Day 1....

Today is the first day of the Paleo challenge.  It's my birthday weekend, plus the Super Bowl, so there maybe some cheating involved until Monday.  Also starting Monday, I am also eliminating alcohol from my diet for at least 45 days, but it does start monday!

Today was our benchmark WOD Helen:


3 rounds for time
21 Kettle-bell swings (35kg)
12 Pull ups (kipping pull ups with a green band)

Time: 11:35

So in 90 days, I hope to have a faster time and maybe be able to do a few kipping pull ups in there.

This last week was spent preparing for the diet.  Today we made a Costco run, where we picked up ground turkey, bacon, cauliflower, broccoli, chicken wings, artichoke hearts, almond milk, avocado oil, etc. I've already prepped turkey sausages for the next two week for breakfast.  Also made my first Paleo mayo and kale chips.


Today for breakfast I had a roasted sweet potato with sausage and fried egg.  Coffee with stevia and for dinner is a Carrot Coconut Soup and artichokes.  Tomorrow we are making some Jalapeno Lime chicken wings and also some chocolate/nut butter ice cream!!!!

90 day Paleo challenge! Say what!

It's true....I am doing a paleo challenge. I plan to try to be as strict as I can, but there may be some cheat days in there. For those of you who don't know, a Paleo diet basically means you cut out dairy, legumes, and grains.  Really it means trying to eat less processed food and eating cleaner. It's a way to understand what you are putting in your body.  For me it's a challange, I most likely will not go Paleo on a regular basis, but for these 90 days, I plan to do my best.  So no dairy (sad face), more meat products, fruit and veggies.  I will be trying to post on a daily basis as to what I am eating.  We are also doing a Helen WOD. This occurs next week and I will post my time.

Goals:

1.  Lose 10-15lbs
2.  Decrease body fat percentage
3.  Increase overall strength


Here are my staring stats: Ugh this is scary posting this....next week I'll include a picture, so hopefully there will be a difference in 90 days!!!


Weight: 148
Body Weight: 29.3%
BMI: 25.4
Measurements:
Hips: 40inches
Waist: 34.2
Thighs: 22
Arms: 13


Ok, there it is, all out there!!! Next week I will be cooking up a storm prepping for the next coming weeks!

Graduated

Today was another AMRAP for seven minutes:

10 push ups
15 sit ups
30 jump ropes. 


Again, this sounds easy, but after a week of moving that I haven't done in a while, my whole body hates me.  My anterior deltoids hurt, so doing push ups wasn't that fun, but I still managed to do five rounds.  When we think of sit ups, we usually think of crunches.  These are actual full sit ups, so doing them round after round gets tiring.  I am sure I'll be sore tomorrow.  I graduated from fundamentals, so now I can attend any of the classes they offer. I'll probably be hitting two to three a week, in between marathon training.

Tomorrow......13 miles.  Bring it.

A new found love.....crossfit

As some of you know, I've recently drank the kool-aid, that is the crossfit kool-aid.  I've always been in pursuing it, but I always thought it was expensive for what it is.  However, the cost is well worth it.  Basically, it's a personal trainer there to kick your butt in a group atmosphere.  Of course, I am the beginning stages of it, as well as training for the California International Marathon.  I've taken two fundamental classes and have really enjoyed it.  Our coach, Ryan, is great, he really is focused on form and making sure we are performing the movements correctly, in order to avoid injury.  I want to document, not only my journey through CrossFit, but also training for a marathon. Because I've been focused more on my running and less on weight training, I am extremely sore.  Most of what we did Monday, was learn how to use the bar, for squats, presses, etc.  After that, we did a 7 minute workout.  This doesn't seem like much, but it kicked my butt.  It was seven minutes of as many reps as you possible or AMRAP, or 12 push press, 9 push ups and 7 squats. I think I got through 6 reps. Today was more of the same, we learned about dead lifts, ball squats, wall balls and pull ups (which I suck at).  Today's WOD, was 4 rounds of half block run, 10 kettle bell swings, 8 wall balls, and 4 pull ups.  A tough workout for sure.  I am pretty sure I am not going to be able to move tomorrow.  I am also trying to convince Kevin that he should do it.  It's a team atmosphere and everyone there is very encouraging.  I am super excited to see my body get stronger.  Its intense with my marathon training, but so far, it's fantastic.  With all of this, I am also trying to eat better, I am not going paleo, just because I do love some carbs, and also not into eating a lot of red meat.  I am just trying to eat cleaner, less processed food, more food in season and cooking most, if not all my meals.  Being in Sacramento, we are lucky to have such fresh produce available to us. I love our Sunday farmers market and the new midtown farmers market on Saturday.  So with that said...welcome to my journey.

Farewell ATL......

Wow! That's pretty much what I can say about this last year. It's been great and I am glad that I've gotten to experience so many different things while being out here.

Of course, this isn't they way I was expecting to go, but alas there is another path that I am being taken on. I've been so lucky to have gotten to meet such wonderful people over the last year and that's the hardest part about saying this goodbye. Thank you to everyone who's made this part of my journey AWESOME. Spending five months in Albany with some great DNA peeps.....We got to experience so many different things from NYC, Boston, Foxwood;s Casino, bobsledding in Lake Placid and some silly nights in our many nights spent at the Holiday Inn.

Back in the ATL, we also had many adventures......Charleston, Savannah, white water rafting, pub golf, Brave's games and so much more. I also got to go to Miami, New Orleans, Jacksonville and others.

I've learned so much and I appreciate everyone who was involved in my training, especially all the FAD examiners, you guys have been such a great help and I've learned so much while being apart of the lab here. Everyone has been so great and I am going to miss you all.

To all my EFL-1ers and 1.5ers....you guys are awesome. I won't forget you and maybe you'll be getting a few packages while you are over there from California! I've made some amazing friendships and know that I will be seeing you guys all again soon. You are all doing something amazing and I am very proud of you all. It's been an amazing journey and as yours continues, mine does as well. I hope we can keep in touch and if you ever want to come to Cali shoot me an email, I would love to have you all!

Thanks again and I'll be thinking of you, if not talking to you guys!! You can find me on Skype! Sorry, 7! Email is good too!!! I love you all and wish you all the best.

Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

It's about the journey, not the destination......

I've had quite an adventurous couple of weeks......

First, six of us went white water rafting on the Ocoee River in Tennessee. It was a blast. This is where the Olympic white water course is located for the 96 Olympics and it's pretty awesome. We went on a full day trip on Class 4 rapids.

The following weekend I got to head back to California, to enjoy it one last time before I head across the ocean. I flew in on Thursday night, in order to enjoy Concert in the Park on Friday night. I met up with Amy at Dive Bar before we headed over to grab a beer and catch some live music. It was great to hang with Amers and enjoy some quality one on one. After the park we headed back to her house for a good ole fashioned neighborhood party, a pre-4th celebration. It was fun and I got to meet her neighbors. Saturday morning was an early one, in order for Amy and Jonathon to build there pergola. That evening we picked up Mikey from the airport, flying in from Bulgaria.

Sunday was a fun filled day with Danielle, Zack, my mom and brother. We headed up to Amador for some wine tasting. It was great, though hot and a bit tiring, but otherwise good. We tried some new wineries that I hadn't been to before.

Monday was the 4th and was for family and friends. Went over to my aunt Diann's house for a little bbq (cookout) and pool action. All my cousins were there, along with their significant others. It was great, we played games, tried to drown each other in the pool and just enjoy each others company. After dinner I went and hung out with Greta and Beth. It was good to see them and catch up. It's amazing how much I can miss in such a short period of time and I miss all my family and friends.

Tuesday was awesome, cause I got to go hiking with Kristy Wilson. We went up to Horse Tail Falls, which is a great hike and got a good workout in.

Wednesday was a mellow day. BJ and John Michel came out to Woodland to meet me for lunch, which was awesome! Then later got to hang out with Kevin on Wednesday night, as well as Maya and Steve. Again it was good to catch up with all these people.

Thursday I flew down to San Diego to visit my brother, sis-in-law, niece and nephews. Man, do those kids grow fast and I miss them terribly! It was a great visit and I got to spend a lot of time with them as well as at the beach/pool. I was sad to leave and am glad I get to see them in another month.

Monday night was a girls night and had the best time. These are the times I miss the most.

I am so lucky to have such amazing family and friends, that go out of their way to see me when I am home. It makes me miss California and have a feeling I will going back there at some point. Thanks again for everyone for driving me, picking me up, meeting up with me and everything else. You guys are the best!

Visit with family......

This weekend my dad and step-mom came to visit.....

The arrived on Friday and stayed at a hotel two blocks from my apartment. We went to a nice dinner and had an early night. Saturday we headed to the Georgia Aquarium, one of the largest aquarium's in the world. It was pretty awesome. There are a ton of exhibits and a plethora of marine life. First the giant manta-rays, these things were huge and can weigh up to 6000 lbs! Crazy.....and then there are the sharks....I love sharks...whale sharks, sand sharks.....jelly fish, beluga whales and much more....
After the aquarium, we headed over to centennial park to walk around. It was great, cause I got to be a tourist in the city I live in.
I had made dinner reservations at this place by my house that I've always wanted to try, Murphy's. It was great, they actually have a wine shop connected to it and know that some people I know would love it.
Dinner was great and Jim bought us a bottle of wine which was really nice. Of course all i did was eat this weekend!!!
It was a great visit and am glad they came down, of course being around family always makes me a little melancholy....