Category Archives: Health & Fitness

February 5, 2013 · 3:30 PM

Pancakes! Pancakes! Pancakes!

Today is National Pancake Day!

Normally I would love to toss the kiddies into my truck and head over to iHop for some pancake delishiousness, but that’s just not happening. Instead, we have decided to make some for dinner tonight, right here in the comfort of our home.

The boy has requested traditional pancakes, the girl will most likely want chocolate chip and I’m going to have a banana protein version.

Of course I had to hop on Pinterest to see what they had for inspiration and as usual, they didn’t let me down. I found a paleo version of the pancakes while just browsing thru what the people I follow pinned. (Thanks Jackie!)

So here is the I found and what I’ll be using in the kitchen tonight:

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This stack of fluffy goodness is made from 4 simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand!
Photo and recipe from RecipeBoy.com – Click on the photo to view both!

I’ll be using this recipe to create all three variations I mentioned above (unless the picky boy sees me, then he’ll be having Bisquick pancakes….don’t judge!) I think I’ll add some cinnamon and a scoop of vanilla protein powder to my banana pancakes….think a healthy version of banana bread!

Do you have a healthier version of pancakes that you love? Care to share your recipe? (wink wink)

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January 28, 2013 · 4:22 PM

Slow Going, But Still Moving

icy roadsWell, after cranking out 27+ miles in one week, I managed only 6 miles last week. Sigh…

I know, 6 miles isn’t awful and it’s only 4 miles off from the minimum of 10 miles per week that I set for myself. Little setbacks just tend to aggravate me, and so does having my routine thrown off!

Mother Nature has not been cooperating with my goals as far as running goes. Last week it was brutally cold out and it brought my routine to a screeching halt. I don’t mind running in the cold at all, however when you team -16 wind chills up with icy roads, it raises the risk of falling and breaking something. That doesn’t sound like fun to me and would end up halting my goals even further!

As a result of moody Mother Nature, I’ve been lifting weights, doing yoga and tossing in some of the Quick Workouts I have post here in the past.

I really wish I liked the treadmill, I’ve just never felt comfortable on one and as a result, gave ours away a few years back. I was supposed to head out and hit the pavement today, but the snow started sooner than I hoped and the roads became slick very quickly. Hopefully tomorrow I can squeak a few miles in since I’m at a total of zero miles for this week. Sigh…

What do you do when Mother Nature rears her bitchy head? Do you push through anyway or hit the treadmill instead? Any tips on learning to love the treadmill?

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January 20, 2013 · 2:00 PM

It’s Official…I’ve Lost My Mind

lost mindI decided this year would be the year I find the fun in fitness again. As I have mentioned before, I decided on a few “fun runs” to do in the summer, and I’m absolutely stoked about them.

Yesterday, I opened up Groupon as I normally do, hoping to find a deal on something I can use. What did I see? A Groupon for the Rugged Maniac 5k in July. What happened next? The wheels in my head started spinning, insanity took over and I purchased two Groupons for the event!

In case you don’t know what the Rugged Maniac is, here’s a little video to shed some light on this:

Of course I watched the video AFTER talking my husband into it, purchasing the Groupons AND registering for it. I knew it was a mud run. I knew it had lots of obstacles. My inner athlete swears I can do this, my inner wimp is currently cowering in the corner. (My inner wimp can be pretty dramatic at times.)

I plan on using the The Rugged Regimen which is the training guide provided by the Rugged Maniac website to prepare.

Overall, I think this is going to be a tremendous experience for me. I’ll be leaving my comfort zone, training in ways I haven’t trained in a long time and spending time with some amazingly fun people! What more could I ask for?!

Have you ever done a Rugged Maniac, Tough Mudder, Warrior Dash or Spartan race before? If so, I’d love to hear any tips you have to offer!

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PS: If you are local and want to join the fun, let me know! The more the merrier! I’ll also be posting info on Foam Fest, The Glow Run and The Color Run as I sign-up.

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January 19, 2013 · 4:57 PM

{Update} 26 Miles For 26 Victims

Last week I blogged about signing up for the 26 Miles For 26 Victims event that #FurtherFasterForever was running over on their site. When I decided to do this, I knew it was a lofty goal, but I knew I was capable of doing it.

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This was not an easy to do, especially for a newbie to running like me. My legs were sore, my knees started to hate me and I ended up doing quite a bit of speed walking during some of these miles, but I did it and that’s what counts!

I am over the moon happy with this accomplishment, but the cause I did it for is such a somber one. Each one of those miles I ran represented a child or teacher that was taken from their loved ones too soon. A person who set out about their day like we all do, everyday. A child who was excitedly waiting for Santa to arrive and teachers who were planning their shopping and holiday festivities with loved ones, but never got to see those anticipated moments.

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Each mile made me appreciate all that I have, especially the two miles that we did as a family. It might not be much, but it is mine and I will treasure it for as long as I am blessed enough to have it.

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January 17, 2013 · 1:30 PM

Healthy Apps – Part 2

Not too long ago, I did a Fitness Friday post featuring different fitness apps (which you can find here….hint hint) that I had grown to rely on during my fitness journey, as well as some new ones I had just downloaded and decided to try out.

A few of those new apps I have since deleted, while a few others, like Nexercise, have made the cut and I’m now quite fond of. Despite the fact you have to have your phone on you ever when lifting weights to get full credit for the workout….I find that part a bit lame.

Anyway…I’m sure the fact that I was on Pinterest and stumbled upon an interesting infographic will not surprise any of you. So try to contain your laughter and eye rolling and check it out:

Healthy Apps infographic

Do you use any of these? If so, which are your favorites? I know I’m going to download the Smoothie Selector app to see what it’s all about! I’m also curious as to what these sleep apps are.

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January 16, 2013 · 11:30 AM

{Wordless Wednesday} My Week In Fitness So Far

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January 15, 2013 · 1:06 PM

What’s Your Super Bowl Game Plan?

game playIt’s quickly approaching! Super Bowl Sunday is right around the corner and that means Super Bowl parties and snack food galore!

You know what I’m talking about…. Nachos, Wings, Dips, Pizza, Chili, Chips, Desserts….you name it! All lined up on a table, waiting for you to stuff your face with them while you scream, laugh, curse and catch up with family and friends.

If you are one of the many people who made getting in shape your New Years resolution, it means you’ve been putting in some serious gym time and watching what you eat. Why toss that all out of the window for one party? Granted, some of you are reading this and thinking, “I’m entitled to a cheat day!” or “One evening of eating these foods won’t kill me.” and you’re right…but why waste all of those calories or tempt yourself to travel back down the road of poor eating habits when you don’t have to?

What you need a is a healthy game plan!

Here are two links to some recipes that look great and will save you calories, while giving you the flavors and foods you associate with Super Bowl parties:

Better Homes and Garden: Healthy Game Day Snacks

Eating Well: Healthy Super Bowl Recipes and Menus

For the most part, it comes down to using lower fat/calorie dairy products or substituting some Greek yogurt in place of sour cream, baking instead of frying and using as many fresh ingredients as you can. You will always have more control over what you put into your body if you are the person preparing it because you are in charge of the ingredients. I know it’s easier to pick up the phone and order a few pizzas, but I highly recommend preparing some items from scratch, on your own. (If you do order, at least opt for a thin crust with veggies….please!)

If you are hosting the party, or just staying home to watch, you’ll have a little more say on what gets served for the game watching festivities. However, there is nothing wrong with bringing something to party if you are invited somewhere. Your host will appreciate it and you’ll know there is at least one healthier option for you.

Also, don’t forget that beer can eat up a lot of your calorie allotment for the day, plus it also contains a lot of sodium. If you choose to have a few beers during the game, opt for light varieties and don’t forget to drink water between drinks!

Another tip? Don’t skip your pre-game workout! Hit the gym or go for a run before you head out for the big game. Doing so will not only burn calories, but it’ll start your day off with a healthy mind set and you’ll be less temped to sabotage yourself once you arrive at the party!

If you try any of the recipes from the sites above, please let me know. Also, if you have lighter versions of football snack food favorites, please feel free to share a link to the recipe on your blog or post the recipe below!

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January 13, 2013 · 4:47 PM

26 Miles For 26 Victims

This week I will be pushing myself harder than I ever planned, but the cause is one that touched me deeply.

I will be completing 26 miles from January 14th – January 20th as part of the #FurtherFasterForever Sandy Hook Elementary School Memorial Run & Ride.

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The Sandy Hook Elementary School Memorial Run & Ride is an opportunity for you to get out and be active while donating 100% of the entry fees to the victims families and first responders of the tragedy that happened on December 14, 2012 in Newtown Connecticut. #FurtherFasterForever, an online community of athletes will be donating 100% of the entry fees to the HopeMob for their projects in Newtown and Sandy Hook Elementary.

If you would like to join, you can do so by CLICKING HERE.

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January 9, 2013 · 9:13 AM

500 Miles or Bust!

500 milesThat’s the goal for 2013!

I have until December 31, 2013, to complete my goal of logging 500 miles of running. I’m both excited and nervous about this new chapter in my fitness journey.

Setting a running goal is something I decided I wanted to do before the holidays, but I never thought about setting a mileage goal until I read this blog post. I had just downloaded the Run to 5k app and set a goal of being able to run a full 5k by the spring and once I could, I’d start working on my time. After reading that blog, I realized that setting a mileage goal was a fabulous idea and would help to keep me motivated.

It breaks down to roughly 10 miles a week, which isn’t too crazy. Granted, there will be weeks when I may not be able to hit the 10 miles. I’m sure there will be weather, soreness and other outside influences and set backs, but I’m pretty confident that I can make it up when the weather warms up or by adding an extra shorter run to the plan.

As for right now, I’ve been running at least 3.1 miles (a 5k) three times a week. It’s a walk/run combo that is moving more towards a full run. That distance includes a 5 min walking warm-up and cool-down, which I hope to tack on in the beginning and end of the full 5k (to increase my distance) as I become more confident in my running. Today my legs are really not happy with my running three consecutive days, so I plan on doing some lifting, a nice yoga session and then seeing how I feel as the day progresses.

(It’s going to be almost 55 degrees in January! I don’t know if I can resist going out for one today.) I am however, smart enough to listen to my body. If my legs protest, I’ll do an easy run with lots of walking. (Mileage is mileage and an injury will just be a major set back that I do NOT want!)

Part of my goal is to also get used to running on different terrains, since I do an annual 5k that is mainly on a wooded trail. For the most part I have been training on pavement, but last week I added my local fitness trail back into the mix. I am much slower on the rocky terrain and my legs fatigue much faster, but that’s okay! I feel a much different burn when I’m doing it and I go into it knowing that it’s going to take time to adjust.

Sooooo…wish me luck as I run towards my new goal! I haven’t felt this inspired since I did P90X for the very first time 3years ago!

Want to join me in a 2013 goal? If so, let’s hear it and cheer each other on!

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January 3, 2013 · 8:27 PM

Keep On Rolling, Baby!

If I ever hit the lotto, I will have a personal masseuse to address my sore muscles and help work the daily stress out of my tired body. Until then, I’ll have to settle for massage gift certificates on special occasions and my new foam roller.

For the longest time, I saw fellow fitness friends tweeting about foam rolling and how blissful it was, but I had no idea what it was. I began looking these foam rollers up on-line and realized that I could truly benefit from one. I have always had super tight hamstrings and hip flexors, so seeing that there were ways to roll these areas to lengthen and stretch them intrigued me. I figure it could also come in handy now that I’m running more. My legs are always tight and sore post run.

Thankfully Santa (aka my husband) bought me one for Christmas! He got me a textured roller made by Gaiam which also came with a massage routine DVD. I’ve heard that the textured ones give a deeper massage to the muscle and can take some getting used to. Hopefully it’s not too painful at first…I can be a wuss at times.

I also found this handy graphic on Pinterest (of course) which I think will come in very handy.

Foam Rolling

Do you use a foam roller? If so, do you have any tips or techniques? Please feel free to share below!

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