Hello everybody! Welcome to Weigh-In Wednesday!
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Showing posts with label healthy living. Show all posts
Showing posts with label healthy living. Show all posts
Weigh In Wednesday May 13
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
***Disclaimer: The following post is
a review for Vega Bars. I was given the opportunity to participate in
this review through my Sweat Pink ambassadorship and was
provided with several bars to try out for this purpose.
I received no other compensation for this review and the opinions expressed in
this blog about this product are 100% my own honest, unbiased opinion.***
Recently I was given the great opportunity to review the new line of Vega nutrition bars! I've tried the Vega protein powders several times now and I'm a big fan. Now I'm just trying to figure out which flavor I want to invest in.
Nutrition bars are a great option for when you're on the go or super busy like me. I'm not always prepared when hunger strikes in the middle of a lecture or study session so I need something that I can carry with me at all times and quickly pull out of my bag - enter Vega bars!
It's really hard to find a protein source that is "clean" - meaning it contains very no processed or artificial ingredients. The closer to the earth your food is, the better! While the Vega bars do contain more ingredients than I would prefer, they are a pretty great option compared to other bars. I love that all of their bars are non-GMO, gluten free, and contain plant-based protein.
Vega is releasing four sets of bars:
The Vega Snack bar was one of my favorites - I tried the Dark Chocolate Mixed Nuts and Sea Salt & the Cranberry Almond flavors. Both bars featured that coveted salty-sweet mixture that I love in a snack - it satisfies my sweet tooth and also provided protein and crunch. I would highly recommend these bars for a mid-afternoon snack to power through the work day.
Vega Sport Protein was also another great bar from Vega! Often times protein bars taste artificial - the sweeteners they use are very pungent and the protein itself tastes terrible. Not here - I love the texture of this bar! It's very smooth and reminds me of homemade cookie dough. I tried the Chocolate Coconut and the Chocolate Mint - mint is my favorite and almost reminded me of a chewy thin mint cookie!
Vega Sport Energy is suggested for use mid-workout. It's mostly composed of nuts and fruit to provide quick energy. Personally I don't eat during workouts - during long runs I use gels because I'm not comfortable chewing while running and I don't usually need fuel during a workout. I used this bar as another snack option before or after a workout. Chocolate Coconut Almond and Cherry Almond were the flavors I tried and both were equally delicious! I love fruit and nut bars because they are simple and don't have a bunch of extra ingredients. They are also moist and chewy which is a nice texture difference compared to your standard nutrition bar.
Vega One is an all-in-one meal bar. I tried Chocolate Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cherry Almond. This bar had the longest list of ingredients by far and was pretty high in calories - 270 calories - which makes sense as it replaces a meal. I wasn't a big fan of these bars because they were more dense and tasted like a typical meal replacement bar. I don't like to replace meals with bars or shakes - I end up feeling hungry quicker and unsatisfied. Just a personal preference!
Overall Opinion
Pros: I love that the bars are non-GMO, gluten free, and plant-based. All of the flavors were delicious! I've had a positive experience with the protein powder so I trust the company and enjoy their products!
Cons: I wasn't a fan of the Vega One bar but I don't ever use bars for meal replacements because it doesn't fill me up. I also think there is a significant amount of refined sugar and processed ingredients in the bars. I've seen cleaner versions. I also have no experience with the old product to compare the two.
I enjoyed reviewing the Vega Bars and I would probably purchase them down the road if I saw them in stores. They are perfect for a quick snack or workout recovery and taste delicious but I am hesitant about the extra sugar even if it is organic. My favorite bars were the Vega Energy Protein and the Vega Snack bars!
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Yo! I promised this post like two weeks ago so here it finally is! If you've been following along for the past month, you're probably wondering what this November Project is that I keep talking about...
It's pretty damn cool.
NP was started in Boston as a way for the founders to stay fit during the cold winter months. The concepts are simple - accountability, positivity, encouragement, fun, FREE FITNESS. That's right, November Project is completely, 100% free which basically means that if you are within a reasonable distance to where groups meet, there are no excuses! It seems like everything costs money these days.
What I love about NP is that it is open to ALL fitness levels. I am definitely more in shape now that I've ever been in my life but I'm still working. I'm pretty slow. I'm not where I want to be strength-wise but anyone can modify the workouts to their ability levels.
Another thing I love about NP is that people are FRIENDLY, ENCOURAGING, and freaking HILARIOUS! I actually look forward to workouts because everyone stays positive and helps each other out - whether its a high five or an end of workout hug, you know everyone is supporting you and wanting you to do your best.
Ever since I moved to Indianapolis, I've been missing boot camp back home. I had yet to find anything comparable to this in Indy that didn't cost me my first born child until NP.
Praying to the Gods of Squat
So what do we do? Depending on the day, we do a workout for 30 min to an hour. Lots of stair running (ugh...hate it!), body weight exercises (squats, pushups, burpees, mountain climbers), and we end with fun group pictures!
Membership is simple. Just Show Up. I was introduced to NP via my friend Marguerite (who keeps me accountable). She currently lives in Washington DC and suggested I give NP a try since she knows I write this blog and am on my fitness journey. I contacted the leader on Twitter and made plans to attend the next session. From then on, everyone has been so great! They welcomed me with open arms (literally...HUGS all around)
So where can YOU get involved? The current locations can be found on their website. If they don't have one in your city just yet, you can always start one! Go for it.
NP is all about building community, promoting fitness, and being accountable. I'm sure there will be much more NP in the future for me and I can't wait to see the Indianapolis chapter grow!
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Hello everybody! Welcome to Weigh-In Wednesday!
Please go check out my sweet co-host!
Ash @ A Step in the Right Direction
If you're new to the link-up, please leave a comment & say hi!
If you're new to the link-up, please leave a comment & say hi!
Just got home from November Project - it feels great to already have workout in the books for the day! I've been trying to get a few morning workouts in this past week and I find that my energy is getting better and I am more likely to make healthier choices overall. Knowing that I've already worked out makes me want to preserve my hard work instead of using the mentality that "I'll just burn it off later." I hoping that this will evolve into a routine! Below is my new November Project grassroots gear.
That's all fine and dandy but let's take it back like 10 hours ago...every decision is a struggle. At this point, I'm not sure when it will ever get "easier" to make these positive changes. Thank goodness I have an amazing NP buddy in Washington DC to motivate my ass when I don't wanna wake up early and WORK.
It's as simple as that, friends. I HATE that I'm one of slowest people at NP. I hate that I'm still carrying around all this extra baggage and fluff. I hate that every day is such a struggle to make the right choices but Margie is so right. If you don't like where you are, WORK TO GET THERE. I will never reach my goals if I keep being scared to fail.
Every day is a choice.
Today I CHOSE to work hard. Tomorrow, I will choose HARD again because it will be worth it.
As far as the weigh in, I forgot to take a picture but I'm right at 208. You'll have to take my word for it.
Height: 5'8"
SW: 236.2
Last week: 210
This week: 208
Loss: -2.0
Total Loss: -28.2
Like I said last week, I was worried about going home for the weekend. I still indulged a bit but I'm trying to keep it more controlled - less alcohol, less unhealthy food, and more activity. On Sunday morning, we took Nick's dog to the park for a walk so I could get some running miles in!
I did enjoy this marg, though! That was my treat!
The pup is ready for a workout :)
The good news? We have a Dietbet coming up which is just the motivation I need to propel me into this half marathon, the summer, and the wedding!
WIW Dietbet Starts Monday, April 14!
Please join us and share with your friends and family!
I want to know: What's for breakfast this morning?
I'm having swag & eggs!
Thursday, March 13, 2014
I'm writing this blog in order to tell my fitness story for my 30 Day Challenge with Adie of Four Fit Sisters. It's long overdue.
I have never been skinny. Or thin. Or small. Or tiny. Or petite. Whatever words you want to use...they’ve never described me. Even at birth, I was a “big” baby. At 9 lbs 7 oz and 23 1/4 inches long, I was born via C-section. My family often reminds me that I was the second largest baby born that day in January.
Growing up, I was always in the top percentile for height and weight. I wasn’t grossly overweight or obese, but I always had “a little extra.” I think I fell somewhere in the middle when it came to athleticism and activity. I tried all the sports available to girls my age - soccer, softball, basketball, karate, swimming, and volleyball; but my really loves were horseback riding and cheerleading/dance. That said, I never had a really aptitude for sports requiring much hand-eye coordination or skill - it didn't interest me. I was a pretty quiet, gentle kid who much preferred reading or playing games. I could entertain myself for hours making up stories about my dolls and beanie babies - very self-contained.
I don’t remember being bullied much, although there always seemed to be a few kids with something to mean to say about my weight. Most of the criticism came internally - those trips to the mall to try on clothes, getting fitted for my cheerleading uniforms, or dreading any activity involving a swimsuit.
I can’t exactly pin point when I became aware of my weight but I do remember being weighed during gym class in 4th grade. That was the first and last time I remember seeing 100 lbs on the scale - I cried and cried that day when I came home from school. I probably had no concept of how much that was but I knew I was bigger than most of the other girls in my class.
8th grade - 5'4" 145ish
Around age 13 was when I started paying more attention to my weight and also when I developed a desire to change what I looked like. Unfortunately this was when I started getting my weight loss information from very sketchy sources. The whole concept of eating clean and finding enjoyable exercise activities completely alluded me. I was enticed by images of bony, thin models and “thinspo,” - I wanted to be just them. I wanted to be skinny and I didn't care how. My research showed me many ways to go about this - starve yourself, exercise excessively, purge - basically everything we know is horrible for you and your metabolism.
Summer between 8th and 9th grade (got my belly button pierced)
Even with all this pressure and misinformation, I never had a full blown eating disorder...I guess I like food too much, though I certainly developed a terrible relationship with food - The enemy. I yo-yoed throughout my teen years, losing and gaining weight through severely restriction my calories and then bingeing. I do know that since I was a young girl, there hasn't been a day in my life where my weight hasn't been on my mind.
10th grade summer - 5'7" ~150 (One of my "thin" years)
10th grade school year ~155
Senior Pictures - summer before 12th (please excuse the orange glow)
At the end of my senior year of high school, the prospect of starting college at Indiana University prompted me to join Weight Watchers with my mom and sign up for the local gym. During just a few months, I manage to lose about 20 pounds by counting points and slaving away on the elliptical - I felt great about the results but it still hadn't clicked for me.
Senior Prom 2008
Germany Summer 2008
10th grade summer - 5'7" ~150 (One of my "thin" years) 10th grade school year ~155 Senior Pictures - summer before 12th (please excuse the orange glow)At the end of my senior year of high school, the prospect of starting college at Indiana University prompted me to join Weight Watchers with my mom and sign up for the local gym. During just a few months, I manage to lose about 20 pounds by counting points and slaving away on the elliptical - I felt great about the results but it still hadn't clicked for me.
Senior Prom 2008
That summer I went to Germany for three weeks - my daily workouts ended and my love of food was satiated by daily trips to the gelato cart and the bakery. I couldn't understand how all these European girls were so skinny yet they didn't head to the gym everyday and ate pretty much whatever they wanted! I came back to the States about 7-8 lbs heavier than when I left.
Germany Summer 2008
Off to college I went, determined to utilize the campus fitness center and make healthy choices - easier said than done. The food options at IU were unlimited - and the pizza. ALL THE PIZZA. I could eat whatever I wanted (and then go workout). Notice I haven't said anything about partying yet. I wasn't much of a partier. I never drank in high school - a result of hanging with all the smart, nerdy kids. At the beginning of second semester at IU, things changed.
In January, I joined a sorority. That really didn't change things much - I still wasn't interested in drinking, I just really wanted to find a place to belong. In February, my dad passed away very suddenly. (I'll save that story for another day). That's when I started going out more. And eating more. And working out less. I started to get more anxious. I struggled a lot emotionally. I did the best I could to cope with that aspect of my life while still trying to be a normal college student. Thanks to maintaining a somewhat regular workout schedule, I didn't gain all that much weight in my first two years of college - I even lost some during my sophomore year.
Fall 2009
Spring 2010
Fall 2009 Spring 2010
At the end of my junior year of college, I had reached the point where I couldn't cope with the anxiety on my own anymore. I saw a psychiatrist who put me on some medication. Things started to get better emotionally but the summer I was on this medication, I gained 20 lbs which is a well-known side effect of the medication. I didn't like any of the side effects and I decided to discontinue the meds. I had a good support system in place at school and I had finally found my niche, things were looking up.
Junior Year Fall 2010
A few months later, I turned 21. That's when the real changes happened. I don't know if it was the stress of preparing for the MCAT and applying to med school, the increase in my course load, other life stresses, or some combination of it all but I really stopped paying attention to my health and my weight for the most part. I knew it was going up but I didn't have the tools to fix the problem while in such a toxic environment. I knew HOW to lose weight but I didn't know anything about clean eating or any of the things I know now about nutrition. I wasn't willing to give up my $2 Tuesdays or $3 Thursdays or Wine Nights with girl friends (that often led to cheesy bread and ranch)- obviously drinking was a HUGE part of it. I wanted the college experience and I got it but it came with a huge price. (pun intended)
Junior Year Fall 2010A few months later, I turned 21. That's when the real changes happened. I don't know if it was the stress of preparing for the MCAT and applying to med school, the increase in my course load, other life stresses, or some combination of it all but I really stopped paying attention to my health and my weight for the most part. I knew it was going up but I didn't have the tools to fix the problem while in such a toxic environment. I knew HOW to lose weight but I didn't know anything about clean eating or any of the things I know now about nutrition. I wasn't willing to give up my $2 Tuesdays or $3 Thursdays or Wine Nights with girl friends (that often led to cheesy bread and ranch)- obviously drinking was a HUGE part of it. I wanted the college experience and I got it but it came with a huge price. (pun intended)
22nd birthday with FH
When I graduated from college, I knew I didn't look good because I didn't feel good. I felt bloated and slow. Fatigued. I didn't feel like working out and I didn't know where to start. So I made a couple half-hearted attempts at dieting - honestly I don't remember much up until this photo below from spring 2013. I decided something needed to change. I had hit rockbottom.
I started doing more research online. I started putting all the things I had learned over the years to good use - clean eating (it matters WHAT you eat just as much as HOW MUCH), the need for accountability, finding physical activity I loved, stress relief, etc. I became a big fan of several blogs and then I got a crazy idea - why not start one? Medical school was going to start soon and I wanted a way to connect with others and share the journey I was about to start. This blog officially started May 2013.
I started small. I had a gym membership so I started actually going. I discovered in high school and college that I enjoyed group fitness classes so I went to Zumba and my aunt's Boot Camp classes. Eventually I decided that I wanted to start running, too. I had started and stopped a few times over the years and I never really enjoyed it. I decided in May 2013 that I wanted to sign up for my first 5k.
After that, I started to actually...love...running. I signed up and completed a few more 5Ks, a 10K, and now I'm training for my first half marathon. For me, it's all about finishing and pushing myself to be a little bit better each time - except in the cold. I hate the cold so my running has suffered a lot this winter.
I started cutting out processed foods and drinks and focuses on upping my water intake (self-proclaimed Coke Zero addict). More recently, I've been trying to limit my dairy, gluten, and meat intake while focusing on a plant-based diet - which I break a lot but I'm getting better at. I try to eat organic when I can and try to limit my exposure to added hormones and pesticides. Basically, I'm trying to do better which is all we can ever do.
For me there have been two obstacles in this whole journey - CONSISTENCY & BELIEF in myself. This journey to find fitness, lose the weight, and get healthier has been a lot slower than I anticipated but I know that means it will LAST. Instead of looking for a quick fix or drastic change, I am making small changes in my daily life while going through a lot of stressful events all at once - moving to a new city, getting married, and going to medical school.
A LOT has changed in the past few years and I know I'm not the same person I was as the insecure teenager or overindulgent college student - I'm learning that I'm capable of a lot more than I ever realized and that I have the power to make and maintain these changes. I know I have what it takes to reach my goals - even when I want to give up.
So that's my long story, short - the highlights. Thanks for sticking around and for the constant support from my blog friends and family. There's something so freeing about getting all of this out!
May 2013 to Februrary 2014
Slow and Steady Changes
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Hello everybody! Welcome to Weigh-In Wednesday!
Please go check out my sweet co-host!
Ash @ A Step in the Right Direction
If you're new to the link-up, please leave a comment & say hi!
If you're new to the link-up, please leave a comment & say hi!
This weather is really cramping my style. I have been in the biggest rut ever lately - with school, workouts, and general life motivation. The lack of sun and warmth is really getting me down. I used to be a morning person that could hop right out of bed. Now I struggle with the snooze button and never get up at the time I want. I'm just hoping Spring is just around the corner - I need a break!
This week I gained 3 lbs after indulging too much during my birthday last Thursday and Nick spending all weekend here and studying for my exam. I'm a mess. After every exam, I gain weight. I eat like crap & I don't get my workouts in which is the exact opposite of what I should be doing!
I decided to make my own training schedule based on the one provided to me by my run club so I would have something to follow that fits my schedule! I'll share it later this week!
As I said, last Thursday was my birthday so now I'm officially in my mid-twenties -24! I'm old!
Birthday Flowers
Pacer's Game with friends!
Post-exam Fattening Food - it was for my birthday!
My long run was canceled last night so I need to figure out a time to make that up - I tried to run on the treadmill last night and it messes up my stride. My shins started to get really painful so I called it a night. You all already know I hate the treadmill - I'm going to avoid training on it at all costs!
I need opinions! Which of the following invitations do you like best? The photo includes the invite and the response card. HELP!
Don't forget to link up below!
Monday, December 2, 2013
Happy (late) Thanksgiving, everyone! I hope you all had a terrific holiday with family and friends!
I survived my two exams today! Now five more to go in 3 weeks and I'll finally be freeeeeee!
I made a quick trip home Wednesday afternoon, studied until dinner time, and had dinner with my family. On Thanksgiving morning, I had my big race! That's right - 6 WHOLE MILES! (6.2, to be exact!)
When I woke up for the race, it was COLD. Like 19 degrees cold. I layered up accordingly and then my aunt drove me downtown to meet up with some other people we knew who would be running.
Eventually I made it to the start line and I was ready to get this thing over with! I love training for races and I love signing up for them but I'm never very excited once I get there (really, just waking up early is rough!)
The race began with a healthy hill followed by a pretty flat stretch. Speaking of hills - that is the BIGGEST difference between Indianapolis and Cincinnati - it's so hilly in Cincy! I definitely wasn't prepared for the amount of hills and bridges that I encountered. In the future, when I start doing my training runs again I'm going to seek out some less flat courses around here...
As far as how the race went, I knew I would be able to finish because of my run last week (at least mentally) but I wasn't anticipating all those darn hills! I started to struggle probably around mile 4.5-5. I started to get those thoughts about walking. (But I didn't give in!) Surprisingly, my foot didn't hurt me much at all the entire time. I had a twinge or two of pain here and there but I was fine throughout the race.
One BIG problem I noticed is that my GPS on my phone is WAYYYY off. I used the RunKeeper app for this race and at the end it said I had run 7.18 miles (at a 9:38 minute/mile pace). Imagine my surprise when I thought I had almost reached my goal and still had another mile to go! GRRRR...anyone know how to fix this or calibrate the GPS?
Going into the race, I really didn't have a specific timing goal in mind - I just wanted to finish and not walk! I ended up running it in 1:09:07 - 11:09 mi/min which is right on par with my last 5K (11 min mile). Slow and steady, right? I was pretty sore after the race - mostly my left foot. It never seems to bother me until about 30 minutes after a run. This time it was my ankle that didn't want to bend for about 2-3 days - just very stiff and painful. Not sure what's up but I'm hoping I can rest it for a few days and then start strengthening it again.
Other than getting to see friends and family, it was nice to take a little break from studying and be a "real" person again. I didn't allow myself to study at all on Thursday...not that it took much to persuade me otherwise. Plus, there really wasn't time. We will soon see whether that was good idea or not in a few days when I get my grades back...
I survived my two exams today! Now five more to go in 3 weeks and I'll finally be freeeeeee!
I made a quick trip home Wednesday afternoon, studied until dinner time, and had dinner with my family. On Thanksgiving morning, I had my big race! That's right - 6 WHOLE MILES! (6.2, to be exact!)
When I woke up for the race, it was COLD. Like 19 degrees cold. I layered up accordingly and then my aunt drove me downtown to meet up with some other people we knew who would be running.
Eventually I made it to the start line and I was ready to get this thing over with! I love training for races and I love signing up for them but I'm never very excited once I get there (really, just waking up early is rough!)
 |
| Ready to go! |
As far as how the race went, I knew I would be able to finish because of my run last week (at least mentally) but I wasn't anticipating all those darn hills! I started to struggle probably around mile 4.5-5. I started to get those thoughts about walking. (But I didn't give in!) Surprisingly, my foot didn't hurt me much at all the entire time. I had a twinge or two of pain here and there but I was fine throughout the race.
One BIG problem I noticed is that my GPS on my phone is WAYYYY off. I used the RunKeeper app for this race and at the end it said I had run 7.18 miles (at a 9:38 minute/mile pace). Imagine my surprise when I thought I had almost reached my goal and still had another mile to go! GRRRR...anyone know how to fix this or calibrate the GPS?
Nick & my aunt met me at the finish!
The rest of turkey day proceeded as usual - Nick and I ate with my family for lunch and then we went to his family Thanksgiving for dinner. I'm glad I ran to make up for having two meals!
Everyone knows the best part of Thanksgiving are the leftovers! Stuffing balls are a family favorite!
So what's next?
Now that my first 10K race is over, it begs the question: What next? For starters, it's back to eating clean and really focusing on weight loss after the holidays. Right now I'm just trying to maintain my weight and get through these last few weeks of the semester. After the New Year, I start MINI MARATHON training. I've decided I'm going to join a running group here in Indy so I will have people to train with - specifically the long run portion. Just like with studying, I don't really need someone to "talk" to while I run but it helps to have someone THERE. It can be really lonely and unmotivating to plug along on your own - especially when I starting getting up there in the mileage.
I have to admit - I'm really scared about this goal! I was scared about the 5K and the 10K but there's something that seems really "elite" and intimidating about running 13 miles. And 26 miles. (although I have a hard time picturing myself EVER running 26.2 miles). At the same time, it just seems really bad-ass! I know I'm not fast or particularly athletic but I feel like I've finally found a sport that I can keep improving in and strengthen myself in many different areas. I've found something that I enjoy and that no one has to push me to do - unlike all the other things I've ever done (softball, soccer, basketball, etc.). I actually want to keep improving and getting better
May 4, 2014 is the next BIG date I'm shooting towards (Nick's birthday and followed soon after by an ever bigger date - June 13, 2014!) A few of my bridesmaids might even run it with me which I'm uber excited about!!!
Stay tuned and don't forget to meet back here on Wednesday for another Weigh In Wednesday (guessing I gained after exam week pizza and Thanksgiving!).
