Happy Thanksgiving- Eat, Drink, and Stay Slim!!!!

Hello all.  Hope you are enjoying Thanksgiving as much as I am.  Beat the winter storm and made it back to NJ early yesterday morning.  Chilled at my bestie's JOB (yes, she had to work!!!)  Forgive the airplane hair!  She likes taking candids.  Yikes!!!

But look at that ass!!!

 Then finally headed out to my parents' during the winter storm.

And with all that, still found time to work out:

Losing inches and still enjoying the holidays!!!  This is definitely a first:

Getting ready to go cook.  More updates later.  The goal is to eat and drink until satiated.  Then get over the 'ITIS, and work out.  Wish me luck.  Do not let the holidays derail you either!!!

There was definitely good eating and good company at dinner.

I did not manage to do cardio but I did do calisthenics, mainly concentrating on core and ab work.

Recovering from Change of Weather and Hibernation Syndrome

Okay, fam...  I know I haven't been on in a minute and consistently posting.  This change of weather and fighting a cold means fighting old bad habits.  Did not make the gym like I should have been doing consistently but did do calisthenics at home.  Despite the lack-lusterness of my work out routines this week, I've lost an inch in the waist in the week of basically doing NOTHING!!!!  Meaning metabolism has revved up, caloric intake has gone down, and the limited approach of doing something even just 5 minutes a day seems to be working.  By Weds, I commit to posting once a day regardless of how I feel.  This way, I'm held accountable and hopefully you will join for the ride!!!

Some things I need to do better:
1. Take pics of the food I cook and post recipes
2. Take pics of my work out routines and describe them
3. Post my libations with pics as this is about living life i.e. Drinking but slimming down, looking great, and being healthy!!!!

So while I may eat out (and drink a few times or many times) during the week, I also make sure to cook at home.  This way I can have breakfast and lunch at work.  Yes, breakfast ya'll as I'm at work by 6:30/7am everyday.  Depressing especially since I try to get a work out in the AM before the duties of taking care of cats, cleaning house, and my getting ready routine kick in.  Sigh...

Sautéed ground turkey meat, mushrooms and tomatoes.

Sautéed tomatoes with spinach and tilapia

Fighting Hibernation - Week 1

I haven't posted in a few because I am fighting the urge to hibernate.  It has been freezing cold here like the majority of the country.  I haven't quite let myself go doing AM calisthenics Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

I worked out on my bike at home Tuesday evening then made it to the gym last night.

Even with all that, I'm feeling lazy and afraid I may get F-A-T again.  This is my motivation - never to go back to the dreaded BEFORE.

I am currently trying to fight a cold I feel coming on so I will probably grab a hot toddy or two before hopping off to the gym later.  Let's cross our fingers on that!!!  

Don't sleep naked in 30 degree weather even if your heat is on!!! My extremities have been chilled all day, a sure sign that a cold may be upon me.

At the gym last night...

As for the drinks this week (and you know there were some), I had sake on Monday, Coconut Ciroc on Tuesday, and ladies night martini specials last night.  All good but I must be cautious since I haven't gone as hard in the gym or at home this week.

Looking on the bright side, I have not 100% given in to my very strong desire to hibernate i.e. eat comforting foods and snuggle in my bed.  I've run around at my job all week, have run errands, and even made it to the gym. I have to be mindful of the positives here.

Partying and Phase Four

Okay, party people, sorry I missed a day.  My girls and I (besties since high school i.e. 20 years) are in Miami celebrating our girl's bachelorette party!!!

Btw, drama on my flight.  US Airways forcing me to check my bag because there was no more space, (They really shouldn't make people who have a layover in the last boarding zone) then putting my bag on the wrong connecting flight.  Ridiculous!  I got my bag this AM.  Thank you sister! But really, just a hassle that was un-needed and uncalled for!!

How to have fun and not reverse all the good work that you have done?  Water and tea.

AM Work Out
Yesterday, my girl and I did 15 mins of stretching exercises.  It's a video she has.  Pretty good.  Relaxing but also gets the work done on the full body.

I had a healthy breakfast with a hot toddy (or two) - of course.
 Breakfast - 2 scrambled eggs, sautéed spinach and mushrooms, smoked salmon

Then we were running around getting everything ready for tonight's events.  Let me tell you running up and down Target, TJ Maxx, Best Buy carrying armloads of goods, and fixing my girl's car (long story) burned tons of calories.

During the party, I just noshed on cheese cubes and raw veggies.  I drank my signature coconut Ciroc on the rocks.  Probably the equivalent of 3 glasses in a restaurant.  When we went to dinner, I shared a thin crust margherita pizza.  (I only had 3 slices and a glass of Pinot Grigio)

AM Work Out
10 Mins HIIT Treadmill
30 mins weight circuit - legs, glutes, weighted squats
10 mins HIIT Treadmill

I flew back today.  Before I left, we chilled at a EPIC hotel outside bar area.  Had their Shrimp Ceviche.  It was yummy!!!  Tried their Tea infused Vodka.  Not so yummy.  Added some green tea to that sucker to make it more palatable.

Then off to airport.  I may have mentioned this before but US Airways has to be one of the worst, if not the worst major airline!!!!  I won't get into all the details but trust me...  No wonder they are merging with American.  I'm not usually a fan of mergers.  I miss my beloved Continental and now stuck with United.  But this merger will hopefully be an improvement.

Anywho, I digress.  I had a a layover so two flights back.  First flight, I became hungry and decided to order a small thing of Pringles.  Worst idea ever.  Just once you go clean, you feel gross eating something so processed.  No more of that!!!  2nd flight, I bough a grilled chicken salad.  Just water and tea for this flight.

Now, I'm finally back where I live, which is freezing cold - let me tell you!  The high is 32, low 18, and 100% chance precipitation.  Wish me luck on working out tomorrow.  The feeling to hibernate is strong!!!! 

Bye Bye Sunny Florida!

Cabbage Soup is OVER!!!!

For breakfast, I had the last of the cabbage soup.  HOORAYYYY!!!  Pretty happy I actually accomplished this goal.  And let me tell you it became a struggle towards the end!! 

I will eat a salad for lunch and something for the plane later.  Headed to MIAMI!!! More on that later.

AM Work Out

  Not much but accomplished the 5 mins plank!!!!!!  Plus, plank with leg lifts (5 on each side) - I think I can do more if I didn't work out in the AM's Naked :-0

Measurements:

Down a total of 3.5 inches in the waist from Day 1 of Cabbage Soup

Down a total of 4 inches in the hips from Day 1 of Cabbage Soup

Nothing but Cabbage Soup - Day 5

This is last day of all day cabbage soup.  Finally!!!  Today will mark 10 days straight of nothing but cabbage soup.  Tomorrow we will measure and see how 10 days of cabbage soup has benefited in terms of slimming down but in terms of Quality of Life, here is what we have:

Benefits:
More energy
Faster metabolism
Inches down

Lesson I will take from this: Avoid as much processed foods as possible.  Cook more at home to bring breakfast/lunch to work.
Cleaner eating makes body very happy!!!

AM Work out
   Decided to concentrate on stretching this AM since I haven't stretched since the last time I did yoga and that was at least two months ago!  (I know terrible)

Full body stretching feels like giving yourself a massage and super relaxing.

I also did few core based calisthenics
   Bridge holds - 60 sec (3x)
   Swimmer's pose - 60 sec (3x)
   L shaped holds (10 sec) 10 on each side, alternating

Stay tuned for the haps at the gym later!

PM Work Out
120 minutes at the gym!!!  
     60 mins HIIT biking
    10 mins HIIT Stair Master
    10 mins HIIT treadmill.  
  In between cardio session were weight sessions.  
      1st round - arms
      2nd round - abs

Nothing but Cabbage Soup - Day 4

There was some bumpy-ness with the effectiveness of the 2nd batch but now we are back on track.

AM workout: Nothing but planks

   65 plank pushups

  120 sec hold plank

   60 sec side arm plank (60 second each side)

  30 sec hold plank

  planks with leg lifts (5 each side)

PM Work out
Okay, party people, it is on and popping!!!!

After doing 100 crunches, I went to the gym for three hours yesterday.  Holla!!!!

At the gym, it was all about cardio baby.
HIIT bike to start - 3 20 mins workouts designed to burn fat.
Then, I did a weight circuit, concentrated on my abs and core.
Stair master - 20 minutes
Treadmill - 60 minutes at highest resistance, varying speeds.

Nothing but Cabbage Soup - Day 3

A bit sluggish today.  Another day of cabbage soup is a bit draggy but nonetheless I have a pot full so we are eating it up.

AM Work Out was super pitiful this morning.  I'm loathe to even call it such.
60 plank pushups
90 secs plank, 60 sec plank each side, 30 sec plank hold then rest.  Repeat 2x

That's it!  Definitely hitting the gym tonight.  No IF, AND, or BUT about it!

Decided to take a few selfies to see how I was progressing in work clothes.

Check out that ass!

And waist!

Went to the gym after work.  120 minutes!!!!, 80 minutes straight cardio  Stairmaster and bike.  For weights I concentrated on legs and abs today.

Before I went to bed, L-shaped 10 second holds.  16 total

Nothing but Cabbage Soup - Day 2

Nothing but cabbage soup today.  How are you doing for Day 2?!  I'm pumped!  Energy is flowing.  I'm clear headed.  Clothes even more loose.

AM Work Out:
   90 sec hold planks. 60 sec hold each side plank
   90 sec boat pose hold
   2 60 sec swimmer's pose hold
   90 sec parallel pose hold
   10 leg lifts with 10 sec hold
   60 sec boat pose hold
  20 mins on bike with 10lbs vest

Goal is to get to the gym after work today for at least 45 mins and do a PM work out home.  Wish me luck!!!  What's the goal you are setting out to accomplish today?

Cabbage Soup at the Office

Hmmm Hmmm Good!

Went for sake today.  2 for 1 at one of the hottest spots in Nashville, Virago.  For a land-locked state, Nashville has some surprisingly good sushi spots and seadood eateries.  And Virago is top notch from atmosphere to decor to what's on the menu.  Monday is the day to get 2 for 1 drinks and half price rolls/appetizers.

After sake, I hit the gym!!!  Cardio was not in the cards however, so just weight circuit machines where I concentrated on legs and arms.

Cabbage Soup Cleanse Challenge

Go Hard or Go Home!!!

Today will start the first full day of nothing but Cabbage Soup.

I've upped the level of spices from the first batch to this one.  Spice to your taste.  I have roots in N'awlins so the spicier the better!  This batch will have cabbage, mushrooms, and green beans for a little variety.

Without going that hard last week, results are the following:
2 inches lost in waist in 5 days
Clothes fitting looser.  Can pull down jeans to hips without unbuckling.  This on a pair of jeans that were a little snug two weeks ago.  Yes, these jeans!!!!

Energy level is through the roof!!!

So now the next 5 days, nothing but cabbage soup!!!  

Comment if you are joining.  Comment to monitor progress.  Can you do it?!?!?  

Challenge yourself and feel amazing!!!

Day Five - Cabbage Soup Cleanse

Let me tell you - this cleanse is working better than I imagined.  How's it working for you?  If you haven't started yet, definitely be warned:

You will be spending lots of time in the bathroom but...

1. You will feel fantastic!!!!
2. You will start dropping weight!!!!!!
3. Your clothes will fit looser in just a few days!!!

5 days = 2 inches down in the waist!!!!

Today is the last day for my first batch.

Tonight or tomorrow, I'm making a new batch that will last through Thursday.  Batch Two will start the go hard or go home full day cleanse.  Only exception may be to have some refreshments but only Hot Toddy or Vodka on the rocks.

Are you ready to roll with me?

Today's Work Out and no guarantee that we are done:
100 crunches
30 mins HIIT Treadmill (highest resistance level, fast speed 5 mins, slow speed 5 mins)
30 mins weight machines (full body: legs, arms, abs)
30 mins Stairmaster - highest level. (Full 30 mins)

Ready!  Set! Go!

Phase Four - Days One, Two, Three., Four

Phase four Begins!!!  Tuesday – starting cabbage soup cleanse(can also be used as a fast-diet) I eat this for breakfast and lunch. I eat a regular dinner if I want.   I plan to do this cleanse for the next 10 days.  If you are joining, please comment below and let me know how you are doing! 

The trick to a good cabbage soup cleanse is the spice and ingredients.  The spicier the better –red pepper, paprika, chili sauce, etc.  Besides cabbage, I add other leafy vegetables and veggies with some substance.  For this week’s version, I used Low sodium Vegetable juice as a broth, cabbage, collard greens, mushrooms, and onions for added sustenance.  I know there are those of you out there who need meat with every meal.  Use poultry or fish if needed.  Also, if you are raising your protein intake but don’t want meat, use beans.

Got up at 4am to cook and workout.  

    20mins bike with 10lbs weight vest.  

   Weighted Sidebends with vest on 30 on each side.  

     Planks with vest on. 90 sec hold, 60 sec hold, 30 sec hold. 

    30 leg lifts, 

     30 side leg lifts, 30 sec hold each side, 

     30 side leg lifts each side (feet together), 

    15 jackknifes each side. 34” waist today.  Not bad considering my period started this AM so bloaty, etc. 

I should digress here and discuss Progress Monitoring –

            Using scale is not the most accurate measurement as it does not account for BMI or muscle/fat ratio but feel free to do so.  The best way to track this in house is via loss of inches.  I concentrate on waist and each upper thigh area that makes up lower hip, then mid-hip that includes glutes.  Waist is a tricky measurement.  I use my bellybutton as a general guideline.  Each week I will do a before and after.  Since we didn't start Phase Four until Tuesday, we will do before/after Tuesday/Saturday this week

I went out with some friends after work today.  The cleanse worked wonderfully.  Everything that went in came out so I went with a 0 calorie deficit meaning I could indulge a tad.  I had a small bowlof black beans, rice, and eggs.  Idrank 4 Hot Toddy’s Nashville style.  At home, I did nothing.  So bummer.

Wednesday – Day two of the cleanse. Once again working perfectly.  Running Late.  Change of time and rain really messes with my internal clock so no AM workout.  Met up with a friend at Best Kept Secret Happy Hour in Nashville.  Had 16 thin slices of ahi tuna rare no sauce, ginger, and cucumber.  2 Hot Toddy’s Nashville style.  Then I had an indulgent dessert drink – Patron Café!  Yumm…….

PM WorkOut
    Did 100 crunches before bed

Thursday – Day 3 of the cleanse!  

AM Workout

   50 plank push ups

  120 standing calf lifts (60 both feet, 30 each foot), 

  30 weighted squats.  

   Wall squats with arm weights (90sec, then 60sec, then 30 sec) 

   airplane holds (60 sec each leg). 

   80 weighted side bends (40 each side), 

   10 -10 second leg lift/straight pose hold (equivalent approx 100 leg lifts), 

    80 side leg lifts feet together (40 each side)

Did I mention this cleanse is working super duper well?!

PM Workout

  100 crunches before bed

Food: Cabbage soup is running low on content, mainly broth.  When this happens, I add a protein.  Tonight, I reheated the soup and cooked in Tilapia.  This should last through tomorrow.

Drinks: Liver gets the day off.  Just water and tea!!!

Progress Monitoring: Already down an inch and a half in the waist!!! Yes!!!!!!!!

Friday - Day 4 of the cleanse!

  AM Work out 

      100 crunches

      30 leg lifts

      20 bridges (30 second hold)

      L pose holds (10 seconds) 14 total

  PM Work Out
      100 hip raises
      55 Plank Push Ups
      100 side bends Legs together (50 each side)

Pre Phase Four Warm Up

Sunday – Light calisthenics – 

    100 hip raises

    45 plank push ups

   25 weighted squats

   40 weighted (20 on each side) side bends.  

  Food: Sautéed tilapia, broccoli and black beans.  That’s what I ate all day.  

  Drinks: Approx – 4 Hot Toddy’s (12oz), 20 oz water

Monday – AM Calisthenics – 

      25 weighted squats

     40 side leg lifts (20 each side)

     75 calf lifts

     20 bridges plus 30 second hold

     90second hold boat pose

     60 second hold crunch pose into hovering

        

Food:  Egg white flatbread Subway

            chopped turkey salad Subway (I should note that I do not add dressings to salads.  Only mustard, preferably spicy to aid in digestive health.  On sandwiches, only mustard, sometimes (rarely) ketchup, never mayo.  I add pepper to most meals when possible to aid in digestion as well)

           Sushi – with brown rice(I only order raw rolls, preferably tuna, salmon – nothing cooked, fried, tempura, or with sauce)

 Drinks: 12 oz Sake, 20oz hot green tea  8oz regular tea, 8 oz water 

            

Upping the Ante

I've been asked to up the Ante and post daily now that we are starting Phase Four.  

If you need a recap:

Before

Phase One

Phase Two

Phase Three

Phase Four is crucial both in timing, caloric consumption, and amount of time devoted to exercise.

Timing - Phase 4 starts three weeks before Thanksgiving and will last through the holidays.  Ok - I know Crazy.  This will be the High Intensity Component of the workout cycle.  Literally go hard or go home.  We've eased into it because if you are like me your body and mind needs time to adjust so this feels more like a gradually natural thing vs. I'm really freaking out my body.  

Be warned: 

The High Intensity component will allow you to take three days off - Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years.  Otherwise, it is game on!

Why Phase Four now - I've been stagnant at this measurement now for the past month or two.  On on the one hand this is good, not having regressed.  On the other hand, it's taking me nowhere nearer to my goal of size 2.  So time to ramp up.

Double hit:  Lower caloric consumption and ramp up work outs

Let's Get Started!!!!!

Ok – so that’s the background to where I am now.  I am now probably on the more intense journey to drop those extra inches and get back down to a steady size 2-4.  That’s the measurable goal, which I'm sure will be a frustrating goal to attain.  Hence, why I need your support!!!!  Encouragement, love, and fighting in the struggle along with me are all welcomed!

The true qualitative goal is to continue to feel good and stay healthy.  

Quality of Life is super important to my spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical well-being.  

How This Will Work:

I will post on here weekly the exercises I have done, the things I have eaten, and most importantly what drinks I have imbibed because hey… 

This is the Liquor Connoisseur's guide to slimming down.

Expect posts every Sunday, detailing the previous week's (mis)adventures and measurements.  There will also be a page of work outs, food and cocktail recipes.  Enjoy!

Phase 3 (July - Now)

Phase three has seen the most Ups and Downs in terms of commitment and caliber of exercise and food choices.  I was doing well in July, but then in August when work kicked back into extremely high gear (start thinking 12-16 hour days), working out and eating healthy took a bit of a dive.  I was able to get back on track more so in October (last month) with consistency over the last two-three weeks.  Mid-November will start Phase 4 with more hours devoted to the workout.  This will be the High Intensity component of my work out cycle.  As of now, I do AM/PM in house and approx 1hr/week in gym and/or cardio.  I’ve cut back down on carbs.  The in house routines have more weights, reps, and longer holds.  I definitely feel a surge in strength and I am seeing more definition again but judge for yourself. Size 6, sometimes 4 (Kept size, lost 5 inches waist, 4 inches hips/thighs, tightened stomach, and lifted ass.  Arm muscles defined, 4 months)

July – For these results lifting weights is the Key!

August/September

October

Let's get started!!!