Keeping the Routine

It's sometimes difficult to keep with a routine. I get that. I've been through the slumps. But my mind has made so many changes over the past year that for whatever reason I am determined to make my goal this year.

I can't promise I can keep up with posting every day on the blog, after all I am a Mom/Wife first, athlete second and blogger last. So I hope you'll forgive me as I stumble my way through this. :)

For now to help keep myself in order I've downloaded the JEFit app. I love it so far. It's helped me with my workouts this last week. I plug in the workout as planned by my friend and then it basically walks me through each set and shows me how to do the workouts if I'm not familiar with them. I can't say enough great things about it.

And... here's more of my routine for the week...

January 5th - Legs & Biceps

January 6th - Cardio 5000m on the Erg

I've become a pro at pounding back no less than a gallon of water a day. :)

January 7th - Back/Shoulders, Calves & Core

I've taken up the art of food prep. Makes snacking and meal time a lot easier. Don't get me wrong I still cook dinner often, but I make enough to have a few extras for a couple of days ahead. Love it!

January 8th - Rest

Yesterday was supposed to be cardio day. Things did not go as planned. It was a crappy day from the minute I woke up. My daughter was in my room umpteen times through out the night and I ended up getting up around 6am for the day which does not make me happy on weigh in day. It seemed like nothing could go my way. So I ended my day with a nice mug of calm. I really enjoy this tea and it truly does help relax me and put me to bed a lot easier.

And now, to help keep my honest I will *try* to take a pic of EVERYTHING I eat (the good, the bad and the ugly) and post compilation pics like these. Again, don't hold me to it every day but we will see how this goes. LOL.

1. Breakfast - Skinny Potato Cakes with Black Beans & Rotel and Strawberries {4PP}
2. 3.16 mile run in 43 minutes, and Part II of my Virtual Half Marathon for this month.
3. Post Workout Snack - Protein Shake, Made with Milk {4PP}
4. Lunch - Super Salad (Romaine, Spinach, Green Onion, Cherry Tomatoes) with Grilled Chicken and 2 Cuties {4PP}
5. My favorite "dressing" these days. Straight up Balsamic.
6. Snack - 1c Raw Broccoli & 1c Raw Cauliflower with French Onion Laughing Cow {2PP}
7. Snack - Special K Protein Meal Bar. This is the last one I had and will not be purchasing more. I'm trying to get away from so much processed food. {5PP}
8. Dinner - Spicy Black Bean Turkey Burger, Broiled Spicy Sweet Potato and Brown Rice {8PP}
9. Snack - Chocolate PB Sludge Don't worry, it's a LOT of protein to help get me through the night.{5PP}
10. Night Cap - A relaxing cup of Yogi Bedtime tea. {0PP}

Total Points consumed: 32PP Points Remaining: 2PP Activity Points Earned: 9PP

And now I bid you goodnight.

2012 Review & 2013 Goals

I am not a fan of resolutions. Not because I can't keep them, but I've just never been one to make resolutions. I find them pointless. I will however be outlining some goals for the new year as well as looking back on some accomplishments from 2012.

Let's start with the picture above. How stinking true is that? I cannot wait to begin my book.

To start my new year off right I've decided I'm going to attempt Gracious Pantry's Clean Eater's No Sugar Challenge. This means no foods that have added sugar of any kind, including added natural or artificial sweeteners  I'm only a few hours into my first day and I cannot believe how many things have sugar added into them. I have been avoiding processed food for quite some time, as best I can, but even the things I have chose to consume have things in them I wasn't aware of. It's amazing how many "health" foods, or at least better for you foods, still have sugar added into them. :P

This is going to be a difficult challenge for me I can already tell, but I'm going to give it my best shot. I intend to start a draft page here on the blog to log how each day goes. I may or may not write every day, but I plan to chronicle this journey over the next 30 days. I'm a chocoholic, and sweet lover so I know I will struggle but I'm truly hoping to succeed and finally get past the impulses where I have to shove candy and sweets in my pie hole when I'm not truly craving them.

Reason number two this will be a struggle? Today we are celebrating baby girls' birthday... with cake and frozen yogurt. :P So that is why I will try to avoid the sugars today, but I am going to indulge in a small piece of cake a single portion of frozen yogurt this evening. But beginning tomorrow I will be 100% on the challenge. :)

The challenge length is determined by the person partaking, but it is suggested that you complete a two week minimum. I however am going to try for 30 days. Wish me luck.

I've also decided that I will start lifting. I'm not sure where to start and I'm not sure how I'm going to accomplish this, but it WILL happen. We have some weights here at home so I will start there. I really want to get into lifting in addition to my cardio. So for now I will keep researching and make it work as I go. I cannot afford a gym membership, so I will do what I have to, to get it done at home.

Looking back over the last year I've accomplished more than I dreamed possible. After so many failures this was my year to get it right. I started Weight Watchers on March 27th. Nine months later I have managed to lose 62 pounds with less than 40 pounds to lose to see my initial goal. I am amazed at my progress. I've seen ups and downs with the program but I've stuck with it. This is HUGE for me as I've never made it past a week with anything else I've tried.

I've also completed two races this past year. My first 5K and 10K. Never in my wildest thoughts did I think I'd run as an adult in timed races. That's just crazy talk when you're over 200 pounds. But I did it. I've managed to push my body to do something I used to love doing as a teenager. It is such a great feeling of accomplishment and I look forward to my 2013 race season.

I'm hoping in the next three months to get close to my goal with the No Sugar Challenge and weight lifting. Only time will tell. :)

I don't want it to seem like this has been a smooth ride because it has been anything but. I've doubted myself, struggled with fatty foods, injury and overkill of sweets from time to time. But the difference for me this year has been the amount of support within my WW group. I have been able to go to my meetings, pick myself up and jump back on the horse regardless of "what happened".  Thank you to everyone who has popped by from time to time and left words of encouragement through out this journey. My journey is far from over and I appreciate everything YOU have done to help me. :)

Here's to 2013! I hope you'll stick around.

My First Half Marathon

Yes I'm crazy. I have never ran a half marathon, but why not? Okay, okay... so this is my first Virtual Race which means I technically don't have to run the 13.1 miles all at once. I'm still in the air as to whether or not I want to run it all at once or break it up over two days.

My bff said she'll run it with me. We'll see how things go I suppose. The "race" will be held from January 1st through January 31st. So I'm pretty sure 13.1 miles is conceivable in one months time. Now, weather in the Midwest in January could hinder this though. As part of the conditions of signing up for the race you agree not to run in crazy extreme weather that could put your health in danger.

Yay! I'm a super crazy Mama now aren't I?

If you're interested in signing up, go >>>> HERE. 

It's $11 if you want a medal and a chance to win prizes (not based on race times, strictly random drawings) or you can sign up for the free race which doesn't include a medal and the prizes aren't as awesome. :)