Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Yoga Pants Rock My Pants Off

I love me some yoga pants.

I don't know why it took me up until last year to buy some.



Can you believe that?  How did I miss the exit sign to Yoga Town?  Imagine the comfort I could have been living in throughout all of my pregnancies!!

I hate when I'm late to the par-tay.  But I'm here now, with a glass of vino in my hand.

Not that I wear them to yoga. Oh no! I wear them while wrangling the trio.  Or running errands. Or doing anything but yoga.

So in looking for some more of my current brand of yoga pants, I have realized one important thing.

The yoga pants I am wearing are technically called Yoga Pajama Pants.  I got them at Target, and now I know the truth.

Are you freaking serious??

I've been wearing pajama pants all around the damn town.

And here I am, contemplating buying some more.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Sidelined

Well, I've hit a roadblock.

Apparently my right foot was not ready for my increased mileage these past 5 days.

Since doing my 3.1 mile run on Friday, I've had this foot pain.  Top of my foot below my ankle.

It was bearable, but it started becoming painful once I'd finish running and start cooling down.

So, in typical Alana fashion, I ignored it.  Sunday I did 3.1 miles. Monday I did 9/1 intervals and covered 4 miles.  Tuesday it was bothering me a lot, so I switched to 5/1 intervals and did 2.5 miles.

Last night I was limping.  Putting pressure on it hurt. I tried a little ice, but it didn't help.

So I decided to call medical and they got me in this morning.  I lucked out in that a sports medicine doc was there from out of town.  He thought it was probably tendonitis, and probably not a stress fracture, but wanted me to get an x-ray.

Problem was, when I went to Radiology, no one was there. And no one could tell me when someone would be there. They told me to check back at 1pm.  That they were "probably" at lunch.  Probably?

Well I wasn't about to wait around for an hour and a half with my three kids for them to possibly re-open!

So I haven't had my x-ray yet. I will try to go tomorrow.  But the doctor will not be there tomorrow since he was only here today. Not sure who will read my results.  Sigh.

His prescription for me (pending x-ray results) was no running for a week.  :(  Cross-training on the elliptical or bike is okay.  Blah blah blah! I hate both of those machines.  LOATHE.

I'm just a tad bit annoyed totally disappointed.  I just hope it is in fact just tendonitis and I can resume running next week. I was just feeling like I was making progress in my training. 

Monday, July 22, 2013

Weekly Goals Link Up - 7/22

Happy Monday y'all!

It's happy for me because my hubby actually had today off, yahoo!!

But of course I didn't get to sleep in because I foolishly made a doctor's appointment for my daughter at 8am this morning.

Foolish.

Oh well, I had no idea he'd have the day off anyways!  He had to work Saturday and has been working 12 hour days most of the past week.

No fun for this mom.  Luckily I recently met this really cool fellow mom and Navy wife and we hung out most of last week!

On to my goals.  Yesterday was my youngest daughter's 2nd birthday (cue the awwwwws).  Of course I made cake and cupcakes.  Of course I ate cake and cupcakes.  Delish!

And pizza. I ate lots of pizza.  Sigh.  I've been feeling craptastic everytime I have pizza now.  Because, if you've read my previous posts, I have a pizza addiction. I can't just have one or two slices.



It's a sickness, people.

So I'm linking up again today to get back on track.  I'm going on vacay in 19 days and I'd like the good habits in place prior to that.

There will be pizza on that trip too.  The best pizza.

Operation Skinny Jeans

Goals for Week of 7/22 -

1.  Run 4x this week.  I managed to run after the birthday party yesterday (a 5K, yes I did), so 3 more to go.  I'll be heading out right after this post.

2.  Start some kind of strength routine. Whether it be some squats, lunges and planks in my living room, I need to start building that lean muscle.

3.  Eat out less this week. We were out and about so much last week that we made one too many stops at the drive-thru.  I've meal planned through the end of the month so I hope to stick to that.

What are your goals this week?  What have you had trouble with in July?

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Yesterday's Workout and Self-Doubt

So yesterday's run.

Do you ever have a conversation with yourself, in your head, where you go back and forth on whether or not you can do something?

In my case, it was running for 20 minutes.

It's not as if I've never run a non-interval run before.  I've done it many, many times.  I've run a couple of 5K races.  Heck, I've even done a 5.5 mile run! 

But I've been on this interval-run-kick for so long, where I run 3 minutes, walk 1 (Week 1 of the Ease into 10K, wash, rinse, repeat).

So yesterday I decided I was going to dip back into the 5K training and do a 20 minute run, 3 minute walk, 5 minute run.

I got out there and was feeling pretty good on that first mile. I thought about my BFF Amanda (and new blogger at A Healthful Approach) kicking butt yesterday and busting out a 5 mile run on the treadmill. And that seriously motivated me to just make it happen and go for the 5K.

I did my 3.1 and felt fantastic.  And wondered why I'd even doubted myself in the first place.

My run pace was a respectable 10:33. I know I'm not a fast runner, but hey, I'm getting it DONE.

Now I'm linking up for Weigh In Wednesday (better late than never)!



Pretty
Strong Medicine 

It's my first week, but certainly won't be my last!  I'm happy to have the extra push to get past this number! I just finished hosting an FB Biggest Loser Challenge and did not win. But I was weighing in on Wednesdays, so this will not be new to me.  I'm hoping to try Weight Watchers again because that seems to be the one thing I can stick with. 

Current Weight: 173.3
1st Goal Weight: 168
Ultimate Goal Weight: 150ish

Here's to another step in the right direction!


Tuesday, July 16, 2013

10K Training, Again

It's Tuesday, peeps!

I feel like I haven't had a chance to get on my computer in DAYS!  It's hard to find the time when the trio is up and running around.

I knew it was time to get re-started in my 10K training. I have started it more than once and gotten all the way to week 7, and then BOOM - off the wagon I fell.

It was a hard fall.

iPhone Screenshot 1

I started again and kept repeating weeks 1 and 2. I love those 3/1 intervals!  But I was having motivation issues along with some breathing troubles.

So I restarted the plan yet again. I swear it's probably my 5th time.  Today would be the day I start week 2.  Again. Again. Again.

But I feel bored. I don't feel motivated. I feel like I should be DONE already. I should be able to run 5 or 6 miles no problem.

I used to mix up my running with gym classes.  Sigh. I LOVED my old gym in Maryland. Loved it.  I had a great group of friends that I made through the gym and I always looked forward to going to class.

Body Pump.  Body Step.  Body Attack.  Body Combat.  I love you all and miss you. 

That plus running was fantastic for my motivation.  Now the closest gym that offers those same classes is 18 miles away.  It's not super realistic for me to join when it's totally out of the way.

What's a girl to do?  Off to go run for now.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

The Skinny Rules

Otherwise known as "The Skinny Rules!"

Picture me fist-pumping when I say Rules.

Bob Harper - of Biggest Loser fame - has a newish book out called "The Skinny Rules." I haven't read the book (for shame), but I've read a ton of other "diet" books.



I hate the word diet.

My friend Betty posted these rules for our group during The Biggest Loser challenge I put together. 

Here are The Skinny Rules: 

1. Drink large glass of water (16 oz.) before every meal and snacks--5 a day
2. Don't drink your calories--stay away from fruit juices and sodas that are high in sugar. 2 cups coffee okay
3. Eat lowfat protein at every meal--protein doesn't have to be animal based. Protein minimizes hunger.
4. Slash intake of refined flour/grains--try brown rice, quinoa, barley, farro
5. Eat 30-50 grams of fiber
6. Eat apples and berries each day
7. No carbs after lunch--eat lean and green at night. Protein and veggies are best
8. Read labels--stay away from artificial ingredients or foods that sound like bad chemistry experiments
9. Get portion size right--you can bag some portions ahead of time
10. No artificial sweeteners
11. No white potatoes
12. One day a week meatless--eat more beans and nuts
13. No fast foods and fried foods
14. Eat a real breakfast: include protein, grains and fruit (lowfat plain yogurt is great protein source)
15. Make your own food and eat at least 10 meals a week at home
16. Banish high salt foods--use more herbs
17. Eat veggies--as much as possible
18. Go to bed hungry--try not to eat after 8 p.m. or 4 hours prior to bedtime
19. Sleep Right--get adequate sleep
20. Plan one splurge meal a week--but don't go crazy with the calories, fat and sugar in it

Seems like a no-brainer, right? It sounds like something I might be able to handle in my life.  I love my white carbs though!  Such a drug they are!

I think I'm going to give it a shot though.  I need to start making better food choices. Making good choices has always been my problem, and I need to start fixing it.

Anyone followed this approach?  How did it work for you?

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

You Know You're a Mom When...

Laurie Berkner is on heavy rotation in your swagger wagon.

It's true, folks.  I love me some Laurie Berkner! 

The problem is when I end up playing the music "accidentally" when my kids are not even in the car with me. 

That's when you know you're a mom for real.

Monday, July 8, 2013

Weekly Goals Link Up!

I just found a great new blog (and blogger) so I'm linking up!

Operation Skinny Jeans

I need all the accountability I can get right now!

Since I'm just joining the party, I don't have any last week goals.  So here are my goals for this week.

- Clean up my weekend eating.  Seriously. I can't be the only one who eats great all week and then blows every inch of freaking progress in 2 days.  It's a sick cycle, people!  And it's been going on for my whole life. 

No time like the present, right? 

- Run 3 times this week. 

- Try to get back into my Jillian workouts (Body Revolution). I was doing so well, 5 weeks of it! Then - crickets. 

- Continue to limit refined sugars.

What are your goals this week?

My Secret Love Affair (with Pizza)


Holiday weekends are always something I both look forward to and despise at the same time.

Why you ask? 

I love having the extra time with my family - especially in the summer when I'm home ALL day with my trio - I appreciate IMMENSLY that my husband is home to help rally the troops. Endless energy they have, while I'm propping my eyelids open with a stick.

If you're a SAHM, I know you get me. 

On the other hand, holiday weekends usually mean seeing family, eating out and being lazy.

Oh, that's just me?  My bad.

So family came over Thursday and there was much snacking going on. I managed to continue the wheat-free business. We did go to the beach, which was awesome.  I can't say I did any physical activity aside from sitting in my beach chair.


Awesomeness.

And through most of Friday. I even passed on the toast at breakfast which is probably the first time in history I've said no to yummy, buttery, sourdough toast.

But we ended up picking up pizza for dinner on Saturday.

Have I mentioned my love affair with pizza?  I have never loved a food more than I love pizza.  I can't say no to pizza.

I can say YES to pizza.  Every day, all day.  Me + Pizza = 4Ever

So I had some.  I had 3 smallish (medium) pieces which I think is totally fine. It was good, but was it awesome?  Not really.

But man, did my body yell at me afterwards. I had some stomach cramps that were not welcome.

Do I think it was the wheat?  No.  I actually think it was the dairy or the combo of all the pizza deliciousness toppings. 

Good thing I only eat it every couple of weeks.

I honestly don't have much dairy in my diet.  Mostly iced vanilla lattes when I get the nerve to drag the three amigos out of the house and drive the 20 minutes to the coffee shop. And drag them into the shop which turns into a littany of requests for chocolate milk, cookies, muffins, donuts, anything that costs money.

Have you ever realized what a sugar shack a coffee shop is?  My insulin spikes every time I walk in the door of Coffee Bean.

Never have I missed Dunkin Donuts drive-thru more!!

As the weekend went on, the list of not-great-diet-foods increased.

Wine, ice cream, rice krispy treats, and cake.  Oh my.

Sweet, delicious, grocery store, covered in yummy icing, birthday cake. 

Sigh.  Starting over, yet again.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

The Wheat is Gone...For Now

Is there such a word as a breadaholic?

There is now.

Look it up in the urban dictionary - I'm 99% sure there is a picture of me stuffing my face with a loaf of bread right next to the definition!

I love me some bread.  Love it.  I think my husband could care less about it.  But me?

I'd eat it at every meal if I could.  Toast for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch, bread dipped in olive oil for dinner.  Sign me up for that diet!

I remember when bread was good for your diet, because it was low in fat!  I wish that were the case.

Now I'm still on the fence on if wheat in general is the complete evil that I've read about (anyone else read Wheat Belly?).  I read it, did a week without wheat and gluten, and that was that.

Last week I decided - honestly I don't even know what triggered it - to try yet again to not eat wheat for a little while. I didn't make a deadline.  I'm not sure what I'm looking to happen...

Of course I'd love it if a few (ahem, 10) pounds magically disappeared.  :D  I know that's not in the cards.

I'm 6 days in right now.  I haven't noticed much, if any, change yet.  I was moody as hell the first couple of days.  I was so hungry.  You did not want to be around me.

Oh yeah, because I'd also cut out refined sugar the week before this wheat-free business!  Say what??

I follow 100 Days of Real Food and decided to try the pledge of no refined sugar.  Next up, my aspartame problem.  Sigh. It never ends, people.

I'm a ball of fun to be around right now!!

I'll keep you posted.