Body for Life

SO I’ve been all over the map lately with diet and exercise. In October my Man and I went to Phoenix and while I was there I decided to buy the Body for Life book. Why? Because I got it in my head that I really really really wanted muscles and that I really really really wanted them by my wedding. If you’re not familiar with the Body for Life book, it’s because it was popular in the 90’s and no one does it anymore. No really though. One night when we were out for supper in December my Man told his dad that I was on a diet and it was called Body for Life. His Dad's reaction was, “Ohhh I did that diet back in my 30’s. That's a good one.” I never thought the first and only thing that my Man’s Dad and I would have in common was a body building diet. For a number of reasons..

Anyway, it’s a 12 week diet and exercise program that promises fat loss and muscle gain and I did it for about 9 or 10 weeks before deciding I didn’t like my results or lack there of and enlisting the help of my now trainer. I definitely gained muscle while following the program, but I didn’t feel like it was changing my body in the way that I hoped it would or wanted, which may have had something to do with the fact that I wasn’t your typical “before” when I started and really had no where to go but UP. Basically I chose the wrong plan for the look I’m after. BASICALLY I was accidentally bodybuilding when I really just wanted to add a little lean muscle.

In January I started with my new trainer (the one who had informed me i'd been bodybuilding for 9 weeks) and from January until now I was following a new nutritional plan I’d made up myself by combining all the information I’d been reading in Oxygen magazine, online fitness websites, etc.. I was using protein shakes as snacks and eating protein in every meal while making sure I was eating every couple hours. I also became focused on whether or not I was eating enough calories to “grow muscles”. Still obviously reading more bodybuilding based information. Clearly confused.

In a recent conversation with my trainer she told me that I was eating more protein than I needed (double to be exact). Someone of my weight and height only needs 60 grams of protein a day and that excess protein is hard on your kidneys. Nothing resonates with me more than when you relate something to my health. For the first time since I got on this muscle building kick I realized that what I was doing wasn’t super healthy. Since I’m really NOT looking for a diet, but a lifestyle I decided to re-evaluate what I was doing. Because really, if the results I’m after are only maintainable by doing something unhealthy than they’re not the results I want. I also have to mention that I LOVE my trainers body and if she’s not downing protein like it’s going out of style, then maybe I don’t need to do it in order to get the arms I want.

Needless to say, I’ve come full circle. I’m going to go back to eating clean, eating for health and nutrients and eating whenever I’m hungry. All that being said, I wouldn’t change a THING about any of the stuff I've done because I’ve learned SO much. I’ve also sped up my metabolism and since January have also made some changes that I love. My trainer has changed the way I work out and I’ve pushed myself harder than I’ve ever pushed myself and I'm starting to see results.

SO now I just have to relax my diet, stop trying to eat as much protein as I can and have faith that I’ll still have muscular arms by my wedding and look like THIS.

Source: 3.bp.blogspot.com via Brittany on Pinterest

A girl can dream.

So, you wanna see some recent eats? Here are some of the things I ate yesterday minus a protein shake, scoop of PB and a glass of homemade chocolate milk. Everything should look familiar...

A Breakfast Cookie..



Butternut Squash Fries and Egg Whites & Mushrooms..



Larabar...



My FAVORITE supper EVER..


Brown Rice, Egg Whites, Mushrooms, Zucchini, Butter Olive Oil and Red Pepper Spices.

Lately, I've been OBSESSED with rice bowls. This week I think i'll try a Quinoa bowl too.

Happy Tuesday!!