Posts Tagged ‘health

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25
May
12

One of Those Moments

By garagegym107 4 Comments
Categories: Living Fit Daily
Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Rewind to yesterday.  I was driving home from the gym after my workout and noticed a large gentlemen slowly making his way down the walking path next to the road.  He wasn’t walking, he was doing his best to jog.   He’s heavy, really heavy. 

That little voice that gets me in trouble some times started whispering “pull over, pull over and tell him don’t quit!” but the rational side said “that man will think you’ve lost your mind” so I kept going.  But I never stopped thinking about that guy.  All day yesterday I thought about his red and black clothing and I remembered my first year in the gym.  I wanted to cheer for him.  I wanted to be his biggest fan yesterday.

This morning I was working out and I turned around and thought “OMG!!  That is the dude that was running down the street!!”.  He was there in the gym in the flesh.

I waited for him to finish his time on the elliptical and went over to him and asked if he was the guy going down the road and he said yes.   

I know he thought I was pretty close to crazy because my eyes filled up with tears and I just looked at him and told him a little bit of my story and I said “just don’t quit, no matter who or what interferes with what you are doing here today or any other day, just don’t give up because if I can do it, you can”. 

I left him to his workout and went on to finish mine.  He’s probably never going to set foot in that gym in the early morning again thinking that crazy woman might be there.  But I don’t think he’ll ever forget that. 

You know I think back on the people who have encouraged me and it humbles me every time I do.  People I have met either in the gym or online.  Many of the online friendships developed in to real life friendships.  Support groups, friends, mentors all in it to help one another along.  One of my friends said to me “Each one, Reach one”.  I know she will read this and I know she will know I’m talking about her.

Living fit daily can be challenging, but those challenges can be overcome.  Every single day I get up with the intention of being more fit today than I was yesterday, mentally, physically or emotionally in some way.   I’m not always perfect, but I am always consistent.  Consistency wins the race.  I’m living proof of that.

24
May
12

Lost That Loving Feeling

By garagegym107 6 Comments
Categories: Morphing of a Fit Woman
Tags: , , , , , , ,

Strange title for the morphing of a fit woman, but it’s so fitting.   I haven’t shared this with my friends and some will likely read it here first.   Of late I’ve lost that loving feeling for CrossFit.  insert a sharp intake of breath…

I’ve heard that it’s just a phase and will pass but in the meantime I want that feeling back.  That joy of having my booty handed to me on any given day.   That joy of accomplishment, that passion for beating me yesterday.  It’s been almost two weeks since I set foot in the box.   That’s just not me.  I’ve been going at least 3 times a week for almost 2 years and suddenly I’m drawn to something just a little less stressful.

I finally had an epiphany this morning and I’m relieved.  Over the past two months my day job (as I call it) has gotten exponentially more stressful.  Our company acquired another company and blah, blah, blah which is equal to my work-load almost doubling.  I’m good for it, up for the task.   What I realized just this morning is that I may not be cut out for two stressful activities at once.

I feel certain that my crossfitting friends reading this will now set about an intervention.  They all know how hard I’ve worked over the past 2 years and won’t allow me to sit by the way side.  I just need to determine exactly the right mix of stressors for me between the day job and the CrossFit.

The sheer fact that I finally figured out that I had lost the loving feeling and why is huge progress.  People get bored and need a change.  I don’t get bored with CrossFit.  I love it, I have loved it since day one.  

Now to figure out the path back to that loving feeling.  

You see, doing nothing to isn’t an option.  I’ve been doing strength and skill work and all the while eating clean but it’s just not CrossFit or the excitement surrounding it. 

I spent too many years fighting my way out of the mess I made of my body to not care for it and nurture it every day.

23
May
12

Random Thought

By garagegym107 3 Comments
Categories: Random Thoughts
Tags: , , ,

Want an eye opener?  Go sit in an emergency room for four or five hours.  Then leave there and make a list of what you can do to improve your overall health.   Start checking things off that list one at a time.

I spent four hours in the ER plus an hour at the pharmacy last night with the spousal unit and his pet kidney stone.  Needless to say I left with a renewed interest in my mission to help others get fit.

I’m in the pull-up your boot straps mood today and if you are easily offended stop here. 

Rarely do I get up on my soap box but come on people.  If you really want to make changes in your life YOU have to be the initiator.  No one is going to swoop in and rescue you.  

This is your life, you must be the one to change it! 

Sure it’s hard, but not any harder than paying our bills and being responsible for all the other stuff we do. 

It takes committment.  It takes a strong resolve that will ebb and flow. 

When we’ve got our motivation everything is easy.  When you first start your fitness program, no matter what it is, you are all excited and filled with determination (much like dating).  

Next thing you know you realize this is HARD and it takes work (much like marriage).  It takes a commitment to yourself to take care of you first.  What will you do to make it happen?

I’ve been working out at 5:00 or 5:30am for years because that’s my me time.  Everyone else is still snug in the bed and I’m busting my booty because I’m committed to a healthy lifestyle.

YES, the odds are stacked against us.  Foods that may seem healthy by someone’s marketing standards really aren’t.  Learn to live by these two rules when it comes to food and it will solve a lot of your trouble and questions.

  • If it will spoil in 3-5 days, eat it. (meats, veggies, fruits, healthy fats, nuts & seeds and little or no sugar.
  • If it keeps for months or years in your pantry in bags or boxes, just skip it. 

If you don’t know how to cook, then find a local cooking class.  Just make sure the class doesn’t specialize in fried chicken!

19
May
12

Experimenting Day 10

By garagegym107 Leave a Comment
Categories: Nutritional Cleanse Experiment
Tags: , , ,

As the last day of the cleanse approaches, I find myself deep thinking about the whole process.  I have learned a lot about myself, my willingness to get uncomfortable and my willingness to learn.

True progress in making changes doesn’t just show up the day after you decide to change.  True change happens over time.  Most folks want to know “well how much time?”

I have learned that it takes as much time as you have stubbornness.  By that I mean if you are stubborn and so rigid that you won’t change things and are so comfortable in your zone, then your stubbornness will work against you.  If you are as fit and healthy as you want to be then you don’t really need to be reading this unless you are just bored to tears.

If you aren’t happy with where you are and you have been doing the same thing over and over and getting no results then your stubbornness is working against you.  This has always been a problem for me.

I’d say that 90% of my food time through this experiment has been spent totally in the positive and the other 10% more in the curiosity as opposed the negative.  Negative wasn’t an option for me.  Not because I am stronger than anyone else, but instead because I honor my self promises.

I promised myself that I wouldn’t judge any part of this process.  I would only analyze the data.

Has it been a cake walk?  Some of it yes.  Has it been a  challenge?  More so because of my poor planning on my start date by my own doing.  I have learned some lessons that will help anyone I know that wants to try it.

Tomorrow is the last day and I plan on listing the things I have learned about myself on this journey.

Monday will be results day. 

Have a great day!

18
May
12

Experimenting Day 9

By garagegym107 2 Comments
Categories: Nutritional Cleanse Experiment
Tags: , , , ,

Ever noticed how most people are just generally happier on Friday?  Even when you know there is a banging busy work day ahead, it’s still better than the four days before it.  Maybe it’s because some of us get to wear jeans on Friday.

Speaking of jeans, I’ve learned a very valuable lesson this year.  I bet I’ve purchased 10-15 pair of jeans over the last two years, attempting to find just the right fit without paying too much.  Ironically, if I had spent the extra money and had someone who actually knew what they were doing and knew their product I would have had a couple of pair of jeans that I love instead of 10 that I only wore once.  Lesson here?  Two kick butt pair of more expensive jeans will make you happier than 10 pair that you never wear. One for flats and one for heels!

After running too late this morning to make my CrossFit class I ended up in the gym doing a back and bicep workout.  I was elated that after this many days in to the cleanse experiment, my strength is only getting better.  My lifts were strong this morning and it just reaffirms that every now and again changing things up is just what the trainer ordered!

I’m down to my last shake day and then tomorrow and Sunday are the last two cleanse days.  I will be posting all of my results in detail Monday in my post.  Yes, it will be hard but I’ve already done it once there is no reason to not finish what I started.

Update on the college kids in training.  Yesterday they actually beat me through 10 rounds for time of 10 push-press and 10 kettlebell swings. GO KIDS!  One caveat though, my loads were heavier than theirs so Mom can still beat you. 

Note to Self: Increase loads for the kids next time.

 

13
May
12

Experiment day 4

By garagegym107 4 Comments
Categories: Nutritional Cleanse Experiment
Tags: , ,

NOTE TO SELF: Think through the calendar days before beginning your cleanse.  With three male offspring there could be major food involved.  Bwahahahahaha!

I am not going to lie, yesterday was a challenge.  Especially when grilled chicken and  pineapple jalepeno salsa are involved.  You know you are in a good place when broccoli is as appealing as ice cream in that moment.  NO! I did not cave. I am still very much on track.

I drank a ton of water and reminded myself of the mission at hand when I felt weak-willed throughout the day.   I found it quite entertaining when I realized just how many fast food hawking commercials come on at night.

Today is day two of cleansing liquid and water all day.  Yesterday I found myself mentally conjuring up all of the crutches I enjoy from time to time.  I noticed that all of them contain caffeine.  Uh huh, so if for nothing else I will consider this caffeine rehab.

In all seriousness, it has helped me again realize that I now manage food instead of allowing food to manage me.   No yo-yo dieting, no 10-20 pound weight gains and losses.  And the ability to tackle this experiment, not derail my fitness goals and to write about it.

Progress.  Better today than yesterday.  Me vs. me.

12
May
12

Experiment day 3

By garagegym107 Leave a Comment
Categories: Nutritional Cleanse Experiment
Tags: ,

Today is a rest day from training so not much to chat about there.

Technically day 1 of the cleanse.  I am not sure why they don’t just call it an 11 day cleanse because the 2 days pre-cleanse are exactly the same as the shake days to come.  Anyway.
Day 1 of cleansing is going ok. My plan is to stay busy doing things I need to do. Buying and prepping veggies for meals next week. Grilling chicken and salmon and freezing it for lunches as well. So far I have had my two 4 oz. servings of the cleanse juice.  I really anticipated that this liquid would somehow require a nose holding effort but to my surprise, it was tastey.  It’s packed with vitamins and antioxidants and I feel great.  I do however, miss my coffee.  Really though this is a cleanse and caffeine is one of my vices.   I find it interesting how the mind always thinks negatively regarding an experiment like this, but this is actually not that hard.  I am am generally very disciplined until the discipline gets too strict and then I tend to become a trainwreck.   Hold on loosely and it’s all good.  Having been a morbidly obese emotional eater, I have learned my negative behaviors very well and I openly share the fact that I believe people can change.  But only if they are willing to start accepting responsibility for their own health and positive behaviors.  Yes, it takes time and hard work and a lot of it.  But there has never been a journey more worth traveling!

Now off to wash Lucy the Jeep!

11
May
12

experimenting Day 2

By garagegym107 Leave a Comment
Categories: Nutritional Cleanse Experiment
Tags: , , ,

It’s FRIDAY!!  I love Friday.  Just because it’s the end of the workout week for me and the end of the professional work week for me too.  Don’t get me wrong I do adore my day job but like anyone I adore the weekends more.

Update on the boy and his girlfriend.  Day 1 I thought I might have killed him.   Day 2, I thought surely she was going to meet her maker after running up and down the hill in front of garage gym 107.  Day 3 they both came to win, win, win…no matter what, what, what and both refused to stay down.  Being a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer allows me to show them such variety that just about the time they think they are dying the workout is over. 

Ok, let’s get on with the cleanse discussion.  I should really learn to read and pay more attention.  Yesterday I short-changed myself a delicious small organic apple. That my friends will not happen again, this girl will get her food.  Uh huh, no wonder I was famished by the time dinner rolled around. 

OH WAIT!!  It wasn’t me that had dinner, it was the spousal unit and the boy who had dinner.   For those of you who don’t know I am married to the junk food king of the world.   Although I must say as his awareness grows he’s getting better. 

Last night I was going to send the boy to get the two of them some take out.  It was a great plan until the spousal unit says “fried chicken is not good unless you eat it there”.  Ever wanted to punch someone?  But instead I grabbed my keys and headed out the door to sit with them while they ate dinner. 

I came home and immensely enjoyed my shake.  Seriously, by then I was hungry and it was good.   I slept like a rock last night and felt great when I woke up this morning.

A couple of things to note about these shakes.  They contain whey from grass-fed dairy cows.  Why is that important?  I’m a primal eater.  I eat meat, A LOT OF VEGGIES, some fruit, nuts, sweet potatoes and eggs.  I eat gluten-free oats from time to time and I will occasionally have dairy.  Not likely to risk it any time soon after the vacation fiasco though. 

In comparison to my Sonic foot long chili cheese dogs, large tater tots and chocolate milk shakes that I consumed during my 2 year 150# weight gain, I’m a pristine eater.   If I can lose 158# ANYONE CAN!

Today I’m fully prepared for day two of the pre-cleanse and have a much better understanding of the purpose of these two days.

Today is day two of being totally caffeine free.  That may have something to do with the good nights sleep.  I lifted like a beast in the gym this morning so there is no impact on my lifting so far. 

One other thing.  The word “cleanse” strikes fear in the heart of many a woman.  In the back of your mind you are thinking “I’ll be on the john all day every day for nine days” yeah, I know you’re thinking that but that has not been the case at all. 

Tomorrow and Sunday are the first two official cleanse days.  No food allowed.  I’ve done intermittent fasting from time to time but never for two full days in a row.  We shall see what my iron will is really made of. 

Stand-up paddle board here I come!  That ought to keep me busy.

10
May
12

Experimenting Day 1

By garagegym107 7 Comments
Categories: Nutritional Cleanse Experiment
Tags: , , , ,

Funny story.  My youngest son is home from college for the summer.  About a month ago he sent me a couple of text messages asking if I would put him and his girlfriend through a summer training program.   “Well heck yeah!” I replied.  Evidently texting is the only form of communication for young adults these days.  But I digress.

So the training  journey started exactly two days ago.  Dear Lord I thought I was about to kill my own kid.  For future reference to all of you moms out there with young adult males.  Never say “he’s a little soft” because some how it will get back to him.  I felt bad for about two seconds.  Either I can toughen him up or life in general will.   He came back for day two and there was nothing soft about him!  He’s already asked me “what time are we training tonight?”.  Now that’s my boy!

When I do things, I do them with full enthusiasm and dedication.  This morning I took some “before” pictures, all of my measurements and heaven forbid my weight.  Heaven forbid over my weight you say?  Not my weight but that silly scale.   It occurred to me as I read all of the instructions for the cleanse that I would be weighing more times in 9 days than I generally do over several months!  I’m an athlete, the scale is irrelevant.  

Today is “pre-cleanse day 1”.  There are two of these days to gear your body up for the full-fledged 9 day cleanse.   That means there will be two bonus days of writing material. 

Ok, on to the IsaLean shake AKA breakfast.  As I got ready to head to the gym I pondered….hmmm now what about my usual pre-workout protein/post workout protein?  I made the executive decision to split the shake in half  and drank half before my workout and half after.  No issues there.  I’ve had some pretty gross shakes over the years this one thankfully isn’t one of them.  So far so good.  I will enjoy documenting all of this.  I lift heavy weights and I’m truly interested to see if there is any impact to my lifts. 

Next will be a decent lunch of lean protein and fresh steamed veggies.   This will be no problem.  I love my normal clean food.

Water, water, water!   Another shake for dinner and more water and no cooking!  Yay for ME!  See there is always a positive spin on things.

Have a great day and go lift heavy things!

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