I have always been a slave to the scale. Allowing digital number readouts to effect my mood and sometimes - often times dampen my spirit. When the numbers go up, my mood goes down on an ever-oscillating see-saw. I have been diligently watching the scale, but much to my chagrin after that whopping 9 pound weight loss (more than likely water) during my time back home in PA the weight has gone up and down and stalled.This is more than likely due to my diet back in NYC, which I thought I cleaned up nicely, but apparently not. I've been hitting the gym hard and not seeing much budge on the scale. I had a goal of 2-3 lbs per week, so it was disappointing being in week 3 (since coming back from PA).
In the past, during my previous jaunts of "lose weight" with a bit of hardcore consistent cardio I would see results within a week or two. However, I guess I must account for the fact that during said time I was hovering at 170+, so of course the weight came off quicker because I had more to lose. I also wasn't strength training...much or at all. Now, I can feel and see a difference in my muscles. Hell, to even have muscles to flex is a huge difference. So, I guess all is not lost. I must take heart and keep pushing.
On Another NOTE: Food experiments!
So, uh - I don't cook much, well, I didn't before college and I never had anyone teach me how, so its been a learning process in between the fiftyleven other things I have to do. With that being said, I've gotten so much better at cooking - and not killing people with my seasoning heavy-handedness. With this fitness journey, cooking is a must because if I made it, I know exactly what and how much I am eating. It also saves me money from buying food on campus. It's been a lot of trial and error and what I like to call experiments. I usually just try to combine the things in the fridge to make something different, so I don't get bored with my food options. My most recent food experiment was what I'd like to call a tuna burrito. It is a play on a real burrito, packed with protein in the form of eggs, kidney beans and tuna , and no red meat for my tummy to suffer through.
It came out delicious and I am so proud of myself. *pat on back* I wish I took a picture of it, but I was to eager to eat it. I have decided to prepare several of these in advance so I could grab it on the go and eat for breakfast in the morning. YUMS!
Monday, January 21, 2013
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Gained 5 lbs in one night.
Going on this fitness journey has really opened my eyes to some of my poor eating habits. As aforementioned, I never really eat 'unhealthy' foods. I'm not in fast food restaurants every day, and when I am it is for something seemingly healthy. I suppose I never much paid attention to the nutrition facts of things beyond the calorie count, but boy, I tell ya - it makes a word of difference to peruse the macro and micro nutrients. The amount of sodium and carbohydrates matter! This is especially so since the recommended daily amount of sodium for African American is 1,500 mg and the average American can eat 5x that a day. My mother has suffered from hypertension all of her life and I suspect it is what lead to her kidney failure (amongst other factors). This will not be me.
Most of the sodium we eat is found in processed foods. As a broke college student, I used to survive off of processed food because I am in school for 20 hours a week and I work 20 hours a week+ as well as study 20 hours a week. I don't really have much time to get my chef Boyar-Tee on. However, this meant that I was taking in a lot of salt an other food processing additives. It didn't really become apparent until I ate some chicken and broccoli from the local Chinese restaurant, which was a healthy choice compared to the chicken wings and fries I could've gotten. However, I used two packs of soy sauce, completely oblivious that 1 tbsp has 1000 mg of sodium. Not to mention the sauce that comes n the chicken n broccoli itself. My stomach gurgled and groaned and I could literally feel myself bloating. Next day, I got up to weigh myself and lo and behold I was up 5 pounds! To add insult to injury - I proceeded to get a migraine (probably because my BP skyrocketed) that knocked me out all day. I trudged to the supermarket and got some bananas (for the potassium), chomped on some garlic, as well as drank almost my body weight in water. The next day I was down 2 pounds. I really think I am sodium sensitive. With that being said, I have restricted my sodium intake to 1000mg a day.
I am learning to pay attention to my body and what it likes and dislikes. I have learned, like 60% of adults that I am lactose intolerant. I should've known since milk makes me hella gassy, but I guess I was in denial for the love of ice cream. I enjoy almond milk, however the fact that its almost 5 dollars per container is disconcerting. I must find it somewhere cheaper.
Quote for the day: "Weightloss and fitness is a journey - not a race."
Most of the sodium we eat is found in processed foods. As a broke college student, I used to survive off of processed food because I am in school for 20 hours a week and I work 20 hours a week+ as well as study 20 hours a week. I don't really have much time to get my chef Boyar-Tee on. However, this meant that I was taking in a lot of salt an other food processing additives. It didn't really become apparent until I ate some chicken and broccoli from the local Chinese restaurant, which was a healthy choice compared to the chicken wings and fries I could've gotten. However, I used two packs of soy sauce, completely oblivious that 1 tbsp has 1000 mg of sodium. Not to mention the sauce that comes n the chicken n broccoli itself. My stomach gurgled and groaned and I could literally feel myself bloating. Next day, I got up to weigh myself and lo and behold I was up 5 pounds! To add insult to injury - I proceeded to get a migraine (probably because my BP skyrocketed) that knocked me out all day. I trudged to the supermarket and got some bananas (for the potassium), chomped on some garlic, as well as drank almost my body weight in water. The next day I was down 2 pounds. I really think I am sodium sensitive. With that being said, I have restricted my sodium intake to 1000mg a day.
I am learning to pay attention to my body and what it likes and dislikes. I have learned, like 60% of adults that I am lactose intolerant. I should've known since milk makes me hella gassy, but I guess I was in denial for the love of ice cream. I enjoy almond milk, however the fact that its almost 5 dollars per container is disconcerting. I must find it somewhere cheaper.
Quote for the day: "Weightloss and fitness is a journey - not a race."
Thursday, January 3, 2013
147...RUN tell dat!!
I guess what I'm doing is working or my scale is being janky because according to my scale today I am now 147.4. I was so surprised to see my weight in the 140's. I thought it would take me at least another week. However, I am extremely pleased and motivated to continue with what I am doing. If you're happy and you know it clap your...hands. ;)
Anyway, so today I woke up at 5:35 am and ate 2 packets of sugar-free apple cinnamon instant oatmeal with a scoop of protein powder and was out the house by 7 to walk to the gym, getting there around 8.
I really didn't feel 'into it' when I got to the gym. This is probably because it was 20 degrees below brick cold outside and my nose was on faucet. However, I sucked it up and went to work on the leg press, abductor, adductor and hamstring curl. Come to find out I've been using the leg press wrong - well not wrong, but half-assed and didn't know it. I just didn't know how much distance to put between me at the footplate.I was over here thinking I was legpressing over 300 when it was only because I was using my lower back to help push. Thanks to the glories of Youtube, I now know better.
I went over to the weights area - also known as the 'men-only' part of the gym. I was the only girl in that area of the gym, so I naturally got stares. I just queued up and blasted "Hold me back" by Rick Ross and got to work on the row machine. I wanted to try the Smith machine, but something about it is so daunting to me. I've always kind of looked at it as a 'big boy' machine. However, if I want to get the lower body that I desire - it's necessary. Like a punk though I let some guy muscle me away from the machine before I could try. I will do it next time damn it. Eff that.My ass will be AWESOME, you hear me?
Yea, off to study. Well, after cardio abs.
Anyway, so today I woke up at 5:35 am and ate 2 packets of sugar-free apple cinnamon instant oatmeal with a scoop of protein powder and was out the house by 7 to walk to the gym, getting there around 8.
I really didn't feel 'into it' when I got to the gym. This is probably because it was 20 degrees below brick cold outside and my nose was on faucet. However, I sucked it up and went to work on the leg press, abductor, adductor and hamstring curl. Come to find out I've been using the leg press wrong - well not wrong, but half-assed and didn't know it. I just didn't know how much distance to put between me at the footplate.I was over here thinking I was legpressing over 300 when it was only because I was using my lower back to help push. Thanks to the glories of Youtube, I now know better.
I went over to the weights area - also known as the 'men-only' part of the gym. I was the only girl in that area of the gym, so I naturally got stares. I just queued up and blasted "Hold me back" by Rick Ross and got to work on the row machine. I wanted to try the Smith machine, but something about it is so daunting to me. I've always kind of looked at it as a 'big boy' machine. However, if I want to get the lower body that I desire - it's necessary. Like a punk though I let some guy muscle me away from the machine before I could try. I will do it next time damn it. Eff that.My ass will be AWESOME, you hear me?
Yea, off to study. Well, after cardio abs.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Digging Deeper ..
This morning I decided to do abs and cardio. Now, I know you can't spot reduce and that I have a lot of fat over said abs that needs to go before I'll be able to see any definition, but hey it's worth a try. It was a very productive workout.My goal was to work my abs until I couldn't anymore. And now it hurts to laugh, which is good, I guess. LOL (well, not really)
ABS:
100 crunches
100 bicycle crunches
100 W-crunches
100 leg raises
100 jack knives
Afterwards I did 10 out of 15 mins of Insanity Cardio ABS which left me sweaty and achy. Just when I was about to tap out at like minute six Shaun T says "Now I'm going to go over to Tanya" - and I'm like ...say what now? How you know my name? *record-scratch*. Of course, he was talkin' bout some Asian chick in the video, but it sure was enough get me going as if he was sitting right next to me!
This will probably be an every other day routine. My abs will surely be needing a rest day after this! Tonight I plan on doing some legwork, but for right now I'm tiyad and I need to study for Organic Chemistry and the GRE. *le sigh*
ABS:
100 crunches
100 bicycle crunches
100 W-crunches
100 leg raises
100 jack knives
Afterwards I did 10 out of 15 mins of Insanity Cardio ABS which left me sweaty and achy. Just when I was about to tap out at like minute six Shaun T says "Now I'm going to go over to Tanya" - and I'm like ...say what now? How you know my name? *record-scratch*. Of course, he was talkin' bout some Asian chick in the video, but it sure was enough get me going as if he was sitting right next to me!
This will probably be an every other day routine. My abs will surely be needing a rest day after this! Tonight I plan on doing some legwork, but for right now I'm tiyad and I need to study for Organic Chemistry and the GRE. *le sigh*
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Workout Music?
Why is making a fitness playlist so daggone hard? It has been scientifically proven that music can be a boon when working out - namely, fast and uptempo music can bolster motivation. I have found this to be true in my own life which is why my 'workout playlist' is full of ratchet music. Music has the effect of turning my exercise into swaggercise. Seriously, play a Rick Ross track (heavy rotation: "Hold Me Back") while I'm on the elliptical in the gym and watch the RPM skyrocket as well as me get my stank face on. Admittedly, being a boughetto black girl from Washington Heights - rap/hip hop is always going to be a part of my musical repertoire.
However, being an eclectic music snob (that plays 4 instruments *horn toot*) there has to be more than just Ciara, Sasha Fierce, 2chains, and Rick Ross. So, I gots to thinkin': what makes a good workout song? With a bit of empirical studying I have discerned that my main requirement is:
"I like my beats fast and my bass down low."
I think the tempo affects my pace and the bass just gives it that power. This led to me downloading a playlist full of songs for my workout playlist and I must say that I am quite pleased with the results. To be real though, my playlist is still rather ratchet. As a fairly educated black chick, I'd probably be embarrassed if someone were to hear me bopping to this playlist outside of the gym because it is rife with "b*tches, money and all those fancy things". Rap, some dance and dubstep are the only genres that really meet my criteria. There is nothing I hate more than having to pause my workout to switch songs because it is too slow. Aint nobody tryna to work out to Ledisi, okay? There aint no stoppin' me now though...cuz um...these ninja's can't hold me back.
If you were to take a gander at my google play library you would seriously scratch your head. It is literally an amalgam of almost every genre of music from jazz, rock and classical music, to dance, alternative, hip hop and pop music. I would say R&B, but it apparently has been phased out (ig: Ne-Yo's RED album).
However, being an eclectic music snob (that plays 4 instruments *horn toot*) there has to be more than just Ciara, Sasha Fierce, 2chains, and Rick Ross. So, I gots to thinkin': what makes a good workout song? With a bit of empirical studying I have discerned that my main requirement is:
"I like my beats fast and my bass down low."
I think the tempo affects my pace and the bass just gives it that power. This led to me downloading a playlist full of songs for my workout playlist and I must say that I am quite pleased with the results. To be real though, my playlist is still rather ratchet. As a fairly educated black chick, I'd probably be embarrassed if someone were to hear me bopping to this playlist outside of the gym because it is rife with "b*tches, money and all those fancy things". Rap, some dance and dubstep are the only genres that really meet my criteria. There is nothing I hate more than having to pause my workout to switch songs because it is too slow. Aint nobody tryna to work out to Ledisi, okay? There aint no stoppin' me now though...cuz um...these ninja's can't hold me back.
If you were to take a gander at my google play library you would seriously scratch your head. It is literally an amalgam of almost every genre of music from jazz, rock and classical music, to dance, alternative, hip hop and pop music. I would say R&B, but it apparently has been phased out (ig: Ne-Yo's RED album).
Rise and Grind Routine
I used to be a morning person. As a matter of fact: I still am - I thrive in the morning with the sun's effulgence energizing me like it does superman. However, I am just not a get-out-of-a-comfy-bed person. You know when you're getting that good sleep, swathed in your warm and plush blanket with your head nestled just right on your pillow? Who the hell wants to leave such a place - especially to go do things that aren't any fun? Well, that is why I have my rise and grind routine. My momma used to say a hard head makes a soft ass. Well, I say, STAYING in a soft bed will keep a soft ass. Now before you get to griping, 'but men like it soft' - don't nobody want a mushy booty, you hear me? Nan one.
So, I set my phone's alarm for 5:00am (me and odd numbers) with an annoying ass tone and a droid voice that says "Get yo ass up" and I do - get up, that is. I'm not a personal trainer - just a person that's training. Nothing else can be done unless I get down on the floor and put in work.
Rise and Grind Routine: 30 mins
100 jumping jacks (to get my heart rate up)
1 minute plank (I use this as a resting pose)
High Knees - 30 secs
1 minute plank rest
100 bicycle crunches
50 W crunches
50 leg raises (I don't like to think of things in sets)
30 burpees (I don't like these too much)
1- plank rest
Mountain climbers- 1 min
Afterwards, I can go and shower...I sure am sweaty.
Sidenote though...on a TMI tip - am I the only one that queefs when doing leg raises? YO! Don't you dare laugh at me. Seriously, I don't have a loosey goosey coochie; I know it's caused by air being pushed up there (I googled it), but damn it if I wasn't set aback when the sound from down below rent the air of my silent bedroom. Yea, no male personal trainer if I were to ever get one ...
So, I set my phone's alarm for 5:00am (me and odd numbers) with an annoying ass tone and a droid voice that says "Get yo ass up" and I do - get up, that is. I'm not a personal trainer - just a person that's training. Nothing else can be done unless I get down on the floor and put in work.
Rise and Grind Routine: 30 mins
100 jumping jacks (to get my heart rate up)
1 minute plank (I use this as a resting pose)
High Knees - 30 secs
1 minute plank rest
100 bicycle crunches
50 W crunches
50 leg raises (I don't like to think of things in sets)
30 burpees (I don't like these too much)
1- plank rest
Mountain climbers- 1 min
Afterwards, I can go and shower...I sure am sweaty.
Sidenote though...on a TMI tip - am I the only one that queefs when doing leg raises? YO! Don't you dare laugh at me. Seriously, I don't have a loosey goosey coochie; I know it's caused by air being pushed up there (I googled it), but damn it if I wasn't set aback when the sound from down below rent the air of my silent bedroom. Yea, no male personal trainer if I were to ever get one ...
Saturday, December 29, 2012
No photoshop - just fitness!
Goal: 135 lbs and losing the highlighted areas. :)
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