tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86089126858923078832024-03-13T23:06:08.870-05:00Sports For BreakfastA hodgepodge of personal preferencesFiore Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316732046053452086noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608912685892307883.post-16983519035985378942013-05-24T12:42:00.002-05:002013-05-24T12:42:35.430-05:00Losing A SenseAfter my post from earlier this week, I talked with a few people about what kinds of changes I should make. Heard a lot from do more HIIT, to eat fewer calories (=/), do more cardio, and stop weighing in weekly.<br />
<br />
Well, the very next day, I sprained my foot, which meant half of the new options got thrown out the window. Now 3 days after the initial sprain and I'm walking *almost* normal. I was able to do an upper body workout yesterday, which felt great, but no impact activities, and certainly NO MORE RUNNING.<br />
<br />
Every Friday for about a year and a half now, I've been weighing in first thing in the morning. This is the first time that I'm skipping that weigh in. I'm going to be giving that route a shot. I won't weigh in again until June 14th. They say when you lose one sense, the rest get stronger. I'm going to test that theory out, but I'll be honest... I'M TERRIFIED.<br /><br />
<a name='more'></a>I spend a lot of time obsessing over that stupid scale number. I know it's not right, and I know that a number isn't a the end-all-be-all of fitness... Thanks to a push from Madi, I'm going to not stress over this number for a bit.<br />
<br />
To compensate for losing out on that piece of information, I'm going to have to rely on measurements and tracking to make sure I'm on the right path. I've already tracked more this week than I have in the past month, which is terrible, really!<br />
<br />
I must pay special attention to what I'm eating since I can't do much in the way of workouts until this foot is totally healed. I can't do any impact moves, which eliminates all cardio. My right leg has even started to hurt because I'm overcompensating for my left foot.<br />
<br />
So the next three weeks are going to test my patience and my resolve. I'm going to finish out this Spring plan as best I can, and I look forward to hitting it hard come Summer!Fiore Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316732046053452086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608912685892307883.post-44417139752061749102013-05-19T22:01:00.000-05:002013-05-20T15:17:26.264-05:00That Explains A Lot...My two year anniversary came and went, completely unnoticed by me. I wasn't expecting that. Last year I had a grand plan about where I would be when the two year mark rolled around and how there would be a grand celebration because I'd be done! Life had other plans. And by life, I mean <b>me</b>.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>There's no arguing with science, even with a million ways to get to the same place. I told myself this year would be different, I wouldn't waste the first 5 months of the year doing everything but losing weight.<br />
<br />
Here I am, yet again, at the end of May, having spent the past five months bouncing around within the same 7 pounds. Up one week, down two weeks, up three weeks, down two weeks... <b><i><span style="font-size: large;">I'M SO SICK OF THIS ROLLER COASTER!</span></i></b><br />
<br />
I can get mad/sad/angry/pissed/self-loathing all I want, but none of it is constructive and it won't help me move forward. I've all but ignored my diet. Not that I subscribe to any particular "diet" but I'm no longer selective in what I'm eating. Not paying attention to portion sizes, eating schedules/nutrient timing, or macros. I just need to stop whining and buckle down. I don't know why this is such a sticking point. I need to power up my Green Lantern ring, because my will power has just up and left.<br />
<br />
Things aren't all doom and gloom, though. I'm still working out and hitting new PRs each week with my deadlifts. I'm switching up my routines (pace, time of day, length, etc.) and have seen muscle definition in new places. I'm down to a size 14, which I honestly cannot remember ever (and I do mean EVER) having been this small. My BMI is no longer in the obese category, which is amazing all by itself. In a world where balance is key, it's important to know how far you've come.<br />
<br />
But I am having a hard time with the road ahead. I've been plateaued for 5 months and my frustration is on the verge of turning into desperation. My BMR (basal metabolic rate, calories I need if I sleep all day) is 2,300 and I eat around 1,700 calories per day while working out 5 times per week. I'm about ready to kiss carbs goodbye just to get that quick drop (I know, it's illogical and not good to keep my heavy lifts progressing). Should I drop weight lifting altogether for a bit and focus on HIIT only? Should I do a juice cleanse? Someone talk me off the fad diet ledge!<br />
<br />
Please don't say that the weight I'm putting on is muscle. There are plenty of people who can lose weight while still lifting weights. And I understand that scale weight isn't everything, I do. That applies when you're in your goal range. I'm <b>NO WHERE NEAR</b> my goal range. I could lose another 50+ and <i>STILL</i> be in the mid-range of my "goal weight for my height." I have no desire to lose another 50+ on top of the 90+ I've already dropped, but I <b><i>am</i></b> trying to hit my range. 111 is my first major weight loss goal and I'd be perfectly fine leveling off at 125 lost.<br />
<br />
I don't know what I'm looking for, but I hope that by putting my frustrations and insecurities out there, it will free up some space in my head so I can at least stop thinking about this all the time.<br />
<br />
Before this gets even more out of control, I just want to flat out say <b>I'M ASKING FOR SOME HELP HERE</b>. There's nothing wrong with putting the call out for support. Anyone using <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>MyFitnessPal</b></a>? If so, I could really use some accountability on that platform. Add me! My user ID is JMo_2814.<br />
<br />
I have spoken with a few people who have mentioned that this plateau could be seasonal. Perhaps a natural, human reaction to winter? Does anyone else find it hard to drop pounds at the beginning of the year?<br />
<br />
Have I mentioned how much I enjoy talking with y'all? I get emails and messages all the time sharing things and asking for a little motivation. I'm not kidding when I say that sometimes y'all keep me going. This is an up and down battle, some days are fantabulous and others aren't. But it's all part of the journey. The good wouldn't feel as great without the bad. Fiore Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316732046053452086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608912685892307883.post-24652929293043294762013-04-14T22:44:00.001-05:002013-04-14T22:44:33.957-05:00Let's Begin AgainA few weeks ago, I realized that I was "different" than I used to be because compliments drive me to push harder instead of making me feel complacent. The compliments make me want to work harder in the garage, sweat longer, walk farther and faster... They push me to be better physically.<br />
<br />
But I've let myself slip in the kitchen. Using the excuse "too many social events" as a free pass to indulge too frequently. I don't think I'll ever go back to my old eating habits, but I have definitely been misbehaving.<br />
<br />
It's never too late to start over, right? Now that I've got some significant trips on my calendar, it's time to get my ass back in gear!<br /><br />
<a name='more'></a>Someone recently asked me how did losing weight make me feel. Like a giddy idiot, I told them. And it does. It's not like I did it to get more attention from guys or so I could rock a bikini. I'm happier, I smile more, I'm more social, I handle the crap life throws at me much better. The biggest thing I've noticed is I'm not nearly as "mad at the world" as I used to be.<br />
<br />
I've managed to maintain so far this year, which, quite frankly, <b>SUCKS BALLS</b>. I find myself in the same predicament I was in when 2012 started. Clearly I've falling into another case of <a href="http://www.leangains.com/2011/09/fuckarounditis.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">fuckarounditis</a>. Once again, I've got to rally the troops and dig myself out of this hole. There is still a long way to go!<br />
<br />
So when the vanity reasons weren't at the forefront before, let's put them there now. I'm going to visit friends and family on the West Coast in July, which will definitely include a trip to the beach. And while I STILL will not be rockin' a bikini, I'd like to be comfortable enough to not wear board shorts. In September, I'm going to a convention, and I want to look great for a particular outfit and photo-op! Just to prove that I'm not <i>totally</i> vain, I've also got to get ready for a Spartan Beast in December. Regardless of the number on the scale, I need to be fit in order to finish a 12-mile obstacle course.<br />
<br />
My first project of the year, #Relentless, was not a total failure. If nothing else, it taught me that when it comes to maintenance, I know what to do. I'd like to think that I've moved from calorie counting to "intuitive" eating. I put on muscle during the first three months of this year. I can feel (and see) muscle and definition it places it did not exist before, which is so exciting! When I'm pissed off with the scale, I go flex in the mirror and feel much better.<br />
<br />
So for the rest of April, I'm going to be doing the routines from the <i><b>Men's Health Spartacus DVDs</b></i>. I'm using this next two weeks to get back in the habit after sitting on the bench for the first half of April. I'll be calling it something you've probably heard me talk about before: <b>#SunsOutGunsOut</b>! <br />
<br />
And this battle is going to be in the kitchen. I hate to say that I'm going to be saying no to a lot of things, but it won't be forever. Alcohol is definitely going off the menu (again), so are things like pancakes, syrup, excessive bread, sugary drinks (juice), deep fried anything, and I'm getting back to a structured eating schedule. Honestly, I don't know what happened to my protein intake, but it has completely fallen off. Must get back to making sure I'm getting protein, especially if I'm going to be doing any form of weight training.<br />
<br />
I have been whining about how tired I am of doing research and making my own programs. Well, I don't have the funds to hire a coach or a trainer, and that is no excuse to let my results fall off. I've gotten myself this far and now is the time to dig deep and forge ahead! <br />
<br />
That also means I'm calling on y'all (yes, you, reading this post) to pull me through once again! Your support has both pulled me from the brink and pushed me over a few hurdles in the past. I'm asking for tough love and high fives to get me through the final stage of weight loss.<br />
<br />
And because we all need something to look forward to, I'm not going to allow myself to buy the final season of Spartacus until I reach my initial goal of 111lbs lost. That's 20lbs from here. <b><a href="http://youtu.be/lsSC2vx7zFQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">How bad do I want it</a>?</b> We shall see!Fiore Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316732046053452086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608912685892307883.post-41690176732090621582013-03-04T11:31:00.000-06:002013-03-04T11:31:00.280-06:00Finding My Inner GladiatrixFebruary may be the shortest month of the year, but it was enough time to produce great results! All of Spartacus themed routines for the month turned me into a leaner, meaner Gladiatrix! I lost 3 inches and showed a 67% improvement on the fit test, specifically on the agility moves.<br />
<br />
But the best part? I earned my mark!<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qxrUJjBwC6QTq-EAJ4ASo_1-ct9vcgGlPYoI5SmDEBvnlqZiRH5fDNXwYSHDSEHkQYufJ5ZxEbgCnBDGgj06hn_i74-fKcXsJA9cJFPAKQCWRUpYQ6lS3G5kMA3vrx-zsUPW8Zhe_tQ/s1600/mark.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0qxrUJjBwC6QTq-EAJ4ASo_1-ct9vcgGlPYoI5SmDEBvnlqZiRH5fDNXwYSHDSEHkQYufJ5ZxEbgCnBDGgj06hn_i74-fKcXsJA9cJFPAKQCWRUpYQ6lS3G5kMA3vrx-zsUPW8Zhe_tQ/s200/mark.png" width="200" /></a></div>
Yes, it's cheesy, I know, but I haven't had this much fun working out! There were a few routines (*cough*<a href="http://instagram.com/p/WKb39ai2e0/" target="_blank">1,000 rep challenge</a>*cough*) that had me scared, but overall I looked forward to sweating in the garage nearly everyday.<br />
<br />
The hard part, surprisingly, has been tracking food intake. I feel like I need to recharge my power ring (yes, I just made a Green Lantern reference). Getting up and working out was the easy part, but the workouts were never easy themselves. My will to do them was always greater than any excuse not to. The diet part... Not so much.<br />
<br />
Paleo/Vegan/Vegetarian/Atkins/Dukan... I don't subscribe to any of those. And for any of you that do, as long as you're doing what works for you, keep doing it. I just haven't found that perfect balance yet. So I'm still tweaking everything from the protein/fat/carb balance to nutrient timing. I'll figure it out, I'm sure... It's just that I'm getting frustrated because I'm so close to my goal, yet it seems farther and farther out of reach.<br />
<br />
At this point, I think all that's left is "stubborn fat." When I first started two years ago, I got all this material that I never read. So I'm going back through several books to gather the specifics of how to pull back the reigns on my eating habits. Not that I'm out of control, but I know I've been too lax. There are days where I stick to my macros and other days where I eat whatever is within 10 feet of me. I know I shouldn't, but I do it anyway. This happens on those days when I feel hungry all day.<br />
<br />
I'm not an emotional eater. It's that unsatisfied feeling that gets me! Nothing I eat hits the spot, or no matter what I eat, I'm hungry a few hours later. I'm not a 6 smalls meals a day girl either. Again, that approach works for some people, but I'm not one of them.<br />
<br />
Working to get my diet back on track is the big focus for March and diet is the main reason that I'm back to a weight lifting program. It's likely all mental, but I know I pay more attention to my protein intake when I'm lifting heavy, and I feel like protein is one of the big things I'm under eating at the moment.<br />
<br />
Tweaking, changing, experimenting... That's what makes this journey so fun and so completely unique to everyone! I talk to several people on a daily basis about health and fitness, and not one of us is doing the same thing. But we're all making progress because we're doing what works for us. <b>Individuality is the spice of life!</b><br />
<br />
The biggest change I've noticed over the past month is my confidence has increased by leaps and bounds. I'm far more comfortable in my own skin than I have ever been. I feel <b>GREAT</b>!<br />
<br />
One of my goals this summer is to wear tank tops like they're going out of style. And I've already started. =)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtFHBmTPqA76LznGGdpjMfPSoFjOOQntvwtqNe_br76GEj5hLLXR7jeU2JXjMMpj57s2HJqj6Cwc-ryLJag7RE0efjhMCJ-foI_NyK7FmIPhAP8LE8xbnwb3-1BOGWirGFdj8NUMF1bXs/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtFHBmTPqA76LznGGdpjMfPSoFjOOQntvwtqNe_br76GEj5hLLXR7jeU2JXjMMpj57s2HJqj6Cwc-ryLJag7RE0efjhMCJ-foI_NyK7FmIPhAP8LE8xbnwb3-1BOGWirGFdj8NUMF1bXs/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Fiore Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316732046053452086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608912685892307883.post-56304823648528530652013-02-13T18:32:00.001-06:002013-02-13T18:33:13.727-06:00Weapons Training - First Video!In keeping with my Spartacus theme for February, today was the first day I had a bit of "weapons training" thrown into the workout mix. They use all kinds of weapons on the show, and today I decided to start with my machete.<br />
<br />
Yes, I have a machete. =)<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>I spent a lot of time the past few days looking up sword positions and shoulder stretches. I put together a 7min warm-up and MAN are my shoulders and arms sore!<br />
<br />
Most of the video are variations on Indian Club routines and the latter half is pieces of Aikido sword fighting positions. Like I said, I put this together for fun. Please don't think this is an instructional video! I have had <b>ZERO</b> formal training in Martial Arts. I'm not a fan of hand-to-hand combat, but I would like to take a sword or stick fighting class in the future!<br />
<br />
Anyway, here it is. The next "weapons training" video will either be a hammer (two handed) or a stick. =) Sorry it's so boring! I'll try to make the next one more exciting!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_dwNJriGrtE?rel=0" width="640"></iframe>Fiore Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316732046053452086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608912685892307883.post-64959124822639861792013-02-11T16:23:00.000-06:002013-02-11T16:23:17.912-06:00Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://distilleryimage9.instagram.com/cd48e2bc749711e2aa5e22000a1f96ec_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://distilleryimage9.instagram.com/cd48e2bc749711e2aa5e22000a1f96ec_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://sportsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/p/workout-of-damned.html#hunting" target="_blank">Today's routine</a> is one that I've done at three times before. The first time was <a href="http://sportsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2012/06/beach-weekend-and-back-to-grind.html" target="_blank">June 12th</a>, and I completed 3 rounds in 31:33min. The second time was <a href="http://sportsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2012/07/has-it-really-been-51-days.html" target="_blank">July 21st</a>, I didn't finish on this day but did two rounds in 17:33min, which was definitely on pace to beat the first one. Third time was <a href="http://instagram.com/p/OCN89Ri2Zi/" target="_blank">August 7th</a>, and I finished 3 rounds in 26:02, which was the best one...<br />
<br />
Until today.<br />
<br />
Today I absolutely <i><b>KILLED</b></i> all my previous times. <b>ON TOP OF</b> best my times, I did an extra round and was <i>STILL FASTER</i> than the first time I'd done this routine!!!!!!!!!!!! My fastest time today is 1:26 faster than my previous best from Aug 7th.<br />
<br />
I feel pretty great right now! I'd also like to point out that the June routine was modified, where I was doing burpees and the pendulums from an 18in platform instead of off the ground.<br />
<br />
As our President says, let me be clear: I fully expected to beat 31:33 when I walked into the garage this afternoon, even with the extra round. This new-found confidence in my abilities is kinda awesome. I've got to make sure it bleeds into other aspects of my life.<br />
<br />
There just aren't enough !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! to convey how happy am I at this moment. =)Fiore Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316732046053452086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608912685892307883.post-73309179123578616472013-02-08T14:03:00.003-06:002013-02-08T14:04:51.900-06:00Progress To Be Proud OfYesterday's routine is one I've done a few times before. It was actually one of the first, way back from <a href="http://sportsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2012/06/day-8-non-stop-sweat.html">Day 8 of Operation Sweaty Summer</a>! Knowing it was an old routine, I walked into the garage 100% confident that I could lift heavier and finish faster.<br />
<br />
Ha! Wrong on both counts...<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><a href="http://distilleryimage9.instagram.com/f73ed048714711e28c1022000a9e08e0_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://distilleryimage9.instagram.com/f73ed048714711e28c1022000a9e08e0_7.jpg" width="320" /></a>The first move was the same; low jack press with the 25lb dumbbell. I was over-confident in the second move, side lateral raise + lunge, and started with 12lbs. I quickly learned that was too much. Dropped down to the 8lb kettle bell I'd used in the original routine. Boy was that a blow to the ego...<br />
<br />
Third move, the fireman's lift, proved awkward. My sandbag weighs 30lbs, but the shape gets completely wonky when I throw it over my shoulder. After a few tries, I swapped it out for that trusty old 25lb dumbbell. The fourth, and final, move was the lunge + single arm press. I knew lifting 25lbs, single handed, above my head would <b>NOT</b> work. So I tried 20lbs. Nope. 15? I did 15lbs for the first 15 reps but had to drop the weight... <b>AGAIN!</b> Finally found the sweet spot at 12.5lbs; which was a number I could get above my head (safely) and control the movement the entire time.<br />
<br />
After all the weight shuffling, I was hit with another dose of reality when I checked my time at the end of the first round and read 11:08. <b>GREAT</b>. Not only am I weaker than I think, but I'm also slow!<br />
<br />
Before anyone gets on me for comparing, I'm competing with myself. Every time I hit that concrete, I'm out to best <i><b>MY</b></i> previous times or beat <i><b>MY</b></i> own personal records. I'm fiercely competitive and I hate losing: especially to myself!<br />
<br />
I took a couple of minutes to compose myself and clear my mind after that first round. It would have taken me all day to finish that workout if I'd let that negativity hang around. Finished the next two rounds faster, then I did my finisher. Those bike sprints nearly killed me, I tell ya!<br />
<br />
First time I did this workout, I finished in 25min. But you know what? 75% of the moves were modified. 8 months ago I had no balance and needed the wall as a support for the lunges. 8 months ago I used a static lunge position on the arm raises and presses. 8 months ago my fireman's lifts had 50% fewer squats and lifts.<br />
<br />
And yesterday? I did 180 weighted squats, 45 low jack presses (w/25lbs), 90 side lateral raises + lunge, and 90 single arm presses + lunge. <b>NOT. A. SINGLE. MODIFICATION.</b> My balance has improved by leaps and bounds! I did every lunge in the middle of the floor, with no walls within reach. So what if it took me 32 minutes this time. 38 minutes when you add in the bike sprints.<br />
<br />
As it turns out, I didn't set a new low, <b>I set a new standard</b>. This new time is just a jumping off point; a time I can look forward to absolutely smashing in the future. In 38 minutes, I proved that I have come so very far, but also that there is still work to be done.<br />
<br />
Now is not the time to rest or get complacent in my goals. After this morning's weigh in, I'm now two weeks removed from the holiday weight I put on, which is GREAT news! <b>I'm making progress, and I'm damn proud of it.</b>Fiore Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316732046053452086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608912685892307883.post-47648444311588269202013-01-29T13:59:00.001-06:002013-01-29T13:59:10.704-06:00Inaction Is Still ActionHow many times have you bought something, put it away, then forgot about it? And when we don't bother to think about something, what happens?<br />
<br />
If your response is nothing, that's wrong.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Take, for instance, moving on. You've been stuck in one place for too long and you know it, yet you aren't actively doing anything to change the situation. Your lack of action is, in itself, an action. By doing nothing, you are perpetuating this situation you have been living.<br />
<br />
As the wise Billy Bob Thornton once said in the critically acclaimed film <i><b>Bad Santa</b></i>, <i>"Wish on one hand, s--- on the other, see which gets full first."</i> Colorful language, sure, but that doesn't make it any less true.<br />
<br />
Some poor life decisions caught up to me recently, and while it hurt like hell to be berated with the reality stick, it was a lesson that had to be learned. I take full responsibility, I do. And this is the kind of thing that happens when we ride in the passenger seat of our own lives. It sucks and it's going to take some time to dig my way out of this hole, but the entire experience sparked something within me. If you're only reading to see if I tell you exactly what happened, stop now, because I'm not.<br />
<br />
The point is, one bad thing shed light on several other bad habits. And while one is too far gone, I can do something <b>NOW</b> about the others. Look at my behavior this first month of <a href="http://sportsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/p/january-relentless.html">Relentless</a>. I misbehaved and half-assed my "clean" eating this entire month. And when I don't see the scale moving, I have the nerve to get indignant? Silly me.<br />
<br />
Another bad habit is work related. And while I've been complaining and, yes, <i>wishing</i>, for things to change, they haven't. So, I'm done waiting.<br />
<br />
This is the year I'm supposed to <i><b>MAKE</b></i> things happen, yet all I've shown this month is that I'm really great at being passive. <b>That ends now.</b> The rest of this weight isn't going to lose itself. If I'm in control, I need to act like it!<br />
<br />
I took my punches this weekend, marked another in the loss column, and cried my eyes out in the shower. I felt all the emotions that came with this loss, and I'm done with the pity party. Like I said, I got myself into this mess, and I'm going to get myself out of it too.<br />
<br />
By the way, I will never understand those who call themselves emotional eaters. I haven't been able to stomach much of anything for the past few days. No appetite, no hunger, just numbness, really. Which is a very dangerous emotion, to be honest.<br />
<br />
This post isn't meant to bring anyone down. What I want is to remind us all that we <i>HAVE</i> to own the choices we make. Whether it's eating poorly for weeks on end, half-assing a workout, or lying to ourselves (or anyone else) about things that matter. It will catch up to us in the end. A quote that's been on my mind lately is this:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>"Don't be upset by the results you didn't get with the work you didn't do."</b></i></span></blockquote>
<br />
<b>Let's get to work.</b> There's still time to turn Relentless around and kick this program's ass!<br />
<br />
P.S. <br />
Remember that photoshoot I worked on a couple of weekends ago? Well, here's a sneak. I want to be more like this girl. She's a fighter, strong and confident, and looks pretty bad ass, if I do say so myself ;)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkh0Iq8Or-MQfOF_oU1PGTadw_ge6DliGMRyMAnvo6FCEVERrUjY_g01pupGjC6t0WMmiYhW9ckcVndCqLnWv9CwSBONy2gd2P-D1wSt6tbfLYcflra73C5flvk20xBcMKeisaSZ2mQsE/s1600/z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkh0Iq8Or-MQfOF_oU1PGTadw_ge6DliGMRyMAnvo6FCEVERrUjY_g01pupGjC6t0WMmiYhW9ckcVndCqLnWv9CwSBONy2gd2P-D1wSt6tbfLYcflra73C5flvk20xBcMKeisaSZ2mQsE/s400/z.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Fiore Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316732046053452086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608912685892307883.post-62921431113949490372012-12-30T21:24:00.000-06:002012-12-30T21:24:09.879-06:00I Love The 90s!After the tremendous success of <i><a href="http://sportsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2012/05/operation-sweaty-summer.html">Operation Sweaty Summer</a></i>, I began <i><a href="http://sportsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2012/10/october-completed.html">Project Autumn Leans</a></i> with open arms and high hopes. The first month went swimmingly well! The second and third, not so much. The overly ambitious goal of Autumn Leans was 20lbs in less than 3 months (hey, a girl can dream!). The realistic goal was 15lbs by the end of 2012. What I wound up with was 10lbs and another pant size lost.<br />
<br />
Wanna know what's great about 1990?<br />
<br />
19 months. 90 pounds lost. <b>BOOM!</b><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>October was full of heavy lifting, and I can say without a doubt the weight lifting I did then is the only thing that saved this project. While the scale didn't move the way I wanted it to, my body changed in ways I certainly wasn't expecting.<br />
<br />
595 days ago, I was a very full size 22 pants and XXL shirt. I even had 1 pair of jeans in a 24 "just in case" I made it that far. Today, I'm rockin' L shirts, and the size 16 jeans I have (pictured below in the Sept 12 pic) are too big. I actually have a size 14 dress that I'm wearing for a New Year's party. 14. <b>FOURTEEN!!! </b><br />
<br />
When I first started, I had all these numbers in my head of where I <i>thought</i> I needed to be. I never expected to be smaller than a size 18, because that was the smallest I remembered. I wanted to get back to the weight written on my 8th grade physical for volleyball. When I first tried on those 16 jeans a few months ago, I almost cried in the dressing room. I couldn't believe they fit! So much so that a week later, I was still trying to figure out, "<i>now what?</i>"<br />
<br />
If there's one thing I've learned this year it's that <b><i>WE</i></b> are the ones who limit ourselves. <b><i>WE</i></b> are the ones who place us in boxes and under glass ceilings. Before I even knew what my body was capable of, I'd already placed all these <b style="font-style: italic;">arbitrary</b> limits on what I could accomplish, simply because I was trying to get back to something I'll never be. What sense does it make for me to try and return to my 12 year old self?<br />
<br />
<b>I want to be a bad ass warrior goddess!</b> I've let go of my obsession with getting back to that weight. I'm not at goal yet, but I'm thinner and more muscular than I ever was as a middle school athlete.<br />
<br />
<b><i>"Pics, or it didn't happen,"</i></b> as they say. I promised a progress post with pics, so here they are. Another 21 pounds to lose before May will get me to my first goal and complete the weight loss phase. <i>And whither then, I cannot say.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgRQrtjR4XgJoK92dwf04vQi9wsaNKxx6C1clnho6uvyIMcxN8cdvE5cfPqOawkmeZeCresDXgajz3roZfZsEF8h0fnRqMFJGtISJqjJLv1A2rFJSLL8N2gIlQcSPU8RfnQeOGHGZDMc/s1600/progress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgRQrtjR4XgJoK92dwf04vQi9wsaNKxx6C1clnho6uvyIMcxN8cdvE5cfPqOawkmeZeCresDXgajz3roZfZsEF8h0fnRqMFJGtISJqjJLv1A2rFJSLL8N2gIlQcSPU8RfnQeOGHGZDMc/s640/progress.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't mind the tattoos. I was in a costume contest, haha! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOe_oyJ0kUeO2TmDHM1mCTuVYzfFD-3M7Q-VF38fhN9inr-n9VWs4ueSO-gDpce7UfiHDy6HyhVKlzklBvP-rb34zx-sHVFLfGgfQygGmGNdPAuMC7D19BFzl3tK0qaOIkFVJjLp5Z6c/s1600/IMG_0932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizOe_oyJ0kUeO2TmDHM1mCTuVYzfFD-3M7Q-VF38fhN9inr-n9VWs4ueSO-gDpce7UfiHDy6HyhVKlzklBvP-rb34zx-sHVFLfGgfQygGmGNdPAuMC7D19BFzl3tK0qaOIkFVJjLp5Z6c/s640/IMG_0932.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my Cousin. Top pic is 2010. Bottom two pics are 2012. Between the two of us, we've lost 270 pounds! 180 for her and 90 for me!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kWZC654B8SVhwwSdI_a677ANv3vaOjV6meeyWNbCtQ6fJdgUWhDbcXUco5xSzVidQtTN_xY-cDmjJzEohojpDEsYB3wfLw1UPP6erN86GC9W7Mbz1b6YhGTHXFAmihT_9uHNHFdPqZU/s1600/2012end.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kWZC654B8SVhwwSdI_a677ANv3vaOjV6meeyWNbCtQ6fJdgUWhDbcXUco5xSzVidQtTN_xY-cDmjJzEohojpDEsYB3wfLw1UPP6erN86GC9W7Mbz1b6YhGTHXFAmihT_9uHNHFdPqZU/s640/2012end.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Day 2012. 90lbs lost in 19 months.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It's been a crazy ride, that's for sure. The finish line is in sight! I have to say, I'm proud of myself for what I've been able to accomplish so far. There were definitely times where I stalled and thought, "<i>is this as good as it gets?</i>" But I refused to accept stagnation and pushed myself even harder. I got a bit sick toward the end of the year, but didn't let that stop me either. I'm on a "<a href="http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/the-full-diet-break.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">diet break</a>" at the moment to give my body some time to recover before starting the next phase, punnily named <i>Relentless</i> per Professor Meeks!<br />
<br />
Thanks, especially, to <b>you</b>! For your tweets, texts, messages, and all the love, support, and encouragement I've received from all over the world! I feel the love from MD, IL, CA, DC, NJ, NY, MA, WA, LA, even all the way in Oz, and of course, right here at home in Texas.<br />
<br />
I'm not finished yet. At the end of 2011, I asked y'all to stick with me, and I'm asking you to hang in there a bit longer! I <b>WILL</b> have a great two year transformation story to share. Hopefully this progress post will be enough to hold you over until then. =)<br />
<br />
My last <a href="http://unhingedclarity.blogspot.com/2011/12/i-worked-my-ass-off-in-2011-well-some.html" target="_blank">year end post</a> finished like this:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">So here's to 2012. A year in which I plan to live by the Nike creed, </span><b style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">JUST DO IT</b><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">. I found an old blog post where I said, "</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">2011 will be about letting go past hurts and embracing new paths.</span><span style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">" I think 2011 lived up to that. </span></i><i><b style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">2012 is what we make of it, y'all. So I'm pressing on! I encourage everyone to go out and MAKE 2012 YOUR year.</b></i></blockquote>
<br />
I believe 2012 was what I made of it! As for 2013, I think it will be the year in which my hard work pays off. I have planted plenty of good seeds in 2012 and 2013 will be time to harvest and feast! So let's not limit ourselves and our ambitions. I plan on charging into the new year full steam ahead, riding on the expectation that I will surprise myself at what I will accomplish.<br />
<br />
Cheers!Fiore Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316732046053452086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608912685892307883.post-48549249695586488362012-11-20T01:48:00.002-06:002012-11-20T01:48:14.758-06:00There Is No Room For The WeakI am a masochist. There, I said it.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
How did I get here? It was a gradual road at first. Just me trying new things and when I learned I didn't like it, I stopped doing it. After a year of just dabbling in pain, I decided to go all in because I wasn't as happy as I thought I could be.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It started out simple enough, with a <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1CXXMHmljLrWDz12g9075p0KFFwFMsfouLk39j0k-GDK-L1wqV-9YBMMQ5bMMZrxN8bpyd-cB2_SOpDz2rgMD87hFNOZn7Ii8mspMuKPhYxLhw6MxVJSfeQFNsJo9xhD4zYLr_qbYFhc/s1600/ball.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ball</a>, some <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9pIkugH-7VY4X1KYB2SqIWlZKo1yFO2ATGrzAXhLoBVPzUpt3rVvLaqJRnVcDs0n7-9DgO1vtJ2PlxDtW9m3Cfh6pyTVajCS2ymL0W17hxyHYYsm67UfC3Z-xNsV8QUn-bvn2Mg01So/s1600/rope.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ropes</a> and <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizN0cxdluhiSgMWrAz1FLylRpGAHpOWEUOh8PYSLdFda9Qb_3eNCCzkY_vj64a0A1sKcthhBpgds9n2NLaJ_J6gkBNWEWvLyhYAYT02qVvYgbdszNAIt2fu8ZgIVMpOGdVNx5r0ToHUAE/s1600/bands.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">cords</a>, and a lot of sweat. Now I'm a bona fide member of a whole new (to me) world, where there is yelling, bruises, wraps, suffocation, and the coup de gras, not being able to sit down.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
I never thought I'd be one of <i>those</i> people that said things like <a href="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mc3br6L3vp1rvuxy7o1_500.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this</a>, but I am. It's not a topic I bring up when in the company of certain folks because I hate the expression on their faces when I tell them what kinds of hours I keep. I hate the reproachful tone they use when I explain how much time I spend in bed. But what I hate the most is the way they feign interest in the topic and it isn't until I've wasted my breath explaining it that they come up with an excuse not to try before they've even started.<br />
<br />
I want to jump on the table and <a href="http://youtu.be/T3yf1p-WYQw" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">scream at them, Al Pacino style</a>. Instead, I smile and nod and say, "it's not for everyone," when <a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mdlbweNPDV1rl7431o1_500.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here's what I really mean</a>.<br />
<br />
The problem with other people (because, clearly there's nothing wrong with <i style="font-weight: bold;">me</i>), is that they really do everything they can to avoid pain. I get it, I can relate, really. But what they fail to realize is <a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m9k23lV0741qfrgmmo1_400.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this</a>. A few minutes, a few hours a week of being knee deep in pain can produce equal parts pleasure. Listen, <a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6av3g910d1rw549oo1_500.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here's the truth</a>, and for folks who can't understand that, then there's only one thing left to <a href="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mdluqpyJaX1rii2g0o1_500.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">do with them</a>. And to those who respond with only excuses, <a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mbz6jp4dCg1riby8qo1_1280.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here's a reality check for you</a>. It's a hard lesson to learn, but the bottom line is <a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mc5eqyuWfN1rj7r1wo1_400.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
It took a lot of miserable days where I let my circumstances boss me around. <a href="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mcx6ovxzaa1qke924o1_500.png" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Not anymore</a>. I'm in control now. <b>I dish out the pain.</b> <a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ma4qjlo1nm1rty8mco1_500.gif" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">There is spit, sweat, and primal screams</a>. <a href="http://uk.againfaster.com/media/filer_thumbnails/2012/08/28/apparel-category-image-02.jpg__789x475_q85_crop_upscale.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Asking for more</a> or trying to <a href="http://onemorerep.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/o/n/one_more_rep_shirt_black_2.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">get more out of it</a>. I've been <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKVbrhzwrrs9TOmLueoRFRGi5l7TpguSRoQKrQh-FdGr2A_6LLHwpkUXpGJD-52pgIhgDVg2p0svm-sak5Xqauldfdfl0iYjDAMIQ2QE0KQ9TjoPR5H6ryplr8B1R0udad-eZa4mlG9U/s1600/skullcrushers.png" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">hit in the face</a>, choked, chased, and I've even thrown up a couple of times. It's not pretty, but I keep coming back for more and I <a href="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mdeb1a6M311r1u0gno1_500.png" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">wouldn't have it any other way</a>.<br />
<br />
Full disclosure, there is an epic mind battle before I inflict pain in order to receive pleasure. <a href="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mctu9eJnZ91rvuxy7o1_500.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">But once you get me started</a>, the only thing I'm chasing is the release. And I won't stop until I have it. You have to experience it for yourself to understand, but it's a lot like <a href="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mdl0zrE7cW1r7yrato1_500.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this</a>, <a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1lwoiSJJ41rsstpgo1_500.png" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">and this</a>, <a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mc5e3lZwHF1rj7rsko1_500.png" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">or this</a>, and <a href="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lx93jzSqTh1r1u0gno1_500.png" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">especially this</a>. Because when all is said and done, I want to climb on my roof and <a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6jhrgkgjA1r2peoyo1_500.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">shout so everyone knows who I am</a>.<br />
<br />
Usually, the next question during the interrogation into my obsession with pain is something like, why would you do that? <a href="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_makawatcSY1rvuxy7o1_500.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">My responses vary</a>, but there is always a <a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_md7xbnpESG1rap5suo1_500.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">choice</a> we make. Pain, pleasure or otherwise, it hurts me more <i style="font-weight: bold;">not</i> to be <a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8phl0tIEm1r1u0gno1_500.png" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">who I am</a>. It's a matter of <a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mdn6hmxbWV1rv34fro1_500.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">discipline</a>.<br />
<br />
I don't use the term obsession lightly either. Many times you'll find <a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mc25tev0uU1rnfejco1_500.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">inappropriate images</a> on my phone, or I find myself <a href="http://youtu.be/9ioYhq7Eyhw" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">watching videos</a> that require me to turn to volume low in case someone is walking by. The grunting, the <a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m7c8mwWxQF1rn4deoo1_500.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">glisten</a>, and the post release <a href="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mdrz4kILFx1rhp02ho1_500.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">collapse</a>. I can't get enough.<br />
<br />
Pain makes me happy. It wasn't intentional, it just sort of happened one day. There are days when some pain is too great, and <a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m33f4b3War1rtx06go1_r1_1280.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">I can take a step back</a>. Whilst exploring my threshold for pain, <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRock/status/141145143783866368" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here's one thing I've learned for sure</a>. <a href="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_makvpxhRkc1qaplylo1_500.png" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Remember</a>, pleasure and pain go hand in hand. Without pain, we cannot know how great pleasure really feels. I have come <a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_md69zrFdQl1r5825ho1_500.png" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">too far</a> and I know full well <a href="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mb2jmxXXmf1ruquaeo1_1280.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">tomorrow</a> will be better.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://gymandmotivation.tumblr.com/post/35627914911" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;">THERE IS NO ROOM FOR THE WEAK</span></a></div>
Fiore Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316732046053452086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608912685892307883.post-55050602098549743042012-10-31T10:40:00.002-05:002012-10-31T10:40:31.455-05:00It Could Happen To You<div>
I had two WW friends that I found to be so knowledgeable and inspirational after their journeys to loose 100+lbs. I checked in last night, and they'd both posted blogs about how they'd been off track, for almost a year and the other all summer and they'd gained 20lbs and 12lbs back, respectively. I'll be honest, it rocked me. These women are so strong, so resolute in their healthy habits... How could this happen?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
It freaked me out. I'm not knocking them, or belittling them in any way. They are both back on track, back on point, and back to working out. But it just goes to show that it doesn't take much to let it get away from us. I still think these women are rock stars, and I know they'll pull it together.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I spend a lot of time talking about working out and the different types of routines I'm doing at any given time. Thought it'd be a nice change of pace to talk about what I'm eating. After all, I've taken my <a href="http://sportsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2012/09/batman-robin.html" target="_blank">new found mantra</a> to heart.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>In some of the new fitness circles I run with, they use more acronyms than a teenager texting. One I recently learned was <b>IIFYM: <i>If It Fits Your Macros</i></b>. Meaning you can eat whatever you'd like, so long as you hit your macronutrient breakdown. Personally, I try to keep my daily intake to 40% carbs/30% protein/30% fat. So by IIFYM standards, I could eat pizza and burgers (or pop-tarts) everyday, so long as I'm within my 40/30/30 split.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Now, the biggest argument against IIFYM is that it isn't sustainable for "normal people." How it is that I keep finding myself outside of this "normal" range is beyond me. And what's the counter to IIFYM? <b>Clean eating</b>. Lean proteins, whole , unprocessed foods, and replacing most of your carb and starch sources with veggies and fruit.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There's been a major uproar in my circles lately, and I cannot figure out why. The vegans think this, the paleo eaters think that, the IIFYMers are on another train and the whole foods/clean eaters ride a different bus. I came to the understanding, quite recently, that different things will work for different people... <b>AND THAT'S OK</b>. I'm not forcing my way of doing things down any one's throat. I'm doing my thing, and I feel great while still pulling the results I'm aiming for.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Some say IIFYM isn't sustainable for <i>normal</i> people because it requires tracking calories and macros, while clean eating/the whole foods approach is more intuitive. Bottom line, it all depends on <b>YOUR</b> personality. I'm <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Type_A_and_Type_B_personality_theory#Type_A" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Type A</a>. I like lists, organization, order, a plan, a schedule... the thought of spontaneity makes me uncomfortable. So I track everything. I track my multivitamin, my fish oil, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and every thing in between. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For those of you who are NOT type A (you know who you are), this may not be the plan for you. And again, <b>THAT'S PERFECTLY FINE</b>. If the intuitive eating on the whole foods/clean eating plan works for you, that's great! What <i>DOES</i> bother me, however, is the people who knock my tracking by telling me <i>"that's too time consuming."</i> After I curse at them, in my head, I just tell them I think it's 5 minutes well spent.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Like I said, I just learned about IIFYM, but it looks like this is the kind of approach I've been following. Though I'd still say it's based off of clean eating principles even if I do plan cheat days. Not once a week like many, but if I know I'm going out with friends or headed out of town, I plan for it. Some days I eat sweet potato fries, some days I'll have a piece of garlic bread or a slice of pizza, and yes, some days I'll even have ice cream. But you know what's consistent? I measure and track it. Yes, I said measure. I still use my food scale and my measuring cups to track accurate portion sizes.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Someone recently asked me what I thought about a specific type of diet, and if I thought it would work for them. Just so y'all know, I'm not a supporter of any kind of diet that excludes entire food groups. But the only advice I gave her was to start tracking what she was eating. <b>If you don't know where your <i>"problem area"</i> is, you won't know what needs to be fixed.</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What do I use to track my food (and my workouts)? <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>MyFitnessPal</b></a>. It's a free website where you can create an account and set your weight loss goals. It then gives you access to a database of thousands upon thousands of food items that you can enter for your daily food journal. It even has a built in bar code scanner, so you can snap a pic of a food item without having to search for it or put in the nutrition info yourself. At the end of the day, you can complete the entry, and MyFitnessPal will show you graphs and charts of your macro breakdown. But the <b><i>BEST</i></b> part of MyFitnessPal? You can download the app for your iPhone or Android device <b>FREE</b>. Actually, I've never even used the web interface.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
No matter where I go, I can track my food. I'm very logistical (read: <i>anal</i>), so the fact that I get graphs and charts and tables of more information than I really need, I don't have any excuses. When I'm not making progress, I can go back and take a look at the numbers to pinpoint why. You know what I've noticed on the weeks when I'm <b><i>NOT</i></b> progressing? I don't track daily.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This post turned out to be longer than I thought! But there you have it. I don't subscribe to any particular "diet," per se. I do make a conscious effort to make better food choices, but I don't live in a bubble. OK, so I don't drink anywhere near as much as I used to, I don't eat out the day before a weigh in, I don't "snack" like I used to, and I go to bed early. I've been called all kinds of names for the habit shifts, and I couldn't care less. I feel great, and I'm lookin' pretty fly too ;)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It doesn't matter what mode of transportation you use, but get moving! Find the program that works for you, find the support system that you'll need to make it through, and then just take it one step at a time.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">EDIT 10/31/12</span></b> - This post was originally written on October 11th. Then on the morning of the 12th, I was very discouraged after my weigh in, so I never posted. I'm posting it now because I still believe everything I wrote. I will, however, say that I'm rethinking my approach to cheat days. So keep an eye out for a post later this week on that. Even though the scale is not moving as quickly as I'd like, I'm losing inches. I know this because pants I just bought a month ago now fit differently. I'm over feeling sorry for myself, and I've righted this ship. I know exactly what I need to do to see the results I want, and I'm doing it.<br />
<br />
I expect to finish 2012 <b>STRONG</b>. Thanks for sticking with me!</div>
Fiore Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316732046053452086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608912685892307883.post-87872327478920934762012-10-31T07:50:00.000-05:002012-10-31T10:51:30.367-05:00October Completed<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b>OCTOBER 2012 - Month 1 : Strength<br />#ProjectAutumnLeans</b></h3>
<table border="1" bordercolor="black">
<tbody>
<tr colspan="7"></tr>
<tr bgcolor="yellow" valign="top">
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<b>SUNDAY</b></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<b>MONDAY</b></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<b>TUESDAY</b></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<b>WEDNESDAY</b></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<b>THURSDAY</b>
</div>
</td><td width="14%"><div align="center">
<b>FRIDAY</b></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<b>SATURDAY</b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr rowspan="4" valign="top">
<td style="text-align: left;" width="14%"><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><strike>1</strike></b></div>
<br />
<strike>Fit Test</strike><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/QPuXQ2C2Qv/" target="_blank">results</a><br />
<br /></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><strike>2</strike></b></div>
<br />
<strike>Standing Shoulder Press (Week 1)</strike><br />
<b><strike>+</strike></b><br />
<a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2011/11/21/hot-body-on-me-workout-and-bodyrocker-kyla/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>Hot Body On Me</strike></a><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/QSRhlDC2SR/" target="_blank">results</a><br />
<br /></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike>3</strike></b></div>
<br />
<strike>Walking</strike><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<b>PR!</b> <br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">13:56min/mi, fastest .25mi was 8min, bested previous walk by 0:50sec/mi</span></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><strike>4</strike></b></div>
<br />
<strike>Deadlift (Week 1)</strike><br />
<strike><br /></strike>
<strike><b>+</b>Assistance Work</strike><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/QXbbspC2de/" target="_blank">results</a></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <span style="color: red;"><strike>5</strike></span></b></div>
<br />
<strike>Walking</strike><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">14:30min/mi on the trail! 3.23 mi in under 47min, another PR!</span></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike>6</strike></b></div>
<br />
<strike>Bench Press (Week 1)</strike><br />
<strike><b>+</b>Assistance Work</strike><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/QcnFZDi2UW/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">results</a></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr rowspan="4" valign="top">
<td style="text-align: left;" width="14%"><b> <strike>7</strike></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><strike>REST</strike></b></span></div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><strike>8</strike></b></div>
<br />
<strike>Shoulder Press (Week 2)</strike><br />
<b><strike>+</strike></b><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzIqIwQgac4&feature=share&list=UUrd4Hfglr4EczsLXKdGvCLA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>ZWOW #24</strike></a><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/QifCWii2cc/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">results</a></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><strike>9</strike></b></div>
<br />
<strike>Custom Routine</strike><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/QkUI7Vi2aS/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">results</a><br />
<br /></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike>10</strike></b></div>
<br />
<strike>Deadlift (Week 2)</strike><br />
<strike><b>+</b>Assistance Work</strike><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/Qm2tSyC2ai/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">restuls</a></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><strike>11</strike></b></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><strike>REST</strike></b></span></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <span style="color: red;"><strike>12</strike></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<strike>Bench Press (Week 2)</strike><br />
<strike><b>+</b>Assistance Work</strike><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/QsLEEDC2Xh/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">results</a></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike>13</strike></b></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><strike>Dirty Girl Mud Run</strike></b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<b>SO MUCH FUN!!! =D</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/QupZExC2dB/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Pic</a></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr rowspan="4" valign="top">
<td style="text-align: left;" width="14%"><b> <strike>14</strike></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><strike>REST</strike></b></span><br />
<br /></div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><strike>15</strike></b></div>
<br />
<strike>Shoulder Press (Week 3)</strike><br />
<b><strike>+</strike></b><br />
<a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2011/11/16/you-da-one-workout/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>You Da One</strike></a><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/Qz4WR4i2VW/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">results</a></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><strike>16</strike></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><strike>REST</strike></b></span><b><br /></b><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike>17</strike></b></div>
<br />
<strike>Deadlift (Week 3)</strike><br />
<strike><b>+</b>Assistance Work</strike><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/Q457x8i2VW/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">results</a></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><strike>18</strike></b></div>
<br />
<strike>Walking</strike><br />
<br />
Did <a href="http://instagram.com/p/Q7luKQC2fd/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">this</a> instead of walking.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b></div>
</td><td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <span style="color: red;"><strike>19</strike></span></b></div>
<br />
<strike>Bench Press (Week 3)</strike><br />
<strike><b>+</b>Assistance Work</strike><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/Q-BazuC2Xf/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">results</a><br />
<br /></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike>20</strike></b></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><strike>REST</strike></b></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr rowspan="4" valign="top">
<td style="text-align: left;" width="14%"><b> <strike>21</strike></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-size: x-large;"><strike>REST</strike></b></div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><strike>22</strike></b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strike>Shoulder Press (Week 4)</strike><br />
<br />
<div>
<b><strike>+</strike></b><br />
<a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2011/11/14/you-make-me-feel-workout/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>You Make Me Feel</strike></a><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/RFzBCfi2Ro/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">results</a></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><strike>23</strike></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2011/11/09/hot-beastie-workout/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>Hot Beastie</strike></a></div>
</div>
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/RIarUfi2Va/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">results</a></div>
</td><td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike>24</strike></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strike>Deadlift (Week 4)</strike><br />
<strike><b>+</b>Assistance Work</strike><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/RK24t8i2W1/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">results</a></div>
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike>25</strike></b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqWcz3KgxZI&feature=share&list=UUrd4Hfglr4EczsLXKdGvCLA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>ZWOW #26</strike></a><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b></div>
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <span style="color: red;"><strike>26</strike></span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strike>Bench Press (Week 4)</strike><br />
<br />
<strike><b>+</b>Assistance Work</strike><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/RP-aVuC2RX/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">results</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike>27</strike></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strike>Walking</strike><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
14:03 min/mi, First cold run, 2.33mi.</div>
</div>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr rowspan="4" valign="top">
<td style="text-align: left;" width="14%"><b> <strike>28</strike></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><strike>REST</strike></b></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike>29</strike></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8ZW3v9RStk&feature=share&list=UUrd4Hfglr4EczsLXKdGvCLA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>ZWOW #25</strike></a><br />
<br />
Bum wrist, didn't buy in<br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/RYTdz0i2VW/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">results</a></div>
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike>30</strike></b></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2011/11/28/it-will-rain-sweat-1000-rep-workout/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>1,000 Rep Challenge</strike></a><br />
<br />
<b>Bum wrist, on the bench today.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>=(</b></div>
</td><td width="14%"> <b><strike>31</strike></b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strike>Fit Test</strike><b> </b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/RcvEQOC2ds/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">results</a></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><br /></td>
<td width="14%"><br /></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
September marked the end of Operation Sweaty Summer. <b>Welcome to Project Autumn Leans!</b> Super cheesy name, I know. Previously, I'd been doing lots of body weight routines and using my sandbag as my "heavy" weight. I wanted to get into some real weight lifting, so I've started with Wendler's 5/3/1 program.<br />
<br />
I know full well that I've modified it before I've even started, but his structure is still the backbone for this month. The biggest modification I'm making to his 5/3/1 is that I'm not doing squats. My garage isn't setup in a way where I would be able to front or backload a barbell. So I've tried to throw in more more walking and some BodyRock and ZuzkaLight routines to compensate for lack of heavy squatting I'll be doing. Truth be told, my quads bulk up faster than anything else on my body. I don't think I'm doing a disservice by skipping his version of the squat (because I'll still be squatting in other routines).<br />
<br />
I'm very excited to see how this goes! Who am I kidding, I've been wanting to try my hand at the deadlift for a while now, so I'm excited that I've finally incorporated them! I've also been wanting to do hill sprints so I've left room for that on my walking days.<br />
<br />
So, here's the big breakdown for my 5/3/1. There are 4 main moves: Standing Shoulder Press, Deadlifts, Bench Press, and Squats. Each week is a different progression. You're supposed to first figure out what your 1 Rep Max (1RM) is for each movement. Then calculate what 90% would be. Working with that 90% as your base number/weight, here's how the 4 weeks should look.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/sports_body_training_performance/how_to_build_pure_strength" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibe6CN1_xrkC8KYJGpsxRMFOCrHLJnV2wWwolhSpwsJdFNEIBeDR4BhYd-j_AuBpwa4-eFEsqWUfV7GPInjCPI8fjpLC1EDb2t8zAPA6WOx8dAJsVCbwS7fBRG06hsyXfaLfl96Llo1lA/s1600/531.PNG" /></a> </div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.t-nation.com/free_online_article/sports_body_training_performance/how_to_build_pure_strength" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">This was taken from an article Bryan Krahn wrote for T-Nation. Here's the full article, it's LOADED with helpful info that can explain 5/3/1 much better than I can.</a><br />
<br />
I learned a lot about myself and my body during Operation Sweaty Summer. I plan to carry that knowledge into Project Autumn Leans, and I fully expect to learn a LOT more! You may be wondering what is my project goal? Well, essentially, I'd like to lose 20lbs by New Year's. Though I feel like that's unrealistic as it's over 1.5lbs per week, and I'm currently averaging 1.1lbs per week. I apologize for not having a more specific goal, but I still want to lose weight. 20lbs would be great, but I'd be happy with 15! And I really want to see more fat loss.<br />
<br />
I've got 82 days to make this most of this endeavor! <br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">DISCLAIMER</span></b><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Days in</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><b style="color: red;">red</b><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">are my weigh in days. </span><span style="background-color: white;">I didn't create any of the routines on this calendar. It's a combination of </span><a href="http://www.absdiet.com/uof/absdiet/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank"><i>The Abs Diet</i></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://bodyrock.tv/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank"><i>BodyRock.TV</i></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><i style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/ZuzkaLight" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Zuzana Light's ZWOWs</a>, and <a href="http://www.jimwendler.com/2011/09/531-for-a-beginner/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jim Wendler's 5/3/1</a>.</i><br />
<br />
<i><b>I am in no way, shape, form, or fashion an exercise or diet or nutrition expert. I'm simply sharing with y'all what I'm doing this summer to get in shape. I do not recommend that you attempt anything I'm doing. I do, however, suggest that if you like the routines, look into them for yourselves. And please, consult a doctor before you begin any fitness regimen.</b></i>Fiore Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316732046053452086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608912685892307883.post-90992814027521354842012-10-05T09:37:00.002-05:002012-10-05T09:37:48.789-05:00Vocabulary CheckRemember taking vocab quizzes in grade school? It was always one of my favorite quizzes because I always aced them. That's not an exaggeration. Not because I'm incredibly smart, but because I was always really good at rote memorization.<br />
<br />
I've been taking positive self-talk seriously on this journey because I believe words have power. There are some days where I don't always buy into what I'm selling, but I say it aloud on purpose so I can hear it. The more I hear it, the more it'll start to sink in. <i>"Fake it 'til you make it!"<br /></i><br />
<a name='more'></a>Even though I just broke into a new decade on the scale, I found myself letting poor vocab slip back into my morning. So I wanted to stop it right now. I've come too far, still have too far to go to let those kinds of negative thoughts hold me back.<br />
<br />
The first thing I said when I got off the scale was, "I only lost a pound and a half." I need to cut that out. I was called out once before by a WW friend on using the word "only." It was my one month point on WW, and I was complaining that I'd <i>only</i> lost 14.5lbs in my first month. Here's what she told me, <b><i>"Get the word "only" out of your vocab - your results are excellent and by diminishing them, you're probably making other bloggers crazy!"</i></b><br />
<br />
So, when I felt disappointed in my 1.5lb loss this morning, I quickly reminded myself that I only needed 0.5lb to be at "the next 10lbs." I also pointed out that my actual target is, in fact, 1.5lbs lost per week. Which means I'm right on track. I also had to remind myself that I'm coming off 10 days of a diet break. And with 4 days back on track for Project Autumn Leans, 1.5lbs is <b>AWESOME!</b><br />
<br />
Was that a little horn tootin'? You bet your ass it was. I stopped the panic train before it left the station, got all of my emotions in check, and I'm ready to barrel ahead into this week.<br />
<br />
Remember, it starts within.Fiore Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316732046053452086noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608912685892307883.post-88551229180816517692012-09-30T18:15:00.002-05:002012-09-30T18:15:48.172-05:00September - Completed<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b>SEPTEMBER 2012 - Month 3 : Endurance<br />#OperationSweatySummer</b></h3>
<table border="1" bordercolor="black">
<tbody>
<tr colspan="7"></tr>
<tr bgcolor="yellow" valign="top">
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<b>SUNDAY</b></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<b>MONDAY</b></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<b>TUESDAY</b></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<b>WEDNESDAY</b></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<b>THURSDAY</b>
</div>
</td><td width="14%"><div align="center">
<b>FRIDAY</b></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<b>SATURDAY</b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr rowspan="4" valign="top">
<td style="text-align: left;" width="14%"><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike>1</strike></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strike>Fit Test</strike></div>
</div>
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr rowspan="4" valign="top">
<td style="text-align: left;" width="14%"><b> <strike>2</strike></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><strike>REST DAY</strike></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><strike>3</strike></b></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2012/03/05/super-hot-booty-workout-bonus-abs-back-chest-circuit/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>Super Hot Booty</strike></a>
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/PHkXmWi2Yy/" target="_blank">results</a><br />
<br /></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><strike>4</strike></b></div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><strike>REST DAY</strike></span></b>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike>5</strike></b></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2012/02/10/show-it-off-workout-day-5-week-one-of-the-february-30-day-challenge-strength-warm-up-cool-down/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>Show It Off</strike></a><br />
<u><strike><br /></strike></u>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><u><strike>Didn't finish last time. Can I finish this time?</strike></u></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>YES! DONE!</b></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/PMwzy8C2YH/" target="_blank">results</a></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><strike>6</strike></b></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKfWgnB4h38&feature=share&list=UUrd4Hfglr4EczsLXKdGvCLA" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>ZWOW #14</strike></a><br />
<u><strike><br /></strike></u>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><u><strike>(Been trying to do this one for 2 months!)</strike></u></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: red;"><b>DONE!</b></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/PRiW-8i2ZA/" target="_blank">results</a></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <span style="color: red;"><strike>7</strike></span></b></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2012/03/07/booty-lover-workout-bonus-abs-shoulder-arms-circuit/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>Booty Lover</strike></a>
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/PR5PJ0C2XO/" target="_blank">results</a></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike>8</strike></b></div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><strike>REST DAY</strike></span></b>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr rowspan="4" valign="top">
<td style="text-align: left;" width="14%"><b> <strike>9</strike></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2012/03/13/the-ultimate-bodyweight-workout-bonus-abs-core-butt-sculpt-cool-down/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>Sexy Beast</strike></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/PXJUINC2VO/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">results</a><br />
<br /></div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><strike>10</strike></b></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2012/03/12/breakin-a-sweat-bonus-butt-chest-back-sculpt-cool-down/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>Breakin' A Sweat</strike></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Didn't finish this one, lower back pain was too bad 18 min in.</span></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><strike>11</strike></b></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2012/03/12/breakin-a-sweat-bonus-butt-chest-back-sculpt-cool-down/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>Breakin' A Sweat</strike></a>
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/PcNXKDi2fs/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">results</a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>FINISHED</b> what I started yesterday!</span><br />
<br /></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike>12</strike></b></div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><strike>REST DAY</strike></span></b></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><strike>13</strike></b></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2012/03/08/thong-shape-up-workout-bonus-abs-core-mixed-sculpt-cool-down/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>Thong Shape Up</strike></a>
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/PhOW4Li2TU/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">results</a></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike><span style="color: red;">14</span></strike></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<strike><span style="font-size: large;"><b>REST DAY</b></span></strike><br />
<br /></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike>15</strike></b></div>
<br />
<strike><a href="http://instagram.com/p/PmcDbXC2VK/" rel="" target="_blank">Custom Routine</a></strike><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b style="color: red;"> DONE!</b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Got my footballin' bro to workout with me!</span><b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr rowspan="4" valign="top">
<td style="text-align: left;" width="14%"><b> 16</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/PpAS1FC2c6/" target="_blank">Custom Routine</a><br />
<br />
<div style="color: red;">
<b>DONE!</b></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">TWO footballers today!</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strike><b>17</b></strike></div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><strike>REST DAY</strike></span></b></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strike><b>18</b></strike><br />
<b><br /></b></div>
<strike><a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2012/03/01/live-my-life-420-rep-bodyweight-challenge/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Live My Life</a></strike><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Didn't finish, interrupted by a work emergency. Blah! But I got 240 reps in! </span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/PuYLdci2f1/" target="_blank">results</a> </div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike>19</strike></b></div>
<br />
<strike><a href="http://instagram.com/p/Pwo8Dji2S_/" target="_blank">Fit Test</a></strike><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">LAST DAY OF OPERATION SWEATY SUMMER!!!</span></b></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b style="color: red;">20</b></div>
<br />
<b><span style="color: #a64d79;">Vacation!</span></b></div>
</td><td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <span style="color: red;">21</span></b></div>
<br />
<b><span style="color: #a64d79;">Vacation!</span></b><br />
<br /></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> 22</b></div>
<br />
<b><span style="color: #a64d79;">Vacation!</span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr rowspan="4" valign="top">
<td style="text-align: left;" width="14%"><b> 23</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #a64d79;">Vacation!</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>24</b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><b>Vacation!</b></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>25</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>DELOAD WEEK</b></div>
</div>
</div>
<br /></div>
</td><td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> 26</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>DELOAD WEEK</b></div>
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> 27</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b></b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>DELOAD WEEK</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <span style="color: red;">28</span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>DELOAD WEEK</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> 29</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>DELOAD WEEK</b></div>
</div>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr rowspan="4" valign="top">
<td style="text-align: left;" width="14%"><b> 30</b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>DEALOAD WEEK</b></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Back to work on a new venture! ;)</span></b></div>
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<br /></div>
</td><td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Building an exercise habit in June, nutrition in July, progression during August... what will September bring? <b>ENDURANCE</b>. Seems silly if I've only got 19 days, but the workouts this month are longer, more segmented, and focus on isolating specific groups.<br />
<br />
You may have noticed that Operation Sweaty Summer will be ending on September 19th... Allow me to be cliche for a moment and say I can't believe it's over already! This project will have spanned 111 days. When it's all said and done, I hope to have wonderful news of pounds and inches lost to share with everyone.<br />
<br />
As you can see, I'm going to be out of town near the end of the month. When I get back, I'm very much looking forward to a week of rest. While I'd love to bum around on the couch all day during that time, I won't... So don't worry! I've got a mud run in October, and I need to start training for that. But, after 111 days, I want to give my body a real break. I've got little aches and tweaks here and there that are due for some real time off.<br />
<br />
I took away the Convict Conditioning warm-ups I had done in August. I will still work on my progressions on the days where the workouts are shorter, and I may be doing CC on rest days as well. At the end of August, I reached 3 sets of 20 for the first steps in the <a href="http://youtu.be/uQxEChnZlCs" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">push-up</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6S3uuArN6hw&feature=share&list=PL8386970F74E28EC7" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">leg raise</a>, and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptltLhQ_ils&feature=share&list=PLD094F28DDE655FB7" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">bridge</a>. I'm very close to finishing step 1 for these 3! I enjoy the challenge of these, so I plan to continue my progressions with my fall project.<br />
<br />
At the end of July, I said I expected a lot from August and hoped for more muscle definition. I am proud to announce that I'm nursing a baby bicep bump!!! But only on my right arm! Haha! I also learned that I can squat my 172lb little brother. Can't wait to see who I can squat by the end of September! ;)<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">DISCLAIMER</span></b><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Days in</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><b style="color: red;">red</b><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">are my weigh in days. </span><span style="background-color: white;">I didn't create any of the routines on this calendar. It's a combination of </span><a href="http://www.absdiet.com/uof/absdiet/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank"><i>The Abs Diet</i></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://bodyrock.tv/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank"><i>BodyRock.TV</i></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><i style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/ZuzkaLight" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Zuzana Light's ZWOWs</a>, and Convict Conditioning by Paul Wade.</i><br />
<br />
<i><b>I am in no way, shape, form, or fashion an exercise or diet or nutrition expert. I'm simply sharing with y'all what I'm doing this summer to get in shape. I do not recommend that you attempt anything I'm doing. I do, however, suggest that if you like the routines, look into them for yourselves. And please, consult a doctor before you begin any fitness regimen.</b></i>Fiore Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316732046053452086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608912685892307883.post-4333463677397096132012-09-28T12:00:00.000-05:002012-09-28T12:02:22.628-05:00(((43,200,000 / 60) / 60) / 24) = 80Now, my math skills aren't spectacular. And if you worked out the problem above, you may have reached 500 instead of 80.<br />
<br />
We're both right, and here's why.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>43,200,000 seconds is 720,000 minutes which is 12,000 hours which turns out to be 500 days. So where the hell does 80 come in to play? What the above equation is saying is that I lost 80lbs in 500 days. Why is this number significant? 500 days was my original time frame to lose 100lbs. <a href="http://sportsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2012/07/it-aint-over.html" target="_blank">Check out that explanation post here.</a><br />
<br />
Sometimes it feels like I'm moving at a snail's pace, but I'm moving. Consistent forward progress for over 500 days now.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>WOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</b></span><br />
<br />
I know that I'm making progress, not only because I'm losing pant sizes, but also because my mentality has changed. For example, when I went on vacation last October, I gained 9lbs. And more recently, in May, I gained 8lbs on that vacation. I was out of town for 5 days last week and <i><b>DIDN'T GAIN A SINGLE POUND!!!</b></i><br />
<br />
I didn't over indulge. I ate at maintenance calories instead of trying to stay to my caloric deficit. I enjoyed pizza, burgers, and beer... and never once felt guilty about what I was eating. I also never stressed over my meals. I never felt deprived either.<br />
<br />
I'm in the midst of putting together my fall project. I'm weighing whether or not my expectations are realistic. Before anyone jumps down my throat for focusing on the numbers on the scale, let me remind you I'm still considered "morbidly obese" by the BMI scale. Though, when I first started I was in the level 3 morbidly obese category.<br />
<br />
So, I focus on numbers because I still have a long way to go. In fact I'm still 30-45lbs away from being able to move out of the "Overweight" category. So when I get closer to those numbers, the scale will matter less and less. In the meantime, I need to set number goals for myself, but I have to be realistic.<br />
<br />
I'd love to lose another 20lbs by New Year's, but that only gives me 13 weeks. I did it for Operation Sweaty Summer... Can lightning strike the same place twice?<br />
<br />
Anyway, that's the update so far. Still tweaking fall numbers, still trying to come up with a fall project name. Be on the look out for all that info either Sunday or Monday.<br />
<br />
By the way, I've had lots of people ask me all sorts of things... about which types of foods I eat, what kinds of weights I use, even where I get my workout pants from (Target!). I'm more than happy to talk to y'all about my journey! Ask me anything you want to know. The only thing I won't tell is my starting weight. That won't be revealed until I've reached my final goal!<br />
<br />
I won't judge you. I won't push anything onto you. But if you're looking for someone to talk to about any of the things I mention on my blog, contact me! I'm happy to help in any way that I can. If you'd prefer to ask something anonymously, hmmm.... I have a Tumblr. <a href="http://amazon-djinn.tumblr.com/ask" target="_blank">You can ask anonymous questions there</a>. My Tumblr is my way to fangirl about Supernatural... you've been warned, ha!<br />
<br />
I have found talking with like-minded people on a regular basis has helped me tremendously. I read fitness articles every morning before I get out of bed. I want to give y'all the option to talk if you feel like you haven't found that outlet elsewhere.<br />
<br />
Thanks for all the support too!!! I sure hope y'all will stick around for the next phase!Fiore Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316732046053452086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608912685892307883.post-35319327832700535392012-09-20T07:31:00.001-05:002012-09-20T07:33:40.838-05:00111 Days, 20 Pounds, and 12 InchesOf the 111 days this project lasted, 83 were training days. That means I very nearly sweat the summer away. I couldn't be more proud of myself! The goal was 20lbs, and, amazingly, I hit it!!! Suffice it to say, Operation Sweaty Summer was a complete success.<br />
<br />
I learned more than I could have imagined: about me, about the people I'm closest to, and about the sheer amount of BS "diet advice" one can find on the interwebz.<br /><br />
<a name='more'></a>Full disclosure, I'm taking the rest of this month off. That may sound crazy, but I really want to give my body a break and some REAL time to recover. As it turns out, this is probably the best thing I can do for myself before I start the next phase. <a href="http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/the-full-diet-break.html" target="_blank">Read all about "A Full Diet Break" from Lyle McDonald.</a><br />
<br />
I have packed workout gear to go on vacation with me, and I'm not opposed to doing some cardio (LISS - Low Intensity Steady State) just to ease my mind. I'm also going to bump my calorie intake to maintenance for the next 5 days. I'm doing that because I'm going on vacation, which is already stressful enough without double stressing over eating out.<br />
<br />
Fret not, I'm still armed with my tracker, I'm not going totally off the wall!<br />
<br />
I have been keeping progress pics, but I'm not ready to share yet. I've been sharing more and more as this journey progresses, and rest assured, there will be some final pics.<br />
<br />
After my weigh and measure this morning, I'm honestly speechless. I think I surprised myself at the time I put into this project. At the same time, I feel like I should have EXPECTED a result like this. Operation Sweaty Summer marked the first period of singular focus since starting with Weight Watchers back in 2011. I ignored phone calls, started work later in the day, planned everything around working out: AND. IT. PAID. OFF!!!<br />
<br />
I hope you'll forgive the brevity of this post. I've got to get ready for my road trip to my first Convention ever. A Supernatural Convention in Dallas. Honestly, there's so much I'd like to say, so many things I'd like to point out, and articles I'd like to share... So I hope you'll still be interested in my Operation Sweaty Summer wrap up next week when I return.<br />
<br />
Before I hit the road, <b><span style="font-size: x-large;">A HUGE THANK YOU TO EVERY SINGLE PERSON THAT SENT ME MESSAGES OF SUPPORT OVER THE SUMMER!!!</span></b> Some days, it was your messages that pulled me through when I wasn't enough.Fiore Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316732046053452086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608912685892307883.post-10175746179763513702012-09-14T07:30:00.001-05:002012-09-14T07:30:37.872-05:00Batman & RobinYesterday, I found myself knee deep in research... <b><i>AGAIN!</i></b> I started out in a Facebook group, clicked a link which led to an eBook that I finished, then clicked away to the author's site, which lead me to 8 other sites, and now I've forgotten that run-on sentences are a big no-no.<br />
<br />
By the time I went to bed last night, I felt a lot better about the planning I put into <b>Operation Sweaty Summer</b>, and I'm very optimistic about my as-yet-unnamed Fall project. My favorite quote from yesterday's research is this one:<br />
<br />
"<b><i>Diet is Batman, exercise is Robin.</i></b> <i>One is more important, but both play a key role in your awesomeness.</i>" <a href="https://twitter.com/RogLaw" target="_blank">@RogLaw</a> of <a href="http://www.roglawfitness.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rog Law Fitness</a>.<br />
<br />
Geek world, meet Fitness world. I think the two of you will get along swimmingly!<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>I just love it when two worlds collide! That quote had me laughing for a good while last night. The benefits of diet have been laid out and hammered home so many times that I think I've become numb to the message. Seeing it explained in this way has absolutely solidified in my mind the way I should approach weight loss. Now, instead of me repeating that "<i>abs are made in the kitchen</i>," you better believe I'm going to be talking about Batman and Robin A LOT more!<br />
<br />
With the end of Operation Sweaty Summer on the horizon, I feel it's best to start my wrap up posts now. I would hate to write a post that's the equivalent of 18 pages (<a href="http://youtu.be/JLDCb4c1sSE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">FRONT AND BACK!</a>) for y'all to read through (or skim through).<br />
<br />
I'll begin with the biggest mistake I made for this month...<br />
<br />
The focus for September is endurance. I planned my workouts to be longer and to include more strength routines into each day of HIIT. Well, what I failed to consider was how my body would react to the longer training days. I had been so focused on fewer rest days that I forgot rest days are when your muscles are built! Without sufficient rest between intense sets, I'm only hurting my own progress.<br />
<br />
I have read a few articles that say women recover faster than men, and I must have taken it to heart. I also think I'm planning my splits based on the level in which I will eventually be, instead of my current level. Which, I have to say, I admire my own optimism! But, that's dumb. Outright dumb! I have to remember to train to my current ability.<br />
<br />
Yes, I build progression into my calendars, but going from 12-15 minute routines up to 30-45 minutes without adding more rest was just silly. And I should probably stop thinking that I'm lazy just because I added a rest day here or there. A lot of the weight lifting women I talk to only do 3-4 heavy workouts a week.<br />
<br />
One thing I've been able to do this summer is learn to listen to my body. I know when my knees need a break, I know when I need more rest between sets because my chest is tight, I know that I shouldn't do anything to failure two days in a row, and I know when to stop to avoid getting sick. I have learned so much about myself this summer, but I've surprised me more than I imagined I could!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Mind if I get personal for a minute? Back in 2008, my very first weigh in ever, I was noted at 44% body fat. Yikes. I haven't been measured since 2009, but I'm sure the percentage is still fairly high (mid to low 30s). I've noticed what I thought was sagging skin, which is really discouraging! So I set out to find what options I had to get rid of it (without surgery). Well, I came across good bad news. Yes, good bad... not good news and bad news, just good bad news.<br />
<br />
That good bad news was that excess skin is thin, like your eyelids or the back of your hand. If you can touch skin and it conforms to the shape of your hand, there's still fat under there. So the good bad news was that I didn't have excess skin... I've still got lots of fat to lose. Awesome! Sorta... =/<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
This next phase is the hard part. I'll have to start making the distinction between weight loss and fat loss. My end goal is to look more like <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTOMQNGD5KTPeOG068bgr5D4k6TCfAIb03Dbx39Qsf0esd9Opyb7wNphyJSbTU_0nVL2cet-n42evtB-UdytxMX2mPMFwwrUygJjdcEswxhWGnMSejanAF1EEIe2DavdhfiRG_4GTij4/s320/badass.jpg" target="_blank">this</a> (What? Doesn't every girl want to be a tall, hot, leather wearing, gun toting badass???) or <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQE1-t6tUk-UghIlYwk6XoXrwP0NPY2jXYCvbrg6sc2BgHSZT5BtCRbgplgBRuOzVT5O0Lf-jVofAX-PWMyljSKS9gpC8XkCcVrnlu61Rh8MjIOHjSInwtx8u5hBekNxali3pCfJW-Ays/s320/Carano.jpg" target="_blank">this</a>, especially <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKKkfyM5do-_WM2hNUPhO8bY0mphdmedlGyOSVyTrVGb2crrVBbGLGx_QAi1GXKK8_cGBjH43BlGdBGeYcdAnzBnip6exA6q7q3f1-LxhTlj-OxFb1s4lNANiPk10_0uvC3wo8Sw2T2o/s1600/rere.jpg" target="_blank"><b>THIS</b></a> and not <a href="http://www.marksdailyapple.com/skinny-fat/#axzz26RZ2V8nS" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">skinny fat</a> like <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_2XHR87vsaIiQq_s9MadIlMkg-XIEMiTBoIC1gRKA9jrO5IOtB35QXBDhsPFglGZNe3xMBKAoKGcBl-xqqen4mdsoJGX9jrJhLRwcp8s8y6fpJj_ctIYGOFW_ufyXexApE_LWZuCIzRY/s320/skinny-fat.jpg" target="_blank">this</a>.<br />
<br />
Some days, I catch a glimpse of my bum in the mirror and think, "<i>Hey! What a cute ass!</i>" Other days I avoid mirrors at all costs. This journey has its up and downs, and without those bad days, the good ones wouldn't feel so great.<br />
<br />
Whoa. I just put a whole lot out there. Remember my <a href="http://sportsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2012/09/graduation.html" target="_blank">last post</a>, where I told y'all I was 100% honest 100% of the time on WW? With that outlet gone, I'm airing it all out for the whole, wide interwebs. As they say in Rent, "<a href="http://youtu.be/mAfMZ_vWJDo" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Take me for what I am!</a>"Fiore Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316732046053452086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608912685892307883.post-42274521249224727402012-09-08T20:40:00.001-05:002012-09-08T20:40:32.279-05:00GraduationWith school having recently started up again (not for me, just in general), graduation is a term that I've been hearing a lot. When I think graduation, I think the end of something. After all, you don't <i>graduate</i> from 9th grade. Progression between years is not celebrated. And it makes sense since you're not <i style="font-weight: bold;">done</i> yet. Right?<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>But schooling still has milestones. Elementary, Middle/Jr High, High School, and for some, College (and beyond!).<i> </i>Education bullshit and redtape aside, you move on from one grade to the next by showing that you were able to learn and apply certain principles.<br />
<br />
Well, I feel like I'm ready to <i>graduate</i> from Weight Watchers (WW). When I joined in May of 2011, it was "in secret." WW was my own, private support system. It afforded me the opportunity to learn quite a bit about what I was putting into my body. I joined a few different groups, and really got to blogging and making friends.<br />
<br />
What I loved most about this system was that no one here knew me. I was 100% honest, 100% of the time. How can I say that with any certainty? I had no reason to lie. And hadn't I already spent enough time hiding because of my weight? From day one, I blabbed my starting weight, my eventually goal weight, and every up and down along the way. When I had a binge day (and there were many), when I hated the reflection in the mirror (quite a few of those too), and when I broke through numbers I honestly hadn't seen in 12 years, I was able to share everything with my WW friends, free from fear of judgement. It was liberating!<br />
<br />
As I rebuilt my self-esteem, I gradually shared what I was doing with more family and close friends. A side effect I didn't expect was that my support network had expanded. 9 months into WW and 50lbs later, the cat was out of the bag. Now everybody knew. I was honestly shocked by the amount of support I received when I shared my journey. More surprising was my new-found (well, re-found!) IDGAF attitude!<br />
<br />
As expected with progress comes plateau. 24 weeks bouncing around within the same 10lbs very nearly broke my spirit. Thoughts of, <i>"I guess this is as good as it gets,"</i> started to creep into my head, and I felt my confidence faltering again.<br />
<br />
One night, I just said <b>fuck it</b>. I'm not done, and I <b>WILL</b> push through. In that moment I knew that I had graduated. Why? Because I didn't revert back to my old ways. I didn't punish myself for <i>failing</i>. I called upon everything I'd picked up over the past year and re-examined my routines. I found all sorts of things I could improve upon, and I put together a plan to do so. You may have heard of #OperationSweatySummer?<br />
<br />
I put in hours of research, sweat, and set out to expand my support system even further. It worked. I'm no longer in the closet about my weight loss. I'm working hard to undo years of bad habits, and I'm kickin' ass and takin' names along the way!<br />
<br />
This was my totally long-winded way of saying I have stepped into the next phase of my journey. This feels like moving from high school to college. Ever since I hit the 75lb milestone, lots of people have asked me what my goal is. Well, the goal is 111 total pounds lost. I don't think 111 will be the end, though. 140 isn't out of the question, but I don't want to set myself up for failure.<br />
<br />
Right now, I'm trying to lose 111 pounds. <b>When</b> I get there, I'll see what my options are. I've come a long way from the fat girl who couldn't fit in the movie theater seat for <b>Fast Five</b>. I don't have my degree in Badassery yet, but I'm working on it.<br />
<br />
If you've read this far, thank you. Thanks to everyone for their kind words, and even the not so kind ones when I need some tough love!<br />
<br />
I know y'all have seen this. If you haven't, watch it! If you have, watch it again!<br />
<br />
<br />
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Hqhk3U7DRvg?rel=0" width="640"></iframe></center>
Fiore Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316732046053452086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608912685892307883.post-52243162034670766362012-09-02T12:58:00.003-05:002012-09-02T12:58:46.138-05:00August and My Baby Bicep BumpThe focus of August was progression. I had hoped to see more muscle definition as well. I've got some fun(ny) pics to share later, so keep reading!<br />
<br />
I had been working on step 1 of Convict Conditioning for the <a href="http://youtu.be/uQxEChnZlCs" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">push-up</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6S3uuArN6hw&feature=share&list=PL8386970F74E28EC7" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">leg raise</a>, and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptltLhQ_ils&feature=share&list=PLD094F28DDE655FB7" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">bridge</a>. At this point, I'm very close to finishing the 3rd progression of step 1! I'm up to 3 sets of 20 for each of those. As far as progression goes, I think <a href="http://sportsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2012/08/august-completed.html" target="_blank">August</a> was excellent!<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><b>My push-ups are deeper.</b> I'm still on modified push-ups, but I'm closer to boob-to-ground with each rep now. I know my form has gotten better because I can feel the movement in my upper back and shoulders in new places. <b>I no longer need my <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49qZ16VXoOH1G0RkW4lMTvUO8utOJfijE3aAewGJqPeJW7b5Hd_vU9sp02wQU0FOFPdU7v0UpopOuGV-Ofils0Ub8gvThrZV163cjAJbjldmp98f1awbyVLvAXSd6dRjciNVv3Nnk_Tg/s400/wood.jpg" rel="" target="_blank">wood block</a> to do burpees.</b> No more incline anything! Burpees, reptiles, and mountain climbers are all performed on the ground now. <b>I can now do high knees while jumping rope.</b> My coordination has improved dramatically since the beginning of the summer! I wasn't able to do this move before, but my longest, uninterrupted run, of high knee skips was 71!<br />
<br />
I feel stronger. I still have a LONG way to go, but I can feel muscles in places I couldn't before. I have such a weird body type, but I'm chipping away. I'm convinced my determination and will power will eventually win out over "stubborn fat!"<br />
<br />
My fit tests show all kinds of strength gains, which makes me so happy! The two biggest things from August were I finally hit the 75lbs lost milestone and I can squat my 172lb little brother. And since we're talking strength gains, my quads feel like solid rock! I even have some quad definition along the side of my leg! My hamstrings are getting stronger as well.<br />
<br />
But the newest muscle to pop out is my bicep. Take a look!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5-lIlXM-0dLdxtkr_1rsVFn1-qqunrduFlMc0Kt35LZUiZvKVxElkN9EITkU72NgQbOHnhmK3CqLeGLctnv3fTy5Er9QCeoaYK6t0UPARhhuV6V-O0D6xPTubuTrte5dPn2_9_rPXN8k/s1600/muscle.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5-lIlXM-0dLdxtkr_1rsVFn1-qqunrduFlMc0Kt35LZUiZvKVxElkN9EITkU72NgQbOHnhmK3CqLeGLctnv3fTy5Er9QCeoaYK6t0UPARhhuV6V-O0D6xPTubuTrte5dPn2_9_rPXN8k/s320/muscle.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There's a bicep there, I swear! It feels more impressive than it looks. (*snort-giggle*) Seriously, you can ask anyone who sees me in person. I make <b>EVERYONE</b> feel my bicep. I'm sure it's annoying, but I don't care, it's my baby! Did you miss the baby bump? Here it is again.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZfwsjTgBQJ42wIa8zLKrmDiHt-LzGo43qt3J_qlUY1Elwt0AYzfjpvxF7AICEVbCVssZH-KKmNPz-dqar2VaqmaSSBKjQVtJmDN-O2hli-oflxgZBcAJckU32tX8wj26G3_e6FQ_rtQ/s1600/bicep.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZfwsjTgBQJ42wIa8zLKrmDiHt-LzGo43qt3J_qlUY1Elwt0AYzfjpvxF7AICEVbCVssZH-KKmNPz-dqar2VaqmaSSBKjQVtJmDN-O2hli-oflxgZBcAJckU32tX8wj26G3_e6FQ_rtQ/s1600/bicep.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
I'm not going to let anyone talk down to my baby bicep bump! I'm going to keep nurturing it until there's muscle visible without me flexing! Although, I do find myself stopped to flex every time I pass a mirror. I like to think of it as a side effect of a positive body image. Instead of shaking what my momma gave me, I'm flexing my sweat equity!<br />
<br />
Like I mentioned on my <a href="http://sportsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/p/september-oss.html" target="_blank">September calendar</a>, my body is tired. I'm very much looking forward to a bit of rest before starting my fall plan. The last day of Operation Sweaty Summer is September 19th, and I want to finish strong.<br />
<br />
Thanks again, everyone, for all the support you send my way. It helps more than you know.Fiore Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316732046053452086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608912685892307883.post-74471926950488117142012-08-31T11:06:00.000-05:002012-09-01T01:07:51.637-05:00August Completed!<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b>AUGUST 2012 - Month 3 : Progression<br />#OperationSweatySummer</b></h3>
<table border="1" bordercolor="black">
<tbody>
<tr colspan="7"></tr>
<tr bgcolor="yellow" valign="top">
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<b>SUNDAY</b></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<b>MONDAY</b></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<b>TUESDAY</b></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<b>WEDNESDAY</b></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<b>THURSDAY</b>
</div>
</td><td width="14%"><div align="center">
<b>FRIDAY</b></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<b>SATURDAY</b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr rowspan="4" valign="top">
<td style="text-align: left;" width="14%"><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike>1<br /></strike></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strike>Fit Test</strike></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><strike>2</strike></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><strike>REST DAY</strike></span></b></div>
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <span style="color: red;"><strike>3</strike></span></b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strike>CC 1-5:1</strike><br />
<br />
<a href="http://youtu.be/rISseFiif5A" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>400 Rep Challenge</strike></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Can I beat my last time of <a href="http://sportsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2012/06/day-18-if-you-didnt-time-it-does-it.html">14:48</a>?</span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
Finished in <b>14:18</b>... with an extra round!<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike>4</strike></b></div>
<br />
<strike>CC 1-5:1</strike><br />
<br />
<a href="http://youtu.be/rISseFiif5A" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>400 Rep Challenge</strike></a><br />
<br />
Did the wrong moves yesterday, so I did this one again!<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">Finished 4 rounds in 11:12!!! 3:36 faster!</span></b><br />
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr rowspan="4" valign="top">
<td style="text-align: left;" width="14%"><b> <strike>5</strike></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://youtu.be/XB7k7NzYSPQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>ZWOW #13</strike></a>
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/N9BL3hC2Wn/" target="_blank">results</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><strike>6</strike></b></div>
<br />
<strike>CC 1-5:1</strike><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2012/02/08/tighten-it-up-workout-day-3-week-one-of-the-new-february-30-day-challenge/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>Tighten It Up</strike></a><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/OAAegmi2cL/" target="_blank">results</a><br />
<br /></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><strike>7</strike></b></div>
<br />
<strike>CC 1-5:1</strike><br />
<br />
<a href="http://youtu.be/RR6UJLqpoEE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>ZWOW #4</strike></a><br />
<br />
Can I beat my last time of <a href="http://sportsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2012/06/beach-weekend-and-back-to-grind.html">31:32.9</a>?<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<b>SMASHED</b> old time, hit <a href="http://instagram.com/p/OCN89Ri2Zi/" target="_blank">26:02</a> this time!!!</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike>8</strike></b></div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><strike>REST DAY</strike></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: red;">WOO!</span></b></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><strike>9</strike></b></div>
<br />
<strike>CC 1-5:1</strike><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2012/02/10/show-it-off-workout-day-5-week-one-of-the-february-30-day-challenge-strength-warm-up-cool-down/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>Show It Off</strike></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/OHVTv0C2R5/" target="_blank">Didn't finish routine.</a><br />
<br />
I'll be doing this one again soon...</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <span style="color: red;"><strike>10</strike></span></b></div>
<br />
<strike>CC 1-3:1</strike><br />
<strike><br /></strike>
<a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2012/02/07/300-rep-fat-slaughter-workout-day-2-of-the-february-30-day-challenge/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>300 Rep Challenge</strike></a><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/OKVyadi2bU/" target="_blank">results</a></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike>11</strike></b></div>
<br />
<strike>CC 1-3:1</strike><br />
<strike><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<a href="http://youtu.be/HYXb20hMoP4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ZWOW #16</a></strike><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/OMu4A3i2d4/" target="_blank">results</a></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr rowspan="4" valign="top">
<td style="text-align: left;" width="14%"><b> <strike>12</strike></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><strike>REST DAY</strike></span></b>
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><strike>13</strike></b></div>
<br />
<a href="http://youtu.be/0dyaGe-MUhs" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>ZWOW #15</strike></a><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/ORX6fLi2bl/" target="_blank">results</a></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><strike>14</strike></b></div>
<br />
<strike>CC 1-3:1</strike><br />
<strike><br /></strike>
<a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2012/02/13/bikini-bunny-workout-day-1-week-two-of-the-february-30-day-challenge/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>Bikini Bunny Workout</strike></a><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/OUGeMti2Qd/" target="_blank">results</a></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike>15</strike></b></div>
<br />
<strike>CC 1-3:1</strike><br />
<strike><br /></strike>
<a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2012/02/14/commit-succeed-rep-challenge-day-2-week-two-of-the-february-30-day-challenge/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>Commit & Succeed Pyramid Challenge</strike></a><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/OWqyehi2fZ/" target="_blank">results</a></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><strike>16</strike></b></div>
<br />
<strike>CC 1-3:1</strike><br />
<strike><br /></strike>
<strike>Custom Routine</strike><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/OZM84ZC2bs/" target="_blank">results</a><br />
<br /></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <span style="color: red;"><strike>17</strike></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<strike>CC 1-3:1</strike><br />
<strike><br /></strike>
<a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2012/01/31/bikini-body-beach-ready-total-body-summer-fit-workout/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>Bikini Body & Beach Ready Rep Challenge</strike></a>
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/Ob6oMni2e5/" target="_blank">results</a><br />
<br /></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike>18</strike></b></div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><strike>REST DAY</strike></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr rowspan="4" valign="top">
<td style="text-align: left;" width="14%"><b> <strike>19</strike></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<strike><b><span style="font-size: large;">SICK DAY</span></b></strike><br />
<strike><b><span style="font-size: large;">=(</span></b></strike></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strike><b>20</b></strike></div>
<br />
<strike>CC 1-3:1</strike><br />
<strike><br /></strike>
<strike><a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2012/02/15/do-it-like-you-workout-day-3-week-two-of-the-february-30-day-challenge/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Do It Like You Workout</a></strike></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center" style="color: red;">
<b>DONE!</b></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/Ojpesii2VA/" target="_blank">results </a></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strike><b>21</b></strike><br />
<strike><b><br /></b></strike></div>
<strike>CC 1-3:2</strike><br />
<strike><br /></strike>
<strike><a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2012/01/26/day-4-week-4-the-30-day-challenge-stronger-workout/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Stronger</a></strike><br />
<strike><br /></strike>
<strike>Can I beat my <a href="http://distilleryimage6.instagram.com/3d666ecad73111e1bc53123138104ab5_7.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">last scores</a>?</strike><br />
<br />
<div style="color: red;">
<b>DONE!</b></div>
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/OmNQJ-i2ek/" target="_blank">results</a> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(and yes, I beat some scores!) </span></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike>22</strike></b></div>
<strike><br /></strike>
<strike>CC 1-3:2</strike><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><br />
<strike><a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2012/02/21/soon-or-never-workout-challenge-workout/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Soon or Never</a></strike><br />
<br />
<div style="color: red;">
<b>DONE!</b></div>
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/OopVzWC2VE/" target="_blank">results </a></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strike><b>23</b></strike></div>
<strike><br /></strike>
<strike>CC 1-3:2</strike><br />
<strike><br /></strike>
<strike><span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2012/02/22/turn-up-the-music-beginners-intermediate-advanced-workout-day-3-week-three-of-the-february-30-day-challenge/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Turn Up the Music (Intermediate)</a></span></strike><br />
<strike><br /></strike>
<br />
<div style="color: red;">
<b>DONE!</b></div>
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/OrOwali2Vi/" target="_blank">results</a></div>
</td><td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike><span style="color: red;">24</span></strike></b></div>
<br />
<strike><b><span style="font-size: large;">REST DAY</span></b></strike><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">75lbs LOST!</span> </span></b><br />
<br /></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike>25</strike></b></div>
<br />
<strike>CC 1-3:2</strike><br />
<br />
<a href="http://youtu.be/Reku3SknC-4" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ZWOW #19</a><br />
<br />
<div style="color: red;">
<b>DONE!</b></div>
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/OwjpcsC2XE/" target="_blank">results</a> </div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr rowspan="4" valign="top">
<td style="text-align: left;" width="14%"><b> <strike>26</strike></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strike><b><span style="font-size: large;">REST DAY</span></b></strike></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strike><b>27</b></strike><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strike>CC 1-3:2</strike> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strike><a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2012/02/27/glad-you-came-beginners-intermediate-advanced-workouts-day-1-week-four-or-the-february-30-day-challenge/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Glad You Came (Intermediate)</a></strike><br />
<br />
<div style="color: red;">
<b>DONE!</b></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strike><b>28</b></strike><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strike>CC 1-3:2</strike><br />
<br />
<strike><a href="http://youtu.be/djPs1yzEZCk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ZWOW #20</a></strike><br />
<br />
<div style="color: red;">
<b>DONE!</b></div>
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/O4EF4Ii2dL/" target="_blank">results </a></div>
</div>
</div>
<br /></div>
</td><td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike>29</strike></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strike><b><span style="font-size: large;">REST DAY</span></b></strike></div>
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike>30</strike></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b></b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strike>CC 1-3:2</strike></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strike><a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2012/02/29/hot-girls-sweat-workout-day-3-week-4-of-the-february-30-day-challenge/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hot Girls Sweat</a></strike><br />
<br />
<div style="color: red;">
<b>DONE!</b></div>
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/O9RPUYi2S_/" target="_blank">results </a></div>
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <span style="color: red;"><strike>31</strike></span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strike>Fit Test</strike><br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/PABkcxi2Qm/" target="_blank">Check out my results!</a></div>
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
August is all about <b>PROGRESSION</b>! Built the <b>exercise habit</b> in <a href="http://sportsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2012/06/june-completed.html">June</a>, focused on <b>nutrition</b> in <a href="http://sportsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2012/08/july-completed.html">July</a>, now we're moving on to tracking strength gains. While, of course, continuing each of the previous month's lessons.<br />
<br />
You may be wondering what the CC's above mean. Well, I'm adding some body weight exercises from the book <i>Convict Conditioning</i> by Paul Wade. He breaks strength down into 6 major moves (push up, squat, pull up, leg raise, bridge, and handstands). Within each major move, there are 10 steps, or progressions, if you will. Each step is more difficult than the previous, with the 10th step being the coup de grĂ¢ce of its category.<br />
<br />
Let's be real, I'm no where near ready to do any kind of moves that involve me standing on my head... YET. So I'm not even starting on the 6th major move of handstands. Each step has its own progressions as well. The first is 1 set of 10 reps (usually), followed by 2 sets of 25 reps and finally 3 sets of 30 reps. Once you can do 3 sets of 30 reps, with perfect form, you are ready to move on to the next step.<br />
<br />
CC 1-5:1 means I'm doing step 1, progression 1, of the first 5 major moves. After 7 days, I'm going to reassess each move and see if I'm ready to move on to progression two, and so on.<br />
<br />
I can't believe the first two months flew by the way they did! In July, I stopped doing incline pushups, I reduced my rest time from 15 seconds down to 10 between moves, and I finally got a sandbag and started doing more weighted routines.<br />
<br />
July produced a lot of sweat and some really great numbers on the scale. I expect a lot from August as well. I would <b>LOVE</b> to see more muscle definition by the end of this month. Only time and effort will tell!<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">DISCLAIMER</span></b><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Days in</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><b style="color: red;">red</b><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">are my weigh in days. </span><span style="background-color: white;">I didn't create any of the routines on this calendar. It's a combination of </span><a href="http://www.absdiet.com/uof/absdiet/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank"><i>The Abs Diet</i></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://bodyrock.tv/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank"><i>BodyRock.TV</i></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><i style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/ZuzkaLight" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Zuzana Light's ZWOWs</a>, and Convict Conditioning by Paul Wade.</i><br />
<br />
<i><b>I am in no way, shape, form, or fashion an exercise or diet or nutrition expert. I'm simply sharing with y'all what I'm doing this summer to get in shape. I do not recommend that you attempt anything I'm doing. I do, however, suggest that if you like the routines, look into them for yourselves. And please, consult a doctor before you begin any fitness regimen.</b></i>Fiore Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316732046053452086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608912685892307883.post-78271691619881162072012-08-19T17:50:00.001-05:002012-08-19T17:50:47.621-05:00The Health Week From HellIn my last post, I mentioned running into some energy management issues. Little did I know that was just the beginning of what turned into a week of all kinds of setbacks.<br />
<br />
It started on the 12th. Woke up with all kinds of stomach pain and nausea. So I moved Monday's rest day to Sunday and just took it easy. Felt like a million bucks <a href="http://instagram.com/p/ORX6fLi2bl/" target="_blank">Monday</a> and <a href="http://instagram.com/p/OUGeMti2Qd/" target="_blank">Tuesday</a>, but by <a href="http://instagram.com/p/OWqyehi2fZ/" target="_blank">Wednesday</a>, I was feelin' the pain from Monday's routine (I <b><i>KNEW</i></b> I shouldn't have done that lateral jump burpee!) and walked away with knee troubles. <a href="http://instagram.com/p/OZM84ZC2bs/" target="_blank">Thursday</a> and <a href="http://instagram.com/p/Ob6oMni2e5/" target="_blank">Friday</a> were meant to give my knees a rest and push my upper body instead. Again, I pushed too hard and haven't been able to fully straighten my arms since!<br />
<br />
I don't know if it's just plain, old fatigue, or something else, but this is the second weekend in a row that has kept me laid up whining...<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>A year ago, if you'd told me I'd be complaining because I can't workout, I'd have laughed in your face. =)<br />
<br />
Saturday, the 18th, was a scheduled rest day. Met up with some girlfriends for happy hour and had a blast! Just had two beers...who have I turned into?! What happened to that gluttonous girl that I used to be?<br />
<br />
Anyway, started to feel some stomach pangs on Saturday night. Didn't really think much of it. But when I woke up this morning, UGH. Another one of those days where the fetal position is the only comfortable place to be. For the first time in 80 days, I allowed myself to have an extra rest day.<br />
<br />
I can't figure out what the problem is, and it's driving me nuts. I'm not eating anything I don't normally eat. The only noticeable change lately is that my workouts have gotten longer. Could it be that I am not eating enough after longer workouts?<br />
<br />
Seems like a slippery slope, because I'm trying to make sure I maintain a caloric deficit, but I also have no desire to starve myself or under eat on top of working out too much. I know I'm not dehydrated... I drink over a gallon of water a day.<br />
<br />
So, I took it way easy today, and I fully expect to be ready to hit it Monday morning.Fiore Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316732046053452086noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608912685892307883.post-61485724270941399182012-08-10T12:04:00.001-05:002012-08-10T12:05:23.332-05:00Into the Next DecadeLast week was a bit of a let down. But it was an excellent lesson as well. To quote one of my favorite episodes of Supernatural, <i>"If you're going to have faith, you can't just have it when the miracles happen. You have to have it when they don't."</i><br />
<br />
Without being literal, I just need to have in the plan and trust my body. And after a mini-panic attack earlier this week (thanks for pulling me out of it <a href="https://twitter.com/MonsieurWaldo" target="_blank">Michelle</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/DirtyOldBroad" target="_blank">Kimber</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/msengupta" target="_blank">Madi</a>!), I feel like I'm back in total control. I'm moving in the right direction, I'm working the plan, and I'm seeing results.<br />
<br />
Speaking of results...<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Today was a weigh in. Not just any weigh in... When I got on the scale this morning, the number ended in 0.0!!! You know what that means?!<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">ANOTHER SEASON OF SUPERNATURAL AS MY REWARD!!! </span></b><br />
<br />
I ordered this one online... $15 plus FREE shipping! I'm so excited!!! =D<br />
<br />
I'm taking today to celebrate this victory. Isn't that the magic rule, 24 hours to enjoy and savor the moment? That doesn't mean I get a free pass to eat or drink whatever crosses my path. But one celebratory beer won't break the bank!<br />
<br />
Ran into some energy management issues this week. I'm still trying to pinpoint the issue so I can apply corrective measures. It may very well have been just a bit too much. I'm going to dial it back a bit this week and put the pressure on in the kitchen. Come next Friday we'll see how that works out.<br />
<br />
5.5 weeks until the end of Operation Sweaty Summer. Once that ends, I've got to start training hard for the 5K Dirty Girl Mud Run I'm doing in October! Not to get ahead of myself, but it's crunch time if I want to hit my Summer goal.<br />
<br />
Keep me accountable, y'all!Fiore Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316732046053452086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608912685892307883.post-23805498019527607772012-08-03T00:46:00.000-05:002012-08-03T00:46:16.211-05:00Reflections on July<br />
The previous 31 days were an incredible learning experience. I took it upon myself to do my own research instead of just blindly following fitness article after fitness expert. It was overwhelming at first, for sure. To make sure I was doing something manageable (and sustainable), I chose to focus on nutrition.<br />
<br />
I got back to more strict discipline on what I'm eating. As I learned from the <b>ZERO</b> pounds I lost in June, working out, alone, is not enough to combat poor eating. But clean eating impressed me in a way that I couldn't believe.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
I really learned first hand that "<i>fat is lost in the kitchen</i>." I did not restrict my calories any more than they were previously; I only changed what I ate. More healthy fats, more protein, less starchy carbs. That does not mean I went on a low carb diet. In fact, the macronutrient breakdown was closer to 50/20/30 carbs/protein/fats.<br />
<br />
I am not a supporter of any diet that excludes entire food groups. I've seen far too many <b><i>"Paleo vs Vegan"</i></b> battles over the past month. And to be honest, different things work for different people. I can't say that one way is better than another... For starters, I'm no expert. And secondly, I can only share with y'all what has worked for me.<br />
<br />
Right now, my 50/20/30 breakdown is working out rather well. Everything in moderation. Some days those old habits creep back in. Like I had 3 donut holes this weekend. I enjoyed them, tracked it in my food journal, and went on about my day.<br />
<br />
Back in 2008, I had joined Curves when I hit my <i>"I can't take it anymore"</i> point. In reading through all of my old progress reports, I lost 42 pounds in a year with them. That was good, but I still didn't have the right mindset. What sticks out the most about my time at Curves was the attendance. The most I ever worked out in a month (over the course of that year) was 15 days, with the fewest being 2 days.<br />
<br />
Now I'm averaging 23-25 days per month. I put a lot of time into building my schedule and it is paying off. The first thing I do on my calendar is pick rest days. Then I highlight them on my wall calendar. At a glance, I can tell if I've got something scheduled or not. By planning the routines ahead of time, I have <b>ZERO</b> excuses when that day rolls around. I don't have to waste time figuring out which muscle groups to target or what my macros should be for the day.<br />
<br />
I am a creature of habit, and whether that is fortunate or unfortanate is beside the point. What's important is that I know how I function, so I build my schedule around my personality. There are people who wake up some mornings and decide they want to go for an 8 mile run. And more power to them! But I know that's not me.<br />
<br />
It has taken me a long time to get to this point. But the reward is <b>SO. WORTH. IT!</b> Yes, I go to bed early. Yes, I wake up early. Yes, I spend <b><i>HOURS</i></b> chosing and planning my workouts. Yes, I track everything I eat. And yes, I'm one of those Instagram hipsters that chronicles every workout! But I'm happy with my progress. I'm happy with the changes I've noticed in my body and mind. And I can only get better from here!<br />
<br />
I want to thank everyone who has shown me support through all this. I wouldn't be here without it! I say that a lot, but it's absolutely true! The first leg of this journey was done in "secret" because I was embarrassed that I joined Weight Watchers. Well you know what, that was stupid.<br />
<br />
I never should have been embarrassed that I made a decision to make a change. Now that I'm <i>"out of the weight loss closet,"</i> I've found support in the most unlikely of places! To hell with keeping this a secret! It's too easy to slip back into bad habits. The more people I talk about this with, the more people there are to hold me accountable. And I fully expect some tough love throughout this journey.<br />
<br />
Operation Sweaty Summer officially ends for me on September 19th. But that won't be the end. I'll come up with a new plan, new goals, and I hope y'all are gonna be there with me come fall!<br />
<br />
As of July 27th, I'm 11.5 pounds away from my summer goal. If I stay focused, if I push harder, if I keep saying no to donuts (ha!), I <b>KNOW</b> I can reach my goal!!!Fiore Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316732046053452086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608912685892307883.post-35753760430447132332012-08-01T00:43:00.000-05:002012-08-03T00:46:54.132-05:00July Completed!<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b>JULY 2012 - Month 2 : Nutrition<br />#OperationSweatySummer</b></h3>
<table border="1" bordercolor="black">
<tbody>
<tr colspan="7"></tr>
<tr bgcolor="yellow" valign="top">
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<b>SUNDAY</b></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<b>MONDAY</b></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<b>TUESDAY</b></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<b>WEDNESDAY</b></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<b>THURSDAY</b>
</div>
</td><td width="14%"><div align="center">
<b>FRIDAY</b></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<b>SATURDAY</b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr rowspan="4" valign="top">
<td style="text-align: left;" width="14%"><strike><b>1</b></strike><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strike>Custom Routine</strike><br />
<br />
<div style="color: red;">
<b>DONE!</b></div>
<a href="http://sportsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2012/07/early-july-and-knee-pain.html">results</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strike><b>2 </b></strike><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strike><a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2012/01/12/day-4-week-2-of-the-30-day-challenge-bringing-sexy-back-workout/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bringing Sexy Back</a></strike><br />
<br />
<div style="color: red;">
<b>DONE!</b></div>
<a href="http://sportsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2012/07/early-july-and-knee-pain.html">results </a></div>
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strike><b>3</b></strike><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strike><b><span style="font-size: large;">Active Rest</span></b></strike><br />
<br />
<div style="color: red;">
<b>Lots of knee stretches!</b></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike>4</strike></b> <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strike><b><span style="color: blue;">Freedom 5K!</span></b></strike></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b><br />
<div style="color: red;">
<b>DONE!</b></div>
51:44 or a 16:38min/mile<b><br /></b></div>
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strike><b>5</b></strike><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strike><a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2012/01/16/day-1-week-3-fitness-test-2-seans-chest-and-triceps-workout/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chest and Triceps </a></strike><br />
<br />
<b style="color: red;">DONE! </b></div>
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike><span style="color: red;">6</span></strike></b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strike><a href="http://youtu.be/-x9fT4-w-xg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ZWOW #8</a></strike><br />
<br />
<b style="color: red;">DONE! </b></div>
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike>7</strike></b></div>
<br />
<strike><b>MOVING</b></strike><br />
<br />
Hey, sometimes LIFE happens.</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr rowspan="4" valign="top">
<td style="text-align: left;" width="14%"><b> <strike>8</strike></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strike><b>MOVING</b></strike><br />
<br />
Hey, sometimes LIFE happens.</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strike><b>9</b></strike></div>
<br />
<strike><b><span style="font-size: large;">Rest</span></b></strike><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">After two overnight moves, I did a <i>TOTAL</i> rest day. </span></span></b></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strike><b>10</b></strike></div>
<br />
<strike><a href="http://instagr.am/p/LiIxVoi2V7/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Modified Good Feeling</a></strike><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Can I make it twice through?</i></span><br />
<br />
<div style="color: red;">
<b>DONE!</b></div>
<a href="http://sportsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2012/07/and-then-life-happened.html#day40" target="">results</a><i> </i></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike>11</strike></b></div>
<br />
<strike><a href="http://youtu.be/OMJ7HEauiME" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ZWOW #10</a></strike><br />
<br />
<div style="color: red;">
<b>DONE!</b></div>
<a href="http://sportsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2012/07/and-then-life-happened.html#day41">results</a><br />
<br /></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strike><b>12</b></strike></div>
<br />
<strike><a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2011/03/08/set-fire-workout/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Set Fire</a></strike><br />
<br />
<div style="color: red;">
<b>DONE!</b></div>
<a href="http://sportsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2012/07/and-then-life-happened.html#day42">results</a> </div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <span style="color: red;"><strike>13</strike></span></b></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_122961277"><strike>600 Rep Challenge</strike></a><br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_122961277"><br /></a><br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<a href="http://sportsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2012/07/week-2-of-clean-eating-paying-off.html">results</a></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike>14</strike></b></div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><strike>Active Rest</strike></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><br />
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr rowspan="4" valign="top">
<td style="text-align: left;" width="14%"><b> <strike>15</strike></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><strike>Active Rest</strike></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;">2.32 mile walk!</span></b></div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><strike>16</strike></b></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2012/01/19/day-4-week-3-of-the-30-day-challenge-breaking-dawn-workout/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>We Found Love</strike></a><br />
<u><strike><br /></strike></u><br />
<a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2012/01/13/day-5-week-2-of-the-30-day-challenge-blue/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>6 Min Weighted Challenge</strike></a>
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
Modified</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><strike>17</strike></b></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2012/06/06/bodyrock-tv-01-lite/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>All Around The World</strike></a><br />
<u><strike><br /></strike></u><br />
<i><u><strike>Can I beat my last time of 26:16?</strike></u></i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
Posted 26:23</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike>18</strike></b></div>
<br />
<a href="http://youtu.be/zB5rnCbtY8s" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>ZWOW #11</strike></a><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
Completed 3.5 rounds!<br />
<br /></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><strike>19</strike></b></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2012/01/20/day-5-week-3-of-the-30-day-challenge-the-fast-the-furious-800-rep-workout/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>800 Rep Challenge</strike></a><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
27:48!</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <span style="color: red;"><strike>20</strike></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><strike>Active Rest</strike></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;">Back and shoulder stretches!</span></b></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike>21</strike></b></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://youtu.be/RR6UJLqpoEE" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><u><strike>ZWOW #4</strike></u></a></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><u><strike><br /></strike></u></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><i><u><strike>Can I beat my last time of 31:32.9?</strike></u></i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: red;">Half Done?</span></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Completed two rounds.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><a href="http://sportsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2012/07/has-it-really-been-51-days.html">results</a> </span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr rowspan="4" valign="top">
<td style="text-align: left;" width="14%"><b> <strike>22</strike></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://youtu.be/w88vI3iJ-54" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>Domino Workout</strike></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><strike><br /></strike></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><u><strike>Can I beat my last scores?</strike></u></span></i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
And yes, I <b><i>SMASHED</i></b> my old scores!<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/NZhn30i2Y9/" target="_blank">results</a></div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><strike>23</strike></b></div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><strike>Rest</strike></span></b>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><strike>24</strike></b><br />
<b><br /></b></div>
<a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2012/01/24/day-2-week-4-of-the-30-day-challenge-strip-the-fear-workout/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank"><strike>Strip The Fear</strike></a><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://distilleryimage8.s3.amazonaws.com/260efa68d59b11e1985822000a1d011d_7.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">results</a></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike>25</strike></b></div>
<br />
<a href="http://youtu.be/SmoGQX1XvJc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>ZWOW #9</strike></a><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://distilleryimage1.s3.amazonaws.com/832a255cd67611e197e522000a1e95c4_7.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">results</a><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><strike>26</strike></b></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2012/01/26/day-4-week-4-the-30-day-challenge-stronger-workout/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>Strong is Sexy</strike></a><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://distilleryimage6.instagram.com/3d666ecad73111e1bc53123138104ab5_7.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">results</a></div>
</td><td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <span style="color: red;"><strike>27</strike></span></b></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2012/01/23/weel-4-day-1-of-the-30-challenge-rockstar-booty-workout/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>Rockstar Booty</strike></a><br />
<u><strike><br /></strike></u><br />
<a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2012/01/23/weel-4-day-1-of-the-30-challenge-rockstar-booty-workout/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>Look Good Topless</strike></a><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://distilleryimage11.instagram.com/347b81a4d7fb11e1b6791231380e6c3a_7.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">results</a><br />
<br /></div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <strike>28</strike></b></div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><strike>Active Rest</strike></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;">BEACH DAY!!!</span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr rowspan="4" valign="top">
<td style="text-align: left;" width="14%"><b> <strike>29</strike></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://youtu.be/CGUTdiKOrfU" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>Shoulders and Legs Weighted</strike></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Can I beat my numbers AGAIN???</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/NrtHR1C2RC/" target="_blank">results</a></div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><strike>30</strike></b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2012/01/25/day-3-week-4-of-the-30-day-challenge-what-doesnt-kill-you-workout/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>What Doesn't Kill You</strike></a><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://instagram.com/p/NtePyGC2cW/" target="_blank">results</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><strike>31</strike></b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.bodyrock.tv/2012/02/06/february-30-day-challenge-fit-test/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><strike>Fit Test</strike></a><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">DONE!</span></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://sportsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2012/07/61-days-in-bank.html">results</a></div>
</div>
<br /></div>
</td><td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
</div>
</td>
<td width="14%"><div align="center">
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The focus for the 2nd month is <b>NUTRITION</b>. I'm not a calorie counter because Weight Watchers builds a caloric deficit into their plan. By focusing on nutrition this month, I'm trying to eat cleaner. No fried foods, no soda, no white bread/buns, no syrup, less starchy "veggies" (potatoes, corn), and I need to eat more lean proteins and healthy fats like avocado and dark chocolate. Yes, I just said that. =)<br />
<br />
I'm going back to weighing and measuring my food. I never really stopped doing this after joining WW. I measured religiously the first month on the program. From then I was able to eyeball just about everything. I would go back and measure my eyeball measurements once and month, and I'm happy to report I was still spot on. In addition to weighing and measuring, I need to stay on top of tracking. <span style="background-color: white;">For about 3 months earlier this year, I'd stopped tracking altogether. I tracked every single day in June and will continue for July as well. Tracking what I eat keeps me accountable!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white;">To see what went down in June, <a href="http://sportsforbreakfast.blogspot.com/2012/06/june-completed.html">click here</a>. I survived the first 30 days, and I'm more than confident I'll survive the next 31. I've got A LOT of great people behind me! Thank you, thank you, and thank you again!</span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">DISCLAIMER</span></b><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Days in</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><b style="color: red;">red</b><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">are my weigh in days. </span><span style="background-color: white;">I didn't create any of the routines on this calendar. It's a combination of </span><a href="http://www.absdiet.com/uof/absdiet/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank"><i>The Abs Diet</i></a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://bodyrock.tv/" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank"><i>BodyRock.TV</i></a><span style="background-color: white;">, and </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/ZuzkaLight" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank"><i>Zuzana Light's ZWOWs</i></a><span style="background-color: white;">. </span><i style="background-color: white;"><b> </b></i><br />
<br />
<i><b>I am in no way, shape, form, or fashion an exercise or diet or nutrition expert. I'm simply sharing with y'all what I'm doing this summer to get in shape. I do not recommend that you attempt anything I'm doing. I do, however, suggest that if you like the routines, look into them for yourselves. And please, consult a doctor before you begin any fitness regimen.</b></i>Fiore Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316732046053452086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8608912685892307883.post-36320512861543202082012-07-31T12:35:00.000-05:002012-07-31T12:35:17.587-05:0061 Days in The BankLast night, I started reading <b><i>Convict Conditioning</i></b> in preparation for August. It's a book written by a guy who spent 20 years in prison. And when it came to being in shape, all he had was time and his own body.<br />
<br />
I don't have a gym membership. I have a few pieces of equipment, but nothing fancy. Sometimes I worry that I don't have what I need to get in the shape I want to be. Then, someone recommended I pick up this book.<br />
<br />
Talk about perfect timing! But first... let's get the end of July fit test out of the way.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>As usual, I don't look at my previous fit test numbers leading up to the next one. I hit the garage this morning and was surprised with my results after 61 days.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCwCrTMzWVDpznR_y4MyBJMI0fH47h680MeCM10I2IMbfJ1AhQm6pCmjxvm7I3tTFPQtAiMkNfE9fLZsEVvG4eZZbYdrshcVJbEjTMVIIgcaJzuA_RMprHIsCvvS1Et_TssPSxaTD5EHU/s1600/photo+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCwCrTMzWVDpznR_y4MyBJMI0fH47h680MeCM10I2IMbfJ1AhQm6pCmjxvm7I3tTFPQtAiMkNfE9fLZsEVvG4eZZbYdrshcVJbEjTMVIIgcaJzuA_RMprHIsCvvS1Et_TssPSxaTD5EHU/s400/photo+(3).JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Of the 7 exercises, I bested 6. Fell off in the push-ups. Scoring even lower than my Day 1 fit test. But, I'm not quite sure it's an apples to apples comparison. On Day 1, I was doing incline push-ups. Today, still on knee push-ups, but my form has improved and I'm getting closer to the ground.<br />
<br />
I know these push-ups today are worth more per rep than the ones from Day 1. And when I look at it that way, <b><span style="font-size: large;">I SMASHED MY LAST FIT TEST SCORES!!!</span></b> 100 high knees!!! That's <b>DOUBLE</b> from Day 1! Burpees have doubled and switch lunges has nearly tripled!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">WOOOOO!!!!! =D</span></b></div>
<br />
Now, back to <b><i>Convict Conditioning</i></b>...<br />
<br />
I wanted to give y'all a tour of my gym. With this new guide, I'm super stoked to see what kind of athlete my gym can produce!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3gf-WW3xUR4nSAv3GknMssLEbjfTTBY7aK9lgwbRytkUyOhQ4qr3-VirtUX1ktLxv0sLiqbFQQ9hX7LAFFj0UwIB-0KMPSTFoAGLMr4Hra5KRkdbbz-fFu7YFpsiRunc-7M7PvxT2aA/s1600/bench.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3gf-WW3xUR4nSAv3GknMssLEbjfTTBY7aK9lgwbRytkUyOhQ4qr3-VirtUX1ktLxv0sLiqbFQQ9hX7LAFFj0UwIB-0KMPSTFoAGLMr4Hra5KRkdbbz-fFu7YFpsiRunc-7M7PvxT2aA/s400/bench.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Weight Bench</b><br />
I don't use it much anymore, but it's there when I need it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49qZ16VXoOH1G0RkW4lMTvUO8utOJfijE3aAewGJqPeJW7b5Hd_vU9sp02wQU0FOFPdU7v0UpopOuGV-Ofils0Ub8gvThrZV163cjAJbjldmp98f1awbyVLvAXSd6dRjciNVv3Nnk_Tg/s1600/wood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49qZ16VXoOH1G0RkW4lMTvUO8utOJfijE3aAewGJqPeJW7b5Hd_vU9sp02wQU0FOFPdU7v0UpopOuGV-Ofils0Ub8gvThrZV163cjAJbjldmp98f1awbyVLvAXSd6dRjciNVv3Nnk_Tg/s400/wood.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Wood Block</b><br />
This is how I modify my burpees, mountain climbers, and other routines. It's about 18inches off the ground. It's old and has rusty nails sticking out, so I cover the top with my soft floor tiles to keep my hands safe.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizN0cxdluhiSgMWrAz1FLylRpGAHpOWEUOh8PYSLdFda9Qb_3eNCCzkY_vj64a0A1sKcthhBpgds9n2NLaJ_J6gkBNWEWvLyhYAYT02qVvYgbdszNAIt2fu8ZgIVMpOGdVNx5r0ToHUAE/s1600/bands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizN0cxdluhiSgMWrAz1FLylRpGAHpOWEUOh8PYSLdFda9Qb_3eNCCzkY_vj64a0A1sKcthhBpgds9n2NLaJ_J6gkBNWEWvLyhYAYT02qVvYgbdszNAIt2fu8ZgIVMpOGdVNx5r0ToHUAE/s400/bands.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Resistance Bands</b><br />Don't use these as much anymore, but plenty of great routines to be had on these babies!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9pIkugH-7VY4X1KYB2SqIWlZKo1yFO2ATGrzAXhLoBVPzUpt3rVvLaqJRnVcDs0n7-9DgO1vtJ2PlxDtW9m3Cfh6pyTVajCS2ymL0W17hxyHYYsm67UfC3Z-xNsV8QUn-bvn2Mg01So/s1600/rope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9pIkugH-7VY4X1KYB2SqIWlZKo1yFO2ATGrzAXhLoBVPzUpt3rVvLaqJRnVcDs0n7-9DgO1vtJ2PlxDtW9m3Cfh6pyTVajCS2ymL0W17hxyHYYsm67UfC3Z-xNsV8QUn-bvn2Mg01So/s400/rope.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Jump Rope</b><br />I use this A LOT! I need a longer one so I can move my feet more.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1CXXMHmljLrWDz12g9075p0KFFwFMsfouLk39j0k-GDK-L1wqV-9YBMMQ5bMMZrxN8bpyd-cB2_SOpDz2rgMD87hFNOZn7Ii8mspMuKPhYxLhw6MxVJSfeQFNsJo9xhD4zYLr_qbYFhc/s1600/ball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1CXXMHmljLrWDz12g9075p0KFFwFMsfouLk39j0k-GDK-L1wqV-9YBMMQ5bMMZrxN8bpyd-cB2_SOpDz2rgMD87hFNOZn7Ii8mspMuKPhYxLhw6MxVJSfeQFNsJo9xhD4zYLr_qbYFhc/s400/ball.jpg" width="332" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Medicine Ball / Kettle Bell</b><br />8lbs - I use it a lot, from uneven push ups to kettle bell swings.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBk2wOS2cnc5BjAcXSLQkEbHYOAXmBTA2H3e2u3XFOzWo8axV0riwLq87x48bebTLWv5PgRPJwVrglOXWtS29VSF6AzgLGUSFZ-c7G_BDNaM1SSN26MYIR7uhOITyjjoyD1XMTMmJDW2g/s1600/mat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBk2wOS2cnc5BjAcXSLQkEbHYOAXmBTA2H3e2u3XFOzWo8axV0riwLq87x48bebTLWv5PgRPJwVrglOXWtS29VSF6AzgLGUSFZ-c7G_BDNaM1SSN26MYIR7uhOITyjjoyD1XMTMmJDW2g/s400/mat.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Yoga Mat</b><br />Thanks to GE! I use this thing for planks, push ups, sit ups, bridges, and any other floor work.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5idg5QP2VpxQoK-4u6cYt4nMgSlZQcs1SHVWKCPKzgNq6QMQILRlCxcFv7OuvepXIce9qChk1C2FW8yqQBBSninPt8tH8rEuICmCpHWijoQWyKiLIbGD2zJxRJpiHQPhMmI6ecuesDr8/s1600/iron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5idg5QP2VpxQoK-4u6cYt4nMgSlZQcs1SHVWKCPKzgNq6QMQILRlCxcFv7OuvepXIce9qChk1C2FW8yqQBBSninPt8tH8rEuICmCpHWijoQWyKiLIbGD2zJxRJpiHQPhMmI6ecuesDr8/s400/iron.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>25lb Dumbbell</b><br />It may be old and ugly, but I use this bad boy quite often.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLF8Oz3ASh6TFdw0cO7OFOl0Y0NtTes_5zyAkqSn8GQZjA_-rG_VDGA3tK68XgOY4QORUNJCOd61S__JH2wSVMUvK01vES1euawerzTvrQXPaw4yCajiiBRPLG2btPkY02WDPiOBOgiq8/s1600/bag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLF8Oz3ASh6TFdw0cO7OFOl0Y0NtTes_5zyAkqSn8GQZjA_-rG_VDGA3tK68XgOY4QORUNJCOd61S__JH2wSVMUvK01vES1euawerzTvrQXPaw4yCajiiBRPLG2btPkY02WDPiOBOgiq8/s400/bag.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>80lb Sandbag</b><br />This is my newest toy! I love it. I don't have 80lbs in there. It's between 25 - 30 lbs of rocks inside right now. Thanks to my cousin and <a href="http://bodyrock.tv/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">BodyRock.TV</a>, I use this thing in almost every routine. Throw it, pull it, drag it, carry it, lift it...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div>
I don't have a picture, but the other items I use <b>EVERY</b> workout are my gloves and phone! I've got my music to get me through and an interval timer app to tell me when to move on to the next move. The moment I started using the timer, I noticed an <b><i>IMMEDIATE</i></b> difference in my workouts. I had only counted reps before June. Now, I can't imagine doing half of what I do without an interval timer.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My, oh my, how technology can help and hinder all at the same time!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But my <i>FAVORITE</i> piece of equipment in my gym... I call it a <b>MEAN MACHINE</b>...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcv827rcp-CVzKLlMRd6CVMS8sNHU2dOc8ZFCrE8jvquU7fr8pILNuIkbdzlY7wk6RpMonZwqZtSATD1XA6yIkDU5I_w4BxkBfM35yvdPCkp8thnsJSSmdn1lB6NtsHl93i9uclp-3qU/s1600/meanmachine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcv827rcp-CVzKLlMRd6CVMS8sNHU2dOc8ZFCrE8jvquU7fr8pILNuIkbdzlY7wk6RpMonZwqZtSATD1XA6yIkDU5I_w4BxkBfM35yvdPCkp8thnsJSSmdn1lB6NtsHl93i9uclp-3qU/s640/meanmachine.jpg" width="340" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">ME</span></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>Fiore Biancahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01316732046053452086noreply@blogger.com2