Pride? Perhaps just a little

Something that I realized recently is I've not been working out because I lost the enjoyment from working out. Then Jen of PriorFatGirl posted on Monday, "Fake it Till you Make it Mode". It was then that I realized, even if I don't enjoy it, I HAVE to do it.

I looked over at the sign posted at my desk, "Every Damn Day, Just Do It!" from Nike.  I resolved then and there, that I had to get over myself and do it.

For the past two days I have done it. Instead of getting into cardio hell (spending 30+ minutes on one cardio machine until I get bored), I've switched machines mid workout! 

Today my workout looked like this:

• 1 mile on Elliptical (10:54)
• 10K on Bike (25:02)
• 1 mile on Treadmil (15:49)
• 100 Push-up Challenge Workout - 81 push-ups done!
• 25 Sit Ups during a rest between push-up sets
• 10 Squats during a rest between push-up sets (without pain, even!)

HRM Calories Burned? 811!
Total workout time (with resting between some of the push-up sets)? 1 hour, 5 minutes!

I know that I can not get to my weight goal without working out. Oddly enough, working out suppresses my appetite. I feel less hungry on days I work out. This is a good thing!

I have the ability and the privilege to workout while at work. It's about time I start taking advantage of it again!

Food Thoughts

I tend to be over analytical about my journey as I try to figure out what I can do to "do things better". Since kinda falling off the wagon, so to speak, I've been pondering a few things... (Note, these might be really random)

I've been pondering Weight Watchers as a nutritional change. Specifically, the Points program. Thinking that perhaps, following a "program" may give me the structure I need, but that WW is loose enough to give me the flexibility I crave... that say, South Beach may not be able to give me.

So, in thinking about this... I've been pondering things like the zero point foods (Fruits and Non-Starchy Veggies).  In other circles, they have been referred to as negative calorie foods... ie, they take more calories to digest than they are.

In WW you can eat as many of the zero point foods you want, you don't count the points of them. And WW works.

From the dietitian visit, I had a list of veggies that were "free" foods.  I could eat as much as I wanted of those, I didn't have to count them.

So, if I stay strictly with counting calories and logging the calories from those foods, do I count them? Or do I just say, "Nope, it's on the list of free foods, I don't need to count those calories?"

Part of me thinks, "Well yes, I should count them." Part of me thinks, "They weren't in the dietary breakdown from the dietitian, no, you don't count them."

What do others practice?

What is the best way for me to succeed? 

Is "pigging out" on veggies, but not counting the calories going to overall lower my calories in the day because I'm filling up on these veggies?

I have no idea, so I'm bouncing my thoughts out there into the air for anyone to bounce ideas back to me.

Thoughts?

Spring Break Recap

A picture post! :)

Saturday, the first day of Spring Break, we went Geocaching!  It was a ton of fun.  My sister and nephew joined us on our quest for goodies.

Jonas and Kyle find the Geo Cache!

We then got our CityPass and it was time for our tour of Chicago Museums!

Sunday, we ventured off to Adler Planetarium and Shedd Aquarium. Of the two, the Aquarium was by far my favorite!  I really love watching fish, it's always been so relaxing.

Dustin and Jonas outside the Planetarium

Mom and Jonas, being goofy before the 3D movie.

Aquatic Show!

Jonas and a turtle sculpture!

Nemo and Dori? :)

Monday, we ventured off to Field Museum. While I like going to look at the dinosaur and experience new things, this was my least favorite museum. We had fun together though.  Even if Jonas and I sat for a bit while Dustin went through it for the first time.

Jonas & Sue

In Soil We Trust!

After the Field, we went to SkyDeck and attempted to look out at Chicago.  However, it turned foggy while we were on our way!

Jonas & Willis Tower

Tuesday, we headed out to everyone's favorite, Museum of Science and Industry! We saw a movie about tornadoes at the IMAX. We toured the U505 submarine! We went into the coal mine! We played and learned all about science!

U505 Submarine

Jonas takes the helm?!?!

Jonas, really excited to tour the U505 sub!

Aww!  Me and Dustin!

Wednesday, Jonas and I went to see Mars Needs Moms before I took him to his dad for the rest of his spring break.

The rest of the week I relaxed, went shopping, took Dustin to the doctor, walked a 10k and relaxed some more.

We did a lot, but we had fun!  And in such a beautiful city.

Jonas and the Chicago Skyline

I did it!

I completed the 10k this morning. I'd like to say I ran it, but I didn't.  I ran about 7 minutes total and walked the remainder. It took 1 hour and 43 minutes total.  That's an average of 3.6 mph.  I actually finished the first half in one minute less than I ran the 5k back in September... mostly walking.

I realized a couple of things during my time alone to reflect on things.  The first and main thing, I am not a runner. Sure, I can run, and I can continue to push myself into running more, but I don't enjoy it. I enjoy accomplishments.  Running programs, running races, those are accomplishments I enjoy, not the actual running.

The other, is that I'm angry with myself.  I let myself slide in my goals, in my journey in the past 5 months.  I've roughly maintained the same weight, I gained about 15 pounds since my lightest when I did the 5k. I cried around mile 3, not from physical pain, but mental, emotional pain. I am the only one who can right my wrong. And I will. I vowed, then and there, that I would continue on journey and I will succeed.

I WILL DO IT.

Spring Breaksie!

Today, we are off to our second day at the Chicago museums. Today, the Field Museum. It's a natural history museum. Should be fun! If the fog lifts, we will also head over to the sky deck on-top of Willis (Sears) Tower.

Yesterday we went to the Adler Planetarium and Shedd Aquarium. Both were a lot of fun. I did fall asleep during the 3D show at Adler. I LOVED the 4D show at Shedd!

Today, I decided we need to find a way to eat healthier while out. I started my day with eggs and fruit. Lunch will be at the Field, either McDonalds or Corner Bakery. I'm aiming for Corner Bakery.

I'm also hoping the weather stays nice, maybe we will rent bikes and ride along the lake for a bit!

Pics to come later! I took some great ones yesterday!

Geocaching!

I've always wanted to try Geocaching.  Today, I did!  Our first hike out was a good 1/2 mile from where we parked at a local park.  We ended up having to go through we woods a bit, but it was a beautiful day!  The boys had a ton of fun and were so excited when we found it!  Look at em!

My son Jonas and nephew Kyle!

We ended up going to 7 different locations.  Two of them, we couldn't find the caches.  Maybe next time!

Today was a great, active day.  A wonderful way to start my "Spring Break!"

Juicing Madness!

Recently, I picked up a juicer. The first time we used it, I juiced EVERY fruit and veggie I had in the fridge.  It was actually really good. Now, I'm more into juicing when I need to, and only what I need to. This morning, Jonas thought some fruit juice would go well with his waffles. I ended up making apple/pear/grape/strawberry/carrot juice.  He said he didn't care for the carrot in there. I had a small glass of the juice. (I really have no taste buds right now due to the cold... everything kinda tastes the same)

Now, what I've been pondering... what do I do with all the pulp? There are recipes online for things you can do. Things that show you how you can count the calories for the pulp separate from the juice. But as a person who doesn't like to waste things, I've been trying to come up with ways I would use the pulp.  This morning, I took the pulp and made oatmeal fruity pancakes!

My goto recipe for oatmeal pancakes? 1/2 cup oats, 2 egg whites, cinnamon, little splenda and an apple diced.

I figured, why not replace the apple with the pulp from the juicer?  Results?  It was tasty! Next, I think I might try muffins!

Yesterday we had a health fair at work. I was able to get my cholesterol tested.  I'm proud to say, my cholesterol is currently in the normal range.  My triglycerides however, were just a tad high. So I've been reading up on the best way to help lower those, other than exercising and losing weight. :)  Something interesting I found was lower carb diets help with lowering triglycerides.  You know, stay away from starchy, sugary stuff.  Whole grains, fruits, veggies are good.  Oddly enough, that's pretty much how I eat anyway. :)

Also at the health fair, I spoke with the trainer from the gym about my recent slew of injuries. What she suggested was to add in 10-15 minutes of yoga a day to strengthen the tendons in all my joints. That the 10-15 minutes would help more than 50 minutes once or twice a week with the strengthening of tendons. So, I'm on the lookout for a short yoga video or sequence I can do daily. Hopefully, this stops the injuries I've been having and lets me continue on my training plans!

And finally, I am 7 hours away from a week's vacation!  I'm so excited about having some time off work. We've decided to stick around Chicago-land and play tourist by visiting the museums around town.  Also requested were roller skating and geocaching if the weather holds and doesn't rain too much. I look forward to preparing some kick-ass meals this week as well.  I have some things planned to try new things out.  I'm looking at it as a week to rejuvenate, reevaluate myself and move forward with more motivation and spunk!