7 Week Progress

7 weeks down!

1st photo: 11.11.2013
2nd photo: 4 weeks down
3rd photo: 7 weeks down 12.28.2013. 

Excuse me looking rough, I usually take them early morning or after a long day.

#19weeksout

1: 150.8 lbs

2: 145.0 lbs

3: 141.4 lbs 

I see most of my changes in my mid-section and booty/thighs. I wish I saw more of a difference in those side photos, but now I know my extra stubborn spots. I feel stronger, and my muscles are growing! Loving this. Soon I'll be finishing my off season and then the fun part starts ;) 

The workouts that used to kill me are now enjoyable. I'm loving these changes and I LOVE the burn every day.

The holidays were difficult. I allowed myself some cheating on Thanksgiving & Christmas. I actually didn't eat as much as I thought I would, but I have a really bad sweet tooth!! I got chocolate wasted, enjoyed some cheesecake, ice cream and a few cookies… oops.

Training: I still do a 6 day split, 5 weight training days and a day of ploys every other week. 

Cardio: I follow my weight training workouts with 26-30 minutes of 3x/week HIIT workouts and 2x/week steady state cardio. 

Both not concerned with the number of calories burned, but burning FAT!

Nutrition: I meal prep about once a week. My meals have changed and I have started to carb cycle, meaning I do days of low, medium and high carb days and repeat. It tricks your body. 

Supplements: I am still breast feeding, so no supplements except Whey protein shakes with water.

xoxo

Meal Prepping Tips

I meal prep about once a week. It takes me about 2 hours total. If I don't do it, I'm more likely to stray off my meal plans and nibble on and grab stuff I shouldn't be :p PB… ice cream… chocolate… jk. No really.

#1 PLAN OUT YOUR MEALS! 

Write them down. Example: Monday-Sunday, #1-#5/#6, unless they're all the same. You can eat 6 small meals, 3 big meals, or 10 mini meals- do what works for you! Yes, they say 6 small meals keep the metabolism working, but some people just don't have time for that. 

The most important thing is that you are fueling your body with foods that will help you reach YOUR goals. 

Every BODY is different. 

Don't starve yourself, don't punish yourself, and don't deprive yourself. You will hate the process. It's important to have a good relationship with food! 

You can use containers or zip lock bags. Containers are kind of annoying to wash 2-5x a day, but if you don't mind, do it.

Grocery Shopping Tips:

1. Buy what you can in bulk to last for 2 weeks of prep- chicken, fish, frozen/canned veggies, rice, pasta, and breads. I go to SAM's Club every other weekend. 

**Personally, like buying ground turkey/chicken/beef because it's easier and faster to cook and portion out.

2. Buy fresh foods once a week before meal prep- veggies, fruits, potatoes etc. 

3. BRING YOUR LIST. Sucks having to go back to buy that one thing that slipped your mind.

Organizing Tips:

1. Lay your containers in rows for Monday-Sunday. 

2. Write on a piece of paper what meals are what day. If they are all the same then it is super easy! Just keep it there as a reminder for each container. 

Cooking Tips:

1. If you are able to cook your breakfast fresh in the morning, don't add it into your meal prep. If you need to grab and go, include it. I cook my breakfast, make my shake post-workout, and depending on what my last meal of the day is, I make it before bed so they are not included in meal prep. 

2. Cook all your meats first. It gives them time to cool off and set before you portion them off. 

3. Cook your carbs second, while you portion off your protein.

4. Lastly, veggies. 

5. Any leftovers can go in individual ziplock bags and put in the freezer until next meal prep. 

Seasonings: 

My favorites are Mrs. Dash, sea salt, adobo, and lots of hot sauce. 

Hope this has been somewhat helpful. I'll do another blog on EXAMPLE meal plans!

IG @coral.suarez

xoxo

The Ugly Truth

I had always imagined pregnancy to be this beautiful experience. 
Luckily mine was a healthy pregnancy, but it was not very beautiful to me. I wish I wouldn't have spent my whole pregnancy feeling stressed, worrying about all the weight I gained at every appointment, and being self-consious. I thought the only thing that would get bigger was my belly- I was so WRONG! I've realized that there are two types of women when pregnant:
1. Those super cute belly only women. 
2. Those women that gain in every freaking place possible!… Like myself.

I gained nearly 60lbs: ~5lbs when my husband got back from deployment aka "happy weight" while we were on vacation (when I got pregnant) & ~55lbs during my 9 months.

I only have myself to blame. I did workout my entire pregnancy, but I've always been restrictive and cautious of my eating (clean eating/moderation) to keep in shape. Once I was pregnant, I totally gave into 90% of every buffet, chocolate, ice cream and whatever else cravings I had.

So here it goes. Today marks 6 months and 3 days postpartum. My first blog, with my most embarrassing progress photos. 

Summer 2012, before getting pregnant:

I was normally 125-128lbs pre-pregncy & roughly 18% body fat.   During vacation, around 130-135lbs. Size S & 3/5. I got into fitness and lifting back in 2010 after I gained a lot of weight after high school… but that's a whole separate story. 

Pregnant 2013: 34wks, 40wks, & the day after I gave birth:

I gave birth at 40+1wks. I was in labor for 28hrs & pushed for 1.5hrs. I think I went in weighing 186/188lbs.  

Now for the fun part… 

1 week postpartum:

Alex jokes around about how miserable I look. I was feeling SO good after having my son (smaller) until I saw these photos. I just thought "OMG… I have so much work to do." I felt so disgusting and ugly. During the first two weeks, the weight dropped fast (mostly water weight) and I was at 164lbs. After that, it's been hard work! Especially with breastfeeding… chocolate and those sweets always call my name! I couldn't even get my pre-pregnancy jeans up past my knees until 4+ months postpartum! Not a good feeling.

6 months postpartum:

So this is where I'm at now. Down ~38lbs or so.  I've been working out since 13 days post partum and eating healthy here and there while giving excuses to indulge into my sweet tooth cravings. Now, I have a coach that will guide me to my first NPC bikini competition in the spring! I will be updating on progress, sharing tips/ideas and trying to be as helpful as possible with the knowledge I've acquired through the years. 

Training: For the past 6 months I have been doing split workouts, i.e. back & bis, legs and abs, chest & tries.. etc 

Cardio: I would warm up with 5-10 minutes of intense cardio, and follow my weight training with 20-30 minutes of cardio. I was going for calories burned, rather than burning fat.

Nutrition: I have not been meal prepping. I have tried counting macros (IIFYM: if it fits your macros), I have been very lenient on my eating. 

Supplements: I am still breastfeeding, so no supplements except Whey protein shakes with soy milk.

 My ultimate goal is to feel confident and happy…  to feel beautiful! Also to step on stage and get over all my fears.

Anyways, here we go. Follow if you'd like! 

Oh and this is my little guy!

IG @loveliftdrift

xoxo