New Year New Vision

I love a good fresh start. This usually comes at the beginning of the school year but New Years gives me a mid- school-year fresh start. One of my favorite things to do for the new year is to create a vision board and reassess my goals. However, I am in a bit of a pickle. I don't know what I want for the new year.

So far this year, teaching has been making me crazy. My anxiety has really gotten out of control this year. (Read: I broke out in hives before parent conferences and cracked a molar). So I need a way to control that. I would rather not use medication so I am thinking I need to start yoga again.

As far as lifting and Crossfit goes, I haven't lifted anything more than a beer in the past month. Many of my close friends don't live in the area so they all come in for the holidays. (Read: lots of parties and house guests and re-watching Gossip Girl). I don't even have any new fitness goals for the year. I am a very goal oriented person so not having goals is killllling me.

So with school starting back up tomorrow, I really need to get my act together. My plan is to go back to Crossfit at some point this week. With my lesson planning and correcting complete, it looks like I'm spending my morning completing my vision board for the new year. I will keep you updated with my goals. What are your new goals for the new year?

Weighted Dips

Today was my first Crossfit in a week. And of course I look and it involves dips. I loathe dips. Really I loathe them because I don't think I'm good at them. Well today during the strength part of the workout, I not only worked up to unassisted dips but I even added weight!!! Granted I only added  5 and 10 pound but for me that was huge! I was wicked proud of myself. Maybe now that I've gotten over the "I can't do this," I might actually start to enjoy dips.  

However, during today's workout, I used a band to help me with the dips. I used the least amount of resistance but my arms were burning by the end of round 1. 

Today's WOD 

21-15-9 

Dips

DB swings 

*after each round! complete a 50 foot bear crawl 

That was one helluva welcome back to Crossfit! On a good note, I was informed today that there will be a Red Sox spirit contest during the World Series. I tried pleading that my Red Sox tattoo counts as the most hard core spirit around. The winner gets fish oil, a jump rope and new deadlift socks! You know I love a good challenge, especially one that involves dressing up and a theme! (Spirit pictures posted to follow). 

My permanent Red Sox spirit. 

UConn Homecoming and Cheating

So, you may have noticed that I haven't posted in about a week or so. Honestly, last week, I had zero motivation. Between school and field hockey, I couldn't drag myself out of bed in the morning. While I did not work out, I did continue to eat paleo. I didn't do any fancy meals. Mostly standard meals that I had in my fridge or freezer and didn't require too much effort. 

Today was my first day back at Crossfit. Thank God it was a strength day. It seemed more like an ease back into Crossfit. (If it is possible to "ease into Crossfit"). We did hang power cleans and dips. My dips are getting better. I can do them unassisted! No more bands for me! I really like power cleans, so those were fun and I push myself during this. 

Now, this weekend was UConn homecoming weekend. (Aka my favorite weekend of the year!) My college roommates and I meet up and tailgate and enjoy the game. UConn football is actually terrible this year but who cares! It's so much more about the company. It's the only time during the year when we are all together at once. It makes me miss them so much but it also makes me greatful that I met such amazing people during my four years. The game was on Saturday against University of South Florida. The weather was perfect! (Note: during my undergrad years, homecoming always consisted of torrential downpours. Since I graduated: perfect weather!)

sorority sisters and I inside the stadium

The girls from the Boston area stayed in a hotel for the night and on Sunday we went back to campus to explore. So much as changed in our 5 years since we graduated and yet so much has stayed the same. We even found a lecture hall that was open and sat in it, for old times sake! (Lame, I know!) We also went on a shopping spree at the campus bookstore. Last year, UConn redesigned the mascot, Jonathan the Husky, so obviously, we had to buy all new husky gear! 

 true words. husky for life.

making our own campus tour 

As far as my eating goes, I totally cheated Saturday and Sunday. However, totally worth it. I wouldn't change that decision. My body hated me (for several reasons) come Monday. But last night I did my weekly cooking. I cooked some chicken and that turkey artichoke meatloaf. I also cooked up a ton of greens and veggies to have for the week. 

roomies. besties. 2008.

Lurong WOD #4 and Turkey Meatloaf

As I mentioned in earlier posts, this week was what I call "benchmark week" at Crossfit. It means we do a different benchmark workout each day to track improvement over time. We do this every 3 months. Monday was Crossfit Total, Tuesday was Helen. Thursday was supposed to be Fran, however the Lurong Challenge WOD #4 involved thrusters, so we could substitute WOD#4 instead of Fran. I would do anything to skip Fran. (Fran is sets of 21-15-9 of thrusters and pull-ups).

Lurong WOD #4
50 Thrusters
50 toes to bar (I did level 2, it was ab-mat sit ups)

I did not want to do this workout. Mentally thrusters kill me. I feel defeated before I even start the workout. Once I get started, I actually don't hate thrusters (notice I didn't say "like"). I think anything where I drive from my hips, I can mentally tackle. I visualize myself pushing up form the hips. I tend to use visualizing as a strategy during most workouts or tough lifts. My coaching friend makes fun of me because I am constantly telling my field hockey girls to visualize themselves doing something correctly. But I'm telling you, it works!! It's half the battle! You need to think successful for it to happen!

Food Related Things...
So, I have been on the lookout for new paleo recipes. The past few crockpot recipes left much to be desired. I mean, I ate them but I probably wouldn't make them again. I just wasn't a fan of the flavor combinations. However, I came across this recipe for artichoke meatloaf. Artichokes. Now you're talking my language. I had a love affair with artichokes many years ago. I would eat stuffed artichokes, artichoke hearts, grilled artichokes, artichoke dips... well, you get the idea.

Now usually, I am NOT a meatloaf person. I think of dry meat that looks like bread that you need ketchup for (and I do NOT like ketchup). Well this, my friends, is not your mother's meatloaf. It's moist and tasty. The artichoke flavor totally shines through. I can't wait to go buy more artichoke hearts so I can cook it again! Like, seriously, delish! (Although, the picture doesn't do it justice)

Crossfit Total and a Crockpot

I hope everyone is making through the week. We are almost at hump day. (Which, thanks to that annoying camel commercial, is my students' favorite day. Luckily, I laugh every time they ask what day it is). 

I've been trying to find new recipes for my crockpot. It's that type of year when I barely have time to sleep, nevermind come home every night and cook. I'm getting better at preparing on Sundays but my Crockpot is for my mid-week meals. I wrote on Sunday that I was trying a "peanut" sauce recipe in the crockpot. Well the recipe called to coconut aminos and I think I put too much in because it was soooooo salty that I couldn't taste anything else. However, I am NOT a salt person. Like I rarely crave salt. (Sweets are my weakness). So that might have something to do with it but I don't even want to post it because it was gross. However, I am giving the Crockpot another chance. Right now ginger apple pork recipe is cooking away and will be ready to take for lunch tomororw. My fingers are crossed. 

It looks good so far...

Also a woman at class today told me about paleo short ribs for the crockpot, so I am all about trying those! 

Crossfit Total

This week is what I call "benchmark week." It's when we do a bunch of different benchmark workouts to show (hopefully) improvement over time. 

Yesterday we did Crossfit Total. If you are not familiar with it, you can read more about it here. Basically, you find your one rep max for back squats, press and deadlift. It is untimed, but it has to be completed during the same workout. 

My lifts for yesterday 

Back Squat-- 150# (PR baby!)

Press-- 63# (PR, but wimpy, I know. Something about this lift still intimidates me)

Deadlift-- 175 (PR baby!!! I'm on my way of working towards my goal of 200#) 

Overall, I was very happy with my lifts from yesterday. I was most excited about my deadlift. Three months ago my numbers were a lot lower. It's all about progress. Just to think... I walked into Crossfit Mass only 6 months ago. I wonder what another 6 months will bring... 

Happy eating and lifting! 

Entering Week 3 of Paleo

As you many have noticed that I did not blog much this week. With away night games all week plus my field hockey spaghetti supper, I've been phyically and emotionally drained. I only went to Crossfit once this week. (sad face). However, after canceling practice on Saturday, all the coaches and players were able to revitalize and rejuvenate as we enter into our second half of the season.

 My Fall Family

My Diet Lately

 In all honesty, I cheated the night of the field hockey pasta dinner. Its not that I was missing or craving pasta, it was the sweets and the snacks that I cheated on. But other than that I've been a clean eating machine. My new flavor obessesion is ginger, so all my recipes this week have ginger in them. Currently in my crockpot is a paleo version of "peanut" (almond) ginger chicken. Once I taste it, I'll post it on here. 

Great news! I found bacon that doesn't have sugar or nitrates. And its available at my regular Market Basket!! 

I have definately noticed that I am eating a ton more vegetables. Like I said, the only thing I really miss is the desserts and chocolate. Any suggestions on how to make something chocolate-y and paleo?! 

First Lurong Challenge WOD #1

In order to fit the Lurong workouts in, we had to go on Saturday to do the first one. I had field hockey practice prior to going to Crossfit. (Field hockey got me really aggravated so I had a lot of anger to release which turned out to be a good thing). As I was driving to Crossfit, I had knots in my stomach. I was dreading the workout. Let me share the workout with you and then I will talk to you about the knots in my stomach. 

LuRong Challenge WOD #1- Triplet Teaser 

21-18-15-12-9-6-3 for time (18 min time cap)

I did Level 2 (the middle level) which was 

14# Wall Ball

65# Deadlift 

16 in. box jumps 

I did not finish in the 18 minute time cap. My time was 18:48. Needless to say it was brutal. I was dreading the wall balls. They scared me. The other exercises, I could make a strategy for and I knew mentally, I could it, but something about the wall balls. I almost turned my car around. (But I knew everyone would yell at me for not going!).  And, just as I expected, the wall balls were awful but I got through it. And I don't have to think about it again for another 7 weeks and hopefully I will improve. But today, my legs are burning!!!  My quads are on fire. (Sung to the tune of Alicia Keys "This Girl is on Fire," obviously). I had a nice date with my foam roller this morning. 

Sunday Cooking

Today was a crock pot day. My legs were on fire, I needed to do some real cleaning and I had a ton of correcting to get done. I decided to make Thai Coconut Chicken Soup. The flavors were totally different than what I am used to. It was sweet and spicy at the same time. Very delicious and very filling. I would definitely make this again. I also bought a ton of fruit and veggies for snacks this week. 

Soup base

Add the veggies and chicken

Ready to serve

Delicious 

I'm looking for some paleo-friendly desserts. Do you have any suggestions? I have a sweet tooth and I feel like I need something sweet after my meal.