Breakfast Re-do

I've been in a rut lately and I've fallen off of the bandwagon of Weight Loss. I got really sick and was out of commission for 3 weeks and then add overtime at work, etc- that meant I was MIA at the gym.

Now that my health is getting a lot stronger (hey, I was strong enough to brave the Florida heat and humidity for those ducks and didn't collapse after doing so) I'm cutting out coffee and breakfasts from our cafeteria at work. Yes, I was good most of the time- omelet with tons of veggies and meat and feta cheese but my energy isn't what it was before getting really sick.

I'm needing to spice up my meals so I stumbled across a breakfast sandwich recipe that can be made for a full week on Sunday and frozen until the day of. Microwave it and BAM! Breakfast. Done. Healthy.

Taralynn McNitt @ Undressed Skeleton shared the recipe I decided was totally worth duplicating.

So here are the ingredients I used:

I wanted to use up some veggies that were getting close to having to be thrown out so I grabbed them and ended up using the red jalapenos, red onion and tomatoes. I love veggies. Love them! Anywhere I can use them, I definitely want to.

Got the pan filled with bacon and froze the rest. Freezing ensures I'll use it next week and not let it go bad.

Cooked everything till it was done and then start the assembly line.

Press in the Panini Thingy.

Cool off.

Freeze.

Sorry, Taralynn- I'm not making any labels. My OCD would kick in and I'd  have to organize them to where they'd be in order otherwise I'd make sure I'd grab the right day. Plus I have some other things in the works. As in 4-5 things and I gotta get going.

Otherwise heat it up and eat on the run.

After enjoying it, I'd have to say that I really enjoyed it! The veggies of course made it super delicious and the best part? I wasn't noshing on all of the wrong things this morning.

Yumm!

Hugs,
A.

Weight Loss Update

Hi everyone! I know, I go a month without a darn thing and then I get some time and go bananas on posting. Frustrating, I know, trust me- I irritate myself with it. 

So I almost gave up on ever trying to jog. Seriously. I was ready to throw in the towel. Then I said "One more try." What a difference. I'm so happy I didn't give up. 

See, I asked a coworker for help. He's someone that is approachable and easy to talk to. Great sense of humor. And people trust him. 

He actually gave up one of his lunch breaks to help me out- how generous is that!? We met at the gym (I was waiting on him. See, if he has to wait on you, he makes you do pus ups, I'm not about to do push ups, I detest them.) 

He first started out all about the right stretches. Surprise- I was doing that wrong. He got me to do stretches for the entire body. I still forget one every now and then again but I'm still working at it. I stretch my entire body- from head to toe. One tip? Go slow and easy- don't over stretch. Just stretch until you feel it and then hold it for a few seconds and slowly return to normal. 

Next, we went outside. Yup, outside- no treadmill. A treadmill is doing the running for you. He said that running outside is like doing twice the distance of a treadmill. I'd say so! 

My form was awful. He got me to ease into jogging. Basically, it's like you're walking fast. My stride is super short (short legs = short stride.) 

What is your normal walking like? How far does your gait extend? For me, not far at all. So we were walking and when he said speed it up, I did what everyone else would do- my stride lengthened. He stopped me. Bad, Ashley. He told me that I should just turn over my footsteps more. Not lengthen my stride, just go- faster. 

So I started going faster until I was jogging. He said that I should be able to talk a little bit. As I should have been able to but I was giving him one word answers. That's all I was able to get out of myself right then. 

He also taught me a breathing technique- try breathing in and out of your nose. Harder than it seems, really. Or if I must, breath in through my nose and out through my mouth. I'm still getting the hang of it. 

After jogging, stretch again. Same stretches or at least what is normally sore- my legs. 

This past Saturday, February 23rd, I, Ashley was able to job for 2.5 minutes at a time. I jogged for a total of 10 minutes out of 30. I was smiling after doing all of that- I'm doing it! (This is when I was only able to do it for 1 minute at a time and was in pain.)

Hardy was right, "Listen to what your heart is telling you, not what your body is. Your heart is telling you that you want to keep going while your body is telling you that it hurts and to stop. The pain is temporary- listen to your heart." 

I'm so glad I listened. I'm so proud of myself. 

Thank you, Hardy,

A. 

Weight Loss Diary- just dropping in..

I had a doctor's appointment this morning for a yearly physical, etc. and I wanted to share my happy news. I've lost 7 pounds since my last visit with them (no, it hasn't been a year! lol.) 

This number is derived from my last visit to them to this visit. I don't do regular weigh-ins. I can't, it's too frustrating and just to see that it dropped 7 on their scale was enough for me. 

This was of course taking into consideration holidays and getting sick and knocking me out of commission. (It irks me to no end to get sick but sometimes it's beyond my control.)

Now that I'm on antibiotics, I'm hoping taking it easy this weekend will give me a jump start to a better week next week. Last week stunk with working really long hours and being sick- the gym just was gonna have to wait. But now...now, the gym is mine. I'm so determined to be back into a bathing suit this summer. Even if I don't go to a pool or the beach, just knowing that I could and not be so self-conscious would be enough for me!

I just have to get back in my zone and I'll see the weight start melting. I'm. So. Stinkin'. Ecstatic!

Here are a few changes I've already seen myself:

I have kneecaps again. Seriously. I can see an actual kneecap where it's supposed to be instead of what looked like an elephant's leg before. 

My panties are baggin'! It's weird to say it but it's a milestone none the less. 

My nice trouser jeans are too big, I have to wear a belt. I love having to wear a belt. It's fantastic. 

Little changes are making it worth it. I'd rather do it this way than being given an easy way out. 

Have a good one!

Hugs, 

A. 

Pinterest is a HUGE help for workouts

I love Pinterest- not just the awesome looking foods and crafts- but the tutorials for quick workouts are really impressive. I don't scoff at the pictures of skinny, fit-looking bodies either- they are nothing but fuel for the fire that I've built. I'm determined to finally get my weight down and this change for life is all trial and error.

The one that I tried tonight was a routine that is suggested to do right before a shower. I was thinking- okay- no prob.

Here is it:

50 jumping jacks
5 pushups
20 crunches
20 mountain climbers
30 second plank

Alright, I admit, I was thinking- jumping jacks?? Piece of cake! Yeah, I burned off a portion of the ice cream cake I had today just doing the jumping jacks. All this weight being thrown around gets your heart pumping- and quick! I was out of breath at 30 and 45 is where I felt the burn. 5 more and I was ready for the next.

5 pushups- no problem!

20 crunches- I've learned that having my legs straight up in the air is easier. I just scoot close to a wall and use that as leverage- this gut is feeling it right now. How cool!?

This is not my picture- I found it off Pinterest and it came from About.com.

20 mountain climbers...um-- what?! Yeah, I had to google it..Bootynomics is awesome (check out her clips.) 44 second clip and - okay, I'll shut up...here ya go:

Alright, now that you've watched, there are two variations- I chose the easier on my joints method where it's like you're doing a granny jog in place. Her's is higher intensity but man oh man, I can't wait until I'm able to do that!

Last 30 second plank. I didn't do as bad as I thought I would have. Granted I'm no where near perfect form- that's okay though. I tightened my core and tried my best.

Whew- done. Shower time!

Hugs,

A.

Weight Loss Update

Today is the first day I've noticed a difference in my waist. It's taken 2-3 months before I can say that. I've noticed little changes here and there but today I'm seeing a little of the old me peek through. And I'm loving it.

Loving. It.

It's making me that more motivated. Plus, I've got some awesome support behind me at work. Yes. WORK. Coworkers are supporting me. I never would have thought.

All that I'm doing is:

Cutting out a lot of carbs. I still snack every now and then- basically when I want some. My body tells me every week and a half to two weeks that it's time for some fat. So I have a little.

Fage Greek Yogurt with Honey is a dessert for me. It's creamy and the honey adds the sweetness.

I eat a lot of veggies. Frozen steamer bags are a friend. I pack one bag with a piece of chicken and I"m fine.

Green Tea makes me feel good. I can't explain it. But it honestly works.

Two servings of fruit a day. I try really hard to do this. Sometimes I'm actually too full.

Side note: I pack my breakfast and lunch at night. Grab and go in the am- no reason to stop off at McD's anymore. Less stress too. Pack a few various tea bags in your lunch box and you're good to go.

*************************
My workout routine:

I'm still doing 30 minutes on the treadmill. I've been slowly incorporating jogging.

If all you can do is start out with 10 seconds then do it. And keep doing it. Increase your time. Stick with it and don't try to be hero like I did. Shin Splints held me back for 3 weeks- easy!

Jogging is finally getting easier for me. I don't dread it and it's not hurting. But I had to break through that tough period and just keep working at it. 1 minute 15 seconds is my best time right now. I'm proud of it. Others may scoff but that's okay. They're entitled to their opinion. But this is my body and my routine.

Last thing. Something I've come to the realization all by myself- You will only do what you really really want to. I started gaining this weight and peaked at what I am now for the past 8 years. Family members giving diet books and me pining over wanting to look better has only started to be changed because I am finally making it a priority. Diet pills or crash diets aren't going to work. I've come to the realization that I need to make this change now and I'll have to work at it for the rest of my life. I'm ready for it. Bring it on.

Hugs,

A.

KT Tape Update- Shin Splints- Toe Tussle

The KT Tape seems to help. It doesn't make the pain go away completely for me. Then again, I may not have put it on with the right amount of tension Friday. It's hard to say. But, the bright side, I was able to jog, not run, for 30 seconds without sharp stabbing pain. I felt a dull pain though. Again, not sure if this is because of not putting it on correctly or what.

Today, however, I put the KT tape on around 12 and wore it for a few hours before working out at 4pm. I was walking at a pretty good clip without any noticeable pain. Which was nice. I was walking pretty slow last week.

Also, my research to prevent shin splints has lead me to Women's Health's website. I read an article written by Michelle Andrews who prescribed The Toe Tussle. (When I first read the description I had that blank stare..."what???")

Thank goodness for reading it again...here's a breakdown:

Sit in a chair where your legs are making a 90 degree angle with your thighs. Basically, correct posture. Now, tap your toes slowly. I knew I was doing it right when I felt the muscles on my shin doing the work and not my calf muscles.

Here is a link to the article: Toe Tussle

Can you do a 100?  I can't...yet!

Hugs,

A.

My Workout Diary- First Entry

I'm overweight. Clinically, I'm obese. And I don't like it. I'm mad at myself for letting myself get into this position. But, on the upside, I'm happy that I'm facing this challenge now. I'm going to be turning 29 soon and am not wanting to hit 30 being in this shape. I'm not wanting to be skinny, I want to be healthy and fit. Big difference between those two categories.  

The challenge is for me to have a new relationship with my body and food. It's not a healthy lifestyle as it stands right now. Food attempts to satisfy something. What I don't know. I'm not trying to look at this philosophically but instead as a problem that needs to be fixed and I'm looking at it as a step-by step process.

I've been fine tuning this process for about the past month or two and am starting to find my nische. I hope that this diary helps anyone reading. If not, then I understand. I just want to share what works for me and also as a way to keep me motivated. There's nothing like putting your business out there for all to read and just to not follow through with it.

So here we go...

Today was pretty hard. Two reasons.

One, I ran Monday and it felt amazing, even at only a minute a clip, it still felt amazing. I felt as though I was starting to find my groove. Tuesday, I was sore. Wednesday I was limping if I took a wrong step, not totally decrepit limping but it was hurting. I did the ice massage which felt good. Today, I thought I'd try a light jog but immediately had to stop. Shin splints are no joke. I'm mad at myself, aggravated and close to feeling defeated.

Thanks to Google search, I'm hoping this defeated attitude is non existent tomorrow. I read about KT Tape. I've seen it being used by serious athletes and even one lady at work is using it. I figured it's worth a shot.
I'll find out tomorrow. I'm going to hit the gym and see if I can truly do my walk 5 minute/run 1 minute.

The second reason, it's close to that time of the month. I'm wanting to eat everything in site and my body is bloating if I even look at food. I'm cramping and overall just a site to behold.

So two things trying to stop me but I refuse. I'm as stubborn as they come when I want something that's so close within reach.

I sure hope I have better news after tomorrow's workout. My fingers are crossed.

Ash