Where did you go??

If you could take 3 months off from your current life and do anything in the world, what would you do?

I would travel. I have not been to many place in my life so I have tons of places I want to go. I would take a cooking class in each place that I go, because I love to cook. Immerse myself in the culture. It would be amazing! I may or may not let my BF come along. But my dog for sure! Here is where I would go:

Venice, Italy

A Fairy Pool, Scotland

Stepping Stones, Ireland

Bora Bora

Maldives

Where I'm From

So I am trying something new- Blogtember - post ideas for everyday of the month of September. A challenge to blog more regularly. The past couple of weeks, have been good. Same old same old. I got in 3 runs last week, and on Monday ran 5 miles (instead of 6) were I happened to fall at mile 1.5. Just so you know, I have fallen in 2 races, just because, not tripped on my feet or cracks, just a twist of the ankle and down I go. I also fall during my trainings, so Klutz alert. I will see what I can do this week.

Wednesday: 3.5 miles
Thursday: 6 X 400 5K pace
Friday: 3 miles
Saturday:
Sunday: 5K Race

Describe where or what you come from. The people, the places, and/or the factors that make up who you are.

Here is my family.

I come from an average family from Pennsylvania. My parents met in college and got married in 1977. They met at the University of Rhode Island, where they were in a program for the African American students at their school. They had my sister in 1979, I was born in 1982 and they had my brother in 1988. I say that they could have stopped with me, but hey I guess they wanted a boy. 

In 1988, my maternal grandmother came to live with us and help my parents out. We always had an adult around the house, and unfortunately I did not appreciate having a grandparent live with us until I moved away to college. My grandmother was amazing in that she never finished high school and fully expected to live with her parents for all her life, until she met my grandfather in her early 30s. For her generation, she got married later in life, but still managed to have 3 children. 

We grew up with the expectation to do well and succeed. My parents showed a united front with us and I cannot remember them ever fighting in front of us. My childhood was ideal, I would say. I was lucky enough to have two parents who worked hard and cared for us. We were raised to believe that we could do anything that we put our minds too and they trusted us enough to let us make mistakes and learn from them. My parents instilled in us importance of working hard and let us make our own choices in life. I truly believe that my parents shaped who I am today and I am better for having them by my side. 

5 on Friday

Today I am linking up with Darci for 5 on Friday. Here we go. Five things I am looking forward to this next week.

1. I am going to Myrtle Beach for the first time. I have been to FL already this summer, but this is truly the first vacation where the plan is to lay on the beach and do nothing.

2. It is a all girls trip. All I can think about is the Little Rascals and the NO BOYS ALLOWED club. Oh alfalfa.

3. I am kind of looking forward to getting away from the BF. Living with a boy is tough.

4. I don't have to plan one aspect of this trip. My girls have it covered.

5. Did I mention we only have to pay 13 dollars for 3 nights/4days. Got to love parents with condos!

Motivate Me!

Weight In Wednesday

Hey everyone! Hope your having a lovely hump day!

I for one am having a good day. I weighted in today at 199.6. I am out of the 200s for good. Yippee!. I am working with Ashley for the last 2 months and have lost 6.8 lbs since starting. It may not be munch but it is something. I am still getting into the habit of working out, but with training for the 10 miler started, I am well on my way to a successful next few months. 

I am having to get used to this slow pace of weight loss. This is not a crash diet, it is a lifestyle change. I am trying to be positive and it is hard at times. Slow is slow, and not seeing a change in measurements is frustrating. One day, one step at a time.

Motivate Me!

And then I Ran a Race...

This weekend was a crazy mess. Between combining two apartments into one townhouse and running a half marathon, this lady is tired and still only halfway unpacked. I am not going to recap the half marathon...it was by far the best race I have run....from the Expo to the actual course (motivational signs at mile 7 yes please and thank you) but also my work time ever. I have definitely slowed down since packing on the pounds, but a who 30 minutes! (I think it was the 15 minute wait for the bathroom at mile 6) I also forgot my running watch so I have not concept of my pace at all. I just had the goal to finish and I do so I am happy. Plus the Tiffany's necklace was pretty awesome as well. Here is my race weekend in pictures.

I am going to try this link up thing for the first time. I have recently started to follow Amber of Crafty Healthy Mommy and her recent tips and tricks have really motivated me to get back into running. For reelz yo! Just Do It! Here are some of my tips in tricks that have worked for me in the past (and hopefully in the future).

1. Log everything you eat. No matter what. I lost 50 lbs by logging everything I ate, without changing my diet. I trained for a half marathon and averaged around 1300 calories a day. I would eat low calories some days and ridiculously high the next. This time I am trying to consistently eat the same range everyday. MyFitnessPal says 1420. I usually eat less.
2. Get in your fruits and veggies. I eat at least 3 - 6 servings a day. Whole fruits and veggies keep you full. I am trying to eat more veggies because I have a sweet tooth and the fruits feed that. Its just in my head but whatev.
3. Get in your protein. I struggle with this because every now and then I get tired of eating meat. I drink protein shakes everyday. Find a good low calorie low carb protein powder (a good ratio is 10 to 1 for every 10 calories you should have 1 gram of protein  I would by vanilla and add coco to make it chocolate. It is more versatile and you are less likely to get bored. I do not use soy protein only Whey isolate or plant based. Some of my favorite brands are Sunwarrior Raw Vegan, Women's Whey by Drew Manning (fit2fat2fit guy), Click Mocha (great and I make it with coffee like the espresso isn't enough) and Inspire (http://www.bariatriceating.com/). I do not use cheaper proteins because most of them have ingredients that upset my stomach so I am super picky. Whether you eat it or drink it, get at least 100 grams a day.
4. Eat Clean. I try to avoid overly processed foods and I tend to eat at home. I pack my lunch every damn day and I like to see eating out as a treat. That being said, I like to cook and I know some people don't. If you don't and you rely on frozen meals, eat the clean ones. There are a few out there. 
5. Subscribe to cooking magazines for ideas. I used to receive Clean Eating, Cooking Light, Eating Well, ect. Not only are the recipes usually easy to follow, they are adaptable. I know sometimes there are weird ingredients, I substitute all the time. Healthy cooking does not mean loos of flavor. If you add seasoning (including salt if you do not have a issue with it) your foods could be truly amazing.
6. Drink your water. You pee all the time, but water is important. I drink 3 56oz bottles a day. I drink one on they way to work, one all day at the office, and the last one in the evening. It is a lot of water but most hunger pangs are actually your body telling you it is thirsty.
7. Try for 210 minutes of exercise a week. That breaks down to 30 minutes a day. 210 is a starting goal...and since I fell off the running train, I will be striving for just 210 a week. I also like the idea of a 5K everyday. Mix it up too. I am guilty of only running. I need to add strength into my life.
8. Do not let the scale dictate your mood for the day. I literally only see a loss on the scale once a month. Every other time, it is up and down every way to Sunday. I have let that get me down and I avoid the scale, which leads to avoiding accountability and really reaching the point of how did I get back here. It is not worth it. Weigh the way that works for you. Everyday, upon waking naked after you go to the bathroom because really that is when you are lightest. hehe!
9. Have a cheat meal once in a while. Do not make it a daily thing. I do not do cheat meals because I do not see any foods as off limits. As long as I plan for it and it is accounted for than it is part of my plan. The quality of an oreo may not be the same as the quality of an apple (or as filling) but 70 calories of oreo goodness must be had on occasion. 
10. Do what you love and try to lose weight. It is possible. I love to bake. It makes me happy to make tasty treats to share with others. The key word there is share. I bake something, maybe have one piece and the rest is given away without hesitation. 

And one more for the road:

11. You don't have to clean your plate and you don't have to feel bad about throwing it away. Stop eating when you are full. Period. Forcing your self to eat something when you are no longer hungry only makes you feel full and yuck. Throw it out or save it for tomorrow.

Love,

QuinTesSenTialLy ME