Food plan

One of my downfalls is healthy eating. I plan well, I find recipes, we buy the ingredients, then after work I get lazy and have no desire to cook it. We order in or heat up pizza.

I want to do better this year, so I've decided to make my meals on Sunday. This way I have all the meals I had planned for the week cooked and all I have to do is re-heat them. This may not sound appetizing to you, but it's perfect for me. I'll add a frozen vegetable to many of them and be good to go.

This week's recipes are all Weight Watcher approved:

• Veggie Chili
• Deep Dish Pizza Casserole
• Taco Bake
• Tortellini Soup

We have a couple unhealthy foods left over from the holidays, which we will eat because I am not going to let them go to waste - money-wise or meal-wise {there are people in the world who do not have food and I am not going to let them go bad}. If we sprinkle them in between healthy foods, it won't be too bad.

My goal is each week determine the meals for the week and then make them on Sunday. This should reduce how many times we skip the healthy meal for convenience. Time to write up the grocery list and get started cooking!
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Motivational Monday

For this precise moment in time, this is exactly where I am. I am not happy where I am and I do not want to stay here.

I have decided that the whole eat crap/don't workout/gain weight/wear clothes I'm not happy with-don't fit right is not where I want to be anymore. I will say, it never was where I wanted to be, but...

So, I am deciding to move on. Get back to doing my workouts, changing my meals for the healthy, lose weight, and start fitting back into the clothes I look good in. It won't be easy, but not everything worth doing is.

What are you going?


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Motivational Monday

This is so me. I have such a hard time with food. It is my Achilles heel. Sure, I go through issues with working out, but I always go back to it. The issue I have is food. I have the worst time staying with healthy eating. I enjoy it. I like fruit. I like veggies. I'm eh on meats, but I eat the ones I like.

I have a hard time picking healthy over unhealthy - fruit over dessert, vegetables over chips, salad over burgers. I like all the healthy stuff, but I just can't seem to pass on the unhealthy stuff. It's like I don't want to miss out on yummy...even though healthy stuff is yummy too.

I don't want to be fast, cheap, easy, or fake. I know I am not fast {in more meanings than one}, I can be cheap {it doesn't take much to make me happy usually}, easy {right up there with fast}, or fake {I pride myself on never being fake}. The issue is I am this way in the way I eat. I'm not consistent in eating the way I should.

So today, let's focus on our food. Let's focus on not allowing what we put in our mouths to be fast, cheap, easy, or fake. Let it be healthy. Let it be yummy. Let it nourish not only our bodies, but our souls.




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Opposite of what I thought

At the beginning of the month I had the opportunity to speak to a certified USA track and field coach, certified athletic performance trainer, certified nutrition consultant with a degree in exercise sports science. I had a very informative 30 minute conversation with him that gave me more confidence in my abilities and made me think about a few things.

The biggest is that I should focus on my workouts first and that nutrition will follow. You see, I always thought it was the opposite. I always would say, I can get the workouts in. I know what classes I want to take, I know how far I need to run, I know I should stretch, I have back-up workouts if my plans fall through. I always felt that I needed to concentrate on how I ate first since that's where I am the weakest.

Instead he said I should work on my training. Get in my workouts. Because by doing so I start doing something positive for me and eating healthier will follow. I will want to eat better to make the most of my workouts. I will carefully look at what I put in my mouth in order to make the most of the time I've spent training.

While I can't say for 100% it is working, the past two weeks have definitely made me look closely at the foods I eat. I started training for The Love Run last week and while I haven't been perfect in what I eat, I have been trying to eat the healthier options. Hubby went out twice last week with friends and I stayed in. Rather than buying hoagies or pizza, I stopped at the grocery store and picked up Lean Cuisine, Amy's, and Weight Watchers frozen meals. I was pretty proud of myself for that. Sure, the sodium might be high, but it's better than fast food. I didn't pack lunch one day last week because I was running late, so I grabbed a salad and fig newtons (as a side, this really was the healthiest option after the salad).

Do I have work to do? Yup. Lots of it, but I am seeing the wisdom in his comment and thoughts. Following my training plan has made me want to eat healthier just like he said. It's really strange how I always thought I needed to get my eating together in order to do my workouts well.

While I would love to have this gentleman as a trainer, I sadly cannot afford him. But, I am grateful that he reached out to me for a phone conversation. He is a genuine person and even for 30 minutes really listened to my situation to helped me. Thank you sir. I am working on putting that 30 minute conversation into action!

Have you had someone with experience and knowledge help you? What have you learned to put into practice?

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2013 Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge

The holiday season is upon us - Thanksgiving, then Christmas, for me my wedding anniversary, then New Year's. My goodness it's a gluttony of holidays! For the past few holiday seasons I've not been all that into it. I used to LOVE the holidays, but I had a job that completely turned me off of them in 2005 and I still hadn't gotten back into it. But, this year I think I have gotten my head around it and am embracing the season again.

That being said, I know it's a tough one in terms of workouts/healthy eating. I do have a tendency to do the "it's the holidays and I won't have x for a whole 'nother year. Go for it!" So, knowing myself and knowing I desperately need to make a change, I signed up for Amanda's (Run To The Finish) Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge 2013. I signed up a couple years ago and did well for a week or two, but then slacked. I honestly was not happy with myself for slacking. I debated joining this year because since I participated last, it became a paid challenge. I'll be honest, I hesitated because I didn't want to spend the money. I didn't want to waste the money. I was afraid that if I spent the money on it, it would just be throwing the money away. Then I thought about it and decided to look at it from the flip-side, that the money will keep me on-track. The money expended will mean I follow-through with the challenge. I may not be perfect (as I know I won't be), but I believe it will help me stay closer to on-track during the holidays than in the past. I'm a tiny bit competitive, so I want to earn those points daily.

So, today is day one of the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge. I'm reading through what gets me points and how I can work my food and exercise to earn the most. The fruits/veggies will be tough as I generally get 3-4 when I'm concentrating on my food, but to earn a point I need 5-7. I do have to hit the grocery store, which means I will be picking up more so I can be competitive. It also means I gotta get my workouts in and water. All the things that are the building blocks for healthy living and what I need to get into the habit of so I can run strong at The Love Run in March.

There's still time (I think) to sign up! Join me and help keep yourself in check this holiday season. No one says you have to gain weight and give up your healthy habits just because these next 6 weeks involve the holidays!


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Odds and ends

1. Back on track! I ate healthy Thursday and went to the gym. Wow. I felt great too!

2. At work, I spend a lot of time in an elevator. So, I decided to make the most of it. I did 125 squats and 100 wall push-ups! Woohoo! And that's before I hit the gym!

3. I tried a Chocolate Brownie Clif Bar before my workout tonight. I never do that, but I thought I should start doing what's right for my body. I have to say it was delicious! I normally do not like these types of bars. They taste odd to me. But, this one? Yum! Totally recommend it! Thanks to Stride Box for sending it!

4. I didn't count calories today. I tried to make healthy choices. I was only 150 calories over what I wanted to be, but still less than what I would eat to stay the same weight. I'm ok with that.

5. Hubby's back isn't feeling well right now, so we didn't lift earlier in the week. So, I walked over to the free weights myself tonight and worked out! Yea me! I crossed the divide. I admit, there weren't many people over there, but when I saw the 70 year old woman working out with weights...

6. I bought a salad to take to work with me today. I'm excited about said salad.

7. I mixed Great Value (Wal-Mart) nuts with dried cherries and discovered the most delicious trail mix combo! Highly recommend!

8. I made lunch. Like real food. I took a Zataran's Spanish Rice mix and added tuna. Yum! May be a tad high in sodium, but it was a real meal.

9. I checked what I would have to run to qualify for Boston 2014. Yup. I would have to run a marathon in about my half marathon pace. I've determined I can potentially run Boston when I reach the 80 and over age range. Just tell me it will still be going on in 45ish years.

Sorry for the weird fact dump, but none of those would make a "real" post, but it was all stuff I wanted to share! Are you excited about anything that doesn't seem to merit a full-on post?



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The week of

This is Shamrock race week. This coming weekend I've got the Townebank 8k on Saturday and the Anthem Half Marathon on Sunday. This week I'm working on eating better than I have been lately. I really should have been eating like this all along, but...

I had a plan for Sunday and I was able to abide by it for most of the day. I planned out two pieces of toast with peanut butter and a cup of coffee. This was before the St. Pat's 5k in Baltimore. I was going to have dried cherries too, but I forgot to pack them. Afterwards, we headed to an Irish restaurant and already knew what I was ordering. But, when we got there they had a limited menu and my choice wasn't available. So, instead of the fish tacos (yes very Irish), I ordered the Blacked Tilapia Salad. Oh yum! It was my first choice and I'm so glad I went with it. Sadly, it wasn't very filling and by the evening I wanted food. And instead of making a quick sandwich or something, I ate crap.

Monday, I got up and focused on my food and water intake.

Breakfast
Granola bar
Banana
Coffee with soy milk

Lunch
Progresso Potato Soup with cheese and bacon
Nuts

Snack
Pretzles
Reeces Peanut Butter Eggs

Dinner
Meatloaf
Mashed Potaoes
Vegetables

Dessert
Banana granola

I feel pretty good about yesterday. I drank a good amount of water and ate healthy. Hit the grocery store last night and bought some yummy fruits and veggies for the week. I want to make sure I give my body the fuel it needs to run the best it can this weekend. I may not have trained as well as I could have, but I can do what I can this week to make me as strong as possible.

What do you do the week before a long race? Do you focus on food and water? Do you focus on workouts? Do you rest? 


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Alright, it's November 1. I've been blowing off eating healthy since July and exercise since October 21st. I've packed my gym bag for today. I'm hitting the YMCA after work to get a work out in. Bike and treadmill. It's been ages...

Gratitude

I am grateful for the chance to start over. I can change my life today. My past does not define my future.

Trying something new

A couple weeks ago I mentioned I wanted to lose 10 pounds by the end of June.  Then I went on a nice eating binge which probably implies it won't be happening.  Frustrating is an understatement, but it's all my fault.  I know that.  I accept that.

So, the other day I read an article about how doing low-carb/Atkin's-like two days a week can be all it takes to get your metabolism moving.  I'll be honest, I'm not a fan of the whole no-carb/low-carb craze because it encourages people to eat too much food with a high fat content.  I know, I know I eat lots of food with a high fat content, but it also cuts out fruits.  Not cool in my book.

But, I thought about it and decided an Atkin's like approach two days a week, while still staying within the WW points system may be just the thing I need to get back in gear.  I'm not going to be perfect because I have no desire to go out and buy a bunch of food to do it perfectly, but I have a plan.

Breakfast - eggs with sausage and coffee
Lunch - salad with nuts and a cheese stick
Dinner - (Tuesday) tuna, still debating side dish; (Wednesday) burger, no roll, with cheese, side dish still pending

I've looked up a bit of what the induction phase of Atkin's is and wow.  I can see why people lose weight!  The amount of food you are "allowed" to eat is so limiting!  That's why I'm having issues with the side dishes on Tuesday and Wednesday's dinner.  What the heck do I make?

I'll let you know how it goes.  If it goes well, I may add this into the rotation to help get these last 15 pounds off!

20 Days

It is November.  For anyone who has been following along, that means there are 20 days left until the Philadelphia Half Marathon (sure there's a full marathon the same day, but I'm not running it.  So, it will be forever be known as the Philadelphia Half Marathon.  Except for when talking to the owner of Earn Your Donuts who is actually running the full marathon.).  It is hard to believe how quickly it came up!  But in 20 short days I will be starting, running, and crossing the finish line on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.  Eeeee!!!

So, I have decided I gotta get my act together.  I gotta make the next 20 days count.  No more messing around.  See that photo above?  That's my exercise routine leading up to the half marathon.  I need to make sure my body can handle the rigors of running 13.1 miles all at the same time.  So, there's lots of stuff on there - running, walking, stationary bike, core workouts, weights, and a walking DVD.  I want to make sure I'm physically as ready as I can be by November 20th.

I'm also working on eating healthier.  I've been eating pretty well lately, but I'm upping my game.  I am concentrating on making more meals during the week.  We tend to rely on Ellios pizza, frozen waffles and the like.  My goal is to make more "real" meals on weekdays.  More vegetables, more fruit, more protein.  All very important.  This week's meals are all laid out:

Monday - chili and cheesy corn bread
Tuesday - turkey wraps
Wednesday - eggs, bacon, and toast
Thursday - pasta and tomatoes
Friday - pizza

Any thoughts on these last few weeks?  Suggestions?  Things I should be doing/not doing?

Temptations

are rough!  Just two days into getting back to eating healthy and it was my hubby's birthday.  It was not easy trying stay on track, while celebrating.  I know one should be able to celebrate and make up for it later, but I'm not there yet.  Breakfast and lunch were a no brainer and I took a nice 2.75 mile walk with hills, but it was the evening that threw me for a loop.

You see, we have tickets to a minor league baseball team in town.  Usually, I'm pretty good with eating healthy at the ball park.  They have turkey burgers (and pretty darn good ones at that!) and since we are season ticket holders, we get a discount on drinks (non-alcoholic ones).  But, it was birthday day, so we had an adult beverage with dinner.  I had figured we would, so I figured it into the days totals.  Though I was anticipating a lite beer, which isn't what I got since hubby didn't want what was at that stand.  But, I stuck with the turkey burger and pickles for dinner and one beer.  I stole about 10 of hubbies fries, rather than getting my own.  When he went up to get a second beer (which I was slightly jealous of), I had him bring me a diet soda. 

On the way home, we stopped at our local convenience store so he could have cookies.  He loves their chocolate chip ones.  So, rather than watch him eat, I also got a snack.  A pre-packaged carrots and celery bowl with Ranch dressing.  It's yummy and I felt like I had something too.  Would have rather had the cookies...

All in all, not a bad day.  I went over a bit on points, but eh.  It was a special occasion, what are you going to do? 

I'm doing well with keeping up with my to-do list daily.  It's good to have one again.  When one thing slacks, everything slacks.  LOL!  Things are getting done around here.  Finally!  The photo blog is going well.  Check it out when you get the chance.  It's got some great pictures...or at least I think so.  :-)

Getting back on the wagon...

is hard to do!  Wow.  I'm amazed at how hard it was to truly get back into the swing of things.  I thought it wouldn't be that bad.  I was craving veggies and fruit and home made meals, so I thought this is awesome!  I'll be able to hit the ground running and have a fairly easy time of it.  But, the best laid plans...

Friday was great actually.  I had a really easy time of it.  For Christmas, hubby gifted me the new Wii Active expansion pack, so I opened it up Thursday night and read the paperwork on it.  Then Friday, I busted it out and decided to go with the 6-Week Challenge.  I like the idea of having to do it on certain days to keep up with it rather than having to pick the routine when I use it.  And it was good!  I enjoyed it (though my body didn't on Sat. when I was sore!).  And food was great!  Ate within my points and did well, drank water, increased fruits and veggies.  I was doing good.

Saturday wasn't good.  :-(  I started off the day sleeping in later than I wanted and missed the chance to run outside.  So, rather than do nothing, I used the treadmill.  We have one, but it's not the greatest, but it suffices when you need something.  I thought I could do my 2 mile run on it and oh no, was I mistaken!  I got 1 mile and was DYING.  It was so sad.  BUT, it was my first run in three weeks, so I'm not too bummed about it.  I recognize the treadmill isn't professional quality and it's rougher than being outside.  I recognize I haven't run in three weeks.  So, I have to build up a little more than I thought.  No biggie.  Food was the killer.  I ate a banana after running, then we were gone all afternoon and I didn't eat again until dinner at 5:00 p.m.  And ate I did!  Ugh.  It was not pretty.  I went overboard with cheese fries and cookies when we got home.  :-(

Sunday was just a total disaster.  I did do the Wii Fit.  The goal was 30 minutes, but I did 45, so I was excited about that.  Especially since I did want to be done at 30 minutes, but I added in some balance exercises that upped it to 45 minutes.  And that was the best thing I can say about the day.  I ate like CRAP!  We have so many left overs from the holidays that I just snacked on them all day.  Especially at night.  Ugh.

I think I got it out of my system though.  Today, I got up and did Day 2 of the 6-Week Challenge.  It made me do more crunches and ugh, push-ups!  I haven't done those in AGES.  I expect pain tomorrow.  LOL!  I also ate a good breakfast (cereal, banana, coffee with soy milk) and lunch was a BIG salad!  Very happy that lunch was veggie based.  We need to get ourselves back into veggies for lunch.  So, we have Romaine lettuce, yellow onions, red/green/orange/yellow peppers, carrots, broccoli all chopped and ready for anything.  That should go a long way towards getting us back on track and moving towards our health goals for the year.

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As to my professional goals - I ordered a refill for my planner, which I will need!  I should have that next week.  I am going to spend the after noon figuring out the next steps in going forward on my photography business.  AND I saw that a local community college is looking for professors, so will head over to their website to see if there's anything I can apply for.  Wish me luck!

5.5 pounds

Yup, in the last two weeks (give or take a day), I have gained 5.5 pounds back. Ugh. I mean, that only equates to 2.25 pounds per week, if thought of logically, but still. That's a lot! I was a little afraid to get on the scale cause when I came back from Vegas the scale said 7 pounds and that was before the "all-you-can-eat-cold." So, this morning I was thinking it would say 10. Apparently, the body fighting off the cold virus for 6 days (and counting) helped. Yea cold! You were good for something. *rolleyes*

So, it's start fresh day. I'm hoping I can be down about half of that before going back to WW. That would be acceptable. It's going to take a few weeks to get it off, but I can do it. I would LOVE to loose another 10-15 before heading on our next trip, but I think 10 might be the max I can expect in the next 9 weeks. *crossed* it can happen.

So, today, I cleaned out the fridge. Nothing more fun that cleaning out the refrigerator let me tell you! It's cleaned out and ready for food. I need to write out the grocery list for the next few weeks and get some veggies. I'll head to the two small stands near the house for that, then the grocery store for the other stuff. I think we're ok overall, just need a good amount of perishables - veggies, fruits, milk, break, etc. Stuff you get when you're going to get 10 feet of snow. LOL!

I am still coughing with my cold and I think there's a post-nasal drip thing happening, so I'm holding off on the Wii. I go to the doctor on Friday about my knee. Hoping that she'll tell me to just get a good brace and I'll be good to go. I have two runs coming up, one of which I've never run that distance before. I need to get back out there if I'm going to do them!