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Thursday, January 31, 2013

Say Goodbye To Numbers!

Counting calories is a HUGE waste of time.

People constantly drive themselves crazy and stress over how many calories is in whatever it is they're about to eat. FORGET IT! I haven't counted calories once since I've been on this workout grind.

Rather than stressing yourself out, you should focus on what the FOOD is instead.  Put all your stress into that.  It doesn't take a genius to figure out that there are less calories in a banana than a bag of chips.  Choose your foods wisely and keep your portions small.

I am constantly eating all day long -- keeping my body full of veggies, fruits, and unsalted almonds.  I snack until it's dinner time and you should too!  Just be a smart snacker and keep your portions light.  The more your body can constantly digest food, the better your metabolism will be.

Marathon Training Update-

Yes, the marathon may be 9 months away, but I can't help but make sure my body is in tip-top condition for the big day.  Since December, I've started running 2 miles a day for most days.
2-3 weeks later I stepped it up to 3 miles.
 I am now running at 4 miles a day with an average time of 37 minutes.  Not the greatest time, but I'm focusing on consistency.  The more I run long(ish) distances, the easier it will get, and then I will be able to push myself even harder to either run 4 miles in a faster time, or bump it up to 5. 
Weekends are different.  Fridays are normally my Sundays (which is commonly known as the resting day).  I eat a delicious spaghetti dinner with light sauce, extra veggies, and whole wheat pasta to fuel me up for a long run Saturday.  Saturday runs are 6-8 miles (for now).
Come Sunday, I jump back to 4 miles and "rest" by jogging it out instead of running.


Progress Picture!

Left: taken in mid December.  Right: taken in mid January. Abs are starting to get more defined and the chub is slowly melting!


My appearance is starting to look a lot more lean in general.  Please excuse the disaster room hit by Hurricane Caitlin.  It's clean now! ;) 






Running songs of the week: 






Today's Run!


Loving my new Nike shirt! "Me vs. Road" on the back. "RUN" on the front. 

Post-today's run.  Sweat it out and MAKE IT NASTY!

Stay Motivated! ;-) 

-C

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Train Hard In The Gym, But HARDER In The Kitchen!

Weight Loss Is 80% Diet, 20% Exercise. 

I have had a gym membership for about 6 years now.  I've always loved a good work out, but I loved going to Chipotle afterward, too (especially for one of those scrumptious burrito bowls with sour cream and cheese)!

I've changed my diet since the first of December and MY what a difference has it made in my body.

Not only do I FEEL good, but I am lookin' it as well! 

 

How I've changed my diet-


Step 1). Convert to an organic lifestyle! 
- I am an organic junky now.  Don't let Whole Foods mislead you.  Although their food is indeed fresh, delicious, and organic, you can also get the SAME foods from any grocery store (just read your labels).  Fresh & Easy and Trader Joes are also a lot cheaper than Whole Foods.

Step 2). Eliminate ALL dairy!
- Let's face it, I'm a cheese whore.  I love all kinds of cheese from Gouda to Pepperjack.  I have replaced cheese with adding extra veggies instead.  When you fall in love with your replacement, it's a lot easier to forget about what you've replaced! (Kinda like a relationship ;D)
-I also switched from nonfat milk to Almond milk! Almond milk is delicious and on sale a lot of the time, which is always a plus.  Almond milk tastes great as a splash in your protein shake and in oatmeal.
-Another replacement I have made is eating frozen grapes instead of frozen yogurt! Frozen grapes are my best friends.  They taste like popsicles and are so easy when you need a grab-and-go snack.

Step 3). Protein Shakes!
-You don't need a specific brand of protein.  Walk into GMC, talk to a staff member, and ask them for advice on what kind of protein would be best suitable for your body, diet, and exercise.  I am currently using "Lean Shake"which I drink one for breakfast and one for lunch.  NOTE: Do NOT make that your only source of food until dinner.  It is so important to snack on veggies and fruits all day long, on top of your shakes.  I also like to eat a piece of whole wheat bread with a little organic peanut butter on top as a tasty snack.  Keep your metabolism going!

Take a look at what I've been giving my body! -




Chicken marinated in orange juice, garlic salt, and pepper, grilled veggies, and pearled couscous

Whole wheat pancakes, add shaved almonds, organic peanut butter, and bananas.  Use organic apple butter instead of syrup!


Whole wheat veggie pasta.  Tomatoes, garlic, basil, lemon zest, artichoke hearts, broccolini, and shaved parm!

My FAVORITE dinner. Coconut crusted chicken with pineapple salsa! Thanks to Pinterest you can find the recipe here -- original recipe calls for mango, but I loved the pineapple!

Grilled rosemary and lemon chicken with veggies and couscous grain!
Salmon with grilled veggies -- I love LOTS of spinach with my salmon

Turkey meatballs with couscous grain and broccoli
Frozen grapes, carrots, and snow peas.






SNACKS! 
SWEET CRAVINGS! A few raspberries with a dark chocolate chip inside. DELICIOUS!


MOST IMPORTANTLY... Drink that H2O till you can't NO MO! 

When your diet is healthy and you're working out a lot, drink a gallon of water every single day.  I take my water bottle with me EVERY WHERE! 

 

 Stay Healthy! ;-) 

-C



Sunday, January 27, 2013

WELCOME!

Well, this is awkward.

Who can honestly and wholeheartedly admit that you think your body is perfect? Probably not many of you -- I was included in this "you" group.



As of December 1st, 2012 I decided to do something with my body.  I had never been known as "that big girl" or "huge" but I had always never been "in shape".  Yes, there are quotes there for a reason.
I quote these phrases because I feel as if they are taken the wrong way.  Many people misinterpret these sayings in countless ways.  Regardless of the reason behind why you may feel as if you are not in shape, the only thing you can do after that moment of realization is...


CHANGE!

Unhappy with your appearance? Then change it! It truly is that easy.  I had nothing leading up to this epiphany -- it just happened on a normal day taking the MUNI (a method of SF transportation) to work.  I am done with the feeling bad or guilty after eating something consumed with an excessive amount of fat/sugar.  We've all gone past our limit with alcohol, especially in our 20s, and it truly is so damaging on your body -- not to mention how many calories are in those suckers.  I am done with not feeling 100% satisfied with how I look in a bikini.  I am done with it all!

Once you get to that point where you are truly SICK and TIRED of all of that BS is when you can really turn your life around, and make positive changes that only better you, and your body.

I am living proof of this.

Follow me here and see some of the changes I have gone through (and still going through).  They may be right for you, or they may not.  Just here to provide what is helping me through this journey.  Good luck to you all.

PS: Never forget, no matter how big, small, or muscular you may be... YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!