colorful madness

Today I participated in The Color Run 5K in Atlanta. It was probably one of the most fun things I have ever done. It is SO nice to find exciting, healthy exercise. The craziness around me kept my mind off of the running, and the end result was awesome! I have washed my face three times, but my neck is still blue and I have a pink mustache; very embarrassing but totally worth it. The Color Run is a nationwide tour that goes to multiple cities, most likely one near you! I would highly suggest attending. This race is focused on having fun with those you love, not on who can be the fastest and the fittest. It intentionally encourages you to relax and enjoy yourself and those around you. Truly one of "The Happiest 5Ks on Earth!"

adventures

today was such s gorgeous day! took my pup to the park so we could both have some fun in the sun. it's a nice form of non-torturous exercise. i let rollie take the lead and snoop and play to his hearts desire. now im headed to the gym to break a real sweat! ;)

thinspiration thursday

With my weight watchers going pretty smoothly, I am doing my best to keep it that way. It is a constant struggle for me and I am trying to remind myself that it is a LIFESTYLE, not a DIET. I'm trying to condition myself to make healthier choices, not starve myself in the process. I am focusing on planning accordingly for times I know there will be possible temptations and slip-ups, and understanding that it is all a part of being human. Live a little! So far, I am enjoying the challenges of planning, choosing, and then finally enjoying what I eat, without regretting it immediately after. In an effort to keep my enthusiasm up, I am going to begin Thinspiration Thursdays, where I will share sources for motivation and encouragement for that particular week. This week, I have had this quote laying heavy on my mind, and it has helped me to remember to be strong, proud, and determined: (via MyFitnessPal)

I am not naturally skinny; never have been, never will be. But I know that if I work hard and put in the effort, I can become someone that I am happy to see in the mirror every morning.

wok it out

tasty dinner whipped up in about 5 minutes! totally weight watchers friendly! consists of: fresh zucchini, baby bellas, and red pepper (about half of each container/veggie), sautéed in a wok using reduced sodium soy sauce and little bit of minced garlic. I chose to top it off with a small amount Parmesan cheese like one of my favorite downtown athens restaurants does (transmetropolitan, for anyone who is wondering). so tasty!

lunch

weight-watchers friendly lunch in my ADORABLE monogrammed lunchbox I got for Christmas from my cousin! lunch consisted of fresh pineapple, cantaloupe, and grapes with a diet cherry coke! meant to take a picture but I ate it too fast! :)

watching

started weight watchers today. after spring break (and eating like an ogre), i am determined to get myself on track and stay that way. i signed up for three months, and i am aiming to lose as close to thirty pounds as possible in that allotted time. wish me luck! i actually had a really good day with it today; i am l-o-v-i-n-g the looong, long list of zero point "power foods!" I had an entire plate of fresh fruit, plus yogurt, for 3 points! I love that weight watchers focuses on encouraging healthy eating, rather than just tracking calories alone. below is a screen shot of what i ate today, followed by a list of all the "power foods." if you don't necessarily want or need to sign up for weight watchers, at least knowing this list will send you in the right direction towards making healthier choices! bon appetit.

Weight Watchers "Zeros":

Acorn squash

Apples

Apricots

Articoke hearts

Asparagus

Bamboo shoots

Bananas

Bean sprouts

Beets

Bell peppers

Blackberries

Blueberries

Broccoli

Broccoli rabe

Broth

Brussels sprouts

Butternut squash

Cabbage

Carrots

Cantaloupe

Cauliflower

Celery

Cherries

Clementines

Cranberries (fresh)

Cucumber

Dates (fresh)

Diet soda

Eggplant

Endive

Escarole

Fennel

Figs (fresh)

Fruit cocktail (in water)

Gelatin (sugar-free)

Grape leaves

Grapefruit

Grapes

Hearts of palm

Honeydew

Horseradish

Hot peppers

Hot sauce

Ice pops (fruit-flavored; reduced-calorie)

Jalapeno peppers

Jicama

Ketchup

Kim chee

Kiwi

Kohlrabi

Leeks

Lemons

Lettuce

Limes

Mangoes

Mixed greens

Mushrooms

Mustard

Nectarines

Okra

Oranges

Papaya

Passion fruit

Pears

Peaches

Pickles

Pico de gallo

Pineapple

Plums

Radishes

Raspberries

Rhubarb

Rutabaga

Salsa

Sauerkraut

Scallions

Seltzer

Side-salad without dressing or croutons (fast-food)

Soy sauce

Snow peas

Spaghetti squash

Squash (all types of winter and summer)

Steak sauce

Strawberries

String Beans

Spinach

Sugar snap peas

Tangerines

Tomatoes

Turnips

Vinegar

Water chestnuts

Watercress

Watermelon

Zucchini

YUM!

With that being said, read this short article on weight watchers "zeros" before going too crazy!

An Entire List of Weight Watchers "Power Foods" can be found here.

discovery

my newest obsession. soo sweet and ZERO CALORIES! too good to be true? that's what I thought. thank you, tazo.

i love love

"do small things with great love." -mother teresa

payton is truly the best! he definitely knows the way to my heart... through mary kate and ashley! and vogue! i dont need expensive flowers or candy... the most important thing about valentines day is show the people you care about that you understand them. give them small, special things that show that you truly care to know about them; pay attention to their likes and dislikes, and strive to make valentines day a personal way to say "i love knowing who you are." just my personal opinion on the day of love.... :)


anyway, payton and I had a very laid back vday, filled with homemade lasagna (not healthy) and frozen yogurt (also not healthy). don't they say love makes you fat? it's true. hope you got to spend valentines day with the ones you love and who love you in return!

trying again

I have been doing a terrible job of dieting recently. I mean terrible. I have had one excuse after another and I keep promising myself I will do better, but I never do. I think I get overwhelmed by my ultimate goal of 40 lbs, so I just quit altogether. I am setting myself a new goal of 10 lbs by spring break, which is in approximately 5 weeks. I think I can do it if I put my mind to it.

Thanks to Pinterest (my largest addiction besides coffee) I have found some "thinspiration."

improvements

Today my BodyRock workout consisted of the second fit-test of the 30 Day Challenge. These "fit-tests" are designed to track your improvement throughout the course of the 30 days and show you how your hard work is paying off! Not aware that I would be doing a fit test today, I ran two miles beforehand. I still improved, though, so I am happy. The fit-test consists of seven exercises: squat jumps, push ups, burpees, high knees, switch lunges, tuck jumps, and sit ups (or "straight abs"). The goal is to do as many of each exercise as possible in 50 seconds, allowing a 10 second break between each one. My scores are as follows (don't judge! I'll be the first to tell you I am horribly out of shape!):

Fit Test #1 (01/11/12):

Pushups: 20 (girl pushups, ha!)

Squat Jumps: 30

Burpees: 9 (these are so horrible)

High Knees: 135

Switch Lunges: 19

Tuck Jumps: 13

Sit Ups: 45 (more like crunches for me)

Fit Test #2 (01/28/11): 

Pushups: 42 (+22)

Squat Jumps: 40 (+10)

Burpees: 14 (+5)

High Knees: 177 (+42)

Switch Lunges: 33 (+14)

Tuck Jumps: 29 (+16)

Sit Ups: 56 (+11)

Since starting BodyRock, I've also lost 5.4 lbs (with fluctuations galore). These workouts are only 12 minutes long, but they are INTENSE! They are the only form of exercise I've been doing, apart for the occasional jog, and it has been enough! I am hoping to get rid of my lazy bone and start running + bodyrocking, so maybe I will see even more improvements! 

I have also decided that for every 10 lbs. I lose, I will reward myself with a present! Yay! Halfway there.... I think I'll start with this or this or this or this or this or these ... the list continues. (These may be slightly unrealistic since I am a poor college student... but a girl can dream)

dress up, get down

KAΘ fOrMaL 2k12 was so fun! After taking care of a minor mishap that felt MAJOR (the button popped off the back of my dress before I had even been in it an hour), we had a wonderful dinner at The Capital Room. It's always fun to get dressed up and feel swanky and important! Ha!

rollie

Not much going on my way... I have my first formal tomorrow and I'm super excited!! Pictures to come, of course. It's been quite a to-do finding a dress, but five dresses and three separate trips to Atlanta later, I've found one! My dad actually picked it out, how funny!

Anyway, I am dedicating today's post to my sweet pup, Rollie (pronounced Raleigh). After many months of nagging, my parents have finally agreed to let him make the big move to Athens to live with me!!!! I am SO excited, but I'm also nervous about the added responsibility. I am eager to test myself and my abilities to be grown up, haha.

I haven't been behaving as well as I should this week (tisk,tisk) but I am promising myself that I will do better! But I am SO proud of my brother, Jonathan, and his wife, Alitia! Received word they have begun exercising together and Jonathan has lost 7 lbs!! THAT'S A NEWBORN BABY! so proud! Also proud of my mom, who has been going to Zumba every day. She even bought herself a awesome new pair of Zumba kicks! Go mom!!

instaglam

Had a rough day today, so I thought I'd take the time to remind myself of the little (and big, and huge) things that I am lucky to have and that make me happy... while maybe also giving you a small amount of insight into who I am (plus I'm slightly addicted to instagram right now)