Day 216 - A Workout Recap

Good Afternoon Everyone - it's Friday, YAY!!  How is your Friday going?? Mine has been fantastic - I woke up this morning and got baby girl ready for her school day :) She is just the most precious, I love her more every day -

If you follow me on IG you already know this, but this morning we were putting on her new Under Armour shoes and she said "Mommy, I have running shoes just like you do!" - it was such a sweet moment, she sees me going running and she wants to be like me!  I am so proud of myself for setting an example for this little lady - instead of eating "fries and chicken" (what she used to call happy meals) and leading a sedentary life, she sees me dropping her off at school in my running shoes and making delicious healthy food that is so much better for her - Im proud that I have made this change and that she is understanding that mommy is a fit mommy :)

After I dropped her off, I went for my 2 mile run - since this is my short run, the past two weeks I have worked on speeding up my pace...and today I went 38 seconds faster - woot woot - I know that's not much, but man to a runner it is!! So proud of myself - and I know that I can push it and I wont die :)

Then yesterday, I started Day 1 of the 30 Day Shred.  I was pleasantly surprised.  Perhaps it is because I have done P90X in the past - yeah I only lasted 2 weeks...but I found this workout fun and quick - loved it and I will keep doing it every day.  I would have done it after my run today but I ran out of time and plan on doing it tonight, unless a Miller Lite finds itself in my hand quicker than I can change into work out clothes :) We shall see - but regardless, I plan on doing this workout for a long time - the only minor concern I had was my ankles were really sore today after my run, Im afraid that the cardio portions of the work out are adversely affecting my ankles, and since running is my priority, I might alter the cardio portion of level 1 slightly to keep these ankles safe :) Going to pick my husbands brain about it later :)

Ok, that's all I have - see you all next week :)

Day 215 - Drinks, NSVs, and 43 Pounds Baby!

Good Afternoon!  How is your Thursday going??? Almost the weekend, I cannot wait - this week has draggggggged on and on and on...so Im excited!! No super big plans this weekend other than making the switcheroo from Winter to Summer clothes...and praying I kept some skinny jeans in the Summer batch of clothes :)

Im participating in two link ups today - first is with Ms. Kristin from Hopelessly Ever After and Ms. Alicia from Brew Mama for:

So, I am a hopelessly devoted beer drinker, I know it's fatty and carbtastic, but I love a cold beer on a sunny afternoon...My favorite is:

It is the most low calorie beer out there, without tasting like serious butt (sorry I hate Mich Ultra)

 When I am feeling like a Diet Queen and remember how many carbs are in beer, I switch it up to Vodka/Soda:

But, that usually happens infrequently...I love beer :)  And No, I do not drink during the week, only on the weekends :)

Next up, I am linking up with Ms. Katie J from Katie J Weighing In for:

This week I have a SV (Scale Victory) and a NSV (Non-Scale Victory):

SV - I am down another pound, making it 43 Pounds!! This little plateau is messing with my head, which is why I have failed in the past, and I think recognizing that is a SUPER HUGE NSV :) Just because the weight isnt coming off as fast as it was in April does not mean Im failing, it just means I need to change it up a bit, which is why Im starting the shred tonight.  I need to keep reminding myself this is a journey and this is for life, this isnt some fun contest or something, this is my life and the decisions Im making now will help me tomorrow and the next day and the next day...oye! Sometimes its overwhelming, but Im going back to what I know works, like food prep and exercise :) And Before/After pics always help :)  The bottom left pic is so awful, I cringe...but it was January 27, 2013 and the Top left was this morning :) 4 months and 40 lbs lighter :)

NSV - some of you already know this is you read my blog or are friends with me on IG - but this past weekend I purchased my first pair of single digit jeans since 2007...that's 6 long years of being uncomfortable in my own skin, my new size 8's represent so much to me...how far Ive come and where I never want to be again!  I cant wait to buy size 6's next!  It's little goals that keep me going!

Ok, wow this was wordy...that's all I have, See you tomorrow!!

Day 214 - My Longest Distance To Date!!

Good Afternoon Everyone, how is your Wednesday treating you?  Mine started off quite early and has been pretty awesome so far :) So let's get started:

First up, I am linking with Ms. Erin from She's a Big Star and Ms. Alex from Skinny Jean Pilgrimage for:

Last Week: 166.6

This Week: 166.8

+.2

Womp Womp, I know the scale doesnt define you, blah blah blah, but this month I have obviously plateaued...so, Im putting on my big girl panties and busting through this plateau with 30 Day Shred tomorrow :) This is a journey, not a quick-fix, I know this - so Im trying to focus on the positive which brings me to:

I am linking up with Ms. Skinny Meg for:

This morning, I had to run 3.0 Miles in order to stick with my 5K training, Im on the end of the training and plan to amp it up on June 3rd with 10K training, more on that later...so, I was incredibly nervous - I had really bad cramps and did not want to take the "easy" route of using the treadmill at the gym, I really really really wanted to run the whole thing and prove to myself that Im no quitter...so that's just what I did:

I DID IT!!!  I ran 3.1 miles in 35:26 :) I was pissed off at first because my official 5K time from the 5K my husband and I ran in March was 34:32...but! I had speedy gonzales (aka hubs) pacing me on that run and on this run, at the very end, when I thought FOR SURE I had reached 3.1 miles - I took out my phone and realized I was still at 3.09 so I had to haul more tired butt to finish...something Im super proud of though?  I ran the whole thing and and AND I ran each mile under 12 minutes, a first for me - so Im very proud of myself and Ive set the new standard for myself.  I also used my new SPIbelt to hold my phone to have my hands free, and I loved it - such a wonderful investment.  So hell yeah :)

Next up is Ms. Jenn from Peas and Crayons for:

This morning I started something new, I drank a warm cup of water with half a lemon squeezed into it and a cap full of Apple Cider Vinegar.  Ive read about this morning tradition everywhere and thought I would give it a try, this old lady metabolism needs all the help she can get :) Verdict?  Super gross, but I took it back like a champ!  So, this is what I packed for breakfast and lunch today:

Except for the eggs on the bottom, I opted for a protein shake instead :)

Next up, I am linking with Ms. Shannen from Life After I Dew for:

Today, I am saying SO WHAT?!?!

If: My daughter looks like a complete ragamuffin in her clothes today, she has to be the most beautiful ragamuffin that ever lived:

(She picked out the shorts)

If: I am up on my weight, I have nursing some pretty horrific lady cramps right now

If: I woke up this morning at 6:00 AM and spent thirty minutes of that time laying in bed checking my IG feed/FB feed/emails...it was nice and quiet - hubs leaves for school at 4:15 every day (yikes, I know)

If: I made a super newbie runner mistake and left my water bottle on my car in between miles 2 and 3 and the MP (military police) threw it away when they were picking up trash, woops!

If: Because of the one above I had to get a super cold Black Ice Tea (no sugar added) from the Starbucks at the park where I run, it was delicious and calorie-free - winning!

If: I am enjoying being off from school but am really looking forward to June when it all starts again :)

If: I am thinking of making a motivation board or whatever you call it to put my hopes and dreams in a tangible location :)

Ok, that's it for today - see you tomorrow!

Day 213 - My Favorite Birthday, the One When I was Proposed to!!

Good Afternoon everyone - how is your week going so far?  Mine is going well - today kind of stink because I woke up with my favorite time of the month and I just ate 3 hard butterscotch candies in a row...woops :) I counted them on MFP like a good girl though ;) - So, anywho, today Im linking up with three awesome ladies Ms. Holly from Where We Can Live Like Jack and Sally, Ms. Chrissy from Mama Chrissy's Chaos, and Ms. Lindsey from A Plane, His Nurse, and 3 Little Passengers for:

Growing up with an October Birthday (yay Libra!) - I always had Halloween birthday parties, I have fond memories and seeing that my brother's birthday was two days after mine, well I never felt cheated or anything :) If he was a girl, I prob would have memories of that though - girls are so vicious...anyways - I also share a birthday with my Grandpa that passed away last year, we would always call each other on our birthdays - except his birth year was 1919 and mine was 1981 :)

My favorite birthday to date took place in 2009 when I turned 28.  I was 9 months pregnant with Amelia (she was born on November 12) and my boyfriend at the time (yes we married after she was born...the horror, the horror - I kid!) was visiting me in OKC where I was living with my Dad while my boyfriend finished AIT (training for the Army) - so he spent a 4 day with me...we stayed in a hotel room and had the best weekend.  On Thursday when he came in, he came to my baby shower my office threw for me:

This was the first time I had seen him since May in person and Im 9 months prego...I felt like a whale...good thing he loves me :) Oh! and this was the first time I saw him in his uniform - at the time that uniform represented fear because I knew he would be deploying as soon as he graduated - now it is such a familiar sight, I hardly think about it :)

So, that weekend we also had a co-party with my grandpa with all my family, it was really fun:

I love this pic :)

And side note: this is my daddy - this was the fall before he passed - my step mom is on the left and my aunt on the right - I love this pic :)

So, back to the story - so, all along my then boyfriend hadnt given me anything for my birthday yet...I didnt know if I should say anything or just go with the flow...so Monday morning rolls around...we are in the hotel room checking out - I was going to work and he was going to the airport...I see him start to pace, and then he got down on one knee...and asked me to be his wife...and the rest is history :) And the best part, Miley Cyrus' Party in the USA was playing in the background on VH1 - so forever and ever that song always puts smiles on our faces - even though she is a little wacko these days - I still love it :)  So, that was by far, my fave birthday ever!

Now, onto my Mother's Day recap:

We had a low key weekend, on Saturday I went to my girlfriend's baby shower - her hubs is deployed and is Amelia's Godfather, it was really nice and I think she like what I gave her - I ended up posting a Before and After on that day on IG - here is the pic:

The left pic is from Amelia's baptism in June of 2012...the right was this past Saturday :) These pictures keep me motivated!

Then Mother's Day happened - OMG! I bought a single digit pant!! Best feeling ever :) I still cant believe it - even as I type this wearing them :) I also bought myself a trashy mag and Amelia a Superman shirt - she's obsessed with Superman - Old School movies too - classic :)

This was right before we had lunch :) I love that stinker :)

Then, that night I food prepped - I made HB Eggs, chopped up veggies/washed fruit, energy balls, turkey meatballs, and turkey burgers

Then yesterday, I ran the longest and farthest distance to date - so proud of myself!! Tomorrow Im running 3 miles - I cant even believe it - I hope I dont die...the scale was a little up, but it's back down today :)

Ok that's it :) Have a great Tuesday!

Day 208 - Finish the Sentence

Good Morning, how is everyone doing?  Thursdays are almost as bad as Tuesdays, in my opinion, come on one more day, one more day :)  Today I am doing the super awesome link up with Ms. Holly from Where We Can Live Like Jack & Sally and Mr. Jake from The Life of Jake for:

Unlike my sibling(s) (that I love very much)... I have thin skin, they know how to push my buttons and generally gang up on me when we are all together - middle child syndrome at its finest

My best friend says... we are having pizza for dinner tonight, guess who is bringing salad?  This girl :)

People call me... Tay, Tay Tay or one horrible nick name I garnered in high school when my ta-ta's were double the size...use your imagination...

I most often dream... of what my job will be when Im finished with grad school

The best part of my day... is when I pick up Amelia from school...love that child

I really don't understand... the obsession with singing shows...American Idol, the Voice, I just dont get it

I get really annoyed... when things dont work in my house like they should, for example, MY AIR CONDITIONING UNIT, we just had replaced (even though our old one worked fine) and the repair dudes dont have a flipping clue how to fix - hello 80 degrees in my house this morning, not a happy mama

There's nothing like a... cold drink and reading my book on the porch...love it

Lately, I can't get enough... red grapes, obsessed, picking up more on the way home from work

One thing I am NOT is... a good time manager, ask the hubs...something I really really really need to work on

I spent too much money on... textbooks that should be arriving on my doorstep today

I want to learn.... how to wake up in the morning to my stupid alarm

If I ever met _________, I would... my great grandmother, I would ask her what it was like to live in a new country and start her own business (she came from Germany and ran her own bakery)

I can't stop... reading my Nora Roberts book, so fantastic and it's almost over...Im dragging it out

Never have I ever... man oh man, we used to play this game in high school...gotten a tattoo (when I hit my goal though, bring it on baby!)

Reese Witherspoon... got busted in my hometown - ATL baby!  It actually was refreshing to see her do something so human...

So, there you have it :) One more fun picture, I took this picture this morning to participate in IG's #tbt...

The top left picture was around my 31st birthday last year, the bottom ones are today!  I like to do before and afters to keep me motivated and determined.  I cant wait to see what my birthday pics will look like this year, 32 years baby! 

Ok, I will see you all tomorrow :)

Day 207 - 42 Pounds and 2.75 Miles

Good Afternoon Everyone, how is your Wednesday going??  Thank you to everyone that gave me suggestions yesterday!!  I really appreciate it!!  So, I feel like this week is dragging...but it's all good because today is a great day!  Let's start off this thing with my first link up, Ms. Erin from She's a Big Star for:

Last Week was 168.8

This week is 166.6

Down 2.2!!! Excited about this one, I felt like I was somewhat plateauing and of course it's all in my head :) Im just going to keep on eating "mostly clean" and running :)  I wonder what introducing Jillian to my work outs will do, but Im excited to find out!!

Next up, I am linking with Ms. Skinny Meg for:

Workout Wednesday!!

This morning I did 2.75 on the treadmill.  This was the first run of Week 6 - Im a day behind on the whole thing, but managing to get my miles in :)

This run was harrrrrrd...which is why I did not incline the treadmill.  I felt like I had to go to the bathroom the WHOLE TIME - almost quit to do just that, but wanted to persevere...I did it though and of course afterwards I feel like a million bucks...this was the first time that I was really good with breathing in the middle...at like minute 24 I was thinking "I could keep this going" which is just crazy town talk :) Good thing, because next week is 3 miles!

- I included a pic of my daughter this time because it is super important for her to know that mommy is trying to get healthy, she wanted to see me roll on my foam roller this morning, when we were still in jammies :) I also run in the neighborhood behind her school when I run, so she and her classmates wave at me as I make the loops...it's important to me that she gets this is about making our life healthier!

Next up, I am linking up with Ms. Jenn from Peas and Crayons for:

Last night I was all set to prep a ton of food, then hubs walks into the kitchen and tells me not to make anything for him because with his super awesome school he's in for this month (yay!) they make him have three meals at the school...so I only ended up prepping Banana Butterscotch Bread (Baby Girl loved this this morning - Score!), energy balls and black bean meatballs...well this morning, I was feeling meh about it all so tonight, Im going to prep some Tuna Burgers to take with me to work :) And I will stick to the black bean meatballs for dinner...or vice-versa...so, I dont have a prep pic for you but here is a pic of my salad last night - yumm!!

Im kind of obsessed with salad right now, my body craves all the veggies :)

Ok, finally I am linking up with Ms. Shannon from Life After I Dew for:

Today I am saying SO WHAT?!?!:

- If I have outdated work out clothes :) All the better to show you my progress:

(True Story, a little scurrred to buy skinny girl work out clothes, I dont feel like a skinny girl yet and...where do I even go for that sort of thing, you mean it's not OK to wear your husband's shirts anymore ;))

- If I had to sell my textbooks to three different websites, I still got some mullah back, which is the most important thing!

- If my husband is in school from 3:45 AM to 730 PM every.single.weekday for the next month...it is benefiting our family, and that is what I need to remember!

- If I cannot wait to go pick up baby girl from school, I miss her when I am at work and it's gorgeous outside, all I want to do is go to the park and play

- If I am loving having no school this month, I am devouring the new Nora Roberts book and it is fantastic!

- If I attempted to listen to the new Harlan Coben while running today and it was a big fat fail, at 11 minutes I had to turn on my jams, turns out my music actually makes me pumped...I will try again though, I am feeling that the book on tape will help for my long runs coming up, we shall see :)

Ok, that's all I have for you today - see you tomorrow!

Day 206 - Hip Pain

Good Afternoon Everyone, how is your Tuesday treating you?  Sorry for the absence yesterday but I wasnt feeling well and couldnt get around to posting...I didnt sleep much on Sunday night and that always makes my head cloudy.  I got my run in (2.5) and that helped for sure, but I still felt like I was in a cloud all day.  My weekend was great, Ive modified my 5K training due to missing a run two weekends ago.  I am getting my runs in on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays - where previously they were on Tuesday, Thursdays and Saturdays.  I like MWF better for the simple reason, I like to hang out with my family as much as possible over the weekends and dont really want to take away from that.  I will reevaluate when I start the 10K training in June.  So, I have a question for all my running friends out there.  I was not originally going to make this problem of mine public (I dont want to sound like a whiner) but I am experiencing hip pain on the outside (lateral) portion of my upper hip.  It's not where my joint is.  It's higher and sounds like (after declaring myself a Dr. and self-diagnosing on the interwebs) like IT band pain.  CURSES - I dont want to have any IT Band pain.  So, what does a woman do about this?  Ive heard of foam rolling and looked up various kinds of stretching (which I did a new stretch yesterday after my run and today my pain in noticeably less - cheers!) but I want to hear from my friends.  What do you do?  I am falling in love with running more and more every day and I WILL NOT let this rail road me.  For the most part, the pain is unnoticeable when running and shows up post-run (except when I did the stop-run last week, um def not my choice method).  Thanks in advance for the help!! In other news, I received an A and an A- in my classes last semester, woo hoo!! So excited!!  I have two more weeks - gag - until I start up again with school - kind of excited though, not going to lie :) And I still have not started the JM 30DS - my husband started a fairly intense school this week that lasts a month and he is not physically able to do the exercise with me, and I am slightly concerned with my hip pain situation and my remaining neck pain situation (gosh I sound like a grandma) - so here is my altered plan.  I am going to complete a weight exercise I am familiar with today and Thursday, and then Sunday I am going to get my run back in where it's supposed to be, leaving Monday free.  I am going to officially start the 30DS on Monday - I will be late to the party, but this is my party so Im OK with that...and I am going to see how I feel on Tuesday after the initial Day 1 of the shred.  If I am overly sore, then I will run as planned on Tuesday and then continue on with the Shred Day 2 on Wednesday (non/running day) - does any of that make sense - ha - it will all work out...moral of the story is I am starting the shred next Monday.  I am keeping up with my running, which like I said - I am loving more and more every day.  I just need to get this pain to go away - so any suggestions you have for that would be greatly appreciated!!  I have no intentions of ever NOT running 3 days a week, so the more comfort I feel while doing it the better!!  Thanks ladies!! Ok, I will be back tomorrow for a ton of link ups and a detailed food prep post - I am prepping tonight - I am going back to some oldies but goodies and trying a few new things :) Stay Tuned!  And here is a picture from this morning of my sweet girl and me (I?) - stupid grammar :)

See you tomorrow!