The big 4-0!

Today was a monumental day, I HIT THE BIG 4-0! I have officially lost 40 pounds since I started my journey in May.  I cannot believe it. Dad finally owes me my new heart monitor watch.  I can't wait to find the right one so that I can start training with it for the 10K!

I started a training program for my 10K on Friday, so of course I had to transfer it to a cute calendar so that I can stay on track with my pre-wedding workouts as well. 

Heres me after my first "long" run....my usual 3 miles.  I have never really run when it was cold out before, so my lungs are definitely not used to it.  I am going to have to get out and run early every few days now so I get used to it before my chilly November race.

This weekend I went to visit Katie at the U!  We had a great time catching up, going out with friends, and exchanging good food ideas!

Me and Tanner

Me and Katie

Today, I went out to breakfast with my family, it was great to see Uncle Mark, Kim, and Jamie! 

All I can say is that I never thought that I would ever be at this point in my weight loss. 40 pounds.  I can barely remember what it's like to be that heavy.  Here's a picture I found of my first time meeting LJ.  This was at the end of May, I honestly don't even look like the same person!

Here are some monuments I have accomplished thus far:

I went from a size 16 pair of jeans to now an 8/10.
I went from a shirt size of XL to now a M.
Ran 2 5k races and am signed up for my first 10K. 
I am officially lighter than the weight on my drivers liscense!

My best piece of advice is to surround yourself with good people, that is going to be your key to success. They will be there when you need it most!

Until tomorrow :)

C

Work, work, work

I know I haven't exactly been a daily blogger lately, but I have a reason I promise.  I have been working crazy hours.  When I get up at 5:30am to get ready to go to work by 7, don't get home until 3, workout for at least an hour, then do homework for class, yes, I am absolutely exhausted.  We started reading rotations this week so I have definitely been putting in extra time to make sure that my lessons are ready for eachday! I am so grateful for the chance to teach, but this week has been a rough one with all of my normal school work on top of my workload. Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday.

Found this in a giftshop and I LOVE it!
 

It was long weekend on campus so we didn't have class on Monday or Tuesday, so I worked all day.  It was nice to be there and get some work done, but it has definitely had it's drawbacks.  My workouts have been a bit pathetic this week. I have only been getting about an hour in, which for me lately is absolutely nothing.  But today I am going to change that!  Since it is so gorgeous I am going to go for a run before pilates, then try and get some more homework done.  I don't have to work tomorrow so I am going to go for a nice long run in the morning too. 

Oh, I didn't get to blog about my biggest thrill this week...SIGNING UP FOR MY 1ST 10K!!  Thanksgiving day can take its dear sweet time coming this year because I am going to need all the time I can get in order to be able to run the entire 10k.  I am so excited, it'll be the first time Katie, Bailey, and I will be reunited since August.  Is that not insane? 

We are all starting to run like crazy! So proud that Bails got her first "runners high"

 

 In love with my new shirt from H&M, SIZE MEDIUM people! Be proud.

 

Today was my favorite lunch, Strawberry Spinach Salad :)

 

I never thought I would live to see the day that my mom got instagrammed for #tbt (Throwback Thursday).  What the heck?  So of course I had to text her and she was extatic, today was a crazy day at work for her so this is exactly what she needed!

 

 

Tomorrow I have two classes and then I am heading to the cities to work for a bit then I will be REUNITED with Katie! I am so excited, hopefully we'll get a good workout in on Saturday morning. 

 

Stay tuned :)

 

 

C

Case of the Monday's? I think not....

Yesterday, unfortunately I didn't get a chance to blog, but I had a wonderful day with Annie.  We explored the CSB campus a bit and hiked to Lake Sarah. Words cannot describe how beautiful it is. As we approcahed the lake a flock of geese was just taking off, tears may have been shed.  It was the most amazing thing that I have ever seen.  I cannot wait to take more people to this special place. It is so peaceful and calm, you would never think it would be nestled in little St. Joe.

Lovely Lake Sarah!

 

Today and tomorrow we don't have class so I am spending my time at work.  Here was my outfit for kindergarten today.  I LOVED IT!

 

Necklace: Charming Charlie's

Shirt: Charming Charlie's

 Red Capris: Forever 21

 

So I am going to share a little story about these pants.  When I was heavier I would buy things without trying them on and then when I would get home, throw it in my closet and it'd probably never see the light of day.  These pants were purchased a couple of years ago and today was the first time I wore them.  I discovered this gem of a pair of pants when my Mom brought up my "fall" clothes box on Saturday  I love the vivid color and the fact that they are a little baggy makes me feel even better! :) I love that something as simple as an outfit can brighten your entire day.

 

Until tomorrow,

C

Race Day!

Well today was the day of my second 5k!  I was a little nervous going into it this morning, not going to lie.  I want to share a great filling breakfast option that I happened to eat today. Trainer Sara suggested it actually and it has taken me too long to try it, now I am hooked.  I use Trader Joe's multigrain oats (cook as directed on the package), then I add one scoop of protein powder and a splash of unsweetened almond milk.  It keeps me really full and it isn't bad tasting either, which is a definite plus.  By no means is it the normal Maple Brown Sugar oatmeal, but it is a great healthy alternative!

 

 

 

I definitely prefer to run races by myself so that I am not comparing my times to anyone elses'. This is only my second race, so hopefully as I get more confident I'll feel more comfortable running and chatting on the trails.

 

Being completely honest, I didn't know what I was getting myself into with this race.  The course was challenging on a fair weather day and with all of the rain that we have gotten the course was a serious challenge.  It was really hilly and compared to my first 5k with almost no hills this one kicked my butt.  I didn't PR, but I definitely showed myself that I can be my best motivator.  I chose not to use my MapMyRun app this time because of the course and goodness am I ever grateful I didn't.  I would've been super paranoid that I wasn't making my normal 11:30 miles. 

 

 Me, starting off strong!

It was great to see all the different types of runners out today in the rain to support ROTC!

I know it's hard to see the clock, but the first finisher finished in 17 minutes!

My time of 38, not wonderful, but I only gained a minute over my last one and the course was not even in the same ballpark, so I am definitely happy with my run!

 There's always next time to beat it!

After the race I was exhausted and a bit emotional that I didn't beat my last time.  I knew that the course was harder and I had factored that into my training, but the rain and wind added a little something special.  There was nothing better than coming back to the dorm and taking a hot shower, I was soaked and the warmth felt absolutely amazing.  After I cleaned up, Mom and I went into town to buy shoes for the wedding and we stopped at Grizzley's for lunch...DELICIOUS. We shared the wild rice stuffed mushrooms for an appetizer and I had the burbon salmon with veggies and chicken wild rice soup!

 

While we were running errands I got this text from my friend Natalie:

 

 

Getting wonderful messages like this make this journey worth it for me. Sometimes I catch myself wondering what I would be like if I had continued on the path I was going then I think about all of the people who ask me questions, start their own journey, or get into fitness/health blogging and I remember why I started this journey.  I began to change physically and now that it has happened, I catch myself changing how I think, act, and listen to others. 

 

My advice for today is do something that challenges you, you will be surprised at how well you do and always remember there are people watching you, waiting to be inspired!

 

Until tomorrow,

 

C

How I spend my Friday Nights

On the eve of my second 5k I am doing my favorite thing, babysitting. Tonight me and my little man LJ got to spend some quality time together. You can ask any of my friends that this night has been ALL I've been looking forward to this week, my baby time.

I took today off from working out because I double dipped yesterday, one hour running and 45 minutes of Pilates. Needless to say, I feel like death. I am so sore....so today I took it easy.

I am really looking forward to tomorrow and seeing my mom and running, but I'm trying to soak up all the baby time I can before heading back to school tonight.

It's definitely nice to be out of the dorms for a night, be able to eat good food (homemade chicken wild rice soup, my FAV) and read an actual magazine (not a book for class) oh and I indulged in a Diet Coke.

 

Happy Friday!

Until tomorrow :)

C

  

  

Foodie? Me? No way! ;)

So for many of you who either follow my blog regularly or know me personally know that I am a total foodie and coffee addict. 

Last year, I used to stop at Starbucks every single day on my way to work.  What a waste of time and money right?  Well today I caved and stopped at Starbucks on my way to work, first time all year! That's a serious accomplishment.  Here is a little comparison of what I used to get a grande white mocha with whip (470 calories and 18 grams of fat) and I now get either a grande skinny cinnamon dolce latte (120 calories and 0 grams of fat) or a grande americano (the definite winner with 0 calories and 0 grams of fat).  Look at that change.  There is a difference of 350 calories in those drinks, think of how many minutes of working out I am saving just by one simple request in the drive thru!

I challenge everyone to change up their coffee order and ask questions!!! Don't go into a coffee shop or restaurant without doing some research about your options, always be prepared.

Here is an article about the "best" fast foods to get when you are pinched for time. Chipotle and McDonalds are on the list, remember it doesn't have to be expensive to be healthy!

http://healthyliving.msn.com/nutrition/10-seriously-healthy-fast-food-meals

Here is a link to the 20 different options that Starbucks offers for under 200 calories!
Do you know how useful google is for this info?

http://www.starbucks.com/menu/nutrition/20-under-200

I also have to share a picture of my current favorite outfit. I am obsessed with my pink (or any color, I also have green and peach) skinnys and denim shirt from Old Navy!  They are seriously the most comfortable pair of pants I own.

So, troublesome time of the day, Lunch.  Annie and I ate lunch in the dining center just like we do every other day, except today they offered an apple cranberry pecan salad.  I mean look at it, it looks amazing! Take another look...I was so excited, but it was a let down. The dressing may have been the grossest thing I have ever tasted in my life. I was NOT impressed.  I now know exactly why I always drizzle the dressing on the outside of my plate and not over my entire salad. I know it sounds weird, but we all know that I am crazy, but it helps me really realize how much dressing I use and in today's case it didn't ruin my lunch!  Aside from the dressing it is definitely something I will add to my recipe book!  It was simply mixed greens and spinach, pecans, diced apple, and cranberries!

Just another fun pic from today, it is now pouring cats and dogs. This was the sky as I made my way to the gym.... 2 hours later it's just as creepy looking, but raining like there's no tomorrow!

Until tomorrow!

C

Chapel Run

Today a bunch of us ran to the chapel, it was the perfect day for this lovely jaunt.  A little under 4 miles with a great group of friends and of course soaking up the sun wasn't so bad either. We started at the guys' dorms at St. John's and ran across campus and all the way to the chapel.  It was so much fun to get out of my usual habit of either running the straight route to Kennedy School or hitting the gym, this trail has so many nice inclines and the friends I had by my side didn't hurt either.  This was definitely what I needed to remind myself that I am prepared for my 5k this weekend! I am so excited to explore the running route and hopefully find a new path through the arboretum.

 

I thought I would also share my newest workout song: Wake me up by Avicii!

Seriously, give it a listen if you haven't heard it.  It's definitely not what I usually listen to while I run, but it came on my Pandora station today and I was definitely singing and grooving while running.  It was nice to have a leisurely run today, I wasn't worried about a time or making an interval.  It felt SO GOOD to just run and relax!

 

 

 

The view of the chapel from the SJU beach.

Stella Maris Chapel, built by the Saint Johns monks.

Today was Emily's and Natalie's first time working out with us and their FIRST time running to the chapel ever, can't wait for them to join us again :)

The group! Left to right, Me, Ben, Paul, Mark and in front it's Emily and Annie!

As you can see it took us a few times to get the picture just right ;)

 

Had to make a few pit stops to capture the gorgeous sunshine and scenery!

 

 

 

My recommendation for today is to get out and shake up your workout.  Workout's do not always have to be in the gym, spice it up and enjoy the gorgeous weather when we still can!

Until tomorrow,

C :)