Epic fail?

Hungry

Angry

Lonely

Tired

I've blogged this topic before...a year ago but between the new season of The Biggest Loser and the inspiration of friends I feel it needs to be shared again.

The word HALT is in all of us, it's what pulls us towards temptation and away from our hopes, dreams and goals.

Lonely gets me the most. As an army wife I am often left to parent alone and I get very wrapped up in "I can do this all by myself, I don't need anyone". This leads to bitterness, hurt feelings and realizing I cannot do everything on my own. I need my husbands help (when he's here!), the help of friends and family and the help of strangers. It's a hard pill to swallow and my ego needs to be put in it's place often.

What do we turn to in our moments of weakness? ....Chocolate cake? ....Wine? ....Beer? ....Bread?.....Retail therapy?....

Or do you channel that weakness into a positive result? A workout perhaps. Coloring on the floor with your kids. Singing. Calling an old friend. Prayer.

You're never too weak to face your temptations head on, make a plan before it comes to the breaking point. And if all else fails, call on God, he's patiently waiting to spend time with you.

Get to planning

Do you grocery shop once a week? Do the laundry pretty regularly? If you're a mom like me, these two tasks are part of your life as you prepare for another week of life in your house. Preparing ahead of time is crucial. Nothing worse than your 6 year old needing a certain shirt of for school one day just to realize it's in the laundry. Sure you could Fabreeze it but sometimes it's mid wash-cycle. So we prepare ahead of time....right?

Prior to baby number three I was still working as a Crossfit coach and often I talked to my athletes about food prep. Grocery shopping for all the weeks food and then taking a couple of hours, say on Sunday, and prep foods to be used during the week. Wash and cut up all veggies so they are easy to grab and go, decide how much meat you'll need for lunches during the week and cook it all then package it up and make it another grab and go item in the fridge. Simple, right? You'd be amazed how many people struggle with this.

I guess what it boils down to is what is REALLY important to you? Is eating healthy important? Do you have goals to eat better?

Right now my current goal is to get back into the gym. Ya, I've got my own gym at home in the garage but equipment is limited. Not to mention, I NEED to be around other CrossFitters and coaches, it feeds my addiction!

The mass amount of planning just to get to the gym is overwhelming sometimes. Planning for dinner so we can eat as soon as we get home from the gym, making sure the baby's eating and sleep schedule flows well enough to make it to class, getting the 6 year old's homework done right away, doing the usual housework and errands...all of which looks rather simple in black and white but juggling a fussy 2 month old baby REALLY has you question your goals!

Get rid of those excuses, folks. It'll be an uphill battle with good days and epic bad ones but stay the course. Anything worth having is worth fighting for.

Gimme my body back!

I like a challenge.

If someone even suggests that I can't or shouldn't do something (especially fitness or health related) I'm alllllllll over it! It's mine!!!

The majority of America would say a pregnant woman shouldn't lift 200lbs, did that. Getting pregnant in your mid 30's can cause birth defects, let's test the crap outta mom and stress her out. No thanks, pass...I'm pretty damn sure I'm more healthy than the average American so shove those inconclusive tests up your a$$!

Those voices that say it gets harder to lose the baby weight the more babies you have and the older you are....I say STICK IT! Let's talk about what's happening in momma's body, MY BODY. I'm 35 years old, considered elderly by reproductive standards, and I've birthed three healthy babies. All signs might indicated I'm bound to gain weight and keep gaining weight for the rest of my years. Not true. It's hormones folks, hormones.

Remember back a few years ago to puberty, the boys got muscles and funny voices and us girls got curves and BOOBS! Dang that estrogen. I take that back, estrogen is actually our friend. With the right amount of estrogen it can actually help fatty acids leave our fat cells (but that's a whole 'nother blog, read Gary Taubes' "Why We Get Fat"). Too much estrogen and we're going through puberty again....say hello to my hips, thighs and BOOBS! I easily have 15 pounds of extra "cushion for the pushin" because I'm breast feeding and my estrogen levels are elevated. Ok, so there's one hormone keeping me from my pre baby body.

Next up to bat, relaxin. You've heard that pregnancy causes liagaments to stretch more to accommodate a growing baby and to help the birthing process. Well that hormone hangs out for about 3 more months after birth (give or take a few months, we're all different) and is yet ANOTHER reason my hips have not returned to my pre baby body!

And last up to bat is a pair of hormones, cortisol and the growth hormone. These two hormones are released at night while we sleep and are responsible for repairing cells. Did you catch that one word? SLEEP. How many new moms get much sleep? I know I don't....it's so much harder for my body to do any repair work completely if I'm getting only a few hours of sleep.

I may not be in control of these hormones (clearly my daughter is!) but what I can be in control of is my diet and my fitness. I avoid all foods that contain sugar and are high in carbs. These food feed insulin and therefore make mommy's (and daddys) FAT. I eat meats, veggies and some nuts. These foods help to keep my hormones on an even keel and I'm slowly seeing and feeling changes back to my pre baby body, but I honestly don't expect to see me 15 pounds lighter until I'm no longer sharing the booby juice with my baby. Plus, I am thrilled to finally be back in the gym!! Sore isn't even the word for how I feel but it's great to not only be among fellow CrossFitters but to feel the muscles return...slowly. The neurological response found in CrossFit's constantly varied, highly functional, intense workouts push me harder than any old school globo gym tactics (think back and bi's and an hour of cardio).

It may feel like life it out of control because of those hormones but with some hard work, and it is VERY hard work being mom, it can be done.

Back to blogging...CrossFitting while pregnant and beyond

I remember my first doctors appointment. In walked a rather large woman whom I was put into the care of for nine months. Seriously? I'm sure she ate processed food and her idea of exercise was walking to the fridge. I kid you not, it was bad.

Everyone knows doctors are notorious for their lengthy questions and standard "safe" answers...no way was I telling her about CrossFit! Can you imagine her horror as to what I did to my body and what I planned to continue to do while pregnant? Flip 300lb tires...jump on 20 inch boxes....climb a rope...back squats....pull ups....the list goes on and on.

We are usually the best judge of our own health. I made sure to checkout crossfitmom.com and various CrossFit Journal entries about pregnancy. I listened to my body, if it didn't feel right then I just didn't do it. I also checked out Robb Wolf's podcasts about eating Paleo while pregnant, something I highly suggest! I stayed true to my paleo-ness but allowed myself a few more cheat meals. I refused the glucose test. I couldn't fathom subjecting my baby to a gross amount of sugar just to see how my body would react. Hello! If I don't eat sugar how do you think it would do slamming a cup of that poison? No thanks.

We moved mid pregnancy and started going to a better doctor. He seemed to understand my love for fitness and health, awesome!

By my eighth month we found out our little girl was under weight, however, my doctor told me she was perfectly normal it just seemed like something to be concerned with because so many women have much larger babies because of their high sugar/carb diet ( ok, he actually said too many flautas but you get the idea....). She was born at a totally normal weight, 7.4lbs.

But I did do my research regarding baby weight, mommy's diet, mommy's workout habits, etc....Babies who's mommies workout hard are more able to handle stressful situations, i.e. childbirth, and those hormones that we produce during and after workout, endorphins, are enjoyed by our baby too! Mommy's who ate minimal carbs/sugars during pregnancy and breast feeding had lower weight babies (but normal birthweight) grew up into leaner, healthier adults.

Don't buy the hype, we don't NEED cereal, bread, pasta or rice. We were created to do amazing things, teach 'em young.

My love affair with veggies

I was THAT kid growing up...cooked veggies, BLECK!!!! My mother force fed me a handful of raw veggies each night before dinner, knowing I was hungry....cucumbers, bell peppers, celery and tomatoes. That's it. I was never given the option of Ranch, so naked I ate them.

I was always such a picky eater and I NEVER wanted my food to touch. Gimme the school lunch tray with separate sections!!!

Maybe my mom was a lousy cook or perhaps cooking for two VERY picky eaters (me and Dad) was not an opportunity to research new recipes....Or perhaps, it was because Mom was a work-aholic. Whatever the reason, I became a Vegetable Snob.

Until recently, and I mean VERY recently, did I begin to explore recipes with different veggies...let alone COOKED veggies!!!

When I started eating Paleo, almost two years ago, I ate the raw veggies I listed above...and I OD'ed on them. They got boring REAL fast.....A friend of mine at the time invited me to have dinner with her and some friends out in Salado (it's a VERY cute town east of here that has cute little shops and places to eat, I HIGHLY recommend exploring there). We went and ate at Adelea's on Main and I had asparagus for the first time! I guess I was feeling brave. They were roasted with sesame seeds, bacon, some kind of chopped nut and salt....Oh Eem Gee, were they GOOD! That began my love affair. I ate them so often (making my own version, of course) that my pee literally stunk everyday for weeks! (Yes, if you didn't know, asparagus makes your pee stink!)

Fast forward months ahead...I learned to love broccoli. I started with the old steamed version which EVERY bite HAD to be paired with a piece of meat just so I could stomach it but now I have a broccoli salad that I LOVE, it's great for the warm months. Plus a broccoli dish that's great on cooler days.

I was fearful and very hesitant to try brussel spouts. I cannot stand slimy ANYTHING and that's how I thought they'd be. My husband and I tried a place in Austin that had THE most fabulous b. spouts! PLUS, they offered gluten-free desserts. SOLD! Since that wonderful trip (plus a handful of other times we've gone there) I have searched for a great b. spout recipe,
which I now have a few times a week (yes, it's THAT good).

I also have a love affair with cauliflower, cabbage and I've played kissy-face with beets. I really need to share with y'all my fried "rice" recipe that I use cauliflower....plus the "hash browns". The new cabbage salad I'm day dreaming about at this very moment and the beet chips I want to throw together...but, I have to pee and go teach my 9am ladies CF class!!!!

Run with me...watch out! I'm clumsy!!!!

"Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.
'Make level paths for your feet,' so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed."

Hebrews 12:12-13


God is not only a disciplining parent but also a demanding coach who pushes us to our limits and requires our lives to be disciplined. Although we may not feel strong enough to push on to victory, we will be able to accomplish it as we follow Christ and draw on his strength. Then we can use our growing strength to help those around us who are weak and struggling. (ASB)

God uses so many people in our lives to mentor and coach us through life's challenges. Don't run and hide, thinking that you can do this all on your own. You may succeed for a time but in the end you WILL fail.

My many journeys are still just that. I will enjoy the ride.

I am an athlete, a coach, a mom, an Army wife, a friend, a daughter and a Christian. I may NOT be the best at any of these things but the JOURNEY to become the best really is the very best part.

HALT!!!!!! Be ready

Maybe it's the years I was in the Army or perhaps it's my time as Mom or maybe it's just life in general that has taught me to always be prepared.

As a soldier (for those of you that have been in for any amount of time, you'll get this) you NEVER came to Monday morning work call at 0900 without HIGHLY polished boots and a VERY starched set of BDU's, let alone forget your dog tags, ID card, notebook and a pen....SOME preparation HAD to go into that "dog and pony show" but once you got a rhythm, you were "squared away".....

Oh the joys of motherhood....ya, I took a deep breath as I typed that. When they are babies you NEVER leave the house without a FULLY stocked diaper bag (I won't even hash out all the JUNK an 8lb child needs!!!) and as they grow they may not have as much JUNK physically (and I say junk in the NICEST way...oh how I LOVE Legos!) but they sure can throw you a mental curve ball from time to time...THAT'S a whole 'nother blog in itself!!!!

So what am I getting at??? FOOD, duh! There are 4 instances in which we are tempted. I use food here but this really applies to ANY temptation....Remember this acronym... H.A.L.T.....

Hungry
Angry
Lonely
Tired

When we prepare ourselves for these temptations we are setting ourselves up for success. There is not one of you out there that has not reached for something when you are hungry, angry, lonely or tired and regretted it!!! Chocolate, chips, alcohol, bread, Oreos, ice cream, cereal, etc...you get my gist.

Set aside time during your week to prepare food to use throughout the week....don't think that you'll cut up the veggies as your cooking up the rest of the meal....it'll rot, you know it, I know it!

I took about an hour today to cut up my cabbage, brussel spouts, cauliflower and broccoli....I spent a good chunk of money on produce today ($34!!!) and I'm not about to waste it. Make every dollar count and use your time wisely.