Weight Maintenance Update

This type of post is something else new I've decided to formally keep up with on my blog. I've realized this is my personal weight maintenance blog, but I haven't posted anything about weight lately, just running. Running IS the way I keep the pounds off, though. Please read my weight loss journey if you haven't. I promise I tried to write it different than most. :-)

I did mention in an older post this year I lost all of my baby weight by the time my son was 6 months. Those 5 extra pounds took forever to lose, plus I was and still am breastfeeding (soon-to-be weaning).

Since then, I have loss another 10 lbs. As you know I run, go to Body Works plus Abs class at the gym, and I eat a balanced diet daily with indulgences in between (i.e. the Talenti coffee chocolate chip gelato) that had me up past bedtime the other day. I now toggle between 148 and 149. So yes, that means I've lost 50 lbs twice since I've started my whole new lifestyle in 2008.

At this point I am not trying to lose weight only fat. Tummy fat to be exact. I continue to eat clean or become consistent because I'll admit I keep taking "breaks". I'm on my feet all day at work and not snacking like I used to when I was a stay-at-home mom so that has been a major factor in the extra weight loss I wasn't even aiming for, I am sure.

Here is a very recent picture...

How are your fitness goals coming along?

Training for My Training: Starting a 4 Week Shape Up Plan

While I still have time before my half marathon training starts on August 18th and for the extra motivation to not become a slacker until then, I volunteered to try out a new work out plan designed by one of my SPASisters. Angelena is a mom and certified personal trainer who offers online personal training plans. Please check out her blog at On Fire Fitness Healthy Living.

An online trainer is something I've wanted to try for a while. I am okay with working out alone and don't necessarily need a person staring at me when I make that "this ish is hard face". I'm pretty good at pushing myself, as long as I have a plan.

So, for the next four weeks I will be skipping my usual body works plus abs class at the gym and will opt for the 4 Week Shape Up Plan. The plan includes 

• docs that allow you to track your goals (i.e. starting measurements, weight, and other goals)
• a food guide with sample meals and a shopping list
• meal and snack guidelines
• 4 weeks of weight and cardio workouts
• a doc to track your successes and struggles
• and lastly, many ways to stay connected if you should need her assistance or motivation

Week 1, Day 1

I won't be providing a day to day update, but since I've already gotten a taste of the plan I figured I'd let ya know how it's going so far. 

I had a rough night with my son (sleep training attempt #345, lol) so I was a little off my rocker this morning. I was finally able to complete workout day 1 in the afternoon while he napped. Almost half way through the workout he woke up, but thankfully he hung out without wanting to be picked up while I finished up. I did modify my cardio choice at the end of the weight training because I needed something quick I could finish up while he was still okay. I did a jump rope Tabata workout instead of choosing one of the Tabata workouts or HIIT treadmill workouts provided. I knew the jump rope would be visually interesting to him, therefore I would be able to get through.

I finished day 1 in about 45-50 minutes. I completed all exercises, the entire duration with the heaviest weights I own. I will probably have to go to the gym for most of the program where I will have access to heavier weights.

I've taken my before shots, but I may post them when I've completed the plan. Also, I will follow the meal plan almost exactly after I go grocery shopping again next week. For now, I am still eating clean, just not organic. Good news is, I've found a closer farmer's market so I can become more consistent with purchasing grass fed meats and organic produce.

Have you ever thought about online personal training? Are you a workout plan type of person, or do you like to wing it?

Thanks for reading,

Tiffany :-)

*Disclaimer: I received this training plan for free in exchange for my blog review. All opinions are my own.

How to NOT Become Obsessed with the Scale

*Disclaimer: I am not a fitness professional nor a nutritionist. I share about topics based on MY results from MY research and experience. Everyone's results will be different. 

Chances are if you have found yourself already obsessed with weighing yourself everyday, after every work out, or after every meal, then you probably can't quit cold turkey. Don't feel bad because I was that way and so are many others.

As I try to switch my focus from weight loss to fat loss, I'm trying my hardest not to rely on the scale. The difference between now and then is now I choose to measure my progress with my pictures and body fat percentage. I like using before and after or then and now pictures the most because I don't know how accurate my scale is in measuring body fat percentage.

If you've read my weight loss journey you've seen that I met a 50 lb weight loss goal in 2010. I haven't really provided consistent updates about my weight loss after the baby, but to date I have lost my original goal of 50 lbs. I gained 40 lbs during my pregnancy, so I've lost an extra 10 since. :-)

How to NOT become obsessed with the scale:

1. Choose ONE day a week that you will allow yourself to check your weight. Mondays are usually my weigh-in days. I weigh myself first thing in the morning after using the restroom.
2. For the rest of the week, hide the scale. Seriously. Mine is underneath the sink. Sure, I could easily bend down and get if I want it still, but for the most part, out of sight, out of mind.
3. Remember that our weight fluctuates throughout the week, so don't waste time putting yourself down if you see you're up 1-2 lbs in the next 2 days. Chances are if you've been eating healthy and burning more calories than you take in, then it's probably water weight.
   
4. Choose a smaller sized pair of jeans or other clothing item as a goal. I had a size 8, low rise pair of pants that I used as my goal to get back into after having my baby. I'm proud to say I am back in them and my 6's, too.
   
5. Muscle weighs more than fat. 120 lbs on a 5'4 tall person looks different on a 5'11 tall person. 
   
6. Lastly, skinny doesn't equal healthy. According to some sites and my BMI, "they" say I should be 125-130 lbs. Honestly, I think I'd look sick. I'm comfortable with the way I look right now. Just working on those abs and muscle definition.

Please feel free to add to my list in the comment section. What are other ways to NOT become obsessed, if you own a scale?

I Am A #SweatPink Ambassador!

I checked my e-mail the other day and to my surprise I was accepted as a "Sweat Pink Ambassador" for Fit Approach! Fit Approach is an online health community. It's for us to connect, motivate, and inspire each other to live the best lives we can. I'm all for that and anyway I can help, I'm there. That's part of why I started this blog; to have one source to direct folks.

We as women often wear many hats (the community is open to men as well). Personally, I'm a wife, mother, the housekeeper, accountant, the nurse, the admin, and the list goes on. And then there comes me. Sometimes my personal fitness goals are put on hold or sometimes I'm just too tired to work on them. So I can see why communities like this exist. Fit Approach and many other online health communities can be just the motivation one needs to get up and moving. Besides, if we don't give ourselves 100%, how can we give ourselves to others? I don't know about you, but exercise is my "me time" and makes me feel like I'm hitting reset on all things stressful.

So check them out and #SweatPink!

Update: Health & Fitness Apps I Use Daily

I thought I'd give an update on the health & fitness apps I currently use. I think I'm on my third smartphone since starting this blog in 2011, so I've gone through my share of apps. Some apps have made it through to the new phones, and others didn't.

Nike+ GPS Running app - allows me to track my distance, time, and pace while running. I also have the watch. Depending on the situation, I will use one or the other. For shorter runs I've been using the app just so I don't have to wait until I get home to upload my run to the computer to see my splits. Sometimes I don't want to hear the voice prompts (and don't want to change the settings each time) during my runs, so I'll use my watch. For races, I use my watch...just looks cooler, lol.

Lose It! app - I use to use this app religiously. This is what I used to lose weight. See a full review here. Now I use it on occasion. Like when I want to measure my protein intake...or to see if I've eaten enough calories since I'm breastfeeding. Sometimes my appetite isn't up, but I HAVE to eat a certain amount in order to keep my milk supply up for my son. I also use it to track my weight. I like visuals.

MapMyWalk - It's simple. I use it when I'm walking...usually with my friends or family who aren't runners. And because I'm a "running snob" and have diagnosed myself with OCD, I don't want to mess up my overall pace record on my Nike app. :-)

Gymboss - I use this app when I do HIIT workouts at home or when I'm doing a jump rope Tabata workout in my garage.

Nike Training Club  - I use this as a cross training go-to. The workouts are really good. I followed a program earlier in the year when I was trying to get ready for my first race postpartum. It whipped me good! Plus now it syncs with the Nike+ running app.

LA Fitness - Welp, that's my gym. I use the app to refer to the class schedules.

Run 10K -  I was going to use this app to get ready for my upcoming 10K, but... I fell off and started following another training plan I liked better. I may restart it just for run to make sure I'm keeping up with running period after my race in two weeks. I digress, but after this race, I plan to really focus on cross-training more and less running, just to get stronger before I start training for any Fall half marathons I'm thinking about doing. Plus, running in the heat isn't fun. 

KP - KP? Well, that's Kaiser Permanente, my health insurance provider. I really could of omitted for the purposes of this post. :)

Sworkit - is another app I use for cross-training. It allows you to choose a workout based on your goals, whether you want to do cardio, yoga, or strength training. You choose the length of time you want to workout and it customizes a workout for the day for you.

This post reminds me of an old post I wrote about setting and sticking with your goals and how certain apps helped me in doing so. I also mentioned in that post how I like structure and plans in order to help me stick with it. I wrote that three years ago...there's a lot about me that's changed since then. For instance, I LIKE working out with the group and have gotten more comfortable going to the gym. 

But anyhoo, what health & fitness apps do you use? I'm always open to something new. If you've written a blog post, link it below please. :-)

-Tiffany

Daily Happenings 4-28-2014

Temptation. Let's talk about it. My day was going superb eating wise. I passed up oatmeal cookies on sale for $1 and Chips Ahoy chocolate chip cookies for $2.75. I go home and snack on something better and then in comes the hubs with a box of pizza. Saying his coworkers forced him to bring it home. Really?!? Well I do not plan to partake of his pizza. 

I'm trying to commit back to my 2011 habits. I was lax in 2012. Preggo in 2013. They say it takes 21 days or 30 days or something like that for your behavior to become habit. I'm almost there thanks to the 30 day green smoothie challenge I started on April 1st (I'll talk about that later).

I also didn't get to run today. The plan was to go after my sons doctors appointment, but he had a low grade fever so I just wanted to take him straight home.

We'll see how tomorrow goes with this pizza I have to look at everytime I open the fridge tomorrow smh lol. Wishing myself luck.

Tiffany

No pills, potions, or elixirs.

My answer to the questions, "what did you do?" or "how did you do it?".

Source: google.com via Tiffany on Pinterest

I found this quote on Pinterest and it reminded me of some of the reactions I've gotten to my weight loss and just being way more active now than I've ever been since childhood. Sometimes I get asked the two questions above, which are good questions, but more often than I'd like, I get the strange looks and awkward silence. The craziest of them all (IMO) have been, "were you sick?" and "did you lose weight on purpose?" WHAT! Anyway, I'm glad I lost the weight slowly. It took me about a year and a half, but I guess it's still a shock for people who hadn't seen me in a while. Oh well.

You've set your goals, now how will you stick with them?

I'm the type of person that needs structure.  I need a plan in order to reach my goals.  Mental plans, written out plans, whatever...they all work for me. Most people I know join gyms to help motivate them to continue with their workout plans because they are a) paying for this b) are surrounded by like-minded folk and c) it's what the cool people do when you want to lose weight. 

A little known fact (well, for people who actually know me in real life) is that I've never wanted to join a gym or have felt completely comfortable the times I've gone. I would always stay the bare minimum and do the same thing each visit for fear of looking like a rookie. The gym can be an intimidating place for a newbie.

So, how did I stick with my plan to lose the weight? Well, because I am a person who needs structure and also a self-motivated person, I was completely fine with following workout DVDs from home, following the C25k running program, and other genius iPhone fitness apps (i.e. Nike Training)  I've discovered along the way. Now, I did go to the gym to use the elliptical machine and occasionally lift weights, and matter of fact that was where majority of my cardio would come from. My apartment complex has a very small gym barely used by the residents, so most times I'd have it all to myself.

 

Most people need workout buddies, and maybe it's my personality, but I don't. I wanted to lose weight so bad I could taste it. Well, maybe not taste it, but I sure could see what I wanted to look like anyway. I constantly visualized myself the way I wanted to look (& still do). Those mental pictures kept me going on days I wanted to stop. I set short term goals to reward and encourage myself along the way. My long term goals began to seem more easily attainable once I knew I could meet those short-term goals.  I never deprived myself of foods or even activities I knew I would enjoy because I wanted to lose weight. I remained focus, but you HAVE to learn how to get "along" with foods that ARE going to be around regardless. Fact is, everyone else is not on the same journey as you are and regardless to whether or not you want to completely give up sugar, for example, you need to learn how to be around it without having a mental breakdown and causing a setback.

 

Once something has become routine, it's hard to stop. Decide what works for you and dedicate yourself. Remember that it didn't take over night for you to become "that" way, so it's not going to take overnight to "fix" it.

Race Week To Do's

It looks like I may have to halt my Nike 10k training for this week.  I have a 5k race on Saturday evening (my first night race) and I really, really want to PR. I'm going for sub-29.  My 10k training program scheduled me to do 5, 2, 4, and 6 mile runs this week.  Instead here's how this week will go for me:


Sunday - rest
Monday - 5 mile easy run
Tuesday - Insanity's Cardio Abs
Wednesday - 4 mile run
Thursday - 2 mile run, Insanity's resistance (or Jillian Michael's 30-day Shred)
Friday - rest
Saturday - *Race Day* - Firefly 5k (3.1) Run


I've tweeted about going to track workouts one day a week to work on my speed to improve my 5k time.  That has shaved seconds off of my time, but I think the type of speed training that has really worked better for me is Fartlek training.  Fartlek training is just casual speed work where you run fast and then at your normal pace for intervals.  I've been very consistent with running each week, but what I hadn't done was push myself out of my comfort zone. Why did it take so long? Because it is uncomfortable!  But, you can't expect different results by doing the same thing.  So far by doing this I've been able to conquer hills like no other and last week I ran at 9 minute and some second mile paces consistently.  No, 9, 10, 11 minute miles...all 9's.  I think I have a pretty good chance of at least beating my last time and finishing at sub-30 if not sub 29 anyways.  Wish me luck :)


I'll be trying to eat as clean as possible, significantly increase my water intake (I've been slacking), and get at least 8 hrs of sleep at least the 2 days before the race.

My last run before this morning's 5 mile easy run was another 5 miler on Saturday.  Although I rested on Sunday, I think me running that 5 miles on Saturday was the reason I felt a little something in my shins and below my knee.  I haven't felt pain in either places in a while.  I've read that's one of the signs you'll encounter when increasing your mileage.  Or maybe I shouldn't have run two long runs so close together?  After the second mile, my legs started to feel fine which led me to believe all I needed was a proper warm-up.  Through trial and error, I will eventually figure it out without injuring myself too badly.  I made sure not to forget to stretch and iced all areas I felt a little pain in afterwards.

How do you prepare the week of a race?

Somebody Stop ME!

In the words of Jim Carrey in The Mask, "Somebody stop me!" (lol). Yes, I realize that was a bit corny, but that movie line sort of sums up this past weekend for me.  My last post about me wearing a swimsuit with confidence now seems like the beginning of something totally new I started.

Hold up, I'm not that advanced!

My weekend started on Friday evening in a pole dancing class with a friend. Yes, pole dancing.  It's not just for strippers anymore.  Hopefully you've heard by now anyway that a lot of women take pole classes for several different reasons.  It doesn't mean you are, dare I say, a "freakazoid", if you take one.  My first time taking a pole class was 2 years ago.  Well, 2 years ago I was busted and disgusted.  I had fun, but I did NOT feel confident nor sexy.  Good thing I have no problem laughing at myself, so I'm pretty sure that's how I got through that whole embarrassing ordeal.  Now that I am in a totally different place mentally and physically in my life, I could tell a major difference from 2 years ago to last Friday night.  


The class was pretty cool.  I was glad to be among other beginners and even those with little rhythm such as myself. And it didn't hurt that I was smaller than the first time I started.  The main benefits I've experienced from pole dancing are that I feel a little sexier and it provides a great arm workout depending on the moves the instructor has you doing.  The stretches in the beginning felt SO good for my running legs and hip area.  I liked it so much my friend and I are going to sign up for more classes.


--

On Saturday, my running group celebrated a major milestone.  The day started out with a 5 mile group run, which you can read about here.  We reached over 2000 members so we had a social to celebrate.  I normally don't do clubs, but this was an event I didn't want to miss.  I'm so glad I didn't and I am excited to be apart of 'the movement'.  It was nice to relish in all of our hard work.  We all looked so great dressed up!  


After the social, I headed to a family members birthday celebration at a nearby restaurant and lounge (I tell ya, Tiff's just been a role lately lol).  But, my point is, I am so proud of myself and the goals I've accomplished. These are things I would've normally automatically shied away from and not given a second thought. (Shirt off the shoulder 2 years ago? Not me!) I did not feel one ounce of insecurity because of the way I looked.  I know I'm not perfect and I haven't even reached all of my goals yet, but weekends like this reassure me of why I do what I do every day.  Once you set your goals and are doing something to accomplish them for at least 2 weeks (IMO), I think it has already become habit.  Make healthy living and an active lifestyle continue to work for you and it'll start to feel like second nature.  I canNOT go back to the way I was!


--
With that being said, my goals for the week are to continue 10k training (I haven't registered for one yet and I've also begun to consider a half marathon on Thanksgiving) with the following:


Sunday - rest
Monday - speed work (track workout), Insanity
Tuesday - 4 mi run
Wednesday - 2 mi run, weights (upper body)
Thursday - 4 mi on hilly route
Friday - rest
Saturday - 5 mi

What has made you feel like your hard work is paying off?

#OperationBikini - Check!

Ya just don't know how often I visualized myself at the point I am in my life right now.  While either trying not to watch the timer on the elliptical, psyching myself up to finish the entire workout DVD, or reciting whatever personal mantra came to mind while attempting to run uphill; All of that was for a weekend like the one I just had at the beach.

I tend to renew my goals in October the past 2 years for some reason.  Well, last year I made the goal that since most of my weight had shed, my next goal would be to get into that bikini and wear it proudly.  As my tweet states, I didn't want to wear the bikini JUST for vanity reasons (although that is a pretty huge reason), but having the confidence of wearing that bikini and just letting lose and having fun on the beach was priceless.  I'm not done with "sculpting" my body yet (or ridding entirely of the pudge), but this weekend made all the hard work over the past 2 years on my weight loss journey worth it.  This weekend has definitely inspired me even more to continue onward with my goals.  This time next year, maybe I'll visit a nude beach. ONLY KIDDING.  Here's a few pictures I deemed Internet-safe :)

 

There's a first time in life for everything :)

Panama City Beach, FL - It was nice w/o the "Spring Break crowd" lol

With that being said, my goals for this week are to take full advantage of this perfect Fall running weather and continue trying to increase my mileage.  Sunday is usually my rest day so I didn't do anything today. I'll do a speed work out tomorrow, followed by Insanity (maybe).  Tuesday-4 miles. Wednesday-2 mile run and weights. Thursday-4 mile run. Friday-Insanity. Saturday-5 mile run.

I'm encouraging you to stick with your goals. You won't regret!

My Own Green "Monster" and Vegetarian Meal of the Week (VMOW)

After seeing so many other bloggers post on their versions of green smoothies, naturally I wanted to try one.  It kind of happened by accident, just because I was out frozen strawberries to make my usual strawberry banana smoothie.  I never saw a recipe that I actually wanted to copy, so I ended up creating my own little version.

Sorry for the poor presentation, but the color was really pretty

Ingredients:

2 cups of fresh spinach

1 cup of frozen banana slices

1 cup of orange juice

1/2 cup of plain yogurt

1 serving 329 calories


This was so good after my elliptical workout.  I hadn't been to the gym since February.  The change was really nice.

---

Meanwhile, with me NOT having to cook and thoroughly enjoying THAT fact this weekend, a vegetarian meal was in order.  I decided to have spinach salad (out of whatever I had that was salad ready in my fridge) and roasted new potatoes.  I know I saw this meal on someone else's blog.  It wasn't the exact recipe, but just the idea of this combo I took.  Anyhoo, I forgot to jot it down.  It was simple, just the way I like it all.  

olive oil, sea salt, chili powder, paprika

Will make enough for about 3-4 people

I baked these at 400 degrees for about 25 minutes (or until tender)

About 312 calories

For the spinach salad, I just added part-skim mozzarella cheese and a little Italian dressing.

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Follow-up from the Truth Dot Com post last week.  After facing the fact that I had gained some of my "last 10lbs" back from meeting my weight loss goal in April/May of this year, I started back paying closer attention to my food calories.  I was already doing great with my workouts, I was kinda, sorta pigging out elsewhere.  Since then, which was maybe a week and a half ago, I've lost 3 of those 7 lbs so far.  I hope I don't sound anal.  I'm not, I'm just a bit of a perfectionist, Type A if you will.

This week's workout will continue to be about adapting to increased mileage.  I'm going to run at least 3 miles Monday and Wednesday of this week.  On Friday I will run 5 miles (perfect before heading out of town).  If I feel the urge to run other days, which I probably will because the other days are my usual group run days (it's too fun to pass up), I will just take it light and easy.  I am definitely trying to keep up the momentum this week because guess what? I'm BEACH BOUND Friday afternoon! Woot Woot! And I'm wearing that bikini!

The Truth Dot Com

The truth shall set you free right?  Well, I met my 60lb weight loss goal back in April.  Since then, I've gained 7-9 lbs (I fluctuate).  7+ lbs is a lot to a calorie counter.  I thought I would do well on my new increased calorie budget, which was around 1900 a day.  I took full advantage of it too.  I lost the last 10lbs by reducing my meat intake. Once I started back eating meat, that's when I started to gain back the weight.  I finally mustered the courage to log it on Lose It! yesterday.  So many people have kind of "admired" me on there for finally meeting my goal, so I kinda, slightly felt like I would be letting them down.  Anyhoo, I've logged it and now am re-tracking to lose these few pounds again.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not totally obsessed with counting calories (at least I don't think so), but I'm trying to be strict on my diet in order to lose the tummy.  I know that "abs are made in the kitchen" and I'm trying to do just that!  I don't think I can continue to eat the amount of calories I'm "allowed" to eat in maintenance mode and try to get a flat stomach at the same time.  Reducing them will definitely make me pay more attention to what I'm putting in my mouth as well as how much.

Sunday is always a rest day for me. So tomorrow I'm picking back up with Week 3 of Insanity, the Fit Test, and I will do a speed workout.  The rest of the week will be dedicated to building my endurance to run 5 miles easily (I had a wonderful 5 mile run Saturday morning) using no particular training plan.

Couch to 5K Review: How My Running Journey Began

Once I met my first weight loss goal, which was to lose 50lbs, I set another goal to lose 10 more lbs.  Fast forward from December to the end of February, those 10lbs just wouldn't seem to vanish, so I decided to try something new (as I've always done when hitting any plateau in the past).  I've always admired the runners physique, was impressed by their endurance, running has a lower start up cost, and I still wasn't interested in joining a gym for classes yet, so I chose running.  I actually thought I'd be embarassed because I looked like a newbie, but that feeling didn't last long.  I was determined.

I had never run track or anything outside of running around with my cousins outside, so I definitely needed a structured routine I could follow so I'd be more likely to stick with it.  I heard about C25k from many users in the forums on Lose It!, so I purchased the app and started using it 2/28/11 (I found out later there are many free podcast, but I don't mind).  Couch to 5k is an app designed to help you achieve running a 5k in 30 minutes or less.

Do we share any of the same apps?

There's two versions of C25k in iTunes, this is the one I chose to go with. Both versions are pretty much the same program-wise, but based on the other versions interface, it was pretty busy on the eyes.  I wanted something simple to quickly refer to since I'd be using this for the next 9 or so weeks.

I'm not really comfortable running on the treadmill for long periods, plus the ones at my "old school" gym were horrible anyway, so I took advantage of the trails in my neighborhood to start.  I was conditioned to the elliptical and power walking, which were my primary sources of cardio until I started running.  SN: Running outside in the beginning is SO difficult very different. Now, I bet I could easily run 10 miles on the treadmill today if I wanted, only kidding :)

Week 1 wasn't so bad, with only having to jog for 60 seconds at a time. I still sweat profusely and my reoccurring knee problems (I think I did something to it as a child, and it had a tendency to ache every now and then, plus I officially sprained it in '09 as well) came back, which is why I thought I was getting this major workout.  I forgot about all of my other resistance training and was so focused on running every other day instead.  Big mistake, 'cause that still didn't help me drop anymore weight.

By Week 4, I guess my knee seemed to have gotten stronger because I no longer had pain.  I warmed up and stretched properly during every workout, so I'm thinking that helped.  I was still pretty happy with the program.  Looking at Week 4 from Week 1 seemed intimidating at first, but you never know what you can until you do it.  It was a real struggle to run 5 minutes straight.  I would be so relieved at the voice prompts telling me to, "walk now". Day 1 of Week 4 went well, but for some reason Day 2 and 3 I couldn't get through, so I decided to repeat Week 4.

Week 6 and Week 8 were two more tough weeks for me.  I can't remember which I started over, but it was definitely all mental.  By the end of Week 8 and 9, I had linked up with a running group and no longer relied on the app, even for days I ran alone.  

Here I am today, three 5k races later, up to running 4.5 miles at a time, trying to race once a month, and thinking about registering for my first 10k in November.  

Now, about that 10lbs, I started running thinking the 10lbs would just melt off, but I did have to commence resistance training (i.e. circuit training, weights, Pilates) once again and most importantly strict diet changes for a few weeks for that to actually happen.

How did you lose your last 10lbs? How did you get into running?

Quest to Rid of this PUDGE!

Last Friday I went bathing suit shopping for the first time in 5 years.  It's our 3-year anniversary on the 15th, so we decided to go on a quick getaway.  I don't know how to swim and just sitting splashing in the water becomes boring after a while, so I had no real reason to buy one.  Oh, and having zero body confidence at the time played a major role as well.  I was pretty nervous about how things would turn out and whether this would be an ALL day thing.  Fortunately, I found what I needed in store #2.  It's the end of the season, so Target had a few pieces I was surprisingly happy with on the clearance rack.  (My confidence is SO much higher now, I can just tell).  I really went looking for a nice one-piece because my stomach is no where near where I'd like for it to be, but I decided to get the two-piece anyway because I could always a) hold my pudge in (haha) or b) wear a tank over it.  

I will admit when trying it on, I was still pretty proud. I didn't look horrendous and I really felt like all of my hard work over the past 2 years has paid off, I just need to keep pushing it if I ever want to lose the gut.  We ended up not going to our original destination, Florida, due to a rain forecast (& I don't even think it rained down there) and the hotel we did stay in didn't have the Jacuzzi we hoped for, so I didn't even get to wear it.  Not to fret though, I just have more time to get it right!  

I opted in YumYucky's Finish What You Started Challenge to tame the pudge, but it's going on 3 weeks and I still don't have the motivation.  Last week I scored 22 points.  My exercise was on point, but my eating habits fell by the wayside.  Week 2 was worst. I scored 13 points. I'm so ashamed to say that all I've eaten for my dinners since Thursday night has been fast food. *hangs head in shame*.

Now, going into week 3, I have a new plan.  I need something new. After months of watching others, contemplating, and nagging the husband (lol), I got Insanity.  I get bored, and I think this will get me out of the rut.  I'm still in pretty good shape (check my last 5k time lol), so this is why I decided on Insanity versus P90X.  I hear that Insanity is for those that are already in shape.  I need SOMETHING that will get rid of this belly! I know abs are made in the kitchen, but I feel like adding this extra intensity to my running routine instead of the circuit trainings (sorry, Jillian, but anytime you start to memorize the script of a workout DVD, it might be time to let it go lol) as well as not allowing slip-ups on my "diet" so much will make it better.

Enjoy a few pictures from the beautiful Appalachian Mountains...

I may be prissy, but I still like nature "stuff" lol

I was obviously not dressed for a hike, but this was a spur of the moment, walk and talk kinda thing. The exercise nerd in me, turned on my iMapMyRun app so it was a little over a 1 mile 'hike" around this state park.

Give Up Pizza? No Way,...

...but I will find alternatives to enjoy.  My husband and I used to eat pizza once a week like we're kids or something!  I see it as a reward for doing so well during the week and since I count calories*, I only eat one serving to one and a half servings of the regular stuff.  It's no fun just eating one serving all of the time so it was finally time to for me to find a clean recipe for pizza (next, it's pancakes!).  I found this recipe for Spinach and Chicken Sausage Pizza at the Clean Eating Magazine site.

Spinach & Turkey Sausage Pizza

My local grocer was out of chicken sausage, so I substituted with turkey sausage.

Ingredients:

6 oz spinach leaves

1 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes (drained)

1 whole wheat thin pizza crust

1 1/2 cups of sliced turkey sausage

3 oz part-skim mozzarella cheese

10 minutes at 450 degrees and it was done #saan!

One slice is 194 calories

Hubby's Verdict: He loved it, so this will be a staple in our dinner rotation (He requested chicken breasts for next time though).  Wifey Verdict: It looks good and tastes good.  The next time I'm going to make several at a time and freeze them.

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Finding substitutes for foods I already love were key to my weight loss success.  If you love food and are just starting out, I suggest you do the same because it's easier to stick with in the long run. In my opinion, majority of the recipes I've tried over the course*, have tasted just as good as the unhealthier versions.  I gradually learned what I should eat and what I shouldn't.  I started small by switching to lean ground beef in my Hamburger Helper, then I turned to ground turkey, and now Hamburger Helper is a no-no in this house and ground beef makes rare appearances.

*counting calories for now is helping me with portion control.

*it took me a 1 1/2 year to reach my first weight goal of 50lbs.

What foods can't you "live" without?  Any suggestions for clean pancakes?

Clean Alfredo Sauce

I found this recipe over at Gracious Pantry's blog (<--original recipe and directions).  Chicken and/or shrimp Alfredo were weekly meals in this place.  Once I started my weight loss journey, of course there were some foods I had to cut back on because even 1 serving size was too much.  Needless to say, I was happy to find this recipe to once again be able to enjoy chicken alfredo minus the feeling of "fat-ness" afterwards.

These are some of the ingredients used, minus the garlic powder.

Chopped chicken chicken breasts to add to the pasta

"Bootleg" double boiler

Gracious Pantry's recipe update suggested using a double boiler when cooking the sauce.  This is my "bootleg" version.  All that matters is that it worked! 

Con: scratched my pot, but it's time for new ones anyway :)

As soon as the mixture warmed enough, I used the hand mixer to do most of the work just as the original recipe suggested.

The consistency

Voila!

This sauce recipe makes about 8 servings - 111 per serving.

The total meal came out to 349 calories per serving (a serving size is a cup).  It could have been less calories if I used whole wheat pasta (which I normally do).  Oddly, the store I shopped at did not have any wheat fettuccine and I didn't want to drive from store to store looking for 1 item.

My verdict on the sauce was that it tasted like the store brand, but my husband did not think so.  Chicken Alfredo is near the top of his favorite meals list.  I think if I didn't tell him this was a recipe, he would've eaten it and loved it.  I probably won't be trying this recipe again for a while.

Spinach Salad

I needed a "clean" lunch and had some of the ingredients leftover from the Turkey Wrap.  So instead of them going to waste, here's what I concocted.  ...didn't taste bad at all.

128 calories

**Add a large hard boiled egg (w/o the yolk) for protein - 181 calories.**