My first day back to the Gym

So yesterday, I went on a 6 mile bike ride and it was a beautiful day.  Somehow while traveling, I injured my quadriceps tendon.  I"m not sure how, but it was sore and I couldn't squat well.  Therefore, I wanted to give it a break.  Also, I am still jet-lagged, but it isn't as bad as I thought it would be! The first night, I slept at 10 till 2 am and then 5 am till 930!  Last night, I slept from 10pm all the way till 7am!  I went to my gym today to get back on that grind :).  It was leg day for me today.  Let me just say, I was dripping on every machine!  I did barbell squats for 5 sets at most 125 pounds.  My heaviest weight before I left for my trip to China was 175.  I was pretty tired at 125.  I lost about 5 pounds of muscle over the trip so I need to get that muscle back!  I also did curtsy lunges, hamstring curls, front squats, lunges, all that leg work :)  It was nice to be pushing my body!  Hopefully, I am sore tomorrow!

For my post workout brunch, I had the Costco pre-cooked steak strips seasoned only with kosher salt and pepper so it is whole30 and 21 day sugar detox approved!  I made an egg whites omelette with spinach and tomatoes.  It was yummy and protein-packed.  I've noticed that I don't eat as much now; I'm not sure why, but it is probably because my body hasn't been needing so much food because of the lack of working out.

After my first 21 day sugar detox last month, I barely ate fruit and never ate natural sugars either.  Once in China, I loved their peaches and fruits America does not have, so I had about one or two(at most) in the day, never at night.  I never saw myself heavily craving fruit or something sweet!  I was proud of my discipline, but not only that, my changed taste buds!

Thanks for reading!

My China and Japan trip

I'm on my way back home and on this 13 hour flight, I have no excuse to not write about my trip.  It was wonderful. I loved seeing my family after 5 years.  As I said previously, I was terrified of the food and my approach to the cuisine.  In Japan, I was only there for two nights and barely

a morning because it was a connection flight, but I allowed myself to enjoy my favorite japanese food because I wouldn't be able to easily access or enjoy it as much in America.  So, yes, I did have rice :). Not too much though, but I had to eat my favorite unigiri, which is just a rice ball with many varieties.  Of course sashimi was on my plate and other traditional treats I missed.  So, Japan wasn't too hard, but china.... 

Chinese food is often cooked with LOTS of oil and salt and oil.... I dabbed each bite onto a tissue and it was still so oily.  However, I was so lucky.  We were always treated by family members and other friends for dinners at extrememly high quality and class restaurants with expensive , exquisite dishes.  I did have stomach issues as usual because of the oil, but I drank more water than usual, so I flushed out the toxins and salt!  That's one tip I truly recommend.  I was also blessed with 6 other aunts who cook very well to my preferences!  I basically asked for meat and veggies!!  I didn't eat one grain of rice or one dumpling or other traditional Chinese "Zhu Shi" which is just wheat/pastry including noodles, dumplings, bread, bao zi, rice, etc.  I didn't miss that kind of stuff and I wanted to indulge in the things I truly like eating in china, like the fruits nonexistent in America, or the vegetables!!  Almost every morning and night, I made sure I included some workout.  I either did a set of jump squats or planks.  Also, we did a lot of walking to get to places.  

As of right now, I'm not bloated anymore. I was tremendously bloated and in pain for the first week. I constantly had gas(sorry TMI), stomach discomfort, and slow digestion.  The second week, I didn't eat as much as I did in the first week.  My family though, thought it was SO odd and unhealthy that I don't eat grains and wheat.  I just tried to tell them my reasons and stuck to my own diet preferences that work for me!  

I am glad to be on my way home, and I am planning to do the 21 day sugar detox once again and/or whole30. I need a major detox from the food and the pollution! I am excited to get back on my health and fitness grind too. I feel like I can't lift weights anymore haha.  

Here are some pictures of the food I ate!