Slaying My Sugar Addiction

I've started the Les Mills 21 Day Challenge.  Here's a video explaining it.  My one and only reason for doing this is-

1. To slay the sugar addiction I have been developing since Thanksgiving last year.

slay¹

slā/

verb

archaicliterary

1. kill (a person or animal) in a violent way.

   "St. George slew the dragon"

   synonyms:

   kill, murder, put to death, butcher, cut down, cut to pieces, slaughter, massacre, shoot down, gun down, mow down, eliminate, annihilate, exterminate, liquidate; More

   • NORTH AMERICAN

     murder (someone) (used chiefly in journalism).

     "a man was slain with a shotgun"

     synonyms:

     kill, murder, put to death, butcher, cut down, cut to pieces, slaughter, massacre, shoot down, gun down, mow down, eliminate, annihilate, exterminate, liquidate;

This is me, slaying my addiction.


My addiction has been leading me to have a bit more of this and that here and there...

and that has allowed some fat to accumulate around my stomach and on my hips and thighs...

and that fat keeps my clothes from fitting as well as I like...

and keeps me from preforming as well as I want to during exercise...

but the main reason I am doing this is to reset my appetite toward healthy, whole, clean foods.

There was a point in time when I didn't feel the need to eat every pastry or muffin in sight.  I want to get back to that point again.

It's difficult at times to stick to the diet, especially if I go too long before eating.

But then there are moments when I feel really good, really clean and free and those moments are transcendent.

For me, this is where my faith comes in.

I was listening to music in the shower yesterday and this song came on.




 "You provide the fire.
I'll provide the sacrifice.
You provide the Spirit.
And I will open up inside.
Fill me up, God.
Fill me up, God.
Fill me up, God.
Fill me up."

This song was very important to me as I started my weight loss journey a few years ago. The lyrics were just a perfect expression of what I wanted to Lord to do for me as I pursued health.  I needed God to "fill me up" and "provide the fire." I listened to it a lot back then and used it to meditate on my goals and my reasons for pursuing health. So it was nice to hear it and be reminded of all of that the Lord has done for me and all that He is still helping me do.  Of course, my physical body is not all there is of me.  I'm human, so I'm spirit, too.  And my spirit needs to be free of my addiction as much as my body does.

Until then, I pray and follow this diet with fierceness and determination and "I beat my body, and keep it under control, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."  1 Corinthians 9:27

Les Mills Super Quarterly- Boston 2015

Les Mills Super Quarterly- Boston 2015
I attended the Les Mills Super Quarterly near Boston, Massachusetts yesterday.  The photo above was taken in the early morning as everyone was gathering together in the gym before the day started with Bodypump.

Registration-
When I registered for the Super Quarterly online, I was given the opportunity to sign up for the classes I wanted to take.   After my experience at the previous Super Quarterly, I knew that if I stretched myself too thin, doing too much, I wouldn't really enjoy the classes I wanted to enjoy, so I only registered for the ones I love the most and those classes that I wanted to experience for the first time. So, for me, the Super Quarterly included-

Bodypump,
Grit Cardio,
CX Worx,
Bodycombat,
and Bodyflow.

I was beat when I finished the day, but my schedule was actually lite compared to what many instructors did. I know I'm sore today.  I can only imagine how they feel.

Reebox Headquarters-  
The Super Quarterly was held at Reebok Headquarters, a massive facility with a cafe, gym, group fitness studios, large bathrooms, a Reebok store, etc.  The only thing I wish the facility had had were showers. I needed a shower.

Schedule-
The day had the full line up of Les Mills group fitness classes taught by elite Les Mills instructors. Most of these classes were in the large gym, one class after another, all day long.  But some of the classes like RPM and Grit were in separate, smaller group fitness studios because, obviously, they are for limited groups of people and need special equipment (i.e. stationary bikes).  But even though those classes were limited in size, there were at least a few RPM classes at various times and the Grit classes were also running throughout the day, so there were many opportunities to join. And I think at least a few people who were wait-listed for the Grit Cardio class I was in were allowed into class because some people who signed up did not show after all.

New Releases- 
All the newest releases were done, so I got to experience Bodypump 93 and Bodycombat 63, etc.  before I had ever even seen them.  That was great.

First Experiences-

Yesterday was my first experience with Grit and CXWorx, since the gym where I sub Les Mills classes only has Bodypump and Bodycombat. 

Grit Cardio-
Grit pushed me to physical limits I don't usually get to even in the most intense Bodycombat tracks, so I felt really out of shape.  I was teaching a Tibata class at one of my gyms for a few months and that was similar to Grit in some ways, but I haven't done that format in a while. Grit helped me remember how much HIIT can quickly improve cardio capacity and burn excess body fat, two things I want to do.

CXWorx-
CXWorx was intense, but fast paced. As I did the exercises, I realized how much I would benefit from more core work like that.  I might try and do more core work on my own, perhaps adding a half hour of core exercises the days when I exercise at home, since the gym where I teach does not have that program either.

Born to Move and BodyVive-
I saw portions of all the formats as I moved around the building throughout the day, but I was purposeful to sit and watch the Born to Move presentation and the BodyVive class intently.  As a parent, teacher, and group fitness instructor, Born to Move would combine all of my passions, so that program excites me.  I also currently teach Silver Sneakers, a group fitness class for senior citizens, so I am intrigued by a format like BodyVive because it is supposed to allow various age groups and fitness levels to exercise together while remaining exciting and challenging for everyone.  I made a mental note that I want to take a BodyVive class at my next quarterly because it looked like a very fun, yet challenging workout.  Like I said before, the gym where I sub Les Mills classes only has two programs-Bodypump and Bodycombat- so I don't know if I will ever get an opportunity to teach any of these other programs, but nevertheless, I am glad these programs exist.

One Tribe-
I talked to other Les Mills instructors throughout the day as we waited for classes to start or as we were eating to fuel all the fun we were having, etc.  It was very encouraging to talk to like-minded people on topics ranging from sneakers to healthy food. The most encouraging parts of the day were actually two unexpected comments that two instructors made.  One lady said she just got her first class on her gym's schedule after two years of being certified.  Another lady said she has every class she wants, but she said has been working at the same gym for a decade.  I was very encouraged by those brief moments, in particular, since I don't have a Bodypump or Bodycombat class after a few months of having the certifications.  That gave me a fresh perspective on my situation and strengthened my spirit.

I saw some familiar faces yesterday, too. My new friend Kelsey and I met at Bodycombat training in November and we have been in touch on Facebook since then. Kelsey is already rocking two Bodycombat classes a week at the gym where she works- Fortified Fitness!  I have so much respect for her. She's really doing it!



Humility-
That's the main thing I took away from this Super Quarterly- humility. The elite instructors have my respect and admiration since I have been pursuing health and fitness for a while now, so I can imagine how hard they must work, how clean they must eat, etc. etc. to be able to perform like they do.

I was also really impressed by many of the instructors around me as we were all exercising together. As I awkwardly threw up my step side kicks during Bodycombat, I had this amazing moment of clarity where I realized, "I am an amateur!" and then laughed at myself and thought "Of course, I am!" I think the Les Mills certification process and job search has been intense so far and I got the impression I was supposed to have everything right right now.  But I realized that I am totally okay with where I am on this journey as a Les Mills instructor. Dave Ramsey says, "If you want to be a winner, surround yourself with winners."  So that is why I am confident I will keep improving by being a part of this Les Mills tribe.

Unexpected Week

This week did not go as expected in more ways than one.  On Tuesday, the whole state was shut down in anticipation of a great and terrible blizzard.

My youngest developed a cough and runny nose early in the day. "Mommy, my nose coming out," is what she says to me when she needs me to wipe it. Later in the day, she developed a fever.

We kept the fire raging all day Tuesday.  We didn't get anywhere near as much snow as was predicted.

The older girls were healthy, so they begged to play in the backyard for a while.

My oldest has learned how to make hot chocolate and tea for herself and her sisters using the Keurig.  She will often do school work at the table while she sips something, finally old enough to do both things at the same time and keep from spilling anything on her books, just another way that I see she is growing up.

Since my youngest daughter was sick, I had to find coverage for my fitness classes on Wednesday. As the week went on and my daughter wasn't improving and another one of my daughters fell ill, I also needed to find a sub to tutor my class at Classical Conversations and another fitness instructor to cover my fitness classes on Thursday.  

I found myself glad that I hardly ever take off work.  Of course, it is an inconvenience for everyone when I have to miss work, but I felt so much less guilty taking the time I needed this week and it was easier to find someone to cover because I am not always asking.  That is one piece of advice I would give a young person starting their first job.  "Don't take off work unless you absolutely need to."  

Having sick kids means everything slows down to a snails pace. And every other day, I can really tell my immune system is really compromised and fighting the same germs.  For sanity's sake, I decided not to try and keep up our regular schedule at home. I allowed myself time to read Saving Leonardo by Nancy Pearcey and The Maze Runner by James Dashner while I snuggled kids and wiped noses.

When their fevers come down, the girls are quite normal, aside from all the sneezing and sniffling.  (At times like these, it's a good thing I am obsessive about having Kleenex boxes everywhere.)  They are building a new Lego set my family sent it the mail.

I haven't been able to teach my regular classes at the gym, but I really wanted to exercise. But I also don't feel 100%, so I have been taking it easy.

At home this week, I've done an hour of relaxing yoga, Bodycombat 62 using heavy gloves and my bag for punches and kicks, and Bodypump with lighter-than-usual weights.   Using lighter weights helped me rediscovered my love for Bodypump as cardio workout.  Without so much weight on my bar, it was easier to just enjoy moving to the music, getting my heart rate up, and sweating it out. I may try to lighten up more often.

Beef Bone Broth

Making broth from bones, chicken and beef, was one of the very first things I started doing at the beginning of my weight loss journey.   It is not the only thing I do, but combined with a diet of many other nutrient dense foods, it has had a great effect on my health. Read about the health benefits of authentic bone broth here.   

To make bone broth, first, you need bones, obviously.   

We buy half a grass fed cow every year, so we have lots of bone-in cuts that we grill and roast in various ways for dinner. 

Tip: Roasted bones make a delicious broth, but you can use any bones, roasted or not.  I often make broth from beef soup bones that I do not roast first. All you need are bones, any bones.

But, to make broth from roasted bones, I save all our left over bones, big and small, in a gallon-sized freezer-safe zip lock bag.  When dinner is over and it's time to clean up, I just pull the bag out of the freezer, throw in any of the bones, and throw the bag back in the freezer until I've got enough bones to make broth.

Once the bag is one-half to three-quarters of the way full, it's time to make broth.

I open the bag and pour the frozen bones right into my crock pot.

Then I add an onion, carrots, and a piece of celery. I don't even peel the onion or the carrot, because I will strain the broth so none of that stuff matters. I just wash everything, quickly chop or tear it into a few pieces, and throw it in.

Next, I fill the crock pot with water.

Then I put it on the lowest setting and forget about it until the next day.  After ten hours, my crock pot will automatically switch to the warm setting and the broth will continue to simmer for some time on that setting, so I can usually set my bone broth to simmer through the night and I can turn it off sometime the next morning when I get to it.

Once the crock pot has been turned off and the broth has cooled for an hour or two and it isn't so very hot, I strain the broth into a pitcher.  This can be a little messy, so I work in the sink.

I put the warm broth into the fridge to totally cool off. 

A layer of fat will form on the surface of the broth.

This is kind of unpleasant, but I scoop most of the fat off the top and put it on paper towels, so I can throw it away easily.

I don't worry about getting every little bit of fat, but I get most of it.

Now I pour the broth into freezable containers with twist and lock lids.

My crock pot makes approximately 8-10 cups of broth, so I can usually fill two large containers with 3-4 cups of broth and a small container with approximately 2 cups of broth.

I don't stress over using exact amounts of broth in my recipes anymore.  From my experience, most recipes don't have to have an exact amount of broth.  So if a recipe calls for one cup or can, I just use the small, two-cup container of my homemade broth, a little more or less really doesn't matter. If it calls for more than two cups, I use the bigger, three to four cup container.  And if it calls for even more than that, this broth is so rich I can easily add water to any of my recipes and still have a very rich stock.

Since my broth stays frozen, I have to thaw it to before I use it.  I usually run hot water over the container until the broth inside loosens a bit, then I open the container and drop the block of frozen broth into a sauce pan and thaw it on the stove while I prepare other ingredients.  To me, it's worth the extra step and trouble for all the nutrition we receive from this broth.

Note: I make beef and chicken broth.  Sometimes they can look quite similar in color, so to keep them straight, I put a piece of tape, any tape: masking, duct, packing, whatever I have in a kitchen drawer, on top of the containers of beef broth.  If a container doesn't have tape on top, I know it's chicken broth.  If it has tape, I know it's beef, no matter how light or dark it is in color. Once the container is thawed, the tape always comes off quite easily.

Weekend Update

This post will be brief.  We have been busy. We are adjusting back to our normal schedule of home school, housework, Classical Conversations, tutoring, and work at the gym.  I took some pictures this week to capture some of our moments.  

This is a common sight in our home, my middle child and my youngest sitting right next to each other talking or playing.  It always warms my heart to see them together.

We use Math U See in our homeschool, but we will probably be switching over to Saxon in the next few years because that's what Classical Conversations uses in their Challenge levels.

This is the placement test I will give oldest daughter to place her in the right Saxon book when we finally make the switch.  I decided to take it myself to see how much I have retained since my last math class over a decade ago in college...

Let's just say I am glad I took the test so I know where I need to begin again.  I am in the process of acquiring a Saxon math textbook and answer key from a friend so that I can begin working my way through all the things I have forgotten.  I am actually looking forward to the process.  I try and model scholarship for my children as many home school parents do. The next step for me is take a serious interest in improving in mathematics.

I made sushi at home today. I am trying to be more diligent to plan and prepare interesting meals at home so we avoid restaurants and thereby, save money. Sirloin steak and pork tenderloin with vegetable fried rice are two other meals on the menu this week.

This is a photo of my beautiful new mug.  The bright yellow and blue actually serve to cheer me up on these colorless, Connecticut winter days.  The hot coffee doesn't hurt, either.

Weekend Update

That's a kettle fried doughnut.  My husband brought a box of them home from The Bakery of Southbury. (He's the devil.)

Of course, these aren't a part of a healthy diet, technically speaking, but I felt I had to at least have one. So I had two.

We gave some to our kids for breakfast this morning and then I put on a coat and drove the rest over to the Semeraros, an older couple who we love, who live down the street from us and go to our church.

Now all the devilish doughnuts are gone, no longer on the kitchen counter to tempt me and that's a good thing. This weekend, I also had pizza, Chick-fil-a, and pie.  The lesson I learned from the past two days of eating is this - if you don't plan, plan to fail.  Without groceries in the house and every meal planned around them, it's too easy to resort to fast, unhealthy alternatives.  But I've got this week planned and the fridge stocked, so it should be easy to succeed in eating well.

I've been reading The Chronological Bible, God in the Dock and George MacDonald by C.S. Lewis.

In God in the Dock, I discovered this essay called Man or Rabbit? by C.S. Lewis that Lewis wrote in response to the question, "Can a person live a good life without being a Christian?" Here's a video of the essay if you are interested. It's a stunning work of rhetoric that makes my heart soar.




And speaking of stunning rhetoric, this week I also read the article Freedom of Speech Cannot Be Killed by Joe Randazzo, a former editor of The Onion, written in response to the recent Islamic attack on a magazine office in France.  The article brought me to tears, it's so well written.

George MacDonald is complication of MacDonald's quotes that C.S. Lewis put together.  Lewis credits MacDonald for influencing his writing more than anyone.  It's a fun read and having read most of Lewis' books, it is quite easy to see how Macdonald influenced his writings. I have highlighted a hundred quotes already. Here are just three of them.

"We are not bound to say all we think but we are bound not even to look what we do not think."

"The man is a true man who chooses duty: he is a perfect man who at length never thinks of duty, who forgets the name of it."

"In whatever man does without God- He must fail miserably or succeed miserably."

To The Anvil

I faced a serious disappointment this week.

I didn't get a Bodypump or Bodycombat class on the new schedule at one of my gyms.

I am not surprised. There are only so many class times to go around and all the instructors at that gym are more experienced. And all of them are capable and dedicated.

Never the less, I was still disappointed, no matter how unrealistic it was to hope for a class of my own at this point.

I still have all my freestyle classes. The formats of those classes are even similar to Bodypump and Bodycombat which is some comfort to me.  One of them is a barbell class, the other is a kickboxing class. I choreograph them myself using fitness music I purchase and I enjoy that.

But I pursued the Les Mills certifications in 2014 so that I could teach their classes and use their material.  But until I get a Bodypump or Bodycombat class of my own at a gym with the liscenses, I can't do that.  And I want to teach Les Mills classes because I think they are superior to what I create on my own.    

So now that I am not teaching a Bodypump or Bodycombat class, I go back to merely subbing other instructor's classes until another opportunity comes my way. That probably won't be for at least a few months.

In my free time, I've been reading Tolkein's The Return of the King and I came upon a quote in the book that really inspired me in the midst of my disappointment.

There's a lot of context that I don't have time to share here, but suffice it to say that the dwarves had just won a great victory. They destroyed the powerful Orcs who had taken their old home Moria from them.  But there remained another enemy, Durin's Bane, who was too great and too far removed into the depths of Moria for them to conquer at the present time. So even though the dwarf king, Thorin, had fulfilled what he set out to accomplish, he would not be able to enter his old home again. He would still have no throne to sit upon, no realm to rule over.  Given the choice to live in other kings'  palaces or to work as a simple blacksmith, he said,

"To the anvil. The hammer will at least keep the arms strong, until they can wield sharper tools again!"

When I read that, the quote went right to my heart and I thought of my situation at work.  I have accomplished what I set out to do in becoming a certified Bodypump and Bodycombat instructor.  But I have yet to get a Bodypump or Bodycombat class of my own.  That is beyond my power to change right now.  So, like Thorin, I will return to the anvil and my anvil is my freestyle classes.  Humble though they be, they give me ample opportunities to practice my craft and they keep my arms strong until I am given another chance to do what I really want to do someday, teach a Bodypump or Bodycombat class of my own.