30 Day Challenge - Day 1 & 2

I am back! I have not blogged since a month or two before Miss Florida because...well....I was SO busy! This past summer was just incredible. I am so glad I get to look back at pictures and remember everything I did before and during Miss Florida. But....now, I am here! It took me awhile to get back to just a good, happy, motivated place. After Miss Florida, I was left with so many questions and thoughts that I just broke-down and hid in my Nicole shell for about 3 weeks. It wasn't all bad, I was just slowly transitioning into what my life is today. I am more motivated than ever to get my life back on track! I am excited to share my thoughts, my highs and lows, and my health tips with my friends for the next 30 days. I hope you gain something from my blog!

One of the TOUGHEST things for me is working out. I mean who really loves working out? Yea...not many. So just getting my booty off the couch is a daily challenge. But with 2 days under my belt, I am getting back into the swing of things. For the past 2 days I have started my workouts on the treadmill. Cardio is my favorite part of working out because although it hurts, I feel myself getting stronger and stronger with every stride in my run. I am staying consistant with a solid mile, but as the days go by I will add interval training, incline, and run a little more each night, until I reach a 5K (3.1 mi). Next was resistance training...which pretty much means weighted squats or lunges (OUCH) and arm exercises. Last is core training. I focus on a 10-15 min core set for lower, upper, and side abdominals. For now I am focusing on the basics....getting my balance back, working on stability, and continuing momentum by not taking many breaks. Oh, did I mention I workout at LA Fitness? SO many gym junkies there, it is easy to be inspired!

Next is my diet...I mean daily food intake! HA! I reeeally need to stop using that word! For the past two days I have focused on cutting sugars, fried foods, and dairy. I do not eat red meat or fish so that cuts out a good amount of options. But I replace those with chicken, turkey, whole grains, LOTS of veggies, and nuts. My food mantra is, "If you know it's not good for you, then don't eat it right now." It's a very common sense approach. Should I have that garlic roll? No, unnecessary carbs. Should I have sugary lemonade? No water with a squeeze of lemon is better. Should I have that slice of pizza? Yes, ok I am guilty...but that was an amazing slice.

The best way to improve your diet is to simply replace bad foods with good foods consistently because eventually your body will stop craving those bad foods. I will be doing this for the next 30 days. But that does not mean I won't cheat because I do not believe in self-deprivation of all food items. If so, after these 30 days I will just run to the dessert/pizza/soda bar and go crazy. NOT GOOD!

Yesterday and Today's meals:
9/10
B: Slice of cinnamon raisin bread with peanut butter, banana, cantaloupe, pineapples, and 1/3 cup of granola.
L: Whole wheat panini sandwich with turkey, tomato, lettuce, herbs, and little Italian dressing with carrots, celery, and light ranch on the side.
S: A slice of pizza... yea, I had a 10 min. break in between a 3 hr class. Next time I will plan better :)
S: Almond and walnut mixture before my workout.
D: Whole wheat pasta, grilled chicken with marinara sauce and a salad with avocados, dried cranberries, walnuts, and light Asian dressing. (Kind of random but I was craving something Asian)
*Clearly I do not pay attention to carbs.

9/11
B: Protein shake
L: Whole wheat wrap with turkey, lettuce, tomato, and pesto with a salad on the side. (Just a bunch of veggies and a little balsamic dressing)
S: Hummus with pita chips
D: Post workout protein shake (So important, I should have done it yesterday) and a half quesadilla with last nights left-over chicken, peppers and onions and a little cheese!

Both days I drank water and almond milk! That's it! As boring as that sounds, I need to let go of the juices and sodas. This weekend I may add some OJ or unsweetened tea but I am just drinking what we have in the fridge until we go shopping!

Have a happy week everyone,

Nicole