What happened when I got sick...

Last weekend (not to be confused with Memorial Day Weekend, but the weekend before, jic) I ran myself into a ragged mess.  I became exhausted, and what followed was a week of the worst sinus infection I've had in quite a while!  I ended up at the Dr. twice, the first time, getting a healthy battery of antibiotics, then the second time, getting a steroid shot to build me up once and for all.  I was eating all the right foods, I was making all of my workouts, but I took for granted how important it is to get enough rest.

Today was my first WOD since a week ago last Friday.  I was pretty nervous about it because in times past, when I've missed WODS due to illness it is usually VERY hard to bounce back.  I won't kid you, it wasn't exactly EASY! And I probably could have done better.  But it was actually pretty FUN! Yes, I said it...fun. I know I'll be sore tomorrow....but I probably won't feel as bad as I did last week while I was in bed sucking on my inhaler!

Today's WOD: I did 145 total

3 min kb swing, 35 lb
2 min rest
1 min burpee
1 min rest
3 min row for k/cal
2 min rest
1 min burpee
1 min rest
3 min wall ball, 14 lb

Still mid-Paleo Challenge and happy to be doing it.  Lost a good little chunk of weight so far...and looking forward to losing at least another 50-75 pounds in the coming year!

Paleo Challenge May 2010

I don't really know why, but this Paleo Challenge has been much easier to stick to than the last one.  Maybe it's because the last one came in the midst of all the major fall/winter holidays, and I have a history of terrible will power!

Today's WOD was:

200m run
then 6 rds of
10 box jumps (18in)
10 push ups
Fence Sprint
then
200 m run

followed by

5 min kettlebell snatches

followed by

evil sled pushes for 4 minutes

I was kind of excited about the box jumps once we got going because I feel different now.  I know I've lost some weight.  I don't know how much I've lost because I murdered our scale (which I believe was the best thing I EVER did).  But I know that clothes are fitting differently and I feel much better.  I also know that I don't have an appetite and have to make myself eat on a regular basis.  It's easier to eat healthy things when that's all that is in the house, too!  The kids had quite an adjustment time...but even they are getting used to it!

I've been trying to stick around and finish the things I don't finish during warm-up at the gym, which happens frequently because I am usually running behind during the school year.  So I've been working on double-unders, push ups, and whatever else I might miss in the warm up.  I am also trying to work on things at home...things like burpees, running, and jump rope as well as just general homemade mock Crossfit workouts.  I'd love to get more equipment at home, like more weights, a pull-up bar and maybe a few kettle bells. But equipment is very expensive, so I'll improvise for now.

This is a great journey...one that will last a lifetime!

Workout Fri April 2 - Cindy

Today's workout was Cindy:


#5 pull ups or #10 jumping pullups
#10 pushups
#15 bodyweight squats...

for as many rounds as you can do in 20 minutes. I did 8 rounds plus 2/3 a round with jumping pullups. The animal athletes did as many as 20 rounds! Someday....

Workout Wed March 31 - Filthy 50

Filthy 50 is a Crossfit workout. Most Crossfit workouts have girl names....like Helen or Cindy. But the especially miserable ones have special names, like Code Brown, Filthy 50, or 7 Layers of Hell.

Yesterday, Filthy 50 consisted of the following (mine was slightly modified to 30 reps for the last 3 movements and regular jumpropes instead of double-unders):

# 50 Box jumps
# 50 Jumping pull-ups
# 50 Kettlebell swings
# 50 Walking lunges
# 50 Knees to elbows
# 50 Push press
# 50 Back extensions
# 50 Wall ball shots
# 50 Burpees
# 50 Double-unders

Losing weight is hard work. Don't let anyone tell you different!

On The Wagon, Part 4 ish - Today

I finally feel great again. Not quite 100%, but getting there. The diet is dialed in again and I feel capable during my workouts.  And I am finally losing again.  That feels better than anything!

Today's workout (I don't remember it EXACTLY, but this is CLOSE):
500 m Row
60 jumping pull ups
15/15 db snatches
5/5 db thrusters
30 jumping pullups
10/10 db snatches
10/10 db thrusters
500 m Row
20 jumping pull ups
5/5 db snatches
15/15 db thrusters
...And I added this at the end, in support of Jim & Tammy....and my butt!
500 m Row

Todays food so far (in no particular order):
protein shake w/almond milk
handful of nuts
banana
carrot
coffee
3 oz. turkey w/vegenaise
1 slice tri-tip (cold, about 1 ounce)

On The Wagon, Part 3 - Detoxing & Weston Price

I remember the third day after I started Crossfit.  I had nausea, full-body aches, and I almost lost my bowels in the middle of Raleys!  I was having a classic detox - I remember that from fasting.  Well I think I may be detoxing again, because my whole body hurts, I'm having the cha-cha's (diarrhea, for those who haven't seen Parenthood), and I feel like puking!  I'm eating right and trying to make that a habit again. It's getting easier because this time we are converting the kids as well. 

We have had behavior issues with the boys lately.  After talking with our friend Carol, who follows AND teaches the Weston Price way of eating, we decided to try to modify behavior by modifying diet.  So far we have seen amazing positive changes.  There isn't anymore mac & cheese, processed snacks, or refined flours and sugars for the boys, and the response has been amazing!  And there isn't any "tempting" food around the house anymore.  Carol gave us a "Nourishing Traditions" cookbook for Christmas, and I can't wait to give the recipes a try!

So positive changes in 2010.  I am so glad that the whole family is getting in on the action.

On the Wagon 2010 Part 2

Workouts have been tough since I've been back to faithful.  It's actually been hard to get back to faithful because of all the stuff going on in my life.  I find myself on the verge of tears in the middle of every workout because of the emotional and physical release I feel whenever I workout.  Getting back to eating well has been the hardest part. I'm still struggling with it, but I'm trying not to punish myself for it.  I'm weaning, that's what I'm doing.  Pulling out the bad stuff a thing at a time.  I will get back on track.

On the Wagon 2010 Part 1

Today is the first day I am really committed to returning to my good eating habits.  I started the day with scrambled eggs with bell pepper, ground turkey and pepper jack cheese (very little - I'm weaning) and 2 bacon strips.  I also had fresh juice (apple, banana, pineapple & orange) from my new Jack laLaine Power Juicer!

I'm feeling the burn from yesterday's workout.  We did some new things in DROM: Spiderman lunges, 5 on each side, taps (5 ea side), and another move I cannot remember the name of (starts in pushup position, then you lift one arm all the way up so you are leaning like a "T" on one arm).  We did Nancy - mine was modified.  400m Run/15 overhead squats, 400m Run/30 bodyweight squats, 200m Run/30 bodyweight squats, 200m Run/30 bodyweight squats, 200m Run/30 bodyweight squats.  Then we did 3 rounds of 30 seconds each: flutter kicks, med ball taps, and situps. And FINALLY (why yes, it was AB DAY!) we did these great 2 person leg throws, 3 sets of 15. KILLER!

Back on track? Not completely, but very very soon....

The Fall, The Rise and The Fall

Since Thanksgiving I have definitely "fallen off the wagon".  My grandmother has been ill off & on for a month now.  I have reverted back to emotional eating, which has led to eating for convenience, which has led to sinus problems due to extra mucous production, which has led to missing workouts, which means that now I am back to where I was when I started the Paleo Challenge 3 months ago.  Meh.

But I am ready to "get back on the wagon" now.  I'm tired of being tired.  I feel like kicking myself because I have all the tools.  I've used them before, and I KNOW how to use them. But for some reason, when life gets a little chaotic, I revert back to the old way of doing things.  Because it is comfortable.  Because it is safe.  Because I can control it...no I can't.  Well, I am taking control back.  I have to do this.

I have to do this!

Because I already got rid of all of my bigger clothes!

Filthy 50...er...30

Today was the Filthy 50....but we modified...only did 30...and I finished again.  And I didn't die.  Again.  Even though I was sick with this STUPID sinus infection, I pushed through because I didn't want to miss 2 workouts in a row.  So here it is:

• 30 Box jump, 18" box
• 30 Jumping pull-ups
• 30 Kettlebell swings, 35 lb
• 30 Walking Lunge
• 30 Situps
• 30 Push press, 33 lb bar
• 30 Back extensions
• 30 Wall ball shots, 12 pound ball
• 30 Burpees
• 30 Tuck Jumps

I made kale, chicken breast and brown rice with raisins for dinner.  I still feel like CRAP, but at least I didn't skip today.  It's my body's way of paying me back for the birthday glutens. One of these days I'll learn.

Workout and Food

Today was a fun little workout.  400 m run, 5 bear crawls, 10 dips, 15 wallballs, 200 m run, 5 bear crawls, 10 dips, 15 wallballs, 200m run in 19:10.  I didn't get to do the third round all the way.  Bear crawls were killing me!  Then push presses 65x5, 70x5, 70x5. 

Eating has been a challenge over the past few days.  I think I've been fighting off the flu, so I've been struggling with wanting to eat at all. The conundrum is that I haven't lost any weight until TODAY in about 5 days.  This morning I started the day with a chicken breast and 1/2 a zucchini, both cooked in olive oil in a pan.  My favorite snack that I need to cut down on is a spoonful of almond butter.  I have had two today and it's only 1 in the afternoon.  For lunch I put two salmon fillets and some Trader Joe's asparagus on the Lean Mean Grillin' Machine.  But I also reheated some brown rice.  It was super yum but it was a bona fide cheat.

Now, may I please have a nap?

My Weight Loss Journey + Collage: Part One

As you know I've been going to Crossfit since the end of August 2008.  It has been quite a journey, and I didn't realize how much I've changed until I saw these pictures.

In Pictures 1-4 I was at the peak of my weight - 290 pounds.  I was there for about 2 years.  Miserable.  Uncomfortable.  Always sweaty.  Always tired.  And ALWAYS eating.  My doctor put me on Cholesterol medication which was humiliating and had horrible side effects.  Two weeks after that prescription began, I started Crossfit.

In Picture 5 I am about 2 months into Crossfit, I think.  I had lost probably 10-12 pounds and even though my body was restricting my movement A LOT, I was feeling way better than I had in a long time.  2 weeks after I started Crossfit I stopped taking the Cholesterol meds, and a month after that went back to have my Cholesterol re-checked.  It was NORMAL!

Picture 6 is just before my surgery, probably February or March of this year.  I had lost almost 30 pounds and felt SO GREAT!

The last two were taken by my 7 year old son Josiah just a few hours ago.  I have lost 42 pounds - almost 60 if you count the 15 I gained back then lost again.  I feel great.  And I didn't have to take a pill, or have surgery (no disrespect to those who have).  Not only that, but I've got my mind wrapped around this for the first time in my life.  I don't need to eat to fix my problems...in fact eating just made my problems worse!  Now if I am stressed, I don't eat...I run, I walk, I read the Bible, or I cook a VERY healthy meal or drink a huge glass of water.  Ahh, freedom is sweet!

PROGRESS IS GOOD!!!

HEY! Guess what....I started Crossfit a year ago at 290. This morning I weighed 248!!! OMG, I am thrilled! Gotta love that Paleo Challenge...

Yesterday we did Cindy: I did 8-2/3 sets, 10 jumping pull ups, 10 push ups, 15 bodyweight squats.  Then onto the push press: 65 lbs max 5x5.  I feel it.  Oh yes I do.

Things this Fat Chick had to deal with

I know, I know....I shouldn't say things like that about myself.  But hey, when a girl hits 290, it tends to make her feel a little......I don't know......FAT!  The truth is, today I am 40 pounds lighter, and getting ready to hit the downhill slope of the other 50 pounds I intend to lose in the next year.  But not everyone can do that right now....and, no condemnation for that.

So this is in homage to all of you other fluffy sisters (and brothers).  It's the stuff we don't talk about with very many people, but we all want to share so we know that we aren't the only ones dealing with this crud.  (I dealt with it with increasing intensity over the past 20 years, but no more for me!!)  And when we face the reality of it all and finally decide whether or not these are things we want to live with for the rest of our lives (and you aren't less of a person if you decide you want to), it gives a kind of freedom.

So here is my list of things that I have hated about being fat:

• waving with the arm, and the flab waving after
• washing and wearing only one pair of pants every single day because they are the only ones that fit
• the inner thighs of those pants wearing out long before the rest of the pants
• getting told by the JC Penney's bra-woman that they don't carry plus size
• shopping for clothes. ever.
• bending over and running out of breath
• being tired before ever getting out of bed
• raw, rashy inner thighs from sweat
• raw, rashy chest from sweaty breasts (yes, even Christians say "breasts" - and even men have them)
• paying extra for plus size (and yet thong underwear cost more than regular, and there's less fabric)
• piercing looks from fellow air travelers
• knowing that you should only eat a little, but eating a lot anyways
• TRIANGLES in your SHORTS! you know what I mean...when they ride up at the crotch!
• "Just My Size"....UGH!
• plus-sized socks...really right now? REALLY??
• working out in front of ANYONE
• sabotaging yourself by "rewarding yourself" with food when you lose a couple of pounds
• the illusion of the "diet food" industry...you CAN'T eat more just because it claims to be good for you!
• realizing that the portions restaurants serve you are at least twice what you need and you can eat the whole plate, plus appetizers and cocktails!
• smelly nose grease (if you don't know what I mean, then you aren't fat)
• the medical industries total snowjob about all of these mysterious medical issues and their causes, when in reality, most of them are at least sometimes caused by being too d*** FAT! (see: sleep apnea, acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue, degenerative disc disease)
• ZERO sex drive, and the absolute ridiculousness of trying to make love at almost 300 pounds!
• crying every time you really REALLY look at yourself in the mirror, or see a photo of yourself
• swollen feet
• the belly roll
• the underarm roll
• the inner thigh roll
• the cankle
• the post-binge-eating food coma
• underwire HURTS!!!

Now, let's just counteract that with some positives I have finally realized since embarking on my weight loss journey...I have been working out with Crossfit for a year now, minus 2 months for surgery recovery.  I have lost a total of 40 pounds and I intend to lose at least another 60, if not more. 

• I have so much more energy, although I do still fight fatigue due to the sheer BUSYNESS of my life and lack of sleep. 
• The "rolls" are becoming smaller and smaller, and I am starting to see muscle definition in my legs (calves are HOT!) and my upper arms - SHOCKING! Even my inner thighs are starting to look like normal legs, which I NEVER thought would happen!
• I am ALMOST out of the "20's" (size, that is).  I've been in the "20's" for almost 10 years now.
• My husband has adopted my eating style and has also lost 40 pounds!  AMAZING! He can breathe again and doesn't need the apnea machine anymore!!
• Sex.  That's all I am going to say because you don't need to know anymore. 
• The complete joy that comes over me when I realize that I CAN DO THIS! I don't need food to medicate myself anymore.  I don't run to food when I am frustrated, but I do RUN!

Hats off to Santos and Megan Reyes, and especially Christine and Rudy Ybarra...you are all inspirations in my life.  You have helped me to start to become the person I always wanted to be.  I am happy and I owe it all to you and God!

Workout 10/16/2009

Okay....today we did 5 rounds of this:

5 deadlifts (145 lb) & 10 burpees.  I did it in 11:35.  It was painful!  Yes, I did 50 burpees today.  GARRRR!!!!

Today's Workout and...

18:30
400 m Run
20 Sumo Deadlift Highpulls/55 lbs
20 Bodyweight Dips
20 Wallballs/12 lbs
200 m Run
20 SDHP
20 BWD
20 WB
400 m Run

5 rds/5 reps Body Rows

Today's Workout and Food

So today was stressful, and I had to fight to prevent emotional eating!  I thik it began last night.  I was wiped from a busy day.  We drove home at almost 6:30 P.M. only to find that we had NO HOUSE KEY!!  So we ended up driving BACK to town (we live 10 miles outside of town) and decided to eat at Applebee's.  All eating was fine until then, and even then it was good - except for the boneless bbq chicken wings.  I ate 4 nuggets.  Then I ate 3 ounces of steak and 5 little grilled shrimp; salad and steamed veggies. All of my other eating was fine yesterday.  Today I ate pretty good.  Tonight was grilled Turkey Breast Patty, Roasted Butternut Squash, and Broccoli. I only had one BAD thing...a beverage.  That's it.

But my workout was a BLAST!  We had a 15 minute workout....rounds in 15.  I did 5 rounds: Dbell press (I think?) at 15 lbs, which was a little light; 10 box jumps; 200 meter run.  I set another PR: 5x3 back squats maxxing at 131 lbs.  It was a great workout!  I haven't weighed myself in a couple of days and I am pretty sure I don't want to.  But I am going to try to workout tomorrow too.  I like to throw in at least 1-2 extra workouts on my off-days.

Does anyone read this?  It doesn't matter. I read it!  And I'm looking forward to reading it 6 months from now when I have lost another 35 pounds!  I hope....

Paleo Challenge Days 2-3

So days 2-3 of the Paleo Challenge have left me VERY HAPPY!  My intense hunger has completely left me.  I am FULL at every meal, which is not like me at all.  In fact, I'm not finishing MOST meals.  Last night, and lunch today I had what I am calling Thai Stir Fry Soup.  It is an assortment of veggies, including baby bok choy, green beans (boo, but I love them), bell pepper, broccoli, red onion and garlic.  Then I added some chicken breast and made a broth with Red Curry, Coconut Milk, Soy Sauce, and Chicken Broth.  It is SOOO good!

Breakfast today was a Turkey Breast Patty on the Grillin' Machine with Collards and Spinach, half a banana, half a bell pepper and 8 baby carrots.  I couldn't finish it.

Workout today was INTENSE!  But GREAT!  After warmup we did 3 rounds of 400 m run, 10 pull-ups (I did 20 jumping pull-ups), 10 front squats (65 lbs for me), and 10 burpees.  It took me almost 23 minutes, but by GOD I DID IT!!!  Yes, I did 30 burpees today! YAY!

Paleo Challenge Day One

Today was interesting!  But first some backstory...Because I felt so guilty about not making it to Friday's workout I decided to do the 50/40/30/20/10 lunges/situps workout on the front yard.  I only did 50 and 20 because my son found it impossible to leave me alone while I worked out!  But I also did some burpees and was pleased to find that I could do 5 straight without stopping!

So I get to L10XF today, and GUESS WHAT THE WORKOUT IS!?? 50/40/30/20/10 lunges/situps!!!  GAHH!!!  I will have massive lungebutt tomorrow.

Tomorrow was also the start of the Paleo Challenge for me.  Got weighed, measured and photoed.  It's on now.

Here was my dinner tonight. Mahi Mahi with Caper Sauce, Roasted Butternut Squash and Sauteed Kale & Chard.  Yummy in my tummy.  Now time for an Ibuprofen and bed!

Workout?

Today is the start of the Paleo Challenge and I am not there because my little guy may have Mono!  So I'll have to workout at home today.  Creativity, come to me!

Later Addition: I didn't workout on Friday but I did on Sunday...I did a 50/20 lunge/situp workout...then did the 50/40/30/20/10 lunge/situp workout the NEXT DAY at Crossfit....MURRR!!!