Friendsgiving

So this weekend we hosted our First Annual Friendsgiving!  It wasn't nearly as nerve wracking as expected because I happen to have excellent friends (some were missed!) that brought everything that makes a traditional Thanksgiving meal.  Ben was in charge of the turkey, which he deep fried, and it turned out excellent!  I was in charge of the stuffing, for which I used a ridiculously good recipe that mom's been using for years.  I made it into delicious balls (you can chuckle, it's ok).  Why balls?  Because you end up with way more crunchy stuffing and that's the best part!  Cue pictures…

Not much time for writing today, nor do I have a ton to say other than the fact that it's super fucking cold!  Happy Thanksgiving week!  Wanna eat a shitload and then go into a tryptophan coma?  Then sweat some early this week so you can unbutton your pants at the dinner table with a little less guilt!  That's my plan, at least!

What's your plan to eat more mindfully on this food baby inducing holiday?

Brunches and Bunches (of fun)

Oh this weekend.  Shit was pretty non-stop, but I didn't hate it.  That's one thing I love about exercising regularly, my energy levels are typically through the roof, at least in the mornings!  Friday night the hubs and I rented The Heat and had spaghetti and meatballs (his request, and those meatballs turned out freakin delicious) and drank chugged some wine.  What?  We were thirsty!  At least we shared it, going solo on a bottle of wine makes me feel like a hundred dollars the next morning.  Sharing is caring, and I'm sure that's what he was doing when he drank half, soaking up my hangover.  I love that man.

Saturday morning he hunted and I (GASP) went to the gym!  I haven't worked out on a weekend in a long time, but wow I missed it!  It's so nice not to be in a rush, yeah it's a little more crowded than my usual 5am weekday sessions, but it's some solid people watching and I broke a damn good sweat.  I came home and we cooked breakfast together, he had corned beef hash (I think it smells like cat food) and I did some experimenting.  I went for shredded sweet potatoes, turkey sausage and a runny egg.  It was pretty damn good and I had leftovers that I ate for breakfast this morning.  Not too shabby!  The rest of the day was spent grocery shopping (for brunch the next day) and having dinner and playing cards at a friend's house down the street.  I prepped a super healthy tasty and easy french toast casserole and let that bitch soak overnight.  I'm not much of a baker, so I was down with the level of measuring required.  I skipped the raisins/crans and I used whole milk, not half and half as suggested…my conscience was like, "No Tara, don't do it, no matter how delicious it sounds!"

The next morning we got up, did a sweet miracle clean (you know what I'm talking about) while trying to get rid of our hangovers.  Then I started cooking my little ass off.  The hardest thing for me is to get everything to come together at the same time (twss).  I'll proudly say I didn't fail at that this time around and my mom enjoyed her bday brunch (as well as several mimosas).  She also called me out for throwing her under the bus and saying I inherited her sailor mouth and claimed that she only says, "Coño (for you spanish speakers), fuck and shit!  The rest you got from your dad!" she argued.  Ok mom.  Fuck it.  Let's call it an even split.  Also, I fucking love you and I wasn't bullshitting when I said you're my best friend (she called me out on that too).

Finally, my weekend ended with the brilliant decision to attend a concert on a Sunday night.  My friend Melissa is slightly infatuated with David Nail and now I know why.  We met up, had dinner and a couple drinks, then went and watched that sexy man sing some songs while wearing some super snug pants that aren't accurately represented in the pictures I will gladly post below.  Yeah, I got home at like midnight.  Yeah, I was exhausted this morning when I got up.  But it was way worth it for some quality time and loads of laughs with a good friend and that beats sleep any day of the week!

I totally failed on my meal prepping for the week because I was too busy having fun, but whipped together some turkey sausage and an egg for lunch today and paired it with some leftover fruit salad from brunch.  Fake it til you make it, right?  And tonight after work, I'll make my lunches for the rest of the week.  Please give me shit if I don't, k thanks.

Happy Monday!  What's gonna help make your week a healthy one?

Little Things

So I've been working my ass off at the gym this week.  I'm feeling pretty good, but I could be doing better.  My diet isn't as great as it could be, I'm not planning as much as I could, but that shit's hard.  Some days I feel like I barely remember to put pants on before I leave the house in the morning, much less pack a healthy and well thought out lunch.

Today was the dreaded Weigh in Wednesday and I gained back the .7 lbs I lost last week.  Womp womp.  Not an awesome feeling, but it'll make me work harder for next week.

Also, no one likes a Debbie Downer, unless you're one of those misery loves company types (I'm not a fan of people like that).  So here's some GOOD stuff.  Today I did Day 3 of my current workout and I upped my weight in EVERY single exercise!!

•  Barbell squats: went from 40 to 60 lbs.
•  Reverse Step Ups: went from 30 to 40 lbs.
•  DB Sumo Squat: went from 30 to 40 lbs.
•  Prone Leg Curl: went from 75 to 90 lbs.
•  Leg Lifts: went from 105 to 120 lbs.

So I'm gonna account for that .7 I gained back being the extra muscles I'm making by lifting heavy things.  That's gotta be it right?  Right?!?!  Either way, I won't be walking right tomorrow.

Find some positivity in what you'd typically consider to be a failure.  You'll feel a hell of a lot better about yourself.  And guess what, you're still trying.

And my success is gonna be fucking delicious.

I'm also having a damn good hair day today, so there's that.  It's the little things.  What are yours?

By the way, word on the street is it's World Kindness Day.  Be kind to someone!  Dare you to make that someone be a stranger.  Bonus points ;)  And if you feel so inclined, post it here.

F U Weekends

So I'm gonna be honest…weekends are my fucking arch enemy.  Why?  Because I go places and am forced dumb enough to eat things like buttery bread and apple cake and buffalo chicken dip (<-- should be illegal for anyone trying to lose weight).  I went through a spurt where I was pretty good at saying no to this stuff, but for some reason lately I just can't.  I know I know, can't shouldn't be in one's vocabulary.  But anyway, these weekends have been killing me.  I don't struggle much at all during the week since everything is so routine and I'm controlling everything that's available to me (for the most part).  And now with the holidays coming up, I'm really gonna have to buckle down and make healthier choices when I'm in those fat girl food situations.  Because right now the weekends seem to be cancelling out all the efforts I put in during the week.  Don't let weekends bend me over, put that on my to do list.

With that said, this weekend was a blast!  We went down to central Virginia (aka: God's country) where the hubs' family is from.  We got in some solid family time and enjoyed some amazing fall weather and scenery.  Some highlights included seeing my bro and sis in law, aunts and uncles and some cousins.  You ever hang out with a family member (or two) and think, hey cool I get to keep you forever!  Yeah, I did that.

 

This week I'm focusing my efforts on some gym madness!  I'm constantly motivated by those around me (near and far).  Today I'm super inspired by a reader that's kicking off a 12 week eating/workout regimen, complete with no alcohol (she's obviously insane), but damn, she's gonna do awesome.  Also, a friend that ran two races (a 5k and a 10k) in one weekend.  Who the fuck does that?  Badasses.  So to all you badasses out there, keep doin what you're doin.  In honor of all you crazies I will be picking things up and putting them down like a motherfucker this week.

Ain't that the fuckin truth.

Who motivates you?

Cheesecake

Today was my second Weigh In Wednesday after kicking it off last week.  I didn't behave as well as I coulda (shoulda woulda).  But I did switch things up at the gym and haven't been walking right for the last week and a half.  That seems to have made a difference.  I'm feeling pretty good and am down .7lbs this week.  Can't complain!

Ok ok maybe I can complain a little, but I've thought about this a lot.  I've always said that I don't want to be "on a diet" forever.  I want to live a healthy lifestyle, but dammit if I want to have a few bites of cheesecake for dessert then hell yes I'll have a few bites of cheesecake!  I figure if I make healthy choices more often than not, then I can afford to have fun and have delicious slip ups every now and again.

Yeah, I said it, cheesecake.  Last night, I ate cheesecake.  The snickers kind.  From the motherfucking Cheesecake Factory.  But, in my defense, I shared it with 3 other (awesome) people!  Also, prior to that, I ate about 3/4 of a salad off the skinny menu.  I'm pretty sure they evened out…right?  The hubs and I went out to dinner with my friend Melissa (who was my second blind date) and we met her husband for the first time.  We.  Laughed.  SO.  Much.  It was some much needed laughter and we agreed that we can't wait to get together again.  Success!  Don't you love it when that shit just works out?  And don't you have a hard time not peeing your pants when you watch this video?

I'm pretty sure I won't eat cheesecake before next week's weigh in, but no promises.  I can promise that I'll be eating chicken and brown rice for lunch today and wrecking myself at the gym every single day.  Oh and I'm pretty sure I'm gonna try and make this tonight.  I'm a sucker for pumpkin stuff…like, a lot.

I totes ordered a salad.

Are you doing your best, but still enjoying life?

Hurts So Good

What's that you say?  Tara got her what back?  Her groove?  Ohhhhhhhhh shit.

So I started a new workout yesterday.  My everything hurts so good.  I mentioned earlier in the week that I have a friend that's a trainer and she put together a little program to whip me back into shape make me unable to walk right.  Let's just say, shes knows what she's doing.  She was also nice enough to let me post that sumbitch on here for you to see, and try, if y'want.  And here it is… 

Tara's 5 Day 60 Minute Session Training Plan

Day #1 - Cardio and Heavy Llifting
20 min cardio intervals 2:1 ratio
(2minutes moderate intensity, 1 minute fast for duration)
    Upper body lifting 3-4 sets of 10
    Lat Pulldown
    Pec Fly
    Lateral raise
    Assisted Pull Ups
    Row

Day #2 - Cardio with Plyo’s (Did this today. Nearly died. Pictures below.)
20 minutes cardio-your choice
20 minutes as many rounds as possible
    20 bw squats
    15 step ups or box jumps
    10 jump squats
    5 push ups
Finish with 5-10 minutes of planks, side planks, back extension (3sets each)

 Day #3 - Cardio and Heavy Lifting
10-20 minutes cardio- your choice
Lower Body Lifting 3-4 sets of 10 unless noted otherwise
BB Squats 12-10-10-8
Reverse Step Ups on Hack Press
DB Sumo Squat
    Superset with db calf press (same weight as sumo)
Prone Leg Curl
Leg Lifts

Day #4 - OFF or Cardio Endurance

Treadmill- work on your runnin!
 
5 minute warm up

2min increase resistance (5x)

1 min- decrease resistance (5x)

1 min- increase resistance (5x)
     (slightly more than round #1 of increases)
2 min- decrease
2 min- decrease
1min- decrease 

Day #5 - Circuits and Intervals
Warm up 5-10 minutes
**Take minimal rest between sets** 2-3 sets of each circuit; start with 2 and work up to 3

Circuit #1- Lower Body with Kettlebell
12 KB swings
10 KB lunges (each side)
12 KB squat press
10 KB alternating bent row

Circuit #2- Dumbells
12 db chest press
12 db front raise
12 bench dips
12 cable curls

Circuit #3
12 db bench split squat
12 db shoulder press
12 db Bent Row
12 db deadlifts

Circuit #4
12 push ups
45-60 second plank
30 total torso rotations
30 total russian twist

Did I have to google a shitload of those things? You know it.  Am I stoked?  Hellllll yes.  I missed being sore and I missed being excited about this stuff.  While I'm not # obsessed, it is an easy way to adjust my efforts/eating/etc. so I'm back to doing Weigh In Wednesdays.  I'm also doing it with my friend Jenn so we can keep each other motivated!  Sooo since today's Wednesday…

I'm wearing pants and a sports bra, no reflection fails.

Wanna get back on the wagon with me?  There's plenty of room, you sexy bitch.

No Vom!

So this was my last wreckless weekend before really buckling down and getting serious again. On Friday, after a not so awesome week, we had pizza and pumpkin night (and wine, well, I had wine) with our pretty cool neighbors. I felt the need to drink the whole bottle (don't judge me) and didn't particularly regret it! We ended up with with pretty badass pumpkins!!

Saturday was a marathon day consisting of meeting babies, trying on bridesmaid dresses for my bro's wedding (that aren't hideous, thanks Laur!) eating some of the best sushi I've had in a whiiiile.  I commend Melissa on her sushi ordering skills and can't wait til we have something to celebrate again so we can go back to that place! ;) And don't worry baby bird, one day we'll teach you how to use chopsticks! While at lunch, the dreaded topic of a half marathon came up again. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna get sucked into that one and it horrifies me in the best way possible. Speaking of races, holy shit, my friend Allison ran the Marine Corps Marathon yesterday…she's my hero and I will reward her with pizza and wine!

 

Sunday was spent mostly prepping for the week! Protein was ordered, food was cooked, lunches were prepped and gym clothes was set out.  My week of eating looks a little something like this:

Breakfast

1 scoop cinnamon graham protein

8 oz vanilla almond milk

1 nanner

 

Snack

100 calorie pack of almonds

 

Lunch

2 cups raw spinach

4 oz tilapia (baked)

1 minute rice brown rice cup

Snack

100 calorie pack of almonds

 

Dinner

Tonight, asian ground turkey over rice with green onions

Tomorrow, turkey taco salads

Alternating those 2 the rest of the week 

 

As far as gymming goes…I went this morning and did some cardio, destroyed my biceps and did a little back. I'm most definitely out of my groove (need to get it back like Stella) and could feel it this morning. Halfway through I maybe sorta thought I was gonna vom, but I didn't (!!!), and I kept going. In other accountability news, I'm joining my friend Jenn in a Biggest Loser contest game, for moral support and accountability. Since I ended my contest back in May(ish) I gained about 10 lbs and have been hovering there for a good while. I want those off and then some, so this should help! Weigh-in Wednesdays are gonna make a comeback…maybe not super publicly, we'll see.

I'm stoked to be back in the swing of things. I'm generally less stressed and more enjoyable to be around when I go to the gym regularly. Ask my husband, he'll agree wholeheartedly, and I'll say the same about him. I'm also a little more perky and I love myself a little lottle more than normal, all good things!

Happy Monday! What can you do in order to love yourself more?