Bottom of the Mountain

This is AMAZING! This is from the world championships- professional level. Lot's of hard work and determination.

This past week I started lifting with Kasey, I'm still sore. I'm feeling stronger and more and more determined each day. My goal feels SO FAR AWAY though, and feeling the pain of each workout is a reminder of how hard I will have to work to get there. One step at a time.

I put my weekly workouts together and realized I am working out 15 hours a week right now- you would think that between that and clean eating, I would be dropping weight like crazy...not so. This thyroid crap is driving me crazy. My Armour was adjusted again this week- hoping and praying this is the last time!

Pictures and workouts soon- happy Sunday!

-Dutchess

Ouch!

Mama needs coffee...



I am SO sore today. I had my first buns and guns class last night...oh. my. gosh. We did HIIT circuit training for an hour. It kicked my butt! My abs are so sore, I can't even hold my stomach in or cough without Advil.

Tonight I teach Zumba and then it's time for round two of the weights. I have a one on one training session with Kasey afterward. Get it girl!

We worked out to this song last night, I told K that I'm going to walk on stage to this song and say 'I got from Kasey' :)


I had a dr.'s apt yesterday to gauge thyroid levels- they are high now instead of low. I'm staying on Armour, but lowering the dose a hair. I really hope this is the last adjustment, each time it changes I feel awful for a few days, and then it takes another month for my body to normalize. Energy is back though and I am thankful for that, one step at a time.

Time for yoga, gotta stretch these sore muscles out!

Dutchess

Choices

Wanting to eat this....

But choosing to eat this...

I had a large cupcake order go out a few days ago and unfortunately have leftovers. Those cute little cupcakes are taunting me- I want one BAD!! Instead, I am choosing to have ground turkey breast...yeah, exciting huh? It has onions, green chile's, cumin, and lots of cilantro- pretty great actually. I think I need to get rid of those cupcakes so I'm not tempted.

 Another kiddo home today with the stomach flu, slowly going through the family, hoping and praying that I don't get it.

Lifting starts today!!! I am so excited but crazy nervous at the same time. Tonight is my buns and guns class- full of beautiful ladies that know a newbie is coming. On Saturday I met with the lovely Kasey for measurements, weight, and body test. She watched me walk- I walk with a lot of hip action. She said 'that means you sexy girl AND your lower abs are weak so your hips compensate' I like the first answer the best. ;)

I couldn't help but feel a little discouraged as I stood in front of the mirror and practiced posture. I have a LONG WAY TO GO!! Just when I was feeling a little down, my trainer smiled and said 'We've so got this! It's gonna be awesome!' And with that, my motivation was back.

I want this so badly- I am going to push hard and make it! I have to start picturing myself on that stage, smiling because I made it and worked my butt off to get there.

Workouts this week:
Mon- Buns and Guns and Zumba
Tue- Teach Zumba and weights with K
Wed- BG and Zumba
Thur- Teach and Weights
 Fri- BG and run
Sat- Teach class
Sun- rest

I've been sticking to this new way of eating- my weakness has been too much fruit, so this week I'm trying to cut it back. Pictures tomorrow!!

-Dutchess

Faster

My running partners: Anna, Aiden, and kitten Lucy

I was dying running up some of the hills around our house yesterday, Anna kept saying 'Mommy move your legs and run faster!' and I couldn't breathe enough to tell her I CAN'T!! :)

Yesterday was day 1 of this new diet- correction: lifestyle, not diet. I felt great!! I have had so much energy over the past two days just from eating every 2-3 hours. It did feel like a full time job keeping up with my eating schedule, but this weekend I am planning to cook most of it ahead of time so it's ready for next week.

Zumba tonight! I have eaten 3 of my six meals for the day- still feel good- hoping to see some results!
Measurements and weight with Kasey on Saturday.

Dutchess

Starting Line

Meet the trainer:

This is Kasey- she is AMAZING, intense, beautiful, and so full of life. She will be working me hard for the next 8 months..and beyond. I couldn't do this without her amazing energy and positive, go get em attitude. I will need that when I am pushing...crawling...through a hard workout.

I started my new diet today- Eating Clean. For the last couple of years I have tried to eat mostly primal/paleo, which means no grains. With this diet I will be eating a small amount of grains in the morning for lifting fuel. It is key that I eat small meals every 2-3 hours to keep my metabolism up. I have been horrible at this in the past few months- usually never eating breakfast, having a coffee, a bite of something for lunch, maybe an apple, and then after working out eating a larger dinner. I am so happy to be getting out of that bad habit! This way of eating is also very helpful for those with hypothyroidism.

Here's a day of eating: (for now, this will be changing frequently)
Meal 1-
4 egg whites 1 yolk
1/4 C oatmeal w/cinnamon
1/4 C blueberries
water

Meal 2-
1 C, nonfat greek yogurt (great source of protein!)
1 T almond butter
water

Meal 3-
4 oz chicken breast
2 C spinach
water

Meal 4-
6 oz tuna
1/2 banana (pre workout)

Meal 5-
 Protein drink
1/2 sweet potato (post workout)

Meal 6- Before bed if hungry
4 oz turkey breast
spinach salad w/veggies
olive oil

Workout Schedule:
Mon- Buns and Guns class  (I love Kasey for naming a class 'buns and guns' lol)
Tue- Teach Zumba followed by heavy lifting- one on one with K
Wed- Buns and Guns and Zumba
Thur- Teach and Weights
Fri- Buns and Guns
Sat- Teach a.m. Zumba
Sun- rest, rest, rest

*Buns and Guns is a weight lifting HITT class

With a workout schedule like this I will need every bit of those 6 meals! From now until Christmas I will be working on leaning out and building strength. After Christmas is when the real work begins. The intense pre competition training starts!!

I have a date with Brittany on Friday- you'll meet her soon! My lovely sister Karyn is joining me as well- look for their blogs soon.

Let the journey begin!!
xo- Dutchess

Monday Pictures

Can you tell how tired I am? The stomach flu has started at my house- this means very little sleep. I am down 4lbs today from last week- hopefully that stays off!! As hard as it is for me to take these pictures, I am so glad I will get to see my progress along the way. I will need it on the hard days!

Tomorrow I meet with my trainer and will start- I am so excited!!!! It feels a little overwhelming to know how far I have to go to get in to shape for these competitions, but I KNOW I can do it and I am SO EXCITED to say- my sister Karyn and friend Brittany are joining me. Look for their pictures on here soon!!! :)

Workouts this week:
Monday- teach Zumba
Tue-Teach
Wed- Take Zumba class
Thurs- Teach
Frid- take a.m. zumba class
Sat- Teach zumba
Sun- rest

This may change or look different after tomorrow- this is just my cardio schedule- weights will be coming soon. I am afraid to see how weak I am once I start!! I'll check in soon!

GET IT DONE!
 -Dutchess

8 months

This picture is from the 2011 Oregon Ironman- Fitness competition. In eight months, this is going to be me. I am working with the best trainer ever- she's seriously amazing- and I'm going to make it to my goal for the next competition in May.

Why?
To set a high goal and work hard to reach it
To work on discipline in my life
It's something I never thought my body could do- but I can
To work hard and be strong and healthy

My girlfriend Brittany is joining me in this crazy adventure...and I'm hoping I can convince my sister. ;)  Once my training schedule is firmed up, I will start posting through the journey of preparing for a fitness competition. I'm excited- totally crazy- but excited.

I've been following this awesome blog (thank you Karyn)  this girl is amazing. She started at 175 lbs and is now 6 days away from her first competition and looks incredible. She has fought her way through the intense training and has made it. I can't wait!!!

Pictures and workouts tomorrow!
Dutchess

Up and feeling down

Feeling discouraged right now-
-my least favorite week of the month; bloated, crampy and grumpy
-craving chocolate and crabby with Aaron because I asked him to remove all sweets from the house
-it's hot...I'm ready for cooler weather and my favorite season- fall
-i'm up two lbs of the three I lost last week
-did I mention I want chocolate?
-who needs a thyroid anyway?!

Tomorrow is a new day. Trying hard to keep positive when I feel like eating Ben and Jerry's in my sweats. Time for bed- Dutchess

Dinner tonight: School starts tomorrow!

I normally would be posting my weekly check in pictures, but the evening has been full with back to school prep for tomorrow. We still have lunches to make, hair to trim, and a surprise trip to get ice cream. (no I'm not having any)

Fresh Paleo/primal dinner tonight: Green beans with garlic, ground venison, tomatoes from the garden, and homemade salsa.

 

Clean eating is where it's at. My stomach was in knots today and my heart was aching, so I just had a coffee, one bite of tuna and then forced myself to eat dinner. So glad I did! I had a great workout this morning- stroller fitness...aka bootcamp from he$$ WITH screaming children. And I'm totally going back!! Every Monday and Wednesday! haha Love the ladies there!

I have mentioned some huge goals on here before, I am now going to fight for those and achieve them. I'm excited to tell you about them- you may think I'm crazy, but I'm excited! Picture update tomorrow morning! xo Dutchess