Tales from the Gym--Welcome to the 21st Century

I can't believe I hadn't blogged this already.

So.  I went to the gym two weeks ago and threw my back out.  I do remember blogging that.  What I didn't blog was my conversation a week later.

I saw Nike (my fav female personal trainer) talking with Dan (my fav male personal trainer) and one other guy (turns out it was Chris, the PT Director).  I wanted to let her know that my back was healing, but my new chiro had put me off heavy squats and, presumably, dead lifts for now.

Dan frowned at the news.  Nike was surprised, but understood....and Chris?  Chris said, "That's good.  You're a girl and shouldn't be lifting like that, anyway."

Dan and Nike split.  Had I not been standing in LA Fitness, I would have verbal assaulted him and, likely, kicked him quite hard.  There are no words for his chauvinistic attitude, nor is there any excuse.

I've since taken up dumbbell training which is going very well.  I've had more DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) with dumbbell training than I ever had with barbell.  Dumbbells are also humbling.  I never knew that 10lbs could be so heavy when doing curls.  I'm hoping to, someday, be doing curls with 25lbs.  Maybe higher.  We'll see.

In the meantime, I leave you with this awesome inspiration: 

St. Paddy's Day Dinner

I love traditional foods.  Let me rephrase: I love ethnic and ethnically traditional foods.  I do understand that corned beef is not traditionally Irish (they usually eat pork), but I also know that the Irish don't wear green on St. Patrick's Day, either, so I don't care.

Since I've switched my diet to a Paleo/Primal lifestyle, I have found cooking to be so much more enjoyable.  I enjoy the scents, the flavors, the experimentation...  It's all fun for me.

Last weekend at our local farmers' market, the husbeast and I scored a grass-fed, 1.24lb buffalo brisket for about $20.  We decided to use this meat for our corned beef and cabbage dish for St. Patrick's Day.  

It was an amazing choice.  Using the recipe at Paleo Effect, this brisket was, hands down, amazaballs good.  The veggies weren't bad either, but the meat was amazing.  I may try to find a venison brisket next year.

 Browning the brisket....

 Cover with beef broth & water--at least 2" over the meat to make sure it doesn't dry out.  Add in the spices....

 Bring to a boil!

 Add the veggies!!!!  (Not pictured, the mutant parsnips)

 Beginnings of  paleo Irish Soda Bread....

 The buffalo brisket....aka, CORNED BUFF'LO!

 The lovely, lovely veggies....parsnips, carrots, onions, and cabbage....

 This is an Irish Car Bomb.  Sorta.  It's actually nothing like a car bomb, and everything you should see if you consider using chilled, 2-year-old Bailey's....  It's definitely a bomb, though...

 The final spread.... clockwise:

Paleo Irish Soda Bread
Cabbage, parsnips, carrots, & onions
Corned buff'lo brisket.













I think tonight's dinner was hugely successful.  I have a dessert I want to make, but...not tonight.  The Jameson's will have to wait to be mixed into icing....for Black Velvet cup cakes....

New Beginnings...Now with Mutations!

I went in for my report of findings today from my chiropractor.

I discovered that the previous six years of chiropractic have made a significant difference.  But, I also learned something new about my body.

I.  Am a Mutant.

That part's actually pretty obvious given I'm a red head (genetic mutation).  What isn't obvious is the fact that I have a prehensile, internally vestigial, L6 vertebra.  

For those of you who don't know anatomy and physiology, the average human has 5 lumbar vertebrae.  

I have 6.  Six.  Plus, I have a twisted pelvis and slight scoliosis.  If my spine were completely straight, I'd probably be 5'6" or 5'7"...seriously.

So, because I have the beginnings of arthritis in my spine, slight scoliosis, and the L6...I'm not allowed to do heavy squats.  I didn't happen to mention my deadlifts, so I'm assuming I'm probably not supposed to do those, either.  At least for now.

So...dumbbells it is!  ...and a note to the Personal Training Director that when someone says, "This is hurting me," to stop and ask questions rather than say, "You just need a stronger core."

I need one less vertebra, dumb ass.

Tales from the Gym - Ouch

Yesterday was the first time I'd worked out since Friday last week.  Why?  Because my insomnia has hit (more like slammed) me head on.  But, I have goals and such and I want to make them, so I dragged my butt to the gym.  I always feel better, right?

Yeah, no.

I was in the bottom of my first 175# squat of the day when I felt my back slip and a sharp pain hit.  Thinking I'd done something wrong with my form, I went to the top, reset my position and went back down.  At the bottom of this squat, I felt and heard a POP! Not a snap, not a crack, a POP.  It was at this moment that I realized my back had tried to politely tell me it was bored and hadn't gone out for a while; the POP was the door slamming as my back went out without me.  I'm sure there's a BRB sign somewhere....

I finished the workout, anyway.

My back hurt so much I was nearly in tears.  I decided to try a new chiropractor since the current one isn't working for me (in a very literal sense).  I got the oddest look from the nurse practitioner when I said I was at the bottom of a 175# squat.  Almost as if she were saying, "Girls shouldn't be lifting that kind of weight."  I almost dared her to tell me that....  I was ready.  But, she didn't.

So, needless to say, I shan't be doing deadlifts tomorrow...or barbell squats.  I think I will likely be switching to dumbbells and doing a full body routine...we'll see if sit ups are possible.  Hope so...need to do 'em!

Milestones 2013

I am still obsessed with my weight and the scales.  But it's a good obsession, I think.  I'm excited to see my progress.

After ten years of struggling with my weight, I'm finally below 160#.  My measurements are close to my first goal (after I hit it, we'll see if I should cut down even more).  Currently, 38-31-37.5.  I think 38-28-36 is reasonable.  If I like how I look there, I'll stay there...otherwise, I may try for 38-28-34; we'll see.

Just a quick update...that's all. :)

Eyes on the Prize: Superheroine Updates

So, Memorial Day weekend is our next gaming convention and it is my goal to be spandex-ready.  

Why spandex?  Because if left to my own devices, I will theme everything with super heroes.  I needed an idea--a theme, if you will--for the Charity benefit on May 24th (Friday night of Gamex).  Super heroes seemed a good one, so I decided to cosplay Zatanna for this event.

Fosse!

But that meant I needed some cosplays for the other two days, as well.  What better way to challenge yourself to get into good physical shape than by playing super heroes!  So, next on my list is Mystique...but, with a twist.  Rather than walk around virtually naked like Rebecca Rajimon, I thought I'd do a more classic Mystique.  I remember in some of the cartoons, they would draw Mystique as her shape-shifted person (so, full costume of whomever she was), but either leave her skin and hair OR keep her yellow eyes so young viewers (such as moi) didn't get confused.  Therefore, I'll be cosplaying Mystique.... as Emma Frost.

 

 

 

 

 

Smexy!

Now, just one more.  Who could I do?  Rogue?  She's my ultimate.  I need to play her soon, but I'm just so...afraid.  Plus, I really need a Gambit to play off of.  I'm taking applications for a sexy Creole with snappy playing cards.  So, I thought about what got me into super hero cosplay and I knew who I had to play.  For 6 years, I played a game called City of Heroes.  It was uncerimoniously closed in November of 2012.  What better homage to my friends who created the characters than to cosplay one of the cannon gals, Sister Psyche.

R.I.P.  You were the 2nd to die...and then they killed them all.

To that end, I thought I'd just give a quick update on my progress, post-Whole30 number 1!  My measurements are down, again!  Not much, but hey, it's still progress!!

Bust: 38" (Think this is stuck here, now)
Waist: 31.5"
Abdomen: 36"
Hips: 37.5"

My goals are as follows:
Bust: 38"
Waist: 28"
Abdomen: 32"
Hips: 36"

Once I hit those, we'll see how I look and feel and if I want to decrease any of them.  I think those are pretty healthy numbers and pretty attainable and maintainable numbers, as well.

Whole30 Program - The Progress Shots

Here they are. The horrifying, terrifying... PROGRESS SHOTS...

You remember these, right?

Whole30 - Day 1, 173lbs

Whole30 - Day 1, 173lbs

Fortunately, so do I... And I hate these pictures.  Can you believe I actually thought I was doing okay looking like this??  Yeah, me either.  

But, this was then and these are now...

Whole30 - Day 30, 161lbs

Whole30 - Day 30, 161lbs

Not that I'm knocking people dead with how I am now; I still want to lose another 10lbs or so....but, srsly. I can have pineapple. I'm pretty okay with this!

Weekend Cooking - Fritatta Recipe

Since my discovery that I can have pineapple, I'm making sure to keep up with my Paleo lifestyle.  Pineapple is delicious and I will have it as much as I can.  I need to make up for 35 years of not being able to!

March 3 was also my spiritual birthday!  Just like my tattoo says, March 3, 1982.  I was 4.  Best decision, EVER!

(this is freshly done)

Sunday had an epic meal plan for dinner: Bacon-crusted meatloaf; creamy, spicy collards; and pineapple upside down cake.  My husband was impressed with my pineapple upside down cake, even though I used the wrong pan.  It was an awesome first attempt.

Now!  Breakfast Saturday was fun.  I wanted to make something tasty that would be filling and feed all three of us...so, I made a fritatta.  Usually, I follow strict recipes on making fritattas, but no one seems to ever want to use tomatillos in anything other than puree sauces with avocado (which sounds amazing, don't get me wrong).  Here's what I did.

Ingredients
4 tomatillos (sm/med), large dice
3 strips of thick-cut applewood smoked bacon, diced
1/2 onion
2T minced garlic
1/4c coconut milk
6 eggs
bunch cilantro, chopped (optional)
1/4c feta cheese (optional)

Preheat the oven to 400* and make sure you use an oven-safe skillet.

Start by dicing your onion and sauteing it in the oil of your choice (olive or coconut...I used olive oil).  This will take approximately 7 minutes; during this time, dice your tomatillos. Once the onions are mostly translucent, toss in your garlic and saute until aromatic (so, about 30 seconds).  Add the tomatillos and saute for a few minutes.

In a mixing bowl, combine the diced bacon, coconut milk, and eggs.  Whisk to a smooth, satiny texture, then poor the mixture over your veggies.  Let the mixture cook on the stove top for about 5 minutes, or until eggs set up.  Sprinkle the feta (if using) on top and stick in the oven.  After 20 minutes, take the mix out and sprinkle with cilantro.  Put it back in for another 5 minutes.  Remove from oven, crank to broil, and stick it under the broiler for about 1 minute.  Cut into your preferred serving size and enjoy!  Use some salsa for a little bit of an added kick.

Please note: cooking times vary and a lot of this is approximation.  When I create recipes, I don't tend to measure...just eyeball it.  I'm terrible, I know.

Anniversary Weekend Plans

My anniversary is April 6.  As part of a New Year's challenge, we've decided to *do* something once a month.  Whether it's go to a museum, travel to Solvang, or take a trip to the moon, we're spending time out of the house and enjoying life.

This month, we're going to the Comedy & Magic Club to see Jay Leno.  I'm very excited about this.  I love Jay Leno and have wanted to see him for a very long time.  I just need to figure out what to wear!  Maybe a small shopping trip is in order...

NEXT month.  April.  The first weekend (the Anniversary), we're going to pack up and drive out to Joshua Tree where Ken's family has a small shack/cabin.  It needs some work, but, we're really just going to get away.  Taking bikes; taking hiking shoes.  I sent him a link for a Paleo brunch and I'm thinking there's enough food in that menu that it would last us the two or three days we'd need food!

Here's the list.  The mimosas must happen.  They must happen every week.  I really think this would be awesome over a potbellied stove!

What do you think??

Maybe these awesome pancakes?  I'm just excited to be going and excited to have bikes this time!!!

Day 30 - The Whole30

I know I did my recap of the program before I posted my food log for yesterday, but hey!  I was excited!  Today, I'm wearing jeans I've not worn in a long time.  They need hemmed.

So, yesterday's food was ... well...

RECAP

Breakfast: 2 eggs, 4 strips of bacon, and 2 slices of back bacon

Lunch: homemade meat sauce (which was like a chili), a banana and coffee...and more coffee.

Snack: 3 or 4T of peanut butter and a banana

Dinner: Pina Colada Chicken with three pina coladas!  I'm so excited about being able to eat pineapple!!!

So, that's it, really.  I'll get the "after" pictures today and get them posted.  I'm sure there's a drastic difference.

My goal is to keep this blog updated, but I have issues with remembering (clearly).  If I don't update it again, I will in April!!
 

The Whole30 Recap

Today is Day 30 of my Whole30 challenge.  I'll do a recap later for what today's foods were, but for now, I want to share the awesomeness of the success.

When I started, these were my numbers:

Weight: 172.3
Bust: 39"
Waist: 33"
Abdomen: 39"
Hips: 40" 

Roughly.  There was up to an inch variance depending on time of day and tape measure used...and whether or not I could breathe.

As of this morning, my numbers are:

Weight: 161.4
Bust: 38"
Waist: 31.5"
Abdomen: 36"
Hips: 38"

...and I can breathe when I take the measurements. 

Not to mention, I feel amazing.  I feel healthier, stronger, clearer.  I still have a raging case of ADOS... (Attention Defici---oooh, sparkly!), some anxiety/panic attacks, and seasonal allergies.  BUT!  I have lost my allergy to pineapple and kept off my allergy to iodine!  So, yay!

Ultimately, I'd like to lose another 10lbs or so and see if I can drop those numbers to 38-28-36.  My first goal was to get my hips to 38"....SUCCESS!  Now, to get the other number for my waist to cooperate... :D 

I'll do another Whole30 challenge in April, just to make sure I'm super hero ready come Memorial Day for Gamex.

Day 28 & 29 - The Whole30

This is it.  These are the final days.

....and I'm sick.... fml.

So, I didn't recap yesterday...and, honestly, I don't remember much of it.  I remember I ate eggs for breakfast...I think I skipped second breakfast and eventually had a salad for lunch...then Ken took me to dinner where I had a steak and shrimp, mashed potatoes, ice cream (I KNOW I KNOW!) and a glass or three of red wine. I don't honestly remember much.  It was an emotionally and physically exhausting day.  I helped my best friend and chiropractor for 6 years, Kara Nania, sell off her equipment and clean her office.  There were so many times I wanted to cry...but, I didn't for her sake.  I couldn't bear seeing her beautiful face streaked with tears.  It's a long story, but suffice it to say she'll be greatly missed.

I skipped the gym today because I feel like crap.  I have zippo energy and whatever energy I appear to have is likely from sheer adrenaline.  I'm skipping the gym tomorrow because I think it will be about the same.

...but, I'm not skipping today's recap...

RECAP

Breakfast: buffalo chicken salad (this was left overs from a few nights ago...I left it in my boss' fridge from the other day when I only ate half.

Lunch: Southwest chicken salad.  Nothing paleo about this, but it was 3pm and I was starving.

Dinner: GF Chicken Noodle Soup to make me feel better.

I also had two bananas and 3 whiskey & sodas because...well... I feel like crap.  The whiskey and soda is my form of medicine, seriously.  It's making my voice sound less crackly.

I've been knitting tonight.  I can't wait to fit into it! It's a backless halter and I hope to make it look amazing.  If I finish it before March 10, I'll wear it to the Comedy & Magic Club when we go to see Jay Leno. :D

Day 27 - The Whole30 Program

Today was pretty painful on the muscles.  I loved it!  I already posted my gym update for the day, so this is really about the food intake.

Doesn't help that I'm coming down with a cold or pollen-related allergies or both.  Regardless, I hate not being able to breathe.  Especially when breathing becomes integral to working out.  Sleep would have been nice, too.  I managed to snag about 15 minutes this afternoon.  It helped.  I blame the drugs.

So, here's my recap of food for the day!

RECAP

Breakfast: half a tray of Fresh & Easy rotisserie chicken breast;

2nd Breakfast: the other half of said tray;

Lunch: buffalo chicken salad, but only about half of it; 

Dinner: Piña colada cicken & confetti f'rice.  This was an experiment in allergies.  I have a pineapple allergy.  The Whole30 has had testimonials of folks who've kicked various allergies--food and otherwise--so, I figured, hey, why not!  It was TOTALLY WORTH any hives I may break out with later.

Tales from the Gym - Personal Training

I have a goal.  My goal is to be spandex-ready and worthy by Memorial Day weekend.  Specifically, May 24.  To that end, I talked to one of the trainers at my gym yesterday about personal training.

I was set up for my free consultation for this morning.  I am fairly certain the guy was trying to kill me.  I've been doing StrongLifts 5x5 since November and only recently hit plateaus in everything.  I did a 20% deload and am going to work back up from there.  

The guy who was doing my consult today, thinks I should stop SL because it's "advanced" and I need to work the smaller muscles to build them up to push through stalls, etc.  Resistance training.

But.  I like SL.  

I also like the torture he put me through today.  I, personally, think both would work nicely together to get the results I want.

We'll see if the trainer agrees.  Her name is Nike and she told me she wanted to train me.  She knows what I lift; she knows my goals.  We chat because she's awesome.  As much as I like the super-cute trainer, Daniel, I think he'd be a little distracting--though, he's pretty awesome as a bench press spotter.  Very encouraging.

Anyway.  Chris, the training director, really put me through some hardcore stuff and I discovered I have a phobia of balls.  He had me doing squats with a yoga ball and I was afraid I'd pop it (hey, I've been told I was *fat* all my life...).  Then, he wanted me to do burpees with an 8lb weighted ball.  I knew the instant I put it down, my arms would slip and I'd break something...and I just sorta stood there, staring, trying to psych myself into it.  I finally turned to him and said, "Can I not do that with this?"  He was confused and started talking about strong cores, etc.  I said, "Yeah...see...it's not my core I'm worried about...it's the fact my hands will slip off the ball and I will collapse onto it, crushing my sternum."  He laughed and handed me a set of 12lbs dumbbells...that were circular on the ends.  I put them down on the mat and stared a minute...then stood up and said, "Can I just do regular burpees?  I'd rather not roll around and really hurt myself."  Apparently, though, this fear of mine is because I don't have a strong core.  Couldn't possibly be because I have no depth perception and very little coordination...coupled with a severe lack of confidence in doing anything involving something that requires depth perception and coordination.  I digress.

There were a few exercises I just couldn't do.  Planking and lifting a 12lb dumbbell was the first...followed by the stupid weighted burpees...and ending with a step thing where you step up onto a raised platform, balance and lift the 12lbs dumbbells over your head, then step off the other side.  Remember a lack of depth perception and such?  I also have a lack of balance...and a bad knee....which gave out on the step down.

TIME TO WORK THAT KNEE!  Dear lord, I thought I was going to die...and I'm a pretty strong girl... But, then again, my left knee *is* pretty jacked up.  As is my left shoulder.  I'd really like to do things like what I did today as a supplement to my strong lifts.  Hopefully, they'll agree.

Day 26 - The Whole30 Program

I've been remiss in updating like I should be.  I have no excuse other than I can't seem to brain lately. :P

Brief entry so I can get to the Day 27 entry...

RECAP

Breakfast: Scotch egg

Lunch: 1 cutie and 1 dill pickle...and coffee

Dinner: steak, mashed sweet potatoes with a little ghee, and roasted carrots.  2 glasses of red wine.

Snack: handful of mixed nuts.

I did the whole couple tablespoons of nutella, as well, because, frankly, I was starving by the time dinner happened. 

Day 25 - The Whole30

I started prep work for my GMAT.  Nothing like staring at math problems you haven't used since 10th grade, going...."Huh?"  Ah, well.  That's why I have a prep book!

Five more days on my Whole30.  I will be doing this again, likely in April...around the 15th.  Never doing it over a con again, though.  Totally throws my groove.

Anyway, here's the recap!

RECAP

Breakfast: One scotch egg.

Lunch: Venti coffee with a little soy and a lot of coconut milk; a glass of coconut milk.

Dinner: 4 eggs with a bunch of veggies and two strips of bacon.  

Also had a whiskey & soda and am about to have a killer magnesium shake.  Oh, two bananas in there, too.  And an apple at some point earlier today. 

Yay!

Day 24 - The Whole30

Twenty-four days into this challenge and I have found two things: 1) I have a weakness for alcohol; 2) I have a weakness for nutella.

This past week has not been the best of weeks in this challenge, but I had a couple things happen this morning that made me feel recharged and energized and believe that the "sacrifice" is worth every moment.

I have a pair of khakis that I love.  I haven't been able to wear these khakis in a long time.  Like, nearly 10 years.  I kept all my "skinny" clothes because I had this idea that I would someday fit back into a size 8.  Whereas I am not a size 8 yet, these pants weren't size 8s to being with. :)

They were, however, impossible for me to wear.  I can say with honesty and great joy that I can wear these pants again and I know that, come May, these pants will actually fit better than when I got them!

So, to recap yesterday's poor eating choices...

RECAP

*Running 2.5 miles in 30 minutes...went straight to the Farmer's Market...

Breakfast: 4egg omelet with bacon & onions and a side salad with basalmic vinegerette and freshly squeezed orange juice.

Dinner:  Herb crusted salmon with gingered bok choy.  It was delicious.  

I also had a couple Tablespoons of Nutella and a glass of Canadian whiskey and soda (as in soda water).  I need to stop sabotaging myself and just stick with the program.  It works...and I know I'll do it again--probably in April.

 

Day 23 - The Whole30 Program

Just a few more days...

I've already reincorporated alcohol.  Such a weakness I have.  Makes me sad, really, but it's my choice.  My vice, as it were.

Today was a long day of work...again.  Here's the recap, since it's late and I just finished one of my favorite movies, Air America (Robert Downey, Jr. is not allowed to be that hot).

RECAP

Breakfast: uncured back bacon, 2 eggs, 1 orange, copious amounts of coffee,

Dinner: kick-ass hamburgers made by my darling hubby!!  I have no idea what all was in them, but he was very proud of the fact they were Paleo (just for me!)  I had 3 of them.

...and 3 whiskey & sodas....from about 7pm til now (1am).  Oh, and I sneaked a few spoonfuls of Nutella....because...Nutella.

I'm going running tomorrow!  I've never been excited for running which is a clear sign I need to return to my beloved barbells.

Seven more days--one week.  We'll recheck progress and start reintroducing cheese........

Day 22 - The Whole30 Program

Zoiks!  What a wild ride this week!  I totally spaced out yesterday, but that's alright.  Food was not on my brain, but I managed to eat breakfast (egg and a half with some bacon and 2 clementines), and a snack of an apple and 2T of peanut butter.  Dinner was steak, swiss chard, and sweet potatoes.  So yum!  I had a gin and tonic that lasted me from about 8pm til about midnight, just because I needed some sort of flavor.

I'm not drinking enough water.  I know this.

My ankle's doing much better from last week.  Given that the hotel still has a hold on my account (I paid for incidentals in cash) and that hold has now caused my account to have an overdraft fee...and I have a ton of work to do for work plus knitting projects to finish and list, I have yet to make it to the gym this week.  My plan is to go running on Saturday.

Still, all in all, I'm pretty happy with my progress thus far.  I'm also excited because I now have a new cosplay goal!  I'm supposed to be Zatanna, Mystique (as Emma Frost), and Sister Psyche over Memorial Day weekend (who knows, maybe I'll throw in a female Captain America, just for kicks!) and I'm totally stoked!  I know I can pull off the looks and not have to worry that someone's thinking I'm too fat (even if that someone's me).

So, to recap food today...

RECAP

Breakfast: 1 mollet egg & copious amounts of coffee

Lunch: I was bad and skipped it...

Dinner: Buffalo Chicken Chopped Salad.  It's very tasty....very tasty.

Back to knitting my epic pet sweater!!

Orccon2013 Wrap Up - The Whole 30

WHAT a WEEKEND!

Holy crap!  Okay, so we remember back to Thursday when I was up til 2am, cooking.  It was so worth it.  The scotch eggs were perfect; the chili, miraculous; the chicken salad, awesome; the bacon bowls totally non-functional (but delicious!) and the pork roast amazing!

So, here was my weekend... in a recappy kinda fashion...

Friday

We got to the con right around 11:30...which was good because minor crises were going on and Ken and I were the deflectors of disasters (or, at least, I like to say we were).  I was trying to knit for the afternoon, but that didn't work because I have too many friends I only see three times a year and I like to socialize.  I honestly don't remember what we grabbed for food on Friday.  I think I had a scotch egg for lunch and I remember Ken brought me some fruit and a grilled chicken breast for dinner.  I was going to play a game at 8pm that night, but was talked into running a Pathfinder game, instead.  It was interesting...that's a good word for it.  There was a player that made me question the state and future of humanity, but I didn't think much of it...how wrong I was to not do so...

Saturday

This was Daphne day.  And Daphne was a smashing hit.  I had a ton of people tell me I was spot-on for her, too (which made me feel awesome).  I had another scotch egg, tons of fruit, some chicken salad, bacon...and this was chili night.  I ran a session of Pathfinder as Daphne and it was awesome because I had two kids at my table.  They were twitterpated to be playing with Daphne Blake!  This is part of why I cosplay.

Sunday

This was Velma day.  I, apparently, was an amazing Velma.  I also was unrecognizable as myself to even the staff who knew I was going to be dressing up as Velma.  Many of them questioned who I was.  I, again, had a scotch egg, bacon, chicken salad, fruit, etc throughout the day.  This was the slow-cooker pork day and it was mouth-gasmly awesome; especially with the salad.  We forgot garlic and it was still delicious.  I picked up a stalker this day, however; that's never awesome.

Monday

I had a scotch egg for breakfast and some bacon for lunch.  Since it was load-out day, we just went to dinner.  I had a burger with grilled onions and hot peppers (no bun, no cheese) and rather vapid steamed veggies.  And a glass of wine.  Because I played in a session today with that guy from Friday.  The one that made me question humanity.  I wanted to stab him with my pencil, so I rolled vs. Willpower and just said I needed to step away from the table for a few minutes.  Fortunately, we were nearly done with the scenario, so his death wasn't as imminent as it probably should have been.

I admit it.  We went straight to BevMo and got two bottles of the Cabernet I had with dinner.  I'll be on my second glass here after I finish this blog.  I now remember why I drink at conventions....

Day 16 - The Whole30

Today started out beautifully.  I slept in, I felt refreshed, and I had a list of things and a schedule and I knew everything was going to be great!

Went to the bank and deposited my check, taking out some cash; went to the post office to pick up the Valentine's gifts for Ken and Dave...and this is sorta where the day fell apart.

You see, I have no depth perception.  Well, I have about 17% depth perception, but that really doesn't help me.  Most of the time, I function very well and know one would know...then there are the days I fall off the sidewalk because I don't realize I'm at the curb.

Like today.

What felt like eternity, I sat on the ground uncertain if I'd actually managed to break my ankle this time.  I'm sure it was only about 5 minutes, but I had several people offering to call an ambulance for me.  Why?  It's just a sprain--and even if it's broke, the car is right there.  Save the ambulance for real emergencies.

Finally decided nothing was broken, so I got up and limped over to the car and climbed in.  We went home, got some ice packs, then went on to the rest of our errands--which seemed to double in time.  What was supposed to take 20 to 30 minutes took us 120 minutes.  And my ankle was throbbing.

Needless to say, today has not been a good eating day.

RECAP

Breakfast/Lunch: 3oz steak, 2 strips bacon, 2 eggs

Dinner: Kung Pao Chicken

It's after midnight and I'm still cooking epic food for the weekend.  This weekend is Orccon2013, the first of three cons for Strategicon.  Ken is on staff (Quartermaster) and I am on staff (Assistant-soon-to-be-Marketing Director).  We stay at the hotel for the convention to, basically, make sure everything runs smoothly.  Our hotel room has no microwave or fridge, and the restaurant is too expensive to eat at for all meals.  SO!  I'm making food.

So far, we have the base of chili, bacon cups for salads (or whatever will stay in them)...and on tap, tarragon chicken salad, and scotch eggs.  We have plans to pick up more salad stuff near the hotel, as well as a pork roast for a great slow-cooker recipe (which, we're taking both of ours).  I figure, if Dave ends up making it down for the weekend, we will have plenty of healthy food to nom on and make the rest of the con jealous of our epic nutrition!  I don't know how much recapping I'll be able to do there, but I'll do my best to let you know!  May have a "Tales from the Con" section...we'll see. :) 

Day 15 - The Whole30

"I feel fantastic! And I never felt as good as how I do right now--Except for maybe when I think of how I felt that day When I felt the way that I do right now, right now, right now!"

That pretty much sums up how I'm feeling after 15 days of clean eating.  I feel fantastic!  I'm still very groggy in the mornings, but I'm sleeping at night and, mostly, restfully.  The only time I'm hungry during the day is when I realize I've missed a meal (like today), and, in general, I like to think that my outlook on life has improved somewhat.  It's much more difficult to gauge and, given that I'm a girl, subject to change with the lunar cycles.  Or something.  SCIENCE!

*ahem*  Anyway...

As you may have read earlier, I hit a personal milestone today.  When I started my lifting program, I decided that I wanted to squat 200#.  In a "When I ... Then I..." statement, I asserted I would get myself a "Miss Fit" t-shirt.  I'm happy to say...I have to wait til after the weekend's gaming convention in order to design it, but it's in the works!

...and this fills me with glee...

So, lemme recap my day of semi-awesome eating...

RECAP

Breakfast: 1 egg, 3oz of steak

Second Breakfast: 2 eggs, 1 sorta blood orange, coffee

Lunch: ...water...  I worked through it by accident.

Dinner:  My husband so very sweetly opted to make the dinner I had suggested for the evening so I could KNIT LIKE A MAD WOMAN.  I'd wanted "comfort food," and this was the perfect night for it.  So, off to The Clothes Make the Girl for recipes.  We went with the Cottage-Flower Pie, but used turnips instead.  Probably will make it again tomorrow night with sweet potatoes.  I dunno yet.  Tomorrow is a very busy day... food prep for 4 days away from home.... for 4 people....

If I learned nothing else from this evening, I learned this: Ken very much loves the immersion blender.  My shake tonight was strawberry, apple, coconut milk, and the lemon-flavored magnesium powder.

PS: Last night's concoction decided to erupt after about 45 minutes under my bed lamp.  It was awesomely fun...but, y'know.  SCIENCE! (It really does work!) 

Tales from the Gym - I Am Fe-Male

Today was a big day for me.  It was the day I got to attempt my squat goal: 200lbs.  I said "When I am able to squat 200#, then I will get myself a 'Miss Fit' tank top."

...and so I am designing my tank top.

Whilst I was setting up for my last set, a gentleman came over to me and stared with great intensity into my eyes.  Quietly, he said, "You are a very strong woman..." And I just smiled and said, "Aww, anyone could lift this--it's only 200#!" (trying to be jocular).  He continued his serious gaze and said, "I could never lift that...my back wouldn't handle it!"

I didn't have the heart to tell him he couldn't do it because he didn't believe he could.  I did, however, say, "I'm sure you could with a little effort and training."

Because, seriously, if I can do it, anyone can do it.  I have back problems, knee problems, ankle problems...heck, my hips aren't even level let alone straight.  I probably shouldn't be able to squat 200lbs, but, like the bumble bee, I don't know that I can't.

So I did.

Someone asked once why I'd want to lift so much weight.  Presumably, the person thought I was doing it for attention (because, really, how many women do you see benching 115#, squatting 200#, and deadlifting 185#).  But, honestly, I enjoy it.  There's just something about the feeling of pushing yourself just that much harder to become harder, better, faster, stronger. 

I'm not trying to "beat the boys."  I'm trying to beat Me.  I'm trying to beat that little voice in my head that says, "You can't..."  Because you know what?  I'm a female.  And that means I CAN....because... y'know, I'm Iron Man*.




*That's Fe-Male.  Get it?  Fe = Iron?  Iron Man...?  IT'S SCIENCE!!!!

Halfway on The Whole30 Program

I suppose, mathematically speaking, tomorrow would be the actual half way point of the Whole30 Challenge, but, y'know what?  It's been two weeks since I started and that is just awesome.  So, how's the last two weeks been?  Here's a bit of a recap of things.

Things I'm not supposed to know...
I've lost 10 pounds.  I started with 172 (I listed it as 170, because that's what I'd say to people) and I'm at 162.  I've also lost inches.  I always pull the tape tightly because I *hate* those numbers, but lets be realistic--I'm only hurting myself when I do that.  My numbers to start were 38-33-40 and the abdomen (2" from navel) was at 38, as well.  Today, my measurements were 38-31.5-38 and 36 at the abdomen.  I admit it.  I squeed.

Things I have learned...
When they say no alcohol for 30 days, they mean it.  I had a total of 4 vodka tonics in the last 14 days.  The first two didn't do much other than taste icky; the second two plastered me and made me sick to my stomach.  Enough for me to say I'm not doing that again in the next 2 weeks.  Don't care.  Not worth that pain.

I've also learned I need to eat before my workouts.  If I don't, I just can't push the weight (HA! punny!).  I also really need to pay attention to time and eat.  Three times a day is not that difficult.  Protein! Protein! Protein!

Things that have improved...
MY SLEEP! Mostly.  I still have off nights, but for the most part, I'm falling asleep, staying asleep, and waking up semi-refreshed.

So, what did I nom on today during one of the most emotionally stressful days of my last few weeks?

RECAP
Breakfast: Chicken livers and coffee.

Lunch: The salad from last night....yum!

Dinner: Spaghetti squash spaghetti with meatballs from last night, chicken, and black olives.  I finished off the meatballs....SO YUM!

Now, I'm getting my magnesium (the powder, coconut milk, a banana and a little bit of unsweetened cocoa powder), knitting this sweater for the weekend (you can read about that kinda stuff here), and watching a movie before passing out so I can go to the gym tomorrow and be SHE-RA! 

Days 12 & 13 - The Whole30

I didn't log yesterday.  Obviously. So here's a recap from yesterday.

RECAP
Breakfast - Mollet egg, bacon (2 slices), and sautéd Nappa cabbage.

Lunch - I think I skipped it.  I was having a very bad emotional day.

Dinner - Chili.  It was awesome.  The recipe is here.

I had 2 vodka tonics last night and pretty much instantly regretted them.  I was kinda nauseated and in pain.  I think the coconut milk that went with my banana and magnesium powder curdled or something.  Who knows.  

Today... I at least ate 3 times.  I'm proud of me!  But, it was also a training day...so, I should have eaten 4 times.  Oh, well.

I don't have any epic stories from the training room today, so you get this one post.

RECAP
Breakfast - Chicken breast tenderloin & half a sweet potato

Second Breakfast - 2 eggs, and 4 strips of really bad bacon and about 2 cups of coffee

Dinner - SO MUCH FOOD!  We made this great salad, these awesome roasted carrots, and these amazing meatballs.   This was a masterpiece of taste sensations!  And we have a ton of leftover salad (YAY LUNCH TOMORROW).  

Drinking water today.  

Overall, I'm feeling pretty amazing and I'm starting to see how some foods negatively impact my system.  This makes me happy, too.  Not thrilled that I need to rid myself of Vodka (unless I can drink the more expensive gluten free vodka), but maybe I'll be able to drink my wine.  I do like a dry white.

Day 11 - The Whole30 Program

I totally forgot to do my recap from yesterday, so I shall do that below.  I will chalk the forgetfulness up to the pinched finger and the bruises on my rib cage.  It is always easier to blame injuries than to just admit to failure.

Results, not excuses!

...and I'm getting results.  Seriously.  I know I said I wasn't going to weigh in, but I have no willpower, like, at all, when it comes to the scale.  So, I weighed in yesterday.

164.2lbs.

That's almost 10lbs in less than 2 weeks.  This is inspiring to me, so I'm glad I did it.  I'd like to lose another 10lbs by the end of this challenge.  That would put me right around 150-155lbs which, I think, would be a very good weight for me.  Realistic goal.  Now, that doesn't mean that I won't try to lose more fat and see if I can drop that number to 140, but the more I work out and get stronger, the more I realize my once-set-in-stone goal of 130lbs is unrealistic for me.  I'd love to LOOK 130lbs, but, really... no.  Too thin, given what I lift.

So...

RECAP

Breakfast: Sweet potato, 2 scrambled eggs

Lunch: 4 egg omelette with peppers, diced ham, salsa, and avocados, and hashbrowns (we went to a restaurant...and I'm sure there was butter in the hashbrowns because...intestinal distress.  All I'm gonna say)

Dinner: Crispy Spiced Chicken Livers and squash with bacon.  This is what it looked like: 

Hungry yet?  GO EAT!

Tales from the Gym - Silence is Golden

Today's episode found me at my gym, stretching.  I did a bridge type thing to stretch my low back.  Hands in reverse, I hoisted my body on to my head and just held the stretch in my back.  Upon standing, a gentleman began waving at me frantically and whispering something about pushing to lift my head off the mat.  After a few seconds, he finally signed the phrase, "I'm deaf."  To his surprise and relief, I responded with, "Oh!  OK!" and we began an awesome Zen moment of conversation (Note to self: Brush up on ASL).

I did my squat set (190#) and then went to do a new exercise: The Push Press.  I'd been struggling for weeks at 60# Overhead Presses (OHPs), and one of my fellow Lady Lifters suggested the push press to help work the muscles for regular OHPs.  I was very glad she did because I felt like a powerful princess!

...then I pinched my pinky finger whilst putting a 45# plate on my deadlift bar.  Needless to say, my deadlifts were not happening after that.  Nice purple coloring with a bit of blue and the dark red in the center... verreh lovely, indeed.

I'd eaten before I went to the gym and I really think it made a difference.  I wasn't focused on the fact my stomach hurt because it was hungry or that my muscles felt weaker because they didn't have fuel.  Instead, I was a powerful woman--a WONDER WOMAN! 

Day 10 - The Whole30 Program

Today was craptacular.  Actually, the past two days have been craptacular.  I found out that I need my undergrad transcripts, as well, for the doctorate program I'm trying to apply to; I screwed up my bench pressing; my back's killing me; and, I found out, today, my Valentine's Day plans are pretty much null and void.

AWESOME!

So, I made a conscious choice: I chose to drink 2 vodka tonics tonight.  The good news: I had two and it took me 6 hours to finish them.  Also...I didn't like the taste.

Why did I choose this?  Honestly?  Because I had about a pot and a half of coffee so I could make it through the day without the panic/anxiety attacks becoming overwhelming.  But, the news about my Valentine's plans pushed me over my ability to cope.

Here's a recap of my (not so great) eating today:

RECAP:

Breakfast: 3 eggs, scrambled with homemade pico de gallo

Lunch: ...what is lunch?  1 orange, 3oz of chicken, 1 handful of peanuts (it's what my boss had)

Dinner: Two chicken breast fillets, roasted beets, and sauted beet greens.  And a banana.

...and a pot and a half of coffee throughout the day, plus 2 vodka tonics.

Too frustrated/hurt/upset/whatever to go make my magnesium shake, so skipping it.  The alcohol will probably help me enough.  Tomorrow's another day...and it will be so much better.  Gym day!  Squats, deads, and push presses!

Day 9 - The Whole30 Program

If you read my earlier post today, then you already know about my gym experience today.  My first thought as I lay there, pinned under my barbell was, "I have got to start eating before my workout..."

Which means...I have to get up earlier...which...has been the problem, in the first place.  I'm still waking up tired, though my sleep quality seems to be improving.  I'm hoping it continues to improve.

Anyway!  Recap of today's fooding...

RECAP

Breakfast: 2 chicken breast tenderloins, 2 eggs, and 1 sweet potato with mint chutney

Lunch: 3oz chicken, 1 banana

Dinner: Moroccan salmon with curried frice and an apple.

Epic food was epic for dinner; but I think I just need to eat more during the day.  

Magnesium shake with coconut milk and strawberries rounds out my day.  My husband is making dinner tomorrow night.  I am excited for what he comes up with!  He's been hugely supportive in my Whole30 program and I'm very thankful. 

Tales from the Gym - Graduation

I have graduated.  Kind of.

I have graduated from the StrongLifts program into....I have no idea what, but I'm working on it!  Today consisted of squats, bench press, and a new exercise called a power clean.

I have learned I have no idea what I'm doing with power anythings.

But, it was fun!  I will feel that in the morning, I'm sure.  I started with my bench press today because all the squat racks were taken.  Every. Single. One.  There are six of them.  And everyone decided to hit them at the same time.  I'd finished my warm up sets for my bench press, looked to where the squat racks were and...they were all effing empty.  FRUSTRATION!

That's okay.  115# bench press!  Set one...power!  Set two...POWRAWR!  Set three.....roll of shame.  I should have re-racked at 4, but I had to try for the 5th and my arms gave out.  Just in case you were curious, 115# is really heavy--especially when you're pinned under it and everyone else is in the middle of their own sets.  I'll have some lovely bruises.  The guy on the bench next to me finished his set and looked over.  I gave him a whimper and the puppy eyes of "HELP!" and he came over and moved the weight for me.  Then offered to spot me.

We reduced my weight to 105# and he worked with me on that, then gave me some tips and we reduced again to 95# for form check.  I actually felt much better about my bench presses after working with him and he wasn't thinking I couldn't do the heavier weight because I was a girl. Probably will stick at 95-100# and watch my form for the next few cycles.

Finally did squats.  They were awesome and I felt (mostly) powerful.  Then I realized I should have been at 190# today.  Ah, well.  Next time.  My low back was really acting up...I'm seriously hoping the F/D treatments at the chiros don't mess me up.  Those suckers HURT.

Final exercise...the power clean (mine looked nothing like this).  I have NO IDEA WHAT I'M DOING.  I saw a muscle-head who was doing some pretty amazing stuff and seemed like a person who would *answer* my questions rather than tell me I couldn't do them because I was a girl.  I asked him if he was familiar with a power cleanse and how to do them.

I was not prepared for the voice.  Well.  Not so much the voice as the accent.  For the next few minutes as he explained that he wasn't sure how to answer the question because the exercise can be very dangerous for your low back (and not knowing me and my weight lifting history), all I could hear...was... THIS.  I felt badly.  Nice man...named Sergi.

I finally worked up the courage to do something similar to a power clean and was complimented at the end of my set by a guy who was just impressed that I, a girl, knew her way around the free weights.  "You don't see many girls doing those kinds of exercises.  That was just awesome."  I was at bar weight.  Where I will remain for form checks...then start gently upping the weight.  I'll keep Squats and DLs, steadily increasing til I hit 200# on each.  I may hold there, or I may drop back squats and switch to front squats or power thrusters or something.  Dunno.

Saturday will be...interesting.  Squats, DLs, and power presses.

Incidentally.  I must be doing something right.  Sergi said I had the figure most women work hard to get.  Either that, or he needs glasses.

Day 8 - The Whole30

Forgot yesterday's update...  so, brief recap....

RECAP

Breakfast 2 eggs and 3oz of steak

Lunch: sautéd lettuce and cabbage with a 12oz can of tuna

Dinner: pork ribs and sweet potatotes (with mint chutney)

It was not an eventful day, but I got good food in there!

Oh, also had a container of applesauce and my coconut milk-fruit-magnesium concoction.

Day 7 - The Whole 30

It's been a week.   The last couple days have been eating challenges, but, I've done okay.  Just really craving a soda or a vodka tonic or even margarita right now.

It was an emotional day...as was yesterday.  In short, eating wasn't high on my priority list.  If you read my "Tales from the Gym" from today, you probably have an idea of how my day was going.  It didn't get better.

Plus, new chiro today.  Unexpected paperwork and exam with X-Rays accompanied by a new diagnosis and treatment that I don't like. He said I had a compressed disc in my low back... I'll believe him, but I still don't like the treatment.

Anyway.  I only ate twice today...I know, bad.  I wasn't expecting dinner to be at 9:45pm, either, but that came with the unexpected exam and paperwork.

RECAP
Breakfast: Sautéd Napa cabbage, a chicken hot sausage, and 3 mollet eggs

Dinner: Sautéd yellow and green squash with peppered bacon and chicken breast.  I had an extra serving of this to double as a lunch/dinner thing.  I gave it five minutes in between, so it was totally two meals, right?

I will definitely take that coconut milk+Magnesium+fruit concoction tonight before bed.  I desperately need the stress relief.