Salad a junk food?

For the last month I have been meticulously logging my food intake and energy output and it's been working I've lost 4 pounds since I started doing that.  Now on occasion I let myself splurge and yesterday I didn't bring my lunch to work so I decided to let myself eat something I wouldn't normally eat, a salad from a local fast food restaurant that is right next to where I work.  Now before you say anything hear me out.....   When I normally eat a salad I have a vinaigrette dressing instead of a creamy dressing and the only fats in it come from either some olives or avocado which I consider good fats.  This particular salad had Ranch dressing (I'm going to guess it comes with about 1/4 of a cup) and shredded cheese on top, it did have some sunflower seeds on it.  So this salad had about 45 grams of fat and came in over 500 calories.  Now sometimes the salads aren't too bad but if we know the nutritional content of them would we always pick them over something more delicious?

Exhibit 1:

My favorite micro brew/restaurant I would always have the Spinach salad because I knew I was going to indulge in a beer.  Well this is what I found out:

Spinach Salad 590 cals 48 g fat

when my real favorite is

Vegetarian Calzone - small is 580 cals 21 g fat and that's with cheese which a lot of times I ask for it without cheese :-)

Exhibit 2:

How about Boston's I use to get their Greek salad and pass on the pizza then I saw this

Greek Salad   900 cals 84 g fat

 Now I know you can't forget about the nutritional value of some foods when picking what you're going to eat but I'm just saying I wish that all restaurants were required to give us their nutrition info. and I greatly appreciate the ones who do because then I can plan for when I splurge :-)  The last couple of days I've been having to dodge things like this:

But that's a whole different story!


Do you ever check for nutrition info online before going to a restaurant?  What is your favorite "splurge" food?  Don't forget about my ROAD ID Giveaway there is still time to enter HERE!!

Food in miles...

So I am in the process of making my Christmas Menu for the family since my house tends to be the central location for all our family shin - digs.  First I'm am starting the countdown because I get to see hubs during this holiday yay!!! But then I won't get to see him again until Sept. booo that means my dad has offered to make the two of them meat (I guess he's going with beer can chicken I don't really get it but ok)  Now for the rest of us I decided after I had to eat leftover green bean casserole and stuffing and mashed potatoes all by myself for an ENTIRE week I am going the non-traditional route this time.  I'm going to look for some yummy vegan Latin fusion dishes we'll see what happens.  I'm not a baker at all so that has been defaulted to my brother's girlfriend.  But then I started thinking about all the calories that would be consumed.  I found this gem of an article:  http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/dec/19/christmas-foodanddrink


Christmas pudding    Does anyone actuallly eat this?  Ok well that's 6 miles I won't have to run...
(100g) with custard and brandy butter
6.28 miles
That's 33,158ft
Turkey  The vegetarians in the family won't have to run this..
(90g serving)
1.6 miles
That's about as far as you'd get in half an hour (average speed 3.2 mph)

Panettone  No thank you...
(1 slice, 68.6g)
2.1 miles
That's about 4,235 steps

Christmas dinner plus 2 glasses of wine       Ok so I think I'll just run this distance to play it safe?
12.8 miles

Brussels sprouts   I love brussel sprouts and usually roast them in the oven but we did that for TG so not this time
(80g serving)
1,108 feet
That's one-and-a-third times around a running track
Carrots  
(80g serving)
296 yards

Roast potatoes    Yum I love potatoes mashed, baked fries (especially sweet potatoes), roast so I'll probably have 2 servings of whatever potato dish we have.
(85g serving)
1.4 miles

What the average Briton eats on Christmas Day
75 miles
That's the range of a fully charged Fiat 500 electric car
Mulled wine   I've been skipping wine/beer for the last month or so, whew
(glass)
2.6 miles
After Eight mints
(100g)
4.5 miles


 What are some of your favorite Christmas dishes?  Are any of you running over the holiday?  Are any of you going to do a non- traditional meal, if so what?

 

Happy Friday!

December is here, there is a nip in the air and gale storm winds all around us!  Seriously if I can't sleep with this wind how am I supposed to run in it?  I know, stop making excuses!  My dog was going crazy she wanted to go outside and chase the leaves around but I was afraid she'd get carried away like Toto or even worse impaled by a flying object so I had to be the mean mom and keep her indoors.  Now let's see if this storm actually brings us some snow!!!

So I guess we should start getting in the Christmas Spirit. 







I'm excited to participating in Just Trying is for Little Girls Holiday Card Exchange and Run With Jill's gift exchange!  I'm also planning on doing a lot of fun runs like this Saturday's running club handicap which is relay style, then a brewery run with them and it's looking like there's a Rudolph Run and I hope to have people over next weekend to watch the NBC Ironman Special!!!

Here at my office instead of the 12 days of Christmas we have the 12 days of gluttony! :-)

In the 2 days that it has already started this is what has been waiting for us:

Sweet Empandas

Chocolate Cake

Puppy Chow

Do you think they will hate me if I bring hummus?  What are your running plans over the holidays?

Random thoughts....

I posted this on facebook today:  Listening to people complain about the rising cost of healthcare at their place of work, yet when the conversation leads to the fact that 60-80% of dr. visits that contribute to the rising cost are due to personal actions they get up and leave the meeting hmmmm.... I don't really care what side of the "health care reform" argument I'm on but if there is something I can do (exercise) or not do (put down the doughnut) to improve my health or prevent taking medications, sign me up!

 

I'm curious if I'll get a completely different response in comments on there than if I post it on here or DM? :-)  I know health care reform is a touchy subject but why don't we at least try to control what we can that's all I'm saying not trying to get political.

So I looked at some of the new layouts for blogger and I liked some of them but it seems like it takes away some features like does anyone know how someone would choose to follow you (not that I really have this problem but just in case) it doesn't seem to give you the option to add "widgets" on that one or I wanted to change the color of my Blog title so that it would show up with the new background I had picked but I couldn't do it under the new version.  Just putting this out there in case anyone has some insider tips I'm not aware of?

Yesterday I went for a run with the dog trying to get her prepped for a doggy dash and doddle but I can't use my running leash because it goes past 6 feet.  This will be a very interesting run.  I tripped over her at least 4 times and almost got my arm ripped off twice when she tried to stay behind sniffing or standing on her back legs trying to check out where the barking was coming from (behind the fence).  My mom practiced riding my commuter bike for this weekends Day of the Tread that we will be doing with the whole fam.  I'm so proud of my mom she can lift weights right there next to Mr. Macho Heavy Grunting Scary Dude and not get fazed, she goes to spin class with me and tries her best, she will jog/walk a 5k just to be able to do it with me and she can hike trails with her friend in the mountains like you wouldn't believe!  I'm so glad I learned good habits from my parents!  They are also celebrating their 36th anniversary this weekend!  Congrats Mom and Dad!!!!  I will be making them an eggplant lasagna for dinner that night.

Too Much Yumminess & Not enough Running!

Help!  I've indulged the last few days which normally isn't a problem if it wasn't also accompanied with a rest day that I didn't need!  So Saturday was awesome I started with a 7:30am Endurance Spin Class, 15 miles, followed by a 8:45 am Yoga class, which really helped my foot and hips and made me break a sweat.  Then I went for 3 miles with the puppy.  I was also very productive on the home front doing some major spring cleaning!!  I followed all that by a girls night out. 

Then come Sunday I decided I wouldn't get as early of a start I watched a chick flick then read an entire book, ok it was an easy read Jenny McCarthy's Love, Lust and Faking it isn't exactly like reading a college text book.  But I needed to just let my mind and body rest.  The problem is I never got around to my run that day and replaced it with making Vegan Coconut lime cupcakes.  Delicious, I ate two, and was in a sugar coma after that!  The only thing keeping me from eating the rest of the dozen is the fact that I've been told when the bf gets back from his current military school he will apparently be 20 lbs lighter and needing lots of food!

Monday I was able to get a great swim in 2400 meters of alternating breast and free style and a sensible dinner.  Tuesday I had every intention of doing my usual weight lifting session followed by a 3-4 mile run.  When a friend of mine sent me an e-mail saying I know this is a long shot because of your triathlon coming up and last minute but would you be willing to go to Ladies Night Out at Melting Pot with me tonight?  The thing is I had wanted to go there for my birthday in January and due to some extenuating circumstances that I won't mention here it was cancelled.  So I had been dying to go for months and couldn't say no!!!!  But in order to make my reservation I only had enough time to go home play with the doggy and leave.  So did you know that my serving of the four course meal was about 1,400 calories and 60 grams of fat!!!!  Again with no workout!!!  It was so yummy but all this is going to start adding up.  I need to come back to reality and get back on track!  How do you make sure you don't get distracted by yummy treats and dinners?

Rice Artichoke Salad

This is a recipe I adopted from a packaged rice box that wasn’t originally vegetarian. 

2 cups rice

4 cups vegetable broth

2-3 bottles of marinated artichoke hearts, chopped (reserve the liquid)

25 green olives (chopped)

2-3 celery stalks (chopped)

Garlic Powder or if Fresh about 1-2 cloves crushed

Curry Powder (to taste)

4 stalks green onion (chopped)

½ bell pepper (chopped)

½ -1 cup Vegenaise

Cook the rice following the directions on the package using the vegetable broth, I usually add extra spices to the broth for extra flavor (garlic, allspice, pepper, etc.)  Once the rice has cooled off mix it together with the rest of the ingredients in a big bowl, this includes the liquid you reserved from the artichoke hearts.  You can use mayonnaise in place of the Vegenaise if you are not vegan and if you want to use less then what it calls for you can replace ½ of it with plain fat free yogurt or up the spices like curry powder.  This is super easy and always a hit at dinner parties. 

Identify Your Barriers to Success.

Those who know me well know I’m not a morning person; I wake up one and a half hours before I have to be at work.  Not because it takes me that long to get ready or because the commute is horrible but because I need a good half hour of just sitting in front of the TV, not listening, not talking to anyone, just veg’ing before I can be expected to communicate in a manner that would be considered appropriate for my chosen profession.  So this morning as I sat there thoroughly enjoying my leftovers from “El Pinto” Mexican restaurant I thought to myself, “Wow, green chile first thing in the morning really helps wake me up!  But man those extra calories in this half of burrito are really going to weigh me down the rest of the day!”  Even though I knew I was going to regret eating that burrito I still did it, why?  So I did a little bit of research and the first article I stumbled upon was from NPR and discussed the similarities between drug addiction and over eating:   http://www.npr.org/2010/12/01/131698228/overeating-like-drug-use-rewards-and-alters-brain

Then I thought to myself ok so then how are we supposed to tackle this because I think by now we all know dieting doesn’t work and if it is a lifestyle change that we make then do we need to attend regular “meetings” to ensure we stick to this lifestyle change?  There has to be an easier solution right?

So then I found this article:  http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=19464

With a few helpful tips such as:  Don't do it alone. Get help. If you choose to discuss your goals with others, choose people who want you to succeed.  Plan ahead and set limits for yourself.  But I think one important piece missing from this article for me was Identify Barriers to Success.  For me stress and boredom are usually my biggest barriers to success.  We all know that as soon as we are stressed is starts this vicious cycle where we eat poorly and slack on our exercise at a time when we need it the most.  My two biggest stresses in life are: fights with the bf and when I do something wrong at work.  Now how do I tackle these two things?  First, I need to learn from my mistakes at work and instead of thinking it’s the end of the world just calmly take notes when I’m being told why something was wrong and let it go.  Second, I am convinced if I text less there will be less fights so I will strive to only text the bf 5 times a day which at the current rate of about 30 a day will be a huge improvement.  Also we are both stubborn headed and let’s call it passionate when it comes to arguments.  If I feel myself starting to become irritated or angry I will attempt to put the argument on hold until after that day’s workout.

Now on to brighter topics, today’s workout will consist of a 15 mile flat course on the trainer that will take about 30-40 minutes followed by some ab work and stretching.  I will concentrate on doing 3 miles at a cadence of about 80 and 1 mile at 100. My goals for this week are to get a quality workout in 3 out of the 4 days left in the week.  With a track and swim workout on Saturday and hopefully a nice outdoor bike ride Sunday, it will be my first ride off the trainer for the season! 

How about you what are your Barriers to Success?  What is your goal for the week?

My favorite homemade spaghetti sauce

I remember the 1st time I cooked this for my now bf this is what I made and I didn't tell him it was vegetarian until after we ate, now he requests it along with the vegetarian lasagna you can use this sauce for!

In food processor:
6-8 tomatoes (soft & ripe not green)
4 cloves garlic (at least the more the better is this household's motto)
1/2 bell pepper
1 onion
2-4 stalks celery
2 carrots
1-2 scallions
Splash of water

Blend until smooth no chunks...

In a large saucepan:
Sautee ground "meat" substitue (optional) in 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
Add mix from food processor, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, oregano, basil, thyme, salt, pepper, bay leaves, parsley

Bring to a boil then reduce to simmer, let cook 20-30 minutes you will see it turn a dark red...

For the lasagna I alternate layers of this sauce and a vegan white sauce that I make in between the lasagna noodles...

Tapering, Milestones and News

As I reflect on this last week I am happy to say I am now down 2 lbs from when I started this blog!  I will remain persistent and continue to move beyond any setbacks!   Hard work does pay off both in diet and exercise!  I was saddened by the news that has hit the health/fitness world of Jack LaLanne passing away at 96.  At the same time I am inspired not only by his enthusiasm for life and fitness but the ferocity by which he helped to spread the word and inspire others to follow his path.  It is key to believe in what you practice and to help others along that path.  

This week’s training consisted of:

Tues – No Gym

Wed - Weights and Abs

Thurs – Run on treadmill 30 mins (sprints) and elliptical 10 mins.

Fri. No Gym

Sat. 22 mile run in 4 hrs 10 mins.

Sun. No gym (helped brother install wood flooring)

This is not a typical week for me but it was the last long run of my upcoming marathon training.  I hardly ever have 3 days of no gym time but I have been fighting off a cold (this usually happens 1 week out from my main race but came early this time) and I new this last long run was KEY to my being able to successfully complete the upcoming marathon so I listened to my body a little more than I normally would have.  I would at this rate be set to hit a PR my 1^st marathon took me 5hrs 10 mins except for the fact that this training run was not very hilly (only 1 of 2 flat runs in my training plan) and the marathon itself has hills.  I will be prepared and complete it just probably not much faster than my 1^st.  The good news is this time around the marathon training hasn’t taken the same toll on my body that the 1^st one did.  I recover a lot faster from my long runs and feel good throughout the actual run.  I remember my 1^st training stint included 2 knee braces, advil before during and after each long run and lots of ice just to SURVIVE.  I am going to do a 30 minute run today at the gym and some ab work.  The last 5 miles of this run were hard and I had to start walking a little at each mile marker and the last 2 miles I battled mentally but succeeded by pushing through even though it meant I walked a little more than I would have liked. 

I needed more calories so on race day I will pack extra Shot Bloks by Clif (my favorite).  It was a great day to be on the trail because we are lucky to be hosting the indoor international track meet here this year and there were a lot of world class runners training out there.  It made me feel even slower than normal in comparison but what a great inspiration!

Today I am feeling a little tired and run down, still fighting off a cold, but I remember I use to after a long run fall asleep on my couch for roughly 5 hours usually with a half eaten burrito barley clinging on to the plate I had on my lap when I fell asleep.  This time I was able to continue with my day!  I have a 10 mile and 8 mile hill run left the next two weekends then it’s race day!!!  I’m excited yet nervous about the hills…. Let the tapering commence!

Note to Self: How to stay on track 2011

Journal It – When I feel myself straying from the nutritional track journal what you eat for about 1-2 weeks the trick is writing it down before you eat it then think about how bad you want those extra calories before putting hand to mouth

Don’t eat like your boyfriend – We are not always equals as just plain facts, my metabolism is not the same as his and my body loves to hold on to fat if I let it, so if he says “come on just try it” or suggests pizza for the 3^rd time that week say NO!

Replace not deprive – If you are craving something you know you shouldn’t have think about a possible alternative that would soothe that craving in a healthier way, ex. For me I put the cookie monster to rest by substituting that craving with a no sugar added hot chocolate for 50 calories vs. the 500 +

Size Does Matter – I shop on the website reuseit.com for reusable sandwich baggies etc. not only can you find fashionable alternatives to disposables but it helps me keep my portion sizes in check don’t ever eat straight out of the bag unless you want to start looking like the bag J

My favorite tid bit I’ve picked up, which is probably my #1 downfall , was from Bob Seebohar author of Nutrition Periodization is “Eat to train, don’t train to eat!”  I eat so much more on the weekends because that’s when I do my long runs or bike rides and I feel I’ve earned it, not necessarily!

Prediction runs, pools, and sweaty 80s music Oh My!

There were ups and downs to my weekend but it’s funny how sometimes I feel like things are such a success then something like the scale this morning brings me crashing back to reality.   Thursday ended up being my day off last week from workouts (supposed to go out to a bday dinner didn’t happen but that’s water under the bridge).  So Friday I hit the gym to do 30 minutes of weight lifting (total body) and 30 minutes of swimming (only got in 20 laps in 25 m pool).  I hadn’t been in the pool since summer so it had been months and every time I thought I should go I had flashbacks to that initial splash in as my abdominal floor muscles cringed (and no kegel exercise will prepare you for that J ).  But if you get past those images and go as you glide under the water and all the noises of the outside world disappear I am reminded of how calming swimming is.  I have vowed to make it to the pool at least once a week during the winter and hope for twice a week!

Saturday was a handicap run event with my local running group.  No watches allowed because the winner was the person who predicted their run time the closest to their actual run time.  It was a 4.7 mile VERY HILLY run that ended up taking me 55 mins. Instead of the 51 I had predicted, I ended up having to walk at the top of a few of the hills because I was sure I was about to go into cardiac arrest, that’s what happens when I don’t wear my heart rate monitor I let my imagination get the best of me!  I felt very good at the end even though it was so tough, we had one puker on the run.  The winner got his time within 1 second, I smell a hidden watch j/k!!!

Sunday I did spin class at the gym and there were so many “resolutionistas” (the bf was very proud of himself for coming up with that term) that it made the entire room very hot and humid.  Now if I keep going to this class I think I’m going to have a talk with the instructor.  He is awesome but every time a fast paced good workout song comes on his ipod he says oh lets find something with a better beat and switches it to yet ANOTHER 80s song!!!  Now I can appreciate that certain bpm can help a spin class stay on cadence but PLEASE 80s music isn’t the only music with good bpm…  After the class I took off for a run from the gym to home which ended up being about 2-3 miles instead of the 5 I had intended I was way too hungry to keep going but still felt good about the effort.    That night as we were cooking dinner (red beans and kale with some sauteed potatoes and green chile) and my brother was visiting I very quickly and unexpectedly became sick to my stomach and I had to skip on the meal.  It is so weird this happens to me about once every 3 months and no doctor has been able to explain it but then just as quickly I feel better either later that night or by the next morning! 

We got a lot done this weekend and my workouts were top quality no junk miles but as I got on the scale this morning I realized I’m still doing something wrong!  I haven’t lost a single pound since I have started this blog and I don’t get it.  I’m eating less, working out more, my latest I’ve even cut out alcohol and sweets all together.  I will get to the bottom of this mystery and forge ahead!  Just read an interesting post about the benefits to being an early riser thinking about giving that a try.  Oh and as a birthday present to myself I have ordered one of those balance ball chairs with wheels for my office!  Should be in this week I’ll do a full review of it once I’ve had a chance to try it out, super excited!  Ok done rambling… Ciao!

To Lunch or not to lunch?

As I made my morning walk from the parking lot and up the stairs I looked around the hall way and thought “It’s a Christmas miracle!” Someone came over night and decorated the entire floor so much work just for one day who is crazy enough to do that?  As I walked further I saw stickers on the window I thought Purchasing Dept stickers does that mean they’re the ones who did all this decorating for us?  Then as I was about to put the key in the door to the office I noticed someone I didn’t recognize go in the other door…. Hmmmm  I had exited the stairwell on the second floor not the third floor!!!!!  I snuck out before anyone could see me but was laughing hysterically as at myself and the person passing me in the stairwell looked at me funny so I just said “Merry Christmas!”  It’s a ghost town here and most are already on vacation and those who aren’t physically are mentally, hence the above story.  As the brave few still left sit around discussing whether we’ll get that delightful e-mail from the prez telling us we can leave early and to have a happy holiday!  So I ask myself do I lunch or not?  Will they let us leave or not? 

Fa la la la laaa la la la laaaa!!   That’s all that’s going through my head.

Ok so Monday was a weird workout, I was scheduled to do 50 minutes of cardio.  I started on the treadmill, 10 mins. Felt funny so took a bathroom break, step machine 12 minutes still felt dizzy and lightheaded so went to the mats to do some crunches then pushed through another mile on the treadmill.  All in all only managed to get about 35-40 total minutes at the gym (including the crunches) and went home.  I don’t get why this randomly happens to me I ate well that day I’m gonna have to start taking gel packs to the gym even for short workouts, ridiculous!!  It happens to me about 2-6 times a month for no apparent reason…  Tuesday on the other hand had an awesome plyometrics and weight workout that totally made up for Monday.  Burned over 400 calories and felt awesome.  Wed. had an indoor soccer game that we brutally lost but we were short subs so I did A LOT of running!  Today if we get out early I will go for a hike with my wonderful doggie and my bf, yes he’s wonderful too we just have a difference of opinions from time to time ;-)  Then to go grocery shopping to prepare for a fun filled Christmas weekend.  Extra bonus my good friend since 7^th grade will be in town with her new hubby and we will be seeing the Luminarias together!!!  I’m so lucky to have the friends and family that I have surrounding me!!

Menu:

Friday -  BF = Eggs or Tofu with grits (tortilla for D), "soy bacon"
             Lunch = Steak or Vegetarian Meatloaf, mashed potatoes
             Dinner = Salad and/or leftovers
 Daytime hike or sledding and snowplay with Lexi
 Friday night we will go to Old Town to see the Luminarias then drive around to see Christmas lights (S & Fam joining us)
 Saturday - MERRY CHRISTMAS!
 BF = Berry Tasty Breakfast Cups
Lunch = Sweet Potato Casserole (w/some set aside for D to be made with marshmallows), Rice and artichoke salad, crescent rolls, Couscous loaf, corn on the cob (or some type of grilled vegetables), Mom's choice of dessert
Dinner = Leftovers or Salad
 D & N 12 mile run, someone else could walk Lexi
S and Fam to stop by in the afternoon for hot chocolate distribute neighbors gifts....

Sunday - 
BF = Hot Cereal (or left over crescent rolls for egg sandwiches w/soy sausage
Lunch = Spaghetti w/Marinara Sauce (Mom's Style Sauce) and Garlic Bread
Dinner = Salad, Leftovers or sandwiches
 9am spin class or other activity

Monday -  2 hour Volunteer w/Road Runner Food Bank first thing in the morning.....

Yes this is an actual email I sent out to my family, I know I have a problem with planning ;-)  See prior post…

So much on my mind

Days filled with holiday parties and special events keep me busy and tired but still happy!  Have the local Roadrunners Christmas party tonight which is always fun and the chance to win running related gifts is an added bonus (last time the runners bracelet I won was awesome).  So thankful that my new workplace is considerate of vegetarians, twice they made accommodations without me having to ask, yesterday vegetarian red chile and squash enchiladas and today veggie delight sandwiches from Subway!  WooHoo…  we won’t mention the cheesecake I had afterwards…  Had a nutcracker “experience” and we’ll just leave it at that, then helped the bro pick up some wood flooring and tonight the party, when is a girl to work out!!!!  Tomorrow is a rest week in my marathon training, 8 mile run.  We were going to do some hill running but it has since snowed so think we’ll stick to the city.

Recertified again with NASM as personal trainer, I keep doing it “just in case”.  I did let my USAT triathlon coaching cert. lapse though.  I’m thinking of maybe picking up a few clients on the side, make some extra cash.  Personal training was the funnest, most enjoyable ,and rewarding job I have ever had.  I just couldn’t quite make ends meet with it at the time cause I tried going back to school again at the same time.  But I figured this way I get the best of both worlds.  So with my new job I get 1 week and 1 day off for Christmas wow!  I didn’t plan a trip anywhere b/c the bf would have been jealous.  So instead I’m going to do a boot camp for myself with at least 2 cardio workouts and some weight training each day!  I will also take that time to register myself as a business so I can start the personal training.  The catch is I don’t quite feel like a trainer.  I mean I am still in shape but about 15 lbs heavier than when I was a trainer before.  Maybe it’s just the motivation I need to stop shoving those extra calories down my throat, he he he....  Losing that weight would sure make my running easier too!  Gotta pull out the “Racing Weight” book again and start reading.  But I get so tired of keeping a food log L  No one ever said it was easy right, ok I will practice the speeches I use to give to clients on myself.  I will also start a mirror of motivation like I had done when training for my Ironman (I’ll post a picture once I’m done with it).  So I never like to do New Year’s resolutions but I do like to set midyear and annual goals for myself, do here it goes:

1)      Get to my “race weight” or as I prefer to call it my “fighting weight”

2)      Register for at least 8 triathlons in the local challenge series

3)      Register myself as a business and acquire a few clients

4)      Not injure myself this year with skiing, running, soccer, etc

Goal date: March 2010  Will keep you posted!

Goooaalllll!!!!

I scored my first goal at last nights indoor soccer game!  Or at least my first goal since I have been reintroduced to soccer.  I remember playing regular soccer when I was younger from about 3rd - 8th grade then I had to stop because my highschool was too small to have a soccer team.  Later in college I took a PE soccer class and played intramural soccer off and on.  It had been almost 8 or 9 years then a friend asked if I wanted to join her indoor soccer team.  Wow!  What a workout!  I like it for my sprint days.  I wore my HR monitor and my HR is defenitely anarobic during the sprints it will go up and down between 120s to 170s and it goes by so fast.  But I've also noticed I'm more prone to injuries which is bad when you are trying to train for a marathon...   Yesterday I felt my ankle almost give out again, and I thought noooo there is no way this can happen cause last time it took me 2 months to recover from the sprained ankle.  But then I went on to score a goal instead.

I am torn between having fun crosstraining days with my friends or playing it safe!  My final decision is that I'm going to keep playing at least this season.  The whole point is to keep me moving that's why I signed up for the marathon and that's why I try new sports.  So I will keep playing..

Now on to more recent news we had a TG potluck at work (frito pies which I brought the vegetarian chili for, recipe soon to come) and I had 2 bowls!!! Plus 1 cookie! :-(  I am so full I can't think straight.  My body becomes sluggish I can't think straight (see I already said that) and I'm even thinking how am I supposed to work out feeling like this.  Well, lesson learned stop at 1 serving and wait at least 1 hour before going back for more!

I called my mom and told her how full I was and that I no longer fit into my clothes.  She said well you just have to take it easy with the food.  She said I don't want to hear you complaining when you come up to visit for Thanksgiving that you are eating too much.  You have to know your limits and control yourself.  I am thankful for having people in my life that can tell it to me how it is and that I am open to taking it the right way.  So I will workout tonight to the extent I can without getting sick and I will take control of my eating for this Thanksgiving Holiday!