Problem - I Get it Now!

I've been using a protein powder regularly for the last couple of weeks in a breakfast shake. Though it tastes amazing, I just learned (the hard way), it's not the powder I should be using. I've been gaining weight and bulking up a bit, and I've been getting extremely frustrated. So, after gaining another pound today, I basically had a breakdown and knew I needed to go talk to someone that knew what the heck they were doing. I've had several friends recommend the folks at Max Muscle, and I did a little research. They seemed pretty legit, so I headed down after my workout.

Well, I was impressed with their customer service and expertise. They have literature all over their wall and they actually made me read and check the references to ensure I wasn't being "duped." Turns out, the protein powder I've been taking 1-2 scoops of daily is also a weight gainer. Wow - Thanks GNC for telling me it would help me lose weight... No wonder I've seen the scale go up and up. Ugh! So, an hour and a half later, I left the store with a better understanding of how many calories I should be eating, how much protein to get, some supplements that hopefully help and a little more confidence in what I'm doing. I'll keep everyone posted, but at this point, I already feel a bit better about where I'm headed.

Today's workout:
5 Minute moderate rate warm up on the recumbent bike

3 sets of circuit with a 1-2 minute break after each full circuit is complete
*Burpie throw with 8 lb. medicine ball - 15 reps
*Stability ball push ups - 15 reps
*One leg ball squat - 15 reps per leg
*Traveling push ups w/Bosu - 20 reps
*Core rows - 15 reps per arm w/10 lb. weights

Abs
*60 ball Roll Outs (3 sets of 20)
*Ball core leg lifts (3 sets of 30)
*90 front crunches (3 sets of 30)
*150 bicycle (3 sets of 50)

Cardio
*18 minutes high intensity bike
*12 minutes high intensity elliptical

Food - 1721 calories
17% fat, 53% carbs, 30% protein

Something Needs to Change

I've hit a rut, and something needs to change. I seem to have hit a plateau and I'm more than frustrated. And, I've found the frustration with my weight is sliding into other areas in my life. I feel like my goal is so close, yet I just can't get there. I'm pushing myself harder in my workouts than ever before, and I feel like I'm missing out on all food that is even slightly bad. So, the only thing I can think of is it's time to reevaluate my food intake.

Though I've done plenty of research and seem to know all about how food affects the body, I still can't seem to find the right balance for myself. So, it's time to solicit some help. Several people have recommended Max Muscle to me and have raved about how educated their staff is. The way I see it, I might as well go talk to someone there. Hopefully they have some incite to provide me with.

As I try to work through this plateau, I decided to give it my all and start double day workouts. Even though I have a really hard time pulling myself out of bed in the morning, I have no other choice. If I can get in a 5-7 mile run, five days a week, and continue to lift 6 days a week, somethings gotta give. I sure hope so anyway.

Today's workout:
5 minute moderate rate stair stepper warm up

3 full circuits - 1-2 Minutes of rest between each completed circuit
*Burpies w/Bosu to push up (15 reps)
*Barbel Squat (15 reps)
*Curl to press balancing on one leg (10 reps per leg)
*Ski jump one leg balance squat (15 reps per leg - 30 total jumps)
*Abs/Core ball transfer leg lift (30 reps)
*Side plank twist w/8 lb weight (10 reps each side)
*3 sets of side abs with 10 lb weight
*3 sets of lower abs with 10 lb weight

30 Minutes of high intensity elliptical

Food:

Going Public Again...

It's been a while since I posted my last blog, but I figured, if I'm going to get to my goal, I need to keep myself on track (and have others help me). So, I'm back to the blog. Even if only one person reads this, and helps keep me a little motivated, I'm more likely to make it.

I'll be posting my food intake daily, thanks to a handy new tool I have that will allow me to grab and paste my food diary from another website. I'll also post my workouts, and hopefully have a more clear picture of what's working and what isn't. My most recent workout schedule created by my trainer doesn't seem to be making any difference, so I have a feeling we'll be switching things up again soon. Unfortunately, the trainer that helped me get the biggest results left my gym and starting over with a new trainer hasn't proven to be all too successful. I'll finish out her workout this month, continue to add in additional things she missed, and hopefully structure something different for next month. In the mean time, I'm going to try some different workouts as well (like yoga). So, hopefully all these things help get me back on track.