5 2012 NSVs

Saturday, December 31, 2011

This week's WW meeting got me thinking about non-weight related goals for the new year. Cause let's face it: my scale doesn't always show me what I want to see - but often there are victories that have nothing to do with the scale.

1. Improved HM time

It sounds like a no-brainer, 40,000 runners & a night race really slowed me down. But the next race has the potential to actually be warm - it could be cold, but is more likely to be much warmer than I'm accustomed to running lately & there really isn't much I can do about that.

Time will tell.

2. Fit comfortably into unworn jeans in my closet

There are only a couple of pairs, but they've been taunting me for 2 years. I've managed to fit into 1 pair that was taunting me, which just proves to me that you don't necessarily have to see a smaller number on the scale to see a smaller jeans size.

3. Do more ST

This kind of goes with #2.

More muscle = less flab = more strength to run. Not to mention simply looking better.

4. Incorporate 3 mostly-clean eating days per week

Right now I'm shooting for 2 per week.

5. At least 2 dessert-less nights per week

I can still have a snack after dinner if I want one, but it can't be something sweet.

The less sweets you eat, the less sweets you crave.

What NSVs would you like to see in 2012?

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

PCOH051610 1/2/2012 4:41PM

These are great NSV goals! I will have to think about mine. Probably first and foremost would be to track my food! Why do I struggle so much with that one?! Report Inappropriate Comment

DDHEART 12/31/2011 1:40PM

Well, our NSV's are very similar! 2012, here we come! Report Inappropriate Comment

NATPLUMMER 12/31/2011 12:43PM

Great NSVs!! Report Inappropriate Comment

Where there's a will, there's a way

Friday, December 30, 2011

No, I'm not talking about will power. I started to think about my nephew saying that he couldn't run 13.1 miles. About my sister, the athlete, saying that trying to run once was one times too many for her. About my mom saying she could never run that far.

What is the common theme here? They don't want to. If they wanted it badly enough, they would at least try.

We make time for the things we really want to do. We even make sacrifices for it.

Every time we skip a workout or eat something we know won't move us in the right direction or stay up too late we are making choices. We want something else more than we want permanent weight loss.

What do you really want from 2012?

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

NATPLUMMER 12/30/2011 1:55PM

What do I want....to be running all year injury free!! Report Inappropriate Comment

FREELADY 12/30/2011 10:13AM

What do I want more? (Sober silence) Your words are going to stick with me! Sometimes during extra-tough workouts or a miserable run, I say on the exhale, "I WANT this. I WANT this." Report Inappropriate Comment

SLIMMERJESSE 12/30/2011 10:09AM

Running isn't everyone's cup of tea. Maybe they're happier doing other things.Their comments about not being able to run may be their way of complimenting you for your HM. Report Inappropriate Comment

SKINNYPOWELL1 12/30/2011 8:11AM

Soooooooooooooo true. "Can't" should not be in anyone's vocabulary - what they really mean to say is "won't". I have so many friends that say I "can't" lose the weigh but really they are saying "I don't want to try". That's what sets us SPARKERS apart from others - WE CAN and WE WILL. It's all about the ATTITUDE. Wishing you the best in 2012 - it's our year to sizzle and shine. Report Inappropriate Comment

The way my day was supposed to go . . .

Thursday, December 29, 2011

I was going to post another almost clean-eating day blog, since people seem interested in what I'm eating.

So the day started off just fine:

1 cup cooked oatmeal + 1 tbsp dark chocolate chips

Snack: popcorn

And then it veered a bit of course when I decided to buy Stacy's gingerbread pita chips. What was I thinking? Oh yeah, I was thinking they could be dessert on new year's eve. As if they would last that long . . . I actually opened the bag to try one before thankfully putting all the groceries in the trunk.

Then as I let the dogs out, put away the groceries & got lunch into the toaster oven I continued to munch away. I even entertained the idea of making them lunch with some yogurt, but I came to my senses.

Lunch:
1/2 cup brown rice
1/2 cup black beans (yes, actually like beans)
1/2 salsa
1 oz gingerbread pita chips

I guess I'll count them as 1 1/2 servings when all is said & done, even tho I suspect they were more.

Dinner is some clean eating chili that's already in the crockpot. Plus 1 Adora (dark chocolate calcium supplement) & 1 daily wellness (dark chocolate multivitamin).

Moral of the story: if you don't want to eat it, don't bring it into the house (and no, that doesn't mean eat it all in the car before you get home!). And especially don't buy tempting things when it's past your normal meal time & you know you have more to do before you can eat

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

PCOH051610 1/2/2012 4:44PM

I totally agree with your way of thinking that you shouldn't bring food into your house if you don't want to eat it! Unfortunately I did go overboard buyng goodies for Christmas and ate something sinful every night. Usually I refuse to buy the stuff because I know I have no willpower if it is in front of me! Report Inappropriate Comment

SLIMMERJESSE 12/29/2011 5:41PM

I'm smiling as I read your last paragraph. As usual, you are inside my brain. Just yesterday I said to myself, "bottom line... your willpower for certain things means not having them at home." And I said this in my vehicle as I finished the delish stuff before I got home. Thanks for being a great reminder person and for reading my mind once again. (smiling) Report Inappropriate Comment

FREELADY 12/29/2011 4:17PM

I am so fond of beans & rice! Will have to try salsa with it. Report Inappropriate Comment

KANSASROSE67 12/29/2011 3:56PM

Sounds like you recovered with minimal damage! I'm going to QUIT buying pita chips because I just cannot resist them. It's weird, because I don't care about potato chips at all. I've never come across gingerbread ones, and that's probably a good thing! Report Inappropriate Comment

NATPLUMMER 12/29/2011 2:15PM

I agree with that moral. It's certainly my problem. Report Inappropriate Comment

CRAZYDOGLADYBO 12/29/2011 2:01PM

Great advise! Report Inappropriate Comment

HALFFAST 12/29/2011 2:00PM

Amen! I can't wait til all the Xmas/holiday cookies and junk are out of the house so I can get back to normal! I've gained 5 pounds over the holidays :( I've decided that instead of waiting til January 1st to get back on track, I'm doing it tomorrow! Whatever crap is still in the house will go into hubby's stash (out of my sight) or in the trash! Happy New Year Judy and thanks being for being such a great Spark friend! Report Inappropriate Comment

NSV: a time for everything

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Eating healthy doesn't mean you have to give up all the foods you love - but you will have to give up some of them, some of the time.

Yesterday we met my parents & my sister & her kids for lunch. But let's back up just a bit first . . . I've been trying out classes at the rec center. So I went to a 9:15 class - I really wanted to get a good workout in since we'd had a rich meal Monday night & I knew another rich meal was possible.

Good class . . . my inner thighs are protesting today. For my first HM I really concentrated on the running . . . I wanted to make sure I was capable of running 13.1 miles. Oh, I still did my ST, but sometimes I had to choose running over ST. The end result was a small gain & a fluffier body.

Now that I know I CAN run 13.1 miles, I want to see if I can tone more while still getting the training in. And now I have the resources available to me at the rec center, too.

So I did the class, topped up the gas tank, got home, walked the dogs (at least DH filled the kongs for me) and we were off. A slightly longer drive than we anticipated. We didn't have reservations, the restaurant was packed; we didn't sit down to eat until almost 2 pm.

There really wasn't much in the healthy eating category & it was a chilly day for a salad. I chose a pesto tomato panini - good, but a LOT of cheese. I got a side salad instead of sweet potato fries (I did have maybe 3 of my mom's sweet potato fries).

Everyone except myself & DH ordered dessert. I had one taste of my parents' chocolate explosion & one taste of my niece's apple crisp.

If this had been my only big meal, probably would have ordered a dessert & the sweet potato fries. Nothing wrong with an occasional indulgence. Remember, tho, I'd had prime rib & latkes the night before.

It's all about balance. Sometimes indulging is the right thing to do - it can actually make healthy choices easier when you know nothing is off the menu. And sometimes you have to give up something to get what you REALLY want: those last few pounds gone. The peace of mind knowing your clothes fit. The pride of knowing that you no longer mind having your photo taken.

I am especially proud that when I was craving something sweet after dinner, I chose an apple instead of a cookie. I was still truly hungry & that app,e totally satisfied me - the cookie probably would've led to 2 cookies.

A little side note: it still surprises me how impressed people are that I ran 13.1 miles. I did my baby steps in training, slowly worked my way up to it, and as I'm quick to point out, when you run as slowly as I do, it really isn't all that hard.

But even my strapping 6 ft tall nephew who runs like 8 minute miles was impressed. He didn't think HE could run that far (even tho I'm quite sure he could if he wanted to).

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SKINNYPOWELL1 12/29/2011 1:46PM

Good job on the "bites" of dessert and chosing the apple, sometimes the right choice isn't the easiest, but knowing those jaans fit better sure helps in that department. You continue to inspire me and I love reading all your blogs. I'm lucky to have you as a friend. Hoping 2012 will be filled with SPARK !!! and remember, this is our year to shine and sizzle. You're gonna rock those half-marathons, can't wait til I can run again too. Report Inappropriate Comment

FREELADY 12/28/2011 7:41PM

Your narrative brings concretely to me the reality that I can continue in a life pattern of mindfulness and moderation, shifting specifics to address current goal focus. Applause for sensible planning and choices! I also enjoy hearing about new ideas. Your blog drove me to look up what a Kong is. Fascinating! Report Inappropriate Comment

NATPLUMMER 12/28/2011 10:53AM

Yay for some ST!! It's hard to resist a few sweet potato fries ;-) 13.1 is an accomplishment. I'm very proud of you :-) Report Inappropriate Comment

LJCANNON 12/28/2011 10:53AM

Congratulations on all you have GAINED on this Journey!! Report Inappropriate Comment

JANETRIS 12/28/2011 10:31AM

I enjoyed your blog! Congrats on working your way up to a half marathon! The last two weeks of December are a challenge. We have goodies all over the house and the eating/party opportunities are everywhere. I'm going with the flow and trying to keep my workouts in tact to counteract the goodies! Best of luck with your 2012 goals and your running! Report Inappropriate Comment

Still fighting the good fight

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Just been busy!

Despite waking up & not feeling that hot Sunday morning - mild sore throat - I headed out for my long run at the park. There is a new trail I'd like to try out, but I knew there'd be people at the park despite the holiday.

There weren't a lot, especially at the start, but there were some. It was Cold with a capital C. Even to it said it was 30F by the time I got home, the weather app did say the windchill made it feel in the teens - and it sure did. I was fine except my lower half from my butt to my knees - almost wore long johns & foreskin regretted that I didn't.

Tuesday's night run showed me with 13:30 - we stopped to walk a few times trying to figure out where to go - but remember that was also the run where I couldn't keep up & thought I would die. Sunday's run showed just under a 12 mm. It didn't feel particularly difficult & I took my usual walking breaks. I've no idea what pace I really run at!

I had to start Sunday's run earlier than I wanted to because DH wanted to go to the movies - first time in a yr so I couldn't pass THAT up! We saw Warhorse - very good, but a real tearjerker. DH said that was that day's hannukah gift, which works for me.

Yesterday we had our one of the neighbors we're friendly with over for dinner. Prime rib, latkes & a melange of veggies I threw into the slow cooker with a sauce of some olive oil, Dijon mustard & agave that turned out quite well. Must remember to experiment more with veggies in the slow cooker. Dessert was chocolate dipped strawberries & creme brulee from Clean Eating magazine.

Today we're meeting my parents for lunch at a town that I thought was halfway between us but turns out is a little closer to them than to us. Oopsie. Then, quite frankly, I'm looking forward to a few days of normal eating. I kind of want to go out to dinner new year's eve (early! I don't stay up to midnight) because we didn't go out to eat at all last week.

Today I'm going to the rec center for an early class, come home & walk the dogs, fill some longs then gotta leave. It'll be a busy morning.

Tryingto decide whether to do the 3 1/2 mile race new year's day or my long run, or to do my long run the day of new year's eve . . . decisions, decisions.

What are you getting up to?

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

FREELADY 12/27/2011 5:55PM

I enjoy your blogs. Your activities are interesting & your writing is so interesting. Report Inappropriate Comment

CRAZYDOGLADYBO 12/27/2011 3:00PM

Ok that is COLD! Sounds like a great week. I can't wait to see Warhorse. Report Inappropriate Comment

ON2VICTORY 12/27/2011 2:31PM

need to make some decisions for 2012, way to get the run done in the cold.. being able to intuitively know what exactly to wear on a cold run is an art. there are times I got it right and it worked really well then there are times I over dressed and wow was I miserable, sweaty and even colder in the end. way to keep active during the holidays.. :) Report Inappropriate Comment

NATPLUMMER 12/27/2011 1:30PM

Glad you got your run. That is COLD. We wimps decided to do treadmill runs on Sunday because it was 28. Yay for a movie. Sounds like a nice dinner. Have a good lunch. Yes, it is nice to get back to normal eating. Report Inappropriate Comment