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Sunrise or Sunset

Posted in Health and Fitness, Positive Living, tagged , , , , , , , on October 18, 2012| Leave a Comment »

On Sunday morning I ran later than usual, so I had the opportunity to experience a beautiful sunrise. I decided at that moment when the first rays of light were coming up that I prefered sunrises. Naturally, this is not set in stone because I can imagine a sunset in the right place can be quite beautiful, as well. At this point in time, I’ll stick with sunrises. For me, a sunrise signifies more than just a new day. It is hope and a clean slate. Whatever mistakes, shortcomings, or failures the day before seem to have faded away. The sunrise caused an intense feeling of gratitude within me. I was given another day. Another day to spend with my family, stay connected with friends, and enjoy the many blessings of the day.

What do you prefer…sunrises or sunsets? Why? I would love to know. Leave me a comment below.

If you noticed, I am a little delayed in posting this week. It was not my intention, but time just slipped away from me. On Saturday night I directed the Showboat Auction at WYES-TV in New Orleans. It is one of my favorite places to work because some of my favorite people work there. I went to sleep later than usual Saturday night, which meant getting up later on Sunday morning. I got caught up in the day’s activities. Sunday came and went. Monday came and went, as well as Tuesday. I had plans to blog at BAM on Wednesday; however, received an early morning call to substitute for Kindergarten. I agreed. You agree to crazy things like spending the day with twenty-one kindergarteners when you need income. They are like ants. Always busy. It is Thursday, and I’m at BAM blogging away. Honestly, I haven’t been blogging the entire time. I’ve been checking e-mail and movie times, while stealthily eavesdropping on other people’s conversations. Okay, stealthily is a bit CIA; I just didn’t make direct eye contact. HA! Unfortunately, I didn’t get any good information. However, there is an early showtime this Sunday for the new Alex Cross movie coming out this weekend.  

Update on Mission Weight Loss:

At Sunday’s weigh-in, I was 132.5 pounds. No loss or gain for the week. As for my run/walk schedule this week, I graduated to running a full thirty minutes. Essentially, this means I can run three miles. I ran both Monday morning and Wednesday morning this week. I always warm up with a 10-minute walk and cool down with a 5 to 7-minute walk. I’ll stick with being a 30-minute runner for a while. I haven’t found a race, yet. I’m thinking it may be early next year. It would be fun to run the Crescent City Classic in 2013. I haven’t run that race in many years. Although it’ a 10K race,  I have plenty of time to train. However, I would like to do a couple of 5K races first. I don’t want to get too ahead of myself.

I also wanted to share with you that I have become quite passionate about red seedless grapes. In the past, I’ve always eaten green seedless grapes. Last month at the teacher preview party for the school’s Book Fair, I ate some red seedless grapes. YUM! No more green grapes for me. Now, if I could just get my hands on some satsumas.

Oh, my wonderful readers, enjoy the remainder of the week. Find joy each day, even in the simple things of daily life. For today, sipping on a Skinny Mocha Latte brought me joy. Happiness!

“He who kisses joy as it flies by will live in eternity’s sunrise.”  ~ William Blake

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A Change or Two

Posted in Health and Fitness, Life, Motivation, Positive Living, tagged , , , , , , , , on October 8, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Oh, how I feel like a writer sitting here at a table in the cafe of Books-A-Million with my laptop, sipping on a skinny mocha latte…observing people, tapping out words galore, getting lost in my thoughts. Aaaah! I could get use to a writer’s life. At this point, my only obstacle is myself. So, how do I go about changing this? How do I get out-of-the-way of myself? What do I need to do to feel more like a writer? These are the questions I must answer, and answer soon. Okay, that sounds a bit dramatic. Soon…really? I’m thinking it will have to be a gradual process. I’m thinking it will occur to me the same way my weight loss journey occurred to me. I have to affirm it, and then keep my word to myself. More on this later.  

In the meantime, I want to discuss a couple of changes. There was a major weather change over the weekend. I admit, I am a bit of a weenie when it gets below 60 degrees. I like cold weather provided I’m not in it for any length of time. So, I have to make a slight change to my running schedule, and I have to get some warmer running clothes. As much as I like to run, I just could not make myself run this morning in the dark, in the cold at 4:30AM. It was 51 degrees. Then, I had an epiphany…run after dropping Andrew off at school since I did not have to substitute today. It will still be cold; however, the sun will be out. So, this is exactly what I did this morning. Now, Wednesday I will not be so fortunate. Either I will have to invest in some warmer running clothes, or I will be running Wednesday afternoon. Now, I do live in Louisiana, and the weather could change back to warmer temperatures by then. So, I’ll just have to wait and see. HA!

I may still get up at 4AM. I could do all sorts of things with the time, especially since I’m not sleeping. Perhaps, I could write on those cold mornings since I’m being too weenified to run.   

Sometimes, I think I prefer routine. Other times, I think I prefer change. I think it really depends on how the change comes about and if I have control over the change. When it comes to my workout schedule, I thought I wanted more of a scheduled routine. I’m finding, except for my runs, my mood and time of day determines what other type of exercise I want to do, whether it is walking, biking, strength training, etc. Running is something I would do every day if I could physically do it. So, I’m again mixing up my schedule. As long as I get at least three runs in per week (four runs would be ideal), as well as two strength training days per week, I am thrilled. So, I’m cutting myself some slack and allowing for more flexibility. This is definitely a change for me, and my lovely type A personality.

Well, my faithful readers, I have lost some more weight. I’m now 132.5 pounds. *Applause!* I have 7.5 more pounds to go before I reach my goal weight. This is a total of 20.5 pounds lost. I’m ready to reach my goal. For the first time in a long time, I’m actually looking forward to shopping for new clothes. My clothes are baggy, even my bras. Hee Hee! I must say that this has been an extremely wonderful change. I feel better physically and mentally. I’m repeating the run/walk schedule from last week: Walk 10 minutes, run 9 minutes. Walk 1 minute, run 9 minutes (repeat twice).

What other changes are in store for me in the next few weeks? Will I finally find a steady job? Will I be able to stay the course I’m currently on and spread my wings even further to discover more of myself? Or, will an unexpected windfall come my way? Don’t laugh! It could happen. Happiness!

Oh, and one final change goes out to mon frere, Moonius Maximus, who officially changes today from 42 to 43 on the celebration of his birth. Love you, mon frere.

“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” ~ James Baldwin

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Busy Weekend Despite the Rain

Posted in Family, Health and Fitness, Life, Positive Living, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on October 1, 2012| Leave a Comment »

I had a busy weekend despite the rain. Barry and I attended a wedding Saturday night in Mandeville. My hubby is friends with the groom. I should have taken a picture of myself. I wore a dress and heels. It is rare for me to wear a dress. I don’t even own the dress I wore. Thank goodness my BFF from the 3rd grade has a well-stocked wardrobe. And, since I have lost weight, I can actually fit in more of her clothes. Hee Hee! As for the heels, they actually do belong to me. I bought them for a scene I did for a showcase for one of my acting classes. I managed to not break an ankle. Anyway, we had a terrific time socializing. The bride was gorgeous, the music was rockin’, and the food was yummy. I did eat a little something healthy before the wedding, so I would not be tempted to overeat. It also allowed me to eat the delicious wedding cake cupcake. The bride and groom did not have a traditional wedding cake with multiple tiers. They had one standard size cake at the top followed by four to five steps lined with giant cupcakes to make it look like a huge wedding cake.  They were so big, Barry and I had to split one. YUM!

On Sunday, I spent the day with my parents. We went to the movies to see End of Watch. It’s a movie about two young cops whose lives are changed after making a bust involving money and guns belonging to a notorious cartel. The three of us enjoyed it. Afterwards, we had lunch at Applebee’s. Before leaving my house that morning, I made a list of acceptable dishes I could eat to stay on the right course. I ordered the Weight Watchers Cabernet Mushroom Sirloin. It included steamed broccoli and new potatoes (15g fat/460 calories).  If I wasn’t so disciplined and could afford to SUPER splurge, I would have ordered the Oriental Chicken Salad. Ready for this…the regular (crispy chicken) with salad dressing is 98g fat and 1,390 calories. OOOF! Now, you can order a half-size, which would bring it down to 49g fat and 690 calories. Unfortunately, that is still too much, especially for a salad.

I have completed my 11th week of eating clean and exercising on a regular basis. Due to eating salty fried appetizers and a bowl of gumbo at the wedding, as well as nature NOT calling before my weekly weigh-in, I am back to 136 pounds. I know it is just a pound, and I know it isn’t a fat pound; however, I dislike not seeing a loss. It’s expectation. I’ve only had one other time on my weight loss journey where I gained, and again it was water weight. Never fear, I’m already over it. It’s a new week with lots of potential. My run/walk schedule for this week: Walk 10 minutes, run 9 minutes. Walk 1 minute, run 9 minutes (repeat twice). I’m so close to running a full 30 minutes.

Hope you have many wonderful blessings this week. Try to be as PRESENT as possible. It helps to keep stress away, and allows more room for happiness. Currently, I’m reading Gretchen Rubin’s new book called Happier at Home. Rubin decided to dedicate a year to another happiness project, but this time focused on her home. I have a feeling my happiness project will be resurfacing after reading this book. Happiness!

“The ship of my life may or may not be sailing on calm and amiable seas. The challenging days of my existence may or may not be bright and promising. Stormy or sunny days, glorious or lonely nights, I maintain an attitude of gratitude. If I insist on being pessimistic, there is always tomorrow. Today I am blessed.”            ~ Maya Angelou

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More Than Half Way There

Posted in Health and Fitness, tagged , , , , , , , on September 16, 2012| 2 Comments »

Finally, my weight is in the 130’s. Woot! Woot! I lost three pounds this week for a weight loss total of 15 pounds. I’m officially 138 pounds, and more than half way to my weight loss goal. I have more marbles in my “pounds lost” container than my “pounds to go” container. YES!

I completed my ninth week of eating clean and exercising on a regular basis. I have been using a food journal from a book by Kathy Smith that I’ve had for years. After the tenth week (starting tomorrow), I will have to make more copies. I am thinking about copying another ten weeks. During the next ten weeks or 11 weeks if you count this upcoming week, I will start creating menus. I have not been able to plan my meals in advance, so I want to work on that as a mini goal for the remainder of my weight loss journey. I also continue to struggle with drinking enough water. I want to be more consistent with my water intake. So, this will be another mini goal.

I feel like I am doing really well with my eating in social and restaurant/take-out situations. Once a month from January through November, I play Pokeno with ten other women. Each month one person hosts dinner and dessert. The hostess for the month is also asked to provide plain and peanut M & M’s. Thursday night was Pokeno. Our hostess for the month prepared Chicken Parmesan, Caesar salad, and bread for dinner. She brought a chocolate bundt cake and Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla ice cream for dessert.  Even though my treat meals are generally on the weekend, I decided there is no reason I cannot have my treat meal on Thursday night in lieu of having one on Saturday night. I ate both dinner and dessert in moderation. I will confess I ate too many peanut M & M’s because I adore them. The portion I ate would be equivelant to a small bag you can buy at a checkout counter at a supermarket. I don’t regret it. The last time I ate peanut M & M’s was at last month’s Pokeno. The way I look at it, I get to indulge once a month.

My hubby and I ordered Chinese take-out on Friday night. Again, I made the decision to eat a treat meal on Friday instead of Sunday. I ordered as sensibly as you can when it comes to Chinese food. I had Shrimp with Lobster Sauce (5 medium/large shrimp & 1/2 cup of sauce), 3/4 cup of white rice, one eggroll, and a fortune cookie. In the past, I would have ordered a pint of shrimp lo mein, crabmeat delight, an eggroll, and a fortune cookie. It’s all about making choices and eating in moderation.

Yesterday, I went to visit my parents. I called my mother ahead of time to let her know that I would be bringing my lunch, so we would not have to order out. As far as I was concerned, I already had my treat meals for the week. And, I’ve eaten clean all weekend with the exception of one peanut butter/chocolate chip cookie I enjoyed at my little guy’s Scout Court of Honor ceremony. My hubby baked them for the reception afterwards. It is unrealistic for me to think I can eat clean 100% of the time. However, it is realistic for me to think I can eat clean 93-95% of the time. Food is a big deal with socializing. I’ve learned these last nine weeks to make better food choices when socializing and eating out at restaurants.

As for fitness, I’m right on track with what I want to accomplish and have been getting the right amount of cardio and strength training per week. Although…I did skip my workout Tuesday morning because I was on the phone Monday night until 11:30PM with my oldest son who is stationed in Alaska. I didn’t get to sleep until about midnight, so I had a hard time getting out of bed at 4AM. I’m not going to apologize for taking a rest day, especially since I had the opportunity to talk to my son the night before. However, I will admit I felt kind of off all day. I really look forward to my morning workouts.

My schedule for this week is to run/walk on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday (bonus day). Walk 10 minutes, run 8 minutes. Walk 2 minutes, run 8 minutes (repeat twice). I’ll walk/bike and strength train on the other days. In the next few weeks I will start researching races. I would like to run a 5K soon. It has been almost a year since I ran my last 5K. It would be nice to have a fitness goal.

Looks like rain and cooler temperatures this week. Hope everyone has a wonderful week full of happiness and endless possibilities.

“Everything in moderation, including moderation.” ~ Oscar Wilde

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Fall Is in the Air

Posted in Health and Fitness, Life, tagged , , , , , , , , on September 9, 2012| 2 Comments »

What a pleasant surprise I received when I walked out my door this morning! Cool weather. Sixty-two degree weather. Goosebumps on your arms and legs weather. I walked, ran, AND rode my bike this morning. Happiness!

Good News: lost another pound. I’m now 141 pounds. Last week was a little more challenging because I worked as a substitute all week. I subbed for a 3rd grade class on Tuesday and for the librarian Wednesday through Friday. I had to make sure I worked out, showered, dressed, ate breakfast, packed lunch/snacks, and took care of pets before walking out the door at 7AM. To stick to my exercise plan for the week, I got up each morning at 4AM. It is not easy, especially after having my routine disrupted by Mother Nature the week before. Thankfully, I do not have to get up so early on the weekends; however, I still try to get on the road by 6AM.

I’ll follow my same routine as last week for strength training. The only thing I may change is biking on a couple of the days that I do not run/walk. I’ve also decided to repeat my run/walk schedule from last week. Walk 10 minutes, run 7 minutes. Walk 3 minutes, run 7 minutes (repeat twice). I felt a little soreness in the inner part of my shins this morning. I’m trying extremely hard not to get injured.  

This morning I made chocolate chip pancakes. I used Bisquick Heart Smart Pancake and Baking Mix. I sprinkled in 1 tsp of Nestle semi-sweet mini chocolate morsels for every three pancakes. After cooking, I spread a minimal amount of yogurt margarine on the pancakes and topped them with 1 tbsp of pancake syrup. YUM! This was definitely a treat meal, but with less fat and calories.

I also discovered Whole Wheat tortillas at the grocery store. I’m using two brands: Mission 100% Whole Wheat Flour Tortillas (medium size) – (1 tortilla contains 3g fat; 130 calories; 2g sugar) and LaTortilla Factory Low Carb Whole Wheat Tortillas (large size) – ( 1 tortilla contains 3g fat; 80 calories; 1g sugar). I will use both, but I prefer the Mission brand. 

I will be substituting for the librarian again this week. It is the annual Book Fair at the school. For an entire week the school gym is transformed into a mini bookstore. Andrew and I are looking forward to attending Family Night tomorrow evening. Lots of excitement! Besides being in charge of the library, I get to teach an advanced English class to eight 8th graders. We are working on writing a resume this week, as well as discussing the novel Nothing But the Truth by Avi. Good stuff!

“Never discourage anyone…who continually makes progress, no matter how slow.” ~ Plato

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Moving Forward

Posted in Health and Fitness, Motivation, tagged , , , , , , , on September 3, 2012| Leave a Comment »

The day is absolutely gorgeous. The sun is shining brightly. There is a slight breeze. Hummingbirds are right outside my window, darting here and there, chasing each other away from the hummingbird feeder. Grocery shopping, a trip to the bookstore, and laundry are some of the things on today’s agenda. For my household, we are getting back to normal.

I woke up early to go for a run/walk. Afterwards, I stretched my lower body and did a 15-minute upper arm power circuit. Then stretched my upper body. I love starting my day off with a workout. My schedule for this week is to run/walk on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday (bonus day). Walk 10 minutes, run 7 minutes. Walk 3 minutes, run 7 minutes (repeat twice). I’ll walk and strength train on the other days.

I’m trying something new this week with the power circuits/strength training. I’m trying to find the right balance for me, as well as trying to get my exercise in before work. I find it difficult to workout twice in one day, and this is without me working a job outside my home. Too many things come up in the afternoons. Also, if it rains in the morning on one of the days I run/walk, I’ll need to rely on the afternoon/evening to get my workout completed for the day. Therefore, I’m thinking about splitting up the power circuits to maximize my time. This is what my week would look like:

  • Monday:   Run/Walk. 15-minute Upper Body Power Circuit
  • Tuesday:   Walk (about 20 minutes). 15-minute Lower Body Power Circuit & 15-minute Ab Power Circuit
  • Wednesday:   Run/Walk. 15-minute Upper Body Power Circuit    
  • Thursday:   Walk (about 20 minutes). 15-minute Lower Body Power Circuit & 15-minute Ab Power Circuit 
  • Friday:   Run/Walk.
  • Saturday:   Total Body Power Circuit (or another Jackie Warner DVD)
  • Sunday:   Run/Walk. 15-minute Ab Power Circuit.

Just a quick recap of last week: Hurricane Isaac threw a monkey wrench in my week, as well as everybody else who happened to be in its path. However, I did NOT use it as an excuse to eat poorly. I ate clean all week. My hubby, Andrew, and I did venture out to a Mexican restaurant for lunch on Saturday. Yesterday, I wanted dessert. I was dreaming about Baked Apple Dumplin’ from Cracker Barrel. Luckily, the ice cream truck passed through our neighborhood, and I indulged my taste buds with a Big Dipper instead. Baked Apple Dumplin’ will have to wait for another time.  

I did get to run/walk on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday of last week. Of course, I took a rest day on Wednesday when we were being pounded by Isaac. I walked on Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday. I did NO power circuit workouts OR strength training all week. Honestly, my body thanked me because I needed the break. My weight is still 142 pounds. This means I didn’t lose/gain any weight this week.

I have to keep reminding myself that getting fit is a process or journey. Each person has to find what works best for him/her to get fit and healthy. My goal or destination is really to live a healthy lifestyle. The journey to get to that destination is exercising and eating clean. Losing weight, looking great, feeling energized, and gaining more self-confidence is definitely a plus. However, being PRESENT and enjoying the journey is what is important. Enjoy the ride! 

“That’s why it is important to enjoy the journey not just the destination. In this world, we will never arrive at a place where everything is perfect and we have no more challenges. As admirable as setting goals and reaching them may be, you can’t get so focused on accomplishing your goals that you make the mistake of not enjoying where you are right now.” ~ Joel Osteen 

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The Storm is Over

Posted in Health and Fitness, Life, tagged , , , , on September 1, 2012| 4 Comments »

Note: This post was written on Thursday, August 30th. Internet service went down before this post was published.

It’s Thursday mid-morning here in inky black Louisiana, and it appears that Hurricane Isaac is over. My subdivision is still without electricity; however, compared to many people we are very lucky. I’m not complaining. I still have my home, clean running water, working toilets, a generator, phone/internet service, and plenty of food. Our roof lost two shingles, and there is tree debris in the front and back yards. Nothing at all significant. This is not the case for many in surrounding areas. Unfortunately, for many people, Hurricane Isaac is not over. My thoughts and prayers are with those who are less fortunate. 

I went for a walk/run this morning to stretch my legs and get some much-needed fresh air. It felt wonderful. I am still eating clean despite the circumstances. We have plenty of fruits/veggies, and we are eating what we have in the freezer. This is not an excuse to eat poorly or indulge in junk food.

I’m hoping things will get back to normal this weekend. Also, I’m hoping my friends and family caught up in this storm are safe. Again, thoughts and prayers with those who are being severely impacted by this storm.

“Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all.”

~ Emily Dickinson

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6 Week Progress Report

Posted in Health and Fitness, Motivation, tagged , , , , , , on August 27, 2012| 3 Comments »

I have completed six weeks of eating clean and exercising on a regular basis, and I’m loving the results. I lost 4 pounds this week bringing me to a total of 11 pounds lost since making this lifestyle change. My jeans are no longer choking me at the waist. I can wear shirts I put in the back of my closet because they are no longer too tight. I am starting to see definition in my body. And, I feel better not just physically, but also mentally. I no longer feel sluggish or worn out. I have more energy, which makes me happy.

Even though Jackie Warner recommends doing her power circuits three days a week, I am dropping down to two days a week. Power circuits combine cardio and strength training. I’m increasing the number of minutes I’m running, and I don’t want to injure myself. So, I’m listening to my body. I will replace one power circuit day with regular strength training. This will also allow me to take off more days in between the power circuits for recovery.   

My plan for this week is to run/walk on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and possibly Sunday (bonus day). Last week I ran ALL four days. Woo-Hoo! This week may be a bit more challenging since a hurricane is coming our way. I’ll just have to adjust my schedule. I’ll be happy as long as I can complete three run/walk workouts. My run/walk workout this week: Walk 10 minutes, run 6 minutes. Walk 4 minutes, run 6 minutes (repeat twice). You may notice, I’ve upped walking at the beginning to 10 minutes. Since my running is increasing, I need to warm up my legs longer. It makes a big difference for me. I don’t feel so stiff when I start running.

Nutritionally, I must confess this week I started adding 1 tsp of light brown sugar to my oatmeal. This sets me back an additional 15 calories, which is not very much. There is no fat and 4g of sugar. I  had no negative effects from adding this to my breakfast. I also ate plain greek yogurt twice this week. Yuck! I just cannot get use to the taste. So, one day I added honey, and another day I added light brown sugar with walnuts and apple. It definitely made the greek yogurt more palatable; however, I have to figure out another alternative, or I’m nixing the plain greek yogurt from my diet. Believe it or not, plain greek yogurt contains 9g of sugar for a 1 cup serving. I can tolerate eating fresh fruit with a 1/2 cup of plain greek yogurt. The solution may be to eat a 1/2 cup instead of a full cup. Perhaps, I could  incorporate oats or whey protein powder. Something to think about.

This weight loss journey is definitely a work in progress. I enjoy getting up early to run/walk, experimenting with strength training workouts, as well as discovering healthy foods and trying out new recipes. While at times, this journey can be challenging and a little frustrating to stay the course, it also can be energizing and very satisfying. 

“A ship is always safe at the shore – but that is NOT what it is built for.”       ~Albert Einstein

    

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Expectations = Disappointment

Posted in Health and Fitness, tagged , , , , , on August 20, 2012| 2 Comments »

A few years ago at a morning assembly at school, the principal was giving the student body, as well as the teachers information for the day. I cannot remember what prompted her to bring up the subject of expectations. However, she made the statement that expectations can lead to disappointment. When I first heard this, I was a bit confused. Shouldn’t we have expectations if we are to reach goals? The answer is yes and no. Since that morning assembly, I have encountered what the principal meant. I have been the one who has had expectations of others and even myself, and I’ve experienced people who have certain expectations of me. Expectations lead to disappointment when the expectations exceed a person’s best attempt at what is expected of them.

Since I have been eating clean (five weeks), I’ve had certain expectations about how this is going to turn out. Actually, every week I expect to lose weight. Therefore, imagine my disappointment when I weighed in yesterday and saw that I did not lose any weight, but had gained a pound. I was crushed. Intellectually, I knew the weight gain had to do with water weight instead of fat weight. Emotionally, I felt funky. There were no hoots and hollers when I had to take a marble out of the “pounds lost” container and drop it back in the “pounds to go” container. Technically, I should have been thrilled I didn’t gain more weight under the circumstances. Yes, this is the week of my monthly visitor. Generally, I gain between two and three pounds of water weight during the week of the wretched curse. And, let us not forget the added bonus of the huge red zit displayed on my chin. Ladies, you understand. This is an example of my expectations exceeding my best. I cannot control water weight gain caused by certain female conditions any more than I can control the weather. Yesterday, I should have expected to gain weight and should have been pleasantly surprised and pleased with the small amount I did gain. It is in perspective now.

Running/Walking Schedule   

It rained ALL day yesterday, therefore, I did not get my fourth run/walk day in for the week. I admit I was disappointed because I had this expectation I need to run/walk four days a week. I realized the fourth day needs to be treated like a bonus. So, I adjusted my workout schedule, as well as my attitude and did Jackie Warner’s Xtreme Timesaver Training DVD in the morning rather than in the afternoon like I originally planned.

This week I plan to run/walk on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and possibly Sunday (remember…bonus). My run/walk workout this week: Walk 5 minutes, run 5 minutes. Repeat three times. 

Food Finds

This week I made three new discoveries of yumminess:  Newman’s Own Lite Raspberry & Walnut salad dressing (2 Tbsp contains 5g fat; 70 calories; 5g sugar), Toufayan Bakeries Whole Wheat Pita Bread (1 Loaf contains 1g fat; 150 calories; 2g sugar), and Athenos Reduced Fat Feta Cheese (1 ounce contains 3.5g fat; 50 calories; 0g sugar).

Thoughts

I only have one expectation of myself, and it is to do my best in all circumstances. I acknowledge that my best today may not equal my best tomorrow. However, I will do my best. I will be enthusiastic about the possibilities surrounding this week. Life is an adventure, so expect the unexpected because anything can happen.

“Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed.”                 ~ Alexander Pope

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The Tale of Pepperoni Pizza

Posted in Health and Fitness, tagged , , , , , on August 13, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Pepperoni Pizza was my favorite food until yesterday. Buttery crust, tangy sauce, melted mozzarella cheese, and spicy pepperoni all make for a yummy treat. However, the consequences later on are not quite so yummy. We had a family birthday party for Andrew on Saturday, and decided pizza would be on the menu. Of course, we also had chips and dips, cake and ice cream, and a light Caesar Salad. This weekend was my first experience eating pizza since I started eating clean. I ate in moderation and enjoyed it all. Unfortunately, pepperoni pizza has lots of sodium (didn’t notice prior to eating clean). I was sooooooo thirsty the rest of the day AND night. I kept drinking water hoping it would quench my thirst, but to no avail. Instead, I felt bloated from drinking so much water. After my parents left, I decided to go for a forty minute walk just to feel a little better. Walking helped immensely. However, I was still thirsty and ended up with a dull headache.

The next morning, I went for my run/walk (switched to Sunday due to rain Saturday morning). I felt much better and not as thirsty. I weighed in at 145 pounds (lost another 1.5 pounds). Well, I would love to tell you I did not eat any of the leftover pizza, but it would be a lie. Yes, I ate two pieces along with another slice of cake, Cheetos (can you even imagine this), and pretzel/chocolate treats. And, to top it off…I drank Coke with my dinner. Gasp! I know… it seems horrifying, and I’m a little embarrassed. Well, not really. I AM allowed to have treat meals on the weekend. I did pay the price in the end. I was extremely thirsty AGAIN and drank tons of water AGAIN. I did not like the feeling at all. Lesson learned. 

Running/Walking Schedule

Since school started, I have been getting up super early to get my workouts in before bringing Andrew to school. It is really dark at 5AM in the morning. Thank goodness for street lights. I admit I was a little freaked out the first early morning I walked (consequence of being a horror fanatic). I do have to bring a small flashlight with me on the days I run/walk because I cannot see my watch to time my run segments. I also carry pepper spray for any unwanted scary people or animals that may cross my path.

I LOVE getting my workout completed in the morning. It makes a big difference in my day. I’m more productive, and I don’t have to worry about something unexpected coming up in the afternoon to interfere with me exercising. I would love to continue walking on the days I do strength training (power circuits); however, this can only be accomplished if I split my workouts into two sessions on those days. For example, tomorrow I can walk in the morning and strength train in the afternoon or vice versa. If my schedule for the day would not allow me to be able to do both strength training and walking, I would just do the strength training. I have to incorporate the strength training throughout the week to avoid running injuries.

This week I plan to run/walk on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and possibly Sunday. If my legs do not have enough recovery time between Sunday and Monday, I’ll go back to alternating days. My run/walk workout this week: Walk 6 minutes, run 4 minutes. Repeat three times. 

Food Find

I discovered Amy’s Organic Soup. There are a few varieties at Wal-Mart. I tried Amy’s Lentil Veggie, which is light in sodium (1 cup contains 4g fat; 160 calories; 5g sugar). I think it’s tasty and has a lot of flavor. I ate the whole can, which is 2 cups. Of course, I didn’t have anything else with it. Next time, I may pair one cup of the soup with a side salad and a couple of whole wheat crackers. Or, pair the one cup of soup with half of a turkey sandwich. Oh, the possibilities.

“Sometimes it takes a good fall to really know where you stand.” ~ Hayley Williams

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