Living the life of a teacher

I am so sorry I haven't been blogging much this week.  It has been absolutely insane.  As part of my education major we are placed in an urban school for a week to teach and observe.  It has definitely been an experience.  I am in a very diverse 5th grade classroom, which I have grown to love.  We started off the week with a field trip, definitely not the best way to get to know a class or their schedule, but we made it work.  It was at the River Rondevous, such a cool experience for the kids to see people reenacting events from the 1800's. Check it out! This class of 25 has definitely taught me a lot about my own teaching style and my methods as I continue to shape my teaching philosophy.

I came upon this sign on pinterest and thought it perfectly explains my week.  I have given so much to this class, but what I have gained has made all of my work worth it!

Like every classroom there have been issues and days that haven't been the smoothest, but through it all I have learned that the baggage of one day cannot be brought into another. If you bring in emotions or fears from previous days there is no chance of making the new day any better.

 

 

This week has also been a bit of a shock to my system.  I am no longer used to getting up at 4:30 to get a workout in before work, but this week I have managed to get up everyday and go for a walk with Croix or run sprints with Dad.  I have also miracuously gotten three extra afternoon workouts in as well, but have barely made it to 9:00 before I feel like death.

 

Food has been  hands down the BEST thing this week.  I miss food from home more than anything else (sorry Mom and Dad). There is nothing like a meal from Brine's. Period.  We made sure to get: corn bread stuffed pork chops, bacon wrapped chicken breasts, spinach spaghetti with home made pasta sauce, and canadian bacon for breakfast.  I MISS REAL FOOD!!  Eating at school has been a bumpy road as you know from all of my previous posts, but all of the changes have definitely been worth it, two pounds is better than nothing!

 

On Wednesday morning I ran sprints timed by my amazing father and you could definitely tell that he hadn't worked out with me for a while.  He was so surprised by my times and the pace I was going, the fact I could see how proud he was of what I've been doing made getting up at that god awful hour was worth it. 

 

On the walk home we both decided to give up ALL desserts until the wedding (NOV. 1st) we did have to make a couple of exceptions trial mix and any breads (banana or zucchini) because let's be real....I can't give up everything.  I am so glad that Dad decided to do this with me, because it is so much easier to do when you have an ally.  Now everytime there is chocolate lava cake at Gorecki or the fro-yo machine calls my name Dad's voice will pop into my head and talk me down from my "need" of chocolate.

 

Can't wait to get back to campus tomorrow and see JON PARDI! There will definitely be pictures and commentary from Jon, the Homecoming game, and our third weekly Saturday workout this weekend!

 

Until this weekend :)

 

C

 



Weigh In...and run?

So all of you know that I weighed myself in today and lord knows that I was not prepared menatlly for that, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be! I only lost 2 pounds over the last month...Yeah, that is not the best, but I know exactly what I have to do now to reach my goal for the wedding.  No sweets, low carbs (only good carbs from veggies and whole grains), working out twice a day, and obviously limit eating out and eating crap food with friends.

Difference of one pound of fat to one pound muscle...two pounds may not seem like much on the scale, but it sure looks like a lot.

 

I know that over the last month I have definitely toned muscles that hadn't been used in years and also have built up a crazy running endurance.  Today was a crazy day, first day of teaching 5th grade and of course we went on a field trip...nothing like being thrown into the fire.  After work, I got a haircut, Annie and I had a delicious home cooked dinner then being the genius I am I decided to go for a run.  Running after eating stuffed pork chops. WORST IDEA EVER! I felt like I was going to die, but I pushed through and miracuously survived.

 

Beautiful sunset on my favorite running route.

 

Haircut + headband= not so friendly stares from everyone I passed

 

This was the first time I have run outside in a couple of weeks, because my Mother has this crazy phobia of me running alone while at school, and I hate running with other people beacuse I am not exactly the fastest girl on the block, so it was really nice to be home and run all alone to clear my head.

 

My lesson for today is DON'T get discouraged by what the scale has to say, be happy with the tangable benefits of toning up, smaller shirts and jeans and of course killer muscles. :)

 

 

Can't wait to see what the rest of the week has in store for crazy workouts and clean eating!

 

Until tomorrow :)

 

C

Goals

So as I read Bailey's blog I love her idea of sharing her goals so that she says dedicated.  I want to do the same thing.  This first month back at school has been a big change and has shown me many hardships, but I am ready now to get back in the game...go all out before this big wedding in a little over a month! (where did the time go?)

Here are some short term (pre-nov 1st goals):
Run another 5K (on the calendar for Oct. 5th)
Fit into a size 8 pair of jeans (hasn't happened since the 6th grade...that's insane to me)
Run the entire chapel walk (it'll take me a few more times, but I think if Paul and I keep doing it I'll have it in the bag)
Bike the Wobegon trail to and from SJU
Eat a salad a day
Workout 6 days a week
NO DESSERT FROM GORECKI!!!!
Smile and enjoy all of the time I get to spend with my amazing friends.

Long term goals (I want to accomplish them by Jan 10th, 2014)
Sign up for a 10k
Lose another 30 pounds
Be happy with the person I have become
Sign up for a tri
Sign up for a half marathon

These last few months have changed me so much and I want to start appreciating how much I have changed.  Until now I haven't embodied how much I have changed or embraced my new body.  I want to start doing that and appreciating all of the people that have helped me here at school.

My best friend Matthew.

Katie and Kenzie

Bailey

Katie

 

Without such amazing friends and support I don't know what I would be doing.

 I love you guys more than words can say. 

 Until tomorrow :)

C

2nd 5K, officially on the calendar

So today I officially sent in my registration for my second 5k (October 5th), there is just one little problem....I haven't exactly been running a lot outside :(

My second 5K benefits the ROTC here at CSB/SJU and St. Cloud State, what a great reason to run!  It is going to be a fun run through the arboretum of the SJU campus.  It's in three weeks so that means I really have to start hitting the trails. I will run on CSB campus for the rest of the week, then this weekend go and RUN the chapel walk.  It'll be nice to be in Stillwater next week so I can get a couple of good hill workouts in before the big day.

 I never would've thought I would miss doing the Stillwater stairs or hills, but sadly I miss them everyday.

Today was a stressful day of class. It started off with a not so great grade on a paper, a HUGE assignment for next week, oh yeah, and two more assignments due the week we get back from immersion week.  I leave Sunday night for home to do a week long teacher shadow, that I thought would be fun, well add a few big journal assignments, reading an entire novel, and writing two book kits (which means reading two more books) and you've got the perfect recipe for STRESS.

Stress used to mean I would eat, now it means that I hit the gym. HARD!  I need a place where I don't have to talk to anyone and I can crank my raggeton and no one judges, so today I picked the eliptical and treadmill.  I did 45 minutes of the endurance program on the eliptiacal (I may not walk tomorrow) then did a 20 minute sprint interval set on the treadmill.  I was sweating from places I didn't know sweat came from. As a bonus a very attractive Johnnie was running next to me, if that didn't make those last two one minute sprints better, I don't know what did. :) 

My best distance ever during this particular sprint set. 

 2 minutes of jogging (5.2) and a minute sprint (6.2).

 

Here are my current favorite running songs:

 

Roar- Katy Perry

Days of Gold-Jake Owen

Chezidon-Don Chezina

Fifth Harmony-Miss Movin' On

Luke Bryan-Play it again

Luke Bryan-That's my kind of night

Cowboy Troy-Drink, Drank, Drunk (my current fav song)

 

 

Remember keep your head held high, you are surprising everyone by continuing to do what you do :)

 

Until tomorrow,

 

C

 

Starting off a week of success

Last night I didn't have any school work to finish so after dinner I decided to break out the bike and get in some fun exercise, biking.  There is no such thing as an easy bike ride here in Stearns County, we have a head wind from all directions because we have NO hills :(

Be safe, always remember your helmet.

 

Our signature farm fields.

 



Tomorrow is Annie's birthday, but she is going into the cities so I threw her a birday dinner tonight with all of our friends.  She decided that instead of going out she wanted to dine in and make spaghetti.  I knew that this wouldn't be a good choice for me, so I got my own Spinach spaghetti and pesto sauce.  One benefit of being the cook is you have control of what you are making.  I made everyone else red sauce, white sauce, white pasta, salad, and cookies, but chose to only eat salad, my pasta and sauce, and ONE cookie. 

 

Spinach pasta with pesto

I imagined this being much more of a challenge then it actually was. No one questioned why I was eating something different, they are now pretty used to me eating different foods, which is super nice. I (as I am sure all of you do too) do not like being asked why I am eating different things, why I am eating so frequently, or why everything is healthy....I have begun to respond with BECAUSE I LIKE IT! I do, I genuinely enjoy every single thing I eat, no matter what. I am making a life change, not eating things I am restricted to (diet). I am human, I indulge, I binge, I work out, it's life. Nothing is perfect about what I do. It is actually mass chaos that I attempt to contol 70% of the time.

I know that I only got an hour walk in this morning, so I now know that tomorrow is going to be a long day in the gym.  I know that Step class is on the schedule and I may also do some weight training after, my weigh in is coming up way too fast :(

Tip of the day: cook for yourself, try something new, and DO NOT LIMIT YOURSELF.  The more limits that you set for yourself the less successful you are going to be.

Until tomorrow,

C

Workin it weekends #2

This weekend was our first college football home game.  Unfortunately, it decided to rain for the first time in weeks.  Yesterday morning we went running out to the chapel on the SJU campus, since the rugby tean was using the field.  It is a beautiful run, about 3 miles round trip.  It was brisk and a bit windy, but we all survived.

 

The view looking back from the chapel to the SJU Abbey.

Annie and I out at the chapel, half way there!

After our nice run I met my mom for brunch, we did some shopping and headed over to the game.  We met up with my cousins' John and Jesse and their son LJ.  Such a cutie. 

It was really good to catch up with family and take it as an easy workout day. 

Today I hit the gym right when it opened, I was the only one there for the first half hour.  I did an eliptical workout and some stretching, I am really sore from my hilly chapel run yesterday. 

This week was crazy with school work and out of class activities, I am hoping to stay strong in my work out habits and try to clean up my eating as I move forward this week.  As much as I want to eat healthy and clean all the time, this is college, pizza is something that I am surrounded by on a daily basis and if I can keep it to one or two pieces once a week, I call that a major accomplishment.


Until tomorrow,

C

Blake Shelton and Cheat Day

Blake Shelton was absolutely amazing, there are not enough wonderful words to describe the entire night. This was the kind of concert that you get to early and stay until the last song of the encore.  His openers were Jana Kramer and Easton Corbin (some GOOD eye candy).  In the over 40 concerts I have been to over the last five or so years I have seen Blake 3 times and this was by far his best show.  I loved that he took the time to go back to some of his old songs, Austin, Ol' Red, and he even brought out a cowboy hat with a mullet and wore it....priceless.  He also did a moving cover of Over You, brought everyone to tears. 

 

Easton Corbin, such a cutie in his white button up!

BLAKE!

Kenz and I :)

Blake asked everyone to pull out their phones and lighters and it looked like a starry night, and then he sang Home!  Give it a listen, such a good one.

 

So before the concert I met my Mom, Annie, and Kenzie for dinner.  I decided that yesterday was going to be my "cheat/rest" day for the week instead of Sunday.  I had to work yesterday morning and left right after my last class so I didn't get a chance to workout :(  At dinner I told myself I could have anything on the menu, I didn't even think about what I ordered, but as I was filling Annie in on the nights events this morning at breakfast she was like "THAT'S ALL YOU ATE?"  She could not believe the "bad" choices I made, compared to what I used to eat, I was still in diet heaven for dinner.

Dinner at Jake's City Grill (great restaurant to get "healthier" options)
Appetizers shared with the table:
Steamed asian dumplings
Lettuce Wraps (I cannot tell you how much I love these, DELICIOUS)

My dinner (shared with my lovely mother)
12" thin crust Hawiian Pizza
Side Salad

Looking back I can't believe that is what I chose as my cheat meal, but hey! If that is as bad as I want to get, I should be proud right?  It surprises me all the time what "bad" things I simply don't crave anymore.  A perfect example was from lunch today at the dining center, they had an ice cream topping bar and of course right within eye sight is my favorite ice cream topping, butterscotch chips. So I indulged in 1/4 c of softserve vanilla ice cream and 1 T of butterscotch mini chips.  I was so excited to eat my "old lady creation" (as my friends call it), but as I was eating it, it didn't even taste good.  I was so sad, all I wanted to do is put it back and go back to my room and eat my normal piece of dark chocolate.

These little changes that I don't crave anymore have obviously been making a difference.  I surprised my Dad by going home a little early yesterday to see him when he got home from work and him and mom both said that it looks as though I have lost even more weight since I have been at school.  I honestly am looking forward to my weigh in next week when I go home for my immersion, simply to see how the back to school change has gone.  I told myself before coming back to school that this first month was just to get re-acclimated with school, friends, and food.  I am not worried about the weight this month as long as I am making the right choices.  Now having to buy new pants two weeks ago, smaller tanktops and work skirts, I am thinking my changes have been working!  Can't wait to share my check point results next weekend and my goals for the next phase, look for that post Monday the 23rd!

Until tomorrow,

C

Happy Hump Day!

Wednesdays not only mark the wrap up of a long week, but they mean that it's Pump It Up night.  Pump it up is my new favorite class because it gets me away from my comfort zone of cardio and gets me some good time with weights! Over the last week I have noticed that I now enter the area of the gym with the free weights without having to get forced.  I am starting to enjoy pumping iron, that's something I never thought I would say!

 

This week can be summed up in one word: homework.  That single word explains my lack of blogging this week and for that I apologize.  I have not met my goal of half hour of me time A SINGLE DAY this week :(  I am looking forward to my me time tomorrow though, I am going to the Blake Shelton concert tomorrow night with my friend Kenzie.  I cannot wait!  I promise to post pictures on Friday. 

 

So today I checked mail and got a wonderful surprise from my amazing trainer.  Her words of wisdom seem to be the only things that keep me going lately. I love checking my email on Mondays because I know that there will be an email from her with her goals for the week for all of the bootcampers at home.  I am counting down the days until I get to go home so that I can kick some butt at boot camp once again.  I cannot describe how much I have missed it.  Along with a wonderful note I got my first piece of LGN gear, I will definitely be repping LGN at my mini bootcamp this Saturday.  Thanks Sara!

 

 

Today was also made WONDERFUL by Annie suggesting I borrow one of her shirts. There was just one little problem when she handed me the shirt....it was a medium. So being typical Catherine, I said, Hun, there is no way in heaven that this shirt is going to fit me.  She replied with, "I think you might be surprised."  Guess what?  IT FIT!!! I cannot remember a time when I bought a medium anything.  It was definitely my pre-fifth grade years...I just can't believe that I was able to wear it (with room I may add).  I am so proud of myself and it goes to show me and anyone else who is eating clean at college that it does work and it is worth doing!  All of those ice creams you give up, totally worth the smaller size, stick with it, I promise it is the best feeling in the world.

Me in my first medium shirt since basically forever!

 

 

 Beginning of a fun night at Saint Johns!

 

 

If it weren't for this amazing friend I know for a fact that I wouldn't be where I am right now.  She has done everything that I needed her to do for me and keep me from doing!

She:

gets her butt kicked with me at all of these fun, new aerobics classes

tells me that as much as I want it the fro-yo from the dining center isn't worth it

reminds me to pack healthy snacks when we go over to SJU to avoid all temptations

lets me have one treat day a week (she talked me into my old fav coffee the other day...LOVE that)

wakes up at the crack of dawn Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings so that we can get our walk in before our 8 am

eats healthy food with me at the dining center

helps me brainstorm new ideas for staying on track

 

Keep in mind she is NOT following the same program that I am, but she stands by my side 1000%

 

I have no idea what I would be doing here without her.  When we go out she forgoes things that our friends are eating so that I am not tempted by the group. 

 

I don't think that I tell her enough how integral she is to my success!  Annie, I can guarentee you that I will make it to my goal by November 1st and it probably wouldn't be possible without you! OVAL YOU :)

  

Killing time on the LINK!

 

 

My words of wisdom for today are: find someone, wherever you are, that can help you.  You CANNOT do this alone.  It is a difficult journey, have someone by your side to lean on when you need to :)

 

Until Friday,

 

C 

 

Workin' it Weekends

So last night (Friday night), I lived it up, had dinner and played football with friends and then decided to call it an early night and hit the gym.  I was one of two people in the gym at 8pm on a Friday night...yeah I am so cool.  It was the first time this week I got a good running workout in, 45 minutes of sprint/walk intervals and then 35 minutes of weights.  IT FELT SO GOOD!!! This time alone was the first time all week that I could just clear my head...Finally!

 

This morning my friends and I decided to get up early and run the stadium stairs.  It was really nice that the guys wanted to come too, we did a "mini boot camp" on the turf. It was very fun and different.

Here's the rotation we did:
4 sets of stairs every step; sprint
4 sets of stairs every other; sprint
Square's (run up one flight, shuffle across the top, down the opposite way, shuffle, then up again.) (three times) 

(repeat ENTIRE set twice)

Run distance of the football field (build speed to sprint by 50 then slow to other goal post)
Lunges (width of the foot ball field)
Squats (width of the field, change directions half way)
Killers
(run to the 50 yd line, back, 40, back, 30, back, 20, back, 10, back)
20 push ups (different type each set, stagger, knees, slow, fast, triangle)
Latter runs on the yard markers (length of field)
(repeat twice)

We did this entire workout 4 times!  I think the guys were a little surprised that I was beating them up the stairs...those main street stairs have prepared me well.

Happy Saturday!

Until tomorrow,

C

Thank god it's Thursday.

This week is going to be the death of me.  As many of you know I like my life to be organized...this week has proven to be a challenge with new work schedules, workout schedules, classes, and tons of homework.  All of which have been discussed in previous posts, but I crave routine and this week has been a rough one.

Today was a rough one on the diet...
Here was my meal plan for today:

Breakfast (in my room since I had to be at work early)
4 oz chicken breast
1/4 c quinoa
1 banana

That's quite the breakfast...good way to get rid of left overs I guess.

Snack
1 mini whole wheat blueberry muffin

It was NOT a good idea to go into the dining center to fill up my water cup, I always come out with something extra

Lunch
1c skim milk
2 c vegetable stir fry (bamboo shoots, carrots, broccoli, zucchini, bean sprouts, snap peas, and mushrooms)
1/4 c brown rice
3 oz chicken breast
1-100 calorie pack of weight watchers dark chocolate

Snack
1 string cheese
1c cheesey quakes
2 pieces of dark chocolate (CAN YOU TELL I WAS STRESSED??)

Dinner
4 oz beef patty
1 piece of cojack cheese
2/3 c sauteed mushrooms
1/4 c sauteed onions
8 sliced pickes
1 T ketchup
1 1/2 c. Spinach Strawberry poppyseed salad (I AM IN LOVE with this new salad)
1/2 c peach frozen yogurt (my first dessert from the dining center!)

Study Snack
1 1/2 cups of natural popcorn

Activity
1 hour of pilates
45 minute walk
I am already sore, I wonder how I am going to feel tomorrow morning?

Although this week has been a real challenge emotionally I am trying my best. I know I will have weeks like this and they are okay!  One day of not working out or a couple of questionable snacks will not throw off your entire diet.  It is more important to change it and not let decisions like that happen every day!

This weekend I am going to focus on working out and really eating clean!  I will hopefully have some good news/ideas to report come Saturday.

C

Kickin' it.

SORRY GUYS! This post was supposed to be up yesterday, but for some reason, it didn't...read this one before STRESS :)


Last night, I took a zumba class for the first time this semester and it kicked my butt...literally.  So following the new training schedule that I worked out with Sara, naturally I had to take another new workout class today, step!  It was fun, but again it kicked my butt.  I went to step with Emily, thankfully we got the last two spots in the class. It was one heck of a sweat storm, but it was SO FUN! To give you an idea of how sweaty we all were, it was like a hot morning at boot camp, which to you non boot campers that means shirts are completely drenched and your hair is fresh out of the shower wet.  Gross, but it felt so good to get my butt kicked, with workouts like that, my goal is only a few short months away :)

 

My new workout schedule is:
Monday:
am-total body weights (1 hour)
pm-zumba (1 hour)

Tuesday:
pm-Step (1 hour)

Wednesday:
am-interval run (1 hour)
pm- Pump it up class (1 hour)

Thursday:
pm-Pilates (1 hour)

I am very nervous for this pilates class, me and flexability do NOT mix well, I will let you know how this baby goes.

Friday:
am-interval run (1 hour)
pm-zumba toning (1 hour)

Saturday:
am- stair intervals (1 hour)

Sunday:
Rest day :)
But anyone who knows me knows that I don't do rest days well...or like at all. So I usually go for a walk or leisurely bike ride to get some fresh air.

Today, my friend Annie had a meeting with our inspirational teacher and she stopped in my room on her way back and brought me this fun gift.  Our teacher is such an inspiration and these new books will help me develop more of an understanding in how to run longer distances and develop new running techniques for all of the races I want to do in the future. Thank you!!

Another happy moment today was getting an email from Sara saying that I made great nutritional choices my first week back at school.  I know that I have things to change and that it was a very stressful week last week, so simply hearing that news made it all seem worth it!

Until tomorrow :)

C

STRESS!!

Goodness gracious, it has been an INSANE last coulple of days.  I am barely keeping my head above water with the amount of homework, at least 2 hours of workouts, work, and oh yeah time for eating and socializing with friends.  I am currently a sophomore applying to get into the education department here at St. Ben's.  This has proven to be a challenge, getting a packet of information that needs to be filled out yesterday, essays to write, letters to get sent, evaluations to fill out, and it's due in less than a month.  It's all a bit overwhelming. 

I have been using my trusty planner and I cannot explain how crazy I would be without it. I am so (occasionaly over) organized, it definitely helps me de-stress a little.  I prefer to have every single minute of every day planned, so this week my goal is to spend 30 minutes a day on myself. 

Yesterday, I started a great book that one of my teachers lent to me.  It is called Run Like A Girl, I have seriously come to enjoy my time running since I began my journey, unfortunately I haven't had much time this week to get out and run.   I hope to spend some time on the pavement this weekend, my next 5k is coming up quick and in order for me to get my time down I need to legitimately kick it in gear. I like this book a lot so far, it follows many different types of women and their journeys, triumphs and tribulations while running.  It is nice to know that running doesn't come easily for a lot of women, I am SO not alone in my struggles.

I'm hoping to get into my normal routine again next week, it has been difficult with work starting yesterday. A new classroom full of eager kindergarteners makes for one heck of a day and night of preparations! 

Until tomorrow!

C

Motivation

My goal for this week is to create a "world" for myself  (at school) where I can be surrounded by motivation.  Last week was a hard week emotionally so I really want to do all I can to keep my spirits up and keep myself moving towards my goal.
Here are some things I've found helpful so far:

1) I have become extremely inspired by the ABC show Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition.  Watching their struggles with food and working out and getting to see how they look in the end really gets me going.  It helps me think about different things, I want to look that good, look, her and I have the same goal, if she can do it, so can I.  Thinking these things makes me want it even more.
I would definitely suggest you get caught up on this season!

2) I made myself a motivation wall, just a couple of simple sheets of paper that remind me of things I want to accomplish, why I am doing this, and daily reminders. I have a friend at school who is also trying to lose weight, she suggested I try this because it helps her to physically cross things off when she completes a task or goal. So I figured I'd give it a whirl, I will keep you posted as to how this is going over the next few months.

 Notice my workout clothes directly to the left of my motivation :)

3) Asking for help and support.  Today I recieved a card from Bailey, goodness did I need that.  Just knowing that other people are concerned about my well being and making sure that I stay on track helps me.  I have been missing my girls like crazy, it is so much different doing things without them, but it shows me that I want to work even harder so that when we are reunited we can do fun, active things together :)

I also reached out to Trainer Sara this week so that she could help me work out a plan with some aerobics classes as well as look at my food log from last week. 

It is A OKAY to ask for help, I know we all think we need to be strong, independent, self motivated people, but sometimes it helps to just get some new feedback or a new point of view on the things that you have gotten into the routine of doing.

4) Teachers.  After class today I met with a teacher who seemed to take a special interest in my weight loss journey after I shared it in a presentation last week.  Talking with her today I learned that she was also in my position at one point and she knows the struggles and offered her help and support whenever I need it.  It was so nice to know that someone here, so far from home, I have an ally. She is providing me with the support and resources I need to succeed.

All of these small things are making a huge difference in my level of determination.  The wedding is fast approaching and I really need to step up my game.  I am so excited to see what the next phase is in my journey, I know it is going to be a lot harder then the first phase, but I think I've got all the tools I need now to kick my goal in the butt. 

Stay strong!

Until tomorrow,

C

A day in the life

So today, I decided I am going to give you a break down of a "normal" meal plan for the day.

Breakfast:

2 egg omelete with mushrooms, spinach, broccoli, peppers, green onions and cheese, three slices of bacon, and a glass of milk.

It is super nice that school has a build your own omelette bar on the weekends, it is so nice to know that you are only getting what you want in your meal.

Lunch:

3/4 cup of Minestrone soup (DON'T FILL YOUR ENTIRE BOWL, eat in moderation)
1c cooked peas and carrots (always butter and season them yourself)
1 tsp butter
1/2 whole wheat high fiber wrap (I occasionally bring my own into the dining center)
1 piece of both colby and pepperjack cheese
1c unsweetened peach green tea
1 square of dark chocolate

Snack (post workout):
1 scoop of LGN protein powder
1c almond milk (unsweetened original)

Dinner: 

 

 

11/2 cups stir fry (bean sprouts, carrots, zucchini, baby corn, broccoli, mushrooms, snap peas, and garlic)
3 oz shrimp
3/4 c brown rice (I forgot my quinoa in my room :( )
1T Teriyaki Sauce
1 100 calorie pack of Weight Watchers Dark Chocolate (My new favorite candy, LOVE, definitely worth a shot if you are like me and need something a little sweet)

The picture was taken after 3/4 of it was gone, I promise, I totally forgot to take a picture until my lovely roomie reminded me...whoops!

Activity:
40 minute leisurely bike ride
Today was technically a rest day, but I always feel bad when I don't work out, especially if I splurge a little on the eating end of things for the day. I always prefer to throw in about a half hour of leisurely activity into my rest day, just to keep the muscles moving.

This is how I keep track of my eating, I tried doing it electronically on a fitness app, but it was hard for me to see all the nutrition facts of the things I was putting into my body.  Avocados were my worst enemy on the app...they are amazing for you, but when you see how much fat and calories are in one of those bad boys you get a little depressed.  So I talked to Trainer Sara about it and she suggested I jot it in a notebook and I have been doing it like that ever since. I really like the "therapy" of writing down all of the good things that I am doing and putting into my body each day,  I have also started writing how I feel that day and goals I want to try and accomplish for the next day!  A food journal is a great way to keep yourself on track because it is a shocker when you first see how much you are actually putting into your body. 

Until tomorrow!

C