Getting Back on Track

Ok. It has taken me a couple days to write this post and come to accept that the week of traveling and visiting family bucked me off the wagon. It is no one's fault but my own, I accept that. I am happy to say I did manage a run while I was visiting home but afterward the food and laziness took over.  I gained 2 pounds (way better than the usual 8 or so of the holidays so that's a positive I guess). I have fallen but I will get back up! I am starting fresh tomorrow morning... I know I know, I should start today/right now... but tomorrow is a new day and a fresh start. No waiting around until Monday and if I put this out there to the world then I better follow through.

My new perspective on this is that there will be set backs along the way, they are not failures. Failure would be to let it derail good intentions so much so that I'd be are back at square one, no longer motivated, and feeling ashamed and regretting what I could have accomplished. In the past I would have continued to eat crap and stop working out for another few months. Not this time. Even though I gained 2 pounds that's still less than where I started. I still have a lot of the muscle and strength from BodyRocking. If I can get motivated again now I will just continue my journey to a healthier, fitter, leaner appearance and life with just a few minor hiccups here and there. I have been going through my list of re-motivating techniques here and will update the blog soon with some new recipes and other stuff.

Found this today (11/30, after my work out woot woot) and thought it was very fitting!

Happy Thanksgiving

Well here it is, the biggest food holiday of the entire year. I have decided to allow myself to enjoy the day, food, beverages, laughs, memories, everything. I may regret it but I doing my best to allow myself this day with no shame.  So whether you decide to treat this day as a "cheat day" or still count calories, enjoy the holiday and think of something for which you are thankful.

I am thankful for my health, my family, my friends, boyfriend, and this beautiful sunny day in San Diego :)

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Spaghetti Squash Casserole

So I've made spaghetti squash a few times and last night I finally remembered to take some pictures so I could post something about it. I had never tried spaghetti squash until this year and I love it! I will be making it a regular part of my diet, at least when it is in season. You really can use it in anything as a substitution for pasta. Below are the instructions for how to cook spaghetti squash (no matter what you make) and how I did the casserole if you'd like to give it a try.

Baking Spaghetti Squash

• Preheat oven to 375° F.
• Wash the squash, then dry thoroughly for safer handling. Cut in half lengthwise using a large, sharp knife. Use a scoop or spoon to scrape out the seeds and stringy pulp.
• Place the two halves cut-side down in a shallow tray or baking pan to which you have added a half inch or so of water.
• Bake the squash for 30 to 45 minutes. ( I did 35 and it was great!) When the squash is fully cooked, the skin will give easily to the touch, and the flesh will be tender. You can use a fork to confirm that it’s done.
• Remove squash from oven. Turn the two halves over and let cool until comfortable to handle. Use a fork to scrape out the flesh. Scrape lengthwise for best results. The squash should come out easily in long strands.

**You can also cook spaghetti squash in the microwave. Cut in half, place one half in microwave safe dish, add about 1/8 cup of water to the bowl, cover and microwave for 10-12 min

Alfredo and Chicken Spaghetti Squash Casserole:

• Keep oven on but turn it down to 350° F.
• Cook chicken breasts by whichever means you choose. I have a few recipes that have instructions for cooking it. I pan seared it, you can also do it in the oven.
• Chop mushrooms and onion and sauté until tender.
• Once chicken is done and mushrooms/onions are tender add everything into a big pan and add seasonings. I used salt, pepper, garlic powder, italian blend. mix and turn to low heat.
• Scrape about one of the spaghetti squash halves into the mixture.
• Add about 1 1/2 cups of alfredo sauce and mix everything together.
• Transfer mixture into a baking dish and top with bread crumbs and cheese for a crispy cheese crust (optional)
• Bake for 25 minutes.

Cooking

Final Product!! So Good!!

Motivation to Run Again

Well it took awhile but I finally went on a run again today. I did 2.5 miles (not bad for the first time in months) and at a better pace than usual. The first mile felt really good but the second one wasn't too bad. I can definitely tell that doing BodyRock on a regular basis has made a difference in my run. My muscles felt good and strong it is more of a matter of getting my breathing back in running shape. It was also the most perfect fall day today so that helped I think.

What helped me the most today was just saying "it's ok if I just do 1 mile and come home." Reassuring myself that it was ok to just go out and give it a try took off a the pressure and the dread of going on a run. If I get out there and just do it I'll usually do more than a mile. If you allow yourself to take baby steps it takes away that guilt if you decide to, or can only do, the minimum.

Some things that may help:

I mean... how can you not?

I'm letting go of the guilt for having stopped running but I am going to work on it and get it back and do my best to maintain from here on out.

Charity Miles app donates to the charity of your choice when you run, walk, or bike! The app tracks how far you run and a corporate sponsor donates $.25 per mile ran and $.10 biked to your charity of choice. Click here for more info

So this idea is one of the main things that got be motivated to make a change in my life. I've seen it written a few different ways but this idea regularly motivates me. I am in charge of my body and I am going to make it how I want.

Getting Motivated... again and again

I think one of the most difficult things with eating healthy, working out, and making changes is staying motivated. It's pretty easy to get motivated the for that first trip to the gym, first day of eating healthy, going on that first run, or cutting out that first unhealthy food. And often it's easy enough to do for a few days. However, it's maintaining that schedule or habit for days, weeks, months that is the most difficult.

There are plenty of things that can happen to derail someone from their best intentions. I've had my own hang ups so far. I've had physically and emotionally difficult days where the last thing I wanted to do was work out or just didn't care about what I ate. I have been far from perfect on my journey but I am still seeing progress and don't want to give up. I've been able to maintain pretty good eating habits and have been working out but I feel like I'm losing steam. So I've been trying to think of a list of things to do in order to stay motivated or find that extra push.

The following list is in no particular order. These are things that I have done, will be doing soon, or things that I think would work for people even if I haven't done them personally.

The List

• Do it everyday. When it comes to working out it is good to give your body a break but I've found that when I give myself a day or two off  it makes that Monday work out difficult; not physically but mentally getting myself to actually do it. Even if you need a break from your normal work outs (muscle repair, sore joints, etc.) take some time, even if it's 10 min, to purposefully do something active. Take a walk, lift some weights, do yoga. Just do something and make it purposeful. It will make it easier to do your normal routine the following days because you are still in the mind set of taking time out of your day for exercise.

• If you leave notes for yourself, set goals, or write on your mirror change it up occasionally. If you see the same post-it note or motivational image every day after awhile it loses it's meaning and you may not even notice it. Every few weeks, or as soon as you realize you are ignoring it, change it! Find a new inspirational quote, image, goal and put it somewhere different.

• Find what it was that motivated you the first time. No matter what it was whether it was a picture, a blog, something traumatic or exciting happening, a quote, anything... revisit it. It may have been sometime since reading/seeing/living whatever it was that worked for you. Re-examine that inspiration and think about how motivated you were the first time. Consider if what you're currently doing is still getting you to where you want to be. If it's not consider what change you need to make.

• Anyone who has read this blog knows I love Pinterest. I find a lot of inspiration from the Health and Fitness section. There are great quotes, blogs, work outs, and recipes to give you that little nudge of inspiration. I have also realized that when I am feeling guilty about not eating right or exercising I will avoid looking at it. So now I know if I'm feeling that way that is the time I need it the most. I need that little kick on the pants to get back on track.

• I know this is a tried and true tip but it's because it often works. Find a buddy. I don't like to work out with other people that much but I do find it more motivating if I have a friend that is trying the same work outs/challenges/eating habits that I am. You can share tips, recipes, and keep each other motivated. It's my hopes some people will comment on my blog and let me know if they are trying anything that I am. We can be each other's buddies if you need one. If you or an old buddy starts to slip make a new pact or find someone who wants to start a new challenge with you

• Get a personal trainer. I do not have the means but if I did, I would have one. It's like the tip above, you just have a professional buddy at least for the work out part. I would love to have someone there to push me that much harder every time I work out. Also if you are a beginner it can be a good way to learn the basics. Even if you just have one session (sometimes places will give one free session with a gym membership) you can learn what kind of moves to do to target areas, how to use equipment, and it will help you feel a little more comfortable maneuvering the gym.

• Set new goals. You may start working out or eating healthy without ever setting goals. Maybe somewhere in the back of your mind there was an ultimate goal but whether you are just getting started or need another push take the time to sit down and write out your goals. Try making daily goals, weekly, monthly, and long term goals. It may include how many minutes you will exercise each day, how much weight you want to lose each week, a 30 Day challenge you want to complete, or just broad goals like living a healthy lifestyle, living a long active life. It can be anything. And if you fall short of a goal, its ok! Readdress it , set a new one, or set the same one and figure out what you will do differently.

• Keep track of your progress. Take pictures, take measurements, keep a journal of how you feel. One way or another track your progress. I never took before and after pictures in the past, always meant to but never got around to it. This time it's made such a difference. Sometimes you don't realize how far you've come when you see yourself in the mirror every day. Take those pictures or measurements and if you are feeling yourself lose that motivation look at what progress you've made and think of how good it feels to win even those small battles.

• If anyone else has tips or tricks please feel free to share!

New Challenge Week 2

Well I think BodyRock and some of their hosts are going through some transitions. I think because I started it with a certain host and a certain way I am missing that style and motivation. What should be week 2 of their new challenge that started Oct. 15 kind of falls apart and it a bunch of other hosts, doesn't address it being a challenge, and if you read the posts there is some drama happening behind the scenes. I skipped ahead to the Nov. 1 works out because it seems more organized and it's with Lisa again. I miss the old her but I still like her form and motivation. Starting November 1 the work outs are not in real time anymore but they do have great beginner modifications. I am starting there for week 2 and going forward. We shall see how it goes. If it's anything like the past couple weeks there will be more changes. My goal is to just do BodyRock work outs Mon-Fri and if I have to skip around then I guess I will.