For the Love of Running 5k

Saturday was For the Love of Running 5k/Color Run.  We really had a blast. They played music before and after the race. They had door prizes, snacks, smoothies, etc. Plus getting color thrown on you every half miles really broke up the race.

My cousin, Alec, and I made it in just over 40 minutes....our best race time yet! We wanted to be under 40, but there were a lot of hills, so we are giving ourselves a break.


My aunt, Macie, ran hers in 46 minutes! She beat her goal of 48 and her goal of not being last. I think she really enjoyed this race!

Macie, Alec, and Me before the race

Alec and Me after the race! (Macie was getting water)

Our next race is at the end of March, and I hope to be well under 40 minutes by the time that one comes around.

On another note, Valentines Day was great. Chris and I had Athena's, which is our favorite Greek restaurant (and the only Greek restaurant in town). Chris also got us chocolate covered strawberries that were soooooooo good. Our Anniversary is this Thursday, and we are actually going to go out on a date Friday! We haven't gone out together since Emersyn was born, so this should really be a good time. We are thinking of going to Painting with a twist, but we haven't fully decided. 

Emersyn had her 6 month check up yesterday (even though she is 7 months). She is turning out to be tall and slim! She is in the 90th percentile for height! Also, we have been feeding her fruit in her fresh food feeder and she absolutely LOVES it.

You just put some pieces of fruit in and Pow! she loves it!

I am 27 pounds down!

WooHoo!

First of all, I ran yesterday and it felt soooooo good. The weather was great, I felt more like I was jogging instead of shuffling, and I kept up a good pace. I ran a 5k in under 40 minutes!!!! I am so excited! Anytime that I tried to do that in the past, I would end up winded and failing, but yesterday was awesome. I know that my running app is a little more generous with distance, so I hope I am under 40 for the race Saturday! I guess I can finally say that I am running/jogging, and not shuffling!

Also, I am very excited about tonight. Chris and I are celebrating Valentine's Day tonight by ordering in Athena's (one of our favorite restaurants)  and watching a movie. Emersyn and I are going to stop by Books-A-Million and get him a little Valentine's gift.

I am down 26 pounds!

Things I Look Forward To...

Since I have reached the -25 pound point, I am pumped up about the weight I'm losing and the potential weight that I am going to lose. I don't see myself stopping now, and I hope to keep this "fire in the veins" feeling.

So I decided to type down a few things that I am excited about when I lose weight. 

1. Not being embarrassed to take family portraits  (especially Christmas)
2. Looking like I "fit-in" with my skinny siblings.
3. Buying regular-sized clothes from boutique stores
4. Getting into the swimming pool with Emersyn and not feeling super embarrassed
5. Not being embarrassed when I see someone from high school or college
6. Looking like a runner
7. Being able to run faster and longer
8. People giving me compliments, asking questions, and being proud about me weight loss
9. Feeling attractive
10. Being able to wear sleeveless shirts
11. Wearing "fitted" clothes
12. Being able to order "women cut" shirts instead of always ordering the men's t-shirts


I'll continue to add more as I think of them!

Race Is Coming Up!

Saturday is race day!

My aunt, cousin, and I (Brooke will be in New Orleans for Mardi Gras) will be running a Valentine's Color Run. I'm so excited! I would like to complete the race in under 40 minutes, but I am more focused on just enjoying this fun race.

I slacked on my diet a little bit this weekend, but I still was mindful of overeating.

Statistically, it is around this time each year that people start giving up their resolutions and goals, so I can't let that lazy side of me come out and make me quit. I feel like if I can keep running and eating right through March, then I will be more likely to be successful throughout the year.

I am officially down 25 pounds!

Great Run & Tomato Soup!

Yesterday I said I was going to run whether I wanted to or not, so that is exactly what I did. I had been dreading it all day, but I went out there, told myself not to worry about pace, and ran 3 miles. IT FELT GREAT! The entire time I was thinking about how it was nice not worrying about speed, and how much better I felt just getting out there.

Plus I listened to a comedy station on Pandora, so that made the run even more fun!

This is the station I listened to.

When I got home, I had a great time playing with Em, and then, while she napped, Chris made my favorite meal, Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese Sandwiches. For some reason, Chris does not put water or milk in the condensed soup, so it comes out really thick. I prefer it with milk added, but it was still awesome.

YUMMM!

Then Chris and I started a puzzle together. We haven't done one in a while (like 5 years) but I've been wanting to, and so I am excited to start this one! Yesterday was just an all around good day.


I'm 23 pounds down!

Commitment & Veggie Quesadillas

Yesterday I skipped my run. I started to get depressed because I am afraid I am losing my motivation. This morning, I started to look up things to pump me up and I found this:

This was perfect for today. This is right! I told myself that I would run; the fact that I am not in the mood this week should not change it.

I am committed. I am going to run until I get back into the mood to run!

On another note, I got creative with veggie cooking last night. We really didn't have anything for a recipe, so I took the things we did have and whipped up some veggie quesadillas. I pretty much put everything I could think of into the quesadilla, and it actually turned out pretty good. At least Chris approved.

                                     

They look less appetizing than they actually were. Here is what I used:

2 Fajita Tortillas

Pesto- A very thin layer on the tortilla

Tomato Sauce- another very thin layer 

Avocado- Just one slice mashed up

White Onion- About 1/4 cup 

Shitake Mushrooms- About 1/4 cup

Shredded Cheese- About 1/2 cup

I just put everything on the tortillas and heated it up. It ended up being delicious, but definitely not traditional.

I plan to stay committed and run even when I don't feel like it! 

Still 22 pounds down! 34 pounds to go!

Veggie Pizzas

Yesterday was the first time that I cooked a completely vegetarian meal for my husband. I've love veggies and fruits and don't really care about meat, but Chris is a steak and potatoes kind of guy. 

I started us off with veggie pizzas. All it is is broccoli, onion, mushrooms, artificial cheese, and tomato sauce on top of pita bread. It was a little too much broccoli for me, but Chris really loved it. It is a good start! That is definitely a recipe that I can keep for later. 

I was just in a funk yesterday, and decided not to run. I don't know why I am dreading my next run, but I kind of am; but today I am going to get out there and run 3 miles whether I like it or not. I always feel better afterwards anyway. 


So hopefully tomorrow I will posting a nice report on how my running went.

Eat To Live

My husband informed me that he would like to give up meat for Lent this year, and I couldn't be more excited. I have always had a desire to be vegetarian, if not vegan, due to the inhumane way the animals are treated, but it is very hard to do when no one in your family does it with you. I once gave up meat for about 6 months before I stopped because of inconvenience. 

To get myself pumped up, I watched a documentary, Forks Over Knives, about the benefits of a plant-based diet (yes, documentaries pump me up)! I also borrowed a book from my mom called Eat To Live, which also stresses a plant-based diet. The book claims that if you cut out animals products, and limit things, like starches, then you can potentially lose 20 lbs in 6 weeks. Personally, I think that is a little ambitious, but I guess it is worth a try! 

I am now looking up and Pinning vegan recipes. The only problem I foresee is that vegan cooking takes ALOT more time to prepare. These diets call for very little pre-packed, quickly cooked things, but I am up for the challenge!

Also, Em said "Dada" for the first time yesterday and we, especially Chris, could not be more excited! It is so wonderful to finally hear our little girl babbling while she plays.

I am down 22 pounds as of this morning! Only 33 more to go!