Why can't I be paid like a professional athlete ?

The other night I saw an article about the importance of fitness as a public servant and how we are in fact professional athletes. I like that thought, while I would really like the pay that goes with it, I'll just use it as a personal motivator for now. As I have said before, during this last year I changed my goal from being skinny to being healthy, and earning the title of firefighter. Not just the book smarts but the real, honest title. To be that person that doesn't make the people inside scared to have me with them. To be able to pull my brother to safety if the need arises. I think that is what has brought me success this time. I have a clear goal, its a passion, not just a desire to look good in a bikini. It doesn't mean Im always perfect and I don't struggle but it does help me bring myself back in line when I stray.

I don't think you all want to log in just to hear me ramble, so from now on I am going to add some recipes and show my workouts from time to time. I usually food prep once a week, I cook everything I need on my day off, It makes me less likely to stray and find naughty options. One of the dishes I cooked this week is Roasted Brussel sprouts,  sweet potatoes, and beets with garlic and balsamic vinegar, Seriously delicious.

I cut up 3 peeled sweet potatoes, 5 medium sized beets, and a 2 lb bag of Brussels sprouts, and placed them all on the same pan with chopped garlic, kosher salt, and pepper. Then a liberal amount of balsamic vinegar (sorry I didn't measure.) Cooked at 400 for one hour ) or until they are all soft. 

Workouts.

I am currently training for a half marathon, slowly so I can be competitive, not just finish. This month I am Running 7/4s so 4 miles every other day and 7 miles on my long runs. With rest days of yoga every other day. Im trying to work on balance. This wednesday the puppy and I had a great run.  yesterdays yoga was Meh... I am still trying to like it. I think Dante doesn't quite grasp the concept of yoga but he is very comfy. 

I start out Fridays with a run, today I ran through the park, not so great terrain but a nice run. My knees were hurting so I ended the last mile on the treadmill and hit a 5k. I really need to remember to wear my knee braces on theses days LOL.

Friday is my extra awesome work out day, I work at the fire department every Friday so I have some down time and the equipment to have a pretty stellar session. I am working on some new exercises to throw in the mix, and this week I was by myself so I had some fun with it. Got out my gear, except for the SCBA mask, I wanted to have full vision while I was trying new things. Tonight I did 15,10,5s circuits of jump rope, dumbbell curls (10 lb) , push ups, 35 lb plate stairs (5,3,2), 45 lb bar squats. Crawl in and belly crawl out. Then I took off the gear did 20 more squats, a couple of different sets with the dumbbells . And dragged the green bag (75lb) with a rope by crawling. I made sure to play with a steel bottle... none of those pansy composites LOL 

The plan is to start working towards the Addison Fire combat challenge so I am trying new workouts.  that are more stressing. Right now I am on an endorphin high and totally want a structure fire. (I know I know that sounds bad.) Its pretty awesome to think that last year I was so out of shape I grounded myself off the truck because I knew I was a danger and now I am out there kicking ass and thinking this is fun again :)  Oh and BTW jump roping in full gear is a trip LOL. 

Next week I plan to make a version of this homemade for the department. Its 25 to 75 lbs and there are some pretty awesome workouts I have seen with these that are dragging and pulling, its supposed to simulate dragging hose.