goals

The Morning Before The Beast.

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Early Morning…getting ready for three of the busiest days left in 2017. Thanksgiving will be a time of resting my mind from work, but powering up my mind and body for the ME work.

I’m such a technical person that I spent all weekend with my head in a textbook learning about #ATP, #Glucose, #Glucogenesis and every other process the body uses to fuel itself in relation to #Macronutrients.

I’m literally the girl who reads instruction and user manuals. 🤓

So now that’s it’s time to start #ketodiet, I feel ready to battle the change that comes first.

Then all of a sudden…BOOM. I knew everything EXCEPT what to Actually put in my mouth and how much.

Thanks to @ketocounterculture for his guidance I have a foundation in place. #Macros are set in @myfitnesspal and my coach has a copy.

Excited to see my training progress and with the future keto results (fat loss / less inflammation / etc) 2018 is going to be #BEAST.

I’m 6mos out from my first meet with @usapowerlifting (MN Raw June 9th), I’m ready to kick down some body fat and lift some serious weight.

But first…Grocery Shopping and meal prep while enjoy my last empty carb filled cup of joe. Mark tomorrow, NOV 21st, 2017 down. Tomorrow is the start of #BabsLettingTheBeastOut

 

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Naked And Afraid – The Before Photos

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Tonight I did something that was at the highest level of anxiety, pit in the stomach, REAL.

I finally got up the courage to take the #BeforePic.

Mentally, we see ourselves so different than the camera does. Subconsciously, I think our brains leave out the dimples, bumps and flaws. Our brains delude us into thinking our 3 Bedroom figure is a studio apartment and we never really get that feeling of what our true canvas looks like.

Tonight I did. Tonight I cried.

I was hit with a harsh reality that I deep down knew existed. If I’m really going to be successful…If I’m going to transform myself to the way, in my heart I feel I need to be, then it needs to be done 100%. These photos were sent to two of my closest fitness friends. Friends who I know won’t judge and will help motivate me. Most of all, they will keep me accountable to the results I’m striving for. This was the single hardest thing I’ve done. I allowed someone else into my reality.

Well, it’s time to change that reality. It’s time to be the woman I know is hiding behind the curtain of bad decisions, eating habits and laziness that shrouds my body. Time to let the Strong Beast that’s inside this skin, out.

Seeing yourself through the lens…is terrifyingly enlightening.

Days 4 – 6 of 21: Planks, Muscle Milk & Fresh Flowers.

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It’s been a really good week.  Things are moving along at a good pace.  Not so fast that it’s wrecking havoc on my daily life, but fast enough that I’m still acknowledging progress and small successes.

Thursday’s workout went by really fast, but I’m definitely feeling it now.  There were multiple times that I wanted to drop out of the plank, cut my set short, but I didn’t.  It helped to have Tyler standing next to me, challenging me.  With every workout, I’m remembering how strong I really am.  It’s something that no one else can do for me or take from me.  So, right now, when life is pulling at my every seam, in every direction, I can say a big F-U, I’m doing me…at least for 2 hours a day.

musclemilkFriday I hit up The Myth in Maplewood for the Kip Moore / Jon Pardi concert. After an evening loud music, a couple cocktails and a hot sweaty wall to wall venue of people, it’s tradition to hit up the Taco Bell in Maple Grove on the way back.  Not the case this time.  I thought to myself, “Why ruin a great day of eating with a beefy 5-layer?”  So Muscle Milk and a Protein Pack it is.  #MiniVictory

It’s amazing how quickly I start to crave the gym.  If I could have a session 5 days a week, I would.  I’m such a weirdo. I watch instagram videos, etc of other fitness nuts that are doing killer sets and all I can think is “I’m going to do that. I WILL be doing that.”  My most recent obsession is from @Evan_Physique on Instagram:  Romanian Deadlifts from a deficit.

In due time, in due time.

Today, I’m looking at cash & carry flowers I rewarded myself with and am looking up recipes for the week.  I’m excited for this week.  It will be challenging and I’m up for it.

Sicky McSickerton & the Weight Gainers

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Ok.  So usually when you hear of people getting sick you think, “oh they will be just WASTING AWAY!”.  Unless “waisting away” means the number on your waistline running away to college and gaining the Freshmen 15, I’m not part of that.

I ducked around the stomach flu at Christmas, I’ve weaved in and out of the Upper Respiratory Flu like a prize boxer.  Then I got cocky and went down like Joe Glass against Piston Honda in Mike Tyson’s Punch Out. Ding Ding Ding.  Aaand she’s out.

Yup. Out for almost 4 days last week.  Now, if you’ve ever met me, you already know that we were all expecting a fat lady to sing and pigs to fly at even the thought of this.  I am a workaholic.  There, are you happy? I said it.  So, for me to take that much time, just because I’m sick, is redunkulous.

So I spent most of last week with my son at daycare, my husband at work and the dog curled up with me on the couch or in bed watching netflix, pinning on Pinterest or both simultaneously. This, mind you, all while suped up on good ol’ Nyquil, mentholatum greased all over my face and tissues all around me.

In the end, I’m still dealing with that lingering stuffy nose, but I’m on the mend.  Today was my first workout since my “epidemic”…and…wait for it.  It was LEG DAY.

Ah yes Leg Day.  The only time it’s perfectly normal to walk like the chicks on trashy reality TV Shoes like Campus PD after a bust.  I swear after the first set of Kettlebell Squats, Deadlifts and Sled Pushes, I thought it was all over.  But oh no, Benjamin had 3 of these glorious sets in mind for me.  The good news?  I made it through and sweat my nards off.  The Bad news?  there is no bad news. I made it through and didn’t barf.

So I enjoyed a sweaty post workout selfie, a Quinoa bar for complex carbs and some Amazing Rosemary Mint water.

One of the things I’ve been doing lately is jazzing up my water. My newest obsession is kinda different, but i really like it.  It’s Rosemary Mint Water.  It’s really refreshing and some of the benefits of Rosemary are pretty awesome!

  • Rich source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds
  • Improving digestion
  • Enhancing memory and concentration 
  • Neurological protection
  • Prevent brain aging 
  •  Protection against macular degeneration

 

(FULL Medical News Today ARTICLE HERE)

Come to find out that Rosemary is actual a member of the MINT Family..no wonder they rock together…I mean people have been putting MINT Jelly on their Rosemary Lamb for years…why not just drink it…minus the lamb…and the jelly.  Ps..when they say aids digestion.  That’s not a suggestion. just sayin.

Living, Laughing and Losing (34 goals for 2014)

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Who's late on their Resolutions? This Chick. That's Who.

Who’s late on their Resolutions? This Chick. That’s Who.

January 24th will be my 34th birthday.  Yikes. 34!?! seriously. Last time I looked I was 23. Now, I’m going to be 34 with a 17 mos old, a husband, a playful labrador, a mortgage and just about anything else “grown-up” you can think of.

I find that having a baby will change you in ways that most people don’t mention.  When I was pregnant I was definitely nesting for pretty much the entire time.  I planted plants, cleaned, discovered and created new projects, went to church more, laughed a lot, napped a lot and just did more things at home.  As soon as Maternity leave was over, it was back to the trenches and like a sad Disney Movie, all those pretty “home” projects withered away.  I found myself stressed, tired and always running behind again.

I don’t think my bun in the oven gave me super powers, but I do believe it helped me to focus on what really matters: family and laughter.  Sure I wasn’t always the happiest of preggo ladies, but dang it, I loved having the excuse to put my feet up and read a book or sew pillow covers or just think about ways to improve our home, lifestyle and more..all on a budget mind you.

So for 2014, I want to lose the baby weight, I want to set a bunch of goals that will help me to spend more time with family, get out and be adventurous and just plain be happy.  Here goes nothin’…

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Hockey & Nuts..two of my favorite things (Chile Lime Almond Recipe included)

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Just outside the Ralph Englestad Arena in Grand Forks, ND.

Just outside the Ralph Englestad Arena in Grand Forks, ND.

So it was another balmy weekend in Grand Forks, ND.  Known as Home of the Fighting Sioux and constant potato ass smell from the Simplot Factory.   Sorry, that was offensive.  The NCAA says I have to say “North Dakota Athletics”.  I digress.

My husband and I are proud supporters of UND especially the hockey program. We, along with my Mother and Father In-Law and Brother In-law and his wife, have season tickets to Men’s hockey at the Ralph Engelstad Arena.  It’s a great way to get me home to see my mom and family back in North Dakota that I wouldn’t see half as much and we absolutely love hockey.  So it’s a win-win.  Then there’s weekend’s like this last one.  -16 Degrees TEMP.  Icicles have icicles at this point.  balls.

As much as I dread the “Tundra Shuffle”, the shuffling of feet while you pull all other appendages into your body like a turtle with your freezing breath barreling out of you like a factory on overtime, once you step in to the wonder of “The Ralph” you forget about the rest of the world.  You are standing a midst legends in the College Hockey World.  From the memorabilia on the walls, to the smell of Bavarian Roasted Almonds and Prime Rib Sandwiches, you are here.  This isn’t just a hockey game, it’s like a family reunion with 11,000 of your closest friends.  You fork over your 50/50 ticket cash, take your seat and it’s on!  I wouldn’t change it for the world.  However, when you’re trying to eat clean and lose weight, prime rib sandwiches, Dippin’ Dots, beer, beer and more beer don’t help matters.

BLOG_HOCKEY 2I settled for a Diet Coke that night while my husband partook in the customary silver bullet.  It was the first sweep at home for the Sioux this season and we were so happy to be there.

All weekend long it was holiday baking, eating out, late nights and luckily a few naps.  This is great, but again eating clean and fitness were nowhere to be found.  I’m getting ready to be spending a full week out at the lake and I’m going to have to get a gameplan together to keep my goals on track.  Let’s be honest, staying on a clean eating and fitness track when everyone is singing songs about figgy pudding isn’t easy.  I don’t even know what figgy pudding is, but if it’s Christmas, I’ll eat it.  herein lies the problem.  I’m like the 100 lb Labrador that thinks it’s a Chihuahua, only instead of sitting on people’s laps, I will eat just about anything in sight at such speed I myself might even question it’s happening.

oy.

So, I’ve started putting together a few projects like the Arm-Knitting Scarf Pin, Zippered-Wristlet Tutorial, PJ Pants for Timothy, and even finish my Strip Quilt I started.  There will inevitably be a few culinary adventures as well.  I really want to try this Hearty Roasted Vegetable Recipe 🙂

Last night I made a bunch of Oreo Cookie Balls…you know the Crushed Oreos mixed with Cream Cheese then dipped in chocolate confectionery balls of heaven.  Yeah..about that.  I’m not going to lie, I ate a few whilst creating my masterpieces, but I decided to also partake in a Pin I saw a week or so ago.  Chile Lime Roasted Almonds. BOOM!  I like them alot, but I shouldn’t have tried to eat them right after the Oreo balls…nothing tastes as good as skinny fee….shut up. Oreo balls taste amazing.

So I spent my night making balls and nuts. (insert laughter and random joke here)

Now you can too…enjoy!

Chile Lime Roasted Almonds

Note: I think I was short a few almonds..so I wound up with a little too much mixture on them…I may look to decrease in the future.  I also maybe could have roasted them longer!

I Forgot My Lunchbox. (Insert Foot Stomping & Tantrum Here)

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So my lunchbox. Yeah, about that.  Totally forgot it today.  Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s not the end of the world.  When you’ve been on point all week with your eats, however, it seems devastating.  You’ve told yourself all week that you’re making the right decisions and you’re excited about it.  Then you forget your lunchbox filled with Brown Rice, Steak, Homemade Beef Noodle Soup, Clementines, a Cliff bar, Mio and other essentials.  A nice Clean Lunchbox. Now what?

Jimmy Johns, Erbert & Gerberts, Subway, Green Mill, Chinese Takeout, Cupcakes in the breakroom, vending machines, soda, a granola bar smothered in chocolate someone left in the studio: that is what.

This is the part of the day when your stomach starts to talk back to everything you do, you start to feel light headed and all these food temptations that are NOT part of plan start to hover around you like a bad after school special on drugs and peer pressure.  C’mon Brookie, everyone’s doing it.

It’s almost infuriating.  Studies show that “habits” take days if not weeks to become the ‘norm’, but let’s be honest with ourselves here, once a Carb Fiend, ALWAYS a Carb Fiend.  Having been through the weight loss journey once already, I can affirm that although we lose taste for much of the ‘bad’ in the food world, are we really going to turn down a caramel roll fresh out of the oven with our coffee the next time we visit mom’s house?  The answer isn’t YES, it’s MAYBE.

Life is too short to deprive ourselves 100% of the time of the things we’ve grown to love.  It’s not about NEVER eating things we love, it’s about moderation and timing.  Eating a fast food lunch only 4 days into my new weight loss journey is much more detrimental to my emotional and physical success than it would be 3 months down the line.  I know for a fact that I will beat myself up over it and then battle the “give up and start again tomorrow” mentality.

I don’t know why I do it, but I procrastinate the success.  “Well, that wasn’t on plan.  I’ll start again tomorrow.”  Why tomorrow? Why not immediately following.  I know why.  I try to make it perfect.  After many conversations with Ben and my other support systems, I’ve come to the glaring conclusion:

IT’S NOT GOING TO BE PERFECT.  THAT’S PERFECTLY OK.

Now, don’t get me wrong, this new mantra doesn’t mean I’m going to eat a doughnut with my coffee every morning, but it does mean that I’m going to try and mentally prepare myself for slip ups and when they do happen focus on the moving on part, rather than dwelling.

Now, back to the matter at hand: lunch.  I’m about to pass out or break something if I don’t get this blood sugar up, so I’m contemplating taking my cookies out into the -7 F temp / -24 F wind chill of MinneSNOWta to go to the Pacific Wok just down the street.  I can at least get steamed veggies, chicken and brown rice…AND it’s on plan.  I guess I’ll be asking Santa for “Pacific Wok Delivery without the $50 minimum”.

***UPDATE***

yeah. I got Erbert & Gerberts.  Spartan on Wheat with Tomato Basil Soup…and are you sitting down?  A Diet Coke.  I may start a Diet Shaming Website that will rival that of every dog that ever ate the trash.

On a positive note, I didn’t harm anyone or passout.