Saturday Morning Workout . . .

I got up early this morning and did a T5K.  That is 3.1 miles on the treadmill.  It was still a challenge, but not as much as actually running in the snow, slush, grit and grime, wind, cold, and hills.  I then did a tiny bit of yoga moves to stretch the muscles that burned on mile 2.5.  The right knee started to ache.  The left ankle twinged with some discomfort.  But I pushed myself.  I even sprinted to the "finish line" after hitting mile 3.  I am proud.

Now, I must confess that I got on the scale and nothing good happened.  No weight loss.  I kept moving the scale around the tile flooring of my bathroom and got many different readings around 1 to 2 lbs difference.  I am thinking it is time for a new scale because I actually changed the battery 2 months ago.  I do weigh in everyday, but Saturday is supposed to be my "official weigh in" day (there are varying opinions on this practice).  I was a bit disappointed.  I woke up and felt so much slimmer and stronger.  I put in great efforts this week to workout 5 times; my goal is actually everyday, but I accept and commend 5 days.  I had really well balanced and low cal meals and portions.  And nada!  *sigh*

I am not going to let myself feel down about the fact that I may not have lost a pound. I will check out the scales at my local Target--I have one in mind that I read about at Jewelia Goulia.  I also need some slacks for work.  You know it is time for a new pair of slacks when you can pull down your fully buttoned, non elastic trousers over your hips to go to the bathroom.

No Race for February?

Because of my back pain last weekend, I didn't do my scheduled 5K.  I thought I would do a 5K on Feb 20, which starts at the State Capital.  But with hubby traveling, I am not certain that I want to sacrifice the kid's activities on Saturday.  I usually take my son to Karate in the morning, followed by my daughter's Broadway Musical Theater program.  Both of those programs are so important for them that I don't want to have them miss it by hiring a babysitter. 

I feel like I am making excuses, but Karate is a type of therapy that I am utilizing for my son.  And the Broadway musical is once a week and for as much as this girl sings around the house, how can I take that away from her?

I feel guilt.  Tons of guilt, but not doing this race on Saturday will not stop me from racing in March, and beyond.  I also have plans on doing an 8K. But fear not.  I am waking up Saturday at 5 a.m. and doing a T5K.  What's that?  Its a Treadmill 5K.  I run 3.1 miles on the treadmill with inclines and such to simulate a race, but with no wind, cold, snow, rain, etc.  Hey, I can even stay in just my sports bra and short shorts.

I may just bite the bullet and drive a ways for another 5K next weekend.  We shall see.

Dairy-free "ice cream"

I went dairy free when I connected my stomach issues with my drinking milk or eating any type of dairy. I have asthma and am on 2 medications to keep me symptom free, but I would start wheezing when I ate milk chocolate. My doctor diagnosed me with IBS after doing a series of blood tests for celiac and thyroid.  These tests came back negative, but a Lactose test was never done.  Once I gave up dairy, I no longer seek out bathrooms within a 1 yard radius and I no longer have the painful gas.

I switched to almond milk or rice milk, whichever is on sale. It is so much better for me. I went a little overboard with the Soy Lattes with 7 sugars, but I've successfully rehabbed myself from drinking them.  I quit cold turkey when I noticed a bit of weight gain. 

And while I don't miss dairy as part of my daily diet, I would like to have a treat every now and then . . . like ice cream.

I love smoothies too. So I figured I could make "ice cream" in my old, powerful blender that I've owned since I was 13 (about 22 years). No need for a Vita Mix at this point.  However, I want one.  I really . . . really . . . REALLY want one.

What I mixed:

• 1 frozen ripe banana (the ones you don't want to throw away but look too yucky to eat).
  
• 2/3 c. (cold) almond milk
• 2 tbsp almond butter (cold); I keep mine in the fridge.
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp brown sugar

Mix until smooth. This will be a thick mixture that I put in a small storage container and put in the freezer. In a couple of hours, by dinner time, it is ready to scoop for dessert.

Yum, chocolatey!  And then I discovered Purely Decadent and haven't made this since. 

Sick Day . . .

I had to leave work early yesterday because my older two kids got sick at school.  Once the nurse calls to pick up, you can't bring them back for 24 hours until their symptoms have stopped.  I stayed home with all three today because we are not leaving this house.  And while it is a day off from my out-of-the-house job, there is no day off from cleaning, laundry, and cooking. 

I hadn't gone to the supermarket to shop.  I have food for dinner, but not snacks, treats, or even breakfast meals.  But I'd purchased a ruby red grapefruit for my snack yesterday.  I had it today with my english muffin with almond butter and fruit preserves for breakfast.  However, the baby saw me eating the grapefruit and "demanded" that I share.  She wouldn't stop grunting and pointing until I did.  And she ate half.  Imagine a 15 month old eating ruby red grapefruit.  I am so thankful that my girls (not my boy) are gastronomically adventurous. 

Lunch today will be left over squash that I'd cut into rectangular pieces, roasted with a bit of olive oil, apple syrup, cinnamon, and a touch of brown sugar; a piece of short rib; and spinach.

I haven't considered the entire dinner, but it will be caramelized garlic chicken.  Maybe with roasted sweet potatoes, and green beans.  So many options; and I am trying to make them healthy.

Recommitment

I know I've said it before: I am going to do better with exercise, and I will eat better.  However, this time I am serious.  

I woke up at 4:47 a.m. to go to the bathroom, and realized that my alarm would ring at 4:50 a.m. so it made sense to turn off the alarm, go to the bathroom with my workout clothes already picked out and waiting.  I got dressed.  Went downstairs and popped in the DVD, and proceeded to do No More Trouble Zones with 3 lb weights.  That was 55 minutes of pure *heck*.  But I did it.  I finished it, and I am on my way to exercising everyday.  

My original goal in this journey to good health was to be active everyday.  Somewhere along the journey, I took a detour and had to find my way back.  I know that I am strong and fit.  I can do this.  I also have to keep fit for the Races that I plan to do this year.  I hadn't been training on or off of the treadmill, as I should.  I am hoping that when the weather is warmer and we've thawed that I can go outside to run in the early mornings.  I am looking into getting a GPS watch so I can track my training. 

I also packed my snacks and lunch for today.  I have my energy bars stashed at work for when I can't get to my meals in time, like today when I will have back to back meetings and court.  Crazy day.  

Tonight, I will rejoice in the fact that I can just go to bed after the kids do, and do this all over again in the morning.  Yay, me!

Friday Workout . . .

It isn't easy taking a picture of myself every week to see progress; any progress.  And I noticed that this is my go-to workout wear.  Turquoise soccer shorts rolled to be less big and navy sports bra.  But that back shot isn't so flattering.  It is what it is. 

My workout plan for the week is set.  I start today with being consistent.  As far as the eating . . . I am thinking I should join weight watchers.  I like the community support.  I enjoy meetings.  But time is a problem.  Having 3 children to take to meetings at times is a problem.  One bright spot, I get reimbursed by my health insurance.  If that isn't a good enough reason, then I don't know what is.  I will have to wait till March's pay period to do so.  In the meantime, I plan on making changes to the diet. 

However, I plan on making short ribs with polenta (no butter) tonight.  So any changes will have to wait until tomorrow.  Yum!

Deprived . . .

I must admit that there are days when I feel so deprived and I curse the Fat Gods with making me struggle with obesity and intolerances for all my life.  I want to eat.  I want to eat everything.  I don't want to gorge . . . but I don't want to have to count every single thing that I put in my mouth.  I don't want to decline the offer of a well intentioned co-worker or student that "I can't have that piece of chocolate cookie that you lovingly baked because my fat rear needs to lose weight so I can get into size 10 jeans and feel happy and fulfilled, meanwhile I am miserable and deflated because 'life is short' and I should enjoy that damn cookie."

While I don't really miss that pizza up there because I am lactose intolerant, I do wish I could have authentic pesto with parmesian on some nice linguini with shrimp.  And "no" the linguini with shrimp wouldn't be the same without the parmesian-pesto--and on occasion, a lobster ravioli with extra cream sauce. 

And finally, I want to have white rice.  A boat load of white rice.  But that darn Dr. Oz and Oprah freaked me out about the effects of eating too much "white" stuff because of its connection to Diabetes.  Let me just say that white rice has been the staple of billions of inhabitants on this planet who've not suffered from Diabetes.  I love that little grain, and its deliciousness has been forever sullied.