Cooking Classy: Grilled Chicken Caprese Pasta

Here's something that I plan to cook for my next Bible study:

Cooking Classy: Grilled Chicken Caprese Pasta: If you love Italian food then this is a deluxe meal you will most definitely want to try! It is fancy, loaded with fresh goodness, creamy...

Exercise until my lungs are burning

I've been really into basketball lately. I've heard a lot about Kobe Bryant's work ethic and wanted to learn a bit more.  I did some research and I could have heard wrong, but I saw a youtube video in which he said something along the lines of exercising until my lungs are burning and that I have a strong desire to spit blood. 

Well, that is very extreme, but I must say that I find my hundred pushup challenge to be very rewarding and every time I do it, I do pushups to the point that I can do no more.  From this program, I can see that I have been getting stronger.  Looking over my log, it's amazing.  At one point in time, I can barely eek out 20 pushups (don't forget my pushups are on my knees).  Now, I can do 50!

I was very happy about yesterday's leg exercises because my legs were screaming towards the end.  Both routines included squats galore and then isometric holds which were insane.  During lean machine, I needed to break, but during Fitness Blender, I held the isometric squat hold, although but squat jumps after that were less than enthusiastic.

I'm very proud of the fact that yesterday, on the treadmill, I ran for two eight minute blocks, one of which had a period in which the treadmill was on an incline of 3.  Compared to my jogs around my Houston neighborhood, a 3 incline is pretty extreme.  Even though I was constantly looking at the clock yesterday, I didn't sweat that much.  Maybe because I was jogging right underneath a fan.  Who knows.  I am dreading the 20 minute run on the 'mill, but I think I might be ready.  I want to remember Kobe's advice: exercise until my lungs are burning. Or Cassey's - Train insane or remain the same.  Or that Venn diagram - get out of my comfort zone (because that's where change happens).

Next time, another Lakes on Eldridge run.  I'm looking forward.

Undisciplined

I'm sorry.  I'm not up to date on this blog.  I have been exercising.  I'm just tired.  But maybe this should be an exercise in discipline: both discipline in time management and stick-to-it-ness.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012:

Mediocre eating day.
Calorie Summary

Calorie consumption: 1530 Cal;
Exercise calories burned: 243 Cal
Net calories consumed: 1287 Cal

Exercise Summary

• NTC Core Crunch - I kindof enjoy this. 
• Kill That Muffin Top for Beginners | Pilates Bootcamp With Cassey Ho on Livestrong Woman
• Cassey Ho & Ashley Borden: Amazing Thigh Workout

My abs were shot when I decided to do some Pilates with Cassey.  I struggled to suffer through the Amazing Thigh Workout.  The Muffin Top for Beginners was rough as well.  I would do the Amazing Thigh workout again.

Yesterday was an AWESOME eating day.
 Calorie Summary

Calorie consumption: 1382 Cal;
Exercise calories burned: 0 Cal
Net calories consumed: 1382 Cal

My awesome eating day was supported by the fact that the person who brought food to Bible study brought very little food.  I think it was perfect.  I managed to eat enough to not go over my calorie limit for the day.

Today was a MEH eating day.

Calorie Summary

Calorie consumption: 1690 Cal;
Exercise calories burned: 297 Cal
Net calories consumed: 1392 Cal

Exercise Summary

• C25K Wk5 Day 2 on the treadmill
• The Lean Machines Tone Your Inner Thighs and Butt
• Fitness Blender Booty Blaster Killer 5 Minute Butt and Thigh Workout Challenge

 I really enjoyed today's workouts. They all challenged me but were doable.  I had tons of fun.

I'm BACK!!!

I'm back. I'm not going to bore anyone with details about my eating this past week.  Let's just say that I need to improve on my mental game.  The fact that I did poorly on some treadmill jog really threw me for a loop.  I did not respond well to this "failure".  I was very disappointed.  I started having a lot of doubts such as "Will I ever attain a baseline level of fitness that will enable me to run at 10 mph for 5k?" "All my efforts have zero payoff.  What's the point?"  "This totally blows.  I hate exercising."  I have to be honest with myself.  Exercise is no fun.  Sometimes, it's fun when I see myself getting better, i.e. having more endurance, being able to do more pushups, running faster.  But, when I put in all this effort with no results, I get discouraged.  I completed the C25K, but I could not last 20 minutes on the treadmill.  This just didn't make sense to me.  I realize that I jog on flat surface and that treadmill was significantly steeper, but I should be able to last at least 25 minutes.  In business school, I took a class called "Thinking on Your Feet".  The point of the class was to teach us about how the brain works, conjures up memories, behaves / reacts under pressure.  We can use this knowledge to our advantage to develop strategies to remember facts, and work better under pressure.  The instructor spent a whole   class on CBT, cognitive behavioral therapy and taught us about maladaptive thought patterns which prevent people from reaching their goals.  One was "all or nothing" which is what I exhibited above.  Just because I failed to run on a treadmill which had crazy inclines, I came to the conclusion that all my efforts were for naught.  I know this to not b.e true because I can visually see differences in my body.  So, the other day, I ran for 30 minutes around my neighborhood, and I ran faster than ever.  I think the fact that I ran treadmill with inclines helped me to have more power to run faster.

Just looking at my food log on LoseIt for the past week, I know what my problem was.  First, I ate a lot of sweets.  I also had a very indulgent meal last Friday that included fettucini alfredo and some chocolate mousse cake.    Last Thursday, I had a salad at Jason's Deli, but I also ended up eating my 7 or 10 corn muffins (what the heck!?!?).  These muffins were mini.  I had no idea that each one would have almost 100 calories.  On Sunday, there was a meet and greet with some church leaders, and I went.  There were snacks that included homemade chocolate chip cookies. So, really, I need to avoid the flour and sugar combo.  It is so bad!!!!

Even though I gained .2 pounds, I had a lot of fun doing some exercises.  I was really happy when I was able to sustain an 11 mph run for 30 minutes around the neighborhood.
On Saturday, I did some type of exercise that caused butt soreness all day Saturday and today.  I think the culprit is either ZWOW #37 or Fitness Blender HIIT Workout for Fat Loss.  ZWOW had some serious jump lunges and Fitness Blender had lots of jump squat type movements.  On Thursday, I also went roller skating for the first time in years. Tres fun.

So there you have it, highlights from the past week.  I've decided that I need to blog.  I can't let my mood and perceived failures take me off track.  For today:

Calorie Summary

Calorie consumption: 1595 Cal;
Exercise calories burned: 475 Cal
Net calories consumed: 1119 Cal

Exercise Summary

• C25K week 6 day 1 on the treadmill
• hundred pushups wk 6 day 3
• bombshell booty workout on Livestrongwoman Youtube Channel - broke a lot of sweat, but I think this workout was just ok.
  

Keeping the eye on the ball, back to basics

Calorie Summary

Calorie consumption: 1316 Cal;
Exercise calories burned: 352 Cal
Net calories consumed: 965 Cal

Exercise Summary

• Jog for 30 @ 5.2 mph, walk for 15 @ 3.5 mph
• Hundred pushup challenge Week 5 exhaustion test
• Livestrong Sleek and Sexy Arms for Beginners Pilates Bootcamp with Cassey Ho 

I decided that I want to do jogging on the treadmill.  I don't have the mental toughness to do this just yet, so I'm just going to have to redo parts of the C25K on the treadmill.  I ran for 16 minutes and my mind freaked out. I was looking for every excuse to stop.  It was actually quite ridiculous.  I ended up stopping to go to the bathroom, and came back and jogged another 20 minutes.

Next time I jog, I'm going to jog 15, walk 5, and jog 15 more. 

Well, after I did 60 pushups, I did this arm pilates video.  My triceps were dying.  I had to take a break every now and then.  I want ripped arms.  I need to the mental toughness to work for it.

I was browsing the Fitness Blender website and they suggest against doing HIIT workouts on back to back days.  Well, tomorrow is HIIT day!!  Bodyrock, ZWOW, NTC, here I come!!!

Time to rally!!

For Saturday:

Calorie Summary

Calorie consumption: 1898 Cal;
Exercise calories burned: 586 Cal
Net calories consumed: 1312 Cal

Exercise Summary

• Jog 30 minutes w/ 5 minute walking warmup and 5 minute walking cooldown
• Bodyrock Sexy Booth Curves Weighted Interval Workout I

I've been eating more lately leading to weight gain.  If I want to lose weight, I need to cut my consumption down.  Another sign that I'm eating too much is that I'm eating past when I'm full.  I feel full and I keep on eating.  I think I'm down in the dumps.  I am enjoying the endorphins that food gives me.  Time to rally!! Get back on track!  Be strong!

I worked out at the gym on Saturday - treadmill run.  All I've got to say is wow.  Lakes on Eldridge is pretty flat.  Treadmill incorporated steepness and slowed me down big time.  My average speed was 5.2 mph and my legs were en fuego.  I had to take some walk breaks because I could not handle the hills.  I think I will need to either run in an area that's not as flat or incorporate more hills into my workouts by running in the treadmill.

I think I used my core during my run b/c when I did Bodyrock immediately after jog, my abs were shot.  One of the exercises was hanging leg raises and I could barely eek out 12.

Sunday, October 8, 2012

Calorie Summary

Calorie consumption: 1476 Cal;
Exercise calories burned: 255 Cal
Net calories consumed: 1221 Cal

Exercise Summary

• NTC Core Crunch
• Fitness Blender Firming HIIT Workout for Beginners

Had a salad for the first time in a long time today.  Felt good. I think I've developed this trend where if I eat a salad, I eat a chocolate chip cookie, too.  I would like to break this habit.

I'm not sure how firming the Fitness Blender HIIT was.  I would not recommend as it's pretty easy.  I do like how it incorporated a warmup, though.

Keep on going! Please don't stop the music!

For Friday, October 5, 2012:

Calorie Summary

Calorie consumption: 1586 Cal;
Exercise calories burned: 115 Cal
Net calories consumed: 1471 Cal

Exercise Summary

• Hundred pushup challenge week 5 day 3
• Bodyrock Busting It Out Sculpt

I just don't like running but I do it because it torches calories, makes me sweat, and is an effective means to my goal.  I wanted to run, but by the time it was cool enough, it was too late.  I had to go to my buddy's for their Bible study.  I feel like I need to choose between my high school buddy's Bible study or the study for the church that I go to.  I need to think about why I go to Bible study (to have a community, have a means of getting more involved in the church, have some type of Christian accountability). I guess the answer is clear which Bible study I should choose based on my criteria: Bible study of church that I go to.  I feel like the Chinese church's study really has community.  I don't feel it with the members of my friend's Bible study.  I guess "it" being chemistry.  Anyhow, this blog is about weight loss.
I'm just going to whine today.  I don't know what's going on in my body.  Am I being too hard on myself?  I feel like I'm regressing / having a series of bad workouts.  I hate it.  I want to be motivated and on fire.  I know I need to push my body if I want change and if I want to be athletic (have agility, endurance, and strength).  Well, pushups didn't suck.  They were challenging and I was definitely struggling towards the end, but it didn't suck.  That's good.  This Bodyrock sculpt session was OK.  I only have 5 pound weights at home.  At the end of shoulder exercises, my muscles were crying.

So, I have decided that I will be easy on myself.  So what if my performance is not as good as it once was.   The point is to not quit, to keep on going, until I reach my goal.  I know of a few short celebrities:  Christina Aguilera, Kelly Osbourn, Eva Longoria, and Ellen Page.  If I work hard enough, I can have bodies similar to theirs:

A curvier Christina Aguilera will be my mid term goal.  I'm going to assume she's 140 here.  She's looking pretty cute to me.
 


Kelly Osbourne looks so good now. 
Here's a good article about here weight loss.  118.  If Kelly could do it, I can do it, too!!

Malaise and sushi

Thursday:

Calorie Summary

Calorie consumption: 1390 Cal;
Exercise calories burned: 303 Cal
Net calories consumed: 1087 Cal

Exercise Summary

• Elliptical for 30 minutes 
• Blogilates Food Baby HIIT

I went out for sushi tonight.  Looking back now, I probably should have stuck to my policy of no sushi with funky mayo based sauce.  I am a fan of simple sushi: a slab of delicately cut fish with a piece of seasoned rice.  I don't want fried crunchy stuff on top or inside or weird funky sauce.  My exception to this rule is spicy tuna and spicy scallop.  I had both yesterday.  My lesson learned is that if a sushi joint is not that good, don't get spicy tuna or spicy scallop.  I went to Sushi Choo Choo and I wasn't expecting much.  I know I may sound like a douche, but the average sushi joint in LA probably serves the same quality of sushi as a high end sushi joint in Houston.  Sushi Choo Choo was horrible.  I had a rainbow roll and the avocado on top of the sushi was turning black.  My point is, I might have under logged and over eaten yesterday because I was feeling quite full.  In the future, a way to prevent over eating is to not order as much, especially if the food is bad / mediocre.

I knew I wanted to exercise after eating out with friends so I hit the gym.  I started at the treadmill but just couldn't continue.  I continued on to the elliptical and proceeded to have the most intense elliptical workout I've ever had.  I was reminded of a picture that Lisa from Bodyrock had posted, which I had forgotten:



These motivational pictures are starting to lose their effect on me.  But, I know these past few days have been difficult for me for reasons I just can't explain.  I just feel such malaise.  I haven't been on fire for job search.  I feel lost during the day. I need to give myself structure and allow myself the grace to follow the structure.  So, today, I will read the 2-Hour Job Search and then I will begin to read some marketing books to help me tell my story better.  I have 3 in mind:  The New Rules of Marketing and PR, Zen of Social Media Marketing, A Lean Marketing Revolution. I would like to have these books read by the end of the weekend.

Back to working out - after gym, I came home to to Blogilates Food Baby HIIT workout.  These starburst squat jumps that the video opened with are freaking crazy!!  I will master them.  I will definitely do this workout again.

Booty Booty Booty

Wednesday:

Calorie Summary

Calorie consumption: 1546 Cal;
Exercise calories burned: 97 Cal
Net calories consumed: 1449 Cal

Exercise Summary

• BodyRock May 2012 30 Day Challenge Fit Test.  Check the file on the side to see how I did
• Blogilates Bikini Blaster 6 Booty Booty Booty

Yesterday was Bible study.  I made dinner and it was WAY filling.  I was just getting insecure about my food.  I made this sweet potato chili, my favorite cole slaw, and glutinous rice.  So freaking full.  I came home and realized that I needed to exercise and burn some calories.  The fit test was semi easy.  Bikini blaster was no joke.  The number 4 squats, which are a form of single legged squats were no joke.  It was hard to keep my balance.  I might do this one again.  I think I might've slacked during the bikini blaster.  I just wasn't into it.

graduation from C25K!!!!

Calorie Summary

Calorie consumption: 1317 Cal;
Exercise calories burned: 356 Cal
Net calories consumed: 961 Cal

Exercise Summary

• C25K Week 9 Day 1
• Hundred push ups Week 5 Day 2

Well, I'm happy a graduate from C25K.  I'm unhappy that I had my slowest run in the program today.  The plus of my run is that my run was unconventional and provided me an opportunity to explore my neighborhood.  I ended up jogging on grass (which slowed me down).  I also inadvertently ran through sprinklers, which probably slowed me down because I was drenched (including my feet and shoes).  It's no walk in the park to run in wet shoes.  On my walk home, I went off the neighborhood sidewalks and explored areas in my neighborhood in which no paved paths lead.  I saw some pretty sweet backyards and pools.  After I realized that my pace was a lot slower than normal, I spent a lot of time googling articles, trying to figure out whether I had a bad jog.  See, I wasn't hating my jog.  In fact, there were moments in which I really enjoyed it.  I also did not feel like I was moving slow.  I felt normal, except when I was running through the grass.  I just don't think I had a bad jog, even though I was super slow.  I don't understand.  Oh, I also tried running faster during one part of the run but then became super exhausted.  Pink's Just Like a Pill came on and I just had to run fast during the chorus.  There's just too many factors that were varied:

• grass
• sprinklers
• 1 fartlek

All, some, or none of these could've caused me to slow down from an 11 minute mile to a 12 minute mile.  Maybe I will do an experiment on my next running day to get to the bottom of this issue.  So, I had to once again think about my goals.  Is my goal to run fast?  (well, I want to run at a reasonable speed).  Well, I want weight loss and fitness.  Fitness involves both endurance and strength.  I must admit, my fartlek (and possibly grass) wore me out and towards the end, my muscles were tired.  So, I guess lesson learned is I need to work on strength.  Well, tomorrow, I will be doing squats and lunges galore!

This past weekend,  I discovered KevJumba, thanks to Jeremy Lin.  This guy is from Houston and has such a cute personality (although he probably wouldn't think so).  I like KevJumba because he seems to have a lot of self respect, even though he makes fun of himself.  So, tonight, when I was doing hundred pushups and thinking, "Dude, this is rough," I started thinking about KevJumba's mindset and how he would respond.  I actually don't know how Kev would respond, but I was imagining that he would not quit or be negative and it helped me power through the workout.

Weigh in Monday

Monday:

Calorie Summary

Calorie consumption: 1623 Cal;
Exercise calories burned: 0 Cal
Net calories consumed: 1623 Cal

Exercise Summary

Rest day


So, I weighed in and am happy to report that I lost 2.8 pounds.  That seems a bit high since most magazine articles and websites say that people should aim to lose up to 2 pounds a week.  Well, I wasn't trying to aggressively lose weight.  I ate a minimum number of calories every day so I wasn't starving myself.  I think the secret to my success this week was that I did not have a day such that the food was so overwhelmingly delicious such that I could not stop eating. The 140s are within sight!  I think if I can maintain diligence, discipline, and focus, I will reach the 140s in 2 weeks.