Furballs

3/29/2013 LP & WOD:
Squat: 1x5 [95 lbs], 1x2 [105, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135 lbs]

5 RFT
20 yd Bear Crawl
5 Deadlifts (115 lbs)
10 Burpees
Time: 10:47

Negative Pull-ups: 1x5
Overhead Squats: 3x3 [35 lbs]

In case you didn't pick up on those figures up there, I hit my second squat goal on Friday of 135!!!!!!!! I had zero intention of that happening, but I got to 120 decided to go until I didn't feel comfortable. Not only did I hit 135, I hit it twice! I quietly kept adding plates. I didn't tell the boyfriend when I got 125 and was attempting 130. I decided to keep this one to myself and see how far I could push myself on my own without any added support. Though he was VERY happy for me and proud that I did it. I can't wait to see where this new routine takes me over the next few months.

The WOD I did on my own was exhausting! After the first round I was pouring buckets of sweat and was struggling to squeeze out five burpees at a time. I guess I pick 'em well, huh?

Tonight starts my first full week of my own experiment program. I'm intrigued to see where this goes and if or when I'll notice any progress with the movements (pull-ups, cleans, etc) that I'm focusing more time on. I'll recap at the end of the month since I'm starting fresh on the 1st.

Just now getting over my fabulous long Easter weekend! I've decided my weekends need to be a little less fun because they make Monday's pretty brutal to deal with. Spent Friday morning in the gym then headed up to Raleigh with the boyfriend to visit with his family and to accompany him to his first tattoo appointment. It looks mega-cool! And he was a champ for enduring 3.5 hours of work on his ribs. Went on a nice long walk and watched some Turtles in the river before coming back Saturday afternoon. Spent part of Sunday with my family doing Easter brunch. Very yummy stuff.

Though one of my favorite parts of the weekend was when the boyfriend took my less social pup, Roma, to his house to play with his pup without me or my other furry kid. He's a dog whisperer! They did so well he brought his dog back over with Roma (smashed together in my MINI) to play with my other girl, Beane, on their own turf. Things went just as well there! Relieved and thrilled are the first words that come to mind. Plus Beane and I got to enjoy a nice walk in the neighborhood while they were on their puppy play date. Can't wait for the next one!

Get With the Program

3/26/2013 WOD:
12 min AMRAP
20 Double Unders (80 singles)
20 Sit-Ups
20 yd Walking Lungs
Reps: 268 

Extra Work: Pull ups, Double Unders, & Power Clean, 55 & 65 lbs 
Tabata: Row

I'm sore. That's all I'm going to say about last night's workout. I left feeling like I was all over the place but didn't feel like I had been overworked. I woke up feeling tight.

After a few discussions with the boyfriend about how to progress my squats and other things I want to work on while I'm in there (double unders, pull-ups, cleans, overhead squats, handstand holds), I've come up with my own little program for the next few weeks so I'm not wander around all willy-nilly doing whatever I feel like. I won't get anywhere just playing around.

Here's what I have so far:
Monday
Clean: 3 x 3 [starting 65 lbs]
Squat: 1 x 5 [heavy, 115-120 lbs], 3 x 7/8 [lighter, 100 lbs]
Press/Bench Press (Rotate weekly): 3 x 5[starting 50 lbs]
Deadlift: 1 x 5 [starting 130 lbs]
*maintain all weights for a few weeks then progress 5 lbs*
Double Unders: 5 minutes

Tuesday
WOD [solo or class, 10-15 min]
Pull-up:5 x 5 [banded]
Tabata [movement varies weekly]

Thursday
WOD [solo or class, 10-15 min]
Pull-up: 5 x 5 [negatives]
OH Squat:3 x 5 [starting 35 lbs]
*Possible second day squat if no Saturday workout*

Saturday
Squat: 1 x 5 [lighter, 95-100 lbs], 3 x 2 [heavy, 5 lb progression each set]
WOD [With Boyfriend, 10-15 minutes]
Handstand Hold: 3 attempts
Double Unders: 5 minutes

Seeing it in writing makes me VERY excited! Of course I'll adapt as needed and make changes were I see fit. Add in or remove things I'm working on as needed. Should be fun! For those that don't know me, I enjoy structure and routine so this is right up my alley.

Hippy Report

3/16/2013 WOD:
10 min AMRAP
1-3-5/round
Push Press (45 lb)
Pull-Up (banded)
Rounds: 4

3/18/2013 LP:
Back Squat: 1x5, 110 lbs, 3x8, 95 lbs
Bench Press: 3x5, 50 lbs
Deadlift: 1x5, 125 lbs

I learned a very very valuable lesson over the past few days. Do not ever try double-unders wearing vibram five fingers. Or any shoe that allows the top of your foot to be exposed. I hurts like a bitch when you don't quite jump high enough and the rope smacks the top of your foot. Stupid me, it took me three different attempts to really learn my lesson.

Saturday's workout wasn't my favorite but wasn't the worst in the world either. I mostly didn't like having to get into the band for just one pull-up. However it was quick and relatively painless so no real complaints!

The boyfriend coach and I had to fight over the last remaining squat rack last night. I'm way ready for the new rigs and equipment to come in. Even more excited to see how the overall layout changes. Back to the progression...we really didn't have to fight, just alternated between sets. I did feel guilty that he kept having to unload and reload all his weight, but he was adamant that we swap. Gotta do what coach says, right? Coach also told me to add an extra rep to my lighter load on the squat. Success! I think he might know what he's talking about. I also think he might be doing a bit of experimentation on me since women can do things slightly differently than men when it comes to weight lifting. Thus the higher reps. I don't mind playing guinea pig every now and then.

I'm two days late but this weekend was absolutely fantastic! Spent almost all of it outdoors. Walking, shopping at the market, eating, building a raised garden, getting some sun by the pool. All kinds of good stuff! Sadly next weekend is looking colder and rainy. Finger's crossed it's the last bit of winter!

Now for my full report on my hippy experiment. At least until full S.C. summer hits, I'm sticking with my new coconut oil and baking soda deodorant. I went all day Friday and into Saturday afternoon without reapplication (don't judge my lack of shower, I went for a morning workout and worked in the yard, why shower for that?!?) and I didn't stink! I noticed a slight bit more sweat on Sunday on a walk, but still no odor. So I'd say it works great as a deodorant and only okay as an anti-perspirant on excessively warm days. I didn't notice excess sweat while working out at all the past few days. I'm only a few days in and it's already seamlessly in my morning routine. I'll report back again once the heat starts coming in.

Gone Hippy

3/14/2013 WOD:
4 RFT
5 Pull-ups (Banded)
20 OH Walking Lunge (10 lb)
5 Push-ups (1 set strict, 4 set knee)
20 Sit-ups
Time: 12:41

I went into the gym in a pretty foul mood. The following didn't help:

•  As predicted, the class was doing the 13.2 from the Open. It was a quick and relatively painless workout but as I said last week, if I wanted to do workout from the Open I would have signed up for it. Give us a break! 
• I had planned to do a power clean/double under mix but the gym is low on 10 lb bumper plates with the new shipment on order so I couldn't load a bar up to the weight I wanted. Don't toss out the old torn up bumpers until the new ones come in! How are we supposed to work with only a few sets of plates? Come on!
• Double unders were not happening pre-workout no matter what I tried. I had red whip marks to prove it. Legs, jump higher dammit! 
• People were lingering around for an hour waiting to for official scoring to start for the Open. Why stand around for an hour? Show up at 6:15, get warmed up and wait your turn when scoring starts at 6:30. Don't you people have kids to feed or dogs to walk? UGH! 

See, if I try hard enough I can accurately reenact the foulness so you truly get the mood I'm going for. Did it work?

Anywho, I opted for a repeat performance of a self-programmed WOD I've done twice before. Sadly, my time was a good minute slower than last time. I blame the mood and not being in a hurry to walk from the pull-up right alllllllllll the way over to my tiny space on the floor for lunges, push-ups and sit-ups. I did tweak a small piece. Instead of doing negative pull-ups, I opted for banded. April is nearing and I'll be damned if I don't get a pull-up by 4.30.2013.

Soooooo I went a little hippy this morning. First some back story  Lately I've been trying to rely on cleaning products loaded with chemicals less and less. Lots of vinegar, baking soda, borax and coconut oil goodness going on in my house. This led to me thinking about what was in some of the beauty products I use. For a girl, I think my beauty regimen is pretty slim. However, there are a few things I just can't live without, but I figured I'd try. First up was using coconut oil as a face-wash/moisturizer. It worked beautifully and had zero complaints, especially in saving a few steps since it was an all-in-one, but the hairs around my face became oily and it drove in crazy. Unfortunately coconut oil face-wash was out and Neurtrogena Naturals system was back in. Other fun uses for coconut oil in the shower I played with were shaving cream (sadly it clogs up the razor head quickly) and in-shower moisturizer, perfect on cold dry days (This one is sticking around!).

Doing some more reading on natural beauty products and coconut oil uses I stumbled upon a mix of baking soda and coconut oil as deodorant. I was a little hesitant because it took me ages to find a deodorant that would work for me (Thanks, Dove!) but I figured it couldn't hurt. Worse case, I don't smell so hot for one day. Well I'm almost a full work day into the experiment in which I've had my office heater on and wore a black hoodie in the sun at lunch and no sweat! And I smelly coconutty fresh! I'm going to really test it tomorrow with a workout before I make my verdict. If all goes to plan, hello homemade deodorant mix, goodbye aluminum laden pit stick! Stay tuned for results! 

P.S. While I enjoy eliminating unpronounceable chemicals from my life, there are some things that are just damn convenient that won't ever be replaced. Sorry personal welfare, I'm a bit lazy sometimes. 

Freedom!!!

I should start at the beginning....

Over the last few months, if not years, I have been growing increasingly tired of Facebook and what it's become. At first it was a neat way to keep up and share your life with people who you didn't see as often or wouldn't have necessarily kept up with at all. You knew what was going on in the lives of those you went to high school or college with. Or were able to see what family members across the country were up to. 

Then came the privacy issues. Facebook seemed manipulative and sketchy. Trying to make everything you did public no matter how private you wanted to keep your profile and activity. 

Next came the ads and games. Constantly being bombarded with who was playing what no matter how many times you opted out of game news in your feed. And the ads letting you know that your friends 'liked' everything under the sun! And that having a favorite band or movie, which Facebook suggested you list in your info, meant you 'liked' them and always wanted to know what was going with those topics. 

And then at some point things really changed! No longer were people sharing their experiences, photos of their vacations or the news that they'd landed a new job or were having a baby. Now the only thing people seemed interested in sharing with their 'friends' were their opinions on who you should vote for, how you should feel about gun laws, asinine e-cards about how women can't do anything in life at all without a glass of wine and of course the posts that if you don't immediately copy and share indicate to the world that you don't care about childhood illnesses/a God/ puppies/dying people in underprivileged communities/etc. 

I finally couldn't take it anymore and was over it! I decided that for the next month I was going to deactivate my account and see what life was like Facebook free. Anxious to see how I spend the extra free time at work. Curious to see if I am still in the loop with my close friend and families lives. It's going to be an interesting experiment for sure. And if all goes as planned, come March 1st I'll head back to Facebook, reactivate my account long enough to delete every last bit of my information then permanently delete my account for good.

All this said I'm not ready to drop all 'social networking' outlets. I very much enjoy the simplicity and freedom Twitter provides in 140 characters or less. And as a Google slut, of course I'm a big fan of the growing community in Google plus. I realize Google plus is ultimately the same concept as Facebook, however it's cleaner, simpler, and not preachy (yet!). And the circles are swell! 

We'll see how this next month goes and what decision is made come March 1st! 

Thankfulness

Today is November 1st. Halloween is over. Thanksgiving is right around the corner. I noticed very quickly this morning on Facebook that many of my friends are participating in Thirty Days of Thankfulness. Not one for sharing too much on Facebook these days I decided I wanted to participate but would keep it to my blog. More than likely I'll lump my thankful thought together with my regular posts. However, day one gets the special treatment!

Thirty Days of Thankfulness
Day One: I am thankful for my wonderfully supportive family.

I've gone through quite a bit of changes in the past 6+ months and my family has been right by my side throughout the entire process. Anything I need their help with they are right there.. They don't ask questions, they just do. And I love them for it!

Short and not so sweet

10/27/2012 WOD:
Tabata: Total burpees only
Dead-lift (105 lbs)
Burpees
Reps: 47

This morning's workout was quick and I loved that! I typically enjoy tabatas because of their quickness and their ability to still cause lots of pain. Today's was no exception! Our trainer told us to focus on form and heavy weight with our dead-lifts and for that reason we wouldn't be tracking the reps. And for that reason I went up 20 lbs from my last dead-lift in a WOD. Boy did I feel it! Typically I was getting about 4 reps per 20 second round. However, at the same time I could tell I wasn't struggling as much as I thought I would. I guess those LP squats are starting to pay off!

Quick update on my primal/paleo experiment. After the immense cravings I was having last week I sat down and decided what I would need to include into the lifestyle to be able to maintain it without feeling like I was going to pull my hair out. Since that adaptation it's been gravy! And I think I can maintain this way of eating pretty permanently. I'm sticking with the main diet of meats, veggies and fruits and am adding to it on a regular occasion beans and more dairy, including chocolate milk. I am going to occasionally allow myself to have peanut butter, chocolate, and good pizza (homemade or local quality pizza, no pizza hut crap). And on holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, 4th of July or my birthday all bets are off! I haven't changed much this week since my 'rules' have changed except having beans on night in soup and having chocolate milk every morning. Those little things alone have kept all cravings aside!

Tonight I'm cooking a new dish that I'm pretty excited about! Parmesean roasted sweet potatoes and something I found on pinterest called Heroin Chicken. We'll see if it's as addicting as the site says it is! Tasty dinner and scary movies should make for a pretty fabulous night!

When Cravings Attack

I could have easily eaten a cupcake or an entire pizza since day one of this primal food experiment but today is different. Today I would do really really bad things to get my mitts on somethings sweet covered in chocolate and a really extra cheesy pizza. Really really terribly bad things!

I've spent half of my day trying to find new recipes that peak my interest that will sustain these cravings and I've spent the other half of my day browsing Pinterest (please don't look at all the non-primal treats I pinned!) and telling myself I felt fine with what I ate before a as long as I keep it in moderation I don't need to stick to this damn experiment. Three and a half weeks, am I crazy?

At the moment I'm at the fork in the road between caving and sticking it out. My plan for this weekend was to start coming up with how I wanted to eat after November. What I would continue and what I would allow back into my diet. But right now I want it all back!!!!

I can't decide if having the weekend completely free of any plans is going to be good or bad. I have horrible will power when it comes to stuff like this! Fruit just isn't cutting my sweet tooth right now.

Time to go think happy thoughts and picture the looks of disappointment on my friend's faces when I tell them I caved. Will it be worth it?

Pure Torture

10/18/2012 WOD:
4 RFT
40 yd OH Walking Lunges (10 lb)
20 Wall Balls (8 lb)
20 Hand Release Push-Ups
Time:17:19

Holy hell tonight was BRUTAL!!!! I should have known it was going to be agony when one of our beast of a trainers told me as she was finishing up to just leave. She's a badass so if it kicked her ass I knew it was going to kick mine. With that bit of information I decided to save myself a bit of pain and go a little lighter weight than normal. I still want to be able to function tomorrow, hello!

I also picked the absolute worst day to wear my new capris from Old Navy. I'm always a bit more aware of my ass in those things, but lunges and wall balls in capris with half the class waiting in the wings for their heat and cheering us on made me super self-aware. Today's lesson: Bring a back-up pair of shorts or an extra long top on days I plan on wearing capris just in case! Make sure you right that one down, I don't dish out lessons very often on here.

Surprisingly my legs are feeling pretty great given the 160 yards of lunges and 80 wall balls. What's really hurting me at the moment are my shoulders. Not so much hurt, more of a slight throb. Hand release push-ups and holding a ten pound plate over your head will do that to you!

I also had my first serious craving for chocolate milk tonight. Like wanted to pull into Harris Teeter and pick up a half-gallon and down it. I'm not sure why but when I exhaust my legs from lunges or squats I really want to recover with a huge glass of chocolate milk. Go figure. And two weeks from tonight I'll be having myself a nice big glass.

Primal eating is still going really well. I had scrambled eggs and hot sausage for breakfast, leftover steak and onions for lunch, apple and orange for a snack and I just enjoyed a very tasty pork chop with sauteed zucchini.  I'm eating pretty damn good. Yet saving way more money then when I wasn't eating this way. Looking forward to the next two weeks to see what other things I can come up with to eat and to see if the cravings for bread and sweets subside anymore.

Playing Like Kids

10/15/2012 LP:
Back Squat: 70 lb
Press: 37.5 lb

10/16/2012 WOD:
4 RFT: (partner)
40 yd wheelbarrow
40 box jumps
Time: 9:07

Quick, simple and fun accurately describes last night's WOD. It has been quite some time since I've done such a short and simple workout, it was a nice change of pace. After being partnered up by picking matching coins, we were given the low-down on the best strategy for transitions by our trainer. We had a pretty good little system going, I carried him 20 yards and he carried me 20 yards back then he did the first 10 box jumps, I did 10 and so on until we hit 40. Yay for teamwork!

Waking up this morning I thought I had slept funny because my neck was a little achy but as I got to moving around I noticed my shoulders were a bit sore too. I don't remember wheelbarrows hurting as a kid! I also don't remember doing them quite as quickly as I did last night either.

This kid  must have been doing the WOD too. He's so tired he's resting his head on his partner's butt!

The Primal Blueprint experiment is still going strong! I made a delicious ground chicken and fresh salsa combination for lunch yesterday and had nice steak and sauteed zucchini for dinner. Did you know you can buy three nice sirloin steaks for about $6? That's $2 per steak! That's cheaper than one pineapple. Why does anyone ever pay $10+ in a restaurant? Go ahead, laugh at me for just realizing this. I only cooked my first steak about four months ago! Anywho, I've said it before but I am really enjoying cooking, a lot! Not having a dishwasher is becoming more of an annoyance lately with having to do more dishes, but I'll take the trade off.

I spent part of last night in my hammock for the first time in a few weeks. It's neat to see how quickly the light is changing. I think the first night I got in it, it was getting dark around 8:30 and last night it was dark before I got out there at 7:30. With the leaves falling and the much colder weather it got me really excited for fall and the upcoming holiday season. I bundled up for as long as I could take it but eventually my cold toes won the battle and I had to retreat back indoors. Great way to relax after a nice dinner and fun workout!

One Week

I am officially past the one week mark of my primal food experiment and I'm happy to report overall I'm really enjoying it! I've cooked a few new dishes, saved a lot of money by not eating out, and my body is loving all the fruits, veggies and extra protein!

While there are a few cons to this little experiment like giving up chocolate milk, my willingness to push-down small children to get to a loaf of french bread, and being tortured by Halloween candy EVERYWHERE, there are so many pros! Here are a few thing's that have gotten me pretty excited over the past 7 days:

• While I've eaten until full at all my meals, I have never felt sluggish after. 
• The speed at which I can cut a pineapple is greatly improving!
• Only shopping for meats, produce and eggs makes for a very speedy shopping trip.
• Sweet potatoes are pretty damn tasty and you can put them with lots of foods
• Having a crisper drawer full of oranges, apples, grapes, strawberries and pineapple makes me feel very adult for some strange reason.
• Zucchini, bacon and scrambled eggs are an amazingly yummy combination
• Pot roast is yummy and I can't remember why I dreaded my mom making it as a kid

I'm looking forward to see if urge to harm people for bread and candy eventually subside or if that innate urge will always stay with me. The cravings have definitely passed, but anytime I see it I want to eat it desperately. 

I have 15 more days until the experiment ends and then I'll decide how I would like to proceed with my eating. At this point, I would like to continue as I am now but bring back chocolate milk. I really miss drinking it at night after a tough workout! I guess time will tell.

E.T. Phone Home

10/11/2012 WOD:

1-1-1-1 Max Jerk

Max: 45 lb

6 RFT:

3 Wall Climbs

200 m Med-ball Run (14 lb)

Time: 15:25

10/12/2012 WOD:

800 m run buy-in

7 RFT:

10 Grasshoppers

10 Dead-lifts (85 lb)

20 Sit-ups

Time: 18:11

I"m a few days late getting these up, but that doesn't mean I'm not still feeling the effects of them! Both of these workouts had new movements I was unfamiliar with, Wall Climbs and Grasshoppers. And neither of them could I do as prescribed, but one day I'll be able to! Below is a little video that just happens to have demos of wall climbs and grasshoppers if you're curious what all the fun was about.

I was pretty excited doing Friday's WOD because I really upped the weight on my dead-lift since last time and with 70 reps total I could feel it. That plus the 140 sit-ups has me a tad bit sore today, but nothing unbearable at all. 

I'm officially seven days into my primal experiment. I could murder a bag of dove milk chocolate squares right now, but other than that I'm doing good. I'm enjoying cooking more and trying new dishes a lot! I also really got tested this weekend when I went to my parents to watch the big game (USC vs LSU, sadly we lost by 2) and they had ordered pizza from one of my favorite local shops. I held strong! I think if I can survive pizza in my face I might be able to make this work. 

Outside of CrossFit and going primal, everything else has been really great lately too. With a lot of my friends out of town this weekend I've spent some good quality time with my pups, who have been especially playful. I had a mini movie marathon that has included Clueless, Steel Magnolias, Forrest Gump and will conclude with E.T. tonight. And I was able to catch up at lunch yesterday with two of my favorite people who have been insanely busy lately.

And I've had one hell of a productive Sunday morning so far. Groceries purchased, breakfast cooked, dishes cleaned, tea brewed, more pineapple cut, dinner going in the crock-pot and all before 10 am! I'm excited about dinner because I'm cooking pot roast which is something I have never cooked before. Seemed like a good dish with the cooler weather. I'm thrilled to end my weekend with a new dish and one of my favorite movies ever! It's going to be a fantastic night! 

La Piña

10/10/2012 WOD:
20 min AMRAP
8 Front Squats (35 lb)
20 yd sprint
20 push-ups (knee)
20 yd sprint
Rounds: 8

This was my first WOD since Saturday as I was trying to make sure I had recovered from my cold and it was a good one! Those 20 minutes flew by and the push-ups were torture. The strange thing is that my last 3 rounds of push-ups actually got a little easier. I was able to do more reps at one time that I could earlier in the workout. Very odd! And just in case you're curious, 8 rounds means I did 160 push-ups. 160!!! Mind boggled.

As soon as this was over I regretted not upping my weight for the front squat. I know I'm not up to the same weight as my back squat, but I probably could have done 45 lbs. Having to clean the bar to get into front rack position first is what made me a little anxious and kept me at my safe 35 lb weight. Note to self: see what weight is comfortable to clean next Monday.

And speaking of Monday's, my linear progression was a success. I'm excited to pass the 65 lb threshold next week and to give the press another go. Pressing the bar and not using your legs at all is a very strange feeling, especially since I've only ever done push presses before. Very interested to see how this goes. I've also decided to track my progressions like I do my WODs so I can easily see my progress.

10/8/2012 Linear Progression:
Back Squat: 65 lb (45 lb starting point)
Press: 35 lb (starting point)

I'm still going strong with my primal food experiment. I even survived an impromptu stop by the grocery store when I was starving and wanted to grab every candy bar and frozen pizza in sight. The biggest challenge for me, which I have read is common among those transitioning, is that I find that I'm hungry about an hour and a half after eating a really filling meal. However, it's not a low-blood sugar feel like I'm going to pass out hunger that I'm used to. It's tolerable and I'm able to make it to the next meal.

I failed in my first attempt to cook sweet potato fries last night. I was in the home stretch, pulled them out of the oven to toss 'em around and put them back in under the broiler to get them a bit crispy. Then all of a sudden whilst cooking my pork chops I smelled smoke and they were goners. Luckily I was able to saute some zucchini up real quick and salvage dinner. Tonight I'll try to stay focused on the fries which should be easier given my pork chops are already cooked and ready to go.

I've been eating a good bit of fruit to help with the sugar cravings and while I could KILL someone for just one square of dove chocolate right now, the fruit has been pretty helpful. Eating as much as I have isn't typically ideal, but I'm not trying to do low-carb primal eating to lose weight so it's okay.

I did something yesterday that I have never done before in my life. Actually I did something on Monday and then topped it yesterday. While shopping on Sunday I picked up a pineapple. It wasn't on my list but I figured it could be good in the smoothies and I love fresh pineapple. Easily my favorite fruit. And one day I'll finally get one of those bastards to grow like they do on Pinterest! Sorry, I digress. I chopped up my pineapple Sunday night and strangely it had all be eaten by Monday night! On my way home Tuesday I stopped at the store and picked up two more along with a few other items. I chopped up the other two after dinner and had just a few bites before calling it a night. Then last night after dinner, my giant bowl full of two pineapples was empty. I ate two pineapples in 24 hours!!!! What is wrong with me? I've told myself I can't buy another until Saturday but I just don't think I can keep that promise. My apples, oranges and strawberries are great, but there is nothing like fresh pineapple!

Going Primal

Before I ever got joined the CrossFit cult community I knew that there was a different style of eating that generally went along with the lifestyle for most involved. I never had any intention of joining in on the clean-eating, paleo, primal eating movement. I had lost the weight I wanted to lose from hard work in the gym all while still enjoying yummy foods.  Then after spending a few months getting more fit and stronger, I started to see why these folks want to pay so much attention to what they're putting in their bodies. Sure cupcakes taste delicious, but they aren't helping me get strong enough to do my first pull-up.

Given my affinity for mini lifestyle experiments as of late I decided I was going to take on  primal eating starting today through the end of the month. Mark Sisson's Primal Blueprint is what I'm using as my guide. Since I'm not necessarily trying to lose anymore weight, I won't be focusing on counting carbs. Anyone who knows me knows that I have a very deep love for bread and could eat some form of candy everyday if it was acceptable. I'm not sure why I choose the best month of the year for candy to give this a try, but we'll see what happens!

For all my apprehensions about losing the tasty foods I love, I'm equally as excited to cook some new yummy meals I wouldn't be trying otherwise. And to cooks foods I know I love but in ways I haven't tried before is going to be lots of fun!

I'm going into this experiment with an open mind and a positive outlook. While I'm not expecting myself to be sold on all aspects of it at the end of the month, I have a feeling I'm going to take away a lot from it that I will want to continue come November. One thing that I've recently added to my daily routine and will be giving up this month is chocolate milk. I was deeply saddened by the loss. And while it's not paleo or primal or whatever you want to call it, you can count on me picking up another half-gallon on November 1st, whether this new lifestyle continues or not.

And since today is day one here's is what's on my plate for today:

Breakfast:
Diced bacon and zucchini omelet
Pineapple chunks

Lunch:
Leftover pork chops with caramelized apples and onions and butternut squash soup

Dinner: 
Hamburger hash with peppers and onions

Late night snack:
Orange, banana, and pineapple smoothie

To add to the theme of trying new things along with this experiment, all of my meals today are all brand new things I've never had or cooked before. Yes, that means I've never had an omelet of any kind before. I know I'm crazy! It was really really really good!

I don't intend to track my eating on here daily for the remainder of the experiment but I may from time to time mention what I've eaten lately if I'm especially excited or grossed out by it. Also please excuse any especially crabby or bitchy sounding posts later in the week. Ridding my body of sugar is going to painful!

One last thing, I've decided to add the press to my linear progression experiment starting today. I will start with my current weight of 35 pounds and go up 2.5 lbs each week. I am also jumping up from 55 pounds to 65 pounds this week per the suggestion of my trainer. This was where I capped out a few weeks back when we were gauging a good starting point so I'm eager to see what happens this week and next with it!

Houston, we have a problem!

9/18/2012 WOD:
50-40-30-20-10 reps
Burpees
Medicine Ball Sit-Ups (8 lb)
Time: 23:12

The workout looked so short and simple on the board. It was very misleading! Before the WOD got started I was purposefully trying not to do the math to see what the total number of reps was, but just a few minutes before the torture began a friend of mine blurted out that it was 150 reps. Ugh! I cried a little on the inside for half a second then told myself I have done 205 burpees at once before and that I would survive this one too!

Last night I was exhausted! After showering up, which was a workout in itself,  I planted my happy ass on the couch and got cozy for the remainder of the night. Surprisingly today the only thing mildly sore is my back between my shoulder blades. I blame the medicine ball. That bastard!

Next week is a free week at PDCF for anyone interested in seeing what CrossFit is all about. I sent out a few texts last night and might have some friends joining in on the fun! Though it is with much excitement and sadness that I will have to alter my usual routine next week and may miss out on some of the fun with the my friends.

Early next Thursday morning I'll be Disney bound for 5 days! And while I am THRILLED to be going to Disney and to be on vacation for a few days, I'm already working on some WODs I can do on my own at the hotel. I know I've joked that I may have a problem and could be addicted, but when it first crossed my mind to research workouts to do on my own I realized I really might have a problem. I suppose it's not a bad addiction and it could be much worse, but it's still a problem. I should be able to go to the happiest place on earth and totally forget about CrossFit. But I can't. I'm even already planning on getting back in there the Monday we drive back so continue with my squat progression just because I don't want to get behind! (read: HELP ME!)

At this point with next week being free and the possibility of friends being around, I am planning on going Monday-Wednesday and will have a back-up WOD on hand in case I'm feeling froggy down in Orlando for Friday morning before we hit the parks. Oh yeah, there is a silly little run I'm registered for Saturday night too. Just a little ten-miler that I am in no way prepared for!

What is wrong with me!?!?!

While I'm sure this fabulous trip will provide me with a few firsts and new experiences I cannot anticipate, I am planning on taking on two little experiments during this vacation.

First, a couple months back I bought some yarn and needles with the intention of taking up the hobby of knitting. It never happened. I never even got started. With 14+ hours in the car looming over me, I'm going to attempt to knit a scarf on the way down and back. It might not be a wearable scarf, but dammit it will be a scarf!

Second, through a very sarcastic and smart-ass remark said to me by a friend, I decided that I was going to purchase and wear mouse-ears the entire time I'm in the parks. On every trip to Disney that I can recall, I have left with a souvenir pair of ears, but always on the way out. I don't think I've ever actually worn them for more than an hour after purchasing them, let alone in the parks. I always feel the 'Disney magic' when I'm there, even as an adult, but I'm curious if this experiment will make it more magical or if I'll just feel like a moron wearing a silly hat!

Expect a full report upon my return. And maybe some embarrassing photos!

So this one time....at CrossFIt

Let's start this little post out with some CrossFit humor. Tonight's entertainment is brought to you by Crossfit Problems via Twitter: "HSPU? Is that hang snatch pullup?" (@CrossfitProblms) I'm sure no one else died laughing reading that like I did. And just to clarify, HSPU is hand stand push-up.

If you really want to be entertained, watch this little video. Though, just like before, you probably wont think it's nearly as funny as I do, but I hope you do!

Today began my experiment with linear progression back squats. For a good five hours or so, it was thought the project was going to be delayed because of really random horrible pain in my left heel, but the foot fairy paid me a visit at lunch and cured me with her fairy dust. Or walking on my toes all morning stretched out whatever was tight and cured it. One of the two for sure.

Twice a week I will go in and do three sets of five reps at one weight. Then the following week I will go up 5 lbs until eventually, months down the road, I will reach a max. Since my starting point was tested last week, I began day one with the 45 lb bar.

Overall it went really well and I was super stoked I was able to go in today and make it happen. Once I got to the third set I was told instead of doing just 5 reps to go as far as I could. I squeezed out 21 reps! I'm sure I'll feel it tomorrow.

I'm very excited to see how this goes over the next few weeks starting out and to see how it effects my regular workouts, if at all. And I'm really excited to see what I'll be able to lift next month this time.

Just to really make this post over the top with CrossFit humor, here's one last bit of funny!

Stay on your toes

9/14/2012 WOD:
Open WOD 12.3
18 min AMRAP for total reps
15 Box Jumps
12 Push Press (25 lb)
9 Toes to Bar (knee to elbow)
Total: 216 reps

Tonight's workout was my first Open WOD. I am somewhat familiar with the CrossFit games and watched the games replay on ESPN shortly after I started going to PDCF. Those folks are amazing athletes! Anywho, the games posts Open WODs that anyone can do for a series of weeks. A certain number of the top athletes from each region are then invited to compete in regional events to qualify for the games. I'm glad we could all learn something new today!

After tonight my hands are a little beat up. I guess it's time I break out my new fall nail polish and give myself some cute nails to help distract from the yucky callouses and blisters I've developed.

I am also starting a week long experiment tonight. Well technically it began at 4 pm when I left the office. I have decided to go a week without Facebook. With Twitter and Google +, I don't really post much on Facebook these days. Mostly just sharing interesting stories or local events. I catch myself just getting on it and wasting time when I'm bored. I think that time could be better spent so I'm going to see what else I do with that time over the next 7 days.

I don't think I am ready to give up Facebook totally just yet. I have really dwindled down my 'friends' to those that I actually care to keep up with and will see again in my lifetime. If only I could convince all of those lovely people to mosey on over to Google + where things are much cleaner and simpler my life would be a little grander!

And one final note, I have decided that the best days are started out with a really good laugh. I mean one that you catch yourself laughing about later in the day just for the hell of it! I didn't have the best day at work, but having that hilarious moment to think back about allowed me to make it through the day without harming anyone.

Darkness

When I helped my forked friend clean up his yard last night he was telling me about something he was planning on trying in the fall after the time changed. He wanted to 'live by candlelight' for a couple of days and see if anything happened to his sleep schedule. We went back and forth on all the possibilities and the difficulties he may run into. And that it meant no television or laptop and minimal phone use, which only left reading for entertainment.

After I got home he sent me a text and said he was going to give it a shot that night. With my new sense of trying new things I decided I was in too. I had already planned on watching When Harry Met Sally that night, but decided at sundown I would stop it and finish it later. 

At about 8:20-ish or so I gathered a few candles, all scented unfortunately, picked out a book, and snuggled up on the couch with my pups for an amazingly relaxing evening. 

I decided to re-read one of my favorite books, The Girls Guide to Hunting and Fishing, which I have probably read at least 10 times. 

I was slightly afraid that the candles would make it seem romantic which would in turn make me sad I was alone these days or that every little noise in the rest of my very dark house would terrify me. And I also thought I get bored with it and start to fall asleep at 9, but neither were the case.

At 11:15, halfway through my book and getting a little sleepy, I figured it was probably time to call it a night. My first instinct walking through the house was to turn on a light, but I resisted. Brushing your teeth by candle light is a very neat experience. 

Well I can easily say even just one night altered my sleep cycle because I was wide awake at 5:45 this morning. I managed to stay in bed until a few minutes after 6, but that's still early for me even on a work day. Unable to forget how much I enjoyed the lack of overhead lighting the night before, I decided resist turning lights on this morning for as long as possible. The back of my house where my bedroom and bathroom are don't get much early morning sunlight so it was back to the candles.

If you've never taken a shower by candle light, please do it. I don't mean a bath with bubbles and good book. Just a regular getting-ready-to-go-to-work-only-have-a-few-minutes-to-spare shower. I've never felt so unstressed and un-rushed in the morning in my life.

I am so ready to do it again! I'm actually a little sad that I have plans after CrossFit tonight because I can't wait to come back home, sit in my quiet house only lit by candles, read and forget everything else. With Mondays being my only guaranteed night to myself lately, this may become a regular routine.