Insipiration

As you can probably tell by the absence of posts the past few weeks, the holidays, first, then going back to work have stymied my efforts both to maintain the blog.  Unfortunately, during that time, I have also been spotty at best when it came to maintaining my healthy eating habits.  This experience of the past few weeks truly supports how important planning is to my success.  When I plan meals as I do on this blog, I tend to be highly successful at staying with a healthy diet--even during stressful/hectic time periods.  When I don't, I don't. 

On the other hand, I was generally happy with my exercise over the holidays.  I rode well over 200 miles between Christmas and my return to work in mid January.  This including completing a bike challenge, inspired by one of my favorite cycling blogs, Moscaline, which required participants to ride at least 100 miles between Christmas eve and New Year's Eve.  Got in 102 miles during that period.  And I continued to ride, including a fun 32-miler with Michelle on the Santa Anna River Trail, one of many longish rides we've taken so far in the New Year:

I also did my LHT workouts at least twice a week, which is my minimum commitment.  So overall, I'm not completely unhappy with my efforts.

Nonetheless, I needed to get back to focus on healthy food choices since I know it is at least 80% of one's success when it comes to overall health and fitness.  In looking for some inspiration, I needed to look no further than my wife, Michelle, who spent that time continuing her focused training and preparation for her first full marathon, which she completed today.  Her commitment to consistent training, not only over the holidays and during our return to work but throughout the past year, is truly an inspiration.  Here she is post-race, showing off her medal and starting her recovery (and, as you can tell from her expression, suffering from the cold weather and considerable heal pain):

She's been an inspiration to me and to many others.  Who is your inspiration on your fitness journey?

Here are the workouts and meals for the week:

LHT Workouts

Monday, 11/28

Warm Up (2 rounds):

• 15 min walk
• Samson stretch

Workout (2 rounds):

• Air squats (max reps)
• Push ups (max reps)
• Planks (max time)
• Pull ups (max reps)

Wednesday, 1/30

Warm Up (2 rounds):

• 15 min walk
• Samson stretch

Workout (2 rounds):

• Russian Swings (max reps)
• Upright Rows (max reps)
• Sit ups (max reps)

  Friday, 2/1

Warm Up (2 rounds):

• 15 min walk
• Samson stretch

Workout (2 rounds):

• Air squats (max reps)
• Push ups (max reps)
• Planks (max time)
• Pull ups (max reps) 

Sunday, 2/3

Warm Up (2 rounds):

• 15 min walk
• Samson stretch

Workout (2 rounds):

• Russian Swings (max reps)
• Upright Rows (max reps)
• Sit ups (max reps)

Meals

Monday, 1/28

 

Tri-Tip Roast with baked sweet potato and bacon-blue cheese Brussels sprouts

Tuesday, 1/29

 

Pork chops with steamed broccoli

Wednesday, 1/30

Chicken wings and steamed string beans

Thursday, 1/31

 

Paleo Pork Fried Rice

Friday, 2/1

 

Mini-Meatloaf

Saturday, 12/22

 

Baked chicken with Roasted Carrot Fries

Sunday, 12/23

Meatballs with Red Sauce and Spicy Italian Sausage over spaghetti squash