Sure I knew this bodybuilding challenge would be a journey, but I truly under estimated it in so many ways. I never expected it to help me mend a broken heart, make new friends...ok maybe just one, challenge myself physically, mentally and emotionally and just make me commit to a healthier lifestyle in general. Granted I am far from accomplishing the end result, but I am progressing and I am learning and I am winning and for that I am forever grateful.



In the last few weeks of this journey I have:


1. Entered the angry phase...interpret that any way you would like...

2. Continued to spend more time with my trainer than anyone else in my life, which has been a blessing....no really...well most of the time.  We even went to a hot yoga class together...and yes I should have taken a picture of the two of us after because we were dead sexy. Imagine trying to do "poses" in a steam room, with sweaty and hairy topless men surrounding you while trying not to make eye contact with anyone as you put yourself in positions that make you look like you are having a seizure. Yummy!!

3. Drank less than I ever thought was possible. The last time I was this sober was when I was 12.

4. Felt like crying on several occasions, however my happy place has become the gym and my therapy has become the weight machines. I have found that lifting allows me to get rid of my anger, sadness, frustration and aggression and it is a beautiful and positive thing. I crave and use it everyday.


5. Truly started to discover feminine power, both inside and outside the weight room. I have started to discover my own strength in every aspect of my life and I am surrounded by incredibly amazing and strong women. And by strong I am not just talking about physical strength...there is truly no limit to what women can accomplish and I am blessed to have such incredible mentors, coaches, friends and role models.

6. Continued to be the epitome of smooth and sexy in everything I do in the weight room....such as doing push-ups off a step and hitting my head on a free weight that happened to be in front of me...clearly visible I might add. Hmmm I also almost fell over while bending over and doing lawnmowers, have a bruised knee from going down too far doing lunges and plowing into the ground and having marks on my shoulders that look like hickeys but they are actually from weight machines. My trainer does an incredible job of trying not to laugh...trying being the key phrase...and the laughter is completely justified!!

I am also continuing to eat more protein than I ever thought was possible for one person to consume. And because I am so over the moon sick of chicken I made this tofu recipe the other day. Yes, I know, the very fact that I am celebrating eating tofu is a tragedy in and of itself, but no really this recipe has a lot of flavor, a hint of spice and it is healthy!!

Here is the recipe:

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons chopped peeled fresh ginger
2 teaspoons ground coriander
2 teaspoons ground cumin
8 garlic cloves, peeled
3 small serrano chiles, seeded
2 large shallots, coarsely chopped
4 cups coarsely chopped broccoli florets (about 1 head)
2 cups (1/2-inch-thick) slices baby bok choy
2 teaspoons dark sesame oil
4 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon lower-sodium soy sauce
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3 Kaffir lime leaves
1 (13.5-ounce) can light coconut milk
1 (14-ounce) package water-packed organic firm tofu, drained and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
2 cups hot cooked long-grain white rice
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
Preparation

1. Combine first 7 ingredients in a food processor; process until smooth. Set aside.


2. Cook broccoli florets in boiling water in a large Dutch oven 3 minutes or until crisp-tender. Remove broccoli from water with a slotted spoon; drain and rinse with cold water. Drain; set aside. Return water to a boil. Add baby bok choy to pan; cook 1 minute. Drain and rinse with cold water. Drain; set aside.

3. Heat Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add cilantro mixture to pan; sauté 1 minute, stirring constantly.


Add sugar and next 4 ingredients (through coconut milk) to pan; bring to a boil. Add tofu; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 6 minutes or until slightly thick. Add broccoli, bok choy, and juice; cook 1 minute or until heated, tossing to combine.


Discard lime leaves. Place 1/2 cup rice in each of 4 bowls; spoon 1 1/2 cups tofu mixture over each serving. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon basil and 1 1/2 teaspoons mint over each serving.