Think, evaluate, plan and execute! Hip/sciatic pain, no heavy lifting. Work is good! Cooking, exercise

Another week I am told not to do heavy lifting or running. At first, it bothered me and scared me since I was so afraid that I would just get fat again and start the vicious cycle of don't care, and just eat my way to oblivion. I have to admit, I had a problem with me and food! But I think I finally come to terms with myself that I need to take control of my life, what I need to do and not make excuses anymore. I will tell this to all my friends who had/still struggled with their weight issues. Think of the times you have an excuse or reason why you cheat. Think of the times you feel stress and use food for comfort and blame it on others. We need to take responsibility and be accountable for our own self. Oh sure, it is a struggle and it will take time. You just have to take that first baby step. No matter who tells you what you need to do, you ultimately have to make that decision. So think, evaluate, plan, and execute!

Weight Lifting I was starting to enjoy and in as much I can't lift a lot of weight, I feel I am getting stronger and hips are getting more flexible that I can squat lower than before. And plus, I feel my total body was getting stronger and eating more. I started to see some signs of muscle development. But since this problem with my lower back and hip is more serious, I have to be a good girl and listen to my doctor. So to help it along, I looked into an inversion table. Tricep Mary told me about Teeter hang up and today  I got it and Joe put it together for me. It was a little scary at first and trying to figure a comfortable position for the ankles and something place near my butt bone was a challenge. It feels strange but it feels really good. So we will see if this will help it along.

I am not without anything to do. I am no longer helpless thinking what I should do now. I still go to Arrichion for yoga and Warrior classes. I love this place. I love my second family. It is totally up to you how hard you want to push yourself.

 I remember when I first started anything exercise or wellness programs, I went through the motions because I was scared to or did not know what it means to push myself and like who cares if I did or not. My perspective and mindset have changed in the past year. I thank my trainer Jackie for believing and encouraging me and Arrichion just being there.

Work has been more manageable! The work schedule is still tight but now I got someone to help me. We were told not to take long vacation days during December but hopefully I still can take a couple of days in November to go to the Outer Banks. I won't be running the OBX race but I like seeing and hanging out with my friends. They just a bunch of laughs and fun times and they increased my endorphin levels - We all need friends like that- Life is short! We have to find things or people to be happy with. Try it!

Last week I made some salmon and snapper. I coated it with egg mixture and garbanzo flour and brown it with avocado oil. I created a mixture of the sauce from the salmon and onion, jalaeno chutney, add some crushed red pepper flakes.

I also seasoned bok choy with asian seasonings, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, salt and pepper and chili sauce and grilled that.

And also roasted brussel sprouts with avocado and coconut oil, salt and pepper, minced garlic, chopped onions, soy sauce and chili paste.

Pictures later!

Work not too too bad, Training and lifting going well. Seeing some progress with hip with chiropractor, recipes, herbs and spices

So far work is pretty manageable which I am happy about. With all the overtime last year and this year, I was getting real tired and my health was starting to get to me. And not being able to workout did not sit well. I am no athlete but I like the feeling I did something better for me. So to not do, just bothers me.

For the past week, I have been putting together my recipes in a cookbook form - No, not publishing it as yet but thought it is a good idea for me to do so. But also, I was listening to people use packet seasonings and those are bad news. I got some written somewhere, no measurements but what I threw together. I found the taco seasoning recipe, check it out. I probably find others and post it here or put them in a booklet form.

I have done many things over the past two weeks. I started creating a cookbook of my recipes. I believe the recipes I created can help others learning to cook, going on a diet, eating clean, and all macros are accounted for (Carbs, protein, fats).

I am not sure what I will do with the cookbook and the herbs and spice recipes I put together. I might put them in e-book format to share with anyone who are interested. My hopes is to share what I love and to share my new eating clean plan. We will share!

Last Thurs. I had a very good training session with my trainer. When I first started training with Jackie, we did not talk a whole lot. On the surface, I appear to be an outgoing person but deep down, I'm very shy and introverted. As I got to know her better, we have interesting conversation and I got to know her better. She has been through a lot but I know with her strong will she will find herself and be successful in what challenges comes at her.

So this is an interesting story. I did my training and then went to get my prescription filled. They ran out so I had to go to the other location. Someone made eye contact with me and I said " I know you.."
and she pointed at her knees and said "you were the one" She had on two knee braces when she joined the NCRC Women's running program and I promised that at the end of the program, she will be running/walking without them and she did. Boy, did that make me happy!

And this past weekend I was at Trader Joe's and we buy a lot of food for the week which probably last about 3-4 days. So the cashier said "Oh enough for the week!" and my husband said it was good for 3-4 days. She was amused and I said "I eat alot!  and she said "Where do you put it all?". Wow, for the first time, I don't have to worry about my weight and it was not the same New Year resolution.
I don't know if I conquer the weight issue but I think I have better control of it. I am hoping to stay control of it.

So I have been doing some form of exercising - running, cycling, weight lifting and training with my trainer. My hip has been bothering me big time and I have been seeing a chiropractor. This Fri she told me to hold off any exercises. Umm, no can do doc! So for now no heavy weight bearing stuff so no squats with the barbell. I am kinda bummed out because I am doing the 3 month cycle at Marvel. Hopefully Dr Foglia will sense I am all OK to continue. Meanwhile it does not stop me from doing yoga, or some form of circuit training with light weights. I will find out Tues the verdict. Wish me luck!

So I forgot to include recipes for last week. Fish again! Because I think it is one of the more difficult food to make. This time I share with Jackie and my coach at Marvel - Ashley.

Here was last week's venue:

Flounder with Tahini Sauce -

The flounder fillets, I lightly pass it over egg and almond milk, pass it through a combination of garbanzo flour and gluten free breadcrumbs. Quickly sear the fillets at high heat. Finished it with Tahini sauce

Tahini Sauce - 

tahini, garlic, lemon and lime juice, dash of garlic chili sauce, little bit of red wine,

Roasted bok choy - 

avocado oil, sesame oil, gluten free tamari, minced garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, sesame seeds

Buffalo Cauliflower

This had the grass fed butter and Frank's hot sauce- which are the ingredients for Buffalo wings hence I call this dish Buffalo Cauliflower

grass fed unsalted butter
frank's hot sauce
red pepper flakes
olive oil
salt

The amounts of oil and salt is negligible.

A long holiday weekend, Anniversary, Marvel training, ran with NCRC girls, sore butt still, got some needed rest,

It's Labor Day Holiday weekend. I'm taking an extra day just to get things done around the house and get some rest. I still need that long vacation which we will probably take in a couple of weeks, maybe to the beach. We have not gone there is a long, long time.

Work has been more manageable but I know it will get real busy. I hope I will be able to take a few days off in November to the Outer Banks to hang out with my friends. I am not racing this year again, just too many injuries. Dr. Foglia, I hope she  can find out what's wrong.

I trained with Jackie and she worked my legs hard. I am very weak on the right side, hamstring curls are really tough for me. The squats and leg press were better. She has been exceptionally happy and I am so glad. I just hope she finds her happiness and what she deserves.

This week was still back and front squat at Marvel and Fri we did deadlift 1 RM. I did not do too bad and perhaps some day I can break the 200 lb mark. My squats are getting better but still need a lot of work. I want to work on my rope climb and rope jumping along with handstand.

This week, I made a simple salmon dish, side dishes sweet potato, and asparagus.

Salmon with sweet pepper jelly and jalapeno mango chutney
Pan fried salmon filet getting the skin side crunchy, did a mixture of sweet pepper jelly and jalapeno mango chutney glaze on top.

Asparagus with minced garlic,onions finished off with red wine, tamari
Heat wok, add minced garlic and onions until golden brown, add asparagus

Sweet potatoes - sliced, add cinnamon and touch of maple syrup
Cook sweet potatoes in the oven until done, take skin off, slice, add cinnamon and maple syrup