Accountability Monday: 4/10/2017

Good morning! We've got sunny skies and warm temps today in the mid-Atlantic so already, it's better than last week! Can you believe that is snowed on Friday?! Gross.

Anyway, let's break down last week-

Training:
Wednesday- 3.1 miles, 11:16 pace
Saturday- PT knee workout (squats, lunges, glute bridges, etc.)
Sunday- 3 mile hike, 33:20 pace

My cranky knee has been a little achy this week- probably because I haven't been doing the strength training I should be doing. As you know from my last post, life has been pretty busy for us lately and unfortunately, workouts have fallen to the lowest priority in my daily life. My work life should slow down quite a bit after this upcoming week so I should be able to get back into a more healthy routine soon.

Hiking in the beautiful Pocono Mountains.

Food Find of the Week:
This week, I made skinnytaste's Turkey Stuffed Peppers for lunches. I haven't tried them yet, but can already guess they are going to be super yummy. Everything skinnytaste is fabulous! These look hardy and are only 5 Smart Points each.

On tap for lunch all week!

Weight:
I weighed in last week for the first time in almost 4 weeks and while I wasn't surprised with the number, I wasn't too thrilled either:

151.8 as of 4/5/17

This is definitely my "take action" weight and I've already starting putting some positive healthy changes back into my life (i.e. meal prepping those stuffed peppers above) as they have fallen by the wayside the past few months while work has been kicking my ass.

Non-Scale Victory:
My sleep routine has been on point this past week. I've been getting bed earlier and getting better quality sleep. I think this is one area of health that we tend to overlook, myself included, and I know I make better, healthier decisions when I'm well rested. I'm also nicer to be around 😊



What "healthy routine" are you looking forward to this week?

Accountability Monday: 10/19/15

Good evening, friends!

I hope your Monday was amazing and your week is off to a fabulous start.

I apologize for the late post- time just got away from me yesterday and I didn't get a chance to write. But, here's a late dose of accountability, from me to you :-)

Training:
Thursday- Stability Ball Workout
Saturday- 1 mile run, 11:35 pace
Sunday- 2.63 mile run, 11:28 pace
Monday- 3.28 mile run, 11:08 pace

6.91 total miles.

Since getting the "all-clear" from my orthopedic doctor last Wednesday, I have slowly been incorporating workouts and running back into my routine. So far, so good. My foot hasn't been hurting much and I've been taking it easy. Maybe my foot just needed a break!

Food Find:
This week, I made Skinnytaste's Buffalo Chicken Strips and her homemade Blue Cheese Dressing. Oh, it was amazing! While the dressing didn't taste exactly like actual blue cheese dressing, it was the perfect balance to the spiciness of the chicken strips. This one is definitely worth a try in your kitchen!

So delish.

Weight:
146.6 as of 10/14/15
-.2 from last week

Non-Scale Victory:
On Saturday morning, I drove to Bethlehem, PA for the Runner's World 5k and 10k races. There were a few people that I knew I wanted to see while they were in town (Dani from Weight Off My Shoulders, Linzie from Sharp Endurance, and Kristin from BamaGirlRUNS) but I ended up running into Jenna (This Princess Runs for Sparkle), Hollie (Fueled by LOLZ), Roxanne, and David- all people I follow on instagram but hadn't met yet in real life. In a word, it was AWESOME! And probably somewhat awkward as I ran up to various people addressing them by their instagram handles :-)

Clockwise from left, Dani, Jenna, and Kristin. Such wonderful and inspirational ladies!

How is this a non-scale victory, you ask? Well, a few years ago, I wouldn't have dreamed of walking up to "strangers" and introducing myself. I simply didn't have the confidence or self-esteem- I would have been too worried about what someone would have thought about me or what I looked like. On Saturday, I wasn't even thinking about what I looked like; I just wanted to meet some of my IG inspirations in person. And it was pretty cool.


That's it for this week! How was your week? What are you most looking forward to this Halloween? 

Accountability Monday: 8/3/2015

Good morning!

Big news this week- I bought a wedding dress! My mom and future mother-in-law spent the day with me on Saturday as I tried on dresses at a couple of stores. It was so much fun! Honestly, it was the best day. I tried on lots of gowns and didn't have a negative thought about my body ALL DAY! I truthfully stood in front of the mirror and just smiled. Typically, I immediately pick out all my flaws and focus on the negative- especially when looking at myself in a large three-sided mirror. But this weekend it didn't happen; I was happy with what I saw. It was the most amazing feeling. I ended up getting a dress that I adore and can't wait to wear it when Matthew and I get married :-)

I can't believe I'll be a bride!

Training:
Tuesday- 2.09 mile run with negative splits: 10:23, 10:02, 7:37 (last .09)
Thursday- 2.25 mile run with negative splits: 11:02, 10:32, 10:18 (last .25)
Friday- 30 minute walk
Saturday- 1 mile run: 10:47
Sunday- 40 minute walk

Each of my runs this week was completed using 45/30 second intervals. It is amazing to see how my average pace has improved by using this shortened interval. While using 1/1 or 2/1, I was averaging 11-12 minute miles. Now, almost all of my training runs have been between 10 and 10:45 minute miles.

Love seeing negative splits!

Food Find:
Surprise, surprise- it's Skinnytaste again this week! I baked her Insanely Good Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins and yup, they were insanely good :-)

Before and after.

Weight:
147.0 as of 7/29/15
+2 from last week

This past week, I did everything "right:" I tracked everything I ate, earned at least seven Activity Points every day, I didn't use any of my extra 49 weekly PPV's. In theory, I should have lost weight. But sometimes it doesn't work out that way. That scale is a jerk, I tell ya! Luckily, it's just one piece of feedback- I am proud of how I did last week, no matter what the scale says.

Non-Scale Victory:
Instead of driving to the grocery store (just about a mile from my house) one night last week, I walked to the store, bought a watermelon, and walked home using the fruit as a barbell! I did bicep curls and overhead presses with the watermelon all the way home. Which did earn me a few car horn honks!

"I carried a watermelon!" Bonus points for you if you get the reference :-)

Have you ever "done everything right" but still didn't see results? Tell me about it in the comments!

Accountability Monday: 7/27/15

Good morning, friends! I hope your weekend was awesome and you are ready to take on whatever this Monday brings!

Last week in a nutshell- found a new running route, ate fried Oreos at a local fair, walked 4/5 days at work during lunch. In a word, excellent!

Sunset on my new running route.

Training:
Monday- 30 minute walk at lunch
Tuesday- 30 minute walk at lunch, 30 minute run, 2.84 miles, 45/30 intervals
Wednesday- 30 minute walk at lunch, Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred week 1 workout
Thursday- 30 minute run, 2.8ish miles, 45/30 intervals
Friday- 30 minute walk at lunch
Saturday- Shippensburg Community Fair 5k, 34:13, 45/30 intervals, 11:01 pace

Food Find:
Just like the last two, this week was another Skinny Taste home run- Skinny Buffalo Chicken Strips. They took less than 10 minutes to prep and cook and were so good we didn't even need blue cheese!

Farm fresh green beans (literally from our friend's farm) were a nice complement to the spice of the chicken strips. 

Weight:
145.0 as of 7/22/15
-2.0 from last week

Non-Scale Victory:
Anybody else struggle with mindless snacking at night?! Luckily I found a new app that works like a charm to keep me busy- Colorfy! It's basically like a coloring book on your phone- fun and keeps my mind occupied :-)

Seriously, so fun!

When's the last time you colored?


***Don't forget, there's only two days left to enter my blog birthday giveaway! Enter to win a prize of "runner must-haves"- check out the details here!***

Accountability Monday: 7/20/15

Good afternoon, friends!

I hope this Monday finds you well and enjoying the third week of July! I still am finding myself in a bit of a slump weight-wise but I'm feeling really good about the choices I made this past week. Check them out below!

Training:
Monday- 60 minute walk
Wednesday- 2.9 mile run, 30 minutes, 10:30 pace, 45/30 intervals
Thursday- 30 minute walk
Friday- 30 minute walk
Saturday- 30 minute run, 45/30 intervals, no mileage or pace- NAKED RUN! :-)

Only once this week did I track my mileage and pace during my runs or walks- and it was glorious! While part of me really wanted to know the numbers, the other part of me was able to just enjoy the exercise.

Food Find:
Again this week, I cooked a recipe from Skinnytaste: Easy Macaroni Casserole. Again, it was delicious! This made eight generous servings and was something I'm sure I'll make again. It requires a little bit of preparation and cooking time but it is so worth it. And, my dish ended up looking very similar to what it's supposed to look like- wins all around!

Melty, cheesy goodness!

Weight:
147.0 as of 7/15/15
+.2 from last week

Non-Scale Victory:
I worked out FIVE times this week! I honestly can't remember the last time I worked out this much in one week. It was mentally tough though- many nights I was tired and thought of about 1,000 excuses to skip it. On those nights, I just promised myself that I would just walk for a half hour- something is better than nothing. That seems like my mantra these days, "something is better than nothing." I'm ok with that :-)


What's your mantra for days when you just can't even fathom getting in a workout?