THANKSGIVING!!!!!

So I'm pretty proud of myself for sticking to my "cleaner" diet.  It's weird how people say you feel better when you eat better AND they're right...haha.  I feel better and I think my body does to.  I feel stronger than ever and fresh because I'm never over-stuffing myself or putting highly processed foods in my body.  Which paid off during my race this past Saturday: The Living History Farms Race.

It's a 7 mile "mud run" through The Living History Farms in Urbandale, IA.  It should really just be categorized as a climb up and down and through creeks, creek beds, and woods.  I had no timer going, walked, and was in costume, BUT it was the MOST fun I've ever had at a race!!!  I loved realizing how strong I have become.  I was able to pull myself up the sides of muddy creek beds that went straight up and up the hills in the woods that most people had to use a rope for, and I didn't have to!  It was AMAZING!!

The finished product!

The "Running Bugs" team!!

The "smallest" creek

Then to add a cherry on top I was able to do 6 pull-ups all by myself with no help of a machine or someone else.  It's not much, but it is a start AND it was after an hour long upper body workout.

I am realizing how true the statement that to see success you have to have faith because nothing comes overnight.  Now, I have to bring this into Thursday's holiday: THANKSGIVING!!! In my family it IS the BEST holiday.  Christmas has NOTHING on my mom's Thanksgiving dinner and desserts.  Everything is made from scratch: from the casseroles, stuffing, and EVEN the pumpkin pie crusts...my mouth is already watering....(Sorry if I made yours too).  But since I do not want to set myself too far back with this I plan on still enjoying my favorite foods, but I plan on portion sizing and really controlling myself.  Filling my plate more with turkey, rather than green bean casserole and fruit "fluff" (cocktail fruit with marshmallows and sour cream).  So, I am not only challenging myself, but I want to challenge anyone else that is reading this to a healthier, controlled holiday.  Who's in with me?!!

"Cheat" and Off Days..and some more

So I have learned from my trainer that everyone needs a day off or a so-called "cheat" day.  Where you ignore your diet and your workouts for one day a week.  It allows your body, mind, and muscles to totally recoup from the weeks workouts and get ready for the upcoming week.  It also allows your to "cheat" on your diet, so that you don't go completely crazy from being so strict with yourself.

Of course, I have been making myself participate in these days and most the time I embrace them, but there are some days (like today) when I feel guilty about not working out or sticking to my diet.  Am I the only one with these thoughts??  Which is why I try and remind myself that these days are not making me weaker, but making me stronger.  I know it is because this thursday when I was at training we took measurements and I have put on 4 lbs, but lost inches everywhere.  Which means I'm losing fat and putting on more muscle- which I'm TOTALLY okay with.

This putting on muscle reminds me of a few blogs/facebook pages I have found and am completely inspired by.  One is "Strong is the New Skinny" and "Girls Gone Strong".  I love these because they are all about promoting women's strength as beautiful and sexy.  They aren't showing pictures of anorexic looking, 90lb, 6ft models.  They're applauding women throwing up weights with the guys, completing marathons, and living life to be healthy and happy.  I'm so glad that these are becoming a more common sight because I grew up short and stalky because of my genetics and never thought anything was wrong, but everyone in all the magazines and other places said you had to be extremely tall and skinny to be pretty.  I noticed very young how it affected young girls because I was in dance class growing up and girls when I was 10, 11, and 14 were talking about how they needed to lose weight and were too fat...REALLY???  We didn't even have boobs yet and girls wanted to go on diets?  That's why people like the ones running the blogs/facebook pages from above inspire me because I don't want little girls to ever think like that or if I ever have a daughter I never want that to run through her mind either.  These two pictures (from the mentioned pages) really explain the need for us to praise the strong, healthy women over stage models, not just for us, but for girls still to come.

Well enough with that rant...my last subject: expanding my name and contacts with the fitness/ nutrition industry.  Like, I had mentioned in a previous post I want to start spreading my name out in the fitness community, so first off I am going to be a spin instructor starting next month (CAN'T WAIT) and until I can actually start personal training once I get my certification I have started this blog and now have a twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/HardbodyMaureen...so please "follow" it and share this with people you think might like it!

Til next time!

Mo

New Challenges, New Beginnings

Hey readers,

So it has been A WHILE!!  I guess life gets crazy sometimes :)  So what have I been up to since Chicago??

Since Chicago I've been busy with work (I got to go to The Nike Women's Marathon as a staff member for Team in Training.  It was so motivational and reminded me why I love running).

I've also changed up all my workouts and nutrition.  I've added a lot more cardio to my workouts, like burpees, windsprints, etc.  In my nutrition I've cut some carbs, since I'm not running 7+ miles a day, added more protein, and "greened up" my diet.  My trainer has also added weekly "challenges" with my nutrition.  So far I have done 1 gallon of water/day, no bread (doesn't mean no carbs), vegetarian, and this week I have to make 60% of my diet "greens" and the other 40% is to split between protein and carbs.

Now, I'm starting a 90-Day Challenge put out by "Blogilates."  It is a 90-Day Challenge to "clean-up" your diet.  So, today is Day 1!!  Here's to 90 days of eating as little non-processed foods as possible, lots and lots of veggies, and low-fat proteins!  I'll keep you updated on how this goes.  I want to keep myself in check especially with the holidays right around the corner, which means LOADS of homemade foods and pies!

Those are my physical changes and updates, but I've also made other changes.  I'm starting to see my long-term dreams/goals coming true!!  Starting in December I will be a spin instructor!!  I cannot wait to start and I know it will help me get my foot in the door to expand my personal training career, which I hope to start studying in the summer.  Getting this position has really fueled my passion for my future in fitness.

I cannot wait to see the effects of all these changes in my life and helping others change their lives too!!

Til next time (hopefully not as long) and one step closer to a hard body,
Mo