Recovering

I've been sick more times this year than I have probably in the last ten years.  It's really putting a damper on my active lifestyle.  I have had little desire to hit the gym recently, partly due to not wanting to spread my germs around to other unsuspecting folks, and partly because I've been exhausted.

I feel like I'm coming out of it finally, so keep your fingers crossed.

I do have my check-in stats, but no photo just yet.  Stay tuned!

Anybody wondering how Abby's doing?  I sure am. ;)

The Power of NO

I haven't been really losing weight at the rate I'd like to, and I have a ways to go.  I know a big part of the reason is I've been too lax on my indulgences, so today I practiced my ability to say no.  So far today, I've said no to girl scout cookies, cheese (and you know how tough that is for me!), and cream and sugar in my coffee.

Rather than feeling deprived, I feel strong and in control.  I'm proud of being able to choose my long term goal over immediate satisfaction.  It's not always easy for me.  And because I was able to deny those midday indulgences and go to the gym, I can enjoy a glass or two of wine this evening, absolutely guilt free.  Folks, I've just traded up.

Keeping It Delicious

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I like to eat egg whites for breakfast because it has a ton of protein, very few calories, and zero fat or cholesterol.  The problem is they are bland.  For months I've been sprinkling them with Montreal steak seasoning, but I've grown tired of this staple and have taken on a new egg white companion - the best one yet. 

Marinara sauce in an egg white omelet is absolutely wonderful, and also very low in calories.  Two egg whites plus two tablespoons of marinara  comes to roughly 50 calories and packs 8 grams of protein, 3 grams of carbs, and only 1 gram of fat.  1/8 cup shredded mozz is only 40 calories and gives it more of a pizza taste.  The whole glorious shebang is about 90 calories, and is packed with protein to help last you through the morning.  Can you beat that??  No, no you can't.  The trick is to be very diligent about how much cheese you are actually using - that can get out of hand (at least for me) really easily.
Here's the official breakdown:

Give Me a Week or So

I know I'm supposed to check in with my stats today, but I'm not feeling awesome right now.  I'm thisclose to starting my period and I just feel bloated and gross.

I spent some time at the gym during lunch today lifting weights and revisiting the treadmill on incline.  I'll let you know when I'm ready to give you the hard numbers.

A Plug for Pacing Yourself

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Yesterday I accomplished 30 minutes on the treadmill.  My right knee has been sensitive for quite some time, and I've been trying to slowly recover its capacity to I can get back out on the trail.  I didn't run for two whole weeks with the hope that resting my knee would be the answer.  It's helped a lot, but I'm still not really back to full performance yet.  Sunday I went out on a run for the first time in a while, but only gave myself 1 mile.  It felt ok, but I'm nervous about pushing it.

Yesterday I hopped on the treadmill at lunch and set the timer for 10 minutes.  I figured I could probably run longer on the treadmill, but I had run the day before and I didn't want to get overzealous and undo all the cautious care I'd already put into rehabbing my sorry right knee.  I figured if I could do 10 min, that would be good.  Well, I did.  And it was.  I felt great, in fact.  So I gave myself another 10 minutes, but I was going to walk the first 5 minutes at 4.0 mph and then run the last 5 at 6.0 mph.  I still felt good so I extended my second running interval to 10 minutes, and then repeated a 5 minute walk followed by a 10 minute run, followed by a 5 min cool-down.

By really paying attention to my body, I found I was actually able to run longer than I thought without any knee sensitivity.  I took today off running and focused on weight-lifting followed by a brisk walk at an incline for 10 minutes.

Yesterday:

Total Calories: 1471

Net Calories: 1084 (156 under)

H2O Intake: 32 oz

Total Exercise: 65 min

Cardio: 35 min

Rock Me All Lunch Long

Here's what I've put together for my lunchtime gym visit:

Hard to Handle - Black Crowes
I Gotta Feeling - Black-Eyed Peas
Take On Me - A-ha
Highway to Hell - AC/DC
Just What I Needed - Cars
Hey Tonight - CCR
Take It Easy - The Eagles
Take Me Home Tonight - Eddie Money
The Power of Love - Huey Lewis & the News
We Built This City - Jefferson Airplane
You Shook Me All Night Long - Jetboy (an AC/DC cover band that's pretty dead on)
Any Way You Want It - Journey
Footloose - Kenny Loggins
Beat It - Michael Jackson
Lump - PUSA
Baby I'm a Star - Prince
Me and My Gang - Rascal Flatts
Satisfaction - Rolling Stones
Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go - Wham!
I Wanna Dance With Somebody - Whitney Houston
Kryptonite - 3 Doors Down
Tootie Roll - 69 Boyz

What do you listen to to get you pumped up?

back on the horse

I've been really good the past couple days.  I think being sick really put me in a funk and brought out all my bad habits: snacking, poor food choices, over-eating, skipping exercise...  not a good scene.

Last night Andrew and I went for an hour walk after dinner.  It was great just spending time together and talking.  When we got back to the apartment, I was in great spirits and feeling good about just getting my bum of the sofa.

Yesterday:

Total Calories: 1300

Net Calories: 680 (560 under) - this makes up for last time

H2O Intake: 72 oz at least

Total Exercise: 90 min

Cardio: 25 min intense

PS - I've burned almost 900 additional calories already today.  Yay me!

goodbye, Reez

 

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Yes folks,  I had to bid a sorrowful farewell and paid a price last night for a walk down memory lane.  I heard yesterday that the OG (that's "original gangsta" for those of you who aren't up on the lingo) Red Robin on Furhman is being closed.  This news left  those of us who grew up in Seattle heartsick.  I love this place.  The University Red Robin was my old high school  hang out, and was known more affectionately to us as "The Reez" (a derivative of "Red Reezy" - hey, it was the 90s!).  It was here where my friends and I would gather to gossip, sharing in hushed whispers our coming of age milestones, and chow on burgers, fries, and cherry cokes.  We'd race to see who could tie the cherry stems in a knot with our tongues first (which I won nearly every time, thankyouverymuch), and laugh until our sides hurt.  Many of my friends from high school live in other states, but when we'd all get together during college breaks, and now holiday voyages home to visit aging parents, we always made the pilgrimage to The Reez.  There's still the on at Northgate and various other suburbs, but it just isn't the same.  We'll never feel the same way about any other Red Robin; they can never be "The Reez."

I only ate half my burger, but needless to say, I went over on my calories yesterday.

Yesterday:

Total Calories: 1908

Net Calories: 1669 (428 over)

H2O Intake: 72 oz at least

Total Exercise: 20 min

Cardio: 0 min

still sick

 

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I am still sick.  This sucks.  I want to work out, but I just don't have the energy.  I tried last night, but it ended up just being lack-luster.  Still, anything is better than nothing.  My lunchtime walk was a nice way to break up the day; I need to do more of that as the weather improves.

Yesterday:

Total Calories: 1887

Net Calories: 1215 (25 under)

H2O Intake: 56 oz

Total Exercise: 90 min

Cardio: 10

it's been a while

 

You know what keeps me healthy?  This guy.  I'm not talking about the way a personal trainer or a nutritionist would; I'm talking about in the soul.  I've been sick all weekend (and now that I think about it, probably all week), and when I'm sick I'm easily frustrated.  When I'm frustrated I'm rather difficult to be around.  It takes a very patient and understanding person to be around me when I'm this way, and I owe a big thank-you to Andrew for being that person.

I quarantined myself for the last couple days, even though it was gorgeous outside.  I hate being indoors when it's sunny out, so when I'd finally had enough cabin fever on Sunday, Andrew took me out for a walk (yes, one of us is supposed to be a dog in this scenario).  Twice.  He hugged me, brought me water, and patted me on the head when I was being a pill.  And when I was my worst, he just laughed at me in that this-is-only-kind-of-cute-because-you-so-rarely-get-sick-and-you're-bad-at-it sort of way.

Oh, and he let me eat bon bons on the sofa while we watched a Lost marathon, which was a great dry-run of my life plan: I'm going to trick him into marrying me, quit my job, and sit on the sofa all day eating bon bons and catching up on my soaps.  Shhhh.  

I love you, Andrew!