It's Monday...blah.

Today's workout: 

5.15 treadmill miles

I did intervals for the first 30 minutes (jogged 5.5mph for 3 minutes, sprinted 8.5mph for 1 minute, repeat...and repeat...and repeat....).  For the reminder, I tried to keep it close to 6.0, but I'd go down to 5.8 or up to 6.5.  I don't know why I have such an issue with keeping a steady pace!  I always want to go faster....but then I get tired, so I have to back off a little....and it's just a neverending cycle!  All said and done, I ended up with about a 10:00/mile pace.  Sigh.

For the first time ever, I've been keeping track of my mileage (on the right over there....).  I wanted to hit at least 20 miles each week/approx 80 per month and gradually increase.  I'm pretty sure that's not going to happen this month, particularly with vacation coming up soon.  I refuse to give up a couple of days of weight lifting.....so that lowers my mileage too.  Oh well!  Will keep trying! 

I don't really have much to say today....and yet, this is a wordy post. Shocker! :)

I'll try to get my thoughts together and post something later that is at least slightly interesting.

Until then....

Happy Monday everyone!

Diet Coke Freedom

Today's Workout:  3.48 miles in the heat

I wasn't watching the time or the mileage.  I just decided at some point to head back home and call it quits.  The heat and the sun were just too much.  I knew I should have gone to the gym today instead!  I hate summer!

Today also marks 5 months clean from Diet Coke (or any soda).  If it is possible to be addicted to diet soda, then I think I was.  I might as well have just injected it straight into my bloodstream everyday.  I always drank a lot of water (so I justified the diet coke), but I drank a ton of diet coke. 

One day, I decided to eliminate it once and for all back in January.

Why?

Is it really turning to formaldehyde in our bodies and making us all die slow tragic deaths?  I don't know.  Maybe.

Is it giving us cancer?  I don't know.  Maybe.

Is it making us fat?  I don't know.  Maybe.

There actually is quite a bit of convincing research that states diet sodas do prohibit weight loss by tricking your body into thinking it has had suger and yada yada yada.

But I do know that there is nothing natural about it.

I do know that it is just a bunch of chemicals, and that can't be good for anyone.

There are those who say I've just replaced my diet coke addiction with coffee.  Yes and no.  I only drink coffee in the mornings, not all day like I did diet coke.  I don't put ANYTHING in my coffee...no artificial sweeteners that are in diet coke.  No chemicals.  No calories.  And studies show a little caffeine is actually beneficial.  Coffee is also naturally grown, so it's GOT to be a better choice, right?!

I'm sure a diet of 100% water all day would be ideal....and maybe one day I will get there, but for now, I'm still proud that I've managed to conquer diet coke!  That alone was a very large battle for me!

Paranoia? Self doubt?

Today's Workout:  I warmed up on the treadmill with HIIT.

I finished off with about 40 min of weight training/abs/stretching.

If you are a member of a gym, then you know there are plenty of people that go and put in their time, but they don't necessarily put forth the effort that is truly required to make a change.

I can't tell you the number of people I see leaving the gym who barely break a sweat, if they broke one at all.  Or the people who leisurely walk or ride a stationary bike while reading their favorite novel.  Of course, there are instances where this is appropriate.  Maybe you're recovering from an injury or a surgery, but for me, if I'm not dripping sweat when I leave, then I don't feel like the "workout" was worth it.  In my opinion, if I go and burn 125 calories in a 30 minute leisurely bike ride, well, I'd just assume stay home.  Harsh?  Maybe.  But I think in general, people just don't push themselves hard enough.  I can't figure out why.  I dont' know if it's self-doubt or what, but for me, I get a lot of satisfaction from knowing I pushed as hard as I could push and did the best I could do.

I've seen the owner of my gym watching me on more than one occasion (or the man I've at least deemed as the owner...someone has given me his description, and I think this guy fits the bill)...he has a very serious demeanor....a big, serious guy.  It makes me paranoid....like he must be thinking "she doesn't belong here"....or "she's totally doing that wrong".  Well, this morning, he came up to me and asked me my name.  I was thinking "Oh, no, what'd I do?".  I told him my name, and he high-fived me and said "Good job Tessa.  I like seeing someone working hard.  Keep it up".  Guess he is tired of seeing people reading their magazines too.

That made my day. 

Maybe I'm NOT doing it all wrong after all!  Lol.

Funny how we can doubt ourselves when we really have no reason to.  I've been working out now for a couple of years.  I'm not really clueless.  I know I'm queen of doubt and need to work on that!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Only a few more days until we go to the beach....and I'm afraid my body looks just like it did six weeks ago! Oh well!

Tired

Today's Workout:  NONE!

I'm taking the day off!

When my alarm went off this morning, I realized just how tired my legs felt.  I usually take a weekend day off, but I decided to let it be today instead.  Besides, it's rainy and dreary outside, so it made sleeping in until 7am pretty nice!

I didn't want to say anything in case it wasn't "for real", but for 3 days in a row, I'm down a little more than a pound!  Now, I know it's just a pound, but hey - it's the first pound I've lost since I've been working from home (since mid-April)!   I've not been actively pursuing weight loss lately and haven't really anticipated the scale moving when I step on it (I'm queen of maintenance I think), although I need to buckle down and finish the job....but it was still nice to see a small change.  I'm pretty certain I have been building more muscle since I have been home.  I've noticed my shoulders and arms seem to be more defined, and my thighs are for sure becoming more muscular (thanks to running).....if only I could lose those aweful inner thighs!  As a woman, I know I'll probably have to deal with that forever, but surely a few more pounds of fat loss would help!

Tomorrow's Plan:  some early morning treadmill running (maybe HIIT) and definitely strength training.

Happy Thursday!

To run....or not to run

It's a holiday!

What? You didn't know?

It's National Running Day!

(I wouldn't have known either except that I'm a fan of The Cowtown Marathon page and they've been posting about a celebratory run this morning for the past week or so!)

To celebrate, I ran 4.7 miserable miles on the treadmill (at a slower pace than normal...I averaged about 10:30/mile today). They were tough miles today.  I fought and fought my way thru it.  But....I'm so happy I did!  I feel better now for sure! 

I've taken it upon myself to give you a few inspirational running pics.

You're welcome! :)

I honestly don't expect everyone to run!  I understand why people don't want to or THINK they can't!  But most of us are capable. 

A year ago I "couldn't" run a mile...and to be honest, I didn't want to. I had ZERO desire to run.

I worked out.  I worked out a lot.  And I worked out hard with awesome instructors and trainers that pushed me beyond what I thought I could do (miss you Janna!).  But run?  NO WAY. 

This past December, we did a pyramid contest in our gym.  Everyday you added one exercise to the one you did before.  Well, I was doing the advanced level on all exercises.  The first exercise was to run 1/2 mile (each level had 1/2 mile, but the advanced level had to run it instead of walking or jogging).  Every day, that 1/2 mile at a run instead of a slow jog was my most dreaded part of the workout....not the boy pushups, not the dips, not the step ups, not the jumping lunges....it was that little HALF MILE!

But I did it.  And every day, I got stronger.

All of that to say....now, I consistently run 4-6 miles at a time.  Six months ago, I didn't want to run 1/2 mile.   And you know what?  I think I even like it now!!! *gasp* 

When you run, you go into this zone where your mind can wander....sometimes I let it wander, sometimes I pray, sometimes I just listen and sing (in my head...you're welcome again)....and sometimes I can't get into that zone and I fight my way thru the entire run, like today.  It's just my time.  I also love it because it's an easy way to set measureable goals!

If I can do it, so can you...if you want to! 

New Running Shoes

For the first time, I went to a specialty running store (Luke's Locker) and purchased a pair of decent shoes.  In the past, I'd always picked shoes pretty much by the way they looked....and by price.  This experience was much different than that!

The salesperson had me take off my shoes and walk around.  He said I had a pretty high arch, which means that I don't necessarily need a lot of cushion, as my arch can absorb much of the shock.  I thought that was interesting.  So you flat-footed people....get some decent padding in those shoes! :)

I did my best to NOT purchase based upon how the shoe looked but rather on how it felt.  The pair I picked are lighter than what I have had in the past.  They aren't a totally minimalist shoe, but they are a little more lightweight.

I ran about 3.5 miles yesterday and a little over 6 miles today in them....so far, so good. I'm sure I'm suppose to ease into a new pair of shoes.....but I like to just jump right on in!

When my husband saw them for the first time he said "oh, um, your new shoes....they're um, bright".

I informed him that they serve a purpose.  They will get my legs where they need to go and I'm not running in any fashion shows anytime in the near future.  I don't wear running shoes for anything other than exercise....ever, so I don't really care what they look like.  And I didn't think they were THAT bad!

I'm just happy the salesman didn't make me try on this pair, as it would have been difficult for me to be indifferent:

Apparently, they can't keep these bad boys in stock. 

No offense if you own these....I'm just pretty conservative when it comes to clothing...you know, blacks, browns, grays...the occassional green or blue or pink, but never ever something this bright!  With weight loss comes more confidence....so maybe next time!  LOL

So the salesman told me with the mileage I'm currently running, I will need new shoes every 4-5 months!  What?!  These things cost more than twice what I would normally pay!  UGH! 

So...whoever wants to start contributing to my running shoe fund, feel free.  I'm not too proud!  Oh, I'm kidding.......kind of.

The Perfect Chip Alternative?

I've seen various pins on Pinterest (shocker) of zucchini chips & yellow squash chips.

Could this be the perfect solution to my chip addiction?  Could it possibly be replaced with veggies??? 

I was at least willing to give it a try.

Who wants to donate a mandoline to my kitchen?  Would make this task so much easier!

Luckily, I had a super cute helper!

The finished product:

Ok, so I knew they would shrink.  I knew this was a dehydrating process and shrinkage would occur.  They went from about half dollar size to dime & penny size!  These were the smallest "chips" you've ever seen.  TOTALLY not salsa-worthy!

TASTE:   They tasted about like I expected that they would...kind of like fried squash, but not fried.  I seasoned with Mrs. Dash table blend. 

WOULD I MAKE THEM AGAIN?   Um, this is probably a big negative.  It's not like they tasted bad.  They were actually good.  But they were SO TINY and TOOK SO LONG TO MAKE.  Granted, you didn't have to do anything, but these guys were in the oven about 1 1/2 hours.  It's just a lot of energy for very little product!

Do you have a mandoline?  Do you love it or do you find yourself slicing things with a knife more than actually pulling it out and using it?