Speedwork Tuesday

The past few days have been really good. Since my 13 miler on Saturday, I decided to take it easy on Sunday and Monday.  I would have done some cross training Monday, but my ankle was feeling sore so I figured I would give it some rest. 

Breakfast. Seriously, if you have not tried the Oatmeal Raisin Walnut Clif bar you really should.

Lunch. PB sandwich on ww, string cheese and Triscuits.

After lunch I wanted something sweet and this was in my purse. Seriously, some of these bars taste like a real candy bar. These could be very dangerous for some people to keep in the house or their purse. Plus, the calories were as bad as a REAL candy bar. I still ate it! Should have saved my calories!!!!

An hour before my speed work at the track, I made myself a green smoothie. This was the first time that I have tired the almond milk. I know, surprise surprise, but I have not tried it. I added a banana, lots of spinach, the almond milk, PB2 and a few ice cubes. It was AWESOME!!! Trust me, you do not taste the spinach. Then it was time for me to head to the track.

7 mile speed work at the local high school track. I met Jen from my running group. I was concerned with how my stomach would feel after the smoothie, but I had NO problems. I have enjoyed the past 3 weeks meeting at the HS once a week. It is something different and good training. I always feel like I have "one" pace. Doing the speed work has shown me that I can push myself farther then I think. I also love my Garmin and it came with the heart rate monitor. Honestly, I have used it once and hated it!! After today, I really need to get my manual out and read up on it and give it another try. Did you seen the show Extreme Edition Weight Loss on ABC a few weeks back? It airs on Sunday night and the trainer brought in his wife for a difficult woman, Sally, that was trying to loose weight. It showed how Sally thought she was working to her maximum potential, but not according to her heart rate monitor!! I think this is what I am doing!!! So tonight, I am going to be reading up on my monitor so I am prepared for my next run. I also need to work on strength training if I am ever going to improve. I will let you know how it goes.

I enjoyed a nice quiet dinner all ALONE tonight!! It was a nice treat. I made myself a salmon burger (bought a box of them frozen 120 calories and it was amazing) on a light english muffin topped with a 40 calorie slice of colby cheese, a large salad, with fresh strawberries. DELISH!!

Think I will go enjoy a warm quiet bath while I still can.

A Lot of Amazing!

Things have been so overwhelming for me lately. So much going on and I am feeling pulled in so many different directions. Plus, I am constantly second guessing everything, including my blog. Here is just a sampling of what is happening in my life.

• My oldest daughter had a baby 3 weeks ago. Our first grandchild:)
• My second daughter got engaged about a month ago and wedding planning has begun. This means 2 weddings in less then a year and a half.
• My third daughter graduated college in June and started her career 2 weeks ago at a law firm.
• My forth daughter graduated high school in June and is headed off to college next week, the baby.

 And lets not forget all the everyday things I have to deal with!

 

• My husband has a puppy!! It is his puppy, but guess who has to deal with said puppy while he is a work? Me!!!!!! I had a total meltdown with said puppy today!
• Our air condition stopped working Memorial Weekend. The hottest weather to start off the summer and we had no AC! We waited until after the holiday weekend to get it fixed. Well, guess what?? It has decided it does not want to work again! 
• Not to mention that I wonder if this blog is meant to be! I mean seriously, I do not have any quality content to draw in more readers. I am not a good writer! I am not educated in any health or exercise. I may be a runner but I am not even a fast runner!!!! 

These past few days have been tough. Not focused or in control. To me, that is just not a good feeling. It is amazing how when things are feeling out of control in one area of your life, that is trickles into other areas of your life. The sad thing is that everything going on in my life is absolutely amazing. It is just a lot of amazing!

I have not done my food journal for the past few days because I thought I did not need to. Well guess what? I do not have control over it.  I want to focus on healthy, clean eating and that takes a lot of time and energy. Having my long runs on Saturday also take a lot of time and planning. I do not like to take away time from my family. So getting up at 5 am is a sacrifice I am willing to make.

Thankfully, I hit my RESET button this morning and got back on track. Today, my eating was very much in control. Will I ever really have all the control that I need to continue my quest for healthy living?

Breakfast was my Clif and banana.

Lunch was a PB sandwich on ww, string cheese, grapes, Triscuits and a Kashi cookie.

100 calorie popcorn.

Dinner started with this amazing salad full of veggies! Salad size plate.

1 cup ww pasta with ground turkey and sauce. I refrained from the bread.

So my food journal is back. People may find it boring but it works for me. I also got in 3 miles on the treadmill even though they were slow.

Well, I think my pity party is over for the day.
There are days when I just have to remind myself what is really important:)

Friday!!!

I love Fridays!! Looking forward to the weekend. It is a great time to get caught up on things around the house and see the girls and my husband. Our evenings during the week seem to be so busy lately. Everyone has been going in all different directions!!! What happened to relaxing summers???? Just wish I did not have to spend so much time on the weekends getting my chores done! 

Clif & banana.

Kashi cookie.

 

Lunch. People can say whatever they want about my food choices. I still say it never hurts to eat the same things during the week. My food works for me. I know what makes me feel full. I like knowing the calories in the items I choose. Would I rather enjoy a salad for lunch, instead of the same old almond or peanut butter sandwich? Of course I would, but there is no way I can eat a salad where I work. I tend to save the big salad for dinner a home. I also love protein shakes but never seem to give myself enough time in the morning before work to make them! That is why I always have a bar and banana. I just do what works.

After I got off today I had to take daughter #4 (right), Taylor May to the doctor. She needed to get a few shots before she goes away to college in the fall. She is 18 years old and still sees the pediatrician and she is still afraid to get a shot!

She still managed to rock a paper gown!

Yogiberry:)

Dinner was a foot long veggie with yellow mustard on ww along with a bag of Sunchips. This was so good!! I have my running group in the morning and the plan is for 10 miles. My knee bothered me last Saturday during our 8 miler, so I hope it holds up. I really enjoy the women that I run with. After our run everyone meets up for a bagel. I have not gone for a bagel in several weeks because it always seems like something is going on that I need to get to. Tomorrow, I plan on joining everyone for a bagel. 

Time for the Olympics!!

Busy Thursday

Nothing like oversleeping and being late for work to start off my Thursday!! That NEVER happens to me! 

Clif & banana.

Kashi cookie. These are so good!! Packing just one in my lunch helps. If I were home, there would be no more left.

Lunch was PB sandwich, almonds and cheese.

My grandson Ty. He will be a week old Friday!! I got off work at 2, and sent my husband a text letting him know that I was going for a quick visit to see Ty. So happy my daughter and her husband bought a house only 8 miles from us!! Guess who arrived during my visit???

He couldn't stay away either!!! Crazy to think we are grandparents!!

I enjoyed some fruit while we were there.

Once we got home, I made a quick dinner. Whole wheat spaghetti (1cup), ground turkey and sauce. I also had one slice of french bread. Then we needed to head back out. We had an appointment at a wedding venue. Our second daughter, Kaitlyn is engaged and plans to be married in the spring.

We loved it!!! The venue seemed to fit them perfectly. This is a picture of Kaitlyn and Brent. I thought all the stone and flowers were beautiful. Wedding planning has officially kicked off!!!

Enjoyed this little treat on the ride home.

It was almost 9 by the time we got home. I then changed and hopped on the treadmill. My treadmill is located in the basement. During my warmup I thought I heard thunder. Then my lab sat right next to the treadmill, just staring at me. I knew then that it must be storming pretty bad. Poor dogs always get so scared. Just then, the power went out!!! My treadmill came to a halt and my basement was black!!! So glad I managed to grab the railings and not fall off!!! The power then came right back on. I could hear my daughter say, "Dad, mom is on the treadmill!" Glad they were worried about me! My 3 miles was a walk and I held on the entire time. Not worth risking falling off if the power went off again. 

Hooked on these sugar free pops. 

Weigh In & Highlites!

I was happy to see this number today!!

Clif and banana for breakfast.

Kashi Cookie.

PB sandwich on ww, almonds and cheese for lunch.

Woohoo. Appointment at 3 today for highlites and a cut!!

Sitting under the dryer, eating a KIND bar.

Happy with the color:)

Munched on grapes and strawberries while we got dinner ready.

Salad was excellent!! Fresh veggies from my garden. 

Chicken baked with honey dijon mustard and sliced almonds, sliced sweet potato, couscous and a slice of french bread. Dinner was yummy thanks to daughter #3. 

After dinner was all cleaned up and my food settled, I changed into my running clothes and headed outside. I did a good 4 miler. I realize now that I run so much better in the morning. This is something I really have to work on. Morning runs.

Enjoyed two sugar free pops when I got back.

Well, I am showered and nails are painted. Once they are dry enough, I am headed to bed!! Today, was a busy, awesome, fun, beautiful day:)

 

What I Ate Today

Breakfast- Clif & banana

Kashi cookie

Lunch was a PB sandwich on honey wheat, triscuits and cheese.

Kind bar

Dinner started off with a huge salad full of veggies!!!

Then I enjoyed a steak fajita. 

Dessert was 2 sugar free grape pops!