Week 4, Day 1 - Uglier the face, the harder you're working

From what I see, when most girls workout this is what they look like:

Then there's me:

Looking like I'm pigeon-toed and
about to suck your soul out.

Maybe I was just never meant to be a fitness model. lol I will keep telling myself that the more horrifying the face the more effort you must be putting in ...because I was definitely looking demon-like as I squatted today.

my view for most of the session

Smolov:
4x9 @ 120

Thoughts: I definitely was nervous all day for these sets. Nine squats in a set is A LOT for me. It was really mentally taxing more than anything and around number 6 each set was where the face got ugly and I started getting woozy. My quads were on fire and still burning as I type. God bless my crossfit family because I was that girl grunting and wheezing uncomfortably loud as I tried to shoot up from the bottom of my squat. I gave myself a decent amount of rest between sets, which involved me lying lifeless on the floor staring up at the bar. It hurt so good!

Cool down:
3 miles on bike
Thoughts: Kept the pace about 85 rpm but nothing too taxing, trying to keep things light as I head into a comp this weekend. 

Intake:
Breakfast: Coffee with protein and PBJ
Lunch: Two turkey burgers with half an avocado, plantain chips and half a wheat tortilla
Pre-workout: Power bar
Post-workout: Rezzerect shake
Dinner: taquitos with avocado

I will be pushing back Friday's lifts and probably Wednesday's lifting session to prepare for the brutal competition that is Pipehitter's Classic. I must say, I think I will miss my squats!

Week 2, Day 2 - PRs and Hurtin' Hands

No squats today!

Strength: 
8x1 heavy Jerks from the rack 
95
100
105
115
120
130
135
145 - PR BY TEN POUNDS!

Thoughts: Split Jerks are my favorite lift. It felt awesome to PR on this lift especially when I'm not particularly focusing on it right now. It felt really strong too. I wish I had had time to go up more but still an exciting day. On the other hand, It is kind of embarrassing that my max back squat is the same as my max jerk and that I've never squatted over 125. #awkwardliftingproblems

Cwod:
5 Rounds:
30 Second Handstand Hold
5 Supine Ring pullups on box (video above)
8 Pullups
8 Tiger Bend Push ups (see video below)
10 knees to elbows
30 second hollow hold on bar

Results: Completed, rested 1 minute between rounds

Thoughts: What. the. eff. My boyfriend recommended this to me because its a good core workout and stays away from lower body. Yeah, well I even modified it from what he suggested and I was still dying. This just destroyed my grip. My hands were pissed. I also felt like each round was never going to end because I was terrible at every freaking movement. Although it definitely gave me a good core workout, I would not describe this one as a good time. 

Act like a lady, Eat like a man

Wait, so am I going to get fat??

A question any normal lifter wouldn't even bother to ask. But, alas, I am a female 20 something and we are programmed since day one to be constrictive of our diets and to look in the mirror and say "how can I look better?" It is no secret that smolov isn't going to make me some ripped fitness model. Granted, that can come after I finish (hello metcons!). 

But to say I'm completely fine with gaining a few pounds during this, would be a lie. I know it is what I'll have to do and I will do it, but this is going to be a mental challenge for me as well as a physical one. It's possible for a while I wont particularly love what I see in the mirror, I am going to have to let go of being self-critical and look at the big picture. I'M GONNA GET FREAKING STRONG. I have been told over and over again, Strength is much harder to gain than leaning out. 

So, I've seen some incredibly ridiculous things about what people eat while on smolov, (candy as a food group!?) I'm going to need calories, lots of them. So if your looking for a perfect paleo intake guide, please look somewhere else. i will be eating carbs, dairy and lots of meat. I will try my best to avoid gluten because it does make my stomach hurt. I will not eat like total crap but I will be eating a lot. 

Basically, i am going to listen to my body and if I'm hungry..I'm going to eat. No restrictions.