Putting it all together

I am now getting close to the end of Phase2 and Im looking forward to what phase 3 has to offer! I went from running (with the occasional spin session) and nothing else.  Since starting the trainer 2 months ago I feel strong, healthy and completely on top of my game. I am loving that I can see muscle definition, increased endurance and am consistently moving up in weights.

12.11. 2011

Here are a couple of my gains so far:

• Dumbell curl:10lb  NOW: 20lb  
• Dumbell press: 10lb NOW: 20lb
• Barlbell curl: 10lb  NOW: 40lb
• Barbell press:20lb NOW: 60lb
• Standing calf raise: 90lb NOW: 150lb
• Squat: 75lb NOW: 115/136 {4}
• Rows: 15lb NOW: 25lb
• Flys: 10lb NOW: 25lb

Happy eating!

For the holidays I made The Gracious Pantry's Clean eating Apple Pie. It was AMAZING!

Clean Eating Apple Pie
(Makes 1 [8 or 9 inch] pie)

Ingredients
1 batch of clean eating pie crust (You’ll need two crusts, top and bottom)
Apples, cut and seeded – Enough to fill the pie tin. (About 2-3 cups)
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 cup honey or agave
1 tbsp. organic cornstarch or tapioca starch
1 tbsp. lemon juice

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Step 1 – In a large mixing bowl, combine your apples, cinnamon, honey or agave, cornstarch and lemon juice. Stir well to coat the apples thoroughly.

Step 2 – Pour the apples into your pie crust (which should be IN the pie pan already… just sayin’…).

Step 3 – Top the pie with the second crust and pinch all around the edge to seal it. 

Step 4 – Cut a vent in the top so steam can escape and transfer the entire pie to the oven.

Step 5 – Bake for approximately 1 hour. It’s done when the juices start to bubble up through the vents you cut in the top.

Nutritional Content
1 serving = 1/16 of the pie

Calories: 169
Total Fat: 7 gm
Saturated Fats: 1 gm
Trans Fats: 0 gm
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 149 mg
Carbohydrates: 25 gm
Dietary fiber: 3 gm
Sugars: 7 gm
Protein: 3 gm

(Makes 1 [8 or 9 inch] pie)

       

Where I got my start.

For a while I was wishing someone would just tell me their secret plan for weight training and maybe then I'd understand it. I didn't know where to start or where to look! {Even if someone gave me their secret I wouldn't have used it because I have a little problem taking advice}. I was basically waiting for it to come and smack me in the face and one day it finally did!

For 2 months I watched a friend of mine get into awesome shape, she was changing constantly and spoke so highly of her training program I knew it had to be something worth trying. It was the Jamie Eason Livefit 12-week trainer. this plan includes 3 phases, 4 weeks each along with an menu plan and supplement info. 1st phase you have zero cardio-this is the muscle building phase. Second you incorporate the cardio back in and cut back on your carb intake. The 3rd phase includes carb cycling and HIIT as you finish out the trainer. There are so many success stories that really motivate and prove anyone can do this. I am loving it!
Check it out!

Ommm.

I'm not here to preach or tell anyone how to pray, Im just saying what works for me. I have found that when I pray and meditate it makes me feel lighter. Clearing my head helps me function better and feel more at ease. This is a plus when it comes to lifting those weights! I generally get to the gym, stretch, do my session, stretch then meditate. It doesn't matter how many people are in the room I am still able to clear my head {with the help of headphones} and focus on the silence. I then either pray on things that I am thankful for and worried about or I sit and do nothing...just BE in the silence and relax every muscle for at least 5 minutes. Then I get up and walk out feeling better than ever {don't get me wrong, I have gotten weird looks from those doing crunches and such}.

Yahoo Images

Get that protein!

I've been really trying to get my 2 servings of eggs in a day and have been trying out different ways of cooking them...then it it occurred to me that I could drink them! Most people think I'm crazy when I say this but its quick and tastes so much better...the varieties are endless. Here is my recipe for the chocolate version!

Clean Eating

There's no fitness plan {that works} on earth that will tell you diet doesn't go hand in hand with the plan. The food you eat makes up 70% of getting to your goal. Just about everyone I know will say that abs are made in the kitchen and I have found nothing that disputes this! My version of clean eating is easy. Eat simple, naturally grown foods and READ what you eat!
 Step 1: Eat your greens! Fresh foods that are grown on a tree, a plant, or a bush. Nothing out of a can that is processed and full of salt, sugar, fats and the scariest-chemicals. Our bodies weren't made to digest these altered foods!
 Step 2: Have some meat! Meat straight from the butcher is best. If you need it ground buy it and grind it at home. If you ask they may grind it for you!
Step 3: Try a grain! Brown rice, 100% whole wheat and grains. Here is an amazing list of "go-to goods."
Step 4: Read those ingredients! Aim for healthy items with 3-6 ingredients total... and among those you should know what each one is. No crazy words that sound made up!

Whats on your plate?

Growing up my mother always had a garden, made tofu chili and never ever allowed us to eat sliced cheese. This so called "cheese food" was never an option and I didn't eat lucky charms until I was able to buy it for myself {I hated it!} She knew everything there was to know about clean eating and self sustainability. The woman even made her own mayonnaise! Every lesson she taught me I have used to raise my own family and am thankful for every bit. I like the fact that my son eats more tofu than a grown adult and if given the option would eat rice and veg. over chicken nuggets and hotdogs! Like I've mentioned before I do spend quite a bit of time eating, 6 months is you recall, and LOVE food...any food. Thai, Italian, Mexican and especially Japanese!

We are eating clean with bumps in our past- hopefully we are on the right track now.

Who me?

Yes, I was the girl that lived on the dreadmill. Of course I never referred to it as that because I thought I was in love. I had found the answer to all my problems, fat and energy! I have always been active and loved playing any kind of sport! I didn't grow up with a whole lot of cable TV or summers spent sleeping in...I had to, as my mother would say, get out and blow the stink off. I spent my summers at the beach, the fall cheerleading and spring playing volleyball. Any other time of the year I was running...or eating. Usually one or the other.
Once I graduated I spent 6 months running, 6 months eating...I didnt want to be unfair to either so I did a little of both!

Running cleared my head and got me {after many months} "toned." Up until a bit ago I thought that running was the only thing that would get me in shape! I ran 5ks for the shirts and the piece of mind.                                  

         

I met a friend a couple months back who was lifting weights and following a training program that helped her lose over 30lbs! It was quite inspiring to see her growing stronger every week. I decided to start asking questions and soon I was on board! We are now in the process of rebuilding our home gym and revamping our fridge. I have also been mediating more to find a missing piece... I just don't know what that is yet.

Ill be writing about this process in the coming months. And that is me. Start to finish...mostly.

Welcome!

After months of writing about our family's changes, moves, fun and adventure I decided to start writing about another passion of ours...fitness. In November I decided I'd get off the hamster wheel and really try my hand at building some muscle. I have completely changed the way I look at working out and eating! My goal is to inspire, encourage and motivate. Hopefully this blog will help in that effort!

Happy sweating!
Lindsey