkson??" I do and I really like the song as well! It has a nice beat and a good message which is quite pertinent to my life and current state of mind! 2 days ago I ran my fastest timed mile ever and yesterday not only did I do my first wall walk but I did them throughout the whole work out - almost 4 sets of 4! I say almost because my stomach didn't touch the wall a couple times for fear of face planting. Another big accomplishment was practing my hand stand push ups. I don't have them yet but I was practicing going up in a hand stand then coming down in a slow negative. The moral of the story is that I am at a place where I really feel like I am pushing myself and I am accomplishing something in every work out!I feel much stronger and excited everyday to see what I can do!

Sugar Attacks Your Liver Like Alcohol

This is a great article!

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/05/07/the-sweetener-that-is-more-dangerous-than-alcohol.aspx

Really, if I had to choose...I would totally go with alcohol...at least you get a good buzz going!

But honestly, I have tried to decrease consumption of both. The majority of my sugar intake comes from fruit and my coffee creamer (I just can't drink black...I've tried!) It is crazy how much sugar people intake in a day and the problems it creates for our bodies! I am currently spend quite a bit of time around children and it is crazy to see what their diets consist of! It is mostly sugar and processed foods! Not to say that I didn't eat that way either when I was younger...but I also ended up with pancreatitis...so go figure!

For the next 30+ days (until June 30) I am abstaining from alcohol as well...I figure my liver really needs a break after this last month! But June 30 is my Bridal Shower in San Diego so I figure I deserve a few glasses of champs!

New Photos!!!

So I know I am super slack on this blogging thing....but my other goals are going well so far! Also, Tyler and I stared the 1500 burpee challenge - do 1500 burpees in 1 month. So far so good! We decided to try it because one of his friends did the 3000 burpee challenge...I decided to scale it down a bit!

Lately I have been feeling great - eating well and working out! A little drinking on the weekends...but that never hurt anyone!

I have been traveling on the weekends for the past 2 weeks and for the next 2 weeks so I am trying to make sure I am extra strict during the week so I can have a bit of fun on the weekends.

Anyways...below are the overdue photos!

Another blog to come soon...hopefully!

Paleo Banana Bread

So, I have been on this paleo diet for a couple weeks now and it is going really well! Admittedly, I did cheat a bit on Easter...but I am back on track now!

My parents left on a road trip and left me with about 6 bananas! I know I won't eat 6 bananas before they all go bad so I started researching for a good banana bread recipe. Below is the link I found:

http://www.threenewleaves.com/recipes/paleo-banana-bread/

It is super easy and soooooo good! I added some walnuts to it. If you are eating paleo, gluten-free or just plain like banana break I highly suggest you try it! I have already had 2 pieces! =)

Box Bite

So there is this thing in the CrossFit world called "box bite." It's not really something you want to encounter, but the reality is...many of us do.

First of all...I have already fallen once while doing box jumps on a boxing ring in Abu Dhabi. It scraped up my shin a bit...but nothing big. The only thing I was really upset about was that I was going to my engagement brunch 2 hours later.

So, fast forward to Monday night. The first part of the workout was 7 box jumps, increasing in height each time. I started off on 20" (because I knew I could do that no problem). I ended up clearing a 27" box later on and the next one was 30". It looked a bit daunting, but I knew if I never tried it I would never know.

I took a deep breath and gave it my all. Then it was like slow motion...I clearly remember hitting the box and trying to stop myself with my hand. Sadly, it was a smaller class and everyone was watching! Everyone was super nice about it and was making sure I was okay. I was just walking around trying to make the incessant stinging stop! It was like someone was hitting my legs repeatedly with a baseball bat.

Then the coach came up to me and asked it was just a scrape or if I was bleeding. I said I thought it was just a scrape and possibly my shin was bleeding. My shin was bleeding a bit...then I pulled up the pant leg for my right knee and looked at it and was horrified (side not: I hate blood, needles and all that medical stuff)! The cut looked pretty deep!!!

One of the coaches helped me to clean them out and then ice them for a while. They were still stinging badly!!! Everyone was saying they might put a stitch or two in my knee, but it could probably heal on its own too. I just really didn't want to wait in the ER for hours and then have them tell me I didn't need stitches!

I was racking my brain for someone I could call who could tell me if I really needed stitches or not. It finally hit me...Rene (aka Renie - what I call him) works in the ER! I called he and asked if I could come over. After he took a look at it he said he could glue me back together. He is my hero! =)

So, I am now glued back together with 2 very sore legs! Which is really not great when I had to watch a 2 year old and 5 year old for 9 hours straight for 3 days!!

Anyways...I am waiting for them to heal so I can get back at it! But as I told the owner of the gym...I won't be doing any box jumps higher than 25"...at least not until my wedding!

Sorry I have Been MIA

Sorry its been so long since I have posted! I would love to say that it is because I've been crazy busy...but that would just be lie!

Anyways...a couple weeks ago I was having sever stomach pains...so bad that I was considering going to the ER at 6:30 in the morning. I decided to wait it out and it did get a bit better (not totally) and I went to the doctor that afternoon. As usual, the doctor said I probably just had a stomach bug. Now, this would be totally believable if I wasn't told this my whole life. And let me tell you about 9.9 times out of 10 my stomach issues are not because of a "bug." When I was 12 it was because of pancreatitis and my gallbladder - I had 3 different doctors tell my mom I had the stomach flu.

Anyways...fast forward. Right before this most recent incident I started ready "The Paleo Solution" by Robb Wolf. I have never read a book so fast! Everything in it just made sense! I started reading it because 1. it is HUGE in the Crossfit world - everyone talks about it and 2. my friend sean just hosted a whole summit on it. So, basically I had to find out what this thing is all about.

The basic premise of the Paleo Diet - eat like out ancestors (cavemen). Meats (grass fed), veggies and some fresh seasonal fruit. It is based on the fact that our body composition and how we break down foods has not changed much and therefore we are putting all this food into our bodies and our bodies have no idea how to break it down and use it. (Note: I am really simplifying...if you are interested I suggest you read the book...really amazing! And this is coming from some one who doesn't read - except Chelsea Handler books)

In addition, to learning about the Paleo Solution in general, Robb speak a lot about people who have had gallbadder issues. The majority of people that suffer from gallstones or other related issues usually have some type of celiac (gluten intolerance). This amazed me!!! You might ask why....this is why...basically every time I got out of the hospital from pancreatitis I was told to go on a low-fat bland diet composed mostly of breads and grains. Crazy!!!

Ok, so to try to wrap up this long post...since finishing the book I have started the Paleo Diet. For the past two weeks I have felt great and have not had any stomach issues thus far. I have to say that I have been "cheating" in that I probably eat more fruit that you are supposed to....but I love fruit. If that is my biggest flaw in this...I think I will be okay!

New photos coming this week as well!

CrossFit is Tough!!!

The one great thing about CrossFit is just when you think you got a hang of...it throws you through a loop again!

I have to say that I think the past 2 days were the toughest workouts yet and they were back to back!!!

Friday was the workout for the CrossFit Open (which I am not participating in, but my gym does the workout every Friday). And this one was a tough one! Here was the workout:
18 minutes AMRAP (As Many Reps (Rounds) As Possible)
-15 box Jumps
-12 Pound Push Press (55lbs was what I did)
- 9 Toes to Bar (I don't have this down yet, so I did knees to armpits)

Man I was beat after this one! After 5 minutes I wasn't sure if I could keep going, but I got a second wind and was able to finish 6 rounds and 18 reps.

This morning I walked in and I just prayed that there were no shoulders involved because my shoulders and triceps were killing me. My prayers; however, were not answered.
7 Rounds
8 Dumbbell Jerks (I could only do 15lb dumbbells for this one!)
10 KettleBell Swings (I used 16kg or 35lbs)
12 burpees and 6 inch jump (I did modified)

On each burpee I really wasn't sure if my arms could push my body up! But I completed the 7 rounds in 22:16.

I have made major strides in my strength and endurance, but I love how CrossFit constantly changes and even if you are the fittest person, you will always be challenged!

Photo's After almost 5 weeks of CrossFit!

Ok...so here are some updated photos! The time difference between the photos is about 1 month. I have been doing CrossFit 5 days a week and some cardio in between as well. It is still a work in progress, but I am happy with the results already!

Lacking in One Area...

So the no sweets and bread...easy! Working out...well CrossFit isn't exactly what I call easy...but it's easy to get myself to go there almost every day!

Studying...not so much!

Now, I was always good in school. It was easy for me...just came naturally. I would go to the lectures, take a few notes, go over the notes and then get a good grade! This isn't the same!

First of all, it is really hard to study when you don't really have a deadline. Second, I haven't studied this stuff since high school. Don't get me wrong, I really want to get certified, but right now it is a bit difficult to find the motivation.

So...starting this weekend. I am studying...really studying and going through at least a chapter a week to try to catch up for my laziness.

I really hope this works...it has to!

Goodbye Breads and Sweets!!!

I will see you at Easter!

Last year for Lent I gave up sweets and it was extremely hard to say no to all those good looking cheesecakes that rolled into our office for everyone's birthday! But, I decided to take it up a notch again this year and add bread as well!

So that is 46 days and nights with out bread (I will miss French Bread so much!!) and any kind of refined sugars.

I think I am going to be sick at Easter from only eating bread and chocolate!

Day 1 - complete, 45 to go!

Egg Muffins

A friend of mine - Evelyn Lambrecht (Health Coach SD) was recently featured in out Alma Mater's newspaper about the necessity and benefits of eating a well rounded breakfast. Check out the article:
http://www.thedailyaztec.com/2012/02/morning-meals-make-for-healthier-habits/


I was intrigued by these so called "muffins" and decided to try them myself!

So first I cooked the turkey bacon in the over. I like to put it in the oven because it doesn't really have enough fat to cook as well in the skillet. While the turkey bacon was crisping up I cut up some onions and sauteed them. Once they were done, I also sauteed some spinach. In the meantime, I combined 6 eggs and 2 egg whites in a bowl with a splash of milk and little bit of salt, pepper and garlic powder to taste. Then I scrambled up the egg mixture and put all of it together in the muffin pan.

Then I threw it in the oven on 350 for about 12 minutes and they came out smelling great!

They are so easy to make and you can just pop them in the microwave before you go to work. I think next I will try them with chicken sausage and broccoli!

Thank you Evelyn for the idea!!! Evelyn Lambrecht Is the Founder of Health Coach SD and has a wealth of information and tips on both her website and Facebook page. So check her out!

www.healthcoachsd.com

http://www.facebook.com/healthcoachsd

Embarrassing but Awesome

So the other day I was at 24 Hour working on my double unders. For those that don't know a double under is when you are jump roping and the rope goes around twice during one jump. Needless to say I have not mastered this yet. Anyways, this is not the point of this story...I was jumping and trying my hardest to get 5 double unders in row when my pants started falling down. I didn't want to show the whole gym my ass but I was on 4 and just needed one more!

Good thing I was wearing a longer shirt and messed up on the last jump because I was able to pull my pants up before anything bad happened!

Now I haven't conquered the double under but at least my pants are too big! I think right now I would prefer to go to with the pants and I will continue to practice the jump rope.

I think I need to make a trip to Lululemon this weekend though! =)

A Little Valentine’s Break

Sometimes you just need a little break. On Valentine’s Day I was feeling a little run down, like I was getting sick. So, I decided not to exercise and instead I stayed at home with my two dozen roses and Skyped with my fiancé (sorry I had to brag a little). I had a couple glasses of wine (probably didn’t help the sickness, but hey, its Valentine’s Day!) I then went to bed early in the hopes I would feel better the next day.

On Wednesday I was still feeling really tired and had a headache, so once again I decided to forgo the workout. I really hate missing workouts, especially two days in a row! I wasn’t very happy with myself and kept trying to think of ways I could make up for it.

Today I felt much better and went on a run after work and then went to my CrossFit On-Ramp (intro) class. I felt great after both workouts and realized that I just needed a little break.

Sometimes I am guilty of pushing myself too far and not taking time to relax and recover. I need to learn that missing a couple days isn’t the end of the world and in many cases it helps!

Quinoa Failure and Rise to Triumph!

So, last week I got a message from best friend/sister/Maid of Honor, Kristin. She was really excited about this new breakfast she discovered. I have never heard Kristin so excited about something healthy.  Now, if she had left me a message about some amazing pizza or a new menu item at Sol Food I wouldn’t have thought twice about it! So, since this is so out of character for a woman I have known for almost 24 years, I obviously had to call her back to see what was going on!

She told me that she and her boyfriend started eating healthier and their new favorite breakfast item is: Quinoa, vanilla almond milk, banana and walnuts. She just kept raving about it! Heat up the Quinoa and milk then add the banana and walnuts – its that simple! Apparently…

I have heard about this Quinoa stuff…but wasn’t really sure about it, but based on the recommendation I decided to try it.

So, late last night I decided to make the Quinoa so I could have it for breakfast after CrossFit the next morning. First, it tells you to wash of the Quinoa to “wash away any naturally occurring bitter tasting saponins (soap-like substances).” So far this is not sounding so great. If you read farther it then tells you “when done…the outer germ layer will separate.” This is totally turning me off about now…

However, I decided I had to at least try it. Let me tell you though, when you are washing Quinoa it literally looks like wet sand. I am really starting to think my friend has led me astray! But I persevere… I put the Quinoa in with the water and put it on the burner to start boiling.

As I wait for the water to boil…I am trying to clean the darn strainer because all these little grains are stuck!! I even pull out a knife to push some of the miniscule grains out of the strainer! Apparently this took too long because I could totally smell the Quinoa and I looked over my shoulder to see it totally boiling over!! Now, I wouldn’t say I am should have my own Food Newtwork show…but I can certainly boil water!

So, I clean everything up and I am seriously contemplating if I should try this again. Finally, I take a deep breath and give it another go.

This morning I decided to try Kristin’s breakfast (minus walnuts…not a fan) and I have to say it was REALLY good!!! It kept me full for a long time and was a great source of protein!

I think this might be put in my breakfast rotation on a more permanent basis.

Thank you Kristin!

Before...

*Deep Breath* 

Ok...so here are the before photos.

Not especially proud of them, but I have to say that I am already feeling stronger and more fit after a couple weeks of CrossFit. I only have 1 more week of the introductory program (On-Ramp) before I can start the real classes!

I will post pictures through out the journey so I can see the changes...that is always motivating! =)

HELLO! Welcome to My Blog!

For my first entry I will tell you a little bit about myself and why I created this blog.

First off, I would like to say that I am by no means an expert on health and fitness. This blog is meant to document my journey as well as motivate myself towards my goal. Hopefully along the way I might be able to motivate others as well!

I was a fat kid…pretty plain and simple. After looking through some photos at my brothers house I realized that I wasn’t just chubby…I was fat. And that’s ok! It has brought me to where I am now. The summer between my Freshman and Sophomore years of high school I decided I didn’t want to be the fat kid anymore. I started eating healthier and working out almost every day. In the end, I lost about 25 pounds! I was no longer the fat kid and I had so much more self-confidence and felt like I could excel in sports even more!

I do have to note that like many teenage girls there were times that I went about losing weight in the incorrect/unhealthy way. I now know that is detrimental to my body and will never go back to that.

Anyways…so throughout high school I was able to keep the weight off through participating in sports, going to the gym and eating pretty healthy (for a teenager). My senior year of high school I decided to try wrestling…that was probably the best shape I have ever been in! I wrestled at 135 and most of it was muscle! =) Its pretty easy to stay fit and eat healthy when you know you have to make weight on Thursday afternoon.

When I went off to college I was a little scared that I would gain a lot of weight….Freshman 15. While I didn’t gain 15 pounds…I wasn’t in the shape as wrestling, that’s for sure! My sophomore year I decided to enlist some one to help me drop some of the lbs from freshman year. I was training with Sean about 2 times per week and working out on my own the rest of the time. I got in much better shape and was finally back to an “athletic” body fat percentage. Sean used to say I would be even fitter if I just gave up drinking…but isn’t that what college is all about!?!?

My junior year I studied abroad in Australia. To make a long story short…a lot beer, fries and hung over food equated to me gaining about 10 pounds.

Through out the pas 5 years I have lost most of the “Australia weight,” but I’m still not quite where I want to be.

I am a person that loves a competition and in order for me to really succeed I need to be working towards something. In January 2010 I ran a half marathon and most recently in November I participated in boxing match. Knowing that I have something to work towards really keeps me going. When I was training for boxing even when I didn’t want to go to the gym I would force myself so I wouldn’t get my ass kicked in front of all my friends!

One other thing…I got in engaged in July! What better motivation than knowing you have an upcoming wedding where those pictures of you will literally last forever! Not to mention everyone will be looking at you so you want to look your best!

So, that basically brings us to now. I have the motivation of my wedding as well as he self motivation that I know I want to make a move into the fitness and health industry. I don’t want to get to my wedding date and have this journey end, I really want this to be a lifelong thing that I am dedicated to sticking to.

I just ordered my study materials to take the test to become a Certified Group Fitness Instructor. So, in three short months I will be leading some group fitness.

Also, I just started Cross Fit…which I love so far!

Below are my goals for this blog and myself

• Blog at least 3 times per week
• Goal weight = 135lbs
• Body Fat Percentage in the “athletic range”
• Do 5 unassisted pull-ups
• Get certified in Group Fitness Instructing
• Eat healthy (explain in later blogs)
• Beat Tyler in our competition (explained in another blog)
• Set a goal each week
• Have fun!!!

Stay tuned! There will be a “before” picture in the next blog…which I’m not psyched about. But hopefully it will make the “after” picture even better!