Phase Two begins....Phase One results.

Although I am pleased there are results to post, I feel like Phase One was a bit of a let down.  So much happened in 60 days.  My uncle/friend died,  my son had pneumonia, my seven month old suddenly decided to stop sleeping at night... I'm exhausted.  That said, I am also very motivated for this next chapter.

First and foremost,  the results:

My current measurements, as of yesterday:  at bellybutton, 34" - unchanged, at boobs 38" - unchanged (damn't!), back 32" - down an inch, thigh 19.5 - up a half inch - I take pride in this...I am gaining muscle again. My legs are becoming shaply vs pipecleaners, hips 36.5 - down half an inch, bicep 11 - again, totally proud of the mini muscle starting to show!

This rounds goals:  tighten le tummy, shrink the boobies and regain shape/muscle in arms and legs.  We have our first family vacation coming up in January. I would actually like to wear a non-tent-like bathing suit.  I can do this, six weeks.  Of course, it is the most brutal time of year to diet BUT the reward is worth the sacrifices. 

The new year will bring about a whole new series of things to focus on. Hiring a caretaker for my kids, recertifying myself as a personal trainer and re-establishing myself as a facilitator in my workplace. A year away from work is huge. It is so amazing to be home and to spend time with the kids, but the time away is a huge barrier to overcome upon your return. Someone else has totally benefitted from your absence in that they filled your shoes.  They may have really shone ( I've been replaced a few times over now, the ego has already been bruised).  The flip side is, it is an opportunity to recreate yourself. To be who you want to be and to chase what you want with renewed enthusiasm.  I am on a serious mission upon my return. I have very specific, mapped out goals targetting the next 5 years.  It will take an enormous amount of effort to get to where I want to be,  but it's worth it.

I am on the brink of creating the life I ultimately want to lead with my husband and children.  As is he. 

One step at a time.

This next step, moi.  Reclaiming and reconnecting with myself.  This phase will consist of resistance training almost exclusively. Yes, cardio is a good thing, but I am tight for time. Calorically, physically, my results will come if I kick my own ass in resistance training. I am tired, very tired and so I am sticking with following pre-set routines. This time around, P90x and TRX training only.  3-4 x's weekly.

My diet is changing this time around.  All breads, pasta's, rice... cutt off after fourth meal ( I eat 6 mini meals a day - starting at approx 7:45 am and every 2/5-3 hrs following.  On all days except Saturday and Sunday evenings (those are sacred snack nights with the hubby ha ha).  The last two meals of the day will be variances of a lean protein and greens.  I have started to get into making my own salad dressings from sunflower seeds/oils, fresh spices and oil/vinegrettes... it is helping to stay on track. Variety is essential! That and I don't want to send the wrong message to my kids. We eat the same foods. I have to ensure they are getting what they need while I am trying to scale back.  I believe firmly in us all eating at the same time, the same foods. 

I do not count calories. I go by how I feel.  If I eat balanced meals throughout the day, I'm fine. If I don't, I will binge afterwards.  I have found a balance that works for me and have learned to understand my bodies needs effectively. If I am totally starving, I've strayed from the path.  In that case, I have to bust out the cake plate vs dinner plate to ensure portion control.  And yes, I've learned to pile food pretty high on those small plates at times.  I am my own worst enemy in the food game. I love it. So ensuring consistant meals, consistant regulated servings all day long keep me from pulling into any fast food joint to buy everything they have, that minute.

Well, my time is up for today's blog. The oven timer is about to go off and I have several meals coming out all at once. Multi tasking, multi meal making day. Need to ensure the fridge is stocked with what we need so momma stays on target.  Roasted root veggies, a lasagna and banana loafs are coming out. Beef stew and a bean soup have already begun to cool off.  Smells kind of funky with so many things cooking at once ha ha ha BUT it is worth it.  Once less thing I have to do tomorrow, one more minute I can spend working out.

Be well.
Mad luv,
Nikki

9 days to go....

So how does one begin this time. Phase One is not going as planned, let's just start with that.

I woke up this morning with a caloric hangover. Seriously h u n g over. I attacked my kids Hallowe'en bowl last night.  Not just a little. There were wrappers and chip bags strewn all over the coffee table when my hubby returned from hockey. I had passed out.  I'm not painting a pretty picture of myself right now am I ha ha ha.

Yesterday was the cremation of my 44 yr old uncle who passed from cancer this week.  We grew up together and grew to be friends, not just family.  So yesterday seriously sucked.  I ate in between sob fests. 
Today, not feeling so hot! 

The kids are off school today for a PD day. This is a good thing.  Not always, but today it is.  They give great hugs, and, yell at you when you touch their candy bowl. 

I'm not measuring anything or doing anything until Monday. New week + kids back in school = fresh start.

This loss is also a great motivator.  My uncle was fit.  He worked out regularly and he ate really well.  Here's what I've learned through his battle;

1.There is a huge difference between organic and non-organic foods.  We ate identical diets. The days consisted of many salads, lean proteins, fruits and veggies.  One key take away was the need to change my families foods to organic as we consume all of the "dirty dozen" foods, as well as, hormone~probiotic~grain GMO fed meats.  We were ingesting a huge amount of pesticides/poisons.  There are many other factors that contribute to illness, but if I could prevent something for them, I will. Last night as I was sobbing over the candy bowl inhaling out of control volumes of tiny chocolate bars and regular Lays chips I realized, my kids aren't really eating this.    There was way too many candies left for this time of year.  I don't remember mine lasting long, I ate piles of it in a sitting. Hmmm, seems I haven't grown up much in that respect.  My kids don't crave it like I do.  They will ask for a banana with granola sprinkled on it before candy.  I think I've been keeping all these goodies around for me!   If I don't stop eating them my ass is going to explode into much larger jeans! I have to throw them out....
2. Get as much oxygen as you can.  Exercise.  Use what you were given and keep it alive.
3. Speak your mind. Share your emotions. Allow yourself to really feel all that life has to offer.  When you ignore things or fail to deal with things your body will react. 

I am actually really looking forward to Monday.

For now, I'm going to enjoy a date night with my hubby tonight ( I will likely inhale a  days worth of calories in vino alone hee hee hee, it's our first date night in well over a year! ), a weekend of playing with my kids and cooking the weekly meals on Sunday.  I bought a new food processor.  We may have twenty styles of salad this week just so I can use it more!

I have lost this month.  I'm down a pant size, which blew me away considering all that has happened.  The boobs, nada. AnNoYiNg.  The mission continues....

Be well.