How do you figure out what works best for you?

You hear it all the time - There is no "one size fits all" way to get into shape.  There are so many variables that can effect this -stress, eating, body predisposition, sleep, and etc.  To make it more complicated, these things affect eveyrone differently.  So, how do you figure out the right combination that works for you? I honestly have no idea and that might be one of the most frustrating things about trying to change my habits.

Beyond the fads and ridiculous "lose 10 lbs and 10 inches in 10 hours by drinking 10 protein shakes in 10 minutes" nonsense, there are tons of seemingly legitmate ways to get into shape.  Every so often Yahoo! runs an article that sums up this dilema into a bottom line of: eat less calories than you expend.  Mathmatically and biologically, that is bound to create some change, right?  I dont know about everyone, but being in a diet/exercise plan like that makes me crazy.  It makes me irritable.  Have you ever tried to eat less than 1,200 calories per day?  OMG, its annoying and I get so jealous of non-dieters and their food.  Then, let's say you cheat and you eat something worth 200 calories.  You head off to your globo-gym and you have to be on the freakin' eliptical for three hours straight just to burn off the cheat, let alone make a dent in your other daily caloric intake.  I'm exhausted just thinking about it.  I feel like this plan breeds hungry, work-out crazed lunatics.  I've been there.  When I get really into it, that's when I start to play this game with myself about just how few calories can I eat in a day? (READ: I become psychotic.) Clearly, this is not sustainable for me nor anyone else really. 

Moving on - so what SHOULD you do for exercise?  Stick with one thing? Mix it up? Machines? Aerobics? Weights only? Weights and cardio? Cardio? Crossfit? Yoga? Zumba? Pilates? Yozumbalates? <-- No one steal this idea.  I may be on to something here! ;)  I guess what you choose depends on how you want to look?  I don't think any exercise (in moderation) can really be bad for you, but you can't expect muscles if you're only doing cardio.  You wont necessarily burn all of your fat if you're lifting weights.  You want to make sure you're doing something fun so maybe you want to throw in dancing or pilates?  For me, I think the best combination (arrived at through much trial and error...mostly error) is Crossfit and weights.  Ask anyone - I wasn't sold on weights AT ALL prior to last Christmas.  However, they 100% made the biggest change to my body I've ever seen. (and quickly)  I really miss lifting weights and I hope that soooon I will be back at a CF I like and I can resume them.  I think intense cardio (aka kickboxing or CF) will be my key to making the rest of the changes I would like to happen.  I suppose you also have to do what you're motivated to do or perhaps not if its not giving you the body you want?

As much as I have read and experienced I still don't think I have this figured out.  I ran onto an article yesterday about residual fat being attributed to eating fructose.  I, of course, curse this article because I like to eat fruit.  Cavemen had fruit...that's not exactly fair now is it?  Fruit might not affect some people, but it could be my hang up.  This food peice continues to stump me.  What is acceptable to my body and what isn't?  I 100% think that gluten is not a friend, but dairy? I'm still undecided.  Carbs are a "frenemy."  They seem ok and harmless, but then they take up permanent residence on and around my butt. 

Back to my orignial question...how do you know what works?  I guess trial and error, educating yourself, and trying to control the other variables in your life that might be impeding your progress.  As for me, I think I've made progress, but it will be an ongoing experiment to determine the best approach.  I guess I just have to become okay with that!

Post Vacation Update

Hey blog fans its been a busy few days since I updated last.  I do have some cool things to share with you, though! 

• I started kickboxing.  I was complaining to Mark about not really working hard in a workout (especially with Zumba) and that I was missing some intense cardio.  As I'm sure I mentioned in previous posts, I've lost around 15 lbs and I've been able to maintain that with just a little bit of flux.  (Whoo freakin' hoo!)  I know that I've lost muscle since I quit OLY lifting temporarily, but I'm sure I can get that back quickly.  My only real complain is that I'm still packing a little layer of fat on my hips and thighs and I. want. it. gone.  I think for now, without Crossfit, blasting it with cardio is the way to go.  Enter kickboxing.  Mark does this weekly and I've never really been very interested.  He mentioned me trying it and I actually liked it.  It was tough and a definite workout, but its fun.  I've been twice now and Mark has only sustained one injury from me so far. ;) 
• Mark and I took an impromptu vacation to Savannah, Ga and Hilton Head, SC, over the last weekend.  Oddly enough, it was my first time being in the Atlantic Ocean.  The beach at Tybee Island was relaxing and I got to shop at a really a huge outlet mall. Overall, I think a weekend away was much needed and I'm glad Mark set up the trip for us!
• I weighed myself last night and I was 142.8 - which I was VERY happy about.  I've been cheating and eating carbs left and right.  I had 2 days last week where I stuffed myself with pizza, had airport food, ice cream, crab cakes, and a gyro.  All this and I'm still 142?  I'll take it.  It's back to eating paleo, now.  It just feels better to eat that way, even though crap food tastes good.   
• On a similiar topic, none of my pants fit.  This is a good thing, however, I hate the thought of having to buy all new pants.  I DREAD shopping for pants.  I have the weirdest body shape.  I'm tall, but I don't have extremely long legs so my inseam is inbetween regular and long.  I'm very skinny around the waist, but I have a bigger butt and thighs so trying to accomodate all of that sucks.  I have an extremely long torso so low waisted jeans are not flattering on me and that's all they make now it seems.  I don't like funny washes or details on jeans.  I just want a plain dark wash.  I have discovered that this is impossible to find!!  Of all brands, I found that Jessica Simpson jeans at Macy's were close to what I needed, but not perfect.  They were only $60 though, so they were sufficient for now.  I am totally open to suggestions. 
• One of my very best friends is moving back to Chicago.  I cannot wait.  I have been without an old (affectionately old) girlfriend here in the city for a loooooong time.  I miss girl stuff.  Don't get me wrong I like my sports and tomboy stuff, but I need elevated levels of estrogen.

Short and Sweet

Today was my Friday and it was another good day.  I got a lot of things accomplished.  :)  I like when I go home feeling like I've made progress.  I'm most proud of the fact that I ate pretty strictly again today and even passed up cake and fudge at work without batting an eye.  Its been a while since I've been able to do that.  I am still having a bit of dairy for the calcium.  Food log goes like this:

• Coffee with heavy cream
• Chai Latte -> I'm not perfect, ok :)
• Mixed veggies, chicken + broccoli
• Buffalo burger, cucumbers

Food may have gone well, but the bright spot in my day was the baseball tickets I received as a gift.  It's always nice when people appreciate the things you do.  I've only been to one baseball game so far this year so this will be good.  (I do wish that I was still able to walk to Wrigley, rather than drive!) 

Tomorrow I'm getting my car back.  I left it at home last weekend because it was making a crazy noise.  My dad gave me his car to drive around so if you saw me this week that's not my Mitt Romney sticker.  :P 

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Great Mood :)

Inspite of a lot of stresses, I was in a fantastic mood today.  Numerous reasons, but I'm so excited that my best friend is moving back to Chicago.  Its been quite a while since I've had good "girl time" with her and I'm looking forward to doing all the stuff that girls do! ;)  Another friend got some really good news and called to share it with me.


I FINALLY saw The Dark Knight Rises last night!  I had lowered my expectations for it because I've always been so in love with the second installment, but it did not disappoint.  There was a solid story (holy twists and turns, batman!) and of course, the effects were cool.  I would gladly see it again to try to pick up on anything that I might have missed the first time!  The sleep deprivation was totally worth it.


I was introducted to the iced chai tea with coconut last night at Argo.  Not sure how, but its better than the ones from Starbucks.  Its probably a good thing I don't have access to this on the regular.  I have limited myself to 3 of these this week, instead of daily.  #progress


I left work tonight hoping that I could speed home, change, and run to Zumba.  My usual 30 minute trip took 50 so there was no way I was going to make it back over to Arlington Heights in time.  Its probably a good idea to just start keeping clothes in my car so I can just head straight over there.  There's class again tomorrow, so I'll go to that. 


My cute new Tory Burch shoes showed up in the mail today and I love them!! :)  They will definiately become a new staple. 

I ate very strictly today.  I started the day off with coffee with a bit of heavy cream and then I had some strawberries.  For lunch I had a Chipotle salad with pork.  For dinner I had a fish burger (sounds gross, was decent) and some salad.  Feels good to have had a "clean" day! :)

Back to Blogging

I know it has been months since I made my last post.  I've been thinking a lot lately about how fun I thought it was to share things with you guys earlier in the year and I want to start doing it again.  I also need to have some accountability for changes I'd like to make going forward. 

So why did I quit blogging before?  Honestly, a combination of a lot of things.  I got disappointed in myself with lifting and Crossfit.  Because of some changes in my work life and a lot of traveling I couldn't make it to class hardly at all.  Since the middle of May I've been to CF 5 or 6 times.  When I did go to those classes, my performance had decreased and that was difficult on me mentally, even though its the logical thing.  In June, Mark and I decided that to save some money we would not renew our lease and we would move out to the 'burbs for a while until we figured out what we wanted to do.  It was probably the best decision for us, but not being in the city is depressing to me.  The overall point here is that I could have continued to post, but I thought it best to stop when I felt like all of the things I had to say were negative.  Who wants to read that all that time?

Today is July 24th, which is hard to believe.  I've had several weeks of haitus from pushing myself in the gym regularly.  I've been off and on with my paleo diet.  Its time to make some changes.  I am not thrilled with the CF gyms out in the 'burbs.  One of them wants you to show up, do your skill work on your own (unsupervised) and then partake in a quick wod.  It just doesn't seem right that someone isn't looking at my technique.  Also, the first night I tried them out the trainer tried to change my snatch technique a ton and I know that if there's ONE LIFT that I rock at....its snatch.  I'm not changing.  Sorry dude.    I haven't made it over to Crossfit Rise yet to work out.  It's on my to-do list.  Even though its been so hot, I've forced myself to run at night to do some activity.  To my surprise running doesn't seem nearly as horrible as it used to.  Surely because I have more endurance, I'm stronger, and I'm 15 lbs lighter than I've been in a while.  I also returned to Zumba last night, which didn't make me sweat.  I used to leave class panting and exhausted, but I felt like I barely worked last night.  Perhaps its the routines she was teaching or my own personal changes.  Even though it wasn't that taxing it was still fun and I'll probably keep doing it while we're out in the 'burbs. 

I haven't weighed myself in a few weeks, but the fit of my clothes hasn't changed.  I dropped to about 137 lbs in early June - loss of muscle probably.  My jeans that I had just gotten in the spring were falling off of me. If I had to guess I'd say I'm about 142 right now.  Enough background....get to the new plan, right?  Ideally, I will return to CF and strict paleo.  The combo of those 2 things seems to be the best thing for my body.  I would love to supplement that with Zumba or yoga for the cardio and the stretching. 

In the past couple of weeks I've gotten to do a lot of things for myself to help with stress.  I got a really awesome massage at Asha in Schaumburg and I got a pedicure at this place I LOVE in Rolling Meadows.  (Honestly, if you live by LeBleu and you don't go there.....your loss.  They will spend quality time on you and its cheap!)  I also splurged and got a haircut at Asha, too.  I've gotten some skinny clothes and thrown away or donated my "fat" clothes.  I ordered myself a really cute pair of Tory Burch flats and I'll probably wrap up this Month of Erica with a new purse. :)  [Stay tuned...I have my eye on a few different ones.]

Goals for the Month of August
1. Exercise (in some way) at least 4 days per week.  I am not sure if CF is in my August future, but running, Zumba, or yoga should be. 
2.  Quit drinking Starbucks iced chai tea lattes with whole milk all the damn time otherwise I will have to enroll in an addictions program
3.  Blog daily
4.  Weigh in at the end of the month at no more than 140 lbs

I hope everyone wants to follow this again and leave me comments. I always geeked out on looking at the number of hits I had every day.  :)  #lovegraphs

3500 m row

Well, I hoped for an exciting WOD today and I think that worked out.  It's row 2000 meters, take a break, row 1000 meters, take a break, and row 500 meters.  I love to row!! :) I'll report on how it goes later.  I think I'm going to the 7 or 7:30 WOD.

Update:  Rowing 3500 m wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. 

• 2k m = 9:23
• 1k m = 4:50
• 500 m = 2:15

The only part of the the whole workout that was hard was the last 400 m of the 2k row.  I think I could have finished well sub 9 mins if I hadn't pooped out towards the end of that. 

To review my food for the day:
Breakfast = chicken sausage scramble with peppers and onions
AM = coffee with coconut milk for cream
Lunch = left over shepard's pie
Snack = almonds + coconut shreds, grapes
Dinner = TBA

I've been stressin' about my "trouble spots" lately - namely my lower abs and thighs.  My abs, however, over the past few days have looked pretty good so I'm excited about that.  (Maybe we'll actually do pictures one of these days?)  I'm still in a love/hate relationship with the lower half of my body.  Somedays I think it looks different and other days I think it looks grossly out of proportion to the rest of my body.  (Hello, body dysmorphia!) I didn't pass the "butt test" the other day at the gym, but I didn't really care.  My butt needed to shrink in size.  It's my upper inner thigh that is currently not budging and giving me fits. I swear its like the only thing keeping me from going down another pants size.   


 

Videos!!

I'm sure if we're Facebook friends you've maybe checked out the videos I posted yesterday.  If so, just deal with me reposting them here.  I am so freakin' excited about them!!  :)

SNATCH:  That's not a very heavy weight on there (~ 22kg?), but I love how it looks like I throw it up there like its nothing.  I was telling Mark that the only time I feel that weight is when I'm first picking it up.  Otherwise, it just feels like it floats up above my head.  Very excited about snatching right now!!

CLEAN and JERK:  So...that's about 40kg or so on the bar.  My form on this is not as good.  You can tell that I am more forward on my toes and the bar is going out a little bit in front of me.  All in all, I think it looks much better than when I started.

I decided to take a break from OLY tonight and force myself to go to a regular WOD tomorrow.  Fingers crossed that I'm excited about it tomorrow when I check the website.  I PR'd on 2 lifts yesterday - Snatch 30kg and front squat 50kg.

For lunch today I had the shepard's pie that Mark made yesterday.  I also had some almonds and coconut and a banana as a snack.  For dinner, I had some more of the left overs.  Tomorrow will be more of the same because there is a ton left, but I don't really mind.  Hey, its not a burger right?? :)

Oh also, that's my new grey lulu shirt in the videos. It's awesome!  I really need little reason to justify it, but I will clean out the rest of my workout clothes that I'm not wearing to make room for some of my new things.  I cleaned out my regular clothes yesterday.  See ya later "fat" clothes and other things I never wear. :P