2014 Recap

Wait? What? Yes...I've not been very good with my blog other than update race pics. :P Forgive me? Seriously, it's just so much easier to post to Instagram.

HOWEVER...we have officially ditched our satellite which means the kids have their cartoon DVDs and Disney movies to watch OR whatever I can find online and hook my laptop up to the t.v. So, this should allow me to have a bit more "down time" to get some blogging done. Maybe. ;)

So for my lack of posts, here's a quick recap of January-April of 2014, pics included.

January 2014

New Year's Eve; My husband actually had the night off and for the first time since I can remember I got dolled up and we went out. The next morning I took this picture and put it together with an old one. I was astonished by the change in my face.

Finally my friend Kayla got me on the mats for Krav Maga after CrossKick class. I had so much fun and discovered I have much more strength than I realized. Later on, during the kids karate class, I discovered a battle wound. We had worked on gun defense and it's likely the "gun" scratched me open during one of our drills. I text it to Kayla and she was relieve to finally know where the blood came from on her body. LOL. She was freaking out because she couldn't find a scratch on herself.

This place, Premier Martial Arts - Kansas City, became my second home. We spend 5 days a week here between CrossKick, Krav Maga and Karate for the kids.

January hit me in the gut. I had developed a great friendship with Kayla, and I helped her weight train as she prepared to join the Marines. We bonded over our fitness and self defense classes. The kids loved her as her karate instructor and she just "fit" in our family. Then I got a text that she was shipping out the next morning, unexpectedly. Two weeks before she was supposed to and it just killed me. Not being able to hug her goodbye, wish her well...it just tanked my mojo.

Soon after she left, her mother and I began training together and we have become great friends. We rely on each other for motivation during our lifts, we take her puppies & the kids on walks, and I have her running 5k's with me...and soon her first 10k in September. It has been great to have her around, yet I still miss my dear friend. Soon enough she will graduate so I can give her that damn hug.

February 2014

February sucked hairy balls. Seriously though, my training was great. However I have to admit I cannot out exercise that bad food choices. They weren't mistakes. They weren't cheats. They were decisions I made and have to live with. Too many meals, like above. Too many pizza's. Too much of the kids treats. You name it. Food has haunted me.

I did find a new healthy love, which I still have to tighten my reigns on so I don't eat a jar in one sitting. You Fresh Naturals, it's an easy way to add some healthy almond/coconut fat to my nutrition plan. I typically have a tbsp on my Ezekiel bread for breakfast or a tbsp on my sweet potato. Yummo!

And then I have to keep telling myself this, despite my terrible food choices; How am I to know what I can achieve if I quit? It's something that is sticking in my brain despite any "bad" choices I make.

March 2014

Being down on myself is taking its toll. Not seeing the scale move is a real motivation killer, so I did this pic up for Transformation Tuesday. So, I haven't seen much weight progress in a long time. I have seen muscle definition, muscle mass and added strength. I have seen my pants becoming bigger and bigger and baggier and baggier. Clearly what I am doing is making a difference regardless of the scale.

I also have to note that my husband was floored by this collage. He looked at me and said "I did not realize you had gotten that big." He didn't see it, because he loves me, his wife. He saw me day in and day out...but there have been some obvious improvements over the last two years for certain, even if I am not seeing what I think I should be. ;)

My new BFF. I purchased my ISObag from Flex Till You're Famous and it was one of the best decisions EVER. This baby is so flipping useful. It really helps on Wednesday's when we go from class to home, to pick up the kid, back to their classes. It makes is a LOT easier to stay on point and keep me out of Subway where those damn cookies find their way into my belly.

April 2014

And this my friends is day 6 of poison ivy. I contracted it the day before my birthday and after a massively swollen/stiff arm, two trips to the doctor, two scripts for steroids, a script for anti-itch and a script for an antibiotic, it put me out of the workout zone for the past few weeks. As long as it was weeping I wasn't allowed to workout. Sweat irritated the condition and of course that agitated me. I am nearly healed at this point. I still have visible scars, and one wound trying to heal over; I am cleared for workouts now. I have to wear long sleeves when I run outdoors for a while to keep the sun off me, but at least I can get my mojo flowing again. And, no I did not touch the ivy. My dad was cutting vines with his chainsaw in a fence row.  The oils went airborne (which I didn't think of at the time) and poof! I've always been super sensitive to it and I pray I never see the stuff again.

So I am back to sweating my booty off during CrossKick, hopefully I can hit up Krav on Thursday. Easter was hard on me, no matter what I tried the kids Easter candy kept jumping my mouth. So I'm trying to locate my will power again. Today was day 1 with no candy!

2014 has been rocky to say the least, but I am a stronger person for it and I will keep forging on.

Soul Searching

I have come to the realization that I have been holding myself back. Not seeing the scale budge has put me in a major funk. Now, you know that I know that the scale is not the only form of measurement. But when you've been on a journey for this long and are accustomed to seeing definitive numbers change and then it stops...you tend to get discouraged.

I have seen changes in my physical appearance, more definition in my muscles, definitely feeling stronger in my legs, but I NEED to see the scale move. I lust after seeing a "1" at the beginning of my weight. Is this an issue for me? Yes. It has become a revolving issue that seems to have me paralyzed, fixated to the point of self sabatoge.

Looking back things seemed like such a cake walk. I eat, I work out, the weight fell off. Now...I've fallen off track. I just need to figure out how to get that drive back. I still workout regularly but I'm not seeing the progress I think I should see. Am I delusional? Is this normal, to work so hard for two years and then hit a brick wall? I hate feeling like a negative Nancy...I prefer my positive upbeat self over this sad, disappointed persona that has shown through.

I've narrowed my problems down:

• I cheat too much - I've worked really hard on this issue this month and made it 24 days without a cheat.
• Winter weather sucks - I love running, particularly in hot hot hot weather and I just cannot make myself get out there in this arctic air.  I need more cardio...seriously. I have actually contemplated selling a kidney for a decent treadmill.  (Just kidding)
• I let the numbers define me - I'm 100% a numbers person. I have to see those changes in a definitive way. I long for the mornings that the scale shows a reduction in weight and completely trash talk myself when it doesn't move.
• I know my weaknesses - I know that chocolate and sweet junk are the death of me. I try to tell myself it's okay to have a "little of this" in the house for the kids, but I know in my heart it will end up passing through my lips.  I cannot resist it. The only way it's possible to keep it around is if my husband hides it. If I don't know it's there, I cannot crave it.
• I think I can hide it - All too often I sneak a bite of this or that, and those bites add up. It's all too true, what you eat in private, you wear in public.

So , as I do most nights, I peruse my IG feed and run across this amazing fit quote and "BAM" it hits me. All of these problems, those are exactly describing the old me. The one who was unhappy, weak and tired. I absolutely cannot go back there. I refuse to go back there.  The answers are right in front of me. I know my weaknesses, and strengths. I have done this before and I will continue to do this. I'm starting at square one and making it work once again. I will adjust my nutrition plan to suit me and my needs and tweak it as needed. I will trash the junk in our home. I will get myself back down the path to good health (not that I truly left it).

I will do this. I will defeat the old me once and for all. I am strong. I am working every day to be the best version of myself. I can do this.

June

Well hello blog land! Long time no see? Sad that my last post was June 1st?

Have no fear I'm still working towards my goals. The last week and a half I had over 120 cheer bows to complete before a local HS took off for cheer camp, so that is partially to blame. ;) So hang on to your mouse and get settled in for a lot of pictures. LOL.

Let's start off with the weight update!

I'm still not seeing a ton of progress as far as the scale is concerned. Of course everyone on IG is all "don't worry about the scale." Easy for you to say when you're not the one paying for Weight Watchers!!! And I will keep paying until I can make Lifetime. :/

Why is the scale stuck? I have several theories, but I'm going to narrow it down to too many cheat meals with the hubby on weekends, right before weigh in, and lack of sleep. Seriously sleep should be my number one priority but I just cannot get myself in bed at a decent hour. Boo!

Moving on to workouts:

It seems I've slid into a bad habit of skipping cardio on weigh in day. Note to self: Get to it!

And here's a little fun one of me and the kiddlets showing off our new FTYF gear!

Keep at it Fit Family!

Push it till you puke

I finally feel like I'm accomplishing something. Today I finally pushed my body to the limits that I started dry heaving during my leg routine!!!! This.is.awesome. However, not so sure about the impending soreness that may accompany my quads, hams and glutes tomorrow. :P

Mother Nature is screwing with us in the Midwest yet again... It's supposedly snow you see? But the good news is, my muck boots are no longer cutting into my calves!!! Look, there's room around my leg. WooHoo!

 

And yes... I stopped mid-workout to text my bff and let her know what her killer leg routine had done to me. LOL.

Daily Dose

1. Meal 1 - Protein Bar {5PP}
2. Morning Tea {1PP}
3. Meal 2 - 2 Cuties {0PP}
4. Meal 3 - Apple, Fage + PB2 {2PP}
5. Meal 4 - Super Salad, Oven Roasted Chicken, Creamy French {3PP}
6. Meal 5 - (6) Fajita Stuffed Mini Bell Peppers {9PP}
7. Workout - Chest & Triceps, torn down! Growing some callouses. O.o
8. Meal 7 - Post work-out protein shake with Milk & PB2 {5PP}
9. Meal 8 - Tuna Couscous Concotion {6PP}
10. Night cap - Bedtime Tea {0PP}

Total Points Consumed: 31 Points Remaining: 2 Activity Points Earned: 3

So, this morning was rough... up all night with not one but two sick kiddos, early am appointment with the chiropractor (who praised me for my working out and how well it's impacted my spinal health), and a very sleepy mama all day long, who wanted to skip her workout and crawl in bed early... very happy she stayed up to work out!!!

Screen capture from my JEFit app.

Here's my first 4+ weeks of my new routine! I only missed ONE DAY and it was a cardio day. I feel super proud of that. Just have to get through this week and the next and then my trainer will switch up the weights routine. YAY!!!!

Daily Dose

1. Meal 1 - Egg, 2 slices turkey bacon, Banana {4PP}
2. Meal 2 - Peanut Butter Banana Muffin {5PP}
3. Meal 3 - Tex-Mex Taco Salad {7PP}
4. Meal 4 - Pineapple, Fage Total 0% + PB2 {2PP}
5. Meal 5 - Chicken Breast, Sweet Potato, Baby Zucchini & Yellow Squash {4PP}
6. Workout - Calves, Core, Back/Shoulders
7. Meal 6 - Post-workout Protein Shake {4PP}
8. Meal 7 - Tuna + Light String Cheese {4PP}

Total Points Consumed: 31 Points Remaining: 3 Activity Points Earned: 4

Daily Dose

1. Meal 1 - Toast with Hazelnut Spread, 1 egg & half a banana (The boy child stole the other half) {5PP}
2. Meal 2 - Super Salad, 1tsp Creamy French, 2 Loaded Santa Fe Potato Skins {7PP}
3. Meal 3 - 1 Cup of Strawberries {0PP}
4. Meal 4 - Carrots & Hummus {1PP}
5. Meal 5 - Tex-Mex Taco Salad {7PP}
6. Meal 6 - Pre-workout snack; Toast with Almond Butter {4PP}
7. Workout - Legs & Biceps. Bumped my squats up to 50 pounds tonight and the hubs had to spot me :) Gonna be a fun day tomorrow trying to use the toilet. :P
8. Meal 7 - Post-workout Protein Shake with Milk {4PP}
9. Meal 8 - Chicken Tenders and Couscous {6PP}
10. Night Cap - Yogi Bedtime Tea {0PP}

Total Points Consumed: 34 Points Remaining: 0 Activity Points Earned: 4

Daily Dose

1. Meal 1 - Banana + 1 Egg & 1 Egg white omelet with spinach & green onion, a wedge of Laughing cow cheese {3PP}
2. Morning Tea - Stash Pomegranate Raspberry Green Tea {0PP}
3. Meal 2 - Roasted Broccoli/Cauliflower with 2 Santa Fe Loaded Baked Potato Skins {4PP}
4. Meal 3 - Pineapple and Fage with Chocolate PB2 {2PP}
5. Meal 4 - Peanut Butter Banana Muffin {5PP}
6. Meal 5 - Super Salad with 1tsp Creamy French {2PP}
7. Meal 5 - Broiled Garlic Tilapia and Broiled Bell Pepper {4PP}
8. Meal 6 - Pre-workout Snack, 45cal Bread with 1 tbsp Justin's Hazelnut Butter {4PP}
9. Workout - Chest & Triceps... I upped my weights again and by the end I couldn't hold my arms up to take a pic, hence it's fuzziness. LOVE THIS FEELING!
10. Meal 7 - Post-workout Protein Shake, with Milk {4PP}
11. Meal 8 - Cucumber Tuna Cups* {3PP}
12. Night Cap - Yogi Bedtime Tea {0PP}

Total Points Consumed: 31 Points Remaining: 3 Activity Points Earned: 6

Wow... that was a lot of meals/pictures for today!

*These are so easy & awesome. If you're interested in a "recipe" leave a comment and I'll work something up. Never would I have thought to put tuna and cucumber together but it's so filling and good for you! And yes, I ate an entire cucumber!!!!

Daily Dose

1. Meal 1 - 2 Eggs adorned with green onion & mini bell peppers, Grapes & Toast {6PP}
2. Meal 2 - Lean Beef with RF Pepper Jack Cheese & an Apple {5PP}
3. Meal 2 - Spinach Salad with Balsamic {0PP}
4. Workout - This is a horrible self taken pic but I was doing calf raises with FIFTY (50) pounds across my thighs... I started with 40lbs a couple of weeks ago, but it's just not enough. 50 was okay, but I think I need to up it to 60lbs. :)
5. Workout - Core/Calves/Back & Shoulders. I wasn't happy getting out in the 18* weather to get the car back in the garage.
6. Meal 3 - Post-workout protein; Fage with PB2 & a Pear {2PP}
7. Meal 4 - Honey Ginger Salmon, Roasted Asparagus and Whole Wheat Orzo {10PP}
8. Meal 5 - Hummus & Baby Carrots (guess I was hungry and almost didn't realize I forgot a pic) {1PP}
9. Meal 6 - Clean Eating Banana Cookies** {3PP}
10. Night cap - Yogi Bedtime Tea {0PP}

Total Points Consumed: 27 Points Remaining: 7 Activity Points Earned: 2

Today was rough. I woke up with my right eye nearly swollen shut (you can still see the redness in the pic) and I just wasn't motivated to do much of anything but I made myself do it. I'm thinking... more sleep is in order and a call to the optometrist tomorrow. :P

**I adapted this recipe with what I had on hand: whole wheat white flour, coconut flour, 3 bananas and 1/3c unsweetened applesauce. They are very very banana-y and oh so yummy!

Daily Dose

1. Meal 1 - Whole Wheat Pancakes with Strawberries & Lite Syrup {5PP}
2. Workout - Legs & Biceps. I had a workout partner with me and she did very good ;)
3. Meal 2 - Clean Eating French Onion Soup with Whole Wheat Garlic Biscuits {8PP}
4. Meal 3 - Protein Meal Bar* {4PP}
5. Meal 4 - Chips & Queso (No I didn't eat the appetizer all by myself) {9PP}
6. Meal 5 - Salmon with vegetable medley {8PP}
7. Meal 6 - Side salad (I tossed the croutons and cheese and the dressing was gross so that disappeared too) {0PP}
8. Treat - Angry Orchard's Hard Apple Cider (Yes, I indulged more than I should have) {16PP}
9. Treat #2 - I had a small slice of birthday cake and blech I cannot believe I used to love butter cream frosting. It was so sweet I couldn't even finish it. {5PP}

Total Points Consumed: 55 Points Remaining: -21 Activity Points Earned: 7

*Today was such a whirl wind. After eating my lunch I had to jet off to the farm to photograph baby goats for a farmers website. So I spent 3 hours without eating, yikes! Luckily the hubs through a bar in my purse and I chowed down while hurrying back home because we had plans for the evening to join our BFF's for a birthday celebration. I really could have planned a little better. Oh wait I did! I tossed in some peanuts and two cuties, however I found out that it's near impossible to drive home and peel a cutie at the same time. So the bar won.

Daily Dose

1. Meal 1 - Egg, Strawberries & Cornbread {7PP}
2. Meal 2 - Carrots & Roasted Garlic Hummus {1PP}
3. Meal 3 - Fiesta Citrus Chicken Wraps, including Black Beans & Brown Rice with Fage and a light sprinkle of cheese {5PP}
4. Meal 4 - Clean Eating French Onion Soup with Whole Wheat Garlic Biscuits* {12PP}
5. Workout - Chest & Triceps. 
6. Meal 5 - Post-work out Protein Shake with Milk {4PP}
7. Meal 6 - Super Salad with Tuna & Black Beans, no dressing {3PP}
8. Night Cap - Yogi Bedtime Tea x 2 cups {0PP}
9. Meal 7 - Sweet tooth snuck up and I snacked on a cutie. {0PP}

Total Points Consumed: 32 Points Remaining: 2 Activity Points Earned: 3

*Here's a slight confession about dinner. As you can see I didn't have anything in between my carrots and dinner, so I made this biscuits before starting dinner and proceeded to consume 4 of them before I even had the soup done. Then I had 2 more with my soup. {For the record the soup is 0 points} That's what I get for letting myself get hungry. Lesson learned.