{Friend Makin' Monday (a day late) - Goals}

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Add your links there too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

Goals and More

1. Brag about some of your daily, healthy habits.  I drink at least 90 ounces of water a day.  I used to live off coffee, diet Mountain Dew, sweet tea, etc. - definitely a  big change.

2. Do you track your daily food intake? If so, how? I track my calories and other fitness measurements in MyFitnessPal.  I used to use WeightWatchers, but MFP works better for me.

3. What do you want to change most about your daily routine?  One goal I have is to get better about mindless eating and falling into temptation.  As an example, if there's a party for something at work I fall into the "oh..I need to eat because I don't want everyone to ask me questions..." rut.  Not a good thing.

4. How often do you exercise?  5-6 times per week between CrossFit and running.  I struggle to make myself take a day off.

5. How do you stay on track when you’re on the go? I am a huge planner.  I keep a couple baggies of almonds in my purse.  Don't be surprised if you find a clementine or two in there too.  PLAN!

6. What’s one excuse you use that prevents you from reaching your goals?  I let what I think others might think get in my head.  Once I figured out that this is about me, then I am much better at reaching my goals.

7. What scares your most about your journey? I have an innate desire to be the most successful person at everything - weight loss and health are not excluded.  I am so scared of screwing up/failing.

8. What do you think will change most when you reach your goal? (If you have reached it, what’s different?)  I don't foresee a lot more change once I reach my goal.  I am certain that I will be more confident, etc. but I am miles ahead of where I was.

9. What motivates you to reach your goals?  My long-term health and well-being is the biggest motivator.

10. Share a few of your goals.  Some goals include:

• Doing my best in CrossFit so that I can be in the best physical shape possible for my surgery in November
• Drink more water
• Be more "strict" about eating Paleo
• Improve my pace in running
• More I am sure...There's always more :-)

{My thoughts on Paleo}

Well, a little more going on this week...Finally a real reason to post.

I joined Raleigh CrossFit on June 16.  After joining, I started talking with the other athletes at the tank about how they ate, etc.  The resounding answer was Paleo/Primal.  I started reading more and also decided I would try to make some significant changes to my diet.  So here goes...

For what feels like my entire life, I have been trying to find the right fit for eating for me.  I have tried it all:

• Weight Watchers
• TOPS
• Body for Life
• Intuitive Eating
• Yada Yada Yada

Then it was recommended that I read The Paleo Diet by Dr. Loren Cordain.  I read the book word-for-word (something I never do!).  I was fascinated by the information and the scientific support behind it.  After reading his book, I picked up two Paleo cookbooks - Everyday Paleo and Make it Paleo.  Armed with the info from the book, cookbooks, and information from different blogs I was on my way!  I set out for what I thought was going to be a difficult trip to the grocery store, etc. that turned out to be a quick trip complete with a cart full of relatively cheap yummies.

I didn't want to overwhelm myself (or Jason for that matter) with the changes as they did seem a little drastic.  The three stages are intended to help people easy into the lifestyle, but also allow flexibility.  I have been fluctuating between Stage 1 and Stage 2.  I highly doubt I will ever end up following Stage 3 regularly.  

So what's the deal with Stage 1 and 2?  With the first stage, you have three "open" meals per week.  During the "open" meals you may eat what you like.  While I know the meals are "open" I am still very careful to make healthy choices.  You also may continue to have salad dressing, sauces, coffee, alcohol, and diet soft drinks.  With Stage 2, the "open" meals are reduced to two per week.  I say that I fall somewhere in between because I do still eat out, but I tend to make more Paleo-friendly choices.  I have some salad dressing, but I am very careful about the ingredients and I continue to weigh/measure to ensure I am not having more than 1 serving at a time.  I have reduced/eliminated the use of pre-made sauces, soft drinks, etc.  I haven't given up my consumption of beer on the weekends, but I have reduced it from 2-3 beers a night to 1 beer a night.  

The verdict?  I love it.  It really wasn't a difficult transition at all.  Instead of having yogurt for morning snack, I have a smoothie made with almond milk.  Instead of frozen bagged veggies as our side with dinner, we have sauteed spinach, roasted veggies, etc.  We have been able to try new foods and ways of preparing old favorites.  I even successfully grilled swordfish at home!   I feel awesome.  I sleep better.  I feel like my WODs at CrossFit are better.  Not trying to be all puppies 'n rainbows, but everything is better.

I am looking forward to continuing on this journey!  Questions?  Let me know!

Friend Makin' Monday - Seven

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules.  If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers.  Add your links there too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

Friend Makin' Monday - Seven

1. What is your favorite way to spend a Sunday afternoon?  In the summer, I love sitting out by the pool with a book and beer.  In the winter, I love to be snuggled up under a blanket vegging at the house.
2. What is your favorite color?  Pink
3. Have you ever been to Europe?  Nope
4. Do you wear glasses or contacts?  Glasses 
5. How often do you brush your teeth?  At least twice a day
6. Share a guilty pleasure.  I love nothing more than to watch absolutely mindless TV shows...You know, things like Bridezillas, Say Yes to the Dress, Dog the Bounty Hunter, and just about any other show that doesn't require me to use my brain.
7. What are you most proud of accomplishing this week?  Getting the NCRC Women's Beginner Running Program off and running for the summer!

Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions. Don’t forget to link up in the comments. 

Still here

I am still here.  There isn't a ton to report, except that things have been busy, busy, busy!

• NCRC Women's Beginner Running Program - The two orientations for the program were on Wednesday and Thursday of last week.  The first run for the program was on Saturday.  It looks like we have 85+/- participants this summer.  So awesome!  
• CrossFit - Long story short, it's still kickin' my ass.  I feel like I am getting stronger every single day, but the workouts are still exhausting.
• Paleo - Following the Paleo diet is going well.  I have discovered (the hard way) that reducing/eliminating glutens, etc. from daily living isn't all that bad except for when you end up accidentally eating glutens.  Makes for some not so fun side effects.
• "Operation Fix Me" - My surgery is totally official.  I was pencilled in on Dr. Lambeth's calendar, but not on the hospital schedule.  I'm now on the schedule at Rex Hospital for surgery on Wednesday, November 28 at 7:15 a.m.  I cannot wait until that day.  

I am sure that I am missing something, but that's what comes to mind first.  The next few weeks will likely to continue to be busy, but vacation is just around the corner!

NCRC Women's Beginner Running Program

The NCRC Women's Beginner Running Program will always hold a very special place in my heart.  I learned about the program in 2010 when Alison mentioned it.  She had participated in 2009 and enjoyed it.  When I set my goals to transform myself in 2010, this program was part of the goal-setting.  I was going to learn to run and I was going to conquer a half marathon.


What this program did for me in that first summer was nothing short of amazing.  I found a fitness activity that I actually enjoyed.  I learned to love the freedom of running, with or without others.  There is no way for me to describe the benefits this program offered me.  I am grateful for every one of the benefits.


The leader in 2010 was Debbie.  She was a recent beginner that took over coordination from one of the founders, Georgia.  Debbie coordinated the program for two summers.  After this past summer, Debbie realized that she needed to step back and the program needed a new coordinator.  Well, that's where I stepped in!  Thanks to lots of great information from Georgia and Debbie, the planning for the program has been fairly easy.  I am very excited about this opportunity and the women that will start next weekend!  


So, for a while, I'll be blogging in two places.  I am hoping that my blogging doesn't "suffer" but it'll be worth it to have the newest women runners well-informed on their blog.  


YAY!  

 

Friend Makin' Monday - Summertime

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please add your links there too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

Summertime

1. What is your favorite thing about Summer? The warm hot weather!

2. What is your favorite outdoor activity? Is sitting by the pool an activity?  I break a sweat :-)

3. If you had to choose, would you prefer to be too hot or too cold? I am always cold.  I love nothing more than for summer to come so I won't have to wear multiple layers every day.

4. Does your appetite increase or decrease during warmer months?Does it stay the same?  My appetite doesn't change a bunch, but I do tend to crave more fresh items in the summer - green salads, fruit salads, etc.

5. What is your favorite seasonal Summer fruit? Watermelon!

6. Would you prefer to spend a hot summer day at the mall or at a swimming pool? The pool - one thousand times over.  I hate the mall!

7. Are you more likely to tan or sunburn? I am one that tans very easily.  I slather on SPF 30 because I know I should.  I have only burned 3 times in my 32 years - I consider it good genes.

8. How does your routine change when Summer begins?  A little...but not really.  The biggest change is that I try to workout during lunch and weekend runs tend to be a lot earlier.

9. What is the temperature outside where you are today? The trusty iPhone says 93 right now. I call big fall BS on that.

10.  What is your favorite Summer holiday? I love Memorial Day.

 Now it’s your turn.  Don’t forget to post the answers on your own blog, then go  link up in the comments on Kenlie's blog!  Happy Monday, Friends!

Getting Past Uncomfortable

I spent part of my lunch skimming some Raleigh CrossFit blog posts I hadn't read.  I came across one called "It Was a Bit Uncomfortable". 


"...So back to my point of getting comfortable with uncomfortable.  We all take on things that are uncomfortable until they become comfortable.  Picking up a barbell for the first time, going for a 1 rep max in a snatch or trying to string together handstand push-ups, all of which are uncomfortable until they are not.  Don’t be afraid to look right, then look left a million times and don’t be afraid to go for a 1 rep max.  At some point that 1 rep max will become your old 1 rep max.  There will be something else to get comfortable with..."


Chennelle hit the nail on the head for sure.  


I went to my first CrossFit session on Saturday, June 16.  To say I was "uncomfortable" is an understatement.  I was scared shitless.  I actually sat in my car for about 10 minutes before I forced myself to get out.  I met Bobby, etc.  I also saw a set of my GOTR parents - The Lasaters.  I struggled through the first workout (but I did it!) and I knew that this was for me.  I took Foundations the following Monday and Tuesday.


Since June 16, I have been to 13 WODs (22 days since the first day).  This includes a four days off to recoup from my first "injury", a few work meetings/personal events that caused me to miss, etc. 


I am no longer uncomfortable.  In fact, I love it.  Yes, I do check the WOD on the blog daily - but that's just to make sure I know how to perform all the lifts, etc.  I have a few goals in my mind, but know they're gonna take work:

• Master double-unders
• Handstand and/or Handstand Push-up
• Toes to Bar
• And a few others

Can't wait! 

Friend Makin' Monday - Quick Questions

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Add your links there too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

FMM: Quick Questions

1. What are your plans for Independence Day? The hubs and I plan to spend a little bit of time by the pool in the morning, if the weather isn't too hot.  The mid-afternoon and evening will be spent hanging out and grilling with the in-laws.

2. What is the last thing interesting thing you drank? Hmmm....  I had a new cider yesterday that was delish - Fox Barrel Blackberry Pear.

3. Share on of your favorite quotes.  "Shoot for the moon.  Even if you miss it, you will land among the stars" (Les Brown) and "Sometimes even my lucky rocketship underpants don't help" (Calvin, Calvin & Hobbs)

4. Name someone or something that makes you smile.  My hubs (cheesy I know)

5. What will you/did you eat for lunch today?  BIG salad with grilled chicken and Ken's Sweet Vidalia Onion dressing (a new fav!)

6. What’s the last movie that you watched and enjoyed?  I have no clue.  I have a bad habit of not being able to sit through (or stay awake) a whole movie.

7. Share something sweet and unexpected that someone did for you recently.  I just started CrossFit a couple weeks ago.  Last Sunday, I fell during the run portion of our "RunAround" workout.  This, of course, caused me to be a little distracted and less motivated that normal.  I have been told multiple times that CrossFit is a big family, everyone supports each other, etc.  I saw it first hand that day.  I was the last person outside for the run.  Another CrossFit'er that I didn't know came back outside, ran to meet me and encouraged me all the way back to the box.  It was awesome!  

8. If you could spend ten days on vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go? I would have to choose a cruise, but only because it the only way I can completely remove myself from the distractions of the outside world.  Last year, we went on a 4-day cruise and I wasn't willing to shell out the money for my cell phone to work, etc.  I turned it off when we got on the ship and didn't turn it back on until we got off.  It was glorious!

9. What are you currently reading? I just started reading The Paleo Diet by Dr. Loren Cordain.  The book was recommended to me by several coaches and teammates (is that what you would call them) at CrossFit.  Interesting so far.

10. Share at least one thing that you’re looking forward to this week.  I am looking forward to my massage today.  My chiropractor recommended that I get a massage to help with some of the tension in my body from my fall last week.  I also am looking forward to a day off in the middle of the week with my hubs.  

 Now it’s your turn to answer the questions on your blog.  Don’t forget to link up in the comments!  Happy Monday!