source: blog.mlive.com

I am really loving my new job so far, which is great, but as I mentioned… I’m having a tough time with schedule and balance. I did go for a lunchtime run yesterday (complete with a day-making wave from other runners!) and I felt GREAT for doing it. I think fitting in two runs a week will work out fine and still leave me plenty of time for personal time and the odd work lunch/commitment that takes up my lunch time.

What has me worried, however, is how severely my strength training efforts have fallen off. I did wedge fifteen minutes worth of strength training into my morning yesterday, and I’m aiming to do at least a little more at lunch today, but it’s a TON less than I was doing before. I just can’t spend an hour sweating IN my office (at least when I run, I’m outside) and there are no gyms close enough to be time efficient. I’m terrified, because I know I’ve got the Warrior Dash coming up in May, and I know May is going to be here any second. I’m not overly worried about leg based strength stuff like the tire jumps, but I’m SUPER SUPER concerned about climbing up walls and such. My arm strength SUCKS. Yesterday I did pushups, tricep dips, planks, and some leg/ab work too… but I feel like I’m never going to be ready!

Here’s the list of obstacles on the Warrior Dash course:

• military crawl (worried)
• sliding down a muddy slope
• scrap yard, crawling over and around old cars and such (worried)
• teetering traverse, a high track
• deadman’s drop, climb up and over (WORRIED)
• satan’s steps
• net crawl (worried)
• warrior wall (WORRIED)
• rappeling
• cargo climb (worried)
• fire pits

So, HELP? I need your suggestions on ways to prepare specifically for these obstacles. I’m so, SO terrified. I really need to build up my strength. ANY advice is happily accepted.

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While we’re on the topic of advice, can I ask you guys for some about something… else? I’m sweaty. REALLY SWEATY. I don’t mind it so much (or at all, really) when I’m working out, but when I’m at work or home or out with the husband? I’d rather not sweat so much. I don’t stink (yay!) but most of my relatively new work shirts are nearly ruined because of the constant wetness. I’ve tried every deodorant out there including a fair number of clinical strength varieties that, if anything, seemed to be LESS helpful. I’ve been considering trying out some men’s varieties in the hopes of finding a better antiperspirant… so, any suggestions? Anything ELSE I could do to help it? I am SO embarrassed at work events when I have these HUGE armpit stains. MUST BE STOPPED.

My eating is all over the place because my head is all over the place. I’m mostly making good decisions, but I’m definitely seeking out some comfort foods that I’m eating just for the sake of stress relief. It’s not a good place for me. I don’t like the way I feel when my “eating for it’s own sake” meter goes up instead of down.

I’m trying, which counts for a lot, but I’m really struggling with how to do everything I want/need to do in a day. So how do I do it? How do I fit it all in?

I am having a little bit of a hard time managing my time with the job, commute, sideline freelance writing, and trying to maintain exercise. It also doesn’t help that the office is constantly brimming with candy, cookies, and junk food. I’m managing, but it’s definitely a challenge. I’m hoping next week will be a little smoother now that I have a feel for the job.

And now, as a reward for being so patient with me, a giveaway!

thinkThin® thinkWellness Bar Giveaway

thinkThin sent me six of their bars to review, and over the last week I’ve been bringing them to work with me as breakfast or snacks. I tried their Cookies & Creme protein bar first and while the size was nice and it kept me full for a while, it had a really obvious “protein” taste that bothered me.

The next day I tried the brownie crunch protein bar. This one was better, had a smoother texture, and a less obvious protein taste. Next up was the peanut butter protein bar, which I actually really liked. It had a nice peanut butter flavor.

Pros: good size, very filling, NO SUGAR, gluten free

Cons: mild to moderate protein powder flavor

Next I tried their cherry and mixed nuts crunch bar, and I LOVED that one. Chewy and crunchy, sweet without being overwhelming. I thought it was a great bar with no cons. I’ve still got a few more of the crunch bars to try later this week and I’m excited to taste them. This one didn’t keep me full as long as the protein bars, of course, but it was really nice in terms of flavor and still a lot more filling than a granola bar and relatively low in sugar.

thinkThin wants to send TEN people a sampler pack with two protein bars and two crunch bars! To enter into the thinkThin® thinkWellness Giveaway, you MUST like Think Products on FB and follow @thinkproducts on twitter! Once you’ve done that, come back here and tell me how you think these bars might help you with your wellness goals! (1 entry)

For two extra entries, share the giveaway on Facebook (1 entry) and Twitter (1 entry) and make sure you leave me a comment for each one you do.

I’ll choose ten winners on Saturday, February 25!

The morning started out SO badly. I got far too little sleep thanks to a coughing toddler. We couldn’t find somewhere for breakfast and coffee on the way. It was much colder and wetter than I was expecting, and I was poorly dressed because I thought I’d be going home for new gear before the race, which mever happened.

Not once did I consider staying home, and I am so glad.

The weather, while damp, turned out to be perfect for running. Everyone was smiling and energetic and supportive. I did two minutes running and one walking right from the beginning, and I was able to keep it up through the entire course. People were cheering and encouraging everyone they passed.

Somewhere around 2.5 miles, I caught up with a girl who had been doing run/walk intervals ahead of me. I convinced her to run the next 1.5 minutes with me, which I think helped us both. Amy was running with a friend (another Heather) who was a bit ahead of us. Another runner backtracked (maybe Amy’s coach) and let us walk 30 seconds of the next walk interval then encouraged us to run to the finish. We ran, collecting a few other girls along that last .2 miles or so, and crossed the finish line together, all smiles.

Best. Run. Ever. I felt strong and fast and happy. I know I was smiling in the photographer’s picture. According to my timer, I finished in 39:22, which is nearly four minutes better than my December 5K.

I am proud and inspired. Thank you all for every word of encouragement, every supportive comment, every eHug. Love you guys!!!

source: whatisfailwhale.info

I’m back. I’m in the same damned place I’ve been over and over before. I’m frustrated. I’m sad. I feel defeated. I’m weepy.

Running. I’ve lost ALL motivation to do it. I have no desire to get out there. I didn’t run all weekend (granted, that was genuinely out of my control with an unexpected weekend out of town). I ran on Wednesday and while it was tough, I enjoyed it for the most part.

I forced myself out the door for 2mi this morning. I was secretly relieved yesterday when the kidlet refused to put up with the stroller, but I was determined to make it up today.

I hated every. damn. step. I was miserable. I felt heavy and slow, and no matter how I adjust my timing I’m somehow running UP every single, disgusting, ridiculous hill in this neighborhood. I was huffing and puffing. My legs felt like they were made of ununoctium. All I could think about from the first step was stopping. In the end, what should have been 2+ miles became 1.09mi, and that was only because I was on the other side of the neighborhood loop when the scraps of my motivation gave out and I decided to come home.

I really thought I was past this point, that I’d somehow managed to avoid the “I hate running” phase that I’ve hit every other time I tried to run. I know some of it is frustration because I feel like I’ve been trying to run for months and making zero progress in terms of speed or endurance. I know some of it too is a dire, desperate wish to NOT be running UP hills with 50+ pounds worth of toddler/stroller in front of me.

Right this minute I have intentions of trying again this afternoon, but my heart’s not in it. IF I go back out, I may try ignoring the intervals and just trying to run every stretch that isn’t up a hill. I’m terrified to have signed up for all of these races and to discover now that I’m suddenly losing steam. I’m worried about not being able to finish even the short races and, as such, making a ridiculous fool of myself for even showing up to the longer distances.

I just don’t know what to do. Thoughts? Suggestions?

Peanut Butter Multi-Grain Cheerios

First up, peanut butter Cheerios! Evi and I both really loved these. They had a clear peanut butter flavor (even a great hint of salt) without being messy or sticky. I think they’d be a great way to make cereal treats a little more exciting, and they would be awesome mixed with chocolate Cheerios.

These were Evi’s favorite of the two new Cheerios flavors, and I’ve heard a lot of other people say the same thing. While I really like these and would absolutely buy them again (especially if they go on sale!), my hands-down and surprise favorite of the two cereals was the new Dulce de Leche flavor.

Dulce de Leche Cheerios

Oh man were these good. I was SURE I would like the peanut butter ones better, but these are BY FAR my favorite. Sweet enough to feel indulgent (as far as cereal can) but again no sticky mess. Evi liked these too, but preferred the peanut butter. Actually, she ended up mixing hers together happily.

I’ll be interested to see what Aaron thinks, but I’m guessing he’ll prefer the peanut butter as well. I thought the caramel taste on these was really well done though. I find a lot of caramel flavored stuff is just not great tasting, so these were a happy surprise. I’m trying to think of good ways to use them other than just eating them straight from the box, since I’d happily do that but feel like I should be more creative.

La Croix Coconut Sparkling Water

Coconut sparkling water from La Croix!!! I’ve heard great things about the brand before, but this coconut water was AMAZING. No calories. No artificial sweeteners. Just sparkling water with “natural flavors.” The coconut flavor is strong (in a good way) and smells amazing too. There’s a hint of sweetness and none of the bitter, mineral taste a lot of sparkling water has.

I ADORE this stuff. I’m so happy I tried it. I will definitely be back for more of the coconut over and over again. Everyone in the house loved it, and it means I’ll never have another soda. Sometimes I just get bored with plain water, but this stuff takes care of that with no issue. Super pleased about this find. Now I just have to see if I can get it cheaper somewhere, since it’s $3.70 for an 8-pack at Target. It’s not a terrible price, but it’s not a great one either.

We also picked up the La Croix grapefruit flavor. I was much more excited about the coconut flavor (though honestly expecting it to taste awful or like nothing) so the grapefruit was just a bonus flavor.

La Croix Grapefruit sparkling water

I tried the grapefruit this morning, and while I’m not as totally enamored of it as I am the coconut water, I thought it was great too. The flavor was much less pronounced, but it was a nice clean citrus taste that was super refreshing. I wish the grapefruit flavor was a little bit more pronounced, but I still thought it was a really good sparkling water option.

The company also makes berry, cran-raspberry, lemon, lime, and orange. After these two, I think I’d like to try all of them.

Let me know what you think if you try out any of these for yourself! These companies don’t know I exist so I paid for these products out of pocket, and I’ll happily do so again!

#1

and #5:

Email me your mailing address and I’ll get them to the company ASAP!

Here’s what I did:

• High Knees
• Modified Pushups (the original called for Reptile push ups)
• Jump squats
• Back Lunges with Press (10lb)
• Side burpees
• Leg Drops (on back, lift legs straight up and bring butt off ground for a second, then slowly lower back down, keeping your lower back touching the floor)
• Knee slap jumps
• Dive bombers
• Super mans
• V-Ups
• Leg Pendulums
• Diagonal Touchdowns
• 30lb Glute Bridges (just like the link, only my barbell was a 31lb toddler and I added tricep extensions with 10lb weights)
• Crunches
• 30lb Lower Leg Lifts (sort of like the video, only no machine. I lay on my back with my knees bent and my feet flat on the floor. The 31lb toddler sits on my feet facing me and holds on to my knees, then I lift and straighten my legs toward the ceiling, holding her shoulders to keep her from sliding down. She cracks up.)
• Left Side Pilates Lifts (left side only)
• Right Side Pilates Lifts (same as above, just the other side)
• Plank
• Pushups
• Bicep Curls (10lb)

Evi and I were SUPER excited yesterday to hear a knock at the door. Our Chobani box had arrived! Evi knew the yogurt was on its way and was excited as I was to try the new flavors.

She helped me open the box and we pulled out the insulating foam to save for craft time later. We’re cool like that! (We have plans to make foam stamps for paint later today.)

Inside the box we found lots of new yogurt! Chocolate chunk and orange vanilla are the new flavors they’re launching in the Champions line, which is specifically marketed to kids. That being said, I eat it too. It’s just as good as the regular Chobani, which I insist is the best Greek yogurt out there for quality and price, and it comes in some fun flavors you can’t get in the bigger cups. The Champions are 4oz instead of 6oz, so pretty good sized for Evi’s breakfast. As I type, she’s eating an orange one.

Of course Evi’s absolute favorite part of the delivery was the extra stuff that came with the yogurt. There was a cool (and very nicely sized) metal Chobani lunch box that she has carried around since the moment we opened the box. She can talk about nothing except for taking her lunch to school in her new yogurt lunch box. It also came with some cool yogurt cup shaped magnets, one for each Chobani Champions flavor (4), and Evi had a good time sticking those on the fridge, the lunch box, and anything else they’d stick to.

We ended up getting three packs of each flavor, with four cups of yogurt in each pack. So in total, we got 12 cups of the orange vanilla and 12 cups of the chocolate chunk. I was pretty excited to try both of them and so was Evi. I was expecting the chocolate to be her favorite, and I figured I’d like the orange best. Aaron didn’t like the two Champions flavors he tried before (berry and honey-nana) so I was anxious to have him try them too since he generally loves orange flavored things.

The yogurt had the same nice, thick consistency that I expect from Greek yogurt. On the left, you can sort of see the little chocolate chunks in the chocolate yogurt. Both yogurts seem to have a lightly sweet vanilla base. The chocolate chunk one has lots of little pieces of chocolate in it, and the orange vanilla is just orange flavored. I like that these don’t need to be stirred the way the bigger ones do, since Evi just wants to eat them without waiting.

I really liked both of the flavors and actually thought they were great mixed together too. The orange tasted like real oranges instead of like fake orange flavor, and the little chocolate chunks were just enough to add distinct chocolate flavor without being over the top. Aaron brought his to work today and thought they were… alright. He prefers the pineapple and black cherry ones. I have to remember to pick up a blood orange and apple cinnamon this weekend.

Evi preferred the two mixed together at first and ate about half a cup of the mixed one, then decided on just the orange. Here’s her official take on the two flavors:

Bennigans Monte Cristo

<– THAT is a Bennigans Monte Cristo sandwich. It’s adouble decker turkey and ham sandwich with cheddar cheese, battered and fried, dusted with powdered sugar, and served with raspberry jam.

It’s delicious. It’s also potentially deadly. It makes you feel like you ate a brick. That being said, I’ve really been wanting one lately.

So I made my own!

Better Monte Cristo

• 1 tbsp butter
• 2 slices whole wheat bread
• 1 tbsp Polaner All Fruit raspberry fruit spread
• 2oz sliced turkey breast
• 3/4 ounce shredded cheddar
• 1 tsp powdered sugar

Melt half the butter in a small skillet. Spread each slice of bread with half the fruit spread. Top one slice with the turkey and cheese, add the other slice of bread, and  toast it in the skillet. Before you flip the sandwich, add the other half of the butter. Flip and toast the other side. Put it on a plate and dust with powdered sugar.

You guys? SO GOOD. I don’t know how much better for me it really was, but it was absolutely delicious and so much easier than battering and frying anything.