Meal Plan for February 2, 2014

I really can't get my act together to post on Sundays.  Feel free to ask for recipes.  Many come from Pinterest so follow me over there.  The rest I can type up or find the link!
 

Sunday: LO

Monday:  Pork Loin (apple bourbon or something)

Tuesday: Sloppy Joes

Wednesday: LO

Thursday: Fish

Friday: LO

Saturday: Enchilada casserole in the Crock

Meal Plan for January 26, 2014

We have been eating a ton of soups lately!  This weather really dictates it! 

Meal Plan for January 26, 2014

Sunday: LO

Monday:  LO

Tuesday: Macaroni and Cheese

Wednesday: LO

Thursday: Fish

Friday: LO

Saturday: White Bean Chicken Chili

Meal Plan Week of January 19. 2014

I really suck at updating from home.  I try to stay off the computer and don't like blogging from the ipad.  Here is this week's menu....

Meal plan for week January 12, 2014       

Sunday: LO

Monday:  LO

Tuesday: Jambalya with turkey sausage

Wednesday: LO

Thursday: Cornish Hens

Friday: Fish

Saturday: Taco Soup

Week 2: The week when having a cold and being a girl suck

Challenge - Week 2

On the Biggest Loser, week 2 is notoriously a tricky week.  It never fails that the trainers are baffled by the results.  It is always a difficult week mentally and physically for the contestants.  Our group fell right into sync with the craziness that is week 2.  Some of us had a fantastic week and some of us struggled.  

I was a good mix of both.  I struggled physically.  My body was tired and it took a bunch of effort to even get to the gym.  On the other hand, I had success and lost 3.2 pounds.  New weight 266.2 and total 12.6 lbs.  

I know why I was tried and dragging....a cold and that awful bitch, Aunt Flo.  I am just now with the help of medicine feeling better and luckily Flo has stopped.  But man, did both of these whammy my motivation to workout.  My long run on Sunday felt like I was running through quicksand in the arctic (there was a bunch of ice covered snow).  I guess the good part is I did it and most of my other workouts for the week.  I can't say I had that euphoric moment of "heck yeah, I feel great" but I definitely felt better than lying on the couch in self pity.  I just made up for it by sleeping...a lot!  

I feel like I have been doing a pretty great job with diet.  I again tracked everything this past week.  We stuck to the meal plan except for one night of ordering Jimmy Johns.  I had plenty of calories remaining to even get bacon.   It really is the little pleasures when you are trying to be good.  I even went to a happy hour with co-workers and neither drank nor ate any of the yummy goodness.  It was torture but the wonderful conversations made it easier to withhold.  

I find even this early in the challenge that doing this with my girls is way better than alone.  I know as the weeks go on and I am more into training mode and less in the I need to lose weigh mode, they will keep me motivated to try and accomplish both.  That is really my challenge; to lose weight and training for half marathons.  However, I really need to drop some pounds before the double in May or that will be real torture!  I know that I can do it.  It will just take a bunch of discipline and shoulders to cry on!  

Until next week!  

Meal plan for week January 12, 2014       

Sunday: Pork Chops/couscous/veggies (squash,peppers)

Monday:  LO

Tuesday: Chicken & Dumplings in Crockpot

Wednesday: LO

Thursday: Fish

Friday: LO

Saturday: Salsa Chicken

Meal Planning for Week January 1, 2014 and January 5, 2014

January 1 -  I planned meals to start on Wednesday. 

Here is the menu for this week: 

Wednesday: Chili 

Thursday: Fish

Friday: LO

Saturday: Tortilla Soup

January 5

Here is the menu for this week: 

Sunday: LO

Monday:  LO

Tuesday: Chicken & Rice in Crockpot

Wednesday: LO

Thursday: Fish

Friday: LO

Saturday: Taco Soup

I need to ease into this eating and cooking thing.  We haven't planned meals and our house since um, well I can't remember!  I think the first success was sitting down and planning out three months of meals! 

3 weeks to RNR STL

I was running along this morning enjoying the cooler weather (okay that is a blatant lie) when reality hit me upside the head that there are only 3 weeks until the RNR STL Half.  How the heck did this race just sneak up on me.  I mean wasn't I just in Hawaii running a half.  Oh right, I've been home for a month.  Well you know....

So I am not going to panic.  I mean I got this.  Thank goodness for a couple of 10ks that I can totally use as training runs!  SCORE!  Now if I can just convince the heel to quit hurting.  I do not think it is plantar factitious, I've had that before. This feels and acts differently.  I am not letting it stop me and trying to RICE as best as I can.  I have running to do dang nabit and I can rest in this winter.

 

In other news, I bought a new dry erase calendar to plan my meals on.  It's very nerdy, slightly organized and better for the environment!  In other words, I love it!!     

 

Here is the menu for this week: 

Sunday:  Turkey and Brown Rice Casserole

Monday:  LO

Tuesday: Meatloaf

Wednesday: LO

Thursday: Fish  

Friday: LO

Saturday: Chicken, Red Grape and Pesto Pizza

Some weeks are just ho-hum

This week has just been blah.  No particular reason!  I knew my weigh-in would be off.  Last week I WI at 9am which is way outside my norm and this week I had my favorite visitor (not).  I just have more work to do and that's okay.

My trainer was on vacation and I found out how lonely it is to work out by my onesies.  I don't mind running by myself but being at the gym without any of my girls is just weird.  I did it though and survived!  However, I don't want to make a habit of it!  I need the audience, lol!  It's funny how you start to depend on people and look forward to seeing them.

My training is going well!  Did my first 8 miler in months!  It felt fantastic but boy was I drained.  It took every ounce of energy to make it through my run.  The legs felt like jello.  However, my endurance is getting so much better.  I only walked about 5 min of the whole 100 minutes I was running! I mostly did that so I could consume my GU chomps.  I'm out of practice and walking makes it easier to chew!  I felt pretty darn proud!  I've come a long way since sitting out for almost 3 months.

Not much to blog about.  See still feeling blah!  Here's hoping for a more perky week!            

 

Here is the menu for this week: 

Sunday:  Fish Tacos

Monday:  White Bean Ckn Chili

Tuesday: Grilled Ckn

Wednesday: LO

Thursday: Fish  

Friday: LO

Saturday: LO

Inspiration in every corner

Mission ReFocus is in full swing!  And no just for me.....   

Before I start blabbering on about my week, I want to share about my friend Melissa G!  I am so proud of her and what she has been able to accomplish so far!  Melissa decided a couple months ago to begin running.  She would send me messages wondering when does this get easier and can I really keep this up?  I assured her it does get easier.  Keep at it and every time out will feel a bit better than the last.  She called yesterday to brag that she can now do 35 mins straight!  WOOOOOO!!  I can't even put into words how excited I am for her or how proud I am of her successes.  She has worked so hard to become this healthier version of herself!  Notice I said healthier and not better!  She is already an amazing person who is reaching every goal she sets out to accomplish!  I never realized how much my talking about running has meant to someone else until Melissa said thank you for inspiring me.  It's weird to think anyone looks at me for inspiration.  Little does she know that I get so much inspiration from her!  I love you, my friend!  Thank for making me a stronger person!

 It has been brutally hot and humid but we got rain tonight!!  I hope this cools things off for a bit.  Perhaps, I won't have to pray for snow while I sweat gallons during my runs this week!  I've had enough of 100 degree weather.

Yesterday I ran the Hannibal Cannibal 5k.  This race is torture!  There's a hill that goes up like 630 feet.  It is brutal.  But we all have so much fun doing it every year!  I am pretty sure no matter how much I train my time is never going to be great on this race.  I'm okay with that.  It's more important to finish strong.  It also reminded me that I really need to start running more hills.  Yuck! 

This morning was my long run for the week.  90 mins of pure humid hell!  My allergies are horrible because of the rain and I feel like crud.  And some how I pulled out 7.10 miles.  It was amazing!  I was so excited when my Garmin hit the 7 mile mark.  There was fist pumping and some skipping.  I think the people on the trail thought I had lost it!  Debatable!  I was really starting to doubt myself and my ability because my runs have been so rough.  I'm behind in mileage and my pace is crawling.  The weeks were ticking off before Labor Day.  Panic was starting to set in.  This run couldn't have come at a better time.  I am feeling much better in my ability to make it through the Kauai Half-marathon without having a nervous breakdown!  6 more weeks until race day.  I am right were I need to be and couldn't be prouder that I didn't let the doubt take hold!  Now to keep focusing on the weight loss so that I can shave some time off!  

I am doing well at writing every thing down.  I am trying to make better food choice.  All I can do it keep focusing!  Sometimes I wish this part was easier.  I struggle with food every day.  I can go run or swim or strength train so much easier than I can step away from food.  It sucks. I have to weigh myself this coming week.  My Kate (trainer) is on vacation.  Also means, my workouts are all by myself too. Kicking my own butt isn't as much fun.  Downloading some new music to help make it easier!!! 

Here is the menu for this week: 

Sunday:  Stuffed Peppers

Monday:  Honey Chicken

Tuesday: Grilled Pork Chops

Wednesday: LO

Thursday: Fish  

Friday: LO

Saturday: Wedding reception....damn no carbs after 2pm is going to bite me in the ass. 

The Skinny Rules

This heat is rough. It's hot inside and out! At least I'm cleaning out the pores with all this sweating! 

I've done a good job of writing down everything I've eaten. Now I'm focusing on eating better. Bought tons of fresh fruit and veggies and I promise to actually try to eat them. It's not something that comes easy to me. It will make for a fun new challenge. 

Running is coming along. I am tired of lugging around an extra 40 pounds. So if nothing else keeps me motivated the pain in my knees will! Long run today produced a 10k! It wasn't fast, it wasn't pretty but I did it in 80 degree weather. That was 6am! I even did 2 miles of hills in the beginning! Go me! 

I started reading Trainer Bob's new book, "Skinny Rules". It's not really teaching a seasoned dieter anything new but I think it's presenting the ideas in a way that can be better followed and thus reinforcing what we all already know. I've only made it through about 5 of the rules and trying to incorporate each into my plan. Simple changes like how to better keep hydrated and add more water or include protein at every meal to stay full longer are fairly easy. Like I said nothing new. But sometimes we forget the basics. I know I need plenty of water but do I actually do it? Well no. Can I remember to drink a full glass before each meal? Well sure. That seems easy. So now I am trying to continuously fill my glass in addition. Small steps that can make huge changes. 

Here is the menu for this week: 

Sunday:  Buffalo Chicken Mac-n-Cheese 

Monday:  LO 

Tuesday: Chicken Veggie Skewers 

Wednesday: Brats and corn on the cob 

Thursday: Fish  

Friday: Hannibal for the Hannibal Cannibal 

Saturday: Baseball game = those damn pulled pork nachos :)

 I know, I know Mac-n-cheese really? I said I was easing back! I was actually pretty good and split my serving in two so it felt like more! I'll share the nachos...maybe!

It is time to REFOCUS!

I know that I shouldn't be hard on myself about being injured and not being able to live up to my potential but I am still disappointed.... 

It's been a difficult 3 months. 

It's been an epic FAIL.

But it's over.  I've recovered.  I need to move on.  And move on I shall.  

The ankle, the knee and the back are all feeling better.  Perhaps not 100% but definitely back on track.  I started running again and training for my next half in Kauai, Hawaii!  

I've slacked on the diet like a fat kid that loves cupcakes!  I've gained weight.  It's not pretty being in this body right now.  It is especially difficult to run.  I hate it.  My pace time is crap.  My breathing is crap.  My knees are crap.  

So I am refocusing on making myself better.  My diet is never going to be perfect.  I don't like fruits and veggies much.  But I know what I need to do to lose the weight.  I just have to focus and stop letting all the nagging thoughts in my head win.  This week I am focusing on writing my food in my journal.  Next week I'll worry about what food I am actually putting into my mouth. 

I am back to tracking my steps, my workouts and being accountable.  I am also making a re-acquaintance with my blog.  When I physically and mentally checked out on my weight loss journey, I also checked out on my ability to care about myself.  When you don't care you really shouldn't be trying to share with others.  So I am happy to be back to sharing my successes and failures.  

On the positive side, my training is going well.  I ran my first 5.5 miles since March!  It felt flipping fantastic!  I was pumped at the end.  

One day at a time.  One step at a time.   

Here is the menu for this week:
Sunday:  Grilled Pork Chops
Monday:  Tortilla Soup (crock)
Tuesday: Bourbon Chicken
Wednesday: LO
Thursday: Fish 

Friday: Nephew Tan's birthday party so I'm having CAKE!
Saturday: LO

I'll try to post every Sunday and when needed in between!  I am so glad to be back writing my blog.  A girl forgets how therapeutic it can be!  

Meal Planning Week of March 18, 2012

I type this post with a heavy heart but I wanted, NEED, some semblance of normalcy.
  
It's been a very traumatic weekend. One of the kids from our church youth group committed suicide.  It has been very difficult coming to terms with this tragedy.  I am not sure I am there yet or if I ever will.  He was only 20 years old with an incredible life left to live.  He was a wonderful, sweet and loving kid.  He was an Eagle Scout.  He always gave me hugs even if it wasn't such a cool thing to do!  He got me hooked on Sour Patch Kids.  He tried to teach me how to play various card games and laughed at my inability to catch on.  The thing I will remember the most about Brad was his ability to draw you into his world and then you couldn't help but love him back.  I am sad that I won't get another hug or see his goofy face.  But my heart breaks for the family he leaves behind who loves him more than anything on earth.  In all this grief and pain, I hope we can find comfort in knowing we have an amazing guardian angel watching over us.  Please take a moment of pray for his family.  They are going to need it.  I love you, Bradley! 

The rest of this post seems trivial but nonetheless I feel I should post about it to keep from completely losing a grip on my normal life. I ended up changing the breaded pork cutlets to grilled pork burgers because of the incredible weather!  :)  They were still delish!  I can't believe how fabulous the weather has been for March.  I actually got a sunburn during St. Patrick Day activities.  

I ended up walking the 5 mile St. Paddy's Day Run.  It killed me not to take off and run.  I tested the ankle on Thurs night and managed 1.5 miles but it was barking.  It is getting there but not quite strong enough to push it.  However, walking with some of my gym girls was way more fun.  An experience I wouldn't change for the world!  I love you, Jan and Patty! 

Here is the menu for this week:  Shout out to Pinterest for two recipes! 

Sunday:  White Chicken Enchiladas

Monday:  Citrus & Salsa Pork Loin

Tuesday: Turkey Brown Rice Casserole 

Wednesday: LO

Thursday: Fish

Friday: LO

Saturday: LO

Feel free to ask for recipes! Until next time....  

Meal Planning Week of March 11, 2012

Hello blog friends~

I am back into my meal plan.  The new calendar has been hung on the wall!  It feels great to be cooking instead of eating out.  Dinner is in the oven and I am already stressing about my NCAA bracket!  I love March!!

The ankle is feeling better but by the end of the day it is still sore and tender.  But it has only been a week.  I hope that by next week it is even better! 

Here is the menu for this week:
Sunday:  Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole
Monday:  Chicken and dumplings (crock)
Tuesday: Breaded Pork Cutlets
Wednesday: LO
Thursday: Fish (although I am fished out after last week)

Friday: LO
Saturday: LO

Feel free to ask for recipes! Until next time....  

Hello bloggersphere!
 
Well it is exactly 2 weeks until my half!  I think I have survived my cold (still a little congested but it is better)!  However, I have zero motivation to train.  I tried running Tuesday night and it wore me out.  This cold, sinus, whatever kicked my butt.  I have never been so wiped out.  I worked with my trainer on Wednesday night and was finished off for the week.  What happened to my stamina?  Did it suddenly collapse around me or just take a hiatus?  I plan to run tonight after dinner.  It was too chilly for me to be outside today.  I didn't think that was a great idea with having just been really sick so now I am forced to dreadmill it.  Ugh!  I still have two weeks to get my miles in and make myself feel capable of crossing this finish line without dying!  I can do it!

Here is the menu for this week:
Sunday:  Stuffed Peppers
Monday:  Peanut Butter Chicken (one of our faves)
Tuesday: Pulled Pork (frozen from the last time I made it) 
Wednesday: LO
Thursday: Orange Glazed Salmon / Mashed Cauliflower (another fave)

Friday: LO
Saturday: LO

Feel free to ask for recipes! Until next time....  

Meal plan for week of Feb 12, 2012

I apologize for the tardiness of this post.  I have been sick with a cold or some sort of nasty URI.  I am just starting to feel human again.  I even ran last night which was a disaster but at least I tried!  This infection knocked the wind out of me.  I hope that everyone is staying well and manages to avoid all the icky bugs going around.  I did cook despite feeling like crude.  Apparently, my mother wanted to eat or something....

T-minus like almost 2 weeks to RNR NOLA!!  Yep being sick has been a set back.  I plan to draw some inspiration from my first half-marathon to carry me through this one.  I am pretty sure that finishing is the goal!
 

Here is the menu for this week:
Sunday:  Pork chops with cinnamon apples (since we were both sick last week and didn't want them.  I moved them to Sunday.)
Monday:  Tuna Casserole
Tuesday: Apricot Chicken
Wednesday: LO
Thursday: Fish 

Friday: LO
Saturday: LO

Feel free to ask for recipes! Until next time....  

Meal planning week of Feb 5, 2012

I didn't weigh-in this week because of my monthly friend.  I gain enough water to float the ark!  Next week I have book club so I won't weigh-in again.  But it's not the end of the world.  This week has been really stressful at work.  I had a bunch of late nights.  I haven't ran all week and I am particularly POed because it was 60 freaking degrees here all week.  Ugh.  Oh well.  I can't let it get to me.  I did make a couple training sessions so at least I didn't completely miss working out.  My legs will just be fresher, right?  One month to RNR NOLA!!!  I can't wait to run in such a great city! 

Here is the menu for this week:
Sunday:  Appetizers from the freezer while I don't watch football but probably movies
Monday:  Brown Sugar Chicken (crock)
Tuesday: Pork chops with cinnamon apples
Wednesday: LO
Thursday: Fish 

Friday: LO
Saturday: LO

Feel free to ask for recipes! Until next time....  

Tortilla Soup Recipe

Tortilla Soup

1 lb skinless boneless chicken breast (~4)
1 can (15oz) Hunt's Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes
1 can (10oz) enchilada sauce
1 med onion, chopped
1 can (4oz) chopped green chili peppers
2 cloves minced garlic
2 cups water
1 can (14.5oz) chicken broth
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
salt / pepper to taste
1 bay leaf
1 pkg (10oz) frozen corn 

Place chicken, tomatoes, sauce, onion, garlic in crock pot.   Pour in water and broth.  Season with spices.  Stir in corn.  Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4.

Top with tortilla chips, cheese or sour cream. 

Update and a sort of Meal plan for Jan 15, 2011

I was so busy this weekend attending the St. Louis Cardinals Winter Warm Up that I didn't go to the grocery store.  I have meals planned.  They aren't going to happen.  Oh well, I can use them another month!  

Update on my mom: She was diagnosed with a new lymphoma in her blood.  She had a CT this morning and we are awaiting the results.  

Here is the menu for this week:
Sunday:  Grilled Cheese
Monday: French's Onion Parmesan Encrusted Chicken 
Tuesday: LO
Wednesday: Tortilla Soup
Thursday: Fish
Friday: LO
Saturday: LO

Feel free to ask for recipes! Until next time....  

Meal Plan for week of Jan 8, 2012

This has been a stressful week at our house.  My mom has been having some health issues and right now we are in the wait and see mode.  I hate the waiting game.  I haven't been running enough.  However, it isn't the end of the world.  I am trying to remember what is important and that is my family and friends.  I'll make it through this race in a couple of months even if my training sucks!  I have faith in that!    

Here is the menu for this week:
Sunday: Turkey Manicotti and Salad
Monday: Spicy Rice Skillet with left over chicken from last week
Tuesday: LO
Wednesday: Chili for Book Club
Thursday: Fish
Friday: LO
Saturday: LO

Feel free to ask for recipes! Until next time....  

Meal Plan for week of Jan 1, 2012

Happy New Year!! I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable NYE.  I didn't make any resolutions because I have never kept one.  I don't think anyone should be pigeon-holed into keeping a "resolution" made on the first day of a year.  Instead, I make goals for the year.  

2012 Goals

Run pain-free for the whole year! 

Run 3 possibly 4 half-marathons! 

Continue to be healthy and happy!  Sure losing weight is always a priority but being strong and healthy is much more important to me.

That's it!  Everything else in life will fall into place as it always does.  2011 was an AMAZING year for me.  I can't wait to just continue on with life! 

Here is the menu for this week:
Sunday: Turkey Sausage & Cranberry Quiche
Monday: Soy Ginger Chilean Sea Bass (yum) and Scallops for my mom (icky) probably with some couscous and veggie
Tuesday: Crockpot Salsa Chicken
Wednesday: LO
Thursday: Cornish Hens
Friday: LO
Saturday: LO

Feel free to ask for recipes! Until next time....  

Meal Plan for week of Dec 25, 2011

Merry Christmas to all those celebrating this weekend!  It has been a great day at my house and the weather was gorgeous.  I am getting incredibly used to these 50+ degree Sunday long runs.  I'm not sure how long my luck will hold out but I'll take it while I can!  I just wanted to post a quick update and then get back to Holiday movie watching!
 

Here is the menu for this week:
Sunday: Pulled pork in the crockpot, scalloped potatoes and veggie / Tator Tot Turkey Sausage Breakfast Casserole this morning!
Monday: Brunswick Stew
Tuesday: Pulled Pork Tacos
Wednesday: LO
Thursday: Fish
Friday: LO
Saturday: LO

Feel free to ask for recipes! Until next time....