No Good News

For those of you who have never had back pain, you are lucky. For those who have reoccurring or chronic back pain and manage to function in everyday life like a normal human being, I applaud you-- you are saints (this is specifically directed to my grandfather who has endured a lifetime of back pain and three back surgeries). 

This is the pits. I woke up this morning at a silly o’clock (AKA 5 AM), and thought, Hm. Maybe a little bit of morning yoga will be good for my back. Let me just tell you, that was the worst idea I’ve ever had. After about 5 minutes of yoga warm up, I realized that I was worse off than when I started. So, instead of practicing yoga, I read about practicing yoga. I just got to the Pray portion of Eat, Pray, Love. I have to say, it’s not quite as beautiful and full of pleasure-filled descriptions of food and scenery, but the message is inspirational so far.

By 6:45, I was a hungry girl, and I ate a comprehensive, well-rounded breakfast.

Yogurt with tangerine and oatmeal

Back to my complaining… As the day went on, my lower back continued twisting and knotting. By 10 AM, I was walking and sitting like a cross between a duck and a 9-month pregnant woman (or maybe they are one in the same…).

After some convincing, I headed to the chiropractor. I found this very irritating and disheartening because 1) I hate going to the doctor and 2) This is my 5^th day here and I am already falling apart. The diagnosis wasn’t good. Actually, I’m not quite sure what the diagnosis was… I assume it is a strained muscle. But basically, I have to take a week break from any working out and lay around as much as possible. Even sitting for a long period of time is no good. You should feel special to know that this post is being written while sitting down; I am enduring pain for you…

Now, let me tell you something. It’s a little over 1 month until my wedding and I’ve just been told not to work out for a week. Upon hearing this, my brain went into instant panic mode. I’m just trying not to think about it and preparing myself to work double as hard once my back is good as new.

After my spirits were significantly dampened by the diagnosis,  I spent the next 3 hours laying on the floor with a pillow under my butt. The next week of inactivity may just push me over the edge. My only consolation for this problem is good food.

Salad and beef stew over brown rice.

My next few posts will probably go something like this:

I laid around all day today and ate uninspiring food. –The End.

I know you are excited to read them…

Not Meant To Be

I’ve been noticing a recurring trend on this blog I like to call “recapping,” which translated means, “I was too busy and/or lazy to post. Sorry this is late.” But the way I see it is, if it doesn’t happen, then it’s not meant to be.

Over the past two days, it felt like nothing was meant to be.

 First, it was the food…

Wednesday morning, I decided to make Carrot Cake Oatmeal. Sounds awesome, right? Well, it would have been, had I not added protein powder at the end, which created a chunky/crumbly texture. I ate it anyway. But the goodness I was expecting just wasn’t there.

Carrot Cake Crumble. Bleh.

 As I laid in bed Wednesday night fantasizing over what I would be eating for breakfast the next morning (yes, I do this), I resolved to replicate Wednesday’s lunch.

French toast with peanut butter and cinnamon and sweet ricotta. Large pear OTS.

But, I awoke Thursday morning feeling something a little different. Obviously, round 2 of French toast wasn’t meant to be.

Chopped pear and over-easy eggs on toast.

Wednesday night, I prepared myself a rather large meal because, you guessed it, I was HUNGRY. But I quickly realized that I would not be finishing the second half of this chicken sausage. Gigantor had no problem finishing it off for me.

Boiled turnips with balsamic vinegar, sauteed cabbage, and three-cheese chicken sausage.

And then it was the workouts…

Wednesday morning, I woke up not feeling like working out, which is a pretty rare occurrence for me. Convincing myself that it working out was non-negotiable, I decided to go for a walk. At that precise moment, that annoying weather alert noise came on the teli and informed me that there were severe weather and tornado warnings going on in our area. So much for the walk. Instead, I figured I’d conduct my own step class and do some abs workouts while watching an episode of Anthony Bourdain’s  No Reservations.

During my “workout” I got three phone calls, was asked to move the car inside, and my yoga mat got hijacked by the dogs. Frustrated, I ended up ignoring the weather warnings and went for a walk to get 10 minutes of something in. On my way, I was stopped two separate times by neighbors (who normally don’t give me the time of day) suddenly caring about my life. Drat.

A similar situation arose on Thursday when Biff and I made our weekly trek over the school gym for Zumba class. It was canceled, so we opted for 30 minutes on the elliptical. The workout felt mediocre at best, and I felt pretty bummed that it was my second day of less-than-stellar sweat sessions.

And then it was the blog posts, or lack thereof…

On Wednesday, the aggravation of teachers not wanting to help me with the biggest project of my college career had me boiling and wanting nothing to do with this blog. I figured I’d make it up on Thursday. However, when I arrived at Biff’s house, I notice that the only thing I forgot to pack was the USB cable for my camera.

We were having a moment...

This stumpy post was the result.

And finally, going to class…

On Thursday, I drove to school in the rain and before going to class, I took my stuff to Biff’s apartment. As if it were scheduled, I shut the door to Biff’s app and heard the heavens open up. A monsoon ensued. 

Downpour.

Rather than get drenched on my way to the most pointless class I have ever taken, I chose to stay indoors. 

Pretending to be dissapointed... Can we just take a second and look at that wayward strand on the left??

I took an early morning nap with my Biff, woke up, checked my inbox, and came across an email from my second professor of the day. It read:

Dear All, this weather is insane. There is a tornado warning right now. You should stay inside and stay safe. Don't come to class.

Thank you, Professor Awesomeness.

Instead of going to school, I snacked my way through the day, as per usual.

Celery with peanut butter (stolen from Biff), carrots, pickle, and Angus beef pastrami.

Quinoa with salsa and sauteed cabbage. Yes, I ate sitting on the carpet. I was criss-cross applesauce too.

Dark chocolate, courtesy that girl in the background.

I love seasonal fruits.

Pop.

 Although the last two days did not follow my pre-established plans in any way, shape, or form, I’m not complaining. I just keep telling myself that all that stuff that was supposed to happen just wasn’t meant to be.

Trouble Spot Toning

Hiya Pals! I had a great weekend, but for some reason, my picture-taking went out the window. There wasn’t really much to take pictures of. I also blame it on my rejection of technology. I just wasn’t feelin’ it. Life is about enjoyment and rollin’ with it, right? So, I’m rollin’ with it.

Saturday, Moms and I planned on hitting up the movies to go see Burlesque, but alas, we never made it. Instead we spent the ENTIRE day shopping around America’s Friendliest Hometown and hanging out together (which I preferred over sitting in front of the boob tube). AAaaannnd we bought my wedding invitations! Hurray! They are so beautiful and classy. Love ‘em. I would post a pic, but then surprise=ruined. Sorry folks! You’ll have to wait just like everyone else (you know I love you all)! 

Sunday was lazy and relaxed, although I did go walking twice (I feel awesome when I walk multiple times a day). Then, at 4:30 we watched the first Packers game of the playoffs! Fist pump for Packers win! 21-16, baby. Take that, you dog murdering quarterback!  

Monday morning I woke up craving banana pancakes. So I channeled my inner Jack Johnson and whipped them up. Unfortunately, Xylitol makes pancakes turn dark brown, making for some toasty-looking things. In this case, taste is what matters, and they were superb. 

The Florida weather failed me, but I had stuff to do. So I bundled up and went out for some errands, all of which were unsuccessful (long, boring story). I think I looked pretty cute though (if I do say so myself)!

Moms has been wanting to start working out with me (I think it’s her New Year’s resolution). So, Monday was our first “weights day”. Since my legs are fairly muscular already, I don’t work them out other than Zumba, walking, or running. My strength training focuses on my upper body, abs, and bootay, A.K.A Trouble Areas.  I do it 2-3 times a week.

Here’s the run-down (Before you venture any further, have a look at my Don’t Sue Me page…):

Some of these moves are from Tummy Tuck. Check out my creep-o faces in the others... ha.

My equipment:

1. 5 lb. weights
2. Bench
3. Water bottle
4. Yoga mat

Curl-throughs- Biceps/Shoulders (15 reps) Start with arms extended down by sides, palms facing outward. Then flexing biceps, bring the weights to shoulder height. Turn weights so palms face out again and push out and up. Reverse the movements back to start position. 

Lady Bench Press- Chest (15 reps) Lying flat on bench, start with weights resting on chest. Push up like a bench press so that arms form a V. Bring back to start position.

Dips- Triceps (10-15 reps) Position your hands shoulder width apart on a secured bench or stable chair. Move your booty in front of the bench with your legs bent and feet placed about hip width apart on the floor. Straighten out your arms and keep a little bend in your elbows in order to always keep tension on your triceps and off your elbow joints. Now slowly bend at your elbows and lower your upper body down towards the floor until your arms are at about a 90 degree angle. Be sure to keep your back close to the bench. Once you reach the bottom of the movement, slowly press off with your hands, and push yourself straight back up to the starting position.

Chest fly- Chest (15 reps) Lie on the floor, bench or step. Hold weights over the chest with the palms facing each other. Keeping the elbows slightly bent, lower the arms out to the sides and down until they're level with the chest. Keep the elbows in a fixed position and avoid lowering the weights too low. Squeeze chest to bring the arms back up as though you're hugging a tree.

Lunging Row- Back (15 reps on each side) Hold dumbbells and stand with your feet together, arms at your sides. Lunge forward with your left leg until your left knee is bent 90 degrees. Lower your torso as close as possible to your left knee. Allow the dumbbells to hang naturally. Row the dumbbells straight up until your elbows pass your torso. That’s one rep.

Cross-Bow- Gluteus medius/Outer gluteal  muscle (10 on each side) Start on all fours. Keeping right leg bent at a 90 degree angle, raise it straight out to the right side. Flex right foot and extend leg straight out. Bring back to 90 degrees and then back to start position.

Oblique Crunch- Obliques/ Lower abs (10-15 on each side) Start laying on your right side with your right arm stretched out flat on the floor ad your left arm on your head. Your legs should be out at a 45 degree angle in front of your body. Your weight should be on your butt muscle, not your hip bone. Lift your upper body and legs crunching your obliques. Bring arms and legs together touching your elbow to your knee. Lower back down to starting position.

 Donkey Kicks- Gluteus maximus  and minimus/ Top and bottom gluteal muscles.  (15 reps on each side) Start on all fours. Keeping right leg bent, lift it as high as you can behind you. Lower back down to start.

Reverse 6-inches- Lower abs (10-15 reps) This is a twist to the classic six inches. But instead of lifting from the floor, you start at the top and lower your legs to a 45 degree angle.

I do 3 of these circuts. It takes roughly 12 minutes per circuit and 36-40 min total. 

 I really love this workout because it’s quick and it works all the muscle groups that need tightening! Girl’s gotta stay in shape!