Sweets & Sushi

For me one of the first steps to being healthy was realizing it had to be a lifestyle change, not just a diet until my clothes fit and then go back to my old ways and slack off until I'm popping buttons off and have to start some crazy diet plan again.  Now it is part of who I am.  Don't get me wrong, I mess up, I make mistakes, I eat raw cookie dough, sh*t happens.  However, that is the exception, not the rule and I get myself back on track.

During this crazy health adventure I have come to realize that being healthy is not just food and exercise, it is so much more.  It's eating right, exercising/being active, resting and getting enough sleep at night, but it is also about your overall happiness.  For me my happiness factor comes not only from what I do, but also who I surround myself with.  Crossing that finish line is amazing, but it's so much sweeter if you know there are people who care about you and support you in your goals.  I am beyond blessed in that I have many fabulous people in my life, who may not want to run 26.2 miles with me or who may think turkey burgers are "un-American", but who support my decisions nonetheless. 

I believe it is very important to try to do things for all these fabulous people so they know how appreciated they are; I mean really I would be a hot mess without so many wonderful, supportive people in my life.  Since I am on a teacher budget I can't buy them the amazing vacations and ridiculous diamonds they probably deserve.  However, hopefully these sweets and modified/stolen Pinterest ideas helped to get my point across. 

Hello sweet tooth.  Of course, I bought candy as a gift.

Mounds, Nuts (Chocolate Covered Almonds), Reeses Pieces, and M&Ms
I made 3 of these and all the notes were very different, but the treats were the same.

Then it was time for dinner with one of my awesome friends/supporters, C.  She heard about a place called O-Ku that does half price sushi on Friday from 5-7.  Sushi?  Cheap?  Sign us up!  It was in downtown Charleston, but in an area where parking isn't too bad (which is good because I'm 30 and have yet to master parallel parking) , and the atmosphere was great.  Everything sounded amazing, we couldn't decide what to get, too much amazingness for my brain to process.  So we just got lots and split it all because we wanted needed to taste everything.  It was super yummy and we got everything for right under $30 after the half price discount.  I would definitely return, on a half price night, let's be real I'm working on a teacher salary here. 

Our Fabulous Sushi - C& I split 5 rolls

This was next to C's side of the plate.
Mine was perfectly neat, not because I'm cleaner, but because food does not miss my mouth.  

Then C and I went home and did a nice little 6 mile walk.  We were too full to run.  I am sure that sushi would not have looked as pretty coming back up.  However, we both still wanted to get some type of exercise in.  See supportive friend = happiness!  We did 4.5 miles on our own and then went back to rescue her puppy.  Side note I am aware he is a full grown dog.  I refer to all dogs no matter size, shape, age, or breed as puppies and I LOVE them all.  (I don't have a big enough place and am not home enough for a dog of my own so I latch onto all my friend dogs.  Hello crazy.)  Then we walked the last 1.5 miles with the pup to make it a nice even 6 and burn off some of those delicious sushi calories. 

C's baby Leroy is an adorable SPCA rescue

P.S.- Then we watched The Vow and I cried for like a hour straight, could not stop, no idea why.  Dear heavens.  Ridiculous!  I looked like I'd been beaten, it was rough.  However, Channing Tatum still looked good so it was a victory;)  

We're Going Streaking!

I am feeling like I need a new challenge.  October's Marine Corp Marathon is so far away and I'm trying to save some money this summer, so there aren't many races on my calendar before that.

 

Ta-Da.  Enter Runner's World Summer Running Streak2012.  You run every single day from Memorial Day until Independence Day, May 28th to July 4th, for 38 straight days of running.  I've never tried a run streak before and was very hesitant at first.  I've finally gotten to the point where I do pretty well at taking rest days once a week (and additionally if needed); however, I'm not in serious training for anything right now so if I am going to do it this is a perfect time.  Plus even a 1 mile run keeps the streak going so even on rest days, rugby days, etc. I can squeeze a mile in.  Right?  If I can survive a marathon I can do this, at least that is what I am telling myself. 

Then I thought… Abby you're an idiot!  You are teaching 40 hours a week this summer plus taking night classes twice a week.  That means Monday & Wednesday I'll be leaving my house at 7ish and not getting home until about 9pm.  Yikes.  However, I know that if I don't exercise two days a week I'll be pissed at myself so this will be great motivation.  I'll either wake up early to run (unlikely, my snooze button ability should be legendary) or run when I get home.  Which will probably mean I'll stay up too late two nights a week, but you win some you lose some, and I totally want to try this.  

I'M STREAKING!  Woohoo.  Bring it on.

Anyone else in?  Only 1 mile, 38 days, you can do this.  We can do this!

P.S. Have any of you ever done a running streak before?  

You Win Some, You Lose Some

Winning:
Taking My Students on a Final Day Field Trip
You have no clue how happy a walk across the street to Burger King makes 9-11 year olds.

Bringing my own turkey & reduced fat cheese with spicy mustard sandwich thin to BK.

Watching all my babies eat their deliciously, horrible, fabulous food.  

Losing:

Not only was tonight the Glee season finale...  (Yes, I am aware I am 15 years older than their target audience.)  It was also one of our Glee friend's last night in town before she moved for a new job.  Well I love any chance to cook, but tend to go a bit crap ton overboard.

She loves Funfetti so I ran with it, but not towards cake or cupcakes, that'd be too easy.  

FYI - There were only 4 of us there watching/eating.

A half batch of truffle center, didn't look like much, but

it made 16 truffles.  Chilling in the freezer so I can coat them.

The finished Funfetti Cake Batter Truffles

If that wasn't enough, insert Funfetti cookies here.

Like how I am using the top of the container to ice on.  Why get more plates dirty?  Classy.

Before & After Icing
Truly tastes like birthday cake.

Yes, I have issues.
That wasn't enough Funfetti yet.

New Funfetti Muddy Buddies/Puppy Chow recipe = Fat Kid Food Heaven

However, my all time favorite -
Funfetti cake dough dip.
My zebra just took a nose dive in, it's okay, I'm about to bite off his head anyway.

The complete Funfetti spread at T's house.

How could I resist all this, LOSING!
However, I am going to try and think positive.  It is about baby steps.  You cannot change 30 years of bad eating overnight.  It is about making steps in the right direction like taking my own lunch into a fast food place for the first time in my history of ever!  
It is also about getting back on track when you plummet into a bowl of Funfetti.  I'm not perfect (and lets be real), I never will be.  It's about being smarter, making healthier choices, and being healthier overall.  While the Funfetti might have won this time I have faith, in the long run I'm going to end up on top.


What is your food weakness?  (If I could eat one thing without gaining any extra calories it would be....) 

In Mourning

You know what is awesome.  When your favorite pair of running capris, the only ones that fit you perfectly, DIE!  (Insert sarcasm so thick it is dripping off the page here.)  


After three amazing years together it probably should have been expected, but I just can't find another pair that fits this well.  I have big hips so my body/butt is very wide.  However, it is completely flat (thanks mom).  This means every other pair of running pants or capris I have ever bought get stretched and pulled like crazy across my hips and then fall off my butt until plumbers are envious of the amount of crack I have hanging out.  Have you ever ran over 20 miles while pulling your pants up the ENTIRE time?  Don't.  It is not fun.   


This sucks.  I am in mourning.  I love them so much.  I thought about keeping them and still running in them, but every time I step they tear a bit more so after imaging myself finishing my next race wearing only one pant leg (hope I put on cute underwear) I decided to chuck them.  So sad:(


Help!  What bottoms do you run in?

Spanxtastrophe

Finished a nice little 8 mile run this morning.  After my run yesterday I was still feeling pretty on top of the world.  However, my weekly mileage is way lower than I wanted.  I did pick up some speed this week (woohoo!), but I also had to take an extra rest day to get myself going again (well two extra if you count that failed run turned walk Weds.)  

Oh well, you win some you lose some.  I'm just happy to be back out and moving again.  In truth isn't that the most important part though, doesn't matter how much you do, doesn't matter how fast you do it, just do it (wow, totally sounded like a Nike ad there, unintentional).

One of the reasons I was able to get a nice run in was because I started out early before it got too hot.  This is probably because when I left the wedding I was at last night I was sure it was well after 11:00.  However, when I got in my car… 9:30.  Yep, that is how I roll - Tired and totally happiest being in bed well before midnight on a Saturday night.  It's amazing, you should try it!

It was an absolutely beautiful wedding though, right on the beach, at a resort way too ritzy for the likes of me.

A SC sunset to die for.

The Beautiful Boardwalk (with my cheapo camera)

Wild Dunes Boardwalk Hotel

Surprised they let me in?  Guess it is because I changed out of my running clothes for the only time this weekend (who are we kidding I live in them every weekend) to attend.  

Shoes that don't have laces... sometimes even I forget I own them.

These are not workout clothes or my typical teacher attire (slacks, a t-shit/sweater, and ballet flats).
This only happens on super rare occasions.
It may be a long time before this version of me is seen in public again.
Look while you can.  

The True Battle of the Bulge.
As you can see from the picture above I am way smaller on top, but curve out a lot with some hips & thighs.
I am fine with that... I love my legs!  They just ran a marathon, they are pretty much the coolest part of me.
However, my Spanx obviously did not like my big ol' runner's legs.
Those babies were trying to explode off and squeezing my quads like stuffed sausages.

The couple are so perfect together and looked so happy, makes me smile just to be around love like that.  

Couldn't get any pictures of the gorgeous bride without feeling like paparazzi, so instead you'll have to survive with pictures of me.  Haha. 

Really why does my hair only cooperate at 2 times?
When I am about to go for a run or when I am crawling into bed...
Otherwise it looks like I'm Livin' on a Prayer.