Rest--A Must!

Things are going really well with the current plan. I am eating on plan without deviation and getting in great training sessions, cardio and tennis court time. I am seeing results (South Beach here I come!)

With all the work I am putting in to train, I am guess I was exhausted. I had not rested properly. Even my "rest" days were spent on the court.  Thursday I walked into the gym, and L (my trainer) immediately knew I was beat!   L knew exactly how to challenge me while making sure I would be effective--given my exhaustion. She slowed down the pace and didn't require me to do a lot of jumping.  It was just what I needed. I had a great workout and actually walked out of the gym feeling refreshed.  L instructed me to take at least two rest days--real rest days!  So, Saturday I obeyed! I went to the tennis courts to watch a tournament (which is typically an excuse to get on the courts myself), but I didn't even take my gear (and I always have my gear!).

I needed this break and know that rest has to be a part of my training.  With everything in life, my training needs balance. A set back due to exhaustion or injury is not an option!

Renewed Focus

It is mid-May and the consistent days of warmer weather are here!

For Shay Shay warmer weather has all sorts of implications:

• Clothes revealing shoulders, arms, and legs--oh my! 
• Vacations to include bathing suits (still going for that bikini!)
• More tennis with the extra opponent on the court--the HEAT

This is also just a busy time for me at work and personally.  With summer clothes, bathing suits, and super hot tennis, I have to be even more focused! 

The Insanity program was great, and I saw good results in the shape of my body. Yet, I still was not the exercising the discipline I should have with my eating.

Last week, I decided to really take action. I am working with a new trainer--Ms. L--and she gave me a total package plan to include training with her, cardio on my own, and meal plan. I am really glad for the cardio plan because I am learning that cardio is not my favorite thing to do, so I need help with being more strategic.  The meal plan is the most significant part of the plan.  Without changes in eating habits, Shay Shay can't achieve the desired results.

I'm in the first week of the program, and I am feeling good. I am not finding it that difficult to follow the meal plan right now because my work travel was postponed.  The biggest challenge is grocery shopping and cooking.  These are challenges not because the acts themselves are difficult for me. I enjoy going to the Farmer's Market, and I like preparing the healthy meals.  It is the MAKING TIME to shop and cook that is the challenge.  

When I am done with work for the day, I would much rather go straight to the tennis courts and stay until late in the evening.  If I am going to be successful on this new plan, I have to be more disciplined with my time.

So, I have decided that Tuesdays after training are for grocery shopping at the Farmer's Market.  Thursday will be dedicated to cooking.  I will also get in some cooking Saturday mornings too if necessary.

This cannot be a short term project for me.  I must truly make this a part of my lifestyle and stick with it for life! 

I am getting close to 5 years since I was introduced to the eat-clean lifestyle. It is far time for me to achieve my ultimate goals:  look fabulous in a bikini and 18-21% body fat! 

Let's Go Shay Shay, Let's Go! 

Must Work it Out in the Kitchen Too!

As I continue my quest toward that Bikini Body, I know I have been slacking in one area--cooking!  My schedule has been really tight with all the work travel.  So, MAKING (not finding) time to cook has been a challenge for me.  I admit that there is time. I just have not taken it.  The fresh produce was bought, but I just wasn't cooking it!

Cooking my own food is essential to getting the physique I want.  Travel requires eating out quite a bit, but I know I need to eat as much of my own food as I can to achieve the results I want.

So I finally got in the kitchen and cooked up a few things.

Here are my first try at roasted brussel sprouts--they are quite yummy! Who knew?!

And my Thai Basil Tofu with mushrooms, tomatoes, and okra--hmmm, mmm.

These dishes took little time to prepare--a requirement for Shay Shay.  I just need to MAKE THE TIME.  My Insanity/gym workout is only 20% of my success. My kitchen workout is a significant part of the 80% diet success--too important to slack!

Thank You Robert Kennedy (1938-2012). Gone, but I'll Never Forget

Today, I got the sad news of the passing of Robert Kennedy, health and fitness guru and publisher of Oxygen Magazine and The Eat-Clean Diet series. My heart goes out to the Kennedy and Reno family.

I never met "Tough Love" Bob, but his work and that of his wife Tosca Reno will forever have a last and positive impression on my life. I regret that I did not take advantage of chances to perhaps meet him at The Arnold, but I will never forget what I have learned from his body of work.

The Eat-Clean Diet series and Oxygen gave me the tools I needed on this journey to Lose Fat and Win! For this, I am grateful.

Thank You Tough Love Bob. May you rest in peace.

It IS a Great Friday

Today truly is Good Friday, a Great, hmm, AWESOME Friday indeed. While I reflect on the reason this weekend is special for me and my life, I want to say that I am thankful for all the many blessings that have been bestowed upon me.

Among the countless blessings, having good health and fitness is definitely on the list. I have been on this journey for quite some time. At times it can be frustrating, but it is truly rewarding. I have met and made connections with so many because of this journey. I have learned so much. I am in better shape than I was as a teen. I have accomplished so much in the gym, on the road, and on the courts because of this journey. For this I am thankful.

Have a wonderful Easter weekend.
-------------------------------------------------

Let me share what I have going on these days. It's been a few weeks (again) since I have posted:

I have a beach trip planned in about 10 weeks. I have swimsuits to wear. BUT, this time I will be wearing a bikini! I've been TALKING about FINALLY getting into a bikini for WAY TO LONG! Come on Shay Shay--JUST DO IT (ALREADY!).

I have been using this time of fasting to also plan how I'm going to tweak my diet and work out routine after Easter. I'm pretty excited about what I have developed. It is actually quite complex. Too much to really explain here, but in short I'm combining the following:

• Clean eating--the plan that got me started on this journey (see http://www.eatcleandiet.com/)


• Renegade Diet--this is truly Renegade. I've already seen results of incorporating these principles) (see http://jasonferruggia.com/ )


• Carb cycling--low, moderate, and high carb days


• Semi-vegetarian principles--primarily plant-based diet, with flexibility to incorporate fish and lean animal protein no more than a few days a week.

This is Shay Shay's Healthy Eating/Healthy Living plan. It will take lots of organization and planning and SUPER commitment/discipline. While my upcoming trip is part of my motivation, my real motivation is a LONG LIFE of HEALTHY LIVING!

I will also continue Insanity, but make sure I get in additional cardio and super important--consistent strength training!

I want to move from this blog one day and start a new site around the concept of Lost the Fat, now Really LIVING!

Anyhoo, in about 8 weeks I WILL BE SHOPPING for that bikini. Who knows, I may even do a pictorial of the quest.

Stay tuned, but I will be back in the interim. I really don't like when I'm away from this blog too long. Accountability is truly key!

This Will Take Maximum Effort!!

Once again a couple weeks have passed, and I have been M-I-A with posting. I'm still traveling quite a bit for work, but I have managed to get in some more court time with all the high-temperature, sunny weather we're having.

Since I lasted posted, I participated in a tennis tournament and made it to the Finals in Womens 3.5 Doubles. My partner and I battled for 3 long sets, including a tie break to decide the match. We came up short, 6-8. The loss was a very tough pill to swallow, and my legs were like jelly with 4 matches in 3 days. Hearing how down I was after the loss, my coach was awesome (as he always is) and gave me major kudos for making the finals in a very competitive tournament. The experience motivated me more to continue to get in the best shape I can because I want to do more of these tournaments in addition to my goals to make it back to USTA State Championships again!


I also got a chance to network with a great bunch of ladies in my industry this week. I always learn valuable tools that I can use at work and in my personal life at these meetings. In addition to the tools from the meetings, I was inspired by some of the stories of weight loss, marathon running, and Zumba certification. I love my job, but it's pretty evident that health & fitness have become my extra-curricular passion. When I can get inspired about my personal passion while engaging in the career I do enjoy, it's a NICE BONUS!

I have been tweaking my diet some on top of doing a 21 Day Daniel Fast with my Church (which started Monday). While most of the things that are eliminated in the fast are already absent from my diet, giving up meat, including seafood is a challenge--ESPECIALLY WHILE TRAVELING as I still need to make sure I include sufficient protein in my diet! It is forcing me to think about sacrifice and self-restraint--lessons that are always good to reinforce and practice.

I also started the Max portion of the Insanity program this week. MAX and INSANITY--enough said!

Have a great weekend!

What's Going on and What Keeps You Going Shay Shay?

Wow, it's March! I can't believe it! 2012 is already flying fast. I say this every year, but every year does seem to go faster and faster.

So, what's been going on with Shay Shay?

Shay Shay has been one busy girl with work, work travel, and just trying to keep up with life. This past week, I let life get in the way too much and got behind on Insanity. I am four days behind, but I am excited to get back on track tomorrow. I am looking forward to seeing the results of the next 5 1/2 weeks of Insanity work.

Life has also gotten in the way of my time on the courts, but I got a chance to get on this past Thursday and participated in Bootcamp Tennis today. Oh, did it feel great! I ran the hills by the courts, backpedaled and ran the lines, and did cone speed work drills. Then we picked up our rackets and knocked the fuzz of the balls. Over 3 hours of drills and match play; I had a blast! How cool is it to workout without it feeling like a workout?

With my awesome workout on the courts, I am ready to really work to get in SUPER-DUPER tennis shape. As anyone who knows me, knows--this journey to lose fat and win is about more than just looking great. I really am committed to becoming the best all-around athlete I can.

This commitment keeps me going more than that bikini that I am determined to sport.

High tennis and swimsuit season is coming. Let's Go!