Let's play catch up shall we....

So it has been 2 months!  It has been a whirlwind at work with year end and in life.  I started this blog as something to track my food, fitness, and adventures and the last few months life has been getting in the way of many of those things.  But I want to get back into it and start to share the new things that have been keeping me busy!  So what have I been up to the last 2 months....

1) Graduating!!!  I had finished up my classes but I finally got my diploma and it was the best feeling in the world.

2) Job hunting, planning a move, trying not to freak out!  Yup this is a daily battle.  I am still planning on moving early next year to MN to be with the BF so right now I am trying to find a job and an easy way to transition out of the one I am in.  I know I have plenty of time but I am still stressed and keeping my fingers crossed that I find the perfect job for me!

3) Running a marathon relay!  The Detroit Marathon Relay was an absolute blast!  It was so fun to be running with 4 of my favorite people and it was a really fun but long day.  Since I was the last leg I had to wait about 4 hours before it was my time to run, thankfully we had heated charter busses that I was able to sleep on.  Overall we didn't finish at our goal time but it was still a great experience.  Oh and I had the best view from my leg start!

4) Putting on a tutu and celebrating halloween!  My girlfriends and I decided to be tutu superheros this year and I think it turned out super cute.  We also did pumpkin carving and learned that some of us are better at it then others lol

5) Celebrating 2 amazing years with the BF!  I cannot believe we have already been together for 2 years... it is one of the cliche feel like you know them forever but still have those early on butterfly feelings that is just too good to be true.  Since we are apart we decided that the best way to celebrate would be to meet in the middle in Chicago.  We did the classic touristy stuff, attended a Second City comedy show (which was hilarious) and went to soldier field for my first ever bears game.  I was seriously like a small child I was so excited.  It was a perfect weekend with the man I love!

 

 

 

6) Ran my first trail race!  It is called the dirty duel mud run and last year it was sponsored by Red Bull.  It took almost an hour to complete the 5K course and it was all natural obstacles like large hills and sand dunes.  I was sore for days but it was one of the coolest races I have ran.

 

 



7) Thankgiving!  This year I flew out to MN and spent the whole weekend with just the BF.  His family was in Florida but we couldn't coordinate it in our schedule so we decided to spend the long weekend with eachother and good friends.  I made enough food for a small army but the BF was happy he didn't have to cook the rest of the week.  We also ran a 5K around gorgeous Lake Calhoun which has a perfect view of downtown Minneapolis... too bad it was only 5 degrees that morning so I didn't take too many pics!

 

8) Recommitting to fitness!  My knees haven't been doing so well with running so I decided to fall in love with some other forms of fitness.  I joined a gym in my area and take 3-4 classes a week.  I am obsessed with Barre (probably since I have a dance background) and have been taking TRX, yoga, tabata, and bootcamp classes.  I have really seen a transformation in my body and I am loving how much it is mixed up.  I have slowly started getting back into running after taking a few weeks off and I just bought a brand new pair of shoes.  I have even told myself that I will be running a Marathon in 2014 so we will see how that goes!!!



 So that is my life in a nut shell!  Now I feel caught up and can get back to it!

Happy Friday!



Thankfully I don't need my shoulder to make smoothies

Sooo apparently taking 2 weeks off is not a really good idea!  With a mix of vacations, allergies, and just general laziness (lets be honest) I really haven't done much physically in the last 2 weeks.  I think I went to yoga a few times and maybe got in a total of 4 miles but nothing note worthy. 

Yesterday I decided that it was time to get back into the swing on things with a run, a little toning, and some Bikram.  The run was horrible... didn't help that it was 80 degrees and I packed my cold weather gear but I still couldn't get it more than a mile without feeling like I was going to die.  I know I just need to get back into it but it was really frustrating.  Thankfully one of my favorite bloggers RunEatRepeat also had a rough day of running and had a whole post on not letting one bad run get you down or unmotivated, she ran 8 miles while being unmotivated but it still applies lol! Toning went well and I did one of my favorite tone it up routines that worked my whole body.

Then it came to yoga, I knew it was going to be tough when I couldn't even concentrate and get into a flow during the opening breathing set.  The thing about Bikram is that it is already a challenge to get your mind around what you are doing so when your mind is else ware it is nearly impossible.  I found myself having to take way more water breaks and rest breaks then usual but I just chocked it up to having an off day.  I made it all the way to pose 20 before it all went downhill.... I was actually feeling good during this pose so I decided to try the full extension for the first time and OMG I was wrong.  Here is a pic for anyone who is curious what I was trying to accomplish:

Well right after I got my back on the ground and my arms back I felt something start to pull in my leg, instead of breathing calmly and properly getting out of the pose as they instruct I panicked! I somehow tried to push myself up with my right arm while flipping onto my side, basically I probably looked like an upside down turtle trying to right itself, and I ended up pulling something major in my back. I knew immediately I had messed something up since I had shooting pain from my lower back up to my right shoulder blade that is still horribly painful today. I am thinking the next few days aren't going to be so pretty!

Tonight my hope is to get in a solid 3 miles since I only have about 2.5 weeks to get my shi* together for the relay! On and a boat load of icy hot for my back!

And now for some happy news on the healthy eating front, I have a brand new smoothie that I am in love with.  I have mentioned before that smoothies are a staple in my diet since I can prep them quickly and bring them with me to work.  I found an inspiration recipe on Eat Yourself Skinny a few weeks ago and I will be honest it took me awhile to actually try putting avocado in my smoothie but now at least for this version I am hooked.  I made sure to add some protein powder and adjusted the recipe for only 1 and my version tastes just like a dreamsicle!

Vanilla Mango Smoothie

 



 

Ingredients

1 cup frozen mango chunks

1 scoop vanilla protein powder (1 scoop of mine is actually half of the recommended serving size)

1/2 cup orange juice

1/3 of a ripe avocado

1-1 1/2 cups water

 

Directions

Blend together, work up the courage to drink a slightly green smoothies containing avocado, and enjoy!

Running in the rain!

0% chance of rain... until I head out for my lunch time run of course!  I know you are supposed to train for any weather..... however running in the rain during lunch really isn't practical since my hair would turn into a curly hot mess for the rest of work!  I only was required to run 1mile but I really wanted to get in 2 just to feel better about the 10K this weekend.  The weather had a different idea so I turned around early and made it just over 1.  I usually don't run under an 11 minute mile and now that I have done it 2 days in a row I am getting even more confident that my speed training will pay off!

 

Also on the training plan today was strength training, the TIU Triathlon strength plan seemed like a perfect all over body workout and it didn't dissapoint.  This plan really concentrated on arms and abs with a few leg workouts thrown in.  My legs already get super toned when running consistently so I don't like to do too much at the gym to make them even more sore but I know I need to do at least little things to keep them strong and safe. 

 

And NO I am not planning on doing a triathlon anytime ever!!!  Swimming is best saved for the pool when I am too hot from laying out.... and I have this little problem where I don't know how to ride a bike sooooooooooo

 

Plan for tonight, get in a good session with my foam roller, complete my LAST final exam ever, and make up some chicken kabobs!!

Getting my sweat on!

It may be over 80 degrees out all this week but the best place to sweat for me is Bikram yoga!

I did it for the first time about a year ago and as hard and miserable as it truly is there is no better feeling afterward.  My mind and body both always feel amazing and when I add it in to my normal running and lifting routine I can see my body transform.  I haven't been in quite a long time so I was happy to get back into last week. 

For anyone that hasn't heard of Bikram before it is a style of yoga that is done in 90 minute sessions and consists of the same 26 moves and 2 breathing exercises repeated every time.  The kicker is that the room is heated to 105 degrees with 40% humidity!  Even just standing in the room would make you sweat so trying to stay active in it is hard, it is truly a physical and mental test.  My favorite part about it is that since your muscles are super warm it is much easier to get in a deep stretch which has helped with my running and lifting.  Also as much as I hate sweating I can tell that my skin is so much better from all of it lol!

Anyone want to know what it is like for the first time can check out this amazing article from buzzfeed!  You walk out looking like a hot mess and the first thing you need to do when you get home is lay out all of your clothes because to say they are gross would be a major understatement.  Also I usually go through 2 full water bottles while I am there and then another with an electrolyte replacement when I get home.  It def isn't for anyone but I love having it in my routine!

Plan for the tonight is to get in a 3 mile run since I am officially in training for my 10K coming up in 3 weeks and my marathon relay portion in 8. Then I am taking a normal yoga class at a new studio just a few blocks from my house that just opened last week.

I also have to share that I basically had the most amazing lunch that I am now addicted to. I have a bunch of cooked quinoa and shredded chicken in my fridge so I decided to mix it up with some hummus, feta, roasted red peppers, and artichoke hearts for an amazing filling for lettuce wraps. I love Mediterranean food and this hit the spot. It was also ice cream social day for my group so of course I partook because well my willpower is nonexistent and no one was every happy by denying themselves ice cream!

Starting Over

I need to make this my new life motto!  The last three weeks have been a mixture of amazing vacations, getaways, and celebrations. This has meant that the last three weeks haven't included much in terms of fitness.  Since we left for Minnesota I have gained around 6 pounds and can tell that I have lost a lot of the tone I worked so hard to gain.  I know it isn't always about the numbers but when I know every 6 of those pounds came from alcohol, fudge, eating out, snacking, and more drinks it makes me realize that I need to do something.

Tuesday was my first day back to work and my gym from our weekend trip so I decided to pack my favorite shirt, print off my new honeymoon bikini routine from tone it up (which is brutal by the way), and get to work! 

 

The BF and I also decided that we are going to start having roller dates instead of wine dates!  Both of us suffer from hip and knee pain and the rollers do so much good but we have been slacking hardcore.  Now we are trying to commit to at least 3 roller dates a week!

Wednesday I did 30 minutes of cardio on the eliptical and another tone it up full body routine. And then we went to trader joes and stocked up on some of our favorite healthy staples, and just some of our favorites!  I have a slight obsession with Peanut Butter Panda Puffs and trader joes is the first place I have been able to find them in a few years so I was a super happy camper!

Tonight we have plans all night so I decided to get in early for a cardio session.  I have been dying to try the Itty Bitty Cardio workout from tone it up but my gym is usually too busy to take up the interval time on the treadmill.  Since very few people are at the gym at 6 am I decided it would be the perfect time.  The cardio kicked my booty but it was awesome to feel so accomplished so early in the morning.  Also didn't hurt that I was able to burn 500 calories in 40 minutes!

 

 

Plan for the next few weeks since I don't have too many major events (only one or two a week which is sadly basically none for me) I hope to keep up the good work and watch my food intake like a hawk. Thankfully I have recruited my bestie J to keep me motivated.... things are so much easier with a good friend!

Bikini Ready!

It is BIKINI SEASON!  And I get to spend the next 9 days soaking up every bit of sun I can on a boat in teeny bikinis!!

I was working my butt off for about the last month and now I am so ready to be on a boat feeling confident (the booze doesn't hurt that feeling either :-) ).  Running has still been a struggle bunny but this week I got in some good cardio on the gym machines and some lifting. 

Yesterday I got in 30 minutes on the eliptical and 30 minutes lifting.  I decided to do the Cocktail Dress Routine from Tone it Up and oh boy was I sweating,  I even had my first drip on a mat (not from hot yoga) and as gross as it was I totally had to take a picture to share HA.  I love their routines they are very easy to follow and "simple" moves but each and everyone brought up my heart rate and seemed to be working every muscle group.

I also decided that I despise working out in glasses.  I wear my contacts all day every day and the only person who ever really gets to see me in glasses is the BF for the 2 minutes before we go to bed.  But, thanks to a little eye infection I have to wear my glasses for 5 straight days.  I have to say it is a total PITA to try to do anything physical with them on!  I made it but the amount of times I had to push them up and wipe the sweat off from around them made it an obnoxious workout. Only 2 more days to go and I can put these babies back in their case where they belong!

National Running Day

I follow (stalk) a few running blogs so pretty early yesterday I learned that it was National Running Day.  I had bootcamp in the morning and then crossfit at night so I decided that there was just no way I would get in any type of run.  To be honest I am just kinda over running at this point, not sure if I have just been too tired or what or just no motivation but running is the last thing on my mind right now.  But I figured since I would be doing 2 intense workouts that I wouldn't have to feel guilty for it. Well crossfit had a different plan..... we walked in looked at the board and saw this

WTF I joined crossfit not to run lol!!!  Apparently our trainer heard about the running day too and figured we might as well participate, along with burpees, pull-ups, and 100 sit-ups..... needless to say I am struggling today.

 

I obviously went out way too hard to start and I felt it in the second and third mile.  That is the one thing about crossfit it def does push you but I learned that in my runs I have to take it easier then the boys running in front of me.  I was happy to get it done since I haven't run actual mileage in about a month so it felt nice to know I haven't totally lost it.

 

Sadly I must have pulled something in my calve either in the morning or night yesterday so it is super swollen and sore today.  I ended up skipping my bootcamp this morning since even walking is painful but thankfully today we leave for Chicago so I will just get to sit in the car for 6 hours then drink the pain away with my BF's frat brothers!   Have a great weekend everyone!

Kicking my a**

Pretty sure there is no other way to describe what I did to myself last week!

A few months ago I purchased a groupon for an all women's boot camp and another for unlimited crossfit. I knew I wanted to use them both right before summer but knew I wouldn't be crazy enough to overlap them, well due to some scheduling conflicts I ended up doing 2 a days for 3 days straight! I would wake up and go to boot camp from 5:30-6:30 AM, work, then do crossfit from 5:30-6:30 PM.

As you can see from the pics below I was burning well over 1000 calories a day and doing almost a full body workout as well. I know this isn't necessarily the best for your body, and boy was I sore, but it did feel good on Friday night to realize that I had actually completed all 3 days and survived happily. The biggest problem I had was actually trying to fuel enough to keep me going, each day I would track my calories and trying to take in enough clean foods to keep me fueled was actually a struggle.

Now the crossfit has been going to about 3 weeks and oh my I love it!!! Seriously one of the best workouts I have ever done and I love the energy of the people, music, and environment. My month is almost up but I fully plan on committing to a membership once the summer is over and I have more time to give. The boot camp is much less intense but still has a big calorie burn and is a great overall workout each morning. This week I am doing crossfit Monday and Wednesday and the boot camp Tuesday-Thursday which means only Wednesday will be a crazy two a day again. It is awesome to already see what a difference mixing up my routine is doing for my body and I can't wait to be fully bikini ready in just another 3 weeks for our 4th of July trip!!

Oh and running, well I have actually been running well over a mile each day between the two workouts, but other than that it is a big ol' 0.  I guess I need to sign up for some races to keep me going because right now the only one I have in the near future is  5K during my 4th of July trip that will be ran drunk on twisted teas (yes this is a tradition) with a bunch of friends lol!

Water, water everywhere!

So apparently I have a little problem..... I drink too much water!  Never thought I would say that since up until about a year ago it was like pulling teeth to get me to drink any water that wasn't from a brita, or a smart water bottle and even then it had to be flavored.  Since I started running I made it a point to try to drink more water.  I bought these awesome contigo bottles and invested in mass amounts of Miu flavoring that I store in my desk.  At first it was really hard to drink 2 bottles a day which is only 48 ounces but apparently it has gotten much easier.

 Last week a coworker asked me how many bottles I drank a day since I was constantly filling it.  I couldn't tell them since at this point I drink it and fill it without even thinking.  This week I started to track and realized I am up to 5-6 bottles during the work day.  That is 120-124 ounces of water during the work day, plus at least 8 ounces of almond milk that I have in the mornings, and any water I drink at night!!!  No wonder why I have to pee every hour lol I did a lot of searching and most sites recommend that you drink half your weight in ounces which means I should only be drinking about 60 ounces a day... oops!  Apparently it isn't horrible for me but I just need to make sure I keep up my sodium levels, I bought a bunch of NUUN the other day so now I plan on adding in at least 2 tablets a day to try to keep up my electrolytes and sodium. 

In other news I signed up for the Tone it Up bikini series this week!  I have been hearing a lot about Tone it Up from the blogging world but didn't want to spend $150 on the nutrition plan they offer.  I didn't realize that you can sign up for their fitness plan for free and they send you weekly workouts and offer a ton of videos and print offs.  Here is there blog for information!

Yesterday I did the cocktail dress workout and sunkissed abs workout an oh my!!  I can not believe how sore I am today.  I struggled through my last set and I can say that I am for sure hooked.  The workouts use very little equipment and take less then 30 minutes.  These will be my new go to lifting routines during the week.  I planned on doing the Sunseeker workout which they released yesterday but I think today will just be a running day if my legs can handle it!

Keeping it up!

I've learned that I do best when I have real motivation, such as a race or event to keep me moving.  Since I am officially out of half marathon training I am making sure that I keep up all of the progress I have made and make even more. 

We are doing a few 5k's within the next few months and then I have a 10k in May.  I am pretty confident in my abilities to do the distance but I need to make sure to keep up my endurance.  My plan right now is to run at least 10 miles a week.  Based on my current schedule I am thinking this will be broken down into 3 small weekly runs (1-2 miles) and a longer weekend run with the BF especially now that the weather is getting better. 

One thing that does keep me motivated is shiny new workout gear.... yes it may sound petty but I love going to the gym when I have new shoes or new workout clothes to sport.  As my reward for the Princess half I decided to get some new running shoes since mine were well past their prime anyway.

 

I am a size 5-5 1/2 so to find shoes is a nightmare but I was lucky enough to be in Grand Rapids and go to Gazelle Sports where they did a bunch of treadmill tests and specialized things in order to make sure I was getting the best shoe for me.  It was also a bonus that they carry most of their shoes down to a size 5 which is not standard for almost any shoe store!

 Now that running can be done just for my cardio I am planning on really concentrating on lifting and getting the rest of my body as toned as my legs have gotten.  Since I haven't concentrated on lifting in a while I am planning on doing these exercises that I found on He and She Eat Clean which is an awesome website with tips and tricks.  I posted 2 of these a bit ago and they added more so I figure I will put them all in one place.

In order to get them all in during the week I plan on doing leg day with chest/tri day on a non running day but with some other cross cardio work, and then do the back/bi and shoulder on my running days.  I also finish up every workout with some abs. 

And just to make sure that I wouldn't get bored I just bought a groupon for a 4 week women's bootcamp which I hope to start as we get closer to summer and the BF and I both bought groupons to a new Crossfit place in the D that we are excited to try.  Hopefully all this will keep me going and get my bikini body in check!

I can't lift my arms

So apparently going 6 months without really lifting and then starting back up again will make you extremelly sore!  I have been doing these exercises on top of my running schedule and this week decided to up my weights since it was getting easier, and boy am I paying for it today!  It feels awesome to know that I am now working my whole body but I feel like an old lady since my legs, abs, and whole upperbody is so sore when I get out of bed.  But it will all be worth it in 3 weeks when I put on a bikini and actually feel good about it.

We were in Florida the exact same time last year and I realized that I only have one pic ^ of me actually in my bathing suit the whole time.  Now I know that people would be more than happy with that body but I was not.  I knew I wasn't working out or eating the way I should be, and I didn't feel confident or comfortable which is the key.  With all of my hard work I know that I will feel better then ever this year and can't wait to spend a week relaxing on the beach.  Tonight since I am so sore I am going to take it easy, try to get in an easy 3 mile run and then spend some time with my friend the foam roller.

In other news this week and weekend was crazy.  I finally got my new car!  Had a few too many jello shots at my roomies birthday!  Judged a rib cook-off!  Cught up with a old friend that I am happy to have back in my life!  And made some pretty awesome meals that I am excited to share!