New Week- New Stuff

Well, we finally just broke down and did it. Posted our before picture for all the world to see. I don't know what's worse, for everyone else to see it, or for us to have to see it and realize how serious this is now! NO WAY WE CAN STOP NOW! It is very humbling to see and acknowledge all of your flaws that you get to keep to yourself and just pretend that they aren't there. Then to all of sudden show it all is well, let's just say, you lose any self righteousness that was there! But what a motivator! We will be taking weekly progress pics to keep us accountable, as well as to keep you informed.

Kimberly did her first full workout on the program with me today. Let me just say she was EXCELLENT! That girl did not go in there to play around, thank goodness! I put her to work without any relenting. And you know what? It payed off for both of us. Because as soon as I realized she wasn't going to pansy around it made me feel like I needed to work harder so that she wouldn't outwork me! She felt the exact same way. She felt like she needed to work harder in order to stay up with me. I am not boasting by any means, but I have had a lot more experience and time in the gym than she has had in the recent months. So for her to go in and even stay close to me was beyond expectation! She surpassed it by a long shot. And we are both so competitive that neither of us wants the other to be better the the other. We both want to be the best. Therefore, this is the absolute perfect scenario. She will continue pushing me just as I will her. But on the flip side, we both want each other to succeed 110%! So we will continue holding each other up and encouraging till the end. Which there never is an end to health, but until we reach our goals. And there isn't any one thing more important than to have social support when trying to achieve ANY goal! That is why it is so important for you let as many people as possible know what it is you're trying to achieve. You will have to weed out those discouragin ones who just never want any success for others and just talk negatively all the time. But you'll want the ones who are positive and encouraging around to help you when you might be down.

Our workout was a density workout. Trying to accomplish as many reps as possible in a given time. Single let squats, barbell upright row, pike pushup, and hand walkouts were in the first set. We did 2 rounds of each group. The second group was stepups, dumbbell row, y-press, and bent over lateral raise. The 3rd included jump lunges, incline dumbbell press, barbell stiff legg deadlifts, and dumbbell curls. On each of the second rounds we increased the weight by 10-20% of the 1st and tried to at least match the first round's reps. It didn't happen! But we gave everything we had for every second that we were supposed be working. And that's really what matters. As long as you're stimulating the muscle fibers enough, they are reacting. Not to mention the amount of cardio added in. Our heart rates were sky high after those step ups for 45 sec each time and jump lunges. Plus the rest time between exercises did not give hardly any time to get a good breather in. It was great. Finished off with a cool down walk.

Oh ya, I made a smoothie to take for our post workout meal. It was 2 bananas, strawberries, blueberries, 2 tbsp peanut butter, 12 almonds, and a good handful of spinach. I had the bright idea of just taking the whole blender with the smoothie mix in it and pour it once we were done. Didn't happen. The first stop I made the blender went flying forward into my floorboard and dumped out. I grabbed it in time to save a little bit for Kimberly to try. I finally proved to her that you CANNOT taste the spinach in it. All of the other ingredients completely take over the flavor. So, my attempt didn't completly fail.

I counted and I figure I had 12-13 servings of fruits and vegetables today starting from about 2:30 to 8:00. That is more than most people get in a week! It's sad but true. I had part of the smoothie, an apple and almonds, a pear and almonds, an orange and almonds, and dinner was grass fed ground beef with quinoa and a serving of sauted asparagus, 2 servings of broccoli, red onions, red bell pepper and spinach in coconut oil, and 1/4 avocado on top. All of that didn't even add up to 1400 calories. I really don't count calories, but I wanted to see what it was just to show you that quantity isn't was matters. Quality is key however. I fueled my body with propery nutrients to last through the day.

By the way my fast ended well. This morning I got a bit hungry while sitting at the computer trying to decide on faucets. But not overwhelming. And working out at the end of it was absolutely the prime fat burning time for it!

Then to top it all off, I went swimming with my mom for close to an hour this evening. Whew! What a full day. But I really enjoyed every single minute of it. I am off to bed now. Later than I had hoped. It's 10:30 now. But still within my target.

Please post any questions you may have. I'd love to hear your thoughts on all of this.

To health and hard training,

Bethany Field