I Don't Think It's Working, But It's OK

 I'm really getting tired of counting calories and points, it is so overwhelming sometimes. I like the idea of it, but it just doesn't fit with my personality. I have a history of eating issues and getting obsessed with points isn't helping.  I'm thinking that Weight Watchers isn't for me, I think I'm just going to relax and focus more on running and training for my three half marathons. I'm just going to watch portions, stay hydrated, limit junk, and add more fruits and veggies to my diet. I'm going to try and not obsess about weight and focus on getting stronger. I'm going to get all my training runs, strength training and stationary bikes sessions in. I'll focus more on food being fuel.

On Saturday night, we hung out with our college friends and had a great time. We had tacos and two desserts. We made a great Oreo pudding dessert and Aurora made her version of the pig Kit Kat cake:

I wish I would've taken a picture of her version of it, bc it was super cute and delicious! 

Our weekly Saturday run was rainy, wet and cold. It was drastically different than last Saturday bc I felt great during and after my last run....this time, not so much! This Saturday's weather was rainy and 36 degrees and I was soaked to the bone. I had to squeeze all the water from my clothes and my hair. I also collected about an inch or two of water in my pockets. I also felt heavy and out of shape bc I got so out of breath. It just wasn't a great run for me, hopefully next week it will be better. 

I have workouts planned daily except for Friday bc Friday is my rest day. This week, I've got two runs, two strength training sessions, and our Saturday long run which will be at five miles. Our first race is April 14th and it's approaching quickly. I want to be strong and ready to run. 

Urgh, and off subject, but I'm catching up on Biggest Loser and I'm not liking Gina at all. She is super annoying. 

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Bird-a-ful Run

I seem to be back on track, which is great. I weighed in today and down 2.7lbs after last weeks 6.9lb gain.....so, heading in the right direction again. I'm hoping with the half marathon training plan we have I'll be racking up more activity points and be able to lose a bit more weight. I will also be getting my thyroid labs re checked this week, so I might be due for another dose change if it shows I'm still off.

Saturdays Rachel and I headed to Shelley Lake again for our long run. We did our intervals and finished up our four miles in about 58 minutes. I'm surprised I didn't run faster bc there were so many birds! I'm straight up terrified of birds and it seemed like every bird in the city was there....ducks, geese, cranes and even giant hawks. I don't think I've seen so my birds in one place. I can't even tell you the pure terror I feel when I see a pack of Canadian geese.  I took some pictures but, it is kinda hard to see the birds. The hawk was hanging out on the garbage can.

I ate pretty well today and spent most of the day reading bc it was snowy and slushy out. The oatmeal was 8pp and the shrimp salad was 3pp. Not bad.

Other than that, nothing crazy new is going on. I would like to give a shout out to my parents bc the sweatshirt they got me for Christmas came with a hole in it and I had to send it back. They finally got the refund on it and they sent me this:

VERY cool! I love it! Thanks, Mom and Dad! 

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I've Been A Bad, Bad Girl

Yeah, this past week was a major DISASTER!

Yeah, I GAINED 6.9lbs in a week! Disturbing and impressive. It truly shows what happens when I don't work out, eat insane portions and eat crap. I don't think I saw a fruit or veggie (unless you count the pizza sauce I ate) all week. I barely drank any water and I felt sluggish and nasty all week. I gain so fast bc well, duh I ate insane portions but also bc my metabolism is super slow and it's probably due to my thyroid. I did a metabolic breath test at my nutritionist office and she confirmed that my metabolic rate is crap, below average. So, it just means I have to work harder to get the results I want. 

So, I'm training for my sixth, seventh, and eighth half marathon. I'm doing the Raleigh Triple Crown and I'll be doing a race in April, May and June. I really needed a new challenge to get going again. Rachel and I had our first training run on Saturday and it was pretty chilly. We are starting with intervals of 2 minutes walking and 1 minute running. We went to Shelley Lake and did 2 miles nice and easy. 

After the run, we headed to Panera and I got a Breakfast Power Sandwich with egg whites for 7pp and it was great! I LOVE Vermont sharp cheese!  I stayed contently full until lunch time. 

In health news, I got my MRI done on Friday for my 6 month check of the pituitary mass I have and hopefully I'll get the report/results tomorrow. I also got the results from my CIMT tests and I have the arteries of a 28 year old, so that is good to know. Just gotta keep watch on those cholesterol numbers! 

OK, so I've got to do a quick mile run today and then will get my meals ready for the week. The only other plans I have today is watching JT in the Grammy's! I AM SO EXCITED to see him! 

Here's to a successful week!  

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Superbowl Weekend

This weekend was fun, despite Matt being pretty sick. On Saturday, we headed to Chapel Hill for a comedy show that my friend from high school, Nick, was in. It was great to see him after all these years and plus, he's wicked funny. Check him out at: The Other Dude  I really like this picture bc his gigantic hand makes my neck look skinny.

Weight Watchers wise, I did well. I'm down another 1.3lbs bringing me down to 7.4lbs since January 1st. Not bad, but still a long way to go. I worked out for a hour yesterday morning and needed a three hour nap. God, I'm so freaking old. Anyway, I was hoping to reach my 10% loss on Saturday, but hopefully next week. I'm hoping to get back to running soon. I'm thinking of maybe doing another half in April in Raleigh or the Manchester half in November. Anyone feeling like training for a hellish 13.1 mile race? Anyone? Me either. I don't know, it is now February and it's still cold as balls. So, yeah, maybe I'll start in March.

As I'm writing this, I'm watching the Superbowl and the game is nuts. It's not as crazy as the Puppy Bowl, but still crazy. I'm rooting for the 49er's bc well, who the hell likes the Ravens? And am I the only one who wants to punch Ray Lewis in the face? Anyway, it was also my cheat meal and we had steamed baked wings and taco dip. Probably a shitload of points, but totally worth it. 

The last one someone put on Instagram and I found it so funny!

Oh and I tried the new Honey Nut Cheerios and I was impressed with the taste, but it wasn't very filling for 3/4 cups for 3 points plus. Not worth it in my opinion.

Ok, so that's it for now! Hope everyone had a great weekend and that the 49er's can pull a win! 

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Damn You, Ham Biscuit!

Matt and I went to the Canes/Bruins game last night and we had a perfect view of the buffet and the ham. I love ham, pork, bacon, a piglet in a tutu. It is all equally delicious to me. I headed to Bojangles this morning and had my planned ham biscuit for 10 points. Normally, if I would have started out the day with that I would've shot the whole day to hell and ate whatever I wanted. I didn't do that, but I ate a lot more points than I wanted. I haven't gone over my weekly points though. I also was exhausted all day and knew I was going to struggle with my sixty minute workout tonight. I came home and napped for about 45 minutes and FORCED myself on the bike and lift those weights. I did it and pushed through, cursing creatively throughout the hour. 

I have an appointment with my nutritionist tomorrow morning and I'm anxious to see her, I haven't seen her since December. She and I will be going over what are the best choices to make at restaurants, no matter where I go.

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Another Saturday, Another Weigh In

I stepped on the scale on Saturday morning and I was pleasantly surprised that I was down another 1.3lbs and earned my 5lb badge.  So, I lost 6.1lbs in January. Not great, but encouraging. I was so exhausted from working out so much, that I hadn't worked out in four days. I got back on the bike today and lifted some weights for a hour and then napped for two hours! I've decided to do 60 minutes every other day instead of daily. My body isn't bouncing back from workouts like it use to.

I made, with Matt's supervision, two recipes: Weight Watchers Shells (11 point plus) and Weight Watchers Oatmeal Banana Bread (5 point plus).

Here are pictures from the shell recipe:

The shells were good! Very filling, but I would put less oregano in it bc it was super strong!

Here are pictures from the bread:

Bread was decent, but a little dry. My 1 pp butter took care of that though!

It was super icy this past week and we basically stayed in with the dogs.

I have one item to review and that is the Hungry Girl: The Official Survival Guides on two CDs . I got it for about eight bucks on Amazon and I think it was worth it. It had some really great tips and she really isn't annoying to listen to. I will say that I thought she was condescending in some spots and when she mentioned some "bad foods" she made it seems like you were a disgusting person for even wanting fair food or anything considered unhealthy. I'm sorry but a lollipop isn't going take the place of cheesecake on a stick at the state fair. Listen, I'm all about eating healthy, but I'm a firm believer in eating treats every so often.....even if they have fifty grams in it. I'm not saying everyday, but I'm saying everything in moderation. If I want to plan a meal where I eat four pieces of pizza from Pizza Hut, I'm gonna. Most of the time, I plan and get all excited from a cheat meal and then boom! I don't even want it anymore or maybe instead of the four I planned, I'll only eat one or two. I might be full, maybe I don't  even want it, maybe I want a healthier meal or maybe I am actually thinking of all the fat I'm eating. Anyway you want to look at it, it's my choice! My choice is moderation and nothing is considered "bad food", it's just food. If you label it as bad and say that you can't have it....you'll want it! Instead of saying, "I can't have it" say "I don't eat (insert food) much anymore" or "I don't really want that". To me, it makes it seems like MY choice. I don't want to eat it bc I don't really want it, not bc I can't have it. That food becomes forbidden or the Bad Boy, if you will. Whatever we can't have, we want....badly.  

Anyway, that's it for now! Hope everyone has a great week! 

*All opinions in the blog post are my own and I was not in anyway compensated in any way.*

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