Saturday, May 30, 2009

Another 5 minutes bites the dust!

I did it again! C25K w4 D2 down the hatch yesterday. I burned 387 calories in 31 minutes and rocked the casbah! I stared at the timer a little too much this time. It's wierd, it feels like my body could keep going. My breathing is not out of control either, I guess long story short, it's not as bad as all that. The one thing I have to conquer is my inner Debbie Downer. I think if I can beat that bitch into submission, it's only sunshine and roses from there! I didn't really feel the eliptical as I am fighting some wierd cough/sore throat. So, that's it in a nutshell!

Friday, May 29, 2009

Yesterday's Workout

So I sat in front of my massive w/o collection pondering what w/o to do. I should've done Total Body Shaping Mix which is 65 minutes of Plyo, Leg Press, Lying floor work fun but I just wasn't feeling it. I decided on the 500 Calorie Workout by the Firm. Hadn't done it before, wasn't really into doing it but I figured, what the hey. Yowzah! I burned 685 calories in 63 minutes. It was a pretty darn good workout. I could see even burning more if I added the intensities. My left knee gave me a little bit of a problem 3/4 they way through so I had to take out some of the lunges. A lot of knee angle changes in there. But over all I would give this workout an A.
Now on to confession time. I didn't plan it but went out to dinner last night. Totally went crazy on french fries, blt's, some of ma's "Donna's Favorite" and more french fries. And to top it all off, I went for a brownie delight afterwards. Tried as I might, I added it all into my points tracker on WW online. It wasn't pretty. Talk about bloated today! I really feel it in my hands. So, I'm chugging lots of water to get rid of all the excess salt. Add to all that, I'm sick with some throat/chest cold issue. Hope it resolves quickly. I am going to run today, not sure how well that will go. Possbility I may have to repeat this week. We'll see how I feel later.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

I got high....I think!

So, today was week 4 day 1 of the C25K program, I just stared at what they wanted me to do. Run 5 minutes...2 times! Are they on crack!? Here's how it looked, (after a 5 minute warm up) Jog 3 minutes, walk 90 seconds, jog 5 minutes,walk 2.5 minutes, jog 3 minutes, walk 90 seconds, jog 5 minutes then cool down for 5 minutes. I had a lot of reservations about being able to run for 5 minutes, could I do it? Lots of doubts ran in my mind but I am proud to say... I DID IT! The first 5 minutes I made myself not look at the timer. I had just done my first 3 minutes all right, I figured here's for hoping. I ran and ran and ran...finally I broke down and looked at the timer figuring I had another 2 minutes to go. No way, I had 20 seconds left! I almost started crying and the surge that came through me was pretty intense. I did it! AND, I even kicked it back up a notch to 5.0 to run the last 20 seconds. For two seconds I was in love with running!!! And then the seconds 5 minutes came around, no love flowing that time but I did run the whole time. You heard that right, I ran the whole time and didn't stop. I burned about 388 calories on this bad boy in 32 minutes. Right after I hopped on the eliptical for 20 minutes and burned 233 calories. Sure didn't want to do it but I do have to say that working out really helps with my anger/hatred issues. I just hop on a machine and work out my meaness.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

C25K Wk3 D3

Just checking in with Sunday's workout of the final day of week three. I had to juggle things around a bit due to the hectic schedule last week. In order to finish out the "week", I had to move my run to Sunday. I burned about 300 calories. I didn't have time for the elipitical because of work. I did feel pretty good on my run. I hate though that voice that comes into my brain about 1 minute into my 3 minute run. My brain instantly panics when I start on the longer runs and wants to quit instatnly, yelling, "I can't, I can't!" In order to finish the full three minutes, I did have to kick it down a notch to 4.6 - 4.8. I did feel pretty darn good afterwards though.
Mom is supposed to take the girls to a movie tonight so that will free up time for me to go to the gym and get Wk 4 Day 1 out of the way.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

C25K Wk3 D2

Wednesday's run was a little better. Ran 4.8-5.9 and walked 3.4-3.6. The three minutes didn't feel as horrible as last time. I burned 302 calories on that 28 minute jaunt. I'm liking the fact that I don't feel so winded while I run now! I hopped on the elipitical afterwords for 15 minutes, burned 115 calories. Doing all right so far. The eating is going pretty decent but I maxed out my flex points already. I still have my activity point though!
Not that I'm anywhere near finished yet, but I've already planned ahead and downloaded the 8k program to my iPod for my next running adventure!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Firm Workouts Complete!

I did Jiggle Free Buns, burned 275 cals in 30 min and Jiggle Free Arms, burned 223 cals in 30 min. I had to stick to my 3,5,8 # weights for my light, med, heavy today. I didn't get all of my leg presses in. I realized today how deconditioned my muscles had gotten but I'm remedying that, aren't I! Well, off to get the girls and dance performance practices. Tonight I will try to do Jiggle Free Abs. I really need to make an effort to do more abs! And yes, I hate the name "Jiggle Free"! It makes it sound like a sissy workout and it isn't!

C25K Wk3 Day 1...Repeat

So last week had only one workout...(holding head in shame)....I restarted week 3 of the C25k. Over all it was a good workout. I burned 320 calories in 28 minutes. I walked at a 3.2 to 3.4 pace and started out the run on a 5.0 for the first 90 second run. By the 1st 3 minute run I ran at 5.0 for about 1 minute and then something in my head started screaming I can't do this, start walking! Instead I made myself continue and run at a 4.8. I continued at a 4.8 for the rest of the workout until the last 60 seconds of the 2nd 3 minute run. I've been inspired to pick up my book by John "The Penguin" Bingham and re-inspire myself for running. I don't have to be fast, I have no one to compete with but myself! Speaking of running, I want to give a shout out to my sister's father-in-law Jim, he ran his first (correct me if I'm wrong?) 5K!! Yeah! My sister has a few 5K's comming up too. She has her ultimate goal of a 1/2 marathon in June. She is way too awesome. I wish I could be there to cheer her on!
After the run, I hopped on the eliptical. I went back to the old ones that I first used at the gym. They don't have the handles for the upper body to move but I think I like these ones much better. 20 minutes just zoomed on by with 218 cal's burned!
So today's workout, I will post back later. I have some Firms I will be whippin' out. Oh, and possibly a walk with my pooch on this gorgeous day!

Green Monster Pancakes...Oh She Glows is the BEST!




This morning I decided to have a nice pancake breakfast and those darn Green Monster Pancakes were calling my name! I had all the ingredients and whipped up a nice b'fast AND whipped up a green monster smoothie to go with it!


The pancakes were a little high in points and I might decrease the spelt flour and use light coconut milk next time. I might also cut the whole serving in half and count that as one. I ate 3/4 of the cakes and am super full. I can't believe in one meal I had almost all of my freggie servings for the day!

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Raw Granola Bars

All I can say is YUMM-O! I made this recipe off one of the blogs that I follow Oh She Glows. All I can say is try it! It took a total of 5 minutes to make and it is sooo delish! Here is the link:
http://ohsheglows.com/2009/05/08/raw-granola-bars/

My workouts have been terrible this week. I have only worked out once at the gym. Yesterday was one of those, I'll do it at this time, that time comes...oh, I'll do it at this time....something comes up. I'll do it in the evening! The kiss of death! I never workout in the evening...what was I thinking? On that note, I WILL get my run in today! I WILL!!!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Food

Creamy Pumpkin Oatmeal
2 c steel cut oats, rinsed1
12 oz can ff evaporated milk
1 15 oz can pumpkin
5.5 c water
1 c splenda
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
¼ c sf maple syrup
Place all ingredients in crock pot, stir until thoroughly mixed. Cook on low for 8 hours.Serves 8. 3 points

So, I made this and just finished up my last pre-portioned bowl. I've been inspired by other blogs to add some flair to my oatmeal. My last concoction was my creamy pumpkin oatmeal with 1 tbsp semi sweet chocolate chips and 1 tbsp...or was it two? of Better n' Peanut Butter ( found at your local Trader Joes....although stuck in Juneau I'm forced to make my sister be my Kiki and run all over the greater Seattle area to buy them for me and and send them to Juneau!) Long story short, YUMM-O! It tasted just like a Pumpkin Chocolate Oatmeal cookie that a friend of mine made. Delish! Other combos have been with just 2 tbsp of Craisins. Or I've tried 2 tbsp Craisins and 1 tbsp semi-sweet chocolate chips. I'm debating on whether or not to make a batch of steel cut oats plain.....or plain with the can of ff evaporated milk. That way, I can make more combos....hmmm. I'll keep you updated.

Another of my go to recipes is what I have dubbed Tuna Slaw. The name doesn't inspire by any means but boy is it delish! I'll have to take a pic next time eat it. I've made it a couple of different ways but here it is...

3 oz broccoli slaw
1 can of tuna in water, I like albacore
1/2 avocado
lots of mustard
1 pickle or 1/2 cucumber

Throw it all in a bowl and mix.
Well, yesterday I was was wanting something more from my Tuna Slaw...couldn't quite put my finger on it. I grabbed a bottle of bbq sauce and the rest, as they say, is history. Double Yumm-o! I added 2 tbsp of Sweet Baby Rays BBQ Sauce.

Recap of the last few days!


Good Morning to the world from Brandi and Pepe! My Green Monster is acutally green! I am addicted to these bad boys!

As I stated in my last blog, I didn't get to workout on Monday. It threw me off initially as I do not do well with change to a routine. With having the girls on days I don't usually have them, my car breaking down and driving ma to school, life threw me a curve ball! I had to rework some workouts and came up with a solid plan. I ran yesterday, today with be Jiggle Free Buns, Abs, and Arms (3 diff workouts combined to be about an hour and some change) Tomorrow is running and eliptical, Friday will be...I'm torn between what I originally put down vs Total Body Shaping Mix. Last but not least, Saturday will be my run day.

So, stats for my run....my workout was 28 minutes and I burned 286 cals...WTF? I thought I would've burned a lot more! I was in the zone for 18 minutes and my heart rate was 144 - 176. The 3 minute runs were tough. The first time my hand hit the wrong button while I was trying to turn up my volume on my iPod and BAM! the treadmill stopped. AAGGHH! So I start it again and get back to running. I wasted like 35 - 45 sec of my 3 minutes. The second time around I did run the whole three minutes but had to kick it from 5.0 down to 4.8. BUT, I noticed that I wasn't huffing and puffing and attempting to have an MI right on the spot! Starting the running intervals weren't as tedious! My shins tolerated the run, the only complaint were side stiches. I am definitely seeing improvements in this progressive workout. Yeah! I walked at a 3.4 to 3.6 pace and ran at a 5.0 mostly and kicked it down to 4.8 for the last 40 seconds of my run.

Monday, May 11, 2009

A little peeved...

Have had a total of 3-4 hours of sleep today due to many extenuating circumstances. Long story short, no run today....no anything. I'm just going to have to rework my week and run on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday this week.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

I worked out 5 x's this week!!!!!!!

Wahoo! I haven't been able to reach 5 workouts a week in a LONG time! Today's workout was Complete Body Sculpting and I burned 450 calories in 46 minutes. I really tried to push it today and got all of my leg presses in on a 14" step. Just trying to buff those legs up for some running next week. It looks like I'll be doing this two time:
  • run 90 sec
  • walk 90 sec
  • run 3 min
  • walk 3 min

I'm hoping I have the stamina for this! I've planned my workouts for the week as you can see on the side. I might try to add another w/o on the running days for Weds and Fri. Who knows! Can't promise anything but I will definitely bust out the planned workouts!

Did I say Green Monster? I guess I meant Purple Monster!!!

The GREEN Monster





Here is my attempt at the Green Monster Smoothie. As you can tell, my green monster was a purple monster! I will add to say that I hadn't had my coffee yet and I was having visions of grandure so I added blackberries too. I did it because I read somewhere that somewhere someone had added blueberries.
On that note, it was delicious! What a fabulous way to get a full 4 servings of fruits and veggies! And it's spinach! What a fabulous food! My recipe was 2c Spinach, 1c unsweetened Almond Breeze Vanilla, 1tbsp. flaxseed, 1 banana, a couple of mint sprigs, 1/2 c blackberries and 1 scoop BSN Lean Dessert Protein Powder in Whipped Vanilla. Next time I will try to actually get a green effect!


Friday, May 8, 2009

I'm gonna do it, you can stop me!

I just ran to the store (thanks to Aunty Robin watching the girls!) and picked up some spinach. From reading T's post on the Green Monstor Smoothie, I decided to try it for tomorrow a.m. I'll post with pics and which version I used. Wish me luck!
One can get addicted to these blogs!

My Inspiration


I just wanted to give a shout out to my inspiration. My sis. She's on tough cookie and is a beast in the gym. Even though she doesn't think her body she has sculpted is amazing, I do. She is my best friend and a great role model. Now if I can just be a little more like her at working out, I could get this flabalanche off in no time flat!

C25K Wk 2 Day3


I finished week 2!! I noticed this last run didn't feel so...what's the word...TEDIOUS! It's wierd but I felt lighter and less sluggish while I ran. I'm a little concerned about next weeks run but I'll cross that bridge when I get there. For today's workout I burned 332 calories in 29 minutes. I walked at a pace of 3.4-3.6 and ran at a pace of 5.0-5.1. That's a pretty comfortable pace. I'm thinking when I finish this program I'll definitely work on increasing my speed. It's nice this time around because I don't feel like I need to kill myself at a break neck speed in order to run. I kinda got my inspiration from some books by John "The Penguin" Bingham, such as "The Courage to Start" and "Running for Mortals". I ended my fun with a little jaunt on the eliptical. I was on for 20 minutes. Let me tell you...those 20 minutes felt like f-o-r-e-v-e-r! I burned 226 calories and my heart rate was 156-168 and I was in my zone for 18 of those 20 minutes.


This week has been a slight challenge for me due to life and family. I ended up eating a big pasta dinner with wine, garlic bread (my downfall), cesar salad (lite), and cheese filled ravioli. Yikes! I did eat a little bit more than I should have BUT I charted it all on WWonline and hardly went over my daily points. I told myself that this was my one and only cheat meal for the week so ENJOY it! I did but there was still some residual guilt hanging on. I really tried hard to listen to what Jillian said on The Biggest Loser the other day. There has to be some balance in your life. You can't take it to extremes either way. It's all right to enjoy a glass of wine and dessert...once and a while. There has to be balance and moderation. On that note, the next day comes. I feel good. My eating is in check, but due to family issues, I had guests all day, which I enjoyed but it brought out the slacker within and I had a FIRM workout planned but that went in the pooper. Oh, and to add to my already perfect life (*note the extreme sarcasm*) my car is dead. AAAAGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!! With relatives, having the fat talk with a loved one who truly loves me, my stupid car, being super tired and a custody investigation on top of it....I wanted to to say F*ck it all and just EAT. The wierd thing was....I didn't. Not because I've become magically cured of my emotional eating crutch, but, I just didn't do it. I was all prepared to play the victim of circumstance and eat all the popcorn and nachos at the movie theater while I enjoyed a late night showing of Star Trek (which was awesome by the way!) We walked in, my uncle asked if I wanted water, said no and we went in and sat down next to a whole town of sci-fi nerds. Went home after with my borrowed car from ma and went straight to bed. That's it. I really feel like losing it right about now but I don't think I will. I'm trying to push out everything else but working out....and those two sassy minxes known as my daughters. Maybe it's not the best approach, but I'm in survival mode right now and running seems to help with my anger issues.

All that off my chest, it's time for some hummus and nasty egg whites. My day just keeps getting better and better.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

C25K Wk2 Day 2

I got a little giddy looking at my iPod and all of the days I have marked off for my runs. Forgive me a little girl giggle...teee heee heee. Wednesdays run was my second day of running for 90 seconds, walking for 2 min and guess what, I ordered myself to NOT look at the countdown clock. I just ran and ran until I heard that ding. Pretty proud of myself for that one. I have to admit that I was pretty inspired by Tuesday's Biggest Loser episode. I figured I could push myself if they can out of nowhere, run a FULL marathon. Tara is soooo awesome and that drive she has is amazing! Back to my workouts...Wednesday's workout didn't feel that tedious either. I felt like I could go on when I heard that ding. Not sure what the difference was between one workout and the other but I'm likin' it! I burned 331 calories in my 29 minute workout and then I did 20 minutes on the eliptical. That had me burning 236 calories. Oh, and they are still disgusting but I tried my 2 egg whites with 2 tbsp of hummus....more palatable but still gross. Low cal snack and high in protein.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Did I just hallucinate?!?

I worked out for once on a Tuesday! That never happens...even with the best intentions! I did Speed Slimming Sculpt from the FIRM wave set. Not too shabby. A little background info on the wave,
http://www.firmdirect.com/firm/ecs/main/firm-wave.html#about-wave

So that's what I did yesterday. I worked out 30 minutes and burned 315 calories. Worked those muscles but didn't work them too hard. My right knee is hurting a little even while I was chillaxin'! Still hangin' in there. Yeah me!

Monday, May 4, 2009

C25K Wk2 Day 1

What the F*bomb! Running 90 seconds was a little rough today. Had to really take it down a notch! I sure was tuckered and not quite sure why. I burned only 319 calories even though I was sweatin' like a war pig! I was just so blah that I decided only to do the C25K and no eliptical because I know deep down that I will break my vicious cycle of not working out on Tuesdays!

Saturday, May 2, 2009

I think I'm going to vomit

Egg whites have to be THE most disgusting thing in the whole world but I wolfed it down with some Texas Pete hot sauce and lots of water.

Saturday's Workout

Today I did one of my Firm workouts called Pump, Jump and Jab. It was a total body workout with an emphasis on kick boxing. I burned 461 calories in 41 minutes. It felt pretty good to be working my muscles again!
I finally made the crockpot oatmeal with steel cut oats and pumpkin. It was thick and creamy and VERY filling. The girls had cinnamon rolls, scrambled eggs and apples and were off outside for a beautiful day in the sun. I might just have to go for a walk in this gorgeous weather. I don't think it's going to be nice this comming week. I also hardboiled some eggs and got rid of the yolks. I sure do hate hardboiled eggs but it's a quick form of protein and it's low points for 2 of them. I've decided to put some hummus in them and make them like a deviled egg. I found the suggestion online.
So....I jumped one day early and hopped on the scale for giggles to see if my working out has gotten me anywhere. 3.6#'s! I also organized my iPod better with the faster 140-160 bpm songs on the running playlist and the slower beats (but still fast) on the eliptical playlist. I bought new running socks from smart wool and got a peachy keen new Sigg water bottle. Good times.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Pictures.....yuck!!!


Totally embarrased to put this up but I figured for posterity's sake I need to publish this to the world and myself so I can see what changes I've made after my completion of the C25K. (this is me after a run)
Just a quick shout out to my sis. I made a quick lunch that looks funky but it super tasty. I mixed in a bowl 1 serving broccoli slaw, 1/2 avocado, 1 can tuna, 1 pickle and tons of yellow mustard. Veggies and protein...yumm-o! Not sure if you can have the avocado on you eating plan...

C25K Wk 1 Day 3

Did I just say day 3?!? Darn rootin' tootin' I did. I finished my first week! I was feeling a little fiesty today so I walked 3.2 - 3.6 and ran 5.0 - 5.6. I told myself I was not allowed to look at the iPod, I just had to run until I heard the ding to let me know to walk. I think it feels more tedious when I stare at it, counting down the seconds until my torture is over. My shins were tender durring the running intervals but suprisingly don't hurt too much durring the day. I burned about 360 calories on the treadmill. I added 10 minutes to my usualy 20 minute eliptical. Why, you ask? Well, I overdid it at Gram's last night for dinner. Hot dog, hamburger AND strawberry shortcake. I was just going to pretend like it didn't happen and not write it all down in WW but....I did. I fessed up and boy it wasn't pretty. I used all of my extra points for the week AND I tapped into .5 points from my workouts. Moral of the story is cut down to once a week of eating at Gram's. The day before was fry bread and fish eggs with hooligan grease and soy sauce. Yumm-o but added A LOT of points. So, long story short, that's why I added 10 minutes to my eliptical time. 378 calories burned. Not bad! 738 for the whole hour.
I'm thinking about adding another workout to today but can't promise anything...