Bringing Back the Body: Weeks 1 & 2

I'm super squishy! And yes, this makes me happy!! My fat is all soft all over, which I love because that means its starting to break down.

Bringing Back the Body - Week 1 has been a success, which means I am a success! But I made this week really easy on myself so compliance wouldn't be an issue and momentum will continue to pick up. I feel like my body is tightening up, and I haven't once had the temptation to weigh myself. My clothes are fitting better, and I even fit back into some size 2 pants! Okay, okay, they were snug, but we won't talk about that. ;)

Diet.
I'm following about the easiest diet plan ever. This may be something I come back to post-prep (whenever that may be)... While I don't believe in sharing meal plans, as everyone's should be customized to them only, I will say that this week... here is what I LOVE about my meal plan this week...

Funny story: I was at work a few days ago and finished off my shake during a meeting. Afterward, I  was talking to a doctor who inquired about my shake. After I described the ingredients he goes, "That's nice. I'm gonna go get a donut." No one realizes how tasty these really are! 

Breakfast: Spinach, cucumber, fruit & egg white shake. I usually use some fresh strawberries or frozen blueberries, but man... tasty treat on my way to work!

But be careful if you use blueberries... You may inadvertently look like a wino in the morning. Which is never a good thing.

I always have to go and learn things the hard way...

Workouts.
Although I want to say that my workouts were easy, they were not for me. TONS of core work, my back is so very sore and tight... but I'm doing my best to get in lots of stretches and yoga.

For example! I love to incorporate BodyRock workouts. I think those girls' bodies speak for themselves, and they are tight!! Today, I did the Don't Wake Me Up Workout with some asanas at the end, mostly the spine strengthening series. Check this out!

I did 4 rounds instead of 3, pushed my hardest when I could... but the squats at the end got kinda taxing on my back so I had to take it slow and steady. Concentrating hard on my form, and being less concerned with pumping out reps.     Busted my ass! ;)

Progress on Goals.
GOT MY GARDEN PLANTED! Ahhh country life. :)

Here's what I have planted, let's just hope I can keep it all alive: Sweet corn, kale, green onions, red onions, sweet onions, green beans, red leaf lettuce, green leaf lettuce, broccoli, cucumbers, carrots, red potatoes, spaghetti squash, watermelon, hothouse tomatoes, roma tomatoes, jalapenos, chives, rosemary, dill and cilantro!!! And my strawberries & raspberries came back from last year.

The only things I didn't plant that I still want to are asparagus, spinach & sweet potato. What is it about fresh home grown organic vegetables that I love?! Everything. Plain and simple. Everything.  (BTW, my hubs deserves major kudos - he put those huge raised beds made of rock together for me! AND he did all the dirt shoveling... AND!!!! He set up automatic timers to come on every 12 hours, so I don't even have to worry about watering. Just weed and pick veggies. Yes. - Mr. Bang, you just made a dream of mine come true.)

And prep...
Today marked one year from my first and only show. And I'm certainly getting that itch to get to work in starting a journey to the stage. I'm falling in love with girls' suits! I broke out my Cinderella heels, and have been aching to get to work on bigger lifts... But first things first, I really can't take it far until I'm out of the woodwork with my pain and tightness level.

Let's take a break and focus on some animal cuteness.... My babies.. 

Minka the snuggler

Andy hurt his foot a week ago and had to wear the Cone of Shame,  Zeke was keeping him company :)

Big dogs give big lovin.

Goals This Coming Week:

I did NOT make it to yoga these last two weeks. While I have been doing yoga at home, I'd really prefer to be making to a class where my form can be corrected. So, YES -> Yoga. 

Measuring. I have not been consistent about measuring my food, specifically the cream for my coffee and I have been eyeballing my brown rice. :) So, I'm gonna own up to that this week. Haha.

Posture! This past week I was walking to work, and as I was walking through a skywalk from the parking garage to the hospital, I noticed that I looked like I had a SEVERE bubble butt. And by that I mean, I think I was kind of hunching forward so it looked like my butt was really sticking out. And I think this is a hip flexor issue. So, this week... I vow to really try to stand up straight and walk with my hips forward, even if I have to walk slower. 

How many of you incorporate BodyRock type workouts into your workout schedule? If so, how often??

What are your goals this coming week?? If you haven't thought about it - Set some! It's a good practice to constantly have goals you're working toward! Have a wonderful weekend and week!! 

... And pushing

Nope, no reason. I'm just a geek who thinks
Anatomy humor is funny.

Diet Disclaimer: (for my readers, this will be for future reference) In the past and even recent past I've been listing out my daily nutrition. Originally this was because as a noob, I could not find any information on proper nutrition for my height, weight, gender, age and goals. I wanted mine to be available to others for who felt the same as I and happened upon my own diet. However, this has become slightly redundant for me especially as I eat the same thing over and over. If anyone happens upon my blog and would like to see my diet, please email me. J

Again. Another hard day of pushing through. Honestly, I have been just trying to get to this afternoon.

Possible injury? Very large cramp/knot in my right middle trap- feels like it is so large that it reaches through my chest and goes up my neck from Monday. Seems to have gotten worse, even. Yesterday it just felt sore. Today, it is debilitating. It almost feels like something needs to pop, or something is extremely out of alignment.How does one rid oneself of this kind of pain? Already made an appointment to see my general doc to get an order for massage as my insurance covers 20 a year. Rad! And not so rad that I'm not feeling my best for a training appointment today... Haven't decided if I need to reschedule.

Workouts:
20 mins treadmill at steady pace
65 mins weights:
Barbell Overhead Squats: 40x8, 40x8
Front Squat: 40x8, 60x4, 70x4, 80x4, 80x4
Romanian Dead Lift: 60x4, 70x4, 80x4, 80x4, 80x4
Dumbell Snatch: 22.5x4, 25x4, 27.5x4, 27.5x4, 27.5x4
Pillar Kick Back: 60x6
Machine Leg Curl: 50x6
Hip Adductor: 80x6, 80x6
Hip Abductor: 60x6, 70x6
Along with my pyramid: 36 Close Grip Pullups, 72 bosu Pushups, and 108 Hanging Leg Raises


Just another 10 mins of steady rate running for cardio... It was getting late.

Eats ended up with 1356 Calories, 142g Protein, 129g Carb, 29g Fat along with 120oz water... This was a fluke deal. When I was making dinner, I had every intention of making a casein crepe... even made the batter... and then Molly (our 20 month old Great Dane) started limping all of a sudden... And since she is a giant breed, it is common that they get pains due to bone overgrowth. So we got all panicky and worried about our baby and 6th meal just plain didn't happen. I really don't like my calories that low and would have liked some more protein after a leg workout.