Vacation Recap - Babes, Food, Friends, Family, & a Bit of Running

Sorry I've been MIA for a week.
I flew into Indy and was greeted by my favorite little guy at the airport.
My nephew Jackson is 13 months old
and very unhappy that his daddy forgot his lamby for the car ride.

My run streak was still going, but my brother could tell I didn't want to leave my nephew...
so they all came with.

Amanda, my sister-in-law, was fabulous
and worked really hard to cook healthy food for me.
She figured out the calories and this whole meal had less than 350.

Happy Baby.
Jack in the box!

Guess that would make this a -
Jack Out of The Box

Delicious tapas bar called Barcelona -
I pretty much ruined the healthy eating on my own.
I only go to Indy once a year so I splurged and binged like crazy.
Bad Abby.  Back on track this week.

However, luckily my friend and I took a 5 mile walk along the canal
in downtown Indy (too full to run) afterwards.
The canal was built after I moved so I have never really seen it - Gorgeous!

I spent my days babysitting wild man. 

He would like you all to know that while a mud/obstacle race
 is on my fitness bucket list,
he already dominated the Tough Mudder.
1st in his age group.

Plus, while I have absolutely no flexibility at all,
he rocks some baby yoga.
Downward facing dog anyone?

I made my delicious strawberries for 4th of July.
Find the recipe here.  

And hoped my sister-in-law's family would't think she was beating me up.
Rugby injury - a cleat mark that lasted all week.

On Thursday I took them out to dinner - a great Greek place

with garlic, feta, double cooked fries.  Amazing!

Then we walked along the Monon Trail in Broadripple,
(A very cute area, I suggest you visit.)

and stopped to get ice cream.
They had 36 flavors.  How was a girl to choose...
Lots of samples first ;)

On the way home Jackson showed us a hilarious new trick -
He can stick his toes in his mouth.
He thought he was the funniest guy ever, especially when his mom told him to stop

I woke up early my last day there for a run with Dempsey.

Then we went to the Indianapolis Zoo.

It made someone very happy!

His daddy (my brother) even ran, well probably sprinted (he is way faster than me),
over on his lunch break  to see us.

We cooled off with some ice cream.
My healthy eating went all out the window this week.

Saw some more animals.

And wore somebody out.

Then, my best friends from high school came and got me
 and the three of us spent the night at her
unairconditioned, yet gorgeous, house in the country.

My noon, 100+ degree run.  Yikes!
Really peaceful though.  I could count the cars that passed on 1 hand.
Sunscreen soaked Abby among the cornfields.

I was there while Indy set a record for most 100+ days in a row.  Uggghhhhh

And I wonder why I don't have nice things....

Like band aids that look like bacon.

Home safe, back to blogging, how did you all do this week?
Good workouts?
Better 4th of July food?
Let me know.

Runner's World Summer Run Streak -  
Day 35 = 2 miles 
Day 36 = 1 mile (plus 5 mile walk)
Day 37 = 2 miles
Day 38 = 2 miles (plus hour long Piloxing class)
Total Miles Run = 135.5

LosingAMarathon Weight Loss Challenge Update -
Starting Weight 163
Week 1 = 162.8
Week 2 = 161.5 - I didn't get to run lots last week, but when I weighed in Monday morning I was down.  I was actually expecting this because I did great eating all last week and stayed right at my calorie goal.
Week 3 weigh in tomorrow  = This is going to be ugly.  I am sure I gained back all that weight on vacation.  Guess I know when I struggle.  However, I am reminding myself that I can come back stronger, use what I have learned, and still lose 13 pounds in 13 weeks.

*Plus I just found out I am now a SweatPink Ambassador which means more networking with great people.  Time for me to check them out with a blog hop.  Want to look too?  Peak at the blog hop here maybe you'll find more great motivating, inspiring people.

Things that are Ridiculous

1. The Temperature -
Notice that I took this at 8:35 at night and it was still 100 degrees.
As disgustingly hot as it was I still had to get that run in -
You could not even guess how many people asked me,
"Why in the world did you just go for a run when you're playing rugby all day?"
However, they said it in much less polite and understanding terms.    

2. Running outside all day-
Not only did I go for a mile run, but I played in an all day rugby tourney.
We had 4 games - started at 9 and didn't leave until 5!
Hydrating with tons of water and fresh fruits was key.

3. This stupid chair -
300 pound weight limit my butt!
Or actually my back fat, since that's what busted through this bad boy.  

Runner's World Summer Run Streak -  
Day 34 = 1 mile 
Total Miles Run = 128.5

LosingAMarathon Weight Loss Challenge Update -
Pretty proud of myself.  I didn't do amazing, but I packed a healthy lunch to bring to the rugby field and then splurged and had the dinner they were serving at the social.  Still came in right under 1,800 calories.  Great for me since back in the day I'd consume way over 3,00 calories on a rugby day.  

Friday Food Porn

Last day of school = Food Truck Rally
Gourmet Grilled Cheese Truck.... drool

Tried to resist, but ended up with a delicious grilled Parmesan and artichoke (add tomatoes).

Tonight was family dinner before I go on vacation for a week.
Mom wanted to try a Cuban place.

After my lunch I tried to behave a bit better.
I got the El Bo'ritto and it tasted really fresh.

Yummy black beans!
It came with a side of plantains.  

On the way home I stopped by Publix.
I have recently discovered Greek yogurt and I am in love.
(I know I am always the last one on the band wagon.)
Unlike regular yogurt it actual keeps me full.
I was out - tragedy - so I made a special trip and found out it was on sale.
Stocked up on a few flavors I haven't yet tried.  

Runner's World Summer Run Streak -  
Day 33 = 2.5 miles (nice and slow again, still not feeling 100%)
Total Miles Run = 127.5

LosingAMarathon Weight Loss Challenge Update -
Didn't do very well, see food above.  However, I am not too down on myself because I did excellent Monday - Thursday and while I wasn't good today, it wasn't absolutely horrible either.  I am definitely not down calories today, but according to my tracking I am still well on track to losing a pound this week (my goal).    

Bad Habits Kicked

Today I came to the fabulous realization that I have finally gotten over some of my bad habits.  Maybe this whole change to a healthy lifestyle is finally starting to click.  What an exciting thought.

First off, I woke up and had a delicious breakfast.  I normally don't think much of this, but after talking to some fellow bloggers about the importance of breakfast I realized this is one area I pretty much rock at.  First of all, I LOVE food, so I never miss a meal.  However, when I used to go through my crash dieting phases I'd skip breakfast to try and cut pounds.  I love being able to say that I am not now, nor will I ever be again, on a diet.  I am eating healthy because I am hoping that it turns into a way of life, and I start it off every morning with a great breakfast.  I used to eat the same thing every morning - slice of turkey and a slice of 2% cheese on a piece of toast, but I have been branching out lately.  I discovered Greek yogurt (Hello, where have you been all my life?) and how fabulous it is with a handful of berries thrown in and have also been trying other wonderful ideas to get my day going in the right direction. 

Made breakfast for dinner Sunday night so I'd have enough leftover egg cups for this week.
Take a 6 pack of eggs.  Wisk together with a crud ton (Great measurement right?) of veggies.  I used onions, green peppers, and tomatoes (which I know aren't technically a vegetable, but really...) to give them some great flavor.
Spray muffin pan, pour egg mixture in, cook at 350 for 20-25 minutes.
These reheat great.  I have them in the morning on top of a piece of toast with a splash of Frank's or Texas Pete.  Delicious and easy breakfast.

Also, I have learned to listen to my body more.  Yesterday I woke up feeling horrible (sore throat, headache, swollen lymph nodes) so I went for a very slow easy run and headed to bed in time to get a full eight hours of sleep.  It is amazing what this can do for the body.  I woke up today feeling much better.  I had a 5-6 mile bridge run scheduled with T, but I have learned my lesson about resting.  As much as I wanted to go run with her and even felt like I probably could, I canceled.  Instead I went for a super slow run around my neighborhood and will be in bed in time to get nine full hours of sleep tonight.  My marathon training has helped me to see that running isn't just about one day it's about the big picture so it is better to cut a run short and give yourself time to heal and get healthy than to push yourself too much and regret it later.  Okay, in all honesty, I probably learned that lesson the hard way.  Last winter when I was training for my first marathon I started to feel really crummy, but didn't want to miss a single day of marathon training so I kept plowing through.  The result?  I ended up with a case of bronchitis that lasted for almost two months.  It made it through two rounds of Z-packs, more steroids than the Jersey Shore, and an inhaler that gave me 5th and 6th grade flashbacks (Supposedly I had sports induced asthma, which I am sure some people do, but who are we kidding I was just a chubby out of shape kid, call it like it is doc.) before I finally kicked that bronchitis jerk and two entire months of running suffered because of my stubborn stupidity.  If I had just listened to my body and taken a day or two off in the first place that probably all could have been avoided.  Lesson learned.

What lesson or lessons have you learned along the way?  Any bad habits you've kicked? 
I'd love to hear it.   

Runner's World Summer Run Streak -  
Day 32 = 2.5 miles (nice and slow)
Total Miles Run = 125

LosingA Marathon Weight Loss Challenge Update -
Pretty sure this is the only time I've ever eaten under 1,500 calories.  My goal is always to eat between 1,500-1,600 because that is where I seem to function & feel the best.  However, I am about to go to bed and have only consumed 1,231.  Maybe I am slowly learning to make better food choices and by giving my body healthier, more nutritious foods I am able to feel full off of less.  This is quite an exciting revelation.  Maybe this will be my next lesson learned.  (Fingers crossed.) 

A Day in the Life

Since I know you're all convinced I lay around all day watching made-for-TV movies and eating dark chocolate dipped strawberries while being fanned by my pool boy - Here it is: A Day in the Life

I start off with a healthy breakfast before work.
When I was in my crazy yo-yo phase before I started making healthy choices I'd skip breakfast to try and lose weight.  Stupid idea.
Chobani vanilla, berries, and just a bit of granola on top for crunch.

I'm currently teaching a summer enrichment course from 8 - 4 every day.
It is on learning math & technology through sports.
Means I get to dress like this instead of wearing my normal teacher clothes, but also that my class is 90%  eight and nine year old boys.  Exhausting.
(P.S.- Brand new phone still working on the self portrait thing.)

I have a 30 minute break, by the time I drive there, between school and class.
Stopped at Starbucks to study.
I allow myself one or two frappaccinos a month.
Mocha grande, nonfat milk, no whip - Turns out everyone was ordering this the same way so now I'm just supposed to call it a "Mocha Light"
For only 130 calories it makes me happy and doesn't push me past my calorie count.
Moderation, not exclusion.

Night class from 5-8
Spanish 101.
Lots of my students and their parents speak it.  Trying to brush up.

Home for a quick run.  They are shorter on M & W because of class.
Still loving my purple Mizuno Wave Creations.

Then time to check and update my blog, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Yikes- In case you can't tell I have 49 tabs open at once (I just counted).

Then to Google -
"Why has my cat turned into a demon who is suddenly peeing on my stuff?"
Look innocent doesn't she?
Eight years and she has never done this before, great new trick:(
However, knowing the searches that have led people to my page recently :
Fat Kid Eating Cake
Nude Bathroom & Nude Washroom
Farmers Having Bad Day
Binge Eat Every Night + Unhappy with Job
Girls Getting Thong Pulled Up
How do I make my cream cheese frosting sniffer?Chances are I'll probably just end up back at my own blog.
Really?  Craziness!

Then to bed early earlier than my usual midnight because I am feeling kinda sick (sore throat) and I have to squash that now as I get to see my favorite dude for the first time in months on Sunday.  

Runner's World Summer Run Streak - 
Day 31 = 1.5 miles
Total Miles Run = 122.5


LosingA Marathon Weight Loss Challenge Update -
Stayed right at my calorie goal each of the last 3 days, plus squeezed in some workouts.  Fingers crossed that my hard work pays off.