Stressssssss

So, running, and working out, and eating well has really helped my stress level. And attitude in general. It takes a lot to upset me.

But gang, I'm barely hanging on at work this week.

I have a cool job. A great job, actually. I get to raise money and do marketing for a nonprofit that, well, helps other nonprofits. We have 1,540 nonprofit Members all over NC and we do training and have resources to help them run more efficiently. I get to hang out with people who are extremely passionate and, quite literally, saving the world.

But my job has gotten a little bit big of late. I just can't seem to get ahead of the workload. Or keep my head above water. So much so that on Tuesday morning I was so stressed out, I woke up at 5 am and went downstairs to do work rather than lay in bed worrying about it.

I worked for about an hour and then hit the streets for a run. I did feel better, but not exactly relaxed.

Let me say that if I was having the same problem at work a year ago, I would have been borderline inconsolable. I would have been extremely angry about the whole thing. Like, almost offended that I was overwhelmed.

So, at least I'm not there. I think my husband is glad I'm not in that place, too.

I am thankful that I have a physical outlet for my stress now. It makes things much more reasonable.

OH and let me mention, if you want an instant endorphin rush, start weight-lifting. I always feel AWESOME afterwards.

Anywhoo, I'm not one to whine about work since I do genuinely love my job. But, since I've been seriously mellow for about a year, it's a bit of a strange feeling to be this wound up. Maybe I should up the mileage? Ok, might have to wait until it's not 102 degrees for that one...

Sarah

New haircut!

Check out the new cut! My high-school friend Nancy opened Sweet T Salon back in May, and Jordan has been moving me up the style charts ever since. Last time, I went with a nice, conservative bob - this time, we took it waaaay shorter and a bit darker. I'm a big fan. Plus, no ponytails needed to keep it off my neck when running! (these are the important things - right?)

In other news, the running group is going well. These ladies impress the hell out of me. I know, I know, I was in the same place a year ago, but seriously, you forget. Today we upped the intervals to 2 and 1s. They hung in there for a full mile and a half. I hung with the back of the pack and everyone did an amazing job. I try to talk to them because I remember how much faster it made the time go when I was having to try to carry on a conversation. I'm sure they think I'm a total chatty Cathy (Ok, guilty!) but I like to think it helps them get through.

Next group run I can make is Thursday - forecast - 100. AGAIN. Blerg. But, as we've said lots of times, if you can run in July and August in NC, you are DEFINITELY going to keep it up through October! I mean, how can you not?

On the eating front, I did my usual weekend binge - OK, weekend dinner binge. I ate like a bird all day (and worked out) friday and Saturday, but then ended up with nice big ol dinners (and accompanying drinks.) Didn't go over weekly points, but definitely blew them all in the 3 weekend days... maybe change my weigh-in day to Wednesday? Is that cheating?? :-) I can also blame some of the weight gain on my crazy weightlifting skillz - working my way through the New Rules and taking over the boy side of the gym. Boo ya.

Off to eat some pork tenderloin, fresh veggies, and orzo for dinner - yummy! (also, favorite bottle of tempernillo... life is good!)

Sarah

On a smoothie kick!

But they're not green. Though they do occasionally contain spinach.

I've been reading (at Regan's suggestion) The New Rules of Weightlifting for Women. I like it so far. One of their suggestions is to get some extra protein post-workout. So, I've been giving it a try.

We got a rockin blender when we got married and its purpose thus far has been, well, adult beverages. And not the healthy kind.

Smoothies are officially the best thing on a hot day (heat index of 112 today).

Today's recipe:
Hand full of frozen: Blueberries, Strawberries and chopped mangoes.
Hand full of spinach
Scoop of protein powder
Scoop of ground flax seed
1/2 cup light n fit yogurt
1/2 cup greek yogurt
Little milk to make it mix up better.

And, YOWZA, that's a snack to make it through the heat.

Sarah

Fresh veggies!

I mentioned a few months back that we were getting a box of veggies from the Farmer's Market every week. Well, that was back in the winter when the veggies were good, but, meh. Root veggies and greens - how exciting can they be?

Now, we've been getting glorious summer vegetables from the Farmer's Market and various family gardens down at the river.

At present we are SWIMMING in fresh tomatoes. We had a Cherokee Purple tonight - meaty and delish. Just a little bit of salt, maybe some pepper. Nothttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifhing better.

We're having a crustless quiche tonight (crustless, because I can't justify the points that's in the crust, and the eggy part's the best anyways) with spinach, swiss cheese, and fresh cherry tomatoes. It's easy: 30 minutes at 350 in a glass pyrex dish. Done.

Also learned a new trick for slicing all of those little tomatoes in half (works for grapes, too...)

Put a plastic lid on top of a group of them and run a knife through the middle. (I stole this picture from Tami's Tips and Tricks, which, as it turns out, is a pretty cool blog!

Having all of these veggies around has made me actually care about cooking. I know. Insane. Never been my thing before. But I've actually enjoyed trying new recipes and changing them around. I even made fresh tomato/basil sauce on Sunday! (Again, swimming in tomatoes!) Here's the recipe.


Here's how it turned out...

I know, RIGHT?
I would eat zuccini and squash lightly cooked in a tiny bit of olive oil and salt and pepper every day. And I pretty much do. It is a great addition to pasta. We've got only 3 oz. of whole wheat pasta in there, supplement with the veggies, then sauce on the top. DELISH. I outdid myself. :-)

In other news, running group is going well, also weight-lifting. I'm back down to my "pre vacay" weight, so no long-term damage done. Everyone needs a break once in a while.

I also ate 4 oreos at work today.

And they were yummy.

Sarah

Also

Just did 30-Day Shred with 5 lb. weights (yeah, I just used 2 the first couple of times through.) Tougher, but I can tell that I'm stronger because I don't feel like I want to die. I call that, "progress."

Sarah

Woot! Down 3!

Ok, so maybe there was a lot of water retention - or, just a reminder that weight-loss is a fickle beast...

I've lost 3 of the 4 lbs. that registered on the scale on Monday.

Can I get a WOOT WOOT!??

What happens when...

you hop off the wagon for a weekend?

*cough* or two...?

So, 4th of July, I played. It was fun. I ate, well, pretty much whatever I wanted.

Then the following work week, I was pretty good! Working out, weights, water, stayed within my points nearly every day. (Go me!)

Then, we went to Boone on Friday, and it was like, "All bets are off!" I ate the following:
- Black Cat burrito and guacamole. Many chips.
- Blueberry pancakes with soysage
- Chick Fil A
- Brownies
- Mini cupcakes
- Kettle Corn (BEST EVER! Ate a GIANT bag.)
- Ham biscuit
- Wine
- Blueberry and banana pancakes with soysage (We're obsessed with Melanie's in Boone.)
- Barbeque Chicken Sandwich (the Uncle Harry) at Macadoos
- Peach Sangria (first liquor drink I've had in Boone! It used to be illegal. Stupid.)
- Ruffles (REGULAR - not baked!) WITH ranch dressing. SO good.
- Brownie Sunday (1/3 of it, but it was massive.)

If you were keeping track, that's roughly 18 bajillion points.

So what was the damage? About a 4 pound gain. Some of it was probably water weight due to the staggering amount of salt in the above list.

Now what? Well, I'm back on track, and keeping well within my points. We've been eating at home, so that helps. Back in the gym tomorrow.

I really enjoyed not having to stress over my food this weekend. I think Preston liked it, too! I can't do it all of the time, but it was good to have a break.

In other news, the NCRC Women's Beginner Running Program starts this week! Can't wait to volunteer as a coach and encourage others to take off running. (Also, it was 101 degrees here today - heat index of 110. So. They'll need encouragement.)

Hope everyone's staying cool!

Sarah

Satan, thy name is...

Jillian Michaels.

You know how you run a half-marathon, and you work out, and you're feeling pretty good about your fitness level? I mean, you think, "hey. I'm killing it out here. Gym or running 5-6 days a week. Eating well. I mean, I am the man."

Then, one day, you decide to buy "30 day shred," and suddenly, you are humbled.

Ok, you may not have had that experience, but I did today! I don't know what it was. I mean, it was only 20 minutes. But y'all. Rough. I did give it my all, so maybe that was it. I found some really simple stuff difficult - jumping jacks?? I guess that running uses totally different muscles - there is no reason that should have been even remotely challenging!

But it was.

And then, because I was really irritated that I only got 4 WW points for the workout, I went out for a run.

Oh, PS. It's 90 degrees here today with 99% humidity. You underestimate how much you use your arms when running - they are like jello from the shred. I felt like they were flopping all over the place!

I may not be able to walk tomorrow, but it was pretty great to try something new and get a little variety in my work out routine.

So, dear readers, was there ever a time when you were feeling on top of your fitness game and then were completely humbled? Surely I'm not the only one!

Sarah

Happy 4th of July!

I LOVE the 4th of July. It is my favorite holiday. My family always gathers at the River and we have a huge party. It is awesome. Here I am with my cousins circa 1990 something... (The baby in the pig tails is a sophomore in college, so this picture is probably 18 years old.)

This year was no exception. All of the Manns and a few assorted others (including my sister-in-law all the way from Utah!)were there. We rented bounce-houses for the kids, had a giant potluck, and put no fewer than 18 boats/jetskis in the water. (that's actually a pretty conservative estimate.)

A couple of things:
1. I didn't count points at all. I was pretty aware of what I was eating, but at some point during the weekend, I did indulge in the following:
- Frankie Cubbedge's banana pudding.
- Lynn Kenner's chocolate chip cookies (the recipe requires 2 sticks of butter and 2 bags of chocolate chips... they are PERFECT.
- Hamburger and hotdog
- Dacquiris, apple pie moonshine, beer, wine, and I can't even remember what else.
- Fried soft-shell crabs

2. I went on a run, and it was awful. Maybe the worst ever. Adventures include:
- Smokey conditions from the wildfires in a nearby county.
- PACKS of dogs. Namely, 5 when I had about a mile to go. 4 were little, but they were backed up by a really big pitbull. Their owners just stood there. I was ANGRY.
- Sweltering heat. It wasn't bad when I started off, but it was awful by the time I was finished.
- Mosquitos. Swarms and swarms of them. They weren't too bad when i was running, but I was doing intervals mostly because of the smoke. Whenever i slowed, they were covering me. It was the most miserable feeling EVER. I probably had 30 bites by the time I got home.
- Bears. OK, Bear,singular, but it did make me a smidge nervous. A black bear crossed the road about 100 yards in front of me. I did, (like an idiot) run toward where I had seen it - perhaps in hindsight, not a great idea. It was cool, but it was an interesting way to get my heart rate up.

So, overall - fitness this week, about a 2. Diet. Negative 8. If I gain this week, I won't be surprised, but hey, life goes on.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Sarah