skinnie cupcakes.

feast!

2012-01-19T06:36:00.000-08:00

Helllllooooo friends!

I wanted to write all of this fantastic stuff down before I forget! I had the day off school yesterday, and took it as a sign to make a last feast before the semester gets out of control. Italian was the theme, and I think it went great... Every time I cook for my boyfriend and his house, it is always a small victory for me when they like it because I always make it "healthier"... So here was the menu:

Whole Wheat Pesto Garlic Knots (dough made in the bread machine :) )
Ravioli: Lean Ground Beef with Cottage Cheese (instead of ricotta), Parmesan Cheese, Fresh Parsley, Onions, and Garlic
Ravioli: Zucchini, Onion, Garlic, Carrots, Red pepper, Parmesan Cheese, Some cream cheese, Fresh Parsley
Homemade tomato sauce (with red wine of course)
Asparagus wrapped in cream cheese and Proscuitto
Salad with olives, tomatoes, onions, and blue cheese crumbles

It came out great! I used won ton wrappers for the raviolis, and found they did fall apart some when I boiled the raviolis, but that is ok, they were still delicious. I need to figure out a way to serve the raviolis and have them not stick together too. Next time ;) I am wondering if i made homemade ravioli wrappers if the same thing would happen. Ironically, the Today Show has a chef on this morning that's making ravioli, I will watch him and perfect this!

I woke up this morning so angry, has that ever happened to you? I hate it, it sets such a poor tone for my day. I am planning to hit the gym later (well see though) and hopefully that will get rid of this feeling. I need to perfect walking on an incline and reading Chemistry... then we can have productive, calorie-burning workouts!

My motivation has been a little better. I didn't dread running yesterday, and did 2.75 miles. It would have been 3 but the cold weather does a number on your lungs, I hate that feeling when every breath is like you are wheezing. My legs felt a bit stiff, but feel great today. Can't wait for nicer weather and my training runs for the half marathon start! I will be training during my road trip to New Orleans, pretty excited to explore Nashville, New Orleans, and Lexington on foot! Maybe we can drag the boyfriend too ;)

Even though I haven't been to active, I am not getting sore after I do work out. However, one part of my body really does bother me, and it's my back. i think when I run, I carry a lot of tension in my back. Any hints how to help with a tight back after runs?

Who knew!

2012-01-12T07:14:00.000-08:00

It is really cool to experience that the efforts you put into something are paying off.

I have recently realized that I am really on my way to becoming a nutritional expert and Registered Dietitian. I have been asked a few questions by peers and my family regarding food choices and nutrition, and I found myself providing information to them that was reliable and sound. Thanks Rutgers, your education is actually working! I know it a bit corny, but I am excited about it. I enjoy the reinforcements that my education isn't going to a waste (as I felt at times with my first Marketing degree)... and the fact that I am excited and willing to deliver this information to others helps increase the confidence that the decision to go back to school was the right one. BIG SIGH OF RELIEF.

As I mentioned in my last post, I am struggling with some things that I seem to always be struggling with, not losing weight, having problems areas, feeling bad about myself... Ater I posted that entry, I went back and read a few previous entries from over a year ago and realized that these issues aren't new. I shouldn't be stressing about them because they haven't been fixed, and it is a continuing challenge I face. I have always had the trouble with losing weight in my stomach, and being able to wake up in the morning feeling 100% confident and proud of myself. In a way this is a little reassuring because maybe it is a cyclical set of feelings. The winter is a hard time for everyone, especially after the holidays pack on a few pounds. I know that I feel down and out now, but once the seasons change and maybe I find that motivation I lost, I WILL feel better.

Another thing that I know I might do is overlook the truth about my diet and lifestyle. i asked my boyfriend to help me with this and tell me the truth when it comes to my eating habits. So, last night I was bored and took the Dr. Oz transformation nation quiz. He looked at how I was answering the questions and helps me pick the most truthful answer when I may have provided my personal bias int he question. (For example: How often do you overeat? I said occasionally, and he informed me that I often complain about being too full. Haha, oops...) Anyway, Dr. Oz told me that i have a fairly healthy lifestyle, and improvements can be made by becoming active more frequently during the week, which I already knew. So hooray for that small victory.

I plan to take a run today... it is raining though. I am going to get dressed with my sports bra on and bring my sneakers to the boyfriends house so that there is no excuses. I am helping one of his roommates girlfriends deep clean the house today, so after that, I will put the sneakers on and run to the beach and back. (After all he does live about two miles from the beach! I mean who wouldn't love running to one of the best places on earth!)

Here's to a productive day, and finding the small ways to improve your life! (I say that because it is something I really need to work on ;) )

Frustrations with Health

2012-01-09T06:53:00.000-08:00

I have found myself faced with some new-ish frustrations regarding my health and fitness in the past year. I decided to list them out to make myself more aware of them, and also provide some of my thoughts not hem to see if there's any great feedback from some of my readers (if there are even any left?) how to deal with them.

- Finding time and motivation for the gym.

I have discussed this before, and I know that if I just GET to the gym I am golden. However, finding the time in between classes, working, sleeping, studying nonstop, and eating is nearly impossible. I am not exaggerating when I say that during school I can go weeks without having a day off from classes or work, and it makes it really challenging to find the moments to get to the gym. I usually work weekends, and schedule my classes for entire days to cut back on my commuting. Studying took a lot of priorities last semester because I needed to get C's in the classes that I was failing. Unfortunately, I put studying before fitness, but it was a necessary evil.

- Eating the right things.

This is almost ridiculous for me to worry about since I am going to school to become a dietitian, someone who tells others what to eat. However, looking at my diet, I find that I don't eat bad AT ALL. Ok, fine... maybe I eat too much sugar, but honestly I cannot think of other things that might be wrong with my diet. Sure, I could cut back on carbs, increase fruit intake, yadda yadda, but in the grand scheme of diets mine is not bad at all.

I have done a lot of reading on clean eating and find it makes sense and is something that we should all strive for... but as a poor (really poor) college student, living home with mom and dad still, buying fresh produce and great for you foods is just too expensive. Maybe that's my excuse, but I don't know if it would even be worth it for me to convert to a clean diet. I never really bought the idea of eliminating things in your diet, instead keeping them in moderation, which is why I know it might not be a good fit for me.

I am trying to increase my intake of veggies, tea, healthy sources of calories instead of eliminating the bad ones. Perhaps this is just setting me up for weight gain because I have been extremely bored over the last month. I will admit the only thing on my mind is food, so yea, it probably isn't helping me! The lack of a routine makes it difficult, but I am going to be back into a routine come next week, and look forward to being able to control my eating a little bit better.

- Retention of water and Cleanses

I have always considered doing a cleanse, but am just not totally convinced that they are really worth it. if you were to do a cleanse vs. just eating clean for a weeks what is the difference? Your body is a crazy machine and will eliminate toxins if you stop consuming them... so wouldn't eating clean for a week achieve that? I find it very appealing that some of the cleanses are good tasting, super easy, and take out the thinking of meal planning... but they are all way out of my budget (which is none haha). What really sparks my interest of these cleanses is that I feel like my clothes are all a bit tighter. With the scale only reading three pounds more than a month ago, that might be it, but i feel like i am retaining a lot more water than normal. I have made efforts to consume more water and tea, but feel like it just stays around my abdomen and makes me feel bloated and my clothes fit tight. I haven't figured out a way to fix this yet, but maybe a cleanse would do it?

- Image

As always, there are parts of my body that I am never satisfied with. That should be enough motivation in itself to make me get to the gym, but even when I was going everyday these problem areas didn't disappear. I think it was a little due to my high-carb diet (I really love bread and cookies)... but I have lost hope at making them ever go away. This lack of belief contributes to the lack of motivation to get to the gym. I have talked to a few friends of mine who have a similar problem, and she recommended cutting out sugar. Like other things I've been doing, I have tried to increase my consciousness of the added sugars I eat. From this I really only noticed added sugars I am eating are in the coffee creamer in the morning, yogurt in the morning, and whatever cookie or chocolate I eat int he evening (which hasn't been that much lately!).

I don't know, I am just stumped. Maybe I am jaded and just am not seeing what I am doing wrong. I know I could increase my exercise and it would help, but I am trying to figure out what in my diet is wrong and how I can fix that. I have always struggled with this, and haven't found a solution yet. For me, the exercise portion is so easy to attain... heck I am starting half marathon training soon and will continue that through the summer too (maybe triathlon revenge in August too!)... I just have to get my diet in check. I know that I am not willing to buy into a popular diet but that take the concepts that are successful for a lot of people and apply them to my life. I need to make a diet that works for me and isn't an extreme of anything. I will continue thinking about this and hopefully will find the light at the end of the tunnel sooner rather than later.

Updating on Life

2012-01-09T06:29:00.000-08:00

yep, it's been awhile. Honestly, it's fine because there just wouldn't have been time to even update this thing in the past few months. And, let's face it, I just have been too lazy in the past year. So... on with the show.

Life:
School is still a major thing in my life. If you remember, I dropped my office job to return to school to become a dietitian. I am currently about to start my fourth semester of an unknown number, and am scheduled to graduate in Decemeber 2013. It is a messy situation with timing because I really only wanted it to last two years. after arguing with Rutgers about classes and transferring them in to meet the requirements, I found myself stuck at graduating in Dec 2013 with taking only one class that last semester. It's hard, time consuming, frustrating, discouraging, but I am confident that it will be worth it in the end. I just cannot wait until the end is here... December 2013 hurry! I will be a part time student after this semester which will open up more time for work and play. I successfully passed my classes with semester with the lowest GPA I have ever received, a 2.5. Heartbreaking to a former straight A student, but Chem and Bio at the same time at Rutgers is just insanity.

I am currently on winter break, and it a nice break. I just am a terrible person to sit around and relax all day. I have been trying to motivate myself to get my buns to the gym, as is everyone else. My motivation has just gone out the window with the cold weather. I mean, maybe it is also gone because I literally had NO TIME from September to December to work out, so I fell out of my routine and just stopped making exercise a priority. But let's face it, something had to go and I need to eat, sleep, work, and study, so yea...

I am working at a hospital in their diet office. It is the experience I need for my internship and career, which is excellent. it's a job, and I surprisingly do not hate it. Helps keep me focused on my career choices and reassures me that doing this career change is the right choice. I will be looking for a second job during the summer, because working only weekends (and sometimes only two weekends a month) is not conducive for a 25 year old trying to save for a future.

I booked a trip with my boyfriend for March to take a road trip. SUPER excited about it because one of my life goals is to hit all 50 states before I die. We are going to Nashville, TN, New Orleans, LA, and then to Lexington, KY. I am eager to spend the quality time with him and see the sights that the southern US has to offer.

Nutrition, Fitness, Healthy Living:
As mentioned above, it is more of a lack of fitness. I have been struggling with a small 3 pound weight gain from the holidays. I had no self control, and that coupled with no exercise is the perfect storm for weight gain. I am confident that I can lose the weight, it is only three pounds after all. I have been making sure I am regaining consciousness of my eating and what I am putting into my body. I struggle with a few things though, and I am actually going to make a separate entry about these this morning.

I have made a effort to get to the gym, but I find myself becoming too lazy, too tired, too careless to even get there. I really never have had this issue, so I am struggling with it. I love how I feel when I work out, I love sweating, but the idea of just getting dressed and getting there is the hardest part. More details on this in that entry I was talking about.

I have signed ups or my third Jersey Shore half marathon in May, so I am hoping that will help provide me with the drive and motivation to get my butt moving. I ran this race last May and broke the two hour mark by 15 seconds, and was more than excited to have met my goal. I got a little lazy and down on myself after I got food poisoning in August and couldn't participate in the triathlon. I just have enjoyed sleeping and relaxing too much, and need to make the change to get back into the swing of things.

I really think that's the long and short of my life updates... i am going to make an effort to post again, but no guarantees since when school starts I am anticipating another semester from hell. I think that having this blog helps keep me in check with my body and weight and want to make sure that is a priority of mine in the coming months.

I need some help!

2010-10-26T04:43:00.001-07:00

I get really frustrated because I don’t make terrible food and life decisions. I rarely drink, I do not do drugs, I don’t binge on junk food (well… sometimes), I make smart choices, and I avoid most of the “bad foods.” So what gives? Why do I still feel like I have bad days, most of the days? Weight’s only a number, but mine fluctuates a lot, and I don’t understand! I feel like I hardly eat (let alone in excess!) sometimes (but I do eat all 3 meals so no worries there.)

I can’t even decide what else I can do. Training for a half marathon didn’t stabilize my weight, and not working out definitely doesn’t. It’s so frustrating because I DO make good decisions, but I feel like good decisions and exercising just isn’t enough for my body. So, I am looking to improve my diet, again. I think one of the major sources of my weight craziness might be added sugars. Do you try to avoid added sugar? What are some tips and tricks? How do you determine what foods to avoid and what foods are OK? Please let me know your feedback!

Life Updates.

2010-10-25T18:36:00.001-07:00

Well life sure has been different the past few months. It is really insane how dynamic your life is. Think about it, one minute you’re working 9-5 commuting an hour, then within a week decide to do a 180 and change your life plans. It really is whatever you want to make it, but of course you always have some restrictions. Just like your body though, you can continually shape and work on improving your life and fitness every day.

That’s why I have a difficult time understand when people complain about their life situations. Yes, life hands you some circumstances, but that doesn’t mean you have to chose to abide by them, just like food. If there’s a choice at a buffet between juicy cheeseburgers and some grilled chicken, you don’t have to eat the cheeseburger. So yea.. That’s my life philosophizing for now.

Onto things. Like I was saying, my life’s been pretty different recently. I am finally in my routine of school and learning and working and exercising, and I feel like I still have no time to do anything. I have dramatically cu back on my running, and have been focusing on the classes at the gym. I get active at least 4 times a week, and try to keep one of those days as a run. However, life happens and I am not always energized enough for my planned runs. Monday mornings are yoga for me, and I planned on running after work today. I got home and just wasn’t feeling it though. I have also been taking some step classes and weights, so it’s become a very well rounded fitness routine. I kind of like it, but miss the structure and plan of training for a big race.

Speaking of training and big races, I think I am going to set my summer 2011 goal to be a full marathon. Yup, 26.2 miles. So many people have told me to get one under my belt while I am still young and can do it, and after running 2 half marathons, I feel like it only makes sense. I am looking for a race in the July area, but need to do a lot more research for it. Any suggestions?

In other news, I am still struggling with my eating. I think I need to come to terms that it is just a life-long battle. I wish so bad I could not have to worry about it, but whatever. I’d rather worry and feel great about myself than not and feel terrible. I just need to keep a good focus on making healthy decisions during the holidays and keeping my workouts consistent and I will be fine. Winter hibernation will not get the best of me!

School is going busy, but good. I am finally past the mid-point in the semester and ready for it to be over. Some of my classes I just really hate, and they are a ton of work. And for the 3 credits the class gives me, it just isn’t worth it. I am doing well in most of my classes too, which is always a plus. I’ve talked to a lot of people in the Nutritional Sciences program, and seem to get a lot of good advice, but also a lot of mixed advice. I am planning on taking Bio I, II, Chem I, II over the summer. Yes, it’s a lot… but I’d rather just get it done than spend 4 years in school. People are telling me it is a bad idea… I guess I will see for myself. So many decisions.

I was talking to a friend earlier about how we want to fast forward to the end of the year. So true, I am just ready for my new-ish life. Like how does this all work out? Will I ever find someone to be my boyfriend? Who really knows. I need to be done with the papers and schooling and exams, and onto internships and learning about nutrition. Life life life.

How’s it going with you? I want to hear your good news!

Music: Wine and Dine Playlist

2010-10-13T04:49:00.000-07:00

I made a playlist for my run in Disney and decided to post it like I did with my last one. It wasn't as "awesome" as my first half marathon playlist, but still got the job done! I just shuffled through these songs as I ran. There were bands along the route, so I didn't really need the music through a few miles, but still used it!

For Your Entertainment - Adam Lambert
If I Had You - Adam Lambert
Release me - agnes carlsson
Neon Trees - Animal
Airplanes Pt.2 (feat. Eminem & Hayley Williams) - B.o.B
Gettin' Over You - David Guetta
Lay Me Down Ft. Rome - Dirty Heads feat. Rome of Sublime
Like a G6 ft The Cata - Far East Movement
Club Can't Handle Me - Flo Rida
Bad Things - Jace Everett
Somebody To Love - Justin Bieber
Push Push - Kat Deluna feat Akon
Firework - Katy Perry
Bulletproof - La Roux
American Honey - Lady Antebellum
Poker Face - Lady Gaga
Bad Romance - Lady Gaga
Dance In The Dark - Lady Gaga
Telephone (Featuring Beyoncé) - Lady Gaga
Faint - Linkin Park
Misery - Maroon 5
Good Ol' Fashion Nightmare - Matt & Kim
Ginders - Matt & Kim
Can't Be Tamed - Miley Cyrus
Kerosene - Miranda Lambert
Just A Girl - No Doubt
Secrets - One Republic
Cuz I Can - P!nk
See The Light - Paradise
Where The Lines Overlap - Paramore
That's What You Get (Album Version) - Paramore
Misery Business (Album Version) - Paramore
Born For This (Album Version) - Paramore
jump up lets (get crazy) - Pitbull
Life Is a Highway - Rascal Flatts
Only Girl (In The World) - Rihanna
Mine - Taylor Swift
DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love - Usher
Hot Tottie feat. Jay-Z - Usher
Don't Go - Starting Rock feat. Diva Avari
Speed Up - Various Artists
Keep On Rising - Various Artists
You Are The One (Gabriel & Dresden Unplugged Remix) - Various Artists
We'll be a dream (feat. demi lovato) - We the Kings

Motivation without Training.

2010-10-09T05:19:00.001-07:00

I guess I am slowly realizing why I have been on a training plan since March. I have officially been “training plan free” for a week now, and I’ve lost my motivation already.

OK OK OK… maybe it’s ok if I took a week off and don’t feel like doing anything. I have been running and training for races since March 1! However, what gets me nervous is that as I sit here, sipping on my coffee waiting to run, it occurred to me that I don’t want to run. I don’t really care if I run, and I don’t feel any sort of commitment to finish a run. It’s kind of scary. Over the past three days I’ve tried to figure out my new schedule, and every time the subject approaches I just push it to the way side.

So, today I need to focus on finding my inner motivation and not rely on a training plan to get my butt out of bed and getting active. Winter’s approaching, and I am already feeling the hibernating effects, which could be a problem. (I didn’t go out last night because I just wanted to lay in my bed!) I need to create a plan to follow, this way I can hold myself accountable to finishing the days exercise. I want to focus on improving my flexibility and strength over the winter, since the treadmill isn’t my friend for endurance training. I don’t want to lose any of the hard work I’ve already put in this summer, so for me it is important to continue staying active and in the gym.

What’s your source of motivation? Is it training? How do you stay motivated when you aren’t training for something?

Disney Wine and Dine Recap

2010-10-06T04:51:00.001-07:00

So many things! Let’s start with the most recent first… DISNEY!

As I have mentioned I was heading to Disney last week to run the Wine and Dine Half Marathon, and of course do some sight seeing! So, on Wednesday morning my sis and I packed our bags and were off to the happiest place on earth. We went early and planed to head to Harry Potter at Island of Adventure and then Epcot for the few days beforehand, as well as a few other activities. The first night my sister and I headed to the Fort Wilderness Lodge and went to the Hoop De Doo Review dinner show. That is always so much fun, and the unlimited sangria is a huge plus! Sadly, I lost my sunglasses, which left me pretty frustrated and sad. I ended up buying a new pair of cheap sunglasses, but will have to buy some new good ones soon.

Then we were off to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and it was UNREAL. I loved it. I legitimately felt like I was in Hogsmeade and Hogwarts. So well done, and the top if off the rides were awesome! The next day we went to Epcot, and in addition to the rides there it was the first day of the International Wine and Food Festival. If you never been and you love food and wine, I highly recommend you go. It is so much fun! A little pricey but well worth it. My sister got a passport book ad we went to every country that had a festival booth and get a stamp. We completed the whole thing and left very full!

Saturday was race day. My legs were really tired from the previous days activities, so we rested by the pool and went to an early dinner in Downtown Disney at Wolfgang Puck. I had butternut squash ravioli and it was delicious! The decorations in Wolfgang Puck were really cool too. Afterward we headed back to the hotel, but first stopped at the Bippity Boppity Boutique and got some pixie dust in my hair for the run! I loved it, and still do since it is still in my hair! A nap was in need, and then I was off to the race.

I had to get to the start line really early (like 2 hours) so that everything was checked and organized appropriately. I was placed in the first corral, which ended up being a good thing because as it was I had trouble getting around some people in the beginning. Finally it was time to line up and I made my way to the start line. So many people were dressed up, it was SO cool. Finally the fireworks went off, and the race began. Disney races are so fun because they have characters and bands the whole way. My favorite was the Fantasia hippo and the Toy Story Army man by far.

The first 10 miles of the race weren’t bad. We ran through Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios then finished up on the Boardwalk into Epcot. My legs felt pretty good in the beginning, but then my left leg started feeling more sore than my right, which was weird. I pushed through it and luckily wasn’t overly sore in one leg after the race. I was really happy with myself because I was running UNDER my goal pace for the first 5. I figured if I could make it to mile 7 with a sub-9:24 min/mile pace, I would be on track to finishing under 2 hours. And I was under that pace, then mile ten came. I felt TERRIBLE. After a quick second wind, the result was horrific. My legs were lead, I had a wicked cramp in my right side, and I just felt SICK. Who knew 3 miles would be so hard to complete! I remember just telling myself “if it was easy everyone would do it… you’re almost done it’s just a 5k and you can do that in 30 minutes if you’re going slow.” It was definitely challenging. It didn’t help either that my Garmin said I was closer to the 13.1 miles than I really was. Once I crossed the finish line, it came up on my Garmin that I ran 13.4 miles. I finished it all though, even if I did have to walk during miles 11 and 12.

I finished in 2:06:21. That put me at 1173 / 7275 overall, 442 / 4598 for woman, and 29 / 331 for my division (18-24 women). I didn’t break my goal but I am still happy that I finished. My splits were pretty good too: 5k- 28:20, 10k- 57:43, 15k- 1:27:36. I think that my legs being tired from all the walking, and the humidity in Florida dehydrating you quicker than normal all had negative effects on my run. I made sure to get water and Powerade at every water station on the run, and drank tons and tons of water beforehand. I don’t think you can ever get enough water when running in high humidity, and that’s why I felt so sick after the race too. I couldn’t truly enjoy the after party because I wasn’t feeling great, but made sure to get my free food item and drink item!

The race was really fun, and an experience I will never forget. Will I do it again next year? Maybe. We will see what the year brings!

Last Long Run and Prep for Disney!

2010-09-27T04:51:00.001-07:00

Well, I didn’t lie. I knew my blog was going to fall to the wayside while I get a handle on my time and school. Unfortunately I don’t think there’s any issue with my time management, I get all of my work done, getting to work on time, and even getting my workouts in. There just isn’t enough time in the day, or energy for me to blog as often as I was.

Anyways, I completed my last long run of training yesterday. Throughout training I have felt a little uneasy about breaking 2 hours. Aside from my times slowing down, my hips and ankles hurt more than last time, and it feels like there’s something missing. I am excited for the race, but I think since this is the last race that I will be training for for a few months, I am just exhausted. I think my body is beat down from training since March, and mentally I just need a break from the commitment that it requires every week. I feel prepared for the race (which is Saturday night!) but I am not expecting to break any records.

I felt really rough during the run yesterday, and was happy I finished the 12 miles. From the start I was dreading it, which isn’t a good mindset to have in the first place. My hip was hurting a lot, and I was just really really tired. The first half of the run went great! I felt awesome, I was running a 9:24 min/mile pace (which is what I need to finish in under 2 hours).. Then after the 7th mile my body was just not having it. What’s frustrating is that my legs felt good, it was my hip and ankles that were aching and screaming at me. I am feeling a little beat up today, and I’m going to yoga to help stretch out some of these muscles.

This time around I wasn’t as strict with my training plan as in the past. My endurance is there. My lungs weren’t tired yesterday, however I did have a short dizzy spell around mile 10, but some water fixed that. My legs are feeling a little exhausted today but were good to go yesterday. During my training weeks, I would take 3 days off here and here, skip on a cross-training session, and even cut my miles short if my body wasn’t feeling 100%. It is weird though, because normally my body feels great. I haven’t been drinking alcohol (I have had maybe 5 drinks in the past month) but also haven’t been consuming a lot of water. I ensure I get the 64oz the night before a long run, but sometimes it just doesn’t get there during the other days of the week. Like I said, I think this is all just a part of my mental exhaustion!

I leave for Disney on Wednesday! I am pretty excited, but per the usual I am super busy until then. I have to work today, and then heading to yoga, then packing. I also have some work to get prepared before we leave because I will be missing 3 classes on Thursday and Friday. Tomorrow is my long day of classes at Rutgers, and don’t get home until 8. Wednesday morning I am up at 4 to drive to my sister’s then to the airport. I’m tired just thinking about it all! I was hoping to get two 3 mile runs in before, which is likely since my sister sleeps in and I wake up at like 7 everyday. Our itinerary looks pretty flexible too, the only things we have planned are the Hoopty Doo Review on Wednesday night, Epcot Thursday, Harry Potter Friday, then the race Saturday night. We leave on Sunday evening, so the entire day to relax by the pool or explore a park if we want to is good. If I feel as sore as I do now, I will be grateful for some pool relaxation time.

School is going so good. I really like my Nutrition classes so far. I am trying to study and stay up to speed with the materials so that I can get good grades. I joined Nutrition Advocates, which is a group on campus that gives presentations on nutrition to groups on campus. I work with an RD which is awesome, as I need a recommendation letter form one for the RD internship process. I am planning on looking into a job at the hospital this spring or summer to get some further experience under an RD and in the dietary field. When I get back from Disney I have a whole bunch of tests, so hopefully I do well on them!

After this half marathon, I might run a few fall races. I love running in the fall because the weather is perfect and the trees are so pretty! I am not committing to anything until a week before a race though because I want to run for FUN, not because I am challenging myself. I look forward to winter arriving to get involved in the different classes at the gym. I will still plan to be in the gym 5-6 days a week, but just doing different activities.

Anyways, that’s about it for me. Just cruisin’ along, getting through my busy days!

Reflections: Summer 2010

2010-09-12T05:44:00.001-07:00

So unfortunately, it has become increasingly difficult to blog during the week. I am insanely pressed for time, and there’s no question about the priority of school over anything. As I am working on figuring out managing my time with work, school, and homework, and well also being social, hopefully I will see some opening where I can dedicate time to blog. Like Sunday mornings! Before football and homework of course! And this Sunday is a gloomy one, but I honestly could not be more grateful because I will get shit done today! Laundry, math homework, cleaning my room, and the likewise.

Along with managing my time I am realizing that after this half marathon is complete, I will be running a few shorter races, and then decided to take “off” the winter from training. I think that’s just a given though because if this winter is anything like last there’s lots of cold cold cold days and lots of snow, which makes it hard to get to a gym or run outside. So hopefully I will find more time since I won’t be running for hours on end, however I do plan to be in the gym for about an hour 6 days a week. It will all work out.

This is a great time I think to reflect on the 6 past months. It seriously was a total change in my life. Not only with heading back to school, but also with my fitness. I completed 2 huge milestones this summer - half marathon and a triathlon. (Both were on me life and 2010 bucket lists!) On top of those big events I ran 3 other races, and got two new personal records for myself. My personal fitness is at a level it never has been, and I feel great! Although, I am still struggling with accepting myself and my weight, but each day is a step in the right direction. Overall this summer was a great summer. Weather was a little hot, but personally I grew a lot! It’s amazing what you can do when you really set your heart to it.

Workout wise this week has been a little, laid back?, I guess you could say. I did a decent 6 miles on Monday and Thursday. I got to the Power class for weights on Friday, and rode my bike 10 miles on Wednesday. I didn’t push myself in my workouts because I am feeling a little “overtrained.” My knees and back are feeling sore, and everything in my body cracks when I get up or sit down.

So because of the decrease in intensity, I thought that my 10 mile run yesterday would have been good. No. No. No. No. It was HARD. SO HARD. I finished the 10 miles in 1:38, which is still under 10 minute mile pace, but my body is on strike. Throughout the run I was hydrated, and the lungs felt amazing. My legs felt like lead. And my hips felt like death. Why? I have experienced discomfort in my hips and ankles on long runs before, but nothing like this. The only factor that has changed is that I am now standing 20-ish hours a week at work. I am not sure how many of you stand at work, but it is SO tiring. I am usually on my feet for about 4 hours, which isn’t bad. However, it adds up. So because my long run is at the end of a week of work my legs are already feeling fatigued and I am at a disadvantage because of that. I think my legs will get used to it eventually, but I just have to get through 2 more long runs then the race. I am very uncomfortable today, and my hips and legs are pretty sore. A stretch session is in order!

How was you week?
What have you accomplished this summer?

Pier House 5k Recap

2010-09-07T04:52:00.000-07:00

Well happy first full week in September. Hope labor Day treated you well!

The hurricane never came, and instead NJ was lucky to have amazing weather! That means lots of good running and long days spent on the beach.

Yesterday was spent doing just that. I also decided to do a race last minute. I forgot to register, so I took my chances and went down to the boardwalk and did my first race day registration. I was kind of nervous the race would be sold out, but it really wasn’t. I paid my $30, and got onto running. It was just a 5k, the first of the summer, and it was a weird feeling. After running only 5 mile races and other long distances, 3.1 miles seemed like cake. I set my goal at finishing under 25 minutes, but unfortunately finished in 25:10 (my watch said 25:07, but there’s always a difference there). I was pretty beat after the race since I am usually running a 9:30 pace, and not an 8 minute pace. It is a new PR for me, as my last one was 26:27 or something around there. Exciting! Here’s my stats:

Finish Time: 25:10
Place Overall: 222/655
Place Gender: 67/308
Age Group: 15/39

I was scheduled to do 6 miles yesterday as part of my training, and decided to break it up after I put lots of energy into the race. Around 4:30 I went for the final 3 miles, and just didn’t feel great. My legs hurt, I felt faint, and all that kind of good stuff. I ended up only doing 2.5 miles, but that’s ok it was a successful day all around.

Of course, as usual, I need to step up my heathy choices during the weekend game. It is just so hard sometimes when there is so much good food! I am left feeling not-so-great about myself after the weekend, but I know that this week I will be back on track. Hopefully this weekend I can really focus and not overindulge.

This is my first “full week” of classes. Since I only have class Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, the holiday doesn’t really effect me. The classes seem pretty decent, meaning they aren’t too difficult or too easy… well expect my math that just seems so easy. I don’t know if I will be able to place out of it though, we will see this week. I am also working lots this week which is good. I sat down and created a budget for myself, and seems that it might be challenging with my small income to continuing saving money.

How was your weekend? Did you have any achievements?

What do you do to budget yourself? Do you use a spreadsheet or software like Quicken? Any tips on living on a very low income?

Over indulgences

2010-09-05T07:53:00.001-07:00

Everyone is always talking about “eating to live” and not “living to eat.” I LIVE TO EAT! I wouldn’t say it is a problem, but sometimes I think that maybe that is why I have a hard time with controlling my weight and food choices. If I go out and really want the delicious cheese fries, I will eat them. Life is too short not to enjoy the little things right? It’s about balancing out the cheese fries with other choices like exercising and portions.

I have been thinking over the past few weeks about what I can do to make my diet better for me. And by better, I mean stop feeling regret if I over indulge, or if I step on the scale and it’s a few numbers higher than last time. And the concept of living to eat has made me realize that maybe instead of eating whenever I want (which is what I kind of do now) I should listen to my hunger cues and only eat when hungry. However, I think this might cause a little bit of a challenge. I feel hungry right now, but I just ate a bowl of oatmeal with peanut butter, so it isn’t like my stomach is empty. I think my mind’s playing a trick on me. It’s just something I think I will have to work on. I need to figure out how my body is responding to food and what my hunger cues are.

I went out last night and I am becoming so convinced that having too many (like more than 2) alcoholic drinks just make me feel like the worst person ever. By the end of the night I had a migraine, and just wanted to go to bed. And of course I still have the headache this morning, and my legs feel so crappy. Just bad all around physical feelings. When will I learn to just stop after 2!

Yesterday I did my 4th long run for my Wine and Dine training, and I thought to myself how training this time around is really different from last time. Instead of consistently shocking myself with the distance I am able to run, this time around I am just focusing on feeling good during the runs. So I did 9 miles yesterday and felt good. I wasn’t running as fast as I would have liked to, but still clocked 9:30-10 minute miles the whole time. As I mentioned in the past, I was hoping to train around 9 minute miles, but when it comes to these long runs my attitude is that you just have to make sure I finish without stopping, and not worry about my time.

Do you eat only when hungry? What would you consider your hunger cues?

Insights and Updates

2010-09-01T07:44:00.001-07:00

With reports of Earl heading to the East Coast, and the ocean getting fairly rough over the next few days, I was pretty excited to get to the boards this morning for a walk. (As usual, it wasn’t just a walk - more on that later.) I was surprised to see that the ocean wasn’t as rough as I anticipated, but actually pretty calm! The waves were cleaner than the past few days and breaking nicely, which gave me some nice scenery during my work out.

As I wrote about yesterday, I feel like I have been making progress with my self image. I find it hard to really express some of the progress on this as it is difficult to put into words. Well, for me at least. I just know I am feeling better and more confident, and that’s progress in my book.

I have also been feeling pretty uninspired with my blog lately. Since my life have fallen into this lull while I wait for school to start, there’s not much on my mind other than planning the little life things out. I have been pretty relaxed and laid back, which is amazing. My worries as of late have really only been when I am getting my workout in and if I will have enough time to eat before I have to be at work. So I guess I could say my mental health aspect of healthy living is progressing swimmingly as worries have been down as well as stress levels!

Ok I lied a little. I have been less stressed and less worried, but I wouldn’t say I have been less sad. I am finding that I really do most things by myself, which isn’t a BAD thing, but I am getting a little tired of being alone all the time. If you know me in real life, this is something I’ve been dealing with for a long time. I am very very very grateful that I am independent and CAN do most things by myself. Sometimes I don’t really mind it and actually PREFER doing some things alone. However, when it comes to all this free time and looking for stuff to do, I am not the best person to be entertaining myself. I love doing things or just hanging out on the beach, and I wish I had someone around (maybe like a boyfriend?!) that I could have as a companion to do these things. Even running. This morning my workout was great, but i couldn’t help but wish I had a partner there to push me through some of the sprints because I knew I wasn’t putting in 100%. I am trying to be very patient, because I know right now my life is all about getting on track and focusing on situations that will make me a happier and better person than i was 6 months ago. I’ve come a long way since then, but I know I still have more to accomplish. It will fall into place when it is meant to, I am just saying that I am tired of being alone 90% of the time.

Anyways, as I mentioned above, I had plans to just walk the boards, but instead ended up sprinting and doing a few stair climbs on the benches. (Are they even called stair climbs if you’re just stepping up and down?) I did .1 mile sprints and alternated sprinting and walking for 2 miles, then walked the remaining 1.8 miles down the boardwalk. As usual, I biked to the boardwalk too. There’s no reason not to given it is only 2.2 miles from my house, and sometimes parking is a pain in the butt. Overall, decent work out. I was sweating and now my legs are feeling fatigued! Definitely will focus on rehydrating, stretching, and relaxing the rest of the day.

I have decided to start keeping a food diary again, which sort of works out because my Nutrition and Health class has a project that is to keep a food diary. I am already feeling MUCH better and my ridiculous overeating-during-the-weekend weight has already subsided. It’s all about maintenance and ensuring I continue to feel GOOD about myself. I look forward to getting back on track with my portion sizes and also learning about the nutritional guidelines form my class! I am expecting an improvement in meeting the recommended daily requirements for nutrients, because as of now I think I intake too much sodium, sugar, and carbs!

Other life updates! I received my final paycheck from my full time job, AH! That means it is officially finished and no more big paychecks! Kind of nerve racking, but I will manage. Work is good, easy, brainless. I couldn’t have asked for a better job opportunity. The people who come in are mostly regulars and all very nice. Whenever you start something though you’re going to have minor mistakes here and there. I am almost golden though. Now I just need that first paycheck and then we will be rockin’ and rollin’.

School technically starts today, but I don’t have classes on Wednesdays. Tomorrow will be my first day actually commuting to Rutgers. They said that parking might be an issue because there’s a football game tomorrow night… but I guess I’d rather have a rough first day and get callused to any frustrating situations than get accustomed to easy commutes and times. (Glass half full here!) I am also working tomorrow afternoon, so it is definitely a very busy day!

I am still tweaking my schedule, and hoping to move my late Algebra class to mornings on Tuesday and Friday. We will see, I am just not a night person and I know I will struggle with staying awake during a night Elementary Algebra class! Since tomorrow will be so crazy, I am going to get some of the “housekeeping” I need to do cone on Friday. I have to get my student ID picture taken and re-declare my major since it is incorrect. Oh school, I forgot how annoying you can actually be! However, I am excited to get this process going because the syllabus for my Nutrition and Health class looks interesting.

Progression

2010-08-31T06:05:00.001-07:00

I’ve noticed a change. Nothing strictly physical but instead mental, which is a huge step forward for me. After just not feeling great lately, I stepped on the scale (as I compulsively do) and saw what I didn’t want to see. It went up. However instead of getting down on myself and feeling all sorts of sadness, I reassured myself. I found myself saying how it is just a temporary weight gain, and I am an active person who just had some smart food choice slip-ups lately. Do you know how huge that is? I knew I wasn’t making the best decisions as of late, and have been intending to reevaluate my portion sizes and whatnot to get back on track. However, I wasn’t on the verge of tears and tons of anger when I saw the numbers I didn’t want to see on the scale. I think I am making some progress on this positive self image journey stuff!

So half marathon training has been good. Finally back in the swing of things, and I no longer feel intimidated by long runs. I was scheduled for a solid 7 on Saturday, but felt great and knocked out 8 miles. I maintained the 9:30min/mile pace I can’t seem to break, and only felt a little achy afterward. Seems my endurance isn’t as low as I originally thought. I was scared I wouldn’t be ready for the half in October, but now that I am feeling good and racking up the miles I know it won’t be hard to get back to the 13.1 endurance that I need.

With the heat returning here in NJ, my runs have been getting more challenging. Last week’s fall-like weather was SUCH a tease! That’s alright, I am preparing for a half marathon in FLORIDA, so the heat and humidity (although a nuisance) is very welcome. I rocked 5 miles yesterday (was supposed to do 4) and felt good afterward. Surprisingly I am not overly tired after these hot longer runs. My knees seem to be a little irritated, but nothing post-run ice can’t fix.

I start classes tomorrow… well technically Thursday since I don’t have classes on Wednesdays. I’m nervous, but I know once I get these first two weeks of classes under my belt I will be back in the swing of things and ready to dominate! I have gotten all my books, and now all that’s needed is the homework. I look forward to the routine more than anything also. These past 2 weeks of limbo have been a little too much for me! I am grateful to have a job where it is fairly easy, and flexible with the shifts I work (and also has awesome hours!!!). I am finally feeling comfortable there, but still working out some minor kinks. I should be getting my final paycheck from my full-time job soon so that’s awesome too… but definitely the sign of closure there. This is all really happening, and I still can’t believe it. I am really going to be a student again, working part time behind a counter, meeting new people, and having homework again!

Well, off to do some weights this morning, then enjoy my “last” day of summer before school starts!

Here we go again...

2010-08-27T07:26:00.001-07:00

I try to trust my body when t comes to eating ad working out. If I am tired I might push through it, but if during the workout I still feel crappy I will stop. Eating is the same, fi I want to eat something I will. I usually have very good self control, so it isn’t an issue. However, my body’s weight fluctuates about 5 lbs per week, which can be attributed to bloating, over eating on some nights, etc. Etc. So I try so hard to understand this and not get mad at myself, but as I have discussed several times before in my blog, it is very hard for me to not beat myself up over the silly number on the scale.

I am a very active person, in shape, healthy weight, eat healthy, blah blah blah. I know that I shouldn’t be getting hung up on the number on the scale, but how do you not? Os many people measure their success by the amount of weight they’ve lost. It is an easy way to compare yourself to others and a consistent measurement. And maybe that’s the problem right there. Comparing myself to others. Who cares if the scale is two pounds heavier than it was yesterday. I still went out this morning and worked out and did good for my body. I drink lots of water, get my veggies, and eat breakfast every day. It is going to happen. That’s a lot more than other people who might lose weight in an unhealthy way and honestly, I would rather weight a little more than average and be able to run half marathons, than starve myself and not able to run a mile.

But comparing myself to others. Just now I ran on the boardwalk. Ok I didn't run. It’s a cross training day and I did a full body circuit at home, and then was going to walk on the boardwalk. However, when I got to the boardwalk everyone was running and I just felt inadequate. I found myself thinking “I can run, look at these people… just run you don’t need to walk.” Competitiveness in me won. I ran a quick mile. Walked a mile. Ran a quick mile. Then finished out with a .7 mile walk. Enough for me. I mean I did work out over an hour today. STOP BEATING YOURSELF UP CAITY.

It isn’t just with fitness I compare myself to others. I am always over analyzing things and seeing how I do them. From clothing to ordering food I feel like I am constantly putting pressure on myself to do better than the average. And I wonder why I always feel like I’m going crazy. I just need to stop this insane behavior and think that I am perfect the way I am. Maybe I wasn’t born to ever have abs, or look good in a belly shirt, or have perfect hair. I need to accept these imperfections (or maybe they are perfections?) and continue working to overcome the little tug-of-war I have inside.

Wow. End Rant.

Re-Visiting Group Exercise Classes

2010-08-26T05:11:00.001-07:00

Group exercise classes are an awesome way for my to broaden my workouts during the week, but sometimes it is just so difficult to want to go to them. Like most things though once I am there I appreciate it and never regret going. But lately it’s become a victim of the lack of motivation I’ve been feeling.

As part of my half marathon training, I do cross-training twice a week. Typically I use these days for a weight class, and maybe an extra walk or step class. My schedule has been nothing less than hectic lately, so finding balance and time to make it to more than one class on these cross-training days is difficult. If I have been making it to a class, it is against my will and I just go because I know it will be good for me, not because I genuinely WANT me, and that bothers me. As I mentioned in a previous post, I am not a huge fan of my gym’s weight class. Perhaps it’s the music, or the instructors, or maybe a combination of both. Regardless, it’s been almost painful to get my butt to these classes!

Yesterday I was helping my friend set up her classroom and then planned on heading to the gym. All day I had been telling myself I will go to two classes, Power and Step, because what else am I going to do? (This is typically my attitude, when I am bored, which is always, I look to working out or being active as a way to entertain myself.) So I get to the gym and reluctantly set up my stuff for Power and look forward to another class filled with terrible music and an OK instructor. I was very pleasantly surprised when the hyper and entertaining instructor walked in. It really makes a huge difference when you have an instructor who’s motivational and entertaining. She was dancing, hopping around and even threw in a few motivational comments. “You need to be uncomfortable to achieve change.” “You only live once, and their going to talk about you anyway!” I was so happy to have had her as the instructor, and would love to make it a regular thing. But unfortunately she teaches at 5:30am! Bummer… I mean I could wake up that early, but would it be worth it? Maybe.

So that’s the thoughts about my class. I didn’t end up doing step because I get a pretty awesome workout during Power, and I spent the afternoon moving furniture around my friend’s classroom. However, I sort of wish I stayed for step to 1. Try it out, and 2. I ate entirely too much during dinner. I had baked ziti and other Italian deliciousness. This is one of my weaknesses because it is always so good I just cannot stop eating it. So bad, but so good! Needless to say, I over ate, woke up this morning feeling bloated from too much salt intake last night, and a little remorseful about stuffing my face. It’s a new day though, no reason to beat myself up about past choices. I will make good ones today!

It’s been fairly gloomy here all week, which ruined my plans to get my tan on all week before school starts. Today it’s finally sunny but I’ll be working at Muscle Maker Grille all afternoon. Tomorrow too. But watch out Saturday and Sunday, I will be getting my bronze on all day. Despite the ridiculous amount of frustration I have toward the weather today, I am grateful for it. I have a 4 mile run on my schedule today, but since I am suffering a little bit of cabin fever, I might amp it up to 6. That’s a decision to be made once I start my run.

Do you have big workout plans today? How will you challenge yourself today?

Yoga Lovin'

2010-08-24T06:09:00.001-07:00

So my relationship with the gym has been really suffering this summer as I have been spending my time outdoors running and training. The part suffering wasn’t the fitness, as I have been pushing myself physically for my triathlon and maybe even pushing myself a little to hard at some points. Instead I just haven’t been using my membership effectively. Now with this new chapter in my life opening up, I find that I have a lot of free time. Imagine going from having 10 hour days and looking for the smallest hour or two to fit in exercise, to having like 10 hours a day to work out. So needless to say, I have rekindled my relationship with the gym and I am exploring some new classes!

I have been wishy washy about my feelings with yoga. I hear all this fabulous stuff about how it is so great fro your body and health, but after trying it out several times I find that it is most useful to stretch me out. I am terrible at stretching, so the hour class is really needed to ensure I am properly stretching my muscles.

I’ve never given yoga (and yoga-like classes) enough credit though. I always just see them as some low-impact, relaxing type of exercise. However after my bout with hot yoga, we all know that opinion changed. I woke up the day after hot yoga feeling sore in places I never knew could be sore. I tried a class at the gym called Centergy, which is an hour long yoga and pilates class based to music. I enjoyed it, it did feel a little long, but I was stretched and actually broke a sweat. To my surprise the day after Centergy my abs were sore too! I never have sore abs (probably because I hate ab work) so it was a break through.

With the slowly growing respect of Yoga I am having, I am finding on my off days that I have been doing yoga. I like to remain some-what active on my off days, so it is a great balance between stretching and activity. Let’s just say that this week I did yoga 2 times already. Yea, and it’s only Tuesday and I am about to head to the class now too. I went to the stretch class they have at the gym after my 4 mile run yesterday, and today is an off day so Yoga it is, and I sort of can’t wait!

Tomorrow is a cross-training day, which is when I typically do my weight class. Well, to my dismay I decided I don’t really enjoy WoW’s version of BodyPump so I think I might be looking for an alternative. Weight machines? Circuit training? I don’t know. I don’t really enjoy the machines which is how I got into BodyPump originally… but maybe I will try out the air machines (I think that’s what she called them) which has a circuit built into them for a total body work out. Who knows, this is what I will be thinking about today.

Have you tried any new classes lately and loved them?
How do you get your weight training in? Classes or weight machines?

New Experiences... Ready Set GO!

2010-08-23T04:57:00.000-07:00

As I sit here on my first Monday off in two years, I am finding myself reflecting on new experiences. As I have mentioned previously, I am not a huge fan of change, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t welcome it. Change makes me anxious, nervous, worried, uncertain… but all these things are good as they force me to find out more about myself. Whether the change is an epic one like what I am doing now, or something smaller like a break up, I am grateful for the opportunities that it gives me to learn and improve myself.

For the past two years I’ve been commuting an hour to my full time job, and forced to figure out how I will fit my workouts in based on my work schedule for that day. The days are repetitive and filled with routine, so the fact that I am sitting in my bed now, writing this at 7:45am on a Monday is a bit strange. But I think I like it. Remember how I was all crazy anxious about not knowing what I would do with my free time and uncertain schedule? Well, not so much anymore, because I am enjoying this. I love waking up early and not having to rush out the door and drive to my cubical I love drinking my coffee and watching the news in the morning, then heading out for my workout and be finished by 10am. I see really good things coming from this life change.

Regardless of the lack of comfort I have from new situations, I sort of love them. There are few times when I will tell someone no because I don’t want to try new things. (Those times usually involve situations that I morally do not agree with… not that that happens often.) I think that being open to new things is so important in life, especially when one is trying to live a healthy one. It is so easy to just say no to the unknown, but opening up and saying yes to trying a new workout, running an extra mile, or eating chia seeds will never hurt you. You might try it out and hate it, but that’s ok because now you know you don’t like it. When you are faced with situations in life where you are forced to make a choice, try the one that is less comfortable to you. You might be pleasantly surprised about the outcome. And if not, at least you can look back without wondering what it was like or regretting you didn’t do it. (And this is exactly why I left my job and I’m heading back to school.)

So, from here on out, most of my life is a new situation. I am starting my new job at Muscle Maker Grille today, trying to establish a new work out routine, looking for ways to fill my free time, and eventually heading to a new school to take very new classes and face new educational challenges. I’m excited for them all, but also nervous because it is the unknown. In time though, they will no longer be new to me, and just part of my life. I am strapped in and ready for the new experiences and learning more about myself than I did the day before.

How are you challenging yourself lately? Are there new experiences that you will be seeing in the near future? What can you do to put yourself in a (healthy) situation that will put you out of your comfort zone?

First Long Run #2

2010-08-21T16:27:00.000-07:00

After having celebrations last night for the last day at my job, I remembered why sometimes I enjoy just have one or two drinks! I wasn’t feeling great last night as it was, and felt a headache coming on. I took some medicine, and kept on truckin’ even though I wanted to just curl in a ball and sleep. My friends and I hit up some bars and had a grad ole time per the usual, and the weather was awesome. I didn’t get a work out in and wasn’t going to stress about it because I had a lot of reasons to just enjoy myself for once.

So this morning I woke up with a headache and not feeling so hot again. I’m not too sure if the headache was the left over one from last night, or maybe form having a few too many drinks. Regardless, I buckled down and prepped for my first long run of training which was only 6 miles.

I was nervous about feeling like crap, but to my surprise I didn’t. The weather was amazing this morning, so I thoroughly enjoyed my run on the boardwalk! My time was 58m30s for the 6 miles, which isn’t great, but it got the job done. I was fluctuating between 9:30 miles and 10:00 miles the entire time, but definitely slowed down my pace toward the end. I was getting bored with running and trying to avoid all the inconsiderate people on the boardwalk, otherwise I would have cranked out an additional mile to make it 7 for the day.

So on Thursday night I met with a few rad (yes, I just said rad) people to discuss me becoming involved with their brainchild called humanfitproject (HFP). I have to admit, I am very excited about it! I need to straighten out a few things this week though and get my game face on so I can produce some awesome writing for them. In the mean time check out their website and drop them a line. They have great insights about fitness and nutrition, and not to mention some AWESOME healthy recipes to try out! This is a great idea and I honestly believe it will go far. So excited for the opportunity to work with them!!!

Also on Thursday, my friend also gave me some samples of RelaxZen, which is the company he works for. I was given sample of the RelaxZen Day shots and the RelaxZen Night shots. I tried out the Day shots yesterday and today, and must admit after taking it I did feel more balanced and aware in both instances. (Which obviously I can be a little all over the place, so this supplement was right up my alley!) RelaxZen Day is designed to enhance productivity, reduce stress, increase focus, and balance mood, and it lived up to its claims. I was pretty nervous about what it would taste like, as I’ve tried other supplements and they are DISGUSTING (especially those with 0 calories… I hate the taste of artificial sweeteners!) It’s good! It is actually really good! Fruity, light, sweet, but not too sweet. I was pleasantly surprised. So, now I am eager to try the Relax Zen Night, which is supposed to help you fall asleep quickly and wake up feeling rejuvenated. I will report back once I try the Night shots, which should be this week!

Overwhelmed with self-caused stress.

2010-08-19T06:12:00.001-07:00

The key to my success is my motivation. Some days it is more than others, as we all know. But without the lapses in motivation then the highs wouldn’t be as awesome.

As I discussed yesterday, I totally was going to do a 3 mile run. It didn’t happen. I broke my promise. Sometimes that happens though, and it isn’t always a bad thing. We all know that my motivation has been really lacking lately, and it’s probably because I am just burnt out and really stressed about life changes. But this morning, I am feeling more motivated than ever, and hopefully this can carry on for another 6 weeks!

I began my half marathon training on Monday, but it’s been a little thrown off with this week’s schedule. So today is the first day I am actually getting to run, and I have down fro a 4 mile run. Depending how I feel though I might crank out 5. The humidity here in NJ is super high once again, so it creates difficult breathing. I’ve done it before though, and I know I can do it again... no excuses! Hopefully I get to have my runs in the early morning over the next few weeks, then I can avoid high humidity and heat that often comes with late August and September.

However, just because I have found this motivation doesn’t mean any of my stress has subsided. If you haven’t learned by now I am a pretty huge worry-wart. I am constantly over-analyzing, thinking, worrying, planning, concerned... and it is very tiring. But I work best under this stress. I get things done, figure out my life, and in the end there’s always a solution.

I love lists, and they help me organize my “stress’ so I can effectively move past it and get everything done. It’s so strange because even though I am constantly thinking about things and worrying, I always get them done. I’m never late, and if I feel I cannot do something I will be straight forward and tell myself and others that. I wouldn’t even say that I tend to spread myself to thin, I always prioritize and figure out a way to just “get shit done.” I will admit though I stress about the most ridiculous things, like what to wear, or “what if...” situations... things I cannot help. I need to work on this and focus on only the things that are real and in the present.

However, one less thing I am worrying about today is my job situation! Tomorrow is my last day at the marketing job I’ve had for the past 2 years. I am so sad to say bye to the work home that I’ve have for 2 years, but I know that the future holds great things for me. I have been desperately looking for jobs over the past month, and after some trial and error, I was finally offered a job I am can I am excited about. In NJ there’s this awesome food place called Muscle Maker Grille (http://musclemakergrill.com/). I interviewed on Monday at one of the locations, and the guy offered me a job last night. I am excited as this has a consistent income with possibility of tips... and he’s willing to work with my school schedule! I should start next week, so stay tuned for those adventures.

Do you ever find yourself in an overwhelming situation? How do you manage it?

Don't dwell on the past, Focus on the future.

2010-08-18T06:44:00.000-07:00

Change is something that I am not really comfortable with. I welcome change, however it doesn’t always mean that my transition period is going to be smooth and welcome. My life is one huge ball of change lately, and I will be the first to admit it has made me this anxious and sleepy person. Between this being my last week of work, stressing to find a part-time job I can tolerate, and getting all my stuff ready for school, my workouts and health haven’t been the level I wanted to be.

Being unsettled with most of my life now is an exciting but unnerving experience. Without having a general idea of where I will be in a week makes it way more difficult to get a solid workout in and make healthy eating choices. As a girl, it is super difficult to NOT overindulge and eat as a direct reflection of your emotions. I have been head over heels for loads of pizza, cheese fires, and sweets lately. This is such an unfortunate situation too, because on top of feeling unsettled and all over the place, I physically feel disgusting. Funny how that happens. When I stress I would ideally want to make the best food decisions to ensure that even though mentally I am not feeling 100%, physically I am. Emotions rule me though, and to fix that ice cream and brownies are always a great idea at the time.

The stress interfering with the goals I have set for myself I don’t always consider a bad thing. I see the missed workouts and less than amazing efforts as a sign that I need to relax and take care of the more important things in my life – like my sanity. After all the mental health is just as important and the physical health in my opinion. I also am a true believer that your body will balance everything out and if in the moment you feel like you really NEED that extra slice of pizza, have some of it, but not all, to satisfy the craving and move on. And as I am ALWAYS reminding myself, it is not what you eat once in awhile, it is what you eat everyday. So at this point in my life, it is full of change and unhealthy decisions, but like the change my unhealthy choices will reshape themselves and I will settle into the new experiences that lie before me.

Onto workout and life talk. So, I was totally right. Ever since the Power class on Sunday, I have been unbelievably sore. So sore, that instead of my 3 mile run on Monday I went to Stretch, which was like a modified yoga. Instead of lots of meditation and inner reflection stuff that you find in yoga, it was purely stretching. It helped a bit, but I didn’t feel 100% afterward.

Yesterday was a little hectic, and I had promised myself that I would make up my 3 mile from I missed after the madness that was interviews and gym membership signing up. Well, things just didn’t work out and dinner was had and sleep was needed, so the three miles didn’t happen. Today though. They will happen today. I plan to head back to Power class, and then hit the treadmill if it is raining and get those 3 miles in. Half marathon is only 6 weeks away.

Focus: just because you have a few slips with healthy choices, or missed a few workouts it isn’t the end of the world. Create a goal for yourself today and focus on achieving that. The past cannot be redone or taken back, you can achieve the goals you have set for the future..

And half marathon training commences.

2010-08-15T04:58:00.000-07:00

One of the great things about exercise is that it is so versatile. For me a lot of what my exercise for the day is determined from how I am feeling in the morning. Yesterday morning I did not feel like moving and wanted to sleep forever. Knowing how much I’d kick myself later, I got my pretty little ass out of bed and ran. Nothing epic but at least I got my legs moving.

Remember how I mentioned my motivation to train for this half marathon is non-existent? Well, despite the lack of excitement and enthusiasm, I did a four mile run yesterday to kick start this 6/7 week intensive training. I don’t have the full 9 weeks I did last time, so I need to jump right into longer distance runs. However, not too long or too much jumping because I don’t want to hurt myself or over tire my leggies.

I am uneasy about the training though. I am checking out the different plans and feel comfortable using the same one as last time. It was a nine week plan with three runs a week and two “cross training” days. Since my training weeks have been cut to 7, I am going to pump it up and aim to do a 6 mile long run this week. I should be right on track with training then. I hope my legs snap out of this ridiculous stage though. My run yesterday was brutal and left my legs feeling less than satisfactory.

Since coming off the triathlon training, my legs aren’t used to the running all the time. It is pretty neat to see how your body adapts to the exercise you’re doing. From my nice 4 mile run on Friday I am pretty sore, which hasn’t happened in a good two months or so. I also started slacking big time on the weight training, and will be returning to that this week. Look for lots of “I am so sore” comments in the near future.

This is my last week of work too! I started my “new” job yesterday, which is just waitressing at a little cafe. I won’t lie, I’m not a fan of waitressing, but whatever it’s a job and you gotta do what you gotta do. I am eager for this week to be over so I can form a new routine and get into it. One of the reasons I hate change so much is because it ruins my routine! It will all be fixed in time though.

Here’s to a fabulous Sunday!

Lack of excitement.

2010-08-13T07:03:00.000-07:00

Well, this week’s been a total recovery week. I had every intention of only taking off Monday and Tuesday, but looks like that is just not what was meant to be. I went for a run on Wednesday hoping for an easy 4 or 5 mile run, and found myself struggling to complete 2. I ran the 2, then walked one more and called it a day. Discouraging. Yesterday I wanted to run but the massive migraine that I had for about 14 hours didn’t allow that. I rested and am hoping to get out there today.

This weekend I am going to try to get a long run in as well as get my butt to WoW to take their equivalent of BodyPump called Power. I finally got a job, so I am training for that during the day on Saturday, which kind of ruins my Saturday morning routines. I was hired for a Sunday lunch shift, so looks like I will be rearranging my long run days to fit my classes and work schedule. I am taking a stab at getting another job too. I need me some income!

I think one of the most stressful things is money. I never have not had to worry about making no money because I’ve either had a job, or had a significant savings and no bills to pay. Funny how time makes you grow up and get bills... hmm. I don’t think I like it.

On my run on Wednesday I was not feeling confident about this upcoming half marathon. My legs were tight and my lungs felt terrible. Granted, I haven’t been at 100% since the triathlon on Sunday and I am probably just being hard on myself, but it scared me. I haven’t run more than 5 miles since May, and I have to amp up this training. Instead of being super excited for this new challenge though, I am kind of indifferent. Perhaps I’ve burnt myself out over training and accomplishing things this summer. I mean I did run my first half marathon and completed my first triathlon! And in between ran two five mile races! That’s a lot for only 4 months! I am hoping once I begin my training plan next week that the indifferent feelings peace out and more excitement builds.

Speaking of excitement, I am beyond ecstatic that my trip to Orlando in October is more or less settled and planned. I bought my tickets for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the Epcot Wine and Food Festival, and also got tickets for the Hoopty Doo Review in Disney! It’s going to be a packed weekend, but I think my sister and I will have a lot of fun and a lot of drinks and food. This half marathon weekend is going to be a necessary fun vacation. The relaxing vacation comes in December when my family is heading to Hawaii for 10 days... CANNOT WAIT!

So, I mentioned before how I haven’t felt 100% since Sunday. I have been struggling with spotty stomach aches and head aches ever since Saturday night. I attribute the stomach pains on Sunday from the triathlon nerves, but what gives for the lingering sick feelings? I’ve been drinking enough water, sleeping enough, and eating enough (if not too much!)... The only thing I can think is maybe it is my allergies, since I have been sneezing a bunch. I never react like this though.

I easily get migraines, and have done my fair share of research. They all started my junior year of high school as a result from a really serious sinus infection. For awhile after that they were very consistent, I would get at least one a week and sometimes they would last for days on end. Over the past year they have dissipated with only a few happening every few months. The migraine yesterday though was so bad it woke me up in a sweat! I am prescribed medicine but try not to take it unless it is necessary as it makes me super loopy and crappy feeling. So I did take my medicine for the first time in forever yesterday, but in turn felt like doo-doo all day. I’d prefer doo-doo over sharp spiky terrible pain. Fortunately, it did go away but I still feel some lingering potential-migraine pains. My neck is super tense too which is never a good sign. Hopefully these sick feelings subside soon because it is not fun.

I am getting eager for school to start. I am debating about what to do with my textbooks. I remember in college I never even opened about 80% of my books... and I don’t want to order all my books and then have found out I wasted my money on them because they are hardly used. Hm...
Have an excellent Friday the 13th!

Do you have any fun plans for the fall and winter?
Have you ever struggled with burning out from training? How’d you fix it?
Do you suffer from migraines? What are your triggers? What do you do to help them?

Jersey Girl Triathlon Recap

2010-08-09T13:26:00.000-07:00

After nearly giving myself ulcers over this triathlon for the past 3 months, it was finally time. My alarm went off at the rude hour of 5:20am, and in the mess of nerves, stomach aches and hair braiding I managed to remember everything I needed and get my ass to the transition area and set up in time. Thank god I packed my bag the night before! Packing in a sleep coma never is a successful situation for me...

I set everything up perfectly, which only left me with time to make myself more nervous. I do not think I have been more nervous in my life. Prior to race day I had done 3 workouts – swim, run, brick. All of which went really, really, really shitty. My confidence was low about being able to finish, and especially low after drinking the entire ocean the Monday prior and dying. (Being dramatic of course) So I gathered my things, checked out the awesome pink sunrise and then almost lost it. Not because I was so nervous but because shit, a pink sunrise on the race day that you’ve been training for 3 months... that’s beautiful. Amongst the immense amount of anxiety going on in my head I took a moment to take It in and appreciate all that I am able to do. One woman near me looked to her friend and said “look, it’s a beautiful sunrise, a sunrise for us, on our day.” Yea I ran away to avoid any tear shedding and regain the focus I needed.

I stood on the beach fro a decent 15 minutes before the race, and watched as lifeguards prepped the buoys and people around me panicked. I wasn’t alone. Typically the beach is my place of sanity, I’ve gone there to console me through many difficult times, and seek peace when my mind would not rest. But not yesterday. Yesterday every wave instilled a disgusting amount of fear in the pit of my stomach. I tried to keep focused at the task at hand, just finishing the race, and put on my bathing cap. And ripped it a little. Panic. I just ignored it and watched as the age group waves started forming. Finally the first group went in, and watching as they entered and conquered the water eased my nerves and I knew I could do it.

Fast forward a half hour, my waves standing at the shoreline waiting for the whistle to go. A small set of waves was heading in – great sign. Whistle blew, and we entered the water without getting pummeled with waves and sand. By the time I realized what was going on I was almost at the buoy ready to turn around. SWEET. I felt my timing chip flapping in the water, and tread water for a hot second to fix it, but other than that the swim was cake. Finally reached the shore, and ran up the beach to T1. On the way up my dad was yelling 5 at me, which meant he timed me as about 5 minutes for the swim. AMAZING! I was training at 8-9 minute 300 yard swim! Thank you current.

My bike was waiting for me, probably smiling because I put a pink bow on it hahah. My nerves subsided and all I had to do was bike and run, which I knew I could do. No iPods were allowed during the race, so ti was an awesome time to reflect on so much. The three months of training being tested during this hour and twenty minute race. Me. The Road. My Bike. Pushed myself around the course and was cruising at 4 minute pace. Reached the transition area, and hopped off the bike to run. About 40 minutes for my bike.

The run wasn’t as easy as I would have liked, but I took off strong. And got slower with each mile, but that was ok. I was still clocking under 9 minute miles, and managed to finish 3 miles in 26:51. Awesome again. My legs were dead by then, so to keep up my sub-nine pace was a treat.

I finally crossed the finish line, and honestly was happy to be done. No more stressing about ocean swims or transitions. I am now a triathlete and know what to expect.

I got some water then went to gather my things. I was thinking about how the half marathon was by far more challenging and difficult than this triathlon. I attribute that to my endurance being so high from the half, and the triathlon’s distances weren’t anything too epic. However I am finding it a little difficult to be truly proud of myself. I’m not on a runner’s high and beaming like a lighthouse. I’m complacent with my performance. I finished, that was my goal. I had nothing to work toward besides the finish line, and I thought that would be enough as my goal, but now I realize it wasn’t. don’t get me wrong, I’m stoked I did it... I’m a freaking triathlete! I just don’t feel that huge sense of accomplishment hat I did with the half. I wasn’t exhausted – instead I felt sick. My stomach still hurt, and I had a headache. My body felt fine, I could have run another 3 miles after the race. Today, the day after, I’m not sore... just exhausted. I have a little headache still but nothing I can’t deal with. So, yes I accomplished something so sweet, but no I’m not ecstatic about it. I’m happy and satisfied with my performance, but would run 15 half marathons just to feel that sense of accomplishment and the physical challenge. But here’s to the triathlon. Next time you will be longer, and I will conquer you just the same.

Sometimes it's about the mental challenge, and not the physical. My brain is beat.

Here's the official stats:

208/868 overall
14/42 for my age group

Swim: 6:24 Rank #387
T1: 3:33
Bike: 41:48 rank #12 (I don't think this is right.)
T2: 0:53
Run: 26:51
Finish 1:19:27

My Mental War and Pledging to Win

2010-08-03T16:44:00.000-07:00

With the Operation Beautiful book being released this week, Caitlin from Healthy Tipping Point has asked fellow bloggers to share their take on body image, weight, and healthy living. Here’s my attempt at contributing something positive and inspirational.

There’s the day to day challenges like choosing which words will accurately and non-offensively portray my opinion, life decisions like if I should head back to school, practical challenges like not spending the extra $30 on a tank top, and then there’s the epic challenge… learning to love myself.

I’ve written about this before, here in brief, but I feel it needs more attention.

Self Love, Pride, Confidence. Instead of thinking about these concepts and feeling empowered, I think about them and find a pool of anxiety forming in my chest because I cannot figure out how to honestly have them in my life. Of course I sometimes have my days when I wake up and feel amazing (aka skinny days)… but more often than not I have days where I just feel average. Not pretty, not ugly, not fat, not thin, not strong, not weak… average. Like any other person in the universe. Average. How can I throw in a “you look great” and honestly believe it when I just feel average?

So I tell myself, being average isn’t a bad thing, you don’t stand out and attract unnecessary amounts of attention, you don’t have to worry about working extra hard to make up for the below-average qualities you may have. However, being average also makes me feel not special, not worthwhile, and replaceable. I know in my heart I am all of those things. I also know that I am pretty, smart, strong, independent. However, on most days waking up and feeling just like everyone else leaves me with this missing piece of my life -- the piece of self confidence, self love, self pride. And it is exhausting, defeating, and discouraging.

Imagine how a hamster feels running around in his ball, it never ends, and he can keep going and going until he finds a solution or gets tired. I feel like the hamster. For about ten years now I have been the hamster (figuratively!) in this ball of struggle with my self confidence. I have been going and going, some times faster than others, to reach a solution. However, I’m almost on the verge of tiredness and just stopping. And this is my struggle, how do I find it in myself to love myself?

I read a lot of fit/health/food blogs, and honestly admire those who talk about how much they accept and love themselves regardless of what weight or size they are at. I have tried to tell myself that I am fine, hell even GREAT, the way I am… but I do not believe it. And if I do not believe it, how can other people? How am I sitting here writing my blog on fitness and healthy living, pursing a degree in nutritional sciences, and NOT loving myself?

But it is hard. And heart breaking.
When I wake up everyday I am genuinely happy. I smile that I’m alive and that today is whatever I choose to make it, and I am blessed enough to have that opportunity. My life is in my hands and at my beckon call, and recently I’ve decided to take one of my passions, healthy living, and make a career out of it. I couldn’t be happier or more excited. However, that missing piece I mentioned before always seems to resurface. With thoughts running through my head about how my stomach isn’t flat, how I ate too much yesterday, how I don’t have time to work out today, or recently how my body is just too tired… how can I be genuinely happy with my life? How can I be the successful person that I dream to be? How will I ever find my prince charming? Furthermore, how can I expect to set a good example for others and hopefully help them to make the right diet choices? It is that missing piece, and the undying drive to be perfect, be better, faster, stronger, THINNER, that breaks me down and effects all parts of my life.

I feel like this never ending struggle/battle/war with my weight and self image is something that WILL go on forever. Like an addiction - drugs, alcohol, eating - I need to make active efforts to change my behaviors and learn healthy new ways to avoid falling into the negativity. So, on my quest to improve my self image, I am making a pledge… or 2, 3, 7, or 300, to work on improving my mentality and achieve honest, true, believable, self love, confidence, and pride. I will win this challenge, and I will start working at it today.

Here are my pledges:

Daily appreciation for what my body can do. Run, breathe, sleep, think, succeed.
“Change the way I see, Not the way I look” - make an active effort to tell myself that I am great, beautiful, strong, confident.
Stop the negatives. No fat talk, no bad thoughts, no regrets about food choices.
I am the key to my happiness, not cookies, not cheeseburgers. It’s me. I have the power within to achieve it.
Stop using the scale EVERY DAY. It’s obsessive and in turn almost abusive to my mentality! It’s just a number and will not, and should not ever, determine how I FEEL.
Live healthy but do NOT obsessively exercise, take days off when my body needs it, and achieve reasonable fitness goals I set for myself.
Remind myself daily that I am healthy and I make choices to support this fact everyday. Running, food, enjoying the occasional indulgence.
Write MYSELF Operation Beautiful notes when a negative thought enters my mind.
Know it is only in MY mind these thoughts exist. A healthy mind is just as important as a healthy body.
Stop judging others based on their appearance.

It’s going to be a rough road, but in the end it will be worth it. Join me, because challenges like this are never easy, and it never hurts to have people come along with you.

The Last Ocean Swim and Set Backs

2010-08-02T17:24:00.000-07:00

Today was a rough one. But first, let’s time warp to yesterday.

With all intentions of trying out my new gym this weekend, I woke up feeling the opposite. Since the race was exactly 7 days away, it only felt appropriate to do a brick work out. I road my bike to the fabulous boardwalk and ran a solid 4 miles at an average 9:00 pace. I really did plan on the gym, but after waking up and just relaxing for awhile my mind changed. It happens, that’s the great thing about not having a workout buddy (and being single, hehe).

Spent the rest of my Sunday relaxing since it was cloudy all day, and watched some magnificent True Blood, and passed the eff out.

Headed to work per the norm today, and was contemplating sharks my entire ride to work. I was really convincing myself that this ocean swim was happening tonight, so it only was appropriate I watched lots of shark week and mildly panicked in silence all day. Oh and the fact that I saw a video of a shark on the Seaside beach thanks to one of the partners at work too. NO BIG DEAL. Regardless of all the shark psyching out today, I did swim, more on that in a few.

First, I need to touch on the discouragement going on with school. As I mentioned on Saturday, my classes are not panning out how I want them too. However, I think I have finagled myself into classes that will NOT be a waste of my money and time and will inevitably help me in the long run. Classes like Principles of Biology (not a requirement, and probably will be repetitive of General Bio I, but I have NO science background. OK, I have weather and climate and astronomy, but that’s it.), Social Responsibility and Wellness, and Careers in Nutrition. Only two major required classes, but I am really hoping that I can get into one more class and drop something… or maybe take them all.

Anyways, I am just really discouraged. I called up the Dean today to discuss my concerns with classes and the possibly of dropping below full time status because of all these pre-reqs I need… mainly PreCalc… and she recommended that I withdraw and reapply next year after taking classes at a community college. One other suggestion she had was to double major, possibly in Spanish. This is still an option, but I need to take the placement test and see where I place and how many classes I will actually need. I’m not trying to stay 4 years just for a spanish major. Anyways, oh contra ire my dear Dean, I just did some serious research and analyzing, and turns out that time-wise that going to a community college will take longer. Instead of taking a few “unnecessary” classes and knocking out 2 major classes, I would be taking only my Elementary Algebra class, and THAT’S IT. So, as of now, I am sticking to the Rutgers plan and will figure it out as I go. It will NOT be an easy road, but such is life…

Onto my swim. HOLY CRAP. I got home and mom and dad offered to come with me to the beach because lifeguards go off duty at 5. Well, we got to the beach and it was beautiful, but windy. And the ocean.. Holy shit (pardon my French) it was FEIRCE. I will admit, before going in I kind of panicked inside a little and almost said I will just swim tomorrow. But Mom and Dad did come to watch, dad even had binoculars to check for sharks… so I just needed to get it done. And I did. After swallowing 9 million jugs of salt water, getting slammed in the face 5 times by unsuspecting large waves, and losing a silly band. But I did it. I swam approx. 300 yards. It may have been a little less, but I am not really sure. It was close, and that’s all that matters because I did it. I am dead, but I did it. And hopefully the ocean on Sunday is not as rough as today, and I will rock the swim. Even if it is as rough as today, I know I can do it I just need to take my time and keep aware of my surroundings. I just am totally dead, do not ever under estimate the power of a rough ocean. Or the disgusting taste of salt water. Or how swallowing salt water makes your stomach hurt. Scary.

Anyways, how was your Monday? Did you have any set backs or challenges?

Huge hump in the road.

2010-07-31T14:14:00.000-07:00

I knew that it wasn’t going to be an easy path, nothing that is ever worth it is easy. Good things take hard work, dedication, and passion… and I have all of them for running and pursuing my Registered Dietician (RD) license.

I had my appointment yesterday with my advisor, and if you recall I was pretty excited. Well, the excitement quickly turned to discouragement after the lack of enthusiasm and assistance that I experienced. A few things to note before I go on - I graduated magnum cum laude from Sacred Heart University, I work hard… very hard.. At things I do not understand, if it is something worth my time and I WANT to do it, it will get done. Now, this woman I talked to made me feel like the smallest most pathetic person ever, almost like I am incapable of doing anything at Rutgers with a good outcome. I understand that in a larger university it is competitive. Shit, I went to NC State for a year (about 30,000 students) I know what it is like. I also understand that demand for Dietary internship is very high, and it is competitive to. But I am willing to go the extra mile to put myself in an amazing position and get an internship.

So, after this “advising” session it was made aware to me that I will be a year behind because of my math placement. After much panic and melting down, I have figured it out and sort of accepted it. I am hoping to make this as successful and timely as possible. I have also submitted my pre-calc syllabus from NCSU with hopes that maybe I can at least place into pre-calc now. Who knows, I am told that the Math Dept. at RU isn’t too lenient, but you never know. Keep your fingers crossed.

Last weekend of training… sigh. I did a 10.5 mile bike and a mile run this morning. The past two days I wasn’t feeling like working out but as always, once I get out there and just do it, I felt so much better. Only things left for me to do is get in the ocean before Wednesday, and practice my transitions. Oh, and maybe squeeze in a longer run after my bike. I am ready physically, I am just working on the mental part and finding my strength and confidence that I will, and can finish.

I have been doing OK with my eating lately. Trying so hard to consistently make smart decisions, but my appetite has been off the hook. Probably because of all the training and heat. I am maintaining weight and FEEL awesome. I am also debating possibly banning myself from the scale for this upcoming half marathon training. Just a little extra challenge in addition to the running.

How are your weekends shaping out? The beach was AMAZING today. Just onto relaxing tonight and looking into my schedule for the fall, and JOBS!

Registration Day!

2010-07-30T05:09:00.001-07:00

I get to register today!!! So excited! I will be heading up to Rutgers to *FINALLY* get my schedule settled. Clearly (since I am neurotic) I have analyzed all situations and since I am unclear on the way this math placement will effect me, I can’t find any solutions. I will be so relieved to get this done. The only things left for school prep after this are buying books (which maybe the cheapest/best thing is to get a Kindle/ipad?!) and figuring out my health insurance. It’s all coming together. Still working on the part-time job part, but that will come soon too.

I went to a minor league baseball game last night, and it was so fun. I ate a hot dog and funnel cake, and they were SO delicious. I am feeling it this morning though. I “swell” up really easily in the heat, and when I indulge in salty foods or alcohol, it makes it so much worse. When I say swell, I really mean just a lot of water retention. Like my feet feel like I have sausage toes, and my fingers all kinds of bloated. If I am wearing a ring it usually means that it is stuck on my finger until I “unswell,” and it is also very very uncomfortable. Usually a little sweat session fixes this, but today it looks like I will have to wait it out since this registration appointment is this morning.

I went for a run yesterday, 3 miles at a 9-ish minute pace. I wanted to push myself to make a faster 3 mile time, and ended up finishing up the workout in 26:28. It was so humid and so hot, I felt like I was breathing water. Anyone have gills I can borrow?

As I haven’t stopped mentioning, this is the last weekend of work outs. Hoping to get in a nice bike ride today, and then a serious ocean swim in tomorrow morning (or Sunday?!). Then it’s time to take it easy and rest before the big triathlon. Nerves are running high, but I can’t wait.

No big plans this weekend, and I am excited for that. Hoping to keep it low key and without booze. Dehydrated trained muscles do not enjoy alcohol, and I’m not trying to screw up these muscles before my race. Its supposed to be beautiful, so I am hoping to hit the beach and get some quality Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows time in. Finally making headway in this book -- it’s only taken me like 6 years!!! I’m about halfway through and I LOVE IT!! So excited for the movies to come out.

I’m looking to update my iPod, anyone have good new music suggestions?

Do you have a kindle? Do you love it? DO you use it for text books and school?
What about an iPad? I wonder if that’s good for school use. I have a Mac Book so I feel like it’s a bit repetitive…. But eh.

not so epic.

2010-07-28T08:17:00.001-07:00

One of the times when I do the most thinking is my hour commute to and from work. I am fairly stressed about a bunch of things, school arrangement, finding a part time job, but also need to remember that I need to appreciate what’s going on in my life right now. I am very lucky to have made this decision (finally) and have it work out the way it has, with only one minor bump in the road. I am also lucky to be able to participate in the physical challenges that I do every day. Many people have different reasons for why they might not be able to get in physical activity every day, but I want to encourage those who can to do so. I am not here to preach or anything, but just wanted to mention that.

I am getting very excited for returning to school. It’s not the fact of school I am excited for, it’s that I will be learning about things that will inevitably help me and help others. Personally, I hope that pursuing this degree will positively affect my eating habits and exercise routines... and inevitably I am hoping to do the same for others.

Onto exercise talk...

So for the first time in a few weeks I went to Body Pump last night. It has totally reminded me of the fact that sometimes a break from a routine is a good thing. I am feeling sore today! My muscles might have needed the little break from BP, because it was never making me sore anymore. Glad it paid off though. Only a month left until my Gold’s membership is expired, then I will be off to Work Out World full time. I am going to try out their classes this weekend... probably step and their version of body pump on Saturday. A comparison is sure to follow.

This is the last full week of training for me. So glad I got that ocean swim in. I am planning to try it again tonight or tomorrow, and definitely on Sunday/Monday too. Next week will be an easy week, as I have mentioned before. I am starting to get excited for the race now that I know I can swim in the ocean. I’ve heard some buzz about a rip current, but hopefully that isn’t too intense for the race.

Challenges are good things.

2010-07-26T18:16:00.000-07:00

It’s only the hype. That’s all. I can do it. I proved I can do it, and I will do it.

After stressing day in and day out about this freakin’ ocean swim for the triathlon, I sucked it up and went today. The humidity broke last night, so it was only appropriate that I spend as much time enjoying the breathable (but still hot) air. My 2nd boyfriend, my bike, and I took a nice easy ride to the beach and was prepping myself hte whole way there for this ocean swim. All the research I have done about this silly swim has only added to the anxiety that I have about this leg of the race. Now, let’s establish a few facts about me and swimming:

I learned how to swim in my grandparents pool when I was like, in the womb pretty much.
I have lived within 5 minutes from the beach my entire life.
I swam on a swim team at a young age, every summer.
I swam in high school for a season.
I was a lifeguard at a pool for a summer.

So with that, the idea of me freaking out so much about this swim is just ABSURD. I CAN SWIM!!! I have swam in the ocean more or less for my ENTIRE life. I am a strong enough swimmer to pass the lifeguard certification tests, and competed in swimming events for years. It’s just silly. I know that there is a huge difference between ocean/open water swimming and pool swimming, but it is nothing new to me.

So after I had these revelations on the way to the beach, I just wanted to get it done. I didn’t swim any significant distance, but I did realize that I will need to expect that the ocean swim will not be easy as cake, like the pool work outs I have been doing. I can handle the salt water, I can handle the current, I can handle maybe the occasional fish. I’ve got it under control, and I will conquer the swim portion.

So enough of this ridiculous anxiety. I will still be a little nervous about the swim, because it isn’t the strongest leg for me, but I am very confident that I will finish. It’s always scary with a new challenge, and these little steps and achievements are exactly why I love them. Life is never a cake walk, if it was we wouldn’t learn our capabilities and limitations. I find myself always surprised at what I am able to do when training. Whether it’s an extra mile, realizing I can swim in the ocean without much trouble, or confidently transitioning from bike to run, it’s all worth it. For me, life is about learning from all of the living you are doing, and that’s exactly what happened today.

Triathlon Worries and Life Updates

2010-07-25T05:15:00.000-07:00

I think part of my sluggish life is due to being over trained and under enthusiastic.

When I signed up for this triathlon I was excited for the challenge, but now it has just morphed into terror. Ok I’m being dramatic, not terror, but instead of being so excited to conquer the swim/bike/run I am just nervous and stressed. Part of this could be because maybe I haven’t trained enough, or followed a legitimate training plan, or maybe I am just sick of training.

Coming off of the half marathon, I wasn’t concerned with increasing my endurance because it was already beyond what it needed to be. So I started biking, and have built up miles to reach 9.5, and beyond. The run is super easy to train for since it was only 3 miles, and to overcome the transition challenge, I am sure to do at least one brick workout a week. I’ve swam, more than 500 yards, but in a pool. So swimming in the ocean is completely different, and challenging. Tomorrow I am going to get my butt into the ocean to ease these fears, and then it is just a matter of getting this race done.

I read all about transitions last night, how to set them up and the different tricks to make it easier. So helpful, and I am going to practice my transitions today with a “mini-tri”… swimming in my pool, biking, then running. All of which will be short distances since it is STILL BRUTALLY HOT. I need this heat to break so I can really push myself and get comfortable with the things I am nervous about.

I am obviously putting intense pressure on myself to not fail in this race. Unlike my half marathon, I have no time in mind. From my training I figure it should break down to be 10 minutes swimming, 45 biking, and 28 running. So an hour and a half or so to finish. However, that is not my goal. I just want to finish without stopping… swimming through the 300 yards, Baywatch running out of the ocean, biking the 9.5 miles at a 5 minute mile pace, and running as fast as my legs let me. I know I can do it, but the longer I wait the more nervous I get. I need to relax, I know. I need to understand that this isn’t anything new to me, I will have trained for all these things by the time the race is here. I just want it to be over.

And that’s why I think I am just sick of training. It’s a challenge, but it really isn’t that big of a deal. I have this triathlon stuff under control. It will be a new experience, and I expect it to go fairly smoothly, but there will be challenges, and that is OK. I am really looking forward to the finish of his race and taking a week off. I appreciate training for a running race a lot more now. I like the consistency, I like that I have a history with running and can push myself beyond those boundaries. I don’t think I will stop biking though, it’s a fun way to work out. The only downside to biking for me is that it just doesn’t kick my ass like running does… and I miss that. I also miss being able to run at like 1pm and not sweating so much you die. Early September (or a break in this heat) is welcome with open arms.

So, this morning I am going to Work Out World for a tour and to sign all my fun gym contracts. Hopefully it will not take too long, and I will be home before it’s 700 degrees out. I thought making my appointment for 8:30 would be a good idea, but I’m realizing I should have made it for 10-ish so I could have run before all the heat settles in. God the way I talk about this weather, you’d think I lived in Arizona! I mean it’s hot out, 90+ degrees, but I could tolerate it if the humidity wasn’t at 100%. (being dramatic of course) It is nearly impossible to breath when you are just sitting outside, let alone trying to work out. It’s that type of heat where you open the door to go outside, and the air is there like a brick wall. A brick wall with a hose that immediately soaks. This type of air is selfish too, it sucks all the moisture out of your body making you dehydrated time one million, and regardless of the amount of water you drink, you’re still dehydrated. I am crossing my fingers for so many thunderstorms tonight, and cooler, drier airs comes to the Jersey Shore soon.

On the life front, things are going swimmingly! I went to Rutgers yesterday to take my math placement test. No calculator. HELLO! What do you think I am a genius! I did alright though, my brains was all sorts of exercised after that test, but I was glad I got it over with. I was also pretty surprised how much stuff I remembered from high school algebra and precalculus. Given that, I did not remember or even attempt all that crazy sin, cosin, tan crap. I just skipped right on over it. I also figured that I am not trying to place into calculus, so it might have been in my best interest to skip it, even if I did have any clue how to do it. I was excited to go though, because it was the first trip of many to Rutgers, and the reality was settling in. This Friday I am heading up again to make my schedule. My advisor will be so impressed with the fact that I have already made a plan for all semesters. Well maybe not impressed, but she will think I am nuts. That’s ok, I am just overly organized and excited. I do have to make a few tweaks to my plan though, because I can take one class this winter and I am waived from any general ed classes. Wee! This is going to take less than 2 years! Best news ever for me and my wallet!

Other news, I am going to HAWAII over Christmas! SO EXCITED! One of my life goals is to visit all 50 states, and Hawaii (Alaska too) was one I was scared I’d never get to, especially when I take my cross-country road trip. (That’s still in the works too… I’m thinking after this school deal, it is the perfect time!) I am also seeking part time employment, and have an interview on Monday for an Italian bakery. Things are falling into place, and it’s awesome because it makes me feel like I have made the right choice to go back to school. Like it was meant to be. And I love that sign of comfort.

Have an awesome Sunday and week! I am sure I will update about my triathlon training worries soon. Stay Cool!

I can't stop!

2010-07-23T09:48:00.000-07:00

CHALLENGE: Life.
SOLUTION: Take a break.

As I briefly mentioned before, as well as in a slew of tweets, I am just super sluggish. The only conclusion I have come to is that my body is just tired. Tired from life, tired from working out. I think it’s getting ot the point where I’ve almost pushed it ot hard, and to tell me this, it just isn’t feeling good anymore.

This week has been brutal.

Wednesday, I was super pooped from a night/day of stress and lack of sleep, so clearly the conditions for a decent workout were not leaning toward “good.” After almost falling asleep on the way home (so scary) I sucked it up and got my ass on my bike and rode 9 miles. 9 easy miles without challenging myself or trying to feel the burn. I got off my bike, stretched, and felt like I was about to pass out. Such a bad sign. I drank lots of water and rested before getting in the shower and eating. Felt fine after dinner, went to bed wicked early, and woke up feeling normal.

Yesterday I had promised myself that I would swim. I have to step up the swimming game as there’s only 2 weeks until the triathlon. I was exhausted by the time 4:30pm rolled around, but dragged my tense legs to the gym and swam. For ten minutes. Only ten. 20 laps. 500 yards. And I got out, and felt dizzy. I don’t think this is from exhaustion or dehydration though. I think it is from not being used to breathing while swimming. I breathe, and never eel like I am out of breath while swimming, but when I get out I always feel light headed and dizzy.

And that’s my week of work outs. In efforts to ease my frustrations with the exhausted legs I have going on, I am going to take off today, swim tomorrow, and hopefully swim IN THE OCEAN WITH SHARKS Sunday. Of course I will ride my bike to the ocean, and perhaps throw a short run in there too. I won’t push myself, but I don’t want my body to regress. I’ve worked hard to get it where it needs to be for this triathlon, and it’s too close to back off now. Next week is the last week of training, and I will be taking off the week before my triathlon, and probably the week after. And by take off I mean maybe an easy bike ride or walk.

Part of the reason I find myself working out is out of sheer boredom. If you know me at all, I cannot sit still and relax. I’ve discussed this here before. So when my day ends, since I’m already used to committing an hour to work out, when I don’t I get super bored and will turn to working out to solve that problem. It could be worse, it’s not drugs or alcohol... it’s gotten a little obsessive, but clearly from this post, I’m realizing I need ot back off a bit... and I will try to for now. And once the brutal jersey winter arrives in November, we will have a nice 3 month recovery period. I'm crazy, but it's better than being boring!

Gym Shopper.

2010-07-21T13:15:00.001-07:00

So it hit me... now that I am changing my life I need to change my gym. Purely for location purposes only. I was previously a member of the Gold’s Gym in Lawrenceville, and would “visit” the location in Long Branch. Well, when I called and had them quote me a price at the Long Branch location, they said it would cost 60$ a month. I am so annoyed. I do love Gold’s but this location in Long Branch doesn’t have a pool, and is fairly small. I end up fighting for the equipment when I go there on the weekends. Not worth it to me. I am paying 42$ a month at the Gold’s in Lawrenceville which is HUGE AND HAS A POOL! It just doesn’t make sense to me.

So I am gym shopping. I want something with classes, and a reasonable price, that’s near to my house. I know I can’t get ALL those things, so I have narrowed it down and come to terms with joining Work Out World... for 23$ a month. And the good news is, they have 2 Step classes on the weekends, not just one. YAHOO!

Granted, my "gym shopping" had really been done about 6 months ago, so this wasn't that huge of a production for me. I know that some people get really hardcore about their gyms. For me, the classes and price are most important. I spend most of my time running outside, so the cardio equipement doesn't need to be 100% ... and we have a treadmill at my house too, so it really isn't a huge deal for me. And pools... I've used the pool at my gym twice, and I hate swimming. So 8:30am meeting on Sunday. We will see what WoW is reallllyyy all about and how it keeps Jersey Strong!

What do you look for in a gym? What’s more important, amenities, price, or location?

FINALLY!

2010-07-19T07:23:00.000-07:00

I hate secrets, keeping them or not knowing them. Granted, I totally can keep a secret... I just do not really enjoy it. I hold it in and it festers, I drive myself nutso, and feel like exploding. I am very proud of myself though, I kept a secret pretty good for 2 weeks. I told few here and there, but I was so impatient to reveal my news to the world that I couldn’t wait until I was allowed to tell. Today was that day.

If you follow me on Twitter, I finally revealed I am returning to school in September to pursue a degree in Nutritional Sciences, and a concentration in Dietetics. What a huge decision, but if you know me it was a long time coming.

About 2-3 months ago I had a friend ask if I ever considered becoming a dietician. It was no secret that I had been doing serious soul searching and looking for the right career for me, something rewarding that I would love doing. After many lists were made, and talking to many people for many (sometimes too many) hours, it began to make sense to me. I hate making decisions, and before I decide on anything I like to over analyze and research the options. I researched becoming a registered dietician, even met with one to pick her brain, and found it to be a transition that wasn’t too time consuming or impossible. I could do it, and I wanted to.... so here I am!

I am pretty excited about this decision I have made. I am scared and nervous, but I have only good feelings about it. I will succeed and will hopefully find myself in an amazing place as a result of the risk I took. Granted it will be a rough road – come one, BioChemistry and Physiology are not easy classes! – but I can, and will do it. And here, in SkinnieCupcakes, I will record my journey.

So as a small recap of the weekend, I spent my days in the sunshine and humidity, and my nights indulging in wine and sushi and pizza. I saw The Situation from the Jersey Shore randomly on Friday night – he was standing outside the restaurant I was eating at. He looked just as “cool” as he does on TV....... (insert eye rolling here). I ran a short distance on Saturday morning before the dentist, and did a brick on Sunday. I was so livid on Sunday as I was about to hop on my bike. I look at my Garmin, and the BATTERY WAS DEAD. Mind you, I definitely charged the battery for like 100 hours, but clearly it wasn’t really charging. It was a lie... so instead of doing the intended 9.5 mile bike and 3 mile run on Sunday, I did 9.6 mile bike, and a 2.75 mile run. Bummed I didn’t hit the 3 mile mark on the run, but what can ya do. I felt alright but my body was tired from the heat and humidity combination. 2 weeks until the triathlon, and I honestly can’t wait for it to be over. I just want to worry about running (and biking maybe)... no more of this swimming anxiety please!

What’s a risk you have taken? Did it work out for you in the end?

Balance.

2010-07-15T12:26:00.001-07:00

So it has been a fairly quiet week. I have been so tired from the lack of sleep (you know, because my A/C is broken!) that I can’t even find it in me to work out. Now, let’s not forget I am a friggin’ psycho, so to me “not working out” means “not running for 3 days.” Monday I was going to just relax, but last minute decided to bike to Walgreens to pick up some much needed hair products. 3 miles there, 3 miles home. Then Tuesday I went to BodyPump as usual. Yesterday, I actually took a day off! I was preparing for some exciting news I will be sharing soon, and it was good to just sit down and get some things sorted out and onto paper.

I guess this is where I can identify myself as “having mental issues.” And no, I am not like depressed or anything, but clearly I struggle with my self image. I’ve talked about it before. For me, I find the most challenging part of diet and fitness is getting motivated. However, once I am motivated there is no turning back (well... until I just get too tired or sick of it...). I turn into this very head strong monster who is very very VERY hard on myself. I am crazy I tell you... I beat myself up if my pants feel too tight, if the scale is too high (even though I might be weighing myself after I ate a huge meal of pasta), if I miss a day of exercise. And I know that all these things are bad, but as I have mentioned in the past, it is something I just don’t know how to get over.

I am not shy about talking about this struggle with my weight and self image here... probably because I hold onto the idea that maybe someone can identify, and they will feel better about themselves after reading. I just remember ever since I was younger I would beat myself up about how I looked and what I weighed.

When I was in high school, I wasn’t willing to pursue a healthy lifestyle... It just wasn’t worth that sacrifice of FOOD.. food I loved. I exercised plenty – field hockey, lacrosse, swimming, track. I just loved (and still love) to eat, and unfortunately it got the best of me before I headed to college. Additionally, I felt so much discouragement from my coaches in high school because I wasn’t a star athlete. I don’t like placing the blame on anyone, but I do feel bitter toward some of the coaches in high school. I never was a star, starter, or significant player on any teams I was on. I actually resented running, and remember preferring to just sit the bench. All these things attributed to the “unhealthy” me, but isn’t it funny how things can change?

I have discovered a passion for running and being healthy through the struggles and tribulations that I have been through. Now instead of competing with every girl on my team, I compete with myself and challenge myself to eat better, run faster, run longer... and it is a thousand times more rewarding than any of the other sports I have done.

The weird thing is, that even after all the things I’ve accomplished, it hasn’t helped with the self image part. Sometimes I think that maybe I am scarred for life. I don’t take compliments very well, and I sure as hell can’t look at myself in the mirror and confidently and truthfully say “wow you look good.” Like all those tests you see on TV – draw yourself how you see yourself – I am sure that my perception is warped. I see all the imperfections I have always had, plus some. Stretch marks, saggy skin, places that just WILL NOT GET SMALLER... and they don’t ever go away. I know my confidence is a lot better than it was, which is a great improvement, I just wish it wasn’t even an issue. As long as I can remember it HAS been an issue. (I remember being ashamed to buy bigger sizes when I was younger and “Back to School” shopping.) like they say, old habits die hard, I just cannot figure out (still) how to make this habit die for good.

And that my friends, is why I am crazy about exercising. It is the one thing I can do to contribute to my health, and the effort that I put into it is the results that I will get, and I will see it and feel it immediately. I don’t cut back on my intake (well, I haven’t since I started this hole journey rather) and to supplement the extra calories I may intake, I exercise. So when I get home and eat 1/8 of a spaghetti pie with 3 pieces of bread and Smart Balance butter, salad, then a spoonful of ice cream ... I don’t want to feel bad about it. And I don’t. I will not ever ALLOW myself to feel bad about eating something I want, because life is too short. I would rather feel bad about not exercising than not eating. Not exercising can easily be reversed – kick your ass the next day. Where as regretting what you ate can’t be... well unless you want to throw up, but I’m not doing that ever.

It all balances out, and hopefully I will find that balance mentally.

Wow - I am a slacker with confessions.

2010-07-11T05:48:00.000-07:00

Every Sunday morning has been rolling around, and I have been promising myself that I would write an entry about my triathlon training and other hoo-ha’s that have been going on. Then it is super sunny and all I want is a margarita on the beach and it doesn’t happen. Sigh, summer does that to you! Anyways, here I am, updating… and it is super sunny out but what a better way to prep for my brick workout (and digest some of my coffee!) than to write a catch up.

So I last left off was after the George Sheehan 5 miler. Since then I’ve been working on the usuals, training for this triathlon, and not eating well at all!!! I went to Boston for 4 days to see my girl Lady Gaga and explore the city, then afterward it was a whirlwind of 4th of July festivities. No wonder I have been feeling bloated and less healthy than normal! So continuing on…

Boston was amazing. What a beautiful city. I was so impressed by all of it - architecture, food, cleanliness, shopping. I was most impressed about how runner-friendly the city is! I ran twice while in Boston, once through the streets, and the second time along the Charles River. Both runs were fantastic despite not-so-good sleep and drinking the night before. I felt so silly because I must have been running around with a smile on my face from loving the new scenery. The only downside to city running is the traffic lights. I like to have a continuous run, and when running through a city you need to abide by the lights and traffic, which causes too many stopping and waiting situations for my liking. I am sure there’s a way to get around it though, I was just staying on a path I knew so that I could get back to my hotel.

The food in Boston was so great! I ate so much, and it was a sin! I also drank far to many things, so water retention was an issue. (Typically I retain water easily as it is, so mix in any factors that make it worse-- heat, alcohol, high salt foods -- I feel like a water balloon) Thankfully the runs I did go on helped with the bloated feeling, and I could continue on eating and being merry. One of the restaurants we went to was Nebo. If you read Heather and Chris’s blog, they wrote a review on their Gluten Free menu. I got a a pizza and it was FABULOUS. I highly recommend if you are going to be in Boston. We headed home of Friday, and continued to celebrate life and the 4th of July!

Even though I have been having my fair share of fun lately, I have made sure to supplement it with plenty of exercise. However, for some reason I feel like I haven’t even been doing anything! Last week here in NJ, it was SO HOT. Like 100 degrees hot. I managed to convince myself to at least try to run during the week, and conquered at most 3 miles. As I have mentioned before I enjoy running in warmer weather, it makes me feel “cleansed”… but 100 degrees is just too hot no matter how you twist it.

To find some relief from the heat, and travel safely during the 4th of July weekend, I biked to most of the places I was heading to. On the shore parking during the holiday weekend is just a nightmare, so having a bike was very convenient. Plus, I didn’t feel so bad over indulging since I was riding up and down the ocean all weekend.

Finally the week of craziness ended, and it was back to the grind. A lot of my girlfriends are teachers so them being off all summer isn’t conducive for someone at an office job. All I want to do is beach all day and go out all night with them. I can’t swing it! So, obviously I spent the majority of the work week EXHAUSTED in my cube and searching for every bit of energy that I had to drive home and get a run in.

This week was running focused as I just ran a 5 miler yesterday. The race was the Belmar 5, and it is the first time I ran it. I had been sort of dreading it all week because my body was just not feeling 100%. Between the heat, not sleeping well (yea my air conditioning obviously broke about a week and a half ago and won’t be fixed for another….), not eating well, and just shear exhaustion, I was expecting to run this race terribly and not meet any goals I have set for myself. I ran and ran and ran, and this race was BRUTAL. I am not taking like physically challenging, it was DRAINING. At mile 2 I thought that I had run 12 of the 13 miles in my half marathon physically, and mentally like I was still 12 miles away from finishing a half marathon. It POURED rain on us right before the race began so I was drenched. At first I was grateful for this because it had been super hot, and I thought the rain would help cool us down. Wrong. It shot the humidity up to like 150% and left us all wet. The thick air made breathing difficult and drained the energy from you since you needed to muster up everything you had to even move. I checked my heart rate monitor at one point and it was up at 199 beats per minute. My body was working HARD. And let me tell you, I was confident in finishing at a decent time as I just ran 5 miles the week prior and felt great! Anyways, after struggling for 5 miles, I did finish, and successfully maintained a pace below 9 minute miles (which is my working goal now). I finished the race at 43:29 (a few seconds slower than last time… however to my benefit the course was 5.05 miles…) and I am very proud of my finish time. Soggy and all.

As far as my triathlon training goes, I am terrified. I am so reassured that I can do it, but I can’t help but be scared! I know that I need to get into the ocean at least once before the race, I just don’t really FEEL like it. I know, it’s sheer laziness. I have a pool! Why do I need the ocean! (I know the answer to this but just sayin’) And on top of that I really don’t even enjoy being wet or swimming. It’s just nothing I am too stoked about. I just need to do it and get it over with and then my worries will be gone. I need to think about my swim to bike transition too. I did a little one from my pool to bike to run, so I know what to expect, I’m just being the over thinker that I am. The triathlon that I signed up for has a bunch of clinics, and I really should take advantage, but like I said I am just lazy. I think this might be my first and last triathlon… the training doesn’t have me as psyched (or challenged) as the half marathon did… and I am realizing that I am a land animal. No water necessary. I know I CAN do it… I sort of just want it over with at this point. 3 weeks left.

I also just wanted to touch on my weight and eating habits lately. I am very frustrated. I’ve been beating myself up over this because I want to enjoy myself and have things I love and enjoy… but at the same time I can’t help but feel disgusting. I know how hard I work out and that it is OK to have indulgences once in awhile. I have just been over indulging. Alcohol, over eating, eating late. I need to take the reins and get my control back. I haven’t really gained any weight (on average a pound or two… from my lowest weight in May, I am up 5 - but I’m realizing that weight I was at is just very difficult to maintain without starving and depriving myself.) I sort of feel like it might be water retention weight too.. So I don’t want to stress. I am more concerned with how I feel I guess. I feel TERRIBLE. My legs are always tired, my body is slow, and I do not feel as confident as a month ago. Every day I have woken up I say “today will be the day I take control of this”.. And during the past week I was SO good… then the weekend comes and it is like game over. I guess that’s summer on the beach for you though. There’s always something to do, somewhere to drink, hot dogs to be eaten. I just need to enjoy it all but I need to stop bingeing and do it IN MODERATION. Clearly I am also very hard on myself about this so forgive me for all the drama, just feeling a little failed.

Anyways, I have really really exciting amazing news, but waiting for some things to settle out until I reveal it. Hopefully in two weeks I can shout it from the rooftops! I hope to update more often, but I have no promises. Perhaps if I update more though I will find the determination and dedication to my moderation-diet that I need. Things to consider on my brick workout this morning. (Which might be rough since I’m feeling it from yesterday still!) Have an amazing Sunday!

Sweaty Soggy Doggy and a PB.

2010-06-21T09:58:00.000-07:00

I won’t lie. It is incredibly hard to find time to blog, especially when it is summer! I live about 5 minutes from the beach too, so that's my distraction. Anyways, here’s a pretty basic round up.
I ran a spur-of-the-moment race on Saturday, the George Sheehan Classic. It was a 5 mile race through Red Bank, NJ... and it was HOT. I had gone out the night before and had a few drinks, but still managed to rock the 5 miles and get a personal best – 43:26. I loved the heat for this race though, I felt like I had just waltzed out of a hot yoga class. I was refreshed and sweaty, but “clean feeling.”
I attempted a brick work out yesterday, but after the first mile of my run I shut down and decided it was just to freakin’ hot. So naturally I showered off and went to the beach and had some Margaritas.
I’ve been chowing down like my bad self too. Trying so hard to focus on good decisions, but I think the hot weather makes me just want to consume ungodly amounts of ice cream. I guess it’s not too bad of a situation since it is calcium! I also have been consuming for alcoholic beverages, but I mean... its summer and there’s so much to celebrate. Of course I am also stressing about some stuff too, so maybe that has my appetite roaring. I need to focus on more water consumption and staying hydrated since I have been sweating a lot.

I have discovered since I have been outside exercising, that I LOVE wearing clotheing that is “moisture wicking.” It seriously makes a huge difference. I was an avid cotton wearer, but now that I have purchased some easy-breathing tank tops it makes the world of a difference. I don’t feel like a soggy doggy after a run or bike!
Know what is funny though, during a workout I welcome sweating with open arms. It is a sign of hard work for me. However, I absolutely hate to sweat at any other time. I think that’s just weird.. I mean obviously no one likes sweating at inopportune times (first date, graduation, looking for man candy...) but it is a result of your body working hard to cool you off, just like when you’re working out. Hm interesting.

Other than that I am enjoying my summer so far. Only if I could have unlimited vacation days, then it’d be perfect!

What’s your favorite way to sweat in the summer?
Does sweating make you feel "cleaner" or dirty?
What clothes help you deal with heat during exercise?
What food is your “summer weakness”?

Yoga Challenges and Amping it Up!

2010-06-14T17:08:00.000-07:00

I have been struggling after these brick workouts. My legs get really tight during them, and then afterward for about 2 days. It is pretty brutal, and I was concerned maybe it was because I wasn’t stretching enough. So yesterday after the 7.5 mile bike and 4 mile run, I made sure to really stretch it out. It didn’t help. So to help relieve this discomfort of living, I went and bought a yoga DVD today. Elements Yoga for Weight Loss it is called, and I tried it out right before dinner. I had been super stressed at work all day, so it seriously was an amazing way to stretch and relax. I feel so much better now than I did. It also confirmed that I was VERY wrong in thinking that yoga was just some stretching- I get an actual work out with it and it is HARD.

Yesterday I also amped up my workout game with a few key purchases. Firth and foremost a HELMET. I’ve been a risk taker and riding around town without one, so I am pretty excited I finally purchased it. Then I couldn’t resist and also got myself a yoga mat to bring to my classes at the gym (so I don’t have to use the public ones!), pre-wrap for headbands (hehe), and new bike tires. Hopefully the tires will be a better ride than the mountain bike tires I currently have. Of course I also picked up some other things too like Crocs for practical reasons, and a few new tank tops to wear out and about and find husbands in.

On a food note, I have been pretty bad lately. I think the warmer weather makes me was to just eat everything in sight, including a lot of ice cream. I cannot get away form the stuff. I have had some form of ice cream like every day, and I tend to feel guilty about it every time. I know it is silly of me to feel guilty because it is something I want, and I eat a small portion. I think I just need to tone it down a bit.

Anyways, this week is more of the same. I am pretty bored with the triathlon training. I am going to aim to swim on Wednesday, but we will see. As mentioned before… swimming and I are not friends. I will keep on trucking though. Only about a month and a half until the triathlon, and 3 and a half months until the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon. Wahoo!

Lack of Motivation and Meals!

2010-06-10T17:42:00.000-07:00

I can’t tell if maybe it is sympathetic lack of motivation, or the real thing. I have not been feeling like working out this entire week. I took Monday and Wednesday off, which is not my schedule, and found it extra difficult to get my butt running today. Well ok, Monday I took “off” because my legs were feeling incredibly tight. I did 20 minutes of yoga On Demand, and called it a night. Yesterday, I did take completely off… and even indulged in ice cream. It was raining and I felt really down and out. I guess it isn’t as bad as I have it all recorded in my head.

I like to tell myself it isn’t a bad thing to take a few days off, but I always feel so guilty. I feel like I’ve let myself down and that I will pay of it. In reality, I may have let myself down but it isn’t the end of the world. For example, despite not working out like a fiend lately, I went out and ran 5 miles. My legs and knees were aching, but I think it was because of the recent ran shower we had. I stay on pace, and am feeling great now. Taking a few days off is not the end of the world.

So, I have been thinking about how I break down my meals lately. I decided that I really approve of this way (obviously or why else would I do it!) Here’s a typical day:

Breakfast:
2 cups of coffee with Coffeemate creamer
1 Dannon Light and Fit Yogurt
Bowl of cereal with 1% milk/Cinnamon Raisin Toast and Smart Balance/Eggo Waffles with Butter or Syrup/Oatmeal

Lunch-ish (I usually bring this to work and eat throughout the day. Not all at once):
2 cups of fruit (Usually cantaloupe, strawberries, and grapes)
Banana
2 Rice Cakes or Baby Carrots or Celery and Hummus
Luna Bar/Granola Bar
Nuts/Small portion of Leftovers/Babybel Cheese/Hard Boiled Egg

Dinner:
Whatever mom makes… from Cheeseburgers to Baked Ziti to chicken to Ribs… we eat well.

I have really light lunches, and I find that people always comment “I never eat”… oh contra my dear, I eat a LOT at dinner. I am never starving throughout the day either, and I am making sure I have a well balanced diet. In addition, if for some reason I am not satisfied at lunch I will snack on something from the cabinet at work… pretzels, animal crackers, trail mix. I enjoy my light lunches because it doesn’t leave me feeling too drowsy in the afternoon either.

How do you eat? Heavy meals? Small meals?
Do you ever take days off form exercise? If so do you feel guilty?

Hot weather running

2010-06-06T16:19:00.001-07:00

I kind of love running in the heat. If you remember when I ran my half marathon, I was dying because of heat, and may even have professed my dislike for the heat. Well, after being able to “get used” to it, I think it is really awesome. So, since I love lists, here is a list of reasons why I enjoy the heat:

I am forced to stay hydrated. It’s so easy for me to avoid drinking water. I sort of hate being inconvenienced by running to the bathroom every 3 seconds, but since I want to run well I can deal with it.
I sweat. I feel like my workout is 90 times more productive when I sweat a lot. Granted, it might be misleading, but I don’t mind it as much. I’d rather have a hot sweaty day than a cold one. Plus I sort of feel it has a hot yoga effect, I sweat out all the “impurities” or whatever and am left feeling cleansed and happy.
I am not sure if this is true but I was once told that hot weather makes your burn more calories because your body is working overtime to produce sweat and cool you down. If it’s true that’s awesome!
Sunshine. Typically when it’s hot it means there’s sun. And the sun makes me happy and thankful to be able to exercise.
The other runners and bikers who are out exercising are so awesome. They all come out of the woodworks when the weather gets warmer. I love the encouraging waves, smiles, and “hi’s” that are exchanged during a run.

Do you like running in the heat? Why or Why not?

Confessions and a few tips.

2010-06-02T18:45:00.000-07:00

I’ve been struggling with blogging, probably because I am lacking in the inspiration department. Well honestly, it is probably also because I have been focusing on mental me (which I would love to blog about, but some things are just not meant for here.) So, I have had thoughts running through my head, ideas about blogging, and this is going to be an epic post addressing most of them. So get ready for this catch all post.

I have seen in some of my favorite blogs a movement called, Exposed. Read about it, and you will be inspired! Anyways, I am not going to be doing this, but after reading all the blogger’s Exposed posts, I find myself often contemplating my insecurities and wanted to address them here. (This might also be triggered by a lot of amazing Biggest Loser contestants and Jillian's new show Losing It With Jillian Michaels.) So….

Here goes nothing. I know that I am a healthy person who supports mostly healthy habits (except the occasional over eating), however I struggle with my body image. Perhaps this is something that roots back to middle school or high school… maybe I am just out of my mind. I am not really sure, but I know that no matter how often I may hear “you look great” or “you’re tiny” I just do not find it in myself to honestly believe it. I don’t care how sincere you may come off, if you’re my mom, boyfriend, coworker, what have you. I just cannot honestly believe these statements, and sadly won’t be able to until I believe in them myself.

I don’t feel ashamed in admitting my insecurities with myself because I know that a lot, of people face the same issue. I have been challenged with this for a really long time now, and I almost feel helpless in changing it. Even though I have lost 20-ish lbs and maintained the weight loss for 3 years, I can tell you all of the things I would still like to improve in my body because they are not good enough for me. I don’t know what it would take to break this cycle, because believe you me, I want to break it. It not only is a terrible mental place to be, but it effects relationships, my moods, and obviously my confidence.

I admire so many of the blog authors out there who can freely admit they love their body whether it is 10 lbs underweight, or 50 lbs overweight. I often think about how you get to that sense of confidence and certainty about yourself. I just do not even know how to start. How do you convince yourself that you really ARE amazing the way you are. I’m not talking mentally here because I believe that I am a good, smart, responsible, amazing person (even though maybe that goes hand in hand with this?). I just cannot honestly admit to anyone that I am physically a beautiful, healthy looking, sexy (if you will) person. Sigh… trials and tribulations.

Switching gears, my friend had recently mentioned that he’s looking for ways to amp up his workouts. I am always looking for this too, and wanted to share some ideas (and get some feedback) about how to make your workouts more effective and challenging. This is also just my personal opinions that are stemmed form experience and the tons of stuff I read online… so don’t think it’s the bible of health.

So, first and foremost I personally feel that an effective workout needs to begin before you even get there. Yea, I am talking about what you eat and how you’re living. In order for your workouts to be “amazing” I personally believe that you need to watch what you’re eating, drink LOTS of water, get enough sleep, and continually educate yourself on healthy eating and living. The more you understand the more you will be able to target what you want to achieve and how to do it. For example, I am persistently unhappy with my stomach. I know in order to achieve the perfect stomach that I want I will need to increase cardio and probably cut back on my carbs.

I also feel that sometimes something as simple as caffeine will make my workouts more effective. The increase in energy is awesome, and I actually feel better running and lifting when I have a cup of coffee an hour or so before my work out. (if it is too close to my work out I just feel SICK… likeI did on Monday ugh.)

Some other ideas:

Switch it up. Go out of your comfort zone and try something new whether it is a new machine, class, or speed on the treadmill.
Push yourself. If you’re workout is easy to do you’re not getting the most from it. Increase weight, speed, incline, distance, what have you. In one of my classes the instructor always says “If it hurts it just means that you’re body is getting stronger.” Obviously thats not referencing actual pain from an injury but more like muscle burning.
Check your form. I am so guilty of this. I think to myself every time I do an abdominal workout “Why doesn’t it work!” and honestly, it is probably because I am not doing my sit ups and crunches and planks 100% correct. When it comes to lifting weights and calisthenics your form is essential for optimum results.
Find what inspires you. Is it signing up for a race you don’t think you’d ever be able to do? (Like my half marathon!!!!!) Do you want to challenge yourself and a friend to drop a pants size? Increase the length of your cardio? There are so many different goals you can work toward. Identify them and write them down. Put them somewhere you’ll always see them, and remember no excuses. Pack your gym bag before work and take it with you.

Changing gears again, I wanted to update you on today. I swam for the first time in years today! I’m talking since sophomore year in high school! It went alright, I felt like the workout was weak and not as challenging for me as the brick workout I did this weekend. I swam for 30 minutes, and know for a fact that I swam more than 300 yards. I am not even nervous about the swim part of this triathlon anymore. My nerves have switched to the transitions, but I am sure all that will work out too. Now I just need to focus on increasing my bike miles, and continuing to work on my brick training. Perhaps once my pool gets warmer I will practice the swim to bike transition too.

I also realized today that I haven’t been feeling as empowered and wonderful as I was last week. I reverted back to my old eating habits since this weight loss challenge ended, despite my announcing that I would continue to eat the same. I knew in the back of my mind that this would happen, and I wouldn’t even say I am disappointed. I a more frustrated than anything. I mean honestly, I know I have discussed this before too but I eat WELL. I probably eat too large of portions for dinner, but otherwise I eat so well. I make smart choices and I know what is good and not good for me. I could eliminate some of my carbs, but I don’t really see the point since I am working out so long and so often. I could also eliminate other things - dessert, coffee, small snacks, extra cheese on pasta - but these are all things that make me happy. I guess for me the benefit of eliminating such foods doesn’t outweigh the enjoyment I get out of it. And like I have said before, all things in moderation, and I absolutely eat all these things in moderation. Actually, it’s really frustrating to me. I feel like I am blowing up and gaining tons of weight (which I know I am not because the scale isn’t reflecting that) and it sucks. I eat what I want and I do it in moderation. So what gives? Why can’t I find the balance between feeling wonderful and eating whatever I want?

Well, I think my brain is at rest finally. Well at least with this part of my life. I am having so many hopes and finger crosses for other things… which hopefully will be soon!

Long weekends are good for working out!

2010-05-31T16:06:00.000-07:00

I love long weekends for the same reasons everyone else does… and the fact that I have three whole days to workout whenever I want. It’s amazing.

Of course I enjoyed my Step class and Body Pump on Saturday. As usual it was fun, and so refreshing that this week I wasn’t feeling sluggish. Sunday I conquered my first brick workout. I did 6.2 miles on my bike then ran 3.1 afterwards. It was the first time I had done this, and I didn’t mind it at all. I liked the bike to run transition because I found it easier to bang out the cardio. I finished in about 55 minutes, and was so exhausted when I finished. Between staying out late two nights in a row and the heat, my exhaustion was expected. The only part of the workout worthy of comment is how strange feeling it was to bike then get off my bike and run. My legs really felt like they were moving in slow motion even though I was running a 9 minute mile pace. So happy I did it. Next week I’m going to work on amping up the bike distance.

I am feeling pretty down about my body lately, probably because of the start of bikini season. I know that I work hard and am a healthy and physically fit person, but it is always a struggle for me to not physically compare myself to others. Since I tend to see my flaws more than the positives (which stinks by the way) I am always being critical of what I am eating and my work outs. Maybe I am not working out hard or long enough. Perhaps I am not eating healthy enough. I always am thinking about what I have eaten and get upset because I didn’t need to eat it... Chips, ice cream, extra cheese. However, I do know that this is all just a bunch of malarkey because I eat very healthy (with the exception of small indulgences like chips and ice cream!) and that I work out more than most people. I just wish I didn’t have this idea in my head that my body isn’t the one I want and I can still make it better. I know I can make it better, but I should accept my body for how it is because I have worked very hard to get to where I am today.

Anyways, I do have a social life! I spent my weekend in the sunshine and enjoying Bon Jovi on Saturday night. He is always so good live. I am paying for all the sun time though as I have super sunburn. At least there’s no more sports bra tan lines! I enjoyed my fair share of cheeseburgers this weekend too as well as some Rita’s italian ice. It was a great weekend over all, despite feeling less than perfect in my bathing suit.

How was your Memorial Day Weekend?
Do you compare yourself to others? Have you gotten past comparing to others? If so, how?

Hot Yoga = Pleasantly Surprising!

2010-05-28T07:30:00.000-07:00

Well, let’s just say that holy mole, hot yoga is NOTHING to be played around with.

I will admit, before going to the class I was a bit bummed that I needed to ditch my running/bike workout for this yoga class. I figured I’d just be stretching for an hour, and leave extra relaxed and sweaty. No no no. I left extra sweaty and TIRED. Hot yoga is no joke. Absolutely a cardio workout and challenging. My muscles were shaking and tired when I left. Did not waste my workout time what-so-ever.

Most people say when they do the hot yoga they get sick. Since I am a paranoid person I Google’d it and found to not eat 3 hours before, and drink lots and lots of water. Since I try to drink lots of water anyways that was my savior. Plus I didn’t eat 3 hours before which was great. I sweat a lot .... A LOT... but didn’t suffer from a headache or nausea at all. And better yet, I completed the ENTIRE class.

The only part of the class I struggled with was the faster sequences of poses. I couldn’t keep up! With my lack of coordination it was difficult for me to breathe and get the poses going. I was so focused on either my breathing or the pose that my brain just went into shut down mode. So I tried to do them slower, and it all worked out fine.

Today, I feel a little sore, which I like. My back is sore as well as my butt. If this hot yoga stuff wasn’t so costly I think I’d keep it up. I like the challenge of a new workout, and the idea of increasing my flexibility. Plus, my assumptions about yoga were all wrong. It’s all about the class you go to and the instructor (is that what they are called?) I felt so challenged and like I got a workout in, not just stretching. Awesome all around.

What’s a new workout you’ve tried?
If you do yoga, what types of yoga would you recommend to a cardio fiend?

Heat baby.

2010-05-27T12:06:00.000-07:00

I forgot how much of a challenge heat makes exercising!
Yesterday I got home and was super eager to get my work out in. originally I had planned to do my first brick work out, bike then run, but once I realized that it was 90+ degrees out, I eliminated that option. So instead I headed out for a run in which I would determine the distance once I could see how I felt. Well, I felt like LEAD LEGS. I was so sad because all I wanted to do mentally was run and run and run. Physically I pushed my legs to crank out 3.6 miles... which is good, but not what I had intended. Sad faces.

I was sweating PROFUSELY and clearly have been slacking on my water intake, so I felt terrible. It was exhausting. I feel like I am working myself back into shape, but that shouldn’t be the case. It was only about a month ago I ran the half marathon, and I have remained very active since then. What’s the deal with this! I am really baffled. I understand the whole muscle fatigue and regression if you don’t stay active. But really... I’ve been running 3-5 miles at least 4 times a week, there’s no reason I should be feeling so sluggish.
I think I enjoy running in the warmer weather, but nothing extreme. The heat is good because not only do I work on my tan, but I also like to feel sweaty. Gross, I know, but it is a sign of being productive for me! I also noticed that on the run yesterday my average heart rate was up. Maybe since my body’s working harder to keep me cool, it makes my heart rate higher? Who knows... but that’s a positive too.

Speaking of heat, i am going to my first ever Hot/Warm yoga class tonight! I had some intense dreams about it last night (probably because I am a little nervous) but I am sure it will be fine. I'll write about it later this week. :)

Well, keep on trucking. Heat or not!

How do you deal with extreme temperatures?

Slugs.

2010-05-23T07:59:00.001-07:00

I have been totally sucking at the blog thing lately. I have been a little busy since I got back form California - work, life, life, life…. I haven’t really done anything worth writing about when it comes to fitness either. I feel sluggish, lazy, and unmotivated ever since the half marathon ended and the little weight loss challenge ended too. I am relaxing on the counting calories thing because it made me go bonkers, and I have been taking some easy days here and there. Of course I am still eating healthy, I never really DON’T eat healthy… for me it is usually just a change in the actual amount of food I eat.

As I just said, I have been taking some slower days at the gym. I did a 5 mile run the other day and felt OK. I did it in my average time (9:30 miles) and wasn’t really sore once it was over, but I just felt sluggish. For me feeling like my legs are tied to bricks and my body is just plain TIRED is worse than pushing through a really rough workout and being sore for a few days.

I took off on Friday, and headed to Step class and BodyPump yesterday. Still felt super sluggish. Then this morning, even though I totally didn’t feel like it, I headed to BodyPump again, and thankfully didn’t feel sluggish. However, since I hadn’t done BP since last Tuesday (Sat was my first time since then) I was sore, and my weights felt extra heavy. The body is so interesting how it changes day to day. Even though I remained active, but didn’t do Pump for only 11 days, my body must have had the chance to recover and then lose some of my muscle retention. (Is that the right word?) I was starting to do heavier weights right before I left for Cali, but now I am finding it hard to do the weight I was working with before. I am sure it isn’t all due to the amount of time off I took, I think my body might just be worn down. But from what?

I think that stress has a lot to do with your overall health. Well no, I don’t think it I know it. You can read all over the internet and in magazines about the negative effects stress can have on your body. And what is so cool is that everyone’s reaction to stress is different. Some lose weight, some gain, some get really tired and depressed, some people find it in themselves to commit to certain tasks like fitness.

For me, I end up one of two ways- super sleepy and unmotivated laying in my bed all the time and sleeping insane amounts of hours at night and eating a lot, or I throw myself into running/working out. I also tend to get migraines as a result of stress (and other things) and I also like to do thins like clean, a lot. I enjoy some alcohol here and there, but I am sort of glad that I am not the type to go out and drink a lot to deal with stress. I have come to realize that for me, drinking is great in MODERATION. However, the amount of calories you consume with most alcoholic beverages is SO HIGH, and also I typically feel like dog doo the next day. Anyways, my point here is maybe that stress has been the cause for all this sluggishness. Life is sort of at a breaking point for me right now, and I need to make decisions. I hate making decisions.

Side note, I need to start this training for the triathlon. I am not sure I need anything to intense though. I know I need to pick up my biking, and then work on brick workouts…. And swimming. However, I am a little unsure if I need a structured plan. Hm. We are opening the pool next weekend, so I am sure I will figure it out sooner than later.

How do you deal with your stress?

California Love.

2010-05-18T16:13:00.001-07:00

California was amazing. I totally want to move there one day (soon)!

I managed to run twice while I was there, and I am glad I did! It isn’t very hilly here in the good ole NJ, so the Los Angeles hills were a welcome challenge. I didn’t do any crazy distance, 3 miles and 2 miles. On my runs I noticed something so great though. The people in CA are SO friendly. I mean this is two ways! Not only do they smile and say hi (who would have thought people actually do this!) but the drivers are SO pedestrian friendly. I was ecstatic to see that cars cleared the crosswalk when you went to cross and actually STOP to let you cross the street. For this reason alone I would move to CA.

In addition to my runs we did a 5.8 mile hike up a mountain in Santa Monica, and then walked the Venice Beach boardwalk. Both were really fun and Venice was SO entertaining.

I didn’t stick to my little “diet” during the vacation, and decided that when I got home I wouldn’t resume counting calories. I would keep up my healthy eating and healthy choices, but cut back on being psycho about tracking all my food. It is a little inconvenient and pretty time consuming. Not to mention that I am the type of person who would let going over my calories for the day drive me crazy. So, I have learned a lot about portions and calories over the past month and will continue to be aware of both. However, I am not going to go buck wild. If I want ice cream and I ate a lot in a day, I will have it! It isn’t what you eat SOMETIMES it is what you eat everyday.

Speaking of ice cream, California is home to YOGURTLAND. It is AMAZING. On different blogs I have been seeing these yogurt places popping up with different delicious flavors. I was so jealous... and it turns out I should be. I think a Yogurtland might need to be opened in NJ. Who wants to invest with me?

Endings and beginnings.

2010-05-11T09:16:00.000-07:00

With all things that are completed, new challenges arise. Like bordem, maintaining healthy eating habits, and a triathlon!

So I did my first longer run yesterday since the half marathon. My back has been weirdly hurting, so I was a little concerned, but set out to do 5 miles. I used my Garmin, and it was SO fabulous. I am obsessed with seeing how my heart rate reacts to different things – bridges, wind, running for extended periods of time, running faster – maybe I am a nerd!

The run was great. I have been (and still am I guess!) stressin’ about my trip to LA this week. I need to pack still and have to figure out the whole travel arrangement things. It will all work out, and hopefully when I get there only FUN to be had! So yea, the run was great and helped me distress after a treacherous Monday! I ran a lot faster than I thought I would, especially since my legs weren’t feeling 100% on Friday and Saturday. I decreased my mile times every mile, and ran under 9 minutes on the mile 5. 46 minutes total... I’m patting myself on the back.

Yesterday concluded my little weight loss challenge with my friend, and I won... hehehe. I didn’t meet my goal of 10 lbs, however I did lose 6, which for me is a lot. Like I mentioned in the last post I am going to continue eating well and making smart decisions. Hopefully when I head to the west coast I can keep it up, but also enjoy some delicious things! I plan to work out, so I don't see it being a problem.
I have been on SUCH a sweet tooth kick lately. I read somewhere about how sweets can be addictive, and maybe I am brainwashed, but I am definitely thinking that maybe they are! Ever since I had ice cream for the first time (in a long time) a few weeks ago, I cannot stop craving it! Every night I want to shove a pint of peanut buttery ice cream goodness down my throat. I control myself, and have been good... I think! Hopefully it will be sidetracked soon, because I am the first to admit that sweets are my absolute weakness... and bread too! Only time will tell!

So, I need to start training for the triathlon. I found a good 3 month plan, but since I am already in decent shape from the half marathon I don’t think I will need all three months. Starting after California I will keep up with the long runs on Sundays, and maybe some brick training on Saturdays. Once it gets warmer here in NJ, I will swim too. I have a pool so it makes it pretty convenient.

I won’t have time to blog while in CA, so until next time!

What do you crave? How do you stop your cravings?
What’s your favorite way to train?

Forerunner 110 Review and Catching Up!

2010-05-09T14:26:00.000-07:00

So on Thursday night, I got home to see a magnificent package waiting for me on the kitchen counter. I had FINALLY, finally got my Garmin Forerunner 110!!! I was so excited, and headed out on Friday to test it out for the first time.

What a great investment! I was very impressed with the watch. I haven’t had another GPS watch so I do not have anything to compare it to, but I do know that my car’s GPS takes awhile to find satellites and to boot up. The Garmin was literally ready to go out of the box (other than an hour or so of charging needed.) I headed for my run and it quickly found the GPS signal, and I was off!

The Forerunner 110 also has a heart rate monitor, which I never have used. I hear great things about heart rate monitors and working out, so I am excited to see the changes in my training. I wore it during my run on Friday, and then during my step class and BodyPump. It was really neat to see how my heart rate was working, its so new to me! I love that you can upload all your data from your Garmin to the internet too. Plug it in, log on… and it will tell you pretty much everything you’d want to know. Calories burned, route, average pace, average heart rate, max heart rate, max speed… everything. It’s awesome.

The only downside is that it is a little large for my tiny wrist. My wrists are really tiny though, so it might not be a great comparison. (Check out the picture to see how big it really is/isn’t.) I wouldn’t say it gets in the way during my work outs, but it isn’t unnoticeable. It is still a lot … A LOT… smaller than the other GPS watches I have seen.

So, that’s my rundown on my new watch! I am really excited to train for my triathlon with it! I think that will be a great test to see how this watch really works.

Other than my adventures with my new watch, things have been pretty quiet. I weighed myself this morning (one last time before the Weight Loss Competition is over tomorrow) and I lost one more pound. I am down 6 pounds in all, which is amazing. I honestly did not think I would be able to lose any weight, but wanted to try anyways. I am going to keep up with the eating, maybe not as strictly though. I have felt better physically and I think it is because I am not over indulging. I also rode my bike 6.5 miles yesterday. I am really excited for my pool to open so I can practice swimming and also get some brick training in! (FYI, brick training is just practicing the transitions, swimming to biking… biking to running.)

It’s been a challenging week overall though. Its a bit of a shock to go from training for a half marathon, to not having to worry about making your miles for the week. I sort of miss the little goals I had for myself every day and pushing myself further each week. I also feel a little lazy because I have cut back on the amount of cardio I am doing in the week. I just keep remaining myself that I was doing A LOT of cardio before, and now I am back to a half hour or so a day, 4 to 6 days a week. My legs are finally feeling great again, so tomorrow I am thinking about challenging myself to the first long run (5 miles?) since the half. We will see what the weather does though, it has been kind of autumnal in the good ol’ Jerz.

Off to eat some Chinese food for Mommy’s Day! Hope the weekend treated you well, and happy Mother’s Day too!

Do you have a road bike? What kind would you recommend?

YES! My next challenge.

2010-05-06T12:16:00.000-07:00

Holy bologna. The past few days at work have been epic! I have been working my tail off to get some big projects finished since I am going to CALIFORNIA next Thursday. I am going to LA and seeing my cousin. Hopefully we can get down to San Diego for a day trip since my sister or I have never been there, and I would really like to see it. (Maybe to move there one day?!) I plan on running while I am there (since I can’t help but wake up at 7am EAST COAST TIME....) so I am wondering if you know any good routes to run in LA/Santa Monica?

So this rest week has been killer too. However, I have used my time wisely and made sure to keep my legs moving so that they would feel better faster. I planned on doing my first short run since the half yesterday, but life got in the way. I can’t complain about missing the work out though because I got to talk to some cool chicks about some fitness stuff, including my FIRST TRIATHLON!

After finishing the half marathon I have been looking for my next big challenge, and I think that this triathlon thing is it. I am not quite ready to train for a full marathon, and I have been pondering the idea of a triathlon for a year or so. I was told about this awesome triathlon (http://www.jerseygirltriathlon.com/) for women in the beginning of August, and couldn’t resist. (I think it was meant to be!) I am going to attend a kick off event tomorrow night and get lots of my questions answered! I am pretty excited. Its 3 months away, and the only concern I have is the swim. However, I swam in high school, so I think I will be fine.

I need to think of some good ideas to write about. I will start writing about the triathlon training as soon as I start... but I need more ideas. I am still struggling with trying to make my blog “different” and “want o be read”.... however at this point I really just write for myself. I want to be able to see how far I have come with exercising and my health, and this is a great way to document it. Suggestions are always welcome.
What are your challenges for the summer?
How do you push yourself?
Do you have any advice for a first time Tri-athlete?

Relaxing: My Challenge

2010-05-04T15:05:00.001-07:00

Alright, so maybe I am crazy. Honestly, I know this. And I am ok with it. No, I am not talking crazy like psycho-ex-girlfriend, I’m talking crazy obsessed.

So, here I am trying to take it easy after the run. It is really hard. I have a difficult time relaxing and always am doing something. For example, I consider right now relaxing, but I am watching “Most Extreme” on TV, writing my lil blog, obsessing about Twitter since I was MIA all day, and plan on reading a magazine in a few. I am a terrible relaxer (well according to a lot of people)... I am warning you.

Yesterday I knew I needed to rest and relax so that my body can recover from the shock it got on Sunday. However, I didn’t just sit on my butt, I went for a 2.5 mile walk at an easy pace. Nothing too crazy, but I still did it. Today was a long day at work, so instead of going home to relax… I went to BodyPump (but went easy on the legs.)

I think relaxing is a huge part of maintaining your overall health. But maybe everyones definition of relaxing is different. For me it could be going to clear my head on a walk or laying in the sun all afternoon with a stack of magazines. Whereas for others it can be napping or just doing absolutely nothing. I like to be busy-ish. I like to feel productive, and as a result I enjoy remaining active. I don’t think that is a bad thing as I am never doing anything that would harm me. I guess that’s a result of the times too… everything at my fingertips and constantly being “available” via Facebook, Twitter, G-Chat, BBM… I will tell you right now though, I cannot stand sitting around all day doing nothing or watching TV. It drives me INSANE.

Don’t get me wrong though, it isn’t like I am running around all day. I actually sit for 8 hours a day at work, and then commute an hour each way. That is plenty of time to get my “rest” in and to unwind to and from work. Driving (although I hate it) is a fabulous way for me to clear my head.

What are your favorite ways to relax?

Playlist: Half Marathon 5/2/10

2010-05-04T14:50:00.000-07:00

I meant to post this yesterday, and actually just remembered. Here's the playlist I made for my Half Marathon on Sunday. Check it out, I was very pleased!

Release Me - Angus Carlsson
All You Need - Sublime
American Boy - Estelle Feat. Kanye West
B Boy Baby - Mutya Buena
Brick By Boring Brick - Paramore
Bulletproof - La Roux
Carpe Noctum - Various Artists
Cuz I Can - P!nk
Damaged - Danity Kane
Dance In The Dark - Lady Gaga
Decode - Paramore
Fame < Infamy - Fall Out Boy
Get Crazy - LMFAO
I Do Not Hook Up - Kelly Clarkson
Jet Airliner - Steve Miller Band
Just A Girl (Peter Luts Mix) - Nervous Nitelife 06
Keep On Rising - Various Artists
Kerosene - Miranda Lambert
Lay Me Down Ft. Rome - Dirty Heads feat. Rome of Sublime
LoveStoned/I Think She Knows Interlude - Justin Timberlake
Missing You - Black Eyed Peas
The Only Difference Between Martyrdom and Suicide Is Press Coverage - Panic! At The Disco
Our Song - Taylor Swift
See the Light - Paradise
Picture To Burn - Taylor Swift
Poker Face - Lady Gaga
We Will Rock You - Queen
Rock That Body - Black Eyed Peas
Speed Up - Various Artists
Don't Go (Club Mix) - Starting Rock feat. Diva Avari
Sunday Morning - No Doubt
Eye Of The Tiger - Survivor
Sweet Emotion - Aerosmith
Telephone (Featuring Beyoncé) - Lady Gaga
That's What You Get - Paramore
Time To Dance - Panic! At The Disco
Umbrella RMX - Rihanna f. Chris Brown
Walk Away - Kelly Clarkson
What You Waiting For? - Gwen Stefani
When You Were Young - The Killers
You Are The One (Gabriel & Dresden Unplugged Remix) - Various Artists
Hot N Cold - Katy Perry

RACE DAY!

2010-05-03T15:58:00.000-07:00

I did it! I finished the half marathon, and smiled most of the way.

Race day started out pretty chilly near the ocean. The wind was coming off the ocean which created a 15 degree temperature difference from my house (which is only about 2 miles from the ocean!). There were SO many people!!! The reported about 10,000 people at the race, so it was really cool to experience.

Lining up for the start of the race. SO MANY PEOPLE.

The race started at 9am, and I didn’t cross the start line until about 9:15 or so. I had my hot pink tank top on and my iPod ready to go. My playlist was bangin’ every single song was awesome. Kudos to me for hitting that on point. (I was a little nervous about the playlist, I won’t lie.) I started my iPod timer (since my watch battery died! Grrrr) and was off. I started with the slower pace groups, so I immediately found myself cruising past so many people. I didn’t want to get caught up with them and sacrifice my goal time of 2 hours! The first 8 miles were awesome. I loved running through my town! The support from all the neighbors was awesome! I never expected such a thing. Their signs, cheers, and overall enthusiasm was contagious and I couldn’t help but smile the whole time.

Running and smiling and sweating.

I ran past my street and saw my sister and mom, as well as neighbors. I waved and smiled and my sis took a bunch of pictures. I also saw my friend Nicole, she rode her bike down to catch me! And Kate screamed from the balcony! And then Katie handed me a bottle of water, which was my LIFESAVER.

The only downside to the run was that once you got about a half mile inland, the temperature started climbing. Around mile 4 it was HOT... like 90 degrees, and HUMID. Since I have been training in spring-like weather this was a SHOCK to my body. I was sweating up a storm, and my stomach was cramping up. I was drinking Gatorade at every water station, which I think made my tummy cramp a little because it was so sweet. They had water too, but I always found myself surrounded by Gatorade and nervous I wouldn’t be able to get something to drink.

It is unreal how hot it actually gets on the black pavement compared to the lighter concrete. You could literally feel the heat rising off of the blacktop. It caused a lot of runners some pain, they were darting to the sides of the roads to take a breather or pass out. Luckily I was OK, and didn’t pass out or anything... I ran the whole time! My legs were feeling pretty decent, my right calf was cramping up a little but that could have been because of the curve in the road. Today it is not even sore, but my ankle is. Hmm...

Anyways, the last 2 miles were on the boardwalk, and the ocean breeze was VERY welcomed by me and the runners. It cooled us down, and gave me the extra boost of energy to finish the race! I tried to cruise it out to the end, but got winded and just went back on pace. I crossed the line at 2:03:25... 3 minutes over my goal! Considering the conditions I think it is still awesome, and I am not upset about missing 2 hours at ALL. After all, so many people had to walk and stop because of the heat. The guy who wont the marathon even was quoted in the paper as saying the race was “brutal.” But I FREAKING FINISHED!

I loved the race, I am even more excited to do the one in Disney. I need to find some events between now and October to look forward too. However, I did learn that I might never want to do a marathon. I would LOVE to do it just to say I did it... but it is really a lot of miles. We will see how I feel after a few more half marathons though. Maybe my opinion will change. I decided that I think I like 8 miles the best. Long enough to be a challenging distance, but not too long.

i finished!

Today I am going to try to rest, but I am really bad at relaxing so we will see how that goes. I am so happy I did it though! Check out my stats below.

Typically how long do you rest after your big races?

If you haven’t done one already, would you ever do a full marathon?
What is your favorite distance to run?

Bib Number 7284
Time 2:03:24.45
Pace 9:24.9
Place: 975
Gender Place: 385/3284
Age Group Place: F20-24: 47/311
Masters Age PLP: 53.34

Check out the live feed of the NJ Marathon.

2010-05-01T13:49:00.000-07:00

http://njdiscover.com/njlivebroadcast.html

It's TOMORROW!

2010-05-01T13:48:00.000-07:00

"You have to wonder at times what you're doing out there. Over the years, I've given myself a thousand reasons to keep running but it always comes back to where it started. It comes down to self-satisfaction and a sense of achievement."

So it has been a few days, but that’s because things have been a little crazy over here. In addition to planning all things for TOMORROW… I lost one of my ex-boyfriends on Tuesday. Definitely a surprise, and I am just speechless about the whole ordeal. It’s such a shame, and he will be missed.

Anyways, I have been doing short runs all week, and took off yesterday. I headed to the gym this morning for my step class and some BodyPump even though I was a little nervous about doing these classes before the race tomorrow. I went easy on my legs in Pump, and had a lot of fun during Step. I don’t regret going to the classes as I feel pretty good, but we will see what tomorrow says.

Yesterday I needed to have some girl time, so I went with Nicole to Pier Village and looked at cute sundresses and split a bottle of wine with her. Another decision I am not sure if I should have done or not, but like I said I am feeling great today so no regrets. I picked up a HOT PINK tank top to wear tomorrow while we were out. It is forecasted to be 85 degrees again, so I also got some shorts from Old Navy (and Body Glide to help with the “chub rub” hehe). I am excited to be super girly and stand out in this hot pink tank top.

I went to the expo today to pick up my bib number and browse the exhibitors. There weren’t many there, but I managed to pick up Larabar samples (YES!) and a belt to hold my things while running. The pocket I had bought works great, but sometimes I want to carry more things and I realized that the pocket just isn’t big enough for my Blackberry and more things. So, I don’t think I will be running with the belt tomorrow, but will try it out on my recovery run on Monday. However, I am thinking about wearing it so I can take pictures as I run… but maybe I’ll just use my phone too.

I am so pumped up for the race and have all my stuff ready! YAY! Stay tuned for a post-race update tomorrow or Monday!

Recipe: Vanilla Cupcakes!!!!!!

2010-04-28T12:21:00.000-07:00

So on Twitter today I stumbled across this article from EatingWell. I looked at the recipes and wanted to share at least ONE... since I love me some cupcakes. I haven't made these, but maybe I will on Saturday to celebrate the HALF MARATHON.

Vanilla Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting

12 cupcakes

Active Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 3 hours (including cooling and chilling time)

Ingredients

Cupcakes

1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour (see Note)
1 cup cake flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup canola oil
1 whole vanilla bean, split lengthwise (see Tip)
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 12-ounce can low-fat evaporated milk, divided

Frosting

1/4 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
Pinch of salt
2 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
1 cup packed confectioners’ sugar, sifted
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Sprinkles for decoration

Preparation

1.To prepare cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 12 (1/2-cup) muffin cups with paper liners.

2.Whisk whole-wheat flour, cake flour, baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl.

3.Beat granulated sugar and oil in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until combined. Scrape the black paste out of the vanilla bean into the sugar mixture. Add applesauce, egg, egg yolk and vanilla extract and beat until well combined. With the mixer on low, alternately mix in the dry ingredients and 1/2 cup evaporated milk, starting and ending with dry ingredients and scraping the sides of the bowl as needed, until just combined. Divide the batter among the prepared cups (they will be full).

4.Bake the cupcakes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 20 to 22 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.

5.To prepare frosting: Meanwhile, whisk 2/3 cup of the remaining evaporated milk, all-purpose flour and a pinch of salt in a small saucepan until no flour lumps remain. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until it looks like a thick, stiff paste, 2 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and continue whisking for about 30 seconds to cool slightly. Whisk in chocolate until completely melted. Transfer to a medium bowl. Add confectioners’ sugar, cocoa and vanilla and beat with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Refrigerate the frosting until thickened and cold, about 2 hours. Spread the frosting on the cooled cupcakes and decorate with sprinkles, if desired.

Nutrition
Per cupcake : 295 Calories; 8 g Fat; 2 g Sat; 3 g Mono; 40 mg Cholesterol; 52 g Carbohydrates; 5 g Protein; 2 g Fiber; 253 mg Sodium; 134 mg Potassium

3 1/2 Carbohydrate Serving
Exchanges: 3 1/2 carbohydrate (other), 1 1/2 fat

Updating my goals.

2010-04-27T18:21:00.000-07:00

Once this half marathon is over I need a new short term goal. I have listed on a tab about my goals thus far, and the other major ones… but I want MORE. This half marathon training has gotten me through some pretty rough months, so I want to continue this determination by creating more goals for myself.

Lose 10lbs by May 10 - I started this about a month ago and have made it half way to my goal. However, if you’ve been reading I have been struggling with the second 5 lbs. This is probably for various reasons, but once May 10 is here, I am not going to stop trying!
Finish the Wine and Dine Half Marathon faster than my First Half Marathon on Sunday.
Run at least 3 more races this summer.
Continue the big focus on my health.
Continue to increase weight in BodyPump and working out 4-6 days a week.
Try a yoga class again and maybe like it.
Try some fish… I’d like to add this to my diet because it is supposed to be good for you, I just can’t get past the smell!
Consistently substitute healthier choices for better ones. No fries, veggies instead. Look for the better option ALWAYS.
No bread before dinner when out. (Unless it is something really really outrageously good!)
Sprint Triathlon.

And the list will continue to grow.

A Silly Little Update and Relaxing

2010-04-27T17:31:00.001-07:00

Well, I am sitting here finishing up my food log for the day, and found myself getting frustrated because once again today I went over my daily calorie goal. I almost got ready to beat myself up over it, then I realized that it would be silly. You only live once, and two slip ups are not going to kill me. Neither will one week of slip ups/relaxing on my strict diet. It isn’t like I am slipping up really bad either. I am remaining around 2,000 calories, which is my recommended calories to intake if I am maintaining weight. Plus, I have a freaking HALF MARATHON to run on Sunday! I am going to STOP getting down on myself as I am making smart choices and enjoying this week because it is really exciting and a huge accomplishment for me. That is why I will not be weighing in this Sunday, and instead just going with the flow and kicking this half mary’s ass!

I ran 2 pretty quick miles on the treadmill today then pumped it up in BodyPump. As I mentioned, I am working on increasing my weights all around and it is a CHALLENGE. I wouldn’t say that I really get sore afterward, but during the workout my muscles get super fatigued. I am a little concerned about this because I’m challenging myself but not feeling the soreness I think I should be feeling. Maybe my muscles are just tough as nails, or I am not doing it correctly… we will see.

Off to watch the first half of Biggest Loser for some inspiration and motivation, and then LOST (for some hottie Desmond and mind boggling obviously!). Have a good night all!

Links of the Week!

2010-04-27T11:15:00.000-07:00

I wanted to originally post once a week great links to articles, blogs, whatever. However, I have sucked. I am really bad at it and get wrapped up in stalking my Twitter and working. But alas, today I have some links!

Snack Girl
She’s got some great ideas about healthy alternatives. I found this blog via Twitter and I am pretty stoked to try out some of her recipes!

Healthy Breakfast Ideas from Self
Shape’s Best Ab Exercises for Women!
Chubby Chicks Journey
Healthy Tipping Point Shares Baked Won Ton Cookies
Know Portions Quiz on That’s Fit
Rules to eat well while at work!
Healthy Snacks from Shape

Rain is not my friend.

2010-04-27T08:04:00.001-07:00

Rain. I really, really, am not a fan when I have to work out! Yesterday I was so pumped to run my 3 miles for the day, and rushed through my hour commute to hopefully get the half hour run in before it started dumping rain again. I failed. It’s like I brought home the pouring rain. So I was totally bummed out, but still determined to do some miles... I headed to the DREADmill and pumped out 2.5 miles with some sprint work thrown in there. (Well sprint for me...) I won’t lie, it blew. I hated every single minute on that thing.

I realized that for me good weather is essential to being motivated and successful with my workouts. As I ran on the treadmill I felt like it was an eternity to finish 2.5 miles. Min you, I have no problem going out and running for 6 to 8 miles on a regular day. Crazy how the change of conditions effects me mentally. No wonder I struggled with running in the winter!

How do you deal with rain or not-so-satisfactory weather conditions?Do you have any alternatives to outdoor workouts?

Half Marathon Countdown!

2010-04-26T09:14:00.000-07:00

So half marathon prep week has commenced. I am looking at short runs all week to keep this legs nice and loose and ready to knock out 13.1 on Sunday. I have so amny things to think about! Clearly I am a worrier, so I am stressing a little bit about these decisions, but after I do some research they will all take care of themselves. Here’s the little to do list for the week:

Drink 64+ ounces of water every day.
No alcohol until Sunday!
Training for the week:

Monday: Run 3 miles. STRETCH. Ice.

Tuesday: Weights. Walk.

Wednesday: 3 miles. Stretch. Ice.

Thursday: Walk/Rest

Friday: 2 miles. Stretch!!!!! Ice if needed.

Saturday: Weights. Stretching. Walk/Run if I'm feeling FAB.

Make playlist. (Need about 2 hours and 10 minutes worth!)
Find an outfit!
Meals for Saturday night and Sunday morning.
Head to the Expo Friday/Saturday to get my number!
Figure out parking/how I am getting to the start line... then home! (they are more or less SHUTTING DOWN my entire half of town.. I might have to wait until the marathon’s done to get home!)
Pick up some sport beans, if I decide I want them.
Make sure mom/sister/friends have cameras to document my journey... and angry face when I run!
Saturday night: Sleep and “flood” myself with water so we don’t have dehydration incidents!

SO EXCITED! I can’t believe it is already here!

What are your favorite things to do before working out?

Do you have any songs that really get you going when you run/workout?

Weekly Weigh In: Week 4 (and frustrations!)

2010-04-25T05:37:00.000-07:00

So, I weighed in this morning with expectations that maybe it wouldn’t be a change form last week. I tried to change up my diet a little, but after realizing there’s not much to change other than eliminating some things like carbs or cheese, I decided to just stay on track. I was hoping that staying below my calorie goal and exercising this week would help me break through this plateau, but it didn’t. I weighed in at the same weight I have been for the past 2 weeks. A little discouraging I must say.

I know I mentioned plateaus last week, and also how it isn’t all about the number on the scale, however it’s so easy to forget all the logical realistic talk and get caught up in the numbers. I’m in a friendly competition, the wager if I lose isn’t even that big (buying a 6 pack of beer!), but I am so determined to meet my goal that when I’ve been stuck at this weight for 2 weeks and working very hard, its hard not to get frustrated.

Now, I’m being realistic here and telling myself that it’s not what I am EATING. There’s no way. Except maybe the few desserts I had this week… however I ate these ONLY when I had tons of calories to spare (like Friday when I ran 12 miles!) I have been consistently increasing the amount of miles I’ve been running each week, working with the new heavier weights during body pump, and spending about 2 hours at the gym on Saturdays taking step aerobics and BodyPump.

I know that the lack of weight loss is probably because I am becoming leaner. Muscle weighs more than fat… I know this. I also have read several articles about those who train for distance races, half marathon/marathon, that they gain weight because they are gaining muscle. How do you NOT gain muscle when you go from running 2 miles to 12 miles in 10 weeks?! My pants are fitting me normally again, not tight and with a little room to spare. I am noticing small changes in my body too. I just need to keep up this hard work, and it will pay off… it already is. After this race I’m going to maintain the distance I have been running, I love my long runs on Sundays, so this newly developed muscle will stay.. I’d rather be muscular and not losing weight, than starving.

Anyways, I went to Atlantic City yesterday and enjoyed some drinks, but also made it a point to make healthy choices throughout the day, and eat the ‘bad’ things in moderation. I did bring some of my own snacks, which were a lifesaver! My friends ate at the buffet in Showboat, and it was a seafood feast, meaning that to eat was $32! Not liking seafood I couldn’t justify paying $32 for chicken and veggies. So I chowed down on my Toasted Oatmeal Squares and some White Zinfandel haha! We also walked a lot, so it all balanced out in the end, except for my money... I lost $20. I was hoping to win big and go on a vacation! Next time.

I did step in the morning, and when I got home my knees were killing me… so ice was in order. It’s so amazing how much the ice helps! Today I am going to BodyPump, and depending how my legs feel I might increase my weight for squats! Hopefully the rain will stop ruining my Sunday by the time BP ends, and I am walk on the boardwalk. If not, looks like magazines and the treadmill will be my best friends today.

Do you have any tips on getting through and past your weight plateau?

Are there any types of food that you have eliminated from your diet to help you lose weight?

How do you deal with pain/discomfort after long runs?

Run Recap: My Last Long Run Before the Half!

2010-04-23T18:11:00.000-07:00

So, I took off work today, and since it was SO beautiful out I decided to make the most of my day. Sunday is forecasted to be rainy, and since we established this morning that I hate running and being wet (well being wet in general too)… I decided to do my final long run today.

Since I booked it during my 6 miles yesterday (9 minute miles!) and my knees have been feeling weird, like there’s air under my knee caps, I wasn’t going to push myself. I just wanted to finish my 12 miles. So I mapped out my route on the boardwalk in Bradley Beach again, and set off on my run.

This being my last long run, I was hoping for a surprise stellar performance, but alas I was not surprised. I ran about 12.3 miles and was running at a 10.5 minute pace. That’s the slowest pace I’ve run during my training. I finished without stopping, so I am proud, and I am ready for the race next Sunday.

I think that my slow pace was a result of a few things. Once again today was unexpectedly warmer than I thought. The sun really does wonders! I was sweating, and got sunburned again… so I felt a bit dehydrated despite the entire bottle of water I drank during the run. I slowed down to drink my water, and I also tried out some sport beans, so I slowed down when eating those as well. Also, I was a little sore from yesterday’s run, and had done a BodyPump class this morning. All things that I don’t normally do on the day before or of my long runs. I am confident that I will perform better come race day, and these things won’t even be factors.

Before I went on my long run I was hoping to purchase the new Garmin Forerunner 110. I went to Road Runner Sports, and was informed that it isn’t for sale just yet, but I can pre-order it. After much debate I decided to pre-order. Whenever it comes to purchases over $100 I get all sorts of anxiety… but let me tell you I cannot wait to get this friggin’ watch. I always am having questions about the distance and speed I am running, and this handy little watch will track both for me… even my calories burned! (I ordered the cute pink one that has a heart rate monitor too).

While at Road Runner, I asked the lady helping me tons of questions (all the one’s I’ve asked here) and got great feedback! She also recommended the sport beans, and said they help her on her long runs. So one sport watch, iPod holder, and Sport Beans later, I was pumped (and equipped) for the run.

Today’s run was filled with experimental endeavors, I tried the Sport Beans and my new iPod holder. The beans were pretty tasty, sweet and fruity. However I didn’t notice much energizing. Probably because I drink so much coffee and had some toast with almond butter pre-run. The iPod holder worked great, it didn’t flop around and held my iPod snug. It was a little hard to get in and out of the holder, but better that then being held or all over the place during my run.

If you’re ever in the NJ Shore area and want to run, I TOTALLY recommend the Asbury Park to Spring Lake boardwalk. Big, beautiful, and a treat for your knees! This is my new favorite route by far. Today was awesome, I should have taken a picture (this is a reoccurring mistake of mine huh?) the ocean was actually BLUE and not the typical brown we see in NJ… just outstanding!

Pictures:

1. http://www.panoramio.com/photo/11098946

2. http://expertgeneralist.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/boardwalk.jpg

3. http://blog.nj.com/shorephotos/2007/08/greetings_from_asbury_park.html

Health Make Over: Tip 4!

2010-04-23T17:45:00.000-07:00

Today’s Tip: Moderation is the key to success.

This doesn’t just apply to dieting/improving your health. In life, too much of anything is rarely a good thing. Practice moderation by eating half of your Subway sandwich for lunch, and saving the rest for later. If you’re craving a cookie, have half a cookie, or 2 instead of the entire box. Here are a few little tricks I use to help me practice moderation:

If I am craving something, I won’t allow myself to eat directly from the bag/carton/box, etc. I’ll take one or two cookie, have only a half cup of ice cream, or opt for a small when I am ordering.
Ask yourself before indulging: Do I really want this or am I bored/emotionally eating/just want to eat? Sometimes I am just bored and find myself “craving” cupcakes. Before I eat myself into a cupcake coma, I will evaluate if I really want the cupcake and if I don’t find something else to do. Usually the something else gets my mind off of my craving and before I know it I forget all about it!
Use smaller plates, bowls, glasses, silver ware. Sometimes things look like the tiniest serving on that huge dinner plate, when in reality it’s more than you need. Shrink the size of the plate, and your portions will look bigger than they really are.
Sometimes when I am out to dinner I will commit myself to a limit. Since portion sizes are out of control, I will commit to eating only 1 chicken breast, half of the rice pilaf, a quarter of the pasta dish, etc. If you find yourself breaking these commitments let someone else know, and ask for their help (as long as your comfortable).

What are some things you to do to help enjoy foods in moderation?

Story Time!

2010-04-23T05:33:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I wish I had a camera on my run! It was fabulous!

I hate hate hate getting wet. I feel like a wet dog, and since my hair is insanely curly I tend to look like one too. So, I was running my 6 miles on the boardwalk, clouds looming on the horizon. Then hell broke loose. Rain pouring, I am SOAKED, cold, and the wind was NOT helping this. I just had to make it 3 more miles and I could finally change and go to dinner with my friend. I’m running, running, running… finally the rain slows enough so I can look forward instead of down. The sun starts to peak out and I look to my right toward the ocean and see 2 rainbows! It was SO awesome. I felt really excited and happy and blessed in that moment because there I was just 5 minutes earlier cursing Mother Nature, and she retaliates by giving me not one but 2 rainbows! Over the ocean none the less! SO beautiful. Then it only got better because my friend caught up with me for the final half mile of my run, so that was a nice surprise too. :)

No matter how unsatisfactory your situation might be, the rainbows after a rain shower make it all worth it.

What really counts?

2010-04-22T12:49:00.000-07:00

I was discussing with a friend earlier about weight loss and how the appropriate way to measure it was. We were talking about how some people are so concerned with the number on the scale, and that isn’t always the appropriate way to measure your health. So I wonder, what is the best way?

Measurements. Perhaps you can totally evaluate your health by the inches you’ve lost (or gained) around your waist, arms, thighs, etc. Pants size could work to. However, it is so crazy to think that for different people different sizes can indicate something totally different. For example, If you’re a size 18 it doesn’t mean you are not skinny. I know plenty of skinny women with hips and a butt (boo, not me) that are a size 14. I will admit, sometimes I think woman in bigger sizes than me are actually in better shape than I am too.
Weight. The scale clearly isn’t the true indicator of health. You might have a large amount of muscle but weigh over the recommended range of weight for your height. Muscle weighs more than fat. Also, people carry their weight differently. Maybe you retain more weight in your legs, no matter how much you weigh they are always going to be bigger because it’s just the way you are made.
Comparison. I guess the only way to efficiently to see your progress is to compare it to your past. Not to anyone else who is your height or build because we are all built differently. If you are feeling healthy and great about yourself, there’s no reason to change anything. Don’t try to do the unattainable, like get down to 110 lbs if you’re 5’10... it might just be too skinny for you. Weight is just a number, and pant size is too! What matters most is how we FEEL and if we feel great then we have won. (That was a little corny, but just sayin’)

Look to yourself and find that happiness. We are all different! It's healthy to be different, have some pudge around the waist, or have pit tits! (You know, those annoying pudges that are next to your boobs when you wear a tank top, bathing suit, or strapless shirt... I call them my pit tits, and joke they are bigger than my real ones! LOL)

(pic from: http://local.yodle.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/weight-loss3.jpg)

Health Make Over: Tip 3!

2010-04-22T09:02:00.000-07:00

Today’s Tip: Water.

Alright, I know last week I touched on water consumption and how I learned the hard way how important is it. Well, I must reiterate! Water is a staple to any healthy diet and lifestyle. Make sure you are drinking the recommended 64oz a day. Also, try drinking a glass of water about 20 minutes before a meal, and then another full glass during your meal. It should help curb your appetite and leave you feeling full without eating as much as you would have without water.

Sick of just plain water?

Try sparkling water (I call it seltzer?). The little bubbles might be just what you need to help get those 64oz down! But be sure to also drink pure water too.
Add a lemon, lime, orange, melon, berries, or slice of cucumber!
Add your favorite herb or extract (mint, vanilla)

Recipe: Tortilla Pizza

2010-04-21T11:21:00.001-07:00

So last night I made my delicious tortilla pizza! I forgot to take pictures as I was busy inhaling it and cutting up all my fruit for lunch. It was SO GOOD! I love making these because they are easy and a simple alternative to making a real pizza. I logged mine in my Daily Plate, and it says it was about 450 calories. It definitely filled me up too (more so than a Lean Cuisine pizza!) Basically this is how it goes down.

1 Large Whole Wheat Tortilla
Ragu Quick Pizza Sauce (I used only a quarter cup as I don’t like my pizzas really saucy)
Kraft Fat Free Mozzarella Cheese (I used 1 cup)
1 tomato, sliced

Put the sauce on the tortilla, cheese, add the tomatoes and put in the oven (350 degrees), or place in a large skillet for 5 to 10 minutes until cheese is melted. Sometimes I put a cover on it to help the melting move a little faster.

So easy, so good. I feel a little silly for putting this recipe up here because it is SO EASY and pretty logical, but I wanted to share.

Health Make Over: Tip 2!

2010-04-21T11:09:00.000-07:00

Like I mentioned yesterday, this week I decided to offer tips about jump starting your own health makeover. Today is day 2!

Today’s Tip: Cut out the un-necessaries.

Before adding the extra salt, extra butter, etc. etc. to your meal, ask yourself “Do I really need that?” Often times we overload our foods with way too many condiments and extras. Sure ketchup might be a great add on to your French fries, but is it really necessary? I guarantee you the fries will be just as good without the ketchup, and you will survive.

Same goes for other things like bread at the table before your dinner, ordering sides to your entrée, getting that appetizer or cup of soup when you don’t really need it. Consider skipping these types of things, it will help you cut back on calories and contribute to your overall improvement of health.

Ideas: Alternatives to Ice Cream

2010-04-20T18:02:00.000-07:00

So I am always looking for awesome low-cal alternatives to ice cream. I am not really a person who minds sacrificing some taste for fewer calories, as long as it is still good. I must say in this little quest I am on there are two alternatives I LOVE.

The Skinny Cow makes really great products. From ice cream sandwiches to ice pops, they do not miss a beat with their ice cream. The only downside I have experienced is that it melts a little faster than regular ice cream. Skinny Cow has recently released their single-serve cups. I have been hearing a bunch of buzz about them, so I decided to head to my local grocer to get some. I picked up the Cookies ‘n’ Cream and Dulce de Leche, and OH EM GEE. The Dulce de Leche is AWESOME. I loved every bite, and for 150 calories I didn’t even feel guilty for indulging!

Another alternative I love is frozen Cool Whip. I usually get the Cool Whip Free and some rainbow sprinkles and it is always enough to satisfy my ice cream craving. I do wonder about the differences between Cool Whip Free and Cool Whip Lite. Anyone know?

What are your alternatives to your favorite desserts? Any recommendations?

Monday Recap: The Drag

2010-04-20T11:34:00.000-07:00

My commute yesterday was brutal. I was overly tired for some reason, and found myself struggling to keep my little green eyes awake. I was nervous this meant I was going to have a sluggish run, and would determine if I should do the workout or not once I got home. Much to my surprise, as soon as I got out of the car I felt better, and went for my run. I wasn’t totally un-slugified, and my body was feeling so tired. (Probably because I have been a CRAZY LADY with working out lately) I did an easy 3.8 miles then called it a night. I wanted to do 5.5 miles, but what can you do. My body being healthy is much more important.

I made myself a bangin’ steak and sweet potato chips last night. SO EASY TOO! The steak I picked up from Wegman’s earlier this week, it was marinated in Steakhouse Peppercorn sauce. I have to say this is the second day I had pre-marinated meat from Wegman’s... and both were AMAZING. I totally recommend the Steakhouse marinated steak and Teriyaki Marinated Chicken Kabobs. If you all are interested in how I made these sweet potato chips, check out the recipe I posted about baked sweet potato fries. Instead of cutting into strips I just cut into rounds. This time I added some red pepper and garlic powder. They were spicy, but I LOVE that.

Tonight I have BodyPump WAHOO! I am going to go easy on the legs still, because I think they might be angry with me! Then I am going to make myself some delicious pizza out of a tortilla. Hopefully I remember to take a picture, I am so bad at that. Then hopefully after the pizza, it will be light out still and I can go for a quick post-dinner walk!

I was thinking before how I sometimes love looking cute at the gym. I love spandex too. However, I am so uncomfortable with spandex on when my shirt doesn’t cover my butt. I have a small butt, and I’m not self conscious about it at all, I just feel like my spandex uncovered butt is a little revealing. I am a conservative dresser, so anything a little risqué is out of the question for me, hehe.

Do you all have any recommendations about tops that I can wear that will cover my butt, and aren’t too pricey?

PS. I have a total new respect for those who work full-time and take care of others! I was EXHAUSTED after working 8 hours, driving 2, making myself dinner, and working out! I found a whole new meaning to “relaxing” after yesterday! All I wanted to do was lay in my bed.

Health Make Over: Tip 1!

2010-04-20T11:18:00.000-07:00

So I decided last night that I wanted to have a theme this week. So I decided the theme would be “Kick Starting Your Health Make Over!” I am going to share some tips that I have used and live by that have helped me lose and maintain my weight loss.

Today’s tip: Practice your self control by setting a simple weekly goal for yourself.

I did this way back when I first started my personal health revolution, and that was no eating after 9pm. I was in college so the late night snacks were KILLER. I am a sucker for all things dessert and greasy, so this really helped me cut back on calories. Some other ideas:

Get at least 30 minutes of exercise in a day. They don’t need to be consecutive, 5 minute walk here, 10 minute stair climbing there... they all make a difference!
Drink 32 ounces of water by noon.
Don’t go back for second helpings of anything!
Don’t have an appetizer when you go out for dinner.
Avoid the dinner rolls and bread that you might indulge in pre-dinner.

What is going to be your daily personal goal?

Run Recap: 11 Miles and Hydrated!

2010-04-19T09:31:00.001-07:00

So yesterday I was all stoked and planning to knock out 11 miles. I had been preparing myself by properly hydrating so that I wouldn’t face last weeks challenge. I was ready! So I did the usual map-out-15-routes-until-your-satisfied routine on mapmyrun.com, and headed off to face these 11 miles.

I felt GREAT. Body was feeling good (and hydrated), I dressed for the weather, and was cruising along. Around the last few miles I just wanted it to be over, so some self-pep-talks were in order. They worked, and I finished my route. Mid-run I did forget how far I actually had to go, so I ran for 60 minutes, then headed back thinking I exceeded the 11 miles I wanted to do. However, to my disappointment I only ran 10.8 miles. That’s OK though, I almost did 11, did more than 10, and stayed under 10 minute miles!

Today my knees are a bit sore, as well as my hip flexors, but no big complaints. I am doing a 5.5 mile run after work today, which should be good.

I wanted to make sure I had water this week, so I actually brought a water bottle with me on my run. Talk about ANNOYING. I don’t have any of the fancy water-packs so I just carried a plain old Poland Spring bottle. It sloshed the whole time and was so distracting. I wanted to throw it into someone’s yard so bad, but I didn’t because it would have been littering and I don’t need that on my conscience. So, I need to know.

How do you stay hydrated? Do you hide water bottles along your routes? Do you wear a camel back? Please HELP! I need a good solution to my water problem!

Weigh In Week 3: Plateaus.

2010-04-19T09:23:00.000-07:00

I guess things were just too good to be true! I made such great progress the past 2 weeks with my weight loss competition (WLC) and expected another 2 lbs to just melt right off. Well, this week was not as successful. I only lost .8 of a lb... however any loss is a good one right?

I am trying to think about what I did differently this week than the weeks before. I started drinking 64 oz of water, and I might have been a little careless with my food choices. However, I only surpassed my calorie goal once and exercised every day. I know the weight I am at now has been my standard weight for the past 2 years... it’s my plateau. I know it will take the extra effort and discipline to get past it. I will keep my head up and we WILL win my WLC.

I am not sure if anyone knows, but does drinking more water cause a weight gain? I don’t think so, but maybe my body is retaining more of it?

Have you struggled with a plateau? How long did you last there? Did you get past it?

Running: It's my boyfriend.

2010-04-18T05:45:00.000-07:00

I guess we all have our things that we enjoy and others might just not “get.” For me it’s running. I wouldn’t say I love running, but the more I think about it I think I do. I’ve been so corny as of late and described running as my boyfriend, best friend, shoulder to lean on when I’m down… and it’s true. Sure it’s just an activity, but what is something I can do that will help me sort out all my thoughts, feelings, problems, life plans, etc. I enjoy painting too, and that sometimes helps too, however it isn’t the same because that actually takes thought (and a lot of clean up).

I am running this race, and it’s a huge feat for me. I can’t stop talking about my training or the nearing race day. I’m excited and nervous about it… and I am more determined than ever to cross the finish line in under 2 hours. I even dream about it. I think that this excitement is difficult to share with someone if they don’t share the same passion for something. At least that’s what I am seeing when I talk to people about it. They are excited for me, but they don’t totally get it. Only others who have run (and more or less enjoy it) can relate, and that is so exciting when you find those people.

Today I’m going to run my 11 miles, and I’m excited. I’ve been hydrating myself in hopes this run will be smoother than last weeks. 3 weeks until race day, and I couldn’t be more excited!

Make a sign and go support your local runners in their achievements, whether they are running a 5k, marathon, or just going around the block. It is amazing to see the support of family and friends while you achieve what you might have once thought would be impossible.

Review: Anphipod "Portable Pocket"

2010-04-16T05:51:00.000-07:00

So, I've been running these long distances and it occurred to me that I might want to start bringing a cell phone and keys with me (you know incase I get kidnapped or pass out). However, I usually just hold my things, but it just wasn’t cutting it. So I went to RoadRunner Sports on Sunday and got myself this Amphipod Micropack Landsport to solve my problems. I opted for this instead of a fanny pack type thing because I had heard things about chafing and bouncing, and wanted nothing to do with it.

I used my new portable pocket during my 10 miles on Sunday, and it was AWESOME. At first, it felt awkward because I wasn't used to the extra bulk, but I quickly got used to it and hardly knew it was there. It stayed in place and didn’t weigh down my pants. It holds my Blackberry perfectly and has room to spare for a key, chapstick, and ID. My phone was dry also thanks to this wet-suit type material. If you’re searching for something to carry your basic “crap” while running, check this out. I recommend. It is only $15 and comes in a few colors too!

Do you use anything to carry all your things while running? What is it?

My next problem to conquer: How to stay hydrated during those long runs. Do you use a camel back type thing, or just carry a water bottle?

Recipe: Chocolate Chip Cookies!

2010-04-16T05:20:00.000-07:00

I almost DIED of excitement when I saw That'sFit had a revamped recipe for chocolate chip cookies. I HAD to include it here, and will be making them this weekend. Have you made these? What do you think?

Ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups white whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) Smart Balance 50% butter blend
1/2 cup fat-free sour cream
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg, beaten
1.5 tablespoons water
1.5 cups (12 oz. package) dark chocolate chips

Instructions:
1. Cream together the margarine and the sugars. Add the sour cream and vanilla and continue to mix. Beat together the egg and the water, add to mixture and continue to beat until smooth.

2. In a separate bowl mix together the flour, baking soda and salt. Add the flour mixture to the liquids and stir until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.

3. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto greased cookie sheets. Bake at 325 degrees F for 12 minutes or until the bottoms brown.

4. Cool on wire racks.

Makes: 3 dozen cookies

Nutrition Content (per cookie): 104 calories, 4 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 15 g carbohydrates, 1 g fiber, 1 gprotein, 100 mg sodium

What time is the best time?

2010-04-16T05:16:00.001-07:00

I have found that my favorite time to exercise is in the morning, for several reasons. I love getting up early (I know, it’s totally not-your-average-24-year-old of me… but I seriously LOVE it.) and getting my butt to the gym. I am not a night person, at all. Come 5pm, I just want to go home and veg out in my princess bed while reading my blogs, magazines, and books and falling asleep by 11. The weekends are my favorite because I wake up, have my coffee then conquer the exercise for the day… all before noon! It leaves me the rest of the day to feel amazing about the work I did for my body.

I have read that the best time to work out if between 4 and 6pm. I believe (and forgive me I can’t remember where I read this, or what exactly it said) that they mentioned between 4 and 6 is when your body is most “awake” and your muscles are ready for some action. For me, this is usually what I do because of work 9-5. However, usually in the after work though I am just tired from sitting and staring at the computer all day and my workouts aren’t getting 100%.

When do you like to work out? Do you work out the best in the morning or afternoon?

Balancing act.

2010-04-15T09:15:00.000-07:00

What is a fit blog? I am having this internal debate with myself. Should my fit blog be dedicated to my attempt at a healthy life? Posts include reviews on my runs, food, products, and what not? Or do I make it more personal?

I currently have 2 blogs. One is this, the other is my personal blog where I vent on and on about being a 20-something and lost. I feel like I want to somehow combine the two and create one amazing blog full of all things that are me. However, what holds me back is some of the things I write about in my vent-blog are not made for the wandering nosey eyes of some people. I had discussed with a friend and realized that if I were to merge my two blogs, I will have to censor myself more than I already do, which isn’t even an option. Maybe the solution is writing about life and my healthy living attempt in this blog, but save the venting and (might be) controversial talk for the other blog.

Have any of you had this dilemma? What was your solution?

Water: 64 ounces to hydration

2010-04-14T09:42:00.000-07:00

As a result of my date with dehydration this past weekend, I wanted to stress the importance of being hydrated! Mostly for my own good. When I type out these types of things it is a great way to remind myself of some of the habits I may have forgotten.

Our bodies are made up of mostly water. It is recommended to drink 8 8oz glasses of water a day. I have seen all over the web different ways to help motivate people to drink more water. (Bracelets you wear on one arm and switch to the other side as you drink your glasses of water, challenges to drink your daily serving of water before 8pm.) It’s not an easy task.

How do I get my 64 ounces in? Well, I didn’t really care until I felt like I was in a Looney Toon’s cartoon seeing water in the desert everywhere I went on Sunday. So for the past few days, I have been using my handy-dandy-pretty-much-indestructable-and-really-cute-fun-colored Nalgene bottle. 2 of these bad boys a day and I am SET! I also make sure to drink a glass of water during dinner, and if I remember one before also. (I was once told drinking a glass of water 20 minutes before eating helps curb your appetite... maybe it’s true maybe not. I like to think so though.)

Make it your goal to drink your 64 ounces today! The only downside is the amount of times you'll have to pee! I like getting up from my desk anyways.

How do you get your 64 ounces in?

My Beginners Guide to Running.

2010-04-13T08:45:00.000-07:00

Starting something new can always be a challenge, especially when you have no idea how to do it. I wanted to share some tips about running and how to get yourself started. Please note I am not certified in anything or officially a “coach”, I am just speaking from experience. Before you start any new exercise regimen you should consult your doctor.

Remember to always start SLOW. Set a goal for yourself that is realistic. Starting out and trying to run 5 miles won’t do anything but discourage and maybe hurt yourself.

Also DON’T try to compare yourself to other runners when starting out. Some people have been running forever. Some people are just built to run. Stay positive, and remember everyone started out somewhere.

First, there are some things you need to keep in mind.

Breathe. Don’t hold your breath when running, you will only make yourself MORE out of breath and dizzy! Breathe however you feel natural. Typically I breathe through my mouth at a steady pace with a few deep breaths if I am feeling tense. If it feels natural for you to breathe through your nose, go for it. (I’ve tried it though, and it makes me dizzy and I don’t get enough air in my lungs!)
Buy the right shoes. Don’t run in your Sketchers. You are going to hurt yourself, and it just isn’t good for you. And yes, there is a different between running shoes and sneakers. Look for a pair of “running” shoes that will support your foot. A good pair of running shoes does make a huge difference.
Relax. Exercise shouldn’t be stressful. Sure you will tense up during a good work out, but remember to breath and remained relaxed. If you are stressed out, put it all into your work out and don’t drive yourself crazy! You will feel better once you are finished, and it will make your run much more enjoyable.
It’s not about speed. As you are starting out don’t try to run like Usain Bolt. It will only make you really out of breath, tired, and probably really sore. Start out really slow, and remember you can always speed up.
Asses your fitness level, and be TRUTHFUL. Do you typically walk or so cross training exercises? What about aerobic classes? If you would classify yourself as an “active” person who exercises 3 days a week or more, enhance these next times a little bit as you feel necessary. A huge part about running is endurance. Or take this handy test from Health.com.
Stretch. I don’t stretch before I run, but afterward I do. It makes a huge difference in the level of soreness, and flexibility is a great thing to have too.

Here is my take on how to start out. Remember, this is just from my personal experience.

Start out with just 20 consecutive minutes of exercise. Walk, and then throw in a few minutes of running throughout the workout. Your goal when first starting out is to complete the 20 minutes of consecutive exercise, even if it is walking the entire time! Example: Walk for 5 minutes, Jog for 2 minutes, Walk for 3 minutes, Run for 2 minutes.
Week by week, asses your body. How are you feeling? Was your last work out successful? When you jogged did you feel any pain or discomfort? If you are feeling good, increase the amount of time you are jogging. Instead of running nonstop for 3 minutes, try for 5 minutes. Like I said it’s all about building on your endurance.
Once you feel like you can conquer fifteen whole minutes of a jog, you should be proud! If you’re getting bored running for time, try running for distance. Check out MapMyRun. You can map different routes through your town or local park, or even find routes stored by other users. Just like running for time though, start out slow. Set yourself a goal to complete a half mile first. If you can do it without being totally out of breath, next time go for a mile. So on and so forth. It doesn’t matter how fast you go, just work on finishing the distance first.
Continue to build on your progress. If one mile is easy try to run it faster, or increase to 2 miles. Be sure to listen to your body and if you don’t feel right walk. It is better to pull back than to push yourself too hard and get hurt.

If you have any questions feel free to ask. There are also tons of articles online to help you get started with running!

Attention Walkers: How to ease into running.

Runner's World's Guide for Beginners

Images:
http://www.pdxtraining.com/index.php
http://www.centralfloridapersonaltrainers.com/index.htm

Recipes: Lemon Bars

2010-04-12T11:25:00.000-07:00

Heather recently wrote about these Lemon Bars she found @ TwoSillyYaks, and made for Easter. After such awesome reviews, I wanted to try them myself and YUM! Here is the recipe, and check out Heather and TwoSillyYaks for more great Gluten Free recipes!

1 cup dairy free butter or margarine, softened
¼ tsp. salt
½ cup powdered sugar
2 ¼ cups gluten free all-purpose flour
4 eggs, slightly beaten
1 tbsp. lemon zest
5 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
2 cups granulated sugar
Powdered sugar for dusting

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Blend butter, salt, ½ cup powdered sugar, and 2 cups of flour to make a soft dough. Press evenly into ungreased 9 x 13-in. pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown on top. Combine eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice, sugar and ¼ cup flour; blend until smooth. Pour over baked crust. Reduce oven heat to 325 degrees and bake for 25 minutes until firm. Cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar and slice into bars. Enjoy!

Half Marathon Training Recap: Dehydration and Ten miles.

2010-04-11T16:59:00.000-07:00

Well, today I conquered ten miles. Farthest I have ever run!

The run started out alright. I decided to switch up my route last minute so I was off on my miles the whole time. I had no sense of how far I had gone, only the time. So, I just ran. And ran. And ran. And had some challenges.

Toward the beginning of my run I suddenly got a headache over my left eye. It was not debilitating so I pushed ahead and just kept going. I figured maybe ti was from dehydration… which was my second challenge. It was hotter than I anticipated today, and didn’t think to drink lots of water before my run. So a mix of lack of water and hot sun I got dehydrated fairly quickly (before I was half way done!).

I kept on trucking though, hoping to see a water fountain. I found no water fountains, and as a result started feeling weak, I figured I’d just push it out until the bridge which meant I was only a half mile from my house. Much harder than I thought though! I had only been on mile 7 or so, so that was still 3 miles away at least! I saw some friends on the boardwalk during my run though, which gave me some umph for a half mile or so. At this point, my legs were so weak that I was debating walking, I finally gave in and walked about a black, then pushed it out for another 5 minutes then walked the remaining mile or so home.

I was pretty down on myself for being so negligent about hydrating myself. I know better! People always get so tired and pass out from dehydration so that fact that I ran in the SUN without a water bottle was just stupid. I was also pissed at myself that I had to walk because I didn’t think I had run the ten miles I set out for myself. However, I listened to my body and obeyed. I felt so wonky walking home, legs dead and like everything was in a bubble. When I got home you better believe I immediately went for a Gatorade and chugged about half the bottle. My stomach was in shock, but I felt so much better.

I dragged myself upstairs to my room to stretch and map my run online to see the distance I went, totally bracing myself for not even coming close to my goal. Well, pleasant surprise was I DID run the 10 miles! SO HAPPY! And better yet, I thought my time would have been horrendous, but I was right on track with my paces from previous weeks! Victory! On top of all things good, I also got a lot of sun which resulted in a pretty wicked tan line. Hopefully this will fix itself this week. At least I don’t look ill anymore.

I also went to Road Runner Sports this morning and get me a pretty sweet headband and a "portable pocket" so I have my phone and ID on me in case of emergency. Both worked great! Reviews to follow later this week.

How do you stay hydrated on long runs? What do you do to prevent dehydration?

Weekly Weigh In: Week 2

2010-04-11T05:57:00.000-07:00

So I did my weekly weigh in today. I was a bit nervous because I’ve been having an issue with these next 4 lbs for the past year. I have been trying to maintain my weight, however ended up gaining about 5 unnecessary pounds. I’ve more or less maintained that weight, but even with (sort of) eating well and continuing to exercise, I just haven’t been able to really break the trend.

I’m so happy and excited to report that this week I lost another 2.5 lbs! That's a total of about 5 lbs i've lost in two weeks. I am so motivated to complete my little challenge with my friend, so I am SURE I will. All the hard work I have been putting in is paying off. Here’s to next week and staying on track!

Healthy Snack Idea: Baked Sweet Potato Fries

2010-04-10T11:21:00.000-07:00

My friend Courtney turned me onto these awhile ago, and I LOVE THEM! So easy to make, and you can even add different spices to fit your taste! Delicious!

What you need:

Sweet Potatoes (washed)
Sharp Knife
Salt
Pepper
Any other spices you'd like (Steak seasoning, garlic, chives, get creative!)
Bowl
Baking Sheet (greased or use Rapid Release foil or whatever)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Cut the potato into wedges. The thinner the wedges the crispier the fries will be. *Optional: Coat the sweet potatoes with some olive oil. I have made these with oil and without, it just depends on your preference in my opinion*
Place sweet potatoes in a bowl and coat with salt and pepper or seasoning of your choice.
Place on baking sheet and bake in oven for about 15 minutes then flip them and bake for another 15. I like mine crispy so I usually bake a little longer until browned.
Let cool, and enjoy!

Try Something New: Group Exercise

2010-04-10T11:13:00.000-07:00

So after all the stressing yesterday over the love affair between Calories and Alcohol, I decided to just GO FOR IT. I mean, come on ONE day of being “bad” won’t kill me. I didn’t over indulge and had enough alcohol to satisfy my expectations. I woke up this morning (after 4 hours of sleep!) with a headache (most likely from the loud NJ Fist Pumping Music!!!!) and energized.

I went to the gym this morning hoping for my step class, but it is a Les Mills launch weekend, so I took my first ever BodyAttack class! Then of course my beloved BodyPump class. They actually were taking some pictures because it was a new release weekend, so I will update once they are on Facebook!

I feel like I am always raving about taking group exercise classes at the gym, but let me tell you that there seriously isn’t something more motivating and fun! I know it seems intimidating. When I first went I felt so stupid and out-of-place, but with the help of my friend I caught on immediately. If you want to try something new, or just spice up your routine, join a gym and jump into some of the classes. Personally, at Golds Gym, the instructors are so helpful and welcoming. There is always new people trying out a class, so don’t be intimidated! If you re worried about looking “stupid” don’t! Everyone is there to get a work out in and improve their health. People of all ages are in the class (usually I am the youngest at 24) and of all levels of fitness. And trust me, if the class involves any kind of coordination, do not worry. I am terrible with coordination and can still get in an awesome workout even while I trip over my feet!

Les Mills' website is an awesome resource for information, videos, and even an introduction to all the classes at my gym. Check with yours and see if they offer any similar classes, and try them out! You'll be glad you did!

Alcohol and Calories Sitting in a Tree...

2010-04-09T10:38:00.000-07:00

Today is a new day, meaning new challenges and thoughts and experiences. Today is also Friday (TGIF), a day of REST for my body (so that means no working out and less calories to work with!) and the WEEKEND! A day of rest is so hard for me though, as I love to be active and I cannot just relax. Typically Fridays are made up of work, then coming home to “relax” (aka walking, shopping, or cleaning) and going out to dinner with my parents. Then, if I am lucky, heading out on the town and have a few drinks with friends. Tonight, I am going party-hardy with some friends. It will be fun, however, there are a few problems (or maybe they are just challenges) I am facing.

When you go out on the town, how do you avoid excess calorie consumption via alcoholic beverages? Do you limit yourself to only beer? Don’t get me wrong, I love me a glass of wine and some vodka! However, now that I have become more conscious of calorie consumption and trying to live a low-calorie lifestyle, I am realizing that alcoholic drinks have TONS of empty calories in them. I researched and found some good solutions. Check them out below.

Bud Light: 110 (for 12 oz bottle)
Blue Moon: 170 (for 12 oz bottle)
Michelob Ultra: 95 (for 12 oz bottle)
Red wine: 120
White wine: 120
Wine spritzer: 100 (1 cup Wine, .5 cup club Soda)
Vodka and tonic: 200
Rum and Diet Coke: 100
Vodka and club soda: 100 (Club soda has no calories!)
One shot of alcohol contains about 100 calories!
Jello shot contains about 100 calories also.

Low calorie recipes from Fitness magazine.
Low calorie recipes from Shape magazine.
Some great tips on this topic from Web MD.

In addition to the calorie dilemma, what about the HANG OVER? How do you all avoid a hang over the next day so you can get up and be ready for your work out?

My plan tonight, try not to drink a lot, and with those drinks not to mix any alcohols. (I get wicked hangovers when I mix!) We will see how it goes, I will just remember my plan for tomorrow – 8:30am step class into 9:30am weight class. Oh and let’s not forget that HALF MARATHON less than 4 weeks away!

What Do You Want to Read?

2010-04-09T06:26:00.001-07:00

This morning my commute was a little extra long since I had to stop at another office, so I had extra time to think. I was reflecting about my little blog here, and hoping that it will one day develop into something as great and inspiring as those I read. I then started thinking about how anything that is successful is usually different. So how can I make this blog different? What can I offer to the world that will make it appealing and interesting to others. Sure my journey to a healthy lifestyle is different from any other bloggers out there, because we all face different challenges. I just am curious what I can do to make myself stand out.

I think something that makes me unique from other bloggers is that I am eating whatever I want, whenever I want, but still sticking to my calorie goals I have set each week. Also, my enthusiasm about running and working out is a plus too.

I guess time will tell. Off to think about blog posts for later, and of course, work!

What are some things that you would like to read in a “fit blog” that you don’t see other places?

Surprise Results!

2010-04-08T17:40:00.000-07:00

The weirdest thing happened to me today. Well maybe it isn’t weird, but I don’t understand how it worked so it is to me. Anyways, I had been looking forward to my run all day, especially after getting a little upset and frustrated toward the end of my day. The fantastic weather we are experiencing in NJ makes me feel like I want to run forever. I drove my hour home in hopes that the weather wouldn’t be too breezy or cold near the beach where I live. It was a bit cooler, but I ran anyway. Once I started running I was mentally all about it, and my lungs felt great. My legs though, that’s a different story.

Perhaps I should have taken the day completely off yesterday, because I was feeling a bit sore in my butt. But, alas, live and learn. So during my run my legs felt like lead. My stride was not coming to me naturally, but I pushed through it in search of the comfort zone I usually experience during my runs. Long story short, I didn’t find that comfort zone. It was the strangest run I have had in awhile. Instead of focusing on my thoughts and feelings, and pushing them out the window, I was struggling with my legs and trying to convince them that they can do it. I finished my 4.5 miles and surprisingly did it with 9:07 pace. Another shocker, as I was sure I was going to be hitting a 10 minute mile pace at least.

After the run, I was happy. I feel a little better mentally than I did when I started, and physically I am a bit sore. Tomorrow is my true day off, and time will help with the soreness.

It goes to show you that sometimes you just need to stick it out. With any struggle you’re going to have to psych yourself up and just get through it. Like I’ve mentioned in the past, if you just get up and do it (at least try!) you are ahead of the game. Sure some days are just HELL, but get off your butt and go for a walk instead of pushing yourself at the gym. Put in hard work and dedication and you will see results!

Do something good for yourself every day. Today I ran, and had a Kit Kat. Hehehe.
Also, now that the week’s almost over, how are your weekly goals going?

Struggles at the Gym.

2010-04-06T17:11:00.000-07:00

Some days are just not good workout days. Even when I feel pumped up all day to go to the gym, I can get to the gym and just not be feeling it. That was today.

Part of improving your life is the struggle that comes along with it. If it was easy, everyone would be on the “get healthy and work out” band wagon. Look at our country and its obesity problem. It is absolutely a challenge to create a healthy lifestyle for yourself.

So today, I was in my favorite class ever, BodyPump, and just was not feeling it. I kept up with my goal of the week (to maintain my weight increase from Sunday’s class) however, I was STRUGGLING. Not just with one part of the work out, but all parts. My squats were less than great, my biceps were limp. It happens though. I have been pushing myself lately to get to where I want to be. I am SO determined to do it that maybe I am missing that I might need a break. Tomorrow is my rest day, the break I need.

On top of this cruddy work out day, I also have had what I call “Endless Stomach Syndrome.” I just could not get enough food in my body today. I practiced self control, ate slow, and spaced out my meals which managed my hunger. I avoided eating the mass amounts of chips that are stored behind my cube! But wow, today was a challenge all around.

I am not going to get discouraged because even though my workout was less than adequate today, I still did it. I burned calories, even some extras on the elliptical, and enjoyed a Kit Kat bar while still staying below my calorie limit for the day! There are things to be proud of, and I know I shouldn’t get down on myself because of one poor work out day.

Let me know about your challenges that you might face in regards to working out or eating.

To coffee or not to coffee?

2010-04-06T12:28:00.000-07:00

So, I have been a “runner” (if you would call me that!) for about 2 years. I love my morning runs, however I also cannot go without my morning coffee.

I have read several articles about the consumption for coffee before a workout, and thankfully I haven’t read anything that had pointed to the fact that it might be harmful o drink it pre-workout. Personally, I find juicing up on coffee is that extra energy boost I need to get through my work out. Specifically, when I drink coffee before a run I can run longer and faster. Before my beloved BodyPump class, lifting weights is easier! Well, maybe not easier, but I can definitely notice a jump in my energy level during the class.

I don't see harm in drinking caffiene pre-workout, however I do know some disagree.

Is there anything you do you get you pumped up for a workout? Do you have an experience with drinking coffee or caffeine before a workout?

Form a New Habit

2010-04-05T12:33:00.001-07:00

Even though I preach about getting off your butt and just DOING IT, I know it is easier (way easier) said than done. With this weather heading toward the “Unbelievably Beautiful” part of the thermometer, now is a great time to start forming healthy habits. Yes I said it, HABITS. I read somewhere that it takes 6 weeks of consistently doing something to make it a habit. Don’t ask me the source, but I read it and remember it.

So, yesterday I realized an activity that I would like to make a new habit. After dinner I went for a 2 miles walk on the boardwalk by my house. I was so full I thought I was going to explode. I was upset with myself because I didn’t eat as well as I wanted to, and I needed to get out of the house, so I went to the boardwalk, and walked. Yes, I had already run 8 miles, but this post-dinner walk helped me in more ways than my run did. I felt less exploding-full and felt more confident, relaxed, and at peace with the end of the day. (Funny how sunsets can do that!) Longer days mean post-dinner walks can be more frequent as long as it isn’t rainy and cold!

Remember that every type of physical activity counts. If you feel you’re too busy to get your work out in, try to make something out of the little time you have. If you have 10 minutes go for a 10 minute walk. 5 minutes? Get your butt on the floor and crank out some sit ups. It all adds up! Being busy is an excuse! Form your new habit of making the most of your time and your commitment to a healthier lifestyle. Practice it everyday!

So, today is April 5, and in 6 weeks (May 10) you could have yourself a new habit that will help you achieve a healthier lifestyle.

What new habits are you going to form?

(PS- I think this entry is so randomly organized, but that’s my brain for you!)

Playlist: 4/4/10

2010-04-04T09:36:00.001-07:00

So on my run, I had an idea, and I am not sure if it is worth while, but I know others (including myself) are always looking for new music to work out to. I thought I would share my playlist for my long runs, and maybe it will give you some ideas!

4/4/10 - Classic Rock with a La Roux Kick
Bulletproof - La Roux
Just Like The White Wing Dove - Stevie Nicks
Serenade - Steve Miller Band
Rhiannon - Stevie Nicks
Hush - Deep Purple
MONEY - Pink Floyd
Magic Bus - The Who
Rebel, Rebel - David Bowie
Woodstock - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
September - Earth Wind and Fire
Texas Flood - Stevie Ray Vaughan
Sweet Child Of Mine - Guns N' Roses
No Woman No Cry - Bob Marley
Any Way You Want It - Journey
Laid - James

Weekly challenge?

2010-04-04T06:56:00.000-07:00

I want to know what your personal challenge is this week.
Are you going to drink more water? Avoid fried foods? Work out 3 days? Let me know!

Sometimes the best motivation is from those around you.

My challenges this week:
Cut back on carbs! After tracking my diet at The Daily Plate, I realized I eat more carbs than I should be.
Use my new weight amounts in Body Pump on Tuesday and Saturday.
Only have alcoholic drinks one night a week.
Stick to my calorie goal ALL week (no having a "Bad Day Friday"!)

Need some additional motivation? Check out Bob from the Biggest Loser on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mytrainerbob

Know it all will pay off.

2010-04-04T06:35:00.000-07:00

After a week of working on eating better portion sizes and focusing on healthier choices, I am proud to report it has paid off. I weight in today and officially lost 3 lbs. However, I will admit that when I weighed in I believe I was retaining some water, so perhaps the loss wasn’t all attributed to eating well. However, it is encouraging that I did see some sort of results! And... I feel better, I have tons more energy! Which is crazy, but it could be because of the nice weather too. Only after a week of doing this challenge, and I am already feeling better.

This upcoming week might be a little more challenging for me. The place I am at now is the “plateau weight” I have been at for about a year now. Even though i’ve worked out and been healthy (except eating bigger portions than necessary), it is always a challenge to get past this little plateau. I am going to continue eating according to my calorie goal I have set, and hopefully that will be what I need to lose some more weight this week. Also, I have stepped up my exercise game… added more weight to my BodyPump class, and I’m running further each week. After all, if you don’t push yourself you won’t ever see the results you want.

Today I am going to run 8 miles. It is so crazy to think that a little over a month ago I was doubting I could even run that far. I know I can do it now, and I am actually quite surprised how fast I am running! With some hard work, dedication, and of course motivation you can really achieve anything.

I hope that those who read this find themselves a little extra motivated today. Just because it isn’t New Year’s Eve doesn’t mean you can’t resolve to live a healthier life today. It is now April 4, and summer is on its way! Set yourself some goals and achieve them. You CAN do it, just remember that excuses won’t get you anywhere.

Looking back on your week, did you have any little accomplishments? What inspired you this past week? What goal are you setting for yourself this week?

Tips from That's Fit!

2010-04-02T08:29:00.000-07:00

One of the total upsides to Twitter is that you can learn SO MUCH about healthy living. One of my favorite tweeters, That's Fit, posts tons of great information. Below I wanted to share healthy options that you can use as a replacement for recipes. Check it out, as well as That's Fit's site.

Coconut oil instead of crisco.
Unsweetened applesauce instead of butter or oil.
Low-sodium chicken broth instead of oil or butter.
Oil and eggs in a chocolate box cake mix with 12 oz of coke zero.
A can of black beans (smooshed in the blender first) mixed with water in boxed brownies instead of the fat and eggs.
Prune puree (Google how to make) replaces oil and shortening.
Bran flakes are good cheerios.
Triscuits for breading or whole wheat saltines.
Applesauce evenly for oil
Swap honey for sugar, but add a pinch of baking soda and reduce other liquids in recipe by 1 tbsp for each 1/2 cup honey.

Exercise is a good monster.

2010-04-01T08:48:00.000-07:00

I find that whenever I discuss exercise (specifically running) with those around me they make a funny face and say something like “wow I would rather sit on the couch.” Personally, I love it when that happens. I know where I have come from, a couch potato, and all the progress I have made to make my life healthier, so when I hear people who were in the position I was in only 3 (or is it 4?) years ago, I am confident that they can make the changes I have, and that excites me.

The rewards of being healthy on the day to day are so worth it for me. I love to wake up in the morning with the confidence that I can go run a 5k with ease. I love knowing that I actually FEEL healthy and good. For me that is enough motivation in itself to get out of my princess bed and do some kind of physical activity.

I always try to encourage people to make healthier life changes, but to start out slow. I know that if I try to jump into something head first, I usually get very overwhelmed. If you are a person who is used to eating fast food every night because it is convenient and doesn’t taste all that bad, making the commitment to avoid it will be a challenge. Same goes for exercising. If you haven’t run in 3 years, trying to go out and run a 5k on any given day will be hard, and you will feel crappy, and you will be discouraged. Be realistic with yourself and start slow, run for 10 consecutive minutes... run one mile without stopping... fast food only 3 days a week.

I love when hard work pays off. For me, that’s what your fitness and health is all about. The decisions you make will determine your physical outcome. I once read a quote about how your body is a moldable, shapeable object – it can be whatever you want it to be. It’s all just a matter of what you want it to be. The great thing about exercising and physical activity is that it WILL pay off. Not immediately, but in the long run you WILL see a change. And what is a better motivator than seeing the change that you are working for?

Other personal motivators:

I tell myself: “You can sit after you work out. All it takes is 30 minutes (or na hour) and then you can go back to browsing the web, or laying in bed. What will you even miss out on for that one half hour? Nothing, so get up and move. You’ll feel much better after”
Letting people know (even though it can get annoying) that you ALREADY worked out today. And during your work out you ran 4 miles. (For me it’s always like a little competition with the rest of the world.)
On days where “I feel like crap today” is my attitude ... I go to the gym anyways, get on the treadmill/elliptical/go to class and work through it. if I still feel crappy, I end the work out early and go home. At least I went and tried.
Training for this half marathon has been a huge motivator. I set a goal (to finish) then once I started training, I changed it becuase I KNOW I can finish. My goal is now to finish in under 2 hours.

What motivates you? Are there any little “mantras” you use to get yourself up and moving?

Don't Tempt Me!

2010-03-31T12:22:00.001-07:00

So, I am often faced with temptation in the form of deliciousness. Whether it be a dessert that’s just too good to resist, or a craving of the moment, my self control is always being tested.

At some point this week I am going to head to one of my favorite temptations, PF Changs. I was doing some research online about their healthy dishes, as I am very well aware that they pack the calories (and serving sizes!) into most of their things. So after reading a few articles, and printing out their nutritional facts, I was surprised to see the actual lack of dinners under 500 calories. The things I read all suggested the Oolong Marinated Sea Bass, but I am not a seafood fan. (Except maybe I am thinking of trying it?) So my safe options are always vegetarian ones, or chicken. From those, I found about 2 dishes that I’d consider, the Chicken and Broccoli and the Moo Goo Gai Pan.

Do you have any tricks to resist temptation? What resources do you use to see healthy options at chain restaurants?

Links of the Week

2010-03-31T06:26:00.000-07:00

Below I have listed some articles/websites from the past week that I have really enjoyed. Check them out!

Things I've Learned About Diet and Fitness
Spaghetti a la Philly via Something So Good
The Chic Runner - http://chicrunner.com/
How Weight Lifting Classes Help Beat a Diet Plateau (Health.com via Feel Great Weight)
The Beginner Triathlete (via Lokibeat)

That's all I can eat!?

2010-03-31T06:11:00.000-07:00

So yesterday I wrote about portion sizes, and how I was so shocked to figure out what the TRUE portion sizes are. Well, today I am still feeling that shock!

I am a fairly healthy eater. I eat fruits, veggies, drink water, and avoid fried foods and fast food, as well as anything that’s clearly overloaded with calories. As I entered my breakfast and lunch into The Daily Plate, I did realize that despite the fact I eat healthy, I still struggle to meet the calorie goal I have for the day. I adjusted my calorie goal last night as I realized even though I work out 4-6 days a week, it doesn’t mean I am “moderately-heavily” active because I do sit in a car for 2 hours a day, then at my desk in a cube for another 8. I’m a pretty sedentary person, and have thus classified myself as “lightly active.” So, naturally not being totally active all day means I burn fewer calories than say, a teacher, construction worker, or waitress. Bummer.

Anyways, what I wanted to comment on is that it is pretty difficult to watch what you eat and count calories! I am thinking to myself this morning that I am pretty stoked that I work out so often, as it leaves some leeway for the food I eat so I am not a starving person. This is also reminding me why I have never actually counted my calories before, because it is a pain in the butt, and also a huge shocker! I can see now how some people might become obsessed with calorie counting, however, personally if it weren’t for The Daily Plate, I wouldn’t have lasted more than 2 days.

So, today I am in search of snacks that fill me up, but won’t load up on calories. So far, these rice cakes were a miracle to find. I also find that mixed nuts help curb my hunger for awhile, but they aren’t exactly the low-cal choice.