New year, new me

As mentioned in my previous post, December DID fly by. Every early November, I eagerly anticipate the holiday season, but every year it's over before I know it and I feel like I didn't take enough time to enjoy it fully.

So what's new in my life you ask? Well...

I bit the bullet and made the decision to do something FOR ME. I signed up for a membership at Cross Fit City of Lakes. I wasn't getting the results I wanted with my diet plan and personal training program (nor was I all that enthused about it). I have been going at least 3x a week, but trying/aiming for 4. Being this is something I am paying for, I wanted to do it right – the whole shebang. With that being said, I am also following the recommended Paleo diet – ie – no grains, dairy, grains, processed foods or alcohol. My carbohydrate intake is coming from mostly vegetables, nuts and seeds and a little fruit. I fill up on healthy fats and proteins.

I know, I know… I’m on a “bandwagon” again. But, the more I talk to my trainer and the more I read about it, the more it made sense to me and the way I want to treat my body. I ‘officially’ started on December 1st and I have been feeling pretty great. I am loving the workouts and the diet. I am not feeling deprived, not having any terrible cravings either. The only time I crave grain carbs is when I have waitied too long to eat.

My clothes are fitting better, my confidence is gaining, and I am feeling stronger. I love how I leave every workout with nothing left to give - I push myself to the limit in every workout. I cannot say enough good things about CrossFit. Seriously ladies... I haven't felt this good about myself, this strong, this confident in a LONG time.

I am also working on keeping my mind open in regards to the diet - this is LIFE. Not a judgement on how strict I keep my Paleo diet. I do have a little dairy here and there, which I am trying to cut out as I have reason to believe that it negatively affects my skin (reintroduction to dairy after a week off = hellllooooo massive breakout!). I also allowed myself to indulge over the holidays, but am back on track now. I will give myself a cheat day/meal if I feel it is necessary or if there is a special event.

Nine days in to 2011 and things are looking up.

What are you looking forward to this year? Any new years resolutions?

Go big or go home

Long overdue, but better late than never, right?

After being able to run a half marathon without actually training for it, one would think they are in really good shape. And maybe I am, but the Cross Fit session was INTENSE and I loved every minute of it.

I started out with 3 rounds of 10 squats, 10 pushups and 10 modified pull ups using gymnast rings. Then I got into the real workout which was 3 rounds of 15 kettle ball swings, 12 box jumps and 10 squat wall throws.

Sounds simple enough on paper, but the point of the workout is to perform these moves in the shortest amount of time possible, but in proper and correct form. Even after the warm up I was tuckering out and during the workout itself I was DRIPPING sweat and needing to stop and catch my breath.

I’ve done one additional Cross Fit workout and plan on going again this Saturday. Every workout is different. The last time I went it was 3 rounds of overhead barbell squats, knees to elbows and double unders. First set was 21 reps each, 2nd set 15 each and final set 9 each. Even with just the two workouts, I feel stronger and more confident.

I just love the mentality associated with it. PUSH youself HARD and get through the workout in the best form with the best time. Race yourself. Show yourself up. GO BIG OR GO HOME.

Awesome, awesome, awesome. Love it, love it, love it.


Moving on…

I’m hosting my family for Thanksgiving this year and both me and Nate and super excited! We have a 20lb bird chilling in the freezer. My mom flipped her lid that we had a 20lb turkey. Now… maybe 20lbs is excessive, but (again) go big or go home, right?! And it’s my first Thanksgiving as a hostess. Might as well make it memorable with an oversized bird!

I still have some menu planning and some shopping to do. I am planning for all the basics – potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce (from a can of course), some sort of roll or bread, a vegetables and gravy – but I haven’t yet identified a dessert. Mr. Difficult is not into pumpkin/cinnamon stuff, so the traditional pies are out. I may go a brownie cheesecake route with some sort of fruit sauce. I will be sure to keep you all posted. Any maybe I will even get crafty and get some pictures on this boring blog!

I go through phases where I don’t feel like putting any energy into cooking. I’d much rather fill a bowl with spinach, romaine, open a can of chicken or tuna and call it a meal. If I don’t feel like that, I feel like scrambling two eggs, two whites making an omelet and toasting a piece of bread. Today/tonight is no exception. I am being forced to make potato cheese soup tonight. This meal was on the menu planner the last time I was planning meals (probably sometime in October…) and the damned half and half is barking at me since it’s time is up in the next few days. I don’t even want soup at this moment in time, but I seriously hate wasting food. It’ll make for good leftovers, right? However, on the flip side, I feel my domestic blood pumping and have a serious urge to bake my weekend away.

I really want to bake some sort of scone or muffin. JUMBO muffins or JUMBO scones. I hate wasting time with the dinky ones. Give me JUMBO ones that I can feel naughty about. Again once more, go big or go home, right? Any suggestions?

What are you all doing for Thanksgiving?

What words do you always spell incorrectly? Omelet, definitely pursue are always troublesome for me. Maybe I should invest in some flashcards.