good workout!

OK it probably wasn't long enough.. but given the fact I was about to not work out at all, it went well.

When I got home, I went to get ready to go for a run and I realized I had no clean sports bras. So I improvised and put on a regular bra and then a tank top with a shelf bra in it, figured that would be enough. Anyway by the time I was all dressed, it was rill dark out already.. and I just couldn't get excited about running in the dark, especially alone and without reflective gear. So I dug the barbell out of the closet! At first I just sort of grappled with it, seemed to weigh a ton so I thought I'd pull off some of the weights on the ends and use them as hand weights. But apparently I'm not smart enough for whatever mechanism is holding those things on because I just couldn't figure it out. So I hauled the whole thing out into the middle of the room and clumsily did some lifting with it. Too much for me to do bench presses with, so I did some kind of squat lifts but they seemed awkward and bad for my back so then I did some push-ups.

Finally realized this would be easier with music, and then the real workout began! I had 2 weights of 2.5 lbs each that were loose from the barbell so I used them to at least get a Little resistance, and started dancing around to the music, worked in some of my kickboxing exercises, did some balance exercises I learned from Fred, and overall had a pretty good 25 or 30 minute workout! I was definitely breathing hard and sweating by the end of it, and I think it ended up being good for my arms. They're so weak!

Anyway I'm pleased. Now to try to find something healthier to eat than that Yummy stroganoff...

epic fail

Yesterday was basically epic fail, in terms of diet and exercise. I had sort of planned to drag out my pilates mat and do some push-ups, sit-ups, and maybe some other miscellaneous mat work, buuut zp and I went to Whole Foods after work for some groceries, and then we made beef stroganoff. Probably my first clue should have been the 4oz (a whole stick) of butter called for in the recipe. I did cut it down to 2oz, but still I felt like I was definitely not doing my best to eat healthy fud. Sooo I'm going to try to eat lots of beans and veggies tonight, not so much butter and red meat.

Also I'm going to run this eve. I'm thinking of doing my 4-mile loop - if I really can't do the full 4 miles, I can just walk, no big deal. But I should probably try to push myself, I really need to work up my mileage or I'm never going to be ready for the Cherry Blossoms.

FitnessCoach.com reminded me today that I need to vary my workouts. I sort of laughed and said to myself, How about working out at all?? That would be some variation. But honestly. I can't just work in a few 3 or 4-mile runs a few days a week and expect anything major to happen.

One thing I've been getting better at is drinking more water. And dang I'm having to pee a lot more and I don't like it!

Recipe 1

I thiiiink this is pretty healthy. Not sure I could nail down the exact fat content, but most of it comes from the almonds and nut fat is a good fat. haha nut fat...

1 bag Eating Right broccoli slaw
1/2 c. Eating Right lemon poppyseed dressing
1 single-serving packet slivered almonds
1/2 c. sliced grapes

Not sure how many servings that should be, probably 3 if it's a big part of your lunch, or maybe if it's just a small side, you could get 4 or 5 servings out of it.

Flavor Stars: 3 (out of 5)

The 10:30am and 2:30pm Doldrums

I don't really remember what the doldrums are. Aren't they those regions of the globe, when you're out at sea there it's like time stands still and you're just miserable? I don't know. BUT. 10:30am and 2:30pm are the worst ever times of day. Well, on a weekend, 10:30am could mean brunch, and that's fine. At work, it means I'm HUNGRAY and/or bored and just want to eat to pass the time.

Right now, it's 10:26, and my stomach is growwwling. I'm trying to gulp water to get through this, because I had a thing of string cheese like an hour ago and I don't think I should need another snack yet. I should definitely go to the store today and get a bag of apples or some other kind of fruit, maybe some carrots.

I'm considering just biting the bullet and signing up for that kickboxing cardio class in Courthouse. I've been putting it off because it's $175 for like 10 sessions, and I'm already paying $50/month for Bally and I don't go to that. Maybe I should just try to get to Bally more often. I guess I could pack my gym bag every day and try to stop there on my way home. It's just unbelievably annoying to lug that bag back and forth on the metro every day. I used to do it more often when I worked at IEDC.

update: it's 11am now and I definitely caved and ate another string cheese. Better the cheese than the hershey hugs in my office!!

Heart Healthy Wines..

Ok everyone's heard that wine can be good for you in moderation, but I'm definitely not one to let an open bottle sit around for more than one evening.. I need to work on sticking to one glass with dinner rather than half the bottle, but also I just found this interesting bit of information, from FitnessCoach.com that ranks the wines from Most to Least healthy:

Opting for that glass of Cabernet Sauvignon with dinner may do more for you than just add zest to your meal. Studies over recent years have suggested that flavanoids in wine are linked to improved cholesterol levels and healthier hearts. You should always drink in moderation (and never if taking some medications). Check out these suggested wines (from most to least healthy, in terms of flavanoids): Cabernet Sauvignon Petit Syrah Pinot Noir Merlot Red Zinfandels

Day 1

Ok well today wasn't a huge fitness bonanza but I weighed in, got my body fat percentage, took some body measurements, etc. AmbER came over and we ran 3 miles - not as easy as it probably should have been, it's been too long since I ran. It was hilly though, I think it was a good workout. Then we had a nice brunch of scrambled eggs, turkey bacon and whole wheat waffles. I had smart balance and sugar-free syrup on my waffles so I really don't think the calorie count was too high.

BUT we also split a bottle of sparkling wine between the three of us, that added a bit. I just don't like the idea of brunch without sparkler. Alsoooo we had more reason to drink it, Zach and I just got enGAGED yesterday whaaaat. So yeah. :)

For lunch my mom made homemade pizza. Not exactly your picture-perfect health nut meal but it could have been worse. I had three pretty narrow pieces, and just drank water so not too bad. For dinner I had leftover whole wheat pasta with chicken/spinach/olive pasta sauce which I think was pretty good for me - but I also drank a beer with it! :-o Sooo probably need to get in the habit of not drinking a beer with dinner all the time.

I feel good about today though, I didn't eat any real junk, and got some miles in, so I'd say a pretty good start. I'm not really sure what's reasonable to expect in 12 weeks, but I've set some goals:

8 - 10% weight loss (somewhere around 12 - 16 pounds)
an inch or two around my thighs (yikes!)
2 inches around my waist
3 - 4 inches around my Butt
1 or 2 inches around the bussst.

Soo yeah. Time for bed. Tomorrow should be fun - I imagine there will be a lot of celebrating of my engagement at work, hopefully they don't try to stick me full of cake.. ;)

...Is Worth Doing For Money

The title of this blog comes from this key chain my mom used to have that said "Anything worth doing is worth doing for money" and on the other side was a picture of George Washington. I don't really intend to get into what my price might be, but I know one thing I would do for money - compete in a weight loss competition. Yes, we're going for it, we're doing the Biggest Loser thing, and I think it's going to be fun. And I'm gonna blog about it. Maybe after this 12 weeks is up I'll find a new thing worth doing for money.

Official kick-off is this Sunday, February 8. Haven't decided yet whether I should go on a binge till then, get my number up, or start getting used to the idea of working out more and thinking about what I eat... By "binge" I don't really mean binge, I just mean eat what I want, how I've been eating all winter, or start cutting back now. Definitely going to make one last trip to Chicken on the Run, probably should cut that out of my life for the next 12 weeks. Whimper. Also next weekend is Valentine's Day brunch, am I really going to forgo the amazing looking waffles at Belga Cafe? No, I don't think so. I'll just have to run like 6 miles that morning.

PS I'm also training right now for the Cherry Blossom 10-miler coming up in April. Ok haha, not "training" in the truest sense of the word, but definitely Thinking about it. I'm hoping this biggest loser thing will motivate me to get those miles in. Last Sunday I ran for the first time since Thanksgiving, barely made it 3 miles.

So, on Sunday, I'm going to weigh in, take some measurements, and set some goals. And we'll see how this works.