Oh No...Snowmageddon

This the last week of the challenge.  Actually, the final weigh in is less than 38 hours from now.  Saturday at 10:00AM

Snowmageddon began Tuesday.   Thank goodness we got to QSA for the 8AM class.  The conditions got so bad that QSA was closed from noon on Tuesday, all day Wednesday and Thursday.

I made the comment Tuesday that I hoped the other "competitors" sat at home, ate their carb filled milk and bread sandwiches, and drank a lot of beer.
Darron and I were determined not to cheat or break the eating plan.  We succeeded. 
I will confess, I made snow cream for J on Tuesday night and ate about 1/4 of a cup of it. However, I only used 1/4 cup of sugar instead of a 1/2 cup so that only counts is a half of a cheat.

Wednesday I drank my gallon of water. And made myself run back up the hill after sledding down.

Thursday morning meant more sledding and running back up the hill.  Cardio...even in small doses is better than no cardio at all.

What a difference a couple hours can make.
The above sledding was taking place around 9:30 AM.  By 1:00PM the sun was breaking through the clouds and melting away 3 days of snow.

At 5:00PM, Darron and I backed the cars out and turned our garage into our workout area.  Thanks to QSA for posting a 25 AMRAP workout for us to do.  It was tough because we made it tough and motivated each other.

I am surprised that DSS was not called on us.  "Yes, I would like to report that there is a child running around in his snow-filled yard with no coat on playing baseball with himself.  He keeps running back and forth to the fence.  His parents appear to be in the garage doing something that looks suspicious."
And the called would have been placed by my brother-in-law and sister-in-law who drove by real slow trying to figure out what was going on.  Or by any of the numerous people driving by our house between 5:15 and 5:45 PM.

J had on layers and is always playing baseball so this was perfectly normal except for the snow filled yard.  I am sure our neighbors have seen us doing tire flips around the house before.  Just another day at the Meares House.

As I type this I am finishing the last of my gallon of water today. 

Hallelujah...QSA is open tomorrow.  9:00am class for me.  And then a repeat class with D at 4:30PM.
I want that CASH. Or spa day. Or massage.  Or the team prize. GO TEAM AMANDA!!!

The competitor in me is ready for the final results on Saturday. 
 

NYNY Weekly Update

My good intentions were to blog daily through out this challenge/journey.  With the realization that the reality would be every other day. 

The real reality  is this has become a weekly thing.  
I can't find the time to sit down and write. 

A picture is worth a thousand words.  
My Saturday/Sunday prepping for the last week of the challenge in pictures:

 Omelet cups--with peppers and spinach are being baked. So much easier in the morning to warm one up instead of cooking an omelet.

 Tonight's dinner is in the crockpot.  Healthy chicken fajitas.

 The weekly menu is made, posted, and groceries were bought yesterday.

  5 workouts this week = a huge pile of dirty gym clothes.  These are from the second half of the week.  Yes we do a separate load of just workout clothing in some special detergent Darron bought.

Salads with chicken have been made for lunch this week.



One more week to go....Not really.  I have finally seen success.  Small success but success.  I plan on continuing with the eating plan until I reach my goal.  Of course, to keep my sanity I will eat some carbs here and there and allow myself a semi-cheat meal. 

In 3 weeks I have lost 7 pounds and 4.3% body fat.  The most impressive numbers for me are the fact that I have lost 11 pounds of fat mass and gained 4 pounds of muscle.  
If you are not a QSA client, ask me about their wonderful programs and how you can join me on this journey to a New Me!!!

10 things I have learned ---Half Way Point

Today marks the half way point in the New Year New You Challenge.  

Here are 10 things that I have learned or rediscovered in the last 14 days:

1.  I can survive on a clean eating diet and no carbs.

•   Nutrition and eating well have always been a struggle for me.  I have survived 2 weeks eating lean protein and veggies.  And eggs.  And cottage cheese ( I still hate it).  Thank goodness for the awesome meal ideas and recipes that QSA has provided.  During our warm up on Thursday, several of us were talking about food and creative recipes.  "I am so tired of chicken and fish"...me too pal :)

2.  I can be like June Cleaver.

• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner have been cooked and prepared in my home for 2 WHOLE WEEKS.  With the exception of dinner this Thursday night....QSA, D's meeting, and no time = McAlister's Deli.  I had a salad and only used a portion of the balsamic dressing.  
• Time management and preparation are key.  Weekly planned menu that hangs on the fridge, pre-prepped as much as possible, using time on the weekend makes it so much easier through out the week.
• Bonus....I don't have to order lunch on Fridays with my co-workers. I have will power and my salad I fixed the night before. 

4. Waking up and checking the WOD is not a smart idea.

• Why do I torture myself through out the day?  Isn't the WOD torture enough?

5. I can sacrifice sleeping late on Saturday morning for a workout.

• 2 Saturdays in a row at the 9AM class.  I am most impressed with myself.  
• Who comes up with the Saturday workouts anyway?  Some evil trainer that is locked up in the back room?  
• "How bad do you want it?" is the new motto on Saturday.

6. The scale is not my friend.

• I obsess with my weight and body fat.  (You can't tell by looking at me)
• I have educated myself to know how to read that crazy printout with all the numbers.  
• Today was the first time I have not had a loss in body fat. FRUSTRATED.  Thanks to Vaughn I learned.....

7. My half marathon training can be affecting my body fat.

• And not in a good way.  I am burning muscle. Eating less calories and long runs are partly responsible.   

• I have 13 weeks until my race and 2 more weeks of this challenge. If I want to win that cash and help Team Amanda I need to limit my run to only 1 long run on the weekends for the next 2 weeks.  And add in the interval cardio blueprint.  

8.  I often hate the encouragement of Darron, others who are working out with me, and the trainers.

• Encouragement is what is meant by it.  Giving me a push. Telling me I can do it. 
• I am trying my hardest.  I know I can do 1 more. Or finish strong.  Don't you people see my struggling.
• When I am struggling I hear "don't quit you weakling", "I am done so hurry up and finish", "your form sucks and you can squat deeper than that",  "keep moving"....blah, blah, blah
• I need an attitude adjustment when the going gets tough.

9. I will not float away drinking a gallon of water a day.

• Truth...I have only actually had a gallon of water on 3 days.  I try really hard everyday to drink that much.  
• Kindergarteners are okay for the teacher to leave them and take a restroom break.  No, I don't leave them alone. I have an assistant.  Yet one little boy insists on knocking on the door and asking me a question at least once a day.  Just like being a mom at home :)

10. QSA is full of great people.

• Vaughn has hired the BEST STAFF on the planet.  I adore Amanda and love working out with her at 4:30pm.  She knows just the right buttons to push to motivate me.
• All of trainers care about the clients.  Everyone is encouraging and wiling to help and answer questions. Thanks DJ and Alex---your were my support staff today.  Jason--I miss working out with you. Come visit us at 4:30 on day.
• I love my QSA family.   My Apex buddies, my ladies, my 4:30pm peeps, the Saturday crew.... a smile,  a facebook post, a "hey, I read your blog", a "you look great".    Each of you have a quality that I strive for. Thanks for being my friends.