Author: sheehymeghan

75 Hard Day 1 & 2 Recap

Published on by sheehymeghanLeave a comment

No Alcohol

Well the first day few days of #75hard are behind me and the evening wine cravings haven’t been overly intense yet. I think that will be the most difficult aspect of this challenge as time goes on. Since we are talking liquids, that four litres of water has been a shock to the system for sure and getting stuck in traffic yesterday put my bladder to the test.

Nonfiction: I started reading a book about “finding meaning” and will get the title for a later post. For anyone who knows me well, my desire to find work that is aligned with who I am and where I want to be, has been challenging. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve loved teaching in so many ways, it has brought me great fulfilment, especially in the environments where I have worked, but in the end I think there is something else for me. When I was two my mother kept a daily diary and wrote that I talk to animals in their language and am infatuated with them – I think about that a lot…about who I was before the world told me who to be – that is a paraphrased quote from someone else 😉

I’m certain that improving the horrific lives non human animals live on this planet is where life will take me when I’m brave enough to pursue it.

DIET: I’m using my Fitness Pal to track my water and rough calorie range. The first two weeks will be a bit of an experiment – I’m aiming for around 2000 – 2100 a day and will see where my weight is after two weeks – I’m starting at 136.5 lbs but am not counting low cal sauces and veggies etc. or just little things. I’m not on a cut. Goal is to add some muscle and lose some fat – will solidify as the challenge progresses. That is actually somewhat difficult to achieve when you try to keep your macros in check (high protein, high carb, moderate fat). I just want to get close to my grams in each area.

Since some people will be following a Plant Based Diet on this challenge I thought it might be helpful to post some of my meals along the way.

Meals
Day 1

Breakfast: Handful of walnuts and two cups of coffee with Silk soy creamer and sugar.

Smoothie- Garden of Life Sport Protein Powder (30 gs), one cup almond milk, two cups water, PB2 Powder or one TBS of natural peanut butter and a large banana.

Snack: Vegan Chicken Breast (recipe linked) I make two batches and freeze/thaw for super high protein low calorie protein addition to meals, and had it on a hamburger bun.

Lunch: Tofu Scramble

Supper – Spaghetti with my famous sauce (TVP is the protein).

Snack – popocorn/protein shake

Day 2

Same smoothie as above.

Lunch: edamame, tofu avocado rolls, yam rolls (had to eat out, long story)

Snack: Tofu Scramble

Supper: Rice Noodle Soup. It’s my all time favourite meal which is roughly, veggie stock, soya sauce, herbs, miso paste, TVP (rinsed thoroughly before being added), rice wine vinegar sesame oil, tofu, broccoli, swiss chard (I often use cabbage or spinach) but my garden is still producing. I pour boiling broth over rice noodles and savour every bite!

Snack: protein shake

Workouts:
Day 1: Crossfit indoor – 45 minute walk outdoor.
Day 2: Zeus Fitness on Youtube (upper body and abs) and a walk.

There we have it. A recap of two days and me staying true to a commitment to practice writing again. I’m not going over the top on grammar or engaging writing – I just need to get into a regular practice and will move on from there.

Diving for Pennies

Published on by sheehymeghanLeave a comment

My name is Meghan and I love writing …but I never write. Hoping as I attempt #75hard for the second time, I can be consistent with creating something every day. I’m not sure where it will go from there, but I just needed to start and it seems like a good time.

I love animals, so I don’t eat them. I’ve been vegan for seven years and enjoy being outdoors, working out and finding new challenges!

75 Hard Starts Tomorrow

Published on by sheehymeghanLeave a comment

Wine loving vegan making second attempt at completing #75hard challenge

#75hard #veganfitness #plantbasedchallenge #vegan

Monday of the Labour Day long weekend is the weirdest feeling day of the year. Everywhere on social media people are telling their followers summer is over. However, when I look around, very few leaves have changed colour and we’ve been sleeping with our windows open every night until the last week or so. Until those leaves really change and I’m wearing evening sweaters more frequently, I’m not switching to the “summer is over” mindset just yet.

But I am in need of a change or a challenge as I transition into an uncertain future in terms of my career over the next few months. It’s also been an indulgent July and August – the wine has been flowing, the beach chips have been plentiful and the late nights have been hard on my body and recovery. Somehow I managed to keep up a pretty consistent workout routine, but battling through hangovers and running around severely dehydrated definitely impeded results. There’s also that guilty feeling of not achieving my potential in the gym because I’m too weak to cut the booze.

In March I attempted this challenge to battle winter blues and did fairly well until we moved to a place with the most spectacular ocean view – overpowering my ability to say no to a glass of wine on the deck. I was disappointed, but it was also what I needed at the time.

If you aren’t aware, the #75hard challenge involves the following:

  • Two 45 minute work outs every day – one must be outside.
  • A gallon of water every day
  • Follow a diet of some type
  • Read 10 pages of a non fiction book daily
  • Take a progress picture every day
  • No alcohol

The first time around, the hardest part was the alcohol and the outdoor workouts during the grossest time of the year in Nova Scotia Approaching attempt two, I think the alcohol will definitely be the biggest challenge again.

My diet goals this time are: two protein shakes a day (or 30 gram serving using protein powder so could be oats or something), creatine, vegan omega 3’s and B Complex Vitamins every day. No chips, candy or vegan ice cream – although junk food usually isn’t a big temptation for me. Without wine though – I think that will shift a bit.

My goals in terms of my fitness would be to lose three pounds of fat and add one point five to two pounds of muscle. I’m going to do an inbody scan to start and will see where we land at the end. Getting good at double unders, strengthening kip swings /grip and a pull up would be amazing!

So before tomorrow, I’m going to enjoy a nice spaghetti dinner with a glass of red wine. In the morning it’s time to do something hard – and that always feels good!