Quick check in this evening to share a recipe and talk about work, new goals and what is going on.
Work yesterday went well. It is definitely going to be tough getting used to working again, but I think after about a week I'll start getting into a groove. The machine I am going to be on is a lot more active than the others, so I'll be burning tons of calories all day- definitely an added bonus to the new job! I am SUPER happy about that!
I have decided to stop weighing myself for a couple of weeks. The next time I plan to weigh myself is May 18. It is just too stressful. I hate not seeing a lot of change (weight wise)! It is so discouraging. Whats crazy is that im not seeing a lot of weight loss, but I am seeing inches lost finally. Today I measured myself and I have lost an inch on my hips, and inch on my waist, an inch on one thigh and 3/4 on the other, and about a half of an inch on my shins. :) So, I am seeing changes physically, which is nice... I am definitely going to focus on that rather than the scale for a while. The other change I am enjoying is the change in my fitness. I am definitely improving in all aspects of my "in shapeness" including cardio and strength. SO - I am going to focus on positive changes and hopefully on the 18th Ill see big changes on the scale too.
The other thing I am going to do is give up candy again until JT gets here (and possibly beyond). I just don't need it and if I make a commitment to give it up I WILL. So, now I am committed to all of you! :)
Now I am going to share a recipe with you. I read a blog called Keeping It Clean
(The blog is linked to its name) Anyways, she has a great recipe for some protein bars. My friend Melanie made them and LOVED the taste, but said they got a little dry in the fridge. She did change the recipe a bit so it may have been her changes or maybe you just have to eat them quickly? Not sure - they sound great though so I think they are worth a try!
J&J (Jim and Jamie) Protein Bars
Ingredients:
1 cup Whole Wheat Flour (or Oat flour)
4 Egg Whites
2 scoops Chocolate Whey Protein Powder
½ cup Splenda, Truvia, or Ideal
½ tsp Baking Soda
¼ tsp Salt
8oz Gerber's Organic Berry and Banana Blend baby food
3 tbsp unsweetened baking Cocoa
1/2 cup Ghiradelli dark chocolate chips
1/2 cup old fashioned oatmeal oats
1/3 cup slivered almonds
4oz Water
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix dry ingredients (oat flower, vanilla whey protein, baking soda, salt, baking cocoa) together in a large bowl.
3. Mix wet ingredients (egg whites, Splenda, Truvia, or Ideal, Berry flavored Baby Food,Water) together in a medium sized bowl.
4. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix together. Add oats, chocolate, and almonds.
5. Spray cooking dish with a non stick butter spray and add batter to dish.
6. Bake 20-30 minutes in oven.
Makes 16 squares, serving size is 2 bars.
Calories per 2 bars: 200
Carbs: 28 grams
Fat: 6 grams
Protein: 14 grams
Fiber: 6 grams
If any of you make them let me know how they come out and if they get too dry for you too.
Besides not weighing myself (don't know if I said this already in my last blog or not) but I started half-marathon training this week - I know I said I was going to wait for next week, but I did all but one of the runs this week and decided I will start with week 2 Monday. I did a 3 mile run today and will do 5 miles tomorrow. :) Should be fun! lol! I am using the Hal Higdon plan for training. It is the same program I used last time I ran a half and I felt very prepared.
Alrighty, headed to bed - please feel free to share some recipes, links, information, successes etc... I love the comments and feedback! thanks for reading!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Successful Day
Day 1 of work was definitely successful! Not only in terms of what i'll be doing and how I feel about the company, but also eating wise. :)
Avery is going to be an enjoyable company to work for - they care about their workers and they make it a point to let them know. Everyone was very nice and based on how the employees talked, it was apparent they are actually very happy there. I also found out I will be on the "editor," which means I won't be working with any of the glues or solvents... thank the lord! That was one of the things I was very concerned about!
As far as eating and drinking water goes I will be fine. They have a huge break room with 100's of choices of Kuerig coffee flavors and a microwave and a refrigerator!
So, I got home tonight around 515. I was absolutely exhausted (still am). Not that I did anything that hard today, it was just a long day and I did a lot of walking! Anyways, I really didn't feel like going to the gym, but I did anyways. :) I absolutely didn't want my first day to start off with me skipping the gym and eating bad so I didn't allow it to.
I am really starting to realize how much getting in shape and eating is about mind over matter. I make decisions about what I am going to do - my choice is to work out and eat right or not to... I feel great because I am at almost 6 weeks of working out and eating right with no breaks, no slack offs and I still have so much motivation and passion. I can do this forever, and I think that is the goal - to develop habits you can continue even after you hit your goals.
Something else I wanted to talk about today is failure and discouragement. I have a dear friend who is really struggling to commit herself. Every day she will commit and then she struggles and ends up spiraling out of control. I have been there in the past and know that feeling plagues all of us at times. We have to get our minds in the right place... We all go through times that we REALLY want to do something, but for some reason we just can't or won't do it... Where this becomes difficult is in re-committing every day. If you have failed 10 days in a row will you continue to commit in the fear of failure? I hope so - because every single time you fall down you have GOT to get back up. It doesn't matter how hard it is, you've got to keep fighting until you succeed. It takes more than that of course - you have to work too - but the point is that there are so many hardships we face in this life and if at the first sign of failure or adversity, if you quit, you won't ever get anywhere. I found a couple of great videos that I find inspirational and I hope they will help motivate all of you to keep working toward your goal - keep fighting to succeed and get back up.
Thank you for reading!
Avery is going to be an enjoyable company to work for - they care about their workers and they make it a point to let them know. Everyone was very nice and based on how the employees talked, it was apparent they are actually very happy there. I also found out I will be on the "editor," which means I won't be working with any of the glues or solvents... thank the lord! That was one of the things I was very concerned about!
As far as eating and drinking water goes I will be fine. They have a huge break room with 100's of choices of Kuerig coffee flavors and a microwave and a refrigerator!
So, I got home tonight around 515. I was absolutely exhausted (still am). Not that I did anything that hard today, it was just a long day and I did a lot of walking! Anyways, I really didn't feel like going to the gym, but I did anyways. :) I absolutely didn't want my first day to start off with me skipping the gym and eating bad so I didn't allow it to.
I am really starting to realize how much getting in shape and eating is about mind over matter. I make decisions about what I am going to do - my choice is to work out and eat right or not to... I feel great because I am at almost 6 weeks of working out and eating right with no breaks, no slack offs and I still have so much motivation and passion. I can do this forever, and I think that is the goal - to develop habits you can continue even after you hit your goals.
Something else I wanted to talk about today is failure and discouragement. I have a dear friend who is really struggling to commit herself. Every day she will commit and then she struggles and ends up spiraling out of control. I have been there in the past and know that feeling plagues all of us at times. We have to get our minds in the right place... We all go through times that we REALLY want to do something, but for some reason we just can't or won't do it... Where this becomes difficult is in re-committing every day. If you have failed 10 days in a row will you continue to commit in the fear of failure? I hope so - because every single time you fall down you have GOT to get back up. It doesn't matter how hard it is, you've got to keep fighting until you succeed. It takes more than that of course - you have to work too - but the point is that there are so many hardships we face in this life and if at the first sign of failure or adversity, if you quit, you won't ever get anywhere. I found a couple of great videos that I find inspirational and I hope they will help motivate all of you to keep working toward your goal - keep fighting to succeed and get back up.
Thank you for reading!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Big Day Tomorrow
I start work tomorrow! AHHH! I am so nervous!
It should be a good day though - I am looking forward to finally making some darn money at least.
Here in a few minutes I am going to go down and pack my lunch - I will be working every week day so I could really use some ideas about what to get that is healthy and holds up well. I don't know if I will have a microwave and I can't afford grass-fed/organic lunch meat so sandwiches are out. I have enough grass-fed roast beef to take tomorrow. I also have an apple to take... maybe some protein bars - but I'd like some ideas so I don't have to eat the same things all the time. :) Hmmm I wonder if I can have my water bottle while Im working? If not what do I do? shoot... didn't even think of this.
Today has been a great day. My headache that Ive had for three days finally went away and I had an AMAZING workout today. I started by going to the track to run- but it was really soggy and icky so I did 10 sets of stairs and came home. From here I ran 2.5 miles, then I got home and jumped on my bike and headed to the gym (1.4 miles) I did a leg workout and then road home. :) I feel great too!
I had a pretty interesting thought during my workout... I had done the stairs and then come home and did the run and as I was finishing up I was thinking about riding my bike to the gym... I was trying to decide if I should do it and I thought "well, i've already done a lot of cardio, I can drive there and probably avoid getting stuck in the rain while I'm at it!" "I don't want to overdue it either..." then I decided to change my thinking - "I need to push myself...I know I can do this!" I found myself justifying the fact that running 2.5 miles was enough.. and yeah, maybe it was - but why not go a little further? Why not save some gas and get in a little more work? Well, I did that, I rode the bike and I really feel accomplished.
That is something to really think about - how much further can you push yourself? Do you ever give it everything you have? I have really started to realize that I don't push myself nearly enough. I can ALWAYS give more and my plan is to start doing that.
Ok, I have some excellent articles to share! I've been stock piling them! haha Ill only post two today though so I have more for other days.
This first one is a list of 40 healthy snack options (maybe I should take my own advice and pack some of these for work! lol).
http://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/40-crunchy-and-creamy-healthy-snack-ideas-under-200-calories
Article number two is a "healthy" brownie recipe. :) It is more complicated than the regular black bean brownie recipe, but some of you on here are quite good at baking so I thought you might like a gourmet black bean brownie recipe! :) enjoy. (and send me some if you make them lol!)
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/recipe?id=9978369
It should be a good day though - I am looking forward to finally making some darn money at least.
Here in a few minutes I am going to go down and pack my lunch - I will be working every week day so I could really use some ideas about what to get that is healthy and holds up well. I don't know if I will have a microwave and I can't afford grass-fed/organic lunch meat so sandwiches are out. I have enough grass-fed roast beef to take tomorrow. I also have an apple to take... maybe some protein bars - but I'd like some ideas so I don't have to eat the same things all the time. :) Hmmm I wonder if I can have my water bottle while Im working? If not what do I do? shoot... didn't even think of this.
Today has been a great day. My headache that Ive had for three days finally went away and I had an AMAZING workout today. I started by going to the track to run- but it was really soggy and icky so I did 10 sets of stairs and came home. From here I ran 2.5 miles, then I got home and jumped on my bike and headed to the gym (1.4 miles) I did a leg workout and then road home. :) I feel great too!
I had a pretty interesting thought during my workout... I had done the stairs and then come home and did the run and as I was finishing up I was thinking about riding my bike to the gym... I was trying to decide if I should do it and I thought "well, i've already done a lot of cardio, I can drive there and probably avoid getting stuck in the rain while I'm at it!" "I don't want to overdue it either..." then I decided to change my thinking - "I need to push myself...I know I can do this!" I found myself justifying the fact that running 2.5 miles was enough.. and yeah, maybe it was - but why not go a little further? Why not save some gas and get in a little more work? Well, I did that, I rode the bike and I really feel accomplished.
That is something to really think about - how much further can you push yourself? Do you ever give it everything you have? I have really started to realize that I don't push myself nearly enough. I can ALWAYS give more and my plan is to start doing that.
“There isn’t a person anywhere who isn’t capable of doing more than he thinks he can.”Henry Ford
Ok, I have some excellent articles to share! I've been stock piling them! haha Ill only post two today though so I have more for other days.
This first one is a list of 40 healthy snack options (maybe I should take my own advice and pack some of these for work! lol).
http://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/40-crunchy-and-creamy-healthy-snack-ideas-under-200-calories
Article number two is a "healthy" brownie recipe. :) It is more complicated than the regular black bean brownie recipe, but some of you on here are quite good at baking so I thought you might like a gourmet black bean brownie recipe! :) enjoy. (and send me some if you make them lol!)
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/recipe?id=9978369
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Food and how it makes us feel
Happy belated Easter everyone!
I had a pretty indulgent day yesterday and definitely payed for it today. As most of you know I gave up candy for lent (even though I am not catholic... I always give something up). So, yesterday, after 40 days of not eating one single piece of candy, I received an Easter basket filled with it! I ate a couple pieces of chocolate and was surprised to find it didn't taste as great as I remembered it. I had already decided Easter would be a big cheat day though, so I ate dinner at my grandma's and had some pie for dessert and then ate more food at my cousins... I ended the day STUFFED and NOT very satisfied. I woke up this morning with a slight headache, a tummy ache, feeling groggy and icky in general. I also felt sluggish and tired all day and was literally RAVENOUS!
I made sure to really "notice" how I felt today, because I recently read a blog about how food really make an impact on how we feel... It is something I have always known, but haven't ever really "known..." if that makes sense. You can read that blog HERE.
In case you don't want to read - the article basically talks about how we all have trigger foods and vices and once we give in to those, our bodies go into a tailspin. A cheat day, although good for our metabolisms, affects our bodies for several days afterward. I still think it is important to have them, but it is also very important to realize it may be more difficult to stay on track for a couple days afterward.
Personally, I am thankful that I could feel a difference today, it reiterates to me the importance of making these changes and eating whole foods. I do have to say that I can't believe I allowed myself to feel bad like this all the time before! It is just crazy!
I have a great article to share with everyone about athletes and eating disorders... I really think it rings true for me and may for many of you -
http://www.active.com/nutrition/Articles/Athletes-and-Eating-Disorders-How-to-Find-Peace-With-Food.htm?cmp=17-1-529
I absolutely obsess over calories and eating - I constantly think about my next meal! Food has something over me and that is a problem I have to work on breaking.
ok - I have to go for the night, I am exhausted and distracted! I will write more tomorrow! Thanks for reading!
I had a pretty indulgent day yesterday and definitely payed for it today. As most of you know I gave up candy for lent (even though I am not catholic... I always give something up). So, yesterday, after 40 days of not eating one single piece of candy, I received an Easter basket filled with it! I ate a couple pieces of chocolate and was surprised to find it didn't taste as great as I remembered it. I had already decided Easter would be a big cheat day though, so I ate dinner at my grandma's and had some pie for dessert and then ate more food at my cousins... I ended the day STUFFED and NOT very satisfied. I woke up this morning with a slight headache, a tummy ache, feeling groggy and icky in general. I also felt sluggish and tired all day and was literally RAVENOUS!
I made sure to really "notice" how I felt today, because I recently read a blog about how food really make an impact on how we feel... It is something I have always known, but haven't ever really "known..." if that makes sense. You can read that blog HERE.
In case you don't want to read - the article basically talks about how we all have trigger foods and vices and once we give in to those, our bodies go into a tailspin. A cheat day, although good for our metabolisms, affects our bodies for several days afterward. I still think it is important to have them, but it is also very important to realize it may be more difficult to stay on track for a couple days afterward.
Personally, I am thankful that I could feel a difference today, it reiterates to me the importance of making these changes and eating whole foods. I do have to say that I can't believe I allowed myself to feel bad like this all the time before! It is just crazy!
I have a great article to share with everyone about athletes and eating disorders... I really think it rings true for me and may for many of you -
http://www.active.com/nutrition/Articles/Athletes-and-Eating-Disorders-How-to-Find-Peace-With-Food.htm?cmp=17-1-529
I absolutely obsess over calories and eating - I constantly think about my next meal! Food has something over me and that is a problem I have to work on breaking.
ok - I have to go for the night, I am exhausted and distracted! I will write more tomorrow! Thanks for reading!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Homesick...
This week has been a struggle. I am so homesick. :( I miss my husband and my bulldogges and my bed and my house and my stuff ... I feel like I am on deployment all over again. I really love the following song and it makes me think of my sweet husband. And its true... even if he were just HERE I would be ok... He is my "Home." Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
I have been on track this week though! And our weigh in is tomorrow! Everyone keep your fingers crossed that we win so I can get a few free months of gym membership time!!! Unfortunately I gained 5 lbs. after our initial weigh in and now that i've lost that i'm only down 3-4 lbs. for the weigh in! lol. Oh well. I've been working my butt off - for the past month I have done EVERYTHING I possibly can to prepare and even if we don't win I have done SO MUCH work and have definitely benefited.
My next goal is going to completely forgo obsessing about weight loss because it really feels like I am obsessing too much. Instead, I am going to start training to FREAKING SMOKE the warrior dash. I am going to change up my workout completely as well as ramp up my running (and do it all outside... when its not raining cats and dogs at least.) I will lose weight just by doing that and since I won't be freaking out all the time about the scale it will seem like its happening much faster I think.
I start work next Thursday and guess what? THEY PUT ME ON DAYS! I am SO excited because I was really hoping to avoid night shift! SUCH good news! I will be working 730-330 and then be able to go straight to the gym and then come home and relax in the evenings. That is until I start working at the Old Mill (hopefully -- I think I'll get and interview sometimes this week.) It is an AWESOME restaurant in town literally in an "old mill." Check out the link I hooked the to restaurants name. Hopefully I will be able to pick up some weekend shifts there to help them (and myself) out a little. And I'll get to enjoy live music and make people happy.... See, as sad and lonely and homesick as I feel this week, good things are still happening. It is definitely hard, but it is doable. (especially because I have such an amazing and supportive husband.)
Here is a great informational article for the day!
http://www.active.com/fitness/Articles/5-Benefits-of-Weight-Training.htm?cmp=17-1-521
Alright, time to get some homework done. Thanks for reading. :)
I have been on track this week though! And our weigh in is tomorrow! Everyone keep your fingers crossed that we win so I can get a few free months of gym membership time!!! Unfortunately I gained 5 lbs. after our initial weigh in and now that i've lost that i'm only down 3-4 lbs. for the weigh in! lol. Oh well. I've been working my butt off - for the past month I have done EVERYTHING I possibly can to prepare and even if we don't win I have done SO MUCH work and have definitely benefited.
My next goal is going to completely forgo obsessing about weight loss because it really feels like I am obsessing too much. Instead, I am going to start training to FREAKING SMOKE the warrior dash. I am going to change up my workout completely as well as ramp up my running (and do it all outside... when its not raining cats and dogs at least.) I will lose weight just by doing that and since I won't be freaking out all the time about the scale it will seem like its happening much faster I think.
I start work next Thursday and guess what? THEY PUT ME ON DAYS! I am SO excited because I was really hoping to avoid night shift! SUCH good news! I will be working 730-330 and then be able to go straight to the gym and then come home and relax in the evenings. That is until I start working at the Old Mill (hopefully -- I think I'll get and interview sometimes this week.) It is an AWESOME restaurant in town literally in an "old mill." Check out the link I hooked the to restaurants name. Hopefully I will be able to pick up some weekend shifts there to help them (and myself) out a little. And I'll get to enjoy live music and make people happy.... See, as sad and lonely and homesick as I feel this week, good things are still happening. It is definitely hard, but it is doable. (especially because I have such an amazing and supportive husband.)
Here is a great informational article for the day!
http://www.active.com/fitness/Articles/5-Benefits-of-Weight-Training.htm?cmp=17-1-521
Alright, time to get some homework done. Thanks for reading. :)
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Life-Long Learner
Hello all! I have SO much great information to share today! Hence the title today "life-long learner." I feel like there is ALWAYS more information out there and the more you know, the better you can help yourself.
But first, good news! According to the scale yesterday I am down 4 more lbs! Which brings me to 7 lost all together so far! Saturday is our "official" weigh in for our weight-loss challenge at the gym so I'll let everyone know how that goes! :) Hopefully we win so I can get a few free months of gym membership! Otherwise my workouts will be moving outside in the freezing cold starting next Monday! lol! I am also going to see if I can get my body fat measured at some point this week before my time at the gym is up just to see where I stand currently in that department.
Ok, onto the great info I have to share! I follow a site called active.com on FB and they always post informative articles about weight loss, running etc... (I post them on this blog often.) Anyways, today they had several! :) The first is an article for the gentlemen blog readers! :)
This is an article about 7 fitness tests men should do to see where they stand fitness wise!
http://www.active.com/fitness/Articles/7-Fitness-Tests-Every-Man-Should-Do.htm?cmp=17-1-506
The next is a guide to 21 pre-packaged foods that are good and safe to eat. I actually bought the "Applewood" brand in the form of organic chicken sausages this week and can't wait to try them! :)
http://www.prevention.com/packaged-foods-2011/index.html
And the final article is different ways to track your weight loss. If you are anything like me you probably get very frustrated when the scale refuses to budge! Here are a few alternatives to track your progress and keep you motivated!
http://www.active.com/running/Articles/How-to-Track-Your-Weight-Loss.htm?cmp=17-1-508
I hope you enjoy the articles and get something from them! Enjoy!
But first, good news! According to the scale yesterday I am down 4 more lbs! Which brings me to 7 lost all together so far! Saturday is our "official" weigh in for our weight-loss challenge at the gym so I'll let everyone know how that goes! :) Hopefully we win so I can get a few free months of gym membership! Otherwise my workouts will be moving outside in the freezing cold starting next Monday! lol! I am also going to see if I can get my body fat measured at some point this week before my time at the gym is up just to see where I stand currently in that department.
Ok, onto the great info I have to share! I follow a site called active.com on FB and they always post informative articles about weight loss, running etc... (I post them on this blog often.) Anyways, today they had several! :) The first is an article for the gentlemen blog readers! :)
This is an article about 7 fitness tests men should do to see where they stand fitness wise!
http://www.active.com/fitness/Articles/7-Fitness-Tests-Every-Man-Should-Do.htm?cmp=17-1-506
The next is a guide to 21 pre-packaged foods that are good and safe to eat. I actually bought the "Applewood" brand in the form of organic chicken sausages this week and can't wait to try them! :)
http://www.prevention.com/packaged-foods-2011/index.html
And the final article is different ways to track your weight loss. If you are anything like me you probably get very frustrated when the scale refuses to budge! Here are a few alternatives to track your progress and keep you motivated!
http://www.active.com/running/Articles/How-to-Track-Your-Weight-Loss.htm?cmp=17-1-508
I hope you enjoy the articles and get something from them! Enjoy!
Monday, April 18, 2011
A New Challenge
It was definitely a Manic Monday! I was very busy! I had a job interview this morning, which although odd, went well enough for me to be offered the job. Hence the new challenges! It is VERY easy to make it to the gym every day when I only have working out and school to worry about! It will be nice though to have a routine so maybe it will be even easier to make it to the gym!?
Anyways, the reason the interview was odd is because it is for a factory job at Avery Denison (the people who make those little sticky labels for addresses and such.) My job will be applying the epoxy to the paper so they are "sticky." The lady was nice, and liked me, but said she can't see me performing this job in any way at all. In fact, she said she expects I'll only be there for a couple of months at most because it is miserable work and I don't seem like the type. I wanted to say "thanks for the pep talk lady!" But, she offered me the job anyways so I couldn't really complain. :) I figure its a job to keep me busy while I am away from JT and I'll be making money too!
After that I went to the vitamin shoppe and bought some protein and then came home and worked on a project for school for a couple hours. Then, I made my infamous trip to my far away deer-hitting class. I REALLY REALLY REALLY didn't want to go to the gym tonight... it was 830 when I got home and it was such a busy day,, but I decided to SUCK IT UP and go. And I am SO glad I did. I had an AWESOME workout. I probably could have gone all night.
I am determined to keep my motivation even working full time. This is a great chance for me to prove this is a lifestyle change and not just a phase. Maybe I'll lose weight even faster being on my feet 8 hours a day? haha
The hardest thing will probably be eating honestly. Im not sure how breaks work there etc... My dad works at Avery in a different section and gets two 20-minute breaks a night. If that is the same for me that would be plenty of time to eat - i'll just have to start packing my lunch!
Anyways, not much else for today, but when my friend posts pictures from this weekend I'll have lots more to write about . Thanks for reading!
Friday, April 15, 2011
Cheat meal Successo!
Well dinner tonight was delicious!!!
Supreme enchiladas (3 cheese 1 bean) with cheese, sour cream, lettuce and tomatoes on the side. And a big 23 ounce Dos Equis Amber Draft. YUM! Of course I didn't eat all of that (although I probably could have!) and I only drank 2/3 of the beer (I can NEVER finish those things!)
I decided to make it only a cheat "meal" though rather than a cheat day. I ate well all day and worked out still. I am just not ready for a cheat "day." Maybe I'll do that once Im at my goal.
My toe is still bothering me, but I AM able to workout with it still so that makes me happy. It mostly just hurts at night, probably from swelling. I did have an awesome workout today though. I did 10 minutes on the bike, ran a mile, lifted (delts and abs) 10 elliptical and 10 more on the bike. :)
Im hoping I can wok out outside this weekend some - of course it's supposed to rain though! (surprise surprise!) lol. Hopefully it will hold off. Now that it is finally in the 50's it's perfect for outside running! Then Sunday, Abby and I are going to do some earth day cleanup stuff after her soccer game. Should be a good weekend.
Anyways, thanks for reading.
Supreme enchiladas (3 cheese 1 bean) with cheese, sour cream, lettuce and tomatoes on the side. And a big 23 ounce Dos Equis Amber Draft. YUM! Of course I didn't eat all of that (although I probably could have!) and I only drank 2/3 of the beer (I can NEVER finish those things!)
I decided to make it only a cheat "meal" though rather than a cheat day. I ate well all day and worked out still. I am just not ready for a cheat "day." Maybe I'll do that once Im at my goal.
My toe is still bothering me, but I AM able to workout with it still so that makes me happy. It mostly just hurts at night, probably from swelling. I did have an awesome workout today though. I did 10 minutes on the bike, ran a mile, lifted (delts and abs) 10 elliptical and 10 more on the bike. :)
Im hoping I can wok out outside this weekend some - of course it's supposed to rain though! (surprise surprise!) lol. Hopefully it will hold off. Now that it is finally in the 50's it's perfect for outside running! Then Sunday, Abby and I are going to do some earth day cleanup stuff after her soccer game. Should be a good weekend.
Anyways, thanks for reading.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
You want a toe? I can get you a toe,,,
Before I get started, please take a moment to laugh out loud at the following video (viewer discretion is advised.)
Well, this isn't the Big Lebowski, this is the Big Bolestridge and I am definitely in need of a new toe right now so I can continue on my path to becoming the Small Bolestridge.
Don't ask me how in the world I did it, but I was running on that big burly "low-impact treadmill" again...
and I was wearing my vibrams and just caught my toe in one of those darn threads... my big toe. I decided to finish my run despite the pain and ended up stubbing the same freaking toe while doing my cool down walking. :( Needless to say my toe hurts BAD!
I took yesterday off (I needed to take a rest day anyways) and thought i'd be fine today so I really pushed it in the gym and now my toe feels like crap again.
So what should I do? Let it heal? Keep training? Go to the doctor? I don't know. It didn't kill me to run today so I think I am going to continue training and if in a week it still hurts like this I am going to go to the dr. and see whats up. I don't know.
Besides the toe ordeal Im feeling great. I really did have a great workout today - I went to SNAP in Ashtabula today with my friend Rhonda and that girl is tiny and STRONG! She was also running on the treadmill at 9.5 miles per hour for her whole run. It really made me want to push myself harder and harder. So, if you're reading this THANK YOU RHONDA! You really do rock! I hope I can not only be as strong as you, but that I can be as hott as you too! (if only my clumsy ass body would cooperate!)
Ok - the plans for this weekend include job hunting, working out (a lot), spending time with my sweet baby sister and family (a lot) and doing homework. And tomorrow night after Abby's soccer practice we're having dinner at Los Compadres a mexican restaurant near us - a great opportunity for me to have my first "cheat meal."(make sure you check out the page I just linked to "cheat meal")
Well, I think that is about all for today but here are a few informative articles some of you may find interesting.
Tips to build your athletic walking technique
5 reasons to work out in the morning
Well, this isn't the Big Lebowski, this is the Big Bolestridge and I am definitely in need of a new toe right now so I can continue on my path to becoming the Small Bolestridge.
Don't ask me how in the world I did it, but I was running on that big burly "low-impact treadmill" again...
and I was wearing my vibrams and just caught my toe in one of those darn threads... my big toe. I decided to finish my run despite the pain and ended up stubbing the same freaking toe while doing my cool down walking. :( Needless to say my toe hurts BAD!
I took yesterday off (I needed to take a rest day anyways) and thought i'd be fine today so I really pushed it in the gym and now my toe feels like crap again.
So what should I do? Let it heal? Keep training? Go to the doctor? I don't know. It didn't kill me to run today so I think I am going to continue training and if in a week it still hurts like this I am going to go to the dr. and see whats up. I don't know.
Besides the toe ordeal Im feeling great. I really did have a great workout today - I went to SNAP in Ashtabula today with my friend Rhonda and that girl is tiny and STRONG! She was also running on the treadmill at 9.5 miles per hour for her whole run. It really made me want to push myself harder and harder. So, if you're reading this THANK YOU RHONDA! You really do rock! I hope I can not only be as strong as you, but that I can be as hott as you too! (if only my clumsy ass body would cooperate!)
Ok - the plans for this weekend include job hunting, working out (a lot), spending time with my sweet baby sister and family (a lot) and doing homework. And tomorrow night after Abby's soccer practice we're having dinner at Los Compadres a mexican restaurant near us - a great opportunity for me to have my first "cheat meal."(make sure you check out the page I just linked to "cheat meal")
Well, I think that is about all for today but here are a few informative articles some of you may find interesting.
Tips to build your athletic walking technique
5 reasons to work out in the morning
"Your training partner's name is pain. You start out trying to ignore him. Can't do it. You attempt to reason with him. No way. You try to strike a bargain. Hah. You plead. You say "Please stop, please go away. I promise never ever to do this again if you just leave me alone." But he won't. Pain only climbs off if you do. Then you're beaten. "
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Change of pace
I had an enjoyable workout yesterday. :)
It was supposed to be my day off for the week, but my friend Kristi called and insisted I join her and Yvonne at Hogback bridge for some stairs. I protested, explained I am really broke and can't afford gas etc... so she came and picked me up! No excuses!
Now, when Kristi said stairs I was expecting some sort of a long stone staircase somewhere... I was definitely surprised to come upon this -
this was the view from the top down
and this was the view from the bottom up!
As you can see it is quite steep and winding! Furthermore, there are some areas where the stairs are REALLY far apart and it had rained earlier in the day so it was SLIPPERY! By all rights I should have a broken neck today... seriously.
It was an enjoyable workout though. We did it 10 times (down and up was ONE) and we also walked some trails. Something a bit outside of the norm that was both enjoyable and cleansing. It also provided the serenity I needed to clarify the importance of taking time to smell the roses.
I find myself rushing constantly. I am a "rusher" in life. Always rushing from one task to another and half-assing them along the way. I get the "rusher" trait from my mom and can actually see how it impacts her life. She never gets to fully enjoy what she is doing. She is always worried about what else she has to do. She is always speeding, always in a hurry and seems stressed often. I see those traits in my life too. JT has told me in the past that I am a rusher and that I just need to slow down - if something doesn't get done today oh well, relax and do it tomorrow.
I almost had an epiphany last night while driving about rushing. Here I am, driving home from class (the one that is an hour away... I hit a deer on the way home from this darn class last week...) anyways - I was driving the speed limit 55mph and it was still daylight because I left early to avoid driving with one headlight at night. I was enjoying the radio, enjoying the scenery when I noticed a car right up on my tail. I kind of chuckled... usually I am the one who feels like I need to go 5 mph faster so I can get where I am going 1 minute faster than I would have anyways...
After a while this kid obviously got tired of going the speed limit because he passed me, I said to myself "man, kids are just in such a hurry all of the time." Which made me chuckle to refer to someone who was probably my age as a kid. I guess that just means I am growing up and realizing that by rushing through life I am not fully enjoying the experience.
And that is something I am trying to work on a lot. Fully enjoying my experience. Enjoying my workouts, enjoying my runs, enjoying my food, enjoying my blogging time, reading time, enjoying the talks JT and I have - really just enjoying my life without always feeling so rushed, stressed and worried. And it is so hard, but it is becoming easier every day... It is all about having an awareness
Well, I am headed to the gym now - maybe I'll have something more to write later. Thank you for reading.
It was supposed to be my day off for the week, but my friend Kristi called and insisted I join her and Yvonne at Hogback bridge for some stairs. I protested, explained I am really broke and can't afford gas etc... so she came and picked me up! No excuses!
Now, when Kristi said stairs I was expecting some sort of a long stone staircase somewhere... I was definitely surprised to come upon this -
this was the view from the top down
and this was the view from the bottom up!
As you can see it is quite steep and winding! Furthermore, there are some areas where the stairs are REALLY far apart and it had rained earlier in the day so it was SLIPPERY! By all rights I should have a broken neck today... seriously.
It was an enjoyable workout though. We did it 10 times (down and up was ONE) and we also walked some trails. Something a bit outside of the norm that was both enjoyable and cleansing. It also provided the serenity I needed to clarify the importance of taking time to smell the roses.
I find myself rushing constantly. I am a "rusher" in life. Always rushing from one task to another and half-assing them along the way. I get the "rusher" trait from my mom and can actually see how it impacts her life. She never gets to fully enjoy what she is doing. She is always worried about what else she has to do. She is always speeding, always in a hurry and seems stressed often. I see those traits in my life too. JT has told me in the past that I am a rusher and that I just need to slow down - if something doesn't get done today oh well, relax and do it tomorrow.
I almost had an epiphany last night while driving about rushing. Here I am, driving home from class (the one that is an hour away... I hit a deer on the way home from this darn class last week...) anyways - I was driving the speed limit 55mph and it was still daylight because I left early to avoid driving with one headlight at night. I was enjoying the radio, enjoying the scenery when I noticed a car right up on my tail. I kind of chuckled... usually I am the one who feels like I need to go 5 mph faster so I can get where I am going 1 minute faster than I would have anyways...
After a while this kid obviously got tired of going the speed limit because he passed me, I said to myself "man, kids are just in such a hurry all of the time." Which made me chuckle to refer to someone who was probably my age as a kid. I guess that just means I am growing up and realizing that by rushing through life I am not fully enjoying the experience.
And that is something I am trying to work on a lot. Fully enjoying my experience. Enjoying my workouts, enjoying my runs, enjoying my food, enjoying my blogging time, reading time, enjoying the talks JT and I have - really just enjoying my life without always feeling so rushed, stressed and worried. And it is so hard, but it is becoming easier every day... It is all about having an awareness
Well, I am headed to the gym now - maybe I'll have something more to write later. Thank you for reading.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Getting Stronger
First - lets start with a little mood-setting music (and a pretty neat video!)
Very good song. And a very fitting one for this post. I am getting harder, better, faster and stronger.
One of the things that is most important to me, even more so than being thin, is being strong and cardio-vascularly fit. (I may have made that word up... but you get the point.) As much as I'd like to see results NOW, I LOVE the process of feeling my body change and the feeling of getting stronger. I love going to the gym and being able to lift more weight or do more reps than last week. I love the feeling of being able to do squats and lunges without excruciating burning pain in my legs and hammies!And I love knowing that the work I am doing is changing my body.
I am also getting faster. I am a SLOW runner, but as I continue to put in the miles (even if I only do 2-3 a day) my pace increases and it gets easier and easier.
I am getting harder ... well my body is anyways. I hate the feeling of being a soft sloppy fat ball, it is nice to finally feel like I am toning up a bit! haha!
And all of these changes are making me better - I feel like a better and more informed/educated person (thanks to my research!) Life is just GOOD! The only thing missing right now, honestly, is JT and the dogs. Everything else feels great.
Today was a great day. I ran to the gym (approx 1.4 miles) did chest and back and then ran home. I also went on a nice long walk with my mom and Sparg around the neighborhood a few times. JT and I had a great conversation too. I have been feeling a bit discouraged because I feel like I should be seeing more weight loss- but, after I sent him my calorie burn information he determined that I have had enough of a deficit to lose the amount of weight I have. Unfortunately, biggest loser gives us a skewed view of weight loss and if we don't lose 5-10 lbs a week we think we suck... the truth is ANY weight loss is an accomplishment because it is NOT easy.
I am learning so much about myself and my body on this new journey. It is far better than any of the other attempts I have made to lose weight... I believe the reason for that, is that this time it is not an attempt, but a commitment to myself. I also think the satisfaction I get from working towards a much sought-after goal, and actually feeling better and seeing results helps. It is a cycle that I'm happy to be in.
Very good song. And a very fitting one for this post. I am getting harder, better, faster and stronger.
One of the things that is most important to me, even more so than being thin, is being strong and cardio-vascularly fit. (I may have made that word up... but you get the point.) As much as I'd like to see results NOW, I LOVE the process of feeling my body change and the feeling of getting stronger. I love going to the gym and being able to lift more weight or do more reps than last week. I love the feeling of being able to do squats and lunges without excruciating burning pain in my legs and hammies!And I love knowing that the work I am doing is changing my body.
I am also getting faster. I am a SLOW runner, but as I continue to put in the miles (even if I only do 2-3 a day) my pace increases and it gets easier and easier.
I am getting harder ... well my body is anyways. I hate the feeling of being a soft sloppy fat ball, it is nice to finally feel like I am toning up a bit! haha!
And all of these changes are making me better - I feel like a better and more informed/educated person (thanks to my research!) Life is just GOOD! The only thing missing right now, honestly, is JT and the dogs. Everything else feels great.
Today was a great day. I ran to the gym (approx 1.4 miles) did chest and back and then ran home. I also went on a nice long walk with my mom and Sparg around the neighborhood a few times. JT and I had a great conversation too. I have been feeling a bit discouraged because I feel like I should be seeing more weight loss- but, after I sent him my calorie burn information he determined that I have had enough of a deficit to lose the amount of weight I have. Unfortunately, biggest loser gives us a skewed view of weight loss and if we don't lose 5-10 lbs a week we think we suck... the truth is ANY weight loss is an accomplishment because it is NOT easy.
I am learning so much about myself and my body on this new journey. It is far better than any of the other attempts I have made to lose weight... I believe the reason for that, is that this time it is not an attempt, but a commitment to myself. I also think the satisfaction I get from working towards a much sought-after goal, and actually feeling better and seeing results helps. It is a cycle that I'm happy to be in.
| Success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be” | |
Friday, April 8, 2011
What does it mean to "have faith"
In light of the controversy with our government's budget today, as well as the plight of our beloved Boston Red Sox, today I would like to talk about what it means to "have faith."
Most of you on this blog who really know me, know that I am very unsure about my religious beliefs at this point in my life. A lot of confusion I have felt was perpetuated upon moving to Texas due to the discomfort I felt living in such a conservative, bible-belt town. Further, I took a history class last semester called "Religion as a Forceful Pattern," which made me even more confused.
I do believe there is a higher power. I have always felt a deep spiritual connection with a higher being in my life and have no doubt one exists... whether it is the universe, God etc...
In this confusion, normal matters often get confused and one of those things is "faith."
What does it mean to have faith? A lot of people and in the past me, have felt that faith means believing in God and that is all. Or, they only associate the word with religion. But, now that I feel more enlightened and open minded, I feel like faith has to do with a lot more than just religion.
To me faith means trusting and believing. I have faith that if I continue to put in the work, I will see the results I desire. I may not see them right now... or even soon, but I will see them. There is no statistical proof, in fact there isn't even any history, because I have never worked long enough to see my desired results... but, without seeing it right now or in the past, I have faith that with my continued hard work I will not be disappointed.
I have faith in my fellow man. Faith that people will generally do what is right. Yes, there are bad people in this world, but there are a lot more good people than bad people. And good people come in so many different forms...
And Mr. Autrey is only one example... there are people around us who do something good and right every day and don't get noticed, or expect to be noticed.
I have faith in our government... yes they are shitty and greedy and look out mostly for themselves, but when push comes to shove they make something happen. I may not LIKE what they make happen, and I may not like them AT ALL... but they do deliver in the 11th hour (and often times well before.)
I have faith in my team - The Red Sox are struggling right now, but I know they will do their very best to improve. Even if they don't win it big, I have faith that they are doing everything they can to get there and I have faith that it will get better.
That brings up a deeper point... if you lose your faith (in your team, fellow man, yourself) at the first sign of adversity then what do you have?
I have faith in myself. Things don't always go as planned in my life (as most of you know, they often don't actually...) but I have faith that no matter what Im thrown I can handle it because I am strong and I trust myself to do whats right in the face of adversity. I have faith in myself to follow through with my commitment to bettering myself.
Faith is something that I believe we desperately need in our lives - the ability to truly believe and trust and accept. Without that feeling, it is difficult to feel optimistic and look to the future positively. We are what we believe...
Most of you on this blog who really know me, know that I am very unsure about my religious beliefs at this point in my life. A lot of confusion I have felt was perpetuated upon moving to Texas due to the discomfort I felt living in such a conservative, bible-belt town. Further, I took a history class last semester called "Religion as a Forceful Pattern," which made me even more confused.
I do believe there is a higher power. I have always felt a deep spiritual connection with a higher being in my life and have no doubt one exists... whether it is the universe, God etc...
In this confusion, normal matters often get confused and one of those things is "faith."
What does it mean to have faith? A lot of people and in the past me, have felt that faith means believing in God and that is all. Or, they only associate the word with religion. But, now that I feel more enlightened and open minded, I feel like faith has to do with a lot more than just religion.
To me faith means trusting and believing. I have faith that if I continue to put in the work, I will see the results I desire. I may not see them right now... or even soon, but I will see them. There is no statistical proof, in fact there isn't even any history, because I have never worked long enough to see my desired results... but, without seeing it right now or in the past, I have faith that with my continued hard work I will not be disappointed.
I have faith in my fellow man. Faith that people will generally do what is right. Yes, there are bad people in this world, but there are a lot more good people than bad people. And good people come in so many different forms...
And Mr. Autrey is only one example... there are people around us who do something good and right every day and don't get noticed, or expect to be noticed.
I have faith in our government... yes they are shitty and greedy and look out mostly for themselves, but when push comes to shove they make something happen. I may not LIKE what they make happen, and I may not like them AT ALL... but they do deliver in the 11th hour (and often times well before.)
I have faith in my team - The Red Sox are struggling right now, but I know they will do their very best to improve. Even if they don't win it big, I have faith that they are doing everything they can to get there and I have faith that it will get better.
That brings up a deeper point... if you lose your faith (in your team, fellow man, yourself) at the first sign of adversity then what do you have?
I have faith in myself. Things don't always go as planned in my life (as most of you know, they often don't actually...) but I have faith that no matter what Im thrown I can handle it because I am strong and I trust myself to do whats right in the face of adversity. I have faith in myself to follow through with my commitment to bettering myself.
Faith is something that I believe we desperately need in our lives - the ability to truly believe and trust and accept. Without that feeling, it is difficult to feel optimistic and look to the future positively. We are what we believe...
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Where do you even begin
Things here have been going great. I had another great workout at the gym today and just FEEL good. I've gone 10 of the last 11 days to the gym!
I've also really been sticking to my diet, but feel like I might have to cut a few calories out ... Im sitting at about 1500-1600 a day, but JT read a thing that said people underestimate their calories by 20-40% generally. Maybe that is why I am not actually seeing weight loss on the scale? Im not sure yet, but I picked up some books on nutrition today finally so I'll let you all know what I find!
Before I get into the next part of today's post, I want to share a link my friend Megan sent me on facebook for organic, farm-raised beef/chicken/eggs around the US. You can actually click on your state and it will tell you what is near you!
http://eatwild.com/
Anyways, do you ever fell like you REALLY want to do something, but have no idea where to start?
I feel this way often. I would really like to learn to crochet... It would just be cool to make people blankets as gifts and to make myself scarves and such - but no matter how hard I try to learn I just keep making circles. Ive read books, watched about 40 youtube videos... I just don't get it! I would also like to learn how to do yoga, how to meditate, how to take my training to the next level, how to cook... there are a million things I want to be able to DO, but I just don't know where to even start! And even when I DO feel like I am on the right track, I often am not.
Ive mentioned the blog Living Myself To Death in the past, particularly, I mentioned the post I linked to the name of the blog. In that blog, Johnny Waite said to stop talking about what you WANT to do and to just DO it. I wrote an entire blog about it in fact and have really been sticking to it.
That is exactly why I am writing today - I have been living by the "Just Do It" mantra and I am actually seeing positive results.
I have to eat - I have no gourmet chef (JT) here to cook for me, so I am cooking for myself and coming up with some pretty awesome and out of the box healthy meals!
I want to get in shape and get fit - I am doing it and although not losing a lot of weight quite yet, I am seeing changes in my body.
I want to learn yoga and meditation, - so, I went to the library, got some books and am doing the research so I can learn how to do them.
I want to write my blog more often so I am writing more often...
The list could go on and on. It feels great to just DO. And even though I have only been doing this for not quite two weeks I am already seeing big results. My quality of life is significantly better. I am not longer just talking about living my life and talking about doing the things I want to do, I am doing them. Make a list of stuff you want to do and just start at the top and work your way down.
I do understand it is a lot easier to say to "just go do" something than to actually just go do it. And that is where we come back to getting started. How exactly do you get started? I can't say I really know how to answer that.... It is hard to go into a gym and just start working out if you don't know how to. So, I think the most important thing to do is to research. Look up "How to start working out" and decide what is right for you. Go to the library and get books. Ask a friend who has the same interest. That is really all you can do- research, experiment, and do your best. And that goes with everything. I have always had a cooking phobia! Seriously... I just never thought I had it in me - but now that I am going out on a limb and just trying things I am having success.
I know this is a little bit of a repeat blog - but it just seems like such an important message that I wanted to re-iterate it. Thanks for reading!
I've also really been sticking to my diet, but feel like I might have to cut a few calories out ... Im sitting at about 1500-1600 a day, but JT read a thing that said people underestimate their calories by 20-40% generally. Maybe that is why I am not actually seeing weight loss on the scale? Im not sure yet, but I picked up some books on nutrition today finally so I'll let you all know what I find!
Before I get into the next part of today's post, I want to share a link my friend Megan sent me on facebook for organic, farm-raised beef/chicken/eggs around the US. You can actually click on your state and it will tell you what is near you!
http://eatwild.com/
Anyways, do you ever fell like you REALLY want to do something, but have no idea where to start?
I feel this way often. I would really like to learn to crochet... It would just be cool to make people blankets as gifts and to make myself scarves and such - but no matter how hard I try to learn I just keep making circles. Ive read books, watched about 40 youtube videos... I just don't get it! I would also like to learn how to do yoga, how to meditate, how to take my training to the next level, how to cook... there are a million things I want to be able to DO, but I just don't know where to even start! And even when I DO feel like I am on the right track, I often am not.
Ive mentioned the blog Living Myself To Death in the past, particularly, I mentioned the post I linked to the name of the blog. In that blog, Johnny Waite said to stop talking about what you WANT to do and to just DO it. I wrote an entire blog about it in fact and have really been sticking to it.
That is exactly why I am writing today - I have been living by the "Just Do It" mantra and I am actually seeing positive results.
I have to eat - I have no gourmet chef (JT) here to cook for me, so I am cooking for myself and coming up with some pretty awesome and out of the box healthy meals!
I want to get in shape and get fit - I am doing it and although not losing a lot of weight quite yet, I am seeing changes in my body.
I want to learn yoga and meditation, - so, I went to the library, got some books and am doing the research so I can learn how to do them.
I want to write my blog more often so I am writing more often...
The list could go on and on. It feels great to just DO. And even though I have only been doing this for not quite two weeks I am already seeing big results. My quality of life is significantly better. I am not longer just talking about living my life and talking about doing the things I want to do, I am doing them. Make a list of stuff you want to do and just start at the top and work your way down.
I do understand it is a lot easier to say to "just go do" something than to actually just go do it. And that is where we come back to getting started. How exactly do you get started? I can't say I really know how to answer that.... It is hard to go into a gym and just start working out if you don't know how to. So, I think the most important thing to do is to research. Look up "How to start working out" and decide what is right for you. Go to the library and get books. Ask a friend who has the same interest. That is really all you can do- research, experiment, and do your best. And that goes with everything. I have always had a cooking phobia! Seriously... I just never thought I had it in me - but now that I am going out on a limb and just trying things I am having success.
I know this is a little bit of a repeat blog - but it just seems like such an important message that I wanted to re-iterate it. Thanks for reading!
"Whatever you can do, or dream you can;
begin it. Boldness has genius,
power and magic in it."
- Goethe
power and magic in it."
- Goethe
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Gym Creepers
Yes, we've all dealt with them. The creepy guy or girl at the gym who A) won't stop talking to you B) won't stop staring/glaring at you C) obviously doesn't come to the gym to actually workout, but instead comes to make it seem like they are there to workout D) wears totally inappropriate gym clothes that embarrass everyone... yep, we've all seen them or dealt with them.
This is obviously not an appropriate gym outfit.....
also not appropriate... at all...
And gentlemen... I don't care if you have the nicest legs ever... PLEASE do not wear short shorts to the gym.... Gina and I saw so much of this on deployment with the officers that I think we are both scarred for life.
And this was just FUNNY....
I have actually had several "gym creeper" experiences, with my most recent being Sunday. Unfortunately, because I felt so awful after my workout Sunday, I totally forgot about it until I saw my friend Kristen at the gym today and felt the need to warn her (just in case he creeps her too.)
So after working my butt off (hopefully literally) on the treadmill for about 45 minutes, I transitioned over to the stationary bike... that's when I first noticed creeper staring at me. Sometimes I am a little conceited though and I realize that so I figured maybe I was just imagining things. After 10 minutes on the bike it was time for lifting... Now, this is small gym so the "lifting" area is like the size of a medium sized bathroom. Creeper (who, by the way, was wearing a tight green underarmour shirt with his gut protruding) was also lifting.
Literally, as SOON as I got in ear shot of him he started talking to me. Now, I don't know about you, but when I see someone with both ear buds in trying to work out, I take that as a sign that they don't want to "chit chat." Creeper obviously doesn't get the same impression from that scenario. Anyways, he says some bullshit to me that I have to have him repeat because I couldn't hear with my ear buds in.
Creeper: "Do you work out here a lot?"
Me: "yes."
Creeper: "I've never seen you here before (or something along those lines)"
Me: "Well, I am here a lot, we must just come at different times."
So this leads into a conversation where he tells me his life story about being from Buffalo and moving to Cleveland for work (first sign he is full of shit because we all know there is NO damn work in Cleveland.) Apparently he got laid off and decided to move to Geneva because he got his sports trainer license (gut and all) and he wants to work at the new sports complex The Gareat. During this conversation I literally found a way to mention "my husband" about 6 times... hoping this dude would get the hint and just leave me alone...I was nice at first, because, I generally get approached by randoms all the time (I think people just think JT and I are nice or something...(and we are!) but, we are CONSTANTLY approached everywhere we go.) But, when this part of the conversation happened the niceness ended...
Me: "yeah thats awesome, the Gareat is a nice place. Surprised you'd come to Geneva, a town of 10,000 for work as a trainer though, rather than staying in Cleveland or going back to Buffalo."
Creeper "There isn't any work in Buffalo. Soo yeah, I really like kickboxing because I was an MMA fighter for 3 years."
Me: "really.... well that's cool (imagine me saying this completely monotone, but being sarcastic all at once...)."
Creeper: "Yeah, I also do a lot of work with inner-city kids and stuff, so do you go out ever around here?"
Me: "No, my husband isn't here so I don't have a reason to go out."
I said this last part as I was blatantly walking away from him because I had been listening to his BS the entire damn time I was doing my bicep/tricep workout.
After a few minutes of peace while finishing my routine on the machines he approached me with his name and suggested I look him up on facebook. I said, yeah thanks, nice to meet you and tossed the paper down and went back to my workout. :)
I don't even know where the paper is and I certainly didn't look creeper up on facebook lol. Some people.
So yes, this is only one occurrence of gym creeperdom that I have experienced, and I really think everyone deals with it (Poor JT deals with gym creeperdom not even at the gym... he just gets bombarded with messages by this girl who wants to run races with him and stuff all the time lol!)
I think the worse part of dealing with a gym creeper is how un-fun they make such an enjoyable experience. For me, the gym is "MY" time to reflect, concentrate, think and work on me - the last thing I want to do is talk to some douche I don't even know.
So, if you or someone you know has dealt with a gym creeper make sure to share the story in a comment so we can all get a good belly laugh. :)
As for some useful information for today's blog, here is a good article about the importance of incorporating lifting into your workout routine:
http://www.active.com/running/Articles/Reach_your_best_running_weight__Strength_train.htm?cmp=17-1-435
This is obviously not an appropriate gym outfit.....
also not appropriate... at all...
And gentlemen... I don't care if you have the nicest legs ever... PLEASE do not wear short shorts to the gym.... Gina and I saw so much of this on deployment with the officers that I think we are both scarred for life.
And this was just FUNNY....
I have actually had several "gym creeper" experiences, with my most recent being Sunday. Unfortunately, because I felt so awful after my workout Sunday, I totally forgot about it until I saw my friend Kristen at the gym today and felt the need to warn her (just in case he creeps her too.)
So after working my butt off (hopefully literally) on the treadmill for about 45 minutes, I transitioned over to the stationary bike... that's when I first noticed creeper staring at me. Sometimes I am a little conceited though and I realize that so I figured maybe I was just imagining things. After 10 minutes on the bike it was time for lifting... Now, this is small gym so the "lifting" area is like the size of a medium sized bathroom. Creeper (who, by the way, was wearing a tight green underarmour shirt with his gut protruding) was also lifting.
Literally, as SOON as I got in ear shot of him he started talking to me. Now, I don't know about you, but when I see someone with both ear buds in trying to work out, I take that as a sign that they don't want to "chit chat." Creeper obviously doesn't get the same impression from that scenario. Anyways, he says some bullshit to me that I have to have him repeat because I couldn't hear with my ear buds in.
Creeper: "Do you work out here a lot?"
Me: "yes."
Creeper: "I've never seen you here before (or something along those lines)"
Me: "Well, I am here a lot, we must just come at different times."
So this leads into a conversation where he tells me his life story about being from Buffalo and moving to Cleveland for work (first sign he is full of shit because we all know there is NO damn work in Cleveland.) Apparently he got laid off and decided to move to Geneva because he got his sports trainer license (gut and all) and he wants to work at the new sports complex The Gareat. During this conversation I literally found a way to mention "my husband" about 6 times... hoping this dude would get the hint and just leave me alone...I was nice at first, because, I generally get approached by randoms all the time (I think people just think JT and I are nice or something...(and we are!) but, we are CONSTANTLY approached everywhere we go.) But, when this part of the conversation happened the niceness ended...
Me: "yeah thats awesome, the Gareat is a nice place. Surprised you'd come to Geneva, a town of 10,000 for work as a trainer though, rather than staying in Cleveland or going back to Buffalo."
Creeper "There isn't any work in Buffalo. Soo yeah, I really like kickboxing because I was an MMA fighter for 3 years."
Me: "really.... well that's cool (imagine me saying this completely monotone, but being sarcastic all at once...)."
Creeper: "Yeah, I also do a lot of work with inner-city kids and stuff, so do you go out ever around here?"
Me: "No, my husband isn't here so I don't have a reason to go out."
I said this last part as I was blatantly walking away from him because I had been listening to his BS the entire damn time I was doing my bicep/tricep workout.
After a few minutes of peace while finishing my routine on the machines he approached me with his name and suggested I look him up on facebook. I said, yeah thanks, nice to meet you and tossed the paper down and went back to my workout. :)
I don't even know where the paper is and I certainly didn't look creeper up on facebook lol. Some people.
So yes, this is only one occurrence of gym creeperdom that I have experienced, and I really think everyone deals with it (Poor JT deals with gym creeperdom not even at the gym... he just gets bombarded with messages by this girl who wants to run races with him and stuff all the time lol!)
I think the worse part of dealing with a gym creeper is how un-fun they make such an enjoyable experience. For me, the gym is "MY" time to reflect, concentrate, think and work on me - the last thing I want to do is talk to some douche I don't even know.
So, if you or someone you know has dealt with a gym creeper make sure to share the story in a comment so we can all get a good belly laugh. :)
As for some useful information for today's blog, here is a good article about the importance of incorporating lifting into your workout routine:
http://www.active.com/running/Articles/Reach_your_best_running_weight__Strength_train.htm?cmp=17-1-435
Monday, April 4, 2011
Sometimes things just don't go as planned
I wrote the following excerpt in my Business and Professional Writing class last night:
I am in class right now and have seven minutes until break ends... I figured I'd take this opportunity (because there is always an opportunity... right JT?) to get started on tonight's blog. I probably won't finish it until I get home later - but I figured since this is a writing class and my writing juices are flowing, I might get something good in here in the next seven minutes (although this intro took me about two to write...)
Anyways, this weekend was good for me. I had two VERY serious training days. I did an hour of cardio and lifted both days. After Saturday's workout I felt A-FREAKING-MAZING and decided Sunday would be the same. Unfortunately, the gods had something else in store... I guess I didn't eat enough, I didn't drink enough water or I over-trained, because one of those three things made me feel SO unbelievably sick after my workout. I was exhausted and nauseous and had to have my mom go to the store and get me a Gatorade. Thankfully I recovered after a short nap, but it was truly awful. Anyways, over-training. What exactly does that mean? I wasn't really sure why I felt that way so I looked it up, this is something I found:
"The first condition most people experience when exercising is reaching their lactate threshold. This is when the physical effort you are exerting produces more lactic acid than your body can process. This is typically the chemical reaction in the body that leads to nausea, dizziness, a metallic or acidic taste in your mouth, blurred vision, etc. Rather than resting, it is better to just start walking. Continuous, low effort movement, will help your body to process the excess lactic acid - even if you feel like you want to just curl up into a ball."
Well.. I didn't exactly keep working, but I do feel better now.
My plan was to finish this post up last night when I got home, but I had a few unexpected events happen that disrupted my evening....
I hit a deer. :( I feel so bad about it too. Im not sure how she did because she ran off, but my car did not do too well. It still drives (thank goodness!) And I am safe and sound. Plus I have full coverage so I will be able to get the car fixed with no problems (except a steep deductible.)
On top of that, JT is really seriously suffering with his SI joint pain. He wasn't able to move this morning... and I feel SO helpless being here and unable to help him. Luckily, we have an AMAZING Chiropractor who made him feel so much better and she gave him some exercises and such to do. I know a lot of people think Chiros are quacks, but I think they are amazing. I really feel like their holistic approach to healing the body far surpasses the idea of doping people up and not ever really fixing the problem. Anyways, I find myself worrying about my sweet husband a lot... glad he is feeling better right now!
So I took yesterday off from the gym (I felt like I needed it after my experience Sunday) but I was right back there today. I'll be honest too, I definitely struggled to make it today too! I had a long day that started at 9am with a meeting with one of my professors. (Those of you who really know me, particularly Gina, JT and Chelsea know I am NOT a morning person... in the least... so having to BE there at 9 was rough!) I had class and ran errands until 13o and then I grabbed a quick lunch (baked potato with greek yogurt as sour cream, black beans and corn) and then I headed to an appointment at the Erie Veterans Hosptial. I then went shopping at WONDERFUL Wegmans :) I didn't get home until 630 and I was exhausted. I laid on the bed for a few minutes and literally had a conversation with myself:
"ok... I can rest now and go to the gym later"
"no, if I don't go now I won't go"
"yeah you will, you can watch biggest loser while you're there"
"no, I made the commitment to do this and I will go to the gym right now, even if I don't feel like it"
So I got my happy ass up, changed and went to the gym. My workout was decent, I got seriously like... 25 Jeopardy questions correct while doing my cardio and I just feel great and accomplished now. I feel like I have earned the right to relax and watch biggest loser and the Red Sox vs Indians game.
So, there aren't really any deep meaningful messages in today's blog, except that I am continuing to work toward looking at the positives in every situation. It would be SO easy to feel sorry for myself because I hit a deer, but the real victim is the deer honestly. My car will be fixed, I am safe, but that poor baby may be suffering somewhere. Also, I honored my commitment to myself. I committed to putting every effort into my weightloss and fitness journey and I am doing that. I am so proud to say that.
Ok - here are a few informational articles for the day. I tried to choose a variety to suit everyone! :) Thanks for reading!!!! :)
http://www.active.com/running/Articles/3-Interval-Training-Plans-to-Build-Fitness-Fast.htm?cmp=17-1-398
http://www.active.com/mindandbody/articles/Finding-Balance-On-and-Off-the-Yoga-Mat.htm?cmp=17-1-401
(This one is VERY important! If you find yourself having knee, ankle or foot problems at all, the culprit might be your shoes!!!)
http://www.therunningadvisor.com/running_shoes.html
I am in class right now and have seven minutes until break ends... I figured I'd take this opportunity (because there is always an opportunity... right JT?) to get started on tonight's blog. I probably won't finish it until I get home later - but I figured since this is a writing class and my writing juices are flowing, I might get something good in here in the next seven minutes (although this intro took me about two to write...)
Anyways, this weekend was good for me. I had two VERY serious training days. I did an hour of cardio and lifted both days. After Saturday's workout I felt A-FREAKING-MAZING and decided Sunday would be the same. Unfortunately, the gods had something else in store... I guess I didn't eat enough, I didn't drink enough water or I over-trained, because one of those three things made me feel SO unbelievably sick after my workout. I was exhausted and nauseous and had to have my mom go to the store and get me a Gatorade. Thankfully I recovered after a short nap, but it was truly awful. Anyways, over-training. What exactly does that mean? I wasn't really sure why I felt that way so I looked it up, this is something I found:
"The first condition most people experience when exercising is reaching their lactate threshold. This is when the physical effort you are exerting produces more lactic acid than your body can process. This is typically the chemical reaction in the body that leads to nausea, dizziness, a metallic or acidic taste in your mouth, blurred vision, etc. Rather than resting, it is better to just start walking. Continuous, low effort movement, will help your body to process the excess lactic acid - even if you feel like you want to just curl up into a ball."
Well.. I didn't exactly keep working, but I do feel better now.
My plan was to finish this post up last night when I got home, but I had a few unexpected events happen that disrupted my evening....
I hit a deer. :( I feel so bad about it too. Im not sure how she did because she ran off, but my car did not do too well. It still drives (thank goodness!) And I am safe and sound. Plus I have full coverage so I will be able to get the car fixed with no problems (except a steep deductible.)
On top of that, JT is really seriously suffering with his SI joint pain. He wasn't able to move this morning... and I feel SO helpless being here and unable to help him. Luckily, we have an AMAZING Chiropractor who made him feel so much better and she gave him some exercises and such to do. I know a lot of people think Chiros are quacks, but I think they are amazing. I really feel like their holistic approach to healing the body far surpasses the idea of doping people up and not ever really fixing the problem. Anyways, I find myself worrying about my sweet husband a lot... glad he is feeling better right now!
So I took yesterday off from the gym (I felt like I needed it after my experience Sunday) but I was right back there today. I'll be honest too, I definitely struggled to make it today too! I had a long day that started at 9am with a meeting with one of my professors. (Those of you who really know me, particularly Gina, JT and Chelsea know I am NOT a morning person... in the least... so having to BE there at 9 was rough!) I had class and ran errands until 13o and then I grabbed a quick lunch (baked potato with greek yogurt as sour cream, black beans and corn) and then I headed to an appointment at the Erie Veterans Hosptial. I then went shopping at WONDERFUL Wegmans :) I didn't get home until 630 and I was exhausted. I laid on the bed for a few minutes and literally had a conversation with myself:
"ok... I can rest now and go to the gym later"
"no, if I don't go now I won't go"
"yeah you will, you can watch biggest loser while you're there"
"no, I made the commitment to do this and I will go to the gym right now, even if I don't feel like it"
So I got my happy ass up, changed and went to the gym. My workout was decent, I got seriously like... 25 Jeopardy questions correct while doing my cardio and I just feel great and accomplished now. I feel like I have earned the right to relax and watch biggest loser and the Red Sox vs Indians game.
So, there aren't really any deep meaningful messages in today's blog, except that I am continuing to work toward looking at the positives in every situation. It would be SO easy to feel sorry for myself because I hit a deer, but the real victim is the deer honestly. My car will be fixed, I am safe, but that poor baby may be suffering somewhere. Also, I honored my commitment to myself. I committed to putting every effort into my weightloss and fitness journey and I am doing that. I am so proud to say that.
Ok - here are a few informational articles for the day. I tried to choose a variety to suit everyone! :) Thanks for reading!!!! :)
http://www.active.com/running/Articles/3-Interval-Training-Plans-to-Build-Fitness-Fast.htm?cmp=17-1-398
http://www.active.com/mindandbody/articles/Finding-Balance-On-and-Off-the-Yoga-Mat.htm?cmp=17-1-401
(This one is VERY important! If you find yourself having knee, ankle or foot problems at all, the culprit might be your shoes!!!)
http://www.therunningadvisor.com/running_shoes.html
Nobody trips over mountains. It is the small pebble that causes you to stumble.
Pass all the pebbles in your path and you will find you have crossed the mountain.
~Author Unknown
Pass all the pebbles in your path and you will find you have crossed the mountain.
~Author Unknown
Friday, April 1, 2011
Should we Fear or should we LIVE
Now that I am temporarily living back home, I get the pleasure (it truly is a pleasure) of spending extra time with my little sister. Especially this week because she is on spring break.
Spending time with her today was particularly interesting as I realized she is afraid. And when I say afraid, I mean she is not only overly cautious, but also literally paranoid about everything. She won't walk by certain houses because they "look creepy." She got scared while walking the dog because another person wearing a hood was also walking on the road (as a reminder - it has been in the low 30s here, so really, she was the weird one by NOT wearing a hood.) We went to Circle K and there were some men standing outside, they were roughly in their late teens and early twenties and they were just standing there, drinking coffee and talking. I was just running in to grab something so I left the car running (again its cold...) when I came back she was pretty freaked out. Why? Because "guys dressed like that" scare her.
And that got me thinking. How can I explain to her that by spending all of her time being afraid of things and avoiding situations because she "might" get hurt or something along those lines that she isn't truly living? She is 12, it is important for her to be cautious in some situations and be aware of her surroundings, but there is a difference between being cautious and being so fearful, that one cannot live their life.
I personally have dealt with being overly fearful and it is not enjoyable. Luckily it hasn't been long and I can already see the flaw in it and am working hard to change it. I fear death. I don't know why - but the idea of mortality actually scares me. I am realizing (again, thankfully I haven't dealt with this fear long) that by worrying and fearing death I am not LIVING! If I die in two weeks, will I have lived every minute of those two weeks to their fullest? What does it mean to really "Live" your life to the fullest? For me, it means constantly working. Working on being a better person, physically, mentally and emotionally. It means helping people, being compassionate. Loving more than other people think is possible. It goes on and on. There are so many ways to live rather than fear.
Something else has also happened that makes me fear less. That is awareness. I am aware that I am being "too" worried and cautious. I feel like there are signs all around me telling me to just LIVE.
I have found that things happen in life just when you need them to. You might get a message from a friend on a day you really need someone to reach out. You might stumble across something that just speaks to you and helps open your mind. And that is precisely what has happened for JT and me. We are both again at that point where we're done talking about fitness and weightloss and just doing it. JT signed up for the Tough Mudder next Oct. Part of that was finding other pages like the "spartan race" etc... well, on one of those pages we came across the blog I've previously mentioned "Living Myself to Death" It is literally like someone in the know realized the issues we were both having and got this guy to start blogging about them. I find myself living exactly what he blogs about. Today's blog is titled "Lots of time to do nothing when you are dead." And he basically just explains the importance of not fearing your life away. He says listen, we're all going to die so really LIVE while you can. It is exactly what we all need to hear sometimes. It is what I've needed to hear the last few months during this ridiculous anxiety i've been experiencing. He also always has great quotes that apply exactly to what he is trying to get across. Here is one.
Spending time with her today was particularly interesting as I realized she is afraid. And when I say afraid, I mean she is not only overly cautious, but also literally paranoid about everything. She won't walk by certain houses because they "look creepy." She got scared while walking the dog because another person wearing a hood was also walking on the road (as a reminder - it has been in the low 30s here, so really, she was the weird one by NOT wearing a hood.) We went to Circle K and there were some men standing outside, they were roughly in their late teens and early twenties and they were just standing there, drinking coffee and talking. I was just running in to grab something so I left the car running (again its cold...) when I came back she was pretty freaked out. Why? Because "guys dressed like that" scare her.
And that got me thinking. How can I explain to her that by spending all of her time being afraid of things and avoiding situations because she "might" get hurt or something along those lines that she isn't truly living? She is 12, it is important for her to be cautious in some situations and be aware of her surroundings, but there is a difference between being cautious and being so fearful, that one cannot live their life.
I personally have dealt with being overly fearful and it is not enjoyable. Luckily it hasn't been long and I can already see the flaw in it and am working hard to change it. I fear death. I don't know why - but the idea of mortality actually scares me. I am realizing (again, thankfully I haven't dealt with this fear long) that by worrying and fearing death I am not LIVING! If I die in two weeks, will I have lived every minute of those two weeks to their fullest? What does it mean to really "Live" your life to the fullest? For me, it means constantly working. Working on being a better person, physically, mentally and emotionally. It means helping people, being compassionate. Loving more than other people think is possible. It goes on and on. There are so many ways to live rather than fear.
Something else has also happened that makes me fear less. That is awareness. I am aware that I am being "too" worried and cautious. I feel like there are signs all around me telling me to just LIVE.
I have found that things happen in life just when you need them to. You might get a message from a friend on a day you really need someone to reach out. You might stumble across something that just speaks to you and helps open your mind. And that is precisely what has happened for JT and me. We are both again at that point where we're done talking about fitness and weightloss and just doing it. JT signed up for the Tough Mudder next Oct. Part of that was finding other pages like the "spartan race" etc... well, on one of those pages we came across the blog I've previously mentioned "Living Myself to Death" It is literally like someone in the know realized the issues we were both having and got this guy to start blogging about them. I find myself living exactly what he blogs about. Today's blog is titled "Lots of time to do nothing when you are dead." And he basically just explains the importance of not fearing your life away. He says listen, we're all going to die so really LIVE while you can. It is exactly what we all need to hear sometimes. It is what I've needed to hear the last few months during this ridiculous anxiety i've been experiencing. He also always has great quotes that apply exactly to what he is trying to get across. Here is one.
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth - and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up - that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had."
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
So this post today is meant to cover several things. First, fear. Why do we fear? How can we stop being so afraid of something happening and just take the leap we need to to actually LIVE? How can we help our children stop being so afraid of things all of the time? In a world where there is so much chaos and uncertainty, how can we let them know that we need them to go into the future fearlessly so that they can hopefully right our wrongs?
Another point of this blog today is to ask you to notice when things happen in your life for a reason. Look at the bad in your life and think about the good that came from it. But also, notice when that friend reaches out just when you need it. Realize that sometimes you stumble on things and receive messages so that you can hear exactly what you need to. Whether it is to stop fearing the inevitable, or to look at your situations in a more positive light or that life is truly and gift and it is important that you realize that and cherish it - just notice.
So today I will leave you with this -
Another point of this blog today is to ask you to notice when things happen in your life for a reason. Look at the bad in your life and think about the good that came from it. But also, notice when that friend reaches out just when you need it. Realize that sometimes you stumble on things and receive messages so that you can hear exactly what you need to. Whether it is to stop fearing the inevitable, or to look at your situations in a more positive light or that life is truly and gift and it is important that you realize that and cherish it - just notice.
So today I will leave you with this -
"The moment one commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help. A whole stream of events issue from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of incidents and meetings and material assistance which no one could have dreamed would come his or her way." -Geothe
and
"We do not choose to be born. We do not choose our parents. We do not choose our historical epoch, the country of our birth, or the immediate circumstances of our upbringing. We do not, most of us, choose to die; nor do we choose the time and conditions of our death. But within this realm of choicelessness, we do choose how we live. " - unknown
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