Food continued...

Totally forgot to take pictures of my lunch and dinner...

They were both simple, lunch was leftovers from dinner last night, some chicken croquettes and roasted broccoli.  Dinner was chicken and roasted veggies.  I'm heading to bootcamp in a bit, so I will have a protein shake after...which reminds me I should post some of my favorite shake recipes!

All my meals are pretty basic, it is nice to keep things simple.  Makes it easy to throw together after work.  I like to plan out all of my meals, snacks included for the week, that way I know exactly what I'm eating and I'm not as likely to stray.  I am planning on meal planning and prepping stuff this weekend hopefully I will remember to take some pics and update here.

Feeling good!

For the past few months I have had an awful time eating healthy. All I was craving was sweets and I ate whatever I wanted.

I decided this year it was time to get back on track. And for the first time in a long time I actually feel really good about it. Since New Years I haven't had any sugar or white flour and I'm actually not craving anything. I can't believe how well it's going, normally at this point, I'm ready to give up and cheat. I already lost 2.9 pounds!

I'll post my meals for the day- here are my breakfast and morning snack:


For breakfast I had chobani Greek yogurt with granola, flax & chia seeds and a piece of whole wheat banana bread (made with honey & plain Greek yogurt)

Morning snack was cottage cheese and cashews.

More later! :)

Gotta have goals!

The one thing I have learned through out this whole process is that I have to set goals.  Whether it is to lose 5 pounds, or to not eat chocolate for a week (something I still struggle with constantly), I need to have something that I can strive for.  I need to have something to push for, as my motivation.

My goal at the start of the year was to start running.  That was a huge deal for me!! I have always hated running! When I was in high school and we had to run the mile, I used to get out of it because I had knee problems.  Now I really did have problems with my knee (I blame the 15 years of dancing) but I could have at least tried, but I didn't, I just got myself out of it.  I was always the kid that chose the least strenuous 'sport' to play in gym. 

So this spring I started running.  I started out by using the Couch to 5k program, but then just started running on my own.  I found that I had a lot more stamina than I thought I would from working out at Next Level.  I knew that I wouldn't get myself to keep running with out a goal (especially once I moved to Jersey), so I signed up for 2 5ks! I ran my first 5k in July; Utica, NY's Boilermaker Road Race. It was my first 5k, I'm not very happy with my time (38:11), but it's something to work on. 

Sprinting to the finish!!

Photo Courtesy of WKTV New Channel 2

I just wanted my finishers pin! 

I am so happy to say that I ran it! I want to improve on my time next year, and then someday I would like to be able to run the 15k...that's a goal I need to work towards.  

I ran my second 5k, and the one that I was most excited for (and nervous about), this weekend.  I ran in the Warrior Dash in Windham, NY! What is the Warrior Dash, you may ask? Well, they describe it as a run "where 12 obstacles from hell await you along this 3.20 mile course" and I think that's a pretty accurate description.  With one thing left out...they don't tell you that it is up a ski mountain! And when I say up, I mean reallllly far up, and steep!! There was a huge group of us from Next Level that went and ran together.

Photo Credit- Cyndi St. James

Have the huge group made it a lot of fun.  I stuck with my friend Christie for the run, and I won't lie that first half mile sucked! But once we started getting to the obstacles, we started to forget about the hill, and then it started going back down.  It was so much fun! I can't wait to do it again.  My goal for next year is to do 3!  I  wasn't running it for time, I just wanted to finish without killing myself.  But next time I'd like to try and push myself more.  But I made it and got my medal!

Here's some of our dirty group at the finish and my sis and I with our shirts, medals and viking hats:

Photo Credit- Cyndi St. James

Sister Warriors!

It was a fantastic weekend, and I am so happy to say that I finished 2 5k's (and I'm registered for 2 more this year!)

Now I just need to set some new goals...I'm thinking of working my way up to be able to run the Boilermaker 15k by 2014, so maybe some 10ks for 2013. Plus, I want to run at least 2, if possible 3, Warrior Dashes in 2013, plus the Mighty Run (more on that later).  The other thing I've thought about training for is to do a triathlon sprint....gotta look into that and figure out some training.

Remember to set those goals and push till you achieve them! You can accomplish anything you set your mind to!!

Me, David and Kristen
Next Level Strong
Beast Mode!