Losing Sight Of Your Goals // Re-Boot

First of all, I apologize for TWO MONTHS of no posts. I have been alive and well at my daily lifestyle blog, California To Carolina, but I have horribly neglected this blog and I really need to get out of that bad pattern.

I think the main reason has been that I don't feel I've had much to share since my last few posts back in August. I'm still battling the postpartum weight {15 lbs to go!}, but I've definitely gotten in a rut of sorts...I've been at the same weight for a couple weeks now...I've definitely plateaued. And then of course, I'm fighting internally with my disappointment at how hard the weight is to lose this time around...how hard I am working...and feeling like it is just "unfair" that I have to kick my ass so hard to see results after pregnancy, when so many of my friends seemingly shrink right back down with little to no effort at all. I just want to be back in a pair of pre-prego jeans, damnit! {Is that too much to ask?} I feel at nearly 6 months postpartum now, I should be there. So I then have some moments of retaliation...basically saying "f*** it", I'm going to just eat what I want, drink my wine and throw in the towel {which of course, I really don't want to do, but sometimes my frustration takes over}.

So all that being said, I need to reboot. I need to get back on the motivation train. For the last several weeks, I've been doing a few classes at the gym each week, running with the kids in the stroller and just hitting the gym in general {when there is not a class I want to take}. So I definitely haven't "thrown in the towel" at all, but I know I'm at a point where I need to take it up a notch - in my exercise and in my diet.

Truth be told, my diet probably needs the most work. I'm always generally pretty healthy, but I have not been super-strict as I was a couple months ago when I started the meal prepping. I sort of got lax with that. My husband, however, did GREAT, and is down nearly 30 lbs {friggin' men}. I think seeing him lose the weight so quickly pissed me off even more! {No, seriously, I'm happy for him and glad I could get him motivated.} And then, of course, there is my infatuation with wine. I find that glass {or two} after a long day of watching the kids, cleaning the house and what-have-you, is so enticing and hard to give up. However, I'm at a point where I need to take some drastic measures...and I think cutting back on that {a lot} is something I really need to do. I think in the long run, not seeing the results I want with how hard I work pains me more than giving up wine for a little while. Lastly, I need to start up the meal prep again...there's really no excuse not to. I've got a date with the grocery store and my kitchen tomorrow.

Three months ago, I posted my stats for my tracking purposes. Here is what they were then:

Weight: 173 lb {Height 5'7"}
R & L Bicep {unflexed}: 11.25"
L Thigh: 22.5"
R Thigh: 21.5"
Waist: 33"
Hips: 40.5"

These are my stats now:

Weight: 160 lbs
R & L Bicep {unflexed}: 11"
L Thigh: 21.25"
R Thigh: 21.25"
Waist: 31.5"
Hips: 38.25"

So yes, obviously there has been progress. I've lost 13 lbs and almost 6 inches total in the last 14 weeks. I am happy that I've averaged a loss of about a pound a week, but I know had I been strict on myself the whole time, I could have done better. Well, it's time to do better. I still have my goal to have this weight gone by the end of the year. That gives me just over 9 weeks to knock off 15 lbs...which is a daunting task, but if I stay motivated, I can do it.

Anyway, in the last week, I've started adding running in {solo, so I can push harder} when Jake gets home from work in the evenings so he can handle the kids for me. I'm signed up for my first postpartum 5K race on November 1st.

And we will be in Myrtle Beach for Thanksgiving, so I am doing their Turkey Trot 8K.

I think running will help make a big difference in the coming weeks. Once DST ends, my runs will be in the morning before I help get Tanner ready for school...it will be nice to have them out of the way. I will also be adding some Insanity workouts into my routine, especially on days I can't get to the gym.

Anywho, I hope I'm not being a downer, it's not my intention...I just want to be raw and honest about this process - and the truth is, it's not easy and it's got its ups and downs. It's helpful to me and I hope maybe someone else out there struggling with weight loss might be encouraged to reboot as well.

Stay Happy & Healthy!

Clean Eating Check-In & Leg/Glute Workout

So today is Friday and it is my 5th day of my strict clean eating plan. I am actually pretty dang proud of myself because I've kept with it. Day 1 was great...I felt great, it wasn't hard at all to keep to my plan. Admittedly though, Days 2 and 3 are when the cravings started to hit...mostly for red wine - ha! But I fought through and came out on top. And as of this morning, I'm down FIVE POUNDS since Monday! I can hardly believe it. I will note that since I'm carrying postpartum weight, it is natural for my body to lose faster right now than if I were at my normal weight, but it still feels good.

I made another round of veggies last night. This time I mixed asparagus, zucchini and yellow squash.

Instead of using the oven {I was out of tin foil}, I steamed them on the stove top. I put a few tablespoons of olive oil in the pan, threw in the veggies and added about a 1/2 tsp each of sea salt and black pepper. I simmered them for 20-30 min over medium-low heat.

Today, I plan on getting some more chicken grilled and baking more sweet potatoes.

I do have a concert to go to tonight with my husband...so I'm strongly debating letting myself have a glass of red wine...I haven't decided yet if I'm going to allow myself. On one hand, I've been so good and I deserve it, and it's not like I'm yet training hardcore for the bikini competition, but on the other hand, do I want to derail myself? Would it derail me? I don't know...let me know your thoughts and help me decide!

I did my leg day at the gym on Wednesday. It was a great workout and I'm surely feeling it today. Here it is if you want to try it for yourself or tweak it to your liking.

Interval Cardio on Treadmill
3-5 min warmup jog
1 min sprint at about 80% exertion
2 min fast walk/jog
Repeat 4-5 times

Superset
Back Extensions/Leg Lifts on Roman Chair
3 sets of 15 reps for each exercise, rest 30 seconds between sets. Be sure to go right from back extension to leg lift to make it a superset. I also cradled a 10 lb plate on the back extensions. You can do none, same or more as your level allows.

Superset
Step Ups/Dumbbell Squats
3 sets of 15 reps for each exercise, rest 30 seconds between sets. Be sure to go right from step ups to dumbbell squats to make it a superset. I used 2-10 lb dumbbells for the squats.

Superset
Stability Ball Leg Curls/Bridges
3 sets of 15 for the leg curls and 3 sets 25 for the bridges, rest 30 seconds between sets. Be sure to go right from leg curls to bridges to make it a superset.

Leg Press
3 sets of 12 reps at a weight that makes it impossible to do more than 12 reps. Rest 30 seconds between sets.

Have a great weekend!

Meal Preparation 101

Hope y'all had a wonderful weekend! I felt like ours was rushed and busy, but I suppose that's how it's going to be for a mother of two boisterous boys and a newborn baby girl.

I did make sure to spend Sunday going to the grocery store for my clean foods and then prepping and storing my meals for the week. My husband is wanting to drop a few lbs too, so I made some extra so he would have some lunches for work this week.

Basically, I baked some chicken breasts and then chopped them into bite size pieces and stored them in 4 oz portions. I roasted some vegetables with olive oil, sea salt and black pepper and stored those in portions of around a cup each. I hard-boiled a lot of eggs since my meal plan involves a lot of egg whites. I also bought an extra case of eggs so we could still scramble, over-easy, etc. And finally, I baked some sweet potatoes and stored them in approx. 3 oz portions.

This is butternut squash, yellow squash and grape tomatoes. I first put them in a bowl and tossed with 2 tbsp EVOO, then spread them on my tin-foiled pan {also coated the tin foil with a little olive oil}, sprinkled some sea salt and black pepper over them and then roasted them on the top rack of the oven for 30 min at 375.

This is asparagus, zucchini and grape tomatoes. I did the same with these as I did with the squash mix and they also roasted for 30 min at 375.

Our veggie portions all nicely stacked in the refrigerator! They were later joined by the chicken and sweet potatoes. Oh, and don't worry, this picture made me realize the green lid wasn't shut tight, so now it is!

I am very excited to start this journey of eating clean and training dirty {hee hee} to accomplish my goals. Something feels very different about my efforts this time...I feel extremely motivated, more so than I ever have in the past, and I'm a pretty motivated girl. My sight is set on my first goal of getting the last of this pregnancy weight GONE and regaining some muscle tone along the way. I've been able to get back to the gym more now as well, and will be able to fully commit to a gym schedule in just a little over a week once Farrah is old enough for the childcare there. When I can't get to the gym, I am making sure to get a great workout in at home, whether that's Insanity, a good stroll with the kids or some weight training with the equipment I have. Oh, and on Saturday, I had my last bit of alcohol for a while. I really want to see some great results with this new eating plan and I know that cutting out alcohol is going to make a huge difference. I'm not sure how long I will cut the alcohol for now, but I want to at least get a good month in, and then maybe have it back in moderation. Of course, when training for the NPC Bikini competition next year, alcohol will be nixed completely.

Be sure to stop back in this week as I share my weight training routines!

Still Tasty

In an effort to plan my meals better, I've started cooking batches of things ahead of time - i.e. quinoa, tilapia fillets, chicken breasts, etc.

I've found myself wondering the proper storage for these items once cooked...and how long they will be good for. I've of course gone to the internet as my answer source. Today, I stumbled upon an AWESOME site.

Still Tasty

You literally type in any kind of food...

...choose whether it's cooked or uncooked...

...and -voila!- you have your answer on the proper storage and length of time it will still be good to eat.

I told you, awesome, right?

Right now I'm eating some reheated quinoa and tilapia I made a couple of days ago. 

I feel my diet is where I need the most change. I am pretty good overall with my diet, but I do let myself indulge a little more than I probably should...and often it's due to lack of preparation. When I have my meals and snacks in a lunch cooler ready to go on work days, it makes it so much easier to stay on track.

Protein-Packed Power Breakfast

This turkey bacon and egg sandwich is a great way to start your day. It give you carbs for energy, plenty of protein and good fats. You will feel full and satisfied for hours.

NUTRITION FACTS

TOTAL SANDWICH

Calories: 290 | Calories from Fat: 130 | Fat: 15g | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 21g
Protein Calories: 84 (29%), Fat Calories: 130 (45%), Carb Calories: 71 (26%) 

-BY ITEM-

THOMAS LIGHT MULTIGRAIN MUFFINS

Calories: 100 | Calories from Fat: 10 | Fat: 1g | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 5g

(2) LARGE EGG(S)

Calories: 140 | Calories from Fat: 90 | Fat: 10g | Carbohydrates: 0g | Protein: 12g

(2) SLICE(S) BUTTERBALL EVERYDAY LOWER SODIUM TURKEY BACON

Calories: 50 | Calories from Fat: 30 | Fat: 4g | Carbohydrates: 0g | Protein: 4g

*Note: This breakfast is a great option for anyone, but unless you are also exercising regularly, I recommend only using 1 slice turkey bacon and 1 egg. I exercise for one hour five days a week, so these calories are essential for muscle growth and repair. Remember, food is fuel, not entertainment!

Meal Planning & Prep

The busy life of a mom, much less a working mom, can easily get in the way of clean eating efforts. Today, we are often on the go from here to there, from sun up to sun down. It's nearly impossible to stay on track with your nutrition without proper planning ahead of time.

My best, cleanest eating weeks are those where I set aside a little time after the boys have gone to bed, usually on a Sunday evening before the work week begins, to prep and package my food to be easily thrown in my lunch bag every day of the week. You will also find, you might save a lot of money this way, as you hopefully will spend a lot less on meals out.

Here's a peek of how I do it:

This week, my plan was to have a leafy spinach salad with cucumbers and grape tomatoes for lunch each day. {Some may prefer more variety, but I absolutely love this salad, so I have no issue eating it every day.}

I often make the salad in a very large Tupperware container I own:

And I spoon some into a smaller Tupperware dish to take with my in my lunch bag the next day.

I then make sure to have a small dish with my current favorite salad dressing in it. This is Newman's Own Lite Sesame Ginger...it is sooooooo good...and only 15 calories per serving. I make sure to take just a serving's worth.

Additionally, I like to have some good protein to go with, so I hard-boil some eggs to get me through the week {and a few extra for Tanner's lunches}.

As far as snack foods to get me through my long work days, I pack things such as string cheese, raw almonds, carrots, apples, grapes...just anything that is naturally low-cal and nutritious.

As soon as I'm done with prep, I pop a day's worth of snack and lunch into this super-cute lunch bag I found at Marshall's for $9.99:

Isn't it cute? I just love it. And it's the perfect size, like a purse. I plan on getting it monogrammed eventually. So everything goes in here when I'm done, and into the fridge. The next morning before work, I take it out, pop a freezer-pak in it and go.

As far as breakfast, I usually carve out a few extra minutes in the morning to scramble up some egg whites, top them with avocado and drizzle with hot sauce {to get that metabolism going!} If I don't have time for that, I make a whey protein smoothie...I'll have my personal recipe for you here on the blog soon.

How do you plan for a healthy week?