The internet here is stupid.
I can't comment on any blogs.
Along with the internet...I am pretty stupid
for thinking that because it's "lady time" it's okay to take two days off.
Yeah, yeah
I believe in the whole "listen to your body" thing,
but that excuse I use waaay to often.
Walking home from the gym, I realized if I used this excuse once a month
on top of other excuses,
well...I wouldn't get anywhere.
Plain and simple!
Consistency really is key, and being on top of things day in..and day out
is the most important.
Who has ever looked back on a journey like this and thought
"damn, I should have taken more days off?"
YOU'RE KIDDING YOURSELF!
I don't want to be on my way home thinking...
I should have done more.
Now is THE time, and everything is working in MY favor
No matter the onstacles, it's my choice to succeed
just like it's EVERYONE'S choice as well.
So, back at it we go.
It's not like I fell off the wagon or anything,
I just hit a speed bump.
and I'm glad I'm finally being honest with MYSELF
and seeing these things now, and making changes
that way I don't regret it later.
Don't ever quit, and definitely don't give up
because there are people that WANT to see you fail
and you wouldn't want to make them happy...would you?
30 June 2011
25 June 2011
Brain Ninja
mon-o-tony.
I had to double check my spelling on that one, it's one of those words that never looks like it's right.
And, here I am...I think I'm close to 30 days in the suck.
This is where things start draggin' ass (I'll have you know, mine is far from dragging...hee hee)
I'm hellaciously bored, and I think I've already found the end of our limited internet.
I'm very tired (definitely due to boredom) and can't stop watching SMALLVILLE.
Such a teenage soap opera, but good nonetheless.
Onto other things, my husband and I made a pact a few weeks ago.
I have access to one scale - and because my husband is trying to gain weight, he's always really happy when he sees an increase (regardless of the fact I told him it's unreliable, he's happy and that's all that matters).
However, the last time I stepped on the scale - I fell into the same mentality that most people do when they're trying to lose weight and don't see an improvement.
.......think WTF am I doing wrong, and blow a whole week on cookies, and honeybuns...
Okay, normally that's what I would do. I think I did have a cookie (or two), but it was my "treat day"
After seeing my reaction, my husband and I said....NO MORE SCALE for me.
Once a month (yeah, who am I kidding?) and because I'm co-dependent, I always go to the gym with him so it's supervised scale time.
Well, last night I really wanted to see what I weigh. My body is tighter, my waist is smaller, I FEEL LIGHTER (weird, but true) and I'm happy with the way I see things moving. So, I tell my husband that I want to check my weight.
I got a big NO...
Usually, I'm brain ninja him into letting me do it, but this time he wasn't having it....at all.
I thought maybe he'd forget, and I'd try after our workout.
Again...no, but I did get a
"you can weigh yourself next week"
I got brain ninja'd because now I see what he did, now I'm MOTIVATED TO SEE PROGRESS instead of being dissappointed. Not only that, but I actually want to work HARDER to see bigger improvements.
Job well done, husband.
Right now we're both doing a workout program I printed off the Precision Nutrition website. It's a contest prep plan by Chad Thibadeau, and although we're not in contest prep mode, my husband and I are seeing pretty good gains with it. He was confused at first and was wondering why I'd want to do a bodybuilding plan since my goal is to "dial it in", but I explained it's all about the diet - and now we're both seeing it first hand. I'm getting smaller, and fuller. He's getting bigger and broader. This workout is a 2 upper body, and 2 lower body days a week - but we've added in some custom metabolic circuit workouts, inspired by crossfit to help us get in good cardio shape and get leaner. Its a GREAT program, and anyone who has Precision Nutrition should check it out.
The past week I've added in cardio alternating with ab ripper at the end of the day. It wasn't so much for the weight loss benefit, as much as it is for the stress relief, and sleep benefits. I haven't been sleeping very well, and added cardio a day last week which really helped me sleep. I'm actually enjoying my workouts, the only thing that's difficult is getting out of bed in the morning...but isn't that reality for everyone?
Work hard, and the results will follow!
That's the lesson for the day.
I had to double check my spelling on that one, it's one of those words that never looks like it's right.
And, here I am...I think I'm close to 30 days in the suck.
This is where things start draggin' ass (I'll have you know, mine is far from dragging...hee hee)
I'm hellaciously bored, and I think I've already found the end of our limited internet.
I'm very tired (definitely due to boredom) and can't stop watching SMALLVILLE.
Such a teenage soap opera, but good nonetheless.
Onto other things, my husband and I made a pact a few weeks ago.
I have access to one scale - and because my husband is trying to gain weight, he's always really happy when he sees an increase (regardless of the fact I told him it's unreliable, he's happy and that's all that matters).
However, the last time I stepped on the scale - I fell into the same mentality that most people do when they're trying to lose weight and don't see an improvement.
.......think WTF am I doing wrong, and blow a whole week on cookies, and honeybuns...
Okay, normally that's what I would do. I think I did have a cookie (or two), but it was my "treat day"
After seeing my reaction, my husband and I said....NO MORE SCALE for me.
Once a month (yeah, who am I kidding?) and because I'm co-dependent, I always go to the gym with him so it's supervised scale time.
Well, last night I really wanted to see what I weigh. My body is tighter, my waist is smaller, I FEEL LIGHTER (weird, but true) and I'm happy with the way I see things moving. So, I tell my husband that I want to check my weight.
I got a big NO...
Usually, I'm brain ninja him into letting me do it, but this time he wasn't having it....at all.
I thought maybe he'd forget, and I'd try after our workout.
Again...no, but I did get a
"you can weigh yourself next week"
I got brain ninja'd because now I see what he did, now I'm MOTIVATED TO SEE PROGRESS instead of being dissappointed. Not only that, but I actually want to work HARDER to see bigger improvements.
Job well done, husband.
Right now we're both doing a workout program I printed off the Precision Nutrition website. It's a contest prep plan by Chad Thibadeau, and although we're not in contest prep mode, my husband and I are seeing pretty good gains with it. He was confused at first and was wondering why I'd want to do a bodybuilding plan since my goal is to "dial it in", but I explained it's all about the diet - and now we're both seeing it first hand. I'm getting smaller, and fuller. He's getting bigger and broader. This workout is a 2 upper body, and 2 lower body days a week - but we've added in some custom metabolic circuit workouts, inspired by crossfit to help us get in good cardio shape and get leaner. Its a GREAT program, and anyone who has Precision Nutrition should check it out.
The past week I've added in cardio alternating with ab ripper at the end of the day. It wasn't so much for the weight loss benefit, as much as it is for the stress relief, and sleep benefits. I haven't been sleeping very well, and added cardio a day last week which really helped me sleep. I'm actually enjoying my workouts, the only thing that's difficult is getting out of bed in the morning...but isn't that reality for everyone?
Work hard, and the results will follow!
That's the lesson for the day.
11 June 2011
Life in the battlezone.
IRAQ.
I'm sure nothing pleasant comes to mind when anyone hears the word DEPLOYMENT, throw IRAQ or MIDDLE EAST in the mix and people start cringing, and usually praying. I'm not saying it's without reason, but this has turned into my mandatory vacation.
Being deployed has never been a "bad" or hard thing for me personally. Every deployment I learn something new about myself, I grow as a person spiritually and mentally, and it's rare that I return home frazzled - I'm usually eager, motivated, and ready to take on the world. Quite a change from what most people assume a deployment is like, but I guess your outlook changes when you take on a new perspective!
So, what's life like for a figure girl in Iraq? I know everyone is dying to know (insert sarcasm!).
My day starts at 930 PM.
I wake up, run to the potty (our potty is a trailer that has toilets and showers, which happens to be a couple hundred feet away which makes for a really interesting morning especially when you're used to running to the bathroom in bare feet and undies. Can't really do that here!) and hope I don't stub my toe on a rock, brush my teeth, take my daily dose of Jack3d and a protein shake and head to the gym with my husband!
He's here too! Did I mention that? On another shift, but when he gets out of work - I have 3 hours until I go to work, so we get to spend the most important time of the day together - GYM TIME!
Off to the gym, which happens to be a 5 minute walk through our compound in the dark. The gyms here are AMAZING, and surprisingly much more equipped than some I've seen back home. We have a building dedicated to weights, and a separate room for cardio bunnies - which rocks, because there's no more awkward staring happening from dudes thinking their working out on the elliptical.
The hubs and I have different goals (as always when it comes to bodybuilding) - he is getting swole, while I am getting lean. He's a small guy, and has put on a good amount of weight the past month which makes a HUGE difference in his physique. He's seen the changes, and he's hooked - I'm super proud, because even he says I taught him everything he knows! <3
We stick around in the gym no more than 45minutes to an hour which gives me time for a good circuit workout, and enough time to run back to our living area, hop in the shower and head to work.
Work this year is ....different...
It's much easier than I had really anticipated, and much of my time is spent doing homework, and watching movies. I wish I was kidding. I'm here for when shit hits the proverbial fan, so until it does...I'm sitting pretty in air conditioning. This time at work is "me time" - this is when I read, study and research, and in between intermittent bouts of work...get some quiet time. One thing you have to understand, is every job is different and every mission is different, in a deployed environment we all have our place and fill a specific role, whether it be a gate guard, or a troop on the front line. This is by no means a NORMAL deployment and I am not trying to downplay the importance of what we're doing for this country, and it's people - regardless, everyone here is out of their element, away from home and on edge...including myself, but that doesn't mean it can't be a positive and beneficial experience.
During work, I do the most EATING. The chow hall is a hop and skip away which is a godsend in 110 degree heat. I'm following PRECISION NUTRITION (I bought the program YEARS ago, and finally said - if GSP is doing it, and having amazing results...well so will I. GSP is the UFC welterweight champion, and my imaginary second husband, and inspriation...aside from Arnold, and Gina Aliotti of course!)
Food is the same thing, almost every day:
Pre-workout - Dymatize blend with H20
Post workout (when I get into work)- sliced tukey on wheat bread with pickles, and yogurt with fruit
(the yogurt here is AMAZING! Natural, and perfect post workout)
M1- 4 egg whites, 1C fruit, carrot sticks w/ PB
(the egg whites are usually covered in oil because they spray the grill down like a slip and slide, and the PB is in perfectly portioned packets...21g each - you win some, you lose some!)
M2 - I grab lettuce, tomato, cucumber and carrot sticks at breakfast to have with a protein shake
M3 - Grilled chicken breast, 2C cooked broccolli and fruit, sometimes a small baked potato depending on my workout
M4 - Casein shake & carrot sticks before bed
I'm eating every 2-3.5 hours with veggies at ALMOST every meal. This is the first time I've deployed and have been able to follow a meal schedule, and actually be able to go get food 3x a day!
My only supplements are fishoil, a multivitamin, GNC hair skin and nails,my pre-workout Jack3d, and some amino energy before cardio.
I wonder if I'll turn orange from all the carrots?
After work, I head over to do cardio - sometimes steady state, sometimes HIIT and every other day without fail, pop in my ab ripper x on my mini laptop in my room.
Then it's time to hit the shower, and get in bed at 230PM to do it all over again!
That is my life here, simple and easy...for now.
I get to do this for 16 weeks!
The one personality quirk I have (out of many) is that I always want to be prepared. I have this innate need, especially when it comes to changing my physique, to make sure I have all the necessary tools for when crap does happen. I do NOT want to have to eat MRE's, and definitely don't want to be stuck without any way to weight train.I just ordered a set of exercise bands, and am looking into a few more "travel" workout necessities (if anyone has any other suggestions or ideas, shoot me an e-mail!) Granted, I only have 1 bag to have all my stuff in but I think that workout gear TRUMPS everything aside from toiletries.
So folks, that's it! Now that I'm in the groove, and getting "it" done - don't be surprised to hear more from me!
I'm sure nothing pleasant comes to mind when anyone hears the word DEPLOYMENT, throw IRAQ or MIDDLE EAST in the mix and people start cringing, and usually praying. I'm not saying it's without reason, but this has turned into my mandatory vacation.
Being deployed has never been a "bad" or hard thing for me personally. Every deployment I learn something new about myself, I grow as a person spiritually and mentally, and it's rare that I return home frazzled - I'm usually eager, motivated, and ready to take on the world. Quite a change from what most people assume a deployment is like, but I guess your outlook changes when you take on a new perspective!
So, what's life like for a figure girl in Iraq? I know everyone is dying to know (insert sarcasm!).
My day starts at 930 PM.
I wake up, run to the potty (our potty is a trailer that has toilets and showers, which happens to be a couple hundred feet away which makes for a really interesting morning especially when you're used to running to the bathroom in bare feet and undies. Can't really do that here!) and hope I don't stub my toe on a rock, brush my teeth, take my daily dose of Jack3d and a protein shake and head to the gym with my husband!
He's here too! Did I mention that? On another shift, but when he gets out of work - I have 3 hours until I go to work, so we get to spend the most important time of the day together - GYM TIME!
Off to the gym, which happens to be a 5 minute walk through our compound in the dark. The gyms here are AMAZING, and surprisingly much more equipped than some I've seen back home. We have a building dedicated to weights, and a separate room for cardio bunnies - which rocks, because there's no more awkward staring happening from dudes thinking their working out on the elliptical.
The hubs and I have different goals (as always when it comes to bodybuilding) - he is getting swole, while I am getting lean. He's a small guy, and has put on a good amount of weight the past month which makes a HUGE difference in his physique. He's seen the changes, and he's hooked - I'm super proud, because even he says I taught him everything he knows! <3
We stick around in the gym no more than 45minutes to an hour which gives me time for a good circuit workout, and enough time to run back to our living area, hop in the shower and head to work.
Work this year is ....different...
It's much easier than I had really anticipated, and much of my time is spent doing homework, and watching movies. I wish I was kidding. I'm here for when shit hits the proverbial fan, so until it does...I'm sitting pretty in air conditioning. This time at work is "me time" - this is when I read, study and research, and in between intermittent bouts of work...get some quiet time. One thing you have to understand, is every job is different and every mission is different, in a deployed environment we all have our place and fill a specific role, whether it be a gate guard, or a troop on the front line. This is by no means a NORMAL deployment and I am not trying to downplay the importance of what we're doing for this country, and it's people - regardless, everyone here is out of their element, away from home and on edge...including myself, but that doesn't mean it can't be a positive and beneficial experience.
During work, I do the most EATING. The chow hall is a hop and skip away which is a godsend in 110 degree heat. I'm following PRECISION NUTRITION (I bought the program YEARS ago, and finally said - if GSP is doing it, and having amazing results...well so will I. GSP is the UFC welterweight champion, and my imaginary second husband, and inspriation...aside from Arnold, and Gina Aliotti of course!)
Food is the same thing, almost every day:
Pre-workout - Dymatize blend with H20
Post workout (when I get into work)- sliced tukey on wheat bread with pickles, and yogurt with fruit
(the yogurt here is AMAZING! Natural, and perfect post workout)
M1- 4 egg whites, 1C fruit, carrot sticks w/ PB
(the egg whites are usually covered in oil because they spray the grill down like a slip and slide, and the PB is in perfectly portioned packets...21g each - you win some, you lose some!)
M2 - I grab lettuce, tomato, cucumber and carrot sticks at breakfast to have with a protein shake
M3 - Grilled chicken breast, 2C cooked broccolli and fruit, sometimes a small baked potato depending on my workout
M4 - Casein shake & carrot sticks before bed
I'm eating every 2-3.5 hours with veggies at ALMOST every meal. This is the first time I've deployed and have been able to follow a meal schedule, and actually be able to go get food 3x a day!
My only supplements are fishoil, a multivitamin, GNC hair skin and nails,my pre-workout Jack3d, and some amino energy before cardio.
I wonder if I'll turn orange from all the carrots?
After work, I head over to do cardio - sometimes steady state, sometimes HIIT and every other day without fail, pop in my ab ripper x on my mini laptop in my room.
Then it's time to hit the shower, and get in bed at 230PM to do it all over again!
That is my life here, simple and easy...for now.
I get to do this for 16 weeks!
The one personality quirk I have (out of many) is that I always want to be prepared. I have this innate need, especially when it comes to changing my physique, to make sure I have all the necessary tools for when crap does happen. I do NOT want to have to eat MRE's, and definitely don't want to be stuck without any way to weight train.I just ordered a set of exercise bands, and am looking into a few more "travel" workout necessities (if anyone has any other suggestions or ideas, shoot me an e-mail!) Granted, I only have 1 bag to have all my stuff in but I think that workout gear TRUMPS everything aside from toiletries.
So folks, that's it! Now that I'm in the groove, and getting "it" done - don't be surprised to hear more from me!
02 June 2011
A Revelation...
I know there's a reason why life throws you curve balls and expects you to either get out of the way, or stand and take the hit. Life threw me a good 5 in the past few months, and by few...I mean 2. A lot of hard times, and some good...
When there's good, it's just unreasonable to think that there can't be any bad....lesson learned.
I know I'm being so ultra, super vague but the details I won't go into.
Lets just say, when shit hits the fan....it can break you, or make you.
I choose the latter.
I think throughout my life I've had periods of GREAT GROWTH as a person, and they always come with a big turn of events - joining the military, having my first big break up, marrying my husband...and so on. Those things aren't catastrophic, but they are what has taken me from the person I used to be to the person I am today.
More recently I learned some hard lessons on the person I need to be, and it's becoming much clearer to me now why life has thrown me such big curve balls in such a short period of time.
My goals have changed over the past few months and I have taken the pressure of a figure competition off myself for good (I suggest everyone who ever had this as a goal do the same). I'm going to just let it happen, when the time is right. It's the same way I feel about kids...WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT. When it makes sense, when I'm mentally and physically ready, and when I want to. That's not to say I'll never get out there, but one goal always leads to another....and another....and another.
I've made it clear to myself that during this deployment, my focus is on myself. My number 1 priority is to get in tune with my body and take care of it, the way I should and to exercise my mind just as much as my body.
All to often we neglect the spirtitual and emotional parts of ourselves which I have done for quite some time.
I'm not surrounded by people here, and there is a bit of quiet time...which means *me* time.
On the fitness side of things, I'm tracking numbers diligently to indicate progress, and I'm playing as my own little lab experiment. I want to feel what it's like to work hard, consistently - and because my job deployed is...cake...I have no reason not too.
I always see those transformation pictures and think "wow", I want to look at mine four months from now and think the same thing.
The basics are easy:
Eat clean
Exercise mind and body
and ENJOY THE PROCESS.
Don't worry... I'll keep you in the loop
When there's good, it's just unreasonable to think that there can't be any bad....lesson learned.
I know I'm being so ultra, super vague but the details I won't go into.
Lets just say, when shit hits the fan....it can break you, or make you.
I choose the latter.
I think throughout my life I've had periods of GREAT GROWTH as a person, and they always come with a big turn of events - joining the military, having my first big break up, marrying my husband...and so on. Those things aren't catastrophic, but they are what has taken me from the person I used to be to the person I am today.
More recently I learned some hard lessons on the person I need to be, and it's becoming much clearer to me now why life has thrown me such big curve balls in such a short period of time.
My goals have changed over the past few months and I have taken the pressure of a figure competition off myself for good (I suggest everyone who ever had this as a goal do the same). I'm going to just let it happen, when the time is right. It's the same way I feel about kids...WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT. When it makes sense, when I'm mentally and physically ready, and when I want to. That's not to say I'll never get out there, but one goal always leads to another....and another....and another.
I've made it clear to myself that during this deployment, my focus is on myself. My number 1 priority is to get in tune with my body and take care of it, the way I should and to exercise my mind just as much as my body.
All to often we neglect the spirtitual and emotional parts of ourselves which I have done for quite some time.
I'm not surrounded by people here, and there is a bit of quiet time...which means *me* time.
On the fitness side of things, I'm tracking numbers diligently to indicate progress, and I'm playing as my own little lab experiment. I want to feel what it's like to work hard, consistently - and because my job deployed is...cake...I have no reason not too.
I always see those transformation pictures and think "wow", I want to look at mine four months from now and think the same thing.
The basics are easy:
Eat clean
Exercise mind and body
and ENJOY THE PROCESS.
Don't worry... I'll keep you in the loop
It's been a long time...
Well kids,
I'm alive.
How did I get 19 followers? LOL
By NOT updating my BLOG that's how
Pathetic I know...
I'm deployed btw.
Month 1 of 4
Trip #3
So I thought,
I might as well get the blog back together
especially because I'm pretty DAMN sure this transformation
is going to be INSANE
I finally have the amount of muscle I need to get lean and mean.
My workouts start tonight,
and the diet is going to change from day to day.
I'll be using this blog to keep a detailed log of events
and if I can do it...anyone can!
I'm alive.
How did I get 19 followers? LOL
By NOT updating my BLOG that's how
Pathetic I know...
I'm deployed btw.
Month 1 of 4
Trip #3
So I thought,
I might as well get the blog back together
especially because I'm pretty DAMN sure this transformation
is going to be INSANE
I finally have the amount of muscle I need to get lean and mean.
My workouts start tonight,
and the diet is going to change from day to day.
I'll be using this blog to keep a detailed log of events
and if I can do it...anyone can!
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