The Beginning of Another New Thing

Well, I am starting January 2016 in a new decade for myself (40 YIKES), prayerfully-a new career tract, and at an all time high weight of somewhere in the 170s. I haven't been on a scale in months and the thought of depressing myself by getting on 1 of the 3 I actually own just seems non-productive. 

It has been a long time since I blogged about my weight loss journey, a long time since I've been accountable, a long time since I've had a plan, a long time since I've been excited about an exercise regime, a long time since I've really done anything other than work and travel.

However, ALL things--rather good or bad--eventually come to an end.

And this is where something new can begin.


Isaiah 43:18-19 NKJV

18“Do not remember the former things,

Nor consider the things of old.

19Behold, I will do a  new thing,

Now it shall spring forth;

Shall you not know it?

I will even make a road in the wilderness

And rivers in the desert."

Double Dense NOW Green Monster

Have you been thinking about a Spike Day or a High Calorie Dense Food that will help you achieve your fitness goals? I sure am right about now. I am really ready to change some things up and get over this plateau already! So, I came up with a protein shake that is super filling, tastes incredible, and packed with energy.

Double Dense NOW Green Monster

Ingredients
NOW Whey Protein Isolate, Vanilla 1 scoop (62g)
Hodgson Mill Flax Seed 4Tbs (26g)
Almond Breeze Unsweetened Chocolate 2 cups (240mL)
Fresh Bananas (190g)
Maranatha PB 4Tbs
Fresh Spinach 6 oz (85g)

Place all ingredients in a blender and process for 1-2 minutes. Add ice cubes, process another minute! Serve cold!

Nutritional Info
via MyFitnessPal
Calories 1054
Carbs 84g
Fat 50g
Protein 82g
Fiber 23g
Sugar 35g

Training for My First 1/2 Mary--Take 2

For my birthday, I started training again for my first 1/2 Mary, scheduled for April 28, 2012 in Nashville, TN. I was foolish 2 yrs ago and tried to train for the Memphis 1/2 Mary in 2 months and re-injured my lower back.

This time, I am taking a different approach to the training schedule. I am offering myself much more time, and I am slowing the pace to hopefully avoid re-injury.

So, this was Week One. I am using Hal Higdon's Novice 1/2 Mary Training Schedule, since I can already run 3 miles with ease. I ran my first 4-miler Friday (01/06), the first one since last September. My entire body is sore, but not so much from running as it was from doing 2 days of BodyRock in a row--esp. my glutes. OUCH!

It was colder during the first part of the week with a wind advisory. I had to triple layer my clothing, add ski goggles and a beenie. I also had the K9s for hill interval training 2 of the days. Friday's run was much easier, as it was 68F outside and the K9s were out of town for the weekend!
I made four miles in 50 minutes and only walked 3 minutes and 20 seconds. My Polar estimated me burning 480 cals, I had to do a double-take!!

I am working Saturday/Sunday and will rest & be ready for week 2 starting Monday!

Happi New Year

I don't make New Years Resolutions. I think they are a waste of time and ridiculous. Also, it breaks the "I'll start Monday" rule I try to live by.

Why wait until Monday?

Why not start right now?

I do, however, have set some attainable goals for the year. Ones that are really just carry-overs from 2011.

2012 GOALS

*Training for my FIRST 1/2 Marathon

(April 28 in the Nashville Country Music Marathon:: 1/2 Marathon)

* Ditch this dreaded plateau that has become a MENACE since July '11

*ABS ABS ABS

* 2012 MFP Breaking the Plateau Challenge

hAPPi hOLIDAYs 2011

The time has come for a Christmas update.

Gracious, I have to do better with this blog!

So, my MIL only wanted desserts brought to the family dinner this year, since she and her sister's were preparing everything else. I searched online for a gourmet treat, but to little avail, I did not find something I loved, so I put a few ideas together and wah lah--

Godiva Double Take Individual Trifles

Ingredients

Chocolate Pound Cake drenched in Godiva Chocolate Liqueur

Butter Pound Cake drenched in Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur

Cream Filling

126 g Mascarpone Cheese

1 small jar Nutella

2 Tbs Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur

Crushed Hazelnuts

Whipped Cream

Fresh Raspberries

Layer ingredients as shown in photo with the crushed hazelnuts on top of the cream filling. Refrigerate for at least 4 hrs prior to serving or overnight.

New Perspective

A couple weeks ago, I decided to change my perspective from losing weight on the scale to concentrating on my core--since I am not losing weight anyway. I bought a medicine ball and a fitness bench to help me achieve the goal of getting my core in a state of visualization! I ordered the 8lb ball from WalMart.com for about $30 USD. The fitness bench I bought is made by Reebok and similar to this one from Amazon.com, but I found mine using Oodle.com for $40 USD.

J and I have been playing abdominal ball with and without the bench almost every night for 2 weeks. My abs stay tight now, which is a great feeling.

Another new thing I am incorporating is a "new to me" website called BodyRock.Tv I cannot say enough good things about this website! I have done 2 of the workouts from the site and already know, I'm going to LOVE using these workouts to strengthen my core.

Zuzana is a fabulous trainer. She goes through each workout in a normal routine, and then gives beginner alternatives to decrease the intensity for the newbies--like myself! At first, I thought 12-15 minutes didn't really seem like that long to do a workout, since I am a runner and have become accustomed to endurance training and hours of cardio. However, once I started doing the reps, I QUICKLY discovered these 12-15 minutes seem like a lifetime!

Much of the SAME!

I have tried to post several times on my blog over the past couple of months, but when there is no change on the scale, it kind of makes posting here somewhat silly to me.

I have been at this plateau for so long {since July} that I feel as though I may never be able to go any further down on the scale.

I did increase my cals by a couple hundred, and I thought that was why I wasn't losing, because i wasn't eating enough--but NOTHING!

I sit in bed this Monday morning STILL bouncing back and forth between the SAME 148-152lbs! {{sigh}}