Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Total Recall

I went for my assessment last night and though the results could have been better, they could have been worse.  It is after all only 2 weeks since I started training hard again after becoming a lazy slob and drinking wine instead of water.  Despite the short amount of training time, I think I had a bit of a Total Recall moment on the way home. (the original not the rebooted crap)  If you need a refresher, here's the visual


It's only been 2 freakin weeks Chantelle.

On my drive home I had the time to reflect on the work I put in through those 2 weeks. Was I really pushing as hard as I could? No.  Was I following my diet 100%? Yes.  Do you even want to freakin do this anyway?? I really do.

Last year I said I would find balance and stop the horrible rebounding, I failed. I had a plan and I failed to execute it! The year before I said the same thing and the same thing happened.  3rd time's a charm maybe?? lol I guess we'll see. 

Friday, January 18, 2013

Change Your Brain, Change The Game

We're over half way through January and I'm 2 weeks in to contest prep.  Yup, I'm in it, living, loving it to a degree, and trying to not let it define me.  I've been sitting here wishing I hadn't let myself get so far gone but there's no use in pondering it.  I can' puke up the Tim Horton's breakfast sandwiches I ate, nor the wine I consumed (Both my 2 "foods I consumed in excess". Is wine a food though?), so why bother with the stress?

After 2 weeks of trying to time out 6 meals a day, one including salmon which I despise, and workouts that make me question my mental strength more times in an hour than I have in my whole life, I am down 5lbs. I don't know the measurements as of yet but my ass isn't as giggly and my muffin fluff isn't as, well, fluffy. I know that this season I 10000000% made the concious decision to put myself here. I wrestled with it, lost sleep over it, emotionally ate about it.   This prep feels different in a way I have no words for currently.  Check back later though as I plan on scouting the google thesaurus.  :)

While I'm disappointed in how far out of control I got, I know what happened, I know EXACTLY how I got here, and I know that no weights and too much bad food make Chantelle go something something. ;) (If you got that, high five!)  I currently like to think that I did a case study on myself and the effects that working out has on mild depression and stress.  My conclusion is that eating good food and doing good work in the gym are two of the best drugs around. :)



Friday, January 4, 2013

Bragg-ing Rights

If you have followed Tosca Reno, celebrity fad diets, or read a fitness magazine you have probably heard about Braggs Organic Apple Cider Vinegar. Or as the cool kids call it, ACV.  In my usual fashion I've been "getting around" to trying this stuff because not only does it help assist in weight loss but it assists in digestion, wards off sickness, helps your skin, and a bunch of other fantastic things as listed in this article below. :)
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-3598/7-Reasons-to-Love-Apple-Cider-Vinegar.html

If you haven't tried this stuff before don't let the name fool you. It does not taste like apples nor does it taste like cider. I'm starting to think the name is as it is just to get you to drink it. lol  It actually tastes very similar to Balsamic Vinegar which makes me want to put it on my salad.  Instead however I'm putting 2 tablespooons in a shaker cup with 5oz of water and downing it like an alcoholic downs wine. Or I guess like I down wine. ;) 

I have just started this process yesterday and on average (by speaking to other people) after about 2 weeks you really start to notice a difference in bloating, skin texture, etc so I will definitely be keeping everyone up to date on my experiences.  With my constant issues in digestion and bloating what do I have to lose by drinking this stuff twice to three times a day? 

If you want to know more about Braggs ACV and it's amazing "Mother of Vinegar" that it contains go to the Braggs website or do a little googling. Then pick yourself up a bottle and try it out! Be sure to share your experiences with me as well!
http://bragg.com/products/bragg-organic-apple-cider-vinegar.html

OH! One tip, after you're done shooting this stuff back, rinse your mouth with water. The acidity from the ACV can erode your enamel. Happy drinking!

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Dear 2012,

Dear 2012,
What a year we had, eh?  We learned that ALOT can happen in a short amount of time and that it can change our lives forever.  We also learned that it can be the best thing that ever happened.  We learned what it was like to feel so out of balance that it became destructive.  We then re-learned that we are in control of our happiness and only we can change our path.

We learned that making time for our significant others away from the daily grind is extremely important and that it needs to happen more often.  We learned that making time for friends and family is also just as important and that it too needs to happen more often.  We learned that the definition of family is whatever you want it to be and that blood relations aren't always part of the mix. 

2012 we learned that I have far too many things I want to do and that I can't do them all at once. Maybe 2013 will have some ideas on how to be in more than one place at a time. ;)  2012, I will not forget the lessons you taught me.  I will not forget the struggles which taught the lessons nor the people who helped me through them. 

Dear 2013, we have alot of work to do.  This year is the year of balance, not balancing on the ball and hoping to the Gods we don't fall off.   This year there will be more date nights, more family nights, less computers and iPads.  However this year there will be more photos, photo shoots, working on the previous items, and more learning.  There will be more morning workouts, more dog walks, more eating to fuel my body instead of my emotions. 

In 2013 I will love myself as much as I love others, stress less, be more, and do my very best at achieving the goals I have set for myself. Let 2013 begin! 

Happy New Year to everyone!