I'm still having a problem with realistic expectations. Never mind that back in *cough* Jr. High *cough* when I was my most athletic, I couldn't do a pull-up. I'm still disappointed that after 9 weeks, I haven't managed one (even with a band). Never mind, that I weigh 'a bit' more than the fit girls at my gym that have no problem doing pull-ups. And considering that pull-ups are a body weight exercise, I would have to work harder to get that pull-up even if I was as strong as them.
Oh... I think I found my problem.
I love those girls at my gym. But I might be relating to that Jr. High version of myself more than I realized when I first started typing.
I want to be in their cool club. No, they aren't excluding me. In fact, they are very welcoming. And if the cool girls at your gym aren't welcoming, you are at the wrong gym.
But they are strong and fast and smart. All the things I strive to be. They look good in the compression pants. And can wear the short shorts without fear. Even their haphazard pony tails are cute. And they don't turn bright red as they exercise. They perspire. I sweat buckets.
I know I sound crazy. I haven't been in Jr. High in decades. (Yes, with an 's'.) I know not to compare myself with those ladies. But it's so hard to get out of my brain that way. It leads to a bunch of 'ifs'.
If I lost weight, then I'd be stronger.
If I was stronger, I'd be faster.
If I was thinner, stronger and faster, then I'd be happy.
Wait. What?
I am happy. I love my life. I have a great husband and wonderful kids. I enjoy my friends. And above all I am blessed and favored by God. And all of that has nothing to do with being thin, strong or fast. So why when I start comparing myself to others, suddenly I don't feel happy.
Somedays all the logic in the world can't talk me out of the slump. I know those women have struggles too. And that the reason they are thinner, stronger and faster than me is because they work hard and have worked hard way longer than me. So by that logic, if I continue to work hard, then I'll be thinner, stronger, and faster. But when I'm in a slump, I don't want to work hard.
It's a cycle. And I could very easily let it get the best of me. I could give up.
I have given up in the past. I know how easy it is to quit. But I wont. I'm going to work on my Jr. High thinking and make my own cool club. And while I don't know that I'll ever stop comparing myself to other people, I'm going to try to remember they are just normal people too with struggles and faults just like me. And that nothing worth working for is easy.
I'm going to be the best me and not a copy of someone else.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Diet isn't a four letter word
This is a rant. Bear with me.
I get so tired of hearing about diets. Or people talking about being on a diet. Or asking if I'm on a diet. Diet, diet, diet.
No. The Whole 30 isn't a 'diet'. Yes, the Whole 30 is a diet.
At my homeschool table, the word diet is used when we talk about what animals eat. Mr. Panda isn't 'on a diet' when he eats bamboo. His diet is bamboo. Diet means what you eat.
Eating healthy isn't the same as "being on a diet". Just because the general population of America is so used to take-out and fast food, that doesn't mean that people that aren't constantly eating take-out and fast food are doing something extraordinary.
In fact, labeling something "a diet" is setting yourself up for failure. Eventually, you will choose something that isn't on your plan. Enter guilt. We'll you've blow breakfast, might as well do what you want the rest of the day. And two weeks later that diet is nothing but a distant memory.
Instead, choose to eat healthier (whatever you decide that means for you).
Eating healthier isn't a quick fix. It isn't a band-aid weight loss plan. It's taking control of what you put in your mouth. It's your diet. Not you being on a diet.
Oddly enough when you eat healthier, you will lose weight. Not at a rate to win The Biggest Loser. But when you aren't only eating junk, your body will change. The less junk you eat, the faster your body will change. And if you listen to your body you will learn what foods to fuel it with to get the best results. (I have a lot of opinions about this, but I'll save them for another time.)
Eating healthy foods is my diet. No, I'm not 'on a diet'.
This also means if you see me in public and I'm eating junk. I know. Because I'm not 'on a diet'. I am free to choose what I want. I'm not accountable to any one fad.
Still for the next few weeks I'm going to do the Whole 30 challenge (note: challenge, not diet). It's my way of listening to my body and seeing what foods fuel it the best. Will I be perfect? I haven't been so far. But that's part of it being a challenge. If it were easy it wouldn't be called a challenge. Do I wish I would make different choices? Sure. I'd like to be perfect at everything I do. But I know I'm not perfect. And I don't expect anyone else to be.
I will always talk about how people make mistakes. I make mistakes. If you take away nothing else from my blog, I want everyone to realize, it's okay to make mistakes. You just pick up right where you are and move forward. Every time you make a mistake, you learn.
At this rate, I should be a genius by now. HA!
I get so tired of hearing about diets. Or people talking about being on a diet. Or asking if I'm on a diet. Diet, diet, diet.
No. The Whole 30 isn't a 'diet'. Yes, the Whole 30 is a diet.
At my homeschool table, the word diet is used when we talk about what animals eat. Mr. Panda isn't 'on a diet' when he eats bamboo. His diet is bamboo. Diet means what you eat.
Eating healthy isn't the same as "being on a diet". Just because the general population of America is so used to take-out and fast food, that doesn't mean that people that aren't constantly eating take-out and fast food are doing something extraordinary.
In fact, labeling something "a diet" is setting yourself up for failure. Eventually, you will choose something that isn't on your plan. Enter guilt. We'll you've blow breakfast, might as well do what you want the rest of the day. And two weeks later that diet is nothing but a distant memory.
Instead, choose to eat healthier (whatever you decide that means for you).
Eating healthier isn't a quick fix. It isn't a band-aid weight loss plan. It's taking control of what you put in your mouth. It's your diet. Not you being on a diet.
Oddly enough when you eat healthier, you will lose weight. Not at a rate to win The Biggest Loser. But when you aren't only eating junk, your body will change. The less junk you eat, the faster your body will change. And if you listen to your body you will learn what foods to fuel it with to get the best results. (I have a lot of opinions about this, but I'll save them for another time.)
Eating healthy foods is my diet. No, I'm not 'on a diet'.
This also means if you see me in public and I'm eating junk. I know. Because I'm not 'on a diet'. I am free to choose what I want. I'm not accountable to any one fad.
Still for the next few weeks I'm going to do the Whole 30 challenge (note: challenge, not diet). It's my way of listening to my body and seeing what foods fuel it the best. Will I be perfect? I haven't been so far. But that's part of it being a challenge. If it were easy it wouldn't be called a challenge. Do I wish I would make different choices? Sure. I'd like to be perfect at everything I do. But I know I'm not perfect. And I don't expect anyone else to be.
I will always talk about how people make mistakes. I make mistakes. If you take away nothing else from my blog, I want everyone to realize, it's okay to make mistakes. You just pick up right where you are and move forward. Every time you make a mistake, you learn.
At this rate, I should be a genius by now. HA!
Friday, April 20, 2012
A Bonus to Being the New Girl
There is a bonus to being the new girl (or guy) at your gym. So if you are worried about drawing attention to yourself, don't. As I've posted about before here, even the biggest people at the gym have a role to play. They inspire as much, if not more, than the super athletic types, because they are very obviously putting it all on the line. The same is true for all new people.
And that's the bonus, the super athletic types see that and give you tons of encouragement. Not the 'bro' kind that sounds like, "Hey, Slacker, you can do more than that!" (Always said in the friendly teasing way, at a good gym.) But the "You are doing awesome! Keep it up!"
That's the bonus to being new. You don't get teased. And while there is something to being there long enough to get to the teasing stage. It's really nice to have the heartfelt encouragement that comes with being new. Maybe that's what keeps people coming back. It certainly doesn't hurt my feelings for people to tell me how great I am.
After the first few times, I actually started to believe them.
So if you are ever feeling down about yourself or feel insecure. Get yourself to the nearest Crossfit box. It can turn a bad day around.
I'm still not the strongest or fastest. But I'll be damned if I don't feel like it by the time I leave.
No Crossfit near you? Join any class. Spin, Zumba, Jazzercise, whatever. Exercising on your own is great and healthy. But there is something about suffering with others that just makes it so much better. And no one cares what shape you are in, and if they do, find a better class. There is a fit for you somewhere.
The encouragement you get from working hard and doing something for yourself is better than any end of day glass of wine or whatever you use to come to terms with your stressful day.
After all, you are awesome. Isn't it time everyone started telling you so?
And that's the bonus, the super athletic types see that and give you tons of encouragement. Not the 'bro' kind that sounds like, "Hey, Slacker, you can do more than that!" (Always said in the friendly teasing way, at a good gym.) But the "You are doing awesome! Keep it up!"
That's the bonus to being new. You don't get teased. And while there is something to being there long enough to get to the teasing stage. It's really nice to have the heartfelt encouragement that comes with being new. Maybe that's what keeps people coming back. It certainly doesn't hurt my feelings for people to tell me how great I am.
After the first few times, I actually started to believe them.
So if you are ever feeling down about yourself or feel insecure. Get yourself to the nearest Crossfit box. It can turn a bad day around.
I'm still not the strongest or fastest. But I'll be damned if I don't feel like it by the time I leave.
No Crossfit near you? Join any class. Spin, Zumba, Jazzercise, whatever. Exercising on your own is great and healthy. But there is something about suffering with others that just makes it so much better. And no one cares what shape you are in, and if they do, find a better class. There is a fit for you somewhere.
The encouragement you get from working hard and doing something for yourself is better than any end of day glass of wine or whatever you use to come to terms with your stressful day.
After all, you are awesome. Isn't it time everyone started telling you so?
Thursday, April 19, 2012
In a Funk
Bleh. I don't know what it is. The weather has been pleasant. Nothing big has changed in my schedule. My post-baby hormones seem about as constant as they have been. But whatever it is, I'm in a funk. Maybe it's the fact that my back is still a little tender. It's getting better, but it's still slowing me down. Maybe, that's it. Who knows. But the point is, I'm moody.
I'm not "Get Out of My Way!" moody. But just easily annoyed moody. And I know everyone else in my house is starting to feed off of it.
Funny how just one person can bring down everyone around them.
Sometimes it's slow, like it has been this week. Everyday everyone is just a bit more touchy than the day before.
Sometimes you are in such a bad mood that you just have to look at someone and they are soured for the rest of the day too.
Why is it that bad moods travel better than good ones?
There have been days when just being around someone happy has made me happy. And sometimes it sticks and sometimes it only lasts a moment.
But a bad mood is like a cold, it just lingers around and the next thing you know all your friends have it too.
Well, I don't know about you guys, but I hate being in a bad mood. I like my friends and family too much. And it isn't so much about them putting up with me. But I'd like to keep liking them and it gets trying when they are in a bad mood. Know what I mean?
So to end the vicious cycle of funk, I have to start with me. Bleh. That sounds like such a pain. But I suppose it isn't nearly as bad as listening to my kids bicker.
My plan: Fake it, til I make it.
I will pretend to be the happiest most patient person ever. And eventually I wont be pretending anymore.
Practice until I'm good at something? Wow, that's a novel concept. And it works for moods as well as behaviors.
I'm not "Get Out of My Way!" moody. But just easily annoyed moody. And I know everyone else in my house is starting to feed off of it.
Funny how just one person can bring down everyone around them.
Sometimes it's slow, like it has been this week. Everyday everyone is just a bit more touchy than the day before.
Why is it that bad moods travel better than good ones?
There have been days when just being around someone happy has made me happy. And sometimes it sticks and sometimes it only lasts a moment.
But a bad mood is like a cold, it just lingers around and the next thing you know all your friends have it too.
Well, I don't know about you guys, but I hate being in a bad mood. I like my friends and family too much. And it isn't so much about them putting up with me. But I'd like to keep liking them and it gets trying when they are in a bad mood. Know what I mean?
So to end the vicious cycle of funk, I have to start with me. Bleh. That sounds like such a pain. But I suppose it isn't nearly as bad as listening to my kids bicker.
My plan: Fake it, til I make it.
I will pretend to be the happiest most patient person ever. And eventually I wont be pretending anymore.
Practice until I'm good at something? Wow, that's a novel concept. And it works for moods as well as behaviors.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
But I just CAN'T give up bread?!
I have this conversation a lot:
Them: So what is Paleo?
Me: *insert party line about eating like a caveman and clean foods*
Them: So I'd have to give up bread and cheese?! That sounds great, but I just CAN'T give up bread.
Me: *polite smile*
Well, just so you know, you CAN give up bread. You are just choosing not to.
There are a lot of things in life that just happen. But what you pick up with your hand and put in your mouth is completely up to you. No excuses. You have no choice but to own that fact.
I have no choice but to own that fact.
So that said, let me introduce you to my Paleo Wagon. Aint she a beaut.
The ride is bumpy as hell. I fall off all the time. But luckily, I'm not racing. I go slow so when I fall off I have time to dust myself off before I hop back on.
That's really what it's all about. It isn't about if you can give up bread, because you can. It's about making the decision to dust yourself off and get on the wagon.
I can give you all kinds of science about the evils of grains and dairy. And about how soy shouldn't be a food. But you can research that all on your own.
In the end you are going to decide if you want to make a change for yourself or not. When you do (See, I said when, I'll convince you eventually.), I want you to know it's not all sunshine and rainbows. Somedays are really easy. Sometimes it's plain ol' hard. Mistakes happen. But it isn't a race, you'll have plenty of time to dust off and get back at it.
Steak with a side of broccoli and carrots? Paleo
Pulled chicken on a giant bed of leafy greens? Paleo
Bacon with a side of bacon? Paleo
4 scrambled eggs and two pieces of sausage? My lunch!
Now, if I have you convinced, there are some great resources in my side bar there. Click away and learn all you can.
If you still think you just can't give up bread or cheese then how about try for a balanced diet. You know, like adding in the rest of the food in the breakfast cereal commercial. After all, grainy-o's and skim milk is not a balanced meal, even the commercial says so. Get out your fancy new First Lady good plate and fill it up appropriately. That means barely more than a 1/5th of your meal should be a grain.
Plate of spaghetti? Not balanced.
Whole grain bagel with low-fat strawberry cream cheese? Not balanced.
Turkey sandwich from Subway? Not balanced.
(Funny how those companies pushing their products would really like you to think otherwise.)
If you really want to see a difference in your waist, your mood, and your energy level. Clean up your diet. It's as simple as that. Go Paleo for 30 days. Join my Whole 30. Do Mark's 30 Day Challenge.
Them: So what is Paleo?
Me: *insert party line about eating like a caveman and clean foods*
Them: So I'd have to give up bread and cheese?! That sounds great, but I just CAN'T give up bread.
Me: *polite smile*
Well, just so you know, you CAN give up bread. You are just choosing not to.
There are a lot of things in life that just happen. But what you pick up with your hand and put in your mouth is completely up to you. No excuses. You have no choice but to own that fact.
I have no choice but to own that fact.
 |
| This photo of Inn at Narrow Passage is courtesy of TripAdvisor |
The ride is bumpy as hell. I fall off all the time. But luckily, I'm not racing. I go slow so when I fall off I have time to dust myself off before I hop back on.
That's really what it's all about. It isn't about if you can give up bread, because you can. It's about making the decision to dust yourself off and get on the wagon.
I can give you all kinds of science about the evils of grains and dairy. And about how soy shouldn't be a food. But you can research that all on your own.
In the end you are going to decide if you want to make a change for yourself or not. When you do (See, I said when, I'll convince you eventually.), I want you to know it's not all sunshine and rainbows. Somedays are really easy. Sometimes it's plain ol' hard. Mistakes happen. But it isn't a race, you'll have plenty of time to dust off and get back at it.
Steak with a side of broccoli and carrots? Paleo
Pulled chicken on a giant bed of leafy greens? Paleo
Bacon with a side of bacon? Paleo
4 scrambled eggs and two pieces of sausage? My lunch!
Now, if I have you convinced, there are some great resources in my side bar there. Click away and learn all you can.
If you still think you just can't give up bread or cheese then how about try for a balanced diet. You know, like adding in the rest of the food in the breakfast cereal commercial. After all, grainy-o's and skim milk is not a balanced meal, even the commercial says so. Get out your fancy new First Lady good plate and fill it up appropriately. That means barely more than a 1/5th of your meal should be a grain.
Plate of spaghetti? Not balanced.
Whole grain bagel with low-fat strawberry cream cheese? Not balanced.
Turkey sandwich from Subway? Not balanced.
(Funny how those companies pushing their products would really like you to think otherwise.)
If you really want to see a difference in your waist, your mood, and your energy level. Clean up your diet. It's as simple as that. Go Paleo for 30 days. Join my Whole 30. Do Mark's 30 Day Challenge.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Pain in the...
(Disclaimer: This is not medical advice. I am not a doctor. If you have back pain (or pain of any kind), go see your doctor.)
I hurt my back last week. I can't exactly pin point what I did. But I have a few things that could lead up to it.
Monday, I'd done ONE BILLION squats and kettlebell swings. Okay. Fine. I'm exaggerating. 100 squats. 106 kettlebell swings. My hamstrings were mad at me for days. And according to Google, tight hamstrings can lead to lower back pain. But my back didn't hurt until...
Enter Thursday, Sumo Deadlift High Pulls (video). My first work-out with those. Not my favorite thing. It's awkward. At least, I'm really awkward at it. And while I know I was careful about my form on the pull, I'm not really sure I was solid getting the weight back to the floor for my tap and go.
It was Thursday evening I noticed my back was sore. And Friday, I skipped Crossfit to rest it.
But I couldn't pass up Saturday. Snatches! (video)
In case you haven't heard, I really really like to lift heavy things. Some people wouldn't consider them as heavy as I do. But it's still loads of fun.
My back was still a little tight. I did what I could to stretch it out. And I started lighter than I might have otherwise. And, drumroll, it didn't hurt at all. AMAZING. I was so nervous that I wasn't going to be able to lift anymore. I didn't even have a twinge at any point in my lifts. WOO!
Then it came time for a cash-out (ie, the work-out after the work-out). It was a run. Casual, on your own kind of thing. I was the only one in my class to do it. I didn't get far. I mean, I hate running to start with. It was kinda why I decided to do it even when no one else was. I want to get better.
But *insert bad words here* it hurt!
Lesson I learned: Even if you are hurt, there are ways to stay active and get fit. It might not be what you are used to or your favorite thing to do. You might have to scale back (in my case no running and lighter weights). But it's not an excuse to give up.
I hurt my back last week. I can't exactly pin point what I did. But I have a few things that could lead up to it.
Enter Thursday, Sumo Deadlift High Pulls (video). My first work-out with those. Not my favorite thing. It's awkward. At least, I'm really awkward at it. And while I know I was careful about my form on the pull, I'm not really sure I was solid getting the weight back to the floor for my tap and go.
It was Thursday evening I noticed my back was sore. And Friday, I skipped Crossfit to rest it.
But I couldn't pass up Saturday. Snatches! (video)
In case you haven't heard, I really really like to lift heavy things. Some people wouldn't consider them as heavy as I do. But it's still loads of fun.
My back was still a little tight. I did what I could to stretch it out. And I started lighter than I might have otherwise. And, drumroll, it didn't hurt at all. AMAZING. I was so nervous that I wasn't going to be able to lift anymore. I didn't even have a twinge at any point in my lifts. WOO!
Then it came time for a cash-out (ie, the work-out after the work-out). It was a run. Casual, on your own kind of thing. I was the only one in my class to do it. I didn't get far. I mean, I hate running to start with. It was kinda why I decided to do it even when no one else was. I want to get better.
But *insert bad words here* it hurt!
Lesson I learned: Even if you are hurt, there are ways to stay active and get fit. It might not be what you are used to or your favorite thing to do. You might have to scale back (in my case no running and lighter weights). But it's not an excuse to give up.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Whole 30: Take Two
So my Whole 30 quickly turned into a Half 30 then went downhill into a, well at least I'm not eating out every other day anymore.
*head shake*
I make the excuse that my diet is better than most people's. I mean all those people that pick the worst foods from all the worst fast food places everyday... I eat better than them. And I don't do dairy (casein intolerance for me and the baby) and very little gluten, so I'm steps ahead of most Americans... right?
It doesn't matter when the scale isn't moving, despite all the new exercising I'm doing.
Oh, I hear ya. But muscle weighs more than fat!
Um, well a pound is a pound. I don't need my son's homeschool kindergarten math book to teach me that. And the fact remains I still have entirely too many pounds to lose to be playing the muscle vs fat card.
Yes, my body is changing shape and I can squeeze into my pre-pregnancy jeans now. So yahoo! (The muffin top is something to behold though.)
But here's the thing, those used to be my fat jeans. And I would like them to be my 'before' jeans. You know the ones where people pose in front of a door and hold their old fat jeans in front of them and take a picture to show how they aren't fat anymore.
So I have some work to do.
Here's the plan. Some ladies from my gym said they started a Whole 30 yesterday. I said I'd restart today. Done and done.
The fine print:
1. I will not allow myself to give one slip or slide as an excuse to blow the whole thing.
2. Eating out is not an excuse to eat bread. (Bread makes you bloated and being bloated makes you feel like you've blown it.)
3. Feeling like I've blown it? refer to #1.
Anyone else want in? I'd love to have someone to complain with. Especially around day 3 when the 'low carb flu' sets in. You have to agree to the rules in the fine print (and the rest of the Whole 30 for that matter). But anything is do able for 30 days!
*head shake*
I make the excuse that my diet is better than most people's. I mean all those people that pick the worst foods from all the worst fast food places everyday... I eat better than them. And I don't do dairy (casein intolerance for me and the baby) and very little gluten, so I'm steps ahead of most Americans... right?
It doesn't matter when the scale isn't moving, despite all the new exercising I'm doing.
Oh, I hear ya. But muscle weighs more than fat!
Um, well a pound is a pound. I don't need my son's homeschool kindergarten math book to teach me that. And the fact remains I still have entirely too many pounds to lose to be playing the muscle vs fat card.
Yes, my body is changing shape and I can squeeze into my pre-pregnancy jeans now. So yahoo! (The muffin top is something to behold though.)
But here's the thing, those used to be my fat jeans. And I would like them to be my 'before' jeans. You know the ones where people pose in front of a door and hold their old fat jeans in front of them and take a picture to show how they aren't fat anymore.
So I have some work to do.
Here's the plan. Some ladies from my gym said they started a Whole 30 yesterday. I said I'd restart today. Done and done.
The fine print:
1. I will not allow myself to give one slip or slide as an excuse to blow the whole thing.
2. Eating out is not an excuse to eat bread. (Bread makes you bloated and being bloated makes you feel like you've blown it.)
3. Feeling like I've blown it? refer to #1.
Anyone else want in? I'd love to have someone to complain with. Especially around day 3 when the 'low carb flu' sets in. You have to agree to the rules in the fine print (and the rest of the Whole 30 for that matter). But anything is do able for 30 days!
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