You have your gym bag packed, your playlist ready, plenty of time and nothing between you and a good workout...except the fact that you really, really, really don't want to go. I'm there right now. Not one workout I can come up with in my head seems exciting and I have eaten several Jelly Bellies (and maybe some chocolate-covered almonds too) so a good workout is a must. With all my exams and projects coming due, I do not have a lot of time to workout which means I need to take advantage of the time I do have. For instance, this afternoon, I am free from any obligation to be anywhere at a specific time or do something at a specific place. I can choose how to conduct my evening until I fall asleep. I know I have to make dinner and our lunches for tomorrow and I know I should workout. I have everything ready but I can't find my motivation. I seem to have misplaced it.
So, without further ado, I am making this a black and white issue. I have to workout. No matter how much I do NOT want to, I am going to get my workout clothes on, turn up my tunes and do something to improve my health and fitness. I just have to make it as simple as that. Maybe I'll try something new--like the plyometrics workout on P90X...yikes!
Patrick is down in the 180's people. I hope you can keep up.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
"You have 12 minutes!"
Ok, so my husband has been bothering me to post something the last couple days. I told him that I have to be inspired in order to write something worthwhile. He just hasn't been giving me enough material lately. You know, he's not doing anything funny or saying anything cute (except on Sunday. We got up for church and as he is putting on his pants--which he can do by himself now--and I just hear him say, "Do 3 Ashtanga Sun Salutations." He said it quietly and to himself and I'm like, "Huh?" "Oh, I just like the way it sounds," he replies. Hilarious.) so I haven't really felt like I had anything to write about. However, as I am looking at the clock almost on my way out the door for the day from work, I am wondering what I can do in these last few minutes. Lightbulb.
How often do you find yourself with 10 spare minutes here or 18 spare minutes there. There are a million things that can be done--load the dishwasher, start a load of towels,catch half of a half of an episode of Seinfeld, etc. What if we all devoted those spare minutes to health and fitness? Every time we find ourselves with a speck of spare time that isn't enough to start something really important and too much to just waste, we did something like pack a healthy lunch by chopping up veggies for a salad or did 3 Ashtanga Sun Salutations. Maybe we research a new healthy recipe for dinner the next week or recorded our calories for the day. We could even do some crunches and push-ups without getting too sweaty. What a difference in your life that could make. So, in accordance with Patrick's begging, I decided to devote the last 12 minutes of my day to making this post so that I myself was following my own advice.
Again, Patrick, thanks for the inspiration! You did great this weekend in your weigh-in! I'm so proud of your devotion...even if it means you have to be stinky sometimes.
How often do you find yourself with 10 spare minutes here or 18 spare minutes there. There are a million things that can be done--load the dishwasher, start a load of towels,catch half of a half of an episode of Seinfeld, etc. What if we all devoted those spare minutes to health and fitness? Every time we find ourselves with a speck of spare time that isn't enough to start something really important and too much to just waste, we did something like pack a healthy lunch by chopping up veggies for a salad or did 3 Ashtanga Sun Salutations. Maybe we research a new healthy recipe for dinner the next week or recorded our calories for the day. We could even do some crunches and push-ups without getting too sweaty. What a difference in your life that could make. So, in accordance with Patrick's begging, I decided to devote the last 12 minutes of my day to making this post so that I myself was following my own advice.
Again, Patrick, thanks for the inspiration! You did great this weekend in your weigh-in! I'm so proud of your devotion...even if it means you have to be stinky sometimes.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
You Smell Gross.
Ok, so I could lead you to believe that being married is the most blissful thing ever...and for the most part, it really is. However, anytime you face an adventure like we're facing, you start to learn some new not-so-pleasant things about your significant other.
Normally, I like Patrick's musky "I just worked out (insert Tim The Toolman Taylor grunt her)" smell. Tuesday night was different. So Patrick comes home after a grueling cardio session that lasted nearly the entire "Biggest Loser" 2-hour episode. When he walks in, he didn't smell like your traditional 6th grader without deodorant. No, he took it to an entirely different level. Despite the simmering spaghetti sauce and wheat noodles I had cooking in the kitchen, all I could smell was him...and he smelled gross. Gross like if you got caught next to him on public transportation, you'd find a reason to get off at the next stop even if it meant walking the remaining 2 miles in your blister-causing Nine West heels and stylish trench coat in 12 degree weather that includes wintry mix. Yeah, it was that unpleasant. So, how exactly do I bring this up? Do I flat out tell him that he smells stinky? Suggest a shower? Allow him to eat dinner sans de-funking? My options were varied and what happened next could have caused WWIII in some homes. "You smell gross. Like really gross," I blurted. As the words flew out of my mouth, I braced myself for his sweet face to turn sour. God bless his ever-loving heart. He looked at me debating if his feelings should be hurt. He decided not and plopped down on our couch ready to eat dinner. "Do you need help bringing it in? No. Ok. I'll have water with my meal." What could I do but smile at my husband's big heart and silly nature. You really can't help but love him. He had worked hard at the gym and was ready to eat a delicious dinner with his wife. I rewarded him by suffering through the smell which probably made me eat less and subsequently febreeze the couch. It probably needed it anyway. That man continues to teach me valuable lessons about life and love--how lucky I am.
Patrick's level of commitment to this challenge is unmatched as far as I am concerned. He's holding his ground and he's making the most out of it. He was rewarded last Sunday at his unofficial weigh-in. I will venture to say that this weekend will prove to be even more of a gold medal moment. Watch out fellow contestants--my stinky husband (and his very tolerant wife) will be pulling out a Victory for the kids.
Normally, I like Patrick's musky "I just worked out (insert Tim The Toolman Taylor grunt her)" smell. Tuesday night was different. So Patrick comes home after a grueling cardio session that lasted nearly the entire "Biggest Loser" 2-hour episode. When he walks in, he didn't smell like your traditional 6th grader without deodorant. No, he took it to an entirely different level. Despite the simmering spaghetti sauce and wheat noodles I had cooking in the kitchen, all I could smell was him...and he smelled gross. Gross like if you got caught next to him on public transportation, you'd find a reason to get off at the next stop even if it meant walking the remaining 2 miles in your blister-causing Nine West heels and stylish trench coat in 12 degree weather that includes wintry mix. Yeah, it was that unpleasant. So, how exactly do I bring this up? Do I flat out tell him that he smells stinky? Suggest a shower? Allow him to eat dinner sans de-funking? My options were varied and what happened next could have caused WWIII in some homes. "You smell gross. Like really gross," I blurted. As the words flew out of my mouth, I braced myself for his sweet face to turn sour. God bless his ever-loving heart. He looked at me debating if his feelings should be hurt. He decided not and plopped down on our couch ready to eat dinner. "Do you need help bringing it in? No. Ok. I'll have water with my meal." What could I do but smile at my husband's big heart and silly nature. You really can't help but love him. He had worked hard at the gym and was ready to eat a delicious dinner with his wife. I rewarded him by suffering through the smell which probably made me eat less and subsequently febreeze the couch. It probably needed it anyway. That man continues to teach me valuable lessons about life and love--how lucky I am.
Patrick's level of commitment to this challenge is unmatched as far as I am concerned. He's holding his ground and he's making the most out of it. He was rewarded last Sunday at his unofficial weigh-in. I will venture to say that this weekend will prove to be even more of a gold medal moment. Watch out fellow contestants--my stinky husband (and his very tolerant wife) will be pulling out a Victory for the kids.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Everything in Moderation...Including Moderation
Easter! What a great Easter we had! Lots of family, lots of fun, and lots of food. That last part is where it gets tricky. On Saturday night, Patrick and I went out with my sister Leah and her husband Nick and my little sister and her boyfriend Ryan. We all like to drink--that is no secret. However, with Patrick's weightloss goals and my attempts at supporting him, he drank water and I only drank one amaretto sour. So far, everything in moderation. It was tough but Patrick did great. Turns out it was good that he was only drinking water because he was the sober driver home!
Sunday, Patrick and I woke up early to workout before the egg hunt began. We worked with our kettlebells and got a good sweat going. What a great way to start our Easter Sunday. Not to mention that the weather was beautiful. So after we get done and come inside, my mom is making a delicious breakfast of hashbrowns, sausage, eggs with cheese, donuts, pastries.......you get the picture. After I work out, my appetite is normally HUGE so I was worried for Patrick and I. Immediately, I grabbed a banana for us to share. As we went through the 'buffet' that my mom had placed out, I took a small portion of everthing. I watched Patrick do the same--he skipped the donuts and pastries while I just cut off a bit size piece of each. Our attempts at moderation were successful thus far but it was only 9:00...how much more of this torture must we face?
After church and pictures, playing and relaxing, it was finally time for our big meal of the day. (Wait, what was breakfast considered...?) We had glazed ham, creamy/cheesy cauliflower, creamy/cheesy/bacony potatoes, buttery/cream cheesy/sugary corn, and chinese coleslaw with the dressing already on it. The theme song to Jaws may as well have been playing in the background. I could tell that Patrick and I, who ate lightly for breakfast and then had to wait until almost 2:00 for lunch, were about to eat the table and all its contents and even though we love each other very much, if one of us were to perish in the process--too bad, so sad--more for the survivor. I watched as we passed each dish around the table...PJ and I took small portions of each dish looking longingly at the size of the spoon against the size of our serving. By the end of round 1, we had done well. Our plates were not all the way full but we would get to try everything.
By the time I finished my plate, I was already having an internal battle with myself and I know Patrick was having the same one, "Should I eat more? I know I can eat more and the food is all so good. It's Easter so surely I can eat more, right? Jesus is risen so let's eat another biscuit." By the time I was done attempting to justify my way through another serving of everything, my stomach messaged my brain and told it that I was nourished and not too full. That felt good.
Now comes the part of the story where I take my moderation in moderation. The last dreaded part of this delicious day was dessert. My Lenten promise was no desserts after my big meal of the day which I stuck to throughout the season. So, when my mom pulled out the Nestle Tollhouse Pie with nuts, you can bet I had my plate ready. When she offered whip cream, I took that and when she brought out the ice cream, I took a scoop of that too. Not even an ounce of guilt crept into my soul because I knew that my diet sanity has a lot to do with my general sanity and I would have gone CRAZY if I had done every single little thing in moderation over Easter weekend.
My husband taught me this lesson a long time ago, before we ever started dating and it rings true for many of the adventures in which we have found ourselves. Everything in moderation, including moderation. Truer words have never been spoken. Thanks Patrick.
Sunday, Patrick and I woke up early to workout before the egg hunt began. We worked with our kettlebells and got a good sweat going. What a great way to start our Easter Sunday. Not to mention that the weather was beautiful. So after we get done and come inside, my mom is making a delicious breakfast of hashbrowns, sausage, eggs with cheese, donuts, pastries.......you get the picture. After I work out, my appetite is normally HUGE so I was worried for Patrick and I. Immediately, I grabbed a banana for us to share. As we went through the 'buffet' that my mom had placed out, I took a small portion of everthing. I watched Patrick do the same--he skipped the donuts and pastries while I just cut off a bit size piece of each. Our attempts at moderation were successful thus far but it was only 9:00...how much more of this torture must we face?
After church and pictures, playing and relaxing, it was finally time for our big meal of the day. (Wait, what was breakfast considered...?) We had glazed ham, creamy/cheesy cauliflower, creamy/cheesy/bacony potatoes, buttery/cream cheesy/sugary corn, and chinese coleslaw with the dressing already on it. The theme song to Jaws may as well have been playing in the background. I could tell that Patrick and I, who ate lightly for breakfast and then had to wait until almost 2:00 for lunch, were about to eat the table and all its contents and even though we love each other very much, if one of us were to perish in the process--too bad, so sad--more for the survivor. I watched as we passed each dish around the table...PJ and I took small portions of each dish looking longingly at the size of the spoon against the size of our serving. By the end of round 1, we had done well. Our plates were not all the way full but we would get to try everything.
By the time I finished my plate, I was already having an internal battle with myself and I know Patrick was having the same one, "Should I eat more? I know I can eat more and the food is all so good. It's Easter so surely I can eat more, right? Jesus is risen so let's eat another biscuit." By the time I was done attempting to justify my way through another serving of everything, my stomach messaged my brain and told it that I was nourished and not too full. That felt good.
Now comes the part of the story where I take my moderation in moderation. The last dreaded part of this delicious day was dessert. My Lenten promise was no desserts after my big meal of the day which I stuck to throughout the season. So, when my mom pulled out the Nestle Tollhouse Pie with nuts, you can bet I had my plate ready. When she offered whip cream, I took that and when she brought out the ice cream, I took a scoop of that too. Not even an ounce of guilt crept into my soul because I knew that my diet sanity has a lot to do with my general sanity and I would have gone CRAZY if I had done every single little thing in moderation over Easter weekend.
My husband taught me this lesson a long time ago, before we ever started dating and it rings true for many of the adventures in which we have found ourselves. Everything in moderation, including moderation. Truer words have never been spoken. Thanks Patrick.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Power foods or: How I learned to find the logic behind feeling great and going fast
The following events are true and should not be replicated:
Thursday: I went for a fast 85 miler with Lobonc and some SLU Cycling people. I ate a lot during the ride and ate even more afterward. The fatigue I felt after that day was definitely up on the all-time list.
Friday: I played in the garden and lifted heavy things all day. I also ate a lot of cookie dough. Later that evening, I went out for a good friend's b-day party, had half a beer + 2 shots and went to bed around 12:30.
Saturday: Wussed out on the early ride but ended up riding a bit with Lobonc around 10. We stopped at Cafe Ventana for some coffee and pastries (I only ate half of mine). The great thing about today was that I felt TERRIFIC on the bike. I was running out of gears during some of the flatter parts and I hammered the biggest gear I could find while going up the rollers of Geyer and Clayton. After dropping Andy off, I did a race-like effort during the 3+ mile ride back to my house and it felt amazing as well despite a nasty headwind.
During this ride, I kept wondering why I was feeling so great. Not one part of Friday's activities should justify great sensations on the road, yet it happened. Should I try to replicate those activities for next week? Will I eat my weight in cookie dough again? Is feeling "good" a random occurrence, or a carefully planned event that can be replicated? I can't believe that everything that happened yesterday will result in a great day the following morning, so I should probably take the good times when I get them.
Lesson: When it's good, make it great. When it's bad, make it good.
Thursday: I went for a fast 85 miler with Lobonc and some SLU Cycling people. I ate a lot during the ride and ate even more afterward. The fatigue I felt after that day was definitely up on the all-time list.
Friday: I played in the garden and lifted heavy things all day. I also ate a lot of cookie dough. Later that evening, I went out for a good friend's b-day party, had half a beer + 2 shots and went to bed around 12:30.
Saturday: Wussed out on the early ride but ended up riding a bit with Lobonc around 10. We stopped at Cafe Ventana for some coffee and pastries (I only ate half of mine). The great thing about today was that I felt TERRIFIC on the bike. I was running out of gears during some of the flatter parts and I hammered the biggest gear I could find while going up the rollers of Geyer and Clayton. After dropping Andy off, I did a race-like effort during the 3+ mile ride back to my house and it felt amazing as well despite a nasty headwind.
During this ride, I kept wondering why I was feeling so great. Not one part of Friday's activities should justify great sensations on the road, yet it happened. Should I try to replicate those activities for next week? Will I eat my weight in cookie dough again? Is feeling "good" a random occurrence, or a carefully planned event that can be replicated? I can't believe that everything that happened yesterday will result in a great day the following morning, so I should probably take the good times when I get them.
Lesson: When it's good, make it great. When it's bad, make it good.
Friday, April 2, 2010
If You're Catholic and You Know It, Raise Your Hand...
...because this means today is extra un-fun. Normally, I prefer NOT to talk about this but it is diet related so I have decided to bring it up. For many Catholics, today is a day of strict fasting. This means that all of your meals should add up to one normal meal and there should be no snacking in between--not even gum! You should avoid alcohol and meat, except for fish. As I'm sure you've guessed, I love to eat and I LOVE to feel full. That is absolutely not what this day is about and I can honestly say that I stress about it all Holy Week. "What can I eat to make myself feel fuller longer? When I get hungry in between meals, which is inevitable, how can I distract myself? How many glasses of water do you think you'll drink before the end of the day? What am I going to do if I feel like my stomach is revolting against the rest of my body because i am so incredibly hungry?" Really, I've been freaking out since at least Monday!
So here is my menu today:
Breakfast: glass of water, 2 pieces of high fiber bread with peanut butter and slices of banana, V8 juice
Morning Snack: glass of water
Lunch: 1/2 sandwich with lettuce and tuna, raw veggies (green pepper slices, cucumber slices, and baby carrots), an apple and a Naked Power-C drink
Afternoon Snack: glass of water
Dinner: Cafe Napoli--house salad with dressing on the side and 1/3 serving of Penne San Remo (spicy tomato sauce with shrimp, mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, and fresh basil), glass of water
Now, I'm a huge supporter of snacking so my actual meals have more calories than I would normally intake on a daily basis. As I was obsessively planning out my day, I wondered if other people plan out their meals like I do. I always know what Patrick and I are going to have for dinner during the week and I basically eat the same thing everyday for lunch. However, as is evidenced by the nutrition above, planning meals is key to any well-balanced and successful diet. When you are trying to eat better/healthier, you will probably be cutting calories but you want to make sure you leave in the stuff that's important which means you have to think ahead! What a good lesson being Catholic has taught me.
When Patrick got home from his workout last night, he was all smiles. "What are you so happy about? Did you have a good workout?" He responded, "Yeah, I did. I did what you said and lifted and even stayed longer and did some abs. When I wanted to quit, I was like, 'No. You always quit." and I pushed through all the pain." I am so proud of my husband and all of the hard work he is putting into his diet and exercise plan. What was even more important (and impressive) is that my husband, the Big Dipper, managed to eat the hummus I set out for our raw veggies in moderation. I watched in awe as he lightly dipped his green pepper slices and didn't even finish his bowl of chili. When questioned, he said, "I'm full." That aboy Patrick!!! He's doing awesome!
Easter weekend will prove to be a challenge I'm sure but I know he'll pass with flying colors!
So here is my menu today:
Breakfast: glass of water, 2 pieces of high fiber bread with peanut butter and slices of banana, V8 juice
Morning Snack: glass of water
Lunch: 1/2 sandwich with lettuce and tuna, raw veggies (green pepper slices, cucumber slices, and baby carrots), an apple and a Naked Power-C drink
Afternoon Snack: glass of water
Dinner: Cafe Napoli--house salad with dressing on the side and 1/3 serving of Penne San Remo (spicy tomato sauce with shrimp, mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, and fresh basil), glass of water
Now, I'm a huge supporter of snacking so my actual meals have more calories than I would normally intake on a daily basis. As I was obsessively planning out my day, I wondered if other people plan out their meals like I do. I always know what Patrick and I are going to have for dinner during the week and I basically eat the same thing everyday for lunch. However, as is evidenced by the nutrition above, planning meals is key to any well-balanced and successful diet. When you are trying to eat better/healthier, you will probably be cutting calories but you want to make sure you leave in the stuff that's important which means you have to think ahead! What a good lesson being Catholic has taught me.
When Patrick got home from his workout last night, he was all smiles. "What are you so happy about? Did you have a good workout?" He responded, "Yeah, I did. I did what you said and lifted and even stayed longer and did some abs. When I wanted to quit, I was like, 'No. You always quit." and I pushed through all the pain." I am so proud of my husband and all of the hard work he is putting into his diet and exercise plan. What was even more important (and impressive) is that my husband, the Big Dipper, managed to eat the hummus I set out for our raw veggies in moderation. I watched in awe as he lightly dipped his green pepper slices and didn't even finish his bowl of chili. When questioned, he said, "I'm full." That aboy Patrick!!! He's doing awesome!
Easter weekend will prove to be a challenge I'm sure but I know he'll pass with flying colors!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Bananas in Pajamas
Ok, confession. I have trouble with snacking. Patrick was at work last night until 10:00 pm (yeah, I know, right?!?!?!). My class let out early so I got home around 7:00. Assuming he was at the gym, I pulled out the chicken breasts we were going to have for dinner and sat down to work on some homework (and maybe some wedding thank you notes--don't tell my mom that I am STILL working on them) while they thawed. Around 8 when I hadn't heard from him, I started to wonder if he was ever coming home...and more importantly, if I was ever going to get to eat dinner. I decided to start making our salads and prepare our lunches for the next day. So during commercial breaks of "Biggest Loser", I would hop up and chop some veggies and then run back in to watch the show and continue with my work. During all this time, I kept thinking that the last thing I ate was at 5:30 and it was 4 strawberries. By 8:30, I was pretty hungry and by 9:00 when he still wasn't home and I had no e.t.a., I was ravenous moving around my kitchen like those little velociraptors from the original "Jurassic Park" searching for something I could eat and not feel guilty about--and would not add any calories to my day. I tried a mushroom. Not satisfying. I tried some green pepper slices. Nothing. I tried drinking a glass of water. Yeah right. I tried to distract myself by cleaning up my room and putting on my pajamas. At this point, the chicken was on the George Foreman and my kitchen may as well have been a gourmet restaurant because it smelled like heaven in there. At long last, when I knew he would not be home until 10:00, I decided that I should eat a banana. Ok, so it's going to add a few calories to my day but will a banana make me fat? I don't think so. When the evenings are tough and the snack monster attacks, don't be afraid to add a few calories with something nutritious to satisfy your hunger so you don't deprive your body. Your metabolism needs some assistance and it needs fuel to keep going when you are at rest. Lesson: Don't starve yourself to avoid calories.
This morning, Patrick and I got up and did a kettlebell workout. What a great way to start our day. Plus, since we belong to different gyms, it's a rare pleasure when we get to workout together.
Keep it up guys--you're doing great!
This morning, Patrick and I got up and did a kettlebell workout. What a great way to start our day. Plus, since we belong to different gyms, it's a rare pleasure when we get to workout together.
Keep it up guys--you're doing great!
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