A new beginning



Over the past few weeks I have made myself take a step back and rest a little more then I am used to from running and now I am taking the time to refocus in hopes of becoming a stronger runner. This past weekend of family time taught me a lot about what I need to be doing to be a better mom while still maintaining my workouts. One key thing I learned was that tantrums and O's attitude are much better when we start the day with something fun. Obvious I know, but it took me stepping back to realize she just wants our attention and sometimes the easiest way to get it is to act out.

Imagine this with a deadlift added and constant wobbling feet!
I went back to work on Wednesday after a 5 day weekend and still manged to maintain my somewhat positive attitude and even managed an early run again on Thursday. I started working with a new trainer. He is a great fit for me since we run together, have many of the same thoughts and goals on training and nutrition and I know he will hold me accountable. Yesterday he kicked my butt with a great stability/strength workout with medicine balls, bosu, many squats and dynamic moves. For someone who spent the first 18 years of their life as a dancer I lack balance!

I am loving the medicne ball workout, even today as my legs and core ache. Slamming that heavy ball into the ground doesn't even feel like a workout, more of a great way to get out the stress of a long day.



I wonder if I could ever do this, better work on that balance and arm strength!

The other thing I am focusing on this week (and beyond) is my diet. I have managed to cut of cereal for 6 days now, I will admit it is tough but I am managing to survive the morning without starving from the carb crash within a couple hours of breakfast. I am also working on cutting back on dairy and cutting out gluten again. A few nutrition goals...
  • Gluten free for 1 month at least (I need to determine if this makes me feel better)
  • Track food to determine if my protein is adequate
  • Healthy snacking: fruits, veggies, nuts, homemade granola bars. Any other fun ideas?
  • Continue to experiement with breakfast; so far I have done PB toast, oatmeal, scrambled tofu and banana cake (recipe to follow). Again, any new ideas?
  • Limit wine to 1-2 nights per week
My latest breakfast and something I can actually enjoy in place of cereal.
Banana Almond Breakfast Cake (Updated 8/20)
1 ripe banana mashed
2 tbsp almond milk (any milk will work)
2 tbsp almond or coconut flour
1 tsp flax meal
1 scoop protein powder
1/4- 1/2 cup oats
sprinkle cinnamon

Mix banana and milk in bowl, add in dry ingredients and mix. Microwave 2 1/2 - 3 minutes. Top with fruit, yogurt, nuts, etc and eat.
*All the measurements are estimates since I don't measure except the protein powder.

Happy Friday, check out Fitness Friday for motivation and fitness. Looking forward to a fun 5K and kid's run tomorrow.

Comments

  1. Sounds like your new beginning is off to a great and very positive start! About 3 weeks ago I challenged myself to a plant based gluten free diet for 30 days. The difference has been amazing! Energy, recovery time, the way I "feel"! You might be surprised by how much protein your getting and how much you need.

    For breakfast have you tried overnight oats? So good, endless combination possibilities and super convenient to make. Your breakfast cake sounds yummy. I'm going to give it a try :)

    Good luck and keep us updated on your progress.

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    1. Thanks Jill! I have done a gluten free diet two other times and it made a huge difference but didn't fix everything, I stopped after testing showed I only had a mild gluten sensitvity, now I am thinking I should have stuck with it.

      I tried overnight oats a couple times, I just need to get better about thinking about making them at night.

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  2. I know we have talked about it before, but I can sooooo relate to your dietary situation. Breakfasts are so challenging when you can't/shouldn't eat dairy & gluten. Eggs first thing in the morning make me gaggy, not to mention the time & dishes involved. I do a lot of oatmeal. I'll have to try your recipe!

    Just curious about your protein goals. One message I have consistently learned as a dietitian & through my own personal reading is that our protein needs are so much lower than what you would think based on the more typical American diet. Of course, as a vegetarian & intense exerciser, it makes sense you'd want to monitor it!

    I need to take a month off dairy & gluten (and not half ass it), but it's really frustrating because I also have intolerances to soy, nuts, coconut...Grrrrr. But maybe those other intolerances are secondary to the irritation from gluten/dairy? I'm also thinking about perhaps doing a full fledged workup & elimination diet with a specialist in the next year. There are people at Fairview Riverside & Abbot who specialize in that.

    Anyway - just thinking out loud in your comment section! :)

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    1. I wasn't sure of the protein so I tracked my intake and was about 15g under what I should get daily for an endurance athlete using the low end of the range. My diet used to consist of 80+% carbs, now I am probably down to 75%, stupid food tracker kicked me out today :(

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  3. I need to implement a medicine ball workout into my routine. Sounds great! That breakfast cake looks delish:)

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    1. It was fun and something more interesting to me then just lifting weights.

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  4. So true about just giving toddlers a little attention, that's usually what sets L off- when we're both engaged in something else. Do you eat eggs? I don't have them often, but like egg-tomato-avocado in a tortilla or as a scramble. Nice job working toward your goals so far!

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    1. Eggs are one of the foods I can't have (along with milk, yeast and sugar) but I might have to try the combo with tofu instead, I love avocado.

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  5. That medicine ball workout sounds intense! It must take a lot of balance, core strength and arm strength to do that!

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    1. It does take all balance, core and strength, fun but tough and shows me my balance needs work!

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  6. I love slamming the medicine ball into the ground. The recipe sounds good, Im might have to try it, since Im gluten and lactose sensitive. Have a great weekend.

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    Replies
    1. It was great stress relief too :) I might have to pick your brain for more GF/DF breafast ideas.

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  7. Medicine ball workout is so tiring but it really works wonders.It needs plenty of practise. I love the banana cake. Yummy!


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