Post Texas

I'm back from vacation! It was an amazing time and a much needed time away, but I'm glad to be back in the beautiful plains of Nebraska. Here's a short recap of what I did while in Texas: worked out on this amazing bike:

ran with my uncle, hung out with a majority of my mom's siblings and grandma, ate, and relaxed by the pool .

There was obviously some highs and lows. I'll start with the highs because there's a lot more of those.


Highs:

Even though I was on vacation I didn't stop working out, especially since my first triathlon is this coming Sunday!!! I wrote out the workouts I did on the next post, so I didn't take up so much space.

I also got to hang with my family whom I haven't seen in a few years and I got to meet my new cousin, MG. We're pretty much besties now.

Lows:

I guess the only "lows" of vacation were my bad eating and my craving for CrossFit. I didn't do terrible on eating, but I could have done better. I was really good most of the day, but where I would fall was dinner or having a dessert when I usually don't eat dessert, but they were SOO worth it. My "hiccups" were a margarita (best I've ever had), red velvet cupcake (I can't say no to those!), and soft serve yogurt.

It definitely could have been worse and I'm not being too hard on myself because one it would get me no where and two I'm on VACATION!

 I also realized how much I love CrossFit. I was starting to miss the ability to pick up heavy (at least for me) weights and throw them down and curse without blushing. I mostly missed the atmosphere. I pushed myself this week, but it's not like when there are people cheering you one to finish or finish faster or even trying to push yourself to keep up with others in the same workout.

I'll end on that note (don't forget to check out my workouts during vacation in the next post) and leave you with some more pictures from vacation!

                 

My new camelbak that got me through my workouts

The cliffs we drive through in OK

My new buddy during vacation.  He has it so hard

Vacation=Not a Time for Quitting

I can't hold in my excitement of leaving in the early morning for vacation...AHHHHHHHHHHKAJLFKJ (was that enough for you to get the idea)??  I don't think I've been on a real vacation (where I just relaxed) for over a year.  I already warned work and other not so important places that I will NOT be answering my phone.  I am taking this next week and a half to relax and recoup.

Now, I know the biggest thing people fear about going on vacation is that they'll follow off their healthy lifestyle "wagon."  NOT TO FEAR I have already thought about this and worked ahead and am going to leave some tips:

1. PACK FOOD for the road trip- I have a 10-hr road trip in front of me and it is easy to slip into the gas station binge with chocolate candies and Cheetos.  Instead, I have packed veggies and fruit that can be eaten without making a huge mess.  Forgot to pack??  Just eat smart at the gas stations and restaurants.  You know deep down what's good and what's bad (donuts and pizza- bad, unsalted nuts and raw fruit- good)!
2. STAY ACTIVE- let whoever you are traveling with or meeting up with that you will have to fit time in to workout.  Luckily, my mother (whom I am traveling with) knows me and knows I will not miss a day, even though we're on vacation.  I also already arranged to borrow my Aunt's bike while we're on vacation and asked where open water would be located for some swimming, so my family knows that I have no intentions of slacking on my workouts.
3. REMEMBER YOUR GOALS- my last piece of advice seems like the most obvious, but can be hard to follow in the moment.  On vacation most people like to eat lavishly and forget all about their health goals...DON'T!  Even if the people with you partake in overindulging, remember what your goals are and that you can't reach them if keep holding yourself back.  They may look at you strangely, but who cares..are you doing it for them?? NOPE.  It's just for you so stay strong!  I'll keep you updated with some on-the-go workouts and meals while I'm gone :)

Also, I have to keep you updated on CrossFit..DUH!  I am loving it, still.  One of the coaches put it best the other night, "Embrace The Suck!"  He meant that yeah it's going to suck and it's going to be hard, but embrace that part because you will come out SO much stronger and prouder of yourself for finishing.  Which is so true because I cannot honestly remember the last time I pushed myself this hard. I literally finish EVERY SINGLE workout by collapsing on the ground because there is nothing else left in me.  Maybe that's why I love it so much; it's the EXACT same feeling I get after completing a marathon.  It is also SO humbling to be back in the athlete/team atmosphere.  I know I am strong and can push myself, but to see that I have so much farther to go before I am as strong as some of the other girls at my gym motivates me.  I want to be able to push press over 150# or do a muscle up without breaking a sweat!!  I did however get a rope climb (15 feet for the first time EVER..couldn't have done it without them pushing me).

My yummy rope burn.  Note to self:  don't wear short shorts to a rope climb

I also am obsessed with the gym:  http://crossfithydro.blogspot.com/ if you're interested in learning more.  It is more than working hard.  It's like a community- we workout together, we cheer each other on, challenge each other to move faster or lift heavier, and hang out after the workouts.  I feel at home again being a part of a team atmosphere again :)

Hanging out after a WOD

Here's an example of a couple our WODs:

#1 3 sets of Push Presses (3x is one set)
     2 sets of Jerks (2x is one set)
     1 set of Split Jerks (1x is one set)
    2mins of as many squat jumps as you could get
I did 83# for push presses and 93# for both jerks and split jerks, and got 72 (I think) squat jumps


#2  7 Rounds of:
      10 pull-ups (chin over bar)
      20 burpees (no push-up)
      30 stick jumps
 I had to scale mine and use a blue band to help me kip up to the pull-ups and used a 16" bench instead of 20", but I finished in 19:30!!


Here's what I tend to look like after only 20mins of balls to the wall!!!

Even my baby muscles are showing through!

I'll finish up with some FUN pictures of the Warrior Dash I did in Iowa with my sister-in-law, my brother, and some of her friends!!

FIRE JUMPER- Channeling some Hunger Games 

Before the Mess

Post Dash

Me and My sister-in-law

Yeah, we're pretty tough!

A Little Less Workout A Little More of Me

I know I usually write only about workout/health related subjects, but I thought I'd write one dedicated to my dog, Wrigley.  The reason?  I just had to put him down yesterday afternoon after 15 years of an amazing friendship.

He had a good run and I remember the exact moment last week when I looked into his eyes and I could tell he was ready.  It's funny with dogs though- they're usually ready before you are.  I think that's why they're "man's best friend" because they're completely unselfish.  They know when it's their time to go, but they understand we need a little more time and they hang on for us.  They still manage to follow you around until you're finally ready to sit down, look into their eyes, remember all the good times, and give them that final "good boy" and scratch behind their left ear like they've always loved.

This is the exact scenario I was faced with this weekend and yesterday.  I would go to my parents' house and I would try and say goodbye, but every time I looked at his face all I could see was the little puppy that stumbled behind me in my backyard because he hadn't grown into his body or the dog that helped train me for high school cross country every summer.  He was there every afternoon, when I put on my running shoes, he would try to sit calmly by where I kept his leash.

I could tell he was only alive because he knew my brothers and I couldn't say goodbye just quite yet.  My parents had said the previous week he pretty much just laid in the living room or on the deck outside, but when I went to visit Friday night he followed me around the whole house.  Almost telling me, "I know you can't say goodbye yet, so I'll just be here whenever you're ready."  Saturday afternoon I knew it was time.  I had to carry him up the stairs because he just wasn't strong enough anymore and he weighed less than my little dog, Jack (Jack weighs about 20ish pounds), in my arms.  It's one of the hardest things I've ever had to do in my life.  I wasn't able to say goodbye until we were at the Vet's, while he was in my lap.  He always shook when we walked into the building, but this time he was so calm and just rested in my lap.  I told him I loved him, he was the best dog a little girl could ask for, and that he was the best friend I had ever had.  Fifteen minutes later he went peacefully in the arms of my mom, my dad, and I as I scratched his favorite place; right behind his left ear.

Isn't it funny how dogs (or any pet) carve that special place in your heart?  It's a place no human (in my experience) can get to because no matter what you do or say, they love you, unconditionally.  I think every child should grow up with a puppy, so they can experience what it feels like to love something with their entire being and not expect anything in return.  Honestly, can you say that there is another human or living thing that loves you, wags its tail, and just wants your love even after you've left them home alone all day?  They're the one animal that doesn't care if your jeans are a little tighter this winter, if you don't quite like yourself that day, or what other people say about you.  They just want to know that when you get home from work or school that you'll scratch them behind their ears, play fetch, and pull out the leash.  I'm so appreciative to my parents for giving my brothers and I this opportunity.

 I remember walking into the pet store, "The Pet Bowl," when I was 7 years old.  My parents had told my brothers and I that we could have a dog now that we were all old enough.  The minute our dog, Wrigley, was put into my arms I was in love.  He licked my face and peed all over the floor and I wanted him forever.  I remember going home that night and crying my head off because I didn't understand that you could put a dog on "hold," so you could go home and get your house "puppified" before bringing them in and no one else could buy them.  I cried so much that my dad brought me back that night to show me he was still there and I held him in my arms, from that moment we were inseparable.

Over the next 15 years he gave us so many wonderful memories, such as chasing the white swans at a state park or catching a live possum and bringing inside the house as a prize.  My favorite memories were ones of us taking runs together to the neighborhood park as he helped me train for high school cross country and college soccer.  We would run to the park, do some sprints (or he'd just watch), and then we'd lay in the grass for a while until he decided it was time to go home.  He always pushed me to do better because he'd never let me turn back a mile or even a block early.  He would yank on the leash even harder if I tried to turn back early.  That's why yesterday I dedicated my workout to him (yes, it sounds super cheesy).  I pushed myself harder and ended up finishing 4th overall at my gym's WOD.  It felt amazing!

Even though I miss his warm fuzzy fur, I know he's somewhere, with his fourth leg again, chasing down squirrels, bunnies, and birds...

My amazing friend for 15 years...

Post MIA

First off- the reason I've been MIA for..a while.  The main reason was: I needed to focus on school more.  I was coming up with ways to procrastinate, but I finally realized I needed to stop and focus on school, training, and work. 

The second reason is that I needed some time to heal.  I had started following and reading fitness magazines.  I was looking at pictures of the bikini and figure competitors and was dying to look like them.  I started looking down at myself wondering why I couldn't discipline myself like them.  It wasn't good and it didn't hit me until one of my long Saturday runs, in training for my marathon, how bad I had gotten.  I had just taught a 45min and was running 16 miles right afterwards.  I was over 10 miles in when I noticed that I was feeling stronger than ever.  I wasn't having to run with my patellar tendon knee straps and I wasn't slowing down.  This was when I wanted to slap myself because I was beating myself up for not looking perfect and all my muscles don't pop.  Instead, I could spin my heart out for an hour and then immediately go run double digits...that's pretty bad ass right there.

I realized I had lost my inner "beast" that I had found when I started running long distance races over 4 years ago.  Instead of seeing how far I have come over the years.  Freshman year of high school I came in at 145 and finished xcountry that fall at 120, I played collegiate soccer, completed a duathlon, and had run 4 full marathons, 2 halfs, and was training for my 5th full and first triathlon.  How could I not think I was a beast??  So, since then I have worked on putting less pressure on myself and giving myself more credit.  I finally did during my 5th marathon 2 weeks ago.  I was less than .5 mile away from the finish when I ran past 2 women.  One of the women said, "This last mile is for us.  No one put in that training, but us.  OUR feet bled, OUR muscles ached, WE did it. "  I pushed myself even harder to the finish line, slowing gaining by "beast mode" back.  I crossed the finish line, holding back tears (mainly because I'm never totally sane after finishing 26.2 miles) so much happier and prouder than ever of myself.  People think I'm crazy when I say almost every problem in your life can be solved with a long run...

This brings me to why I changed the name of my blog.  It's because my main goals when I started were my physical looks.  I wanted to get more toned muscles and maybe a six-pack.  Now, I'm no longer on a journey to my "perfect" body, but rather I'm on a journey to get my "beast" back.  My first step in that direction has been to let myself off the hook for my imperfections.  How do I remind myself to keep doing this?  Well, I think the picture will tell you...

So now every time I look down I know that there is beauty in those things I wish I could change.

My next step was to find something that would make me feel like a beast again.  I knew that lifting has always done that for me, so I decided to try one of the more extreme sides of lifting- CrossFit.  I found a CrossFit gym by my house, CrossFit Hydro.  I just started this past week, but I'm already in love.  I love lifting big weights, pushing myself a hell of a lot more than I would alone, and having people around you pushing you and also helping you get better.  This next week starts my last intro classes before I get let loose to do WODs in regular classes!

Well I think I've dragged on long enough, but I'm glad I finally got it all out and I'm excited to get my beast back!

Keep your Standards..I have my own

This post is based off extreme frustration with recent trends I have noticed (with myself included).  I applaud some of the Middle Eastern countries that are not allowing models below a certain body fat percentage to be used, but as the "skinny" model is being less and less held as a standard a new standard is moving in. 

Instead of people standing up and saying, "Screw standards. Be happy and healthy."  The culture is once again setting a standard for beauty: women with ripped bodies.  This is much better than the previous rail thin girl that is impossible to attain unless you are genetically built little, but still this new standard is wrong (in my opinion).  Yes, these women are beautiful and should be applauded for their discipline and ability to stack on the muscle, but a lot of the time the women on the stage and covers reach that point at a cost to their health. 

Many of these women follow strict diets that cut out carbs (besides those in vegetables and fruits) and some even cut out FRUIT (because there are sugars and carbs).  Some of these extreme women in the bodybuilding arena will stop showering and brushing their teeth (no I'm not joking) in order to get that extra lean and "cut" look before they hit the stage or step in front of the camera lens.  Now I'm not baggin on everyone in the industry, but rather the ones that are taking it to the extreme in an unhealthy way.  Girls will once again look at this and think they need to have cut muscles and deep six pack.  They will punish themselves if they don't see those appear.  How do I know this? Because I've already seen it talked about in the locker rooms and in the hallways of my college. 

Unfortunately, standards will exist as long as we let them.  So why don't we decide that healthy is the new standard??  To eat the right foods (vegetables, fruit, eggs, fish, meat, etc.) in the right amount for our physical goals whether it's a triathlon, a sport, a marathon, or just be able to do a push up by yourself.  If you do that your body will naturally fall where it should be- happy and healthy.  We all need to stop comparing ourselves to ANYONE else because we are not taking the same journey as anyone around us. 

I wonder if people realize that the original "paleo" women were not ripped low body fat women.  There natural body fat was closer to 20-25% BF because they were more worried about carrying on the species than having the same six pack as the other women in their tribe.  Most women can't bear children if their body fat percentage is lower than 15%.  Women should use these women of the past and role models, like Marilyn Monroe.  Marilyn, not because of her curvacious body because that would just be another standard, but because she didn't give a damn what others thought about her curves.  She was healthy, independant, and owned her body with pride.  That is why I use her as a role model.  I will never have her curves, but you bet your a$$ I will love my body just as much as she loved hers.  Yes, men and women loved her because of her curves, but do you think there's a HUGE art piece in Chicago because of her curves?!  Hell no!  It's because she was a bad a$$ broad who stood up for what she believed in and didn't give a damn if others didn't like her. 

 

So who else is with me?  I may never have cut arms or chiseled abs, but I'm okay with that because my body has done SO MANY amazing things other than that.  It's crossed 4 marathon lines, 2 half marathon lines, sprinted for too many soccer games to count, danced for years, and lifted like a beast!  So screw you standards..I've made my own and I couldn't be happier :)

Fight for Air Climb and "Real" Food Challenge

Last time I was on here I was preparring for my first "climb event."  Which was not all that difficult- 66 flights in 11 minutes.  It was fun to try something different and to have my family participate as well to memoralize my grandpa, but I think I took more out of the process of getting to the event.  I learned a lot and had a lot more difficulty writing my emails and updates for fundraising.  It forced to look at exactly why I was doing this event- it wasn't to win anything, PR, or race, but to raise funds for lung cancer in  honor of my grandpa.  Of course, when I was writing my emails and updates I talked about my grandpa and it made me realize how it is truly because of him that I am where I am at right now...

He had taught my mom and myself (when I visited) to chase your dreams (no matter what others say), to try for ANYTHING you want, and to put your entire heart into it (even if you crash and burn in failure).  My favorite way (and only way) to describe this mentality of my grandpa is to quote his favorite singer, Frank Sinatra. "For what is a man, what has he got? If not himself, then he has naught/ To say the things he truly feels and not the words of one who kneels/ The record shows I took the blows and did it my way!(source: http://www.lyricsondemand.com/) 

If it were not for him telling me to find what I love and make it my job; I would probably be sitting in classes all day and headed to a desk job or waitressing job at night.  Instead, I am doing EXACTLY what I want to: teaching fitness classes, completing 4 marathons and 2 half-marathons, training for my first triathlon and duathlon, going to school for exercise science, studying to become certified in pilates reformer, and personal training.

So yes, I put in the work and I took the leaps into uncharted terriory, but I truly have to thank him for teaching me that stepping into the unknown is scary, but it's oh so worth it because we either learn from our mistakes OR we find true happiness.

Okay, enough with the sap...now to my challenge until the end of April.  I've been doing pretty decent with my challenge of "cleaning" up for the National Nutrition Month of March, but now I'm taking it another step and ONLY eating "real" food.  I am cutting out bars and shakes as best I can and only eating what I cook and bake, so I know EXACTLY what is going into my body.  So I have also cut out yogurts and other processed foods because there are so many different ingredients and sugars or "replacement" sugars.  I noticed that even if I'm eating "healthy" yogurts, like greek yogurt, I start to want more sweet foods because of the sugar.  I want to see what will happen to my cravings and training the more I get into eating "real" foods, like meat, eggs, fish, vegetables, fruits, and raw nuts.  Wish me luck and I'll keep you updated on how it goes :)

PS here's a little motivation to get you moving!

New Month, New Ideas/Challenges

I usually don't write more than once a week, but since it's the beginning of the month I made an exception. Especially since it'll be the start of a new type of challenge!  

If you've read any of my previous posts you know how much I love weekly nutritional or physical challenges.  Well I want to add a different type of challenge, a longer challenge:  the whole month long!! 

March is National Nutrition Month, so I'm kicking up my clean eating a notch.

It's amazing how much my nutrition has improved already over the past few months, but I have let myself slip up and make excuses, so this month I'm not letting myself get away with it!  Not that I won't give in to a piece of dark chocolate or a good ol' home cooked meal every once in a while, but not 2x a week.  I plan on keeping a track on the changes I notice (not physically, but inside).  I'm interested to see what the improvements will do for my training and how I feel daily.  

Also, I want to stay in "beast mode" during all my workouts all month.  Yes, I work my ass off during my workouts, but there are some days I wonder if I could have given more during a workout and usually if I can ask that it means I could have.  This doesn't mean I'll be working out more often or longer; it just means I'm going to be giving all that I have during that time I'm in the gym.  I want to leave everything I have on that gym floor, bike, outside, or pool.  

I'll keep you updated on my progress!