It’s been four months since my initial start to a better me. One week from today, I will be running my first 5k. Over the past four months, I’ve not only increased my running speed and distance, I’ve increased in my strength training, and yoga performance. I’ve lost over 40 pounds and I’m now in a size 10. I feel great.

In order for me to stick with it, I plan out the week. I keep track of my goals, calories and workout. Some people say, “I don’t have time for that.” I can say the same thing. These past four months, I’ve been studying for my MBA. It’s hard, REAL hard, but once you set your routine and stick with it for a month or more, it becomes easier – like second nature.

I try to do something active and push myself everyday. Maybe for 20 minutes, or 30 minutes or 2 hours depending on my time. My schedule changes daily, but as long as I plan it out and write it down on my calendar, I’ll stick with it. I’ve found that pushing yourself to make time is a lot harder than pushing yourself to finish a workout.

Now that my goal of running a 5k is here, I’ve created new goals. I’ve joined a summer league to learn rowing with Three Rivers Rowing Association. Very excited about this – something I’ve always wanted to do. I’ve also started looking into Triathlons and 10ks. I can’t say that I’m in the best shape of my life, but I can say, I’m healthier than I’ve been in a long, long time, and I’m happy for it.

Sunday is going to be here and though I’ve run seven miles, I’m really nervous. This is my first race. I never thought I would ever run, yet here I am. Wish me luck.

It’s never too late to support the research against breast cancer. Please donate to Susan G. Komen. Thank you.

Day 1. Running at 5.0 for 2.68 miles. I didn’t use the incline this time. I actually think the runs are easier around 4PM than 6AM. Unfortunately, I’m not always home at 4. I really wasn’t in the mood to run today, but of course it got easier as I did it. I kept thinking, “Only two more weeks.” My Birthday is coming up soon and I’ve already told the Boy he is taking me to North Park Lounge for a big juicy burger with bacon and egg, cheese fries and some wings. Oh, and I will have a Pepsi and a few beers. Can’t wait to celebrate.

Day 2. Even though it’s the same run as Day 1, I’m not feeling it. I got up, dressed, and seem to have energy but once on the treadmill, I pooped out fast. I still pushed myself but I didn’t increase the speed until the last five minutes. I also don’t like the music as much this week. Not to mention, I have a lot of priorities on my mind today; so that’s probably not helping either. Nonetheless, here I am. I still feel great that I finished.

Day 3. My initial plan was to run Friday,  but I wasn’t feeling too good in the morning. So, I pushed it until today. I also planned to run outside for the first time this season, but I’m not ready to run in the rain. So, I ran on the treadmill, and I’ve officially completely eight weeks of the Couch to 5k. I have only one more week, and better still, I will have finished right before my 44 Birthday. I’m pretty excited.

Side note: Time to start loading up my iPod for my first 5k. What would be good running music?

As always, thanks for your support to the boobies. Donate to Susan G. Komen, Race for the Cure.

INGREDIENTS
1/2 pound flank steak, thinly sliced into strips
2 Tbsp and 1 ½ tsp low-sodium soy sauce
1 Tbsp and ¾ tsp of sugar (I use Truvia)
1 bunch of green onions, chopped
4 gloves of garlic
2 Tbsp sesame seeds
1 Tbsp sesame oil
¼ tsp ground pepper

PREPARATION

1. Mix everything together in the morning, and marinade for 1-8 hours (while at work).
2. Heat grill or skillet or wok on high with cooking spray.
3. Stir in beef, quickly tossing until done (rare, pink, medium, etc). I like mine slightly pink, so I cooked it in a skillet for 6 minutes while tossing the entire time.

NUTRITION
232 per serving of beef. Recipe serves 2.

Tip: I use Steamfresh Green Beans and Brown Rice. I also use the Parkay spray butter to save calories.

This recipe is my version – inspired by AllRecipes.Com

Day 1. I had an event on campus the past two days, therefore, I didn’t run until Monday evening. British Laura said we will no longer be doing intervals of walking and running. After my five minute warm-up walk, it’s straight running. I ran 2.50 miles today. After my warm-up, I felt great. At the halfway indicator, I increased my speed to 4.5, and then to 4.8 the last five minutes.

Day 2. It was the same run as Day 1. I had to push myself. After running for five minutes, even though I felt great, my body slowly declined. It seemed easier on the first day of this week. Since I was already pushing my motivation, I pushed more by adding an incline and continued with the same increases in speed as previously, only this time I went from 4.8 to 5.0. I had to punish myself for struggling with this run.

Side note: It’s been two months with no pop or artificial sweeteners. I no longer have the cravings. However, if someone were to open a can of diet pop and pure it over a tall glass of ice as I watch it sizzle to the top only then to take a long gulp letting it dance on their tongue – I might have a tiny craving.

Day 3. Finished week 7. Only two more weeks to go. I’m really shocked I did this. It took lots of discipline – something I didn’t think I had. I’m looking forward to next week. Bring it!

Please donate to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Thanks for all your support.

Broiled Mahi Mahi with Pineapple Salsa, Steamed Veges and Bhutanese Red Rice all for 345 calories. Yummy!

I only ran 10 minutes each run the other day. Today, my British accented trainer said, “Okay. Today you are going to run for 20 minutes. You can do it.” I thought, “There’s no way.” After a time which felt longer than 20 minutes, she says, “Okay. You’ve run for five minutes.” It usually takes me five minutes to get past the initial shock of running before I can zone out, therefore, I should be okay after this.

Nope! I wasn’t. After 10 minutes of running (which I did the other day) I was still struggling. I couldn’t finish this run. I then realized that I had an incline set. I’m running on a hill the entire time. Duh! I take it back down to ground zero and I start to feel a little better. The British girl tells me I have two minutes left. I scream out in ecstasy. This run was killing me. But I did it. I know I pushed myself because during my cool down walk, my body starts to tingle. WOW! That was awesome. I really didn’t think I was going to make it through this one. It was the toughest by far. I just adjusted the incline and paced it out, and it worked just like she said. I’m a little afraid of next weeks workout, but I’m going to do it.

Side Note: My British Podcast trainer is named Laura; which I find funny because I have a friend who inspired me to start running and is named Laura. Thanks to both.

Thanks again for all your support. I’ve met my goal but the boobies need all the help they can get. Please donate to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

The past month, I’ve been dieting and getting back into shape. Damn, it’s a bitch to get started everyday but afterwards I feel tired and go to sleep. Sleeping very well, I might add. This week scale read 1 something (not going to share) but I’ve lost 17 pounds.  Not that I am extremely overweight; more like chunky in all the wrong places, and way out of proportion. Ok, so it sounds extreme, but that’s how I was feeling.

I’ve started cooking more often. Which, I absolutely love. Yes, I love it! I’ve been using Weight Watchers (WW) receipts; lots of cool tricks to help save on fat and calories; WARNING: not all good, at all.  Recently, I made Apple Braised Chicken, Apple and Carrot Salad and Au Gratin Potatoes. For the WW knowledgeable ‘suffering’ people this is nine points – a filling meal, and very delectable.  Well, the potatoes were “just ok.” Lets face it there is no skimping the Au in Gratin.  I’ll share the chicken and salad receipts at the end, and spare you the potatoes.

Speaking of fat…Alexis, a friend of mine said, “exercise seems to fluff up the fat.” Did you ever notice that? It’s true; right after I exercise my belly is like a “muffin top” (also Alexis’) – hanging over my elastic waistband.  I’m sitting here plugging away on my blog with my belly protruding. Yeah, it’s hot! So why is it, come morning, my belly will be nice and flat (dreaming) but flatter?

Exercise is boring. I need to change it up every 10 minutes. Curves, I thought, seems to have the right idea – do three minutes of aerobics, change to weights, change back to aerobics and so on until you complete the circle. But the routine is still there. I would think this would be boring after twice around, nah once. I wish I could hike everyday after work, or something other than sitting on my living room floor sweating to the oldies.

Don’t get me wrong, I really have been feeling much better. I’m sleeping deeper, more relaxed, and surprisingly very chipper even through the winter blahs.  Not to mention, I’m feeling frisky (that’s for the boy). So, I know eating right and exercise “does the body good.” But I still wish I didn’t have to do it.

Oh yeah, Yoga ROCKS! Yes, I said rocks?

Now I’m hungry!

As promised:
Apple and Carrot Salad
POINTS® Value: 1
Servings:  8

Ingredients
1 large apple(s), red, cored, thinly sliced and then cut into matchsticks
1 1/2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, or less to taste
3 cup(s) carrot(s), cut into matchsticks (many stores sell these precut)
1/4 cup(s) chives, chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp black pepper, or more to taste
2 oz feta cheese, crumbled
Instructions
Place apples in a large bowl and toss with lemon juice. Add carrots, chives, oil, sugar, salt, pepper and cheese; toss to mix thoroughly. Yields about 3/4 cup per serving.

Apple Braised Chicken
POINTS® Value: 5
Servings:  4

Ingredients
2 tsp vegetable oil
1 pound(s) uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast, four 4-oz pieces
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 large onion(s), sliced
2 medium apple(s), firm, cored and sliced
1 cup(s) apple cider
1 cup(s) fat-free chicken broth
1/2 tsp table salt
1/2 tsp ground ginger
Instructions

In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet, warm oil over high heat. Toss chicken with flour in a medium bowl, patting off excess. Place chicken in skillet and brown well on both sides. Remove chicken from pan and set aside.

Reduce stove temperature to low and add onion to skillet. Sauté, stirring often, until onion is tender and lightly browned.

Stir in apples, cider, chicken broth, salt, ginger and chicken. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook for 30 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer chicken, onions and apples to a serving dish.