I have spent the past two weeks establishing an exercise routine, with the help of Nerd Fitness Academy. I have also focused on cleaning up my nutrition. In order to increase my metabolism, I need to build muscle, and in order to build muscle, I need to increase my protein intake and do some strength training.
Since I am vegetarian, almost vegan, increasing my protein poses a problem. Luckily, a friend of mine recommended Tru-Nut Peanut Flour, which has 10 grams of protein per serving. I add it to my morning peanut butter banana smoothie, which makes it even more peanutty and delicious. I am also using Amazing Grass Vegan Protein Superfood Powder, which tastes like grass clippings alone, but has practically no flavor when mixed with fruit in a smoothie. It has 20 grams of protein per serving, and is the equivalent of two servings of vegetables.
So with the protein issue solved, I now have enough fuel for my new strength training routine. I have been completing the Nerd Fitness bodyweight routines, alternating with a basic kettlebell routine. However, the daily full body workout was kind of wiping me out. So now, I am progressing to muscle groups routines, using what is called a five day split. For me, that means I will weight train five days of the week, with one day for hot yoga, and one day of total rest. Each weight training session will focus on a different muscle group, and never the same group consecutively, so that I give each muscle group a chance to recover before working it again. Recovery is just as important as your workout, according to everything that I have been voraciously reading online. And I will be lifting heavier for fewer repetitions, in order to build muscle quickly and burn body fat.
I am happy to report that I am already starting to see an improvement in my back issues. And my new nutrition plan keeps me from getting really hungry during the day. I haven’t hit the candy bowl at work once since I started! I am not noticing a weight difference, but I can feel my muscles waking up, and I have more energy overall.
In other news, my husband is graduating from college in May, and my daughter is graduating from high school. That means family will be coming to town. Which means that the library project has been fast-tracked. I am hoping to start painting next weekend, but we still have a few things to move out of the way first.
AND our washing machine has stopped working again. I replaced the control board and the door lock, but now it won’t fill. We are going to do a few tests this weekend and see if we can diagnose the issue. Unfortunately, it looks like it could be one (or more) of three different parts. {{Sigh}} I will keep everyone posted about the repair saga.
Featured image by
Victor Freitas