I still want a cigarette, but it is not so bad anymore. I have made through the most difficult first three days, and I know I will make it through the rest. Now I need to run. I need to really run, to get back into the groove of running or run/walking 3-5 days a week. I need to be strong and find a strength training program that does not bore me so I can stick with it.
I think I have found a job. Certainly not what I wanted to be doing, but good enough for now, and something I would not feel bad about leaving in 10 months or less if I get the chance to teach somewhere.
I need to train. I am running 4 races this fall. a 10K 10/20/12 in PA & a 5K in Rochester (October), a 4M in Webster (Thanksgiving), a 5K in Seneca Falls (December). I want to stay busy and strong and healthy. So I will struggle on to find my groove of health and happiness.
Showing posts with label Health and Fitness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health and Fitness. Show all posts
Friday, September 21, 2012
Saturday, August 4, 2012
My Whole30 Journey
In June I purchased a book - It Starts With Food - a guide to a 30 day Paleo food journey intended to help people change their lives and improve their health by following a few basic paleo rules. My personal paleo journey has been haphazrd at best for the last 6 months (did great in January and then...) and I felt like this book would help me make some additional changes. Even knowing the paleo "rules" and following them some of the time, there were things I was doing (or not doing) that I know I should (or shouldn't...) Artificial sweetners still entered my diet on a daily basis. I am addicted to cheese (love cheese...) and even though I don't regularly count calories, when I do they are always too high, paleo foods or not.
Enter Whole9.
The Whole9 Life, Whole30 challenge rules are simple.
Enter Whole9.
The Whole9 Life, Whole30 challenge rules are simple.
- Paleo foods - Meat, fish, poultry, vegetables, fruits, nuts & seeds (but only if they do not set you off)
- no "paleo" substitutes
- No dairy (except for ghee)
- Food has to conform to the 5 Whole30 rules (all described on their website)
- No paleo substitutes.
For me giving up cheese and other dairy will definitely be hardest, and I will admit right now that I am not giving up my 2Tbs of heavy cream in my coffee. I keep trying black coffee and hate it, and now that I am officially a teacher in New Orleans and am lesson planning far into the evening and up very early to start my school day I will NOT give up my coffee. But the rest is doable for me.
Today was my official day 1. I will be taking pics of my meals and uploading them - the winners and losers - with any recipe or recipe link. I will be updating my LoseIt account daily to keep myself on track, and I will start running and strength training again. I have a half marathon coming up in October, and I will not be able to complete it (or the Disney Goofy challenge in January) if I do not get on the ball with training.
I wish I had thought about pics and updating before I had nearly finished my dinner tonight - it was so good!
This is the last 2-3 bites of seriously good thai style shrimp I made for dinner
Thai Almond-Coconut Shrimp - serves 1
3-4oz shrimp (mine were frozen and I thawed them completely, fresh would be even better)
1/4 large onion sliced
1 small bell pepper, sliced
1 jalapeno diced
4-5 sliced crimini mushrooms
fresh basil (to taste - grabbed a stalk or two)
fresh cilantro (same as the basil - but maybe 4-5 stalks)
lime juice
minced garlic
4tbs coconut milk
2 tbs coconut oil
splash fresh squeezed OJ
1/2 tbs almond butter
heat skillet or wok, add all ingredients except 1tbs coconut oil, coconut milk, almond butter, OJ and shrimp. Heat on medium until soft, then simmer with the coconut milk for another 10-15 minutes on low. Should smell fantastic. After simmering, remove tails and de-vein shrimp. Fresh shrimp will take longer to cook, if using frozen or already cooked shrimp, toss them in at the last possible minute - just before plating. Add shrimp and OJ, cook for 60-90 seconds Plate and add the almond butter, give a quick stir. Try not to inhale it all in one bite. So very very satisfying, and one of the only times I have cooked shrimp and not left it on too long. Will be making this again very soon - don't be surprised to see it turn up again in the next 30 days.
Day 1 down, and I feel good.
Monday, November 28, 2011
All I want for Christmas...
... is a treadmill. Seriously. Any treadmill companies out there that want to set me up with a treadmill to review and use for the next few months or the year or whatever, I will be grateful! I need a treadmill because I have not been able to get out for a decent run in about 2 weeks. seriously, my last good run was on the treadmills at school, and that was 2 weeks ago. The weather around here has not been awful, but it has been too cold/damp most of the time to take 2 squirmy boys that have been sick out in the jogging stroller for a decent run, and the hubby has been more less out of town for 2 weeks. The days he has been home, the schedule has not been conducive to getting out to run - but if I had had a treadmill those days, I could totally have gotten a super awesome run in anyway.
I of course have DVDs I can workout to at home, but the thought of using them has left me so depressed I cannot even put on my workout clothes. Getting back into strength training is also taking far more effort than I would like. It seems to me like everything is taking too much effort these days...
I am still working on the Paleo eating, and most days it is going pretty well. I am not stressing myself on trying to be perfect through the holiday season, but I am striving to do well every day indulge only in things I really love. No eating something junky just because it is there. And through some wonderful forums and websites and blogs devoted to the Paleo lifestyle, I am getting some fantastic ideas of things to eat, ways to cook them, and so on. So many great ideas that I think I will be able to shop very well for the coming month when I head to the store next week.
As the year comes to a close (and another "fat" birthday has passed) I am feeling a bit better than I have in a while. I am not where I want to be, but I finally feel like I am on the path to get there.
I of course have DVDs I can workout to at home, but the thought of using them has left me so depressed I cannot even put on my workout clothes. Getting back into strength training is also taking far more effort than I would like. It seems to me like everything is taking too much effort these days...
I am still working on the Paleo eating, and most days it is going pretty well. I am not stressing myself on trying to be perfect through the holiday season, but I am striving to do well every day indulge only in things I really love. No eating something junky just because it is there. And through some wonderful forums and websites and blogs devoted to the Paleo lifestyle, I am getting some fantastic ideas of things to eat, ways to cook them, and so on. So many great ideas that I think I will be able to shop very well for the coming month when I head to the store next week.
As the year comes to a close (and another "fat" birthday has passed) I am feeling a bit better than I have in a while. I am not where I want to be, but I finally feel like I am on the path to get there.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Running Blog
I have noticed that more and more of my posts have become about running (or at least mention it) and I am okay with this. :) This is moving into being a running blog, and running makes me happy.
I think about running all day. It's first in my brain when I wake up, last thing I think about before I go to sleep, and I even have had dreams about it. It lifts my mood better than anything except the joy I get in my hubby and my kids.
So more posts will talk about my runs, the things I think about on my runs, the things that running makes me feel. And as of Saturday there will be race recaps too - my first race is Pumpkins in the Park and I cannot wait. I'm going to have a little pirate theme rockin' for the race. I'll be sure to get pics :)
I hope I don't lose readers (I value all of you so much) as I grow and figure out my place in the world of running blogs. I know there will be struggles along the way, and the advice and support I get from my tweeps and readers is really what keeps me going.
So come on in, take off your sneakers, grab a cup of coffee (the pot is always on) and tell me your story. We have so much to talk about.
I think about running all day. It's first in my brain when I wake up, last thing I think about before I go to sleep, and I even have had dreams about it. It lifts my mood better than anything except the joy I get in my hubby and my kids.
So more posts will talk about my runs, the things I think about on my runs, the things that running makes me feel. And as of Saturday there will be race recaps too - my first race is Pumpkins in the Park and I cannot wait. I'm going to have a little pirate theme rockin' for the race. I'll be sure to get pics :)
I hope I don't lose readers (I value all of you so much) as I grow and figure out my place in the world of running blogs. I know there will be struggles along the way, and the advice and support I get from my tweeps and readers is really what keeps me going.
So come on in, take off your sneakers, grab a cup of coffee (the pot is always on) and tell me your story. We have so much to talk about.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
My Personal Health Brand
How would you brand your health and wellness lifestyle? How do you want others to know you in this area?
My healthy brand. It is an interesting question, and it ties into my post last week about searching for a way to incorporate my passion into my life full time. I want my personal healthy lifestyle brand to be about perseverance, whole life health, and reaching for your goals. A brand that supports you in all areas, that knows that there is a life to live and that perfection is not the goal, progress is.
I am making progress. I ran again this morning, not even 12 hours after my super fast night time run last night. And I am signed up (sort of) for my first race! I am doing a 5K next Saturday. I am excited and nervous. I am going to work on that distance all week - but I will also make sure to be easy on my legs Thursday and Friday.
My brand would also be about being a role model for those around us, and I am beginning to realize that I am a role model. I was designing my personal logo this afternoon the Monkey look at it and that's a mom, and she's running. Because mommy runs. Because mommy is a runner.
Mamavation and New Balance are giving away a pair of shoes on Mamavation TV tomorrow night. I still remember when I started playing volleyball in high school and New Balance had women's sneakers in my size - a hard thing to find a lot of the time - so they have a special place in my heart. Go here to enter the enter the giveaway, and to find a new place to get the support you need on your fitness, health, and wellness journey.
“This post is sponsored by New Balance and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway hosted by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women“”
Monday, October 17, 2011
If I Had a Million Dollars
Have you ever had the "if I won the lottery" day dream?
No? Just me? Hmm, maybe it's because I am always broke...
Anyway, there have been commercials on TV for the latest Publisher's Clearing House Sweepstakes. I am not planning on entering, but the giveaway/prize is $1million dollars and $5000 a week for life. That is the part that always interests me. You could blow through $1 million pretty quick and be in a worse situation than you were before, but with money coming in every week, if you were the least bit responsible, you would really be set for life. Not an extravagant life, but a nice comfortable middle class one (that is really what I aspire to).
And I think to myself, I I won $5000 a week for life and didn't have to work, what would I do? Would I still want to be a teacher? Maybe, I really do love being in a classroom, and if I was not dependent on the salary, I think I would teach at least part time, and probably in an economically disadvantaged school.
But I don't think teaching would be my primary passion. I think I would want to devote my life and my work to getting healthy and fit, to getting my family and loved ones healthy and fit and to teaching/helping other people be healthy and fit.
And when I think of that, I think of the scene in the movie Office Space where the main character asks another "What would you do if you had a million dollars" (I would link to it, but the language is a little PG13) and he goes on to say (basically) your answer to what you would do if you didn't need money is what you should be doing with your life, because that is what would make you happy.
So I am left thinking, if I would devote my life to getting healthy and getting other people to be healthy and fit - what should I be doing now instead of trying to be a teacher? Am I on the wrong path? And if I am on the wrong path, what should I do so that I can merge my current path with one that will allow me to bring health and fitness to myself and others?
What would you do if you didn't have to worry about money?
If you were going to devote your life to health and fitness, what would that path look like to you?
No? Just me? Hmm, maybe it's because I am always broke...
Anyway, there have been commercials on TV for the latest Publisher's Clearing House Sweepstakes. I am not planning on entering, but the giveaway/prize is $1million dollars and $5000 a week for life. That is the part that always interests me. You could blow through $1 million pretty quick and be in a worse situation than you were before, but with money coming in every week, if you were the least bit responsible, you would really be set for life. Not an extravagant life, but a nice comfortable middle class one (that is really what I aspire to).
And I think to myself, I I won $5000 a week for life and didn't have to work, what would I do? Would I still want to be a teacher? Maybe, I really do love being in a classroom, and if I was not dependent on the salary, I think I would teach at least part time, and probably in an economically disadvantaged school.
But I don't think teaching would be my primary passion. I think I would want to devote my life and my work to getting healthy and fit, to getting my family and loved ones healthy and fit and to teaching/helping other people be healthy and fit.
And when I think of that, I think of the scene in the movie Office Space where the main character asks another "What would you do if you had a million dollars" (I would link to it, but the language is a little PG13) and he goes on to say (basically) your answer to what you would do if you didn't need money is what you should be doing with your life, because that is what would make you happy.
So I am left thinking, if I would devote my life to getting healthy and getting other people to be healthy and fit - what should I be doing now instead of trying to be a teacher? Am I on the wrong path? And if I am on the wrong path, what should I do so that I can merge my current path with one that will allow me to bring health and fitness to myself and others?
What would you do if you didn't have to worry about money?
If you were going to devote your life to health and fitness, what would that path look like to you?
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
1st #Mamavation Monday Post - I deserve better
I was listening to Talk of the Nation on NPR on my way home from school yesterday (I love NPR, makes me feel smart when I listen :)) and they were talking about the violence in Mexico. It struck me when one caller said "I feel bad for Mexico, they deserve better than that". The host said "as we all do".
As we all do. We all deserve better. Isn't that an amazing epiphany like thought? We all deserve better. Maybe I am the only one struck by the enormity of that simply comment. Maybe it just resonates with me as I begin to realize that I deserve better. My family deserves better. My town, my state, my country, my world deserves better. Better schools, better environment, better health, better jobs, better living conditions, better governments and politicians. We have good ones, but everything can be improved. We can always strive for better.
I can't fix better for everything or everyone. But I can start with me. I can start with my family. My family deserves better. They deserve a mom/wife that is happy and healthy and fun and active. They deserve a wife/mom who loves herself and loves them as much as they could possibly be loved. They deserve a mom/wife who loves them enough to take care of herself.
When I take care of my self, my family gets the better they deserve. When I go for my runs every day my family gets the healthy happy mom they deserve. When I feel good about my self my husband gets the loving, affectionate wife he deserves. By taking care of myself I can give my family what they deserve; I can give them "better".
This isn't the same (at least in my mind) as putting myself first. I can't do that. I have too many responsibilities to put myself first. My family always comes first. But if they always come first, then ensuring that I am fit and healthy and happy takes care of their needs.
So I am going to put my family first and take care of them, and me, so they get the best; so they get what they deserve. Because they deserve better... and so do you.
What about you? Do you put yourself first? Do you consider taking care of your family and taking care of your needs the same?
As we all do. We all deserve better. Isn't that an amazing epiphany like thought? We all deserve better. Maybe I am the only one struck by the enormity of that simply comment. Maybe it just resonates with me as I begin to realize that I deserve better. My family deserves better. My town, my state, my country, my world deserves better. Better schools, better environment, better health, better jobs, better living conditions, better governments and politicians. We have good ones, but everything can be improved. We can always strive for better.
I can't fix better for everything or everyone. But I can start with me. I can start with my family. My family deserves better. They deserve a mom/wife that is happy and healthy and fun and active. They deserve a wife/mom who loves herself and loves them as much as they could possibly be loved. They deserve a mom/wife who loves them enough to take care of herself.
When I take care of my self, my family gets the better they deserve. When I go for my runs every day my family gets the healthy happy mom they deserve. When I feel good about my self my husband gets the loving, affectionate wife he deserves. By taking care of myself I can give my family what they deserve; I can give them "better".
This isn't the same (at least in my mind) as putting myself first. I can't do that. I have too many responsibilities to put myself first. My family always comes first. But if they always come first, then ensuring that I am fit and healthy and happy takes care of their needs.
So I am going to put my family first and take care of them, and me, so they get the best; so they get what they deserve. Because they deserve better... and so do you.
What about you? Do you put yourself first? Do you consider taking care of your family and taking care of your needs the same?
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
I am not the best
It never really occurred to me before, but I am extremely competitive. I want to be the best - at everything. And if I can't be the best, I don't want to do it. I want to be the best mom, the best students, the best teacher, the best wife, the best friend, I want to be A#1 perfect.
And I am not. I am not perfect - far from it my family will be happy to tell you. And recently the monkey has decided I am not the best mommy, but I think that is just to mess with me :) 4yr olds, go figure.
I am good - in some cases very good. But I am not the best. And I need to let go of the mentality that I need to be the best. Have a good day running is better than not running - and sometimes better than be the perfect best runner. Have a good day eating is better than bingeing on cookies all day long. Getting a 97% on my test is better than the rest of the class did, and should be good enough for me (it's totally not though!)
And I am not. I am not perfect - far from it my family will be happy to tell you. And recently the monkey has decided I am not the best mommy, but I think that is just to mess with me :) 4yr olds, go figure.
I am good - in some cases very good. But I am not the best. And I need to let go of the mentality that I need to be the best. Have a good day running is better than not running - and sometimes better than be the perfect best runner. Have a good day eating is better than bingeing on cookies all day long. Getting a 97% on my test is better than the rest of the class did, and should be good enough for me (it's totally not though!)
Image from Pintrest
Getting out on the road or in the gym and doing my workout is good. Cooking and eating health foods with my family is good. Studying and doing all my homework is good. Taking the time to appreciate my life, my family, my friends, and the good fortune I do have is good.
I don't need to be perfect. I just need to be.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Focusing on perfection
I said earlier I read a lot of fitness and healthy living blogs. They help to keep me motivated and ready to go. I am also a member of quite a few different healthy living/eating message boards. I have noticed a running theme lately with posts from my online friends. So many people are focused on the number on the scale, and on eating perfectly. Eating to plan, staying in their calorie range, making sure they have the right calorie deficit... It makes me sad. It actually hurts my heart when I read about how they feel like failures because they work so hard and the weight isn't coming off. They have been perfect with eating and workouts and nothing is moving. I feel for them.
I can empathize, I have been stuck in the same 5lb range on the scale for a few months. I know I have not been perfect, have not done many of the things I should have to move out of that range. I have not lost the 100lbs I have dreamed of losing this year - and I certainly won't lose it in the next few months. I would be extremely happy to end the year 20lbs lighter, I would be happy to be 10lbs lighter, and I would even be okay with not being any lighter, but having increased my fitness, and my ability to run for a longer distance. I would be happy to find a lifestyle way of eating that works for me, that keeps me happy and satisfied and not running for the candy store or chips every time I get a craving. I would be happy just to have enough money to sign up for and run my half marathon in October - and to actually run more than just a few feet of it!
To my friends (and readers - though I consider you all friends too) that are striving for perfection, please give yourselves a break! I love you, and I want you to love you in the same way. I want you to be happy, I want you to realize that all the work, the consistency, the effort you have put in on your health and fitness will pay off, has paid off, is paying off. And some of you, I want you eat more. Trust me, eat a little bit more and I would bet money you see some results - you know who you are :)
Do you strive to be perfect? Is your quest for perfection actually hurting your goals? What do you think?
I can empathize, I have been stuck in the same 5lb range on the scale for a few months. I know I have not been perfect, have not done many of the things I should have to move out of that range. I have not lost the 100lbs I have dreamed of losing this year - and I certainly won't lose it in the next few months. I would be extremely happy to end the year 20lbs lighter, I would be happy to be 10lbs lighter, and I would even be okay with not being any lighter, but having increased my fitness, and my ability to run for a longer distance. I would be happy to find a lifestyle way of eating that works for me, that keeps me happy and satisfied and not running for the candy store or chips every time I get a craving. I would be happy just to have enough money to sign up for and run my half marathon in October - and to actually run more than just a few feet of it!
To my friends (and readers - though I consider you all friends too) that are striving for perfection, please give yourselves a break! I love you, and I want you to love you in the same way. I want you to be happy, I want you to realize that all the work, the consistency, the effort you have put in on your health and fitness will pay off, has paid off, is paying off. And some of you, I want you eat more. Trust me, eat a little bit more and I would bet money you see some results - you know who you are :)
Do you strive to be perfect? Is your quest for perfection actually hurting your goals? What do you think?
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Business to Blogger
My main purpose for writing this blog is to keep myself accountable to others as I travel on my fitness journey. I enjoy the writing, the comments, and the friendships I have formed through doing this.
And while my main goal is not about making money or supporting myself and my family through the blog, I know that extra income is possible - along with interesting products to review. With that in mind when I saw a Business2Blogger button on a new blog I have been following (Mommy to Marathon) I thought it was worth checking out.
Business 2 Blogger connects businesses with bloggers (simple right). It gives both a chance to expand and reach a broader market base. I am excited that it will give me a chance to reach out to fitness themed businesses that can help me and my readers o our fitness journeys.
So I have signed up with Business 2 Blogger - so you may see posts in the future that I am asked to post or review. This will be a good thing, it will give me a chance for a little extra money to help my family and it will help my readers learn about new ideas or products that they may not get a chance to see otherwise. Of course anything you see on here will still be up front and honest, and if I write a post, paid or not, everything stated will be my true opinion, so when I recommend something it is because I truly believe in it.
And while my main goal is not about making money or supporting myself and my family through the blog, I know that extra income is possible - along with interesting products to review. With that in mind when I saw a Business2Blogger button on a new blog I have been following (Mommy to Marathon) I thought it was worth checking out.
Business 2 Blogger connects businesses with bloggers (simple right). It gives both a chance to expand and reach a broader market base. I am excited that it will give me a chance to reach out to fitness themed businesses that can help me and my readers o our fitness journeys.
So I have signed up with Business 2 Blogger - so you may see posts in the future that I am asked to post or review. This will be a good thing, it will give me a chance for a little extra money to help my family and it will help my readers learn about new ideas or products that they may not get a chance to see otherwise. Of course anything you see on here will still be up front and honest, and if I write a post, paid or not, everything stated will be my true opinion, so when I recommend something it is because I truly believe in it.
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