One Step Up, 2 Steps Behind

I haven't posted in awhile. Which is my step behind. But in good news. I have still been sticking with my Learn to run program and I am almost done Week 4. So proud and excited that I have stuck through it.

I'm up to 3.5km at a run 3min/1 min walk. And now the mileage and timing are clicking in. And I'm less focused on OMG CAN I WALK YET. But hey I'm gonna beat my time. Which is really getting me going.

So I have started to notice little changes in my body. And other people have commented on that I look like I am losing weight. I wasn't seeing any changes on the scale at all. Nothing was moving. But Monday I got on the scale and it moved down 4lbs. Which some people are like Big freaking whoop! But the fact that I'm down and not up. I'm a happy camper. I notice changes in my clothes. And the biggest and I'm not sure if it's from the vitamins. Trying to eat better or just the running. My immune system has been so much better. Normally I get sick all the time. Catch whatever germ infested bug that is going around. And knock on wood. This chick has been in the clear lately. My coworkers are like sick every other week.  It's been nice for a change not to be part of that group.

My "New" to me breakfast is taking Oatmeal, Vanilla Greek Yogurt and some sort of fruit. And mixing it all together. I get to enjoy my oatmeal and still get some protein into me. LOL I actually crave it now if I don't have it for a few days.

Have you had your Green Monster Today?

Not that kind of Monster. The kind that is a smoothie and you have spinach or kale as part of the ingredients. I myself have tried 3 different kinds so far. But only got 2 pictures. Sorry still trying to remember to take pic's of what I'm eating.

This is from the weekend. In my lovely Magic Bullet. I Love my Magic Bullet by the way. 

•  1/2 cup of 0% Greek Honey Yogurt (PC)
• 1 cup of Van unsweetened Almond Milk
• 1 Banana
• 1 tbs BP
• And a handful of spinach

I have to say I really did like this. I wasn't sure about the adding the whole spinach thing to my smoothies. But I would have it again. I tend to have smoothies often. I use Greek yogurt allot because I struggle with getting enough protein in my breakfast. I don't eat eggs. And I have tried different protein powders and they all upset my stomach. Even the vegan ones. So I stick with the Greek yogurt.

My first Green Monster smoothie didn't stay long because I tried it with a vegan protein powder. And I'll spare you the details. Lets just say it didn't agree with me.

My 2nd attempt at a Green Monster today. It was very sad and not so green. So I put it in a green travel mug to try and make up for it.

• 1cup of  0% Greek Plain Yogurt
• 1cup of Berries
• 1 Banana
• 1 cup of Van almond milk
• 1 handful of spinach

This was didn't work out so well. I even had to add water to smooth it out. It was drinkable. Not the worst thing I've had. But I don't recommend this one.  I will try and come up with something else. And lately I'm craving dark chocolate. Maybe I can throw something like that in.

Stress Management

                                                       How do you deal with Stress?

Myself usually not very good. Even though my job can be a stressful and high paced place to be. To one person it could be more stressful then to another person. But yesterday I had to do something new. And it actually required a type of stress test. And it did frustrate me to the point where I wanted to pull my freaking hair out. But instead of doing unhealthy things I would normally do to alleviate the stress I changed my way of thinking. And sometimes I wouldn't even realise I did these unhealthy things till later.

I would normally eat fast food. Being addicted to it stress would defiantly would be a trigger. Instead I had 1 glass of red wine with a friend and talked about it.Now I know drinking isn't supposed to be good either. But it was only one glass not the bottle. Even though could have used one at that point.

Stress for me can burn me out. I work afternoon/evenings. So I stayed in bed a little longer then I normally would like too. But having a little extra rest really felt good.

When i did get up. I had Oatmeal with Honey 0% Greek yogurt. Fresh strawberries and I added a few slivered almonds for texture. I then puttered around for an hour and got myself ready to run a few errands.

I then went to the gym. I put on my Ipod and with some good tunes did my Run/Walk program. I would have never thought before how much better I felt as soon as I heard that music when I got on the treadmill.

I'm so proud of myself for dealing with stress in a healthy way. I didn't eat my emotions, I talked about them. Which is typically hard for me. To admit I'm human. Instead of binge eating and eating fat greasy food. I ate healthy food all day. I worked out and got the rest i needed. And even though in the beginning of my day I didn't really want to do those things. They really did help me to feel better. And even though it might be common sense to you. LOL Sometimes I need to be kicked in the ass a few times before I get it.

Experimenting with Fitness

Today was TRX day! If you don't know what TRX is. It was developed for Navy Seals to be able to train any where. All the equipment you need is the two straps along with your body and you get a full body work out.

It is definitely a good work out. and you can adjusted to your capability. I was nervous that I wouldn't be strong enough to do this. Some of the moves where difficult but she always had modifications for every level.

The downside to TRX is. At my club it is done in cycles. A cycle runs for 6 weeks and you go twice a week on designated days. This is not included in the membership cost of the gym.  And it is an added cost for each cycle. To me and most people I have talked to about it, it is expensive. 
But I highly recommend a free trial if it is offered. It is a fantastic work out. And if a team atmosphere is what you like. And you like the structure of a cycle it is offered in. You can decide for yourself if it is worth signing up.


But what am I going to do? You might be asking.

 I have weighed the pros and con's. And even though I like it for now my pocket book wins and I'm going to be passing on this cycle any way. I'm going to continue my run program and classes that are included in my membership. 
Over all it has been a good week. I stayed away from fast food. And I tried something new.

Next weeks goals are to work on my Time management with gym and my meals. To get 3 days in with my run program.

Dazed & Confused

Well the holiday's are finally over. And everyone is trying to get back into the swing of things.

Today when I walked into the gym it was insanely busy. Normally when I go to do my run program there are a few people. But today it felt like there was a 200% increase of people without any exaggeration. They say that it will be like this for the next 6 weeks and with the fair weather people will weed out. And all I kept thinking was I don't want to be one of those people. I have been going to the gym. But it isn't my constancy that has been stellar. This is defiantly one part I am working on.


I'm happy that I did get to the gym. But got there and realised I forgot my capri's and water bottle. But I still worked out I had no excuse to go home. I had yoga pants, sneakers and my ipod with killer tunes. I have been told and can admit I have a little bit of control issues LOL so it drove me crazy I wasn't as prepared as I thought. And when I started the run program I did feel a little off.

From Pinterest

But as I kept going and concentrated on my minutes and miles. And just got into my tunes I really just forgot about what I was missing. I must look funny to people though cause I tend to mouth the words to the songs as I'm running.

I was supposed to do my free trial tomorrow for TRX. Which I have been extremely nervous about. But the gym called today and asked if I wouldn't mind switching to Friday instead scheduling issues. So Friday it is.

Saying Good Bye to 2011

I know it isn't quite the New Year yet. But I thought I might take the time to recap. 2011 for me was one of the Best years I have had since I don't remember when. Even though I still had ups and downs. I made some changes, had some fun, rekindled old friendships. And learned a little about myself.

I had started 2011 with a BANG at the Casino with friends. Had a fantastic night. And decided that I wasn't going to have a New Years Resolution to be specific. More like a goal. To become Happier and Healthier.
And that I did. I said good bye to a toxic relationship of 6 years. And I lost 25lbs.

I also got a lot happier. I went to more parties and get togethers than I did in years. As my friends would say I put my Granny slippers away and joined the real world.

I even went back to something I loved, raising pigs. I hadn't done it in years. I learned somethings had changed. But I did so enjoy doing it. And I think my Grandad really enjoyed it.

The year continued by me really getting out of my "Bubble"  and going to The Cavendish Country Fest. With the greatest friends you could ask for.

And we made new ones while we were there. Even if they complained about the chicken being cold and things were hideous ;)
2011 was the beginning of something great for me. And I'm certainly going to continue it in 2012. Again not so much a New years resolution more like goals.

My goals for 2012 are as follows:

• To finally kick my fast food addiction. 
• To get fit
• To get to a weight I'm comfortable with.
• To focus more on what I want & need. And less on always trying to  please other individuals.
•  To continue with 2011 goals of getting Happier and Healthier.        

Wishing you and all your family a Happy and safe New Years. And looking forward to starting a New Year.                                     

RPM

Well this week I tried something new. RPM which is a spin class. My friend Carrie talked me into going. I was very nervous to try this class. But I'm glad I went. So much so that I did it twice this week.

 My only issue with this class is the freaking Bike Seat. Could it even be possible for someone to create something that bloody pain full. I said to my friends and coworkers. In the infamous words of Snooki " My Coca hurts."

I have to say if I can get past the pain I get why it is such a popular class. You sweat mega! The tunes are awesome. And the Class was packed. I had a little issue though.

The gym chain I go to you have to sign for almost all of the classes. Which I don't have a problem with. To me that means you are guaranteed to get the equipment in class. So when I got upstairs there wasn't a bike for me. I had signed the list. So there was no way I was leaving. I drove a half hour to that particular gym. And I followed the rules. Sure enough their were two people who didn't sign the list. It got to the point where the Instructor had to go get the list.

Any way my rant is over and the moral of the story is. Just cause you are scared try it any way. Get out of your bubble. I know first hand it isn't easy. But you never know what will happen if you don't. My next scary adventure will be TRX next week. I'll keep you posted. :)