A Mindful Monday

Hey Jeni! 

How are you? Did you have a nice Monday? 

At first glance, you might think that this post is about yoga or meditation. Alas, it is not! Today I was more mindful about my body and how it feels. 

I'm not going lie, I've been having a hard time this month. I have been dealing with a lot of inflammation weight and last week I went a little too hard for my knees. Now I am feeling like a mentally deflated (read: physically inflated).  

I think back to my challenge and where I was going with my body, both physically and nutrition wise. I've really blown things up in the past month. I've been over-eating, under-sleeping, and now I've overworked my good knee. 

What am I doing?! 

So yesterday I reset the clock to try and get things on track. I need to be mindful of what I am putting in my body and what I am doing to my body. Plain and simple. I think to myself, was I having a lot of fun doing what I was doing this past month? Was it all worth it? Ehhhh, I don't think so! 

I am also trying to understand what set me on this path during the past month when I was so close to reaching an ultimate goal. Maybe it's a little self sabotage. Maybe it really is all about missing peanut butter. 

Either way I will keep you posted. I'm ready to get everything back in order again. Let me know if yu have any suggestions. 

Xoxo

Jeni

MAY Your Day be Sweaty and Bright!

 

 

Hey Jenne!

 

 I can't believe it's MAY! We might actually be out of winter and into Spring!  HELLO outdoor sweat sessions!  I love the fitspo pic I posted, it really is a great feeling, isn't it?!  I really loved your updates this week.  I am so glad you are able to do workouts with your challange buddies- working out with friends makes it about so much more than just weights and reps.  We need to plan our girls weekend of biking and beaches!!  We are so close to bikini season... I have never been excited to get into a baithing suit, but this year I actually feel strong and empowered and ready to strut.  I have my eye on a saucy black number from VS!  How about you, will you treat yourself to a new suit after all of your hard work? 

 

  This week I was short on time, so I focused on my kettlebell workout (which I am freakin' loving!!) I feel bad ass with my new imporved abs!   I have read so many articles lately about the benefits of weight training for runners.  I am seriously interested in becoming a more balanced athlete.  Nutrition, strength, running and stretching need to be in balance, not any one should be more important than the other.   It is now just 15 days until my next half marathon and I have a GOAL to meet! 

 

  Your chia seed pudding looks so delish!  There is a paleo restaurant in the city that Mel and I went to the night before our race last month that had baller chia seed pudding, I am so hooked.  I didn't realize how simple it is to make.  Hello weekend treat! 

 

  What's on your agenda this weekend?  Looking forward to your updates!

 

Keep up the good work lady!

xo

Jeni

An important first...

Hey Jeni, 

Glad that you are working on your diet... I have been blowing mine off for a week, I need to get back to my veggies. Tonight I wanted frosting, at least I made it homemade right? 

But more importantly... I have an important photo to show you...

Is this the biggest fake out or whatever? Sorry, I couldn't resist. This post will not be about my before and after photos :-)

Today was my first bike ride of the season! It was so exciting.  I did about 15 miles and kept up a pretty solid pace between 16-17 miles per hour. I was quite impresses with myself. Last season (my first) I was excited when I was over 12 miles an hour.  I have a lot of work to do to prepare for my upcoming Tour de Cure ride (http://main.diabetes.org/goto/jennro) on June 8th but I am up to the challenge! 

I am also considering commuting to work this season. I found a real sharp internal hub 8 speed bike, I am hesitant because I want to be sure that I am willing to commit to commuting. Right now my commute is about 2 miles total. It is not a big deal. I do not want to get into the habit of saying, "I'll ride my bike to work tomorrow" and never commute. I love the bike I found, but I need to ensure I am ready! Did you ever find a bike? 

As for the before and after, I am preparing that post and hope it will be up for you very soon. 

Please keep me posted on your running progress. 

Xoxo

Jenne

Sugar Free and Happy

JENNE!

  I can't believe so much time has gone by since I have been able to really check in with you.  I am so excited for you and your final weigh in.  The Winter is such a hard time, for so many reason and much like Bears, I sometimes wish I could just sleep my way through it.  I know, that you have been working hard and getting closer and closer to your fitness challenge goal.  Just imagine the results you will have once you can head outside and on your bike!!  If it hasn't yet, I'm sure the sun will head to Rochester soon!  As far as Spring in Germantown, it has arrived- just yesterday.  It is 55* today and sunny and I can not wait to get home and go for a run!  I haven't been able to run for a week.  The last few days of our trip were so hectic and we spent a lot of time in the car.  My last run was in Arcata, CA (the picture above).  It was so beautiful there and so warm.  

  In diet news: I have been put on a non-yeast, non-sugar, non-gluten, non-processed food diet.  I was really sick the last week of our trip and it is a Candida issue.  That's the yeast that's naturally found in your body.  Sometimes it can take over and it is really bad.  5 years ago I was put on the same diet for a year and a half and I felt great... until recently.  Now it's back and worse than ever... the Dr warned that if a person has repeated issues with Candida overgrowth, it can be warning signs of adult on-set diabetes.  WHOA.  I cried!  Not only am I seriously and admittedly addicted to sugar, I could be giving myself diabetes.  WHAT IS MY PROBLEM!?!?  well the last 4 days I have been so good!  Eating so clean and so wisely.  I have taken the time to make all of my meals and to really acknowledge what it is my body needs.  With only 2 days sugar free, the rash on my face went away (it's been there for months).  I guess all of this is just my body telling me to straighten up!  

 How have you been doing with your chips and queso addiction?  Will you have before and after photos??  I'd love to see them!!

Looking forward to your updates!

all the best,

Jeni 

Choose your Friends Wisely!

Jenne,

    Let's address these brownies...  First off, while reading your post I realized junk food is such a Fr-enemy!!  It is so seductive at first and you think that they will make your life so fun and be there to support you during tough times... the next thing you know, they are stuck to your hips and talking trash behind your back!!  Girl, we're too old for Fr-enemies!!  Alright, all joking aside, I think sometimes revisiting old habits is necessary to remind us why we wanted to make a change to begin with... When I have slip-ups I try to determine why (my fr-enemey is definitely Milano Cookies).  Here are the 3 reasons why I sometimes reach for the MC's.  #1. sometimes I don't budget enough time to be able to eat real meals or search out healthy options (that's a lesson I am learning- making time for proper nourishment should NOT be taken lightly).  #2. sometimes I'm having a terrible day or I am stressed emotionally and I think, Milano's will give me the answer I need (WRONG).  #3. sometimes I am around other people that don't make their health a priority and I pick up on nasty habits (let's hope they don't jump off a bridge...) I need to remember I'm an individual with individual needs and not to follow along with my friends, just " 'cause ".  So, did you consider why you ate the brownies?  In short, I'd say I would stop feeling guilty and evaluate your reason for your over-indulgence and then go Pin some healthy eating inspo's and move forward!

How was your weigh in??  I can't wait to hear all about it!

I hope you have a wonderful day!  

Hugs and Kiss and Fantastic Fitness Wishes!

xo

Jeni 

A Week in Review

Jeni, 

I know. I've been gone again! Things have been a little hectic. I also have crafted a few notes to you, but then I've had some updates! 

I learned a few things this week: 

1. Starch= more than just potatoes

2. I can give up diet/light products

3. I am really loving avocado

4. Strength training is important

5. I <3 8 hours of sleep a night

So I've been making some dietary changes lately along with my challenge. Things have been at times easy and other times hard. I met with a trainer at my gym the day after our birthday and I got some personalized recommendations: 

1. 8 hours of sleep at night

2. Drink at least half your body weight and + when working out

3. If you want to eat something, don't bother with the diet version, eat the real thing

4. No sugar or starch after 4pm

5. No nuts

6. Organic animal products and byproducts only

Now, #5 and #6 are personalized to me based on some things but #1-4 are pretty general.  

So back to #1, I didn't know how many things were considered a starch! This week has been more difficult as I cut things down. The past few days when I was busy and having some work stress, I just wanted carbs! CARBS! Chips and salsa, ice cream, fruit, everything! I stuck it out pretty good though and I've been feeling great.  I eat more things (like cheese) that I've been trying to avoid because its "bad" and enjoying it. And I haven't gained weight! In fact, I am heading in the other direction. 

I will keep you posted on this. I am going to wind down before my new 9:30pm-10:00pm bedtime and think of my workout plans for tomorrow (spin? weight machines? row machine?) 

How has your diet been going lately? Have you made any healthy changes? Are you drinking enough water? 

Xoxo

Jeni