80% of your body, is made in the kitchen.

This statistic is no joke people and I've learned that the hard way...

This past week was Christmas which meant 11 days off of work, family in town, gatherings around big meals and lots and LOTS of baked goods. I entered the week being 45 days into my TurboFire Challenge - about half way through so I felt like I had done SO well that to let go a little bit would be okay.

Nope. Not the case one bit.

Even though I stayed within my calorie limit most days, what I ate was not quality. Not one bit. White bread, yeast rolls. Chocolate chip cookies. Yellow cake with milk chocolate frosting. Cookie dough batter. Ice cream. Wine. Chocolates.....

And yes... the chocolates....my family gets chocolates from a local company, and around Christmas they come in a 2lb box. We've gotten so good at learning the designs on top of the chocolates that 90% of the box we can figure out and pick through. On the last night of my binge, I went as far to take the chocolates we didn't know and eat half to discover what was inside. Seriously? Disgusting.

I am so, so upset with myself. I have had a major set back... my pants are tight again. I feel bloated... and gross. But this has been a good reminder that I am only human - and it was a real learning process to how quality food impacts our bodies and how we feel. I'm sleeping poorly, I feel pale and over all just swollen. I'm disappointed in myself.

Except now it's time to move on from my pity party and make better choices. I've prepped a few good meals to have in the house, along with healthy snacks. I've made a list and will be headed to the store tomorrow. All junk has been eliminated and it's time to move on. I can not fall into the habit of "tomorrow I'll restart". No. Today is the day to restart. It's time to take charge and do something about it!

Holiday Woes

I don't do well with the holidays. Period.

I don't know when it started, why it started or how it started, but Christmas is a time of year where I end up being really..... sad. Take today for instance. I go into the Giant to purchase food for dinner tonight. Neale is coming over and we are going to check out the lights on 34th Street. While I'm in the Giant, Christmas music is playing in the background and its slow - just instrumental - but slow. As I walk down the bread isle, I come upon an older gentleman. Hunched over, without a wedding band, trying to decide what kind of bread to buy. He just looks so... alone.

Then my brain starts working over time - how do people celebrate the holidays alone? Will I look like that some day? Will Neale? It then moves to my grandmother, how she is now in a home, for the holidays. She won't come to our house for dinner like the last 30 years, instead she'll sit in a home with other people that have Alzheimer's  I smile as I think that maybe she doesn't even know it's a Holiday. But, it's Nanny. She will always know it's a holiday in her heart.

In a small way it bothers me when I mention this to people and they look at me with that face of "You're just being silly..." and say "Whyyyyyy?!?!" I want to look at them and say - because it's my feelings. It's how the holiday makes me feel, and you can't do anything about it, so don't judge me like I only feel this way for attention. Most times I don't even say anything.

So here we are upon another holiday... trying to smile and make it through. If anything, at least I have 11 days of break to look forward to. Right?

Marathon training - and your relationship

Yesterday while completing my last long run in this phase of marathon training I came to a realization. I mean, I run on a trail in the middle of nowhere so I have a lot to think about while I'm out there chugging away.

This time around, Neale is training for his first marathon and I am training for my 7th. Lucky #7 so I call it. Simply because this is my last ever, full marathon. People will tell me - oh, you say that all the time! - but really, this is it. My body just can't take much more of it anymore, not to mention the time commitment. I'm really tired of giving up one day of my weekend to run long distances, nap and be groggy for the rest of the day. I'm also secretly hoping I can plan a wedding and a family in the somewhat near future - and by that I mean within the next 10 years before my child rearing days are over :)

But, Neale and I don't run together. I'm fully confident if we did, we'd kill each other. Well, more like I'd kill him. He runs at a different pace, he's very motivating, however, running has always been a very solitary event for me. So really, I don't want his advice. He doesn't want mine. We won't listen to each other and what it really comes down to, we have different goals. He wants to race his 26.2 miles without seeing anything or even stopping to take a cup of water, while I don't mind doing a run/walk, saving my legs and simply.... finishing.

So yesterday I came to the conclusion that really, just like traveling  marathon training will make or break your relationship with your significant other. You will learn lots of things about each other - such as one person may complain ALL the time, the other person may experience pain you've never experienced so you really don't know how to help them, one of you may be more stubborn then rocks and you need to invest in getting your friends to talk to them about things like - nutrition or needing new shoes because we all know - if it comes from you - they won't listen - but it if comes from someone else - it's got to be true!

At the end of these 4 months, Neale and I have certainly learned that we do many things very well together all the time! However one thing we don't do well together is... exercise. Which is funny considering we met at the gym - but really, we have come to agree that we both have different goals in driving our exercise.

And at the end of the day, this is OK. We still maintain that common understand that health and fitness is essential to our lives and we will still support each other in our goals.

It's a good thing this is my last marathon, because I honestly think Neale will never run again when this is over!

Holiday Eating

I get a lot of articles from various websites all geared towards what's hot, new topics etc. Lately, the biggest topic I seem to be reading about is "How to Survive the Holidays".

Hmm... How to Survive The Holidays.

In a perfect world these articles to go into detail on how to handle your mom that doesn't eat, your sister that's moody, how to handle visiting more then 3 houses on Christmas - you know, the more practical things you encounter as an adult. But no, they all provide tips and pointers on how to safely eat your way through the next 4 weeks.

How to safely EAT YOUR WAY THROUGH THE NEXT 4 WEEKS.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but those of us that change our habits (ie: working out, eating habits, sleeping habits) are looking to change our habits for life. Not just momentarily. Right? Meaning, in reality if you've "changed your habits" you shouldn't be making December 25th all about stuffing your face.

However, out of all the tips I've received this far here are a few of my favorites:

• Write it Down
• Keep exercising
• Get junk out of the house
• Offer to prepare the healthy dish
• Maintain portion control
• Don't beat yourself up

We all know I'm a fan of tracking. Mostly because what your brain doesn't remember, your body will. And let me tell you, your body will remind you in the worst ways - bloating, tight pants, buttons that hardly fit. Sometimes all of our eyes are a little bigger then our stomachs. But my all time favorite tip is "Don't beat yourself up." We all love those special treats, so go ahead and have a nibble. Don't beat yourself up. Eating is fun when done in moderation! Don't let one day impact the next 20 after. Don't let one day cause you to forget the last 40 days of hard work and eating right. 

I'll leave you with this - more often then not the food we eat with our families during the holidays is food we can actually make at any given time during the year. Whatever that special dish is that you don't have any other time of the year (My mothers chocolate chip cookies) then go ahead and have a few. 

That's what makes it special. That's what makes it worth the treat. 

Fib Bit vs Bodymedia Fit Link Review Time

Lots of people have done reviews like this, but really, let's face it. I had to see the results myself in order to believe which is better.

The fitbit is a discrete little tool you can wear on your bra, tshirt or pocket of your jeans. It looks like a little black pedometer. It tracks your steps and connects to a database when you come within 15 feet of the stand. As far as accuracy is concerned, it tracks steps very well. As far as calorie burn is concerned, I feel it's accurate about 90% of the time. Also, the calorie intake data seems to skip around on what you can eat and what you can't throughout the day. I don't find this very dependable.

Bodymedia Fit is an arm band you wear, very similar to the Bodybugg. I actually believe they are made by the same company. After a week of wearing it 23 hours a day, I feel I can make a detailed comparison  The Bodymedia also has a website activity  manager that the data can upload to, however you have to remove the device to hook it into your computer. You can track on your cellphone using Bluetooth a few of the features such as calories burned, the current deficit  steps and activity level. It coordinates with MyFitnessPal which is great, considering that is a calorie counting website I really like.

The Bodymedia Fit has allowed me to see that on average I burn between 2300-2700 calories a day just acting normally - without working out!!! Which means that eating a diet of 1200 calories is TOO much of a deficit. Therefore I've upped my intake and am noticing good differences! I am also able to see what times during the day I am most active. It has encouraged me to pick up extra activity by taking the dog for a walk during lunch time. This is motivating! For me, it's beneficial to see the actual math of the deficit so I know when to stop.

I would highly recommend it!

Thanksgiving - My Survival Guide

We made it through Holiday #1... Thanksgiving. How did you do?

I spent the days leading up to the big day reading and looking for additional support on how to survive. Most of the articles and message boards recommended the standard morning workout, don't skip breakfast, continue with your usual eating plan and realize that, while yes, Thanksgiving is the pinacle of all good food coming together - it's not the only time for an entire year you'll have that food. You can  make turkey breast, stuffing, sweet potatoes, peas and everything else any other time of the year. There's no real point to eating like you're never going to see that food again.

Here's how I did it:

• TurboFire Fire 55 EZ - this workout along is a 800 calorie burner. It's an awesome routine, and the more you become familiar with the routine, the harder you bust it out. 
• Breakfast: Shakeology, half a banana, tbsp of almond butter, 10oz of water and 5 ice cubes
• Snack: about two hours later, 6oz of yogurt and 1/4 cup raw granola
• First Thanksgiving meal: These are all estimates. 2oz turkey, 1/4 cup stuffing, 1/4 cup mashed potatoes, green beans, 1/2 small roll, 1/4 mac and cheese. I was able to get little bits of everything - just enough to satisfy my needs. For dessert: 1/4" slice of pumpkin roll. Total: 520 Calories
• Second Thanksgiving dinner: 3oz turkey breast, 1/4 stuffing, 2/3 green beans, 1/2 cup of corn, 1/4 cup mashed potatoes, 1/4 cup Fat Free gravy. Total: 323 calories. 

Not bad!!! Most people consume twice that in just ONE meal!!! I was able to get everything I wanted - good and bad and make it through two Thanksgiving dinners with two families. 

So, it's possible... It's very possible to make it through a huge holiday - centered around food and survive having everything you want. This is an absolute first for me! 

20 Secrets of Fit People

A post I found that I thought might be helpful...use these tips as a daily reminder :)

20 Secrets of Fit People:

• Look at exercise as a pleasure and a privilege, not a burden or chore. Think positively about the changes regular exercise will produce. Rather than obsessing about your next meal, get excited about your next workout!
• Focus on short-term fitness goals with an emphasis on completing daily exercise.
• Work to take your exercise to new levels of intensity.
• Make it your goal to do some form of exercise 6 or 7 days a week. If some days you exercise once in the morning and once in the evening, even better! If you're eating right, exercise will fuel your energy level!
• Create an exercise schedule the day before instead of leaving it to chance or waiting to "find" the time. If the last three Presidents of the United States can make time to work out every day, you can make time too!
• Enjoy contributing to the health of others by having a partner or friends to exercise with, as well as recruiting others who want to feel better and have more energy. Have a neighbor who's sitting on the porch every morning when you walk by? Ask him or her to join you on your walk!
• Avoid monotony by taking up new forms of exercising, or using things that keep you motivated and inspired, like new shoes or great music.
• Invest in the right tools—good shoes, a portable MP3 player or iPod^®, fitness equipment, a new series of tapes, etc.
• Subscribe to fitness magazines to keep focused on health as an overall way of life.
• Eat well-balanced meals and remember that excess calories, even if they're from food that's fat free and high in protein, will turn to excess weight. No matter what the latest fad diet says, extra calories equal extra weight!
• Limit caffeine and exposure to even secondhand smoke.
• Keep a water bottle with you at all times and drink from it often. Water should always be your drink of choice. To kick things up every once in a while, try adding lemon, lime, cucumber, or a few berries to liven up the flavor without adding significant calories.
• Stick with eating plans you can maintain indefinitely. Remember that no matter how hard you're working out, if you're consuming too many calories, you'll never see the muscles that lie beneath layers of fatty tissue.
• Keep a daily log of what you're actually eating. This includes every time you grab a handful of chips here or eat the crust of your kid's sandwich there, and ALL of your snacking.
• Enjoy an occasional (once a week) "unhealthy" treat, but never an unhealthy week or unhealthy vacation.
• If your diet is unbalanced, take daily vitamin and mineral supplements for total health.
• Don't compare your body to others'. Instead, work to be your personal best.
• Move beyond the boundaries of weight loss and into total fitness. Measure success by the way your clothes fit, not some number on a scale.
• Get adequate amounts of sleep, but remember that people who exercise regularly fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly.
• Limit alcohol intake to special occasions

Your goals? Guess what... they take work!

That's right. Change doesn't happen immediately. As with most things, you need to take each day - one at a time.

When I decided to go back to weekly Weight Watchers meetings, I had come to the realization that the 13 pounds I had gained over the last year and a half, weren't going to come off over night. I think most people finally realize they are ready to embark on the mission when they come to some sort of realization, like - the need to buy new clothes because your size is going up, being tired of feeling sluggish, fed up with how you look and feel. When this realization happens, you are more likely to pick a plan and stick with it. Because you realize that results don't happen overnight.

For the past week and a half, in the middle of the night I've been waking up. Why? This morning I realized it's because I am SO excited to get up and do my TurboFire workout that I literally lay awake in bed and think about it. It's helping me get more into a routine with working out in the morning and I LIKE THAT! During my workout when my CD skipped this morning and I needed to take it out - I put in a CD I knew would work. I was so amped to workout, that I was ready to do anything!

Once my workout was complete, I made my breakfast of chocolate Shakeology with two tsp of PB, a banana, 8 ounces of water and 4 ounces of skim milk.

I was in such a great mood that I was ready to begin my day. My mood was so great, that it was noticeable to those around me. What a great start to the week!

Training Run Day -12 miles

Today is a day off from TurboFire and a day on the trail. Back into marathon training mode. Long run today is 12 miles. My 10 miler was pretty poor about two weeks ago, but since then I've been training on the bike and doing TurboFire. I also cleaned up my diet some so I'm hoping I see the benefits of that while I'm out there.

I'm playing with the idea of becoming a Beachbody coach. Actually, I'm about 90% of the way there. Maybe even 95%. Having access to so many great programs at a discount, while being able to help others reach their goal is pretty neat. Also doing it at the same time makes it more achievable because I can speak from personal experience. My only reservation is I'm a little worried I won't be able to bring the business quite like Risa (My coach who would be my leader) is looking for. But hey, I could always give it a try and see where it goes. Knowing me, I put my all into every opportunity.

I have, however, made the decision to go back on Shakeology. After 5 days of drinking it regularly, all cravings are gone. I'm satisfied after every meal. Heck, I was able to eat two girl scout cookies last night and willingly walk away from the box. I also have noticed I'm not hungry every second of the day anymore. Plus, now that I'm back into remission (with my UC) I've noticed it's really help with my regularity.  That, right there, is full reason to keep drinking it!

Today's a beautiful day in Maryland. Hope everyone enjoys their Sunday... and GO RAVENS! :)