Will Power is Over-rated

Will Power is Totally Over-rated, when it comes to Portion Control!

I get asked all the time how to eat more healthy and make better decisions with regards to food, and the truth is that although I don't really like a lot of bad foods...I love food!!!!  I can out eat most grown men easily and not even feel overly full!  So my biggest struggle isn't necessarily processed, fatty, high calorie foods...its that I want to eat everything in front of me and then have seconds! 

When it comes to portion control I don't use will power, because I simply don't have it!  Last night was a perfect example of this.  Weakness - Sweet Potato Fries with extra salty seasoning!  I have had them at The iPic Movie Theater before and I love them, but they come in a huge basket enough for 3 people.  I ate most of them last time I ordered them, plus a salad and prawns, plus popcorn in the movie.  I had a stomach ache when I got home and felt horrible the next day.  I remembered that and wanted to avoid it this time, however knew that if the fries stayed in front of me, I would eat them all. 

I did 2 things last night, I had the fries come when my meal instead of as an appetizer.  That way I didn't snack on them right up until my salad arrived, because I would!  I also grabbed a handful of them, put them on a side plate and had the waitress take away the basket before she even left or table.  This was kind of embarrassing, I already was annoying with my salad requests...but it worked.  I didn't over indulge, but I got to have my favorite thing...and saved a little room for popcorn (another huge weakness). 

I would absolutely recommend to everyone out there to ask the waitress to box up half before they even bring it out or take away half of anything you order that is a 'treat' for you.  We never need the actual amount that they give us at a restaurant and you will feel way better that night and the next day.  Don't rely on will power to keep you from eating something you love when it is right in front of you.

I practice the same thing at home.  If I don't want to eat the entire thing, then I don't have it at the house.  Triscuits....I will eat the whole box so we don't have them at all.

Workout Routines

Crossfit Workout Routine

I have been doing Crossfit for about a year now...but I have been serious and consistent with it for about 6 months.

I started out with individual training sessions twice a week.  This allowed me to get stronger without hurting myself and learning proper technique.  It was definitely a financial commitment, but your health is priceless and so that was my decision.

The classes are intense and I am competitive so I got sick of being last every single time...going more then 3 times a week made the biggest difference.  I was able to recover quicker each time so I was less sore and could continue to work those muscles the very next day.  I also started to stay after and choose one exercises that was particularly difficult for me, and I would do it after the workout to get better at it.

For example I was terrible at Double Unders, so after each workout I would commit to doing 50 no matter how long it took me.  Then I would commit to doing 100.  Then I would try to do 20 in a row, then 30 in a row and so on.  It helped tremendously.

I noticed a difference in my body after just 3 months and it continues to feel stronger and better definition.  Strength is so important for women over 30, and I didn't want to wait to long to make it a habit.

I have found my favorite workout, and I actually really really enjoy going so its not hard to work it into my day and week.

The best part for me has been the small accomplishments along the way.  Doing your first unassisted pull up, first handstand push up, 10 chest to ground push ups in a row, faster times on my 400 meter run.  All of those things written in my journal so I can go back and look at them and see how much I have improved.  Very helpful and motivating.

Crossfit Regionals are this weekend so I will have a blog about that too.  Gonna be some bad ass chics there!!!  So fun.

Get in Shape Quick

Fast Results

My favorite thing to do when I am trying to get in shape fast or want to tone up for an event...

1. Running Hill Sprints -
• You burn the most fat as your heart rate comes down from its elevated state...so doing sprints with recovery in-between each one will not only get your heart in excellent shape it will also tone and burn fat fast!  Start with like 3 sets, sprint up a hill for about 45 seconds and then walk down and recover so you can talk easily.  Then go again.  Increase a set each time you do this until you are up to 10 total. 
2. Cut Out Alcohol -
• I know it is so sad....but it makes a huge difference
3. Stop Eating After 7pm -
• This is hard for me, so I just go to bed
• I eat dinner, let it settle then get ready for bed and do a handful of exercises (push ups, squats, lunges, and stretches) then I go to bed and drink tea or water.
4. Carbs Only at Breakfast and Lunch -
• It is silly to cut them out completely, you will be hungry all the time.  I just take them out of dinner and add extra veggies or maybe peanut butter with my celery
• Keep them ALL complex, wild rice, sweet potato, or homemade granola
5. No Sweets -
• I think this is obvious, but just a good reminder.  Just say no.  It is useless food and does nothing for you and you can do it...you will feel so much better the next day

That is all!  I think once you just decide that you are gonna do it and look at food as a necessity and not an event it will be a lot easier.  Plus if you are bored because you have all this extra time not eating and drinking then you can prepare your fruits and veggies for the next few days or long walks on the treadmill will help burn fat.  Slow...long workouts also burn fat.  And don't forget strength...so important to build muscle.

6 Month Update

My 6 Month Update 

So I haven't blogged about my nutrition challenge in a long long time, and I think it is time to start up again.  I have been asked what I do for my workouts and what I eat, so it seemed like a good time to start sharing again.

I started changing my diet in late December 2012 and so it has now been 6 months of tyring new things.

1.) Juicing

• I really did want to incorporate juicing into my diet, and I completely failed at that.  I was really only able to do it a couple times...I never developed a taste for it or a routine so it never really stuck. 

2.) No meat, poultry, or pork...fish only.  

• I cut out all meats except for fish.  I do still eat egg whites.  That has been very very easy.   I don't really miss anything.  There have been a few times when I have eaten what someone has made for me so that I am not rude, but I really haven't had a hard time with this new routine at all.

3.) No dairy

• I have tried this one before to help improve my skin. and it works really really well.  There are only a few things that tempt me....cupcakes...cookies....half and half in my iced americano.  Whenever I have one of these items I notice it in my complexion and energy level right away!  It is enough to discourage me about 90% of the time.  

4.) No wheat

• I cut out all wheat (not gluten) just wheat...(not carbs).  I still eat red potatoes and sweet potatoes, I eat rice and oats  and corn or corn chips.  The only thing that made this part challenging was eating things on the go, like in the car.  I had a really hard time finding foods that I could eat when I was in a really big hurry and walking or driving somewhere.  Otherwise I have noticed a huge difference in my energy level and I sleep better without a lot of wheat in my diet.

Side effects of this diet change.  I lost 10 lbs immediately and kept it off all 6 months:)

I will continue my food diary as part of this blog as well as my daily crossfit log in case anyone wants to know about my workouts.  My 'after' pics will be posted by the end of the week as well.  

I still plan on finding a way to incorporate a wider variety of veggies and fruit into my day thru juicing.