Long Walks, Long Thoughts.

One beautiful thing about spending hours on the trail every day is that I spend hours thinking, pondering, wondering, wishing, praying, and smiling.  What a beautiful time it has become.  I do listen to music every once in a while, but I find myself more and more just taking out my earbuds and thinking.  It's so good to just be away from the house and outside.  The weather has been beautiful, and the fall air feels so good.   
One problem with walking/running long distances is that if I don't go 6, 8, or 10 miles I feel like a slacker.  Today was an off day since I went 10 miles yesterday.  My one day of recovery.  I thought about going for a short walk, but instead I did chores and eventually wandered over to starbucks to write this blog.  I think it's probably better for my body anyway if I give it a day off.  Especially after yesterday.  I still struggle with feeling like I'm slacking just because I took a day off.  I had to readjust my attitude, and now I'm feeling much better about not going my usual 6 miles. 
The Holidays are approaching along with colder weather.  I'm getting nervous about what I'm going to do when it gets bitter cold out.  I haven't decided yet, but I know that I'll figure it out as the time approaches.  I never used to understand where people found the determination to workout every day, but now I do.  Days when I don't work out, I feel tired, sluggish, and sleepy.  Even now I feel like taking a nap.  Instead I'm drinking water, and I did chores all morning.  Anything to keep moving.  :)  I hate the idea of joining a gym, but I might have to.
So, I'm still kicking, and I'm really enjoying my new routine. 

Run, Carrie, Run

So, I like to go running a lot.  I'm not sure I actually like it yet, but I go.  It's often time hard on me...but I go.  Today I ran nearly 6 miles and walked another 2 giving me an 8 mile total.  6 MILES!  That is farther than I ever thought I would ever run.  Ever.  I just had the drive to push my body today...and I did.  I got home and I have two enormous blisters on my arches.  I don't think I'll be running that far again for a while.  I'll continue to stick to my two mile daily run and 4 mile walk.  I've been walking a 6 mile loop for some time now. 

So, I just wanted to let you all know that even though it's been challenging finding time writing on this blog, I'm still working really hard, and am starting to see and feel the changes in my body.  :)

Friday!

Well, it's the end of a very busy, eventful week.  I had sick children in the beginning, but from Wednesday on it has been Halloween madness, and running.  I started reading this book called, "The non-runners guide to marathon training"  Amazing.  It's encouraging, and it helps give me a reasonable idea of how my running should be.  Although I'm not planning on running a marathon in 16 weeks, I am planning on walking 13.1 miles in a mere 5 weeks.  13.1 miles is a long way!  So, I took the books advice and started running.....very, very slowly.  I think the reason I've always hated running is because I hate going slow.  Sometimes I could actually walk faster than I am running....but that isn't the point.  Running for me is a mental thing.  Pushing myself to do something I hate.  I ran 4 miles my first day.  I was stoked.  It is so much farther than I ever thought I could run.  Given, it took forever, but I did it!   My foot is hurting, so I only ran Tues and Wed.  Yesterday I went for a walk, and my plan is to go for another run today. 

Eating healthy has been somewhat of a challenge.  Most of the time I find myself in the pantry just looking for something, anything to snack on.  I almost always can't find anything and end up eating either celery, lettuce, or an apple.  I've eaten a ton of apples.   It's funny how you're hungry, but you just can't find anything.  My staples have become hummus, apples, muesli and yogurt, and pita chips, among other things.  I eat whatever Henry makes for dinner.  On Thursdays I eat at subway.   Yum. 

I hate the struggle in my mind over food.  I think that it's getting easier, and I'm trying to make sure it's balanced the way it should be, but a lot of the time I'm thinking about food.  It's hard to know when I'm actually hungry, or if it's just the fact that I'm trying not to eat to much....so I want it.  That standard reaction that every child has.  You can't have something, so you want it even more.  My mind struggles.  Luckily I live in a house of very organic vegetarians.   There isn't very much junk around for me to grab.  I did sneak a few dark chocolate edamame the other day but if that is the worst I can do, then I'm feeling pretty lucky.  Change, change...sometimes difficult, but often fun. 

Playlist:

Paramore

Ingrid Michaelson

Beyonce:she's been fun to run to.

Monday

Hello All!

So, sick children have me overwhelmed at the moment.  Sorry for not blogging.  I generally try to type during the day, but when they're home from school, it is hard to find the time.  I had Alicia do a Pilates video with me today for a little bit of a core workout.  I've been walking a lot, but today(because I was home bound) I wasn't able to hit the trail. 

My eating has gotten into a bit of a routine. 

Muesli for breakfast.  Sometimes with fruit and either milk or yogurt.

Lunch is usually leftovers, a salad, or a few pita chips with hummus....I love hummus. 

Snack: nuts, crackers, or fruit

Dinner: whatever Henry makes.

I went on a walk Thursday morning....it was hardly sprinkling

But, while on the walk, it started pouring...and pouring...and pouring

So, here I am.  Completely soaked to the bone.

My poor shoes.  They were so completely drenched.

It's been fun finding and trying different foods.  The options are different here for the most part, so it's interesting.  I will say that sometimes when I have to have a dessert my option has been yogurt raisins.  I think they're delicious.  I think I'm doing pretty well, and I'm sorry that I haven't been blogging as much as I would like.  It's nearly 11:30 now...so off to bed I go.  I need good sleep to make good decisions. 

Playlist:

Lifehouse

Norah Jones

Reading:

Acts and Ephesians

Ephesians 2:18-22

"For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. ¹⁹So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, ²⁰ built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, ²¹ in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. ²²In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."

ZUMBA

I have been eating way less then normal... actually potions of a normal human being... and I have been doing better at not snacking at every moment...

I also would like to say that I have the best Dad ever... He bought me Zumba yesterday, and it should be here by the end of the week... I will post for sure about how it goes... I am actually really looking forward to it.

Shameful!

So, sorry I haven't been typing this week like I should be.  No need to worry though, my lack of blogging is not a lack of work being done.  I've had a great week.  Lots of walking, lots of healthy food, a few mistakes, but for the most part it's been great fun.  I just haven't had any time to sit down and type.  For those of you that don't know already, I injured my foot.  It is an injury called Plantar Fasciitis.  I strained it walking in my flats, and other shoes that have no support.  Now I'm paying the price.  Every morning I stretch it out, in hopes that I'll be able to put pressure on my foot.  I've still been walking though, only now I am ditching my cute shoes for my very supportive shoes.  Shoe shopping is in my future.  I'll try to finish out this weekend with more updates. 
A few things I did this week:
Walked atleast 3 miles every day. 
Played a pick-up game of basketball in a park.  So fun.
Walked around downtown with Alicia. 
Walked through the National Museum of Natural History.

Playlist:
Mat Kearney
Brooke Fraser(her new album rocks)
Paramore

Basketball!

Yes! Amanda's wedding is over and done with and now I can really get serious about losing some weight. I had an amazing time at the wedding, but I looking forward to feeling better about myself.

Here's a picture of the bouquet I caught... So that means I have to get into shape so I can meet the man I am supposed to marry! haha

Tomorrow open gym starts. And I am looking forward to it... I absolutely love basketball and getting back into it is going to be great. Getting up early is going to be the pits but atleast I will be getting some exercise. And I am almost sure this will just start my will to work out more. I am looking forward to getting back on the court. I haven't played basketball in such a long time but I am so excited to give it a go again... Basketball has always been a passion of mine.

Now to the whole eating better thing... I need to get on that... Its October... which means Halloween candy everywhere... not a good thing... I don't really have a sweet tooth... Its just easier to eat it when its sitting right there in your face... So here's to will power! God give me the strength to stay out of the candy bowl at work and at home!

Saturday

It was an incredibly beautiful day here today, but I was flat out lazy today.  I walked for just a short time.  I lacked the motivation to actually do something on my day off.  I didn't eat very much, but I look back on the day reflecting on how I could've been more productive.  This is the problem with really caring about how much energy you're expending, all of  a sudden I see my relaxing days as a curse.  I went shopping with "my family" today, which was a fun.  The girls needed a few new school clothes.  We went to dinner, and I think I did pretty good.  I ate a small mexican salad.  No dressing, sour cream, or much else.  It did have refried beans, but o well.  It was delicious. 
I did buy my very, very cheap plane ticket to Florida today.  Which means that I'll be walking a half-marathon in just two short months.  Now I have a real need to train.  As of yesterday I'm pretty sure I would have a tough time finishing 13.1 miles.  Walking is one of those things that you sort of get in a grove and cruise but I'm not sure I could go 13 miles.  I'm hoping that this training will be motivating enought to help me stay on track. 

Playlist:
Today was a Mat Kearney pandora day.  All day. 

2 for 1

(Thursday)

I went to bed rather early last night, at 9:30.  I woke up at 5 this morning ready to get moving.  It's a nice change of pace since usually I have to drag my butt out of bed at 5:45.  It was the easiest morning this week.  The girls got ready quickly, and there weren't any tears.  When the morning goes smoothly it helps me feel optimistic about the rest of my day.  I had a lot to do yesterday, but I spent most of the day moving my room around a bit, and organizing things.  I also went and bought some curtains for my bedroom, and a new shower curtain.  It's crazy how quickly my 4 hours without the girls cruises by.  Before I know it I'm sitting outside of Alicia's school waiting for my crazy afternoon to begin. 

My challenge with managing my time well is the same as it always is when I have to summon the will power to do what I should be doing.  Even taking the time out of my day to write this blog can become an excuse not to exercise.  I'm going to try to write in the evenings when it's to dark to go walking.  Eating has been easier than expected, mostly because there isn't a ton of junk to munch on in this house.  Yes, there is some, but so far it's been easy to avoid. 

Breakfast: I ate a whole wheat tortilla with a little bit of peanut butter and honey(Laura sent me the most delicious Honey from a farmers market).   

Lunch:  I can't remember...which isn't good...but I seriously can't remember

snack: I ate reduced fat wheat thins again....yum. 

Dinner:  I made a delicious salad with onions, peppers, apple, and lettuce.  Even Gigi had some because she said it looked so good...and it was.

Gigi and I made cookies for dessert(a small batch).  I ate only one small cookie after they came out.  It was delicious...not low on calories...but delicious. 

Playlist:

Disney Music in the morning

I didn't listen as much to Pandora, but I was jamming out on the piano for a bit.

(Friday)

Lovely Friday, how I love you.

What a day.  I drove the girls to school, went grocery shopping, and came back to the house.  Telling myself over and over that I would make time for a walk today.  I put the groceries away, made myself a bowl of muesli with yogurt, and sat down at my computer for the first time in a while.  I sipped my coffee for a bit, responded to a few emails, tried to hunt down a ringtone for my dad to no avail, and finally drug my lazy self outside for a walk.  And walk I did.  I decided to take a bit of a different route, and ended up walking over 5 miles.  I haven't walked that far in a long time, and my foot that was already hurting was screaming at me by the end of the walk.  The last mile or so I was able to talk on the phone with Hilary which really helped take my mind off my aching foot.  She called with some news.  December 4th there is a half Marathon in Panama City Beach, FL(where Hilary lives) so, if I can find a ticket, I'm going to fly down there and walk the 13.1 miles with her.  She can only walk since she'll be 8 months pregnant, but she wants to do it.  If she can't finish then I'll have to finish on my own, but I'm excited at the possibility of being able to do this with her.  A goal!  Something to work towards.  I like it. 

Breakfast:  Muesli with yogurt and 1/2 banana

Lunch: 1slice of bread, hummus, and a little bit of leftover pasta

Dinner: Salad, and a small piece of homemade calizone.

Playlist:

Mat Kearney is awesome.

Paramore is too.

John Mayer....hum, John Mayer.

Norah Jones made for a pleasant morning.  The girls really enjoyed her CD when they were getting ready.

Bored

Its a great day so far... I woke up and got my behind right out of bed... I have a wedding this weekend... and I am beginning to wish that I had taken my weight loss a little more serious for this wedding, but hey I still will be a smoking hot Bridesmaid! Its in my blood what can I say...





Yesterday happened to be one of the longest boring days... I was home alone... no bueno... being lazy is going to be my downfall in this transformation... I sat around most of the day, but one thing that I can say is that I didn't eat nearly as much as I would have normally when bored... I just eat my normal lunch of a turkey and cracked wheat sandwhich... not sure if thats way bad for me or not... but I love them! And I drank water... and more water... I actually didn't have a single drop of juice yesterday which is a great accomplishment.





I am worried about this weekend... Eating and drinking... and eating and drinking... hopefully I can do it in moderation...

No Bueno round 2

Wednesdays are probably the busiest day of my week.  I somehow survived, but it wasn't easy.  It requires being up early, and out late.  I'm really sad to be so far from Kendra during this project, because it would encourage me so much more if I had someone to go on these long walks with me.  They get boring...and even though I have Paramore, Beyonce, or Glee to keep me company, nothing compares to the joy of walking and talking with a friend.  I will continue to pursue the outdoors now while I still can.  I'm figuring that in a few weeks time I'll have to join a gym when it starts getting colder outside.  I hate gyms and much prefer the outdoors, but what can you do. 
I ate Muesli for breakfast again.  I love muesli.  I also bought a new brand to try, so I'm excited about that.  For lunch I munched on a few bites of roasted tofu, and some leftover foccacia from the night before.  Snack I ate a few low-fat wheat thins(they are better than the regular anyway).  And, for dinner Henry had tortilla chips with a little bit of cheese and then we had hummus, avacado, and tomato to eat with our "nachos".  It doesn't sound that healthy, but I limited the amount of chips, and it was delicious(mainly because I LOVE avocado).
I at 6 dark chocolate almonds for dessert, and they were amazingly delicious. 

My music for the day was definitley very laid back:
Ingrid Michaelson
Norah Jones
And Chopin.

I went for a walk, but it was short since it was getting dark. 

A lovely day overall. 

Tuesday

Tuesday.  I woke up this morning with a running dialogue of blog in my mind.  Things I wanted to share.  Unfortunately I didn't have the time today to sit down and actually write out all the things I was thinking until now....nearly 8pm.  I'm pretty tired but I'll do my best. 

I didn't have time to actually go for a planned workout today, but I was very active.  So, even though this doesn't count as an actual workout, it'll have to work for today.  I cleaned, and cleaned, and cleaned.  My room, my bathroom, and a few other places in the house.  I measured my windows and worked some more on my room decorations.  (I'm still very annoyed with my white walls).  I played soccer with Gigi for an hour which was both humiliating and hard.  I was sweating hard, and we ran a lot but I'm miserably bad at soccer.  She really enjoyed it though, and we had a good time.  While she was at her actual practice I went for a walk, and stretched my legs a bit since they're still sore. 

As far as food, I had a great day.  I did(sadly) cheat a little, but I don't feel to bad. 

For breakfast I had muesli with fruit.  Super healthy and delicious. 

For lunch I had a beautiful salad with a very small amount of raspberry dressing. 

Snack(where I cheated) I had a few of the girls yogurt stars, which sound healthy but are mostly sugar.  They're basically yogurt pretzels in a star shape.  Delicious until I read the nutrition facts.  Way to much sugar. 

For dinner we just ate a delicious fair of edamame, hummus with a bit of flat bread, homemade foccacia, tofu, and a mushroom turnover.  I think I got my protein in for the day.  :)

(This salad looks bigger in the picture then it actually was)

It is challenging getting protein when you can't eat any meat, but they're very good about eating high protein food.  Henry cooks everything so I don't have to...which I love.  It's nice coming home from after school activities with dinner on the table. 

I'm going to go do a core workout and go to sleep. 

Playlist:

Mostly Christian: I love the song, "At the Cross" by Hillsong. 

We listened to the Beyonce Pandora station when the girls were getting ready this morning.  That makes you want to get up and get moving for sure.   

No Bueno

I am beginning to think that this is a great idea... But I think that my approach to it might be a little different then Carrie's... which is alright... I'm not so much for the break down of food. Maybe because its out of my comfort zone to share everthing I am eating... Maybe its a bit of a security blanket. Yesterday was a busy day... I only had time to eat once... and honestly I had a Ham sandwich on cracked wheat bread, with a ton of Mustard... As you will soon find out I have an extreme love for mustard... went as far as naming on of my purses Musty... and how I miss her so! Anyway back on topic... And I had a handful of chips... Yes, I had chips... Not something I am proud of, but they were calliing my name. I definitely need to work on my will power, and soon it will be easy to say NO to the crunchy salty deliciousness of Lay's Potato Chips...





No exercise happened yesterday unlike Carrie's 4 mile walk... maybe I will start today? A walk down my driveway would be a good start! Its about a mile down and back... yeah thats where I will start. So expect to hear about an adventureous walk down a halfway graveled road! Haha!





Is having friends over a good enough excuse to eat like a savage? I think not! Its all about portion control....


(Wednesday Morning...)


Well I don't think I ate like a savage, but I can tell you now I didn't do well at all last night... My Mom made enchiladas... of course I was going to enjoy them... and I did... They were fabulous... I think Megan (the Bride) was trying to sabotage (Sabotage happens to be one of my favorite words, best said in a creepy voice) my diet... Haha... I didn't feel bad though beaus ehse was right along side of me eating those yummy delicious enchiladas... I have got to start taking this more serious... And I will trust me on that one... Its important to get heathy and be fit!

Monday, Monday

(This is Carrie)

So, My first day of this new journey.  One of the things I didn't mention before was my idea to incorporate a time of prayer each morning.  Although I've tried, my morning quiet times have been sporadic at best.  I often find time in the evening to read and pray, but it's shameful how slack it has been.  So, each morning with breakfast I want to read a chapter and pray.  So, I'll be keeping you updated on where I'm reading, and please pray with me for diligence.

It's funny how when you're writing out everything you eat you think twice before eating something.  My initial instinct is, "are you going to be embarrassed to post this to the blog?"  Well, it's such a good conscience to have.  My day started out like any other.  Get up, shower, make coffee, make lunches, wake up girls, make breakfast, and get out the door as close to 7:15 as possible.  I did, consciously eat a whole wheat bagel with low-fat cream cheese this morning.  It's not my normal breakfast, but I woke up later than usual, and succumbed to the time crunch.  I put very little cream cheese though, so that wont hurt as much as the 40 carbs from the bagel will.

I've been walking a lot, but days like today make staying inside look better and better.  It's raining, and the wind makes it feel quite chilly.  I'm liking the idea of tea more and more.  I kept telling myself, "don't procrastinate.  Go for a walk now before you don't have the time.  You wont have the time to go after work tonight...take advantage of the day time. GO!"  My internal struggle is something I'll continually be fighting on this blog, hence the reason for the blog.

I went for a decent walk, about 4 miles.  It wasn't supposed to be a workout as much as just moving.  My legs are really sore from a brilliant idea I had yesterday to do a leg workout....I could hardly walk up the stairs this morning.  It was a nice walk though.  I really enjoyed the fall air.

So, today my journal is as follows:

breakfast-bagel and light cream cheese

lunch- chicken egg roll-it was low fat, and had lots of protein.  Which is good because I live with vegetarians.

snack-6 triscuit....yes, I counted, and a small apple

dinner-lentil soup, a little bit of mushroom pasta, salad, and a delicious apple from my sister Laura!

I'm still figuring out how to count my exact calories, but I know that I was eating small portions. 

Music:

I decided to include the pandora stations I listened to throughout the day...random, I know.

Lots of Paramore-great for walking, my Paramore station rocks.

Mumford and Sons-they fit the dreary, cloudy, fall feel

Ingrid Michaelson while I was waiting a the school for Alicia. 

Yay for Pandora.

Getting on Track

Day 1 (or so to say)


When Carrie and I decided to do this I wasn't so sure. I have started and stop dieting so many times. I really got to thinking about it though... Why stay the way you are if your not happy? In the past year I have made a lot of changes on the inside... so why not start working on the outside? So here's to making the few changes I need to be the hottest bridesmaid Hermiston (where the wedding will be) has ever seen! Haha!


Its easy to make goals... the hard part is sticking to them.


Well I know that when Carrie comes to visit... We have to go dress shopping... Which means getting measured! We have until December to make some changes to our figures. Which means throughout all the holidays we have to stick to some type of structure. I can cut back on food (hopefully)... I just hate to exercise. Exercising is going to be the hard part for me. Maybe I'll start Taebo again... I always enjoyed Billy Blanks... Hitting the treadmill (boring)... I have got it... Zumba! I hear Zumba is a really good workout, and what could be better then dancing... If you at all know me I love to dance! I should not have a single excuse to why I can't exercise... I only work 4 hrs a day, and I will have more then enough time to hit the gym.


As for a food journal... now thats going to be something new for me. Actually keeping track of what I am eating, instead of just eating it and forgetting it... Now I am going to be eating and regretting... (well hopefully not to much regret) So far today I haven't ate anything... and its 10:00 am... I am the worst at eating breakfast, but that will have to change if I want to see any changes. And drinking more water... water... water... water... but I love juice!


I have enlisted some help from a friend... she was a former personal trainer! And I have asked for some advice. I look forward to hearing what she has to say... Hopefully she can help me come up with some realistic goals... Because as of right now I want to drop 50lbs, and that goal is definitely to high... Maybe for right now... I will set a small achieveable goal of 6 lbs by then of October... thats less then 2 lbs a week, definitley achieveable.



Well the journey has begun... And I am looking forward to seeing the progress Carrie and I make! Losing weight is alot easier when you have some support! Here goes nothing...

Slipping Into September

Welcome to the first blog post!  This is going to be a joint blog from the east and west coast as Kendra and I will both be posting here.  We will both also be bridesmaids in our friend Megan's wedding next September.  Hence the name of this blog.  We're hoping to "slip" into our dresses next September.  We're going to be posting our day to day experiences and challenges as well as a food diary.  I'm excited to get started.  Enjoy our ups and downs, and be sure to comment or make suggestions.  Thanks!  Kendra and Carrie