I'm SO Excited!!

Today I feel good. I put on my smallest pair of jeans and I can wear them! Don't get me wrong, they don't fit perfectly, but I got them on! Tomorrow I have my 10K and I am totally prepared for it. And, I'm thinking ahead for my next goal. I've been waffling back and forth about whether to attempt a half marathon that's taking place next month here in town. I've decided that I'm going to go for it. Even if I don't run the whole thing, I know I can finish. Especially if I train for it. This is an opportunity I don't want to pass up. So, I'm feeling amp'd. I'm starting to feel better about myself overall and I'm loving the physical strides I am making. SO, next month is the half marathon (13 miles...eek) and then in September (yes I'm thinking that far in advance) I'm going to do a half in Tahoe. Do you think I'm crazy? I kinda think I am slightly :P

Penalties AND Rewards

I've been thinking about my last post some more and have a variation for those of you who are more motivated by rewards than penalties. So, again start with goals- weekly and monthly. For every goal that you keep give yourself a "tip". If you keep your weekly fitness goal, put $5 in your reward box. If you hit your monthly weight goal, $20 goes in. Then, by the time you hit your goal weight at the end, you have a nice little stash to buy some new clothes. Also, if you did the penalties too, you could take the $ from your reward box (that money could then be kept separately and maybe donated to a worthy cause).
I myself am very excited about this idea. Next week I plan on setting this up for me personally because I feel myself slipping. Not alot, but enough that I know if I don't get a handle on it I will start going back into old habits. Tonight I'm very proud of myself though, because even though I DID NOT WANT TO RUN, I DID IT ANYWAY!! I'm looking forward to my 10K in a couple days, and super excited that I've lost 26 lbs so far....

Here's a thought....

So, this is a thought I had for anyone who's having a hard time sticking with it. I had it after reading a post earlier today on another blog. Laura (the blogger), is having a difficult time and tends to get derailed easily. I suggested weekly and monthly goals first, but the problem for her is that she isn't very good being accountable to herself. This made me think. And it clicked, what about a penalty? If you set a weekly fitness goal i.e. workout 3x/wk, and you don't do it you pay a $5 penalty. Set a monthly weight goal and if you don't get it you pay $20(or whatever amount will motivate you) . Have a penalty jar that a friend holds for you, that way you have to confess at the time you pay. And, you cannot touch the $ until you get to your goal.
Sometimes you gotta think outside the box. Set yourself up for success. If a hit to the pocketbook is the most motivating, try this. If there's something else you think would motivate you more, I wanna hear about it. What do you think? (I, of course, think it's brilliant!)

Personal Best

So last night I decided to run a 3 miler instead of 6. I haven't run only 3 miles in a while. Since I'm training for the 10K on Saturday, I've been running longer distance for practice. I finished my 3 miles in 29 minutes. This is a personal best for me and I am so excited. I also got on the scale this morning (even though I shouldn't have) and I'm down to 180. Yeah!! That means I've lost 26 lbs so far.
Last week was difficult for me because I just wasn't eating enough lean proteins. I didn't gain, but I just didn't lose. So, this week I am focusing on great dinners with the protein falling into the fish or fowl category. You heard about my Teriyaki Burgers, then last night we did breakfast for dinner (that means eggs). Tonight it's fish tacos...mmmmm=) Anyway, my point is, if you are having a tough time, mix it up a little. Change one thing (like doing fish or fowl for a week), and see what happens. You don't have to make huge changes all at once, just do little things and it adds up. Keep movin' forward....

Teriyaki Burgers

This is a little out of my normal vein, but I just have to share. I'm getting so tired of cooking the same old thing. I have this list of meals that I keep rotating through...and I'M BORED! So, while planning this weeks' meals I had this flash of brilliance, if I may say so myself. All the sudden I thought, "teriyaki turkey burgers". And oh my, did they ever turn out beautifully. Moist and flavorful. Everything you could want in a healthy low fat meal. So, I thought I'd pass it along. I know that I'm not the only one who gets tired of cooking and eating the same old things.
So, all you need to do is mix about a 1/2 c. of Mr. Yoshida's Teriyaki Sauce, some minced garlic, garlic salt, pepper & of course your lean ground turkey. Make them into patties and grill 'em up. As a bonus, I had hubby throw some pineapple rings on the bbq and those went onto the burger as well. I also topped the burger with a slice of part skim mozzarella (Dylan used cheddar, both were yummy). For added healthy factor, I went with a "protein style", meaning I decided to forgo the bun and wrap the patty in lettuce (I was bad yesterday!!). It was one of the best meals we've done in a while. And the best part, I didn't feel guilty enjoying it. If you're interested in what else was the plate(I know I would be), we had homemade coleslaw-made with light mayo, and Ranch Beans. The coleslaw wasn't the healthiest choice in the world, but I limited my portion, and I knew how much mayo I used...and it wasn't much.
So, do you have an awesome healthy dinner idea to share? If you do, I'd love to hear about it. And, if I have any more flashed of brilliance, I'll share too. Here's to an great week!! (I have no idea how that one section got to be posted in black, and I can't fix it...sorry! LOL :P)

My Reward

I rewarded myself with a mani/pedi for making it back to my pre-pregnancy weight. Just thought I'd share a picture cause I think my nails turned out adorable=) My manicurist gave me a little flower power bonus on my ring fingers (just because she likes me). Also, I've been going there for 5+ years.
So anyway I am planning my next reward after I lose 40 lbs. I'm thinking a massage or a facial would be a nice treat. I guess that means I better kick my butt back into gear. I've been slacking off and this is the first week that I haven't lost weight. I haven't gained, so for that I'm thankful. I just need to buckle back down. Exercise, eat more fruits and veges, make better choices. Part of my problem has been that I haven't been eating enough lean proteins. We've been doing to much red meat. So, tonight I'm gonna go get some chicken for the grill. I also came across a recipe for roasted veges that sounded delish so that's on the menu too.
One other thing I wanted to share, a quote I came across...A moment on the lips, a month on the hips... Is it really worth it? Probably not! Just keep that in mind.

Know your limits...

I made a stupid choice last night. I ran almost 6 miles in 96* weather after not having a sufficient meal (meaning a meal with some carbs to burn while running). Not smart! And I just kept pushing. It's one thing if you are in a life-or-death situation and you need to run, it's something else if you are just being stubborn. I tend to get into the "mode"- be it exercise or dieting or both, and get obsessive. I'm getting to the obsessive stage right now. I need to step back and relax- just a little, not a lot. My point is, just because you CAN do something like run when it's hot outside, doesn't mean you should. Listen to what your body is telling you. Mine was trying to tell me STOP! I was nauseous & my face went numb, that's not good!
Just remember, your fitness level varies from day to day, and that's okay! Know your limits and don't push too hard, or you'll burn yourself out. I've done that to myself in the past and I don't want to end up there again. Challenging yourself is different, that's a good thing. Obsessing on the other hand, that's a bad thing. So, I'm reevaluating for this upcoming week. I'm going to be smart. I am going to stay within my limits and work on the obsessing part. That means I think I need to get rid of the scale (or at least put it in the garage). That way I'm not tempted to get on it several times a day...seriously, I do that. But, not anymore. Here's to a good week!