A.M. Workouts Are Saving Me; Inner & Outer Thigh Move

It's Thursday?! Wha?? Having a super busy week, but it's been a pretty good one! I will say, lunch workouts and after-work workouts have been impossible - TGFAMW! (that's thank god for a.m. workouts - no? lame? LOL) So I STILL need to go through the pics from Teresa's 30th Birthday last weekend! But, did want to share this pic now:

Teresa used one of my menus! She used a variation of the menu I used for my sister's baby shower: Pasta Bar! It had to be tweaked a bit to include additional people, but I was so thrilled and beyond flattered that she wanted to use one of my event menus!! Teresa did SO much pre-work on the food (bought all of the food, diced up the veggies, pureed some of the sauces, made the signs, etc.). I got in Saturday and cooked them up, then we all packaged them and took a tray over to the party site! In addition to the above, we did the bread, two salads and T did some yummy side items (meatballs and spinach dip - absolutely) - not to mention her insane dessert bar (two-tier cake, chocolate-covered strawberries, pumpkin cookies, buckeyes and more!). Outside of cooking, here's what's been up!

Monday was Day 1 for the new coordinator on my team - so it was a busy, busy day of onboarding! I did a 2-mile run and 1/2 mile walk + abs in the a.m. But the rest of the day was work, work, work before going home to watch Fringe and eat dinner with Austin!

We love you, Fringe!

Tuesday was Day 2 of onboarding - which was a day filled with meetings, meetings over lunch, etc. I did the same as the day before - 2-mile run and 1/2 mile walk + abs in the a.m. And then headed home after work for family night, dinner and The Good Wife!

Calinda makes the Good Wife! We think she should get paid a 'babillion' dollars a  year, she solves all of their cases!

Wednesday was a much more relaxing day - less meetings, more time to work. I started the day with an a.m. workout of 'Fast & the Furious' bootcamp class. Ugh. Miss Chris just KILLS. She sets up the class with two areas. So if i'm in Area 1, I'm given an strength training exercise (let's say dips). I do dips, as many as I can, for 20 seconds. Then I take a 10 second break. This repeats like 8 times. In the meantime, the group in Area 2 is doing a cardio exercise (let's say jumping jacks). They do those while we do ours, then we switch. During the second part, she sets up new exercises/equipment/etc. GREAT stuff, but when she goes into that little closet filled with equipment it's like her little closet of torture devices! Example: She set up step benches and wove a reistance band through the step. We had to sit on the bench, hook the handles to our shoes, lay on backs, put legs up, then spread legs as an X, cross in, and repeat. UGH. I'm so sore today! I found a video that illustrated it, except we crossed in between. Whatever- painful regardless and it just looks like a special form of torture, right? Something about the pressure of being "buckled in"!


Q: What's your favorite 'thigh' move?


Q: Have any of your friends or family ever recreated your dish or menu? My friends are super sweet about telling me when they make a dish from the blog - love it! Great to see how they prepared it, so I can change it up the next time! 

Black Bean Sliders, Two-a-Days

I'm SO EXCITED today! Parenthood, Glee, and 90210 are back - YAY. But more so, Ringer debuts - OMG the end of my empty tivo is OVER! One new show starting today - 13 more to go! Speaking of TV, did anyone watch the end of Entourage? While I was relatively happy with how it all ended up, the Ari epilogue pissed me off (such a cop out to me!) and I thought it was tidied up too quickly. Only 8 episodes in the last season just did not work for me!

On another note - I have a recipe to share!

Black Bean Fiesta Burgers
Makes 4 large burgers or 12 mini burgers for sliders

Nutritional Information: one large pattie - 205 calories, 38 carbs, 2 fat grams and 9 protein grams; one mini pattie – 66 calories, 12 carbs, <1 fat gram and 3 protein grams. For sliders, adding potato buns and sour cream; each: 161 calories, 30 carbs, 2 fat grams and 7 protein grams. I had two mini patties on two potato rolls which each had ½ tbsp fat-free sour cream each. This comes out to: 322 calories, 60 carbs, 4 fat grams and 14 protein grams.

We loved them! Oddly enough, they tasted kind of like Amy’s breakfast burritos – so much so that Austin suggested we take the big pattie and use it to fill a medium-size tortilla for breakfast burritos! Great flavor, love the fiesta flavor, and truly think that you could take the breadcrumbs down if you want to reduce the calories a bit – up to you. I’m a huge fan and love that it was so filling, but yet had no meat. New favorite for us – so glad we tried it! We even reheated them for breakfast and I found two to be a great, filling breakfast - fabulous! Check out the recipe on healthified kitchen!


Quick recap of yesterday: a.m. workout of 1-hour strength training class followed by a 1-mile run and 1/4-mile walk. Then just work, work, meetings, work before my lunch workout of a 2-mile-walk + back + biceps with Stacy! Two-a-days are back! Then it was just more work, home to the fam, cooking a few recipes, watching the Entourage finale and calling it a night - not too shabby for a Monday!

Q: Have a favorite meatless breakfast? Mine right now is this one - Mexican Breakfast Burritos with avocado - I can see this one/revamped becoming a new fave!



Q: Tuning in to any new or returning shows tonight?! I'm. So. Excited.

Have a Question?, Loving Body Pump, Gym Decision

I LOVED Gabriela’s comment: "I think it's a great idea (to remake recipes) as bloggers become better cooks. The more you learn, the better your recipes are, so why not apply that new knowledge to old posts too, right?" I TRULY agree. I tweaked (or deleted!) several of my recipes when I moved over to Healthified Kitchen. But a few the pictures were so bad I didn’t even migrate them! Instead, I made a list of recipes I need to remake/take new pictures of. This is where I think I can tweak if need be!

Speaking of comments, earlier this week I was asked what mph I walk at. I walk at 4 mph at inclines between 4 and 0. Did I miss any more questions? Leave questions in the comment sections and i'll do an answer post next time! :)

Real quick flash back - this was taken one year ago today:

It's 65 degrees today and straight up HOT out there now; no snow in sight. OY. Anywho, I finally made a "gym decision." I have joined a gym that has multiple locations (four between my office and home) and TONS of classes. I joined primarily for Body Pump, Cycle, Boot Camp and Zumba. I'm just noticing that weight is creeping back on. I think it's because I can't run anymore which saddens me. I've GOT to find a way to replace this caloric burn. Enter classes. I made a schedule (I know, shocker) and am going to try out classes, instructors, etc. and try to burn more calories. Walking alone just won't cut it for me which is sad. :( So Wednesday, I worked, had another working lunch (SIGH) then worked more. After work I drove over the to the gym and signed up! I then walked 3.5 miles, and took a 1-hour body pump + abs class. I think I got a great workout in - I know my arms are SUPER sore today so there you go! This move got me the most - not so much the squat - but she would have us go up on one foot - it was a special kind of burn. Then we would switch feet and go up on the other foot. THEN, we would go up on both feet. Oy. I couldn't find a video of this but TRUST, it made a difference. :)

After the class I headed straight home, had dinner and hung out with the fam - pretty good night!

Q: Have you ever tried sumo squats while up on one foot?

Q: Ask anything! If you have a question - add it to the comments and i'll answer all in my next post!

My February Work Out Plan, Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe, 2.5 miles + back + chest

Thanks, friends! You know I love some goal setting - no lie! I loved hearing about your goals - I think my favorite was Erica's staying healthy for baby with her protein levels and one of Haute Teapot's: 'watch more movies' - AWESOME! So when I talked about goals I mentioned a February Work Out Plan. Basically, me and my co-worker, bestie, workout buddy Stacy are both feeling some weight gain. In further talks - we reflected on how disciplined we were before (i.e. 2009). We had a plan, we stuck to it and we just did it. We lost weight, we felt great, rah rah, and then we got comfortable and didn't feel we needed the rigid plan. Well friends, we're thinking we may have gone from 90 to nothing (or well 30 or so) a bit too quickly and need a bit more structure. Before, it was weekly. Now, i'm trying for monthly. My goal is to follow this calendar, and do the exercises outlined in the other sheets. Each month i'll introduce new ST exercises. I think doing these same exercises each week and increasing weight may be better than switching ST exercises every single week. Thoughts? Any opinions, ideas, etc. are welcome!

So yesterday during lunch, per the plan, I walked 2.5 miles then did the back and chest exercises outlined above! Not bad at all. I did these weights for each exercise, and plan to up it each week as needed/it becomes easier.

• Reverse Flies - 5-pound dumbbells (15 x3)
• Pec Deck - 15 pounds (15 x1); 10 pounds (15x2)
• Seated Row - 30 pounds (15x1); 35 pounds (15x1); 40 pounds (15x1)
• Chest Press - 15 pounds (15x1); 20 pounds (15x1); 25 pounds (15x1)
• Lying Barbell - 8-pound dumbbells (15x3)
• Incline Bench - 8-pound dumbbells (15x3)

And now for another new recipe. This is our new favorite Inidian recipe, which isn't a category on my other blog - but might need to be added as i'm just loving some Indian food!

Chicken Tikka Masala
Recipe adapted from My Bizzy Kitchen
Makes 4 Servings

Nutritional Information: 458 calories, 58 carbs, 8 fat grams and 40 protein grams.

Check out the recipe on Healthified Kitchen!

Other than work and my lunchtime workout, yesterday evening was pretty much just spent with the family, watching TV, prepping for book club, and picking up a bit for today when our housekeeper comes - not a bad evening!!

Q: Do you like Indian food? If so, what is your favorite dish and/or recipe?

Q: What do you think about doing the same 'moves' for a month, then switching it up?

ST, Cardio Rest Day, Tree Talk, New Recipe

Happy Friday! Before I get started, I want to say that i'm SO behind on blog reading - i've caught up a bit but have more to do tonight - can't wait! Also, Wordpress blogs aren't loading! I'm going to try again tonight but last night nothing was happening - SAD!

So like I mentioned yesterday, I definitely needed a break from the cardio. My ankles sincerely appreciate it – I can tell! Instead of doing nothing, I decided to do some ST! I did the following in 46 minutes burning 83 calories per HRM with a set of 5-pound dumbbells and a set of 8-pound dumbbells:

Overhead extension 3x15 (triceps)
Shoulder press 3x15 (shoulders)
Hammer curls 3x15 (biceps)
Rows 3x15 (back)
Nosebreakers 3x15 (triceps)
Forward flies 3x15 (shoulders)
Outward curls 3x15 (biceps)
Reverse flies 3x15 (back)
Dumbbell press 3x15 (chest)
Alternating toe touch 2x25 (abs)
Dumbbell fly 3x15 (chest)
Double Crunch 2x15 (abs)
Double Straight Leg Lowers 2x10 (abs)
Bicycle 2x20 (abs)

After ST I made some calls – 7 calls to be precise to tree service contractors and to landscapers. I now have some people coming out on Thursday to quote taking down those two trees and planting something more slimming!

I want the two trees by the door removed....

close up of my nemesis....

I want them replaced with something slimmer....

I think these are beautiful and MUCH prefer them! And someone to maintain them on the regular.

I CAN’T WAIT!Then I ran downstairs to make a new recipe for dinner - Spinach-Mushroom Pizza from Fitness Magazine. I tweaked it a good bit (for portions) and we were really happy with it. Here’s the recipe for four servings:

16 oz. dough
1 cup pizza sauce
1/3 of 10-oz. frozen spinach pack, thawed and drained well
¼ cup red onion, diced
2 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese (60 grams)
½ cup mushrooms, sliced
6 tbsp fat-free ricotta
2 tbsp parmesan
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

close up!

Preheat the oven to 450. Spread dough. Top with sauce, spinach and onion. Sprinkle with mozzarella and mushrooms. Dollop ricotta over pizza and sprinkle with parmesan. Drizzle olive oil all over. Bake until pizza is puffed and cheese melts, 10 minutes. Take the pizza out and preheat the broiler. Broil the pizza until cheese is browned, 5 minutes. Sprinkle with balsamic vinegar, then broil for 2 more minutes. slice into wedges and serve. Nutritional Information: 397 calories, 10 fat grams, 58 carbs and 14 protein grams.

My Serving...

We REALLY liked it – I personally think that dropping dollops of ricotta on ANY pizza is absolutely genius and makes it look fancy. I’m such a dork. Since we have spinach left over from that pack I’m probably going to make this pizza again Sunday for next week – woo!

I ended the night watching TV with Austin and Reuben and reading some more of my Book Club book, Beach Club – great book so far! I ended up at 1,671 calories, 242 carbs, 39 fat grams and 73 protein grams. Here’s what I ate.

Is there anything at your house you’re DYING to have someone come out and change?

Random side note: Are you watching Grey's Anatomy? Loved the flashback episode last night!

New Recipe, New Workout, Bloggie Meet-Up, Tea, 9.5 miles, RIP iPhone

So Thursday didn’t go exactly as planned as in I didn’t do what I said I’d do when it comes to exercise! Basically I worked, walked 3.5 miles during lunch (couldn’t walk more; had to have Reuben’s haircut fixed!). Then I worked more and didn’t go after work. I was just tired and wanted a shower and didn’t want to walk anymore! haha Instead I did laundry, picked up stuff around the house and slow cooked an awesome dinner from Real Mom Kitchen – Bajio Tacos!! Here’s the recipe we followed:

1 pound chicken

1/2 cup green salsa

1 Tbsp cumin

16 tsp brown sugar

1 4 oz. can diced green chilies

6 oz. diet sprite
1 tsp canola oil (for frying tortillas)
8 Ole corn tortillas
12 cherry tomatoes, diced, divided into 12 servings
60 grams Kraft natural Swiss/Cheddar/Parmesan blend, divided into 4 servings

1 tbsp corn starch; 2 tbsp cold waterCombine all ingredients in a crock pot. Cook on low for 5-6 hours. Remove chicken and shred. Return to crock pot and cook 1 more hour. Thicken the juices with a cornstarch mixed in water. Serve with tortillas, cheese, tomatoes and any other taco fixings. Nutritional Information per serving: 418 calories, 52 carbs, 6 fat grams and 34 protein grams.

It was SO good! Unfortunately I wasn’t that hungry when I finally sat down to dinner, so I gave one of my tacos to Austin, then later had chips and salsa with sour cream. I’m such a loser. Then we hung out and did our wine/chat night – good times! I didn’t drink as much as last time (on purpose!) and was in bed by 11 p.m. I ended up at 1,834 calories, 180 carbs, 59 fat grams and 82 protein grams. Here’s what I ate.

Friday was a great day! I woke up feeling like I slept great, went to work, walked 4 miles during lunch, had positive meetings, then walked 2 more miles and did this leg + shoulder work out.

Um, killer!! I’m already super sore!! Then I raced home, showered and Emily from Homecookedem came to pick me up – it was time to go meet Lee at In My Tummy, Laura at Laura Dishes, Angie at Caffeinated Cardio and Liz at In the Skinny at Seasons 52!! Long story short: there was traffic on 400S so we took another road all the way down to the Buckhead location. We got there and, after valeting, realized that we were at the wrong location. Back in the car, drove over, valeted again and arrived an hour late at the other location – OMG! We felt SOOOOO bad!! But we still had a great time getting to know the other girls and eating yummy food under 475 calories! I had the chicken/garlic flatbread and a cup of black bean soup. YUMMY – I would have it again today if I could – so fabulous and crispy. I did have to add salt to the soup but that’s about it!

So Bloggie Meet Up – it was so nice to put voices/more personality to these people who I read about! Funny how when they tell you something you’re like oh I knew that! Very interesting and fun and I’d definitely love to meet up with them again!

Two things:

One: Emily is such a doll! When she picked me up she had a happy gift for me – that green tea that I LOVED that she introduced me to when we met! Thanks, Em! Can’t wait to try it!

Two: When Emily was dropping me off I got out and my charger like followed me out of the car – weird! Well she left and I got upstairs and realized I didn’t have my phone. I called it thinking Em would answer because I left it in the car. Then it hit me…. I dropped it when I was getting out. I ran outside and it was sitting in the driveway face down…. It had been ran over! Oddly enough – it still works like a charm – I even took the tea picture with it and it makes calls, but the screen is cracked like 15 places. I’m SUCH a loser – phone neglect!! But that’s what insurance is for, right?! And thankfully, Monica’s husband Andy is our insurance guy and got me the iPhone policy on my homeowner’s insurance (it’s like he knew!) and I’m going to see him at a party today so done and done!

So after I realized I’d sent my iPhone to another life I tried to get on the blogs and read about some of the bloggers the girls chatted about last night but I passed out at 11:30. I ended up at 1,765 calories, 219 carbs, 46 fat grams and 107 protein grams. Here’s what I ate. Not bad, especially with the 6 miles and leg/shoulder workout factored in!

I will post a group pic once one of the other bloggers does! Yes, I’m a loser who STILL hasn’t purchased the new camera yet. Grrr. I’m going today, people – promises!

Edited to Add (just snagged from Laura's blog!):

(l-r): Em, Liz, Laura, Lee, Angie and me!

New ‘Workouts’ Section, 9.5 miles, Shooting Range Fail and Wine Night!

Um… have I told you lately how AWESOME you are?! Thanks SO MUCH for the great feedback, advice and overall support in my last post. I have SO many good ideas now! I copied/pasted your comments and am working on an action plan (you know – that’s how I do fo sho!) On another note, my weight was back down to 118 today. WTF? Whatevs – I still need to make changes and, thanks to you, I have some great ideas of where to start!

K – backing up – Tuesday was pretty blah. I felt crabby, didn’t want to be in the office, super “snacky” – ew. During lunch I walked 3.5 miles (burned 260 miles), but after work I was like no mas and headed straight home. Just watched some TV, had pizza worked on next week’s meal plans and developed some new workouts for this week! (back/biceps workout and Legs workout).

Back and Bicep workout for HOME (if you have dumbbells/ball)

Leg Workout for HOME (if you have ball)

Pizza... veggie pizza.... YUM!

Speaking of (workouts, not pizza) – check the top navigation! I reorganized and added a Workouts section! I’ll post all of my workouts there for those of you who have said you’re using them/printing them/etc. – fun! I ended Tuesday high… I think it was self-pity eating. Sad! I ended up at 1,847 calories, 234 carbs, 40 fat grams and 89 protein grams. Here’s what I ate. Too much candy… again. Moving on!

Yesterday was a great day! I got lots of work done, walked 4 miles during lunch, worked some more, then did another 2 miles. I believe someone asked in a previous post (sorry for not answering sooner!) – I do walk with co-workers! Usually I walk with my co-workers Stacy or Sue (or both!). Sometimes that pesky job thing gets in the way and I have to walk alone (cue Green Day), but usually I can avoid walking solo – except on Wednesdays when they work from home. Anywho! Sue came over and we walked 2 miles together, then we were off to meet Stacy at the shooting range. Yes, you read that right. Sue got a gun for her birthday and invited me and Stacy to an indoor shooting range. I was SO excited! But leave it to Atlanta traffic to hold us up causing us to miss the last shooting slot, so we did what anyone would do when when gun shooting is off the menu, went wine drinking! We headed to Smyrna West Village to McCray’s Tavern and had wine. Too much wine. But that’s okay – GREAT conversation – nice to chill with co-workers/friends who REALLY know what you go through 40 hours a week ya know? I got home and watched Modern Family with Austin and Reuben then passed out, ending the day at 1,795 calories, 174 carbs, 50 fat grams and 102 protein grams. Here’s what I ate. I burned 418 calories (6 miles at 4 mph) so not too bad, right?!

Today is pretty chill. Just worked, finished the meal plan/watched TV during lunch, and now i'm contemplating doing the back/biceps workout and some abs. We'll see! No walking today though - need a break. Especially since I have 4 down for tomorrow and some on Saturday! What are you guys doing this weekend? We're heading to Birmingham to see Austin's parents, shop with his mom, go to his youngest brother's high school football game - all of that good stuff! I'm mucho excited. Reuben will be staying in ATL with his mimzy - I think they're TOTALLY obsessed with each other! (in a good way of course - love it!) We're so lucky to have my mom!

K - i'm out... by the way, before I leave tomorrow my department as a team building. Viking Olympics from 12:30 - 4 p.m., followed by drinks. Hmmm. This isn't going to be bode well for me pre-car drive! eek!

11 Miles, 2 New Recipes, UGA BOUND!

This is going to be a quick post because (a) I’ve been a bad, busy blogger and (b) we’re out the door to go to Athens (UGA) for the football game! Woo! Austin’s parents just bought a game day condo and while we’re not “dawgs” we ARE SEC fans who know a good deal when it hits us in the face – woo! So to quickly backtrack…

Thursday was a great day! I got lots of work done, walked 4 miles during lunch then had a new recipe for lunch – Chicken and Pasta Salad for two!



½ cup chopped, peeled cucumber
¼ cup plain fat-free yogurt
2 tbsp chopped onion
2 tbsp light mayonnaise
1 tsp mustard
1/8 tsp celery seeds
1/16 tsp salt
1/16 tsp pepper
8 oz. chicken (chopped and cooked)
4 oz. farfalle.

Combine the first 8 ingredients in a medium bowl. Add the cooked chicken and the cooked pasta, and toss well. Cover salad and chill for 1 hour. Serves 2. We really liked it – great for lunches since it’s a cold salad! Anywho, after lunch I got more work done, then went to the gym for 2 more miles, abs and back and biceps. Here’s the upper body workout I did.

Then I was feeling it – so I ran a mile – woo! 7 miles! I headed home and made dinner – Chicken in Tomato Sauce with feta – nom nom nom.

Then me and Austin preceded to have some wine, good conversation and stay up too late – good times though! We even ate dinner in our dining room for the first time – nice! I ended up at 1,871 calories, 207 carbs, 49 fat grams and 111 protein grams – not bad, especially with the 7 miles + ST factored in – woo! Here’s what I ate.

Friday I had a super productive day at work! During lunch I walked 4 miles, then after work I decided to grocery shop with my new meal plan – woo! I went to Trader Joe’s and Publix, and didn’t get home until 7 p.m. Grrr. I DID make a new recipe for dinner though from Monica’s Food Network Magazine - Fresh mozzarella BLT with pesto. Here’s the recipe for one sandwich (one serving):

1 3- to 4-inch baguette (77 grams)
3 Slices turkey bacon
1 ½ tsp pesto
1 ½ tsp fat-free mayonnaise
1 spear romaine lettuce
2 slices tomato
1 slice fresh mozzarella (28 grams)
Salt and pepper to taste.

Slice baguette open, leaving one side attached to form a hinge. Cook bacon in skillet until crispy. Combine pesto with mayo and smear on bottom of bread. Layer romaine, then tomato, bacon and mozzarella. Season with salt and pepper. Close sandwich and serve. We loved it! So yummy – a definite new fave that I plan to start bringing to work – woo! After dinner I cooked/packed for Athens then we had a repeat of the night before – wine, good conversation, music, etc. Love it not raining – I can use my backyard! Anywho – I overdrank… ended up at 2,120 calories, 239 carbs, 59 fat grams and 95 protein grams – eek! Good times though – woo!!! Here’s what I ate.

A few questions!

Where do you eat at home? Dining room, in front of the TV? Depends?
Do you watch college football? Who’s your pick?

K – have WONDERFUL weekends. I can’t wait to catch up on your blogs when I get back home and to my computer on Sunday. FYI – don’t worry about Reuben, my mom is here staying with him. Spoiled pupper!! :)

6 Miles (2 running - woo!), ST Workout (Chest, Triceps, Shoulders), GREAT day!!

Disclaimer: i'm so behind on blog reading!! EEk! I'm reading tomorrow - promises! And HAPPY FRIDAY!! On to yesterday....

I must say yesterday was a success. Perhaps guilt from the day before's unnecessary snacking? Perhaps because my HRM was in full force again thanks to Liz’s suggestions? (tighten it more; clean it more…. Oopsie – I was ready to take it back to Dick’s!). Or maybe I was just ready to work it – who knows?! All I do know is that during lunch I walked 2 miles (4 mph)…. Then ran! A mile! (6.3 mph). Then walked another mile taking it to 4 miles. I burned 340 calories – woo! (80 calories/mile walking; 100 calories/run). Then I worked a bunch. After work I cooked dinner/lunch for tomorrow… then went back…I think I had the best workout!! OMG – I don’t if it was that my HRM worked from start to finish or the fact that I was sweating bullets or what but it felt AWESOME. Here’s how I burned 437 calories in 58 minutes (avg. heartrate 150; max. 193).

Loved it, ladies. Two more miles and a quick back-to-back ST workout -love!! I think I’m addicted to running although I’m still super scared I’ll hurt my foot again. Eek. But I’m taking it easy and REALLY focusing on hitting the heel first (rather than the toe which was my last problem). Also, I really liked going back-to-back on the ST – I got it done faster and my heart was pounding (especially during the dips and pushups!). Yay!!

After my workout I met Austin at home (he had a work happy hour) – and we ate the Beef Enchilada Casserole and had a couple of glasses of wine – lovely! It’s cooled off so it was nice to sit outside. We’re still like OMG…. This house is ours? Crazy! Haha Here’s some eats:

My new FAVORITE snack.... Kashi Stoneground 7-grain crackers with 1/2 ounce of Kraft Natural Reduced Fat Sharp Cheddar (excuse my blue plates... make the food not look as good but I promise - it's glorious) This snack was inspired by She-Fit - she suggested "high fiber crackers and cheese" for a post-workout snack. Yay!!

Lunch - lemon chicken! Austin came home to eat with me after my first workout - we love this dish. Our second time eating it but it's a fave.

Dinner - Beef enchilada casserole. Nom nom nom (not the best picture... and again - that creep non-melting fat-free cheese!)

Now I’m in bed watching the shows, and Austin is playing video games with his old frat bros. I’m all cleaned and packed up for work – woo! What a fabulous day. I heart endorphins. I ended up at 1,946 calories, 47 fat grams, 198 carbs and 93 protein grams. Here's what I ate. A little high (was great until I had the wine... but it was fun to chat with Austin and have some vino!!) and, to add it all together, I burned 777 "workout" calories - woo! A couple of Q's:

What exercises pump you up the most?

What is your favorite thing about working out?

I’m loving asking questions at the end like wholebodylove – it helps me get so many ideas from you guys, and learn more about you! :) Happy Friday – hope you have fabulous weekends! Tonight we’re out to the Highlands to celebrate Andy’s birth - fabulous. I’m wearing the new skirt – hope it goes over well!!

Leg Workout + Another Running Urge + New shrimp Recipe + Books are In (!) + August Assessment + September Goals

Thank you guys SO MUCH for your sweet, supportive comments on my first blogiversary. Way to make a girl feel special! (and hot - you guys rock! j/k haha). I really appreciate it you guys.... I still can't believe it's been a YEAR! How long have all of you been blogging? How long do you think you will blog?! here goes this monster of a post... I’m a little behind , friends but I promise - highlights only! Tuesday I walked 3.5 miles during lunch and 1 mile after work + this leg workout – good stuff!

I also ran a mile… I felt the urge and said I’d run ½ mile… but I was feeling great so I went for the whole thing taking my total to 5.5 miles. I had a yummy pasta for lunch.


I got home and had yummy quinoa w/sauted veggies and sun-dried tomato/feta stuffed chicken. Nom nom nom. We did watch the season finale of Weeds – CRAZY ending, very good! I ended up at 1,739 calories, 217 carbs, 58 fat grams and 98 protein grams. Not bad – a little high on fat though. Here’s what I ate.

Wednesday my tummy was upset and I was SUPER sore. Work was crazy so I worked through lunch, then headed straight home. Boo. I did make a yummy dinner, a new one a tiny bit off meal plan, Cookinglight.com’s Shrimp Arrabbiata. Here is the recipe for two servings.

Close up...

Full serving on small square plate (salad plate!)

4 oz. linguine

1 tbsp olive oil, divided

6 oz. shrimp, peeled and deveined

1/8 tsp salt

¼ cup onion, chopped

1 tsp bottled minced garlic

¼ tsp dried basil

¼ tsp crushed red pepper

1 tbsp tomato paste

½ (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained

1 tbsp fresh parsley

Cook pasta according to package (10 minutes), and drain and keep warm. Heat 2 tsp olive oil in nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle shrimp with salt and add to pan, cooking for 2 minutes on each side until shrimp are done. Transfer to plate. Heat remaining tsp of olive oil. Add onion, garlic, basil and red pepper; sauté for 1 minute. Add tomato paste and tomatoes; bring to boil. Cook for 3 minutes until sauce thickens. Return shrimp to pan and mix with tomato mixture for 1 minute until heated. Add parsley to pan, stir well, then serve over pasta. Nutritional Information: 392 calories, 54 carbs, 9 fat grams and 25 protein grams. We REALLY liked it – those red pepper flakes made such a difference as did the fresh parsley. I was definitely a fan – it was SO filling. After dinner we just hung out with the Reuben puppy and watched TV – standard! I will say that my books came in – YESSSSSS.

I ended the day at 1,812 calories, 282 carbs, 36 fat grams and 86 protein grams. Here’s what I ate.

Today I woke up feeling hungover (for no reason) – headache, sinuses, sneezing – mess. My power strip wasn’t working so my computer was dead... I had to drive in to the office to Desktop support in the rain to get a charger then back. That took 1.5 hours (heavy traffic at 8:15 a.m.). Reuben went with me so that was fun, and I’m now, thanks to that commute, on the last of 7 CDs of At First Sight – love it! Then I just cooked lunch, dinner and lunch/dinner for tomorrow (all on meal plan – yay!), and me and Austin locked down which Auburn games we would attend and let our buddies know – YAY!!

Dinner... creamy chicken tostdos... YUM They would probably look more appetizing but I used fat-free cheese and that stuff just doesn't melt like "normal" cheese

Now I’m settled into the Sex and the City Movie but still don’t feel well and yes, skipped another day at the gym. I hope I feel better tomorrow – I have 5.5 miles + back + biceps planned! I’m done eating fo sho, so I ended up at 1,690 calories, 254 carbs, 32 fat grams and 107 protein grams. Here’s what I ate.

Time for my Twelfth Month: August 2009 Monthly Assessment

By the Numbers
Pounds Lost: -2.5 (gain) (114.5 to 117)
Highest Weight: 119
Lowest Weight: 115
Pounds left to Lose: 4 (would like to be at 113)
Posts: 20
Days Worked out: 23
Miles of cardio: 84.5
Injuries: none! A little pain in my foot though after running…. Little….
New Recipes Cooked: 14

Interesting Charts

Click on charts to make them larger!

A Look Back: August Goals

1. Keep calories under 1,850 on days when I work out and 2,300 when I drink (1 day a week; 2 at most). Not done… I had 13 days over limit. Only 3 of these days were days I didn’t work out, but I’m still snacking when I’m not hungry with the whole “but I worked out it’s cool” mentality. This mentality would be fine if I was at 113 – but I’m not! So I need to work on this…

2. Walk 84 miles. DONE.

3. Do strength training 3 days/week. DONE – went well!!!

4. Do abs 3 days/week. Not done… I think this is too aggressive for me right now. I’m going to go for 2 days/week in September!

5. Decide whether or not to hire the trainer. I didn’t decide… but will move this over for September goal to hire him or move on my own route!

6. Introduce 10 new recipes. DONE… did a few extras, too, but mostly because of the shower!

7. Update the home blog 2 days/week AND fitting back in 5 days/week. DONE. Did much better at updating!

8. Read 2 books. DONE. Actually read 3!

9. Get dining room painted; install lights in hallway upstairs. DONE this was a great month for the house – we knocked off a ton of To-Dos!!

10. Develop 2 new weeks of Strength Training Routines. DONE me and Stacy are racing through them! I’m enjoying it so much and have SO many more exercises to try!

All in all I’m really proud of this month! I feel like I got a lot done on a lot of fronts, but am definitely going to try to tackle this calorie thing in September!!

September Goals:

1. Keep calories under 1,850 on days when I work out and 2,300 when I drink (1 day a week; 2 at most). TRACK AHEAD.

2. Walk 84 miles.

3. Do strength training 3 days/week and Abs 2 days/week.

4. Decide whether or not to hire the trainer.

5. Introduce 10 new recipes.

6. Read 4 books (including audio!).

7. Have canvas put on backers for green guest room, install shelf/hooks in hall closet and research stainless steel appliances (pricing, brands, etc.)

8. Develop 2 new weeks of Strength Training Routines.

9. Develop a meal plan for each week – STICK WITH IT!

10. Get down to 115.

I feel good about these goals! I think the walking, strength training, cooking and reading is kind of under control and has become a habit over the last year (which is so exciting!). So the biggie for me is going to be REALLY getting better at the calories (which the meal plans will help I hope!) and not forgetting to do abs… this tends to happen even though I’ve identified it as one of my problem areas! Also, i'm a little nervous about saying I want to lose 2 pounds this week but I can do it.... right?! Eek! Wish me luck on a whole new year of tracking – WOO!! (and no more starting my posts with days…. I’m oughta that business!)

Day 361: New Recipe + Book Review + New Shoulder/Tricep/Chest Workout

So I ended up staying up WAY too late to finish Beyond Reach. I had to! I read 15 more pages after the blog and the killer was introduced! So had to read the other 85 to see how they did it and whatnot. The book was awesome. Had me all over the place, dead bodies turning up in crazy places and none of it seemed to make sense as it was told from multiple perspectives. Then all of a sudden it made sense – great mystery. And the end?! Crazy… can’t wait for the next book!

This morning I woke up and headed in to work still loving listening to At First Sight. Can’t wait for my new books to get in tomorrow! During lunch I walked 3.5 miles and started a new book – Stupid and Contagious (borrowed from Shana).

I only read 50 pages or so but it’s hilarious so far! After work I went back to the gym to walk another mile, then me and Stacy did shoulders, triceps and chest – this workout.


Then I headed home, had the planned dinner, packed up tomorrow’s breakfast/lunch and snacks and settled in for True Blood (weird; maybe the weirdest episode yet. Still love Eric) and Entourage (SO over Andrew...and I hate that E likes that Ashely girl. Blah).

So I forgot – here is the meatball recipe from yesterday! It was from Biggest Diabetic Loser. I used her recipe for Italian Meatballs (makes four servings) to make Spaghetti & Meatballs for two!
1 pound Laura’s beef 96/4
1/2 cup Italian style bread crumbs
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 egg
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
¼ tsp Salt, ¼ tsp pepper and ¼ tsp dried basil for taste
Other: 1 cup low-fat spaghetti sauce, 4 oz. spaghetti, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, salt and red pepper flakes to taste

Mix together the ingredients and roll into equally sized meatballs (I did mine about 1.5” in diameter). Put half in the refrigerator for another recipe. Set water to boil, and cook 4 oz. spaghetti according to package. Drain and divide into two servings. Spray a pan with olive oil nonfat cooking spray. Drop in the remaining meatballs and brown turning with tongs until the outside is brown. Add sauce to pan and continue turning meatballs until they cook through, about 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and red pepper flakes. Stir and then serve over spaghetti. Top with parsley. Nutritional Information: 532 calories, 64 carbs, 12 fat grams and 40 protein grams.

It was good! I used the remaining meatballs in today’s lunch from For the Love of Cooking (named Baked Penne Meatball pasta) by heating the oven to 350 degrees, cooking 4 oz. pasta and adding pasta to bottom of square dish. Top with meatballs and sauce, then mozzarella cheese and parsley. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil then bake for 5 minutes. SO good!

For dinner, I made another For the Love of Cooking recipe: I call it Breakfast Fried Rice!! Basically, we used 2 servings of basmati rice, 2 eggs scrambled, 2 pieces fat-free turkey bacon cooked and crumbled, 2 tbsp light soy sauce, minced ginger, minced garlic, chopped green onion and salt and pepper to taste. Very yummy!! Our variation only had 311 calories, 40 carbs, 11 fat grams and 13 protein grams. I forgot to take a picture but don't you worry - i'll be making it again! :)

After dinner I took it upstairs, made new leg and back/bi workouts, watched drop dead diva and am about to pass out! I ended up at 1,846 calories, 244 carbs, 57 fat grams and 91 protein grams. Here’s what I ate.

Days 349 & 350: Strength Training, 10.5 Miles, Dining Room Before & After, and 2 New Products

Hola! Hope you’re all having great weeks. I’m personally grateful that it’s winding to an end – woo! This weekend three of me and Austin's favorite couples are coming into town to celebrate one of them’s baby on board! Mary & Jimmy are coming from B’ham – a couple who was in our wedding, we were in theirs, we’ve been besties since ’01. Then Teresa & Forrest are coming from Auburn – a couple who was in our wedding, we were in theirs and we’ve been besties with since ’02. And Kelly & Ryan, also from B’ham who are engaged to be married in December. We’ve known crazy Ryan for years, and Kelly for a few years and they’re awesome together and we heart them both. So yes, everyone is coming over to ATL (3 couples above are staying with us!) to be joined by a few of our favorite Atlanta couples (mostly Auburn peeps!) to celebrate Emma’s September arrival. I’m SO excited! A few couples arrive Friday, and then one couple Saturday and the shower is Saturday night! I hope it all goes well – it’s my first time hosting a shower (I’m doing a Mediterranean theme!). I’ll post my menu Monday and let you know what went over well vs. what didn’t, what was easy, etc.

The last two days have been a blur of work, doing home stuff and exercising. Thank you so much for your support for my mini binge. You guys – it’s CRAZY. One time a month (hmmm) I would kill murder, slay, execute, slaughter for MASS amounts of chocolate crave sweets - it’s insane! And you can’t plan for it – like “I know I’m going to eat 7 pieces of chocolate so I won’t eat dinner.” I still NEED dinner! Anyway, I know it will happen, I have no self control, and I’m just glad I’ve kept up my walking and that I have you guys’ support!! Speaking of: Tuesday I walked 5 miles and did chest, triceps and shoulders; Wednesday I walked 5.5 miles and did abs. Workouts:

I got several of these ab workouts and the ones I have planned for Friday from April – they’re awesome!! Thanks, girl! I plan to try all of yours and mix it up!!! Me and Stacy found under the bridge and ball roll-up) to be the most challenging. For under the bridge we used a 2.5-pound weight plate (FYI!).

Eats:

Tuesday I had yummy, home-cooked eats: scrambled eggs and sausage pizza for breakfast, Chicken Sausage & Farfalle with veggies, and chicken pesto pizza – fab! I ended up at 1,843 calories, 213 carbs, 65 fat grams and 116 protein grams. Here’s what I ate.

Wednesday was weird as far as eats – lots of random foods and then pizza take-out for dinner. I did have 2 products: Amy’s black bean chili and Smartdogs. Amy’s was a TOTAL win – loved it!! Smartdogs… I had to toss them in the trash can. Something about them creeped me out. Sad!! I ended up at 1,979 calories, 294 carbs, 55 fat grams and 105 protein grams. In retrospect, I probably should have insisted (even more than I did) that I cook and not let Austin order a pizza. But I had just walked in the door at 8 p.m. with a car full of groceries and a list of things to do so I was in. Then I had 3 slices. That was all me! Haha Here’s what I ate.

Life:

Thank you all for your sweet comments on our new home items!! We’re very excited – now I just need them to all get in! I’m like a little kid waiting for the mail to come. Hehe I spent a good chunk of last evening at Costco (for beer/wine for shower) and Trader Joe’s (for shower food). It went great! Other than that it’s just been laundry, laundry, laundry, getting Reuben groomed, getting ready for our new housekeepers, etc. BIG NEWS: The painters are done! Here’s the before & after – WOO!!

Disclaimer(s):

a. I have not put the furniture back into the room or hung the new mirrors on the wall!
b. This photo was taken at night with a camera whose lens was slightly dirty.
c. The table is not set right (those are the mirrors on the table!)

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE



AFTER

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Yay! I'm so very excited! Tonight we're going to put everything back in the room, hang the mirrors, hang the new art, install some lights, etc. It's like Home Update crazy over here!! I've also got to cook all of the shower food.... wish me luck!!