Praise the Lord

...the worst of this week is OVER.

I went on a work out hiatus (sad, I know) from Wednesday until Monday due to the wonderful-ness that was the hardest, yet arguably most rewarding project of my life.

So Monday I finished my project early and got to run.

Yesterday, however, after my project was turned in, the presentation with the professor's grilling complete, and brain still shot, my dear little friend, Tequila, took over and happy hour beat out any kind of work out.

Don't fret, though, I made up for it today & will be fishing tonight, so that's physical activity, right?

Monday: 3.1 miles; hot, humid, slow.

Wednesday: 40 minutes weight-training, focus on legs; 10 minutes abs; 35 minute swim (25 laps)

Injury report: nada, nothing, Hallelujah!

PS I'll include a fishing report in the next post.

Yes I Can!

So, I'm supposed to be training for a half marathon that is happening in exactly 2 months and 3 days. It's been very very hard to get motivated to run this go-round. So, I try hard to find things to motivate me to run. Tonight, my motivation came in the form of the leader of our great nation. No matter what your politics, having the President in your neighborhood doesn't happen everyday.

So, I laced up my Saucony's and off I ran. In the rain I might add. I wanted to see how close I could get to the Getty Mansion (1 block). Here's a pic from my run. Yeah. I ran up that.

Back in the Saddle Again

Sister, I'm proud of you for picking this back up. It ain't easy.

You know what else ain't easy? Getting in shape. It's so easy to be distracted by tasty, yummy, delicious food. It's equally as easy to come up with excuses not to work out. As many reasons as there are to eat well and live a healthy lifestyle, there are 10 times as many excuses not to. Most of them are deep-fried or dipped in chocolate.

In September I decided I'd hit a wall and needed to take action to get my health under control. Never mind the fact that I didn't really like the gal I saw in the mirror, all of the health problems that run in our family mean that we have to fight extra hard to avoid the piles of pills that our parents and grandparents have to deal with.

So, I started going to Weight Watchers meetings. I know they're not for everyone, but they've been a God-send for me. My first weigh-in was October 8, 2009. I'm now 27 weeks in, and I'm 12.2 pounds away from my goal weight. I can't lie, it's not always easy to keep that goal in sight, but I'm slowly doing it. The end is near! I know I still have a little ways to go, but I feel happier, healthier & more confident in myself than I have in a long time. Here's a little snapshot of the journey I've been on the last 27 weeks:


Pretty, isn't it?

Bad Blogger

I haven't been doing so hot posting on a regular basis and blogging food, so I'm giving up on the food thing altogether unless I come across something really delicious I think I should share.

Monday's Workout: 4.25 mile run

Tuesday's Workout: 6.2 mile run in 65 minutes..yuck to this! I was hoping it was 6.5. But I had only been planning on running 3 miles and doing some abs, so I would say it was a successful day over all!

Injury Report: My leg hurt during Monday's run and I could feel a little twinge yesterday here and there, but overall I feel great and am not having any pain today :)

My friend made a cake similar to this little slice of heaven yesterday for our potluck and I quickly looked up the recipe on thepioneerwoman.com. I'll send you the link if you feel like being bad and want to indulge.

We did again last night. with ice cream.

Home Sweet Home

I never posted Thursday's workout and I haven't the slightest idea what I ate so I'll just make it quick. I went to a spin class with my friend who's been trying to convince me to go forever with her. It kicked my butt! I loved it, though and will probably be going again soon.

I decided to not take any workout clothes home this weekend (YIKES! I know!) and give myself a break so I haven't worked out since Thursday...and we won't even talk about what I ate while home with my daddy (Mexican food, cookies, bbq..oh my!)

It was worth it, though, and I can't wait to hit the road running tomorrow!

Happy Sunday!

Blown Away

Short post today because I'm sleepy.

Workout: Short 3 miles. Humid, 20+mph wind gusts. FUN. Was going to do P90x with the roomie, but it got to be too late, so decided running was good enough for the day.

Food: Breakfast started with Kashi Go Lean and OJ, but quickly found weevils, so ended with a slice of cinnamon toast.

Lunch: Turkey sandwich with lettuce, tomatoes, and avocado

Snacks: nuts+craisins, goldfish, golden chocolate coins, cocoa almonds (small portions of each), Fiber One bar

Dinner: Baked chicken breast with sweet potatoes; sugar-free popsicle for dessert

So you see, snacks are still my problem...need to curve the boredom factor.

Injury Report: Leg started hurting again today, so I might forego the 5-6 mile run I had planned for tomorrow and opt for a P90x video. We'll see how I feel tomorrow.

Sweet dreams!

Just keep swimming...

Work out: 30 minutes arms, 10 minutes abs/core, 35 minute lap swim

Successful, overall, I would say :)

Food Log:

• Breakfast: Oat grains with strawberries and blackberries
• Snacks: mixed nuts with craisins; fiber one bar
• Late lunch: last bit of weight watchers pasta mix and small salad
• Afternoon (boredom) snacking: 1235343 cocoa almonds (see below), a couple of golden chocolate coins, banana

My mom brought these little nuggets of joy to my house this weekend and left them for me to become addicted to. Today I hooked my roomie, as well, so I'm not the only one tortured by their greatness. I highly recommend them. They have to be healthy right? almonds + dark chocolate?

• Dinner: Weight Watchers Mexican lasagna, about 6 chips with salsa, sugar-free popsicle and a golden chocolate coin
• So you see, my main problems are snacking and chocolate. Any ideas on how to stop my two vices?

Injury Report: Leg feels much better, especially since I gave it a rest.

Random Thoughts: Bummed I couldn't do leg weights today but I needed "respect the pain" & give it a rest. However, my poor little glutes need some serious help. I've lost them and need to find them quick! Any ideas out on how to work the glutes without straining the quads/hams by doing lunges, squats, etc?

And a note from my feet: PLEASE buy new shoes.

We were doing group work in class today and my friend and running partner turned to me and said, "Man, I noticed the treads on your shoes look as bad as mine." You know it's a problem when somebody else notices the treads on my shoes are worn off.

Anybody want to contribute to my shoe fund?!

A Fresh Start

Hello, old, friend, I'm back. For good. Hopefully.

When I decided to start up the blog again, I thought I should make a completely new one documenting my journey to (successfully) running a marathon and being able to cross it off my "list." You know, something cool, with running shoes everywhere, since after all, this blog was started as a way to keep 3 cousins accountable for weight loss. And as my mom (who's the only person I know of that reads this) is aware, that crashed and burned before we reached the end. But if we're going to keep it real on here (& why wouldn't we?!) then let's GET REAL.

Running = weight loss = improved fitness. Most people I know don't start running just because it looks like fun. They run to get in shape, lose weight, look better, and, of course, help prevent all those diseases running helps prevent. whatever they are. That's a whole different post.

So, you see, as superficial as it seems, my love for running began with my self-centered desire to look better. It's okay. I can admit it. But then it became something else. My outlet to stress, goals to reach, a drug I can't stop. Really..I've never actually done drugs, except for the one time I had my wisdom teeth pulled and they gave me narcotics for the pain. But BELIEVE ME..this running drug of mine is WAY better. It's addictive and I can't stop, even with all the little aches and pains.

Anyway, to keep it REAL, I will also post to keep myself accountable in trying to eat healthier. ie one cookie instead of two. okay. You caught me. One instead of 3. But we'll start all that tomorrow because nobody wants to hear about what I ate today.

So, enough chit chat..here we go:

Monday: 4.2 miles, 45 minutes. Slow, sweaty, humid, windy. 2 stops to play with dogs. One a gorgeous golden retriever, Deacon, who had the nicest owner, with whom I had a great conversation with about running.

Injury report: Because one of my favorite websites with these fine athletes has one:

Some pain in my left quad where I've been having a shooting pain, but it didn't stop me.