Category Archives: Wants

It Feels Like One Of Those Mornings (I Should Be Sleepin’)

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  • Woke up at 5:30 and rolled out of bed, into my workout clothes, and then downstairs to the treadmill for 3 miles.  I will say I felt really good this morning on the treadmill.  I thought my soreness – that had already hit in full force from yesterday – would hurt my running, but in all actuality, it didn’t.  I was shocked.  It hurts like hell now, but man, I ran a pretty good 3 miles.
    • 3 Miles – 30’15″ – 10’15″ pace
Whew.

Whew.

  • After a cool down and then breakfast prep, I went upstairs, showered and shaved my legs because holy hell it’s too hot for pants.  So i am wearing cropped pants.  Getting me into a skirt is pretty difficult again.  I am not sure why I go in phases, but I just feel like a line backer in football when I wear a skirt.  Plus it’s supposed to storm today, and walking across campus in the rain and a dress, blows.
I'm really bad at taking pictures.

I’m really bad at taking pictures.

  • Class last night was good.  I got in a heated discussion over some themes in the book we are reading as a class.  I think the problem is that certain people believe we all have to agree, and I don’t think that’s true.  If we all had the same opinion it would be boring.  Oh well he can get his boxers in a twist.  I think it’s funny that I’m in a class with all of these people who are already teachers and they already have classrooms, but they obviously don’t know how to handle someone who doesn’t see things they way they do.  Well it’s really just one.  THERE IS ALWAYS ONE PERSON I DON’T GET ALONG WITH.  It doesn’t hurt that he is kind arrogant.  Ugh… 5.5 more weeks.
  • I find myself a bit overzealous at the moment.  Between running (and pretending to train for races I have this year) lifting, dieting, school, work, and the attempt to find a job once I leave the one I am currently at, I think I might be biting off too much.  We’ll see.  I think that the more I can get done this year – whilst still employed – the better.  Plus  if my new plan works out – the new plan fed to me by my Professor last night – i will only have three classes to take next year TOTAL to finish up my masters.  Which means internship in the spring, 1 class over the summer, and then the capstone in the fall – THEN I GRADUATE.  Is it bad that I am like “But then what?  PhD?  I don’t want to not be a student.  I want to keep going.  I WANT MORE.”  Then the Husband is like “Um.  No.  Because Money.”
  • Hopefully the act of teaching high schoolers will be enough of a learning experience for me.

Menu:

  • Post Workout: Protein Smoothie
  • Breakfast: Bagel Thin w/ Cream Cheese & Coffee
  • Snack: Banana
  • Lunch: Spaghetti Squash w/ Hot dog and Pasta Sauce, yogurt, Carrots
  • Snack: Apple & Quest Nutrition Protein Bar
  • Dinner: Fish Tacos
  • Evening Snack: Protein Powder & Water
  • Workout: Run 3 Miles

I’ll be announcing my Giveaway later this week!

Back to Work – Ughhhhh

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I am regretting going back to work today.  I am exhausted.  My entire body is out of pain thankfully, but I am drained.  I will workout tomorrow.  I promise.  I took a nice three day break to get through my illness, but I will be back on the treadmill tomorrow morning for 3 miles.

I’m going to restart NROLFW Stage 4 next week because I only got one workout in, so I think it would be easier to just restart it, so that I do the stage justice.

Plus with all this sitting around I really want to bust out some cardio.

I plan on running 3 on Friday and 4.5 on Saturday (Outside weather permitting).

  • Sunday is Father’s day.

I love my Dad.

He’s kind of hilarious.

and odd.

But he’s my hero.

We are having my parents and The Husbands parents over on Sunday for a cookout – like we do every year.  The rest of the families are invited of course as well, but My older sister and her husband and kids have a picnic planned at Lake Brittle, and my little sister is kind of being a butt, so I doubt she’ll be there.  But that’s cool.  Whoever shows up will be well fed!

Saturday is then, obviously, clean all things day.  I will also be spending Saturday night writing up a paper and two presentations that I have coming up in the next few weeks.  I figure if I have a night off from life I might as well.  The Husband will be out with his dad and brother to a Bill Cosby stand up show, so it will be me, my laptop, and a bottle of wine :-)  Really looking forward to the wine.

Tomorrow is Friday, even though it doesn’t feel like it.  Mainly because I was home working for two days, which I adore doing because I have no distractions.  I have the TV going in the background if I am not on a conference call, but getting my data entry done at home is so much easier than in the office.

Sigh.  When I become a teacher, working from home will never happen… except for like when I am working on the weekend… Yay Grading.

So I kind of adore my Y.A. Lit professor and want to take any and all classes he is teaching.  I plan on taking him for my internship and my capstone – AT THE VERY LEAST.  I would love it if he would teach the rest of my courses as well, because he is just – what is the right word – so…. there.  He is present in every moment he is in.  When you are talking, you are the only one he is hearing.  When he is talking you can’t help but be engaged.  he is magnificent.  Brilliant.  If I had teachers like him in high school I would have done better – Promise.

He just has this way, that makes you want to be engaged.

Before you ask – it has nothing to do with his looks.  He is a sharp dressed individual.  He is hilarious.  Frankly I could see myself having a long conversation with him over a bottle of Malbec, but I digress.  I want to pick his mind apart.  I want to know all of his secrets, because I think he has the ones that could tell me how to be an amazing teacher.  I think he knows them all.

I totally bought his book too.

I totally also asked him to sign it.

I am totally a fangirl of my professor.

Give It To Me:

  • Are you Happy It’s Thursday?
  • What are your plans for the weekend?
  • Did you ever have a teacher who made you want to learn more because they were that awesome?

How Monday Sneaketh Up On Us

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  • Friday night we ventured to Ashburn to pick up my race packet and dilly to Sorrento Grill in Herndon for dinner.  When we lived in Herndon we ate their at least once a week, and for good reason.  The food is amazing.  Better than anything Manassas has to offer – I’m really started to loathe the town I live in.  It’s becoming a bit too much and I need a change.  Plus it’s Monday.  I’m not in a stellar mood.
  • DID YOU WATCH GAME OF THRONES?  WERE YOU PISSED TOOO?  If you didn’t just skip this part and scroll to the next bullet. Are we really supposed to live for the next 9 months on that alone?  I mean really HBO.  That’s the ending?  Why didn’t you just end the freaking season at the Red Wedding episode.  I mean really.  If you were going to have such a lackluster ending to the season.. I mean COME ON.  I was waited the entire time for something – ANYTHING – to happen.  The closest thing was Grampy Lanister sending little shit Joffrey to bed without his supper.  Oh and that guy receiving his son’s penis via Medieval Express.  That was pretty bad ass how his sister was like “I’M BRINGING HIM HOME.”  Go girl!  And seriously.  Like two weeks without my Khaleesi and you bring her back for the last 3 minutes?  Jerks.  Now that True Blood is starting back up I should be all like “Well at least I have this,” but that whole series is like ‘WTF?’ and ‘HUH?’ to me now.  Vampires are like so last year.. or something.  Twilight’s over.  I have no more vampy love.
  • Saturday was Lisa’s surprise Goodbye Party – AND BOY WAS SHE SURPRISED!

  • Heh.  Of course, I got the balloons in Blue and yellow for the Swedish Flag – because I’m awesome and think like that.  It was a great time, where I ate too much, had too many cupcakes, and should not have had alcohol because Saturday night was also….

  • My race.  See how unsure I look?  that’s because my stomach, at this very moment was like “HAHA.  YOU’RE NOT RUNNING.”  It was like “Bitch it’s time to sleep!”  My legs were like “Yo, maybe you should listen to stomach.  I think this whole running thing might be a bad idea.  I think you aren’t prepared for this.”  My mind was like “You have to run 1 mile, that’s it.  RUN STREAK!”  My heart was like “You can do this, I believe in you.”  While my face is saying “Balls.”  It was slow.  Hot.  I felt myself almost vomit like 4 times.  I ran the first mile in 9’11″, and everything after that was horrible.  My final time was 43’34″ which is 3 minutes and 56 seconds slower than my 4 mile time on Mother’s Day.  The fact I didn’t vomit on the course (or at all) is a win.
  • Sunday was another day of fun and running around.  We met Lisa at 1:00pm for lunch at Chop’t and then we traveled to DC to see the Munch exhibit at the National Gallery.

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  • And then Lisa took a quick visit to Stockholm

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  • All in all it was a good day.  We dropped Lisa off, and then did our grocery shopping before heading home to continue the bad choices in eating with Tony’s Pizza and Game of Thrones.
  • Needless to say my Workout at 5:30 am did not happen – but lucky for me I don’t have class in person tonight so I can get it in after work.  Day 15 of the Run Streak and Day 1 of Stage 4 of NROLFW!  Let’s do this!

Give It To Me:

  1. What are you doing to be active today?
  2. What did you think of Game of Thrones?
  3. Have you ever been to Stockholm?

Stop Holding Your Tounge

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  • HAPPY FRIDAY!  Oh my did this week fly by or what?  I’m actually happy because it seems like things are moving along in the right direction with school.  I’m not really stressed yet, except when finding parking and then running through the rain in a dress and flip flops, and that is a good sign.  I can do this.  I can do 6 credits in a fast track setting for 8 weeks over the summer.  I CAN.
  • Runner’s World Run Streak Day 12 in the books with a 3 miler this morning.  I played around – since I was on the treadmill – with pushing myself.  I did the following running workout – which basically had me at an average pace of 6.0 mph:
    • 2 min @ 5.5 mph
    • 3 min @ 6.2 mph
    • 2 min @ 5.5 mph
    • 3 min @ 6.2 mph
    • 1 min @ 5.5 mph
    • 1 min @ 7.0 mph
      • repeat for 5x total
    • 2 min @ 5.5 mph
    • 2 min @6.2 mph
    • 2 min @ 5.5 mph
    • 2 min @ 6.2 mph
    • 2 min @ 5.5 mph
    • Cool Down at 4.0 mph
  • Because I am crazy and a sucker for countdowns and challenges, I will also be starting this tomorrow:

  • A few extra squats couldn’t hurt, right?  Lord knows I could use more butt strength.  Fear the butt.
  • I am getting more and more fearful of crossfit people – mainly because I feel like they look at me and wonder “Can I deadlift her?  Would she be a PR?”  I don’t feel judged by them, not at all!  Every single one I have come in contact with has been more than pleasant (actually some have even been nicer than runners I have come in contact with!) but I feel like a barbell with a set amount of weight to them.  I get that up and down look.  Like hungry people see people turn into “food” at least in cartoons, and I turn into a barbell. These are the things I think about when left to my own devices.  You’ve been warned.
  • I’ve been taking a conugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplement recently after it was introduced to me by another person on the NROLFW board.  While it’s not a diet pill, it can aid in the use of fat as fuel for workouts.  Because I am still running so much I was worried that I would be burning muscle I was building, but this is supposed to aid in that, I guess?  From Wikipedia:

The most promising science around CLA concerns its effect on weight management. Thirty-five intervention studies have been conducted using CLA in humans to investigate the effects of CLA on weight management. These studies, which vary widely in CLA dose and duration, show the most significant effect of CLA on weight management is on body composition, a reduction in total body fat and an increase in lean body mass. The effect of CLA on fat mass is modest and at the recommended dosage of 3.2 g/day produces a statistically significant 90 g fat loss per week (about 1 lb in 5 wk) as shown by a 2007 meta-analysis.[32] Doses higher than the recommended 3.2g do not seem to have any additional effects on body fat reduction. Another meta-analysis found that CLA supplementation produces about 1% increased growth in targeted lean body mass per week[33] With the simultaneous decrease in fat mass coupled with increases in lean body mass, often the net change in weight is small. However, the effects of CLA on body composition is a healthy effect, since the degree of fat mass is related to many causes of mortality[34] and lean body mass burns more calories than fat mass, which may help to increase resting metabolic rates. CLA use itself is not an answer to the prevalence of obesity, but it can be a useful tool in addition to a healthy lifestyle and exercise program to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.

  • Since I am focusing more on getting rid of the jiggle juggle in my body than the number on the scale, after speaking with my doctor, I decided I’d try it out.  Not sure if it’s from the CLA, or that everything is finally starting to work, but I have a good amount of energy, and I have no adverse effects.  So something that occurs naturally is just getting an added dose.  We’ll see how I feel once the bottle I have is empty.
  • What are you up to this weekend?  I have my next race tomorrow night!  Twilight 4 Miler in Ashburn!  YAY NIGHT RACES!

Food For Thought Friday – Runner’s World Edition!

Enough Is Enough

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  • Oh, my eating.  What am I going to do with you?  This weekend wasn’t as big of a fail as it could have been.  I could have added funnel cake at the ball park and another beer.  I could have had a third slice of pizza, or ordered the large sundae.  I could have indulged in the key lime pie at my in laws (I hate key lime pie), I could have had even more food last night at my parents house.  I could have… could…. have……  But I didn’t.  I am by no means congratulating myself on my efforts to stop at certain points.  I am simply stating that it could have been worse.  BUT.  It also could have been better.  Scale aside, I feel gross.  I feel bloated, huge, expanded, sluggish, unable to get comfortable in the upright position.  Back on the wagon today.  I’ve pre-tracked everything.
    • Breakfast: Protein Smoothie, Coffee w/ skim milk, Bagel thin with a bit of spreadable cheese (I woke up too late for eggs)
    • Snack: Fresh Cherries
    • Lunch: Spinach Salad w/ apple, walnuts, gorgonzola and onion, yogurt
    • Snack: Apple & Baby Carrots
    • Dinner: Chicken Stir Fry with Asian Slaw
    • Water Goal: 128 ounces (or one gallon)
    • Activity: NROLFW Stg 3 A4 & 1 Mile Run
  • How am I already almost done with Stage 3?  This is craziness, and officially the longest I have stuck with a weight program.  I am thinking after this one is over, I’ll buy the Ab one.  Because my Keg of a stomach is no longer a funny joke I like to make.  I don’t really want a six pack, I would just settle for sitting down and not having to suck in for the entire duration of my seated expenditure.
  • I also bought “Get Clean” Detox Tea from Republic of Teas this weekend, and I love the taste.  Before someone starts harping on me that Detoxes don’t work – this isn’t for weight loss.  It actually doesn’t promote weight loss.  It does the following:

Herb Tea for Detoxing – Had too much of a good thing? Feeling out of balance, a bit heavy or puffy? Then it’s time to get clean.

This gentle naturally caffeine-free herbal detox blend helps the body as it helps to stimulate the liver*, one of our natural cleansing mechanisms.

  • I had a cup last night and one this morning (the label says drink 2 cups a day or something) and frankly the way I have treated my liver, I need this.  And also it’s tea, I’m not expecting to have some more powerful liver after this, but if I rebound from a hangover faster as a result – then let’s do it.
  • I am addicted to Facebook Games now.  Farm Heroes, Candy Crush, Papa Pear, Pet Rescue… AGH.  I swore I would never be that person, but I am.  I AM.  It started with Chef World or something back in the day, and The Husband made me delete it because I would put off going out for a certain period of time so I could serve my guests.  WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME.  So after reflection I stopped playing.  Now I am back to playing other games, and it sickens me.  But I love them so much.  SO MUCH.
  • Can we just talk about the Law and Order SVU season Finale?  WTF NBC?  You’re gonna put Benson in MORTAL DANGER and then cut to black for the next 3 months?  TSK TSK.  WELL PLAYED.
  • The Bachelorette is Back!

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  • Des from last season.  She’s pretty, down to earth, etc.  Girl Next Door.  Whatever.  I hope she’s not boring.  I mean she kicked a guy off last night because he proceeded (3 TIMES) to try to get her to his make shift Fantasy Suite on night one.  Huh?  What was with the magician?  And the shirtless guy?  And the guy in a suit of Armor?  Also, Social media guy? Saying “HashTag (Insert whatever is going on at the moment)” is really dumb.  You are a loser, and you are giving all of us tweeters and other Social Media losers an EVEN WORSE name. Just stop it.  The guy I thought was attractive was Larry, the ER doctor, but he got kicked off.  Most likely because he ripped her dress, and acted like a complete idiot bringing up the failed Dip over and over and over again.  The new guy I am rooting for is Brooks.  Holy Hottness Batman.

Oh… Just… Yes.

  • Sigh.
  • Anyhoodle, I am happy that tomorrow is Wednesday.  This week needs to go by fast so I can sleep again.  Next week starts my Summer session, so I’ll be living in Educational Psychology and Young Adult Literature all Summer.  Envious?  I bet.  I just got the schedules for both of my classes, and while one will meet in person every class the other has a hybrid model which will allow me to meet the class online.  Thank Jesus.  So my workouts will suffer in their frequency, but not that long.  It just means I have to be on point with my eating, and not let the College aspect of life get the best of me.  I can and will do this.  I will also maintain my 4.0 GPA, darn it.

What Do You Got For Me?

  • How was your memorial day?
  • Do you watch the Bacehlorette?
  • What do you think of Tea as a healing agent?

Food For Thought Tuesday

 

***OH I AM WORKING ON ANOTHER GIVEAWAY!  STAY TUNED!***

Just a Little Bit of a Runny Egg

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  • I have fallen in love with my breakfast.  1/2  a baked sweet potato with 2 runny eggs on top.  It’s delish.  I would have taken  a picture, but I never leave time for that when they are done as they seem to apparate into my belly very quickly.
  • I tried a new protein powder this morning in my smoothie – 1 banana, 1 cup of frozen strawberries and almond milk with Optimal Nutrition Chocolate Flavored Whey.  I was told by some of the women on the NROLFW board on facebook that it was good and they all liked it, so I gave it a go.  Trutein and I have been friends, but I am kind of over their flavors, and their price.  I have a bit of stomach discomfort – which usually happens when I try a new protein powder, but it’s ok.  At least as long as it goes away after a few uses.
  • I’m double tracking on two calorie sites because I need the extra motivation.  I know that food/tracking is my downfall.  I have the workouts down.  I love to sweat and feel better when I do, so I tend to exercise as much as possible (about 6 days a week now).  This past week looked like:
    • Friday May 3 – NROLFW Stg 2 A3 & 2 Mile Run – 533 Calories
    • Saturday May 4 – 4 Mile Run – 592 Calories
    • Sunday May 5 – 3 Mile Run – 477 Calories
    • Monday May 6 – NROLFW Stg 2 B3 & 2 Miles of HIIT running – 431 Calories
    • Tuesday May 7 – 35 Minutes Running – 479 Calories
    • Wednesday May 8 – NROLFW Stg 2 A4 & 30 Minutes of HIIT Running & 1 mile incline walk – 552 Calories
    • Thursday May 9 – REST DAY
  • So in all I burned: 3064 Calories.  I most likely ate that much extra and more this week, but I am not weighing myself, so I won’t see that cursed number.  I know I’m pretty much maintaining my size right now, because nothing feels looser – in fact some clothes feel tighter.  But I am also sure I am bloated.  I still feel sick from my sugar binge yesterday.
  • Oh yeah I binged.  Wanna hear what I binged on?
    • 2 Homemade Chocolate Chip cookes
    • 2 fun size snickers bars
    • 3 fun size 3 Musketeers bars
    • 1 Apple Cinnamon Nutrigrain bar
    • 1 bag of M&Ms
  • I ate all of these in one sitting in a bathroom at work, while I cried.  Bipolar Disorder sucks y’all.  If you don’t have it you don’t understand.  That was self medicating so I didn’t go ape shit crazy and do something really dumb – like drive to Tampa because I miss my husband (the thought crossed my mind more than once this week).  But I called my “Bi-Polar Buddy” (a free counselor I found through an online network that I call when things get bad) and he talked me through it.  We both agreed that I need to go back to my doctor.  So I am making an appointment for next week.  We also agreed that I need more positive people in my life.  So anyone want to move in with me and be my bright ray of sunshine?  Seriously.  You can’t have any problems that you expect me to deal with, because I can’t deal with my own. :-)
  • The binge continued with toast and peanut butter last night, but as I went to bed, feeling particularly gross and stuffed, I realized I didn’t want to do this anymore.  I am not ‘starting over’ I am simply moving on.  Clean eating and water like it’s my job from now on.  I don’t even want cheese.  I just want ice on a stick.
  • The Husband Comes Home Tomorrow!  I have laundry and some light cleaning to do that I will get to tomorrow after my Praxis II exam, and then hopefully have enough time to just relax before Dinner with a Friend.  I am planning on waking up at 5:30 tomorrow and getting my workout done, so I can work from home in the morning and then head to my exam without having anything else on my mind.  Plus the workout is just NROLFW and HIIT so I should finish it in like 40 minutes.

What workout are you doing today?  Or is it a rest day?

Sweet or Salty Snacks?

Are you happy it’s almost Friday?

Food For Thought Thursday:

Face It Friday – Paleo Week 5

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I’m really falling into the rut of “Is this working?”  I’m sure it is, deep down, and my surface has just yet to catch up.  Kind of like my acne medication.  I am sure it’s working but I have yet to reap the full benefits.

Speaking of Crazy, So I am now obsessed with Facebook games:  Farm Heroes, Candy Crush, and Pet Rescue.  Send help.  I am literally playing them whenever I can.

Candy Crush. Currently Locked Out because I lost too many times.

Candy Crush. Currently Locked Out because I lost too many times.

Luckily I have to take breaks, like when I lose too much and am locked out, or like when I have to study, workout, or do my job.

This weekend is pretty laid back with not much planned.  Tonight is dinner out with Lisa to congratulate her for finalizing her move to Sweden in July!  Tomorrow is most like a run in the morning while the Husband mows the lawn, and then who knows – Mother’s Day Shopping?  I’m done with my mom, but I am sure he needs to do some more shopping for her.

Might even stop at some used equipment places looking for a Barbell.  Who knows!

Sunday is my nephews 6 Birthday.  HOLY CRAP WHEN DID HE GROW UP?  That means the Husband and I will have been married for 6 years this June.  HOLY CRAP.  How have we not killed each other yet?

Then I am putting my husband on a plane and sending him to Floirda for work.  Lucky Duck.  I know he’ll be busy the entire time, but still, the idea of going anywhere at this point, even for work, sounds better than just being here.

Next week is my last week of the Spring Semester, and I am expecting A’s in both classes.  I BETTER GET THEM.  I’m about half way through one of the books for one of my summer classes, and even though it’s young adult, I really like it.

Sherman Alexie

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie is about a kid who grows up on a reservation with his alcoholic parents, his older sister, and his one friend who comes from an abusive home.  His family is dirt poor, but with the motivation and encouragement from a teacher, he leaves the “Rez” for his schooling at a racist and white high school about 22 miles away.  So far I am really enjoying it, and I’m already brainstorming ways to teach this book if it is offered to me.

I also found out that Fairfax uses “The Fault in Our Stars” as summer reading for their 9th grade class.  HOW AWESOME IS THAT?

I had a bit of a meltdown last night that carried into this morning.  I am trying desperately to be positive, about everything, but alas my mental issues are catching up with me.  Since being diagnosed with first Depression, and then Bipolar Disorder a while back I have been on and off medication probably since I was 13.  While this is never what anyone should do with a diagnosed mental illness, it was my choice to go off medication because I couldn’t feel on it.  It wasn’t like I wasn’t myself, I just wasn’t anyone.  Since then I have tried many different forms of medication, but I haven’t been seeing a therapist or a licensed Psychiatrist, so my medication decisions have come from my primary care physician, which would be fine, but she is simply “trying things” out instead of looking at the root problems – which is fine, because that’s not her job to be my therapist.

So I am going to do some research and look into finding a doctor who can help, and get me back on track.  I think that could be a big reason why nothing in my head seems to fit together right and I can’t seem to find joy in much these days.

Wow that was deep.  And Heavy.. Sorry for that on a Friday!

So Today’s Plan:

  • Breakfast: 2 Eggs, 1/2 sweet potato, 2 sausage links, coffee, smoothie
  • Lunch: Chipotle Power Salad – lettuce, Chicken, veggies, Milk/Med salsa, Guacamole
  • Snack: Banana, apple, or almonds
  • Dinner: Big Bowl – Chicken Stirfry with Ginger Soy sauce (no rice) 1 Beer
  • Snack: Gelato (may be)

Activity: NROLFW Stage 2 A3 & 2-3 Miles on the treadmill

 

Food For Thought Friday:

Tuesday Things

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  • I know that the investigation is far from being over, but I am ready to not hear about the Boston Bomber anymore.  He puts a bad slant to my day, even though he is in custody, and he will be brought to justice, it doesn’t bring the lives lost, back, nor does it mend the ailments of the runners who did survive.  I just wish – and I am bracing for the flack I am going to get from this – they would give him the death penalty and be done with it.  I also think it should be death by IED.  That’s just the reactionary coming out in me.
  • Yesterday’s workout was balls to the wall hard.  Oh my gosh.  I haven’t felt dizzy during a workout in a long time.  I think I might have been dehydrated, but who knows.  I ran 2 miles before lifting, because I am a cardio whore, and I like it, so that might have played a factor.  I really need to also rest in between the exercises like the book says to.  I hate wait 75 seconds.  That’s 75 seconds I could be lifting people!  This also may be why I was dizzy.  Whoops.
  • This is what I look like today:
photo (3)

Outfit of the Day

thanks to Moody for waking us up earlier than normal, I was able to actually do my hair and not half do it from it being done the night before.  Go Moody!  Now I just need to get him to get me up at 5:00 am for a workout (Trying this tomorrow!) and not wake up the husband.  Like he should wake me up and then go back to bed.  Yeah I don’t see that happening.  Oh well.

  • The Praxis II English Component is killing me.  KILLING ME.  I just want to take the damn test and be done with it.  I think waiting for things like this is the majority of the anxiety.  The waiting for the test day, and that morning, I will be useless until I’m actually in the testing center.  Ugh.  Plus The Husband will be on work travel so I’ll be jittery all alone.  Sadness.  Oh well.
  • Today is a run day, but with the weather looming badly outside, it will most likely be on the treadmill, which is fine, because then I can cook the spaghetti squash while I run.  Multi-tasking like an adult.  I’m liking the run 4 minutes/walk 30 seconds  interval.  I mean outside I kind of wing it, because I usually feel better on pavement than I do on the treadmill, so my ability to continue to run past the 4 minute mark is a bit higher than it is inside.  I am not sure why that is.  You would think that it would be easier on the treadmill.  But I guess not?  Who knows.  I know that my sub 10’00″ paces have been primarily on the treadmill, but I am seriously pushing myself.  I think I need to transfer that to the outdoor running and see what my legs can do.
  • I’m really liking the whole paleo thing still.  I need to experiment more with different dishes, as I have been clinging to the ones I know well, but i am growing bored of them.  I need to figure out quick dishes for lunches, and fast dinners.  Plus with my Summer Session, The Husband is going to have to cook dinner 3 nights a week, and I don’t want him to get flustered and just get Chipotle every night.  Because I love Chipotle, but not that much.
  • Regular Exercise Might Help Fine Tune Diet - Exercising may help raise hormones associated with being satisfied more!  I know this is true.  I am rarely hungry immediately after a workout.  I actually can go a couple of hours before I want food.  Even then it’s more I know I need to eat and less, I feel like I have to eat.  If that makes sense.  My go to meal post Half Marathon is Jimmy John’s sub or Pizza, and definitely Beer.  Then followed by a long ass nap.  Then followed by more beer, and sleeping in the next day.
  • I’m really excited about the 4 Miler race I have in two weeks.  I love the 4 mile distance, because it’s short, and it’s a good check on how fast I go out at races.  I try to run the first 4-6 miles of a half marathon without stopping, but since this is such a short distance, I am going to try and run the whole darn thing.  I’m bringing back the water belt as I have been told running with a handheld water bottle can throw off your gait, and since my gait is already off a lot, I shouldn’t hurt it more.  Or I should run with a hand held water bottle in each hand.  Double fist that run.
  • I’m getting my hair cut tomorrow.  I am not sure if I should go short and scare the crap out of my Husband, or just get a trim and not regret my decision.
    • Thoughts?

What should I do with my hair?

Are you running any races soon?

Do I wear too many Cardigans?

 

Food For Thought Tuesday

Face It Friday – Paleo Week 4

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Well I am not weighing in until Stage 2 is over – I will also update my measurements then as well, so Face It Friday will be more of “How did this week go?” type post with a recap of workouts, foods I tried, things that I think worked, and things that I know didn’t.

Workout Recap

  • Friday April 19 – 3.2 Mile Run & NROLFW (Stg 1 Workout A – AMRAP)
  • Saturday April 20 – 4 Mile Run
  • Sunday April 21 – 1.5 Mile Run & NROLFW (Stg 2 Workout B – AMRAP)
  • Monday April 22 – 3.6 Mile Run
  • Tuesday April 23 – 3.0 Mile Run & NROLFW (Stage 2 – Workout A)
  • Wednesday April 24 – 3.0 Mile Run
  • Thursday April 25 – Rest Day

Total Mileage – 17.9 Miles

Things That Worked

I can usually make healthy choices throughout the day with no problem, it’s night time that for some reason all I want is sugar, bread, grease, more sugar, alcohol, etc.  So being at home most nights after dinner, it’s a real struggle.  It helps that I don’t keep that crap in my house to begin with, and that my husband doesn’t bend to my every whim of saying “I want Pinkberry” otherwise I would still be 221 pounds, and fighting for my pants to not rip. One of the key ways of keeping my in check most nights is having a reallllly filling dinner.

My Go To Filling Dinners:

  • Chicken Stir Fry with Peppers, onions, Broccoli, and Asian Slaw over a 1/4 cup of Quinoa
  • Grass Fed Beef Meatloaf with a side of roasted brussel sprouts
  • Grass Fed Steak with Roasted bacon wrapped asparagus and 1/4 avocado
  • Spaghetti Squash with Ground Turkey and homemade tomato based pasta sauce
  • Garbage Salad – take all veggies in the house and chop them up with spinach, mix in nuts, meat, or another form of protein (4-5 oz per person) and add healthy fat in the form of EVOO or avocado – MIX AND ENJOY

If I have something that at the end of the meal I am stuffed, I know the only thing I will be getting up for is refilling my water bottle.  Which is the way it should be.  I am still learning what works with Paleo and what doesn’t.  I know I have to bulk up my veggies at every meal, and sometimes it’s hard to do that, but no one said this would be easy.

I refuse to believe that you HAVE to slash calories incredibly and workout like a maniac to lose weight.  I know that you can do this, but it’s not the only way.  After my incredibly “woe is me” post yesterday I took it to the people who have lived it.

The New Rules of Lifting: Lift Like a Man Look Like a Goddess facebook group opened themselves to me with much enthusiasm.  They worked through my issues (and by they I mean like 20 women on one thread that reached over 150 posts in one day) and we came to the conclusion that A.) If I was following Paleo I shouldn’t be counting calories, and B.) since I was counting calories it was evident I wasn’t eating enough.  Me?  Not eating enough?

After much research and other blog posts, I found that I was essentially fueling my body to maintain.  I was eating enough to get me through the day and if I exercised I was eating just enough to not feel hungry.  So I was burning everything I ate which should equate to weight loss right?  Apparently not – EM2WL explains:

If you have been a low calorie dieter for an extended period of time, you may want to consider doing a full metabolism reset.  This will allow the body to reset back to its normal metabolic set point, so a small deficit will once again start the weight loss process once the reset is complete.

So while I am not doing the full metabolism reset, I am simply upping my calories, continuing to eat cleanly, and lifting/running.  I am actually so tired of being a slave to the scale that I am not going to weigh myself.  I am putting the scale away until the end of stage 2, when I will also chart my measurements.

I am more than that number.

Things That Didn’t Work

Cashews.  My mouth swells and I get all itchy.  Luckily I am not deathly allergic, because that would have been horrible to find out, you know at work, where I would have to rely on my officemate to figure out what was happening, but still annoying nonetheless. 

Coconut water.  This stuff is vile to me.  I bought two containers (small one serving) that were mixed with other fruit juices, and I swear it tasted like vomit.

Two Workouts In One Day.  Yeah I felt bad ass, but I obviously was not prepared for the extreme exhaustion I felt about two hours after the second workout.  If I am going to do this again, it will have to be after I’ve figured out my eating style and how to go about not falling asleep at work.

So, How Did This Week Go?

This week was about learning again for me.  I need to trust the process, remain in the present, not focus on months down the road, stop nit picking whatever flaws I see, THROW MY SCALE OUT THE WINDOW, and look at the strength gains I’ve made.  40 Pound Shoulder Press?  I can lift 40 pounds over my head?  Seriously?

UntitledThis is the girl who had trouble with 5 pound weights, walking up stairs, and fitting into her wedding dress on her big day…

WAHOOO

This is the girl who just did a 40# Shoulder Press, has 3 half marathons under her belt, is keeping herself in the present, and isn’t going to stop this time.

 

Saturday WOD

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Saturday started with leftover egg cups for breakfast, thens trip to Starbucks, followed by a trip to the garden center to buy plants!

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Ahhhhh plants!

Then we came home and while the husband planned the exact location of every plant I bust out 4 miles in 40’46″!

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That is the face of someone who ran outside and is falling back in love with it!

My splits weren’t that great, but who cares! I’m running outside again!

Off to shower and get food in our bellies!