You Dirty Dog

It's terrible when winter is so long and cold that you have to wait for a day above freezing to give the dogs a bath. Our two bassets were stinky and itchy and in need of a good clean up. Yesterday it was too windy and cold to go for a walk but it was warm enough to take a bath, get towel dried and hang out in the house. I got off at 4:30, threw dinner together, started laundry and then got both our dogs into the tub. Everyone smells nice and fresh and I think they are less itchy! While they dried out I spent an hour on the trainer and then I finished up my Business Intelligence class and worked on the music for my final project in Innovations. This morning I was 2 pounds lighter!!! Success!!! Now I just have to keep it off. I'm trying to cut back further on my salt so we'll see if that causes a consistent change. It looks like we are gearing up for another snow storm, which means more running in the basement. The Songza and I will have to come to an agreement!

90210 Slumber Party

I realized that I never even talked about my Monday workout I was SO annoyed with the scale! Monday I did Tracy Anderson's Beginner for the first time. I was surprised that it is a COMPLETELY silent workout. She's talking, but there is no other sound and she talks about working out and not watching television, reading a book, etc. Since I much prefer to exercise outside I totally get it! The workout didn't seem hard while I was doing it but my entire body was HOT afterwards and my hip flexors were killing me yesterday. Last night when I got home I changed into spring running clothes (an orange shirt and peachy shorts) and headed down for a run in the basement. The Songza and I are working on our relationship - I started with a 90's dance fest and eventually traded it for a 90210 Slumber Party. I'm not sure why I like to run to a bunch of old Rap and Hip Hop but it definitely keeps me moving. The last two laps the dogs spread out to become basset hurdles. I am going to start incorporating more pictures into the blog. Even though the weight isn't coming off it was cool to wear the spring running clothes because this is the first time they have ever fit - and I bought them 2 years ago!!!!!

Weight Gain and Half Marathon Training

Completely ridiculous I know. I gained two pounds over the weekend and haven't gotten it off yet. I know it's only Tuesday but I seriously feel like I am working all the time!!!! I have read a few articles about weight gain and training and muscle mass and gorging after runs. Using My Fitness Pal has helped a lot with identifying my nutrition goals. My current allowance is 1300 without exercise and then I usually burn 800 or a so a day with my Fit Bit and then a workout on top of it. I think this week I'm going to try to lock down at 1500 calories a day regardless of exercise and see if that will make a difference... so tired of feeling fat!

I Ran FOUR Miles

I know this isn't a big deal for most people training for their first half marathon, but this is the first time I think I have ever run 4 miles without stopping!!!! Friday I got off work early, met Brian for a lunch date, took the dogs for a long walk and rode the trainer for 30 minutes. I did homework too - but that's every day for me! Saturday morning we got up and took care of groceries. I was getting more and more nervous about the run so finally I just put everything on and went for it. I did a Rocktane GU (awesome!!!) before I left and everything went well. In the afternoon we took the dogs for a short walk to pay the gas bill and then spent the rest of the day inside. Sunday morning I woke up to some exertion rhabdo urine so yesterday I took things easier, drank lots of water and ate a lot of protein. As far as I can tell everything is fine! In the afternoon I did 60 minutes on the trainer and watched most of a bad movie. I need to plan ahead for what I want to watch while I'm on there!

I Am Out of Free Skips for the Month on Songza

Yesterday it was warm enough to run outside (44) but we had this freakish snow and ice in the morning and there were 45 mph wind gusts, so I tried out the running shorts again in the basement. Running in our basement has parts that are good and bad. 120 laps equals 2 miles! I pulled up my Songza and flipped it onto the TV. I almost always opt for 90's music or R&B to get moving. Yesterday I used up the rest of my skips for the month and declined to pay the $3.99 a month to have unlimited skips. I didn't bring my iPod down so I spent some time changing the stations. I can say yesterday was the first time I've run to Mariah Carey AND the first time I've ever heard 4 Non-Blondes remixed by a DJ. It was good and I was glad to be done. We had a quick dinner of sauteed zucchini, steamed spinach, cantalope, chipotle salmon and 10 minute farro cooked with vegetable broth. I had a little brain fart while I was cooking and completely spaced making a starch to go with our dinner so I had a plate of veggies and fruit followed by carbs and protein. Brian was gone at church and scouts all night and I finished the last 50 pages of my boring Innovation textbook!!! A little more reading, one more post, two projects and I will be done with grad school!!!!

Veggie Patch Pizza - And a Ride in the Basement

Wednesday is usually my LONG day at work so I closed up the office at 4:30 and while the dogs were outside for their potty break I threw on my walking shoes and a hoody and took them for 3 miles. We didn't run into ANY other dogs while we were out so it was a good experience for all of us. We still have tortillas leftover from graduation so we made veggie patch pizza on flour tortillas. It took care of my pizza craving and got rid of leftover veggies and cheese. I take a half sheet pan from Sysco and place three taco size flour tortillas on it, then spread on pizza sauce (or sliced fresh tomatoes) toppings and a little cheese and toss them into a 400 degree oven for 5-7 minutes. You have to watch them but I like it a little crisy. Last night we topped them with sliced mushrooms, diced red pepper and diced green onion. After we ate I slipped down for a 30 minute ride on the trainer and alternated between "My 600 Pound Life" and a re-run of "The Big Bang Theory" and spent the rest of the evening with my textbook.... which is never as fun as it sounds!

Sock It To Me

Yesterday I did a two mile run in the cemetery. It was sunny and 65 degrees so I put on my favorite running knickers from Nike and a t-shirt and hit the road. On our trip to Minnesota I picked up some running socks to try. I got a pair of Merrill's Running Socks at Mall of America that make my feet SO HAPPY. They are cushioned and have a little compression and are seriously the cats meow. I also picked up 4 pairs at Adidas. The Adidas runnign socks are very pretty but I learned yesterday that they don't come up very high on the back of my heel and since everything is melting, I need something to absorb the splashes to keep my shoe from rubbing. I am going to try them again in "dry" conditions and will test them on the bike to see if they will work well for that. They do have a little extra "support" in the arch so I appreciated that. After the run I took the dogs for an hour walk and then packed up for my very last class in Omaha!!! 10 more days of class work and I will be done with my graduate degree! Even more good news? I broke my plateau and lost half a pound - after hovering at this weight for so long I'll take it!

Breaking a Plateau

I know I have whined about this recently but I am SO stuck!!! I hover back and forth between the same 3 pound range. I have tried more protein, more water, more hot tea, no evening snack, big evening snack, a little sugar, no sugar, longer runs, double workouts, and extra servings of raw vegetables and to no avail. I have now lost 15% of my body fat, so that is lower than it has been in 10 years (which is awesome) but I really want to get rid of some more of this weight!!! I continue to track pretty religiously on My Fitness Pal and have completely bonded with my FitBit. Yesterday I worked 10 hours, raced home for dinner with Brian (grilled chicken, rice, roasted asparagus, and cantaloupe), walked the dogs up to pay the cable bill and the gas bill (60 minutes round trip) and then did 30 minutes of fusion aerobics in the living room. After that I loaded the dishwasher and spent time with my textbook before falling into bed at 9. I wish I knew what to do to get over this hump. I am hoping to try some higher intensity workouts this week, maybe that will make a difference!

A Sweet/Sweaty Weekend

Friday after work I got time to hang out with my best friend Diane and her super sweet pumpkins - they are growing so fast! When I got home I rode the trainer for 30 minutes and then Brian grilled the MOST DELICIOUS ribeye I have ever eaten and we went grocery shopping. Saturday morning I got up and did a few hours of homework and waited for it to get above freezing for my training run. I did 3.1 miles in 45 minutes. When running outside I have to get used to a consistent pace. I started too fast and then struggled in the middle and a little at the end. I haven't run that far all at once since I was pregnant with Erik (20 years ago). After my run I hit the showers and then Brian took me out for Sushi and Crispy Tofu (he knows the way to my heart) and we took the dogs another 3 miles in the afternoon. My legs were HOT by the time we went to bed and I was a little tender Sunday morning. Sunday was more homework (it really ends in 12 more days) and a walk with the dogs through the cemetery in the afternoon. A Wayne State football player died last weekend and it really breaks my heart. He was full of life and opportunity and suddenly snatched from this world by bacterial pneumonia.

Three Desserts Two Workouts

Yesterday I had a lunch meeting at work. I ordered a mostly healthy lunch - baked potatoes with chili, chicken, broccoli and a little cheese. I made sure my plate was full of fiber rich veggies and then I decided I should try one of the butterscotch brownies. They were rich, sweet, chewy and SO decadent. The sugar bugs won and at the end of the meeting I decided I probably needed a lemon/blueberry bar for the road. It was good but maybe not worth the calories the way the brownie was. When I got home from work I took the boys for an hour walk and then whipped up Thai peanut butter tofu (delicious) and kale chips. We had deacons last night and after an hour of laughs I scooped up a chocolate cupcake, got groceries and then went home and ran 120 laps (2 miles) in the basement. By the time we slipped into bed I was over 19,000 steps for the day. My feet are a bit tired this morning but in a good way. Friday and Sunday are supposed to be rest days but I'm thinking some time on the bike tonight will help me to stretch out and unwind.

Ice Cream Treat Night

Yesterday was a STRESSFUL and long day at work. When I got home I tossed dinner into the oven and hit the bike for an hour. It helped a LOT. With getting in more than 12,000 steps and riding for an hour I had a lot of calories left over at the end of the night, so we indulged in a bowl of birthday cake ice cream while I finished my homework. 17 days left of grad school =) Not that I'm excited or anything!

A Weekend Away

Brian and I enjoyed a long weekend in Minneapolis with clothing and shoe shopping, delicious restaurants and visits with Erik on the way up and the way back! I got lots of new running shoes and some clothing to try for my half marathon. Thursday morning I rode the trainer before a meeting at the West campus. Friday morning I got up early at the hotel and did an hour on the exercise bike. Then I got in my 10,000 steps. Saturday morning I did 15 minutes on the eliptical (first time I've EVER stayed on that long) and 15 minutes on the treadmill. We spent the day at the outlets and I got my 10,000 steps EASILY! Sunday morning I jumped out of bed and swam for 30 minutes. It has obviously been too long since I did that since my shoulders and triceps are still a little tender. After my swim we went to brunch at Jax - where Brian proposed 5 years ago - and then to Mall of America where we walked until we were ready to drop. After a quick stop at REI we indulged in Red Lobster and got ready to head back home. Monday night I did aerobics and laundry. This is my first official week on my 12 week marathon training program. Yesterday it was cold, cloudy and blustery so I couldn't imagine running outside and I get super paranoid about the treadmill so I decided to measure our basement and run laps downstairs. 2 miles is 120 laps in the basement. The dogs were VERY confused, my quads are still sore but I ran all but 9 laps and was able to keep my pace at 12 minute miles. Last night was my next to last class driving up to Omaha. It has been fun but I am definitely ready to be done!

Another Night on the Trainer

It's odd, some nights I don't mind riding the trainer at all. I get on, watch tv, text, think about the day and before I know it, the hour is done. Other times I get on and feel the urge to clock watch and count every minute. Last night was enjoyable. I watched some Man Vs. Food in Boulder (one of my favorite areas of Colorado) and then an episode of the Big Bang Theory. The last 10 minutes I was tired but it was a good ride. We got a LOT of snow and wind in Lincoln yesterday. The next few days we'll have another artic blast so my workouts will be relegated to the house.

Hopsin, Roast Pork and a Little Lost Dog

Sometimes my life feels like a bad tonight show rerun! Monday was a CRAZY busy day at work. I left at 2:30, took the dogs for a walk (14,783 steps yesterday) prepped dinner and spent the rest of the afternoon and evening with my textbook. Erik drove home last night to see Hopsin at the Bourbon Theater. He said it was a great show and this morning Brian is driving him back to campus and then driving back to Lincoln. When the dogs and I were out for our walk we met a lost little dog with a leash on. Of course Cache and Roo Roo threatened him, so I tied them to a tree convinced him that I was friend, got him back to his owner and then we were able to proceed. It always amazes me that people will leash their pet and then let them run wild. I guess I'm just over protective!

Life is Too Busy Sometimes

I got behind again!!! Wednesday night I walked the dogs for an hour and then spent the evening on homework. Thursday they were able to go an hour again but it got pretty chilly! Friday afternoon before we went out of town I did what was supposed to be a martial arts fusion but was mostly kickboxing intermingled with dancing around the living room. That will be a one time work out. Saturday was cold and blustery and I worked out shoveling snow for 45 minutes - hopefully my arms will look awesome by summer. Sunday morning was spent at church and in the afternoon I did an hour on the trainer so that I could splurge on homemade pizza last night during the game. Friday night was date night between Blair and Omaha. One of Brian's bankers is a part of the Rotary Club and they had a dueling pianos fundraiser. I ate some of the best prime rib I have ever had, drank too much beer and had nightmares.