Training like a Boss

Last night I participated in a mandatory live fire training.  We are implementing an new offensive strategy for fighting fire with a safe, but direct approach.  I was stoked with the group I was in, and felt our strengths complimented each other well.  The training is very physical, we were pulling and packing hose lines all night and being in gear and packed up adds about 60-70 lbs. My tool of choice was the axe, I didn't have to worry about breeching doors.  I like the axe, there is the work end to chop and break things, but the handle is a less abrasive tool when doing search and rescue.  It also fits nicely in my belt for ease of carrying, frees up my hands to pull hose.  After 2.5 hours I was done and had to cut out of training a little early, circled back to drop my gear before heading home. 

Today I'm sore, not horrible, but that achy feeling you get when you know you put in work. Yea I got that! It's how I know I trained like a boss! Depending on the weather conditions I might do the training again on Wednesday, though it's not mandatory, I think its great to keep skill levels up. 

 

Needless to say, I have one of the best jobs in the world!  I also work with some of the finest men and women, who I'm quite proud to call my brothers and sisters.  This is another reason for why I'm so motivated to succeed in my weight loss.  These men and women are counting on me too.  I need to be strong and healthy so that I can have their back, just as much as they have mine. It's a goal of mine not only to lose this excessive amount of fat, but also to build muscle and strength so that I can be the best I can, for me and my family!

Catch up!

Good morning my weight loss buddies!  A busy weekend was had, and I'm just now getting some down time to record and share some of my activities.  Friday night was low key, I went to my sister's house, she made a delicious, bean full chili that I almost requested seconds of!  But I knew I didn't need seconds.  We did some DIY decorations for my niece's birthday, which is this weekend.

Saturday was packed with fun.  I started the walk/jog group I mentioned a few weeks ago.  We did 2 minute/15second intervals of walk/jog.  It was comfortable until my foot started acting up :sad face: my left foot went numb just after the mile mark.  This was frustrating, but I finished strong and proceeded to have my gait analyzed as well as my have my feet mapped.  Jack, the gentleman at the Endurance House was VERY knowledgeable and I'm well on my way to trying to rectify the issue with orthotics and some exercises to try to get an arch back into my feet.  I'm severely flat foot.  Link for Endurance House: http://endurancehousedelafield.com/  Seriously, check out the website!  They have jog/run groups for all levels, and it really helps having a team, even though I'm the slowest on the team, I'm ok with that, they are still cheering me on, and me them!
Saturday night was my friend Courtney's birthday party.  Though I'm not much of a bar person anymore, I went to help him celebrate his day.  Good Lord I danced and danced and danced!  I only had 2 wimpy shots, the rest of the night I was pounding down water.  I need too, I worked out that morning, and I was working up a sweat dancing.  It was an awesome night, and it makes me want to go out again, not often, but maybe once a month :) lol

Sunday I did a lot of relaxing.  My calf muscles were super tight and sore so I did some light stretching.  After I felt better I went outside in the balmy 32 degree weather and shoveled after Ramsey, I use a short shovel so I have to squat a lot, hey why not utilize the time to get some muscles flexed and stretched!  That was pretty much it, besides some meal prep. :)

Monday I decided why not make dinner meatless, trending! haha. My meatless Monday dinner was fabulous, I should have snapped a photo, wasn't thinking about it, my apologies!  It was a lovely whole wheat wrap, I stuffed it full with spinach, 1/2 of an avocado, 1 roma tomato, a scallion, and dressed it with a little sea salt, pepper and balsamic vinegar.  Oh Em Gee is was fresh and delicious and that balsamic....perfect.  Now, there is nothing wrong with meat, let me just say that, but we also don't have to have it at every meal.  It's ok to try new things, to change up what you think dinner is supposed to be.  Have fun with your food, keep it bright and fresh, you won't be sorry!

And so it began....

Time and time again I have started to try to lose weight and I fall right back into hold habits.  I will be the first to admit, this is on me.  I did this to myself, and I sabotage myself.  I started slowly.  Since January 1, 2016 I made little promises, no eating out for lunch, I will bring mine, move twice a week, meal prep for the week, no excuses.  Let's take a look at these goals a little closer.

• Pack my own lunch/no eating out for lunch: Looking back I was eating out or ordering in at work 3-5 days a week.  This was pretty much out of laziness.  I didn't pack a lunch, forgot it, didn't want leftovers etc.  This can't happen anymore, it's killing me, physically and financially it's just irresponsible.
• What if I forget my packed lunch: In my desk I now keep packets of oatmeal, nuts and I bring fruit like banana and apples on Monday so I have snacks too.
• Invites to order lunch: I'm bigger than that, I can say no politely.  My coworkers also know my mission and are trying to support me.  Half the time they don't even ask me anymore, and I know it's because they are helping me by not tempting me.
• Meal Prep: This goes hand in hand with bringing my lunches.  On Sunday (because it's convenient) I prep some food for the week.  I make a couple turkey burgers, brown rice, quinoa, cut vegetables, make soups, crockpot meals, bake chicken breasts that are seasoned differently.  These items I pack into portioned out meals in plastic containers for the week and stack in the fridge.
• Make extra servings: I'm only one in my household but I still make 5-6 servings of soups and crockpot meals.  I package 2 for the week, and freeze the other 3.  No excuse for ordering dinner or grabbing fast food on the way home. I have a quick dinner in the freezer anytime!
• Keeping a variety of flavors keeps me for getting bored with leftovers.  Trying different spices has been fun too.
• Move twice a week: This is where I started, I'm up to 3-4 times a week.
• I bought a pedal machine thingy (technical I know) for under my desk at work, but my knees were hitting the underside of the desk (ouch!) so I brought it home.  Now I pedal away while watching my TV shows!
• It's super cold today, but I have made a commitment to join a walk/jog group.  It starts January 23rd.  This keeps me accountable because its a group. 
• I can't afford a gym membership right now.  No Excuses! I curl liter bottles of water, squat with gallons of milk, and it's ok, because its doing something.  Something is better than nothing!

This year is my year and 2016 is going to be when I tackle this issue, I'm sick of being unhealthy, out of breath and overweight.  The weight is over, time to get healthy in 2016!