FALL INTO HEALTH

I started my Fall detoxing today. I felt really good about myself today. I didn't give into any cravings and stuck to my daily food plan. I started the day off with an awesome morning elixir (lemon juice, water and apple cider vinegar) and an awesome veggie, fruit smoothie with hemp protein powder and flax seed, sounds gross but it was pretty amazing. I have 4 days of pre-detoxing which I will be trying to eliminate eggs, dairy, wheat/grains, nuts and soy. I'm slowly trying to incorporate more fruits and veggies that are low on the glycemic index. This is the first detox I've done where I'm not hungry, a lot of detoxes out there don't allow you to eat real food, which is why I was really attracted to this detox. Also the instructor really encourages you to go at your own pace, its definitely not too extreme and it feels like something I will keep up with it.

http://www.vibrantologyhealth.com/

 Rawkin' Love Smoothie

1 cup coconut milk, rice, almond or hemp milk
1 banana
1 Tablespoon ground flax seed
1 cup spinach or kale
1 cup frozen berries
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
1 splash pure vanilla extract
Ice (optional)
Combine all ingredients in blender; blend until smooth

Morning Elixir

8-12 oz. warm water

Juice from 1/2 Lemon

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

It's good to drink throughout the day and it really flushes your system

Power swim

I went to the gym tonight after work and running errands.  I had menstrual aches, back pain, and i was real tired and knew I had stuff to do when I got home.  But I still went to the gym because I know I won't be able to go all weekend due to being out of town.  And also because I ate fast food today. 

I did a power swim for 30 minutes and pushed myself in speed and strength.  I was physically tired afterwards (still am!).  But either way, I'm proud of myself for going to the gym. I couldve had so many excuses today. But this is my first step I need to work on: no excuses. 

Long time no see...

I've been to the gym here and there for the past several months, however, I've usually stuck to weights and swimming.  I've been actually craving to use the cardio machines for the past month but haven't done it due to back pain.  I finally did it today! My favorite cardio machine is the elliptical-like one, where the tracks incline and decline. It works different muscles with each level.  And I find that its a tougher workout than the regular elliptical machines.  I also like the fat burn/weightloss program on the machine because it does the intervals for you!

My workout today was okay...the inclined intervals were tough but I haven't been on it in awhile, so its reasonable.  I'm excited for my next visit to the "precor" machine.  I have no idea what its called, but it says that on the side of the machine.

Gotta do it.

When sasha and I discussed our weightloss challenges, last Thursday.... one of the biggest reasons we fail is because we are just simply lazy.  Many times, we find dumb excuses why we "can't" make it to the gym that day...when really...we could. 

So today, after working a very busy 11.5 hr shift at work, I'd have an hour at the gym before they closed.  I wasn't super tired but I still didn't want to go to the gym...just because I could go home and do other things.  I knew I'd be going to the gym in the morning as I planned with another friend so I "really didn't have to" was whag I told myself. However, I drove to the gym anyway. Funny thing, how as soon as I step into the gym I start feeling more tired than I felt all day.  But I got myself there and already walled in...so i just had to do it.  I swam hard for 30 minutes tonight.  Overall, I feel good about it.

I have to make myself go more often. 

I told a friend last week, that maybe i should put $1 in a jar everytime i actually workout.  Then after a certain point, whether its monthly, quarterly, or anually...i could treat myself to something nice with that money.  It could be as little as a nice meal or massage.  It could be to buy myself something i need or have wanted but never bought.  Or if it collects a lot for a longer period of time...maybe id have enough to cover part of a trip to visit my non-mn friends!  I really like this idea even more now.  I think i may try to collect for the first 6 months this first time around.  I willet you know when i start the jar (it may wait until i move).

Let's Do This!

Sasha and I just discussed how we fail at losing weight.  We must bring this blog back to life.

Recent inspirations

As I mentioned, I recently bought a new phone.  I started looking for new apps and I found Nike Training Club (NTC) which is a training club for women.  It is similar to Skimble's workout app that I blogged about last fall, but from what I experienced from my NTC workout a couple nights ago...it's a little more intense.  I couldn't even finish my 15 minute lean legs workout.

I also decided to start my push-ups app over, since I got a new phone.  When I started it last fall, I believe I could only do 3 pushups before I'd collapse to the floor.  I got through almost halfway of the 50pushups program, when I stopped doing it.  I know it has helped because I could do 8 pushups this time!  Even though I'm happy about that, I'm nervous because that means my training will start out more intense than it did last time :(  However, I'm excited to have sore abs everyday again!

The image below, I found from pinterest, and I find it motivating.  

My life needs to be fixed.

For the past several months, I think it's pretty safe to say that all I've been doing is sleeping and working.  And no, I don't run a one-man-business that requires my time all the time.  I have a regular 40hr/week job.  So this means I'm sleeping the rest of the time.  Am I diagnosed with depression?  No.  Do I live alone? No. Do I not have any friends or a social life?  No.

So then what's the problem?

I DON'T KNOW!

I need to be fixed.  Awhile ago, I posted something pretty similar in another entry.  I mentioned that Sasha (and for awhile, Amy) were the only reasons I would wake up early.  We would schedule activities such as tennis, biking, going to the gym, going to coffee shops, etc.  However, Amy now has a job, so that's one less person.  I can name the moment I stopped running and/or waking up "early" to do activities with Sasha.  It was when I suddenly got sick with cold symptoms which turned out to be a mild flu.  That was when I stopped running.  When I got better, there was a snowstorm.  And then I never went back out there again because it was so freaking cold.  I did run at the gym on the treadmill twice after that, and once at my parent's house...however, I don't like doing that because it's not the same.  I guess I shouldn't complain, seeing as how it's still physical exercise and I have a lot of fat to burn.  But...I'm American, and we are known to be lazy.  I'm aware of the things I need to fix, but I'm just too lazy to do it.  Here are two examples: going to bed late, and purposely not scheduling anything in the morning or early afternoons.  I've been going to bed really late, lately, which is why I sleep until I HAVE to get up to get to work on time...which is TWO P.M.  Pathetic.  And I'm a regular volunteer for 2 different organizations which I love...however, I haven't scheduled any sessions for one of them in a couple months because I WANT TO SLEEP IN.  Even more pathetic.  I'm a terrible terrible person.  So...I'm committing to you, eBlogger, right now...because I don't know what else to do.

1) I will set a "bedtime" and "wake-up time" for myself.  I know there are some circumstances and events that will come up in which I will be flexible.  But for the most part, this will be for most evenings and mornings that follow my regular schedule.  I get home from work around 10:30-11pm.  I like to un-wind and do random things afterwards at home.  So for now, I will agree to be in bed by 1am...and leave my phone on my bookshelf.  (I got a new phone and it's so amazing...I've been laying in bed for hours before I fall asleep recently, just putzing around on my phone).  I hope to be able to change my bedtime to midnight in the future.  As far as wake-up time goes...I think 10:30am (11 at the latest) is safe.  I assume I'd still be getting 9hrs of sleep which is a lot.  And this should give me a few extra hours before work to take care of stuff at home.  And if I were scheduled to volunteer, it'd be scheduled for earlier than my wake-up time, so nothing to worry about there.

2) I will schedule my volunteer sessions even if I don't want to.  I don't think this really needs any additional explanation.

Oh man, just thinking about making this change, is stressing me out.  My lazy side is not happy.  But my energetic side is excited for a positive change.  My tips for myself are to try to stick with the new sleep schedule even on the weekends, and to do my best for 2 months.