Long week - so exhausted! But I keep at it!

For some reason, this week has been so exhausting and I am trying to figure out why! I think I am still tired from working all those long hours and it seems there is no light at the tunnel as yet, something else coming up.

I went back to be a volunteer for the NCRC Women's Running Program. It is where it all started for me to try out running. It was a great program. Things have changed alot and all I care about is if I can help one person feel better about themselves doing this and accomplish their goals, I'm happy! So far, I have been bad at getting to the runs. Some because of rain and some I just could not get there in time. Last week, Thurs looked really gloomy so I did not want to chance it. Sat, I reserve it for other activities.

This is the 2nd week of squat/deadlift cycle at Marvel and it has been exhausting. This is all new to me learning to hoise weight onto the shoulder and squat low- those hip flexors and knees are working against me but it's getting better, little by little, baby steps. I am thinking of getting a pair of weight lifting shoes, to see if it helps with stability. Lots of things I do not know how to do and need to work on and learn.

I still try to get with my trainer twice a week and run twice a week and get to yoga twice - so by Thurs, I am so tired - but got lots to do. I got a goal - build strength, get myself back into short distance of running, and stay flexible.

So this Sunday I did not go to Sparta because I thought I was going to train but oh well, it happens so I went  to cycle/yoga class with my husband. Good class and always good to see Adrienne! It was pouring rain but I guess it was not too bad for Sparta -oh well! next time. I did not go to my trainer's class Sat since I went to Sparta Sat but may go this weekend since my friend Rachel is going to come try it out .

I will see what next week brings. While I was home, I got more time to prepare food for the week and something for my trainer to try - I like the nice comments from my cooking, it makes me happy! And like I said, if she eats it, then it is trainer approved! See!

So on the menu today is: baked flounder , grilled lobster tails, grilled bok choy.

Baked Flounder - 
This fish is hard to cook on the grill - falls apart and cooks too too fast which is not a bad thing but the flavors are not fusing together. I butter a skillet - place the flounder fillets - Seasoned with seafood broil, dill,pepper, ginger, rosemary garlic, little salt - put in oven and bake for 10 mins the most - finished off with spicy mango chutney.

Grilled Lobster Tails - these are small tails about 3-4 oz - cut out the middle shell - seasoned with paprika, white pepper, ginger , rosemary, garlic, basil, cooking wine, cayenne pepper, brush with butter and grill.Finished off with sesame seeds.

Grilled bok choy - this vegetable turn out excellent on the grill -Tossed a little avocado oil, ginger, chili paste, pepper, coconut aminos, tamari - put on grill - aroma is perfect

Finally time to relax a little, maybe now I can get back to some needed working out

It has been a tremendously long time since I've written to my blog. I am hoping to change that.

Finally, big project announced and all what is needed to be done is done for the time being! Now, it is time for me to get some needed rest and get back to some training and working out! Me being once a couch potato, I actually miss it! I have come to the realization that I can't be doing long distance running anymore with the injuries I had and plus I don't feel that goodness from it anymore. So I am looking for something else now to fulfill that void.

Since last year, started my training with Jackie, it has brought on a whole new perspective in my mind, body and life in general. She has given me a new meaning to working out and eating clean. Yes,  I also do circuit classes and yoga  at Arrichion and they have been encouraging and inspirational and now with both what Jackie has instill in me, it's going to be a great year. I have one more goal to set, but I will write about that when I am making progress in it.

Right now, I feel very weak, flabby and out of shape. I am hoping work won't be so so busy that it eats up my workout time. You know, when your body and mind are not in shape, your whole being is out of focus, out of balance, I need to find my balance of life.

So this week, I started a 3 month cycle of strength training and my promise to myself is to stay consistent and continue with it. I need this! I've been so lacking of motivation, probably because work has been so busy, and I can't get to my workouts and training. I had started this 3 months ago but never materialize because of my heavy duty work schedule. I joined Marvel Strength and Conditioning because I wanted to focus one goal at a time and it is strength for me. I realize with all these injuries, I need to strength. Ashley is the owner and head coach there and she is superb and a great technician. Form and technique is utmost importance! She rather have you lift less weight and concentrate of that! She can be watching 20 people at a time and can pinpoint what you are doing wrong and it can be a little thing - like move your knees out, or push at the heel. She is tough but approachable and encouraging. I feel that connection perhaps because she and my trainer
are similar.  So I will see what happens in 3 months. M/W are back squat and front squat plus conditioning of course. They are in a progression phase. and Fri is deadlift - which I never really done for a total 1 RM max.So I will report back on this.

With these new goals comes with muscle imbalances and pain and soreness. I still see Tim, my first massage therapist who works on my muscle imbalance but now I added Vince whose specialty is IASTM- soft tissue mobilization. Because of my injuries - glutes, hamstrings, shoulder, scar tissue has form and only way to deal with it is scraping. So I really think this will help especially with my mobility of tight hip flexors and shoulders.

Oh, oh I forgot, last week, News and Observer posted an article about NCRC Women's Running Program. It is to all women program and it is to train women to do their very first 5K or for those to get back into running. I had my 10 second of fame. My name was honorably mentioned.

See the article:

http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/07/10/3995290/raleigh-running-club-prepares.html

Meanwhile today I will be making some snapper. I already made the kale salad,will list the ingredients again, I will stir fry some asparagus and just finish off with salt and pepper.

So did my cooking for the night. I must say everything turned out quite nicely. Thanks to my husband for grilling. He is indeed the grill master.

Grilled snapper - seasoned the fish with the following condiments: lime juice, dried dill, parsley, seafood seasoning, sesaame seeds, coconut aminos, cooking wine, onion flakes, fresh ginger, minced ginger, white pepper, paprika, dash of salt. Brush with butter. Place the fish on grid, grill 2 mins each side. Accompaniments: jalapeno, onion chutney.

Grilled Asparagus: The thinner versions are much tastier, sweeter and cooks a lot faster. Break the bottom stems because those are hard and stringy. Toss with chili garlic sauce, basil, avocado oil, cinnamon, garlic, onions, fish sauce, black pepper. Lay on a rack and grill under tender but not overcooked. Finish off with sesame seeds.

Kale Salad: I got some Ecco Organic Green kale from Whole Foods. Got 2 big organic big avocados for making the dressing to toss in. Toss out the stems and cut the leaves in bite size. Wash and dry the kale and add little bit of avocado oil and massage and kale with it.

Creamy Avocado Dressing: Into a big mixing bowl: avocados, tomatoes, mince garlic, chopped onions, lime juice, lemon juice, chili pepper paste, salt , pepper to taste. Mash everything together. Add to kale and massage the dressing in. I also make a tahini garlic dressing which is equally good. But it seems avocado dressing is most sorted.