Sunday, January 24, 2010

Running and eating

So, I discovered yesterday that if I don't eat within a few hours of running I become a very nasty person. I bit the bf's head off yesterday when he was just trying to be cute...so not my usual thing. Today I ran before I ate a real breakfast which should help. 2 days of running in a row though, this is VERY good. I have to really push myself to make this a habit again.

On a positive note, I'm down almost 6 pounds as of this morning. I was thinking that after last week I might bounce back but I tried to still stay careful with my food, etc. I was at a benefit Friday night that could have put me over the edge but I seem to have managed that pretty well, too.

I dropped a bag of clothes off to a Goodwill box on Wednesday...1 down, 9 to go!

Budgeting is still my biggest hurdle. Today I'm calling the cable company to turn off HBO On-Demand. I figure that's a total luxury I don't need as long as I have the HBO package. (Big Love, anyone??)

Today's plan is a whole wheat apple muffin recipe that I got off the Self website. Their Healthy Bites blog has some great tips and ideas. I need some suggestions for inexpensive restaurants to try near me, we're still stuck in a rut!

Off to shower up and get moving on the rest of my day...

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

The first 5 milestone

I'm down 5lbs as of today!! I know I was helped along by a stomach bug this past weekend but it still counts, so I'm happy.

As for the other goals...very little progress. I did manage to get out to run on Sunday but since then, no go. Tomorrow I'm planning a trip to the gym to get back on track with that element.

I'm starting to feel like a year is a good time frame for all my goals, I just have to be patient with myself. I'm focusing on the weightloss and gym stuff right now, I have to do some more work with the budgeting. Everything else will come with time if I stay focused.

Monday, January 11, 2010

So, the graduate credits and the managing money thing do NOT work well together. I have signed up for 3 classes this coming spring which has set me back quite a bit. All 3 classes (though one doesn't start until April) need to be paid for in the next week or so...ugh. Dipping into my savings account this early on is NOT what I had hoped for. I know it will all come back eventually, but I hate the thought of it.

I'm doing well in the weight-watching department. I'm using Sparkpeople to keep track of my calorie intake and trying to just be smarter overall. I had an event this weekend that always has great food and I managed to skip dessert both days! The dinner options were limited but I made sure to have lots of the steamed veggies along with the cheese covered eggplant (so yummy!)

Back to work today...healthy lunch is packed and I'm planning a run tomorrow. It's so cold I'm having trouble getting motivated to get outside.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

I'm down 2 pounds in the first week!! I cooked on Sunday for the week and picked up stuff for lunches and it seems to have worked. I'm sure some of this is also because I'm not stuffing my face at holiday parties, but I'll take it.

Now, I have a choral event this Friday and Saturday that usually provides a TON of food. I have to plan ahead and make sure that I'm able to choose well and eat without negating all the good stuff I've done this week!

My other resolutions...I'm at 1 new recipe, 2 pounds down and that's about it. I also have a bag started for donation that I'm hoping to fill and get out of the apt this Sunday. Maybe I'll get started on the guitar stuff while I'm doing laundry this weekend, too.

Off to a good start...

Sunday, January 3, 2010

2 recipes planned for today...only one new one

So, roasted brussel sprouts tasted ok...but my very small apartment smelled awful! It took two days, scented candles and ceiling fans to help that disappear. I'd have opened the windows but it's windy and cold here!

Today's plan....Julia Child's Beouf Bourguignon and a pot of turkey chili to have later on in the week. Cooking is my person yoga on days like this. I'm trying not to think about the fact that I have to go back to work tomorrow after a week of vacation. Most of the time I really like my job but going back is never easy!

I've also looked up a few quick and easy lunches to bring this week to help kick-start my weight loss plan. I'm using meals from Self.com this week. Their chicken mango wrap sounds yummy!

Friday, January 1, 2010

Resolutions for 2010

Okay, going on some inspirations from my 2 sisters I've decided to make some New Year's resolutions that are based on 20s and 10s....for obvious reasons. I'll have one year to complete the the following 10 resolutions, wish me luck!

1. Lose 20 lbs
2. Cook 20 new recipes, 10 of them must be healthy.
3. Run a 10k in under 1:03
4. Read 20 books that qualify as literature, not brain candy.
5. Try 10 new classes at the gym or workouts
6 Complete 20 credits towards my 2nd masters degree
7. Be able to play at least 10 chords on guitar
8. Give away at least 10 bags of stuff to charities
9. Try 10 new restaurants
10. Spend 10-20 minutes every week working on budgeting in an effort to save more and spend less.

As of today, I've got a baseline on my weight and tried a new recipe. Tonight for dinner I made roasted brussel sprouts...which were better than I expected! I think they even qualify as healthy.