Triple Fit!

I’ve decided to start cutting.  Although adjusting my calories back down hasn’t been easy.  I’m motivated, but I’m also hungry.    Before I started my clean bulk, I was following a warrior-type diet.  It worked well for me as I wasn’t hungry in the evening anymore.  I fell out of that habit when I upped my calories, and now I’m hungry at night again.  Day fasting simply works better for me, so I’m going to return to the practice.  Weight wise, I’m at 123 pounds.  That’s only a four pound gain, but that’s okay.  I just feel it’s time to lose again.  I think a large part of why I haven’t gained much weight is that since I moved to Auckland, I’ve done…and continue to do a lot of walking.  In fact, I may not need to add much cardio this time around.  I only use the bus when I have a lot of groceries to carry.  Other than that, I’m on my feet.  I already made a great friend here who has a passion for fitness.  Her body is incredible.  She is naturally muscular and doesn’t even lift weights.  She hates her muscle because she thinks it’s not feminine.  Unbelievable!  I tell her how hard I have to work just to come close to what she looks like.  I guess it’s true; we don’t appreciate what we already have.  I think the hard work is what makes me appreciate my physique.  I still have a long way to go, and I’m ready to take this as far as I can.  

Yesterday was beach day.   My husband took our girls on the bus, while me and my friend hiked 7K to get there.  Had my feet not ached from standing to watch the beautiful Auckland City Lights the other night, I would’ve walked back.   Evidently my feet don’t like standing for too long.  Walking, I seem to handle with no problem.  Pretty strange!

Since moving to Auckland, I’ve had to adjust my diet as our flat is pretty small…as is our refrigerator.  There isn’t much room for storage, and I don’t have my lovely custard cups to make my protein custards.  Instead, I’ve been making homemade protein bars using oats and buckwheat flour.  I also make amaranth pudding which I have for dessert each evening.    Other than that, I’m hitting the gym three times a week and doing a three week split.  I don’t record anything anymore.  I simply change my reps and rest time each week and make sure each workout is intense.   Will post again soon.

I am loving Auckland more and more each day.  Kiwis are so friendly, and I already feel at home.  Our flat is pretty small, so I prefer to be out with my girls for most of the day.  Even though I’m in a completely new environment, I’m managing to keep my work out schedule…although last night, I went a little nuts with some ice cream and Indian takeout.  I did a boxing circuit class today to compensate.  There was no air conditioning, so we were all pretty sweaty.  I can’t imagine what it must have smelled like when the door was opened in the middle of class.  LOL.  Yes, indeedy, I could smell all the curry from the night before pouring out with all my sweat.  How lovely.

Even though there’s public transport here, I mostly rely on my legs to get around.  I do so much walking, in fact, that I don’t even need any cardio.    I finally bought a scale and haven’t even put on so much as a kilo.  Considering I’m trying to put on muscle,  I’m not so sure that’s a good thing…although I feel and look more muscular.  I’m going to continue mass building, probably until November.

Grocery shopping here can be pretty expensive, but the Asian grocery stores are reasonably priced.  I actually spend less on groceries here than in the states.  

Auckland has made me feel like a child again.  I’ve joined a barbershop chorus and have even decided to return to college.  So far, it’s a toss up between Speech Language Therapy in Massey University and Early Childhood Education in New Zealand Tertiary College.  Hopefully I’ll figure things out soon because I’ll need to apply for a student visa so my girls can also go to school.

We finally made our move to Auckland.  I really love it here.  Kiwis are pretty laid back and I can’t get over the fact that no one really honks their horn here.   Anyway, I kept up my workout after I left Florida.  I joined Parisi’s gym in Wayne, NJ for a month and worked out up until the day before we left for Auckland.   I also got my new tatt done and had my eagle tatt, in need of some TLC, resurrected as a phoenix.  I love the job the tattoo artists did on my back.  It’s definitely an amazing art form.

Anyway, back to Auckland.  We’re all settling in well here.  It’s pretty odd to experience winter in August, but I’m getting used to it rather quickly.  As we don’t yet have a car, I walk A LOT.  Yesterday, my husband and I joined a gym and I hit the weights today.  I feel great.  I really don’t know my progress weight wise as I haven’t weighed myself since leaving Florida.  But judging by my new profile pic, my lats are starting to look pretty good.  

That’s all for now.  Will check back soon.

I haven’t been on in a while because we’re in transit, on route to Auckland, New Zealand.   We’re currently in New Jersey saying goodbye to everyone.  I just got a tattoo a couple of days ago and I’m going to add a little more to it in NZ.  In comparison to the new tatt, my poor little eagle tatt looks pretty drab…so I’ll have to touch that one up as well.

Regarding my fitness training, I joined Parisi’s gym here and have been sticking to my routine.  Luckily, my mother is supportive of my eating habits.  When we first arrived here, on the 2nd of July, she had plenty of kefir and cottage cheese waiting for me.    

We’re leaving NJ on the 6th of August and will touch down in Auckland on the 8th of September.  Can’t wait to see what lies ahead.   Regarding gyms, the apartment hotel we’re staying in has a gym and there’s a YMCA under 2 kilometers away.   I’ll be able to get started right away, so I’m happy about that.  I just need to find the local health food stores next.  

Until then…

This is my second week into putting on mass, and I dropped a pound!  Go figure.  But, I was glad to see the inches came off from my waist line.  I was eating about 1950 calories on lifting days and between 1600-1700 on off days.  This week I’m going to move up to 2000 calories.  

Diet wise, I’m back to six meals a day on lifting days, although dinner is still my largest meal.  

Here’s my diet from the other day at 1975 calories

Carbs:  212g
protein:  158g
Fat:  55g

Meal 1
Banana
homemade protein bar

Meal 2
kefir/whey shake
carrots

Meal 3
peanut butter on millet bread with some agave nectar
apple

Meal 4 (post workout)
banana and whey shake

Meal 5
kefir/whey shake
Homemade protein cake

Meal 6 (dinner)
Big bowl of steamed broccoli with olive oil
Roasted pepper hummus  melt
banana amaranth pudding

Workout wise, I’m lifting heavy with few reps, but I’m lifting slow…about a 4:4 count.  I felt some pain in my elbow last week after someone assisted me with flies.  Personally, I don’t like negatives because of a higher risk of injury.  Even with my good form, my elbows didn’t like the fact that I was lifting more weight than I can handle on my own.  Perhaps it’s an age thing.  Regardless, I’ve made excellent progress without negatives, so I’m leaving them out of my workout from this point onward.   When I felt the first shot of pain, I immediately stopped my workout because I didn’t want to make the injury worse.   I read on line that tennis elbow comes from a weakness in the forearms, so I started to do some light weight work and stretches for my forearm.  I did notice a weakness in my right arm, which probably was the catalyst for my injury.  So, today I’m going to take it a little easy at the gym.

Gluten free Quinoa Burgers

Don’t let the name fool you.  Everyone can enjoy these tasty veggie burgers.   I came up with these the other night.    They were soooo good, plus they passed both my daughters’ taste test as well.    I prepared them the night before and placed them in a glass casserole dish.   They held together very well.   Make sure not to fuss with them again until after they’re cooked as they can crumble before they’re done.  However, after they’re cooked, they’re good to go.

Nutritional info:   (based on one of ten patties)

Calories:  142
Fat:  3g
Protein: 6g
Carbs:  24 gr
Fiber:  3g
Calcium:  46 mg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a pan with cooking spray.  

1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
I onion
3 cloves garlic
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons flax meal
6 oz. quinoa
4 packets organic instant oatmeal (unsweetened, and make sure label reads gluten-free)
1 tsp. basil
1 tsp. oregano
2 tsp. garam masala (optional)
1 tsp.  curry (optional)
salt and pepper to taste

-Cook quinoa in three cups water.

-pulse dry ingredients in food processor

-add cooked quinoa and rest of ingredients.  

-Pulse until all blended and chopped.

-Allow to cool

-Shape and place in pre-sprayed pan.

-Bake for 30 minutes or until light golden brown and firm.

You can serve with or without bread.  I melted some provolone cheese on top.  Next time I’m going to try it with feta.

Allow to cool and shaped into patties.

I don’t like using the term, "bulk," but I need to start gaining some muscle.  Even though my lower abs aren’t where I want them yet,  I’m getting too bony on my back and chest.  Muscle wins out over fat loss at this stage, plus I think I’ve leaned out enough to start bulking up.  I can attack my abs on my next cut.    I’m satisfied with where I"m at so far.  When I’m pumped up, I have a slight four pack.  My husband noticed it first when I came back from my long run on Sunday.

So, I’m going to ease into it by eating at maintenance for a week and then bring it up in 100 calorie increments depending on my results.  I’m only going to eat above maintenance on days I lift and then drop back down on my days off.    

It’s been quite a journey.  Between my C section and hysterectomy, I’m breaking  my old belief system that I can’t get into the best shape of my life.

This quote is fitting:

"Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will." Mahatma Gandhi

There is so much truth to the above quote.   It took every ounce of my strength to go from my illness to this point of my life.  Staying strong also keeps me centered and focused on my goals.  It makes me a better wife and mother because I’m pounding out all my insecurities.  Feeling good on the inside makes me more calm and patient with my family.

Yesterday was my daughter’s birthday.  She wanted to go to Cracker Barrel.  I had a protein bar and banana before going.  I’m so over cravings now that I have reached a point where I’m not even tempted to eat out because I don’t want to be thrown off balance.  My health has so improved in such a short time that I now view food as a medicine.  Even my now four year old daughter asked me to make sure there was no gluten in her order because she feels so much better.   When a kid turns down pizza,you know she means business!  

When I got home, I treated myself to a gluten free pizza….plus  a piece of my daughter’s carvel ice cream cake.  I was shocked because it tasted like a chemical pie.   Something has definitely changed because I never remember their cakes tasting that crappy.  In fact, it was the only birthday treat I liked because I wasn’t too fond of cake.     Maybe it always tasted like crap, and I’m only noticing it now because my diet is clean and natural.  

I got my lifting workouts streamlined down to thirty minutes thanks to my understanding the importance of intensity.  The only mistake I made was taking a yoga class after working out my shoulders…not a good idea!  But I’m glad I did because I’ve noticed I’ve neglected my flexibility.  My side bends were pretty pathetic.   I’m going to add three days of yoga a week again because I don’t like being stiff…in body as well as in mind;  LOL.

This week I purchase 2.5 lb. magnetic weights.  I’d rather advance poundage in smaller increments as I prefer not to lift heavy.  Flexing and pausing on the positive has really worked well for me, and wow…do I feel the burn!

In my first pregnancy, I almost hit 200 pounds.  So after the birth of my first daughter, my husband gave me an incentive…get down to 125 pounds and you get a new $1000 wardrobe!  He then upped the ante and said if I got down to 120, he’d throw in an extra $500.  I accepted…after telling him that I would have done it regardless.  We were only married for three years, so he never really got a full taste of my drive and determination.  Last night, he got it.  He told me, "that’s what I love about you…you never shut off."  LOL.  If he knew that, he probably wouldn’t have been so quick to spend his money!   Quite frankly, I never expected to get down this low as I never realized how small-framed I am.  So this was somewhat of a surprise for me.  

What now?  Well, I still have more fat to shed in my abs.  Like I figured, they’d be the last to show themselves.  However, I’m finally losing.  My abdominal skin fold finally budged after what seemed like an eternity.  It went from 16mm to 14mm.   My leg skin fold also went down to 14mm from 16mm.    So, my diet is working great…and it’s one I can easily live with.  The only thing i’ll have to adjust are calories.   In about a month, I’ll be ready to put on some more mass.

Last night, I tried a new recipe.  Needs tweaking.  For starters, rice pasta just isn’t as filling a quinoa.  Also half the amount  yields more nutrients…with less calories.   So I see no reason to continue using rice pasta…unless I can find something more nutrient dense.   If not…on occasion, I’ll have the real thing.  Perhaps once every other month.  My gluten cravings are gone now, so I’m cool with it.

In closing, if anyone is having difficulties with their mid-section, check out two possible culprits:  gluten and dairy.  Don’t be so quick to restrict your diet when it may just be one food that’s giving you an issue.    Don’t listen to people who claim this diet is better than all the rest.  Anyone who claims that doesn’t know what they’re talking about.  Each of us are unique and also require a unique eating plan.  It takes having an open mind and lots of experimenting.  And if you don’t give up…you’ll reach your milestone.

Hmmm…now I have to set another one.  I must ponder this one for a bit longer.  I want it to be something that freaks me out.   I just love doing that to myself!

Love and light!

Eleni

Diet  

I didn’t think my cutting diet was working until I took my progress pics.  I can really see my muscle…finally.  A lot of it has to do with my cutting out gluten.   I can’t believe the difference.  I’m not retaining as much water.  If I was to offer any diet advice, I’d say experiment and see what works for you and what doesn’t.   Don’t be so quick to assume carbs are the villain.   I tried the V diet and other high protein diets and felt awful.  Personally, I need carbs in my diet to thrive…just not all carbs.  My current macros are 40/30/30 on off days and 50/25/25 on lifting days.  

Since I kicked out gluten:

1.  Cravings for carb foods gone completely…even pizza.  I don’t even want a cheat meal now!
2.  My complexion is clearing up.
3.  Evacuation time after meals faster…which also equals faster metabolism!

Training  

Four day splits are working well for me.   I’m excited that the line in the middle of my pecs is starting to show!  Yesterday I worked out my back and bis.  I really need to hit it hard and put on some mass.   My shoulders are pretty broad already, and I want my back to catch up.   I have a chin-up bar here at home and will work on my pull-ups.   I can now do seven unassisted chin-ups.  Yeah!  

Yesterday, I decided to give tabata a whirl.  My mistake was using five pound DBs for hip thrusters.  They were too heavy, and I only lasted for four sets!  I have to say, Tabata is a great challenge, and I want to mix in in with my Hitts.    Next time I attempt it, I’m going to use three pounders and build from there.    

Diet  

I came up with a great Quinoa recipe.  I can’t believe how light quinoa is.  If I made the same thing with semolina based pasta, I would’ve been bloated after I ate.    I’ll post the recipe soon.  It was even a hit with my girls.  

Yesterday’s Menu  

Breakfast  

Think Thin meal replacement bar
banana

Post workout  

Whey shake
banana

Hour later  

Amaranth power pudding
carrots
apple

Dinner  

Kefir/whey shake
Steamed broccoli with olive oil
Quinoa casserole
Custard with chocolate chips

Macros  

Calories:  1683
Carbs:  50%  192g
Protein:  25% 127g
Fat:  25% 48g