As I ingest a protein shake and stare at my workout list, it is no wonder that I have fitness on the brain. As my previous posts have mentioned, I'm into the idea of being in great shape. That was it though. I have been into the IDEA of being in shape for years. I have frequented countless gyms, eaten periodically healthy, and been off and on pleased with the pseudo results. Am I in bad shape? No. I haven't been in bad shape for years. I saw a horrifying picture of myself at one point and realized I will never let myself get in bad shape again. Sometimes, a photo is all it takes. This does not mean, however, that I am in great shape.
I recently had a "real" job. One with my own office, desk, computer, etc. Due to my laziness, I began packing my lunch and internet surfing on my break. This is when I discovered Jamie Eason. Google. She's pretty much amazing. I was already going to a gym a few days a week but I really needed some form of serious motivation. This was it. This woman is ripped, and cute as a button. We all know there are women who lift, who look like dudes who lift. This can often be a common misconception. You don't have to look like Arnold if you lift weights, ladies. Unless you're into that. To each their own.
Due to my new found fitness idol, I began the 12 week program "Livefit Trainer," that she has on bodybuilding.com. I tried to stick to the diet and everything. Notice my use of the letter D. Though I obviously did not stick with the training program, I found myself loving my new "diet." I use quotations because Clean Eating is more of a lifestyle choice than a temporary fix. (I sound like I'm being paid to do marketing, don't I? Feel free to throw your money at me. So far, I'm doing this pro-bono.)
If you are unfamiliar with clean eating, look it up. The basics are switching to foods that are not altered in a factory. God's food, if you will. For instance, my grocery receipt is almost all produce. I also eat complex carbs, and lean protein. (Publix salmon, people. Do it.) Another aspect of clean eating is cutting down on portion size and upping the frequency of food intake. We have all heard that you should eat multiple small meals throughout the day. It's hard, for a female such as myself, to go from eating like two meals a day to a bunch of small ones.
I was incredibly motivated to work out. That wasn't the problem. I wasn't hungry. I have never been a breakfast person. I like breakfast foods but am NEVER hungry when I wake up. Coffee. Must have coffee. So, I had to start training not only my body but my mind as well. (Why do I keep sounding like a motivational speaker? I guess that is kind of where this is going but I didn't intend to sound like a poster.) 6 small meals a day? I can do this!!!
Fat, fat cow. That is how I felt for 2 whole weeks. Thank God it was winter and I could wear sweaters to hide the bloat. My body had to readjust to this insanity that I was putting it through. Craziest thing... two weeks later, the bloating went down and I felt amazing!!! I have since continued to eat clean, but fell off the trainer in a month or so. I still use the workouts from time to time but I felt like certain things about the program weren't for me. (Frequency of workouts, protein intake, etc...)
Other factors to include with my mission for muscles: I don't do cardio. Well, not really. I do very light cardio because I have asthma. (Let me just tell you, it ain't easy, being wheezy.) I generally do workouts with dumbbells, cables, body weight, stability ball and other stuff like that. I generally stay away from machines.I would like a rowing machine, if anyone feels like donating one to the cause. I also do not own a scale, nor do I count calories. Both of these things make me more obsessed with numbers and less likely to care about eating right and training hard.
I also have a fitness, um, coach? Okay, maybe not coach, but inspiration. There's a guy I know who is too honest for his own good. Turns out, that though I want to slap him in the mouth sometimes for it, his honesty is awesome for working out. If you can find someone in your life who won't sugar coat shit, keep them around. It's good to hear from time to time. Anyway, this guy will say, "Yeah, I can definitely see a difference! You look great!" But he will also say "Yeah, you're getting there but I feel like you have a ways to go before you reach your goal." And, if I have the guts to ask, he will tell me what I need to work on and even suggest workouts. He asks me at least once a week how my fitness routine is going. I could see where this could be looked at as negatively. Like, what an asshole. But I flippin' love it! Because, guess what? When I feel like I have made progress, guess who is right there to celebrate with me? That guy.
I am on a mission. A fitness mission. You only live once so why not be as hot as you possibly can RIGHT NOW? You will be this age one time, ever. Wouldn't you like to look back and say that you utilized your strength and energy you had "back then?" Working out and eating healthy can not only prolong your life, but it can make you a happier person altogether. I am definitely seeing a difference. (If I can put down the vodka, I'll prob. have a 6-pack in no time.) I hope that my journey can inspire at least one other person to find this same motivation.
Food for the day:
B'fast----> Oatmeal (old fashioned oats, blueberries, light soymilk and greek yogurt.)
Snack (post workout) ----> Protein shake with light soymilk (this brand of whey protein I have tastes like licking the floor if mixed with water.)
Lunch ----> Salmon Salad (medium grilled salmon fillet, broccoli sprouts, spinach, tomatoes, cilantro, and 1oz. balsalmic vinegar.)
Snack ----> Fruit (grapes and a plum)
Dinner ----> Chicken Salad on a piece of Ezekiel bread (white meat rotisserie chicken, celery, red grapes, tiny amount of greek yogurt, and seasoning sans salt.)
Snack ----> Veggies (carrots and broccoli, raw.)
LOTS AND LOTS of water! :)
Workout of the Day, (or WOD as you Crossfit cult members call it , though this is nothing like the intensity of Crossfit.) at home:
Alternating Bicep Curls
Standing Concentration Curls
Alternating Hammer Curls
Tricep Dips
Pushups (on dumbbells)
Overhead Triceps Extension
Bent-Over Triceps Extension
A ridiculous attempt at Chin-ups (I'm up to three in a row!!!)
Note: I did 3 sets of 15 with each, other than the chin ups. Obvi.
I do not generally do Biceps and Triceps on the same day. I felt like mixing it up.
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Recent pic. Don't worry. I bought the bikini. (I would have never posted a pic like this of myself had I not been working out. Suck on that, old, fat self.)
If you want to see progress pics, and clean eating food porn, check out my instagram: PSFROMPH.
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