MIMM: An Update

Happy Monday everyone!

I hope you all had a marvelous weekend!

Saturday Michael and I went for a hike on Saturday since it was finally dry enough around here to go trekking through the forest.

Unfortunately it was 43 degrees when Michael and I started our hike. I was freezing my butt off.

 Of course I was representing the Niners

Michael and I agreed to go for a longer hike once it warmed up some more around here so my hands wouldn't turn blue.

We got to watch the Niners kick ass against the Packers which was by far the most marvelous thing to happen.

It's been a long while since I've done an update on how I'm doing with my eating disorder. While I can't say I've overcome it just yet, I've improved tremendously. I don't panic as much when it comes to eating food. Instead of worrying about not eating food or making sure I eat the bare minimum, I've really been making sure I eat enough to nourish my body. I've been exercising a lot lately and I've been more concerned with making sure my body has the fuel it needs than how my body looks if I eat something. Living without my eating disorder constantly controlling my life is absolutely marvelous! I can credit some of this to Michael for encouraging me to eat and reminding me to stay positive about my body. He's definitely helped me start to change my view of myself.

Thanks to Katie for this awesome link-up! And congrats on your baby-to-be!!

What did you do over the weekend?

Energy Balls

So I realize I wrote about this originally ages ago and completely spaced about giving you the recipe. Whoops!

Here's the long overdue recipe!

Energy Balls

Makes 16 1-inch balls

1 cup old-fashioned oats

1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon natural peanut butter

1/4 cup honey

1/2 cup ground flax seeds

1/3 cup shredded coconut

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup chopped dried cherries or cranberries

Mix all the ingredients together.

Refrigerate for 45 minutes-1 hour

Roll into 1-inch balls and keep refrigerated.

Stats (per ball): 

Calories: 136

Fat: 7g

Carbs: 16.5 g

Sugar: 9.5 g

Protein: 3.5 g

These are delicious! They're perfect to have before exercising or afterwards for a good burst of energy. The flax seeds add a nice crispiness to them that reminds you of Rice Krispies.

Fit Friday #5

Happy Friday everyone!

Hope you're all staying fit and healthy!

This week was the first week back exercising every day and I feel incredible, albeit very sore.

Sunday:

It was my first day running after my who-knows-how-many-weeks hiatus. Surprisingly it wasn't as hard as I was expecting it to be.

Michael and I ran 1.5 minutes, walked 1.5 minutes, ran 3 minutes, walked 3 minutes. The hardest part was how freaking cold it was outside, but at least we got to run along the beach which was gorgeous.

After our run we ran over to the gym so I could go to Zumba.

Monday:

Instead of doing strength training I went to Zumba because my favorite teacher was subbing that day and since she's leaving for 2 weeks I wanted to get as much Zumba as I could. 

Tuesday:

Another run

Usually I try to keep a consistent course I run on, but I ended up just running around my neighborhood until the end.

I opted out of Zumba because I had done so much cardio in the past few days.

Wednesday:

Michael and I went to the gym for some strength training early in the morning. I didn't have a set plan for what I would do so I didn't get in a wonderful workout.

Thursday:

I woke up extra early to get to the gym to get a good, long strength training workout in.

10 forward lunges w/ 2 10# kettlebells

10 reverse lunges w/ 2 10# kettlebells

10 squats w/ 25# kettlebell

10 single leg bridges on each leg

10 pushups

24 bicep burners (8 bicep curls, 8 half bicep curls, 8 bicep curls) w/ 10# dumbells

15 shoulder presses w/ 10 # dumbells

After this I quickly ran over to the other part of the gym for yoga. It was really nice to stretch out and watch the stars through the windows, that's how early it was.

After yoga I went home to relax a little longer before heading out for my run.

I just about froze my butt off, thankfully I have this nice puffy running jacket Michael bought me for Christmas.

Today I am so incredibly sore from my workout that I just plan on lazing around and reading fitness magazines.

But let's not forget yoga!

I've been doing yoga every night for about 20 minutes, sometimes longer, sometimes shorter. I can feel my flexibility increasing and it just makes me feel incredible.

Of course Link has to do yoga too

The minute I pull out my yoga mat he sits right on it.

I also started doing yoga with my mom in the morning so some days it's been yoga twice a day. Obviously I don't mind.

How have you kept up being active?

 

New Year's Eve 2012

Alright, I'm gonna have to start taking something to improve my memory!

I totally spaced on writing about my awesome New Year's Eve until right now, but hey, better late than never right?

So Michael and I had originally decided to go to this really nice hotel in town that had a big New Year's Eve party thing going on, but since I was just getting over being sick and still exhausted from Christmas we decided to change plans for something quieter.

We went down to Monterey and stayed at this adorably charming Victorian hotel. 

They served free wine and cheese during the afternoon in their parlor

After resting in our room for awhile we headed out to dinner. I was determined to go somewhere where I could wear jeans and just be comfortable, nothing fancy. This cafe we went to was to die for. We ordered pasta and they even had whole grain pasta! 

 We started off with salads with balsamic vinaigrette

I got whole grain pasta with olive oil, tomatoes, basil, and some parmesan cheese.

Unfortunately we screwed our healthy dinners with cake...

 Butterfinger cake

Black Forest cake.

If you can't tell by the pictures the slices of cake were practically the size of a baby. Of course we didn't end up eating all of it, that's just waaaaaaay too much cake.

After my belly was full we headed back to the hotel before it got too crazy being out. We pretty much stayed in our hotel room with a wonderful fire blazing and watching the New Year's Eve shows.

But of course we had snacks later on...

And bubbly!

 I absolutely love the name of this champagne, ha!

And since I'm crazy on sweets...

 Fruity petit fours from Whole Foods

And a gigantic clock cupcake

It was an incredibly relaxing, fun New Year's Eve and by far the best I've ever had. Michael and I talked for hours which is surprising after being best friends for 6 years.

The next day we rose bright and early for our first day of the new year, which you can read all about here

WIAW: Keeping on Track

Happy Wednesday everyone!

How's your New Year's resolutions coming?

I've been doing really well with mine and have been exploring some new vegetarian meals with Michael.

Unfortunately they were all on days that I didn't photograph and so you get the lazy day where I didn't cook anything, ha!

Thanks to Jenn for this rockin' party!

This is all from Monday.

I started out the morning with a quick yoga session with my mom which really brightens up the beginning of the day.

A glass of lemon water to kickstart my day.

Breakfast: Strawberry Greek yogurt with granola

Pre-workout snack: Energy balls that I posted about ages ago and never gave the recipe. How mean of me! It'll be coming soon, promise!

And lots of water!

After Zumba I was about ready to gnaw my arm off (just kidding!)

Lunch: leftover whole wheat pasta with garlic, peas, carrots, and parm cheese & a slice of garlic bread that Michael makes which is aaaaaamazing

Snack: a juicy clementine. I love these little guys!

Because Michael and I were both exhausted from our days we elected to skip making dinner and go to Whole Foods for a burrito

Dinner: bean, cheese, sour cream, and guac on a whole wheat tortilla. Unfortunately the guac has cilantro in it which I despise so I couldn't eat more than half.

Dessert: fresh strawberries with a sweetened ricotta cream

I've been really good about eating and making sure I'm staying on track.

What is your favorite vegetarian dish?

Fit Fridays #4

Wow, I can't believe the last time I did a Fit Fridays post was November!

Obviously I've been lacking in the workout department and this week was no different sadly.

I tweaked my ankle on Monday so I was left sitting on my butt trying to get it to feel better so there hasn't actually been a workout all week.

Yesterday Michael and I played this dance game on their Xbox with his sister, Sarah, and her boyfriend, Ryan Fortunately/unfortunately there are no pictures to document me getting my groove on, though there were some funny videos of Michael and Ryan dancing, but I will be nice and not show them to the world. So at least I got some movement in now that my ankle is all better.

 Today my favorite Zumba teacher is subbing a class so I'll be dragging my butt to that to at least get some kind of workout in. I love me some dance if you can't tell!

Sunday I start fresh with running and working out again now that I've got nothing to hold me back!

WIAW: New Year New Me

Happy New Year everyone!

I hope you were all safe and had a wonderful celebration. I'll post later about what I did, but this post is all about my first day of eats for the year and my resolutions.

Thanks to Jenn for hosting this awesome party!

Michael and I got to enjoy our breakfast next to a fire at our hotel, very nice.

 Breakfast:

I kept it healthy with the continental breakfast by getting whole wheat toast w/ strawberry jam, an orange, raspberry yogurt, and apple juice.

After we packed up everything we headed down to Cannery Row in Monterey for some lunch and a visit to the aquarium. We had a gorgeous view from our seats at the restaurant.

 We got to watch an otter for most of our entire lunch just floating around out there.

Lunch:

Shirley Temple, half a bread roll, and fish and chips (which I didn't finish)

After lunch we wandered down to the aquarium which was bombarded by huge family groups which made it a tad difficult to see the animals.

But we still got to see plenty of animals and enjoy the sunshine

Once we left the aquarium we stopped by Ghiradelli to get a hot fudge sundae, it's required, plus hey it's chocolate, who passes up chocolate?!

We got home and I put up my ankle which got twisted the day before yesterday and Michael was kind enough to bring my gimpy self some dinner.

Dinner:

Leftover pasta and homemade garlic bread

And I couldn't pass up dessert which was leftover cake, but I won't be posting a picture of it until I give my recap of my New Year's Eve night. Oh the suspense!!

New Year New Me

Every year I make resolutions and usually don't stick with them. Hell, half the time I don't even remember what my resolutions were! But thankfully this year I have Michael to keep me accountable and vice versa.

Be positive. I have a horrible habit of being negative and I recently read Miranda Kerr's book Treasure Yourself. She really talks about positive affirmations so I plan on writing down a positive affirmation at least once a week (hopefully every day) to keep me in the right frame of mind.

Be calm. I was doing yoga every day for awhile and then finals hit. But I'm taking another crack at doing yoga everyday because I absolutely love it and it makes me feel wonderful.

Be healthy. This past holiday season meat was popping up all over the place in my diet and it wasn't making me feel so wonderful. I've eaten a mostly vegetarian diet for awhile and I'm trying to really keep that going. Of course I won't drop meat completely, sometimes it happens. So I'm limiting myself to chicken or fish once a month, if at all.

I also plan on hitting the gym 4-5 times a week again. I dropped the ball and I really need to work on gaining my strength back.

Be motivated. Michael and I plan on running a bunch of races this year so I'm really excited for that! So far we've planned the Color Me Run, Bolder Boulder in Colorado, and the Wharf to Wharf. I will personally be running a local 5K and Michael is going to do the Spartan Race in Colorado, I'm so excited to cheer him on!

As a couple Michael and I made resolutions, but I won't bore you with all of them except that we plan on going hiking once a month. A man who loves to hike! Yes!

Hope everyone has had a wonderful first day of the new year!

Any New Year's resolutions? Do you find it hard to stick to them?

Any advice for the races we'll be running?