Mission Haiti - Has Just Begun

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Mission Haiti Photography

Sunday, March 13, 2011

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Getting Healthy Update

Wooo Hoooo! I am officially Under 200 lbs. TODAY! NEVER GOING BACK THERE!
19 lbs. down, 64 to go!!!

I see that my last post was February 27th- I am Happy to say that I have lost 7lbs. since then and Bob is COMPLETELY on the wagon now! Amazing- I am so thankful to the Lord for Bob's change of heart regarding exercise and eating. He is saying to me daily that he is noticing that buffets and fast food are losing their appeal due to the work he knows is involved in shedding off the extra calories from eating there. Yay!

At first, he was steadily losing just by walking a little bit and only minor changes to his eating habits, but once the first few lbs. came off and he kept looking forward to seeing the numbers decrease- he found himself fitting in more and more exercise. Now he walks during his lunches PLUS he walks 2 or more miles from the bus towards home until he is picked up. If he doesn't do that he walks 3 miles at Lake Pflugerville. Since gas prices have gone through the roof recently, we are grateful to have the track around the lake that is close to our house.

I was starting to get shin splints after running at the lake, so I figured it was time for some new shoes. I did some online research and found a New Balance style that is made for stability and doesn't bend in the middle. I have orthotics, but the right shoe makes all the difference for my flat feet! My friend Suzanne gave me her expert advice to ice, massage, and stretch. I had been soaking in the hot tub or in the bath tub and that was the exact opposite of what I needed- So Thank You Suzanne!

Last Thursday I was able to run continuously for 1.5 miles at the track and then keep a good interval pace up and complete the route in 38 minutes! I am so excited to see progress and the 10K that is 2 weeks away seems doable!

I need to take the time to do the weight training on my alternate days- so that is a goal of change for me.

Progress

Sunday, February 27, 2011

I made a discovery this week.
I was so frustrated with working my butt off in the gym and seeing slow results I decided it was time to reread my Biggest Loser book and Whatdya know! Just by changing my eating plan to include more fresh fruits and veggies and remove the "lean cuisine" that I had been having for lunch, AND making my dinners lighter Tada! I went from 212 to 205 this week! AMAZING! I feel so awesome and my jeans are definitely looser.

It had to be all that sodium in the lean cuisines- eh?! Well, it's really encouraging me to stay on track. Speaking of track- I'll be going to the Lake Pflugerville 3 mile trail today to get my 'Big Run' in for the week. I'm hoping to get a yoga class in tomorrow to stretch and recover.

Musically- I am finding the songs that have the right beats per minute and the right combination of inspiration to give me a mental kick:

Phil Collins: I can't stop loving you
Phillips Craig Dean: Revelation Song
Bonnie Tyler: Hero
The Proclaimers: 500 miles
Def Leppard: Pour some Sugar on Me
Mercy Me: Beautiful
Toby Mac: Get back up
Avalon: Everything to Me

What's on your workout playlist?

Yum!

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Who knew food that is good for you could taste so much like dessert!

I tried this recipe for salad that is in my Biggest Loser Cookbook this week- It IS RIDICULOUS! It tastes like strawberry cheesecake salad!

1 Cup Fresh Spinach- stems off
1 Cup Romaine Lettuce
2 Tbsp. Crumbled Goat cheese
1/4-1/2 Cup Fresh, sliced strawberries
1/4 Cup sliced chicken breast
1 1/2 Tbsp.Kraft Light Raspberry Vinaigrette

Holy Cow! I loved it so much I had it 2x this week.
The easy peasy tip is to get a rotisserie chicken and just peel a breast piece and shred it or cut it up.

I've never had goat cheese before and I had a hard time finding it at the store. I finally found it in the Deli display in a crumbled option and a tiny little cylindrical portion. Goat cheese has 6grams of fat versus the 9 grams that cheddar offers.

1st Milestone...

Friday, February 25, 2011

Wowiee!
10 lbs. down!
73 to go!!!!!!!!!

Cross Day

Thursday, February 24, 2011

No-I don't mean Easter... The 10K training plan I downloaded here has Wednesdays marked out for a Cross Training day-- which means no running- just biking, swimming, kayaking, etc.

So- I did 10 miles in 40 minutes varying the tension between 10 and 12. My cooldown was 5 more minutes in which I knocked out 2 more miles. Felt So Great!

I am getting the hang of staying within my optimum heart rate zone while I accomplish the prescribed distance and time.

The other thing I noticed is that if I don't make sure to eat 30 minutes before and get some protein and carbs I crash and burn. The previous day I didn't eat before my workout and suffered through 2 miles barely running at 4.1. My legs killed me and people asked me why I was limping.

This is going to be a long haul, but eventually I know I will be fit and healthy. It has taken 18 years to get out of shape, lethargic, and unhealthy-- It's now time to stop being sick and tired and eat right and get out and do it!