The next few weeks are looking pretty, pretty busy. I'm always busy, but the next few weeks are seeming to be more busy than usual. The ING Half Marathon is coming up at the end of the month (the rain has prevented me from training like I want/need), but I'll be ready. My wonderful sorority sister/dear friend is getting married in May--I'm co-hosting her shower/bachelorette party this weekend. I'm traveling for work, and work is really picking up (no complaints here). I have registered as a replacement player for a singles tennis league on top of my doubles team. I'm still trying to fit in strength/kettlebell training. AND, I'm trying to fit in rest on top of all of that.
Although blogging has become a labor of love, I may not be on as much at least for the next few weeks. Trust, I WILL HAVE MET SOME GOALS by the time I'm back on again.
Until I get back on, I'll be Losing Fat and Winning In Life!
I AM SHAY SHAY!!
Monday, March 16, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Feeling Like Shay Shay Again and Life is Golden!
Today was the first time I felt like myself in almost a week. Although the bubble guts were not fun, it gave me time to really think about what and how much I was eating. Don't get me wrong, I'm a pretty consistent clean eater, but I still have not been as consistent as I need to be (and probably was eating too many calories) to meet Shay Shay-style goals.
Now that I'm feeling like Shay Shay again, I'm more focused than ever. Today, I hit the pavement for the first time in about a week. My Sweetie and I tackled some major hills today (He, in a 40 lb weight vest!!!). It was a tough run, but I know I WILL BE READY for the ING Georgia half marathon in 20 DAYS!!
On a another note: Although I have been Losing Fat and Winning in Life for almost 16 months, Life for Me is Truly Golden Right Now! I have now lost over 50 lbs! I have to check my body fat percentage and pictures show that I have work to get into the bikini shape I want, but I WILL GET THERE!!
How do I know-- Because I AM SHAY SHAY!!!
Now that I'm feeling like Shay Shay again, I'm more focused than ever. Today, I hit the pavement for the first time in about a week. My Sweetie and I tackled some major hills today (He, in a 40 lb weight vest!!!). It was a tough run, but I know I WILL BE READY for the ING Georgia half marathon in 20 DAYS!!
On a another note: Although I have been Losing Fat and Winning in Life for almost 16 months, Life for Me is Truly Golden Right Now! I have now lost over 50 lbs! I have to check my body fat percentage and pictures show that I have work to get into the bikini shape I want, but I WILL GET THERE!!
How do I know-- Because I AM SHAY SHAY!!!
Friday, March 6, 2009
Challenges Always Come . . .
Challenges always come, but they don't have to rule! The last few days I've been battling some type of stomach bug. Without sharing too much, let's just say I've been a little uncomfortable lately. I have had to eat very bland foods. The good thing is that clean eating made it easy because I don't regularly eat the grease and sugar that I've been told to avoid.
I was all ready to really start working out like my Sweetie and boom--I get the bubble guts. As I go through this journey toward optimal health and fitness, I'm learning that challenges are just a part of the excursion (sore knees, hurt foot, work, other commitments). I cannot let the challenges win. Although I haven't been feeling my best, I have still managed to get in some moderate exercise. I didn't want to let this setback get me into a "lazy" mode.
On the bright side, I'm really looking forward to Spring and Summer! The weather is supposed to be really nice this weekend. I'm hoping that my stomach will let me fully enjoy it. This is the first summer t/swim hat I'm really looking forward to because I WILL look great in that bikini this summer! With the hint of warm weather and body fat to loose, I'm more motivated than ever!!
Bring it on!!!!
I was all ready to really start working out like my Sweetie and boom--I get the bubble guts. As I go through this journey toward optimal health and fitness, I'm learning that challenges are just a part of the excursion (sore knees, hurt foot, work, other commitments). I cannot let the challenges win. Although I haven't been feeling my best, I have still managed to get in some moderate exercise. I didn't want to let this setback get me into a "lazy" mode.
On the bright side, I'm really looking forward to Spring and Summer! The weather is supposed to be really nice this weekend. I'm hoping that my stomach will let me fully enjoy it. This is the first summer t/swim hat I'm really looking forward to because I WILL look great in that bikini this summer! With the hint of warm weather and body fat to loose, I'm more motivated than ever!!
Bring it on!!!!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Work Out Like My Man; Look Like His Lady
Happy March 1st! A new month, a new opportunity to set goals and meet challenges! Steve Harvey has a new best selling book, Think Like A Man; Act Like A Lady. I haven't read it, but I listen to Mr. Harvey in the mornings, so I have some insight to what he means.
These days, I find inspiration and motivation in the most unlikely things. Mr. Harvey's book got me to thinking about the wonderful physique my Sweetie is developing and how he gets there. He doesn't eat any cleaner than I, but the intensity of his work out is 10 times mine. I am convinced that it is his workout that provides him with the body-shaping edge.
Starting today, the first day of a new month, which is the perfect opportunity to issue a new challenge to myself: Shay Shay will Work Out Like My Man; Look Like His Lady. I need to face the fact that my plateau (although I see progress) is more than likely due to the intensity of my workouts.
I am confident that with clean eating and more intense training, I will truly get out of this plateau and to my goal.
Shay Shay let's do this: Work out like my man and look like the lady that makes him stick out those new, buffed pecks.
Happy March!
These days, I find inspiration and motivation in the most unlikely things. Mr. Harvey's book got me to thinking about the wonderful physique my Sweetie is developing and how he gets there. He doesn't eat any cleaner than I, but the intensity of his work out is 10 times mine. I am convinced that it is his workout that provides him with the body-shaping edge.
Starting today, the first day of a new month, which is the perfect opportunity to issue a new challenge to myself: Shay Shay will Work Out Like My Man; Look Like His Lady. I need to face the fact that my plateau (although I see progress) is more than likely due to the intensity of my workouts.
I am confident that with clean eating and more intense training, I will truly get out of this plateau and to my goal.
Shay Shay let's do this: Work out like my man and look like the lady that makes him stick out those new, buffed pecks.
Happy March!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Welcome Back!
What was gone?
Poultry. Almost a year ago, my trainer and I decided to eliminate poultry from my diet. My trainer had his reasons, but for me it was about lack of discipline. Although there are healthy chicken choices, I was just not making them. Chick-Fil-A sandwiches and biscuits in the airport while traveling (not the grilled kind either), Publix Mardi Gras wings (so yummy), and Chicken Quesadillas (with a plate full of chips to compliment) were my choices, and I would make them more often than I needed!
Giving up poultry really wasn't that hard for me. Once I determined that my health was more important than the taste of the bad choices I was making, it wasn't a big deal. This is how I've managed not eating beef or pork for the last 10 years. I really hadn't missed poultry at all. Grilled chicken and regular old turkey just seemed lame. Veggie and blackbean burgers replaced turkey burgers. It was all good.
Recently my Sweetie moved back to ATL. He is an awesome clean eating cook. He has really helped me add variety to my eating plan. Lately, he has been making chicken and peppers and his technique is very clean. One day, the chicken and peppers smelled so good that I decided to try some (no need to offend the cook, right?).
Well, that chicken was so tender, so flavorful AND SO HEALTHY that I determined that I don't have to totally give up chicken. My Sweetie's chicken is sooo good that I don't feel deprived by eating just some plain old grilled chicken. Because it's sooo tasty, the calories from (not to mention the money spent on) bad chicken choices won't seem worth it.
So here's to my Sweetie and his chicken and peppers! Tasty and packed with muscle building protein. Next, I'll have to try these super fancy chicken burgers he makes (all still within moderation, of course).
Well, I better get to bed soon (it's only 8:50 PM). I have a 5:00 AM training run tomorrow.
Poultry. Almost a year ago, my trainer and I decided to eliminate poultry from my diet. My trainer had his reasons, but for me it was about lack of discipline. Although there are healthy chicken choices, I was just not making them. Chick-Fil-A sandwiches and biscuits in the airport while traveling (not the grilled kind either), Publix Mardi Gras wings (so yummy), and Chicken Quesadillas (with a plate full of chips to compliment) were my choices, and I would make them more often than I needed!
Giving up poultry really wasn't that hard for me. Once I determined that my health was more important than the taste of the bad choices I was making, it wasn't a big deal. This is how I've managed not eating beef or pork for the last 10 years. I really hadn't missed poultry at all. Grilled chicken and regular old turkey just seemed lame. Veggie and blackbean burgers replaced turkey burgers. It was all good.
Recently my Sweetie moved back to ATL. He is an awesome clean eating cook. He has really helped me add variety to my eating plan. Lately, he has been making chicken and peppers and his technique is very clean. One day, the chicken and peppers smelled so good that I decided to try some (no need to offend the cook, right?).
Well, that chicken was so tender, so flavorful AND SO HEALTHY that I determined that I don't have to totally give up chicken. My Sweetie's chicken is sooo good that I don't feel deprived by eating just some plain old grilled chicken. Because it's sooo tasty, the calories from (not to mention the money spent on) bad chicken choices won't seem worth it.
So here's to my Sweetie and his chicken and peppers! Tasty and packed with muscle building protein. Next, I'll have to try these super fancy chicken burgers he makes (all still within moderation, of course).
Well, I better get to bed soon (it's only 8:50 PM). I have a 5:00 AM training run tomorrow.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Keep the Momentum Going!!
I have vented my frustrations; I have re-evaluated my training/eating plan; I have declared I'm going to get in that green bikini by Memorial Day weekend, and today I am steady and closer to the 140s than I am to the 160s!
For this, I am excited. But, this only means that I must maintain focus and keep my eyes on the prize! I must remember that consistency is key. I must, in the words of my Sweetie: Keep the Momentum Going!
I know I WILL reach my goals! I am armed with the tools; I just need to employ them with consistency! I have this conversation with so many friends in my support network. We get close to our goals and then for some reason, we allow ourselves to take a few steps back. I say "allow ourselves" because at the end of the day (at least for Shay Shay) it is about self-discipline and focus. If things seem out of control, and I start to incorporate not so great habits or neglect to perform my really good habits, it's about me. I let things get out of sorts. I can't blame anyone else but me! I have the control! And I WILL REACH MY GOALS!!
I AM SHAY SHAY!
For this, I am excited. But, this only means that I must maintain focus and keep my eyes on the prize! I must remember that consistency is key. I must, in the words of my Sweetie: Keep the Momentum Going!
I know I WILL reach my goals! I am armed with the tools; I just need to employ them with consistency! I have this conversation with so many friends in my support network. We get close to our goals and then for some reason, we allow ourselves to take a few steps back. I say "allow ourselves" because at the end of the day (at least for Shay Shay) it is about self-discipline and focus. If things seem out of control, and I start to incorporate not so great habits or neglect to perform my really good habits, it's about me. I let things get out of sorts. I can't blame anyone else but me! I have the control! And I WILL REACH MY GOALS!!
I AM SHAY SHAY!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Just Some Good Ol' Fashion Honesty and Frustration
Things are actually going well with my running and tennis. I still am not getting to kettlebells as much as I would like, but I know I'll be able to get there a few times this week. Although I know I am getting fitter every day, I am still frustrated by the darn scale! I can't seem to shake the mid-150s to save my life!! I must say that this is FRUSTRATING!!! Yeah, I know it's not all about the numbers (heck, I am wearing size 8 slacks as I type! Two years ago, I would not have dreamed of getting back into a size 8). And, yeah, I am in the best shape of my life. And, yeah, I have more muscle mass now. But, I WANT TO GET OUT OF THE 150s, and I NEED to flatten out my back and get my obliques (aka for Shay Shay: the NOT so loving handles) in better shape if I'm going to debut that green bikini by Memorial Day weekend!! And, this is NOT just about Shay Shay's vanity issues. From a health standpoint, I really am still carrying a little too much fat for my age and height. So, losing pounds = losing fat (IF I KEEP UP THE STRENGTH TRAINING--CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE MUSCLE!!).
Okay, Shay Shay. Enough of the venting. I know what I need to do and how I need to do it! I just need to DO IT!!! Once again--the Three Cs: Commitment, Consistency, and Seeing Results! I'm committed to this, but I need to be more consistent with strength training (even while training for the half-marathon), and I know I WILL See Results!
Whew, now, I'm feeling better and ready to conquer!
Okay, Shay Shay. Enough of the venting. I know what I need to do and how I need to do it! I just need to DO IT!!! Once again--the Three Cs: Commitment, Consistency, and Seeing Results! I'm committed to this, but I need to be more consistent with strength training (even while training for the half-marathon), and I know I WILL See Results!
Whew, now, I'm feeling better and ready to conquer!
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