A Few Days Off

If you've been wondering why I haven't posted in a few days, it's because I haven't been to CrossFit since Sunday. I was booked in for Monday, then Tuesday, but just haven't been feeling well this week so I missed out. I also skipped Yoga tonight...

How I feel...
I'm really tired after work this week and have found myself taking naps after work and feeling stuffed up. I'm sticking with the Paleo and I actually feel pretty good on it. I don't miss dairy as much as I thought I would and find that pasta and rice just don't have the same appeal to me anymore. I've been filling up on fruits and veggies while satisfying my dairy craving with Chocolate Almond Milk and using coconut milk...really good!

A few people have commented on how I've been slimming down and that they can see it in my face, which is really really nice! I'm not down on weight, but measurements are down, which is what makes me happy.

Friday it is and if I don't do a blog post Friday night about my CrossFit WOD, feel free to spam me.  :)

Thanks!

Day Nine - Post Birthday WOD

I was determined to show up for the 10:00 am workout we had scheduled today, so I did. When I arrived, my friends called to say that they wouldn't be in till 1:00 pm...do I stay do to the WOD by myself, or come back at 1:00 with them? I stayed.

How I felt...
Well, since it was my birthday last night I had a few drinks so I feel a little sluggish today. The test was to see if I could keep myself motivated, being the only one there with the trainer.

So how did I do?
Today's WOD appeared "easy" at first glance written on the white board, but it sure didn't feel that way...

Warm Up - Wall to wall frog jump squats x 2

400 m Run X 3
21 Kettle Bell Swings (with a 30 lb weight, I went down to 20 lb after the first round) X 3
12 Pull Ups X 3

Time: 21:40

Paleo Birthday Cake Recipe

Well, today is my birthday, so I found this great recipe to make a Paleo birthday cake. I already cheated with the Triple Tuxedo cake my co-workers bought for me the other day, so figure that this weekend should be a little healthier. Ok, and Thursday night I drank a few Gin & Tonics because my Aunt was in town for the night...there are too many temptations in the world, but I think it's ok to break a few times, as long as you still feel good. :)

This is probably the simplest recipe I've ever seen in my life and I'm glad, because I hate baking. *The almond meal is bloody expensive ($15 for the bag), which is reason enough to only bake this for yourself once or twice a year.

Almond Meal (finely ground Almond)

Ingredients:

¼ cup oil (I used Olive Oil)
¼ cup honey
2 eggs
1 cup almond meal
½ cup cocoa powder
3 bananas, flesh mashed

Preheat a fan‐forced oven to 350 degrees. Grease a cake tin and line with baking paper.

In a large mixing‐bowl cream the oil, honey and eggs until light and fluffy. Add almond meal, cocoa powder and bananas and combine well. Pour the banana cake mixture into a cake tin.

Bake in the oven for 50‐60 minutes or until cake is cooked.

*For extra points, I'm going to slice up some strawberries to put on top. :)

Day Eight - Will it get easier?

Last night's WOD was hard on my wrists, chest, neck and shoulders. We were timed to complete the following:

Don't give up!

50 Push Ups
10 Kettle Bell Swings
40 Push Ups
20 Kettle Bell Swings
30 Push Ups
30 Kettle Bell Swings
20 Push Ups
40 Kettle Bell Swings
10 Push Ups
50 Kettle Bell Swings

Yoga - The Stress Buster

An hour of not talking, barely moving and still focused. Possible? Yes! My first every Yoga class was tonight, designed to teach stress-relief techniques through physical movement, breathwork, and meditation.

Life has so many distractions, interruptions and stress. We are "monkeys swinging from tree to tree" as Maureen would describe it - "let's get rid of the money brain". Sounds pretty good, doesn't it?

How I felt...
It was so good to take that hour for ME. It reminded me of the time I was in counseling a few years ago, when I had that hour a week to focus on myself and nobody would change the subject, she would just let me speak and she would listen. This class tonight had me focused on breathing, on different bones in my body and ending with a deep relaxation remembering a happy time in life. It's good stuff, cleansing.

Not only will this help me focus on myself for the next few weeks, but it's also a great balance for my CrossFit classes. We've already done quite a few great stretches in our first class and I can see how this ties in nicely, to help loosen tight muscles and increase back flexibility.    

Let me know if you've ever tried Yoga and what you like best about it. I'd love to hear your comments.