From FAT to CrossFIT

bledsonian asked: Don't really have a question but just wanted to congratulate you and Derek on your progress so far. You guys are doing great. The blog is awesome and I look forward to seeing y'all's progress. Seeing a blog like this inspires me.

Thanks….that means more than you know. Now, because few folks are on Tumblr, I’ve moved the blog to a FB page….Same title (From Fat to CrossFit). Somehow, we have managed to get 118 “fans.” Haha. Most of them are people who we don’t even know. I recently loaded what I think are some impressive before and after pics (3 months). We’re in this to win this. Couldn’t do it without you all. Muchas Gracias!!!! ; ) —Sam

Four days in Chicago….Paleo Vacation Experiment Version 1 (June 2011) Breakfast #1 = SUCCESS!!!!

This has been a rough week!!!

Eating healthy and becoming active seem to have opened our eyes to a lot of things; making even the slightest hiccup in our routine MUCH more obvious. Lack of sleep (which is a HUGE issue this week, due to my impending writing deadline), a small “cheat” in our eating habits, and even a change in schedule as to when we eat can really ‘jack-up’ our whole day….if not week.

My body has quickly become very attached to my diet, workout routine, and sleeping schedule (and I think Der’s has as well). I don’t take too well to any interferences (like missing our Monday evening workout tonight due to the fact that I’m running on about 3 hours sleep since Saturday). Not sleeping also seems to cause me to retain really, really unwanted water weight. GRRR!

Also, I’m trying to tackle my biggest fitness nemesis: RUNNING!

I really hate running!!!!!!!! ‘And if anyone can be bad at simply putting one foot in front of the other, I am. I run terribly slowly, likely slower than anyone shy of age 60 (hence, my self imposed nickname, the Granny Gallop-er”). I’ve never been able to crack the 12 mile per hour mark. I mean, REALLY, 12 miles per hour??? I’m only 32, only slightly overweight, and suffer from no serious physical handicaps. So, what’s the deal? I’m trying to figure that out!

Even though I hate running..in slow motion, that is…I want to conquer it. I don’t want to run super-fast (which will probably prove impossible for me). I don’t want to run super-far (which I see as more of a punishing experience than anything else). I simply want to be able to run without pain, for the purpose of burning calories and supplementing my workout routine. ‘AND I WILL ACHIEVE THIS GOAL!

Above: Skinny Me, 2002 Virginia Beach 1/2 marathon. Finished in, eek, 3:03

Since, I’ve started my 1-3 mile slow-motion jaunts over the past few weeks, I’ve been experiencing more and more pain in the tendons on the outside of my wonky right foot (I have a foot that turns outward…always has). Dr. Google says lateral ankle support will help. We’ll see if the doc is right. Time will tell if I end up back at Campbell Clinic.

Changing topics, Friday night, I had a dream I was in junior high gym class. I remember feeling as terrified and demeaned as I did 20 years ago (when I was the epitome of the 90 lb weakling and had the coordination of an intoxicated, 3-legged dog).

One of my undergrad psychology professors once told me, “dreams don’t mean anything.” I’m going to stick with that and not delve any further into my psyche on this one.

Finally, on a less thought-provoking, long-winded note, I noticed the other day that the ads on the sidebar of my G-mail homepage have recently changed. I am most impressed by an ad that appeared Friday, entitled, “How to Get Free Bacon!” ‘Really shoulda’ clicked on that one

—-Sam

I’ve found that buying a free range rotisserie chicken at the beginning of the week and using it for snacks, lunch, soup add-ins, etc is a great way to help ensure we get all the protein we need.

Also, looking at this picture, I find I’m REALLY glad to be at the top of the food chain!

Favorite Overall Workout Song (Yes, I like metal)….”Walk,” Pantera

Favorite Hip-Hop Workout Song - “Stronger,” Kanye

• They were 30% off and I charged them (which is a rarity for me).
• Plus, a few weeks ago, the clueless sales-guy at Outdoors, Inc. sold both Derek and I VFFs that were 2 sizes too big. I had to have a pair that fit!..
• Plus, this purchase is simply a consequence of my overwhelming enthusiasm for CrossFit and our new healthy lifestyle
• …..and there you have my justification for purchasing my 4th pair of CrossFit approved, minimalist shoes : )

Never having been a rabid shoe diva, it seems I’ve developed quite the minimalist athletic shoe fetish!

This is my last blogger post from March of this year. It’s nice to post this wearing smaller pants : )!………………..

I’ve always been told I didn’t leave much to the imagination. I’m not referring to my attire. I’ve, for the most part, always been quite modest in that way.

I have a big mouth; not so much in regard to other peoples’ business, but in relation to my own. Maybe it’s all the therapy, : ). Are not feelings better revealed than left inside to simmer and seethe? Anyhow, though I’ve learned to keep some of my business to myself (due to lots of prompting from my dear husband, Derek), I feel it’s okay to reveal a small, or, shall I say, large-ish, secret about myself.

I now wear a size-16. That’s kind of, well…chunky.

S#!t!!!, I told myself when I stepped on the scale this past Thursday. I mean, I knew my jeans had gotten tight, but; seriously???? I will keep the horrible number I saw to myself.

Anyhow, that was the straw that broke the camel’s back….or the alarm that finally awakened my fat a—!

Anyone who may be reading this might think, Wow, she’s being awful mean to herself. Well, that’s not the case. I can take this all in stride because I’ve enjoyed every minute of this journey…every bite, every sip, every delectable morsel.

For the first time, I’ve put on the pounds because I was having FUN! What? That even sounds foreign to me.

Oh, I’ve been here before. I own 5 different sizes of pants: 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16. ‘And I’ve worn them all in the past 5 years, multiple times on multiple, varying occasions. However, in the past, weight gain was ALWAYS the product of a “rough spell” in my life. For example, in 2008, I was dealing with some big decisions, all while dining on bags-full of Gibson’s donuts for lunch AND dinner (every day). Food was medication during that and other similar times.

This time around, things have been different. Yes, I had slacked in my workout routine. Yes, I’d stopped counting calories. However, the astronomical difference lies in the fact that I was not overwhelmed, sad, angry, angst-ridden, or tormented. I’ve been having fun. I’ve been drinking in life…and, well, eating it too!

All that being said, I’m proud to say, for the past 4 challenging, yet rewarding days, I’ve been back on track. I’ve been eating healthy, tracking my food (calorie) intake, and exercising. I feel really good about all this. Tomorrow, Derek and I will FINALLY start Crossfit (http://teamfaction.com/wod.html). I’m still super scared of this bad-ass, MMA fighter-worthy exercise program. ‘But, like I did in regard to diet and exercise when I saw that giant number on the scale this past week, I’m diving right in (and making Derek go with me). I’m really excited to document both mine and Derek’s progress for the whole world (or the 3 or 4 people who might be inclined to read this blog) to see.

Finally, those size 8 pants are going to Goodwill! I’m a curvaceous girl! I also don’t plan to deprive myself of food any more than I have to. So, please, don’t expect to see Hollywood worthy results here. This is the real world. ‘And I like to eat!

Here’s to finding a happy medium…size!

Defying the odds…Optimism Abides Here

—-Sam

Here’s an image of the Smokey Pot Roast.

This appears to be a fattier cut of meat..possibly a chuck roast.

I actually used an Eye of Round Roast. Whatever you decide, choose your cut wisely…be sure it’s GRASS FED!!!