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Great Progress in just 2 Short Weeks of Crossfit

3/6/2017

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Morning hair - don't care!
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OMG I look like a beast in this photo! LOL
I made it through the first two weeks!  Getting started is always so difficult for me.

I used to wonder how I would find the time to fit in an hour long workout several times a week. This thinking often kept me from getting in any type of workout at all...even at home if you can believe that! Well, after 2 1/2 weeks at Crossfit, I can say that miraculously (lol) I managed to get a workout to fit with my schedule and it's now just out of routine that I get up Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and work a gym session into my day.

On another note, I was also quite worried that the hardcore grind of a crossfit workout would leave my muscles in agony like they did back in 2012.  But I found that the most notable difference between the Crossfit that I attend today compared to when I was a member back in 2012 is that I get in a really good hour long session of pushing myself but it's not that 'hardcore grind' that used to leave me icing my sore body and sucking down motrin to ease the pain of climbing a set of stairs.

The only SNAFU of getting into my new workout routine was that I forgot my compression sleeve one morning so Coach Ryan had to modify my workout for that day which saved me from having to just go home.  There's no taking chances when it comes to protecting the breast cancer affected limb from possible lymphedema. I now leave my sleeve in one of the lockers at the gym to ensure this doesn't happen again!

My progress after 2 1/2 weeks is more-so in how I feel rather than in weight loss.  I only lost 3 lbs BUT as Coach Ryan has mentioned many times - muscle mass will be gained so tracking progress can't be done on a scale. Notably, I am not out of breath when I go from the basement to the 3rd floor with that laundry basket and when I take my jeans out of the dryer, I don't have to jump up and down or lay on the bed to get them on... they are actually loose!  That just goes to show you that I AM losing - the inches are more important than the pounds!  When I get to the top of that mountain in the Adirondacks this summer with ease, that will be all the progress tracking I need.

Cheers!
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Never Say Never - My First Day at Crossfit 315

2/16/2017

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I have had my most recent membership at Planet Fitness for over a year and for Christmas this year, I got a Simply Fit Board.  Truth be told, I have likely spent about 20 hours in total at this gym and the fit board is working wonders at collecting the dust bunnies from under my couch.

There have been many memberships in my history, from Planet Fitness to Aspen to Gold's Gym and Champion Fitness, as well as a stint at Crossfit in 2012.

When I talk about all my past efforts at getting fit, I find myself praising Crossfit for being the only place that worked to get me in shape but in the same sentence - saying that I will never...like never - go again because it was too intense for my broken body that has been tainted with breast cancer.

You will never believe what happened this week... You guessed it - I signed back up for Crossfit. With the nudge from my better half who has always been an advocate of this type of workout, we decided that the best gift to give each other on Valentines Day was a good workout at a place that had worked for us in the past, for a healthier lifestyle.  Truthfully, what else could I ask for on this day other than for the love of my life to be as healthy as possible for better odds to grow old together.

Things have changed since my first Crossfit membership back in 2012. The workouts were 10 minutes of warmups followed by 20 minutes of a - hardcore, non stop, work as hard as you can until your muscles are in failure and you want to puke - WOD (workout of the day).  Today's Crossfit is a warmup, strength train with weights and then a workout - and all of this lasts for 60 minutes.  Which for me personally is good and bad. I used to be intimidated by the hardcore 20 minutes back in the day but I loved how quick it was just the same.  Time is the one thing that seems to stop many people from adding a workout to their day. I personally am always crunched for time as well, so a full hour will be difficult. It may limit the amount of days I can attend per week.

My first day back wasn't as scary as I imagined. Coach Ryan was just as I remembered him from years ago - patient, kind, helpful, encouraging, and very welcoming. Other coaches and gym goers were just as friendly.

The workout itself was doable. I expected to fail at my efforts miserably but in fact, I exceeded my own expectations and am thrilled to say I actually pushed through 120 situps in one setting, which was only part of the 60 minute session.  Had I been home in front of the TV, there's a good guarantee that I would have given up at about 30 or maybe 40 if lucky.

As well as getting fit and shredding a few pounds, my intention at Crossfit it to gain better range of motion in my right arm that has been negatively affected by all the surgeries and treatments for breast cancer.  I have to wear a compression sleeve in order to lift any more than 15 lbs - as required by the doctor because of the missing lymph nodes from my armpit. So far, so good. Some days, carrying a laundry basket to the basement is difficult. Today I pressed 35 lbs, 6x. Which may not seem like much but its a great start for me.

It is my opinion that life is truly about the connections made with other people. That being said, Crossfit really fits into my personal life path much more than the typical gym's I had spent time in. They are lonely. I walk in alone. Get on a machine and put in my earbuds. Only to run or stair step - alone. I appreciate the comradery that exists at Crossfit. I am working on a 'whole' well being effort - Mind, Body & Soul - rather than just a weight loss plan. I love the smaller setting of 10-20 people vs a cold atmosphere with 60 people and blank faces.

Weight is not everything but it is an easy way for me to gauge progress. Today I weigh 152.

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For more information on Crossfit, check them out at http://www.crossfit315.com/
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Writing is a release for me. I enjoy blogging about my life experiences. If you would like to be part of this conversation, don't be afraid to comment below. I would love to know your experience as well.
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Focus T25 - Day 17 - The first Day of Failure

11/24/2014

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Without completing this 30 day challenge, I can tell you that after 17 days, I have failed.  If I don't see real results quick enough, I won't stick with any diet or exercise program.  So far, I have seen about a half an inch to an inch loss when taped but never lost a single pound, and that's just not enough progress to keep me motivated.

I realize now why they send you the healthy eating plan with these DVD workout programs.  Because it doesn't work without it. 

It really is all about what you put in your body.  Don't get me wrong, I am an advocate of exercise and think everyone should get some, but there are days when I prefer to walk the dog rather than stand in my living room and step on him while following the 25 minute daily fitness routine.

I am not a horrible eater and I don't eat much throughout the day, but what little I do eat, are the wrong choices.  I still have a terrible carb addiction that I work on regularly, but if I plan to lose my 20 lbs before vacation in January, I am guessing I need another paleo plan challenge, since I have proven results from the past.  I am not a member at our crossfit gym anymore (prices are up to like $130 a month - insane!) but I will start the T25 plan over again and combine that with my paleo plan for 30 days and see how insane I get my results!

This challenge will begin on Dec 26th and I will record all my stats, my daily eating plan, and daily exercise routine.  I still have the before pictures from this challenge that have never been seen, so I will also include those at the end of the next challenge.

In the meantime, besides Christmas shopping, I will be gathering easy paleo recipes so I can plan out my 30 days of eating.  If there is one thing I learned from my last paleo challenge, it's that if you poorly plan, you won't eat anything... which makes me very cranky! Planning is essential for a successful challenge.  I have all the books that were given to me by the nutritionist that I saw back in 2012, so I will share some helpful information along with the recipe guide, so c'mon along for the ride!

See T25 comparison stats, from Day 1 to Day 6 to Day 11.

See my paleo challenge results from 2012. 
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Focus T25 - Day 13-16

11/17/2014

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Day 13-16 - Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday

Friday I totally failed the abs workout because of my arm and most of the workout is on the floor. Oh, and I have no ab muscles.  Saturday was the lower muscle group workout and that one is my favorite!  Rocked it! Sunday, there was no workout and I will explain why in just a minute.  Monday was the total body workout and I would say I gave it a modified 80% effort.

So all in all, I am failing at this challenge.  In a previous post, I mentioned my 30 day paleo/crossfit challenge that I had completed and succeeded at, though this was prior to breast cancer. (BC) I am convinced that this challenge is not working in my favor because my diet is no good.  I am trying to eat healthier but not giving it enough of an effort.  This weekend we celebrated an early Christmas with some family members that live a couple hours away.  The party consisted of several finger foods, along with pizza and wings.  I knew better than to eat the pizza and wings so I ate nothing.  Instead, I drank 3 glasses of Moscato.  That may have been worse than just eating the pizza!  Needless to say, there was no working out on Sunday because I couldn't move myself from the couch.  3 glasses of wine did a number on my stomach and my head!

So, in order to turn things around and not give up on my challenge, I am going to try paleo foods for 3 days out of the week.  I've done the paleo challenge and it just is impossible for me to live on that food plan, but I could manage three days a week. 

In 2 days, I need to measure my progress and check my weight and I am afraid I haven't lost any weight.  This is that part of a diet where I get depressed because I am not seeing results...  I need some inspiration to hang on and not give up...

Click here to read my Focus T25 Challenge from day 1.

See comparison stats so far, from Day 1 to Day 6 to Day 11.

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Focus T25 - Day 12

11/14/2014

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Day 12 - Thursday

I mentioned in a previous blog post that I was going to work on a better diet because I am not seeing amazing results.  Yes, I am seeing results but I know they could be better if I were to eat healthier.  I guess I will start that today, since it didn't happen yesterday.  For an entire year, I ate whatever I could get down just to get through the cancer treatments and that mentality is hard to break... I still use food to maintain my emotional stability.  I didn't eat a lot yesterday, or terribly bad... I just know that I could have made better choices.

The workout today was cardio.  I don't mind this DVD because there is no floor work. I was actually able to tighten the core (as Shaun T says), during most of this workout today - which is the first time since starting this whole challenge.  Before today, I was only trying to get through the 25 minutes and not worrying about tightening anything.  Guess it took me 12 days to get into the swing of things.

For lack of any better pictures to post, yes I am sporting my pajamas as I do the daily workout.  See, I am proof that anyone can get off the couch and do a little exercise for just 25 minutes... even in PJ's.

Food for today:
Breakfast: banana
Lunch: bowl of frosted flakes
Dinner: broccoli stuffed chicken breast and mashed potatoes

What I did today to better my diet:  Drank a ton of water.  Future goal: Make one paleo dinner per week.

Click here to read my Focus T25 Challenge from day 1.


See comparison stats so far, from Day 1 to Day 6 to Day 11.

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Focus T25 - Day 11

11/13/2014

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Day 11 - Wednesday

Today's workout seemed less difficult than the last time.  Not easy, just less difficult.  I think Lucia and I have come to the conclusion that this one is our favorite.  It's the speed DVD.  For me, still doing the modified version, I am able to get through the entire DVD except for the part where both arms are brought behind the back.  My right arm still isn't able to go there.  But I try and am hopeful that by the end of our challenge, I will be able to fully complete each of the DVD's without extra modifications.  Even the pushups, which are impossible at this point.

Today was stat day.  Not huge improvement but some improvement nonetheless.  Lucia lost 5 lbs and I only lost 1.  But again, she isn't doing the modified version.  I am still pleased with my results and hopeful for more improvement before the end.

Stat comparison:
TODAY 11/12/14                        11/5/14                                    START STATS
Weight: 156.0                           Weight: 157                            Weight: 157
Hips: 39"                                    Hips: 39"                                 Hips: 41.5"
Waist: 30.25"                            Waist: 30.5"                            Waist: 31"
Right arm: 10.5"                        Right arm: 10.5"                     Right arm:  11"
Left arm: 10.5"                           Left arm: 10.75"                     Left arm:  11"


Food for today:
Breakfast: 1 piece of french toast, 2 pieces of regular toast with butter
Lunch: 4 bites of some leftover pasta from the fridge but it was gross so I threw it out
Snack: a piece of the leftover cake that I need to throw out so I don't eat it any more
Dinner: bacon burger and fries

Let me just say that when I actually write out everything I have eaten for a week, it becomes painstakingly obvious how bad my diet really is!  I need to get to the grocery store for some healthier food options in my house!

What I did today to better my diet:  I chose not to eat a bowl of frosted flakes cereal at midnight... drank water instead.

Click here to read my Focus T25 Challenge from day 1.

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Focus T25 - Day 10

11/13/2014

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Day 10 - Tuesday

Today is Veterans Day, so we must go out for lunch.  It makes Lucia happy to listen quietly to others (typically old men) in the restaurant as they tell stories of their past adventures at war.  Previous Applebee's loyal customers on this day, we changed it up and went to Olive Garden.  Click here if you want to know why we made the switch.  It was a great choice but once again, it must be the heavy cream in the alfredo sauce that gives me a terrible stomach ache every single time.  So I came home and darted for my bottle of tums.

Today was also a day that I hosted a birthday party so I had to bake a cake... and yes, that means I had to lick some of the batter.  It's impossible not to.  Let's just pretend that white cake is better for you than chocolate cake.  Hey, I did use egg whites only.  That's something.

For dinner I made an easy and really tasty baked chicken breast with sauteed mushrooms and onions on the side.

Yes, we did manage to get our 25 minute workout in today, in between all this food.

Food I ate today:
Breakfast: none
Lunch: too much - 2 breadsticks with dip; salad; 3 bites of chkn gnocci soup; 12 sips of salted caramel martini; 4 tortellini al forno
Snack: Marshmellow and I licked the beaters from making the cake
Dinner: One piece of cake (I let everyone else eat the chicken and saved some for Lucia's lunch)

What I did today to better my diet:  I made everyone chocolate milkshakes at the birthday party but I did not have one for myself

Click here to read my Focus T25 Challenge from day 1.


See comparison stats so far, from Day 1 to Day 6.

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Focus T25 - Day 9

11/11/2014

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PictureLucia and I on our weekend trip
Day 9 - Monday

Ok, so we completely failed the 30 day challenge.  We went out of town for 2 days on a business trip to NYC and it was almost impossible to do the workout.  I guess we could have when we got back to the room late Sat night but I was so exhausted from the day that I don't think I would have managed too well.

So, we start again today and we start on a Monday, which is how we should have done the program to begin with.  If we had, we would not be at the point of fail.

Today's cardio wasn't as bad as the last two 25 minute cardio workouts, or at least I didn't sweat as much... which is good, it means we are getting stronger.

Today's food:
Lunch: spaghetti and one meatball
Dinner: peanut butter and jelly sandwich and 1 piece of pizza (the freezer kind)

What I did today to better my diet:  Nothing that I can think of because I am still exhausted from this weekends trip  :(

Click here to read my Focus T25 Challenge from day 1.


See comparison stats so far, from Day 1 to Day 6.


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Focus T25 - Day 8

11/7/2014

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Day 8 - Friday

So as I type this, I am watching Alessandra Ambrosio unveil her new line of bathing suits, and if you're not familiar with who she is (which I wasn't until she came on my tv), she is a supermodel.  The bathing suits are all amazing - why? Because they are all being modeled by skinny minnies.  This is what I call motivation!


Today we started a new week with the cardio cd. It was much easier than last week when we were on day #1!  I can already tell a major difference.  And the ONLY thing we have been doing is the workout for 25 minutes a day.  No special diet and not even walking the dog anymore because it has rained or snowed (today) every day this past week.

Today's food:
Breakfast: scrambled eggs, sausage link
Lunch: none
Dinner: spaghetti and meatballs

What I did today to better my diet:  Nothing that I can think of.  :(

Click here to read my Focus T25 Challenge from day 1.


See comparison stats so far, from Day 1 to Day 6.


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Focus T25 - Day 7

11/7/2014

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Day 7 - Thursday

Today's 25 minute workout was the stretch CD.  Although it didn't exhaust me like the cardio workout, it still works! I could feel it in my muscles while walking up the stairs last night.  I thought to myself, "wow, I didn't realize that little stretching would make such an impact."

I heard someone say that losing weight is 80% nutrition and 20% exercise.  I really hope that isn't true.  Can I at least get a 50/50?  My diet doesn't suck but like I mentioned before, I am not on a "diet", I am just being more careful about what I put in my mouth.  I want to be able to lose weight and tone my body without going on some crazy ass, food I don't like, no you can't have anything type of diet.  Well, I guess only time will tell.

Oh - and for the record, I feel like I have much more energy these days.  Maybe too much.  I cleaned out the basement yesterday.

Today's food:

Breakfast: Cappuccino
Lunch: 1 slice frozen pizza, ceasar salad
Dinner: 1/2 portion of chicken broccoli alfredo with one corn biscuit

What I did today to better my diet:  I made the alfredo dinner myself and only used 1/2 the recommended heavy cream, I substituted the rest.  I also used double the amount of broccoli and added cauliflower. I left the sauce on the side, so I was able to add only a small amount on my angel hair pasta.

Click here to read my Focus T25 Challenge from day 1.


See comparison stats so far, from Day 1 to Day 6.

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    One full year after my breast cancer diagnosis, I began getting my shit back in shape!

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I prefer not to be defined by cancer, but my life has certainly changed because of it.
Today, the simplicity of life and small moments of joy is what drives me.
Thanks for following my journey!