Welcome To My Friday

Happy Friday!!!

I wanted to start this blog off with something motivational, or silly, but I haven't had a chance to drink my coffee yet so we're going with something simple. So instead... d'aawwww a puppy!

Everyone, this is Cooper, the newest member of our family :) He's a five month old beagle pup who has had a tough life up until now. Of course he's making up for it with extra long naps on the couch and making us cater to his every need.  I love that he sleeps with his tongue out, our kitty used to do that too!!

So yea. Fitness stuff. Right, that's what this blog is for, not pictures of the pup.

Got it. 

What I'm doing.

Sweaty, gross, post- workout picture with my workout buddy <3

This week was week 2 of my TurboFire and Les Mills Pump hybrid. I am loving it! I'm so glad I decided to put my two favorites together!! I get to dance around like a crazy fool with TurboFire and then get my Pump on with LMP. Didn't miss any workouts this week and I'm looking forward to today's the most, Fire 45. Yay!! 

Side note: It's time for me to upgrade my weights for Les Mills Pump! I have been completing the full workouts with 15 pounds on each side of the bar, which is the max I can do. I can do the chest portion without dropping the bar haha! 5 minutes straight of chest presses with 30 pounds. Doesn't sound like much, but try it sometime...it's a bit painful! So I'm thinking some new plates will be in my future :)

I also need to brag that with my first round of LMP I couldn't finish the shoulder track with the 5 pound plates in hand, but now I'm using the 10's! It's a struggle but I can push through it. And I added another pull-up onto my count, so I can now do 4 consecutive pull-ups. Well on my way to my goal of 10 :) 

What I'm eating

Starting with my 'treat' meal, which hubby brought home for me today. He's been wanting to try the F'real machine at the gas station for awhile and I agreed to try it with him this morning. I got a blueberry, raspberry, pomegranate smoothie. It wasn't bad but look at those nutritional facts!! SAY WHAT?  60-SIXTY- grams of sugar. And this is marketed as a healthy treat because it has fruit and vitamins in it.

No. Just no.

So yea, that's my non-paleo treat for the week, could've been worse but holy cow, I can't get past how much sugar I just put into my system! And it wasn't even a little filling, I am going to make myself some scrambled eggs with avocado after I finish this post.

So onto the healthier foods I've had this week. 

Breakfast

Breakfast for me is generally boring. It's usually one or two eggs, in some form or another, vegetables (normally spinach and/or bell peppers) and turkey bacon. Because I LOVE my Tbacon and refuse to give it up :-P I only grabbed a couple of my breakfasts this week because let's face it, no one needs 7 pictures of eggs and bacon!! 

 Eggs and tbacon on top of left over brussel sprouts. I love brussel sprouts!

Two eggs, tbacon and sauteed mini bell peppers- a normal breakfast for me :)

Lunch 

Lunch is a great time to utilize leftovers. I generally have a salad because it's quick, easy and tasty and I know I am getting all the nutrients I need with it!

Leftover pork with spinach, mini bells, peas and tomatoes

 Leftover chicken with spinach, mini bells (sensing a theme yet? ha!) and avocado 

Changed it up a bit here. Two small sweet potatoes baked and topped with tbacon (I may have burned the bacon a bit haha!) A side salad of spinach and mini bells with a lemon vinaigrette 

Snacks & Treats

I have been forcing myself to start snacking. My 'go-to' snack is a chocolate protein shake with almond milk. I have some strict rules for my protein powder (not to be confused with nutritional shakes, which also have their place in fitness and health!!) the one I currently have has 24 grams of protein and 2 grams of sugar. I find this to be an acceptable ratio :) It's sweetened with stevia. It's not technically Paleo because it's still a processed food, but I struggle with getting enough protein so I make the exception for myself. 

That being said, I'm trying to incorporate more food snacks as well, to get my calorie intake up (yes, I am losing weight and trying to eat MORE. Go figure.) The one snack I've had consistently this week has been half an apple and 1/4 cup of unsalted almonds. Or just carrots when I need a quick refuel.

For the time being I am still allowing 'treats' for myself in the evening. I plan on stopping this habit because it usually opens a can of worms I don't need to be opening if I eat anything after dinner!!

My apples and almonds snack

One of my treats. A cup of plain greek yogurt with banana slices

Another treat, and probably my favorite Paleo allowed desert so far... frozen berries (no sugar added of course!!)  thawed enough that they are still super cold and firm but edible with plain 100% baking coca type powder sprinkled on top. Cures my sweet tooth and my chocolate craving!


Dinner

With two young kids dinner HAS to be something that's kid friendly but nutritious. I'm lucky and my kids generally will eat vegetables without argument. We have our days but there is something to be said of leading by example. They also have to be husband friendly, although if he doesn't like whatever dinner is he has the option of grabbing something else on his way to work. A big 'reason' people choose not to eat healthy is the overused spouse and children excuse. My 'trick' is simply telling them this is the way it is. You can eat healthy foods or you can not eat. The kids still get unhealthy goodies from time to time, fruit snacks are a must in our house, but they both know they get what they get. Everything I cook takes an hour or less to make, usually way less. The time consuming part is always the defrosting issue, because I frequently forget to take meet out of the freezer!! 

Salmon with garlic and lemon vinaigrette and a salad for me 

 Pork chop, half of an apple and baked sweet potato fries (my kids love those!) and mustard to dip in

Turkey burger lettuce wrapped with pickles (of course!) and more mustard to dip. There was a  frozen vegetable medley as the side but I think it was still in the cooking process at this point hah!

Chicken on a bed of spinach (with lemon vinaigrette of course!) With a side of  bacon and brussel sprouts, which is amazing btw! I will be sharing that recipe soon!



My personal progress

This week I lost another 3 pounds, putting me back at pre-holiday weight. So fist bump for 2 months on, 2 weeks off!! I have had measurable strength gains (like 30 pound chest track and being able to do one more pull-up than last week!) I've also had a few learning experiences. The biggest one being that because I drink so much water everyday, think gallons of water, I need to not push myself if I start feeling sick during long cardio sessions. Electrolyte imbalance is NOT FUN. I was sick from about 3 in the afternoon until I went to sleep at about 9 or 10. Just weak, nausea and light headed. Next time I start feeling sick during a workout I'm going to stop and replenish some minerals before I continue. Whew! 

I also registered for my CPT exam this week! February 25th at noon is when I will find out if I will continue down the path to helping others lose weight or if I should just chalk it up and find a new dream. We shall see.... 

I want to hear from YOU now! How has this past week been for you?