Good Evening Fit Junkies (and people I love, oh so much!)
It has been a hectic few weeks and I was surprised to see that I was already 7.5 weeks out! (If someone could figure out how to make time stand still, please let me know!) It’s been a month of change and all sorts of excitement for the Guss Family, and with everyone dispersing at the end of the summer I am saddened that our time together is coming to an end. My mom, who decided to finally pursue her dream of getting a degree, went back for her third year at Windward Community College, Madison has declared a major in Graphic Design while she continues her jewelry and design business (if you need a gift for a friend or yourself, she has beautiful work—I’m her walking mannequin), Zachary has just moved to Japan for his fall semester in Tokyo, and my dad lucked out having me as his right wing (wo)man at his company. It’s like bring your child to work day…but EVERY day! It’s been great to spend one-on-one time together, and nothing beats morning car rides talking about life.
With everyone getting down to business, I have been keeping up with my 4:30AM lifting regimen and lunchtime cardio. Last week, I had quite the scare as every time I stood up I would start to black out. This wasn’t while I was lifting, but once I started to get into my day I couldn’t stand up without holding on to a piece of furniture. Trying to figure out what I was missing in my diet, I came to trace it back to an iron deficiency. During my last competition prep I ate red meat at least once a week, and since moving home (where I cook whatever everyone else will eat) I completely cut out any sort of red meat from my diet. Since I do eat very clean and get all my vitamins and minerals in daily, I was surprised to have such a drastic change in my body. I put my iron hypothesis to the test and went out to have a steak…my mouth still waters at the thought. Ever since then I haven’t had any blackouts and my energy level is back up to normal. Thank goodness!
Over the weekend I finally started baking again (which is very hard to do while your house in under construction) and came up with my scrumptious Cinnamon Protein Bread. I couldn’t be happier with the outcome, and also since receiving my NEW dehydrator in the mail, I’ll be in our semi-functional kitchen making cinnamon jerky and cinnamon bread at all hours of the day.
I’d give up sleep to be hanging out with my dehydrator—that is how excited I am! Anywhoooo, the recipe for the Cinnamon Protein Bread:
Cinnamon Protein Bread Recipe
Ingredients:
3/4C of Oat Flour (Can be made by grinding up oats)
4 scoops of Vanilla Protein Powder
1/2 Cup of Truvia
1 TSP of Baking Powder
1 TBSP of Cinnamon- I love cinnamon in everything I eat!
1/2 Cup of Non-fat Plain Greek Yogurt
3 Egg Whites
You’ll need Non-stick spray and 8×8 pan.
Directions:
1. Pre-heat oven to 350.
2. Mix dry ingredients (Oat Flour, Protein Powder, Truvia, Baking Powder, Cinnamon) in a large bowl. Stir!
3. Slowly add in Greek Yogurt then Egg Whites. Mix well.
4. Spray pan with non-stick cooking spray. Pour mixture into pan, then put into oven for 12 minutes.
5. When cooled, split the pan of Cinnamon Bread into 8 pieces. (Yes, you’re portion is going to be huge!)
The Damages:
Calories per Square: 125 Calories Fat: 2g Carbs: 10g Protein: 18g Sodium: 62mg
Aside from the cooking and cutting (diet), I am heading back to Georgia to say good-bye to Brendan one last time before he heads to Ranger School. He will be graduating from IBOLC (training) next Thursday, and has been working hard to physically and mentally prepare for the next 61 days of his life (xx crossing my fingers xx).
Brendan is on the right!
Since I know some of you don’t know what Ranger School entails, it is an intense 61-day combat leadership course, which has been called the “toughest combat course in the world.” There are three phases (of hell), which include food and sleep deprivation and an average of 20-30lbs lost. If you’ve ever met Brendan, you’d know that he doesn’t have even 5 lbs to lose! The graduation rate is about 50%, including the cadets which recycle and go through each or one of the phases again. To make matters worse (for me!), we won’t be talking except for the 8 hour break he gets between phases. AHHHHH, I couldn’t hate the situation more, but I’ve been staying positive and strong for the both of us. Due to all his hard work and perseverance through school, I have decided to commit myself to 61 days of push ups. For each day he is in the field I will match him with push ups. For example, on day 44 I’ll do 44 push ups (on top of all my training). I am not sure if I will take a break during my reps, but I will do my best to complete each daily set without stopping. By the end of the 61 days, we will both be stronger physically and mentally, and ready to take on our next adventure. If you’d like to join me for my 61-days of push ups or even commit to another exercise that challenges you, we start on September 10th!
Here was this morning’s LEG workout:
5 minute warm-up on Rowing Machine
Superset:
Seated Leg Curl
Leg Extention
Superset:
Adductor
Walking Dumbbell lunges
Superset:
Lying Leg Curl
Abductor
Stiff Legged Dead Lift
Superset:
Leg Press
Calve Raises
8 Weeks! Bring it On!
Figure-ly Fit 