21 day sugar detox

Results of the Alpha Reset:  10 pounds off. Down to 175

But I returned to bad eating habits and the weight came back on quickly.

I started a 21 day sugar detox #21DSD. Today is day 6. I knew today that I would have to take a hiatus from the detox because I baked a cake for my son's bday. I had some cake but didn't go wild with it like I usually do.

I'm in this challenge with people I know (which really seems to help).
Additionally army new duty station, I don't work with food pushers who want to just disrespect what I'm trying to accomplish. That helps, too.

I'm doing well and down 2# this week already.

I'm working with a personal trainer (FitNMarvelous) while I continue to train for the USMC marathon.

I'm trying to drink lots of water and eat paleo (except for the cake which is nearly gone with the help of my family)

I'm flirting with the elusive 180# threshold. I have a hard time getting below and STAYING below this weight. But I'm determined. So, here we go.

P.S?  The training for the marathon is starting to freak me out. I was supposed to run 16 miles today and totally wussed out. (I DID run 7 yesterday). I'm coming up with lame excuses on why I can't get this run done.  Need to buck up!

Alpha Reset

I am taking 5 days to do a juice fast called the Alpha Reset as outlined by Drew Canole.

I have 4 days off from school and thought this would be a good time to tackle this challenge.

Today is Day 3 of 5.

I'm feeling good...this juice fast (the second one I've done this year) feels easier than before.

I don't have a constant hunger or desire to eat whole food.

I guess I have a better mindset this time...who knows.

My awesome hubby is also juice fasting with me...which helps SO MUCH!

My favorite juice recipe is

4 leaves of Swiss Chard

1 cucumber

1 granny smith apple

1 lemon

1 generous knuckle of ginger

a few leaves of parsley

I just feel like I'm drinking a glass of fresh!

After this, I intend to complete a paleo challenge.

There are a few out there.  The two challenges I see most often are:

(1) The 21 Day Sugar Detox by Diane Sanfilippo

(2) The Whole 30 by Dallas and Melissa Hartwig

I guess it doesn't really matter which one I follow as long as I follow a Paleo diet.

I want to ensure that I'm well prepared and have the mindset to be as successful with this challenge as I am with juicing.  I wonder what I should do?  I've tried these challenges before and end up in the candy dish at the office.  I see at my new school, there will be a lot of temptations around.  hmmmmm.

Keeping commitment to self...so important.

@GoStarGoHard

FitnessVT

I haven't been as committed and dedicated to my health and fitness.

I saw a picture of myself running the Virginia Wine Country Half Marathon (1 Jun 2013).

Somewhere along the line, I have become bottom heavy.

The image I see in the mirror and the image I see in the picture are VERY different.

I have to make a change.

I've said it before.

I need to say it again.

So, for $17 a month, I've signed up for FitnessVT. 

It's a nutrition website that prescribes an eating plan based on your weight, age, body fat %age, and activity level.

It just tells you what to eat and when.

I think I just need that structure.

I can modify the foods on the list so I can stick to a Paleo preference which I like.

I like a Tshirt I saw at the gym... "I'm 100% Paleo, 80% of the time".

I think rather than try to be Paleo perfectionista, I will try to be a consistent Paleo follower.

So...I'll let you know how it goes.

I don't even know if anyone is reading this but...that's OK.

This is really for me to document what I'm doing.

The Marine Corps Marathon is coming up in October and I want to be lighter so I can run well.

This nutrition plan coupled with the Run Less, Run Faster Novice Marathon training plan should get me to my goal.  

#MarineCorpsMarathon #RunLessRunFaster #Paleo #VirginiaWineCountryHalfMarathon

Quote for the day:  

“One of the most valuable lessons I have learned in the military is that what happens in your life is what you believe will happen”

What do you believe, Star?

You can be fit, strong, cut and healthy!

Get it done, Star!

Crossfit Games 13.1

Well, I tried 13.1!

For those who aren't Crossfit afficiandos, 13.1 means the following:

13= the year 2013

.1 = the first workout of the Crossfit Games.

The workout is as follows:

WOMEN - includes Masters Women up to 54 years old
Proceed through the sequence below completing as many reps as possible in 17 minutes of:
40 Burpees (done...took forever)
45 pound Snatch, 30 reps (done @35#)
30 Burpees (done...)
75 pound Snatch, 30 reps (only 24 @ 45# then time ran out)
20 Burpees (not done)
100 pound Snatch, 30 reps (not done)
10 burpees (not done)
120 pound Snatch, as many reps as possible (not done)

This morning...I feel accomplished and only a smidgen sore.

This time next year, I will enter the Crossfit Games and compete...see if I can at least get to regionals.

Jammin' good times.

Bouncing

My weight is fluctuating around.

At the end of the week (Friday), I'm down to 179.

By Monday, ballooned up to 186.

What in the world is going on?

Happens regularly.

Just when I think I'm making progress...BOOM!  

Tough Mudder Circuit - How'd it go?

Circuit #1 Perform

on Monday

Run for 2 minutes

Push Ups or Swing Push Ups for 1 minute

Burpee Jumping Jacks for 2 minutes

Squats for 1 minute

Jump Rope for 2 minutes

Bear Crawl for 1 minute

Rest for 1 minute

Scramble to Sprint for 2 minutes

Duck Walk for 1 minute

Squat Jumps for 2 minutes

Bodyweight Rows for 1 minute

High Knee Sprint in Place for 2 minutes

Bodyweight Curls for 1 minute

Rest for 60 Seconds

Army Crawl Knees Off Ground or Army Crawl Knees On Ground

Run

******************

The workout above was hard.

I was supposed to do it 2x thru.  But once was quite enough thank you very much!

Felt a little self conscious doing it as I was on the basketball court doing this.  The bball court is behind a see thru wall so the entire gym can see me flailing about if they happen to look that way.  

And trust me, I was flailing...duck walk is really not meant for long legged people, just sayin'

My eating habits have declined and my weight has shot back up.  Amazing how that works.

We are in the season of lent now.

I've banned soda and sweets (any dessert, candy or artificially sweetened thing (except w/stevia)) from my diet.  Getting back on the Paleo and juicing wagon.

Must keep telling myself, "Your a tough mudder...you can do this!"

Had two crazy hard crossfit workouts this past weekend.  Egads!  I think my eyelashes are sore.

Really enjoyed those workouts.  It reaffirms that I need some addl work to get to a level of fitness.

Happy Presidents' Day.

Star

We're gonna party like it's my birthday!

My birthday is today and it's a milestone birthday that ends in "5".
Yay me.

Enjoyed a great Crossfit Workout today.
And found my re-motivation for my Tough Mudder training.
I found a training schedule that I'm going to embark on starting on Tuesday.
Why not today (Monday)?  Because I need some space to do these workout and I want to use the large open space at the gym (which is in use usually on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays with a boot camp class).

The workouts look hard but fun.  They entail doing these circuits and then running on the off days.  There's one rest day per week which I likely will use as active rest (aka yoga class):

Circuit #1 Perform

on Monday

Run for 2 minutes

Push Ups or Swing Push Ups for 1 minute

Burpee Jumping Jacks for 2 minutes

Squats for 1 minute

Jump Rope for 2 minutes

Bear Crawl for 1 minute

Rest for 1 minute

Scramble to Sprint for 2 minutes

Duck Walk for 1 minute

Squat Jumps for 2 minutes

Bodyweight Rows for 1 minute

High Knee Sprint in Place for 2 minutes

Bodyweight Curls for 1 minute

Rest for 60 Seconds

Army Crawl Knees Off Ground or Army Crawl Knees On Ground

Run

Circuit #2 Perform

on Wednesday

Run for 2 minutes

Lizard Crawl Push Ups for 1 minute

Step Jumps for 2 minutes

Walking Lunges for 1 minute

Kangaroo Hops for 2 minutes

Spiderman Climbs for 1 minute

Rest for 1 minute

Butt Kick Sprint in Place for 2 minutes

Bear Crawl/Crab Crawl combo for one minute

One Legged Step Ups for 2 minutes each leg

Pull Ups or Bodyweight Rows for 1 minute

Mountain Climbers for 2 minutes

Suicide Planks for 1 minute

Rest for 1 minute

Army Crawl Knees Off Ground or Army Crawl Knees On Ground

Run

Circuit #3 Perform

on Friday

Run for 2 minutes

Spiderman Push Ups or Feet Elevated Push Ups for 1 minute

Jumping Lunges for 2 minutes

Bench Dips for 1 minute

Jumpovers for 2 minutes

Backwards Bear Crawl for 1 minute

Rest for 1 minute

Frog Leap for 2 minutes

Walkover Push ups for 1 minute

Mountain Jumpers for 2 minutes

One Legged Squat for 1 minute each leg

Side Lunges for 2 minutes

Broad Jump for 1 minute

Rest for 1 minute

Army Crawl Kne

P.S.  I hope this blog doesn't sound too self-centered.  Probably does.  I'm sharing this to get your support but I also hope it helps someone else find their fitness passion, too.

Another week

Another week of ups and downs.
The pushers continue to push.
And I relent.

Did 12 days of working out in a row (until yesterday).  Time wasn't my friend...
But back at it today with a yoga class.
I need to get a good run in...hoping weather will cooperate so I can go outside vice on the hamster-mill.

Not getting on the scale this week.
I think I know the answer...and I just assume not know...will do better this week.

Enjoying more strength.
Push ups especially are getting stronger.
Really enjoyed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1h2TUz2eod4.  Now I understand why I never could improve on push ups by practicing on my knees after watching this video.  My mechanics were all wrong.

45th Birthday is just around the corner.

Looking to score an outstanding on my Navy physical fitness test in April.  Gotta get stronger and faster.

Food Pushers - why are they so insistent?

So, I'm earnestly working to make a commitment to my health...sleep, eat well (Paleo and juicing), exercise, water and repeat.

I have a new favorite juicing recipe:
3 handfuls of spinach
1 lemon
1 granny smith apple
1/2 handful of parsley
2 persian cucumbers
1 knuckle of ginger
It usually yields about 16oz / 2 cups of juice.

It's like drinking freshness in a Mason jar.  YUM!

So, I have a little rant to get out there...it's about Food Pushers.
There always seems to be the food pusher there...the person who insists you can have just one cookie.  But, right now, I'm not eating sugar, wheat, grains, etc...
But, here comes the FOOD PUSHER who:
* leaves a bag of Hershey miniatures in the common area at work
* brings cookies (or other "treat") to work and says "your metabolism is high right now since you just worked out, c'mon...just have one, it won't kill you."

And over and again, I have to politely but firmly say "No, thank you!"

But the FOOD PUSHER persists... "No, thank you!"

Again... "No, Thank you!"

What is their deal?  

So frustrating.

So how do you deal with a food pusher?

1.  Politely say no. (the preferred choice)
2.  Accept the item and then discretely toss it away (I don't like doing this...first, I don't want the temptation and second, I don't want them to get into the habit of giving me sweets.)
3. Accept the item and have a bite or two.  (Again, another one I prefer not to do because I don't want to start down a slippery slope of eating things that I shouldn't)

I'm seeing and feeling progress.  My latest chart is provided for you to view.
My clothes are starting to feel looser and I am seeing progress at the gym (more strength).
So...I will push forward with my own convictions and commitments.
I had a moment of pride when someone at work asked me what I was doing because my clothes look looser on me!  Score!  That gave me a boost to keep at it!

Learning New Habits

First of all:  Thanks to all my friends who are willing to read about this journey and be my encouragement/support system.  Your willingness to jump in and help is humbling.


So, as part of this fitness journey, I'm trying to learn new habits.
1.  Get rest (8 hours is the goal but 6 hours of sleep is usually the reality); resist hitting the snooze button and just get up
2.  Eating well (by eating well, I mean Paleo and I'm supplementing this with homemade vegetable/fruit juice...more veggies than fruit)
3.  Exercising (regular gym workouts with intensity and Crossfit on the weekends)
4.  Meditating (not easy since my brain tangential thoughts...hard to quiet all that riotous noise in my head).

I happened to read a blog that I like to follow called Zen Habits (#ZenHabits).
Today's posting talked about http://zenhabits.net/bank/ was creating compound habits (e.g., like compound investments.  Making small changes over time to lead to habits.  For example, to start waking up earlier, don't do it in a big chunk, start waking up earlier 5 minutes at a time and before you know it, you are waking up two hours earlier and not feeling the huge impact of the change).

EATING WELL
I think I'm changing gradually with the exception of food.
In a book that I read called, IT STARTS WITH FOOD, six pack abs are made in the kitchen (what you eat)...So, I'm trying their Whole 30 program and eating Paleo for 30 days.

Today is day 2 of my Paleo journey.
I had pot roast for breakfast (a homemade crockpot concoction that I made on Sunday and will eat off of most of this week), a pre-made Paleo lunch by PowerSupply (they deliver pre-made Paleo meals to Crossfit Gyms in the DC region (I go to #CrossfitManassas), and I'll have pot roast for dinner.  For snacks, I had two 16 oz vegetable juices that I made with my juicer at home last night. 
Biggest thing that I have noticed, I'm not having the crazy, grumbling stomach cravings that I usually do when I'm eating candy and other sweets during the day.


EXERCISING
Today's small add, I did assisted pull ups (112# assist).  For the tough mudder, I'm pretty sure I need to be able to schlep myself over things...I need to start improving that upper body strength now.  I'd like to be able to do 5 pull ups by April.  Do you think that's doable?


REST
Last night, was only 6 hours.
Will try better for tonight


MEDITATION
Will endeavour to meditate tonight as part of my bed time ritual. 
I'll commit to 3 minutes per night (a small change).

Wish me luck!

Get serious!

So here are some metrics over time.
Not a whole lot of progress.



Truths:
(1) I don't consistently eat like I should
(2) I don't consistently exercise like I should

Goals:
(1) To eat more Paleo (I will follow the advice of #CFFOTG (Crossfit Fire of the Gods) which has led me to #RobbWolf, #Whole30, #BalancedBites)
(2) To juice veggies and fruit (I follow #Drew Canole and his guidance on juicing)
(3) Exercise consistently with intensity to complete the following races this year:
- Complete the Tough Mudder in April 2013 (signed up yesterday)
- Half Marathon on 01 Jun 2013
- Marathon in Oct 2013
I will do this at Lifetime Fitness and #CrossfitManassas.

Defining my Why:
I want to be more fit and healthy in order to be more energetic.
To decrease and/or the eliminate the need for BP medicine.
To give me more longevity so I can be a great wife, mother, child, and friend.

And...just to put it all out there...here's my before shot (Jan 2013).

I commit to 90 days of being more healthful...will post an after shot at that time.

Tea with Lemon

I found a new love!
Lemons!
Nothing more enjoyable in my tea than a healthy squeeze of lemon juice.
It just wakes up the flavor.
I drank a lot of tea this week while sitting in a class...easy to stay hydrated when you're a captive audience...just keep that 16oz container Starbucks mug filled to the brim.

Big

It's Thanksgiving Weekend.
I've been less than vigilant and am back up to 181#
I cooked non-paleo this weekend (except for steamed peas and turkey).
All foods prepared were a butter or sugar delivery system.
I'm in a class all next week (opportunity to have dedicated time to get back on track) and will work earnestly to eat veggies and meat; little fruit; little to no sugar.

Love this Thanksgiving pic of my family...
Pictures tell a 1000 words..the words this picture tells me is..."Star, you are getting BIG! STOP IT!"

I'm Back!

Took some time off.
Some muscle relaxants and a power NSAID and I feel brand new.
Started yoga twice a week since I haven't been able to get a physical therapy appt.
Seems to be helping with core strength... YAY

I have new metrics.  Breakthrough on my hip measurement.  And finally below 180 consistently...a plateau I didn't think I could get off of.

	28-May-12	10-Jun-12	24-Jun-12	8-Jul-12	22-Jul-12	7-Oct-12
Waist	33.5	33	32.5	32.5	32.5	32.5
Hips	43	42.5	42.5	42.5	42.5	42
W:H Ratio	0.779	0.776	0.765	0.765	0.765	0.774
Weight	184	182	180	180	179	176
Inches on waist	-	0.5	1	1	1	1
Inches on hips		0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	1
total inches lost		1	1.5	1.5	1.5	2
Pounds lost	-	2	4	4	5	8

I also found a fun website http://www.modelmydiet.com/
You can make a virtual model and see what you will look like before and after.
I like the after shot...gives me something more tangible to work toward.

Pretty paleo most of the time but still enjoy pizza and non paleo foods.
Although...everytime I eat bread, I think I'm noticing a gassiness which is now fun.

Let's try a good paleo week and look at metrics again on 14 Oct...

I've got your back

My back is injured.  The low back is just very "rusty".
I have had a bulging disc in the past and think it is rearing its ugly head again.
The pain was intolerable last weekend which resulted in a day of rest after a visit to the ER.
The pain has subsided in a miraculous way.
One day I'm in tears...the next day...I'm slow but better.
I have an appt to see the doc on Tuesday.  I hope they order an MRI...I really want to get to the bottom of the issue with my back.

Need some core strength.

Day 1A - A Whole 30 new beginning

So, yesterday...I ate Crab Bisque or some other creamy soup name and calamari.
It was delish but the thing I noticed this morning...
I was hungry...
Hungry, hungry...
Hungry like I wanted to eat anything and everything in sight hungry.

So...we begin anew...again.


Let's go Star!  Go Star!  Go Hard!

Day ? - Whole 30 Recap

Well...
I've gotten sidetracked.
Again.

I caught a cold and just didn't feel like exercising or preparing meals.
So, I fell back into old habits.

I also have the added stress of a new job with a new boss.
I'm routinely leaving the office at 7pm or later.
It sounds like whining...and it likely is but...
It's hard to get up in the morning to go exercise...when I haven't really had a lot of sleep the night before because I'm getting home sooooooo late.

Frustrating.

Need to eat more veggies, lean meats, some fruit and nuts...

GO!

Day 5 - Whole 30 Recap

I have a cold!
I can't smell anything!
I can't taste anything!
Every time I sneeze, I'm sure that my brains are going to fly out of my ears.

Sleep:  Fell asleep at 10 and up at 4:30 -- on 6.5 hours

Food:
Breakfast...smoothie with spinach, banana, berries, carrots, protein powder, flax seed and coconut water

Lunch and Dinner ... chicken thigh and sweet potato fries.

Only ate dinner because I should...absolutely no appetite...this cold is a bummer.

Exercise:
None.
Feel like poo and want to rest.
Think that is best.

Goal:  Drown this cold in H2O.  I like to avoid medicine when I can so... look out cold...you're going to get drowned.

Day 4 - Whole 30 Recap

I'm catching a cold.

I wonder where I would find Paleo cough drops?
I had a sore throat when I woke up.
Found some Halls Vitamin C lozenges to suck on all day at 15 calories a piece...I think I had 10-15 of the 25 count bag.  Throat felt better.  Probably should have done the warm salt water gargle routine but that takes time...and I just wanted the convenience of sucking.
As a result of the sore throat, I didn't exercise today.

I need to keep a stash of bone broth in the freezer 'cause all I wanted yesterday was soup.

Breakfast:  Sausage and Eggs

Lunch:  Chicken and Broccoli

Dinner:  5 Guys Burger with veggies (onions, lettuce tomato, mushrooms); no bun and 10 french fries.

I know they say you go through a sort of Carb flu when you're getting off carbs.
But I think this is an actual cold.
I'm craving a massage too...need to do a mobility WOD with the foam cushion thingey.

w/the exception of the fries...it was a Paleo day.

Trying to avoid the temptation of stepping on the scale everyday but to no avail...I want to see progress through better eating.  I'll try to stay off the scale tomorrow.

Day 3 - Whole 30 Recap

Day 3- Whole 30 recap

Breakfast:  Omelette

Lunch:  Spinach Salad with two chicken thighs

Dinner:  One chicken thigh and sweet potato fries

Worked out with a friend today.  Hula hoop, weighted jump rope, kettle bell swings, sumo and kettle bell press, dips, push ups and plank.  Can you say sweaty?

Great way to start the day on the right foot.  A morning workout of course.  I just can't get the motivation to workout after work or during the day.  I find a reason not to...like a hair out of place or a hangnail can be a perfectly good reason not to workout.  So morning workouts.

I am the proud owner of a medicine ball (10 lbs).  I found it online...on sale!

YAY!  

Looking forward to some wall balls!

Today:  I wanted to drink more water...just a bit...and I did...6 cups of green tea today.  2 cups of water.  

Tomorrow:  Continue with the incremental change...drink a little more water.