Laura's first go at cutting - 2 month cut till christmas!

[laurasaur]

lol yeah yeah I know. I will get my bf % done again in a week so that will be the real test.

[laurasaur]

Wow I can't believe its day 10 and I haven't strayed from my plan... this really is pretty incredible for me... the willpower...its so strong haha!! Its my 3rd no carb day in a row and like last week I am hanging out for Thursday high fat day.. mm..cashews. Although not so much looking forward to my chest workout only because we need more decline benches at my gym!!

It's funny when I first started this mission into a better me I hated it. I was very moody, grumpy, depressed and generally unhappy. I feel like something has really changed, I have been so happy the last few days! Who knows what exactly it is. That's not to say its getting any easier to resist the temptation - it's not - I still have to consciously stop myself from eating bad food - but there is something so extremely satisfying about knowing I am doing the best I can do for my body right now food wise. Likewise with the gym, it's certainly not any easier to wake up at 6am every morning and get my bum out the door and into the gym - but I just know it has to be done. HAS TO.

Today is my rest day and yep, definitely feeling like I need it. I can barely walk, my Monday (day 8) quads workout was KILLER, I feel completely inflexible and like I should probably being doing some stretching or pilates or something... yeah... maybe next week haha. Like I read someone else saying, day 2 DOMS means you have really pushed hard.

I have been having so much fun doing my protein reviews and I have a very exciting project coming up that will be taking up a lot of time, but I will be going hard on the reviews!! I have a lot more protein coming my way and every protein that gets to my letterbox is getting the full review treatment

Diet today:

M1: SciVation Chocolate Whey protein shake

M2: EAS 100% Whey Protein shake w/espresso and almond essence (think I'm getting addicted to the almond flavor)

M3: 175g chicken breast + 4 asparagus

M4: Cookies and Cream (ON) Protein shake with ice

M5: Fish + asparagus

M6: Protein shake of some variety hopefully blended with ice

[two_phat]

I know what ya mean - first few weeks I felt like it was real hard and a real burden to my life, now exercise and good diet just come as second nature.

When you put ice with your shake does it come out like a frappe or something??

Where are you getting all these samples from? I'm kinda gutted that I've found a protein that I like, cos I wanna be trying all these nice flavours too!

[laurasaur]

I know what ya mean - first few weeks I felt like it was real hard and a real burden to my life, now exercise and good diet just come as second nature.

When you put ice with your shake does it come out like a frappe or something??

Where are you getting all these samples from? I'm kinda gutted that I've found a protein that I like, cos I wanna be trying all these nice flavours too!

Most of the time I am just adding 4 or 5 cubes of ice and blending very thoroughly which just chills and thickens the shake not frappe like in texture more thick shake like. When I want frappe I add a heap of ice (few handfuls) and whack it on for a bit and its very nice.

Some samples I pay for, some are from full size tubs I own, some are from friends pp, and some are from some very generous companies.

What protein powder are you on that you like?

[two_phat]

CytoSport Complete Whey Protein. It mixes really well and personally I love the vanilla flavour. And it only costs $86 for 5lbs, which is a pretty good price.

Protein per 100g: 81.8

Carbs per 100g: 9.1

Fat per 100g: 4.5

Protein per Serving: 18

Carbs per Serving: 2

Fat per Serving: 1

Sat Fat per Serving: 1

(serving size is 22g - I usually use 2 scoops)

[bigred8]

Hi. I have had that one. Found it not very tasty, sorry :oops: . Like Cytosports Muscle Milk, but much higher fat/carbs.

[two_phat]

lol - no worries - some of my friends have tried and also not liked it; maybe I have some strange taste buds or something :-s

[bigred8]

lol - no worries - some of my friends have tried and also not liked it; maybe I have some strange taste buds or something :-s

Cool. Its good for low carbs/fat and has some taste, but personally I like something much richer and my metabolism and body type - lean - can handle higher fat and carbs. Really enjoying these great reviews and discussion about protein powders.

[laurasaur]

I only had 100g of chicken so had 2/3 of a protein shake for lunch also.

[laurasaur]

I felt so sick yesterday evening.. not sure what it is. Think its dodgey chicken. Either way I can't eat my chicken for lunch today :S And I couldnt have my 6th protein shake, and I only had a small amount of fish last night.

Did my workout this morning chest... was ok but definately lacking energy. Did one more push up in each set that last week yay.

This is the first day I have wavered off my diet a bit. No chicken for lunch I just can't stomach it and will see if I can do a protein shake around 3pm. I think I just possibly need more sleep. On another subject of great self control I made 4 slices (I think you guys call them bars) last night, caramel toffee fudge, mocha caramel nut, and a fruity one I can't remember the name of.

They look sooooooooo good but I am not going to eat any of them. Nope instead I will package one little bit of each into a box and send to my friend so she can choose which one she wants for Saturday. (When I will still not eat any hehe).

I have to say I can really notice the difference in my hips and tummy at the moment. Must be almost time for some progress pics. And I'd love to have my BF% done again soon.

Sigh.. can someone give me a job where I don't actually have to work?

[Varven]

Sounds like you are tired of chicken.

I had the same problem, I'd start to gag... I have the luxury of being allowed to swap over to red meat... guess you dont....

why dont you try some new recipes ?

LOL what programming do you do for your job that has you so hateful of it?

[biggurl27]

OOoh um lets guess Java developer or .Net, but you said programmer so proabably old school like cognos or something. What about 6 egg whites with a few vegies, thats always a nice alternative?

[bigred8]

Hey Laura, hang in there on the work front! You are going hard core with the training and diet and it's natural to lose some motivation for work, especially as the year draws to a conclusion. Remember Christmas and New Years are coming (and the geese are getting fat! :roll: ) and who know's what career and other life changes 2009 will bring I am sure 2009 will be your best year yet!!! NO doubt about it :nod:

Kep up the magnificent work with the training, dieting and sensational protein powder reviews :clap:

[laurasaur]

Thanks everyone. Yeah I'm a .NET developer (c#) which I love to be honest but its just the crappy work that I am doing no real projects or whatever /end whinge.

[laurasaur]

Well I have a confession. I wasn’t going to tell anyone but I am kind of proud of myself but also want to beat myself with a stick at the same time haha.

Yesterday (thursday,day 11) I wasn’t feeling all that well and I missed my lunch time chicken out all together. I then went home to package up some baking for a friend and ohhh crap I ate some. Ok when I say I ate some I ate like half a slice. This is a good thing, because normally I would have eaten the whole thing. I was like, no, no NO don’t eat it, and then somehow it was just in my mouth having a little mouth orgasm hahaha. Then I quickly finished what I was doing and removed myself from the situation! WIN. Well semi win. Because I didn’t do a laura-binge I just did a normal person half-slice eat.

Then of course I felt really sick and guilty. And then I didn’t eat dinner :/ And then I went for a RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I did cardio. Woah man. It was kind of cool actually although a bit scary running through the area I live in at 9.30pm at night lol. Then I went to bed. So summary of yesterday:

* Did chest workout

* Felt sick

* Missed meals

* Ate 1/2 slice

* Went for a run

Overall a pretty crap day lol. I can’t believe I slipped up already ah well.

Anyway new day today. Did biceps and triceps this morning arms looking a little scary haha.

I have been trying out new protein powders yay - had banana syntha 6 for brekkie and scivation for morning tea. Onehunga Nandos for lunch if I can get some cake decorating stuff before then.

M1: Banana Syntha 6

M2: Chocolate SciVation and Coffee

M3: Nandos chicken 1/4 chicken (breast) no skin

M4: Protein brownie?

M5: Fish?

M6: ew More Protein.

[bigred8]

Dear Laura.

Don't worry about yesterday I have read all your posts and you are doing so AMAZINGLY. You are an inspiration to me and no doubt many others on this site :clap:

Eating all that meat will be hard for most people, especially if you have never had such a regime before. I have tried it a few times and always end up sick of the sight of the stuff and feeling a bit unwell at some stage.

I went on your amazing cupcake/baking (and poetry et al) site http://www.laurasaur.com. Fantastic it is :nod: Girl you are sooooo talented. Miss Cupcake Extraordinaire :clap: Soooo I think you have showed REMARKABLE culinary consumptionary restraint in only having a half slice. I am sure this teeny weeny blip will have no negative impact on your progress. Hey, it may even help - many believe that occasionally cheat meals (though a half slice was hardly a meal!) HELP you lose body fat. There are articles that talk about this.

Keep it up, keep it up, keep it up. You should be EXTREMELY proud of your efforts.

PS. I see you have bench pressed 47.5 kg. When are you going to get the 50

S x

[laurasaur]

Protein Reviews

BSN

BSN Syntha 6 - Banana

BSN Syntha 6 - Chocolate

EAS

EAS 100% Whey - Chocolate

Optimum Nutrition

Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey - Cookies N' Cream

Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey - Vanilla Icecream

Optimum Nutrition 100% Whey - Caramel Toffee Fudge

SciVation

SciVation Whey - Chocolate

Soon to come:

Syntrax Matrix 5.0 - Perfect Chocolate

EAS Vanilla

BSN Lean Dessert - Chocolate Coconut Candy Bar

All ON flavours

PVL Whey Maxx - Chocolate

and more...

[laurasaur]

.

[biggurl27]

haha 1/2 a slice big whip de do Laura that is all good, man I have eaten 1/2 a whole banana cake haha C#.net dev very cool I could get you $80-100 per hour with a few years exp under your belt. As BigRed8 says you have been doing so well so 1/2 a slice is piss all. Keep up the good work :clap: Oh and don't forget the PVL Whey Maxx chocolate which you should have next week :grin:

[laurasaur]

haha 1/2 a slice big whip de do Laura that is all good, man I have eaten 1/2 a whole banana cake haha C#.net dev very cool I could get you $80-100 per hour with a few years exp under your belt. As BigRed8 says you have been doing so well so 1/2 a slice is piss all. Keep up the good work :clap: Oh and don't forget the PVL Whey Maxx chocolate which you should have next week :grin:

I have 2 years experience this december, and am looking for a new job hehe. And oh yeah!! will add to the list

[biggurl27]

Wicked you should go contracting and earn mega bucks

[bigred8]

Wicked you should go contracting and earn mega bucks

Hey biggurl27. Absolutely. Laura is brilliant at this stuff! Can't wait for the next review. We are so lucky to have her devote her valuable software engineer time to our protein review needs :nod:

[bigred8]

Hey Laura and everyone following Laura's protein powder reviews....got a thought for you....

It would appear that lots of us will be buying various protein powders as a direct result of Laura's eloquent, informative and extensive reviews :clap: Ok, so here is what I am thinking. Different suppliers/reps have kindly supplied her with samples I think. Laura is spending a lot of time doing these reviews for us out of the sheer goodness of her heart :clap: Soooooo, when we buy a product as a result of her review, or are going to, we should contact the relevant rep or supplier (by email?) and tell them that we are buying their product because of Laura. If Laura thought this ok (and site rules allow), Laura you could attach the relevant email address to each review, so we could let the supplier/rep know that your review motivated us to buy.

Now, if we do this the suppliers/reps can immediately see a positive benefit from giving her samples. This is good. Good for them. Good for Laura. Good for us (Laura will have extra motivation to keep reviewing :pray: :nod: eh Laura :wink: ) Maybe it may even led to some direct positive benefit for Laura of some kind. If so, GREAT. She would deserve it.

At the very least we could post, perhaps on a newly created Diet/Nutrition sub-forum, whenever we have purchased a Laura reviewed product. She is really do a magnificent thing for us all with her rockin reviews. It's just the information I have always wanted. So let's really support Laura on this and show her how much we care!

Do you guys agree with my idea here? Comments....

[biggurl27]

Man you have definatley taken your happy pills today, nice thought but don't think its a goer, too much pissing about

[bigred8]

LOL