Trying New Things

My trainer decided I should try fasted cardio in the morning. Bascially he wants me to run for 20-25 each morning for the next week. I can't eat before I run so that my body uses my fat for energy. I can have a small cup of black coffee to wake me up. It may or may not work for me. I hope it does because I really want to lose this weight! The rain didn't stop me and I ended up running for 27 minutes. My cardio has improved so much. I didn't stop running once!

I refueled with a big breakfast when I got home. It consisted of
-1/3 cup of oats
-1/2 cup of egg whites
- cinnamon
- water
- banana

It was delicious and so filling! Today is my high carb day so I could treat myself! I relaxed a bit in the morning and then headed to the gym for a work out before work. I only had 45 minutes so I had to make the most of it. I did some intervals on the treadmill, a short leg circuit and then ended with the stair master.

I'm really proud of myself for working out twice in one day and for sticking to my diet. I hope the fasted cardio works. This is the last week of my 30 days of carb cycling. I'm on low calories so I hope that it also helps with my weight loss. I know I can do it!!

Feeling A Little Down

I was feeling a little down today. I'm still really disappointed in my pictures. They don't represent all the hard work I've been doing. It's really depressing to work so hard and see myself putting on weight. My trainer and I have been trying to figure out why I'm holding on to the food or excess water from the last weekend. I may be consuming too much salt or there's a food my body is not responding well to. I need to figure out what it is because once I do, I feel like I will lose all the bloat I have been carrying around.

Since all of this has been on my mind today, I didn't have the best work out with my trainer. I felt defeated and I didn't have any energy to work out. I started the work out with 30 plyo push ups and 30 assisted pull ups. I followed that up with a 2 minute cardio portion conisting of the following exercises, each done for 20 seconds: sprint, plank with arm reach, 180 degree jumps, 3 cone drill, star jumps, and burpees. I repeated the process again for 20 of each exercise and again for 10 reps. Afterwards, I pushed the sled across the gym and back, followed by another push, and then I pulled it back. It was tough and again, I really felt it working my legs. I ended the session with an ab circuit.

Even though I'm dissapointed, I still have to keep fighting. I knew it wouldn't be easy and that there were going to be ups and downs. I've just hit a plateau and eventually my body will lose the excess fat. I just have to keep doing what I'm doing and hope for the best.

A Moment of Truth

Here are my progress pictures for the last month. On the left is September 1st and on the right is October 1st.

I'm really disappointed and upset about this. I thought I was doing so well and finally starting to lose body fat. Instead, it looks like I've been putting weight. I didn't have a good month of August so I knew my pictures would be bad. However, I changed my attitude and perspective for the month of September and I stuck to my diet 100%. I gave up opportunities and chose to eat according to my meal plan. I worked out at least 5 days a week, including 2 days a week with my trainer. I don't know what I'm doing wrong but it seems like I'm taking steps in the wrong direction. I'm disappointed and I don't know what to do to fix it. Do I need to change my diet again? Do I need to work out more? Do I do more cardio or more weight training? My body seems to be a huge mystery and I need to figure it out if I want it to work.

I didn't want to post these pictures because I'm really ashamed of myself. I've been working out consistently for the past 5 months and it doesn't even show. At this rate, I'll never be ready for my competition. I need to change something soon because I only have 6 months to go.

Time To Melt the Fat

As I mentioned yesterday, I had to be at the gym for 9 this morning as I was meeting my trainer. I did a large circuit 3x that focused on my legs but also involved whole body exercises. The circuit consisted of thrusters, alternating split squat jumps, upright rows, iron crosses, tricep kick backs, bicep curls, iron cross hold, and the plank. It was tough at times but I fought through it.

I moved onto sumo squats with a weight. I had to do 10 squats and on the last rep, I had to jump onto a step. I repeated it for 9 reps, 8 reps, 7 reps, 6 reps, and 5 reps. Afterwards, I pushed the sled across the gym and back. I repeated the whole process again and pushed then pulled the sled back. I was pooped. I ended with an ab circuit and stayed to foam roll and stretch.

I enjoyed my morning work out and I feel ready to start my day. I have class, then therapy and finally football practice in the evening. It's a long day but I'm used to it. Have a great day everyone!

Late Night Cardio

I had a simple day planned today. I did some homework in the morning and then worked in the evening. I didn't have the chance to work out before work so I got it done at 10pm. All I had to do was some cardio so it didn't take too long. I did 5 minutes on the stair master to warm up. I did 10 intervals on the treadmill: 1 minute walk, 30 second jog, and a 30 second sprint. It wasn't too difficult and it was over before I knew it. I really feel that my cardio is improving. My heart rate doesn't go up as quickly as it used to. I'm feeling great and ready for bed. I have to be up and back at the gym for 9!

Halifax

I've been a little MIA these last few days as I was away in Halifax. I travelled there with the Concordia football team. They had a game against Saint Mary's on Saturday.

We left Thursday at 12 and split up the drive on the way there. Before I left, I packed all my food. I placed everything in baggies and brought it in a cooler. I didn't want to fall off track while I was away. I knew there would be moments were I wouldn't be able to choose what I wanted to eat so I decided to bring my own food.

We drove 6 hours to Edmunston, New Brunswick. We stayed there for the night. I managed to get a work out in that night at the hotel. We left the next morning at 7 and drove 5 hours to Mount Allison University. We had lunch in their cafeteria. It was the biggest cafeteria I had ever seen. They had everything you could possibly think of to eat. I decided to eat there since the food was fresh. I stuck to healthy things for lunch. It was delicious! After lunch, the team had a practice. It was just a walk through for the game. We then drove 2 hours to Halifax.

I had to stray from my meal plan that night. We had a team dinner at a local restaurant. I didn't want to not eat while every else was enjoying their meal so I joined them. Every one had a spaghetti dinner. In the evening, I treated some of the players before their game.

Saturday was game day! Kick off was at 2 (1pm EST). We ended up winning 63-7!!! It was such an exciting game. We had so many touch downs! It was great to win and improve our record to 4-0! After the game we packed up and drove home straight through the night. We ended up getting home at 7am on Sunday.

It was a long road trip but I had a lot of fun. It was fun to get to know the team a little better and it was great to come back with a win!

I got back onto my diet and training plan today. I started my diet again from the day I missed. I also got my training in tonight. I burned over 750 calories tonight during my work out. It was nice to get away but I'm happy to be back home and back to my usual routine!