This week, Laurel was kind (?) enough to email us about tracking ingredients instead of calories. Basically, you'll eat better if the foods you consume have 5 ingredients or less.
Imagine my dismay upon learning that Healthy Choice frozen dinners are not healthy! Wait, doesn't mental health count? My brain is comforted by meals that can be prepared in 5 minutes. (Hmm, maybe if I could download that microwave "bing" to my alarm, I wouldn't need the snooze button).
I am not a Foodie, meaning I do not like to prepare meals, don't care about "gourmet," and won't order a dinner I can't pronounce. I get anxiety attacks in grocery stores. Seriously, my friend Ann witnessed my breakdown when trying to select ketchup from an overwhelming display of choices.
This is how food-stupid I am: my brother was doing BBQ, and I asked everyone how they wanted their chicken done. (My brother chided that "done" is the key word with chicken.) I once tried to make hamburgers on the stove and added so much pepper that it drove my entire family, choking and crying, out of the house and set off the smoke alarm. There's a video of when we purchased our house, and Ann opens the oven and says, "Look...extra cabinet space for Elise."
I'm all about food that can be eaten right out of the package. Open, heat, serve. Better yet (as in gouda cheese): open and serve with crackers.
Today, I actually opened a cookbook to see if I could prepare a meal with real--not processed--ingredients. My daughter was horrified by the dust that littered the table every time I turned a page. (Yes, friends and family, I haven't touched those cookbooks since you gave them to me as wedding presents almost 19 years ago). It was depressing. Everything that looked good was "bad"; and everything that disgusted me was "good."
I'm on a quest to find foods I can eat that don't involve the kitchen.
Therefore I eat a lot of carrots.
I'm sure there is some type of "Eat Healthy Tasty Foods Without Cooking" website out there. But I have a feeling it will involve carrots.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Team Luv
This evening, I really, really did not want to go to Boot Camp. It was one of those weeks when all I wanted was a Friday night "slugfest," as in being a slug: no mental activity and minimizing movement to slinking from computer to couch to bed.
Didn't help that all the GTO KO's could not be there tonight (Hope's sick and Jo was required to work overtime). Although Katy had many reasons to opt out (it's her birthday weekend and company is arriving this evening), she committed to show. Therefore, I could not invent an excuse for taking the night off. Damn that Katy!
Of course, it was one of those BCTG evenings where the workout was not posted on the wall. (What's worse...knowing your torture or it being a surprise?) I saw a line of cones in the parking lot—each with a little draw-erase board face-down alongside them—and my stomach sank with dread. Basically, it was a "suicide" run between cones with certain exercises required at each cone (lunges, burpees, jump squats, skates, bicycles, push-ups, etc.) Each turn, you had to go to a cone, complete the exercise and return to the finish line (kettlebell swings) and then advance to the next cone. The kicker was that on the way up and down the line, you had to return to all previous cones and complete those exercises again (and again and again).
At the second return to the burpees, both my body and mind were screaming "you will not be able to complete this course!" I was mentally and physically exhausted and desperately trying to concoct reasons that Mike should give me alternate exercises. But every time I looked up, Katy was a cone ahead. Although she's a brand-new 24 year-old (Happy Birthday Katy) she had more reasons than I not to be there...but, there she was with her perky little 20-something body chiding my 40-something slug ass to MOVE. As she cheered me on to finish the course when it was announced "one minute left," I could picture Jo yelling, "You can do it, girl" and Hope's smile of encouragement.
I finished in time and all the hell-pinch-butt exercises that followed. But only because of my team. If I were doing this alone, it would be so easy to skip or cheat myself out of a full workout.
Thank you GTO KO's for keeping me motivated and committed, whether you're there in body or in spirit. You keep me committed.
Didn't help that all the GTO KO's could not be there tonight (Hope's sick and Jo was required to work overtime). Although Katy had many reasons to opt out (it's her birthday weekend and company is arriving this evening), she committed to show. Therefore, I could not invent an excuse for taking the night off. Damn that Katy!
Of course, it was one of those BCTG evenings where the workout was not posted on the wall. (What's worse...knowing your torture or it being a surprise?) I saw a line of cones in the parking lot—each with a little draw-erase board face-down alongside them—and my stomach sank with dread. Basically, it was a "suicide" run between cones with certain exercises required at each cone (lunges, burpees, jump squats, skates, bicycles, push-ups, etc.) Each turn, you had to go to a cone, complete the exercise and return to the finish line (kettlebell swings) and then advance to the next cone. The kicker was that on the way up and down the line, you had to return to all previous cones and complete those exercises again (and again and again).
At the second return to the burpees, both my body and mind were screaming "you will not be able to complete this course!" I was mentally and physically exhausted and desperately trying to concoct reasons that Mike should give me alternate exercises. But every time I looked up, Katy was a cone ahead. Although she's a brand-new 24 year-old (Happy Birthday Katy) she had more reasons than I not to be there...but, there she was with her perky little 20-something body chiding my 40-something slug ass to MOVE. As she cheered me on to finish the course when it was announced "one minute left," I could picture Jo yelling, "You can do it, girl" and Hope's smile of encouragement.
I finished in time and all the hell-pinch-butt exercises that followed. But only because of my team. If I were doing this alone, it would be so easy to skip or cheat myself out of a full workout.
Thank you GTO KO's for keeping me motivated and committed, whether you're there in body or in spirit. You keep me committed.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
The Murph that Morphs Us
This cold, rainy evening, I ran for the cover of the BCTG warehouse looking forward to a workout that would take the chill from my bones. Anything to escape the bitter reminder that Spring is not nearby.
One never knows what's in store at Boot Camps To Go. Oh, sure, sometimes they post the evening's workout on the wall. Though to comprehend the pain looming in the 45-minute horizon, one would have to be well-versed in the BCTG lingo. Spider-Man push-ups, Burpees, Y squats (indeed, why squat?), and tonight's Murph.
Murph? I have no clue what Murph stands for; my only guess is Man U R (in) Physical Hell.
As I perused the Murph lists (there were two), I panicked and desperately searched the wall for Murph 3...something 3...anything but what I saw before me. Because Murph involves running, as in outdoors—and on this particular evening, in the cold rain.
Once convinced that Mike and Laurel weren't joking, I opted for Murph 2: run 1/2 mile, 150 squats, 100 pushups, 50 pull-ups, and run another 1/2 mile.
Note: Murph 1 *doubled* the aforementioned. Shout out to Katy Z for tackling Murph 1!
As I ran/hobbled/grunted/panted in the rain, eyes watering from the cold, snot dripping down my face (a humiliation viewed by the drivers on Capital Circle), one thought kept me going: We are morphing.
I can see how Jo, Katy, and Hope's bodies are already showing the rewards of our WellQuest Challenge in just 2.5 weeks. They claim to see changes in mine. It's funny how these changes aren't as obvious to ourselves when we look in the mirror. Self-image can be a nasty demon—it may take a crucifix, a dark stairway and some split pea soup to exorcise. But, we CAN change our bodies. Just know that we will only do so within the confines of our genetic make-up.
By that I mean, we can improve our figures, but don't set unrealistic goals. For instance, my rear end is one of my most hated features. I can't diet my way to a firm ass, though a combination of exercise and diet will get me there. But, if I want a butt that looks like Pink's...I better call a plastic surgeon. I'm never going to have that junk in my trunk; it's physically impossible.
So, ladies, as we challenge ourselves and support one another, remember that we can't hold ourselves up to Photoshopped celebrities who have personal chefs, daily physical trainers, and strict managers. We are murphing and morphing into better versions of ourselves.
One never knows what's in store at Boot Camps To Go. Oh, sure, sometimes they post the evening's workout on the wall. Though to comprehend the pain looming in the 45-minute horizon, one would have to be well-versed in the BCTG lingo. Spider-Man push-ups, Burpees, Y squats (indeed, why squat?), and tonight's Murph.
Murph? I have no clue what Murph stands for; my only guess is Man U R (in) Physical Hell.
As I perused the Murph lists (there were two), I panicked and desperately searched the wall for Murph 3...something 3...anything but what I saw before me. Because Murph involves running, as in outdoors—and on this particular evening, in the cold rain.
Once convinced that Mike and Laurel weren't joking, I opted for Murph 2: run 1/2 mile, 150 squats, 100 pushups, 50 pull-ups, and run another 1/2 mile.
Note: Murph 1 *doubled* the aforementioned. Shout out to Katy Z for tackling Murph 1!
As I ran/hobbled/grunted/panted in the rain, eyes watering from the cold, snot dripping down my face (a humiliation viewed by the drivers on Capital Circle), one thought kept me going: We are morphing.
I can see how Jo, Katy, and Hope's bodies are already showing the rewards of our WellQuest Challenge in just 2.5 weeks. They claim to see changes in mine. It's funny how these changes aren't as obvious to ourselves when we look in the mirror. Self-image can be a nasty demon—it may take a crucifix, a dark stairway and some split pea soup to exorcise. But, we CAN change our bodies. Just know that we will only do so within the confines of our genetic make-up.
By that I mean, we can improve our figures, but don't set unrealistic goals. For instance, my rear end is one of my most hated features. I can't diet my way to a firm ass, though a combination of exercise and diet will get me there. But, if I want a butt that looks like Pink's...I better call a plastic surgeon. I'm never going to have that junk in my trunk; it's physically impossible.
So, ladies, as we challenge ourselves and support one another, remember that we can't hold ourselves up to Photoshopped celebrities who have personal chefs, daily physical trainers, and strict managers. We are murphing and morphing into better versions of ourselves.
State of Mind
WOW! It's hump day and we are in our third week! I'm actually feeling like I want the time to slow down! Could it be I'm enjoying this adventure? It's funny how at first I was scared to death of boot camp and now I can't wait to go through the pain!
Last night we played BCTG baseball without a bat or ball! From Home plate to First, Second, Third and back to home while exercising! We were teams of 30+ and yes -29!!! Those youngsters gave us a run for our money! First game we lost by four, second game by two!
Some how I didn't feel like a loser though! With each day that we complete is one more day closer to our goals! I guess it's all a state of mind!
When I looked in the mirror this morning I noticed the top of my stomach was sinking and there was definition! Now Houston we have a problem...because the bottom half is not keeping up! WTH!?!?! I'm sure Laurel will find a solution and crack down on that half of the dome! Again it's all a state of mind! Speaking of states...kind of looks like Texas...flat at the top and the bottom spreads for miles!
We missed our partner in crime last night! Katy went to Urban Assault Downtown with Mikey! She was with us in spirit though!
I am looking forward to my massage this Saturday! I've heard great revues and can't wait to experience what my team mates have!
Keep the faith everyone (including our competitors!) and remember state of mind is merely a term meaning mood or outlook. I feel the physical training has definitely improved my mood, at least I'm not as cranky as I was in the beginning!
Now the outlook or end result is again just a temporary psychological state! Even though I wish the end result were here...It does make me think...what would motivate me for tomorrow??? I know! CQI of course!!! Continuous Quality Improvement! Let's face it, a quality state of mind is infinity!
Last night we played BCTG baseball without a bat or ball! From Home plate to First, Second, Third and back to home while exercising! We were teams of 30+ and yes -29!!! Those youngsters gave us a run for our money! First game we lost by four, second game by two!
Some how I didn't feel like a loser though! With each day that we complete is one more day closer to our goals! I guess it's all a state of mind!
When I looked in the mirror this morning I noticed the top of my stomach was sinking and there was definition! Now Houston we have a problem...because the bottom half is not keeping up! WTH!?!?! I'm sure Laurel will find a solution and crack down on that half of the dome! Again it's all a state of mind! Speaking of states...kind of looks like Texas...flat at the top and the bottom spreads for miles!
We missed our partner in crime last night! Katy went to Urban Assault Downtown with Mikey! She was with us in spirit though!
I am looking forward to my massage this Saturday! I've heard great revues and can't wait to experience what my team mates have!
Keep the faith everyone (including our competitors!) and remember state of mind is merely a term meaning mood or outlook. I feel the physical training has definitely improved my mood, at least I'm not as cranky as I was in the beginning!
Now the outlook or end result is again just a temporary psychological state! Even though I wish the end result were here...It does make me think...what would motivate me for tomorrow??? I know! CQI of course!!! Continuous Quality Improvement! Let's face it, a quality state of mind is infinity!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Awesome
Awesome is the word of the day. Its how I feel and hopefully how I look. After a rough week 2 where insecurities crept into our thoughts we all feel great. We have started to notice differences in how we look and fit in our clothes (cant quite get the nerve to analyze myself naked yet). Some of us fit into clothes that had been banished into the depths of our closets, others can see their long lost toes or just feel healthier overall.
It's amazing to realize how crummy I used to feel now that I feel great! My energy is up along with my new found confidence. I notice that my head is held a little bit higher as I walk through the halls at work and there's definitely a pep in my step to reflect my attitude. That's not to say that we aren't sore as heck or that we don't groan when coach Laurel says "...and that just the warm up." BCTG is demanding and challenging every time but its incredible to see our progress in strength, form and endurance. I can finally do "swings" without looking angry, tense and undoubtedly foolish.
This is a wonderful experience. I can see the transformation in my own body, mind and lifestyle along with that of 3 spectacular women. I could not do this without my trainers and my teammates to support, encourage and police me. Thank you!
It's amazing to realize how crummy I used to feel now that I feel great! My energy is up along with my new found confidence. I notice that my head is held a little bit higher as I walk through the halls at work and there's definitely a pep in my step to reflect my attitude. That's not to say that we aren't sore as heck or that we don't groan when coach Laurel says "...and that just the warm up." BCTG is demanding and challenging every time but its incredible to see our progress in strength, form and endurance. I can finally do "swings" without looking angry, tense and undoubtedly foolish.
This is a wonderful experience. I can see the transformation in my own body, mind and lifestyle along with that of 3 spectacular women. I could not do this without my trainers and my teammates to support, encourage and police me. Thank you!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Week 3 is off to a good start. I think.
I'm in AA recovery...as in Abs and Ass. They're very angry with me this evening. I have to remind them that they kept me out of a bikini last summer, therefore they must pay.
Actually, BCTG is great cure for menstrual cramps. Nothing like a few rounds of kettlebell rows and diamond push-ups to make one forget all about their uterus.
Doubt they'll include that in a marketing campaign. :)
I'm really enjoying BCTG. Oh, it's tough...really tough, but I love (wait, did I say "love"?) how they mix everything up. Sure, every synonym for "pain" and "agony" applies, but nary a one for "boring." It's the most fun I've had being tortured!
Que music: The Inquisition, what a show! The Inquisition, here we go.
On the other hand, I'm not liking the diet part. It's not too hard to cut back on servings, but it has been a struggle to change *what* I eat. Now, to that I can apply: "boring," "tedious," and "dull." I'm just a big blob of processed food trying to discover healthy alternatives that I'll want to consume. And it doesn't help that I have a phobia of grocery stores and the kitchen. (I'll save that trauma for another post). However, under Laurel's guidance I am learning a lot. Yet, it's like taking calculus, when all I know how to do is count with my fingers.
My husband said that the number one reason he's happy I entered this competition is that I'll learn to eat healthier. "If I ate like you have all these years, I'd be dead right now."
Um, I think that's encouragement?
Actually, BCTG is great cure for menstrual cramps. Nothing like a few rounds of kettlebell rows and diamond push-ups to make one forget all about their uterus.
Doubt they'll include that in a marketing campaign. :)
I'm really enjoying BCTG. Oh, it's tough...really tough, but I love (wait, did I say "love"?) how they mix everything up. Sure, every synonym for "pain" and "agony" applies, but nary a one for "boring." It's the most fun I've had being tortured!
Que music: The Inquisition, what a show! The Inquisition, here we go.
On the other hand, I'm not liking the diet part. It's not too hard to cut back on servings, but it has been a struggle to change *what* I eat. Now, to that I can apply: "boring," "tedious," and "dull." I'm just a big blob of processed food trying to discover healthy alternatives that I'll want to consume. And it doesn't help that I have a phobia of grocery stores and the kitchen. (I'll save that trauma for another post). However, under Laurel's guidance I am learning a lot. Yet, it's like taking calculus, when all I know how to do is count with my fingers.
My husband said that the number one reason he's happy I entered this competition is that I'll learn to eat healthier. "If I ate like you have all these years, I'd be dead right now."
Um, I think that's encouragement?
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Woo hoo!
This morning, I was able to slip on a pair of jeans that I haven't been able to wear in months! And I'm not muffin-toppin"!
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