Fun Friday

I did not work out today. I over slept and had plans for the night. Though I had no real desire of going out due to being ill. I had promised my younger cousins I would take them out. 

I decided to test the waters. It wasn't all positive but there were some good moments. We cruised up PCH and had dinner at Neptunes Net. I ordered the clam chowder and garden salad. Not the healthiest choice but I got so full with the clam chowder I didn't get to the salad. Surprising! 

Then we went to the sand mountain. My intention was to climb it since I didn't work out. Instead I had to stop because of how I was feeling. I cut our night short soon after. 

It was still nice to see the ocean and I did not get tired while going up the mountain. I stopped because of how I felt in general. The whole incident was frustrating and hopeful. I can't remember the last time I went up the mountain. I felt like I could this time and if I didn't I was going to see how far or how long.  So as soon as my lady days are over I'm going to make a day out of it. I will head to the top with a bag in case I need breaks. Not long ones because I'm going to time myself but I will also be prepare just in case. As a reward I will have a salad at neptunes net, yes I said salad and I mean it. 

To building strength. 

------- I had a mini-work out before editing and posting--------

Work Out Information (WOI)

Thursday: Yoga, 45-60 min.cardio and Pole Dancing 

 

I did not wake up early enough to do Yoga. I skipped it. My regular AM Yoga routine is 20 minutes with a few poses I add. The DVD is 15 minutes. 

I completed my cardio at the gym after work. I was really sluggish and I did not have my normal "power" during the work out. My highest RPM was 87 and it is usually about 112. No matter how hard I pushed it wasn't enough. The elliptical machine was on fat burn mode and I did better there. 

I was not completely satisfied with my work out but I thought I should listen to my body and maybe I'm pushing too hard. Shortly thereafter I found out I I had started my lady days. Boys if you're there sorry but it happens! My point is my lady days are hard because of my condition. I usually have to work from home and am pretty home bound for a couple days during the cycle. So going forward if I write about being "ill", it is related to my condition.

I still had pole scheduled for 8:30P. I was going to be a no show for pole because I was scared about going to class while on my lady days. I went and figured if at any point I need to leave, well, I will do just that. The pole studio I go to is Allure Pole Dance & Fitness. They have two locations in the Los Angeles area. Any interested ladies could buy this current deal on groupon. I was concerned but kept on thinking, "participate". The class starts with a dance routine, then we stretch, do floor work, and strengthening excercises for about 15-10 minutes. This is followed by pole instruction and practice. I felt more ease as I got closer to the end of class. When I got home I realized  I got my first bruise! Which in pole means you're progressing! HAA 

To a good day.

Tips Thursday

I'm not counting the days anymore since I'm in it for the long haul.

For Tips Thursday I'm focusin on snacks. I have a variety of healthy snacks like watermelon, apples, pears, grapes, berries, cucumber, celery, greek yogurt and unsweetened tea. My favorite has to be what I call my desk combo.

The desk combo is water, tea, a cup of grapes and "the fruit of the day". I drink about 25-35 oz of water in a work day. One to two cups of green tea unsweetened. The cup of grapes are there for the week. Usually to avoid the candy and chocolate dishes when I walk around the office. So if I walk around and I really want a chocolate I come to my office pop in a couple grapes and the sweet taste kills the craving. The fruit of the day is there for when the grapes just doesn't cut it. It works!

The thing about grapes is there are a lot of varieties and I have been trying more and more of them. Like the cotton candy grapes, sweet surrender, sweet celebration and witch finger grapes. I usually have the less common varieties at home so it taste different then what I eat at work. I usually have 1/2 a cup for sitting at home.

To trying a new type of grape.

Day 31. For the LOVE of Birthdays & NEW Workout Wednesday.

My Birthday is in 60 days. I have declared in the past that my goal is to get down to 200lbs. This is largely due to doctors orders and to try to get pregos. I hope to continue an active lifestyle while pregnant and continue my weight loss journey to 145lbs post pregnancy and delivery. --- So that is the big picture.

But what is really motivating me now? What is the “mini-goal” before the 58 lbs.? Well, that’s what I’m sharing about today. The mini-goal is to look as good as possible, even as a plus-size woman, for a pin-up photo shoot I have scheduled the day before my birthday. I want to look as good as possible but I will do it no matter my size. A big part of this process is self-love and self-acceptance. At the end of the day, I love the woman I am today and it is why I am working on getting healthy. My mini-goal is listed below:

My Mini-Goal to reach by 10/12

Weight: 240 lbs.

Body Fat Percentage: 30% body fat.

Current Stats

Weight: 258 lbs.

Body Fat Percentage: 40.3%

In order to achieve this I need to work out harder, plan more meals, stop drinking alcohol and limit my outings during the week. I will remain flexible and stop myself when I am being too rigid and/or when my body needs to rest.

Work Out Information

Current work outs

• Burning at least  700 calories a day.
• Activities include: stationary bike, elliptical, yoga, dance, and callanetics.
• I allow my body to rest when necessary. Usually due to illness.

New Work Out Schedule

• Burning at least 700 calories a day.
• Activities include: stationary bike, elliptical, yoga, dance, weight lifting, and callanetics.
• I will be following a daily work out schedule through the end of this month.  
• Monday: Yoga, 45-60 min.cardio, Callanetics and Pole Dancing
• Tuesday: Yoga and Dance Class (choreographed dance)
• Wednesday: Yoga, 15 min. Cardio, and Weight Training.
• Thursday: Yoga, 45-60 min.cardio and Pole Dancing
• Friday: Yoga, Body Blast, 15 min. Cardio, and Weight Training.
• Saturday: Yoga, Callanetics, Pole Dancing and 45-60 min. cardio*(Cardio Optional ) *
• Sunday: Body Blast, 15 min. cardio, and meditation.
• I allow my body to rest when necessary. Usually due to illness. 

I will be sharing work out details on each day for the next week. I will also include details about my weight training on what is now WORKOUT WEDNESDAY. On Wednesday’s I will be meeting with a trainer that will provide a weight lifting work out that I will repeat on my own each Friday and Sunday. I will share today’s work out information on Friday when I write about the work out details for the day. 

To Good Planning.

**LATE POST DUE TO DETAILED PLANNING**

 

Day 30. Recipe Tuesday.

Today is recipe Tuesday and I'll be cooking Spicy Garlic Lime Chicken but I will not be using any butter like the recipe calls. I will be serving it with a salad of mixed greens (recipe below) and roasted garlic and olive oil couscous . I use the recipe on the box for the couscous but add lightly sauteed zucchini and tomato for a more filling side dish.

Strawberry Mixed Greens Salad and Poppy Seed Dressing.
6 cups fresh mixed greens
1 pint strawberries, hulled and sliced
1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
half a small red onion, thinly sliced
poppy seed dressing (recipe below)
Poppy seed Dressing Ingredients:
1/2 cup avocado oil (or any oil, such as olive oil)
3 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 Tbsp. honey
1 Tbsp. poppy seeds

I will add pictures of the meal once I cook tonight.

--------addition----------

1. There is an official name change since when I asked my brother and gf to come back next week they said, "heeey tasty Tuesday instead of Taco Tuesday!" 

2. I need to prep more. For example I need to make sure I have all my ingredients for the chosen recipes. Today an old pantry item or some sad looking strawberries.The strawberry mixed greens salad became the pear and plum mixed greens salad. The lack of poppy seeds made me use a berry vinaigrette. 

Everything else was great including the wine for my guest and the blueberry green iced for me. 

To good food. 

Day 29. Challenge.

This whole process is a challenge and I keep pushing. I did NOT wake up at 4:30A for my regular yoga and cardio routine. I told myself if I don't do it in the morning then I have to do it after work at the Citi Plaza 24. I HATE that gym. It challenges my comfort level. Challenge met.

I noticed while on the bike that my heart rate was pretty steady and not like in the past. I added resistance and also did more elliptical training. I was real close to quitting but I kept on pushing. Challenge met. 

Then I got home with an hour and a half to spare before dance class. I took a nap and overslept. I was going to call and say I can't make it because I really didn't want to go. Instead I pushed myself and thought 5-8 min. late isn't ideal but not that bad either. I went and had a blast sweating. Challenge met. 

To accomplishing small, big and every other type of challenge.

Day 28. YES!

I had a breakthrough. I went to the gym while on a getaway. It was nice to finally get a good sweat. Accomplishing the goal early also set the tone for the day. I felt energized and happy.

To ongoing breakthroughs.