Cotton Candy and Workout Plan Aug 1 – 7

Yes 2 VERY related healthy living subjects! I realized today that there are pretty much no pictures of me on my own blog. I swear I’m not a robot. Anyways here is a self-taken cell phone (only the best quality for me!) picture of me with cotton candy after the carnival today in Bruce’s mom’s kitchen. Yes I am that white (natural light + weekend of stomach flu = ghost).

 

I felt well enough to venture out into the world today. The carnival was fun, well the cotton candy was most of the fun. Lets call this the weekend of unhealthy. Funny thing is I weighed myself for a laugh when I got home and I lost 1.2 pounds in 48 hours (I weigh myself every Friday so I know what I weighed 2 days ago), I blame the stomach flu.

Anyways here is a recap of this week:

Planned
Type	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Run (Miles)	Run 30 min	Run 42 min	Run 46 min (outside)	35 min run	42 min run	40 min run	REST
Class				Body Pump
Swimming			I hour
Other	15 min ST
Actual
Type	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Run (Miles)	2.49	3.6	4.05	3.2	3.5	3.56
Class				Body Pump
Swimming (meters)
Other	15 min ST
Total Miles this week:	20.4
Total meters this week:	0

 

Great week for mileage, 20.4 miles woo hoo! I am pleased : ) I had to skip my swim due to meetings. So here is the upcoming plan for the next week:

 

Planned
Type	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Run (Minutes)	30 min	47 min	40 min (outside)	30 min (outside)	40 min	47 min (outside)	Rest
Class	Body Pump			Body Pump	Body Flow	Yoga
Swimming
Other

 

All my runs have set speeds that are planned for me by my friend the running coach so that is why when you see the actual results on here and daily mile the miles are all over the place. His plan is working wonderfully so far I am feeling stronger then ever!

 

There is no planned swim but we’ll see what happens. Wednesday is a maybe holiday here, yes I said maybe because it depends on the wind. Only in Newfoundland the province of the worst winds ever would there be a holiday that depends on the wind. The holiday is for the Royal St. John’s Regatta (fyi: the oldest sporting event in North America). I have rowed it 3 times myself but have retired due to back injuries. So it will happen one day this week just depending on the winds so I didn’t want to schedule a swim until I see what unfolds this week! We have house reno projects planned depending on the holiday so we will see what happens! Enjoy your week!

A Weekend Around the Harbour

We left town yesterday to head around the bay, where Bruce is from, Fox Harbour. It’s Fox Harbour Festival weekend – a weekend of plays, dances, and carnivals. Last night we went to a play and headed home early because I knew I had a 40 minute run planned this morning. So I got up this morning and went for my run around the harbour with Bruce’s brother-in-law. It was the first time I have ever gone on a run with anyone in a long long time. It’s usually just just me and my iPod. Anyways it was a tough hilly 3.56 miles and without him I probably wouldn’t have stuck with my speed plan. Anyways it was a great day for running – low temperatures and overcast, here’s a few pictures from my run:

 

 

So when we came back from our run this is what was waiting for us. Fresh bread right out of the oven, Bruce’s mom is the most AMAZING cook!

Anyways that bread is basically all I have eaten since then because shortly after I returned from my run I got sick and have been ever since. Either I ate something that didn’t agree with me or I have a stomach bug. I am leaning towards a bug because it just hasn’t let up since and now I am stuck at the house while everyone is at the dance. However, because of that I have time to share this next recipe with you! Toutons are a Newfoundland traditional food that are typically served for breakfast. There is nothing healthy about this food at all but everything in moderation! : )

Toutons

• White bread dough
• Butter / margarine
• Dipping sauces: molasses or maple syrup

 

Melt butter or margarine in a large frying pan until pan is coated. Tear dough into 3 or 4 inch size pieces and flatten them as you lay them on the pan. Fry them for 3 or 4 minutes each side over medium heat until golden brown. Serve hot with dipping sauce!

Hopefully my stomach is feeling better for the carnival tomorrow! : )

Wednesday = Rain Day

Why is it on my outdoor run of the week (Wednesdays) its always rainy, foggy, awful weather? All the same for the first time I used a new app to track my milage. I hit an 8 min/mile at times…. I didn’t know I had it in me! Rain or shine I was happy!

Monday Mantra: Squeaky Clean

So first an update on last week, it was to put it lightly an epic fail. Well maybe not epic but definitely a fail. I didn’t do my research and rather then give excuses it just didn’t happen. I was more mindful of watching myself in the mirror when I was doing body pump for form which is good, but really I need to do some research so I can actually have some idea if my running form is even near what it needs to be. That was basically the majority of last week’s goal and I just didn’t do it so I’ll have to try and take some time to do that. Moving on!

 

Monday Mantra Seven: Squeaky Clean

I don’t know if you noticed or not but I pretty much plan my whole life. You’ve probably caught on to my obsessive ways by now. Anyways I think being organized is the key to success it’s also the key to gettin’ sh*t done. So I figured after an inspiration from Catlin learning to organize my cleaning would make a great mantra. I love to cook, bake, and do home improvement projects but I hate cleaning with a passion. There is nothing fun about dishes, laundry, mopping the floors etc. But it’s gotta get done. So I’ve decided to try the do a little a day method. Here’s the plan:

 

Tuesday: Clean kitchen

Wednesday: Bathrooms

Thursday: Wash floors

Friday: Dusting and overall tidy (aka put everything back in it’s place)

Saturday: Laundry

Sunday: Vacuum

Monday: Tidy Bedroom and office

So that is the plan. You’ll notice it starts tomorrow because I am basically asleep as I write this post and I need to go to bed! I’ll see how this works for a week and decide next Monday if it’s a method I want to stick with in the future.

 

In other news I made this for dessert tonight:

 

Go make it NOW! AMAZING! I also had my nails done today and now they look like this:

 

They remind me of the 80’s,  I feel the need to wear a scrunchie! So this has been a very random post, enjoy your week! : )

Workout Plan July 25-31

I had a great weekend. I got lots accomplished and had a great night out with the girls last night. I probably had a little too much fun because I am exhausted tonight. As you can see below I swapped my Sunday run for a Saturday run because I knew I was going out Saturday night and that I was unlikely to get up Sunday and run. Anyways I am really pleased this week I ran close to 18 miles. I can feel my legs getting stronger.

 

Planned
Type	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Run (Miles)	Run 30 min	Run 38 min	Run 30 min (outside)	Run 30 min	Run 41 min		Run 40 min
Class		Body Pump		Body Pump	Body Flow	Body Flow
Swimming	1 hour
Other
Actual
Type	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Run (Miles)	2.45	3.3	2.61	2.9	3.4	2.85	REST
Class		Body Pump		Body Pump	Body Flow	Yoga
Swimming (meters)	750
Other
Total Miles this week:	17.51
Total meters this week:	750

 

 

Here is the plan for the upcoming week:

Type	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Run (Miles)	Run 30 min	Run 42 min	Run 46 min (outside)	35 min run	42 min run	40 min run (outside)	REST
Class				Body Pump
Swimming			I hour
Other	15 min ST

 

As you can see I’m lacking on the yoga and a second body pump class. It’s release week for body pump and I can’t get into a Monday class. I’m on work training Tuesday and Wednesday and heading out of town the weekend so it’s going to be a weird week. I’ll have to make up for it next week!

Race Panic

As I have mentioned I am planning on running my very first 5k in September. I was just looking at local races and triathlons online and dreaming of one day aspiring to run a marathon or a triathlon. These goals are way down the road but one day maybe. Anyways I happened to look  make the mistake of looking at the 2010 results from the race I am running. The last finisher was at 36 minutes. Right now I am running 5k on a treadmill in that time, that’s with a/c and no hills. So now I am panicking! I did my first outside run in forever on Wednesday morning.

 

This is what it was like out, humid, and damp. It was a challenge to do the 4.2 k I managed in 29 minutes. I did (as per my plan) jog 2 walk 1. I am just worrying now because I am afraid I will finish last and look like an idiot. The race I plan to run also has the title provincial championship in it which makes it even more intimidating (anyone can run it though). There’s another 5k sooner that is just a normal non-championship but I am in Toronto that weekend so I can’t run that one. I’m wondering if I should just do the Run for the Cure in October as my first race because people walk that one so I know I won’t finish last. Or maybe I am just being silly and should just trust my training (and practice the race route repeatedly). I know lots of people jump in and do a half marathon for their first race but that’s just me. I like to do things in order and build my confidence. I am not the jump in without knowing type as you can tell I plan everything.

 

So I have 51 days till the race and my question to you my readers – I know you’re out there I see the site stats – what do you think? If you are seasoned racer can you offer advice? If you are a newbie like me – are you scared to? I can’t be alone on this.

Summer Time = BBQ Time

When the sun is shining there is no better time for a barbeque!

 

 

 

I made the pasta salad from this recipe it was amazing. Go make it now! The kabobs were my own special blend of marinade:

Chicken or Beef Kabobs (enough marinade for about 20 kabobs)

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic chopped
• 2 springs fresh rosemary pulled apart
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• salt and fresh pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients then marinate about 3 lbs of chicken or beef with 1 chopped bell pepper and 1 chopped yellow onion.  Marinate for at least an hour then thread meat and veggies on to water soaked wooden skewers. Grill as usual! These were delish! : )

 

I hope you are enjoying the food of summer as much as I am!

Monday Mantra: Work Smarter Not Harder

So first an update on last week. My back on track week couldn’t have went better! I didn’t miss one workout so I was really proud. I felt strong and I felt like I was back on track in terms of fitness. In terms of eating I followed my meal plan to the tee, my only real goal with that was to eat well and not eat takeout I had no limitations otherwise. I don’t diet I just try and make the best choices so last week was a success!

 

Monday Mantra Six: Work Smarter Not Harder

So this week I plan on again do my best to stick to my plan but not only that I want to take this goal to another level. I want to improve my technique with running. I am going to have to do a little research on this so if anyone has any suggestions they would be appreciated. I also really want to work on my technique in Body Pump, Body Flow, and in my other strength training. I want to be really mindful that I am lifting and working out for both optimum results and safety.

 

New Workout Plan View

So starting this week you’ll view my workouts in a different (and more colourful) way. I also wanted a way to show you my progress. So this was the results from last week’s workout plans:

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Ran 2.45 miles	Ran 2.55 miles	Ran 1.5 miles	Ran 2.55 miles	Ran 2.4 miles		Ran 3.3 miles
Body Pump			Body Flow		Body Flow	Body Pump
		Swam 500 m

 

As you can see I didn’t miss one workout!! : ) I ran 15 miles total. I am so pleased with myself and happy I pushed through. I feel stronger then ever! I think the combination of posting my workouts here and having someone coach me in my running and planning my runs makes me feel like I have to go do them whether I want to or not. I am always happy I did afterwards!  So from now on this is what you will see every Sunday (except the bottom will actually be filled out) this is the plan for the upcoming week:

Planned
Type	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Run (Miles)	Run 30 min	Run 38 min	Run 30 min (outside)	Run 30 min	Run 41 min		Run 40 min
Class		Body Pump		Body Pump	Body Flow	Body Flow
Swimming	1 hour
Other
Actual
Type	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Run (Miles)
Class
Swimming (meters)
Other
Total Miles this week:	0
Total meters this week:	0

 

What do you think of the new look? I am happy with it just because now I have Excel sheets that track everything so it’s more organized and just requires a copy paste. But I’d love to hear feedback.

How do you track your workouts? I plan to use this system and Daily Mile (add me!)

My Uneventful Weekend

It has been a quiet weekend so far, and that’s just fine with me! It started off yesterday with this delightful end of the week beer and pita chip combo.

I seriously cannot stop snacking on these, plain, with salsa, or a scoop of hummus, they are amazing!! Last night I made homemade pizza and did some re-watching of Harry Potter. I am hoping to get see the new one either this week or next. This morning I awoke bright and early for some breakfast and then headed to Body Flow. For breakfast I made this:

 

Banana Oat Bran (Serves 2)

• 2/3 cup oat bran
• 1 cup vanilla soy milk
• 1 cup water
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 mashed banana
• 1 scoop nut butter

 

Bring the water and soy milk to a boil. Reduce heat to low-med then slowly add oat bran followed by chia seeds. Stir continually while cooking for about 3 – 5 minutes depending on how thick you want it. Stir in mashed banana and cook another 1 – 2 minutes. Serve hot topped with nut butter!

 

It was so so so yummy and a great pre Body Flow breakfast! The new release was taught today and I loved all the new songs and moves. It’s been a great Saturday – I am off to curl up in bed with a book, I have a 40 minute run + body pump tomorrow!