2009

Wow, what a great year! It’s been hard at times, fun at times, and filled with changes. The only resolution I started the year with was to run a marathon, and well, I think we all know how that ended up!

Started the year with a party!

Bringing it in the right way…

Then in Feburary we went to Hotlanta for the motocross.

Apparently I was also moonlighting as an Oompa-Loompa. Forgive me.

I started my blog in March, but back then it was not much more than ‘I’m looking to lose weight. Here is how.’ It was kinda lame.

In March I also started my new job, which coincided with Meredith’s 21st birthday. We celebrated both.

According to Facebook, all I did in April was go to my cousin’s wedding.

At least we looked nice.

In May I started my blogging back up, with my first Green Monster. My pictures still weren’t very good, so instead of a green drank, I’ll show you a picture of me with a drank.

And my blackberry, apparently at a concert.

The weekend between May and June [Memorial Day!] I lounged on the beach.

And read trashy magazines, it looks like.

June is lake season too…so lots of wakeboarding and waterskiing was happening.

TUBE WARS were fought!

July is my birthday month, so that’s what July was all about.

Birthday Recap #1

Birthday Recap #2

August was the Healthy Living Summit!

I loved meeting all these girls!

September! I went camping with the fam for Mama D’s birthday!

[Linden blogged about it too, and her pictures are better. I even stole one.]

October, of course was Halloween.

We were punk rockers and I think we rocked it. I LOVED having green hair.

In November, my sisters and I took a Thanksgiving trip to Nashville, where we met HEAB and Amanda!

[Since then I have stolen that coveted necklace Linden has on, and worn it several times.]

Example:

When Stacey and I drove up to play in the snow with Megan!

Which was a week after I ran my MARATHON!

Making a New Year’s resolution? Par for the course.

Completing a New Year’s resolution? The best feeling ever.

In 2010, my resolutions are:

• Run a sub 2 hour half marathon.
• Lose the marathon weight and maintain it!
• Pay off my credit cards.
• Save more money.
• Practice yoga more regularly.

The yoga and running should help me reach #2 quite easily. As for #3 and #4? All up to me. And Mint.com.

Do you make resolutions/goals for the new year?

I think my answer is quite obvious, but I do it because having goals to work toward all year helps keep me focused. I like having a goal to meet.

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On the go

I was on the go all day today.

Case in point:

My Kashi mix. [Look Kailey! Upper, well left quadrant. Not really upper. Or so much a quadrant. Half? Whatev, thought of you when I uploaded this.]

 

Portable!

Reason I happened to be running so late was due to the 28* weather outside. Our heat unit froze up last night. NO HEAT IN MY ROOM. I literally could not stick a toe out without shivering. And I was wrapped in a Snuggie with two blankets piled on top. Thank you Jesus, because the heat is working tonight.

Also my hair was standing STRAIGHT UP on the crown this morning. Don’t know what the mattah was, but I did not have time for a wash, so I tamed it with a curling iron. Wish I had a pitchooo for y’all, but I did not even think of it. Scary, it was.

Anyway, due to the upcoming holiday [woot woot!] I was busy all morning wrapping things up for the end of the year.

So lunch?

Reheated soup from Mama D.’s leftover turkey soup mess she makes every Christmas [and Thanksgiving].

Yes I am aware that spoon looks more like a shovel. Shovel it in, I did. Upon closer inspection you can see me in the reflection. Hot mess.

Speedy:

Thank you again, Secret Santa! [I’m going to drag you out of the woodwork somehow ]

After work I had grand plans to work out, but my dad’s cousin just had twins, so after a quick dinner, the sisters and I went to see the babies. SO CUTE! I say I want twins someday. If I were to get them I might change my tune.

Anyway, my quick dinner was pizza…

Don’t be fooled, I had two slices!

and steamed veggies.

BROC! My love. Always has been, always will be.

So in conclusion, I did not get a workout sesh in today…my arms are sore from killer yoga last night anyway, and yes I had pizza for dinner. All in all though, I think I did a pretty good job with the eating today. I kept it in check, even when I wanted 5 slices of pizza, not just two.

I do know this. In just the three days I have been recommitting myself to a healthier more mindful diet, I feel happier and much more in control of my life. I don’t mean that in a control freak way either. I had totally let my eating get out of control and I was unhappy.

It feels so good to be doing something about that.

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Eggscellent Tea

So today has been pretty much awesome.

Started with this:

Lefty!

Kashi + Almond Milk + 1/2 naner + Berries

Filling!

Nevertheless, I am never one to turn down food. My stomach was growling again, by lunch anyway. I mean Kashi is filling, but for 4.5 hours?

So I made a salad.

 

Salad + Egg.

This was SO good. Sometimes I forget how much I love eggs. I love them a lot.

And now for the question asked by all: What is a snack with no peanut butter?

Not this one, judging by the picture. Graham crackers + White Chocolate Wonderful = winner, winner.

Speaking of the peanut butter, it came in my Bloggie Secret Santa gift I got last Thursday.

Whoever you are [as my Santa chose to remain anonymous] THANK YOU! This is filled with all the lovely things I enjoy. I would say I can’t wait to dig in, but as you can see I already did.

After work I went to yoga with Kasey at Y2 Yoga, where we met up with Emily + Amanda. It was just what I needed tonight; an hour and a half of hot yoga. I am SO TIGHT. I had the hardest time with some of the easiest poses, and I kept slipping on the balance poses. One time I even got my right and my left mixed up. So embarrassing. Alas, I survived, and shall be back! Kasey and I got the month special, so we plan to make use of it. Many more trips to Y2 Yoga in our future!

Once home, I made a quickie dinner of:

[Righty!] EGGS! [told you they were delicious today!]

Unfortunately, my eyes were bigger than my stomach so only half of this was consumed.

Along with a gulp of sparkling grape juice…

[finished the bottle!]

and a mug of hot tea!

Stacey gave me a mix of fruit teas for Christmas, and although I am not a huge tea drinker [coffee!] I do on occasion enjoy it, and this black cherry blend hit the spot!

Thanks for pointing me in a new beverage direction, Stacey! I think I just may become a tea drinker after all.

 

What’s your hot beverage of choice?

Coffee? Tea? Hot Chocolate? Cider, maybe?

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right hand pictures*

*cause all my pictures lean right. See below for proof.

Hey there lovelies!

Thank you all so much for agreeing, understanding or stating your own opinion on my post yesterday! I love that!

I’m such a cheeseball. But really, thank you all so much for understanding me and why I feel inclined to fit back in my clothes.

I didn’t post last night, because I didn’t actually sleep Sunday night, so I was catching up on that stuff. Do you find that vacation totally messes with your sleep schedule? I took a nap Sunday and did not wake up until 9 PM! PM! That was PM! Anyway, I never could go back to sleep Sunday night, so I just got up at like 5 AM!!! and got ready for work.

So I was tired last night.

But, yesterday’s breakfast [that I enjoyed at leisure as I certainly had the time.]

Kashi + Almond Milk + berries.

This is my favorite ‘Jillian-style’ breakfast, so you will probably see a lot of it and it’s many variations to come. Also, you may see some oatmeal. What’s new?

LUNCH!

This was supposed to be a broccoli, cheese and turkey wrap, but I had no wraps. So it was just a broccoli, cheese and turkey. I fly by the seat of my pants, I tell ya!

‘Twas delicious.

SNACK!

Pear + Almonds.

That was actually supposed to be an apple and cashews. But again, I improvised.

Then, after work I planned to go to the gym. But anyway, I went to CVS instead. And then I planned to go after I went home, but somehow I had a nap. And then it was late. And I was still tired. And my foot was still a bit swollen. [We shall get to that later.]

So I had dinner.

Which was COMPLETELY rebellious, as it was a salad with turkey and it was technically supposed to be chicken + wild rice.

See what I mean about ‘using meal plans as a guideline’. Eat whatever floats ya boat, as long as it is still beautiful and healthy.

See:

Beautiful and healthy.

If you get the craving for something hideous and unhealthy, you can always fall back on the old meal plan to set ya straight! Win-win!

Also, if you have not the ingredients for the meal plan…well you might eat a salad.

After dinner, I once again retired to bed, so as to catch up on all my sleep. I did.

On the exercise front, well I have not discussed this on the blog yet, not sure why, other than I never really saw an opening for it.

But, after my marathon, I took my shoe off [obviously, who would be around me if I still had those stanky thangs on?] and my right foot was swollen. With a bruise on the side.

Mama D. freaked out a bit.

I did not. I knew what it was. Tendonitis.

See, a few years ago I had a bout of tendonitis on the same foot. Same place. I went to the doctor and had it diagnosed and all, and he gave me the prescription of no activity for two weeks and anti-inflammatory pills.

So when I started experiencing a little problem with it again during training, I sort of ignored it.

It happened right after I got new shoes, even though I got the same brand I have had since my last flare up. It wasn’t painful, much, just it would swell a little when I was in my shoes for a long period of time. Which, you know, I was.

Anyway, after the marathon it was bad. Like really bad. My entire foot, not just the top, was swollen for 2-3 days.

It is just now getting back to it’s normal ‘just the top’ swollen state. Looks fab. Anyhow, I haven’t put my shoes back on, have just been sticking to flats and hoping all goes back to normal soon. Like completely normal.

So, on the exercise front I think I am going to stick to yoga only [shoeless, yay!] for the next week or so and see how the foot does.

If it’s not better by then [three weeks post marathon] I shall most likely see my doctor and get some of those anti inflammatory pills. They are like magic, they are.

Plus, I think I am going to get new shoes. Again. Sigh…

Ever had tendonitis? Ever ignored it? Oh is that just me?

I KNOW! I should have not ignored it. I KNOW!

So anyway, that is my confession for the day. What’s yours?

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Marathon Weight Gain and Me

So, obviously I have been putting off writing this post.

I mean, who gains weight while a.) writing a food blog; and b.) training for a huge race, wherein you torch thousands of calories in the training alone?

Me.

Obviously, me.

It’s kind of embarrassing, to be honest.

So, I have not stepped back on the scales yet (eeeekk! the idea freaks me out!) but…as all my pants are noticeably tighter and all my shirts are becoming decidedly uncomfortable, I assume I have gained (a good bit of?) weight.

I can chalk this up to 4 things.

1. While marathon training I assumed it was safe to eat whatever + after the marathon was over I kept the same mentality. And obviously it was not. Not at all okay. Even while marathon training it was not really ok. Because I ate things like ice cream. And cake.

And lots of it.

2. When I start eating sweets, I don’t stop at just one. Christmas goodies. ‘Nuff said.

3. I have become a HUGE slacker in the weight lifting department. HUGE slacker. History has proven that straight cardio does not work for me and I chose to dump weight lifting anyway. 

4. Once the weight started coming on a developed a ‘I feel gross, so I shall eat more’ mentality. In hindsight, not the smartest mentality, but I am an emotional eater. I recognize this, but I do not always control this. Sad, but true fact.

What I am going to do about it.

1. Start eating by a meal plan. And immediately. When my eating blossoms out of control the only way to get it back under control is by making a meal plan and sticking to it. My favorite pre-made meal plan is found in ‘Making the Cut’ by the master of fitness herself, Jillian Michaels. There are also some kick butt workouts found the pages of this wondrous book, and I shall be kicking my butt with those 3-4 days a week.

2. As previously stated, kick the weightlifting up a notch. Or a level. Or whatever you want to call it.

 

3. My new bottle and lunch bag that Mama D. gifted me with this holiday season. I plan to make great use of it. I bring my lunch to work most days, but I have been slacking on the water drinking. My new beautiful bottle gives me many reasons to lift it to my lips. Not the least being it’s sleek curves and lovely designs.

4. Eating at specific times and only then. No feeding my feelings with food. Feeling down? Go to the gym. Not the kitchen.

5. Practicing yoga. I love yoga. I do. I love the wacky poses and the massagy [not a word] feeling it leaves you with. And I haven’t been doing it. So I hereby declare that I shall practice yoga 1-3x a week. I like having a range. I don’t feel guilty if I don’t hit 3, but I have to get in at least one yoga practice. Even just a 20 minute yoga download.

6. I plan to post the amount of weight lost every week in my Friday post. Just down at the bottom. You can skip it if you want. But I think it will help me be accountable.

Now I don’t expect to follow the meal plan exactly. I am not that anal nor scheduled. I do expect however to use it as a guideline which I believe is how it is meant to be used. I also don’t expect to hit all my workout goals every week. They are just that. Goals. Something to strive for. Something to look forward to. I also plan to post all meals, every day. No handfuls of un pictured crackers or slices of un photoed cake. This may seem a bit excessive to some, but it works for me!

I am not doing this because I hate my body. Or because I feel pressured to be thin or a certain number.

I don’t and I certainly don’t.

But I also do not relish the fact that all my pants are too tight. And that I have resorted to wearing imaginative outfits so that I feel comfortable while out. Like scarves and layers. Good thing it’s winter.

Finally, I just want to say I am doing this for ME. Just for me. So I can be comfortable in my jeans and happy in my tank tops [ya know, when tank top season rolls back around.]

I want these arms again.

But maybe not that blotchy sunburn.

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A Snuggie Christmas

Christmas this year was full of presents wrapped under the tree.

Family.

Food. Lots of unpictured food.

And…

SNUGGIES!

Like angel wings hugging you – my dear cousin Lance.

I haven’t researched Snuggies. I don’t know about this. – my dear cousin Laura.

One Snuggie is worth 1000 blankets. – yours truly.

Like a choir of angels. Or monks. – Linden.

I may have giggled initially upon opening the said Snuggie, complete with a [bonus] book light (!!!) but I must admit to wearing it. And enjoying it.

I slept in it last night.

And upon arising this morning I discovered that my contacts had waged war with my eyeballs, eyeballs winning.

So I donned my spectacles in an attempt to look as fashionable as my favorite Everythingtarian, or even my most adorable Snackie.

Fail.

Humongous fail.

So I saddled up and rode over to the Borders. They were having a sale, and I expected that to be an epic win.

As you can see my eclectic tastes range from romance to Oprah Book Club Selections.

Of course on the romance scale, I do only pick the humorous ones with a bit of a plot. I’ve never ventured over to the Harlequin shelf; although if Harlequin was to ask me to write a novel, I should oblige. Not sure what that says about me.

And with that I’m off to curl up in front of the fire in my Snuggie.

I love vacation.

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The reason for the season

Dad: What is the true meaning of Christmas?

Cecily: Jesus’ birthday!

Dad: And what is your favorite part of Christmas?

Cecily: JESUS!

Good answer kid.

 

Merry Christmas to All!

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5 years ago…

Today started out almost exactly like it did 5 years ago.

Except instead of Dad yelling ‘The baby’s coming!’…

He said ‘Wake the baby up!’

Happy Birthday Cecily!

 

I’m glad you came into our lives 5 years ago.

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so cute I can’t stand it

Most of you guessed that I was making a gingerbread house, but only Julie, Kat and Ms. Eating Bender guessed exactly.

not martha’s tiny gingerbread houses that perch on the edge of your mug.

So cute I can’t stand it.

I did not have the patience of not martha, so I used a glue gun instead of royal icing to put mine together.

Hopefully no one will try to eat them.

I made regular cookies for that.

 

In the mug I put peppermints, cookies and hot cocoa.

Then I wrapped it all up in cellophane.

I think these will be a great gift for coworkers, aunts and cousins.

I hope so.

I have fourteen of them.

Julie, since you guessed correctly first, send your address to whitsgettingfit [at] gmail [dot] com and I will send one of these little mugs to you!

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Under Construction

What am I up to?

Any guesses?

Hint: I’m not Martha.

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