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Thursday, November 24, 2011

Turkey Trot 2011

My first race EVER was a Turkey Trot 2 years ago.  What a difference a couple years makes.
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2009

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2010 (7 degrees and I froze! I averaged 11:17 min/mile this year.)
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This morning 2011! I ran 3.7 miles in 33 min or less.  The Garmin says 33 min exact and the time keepers told me 31:15 min.  Either time is great. At 33 min it is exactly 9 min/mile and for this race I’ll take it! If the time was 31:15 then I averaged 8:44 min/mile also a great time. The first 3/4 miles you gain 100 feet. That is a tough way to start!  I pushed myself so hard to not slow down or walk and I did it.  I have only had one slow 4 mile run since the half marathon nearly 4 weeks ago so I was worried as to how well I could do but I am really proud on myself! I am so thankful for a very strong healthy body that I’ve worked so hard to have!!!
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The beautiful valley that I live in and the perfect place to run a Turkey Trot! It was a beautiful sunrise this morning.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Inspired By Laurel

Several moths ago I came across a blog by a woman who was also struggling with weight loss and working on becoming a runner.  I was so inspired by her strength and determination!  We started commenting back and forth on each others blogs and have created a "friendship". I did not know much about this woman past the feelings of her heart that she expressed so beautifully.  She could put into words how I felt so perfectly. 

Well this weekend I got to meet for a brief second my friend Laurel in person and give her a quick hug. Laurel is an amazing woman!  She is an author and an inspirational speaker but most importantly she is a woman of faith, courage and determination!  She inspires me to continue on my journey.  She has overcome and continues to overcome the impossible and is doing things that she KNEW she couldn't do.  Thank you Laurel for sharing your most vulnerable parts of your soul with me and the women of Time Out For Women.  You have changed me for the better! To experience what I did this past weekend go to  www.tofw.com and see if Time Out For Women is coming to a city near you.

Friday, November 11, 2011

A New Week

This week I have been going to workout at MaryAnne Holtz’s Studio.  I have gone all 5 days at 5:15am. MWF is bootcamp and TTh is toning.  I am loving it!  I feel so strong and so ready for the day.  I am getting so much more accomplished and getting to bed early has been no problem for me.  I am determined to do this through the winter months.  I am still doing a shortened evening workout at home and Fridays I go to a kickboxing class as well.  I love to exercise!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

New Cookie Recipe

012Guilt Free Oatmeal Cookies Recipe created by Becky Jones
2 cups oat flour (blend up oatmeal or oat groats)
2 cups regular oats
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
Mix all ingredients together and drop by teaspoons full on to lightly sprayed cookie sheet.  Wet fingers with water and gently press down tops of cookies.  They will not spread. I could fit all 48 cookies on my round stone at one time. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 min. Only 38 calories each and so delicious! 
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 15 g
Amount Per Serving
Calories
38
Calories from Fat
5
% Daily Value*
Total Fat
0.5g
1%
Trans Fat
0.0g
Cholesterol
0mg
0%
Sodium
12mg
1%
Total Carbohydrates
7.3g
2%
Dietary Fiber
0.8g
3%
Sugars
2.2g
Protein
1.0g
Vitamin A 0% Vitamin C 0%
Calcium 1% Iron 2%
Nutrition Grade C+
* Based on a 2000 calorie diet

Nutritional Analysis

Good points

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

My Thoughts Today

Life is going really well but it still has ups and downs.  I wish I always felt wonderful and happy.  I have been in a little bit of a slump this morning.  I decided to join the biggest loser group that I was supposed to be "inspiration" for but it is stressing me out! I worry every Tuesday all day long that my weight will go up tonight when I weigh in.  This "biggest loser" is very different from the competition I was in and I don't really like how it is set up.  I am so conflicted.  I won the weekly prize the first week I joined.  It felt great but the other ladies need this more than me.  I joined to get my eating back on track which it has done to a certain degree but I don't like hating Tuesday and fearing weigh-in.  What to do?
I want the women to really desire change and put all their effort into losing weight. Sadly many of them just aren't really ready and are halfheartedly going through the motions. I know how hard that is but many of them just don't want it bad enough.  If they only knew how huge the rewards of living a healthier life are. There are a few women who are doing AMAZING and I am so impressed with the weight loss and changes they have made.  They remind me of me when and had the fire under me to change.  I love my new life even if I am not at my lightest weight I do feel and I am the strongest I have ever been. I am so conflicted as to what I need to focus on right now in my life. 
I really enjoyed running the race Saturday and loved how great it felt to run fast and feel like a real runner but how important is that to the grand scheme of life?  I feel so selfish when I take any time away from the family for myself.  How did I get back to this point?  I need to figure this out.  I love the feeling of running and fear I've had my last run till spring with the snow today.
So much on my mind....  I think a lot of it comes with the financial stress with Christmas coming. We always have what we need but add in presents for 5 kids and money doesn't go very far.  We always provide a nice modest Christmas but with my boys getting older our previous spending limit won't buy them anything on their wish lists.  I guess I better start hunting for deals or gift cards might be a lame present but they might have to do. 
Now to figure out how to get rid of stress eating and just be content all the time and I'll have it made. I'm looking forward to a second workout tonight while watching "Biggest Loser".  The contestants really help me remember where I have come from and that I can keep going even when I have set-backs.  Weight struggle does not define me but is forever a part of me!