Bruised but not broken

It was a rough week of workouts. . .I only made it to 3 this week but they were tough.  After doing some crazy lifting on Monday I am bruised from my crotch to my knees. . .I've never had a bruise in one particular location before and it is a little awkward, last week I almost set up an annual check up with my gynecologist. . .good thing I didn't. . .she would have for sure thought I was being beaten!

I got over my bruises and made it back to the gym on Tuesday for some more lifting, double unders and toes to bar. . .that was a killer WOD my arms felt like they would fall off when I was done. But it feels so good to sweat and I really do love lifting especially now that I feel like I know what I'm doing and know how much weight I can handle.

I got lazy toward the end of the week and it didn't help that the workouts didn't sound like a whole lot of fun.  Pretty much anything that involves squats I'm not a huge fan of.  My knees kinda hate me especially when doing squats so I kinda avoid those WOD's when I can.  I know I'm a wuss.

I have been doing a lot of Paleo baking. . .unfortunately I'm at work and forgot my cook books to type of the recipes but keep reading I'll get them up on the blog eventually.  Work has been slow I only blog at work and I haven't worked for a week, so I guess I'll have to start blogging during Owen's nap, when/if he naps.

Delicious Paleo treats I've made, I'll get the recipes or links up soon!:

Key Lime Pie
Apple Cupcakes
Waffles
Carrot Cupcakes

I was going to make paleo sugar cookies but I lacked several expensive ingredients so we made the real thing and I ate one and sent the rest to work with Adam.

I've been doing pretty good with my meals I'm still 100% paleo except for my 2 cheats a week.  I try to Zone as best I can but the Zone part is hard and takes more time and thought.

I have noticed that I've been super moody lately but that my moody days are always the day after a cheat meal. . .the cheat meals  I don't think are really even worth it if not only my body feels crappy but my emotions are all messed up too!

I am strong both body and mind and I'm better when I stick to what I know my body needs instead of giving in to what I think I want!  I haven't been perfect in this challenge but I have come so far and I'm doing and feeling so much better than ever before!

Favorite COOKBOOKS!!!

First of all today was a huge accomplishment I did 10 linked double unders doing our WOD!!!! For those of you non-crossfitters that means I can jumprope swinging the rope twice under my feet in one jump and I did it 10 times without stopping. . .huge huge huge. . .before today I couldn't even link 2 DU's.  Only problem was I got so excited I couldn't even do one after that. . .but it was awesome, wish someone would have seen it besides me. . I'll try and get some video next time to prove to the world I can double under!!

I love that I can actually see and track my progress, but I still hate that most of my workout consist of modification movements because I'm still too weak to do the "real thing" but that's what keeps me motivated knowing that if I just keep with it one day I'll be able to do every workout prescribed!!

COOKBOOKS

So I have been on the waiting list for most of these books at the library for a month or longer for some of them but most of them were well worth the wait and some of the I purchased as soon as I glanced through them when I received them from the library.

  Pracitcal Paleo is a great book filled with tons of recipes and great information about Paleo eating. . .it has some great sauce recipes and flavored salt recipes that I haven't tried yet but I will! Got this from the library but would love to own it didn't feel like I had enough time to make all the recipes I wanted to.

 Just got this recipe book from the library this week, I did make some waffles that were okay but not as delicious as the waffles I from a pinterest recipe I found earlier this week.  But the recipes are simple and filled with ingredients I regularly have on hand.

 This is currently my favorite recipe book,  it is filled with great information about the whole family eating paleo and how to get your kids involved in cooking.  There are lots of great recipes and even some great cheat recipes in here that even my husband has enjoyed!

 I think I broke the law and photocopied about half the recipes in this book when I got it from the library and they are all delicious.  I think this is the book I got my caveman ketchup recipe from and I use that all the time!

Just started cooking a few recipes from this book this week and so far they have all been delicious!  

I love new cookbooks they help me get lots of great ideas of what to make for every meal. . and give a great variety, otherwise we might be stuck eating chicken salad every night.  I have learned how to cook with lots of new things and I now have new "staple" ideas that I keep in my kitchen at all times.  And learning to cook with healthier more natural foods that taste better and make me feel better!  

Also just recently found out that I don't have the greatest genes when it comes to cancer and heart problems. . .I can't help but think that all of this healthy eating and new lifestyle might help me continue to be healthy or at least healthier than I would have been if I would have kept eating junk and pretending to workout sometimes!  Go get a book and try out some great Paleo recipes!!

NEW CHALLENGES!!

I have not given up in fact it's quite the opposite.  After spending Christmas with family and eating pretty much everything I try to avoid I came back feeling like poop.  But I did have a few huge accomplishments while I was gone.  I attended two WOD's at two different gyms on vacation in the middle of winter. . .I normally don't workout when I'm visiting family but I did it.  I got up early and I went on my own and I realized even more than I had before that my gym "Crossfit Verve" is pretty much the best gym in the world!  I didn't get any instruction at either gym I attended, the people were nice enough but my expectations were way too high.

Anyways I got back from visiting the family and immediately started a whole30.  It felt great to be eating healthy again and I never wanted to cheat or go back to the junk I was eating before.  I completely my whole30 with a final weigh in and body fat dunk test. . .and before completing my whole30 I started a 6 week challenge, I'm doing it on my own but Crossfit verve is doing a big competition of it all.  I am trying to add Zone to my paleo eating and it is hard to measure every single meal and add protein, veggies and fat every time I put something in my mouth.  But regardless of how I do I write everything down! I've made it to at least 4 workouts including yoga since I started and hoping to just keep adding to it.

Challenge starting stats Jan 25th, 2013:

227.0 lbs

My body fat dunk test was better than I had expected even though I was only down 5 lbs from September I lost 10 lbs of body fat and gained 5 lbs of lean muscle mass.  Also I dropped 4% body fat!!! 

Starting Measurements:

Bust: 39

waist: 35

hips: 49

Arms: 16

Legs: 28

I still have a long ways to go but it's good to know I'm making progress. . .hopefully this challenge will get me over this plateau and get me to my pre-pregnancy weight just over 10 lbs away from that.

I told my husband his has to start eating 2 paleo meals a day and has to cut out soda completely so far so go, he hasn't been perfect but he fits into his jeans that had gotten too tight so it's a start.  It makes it easier too when I don't have to make him something different to eat! Being the awesome wife that I am I have found some awesome recipes that helps him get through the day while feeling like he gets an extra treat, a paleo treat!

One of our favorites has been

Paleo Chocolate Pudding

1 Can full fat coconut milk

1 cup dates

a few drops of vanilla

4-5 Tb. cocoa powder

blend the dates and some of the coconut milk in a food processor, then strain the small date pieces to get a better "pudding" texture. add the remainder of the coconut milk and other ingredients in the food processor and mix through.  place in fridge until thickens. ( A couple ours) it tastes good immediately too if you just can't wait.  Here is the link for the original recipe.  My husband loved mixing some fresh berries in with it.  ENJOY!!