Life After Vacations

I'm getting ready for the Challenge tomorrow, so I'm eating whatever I feel like right now. Which i've been craving corn tortillas. weird. The WOD (workout of the day) today was ok. I feel like my muscle has diminished some. I took a break when Chris and I went to Colorado on our anniversary trip (I will post pictures later) and then I only went in twice the last couple of weeks, mostly due to the pressures of school. I am currently taking Philosophy (from my friend Jane, whom I also workout with) and an Interior Design class. That one is a killer. We have these major projects due every tuesday. I thought that class would be a no-brainer, but it's harder than I thought. But it is still fun. Everything that I'm learning, my mom knew. She was a master at interior design. Each time I start a new project I wish desperately that she was here to help me. I took this class because 1) I need some non-major credits to graduate that I forgot about and 2) because I have had no motivation to decorate my house because that was what my mom and I would do when she'd come up and visit me. It was what we always did together and it was so much fun. So it hasn't been fun for me lately. It reminds me too much of her. So I thought this class would help in motivating me again. And it has, to an extent, though it's all work now. Trying to get an A. But my mom sure knew a lot about decorating, and all that she taught me has helped me in this class.

I've been having more dreams about my mom lately. One in particular was about that I had lost my purse and I was so upset over it, I knew who took it, but I couldn't do anything about it. My mom came and sat by me and comforted me. My first reaction was "oh, you're here". Then I thought, of course she's here, she's always been here. Then I proceeded to tell her all the bad things that have been happening, that I couldn't talk to anyone about. She just hugged me and told me everything would be alright. Then I woke up. That is the worst part of the dream, cause then I remember that she's not here. At least not where I can see her. Anyway, I think these things are coming up again because it's almost been two years. I can't believe that. Sometimes it feels like yesterday. Sometimes it feels like I haven't seen her in ages. Except for in my dreams. They feel so real.

So I mentioned that it was Chris and my 10 year anniversary. He and I took a motorcycle trip to Colorado to celebrate it. AHHHH! I just saw a mouse. My stupid cat has been bringing them in through the cat door so that her kitten can play with them. stupid cat! Eat it. don't play with it. Back to colorado. I wish I was there now. We spent some time in Ourey, Telluride, Silverton, Durango, Mesa Verde and Rico. The reason we went to those towns was for the amazing scenic views from the bike. I think it's listed as one of the best motorcycle trips to take. It was beautiful. And what an adventure. This is when we left Chris's dad house (and the kids with them) on the first day:


This is our hotel in Ourey. Ourey is an old mining town turned into tourist town.



This is the motorcycle we spent 5 days on:




An old abandoned building in Telluride:



This was a free gondola ride that they have going up to the top of the resort and down the other side of the mountain. Beautiful views.



This was taken up above Durango and why is this sentence underlined?



This was taken in Silverton waiting for the Train to arrive. Chris is talking with the boys and yes my hair is blue. I miss the blonde.



The train at Silverton. It goes between Durango and Silverton. Although Silverton was my favorite by far.


We stopped in Mesa Verde and saw the Palace ruins. Not as exciting as I thought. They are pretty much all restored, so I'm not sure what of it is still original.


Some Pictures from the road. The storm we were riding into:


This was the coolest hotel and restaurant ever. This was in Rico, near Telluride. The Chef worked with Wolfgang Puck at the Hotel Bel Air. Very good food.




This is Rico, a tiny old mining town that's not so touristy, but very beautiful:


More Pictures from the road:




This was on our way home in Rangely, CO. We called it Telephone Pole Valley. It's hard to see in this picture, but there were millions of telephone polls going everywhere and nowhere. Crazy. Click on the picture and you might be able to see it better:


So that was our trip. It was so hard getting back to life again after that. It was nice to take a little break. Back to school and back to the challenge. Back to reality.

Here's a video from the road it feels like you're on a roller coaster ride. just be sure to turn down your speakers. we had ear plugs in.

The Challenge

I'm starting on the challenge that James from Crossfit committed us to. Well it starts on the first of October. So I'll eat crap until then. But I'll be posting what i eat and how i feel on here. So, it might be boring for some. Well wish me luck. You can join in too, if you want:

The Gut Buster Challenge

Purpose: We all get in “Ruts” and we could all use a little less body fat! In my time as a coach and athlete, I have learned a couple of truths.


* We are more likely to do something if there is a reward!
* We are going to stick with it if we are held accountable!
* If we can’t do it for 1 month, there is no reason to kid ourselves into thinking we should go longer
* We must do it now, not later
* Drastic measures equal Drastic results.


RULES

This is a “Diet” that will hopefully improve your lifestyle. I have read and tried many different “Diets” throughout the years and have again found some simple truths. Here are the rules of the “Sjostrom Diet”


Any and all vegetables are welcome. Any and all meats are welcome. You can eat them as you see fit. You are welcome to eat any fruits, nuts and seeds. Local honey is fine, I am just not sure what you are going to put it on. Honey on broccoli might not be that bad.


Protein Shakes are welcome. In fact I recommend them for the in between times and they can help curb the cravings. For this challenge we are going to say Top Form Whey Protein, is the recommended. You can order it at NRG for a discount and we will have it readily available Sept 31st, 2009 so you can be ready.


If you would like to finish whatever you already have, I don’t care. It cannot be a “Meal Replacement Supplement”. (because of the sugar) Protein only!


Dairy is okay, as long as there is no sugar added. So yes you can eat eggs, cheese, yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese, or whatever. As long as there is no sugar added! There is one and only one way to cheat this. After your workout there is a 1/2 hour window in which you may drink low fat chocolate milk.


NO Grains! This includes Wheat, Rye, Barley, Oats, Corn, Rice, Millet, Quinoa and Buckwheat. I am going to add white potatoes to this list, cause I can.


NO SUGAR ADDED of course this includes cane sugar, splenda, sweet n low, sugar alcohol, high fructose corn syrup, or any thing else you might think up a way of cheating this. Remember our goal is 1 month to cleanse our palate, bust our gut, and get out of a rut!


No Alcohol, No Cigarettes. You don’t need an explanation. If 1 month is too difficult for you, seek help outside of NRG!

“The Challenge”

I am not claiming to be a scientist, nor am I claiming to know it all. I am just ruling out some things that I know are “bad” and emphasizing some things I know to be “good”. I want you to succeed. This isn’t perfect. This is a war! We must destroy fat! We must gain strength and we must reach our goals!

Here are some non-diet rules that will have to be made clear and you are welcome to refer back to this page anytime you think you are about to be in question.

You must start before October 1st, 2009. This is a challenge, it starts at the beginning and finishes on Nov 1st 12:00am

You must log all of your meals. If it goes in your mouth, we want to know about it. So do you!

The “diet” has zero tolerance for errors and zero exceptions. I don’t care its your brother’s birthday and your dying Aunts secret cobbler that she makes on the 6th minute of the 8th hour of the 9th day in the 10 month of the year. Its a challenge people!

There will be a $100.00 Pot started by me, anyone that joins will ad 10.00. All remains will be spit 2 to 1 between the 1st and 2nd place finisher. (if it is a 300.00 pot, 1st place receives 200 and 2nd place receives 100.00 there is no 3rd place, stop whining.

The “before” stats will include, BF comp, Weight, tape measurement, a picture, and 3 goals.

The “after” stats will include the same, plus the differences.

The winner will be decided by all the “Challenge Finishers” voting for the 2 people that worked the hardest, (logging, workouts, extra effort) and made the most noticeable changes including reaching their goals. (press the beast). In an event of a tie, my votes will not count.

Four WOD’s per week must be attended at NRG.

Every time you come in for a WOD, extra effort, before or after must occur. Options can be, 1 mile run, 100 kettlebell snatches, 5x5 F Squats, 50 Muscle up attempts. Whatever is going to bring you closer to your goal! If it was a “hard WOD” I don’t care. Bust out of your RUT. Find a new excuse! You may not be strong enough for this challenge. Not everyone will. But I will!!

On Oct. 1st pay 10.00 and write your name on the board in the designated spot. If for some reason you don’t follow this program, simply erase your name from the board. Continue CrossFitting as RX!!


INSIGHT

This challenge is designed to push you into a place that is a little uncomfortable. Uncomfortable is not the same as unhealthy. I want to be on this planet for a long time, and want to be healthy. I wouldn’t have you do anything that is more unhealthy than what you are already doing. If you are on a diet, then you have your reasons and this challenge might not be for you. This is designed for you to get the results you want and need. I have included or excluded the food that I have because I believe it will force your body to change. It will fuel you for performance and will cleanse your palate.

I believe this one month challenge will affect how you eat for the next year. I want to get a jump on the new year’s resolutions. (we know they are coming)


Obviously this would be pointless if you are just going to throw everything out the window and gain back all your losses, and lose all of your gains during the holiday season. Lets find a new plateau to glide us through the holidays and then we will jump on board again after the new year and bust through another plateau.


Lets look at the premise of Vegetables, Meat, Fruit, Nuts and Seeds. The following list are foods, still some are better than others, but as a general rule if you limited yourself to the “Green Face Diet” you would greatly benefit. If it didn’t once have a face, or wasn’t green it isn’t to be eaten.


Why no grains? For the simple reason if you cut carbs for a month you are going to drop fat. They are cheap and easy, and everywhere. For the sake of making an easy ruling during this challenge, we cut out the grains, I didn’t want to play the game of corn on the cob is okay, but a corn tortilla is bad. The narrower the path, the simpler it is. Choices can lead to trouble. No grains!


Why no sugar, for the same reason as no grains, we become dependent on it. Cut them out, let the body cleanse, see what happens. (but, there is sugar in fruit) look I know. It is the added sugar that is causing disease. Not apple sugar! Like many of the workouts you don’t think you can finish, you just have to start and go for it. We can do this together! What about the Glycemic Index? Good questions smarty pants, follow your conscience on this one. For our purpose it isn’t as important! If you know leafy greens are better than carrots, you are one step ahead of the rest of us and will do fine. Keep it simple for 1 month.


No alcohol either! Give yourself a rest, just for 1 month. Some of us don’t drink anyway so what is the big deal. Instead of drinking glass of wine, or whatever, play with your kids, paint a fence, walk the dog, relax by stretching, or take a bubble bath. There is plenty else to do. If you are smoking you should quit. I smoked from the age of 16 to 26, at least 1 pack a day, plus chewing tobacco, I am entitled to my opinion. It is the single best thing I have ever done. (I am a quitter!)


Here is a list of foods that are acceptable:


Artichokes

Asparagus

Green Beans

Beet Greens

Black beans

Bok Choy

Broccoli

brussel sprouts

cabbage

cauliflower

chick peas

collard greens

dill pickles

egg plat

alfalfa sprouts

bean sprouts

celery

cucumber

lettuce

mushrooms

onion

peppers

radishes

salsa

snow peas

spinach

tomato

apple

apple sauce

apricots

blackberries

cantaloup

cherries

blueberries

fava beans

kale

kidney beans

leeks

lentils

okra

Chicken

Turkey

Ground turkey

Veal


Beef

ground beef

canadian bacon

Duck

Ham

Lamb

ground lamb

pork

ground pork

calamari

catfish

clams

crabmeat

deer

elk

flounder

lobster

salmon

sardines

scallps

swordfish

shrimp

tuna

tuna steak

Soy burgers

soy sausage

soy cheese

tofu

whole egg

egg whites

cottage cheese

cheese

feta cheese

rcotta cheese

almonds

avocado

canola oil

macadamia nuts

olives

peanut butter

peanuts

olive oil

guacamole

Sesame oil


sunflower seeds

bacon bits

butter

half and half

cream

cream cheese

sour cream

grapes

grapefruit

honeydew

kiwi

lemon

lime

bectarine

orange

peach

pear

pineapple

plum

rasberries

strawberries

tangerine

watermelon

milk

yogurt

soymilk

soybeans