In the past week, I experienced 2 new things at CrossFit that I'm not that excited about:
- Ass crack rash - first time doing 150 AbMat sit-ups, and got one sore butt (and very sore abs for 4 days and counting...)
- Double-under incontinence - I can do a million single-unders no problem, but I finally strung together 10 consecutive double-unders, and sprung a leak! WFT?!
However, I also experienced some new things that I'm pretty psyched about:
- Finally strung together 10 consecutive double-unders!!!
- Did a deadlifting WOD using the RX weight of 135# - woo hoo! And was the first to finish in my session (including all the guys!). Couldn't do the entire WOD at RX though since RX was alternating deadlifts with double-unders, and I had to do single-unders. Maybe next time though!
- Got through several days of being my sorest EVER since starting CrossFit thanks to lots of lunges while holding a 35-45# barbell. Ouch. But now I'm stronger for it!
Sadly, my goal of getting into the 180s by the time I do my CrossFit No Baby Leave the Socks On Throwdown is not looking good. I've plateaued around 195.5 for a solid month now. I must be getting too many carbs from various stuff that I was avoiding while doing RepairVite (bbq sauce, dressing, etc). I tracked my food for a week on MyFitnessPal, and I was supposedly keeping my carbs under 100 each day, but apparently, I need to be even lower. And right now, it is not helping that I have a bunch of extra frosting in the fridge from helping my daughter's Daisy Scout Troop make gingerbread houses. Frosting is my crack. I should just throw it away, but can't seem to do it... And Thanksgiving coming up will not help either...it's going to be pretty carbolicious between the df/gf stuffing, cranberry sauce, and apple & pumpkin pies I'm making...
Had another check-up with the doc, and had a body comp analysis done. Since my first appointment with him on 7/13, I've lost 22 pounds (although I've actually lost 25 since starting RepairVite after I put a few more on during my pre-RepairVite binge over the next month). Of that, the report says that only 13 pounds is fat loss, which seems strangely low to me considering the changes in my photos. Another 6 pounds was water loss (almost 3 liters). That makes 19 pounds...so not sure where the other 3 went...poop??? However, my % of fat-free mass increased by almost 2.5%, so I'd like to interpret that as a 5 pound muscle gain from all my heavy lifting. I was bummed to see that my BMI was still 30.11 though, which still puts me in the obese range (I'm ALMOST almost to the range of only being overweight though!). The report says I still have 36.1% fat, and my ideal is 21.6% fat - wow, I can't imagine what I would look like after losing another 15% bodyfat - I've supposedly only lost 2.4% of body fat so far, although the report says that was 13 pounds of fat...this report is very confusing... Losing another 15% of weight would put me at like 165 pounds. Never imagined I could get that low. Maybe it's really possible...and man, would I be jacked!!!
I had a blood test last week to see if taking the following new supplements for a month made a difference:
- HemeVite (increase iron): only 1-2 pills/week
- Thyro-CNV (increase T3 conversion): 2 pills 2/x day
- MagneGel (magnesium): apply 1/4 tsp 1x/day
The HemeVite seemed to work - my iron increased to right in the middle of the normal range, so that was good. However, my magnesium barely budged, so now I'm going to double to dose to 2 applications/day. But the Thyro-CNV didn't seem to do anything to increase my total T3, which is still too low at 69 (although I realized the other day that I'd forgotten to include it in my pill box for about a week before my blood test, so I only took it for about 3 weeks - oops). So, instead of continuing with that supplement, he wants to take a different approach since now he's thinking that the issue my be with my pituitary feedback cycle. So, I'm going to take Thyraxis-PT instead, which is supposed to help the pituitary release TSH, and also ArdrenaCalm to help with any increased stress/cortisol issues. So, here's my new supplement list:
- Current:
- AdrenaCalm (adrenal and stress support): 2 pumps 2x/day applied to skin
- Thyraxis-PT (helps the pituitary release TSH): 2 pills 2x/day
- MagneGel (magnesium): apply 1/4 tsp 2x/day applied to skin
- Lecithin (increase cholesterol): 1000g 2x/day
- HemeVite (increase iron): only 1-2 pills/week
- D3 (supports immune system & absorption): 2 drops 2x/day
- EPA-DHA (Omega 3 fish oil): 2 pills 2/x day
- B12 (improves energy & digestion): 10 drops (1mg)/day under tongue (have been using GNC B12 instead since I ran out of Strengtia)
- Strengtia (probiotics): 1 pill 2x/day (have been using GNC Probiotics instead since I ran out of Strengtia)
- Discontinued:
- X-FLM (supports TH-2 immune response): 1 pill 2x/day
- Thyro-CNV (increase T3 conversion): 2 pills 2/x day
- H-PLR (fights infection in gut) - 1 pill 3x/day (increasing to 2 pills/serving if I can tolerate it)
- HCL-ProZyme (supports production of hydrochloric acid) - 1 pill 3x/day with meals
Well, it's been 3 months since I've changed my eating habits in a major way: no gluten or dairy for 3 months straight. And it sure has made a difference.
It was unbelievable to lose 15 pounds in the first 30 days. In the 2 months since then, I've "only" dropped another 10 for a total of 25. However, I have lost so many inches, which I think is very obvious in the photos. And I think I've been putting on a little muscle since I started CrossFit six weeks ago too - I love the heavy lifting days! I'm looking forward to hearing the results of my next body composition analysis on 11/26. I am really getting to the point that I need a whole new wardrobe for work. I only have 2 pairs of pants that fit, and I have to wear a belt to keep them up (and I'm on the smallest notch!). And most of my tops are too big. I'm pretty solidly into a medium now unless it's cut too tight across my shoulders - I never thought I'd be less than a large!
To get back on track, I am recommitting to eating clean until Thanksgiving. One of my coaches asked how my Paleo was going after I told him that my weightloss has plateaued for a couple weeks, to which I replied, "pretty good." And he said that "pretty good" is my problem. So, time to cut out the tortilla chips, sugar, and booze for a few weeks (might get a pass on Thanksgiving though. And my sister's birthday party.). I'd like to get into the 180s by my next CrossFit throwdown - that's 7 pounds in 4 weeks, which SHOULD be totally attainable. My mother-in-law just started doing the Whole30 (yay!), so we'll have to support each other.
I've begun tracking my food in My Fitness Pal again to ensure that I'm getting my macro-nutrients in the right ratio. When I was losing so rapidly in August, I was averaging about 70g of carbs (or less), 80g of protein (or more), and 60g of fat. So, I want to aim for those ratios again. I just bought some egg-based, no-carb protein shake to help boost the protein - hoping it's tasty!
I'm also hoping to break this cycle of head colds I've been battling since September. I just came down with my 4th one in 3 months, and this time, I went to a walk-in clinic because I suspected a sinus infection due to the piercing pain in my temples. I was right, and was sent home with some antibiotics and Mucinex (non-stimulant version!) to take for a week. I took the day off from work to rest, and took a nice, long nap. My head felt so much better this morning (although I slept like crap last night thanks to the nap). I feel like my workouts have been dragging a bit lately, and it may be because I've been fighting this infection. I think all the stress of the massive layoffs and outsourcing initiative at work is getting to me - at least we'll finally hear who's getting laid off next week so I can stop worrying about it (I think I'm safe, but I just want to know for sure! I'm worried about some friends though.). When I mentioned the antibiotics to my functional practitioner, he said that he wished we could have resolved the infection neurologically instead of taking antibiotics which will kill some of the good flora that I'm been working so hard to build up - not sure how that's done, but he said he'd explain it next time.
Brian made Salmon Patties with a Creamy Lemon-Dill Sauce for dinner tonight, along with some roasted asparagus and sweet potato fries. Very tasty! But I still find salmon SO filling - I just could not eat the last couple bites of my second patty (about 5oz in all). I was starving in the late afternoon today though. For lunch, I was in a time crunch, so I just had the last of some old soy protein shake with some SunButter, frozen bananas, coconut milk, and rice milk. Apparently, that was not enough to get me through dinner. I was getting desperate while shopping at Target, but there's just not a whole lot there that fits into my diet these days, other than some fruit or carrot sticks (all the commercial beef jerky there had wheat and nitrates). So, I had some beef jerky when I got home.
Today was the first time I attended to Olympic Lifting session at CrossFit, and I'm so glad that I did. One of the events in the No Baby Leave The Stockings On! Throwdown is to establish my heaviest complex of 1 Clean + 2 Front squat + 1 Jerk. It just so happened that today, we worked on finding our 1 rep max for squat cleans, so I got to practice some cleans and front squats. I was able to get to 105# for the squat clean, but I haven't been able to do the 2 front squats at that weight. I can do the front squats and jerk at 85#, so I'm going to try a few more times at the Y tomorrow to see how much better I can do. So much of this is just getting the form right, which is still so new to me. I wanted to stay for the WOD afterward, since it was a partner WOD and I was going to have fun doing it with Brian. However, the kids would not cooperate and just sit and watch a movie as I'd hoped, so I had to take them home. So, around 6pm, I decided to go outside and practice doubleunders in the driveway (in the dark), and that worked up enough of a sweat that I took off my fleece and did them in shirt sleeves in 45 degree weather!
I started doing a little CrossFit shopping this week too. ;) Got my first pair of tall socks to wear to the Throwdown since it's a requirement to wear tall socks (however, I will not be pairing them with booty shorts!!!). Then one of the coaches mentioned he had some tall socks leftover from the last throwdown, and offered those for only $5, so had to get those too! And, on a whim, I got a pair of Reebok CrossFit Nano Speed sneakers since someone on my CrossFit group mentioned a 40% off sale - sweet deal. I've worn them twice now, and they're pretty comfy, and far fancier-looking than any sneaker I've owned in my entire life (I had been thinking about getting new sneakers since I hadn't replaced my in a year and a half - long overdue). Brian says I'd better be careful or I'm going to drown in the Kool-Aid. ;)
Today, Team Human Cones tackled our second FitAthlon. This one was just over 2 months later than our previous first run at it (I did the first one about 2 weeks into my RepairVite program). We all agreed that today's version seemed a little tougher than our previous one - there seemed to be a lot more frequent and longer stretches of running, and a couple nasty new events: namely 3 hikes up & down an incredibly steep hillside carrying a weighted backpack, 2 sets of wind sprints, and monkey bars (which I could not muster up the courage to try). And some of the old nasty events resurfaced too, namely the long stretch of walking lunges. HATE THOSE. We did the "Beginner" level again, just as we did last time - not quite ready for the next level yet! See the list of obstacles at the end of this post.
Over all, I did feel a little better during today's event than last time (as I should after losing 10 pounds and CrossFitting for a month since the last one!). I was able to scale the 8 ft walls a lot better (it helped that it wasn't as wet and slippery), and the 5 ft walls seemed easier too. I finished in about 65 minutes (and burned just shy of 900 calories!). I'd like to think that if I wasn't hanging back a lot for my teammates and did more jogging than walking on the trails, that I could have done it in well under an hour. But, I have to admit that standing around (well, sometimes sitting) and waiting felt pretty good at the moment! My husband and our other guy friend took off and left us girls in the dust. Brian finished about 10 minutes ahead of us, and our other friend was about 10 minutes ahead of Brian. He really hustled. Maybe that will be us next year!
After the race, they threw an after party with a cookout. The initial registration listed it as a bbq with pulled pork and brisket, but, apparently, at some point, they changed their minds about the BBQ part. BOOOOO!!!! So, I had some salad, a burger and a hot dog (sans buns), and passed on the beer/wine and bags of potato chips. The hot dog was SO delicious! Not sure if it was the fact that I hadn't had a hot dog in over 3 months, but it was so good that I had a second one too (along with more salad to keep it healthy - ha!). On the way home, Brian and I stopped at our favorite Mexican place for celebratory margaritas and some chips, guac, and salsa. Then the bartender started talking about how good their ribs were, which just made me crave that missing bbq at lunch even more. So, we grabbed the kids from their grandparents' house, and went right back to the restaurant for ribs (ok, and another margarita). So tasty. I was going to indulge in some fries too, but they were battered. Just as well since I'd already had more than my share of tortilla chips. Need to get back on the lo carb bandwagon tomorrow (especially since my weight loss plateaued this week)...
While at Brian's folks, my daughter started doing handstands and cartwheels in the yard, which is nothing out of the ordinary. What was extraordinary is that I decided to give them a whirl myself, and didn't die! Although I went a little too far on one handstand and ended up tipping over, ending up in quite the quad stretch on the ground. My knee was not pleased about that. But then I tried another handstand and kept my feet straight up in the air for at last a good 5 seconds - not bad! And after a few tries, my cartwheels were pretty decent too! So how about that?! Pretty sure my mom wasn't doing handstands and cartwheels with me at 38. Love that I'm becoming an active mom!
1. Calisthenics – Squats, push-ups and box jumps/(step ups)
a. Newbie – 20 of each
b. Beginner – 30 of each
c. Challenger – 40 of each
d. Competitor - 50 of each
2. Run – Trail run – Short maybe ½ mile
3. 8’ Walls - Big walls. No worries you have a rope to help you. You’ve got three walls to climb.
4. Wheel Barrow Push - It sorta looks like a wheel barrel. It’s our version. Push it through grass UPHILL for the designated distance and turn around and come back.
5. Cargo Net - Balance, core and upper body strength will be on display in this obstacle. It’s a simple 8 foot climb across the net. Again and again.
6. Over and Under - Leaping and ducking. Over 2 foot hurdles, Under 3 foot hurdles.
7. Lunges – You’ll be lunging on the beach. The distance varies by level. Guaranteed to make your legs burn. Take a rest if needed but you can only lunge - no walking. Hands must be behind your head as you lunge.
8. Suicide Sprint – If your heart rate wasn’t high enough, this should do the trick. Maybe 100 yds in total.
9. Chain Pulls -30lbs, 100 yards. You must pull it while backpedaling. This will fire up hams and glutes.
10. Tunnels – 2 feet high- Time to hit the ground and get your crawl on.
11. Speed and Agility - Tires,tires, tires. Add some cones, hurdles, hay and ladders. Let’s see how mobile and agile you are.
12. Monkey Bars - 8 feet across. They bars are flexible so don’t panic. You have to grab every bar. Competitors if you fall you must go back to the beginning.
13. Tire Flips - 200lb+ tires. The tires are different sizes but pretty much weigh the same amount. You can do it solo or with help. It doesn’t matter unless you’re a competitor. Competitors must flip the tires solo.
Newbie – 4 flips
Beginner – 6 flips
Challenger – 8 flips
Competitor - 10 flips
14. Pass Through Walls – Not over, not under but you pass through the middle of the walls
15. Transverse Walls - We gotta see you move in different planes. Hope you’ve tried rock climbing. Climb to the end without touching the ground or the top of the wall. Competitors if you fall off you must go back to the beginning.
16. Balance Beams – Let’s see your balance. 4 inches wide and 8 feet long planks. Competitors if you fall off you must go back to the beginning.
17. 5’ Walls - Up and over and over and over and over. There will be help for everyone but the competitors. Watch the video on our Facebook page if you’re not sure how to climb them.
18. Ruck Sack Hills – Time to attack the hill. You’ll be carrying 25lbs on your back.
Newbie – 2 trips up the hill
Beginner – 3 trips up the hill
Challenger – 4 trips up the hill
Competitor - 5 trips up the hill
19. Over and Unders - Leaping and ducking. Over 2 foot hurdles, Under 3 foot hurdles.
20. Run – Beautiful trail run. Back to nature. It’s maybe 1 mile, maybe more.
21. Ropes - 40ft, 2inches. Slam it as hard and as fast as you can for the allotted time. 2 hand slams ALL OUT! 30 seconds! Competitor – 60 seconds.
22. Ladder Climb – 11 Ft. high. Up and over 2x and you’re done.
