My Bottom Jaw Just Hit the Floor

Thursday, March 29, 2012

I'm picking my jaw up off the floor right now.

I had one of these last night to dip my homemade grilled chicken breast in, no harm right?

Guess again. I'm in awe at the number of calories in this tiny container - 110, holy ham. My chicken turned out a little dry, guess I over cooked it [no surprise there] and besides... I don't hold the GRILL MASTER title in my house, the DH does.

I could not believe it, I still can't believe it. I will never DIP again, YEP I'm a reformed dunker - NO more dipping/dunking for me. I've been cured of that by reading the nutrition label. Hidden calories are everywhere. I am so surprised that I have never checked this before, I just assumed it was a max. of 40-45 calories, I mean really...in that tiny container is packed 110 calories with a sodium level that is off-the-chain too. OK, RANT OVER.

After dinner I indulged in an extra long stretching session, the hip was a little cranky after running three days in a row, so I spent extra time on the foam roller and doing some exercises I learned in physical therapy, followed up with an ice pack while I watched American Idol.

I DID NOT get up for my workout this morning, but for a good reason. My workout buddy [sister] was up until 2:00 a.m. studying for a final exam for her nursing class. I know she was so stressed about it and spent all night locked in her room studying. I didn't have the heart to bang on her door at 0430 this morning and blast Reveille from my IPod to wake her up. I know she will ACE the test, she's such a dedicated student and I know she going to make one fine nurse. AND...I will do my round of Kenpo when I get home this evening, since I don't have to cook [plenty of leftover DRY chicken, lol].

Long run planned for tomorrow, shooting for a 7-miler, hoping the cranky hip holds out and that will mean..... I'm back in the game for sure. Hoping to run that second half-marathon soon. So tomorrows run is a test on my ability per say, so cross your fingers. The mind and spirit are gung-ho, just hope the body keeps up.

Today is my Friday, so excited for a 3-day weekend. Big family dinner on Sunday to celebrate my son's 24 birthday and my SIL's birthday, and I get to have the grandson for a sleepover on Saturday night, yeah.


I read on someone's blog about making your treats look appetizing and make then fun, especially since I'm not treating myself to [no-no's] very often. Yes, I was playing with my food....One oreo with a half-cup strawberries, I agree...presentation is everything. [too bad I didn't have a dollop of cool whip].

Happy weekend everyone.

Getting buff NO E X C U S E S.

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Smacking the Snooze Button

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Did I get up and get in a good run at 0430 this morning or did I smack the snooze button

YEP, you guessed it.... I GOT UP, finally. I got up, got a 4-mile run in this morning. Feeling grooooooooovy. .

Getting up an hour early is really hard, and I am hoping to be able to make this a habit. Ok no hoping, I'm GONNA. I love getting in a workout first thing in the morning, it gives me soooo much energy to face the day and I feel great. I even had time to work out the kinks with the foam roller for about 15 minutes after my run, which is a MUST since I have the IT band issue and sore hip. I'm even icing it as I type this blog. I'm erring on the side of caution.

Had a great dinner last night....roasted the left over butternut squash, fresh steamed broccoli and 3 oz of pork loin with a honey/garlic glaze. I love it when my kitchen experiments are a hit, DH was happy because I cooked MEAT, lol.



After dinner I did the SPARK 10 minute ball workout, that was a nice change of pace from running, it was a strength training/core workout. Think I will add that in the mix a couple of times a week. 10-minutes burned 70 calories, not to bad for not having to work up much of a sweat, but my ABS are letting me know that they got a work-over last night.

Started the day with a protein shake for breakfast, eating leftover vegetarian chili for lunch today - packed full of protein so it keeps me full for most of the afternoon - YEAH !!!! Lots of fruits and veggies for snacks. GOSH I love having my meals planned and prepared.

No workout on schedule for tonight since I already got it done, I think I will work outside in the yard, a little cardio lawn mowing - a BONUS !!!! or maybe a little yoga stretching this evening. No running until Friday - got a long run planned so taking tomorrow off, but I'm getting up early for a workout of some kind - maybe a 30-minute Tony or a spin on the bike.

Feeling so great and energized right now, wish I could just exercise all day long.... Did I just say that ????

Getting buff NO E X C U S E S.

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You Put WHAT in the Chili?

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Carrots, kidney beans, black beans, cannelli beans, tomatoes, celery, spices and WHAT THE HECK? butternut squash.

Chef Meg's Vegetarian Chili in the slow cooker was excellent. It had a really sweet, yet spicy flavor and was very filling. I was stuffed after one serving (1 cup) and I had allowed myself 1.5 servings on my calorie tracker, but couldn't eat the other 1/2 cup. The DH didn't really like it, but then again I didn't expect him to, since he has to have his "meat", lol. I will definitely cook it again, so I can have a lot of leftovers. I have about three servings left, so I am having a bowl for lunch today, YEAH, and I will have two to freeze for a later time, makes for a quick meal.

This just goes to prove that.... I'm a tried and true SPARK fanatic/addict, you know you've totally changed your lifestyle when vegetarian chili with butternut squash excites you...and when you look forward to a terrific 5-mile run/calorie burn tonight.

Getting buff NO E X C U S E S.

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Happy Monday Ramblings

Monday, March 26, 2012

Hope everyone enjoyed a super weekend, not much to tell here. It was rainy all weekend, so I took a relax day yesterday - stayed in my jammies all day and watched movies...The Notebook, The Last Song, Puss in Boots, and Jack and Jill. I had seen The Notebook before but such a wonderful movie and omg, I had to break out the box of tissue for The Last Song, I was bawling like a baby. Puss in Boots was excellent, can't say I really liked Jack and Jill too much, I'm not much of an Adam Sandler fan, but I was in the mood for a comedy after the sappy, chick flicks, hee hee.

See I told you it was a lazy day, but I did prepare dinner for tonight yesterday, and get healthy lunches for the week packed, woo hoo, but that was about it.

The dinner I prepared is a new SPARK recipe... Chef Meg's Vegetarian Chili, featuring some butternut squash [one of my new fav veggies] - so we will get the official taste test tonight and rate this recipe. [DH is less than thrilled about trying this, lol, but he can always fix himself a sandwich if he doesnt like it] Have to eat in a hurry, dog has a vet appt tonight. Sheesh, gonna be a crazy, busy day.

Lunchtime run on schedule today, providing my horrible heart burn goes away, feeling pretty horrible at the moment, but hoping it will pass soon.

I have a busy week planned, my workout buddy is back and available for early a.m. workouts, starting tomorrow.... 0430, 3-5 mile run on schedule.

Quote I saw this morning on a friends FB page....

"Everyone wants to be in great shape but not everyone wants to get in shape".

Simply put and so true, so many are not willing to do what it takes and that's what sets us apart from others - we've got the SPARK and we're not afraid to use it.


Getting buff NO E X C U S E S.

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The Healthy Way

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Thought I would post a pic of the healthy items I picked up at the grocery store for my lunches the rest of this week. It's all healthy - NO MORE JUNK.


We did have an ice cream cake for one of the guy's birthday yesterday here in the office, but YOURS TRULY did not have a piece, I just licked the spatula, lol. I'm being good.

Getting buff NO E X C U S E S.

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