Yesterday

Wednesday 11/8/12

I have been working extra lately, socking some money away for Christmas and paying off some old bills.  I was so exhausted when I got home last night that all I could do was eat the dinner that my awesome husband lovingly prepared for me (even though it wasn't exactly what I may have decided to eat on my own), take a shower and then fall asleep on the couch watching my favorite show.  I hate when that happens.  Then I miss the end of it and since I was watching it, I didn't set the DVR to record it so I could see the rest later.  Oh well.  My challenge has definitely been with my very packed schedule.  One more week and things should be settling down a little bit.  At least I will have a couple of evenings off a week.  I noticed how easy it is for your mind to play tricks on you when your have a lot on your plate.  My mind is trying to scrape the vegetables into the garbage right now.  I gotta do a lot of talking back to that mental criticism right now.  Yesterday I took time to answer a couple of questions in my Oxygen Magazine.  They were related to stress. 

1.  Nosh on stress-reducing foods like blueberries or oranges: these fruits contain high levels of vitamin C, which has been found to prevent spikes in blood pressure.  Find a fruity recipe to try.

So I did...Blueberry and orange Yogurt Parfaits

• 1cup granola
• 3 (5 ounce) cartons low fat orange yogurt
• 4 cups of blueberries
• Orange Zest for garnish

1. Divide and layer ingredients into four glasses, starting with granola then blueberries then yogurt; repeat layers
2. Garnish with fresh orange zest

Per serving: Calories 302, fat 4grms, saturated fat 3grms, fiber 5gms, protein 6 grms

2.  Exercise is a great way to reduce stress, as it lowers your levels of cortisol and floods your system with feel-good endorphins.  Plan a 15 minute workout made up of your favorite moves.

3 Rounds of Sun Salutations to warm-up and stretch out

• Jumping Jacks x25
• Skaters x50
• Jump rope x1minute
• Sugar Cookies x25
• Squats x20
• Jump Squats x15
• Hold a squat x30seconds
• Jump Switch and Lunge x20
• Mountain Climbers x50
• Push-ups x30
• Stackers x30

This is a simple routine that anyone can do anywhere with little or no equipment.

3.  Take time out of your day, find a quiet spot and just breathe.  Where you choose yoga or other meditation, theses activities can help lower your stress hormone levels.  Write down some effective stress-relieving techniques you enjoy.

• bubble bath
• candle gazing
• reading gossip magazines (don't judge)
• running
• watching 80's movies (don't judge)
• writing in my journal or on my blog
• crying

Wednesdays workout
Extreme results class 58 minutes, 344 calories
Two hours of teaching hot yoga 500ish calories

Wednesday' diet
Breakfast: Protein shake with coconut water, mango, banana, pineapple and 2 scoops of It Works greens
Midmornnig: pear, graham crackers, fresh pressed peanut butter
Lunch: Asian vegetable Olga with sauce; snackers and almond cheese, diet Pepsi (don't judge)
Afternoon: oatmeal cookies.  I am blaming this on the fact that the Herbalife Club I tried to get a shake from after work was closed!!!   They were suppose to be open until 5:15.  Errr, stressed me out.
Late Dinner: Grilled Cheese on low cal flaxseed bread, Italian Wedding soup, Tony Packo's Sweet hot pickles (this is the meal that my hubby had waiting for me, his effort and love is appreciated).

I also should note that yesterday I started my period and was not in a space to make rational decisions about much of anything.

Obstacles

Tuesday 11/6/12

I have a terrible headache today that is basically affecting everything that I have done all day.  I managed to keep up with my schedule and get my training run in today but my head is definitely my biggest obstacle today.  I would like to be witty and sarcastic but I can't even think of a good election day comment.  My eyes burn, my jaw is clenched and I am having trouble focusing.  Not a good training (or non-training) day.  Ugh!  Sorry for the lame blog tonight.  Maybe I can make up for it tomorrow.

Breakfast: Protein shake with Formula 1, coffee, and vanilla protein.  Hot.  Didn't really like it and only drank about half of it.
Snack:  South Beach Bar and 800mgs of Ibuprofen
Lunch:  Oriental Chicken Salad.  They sent the wrong dressing, it was gross, even the oriental noodles were soggy.  Couldn't stomach much of it.  Double Ugh.
Snack: grapes, cheez its
Dinner:  Herbalife Wedding Cake shake (new club, didn't realize their version of wedding cake was chocolate...triple ugh, but I drank it because I was hungry and on my way to teach a double header of hot yoga).
Snack: peanuts, graham crackers.

Time for bed!  Let me start over tomorrow with less obstacles.  Today felt more like a Warrior Dash then a smooth road race.  Good night.

Super Heroes

Monday 11/5/12

It's funny the things that we lock on to at different times in our lives.  In my world, doing a marathon is a little like becoming a super hero.  Super heroes are typically weak or nerdy kind of people who have been exposed to some type of mutated scientific something and become extraordinary physically.  No, I didn't fall into a strange laboratory and come out with super powers (but wouldn't that be cool...especially if I could get a super power that psychically got my children to do what they were asked to do the first time).  Anyway, let me start from the beginning.  I have never been athletically inclined.  During my childhood and adolescence the only activities I participated in were roller skating and soccer.  Soccer was one of those things where the recreation league team needed 3 girls on the team so I got drafted by some friends.  I wasn't very good, but I wasnt' the worst.  I was just not athletically gifted.  I was usually one of the last kids to be picked for teams in gym class.  That's just how it was.  So, in 2006 I became very ill.  I was a chain smoker, an overweight overeater, and an angry divorcee.  Some things happened, a friend gave me a copy of the Secret in the spring 2007.  I watched it and decided to change somethings in my life.  I started making a real concerted effort to change my physical health and my emotional health.  I let go of some anger, forgave some people, and squashed some fear.  Then I got some tennis shoes and started walking (and a yoga mat and started breathing).  After about a year of walking everyday, I decided I might wanna try running.  I spent the next several months teaching myself to run and began to have a love affair with it.  I love running alone with nothing but my iPod.  It is one place I can truly be alone with God.  I worked up my mileage and in 2010 I completed a half-marathon.  I was amazed that I could run 13 miles.  Me.  Me, who wouldn't even run if someone was chasing me with rabid dogs and a shot gun.  So, for me to consider, plan for, and believe that I can make 26 miles...well, that's definitely super hero status. 

A couple of weeks ago my husband and I watched Avengers.  I love super hero movies,  I really relate to the underdog.  I had never seen Captain America, so we rented that this weekend and watched it.  Tonight I get home from work and the Incredible Hulk is on TV.  I get my inspiration from all over, this week it's from Marvel Comics.  I am my own super hero! 

Extreme results class, cross training day 354 calories.  Beginners Yoga class, 160 calories

Pre-workout: Banana, coffee
Breakfast: Protein smoothie with pineapple, strawberries, mango and 2 scoops of It Works Greens.
Midmorning Snack:  Cheez It's, Holiday grapes
Noon snack: String Cheese
Afternoon meal: Salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, onion, feta, banana peppers, green peppers, pita chips and light greek dressing; orange; tall salted carmel mocha with non fat milk
dinner: Chicken Enchilada casserole, brown rice, green beans, earth balance butter; graham crackers

Looking forward to running tomorrow, even though it is only 40 degrees outside for a high temp.  Get the underarmor ready!  I love running in the colder temps.  That is not an exaggeration, I really do love it.

Slow Down

Sunday 11/4/12

My mom's voice is ringing in my head.  She constantly said "Michelle, if you would just slow down..."  My entire childhood (and most of my adulthood) I was always in a hurry to do everything.  That wasn't necessarily the problem though.  The problem was that I was also clumsy so nothing ever worked out quite as I had envisioned.  Then my mom got really brave and  put me on roller skates.  That was a miracle.  What I couldn't do on flat feet, I could conquer on skates.  True story.  Anyway, today was my first official LR of the training schedule.  Of course, I am starting from scratch so today's LR was no longer then a quick 5K.  However, the training program I am using builds walk breaks into every mile, starting with week one's LR.  So, I had to slow down my pace and take walk breaks.  It almost felt like going backwards but this is a trusted training program and I have to trust the process.  So I did it, but the whole way my mom's voice was in my ear "Michelle, slow down..."  Next week I am drowning her out with some good old fashioned 80s Glamour Rock.  I just finished building my play list for next week and I must say, I am totally psyched!  I was inspired after watching Rock of Ages yesterday.  I dug out some of my old CDs and got to importing some good ole fashion rock and roll.  So, here it is, next weeks rockin' play list:

1. Loving You Is A Dirty Job - Ratt
2. Heads I Win, Tails You Lose - Ratt
3. Talk Dirty To Me - Poison
4. Welcome to the Jungle - Guns and Roses
5. My Michelle - Guns and Roses
6. Jet City Woman - Queensryche
7. You Can Still Rock Me - Nightranger
8. Love In An Elevator - Aerosmith
9. Cherry Pie - Warrant
10. Seventeen - Winger
11. Runaway - Bon Jovi
12. Got Me Under Pressure - ZZ Top
13. Cheap Sunglasses - ZZ Top
14. Loving Every Minute of It - Loverboy
15. Kickstart My Heart - Motley Crue
16. Shake and Tumble - Firehouse
17. Don't Stop Believing - Journey

Before you ask, yes I own all of those CDs.  Sad but true.  I secretly listen to them when no one is home and I am cleaning the house.  And yes, I dance around the house with the broom like I'm at a TESLA concert at the Sports Arena.  Now you know one of my weird little secrets.  Don't think less of me now, please.

I had two hot yoga classes to teach this morning totally about 517 calories burned.  After I got home I put in my 3 mile run in 30:42 for another 288 calories. 

Breakfast:  Protein smoothie with coconut water, strawberries, mango, pineapple and 2 scoops of It Works Greens.
Post Yoga snack: Banana, graham crackers.
Post run snack: wheat chips and pico de gallo
Outside soccer game warm-up:  coffee with cream
Post soccer game nosh: hummus and pita
Dinner: BLT with low cal flaxseed bread and light mayo; Happy Herbivore Black Bean soup, chips, 1/2 brownie.

Week one is in the history books and only 25 more to go.  Bring it on, I'm ready!

Life, the Musical

Saturday 11/3/12

I had a somewhat unique opportunity today to spend some alone time at home without a list of at least a hundred things to do.  Well, actually there's always a list but I decided today I would ignore them for things that made me happy.  I got to go the the gym (yes, it was suppose to be a rest day but I went anyway).  I also got to spend some extended time talking to one of my favorite Herbalife folks, Tater.  Then I got to watch a few movies, work on my marathon vision board and finish a blanket I had been crocheting (since last winter).  The movies that I watched were the type of movies that I would get shit about from my husband.  I watched Rock of Ages.  If you have not heard of this movie, it is a musical based on 80's glam rock and ballads.  It stars Tom Cruise as a shirtless, tattooed, over the top, 80's rock star icon.  It was hilarious in a strangely nostalgic way.  I really wanted to bust out a can of Aqua Net, a Virgina Slim and maybe even a Bartel's and James wine cooler (black cherry flavored).  Anyway, I started thinking about how much fun musicals are and what what fun it would be if life were really a musical.  The boss is giving you a hard time and you break out into the chorus of "Take this Job and Shove It."  The kids don't wanna eat their vegetables and they start a choreographed song and dance on the dining room table to "We're Not Gonna Take It."  All the traffic opens up and you hit every light green and all of a sudden the people on the sidewalk are singing "Life Is A Highway" as you drive by.  I love music and I love choreographing my runs with songs that make me wanna keep striking the pavement and moving forward.  I am looking forward to adding a few new songs to my play list for next week.  This week my life will be a musical, if only in my own head.

Extreme Workout 61 minutes; 445 calories.

Breakfast:  Turtle Cheesecake Herbalife shake with 24 Rebuild Strength added and hot apple cider tea

Snack:  Cheez-Its

Lunch:  Lubia, chicken breast with hummus, leftover snackers and almond cheese

Snack:  Candy Corn (it's almost gone too)

Dinner:  (Sister-in-Laws birthday party) White chicken chili; pico-de galleo with whole wheat corn chips; corn bread; cake and ice cream; diet Pepsi.

Now I am sitting down with my husband to watch Captain America and enjoy a quiet evening at home.  It has been a good day, one that I am thankful for.  The alone time was a much needed reward and the family time was a much needed celebration.  I got a little bit of it all today.  A good day.  Now I will watch the movie and start a new project for the winter.

F is for Friday

Friday 11/2/12

This week at work was an experiment for me.  I am usually kind of the office grouch.  I don't really like to say good morning, I pretty much despise small talk and I have a very low tolerance for stupid...yes I am what you could call the office bully.  However, for whatever reason, the people that I struggle with the most are usually the ones that are doing double time effort to get on my good side.  My experiment this week was to be cordial and...wait for it....here it comes...F R I E N D LY.  The beginning of the week was kind of hard, but as the week wore on I realized something, it is almost less tiresome to just be a little bit amendable to their ritualistic "good mornings" and coffee small talk.  Damn, I really wanted my bullyish kind of way to be easier but it's not.  I knew that and now I have to practice it.  Interesting lesson this week.  One I am not particularly overjoyed with but one that does conserve some energy that I can find a better use for with my training.

Cross training day, Extreme workout 59 minutes; 395 cals
                               Taught a 60 minute Hatha yoga class 140 cals

Breakfast: Shwedy balls Herbalife Shake
Mid morning meal: celery with goat cheese/almond butter
Lunch:  grape leaves, hummus, pita chips, tabbouleh, pear
Afternoon snack: Graham crackers, candy corn (the last bag is almost gone).
Dinner: Asian vegetable Olga, snackers, almond cheese, a few of Mark's curly fries.

A good Friday.  Looking forward to a rest day tomorrow...physically and mentally.  Time for some R&R and a couple of Rocky movies.

Downtown Decadence

Thursday 11/1/12

LOVE YOUR NOVEMBER

 

My favorite time of year is fall.  I love the crisp air, the rich colors, and the smell of burning leaves in the air.  I also love running when the air is cold and the wind is healthy.  I donned my Underarmor for the first time this season and set out to do one of my favorite things, run for lunch.  I am fortunate enough to A. Work downtown, close to the river and B. Have a job that is flexible enough that I can run for lunch.  While others are sitting in cramped cubicles eating a sodium laden Lean Cuisine and wondering why they can't meet there weight loss goals, or sitting in a local restaurant eating a fatty burger and fries; I am heading down to the river to spend 30 minutes with my favorite music, my favorite river and my favorite God.  Yep, I enjoyed every single step of the 3 miles I had the privilege to run today.  It's truly a shame that more people don't get out and enjoy the natural landscape of our downtown area.  I feel so lucky to have stumbled upon the decadence of our riverfront and get to enjoy a beautiful scenery every day that I choose to run on my lunch hour.

 

3:01 miles; 29:29; 9:48 pace; 289 cals

 

Breakfast:  Protein smoothie with coconut water, mango, pineapple, and 2 scoops of It Works Greens

 

Lunch: 1/2 pear, 1/2 Greek yogurt, salad with jalapenos, green peppers, tomatoes, red beans, avocado and light ranch dressing.

 

Afternoon meal: 1/2 apple and almond butter

 

Dinner: Fatoush, Tabbouleh, Spicy Chicken Kabob, Lubia, hummus, pita chips

 

Snack: Carmel corn (damn this Cub Scouts popcorn had to be gone soon!!!)  It's too good to resist.

 

Today was the first evening in the last two months that I haven't been working in some capacity.  It was nice to get to go to Book Club, get there on time, and be dressed in non-workout gear.  Book Club is another little indulgence that the nerd in me loves!  I love sitting around and discussing/debating contemporary literature.  I am not a writer by trade or by craft but the ability to capture people's imagination with words is a gift I have always wished I was given.

 

I hope everyone enjoys their evening and has a great Friday.  Thanks for following my journey.