Day 4: Happy Thanksgiving - Laying on the Couch Edition

I cannot properly convey how much my legs hurt!  I am moving purposefully throughout the house and, if I must get up from the couch, I do everything necessary that I think needs to get done before I sit back down. It's horrid. Let's not even discuss the drama that ensues when trying to go to the bathroom. We'll not get in to that aspect of my crippled body. 

So today is Thanksgiving and I all I wanted to do was eat every form of carb known to man. And pie. Mmmmm. Pie. Yeah, that would have been delicious, but I made a commitment to myself to not deviate from my goal. This soon in to my plan would be detrimental. I know me. I know my limits and boundaries. So today has been vegetables and pinto beans. And you know? It's good. I have no complaints...other than my inability to walk. 

Happy Thanksgiving, all!

Holy Mary, Mother of God

Pray for my thighs. Holy cow. I've never ever been this sore before!  The outside of my thighs are sore to the touch and I'm sitting down and getting up as if I'm in super slow motion!

I've had plenty of water today and black coffee. I also did something rare - I ate a banana. This move is only second to me eating a raw apple (that will NEVER happen. The crunch is like nails on a chalkboard to me). The texture if a banana has always bothered me. Bleck.

I'm also doing pinto beans and Birds Eye Steamfessh vegetables. 

I'm not sure what I'll be eating tomorrow but, after speaking to a friend, I know that I will not go completely off the grid in regards to my food. I will be utilizing the gym in my subdivision. Hope everyone gets some great rest for the marathon of eating they'll partake in tomorrow. I'm going to go lay in a bath!

Day 3: November 27, 2013: Rescue 9-1-1

Last night an exorcism was staged on my legs by a 5'1" 110 lb figure competitor.  She wrecked me.  Do you understand me?  W-R-E-C-K-E-D.  I was breathing like a woman in labor...with triplets.  While I outweigh the woman by a solid 30+ lbs, she was moving heavier weight and making it look easy.  I watched her in awe as she bee-bopped from weight to weight, supersetting EVERYTHING.  I was embarrassed.  Yep.  Totally embarrassed that I had let myself "go" so much that I had to sometimes drop weight to just my body weight.  Know what she did?  She cheered me on.  She told me that I was strong and to keep moving.  Keep pressing forward to finish the rep count.  She told me she was proud of me.  You have no idea how much I needed these words.  I've worked out with her before when I was in better shape, and could maintain a closer gap in the weights that we both utilized, but yesterday it was staring me in the face how much strength and conditioning I had lost.  But you know what?  I let it bother me for all of a minute.  I reminded myself that I will get back to where I want to be and it helps, not hinders, to surround yourself with encouraging people who will push you.  She is exactly what and who I needed last night.  You'll be hearing me post more about her.  I must think of a cute little name for her.  But for now, here is how she violently destroyed my lower extremities.

I remember when we were on leg extensions and she said she "Only was starting hers at 55#" (she increased the weights every set) and I thought, "We can both move more that that!"  No.  No sir.  After everything prior, my legs were shot.  When we were on the treadmill and she was performing 30 seconds on and 30 seconds off of sprinting (I think she was on a 7 incline at 9.8 speed) I was doing well to keep my legs under me.  I turned to her to say something and my right knee buckled sending me into panic mode as I thought I was about to be catapulted off the back end of the thing. 

I went home and took an Epsom salt bath which is supposed to help with inflamation and soothe muscles.  Lies.  LIES!  I am waddling everywhere today.  I am thankful that we have a bathroom stall at the office with the pullup bar thing as I have used it - which isn't easy considering my arms are still sore from the arm workout the other night. 

I am not sure the workout I'll do this evening, but it will be something!  I may do some tabata training as I'll not be able to get to the gym this evening. 

We had a pot luck for Thanksgiving at my office.  I kept to the Eat to Live plan less having a spoonful of sweet potatoes.  I'm not going to go off base.  I veered away from the mashed potatoes, bread, cakes, pies, chips.  This is big for me.  I'll update tomorrow...probably from the couch as my legs surely won't be working come tomorrow!

Day Two - 11/26/2013

Okay, so yesterday's workout didn't go exactly as planned.  Everyone and their mother was in the gym last night and I didn't want to wait for all of the equipment I needed, so I changed it up.  I'll do the workout I showed here on Friday.  So last night I did the following:

I saw some friendly faces at the gym and was glad I was back.  Do I look different from the last time I was in there?  Sure.  But I know what I need to do.  I know the steps I have to take to look, but more importantly, FEEL good.  There's something about being strong in the gym that I find empowering.  Personal tangent, but I am not the strongest person emotionally and by gaining control over other areas on my physical and mental well-being, I believe it helps me emotionally.  I was lost in the music coming out of my headphones and was focused on my movements, making sure not to take too long between my sets. 

This morning?  My left bicep has taken out a restraining order on me.  It won't allow me to fully extend my arm.  I can imagine how horrid I'll feel tomorrow as the second day of DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) is always worse.

I did drink a protein shake - Hydro 4 Apple Tango Blast by Chaotic Labz 30 minutes before I hit the gym, mixed with water.  It's so good.  When I'm allowed to add oatmeal back in to my diet, you better believe that I put some of this protein in there with a bit of almond milk.  YUM.

Last night I made some of those Bird's Eye Recipe Ready vegetables with some pinto beans and made sure that I didn't over indulge.  It was really good!  I can see myself keeping to that meal.  Simple, easy and something my son would probably eat.

Today I'll be hitting up my legs at the gym with a dear friend.  It's always good to have someone with you that pushes your limits.  I fully expect to not be walking come Thursday!  Good thing it's Thanksgiving and I won't have to go to work!

This morning I had black coffee and a banana.  I'm downing bottle number 1 of water now.  Make it a good day!

Monday 11/25 Planned Workout

So here's what I'll be doing today.  I haven't been in a gym in over 3 months.  This should be interesting.

12:38 update on day one

My body hates me right now. HATES!  It's craving sugar and letting me know that it is mine to happy by way of jitters.

I've upped my water intake and will probably allow myself some type of food today. Basically I'm allowed an exorbitant amount of vegetables and some beans. 

I need to go grocery shopping - and weigh out my foods.  Again - I WILL be adding protein shakes to this mix or even Inception by Chaotic Labz.

Also, I wanted to give a heads up on a coupon I found.   These are quick little "go to" items when needed to get my veggie fix.  This week, they are 50% off at Publix.  So when they're typically $2.59 a bag, it would be $3.89 for two.  Take off the $1.00 and ta da!...two bags for $1.44.  The coupon doesn't expire until February 1, 2014!  I get mine from Ebay (you don't pay for the coupon...that's illegal! ;) You pay for their time to find them for you.)

Sometimes the stores will do a BOFOG (buy one get one free) and you can then get two bags for $1.59!  BOOM!

Edit: I just found some that are $0.75 off of one.  An even better deal!

Day 1 - Here We Go!

Okay, so today is November 25, 2013, and here.  We.  Go. 

Let's first discuss the name of my blog: Drop and Give Me Twenty.  I chose it because it has a "get your butt moving" ring to it and my goal is to drop 20 pounds.  Clever, right?  Yeah...I thought so, too.

I am a 36 year old single mother and have absolutely let myself partake in way too many indulgences over the past couple of months.  Ergo, my pants are ridiculously tight.  It is not a good look.  I have created this blog to document what I'll be eating, my workouts and my rants.  Some days I may do nothing but vent, so prepare yourselves.  I'm going to be attempting the Eat to Live diet by Dr. Fuhrman.  I know someone who has lost, and maintained a 20+ weight loss for over a year.  At my heaviest, I weighed 184 pounds.  Okay, okay - I was pregnant.  So let's say that my heaviest after I had my child was 170.  I was a walking circle.  I then found Body for Life and it completely changed my outlook on nutrition.  I also was lucky to meet some pretty great people on a weight loss board and have maintained those friendships over the past five years.  I'll try most anything but found that my "home" is with the iron. 

I actually love to workout.  Now, let me be specific - I like to lift weights; loathe running.  My idea of cardio is to just lift weights faster.  I have an obscene amount of workout clothes which I shall probably be documenting on this page as well.  I have a gym membership, believe in supplements and "treat" meals.  I love a good deal and whether it's on healthy foods, workout gear or clothing, you'll probably read about it as I am also a sharer.  Is that even a word?  (I just googled it.  It's a word.  Moving on...)

Where I stand now with weight, stats and Holy, Mary, Mother of God pictures.

Height: A staggering 5'2"
Weight: 143
Neck: 13.5"
Shoulders: 41.5"
Chest: 37"
Waist: 31.5"
Hips: 35"
Around Glute: 38"
Thigh: 22"
Calf: 14"

Brace yourselves:   Pictures

EDIT:  Mullllhahahahahaaaa... I deleted them!  That's right.  Poof! Be gone!  Why?  Because I have even more hideous pictures that shall be forthcoming as soon as I can get back in the gym :)

Lord.  Jesus...


My goals for today:  Today is my "cleanse" day.  Last night I drank something called Super Dieter's Tea.

If you are so inclined to try this, be prepared for a run of knees to chest type of pace when it starts taking effect.  Do NOT...I repeat...DO NOT think your body can handle three bags.  It's violent.  I advise against it. 
This morning I have had a cup of coffee (added a sweet n low and powdered creamer - that will be the last day I do this) and, so far, 16.9 oz of water.  Seeing as how it is now 9:30 am, I am behind on water intake.  I am going to shoot for a gallon a day.  Water helps flush out the impurities in your system, helps with skin (a HUGE problem area for me.  Wasn't this crap supposed to end in my teens?  Go figure.) and can help you feel "full" so as to not overeat.  I will be drinking a protein shake later which, while not on the "plan" for Eat to Live, I feel I'll need so as to not lose any (more) muscle mass.  My favorite protein as of now?  Hydro 4 Hard Whey Apple Tango Blast by Chaotic Labz. (you can buy it here along with their other flavors - with free shipping :) )  Deeeeelish! 

For the cleanse, I'll be doing a two day juicing with the "Hollywood 48 Hour Miracle Diet".  Don't judge me (I'm already doing that just by typing the name of the product), but I need to get rid of it and I might as well just use it and then be done with it.  There are way too many sugars (22 grams per serving) involved here - but let's just ease our way in to this.  I'm going to be going on a total carb and sugar withdrawals so better, for me, to work my way there.

I'll be going to the gym this evening and I think I'll reintroduce my body to working out.  An all over weight workout shall be had and I'll make sure to document exactly what I do.  I will end with at least 20 minutes of cardio.  More later.