New Stuffs

Morning all!

Yes, I'm in a very good mood, which is very surprising since I've only been up for about an hour and am still on my first cup of coffee. Anyways, I have some updates like normal and I have a clue about a project that I'm getting ready to start.

Let's start with updates----

On Sunday I went to the gym setting out to complete Week 1 Day 3 of the Couch-to-5k program, notice I said I set out to….yeah, 11 minutes in and my heel was killing me! I think it's just due to being out of shape and I was pushing myself harder than usual, so after 11 minutes I decided not to. I headed on over to the Arc Trainer so that I could at least get a little more cardio in. I LOVE the Arc Trainer!!!! You can slide, glide and step on it and it works multiple muscles. It's like an elliptical on insert whatever type of vitamin, drug, etc. you want here _______. It's freaking awesome! I only ended up doing about 6-7 minutes on it because the aforementioned heel was still in pain. However, I did even it out so that I did about 2 minutes sliding, then 2 minutes gliding, and 2 minutes stepping (?). If stepping is not the correct verb, oh well, I'm declaring it as the correct verb when I talk about it from now on. :-)

Now some people may think that I really didn't get a good cardio workout in, they lie. I produced more sweat in those 6 minutes than I ever have on the treadmill and I wasn't going light on the treadmill, I sweat when I used it, but the Arc Trainer works more and I think will produce better results. And on a side note, Rob doesn't think I run right, but I don't know how I'm not, I mean, there's only one way to run. Silly boy. It doesn't matter anyways because the Arc Trainer is my new love to hate type cardio equipment!

After that I went on and did my usual 30 minute circuit workout and the Ab Station. I noticed that overall my workout seemed much more effective and produced better results than before…I still say it's because of the Arc Trainer. :-)

That's all I have for updates regarding my workouts. I'm still going to go 3-4 times a week and all, I'm just not going to focus on becoming a runner. I think in time, if I'm meant to be one, I'll end up getting into it, but until then, I've realized that I don't have to be a runner to become healthy and get fit.

In one of my last posts I mentioned about the Undressed Skeleton tumblr blog I've started to follow. Well, I've done some variations on some other "recipes" that she's posted and I've just tried new combinations for myself as well. The first 2 "major" changes I've made is I've switched to whole wheat bread and I now find that I put ground flax seed in my breakfast every morning. It really does help keep you full.

I can't remember the days that I had some of these, but it was last week sometime:

This was just bananas, strawberries and blackberries on top of cereal---I believe it was Raisin Nut Bran.

This was sort of a spin on one of the ideas from Undressed Skeleton---she had posted a pic of a piece of toast with blackberry jam with bananas on top and fennel seed---I did the same but it's on whole wheat toast (I can't remember if hers was or not) plus I had some banana nut bread oatmeal (now my fave flavor and for the first time I didn't add brown sugar to the top of my oatmeal!), with chopped up bananas on top accompanied with of course ground fennel seed. I also had my mandatory cup of java. I actually think this was just on Monday morning!

We all have a sweet tooth and I had been wondering how these were, so when I saw them on Undressed Skeleton I decided I would give it a try since she gave them a good review. These definitely satisfy my sweet cravings! They're made from real fruit and it's only 45 calories per bar---how great is that? 

Even Roxy recommends them! Well ok, she hasn't tried one, but she was trying to! I was eating one on Sunday night and this is the look I got from her lol.

I'm honestly loving every change I've made over the past few months, they've all been for the better and I believe that they'll be for the best. Again, I'm not just making temporary diet changes, I'm making permanent lifestyle changes. I know that I used to HATE wheat bread, I now love it and it's only been a few days. I think it's thicker than white bread and it's more filling on top of being better for you. 

Now that you're all up-to-date, I'll give you all a hint about my upcoming project.

Some people already know---at least my family and a couple of friends do---I still don't want to make an official announcement so I thought it would be fun to post clues in my posts.

Clue #1 -- I bought a journal last night to make notes and be able to write down any thoughts/ideas that come to me when I'm not able to access my cell or computer.

Clue #2 -- It involves something that I used to think about doing when I was younger.

I didn't plan on giving 2 clues, but I know the second one probably won't be much of a clue. I used to want to do so much when I was younger so the possibilities are endless on that one. 

I think it's time to finish my coffee and then head over to the gym---and if anyone thinks they know what my upcoming project is going to be either post in the comment section below or message me on FB. Those that already know---just hush and don't post anything---at least not anything that can reveal what it is!

Oh, one last thing! If you ever decide to go to the Undressed Skeleton tumblr blog, either click on the link I provided in a previous post or Google it----I forgot this morning that it was tumblr and i just typed .com at the end of undressed skeleton and it's porn. Figured I would let everyone know just in case someone made the same mistake I did and was trying to figure out how I was getting tips on healthy living from a porn site. O_o

Tootles!

Pool Day

Due to sleeping in later than planned, having to run some errands, and me having school tonight and Rob working, we decided to skip the gym and have a workout in the pool!

I honestly have to say that my muscles can feel it, even if it was just an hour doing various things. We didn't have a set routine or anything like that. I walked a couple laps, did some jumping jacks and squats (in the shallow end, because in 5' section I'm on my tip-toes--hush) and really just did a lot of swimming.

I am disappointed that I wasn't able to get to the gym today, but I'm no longer beating myself up over it. One of the posts I read on the Undressed Skeleton blog recently was about even if you can't get a regular workout or a workout at the gym in for the day, you can find other ways to "workout" and it's all better than just sitting around and doing nothing. I completely agree! I still even felt that rush and happiness that I get from a gym workout after I was done in the pool.

Even so, as much as I liked having my workout in the pool today, and can feel the burn in my muscles, I still do prefer the gym. However, if for some reason I'm not able to make it for some reason, I will make sure to find another way to workout for the day. Still, I am very excited about Friday and getting to do another day of the Couch-to-5k program!!!

There's a couple of projects I'm thinking of starting too, but I don't want to say anything about either of them yet since I've just decided about them today. Xen, I'll send you a message about them since I have a feeling you'll be interested and I'd like to get your input on them. Everyone else, I'm sorry, but you'll just have to wait a little while longer.

Speaking of waiting, my friend was talking about starting up Weight Watchers again, and since I've never gone I'm not too sure how I feel about it. I know quite a few people who have had great success with it. But, at the same time, I figure working out and changing my diet and everything is kind of the same thing, and I don't have to pay anyone to do it. If anyone has any insight on WW, please let me know. I don't want to discredit something that I've never really participated in.

Breakfast

So I know some may think that what I said I was going to have for breakfast, may have sounded horrible, but it's really not --- it's actually very delicious and I'm having a hard time even finishing it all :-)

Tell me that doesn't look good?

It's a cup of oatmeal mixed with Chobani (apple cinnamon flavor), some fresh strawberries and blackberries, and topped with ground flaxseed.

Feeling Great!

I completely forgot how amazing I feel after I complete a workout! I did the same thing today at the gym that I was doing….the Couch-to-5-K, then the 30 minute circuit workout, followed up by do 60 oblique crunches on both sides and 50 regular crunches. Of course I use the Ab Coaster and some other machine that works on your obliques too, but you still get the same burn so I love it!

Like I said earlier, I've lost 4 lbs without even going to the gym and I do attribute that to keeping up with the changes I've made in eating habits. There are a few new things I've tried recently that I absolutely L-O-V-E! The first thing being Greek yogurt, it is soooo delicious and much more filling than regular yogurt. I really like Chobani, I haven't been able to bring myself to any other kind because I just feel like Chobani's the best there is lol. There are so many different flavors available as well, the only one I haven't liked so far is the Honey one, it was too bitter for me. Here's a link that shows all the flavors  Chobani---they do have a chocolate chunk one, which I've bought but I haven't tried yet, we'll have to see how it is. I've heard mixed reviews so far.

The next new food I've tried is pistachios. All I have to say is O.M.G. ---- I can't believe I've been missing out on these wonderful nuts all this time! They're very filling and make for a great snack!  I don't have much more to say about them except that everyone should go out and buy some and then thank me for informing them of all they've been missing out on. :-)

The last thing I've tried is green tea. I've had green iced tea before and I didn't like it at all. Well let me tell you, Publix makes a green iced tea with ginseng and honey and it is dee-licious! I actually picked up a half gallon today! I did stop in Teavana in the mall and they have a lot of different teas and kettles, and I actually can't wait to go try out some of their stuff. The reason I'm trying to be about tea is because I've done a lot of reading on all the benefits of various teas---some can help you with your skin, some help your immune system, so I at least want to give the beverage a shot. Who knows, maybe I'll prefer it over coffee eventually. If that ever does happen, I will be very surprised though, and someone better check my pulse to make sure I'm still breathing.

In addition to trying new foods and beverages, I've started reading a blog called Undressed Skeleton --- anyone looking for inspiration, motivation or just new recipes to try should check it out. The author has a ton of delicious recipes that are healthy and filling. I feel like if you've ever struggled with weight problems, especially throughout your childhood and teen years, then you can totally identify with her and relate to her story. In one of the sections she says how you should think of exercise as a way to relax and I so did that at the gym today. That kind of attitude makes me want to stick with it and I think that anytime I want to relax now, I'll remember that and it'll be instant motivation. Everyone needs motivation at times, I'm not perfect, I have days I don't want to do anything. So instead of thinking of going to the gym as a chore, or something I need to do, it's going to be something that I do to relax and have time for myself. I'm also trying a variation on one of her breakfasts that she has posted. I'm going to put fresh berries, pistachios, and flax seed on top of my Chobani for breakfast. She used almonds, but I don't have any that I know of, so I figure any type of nut would really work. I'm also thinking about putting the yogurt, nuts, and fresh fruit on top of a cup of oatmeal to give it a little more substance.

I really am excited about incorporating so many of these new things into my life to make a change for the better. I've decided that on Wed, Fri and Sun is when I'll work on the Couch-to-5-k program, along with the 30 min circuit workout and the ab station; and then on Tues, Thurs, and Sat, I'll just do the ab station and circuit workouts and I may alternate the circuit workouts with some free weights so that I'm not doing the circuit workouts every day.

We even did good for dinner tonight! We had chicken cordon bleu (stuffed courtesy of Publix), tossed salad, brussel sprouts (which I did season, but not too much), and fresh sweet Italian sausage tortellini. It was all portion controlled and I only wanted to eat half of the chicken breast so I could have some left over for lunch tomorrow. I couldn't even finish my portion! Luckily, I liked it all since I do  have leftovers for lunch. :-)

I think it's time my Dad updates on here now….hint hint Dad. :-P

Slacking...

Not only have I been slacking on blogging, but I've been slacking on working out as well. However, I've lost 4 lbs in the past month without going to the gym so yay! Today I'm getting back on track with a workout schedule  since I'm on my new schedule for work so I think that will definitely help. I'm going to re-start the Couch-to-5k program because I would be on week 1 day 3 but since it's been like a month, I figure it would just be easier to start over. I just wanted to post a short little update, after the gym today I'm going to try and remember to post more and about some of the food changes I've made to my diet. Hope everyone enjoys their Sunday :-)