How come it's so easy???

I was so excited for this update for the past week but when I sat down to write it, BAM writer's block!

Why is it so easy to be negative, focus on the wrongs or could of, would have, should have? It is a sad reality that we are so wired to notice the negative and completely ignore all the POSITIVE!




I am happy to report I have turned a corner and been rejuvenated. For the past 3 weeks I have been adjusting my eating habits for the better. I know I have mentioned this before but this time I am practicing what I preach and actually being honest with myself. Instead doing a designer diet and focusing on drastic changes that I will be unable to sustain, I am taking the knowledge I do know and educating myself on the words of advice from people (my sister, 4 Hour Body and Body Rock) I  believe in. 
A small recap of the changes I promised to make and am sticking to after coming out of my personal denial:
BREAKFAST NO SUGAR, LOTS OF PROTEIN
SUPER FOODS NUTRIENT RICH FOOD FILLS MY PLATE
NO WHITE NO PROCESSED OR REFINED ANYTHING
EATING REGULAR EATING 3-5 MEALS A DAY, NO HUNGER NO SNACKING
I began following a very basic diet that seems very strict but figured out how to feed myself by focusing on health over taste, lean protein, veggies and lentils and that was it. I learned to be creative with spices and combination. From there I realized I was adding a lot of unnecessary snacking, cheese and oils, I wasn't previously holding myself accountable for. I feel satisfied, healthy and happy. I feel strong and encouraged that I have finally gained control of my perception vs. the reality. 

I LOVE MY WORKOUTS! 
They are a part of my daily life and I enjoy them more then sitting down and watching a favorite TV show or drinking a beer. If you are having a hard time getting motivated or staying motivated, these are some things that help me keep going...
#1 I have a workout partner. Even on days we don't workout together, I am so competitive that I  will workout alone to either encourage her or to rub it in her face (that's just me)
#2 Find what works for you, classes, running alone, home vs. gym, training for a event. Variety is awesome and trying enough things you are bound to find one that sticks.
#3 I love buying a new pair of shoes, workout pants, etc. when the other ones are feeling broken down.
I am getting excited to find a new bikini for this summer I have earned it! On that note...

PRAY FOR SUMMER! These "surprise" it snowed 3 feet storms are 
over rated!
 

 

 Happy 3 Month Anniversary!

Yes for anyone who is counting I am officially 29 and 1/4 and if you are reading this you probably haven't glorified or announced a 1/4 birthday since you were 5... Thankfully I am HAPPY and SATISFIED with the progress I have made and where I am headed, 3 month after beginning this journey. Thank you all for your words of encouragement! I love hearing from all of you who are following, it truly helps keep me motivated and driven. I hope I am giving you some encouragement in return! I have been slacking on any hard data or photos but I am hoping to catch up with those soon.

Denial is Painful...

Please excuse my lack of updates and motivation...
But I have been in a painful place called, Denial in the country of Resistance. I am about to hit my 3 month mark on my journey and I already hit a plateau, WTF!  I continue my workouts but notice I don't have the drive or the dripping of sweat I used to, my endurance grows and I feel stronger but I am not noticing a whole lot of change in my appearance. Based on the effort I am putting in I don't feel like I am being unrealistic but am I being honest???


Last Friday after a night of work and a 
DELICIOUS margarita, I got home and the frustration and disappointment set it. I reflected on my margarita and thought after all the hard work I put in am I just canceling one out for the other???

Now this is a stupid question because the answer is YES, it has always been YES, I have always known it was YES but typical me I thought I could ignore the reality...

In the last 10 years PS(post sports) I have been trying to figure out this whole health, diet and exercise thing and I have done a lot of reading. Health magazines, creepy diets, healthy diet habit, "Eat this, Not that", blah blah blah. The issue for me was easy I LOVE food and good food too so those readings did not apply to me. Unfortunately this day in age the target market for this educational material is for the "fast food nation" and those looking to lose 30+ lbs. Therefore the information falls on deaf ears: don't eat a Big Mac, eat a McChicken or cut back from three sodas to cut 600 empty calories or a routine that claims lifting 3lbs weights for 3 set will give you sexy toned arms.

None of this applies to me I don't eat fast food, junk food, fake food, whatever you want to call it plus I am not sedentary there for encouragement of minimal effort is not gonna cut it for me. What about me, where do I fit in???



That Friday night I did some real reading and real learning with less denial and resistance. I was able to reflect and acknowledge that despite not having a traditional junk food diet I needed to ADJUST mine or else I would keep spinning my wheels. I sorted out the gimmicks, sales pitches and found answers that will help ME. 
But something is missing... The discipline and commitment I have for my workouts need to be applied to my diet. 
So I am taking the first step, admitting I have a problem. Good-bye DENIAL! Next pin pointing the spots of RESISTANCE to help myself make positive changes. 


Needless to say this week has been rough my attitude has been really no bueno, I can't put all the blame on my diet because in the meantime real life is still happening too. But this journey is truly bringing me joy and is an exciting challenge, so this is just another level. So here we go, the honest truth (not just what I want to hear).

+Changes

eating a quality breakfast with good sources of protein everyday
beans with 2-3 meals a day (great source of natural fiber)
eating 3-4 times a day
minimal minimal amounts of cheese and not just minimal for me
no mindless snacking or snacking while I prep a meal (super bad habit)
increasing water intake
making an effort to eat more veggies
cutting back on coffee and switched from half and half to soy creamer(1g sugar)
smaller portions 


Some of my informative literature that prevented "Giving Up"
http://www.bodyrock.tv/2011/02/10/diet-challenge-1-superfoods/
http://www.findyourbodytype.com/ 
http://www.fourhourbody.com/
*I have not purchased any supplements or products based on any of the reading I am trying to just pick out the information that was relevant to me. So read with yourself in mind.


I am embracing these tweaks, reductions, adjustment and efforts. In turn I felt rejuvenated in my workouts this week and was finally able to see the progress I am making but wasn't willing to see before. I am glad this happened now and not in November...

And I can't say it enough, I LOVE LOVE LOVE

BODY ROCK 

It is not just about the workout but the community, the education and once you get into it, it becomes apart of your life and a day without Zuzana and Freddy feels lonely!