WEEK 4 - HeartBURN!?

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word, "HEARTBURN?" Call the fire department! Just kidding. Personally, I think of the Alicia Keys song: 


It's an aching feelin' 
Inside my chest
It's like I'm goin into cardiac arrest, uh
Adrenaline rushin in my body, All my power I just can't fight it
Doesn't matter how, I keep on tryin
I can't deny I've got this heartburn!


And then, I think of Pineapple and how I don't want to put another piece of that atomic bomb inside my mouth ever again. (It gave me HEARTBURN!) Let me explain: On Monday, I was so ecstatic that I could finally indulge and eat a carb, that the first thing I wanted to inhale was fresh pineapple shipped from Oahu. Three juicy-refreshing pieces and five hours later; this burning feeling inside my chest felt like a nuclear explosion! It felt like a thousand pounds was sitting on my sternum. (I'm thinking the weight of an elephant.) I thought I was going to die! (Hypothetically speaking.) 


If you haven't been following, It's now WEEK 4! Do you know what that means? CARBS! And only TWO more weeks left until this contest is officially over. Or is it!? (I'll spill the beans in a future blog about my next fitness venture.) So far, the only carbs I have polished off are apples and that heartburning pineapple. I haven't really been craving anything else besides coffee and possibly a strawberry pop-tart, or maybe a brown sugar one? Since I've been able to consume anything that has or had a face I'm pretty happy with a steak and believe it or not, I'm in love with bacon now. 


What can I eat now that I am on Phase II? 


Oatmeal - Small Apple - Milk - Pineapple - Plum - Cherries - Sweet Potato - Carrots - Cottage - Cheese - Grapefruit - Beans - Apricot - Grapes - Citrus - Baked Potato - Protein Bar - Yogurt (with less than 20 grams of sugar) - Handful of Nuts - Peach - Berries - Whole Grain Bread (Ezekial Bread, 1 slice) - Avocado

The point is to keep the following guidelines from Phase One, but now add one of the following items above once or twice a day. (Depending on my workout of the day.) Most importantly, all the foods above must be consumed with protein. 

Now onto my results. You'd think after four weeks I'd be used to the soreness that invades my muscles daily, but the answer is NO! Everyday it's a different muscle, soreness and a completely different ache. As the Game would say, "Hate it or Love it." Or the title of the movie, "It's a Thin Line Between Love & Hate." Personally, my body relates to both titles greatly. 

Week 1: May 1st, 2011 VS. Week 4 Results: May 26th, 2011

Week 1 Weight: 135.2 lbs 
Week 2 Weight: 131.2 lbs
Week 4 Weight: 132 lbs

Week 1 Front VS. Week 4: Front

Week 1 Back VS. Week 4: Back

Week 1 Side VS. Week 4: Side

Compared to my weigh in two weeks ago at 131.2lbs, I've gained almost a pound back. So in total, I've lost 3.2lbs. I always tell myself that the number on the scale means nothing. It's all about how I feel and look. As for my body fat percentage? I will share those results at the end. Am I happy with my results so far? Yes. The only question that invades my OCD personality is, "Where is my six pack!? It will only make me push harder. Two weeks in COUNTING...! 

I Always WANT what I CAN'T Have...

It's the truth. You know you have had that feeling at least once in your lifetime. You either know what you want, or want what you can't have, or don't know what you want at all. This isn't a blog entry for me to spill out my deepest secrets of dating and how I sometimes end up wanting what I can't have later down the road, when I could have had it in the first place. (sigh) Nope. Not today. That's a whole other story. 


This saying, "wanting what I can't have" is all about my week full of family festivities. It's been a challenging venture to say the least, for me personally. My friends, cousins, aunties and uncles flew in from Hawaii last week for my cousin's graduation from Seattle University of Law School. So, what happens when my family comes into town? Food happens. Fine dining happens. Desserts happen. Parties happen. And did you forget? I'm doing the Green Faces Diet. No drinking. No carbs. No sweets. Nadda. I struggled to keep my eyes open for those late night dinners and happy hours. I swallowed my tongue (not really, but I wanted to) when everyone else was eating mashed potatoes and rice crispy treats in front of me. Just imagine yourself sitting in Molly Moons Ice Cream Parlor and smelling those homemade waffle cones and not being able to eat it. (Try me.) 


Since I've been on this 'Green Faces Diet' I've been craving the most random things. Here are my list of WANTS:


*Pop Tarts - (Brown Sugar)
*Coffee - (I'm not even an avid Coffee Drinker, yet I'm craving it)
*Peanut Butter & Jelly
*Cereal - (Any sugary kind)
*Cookies - (moms Homemade cookies)
*Apples - (With Almond Butter)
*Chocolate - (any kind)
*Chips - (Nacho Cheese Doritos) 
*Cake - (Red Velvet or Ice Cream Cake - Cookies & Creme) 
*Almond Butter
*Snickers
*Recess Peanut Butter Cups 


I will only take partial responsibility for my bitchy attitude, my snappy comments and smart ass remarks at everything. I hope my family did not take any offense to my unknown behavior. I know I'm bossy, but I'm not normally a bitch. I was/am BOTH! I was/am carb-less and PMSING, which is now on Day 11. (Please bear with me if you are my friend, I promise this will pass.) At least things should get better. Starting next week, I can finally have one carb a day, and two carbs a day when I do strength training. Yay to sweet potatoes and apples. Oh, how I've missed you. 


Besides the Bitch that I've become, it's not so bad. I'm on Day 19 and I'm feeling stronger and leaner. I'm looking forward to Week 4. I'll be doing my weigh in soon. Until then my friends, thanks for listening. 

Why I HEART Asparagus... & PEE Smells? Don't CARE!

It's Day 12 and I am pretty positive I've eaten Asparagus in just about every single meal. In my Omelet? DONE. With my chicken? DONE. With my steak? DONE DEAL. A la carte? DEFINITE DONE DEAL. Roasted. Grilled. Sautéed. Chopped. Raw. Cooked any way possible, I'll eat it. EXCEPT the kind in the can. GROSS! Fresh Asparagus is the only way to go. 


So now to that burning question that I know you are ALL thinking... "Doesn't your pee smell funny?" "Stinky" "Is your pee yellow?" The answer is, YES my pee smells, but it's not THAT bad. YES, it's yellow but not lemon yellow. I did a little research on these green spears and learned that most people produce the odorous compounds after eating Asparagus, but only about 22% of the population can actually smell it. So if someone tells you that their pee doesn't smell funny, they could be telling the truth. 


For those of you who can smell that distinctive stench in the toilet, it's because of certain compounds in Asparagus that are metabolized such as ammonia; which is also a reason why Asparagus is considered a diuretic property. What the hell is a diuretic property you ask? A diuretic is any drug that elevates the rate of urination and all diuretics increase the excretion of water from our bodies.  


Was this too much Asparagus talk for a Friday? Can't you tell I'm addicted? Well, take it as my lesson of the day. Asparagus. It's healthy, it is low in calories and sodium. It provides a good source of vitamins, calcium, magnesium and zinc, dietary fiber, ETC. ETC. ETC.


And to cook it? All you need is a little OLIVE OIL, SALT & PEPPER to season these stalks.


P.S. Yesterday, I did my weigh in and I've dropped 3lbs! I am now 131.1. The six pack is forming... I can't wait to see what Week 4 will bring! 


Below, please enjoy a few of my Asparagus cooked meals. Enjoy! 

TB, Asparagus & Veggie filled Omelet

Rotisserie Chicken, Artichoke, Spinach & Asparagus

Salmon, Green Salad, Mixed Veggies With Asparagus

WEEK 2... DAY 9... And I'm a B*TCH. (Did You See That HURRICANE!?)

If you personally know me, I am a nice person. PROMISE! It's not even that special time of the month, but I feel like my mood swings are like riding the 'Tower Of Terror' 24/7. Literally. I feel fatigued during my workouts, excited when I get to eat every 2 hours, but then nauseated at times after my workouts. I can't keep my eyes open after 11 P.M. I chew gum to satisfy my sweet cravings, but I think I've over chewed my jaw because every time I bite down it feels like someone is sitting next to me flicking my temples with their finger. 


Welcome to the challenge of "Green Faces Diet, Phase One! And, I LOVE a CHALLENGE!" My family tells me I am no longer a joy to live with, but how would they feel if they couldn't eat a carb or sugar? I felt my temper and anxiety rise this weekend as I watched my sister make homemade banana nut cupcakes and devour them in front me. Sometimes, I think I'm going to lose it... but it's all about...

Yes. Self Discipline. I use this as a reminder for my nutrition, thoughts, exercise, sleep and hydration. Thanks to my trainer, Luka Hocevar for the bracelet; it's just another mental reinforcement to help me stay on track. It's very similar to how those 'balance' bracelets work. (i.e. the Placebo affect.) At least that is my opinion! So with reference to my blog title and how I've been feeling I'm going to try my best to focus on saying positive things on how I am feeling to see if it changes my mood. 


Besides my crazy mood swings, I've been getting my ass kicked in boot camp, small group sessions and semi-private sessions. Last Thursday, I came to my usual boot camp session ready to get served and let's just say I got more than I deserved! Up on the white board was the word, "HURRICANES." What the hell is that? It's 15 minutes of torture! See for yourself. 


HURRICANES:
1 minute of each exercise, 3 rounds
Kettle Bell Deadlift
TRX Squat Jumps
PUSHUPS
Lunges with band pull aparts
Split squat band rows


FINISHER: (Yes, there is always a finisher) 
(30 seconds each)
Wideout jumps
Squat hold
Reserve/Forward lunge
Burpees


And then you die. (Speaking on behalf of my body.) Every time I come to boot camp the workout and intensity is different, which I love. If you're up for a challenge, love to be pushed mentally and physically and want to get in the best shape of your life you need to join Renton Results Bootcamp. I promise you won't regret it! 


I can't wait for Phase 2. Only 12 days left! 

Day 3... And I feel CLEAN!

I know, it's only Day 3 of my 'Green Faces Diet,' but I feel great! However, I must give some credit to the weather today and the drive into work because Michael Jackson, "P.Y.T." put me in such a euphoric mood. The first two days have been challenging, as I've been more tired than normal at the end of the day, I've been yawning during my workouts (Sorry Luka!) and I've been feeling nauseated after my workouts. But, I know my body will be more adapted to this diet in days to come. 


So how long am I doing this 'Green Faces Diet?' Right now, I am doing 'Phase 1' which lasts 21 days, and or three weeks. During Phase 1, I am only allowed to eat lean proteins and green vegetables which helps drop body fat quickly, clean up my nutrition and help break those bad habits and or issues I have with food. (i.e. COOKIES and CEREAL! Yes, Total Cereal is still NOT good for you.) I'm eating FIVE meals a day, (Yes, that's a high-FIVE, like the old skool R&B group) and I've been doing my best to eat a wide variety of foods from the list below. 


PROTEINS (Must have one at every meal)
Any Fish - Beef - Bacon - Chicken - Cod - Cornish - Game -Hen - Duck - Eggs - Flounder - Fowl - Goose - Halibut - Ham - Kidney - Liver - Lamb - Pork Chop/Lean Pork - Salmon - Shellfish (Shrimp, Crab, Lobster) - Spare Rib - Tuna - Turkey - Veal - Whey Protein Shake (No Carbs) - Wild Game

CARBOHYDRATES (Only GREEN Vegetables)
Artichoke - Asparagus - Broccoli - Brussel Sprouts - Cabbage - Cauliflower - Cerely - Collard Greens - Cucumber - Eggplant - Green Beans - Green Beet - Green Peppers - Leafy Greens - Mushrooms - Onions (Green & White) - Peas - Romaine Lettuce - Spinach - Squash - Tomato - Zucchini 

FATS! (Use Freely)
Almond Oil - Coconut Oil - Flax Oil - Olive Oil - Peanut Oil - Sesame Oil - Sunflower Oil - Walnut Oil

So there you have it. For 21 days it's not that bad right? After I make it through these next three weeks, it's onto Phase II, which I will explain as I get closer to day 21. 


Until then... please note this one simple rule to follow: 
"If your ancestors 10,000 years ago didn't eat it, you should not eat it either!"

Work It Till You're GREEN in the FACE!

Is it worth it? Let me see you work it.... till you're GREEN in the FACE! That's right! I'm not talking about those evil jealous eyes or puke faces. The HULK? No. Green M&M's? (Sounds tempting, but not that either.) I'm on a MISSION to get SEXY for SUMMER in SIX weeks! 

So what does this mission have to do with GREEN FACES? Well, that's what I'm eating. Anything that had a face or will have a face and anything that grew green from the ground. (Eggs are permitted) It's not rocket science! It's pretty straight forward and this six week transformation contest that I am a part of is put on by Renton Results Boot camp. 

Yesterday was Day 1, so I did my weigh in and took before photos. This is a first for me to share my weight, body fat percentage and photos of myself with the internet, but I am serious about getting results! Plus, I want to share this experience and challenge with all of you. 

I'm READY to DO WORK! 

Monday, May 1st, 2011:

Height: 5'4

Weight: 135.2

Body fat: 22.9%

Before (Front View)

Before (Back View)

Before (Side View)