Foodie, I'm Not

Planned Workout: Aqua Jog
Actual Workout: Aqua Jog, arm circuit, abs

I am not a foodie.  By any means.  Don't get me wrong, I can cook and sometimes I enjoy it.  The enjoying it part seems to be less since Little Miss came along.  Though I do encourage her to help me in the kitchen and she seems to enjoy it.  But my menus are a little, well, bland.

Take last night,for instance.  We had chicken tacos.  Nothing special.  Today's lunch: leftovers.

This is today's lunch: Fruit Salad, Southwest Salad kit, chicken taco

In fact, the most exotic thing I ever cook is curried pork.  I know there are several reasons my menu stays they same: time, money, a 3 year old's palate.  But, I would like to broaden my horizons a little.  Make something new to our family.  This is what I came up with:

Moroccan Vegetable Stew with Couscous

Moroccan vegetable stew blends turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, allspice and garlic with chickpeas, lentils, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and raisins for an aromatic vegetarian meal that's rich in protein and fiber. The legumes in this dish provide iron, while the vegetables offer vitamins A and C. Whole-grain couscous, a Middle Eastern dish, complements this hearty stew and adds extra fiber to your meal.

I got this at  livestrong.com.

Granted, this will have to wait at least a week until I get to the grocery store again.  And I will have to modify hubby's some (he doesn't like tomatoes), but I think I will try it.  I will let you know how it turns out.

HOT HOT NOT

Planned Workout: 2mile run/walk
Actual Workout: 20 minute run/walk

I did do some running today... about 8 minutes of it.  Then my lungs began to burn and I decided walking would be the way to go today.  I am feeling better though.

Now what I would really like to discuss.  Something I saw on The Today Show this morning:  NYFFs (New York Fire Fighters).  There were about half a dozen or so on the show promoting their calender.  And the were Smokin' (please forgive the pun.)  They all looked like newbies though (5 or 6 years on or less,)
When most women think of firefighters this is what they think of:


source

However, as a wife of a volunteer firefighter for several years( according to the NFPA, 70% of firefighters are volunteer, fyi), I can assure you that most firefighters look like this:


Source

That's right. Awesome huh?  Full time EMS is about the same (with more females). 

I remember being told once how lucky I must be to get to "hang out" at the fire station.  LOL... the pic directly above comes to mind.

Now girls, don't get me wrong, there are some "Hotties" out there.  But don't think that great bodies = coolness either.  Sometimes the greatest looking ones are the dorkiest ones.

On the flip side, generally firefighters are the sweetest guys I have met (to females, guests, and children anyway.)  And if you go to their station on a slow day, they will gladly entertain you until it is chow time or they get a call.

Weigh In Wednesday

Planned Workout: Aqua Jog
Actual Workout: Nothing

Sickness has fallen upon us.  Well, me mostly.  Little Miss is sick, again, but it is her typical cold and up all night coughing type sickness.  Mine started out flu-like for about 24ish hours, then turned into a more cold-like direction.  I camped on the couch all day yesterday.  Today I didn't do too much, until I had to go to work anyway.  Getting up and moving around made me feel a little better.  But I am still really congested and coughing.

I wanted to run this week.  To run and push myself to run farther.  I have been reading up on other runner's blogs and trying to do some research on running.  In the past,  I have attempted weight loss and healthier lifestyle and quit after six months or so every time.  This time feels different, then I hit little speed bumps like getting sick.  So am I going to get all "ho hum, woa is me" and give up again? Nope... gonna try something different:

Formulate a Plan.

I plan on getting at least a walk in tomorrow.  If I feel like it, a run.  I plan on going to Aqua Jog on Friday.  And I plan on making up a run this weekend.  Next week, I plan on being back in the swing of things.

OK...so time of truth...weigh in for this week..ugh:

193.8

Yeah, so I gained a little.  I am hoping this is just a reaction to being sick.  I hope.   

March of Dimes....A Recap

March of Dimes 5K 2012

It was cold. 45 degrees.  For the last mile, it sprinkled.  Cold and damp. Our team was a decent size.  Mostly family, some friends.  Avery's physical therapist and her family even walked.  We started out together, but ended up spread way out by the end.

This was our team name. My shirt said Auntie Em on the sleeve.

 

 This is Mr. Avery.  He was born at 23 weeks.  He will be 1 in May.  He is the reason my sister started a team and the cutest little nephew ever!

     Little Miss and her cousin painted rocks before the walk.

Little Miss walked with grandpa until mile 2.  Then I sent her walking to other direction with her aunt and uncle.  She was getting tired.  She walked about 2.75 miles.

 

After the walk, they had hot dogs, chips, bananas, and water.  We also got little goodie bags.  They had Michigan magnets and notebooks in them (did I mention we were at an OSU campus?), trail mix, and some stuff for kids. I enjoyed having coffee to warm up to.  I am not big on hot dogs, but mine was pretty good.

 

Even though it was cold and rainy and I walked at a very slow pace for me (nope, didn't keep time either), it was a good time.  I already asked my sister if she was going to do this next year.  She said yes and she was going to start fund raising sooner.

 Our team raised $952 this year.  Not bad for a first time team that started late.

Days Go By

Planned Workout: Aqua Jog
Actual Workout: Aqua Jog

Today was, well a buzz.  Meaning that I really didn't much sitting down until work.  Even then I was pretty busy.  Aqua Jog was more of a workout today.  I upped my weights. That helped. And the instructor made it a little harder.

I have March of Dimes tomorrow.  I promise to do a recap.  And I am going Dent and Ding shopping with my mom and sister. Yay! 

I feel like time is going so quickly.  We only have 225 days until our cruise (my initial motivation for getting healthier).  Little Miss only has 5 weeks of school left.  This year marks my 3rd annul 29th birthday.  There are so many things I wanted to do this year.  There are things I haven't even begun.  Time is not on my side at the moment.  Anyone else feel that way?

Weigh in Wednesday

Planned Workout: Aqua Jog
Actual Workout: Aqua Jog

Today was the first day I took Aqua Jog.  I had forgotten that it was a Monday, Wednesday, Friday class until about 9am on Monday.  It started at 930.  For anyone who knows me (or Little Miss), you know it is impossible to get us out the door and there in a half an hour.  We got there at 940.  I walked on the treadmill instead. 

Anyway, I went today.


Ok, it was only a little like that.  I am the youngest in the class.  The next youngest women have kids a few years younger than me.  But we used real weights.

It was more like this:


And this:



My biggest obstacle?


We had to swim on our backs with flippers on.  I can survive in water, but I am not a strong swimmer.  My form was horrible.  I am thinking about dragging hubby to the pool during open lap time and practicing my lap swimming.  If I can find the time (?!)

Overall, it can be a good cross training for me.  But I will have to keep running.  And do boot camp.

And now what you all have been waiting for (and I have been dreading):

193.4

That's right.  I have gained weight.  Laziness will do that to a person.  I am hoping to rebound quick in the next couple of weeks.  I have a lot going on. Fitness wise, that is :)

Bad to the Bone...or Muscle

Planned Workout: Bootcamp
Actual Workout: Nothing

I have been bad to myself this week.. Eating a lot of Easter junk food, not exercising regularly, and ignoring an injury.  That's right, total mal-functional week.

I felt a twinge and some pain in the muscle above and on the side of my knee on Wednesday.  "Hmmm" I thought, and though the pain was fast enough and hurt enough to make me stop when it happened, I started walking again, then running.  I ignored the pain. For the rest of the day.

Thursday, I only noticed it when I was walking, so I didn't walk much.  I didn't workout, either.
Friday, I started to run, but it hurt so I walked.  Walking made it hurt less.  Today my daughter and I lounged in bed until 11am.  Lazy, I know.  But breakfast in bed and cartoons were fun.  And my knee doesn't hurt at all today.

I have got to get ride of the candy junk in my house.  Little Miss is really great at sharing.  Too great.  And chocolate is my vice.  I haven't weighed my self since weigh in Wednesday, and quite frankly I'm afraid to.

Happy Dispatcher Week!

Planned workout: none
Actual Workout: 20 sit ups and some planking

For those of you who do not know, it's National Public Safety Telecommunicator's Week.  Actually, today is the last day.  It ends in a mere five hours.
For me, this year, it doesn't mean much.  Last year, my hubby took me on a cruise for NPSTW.  The year before that I was at another agency that made the week special.  What I will do this year, however, is reflect on a day in the life of a Dispatcher:

Acronyms, Acronyms, Acronyms!
Almost everything we write and say is a code,signal,or acronym.  This is an actual conversation I could have:

"Can you run a DS in LEADS and look in CAD to see if we have a 19 number for that person?"
"Clear."
"If so, advise them I will be enroute to 17 his 43.  ETA 20 minutes."
"Clear sir, will this need an OHLEG?"
"Negative"
"Clear, 17:52"

Yup, that's how I talk 8 hours a day. Sometimes it's fun, other times it's exhausting.


Then there are the calls, Oh yes the calls!  My favorite are the callers that start with "I just have a quick question"  Those typically take 20 to 30 minutes.  My least favorite are the tragic calls.  I have taken calls from wives who husbands have just died after a long battle with illness.  I have taken calls from people who never make it to the hospital.  I have taken calls from families at their worst moments and behaviors. 

On the flip side, I have taken reports that there are people in are bars drinking (Yep, pretty sure I knew that), a report of getting short changed at a fast food place, a roommate borrowed an article of clothing with out permission, a theft of hair (extensions), a cat stuck in a sewer drain, and UFOs.  By the way, city people, small (usually colorful) planes flying low to the ground over fields are NOT crashing.  It is called crop dusting.  They do this to the fields near highways too.  I'm pretty sure there are few calls left that could surprise me.

Also, I know random things, like what time bars I would never set foot in close.  And that Ronald McDonald has a warrant in the state of Ohio.  And who's cows live near what roads.   You know, important information like that.

Dispatchers are a special brand of people with a very, very thankless job.  So, the next time you call a local agency to report something, or even just to find some arbitrary information that no one else will know, thank the person who answered the phone.  Sometimes stuff like that gets us through the day.

Weigh in Wednesday

Planned Workout: 2 mile run/walk

Actual Workout: 3k run/walk and arm circuit

I don't know why, but I felt the need to make a record for myself today.  I was going to do my usual, then I went looking through the history on my little tracker.  The fastest 3k I had on record was around 25 minutes.  The personal best for 2 miles was 24:25.  I knew my 3k record could be beat.  So I warmed up and took off.

Here is a list of my stats as of now:

• Total Workouts for 2012: 44
• Total Run Distance 2012: 71.38 miles
• Total Time: 18 hours
• Total Calories: 8227
• Total Non-run Steps: 1282
• Farthest distance in one run: 3.30 miles
  
• Best 1k: 7:00
• Best 3k: 23:07 (as of today)
• Best 1 mile: 11:40
• Best 2 miles: 24:45

Well, it is Wednesday so time for my weigh in:

191.5

Not sure how I lost weight this week honestly, but I'm not going to complain about it. 

But I am going to show you what I made for lunch: BBQ chicken toasties (they were yummy!)  All I did was put some chicken in the crock pot with BBQ sauce yesterday.  Today, I got these little slices of bread (whole wheat), put some BBQ chicken on them and sprinkled them with a little 2% cheese.  Then I baked them in the oven for about 10 minutes on 300 degrees. 

Easter...a recap

Weekend Workouts: Ran/walk 20 minutes, nothing else

I gave myself a break this weekend.  Not that I needed one or deserved one, I just took one.  Sometimes its nice just to break away from routine and refocus and reflect. So, this is what I did on my weekend:

Little Miss all ready for church

 She had adorable white gloves with pink bows on.  I started to take her picture and she started crying and told me she didn't want to go to church.  When I asked her why she told me she didn't like her gloves. She took off the gloves, put them in her purse, and was all smiles the rest of the day.

What the Easter bunny brought.

 

Getting silly with the good stuff in the basket.

Egg Hunt

 

In Little Miss's basket was a kite.  It was a beautiful evening Sunday and she had a lot of sugar to run off, so we went to the "park" and she flew (well, Mommy and Daddy did most of the flying) her kite.  She did a lot of running around and trying to catch the tail.  She also enjoyed crashing her kite, over and over.

 

She found the bench for the soccer field and thought it made a perfect balance beam.

 

I  know I said I took a break on my weekend, but even with a break I still ran Monday.  This is my last week to get three runs in before I start my crazy schedule.  Little Miss and I spent the rest of the day playing and watched a movie before I took her swimming in the evening.  It really was a great weekend.

What about you? Did you have a great weekend?

Eating, Clothes, and Other Stuff *Updated 4/7/2012*

Planned Workout: 2 mile run interval (1.5 miles run, .5 walk)
Actual Workout: 2 mile run interval (1 mile run, 1 mile walk)

Today was not a "push myself" day.  I don't know why, just wasn't.  But tomorrow is another day, and I at least showed up for the game today.

And now its time for........ 

Hunger Pains

Food Journaling for the Not-So-Prepared

I started a food journal three days ago here. 

Everyday but the first day it has said this:

If every day were like today...   You'd weigh 182.2 lbs in 5 weeks

*Based on your total calories consumed for today, you are eating too few calories. Not only is it difficult to receive adequate nutrition at these calorie levels, but you could also be putting your body into starvation mode. Starvation mode lowers your metabolism and makes weight loss more difficult. We suggest increasing your calorie consumption to 1,200 calories per day minimum.

WHAT?!

Too few calories?  I eat, let me tell you I do.  I eat toast with cream cheese and sugar free jam in the morning.  I eat baked chicken nuggets with Little Miss.  I even ate an ice cream sandwich today.  While I was still at work I had an extra snack because I knew that the final result for the day would be this.  I wasn't even hungry.

This first day I was full a lot.  I felt too full at times.  I was 157 over my calories, but dang!  I ate french fries (something that RARELY happens). 

My question is: Should I really bump up the calories (my calories for today was 1,123) even though I'm not hungry? 

Clothes Dillema

According to myfitnesspal, I have lost 23 pounds since I signed up a year ago.  WooHoo! As exciting as that is, losing weight leaves me with a dillema.  It's one I'm happy to have, but it is still a dillema.  My clothes are getting too big.  Of course, like most women I have "fat clothes" and "skinny"  "less fat" (in my case) clothes.  23 pounds on a 4'11" woman is a couple of sizes.  My "fat clothes" absolutly do not fit, and my few "less fat" clothes are getting a little baggy.  The only thing that still fits are my workout clothes (thank you hubby for under estimating my size.  I <3 you! )  

Aside from workout clothes, this is what I have left:

• 1 pair of jeans
• a few concert tees that never fit me before (concert tees run 2 sizes smaller than the rest of the world)
• 2 pair of work slacks (one pair will be out in about 5 more pounds)
• My work shirts (for now, they work)
• One hoodie
• a pair of jean capris
• 2 sundresses (its still too cold for those in Ohio)
• My free tee I just got from my gym

So what's the dillema? Buying new clothes.  I am Cheapy Mccheapster, so I had already decided that I didn't want to waste money on new clothes and would go to a resale shop.  But even buying used clothes that I know I will have to replace in a couple of months makes me go "grrrr".  Don't get me wrong, once I am to my goal weight I will go out and get clothes that fit, I will consider it a long term investment.  (Not to mention a great reason to maintain my weight.) Plus, my favorite stores always have tons of stuff size 2-8 on clearance (hopefully my size will be somewhere in that range).  For now, I think I will remain Baggy Mcbaggster, at least for another 5-10 pounds.  The I will let my sisters drag me to the store and get some clothes that fit.

 

Weigh in Wednesday

Planned Workout: Arms, Abs, and Leg
Actual Workout: Arms, Legs

Today is the day... to see if I made it to my 190 goal.... I didn't waste time this morning getting on the scale.
The results?

192.1

Ok, so it wasn't my goal.  At least I didn't gain weight.  I think its time for me to re-evaluate my food choices.  I am going to have to start a food journal.  I have been trying to avoid that, but I don't think I can anymore.

Of All The Things I've Lost

Things I have lost in the last 24 hours:

• My debit card (I found it)
• A contact (did not find that)
• One of the little rubber things off of my ear buds (still looking)
•  The grocery list I started
• My favorite purple tweezers (still lost)
• A pair of my workout capris ( I bet if I folded the rest of the laundry I could find them)
• A picture I wanted to put on my blog
• Sleep (Hubby's alarm went off at 4:45am!!! He was already at work.)
• Time (ok, more like wasted it looking for all this stuff)
• My patience

How do I lose all these things?  I never completely know. It just happens.  Mostly I think I just get distracted in the middle of something.  Then I waste valuable time looking for stuff, or I end up doing without.  I know I am not the most organized all the time (mostly since the kid), but sometimes I just throw up my arms and go "Seriously?! Seriously?!"


So what have you lost lately?

My Second Home

Planned Workout: 2 mile run/walk with running being .75 intervals
Actual Workout : 2 mile run/walk with running being .75 intervals

That's right.  I did what I was supposed to today.  And I "ran" my fastest mile yet.  11.44.  Usually, this is a rest or cross train day, but I didn't run yesterday and didn't do anything Sunday, so I needed the run.  Plus, me schedule is about to change.....

Why is my schedule changing?  Two words: Free Class

Our gym membership auto-renews every year.  They send us our new cards in the mail.  This year they sent us coupons, too.  I got a free Tee (size L, thank you very much..no XL for me anymore!)  There was also a coupon for a free session of a water class.  I signed up for Aqua Jog (it said it was intense).  It is 3 days/week, plus my boot camp on Saturdays, plus I have to take Little Miss to her classes on Tuesday/Thursday (making these my run days).  Whew! Just typing all that made me tired!

So, you guessed it, Sunday is my rest day, and the gym will be my second home.  I hope I do ok on only one rest day, but I need to kick it up.  And I get bored easily.  When I get bored, I get lazy.  When, I get lazy, I start sleeping in instead of going to the gym.  When I stop going to the gym, I get fat.  Oh Lord, I sound like a Direct TV commercial!

The other"new" thing in my life?  My sister and I are signing up for a 5K.  In June.  I want to be able to run the whole thing. I hope she will be able to run the whole thing too.  Mostly, I want it to be fun.  There is even a run Little Miss can participate in.

TGIF

Planned Workout: Boot Camp
Actual Workout: Boot Camp  Today's Line up: Abs at 50 count per exercise, lunges, calf raises, jumping rope, step ups, push ups (I still do the girl kind), karaoke suicide, and lap running (well, this was most of what I did)

All this and went to work too! I am BEAT!

Now for an introduction to one of my favorite topics: Little Miss

She is 3 going on 13, and all kinds of sassy cuteness.  She has 2 regular imaginary friends and creates others as needed.  Sam is her BIF (Best Imaginary Friend) and is between the ages of 3 and 6 (depends on the day), she is from Mexico, loves broccoli, and her favorite color is tan.  Though Sam has a mommy and daddy, she mostly lives with us.  And she is an ornery little friend.  Several times I have had to put Sam in the corner for not listening.  My husband and I have both had to yell at Sam to get off the street.  It is probably a good thing we have understanding neighbors.

Little Miss went to boot camp with me on Saturday.  It wasn't planned that way, but it happened.  She was really good.  Toward the end she even ran two laps and stretched out with me.  It was fun.  She herself is in swimming and a gym class on Tuesdays and Thursdays.