April Fool’s! Nature gave us an April Fool today. I woke up expecting a lot of snow, but it had just started, so I drank some protein and then went to the gym. Apparently others had the same idea because it was quite crowded (for my gym) today!
| Exercise | Set/rep/weight | Muscle worked |
| Cable Squat to Row | 3 sets of 12 at 50# | Full Body |
| Close Grip Lat Pull Down | 3 sets of 15 at 40# | Back |
| Decline Sit ups | 3 sets of 10 | Core |
| Pushups | 3 sets 10 | Chest |
| Seated calf raise | 3 sets of 12 at 140# | Calves |
| Lower Back Extension | 3 sets of 15 at 80# | Low back |
| Pliet Squat | 3 sets of 12 with 35# DB | Lower Body |
| Front Raise | 3 sets of 10 with 8# DBs, (16# total) | Shoulders |
The big snowstorm turned out to be nothing. There was a tiny coating on the grass and then it all turned to rain. I cannot express how glad I am to have it be rain and not snow!
Now on to breakfast! Friday is my grain breakfast day now. I soaked some steel cut oats last night and cooked them with cinnamon, pumpkin, and egg whites.
Topped with the ever-present coconut butter. One of these days I am just going to sit there with the jar and spoon and have at it.
Lunch time! I made tuna salad and used some protein waffles as bread. This works out nicely, I have to say.
Kind of looks like a big jack-o-lantern face.
On to the goals for the month! Yesterday recapped March. These are the things I am going to concentrate on for April.
1. I am going to shoot for some weight loss. I see a lot of people either recommitting or taking that final push and it sort of has rubbed off on me to want to go a bit further. I actually am just doing this through food and exercise and I am not going to weigh myself. I just want to see where my body goes by feel. It may not go anywhere, who knows.
2. I am going to reduce as much wheat in my diet as possible (or as much as I am willing to). I think I might have some sensitivity to gluten or grains, which seemed to become more apparent to me when I would do the grain-free days I have been doing. I am going to eat 8 bagels this month (Wed and Sun), but see if I can go wheat free on all other days. Except for cupcakes 
3. I am really going out of my box this month with this one. In looking at my weakest links for a healthy life, my weak links are sleep and meditation. I want to try a bit of meditation this month. I am only going to shoot for a couple days a week just to try it out. I have not been too successful in the past with this.
4. I am going to work my way through recipes from Nourishing Traditions
5. More biking. And dammit – outside this month! I did 150 miles in March, so I will be increasing that amount. As soon as overnight lows are above freezing, it’s on!
6. Okay – one more. I am going to clean up the blog some. Especially the recipe section and I will put a page up with links to all my lifting videos, and maybe a little store page with AF links in them (gotta pay for hosting and all that).
We shall see what comes of these goals. All that talk of goals made me want a snack! 2% milk latte with some chocolate crisps.
I am making this box last forever, although there are only 3 crisps left.
Pixie is ready for her piano debut as well.
What are you looking at?
She likes the piano when the lid is closed (and John isn’t playing it). I think it is because it is high up and she can be queen and survey us peons.
Work done for the week and dinner time! I can really work any days I want, but there is not always much work on weekends, so it is easier just to plan on M-F. I still have that odd feeling of thinking of Fridays only being half days, but they really haven’t been in quite some time.
I cooked up a little chicken with laughing cow and a new bottle of hot sauce opened!
I marked the last bottle and I opened it November 30th, so it took me 4 months to go through a big bottle. John doesn’t use hot sauce. Not that I am calling him a wimp or anything…
Snack time will be the pumpkin/cream/nut mixture tonight.
I’m getting in a rut! It’s a tasty rut, though. Lots of work on the half bath/laundry room this weekend. I’ll be back with progress pictures on Sunday!
Have a super weekend!
150 miles on the trainer in March?! Holy cow woman! That’s pretty awesome. If I estimated my bike trainer miles for March I’d say it’s about 40 miles. IF that.
I’m hoping April is dry so Michael and I can get outside on the bikes again.
I ride 3 to 4 days a week, so it adds up pretty fast. Especially since I am not running lately.
Less wheat, more meditation and more biking!!! Sounds like a party!
I laughed right out loud at the jack-o-lantern…hahahaaaahhaha…still laughing. It sure does look like Halloween!
Pixie sure is majestic!
Enjoy the weekend!
Great goals for this month, Lori! And I am absolutely available as an accountability partner so email me anytime!
Another blog I read has mentioned Nourishing Traditions and soaking grains for more nutrition. I think it’s so interesting! She soaks her grains before making breads also. I’m looking forward to seeing the recipes!
Ugh, meditation. I have wanted to do it, have tried to do it, but just.can’t.do.it! Too much blabber going on in my brain! LOL!
Nice resolutions for April. Im specially liking the meditation one. I need to try it myself!
I was wondering what you were going to do about the bagels and going without wheat. It sounds just like me when I say I minimize wheat. Except for the occasional cookie. And a piece of cake, if it shows its face.
Oh, Nourishing Traditions. I have been wanting to get back to that book. You will encourage me, I’m sure!
Glad you didn’t get hit with a big snowstorm…. it time for spring weather, it looks like we are finally going to hit the 60’s this week.
I’m actually interested in starting up some meditation myself and, like you, haven’t been successful in the past. My mind never wants to quiet. Always thinking. But I’m very interested in it. I feel it teaches a lot about discipline and provides a positive outlet.
Mike and I were pleasantly surprised about the snow as well. The morning was very rough but by the end of the workday it was pretty much off the roads and today it’s melting very quickly. Yay! No more snow!
I like your April goals and look forward to see how you’re doing on them.
Still keeping my fingers crossed you will be able to bike outside soon.
Lori, I think Pixie does look like a queen & seems she is ready to take over if she has not already! 🙂
Love your goals & even if the scale moves only a little, your clothes may say something different… a good thing! I will be eager to read about the less wheat days & especially the meditation since I am not good with that either!
Have a great one!
I like the costume the dancing nanner is wearing – totally you! 🙂
Good luck with the weight loss – I’m trying to hit that one, myself. We can do it!!!!!
Pixie looks like a statue on the piano. Glad she’s claimed it as rightfully hers. 😉
Great goals Lori!!! And great vantage spot Pixie! 🙂
LOL, I thought that was a dancing broccoli. Either way, it me grin!
I like your April goals–I especially hope you get to go biking outside again soon! For me, I think it’s going to be just letting myself adjust to the new work-life balance. I’m not really planning anything new, though I would like to find my Q2 event. Not sure what it will be yet. It feels weird to not be training for something.
Way to go Lori — you are an inspiration! I made the coconut bread this Friday — it cut beautifully, like a pound cake, no fragility, no excess crumbage! I’m thinking of substituting organic no-sugar added applesauce in lieu of the butter next time — your thoughts? (I know you’re a great baker..)
I am not sure what would happen substituting the applesauce. They would probably come out quite dense, but I would love to hear how it goes! I don’t mind the fat in the regular recipe, but tweaking is always fun 😀