caught in action
I was caught red handed taking a bite out of a post dinner cookie. Just a bit, but it was good! We have been having a blast here in sf and enjoying some serious down time! We have been taken Bruno out on walks every morning, as you have seen in my videos, but other than that and going to the gym 2x while we have been here, it has really been low key in the weight training area and some serious rest for our bodies. Towards the end of my preps, I really start to feel it not only physically but mentally. My knees start to bother me and most of all mentally, I am toasted. It is so important to allow your mind AND body rest. Not only is it healthy but you get that motivation that you tend to lose when you are going non stop, back! After a show you tend to get burnt out and just need a refresher. Not saying to sit on your couch and do nothing but just taking your activity away from the gym environment and into real life. I have shown you a few videos of our morning cardio walks. We are shooting a million birds with one stone, spending quality time together, giving Bruno his nice needed walk, able to site see and people watch and getting in cardio out doors! So fun to do things different and enjoy the small things in life!
Today after our walk in the Marina, we stopped for sandwiches on Chestnut street. We went into a local Italian Deli and got the most amazing sandwiches ever. I had my 1/2 c. of oatmeal in the a.m. with a protein shake and then it was 1:00 and after our walk we were starving. We stopped in and I had a seeded wheat sandwich with roasted peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, and onions. We also got a side of calamari salad. It was delicious and if I am going to have a sandwich, that is exactly the kind of sandwich I am talking about, healthy and wholesome! Yes, I did have the bread but my choice is whole wheat over white. I stayed away from any spreads or mayo and actually went without meat and had the calamari instead of meat in my sandwich. You will notice, I drop my protein levels after a show. As you all know I only have one kidney so I like to give my body a rest. Also, when you are preparing for a show, our protein levels tend to be a bit higher than I believe they should be year round. I try to get in about 100g/day. I know that may sound low but some days they are higher so it averages out.
I was okay with the sandwich because it was mid day, we had just gone on a walk, I made smart choices with the sandwich bread and toppings and I knew that it was only my 2nd meal and most likely, based on our schedule, not going to get in 6-7 but 4-5. This is vacation so you have to go with the flow 5 meals is still fine… keeping metabolism up but it isn’t my typical 6-7 when I am pre contest or at home on my schedule. I am sharing all these tips so you see that things may not be 100% perfect when you are on the go and traveling but you do what you can, make your smart choices, go with the flow and understand that this is life and you have to be realistic with yourself and others.
Now this evening we are headed to Michael’s mom’s event at a local pub. I will have a shake before I go, as I am not sure what will be served. It is always safe to get in something before you head out so you are on the safe side and also, you never know how long it will be before you get to eat, once you arrive. I am also broiling asparagus now to tide me over…
See so I chose a sandwich for lunch and now back to broiled asparagus and a shake and a clean dinner.
This trip, for the most part, we have had one meal that has been “off season/healthy” and the remainder have been your typical super clean (shakes, grilled lean meat, etc.) Making smart choices and enjoying life!
-G
