Where have I been???

School started!!!! and week three was so much harder for me. I just couldn't get my schedule right! I only worked out 3 days last week but today is day one of week 4 and I hit it hard. I deserve this, this is me taking back my life and re-defining what I think is sexy. Food prep is done for the week. Now to make sure I always what I need food wise while at school or while driving. I must say though I have gotten better at just saying no!

Yesterday was the super bowl and sad to say the Seahawks lost. I did indulge in some chips but the dip I had was ranch but made with greek yogurt and low fat sour cream, Yum yum. I made sure the chips were reduced fat as well. For dinner we had hamburgers (bun-less) the leanest hamburger you can get with lettuce as the bun. I also had onion, tomato and a thin slice of cheese on my burger. I thought it was going to be a lot harder than it was. I know for sure it would have been dang near impossible had my husband not be involved in a contest as well. (He has decided he wants to compete on a bodybuilding level) I am just doing a transformation challenge. I will never put my body in a bikini (out in public) but I do want to feel comfortable in my own skin.

Here are my week 3 Updates

Starting Point           Week 3 Measurements
Ht 5'2"                      Same
Wt 193 lbs                Wt 189lbs
Chest 38 in               Chest 36.5 in
Arms 11.3 in            Arms 11.5
Hips 41 in                Hips 39.5 in
Waist 41 in              Waist 39 in
Thighs 21.8 in         Thighs 20.5 in
Calves 14.5 in         Calves 14 in
Forearms 9 in          Forearms 8.5
Shoulders 42 in       Shoulders 40.5
Neck 13.8 in           Neck 13.2

So as you can see, only working out the three days really killed the progress I was making. Back into it I say, it is not how many times you fall off, it is that you keep getting up until you can no longer be knocked off.

Week One Down and I Got Through The Weekend

Lets do the week one update since I weighed and measured.

Last Week
Ht 5'2"
Wt 193 lbs
Chest 38 in
Arms 11.3 in
Hips 41 in
Waist 41 in
Thighs 21.8 in
Calves 14.5 in
Forearms 9 in
Shoulders 42 in
Neck 13.8 in

This Week
Ht 5'2"
Wt 189 lbs (Down 4lbs)
Chest 37 in (Down 1 inch)
Arms 12 in (hello Biceps) (Up .7in)
Hips 41 in (same)
Waist 39 in (Down 1 inch)
Thighs 21 in (down .8 inch)
Calves 14 in (down .5 inch)
Forearms 9 in (same)
Neck 13.8 in (same)

Feeling pretty good this week I must say. My food was on point all week and doing this with my husband is so beneficial. The weekend was harder. Saturday we were good since we were home. On Sunday though we had a good clean breakfast but were out buying a present for my niece during lunch. We both had a subway sub. Mine was 280 calories and his was 380, perfect and right on point for both of us. Since we were hosting the party we were surrounded by chips, dip, and the cupcake cake (that I made). We ended up having some chips (serving size and dip the same) we shared a cupcake. It was our cheat meal at dinner so we had organic steak, baked potato, and corn. Best Cheat Meal Ever!!! I was worried since weigh in day is Monday but nope I was 189!!! My husband always talks about muscle memory and he was right, my muscles are coming right back. Now it is time for a snack so off I go. The biggest challenge this week will be food since I start back at school tomorrow

Biceps and Back.... My favorite!!

After my migraine rest day I am back at it. Normally I work out after dropping my lil one off at Pre-K but today I ate after dropping her off and then had to run my eldest to work. She was done with work as I was picking the lil one up, so off we went to get sissy. When we got home I had a couple things to do but I was working out by 1:20. I almost waited too long and was starting to fight a migraine. I was able to push through my work out but my biceps were screaming at me. I think my biceps are the most sore muscle group I have had since I started the challenge. I am proud of them, I murdered them and they stuck it out!!

I felt the need to measure today even though it is day 4. Good thing I did it was awesome motivation, I am down 4 lbs and 4.6 inches!! Thank you Muscle Memory!!!! Today I didn't have to sub out any exercises which rocks.


Tomorrow is Leg day again, (dear legs I am so sorry)
I currently am the weights my husband uses to do seated calf raises and I keep losing weight so now I have to sit right above his knees and hold weights LOL. I don't mind one bit and can't wait to get smaller and smaller. I have noticed I might have amazing cheek bones but never knew it because of the fat!!

Yesterday was the dreaded leg day and today is a rest day Thank Jesus!!!

Yesterday was leg day and I dreaded it. Thanks to a slowly recovering tear in my plantar fascia and dropping the dryer on my left big toe, I was nervous. No problem what so ever, I was elated to say the least. Why does leg day cause so much dread!!!! because the muscle soreness is incomparable to any other soreness. You need your legs for everything, For me in general I have a stick shift and while my husband is doing his challenge I am picking him up so his carpool doesn't screw up his schedule. We live in the far west valley and he works in North Phoenix. It takes me 40 minutes to get to him and 40 minutes for us to get home. I have resigned to taking the scenic route since there is way less lights and I actually save time.

I saw a meme on Facebook and it was of a gas pedal, brake, and clutch and it states "Leg Day is Not Over" the truth in that!!! We are blessed to have a 2800sq ft home but it comes with a big staircase which is currently not my friend. Every day or two after leg day I look at the staircase and think "do I really need xyz from up there" it is usually a nope I'm good. Glutamine is supposed to help with muscle repair and recovery it is now added to my protein shake. We will see how effective this is during my 12 weeks. On a good note my clothes are already starting to fit better and I have lost some inches (thanks muscle memory!!!)

Today was a day of rest, which is convenient since I came down with a massive migraine out of nowhere. On Thursday I ordered Migraleif off of Amazon. It is a natural supplement that is supposed to help with the frequency and intensity of migraines but it takes a couple months to really kick in. I of course was out of my migraine medicine and had no refills (last time I had no refills it didn't get filled until, TODAY after I called them while at the pharmacy and it has been requested the last three months. I even watched the pharmacist fax it over the the fax number the Dr.'s office gave me) 3 minutes after I leave the pharmacy guess what? they called it in. Luckily my 18yr old was kind enough to go grab it for me and by 4pm I was finally migraine free. Tomorrow will be a better day and it is back and bicep day!!

Goooooooooo ME!!! Day one is done

Day one of the Lean Body Challenge is done. Today we officially started the challenge. I sadly took my pics but have figured out they will be amazing motivation to thwart off any cheat cravings. My stomach is my biggest issue. It is huge and has a ton of stretch marks (I am super pale so they stick out more) I love what my stomach has done for me. I have carried 3 beautiful and healthy children in there but it is time, my time. I don't know about most people but my stomach droops down so I really feel like I should measure from armpit down around droop to armpit.

Day 1 included Chest, Triceps and Shoulders. Thanks body for reminding me how out of shape I am!! I had to seriously drop in weights. The weights I used were 8, 10, 15lbs. I did however manage to do every exercise including dips. Lugging 190lbs of body weight dipping is not fun at all and my triceps were screaming!!! Help for the love of everything help us!!!! I managed to do 3 sets of 15 and by managed I mean barely managed. One one set I did fall short on the last one, only able to push out 10 reps out of 15. I will do better next time, my body will be stronger!!!

I am tracking my food both on Weight watchers and My fitness pal. I am trying to maintain 1500-1800 calories this is where I have the best loss and am not starving. I use my Heart Rate Monitor to post my weight lifting into My Fitness pal and I log the weight lifting into bodybuilding.com. I need to post it in many places cause it helps keep me accountable and I need the accountability. Tomorrow is dreaded leg day......................................dun, dun, dun. See you tomorrow!!

Meal Prep........To me the most important thing to do before starting!!!

This is where anal retentiveness comes in LOL. I love/hate doing meal prep but, I have found that if I do meal prep it makes my week go by with ease and with two of us doing challenges and doing 2 meal plans I need all the help I can get. I can't live with out

Snack size, sandwich, and quart ziplock bags
My collapsible measuring cups
Digital food scale
Sharpie

I do all my veggies in 1 cup increments and I write what it is and 1 cup on the baggie. My meat is in 3 or 4 oz depending on what it is and my husband gets 6 oz Chopped up and written on the baggie. Fruit for me is measured in cups and put in a bag and our nuts are 20 pieces at a time in a bag with the type and amount written on it.

I make a huge batch of rice and put it in a container in the fridge. Next I make my steel cut oats in the crock pot with apples and Cinnamon. Then I put it in a container in the fridge. When I am ready for them I measure them out in 1/2 cup increments that way my husband can either have 1/2 cup or 1 cup of whatever starch he needs. I measure out pre-done sweet potatoes and edamame and put them back in a bag with their measurements and what they are into the freezer.

During the week I just grab what I need throw it together and cook what ever protein needs to be done. So fast and so easy!!

Happy Saturday???

Last night we stayed out till 12:30am (such rebels I know) we woke up at our normal time which sucks!!! since we did not get enough sleep, well I should say my husband woke me up at 7:30 but I passed back out till almost 9 but still felt exhausted. This morning there was a farmers market right on the main corner out of our complex. What better way to support your local farmers and also stock up on produce for a good price. We get their and to our surprise there was no produce!!!!!! there was only sentsy, jamberry those types of things and a couple small businesses. Later on the lady that held the event let everyone know that she had 15 Vendors call out including the produce guy for 5 farms. She put a ton of work into this and they flaked! I feel terrible for her. On a good note she is finding new vendors and we will try again next month.

I start my challenge on Monday and lucky me dropped a dryer on my left big toe when I was lifting the dryer off of my truck. I tore my toe open and it is so sore I can't even let it soak in the tub for anything longer than 3 Mississippi's. Not looking forward to my leg day. I know day one I will be fine and hopefully I will be mostly healed by leg day.

All the food is bought, meal prep is tomorrow. Meal prep is a must!! I can crock pot my steel cut oats and just warm them up and add some milk to it. I also prepare all my husbands meals and we eat the same stuff but it is so much easier just to grab the stuff and throw it together (already cooked) I just bought new collapsible measuring cups (great for honey and peanut butter), measuring spoons, digital scale and lots of containers. We both have already figured out our calories and macros. I honestly cannot wait until the 12 weeks is over to see what I have accomplished!