Goals

Like I mentioned yesterday....
My major goal for this week is to kick butt with food and work SUPER hard in the gym.  If I shock my body a little that'll spark some faster weight loss. 

• I am also going to try to stay away from dairy which has really helped some friends of mine. This one is going to be a bit trixie though because I have a love affair with cheese.....
• 60-120 minutes in the gym everyday (no excuses) 
• NO CRAP FOOD! 
• No desserts or treats.
• Make coffee at home everyday instead of stopping and picking it up.
• 6-10 servings of fruits and veggies everyday. 
• Drink a protein shake after every workout
• Look forward to the LAX game on Friday :) 
• Try something I wouldn't normally!
• Be confident and strong. 

Until tomorrow :) 

C

Quiche!

This weekend has been great! Got an awesome workout in yesterday morning (good old stilly stairs) with Bailey and then work made the day really fly by.
I'll admit my food consumption wasn't that awesome this weekend and I didn't hit my weight loss goal, but I am still down a pound, which is a step in the right direction! (FINALLY!!!!)

My major goal for this week is to kick butt with food and work SUPER hard in the gym.  If I shock my body a little that'll spark some faster weight loss.  I am also going to try to stay away from dairy which has really helped some friends of mine. Okay, I'll save the rest for tomorrow.

Today, I got up and did some food prep for the week.

I made two quiches, they are so easy for me to heat and eat at school that you really can't go wrong.

Here's what I added to them:
1/2 bag spinach
mushrooms
Canadian bacon
1/2 c shredded cheese

Once they're cooled, I cut them into 8 pieces and freeze them in ziplocks so I can just throw them in the microwave before a workout or work. 

LOVE these. 

Until tomorrow :) 

C

Home Sweet Home

Early in the week I decided it'd be best for me to head home for the weekend! Yay! A weekend now filled with work, homework, hanging out with HS friends, and trying a couple new recipes. Sounds like a blast to me!

Here's a new shrimp dish I tried today! So delicious, I have definitely been on a shrimp and spice kick so this was awesome.

1 pound of shrimp
2/3 c Brine's gold label citrus grilling sauce
1t red pepper flakes

THAT'S IT!

Sautee the shrimp in about 1T of butter and then add the sauce and let it all cook together.  Take the shrimpies out and reduce the sauce with the pepper flakes.

It would make the perfect summer meal.

 Can't wait to share the rest of the weekend with you guys!

Make it a great one, until tomorrow :)

C

Double Workouts

Today is Tuesday which means that it was a double workout day! Woot! Woot!

It may have taken me half an hour to get my butt out of bed to get to morning workout, but it did happen.

Here's what I did this morning:
1 mile warm up run (12 minutes)
10 burpees
20 squats 
30 alternating lunges
40 toe touch crunches
50 jumping jacks
60 second plank 
x3

Then a 20 minute cool down on the bike


Afternoon:
1 hour total body conditioning class
(it is seriously rivals a boot camp workout in intensity, too bad it's only once a week)

Until tomorrow :)

C

Goals!

Bails sent this to me this morning and talk about a perfect reminder to start the week! 

Here are the major goals for the week: 

lose 3 pounds (see my beautiful face about this bad boy)

workout for more than 60 minutes a day

SMILE!

3 healthy meals and snacks

only 1 "treat" a day (1/2 c froyo, 1 piece dark chocolate, 1/2 piece cheesecake, etc) 

protein (bar or shake) after EVERY workout

no eating after 8 pm (This will be my true challenge this week)

Here's a little Man Candy Monday for you. After my recent completion of the entire Breaking Bad series I couldn't resist. 

Until tomorrow, 

C

Killer Leg Workout

I found this workout on pinterest and let me tell you.  I did it on Friday and I am still sore! CRAZY! It's a great workout and I'd definitely suggest adding it to your routine if you're in need of a change.

I would highly suggest doing it one time through the first day you try it and adding the next week...it's harder than you think!

Until tomorrow :) 

C

Long Term Goals

So, sh*t is about to get real.  Bails and I have officially decided to go balls to the wall for the next five and a half months....what am I doing to myself?

Here's the final weight goal: 

150 pounds

220-150=70 fricken pounds in a little over a year. 

(The goal is to be to this weight before I come back to school at the end of August) 

Some other goals: 

Finally get up wakeboarding (I've been lifting like crazy in preparation...John and Jesse don't know what they've created) 

Wear a size 6

Wear a size 2/4 before Carla and Danny's Wedding (Turkey Day 2014) 

Finish a mini triathlon (May 3rd!!) 

Finish a half marathon in under 2:40 (June 1st!) 

Run the Halos of Hudson 5k again 

After a crazy email sesh with Bailey, I naturally had to make a new motivation sheet to put up in my closet.  I know I am way more apt to stick to my goals if I can see where I need to go and what I am going to get for myself once I am there. 

Here are some examples: 

155: I will buy myself a workout outfit from LuLu Lemon

150: $150 to shop and my reward tattoo. 

I want my tattoo to look like this and be on the inside of my ring finger.  

It will be a constant reminder of all that I have accomplished. 

 Here's to the second leg of this insane journey!

Until tomorrow :)

C

New Food and Pinterest Nails

I was ambitious last night and tried out this nail design!

Here's my version: 

I am loving the neutral colors for spring. 

I bought Ezekial bread a while ago (from TJ's of course) and froze it in four piece baggies to bring to school and I finally tried it today! I made a grilled cheese with it and I was pleasantly surprised with the taste.  It is very dense, but a pro of that is it definitely keeps you full longer!  I am looking forward to trying french toast with it this weekend, I'll share the recipe as soon as I'm done :) 

Check back tomorrow to hear about my new long term goals! 

Until tomorrow, 

C

Post Race Goals

Since the race is over it's time to hit the ground running...again.

Last week I indulged in carbs and sweets in preparation and celebration of the big day, now it's time to get real.

Here's the lowdown for the week:
60-90 minutes of workout everyday
6 miles on Sunday
Drink enough water
Limit treats/sweets to healthy things
Healthy whole food snacks, no junk food
4 home cooked meals

Since I am giving myself some lee-way with sweets this week, I thought I'd try a new product.  It's SO DELICIOUS coconut milk ice cream and the name states a fact, it is delicious.  I fount this chocolate one at Target for $3.99 a pint, which I didn't think was too bad.  A serving size is 1/2 c and I was totally cool with just that much, it definitely settled my chocolate craving and it only has 1g of sugar! WOOT WOOT! Finally a treat I can eat :)

BIG CONGRATS are in order for my honorary big sister Megan and her husband Phil on their baby announcement today.  I can't wait to have another little one in the family :) 

Happy St. Patrick's Day.  Treat yourself to your favorite green food or beverage today!  

Until tomorrow, 

C

I survived 13.1 miles

13.1 miles isn't a joke.  It is some serious business.  I am so grateful for signing up and completing this race, it was truly a life changing experience.  It was not fun or easy, but it was the most enlightening experience of my life.  There were points throughout the race where I felt like I might die and others where I truly had runners high. I laughed, I balled my eyes out, but I finished.

2:51.28

The first seven miles were cake, but then we had to turn around and go back...uphill...not cool peeps.  After mile 8 I had to ask a cop to open my energy pack because my arms were not cooperating.

I couldn't find words whenever someone told me good job or you're almost there, so naturally I resorted to crying.

When I finally saw the finish line I tried to book it (that lasted about 50 steps) then I saw my friends and my family and I completely lost it.  I was so exhausted and emotionally wrecked I couldn't hold it together anymore.  Everything that I have accomplished over the last ten months finally became reality and I was so scared and proud that I couldn't control it.  I am blessed to have such amazing friends who came all the way from St. Cloud to come watch ME run.  They made some pretty sweet signs and they ran the last few steps with me! I couldn't have asked for anything more.

I am so proud of Bails and I.  I can't believe that we did it!  We worked so hard and seriously devoted some time to make our dream come true.

I can't imagine training for this without both Bailey and Katie.  They are my rocks,  I can't wait to start training with them for a full (Summer 2015?)

Here's to making your dreams a reality!

Until tomorrow :)

C

New Protein Shake Recipe!

I love coffee and that is NO secret!  I gave up Starbucks before work (which was a challenge), so today I concocted my own healthy mocha and it is super yummy and crazy easy.

Isopure Mocha
1 1/2 scoops dutch chocolate isopure protein powder
1c almond milk (unsweetened)
1c brewed coffee (your favorite flavor, mine is currently Mocha Swirl)

I shook it all together right in my new 20 oz blender bottle. It was delicious warm, but it'd be great tossed with some ice too!

 Here's a little preview of my awesome outfit for race day!
I am so grateful to have such a great support team surrounding me here at school. Suzanne is so sad that she can't make it on Saturday, but she'll be there with me in spirit!  If you're interested in a custom headband  let me know and I'll put the two of you in contact, she'll send them anywhere and do any color combination you want.
I love these Headbands because they are both warm and breathable.  They keep the sweat isolated and keep your ears warm which for us short haired ladies can prove to be a challenge.

Enjoy!

Do you have any new protein shake recipes to try?

Running Love and A Little Shopping

Monday I was reminded of why I fell in love with running.  It was finally 40 degrees outside and the paths were clear so I could just run!  I didn't have to follow a course or hit a certain distance; I just got to get some fresh air.  To my surprise I killed my time and I was just having fun!   It has been a long time since I have hit four consecutive miles with splits under 12 minutes, but I did it on Monday without even trying.

As excited as I am for this race on Saturday, I am kind of ready to get out of the training routine and into the mindset of health and having fun while being outdoors!

So three weeks ago I bet myself that I couldn't go without Starbucks. As my reward I told myself that I could use my $10 off Old Navy coupon, so today I did it! 

I got to get some fun new spring clothes. 

Blue work pants and a blue and white button up

Cream ruffle shirt

Skinnies!

THE CUTEST WORKOUT CAPRIS! I am in LOVE with the color. 

Until tomorrow, 

C

Goals!

It's the Monday of race week so naturally I'm freaking out and insanely excited at the same time.  The weather is supposed to be amazing this week, so I am excited to get in some FUN short outdoor runs this week.

Here are my major goals for the week:
-workout for 45 minutes a day with 20 minutes of solid stretching after
-3 good meals a day and 3 healthy snacks
-no desserts from Gorecki
-9 H20 Bottles
-Stay POSITIVE!
-Look forward to the weekend :)

Love this outfit, so much fun for the nice 40 degree weather.

What are your goals for the week?

Spring Break Treats

This past week was my spring break and I am not going to lie I definitely treated myself to a few old fashioned treats. 

I got to go to the Daily Grind, my fave little coffee shop in downtown Stillwater and got a skinny Mint Truffle Mocha.  It was even better since I got to catch up with Kenz and hear about all of her fun new college plans. 

These little devils will be the death of me.  My boss always has candy in the office and usually I can resist, but these stupidly delicious eggs I can't pass up.  I kept my handfuls small, but I definitely only had them 2 days and that's dang good in my book!

Am I proud that I ate these things, not really, but am I going to get hung up on it?  No.  

This week is all about clean and healthy eating for me in preparations for my race, so I am putting spring break behind me and opening the week with a clean slate.  

Here's to a great week! 

Until tomorrow :) 

C

Food!

In my last post I talked about what I packed for work...well sometimes life throws you lemons and you've got to make some fricken lemonade.

This week my boss has offered to take me out to lunch EVERY DAY! Today I finally had the guts to say no and I am so grateful that I did.  The chicken and turkey bacon sandwich that I had today was super delicious.

Instead of icky unhealthy chinese food yesterday I made a healthy choice and got shrimp and veggie stir fry!

Then Bails and I went to visit Katie at the U and she made us an awesome dinner of spaghetti squash with tomato sauce and Bails made a yummy salad.  It is so great to have friends that love eating and making healthy food together.

Tomorrow is my last day working at Granite for spring break.  It's really going to be hard to say goodbye to my boys after this week :( 

Until tomorrow! 

C

Sore...

I saw this on instagram today and this perfectly describes my life this week. Getting up at 4:40 sucks...I went to bed at 7:30pm last night and slept like a rock, but bootcamp is honestly like no other workout I've ever done.  It is the BEST high there is.  There are times throughout the workout that I feel like I am going to die *cough* burpee pyramids *cough*  I am so sore it is insane. Getting out of a chair is absolutely ridiculous.  I ask myself why I do this and then I am reminded when I see the results in the way my clothes fit or on the scale.  I have missed it so much;  I cannot wait for summer and to be back in the full swing of things.

 Sitting at a desk this week has been a challenge because I always want to munch on something.  So here's what I packed in my lunch box for tomorrow. Helps me stay on track without eating candy from the stupid candy jar in the office.

1 whole wheat sandwich thin
3 oz shredded chicken
2 pieces of turkey bacon
1 piece of cheddar cheese
1/2 avocado
1c spinach
(all of this is going on a sandwich)

1/2 c strawberries
1/2 c almonds and dried berries
100 cal oreos

Emergency daily snacks
Think thin bar
string cheese

For the ride home
Protein shake: almond milk, 2 scoops isopure protein, 1T PB2, 1c spinach, 1/3 of a banana

Here are two day makers from today! 

1) pic from Suze of my almost ready race headband.  I LOVE it! The finished product will have neon green trim. 

2) Annie sent me this picture today...it totally reminds me of how much I've missed my friends and it has only been 5 days :( 

Until tomorrow :) 

C