Learning How to Live.

“If you make failure an option, it becomes a possibility“

So it’s been a couple days since my last post, and even more so a few days since my last work out. This whole trying to find a balance in my life is actually working out pretty well. I originally set out with a 8 week challenge for myself. I have been doing pretty good with the exception of the July 4th holiday. Usually I would be obsessed about getting a workout in before I went out, but I didn’t even think twice. I literally just enjoyed the time I had off with the people that legit make me happy. I watched what I ate (when I did eat yikes!), but didn’t hesitate to eat burgers and fries in the ghetto off my boys truck of his car 🙂

I am trying this whole enjoying life type thing, with a little less of my compulsiveness and although I am not as lean as I’d like to be, I am comfortable. Don’t know if I could say that if I was put in a bikini (holding water weight under my ass).. but we’re working on it!

&& another thing to note. Yesterday was 1 year that Chris was taken from us. I think about you a lot and I pray that you re in a better place. We ALL miss you Chris. You are a beautiful soul.

Food Log:

Protein Shake && Snacks for the Day!

830am Dymatize Protein Shake (w/ Strawberries, Chia/Flax/Hemp seeds, Ice and Water).
1030am Ezekiel English Muffin w/ 1 TBS PB.
1pm Blackened Chicken Breast w/ Brown Rice.
330pm Chicken Breast Salad (olive oil), w/ 100 calorie pack of almonds.
6pm Pre Work Out (Haven’t decided yet).
9pm Post Work Out Protein Shake *MAKE SURE YOU EAT COMPLEX (or even simple carbohydrates) POST WORK OUT* MUY IMPORTANTE!!!!!
11pm If need be (you never know how late I may stay up).. Casein Protein Shake or cottage cheese and a few almonds.

The Work Out:

Doing Back today, but I really want my ass back and my legs to be as toned as they should be. SOOOO with that being said.. I think I may do 50-100 lunges a day, regardless if I am lifting legs that day (I train legs 2x a week).

My main exercises for back are Lat Pull downs, Chin/Pull Ups, and a shit ton of rows (uni lateral, bent over ext). I do want to add in Good Mornings (also a hamstring exercise, but the way you bend and keep your back straight does WONDERS, and you really feel it in your back).

Good Mornings

Lat Pull downs 4 x 70+ x failure (= 4 sets of 70+ in weight, till failure).
Uni- Lateral Row 3 x 35 x 12-15 reps
Lunges 5 x 15 (each hand) x 10-20 reps
Good Mornings 3 x 30 x 10 reps
Assisted Pull Ups 3 x 120 x 10 reps

So, as you can see I am back on track. I enjoyed my few days off and can’t wait to get back in the gym. I don’t realize I miss the gym until I get in there and do work. I will finish my workout with some interval training on the treadmill. I am trying to work on learning how to run. Yes, LEARNING how to run. Excited for the next 4 weeks (until my birthday), and see how much I can change my body. I’ve decided not to eat cheat meals (only missing 4.. whoopdedo).. but I will keep fruit in my diet (for the natural sugar), and start baking again 🙂 There has been a LOT of recipes that have looked really freakin’ interesting and I am super excited to try them. I will post my favorites 🙂 Like this one..

Cocoa Crispy Treats =D

Recipe & Picture from Chocolate Covered Katie

(can be gluten-free!)

Recipe inspired by these babies.

• 3 cups rice crispies (I used gf brown rice crispies)
• 2 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp salt (I used salted pb, too)
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp nut butter of choice (For lower-cal option, see calorie link below.)
• 1/2 cup sticky sweetener ( (I used agave. For low-sugar options, see calorie link below.)
• optional: 1/4 cup cocoa powder (or your favorite chocolate protein powder)
• optional: melted chocolate to drizzle over the top

Mix your pb (or other nut butter of choice), sweetener, vanilla, cocoa, and salt. Melt (either in the microwave or stove), then pour over the cereal and stir very well, making sure to coat all the crispies. (For a richer chocolate taste, try subbing chocolate chips for some of the cocoa powder.)  Form into balls or line a pan with wax paper and spread the mixture evenly into the pan. Place a sheet of wax paper on top of the mixture, then press down as firmly as you can. Really press it down! Freeze for at least a half hour before slicing.

 

Enjoy!