Sun, Oct 31: HALLOWEEN

Happy Halloween!!

Halloween was another fairly ordinary holiday. This morning at breakfast, I watched as Owen scarfed down his oatmeal and promptly threw it back up into the same bowl just seconds later. Now that was scary. EW. He's been on a bland diet ever since, although we let him have 3 pieces of candy after we got done trick-or-treating. But he gave it up quickly when he saw an apple sitting out on the counter and opted for that instead. That's my boy!!  As for me, I've been able to stick to the paleo guns for my first full weekend, even despite the temptations of candy all around me.

FOOD

BF =  scrambled eggs w/ bacon, 4 almond banana pancakes

Snack = banana, paleo cookie

Lunch = roasted chicken, 2 paleo cookies

Dinner = gr beef patty

Snack = 2 paleo cookies & apple


WOD

Off day, unless you count the 1.5 hrs walking around the neighborhood pulling the wagon with 1 and sometimes 2 kiddos in it for trick-or-treating.

Dragonsaurus Owen ain't afraid of no ghosts!

Uh... it's sideways, but you can get the gist of what we were going for.

Sat, Oct 30

I woke up this morning, walked into the kitchen & still smelled the wonderful aroma from the paleo cookies I made last night.

FOOD

BF =

6 almond banana pancakes, 4 pieces of bacon, a swig of apple juice, and a glass of H20

Snack =  2 paleo cookies

Lunch =   

Half an apple, 1 fried egg, 2 pieces of bacon + 3 paleo cookies



 

Snack = banana, apple, 2 bacon-wrapped steak bites


Dinner =

WOD

I missed going to the gym today, after karate, so I decided to make up my own WOD. I really liked the tire flipping the other night, so since Ryan has extra tires in the backyard collecting rainwater and dust, I thought I'd put them to use!

WU
1.5 hr karate

3x
1 tire flip, 1 burpee  x 20
run 400m
25 situps

Result = 16:42

Not bad considering I took some time out to do the video & to keep Owen in line and wait for him when he tried to run after me and wound up simply wailing down the street. I guess he thought I was running away from him, and he desperately didn't want mama to leave. Ah... to be so popular. Just one of the joys of motherhood.  hehe

Fri, Oct 29

I've been researching Paleo recipes, still positive I will make it through this 30-day challenge. Like everyone else, I want stuff that tastes good, is easy to make, and doesn't cost me a fortune. That's not too much to ask for, is it?? I found some interesting recipes & had to go on the hunt for some of the ingredients. I went to Central Market, but only found about half of my list:

Coconut flour, coconut/pineapple juice, walnut oil, almond meal, & pecan meal

I also ran into these neat looking squash and had to share on here. Cool. 

FOOD

BF = fruit/spinach smoothie, 2 sausages out of sausage rolls (rolls were discarded), almonds

Lunch = roasted chicken, fruit/spinach smoothie

Snack = applesauce

Dinner =  6 almond banana pancakes (PALEO!)

Ok, so as you can see I tested out a paleo pancake recipe. On a scale from 1-10 with 10 being most excellent, I'd give these pancakes an 8. They were surprisingly good AND easy to make with only 4 ingredients (bananas, eggs, almond butter, cinnamon)! Two thumbs up, and there will be a repeat.

The next experiment was a batch of paleo cookies. They too, turned out surprisingly well. Although I'd give them a 9 + 2 thumbs up. Very tasty. The only problem with both of these recipes is that I found myself craving a huge glass of milk as I was demolishing the prized bakeries. The cookies had 4 ingredients as well (almond meal, finely chopped walnuts & dark cherries, and honey). The lack of numerous ingredients makes me feel like I'm a genius for concocting something so wondermous out of so little variables.

Fresh out of the oven!

I believe I will have to purchase the dry container for our VitaMix so I can start making my own almond flour/meal. Central Market sells it, but I bet I can make it for much cheaper. I found a YouTube video online that showed how to do it using the VitaMix or the Ninja, as it seems those are the two preferred blenders of choice. Now to find a stainless steel sifter...

Once Owen is introduced and acclimated to all these nuts, I'm fairly certain he'll scarf these down like there's no tomorrow.

WOD

Another off day. Ryan wanted to pitter around after work, which left me as single mom. I got busy experimenting in the kitchen after putting Owen to bed, lost track of time, and then was too lazy to do a wod at home alone. Will get to one tomorrow. Good night, sleep tight.

Thurs, Oct 28

Surprisingly after the 4" torture session last night, I am not sore at all as I thought I would be. Those places with the 'carrots' were tender to the touch afterwards, but today I am trotting along just dandy.

FOOD

BF = 2 eggs, 4 pieces of bacon

Lunch = leftovers from saltgrass:  steak & broccoli, almonds

Snack = apple & almonds

Dinner =

WOD

Off night. Not that it counts, but I watched the latter part of the Rangers game. WOW, I think they went through 5 pitchers in a 50min time span. And of course the Rangers lost. Ouch.

Wed, Oct 27

Happy 10yr anniversary to Ryan & I! How did we celebrate? We dumped Owen off at daycare, each went our separate ways for a splendid day of work, reunited at Salt Grass with wee man for a little meaty dinner, made it home in time to give the kid a bath, and then I headed for the gym while Ryan parked it to watch the Rangers lose. Romantic, wasn't it? I can tell you're jealous.

FOOD

BF = bacon & eggs, fruit/spinach smoothie

Lunch =  chicken salad, pomegranite applesauce

Snack =  almonds

Dinner = 




Sirloin (medium well), broccoli -- those are onions on the side, which didn't get eaten. I had to pick off the cheese and croutons on the salad & gave them to Owen. Had them add avocado. I desperately wanted some bread & honey butter, but I passed on it. *sigh*

 

Flipping tires

WOD

WU:
10 each - 3x
Lunges
GHD sit ups
Spiderman
Inch worms
box jumps

40 tire flips for time

Cool down = 4" PVC roll-out (aka 4" torture session)

Result = 7:49 & lots of squirming and ugly faces during the roll-out session.

I have to admit that I did feel looser when I got up and walked around after rolling out the back, hams, quads, inner thighs, calves, and shins. But !DANG! that shiznit is serious torture while you're doing it. I'm considering getting my own PVC to do it at home because I know I need it given all the bad mojo I found in there this evening. But would I really do self torture at home at my own bequest?? Things that make you go hmm....

I bet I'm sore in the morning. But I drank lots of water! Going to bed. Definitely ready for some shut eye.

Tues, Oct 26

Back to usual routine today, up at 5am to start off the day.

FOOD

BF = eggs w/ bacon

Lunch = brisket, spinach/avocado salad

snack = almonds

!!no-no snack  = handful of dark choco M&Ms

Dinner = 

brisket with fruit/spinach smoothie



WOD

WU:
CFWU 2x
run 400

Skill - Double unders - 5 mins

Strength: Deadlift
70% x 3  @ 135#
80% x 3  @ 155#
90% x 3  @ 175#

WOD

25 Overhead squats
25 toe to bar

Result = 10:29 -- due to bad shoulder, I did the wussie bar (15#), but at least I could do that! That means there must be some mobility improvement since last time I did OH squats I couldn't even do that bar. I'll have to keep that in mind next time I'm grumbling about working the chicken wing...

175# DL

 Toes to bar



 



In the spirit of halloween, Jackie & I have our demonoid eyes going on!









And who says we don't have good times in our box?!

MS. Coach J prepping for a WOD. No wonder [s]he was excited about new hair growth!!

Mon, Oct 25

Back on the paleo train again! Yesterday wasn't a bad food day, but today was better.

FOOD

BF = banana, scrambled eggs w/ bacon

snack = almonds

Lunch = brisket & spinach/avocado salad

snack = apple

Dinner = banana w/ peanut butter & apple juice


WOD

Karate day. Got plans this weekend & had to make up an upcoming Sat class tonight instead. We worked on kumite techniques & some kata.

Tomorrow is the last day to take pics & measurements for the gym's Paleo challenge. Should be interesting to see if I'm making any progress since I first started this blog 4 weeks ago(?) now...

Fri, Oct 22 - Sun, Oct 24

Friday we left out to go camping in the mtns of Arkansas at Queen Wilhemina State Park. Not our best trip. We got there around 10pm Friday night, just in time to pass out for the night. We awoke to heavy fog and a light misty rain, which made enjoying the outdoors & scenery hard to do. The fog lifted for a couple of hours in the afternoon just enough for us to enjoy a ride on the mini-train located there on-site and some quick exploring. Then it started raining and we were forced back into the camper. Sunday morning we awoke to more of the same and thus decided to leave out a day early.

As far as food was concerned, Friday was a pretty good paleo day. But Meme & Grandpa went camping with us, and Meme made homemade choco chip cookies, soup (semi-paleo), and snacks so it was hard to deny that. The crossfit gym I go to started a 30-day Paleo challenge Friday, but I gave in to the choco-chip cookies on opening day and decided to start a day later.

Thurs, Oct 21

Ok, I definitely slept good last night. Those DLs really wore me out! Sore, sore, sore.

FOOD

BF = banana, 3 pieces of bacon, 3 donuts

Lunch = spinach/avocado salad, beef vegetable barley soup, piece of cake & punch (co-worker's retirement party)

Snack = 1 square 75% mint cacoa

Dinner = fruit/spinach smoothie, chips

Yeah, today's eating sucked.

That's what happens when you don't prepare food ahead of time! But it turns out ok because today the box announced tomorrow is the start of the 30-day challenge. It couldn't have come at a better time when I obviously am in need of some reinforcement of the paleo way of eating.

WOD

WU:
CFWU 2x

Strength - Strict Press
Add #5 to your previous 1 RM

65% x 5  (48#)
75% x 5  (55#)
85% x 5  (61#)

WOD

15 Front Squats 
30 pull ups
12 front squats
20 pull ups
9 front squats
10 pull ups
Result = 8:58 at 85#, RX

Wed, Oct 20

Sore from elephant poaching yesterday! Not my forearms as I expected, but basically from my hamstrings all the way up my back. Dear goodness. So when I read what today's WOD was, I thought it looked decent & that I had a fighting chance until I saw the DLs at the end. *moan*

FOOD

BF = 2 scrambled eggs, banana

Snack = handful of almonds

Lunch = filet mignon, spinach/avocado salad

Snack = apple, two 75% mint cacao squares

Dinner = banana, 5 nachos, half fruit/spinach smoothie


WOD

WU:

Run 400

CFWU 2x

Skills:

double unders - 5 mins

ring pull ups & ring dips - 5 mins

Benchmark WOD

30 Wallball #20/14

300m row

30 Box Jump

30 KB #24/16kg

30 DB press/jerk #45/25

30 DL 225/135 (previously #95)

Result = 14:13 with 10 DLs at 135#, but then form went out the window & I just couldn't do any more so weight dropped to 115# to finish out. Also did 20lb on press/jerk because 25# was tough on the L shoulder. Not the prettiest of endings, but I finished.

Carey & Tami:  Wall balls & rowing

Yup, the kicker in the pants for this wod was definitely the DLs. As sore and tired as my back was, I didn't think I could handle 135#, but I tried to stay positive and tell myself I could do it. Ok, ok, maybe a little bell in the back of head kept asking "are you freakin' out of your mind??", but I gave it a go. One day I'll be able to look back at this pitiful performance and laugh. Oh wait, I kinda already am. But in the future I'll be able to laugh because the weight, looking back, would've been so easy. Hey, a girl can dream, right?

 C & T box jumps and push/jerks

Oh, and I gotta give props to Tami. That freakin' chica just goes and goes and never looks tired or red or sweaty or anything! I don't know how she does it.  (Especially after coming back after being sick!!) I was glad during the wod today when I finally heard her breathing hard. I was beginning to think I suck for sucking wind so much. So thanks, T, for showing me you're human after all.  Keep up the great work!

C & T push/jerks & starting DLs

Tues, Oct 19

At 1am'ish last night, I found a certain 2yr old boy breathing in my ear staring at me in the darkness. Somehow he'd managed to climb onto our bed and over Ryan without Ryan ever waking up. Or pretending not to wake up, is probably more like it. Anyhoo, after a potty run he went back down to sleep rather quickly, as did I.

FOOD

BF = 2 eggs, fried

Lunch = tortilla soup w/ extra avocado, chips & salsa, 1 square mint 75% cacao

Snack = apple

Dinner = bacon-wrapped filet mignon, fruit/spinach smoothie, 1 square 85% cacao


WOD

  This is what highlighted today's wod.

WU  3x:
10 ring dips
10 lunges
10 back ext
10 pistols


Strength: Squat
add #10 to previous 1RM

65% x 5 (90#)
75% x 5 (105#)
85% x 5 (120#)

WOD - "7000lb Elephant"
Choose any weight you want, clean and jerk, until you reach 7000lbs.

men #7,000, women #6,000

ex: #135 x 52 reps = 7,020; #95 x 74 = 7,030; 65 x 108 = 7,020, etc.

Cap of 115 reps max, scale to 6,000lb, or 5,000lbs accordingly

Result = 92 reps @ 65lbs in 13:59

At first glance, this wod had the word "SUCKS" all over it. I thought the clean & jerk included the squat, but a saving grace was that I found it apparently it didn't. It was deceiving and definitely a mental workout as much as a physical. As I type this now, my forearms burn and my lower back is sorta quivering. My adductors from yesterday's karate really didn't appreciate the squat lifts as they now feel weak. I'm pretty much feeling like a wuss now...

Back squats at 105#

Carey, Joe, & Tami poaching elephants -- Amy gets credit for her boob & feet though!

Nonetheless, without her assistance there'd be no footage at all, so we'll take what we can get. This one's for all the male followers I have out there.  ;)

But good news! I put on a pair of jeans today that I hadn't worn in 2-3 weeks and realized they are looser. So all this work must be paying off. Something like that really helps to reinforce the caveman eating. Let's get it on.

Mon, Oct 18

Slept horribly last night. I let Ryan decide we didn't need the fan last night. I woke up hot and tossed off my extra blanket. Woke up again and was too lazy to get up out of bed to flip on the fan. Then when I finally did wake up, I found Ryan had shed his blanket and tossed it on me! Not exactly the sharing I wanted. I paid for it in the morning...

Ran late cuz I couldn't get my toosh out of bed. I let the kiddo sleep in too long. He woke up wet which meant a quick bath for him. I sucked down a small smoothie & 3 pieces of bacon but I could tell that wasn't going to cut it.

So what happens? I get to work to find generous co-workers had brought in homemade delights. The more I told myself I couldn't have it, the more I fantasized about eating it and eventually i gave in and had some. Not good. I have to do some reverse psychology stuff on myself. I don't like telling myself off the bat I CANNOT have something cuz that makes me want it that much more. Kinda like saying don't think about a big purple elephant! So what do you do? That's all you think about for the next 21.2 seconds. Right. So, it's better if I tell myself I'll have some later. Like, if you make it one whole hour without giving in then you can have a couple of bites. Seems to work better. But today was all about giving in.

FOOD

BF = fruit/spinach smoothie, 3 pieces of bacon

Snack = cherry cobbler, baked chips with some tongue-burning dip

Lunch = elk met spaghetti squash spaghetti left-overs, spinach/avocado salad

Dinner =  Found Owen's stash of animal crackers in the car on the way to karate from work. Figured something was better than nothing.

Snack = oatmeal squares




Ok, ok. I totally was abducted by aliens again.  It's a curse befriending everyone!







Tomorrow is a fresh, new day -- and alien free. I even did some researc on where I'd be crossfitting during the Thanksgiving break in Austin! Go me. Looking forward, always.

WOD

Had to squeeze in a karate day since I'll be gone this weekend (when I'd normally do the karate). We worked a lot of kicks today, and my adductors can really feel it.

Looking forward to some good sleep tonight with the fan ON.

On a last note, I can feel post-nasal drip coming on, and the start of a scratchy throat. The next few days will be gradually miserable, I'm sure....

Sun, Oct 17

Ah, another good night's rest. The hubby and wee one were out of town overnight, which left me to enjoy a natural awakening in the morning when my body felt like it. Unfortunately, it has grown accustomed to waking up early, and a little after 7am I woke up. But I forced myself to go back to sleep drifting in and out of conciousness until around 9:30am. I took a shower & walked into the kitchen to find there were no more eggs. What to do for breakfast?!? Hmmm...

FOOD

BF = skipped, unless you count a viactiv & water

Lunch = grilled chicken, broccoli

Snack = apple, 3 handfuls of chips

Dinner = spaghetti squash spaghetti with ground elk meat, 3 tootsie rolls for dessert

WOD

Totally off today

So, elk meat is pretty good! Friends of ours gave us a bit to try from a successful hunt, and I was impressed. Too bad you can't find that stuff in stores locally. Perhaps a thought as an xmas gift is forming...

Ryan divulged he's started a 15 week training program that entails biking and jogging.

We were going to run 2mi together, but he accused me of stalling & went without us. I just wanted to wait until after dinner so we could load up Owen in the stroller & lull him toward bedtime. He's usually quite rambunctious in that last hour. Naturally, I talked myself out of doing the run on my own and wound up thoroughly enjoying the off day.

Off to bed at a decent hour:  ~9pm.

Sat, Oct 16

We left some friends' house last night & the Rangers were winning 5-0. I predicted their loss, but was surprised to hear this morning that they actually did lose. On to the next game. Got just under 9hrs sleep last night!! Feeling good in the morning.

FOOD

BF =  fruit/spinach smoothie

Snack = banana + peanut butter, pomegranite apple sauce

Lunch = chicken fajita meat

Dinner =


Avocado salad, grilled chicken, with broccoli



WOD

1hr karate

then

WU

2x:
400m run
10 pass thrus
10 OHS
10 situps
10 back extensions

Helen

3 rounds of:

400m run
21 KB swings
12 pull ups

Time - 13:24 RX.  My last time for the same wod back in July was 18:xx. I dunno if I was slacking that day or I have just improved that much in that short time. I prefer to think it's me getting better!