Pregnant???

Let me start off by saying, Mom, I am not pregnant, so please regain your composure, pick yourself off the ground, and let's make sure your O2 stats are at 100%--breathe in and out...repeat... Good.

Unless you KNOW 100% that someone is in fact pregnant, keep your mouth closed!!! 

Yes, that is right... Busting my ass in the gym 6 days a week, living life with a belly that always growls, and eating carrots instead of Snickers has earned me the pleasure of being asked tonight "Are you pregnant?"  By a male co-worker none the less, who sees me every week!  Am I pregnant?  No... But in about 5 seconds your gonna wish that pain shooting from your groin was a result of you being pregnant....But wait, it gets better... He then tries to recant and say, "Well it was just the way that you were standing..."  Ummmmmm, pretty much translates to "you're back was arched so your bigger then life belly was protruding outwards causing me to think there was a small village growing inside you."  Keep digging... You're no where near being out of this one yet... 

Sigh....

I debated writing anything about it, but then I remembered what I originally wrote in my first blog: I am writing both good and bad... This is a bad moment.  It does further prove what I always say: "You can take the fat out of the girl, but you can't take the girl out of the fat."  I truly do believe that when you battle your weight, you will always have that fat girl mentality.  It is something that I will always struggle with apparently, and I will just have to accept that. 

Ironically, I was just saying tonight that I was having a skinny day... Ladies you know what I am talking about... the kind of days where your clothes feel good, your belly feels flat, and you're motivated to keep going... Love those days!  ---- Then you get asked if your pregnant...

I can't lie, instantly tonight I thought to myself, what is the point of doing this, if I am going to get asked the sex of my "baby"???  The answer is this: The point of doing this is to be healthy... To be active... To live a long life watching my kids raise their kids... The point is to be the best that my body is able to be, to look the best that I can- not for some janitor at the hospital who is about 70 pounds over weight himself, but for me... OK and let's not lie, the hot  muscular guys covered in tattoos at the gym :)

So am I upset?  Sure... Did I cry? You bet...It hurt!  No other way around it... Stuff like that sucks, but it did make me wanna work out, not eat a snickers!  I am going to channel that frustration at the gym in the morning so that this cannot ever happen again. 

Now if you excuse me, my baby belly is growling for some more salad.  After all, I am eating for two apparently...

Update!

Just wanted to say that I added two new workouts to my leg/butt post in May... Pictures included also.

I am going to work this week and next for taking more pictures of other muscle groups and show you my favorites there too!  

AdvoCare!!!

So I am officially an AdvoCare Distributor!  Distinguished professionals from the fields of nutrition, pharmacology, biology, kinesiology and medicine formulate nutritional solutions that are based on solid science and created with the highest-quality ingredients.

Take a look at the website www.advocare.com/11065556

If something sparks your interest, let me know... Any questions, let me know and I will get back with you personally ASAP with answers. 

The following are a few of my personal favorite products!

Meal Replacement Shakes- Chocolate is WAY good!  24g of protein, lots of fiber, and totally fills you up!

Catalyst- Protein in a pill format!  How great is that???  When your on the go or in between meals, pop three to maintain your metabolism and build lean muscle.

Herbal Cleanse- TRUST ME- Peaches and Cream is the way to go...Citrus... not so much... VERY VERY gentle and user friendly.  It's a 10 day program, so results are slower and nicer then an instant laxative.  Helps nutrients in your diet and other supplements absorb better.

Rehydrate- Amazing way to revitalize your water loss.  Hint: Take before you drink, and after = less of a hangover :) (sorry mom!)

MAX MNS-E- Total energy booster via vitamins.  I took this and felt amazing! 

Spark- Enhances mental focus and stimulates the brain.  Many people replace their coffee and/or soda with this.  I chose to use it mid-day for the added energy boost--- makes for an AMAZING spin class.

They do offer a bundle package with almost everything here, plus a few additional items.  I did the 24 day challenge without restricting my diet that much and lost 5 pounds and 1 inch off my belly.  I wish that I had been more strict because it is not uncommon at all for people to use this bundle package to jump start a healthier lifestyle and lose up to 20 pounds.  Come on, 24 days and 20 pounds?!?  Yes please!!!

I will offer discounts on an individual basis, so email/text/call me!

Ashleyelsebough@aol.com
386.747.8346

Feelin' Skinny

So, I feel "skinny". Yay right?!?  Except that I cheated and weighed myself and well - it's the EXACT same... One week of eating veggies and lean meat, teaching 6 spin classes in four days, NOT drinking, and it's the same?!  Are you kidding me?  That's what I get for cheating and weighing myself!  Serious face, I went out last night and drank water... WATER!!!  My friend drank beer, ate nachos, quesadilla's, mozzarella sticks, and chicken wings.... Horrid people!  Me and my WATER sucked it up and imaged them all fat and jiggly...

I am going to try to forget the horrid numbers on that darn scale and focus on the fact that I feel GREAT!  I finally feel less pudgy and stronger.  My weight training is improving, I am lifting more, heavier, and better again.  My breathing when I run is better, but not great- it is summer in Florida though so let's just take that with a grain of salt- and my cycle classes are right on track for a good butt whoopin'!  I have been going religiously to the gym Sunday thru Friday, lifting weights 6 days a week and doing cardio either once or twice a day 4-5 days a week.  I'd like to maintain cardio at five days every week, but with teaching so many classes, the last thing I want to do on a day I don't teach cycle is get on a bike.... Ouch!  

My food has been good- cheating is actually something that I am very aware of for the first time in a while.  I think about everything that I put in my mouth (that's what she said...HaHa) Lately I have been following a plan similar to the following:

Breakfast: 

1 slice pumpernickel bread

3 slice of lean turkey

1 laughing cow cheese wedge

honey mustard

1% Fage 0% Greek Yogurt

Mid Morning Snack:

1 scoop Optimum Nutrition Whey Protein

10 ounces water

Lunch:

1 cup Spinach lettuce

5 ounce tuna fish 

1tbsp of light mayo

relish

carrots

scallions

1/2 cup of cottage cheese

Mid Afternoon Snack:

1 scoop Optimum Nutrition Whey Protein Powder

10 ounces water

Dinner:  

6 ounce lean meat (mostly chicken) 

1 cup steamed veggies

1/4 cup brown rice

Desert (occasionally, not always):

1 scoop Optimum Nutrition Whey Protein Powder

10 ounces water

OR

1 Smart Ones desert

I stay full constantly and it's because of healthy protein so I am pleased with that.  If I don't lose more weight/inches this month though, I am gonna cry! 

I have been getting complimented at the gym a lot by fellow members and that's a great feeling.  One guy told me that I was getting a lil bubble in my booty... I told him I loved him... I was three seconds shy of asking him to marry me and be my baby's daddy it was such a good compliment!!!  Today was back day and someone behind me stated that my definition was looking incredible these days... And Sunday, two different guys told me that I had intense shoulders for a chick!  Yay!!!!  All things in due time, I know, but let's face it... Compliments keep anyone, especially any girl, going!

I need to remember that the scale reflects numbers, but NOT how I feel.  I gotta keep going with that.  I feel great, people are telling me I am looking great, and ultimately isn't that what is most important?!  I think all women will battle the scale issue, and I am not different, but I have to make mental strides to control that temptation!  I may have to hide it though until I get stronger.  My will power right now is focused on saying no to bad foods, NOT on not weighing myself. 

 

June 1, 2011

So last month did not go as I originally wanted...But then again- I wanted to be tall, thin, tan, skinny, with big boobs, have my masters degree and land a guy with a huge....wallet.... :) So overall, it's not like my goals were actually achievable in month!  With that said, I can't lie, I was still disappointed in my weight results.  But then I remembered that this was a busy month!  My birthday, Lydia's Birthday, 1 week of binge drinking--still, they are excuses.  I couldn't remember my previous measurements until I looked at them today, and when I did, I was actually pleased...

May 1st 
Weigh in: 183.2 pounds (gross)
Bust: 40 inches (whooooo only bonus to gaining weight-the girls get bigger without spending $5K)
Stomach: 37 inches
Hips: 43 inches
Jean size: 10/12 (so clearly some is muscle!)

June 1st
Weigh In: 180.5 lbs (still gross)
Bust: 39 inches... (Goodbye imaginary DD's)
Stomach: 36.5 inches
Hips:41 inches
Jean size: 10/12

So am I where I wanted to be?  Heck no, but I made some progress... I told a friend that I didn't feel like I was losing weight but I felt like I was shrinking some, and based off my inches, I'd say that was right.  I changed my diet yet again, and today is day 3 on it... I am liking it so far, and trying to make it as friendly as possible so that I do not cheat--- So far I have been able to talk myself out of jumping face first into Peanut Butter M&M's--although I did stare at them on the shelf at Target today for like 5 minutes trying to justify spending $2.99 on a bag "for work" if I "only ate a serving size".  They stayed at Target. 

I haven't had a drink since May 22-not that I am counting- and I am gonna keep it that way until the next birthday or some event comes up.  I think that is a big deal, because when I drink, nachos become "diet friendly"---drinking and eating is like beer goggles for men! 

I am going to try really hard this month to watch the little add on's that I put in my mouth...My adorable nephews are coming down for July 4th and we are having the family over to meet them... I want to be comfortable in a bathing suit so that I can spend every minute I have with them playing in the water and such-- Let's face it... I already have bikini visible tattoos, purple hair, and a nose ring... Let's not add on being fat here!  I am asking to be labeled the black sheep of the family! 

Week 3

It's been a lil' while since I have written about progress... It is now around the end of week three, and I will say that I feel good.  Not Great.  This week I BUSTED my butt in the gym, but it still is a struggle to get the motivation mentally I once had.  I was just speaking with a lady at work who is also trying to lose her last 15 pounds and my suggestion to her was to add something new... So, why am I not doing the same?!  

Last week was my birthday and mom took me to do the zipline in Sanford.  It was a fun way to spend two hours and still be active...Very active in fact... Swinging from trees and hurling myself across parking lots... Oh yes, I do have pictures and video of Ashley flying across ziplines and ending up wrapped around a tree... I will have to post when they are uploaded.  While I burned some calories, I do not think I burned off my dinner and dessert from Cheesecake Factory that night.... Or the 3 glasses of wine... BUT that was my cheat day and I stuck to my rule... "Go Big or Go Home".  However, I have been trying to be extra careful about what goes in my mouth... I have been watching, but not eliminating carbs, and sadly, very very very sadly I have been eliminating alcohol.  Sigh.  Tear.  Sigh again.

I started running again this week after having taken some time off.  I threw a little "miss priss" tantrum one morning, swearing that I HATE running, and that I DON'T wanna do this anymore... Yea well it lasted a few weeks and then that little runner bug came biting back.  Like mom and I said this week, I think once you're a runner, you can take time off, but you are always a runner at heart.  So this guy I met showed me this Nike Running App which seemed pretty cool so I downloaded it also.  I do like it... BUT what I like MORE then the App, is that it allows me to post my runs on FaceBook... The longest one I have seen him do is 3.56 miles... my SHORTEST one was 4.01(I really hope he doesn't follow this blog...) --- Competitive nature much?  Yup... But who cares, I still win.  If being more amazing then him holds me accountable to running-I'll take it.... And I wonder why I am single?!  :)

My body has seemed to accept that I am in diet mode, and the starvation feeling has finally stopped.  I am very careful to only eat when I am actually hungry not because I am bored-however I am also very careful to make sure I take in protein every 2-3 hours.  I have been eating, well drinking really, a lot of protein smoothies because they give me a good healthy protein/carb ratio and they are light and refreshing while its only 900 degrees outside.  It's not uncommon for me to have one for breakfast and lunch because it really is what I am craving.  I will say that I notice myself the hungriest when I am ready for bed... Lovely... My bodies own way of trying to make me fatter! Lets crave food at 11 pm so it can just stick on my insides all night.

So let's see- I have 13 days to my next weigh in.  I am pretty confident it will be down some, but maybe not as much as I was originally hoping for.  If I can step it up the next two weeks, I think I will be pleasantly surprised.  I am going to take my own advice to the lady at work and try to add something new in every day.  I am not sure yet, but I have some ideas- Swimming, Yoga, Treadmill Walking, Stair Death Chamber- I mean Climber.... I'd say rollar blading but this quest is about achieving my fullest healthiest potential... Not suicidal thoughts.  We will see how the next two weeks go!

My Favorite Workouts-Legs & Butt

Taking discreet pictures is not easy, so Thank You Lydia!  Here are a few of my favorite workouts- adding new pictures each day a new muscle group is touched!

Calf Raises-

I do these in between squat sets, and I go heavy since there is a small range of motion- Here I was doing 150 lbs.  My favorite way is to go quick on the up motion, and slow on the downward motion.

Squats-

Again, with some build up, you should be able to go a little heavier with these squats.  I was doing 100-150lbs here also.  3 sets of how ever many reps I can get!  Biggest thing with these is to make sure it is a "natural" feeling.  Should feel like you are sitting back into a chair- anything different will put strain on your back.

Squats on the Bosu Ball-

These are HARD!  I LOVE EM!!!  My thighs shake the entire time, and it's glorious!  Total Butt Blaster!  I have to go a little lighter, but I do drop back lower then with the heavier weighted ones, push up with the back of your legs and you will feel this in your tush tomorrow!

Dead Lifts-

Awesome for your hamstrings and glutes.  I did hurt my back a few months ago, and it has taken me some time to get the weight back to where it was.  I am still a little shy of how heavy I used to go so I try to do more reps instead.  One day I will get there!

Consider yourself lucky!  A butt shot?!  Are you kidding me?  Go big or go home though and this is where the majority of the work is focused!!!

Inclined Leg Press-

Probably my favorite of them all!  I used to get crazy heavy, but now I focus more on a heavy weight that I can also go knees to chest on.  (This is also the machine that you can do calf presses on)

Hamstring Curl-
Totally gets your hanstrings and glutes- AMAZING machine!  Start with your leg down, and pull all the way up behind you for a full range of motion.

Reverse Squat Butt Blaster-
Totally misusing a machine, but I love love love this one for my tush!  Instead of resting against the padding, face it, squat back pushing your butt all the way out, and then come back up by driving through your hamstrings and glutes.  Just look at my butt and legs in the pictures, not my belly fat please!!!  

These are just a few of my favorite-not all that I do.  If you all have ideas/suggestions let me know!  I am always looking into changing up and adding new things!