#5 - Very Short Post

My 5th workout of the year consisted of just an hour of weights with the hubs....and then Taco Mac.

This was smoothie day challenge day #2. It's going okay so far. 

#4 - 3 mi/Smoothie Challenge/Taco Mac!

This was Sunday's workout. I knew I had a lot to do on Monday and wouldn't be able to run, so I definitely needed to squeeze in a short run on this day. I will be glad when daylight savings ends, btw.  This run was extra slow and boring. There were people on both sides of me running on the treadmill, that motivated me to keep going but only for so long. Well, regardless I got in 3 miles...but I will definitely have to find my way outdoors this week!

Sunday was also "prep for the week" day. Prep work was definitely required if I would be successful this week, my first week, at the "smoothie" challenge. I'm supposed to replace two meals a day with a smoothie. Breakfast and lunch are the easiest to replace. Pictured on the left are freezer bags, one bag makes one smoothie. I've filled each with strawberries, banana, blueberries, pineapple, and maybe an orange slice or two. I also add 1 to 1/2 cup of water and 1 serving size of chia seeds (for more fiber) and protein powder (the reason this can be used as a meal replacement) when I'm ready to blend.

I can go ahead and report on Day 1, as I am typing this post on Day 2. Admittedly, I was very hungry in between, I hadn't brought any healthy snacks to munch on at work in between. I was also under the impression the chia seeds would really have me full. Bloated, yes. But full for long, no. I was bloated, but still COULD eat if I wanted. Fortunately, I did not have any loose change, lol, because the vending machines, out of ALLLLLLLLL the weeks I've been working there, had CHOCOLATE DONUTS!!!!!!! I ought to be shame, but.... yeah.

Later the hubs and I watched the BCS Championship at Taco Mac. I didn't let that deter me. Almost everywhere offers healthy options on their menu. I ended up ordering sweet potato fries (SO GOOD!), the chicken ranch wrap, and water. I did good. Those fries were good. I wanted more. I was still kinda hungry, but remembered I had a little smoothie left over, so I drank that and went to bed! Oh, and in between all of this, I was gulping down water. 

It's definitely an adjustment. I haven't restricted my food intake in this way for over a year, before I met my weight loss goal. So, now I'm going through that initial phase of getting back into it. I'm counting my calories, so I'm not depriving myself of food. Just eating less.... Once I met my weight loss goal, I didn't restrict myself as much, just as long as I didn't go overboard. I do/did just enough to maintain. Granted, I've gained 10 lbs from that so-called method, but as long as I don't move up a size I'm good. I'll probably re-lose the 10 lbs during this challenge, but I'm cool with that because I have ING Miami coming up and I wouldn't mind being at my "race weight" of 10 lbs lighter anyways. 

#3

I definitely didn't jump up all excited to run 8-miles in 30 degree temps this morning. This is when running with others helps. I like the structure aspect of an organized run. It's like you HAVE to be there at a certain time. It helps keep me on track on those days it's hard to get out of the bed to go run in 30 degree weather like you're getting paid to do it. Truth be told, I have gotten out of the habit or "love" for group running (the picture taking at EVERY run, the not starting on time thing...yeah), but I knew if I didn't run with anyone TODAY, I would have to get it in solo on the treadmill or not at all. Miami, ain't gonna run itself so I chose the later.

I saw a couple people I knew, so that was a bonus. There were people that ran faster than me so that made me push a little harder to keep up. There were people behind me that I didn't want to seem like a failure to. So..hey, that's the main benefits of group running and fitness for me in a nutshell. The social aspect? Well, it's nice when you meet new people to connect with, but it doesn't bother me to walk away without meeting someone new.

All week I had been running on the treadmill. It's nothing like outdoor running. That's why it was so tough for me today pace-wise. I need to really consider the group runs more while it gets dark quicker or find a beastin' treadmill workout. Might be a lil far fetched due to time,  but I really want to PR on that flat Miami course! I'm upping my game for sure in the coming weeks cause it MAY be able to happen. Possibly. To get ready, I'm going to clean my diet back up by doing this smoothie challenge with a friend and I'm really focusing on strength training.

I went to the gym after my run this morning and worked on upper body and abs for about an hour with the hubs. I felt really good...and sleepy afterwards. I'm so ready to look and feel good in Miami!

#2

Lots and lots of New Years' Resolution folks in the gym tonight as expected.

Today's Workout

I ran 3 mi at 10:06 /mile pace. Amazing pace for a treadmill run. Especially when I need to desperately change my playlist. I canNOT run ING Miami at the end of the month and hope to breeze thru with played out music. My weekend objective: download more music.

Meanwhile, I mentioned (I think), that I got my weave done. Well, I stopped by Sally's and picked up a wrap that supposed to wick your sweat... hmmm. When it dries I will take it off and see how well it works. I decided to try this cheap version before ordering the 'Save Your Do' by that celeb (drawing a blank on her name) ...so we shall see.

Did you get it in today?

#1

Trying something new. I want to track my workouts, so I can better pinpoint and reach my fitness goals. *Given no natural forces of nature interrupts that. ;-)

Today's Workout

I ran 5 miles on the treadmill between 1 and 2.5 incline. My average pace, according to my Nike+ GPS watch was a sloooow 11:23/mile. I hate running on the treadmill, but it was raining and I just got my weave done.

Afterwards, I sat in the sauna. Still trying to test the benefits on that out for me. I'm going for clearer skin more than burning calories on this one.