Goals for Halloween Half Marathon

I love setting goals for myself. It really helps me push through and finish strong. So, here are my goals for training for the Halloween Half Marathon.

Goal #1:
Goal #1 will always be to simply finish!

Goal #2:
Finish in 2:10 or less. This is an easy course to PR on. It is downhill for the first 5 miles, so that helps a lot. I know with how the first week of training went, I will not have ANY problem doing this.

Goal #3:
Strength Train 3-4 days a week. I will be using the Jamie Eason LiveFit workouts for this. I loved them so much and they gave me a great idea of moves to do in the weight room. I will do at least 1 day of leg days.

Goal #4:
Have fun!

That is it. Nothing too amazing or high, but 100% attainable!

Talking about food...

It's amazing what reading old blog posts can show you.

For the past few weeks months, I have been in a food rut. I am embarrassed to admit that I have been eating way too much fast food and not near enough veggies. Early last year through September, I was on a schedule of grocery shopping and meal prepping every Sunday. I have done that only a handful of times since then. I have allowed the "No Time To Prep Meals, So Fast Food/Restaurant It Is." It is true though....the more crap you eat, the more crap you crave. Well I am tired of eating the crap! I am tired of gaining weight! I am tired of being TIRED because of what I eat. Yes, I exercise 4-6 days most weeks, but that is not enough. My food has to change! 

When I went back and read some of my older posts(when I was maintaining a weight of 124), I realized that I was eating clean food that I love. I was putting effort into meal planning and eating food that was good for my body(and I LOVED!!). I cared to make the time to prep good meals and put thought into what I wanted to eat during the week.

This was the first camping trip of last season. That is my afternoon lunch, which was later followed up by 2 pieces of chicken and some fruit. This was a daily thing and I could NOT get enough. Veggies, Protein and a healthy carb were on tap for every meal.

I remember having so much energy. I would come home from a long run and be hustling and bustling around the house like a mad woman. Cleaning, doing laundry, playing with the pups, and going on walks with Chad. I miss having that energy and I realized it has a lot to do with what I am eating.

So, I am challenging myself this week.

1. I will be going back to my clean eating. Also, will be doing no sweets. Cakes, cookies, candy ice cream, etc. 
2. I will make a meal plan and prep all of my breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snacks.  Along with calorie counting.
3. I will be doing LiveFit workouts before work Monday-Friday. 
4. I will take the pups on more walks this week.
5. I will unplug from the computer at night and just spend time with my little family. 

It is time I get my weight and eating back under control. I miss having the confidence to put on a swimsuit and not feel terrible in it.  I want to feel the way I did when I finished my half marathon. Like I was unstoppable and my goal weight was achievable!

Goal Of The Day: Grocery Shop and Meal Plan/Prep


Here's to a great week!!!

3 Weeks No Talk!

Well....the last 2 weeks have been...YIKES!! I didn't work out at all. I am not coming up with excuses, because I really don't believe in those.

The past 2 weeks have consisted of:

• Prepping our trailer for camping season
• Shopping for food & supplies needed for said camping season
• Camping for 4 days
• Court date for the guy that stole my car(TWICE!) See Story Here, Here & Here
• My 27th birthday!!
• Staying up far too late
• Sleeping in 
• Taking a lot of time to reevaluate relationships in my life
• Having 2 mimosas and a massive migraine the rest of the day on Easter
• And, Super Busy at work. Thankfully, I LOVE MY JOB! 

Again, they are not excuses. I am the first to admit that I could have MADE time to work out, but didn't.

Unfortunately, I have allowed myself to let my priorities get completely out of whack! The old saying "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail" is 100% true. That saying runs through my head at least 10 times a day.

However, I did get up for my LiveFit workout this morning. A little behind schedule, but I am back on the wagon :) I need to schedule my meals and track them! I realized that my food has been all over the place. Fast food, lots of carbs, little fiber and protein...which is far from where I need to be. I feel terrible. My body is always exhausted and so is my mind. It is amazing to realize the differences mentally, physically AND emotionally when I am not working out and eating well.

I am going to continue on with LiveFit until the middle of May. I will be starting something different(more to come on that in a few days). I have LOVED LiveFit. It has given me so much confidence, strength, and definitely shown me the weight room isn't "Guys Only".

I am working on getting back in the blogging groove, but have been so lazy lately. Blogging is back in that priorities list I was talking about ;)

I hope you are all well. I am so excited to update you in more detail on some of the recent events happening in my house!!

LiveFit Day 29

Woohoo! The first 4 weeks were completed, almost in its entirety. I had a few days(shoulders/abs day, I don't know how it happened 2 of the 4 weeks) that I just Could. Not. Get. Out. Of. Bed!

Bummer!

Onwards and upwards......

I am still going strong. I woke up at 5:01AM today and got my butt to the gym for Back and CARDIO!!! I was so ready to get my heart pumping with cardio. It feels like it's been years. I was tired and sweaty when I left the gym, but I did it!

I replaced my Garmin 310XT with heart rate monitor(when my car got stolen the first time, it was in there in my gym bag) and used it to see how many calories I was burning at the gym today. I burned 351 calories in an hour. I was surprised it was that low. Oh well, I still burned 351 calories! Woot Woot!!!

My Thoughts On LiveFit Phase 1

• I love love love weight training. I see definition in my arms, legs and back(only slightly in my back) and I am so happy about that. 
• The meal portion of the plan does not quite fit into my schedule. So, instead I eat clean with emphasis on protein and veggies.
• I am down a total of 4 pounds since the beginning. I attribute this to clean eating. I do not know my inches, but will take them tonight and report back. 
• I am sooooo ready for cardio to start. 
• I am seeing so many changes physically and emotionally. I am so much happier now that I am on a routine.
• I do find myself super hungry after leg days.  

I need to take updated pictures tonight and post them. I can't wait to see if I have changed at all. I am sure I have, but we will see.

How was your weekend?

LiveFit Day 16

Today was a day I was not expecting! I felt discouraged from the time I woke up, until....well, I still feel that way. It isn't the program, it is me. I love what lifting has brought to my life. I feel so much stronger. I have, in 2 weeks, lost a total of 3.25'' and 2.2 pounds.

However, this morning, none of my pants fit. Like NONE!!  AHHHHHH! That was a curve ball. They have been snug, yes. But, I haven't been unable to pull them all the way up and button them...until this morning.  I found a pair that my middle hangs over in, put on a cardigan, and called it good.

This morning, the weight area was PACKED. I love working out in the mornings when it is nice and leisurely. You look over at the next machine you need to use and no one is there. Not today. Every machine I needed to use always had somebody on it. So, I would skip that exercise, go to the next and come back to it. One guy sat on a machine and people watched for 5 minutes between sets. So, I just said screw it and used a similar machine. I sat down and the leg cushion pad(that you slip your legs under) slipped down and I could not get it back up. So, I just went without having the padding. No Big Deal.

My biceps are sore, my back is sore.....therefore, I call Day 16 COMPLETED!

Hopefully tomorrow starts a little earlier(4:45AM) and a little better!

How was your weekend?

LiveFit Week 3....

Starts today! Woohoo! I am so excited to be starting week 3 of the LiveFit Trainer today. I am still on track with the workouts and loving it so far. I have been so sore the last 12 out of 14 days.

The LiveFit workouts are so great. I love lifting weights and my body feels so much stronger already. I did a quick measure this morning and I am happy to report in my "trouble zone" I have already lost an inch! Woohoo!

Food lately has been much better. However, I really need to start setting alarms for my meal times. I barely get 3 meals (on workout days I drink a smoothie, as well) in in a day. If I had that reminder, I am sure I could eat some more.

Today is my meal prep/grocery shop day. I can't wait to get some more clean eats. Last week, I bought 6 assorted bell peppers, 3 lbs of asparagus, a huge bag of spinach from Costco, and some summer squash. Oh my gosh, I was in heaven. I cut up all of my veggies on Sunday. I would pull them out and roast them for eggs, salads, and/or as a side. I loooooved every meal I ate last week :)


Now Onto................


MY 11

The rules:

1. Post these rules.
2. You must post 11 random things about yourself.
3. Answer the questions set for you in their post.
After this one, I am breaking all the rules and not tagging anyone else. Shameful, I know.

So here we go ….

11 Random Things About Me

1. Growing up, I always wanted to be a singer/actress/dancer. You know, the whole triple threat thing. Just a few days ago, we had a singing/dancing party in our kitchen. By we, I mean my dogs and myself. Everyone wants to be me, now. Am I right? Haha.

2. I fell off of my friend's bike when I was a kid and the metal handlebar went through my lip. I had plastic surgery and was told not to smile for a few weeks. 1. I was five and 2. I never stopped smiling. I have a scar on my lip to this day.

 

3. I met David Blaine in September. 

Older Brother, Myself, David Blaine, Little Brother, and Mom

4. My Love and I have been together for almost 5 years.We met on hotornot.com. True Story!

 

5. Growing up, I never had a dog. Now, I have 2 and I could not imagine my life without them!

Abigail, she is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Lenny, he is a border collie/blue heeler mix

6. I am from Utah and I am NOT LDS(or "Mormon"). I get asked that ALL. THE. TIME. 

7. I danced the half time of a 49ers vs. Seahawks game when I was 12.

8.  FRIENDS is my favorite TV show and ALWAYS will be. All 10 seasons were in my car when it was stolen. I replaced it for cheaper than I bought the originals for. Chad HATES FRIENDS and refuses to watch an episode.

9. I am not afraid of spiders, but snakes FREAK ME OUT! Yuck!!

10.I have had a total of 4 pet rabbits. Jasmine, Barry Bonds(Older Brother's choice), Snowball and Midnight. I want another one, but that idea was shot down! 

11. I do laundry every Sunday. If I forget to put away a basket of clean clothes for a couple of days, I rewash them. I have no idea why I do this.

11 Questions For me to Answer from Annie

1. What made you want to get healthy?

 

Chad and I were on a hike in 2009. Less than a 1/4 mile into it, we had to turn around because I could not catch my breath. I realized at that moment....I didn't want to be that person. I wanted to be healthy and strong. 

 

2. Cardio or weight-training

 

I am loving this weight training, but really, I do enjoy both. 

 

3. What has been your biggest NSV (non-scale victory) to date?

 

Running my first half marathon!

 

4. What do you love most about your body?

 

I love that my body always surprises me.

 

5. Why (to question #4)?

 

Because, every time I think I can't take anymore, my body keeps going.

 

6. Who has been your biggest supporter through this journey?

 

 Chad. Hands down! He pushes me, tells me I can when I think I can't, and he is always there for me, even in the hard times.

 

7. In the next 6 months, what is the biggest goal you're working towards?

 

I am excited to finish LiveFit and train for another half marathon!

 

8. What is the one thing you won't give up as you lost weight?

 

I refuse to give up desserts. Moderation is key!

 

9. Most motivational quote or person?

 

 

 

10. What is your favorite non-healthy food?

 

I loooove Arby's Beef N Cheddar sandwiches. 

 

11. What is you favorite healthy food?

 

I love a good salad. Made with Chicken, lots of veggies, spinach, quinoa, and some peach n mango salsa!

 

I hope you are all having a fantastic weekend! 

Live Fit Day 2....I love the pain!

Yesterday, went just as planned. I did some grocery shopping last night. I had to load up on the protein I need for phase 1 ;)

I went to bed pretty late, around 10:45. When you have a 5AM wake-up call, that is really late. My alarm went off at 5AM and when I rolled over to hit snooze my first thought was, 'Oh Shiz, I really used my abs to do those pushups yesterday, and my triceps and chest YOWZA! Hurts soo soo good!' I woke up after 1 snooze at 5:10AM. I felt okay waking up....Excited, really!

Mondays at the gym are pretty dead and after the anxiety being gone, I thought I would be just fine to lift with not much competition for machines or benches. However, this morning, the gym was bangin'. I wasn't worried at all. I put my music on and just did my workout.

LiveFit Day 2
5 min light elliptical to wake me up a little.

Set 1:  Wide Grip Lat Pull Down

I had to grab an attachment for this machine. I was trying to change them out(they are awkward to change, don't you think?) and a nice gentleman walked over unclipped and helped me clip in the new attach. I was a bit surprised, because I knew how to change it. However, holding it in one hand while unclipping and reclipping a new one was a little challenging. I didn't feel stupid(which is where my anxiety comes in, I HATE FEELING/LOOKING STUPID) like I thought. He was just nicely helping me. So, Thank You Helpful Guy At The Gym :)
Anyway, I did these at 40 lbs which felt like 60% of what I could do.

Set 2:  One-Arm Dumbbell Row

I know my form on these is pretty good. I love love love row exercises. I did these with 10 lb weights.

Set 3:  Seated Cable Rows

I also did these at 40 lbs. I have always liked the row machines. My arms/back were definitely feeling this workout at this point.

Set 4:  Underhand Cable Pull Down

I did these at 40 lbs. They were just what I remembered from a few months ago when I was strength training. Ouch!

Set 5:  Dumbbell Alternate Bicep Curl

I did these with 10 lb weights. I felt a little awkward at first, but once I checked out my form and fixed it, I was good to go.

Set 6:  One Arm Dumbbell Preacher Curl

I started at 10 lbs, but could hardly lift the dumbbell. So, I switched to 8's and felt much better.

Set 7:  Standing Biceps Cable Curl

I did these at 15 lbs. I have never used this machine before, but I actually liked it.

Day 2 Complete!

Day 2 was just as tough as day 1, but I loved it! I feel my confidence growing with each workout. I know I am a newbie with a lot to learn, but I am ready for the challenge :)

LiveFit Day 1....Narrow Pushups Oh Em Gee!!

I woke up at about 8:00AM to the sounds of the Man of the House making brisket. He just got a new smoker and He. Is. In. LOVE. We had cornish game hens and smoked chicken 2 weeks ago and it was perfection!

I lounged around the house until 10:00 and then it was time for errands. Sports Authority: to return the snowshoes we rented for the day yesterday. Costco: for veggies, Dave's Killer Cinnamon Roll, and garbage bags. Harmon's(local grocery store): for apple juice to be sprayed on the brisket while it is being cooked.

After that, I decided the gym had to happen pronto, or I wouldn't go. Now, I wrote before about anxiety in the weight room. It was there today when I first walked in, but once I started my workout, I realized it is about me. I am doing this for me and my health. The anxiety was lifted and I was breathing a little easier.

LiveFit Day 1
Set 1:     Wide Pushups 3 sets of 12
                  These were fairly uneventful. I did the first set on my toes and then switched to my knees.
Set 2:     Dumbbell Bench Presses 3 sets of 12
                  I did these with 10 lbs for the 1st 2 sets and switched to 8 lbs for the last set.
Set 3:     Flat Bench Cable Flys
                 The machine I needed was in use, so I improvised and did them with the dumbbells used
                 the 10 lbs on all 3 sets for these.
Set 4:     Narrow Push Ups
                 Oh Em Gee!! These were tough. I did them on my knees and barely completed them.
Set 5:     Standing Dumbbell Tricep Extension
                 I did these with a 10 lb dumbbell. These were tough and my arms were BURNING from
                 the narrow pushups.
Set 6:     Triceps Push Down
                 I did these at 40 lbs and they were hard, so I switched to 55 and that was like my max. So,
                 I went back to 40 lbs.

Overall, the first workout was great. I had a hard time driving home because my muscles were tight. When I walked in the door, I put 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder, 8 ounces of water, and a handful of spinach in the blender and voila! It was sooo good! I paired it with a baby banana. They are so cute, I will share a picture on the next post. I am so excited that Annie talked me into doing this with her. I can't wait to see our results!!

Right now, we are watching 'Bridesmaids: Unrated'. It is HIlarious! 

The rest of the day will be filled with laundry and cleaning. Gotta love Sundays :)

Are you better when following a plan or doing your own thing?
I am better on a plan. That way I know what I am doing. I am sure as I get more experience in the weight room, I will be better at coming up with my own plan.

Have a great Sunday :)

No Sugar Coating....

This morning, the scale read 138.8. As far as healthy living, working out and getting to the "goal weight" goes...I have been slacking. I could use the car theft as an excuse. However, I won't. I haven't had the motivation to do anything. My size 4 jeans still fit, although too snug for my liking. I have a few things I am thinking of doing:

1. Training for a half marathon at the end of April.
2. LiveFit program. 
3. Focusing on solely losing the weight and getting to my goal with cardio, weights and Jillian Michael's. 

I am always torn, especially of late, as to what I want to do.

I don't love running like I used to, but I still like it. I just hate going head on and having to work back up to "where I was before". I was averaging 9:30 miles or better. When I started, it took me 15 minutes to run/walk a mile. Now, I run a mile in 10:30ish and I always feel defeated. Ummm...hello self....maybe you should run more than 2 days a month. I have decided not to beat myself up about it because I am far better than where I started in 2008, right?

I have seen amazing results from the LiveFit program on other blogs and it really inspires me. I have always been interested in doing a "body building" type of program. Growing up, my dad and uncles were really big into body building, they even competed. I guess I just get concerned that after phase one(NO CARDIO), I would forget how to do cardio (haha). Really though, it is the fear of the weight room and the people in it that actually know what they are doing. I hate looking like I don't know what I am doing. I just need to get over that fear!

I don't necessarily feel like focusing on just weight loss is beneficial to me. I am small and carry my weight well. I think toning up is more of the way I should go, rather than killing myself over the number on the scale. However, cardio and the Ripped In 30 DVD, should make me a lean little machine.

Ahhh.....Decisions, decisions!


Any thoughts?

Catch me up on you! I miss my blogging friends! I still read everyone's blogs, but haven't been commenting much.