Hiiiiiii! Happy Monday! How you doing, baby child? I’m feeling a bit sugar loaded after my birthday weekend. Lots of cake, cupcakes, cocktails and meals. Luckily I kept up with my workouts all week long so I didn’t have to worry about it much. But I was definitely ready to get my to my normal eating habits after a fun weekend.
But let’s talk a little more about sugar. Because people are consistently asking questions about ab workouts or what to do about the midsection. So let’s just be frank here: it’s all about diet. The whole “abs are made in the kitchen” bullsh*t isn’t bullsh*t. It’s completely true. And if your goal is to have a certain physique or certain shape, you gotta start with your diet. And I don’t care if you eat super healthy; if you are consuming alcohol on a regular basis, you will not see the difference that you hope for. You could do all the ab workouts in the world, but if you are not limiting your sugar intake, especially in the form of alcohol, you won’t be able to reach your greatest ability. Alcohol is sugar, sugar leads to inflammation, inflammation leads to bloat, weight gain and sadly, less abs. Alcohol also inhibits muscle growth. Little known fact that more people should definitely know about! I can always see the difference in myself when I start having some cocktails on the weekend, and for me multiple cocktails means maybe 2-3 in a weekend.
I always see people say that they wish they could have abs like a certain person at the gym or online, but most of the time that person has those abs because they are working at it constantly and consistently. The less you drink alcohol and eat sugar, the more results you’ll see. Sure, genetics have to do with it, but you also pave your own destiny with the decisions you make. Stop hoping to look like someone else and just strive to be the best version of yourself. Make great decisions on a regular basis while still enjoying life’s moments. If you want those abs, go get them. Start with better food choices and continue to work hard in the gym on a weekly basis. The more consistent you stay, the more results you’ll begin to see! Remember, be consistent and never compromise when it comes to your goals. If abs are your goals, get after em’!!
Sunday – Rest day/ recover from Jamaica
Monday –
Back Squats: 3 x 10. All sets at 70%. (13 mins) – I used 125#
After Each Set, Max Strict Pull Ups. – I got a total of 23 pull ups
Then 6 min AMRAP Of:
6 Power Snatch (135/95)
10 Toes To Bar
– 3min REST THEN –
6 min AMRAP Of:
6 Power Snatch (135/95)
10 Burpees
I got 5 rounds on the first AMRAP and 4+10 on the second using 65#
Tuesday –
Every 30 sec for 10 mins: 1 Squat Clean @ 65%. All reps must have a 3 sec pause at knee. – I used 105#
500m Row Sprint For Time. MAX EFFORT!!! – I got 1:47
3. 10 min AMRAP Of:
30 Hang Power Cleans (135/95)
20 Push Jerks (135/95)
10 Bar Muscle Ups / Burpee Pull Ups
I got 1 + 47 reps using 85# and doing bar muscle ups
Wednesday –
20 mins Working With Purpose: (3 rounds minimum!)
– 7 & 7 Front Rack Step Ups (155/105). All 7 on one leg, then all 7 on the other. – I used 75# – see video here
– 7 & 7 Single Arm KB or DB Strict Press. All 7 on one arm, then all 7 on the other. As heavy as possible. – I used 25#
– Accumulate 1 min Hanging from Pull Up Bar or Rings. Hang on for dear life!!!
I got 4 rounds
Then 8 min Partner Workout:
Partner 1: 20 Cals On Air Dyne
Partner 2: As many Double Unders As Possible
* change movements after 20 cals is completed.
**Score recorded is Total DU you complete as an individual. – I got 300 double unders
Thursday – Rest day
Friday – Birthday workout!!
OH Squats: 6 x 1. Adding, with 10 sec Pause at bottom of squat on all singles! (12 mins) – I got to 125#
Then At 0:00:
5 min AMRAP Of:
5 Squat Snatch (135/95)
7 Burpee Box Jumps (24/20)
– 2 min REST THEN –
400m Sprint For Time
– When Clock hits 11:00 –
5 min AMRAP Of:
5 Squat Snatch (135/95)
7 Burpee Box Jumps (24/20)
I got 4+2 then 1:26 for my run then 3+5 at 85# – See video here
Saturday –
1 mile run
30 clean and jerks (135/95)
2000m row
I finished in 21:10 using 85#
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At Home or Hotel Gym Workout:
4 rounds of:
50 mountain climbers
40 air squats
30 tuck jumps
20 hand release push ups
10 v-ups
On Sale Fitness Apparel:
These Nike Free 5.0 (7 colors – 10% off)
These High Waisted Leggings (2 colors – 30% off)
This Nike Dri Fit Sports Bra (25% off)
This Alo Open Back Tank (30% off)
This Yellow Tank Top (25% off)
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What I Ate in a Day:
Breakfast at Snooze at 6:30am: We ordered 2 caramel apple gluten free pancakes and at those together and I also order the breakfast tacos (3 come in an order) and I ended up eating 2 bites of 1 taco then packed up the leftovers to go.
Lunch at 11:30am: The rest of my breakfast tacos leftover from breakfast and handful of plantain chips
Coffee at 2pm: I order this hong kong latte with an extra shot of espresso (it has condensed milk in it) at Platform Tea Lounge and ended up only drinking probably 1/5 of it because it was SO sweet.
After working out and showering up, we headed out to dinner for my favorite meal: curry. We went to Tommy’s Thai where I had a glass of wine, beef panang curry with rice and then at the end of the meal, a big ole’ gluten free cake came out so I had an amazing slice of that!
Thanks for doing a post on sugar intake! I’ve recently been researching and becoming more conscious about how much sugar I’m consuming vs how much I should consume. I’m a sucker for everything sweet/salty and I love trying your dessert recipes! Just curious how many grams of sugar you try to limit it to on the daily? and what works best for you to keep from consuming too much?
i don’t keep track of any sort of numbers. i just try not to eat or drink too much sugar. so i limit any sugary drinks like coffee drinks or whatever and i never drink sodas. i usually have some sort of dessert each day like a piece of chocolate or something that I’m making for the blog. the only way I really track it is making sure i’m not becoming addicted or dependent on it.
Liking that Saturday workout, will def be trying that! I can definitely feel and see the difference when I am consuming more alcohol than usual too. I am trying to cut back some on the weekends. Also, Snooze is opening up down the street from me in Austin! When I saw their sign I got so excited cause I remember you posting pics from there a few times. Can’t freakin wait!
It’s the absolute best!
Hi Juli – thanks for sharing, I love your blog!! What are your thoughts on fruit in regards to sugar? Do you have any “rules” regarding fruit or just have it in moderation?
for me, i rarely eat fruit because it’s still sugar. sure, there are great nutrients in fruit, but you can get the same nutrients with just eating vegetables but without the added sugar! so i think limiting it and eating it in moderation just like you would for dessert!
Juli- what are your favorite pre-workout snacks? I’ve been doing an apple or banana but I noticed you said you don’t eat much fruit. Thx!
i just eat a mini snack like 1/2 a perfect bar or a sheep’s milk yogurt!
Great post with great reminders on sugar, Juli! Very much appreciated. Off-hand question: I’ve weight trained by myself for years and I’m starting to think about trying out cross fit. Have you ever talked specifically about cross fit, why you chose it over other options, etc.? I’d also love any recommendations you have for gyms in other cities. For example, there are several here in Austin, TX, but I have no idea how to tell these places apart! Thanks!
i’ve talked about finding crossfit in a few different posts:
https://paleomg.com/finding-my-inner-strength/
https://paleomg.com/crossfit-paleo-life/
https://paleomg.com/my-ever-changing-viewpoint-on-paleo-and-crossfit/
I just fell in love with it and that love keeps growing over time. And it’s the only physical activity i’ve done that i was able to see the difference very quickly, meaning it was actually working! And it made me so much happier and confident. As for starting at a gym, that’s always the hardest part because no crossfit affiliate is the same. I recommend trying CrossFit Central (I went there once while I was in Austin and the people were great, the coaching was awesome and the programming with challenging! But again, there are other great ones out there. Try a couple out and find the right fit for you!
In one of your posts you linked, you wrote this:
“BUT I would never in a million years lift less to lean down. Never. I have worked very hard for 2 years to become stronger and fitter and to think about lifting less than my body is able, is just stupid to me. CrossFit has given me the strength to do things I didn’t know were possible so why would I deny those things and make myself weaker just for asthetic appeal?
You have changed your mind on this, right? I’ve been cross fitting for a while and even though I am strong and have big legs, which i do love, I am not comfortable with my size. I go back and forth all the time to a- work out MORE and lift more weight to burn fat.. or b- tone it down, lift less/eat less. I always think of you when I’m thinking about this decision because i believe you chose the latter.
You started lifting less weight in terms of lbs — appetite went down? so = less food. And from what I see, a tad more “cardio” workouts. Is this right? And I’m pretty sure you feel the best/most comfortable you have ever felt, even if it means you don’t take the number one spot in the gym?
How did you feel when you first started doing that and how did you actually make the decision for yourself? I’m trying to figure it out myself and would love to know how you went about the process.
Thanks for always being so honest/open with your readers! Helps more than you know.
oh man, changing over to lifting less was really challenging mentally. knowing i could physically do more and not doing it was a mind f*ck. but i knew that i didn’t want to have injuries, i wanted to feel comfortable in my skin and i wanted to be happy. so i stuck with lifting less and not coming in first in the gym. lots of tears were going on at that point in my life. when i first started doing this, i started running more and doing some cycling classes but i didn’t enjoy those so i just went back to doing regular crossfit classes and I’ve stuck with that for a few years now. i lost a ton of strength while i lost about 30 pounds, but now i’ve seen my strength, my flexibility and my movements get better and stronger even while being smaller. i don’t know if any of this information helps but wanted to share what i went through at least! let me know if you have any other questions!
You should try CrossFit City Limits! I train and coach there and love it. We just opened up a brand new huge space too right on North Lamar. I tried out a lot of CF gyms when I moved to Austin and that one was my favorite and their prices are realistic. I would suggest trying out a few to make sure you choose the right one. Let me know if you have any questions.
“Stop hoping to look like someone else and just strive to be the best version of yourself.” Perfectly said, Juli! Happy Belated Birthday!
I completely agree about how abs are made in the kitchen! I’ve recently done an overhall on my diet and eliminated alochol and have noticed a huge difference. That stubborn extra layer of fat over my abs melted away after about three weeks (this is all in conjuction with workouts). Hard work, but worth it! Thanks for the great post 🙂
Thank you So So much for including At Home Workouts! I have a really hard time being able to get to the gym, it’s pretty impossible with my schedule and I love that you are giving me the option of workouts at home!
glad i could help!
Nicely said, what are your thoughts about potatoes in the whole sugar debate? I struggle with eliminating potatoes with paleo!!
i cut white potatoes out for a long long time and when i added them back in, i felt so much better and had so much more energy! so i’m pro potato for my lifestyle right now!
do you ever deal with minor injuries? im struggling with a really slight wrist sprain right now. ive tried to back off of certain movements like handstand pushups, wall balls,etc. but it is really hard to stay positive having to modify all these workouts and stop working on some movements ive been trying to improve at. can you relate? any advice?
i have in the past and had to motivate everything for quite some time, but that’s how it goes when you’re working out like that. i just recommend listening to your coaches and listen to your body. the more you rest something, the better it will be long term. but again, i’m an outside perspective that knows nothing about your injury or workouts, so be sure to chat with someone who knows you more and what exactly is going on with you!
Obviously giving up alcohol entirely would be ideal, I’m curious what you drink when you do?
i don’t really have a go to drink. i sometimes drink gin and tonics, vodka soda with lime or a dirty martini. and sometimes a fun cocktail at restaurants but i don’t have a drink that i really love that much so i always change it up.