Yesterday was an awesome day! I got to sleep in a little bit. I made eggs for breakfast (Hubby LOVES when I do that). We were working on a few things and we started talking about the plan for the day. Our day shaped up quickly and we had a plan. I like to plan. I like to know what to expect from my day. Sometimes this gets in the way of having fun days happen, but not yesterday. The plan: Gym, benefit, dinner, movie.

Hubby may or may not have committed to doing a 7K run in March. He asked if I wanted to join him. I thought about it, but decided that that particular 7k wasn't the place for me to walk my first 7k. I would rather do a 5k that is less known, not such a big deal, etc. I would feel guilty taking one of the numbers just to walk, while people that want to run it may miss out. Maybe it was my brain finding an excuse, but I just couldn't commit to it. So anyway, hubby wanted to run and I wanted to do the elliptical, so we went. Our insurance has changed the # of times needed per month to get a discount from 12 to 6. Totally do-able. I am on 4 times this month. At least I can't use the "not gonna get 12 times, so I might as well not go anyway" excuse.

Anyway, I did 2 miles in 30 minutes on the elliptical. This may not seem like much, but I have only done the elliptical 3 times in the past 4 months. I was proud of 2 15 min miles. I was also proud of how high I could get my heart rate and not die. In the past I could get it to the upper 140s, low 150s. Yesterday I actually got it into the 160s/170s. And I felt great. Rather than go by calories burned on the machine or even SP I like to track the time, distance and what my heart rate does. I was able to do two miles in 30 minutes. That was awesome because I used to be able to get 1 mile in 15, but then the second I couldn't keep the pace up. I did it! Yay! Next up, get excited about strength training again. I ordered a couple of videos from Amazon to help with this at home and I plan to do a few free weights/machines on the weekends. Week days when I make there before work I am a bit more pressed for time.

After the gym we showered and got ready for a friend's daughter's benefit. Friend's daughter just finished her last round of chemo. She is 9. We went to help give some money to her medical bill fund. It was fun. We were there for about 45 minutes. Another roll we play is to help support and give her parents someone to talk to. We did that too.

After the Benefit we snuck in a visit to GNC. I was looking for some protein powder to add to a baked oatmeal bar. It was very good, but needed more protein. So I will try that recipe today. I'll report back and then share the recipe if it turns out well. A friend made them but added nuts to add protein. These were good, but really hiked up the calorie count because of them.

Then we went to Kona Grill. One of my very favorite restaurants. I didn't do too badly except hubby wanted to get the banana cream pie for dessert. I ate a bit of it, then looked at the calorie count. Then I stopped eating it. The macadamia and cookie crust was the major factor in the very high calorie count. Overall, it was good, but not worth those calories. I did make dinner fit into my ranges. I got to have sushi and stayed in range. Yay!

Then off to see the Hobbit. The only option was 3D Imax at the theater. Well, we saw clash of the titans in 3D about 2 years ago and that did not work for me. I was a little leery about it, but I think it worked pretty well. I had pretty low expectations of the movie after a few reviews I heard. I was pleasantly surprised then when I found I liked it. I was slow moving, they did have some tangents that felt a little forced/unnecessary, but it was a good movie. I enjoyed it.

I just finished reading This Present Darkness, so I was thinking I needed a new book for night time reading. I think I will re-read the Hobbit and LOTR. I did enjoy them, and then I don't have to try to find a new book. But, I should probably start looking so when I finish these 4 I will have something.

Anyway, holy long blog Batman.

Today's plan is laundry, a cardio workout, get a few groceries, make breakfast bars, and do some homework. And, it's really really cold. I know, January in MN, I shouldn't complain about cold, but the temperature literally dropped 40 degrees yesterday. When we went into the gym it was almost 40 degrees. When we left the gym is was 31 and REALLY windy. There was a wind advisory. The lesson we learned was the weather gets icky when we work out. So maybe we shouldn't. :D When we left the movie last night at 10pm it was 3 degrees. It only got worse overnight.

Anyway, I'm off to start my day. Sorry for the long, rambling blog.