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: 

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!

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.

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.

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! 

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!

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 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. 

Tales from the Gym - The Realizations...

My day started as it should--I woke up, kinda, rolled out of bed into my workout gear, rooted around for a pair (or a reasonable facsimile thereof) of socks, and the flattest sneakers I own.  Grabbed my phone and my tablet, my towel, water bottle... I was ready to crush my workout today.

Set it all up in my tablet app (LiftBook, for those interested): StrongLifts 5x5, Workout B, 180# squats, 60# OHPs, and 180# Deadlifts.  I was feeling powerful (except for those OHPs...they are my nemesis).  My squats sets went well.  I was feeling confident and on top of the world.  My OHPs were surprisingly good today...until the 4th set.  That's when I realized there were a lot of guys staring at me...and they weren't staring at my weight.  I looked down and thought, "Oh, geeze...if there is ever an exercise to make feel even *more* chesty... it's this one.  DOUBLE Ds COMIN' AT YA..."  Threw me off, because now I was focused on the fact I have boobs and my workouts are just making them bigger and everyone in the gym is noticing.  Set 4 gave me 3 reps, set 5 gave me 4.

I happily moved to my Deadlifts.  My warm up sets were great, but I only did 2 at 160# instead of my normal 3.  I think I should have done 3 because I only managed to get 3 reps at 180#. This made me very sad.  I like PRs every time I lift.  It makes me feel like I'm accomplishing something.  I don't know how to handle it when I don't hit those PRs.  Then it makes me worry that I'm losing strength while doing the Whole30 program and I start to freak out.

Of course, apparently, I base my sense of self/self-worth on my lifts.  Oh, THAT is a bad idea (Yes, I know this already)!  When I couldn't do my 5 reps at 180# on the deads, my tapes started blaring in my head.  I tried to drown them out by saying, "Oh, yeah?  I got 3 reps at 180#...and competitive dead lifters only do ONE rep at their weights! So...shut up!"  But, it just got louder.  Apparently, it is better at intimidation than I am.  :(

"So?  You have to get to those weights, first!  You can't even get to 200lbs, let alone 315lbs!  Everything everyone has ever said about you, ever, is true--you worthless excuse for a waste of air!"

Thanks, brain.  So, I went home and consoled myself with an epic Paleo breakfast (which you'll get to read about tonight).  All I can say is, I'm glad I'm not cooking tonight.  I'd burn the kitchen down in all likelihood.

Day 4 - The Whole30 Program

I can't shake this fatigue.  It's like I'm getting my cycle symptoms two weeks in advance.  I should have just finished ovulation yesterday (not that I ever have any clue when that happens), but... my gosh, I'm exhausted.  Slept in til about 9am and didn't go to the gym.  I couldn't even bring myself to put on clothes until around noon (that was after I went back to bed).

I'm so tired of being tired.  I can't figure out what's wrong; really hoping the Whole30 can help with this problem.  I started taking my magnesium powder, again, but I don't like taking it with plain water--I don't like the flavor and it makes me feel like it's eating my tooth enamel as I drink it (fun stuff, there).

Tried laying down for a nap, but I spent 15 of my 25 minutes awake--not helpful.  The other 10 were a restless sleep which, also, is not helpful.

Anyway.  Recap will be in a few hours.  I'll even set it up for you now...

RECAP

Breakfast: Shrimp scramble (that's shrimp with scrambled eggs; very tasty!)

Lunch: ...when I eventually ate, it was an avocado with chicken breast. 

Dinner:  Left overs from last night!  Beef roast and the cucumber salad.  Delish!

I also had a glass of coconut milk whilst preparing the Tandoori chicken for tomorrow and two cups of tea with coconut creamer.  I'll probably blend up some berries and coconut milk with my magnesium as I learned today that my protein powder is off my diet list for the next 26 days.

Confession...I stepped on the scales when I got out of the relaxing bath I took. >_<  Good news: Down about 2lbs...  Bad news: I have no willpower when it comes to the scales...

Day 3 - The Whole30

Today seemed much better on the eating front.  Though, waking up is still *extremely* difficult.  In fact, I took a protein shake last night with my magnesium powder and fell asleep fine....but, woke up frequently....and did not dream peacefully.

I woke up just as tired as when I went to bed and barely remember the first part of the morning.  I remember certain things, but not in any sort of sequence or duration.  At least I can sleep in a bit tomorrow before my workout.

In general, though, I'm feeling pretty good, though I'm definitely craving a vodka drink.  Nothing sweet, really, just a vodka tonic.  Or a caesar. Anyway....

RECAP!

Breakfast: 2 jumbo brown eggs and 3oz of steak (+2 cups black coffee)

Lunch: Brussels sprouts/cabbage and bacon sauté with 3oz of chicken

Dinner: That fabulous cucumber salad, again, and about 6oz of beef roast from the crock pot.

Naturally, water to drink.

I am considering whip---oh, wait, I forgot to get more bananas.  Won't be making the banana "ice cream" tonight!  But, I will take my protein shake later, likely with my last banana, again.  It's very good and my feet didn't cramp at all in the night! 

Day 2 - Food Recap

Today was a workout day.

These days always throw me off. I also realized that I need to (at least at the start of this) do something not entirely Whole30 approved--I need a protein shake at night because it's how I drink my magnesium.  I need the magnesium (for now) to help me sleep so I don't have days like today...

6:00am - Alarm goes off.  Killed it.

6:45am - Second alarm goes off.  Killed it.

7:15am - Husband stumbles in to search for a towel...I notice the time and immediately....curl back up and groan.  Despite sleeping the night through, and sleeping soundly, I did not sleep well or restfully.

At this point, I crawled out of bed and got into my workout gear and got ready to leave.  I remember being at the gym and doing my bodyweight squats.  I remember crying about my pathetic OHPs, and I remember empowering myself with 175# dead lifts.  I don't remember driving home.  I remember making breakfast (which I'll share in a sec) and knitting...and the nap I ended up taking...and from there, I remember pretty well.

So. 

RECAP
Breakfast: 3 eggs and 3oz grilled steak
Lunch: I almost missed this and it wasn't balanced at all.  It was simply 3 oz of grilled steak.
Dinner: From The Clothes Make the Girl, I made the Moroccan Pork Chops with cucumber salad.  My husband (who has no interest in being Paleo) loved this meal and was sad there was not more (Note to self: Make large batch of salad).  Despite it being a training day, I haven't really been all that hungry.  Just lethargic.  I'm going to have a banana to cleanse my palate and then have a protein shake later for the magnesium powder.  Probably use 2 scoops of the protein powder, coconut milk, and another banana.  Have a lot of muscle cramps and knots...magnesium and potassium for the win! 

The Whole30 Challenge

Today is day 1 of my Whole30 Program.  No grains, no sugars, no dairy, no alcohol, no legumes, no processed foods for 30 days.

I've been so remiss in keeping track of other health things with this blog, I'm hoping this will keep me accountable.  I've changed the name and such because this is a lifestyle change--the next 30 days are just to reset my system.  To heal it.  

I love Greek mythology.  I can relate most of the Greek gods to my own faith and aspects of my God.  For example, Jehovah Nissi is the LORD my banner...which means nothing unless you put it into context.  The banner is a sign of encouragement in battle, giving a person or group of people hope to fight on and the strength to win.  Therefore, Jehovah Nissi is the God of Victory...but, it would feel silly to make the blog's title "Jehovah Nissi."  Nike, the shoe company, had a great slogan of "Just Do It" and Nike barely had her own mythology after becoming the charioteer for Zeus.

Perfect!  I'm not offending anyone!

So!!  Let the healthy diet .... BEGIN!

PS: I lift weights.  Heavy weights.  Follow me on Fitocracy to keep up with that progress.  As of this blog, I bench press 110lbs, squat 165lbs, and dead lift 175lbs.  If *I* can do it, so can you!

Exercising + Diet = Results

As a Type O person, according to Dr. D'Adamo, I would thrive with vigorous exercise--like aerobics or running, vertical climbing, ect.  I have found that if I do 30 minutes of vigorous exercise on a daily basis, I feel healthier, I feel stronger, more focused (which is to say my brain actually thinks of productive things rather than wondering why the sky is blue) and more energetic.  Basically, the breakdown of exercises by blood type are as follows:


Type O: challenging physical activity (aerobics, cardio-kickboxing, walking/running, biking, weight lifting, etc)
Type A: meditative exercises/breathing exercises (yoga, pilates, tai chi, etc)
Type B: mentally/physically challenging exercises (group classes, cycling, tennis, martial arts, etc)
Type AB: combo workouts--3 days of physically challenging exercise; 2 days of meditative exercise.


Exercise is important, not just for your muscles and weight loss, but also for helping to deal with stress.  The above concepts do not in any way mean that if you're a Type A, you can't do aerobics or if you're Type O, you can't do yoga.  Not true!  It simply means that these are the ideals for you to handle stress in your life.  When I am angry or frustrated, I really like to go for a jog (or, brisk walk, who am I kidding?!) to "cool off" so to speak.  But, I  love the centering aspect of yoga (which is perfect for when I have an injury and can't do my regular workouts--or I'm on vacation without a gym in sight).


With the Blood Type diet, the word "diet" isn't used in the way we use it.  Yes, weight loss will occur--it's what happens when you start eating properly--but, it's actually referring to your diet, or your nutrition and exercise.  If you want to see results, you have to put in the work.  It's not enough to just eat only certain foods; you have to add in the exercise to truly transform yourself into a better you.

Lifestyle Not Diet

In the past month, I've had more compliments on my skin and my (ever evolving) body composition.  Moreso than when I was a very slim 130lbs, fresh out of college.  I currently tip the scales at 165lbs (give or take, depending on time of day and time of month...bills always through me for a loop!), but I'm losing inches at an impressive rate.  In the last month, alone, I've lost nearly 7" from my body.  As a friend of mine says, "You can lose weight, or you can lose inches.  You can't do both at the same time."  I'll take the inches, thank you!


Back to the skin thing.  I sell Avon.  I use the products, too--specifically, the ANEW(R) Rejuvenate skin care line.  But, more than just a topical solution, I've changed what I put into my body.  I drink less coffee and more tea (black, with cream and stevia); I drink a lot of water; I drink very little soda--and usually only mixed with Rum or Vodka!  I work out 4-6 times a week for at least 30 minutes.  I try to burn 500 calories, daily.  I work hard so I can play harder.  It all pays off.  Yes, the Rejuvenate evened out my skin tone and eliminated a good deal of the acne problem I was having, but my lifestyle choices have helped with the rest.


I knew when I started the gluten-free thing, it was going to take adjusting and getting used to.  It wasn't a fad diet--it was a lifestyle change.  I was going to have to cut out things I loved and find alternatives to fill that void and I've been pretty successful.  There is a plethora of resources out there for gluten-free living.  One of my favorites was and still is Karina's Gluten-Free Goddess.  She has recipes and gives reasons for why some things work and some things don't.  There are other sites, but I always went to her first.


At the beginning of May, I went a step further and decided I wanted to make another lifestyle change and go for the Type O diet plan.  The biggest part of it was eliminating wheat gluten, so I was already mostly there.  A few further adjustments and, viola!  I feel wonderful because I'm putting good food into my body and my body is healing itself.  I still eat fast food, occasionally; I still devour marshmallows, en masse.  I still drink alcohol and beer--gluten free beer!  But it's the healthy life choices I've made that give me the confidence to walk around in belly shirts; it's the healthy life choices I've made that give me the luxury of not having to wear liquid foundation; it's the life choices I've made that empower me to be the best me I can be.


If you're looking to lose weight and, literally, transform your life then look into the genome diet.  If you just want a quick way to shed some pounds, look into the Master Cleanse.  I lost 20lbs in ten days on that thing.  Make a healthy choice--be happier, live better.

End of Month Recap

At the end of the first month of the Blood Type Diet, I can honestly say I didn't do very well with the diet--as in, there are still salads in my fridge that I haven't touched.  I can honestly say, though, that I have eaten much better this month than I have in the past.  I very much enjoyed the foods designed for me--especially the blackstrap granola and the sweet & salty Brussels!

So, why do all this?  Why would I, a geeky girl, who's goal is to break the stereotypes of geeky girls and redefine beauty, diet and exercise as much as I do?  Well, first of all, I need to be beautiful to me; second of all, I need to be healthy; third of all...I actually enjoy working out, so I would do that anyway.

My idea of "beauty" isn't tied to a number on a scales.  I don't need to be 120lbs (in fact, I would look rather sickly at 120lbs).  My goals are tied to the numbers of my figure--40-28-38.  I've seen my body with a 28" waist and 36" hips before.  The 36" hips were too thin--you could actually see my pelvis.  Curves are what make a woman sexy--no matter your body type.  I happen to be an hourglass shape.  I have friends who are apples, pears, and rulers--embrace that body type and be you! :-)

Another reason for the diet & exercise--I do a lot of cosplaying.  Do I need to be rail-thin to do it?  No; but I would certainly like to rock the spandex and pull off some costumes like Catwoman or Bat Girl; Rogue or even Wonder Woman.  I don't need to be a size 2 to do it, either.  In my mind, I just need to look like I could actually save the world, and for me, that requires muscles.

Finally, everyone points to Marilyn Monroe wearing a size 14.  She did--and her measurements were smaller than mine and I wear a 10 or 12.  Beauty isn't tied to numbers.  It's what is in the heart--what's in your eyes--what comes out when you speak and how you treat others.  One of my favorite songs says, "She ain't pretty, she just looks that way."  It reminds me of what physical beauty can often be...just looks.

Week 4 - Status Update

So, sorry I haven't actually posted for a bit.  We had a gaming convention over the holiday weekend (those are always a great trial for diets!) and I'm just now getting caught up with things.  Plus, before that, it was non-stop sewing on costumes.  I'll post those later.

So, I'm down to 164-165lbs currently.  I attribute that to the diet plan and the three to four times per week workouts of varying intensity.  I absolutely love the combinations of veggies and protein this diet calls for and the fact it's an 80/20 diet.  As long as I follow it at least 80% of the time, it's going to work.  So, if I'm short on cash and/or really in the mood for tacos, I can go to Jack-in-the-Box and order some with no guilt.  I've found, too, that I'm not eating as many as I used to.  I used to eat between 6 and 8 tacos on my own.  Now, I top out around 4, if I'm really hungry.

Over the weekend, I prepared two different salads (Dandelion greens based and kale based) and some homemade granola.  I shared the granola with other gamers and there were two at a Pathfinder session that seemed to just mouth-gasm over it.  It's a great granola that's made with blackstrap molasses, dried fruit, and walnuts and pecans.  Plus flaxseeds.  And rice cereal.  It's really amazingly good.  So, while we're sitting around the table trying to decide how we're going to defeat the enemies, we're noshing on granola that's actually fairly low-cal and extremely healthy (and in my case, very beneficial to my body).

I feel much better when I stick to the foods in the diet.  We had green tea poached chicken the other night, which was good.  But our side dish was better.  Sweet & Salty brussels sprouts.  Oh, yeah...that's getting made again!  Once I hit my goal weight (145lbs), we'll see how I look and feel.  I'm hoping to hit that by mid-July.  We'll see.

Here are the pics from the weekend.

Indigo Lantern Tribe
(Sunday, May 27, 2012)

Madelyne Pryor
(Friday, May 25, 2012)

How I Got Here

In this day and age, everyone's looking to lose weight because society has ingrained in our brains that "thin = beautiful."  As a woman, it's unreal to see the constant inundations of "true beauty" on TV, in magazines, online, etc.  It's always some movie star who looks like a lollipop or an airbrushed supermodel.

Still, weight is a contributing factor to health--which is more beautiful, in my opinion, than rail thin.  And, for me, at least, health is a contributing factor to happiness.  If I feel unhealthy, I feel ugly.  And considering how many times I've felt that way about myself, I figured it was time to do something about it.

I moved to CA 9 years ago.  My goal was like all other pretty girls--to be in movies.  Harsh reality: I'm not now, nor was I then, nor will I ever be the "Hollywood ideal" when it comes to dress size.  I was a size 8 when I moved out here--and that was too fat for film.  What's worse is I didn't know then that I had a gluten allergy--so, the pounds packed on as I lived off of ramen, pasta, and sandwiches.  Thirty pounds, to be exact.  If I wasn't the ideal at size 8, I certainly wasn't the ideal at a very tight size 14!

I did the Master Cleanse and lost about 20lbs (naturally, you're just drinking lemonade for 10 days).  I felt great, I looked pretty good, and then I got back into solid foods....and BAM! The weight came back with a vengeance.  I have tried the South Beach Diet numerous occasions--I'd lose 15-20lbs during Phase I's two week period, then gain it all back within the first week of Phase II as I added back in breads and pastas.

I was going to the gym 5 days a week and pushing my body.  The scales wouldn't move.  Disheartened, I gave up.  I was sure I was doomed to be tipping the scales at 180lbs (by this point) and would forever be unhealthily overweight.

Then I found the book "Eating Right 4 Your Type."  I read the introduction about how this diet wasn't really a diet--it was a lifestyle change.  Instead of eating foods that would harm you, eat foods that would help you--based on your BLOOD TYPE.  I was intrigued and read further.  The book suggested that people with Type O blood have a tendency to be GLUTEN INTOLERANT or CELIACS.  So, I experimented.  I went gluten free for a month.  I lost 15lbs in two weeks, felt better, saw my skin clear up and a host of other things.  A year and a half later, I'm still doing wonderfully well without gluten.

So, I decided to give the rest of the diet a try.  I'm going to do my best to update this blog each week and give you progress updates.  Don't worry, the posts won't be this long.  This is the introduction to how I got to where I am right now.  Sit back, relax, and enjoy!