my first award

yay! i'm super excited to receive my first bloggy award! i was hoping this day would come :) i would like to thank chloe from tryin' to throw my arms around the world for this wonderful honor!

so, as a recipient of the "versatile blogger award" i am to share 6 or 7 things about myself. here goes!

ONE. i just recently conquered my fear of needles! i used to be deathly afraid of needles but my dr insisted once and it wasn't that bad. i then decided to give blood since i'm a big advocate of saving lives!

TWO. as you may or may not know, i'm a marathon runner! i have been running since 2006 with team in training benefiting the leukemia & lymphoma society collectively raising over $20,000 in the last 4 years! i've ran 1 marathon and 5 half marathons...currently training for the san antonio rock n roll marathon! on a mission to meet 26.2 again! my favorite? it's a tie between the nike marathon & the disney princess 1/2 marathon!


THREE. i'm a hypochondriac! when you're around me, please don't ever mention that something is wrong with you because chances are it's contagious and i already have it! or in this case, don't blog about because i will be blogging about it the next day :)

FOUR. i will be making my first visit to NYC in august! i am super excited, so if anyone knows of any must see or dos, please share!

FIVE. my boyfriend and i have been together for five years. he is the love of my life and my very best friend. our very first date was on valentine's day. he sent me roses anonymously, took me for dinner at my favorite restaurant, then out for drinks and a game of pool. it was a perfect night that i will always remember!


SIX. i'm a hopless romantic who believes in happy endings.

and now the fun part! i get to give the award away! winner, winner, winner:

P, from Adventures of an Average Athlete

emz, from If I can't convince you - - I'll at least confuse you.

kelly, from kelly leigh gets busy

lara lee, from dawn of a beginning

and........drum roll please,
brooke, from Smart + Strong = Sexy

wow, it is better to recieve than give in this case- that was a lot of hard work :)
hope you like your award as much as i liked mine!

ten things tuesday

1. had a wonderful weekend, much deserved after the horrible week i had! we had our first TNT potluck w/all teams (marathon, hike & tri). here's a pic of a few of us, it totally looks like we're praying or something- really wish i knew what we were doing. :)


2. i didn't run w/my usual running buddy, one because she ran too fast and two because i stayed and ran w/another teammate, ronni. i then found out she is a survivor! she is such an amazing, strong, beautiful woman! i am in awe of her faith and self-motivation, she will be running the nike marathon in october! so happy for her!


3. my god-daughter turned 5! well not really, but she'll be w/her dad in july so we thought we'd celebrate early. time has really flown by so fast!


4. i woke up monday morning to a washed truck! i ♥ daddy!

5. i also chose to have a good day yesterday- guess what, i did!

6. my love and i went to see toy story 3 last night! absolutely adorable! my new favorite disney movie! ♥ ♥ ♥

7. this morning a lot of things went wrong but it's amazing when you chose to be happy, nothing can tear you down!

8. tonight- cash bash! i get to see my team again and tell them all about fundraising opportunities!

9. my gym bag is packed and i intend to get back on the treadmill tonight! hopefully i don't get forced to go out to eat w/the team :)

10. oh happy day! hope your day is as good as you want it to be! chose to be happy!

just let me wine today, tomorrow's another chardonnay

yay! today is thursday, just one more day of this dreadful week! :)
i swear i'm usually not such a pessimist, but this really has been one of the worst weeks ever! not only because a dear friend has passed, but because it was very blah, very dull and boring and depressing! haven't lost any more weight, haven't had the energy to try! last night's group run was pathetic! i had to stay behind while my running partner passed me up- i just know it's because i haven't worked out all week. and boohoo, looks like i'm out of the juneathon challenge! :(
it was fun while it lasted, and yes i did drown my sorrows in a glass of wine! i deserve it!

anyway, i am in brighter spirits today. hoping for a great weekend and a great week to follow! new goals and new workout plans!

dancing in the rain

yesterday i lost a great friend and role model to cancer. in 2006, i joined team in training to help fund a cure for cancer. i had no connection to cancer, didn't even know anyone who had it. over the past 4 years i've met so many people who have been affected by it and yesterday, tim was the first person i knew who died from it.

tim palmquist was a high spirited man. always had a smile on his face. he hired me at the job i am employed today. he worked here 35 years...it's hard to believe he won't be coming back. we've known for awhile that his last days would soon come to an end. the days leading up to it were very sad. we had a conversation that i will forever hold in my heart. he was ready to die. he lived a great life and was part of a clinical trial. sadly, the trial did not save him but may be the reason someone else lives. we cried together as he told me how proud he was of all that i do to help fund a cure. i truly don't believe i can stop any time soon until we find a cure. no family should have to endure something so terrible.

so, today i try and enjoy life. try to forget the blah day i had yesterday. ignore the petty things that ruined my morning like forgetting my phone, accidentally throwing my pedometer in the wash and someone stealing my spare tire from my truck! life is too short to worry about the small things in life. today i chose to make the most of life! i chose to dance in the rain rather than wait for the storm to pass!

blah

well, looks like i didn't get chosen for win, lose or blog-- but i'll still keep up with it here. i guess i'll take it as a compliment in that they don't think i have much weight to lose :)

tomorrow's another weigh in. not worrying terribly as i usually am, hope this doesn't mean i'm giving up. monday's are just so blah. i feel blah right now. didn't feel like coming into work, don't feel like working, don't feel like working out tonight, blah, blah, blah!

well, don't have much more to say than "blah" so i guess i'll close for now. tomorrow will be a better day! :)

juneathon day 18: zumba
juneathon day 19: 4 mile run
juneathon day 20: weights

juneathon day 17: 2 miles

the road less traveled

yes, i'm aware my title and picture do not coordinate; however, that is exactly where i ended up yesterday following "the road less traveled" onto the riverwalk!

my intentions were to take the bus from downtown about 2 miles north. i was at the stop early and thought this can't be too much further, i'll walk a bit and maybe catch another bus along the way. before i knew it, i was lost! i'm pretty familiar w/downtown (especially since i lived here for about 2 years), but i was in unknown territory. i tried taking the backstreets toward my destination, but i should've known better--i have no sense of direction! i ended up at the riverwalk, midday, scorching 85 degree weather! H-O-T! it ended up taking me about 40 minutes to walk 2 miles, i'm pretty sure it was further than that! anyway, i got to where i needed (drenched in sweat, eeew) and luckily there was a bus stop nearby when i was ready to head back. it was a lovely adventure! and i did get an additional 2 miles in, not bad! :)

my feet were hurting so bad when i got back to work. i decided to leave work early and head for a manicure and pedicure. it was perfect! except for the fact that i was now running late for practice. oops! i raced to practice and stopped at the nearest gas station for a change of clothes. inevitably, my nails and toenails are bit messed up!
note to self: never get pampered before a run!

the run was great! i can definitely tell i'm getting back into the hang of this! i'm so excited for the actual race! a few of our teammates are leaving to seatle next weekend for their race, we got all teary eyed at dinner talking about the inspiration dinner and event weekend! i'm so excited for them...and wish i was going!

yes, i did say dinner. we went out again last night, but i've decided i'm not going to dwell on my diet anymore. as long as i don't gain anyomore weight, i'll be fine. but i'm definitly going to stay away from fastfood/junk food. for as long as i can. :) i think it will become natural. let's hope so anyway!

juneathon day 16: 5 miles! woohoo

am i afraid of the scale or is the scale afraid of me?

not really thrilled w/myself this week. somehow i managed to gain back 4lbs! i know i've been bad, but i don't think i've been that bad! someone please tell me this is muscle fat that i'm gaining! it has to be, cause while i haven't been eating the greatest, i have still been working out.

i didn't do jillian michaels like i wanted to. i didn't have vigorous workouts this week. i walked on my treadmill instead of ran...okay, okay, i guess i see where i messed up. besides the fact that i haven't been following my diet book :)

that's actually when i started gaining the weight, when i stopped following the book, stopped drinking my green smoothies & stopped working out as hard. okay, i know where i went wrong- now i need to fix it! i'll try and eat well the rest of the week, but on monday, it's back on the diet for me! then maybe i can bring out jillian's 30 day shred again!

this is going to be hard, but this is going to be worth it! i want to be able to face the scale w/confidence next time!

start weight(06/02/10): 141
(06/08/10): 136
(06/15/10): 140
goal weight: 110

juneathon day 15: 2.5 miles + elliptical

juneathon day 14: 50 min (walking) on the dreadmill aka treadmill

i've got a date w/jillian tonight!

i hate reporting after the weekend! i was a bad, bad girl! very scared of weighing in tomorrow. actually, the whole week i haven't been eating as good as i did the first week. i would really like a do-over please!

lots of fast food, mexican food, chinese food...i have no excuses. it made me happy :)

i guess this means i'll have to workout more this week! i ordered the jillian micheals, 30 day shred dvd! it came in sat and i'm super excited to start today!


juneathon day 13: weights

juneathon day 12: 2.3 miles, 30 minutes elliptical, 30 mins cycling!

juneathon day 11: basketball baby!

juneathon day 10: 1 hour of high energy zumba!

just say no

losing 5lbs has sure put a damper on things. i'm scared to eat anything for fear that i may gain it back! well, i guess not that scared--we went to texas land and cattle for lunch yesterday, (my boss took me- i had no choice) i ordered a grilled chicken ceasar salad. i think that's the first time i walked out of there not being stuffed! i usually order the chicken fried chicken which pretty much is the size of the plate itself, and i don't stop eating until it's gone! so, i guess i did okay although my "diet" doesn't consist of any meat w/my salad.

then i had a great 3 mile run at my gym. followed by another 2 mile run outdoors w/my tnt team. it was great! i can't stop saying such great things about my teammates, they are all so nice, friendly & outgoing. i know i've said it before, but this is going to be a great season!

after practice, and here's we're i hated myself in the morning, we went out for drinks! i only had one, and it was an mgd64- only 64 calories, how can it be that bad? i also ordered fish tacos, they were yummy...and i snacked on some sweet potato fries. i really hope these eats don't make it harder for me to lose weight this week or worse gain back a few pounds. i'll just have to workout a little harder these next few days!

also, i had no problem packing a lunch today! a delicious greek salad awaits! dinner will light as well! i feel like i should be wearing one of those sandwich signs saying "do not feed the human!" no more food for me, please! :)

juneathon day 9: 5 miles!

i lost 5lbs!

so, i weighed in last night and i lost 5lbs! i was hoping to lose 2lbs, but i am not complaining- i just hope to be consistent w/this weight loss!

start weight (06/02/10): 141
current weight (06/08/10): 136
goal weight: 110

i guess i'll be continuing this diet after all! although i did veer from the book last night. i treated myself w/a turkey burger on ezekial bread w/sweet potato fries!

i swear it tasted better than it looked! jumping back on the horse today! we also start our first wednesday practice w/our team tonight! not looking forward to running in this humidity though!

juneathon day 8: 3 miles + 20 min of cycling!

today is the day!

last night's dinner: pecan crusted chicken w/green beans and baked sweet potato!


it was delicious! as was this morning's breakfast, egg frittata!


although, i do have to break it to you. today is day 7 of my diet also known as the day i always give up! after breakfast i could not bring myself to drink my morning smoothie. my body would not have it. i couldn't pack a lunch either, i do not want another salad!! it's now lunchtime and i am hungry! i may go down to our office cafeteria and grab a grilled cheese sandwich, i really can't have another salad. i hope i can eat a sensible dinner tonight and not give up because i am doing so well. at least i think i'm doing well, today we shall see! today's the day i find out if i've lost any weight! my goal is to lose 2lbs a week. if i lose 2lbs today, i will be ecstatic! probably the only motivation that will keep me on this diet! so, wish me luck in that i lose those 2lbs this evening!

juneathon day 7: 3 miles + 20 min elliptical!

weekend recap

finally, blogger is back up! anyone have the same problem? didn't seem like it as i kept seeing new posts and getting upset because i could not comment on them!

anyway, happy to report i had a great weekend! tnt kickoff was saturday morning and it was a great one! a full house w/lots of eager participants, it's going to be a great season! afterwards went to the gym and ran 4 miles and 20 minutes on the elliptical while watching a movie on lifetime! this elliptical thing sure is getting easier! afterwards my honey and i went to hooters and a comedy show, we saw comedian, pablo francisco, very funny guy!

followed my "diet" pretty much all weekend. at hooters had some naked wings and celery sticks. (okay, maybe the beer wasn't on the diet) then had some wine at the show, i can honestly say the wine is on the diet! :) i figured since i hadn't had wine all week (as the book allows), i'd indulge a little.

sunday was a wonderful rest day, my bf and i spent all day in bed! he made me breakfast, hard boiled eggs as was previously on the menu. then i decided to indulge a little more-- he wanted whataburger, so i opted for the grilled chicken salad- not too bad. i won't tell you what i had for dinner, okay yes i will, little ceasar's pizza. but i've come to a conclusion that this book (the wine and food lover's diet), is basically about portion control and i only had 2 slices! usually, i could finish the whole pizza if someone would let me! so i was very proud of myself!

today another spinach, mushroom & jalapeno cheese omelet, a salad for lunch and tonight pecan crusted chicken! each w/a green smoothie. this week is headed off to a great start!


juneathon day 6: 30 minutes of yoga

juneathon day 5: 4 miles + 20 min elliptical!

juneathon day 4: 1hr zumba!

win, lose or blog?

no pretty food pictures today. i had fish and green beans for dinner in case you were wondering...and i'm pretty sure you know what it looks like :)

today is nothing special either, the menu called for tex-mex scrambled eggs this morning, but i opted for my own spinach, mushroom & jalapeno cheese omelet, they pretty much have the same ingredients and mine was much easier to make. for lunch: another salad, romaine, carrots, almonds and parmesan. dinner: leftovers, i don't want my stuffed chicken masterpiece to go to waste! w/some sweet potato fries. all meals each w/a smoothie! i spiced it up a bit today and used a "real" recipe: watermelon, romaine, 1 banana and 1/2 juice of a lemon. i really like the flavor of lemon in my drink! the banana not so much, but i could hardly taste it, i only eat it for the potassium.

but on an interesting note, anyone heard of the Win, Lose, or Blog contest? i love the blog world because there's always motivation every page you look! i really hope i get chosen to participate in this contest because it would be a real motivator! of course, the contest doesn't start until june 21st and i hope to lose a few lbs before then! oh well, we shall see what happens!

juneathon day 3: 3 miles and 20 minutes on the elliptical. the elliptical is warming up to me :)

excited about three things thursday

i can't tell you how excited i am for myself.

1. because i made a wonderful dish (picture above), chicken breasts stuffed w/cheese and spinach w/a kale salad! it was delicious, and very easy to make. i hope the rest of these recipes are this easy and this good-- of course i tweak it here and there.

2. we had an office party during lunch, i was volunteered to decorate and serve, oh the torture--brisket, tamales, rice and beans, pasta salad & a ton of desserts!! i kept thinking to myself, well maybe i'll have one tamale when i'm done, maybe i'll have one brownie when i'm done, etc. and when i was done, i came to my office (empty handed) and had my 'romaine salad w/bacon and almonds.' and a green smoothie. this tells me i'm really dedicated to be able to pass up all this delishesness (is that a word?). and truthfully, it wasn't that hard.

3. this morning, my recipe book called for a hard boiled egg. i think the last time i had one was when i was five years old! i really hate the smell of it, but i remember eating them all the time when i was a little girl- i loved them! and honestly, it wasn't that bad, good actually. it could have used some salt but good nonetheless. i had it w/another smoothie.

juneathon day 2: 1hr yoga + 25 min bike ride!(my intentions were to run today, made it to gym only to discover-no tennis :) so much for running on national run day!

the unwelcomed surprise

well, i was very surprised last night when i got on the scale. very much motivated to say the least. my stats are as followed, but in my defense i made the mistake of weighing myself after a workout instead of before so most of it could very well be water weight. i will weigh myself again to be sure.

weight: 141
bmi: 26.8
body fat: 34.6% (average is between 20-34.9)
bp: 86/28

my boyfriend and i were talking last night about when we met 5 years ago, i weighed 110lbs! i've gained nearly 6lbs a year? i've been in denial for a really long time now. my clothes no longer fits me and it's time to do something about it. i really hope this 'wine and food lover's diet' works. wow. am i really doing this? if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is, isn't it? i'm trying it out anyway--what have i got to lose besides a few pounds?

last night i prepared my breakfast for this morning, odette's omelet cups!


a mixture of garlic, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, spinach, kosher salt, pepper stuffed in eggs & shredded gruyere.


topped w/pine nuts and more gruyere. i could've done without the pine nuts and really couldn't taste the gruyere. maybe next time i will use a different cheese and a little more salt.

had this with my favorite green smoothie, romaine and watermelon! i also think i'll substitute the wine for another green smoothie. don't know if i can handle a glass of wine a day. well, i know i could handle it, just not sure it's the best for me :)

lunch: a classic savy salad
dinner: chicken stuffed w/cheese and spinach

juneathon day 1: 3 miles and 10 minutes on the elliptical. don't laugh, the elliptical has never been a friend of mine and i wanted to try something new :)

relax...don't do it!

well, you can sum up my three day weekend with one word: relaxation! i went to my zumba class friday evening and ended the night w/a nice hot shower and turned in early. it seems these are what my future friday nights will hold since i will be practicing early saturday mornings w/tnt again! this will be my 6th season!

practice saturday morning was at 7am, but after kickoff when the season really begins we will be practicing at 6am! ugh! but we have a great team so far and it's really something i am looking forward to--plus the greatest incentive is i'm helping to save lives in the process! we only ran two miles, but my new friend debbie was really fast so it felt more like 5 miles! the sun came up and i don't do well w/that-i had a horrible migraine the rest of the day and spent the day watching lifetime! not too bad if you ask me. note to self: when training for marathon, be sure to add advil to the grocery list!

i was able to spend sunday w/my honey. we spent the morning shopping, had lunch at red lobster and spent the remainder of the evening at half price books. i bought a few books since they had a really good sale going on, (i love memorial day) and one really caught my eye. the wine and food lover's diet!


the introduction went like this, "i love good food. i hate being overweight. i love to drink wine w/dinner. i hate the self-deprivation of dieting." i was hooked. if you've been reading my blog, you know that i've been struggling w/weight loss.(mostly because i don't know how to stop eating and don't exercise as much as i should) anyway, i thought i'd give it a try. becoming a raw foodie may be too extreme for me right now...but i just may continue to incorporate some of the good eats and smoothies!

what i like about this book is it is 28 days and has a menu as well as a recipe for breakfast, lunch & dinner for every day! this is exactly what i need! when i try something new, the longest i last is usually about a week, mainly because i get tired of eating the same things. hopefully this will hold me accountable!

i'm starting this diet tomorrow, since it is 28 days it will end exactly june 30th, the last day of the month. i'd like to think i was that clever, but really, i just didn't feel like going grocery shopping yesterday! :) i spent my day off organizing my closet and relaxing a little more! hey, i work hard, i deserve it! also, i have a feeling this month is going to be a crazy one, so i will relax when i can! today also starts the juneathon!! good luck everyone!