Good morning and happy Labor day everyone! This begins my series of progress posts on my new plan of action.
I’m thinking of calling it: ”Reflections.” Thoughts??
What the progress posts include:
- Thoughts/reflections/realizations
- Favorite meals
- Occasional progress pictures
- Noteworthy Bible verses
- Raw truth
What they won’t include:
- Weight
- Calories/macros
- Self-bashing
I’m going to add all of these posts under my progress page. 
Now that that’s outta the way, let’s get on with it, shall we??
~~~~
Even though it’s only been a week since I started, I’m getting a sense of the good that’s on the horizon.
Food-wise:
- You might as well start calling me Ezekielandra. My body is CRAVING that bread. I’ve had it 2 times a day for the entire past week. I think I’m gonna have to start buying like 4,000,000 loaves at a time if I want to avoid impromtu grocery trips 24/7. My wallet may not be so happy about that decision though.
- My body has also been craving eggs. I honestly want them for every meal of the day in any way shape or form! I guess there’s some random nutrient in them my body is soaking up.
- I was getting burnt out with sweet potatoes and sunflower seed butter in my post workout shakes, so I started to have bananas and peanut butter instead. Verdict– AMAZING. So far so good!
Exercise-wise:
- Set a new squat PR of 145 lbs for reps on Friday!
- More energy, but more doms too
- Not relying as heavily on pre-workout supplements
- I did break my no cardio rule last Wednesday though– I had a 3 hour break on campus, had already finished all my homework, and was bored to tears, so I went to the rec center and watched Price is Right while riding a stationary bike for 40 minutes. BUT I’m not gonna get all worked up about deviating a bit from the plan because it was fun!
Mentally/Physically:
- Not thinking about food as much because I’m more satiated
- It’s been kind of hard to overcome the stinkin thinkin of having starchy carbs at dinner– I was always so influenced by the media on that one and it annoys the poop out of me. Still working on it, but getting stronger.
- Less thirsty– I don’t find myself guzzling a crap ton of water like I did before
- Less bony looking, like my muscles seem fuller? After reading this article, I think it’s the glycogen from carbs
- My hair is still kinda nasty and thin (I think that’ll take awhile to recover from stupid O-chem induced stress)
- More mental focus/awareness
- Felt extremely close to God
Let me expand a bit on the last one– when I read the Bible pre-workout, I usually just flip open to a random page and read. Well, EACH AND EVERY TIME IT HAS BEEN A VERSE THAT STRONGLY RELATES TO MY SITUATION.
Check it out…
- “Some of you accuse others of doing wrong. But there is no excuse for what you do. When you judge others, you condemn yourselves, because you are guilty of doing the very same things.” -Romans 2:1
- “What will you gain, if you own the whole world but destroy yourself?” -Matthew 16:26
- “You know that many runners enter a race, and only one of them wins the prize. So run to win!” -1 Cor. 9:24
- “But food doesn’t bring us any closer to God. We are no worse off if we don’t eat, and we are no better off if we do.” -1 Cor. 8:8
- “Don’t spend all of your time thinking about eating or drinking or worrying about life. If you do, the final day will suddenly catch you like a trap.” -Luke 21:34-35
Amazing doesn’t even begin to describe it! God’s Word never fails to kickstart my day into awesomeness overdrive.
~~~~
Okay now time for some pics!!
latest obsession: ezekiel bread sandwich with eggs and peanut butter or sunflower seed butter. I had it for lunch EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. last week and I kinda wanna do it again haha
chugged between classes–love this flavor!
picture from the leg day I set my new PR!
can of salmon mixed with 1/4 cup peanut flour and peanut butter…sounds weird and looks like vomit 
but really good!
favorite dinner combo lately– chicken, baked sweet potato, okra and broccoli! the okra obsession is still going strong
I realize it’s still early and that this journey won’t always be hunky dory, but I have to cherish the positives any chance I can get, eh?
Well I guess that’s about it from me– I’m off to go enjoy this three day weekend and go exploring
AHHH YAY FOR CARBS!!!
Seriously, carbs fill my muscles up to look pumped and when you have carbs pre-workout you seriously don’t need a supplement. 
I’m glad you like the Ezekiel bread! It took me awhile to eat carbs for dinner, especially starchy carbs. But now I love how I am gaining muscle much easier from doing that and eating a carb source for my bedtime snack. It works!!!! I am so happy for you. 
Your legs are KICKIN’ (pun intended(. You deserve every good thing that happens to you. 
Thanks Britt!! You always motivate me and make me smile
I’m so glad we’re pals!
So glad this new plan is off to a fab start for you! It’s always kinda scary to start something new, especially when you have been doing something completely different i.e. eating starchy carbs at night. If anything, the proof is in the pudding: you are already setting PR’s so something has to be right! Hope the plan continues to get better and better for you, girl! I still need to try that nut butter/egg combo on a sandwich, even more so after that pic!
oh alex, i totally get the stress you’ve been under. I went through the same thing back in college with O chem. It ruined me. Take time to rest friend. Lots of love!
You seriously made me laugh out loud when you wrote “You might as well start calling me Ezekielandra.” Haha, how clever
That looks like a really delicious breakfast sandwich, as I absolutely love eggs (and bread!). It is so great to read that you are feeling close to God, and coming across comforting passages! Those are all excellent verses you shared, many of which I haven’t noticed significantly before.
I have been seeing okra pop up over the blog world lately, but still haven’t tried it! That looks like a delicious dinner
I am glad the plan seems to be going so well thus far… the mental and physical results are just awesome. Not paying attention/obsessing about food too much? Heck yes to that, I am sure it leaves your mind to think about so many other important/worth while things other than FOOD. How weird that that happens when you actually start fueling correctly ehh?
Good for you for overcoming the carb thing later in that day. We both know it’s BS and while it has been ingrained in our heads that we simply cannot have anything like that during the later hours, it’s simply not the case and we need it!
Looking forward to reading more on all of this deary
Stupid medis IS bs. Why does it always have to go and suck the fun out of life?! Let’s boycott
I said simply wayyy too many times there lol
i am so excited for you! loving the updates and honestly so happy you are doing this journey- and fueling properly!! keep eating up and you will see amazing gains my friend. its hard to get over some of those things that have been imbedded in our brains by the media, articles, our peers, etc. just do your own thing and put your happiness first. and if you ever have a shitty self image or frustrated day you know who to turn to- friends, family and God!
Thank you SO SO MUCH my friend, your support means the world to me!
I am so proud of you for all those decisions and I think breaking it up like that really is the best way to look at it. I am proud of what you are doing and I think you have the right mentality around it. Don’t fear the carbs! They are my best friend even at night.
I am already looking forward to next weeks update! I think this is going to be so fun to follow you on your journey! It looks like you had a super successful week! That’s awesome!! Plus it’s nice to see someone talking about actually EATING!! haha And that ezekiel/egg/pb sandwich combo looks amazing! I think I may have to try it this week….I’m thinking Thursday?! But seriously, congrats, you are a true inspiration girl! We are all behind you!
YOU HAVE TO!!!
Your tastebuds can thank me later teehee 
Thank you so much for sharing your progress, Alexandra! I’m in a similar situation and really trying to be more “at ease” with eating more and not obsessing over calories / macronutrients. It’s freaking HARD.. but helps to know that there are other people going through the same things as I am. Keep on keeping on!
Thank you SO much Jenny! I just want you to know, I absolutely adore reading your blog and have been blown away at your progress. I may not comment very often (I’m a lurker heehee) but I want you to know I’m cheering you on with each and every post!
Let’s show our challenges who’s boss, eh? We got this 
I love that you’re having such a positive experience with your change of plans! Sometimes just taking control of yourself and learning what makes you happy can make all the difference in the world. And I just tried Okra for the first time last week! Granted, it was fried haha, but I want to start using it more, it was delicious! Also…I don’t know about that tuna/peanut butter dish, you may be on your own on that one
Ahhh LOVE that you’re already seeing some positive changes from your new plan, and I can’t wait to hear about lots more of them
I know that overcoming fears like having carbs at dinner can be extremely difficult, but maybe you’ve been craving so much Ezekiel bread because your body is crying out for more carbs? And maybe God is trying to give you a little nudge-nudge as well with all of those Bible verses? Be strong, love! Don’t be afraid of being more free 
Definitely agree about the carbs/cravings as well as the little hints from God. It’s those subtle things that make me re-evaluate a lot of things going on in my life and keep me on the right track. Thanks so much for the support, my friend! <3
Oh my goodness, your legs! I’m having a bit of an ‘it’s not fair’ moment because I (and about 99.9% of other people) have worked my ass off, literally, for years trying to get some definition without bulk in my legs, and they’ve just ended up stocky, and I’d never be able to get that kind of muscle pop. Seriously, you are so lucky (not that you don’t work hard as well) – you must have Spartan genetics or something.
xxx
Wow thank you so much!! hahaha when you said Spartan genetics, I totally thought of the dude from 300 screaming “THIS IS SPARTA!!!”
I bet you’ll gain muscle in your legs girl, I know your determination and patience will pay off!
Your legs look SICK!!!!!!!!!! I am a huge fan of DLB and Flag nor Fail……WORK HUSTLE KILL baby!
Golly gee, isn’t the Lord so amazing?! I always spend time with Him before hitting up the gym (even if it means waking up an extra 20 minutes early… at 4:50am!) it is SO worth it & He fills us up more than we could ever imagine! Keep staying strong in the Word, my friend, it is the best pre-workout out there
WOOHOO on the carb train! I have been incorporating more fruit (it’s been a “fear food” thanks to dumb old media.) and have been loving it! Bananas are AMAZING. Seriously, why are they so good? And crispy apples in the fall are too good to beat!
Enjoy this process- stay strong & always look on the bright side!
HE IS AMAZING!! And I agree, I think they should bottle up some Bible verses and sell it as a pre-workout supplement– it never fails to get me fired up to kill it in the gym
Yayayay for setting a new squat PR!! I’m so excited for you, and can tell that this new plan is not only working wonders physically, but mentally and spiritually too! Thanks for sharing the Biblical excerpts–they’re so inspiring! I actually just jotted down the last two and posted them by my bed. This way, they’ll greet me first thing in the morning and linger in my dreams at night.
I completely understand the carb anxiety; I’m the same way! Over the summer, my carb consumption dropped a bit and it *definitely* affected my progress in the gym. Muscle gains truly can’t be made without ample carb consumption, so they’re back in full force now.
Whenever I doubt myself, I open up my inspiration notebook (full of quotes and pics of my fitness “idols”) and I’m immediately reminded why I’m doing what I’m doing. Carbs are our best friend! Silly deceptive thoughts are not. :-p
Love you, girl! So proud of you!! xoxoxo
I’m so glad you liked the verses my friend
I’m head over heels for your idea of an inspiration notebook! I’d love to make one too, do you think you’d ever do a post about how you made yours?? 
Thanks so much for all of your encouraging words Sara, you’re such a great pal!
This is so awesome,Alexandra! I am so happy about your progress and your positive attitude in general. You ROCK,girl,and heck yes for carbs – since I’m allowing myself to eat those again I feel so. amazing. Seriously! And I’m gladit’s the same for you.
Also,I have been feeling much closer to god as well lately and it’s awesome. I’m praying far more often and I feel like it truly gives me strength to keep on fighting.
Love the idea of the new posts!!!
I love the idea of progress posts.
And I’m with you on the nut butter + egg + bread combo. Its been my jam lately! Love.
I definitely relate to the carb anxiety, I suffer from it myself but I know my body needs carbs! They are so important, and I feel like crapola when I exclude them from my diet.
So proud of you lady!xo
Your legs look so great—muscular and toned and all
! I like this post and look forward to future ones!
And yay for okra!
I like this reflection post and I think these will be great for you to look back on! Keep up the good work <3
Dang girl, you’re ripped!
And I LOVE those bible verses!!!
That’s an awesome thing to come out of your reflections! 
I loooove this post! It’s so awesome to hear about how your plan is going for you.
Hurray for the carb love! I eat lots of bread/carbs too. I know some people say they need protein to keep them satisfied but I think for me it’s carbs! There’s nothing like the full feeling after a big hearty sandwich.
wow this was a great update! i love hearing how other people’s training programs are going & congrats on the PR! i’ve started to eat carbs with dinner too & i’ve got to say it works wonders for early AM workouts! nobody ever believes me that eggs & peanut butter are a perfect combo so thank you very much for validating my love affair – add some bacon to that and your life will be complete!
Oh man bacon would probably take that sandwich to a whole new level! I gotta try that!!
holy moly awesome legs, chica!
lookin’ good and so glad you’re feeling inspired and charged!
Great post! I’m going to love these update posts sweetheart! Thank you
I love the name Reflections for your series! It’s perfect!
If you ever need anything you know I am here for you <3
WOw, you have an intense amount of muscle! I’m glad everything is going well for you.
I am obsessed with carbs, so I’m glad you’re back on the carb train. Keep rocking it girl!
So happy you’re happy – and your legs look baller!
Your legs are RIDONCULOUS! I am so proud of your progress! Carbs are the best. I eat them day in and day out!! Enjoy them because they were meant to EAT!! Wahoo!
Wow Alexandra! This entire post is seriously amazing! First of all can I just say your legs are absolutely killer – I couldn’t believe it was you!! You should be so proud of yourself girl
It sounds like this whole plan is suiting you really well and that it’s making you feel a lot more positive which is great! Plus if your feeling physically and mentally better than it’s bound to have a brilliant effect on your studies too
Your dinner looks delicious, and I’m still really jealous of your muscle milk drinks!
Lovely bible verses, thank you for giving us those to reflect on
Glad you’re doing so well!
Pingback: Simply Delicious « Tales of a Freckled Lifter
MAN those legs are insane! (I mean that in an omg-awesome way
)And nothing wrong with cardio if you’re doing it because you enjoy it occasionally! And PB and banana–is there any more magical combination out there? I don’t think so…
You are beast!