Workout Weekly

This week has been rough for workouts and eating. The kids have been all over the place and the oldest offspring was gone the first half of the week. That's when I realized that my workouts and run times at home are really babysitter dependent. Between no sitter and the heat, I was just out of luck this week. Everything had to be done at the gym.

Sunday - 1 hour yoga and 4 mile run
Sunday was my brother's birthday, so I did have one of these.  I needed the run! These could easily be the best cupcakes I've ever had and I LOVE cake.

Monday - off
Tuesday - off
Wednesday - 1 hour of yoga

Thursday - 1 hour workout; 25 min hill work on the treadmill. 35 min of other stuff
Treadmill hill workouts don't even come close to the real thing. Just another reminder that Colorado was awesome!
 

Friday- off
Saturday - 1 hour yoga with my fave yogi and the almost 5k electric run (more on that later)

The other rough part is since everyone was gone most nights this week, I didn't cook too much. So it's been sandwiches and tuna almost every night this week. On normal weeks, having sandwich or tuna occasionally isn't too bad. But over the last 2-3 weeks, it seems like that's my primary meal. (I know I have said before I'm not very creative when it comes to food).

I have been craving cooked food, so I grilled pork chops last night just for me. Those were the best pork chops EVER! Surprising how that works. My goal next week is to cook more and have "planned overs" because no one really likes leftovers. It's also going to be another week without a babysitter, so I'll need to get creative.

We'll see how it all works out for me.

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Happy Wednesday!

It's all about moderation this week. Both food and exercise. How are you moderating?

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

Working through injury

I started this post by keeping track of the workouts because I need to be held accountable, but by Tuesday, I thought I was headed for a disastrous workout week. I had a pretty good start:

Sunday - 1 hour of hatha yoga
Monday - 1 hour of hot vin yoga

Tuesday was supposed to be a run day. I was looking forward to getting in 3+ miles after I visited the sports med guy. I haven't seen him in over a week and my ankle and IT bands are in pretty bad shape. Lets be real, the sports med guy is necessary in my world; it takes my body forever heal. He's still working on my ankle injury from December. Now seeing that I'm always abusing some part of my body, I'm quite certain it'll never heal.

So after my visit on Tuesday, I headed home to wait until about 7:30p to run. It's just so freaking hot before then. But as I was walking around, deciding on dinner, getting changed, all the normal stuff I do, I realized my hamstring and ankle were aching; more than normal. There were several things I was looking forward to doing throughout the week that would not be possible if I pulled a hamstring or inflamed my ankle again. So I decided to take the day off... which means I took 2 days off because of Wednesdays schedule.

My control freak brain moved directly to.... 2 days off....oh no.... what happens if I take 2 days off in a row. Taking two days off in my world is not normal if there's not a compelling kid reason (like sports practice) I kept telling myself that my body says "take the day off," and I encourage everyone to listen to their body. So I tried to take my own advice.

I feel confident now to say this is my lifestyle, and I enjoy it. This is not fad or a passing whim I'm going to get over. But even knowing and having confidence in that, I still worry about back sliding too much. I'm wondering if I'm the only one?

After taking my two days off, I was feeling much better. I really needed the rest days. On Thursday I got to work out on a Power Trail in Colorado. I did 4.5 miles in the hills. Being from Houston where everything is flat, that's an accomplishment. And I got in another 2.5 miles on the Power Trail and a yoga workout on Friday. Saturday was a travel day.

I still haven't figured out how to rotate these in the blog. Yes, I suck.

I was really worried about the week being a fitness failure, but it turned out to be a "better than average" week with the power trail. I did all that control freak fretting for nothing! Overall, its good to listen to your body. That is one of the many things that yoga has taught me. (That, and not everything has to be a competition). I am really pleased with how this week's workout turned out!

What do you do when you need to have a rest day, and you don't have a compelling reason?

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Weekly workout

It doesn't seem like I put in a lot of mileage this week, but my legs are feeling like jello. I'm blaming it on the heat is here. It's been well over 95F+ this week. Adjusting to the heat is pretty rough the first few weeks of summer. By the time August rolls around, I'm better and do less whining about the heat, but initially it's pretty rough.

So here's my weekly recap:

Sunday - 4 miles
Monday - 3.5 miles. Tried out a new park. Well, it's really several soccer fields with an asphalt track around it, but it was a nice run and mostly shaded. (which is critical for an afternoon run in Houston)



The new park, um, soccer fields

Tuesday- off
Wednesday - 1 hour of yoga with the new guy. He's definitely got potential.
Thursday - 25 minute bike ride at the gym then a 40 minute workout. (this is push ups, planks, plyometrics, all kinds of crazy stuff)
Friday - off
Saturday - 5 mile run and 1 hour with my fave yogi.

Keep working and holding yourself accountable.

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Recipe Share - Spaghetti Aglio

I have told you before, I shamelessly steal my recipes from anywhere and everywhere. I do not have a creative bone in my body when it comes to food, so I'm always scouring for new ideas. 

 

I like to give credit to the folks I steal from. I got this one from YUMsugar. They show it as a vegan recipe. I am not a vegan - or even a vegetarian for that matter. I plan on adding chicken or shrimp to my version, but this is an easy, light, healthy summer meal to share.

 

Spaghetti Aglio, Olio, e Peperoncino

http://www.yumsugar.com/Spaghetti-Garlic-Olive-Oil-Chili-Flakes-21398824/

 

Ingredients

7 ounces of spaghetti
2 large or 3 small garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons of chili pepper flakes
1/4 to 1/3 cup of extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper

 

Directions

The measurements in this recipe can be shifted depending on your taste preferences.

1. Cook spaghetti according to the directions on the package, until it is al dente.
2. Strain spaghetti and place in a large serving dish.
3. Add minced garlic, chili pepper flakes, olive oil, salt, and pepper, and mix together well.
4. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Serves 2 to 4.

Happy Eating.

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Happy Wednesday!

Enjoy the day. Do something for yourself.

 

 

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

 

 

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Weekly work out take 2

I'm still trying to hold myself accountable for my workouts. During the week, I try to squeeze in as many workouts and runs as possible; I know there are going to be days when I just can't cram it all in. My kiddos have so much going on, in all different directions, that my rest days are really just chasing kid days. Last week this is what my exercise regimen looked like.

Sunday 1 hour yoga class

Monday 4 mile run and 1 hour of yoga with the psycho cheerleader (she's awesome)

Tuesday - off - Kid running around
Wednesday - 3.3 miles. FREAKING HOT!
Thursday - Off - Kid running around
Friday - 3.3 mile run and 1 hour of yoga with the new guy. (He's got potential.)
Saturday - 1 hour of yoga with my favorite yogi. Always kicks my butt.

I have a standard running route in the 'hood that's 3.3 miles. I know I can run it in 31 minutes or less, depending on the heat. You'll see that number a lot, mostly because it's easy for me to knock out.

I also realized that if I'm going to do a triathlon this year, I better get back in the pool. I'm pretty sure that twice in the pool is not going to cut it. Even for a sprint tri.

Keep moving everyone!

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Taco Night - no prepackaged seasoning needed

We've all heard that prepackaged seasonings are not good for you. Typically they have too much sodium and other preservatives. But I am terrible at figuring out what is in them to make an alternative. Usually if I try, its an epic fail (as my kids say); so I'm always looking for some help.

We LOVE tacos, and I stumbled on this from Skinny Ms. to mix up for taco night

Skinny Ms. Taco Seasoning

Ingredients
 

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried minced onion
• 1/2 teaspoon dried minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried cilantro
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Combine all ingredients and store in a glass jar with a lid, away from heat, light and moisture. Double recipe and have on hand for more recipes.

Enjoy taco night.

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Clean Eating

 

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Happy Running Day!

Good times in stretchy clothes! A run in my new Athleta running shorts is on tap for later today!

 

HAPPY RUNNING DAY and HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

Recipe Share! BBQ Chicken Pizza

BBQ chicken has to be my favorite pizza without a doubt. If restaurant has a BBQ chicken pizza, I'm going to try it. So it's no wonder why I gravitate to this recipe for my latest recipe share. Pinch of yum is my "go to" blog for all kinds of good food.  I usually tweak things here and there on her recipes to make them work for us, but who doesn't do that?

If you check out her version, she uses a cauliflower pizza crust. Admittedly, I'm not up to trying that just yet. I'm sticking with the flat bread version. She also has a whole wheat crust. I've put that recipe below too, in case you like to make your own. (Whole wheat sounds a little more interesting than cauliflower...)

BBQ Chicken Pizza

Author: inspired by Good and Fresh Magazine and pinch of yum

Flat bread (2 pieces)

½ cup barbecue sauce

1 cup cooked, grilled chicken (I used 1 chicken breast)

¾ cup shredded Mozzarella cheese

thinly sliced red onions

fresh cilantro

1. Set the oven or grill to about 400 F. (Grill worked AWESOME)
2. Put the flat bread in the oven or on the grill and let it toast for about 2 minutes depending on thickness.
3. While crust is toasting, coat chicken with barbecue sauce. 
4. When the crust is lightly toasted, remove. 
5. Put a thin layer of BBQ sauce on the crust and thin layer of cheese
6. Top with barbecue chicken, cheese, red onion, and the rest of the cheese. Bake for 5-8 minutes or until cheese is melted. 
7. Top with cilantro, slice, and serve

If you would like to make your own crust, you can try this recipe.

Easy Whole Wheat Pizza Dough

Author: inspired by Good and Fresh Magazine

Ingredients

• 1¼ cup white flour
• 2¼ teaspoon yeast
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 cup warm water (not boiling hot, but warm)
• 1⅓ cup whole wheat flour

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Combine the white flour, yeast, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add the oil and warm water to the mixture and combine with an electric mixer. Mix on high speed for several minutes until a soft, elastic dough forms.
2. Stir in the whole wheat flour gradually, by hand. When it’s all incorporated, you should be able to easily pick up the dough and knead it gently until you get a soft dough ball. I did this right in the bowl – that’s the benefit of a large mixing bowl!
3. Set aside in a warm place and cover with plastic wrap or even just a dish towel. Let the dough rise for about 10-15 minutes.
4. Roll out the dough into two 12-inch circles. Poke with forks to prevent bubbling (optional). Place on a baking sheet or if you’re really fancy and cool, a pizza stone. You can add toppings and then bake for about 12-15 minutes, or you can just bake the crust ahead of time and add your toppings later. I liked it best when I baked it with the toppings on it.

Let me know if you try it. www.facebook.com/befitforeverblog

Weekly workouts - Take 1

I have been working on this post for 3 weeks, and I still haven't managed to get it up.

A better run - Not Friday

I have officially decided to do another half marathon in the fall, and some friends have bullied me convinced me to do a triathlon some time before the end of the year. Since I'm a sucker that can't back away from a challenge, I'm sure I'll be doing a tri before year end. All you need to say is "I really don't think you can do that" and off I go.  Not one of my better qualities.

I need to track my mileage and workouts to make sure I don't die during all of this training, but some how the chaos of day-to-day life prevents me from thinking like a human and writing stuff down. I have been running and doing yoga, contrary to what I have posted on here. Since the tri piece is coming into play, I've started swimming. That's a whole separate blog in itself. Lets just say, I'm not winning any award any time soon. I look more like a flailing porpoise in the water.  Good thing is I have a decent baseline to start off.

The way my life works is, if it doesn't get written down.... I don't remember it. So here is how my week went.

Friday's motto

Saturday - 1 hour yoga with my fave yogi and 350m swim
Sunday - 18 holes of chase ball golf
Monday - 9 holes of chase ball golf and 4.5 mile run
Tuesday - off
Wednesday - 3.5 mile run

Thursday- 8th grade graduation. On my feet for 6 hours. That counts for something, right?

Friday- 3 mile run, dry heaved, and walk for 1 in 94 F heat. (I am not heat ready, and that's a bad thing when you live in Houston)

So my plan is to update regularly on my weekly workouts to keep myself on track at least for my half in the fall. Feel free to leave comments on your workouts and how you're handling the summer heat.

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