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!

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!

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.

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!

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!!

Being mindful about health: My journey

If you know me well, you know I haven't been on the "fitness train" for very long. In fact, it's been less than a year. To most, it seems that I'm just keeping up with the current fads. That's easily understandable. But I want to share with you a little bit about my journey; why I am so passionate about my health and the commitment I've made to make it a permanent facet of my life.

Most of my life, I've struggled with my weight and self-image. I never even thought about dealing with it until I was a senior in high school (2005.) I did Weight Watchers for about two months....so I could fit comfortably into my prom dress. It felt good to lose the weight and it felt good to look nice in my dress.

Senior prom!

But that was my end goal: to lose weight, to look nice in the dress. When that was over, it was back to business as usual. I spent the summer...eating. There were picnics, graduation parties, sleepovers with my friends. Plus I traveled to Argentina, where I indulged in some of the best food of my life. I ate croissants smothered in dulce de leche--- every morning. Sounds pretty healthy, huh?

Eating something filled with, you guessed it, dulce de leche.

And then of course, my freshman year of college. I'm pretty sure I ate pizza for lunch everyday. I went to Cleveland State, so the possibilities for good food were endless. My friends and I would go all over the city in search for delicious, non-student center grub (Crab cakes at The Nauti Mermaid, anyone?)  I spent most of my college years eating HORRIBLY and not thinking anything of it. Then, in 2008, one of my closest friends got engaged and asked me to be a bridesmaid. A comment from someone about me being a "big girl" meant that I spent 4 months literally working my butt off. I joined Weight Watchers (again) and spent hours  in the gym. My motivation? Having to get that dress taken waaaaaayyyy in and looking good in it! And I reached that goal. I lost 30 pounds and had to have inches cut out of that dress.

The dress! And my handsome hubby ;-)

Fast forward through the next few years. I completed that cycle a few more times. My motivation went up and down (more bridesmaid dresses, my own wedding dress, etc.) and my weight became a huge struggle. I found out I have a health issue (insulin resistance) that is intensified by poor eating habits. That 30 lbs I had lost? Gained it all back plus 30 more. And I was miserable.

I tell you all of this for a reason. My motivation for years and years of yo-yo dieting and inconsistent health choices was short-term. I had shallow goals. I wanted to look good for a wedding, vacation....whatever. I wanted to be thin. Once I met those goals, I had nothing else to reach for.  I was living irresponsibly and I got tired of living like that. This time last year, I was so depressed. I had no self-confidence and I just remember feeling like I wanted to hide under a rock.  I was tired of feeling tired and I knew I was headed straight towards diabetes and other health issues. I wanted to end the vicious cycle I created for myself.  That was when I realized I had to make a permament change---for myself, for God, for my husband, for my family, for my friends. I didn't want to spend the rest of my life on a health roller coaster. I began to educate myself. I changed the types of food I was eating (and how much of it.) I got off my butt and started moving. I want to set a good example to others, to my future children. I want to be the best version of myself:  confident, happy, and healthy. And I'm getting there. That is why health and fitness are huge parts of my life now. My perspective has greatly changed.  It's not about being "skinny" or taking part in a fad but about being HEALTHY. And I have to want it. I have to want things to be different. Taking care of my body, the one and only body I will ever have, is an investment into myself and my future. Exercising and monitoring the types of foods I put into my body are habits that are nonnegotiable in my life. Has it been a perfect journey? Umm....no. I've wanted to quit numerous times. Even now, I get frustrated when I'm not seeing progress as fast as I'd hoped or when I slip up (because I do slip up.) But I know that every good choice I make gets me one step closer to being healthier than I was.

Maybe you've been where I was. Maybe you're there now. If you are, I encourage you to think about your reasoning: More confidence? More energy? Better health? When you set loftier goals, it's easier to prioritize health and fitness. You have to want it. Don't give up---the journey is worth it! 

Memorial Day Fit Tips

I can not believe Memorial Day weekend is here already! This year is just flying by! I wanted to share some tips for enjoying a healthy holiday weekend. Summer is almost here and you've worked hard... don't let one day set you back.

1. Drink up!! And I'm not talking beer. It's easy to forget about water intake when we have an "off" day. But it's important to make sure you're consuming enough water, especially if it's warm and you're outside and active. Staying hydrated will keep you energized and prevent you from over-eating when it's picnic time.

2. Snack on fruits and veggies.  They contain a high water content, so they'll contribute to staying hydrated. You'll also stay satisfied until meal time...without compromising calories.

3. Maintain your healthy eating. Consistency is key. It might be a vacation day, but calories still count. If you go way off the rails, you might find it hard to get back on track. Look around before you decide what to eat. This will help you eat a more balanced meal. Try to pick one serving of protein, then vegetables or salad, and take only a small portion of high-calorie options (potato salad, anyone??)  If anything, pick ONE thing that you can "splurge" on...but be sure to stay on track with the rest of your meal. Oh, and one plate of food is enough : )

4. Stay away from the buffet.  Once you've made your plate, move away from the food. Take your time eating the food you have and spend time socializing with friends and family. Participate in any  activities going on. You'll be less tempted to graze throughout the party.

5. Get moving! It looks like the weather is supposed to be gorgeous on Monday, so get out there and move! You can even grab a partner. You don't necessarily have to stick to your normal workout routine (although if you can, that is GREAT!) You can bike, walk, play volleyball, golf swim... Whatever! Just be active, especially if you do decide to indulge. Like I mentioned earlier, stay consistent. You'll thank yourself the next day.

I hope you all have a happy, healthy, and SAFE holiday weekend!