Friday, June 28, 2013

Lean on Me



Summer has hit full force and my schedule has gotten CRAZY. There have been so many cookouts, parties, showers, etc....you name it, we've been there. With all of the celebrating, I've noticed my healthy eating habits start to slide a little bit. On top of that, my knee still isn't quite up to par. As my knee is healing, I'm not able to run like I was before. When I was running 10+ miles a week, my eating was SPOT ON. I knew I had to properly fuel my body to get the most out of my run. Since I haven't been running...well, another chance for my eating to slip a little more. A couple of weeks of sloppy eating and I was feeling like CRAP.  I was down on myself and completely discouraged, but I wanted to take action before things got out of control. So what did I do? I found myself an accountability partner! I sent a text to one of my friends and I just asked if she would help keep me on track. It was kind of cool because she had been feeling the same and asked if I would hold her accountable as well. For the past couple of weeks, we have sent each other text messages almost every day. We share our successes, encourage each other when we've messed up, and celebrate together when we've overcome tempation to make a good choice. This has really helped me, helped both of us, to get back on track. The thing about health and fitness is that it IS a difficult journey. But we don't have to do it alone. In fact, you're bound to be more successful when you do have someone to lean on. Part of the reason I have been successful with my weight loss is because I am surrounded by a GREAT community of health-minded people who support and encourage me. I will make mistakes. I will fall down. But I will always have someone to help me up, dust me off, and push me forward. If your journey has gotten rocky, don't be afraid to ask for help! The path is much easier to travel when you're not alone.

With all of that in mind, here is a Fit Friday workout for partners from Peak 313---check it out here!

Friday, June 21, 2013

Fit Friday: Sculpted Summer Arms

Happy first day of summer! Bathing suit season is in full effect and maaayyyyybe you're not super happy with the state of your arms/upper body. Not to worry!  Give this arm sculpting workout from Fitness Magazine a try! It's easy to do at home and you should see things start to tone up within a few weeks.



Do you have a favorite upper body/arm workout? Feel free to share below!

Monday, June 17, 2013

Motivation Monday: Keep Pressing On!

 Do any of these sounds familiar? You haven't been making the best food choices lately. You've gotten of track with your workouts. You haven't seen the progress you've hoped to see. You just really haven't felt like trying. 

Whatever it is you're feeling on this Monday morning, don't give up! Keep pressing on because you never know what great things are coming your way.



Monday, June 10, 2013

My very first 5k: a beginner's story


If you would have asked me a year ago if I wanted to run a 5k, I probably would have laughed in your face. I was never a runner. Not to say I didn't try--- I tried a couple of times. I laced up my shoes and dragged my husband along with me, only to limp home. To be honest, the extra weight I was carrying made running extremely difficult. I decided after I'd lost some weight that I'd try again. In January, I bought new shoes, downloaded the Couch to 5k app for my phone, and never looked back. I've been running ever since and I have come to love it. It helps me clear my head, challenges me to listen to my body and do what I can to take care of it, and it helps break up my fitness routine. Can I run very fast?  I mean, my pace is decent. I know there are people that run faster than I do but my pace is one I'm comfortable with for now (I have only been running since January!) Anyway, I wanted to celebrate this huge accomplishment for me by (duh!) running a 5k! And what better way to celebrate than to do The Color Run with friends?! 
Before the race...all shiny and clean!

Now, I have to admit I was a little discouraged the week before the run because it seems I have a little case of runner's knee. I was so bummed at the thought of not actually being able to run for my first 5k. I took really good care of my knee all week (and I'm resting from running all of this week which is killing me but I know it's what is best for my body) and I was able to run the whole way! Well, with the exception of when we hit the color sections because everyone walked through those and  a couple of hills to save my knee. I'm so thankful this wasn't a timed race because it really allowed me to enjoy the whole experience of my first race and just have fun. I'm looking forward to running many, many more!
And after!

Excited to have finished my first 5k!


Tie-dyed elbows
My team!









Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Cilantro lime quinoa

I don't know about you, but I love the combination of cilantro and lime. So you can imagine my excitement when one of my favorite fitness bloggers posted this recipe yesterday. I went right to the store to pick up the ingredients I didn't have at home, whipped this up for dinner last night and served it with some pan seared tuna steaks. It was DELISH! To me, this is a perfect summer side dish: light, refreshing, and super simple to make. A few people asked me to share the recipe, so here it is. Enjoy!

Cilantro Lime Quinoa (via pfitblog.com)

Ingredients:
1 Cup (uncooked) Quinoa
1 Medium Onion Chopped
2 Cloves Garlic
1 Can RoTel Cilantro & Lime Diced Tomatoes
1 Small Jalapeno
3/4 Cup Cilantro
1/2 Cup Scallions
1 lime
Salt

Instructions:
Combine quinoa with 2 cups water and bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes. Set aside and let stand for 5-10 minutes. Add all the other ingredients together and toss into quinoa, finishing with 1 squeezed lime, then salt to taste. Serve hot. Extremely fresh tasting and yummy!!