It has been a great week of workouts, conversations and new food; and hell am I sore! I officially announced on my Facebook page that I’m going to be prepping for the bikini competition in Boston this October. I know I have some fat to lose before I can really lean out, but I’m going to try my hardest. Looking at a calendar today, I have 16 weeks to get my body in shape and ready. I think I can do this, but at first I didn’t. Let’s back up to the beginning of my week.
First here’s my Transformation Tuesday picture. Halloween of my Senior Year of college in 2010 and June 10, 2014. Definitely visible changes, especially in my face.
I talked with my good friend Caryn on Tuesday and I mentioned that I was interested in taking two different classes at my gym that night, but wasn’t sure which one. They’re back to back so Caryn suggested I go to both. So I did. Zumba and then yoga. I forgot my heart rate monitor, but with my age, height and weight, I should’ve burned 754 between the two classes. I was definitely happy that I went. Below is a picture post classes. This was also my Day 37 of 100 Happy Days. I’m happy to be making more changes, and hopefully, my body will start reflecting them.
I definitely think this quote is going to play a huge role over the next few months.
I had Wednesday night off, so I scheduled myself to take a small group training class at my gym. I signed up with a trainer named Matt. I’ve taken his classes before and I was skeptical I would be able to keep up, but I did. I recognized some of the women from the class I took with Tiana Ta and they all said if I could take her class, then I could handle this one. Holy circuits! We did all the workouts on the floor, which usually would make me feel awkward, but there were 8 of us doing them together. So I didn’t feel so bad about it. Below is a picture of my HRM post class. I couldn’t believe I survived this class, but I would definitely do again!
I had yesterday and today off from my full-time job (yay for vacation day hoarding!) so I tried to be as productive as possible! I did Bikram yoga in the morning and a class called “Kick and Flex” similar to cardio kick boxing with my friend Sarah. She’s seriously such a great person and she’s willing to try crazy classes with me! We’re taking “Body by Matt” this coming Wednesday. Matt is the same Matt that taught the group training class I said I took this past Wednesday. Oh yeah, we’re going to be dead! Since I’m taking this class with Sarah, I won’t be doing the small group training. The photo of Sarah and I was also used for my Day 38 of 100 Happy Days.
After speaking with a childhood friend Glorianna, who has also been on her own weightloss journey and runs her own social media for it, about old clothing I decided to dig through a box of old tees I kept with the hopes they would fit again. Glorianna had shared a picture from when we were 12 and in the 6th grade for Throwback Thursday. She kept the shirt and now she swims in it! It’s crazy. Check out the photo she shared herees
This was my Throwback Thursday photo. The tee is from September 2007, my freshmen year of college. So while it wasn’t 13 years old like hers was, a 7-year-old shirt still feels pretty damn good.
I took today off from the gym, but I’ll be back in the morning. I did have a productive day anyway though. I met with a woman my age, who has competed in two bikini competitions. Her name is Immy and she only lives 25 minutes from me. I couldn’t believe it because I found her on Instagram and then I found her Facebook page. Talking with her was awesome. It validated that my decision to try competing in a bikini competition is the right thing for me. It will give me a goal to help push me with my weight/fat loss, it will help me build confidence and it’s something I know I will be proud of in the end, no matter if I place or not. She told me about how she got started and how her past relationships effected her workouts. We talked about the mental aspect of working out and eating well. I’m so glad I found her and I’m glad I was daring enough to message her. I definitely think it’s going to be a great friendship and I’, so glad to have her support.
Along with new classes and new goals, I have new foods that I’m going to be incorporating in my diet as well as a new carrying case to do so. The beauty below is a 3 meal bag from 6 pack bags. It holds 3 meals, supplements and 4 full sized water bottles. It came with the food containers, supplement container and ice packs to keep it cold. It’s completely insulated like a cooler and I can’t wait to use it this week at work. Talk about a life saver.
Before I started eating paleo, my friends Kristy had me try this granola and I thought it was fantastic, but I could never find it when I went to the store. When I started eating paleo, I cut all grains and gluten or most, out of my diet. Since my goals have changed for prepping for this competition I am adding some grains back into my diet, but trying to stay as gluten free as possible. I don’t have a gluten intolerance, but I feel less bloated when I don’t consume gluten or processed carbohydrates likes pastas and breads. I don’t eat dairy either, partly from the paleo diet and partly I’m lactose intolerant, but I do eat plain Greek yogurt. This is the only dairy that doesn’t bother my stomach and the enzymes help with gut health. So what does Greek yogurt have to do with the new grains I’m adding to my diet? I bought the granola just for my yogurt since I get plain.
This specific kind of Bare Naked has 130 calories, 5g of fat, 13g of carbohydrates (3g dietary fiber, 6g sugar) and 10g of protein. This will help make my yogurt snack more rounded.
I’ve tried quinoa one time and I was NOT a fan at all. After some conversations, I’m going to give it a try again. I found this blend at the store and I figure it might help with the texture issue I have with quinoa. I’m excited to pair this with some of my chicken meals.
Brussels sprouts. One vegetable I’ve never tried before. They’re low in calories and fat, very high in Vitamin C, there’s also a little bit of carbs Band protein in there. I bought a bag from the frozen food aisle and I checked before buying it. It’s only ingredient are the Brussels sprouts; you’d be surprised at how many frozen veggies have salt or sugar added when it’s not necessary.
All these food items were made into a collage for Day 39 of 100 Happy Days. I love trying new things, hopefully I figure out the best ways to cook these new items.
I’m super excited to get the ball rolling. I started using My Fitness Pal to help calculate how much food I’m consuming, mostly so I can keep my ratios of protein, carbs and fat. I’m trying to keep it at 40%, 40% and 20%. When I can get the hang of that and my weight routine down, I will change it to 50%, 30%, 20%.
I hope everyone else had a great week. Fingers crossed for a great weekend too!
<3 Cristina
