Jumping on the Wagon

The Nike Plus wagon that is! I bought one right around this time last year. I used it 3 times... loved it... and then the battery on the sensor died. Totally annoying, I know. I kept meaning to get a new sensor, but never got around to it.

Fast forward a FULL YEAR. I finally got a new one!!! I've used it 3 times since I've had it and am again totally hooked. I missed Boot Camp last night (long story involving Wallmart and me being stupid) but I still went to the gym. And I RAN for 26 minutes straight. Thats right... I RAN for 26 minutes straight.

Let's take a moment to read what I wrote on Jan 18, 2008:

Oh! And in other big gym news I ran for TWO MINUTES straight last night. I realize it doesn't sound like much, but considering when I started on Jan 7 I could barely run for 30 seconds at a time I was so pumped that I pushed through the one minute mark, and the 1.5 minute mark and went for 2 minutes! I'm will be a runner someday :)

I was so excited about running for 2 minutes. Just TWO! And one year later I'm doing 26. Maybe does this mean by next year this time I'll be doing 45 minutes?! Let's hope so! I'm so close to running a 5k nonstop. My goal is to do it by the end of Feb.

Anyway -- here's my run via Nike Plus (click to make larger)!

Stats:
2.79 miles
31 min 42 seconds
11 min 19 sec mile (avg)
374 cals burned

The first 5 minutes of the workout were a walking warm up. I did do another 5 minutes of walking to cool down but stopped my workout before that :)

Ok... menu for today!

Breakfast:
2 low fat waffles w/ strawberries and blueberries - 3

Snack:
vitamuffin w/ pb - 3

Lunch:
1 cup veggie soup - 0
sandwich thin w/ laughing cow light - 2
apple - 1

Snack:
soft pretzel - 3
applesauce plus fiber - 0

Snack before boot camp:
banana w/ pb - 3

Dinner:
2 eggs - 4
turkey sausage - 2
broc - 0
toasted sandwich thin - 1

Snack:
pudding w/ berries! - 2

Sadness

TB is leaving me. I know, it's tragic. He told me last night that he's got another 3 weeks (though I'll be shocked if I get two out of him) and then he's done. BUT, he's starting his own training business. It's going to be full body athletic conditioning with all sorts of different stuff Mon-Fri from 6-7am and 6-7 pm. Of course he wants me to follow him. I thought about it last night and decided I'll get all the info from him next week, if it seems like it would work I'll try to get out of my contract with the training people at the gym. I do heart my Trainer Boy.

He kicked my ass last night with a little preview of what he intends to do with his own business. It went a little something like this.

(I have no idea how much weight was on the bar - I'm thinking 30 pounds because it definitely wasn't the 10 pound discs)

10 Roman Dead Lifts
10 Upper Right Rows
10 Snatches (ha!)
10 squats holding the bar at my chest
10 Overhead press (cleans if you will)
10 calf raises and shoulder raises holding the bar down
10 curls
10 "girlie" pushups on the bar
10 bench sits
20 lunges across the room

AND REPEAT THREE TIMES

I was dripping sweat and cursing the world. But being that my entire body is sore today... I guess it was a great workout. All of that in 30 minutes, can't beat it!

I also hit up the opening of the Pompeii Exhibit at Discovery Place last night. Someone from work had a ticket and asked if I wanted to go. It was OPEN BAR with AMAZING hors d'oeuvres (which I have no idea how to spell). Then we got to see the exhibit and when you exited they had coffee and dessert. I didn't have any though (be proud), but I did have a few pineapple and vodkas! Standing at the event for 3+ hours though after that workout and holding a drink and a plate was more work than I care to admit. The plate was just getting heavier and heavier because my arms were so sore. ha!

Tonight... off to Charleston for the night! I can't wait.

Picture Pages

Did anyone else used to watch that show? Picture Pages with Bill Cosby? I just remembered it out of the blue when I was typing the word picture. Anyway -- i found it on youtube!!!



Other than it being a fond memory (I loved the theme song -- "time to get your crayons and your pencils!"), it really has nothing to do with this post.

Last night was perfect. It of course started storming again right around 5, which meant I wouldn't be able to swim, but I did go straight to the gym. I hadn't really worked out there in a while (with the exception of workouts with TB) and I was fired up to make it a good one. I ran 2 miles and it was my best time! Took me 26 minutes exactly -- which I realize still isn't that fast, but it is for me! And I'd never done more than 20 min straight running on the treadmill, so there was all sorts of awesomeness going on.

After my run I got home and got to work in the kitchen. I made both of Kath's granola recipes, and also whipped up some BBQ Sloppy Joes for dinner. Delish!

They don't look too yummy, but believe me they are!!

Even though I'm single and eat alone -- I still deserve to eat by candle light I've decided :)

I'm not 100% sold on the Coconut Almond granola, but I think some of it might have to do with the fact that I used half steel cut oats which are a bit chewier. But I'll let you know after I have breakfast today! I do think the Baked Oatmeal Snack Bars will be a hit. I added in some coconut and a few chocolate chips -- so whats not to love there? I do wish I had dried cranberries instead of raisins though.

Coconut Almond (and pecan) Granola

I took the pup for a quick walk while the rain stopped for a few minutes. She was being such a pri-madonna not wanting to walk through any puddles. It was a riot. She'd either leap over them, or run around them. But of course she's got NO trouble digging in the mud for hours.

I guess she didn't like the flash

Sporting her neon pink harness - Maddie is pumped for a walk!

I also picked the ONE ripe cherry tomato and ate it! It was delicious!!!! I just hope that I get a few more, and maybe more than 1 at a time -- but either way I was so excited to eat something I grew.

So sad and lonely -- but delicious!!

Mushroom Madness

Morning! I'm trying to be a better blogger this week. Though sometimes I feel like my posts are sooooo boring. Oh well....

Let's see, Last night I went to the gym and was half undressed when I reached in my bag and realized I didn't pack a sports bra!!!!! CRAP! I thought about just dealing with my normal bra but when I took two in place strides my boobs were ALL over.... and so I put my shirt back on, packed up my stuff and left. I was SOOOOO annoyed. I got home and let the pups out, got changed and went right back though!!! I knew if I didnt go right back I wouldn't end up going at all. So I did arms and then 20 min on the treadmill. Also ... Katy (from my work, the one who just got engaged, and my favorite person here) joined the gym with her sister last night! So I might have a workout buddy. Though clearly she already has her sister.... boooo I want a sister!!!! But anyway they took the spinning class last night (their first ever and it was the HARDEST teacher) and they came out and were like NEVER AGAIN! Also I guess some girl FELL OFF HER BIKE and broke her ankle! An ambulance came and took her out and her ankle was the size of my head! I felt so bad. That would SUCK to have to be taken out stretcher style while EVERYONE in the gym is staring at you. And it's a girl who is there everyday. I felt so bad for her I just wanted to give her a hug! But right, then I got home, made a yummy pasta dinner. AND.... are you ready for the big news?

I put mushrooms in it!!! Sliced shrooms were on sale this week. Ar loves them. I say I hate them. But honestly, I don't think I've ever eaten one. I just think I hate them. So I decided I'm going to try them for a week. If I still don't like them that's fine, but I think it's all in my head. So I made pasta and diced (super small) red, yellow and green pepers, onion and shrooms. Threw in some of Roni's sauce that I had in the freezer and chopped up a tiny piece of sausage that was in with the sauce. It was SO yummy and only 6 points! And I didnt even notice the shrooms. Granted I put in the tiniest bit, but it's all about baby steps.

I snacked too much last nigth. Counted the points, but there was really no need.

Other big news... I got up this morning and went for a ride! Just did 5 miles (took 30 min) but it was hilly as crap! It's a loop through our development and it's so freakin hilly. So hopefully if I ride on hills a lot I'll fly through the bike portion of the tri which (I hope) is flat. So one workout DOWN! Tonight I have Trainer Boy (still sore from Thurs crap!) and then I'll do a 25 min walk on the treadmill when I'm done with him.

I'm wearing a skirt today. Yippee!!!

My knee has been bugging me again... I think because I didn't stretch properly on Thurs night. I brought my ice pack to work to ice it up.

This is long. Sorry!!

Menu.....
bfast: 1c milk, 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1/2 banana, splenda - 4

Lunch:
1/2 price fun at flying saucer! I'm thinking the chili - 9

Snacks:
animal crackers w/ key lime pie yogurt - 3
strawbs and apple - 0.5

Dinner:
not sure! Something quick and easy after TB either leftover salmon or a burger... Mmmmmm

I really need to NOT over snack tonight. I'll allow myself a TWO POINT SNACK after dinner ad that's it!

I DID IT!

I have much to discuss today, so I'll just break it down bullet style.

• Last night while babysitting we ordered pizza for dinner... I only had ONE PIECE!!!! Henry on the other hand had TWO! He kept saying "Moe pizzahhhh peeeeezzz" A 2 year old after my own heart!
  
• I didn't eat the BROWNIES that were on top of the fridge EVEN after Leah pointed them out to me and told me to be sure I helped myself. YES!
• I was down 0.4 today. I'm SO CLOSE to being in the 170s... less than a pound to go and I'll be there!
• Sad news -- today was my leaders last meeting! I'm SO upset. I love her and feel like the reason I've stuck with it is because she really cares about everyone. She must have well over 100 memebers between all of her meetings and knows everyones name. I'm really bummed. Everyone was crying!! She's moving to KY -- she got a job that she just couldn't turn down and they were like we need you to start in 2 weeks. Sadness.
• The really really big news....

I RAN FOR TWENTY MINUTES STRAIGHT!!!! No stopping! I almost passed out when I was done but I did it!!!!! And I can still move. I'm so proud of myself. I can't stop smiling :) I really didn't think I'd be able to do it. Now I KNOW that I'll be able to run 30 min by August. Granted I'll still have to walk a bit to finish the 5k, but I'm ok with that. I did 2 miles in 29:07... slow but still better than I've been doing.

Ok... I'm off to shower, get my dress fitted and go to the hardware store to get some gardening supplies.

Enjoy your weekend!

Rainy Monday

Morning! It's Monday, and its raining. Blech. But we need the rain, so I guess I'll deal. The sun should be back tomorrow!

My weigh in this week - 181. Stayed the same. And I'm completely ok with that. After a decent loss last week I was just happy not to go UP any. And this morning I hopped on the scale and saw 179. Holy hell I really need to keep on track so I can see that number OFFICIALLY on Saturday. Eeekads I hope I can do it!

Random side note and confession: Someone brought cookies into work today. They are amazing. I had 2. But no more, ok??

In other news I've decided to join Caroline's 8 Weeks Til Summer Challenge! The best part about this challenge is that YOU come up with it yourself! So here's what I've decided on....

1. Lose 10 pounds (which would be put me at 171)
2. Work out at least 4 times a week
3. Get up to running for 30 minutes straight with NO walking in between! This will be the hardest of them all I fear

So here's hoping I can do all of that!

Todays menu...

Bfast:
cookies (BAD jeannie) - 6
I skipped my smoothie since I was full from the stinkin cookies

Lunch:
Ronzoni plus pasta - 3
Meat sauce and TONS of veggies - 2

Snacks:
strawberries, 1/2 banana fat free redi whip - 2
grapes - 1
yogurt (if needed) - 2

Dinner:
Breaded salmon patty - 4
Lipton rice mix - 3
Asparagus - 0

That's all of my fruits/veggies, but NOT my milk servings. Hmph.

Hopefully I won't eat anything tonight after the gym, but I'll have ONE point if I need a sweet treat. Trainer Boy on my new night tonight! I hope we do arms because my quads are still a tiny bit sore from Thursday. I'm excited to start my week with TB now. Should be good.

Friday Fun Day!

Morning. HAPPY FRIDAY! I'm in a good mood today, feeling a bit sore and loving it!

Last night was a good night...I was still SO FREAKIN FULL from lunch (went out and had crappy food that left me feeling icky) that I didn't really eat dinner. I made myself eat a granola bar before going to the gym (Kashi chewy trail mix bar... they're 2 points and I LOVE them) so I didn't pass out on Trainer Boy, but I still really wasn't hungry. Worked out with TB then did 25 minutes walking on the treadmill just to walk out the pain in my quads. I got home and was a little bit hungry so I had a bowl of cinnamon life. I know, I know millions of carbs, but I wasn't about to whip up something at 8pm. I also drank a BOATLOAD of water and sweat like nobody's business at the gym. I usually don't sweat that much when I lift but TB had me doing "super sets" (as he liked to call them) of squats and lunges and I was DRIPPING... it was sexy. I could pretty much ring my t-shirt out by the time I left. Let's hear it for working out in the south! Also, TB is going to just one day a week. He dropped more than half of his clients... but I made the cut! He was like "If you want to keep working out with me, you're going to have to switch to Monday" I made like I was shocked and appalled but then told him that would actually work out better. Soooo I see him on Monday! Which is like 4 days away... I sure hope I can walk.

I'm already ravenous today. Yikes.

Tomorrow I'm working at the Olympic Team Trials at the US National Whitewater center. I think it will be a really fun even if I have to work the WFAE prize wheel the whole time. Booo. But I'll get paid and we have access to the VIP tent so free food and beverages :)

Ok Menu...

Bfast:
whole grain pancakes w/ pb - 4

Lunch - Hopefully we'll go to Lava and I'll get:
Lava salad (cucumbers, lettuce, peps, pumpkin seeds and feta) - 4
soup of the day - 3 or so?

Snacks:
yogurt - 2
grapes - 1
strawbs - 0

Dinner:
No idea. Something with CHICKEN!

Happy Friday... drink lots of water!!

I'm down 2.8 this week! That brings me to 15.2 total. WOOHOO! I am but 1.2 pounds from seeing 179.8 on the scale. Think I can do it this week???? Here's hoping!

That being said I slacked last night and didn't go to the gym. I didn't get home from work until 9pm and couldn't think of mustering up the energy to run or putting Maddie back in her crate for another hour. I was ok with it though. I drank a bunch of water, caught up on some DVRed shows (I can't believe Ozzy got voted off Survivor!!!) and read for a bit.

Then this morning at the gym I don't know what happened. Maybe I wasn't hydrated enough. Maybe I hadn't eaten enough for breakfast, but about halfway into my walk/run I felt like I was going to pass out. I still managed to job for 12 minutes and walked for 13 (25 minutes total) but it wasn't want I was hoping for and I usually get in at least 45 minutes on a Saturday workout. But I was listening to my body. I did not need to pass out at the gym :)

So instead of having a day off tomorrow I'll go lift or something. It will all work out in the end I'm sure! Just trying to stick to my points this week and hopefully see another loss!

Babysitting tonight, running errands and cleaning tomorrow and AR comes home! (She's been in Cali since Wed morning).

That's all I got for today.

Cake, Running and Reading

Just thought I should check in since I realize it's been a few days since I posted. And by few days I mean ONE. Whatever, it seems like it's been more than that.

I had a little slip up on Tuesday night. Just ate crappy stuff, and too much of it and then decided screw it all... and skipped the gym. But I got right back on track yesterday and had close to a perfect day. Ate only 26 points (2 over), got to the gym and get this... ran for 18 minutes! I did 3, then 90 seconds off, then TEN, then 4 minutes off, then five. I was so proud of myself. And when I was doing the 10 minute run, I think I could have gone another minute. We shall see on Friday :) I'm actually looking forward to it. Who am I and what happened to that girl who HATES the treadmill???

It's beautiful here today. Clear blue skies and 76 degrees. I'm excited to go home tonight, put the cushions on our patio furniture and read while the pups run around going crazy. I got The Friday Night Knitting Club for my birthday and started it last night, it's really cute. Perfect to read while enjoying a late spring afternoon. Yes!

After I so some reading, eat dinner, and dry my gym clothes (they are all sitting in the washer right now) I'll head off to the gym. And might stop at Target on the way home from the gym. I have stuff to return there and I need to get some birthday cards. But we'll see if that actually happens. I'm usually ready to hit the shower as soon as I leave the gym!

Todays menu:

Bfast:
milk - 2
whole grain pancakes - 2

Lunch - We went out to a local place for an autism awareness fundraiser
Island salad (grilled salmon, grilled pineapple, cheese, cucumbers, tomato) - 10

Snacks:
fruit salad w/ ff redi whip - 2

Dinner:
HG's alfredo sauce over Ronzoni Smart pasta w/ broc and red peps- 5

Snack:
Not sure -- something for 3 or 4 points

And last but not least... there is cake in the kitchen at work right now. A HUGE ass cake. EVERYONE has been eating it all day. Carrying plates of cake around. And talking to me with lips tinted blue from the icing. But did I cave and have any? NO I DIDN'T! Am I so freakin proud I could cry? HELLS YEAH! So let's hope that in the next 19 minutes I don't cave. Sure would suck to have to edit this post :)

Tomorrow is FRIDAY!

Pumped

I almost forgot to write about my proud moment last night! I did day one of week four on the couch to 5k! The workout breaks down like this:

Warm up: 5 minutes
Run: 3 minutes
Walk: 90 seconds
Run: 5 minutes
Walk: 2.5 minutes
Run: 3 minutes
Walk: 90 seconds
Run: 5 minutes
Cool down: 5 minutes

I made the last run SIX minutes which means that I ran a total of 17 minutes! That's MORE than half. And I felt ok afterwards. I wasn't dying. I mean it certainly wasn't easy and I was ready for that last run to be over, but I did it. Might I someday actually be able to run for 30 minutes straight?? Looks like this might be possible. I ended up doing 2 miles in 30:51. Which I realize is still not amazing, but it's a good start. By August I hope to be doing 3.1 miles in 35-40 minutes. Probably closer to 40 - but why not shoot for 35?!

And now for the bad news -- I went out for lunch since it was half price lunch at the Flying Saucer and I got a veggie burger that came with cucumbers, avocado, lettuce, tomato and onion. Good, right? And a side of FRIES! Woops. But I don't feel bad or guilty. I've counted the points and will adjust my day accordingly. As long as I don't let it turn into a horrible downward spiral I'll be a-ok! It's all about finding balance.

AND, I'm super excited for the finale of The Biggest Loser. I cannot wait to see who got voted off and how everyone looks! YAY!

Lesson Learned -- The Clock is NOT my Friend

It's finally Friday! And its sunny and 62 right now. Going up to 79! I cannot WAIT! I'm planning on running errands at lunch in my flips, jeans and t-shirt. I love my job and the sun. If I can scoot out of here early you can bet your behind I will be doing so. And going DIRECTLY to the gym to do my last day of week 3 couch to 5k. YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! I'm hyper. ha!

Last night I made eggs for dinner. They were yummy. I needed protein but couldn't bare the thought of cooking meat. Then I hit up the gym with Trainer Boy....

I got myself in trouble by looking at the clock at one point (in my defense I felt like I'd been doing side lunges for 20 minutes, whatever apparently it was only 4) and he was like "Are you looking at the clock? I know you'd never do that! You love this time with me! BUT, if you want to do a clock drill, we can do that next" FAAAAAAAAHCK! What came up next? WALL SITS! So TB gets up against the wall, takes a seat and says "All you have to do is sit like this for 1 minute. Easy, right?" Before I even started I was scared because I knew 15 seconds was pushing it. teehee. Soooo I did 20 seconds, and had to stop. Bad idea. TB decided like the longer break I took I'm he was going to subtract the time of my 'break' from the 20 seconds I already did... So he's all "Get back down, you still have 40 seconds...... up now its 45 seconds....." and so on. So I got down again and think I did 55 seconds (total, not at once). And then we did it again. Good lord. It was horrible. The second go round he started saying "Just think about something else. It's totally mind over matter... see? you've already done 5 seconds!" With an evil, I love to watch people suffer, grin on his face. To which I replied "If you'd shut the hell up maybe I COULD think about something else!" He laughed and mentioned how he wished all his clients were as sweet as me. I also told him I hated him with a deep passion. Which, at that moment, I really did.

So lesson learned, never will I look at the clock again. Though now that he knows how much I LOVE them, I'm sure he'll add it to the regular rotation. I'm thinking of trying to do at least 1 minute/day to get better. It's something I can do while waiting for my tea water to boil for heavens sake! We'll see if that happens. But for today... my butt is feeling it. From the wall sits or lunges I'm not sure... but I'm making muscle baby and that means I'm burning fat. YEAH!

Weigh in tomorrow. I really hope to see just a little bitty loss. I'd be PUMPED to see 1 lb. Here's hoping!!

I made iced tea this morning. Boiled a big pot of water and used 1 bag of cran-pom green tea and a bag of regular black tea. Then poured it over a huge glass of ice with a squeeze of lemon. It's the perfect morning treat.

What's everyone up to this weekend? I'm not sure what were doing. Tomorrow I'll do WI and then lift at the gym. If it's nice I'm hoping to ride later in the afternoon -- but they're calling for scattered T-storms, so we shall see. Then a friend of mine is playing at the Wine Vault tomorrow night so Ar and I might go. We shall see. At some point we need to get an insane amount of cleaning done as our house is a MESS and our backyard looks like a jungle!!! So probably Sunday will be spent doing all of that. Hopefully my allergies will be in check by the time yard work rolls around.

Hmmm what else? Oh right -- confession. Last night I got home from the gym and had THREE peanut butter (tagalong-esque) cookies when I got home from the gym AND a freakin WW cookies n cream bar. EIGHT points of snacks. Granted I counted all of them. But that was a wee bit too much sugar/carbs/bad stuff for after 8pm (even it it was only 8:10). BAD jeannie. Oh well... we all mess up, right? Back on track today!

Bfast:
iced tea - 0
waffles w/ fruit on top - 3

Lunch:
pb&j from yesterday! - 3
yogurt - 2

Snacks:
honey nut chex w/ milk - 3 (mil serving)
strawbs and naner w/ whipped cream - 2
celery - 0

Dinner:
Not a clue... any suggestions? Maybe I'll do burgers and dogs on the grill.

TONS of water today and for real no eating after 8pm. That scale is going to be ready for me first thing tomorrow morning!!!

I love the SUN

Last night I made a taco thing with ground beef, light velveeta, peppers, onions, tomatoes, taco seasoning, sour cream and put it all on TJs low carb tortilla. It was super yummy for 6 points!! I also went to the gym straight from work -- did day 2 of week 3 couch to 5k and added an extra 3 minutes of running on to it since I knew I could yeah!!! Then I did 15 on the elliptical.

Today is beautiful! Already 59 degrees, I painted my toenails last night and have on open toed shoes, I switched to a summery butterfly bag I got for my birthday and tomorrow is FRIDAY! What's not to love about today?

I've been thinking a lot about the scale... the numbers fluctuate so much for me. Just 4 days ago it was 5 pounds higher than it showed this morning. Just goes to show that you can't base everything on a number. Lately I've been FEELING so much better and am starting to see (very small) changes in my body. I'm trying to focus more on them, and know that eventually the scale will catch up. Granted it's still nice to see a loss at weigh on... but I also know that it's ok if I don't.

In totally unrelated news I've got a post up about an early morning encounter with an hate filled woman on jeanniew. Check it out if... if you're open minded :)

Bfast:
waffles w/ compote - 2.5

Lunch:
pb&j - 3.5
yoplait thick and creamy - 2

Snacks:
celery -0
strawbs, nanas and fat free redi whip - 1
sf/ff pudding - 1
crackers and cheese - 3

Dinner:
NO idea -- I'm thinking maybe a big omelet with veggies on a light EM.... but we'll see. Something quick easy and light before getting my ass kicked at work :)

Little Accomplishments Add Up

I did pretty well yesterday. Counting my chili in a bread bowl for lunch as 12 (which I think is a high estimate) I only went over my points by 3! Ar got home from work late, ate and then needed to digest before going to the gym. We didn't leave for the gym til 7:50 - but it worked out ok. We got there, I did a 5 minute warm up on the treadmill then lifted. Did hip abductors and flexors, calves, hamstrings and leg press. Then I went to do my 20 minutes of cardio to stretch it all out and after 5 minutes of that Ar came up and was like I'm done... And of course I was like OK! Let's go! I need to work on saying "well I still have 15 minutes" and not letting her being done excuse me from finishing. But I still got in a decent workout... just nervous my calves are going to be super sore tomorrow since I didn't work through it afterwards. We shall see.

Then I pull out of the gym parking lot and there is a McDs right there... one which I've NEVER gone to... not even THOUGHT to go to since I always pass it on my way to or from the gym... and Ar says "Can we stop at McDs so I can get a sundae?" I said sure, went through the drive through... get her a hot fudge sunday and just asked for 2 bites. I was proud. I didn't get my own... had my bites and didn't ask for any more. (So I did pretty good not eating after 8pm... just 2 little bites, could have been MUCH worse). Then we got home, I showered and got my bag packed for today and thought I'd watch the Biggest Loser. I was about to sit down and Ar was like can you do me a huge favor before you sit down? (She was set up with the laptop doing work for the Mtn bike website she writes for) and I was like sure. And she said "Can you bring me those peanut butter cookies?" Yes... I had a coupon for Keebler PB filled cookies (think tagalongs) so I bought them for a treat this week. I've been so good with them... I think I've had 4 total and counted all of them. Anyway... so I got up, brought her the cookies and sat next to her on the couch while she ate them and DIDNT ASK FOR ONE!!!!!!! That is SOOOOOOO big. I kept wanting to ask but reminded myself that I didn't need them and I'd already had my cheat for the night.

At 10:30 I got up to go to bed and my stomach was growling a bit, but I knew if I could make it through the kitchen to the bedroom I'd be fine. And I did!!! Fell right asleep and have no guilt this morning. I'm really super proud. Can you tell????

Tonight is day 2, week 3 couch to 5k. WOOHOO! Not sure if I'll go to the gym right from work or after dinner. Either way I'll go at some point.

Bfast:
milk & ovaltine (dind't drink all of it) - 2
waffles w/ fruit compote - 2.5

Lunch:
leftover chicken ravioli - 6

Snacks:
1/2 banana & strawbs with light whipped cream - 1.5
yogurt - 2
celery - 0
1/2 cookie - 2

Dinner:
Making tacos w/ lean ground beef, velveeta and tons of veggies - 6

Happy Wednesday!!! The sun is finally shining here, going up to 71 today! Just got back from a walk around the lake. Oh how I've missed the sun!

Back on Track - YES!

I did really well yesterday. I ate what I packed and didn't do any extra snacking at work. I stuck to one serving of dinner (Homemade Wonton Ravioli) even though it was SO tempting to eat another serving. But I got up from the table and finished making them and by the time I was done I was full so I was glad I waited to see if I was really hungry... a HUGE victory for me. Ar came with me yesterday and joined the gym!! Her membership got all messed up when we moved because she was on a different plan where she could ONLY go to the gym uptown - so she canceled. They were not being helpful in having her switch her membership. But since her back is messed up she hasn't been riding and there was a no sign up fee promotion going on so she just had to pay the monthly fee. So now I have a gym buddy. I did day 1 of week 3 on the couch to 5k. I thought it was going to be so hard, but it wasn't! I actually ran an additional 90 seconds at the end because I knew I had it in me. WOO!

I got home and broke a rule of not eating after 8:30. But it was just 4 of the cinnamon apple wontons with redi whip. Nothing TOO heavy. And I was nowhere near eating all of my points so I figured it was ok.

If it's nice when I get home from work I'll ride. If not Ar and I will hit up the gym. But no running today... I'll lift and do the bike or elliptical.

Menu!

Bfast:
milk chocolatey ovaltine - 2.5
Light Eggos w/ fruit compote - 2.5

Lunch:
Leftover wontons w/ sauce - 6

Snacks:
celery - 1
babybel light - 1
fruit salad - 1

Dinner:
burger on light EM w/ cheese - 6
corn on the cob - 2
asparagus - 0

Snack:
leftover cin-app wontons - 2

Friday Fun Day!

I was a bit of a failure this morning and didn't get up to go to the gym. Booooo. I won't be able to go tonight as I have to be at the airport at 7 (flying to NYC for my cousin's bach party).... but I did get up early enough to get to work by 8:15 and did a lap and a half around the lake. Not too shabby. At least it's something. Also, I'm staying at my aunt's house (my cousin lives in a tiny apt in NYC with a cat... and I'm allergic so that wouldn't be pretty) and she has a treadmill, so I'm thinking tomorrow morning I'll try to get up early and do day 3 of week 2 for the couch to 5k. Though Trainer Boy worked by quads and glutes like NOBODYS business last night. He was in rare, hyper form... which means a fun but HARD workout for me. He went over 5 minutes... and 5 extra minutes with him feels like an hour (though I'm happy to get the free 5 minutes haha). I did the treadmill when I was done and literally my legs were like jelly. But I walked for 20 minutes and they felt better. I have a feeling I'm going to be super sore tomorrow as day 2 is always the worst, but I figure if I get up and do a run/walk it'll loosen them up a bit. Here's hoping!!

I weigh in at 12:30. I'm scared. I have not had the best week for food. But I did workout Mon-Thursday. Also I usually weigh in on an empty stomach RIGHT when I wake up wearing gym clothes (which weigh nothing).... so everything will be off a bit. I can handle a 1 lb gain... but hopefully nothing more than that. I'll keep you posted!!

Bfast:
milk chocolatey ovaltine (im obsessed!) - 2.5
pumpkin waffs - 3

Lunch:
leftovers! couscous - 2
meatloaf muffins - 4

Snacks:
turkey on light EM - 2
1/2 cup strawbs - 0.5
dry life cereal - 2

Dinner:
No idea -- something quick before I head to the airport.

This weekend will be a challenge -- but I should be ok today and Sunday. Saturday I'll try not to eat too many snacks and will make as good a choice as I can at dinner. As I have to drive out of the city afterwards that will certainly keep me from drinking (not that that's a challenge for me). Sometimes I wish you couldn't have ice cream and brownies and drive!! Now THAT would be reason enough to be the designated driver. ha!

I fly in around 4:30 on Sunday so I'll have time to hit up the grocery store and get situated for next week.... when it's going to hopefully be sunny and warm!

Positive....

I cannot WAIT until I go for my physical the end of April. I got my period AGAIN last night! I feel like I JUST had it. Granted I know it was roughly 28 days.... but thats from the start date. Not the finish date. ARGH!!! Birth Control HERE I COME! I really really really hope it doesn't make me gain weight. That would just be way too evil of the universe.

ANYWAY....

MORNING! How is everyone doing? It's Thursday, woohoo! Even if the high today is going to be like 50 and its supposed to be cloudy and rainy all day. Boooo. And it's supposed to T-storm tomorrow. Of course it will T-storm because I'm flying! (Going to NYC for the weekend for my cousin's bachelorette party!) Oh well, it is what it is and I can't change the weather so I might as well accept it.

I had a rough morning with cramps, running late, and I whacked my hand on the corner of the kitchen counter and it really hurts. What a wreck! But I still think today can be a good day. I'm attempting to stay positive!

As for last night it was a fun night. I went to Ar's softball game straight from work. There was a huge traffic jam so it took an hour and a half to get there and I missed the first 15 minutes of the hour long game, but oh well. The team looked good and they won! Score!! It was over at 7:30, we were home by 8 and I was in the car on my way to the gym by 8:15. I did NOT want to go, but knew that I wouldn't be able to get my run in tonight after working out with Trainer Boy. So I somehow pumped myself up to go. I did day 2 of week 2 of the couch to 5k and then some abs. My abs are still less than stellar, but I guess the more I do them the better I'll get? I hope so!

Today the plan is to eat what I packed! Nothing more. I weigh in tomorrow and with my period I'll be super bloated. So I'm going to be extra good and drink TONS of water/tea today. Hopefully that will help. After work I'll go home, grab a quick dinner and head to the gym. TB at 7 so I'll be home around 8:15 to pack (and hopefully do 2 loads of laundry) for the weekend!

Menu!

Bfast:
milk chocolatey ovaltine - 2.5
pumpkin waffles - 3

Lunch (from yesterday)
pasta, veggies, homemade sauce and a meatball - 4.5

Snacks:
pear - 1
turkey on light EM - 2
yogurt - 2

Dinner:
Not totally sure - but something that doesn't have much sodium. So maybe a faux grilled cheese or something like that. We shall see. It will be 8 points or under. Then no eating after the gym.

Last Day of CRAZY food

We only have $65,733 more to raise for our drive! Which we can definitely do today if we keep up our momentum. We did 30k this morning alone. WOOHOO! And today is the last day of TONS of food laying around. PRAISE BE!!!!!

I did HORRIBLEY yesterday. I think I ended up eating 38 points. I had Moes for lunch (aka a burrito and chips and queso). I had pizza for dinner. Ben & Jerrys lighten up ice cream after the gym. It was bad. But I worked out HARD so at least that hopefully offset some of it. I did arms with Trainer Boy which is always my hardest and he had no mercy (which was good) and then I did 35 minutes on the treadmill. Did 2.3 miles not to mention the 2 laps I did around the lake at work. Soooo at least I didn't just eat 38 points and then sit around and do nothing :)

Today Dunkin Donuts was for breakfast. I had 1/2 a donut and a piece of bread. Carb loading, what?? Ha! But lunch is Quiznos and I'll have no problems passing that up. No dinner planned, so I'll hit up the gym as soon as I'm done here and make something with VEGGIES once I get home. I hopped on the scale this morning and it looks like all of the greasy food hasn't caught up with me yet. I'm going to a meeting tomorrow since my friend is visiting from out of town this weekend. Just means I need to be extra good today! I've already drank 1/2 a nalgene which is saying a lot since I usually haven't even filled it up by this point.

I just want to maintain this week. Here's hoping!

Menu for today:

Bfast:
see above - 8

lunch:
chicken and pasta bake - 4

snacks:
nectarine - 1
yogurt (yeah milk!) - 2
pudding w/ 1 graham cracker (more milk!) - 3

That will give me 6 points for dinner tonight. I'm not sure what I'll make -- maybe have some leftover meatloaf muffins and then couscous w/ TONS of veggies in it. Mmmm sounds good.

And tonight I plan on doing dishes (you should see my sink right now... it's insane) and watching basketball!

Last night I hit up a step class that totally kicked my butt beyond belief. The teacher was SO intense. It was insane. And of course she had like 4 risers on her step. I had none. ha! But we did 4 'power' intervals -- one being 5 minutes before the end of class (and since she went over 10 minutes it was really 5 minutes AFTER the end of class). And after that? She made us do pushups and tricep dips on our steps. It was out of control. But so great and all in an hour. 45 minutes of step is like 6 or 7 APs. CRAZY! And the class goes by so fast because I'm concentrating so hard on doing the right steps you know? I'll have to try to get there more often. I can't go next Tues -- but the following week I'll hopefully get it back in rotation. Now I need to get back to spin class as well!

I'm DRAGGING today, but I did have my steamer this morning! I only drank 2/3 of it so it was 2 points and still a full serving of milk. YES! It keeps me full from 8:30-10:30 which is great. I'm usually ravenous by like 9 so it's nice to have my waffles a bit later.

Breakfast:
steamer - 2
waffles - 3

Lunch:
small salad w/ feta and a few cashews - 2
little bit of chicken salad thrown in - 3
TJs low sodium tomato soup - 1

Snacks:
yogurt (my other milk!!) - 2
PB bliss bar - 1

Dinner:
burger w/ ww pita - 6
im out of veggies, so im thinking fruit salad with it - 1

Last night I also had a yummy higher point snack. I serving of fat free sugar free banana pudding (I don't know why i had banana pudding -- I must have thought it was vanilla when I bought it, because I'm not really a huge fan) and crumbled up a graham cracker on it w/ some fat free whipped cream. It was GREAT! Might do that again tonight if I get to the gym and have the points. We shall see.

In other news I just went to Kohl's and got some new workout clothes. I had a store credit there from stuff I returned at Christmas and got a new pair of capris, and 2 shirts. Not too shabby!

Learning to Love Today

My morning started out a bit shaky. I got up, had a good shower, everything was good. I even got out of the house by 8:05 (it's usually like 8:20 by the time I leave) and figured I could stop at Starbucks and get a steamer! (I told you I was obsessed!!!) My thought in the shower was that I made 80 bucks babysitting the other day. That is what I use as my 'fun money' -- so this morning I bought a $20 gift card at Starbucks with my 'fun money' and will use that til it runs out. And steamers are under 3 bucks! hahaha. Pathetic that I'm excited about that.

So anyway -- in order for Starbucks to be on my way I have to go a different way. UGH! Never again. There are TWO left turn signals and I sat at each for like 3 light cycles... I didn't even get to Starbucks until 8:27 and I wasn't about to say screw it. So I went in and the line was of course super long. I should have known. But the few other times I've gone on my way in it's been EMPTY! Oh well. My new plan? Go to work my normal route, and stop at the Harris Teeter with the little Starbucks inside. The Teeter is on my way into work and that Starbucks is ALWAYS empty. WOOHOO!

But anyway, I decided not to let any of that get me down. I got to work a few minutes late and no one even cared. I really am lucky to have such a nice job. I remember my days in commercial radio where if I was 3 minutes late someone was making a note of it. And I had an hour commute!! Let's hear it for public radio! And it's going up to 65 today. AND I LOVE DAYLIGHT SAVINGS! Driving home from the gym last night I didn't even have to turn my lights on!

So yes, I went to the gym last night and did a walk/run. I ran (ok maybe jogged) for 8 minutes straight. Doesn't sound like much but started out at only doing like 45 seconds at once I feel like someday I MIGHT get to a point where I can run for a half hour straight. I really really hope so. Even if I do sort of hate it while I'm doing it. I ended up running a total of 14 minutes - today I'm going for 15! I also did 15 minutes on the elliptical. Trainer Boy came up to me to see if I was in a better mood. I suppose I was a WEE bit bitter on Saturday when I saw him, but honestly, not being able to walk for a week what did he expect?! I assured him I was in a FINE mood and he asked if I could make sure I kept that up til Thursday. HA! I'm not making any promises.

ALSO -- yesterday I was on the SheRoxTri website and guess what? THEY ADDED TWO MORE LOCATIONS.... one of which IS IN CHARLOTTE!!!!!! I am SOOOOOO annoyed that I signed up in Philly and NOW they add Charlotte. That means I wouldn't have to take ANY time off and I could do it right here! ARGH! I might call to see if I can switch my registration, but I have a feeling you can't. But, the Charlotte one is only 75 bucks and it's a month and a half after the Philly one.... I'm thinking of doing it as well. I'll already have trained for it you know?

Ok... menu for today! I'm trying to eat more of my points throughout the day so I don't eat as much at night. We'll see how it goes...

Bfast:
STEAMER BABY (1.5 servings of milk holla!) - 3
was going to have waffles... but I got busy at work and then it was lunch time!

Lunch:
leftover chicken and pasta bake (I GOT 5 SERVINGS OUT OF IT, and they are big!!!) - 4
salad w/ 1/2 oz feta and some cashews - 3

Snacks:
fruit salad - 1
yogurt - 2

Dinner:
I was thinking meatloaf, but it takes forever to cook. Soooo I'm thinking some thai food mix I bought - 5
and maybe a big side of veggies (asparagus, peps and broc?) - 0

I'll have some points left to play around with so that will be good. Plus APs but I haven't been using them, so we'll see.

AND BIGGEST LOSER tonight. HOLLA!

Ok.... I think milk makes me hyper! Maybe my barista hid some espresso in it!

Feeling Good

Resisted an evening snack of Smores (ok, I resisted making my own - but I did have 'just a bite' of Ar's -- still better than it could have been though). I just got back from the gym. I didn't go right after work, but made myself go after dinner. Did 50 minutes of cardio. Calves felt good. New haircut... not as good. Since I can't technically put it all up, it just gets sort of sweaty and nasty. But I'm not at the gym to look pretty, right? I'm there to sweat. So I guess I'll just have to get over the fact that my hair looks and feels sort of nasty sticking to my neck. SEXY!

Hopefully tomorrow will be another all star day. Another loss this week would be key!

Happy almost THURSDAY!