have to get through

This holiday season is KILLING my weight loss efforts. Okay, okay, I guess my lack of discipline is killing my weight loss efforts. I just need to get through each day and have faith that I can end it well. Wish me luck!

hand in hand

So while my workouts have been lacking, my eating has been spot on! I LOVE food, so finding something that is satisfying AND good for you is something I thought didn't go hand in hand....until Clean Eating Magazine and the Eat Clean cookbooks. Oh, I love them! I look forward to preparing and eating meals, and for the most part my kids are enjoying them also.

just can't wait!

WOOHOO! I set up my first few physical therapy appointments and I CAN'T WAIT to get started! I'm looking forward to being able to run in my future. I'm starting out slow with my workouts (walking) because it's been so long I don't want to get burnt out. My first week back has been every other day workouts...so far so good.

walking is good...for now

So, for the past few days I've had the below granola/yogurt breakfast and I'm LOVING it! Mmm, good. I've also done pretty good about getting out and walking. I think that it's getting easier for me to accept walking as my form of workout, it's been difficult and I NEVER thought I would look at running the way I do now. I was NOT a fan of running at all, my response to someone asking if I wanted to run was 'what are we being chased by' (which is a common one I get from others....oh if only they knew, I think EVERYONE would fall in love with running if they gave it a fare chance). Anyway, I'm still having foot problems but I'm getting hooked up with a physical therapist in the hopes that this can be rehabilitated. Walking is good, but I do look forward to running in the future.

Breakfast!

1/4 cup Brear Naked 100% pure & natural Granola, Triple Berry Crunch Fit

6 oz Chobani blueberry Greek Yogurt

1 tablespoon blueberries

Calories: 270

Fat: 2g

Fiber: 4g

Sugar: 24g

Protein: 18g

I ♥ CHOBANI

hopefully that will be enough

With all the foot problems I've been having I haven't been working out and coupled with my horrid eating habits I've just been slowly gaining and gaining. My podiatrist has recommended that I get orthotics, so by the second week in Sept. I will be going in to have my foot casted so they can make them for me. Instead of running today I did VERY light walking...hopefully that will be enough to loose some of these lbs!

Going Green!

So on my visit to see family I found out that my dad has gone GREEN....okay, maybe not the green that you're thinking but he's drinking green! I was so excited when he made me this YUMMY green spinach smoothie. In fact he made me quite a few, but my FAVORITE ones were the green ones I think for no other reason than they are green because they were ALL tasty! This just solidifies Chris and my desire to get a Vitamix.

It was such a beautiful color and I was worried that the picture wouldn't come out as vibrant, but it did. Cheers!

So far I have been moving around quite a bit, I helped my mom with some cleaning at their place and did some run/walking (hurt my foot again...going to the podiatrist next week...yay!) and some hiking. Happy fitness!

workout

3 mile bike ride and an abs workout. Now to clean eating for the day!

Keep it simple

My goals for the day are to drink plenty of water and move...just keep moving. Some days I need to keep my goals as simple as possible and today is one of those days.

Learner's Permit

In my efforts to include my family on my healthy eating venture I made Kitchen Learner's Permits to Cook. The kids got a kick out of them and are VERY excited to be a part of the food preparation in the house. I hope this effort will benefit our family for a long time.

Eating log

How many times can a person commit to a healthy lifestyle? I think I've proven that it's a daily decision, I'm not tooting my own horn, I'm wondering WHEN this will come naturally. My eating is good, I think I've got that down, but I'm lacking in the motivation department. I'm posting my eating plans (focusing on the positive) and hopefully I will get out and pound some pavement today!

Breakfast: Oatmeal w/1tbsp. vanilla protein powder, 1tsp. agave nectar...mmm, good

Snack: 3 carrots with 1/4c. hummus and a protein cookie (that wasn't very good)

Lunch: Home canned tuna (from my brother-in-law...wow, it's REALLY good!) with a little greek yogurt (one of my FAVORITE things) on a pita with lettuce

Snack: Almonds...but I wish I had cottage cheese :(

Dinner: Ginger Chicken...yummy!

I noticed an underlying protein theme today...don't know why. I did end up running today, but not the way I was hoping. I went up to the High School this afternoon to run on the track and instead of taking my car key with me I took the house key...then I locked the car. It really doesn't do much good to lock your keys IN the car...oh well, I got to run home so it was a happy ending :)

Blog from the past

I thought I had deleted my old fitness blog, but I just found it on my dashboard! It's nice to be able to reflect on my past challenges that I was able to overcome. AND I can do it again!

Wow, sweet relief!

If there is ANYONE out there dealing with Plantar Fasciitis you need to check these inserts out, Spenco Full Length Orthotics Arch Support, they are the ONLY thing that has given me relief! I'm a little worried about my triathlon training. I haven't been able to do...well much of it at all and I'm now down to 15 weeks, yikes! I came across a book called The 12-Week Triathlete online and I've been trying to find it locally with not much luck...I'll do a bit more looking around. In the meantime I may just go out and run, since I can now!

Long time no post

Don't have a lot of time, but I wanted to get my thoughts out. Been doing good with my activity, between the gym and outdoors it's been good. Eating I could make some tweaks, I've slipped a little but haven't lost my footing too much...nothing I can't recover from. Goal for the day is EATING CLEAN!

what's your achilles heel?

My heel is killing me! I joined a gym to have access to the elliptical machines, they are PERFECT for my (lame) feet! Low impact with the cardio workout of a run. Today I threw caution to the wind and hopped on the treadmill (even though it was beautiful outside...I wanted a steady terrain for running), the workout was FANTASTIC and I was LOVING running again...even on a treadmill! BUT I am feeling it now. My feet are throbbing and my right heel is VERY tender. Looks like I have ice and stretching in my future...better get to it!

My journey

Wow, when I look at this picture of me at my sister-in-law's wedding I really can't believe how far gone I was! I was in denial for sure. I feel so blessed to have been able to make the changes necessary in my life to be able to live my life for the better. After this picture was taken our family picked up and moved to another state. After moving I made many friends one of which helped me on my journey to a better life. It amazed me how something as simple as taking care of my body helped me to realize that I was taking care of my whole self! Not only did I feel better physically but spiritually as well. I know that taking care of our bodies can help us to live our best lives possible. Below is a picture of myself after much work and determination. I trained for and finished a half-marathon. Before accepting this challenge I had NEVER run for anything other than necessity. I couldn't fathom running for 'fun' and still there were days that it wasn't fun, but I was amazed that there were many that were. After my half-marathon I would run 6 miles on average per day. Today, I am starting from scratch and I realize how grateful I was then to have the support from friends and family on this journey, and ask at this time for the same support as I take on this challenge again. I know that this is an ever moving cycle and that I will continually need to re-commit myself to myself and my well-being. I love who I am but know that there is ALWAYS room for improvement, so here I go.....improvement time!

Out of commision....uggg!

Well, I haven't run since the 12th. My foot is really inflamed so I've been trying to take good care of it. Because of my frustrations with my foot I have slipped a little on my clean eating. This past weekend there were a couple of pot-lucks that we went to and I kinda, sorta went a little overboard even though the dish I made was safe. Here's to getting back on track this week and checking out my options for low-impact training...wish me luck!

A new family favorite!

Check out one of our new favorite salad. I found the recipe and really wasn't expecting much (but hey, we had all the ingredients!), wow was I surprised when it hit the taste buds! I posted the recipe on my recipe blog it's Yum-E-Rice...enjoy!

Update

Alright, well Monday I did my 30 minute run/walk and the next day, yesterday my foot was KILLING me! (I also felt pretty sorry for myself and had 3 dark chocolate biscotti's...100 calories each, they are meant for a cheat but I shouldn't have cheated 3 times!!) I've had plantar fasciitis in the past and realize that this is just that...NOT FUN. Anyhow, I've been icing my foot (my right foot is the only one hurting) and this morning it wasn't hurting too bad so I did a 3 mile walk/run. I will be stretching and icing my foot today so that tomorrow I can do cross training.

the urge to splurge

Sunday is my splurge day and to be honest with you I don't have the urge to splurge. I do feel a little more relaxed and haven't got a 'plan' for my eating today, but I think a pancake with almond butter and strawberries is pretty good for an 'on the fly' breakfast. I really can't get over the fact that I have had no urges to go back to sugar, I have never had this kind of a 'relationship' with food before and I LOVE IT! I have so much more respect for food now and how it can work WITH my body instead of AGAINST it! Have a clean eating week everyone!

The difference this time....

I have to say that I am very impressed with my clean eating determination these past two weeks. I've gone on 'health kicks' before but I really feel like I can make this change for good and that feels good. Easter was my only real obstacle but I got back on track the VERY next day and haven't slipped since. I think the difference this time compared to ALL the others is that the family is included in this change. I've eaten well in the past but never 'forced' the family along. When I went to my husband this last time about wanting to 'change it up' he was super supportive and hopped on right on board...maybe that's the difference 100% support. I have plenty of opportunities to 'cheat' daily but I know that I wouldn't just be cheating myself but my family also and I can't do that! I feel great and I don't want to loose that feeling.

Great day!

Went on my run for the day and getting ready to have a warm bowl of steel cut oats...mmm! I got out early this morning and I can already tell that my metabolism is buzzing, I feel GREAT! We are having the Missionaries over for dinner tonight so hopefully they enjoy our clean eating menu. Cleaning the house, then grocery shopping and maybe the park this afternoon!

then....

Yesterday, as I mentioned in my previous post, I walked 3 miles for cross training. Well, last night as I was getting ready to watch my son's soccer practice I noticed a track looping around the field and though 'what the heck', I was still in my workout clothes and had nothing holding me back, so I got out there! I ran/walked my 30 minute workout. I remember being able to run 5 miles a day and feeling like that was a warm-up....ohhhh, I miss that feeling! A little hard work and determination (and clean eating) will get me there. Wish me luck for today!

power walk

Ethan and I went on a 3 mile power walk (Ethan in the stroller). It was so nice to get out on ANOTHER nice day!! It did start to sprinkle nearing the end but it was tolerable because the sun was still shining and it was still relatively warm out. I feel great and I can tell you that the hills around here really kicked my rear! I had originally planned on doing my yoga-X video but I just couldn't pass up a day like today. I'm also considering running while my son has soccer tonight...we'll see.

EWW MOM!

So I made some homemade baked chicken strips that the kids really liked, but the sauce that I made they could have done without. Chris and I thought it was great, it was made from Greek yogurt (which I have fallen in love with), low fat feta cheese and a little garlic and seasonings. Well the next morning my daughter couldn't find anything to make for lunch so I offered to help her out while she got ready. I decided to shred some chicken and mix with the dip I had made the night before (I have removed ALL mayo from the house). After school her response was "hey, is there any more of that chicken left"? I seem to remember the night before her saying "EWW MOM, this dip is disgusting"! Clean eating ROCKS!

done trashing my body!

For those of you out there wondering why I've cut out my sugar read this! I am SO ready to be done with trashing my body. It's been a couple of weeks now and I feel FANTASTIC...although it's been more than just sugar that I've been avoiding. Clean eating is the way to go!

It's not raining....RUN!

So, I woke up this morning with NO intentions of running but once I saw how nice it was out side I couldn't NOT run. I had a few things working against me though, first off I was a bit dehydrated (I've had a hard time staying hydrated eating clean...I think it's because there is VERY LITTLE salt in my diet, therefore I don't get the 'craving' to drink), I was pushing a stroller (with a 3 year old in it), and I hadn't had many carbs to fuel my run (because I hadn't planned on running). Having said all that I am SO glad I did it, it was a little rough but it feels so great to get the body revved up. Clean eating for the rest of the day!!

making it a priority

Why oh why do I start feeling cruddy after getting my groove back? I've had a bit of a head cold for a couple of weeks now and a few days ago I thought I was in the clear...until yesterday! I took something last night to help me get to sleep and this morning I feel like I have a hangover...yuck, and I DON'T WAND TO DO ANYTHING!! Having said that I know that it's days like this that I HAVE to make working out a priority. Today is my cross training day (wish I had access to an elliptical) and I plan on doing one of the P90X videos. I'll post later to let you know how it all went...wish me luck!

Later.....

I ♥ Saucony!! On my birthday my hubby took me to get a new pair of running shoes. I ended up getting a pair of Saucony Progrid Guide 3, I have never tried Saucony before but I LOVED the way they felt on my foot. This morning I went on a 30 minute run/walk, the temperature outside was PERFECT for a run (although I could have done without the rain) and it felt good to get out there again. Happy running!

Whoa!

Easter was NOT a clean eating day by far! It was a lot of fun, but I am excited to get back on track. Today I plan on starting up my running again. I'm hoping that I convinced my dad to run a 10k with me. It won't be until next year if he does end up running it but that's okay, I just need SOMETHING to shoot for!

Easter Contribution

So tomorrow we are going to my sister's place for Easter dinner and we have been assigned to bring an appetizer, corn side dish, punch and a DESSERT....AAAHHHH!!!! Okay, calm down, you can still eat clean over a holiday. I was surfing the web and found a few recipes. For the appetizer we will bring Bruchetta with Tomato and Avocado (The Eat-Clean Diet Recharged!). For the corn side dish I haven't settled yet but I'm thinking of either doing a simple corn off the cob with some seasonings or going all out and making a corn and tomato tart...we'll see about that one. I have good punch recipe that I think I can lighten up...we'll have to see about that one too. Finally I found a recipe called Paleo Lemon Meringue Pie, it sounds tasty especially because the crust is made out of pecans...mmm, yummy! I think that I may replace all/some of the maple syrup for a sweetener lower on the glycemic index. I'll let you know how it goes.

New favorite snack

So, we are really big on pb&j sandwiches...not myself so much but the family. I've been enjoying pb on toast in the mornings but have found that I much prefer Almond butter. To top it off, my eat-clean diet for family and kids recipe book recommends making sandwiches with fresh fruit instead of the sugar laden jams and jellies. I have to say the first time I had fresh strawberries on my almond butter toast I thought it needed more sugar, BUT if there is ANYTHING that I have learned through all of this is that your tastes change according to what you are eating. I LOVE it now and look forward to my morning ab&f (almond butter & fruit)toast. Maybe in the near future I can wean the kids off of jam/jelly...I think I'll wait until the jars are empty and just not buy any more.☺

Dinner surprise!

Bless my husband's heart! Yesterday I was TOTALLY consumed with an activity for my son's cub scouts group...so, I didn't prepare ANYTHING for dinner AND as soon as my hubby walked in the door from his fishing trip I was heading out the door. While at the cub scout activity I was feeling VERY hungry and not wanting to come home and make a meal that I hadn't prepared for. When I walked through the door I found my sweet family sitting down to the table and my husband was serving chicken Parmesan (cleaned up from my clean eating magazine)...ohh, it was so good, especially because I didn't have to make it! THANK YOU HONEY, it was DELISH!

Get over it and get out there!

Great news! I finally got a jogging stroller...YAY!! Now I need to get running again, it's been a VERY LONG TIME and I'm sure I'll need to start from scratch. I've got a training schedule that I want to get started on but it's so cold and rainy. Guess I just need to get over it and get out there.

Yesterday I forgot that I had a Spanish class in the evening so instead of having the Flank Steak Roll we had leftover grilled chicken burgers from the party, and they were just as good last night as they were on Sunday. Tonight I was able to prepare the Flank Steak Roll and I can tell you that it was well worth the preparation! It really wasn't hard to do, just the layering, rolling and tying was more than I usually do with a steak.

honesty and a few meal ideas

Okay, so technically today is not my weigh in day, Monday was but I had to get the number in there because it's been so long, I'm at 178.2...YAY. I actually weighed myself (I don't remember how long ago) and about fell off the scale because it read 186 lbs. I really didn't want to admit that I'd gained again so I opted not to add it to my 'weigh in' numbers, although now that I've lost the weight I kinda wish I had. I may add it anyway. I need not to hold back, I need to get it all out in order to be honest with myself.

I also want to share my food experiences with you. Sunday we had a birthday party for all the family members that were born in March. I was a little concerned wondering what I would feed all our visitors that would satisfy. We had eaters from across the eating spectrum, from greasy deep fried everything to very healthy fresh food eaters. I decided to prepare grilled chicken burgers, sweet potato fries (from Costco), a fruit salad with sweet vinaigrette and for the cupcakes I made the Birthday Cupcakes in The Eat-Clean Diet for Families & Kids. Wow, it was all a huge hit with EVERYONE! I was concerned about the cupcakes because when I baked them they didn't raise up like I thought they would and, when they were hot they didn't come out of the baking cups too well, so my expectations were pretty low come dessert time. Once they cooled they had GREAT texture and came right out of the cupcake liners without a problem, the kids had NO idea that they were actually good for them. Fun evening!

Last night we had Cajun Tilapia, brown rice and Eggplant Saute with Shallots, Basil and Oregano, I found the last recipe on foodfit.com. When I made the Eggplant I forgot to add the Parmesan cheese at the end and we muscled our way through that side dish, then when my husband realized our mistake we tried it with the cheese and LOVED IT.....aaahhhhh, the power of CHEESE! For an added treat for myself I found a chocolate bar that is 87% cacao.

This morning as I type I am enjoying a nice bowl of steel cut oats with blueberries, some milk and sweetened with just a little maple syrup...mmm, it's one of my FAVORITE breakfasts! On the menu for dinner tonight is Flank Steak Roll from my March/April 2010 Clean Eating magazine. Enjoy your day and keep eating clean!

Pizza binge

My post heading is a little deceiving, I did have a greasy, yummy, tasty bit of pizza on Saturday but just chalked it up to a 'cheat day', we all need those once in a while. Considering that it hasn't been long since I jumped back on the healthy eating bandwagon again I should be upset with myself BUT, I have done great since Saturday and see no need in beating myself up about it. Still, my activity level is lacking with all this rain but, I have noticed a change in how I feel just since I've started eating well, I'm taking this one meal at a time☺

Cashew Butter Chicken Stew

Mmmmm, this stew was AMAZING! I found it in the March 2009 Oxygen magazine and it is ohh soo yummy! It's very creamy because of the Cashew Butter but the calories don't show it...only 188 per 1/8 pot, which turned out to be plenty to fill me up. The cubed green apple in the stew really gave it depth. It was a bit spicy and I think that the next time I prepare this dish I will cut the cayenne pepper in half! Well my working out isn't going so well but my eating is right on track....baby steps, right?

getting on and off the wagon is exhausting!

In the short amount of time it took me to get back on the 'healthy' wagon, I fell off just as fast! I went to visit family for a few days and on top of that I was sick...yuck! That aside I DO want to share a great find. Last week I purchased the March/April 2010 issue of Clean Eating Magazine and loveloveloved the Cover meal Beef & Broccoli Orange Stir-Fry, to top it off my family loved it too, if you're out there looking for some GREAT healthy recipes you should check this magazine out!

healthy LIFESTYLE...not a DIET!

I was putting off posting today hoping that I would be able to get out on my run, but last night I started feeling pretty cruddy. I went to bed early and slept in this morning. It felt great to get the rest but I REALLY don't feel up for my run...it will have to wait a few more days.

For the past few months I have been eying Tosca Reno's book 'The Eat-Clean Diet for Family and Kids' and I finally got it! My kids had a fit when I showed them the book because the word 'diet' is not allowed in our house because it is too short-term. My oldest son said that we could cross out diet and put another word instead. I've tried to talk with my kids about a healthy 'lifestyle' as opposed to 'diet', lifestyle is more long-term. Maybe that's the word we'll use...lifestyle.

30 day shred workout

Well, this morning I got up and did the 30 day shred and I had a good workout. I do feel like it didn't challenge me like I'd hoped it would, but I was only on level one. I'll rev it up next time, but I wish I had more time today to fit in another workout...we'll see if I can squeeze one in.

Official day 1 workout...I did it!

30 minute run/walk....yay, I got out! *pat on the back*. Tomorrow I will try Jillian Michaels 30 day shred workout, I'll let you know how it goes.

Happy Birthday to ME!

Birthday gift to myself: Health!

Square one....again!

Well, it's back to the drawing board, starting over from square one. The other day I printed up my before 'after' pictures and my current 'before' pictures in the hopes of motivating myself to get moving. I'll post my new 'starting weight' soon. I'm very upset that I let myself go in such a short amount of time but I need to focus on the positive and the fact that this is in the forefront of my mind is a good thing. I'm finding that I'm an 'all or nothin' kind of girl, I have to be in healthy mode ALL the time or I find myself slipping (although a cheat day is a VERY good thing)...wish me luck and feel free to comment anytime.

Week 2 Day 2

Today was supposed to be my 'light day'...although I feel like EVERYTHING I do is a 'light day' compared to where I was! Anyway I decided that I was going to go for my 3 mile walk today and about a mile into it I was BOARD OUT OF MY MIND! So I decided to run, I created a goal to run until the road turned, then when I got there I felt good so I continued on with the thought in mind that I would go to the school. As I ran up the hill of the school (which actually felt better than running DOWN), I decided to continue on until the main road. I probably ended up running about a mile and a half...I hope I don't regret doing that tomorrow☺

Week 2 Day 1

Alright, I've come to the conclusion that I can't overwhelm myself with eating well and exercising right now. I need to get into the habit of working out regularly again before I start in with my eating...I obsess and I don't have time to obsess about both!

Last week I was walking 3 miles every day for six days. Today is the beginning of a new week with a new goal in mind. I just got done with my first walk/run in a VERY long time and it felt GREAT! I went my same 3 mile route but walked 2 minutes/ran 3 minutes and I will do that every other day with a supplement workout on the off days. It feels good to have a goal nailed down and I can't wait to complete this week and mark off this goal.