I am a runner. Plain and simple. What isn't simple is finding time to get it all in. 2012 was a little rough and included adding some poundage...so 2013 will be all about recapturing some "me-time" and making fitness a priority!
Starting Day #2 off right with a "Tropical Smoothie". I'm not a huge fan of tropical flavors, but this is what I had to work with today, since tomorrow is grocery day! LOL Plus I feel a sinus thingy coming on...so I figured some extra vitamin C couldn't hurt!
1 Banana
1 Kiwi
1/2 c. chobani yogurt
handful of spinach
OJ to thin
1 tsp fiber powder
splash of ACV
(don't add ACV if you aren't used to the taste)
flax seed (not shown)
Mix in blender and enjoy.
Day #1 went pretty well. I didn't get much of a workout in, since we didn't get the treadmill up and running until last night...then I was running kids to baseball practice and making dinner. I hopped on for a quick 15 minute run, but that was it. This morning I'll be hopping on for a bit longer...but first I need to sit down and have a serious pow-wow with the manual. There are tons of features and I want to make sure I get used to them!
So with that quick recipe, I will bid everyone a good day...I'm going to finish my smoothie and hit the treadmill! (Hence the no showered, no make-up, hot mama look I've got going on down there!) LOL
I used to be obsessed with running. Then life got busy. I got stressed. I ran out of time for me. So my obsessions turned. They turned from running to sugar. There I said it...I am a sugar addict.
It's funny how life has a way of sneaking up on you, same goes for bad habits. One day, you're a serious running with a hot ass, downing smoothies and protein shakes, and trying to get enough clean protein. The next day, you're a binge eater with a flabby posterior and crazy muffin top, wolfing down Twinkies and Pepsi and asking yourself, "How did this happen?"
Regardless of how it happened, I need to make a change. And today is the day. I know exactly what I need to do...I've done it my whole life, with the exception of the last few months. In roughly 30 days I am running a 5K with my son. My goal this year is not to PR (although, I have improved my time in this race every year)...this year, my goal is simply to finish without walking. I feel like a running failure at this point, like I am starting over from scratch and it isn't fun. But I need to get back on that treadmill (at least until the weather gets nice again!).
So, project MuffinTop begins today. My goal is to lose 10 pounds before race day, and be somewhat ready for the 3.1 miles that lies ahead. My goal to do this is; daily workouts on my new treadmill, lots of smoothies and protein shakes, clean eating, and accountability through my blog. I can't guarantee I will post everyday, since school has been keeping me pretty busy (although I graduate in June...hooray, which brings even more weight loss goals prior to graduation)! I will do my best to post my workouts and general food diary (both good and bad) at least a few times a week.
With the ticker on my sidebar counting away the training days left until the Chicago Marathon, my fear and panic was beginning to rise. I'm still not in training shape and I was having a hard time even getting motivated to get into the shape I need to be in to train.
But I finally kicked myself in the butt and started the P90X workouts and the strict diet that goes along with it. And let me tell you, it is kicking my butt! And to top it off, I am trying to keep up a running schedule to go along with it. Not much, just trying to keep on top of 10-15 miles a week, so I'll be ready to start some serious training after my 90 days of P90X.
After a week of these workouts, I have only dropped about 3 pounds, but I have lost about 2 inches off my waist and hips and things are definately cinching up! I can literally feel myself getting stronger. Granted, I have days when getting out of bed is a monumental task after a tough work (like plyos) but I'm getting there.
The diet is pretty strict, but it's working and I don't feel the need to go off of it, so that is a bonus! So far so good, and I am beginning to think that I might make it through the 26.2 in Chicago after all. Some days, I am still doubting if I have what it takes...but I'm getting stronger and each day I'm getting a little more confident about it! : )
Never before have I had such a hard time eating right and staying fit. I'm heavier now than I have ever been before (other than after I had my boys). I am addicted to crap food and cannot find much time to exercise, and I cannot seem to break these habits. I've been trying to making small changes at a time, but it just doens't seem to be going the way I had hoped. I was hoping that having the Chicago Marathon entry looming over my head would be enough to boost me into action, as it has worked before. But this time I was wrong, the entry alone is not working!
So, it is time for some BIG changes. After coming very highly recommended from some trusted friends, I decided to take the plunge and order P90X. The only time I have to work out is 4am...and unfortunately, my gym doesn't open until 5am! So I am hoping that I will be able to do P90X at home 6 days a week, and still keep to my running schedule (which I have been horrible about posting on dailymile...but I have been running and I promise I'll get better at recording my runs).
The advice that I was given was stick to the workouts 5-6 days a week and you absolutely have to stick to the eating plan. I'm actually kind of excited about the nutrition plan that goes along with the workouts. 90 days of not having to plan meals. All I have to do is shop and cook (most of which will be done on Sundays, so all the food is ready for the week). The hubster has agreed to follow the eating plan, although he won't be doing the actual program, because he is already working out 6 days a week at the gym with a group of guys. So that just leaves feeding the boys...the monsters that are hungry from son up to son down (HA...pun intended, you've seen the unhilarious coffee mugs for mom's of boys, haven't you?) I will be doing my best to gear them towards healthier foods, mainly so we don't have alot of temptation in the house for me. (Boys: "Mom, who ate the last pop tart?" Me (screaming and pulling my hair out): "I did. And I don't even like pop tarts!"). I have to get the sugary crapola out of the house...at least for a while until I break this horrible, horrible addiction!
So, it is time for some big changes in the Run One More Household...
I am definately a plugged-in runner. I run with headphones 99% of the time. For me, that is part of the joy of running. As a mom, the kids are forever taking over the radio at home and even in the car. So when I run, it's just me and my music. It is one hour where I can control what music makes the playlist and what doesn't. (Which means I don't have to endure another endless go round with Eye of the Tiger).
I also think that good music (and by good music, I mean whatever motivates you) can help you through those long runs. Running is 90% mental. When your body gets tired, it is your brain that gets you through those last few miles and I think the right music can really help get you through!
Personally, I like pop music with a good beat. Funny, because the music on my playlist is music that I wouldn't listen to outside of the gym. I'm not a fan of pop...but when I'm running, it does amazing things for my energy levels! But it isn't just the beat, sometimes it can be the lyrics too. Some of my favorite running songs talk about...what else? RUNNING! While I always have a pretty current version of my running playlist on the left side of this page, I thought I would share some of my favorites today and why I love them so much!
Send Me on My Way, Rusted Root
There is just something about this song. It can pop up on my playlist at the end of a long run, and I still feel like skipping along when I hear it. It instantly puts a smile on my face...and it doesn't hurt that within the lyrics, he is reminding me to run!
The Dog Days are Over, Florence & The Machine
Again, this is one that I just can't help to rock out to when I'm running. It is a little slow at parts, so I do tend to slow down when this song is on...but that isn't a bad thing! And, there is something about hearing the words run in the lyrics...it just reminds you to keep going!
And my newest favorite:
Stonger, Kelly Clarkson
Holy Cow, do I love this song! I am not a huge Kelly Clarkson fan, but this is the best running song I've come across in a long time. Again, I know running music is subjective...but for me, this song has everything. It has a fantastic beat, and the lyrics are pretty uplifting when you are sweating so much you think you may drown! My only problem is that I am afraid I'm going to belt out in song on the treadmill when the chorus comes along or break into a dance (anyone seen the car commerical where she is dancing in the front seat...yeah, imagine that but on a treadmill...that is what I'm doing in my head when I hear it) I love the chorus "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, stand a little taller, it doesn't mean I'm lonely, when I'm alone." I realize that she is asserting her independence, but for me, it translates a bit differently. It's a reminder that the getting through the long run won't kill me...it will make me stronger...stand a little taller reminds me to keep my good running form...and I LOVE running alone, I don't see it as lonely, it's my time to reflect and be with myself!
So, there are a few of my favorite running songs! I'd love to hear yours in the comments below!
***Edited*** So I realized that I forgot to mention the sometimes importance of running unplugged. Sometimes, I find that a run is more enjoyable without music (although, for me that is rare). And I do have to mention, that last year at a 5K in which I PR'd, I left my garmin at home and had a battery snaffu with my headphones. So I ran completely unplugged and since the majority of the 5K ran the length of a local nature trail, it was a really great experience. I was able to concentrate on what my body was telling me rather than just running to the beat of the music, and just really enjoy the nature (although...with all the people, there was no wildlife scampering about, other than those in sweaty tank tops and running shoes). So I think that sometimes, music can really help you pound out those miles while other times it can be a distraction and we just need to make the decision for ourselves before our run. Plug in or unplug...everyday it's different!
Monday Motivation:
"Make it to the finish line. You can do this!"
A little reminder before Valentine's day to always run with your heart!
Alright, I know it. I'm a day late and a dollar short. So, Foodie Friday is actually a Saturday this week...so let's call it Savory Saturday!
Tried out a new recipe this week and I have a few in the works for next week too! For a long time I have been on the lookout for a really good granola bar recipe, that was easy with minimal ingredients. I have finally found a pretty good one and it is pretty basic.
HomeMade Runner's Granola Bars
Basic Bar Recipe (it's only 3 ingredients!):
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
4 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup honey or brown rice syrup
3/4 cup peanut butter
To this you can add any combination of goodies that you like! For my version, I wanted high protein and some carbs for pre-run energy. So I added in 1/2 cups unsalted peanuts for protein, 1/2 cup chocolate chips for carbs (and well, because they're yummy) and 4 Tablespoons of Chia seeds for some Omega 3's...as mid-westerners with diets extremely high in Omega-6 fatty acids, we can never have enough Omega-3's to help keep the 3-6 balance aligned! If you are unfamiliar with the importance of balancing Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, click here for some great info!
Grease a 9" x 13" pan and press granola batter into the pan. Use the back of a spatula to press down the batter very well. The tighter it is packed, the less crumbly your granola bars will be. And trust me, you do not want these crumbling apart before they get to your mouth...you will want to eat every bite! Bake for 25 minutes. I cut them while they are warm, then let them cool in the pan, before removing them! Then enjoy.
Some other great add-ins:Raisins Flaxseed or meal (I would have added this too, but I didn't realize I was out!) Other nuts (almonds would be delish) Other dried fruits (I'm thinking cranberries or dried cherries) M&M's (these would have made great v-day treats with red M&Ms) Rocky Road (chocolate chips and mini marshmallows...ok, so now we are talking more dessert than energy bar...but it sounds really good!)
Really, pretty much anything you can think of! Just keep your add-ins under 1 cup total, or you will have to begin to add more peanut butter or more honey to compensate for the extra dry ingredients!
These are honestly, the best granola bars I have ever had. Even the hubby fell in love with them. The flavors unite, but somehow you can taste the peanut butter and honey seperately. And I highly recommend the chia seeds, they add a "pop" to the texture of the bars that make them so unique and phenomenal! I hope you all enjoy them as much as we do! I'm pretty sure I'll be making these often during my marathon training!
