Battle of the Post Holiday Weight Gain

 

Did any of you over do it like me this past holiday and gain weight like me?

Who am I kidding? With me breastfeeding for the majority of 2015, I let my eating habits go awry, anything and everything I wanted, I ate inhaled. Now all that post baby weight I lost, is pretty much toast. I’m back to my normal weight which is not bad, but for me, I know that I can do better. I can tell by the bloat that the carbs I’ve been inhaling are not doing my body any good. So, it’s time to get my food portions and meals in order. I’m not going to go on a juice or tea detox, because it takes a lot to oil this 6 foot machine! I am just going to do some meal planning and eat less processed foods, eat more veggies and fruits, and drink more water. I’ve done this before if you have been following my blog posts.

I am also back in the gym! I started back last week and it felt glorious! The Fitbit is the reason ‘m back full fledged.

Image Source: FitBit.com

I bought a Charge HR(In purple!!!!) to inspire me to get off my butt and on me feet as well as track my heart rate. What I didn’t think would happen was my competitive spirit to kick into full blast! On the Fitbit app you can add friends, and can challenge them during the week, cheer their progressions and taunt them in competitions. It’s an amazing device and they have many different kinds.I got this one on sale during the holidays and I must say it’s one of my best purchases in 2015.You can check out the various Fitbits here. Today I did about 45 minutes of intervals on the elliptical, as well as took 5 flights of stairs back to my desk and took the 15 minute ab class they offer at the gym at work. I also make sure to track my food and connected my Fitbit to the wonderful app MyFitnessPal which helps you track your food and helps you set goals for eating. Before I put something in my body I will put it in MyFitnessPal to see if it’s a good food or a bad food. Food planning helps and they even help you set goals for exercise and things. I really love the app and it helped me lose 25lbs a few years ago. I am SO excited that I am back on track and I can bring you guys some great fitness content and potential yummy recipes  soon. I am so happy to be on my journey again!

 

 

Post Baby Body

I know that most women do not post their post baby bodies, but I will. Yes, I have stretchmarks and yes, my linea nigra still present (dark line down your belly you can get while pregnant), but I want to tell you, working out pre baby, and eating well, and breast feeding post baby really works. I could have really had an awesome post baby body, had I worked out during my pregnancy, but I did not. I am happy to say I lost all but 4lbs of my baby weight and my post baby body is leaner, my waist has shrunk tremendously.

Having a baby can be complicated,  especially when you are induced, and your epidural gives out during labor. Fun times. I commend any woman who had a natural delivery. It is NOT for the weary.  But the joy you recieve from bringing life in this world is something I just cannot put into words. My transition from a singular person to a woman with a child was seamless. I was “built for this” in the words of my child’s father. Here is my little bundle of joy, London Paige. WARNING! She is absolutely adorable! She is one month old as of recent and we are both learning the ins and outs of eachother and breast feeding.  It’s awesome to give your child nourishment and watch them grow. It’s something a bond that only me and my little one share. All smiles.

Halloween Workouts!

Halloween is approaching!

Why not have a workout inspired by one?! Tribesports has an awesome challenge that has a discount. Tribesports has teamed up with Run For Your Lives to offer a 20% discount off of their races. You can use the promo code TRIBE to get the special discount. Cool right?

In addtion to that, there are also 10 pairs of tickets for Run For Your Lives race entry, a Bodymax Kettlebone Kettlebell, and 5 Join The Tribe T shirts to giveaway in our competition which you can read more about here.

Lastly, There are some Halloween inspired workouts that they have created so we can all look great in our costumes!!!

 

1. Zombie Fitness Circuits

 

2. Zombie Wrecking Ball Workout

 

 

 

3. Evasion and Escape Workout

 

4. Survival Under Siege Workout

 

Homecoming Weekend

This weekend was action packed!

I managed to take two midterms ( I made a 90 on one!), Participate and attend my company’s annual BBQ cookoff, and go to Prairie View A&M’s homecoming. Pretty cool huh.

 

Friday I worked a half day at work and headed out to the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds to help set up our departments tent and practice our skit that we were going to perform for the judges. I had on a blue wig, blue lipstick eye shadow and even spotted lashes! That was my 1st time wearing fake lashes. I kind of liked it!

 

We performed, had a great time, and partied to the wee hours.

//instagram.com/p/fowasmvzpK/embed/

I ended up leaving at midnight, I was exhausted! I woke up early the next day, and took my 1st midterm and headed out to Prairie View A&M. I wanted to go to the Texas Southern University cook off, but I had to choose, and I typically have an excellent time at Prairie View. I did not attend the school, but I know tons of people who have attended. So it’s almost like a family reunion of sorts. After I set my homecoming out, I ended up going home and sleeping off the days events. I woke up the next day and immediately studied/prepared for my test. That was a very difficult test, and I pray I passed it. It was not the easiest thing to take. I ended up spending Sunday laying around the house and playing with Gizmo my dog. He got a haircut and he looks great. I am considering dressing him up and taking him for a walk on Halloween. Since he is basically my child. LOL.

 

Today I will get back to my workouts ( I missed them!) Today is Triceps, Calves and Abs day! WHOOP!  Get you some! I also have a very heavy school schedule this week and basically for the rest of the semester. Who knew that two classes would kick my butt?! Yikes. Time management is of the essence.

Thoughtful Thursdays

It’s Friday eve!

I am excited. I was not able to workout since last Thursday.I have a lot of school work to complete and I am on the organization committee for Customer service week I finally was able to workout and continue the Kris Geithen 12 Week program. I should be on week 4, but I am on week 3 and so far so good. You can find the workout on Bodybuilding.com.

Yesterdays workout consisted of:

Cardio
20 mins

Seated Barbell twist
150 reps per side

Dumbbell Bench Press
2 warm up sets of 10 reps w/ 15 lbs
2 sets to failure in 8 reps w/20 lbs

Straight – Arm Dumbbell Pullover
1 warm up set of 10 reps 15 lbs
2 sets to failure in 10 reps 20 lbs

Incline Dumbbell Flyes
2 sets to failure in 12 reps w/20 lbs
1 drop set to failure 20 lbs to 15 lbs

Cable Rope Overhead Triceps Extension
1 set to failure in 7 reps 20 lbs
2 drop sets to failure 15 lbs, to 10 lbs, to 5 lbs

Dips Triceps Version
3 sets to failure 12 reps

Superset:

Lying Dumbbell Tricep Extension
3 sets to failure in 10 reps

Bench Dips
3 sets to failure in 12 reps

Cardio
15 mins

Seated Barbell twist
150 reps per side

After all of that lifting, yes, I was tired. I need to mention I have officially lost 26 lbs so far. It has been a long journey, but I am here from a huge 198 to 172!!! For a tall person I am moving into the realm of skinny. 150 is rail thin for a person of my stature. So I am excited! I should post a pic for Transformation Tuesday! Happy Thursday to everyone!

Weekends and such

Good afternoon!

How was everyone’s Weekend?! Mine was fantabulous! (Yes that’s a made up word) I first would like to point out that She’s Losing It nominated me for a WordPress Family Award! Yay! Thanks Girl! I am honored.

This award was created for bloggers who are part of the WordPress “family” and take the time to be supportive of other bloggers by giving positive feedback, answer questions and do so in a non-competitive way.

Rules:

1. Display the award logo on your blog.(done)
2. Link back to the person who nominated you.(done)
3. Nominate 10 others you see as having an impact on your WordPress experience and family.(doing)
4. Let your 10 Family members know you have awarded them.(done)

My nominations for the award are(drumroll!):

1. The Dancing Runner

2. The Better Man Project

3. Fit Foodie Le

4. Our Personal Journey

5. Life Is a Damn Circus

6. Life N Thymes of food

7. Project Life to Light

8. Everyday Power Blog

9. Cherie Runs This

10. Fit is the New Black

Now, to my weekend. I went to visit my new boo, (I have a boyfriend now!) at his Military Base in Louisiana. I made the three hour trek with my pooch, and it went without a hitch.  I got there and we hung out, watched football, went to eat with his friends, and watch a movie. The next day, we went to the gym and GOT. IT. IN. Did I mention he and his friend are training for a fitness competition? I had an amazing workout with his guidance and his friend and wife. It was almost like a double gym date of sorts lol. We did barbell exercises, leg lift machine exercises, dumbbell exercises, and resistance bands. Then we went and did 30 minutes of cardio. I was HUNGRY! I tore into one of my pre prepped meals when I got back into the house. After that, he gave me a mini tour of the post, and took a test for class. we spent the rest of the time watching some football (I love Football!). I had such a great time I didn’t want to leave. 😦

Here are some vids and pics:

//instagram.com/p/eACjldPzmu/embed/

//instagram.com/p/eAfW8VPzq9/embed/

Also, I have lost about 4lbs already being on my 6 small meals, low carb, meal plan as of lately! I am so excited! I hope I can see an ab soon! Anywho, that was my weekend! Stay tuned for Transformation Tuesdays!

Thursday workouts

This Thursday I rocked it out!

My workout with #garagefit consisted of:

• Warm up: 15 minute run 
• 15 hills
• 20 Front Raises with 10lb dumbbells for warm up
• 3 rounds of  20 lateral raises with 10lb dumbbells
• 3 rounds of 20 lateral raises with 5lb plates 
• 3 rounds of standing  lateral raises, front raises, lateral raises with 5lb plates
• 3 rounds of rope thrusts locking elbows for 1:30seconds
• 3 rounds of standing lateral raises into front raises
• 3 rounds of 20 curved barbell bicep curls with 5lb weights
• 3 rounds of 20 curved barbell bicep curls with 10 lb weights with a slowed paces on coming down
• 3 rounds of 20 sitting Arnold shoulder press
• 

Ya girl went in! I wish the Bicep Emoji could be inserted here. That’s how I felt. Also, I am on this new meal plan and so far so good. I haven’t felt hungry since 6am. I meal prepped for 3 days since I will be going out of town for the weekend and I am sure I can maintain my little plan when the weekend hits. I just have to pack the non-perishables and possibly purchase some perishables. Here goes one of my meals I believe this is meal 3.

 

Tomorrow I will get some cardio in and probably do some light work on Saturday whenever I get to my destination. Happy Friday Eve everybody!

 

September Goals

A girls got to have goals!

 

//instagram.com/p/d14sILPziz/embed/

 

I have a few of them  for this month:

• To modify my eating habits even more than I have. I bought myself a scale and have a meal plan, so all I need to do is get to it. I start tomorrow. I have an up and coming trip to Vegas, so managing my eating will be a challenge but, I am sure with Myfitnesspal and some restraint, I will be able to do good when it comes to food. I would like to see where I am at in 5 weeks.
• To do 2 unassisted pull ups. Usually I need someone to help me get up there, but I am sure if I try my best I can get er done and feel like A BOSS!
• To have better form when squatting with the bar. As I progress with my workouts, I am starting to do more, and I want to have the perfect form. I posted a video on IG of me squatting, and it was great, but I want to do better!

Sidenote: I would like to report, that I am on the verge of buying new clothes. My pants for work and leisure are all getting to be too big, and it shows. I wore some Skinny Jeans that were so tight at this time last year and now, they are baggy in the front and butt area. They also sag a little bit. This is not only exciting, but It lets me know, even if I do not feel the physical change, nor see it, it’s certainly happening. I hope that little side note motivates someone to keep going! Don’t stop! Results come if you put in the work and dedication!

 

 

Do you have monthly, or annual goals? What steps are you taking to achieve them? 

Tuesday Workouts

Garage Fit did it again,

My workouts just keep getting better and better. I really was proud of my performance yesterday! I was a little nervous because I tend to struggle on my 1st days back after a 2-3 day break from my session with my trainer. I grabbed my dog from Doggie day camp and booked it to my trainers. Traffic in Houston was…..difficult to get around.

Yesterday’s workout consisted of:

Warm up: 15 min run w/ Gizm0

3 rounds of:

• 15 dead lifts w/ 135lbs
• 15 squats w/ 115lbs
• lunges up and down the driveway on an incline 6 times (3 up the driveway, 3 down the driveway)
• 50 jumping jacks with rope
• 7 hills

 

 

After I found out how much I deadlifted and squatted I felt like this:

//instagram.com/p/dixzOMsMFU/embed/

I got a 3 minute rest in between the rounds, and it was intense! Having my dog there really distracted me though. I didn’t complain. I have another session this Thursday before Critical Mass and I am contemplating working out for Bootcamp on Saturday since I don’t have a hair appointment this weekend. I ended the night by going home, cooking a nice chicken pasta meal ate that and had some cantaloupe for dessert I cut up earlier in the week. Yum.

 

//instagram.com/p/difPAMPzlg/embed/

My trainer thinks that I can do better and I can step it up even more. I am shocked. I did not know he had that much faith in me. Shoot. Well that goes to show you, that you should give yourself more credit! It’s nice to have someone who thinks you can do amazing things and encourages you to take it to the next level! Did I mention having a personal trainer/working out is in a little way a form of therapy? For me it is. If I have had a bad day, I just take all my anger, and channel it into my workout. If I am feeling lazy or that I cannot do a certain workout, my trainer is there to push me.  Well hope everyone is having a productive humpday!

 

Workouts at Work

I decided to work out while at work and utilize the amazing gym that my job offers. I decided that my lunch break is the best time to take advantage. If I go too early, I will miss out on time with my dog, and if I stay later, my dog will suffer (Not going to the potty in over 7 hours). Lunch time works perfect. I am thinking about incorporating my last break into that as well so I do not have to worry about factoring in dress time.

Monday: I hit a Women’s Health magazine 15 minute burn with a 10 minute session on the elliptical.

400+ Calories burned not bad for a quick workout, I also saw my second ab make it’s debut. Just call me 2 ab Davis!

Tuesday: I did 20 minutes on the elliptical and worked on my obliques in a different way. I used the ab crunch machine and sat on it sideways and worked each side with 3 sets of 25 with 50lbs. Can you say Obliterated. This was also short and sweet but I burned 300+ calories. Not too shabby.

I plan on stepping it up each and every time I go into the gym and I have taken a few classes there. I will keep you guys updated. Pilates on Thursday and I have not decided what to do for Weds just yet. I wish I could work out in the evenings but the GMAT has my commitment for the next month. Small but effective workouts have to be done.