NEW YEAR.... NEW ME!

This year, I have a few goals for myself.

• Lose 50 lbs
• Run a marathon
• Run a few other races 10k's/ half marathons
• Conquer my addiction to food-specifically sweets!

I have started off the year great so far! My first weeks back in the game, I lost 6 lbs(or more, I weighin tomorrow) and I am working out 4-6 times a week. I want this year to be a great year. My main goal when starting this journey was to get pregnant. But I am going to try to shift that... and just want to be healthy for me. I feel crappy when I eat the junk and so I want to feel good, want to have fuel for my body, and I want food not to be a struggle for me, especially the sweets. So here we go... 2011: New Year, New Me!

Back in the Game

Well, what a year it has been. As you can see, I have not kept this blog up very good, but want to start journaling again about my running. I had shoulder surgery in October and was just barely released to start running again, so I did 3 miles -walk/run tonight. It felt pretty good and I am just happy to be running. It has been a tough 3 months of no physical activity. I gained a little weight back and just have not been doing very good with anything. So I am determined to get back on the wagon of eating healthy and exercising! If anyone is with me and would like to contribute, feel free! Otherwise, I am going to track my progress on here because I am determined to run a FULL MARATHON!!!! That is my goal! If biggest loser contestants can do it after 3 months, I can do it!! So here it goes....

6 miles

Today it was my goal to run 6 miles... and I did it! It was really tough after 4 miles but I talked myself through it and did it. I was pretty excited because I took off so long from running but each week I have a goal for my long run and it is pretty exciting when I finally meet that goal. I am running a 10 k March 13th and want to be up to 8 miles the week before that, so I am well on my way.

This week also, I changed up my workouts and they have being going pretty good. I am trying not to just run everytime I workout and it went well this week. I am trying to lift weights, lunges, bike, jump rope, crunches, and of course run. If anybody has some fun workouts, let me know. i want to change it every week.

How did you guys do this week?

My January

Aubrey,.... good for you for completing your goals for January! You are amazing! And working out 6 days?!?! Holy cow girlie! You are awesome! Good for you and keep it up!

As for me... I haven't had a great january. Not a bad one but just not a great one. I have lost weigh teach week but not as much as I have wanted to. But I have to not beat myself up about it and just keep going. I have started working out 4 times a week and am really starting to love it. I was in a little bit of slump for a week and a half and that effected me but I am better and trying to just be positive everyday.

I am running 3 times a week plus weight training and then on the fourth day I try not to run. I am getting a little burnt out and so I want to keep loving it so I needed to cut out a running day. And it has helped me so much.

As for eating, it is going pretty good. Just trying to eat less sugar and white flours and it has helped so far.

So that is all of my january. Hopefully Feb. will be better. I have a 10k coming up in March so I am excited about that!

I hope you guys are achieving your goals! let us know!

January Goals Met

So how did everyone do last month? I hope you did amazing and that you are feeling good and sticking with whatever goals you put into place.

Here are my stats for last month: I did a total of 42 miles with 11 days of strength training.

I am going to try to increase my miles this month but we'll see what happens. Just knowing that I am working out 6 days a week is good enough for me. It has brought so many benefits into my life. I've noticed my stress level is down, I feel more confident about myself and I just feel amazing overall.

What's been working for you guys? Have you come across any good books, blogs or recipes that you have found to be helpful?

Recipes

Yummilicius Apple Almond Muffins

Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
2 eggs
1/2 cup applesauce (no sugar added)

5 cups apples, cored, peeled and coarsely chopped

1 cup chopped almonds

1/2 cup craisins (or raisins)

Directions:

Mix together dry ingredients in a medium bowl and set aside. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs and applesauce. Fold in apples, almonds and craisins; add to flour mixture and stir until moistened. Fill greased muffin cups 2/3 full; bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Makes 2 dozen

Cinnamon-Apple Oatmeal

Ingredients:
1/2 cup applesauce (no sugar added)
3/4 cup sugar (Next time I will only add 1/2 cup or less since it was a little on the sweet side for us)
2 eggs
3 cups quick-cooking oats, uncooked
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup milk
1 cup apples, cored, peeled and chopped

Directions:
Combine applesauce, sugar and eggs with an electric mixer on low speed until well blended. Add remaining ingredients except apples and beat well. Fold in apples; pour into greased 8"x8" baking pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Serve Warm

Makes 4 - 6 servings

Smoothies Galore

Just wanted to share this great find from the Library I found. The smoothies are AMAZING and she explains all the great nutrients you are getting from the fruit and added protein you can add. The book has 16 different sections for specific ways of living. From Wellness, to Brain Boosters, to Sleep Enhancers, to Blood Sugar Stabilizers.


I've added some of the recipes we've enjoyed already to my cooking blog so check them out. This book will for sure be one I will be adding to my cookbook collection.

Since others have added what is helping them to stay motivated I made this sign and have it hanging up in my kitchen where I can see it all the time:


It definitely helps when I don't feel like working out or wanting to eat something I shouldn't.