Pushing myself outside my comfort zone has always proven to give me my best lessons, results, experiences etc. Its also one of the hardest things to continue doing over and over. When there is no other choice, and I have to man up and do something that kinda scares me, afterwards the rewards are always great. The problem is those times when I'm the one in charge and I can choose to keep things comfortable, or do something hard/scary/different, I almost always choose comfortable.
One of the many things I like about Crossfit is that it forces me out of my comfort zone often. I got over my potential uncomfortableness of looking like an ass in front of people real quick. I got over my potential uncomfortableness with Olympic bars, heavy weights, inversions, breathing heavy, and Lululemon. They are all things I do without even thinking about now. In fact when I remember the slight anxiousness I used to feel, I laugh because it was so silly. Enter giant rubber bands.
Specifically the kind one uses to assist them in doing a pull-up. For whatever reason, they are kinda frightening to me. Yes, I have used them a few times without incident. However, in the back of my head, everytime I'm forcing my foot into one, I can't help but think of all the things that could possibly go wrong with a thick rubber band, my weight, and myself suspended in mid-air. I know all I have to do is get used to them, and how do I get used to them? USE THEM.
Sure, each day before the warm-up I've been half-assed in doing a few strict band-assisted pull-ups. That isn't really the push out of my comfort zone I need. Performing jumping pull-ups in workouts is not really the push out of my comfort zone I need. Luckily, crossfit seems to always give me what I need when I need it, and yesterday we had 2 rounds of 2min AMRAP pull-ups to push me. A proverbial toss into the lake, if you will.
I was a little shaky getting my foot into the band, and super tense as I grabbed hold of the bar and let myself "fall" into the band. I crossed my right leg over my left, and pulled up. My chin cleared the bar no problem. I let myself stretch the band down again in hopes of getting a little bounce to aid me back up. I knocked out 10 pull-ups before I had to take a break and put my foot on the box. I didn't want to rest too long because the clock was ticking away. I grabbed onto the bar and this time relaxed a bit, and the band thing wasn't so scary afterall. I cranked out a few more pull-ups, and eventually in the 2 minutes, got 20 band-assisted pull-ups. Round two came along, and I was even more relaxed/confident, and pushed myself to get 21 band assisted pull-ups in the 2 minute time allotment.
Today, I'm sore as hell. My lats, my triceps, my shoulders, all feeling it. I believe I finally started engaging the muscles I need to engage to get me to do an unassited pull-up. With more practice, and practicing a kip in the band, the bands will get skinnier. My muscles will remember, and eventually, the band will disappear. Here's to no more scaling pull-ups with jumping pull-ups, I'm officially a giant rubber band girl!
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
347- Thruck Fusters
If we could go one week at the gym without doing thrusters, I'd be excited. A thruster is a front squat into an overhead press in one smooth movement and we do them all the time. Ideally you use the power of driving up out of your squat to get the weight overhead. They suck. They suck the life out of you. Some days I really like doing them, because they do make me feel badass, but today was not one of those days.
I kinda had an off day in my workout today. I didn't realize the beating my shoulders had taken yesterday with the 75# push presses until thruster #1. I came out of my squat, and as I locked my arms out overhead with 65# today, my shoulders screamed in protest. It was not a scream of "stop what you are doing" but more of a "hey we needed to be warmed up WAY more." Instead of pushing through the workout with great intensity, I just focused on doing the movements to the best of my ability, and keeping a steady rhythm. The more thrusters I had to do, the better my shoulders felt, confirming my not warmed up enough theory. Many times I don't want to warm up the movements we will be doing in the workout for fear of not having the energy to do them in the actual workout. I really need to ditch that thinking, because I always find that I move best once I'm a little ways into the workout.
The other movements today were toes to bar (ugh) and hand release push-ups. It was rough, but at then end I surprised myself with how many rounds I got through.
Today was my first day running to and from the gym when I had a car I could possibly be driving. All the other times I've run to the gym have been because the bf deluxe had the car. Now that the weather is warmer, there is no reason why I can't run there every time. It takes 5 minutes. Unless I get stuck behind a train...which seems to happen every day, whether I'm driving or running. I need to start timing my runs to/from the gym so I can see if I get faster. Plus, you all know how much I love data.
I kinda had an off day in my workout today. I didn't realize the beating my shoulders had taken yesterday with the 75# push presses until thruster #1. I came out of my squat, and as I locked my arms out overhead with 65# today, my shoulders screamed in protest. It was not a scream of "stop what you are doing" but more of a "hey we needed to be warmed up WAY more." Instead of pushing through the workout with great intensity, I just focused on doing the movements to the best of my ability, and keeping a steady rhythm. The more thrusters I had to do, the better my shoulders felt, confirming my not warmed up enough theory. Many times I don't want to warm up the movements we will be doing in the workout for fear of not having the energy to do them in the actual workout. I really need to ditch that thinking, because I always find that I move best once I'm a little ways into the workout.
The other movements today were toes to bar (ugh) and hand release push-ups. It was rough, but at then end I surprised myself with how many rounds I got through.
Today was my first day running to and from the gym when I had a car I could possibly be driving. All the other times I've run to the gym have been because the bf deluxe had the car. Now that the weather is warmer, there is no reason why I can't run there every time. It takes 5 minutes. Unless I get stuck behind a train...which seems to happen every day, whether I'm driving or running. I need to start timing my runs to/from the gym so I can see if I get faster. Plus, you all know how much I love data.
348- Improvements
Thank you for the well wishes yesterday, everything is going to be fine. There is no other option. While I try to keep deeply personal items out of this blog, occasionally there is some overlap in so far as how some items will affect my overall health. I want to lay everything out on the table not in the hopes of getting sympathy from anyone reading, but more so that I have a record of my actions and subsequent actions/reactions.
Now, back to regularly scheduled programming...Yesterday was a great day for me. My eats were 100% on point, and something very interesting happened during our warm up at the gym. On Saturday, I wrote about "swinging a heavy bat." For anyone out there that has never played baseball/softball, players put weights on the ends of their bats before going up to hit (or if you are old skool, you swing 2 bats at a time) so that when the are at bat, and swing the unweighted/one bat, it comes around A LOT faster. It works. Minds are tricky like that. Taking this theory to my running, I decided to run to the store, do some shopping, and run home with my goods. I honestly had no intention of noticing a difference the next time I ran, and really just needed to get some groceries! The heavy bat thing came to me as I was running, because lately at the gym I've been trying to use weights a little higher then the Rx'd weight for girls (whatever it may be) and one of the trainers said to me "swinging the heavy bat, I like it!"
Yesterday, we went through our normal warm-up/dynamic stretching stuff before we got into the REAL warm-up (usually 3 different moves 5-10 reps each, changes everyday depending on what the workout is) and when we were done loosening up, trainer says "out the door, 400m run." Out we went, and I was the second person out the door, but I felt fast. I kept waiting for the people behind me to pass (like they always do) but I was holding them off, and it wasn't hard. I was just running. After the turn around, HCT (hot cop trainer) passed me when we were nearly back to the gym, but that was it! Usually I jog in the door last, or second to last. Not yesterday! I jogged in 3rd. There were 4 people behind me. Boo-yah! So maybe there is something to that heavy bat afterall? I haven't felt that way running since pre-ankle injury. It could also be my added weekend runs, or that I've really been focusing on intensity in my workouts, or the BCAA's, or a combination of all? Either way, I'll take it.
We then worked through the rest of the warm up- 3 rounds of: length of gym OH walking lunge w/ 10lbs, 5 inch worms, 10 back extensions. For the workout I got the chance to swing a heavy bat again, it was a barbell complex (deadlifts, power cleans, front squat, push press), and the recommended weight for girls was 65#. I decided to go with 75#. I made the super fast girl next to me do 75# too, because I knew that if she did 65# she would beat me by minutes. If she did 75# it might only be 10's of seconds that she beats me (I think she still beat me by a full minute, even at 75# grrr). The awesomest girl in the class did 95# (same weight as the boys) because, she is a beast. One day I will be like her.
Keeping in line with actually following through with what I say I'm going to do, I'm prepared to start running to and from the gym everyday. I can no longer use the weather as an excuse. That means at the end of each week, I will have logged an extra 4 mile run, presuming I keep my four day/week gym habit. I'm curious to see if this creates a noteable gas savings? The gym is only 0.5 miles away, so I'm not driving very much, but still, with gas prices on the creep, its always good to save where I can. Yesterday I left my crossfit shoes in the changing room at the gym, and today I brought with me my preferred running shoes for the journey. This does mean that I'll be once again changing into my workout clothes here at the office. I sure hope the old iron pants* that complained about me doing that finds some real work to do so she's not all up in my businass...
*found out months after she complained about me wearing workout clothes in the office that everyone calls her iron pants because I guess, she's gone after everyone at some point or another for something...LOL! I was so relieved I wasn't the only one secretly hating her.
Now, back to regularly scheduled programming...Yesterday was a great day for me. My eats were 100% on point, and something very interesting happened during our warm up at the gym. On Saturday, I wrote about "swinging a heavy bat." For anyone out there that has never played baseball/softball, players put weights on the ends of their bats before going up to hit (or if you are old skool, you swing 2 bats at a time) so that when the are at bat, and swing the unweighted/one bat, it comes around A LOT faster. It works. Minds are tricky like that. Taking this theory to my running, I decided to run to the store, do some shopping, and run home with my goods. I honestly had no intention of noticing a difference the next time I ran, and really just needed to get some groceries! The heavy bat thing came to me as I was running, because lately at the gym I've been trying to use weights a little higher then the Rx'd weight for girls (whatever it may be) and one of the trainers said to me "swinging the heavy bat, I like it!"
Yesterday, we went through our normal warm-up/dynamic stretching stuff before we got into the REAL warm-up (usually 3 different moves 5-10 reps each, changes everyday depending on what the workout is) and when we were done loosening up, trainer says "out the door, 400m run." Out we went, and I was the second person out the door, but I felt fast. I kept waiting for the people behind me to pass (like they always do) but I was holding them off, and it wasn't hard. I was just running. After the turn around, HCT (hot cop trainer) passed me when we were nearly back to the gym, but that was it! Usually I jog in the door last, or second to last. Not yesterday! I jogged in 3rd. There were 4 people behind me. Boo-yah! So maybe there is something to that heavy bat afterall? I haven't felt that way running since pre-ankle injury. It could also be my added weekend runs, or that I've really been focusing on intensity in my workouts, or the BCAA's, or a combination of all? Either way, I'll take it.
We then worked through the rest of the warm up- 3 rounds of: length of gym OH walking lunge w/ 10lbs, 5 inch worms, 10 back extensions. For the workout I got the chance to swing a heavy bat again, it was a barbell complex (deadlifts, power cleans, front squat, push press), and the recommended weight for girls was 65#. I decided to go with 75#. I made the super fast girl next to me do 75# too, because I knew that if she did 65# she would beat me by minutes. If she did 75# it might only be 10's of seconds that she beats me (I think she still beat me by a full minute, even at 75# grrr). The awesomest girl in the class did 95# (same weight as the boys) because, she is a beast. One day I will be like her.
Keeping in line with actually following through with what I say I'm going to do, I'm prepared to start running to and from the gym everyday. I can no longer use the weather as an excuse. That means at the end of each week, I will have logged an extra 4 mile run, presuming I keep my four day/week gym habit. I'm curious to see if this creates a noteable gas savings? The gym is only 0.5 miles away, so I'm not driving very much, but still, with gas prices on the creep, its always good to save where I can. Yesterday I left my crossfit shoes in the changing room at the gym, and today I brought with me my preferred running shoes for the journey. This does mean that I'll be once again changing into my workout clothes here at the office. I sure hope the old iron pants* that complained about me doing that finds some real work to do so she's not all up in my businass...
*found out months after she complained about me wearing workout clothes in the office that everyone calls her iron pants because I guess, she's gone after everyone at some point or another for something...LOL! I was so relieved I wasn't the only one secretly hating her.
Monday, March 26, 2012
349- Buzz Kill
So you know when you receive news that stops you dead in your tracks and suddenly its crystal clear what is important and what is not important? Yeah, I got some of that over the weekend, and it sucks. It's also life. My success in being healthy is not only determined by what I put in my mouth, or how much I exercise, its also determined by how I deal with life's unexpected news/situations/obstacles thrown my way. Unhealthy would be choosing to neglect what I know about myself, and stop doing things that I know I should be doing, and giving all power to the obstacle in front of me (e.g. I must make a good impression at my new job, that means 10 hour days and no time for the gym). Healthy is not just recognizing that there are things in life that have the power to derail me, but consciously choosing not to be derailed no matter what (e.g., what I put in my mouth is not going to change what is going on, so why complicate things by eating food that makes me feel like crap?).
Early on in this blog when I spent a lot of time in introspection, I looked for patterns in my eating so I could prevent the seemingly endless lose/gain cycle. It seemed the largest thing to throw me off track was falling out of a routine- school ending, moving, changing jobs, etc. In the last 10 years, there has been a lot of those aforementioned items. Recognition of this pattern was definitely the first step towards ending it, but just like anything else, it takes practice. It takes practice to not do what you've always done.
I took time yesterday to react to the news, process it, and allow myself some chocolate. Today, looking at life with new eyes, I know what I have to do. This is not so much an obstacle that has to throw me off course, but rather its an opportunity to focus in on my own health and make sure I choose not only the healthy mental choices, but the tangible ones too.
Early on in this blog when I spent a lot of time in introspection, I looked for patterns in my eating so I could prevent the seemingly endless lose/gain cycle. It seemed the largest thing to throw me off track was falling out of a routine- school ending, moving, changing jobs, etc. In the last 10 years, there has been a lot of those aforementioned items. Recognition of this pattern was definitely the first step towards ending it, but just like anything else, it takes practice. It takes practice to not do what you've always done.
I took time yesterday to react to the news, process it, and allow myself some chocolate. Today, looking at life with new eyes, I know what I have to do. This is not so much an obstacle that has to throw me off course, but rather its an opportunity to focus in on my own health and make sure I choose not only the healthy mental choices, but the tangible ones too.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
351- Swinging a Heavy Bat
Last weekend when it was 39 degrees outside and raining, I made a little promise to myself that anytime I'm home on the weekend and there is sun, I will run. Today, its a solid 58 degrees out, and I thought it would be fun to run to the store with my backpack on, shop for a few items for dinner (meat and veggies) and then run home.
Honestly, I thought it sounded like a good way to break up the monotony of my normal runs. The route is different, I'd have the added challenge of additional weight, and my run had a purpose, fun, right? I figured if I'm trying to get better/faster at running, then doing a few shorter runs with added weight will create the illusion of me being super light the next time I run. The store is about 1.5 miles away, and the way there is mostly uphill. My empty backpack flopping around was sort of an annoyance, but didn't make the run any harder. I got to the store in 16 minutes flat. When I walk, it takes 25 or so minutes. It's official, running to the store is faster than walking.
I wandered around the store and kept fighting the urge to put naughty things in my basket. Not like handcuffs or dildos, but cookies, and Easter candy- anyone else find it ironic how Easter candy is basically the devil? I settled on treating myself with some all natural pork jerky, got some dinner stuff, and got the hell out of there. The run back was slightly less annoying since the backpack had some weight to it, it wasn't flopping around so much. It also helped that the route was mostly downhill. The way back took me 14:45. I was surprised that even with a 12 pound backpack, the downhill made the trip faster. I wouldn't have predicted that.
While this wasn't quite the fun time I had imagined in my head, it was a really great way to break up my normal run pattern. Of course, the perfect weather outside might have something to do with the overall experience...anyway...what do you guys do to shake things up a bit?
Honestly, I thought it sounded like a good way to break up the monotony of my normal runs. The route is different, I'd have the added challenge of additional weight, and my run had a purpose, fun, right? I figured if I'm trying to get better/faster at running, then doing a few shorter runs with added weight will create the illusion of me being super light the next time I run. The store is about 1.5 miles away, and the way there is mostly uphill. My empty backpack flopping around was sort of an annoyance, but didn't make the run any harder. I got to the store in 16 minutes flat. When I walk, it takes 25 or so minutes. It's official, running to the store is faster than walking.
I wandered around the store and kept fighting the urge to put naughty things in my basket. Not like handcuffs or dildos, but cookies, and Easter candy- anyone else find it ironic how Easter candy is basically the devil? I settled on treating myself with some all natural pork jerky, got some dinner stuff, and got the hell out of there. The run back was slightly less annoying since the backpack had some weight to it, it wasn't flopping around so much. It also helped that the route was mostly downhill. The way back took me 14:45. I was surprised that even with a 12 pound backpack, the downhill made the trip faster. I wouldn't have predicted that.
While this wasn't quite the fun time I had imagined in my head, it was a really great way to break up my normal run pattern. Of course, the perfect weather outside might have something to do with the overall experience...anyway...what do you guys do to shake things up a bit?
Thursday, March 22, 2012
353- Do You Workout?
I'm switching to a new dentist since my old one is like 20 miles away near my old job. Yesterday I had my preliminary consultation where they took x-rays, poked, prodded, took pictures, etc. They also took my blood pressure/resting heart rate. The assistant put this fancy thing on my wrist and asked me to fold my arm across my chest. After a few seconds of pressure, the thing released then beeped. She took a look at the screen, and then says "Whoa, do you work out?" In the millisecond before my "YES" answer, my mind flashed to earlier in the day, when I effectively moved 2,850 pounds from the floor to over my head, rested 2 minutes, then did 30 front squats at 60% of my max.
I workout (now LMFAO is stuck in my head). I lift heavy sh*t as often as possible, and I try to move it as fast as I can. This week I have been surprising myself left and right in the workouts. I've been pushing myself, and trying to obtain that breakthrough point where my body is saying "take it easy" and I just don't listen, every workout. On Monday, I went 10# heavier then the recommended (Rx) weight for girls and my time was STILL respectable. On Tuesday, for our 22 minute AMRAP, I picked a number of rounds in my head that I wanted to get (current leader on the board got 14) I chose 15, and got that plus a little more. And yesterday when I saw the workout was 30 ground to overheads, I knew I wanted my 30 reps to be at 95#. I was in a class time with all boys. I was lifting the heaviest weight of anyone in the class. Sure I took a little longer, but not by much. I was prepared to let the 30 reps take me 10 minutes, because I wanted the higher weight. The 30 reps took me 6:32, and I think I could have done it even faster since I really didn't fall into a technique rythym until the last 10 or so. Even so, I was pretty excited since the last time I did 30 ground to overheads, it was with 75#, and it took me 8:17.
It was a total "book cover" moment. Just looking at me, without knowing anything about me, you may not guess that I work out. However, a small glimpse into my insides, and the numbers don't lie. Most surprising to me was my resting heart rate. I always remember mine being really high, like 80-90 beats/min. Yesterday? It was 63.
I workout (now LMFAO is stuck in my head). I lift heavy sh*t as often as possible, and I try to move it as fast as I can. This week I have been surprising myself left and right in the workouts. I've been pushing myself, and trying to obtain that breakthrough point where my body is saying "take it easy" and I just don't listen, every workout. On Monday, I went 10# heavier then the recommended (Rx) weight for girls and my time was STILL respectable. On Tuesday, for our 22 minute AMRAP, I picked a number of rounds in my head that I wanted to get (current leader on the board got 14) I chose 15, and got that plus a little more. And yesterday when I saw the workout was 30 ground to overheads, I knew I wanted my 30 reps to be at 95#. I was in a class time with all boys. I was lifting the heaviest weight of anyone in the class. Sure I took a little longer, but not by much. I was prepared to let the 30 reps take me 10 minutes, because I wanted the higher weight. The 30 reps took me 6:32, and I think I could have done it even faster since I really didn't fall into a technique rythym until the last 10 or so. Even so, I was pretty excited since the last time I did 30 ground to overheads, it was with 75#, and it took me 8:17.
It was a total "book cover" moment. Just looking at me, without knowing anything about me, you may not guess that I work out. However, a small glimpse into my insides, and the numbers don't lie. Most surprising to me was my resting heart rate. I always remember mine being really high, like 80-90 beats/min. Yesterday? It was 63.
Monday, March 19, 2012
356- Thanksgiving in March
My life is now complete. Tonight I successfully turned lemons into lemonade, or rather a crappy faileo baking experiment into the most delicious thing in the world. That's right. I made a gluten free, totally 100% paleo stuffing. Thanksgiving 2012 will be my bitch.
Ok, ok, I know. I sound just like every other person that turned some non paleo item "paleo" and can't stop raving about it. Well you know what? I'm pretty sure I tried making all those things and they sucked. I forced the bf deluxe to try all the crappy things i made with my most convincing face...mmm..."tastes just like..." and it never worked.
Until tonight. The significance of me discovering a stuffing I can now eat in my paleo life is probably lost on most readers here except for maybe my sister. She has seen the stuffing monster in me. Oh, man. Stuffing. I could write a book on how much I love stuffing, how to make it properly, and how no one can make it like our family. The only thing I ever cared about in the world the weeks leading up to and on Thanksgiving day was stuffing. I could go on, but don't want to risk revealing how creepy my obsession is. You get the point, right?
So, back to how this came to fruition. My post yesterday was a review of some recipes I tried over the weekend, one of which being a recipe for paleo "cornbread" muffins. Yeah, I'm not going to lie, these things sucked. As I tried a little corner of one I thought, "the only thing that might make this bearable is if I smothered it with strawberry jam." Now that is not the point at all! Then it hit me. Toast the pieces of crap and try turning them into stuffing.
That is what I did, and it worked. Like, the bf deluxe had two full bowls of the stuff worked. Like I could feed that stuff to blindfolded people and they would never know worked. Like I danced around the kitchen yelling "fuck yeah" worked. Like I kinda don't want to post the recipe for free (but will eventually) worked. Yeah. I'm excited.
Ok, ok, I know. I sound just like every other person that turned some non paleo item "paleo" and can't stop raving about it. Well you know what? I'm pretty sure I tried making all those things and they sucked. I forced the bf deluxe to try all the crappy things i made with my most convincing face...mmm..."tastes just like..." and it never worked.
Until tonight. The significance of me discovering a stuffing I can now eat in my paleo life is probably lost on most readers here except for maybe my sister. She has seen the stuffing monster in me. Oh, man. Stuffing. I could write a book on how much I love stuffing, how to make it properly, and how no one can make it like our family. The only thing I ever cared about in the world the weeks leading up to and on Thanksgiving day was stuffing. I could go on, but don't want to risk revealing how creepy my obsession is. You get the point, right?
So, back to how this came to fruition. My post yesterday was a review of some recipes I tried over the weekend, one of which being a recipe for paleo "cornbread" muffins. Yeah, I'm not going to lie, these things sucked. As I tried a little corner of one I thought, "the only thing that might make this bearable is if I smothered it with strawberry jam." Now that is not the point at all! Then it hit me. Toast the pieces of crap and try turning them into stuffing.
That is what I did, and it worked. Like, the bf deluxe had two full bowls of the stuff worked. Like I could feed that stuff to blindfolded people and they would never know worked. Like I danced around the kitchen yelling "fuck yeah" worked. Like I kinda don't want to post the recipe for free (but will eventually) worked. Yeah. I'm excited.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
357- Paleo Recipe Review(s)
Yesterday was a jam packed day of Paleo cooking. Being St. Patty's Day and all, I scored an awesome deal on a whole head of green cabbage, I had some pork shoulder, a pot roast, and there was a "cornbread" muffin recipe I have been dying to test out.
My plan was to cook the pork shoulder traditional carnitas style on the stove top for my lunch, make the muffins, then do the pot roast and cabbage for an Irishesk dinner.
In reality, the carnitas got done, the muffins got done, and the cabbage got done. I realized I just didn't have enough time (cabbage recipe called for 2.5 hours of cooking time) or oven space for it all.
The carnitas hands down were the best batch I've made so far. In fact, once they were done, I literally could not stop grabbing little bits to snack on. I violated my measuring rule. Oops. Whatever, they were THAT good. Recipe:
Ingredients
2-3 pounds boneless pork shoulder
7-8 cups water (maybe more)
1 cup orange juice
1 onion, chopped into big chunks
2 cinnamon sticks
2-3 bay leaves
1-2 tsp Kosher salt
pepper to taste
fat of choice
Method
Chop pork into 1 inch cubes. In a large dutch oven or heavy saucepan heat fat of choice over medium high heat, add chopped onion and cook hot and fast until little brown bits from onion stick to bottom of pan. Add pork chunks. Add water, OJ, cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, salt and pepper. Turn heat down to medium and bring mix to a boil. Reduce heat so mixture stays at a low rumble. Cook until liquid has evaporated and pork falls apart (about 2 hours?). If liquid evaporates before pork is done cooking, add a cup or so at a time until pork finishes. You want to eventually be out of water so the pork can crisp up a little in its own fat (or alternatively, you can spread pork out on baking sheet and broil for a few minutes to get the crispy bits. Whatever you like. Personally, I like the crispy bits, but this time, when I was checking the pork for 'doneness' it was so good I couldn't keep my hands out of it. Just a warning.
As the carnitas were simmering away on the stove, I decided to try this recipe for paleo "cornbread" muffins. Now, remember how I have said in the past I have had little luck with paleo baking? This was no exception. The only thing about these that resembled corn bread was the color. Mine were so dang yellow from using our ladies eggs and grass fed butter, I REALLY wanted to believe they would taste something like cornbread. But, I should have been tipped off by the fact that none of the ingredients included corn, therefore, there was no corn taste. Instead of tossing these weird eggy muffins in the trash, I'm going to attempt to turn them into a "cornbread" dressing, and if it works, this Thanksgiving will be my bitch. Yeah.
Finally, once the no-way-not-even-close "cornbread" muffins were in the oven, I began chopping the cabbage and other ingredients for Worlds Best Braised Cabbage. NOW that title is no lie. The cabbage was amazing, and I'm not really a huge cabbage person. At least, I didn't think I was, but lately I've found myself eating tons of it. Red cabbage and onions sauteed in bacon grease, deglazed with vinegar, all sorts of slaws- I've always loved slaws. But now, this braised cabbage will be a regular at our table. After all the pork I snacked on, I ate only a large plate of the cabbage as my dinner.
So, I didn't get around to the pot roast, but its currently cooking away in my oven right now, and the smells are pretty amazing. Thank you Pioneer Woman for the suggestions, and having a pot roast recipe that I can proudly make paleo without altering a single ingredient. I'll let you all know how this one turns out tomorrow.
And, btw, if I want to have a taco truck cater my wedding, I'm going to fucking do that. Ok?
My plan was to cook the pork shoulder traditional carnitas style on the stove top for my lunch, make the muffins, then do the pot roast and cabbage for an Irishesk dinner.
In reality, the carnitas got done, the muffins got done, and the cabbage got done. I realized I just didn't have enough time (cabbage recipe called for 2.5 hours of cooking time) or oven space for it all.
The carnitas hands down were the best batch I've made so far. In fact, once they were done, I literally could not stop grabbing little bits to snack on. I violated my measuring rule. Oops. Whatever, they were THAT good. Recipe:
Ingredients
2-3 pounds boneless pork shoulder
7-8 cups water (maybe more)
1 cup orange juice
1 onion, chopped into big chunks
2 cinnamon sticks
2-3 bay leaves
1-2 tsp Kosher salt
pepper to taste
fat of choice
Method
Chop pork into 1 inch cubes. In a large dutch oven or heavy saucepan heat fat of choice over medium high heat, add chopped onion and cook hot and fast until little brown bits from onion stick to bottom of pan. Add pork chunks. Add water, OJ, cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, salt and pepper. Turn heat down to medium and bring mix to a boil. Reduce heat so mixture stays at a low rumble. Cook until liquid has evaporated and pork falls apart (about 2 hours?). If liquid evaporates before pork is done cooking, add a cup or so at a time until pork finishes. You want to eventually be out of water so the pork can crisp up a little in its own fat (or alternatively, you can spread pork out on baking sheet and broil for a few minutes to get the crispy bits. Whatever you like. Personally, I like the crispy bits, but this time, when I was checking the pork for 'doneness' it was so good I couldn't keep my hands out of it. Just a warning.
As the carnitas were simmering away on the stove, I decided to try this recipe for paleo "cornbread" muffins. Now, remember how I have said in the past I have had little luck with paleo baking? This was no exception. The only thing about these that resembled corn bread was the color. Mine were so dang yellow from using our ladies eggs and grass fed butter, I REALLY wanted to believe they would taste something like cornbread. But, I should have been tipped off by the fact that none of the ingredients included corn, therefore, there was no corn taste. Instead of tossing these weird eggy muffins in the trash, I'm going to attempt to turn them into a "cornbread" dressing, and if it works, this Thanksgiving will be my bitch. Yeah.
Finally, once the no-way-not-even-close "cornbread" muffins were in the oven, I began chopping the cabbage and other ingredients for Worlds Best Braised Cabbage. NOW that title is no lie. The cabbage was amazing, and I'm not really a huge cabbage person. At least, I didn't think I was, but lately I've found myself eating tons of it. Red cabbage and onions sauteed in bacon grease, deglazed with vinegar, all sorts of slaws- I've always loved slaws. But now, this braised cabbage will be a regular at our table. After all the pork I snacked on, I ate only a large plate of the cabbage as my dinner.
So, I didn't get around to the pot roast, but its currently cooking away in my oven right now, and the smells are pretty amazing. Thank you Pioneer Woman for the suggestions, and having a pot roast recipe that I can proudly make paleo without altering a single ingredient. I'll let you all know how this one turns out tomorrow.
And, btw, if I want to have a taco truck cater my wedding, I'm going to fucking do that. Ok?
Saturday, March 17, 2012
358- Learning to Push Harder
I think I've written before about this force in my head that is always trying to protect me from working too hard. This force keeps my breath steady on long runs, slows me down in long WOD's, and sometimes suggests I should stop doing things for fear of overuse or injury. I only became conscious of this force when one day, just to see what happened, I ignored it. Not only did I live, but I discovered a whole new untapped world of intensity. I caught a glimpse into what it must feel like everyday for those crazy elite athletes who definitely have never been subject to any force that would prevent them from pushing 100% every time.
Learning to ignore that voice has been an ongoing project of mine. Just like anything else, learning how to push yourself to the limits of intensity on a regular basis takes practice. Some days I get it, some days I don't. This past week, I got it. Four days in a row to be exact. I'm not sure if it was the specific programming of the workouts that aided in my achieving maximum effort every day, or what, but wow, this past week was a KILLER. In a good way of course.
After each workout, flat on my back in a pool of sweat, I remembered- THIS is what its supposed to feel like. THIS is how I know I gave it my 110%. With this past week's workout's fresh in my mind, I recall a lot of fighting with my body. There was a lot of encouragement in my head for me to put the weight down for a second, or to rest more. I fought to hang onto the weight a little bit longer. I fought to return to an activity quicker then I wanted to.
The fighting paid off, and I posted scores I was proud of. Today is the first day since Tuesday I'm not sore to the touch somewhere on my body. Now, to remember to keep fighting to reach that intensity with every movement, every workout, everyday...that is the goal.
Learning to ignore that voice has been an ongoing project of mine. Just like anything else, learning how to push yourself to the limits of intensity on a regular basis takes practice. Some days I get it, some days I don't. This past week, I got it. Four days in a row to be exact. I'm not sure if it was the specific programming of the workouts that aided in my achieving maximum effort every day, or what, but wow, this past week was a KILLER. In a good way of course.
After each workout, flat on my back in a pool of sweat, I remembered- THIS is what its supposed to feel like. THIS is how I know I gave it my 110%. With this past week's workout's fresh in my mind, I recall a lot of fighting with my body. There was a lot of encouragement in my head for me to put the weight down for a second, or to rest more. I fought to hang onto the weight a little bit longer. I fought to return to an activity quicker then I wanted to.
The fighting paid off, and I posted scores I was proud of. Today is the first day since Tuesday I'm not sore to the touch somewhere on my body. Now, to remember to keep fighting to reach that intensity with every movement, every workout, everyday...that is the goal.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
361- It's Always Worth It
Sometimes when I think about people reading this blog, it amazes me. Mostly because I'm not one of those flashy bloggers that is losing 1-2 pounds/week nor have I lost over 100 pounds. Sure, I've lost upwards of 40 pounds, but its taken me over 2 years. Talk about boring, right? I'm bored just typing about it. But you know what? By coming here and recounting little tidbits about my diet choices and my exercise habits, I've learned ridiculous amounts about my body, and have a record of it.
Last week during my trip to Texas, I had another sort of "break through" with my thinking and eating as I was reflecting on the days that caused me to start my year over. It all started innocently enough- the first day of my meetings I was a rockstar. I hit the gym in the AM. Instead of greasy breakfast, I drank a protein shake in my room, and downed some fish oil. I drank my gallon of water. Instead of the cookies they brought in for afternoon snack, I ate walnuts and pecans out of a ziplock baggie in my purse. I was doing it! I was continuing my good choices in an environment that wasn't as controlled as I was used to. Then came dinner.
We were bussed to a fancy restaurant in the old Fort Worth Stockyards. My wine glass never reached half empty before it was re-filled. Our menu was prixe-fixe, and came with dessert. That being the second time I had drank wine in nearly 60 days, it was divine. My steak and asparagus and mashed potatoes were amazing. The next thing I knew, a giant cookie cut in half with ice cream sandwiched between drizzled with chocolate ganache was placed before me. I looked at it, and thought a few things: 1) I wondered what it would do to me after such an intense month of being "good." 2) I felt I could "handle it" 3) I knew eating it would make it hard to turn down the next thing that came my way.
I ate it. I enjoyed every second of it, because it was really good. As I was savoring each bite, I thought to myself "this is WORTH it." The next morning I woke up (slight hangover) and hit the gym. I did not drink my protein shake, and rather went for the eggs/bacon breakfast being served. I didn't drink as much water. When the huge cookies came out at our 3pm break, I had not only one, but TWO. Again, as I was almost instantly struck with a sickness in my stomach and an intense headache, I thought "this is worth it." The next morning, I skipped the gym, but did have my protein shake, along with 2 mini-breakfast pastries, sweet potato fries at lunch time, and hardly any water. Slippery slope, I tell ya.
When I returned home, I put the brakes on, and started my year over at Day 365. Again. Now, at day 361, I'm still not out of the fog, but its coming, and I can see the light. I know how much better I feel when I'm eating lots of protein, veggies, and drinking water. We know this. The workouts at the gym this week seem to be in line with punishing me for my behavior last week, but I've been pretty happy with my performance. I am not letting Texas throw me down a worm hole. I'm back in the saddle. As proof, the scale is showing the same numbers it was at the end of February, and I keep seeing signs of fat loss around my body (dents in places that used to be smooth and muscle definition in new places).
So, back to my big break through? When it comes to the desserts and crap, for me, it will ALWAYS be worth it. I will be sick to my stomach, feeling guilty as all get out, headache raging, and I will still think that whatever sugary/floury/sweet thing I just ate was worth it. Because that is addiction for you. Sugar is my heroin. To end on a more positive note- I seem to be able to return to my preferred diet more quickly after a "cheat" then previously. Also, my weight doesn't fluctuate as much as it did before following a "cheat" and my "cheats" are way fewer and farther between then before this whole 365 days of no sugar/grains/blah/blah challenge. Maybe old dogs can learn new tricks, and this whole thing just takes ridiculous amounts of time to master. Heh, if everything goes as planned, I should have at least another 50 years to get it figured out.
Last week during my trip to Texas, I had another sort of "break through" with my thinking and eating as I was reflecting on the days that caused me to start my year over. It all started innocently enough- the first day of my meetings I was a rockstar. I hit the gym in the AM. Instead of greasy breakfast, I drank a protein shake in my room, and downed some fish oil. I drank my gallon of water. Instead of the cookies they brought in for afternoon snack, I ate walnuts and pecans out of a ziplock baggie in my purse. I was doing it! I was continuing my good choices in an environment that wasn't as controlled as I was used to. Then came dinner.
We were bussed to a fancy restaurant in the old Fort Worth Stockyards. My wine glass never reached half empty before it was re-filled. Our menu was prixe-fixe, and came with dessert. That being the second time I had drank wine in nearly 60 days, it was divine. My steak and asparagus and mashed potatoes were amazing. The next thing I knew, a giant cookie cut in half with ice cream sandwiched between drizzled with chocolate ganache was placed before me. I looked at it, and thought a few things: 1) I wondered what it would do to me after such an intense month of being "good." 2) I felt I could "handle it" 3) I knew eating it would make it hard to turn down the next thing that came my way.
I ate it. I enjoyed every second of it, because it was really good. As I was savoring each bite, I thought to myself "this is WORTH it." The next morning I woke up (slight hangover) and hit the gym. I did not drink my protein shake, and rather went for the eggs/bacon breakfast being served. I didn't drink as much water. When the huge cookies came out at our 3pm break, I had not only one, but TWO. Again, as I was almost instantly struck with a sickness in my stomach and an intense headache, I thought "this is worth it." The next morning, I skipped the gym, but did have my protein shake, along with 2 mini-breakfast pastries, sweet potato fries at lunch time, and hardly any water. Slippery slope, I tell ya.
When I returned home, I put the brakes on, and started my year over at Day 365. Again. Now, at day 361, I'm still not out of the fog, but its coming, and I can see the light. I know how much better I feel when I'm eating lots of protein, veggies, and drinking water. We know this. The workouts at the gym this week seem to be in line with punishing me for my behavior last week, but I've been pretty happy with my performance. I am not letting Texas throw me down a worm hole. I'm back in the saddle. As proof, the scale is showing the same numbers it was at the end of February, and I keep seeing signs of fat loss around my body (dents in places that used to be smooth and muscle definition in new places).
So, back to my big break through? When it comes to the desserts and crap, for me, it will ALWAYS be worth it. I will be sick to my stomach, feeling guilty as all get out, headache raging, and I will still think that whatever sugary/floury/sweet thing I just ate was worth it. Because that is addiction for you. Sugar is my heroin. To end on a more positive note- I seem to be able to return to my preferred diet more quickly after a "cheat" then previously. Also, my weight doesn't fluctuate as much as it did before following a "cheat" and my "cheats" are way fewer and farther between then before this whole 365 days of no sugar/grains/blah/blah challenge. Maybe old dogs can learn new tricks, and this whole thing just takes ridiculous amounts of time to master. Heh, if everything goes as planned, I should have at least another 50 years to get it figured out.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
365- Yup. And March Challenge Buddy
As you can see by the title, my year has started over. Texas did not go as planned. It started out great, the first two days I was up at 6am hitting the hotel gym before my meetings. I'm not sure where it fell apart, and honestly, it doesn't matter. The only thing that does matter is getting back on track as quickly as possible.
Luckily...I have a March challenge buddy. March challenge buddy is a fellow blogger and CrossFit enthusiast, also, a couple of days ago I wrote a guest post for her. This girl has been kicking ass at her gym lately, and just finished up a very successful Paleo Challenge at her gym. We decided that we will do the CrossFit Open 12.1 workout at the end of the month as our benchmark (since we both did it at the beginning of the month). I hope some of her badassness rubs off on me this month.
Since I'm starting a week into March, that means there is no room for wiggles. I must be as diligent as I was in February.
Goals for March are:
Luckily...I have a March challenge buddy. March challenge buddy is a fellow blogger and CrossFit enthusiast, also, a couple of days ago I wrote a guest post for her. This girl has been kicking ass at her gym lately, and just finished up a very successful Paleo Challenge at her gym. We decided that we will do the CrossFit Open 12.1 workout at the end of the month as our benchmark (since we both did it at the beginning of the month). I hope some of her badassness rubs off on me this month.
Since I'm starting a week into March, that means there is no room for wiggles. I must be as diligent as I was in February.
Goals for March are:
Continue with the increased fish oil (and other habits I picked up last month- too many to type!)
1 gallon of water/day
Continue working with the green pull-up band- get to sets of 5?
Follow along with the Open workouts- 12.1- 62, 12.2- will do sometime this week along with 12.3
Ok. Back at it!
Monday, March 5, 2012
196- First Time For Everything
I was asked to write a guest post by fellow blogger and CrossFit enthusiast Cassy over at Deperate Student. I am flattered and excited, my first guest post! You can read it here:
http://desperatechubbystudent.blogspot.com/2012/03/take-on-crossfit-from-wonderful-guest.html?m=0
http://desperatechubbystudent.blogspot.com/2012/03/take-on-crossfit-from-wonderful-guest.html?m=0
Sunday, March 4, 2012
197- Weekend Running Report
Yesterday I did my weekend running loop, and rocked the sh*t out of it. It was my third time running the loop, and each time I get better/see major improvements. The first time out, I was not able to run the entire way up the 1 mile hill at the end. The second time, I had to take a few walk breaks, but was able to run up the entire hill, for a time of 57 minutes. After the second run, I set a goal to be running the loop in under 50 minutes by summer. Yesterday, I ran the entire thing in 53 minutes. Getting it under 50 minutes in a few weeks shouldn't be a problem.
Every time I'm out on the trail, I remember how much I like running. My mind opens up and I'm free to ponder so many things. I saw a sticker or shirt or something somewhere that read: "Running, cheaper then therapy." Truth. I'm thinking about signing up for a 5K this summer. I don't know- still kind of gunshy about the ankle, but as long as I pick a 5K that is on pavement I should be ok? I'd really like the first time I get a sub 30 minute 5K to be in a real race.
In other news, I'm traveling for work this week- I leave tomorrow and get back late Thursday night. I plan on giving myself a little bit of a mental break from the intense February I had. I won't be such a crazy about my salt intake, weighing my portions, or how much fat my meat has on it (um, I'll be in Texas, brisket!?!). I do plan on getting my water in, trying to eat 5-6 times a day, and performing crossfit-esk workouts either in the hotel gym or in my room. My trainer at the gym tipped me off to this hotel gym workout:
And I'll probably give this site a perusing:
http://www.thetravelingwod.com/
When I return, its game back on. I'm hoping March challenge buddy with be with me starting the 9th, but if not, I've got a super-buddy lined up for April. Hopefully I won't have to spend the last 3 weeks of March erasing the damage done this week in Texas. I do love me some BBQ!
Every time I'm out on the trail, I remember how much I like running. My mind opens up and I'm free to ponder so many things. I saw a sticker or shirt or something somewhere that read: "Running, cheaper then therapy." Truth. I'm thinking about signing up for a 5K this summer. I don't know- still kind of gunshy about the ankle, but as long as I pick a 5K that is on pavement I should be ok? I'd really like the first time I get a sub 30 minute 5K to be in a real race.
In other news, I'm traveling for work this week- I leave tomorrow and get back late Thursday night. I plan on giving myself a little bit of a mental break from the intense February I had. I won't be such a crazy about my salt intake, weighing my portions, or how much fat my meat has on it (um, I'll be in Texas, brisket!?!). I do plan on getting my water in, trying to eat 5-6 times a day, and performing crossfit-esk workouts either in the hotel gym or in my room. My trainer at the gym tipped me off to this hotel gym workout:
And I'll probably give this site a perusing:
http://www.thetravelingwod.com/
When I return, its game back on. I'm hoping March challenge buddy with be with me starting the 9th, but if not, I've got a super-buddy lined up for April. Hopefully I won't have to spend the last 3 weeks of March erasing the damage done this week in Texas. I do love me some BBQ!
Thursday, March 1, 2012
200- March 1 Update
Goals for February:
1) Firm up my diet - more veggies, portion control
1) Firm up my diet - more veggies, portion control
2) Supplements!
3) continue on my coffee hiatus
4) 1 gallon of water per day
5) Shake this plateau
All of the above were accomplished. I reached a new low weight (was hovering around 38 pound lost) now I'm at 45 pounds lost, I ate a vegetable with nearly every meal, coffee hiatus is still on, supplements have become routine (fish oil, BCAA's, vitamins), and I've been weighing/measuring my protein portions like crazy to make sure I'm getting enough.
Challenge buddy is super busy right now, so I don't have her monthly wrap up, but once I get it, I'll let you know! New challenge buddy to be announced soon- we are starting March 5th or so.
A couple of things to note this month- I reached a new 30rep max back squat PR- 135#, the highest of any girl at out gym, I am now able to use the green band for a few assisted pull-ups, began running again, and I'm sort of following along in my head with the CrossFit open. This week's workout was just released, and I might just be able to redeem myself for the Burpee fiasco. (which, by the way, I did the burpee workout again in the GYM yesterday, and got 62. MUCH BETTER)
The results are pretty stunning, but I'm not comfortable posting the MAJOR change pictures on this blog. If you want to see that, leave me a comment with your e-mail address and I'll send you blinding white belly pics.
Otherwise, here are the ones that you can't really tell. Me, February 1st:
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March 1st:
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All of the above were accomplished. I reached a new low weight (was hovering around 38 pound lost) now I'm at 45 pounds lost, I ate a vegetable with nearly every meal, coffee hiatus is still on, supplements have become routine (fish oil, BCAA's, vitamins), and I've been weighing/measuring my protein portions like crazy to make sure I'm getting enough.
Challenge buddy is super busy right now, so I don't have her monthly wrap up, but once I get it, I'll let you know! New challenge buddy to be announced soon- we are starting March 5th or so.
A couple of things to note this month- I reached a new 30rep max back squat PR- 135#, the highest of any girl at out gym, I am now able to use the green band for a few assisted pull-ups, began running again, and I'm sort of following along in my head with the CrossFit open. This week's workout was just released, and I might just be able to redeem myself for the Burpee fiasco. (which, by the way, I did the burpee workout again in the GYM yesterday, and got 62. MUCH BETTER)
The results are pretty stunning, but I'm not comfortable posting the MAJOR change pictures on this blog. If you want to see that, leave me a comment with your e-mail address and I'll send you blinding white belly pics.
Otherwise, here are the ones that you can't really tell. Me, February 1st:
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March 1st:
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