Recovery Week!

Good morning followers!

Hope everyone is having a fun week after Thanksgiving.

So, I started my week (Monday-Tuesday) not able to workout because of flight delays and being sick; but, I sure made up for it last night. I went to the gym to practice RPM with a friend who is training to become an instructor, I told her I would be her practice class. It was super fun. I can't wait to start training to be an instructor myself. Luis and I have made a goal to start that process in February. I did spin for about 60 minutes last night (30 with Gretchen and 30 more with Luis) and then we lifted. I am amazed at my strength right now. I'm doing so many exercises I had the hardest time with in the beginning. I can tell progress is coming. You don't put the weight on overnight and you aren't going to lose it overnight either.

Have a big weekend ahead. This evening I am going to do spin again and workout with my friend Sheba, then tomorrow I have a morning workout and an evening training session, then, the best day of the year, MY BIRTHDAY! I will be turning 25, which is very eye opening. I keep getting older and it gets harder and harder to manage my weight. I'm glad I'm getting it under control now, before it gets crazy! I will be running a 5K the morning of my birthday and going out with co-worker to celebrate afterwards. I will be sipping on a few martinis; but, try to keep my calorie count low and back to the gym on Sunday. This is my new life! I never would have imagined running a 5K, let alone on my birthday! I'm super excited, and I need to finish the race in under 30 minutes. Wish me luck!

Until next time...

XOXO

Holiday Blog

Oh the holidays. Always a challenge, but approached a little different this time. Getting a workout in is key. Not consuming empty calories through alcohol and getting back on track was another area of focus. My eating was not amazing by any means, but I have learned how to control myself and pace every meal. I had a few good runs this holiday weekend, and will be back in the gym for my normal routine starting tomorrow. Plan of action this week: get down to my goal weight for the week, enjoy my birthday weekend, but not over indulge with alcohol. The older I get the harder this is going to continue to be. I'm in control, just need to stay in control and start to see some changes in my body.

Until next time....
XOXO

The Journey Continues... Day 8

I'm telling you what....a week without my trainer is hard! I have no idea how I did it for months. Oh that's right. I didn't! I gained weight, drank beer, and complained and had no motivation to do anything about it. 

The students at TCA are killing me with all this amazing food this week. The Pastry students are learning Culinary and making hamburgers, Reuben sandwiches, etc. The Culinary students are making sweet potatoes fries, chips, salmon, shrimp, pasta salad....geez! It just goes on and on. But, I'm overcoming!

You just have to learn to say no! Every thing that goes in your mouth takes "x" amount of time to burn it off. How about just working on what is already there and not adding anymore work to your process? That's the attitude you have to have to succeed with weight loss. It may taste good for the 3 minutes it takes you to eat it; but, man it sucks to be on that treadmill for an hour trying to burn HALF of it off. 

Today's workout was awesome. 45 minutes of spin class with Monica (the best) and then training Sheba. I love using what I know and having someone else benefit. I burnt 2037 calories while doing class and training. When I train with Sheba, I am also working out. Feels great! 

This weekend is going to be more cardio base focused. A few more miles to run daily and lifting sessions. Twilight comes out this weekend, might treat myself to some unbuttered popcorn and some water at the theater! No drinking! Got to get pushing! Let me know if I'm helping you or if this blog is just a ramble. I like to hear from everyone. It keeps me motivated. 

I have to lose 3-4 more pounds by Tuesday. Let's go! 

Until next time...

XOXO

Ashley 

Day Four-Six

Weekend, weekend--oh how I hate you!

The weekend was very fun filled which got me off track a little bit with the workouts/food. Friday wasn't horrible. I ate and worked out like usual. My friends and I went to PF Chang's in the evening. I didn't drink any alcohol; but, I didn't eat amazingly.

Saturday I worked from 8 am-2 pm and had a baby shower to attend at The Chef's Academy. You know what that means=cake! Just killing me! I couldn't say no.

Sunday wasn't nearly as bad. Minus spending time with my friends, who are amazing at cooking. They did a mini friends Thanksgiving. I didn't pig out.

I got pretty freaked out getting on the scale this morning. I was very, very worried; but, it was very nice to me. I didn't gain any weight, I actually lost a pound over this horrible weekend. So, I'm back in the gym tonight and looking to get a ton of cardio in.

Luis is on vacation this week. I am going to be running 2 miles every day (10 miles a week) from here on out. My goal is to drop about 4-6 lbs. this week while he is gone. I feel good and confident about it. Tonight will include a 2 mile run, leg circuit, boxing and spin circuit. About an hour and a half in the gym. We will see how many calories I burn. My eating today was very good, not too many screw ups! :) Time to get focused. Today is a new day!

Determination, dedication, and drive!

Let's go!

Until next time...

XOXO

Ashley

Day Three!

Good afternoon followers!

I hope everyone is having a very good day. I am stuck at work and going to miss my workouts tonight. I'm pretty bummed about it. I hope Luis doesn't hate me. Not much I can do at this point though. :(

Today has been a great day. I got 8 hours of sleep, I ate well last night and felt very energized this morning. I had a plan to train with Luis this evening at 6:00 pm; but, I don't think I am going to have enough time to make it to the gym for my scheduled appointment.

I am staying focused and going to get as much cardio and lifting in as possible. Just bums me out because he is going on vacation next week and I love the extra push. God willing, I can make it this evening to see him.

So, today I have ate very clean. I had Kashi Go Lean Crunch this morning with 1/2 cup of skim milk, a spring mix salad with goat cheese, dried cranberries, shaved almonds, and Ken's light dijon dressing. It was probably the best salad I have had in a long time. I also had a Go Lean Crunch Bar for snack. As always, drinking plenty of water. Everyone wants to go out tonight for dinner and drinks; it's my first weekend test and I'm going to pass it with flying colors!

I feel light and good today. My weight is staying pretty steady and consist and I feel really good. Pants don't feel too tight; which is always a good thing. I'm very excited about this journey. I really think I will make some great strides next week and the weight will finally fall off. Luis is out of town, so it will be a LONG week of cardio!

Everyone have a great weekend. I will be blogging tomorrow.

Until next time...

XOXO

Ashley

Day Two!

What a day!

My morning started out with a workout with Luis. What a crazy man he is sometimes. I woke up, not feeling too great (still getting over a cold) and he kicked my ass! Our routine was great though. Burnt 1243 calories in an hour and he wanted to keep going.

My first routine was all upper body. We did chest press with a leg "windmill" rotation and pull-ups. My second routine was curls, triceps, and abs. We finished the workout with leg press (side) and a band exercise and 15-20 minute of spin (cardio). It was WELL worth the pain.

Food wise, it has been a hard day. I didn't get started on the right foot because I didn't eat breakfast. Biggest mistake people! Get your food in before your workout. This gives you an extra boost and will power through your workout. Then, my co-workers wanted Qdoba for lunch. This was a huge test; but, I went and made smarter choices. The smartest choice would have been not to attend. I am drinking plenty of water today; but, I do feel a little bloated. And, to add to my control issues, the students at TCA are making pasta, breaded eggplant, hummus (which is ok) and vegetarian spring rolls (which is ok, as well). I'm going to stick with the healthy choices and keep saying NO. My thought process is it takes 1 minute to add 400+ calories to your body and 1-2 hours to take it off. Why waste all your hard work? Think about every food item/drink that goes into your mouth before you do it.

I started this journey at 234 pounds (refer to photos from "Day One" blog) and my lowest point was 208 pounds. I have had some ups and downs and I feel like I am on the right track. I have lost about 3 lbs. this week and I feel like I am toning a lot quicker than I have in the past. I need to up my cardio and will be attending more spin and RPM classes to get in an additional calorie burn on top of the training routine.

Off to the gym again after work. I will be helping Sheba workout and doing some minor lifting. I think a run is in my future.

Tonight's plan: Arm Routine (dumbbells)

30 minute treadmill workout (sprint intervals; 3.5- 1 min. and 7.5-1 min.) *increases heart rate, burning more fat!

Have a great night.

Until tomorrow....

XOXO

Ashley

Day One!

Good afternoon followers!

Today is day one of the "Fitness Perfection" journey!

This morning, I felt perfect. I ran a 5K in 30 minutes. My goal is to get under 28 minutes by December for a race my trainer and I have signed up.

My diet has been very protein filled today.

I have a 3 egg omelet this morning with sauteed spinach, onions, and an ounce of goat cheese.

I got a little busy at work and haven't drank as much water as I need to; but, I am catching up now.

For lunch, I have had a "smart one" and some carrots and hummus.

It's time for my protein bar for snack!

I am trying to eat every 2-3 hours which is VERY hard when you are working full-time and meeting with people; but, it is important. I need to focus on my water consumption and eating patterns.

I've got another workout planned for this evening. Today is a VERY cardio based day. I will be boxing and doing some stairs, trying to keep my heart rate above 170 to burn fat. That is going to be my main focus at this point. I feel like I am very strong for a female; but, I have some fat I really need to focus on shaving off my body.

I feel very motivated and ready to accomplish something great. Being an athlete for so long, you want something to focus on and strive for. I couldn't be more excited to participate in a fitness competition and change my life.

I have added before photos and current photos to this blog post. Although, I am VERY embarrassed and where I started, I am very happy with where I am now and what my future holds.

Thanks for everyones support. Until tomorrow.... XOXO!

Ashley

January 2011

Today

January 2011

Today

January 2011

Today