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Deanna does Weight Watchers

Have Some Fun!

I tell many of my weight watcher members that working out has to be a commitment to something you can enjoy. Working out and being active does not have to mean dragging yourself to a gym. There are many days where I really just want to do nothing. Like Sunday. Instead of being active I went to the mall. Ok I still had to walk but that doesn't really count. Last night after working two jobs I told myself 15 minutes. So here is what I did... JUMPED ROPE... Ok yes I wish it was more exciting than that. However whenever I jump rope it always makes me feel like a kid again... I also did a few free weights and used my ball to get in a new ab exercises.

I truly believe enjoying what you are doing is the key to making it stick... What is something you can do today?

Excuses

So lets face it this week has been hot and miserable until the weekend. I was at a 5K race on Wednesday evening and I was talk to a fellow runner named Tom. Tom is something I only hope to be someday... Tom is 82 years old and still running. In fact last spring when I ran the Indianapolis 500 mini marathon he was also there running... yes running 13.1 miles. As we were talking about running and how hot he was that day he said to me there are more excuses for running than not running. He was so right. Too hot, too cold, too tired, too busy. There are a million reasons. The thing that got me thinking is that we both ran that day. 3.10 miles with a heat index near 110. We both finished. I am 28 and he is 82. Our age is backwards. However neither of us made an excuse that day. I even placed 2nd in my divison. I think we often make excuses to not get in any excerise but what if we just stopped making them and did it. If Tom can... I know you can! We have only two weeks of the 100 days left. How are you doing? How will you finish? 

Pre Work Out "Mini" Meals

So today I was reading an article about preworkout mini meals. Lets face it... being active is important. Burn more than you take in. I don't think any of us fail to realize how important that is. I often eat the same old thing before I workout. A piece of fruit or some cut up veggies along side some sliced turkey or chicken. I haven't really ventured further than that because I know its ok with me. Of course I know there are things that don't work. For example things like 100 calorie packs or other low calories "bars" do not work for me. I think for the fact that it is just a processed foods and not enough to sustain me through a workout. The article recommended six different options:

1. Cheese and Fruit (like laughing cow cheese wedges) I can say this never really crossed my mind as something to try.


2. Protein bar. The article recommended a brand called "Kind." If you are like me and google things when you don't know the answer then I suggest google for about a million articles on the best/worst protein bars. I am not a fan. They are expensive and I really leave me wanting something that is actually sweet and satisfying. I have tried several different kinds and none are really something I have to run and buy a store out of.

3. Greek Yogurt with honey. Many people know how much I love Greek Yogurt. It has at least twice the amount of protein in it compared to regular low fat yogurts. I love that you can just add some fruit or some cinnamon and it taste great. However I am not much of a fan of milk products before I work out. This is a personal choice. I defintly recommend Greek yogurt for almost anything though.

4. Hard Boiled Egg and OJ (8oz) Ok this reccomendation is clearly for those who do the early morning thing. I do not do the early morning thing. Although I do think the hard boiled egg thing could work no matter what time you workout.

5. Whole grain waffles (like Kashi) with nuts or peanut/almond butter. I like this idea. Good carb and protein factors. Although again this is for the early morning workout crowd. I already have to get up for work at 4AM so my schedule doesn't allow me to do that. Let me know if you try this and like it.

6. "Farmers cheese" with tomato on whole wheat crackers. The article claims that farmers cheese is very similar to cottage cheese. I don't know much about this and I honestly doesn't show anything like something I would eat before a workout.

So that was the end of the article. I still like the idea of a fruit and protein. A good healthy carb and some protein. Are there other options you love? Let me know!

Red, White Blue Salad

I promised more recipes... I think this one sounds great. The best part it includes a lot of what we talked about in my meetings at weight watchers this week.
Ingredients

1 6oz container Key Lime Yogurt

4 teaspoons honey

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 Jiamca cut into slices

6 cups hearts of Romain lettuce

2 1/2 cups Watermelon sliced

1 cup Blueberries

Mix the Yogurt and honey. Set aside

If you  have  a star shaped cookie cutter use that for Jiamca otherwise just cube it.

Combine lettuce, watermelon and blueberries in separate bowl.

Toss dressing in Salad.
Add Jiamca.

Makes 8 servings

2 points plus per serving

I would even add some chicken breast strips for added protein.

Watermelon... Does our pallet change?

I promised more post about food... I mean we love food right. So one of things I love about eating plain Greek yogurt you can add your own flavors. Today I had a few pieces of watermelon leftover so I added it to my yogurt after my run. I love watermelon. I feel like I could eat the entire watermelon because its so fresh this time of year. My grandmother still laughs that I am willing to eat watermelon. She remembers how much I disliked watermelon. I often wonder if our food pallet changes over time. Things we used to like we no longer enjoy as much or in the reverse. I know that this week at Weight Watchers we are talking about getting fresh. This topic has inspired me many times to try new fruit and vegetables I probably otherwise wouldn't have. What are some of your favorite ways to enjoy fruit and veggies?

Moving right along...

Hope you are enjoying this great weekend.. Here is an update of the last few days...

Thursday I almost got drenched when I went out for a run with my friend Sara. Of course the entire day was amazing and then as soon as we were ready to run here came the rain and hail. It only ended up raining the first few minutes of our run. We did just over 3 miles at her pace and it was nice to take it easy.








Friday I went and worked out with my personal trainer. Since I got off work early I got the workout in early and was even able to do plenty of chores around the house.

Saturday... Holy Hotness. I had to work so by the time I got off work at 10:00 so hit the bike trail for just over 21 miles. I biked from my house to my friends for water refill. It was hot and I got sun burnt but it felt great.

Sunday
I hit the bike trail at 73rd and Burr... ran toward Crown Point. I did 4.5 miles. My calf is hurting slightly but it was a good run. Boy is it hot though.

I am going to be moving the blog more in the direction of tips and recipes since I know many of you love them. I must say this weekend is a tough weekend to stay on course. Sometimes I wonder if weekends like these are harder than Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is only one day but this weekend seems to last forever. Enjoy the beautiful weather and time with your friends and families.