Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Going the Distance Challenge

Because one challenge is never enough!  I am going to add one more and hope I can keep track of all my goals.  Robby at Fat Girl vs. World is running a little challenge!  The goal is to pick a distance for the month of October and meet it!  Simple enough!  I've been wanting to set a distance goal but was too afraid to include it in the Hot 100 challenge.  Yay for a separate challenge!  

My goal for October is to run/walk 100 miles!  Phew that is a ton of miles and may just kill me but I gots to try.   I chose to buy a new Fall/Winter outfit since I am hoping to need new pants by then...(hides head in anticipation)!  

I will update on both challenges on Fridays!  Look forward to hearing all about my progress on these two awesome motivators!!  

Monday, September 27, 2010

Damn you weekends!

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!  Mine was super busy and I couldn't wait to sleep last night.  I didn't make proper food choices all weekend.  It's amazing how much your body feels like crap from eating crap!  I will have to spend the rest of this week just trying to put my digestive system back on track.  There is the school of thought out there that shaking up your caloric intake will throw off your metabolism.  Well then mine should be shocked and awed!  

The weekend is over.  I made the choices.  Time to pull up the big girl panties and move forward.  I plan to stick to my calories and piss off the part of my brain that loved this weekend.  Those neurons can shove it.  

I did get my exercise in.  But with all the activities that required sitting meeting my step goal was a challenge.  Too bad you can't use cell phones during trivia or I could have walked laps around the building, lol!  This would have kept me away from the food too!  

Yesterday was a cold, wet miserable kind of day.  I couldn't go for my long run until evening and thankfully the wet stuff cleared out but it was nippy!   It felt great to be outside running in the cool evening air.  The only drawback was I had to pace myself more.  I ran 6.33 miles in 69 min.  Apparently, my pacing didn't translate from my brain to my feet!  Oh well.  It felt good anyway.  One month to the 10k!  I am so ready to hit this race!!  

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Hot 100 Challenge

I've decided to join my fellow bloggers in making the best of the final 100 days of 2010!  South Beach Steve over at Log My Loss is hosting a 100 Days Challenge.  You still have time to get involved so come join us!  


I need to pick at least 3 goals that I would like to achieve before the end of the year!  Can you believe there are only 100 days left?  
  1. Get more sleep each night.  I am horrible about staying up much too late and then spending the rest of the week exhausted.  
  2. Drop 20 lbs and be at 200 lbs!  I will totally buy a hot dress and spend NYE out on the town when this happens!!
  3. Continue my monthly meal planning even with all the holiday activities looming.  I want to be prepared even if things have to change at least there is a plan in place. 
  4. Work on my balance.  I need to spend time practicing when I'm not with Ms. All-star!  I am good while standing still but add movement and I'm guaranteed to fall. 
I want to make the next 100 days work for me and not against me!  I don't want to fear the holidays and then give up because caving in seems easier.  I don't want to spend the first 3 months of 2011 fixing my mistakes!  

So here's to finishing 2010 strong and ringing in an awesome 2011!  

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Sources of Inspiration

For the last few seasons of The Biggest Loser, I've taped them and waited until the season was over to watch the whole thing at one time.  I did this because I found myself unmotivated in my own weight loss and not interested in watching someone else have success.  Plus, it gave me something to watch over the summer!  Truth be told, I was scared that the show wouldn't hold the same meaning, that the motivation and inspiration wouldn't be there because I wasn't mentally ready to receive it.  I had failed on my own journey and needed to find my way back to the road. 

I've decided to watch this season in real time (well DVRed real time).  I have found my path once again which provides all the motivation I need to succeed.  The show will always provide inspiration to keep going but now it is no longer a catalyst for my own success.  So much of this journey is mental.  It's something I struggle with every day.  One day at a time; striving so that each one builds on the last. 

Anyway, musings about the show.  I always cry because I understand where the contestants are coming from.  The back stories are almost more interesting than the weight loss and challenges.  The point that struck me the most was when the potential contestants run 1 mile.  Bob says something like, everyone can run a mile, right?  Wrong.  I remember the first time I ever tried to run at all.  I thought my legs were going to fall off.  The first time I ran a mile I thought my lungs were going to rip out of my body.   I look back and realize how far I've come.  I can run 6 miles now.  That is 6 miles without walking.  I'm pretty sure the Brigitte at 1 mile would have laughed if told one day you'll run 6 miles without stopping.   I am so proud of what I can push my body to do and accomplish.  I've come a long way mentally, physically and spiritually.  Just think the journey still has miles to go and I look forward to every bit of it! 

Monday, September 20, 2010

Cupcake of Happiness Blog Award

I am always honored to receive blog awards!  I got this one from Dr. Fat to Fit!  The requirements are as follows:
1. Post who gave you this award
Thank you Dr. F from Dr. Fatty Finds Fitness!
2. State 10 things you like:
  1. Spending time with my niece and nephew.  They are so much fun to hang out with.
  2. Tennis shoes.  I probably own 15 pairs.  I love shoes in general but I own way too many athletic shoes.  Seriously, I only need 1 pair! 
  3. My iphone.  I don't remember life before I got it!
  4. Pumpkin.  I bought a bunch of cans and can't wait to start making things! 
  5. Halloween.  I can't wait to decorate.  Is it too soon?
  6. Reading.  I like to hold real books but I am intrigued by the electronic readers. 
  7. Office supplies.  There is nothing like new pens or pencils, post-its and the smell of tape!  I always carry post-its!  You never know when you need one! 
  8. Mizzou football.  Go ZOU! 
  9. Candles.  I buy way too many.  I love this time of year when the pumpkin spices are coming out.  The Christmas scents are also a fave. 
  10. Flowers.  It is always nice to get them but even more fun to pick some up just because! 
3. Give this award to 10 other bloggers and notify them with a comment.
  1.  This is when I realize I need to read more blogs.  I give this award to all those wonderful blogs out there that haven't had it yet!  Claim away kids!! (I know this is the cop-out answer...I suck)

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Weigh and Measure Day - Month 3

Yesterday was W & M day with the trainer!  Ms. All-star and I have been putting up with each other for almost three months (surprisingly neither of us has killed the other, YET)!  It's amazing how different I feel by doing more than just cardio at the gym.  The other day she was whining about having to do so much cardio and not having enough time for all the "fun" stuff.  I would much rather do cardio and pretend the "fun" stuff doesn't exist.  However, I will be the first to admit before her my idea of strength training was lifting the kitty liter carton (it does weigh 25lbs) once a month!  I am really glad I have her around to make me do all the "fun" stuff!  Heck, I can even sort of balance now and that blows my mind, well until I trip over the flat floor. 

So without further ado....
I weighed in at 226 pounds!  That is a lose of 6 lbs for the month and 1% body fat!  It is also 3, count 'em, 3 lbs from 100 total.  Woo hoo!  Something to strive for next week or realistically the following week!  I lost almost an inch around the middle and various fractions of an inch in other places.  I am pretty happy with my progress.  The results have slowed down but I notice my clothes fitting better or in the case of my pants this morning not at all!  Suckers fell right to the floor!!!  I also love that despite the bat wings my arms have some definition.  I can actually see a muscle there, who knew?  My calves are also pretty hot, lol!  It's so much fun to see other people's reactions and hear all the praise.  I can soak it up for days!  :P 

My wish for everyone struggling with their weight is that they reach the point where they feel good about their bodies.   It doesn't matter what size you are at that point, just that what you see in the mirror no longer makes you cry and instead puts that smile on your face! 

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Allergies suck and it's W & M day

My Fall allergies are worse than the Spring/Summer and I don't like it.  I've had a sinus headache for a couple days.  Last night, I came home from work, took some sudafed and passed out for a 2-hour nap!  It was great!  I was able to function better and even had more energy for the gym.   Luckily, dinner was salmon and quickly broiled in the oven.  Apparently, my meal planning in advance was a lifesaver last night!  The headache is still there but it's not nearly as annoying.

Today is weigh and measure day.  I already know that I haven't lost much this month and can only hope that muscle is compensating.  I have to be more diligent in my food tracking and stop the weekend binges.  Stupid weekends.  This happened the last time I made it to this weight (before all the sickness drama).  My body clung to the fat like glue.  I'll have to work harder.   Wish me luck tonight!! 

Monday, September 13, 2010

Runner High

I received a new blog award and will post all about it later!  I am excited!  Thanks to Dr. F!

I've been running for a few years now and have never experienced that "runner's high" that other people report.  I am always happy when the run is over but that's because it is over and not some endorphin rush.   I am usually dragging my ass home and whining about how hard it was to complete.   I love to run and get really bored walking, so that is what motivates me to do it over and over again.  This all changed last night!  

I waited to run until late evening and had to finish in the dark.  It was a bit spooky; I ran faster!  I started out at a pretty good pace and wasn't laboring.  Wow, that is something I am pretty sure I would never say or put into writing.  I finished the first 5k in 34 min.  In the back of my mind I was thinking, maybe I can do all 6.2 miles tonight.  I kept going and was still doing pretty well (minor almost asthma attack from the wood burning smoke near the trail).  I finished 5.5 miles and was starting to feel jelly legs coming on but I persevered and finished 6.22 miles in 70 min!  There was some happy dancing and fist pumping smack dab in the middle of the trail.  Thankfully, it was dark and no one saw it, LOL!  I couldn't wait to get home and tell my mommy!  I was bouncing off the walls and that folks was my first ever "runner's high"!   

I also felt some validation into the running world!  Not that I need acceptance but it was kind of nice to feel the support from a total stranger.   I passed a few runners on the other side of the trail and always take stock of who is around me.  On the way back, a guy that I passed earlier gave me a thumbs up and a smile of encouragement!  He was obviously a big time runner, you know the ones with the lanky build and the ability to run without an ipod marathoner-types.  It was a super cool move and he has no idea how much the support meant!  So I think I am a real runner now...  :P Well at least in my head!  

Friday, September 10, 2010

Recipe: Apricot Chicken

We made this for dinner on Wednesday!  It's a staple from my childhood and my mom dug it back out!  It came from one of the ladies in her beauty shop and the "Grandma" type recipes are always the best! Enjoy!

Apricot Chicken
4-6 Boneless, skinless chicken breast
1 8oz jar of apricot perserves
1 8oz bottle Russian salad dressing
1 pkg of onion soup mix, dry

Preheat oven to 350.  Mix all the ingredients together.  Place the chicken into a 9x13 pan. Pour over the apricot mixture.  Bake for about 1 hour or until chicken is tender.  Spoon some of the sauce over the chicken and serve!  

It is super yummy! 

Have you seen my energy?

I have been really tired, fatigued or whatever you want to call my lack of energy.  I blame my TOM and perhaps all my workouts have caught up with me.  The rainy weather hasn't helped the cause either.  If I had a good book, my butt would have stayed in bed this morning!  I don't like feeling lethargic especially since I feel rested and not sleepy-tired.  My energy has just left the building.  I hope it finds it's way back and soon!

I had this lofty goal of working 8-4 starting this week.  This way I wouldn't be making up so much time because of the gym.   Well that never materialized.   I'm up plenty early.   I just choose to be a bum at home than get my arse into work earlier.  Perhaps next week will be more fruitful and I can actually meet this goal!   

We have stuck to the menu plan fabulously!  It has made things so much easier at dinner time.  My mom wants to help more and that thrills me!!  I'm hoping this helps us spend less on groceries and eating out.  We only buy the stuff we need for 2 weeks at a time and with meals all planned we won't have to eat out as much.  I will be glad if we can keep eating out to only once a week!  I'm super proud of us for making this change!!  

Hugs to all my blog friends! 

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Donut Crisis!!

You can all stop panicking the donut crisis has been contained...for now. 

I arrived to find donuts sitting on the shared space between my cube mate and my desk.  Gasp!  I am not a huge fan of the fried sugary goodness but I have been know to gobble one up from time to time.  I can usually turn them down without a second glance.  Well in the interest of TMI, it's that TOM and the smell of all the sugary goodness was making my knees weak.  They smell amazing!  Damn donuts why must you taunt me so.  Thankfully, they have been moved to the center of the Cube Quad.  I can still smell them but now in order to be tempted I would have to get up.  Oh, that would be good use of steps......

Just kidding!! Damn donuts.... 

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Long weekends rule

I wanted to send a welcome out to my newest followers and blog friends!  Thanks for stopping by my little world!  And to everyone, thank you for all the continued support!  

This weekend was wonderful!  The weather was great and I didn't have anything pressing to do.  I got a ton of things accomplished but not everything...oh well!  I cleaned up some of my summer plants and put out the mums.  Now my patio is all ready for Fall!  I baked some Cranberry Pumpkin Bread which turned out really good!  I would post the recipe but it isn't exactly weight-loss friendly.  A girl has to splurge every now and then!  So my kitchen is in the mood for Fall (the pumpkin spice candles help).  Can you tell I am moving this season thing right along?  

The biggest accomplishment (besides the 5.6 mile run) was planning out meals for the next two months.   I have main dishes planned out for 3 nights per week!  That leaves plenty of left overs for lunch and dinner the other days!  It is of course open for wiggle room should unexpected events pop-up but for the most part we are all set through the end of October! It feels like a good mix of things I like to eat and things my mom will eat!  So hurray for balance!  I am happy to report that so far we are sticking to the plan.  Stay tuned to see if it continues!   

Sunday: We had Turkey Burgers with a peach grilling sauce mixed in and grilled corn.
Monday:  We had BBQ Pork Steaks and Red Beet Salad (courtesy of Gina's Skinnytaste).
Tonight:  Apricot Chicken and some kind of veggie or the beet salad again.  


Now I'm hungry!  I hope everyone had a nice week! 

Saturday, September 4, 2010

10k running update and blog award

Hello dear readers!  I am spending my evening catching up on blogs, Facebook and my DVR!  I'm being a regular ole bum!  I believe I earned the right after running this afternoon.  I ran 5.63 today in 63 minutes!  I'll worry about improving my time later.  I don't think I can keep this pace up in a race...well not right now!  It was nice and cool today which made it easier. My first priority is to hit the distance consistently!  This is a huge success in my world and I can't wait to reach for more next weekend!  Now for the fun and exciting part of the post!  You can find out more tidbits about lil ole me!

I was given this awesome award back in July.  I haven't had time to truly answer and accept it until now.   I am super thankful to Joy at Nuggets of Truth and I am truly sorry for not accepting sooner!   Everyone should stop by her blog and read her inspiring journey!   


Here are the rules:
1. Thank the person who gave you the award.
2. Share seven things about yourself.
3. Nominate fifteen newly discovered blogs.
4. Let your nominees know about the award.

7 things about myself...  (This is not easy)

1. I am stoked that NKOTB got back together!  And getting to meet Donnie Wahlberg is pretty much the pinnacle of my life!  Call me a dork but meeting your teenage crush is pretty f'n awesome!  

2. I am a baseball addict.  I love my STL Cardinals to death (and right now they are killing me)!  I even have the tattoo to prove it.  So my love is a little deeper than skin, lol!  

3. I love NYC.  The sights, the sounds, the people, heck I even love the smell!  I could wander the streets people watching for hours!  But I truly love MOMA, Broadway, Serendipity 3 and spending time with my East Coast friends!

4. I like to garden.  There is nothing like the feeling of playing in dirt!  Unfortunately, all I have is a patio but I make the most of my potted plants.  The crowning glory is our peony bush rescued from my childhood home!  It has to be close to 80 years old and is still going strong!  This summer was incredibly brutal on the pots and I hope next Spring/Summer is better. 

5. I am active with my church's youth group!  I love getting to spend time with the kids on activities and mission trips.  They treat me as one of them!  It's awesome getting to revert back to my childhood with them!  But more importantly, I love being able to help them grow in their faith.


6. I am a Christmas freak!  The baking, the decorating, the shopping, the light viewing and gift giving.  I love it all!  I put up two trees and one is just Cardinals stuff!  This year I may have to scale back so that the puppy won't eat everything.  This makes me sad!  But I'll just have to make his first Christmas with us super special in a puppy friendly way!!

7.  I am excited that the air is getting crispier and cooler.  Fall is my favorite time of year!  I love all the pumpkin foods, the smell in the air, the beautiful leaves, Halloween, wearing jeans and sweaters, Thanksgiving and last but not least my birthday!  College football starts with hockey and basketball around the corner.  It a beautiful time of year!  

I nominate: Thanks for your motivation!  I am glad I found all of you and love to read your blogs!

Friday, September 3, 2010

Santa's always watching

A funny story for a Friday!  Earlier this summer on our church mission trip, we helped out at a day care in East STL.  It was a great time with some wonderful children.  We went from room to room to play with the kiddos.  I walked into the 2 year old room and was promptly greeted by this squealing little boy!  He threw is arms around my legs and screamed, "SANTA".  In his defense, I am jolly and I was wearing a red shirt.  It was pretty funny and I joined in the laughter.  I even retold the story numerous times.  But in reality this little kid had a point.  I am obese and need to do something about it.  In hindsight, this innocent comment had a greater impact than any of my would've, could've, or should've.  I joined a gym and hired a trainer two weeks later.  I suppose I should thank this little guy or perhaps send his parents a bill for my therapist!

I hope all of my readers have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!  Don't over due the BBQ and fixings!  My plan is hang out at home and be a bum!  Maybe I'll even get to one of those projects I keep putting off!  Later! 

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Thank God August is OVER!

August was not a great month for me.  I was distracted by all the extra-curricular activities in my life.  I made horrible food choices and ate more crap than I care to admit.  Oh but some of it was incredibly good....I digress.  So while I love August as a month, I was happy to see her end along with all the celebrations!  The upcoming holiday season may not bode well for me.  I can taste the cookies already and I am doomed.   I'll worry about that later and strive for a better September first!    

It wasn't all bad choices.  I did manage to get all my workouts completed which is probably what saved the scale from utter disaster.  I did cook some and ate better on those days!  I am stockpiling more recipes to try and plan to spend this long holiday weekend organizing September and maybe October!  I do much better when I plan things out.  It keeps the anxiety at bay.  I did spend quality time with my best friend, my mommy and my church family and those are things that I never regret.  I need to learn that focusing on these good choices is more important than dwelling on the bad.  It's a difficult lesson and one that doesn't come naturally. 

On Saturday, I ran outside for the first time all summer.  It has been too hot and humid out to even attempt.  It was a beautiful day with no humidity!  I took full advantage and ran 5 miles!  I pushed myself to see what I was capable of doing.  On the treadmill, I've managed 4 miles but that is so much easier.   There is no weather, asphalt or masses of people to factor into the equation.  Just a girl and her treadmill.  I am super proud of myself for being able to do it.  I finished in just under an hour and surprisingly wasn't passed out on the ground afterwords!  Go me!  I know that in the past I may have whined, ok ok bitched, about doing the interval zones (those medium and high days) but they really do help the stamina and speed.  I may just become an actual runner yet! 

Speaking of those medium days...week 10 can suck it.  Hear that Ms. All-star, you can have week 10 back and keep the "You're welcomes" to yourself.  I am pretty sure I did pass out from it.   Wk 10 medium consist of 10min in HR zone 2 (which means I have to run at 6.3+), then 10 min in HR zone 1 (which normally is easy) and finally because your ass isn't dragging already let us do 10 more minutes in HR zone 2.  Oh my F'n God...that sucked.  I went home, cuddled my puppy and weeped in exhaustion.  I can wait another 3 months before doing that again!!