Goals/ August 14, 2012

I always think it's great to have goals when working out.  I usually have multiple small goals going at a time.  A lot of the time though, my goals don't have to do with a number on the scale because it isn't exactly representative of the changes in your body.  I'm sure you've heard that muscle weighs more than fat, and it's because of this that I try not to weigh myself too often.  I generally judge by the way my clothes fit, the way I see myself in the mirror, how I feel, and I also take pictures every so often just so you can compare how far you have (or have not) come.  I think that creating several small goals allows me to work towards the body I want without obsessing over a number.  As each small goal is achieved, that is one step closer I am to my large goal.

Some of my short term goals right now include:

• lose 3-5% more body fat
• run a longer distance
• build up the muscle in my legs
• be able to do a pull-up on my own again (I had achieved this previously, but quit working out for awhile so it's back to square one)
• try and cut out as many preservatives as possible from my food, particularly focusing on meat at this time

My long term goal looks something like the following picture.  I know some guys think this is not attractive whatsoever, but my body, my goal!

So I really didn't want to workout today.  My legs are super sore from yesterday and I'm tired since I didn't sleep very well last night.  However, at around 7:30 I forced myself to go workout.  I definitely struggled the entire workout.  One reason I think is because I did not work out at all last week since I was still sore and out of whack from my car wreck.  The other reason is that I did not take my one supplement that gives me all kinds of energy since I was working out so late in the evening.  Nevertheless here goes tonight's less than desired workout:

• stretch
• 2000m row
• (3) x 10x9x7 dumbbell bench press @ 50 lbs
• 3x10 bicep curls; each arm @ 15 lbs
• 3x10 tricep extensions @ 35 lbs
• 3x7 pushups with feet stabalized on yoga ball (at first, it is easier to steady the ball against a wall or sturdy object since it is hard to get your balance)
• (3) x 7x6x5 weight assisted pull-ups
• stretch

Today's food:

• Breakfast - Egg sandwich
• 12 grain whole wheat bread
• 1 egg over easy cooked in Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
• 1 sliced reduced sodium colby jack cheese
• Lunch (not always as healthy as I would like as I am away from home babysitting and am limited in my options)
• chicken fingers (and I know, these have preservatives in them...I try not to think about it)
• a few doritos
• a slice of colby jack cheese
• a small chocolate chip cookie bar
• Snack(s)
• I call this my "banana dessert" - This TOTALLY curbs a sugar craving for me
• peel and freeze banana in a plastic ziploc bag
• once thoroughly frozen blend with a large spoon of peanut butter and a large spoon of sugar free Nesquick 
• "Texas caviar "
• http://allrecipes.com/recipe/classic-texas-caviar/
• Dinner
• Individual chipotle barbecue meatloafs
• Lean ground beef ( I would have preferred ground turkey, but welcome to small town grocery stores where they don't have half of what you want)
• Sweet Baby Ray's Chipotle  Honey BBQ sauce
• Red onion
• 2 eggs
• crushed saltine crackers
• chili powder
• garlic powder
• salt
• pepper
• I actually made these into patties and cooked them on the stove top in a frying pan just lightly greased in EVOO
• Post-workout
• Large glass of whole milk with Nesquick

Water total = approx 3. liters

I'm done....I'm tired...till next time!