Monday again!

I could not sleep last night! I think it was a combination of all the food I ate mixed with a 9pm run. I tossed and turned until 2am. I was not a happy camper this morning. I actually plan on going to bed by 8 tonight. I like to wake up early in the morning to enjoy my breakfast and the quiet before getting my day started. The kids and I were headed to the YMCA today so I made a quick breakfast.
This mess is actually a Van's Waffle (70cal,1wwpt) with 1/2 a cup of Fage O% (60cal, 1pt) and 34g of SF strawberry jam (20cal, opt). This is a really great combo. I usually add some oatmeal on the side, but I was in a hurry this morning.

I got the kids off to science camp at the Y and took a spin class. I am really enjoying spin. I like how much I sweat in it. It is great cross training and I feel like my legs look different already.

After spin we went to Cool Cut's to get Ryan a haircut. I tried to grow it out, but was tired of trying to untangle the rats nest in the back every morning. Now she looks like she has a home.

She wanted me to show you all the back.

I am about to eat my lunch of broccoli, brussel sprouts, and an Earthgrain sandwich thin (100cal,1pt) with a Laughing Cow Light Garlic and Herb wedge (35cal,1pt) and 1/2 cup of egg whites (60cal,1pt).

I need to get off the computer because my kids are making a fort in their room and need my chair. Have a great afternoon!

Back to my old self

I wanted to share another picture of Vegas. Someone just emailed it to me. Let me just say I had been drinking for quite a while at this point so I do understand that I look a little scary. At least I am smiling!

Thanks for being patient this last week or so. I can say that I am back to my old self again. I was really struggling this week with my OCD. An obsession comes back every now and then and the only way I can explain it is that it is like a cloud that suddenly comes over you. Sounds corny, I know, but that truly is what it feels like. It is almost like my head gets foggy and I have a hard time differentiating between what is "real" and what is my OCD. An obsession seems so real, that I can't tell if it is true, or my disease talking. My therapist used to teach me to say "it is not me, it's my OCD", but when you are in the middle of a really good obsession those words hold no meaning. Anyway, I prayed that God would just take this from me quickly, and I feel so much better. In some ways my OCD is a blessing. It teaches me to appreciate the times I feel good or normal. I can enjoy the little things so much more. I have also learned that I have to take very good care of myself or my OCD will flare up. First, I have to sleep enough. I also have to eat right. Hormones play a role too. Unfortunately I have been struggling with a balance lately. I have been working out constantly without rest, and I think I have messed up my system a little. I have not had my cycle in almost 6 months and as much as I would love to be menopausal at 30, my Dr. says it is too young. I am trying to add some more healthy fat into my diet and hopefully that will start some estrogen. I am starting to lose my hair, and I am always cold, both signs that my body fat is a little low. It is just hard to have lost weight, only to have to gain some back. I need to learn balance. That should also help my control my OCD.

I will start showing meals and exercise schedules tomorrow. I have actually had a pretty bad day of eats. It started well, but then after eating too much Greek food for lunch (can you say baklava) and then proceeding to eat my weight in pretzels, chips and salsa this afternoon, followed by a funfetti cupcake (or 3) and ice cream, my tummy is pretty upset with me. I was going to take today as a rest day from exercise but after coming home tonight from Jeff's parents I knew I needed to burn off some of the sugar I consumed. I went on a slow and uncomfortable 4 1/2 mile run. Did I say how slow and uncomfortable it was? First off, I don't usually run at 9:00pm so I spent my entire run trying not to trip and fall. Second, my tummy was so full that I almost stopped to get sick in the bushes. I barely kept under a 9min mile and that is slow for me. My long runs are usually an 8:30 or better so it was kind of sad. At least I maybe worked off 1/2 a cupcake. I haven't had a rest day in almost two weeks, but I have been spinning instead of running some days and I think I am hooked. I actually find I get just as good of a workout in a spin class with HIIT work as I do on a long run, plus my legs aren't as achy afterwards. I have also started body pump which at first I didn't like, but now I really enjoy it. I am off to read and then go to bed.

Bring on the new week!

Struggling

I just wanted to apologize for not being around. Unfortunately, my OCD has returned. I felt it coming on and now I am in a full-blown obsession. I can't explain it other than saying it feels like I have no idea what is "real" or what is my obsession. I am praying this will pass soon. It is really, really scary. I will post with updates and hope to be back to my old self soon. Everything happens for a reason, so I am hoping this will be another experience to grow from.

Spinning into the weekend

I hope you are all having a wonderful Friday so far. I just got back from a spin class at the Y. It is really nice to have a membership there as well as at 24hr fitness. I like the Y because childcare is free and it is a smaller, friendlier place. I ended up meeting a friend for class and I am glad she came. I was debating whether or not to go, but if you know you are meeting someone, then you can't flake.

Last night's dinner was tasty, but the pictures are ugly. I had a Whole Wheat La Tortilla Wrap with Trader Joe's Meatless Meatball and light provolone cheese. I added some romaine and tomatoes to bulk it up.
Along side I had a salad with mixed greens, carrots, mushrooms, tomatoes, snow peas and balsamic.

Yesterday's lunch was 2 pieces of Sarah Lee Light Bread (45cal a piece) with a Laughing Cow Light Swiss Wedge and SF Jam.

And the usual broccoli and brussel sprouts.

We ended up going to the Y yesterday afternoon so I had a Fiber One Yogurt and TJ's High Fiber Cereal as a snack. Since I ran in the morning I just warmed up for 10min on the bike and did arms, back and chest.

Today's breakfast before spin was my usual oats, Fage 0%, SF jam, cinnamon and almond milk.

Nothing too exciting, but it is pretty good.

I am off to pick up the kids at their last day of Vacation Bible School. It is Jeff's birthday today so we are going to think of something nice to do for daddy.

Have a great Friday afternoon!

Balance

http://health.yahoo.net/experts/weightloss/diet-type-or-calories-lost-whats-best-weight-loss

I just read this article and thought it was interesting. I am a firm believer that if you want to lose weight, then you have to decrease your calories. 3,500 is a pound. I really don't think that you have to eat certain foods (or not eat them) to loose, just find a way to cut out some calories and/or up your activity. I am not saying to eat donuts (although the occasional won't hurt you), but the basic premise for losing is pretty simple.

I choose to eat certain foods because of the way I feel when I eat them and to keep my body as healthy as possible. I would much rather eat a giant salad for the same amount of calories as a small serving of french fries. I sometimes think that people get so hung up on "low carb, high protein" diets that they don't realize that too much of anything is not good. As a runner I could not imagine eating a low carb diet. I try to find a balance. I try to eat plenty of veggies to get my vitamins and whole grains for fiber. I don't like to eat white bread often, but I am going out to dinner to celebrate Jeff's birthday tonight and you better believe if they have thick, white rolls I will have one (or 3). It is about balance. If I am going to have a big meal out, then I will try to cut calories in other meals. I won't starve myself or restrict, but I just try to keep my daily total calorie intake at a certain point. I also am planning a long run tomorrow, so I know all the food I eat tonight will help fuel my run tomorrow. It is all about balance and not restriction. That is the only way any weight loss and healthy lifestyle will work for the long run.

I am off to eat breakfast and try my first body pump class at the Y. I don't like first classes because I never know how much weight to use. Wish me luck!

Not to Rest!

I did it. I did not feel like working out at all today. I really just wanted to lay back down in bed and sleep the morning away. When I got home from dropping my kiddos off I decided to have a snack and see how I felt. I had a PB Cup VitaTop. This is not my favorite flavor. I prefer the Deep Chocolate Ones with a little pb spread on top, but this is what I had in the freezer. I already had my workout clothes on and was debating whether I should go to the gym, the YMCA or on a run. I figured the outdoors would do me the most good and since I didn't need daycare at the gym I should take advantage of running at the beach. I put the Garmin on and headed out. I was wondering whether I should even run with the Garmin on, but I forgot to press start again at a stoplight on my run on Monday and it drove me crazy having to estimate how far I went, so I decided to wear it. The first 1/4 mile was tough. My body felt heavy. I just prayed that God would bless my run and get my through it. I started to warm up after about a mile. It was not an easy run, some days are harder than others, but I am glad I went. Here are my stats:

Splits:

Mile 1 8:43

Mile 2 8:21

Mile 3 8:08

Mile 4 8:19

Mile 5 8:22

Mile 6 8:22
Mile 7 8:22

Mile 8 8:25

Mile 9 (.26) 8:13

All in all, not too shabby. I am going to clean up and head to get myself a Diet Coke at 7 eleven. Yes, it's bad for me, but I have three kids that I am planning on taking to the grocery store on the way home from VBS and I need all the caffeine I can get. Summer time requires a lot of caffeine for mommy. Have a great day!

To rest or not to rest?

I am getting ready to take my little Vacation Bible schoolers to VBS this morning. The theme is Super Giga World and "Wii Serve".

I got up this morning pretty sore. I am not sure why my body is so tired, but it is dragging. I made my normal oats with Fage.

I am hoping the protein and carbs will kick in soon. If not I might need to take a rest day today. I am tired!

Last night's dinner was an oldie but goodie.

Sweet potato, light string cheese and a la tortilla.

With a giant, gorgeous salad. Mixed greens, grilled asparagus, tomatoes, mushrooms, carrots and snow peas. Drizzled with Balsamic dressing from Whole Foods.

Have a great Thursday!