My week so far...

I started this week with a day off from the lifting. Although it wasn't planned, I am glad that I listened to my body and took the day to recoup a little. In all seriousness, everywhere you poked or touched on my body was sore and I couldn't picture myself putting up any good weight at the gym. I woke up with the intention of lifting in the evening, so I headed to the gym after I digested a bit to do some cardio. I hate having to do it after I lift because by that time I am drained! I decided to do sprints on the treadmill. Something about sprints makes me feel awesome! The gym was pretty dead-I liked it! When I do sprints on the treadmill I get a little self conscious because I feel like people stare at me, or that I sound like an elephant running. I warmed up first with a walk, then a gentle jog. My body felt good after my muscles were warmed up and I felt light. I ended up putting the treadmill on an incline because the last time I did sprints on the treadmill it was flat and I didn't get the gut wrenching tired feeling after each one. I love that feeling. It makes me feel alive! I cranked it up to 6.5 incline. I didn't want to do anything too crazy until I knew I could handle it. I ran 15 sec.  intervals @ speed 11 with 45 secs recovery (completely off with legs to the side of the belt). Now that was a good heart pumper for me. My hamstrings were giving out with five seconds left-good challenge. I did ten sprints, that's about all I could handle and did gentle jog cool down, eventually into a walk. By the end of that I was starving, so I ditched the abs and headed home to eat. No weights in the evening. We needed to get to bed early and rest up. Our late night Saturday with friends caught up to us. We are usually in bed 1030 the very latest-yup even on the weekends!

My day off from weights paid off in a big way! My Workout Tuesday (yesterday) was amazeballs. I woke up early, ate my favorite breakfast in the world (eggs with fresh tomato & overnight oats and berries with almond butter) and headed to the gym after digesting. I was in it to win it! I was totally focused and ready for the workout. It helped that I had a fabulously, new, perfect fitting Pats hat and new $12.99 Nike Kicks on and was in the zone. Side note: The night before I got a steal of a deal (thank you coupons and sales clerk who rang me up wrong) on a pair of black Nike Sneaks. I have been looking for black sneakers since Bren got his. I sweat his style what can I say. Mine have White laces though, so not totally like his. Anyway..needless to say the new gym swag gave me a little extra pep in my step. Plus, I feel when I work off my breakfast meal I am stronger. It might just be mental...

Monday was the first time in forever that I worked out solo without Brendan.  I was worried that I wouldn't have as much push, BUT I sure did! It was back and I was strong! My goal lately has been unassisted pull ups. Before we started our volume training I could probably squeak out one pull up if I was lucky. With the help of lots of rack chins I am now able to get four on my own for three sets! It's the little things that make me feel like I am gaining strength and muscle. My back workout was strong the whole twenty something sets and I even had abs in me at the end AND topped it of with ten intervals on the bike. It was a good day indeed at the gym! I needed it. You know when you have those workouts that are not only physically pleasing but also mentally make you feel good-that back workout was one of them! It has now set me up to have a good week of working out!

The reason I had to lift solo yesterday was because I had a long overdue hair appointment! My hair looked horrible brassy, dry and just gross from the summer. Now it's back to it's old healthy self. I was really feeling self conscious about it for awhile. Thank goodness for hats! I love working out in my hat these days. It is a mental thing with me now-need it! Wearing it puts me in the zone!

I am currently getting a taste of what its like to not have a job, schedule and daily routine. It sucks! I was hoping this week would bring a last minute teaching opportunity. So far, not so good! It's killing me! I am such a type A person, lack of structure destroys me. I have too much time on my hands and there is only so much stuff (food prep, working out, blog reading) that a girl can handle! Next week, after the holiday is the true reality of it all. At that point I will start applying for Nanny jobs I guess. I crave structure! This whole no job things really puts  a damper on life and moving forward. We can't look for houses, we no longer have insurance and money becomes a stress. My Dad tells me everything works out, and I get it, I know this isn't forever, but I am not one to sit around and I certainly don't enjoy this no structure business!

Ready To Take It On!

The end of summer is always bittersweet for me. Usually at this point I am prepping my classroom for the upcoming school year. However, due to the fact at this point I do not have a job for the fall, the end of summer is not actually an end for me just yet.
 This week coming up is a big week for me. I am hoping something comes my way last minute. I have NEVER not had a teaching job for the year. It's so weird...I am trying my very best not to totally freak out, but it is HARD! Stress is my enemy. When it comes over me, I totally morph into something else and it messes with my body big time. NOT GOOD.

I am finished with my Nanny job as of this past Thurs. Thank goodness, I was completely expired.  This week my life is starting fresh. I want to start blogging more to keep track of myself. It is so hard to think back to last year and where I was at mentally and physically at this point in the year. I know I went wacky at the start of fall, due to the school year and my new role as the math teacher. All and all last school year was anxiety central! I am hopeful that this fall will be different. I do feel more in control of my whole life. It's crazy how your mental well being affects every single thing. I let my body go last year and caved into emotional eating. I felt terrible about myself, and when I wasn't dressed for work, you would only catch me in sweats and a sweatshirt.I guess you could say I was depressed. BUT what doesn't kill you makes you stronger...I know so cliche of me. Although, very true.

Another reason I want to blog, is to keep track of this off season progress etc. So far it has totally rocked! No binge eating, or mental craziness (maybe a few episodes) about gaining weight and the scale. I never really recapped my competition in detail and now I can't recall all the nitty, gritty details that I so badly wanted to get in this blog. So that is why I am getting back at starting with this post that is seriously all over the place! Once I get more consistent it won't sound so nutty. Besides who cares this is for my own good...

 Lord knows with no job, I'll have time to get my thoughts down. Anyway, we have totally kicked off season ass so far. Our workouts have been banging, I am still lean and getting stronger by the week. I am eating more food (Cals) than I have in the past two years ...actually my adult life for that matter. I am  eating good clean/balanced meals, that fuel my body and workouts. I feel like I am so in control of everything.It is a good change for once. We do our Flatbreads date nights, and have our organic greek yog  for dessert. The date night out, eating my fav pizza, totally rewards/and satisfies me. It also a relaxing way to start the weekend. By Friday night I feel like I kicked my ass good and I deserve it.

 I feel good...Great for that matter and I want to continue on this path. I am training to win next year...

My workouts are way more intense-we are doing volume training these days and I love it! My strength has increased and my passion is back. Also, our diet is so varied, I am not eating the same meals ever.  We are continueouly switching our proteins, carbs and veggies. I never eat the same combo.Everything is balanced....I know my fitness journey and healthy lifestyle will be forever changing, but I am really digging how far I have come and where I am headed.

I continue to be inspired by the many blogs I read. I love, love that I am always learning new things from them, whether it be a recipe, song, book, or a good ol' attitude shift-I love it all!

I am back again...and I hope to stay this time!  I feel...On top of the world, ready to take on the future!

Back!

It's time to return to the world of blogging! I must say I miss getting my thoughts and feelings out in words! So much has happened since I last posted I don't know where to begin. I will prob. just keep it short and sweet and get back to my regular postings. I left you back twelve days before the big competition, so I guess in all fairness that is where I should begin!
After all the prep, the show came and went! It's hard to believe it's only been about eight weeks since the show, but in a way it feels like just yesterday. It goes along with the summer...it went by so fast. It's a bummer to think we are in the middle of August already and soon enough we'll be buzzing around doing the holiday thing...I mean Target already has Halloween stuff out!

Back to the show-it was my personal best. I brought the best me package to the stage. I was happy with my improvements and surprised at how much leaner I came in compared to 2010...six pounds less than the last time I competed. Competitors of the sport are correct in saying, that each time you compete you get better and better.

I won my class! First place. I got to compete in the overall for my pro card, but I didn't end up winning that. I wanted it real bad! I still do-it will serve as my motivation for next year. We originally planned to compete in the fall at an Oct. show, but realistically it doesn't make too much sense. I still need to improve my lats, posing and don't get me started on my T -walk, so we decided to hit the off season real hard and shoot for the same show next year. I am happy with the decision. There is so much to write about the day of the show, the day after etc, but that would take too much time. So like I said I am going to keep it simple. Came in first (was super pumped) , hitting it hardcare from here on in! I plan on writing more about my current workouts and diet etc, but that will be the next post! I got to eat my pre workout and hit the iron! I am super excited to be posting again. It's a good release for me...and it will help me keep track of the good, bad and ugly days of the off season!

Until next time...eat up and train hard!