Jersey #9: Kentucky's Journey

Okay, so when I started this blog I had in mind that people would read it (I mean, seriously, why else would you write stuff on the internet?), but I suppose that somewhere, somehow in the deep recesses of my twisted little mind I had imagined that no one ever would. That I would be able to put down in cyberspace somewhere distant from everyone else that I in four years I was going to play on the National Team; that I was going to get in the ultimate physical shape; that I was truly going to make a life change and truly going to commit myself at a deeper level than ever before......

but if no one ever read it, what would it matter if didn't happen???

But then...just when I was feeling myself starting to slip, just when my goals were looking a little too lofty - I became accountable. Accountablity is a funny thing. It can be a concrete kind of accountability - like grades or job assignments or the law. OR it can be that little nagging guilt you feel when someone else is witness to your shortcomings. That thing in the back of your mind that keeps you from eating the whole box of cookies when your roommate is watching, or the fact that EVERYONE washes their hands so long as someone else is in the bathroom, whether they are strangers or not. Well, this is kind of like that. Now that people may be watching I suppose I'm a little more inclined not to f*** up. So anyways, here's how I was discovered:

These rugby bloggers must be an inquisitive group (either that or far better at navigating random blogs than I am) because somehow I was spotted from amongst all the junk out there and added to the "ruckosphere".

My presence on the web was announced on an awesome rugby blog called Saturday's a Rugby Day. Check it out here:

http://saturdayrugbyday.blogspot.com/2006/11/another-gal-in-ruckosphere.html

Let's hope this accountability thing works.....tomorrow morning I'll be up at 5:30am to resume my conditioning regimine. And if I'm not? Well, I guess I'll be letting you know....

Alright, so it's Thanksgiving, which is great for family time, getting to go home to the mountains (thank God), no school, and lots of FOOD. Which, I have to say, I'm pretty excited about, seeing that I get to start chowing down in a couple of hours. However, as you can imagine, this isn't so great for my "plan". One might wonder if, in the effort to get in maximum shape one should forgo all the goodies that come with this awesome holiday. However, I would say no. It's not the "once in a while" eating that gets us, it's the everyday extras: candy, toppings, corn syrup, white bread...basically all those little luxuries that make food taste AMAZING. If you can cut most of those out of your daily diet, then getting in ultimate shape is a definite possibility.

Here is a sample of the diet plan I am currently TRYING to stick to - though I don't have the exact meal plan with me at the moment to put down, I can give you a sample day of what I eat:


Meal 1: 3-4 egg whites
1/2 cup oatmeal made with skim milk, sprinkled with raisins

Meal 2: 2 slices WHOLE WHEAT bread (this means first ingredient is Stoned Ground Wheat)
6 oz. sliced Deli turkey
lettuce
1-2 tsp light miracle whip

Meal 3: 1 scoop protein shake
2 tsp peanut butter
celery

Meal 4: 1/2 cup brown rice
1 can light tuna packed in water
1-2 tsp miracle whip

Meal 5: 1 whole egg, 3-4 egg whites
1 cup steamed or grilled vegetables


Keep in mind that 3/4-1 gallon of water should be consumed everyday, and also that one day a week is a cheat day. Even though I try my best to stick to this diet, things come up and I am trying to be dedicated without being obsessive.

There are also SUPPLEMENTS that need to be factored in, and I will get to those tomorrow. Although not a necessity to a nutrition plan, I have found that they do help me to look and feel my best, and will hopefully make it easier for me to reach my goals as an athlete.

Well, here's where it all begins. This blog is to serve as a journal, a record, and a motivator along the way as I struggle for the next four years to put myself in a position to play on the USA Rugby Women's National Team World Cup squad, 2010. On a daily basis I struggle through temptations such as bad nutrition, alcohol, laziness, and my biggest killer - depression. This blog will deep daily records of my mood, workouts, and nutrition, and also regular records of my weight, bodyfat, 40 yrd. times, max weight records and so forth. I'll also chime in with regular blurbs about what's on my mind, important updates about my life, milestones in rugby, college and career.

Feel free to leave any comments you like - I could really use motivation and a kick in the ass from time to time!!! If you have any questions for me about rugby, fitness, or the meaning of life, I'm sure I have some answers =).

Nov. 20th, 2006...life change starts NOW!!!!