Uh oh...

...germs.  They've found me.

If I'm sick for Valentine's Day weekend I am going to be very upset.  I have a race and a hot date with the hubby planned!

Send good thoughts my way.  With your help, maybe I can beat this!

Healthy Goodness that Tastes Delicious?...I'm Sold.

I am about ready to kick my scale out of my bathroom and then toss it off my deck.  It's being very very bad to me.  Either that or I am eating way more calories than I think I am.  I might have to take a break for a few days from weighing in for my own sanity...what's left of it anyway!  :)

You might have noticed from my water post, but lately I've been thinking about the basics of weight loss:

• Drink plenty of water
• Get out and be active
• Watch your food intake

In addition to making sure I get plenty of H20 everyday, I am now starting to make sure that the food I intake is actually good for me.  While taco bell (real beef or not) is delicious and calls my name, it really isn't doing me much good for providing me fuel for a run.  One area that I am really lacking in is getting enough fruits and vegetables.  Rather than partaking of these tasty and healthy food items, I've been eating foods that are high in calories and low in nutrition.  No wonder I feel like I can't get enough food some days--I may have enough calories, but definitely not enough nutrients.  My body needs/wants more of those!

So--new game plan.  Back in the day when I was being super healthy, I used to make these morning smoothies that are delicious and really good for you.  They have tons of fruit in them and the sweetness of the fruit cleverly disguises the taste of the kale and/or spinach.  That's right...kale and spinach in a fruity smoothie.  If you're like me at all, you don't eat kale or spinach because you think it is nasty.  But I looooove this smoothie, so I can't help but share:

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1 c water

5 leaves of kale (you can add more)

1 spoonful of OJ frozen concentrate (or apple juice)

3 frozen strawberries

20 frozen blueberries

4 frozen chunks of pineapple

1 frozen banana

4 slices of frozen peach

½ avocado

Combine water, kale, and OJ concentrate and blend until Kale is completely ground up.  Add frozen fruits to the kale mixture and blend and blend and blend until smooth.  After blending frozen ingredients, add avocado and blend until creamy.

Enjoy.  Approximately 450 calories if you drink the whole thing.

.................................................................................................

I know you're wondering about the kale thing, but trust me--try it and you won't even notice it's there.  The only thing about the kale is that it makes the smoothie a really weird color (which is why I did not post a picture of it!).  It's not very pretty, but totally delicious.  It also is a great way to get several servings of fruit in the morning (which is the best time to have carbs like this!).  The avocado adds some fat which keeps you full for the rest of the morning, plus you get the nice omega-3s.  

Try it and report back to me.  You will need a quality blender to get the frozen fruit smooth.  I have a Blendtec and it works quite nicely.  I shared this drink with a coworker today and he was instantly sold and asked for the recipe on the spot.  I'm going on a 3.5 mile run tonight and am hopeful that eating more fruits and veggies like this will give me more energy so I can improve my pace and stamina while I train for my upcoming races.  I'm running a 5k this weekend and a half marathon next month--it's game time!

How do you incorporate more fruits/veggies into your diet?

Water Water Water

I don't drink enough water.

Not even close.

After paying better attention to my water intake, it has become apparent that I have much better runs when I have had enough water during the day.  I also manage my weight better.  Plus I don't feel as hungry during the day.  Fun fact: most of the time when our body is telling us we are hungry, it is actually trying to tell us we are thirsty.  So try drinking 8 oz. first and then wait a few minutes.  If you are still hungry, go ahead and eat. If not, celebrate knowing that you were just thirsty and have saved yourself from eating extra calories!

So the last few days have been spent forcing myself to drink water.  Lots and lots of water.  Hello, work bathroom.  You are my new best friend!  I can't seem to visit you enough!  :)  Even with the annoying frequency with which I visit the porcelain throne, I must admit I am feeling much better and my weight has started to level out.  Thank goodness!

Today's challenge to you--drink half your weight in ounces of water!

Follower Friday

Today's post is about you.  Yes, you...the one reading these words right this very second.  I want to know more about you!  I don't think I can properly express how much it means to me and helps me to know that I have people who actually want to read about this crazy redhead and her struggles/successes while trying to get back to who I once was.  I don't think I would be where I am without your support!

So I want to get to know you better.  Even if you've never commented before and are just a silent observer, I would love to hear about you.  Leave me a quick comment and tell me something fun about yourself!  Or something that you're working towards...I'd love to support you the way you've supported me.

What fun plans do you have this weekend?
Who are you rooting for in the Superbowl?
What was your proudest moment of 2010?

Tell me anything and everything!

And HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

Three Things Thursday

Not a lot of time today, so this will be a short one.

Three things on my mind today:

1. My job.  Oh how I do not like my job today.  I am so grateful that I have work and that I have amazing coworkers.  I just wish that something would go right for once.  There has been a really awful string of bad lucky lately, and I am really hoping for a turnaround.  I feel like every time I get something resolved, something new and more complicated pops up to take its place.  I need some little wins for my sanity and they have been few and far between lately.
2. The weekend!  I am going to Idaho to spend some quality time with the family.  There will be food and fun.  I am also going for an 8 mile run with a sharp (for me) incline.  I am nervous, yet excited.  I am hopeful that I will be able to conquer some demon hills in preparation for the Shamrock Half Marathon in March.  It has a 600 foot incline which is more than I have ever ran.  Wish me luck in my training!
3. The weather.  It's been all over the place for pretty much the whole nation, right?  Giant blizzards destroying the mid-West and East coast...freezing rain in Colorado...and negative temperatures in my neck of the woods.  Who's ready for summer?  I sure am!

What things are on your mind today?

The Power We Possess

I don't know about you, but when I run or workout my body kind of goes on autopilot and my mind just drifts around.  I might start thinking about the chores I need to do that day, or the weather, or upcoming races, or really anything at all.  On my last run I got thinking about the possibility of running the Top of Utah Marathon.  A couple of years ago I watched one of my friends cross the finish line at that race and I remember distinctly thinking, "These people are crazy...who would want to run for 4 or 5 hours straight?  They are freaking rock stars, but totally crazy..."

I sit today contemplating becoming one of those freaking crazy rock stars.  As my mind was drifting during that last run, I thought about all the bloggers out in web land that have inspired me and shown me what our bodies are capable of.  There are women who have lost 100+ pounds and now run multiple marathons a year!  Can you imagine going back in time to their overweight selves and saying "Hey you...did you know in two years time you will be running 26.2 miles and LOVING it?"

They would think you were crazy.

But something happened to them that I think is happening to most of us at the beginning of this journey we are on.  We are finding we are capable of more than we ever thought.  Those of us that thought we would never be able to run a 5k without dying are finding that we can do it and it actually is just a little bit fun.  We then discover that a 10k is achievable and takes about the same effort to run as the 5k originally did.  Eventually, what we thought was a huge challenge becomes something fun and easy to us.

I never ever thought I would refer to a 3 mile run as a "quick and easy fun run," but that's exactly how I described it to my husband the other day.  If you were a blog reader of mine back when I first started, you will know that it was a HUGE struggle for me to even be able to run a mile straight without stopping.  I remember being so frustrated by my inability to run a mile straight, and now I can run for 7+ miles straight without stopping.  I've only been running for half of a year, and I haven't been making a strong effort to improve my running abilities either.  Which brings me to the revelation I had during that run:


Our bodies are capable of so much more than our minds will let us realize. 


With training and commitment, we can absolutely reach our goals--whether that is to run a mile, a 5k, a triathlon, a marathon, or an Ironman (or any other challenge you can come up with).  It is 100% possible.  You have to do the prep work, but your body will reward you.  It is one of the few things in life that we can invest in and consistently get the return we desire.  

I know without a doubt that if I follow my running schedule I will be able to run a marathon.  I know that my mind will be at risk for giving out way before my body will, and that I am stronger than any negative thoughts that might prevent me from achieving my goal.  With a strong commitment, a person can do anything they set their mind to.

What have you set your mind to do?

Three Tangent Tuesday

Okay, okay.  I give in, Miss Hungry Runner Girl...I like this idea too much to not participate.  Plus you asked very nicely.  Here's to letting the world know how weird I am!  :)

Random #1: I totally have issues with textures of food.  I can absolutely love the flavor of something, but if I hate the texture it's a game changer.  Coconut is a great example--love the flavor, HATE the texture.  So I don't eat it.  Can't eat it...getting grossed out just thinking about it.  Don't even get me started on onions.

Looking at this pictures makes me want to throw up a little bit...

Random #2:  Yesterday I nearly succeeded in eating an entire bag of Farley's Circus Peanuts.  For those doing the math (and I was), that's 980 calories of sugary goodness.  Oh yes.  I totally oinked out.  And subsequently put myself into a sugar coma and really, really, really regretted my decision.  My addiction to these things has GOT to stop.

Seriously...just looking at this has me wanting more even though I know I can't stop myself.  I need circus peanut rehab.

Random #3:  I am currently in the midst of a viewing marathon of Battlestar Gallactica.  My husband (who is admittedly a sexy IT nerd) had heard good things about it and fired it up the other day on Netflix.  Turns out it's actually pretty decent!  It appeals to my geeky side.  We're currently on Season 2.  I'm hopeful that I will continue to like the series.  I'll keep you updated.

That's it for this Tuesday...and can I comment that it feels like a Thursday rather than a Tuesday?  This week needs to be done already.  But, I am very excited to be hanging out with my best friend tonight.  I need to pick an official nickname for her because I am going to be talking about her a lot more in the next few months since she informed me a couple days ago that she is going to run Top of Utah with me!!!  SO excited!  I think I shall call her the Running Roommate from now on (unless she totally protests the name).  She was my roommate for years, and if she can put up with me for that long and still like me she is totally a keeper!  

What are your Tuesday plans?  How are your goals coming along?