Tag Archives: challenge

Exercising EVERY DAY for a year?!

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I’m so sorry that I’ve sucked with posts for the past week. Things have been CRAZY and I have some VERY EXCITING NEWS that I can’t WAIT to share with you all, but can’t share it just yet!! But it’s been keeping me busy.

Ironically, today’s post is about making time to stay fit (like I said, ironic, but keeping fit and blogging are totally different.. right?)

Last week, I realized I had 8 workouts in 4 days. Totally didn’t even realize it until Friday and I was dead and couldn’t figure out why. And then I went to Lululemon during lunch so I could take a spin class after work, making it 9 workouts in 5 days. Whoops. But here’s the thing- I honestly didn’t realize I was working out so much. I think of working out as fun, I don’t think of it as a chore. Even though it’s also my part time job, it’s also my new social scene. For real. I think it’s more fun to go and workout with friends and grab dinner after than just going out for drinks. Does that make me totally lame? Probably. Do I care? Nope!

I recently joined up with Tribesports. Have you guys heard of them? It’s based in England, but I think it’s gonna take off here in the States. It’s an online community that encourages you to do engage in physical activity and challenges. You can sign up for different challenges, post your progress, complete challenges, make friends, the whole 9 yards. And you get awesome emails with British quirkiness “Do take a look around and sign up for some challenges, quite nice, yes. Lets get a spot of tea and crumpets afterwards, yes” Okay, maybe I made up that part, but whatever. It’s a great idea and concept, and I think y’all should GET INVOLVED! And link up with me :)

 

One of the new challenges they’re doing is to do 30 minutes of physical activity every day for a year. Right off the bat, that might seem excessive. What about rest days? Are you really supposed to work out EVERY day for a year? But re-think exercise here for a second. Exercising doesn’t have to be a super intense, heavy sweat session every day. You can go for a walk, do some yoga, take the stairs instead of the elevator, carry the groceries home instead of hopping in the car. Just do something. I signed up to do the challenge and am so far sticking with it. Who’s with me? Do you think you could do 30 minutes of physical activity every day for a year? I might not hit the 30 minute mark every day, but I want to do SOMETHING every day. Get that body moving. It’s so important.

I promise.. more exciting news and JAMS and Hotties to come this week!! In the meantime.. who’s ready to work out for a year? :)

-Emily

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Lucky Number Seven

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On Monday, I had my toughest WOD to date. I meant to post about it yesterday, but even my wrists were sore and it hurt to type too much (I blame landing on my hands too hard in burpees. Fail)

via CrossFit One blog

Since I’m still a newbie to CrossFit, I didn’t really realize the extent of this workout when I saw it the night before. I also didn’t know what the F a “thruster” was (but I wish I had recorded my boyfriend’s interpretation of it though…). So I sprang out of bed Monday morning, ready to go. On the way out the door, my boyfriend told me “don’t hump any dudes at your WOD today”.

Um….

Turns out that thrusting has little to do with inappropriate dance moves, and everything to do with power and pushing yourself until you feel like you’re going to vomit (oh.. was that just me?)

Once I learned what a thruster actually was, I started to get a little nervous. I wasn’t sure of my weight (they wanted it heavy) and since I was having a hard enough time with just the 15 lb barbell, I only added 20 lbs for a grand total of 35 lbs (yeah, you like those math skills?!) I stuck to my previous max on my deadlift, 95 lbs. I think next time we do deadlifts, I’ll be able to add some more weight, but since I was going to be doing 49 of those bad boys (MORE MATH!) I didn’t want to get too aggressive. It was my first time doing kettlebell swings, I used a 26.5 lb one, and wasn’t doing full extensions (just coming up to eye level).

Okay. So this workout was WAY harder than I imagined! After the first round, I was dying (I am still using a resistance band for pull ups) and one round took me 5 minutes. I was dripping in sweat. It’s funny when people assume that you get no cardio in CrossFit. I’m going to start wearing my HR monitor because I’m pretty sure my heart rate is up just as high as it is in a spin class.

After a few rounds, the coaches realized it was taking everyone a long time and decided to cap the workout at 26 minutes. I was able to finish 5 rounds (that was the norm for most people) in 25:29 seconds. Yeah, I was all set with starting another round of handstand pushups (still doing those on the box). I realize now that I sound pretty pathetic, since my workout was so scaled back compared to most (lighter weight, modified pullups, pushups and KB swings) but I have to be realistic and realize that I am not CrossFit Superwoman (yet). This WOD was another example of the incredible coaches at CrossFit One. Seriously. They recognize that I’m a beginner, and are trying to set me up for success. Caleb and Ashley kept checking in on me constantly throughout the WOD, correcting my form, giving me advice, cheering me on. I can’t explain how much this means to me, and what a difference it makes.

One of the biggest knocks against CrossFit is that people are scared they’re going to hurt themselves. I was in the same boat. My previous, limited experience was not a positive one because I felt like I didn’t know what I was doing and that I was going to injure myself. My advice to everyone starting off- do some research. Since CrossFit is blowing up, I guarantee you that there are several boxes in your neighborhood. Do a trial at each of them before you commit to signing up. Tell the coaches that you’re a beginner. If they take time with you to help you with form, scaling, and talk about setting up an on ramp program, then they rule. If they’re just like “Oh don’t worry about it! You can definitely lift 100 lbs! JUST DO IT!!!) then maaybbeee you might want to consider looking elsewhere :)

Anyways. Great WOD. I felt so accomplished at the end of it (even though I didn’t do a full 7 rounds). It’s exciting learning new skills and feeling myself get stronger every day.

And pull ups- I’m comin’ for you.

Whats your favorite WOD? Most challenging? Most fun? Sweatiest?

-Emily

 

Food Diary: Week One

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So, our Couples Challenge officially started on Friday. Unofficially, I started last Tuesday after a gluttonous Memorial Day weekend. Which means, I’m 8 days in. So, instead of a 23 day challenge, it’s really the legit 30 day challenge. Are you bored yet?

It’s frigging AMAZING how quickly your body responds to eating good food. Even though I’ve been eating Paleo for awhile, I was being not so good the past month. The weather has been nice, lots of beach time, lots of ice cream, excuses excuses. In some ways, I’m glad I was cheating because it gave me that much more incentive to get back on track. And, it’s sort of fun doing it with other people, knowing that you’re being held accountable and you’re all in it together.

Sam and I started a mutual food diary (entitled Sammy + Embo’s Belly Diaries) and it’s been an awesome way to stay focused and stay on track. Every time I eat something I just throw it in the doc (not to be confused with Fabolous, who throws it in the bag). I’ve been feeling great the past week- lots of energy, sleeping like a rock, and working out a ton. It feels goooood to be back! The boys have been doing really well too.. they’ve been sticking to their goals and it will be interesting to see who the winners are in the end!

Soo wanna see what I’ve been eating?! Sure you do. This past week and this upcoming week are a little nutty (I’m subbing a bunch for spin, and work has been picking up) so I’ve been concentrating on making bulk amounts of quick, easy recipes so I’m always prepared. As a result, I end up eating the same thing for a couple days in a row but whatevaaa! Also- I discovered all natural, non processed sweet potato chips and plantain chips at Trader Joe’s that have changed my life.

If you’re starting the Whole30, or ate an excessive amount of sweet potato chips in one sitting, this tea by Republic of Tea is amazeballs. Don’t worry, it won’t make you poo your pants, but it does settle your stomach and make you feel.. uhhh.. lighter.

 

My go-to breakfast smoothie

Another life changing food that I discovered this week- sashimi salmon and tuna rolls wrapped in cucumber…no rice! Ah-mazing. Thank you Haru

Veggie night- sauteed brussel sprouts, onions, pine nuts, and lemon

My mom is the best cook. Probably in the world. Not even kidding. These are homemade lamb burgers over oven roasted veggies. I can’t even begin to tell you how good these are. Like, my mouth is watering looking at them now. I need to stop. And move onto another photo. But I can’t!!! OMG so good.  I’ll get the recipe from her and post it on here, once I stop drooling all over my keyboard.

Ginger salmon with a cucumber orange salsa (recipe from PaleOMG.. duh) served with some bomb-I’ll-make-yo-pee-stink-fo-days asparagus.

So those are just some staples I’ve had the past week. Some other lifesavers have been grapefruit, avocado, Al Fresco chicken sausages, spaghetti squash, and sweet potatoes. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again- the key to eating clean is PREPARATION. So do yourself and your body a favor and get up a few minutes earlier or go to bed a little later and plan your meals for the day! It is worth it, I promise you :)

I know there are a ton of June challenges happening right now. How’s everyone doing with their progress? Any tips for newbies?

-Emily