Anything is possible!!

My favorite moment from the NBA finals this year was Kevin Garnett yelling at the top of his lungs.. "ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!" I've been saying it a lot this year in reference to a lot of things.

I haven't done the best job of updating this blog as this year has gone on, but it has been a great way of documenting my progress. I've lost 40 pounds this year! I'm proud of me! I'm still in shock when I look at old pictures. I'm excited about my new body. I love going out, buying clothes.. and makeup! One of the best changes in me is that I care about how I look now! So I'm back into looking good and absolutely loving to take pictures! I'm such a picture ho' now!

So going into the new year, I'm excited about losing even more weight (30 pounds to go!), running even more races this year (Peachtree Road race, here I come.. again!) finally going on a much needed vacation, enjoying my new and old family of friends, starting a family and loving life again!

I'm going to be fine in '09!

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!!

Slight setback

So... Yikes! I gained like 3 pounds! I knew I was feeling extra stuffed! But I'm already down 1 pound, Since Sunday, so that's promising! Yes, I weigh myself just about every day! At least I admit to it!

But I have a goal to lose 8 pounds this month and I know I can do it! Now I've got to get to work making it happen!

Feeling Stuffed!!!

OMG! Even though I didn't eat a whole heck of a lot, I think it's what I did eat that has me so stuffed! Shame on me though... I had every intention of workout out while on this week long vacation and haven't done a thing! So Monday morning @ 5, I'll be turbo jamming away! It will be back to business as usual. These last 20 or so pounds must go! My clothes are still fitting ok, so that's a great thing!

It's been a looooonnnggg time!

So I'm back. Oh my gosh it's been months! Shame on me! Anyways, here I am! And I've been working hard. I've lost 10 more pounds since I've last signed on here. Those were a hard fought 10 pounds. But they are gone forever and I'm now at 155. Now I only have 20 lbs to go to get to my original goal. I've been working out and running, but lately I've been in a run cardio-wise. So I've recently purchase a slew of Turbo Jam DVDs from Amazon. I've only been using them for a week and let me tell you.... Turbo Jam is the truth!!! Every part of my body hurts! But it's a good pain. So I'm excited to get these last pounds off. It sounds strange and new to say it, but I have officially lost 40 pounds since the beginning of the year!

Yay me!!

My next race

So I've signed up for my next race! I'm so excited! It's a 5K and set for this Saturday put on by the Brenda Mehling Cancer Fund. The Brenda Mehling Cancer Fund (BMCF) supports patients ages 18-40 as they undergo cancer treatment. It provides services to meet daily needs that are not covered by insurance. Typical grants cover $600 worth of medical co-payments, rent and mortgage, transportation, car insurance, repairs, and groceries.

I think their mission is awesome and I'm happy to be apart! I evev have my own runner's page!

So, I'll run 3 miles a day everyday but Friday this week and I should be ready for Saturday!

My Vision Board

So I decided to put a vision board on my blog. I have a physical one here at home, but I thought it would be good to have one on here as well. I stole.. er.. borrowed this idea from a fellow healthy blogger... Thanks girl!!

I may come back and add things as I find them. It's a reflection of me and what I want for my life.

I love running with my hunny bunny! I want us to be a healthy couple, enjoying life and each other. You can keep each other encouraged by working out together.

Joy. I want to pursue what brings joy in my life. I want this feeling of freedom, bliss. I want to be true to myslf, loving and honoring me.

Good friends, great times! I will surround myself with positive and true friends.

I am a runner! I run! And I will look like this when I run. Outfit, body, hair and all! This is the goal.

I am a runner. Your thoughts create your life.

At the beginning of this year (Jan 2008), I told my husband, "I'm bringing sexy back". Sexy isn't just how you look, it's how you feel. Being confident, strong in mind and body, healthy and radiant. That's my sexy!

This is my hunny bunny and I before the race. We had a great time! We both finished and are very proud of ourselves!!!

Oh yeah, still at 163. It's the every present waiting game. Didn't really do that well on strength training last week. I've got to get better at that if I want to see the scale move.

A little break and a weigh in

I took a little break, but I came back today to post. I was getting a little discouraged about not seeing any loss in about a month. It's becoming a pattern. I'll stall out every 10 pounds. It happened at 185, 175 and 165. I've been running and my new cardio love... Tae Bo... why had I forgotten about Billy? He's awesome! He's really good for my endurance too! I'm up to running about 30-33 minutes at a time. So I'm very happy about that. It seemed like I was running at 25 minutes forever. Running... it's all mental.

Speaking of Running
The Peachtree Road Race (a 10K) is this Friday. I can't believe it! It's come up so quickly. I'm as ready as I'll ever be though. My plan is to run for 30 minutes... take a break (for about a half mile or so.. walk). There will be water stations at each mile, so after my little break, I'll run to each water station, taking a little water/walk break. Sounds complicated, I know, but I gotta plan!! I will finish that race and earn my t-shirt.

So, the weigh in
The scale has finally moved! I'm 163! I owe it to cardio and strength training. Looking back over my workout schedule, I'd kinda put strength training on the back bunner the last month or so. Big mistake! We need our muscles to help burn fat! The pounds won't drop just by cardio alone! So this week, my goal is to get in two more strength work outs.

Be healthy!

Not much going on

Hey, just wanted to check in. I'm somewhere between 164 and 165. I think I'll take the 164! Not much else to report today.

Be healthy!

Oh, my father in law has had surgery and is doing ok!

I've been having the hardest time making it through my runs these past two weeks. I couldn't do 25 minutes.. which I have been doing in the past. I think part of the problem was I was running through the neigborhood, which has tremendous hills. My goal isn't hills right now, it's time and distance. So, today, I went back to the track and told myself I had to make something happen. This morning, I not only ran 25, not 28 but 30 minutes without stopping!!! No, I didn't cry this time, but it sure felt good!!!

Think good thoughts...
My husband's father is in the hospital. They think he may have had a mild heart attack. If that's the case, then he may need surgery. And we'll be traveling back home to be with the fam. Hopefully he won't need surgery. So we are both watching the phones today, waiting for a word.

Well I'm off to to do more part time searching!

Be Healthy!

I'm back!

So last week paid off! I'm back to 165. I'm still on track for my June goal.

Feels so good!
There's nothing like seeing people who you haven't seen for 5-6 months... They immediately notice the changes you've been trying to make. It definitely gives me motivation to keep going, exercise and eat right.

Part time blues..
So I've been looking for a part time job. And I'm having no luck. Granted, I could just sit on my butt until school starts back... and we do get paid through the summer... but I don't want to sit on my butt. Plus, extra cash in my pocket isn't so bad. It's hard to get a job as server (I thought it would be fun to do) without experience. So, I'll keep looking. Although, I may have a new child to tutor starting next week.. woohoo!!

It's here!! It's here!!
My race number and packet for the Peachtree Road Race is here!! I'm officially registered for the race. Now comes the hard part, actually running the thing. My plan is to run for 30 minutes, walk for about 10-15 minutes and finish up with another run (probably about 30 minutes). Speaking of, I need to fit in a run sometime tonight.

Be healthy!!

I fell off..

Let's get the weigh in out of the way... See here's the thing.. I went on a weekend trip with my hunny and ate like really bad... but the food was sooo good! Charleston has fried and creamy foods! I tried to exercise, but that didn't work out so well. I did a lot of walking though. But I'm up a few pounds. I can't even write it down. But as soon as we got back yesterday, I exercised my tail off and ate really good and I'm already closer to where I was last week. Whew, that's a relief!!

Charleston, S.C. is a place FULL of history. We started a travel blog and our trip is fully documented there. As soon as it's ready, I post a link here.

How am I eating this week?

My back to basics diet is no joke. For breakfast it's oatmeal or couscous w/salsa (don't knock it til you try it!!). Lunch is salad and a veggie burger patty. Dinner is this awesome soup recipe I found... very light, but very filling soup) I snack on a few pistachios and prunes (remember my earlier issues??) Drink plenty of water and I'm good!

Time for my morning cardio.

Be Healthy!

Oprah and I are kindred spirits

Ok, first things first. My weigh in: 165



No change, but that's good. I only exercised maybe 3 times last week. My goal for the end of June is to weigh 155, so I've got to get moving and eating well!

I decided in the last week or so to transition into a vegan lifestyle. I've been 90% vegan since easing back into solid foods again. But guess who else has committed to eating vegan for a bit.. Oprah! Great minds think alike! She's even has a blog with her thoughts and a meal plan dedicated to her decision. I definitely will be tuning in!!


Be Healthy!!

See what had happened was....

I must be honest. I cannot tell a lie... I only made it through day 8. I know, I know, I only had 2 more days... but I just couldn't drink the "lemonade" another day. But I'm not disappointed nor do I regret coming off the cleanse. It was not solving my original goal for going on the cleanse. So I'm having to go to the doctor to see what she wants me to do. But I did lose a bit of weight, so now I'll just have to work at keeping it off and losing even more!! Wanna know what I weigh now?? Drum roll please...

165!!!!!!

Oh yea!! I lost 10 pounds since my last weight update in April.. well technically 11, but TOM has decided to come pay a visit. Grrrrr!!!! But now I have to continue to work, even harder to get to my goal weight. I'd love to be 145 by my family reunion (last weekend in July), but again, I'll be happy with size HEALTHY.

So that brings my total weight loss to 30 pounds.!! Woohoo!! Who rocks???

ME!!

Be healthy everyone!!

Master Cleanse day 6

Yeah, that's right!! I've fasted 6 days. It's been great, hard, difficult, and enlightening... all at the same time. I do have my hungry moments... and I mean HUNGRY. Like right now... But.. I'm on the other side now and can see the light at the end of the tunnel. MMM salad...

So, I've made a decision. I'm going to try a vegan diet for at least a month. Yep, for the whole month of June, I'll be meat and dairy free!! I'm already vegetarian so the meat part is a no brainer.. but..cheese? oh my gosh! So I'll be on a mission to find suitable alternatives. I made vegan macaroni and cheese a few months ago. It was pretty good! And to curb my cravings and love for cheetos, someone recommended I try Tings. So I'll go down to my local market and pick up a bag next weekend. I give the verdict on those after Memorial Day weekend.

4 more days... I can do this!!!

Day 2 of getting it all out!

Ok, so I started the Master Cleanse on Thursday. Bad idea! Every other Thursday our department has a potluck, so the smells in my office were driving me crazy! I was so hungry! So I had to put my "lemonade" down and chow down. Oh that food was so good! And I don't regret it! Ok, maybe a little. So I officially started yesterday. I was so freakin' hungry all day, but I just kept drinking "lemonade".

This morning started out ok. Then my husband and I decided to go for a run. 5 minutes into the run I was nauseous!!(sp?) We stopped into a coffee shop to get water and kept going. Plus it was hot out this morning. I kept having to stop. But I felt I got a good run this morning. One thing I did different was actually drive to the race start (I'm running 10K this summer). We wanted to start getting more familiar with the course. Secondly, it was so hot out! So that coupled with the cleanse, made a difficult run this morning. But I felt great when we finished!

I'm a princess!
My husband and I have called today our princess day. Basically we are going to stay in, stay in the bed and just relax, watch movies and do whatever it is you do... in bed!! So I'm off!

Stay healthy!

Not feeling the best

Hello!

Running has been going ok. I'm going to try running for 28 minutes tomorrow. I tried to do it today.. but I don't know what happened. I think my body is on auto pilot and I automatically stopped at 25.

A tad TMI

So I've been having the most uncomfortable gastrointestinal issues for a little over a week. I don't know what's going on. I've tried everything... gas X, Ex-lax (although, that did help a little), prunes (my mom's suggestion)... still feeling like a Macy's Day parade participant. So I'm thinking of doing the Master Cleanse. I did it a few years ago... stayed on for 10 days. I felt great when it was all over. There were days that I was sooo hungry but I made it through. So I'm seriously thinking of doing that. I'm hoping it well help. And of course, a trip to the doctor is in order too, I know. I'm the hardest person to get to go see a Dr., but after this past week, I'm making a call.

Before I go...

So I love to play around with my hair... and my new infatuation are wigs! I love them. You get to be someone new each time you put a new one on. So far I own 3 (since January) and I already know the one I'm getting next. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing with the hair on top of my head. But the wig allows me to be fabulous even when my own hair won't cooperate. Here's my latest do'

Good night!!

I did it!

I've been putting it off.... making excuses about how I need to stop before I get there... but today.. no excuses.

I ran 25 minutes straight on the treadmill!!

Oh it was great! No I didn't cry this time. I was at the gym and I had to act like I run like that all the time. But it felt good and I'm going to do it again tomorrow.

So my husband is back in town after being away for a whole week and some change. I missed him so much. My fellow teachers joke about how they are glad when their spouses take trips or go away for a bit, but I really missed him! It was such a long week without him! Oh yeah, this is us. This was taken last year at my 30th birthday party.

Funny, I don't look like that anymore... that was 20 pounds ago. Whoohoo!!

Up-ah!!

How's life!

So I took a strength training class at the gym Saturday morning and the instructor sounded like a female Borat. I loved her accent. It really helped on those last reps to hear "Up-ah!"

So with my husband out of town (for a week), I had nothing better to do this weekend than go to the gym. On Saturday morning, I went for a run @ the park, attended a strength class at the gym and work on the elliptical for 25 minutes. I felt so good! Then Sunday morning I did a spin class and ran for a bit on the treadmill and hopped on the elliptical. And then last night, because there was nothing else to do.. (I miss my man!) I went for a run in the neighborhood. I must have tired myself out because I just could not get up this morning for my 6am spin class. Oh well. I see them on Wednesday morning. I'll be there in the morning to fit a run in before work. Yes, I know, it's crazy. I'm determined to offset the low motivation I tend to get when TOM comes... which is now! GRRRRRRrrrr!!!!

It's good to be back

Oh yeah, I'm home and I'm feeling much better! I was down and out for about a week and a half there. Totally didn't and couldn't do anything!! I went home (to FL) and ate good home cooked meals (not always the healthiest!). But I came back feeling much better. I even went back to the gym yesterday. And today I'm going for my first run in like a week! And I have news!!!! Even though I was visiting FL and was totally thrown off my schedule... I lost weight!!! And now I'm 175!!! That's a total of 20 pounds gone... forever!!! I was so excited when I came back to the ATL and weighed myself. Yay me!!

I hope everyone is making progress in achieving your goals!! I'm off to take a nap!

Just my pillow and my blankie!!

So I think I caught something at the gym. I've been coughing up a storm all week. And I've lost my voice! Sucks! So my workouts have also not been 100%. I seem to be on the other end of it now so that's good.

I'm in Florida for the week visiting family. I'm still going to run though! I've got an a.m. run planned along the bayshore tomorrow! Can't wait! Hopefully my breathing is back to normal and I can really enjoy it!

Just wanted to pop in a say hi to all. Now back to the FL sunshine!!

I rock!! and I suck :(

First things first....
The news I promised on Tuesday is.....

I signed up for the Peachtree Road Race!! It's a 10k... which is hilarious to me right now because I'm just scratching the surface of a 5k distance in my running right now. The race goes down my street, so last year I got up at the butt crack of dawn to watch the Africans run by, then went back to bed and got up again to watch the average Joes run/walk by.. all 55,000 of them!! It was so inspiring!! Older folks, in shape folks, not so in shape folks.. some of everyone was out there!! And the outfits!!! Some people get really creative. I saw a couple of the Geico cavemen run by, there were guys in suspenders and tighty whities. pink afros.. everything. So you know I've already been thinking of my running outfit.... Wonder Woman!!! We'll see if I have the balls to do it! If I go through with the outfit, I promise to post pics!!!

Here's why I rock...
I actually went back to my gym yesterday! I got on the treadmill and the elliptical. Today, I got on the treadmill for a bit and did a spin class. Oh the sweat my body has seen in these past few days.

Oh yeah!! I'm down another pound!! 178 baby!!! I'll be very happy to have a 2-pound loss this week. That would make my day! I'm working on it!! I'll be hitting the gym twice a day this week to get my butt in gear.

On to why I suck...
Running on the treadmill is very different than running on the track. I could not complete my run yesterday. After 5 minutes, I was like "what the hell?" I was sweating bullets and looking pitiful!! So I walked for a bit and ran another 8 minutes but had to walk again. I did that maybe two more times before I gave up and went to try the elliptical. I was like.. "oh I can do 30 minutes on this bad boy.. easy!" Um... so 10 minutes later I was like.. "I'm going home!!" So I took my sweaty butt home and took a long shower.

Oh and today... same thing on the treadmill. I may have to go to the track tonight to make up for my dismal showing at the gym.

I figured out I haven't been working out hard or long enough these past few weeks.. hence the lackluster weight loss and my awful gym performance. But I'm going to put the work in to make my goals happen!!

And with that.. I'm taking a nap!!

Where's my motivation?

It's here somewhere, I know it is. Oh I know what I did with it!! I swapped it for my TOM. Damn!!! This period stuff takes all my energy. I'm still running, but lately it's been hard this week and this past weekend. I'm getting so tuckered out!! I'll be happy when this is over and I can get back to my normal self.

I've made my decision...
I'm going back to my gym. The track where I run has suddenly become overrun with soccer moms and their kids! And they are getting on my nerves!!! The kids practice on the field and the moms are forever walking in front of me as I run. Clearly they see me coming. Sometimes they'll just stop right in my lane! What the heck! So I refuse to run mad anymore. I'm going back to my gym. This way I can just be one with the treadmill. And I'll go back to my strength training classes, my spin class and my combat (kickboxing classes). I'm so excited! But I'll still run outside whenever I get the chance.

I have news to share, but you'll have to wait until tomorrow, because I have dinner to make and a run to go on. Ta-ta!!

What can you do in 20 minutes???

Hmm... let's see...

drive to the store...

talk to your BFF on the phone

paint your nails

go for a run!!

I ran for 20 minutes straight today!! It was awesome. I couldn't believe it! And I didn't cry thise time. I just grinned like an idiot for like 5 minutes. It felt and feels really good to have accomplished that. I'm going to sleep good tonight!!!

I hope everyone's journey is going well. I'll be checking in on you guys!!!

I've got to get better!

I used to post more often, but this new job has had me wiped out these past two weeks!!! I'm happy to have it though!!!

I'm still at 179.. so I guess that's ok. At least I didn't gain. I've been doing ok with my workouts. Although I did change one thing last week. I've been getting up in the morning to do a tape before getting ready for work. It was hard, but I only got back in the bed one day this week ( hey, a girl loves her sleep)!

Couch 2 5k progress
So I repeated week 5 this past week, because I could not seem to make it to the Day 2 and 3 runs. I kept running the week 5 day 1 run each day. But not today!!!! I completed the day 2 run! I think I might do it again tomorrow. Then Monday (crossing fingers)... it will be a 20 minute run. I can do this.

Oh yeah!! Guess what I did when I hit the 8 minute mark? You got it, my famous watery eyes!! But not just one tear or two... I was straight bawling. My husband, who ran with me, kept giving me high fives and thumbs up... saying " I knew you could do it!" He's so sweet!

Speaking of sweets...
My husband brought a coconut cake into the house early last week. I've been sneaking tiny slices of it each day. I know, horrible decision.. but it was good! But, he caught me today!!! He felt so bad! Poor guy. Then he ate the rest so I couldn't have anymore. Gotta love his metabolism!!

Hmmm... maybe that's why the scale didn't move this week!!!

Have a great one you guys!!!

Good news!

Hi all!

I have a couple of things to share before I go out tonight...

1. My dad is home from the hospital! Yay family!

2. I lost another pound! I'm 179. Although, this whole one pound a week thing I've got going is starting to annoy me. But I'll take it! I haven't been back down to this weight since 2003. Losing weight is fun!

Have a great one!

I'm back!!

I'm back from Florida!! I was visiting my dad (he's in the hospital). He's doing ok. Hopefully he'll get to go home soon.

While I was gone, I missed my weigh day! So here it is..... 180. I lost a pound even though I was away. Very cool. My dad was on the 11 floor of the hospital and I climbed the stairs at least twice a day while I was there. Ridiculous amount of stairs!!! I also was able to go running one of the days I was there.

Since I've been back, I've been running and keeping up with my workout plan. My goal for the month of March is to lose 10 pounds. I hope I can do it! Hopefully I can do it before TOM comes, because I can't seem to lose a thing during that time.

Oh! My new job is going great so far. I've only been there two days. I'm not thinking about quitting yet, so that's good!

Hope all is well!!

It's been a few days but.. I've got news!!

I'm still here and doing well!

It's been a busy weekend and beginning of the week. But I've kept up with exercising and eating right. It's that awful time and the month, so hopefully I'm not retaining or gaining too much. Oh!! I started week 4 today of the Couch 2 5k. Um damn! Run for 5 minutes??!! But I did it!! Wanna know what I did after the first 5 minute run? You guessed it!! Yes, I'm so the drama.. I shed a tear or two. You don't understand... Run for 5 whole minutes! And I did it. It was an awesome sense of accomplishment. Not only that, it was getting dark and cold outside and I was the only one on the track. I had a pretty full day and almost didn't go for that run. I'm glad I did!

More news...
I stopped teaching (elementary school) last year to pursue a dream of mine... to get my doctorate in clinical psychology. It was a hard program.. and I only completed one semester. I rocked my grades though! I finished the semester with two A's and two B's. But it was a hard semester. I worked so hard and had no free time. And it just didnt fit into our goals for ourselves (mine and my husband's). I want to start a family and not have to worry (financially) and school interferes with that. I couldn't fathom having a child in that stressful environment. So I made the really tough decision to stop school and go back to teaching. Easier said than done.. I could not for the life of me, get a job these past two months. Until today!!! Wahoo!!!! I got a job!!! I start on Monday! I'm so excited. I don't regret stopping my doctorate program. It just wasn't the right time. And that's how I like to live... No regrets!

Have a great week all! I'm heading to Florida for the rest of the week, so if I'm not around here... you know why.. Toodles!!!

It's that time!!

My weigh in day! Ready for it?.... I lost 2 pounds. So it's 181 now. So this is a good day!!

I wasn't able to go for a run yesterday. It rained like all day. So I pulled out a super hard tape to make up for the fact I couldn't run, so I did the Fat Blaster workout. And to make up for the fact I didn't exercise at all today, I'm doing it again tomorrow.

Have a great one you guys!!

So far, so good

This week has progressed along nicely. I've fit in a run and an extra workout everyday. Granted, it's just Wednesday, but, hey it's a good start right? I've also been on track with my eating as well.


So I went for another run/walk today. The second 3 minute run is no joke! Listening to my podcast... again... I was like ...' dude... say stop already!!!' He eventually did and now we're friends again. I'm using a stop watch now to, so I can see how much longer I have to go.




This is the strength tape I did. 40 minutes of upper body, lower body and abs. Ok, so I skipped the ab part (honestly, I just didn't feel like it). Shh!!! don't tell anyone! But I have a new plan. See below....

New Rule...

You know how I like my rules... I'm going to do an ab workout 5 days a week. Yep. I know you're wondering how... well, with my handy >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

5 day abs!!!

I told you I own every FIRM tape ever made. Sexy, isn't he?

Well, have a great one!

Can you believe it???!!!

I just had to come and share!!! I just finished my week 3, day 1 run of the Couch 2 5k. You guys... I ran for a whole 3 minutes!!! I literally shed a tear after the first three minute run. Yes, I'm so the drama queen! But I just couldn't believe it! It was awesome. The second 3 minute run gave the same feeling. I smiled all the way home!!




I got in a cardio workout earlier today as well. Did I mention that I own almost every FIRM exercise tape ever made. So here's the one I did today. 40 minutes of fun!






So you know just I'm ready tp watch the latest Biggest Loser tonight. They get to go home and hack it without the trainers.

Hope you all had a great day and stayed on track!

Attack of the Cheezits.... again!

Yeah, so my husband brought them into the house again last night. I tried to resist, but they were on the table right in front of me. He and our friend were just going to town on them and I didn't want to feel left out. It wasn't as bad.. so I feel better about that.. but damn.

On the exercise front...

I found this great new place to run. No hills, no lights (traffic). It's awesome. This elementary school down the road has a track. And there's no school today, so I'm headed out in a little bit for my run. All in all, I ran 4 days last week. I'm shooting for 5 days this week. I think I'm going to do my last week 2 run today and start week 3 tomorrow. C25k all the way!!

Speaking of the run... I'm off!

******************************

Ok, I'm back. That was a great run! It always feels so good to complete a run. Cool sense of accomplishment. So on to week 3! I'm going to think positive about week three though... I've got to. It's running for 90 sec, walking for 90 seconds.. then running for 3 minutes and walking for 3 minutes. You do that twice I believe. I'm just going to do what ever the podcast tells me to do. I'm also doing a strength tape tonight.

Mmm... food...

I'm going to eat pretty much the same as last week. I'm making another vegan meatloaf tonight (exciting!!). But instead of spinach, we dine on broccoli. Yep, fun times over here!

Well, I'm off to do a strength tape. Wish me luck!! (that I don't procrastinate and not get to it at all)

Finally!

Ok.... so for the first time in like two weeks, the scale has moved!!! I am weighing in at 183. 3 pounds gone!! oh yeah! Can we say 12 pounds gone for good?! Yeah, we can. Feels good.

I've been eating great this week, except for the horrible Cheezits day... but they were sooooo good! I've had strawberry smoothies for breakfast and salads for lunch. And you know what I've been having for dinner the past few nights.

I didn't go for a run today. I know, there was no excuse. But I'm on it tomorrow!!

I may come back and add more later, but for now that's it!! Ta-ta!!!!

So... I rock!

So I finally did it! I made a vegetarian meatloaf! Oh yeah, Oh, yeah! And it got the seal of approval from my hunny. And I made a bunch, so can we say leftovers!!! No more cooking for me for the rest of the week. I got the recipe from a fellow blogger... She's a mom, she makes fun lunches for her "schmoo"...she's just awesome! I want to be like her when I grow up! Here is the link:

http://www.veganlunchbox.com/loaf_studio.html

On the exercise front
So I wasn't able to go for my run today. Very bummed about that. It was too cold and gloomy out there. So.... I did a firm tape instead. Hopefully it's a bit nicer tomorrow and I can go out again. I haven't done a strength tape in about two weeks. The plan was to do them twice a week. I wonder if I can get one in tomorrow and Saturday? I'm definitely going to try!

New Rule
I am only weighing myself on Fridays now. Ok, so what I weigh myself everyday. But the scale isn't moving as fast as it did when I first started this low carb/low glycemic lifestyle change. So, it's not as exciting weighing myself everyday as it used to be. So... only Fridays now. I'm thinking I need to beef up the cardio if I want it to move. My eating has been great, except for that moment of weakness earlier today. Those Jack Cheddar Cheezits were calling my name! Darn my hunny for bring snacks back into this house!

Oh yeah, I changed the look of my blog!!! I get bored easily...


*****Update*****
Here is the actual recipe I used for my loaf:

Ingredients:

1/2 cup pecans
2 TB olive oil
One onion, diced
Two celery ribs, diced
One cup mushrooms, cleaned and chopped
2 cups vegetarian burger or sausage crumbles
1 cup cooked brown rice
1/4 to 1/2 cup plain nondairy milk, as needed
1/2 cup cooked oatmeal
1 tsp. dried basil
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
1/4 tsp. dried oregano
2 TB ketchup
1 tsp. onion salt


Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350º. Spray a loaf pan or 8x8 square baking pan with nonstick spray and set aside (an 8x8 pan makes a crisper loaf).

Grind the pecans into a coarse meal using a food processor or spice/coffee grinder. Place in a large mixing bowl and set aside.

Sauté any vegetables you've chosen in the olive oil until soft. Add to the large mixing bowl along with all the remaining ingredients. Mix and mash together well, adding only as much liquid as needed to create a soft, moist loaf that holds together and is not runny (you may not need to add any liquid if the grains and protein are very moist). Add more oatmeal/rice as needed if the loaf seems too wet.

Press mixture into the prepared pan and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until cooked through.

Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes, then turn out onto a plate or platter and slice. Serve with potatoes, vegetables, and vegetarian gravy, if desired.

Cold leftover slices of make a great sandwich filling.

Yeah, man!!

So my meeting went great!!! Now we just need to agree to the financial stuff and I'm good to go!!! Woohoo!!! And for that, I'm going on a celebratory run!!! Hey anything to make the run exciting....

I feel like I'm still running...

Neato! I've changed the font and the font size. I get excited about the little things...

So I went for a run this morning. I'm on Week 2, Day 1 of the couch program. Basically, this week it's a alternating 90 second run with a 2 minute walk. Still using the podcast. It seemed like it took the guy forever to tell me to walk. I was like... dude... anytime now. But I finished it! I'm all extra energetic now. This day is just speeding by, which is good.

I need to start planning my meals. So far I've planned today and tomorrow's meals. I'm trying to learn how to master a tofu scramble for breakfast. Last week, I pretty much had cereal & fruit everyday for breakfast and the weight did not budge. So no cereal for a while. Lunch is pretty much always a salad with either tofu or veggie burger topping. Tonight we dine on portabella mushrooms and sauteed (how the heck do you spell that) spinach. Tomorrow's dinner will be a vegan meatloaf and sauteed spinach. Got some spinach I need to get rid of. Snacks are either string cheese or pistachios (my favorite!!!). Cooking is so much easier this week. My husband has decided to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle for the next two weeks. Keeping fingers crossed that he'll like it!!!

I may pop in a firm video later this afternoon to get some extra cardio in.

I'm meeting with the owner of a spanish school tomorrow morning to see if I can rent space in her building for my tutoring company. Oh, I hope it goes well!

He bailed on me and I got lost!!

I totally haven't stuck to the workout plan this week. But that's not to say I haven't worked out! In terms of strength... nada. But cardio... three times so far! So I started the Couch 2 5k running program. My husband, who used to be a long distance runner, usually runs it with me. But I know I'm holding him back. Sometimes, when we make it back home, he goes out again for another run. So yesterday, when I asked what time were we running that day, He's says, " You're going by yourself today. You can do it!!"....

Say what?

So after debating with myself on whether or not I was going to go... I went. I had my Ipod with my running podcast.. http://www.ullreys.com/robert/Podcasts/podcasts/podcasts.html... I was good to go. I hardly ever drive through the back part of our neighborhood (we've lived in this area over a year now). I've never needed to. And I just follow my husband when we run, so I never pay attention. So I take off and I'm just running... looking so cute in my nike gear, twists pulled back.. couldn't tell me nothing. I was going to show my DH that I could do this!! Halfway through the run/podcast, I decide it's time to turn around and head back... but where was back? So I finished the rest of the run/podcast, thinking I'd be near the house by then... but nope! I circle the neighborhood like twice... I know those folks were like.. that black woman is so lost. I ended up finding this road I knew and walking UPHILL all the way back home. DH laughed and said, you didn't go the way I told you, did you. Granted I went the way he told me, I just forgot how to get back!

I'm paying attention on my run today!

Be Authentic

I lost a friend of mine this weekend. He was visiting family, helping with the arrangements of his own father's funeral and complained of having chest pains. He died at the hospital. He was only 34, so handsome, active and in great shape. He was such a genuine guy. Very sincere. Light-hearted, confident and sure of himself. As my grandparents would say "He was good people". When you spoke to him, you felt as if you were the only one in the room. He was a great listener, an awesome guy. Would have made a great mate for a lucky woman. He was really and truly a rare gem. So I'm in a state of shock right now. I'm hurting moreso for his family.

Be authentic you guys, at all times. In every moment, be present. Enjoy yourselves. You just never know. And take good care of yourselves. Watch how you manage the stress in your lives. Check in every once in a while with yourself... It sounds weird, I know, but it's prudent to listen to what your body is telling you. Take joy in the little things.

I'll miss you K.G.

I hurt

Ok, so I felt so great running yesterday( though it's after midnight, so should I say, two days ago). Well...jogging and walking. But today, I hurt!!! My outer thigh, my quads. But I will be at it again tomorrow (later today).

Off topic!!!
That was an awesome Super Bowl!!!! Yay, Giants!!! I lived in Boston for 3 years. Two of them were miserable years!!! Not a fan of that town!!! I loved this game tonight!!! It ranks right up there when my other two teams won the Super Bowl.

Ok, I'm going for another run (jog/walk) tomorrow!! Wish me luck!!!

tru!!!

See, what had happened was...

Ok, so not a good week. I didn't exercise at all!! I know, ridiculous, right?!! It was that time of the month and I couldn't get motivated. As a result of not getting up and moving and that whole time of the month bloating thing, I gained 5 pounds back. Very disappointed in that!! But, never fear!! I'm back at it! I feel like myself again. I'm also starting the Couch to 5k running program. I'd started last year, and the year before that, and the year before that and..... But this time, I'm starting with the podcasts!!!

http://www.ullreys.com/robert/Podcasts/page4/files/683c0d1fb700c55e163e34d92ccf489c-2.html

This really nice guy from California set up a podcast to go along with the cool running couch to 5k program. Wasn't that sweet of him! So I'm downloading my first podcast and will be off and running (oh yes, pun intended!) as soon as it finishes. Then I'm coming back to wash and deep condition my hair. Fun times right?

So the workout plan this week
2/2 Run!
2/3 Super Cardio scult tape
2/4 Run in the a.m.; billy blanks in the p.m.
2/5 cardio tape in the a.m, strength tape in the p.m.
2/6 run in the a.m.; cardio tape in the pm
2/7 cardio tape in the a.m.; strength tape in the p.m.
2/8 run in the a.m.; cardio tape in the p.m.

I own every FIRM tape ever made. I've been itching to get the new ones, like the transfirmer ones, but I own a few that I haven't even done yet!! The DH won't let me buy any new ones til I work through the ones I have. Sucks!!!

I'll be posting a picture soon, so I can visually track my weight loss.

So does having a goal help anyone else? I have a family reunion in July. I want to show up looking fabulous!! We are having a banquet during the reunion with a 70's theme. I already have the hair down!!! So now I have to plan the outfit.

My download is done!!! Off I go!!

Off to a good start

So, I've lost 10 pounds since January 1. My goal was to lose 15 pounds by January 30, so I'm almost there! I've been following the Doctor's Wellness Diet that I got from a doctor. Apparently, it's quite similar to the Atkin's Diet. I officially started on January 9. For the first two weeks, absolutely no bread, pasta, potatoes, rice, fruit (i know, suprising right?) or dairy. Well, you can have low fat cheese. And only water, coffee, tea to drink. No alcohol for two weeks either. Ok, so that was hard. But I may have a glass of wine this weekend. OK, so after the two weeks the plan says you can slowly add the carbs back in, but not to excess. But, I'm only planning on adding whole grain cereal back. I love cereal. I've lived without rice, bread, pasta and potatoes for over two weeks and I've survived! Not sure when I'll add them back in though. But the diet said one could lose between 8 and 13 pounds the first two weeks, and then the weight lost should slow after the first two weeks.

I've been exercising almost daily, somtimes twice a day. I know, I'm a maniac sometimes. I've been having a hard time working out twice a day this week. But tomorrow, (friday), I'll get two in.

OK the particulars. I began the year at 195. Today I am 185. Maybe it's a bit ambitious to want to be 180 by January 31, but I'm certainly going to try. My next goal: 168 by the end of February.