From FAT to CrossFIT

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.

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 12:31:30 -0500

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...

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 09:03:29 -0500

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

The Return of "The Granny Gallop-er," KJHS Revisited and "How to Get Free Bacon!"

Mon, 23 May 2011 23:18:17 -0500

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...

Fri, 20 May 2011 14:58:16 -0500

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...

Fri, 20 May 2011 11:54:14 -0500

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

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

Fri, 20 May 2011 11:51:42 -0500

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

Oops I Did it Again!

Thu, 19 May 2011 23:25:05 -0500

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...

Wed, 18 May 2011 21:27:34 -0500

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

Airing My Fat Pants for the Whole World to See!!! (repost from Blogger)

Wed, 18 May 2011 21:12:35 -0500

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

The EP Smokey Pot Roast

Tue, 17 May 2011 21:36:57 -0500

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!!!

Everyday Paleo Smokey Pot Roast

Tue, 17 May 2011 21:29:49 -0500

Everyday Paleo Smokey Pot Roast:

For the past couple weeks, Derek and I have been trying recipes from the Everyday Paleo website:

http://everydaypaleo.com/

As a family of coffee-haters, I must say, we were both a little skeptical about the recipe I tried today, “The Everyday Paleo Smokey Roast.” The recipe called for 2 FULL tablespoons of coffee grounds. The grounds were part of a rub that also included cumin, sea salt, AND unsweetened chocolate powder. I seared the roast, then baked it for about three hours on low heat. The verdict?????…

THE ROAST WAS AWESOME, actually one of the best I’ve eaten!!!

I HIGHLY recommend this recipe and the Everyday Paleo website (which includes LOTS of recipes). I encourage everyone to check it out!!!

—Sam

Bucking the System?

Mon, 16 May 2011 23:18:52 -0500

What a rebel I am…the naughtiest thing I’ve done in some time: Eating a serving of organic wheat crackers!

I just cannot say no to the quintessential post-stomach bug food. Here’s hoping I can rebuild my depleted system and get 100% back on track (workout and healthy eating) tomorrow!!!

"Sir Charles of CrossFit"

Mon, 16 May 2011 18:40:09 -0500

"Sir Charles of CrossFit":

It’s good to know that NBA great, Charles Barkley is in the same boat as folks like us! This is an inspiring video for any of us who have to start at the bottom!

Here’s the video I mentioned in my last post.

Mon, 16 May 2011 01:58:10 -0500

Here’s the video I mentioned in my last post.

Samantha H. Finley - "Food Photog"

Mon, 16 May 2011 01:38:00 -0500

I must say, I didn’t realize just how much I loved food (and drinks) until I took a look at my iPhone photo album. There are an INSANE number of photos of food in that album. Neither I nor Derek are in any of the pics…just food.

Evidence of my blatant obsession (and, I have an inkling, of some of the reasons for our past weight gain)…..

A couple older photos of edibles - late 2010 (sources: Cinnabon, photo 1 and Lady Bug Bakery, photo 2)…

…I thought this Whole Foods Snowflake Roll looked like the cartoon character, Arthur, also in late 2010.

…AND my 2010 holiday cheer began with the seasonal introduction of the Holiday Starbuck’s cup!!

Then there are the “Vacation Grub” photos…..

Cuban Meal #1

…and Cuban meal #2

…Lunch at a sea-side restaurant in Englewood, FL

…I was stoked about this wine for under $3 at a FL Walmart!

…AND…I took a moment from relaxing by the ocean to take a photo of (and, yes, to post on Facebook) the 40th Anniversary Starbuck’s cup.

Fast forward to April 2011…

Derek and I, not surprisingly after consuming all of the above and much, much more, became fed up with our weight gain and lack of energy and decided to make a HUGE change.

After months of watching intimidating videos on You Tube, we decided to finally bite the bullet and join CrossFit Memphis (I bought a 70% off Groupon for the CrossFit introductory class in December 2010…the frightenly-intense You Tube videos and our lifelong lack of motivation contributed to our waiting 4 months to start the program).

We started CrossFit exactly 6 weeks ago today (4/4/2011). Here’s a short summary of our progress over the last month and a half:

Derek’s night 1 WOD (workout of the day) time: 21+ minutes
Sam’s night 1 WOD time: 16+ minutes
Derek’s night 16 (3 and a half weeks later) repeat of night 1 WOD time: 14+ minutes (a 30% cut in time to completion)
Sam’s night 16 (3 and a half weeks later) repeat of night 1 WOD time: 11+ minutes (a 25% cut in time to completion)

Derek’s 6 week weight loss: 20 lbs.
Sam’s 6 week weight loss: 14 lbs.

The progress is also evident in our Day 1 vs. Day 30 “before and after” photos…..

…But give us a little time to gain the courage to post those for the world to see (and some more time to get ‘ripped’, of course: ).

In the meantime, please enjoy a few photos of, you guessed it…FOOD!

Our first ‘Paleo Diet’ Produce Run…

…My first EVER attempt at eating carrots (I ended up hiding them in bites of sweet potatoes, just like a mom would do for a finicky child : )

…Another first, I ate lots of onions AND bell peppers with my sauteed shrimp…cooking the veggies until they were little more than mush, making the dish appear (as one friend noted on Facebook) to “look a lot like vomit.”

…Produce run #2: The more goodies in our crisper drawers, the merrier (that sounded a little lame. Oh, well!)

…I had to take a photo (and brag on Facebook) about my new healthy late night snack…fresh berries with crushed cashews.

…and, finally, the fruits (and meat and veggies) of my laborious grocery shopping…the 95% Paleolithic (Paleo Diet) refrigerator!!!

Much to everyone’s excitement (I’m sure), there will be more food pics to come.

We’ll also keep everyone posted on our workout progress and, sooner or later, we’ll start sharing our monthly progress (before and after) photos.

For anyone interested in learning more about CrossFit, check out the our gym’s website (http://factionsc.com) and a short video…to be posted soon:

—Sam (May 16, 2011)

"Nobody ever drowned in his own sweat."

Mon, 16 May 2011 00:13:52 -0500

“Nobody ever drowned in his own sweat.”

- ~Ann Landers