Setbacks are Whack!

So this athlete has had to have a bit of minor surgery. I've had a lump in my lower abdominal area for quite some time. It was never really a problem, but became a concern when I started to work out. The more I did, the bigger it got, so it was finally time for it to go.

I'm not gonna lie...I have mixed feelings. I'm super happy that this thing is gone. I can't tell you how NOT FUN it was trying to ride long distances on my bike with this thing, but I'm just a little worried about recovery.

Those who know me well, know that I'm not the most patient person in the world. I'm seeing all of my friends out there running and enjoying this cooler weather...and here I am layed up on the couch for a few days. Heck, this is only day two and I'm already getting antsy.

I wish there some magic pill that would move you straight from surgery to post recovery healing. I know this is a lot of me being whiny, but hey...we all have our moments. I ask that you guys keep me in your thoughts. This really is something simple. I think I'm just easily bummed when my routines get interrupted.

It's just a minor setback in the grand scheme of things...but it's still whack YO!

Athlete's ESP

Wow...It's been a while! But things sure have been busy in the life of this fat chick!

It's time to work on my Athlete's ESP.

What's that you ask? Lemme explain:

E = Endurance

S = Speed

P = Perseverance

I think I've got things in the 'P' pretty much taken care of.

Remember the goals from my last post?

I am proud to report that I finished all THREE of those races!

This was a big accomplishment for me. It meant that since July, I've completed two 5K's, two sprint triathlons, AND a five mile mini marathon. Just a few months prior to that, I was basically sitting my butt on the couch and watching television every night. (Thank God for DVR's!) LOL!

It took a new runner friend to put things into perspective for me. I hadn't realized how far I've come. Everyone sees me smile, but what they don't hear is me constantly fighting the 'I Can't Monster' in my brain. I think that too often we are all clouded with self-negativity. We then lose sight of what we've accomplished along the way on the journey toward our goals. 

Working on the 'E' and the 'S' will just have to come with time and patience...

What's next you ask?

Guess who's gonna start training for a half marathon?

Hee Hee...Stay tuned! 

What's Next?

After the triathlon I took some time off...I remembered that I shouldn't really do that! It's just way too easy to slip back into the couch, and I felt myself starting to slide again. I joined the training group for the Triathlon because I needed a BIG goal to focus on. So, copying the page from that book, I've made some big plans to keep myself going:

Event #1
Greek Festival 5K - 08/18/12

This race is actually tomorrow! I've not been completely slacking, but definitely not running as much as I should. My previous running shoes 'died' during the triathlon and needed to retire. I waited, like the true procrastinator I am, before buying a new pair. But I'm digging down and finding my mojo again.


Event #2
Ramblin' Rose Charlotte Triathlon - 09/23/12

This race has distances that are just slightly longer then the one I completed last month, so that's a GREAT reason to keep training. After finding out that I have an allergy to certain pool chemicals, I will definitely need to get my butt back in the pool. My bike has also been out of commission since the last race. I've been so self involved, that I just haven't had to the chance to get it out to the shop and have it looked at. I have techniques to tweak, and endurance to build, but I WILL be ready!

Event #3
Ramblin' Rose Charlotte 5 Miler - 09/29/12

Because it's the week after the triathlon, I'm probably gonna draw upon the crazy card for this race, but upon completion it will be my longest foot race! My new shoes will surely be racking up the miles in the coming weeks!

Self motivation is key for me, and I will have to dig down deep and keep going. Even on those days when no one else will be out there with me, I have to keep this going!

I AM a TRIATHLETE! - Warning: Long Post!

It's been a while, but life has calmed down, pictures have been uploaded, and now I'm ready to write about my experience. It was a long and hard road, but crossing that finish line has to be one of the most amazing moments in my life. I got to share it with my Husband, Family, and Friends, but now I'm ready to share it here:

It happened! As of July 15th, I AM a TRIATHLETE!

Day One - Packet Pick-Up / Prep Day

As with most races, you have to pick up your packet the day before. We piled the family into the car, and set out to go grab mine. Let me tell you, once that race number was in my hand, I almost cried. Things were starting to feel VERY real! The rest of the day, I was a bundle of nerves, I even got my husband lost on the way home. I was what the southerners call a 'Hot Mess!'

That evening, after my Husband made me a most delicious and healthy dinner, I sat down with my instructions and organized my transition equipment. I was so terrified I'd forget something, I think I repeated this process about five times until my brain was satisfied.

My Brain Never did Settle down that evening...I had to get up at 4am, and I don't think I fell asleep until almost 2am.



Day Two - RACE DAY!

After barely sleeping, I woke up before my alarm. I had a quiet breakfast by myself while the rest of the house grumbled at having to wake up before the sun. Before I knew it, the caravan was ready, and we were on our way.

Arriving at the race site, my friend and I made our way to the transition area to set up while everyone else settled in to find a good spot in the shade. With our transition area set up, it was time to grab our timing chips and get marked up for the race. There's nothing like the smell of a black marker first thing in the morning while your nerves are getting the best of you! Yuck! I was happy to see that a familiar face was marking everyone. Since she was one of the people that convinced me to do this, I asked her to write something special on my leg so that I could have her with me during the race: 

Before I knew it, we were lined up and ready to go. I remember hearing the Nation Anthem, and then from that point, I was pretty much running on automatic. I did not try to think, I just did it. I let everything I learned fall naturally into place, and all I had to do was push! I knew that if I stopped to think, my brain would get the best of me, and I might freak out. I could not let myself down!

Here's some of what happened along the way:

Apparently this is my serious swim face

Halfway through my swim

My Hardest Event - Bike

Transitioning out into my Run

At this point in the race, two of my mentors jumped in to do the run with me. While I don't remember really running, I know their voices were in my ears the whole time and pushing me to keep going. At some point on the last straightaway before the finish, my husband even met up with us to run with me. I barely realized this because I was so focused on getting to the finish line.

I was doing what we gals call the 'Ugly Cry' at this point as I rounded to the finish chute. Apparently I also channeled some Philly spirit to get me across that finish line all kinds of 'Rocky' style. I couldn't believe I had done it!

I do remember my Husband at the finish line, because he was one of the first people I wanted to see. I even had him put my race medal on me. I felt so loved and accomplished in his arms at this point.

As things started to calm down, one of my friends noticed that my medal was different then hers. Apparently they had run out before I got to the finish line, and gave me one left over from a previous race. I was almost heart broken, because I wanted the medal from this race, my FIRST race! One of the mentors (who was also one of the ones that ran with me!) switched with me and gave me hers. I hope she doesn't mind me using her picture, but this was a pretty awesome moment for me as well!



I have gotten so much out of this experience, and there are just too many people to thank. To My Husband, Family, Friends, Mentors, and Cheerleaders...I couldn't have done this without all of you.

What's Next you ask...Stay Tuned!

Start Your Engines Race Fans!

So friends...it's about that time! Race weekend is upon me!

Friends are rallying. Family is arriving. There's a celebration dinner tonight...and my nerves are creeping up on me! I'm a bundle of emotions! Scared...Excited...and I'm practically bouncing.

Is there a little blue pill for this kind of performance anxiety?

I am really looking forward to crossing that finish line...and will be thinking of every single one of you who have encouraged me along the way.

Stay tuned!

Food Glorious Food!

Well...I'm not talking about Hot Sausage and Mustard, but I felt like writing about food today. It's been a while since I've shared some of the delicious things I'm discovering, so I thought it was about time for a strictly yummy post.

These are a Few of my Favorite Things...

Snacky type Discoveries:

Edamame -  It's not for everyone, but I love every salty delicious morsel. These little poppers are filling, and from what I understand, quite good for you. Warm, cool, doesn't matter...I don't even mind that I have to work a little bit for my food.

Smart Balance Peanut Butter - This is a new Fav. It tastes fresh roasted and is about a smooth and creamy as you can get. As I'm training for the Triathlon, a good ole' fashioned PB&J Sandwich has become quite the little savior for me. I usually eat it on whole wheat bread with sugar free Jelly. (I learned the hard way not to put it in the Fridge...gets too hard, too fast...learn from my mistake...LOL)

Deep Chocolate VitaTops - Oeey Gooey Delicious Healthy Goodness from the Gods. I've had them for a pre-training breakfast and as a desserty type snack after dinner. You really can't go wrong here. I also just learned from a friend that if you put low fat ice cream in between two of them and freeze it for a little while, it becomes a bit of an ice cream sandwich! Heck Yeah!  

Now for Some Fast Food Finds:

Wendy's Grilled Chicken 'Go' Wrap - This simple little thing is cheap and yummy. Grilled Chicken, Lettuce, and Honey Mustard wrapped up in a tortilla. I usually ask for no cheese. So good, and so low in calories I almost always get two of them with a side salad.

Thai Lettuce Wraps - These babies have pretty much become my favorite...anywhere that serves them...in particular Nothing But Noodles. So long as you don't over-do it on the Peanut and Soy Sauce they're fairly waist friendly. I usually ask for extra veggies. Who can go wrong with chicken and veggies wrapped up in Lettuce?

And Last, but Not Least...my ALL TIME favorite GO-TO Drink

Arnold Palmer Light - I have ALWAYS loved this type of drink. To me there's nothing more refreshing then the mix of cold sweet tea and tart lemonaide. But the regular kind is seriously high in the sugar department. Not this bad Boy. Low in calories, sodium, and sugar. Yumma-rific!

I hope you've enjoyed the randomosity of this post...I'm nervously anticipating the triathlon, but wanted to write about something different. For those who are actually reading these...hope you're all having a good summer!  Until next time, STAY COOL!

Smiles and Tears

"I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble" ~ Helen Keller


I am a very humble person. I rarely speak of myself, and it sometimes renders me cripplingly speechless when attention is given that I don't think I deserve. Well...this past weekend took me beyond any of that. I was moved to tears several times in one day, because the strength of those around me helped me find strength in myself.

I overcame a HUGE milestone, that I was quite honestly prepared to fail...

This triathlon has challenged me mentally and physically for months, and this past weekend was no different. My fellow athletes and I were to meet on Saturday morning for a simulated, non timed triathlon. The purpose of which was for you to see how far you've come, and know what you need to work on in the coming weeks leading to the race.

If you read my last blog entry, you know I was quite psyched out about this. The whole morning leading into it, I was almost silent, but internally struggling and on the verge of tears. Could I really do this? I calmed myself the best I could, and decided to take it one step at a time.

Step one - Swim

• I jumped in the pool, and hesitated at kick off. I took a deep breath, and away I went. Before I knew it, I was at the end of the pool, and didn't even realize I was done. It was the FIRST time I had completed my swim.

Step two - Bike

• I transitioned, regrouped, found my mentor, and on the road I went...and went...and went some more.  I started to feel like I was flying. Then came the hill. I let it get to me, but that's ok. I KEPT going. I even found gears on my bike that I previously didn't know how to use. I made it to the end!

Step three - Run

• I transitioned once more,  grabbed my gatoraide, and took off. My back was tight, my calves were screaming...but I could NOT stop moving. I tried to run, and the mobility was almost not there...but I had to keep going. I walked...and walked...and walked. Including two of my best girlfriends, there were so many encouraging faces offering support along the way. It was almost overwhelming. Before I knew it...I started hearing cowbells. I looked up and could SEE the finish line. I HAD to start jogging...their spirits were lifting me.  My team had stayed and was heading toward me to cheer me the rest of the way...and then it happened.

          I raised my hands, and I FINISHED.

I am overwhelmed. If this was just a practice, I cannot wait to see what the full event brings. I didn't think for a moment that I was ready to do this, but my flame has been lit from the inside and I want my light to shine.

I WILL do THIS!  

It has been truly amazing and my heart is full of joy.

Sink or Swim!

Please excuse the following rant, but I've been fairly positive up until this point!

As far as the triathlon is concerned, I am by no means the most amazing swimmer. I go to training, I learn a lot, I do my best. It's been kind of fun. Well, up until last night...I really don't know what it was, but I swam like crap! Maybe it was my first time in my new suit, or maybe it was the amazingly huge new pool and swim location...who knows?!?!?

No matter how hard I tried, I could not get a good rhythm going. I had floppy froggy legs, my arms didn't want to extend, I wasn't rolling enough to breathe AND I realized I've been holding my breath under water instead of breathing out. Ugh. It was seriously awkward.

I know I'm my own worst critic, and I really am too hard on myself sometimes, but last night, in the pool...I was one stroke away from quitting. Then I got mad at myself for thinking that, and it made me feel worse!

I stayed in the water at the edge of the pool and watched the other women swimming and cheering, and I silently wondered what in the heck made me think I could do this! Ugh. It was not one of my finest moments.

The smile and enthusiasm of one very patient mentor made my evening. She slowed me down, brought me back to the basics, and gave me a lot to think about. I really have come a long way.

Tomorrow is our 'mock triathlon.' It's the chance to put all of our training together. I'm not gonna lie, I'm more then a wee bit nervous about this. But I'm going to take tonight off, relax my achy body, and whatever happens tomorrow, happens. I've come this far, and I can't let one bad experience throw me off my game...

Stupid Brain...

I Sing the Body Electric...

I sing the body electric
I glory in the glow of rebirth
Creating my own tomorrow
When I shall embody the earth...

How beautiful that song is, and how appropriate the lyrics for my current presence in life. I feel my body changing. I feel myself changing. Little by little...it is kind of amazing how much this is affecting me. All of me, and so much for the positive!

Although I allow myself indulgences, my food choices are improving...I am more cheerful and playful. I feel a bit less self conscious. No matter how sore I am, I know it's because I'm awakening muscles that rarely get used. My clothes are fitting better. I'm smiling more, and it all feels so good!

I'm still quite a bit apprehensive, but I've had some breakthrough training moments here recently. My swimming is finding it's stride. My legs are more confident on my ride, and I walk a bit further and faster with each work out. I find myself needing less recovery time, which I know means I'm building endurance.

The support I'm receiving is overwhelming. So many people have confidence in me that I am only starting to find in myself....I'm beginning to feel the light again, and it warms my heart.

And in time, we will all be stars...

Divine Intervention and the Swim Cap.

I feel like I've been working my butt off! (Ha Ha...that could be considered a good thing; I guess?)

By the time this past Sunday rolled around, my muscles ached, my brain was tired, and I really just wanted to pull the covers up over my head and go back to sleep! Instead, I rolled out of bed, threw some clothes on and set about my Sunday chores.

The whole time I was working, I was arguing with myself about whether or not to skip my weekly swim. Quite frankly, I was in a foul mood and just wanted to be left alone. While waiting for one of my cleaners to set in, I decided to hop online and read a bit. I was searching for something to set me back on the right path, and it just wasn't hitting me.

So...I turned to prayer. But not just in my head...my head was too full of my to-do list for even me to hear, let alone some divine being. So I wrote it down. I even posted it on another social network. It started getting a few funny comments and likes. My spirits also started to lift (maybe breakfast was kicking in and giving me energy?) who knows, but whatever the reason, I decided to suck it up, change, grab my new swim cap, and head out to swim.

I usually jam on my way so I can psych myself up, but nothing was working so I started flipping through random local stations. As I was doing so, I heard the first few chords to a song, and instantly knew I needed to keep it on this station. I knew I was on the right path. I even had a little cry with myself, but when it was over, I felt refreshed, awake, and positive. The song was Amazing Grace. I needed it at that moment.

A Divine Intervention at it's best. I had a great swim that day. My cap stayed on, and one of the new girls even complimented me on my kicking...that made me feel REALLY good! The morning flew by before I knew it! I think I'm going to write my prayers down more often. Maybe someone can't hear what's in my head, but has a better time hearing me when I write. Either way...it ended up being a great day.

A Busy Me = A Better Me

A thought just hit me, and I'm totally smiling right now. I've completed FOUR weeks of training! A whole MONTH! This time last month, my favorite activity was sitting around on the couch watching television! Nowadays I'm training four times a week and alternating between walking, jogging, swimming, and cycling!

I've even taken a look back and have hit a few personal milestones that I want to share:

START: Walking around the block winded me.       

NOW: I am up to FOUR miles!

START: I could barely balance my bike.                 

NOW: I can bike more then THREE miles!

START: I could barely make a full lap in the pool.   

NOW: I can do between THREE and FIVE comfortably!

There's still so much to learn and do, but I'm working on it!

Today, I leave you with this thought:

You may now return to your originally scheduled procrastination. (LOL)

My Rant to the 'Proverbial' THEM!

**WARNING - The following post may be TMI!**
Don't Say I didn't warn you!

So THEY say that exercise is good for you. THEY tell you how wonderful and beneficial it is, and how happy you'll be with the results. THEY say 'You can do it' and 'No Pain, No Gain!' Well, I'm not here to dispute any of that. I'm here to tell you about a few things that the 'proverbial' THEY neglect to tell you when starting work out regimen at my size:

CHAFING: Yep. It's gonna happen. Those body parts that rub together on a normal day are amplified when you're exercising. Imagine rug burn in some not so nice places...and you don't even have a fun story to explain it. Sexy, I know! Right? Not. I quickly learned that body glide and blister block are going to become my best friends for a while.

ACNE: You're working up a sweat. It's opening your pores and releasing toxins and oils. It's only natural that you're gonna break out...and I don't mean just your face. Just remember to keep at it, and work through it. Your body is going to get used to this. Mine is already starting to get better. The trick is keeping clean, but not overpowering your body with a lot of perfumes and lotions. Good old fashioned soap and a nice shower are working well for me.

ABNORMAL CYCLES: That's right. If you're my size, chances are you already have most of the typical 'female' problems. Starting to exercise the way I am can be shocking to your body. Especially the running. Gravity is putting a lot of stress on your abdominal area, so expect your cycles to be wonky for a while. Always call your doctor if you have questions. Mine is practically on speed dial.

HEADACHES / BODY ACHES / CRAMPS: Part of combating these little joys is learning what nutrients your body needs to compensate for all of this shockingly healthy behavior. I'm learning (and sometimes the hard way) what foods are good or not good for before and after exercise. Drinking your water definitely helps!

So...to the 'THEY' that neglected to tell me these things, I say screw you!
Y'all need to do a better job at keeping a sista informed.

Luckily these are all things that I know will even out with time!

PATIENCE. UGH.

H2-Oh-No!

Ok...so that picture pretty much sums things up. I have GOT to drink more water! But WOW...that is sooooooo much easier said then done!

I have never been a fan of drinking water. I grew up in Philadelphia. The water there is just plain nasty. (For my Northern peeps...does schuylkill punch ring a bell?) Ick. Things were then made worse when you visited the water treatment plant with your school. Can you say gross? Even with filters I feel like I can taste every mineral, additive, chemical...I mean it. Everything. Blah. Even with those convenient little powder packages, it still tastes funny to me.

But I'm forcing myself.

I sort of had a wake up call at a recent vocal seminar. My voice means the world to me. Apparently, if I don't hydrate enough and try to sing, I could potentially ruin my voice. I'm guessing the same thing goes for exercise...If I don't hydrate, I suppose that could do bad things to my body.

But let's discuss numbers. I rarely do this, but really. I'm a little concerned.

I'm supposed to drink HALF my body weight in ounces of water PER DAY? Even more after a hard work out? For me that's 160 ounces of water a day. That seems INSANE!?!?!? (and yes, I realize that you smarty pants who are good at math now know how much I weigh)

Today I've almost drank 96 ounces, and I already feel like I should be getting activity points for the amount of time I'm running back and forth to the bathroom! Eeek! Can someone out there tell me that it will get better!!!!

I'm having a hard time with this one folks. Ugh.
One Day at a time I suppose...

Bicycle! Bicycle!

Well folks, training is in full swing, and I am super excited! Except for maybe one thing...OH MY GOD! Who gets up before 7am on a SATURDAY???? That's just ghastly! Who cares about physical activity, getting my ass out of bed might prove to be the hardest part of all this! Wonder how bad it would be to fall asleep at the wheel of a bicycle? Isn't that what helmets are for? *winks*

Having a friend to share this with is pretty awesome. I currently don't have a bike rack, so she was nice enough to pick me up. We laughed a little, shared a few jokes, and it was a pretty good car ride. Once we arrived, we unloaded the bikes, strapped on our helmets, and waited for the mentors to arrive.

We were shown how to properly wear our helmets (which is probably important given how clumsy I am) taught how to check if our seats were at the right height, and then taught how to properly start and stop. Again...quite important for me (see previous reason!)

Once we got going it was one of the most relaxing things I've done in a long time. The wind was in my face, the sun was shining, before I knew it, we had done a full circle and were being asked if we wanted to go around again. Heck yeah!

All in all, it was a fabulous morning. I had one (hopefully) minor set back. In the midst of riding, my handlebars would not stay in position. I have to take it into the shop before I can ride again, but really, I can't wait to get back on. This may very well be my favorite of the three events.

Oh...and can I just tell you that I rocked my helmet!

There are good things to come people...I just need to stay motivated!

Freaking Out and Looking Toward the Future

Well...It's official!

I will be racing in the Rambling Rose Triathlon in Rock Hill, SC on July 15th!

I was bouncy for about half a minute, and now I'm kinda freaking out.

My 12 week training session starts this week, and I'm scared. I did a little shopping over the weekend, bought a bike helmet and some clothes, took my bike in for a tune up, and now reality is setting in...Well, more like self-doubt and internal panic are setting in.

This always happens to me before any major event in my life. My palms are freezing, and I'll probably not be able to concentrate all day. But I can't let my brain get the best of me. I won't let it win. I'm tired of letting it win.

When you say the word triathlon, it sounds huge, and unattainable.

My brain HATES numbers...and it did the same thing to me when I decided to tackle a 5K. Once it was pointed out to me that a 5K was only a little over 3 miles, the acceptance process kicked in.

That's about where I am today with the triathlon. Acceptance.  

• 225 yd pool swim

• 10 mile bike

•2 mile run

Deep Breaths....Deep Breaths...I WILL do this!

When all is said and done, The 'Ramblin Rose' will be my reward.  

Cankle Free Work Zone!

It's probably no shock for anyone to know that I don't have the most positive self image. I mean...I know I'm loved by my wonderful husband, surrounded by equally awesome family and friends, but I'm probably one of the most self-conscious people you could ever meet. It's really hard for me to accept a compliment!


Aside from being around a few friends that I feel REALLY comfortable around; I noticed recently that I've been covering up a lot more then usual.

For a while there, I had been coming out of my shell a bit. I was wearing cute little shirts, and capris and such. But here lately, I've kind of gone back in.

Even though it's starting to get warm, I'm really nervous about wearing shorts, putting on my swimsuit, and on top of that...I'm gonna get fit for some proper work-out clothes.

For those of you that are experienced in the ways of fitness, you know these clothes don't hide anything. You're squeezed in for proper support, but at any given moment could probably pop out like a fresh can of biscuits.

How in the world is it easier for me to step out in front of an audience of a thousand people or more, but shrink away from the thought of wearing bright colors or being comfortable in one of those pretty summer dresses? Somewhere along the way, I've lost my inner Diva. She's in there hiding...I can feel her, and I'm hoping that training for this triathlon will help her come out somewhere along the way.

On a positive note, I've been eating lots of fruits and veggies. I'm guessing this is helping with fluid retention (ha ha...I know! Sexy, right ?!?!) I looked down last night and could see my ankles again! I got all bouncy and excited. I even ran into the bedroom to show my husband! He smiled at me...It was awesome.

I have henceforth declared my life a Cankle Free Work Zone!

I wanna look down at those pretty little ankles and embrace my change...I want to be happy with who I am...and I wanna make my inner-self smile the way my husband smiled at me last night...

Proceed with Caution...and Laughter!

So last night I ventured out to get my bike for the triathlon...

I asked my friend to meet me because she knows way more about bikes then I do, AND it was my first experience using craigslist (which in itself is an adventure!)  We gave it a good look over, rode it around a bit, and my friend thought it was a pretty good bike so I went ahead and bought it. I was very excited to finally get something at a good price for my height and weight. It'll need a tune-up, but I'm happy with it.

That being said, I learned a few valuable lessons that I think the general public should know:

1. Whoever made up the saying that goes something like "it's just like riding a bike" is full of crap and can kiss my butt
2. If you can't walk and chew gum, this activity may not be your best choice
3. Do not try to purchase a bike while still wearing your work clothes (and shoes for that matter!)
4. Pushing backward on the pedals is not a form of braking...you will continue to move forward, and probably get faster.
5. Please refer to number 4. Repeatedly. The brakes are now located on the handlebars.
6. No dumbass, that adult sized bike is not gonna fit in your compact Ford Focus
7. You WILL apparently need a bike rack
8. Cages are required on the pedals to keep your feet from slipping...if you don't have them, please refer back to number 4.

I know I made my friend laugh, and sent her home with a good story.

Here's my new Baby:

Now comes the fun part...finding a helmet for my big head...and YES, I will need one!

Does that come with an airbag?

My next adventure in preparation for the triathlon involves purchasing a bike. Should be simple, right? Hmmm...boy would we be wrong!

I haven't been on a bike since I was about 12 years old, and back then, you usually got someones hand me down and made the best of it.

I also remember the old days back in Manayunk where the way you learned to ride was by someone putting you at the top of the hill, letting you go, and yelling good luck as you rode what felt like 200 mph on the way back down the hill... all WITHOUT a helmet.

Boy have things changed...

There are road bikes, mountain bikes, and hybrid bikes. Bikes with cross bars, slant bars, and straight bars. How may gears do you want? Is is graded for your weight? What size frame do you want...? Huh? You mean I actually have to get fit for a bike?

Now that my brain's about to explode, I think I've finally settled on what I need, and I'm going to take a look at one tonight. Once that's taken care of, I get to go shopping for a helmet to fit my big head! Ha!

Combine all of this with the fact that I am a total and complete clutz. I'm starting to not be worried so much about my endurance, but more now about my incoordination. Maybe these new fangled bikes come with airbags? No...ok, can't blame a girl for hoping.

So dear friends...you should all start a pool and bet on how long it will take me to have my first wipeout!

I think there's money to be had in this... LOL

I like to MOVE it MOVE it...Maybe?

So...I'm attempting to find my 'Move It" Mojo before full time training for the triathlon begins. (and PS...I'm a ditz and have been saying AND spelling that word WRONG! It's triathlon...not triathalon...LOL)

Anyways, I can't say that I like it yet (Because really...I'm lazy and LOVE my couch) but this time it does feel different. Maybe, I'm finally doing this for myself. It's great to have people around to support me, but I think maybe I've relied on them a little too much in the past....unknowingly making them my crutch.

When the family was here, I got up early on a rainy Saturday, and briskly walked a mile. It took me a while to do this, but hey...it was a start. It was actually kinda tough. I used to walk back in Philadelphia. Everywhere, on a daily basis, but this small walk challenged me. I kinda got made at myself, and that forced me to walk faster. By the end of the walk, I was red, out of breath, and sweaty. Here's the good thing though...I thought it would exhaust me, but I was actually quite energized throughout that day. Who knew something so small would have such an effect on me.


Since then I've actually shocked myself...

The training program for the triathlon offers a beginners boot camp. Those  two words in themselves scare the beejesus out of me, but I needed to see if I could do this. We met at a park and you could feel the apprehension amongst the new people... We stretched a little, and got started. There were squats, crunches, bear crawls, jogging, and this evil thing called the plank. I could not believe I had done all of these things by the time an hour had passed. This fat chick got her butt kicked, and she didn't mind at all. I pushed some limits, and I was kinda impressed with myself.


I'm also trying to pick up some Zumba classes along the way.

So...Do I like to MOVE it MOVE it? Not yet, but I'll get there. 

My husband is always telling me I'm stronger then I know...A little part of me might actually believe he's right. But don't tell him I said so...

A weekend to remember...

So I'm just now starting to catch up with myself after a whirlwind weekend! My husband's family was in town for a birthday celebration and boy I'll tell you...I was jumping on and off the wagon faster then a kid on a pogo stick!

I definitely let food rule my weekend, and I've gotta be more conscious about my efforts in the future. My husband, his family, and myself are a bunch of pretty good cooks and I have a hard time resisting a GOOD home cooked meal! 

Now, I don't wanna write too much about my indulgences, so I'll just give you a recap of the best and the worst of my decisions.

Best Indulgent decision = Mom's Baked Ziti.

I know the family all loves this...and boy so do I! This meal is always worth it, especially when she cooks it, But like I said...in the future I'll just have to watch portion control. 

Worst Indulgent Decision = Red Velvet Cupcake

I have a weakness for cupcakes of ALL kinds and this made my mouth water. But seriously...it was more then $3 and it was mostly gooey cream cheese frosting. You know...the kind that leaves a sugary coat in your mouth! There was barely any cake, and it was also filled with a sweet cream cheese. This is the first cupcake that ever made me go, blech!

There were definitely other yummies involved...my Husband cooked, as did his Brother. Heck, I even made one hell of a brunch. I just get so excited when people visit...I always want them to leave full and happy. Maybe next time I'll include a few salads in our meals.  LOL
 

Waking up on Saturday for a brisk walk / jog was also not enough to counter the deliciousness that was this weekend. So...a few lessons have been learned by this fat chick. I won't regret any of my decisions, because time spent with family is always a joy...but I'll just do better in the future. 

Until next time, Big squishy hugs...and thanks for reading!

Oh What a Week!

It has been a bit of a roller coaster week for this fat chick, but I'm so happy it's Friday!

Although my week has been crazy, I have done pretty as far as food is concerned. In fact...I feel like I've made some pretty good choices:

• I did not stop at McDonald's for Breakfast AT ALL this week...in fact, I only ate there once, and I chose nuggets! GO ME!

• I have re-discovered a love for Veggies (In particular, Edamame, Celery, and Carrots) and no, despite what the evil little devil on my shoulder says, they do not need to be boiled to oblivion, covered in butter, or dipped in cheese to taste good!

• I have not had one drop of Mt. Dew soda. I am enjoying the bubbly goodness of Vanilla Coke Zero or Diet Dr. Pepper Cherry.

My favorite find this week has been the 200 calorie "Snack Fresh" container from Harris Teeter.  Celery, Carrots, Light Ranch Dipping Sauce, and Colby Cheese bites. I'll be picking a few more of these up for lunches next week!

If anyone reading has a favorite healthy food find, I'd love to know about it!

My next challenge will be the weekend. Birthday celebrations for family are involved, but we're cooking at home, so I'll report back on how I do!

Ta Ta for Now!

Winner Winner Pasta Dinner

So, I was in the mood to cook this evening, but I wanted something hearty and satisfying. It took me a little while but I found what sounded like a delicious pasta recipe on the Weight Watchers website. Now...I was a bit skeptical, but decided to give it a try anyways.

All my my 'ethnicities' are known for their food. I'm a delicious mix of Polish, Irish, and Italian all rolled up into one happy fat chick. Reading the words 'Low Calorie' in the same sentence as 'Pasta' was like trying to understand some type of foreign novel. It's just not a concept that I understand.

But I went with it...

Here's a link to the recipe:
http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/RecipePage.aspx?recipeID=51449


My only changes to the recipe (and for completely selfish reasons) were:

• Using ground chicken instead of roasted (made it easier for me to measure)

•  Using drained canned spinach instead of frozen (I HATE the taste of frozen spinach)

I served it with some steamed broccoli on the side.

Here's how it turned out:

Weight Watchers did a great job with this one...they were just gooey enough to be yummy. We'll definitely be making these again! 

Hubby Also made us a relatively waist friendly dessert consisting of pound cake, low-fat vanilla iced cream, and sugar free caramel sauce.

I've gotta say...I'm doing the happy fat chick dance tonight.

My stomach is quite pleased!

Oh Sweet Taco of the Gods...

So...today was pretty good for a Monday. I had a productive day at work, went for a walk during lunch, worked hard at rehearsal, and ate fairly healthy...

What's fairly healthy you ask...? That's my way of saying that I fell off the wagon ONCE today! No sneaking candy and not counting it. No snacking from my pantry. Once...just once, and WOW! It was  TOTALLY worth it!!!

I finally got to try the amazingness that is The DORITOS TACO from Taco Bell!

That's right folks...all the yumminess of a taco, shoved neatly into a DORITO shell!

Can I just tell you, that this was worth a tiny slip.

I have a weakness for doritos, and have REALLY been wanting to try this just to get it out of my system.

I'd say this was pretty successful.
I'm a happy fat chick right now. 

Until next time...thanks for reading. Let's see what trouble I can get into tomorrow!

I will BE a Triathlete!

Several weeks ago, I signed up for a triathalon...you read that right...a TRIATHALON!

My swim assessment was scheduled for Sunday morning, so I busied myself with chores and didn't let my brain think about it until the very last minute.

I got there...signed in, changed, and waited in line with the other women. I had a brief discussion with a mentor, and then hopped in the pool to swim my lap. That's all I had to do. ONE lap. How hard could that be, right? Apparently quite hard when I let my brain get the best of me.

The thought of people watching and evaluating my fat butt in a pool kinda terrified me, but this wasn't for time, and the object wasn't to pass or fail. The only real purpose of this was so that I could get put in the appropriate training group.  The only thing I had to do was just, simply, swim.

Now why couldn't my brain process that in the pool?

Here's a pic of me, post assessment:
(Aren't I atrractive? Bug Eyes and all?)

After the assessment, a code was written on my hand, and I was sent to a table to record what training group I'd be placed with. Well...I'm a beginner. Duh. All this worry for nothing. I'll never know why I stress about the silliest things.

That's just how my brain works I suppose...

The assessment was over, and I was finally able to breathe. I was sitting in the car gathering my thoughts before I went about the rest of the day, and it was at this point that something amazing happened...I looked down and noticed what was written on my hand.

                                                                    

BE. Just one little word, and I felt all my anxious energy roll away.

A symbol of a beginner to this group of strangers, but a testament of my strength.

By the end of all this, I will BE a triathlete. 

This, made me smile.

Breakfast of Champions?

I found myself wondering about breakfast this morning...

• How necessary is it to my health?
• Are there true benefits to eating early in the day? 
• What constitutes a "healthy balanced breakfast?"

It may make you laugh, but I have good reason to think about these things.

Those who know me (ESPECIALLY my Husband) will tell you that I LOVE to sleep. We often joke that if it were possible for a human to hibernate, I totally would. I wait to the last minute to get up in the morning, rush to get ready, and run out the door. EVERY day. I seriously have a love affair with my bed.

This means that I RARELY ever eat breakfast at home. I either pop a quick granola bar with a diet soda, or I hit fast food on the way into work. Now...I know that stopping for fast food doesn't always have to be so bad, but let's face it; I live in the south and the smell of fresh biscuits, or the lure of the golden arches all but makes me drive off the road in the morning!

So, in my brain I am formulating a plan. I know I'll never get up any earlier then I already do...so, it's time for a healthy compromise.

I did some reading this morning, and the science behind these two articles actually made sense to me:

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/on-fitness/2008/04/08/is-breakfast-really-necessary

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/food-and-nutrition/AN01119

So, here's my bright idea:

If I grab something healthy on the way out the door, but eat my real breakfast at work, I think I can make healthier choices during the day. When I DO decide to grab fast food on the way in, I should take more time to look at the choices and pick something reasonable!

Today I ate quietly at my desk and it was wonderful.

Whole Wheat Raisin Toast with Peanut Butter.

So now...I'm saying a prayer that I can keep this up!

Food is Life?

As I sit here eating my biscuit, drinking my sweet tea, planning a family dinner, and wondering what deliciousness awaits me this weekend...It dawned on me that 'holy crap! My life kinda revolves around food!'

Isn't that the case for a lot of us? We meet friends for dinner, order popcorn at the movies, eat hot dogs at ball games, and not really think twice about it.

I grew up in a home where, although they made fun of my size, there was always some type of food on the counter. Without thinking about it, you walk by and just grab whatever's there. Between that, and a constant supply of soda, the chubby bar was set pretty high at an early age.

Now, as an adult, I am following the same pattern. Wash, rinse, repeat. When you're picking stuff off the counter or out of your fridge just because it's there, that's where the problem starts. Food should not become my life. It should be used as nourishment.

I signed up for a triathalon, so I'm trying to pay attention to myself and my habits. I know they will have to change or else I'll never make it through this. It's gonna be rough, but I'm strong. I can do this!

Now...I think perhaps I'll have a salad for lunch.
It is, after all, the Ides of March.

The New Adventures of Old Kristina

Ever have one of those days where you're bored and have no desire to do the tasks at hand...? That's completely me today. I'm at work, and while I do have TONS to do, I just can't put my brain in the right place.

So what's a gal to do? I've decided to start writing again! I'm venturing back into the world of fitness and weight loss, and am on a serious journey to being healthy. For me. I'd like to be that person in mind, body and spirit.

I think this blog will be a good way for me to vent frustrations, list observations, post findings, and just clear my crazy brain.

I tried doing this a couple years ago when I was training for a 5K, but I quickly got bored. To be honest...that's a major fight between me and my brain. I get involved, work toward my goals, but when it comes to the 'maintenance' portion, I completely slack off.

If you're reading, thanks for tuning in, and I guess that's all for right now.
I plan to get better as time goes on...you know, kind of like a bottle of wine!

Love always,
(Your Favorite Fat Chick)
~Kristina

PS: Here's the link to my old blog if you'd like a little back story:
http://biggirls5k.blogspot.com/