Five on Friday

:::1:::


I bit the bullet and grabbed the J.Crew sneakers. I ended up going with a different color than I originally planned because the lighter ones were just a little too bowling, if you know what I mean. They are really comfortable and really cute on. I'm not in love with that way they look when I'm in jeans, but I think I'll be wearing them mostly with workout pants for walking around my neighborhood and not wanting to be in flip flops or serious running shoes.

:::2:::

Next week my Mom, Grandma, aunts, and cousin Gia are all coming out to California - and I'm so excited! I feel really fortunate that my family is constantly coming to visit. I mean, this is the 2nd time my 86 year old Grandma will have come and stayed with me. I do need to find a few activities that my grandma, new born cousin, and 16 year old cousin will all have fun doing....but I'm up for the hilarity that will no doubt ensue.



:::3:::

I joined Equinox yesterday. I'm still a little nervous about it, but I have 3 weeks to test it out before I'm locked in. For the last 3 years in LA, I've gone to different classes and run outside,  but the classes have been seriously adding up and I'm overpaying for what I'm getting. The gym is walking distance to my house and offers every class under the sun, a pool, spa, machines, personal trainers, the whole kit and caboodle for about half of what I'm currently spending. I really, really, really hope I like it.


:::4:::
I have had a major spring cleaning bug and just want our entire house updated and organized. We have a lot to do and little time to do it, but these tidy images have been like porn lately!

 

     


:::5:::
This weekend we have a lot of plans to spend time with friends and family, and get our damn taxes done...and both of those things to me scream wine.

Have a great weekend!

My 1st Half Marathon

 Well, I officially did it! 

 

To be honest, I'm mostly proud of the fact that I finally accomplished a goal that had been hanging over my head for at least 5 years. Every new year, or birthday goal I set out, always included finishing a half marathon, and I'm so dang happy that I can say that I did it. 

  

Training for the half wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. It was time consuming - and expensive at times (LA workout classes are, at the cheapest, $22 bucks each) - but mostly enjoyable. Joel and I have always included working out in our daily schedule, so that part didn't take much adjusting too.

I do have to say that I wouldn't have been able to do it without all of Joel's help. He came on any run I asked him to, slowed down to my pace, and encouraged me the whole way though. He never let me complaints get in my own way and had more confidence in me than I had in myself. He was the reason I finished this - no doubt - so thank you Joel.

 

Now, the actual race? That wasn't as much fun. 

 

There were 11,000 runners and I had a hard time losing myself throughout the 13 miles. I never had a mile that I totally zoned out, able to jam to my music, and just run.

All of the commotion of race day is very distracting, and that might be good for some people, but for me, it distracted me from my zone. When I got to mile 7, I was scared I wasn't going to finish. From mile 7 on, I stopped at every pit stop for Gatorade and a 30 second break, and somehow each mile passed until I was at the finish line.

 

I have never been so happy to stop running - I can tell you that. But, when I did catch my breath, the sense of accomplishment far outweighed the muscle agony and pain!

 

My friend Kristin and I signed up for this race back in July and we held each other to the fact that we were going to get this thing done - and seeing her at the end was pretty surreal. Just four short months, and we are both half marathoners!

Our friends Brent and Dawn met us at the end and joined us for lunch. After a few beers and a burger, I was ready to head home and camp out on the couch for the rest of the day. A few more beers, a nap, and a few hours with a heating pad and I'm almost back to normal.

I can't say for sure if I would ever do one again - but I know one thing is true, if I can do this - I know you can too.

Weekend Recap

On Friday, as I was driving home from my last meeting for the week I caught a Baskin Robbins in my rear view window and literally pulled the most extreme U-turn possible. I'm not normally one who is tempted by drive thru's or fast food, so I sort of surprised myself as I pulled in. There was literally no stopping me. I ate my scoop of butter pecan alone in the car, felt somewhat insane - but holy cow did it hit the spot.

That night we met up with my cousins for dinner at our favorite spot, Picca. They make insanely delish drinks and the bartender David was even a Chicago boy, so we were warmly received. 

 

After dinner - the five of us came back to our house and played Trivial Pursuit Party and watched youtube videos until we polished off too many bottles of wine.

I haven't laughed so much in a long time.

Saturday morning was the Tennessee v. Georgia game, and since the games start at 9am out here, we decided to make a celebratory breakfast for it.

 

We never did crack into that champagne, especially since the Vols lost, but I did get to enjoy my first pumpkin coffee of the season which did not dissappoint.

   

I snuck out for a happy hour with my girl Shelby after the game, was home by 5:30 and then , and then Joel and I had a low key night at home.

Sunday morning we were up early for another training run. Joel has been such a great running buddy for me. He's pushed me out the door for countless runs, and for long ones he will come run with me. I'm not sure I could get my butt (and keep my butt) out there for 9 miles if it weren't for him. 

We powered through and then pretty much hung out on the couch all day Sunday. The weather was absolutely glorious and actually cool enough to wear sweaters and light candles - so our Sunday was pretty lovely.

Next week is the last slow/unplanned week we have before our crazy October arrives so I'm trying to soak in these nice fall days as much as I can. Here's to another week!

Thoughts on Thursday: Half Marathon Training Update

We are coming into the home stretch with training (the half is on October 26th), and the last few weeks have really thrown me off my game.

I was able to get a strong 6 mile run in while we were in Chicago, and from there, it went downhill. After being sick for close to two weeks, I feel like I've taken 3 large steps backwards. I snuck in a few runs here and there, but my pace is off and I am literally wiped out to the core after they're over.

Yoga and Boot Camp (Burn60 for LA locals) have been far and few between too, and this first week back at them has kicked my ass.

This is my first full week back to training, and then I've got to attempt 8 miles on Saturday, which I'm not looking forward to. Overall, I really have enjoyed the routine of the training schedule, but as the miles keep building, so does my anxiety.

I know with 100% confidence that I'll be finishing that damn half in October, so I'm trying not to let my pace or finish time creep into my worries. Just finishing is going to be a huge accomplishment for me, so I'm trying to focus on that, and not stress if I have to walk for miles.

run forest run

Something that you may not know is that I actually love to exercise. It's one health habit that has always come easy for me and has been a part of my everyday life for 10 years now.

My current week includes two SoulCycle classes, 2-3 runs, tennis, and an occasional hike.

I am at the point where I need to exercise almost everyday in order to feel like myself.

--and side note, exercise does nothing for me as far as weight loss. It does allow me to maintain my weight, but if I ever want to lose so much as a pound, I need to watch the carbs I put into my body, simple (and sad) as that--

With SoulCycle, and this California weather -and hills- I've been becoming a much better runner.

I'm running 3-4 miles on any given day and this week I got below 10min/miles TWICE.

That has honestly never happened to me!

I run a few 5ks and 10ks every year, but I'm wondering if maybe I could do more. I've always played with the idea of a half, but I've never committed to seeing it through.

For the next few months I''m going to stick with what I'm doing and slowly build mileage. I'm hoping to get up to 6 miles before Christmas.

If I'm there, I think come the New Year, I may actually do something crazy and run 13.1 miles....

Carb Free Living

After Thanksgiving, in an effort to get "Wedding Day Ready" I decided to give up carbs. I talked about it here, back in November on my Day 3 mark, and I thought it was due time to catch you up on  how it's going.

• My entire life I complained about stomach aches. After eating, no matter how much, I always felt uncomfortable full - like a brick had just exploded in my stomach. I would whine and complain after every meal, and especially after restaurants. Since giving up carbs, I cannot remember the last time I had a stomach ache. I did not give up carbs for this reason, but it's probably been the best side effect of the lifestyle.

• When I say "Carb Free" take it with a grain of salt. I'm still eating fruit, alcohol, peanut butter, etc., I'm just not eating obvious carbs. No pasta, bread, bagels, rice, croutons, flour*, crackers, chips, or cookies.

• To start with the successes - since November 25th (about 3.5 months) I've lost 11 pounds and haven't changed my exercise all that much. I'm mixing in more weights and SoulCycle but the weight loss is a direct result of no carbs.

• I feel like I have a way flatter stomach and I'm down one pants size

• To live this "lifestyle" - and it actually has turned into one - it takes a little bit more meal planning and cooking time but that's about it. On Monday 's I meal plan for the week and usually turn to Pintrest for our dinner ideas. We have always tried to really reduce the amount of times we eat at restaurants which helps me stick to my plan and weekly caloric intake.

• My favorite dinners have been Eggplant Parmesan, Steak, Soups, Spaghetti Squash dinners, Turkey burgers, and lettuce cup tacos. Thank God for SkinnyTaste.com.

• Lunch is typically leftovers or a salad, and for breakfast I have yogurt with fruit and pecans. 

• Restaurants and special occasions obviously pose the biggest problems, but I've gotten pretty comfortable asking for burgers without the bun, ordering seafood, and staying away from pizza and sushi spots. Being a bride is a really easy excuse, and I always get a very sympathetic yet acknowledging nod from the waiters. 

• I don't count calories or write my food down in a food journal, although I've had success doing both.

• The reason I really enjoy living carb free is because I don't feel like I am missing anything. I'm really not depriving myself of much. I'm health focused and want to live a long life, and Wheat Thins are little squares of processed chemicals that don't deserve a place in my body anyways, so it's been easy to make them disappear and not miss them in my diet. Being carb free, which is keeping my calories low, helps me keep fruits and veggies and homemade food high - so it's been very win-win.

• Even though it's a slow process, I hope the scale will keep trending downwards. I have another 3 months until my wedding, so if I lost another 11.5 pounds I would just about die.

 Have you ever tried to go Carb Free? Did it work?

Healthy Living

Shout out to Christina for this fun survey!

1. What did you eat for breakfast? I had a spoonful of organic peanut butter (which I do everyday) and a Greek yogurt with pecans.

2. How much water do you drink a day? I am pretty good about drinking water. On a normal day I will have 6-8 cups.

3. What is your current favorite workout? For sure, SoulCycle. It's been fun to mix in a different type of cardio workout into my weekly runs. I also feel like SoulCycle TORCHES calories off my body. I sweat in that 45 minute class like nobody's business!

4. How many calories do you eat daily? A typical day tends to be 1800-2000, although, a "skinny" day is 1400.

5. Favorite healthy snacks: Carrots with Jalapeno and Cilantro hummus or if I need a sweet treat, apples with peanut butter or cinnamon do the trick. Unhealthy snack? Cheese and meat.

6. What do you usually eat for lunch? Since givng up carbs, lunch is the hardest meal for me. If I don't have leftovers, I normally make a smorgasbord of goodies. My favorite is carrots, hummus, 2 pieces of Swiss cheese with avocado inside (like a roll up), and some pistachios. 

7. What is your favorite body part to strength train? The only part of my body that I am actively strength training is my arms. I have 6lb free weights and I do a 20 minutes routine 4x/week. 

8. What is your least favorite body part to strength train? Probably abs, which is why I do not do them.

9. What are your ‘bad’ food cravings? Right now, I crave greasy carbs. French fries, a  cheeseburger, bagels and cream cheese, and chips & guac.

10. Do you take vitamins or supplements? ...I don't. I should. I don't.

11. How often do you eat out? I try not to for breakfast or lunch (unless I have a work thing.) I much prefer happy hour with girlfriends or a dinner out with Joel. Joel and I eat out about once a week and I try to meet my girls once a week too. 

12. Do you eat fast food? No - at least not your typical "fast food" joints. We are picky about our restaurants, but my favorite faster food is The Reel Inn in Malibu.

13. Who is your biggest supporter? For health, Joel. He is, and always has been, very healthy and athletic. Playing tennis in college, and currently training for a 50k -32 miles- in the mountains, exercise and smart nutrition has always been easy for him.  Plus, he loves the healthy dinners I make and really encourages me to find good recipes for us to try. 

14. Do you have a gym membership? Nope. I run outside and my office has a gym that I try to get to every week as well. Plus, I'm going to try and do SoulCycle weekly.

15. How many hours of sleep do you get a night? I am a sleeper. I go to sleep before 10pm every weeknight and sleep in until 7:15.

16. Do you have a ‘cheat’ day? No, I really don't do cheat days - a full day of indulgence forces me to be super strict for 3 following days. I cheated for a week in Mexico and it totally undid a month's worth of work. I do cheat during my day, a few things here and there, but one day of going crazy is killer.

17. Do you drink alcohol? I do, and it's my biggest vice. Pretty sure if I could eliminated it from my diet, I would lose 10lbs, but it's the one thing that I really, really don't want to let go of. I would rather run 2 extra miles a day - and be a happy, person who enjoys my life....so the wine (and tequila) is staying.

18. Do you have a workout buddy? Shelby is a great runner and is totally up for trail runs and hikes on the weekends, which helps get me out of bed. And, Laura is a great SoulCycle riding buddy too!

19. What is the best thing that has changed about your life since committing to a Healthy Lifestyle? Since giving up carbs I have WAY less stomach aches. And, I did buy a pair of jeans one size smaller than normal. And, I am about nine pounds down from where I was on Thanksgiving. I'd like to be down about 16(!!) more before I walk down the aisle, but I'm focusing on small goals to try and not freak myself out.

20. What is the last healthy thing you did? I ran a 10k on Saturday to help find a cure for pancreatic cancer.