The past two weeks have been terrible for me. I've only done about 20% Paleo :( I've also not been super motivated to work out. However when I have gone to my CrossFit class I've made some good improvements: new pr on bench press as well as push jerk and front squats. The year is fast coming to a close so I need to get my tail in high gear. I guess it's the stress of trying to finish the kitchen remodel and get ready to move next month. We'll see...

I'm back!

Yes, I've been missing from the Blogger world for a while. Life got in the way a bit- major changes are being planned...more on that later. I've had a few good moments while I've been out. Tried a few new Paleo recipes that were a hit (protein balls are my new favorite and cheaper then buying Quest bars). Last week I only went to CrossFit one day. I went back today for the women's morning class. We worked a lot on form- toes to bar and handstand. I actually got a kick-up handstand!!! Previously I was doing walk ups but now I've switched. I was able to get several in a row. So now it's working on the vertical push-up part :/ Not to sure about that cause there still a lot of me to lift. But you can't argue with progress. I also completed a Hero WOD (out box does one every Sat morning) which included an extra credit 1 mile run. When I started I wasn't even planning to try and make the whole thing but by the time I got to the half mile turn around I figured I might as well try to finish. That was probably one of my top highlights since starting CrossFit in Feb. Prior to that it had been about 3 years since I had finished a mile. 

31 Days of Praise- Ruth Myers

Day 5:

I praise You for Your sovereignty over the broad events of my life and over the details. With You, nothing is accidental, nothing is incidental, and no experience is wasted. You hold in Your own power my breath of life and all my destiny. And every trial that You allow to happen is a platform on which You reveal Yourself, showing Your love and power, both to me and to others looking on. Thank You that I can move into the future non defensively, with hands outstretched to whatever lies ahead, for You hold the future and You will always be with me, even to my old age...and through all eternity. 

"There is none like Thee, O Lord; Thou art great, and great is Thy name in might." Jer. 10:6

My sister and I went on vacation to NYC last week and had a blast. We agreed before we left that we weren't going to stress about how we ate or getting a "workout" in since we would be walking everywhere. We hit an outlet mall one day and got some new Reebok gear. I put it to use last night at my first post-vacation WOD. Our owner/trainer even said it looked like we had slimmed down while we were away! My clothes all fit the same but I sure missed lifting while I was away. 

What I've learned from 9 days vacation:

My skin/body does not like a non-Paleo vacation. 

Working out at least 3 times a week gives me a higher energy level. 

I am addicted to coffee. 

A big city is my comfort zone. 

I like to lift- makes me feel strong. 

I can walk 10 blocks in 6" heels perfectly fine!

Rude people don't bother me- I can give it right back. 

Week 2 wrap up

Things went much better since I had an idea about what I was doing! Meal planning really helped. When we got home from CrossFit, we already knew what we were having so we could jump right in and get it prepared. Our cheat meal was Chik-fil-a. It was also our errand and grocery day. The side affects were much less then last week! We have also been trying to change up our meals and make them more interesting. This week we tried asparagus- wrapped in bacon and broiled. I topped it of with a touch of pesto. We both agreed to add it to our menu more often

Week 1 wrap-up

So, this week has flown by. We decided to do our first cheat meal at lunch before my sis headed to work. After much consideration we decided to head to a local burger shop. You can totally customize your burger- and we are the type that likes everything on ours. Fried egg, pineapple, and grilled onions are a must (they remind us of the days growing up in Australia where you could get an amazing burger from the corner store). Although we enjoyed our lunch and a chance to catch up with each others week, the affects of the cheese, bun and fries were more then we bargained for. The rest if the afternoon was spent in a slump. Neither of us had any energy. Even my sisters boss noticed she wasn't her normal bubbly self. I had house cleaning to do but couldn't manage to bring myself to get anything done. I think we may need to reconsider how we do our cheat meals. 

Days 3 & 4

I worked 12 hr shifts (11am-11pm). I'm not a fan of working day shift but I've got three more weeks of ER orientation then I'm on night shift!

But I did discover what eating schedule works for my long days at work. I sleep in, allowing just enough time to shower and throw on my navy scrubs. Before I head out the door I pack my cooler bag with a small container of nuts (walnuts and almonds), veggies (either fresh or leftover stir fry), and protein (day 3 was tuna, day 4 was chicken). Then I mix up a smoothie to drink in the car on the way into work. This week I finished up my Jillian Michaels powder so now I'm looking for a Paleo approved option. I add fresh fruit and some almond milk. About 1:30 I ate my nut mixture. 5:30 was either a coffee or fruit smoothie (no protein) from the coffee shop conveniently located in our hospital next to our emergency room! About 8:00 or do I had my veggies and protein. I'm sure I didn't eat enough during my shift but its the best I could do. I've got to work 36 hrs during the next three days so maybe I can improve my plan some.