Week 2, Check

Well, I've survived Week 2 of my 10k training. Its been a pretty good week, actually.

I ran 4 miles yesterday in 56 minutes. The big accomplishment for me was not cheating. I stayed on my timed run/walk schedule and finished off feeling great!

Proof that I was smiling/happy and not crying.

I am really seeing improvement in my stamina/endurance and its really exciting! However....

I am not seeing the improvement in my body and on the scale that I would like. In the last 2 weeks I have only missed one workout and I feel like I am killing myself....I know that its not going to happen overnight, but is a measly pound or two too much to ask? However.... I am not going to get discouraged! The difference in how I feel has been proof enough for me that I am doing something good for my body. There are improvements to be made in the kitchen, for sure!

The next two weeks are going to be a challenge for sure...Chris and I are going out of town for our Anniversary/Rachel's (BFF) wedding. I have mapped out our trip and when I'm going to workout each day to make sure I continue to make progress....now all I have to do is actually follow through. I don't usually exercise on vacation, but there is a first time for everything!

10K

Oh hey. Its been over 2 months. Boo. If there's anyone out there, still reading, thanks for sticking with me.
If you read over at Walk With Me, you may know that I signed up for a 10K last week. I have one more day of my first week of training. Here's how it has gone so far...

Thursday July 26: Decided I needed something to push me to get to the gym/workout...my good friend and workout buddy Trista suggests the 10K in Pocatello on September 1st. Coming off a pretty good workout, feeling good (and slightly overconfident in my abilities). I sign up as soon as I get home.

Friday July 27: My wonderful mother sends me a training schedule, and a wonderful email of encouragement. I get some supplies.

Monday July 30: I start training by going on my first timed (25 min) run outside. It sucked. It was hard. I am bawling 20 minutes into it. I'm not sure why I took a picture....I just wanted to document my misery, I guess.

Not cute. Not happy.

Tuesday July 31: I take the day off out of discouragement.
Wednesday August 1: I get back on the horse and go for another timed (25 min) run. This one is better. I finish out my run with no tears, just a red and splotchy face.
Thursday August 2: Strength training. Feeling pretty good.
Friday August 3: First mileaged based run....3 miles. My stomach is in knots, I say a prayer, take a workout supplement and hit the road. I finish exhausted, but smiling (and still red/splotchy faced).

I guess what I am trying to say, in too many words, is that everybody has strengths and weaknesses. My weakness is definitely running and I started from square one this week. But, it feels so good to do something that is so hard for me and to see improvement. I don't want to be on the elliptical my whole life, I want to accomplish things! I never understood why people would put their bodies through such hell to complete a marathon or iron man....but I think I'm beginning to.

I can do hard things!

Photo Food Diary

Today, I wanted to try a little experiment. Although I have been doing a lot better with my eating and being conscious of what I'm consuming (and how much); I've noticed that the snack monster comes along quite a bit.

Please enjoy the following culinary masterpieces.

"Breakfast": Egg whites on wheat toast, water, and ONE serving of Cocoa Krispys

"Lunch": Organic tomato soup, baby carrots, one serving of french onion Sunchips, water.

 2 Large bottles of water

We went to the movies: Popcorn and Diet Dr. Pepper

And....a few chocolates I had in my purse (4)

My final calorie count at the end of the day: 1180 (160 under my goal)

All in all...a pretty good day considering a late breakfast and lunch; always room for improvement!

Meet Ashlee

"Hi, Ashlee!"

I've known Ash since our sophomore year of high school. In fact, she was one of the first friends I made when my family moved to Pleasant Grove. She was so sweet to me, especially when I was the new girl at young womens. We got engaged and married around the same time, too! She is also a blogger and you can find her here. She is a talented photographer, musician, and many other things. I am so grateful to call her a friend. Here she is!

 

Name: Ashlee de Baritault
Age: 19 (almost 20 thank you very much.)
Describe your addiction: Pop… I don’t much like sugar pop, but a diet coke really gets me.
3 foods you can’t live without: Potatoes, Meat, and anything chocolate.
3 foods you can live without: Peanut butter (is that a food?), Pickles, and Onions. Geeze I’m a condiment disliker.
Your healthy go-to food: Apples, or carrots. Both are quick to grab if you’re running out the door.
Your favorite way to work out: I love to run, but I’ve also grown to enjoy Zumba! There’s nothing like dancing around like a crazy person with a bunch of middle aged women.
Your least favorite way to work out: Mostly strength training. I do not like push-ups, squats, wall sits, planks, or any of that. Though, I do them because they are effective.
What is your current health/fitness goal: Right now I’m working on exercise becoming a regular routine, and making sure my food choices are better than they usually are. I want to lose at least 20 lbs. Not for the sake of being “Skinny,” but to be healthy. That’s extremely important to me right now, especially if I want to keep adding to my little family.
What is your biggest challenge when it comes to being healthy? Motivation. It’s so hard to stay motivated, especially when your life is really busy, and you are too tired to move once you’re done with the day. I also don’t get to see my husband a lot because we are so busy, so if he is home there is no way I want to leave him and exercise; which is why I usually will try to drag him on walks with me.
What motivates you? Seeing other people reach fitness goals. I’ve seen my mom and others accomplish so much and it is totally motivating, and reminds me that it is possible for me to do it too. That is why I love watching Biggest Loser. It’s completely motivating seeing the contestants who weigh a lot more than I do lose so much, and accomplish their fitness goals.
What are some of your big goals regarding health/fitness? I want to stop craving things that aren’t good for me. I want to only crave water, fruits, vegetables, and other things that are going to make me healthy, not sugary snacks, treats, or desserts that are going to make me gain weight. As I mentioned before I want to be able to lose 20 lbs. to be where I was when I was healthiest, it’s a very important goal to me, and I currently am motivated to get it done, even though motivation is what limits me.

Lemon in your Water

Hey. I miss this blog. I need to get back on the horse...right now I feel like "the horse" is dragging me while I cling with one hand to its tail; at least I'm still holding on, right?

Yesterday at work, I was talking to my supervisor and she told me one of her diet secrets- lemon juice in your water. Apparently its supposed to help burn fat. What are your thoughts? I'm assuming it does something similar to the benefits of eating grapefruit? Is it worth it for me to go buy a bottle of lemon juice?

Calling all my health gurus!

 

baby carrots are the new potato chips

[Hey, I know it's been awhile. Life has been crazy busy! I haven't made huge strides on the exercise front...I'm too tired after work. Does anybody have any advice to get my butt to the gym when I'm tired?]

Baby carrots have been my saving grace lately- being on the go with work. I have tried to have a little ziploc with me at all times. They are an easy snack, low calorie, and very filling; also, I can eat them in the car without making a mess or being distracted.

Anybody else have any great on the go snacks?

Calorie Killer

On Saturday night, Chris and I went out with some friends to Applebee's. Anticipating the evening out and all of the calories it would entail, I was very careful with breakfast & lunch and had about 1300 calories left (thanks to a quick elliptical workout).

We went to dinner and had a great time; and ate some really yummy food. Now, know that I knew that I wasn't making the best choices (potato twisters and a pasta with Alfredo sauce), but I figured that I would be ok considering my vast leftover calories.

Wrong.

My pasta totaled in at 1,460 calories and half of the appetizer at 485. AH! That's 1,945 calories in one meal. I was so bummed!

This is where my ChangeOne reading comes into play. I know that restaurant portions are way too big. So, CO suggests you only eat half of what you are given and take the rest home with you. If you are unbearably hungry after you've eaten half- eat half of what you set aside and then stop. If I would have done this Saturday night I would have been fine with some calories to spare.

Also, I think next time I'm going to look up the entrees I like and decide beforehand based on the calorie count.