If I hear “New Year-New Me” one more time…..

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Just kidding, I’m totally guilty of saying that and guilty of insta-gramming photos of food, workouts, and cheesy motivational quotes. But whooooo currs? I’m into it and it makes me happy. Thats my thing right now….just focusing on happy right now. No more of this restricting everything I’m eating, comparing myself to others, and obsessing over being super lean. That does not make me happy. actually, it makes Katie go cray-cray and not in the silly, fun way. I’m focusing on being positive and getting stronger in the gym. So there, new year-new me.
In terms of foodie-ness, I’m doing the ahem mostly Paleo thing. I love whey protein and Greek yogurt too much right now to give them up. But I’m avoiding added sugars and all grains and that makes my belly happier. So sorry to all you strict Paleo eaters…you’re awesome, I’m not….. My breakfast is usually eggs, avocado, veggies, sometimes organic sausage, and fruit. Lunch and dinner is grass-fed/finished or at least organic meat and veggies, sometimes sweet potato. Snacks, snacks are a different story. I love snacks. Greek yogurt mixed with whey protein, almonds, macadamia nuts, and Paleo coconut flour muffins from the balanced bites website. I could probably benefit from reigning the snacking a bit actually. Oops. ;)
My workouts are the best part of my week. I’m trying to keep posting them on Instagram (@fitkatieb) and writing them down to keep track of my progress. I’m using my Kettlebells at home for conditioning workouts and trying to hit the gym for barbell work (squats, deadlifts, presses, etc.). They might be baby weights for now, but I’m going to keep increasing them every week.
Any who, it’s been a kinda rough start to 2013, but it’s my 30th birthday year and I wanna be happy forever so I have to keep smiling and being striving to be the best almost 30-year old (scary!) me.

As always, ‘scuse the typos, I’m using my iPad and I’m bored of proof-reading my own crap.

Well that didn’t go well….

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Let’s reflect. Setting goals….Hmmmm….Remember that SMART acronym? I should’ve remembered that last week when I thought I would be able to slay the sugar dragon! At Christmas! Silly Katie. But we don’t learn if we don’t fail once in awhile, right?
Out of the past 8 days, I’ve succeeded at eating sugar-free only twice. And binged about 4327994-billion times on cookies, chocolate, turkey, baileys, chocolate….you get the picture. I didn’t even manage to stay gluten-free. And I’m paying for it. The unhealthy foods make me unhealthy and not only do I see it in my bloated belly, but feel it too. Headache, muscle aches, pimples, GUILT, etc. No fun! Although I did enjoy the damn cookies at the time-It’s not worth it in the end. I did, however, manage to train well and exercise this week almost everyday, but avoided my heavy lifting routine as I was travelling so much. I will get back to some good ol’ squatting and deadlifting Thursday.
Anyway, back to the not-so-fun, but necessary part (diet!):
So there’s this awesome 21 day sugar free challenge at Balanced Bites starting January 1st and I’m in. The website is super helpful and I’m looking forward to having the support even if it’s only Internet friends. Basically, it gives you a table of ‘yes’ and ‘no’ foods and it is mainly paleo (but some full-fat dairy allowed). The official kick-off is January 1st, but I will try to maintain pretty high standards up until then (with exception of booze on New Year’s). I’m planning on recording my daily eats on here in order to stay accountable. I’m also trying to upload tis yes/no list, but it’s no worky.
That’s it, that’s all. Time to move on and not dwell in my failures. Goodnight.

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21 Day Sugar Free Challenge! At Christmas? Are you crazy?!

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I’m not posting my food log today in My Fitness Pal app….This is because I ate approximately 1 billion and a half calories celebrating Christmas and birthdays with my boyfriend, friends and family. And I’ve been doing that for the past 3 days! And while I did enjoy the indulgence, it’s back to clean eating and exercise tomorrow!
I feel like I will be more apt to sticking with my diet and exercise regimen if I post it publicly. That is how I motivate myself and hopefully, bring some “fitspiration” to others.
Tomorrow I’m going to start a 21 day sugar-free challenge.
Here’s the plan:
I will eat three meals a day. Vegetables, good protein (organic, grass-fed/finished meat), fruit, healthy fats. No grains, dairy, sugar, or artificial sweeteners. Limit nuts and nut butters!

20 Minute AMRAP and I just want to go to bed

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I’m crazy sometimes. Worked last night then stayed up and drove to the cottage. So tired. I did have a little nap when I got here then a little workout. Lucky I was able to fit it in before it started raining! I don’t even care that it’s cold and wet. It’s still so peaceful and relaxing. Ahhh le sigh. I’m sitting in the corner all wrapped up in my sleeping bag and reading. I wish I could get paid to do this. Wouldn’t life be grand? Haha. But I’m sure I’d go crazy after awhile. Ok on to the workout! So good and requires no equipment. No excuses!
Workout: 20 Minute AMRAP (As Many Rounds As Possible)
Do 10 reps of each exercise:
Jump Squats
Butterfly Sit-Ups
Burpees
Tricep Dips
Lunges
Push-Ups
Plié Squats
I completed 4 rounds.
Now I need to plan my workout for tomorrow. Goodnight!

Whole30 Day 7!

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I feel like this may have been the longest week ever. I am not sure why. Perhaps it’s because most of my thoughts are consumed with food. Cooking, eating, planning, craving, etc. But I am feeling very good about this whole process. In truth, I was hating pretty much everything and everyone on days 1-5. But it’s been worth it. Making good food choices every day and not letting my emotions control what I eat has made me so proud of myself. I believe in myself and I can do this! Yay! Happy! Self-Love!

Ok. Enough of that. I was finally feeling energetic today to do a kick-ass workout. I am really trying harder to listen to my body and allow ample time for stress relief, rest, and recovery.

There are so many great fitness women out there with amazing free online workouts. I got this workout from Julia Ladewski who’s doing a 30 day challenge and posting it all on her website. Another founder of Girls Gone Strong.

Warm-Up:

30 Jump Ropes
10 Walking Lunges
30 Jumps
10 Knee Hug Stretches
30 Jumps
10 Quad Stretches
30 Jumps
10 Side Lunge Stretches

Glute Bridges x 15
Single Leg Glute Bridges x 8 each leg
Straight Leg Raise x 8 each leg
REPEAT the above 3 exercises TWICE
Workout: I wanted to practice my form and barbell techniques. So I just used the Olympic BB (45lbs) and it turned out a lot harder than I thought! I was sweating!
Back Squats 3×10
Front Squats 3×5 super-setted with Front-loaded reverse lunges (3×5 each leg)
Overhead Presses 3×6-8
BB bent-over rows 3×10
Handstand push-ups (um, I can’t do these!!! argh. But I practiced handstands)
Tabata Workout: 16 Rounds of 20 seconds work and 10 seconds rest
push-ups (~8-10)
mountain climbers (~40)
burpees (4)
sit-ups (~8-10)
I did not stop sweating for awhile after this! Loved it.