Hungry? I don't think so.

One of the biggest complaints you often hear from those who are trying to begin healthy eating is that they will be hungry. Today I saw this picture on one of my friend's Facebook accounts.

Source: NWI Ridge Runners

This really got me thinking about how satisfied we can be making good decisions. I also read an article on one of the most inspirational blogs I read often. Eat what you want and lose weight. Although sometimes we really want the snickers we know the fruit is a better option. The key is balance. If you are going to sacrifice most of your day on the snickers then you need to balance the remainder of the day with some really good decisions.

So I will leave you to ponder this and think about what healthy options you will make today...

100 Day Challenge
Day 42 Sunday June 10th
15 min walk
3 innings of softball
Day 43 Monday June 9th
I had to rest. My body is aching badly from Saturday's run

I love weekends!

Weekends are great! This one was no exception.
Saturday Morning:
Woke Up 3:50am headed into Chicago for the Allstate Chicago 13.1
Met up with the Chicago Running Bloggers before the race

Back Amanda, Kayla, Zach, Sara, Maggie. Me
Middle: Amanda, Cary
Front: Xaarlin, Kim, Britt

I felt fairly good at the start line. I wish I had been able to go to the bathroom again but the lines were way too long. I also met some really nice people in my starting corral. Even a couple who was in Chicago for their honeymoon and decided to run!

The heat really started to get to me right away. By about mile 4 I was so hot and unable to figure out a hydration routine. I even had to go to the bathroom which I have never had to do at a half. At mile 7 they gave away towels which helped but after another mile or so I was miserable again. They were giving away ice chips and I never should have passed on them... Maggie had the right idea what to do with them... I am really glad thanks to Maggie that I won a free entry. Even as bad as I felt I still feel pretty good about how I did at the race. I had to walk through almost every water stop from 9 until the finish. I knew at mile 10 I wouldn't not make it in under 2 hours. However I always say it is just about finishing for the most part. I knew I just wanted to finish. Not every run is going to be perfect. I am pretty happy with the results.

Once I was done running I headed to the shuttle back the Museum parking garage and ended up talking to a really nice runner named Megan. I love how nice the running "family" can be. After showering and cleaning myself up I set out for some fun. My friend Sherry and I went up to Wrigley Field and saw the Brad Paisley/Miranda Lambert Concert. We had a blast. Sherry is a great friend and we always have so much fun together. 

Then today came. I was tired and slept later than I have in a really really long time. When I was planning my Sunday grocery trip today I remember I had been craving an Arby's Chicken Salad Sandwich. 

How amazing does this look? The problem? Check out these stats:
Calories 840
Fat: 44
Carbs: 81
Fiber: 6
Protein: 34
Points Plus Value: 23!!
Since I only get 29 points plus values per day... I didn't think I could sacrifice this many points so I made my own:

Ingredients:
Since grapes aren't really looking that good right now I put a couple cherries in it.
1 can 3oz canned chicken
3-4 Cherries Cut
1/4 apple
1-1.5oz Greek Yogurt Plain
3 halves Pecans smashed up
1 Serving (although you really could make it 2)

This is what it looked like all mixed together

This is what it looked like on the bread as I was about to eat it.

Review:
Was this as amazing as the original from Arby's.. well maybe not. Was it worth 4 points plus and another 2 for the bread... Oh yes!!! So making this myself I saved myself 17 points plus values. A  great summer treat for lunch.

What did you enjoy this weekend?

Chocolate

Recently someone suggested that I stop talking about running so much... so this run will not really be about running but something I find equally loveable... CHOCOLATE!

A customer gave me a box of dove chocolates a couple weeks ago... I have been sloooooowly eating a few pieces here and there... This is much easier said than done. However many times when I discuss my reason for success is never deprive yourself. Not everyday is going to be perfect or go as you want it to. The key is to not let everyday get out of control. One of the reasons that also really like the dove chocolates is that they are only 1 points plus value each. So although you could get out of control if you eat several pieces they are really worth that 1 points plus value. I prefer the dark chocolate because I think it perfectly hits the spot. Although my second favorite by far is the one with almonds. I also really like that all of the candies have these little clever sayings on the inside of the wrappers... today mine said this...

I could not agree more. Especially when it comes to your weight loss journey. There are always going to be days when you have to learn from something. One meal, one snack, one workout... there are so many days or instances that you have to live and just learn from. I often say the key is bounce back as soon as possible. Have a bad breakfast then lunch and dinner need to be better. Never start tomorrow or next week. Start right away. I even admit this isn't always easy for me. I have often thought... well I already screwed up so much. This is the problem. We need to learn and move on. The good thing is that there is always chocolate. Just try to have only 1 piece.


What is your favorite chocolate?

100 day Challenge day 38
4.60 mile run with great friends

National Running Day

Today is National Running Day... you know what I truly believe is awesome about running we can all feel accomplished on all different levels. If you ran for 5 minutes straight and you feel good then that is an accomplishment. If you can't run yet so you walked today that's an accomplishment. If like my friend Sara you get out for 1.24 miles with your 4 year old in tow... major accomplishment. There are no rules for being a runner. Being a runner means you go out and give it your best no matter what.

Today I set out for my typical Wednesday night group run in Schererville. I love group runs because I love that there is always someone there who will help motivate you for the run and it almost feels like someone has your back during the run. Today we set out to run between 4 and 5 and we did just that. It felt great and an awesome way to celebrate one of my favorite days of the year. 

100 Day Challenge Day 36 June 6th: 42 minutes running

Did you celebrate national running day?

Something New

The best part about running a tough race is going out to celebrate. After the drive back from South Bend I took some time to relax, have lunch and take a good nap....Who doesn't love good nap.

Saturday evening we headed out to Michigan City for dinner and a night on the boat.

We woke up bright and early Sunday morning and I headed out for my first fishing experience on Lake Michigan.

I learned a lot about fishing... there is a ton involved that I would never have known. It was a great experience and I even caught a fish! I really cannot thanks my boyfriend Jason, his boss Mike and their friend Ken for having me on their day of fishing. I am firm believer that you should not take any day for granted and that you should really try as many new things as possible. I even got to keep some of the fish and will be able to enjoy some really good meals out of it... I have never made fresh fish... I am hoping some of you have some really good ideas for me.

100 Day Challenge Catch up:
Sunday Day 34... Walked around the Marina in Michigan City and played softball... Check!
Monday Day 35... 31 minute walk around Crown Pint on a beautiful day.
Tuesday Day 36... 3.64 mile run

 I also found this new food find. The best part... only 3 points plus values each... I enjoyed them with some yummy asparagus.










Have you tried anything new lately?

Sunburst Half Marathon Recap

If you read my blog enough you know I run and I freaking love it. I also really love doing race because you just never know what can happen...

So I completed my 2nd half marathon of 2012..
Sunburst Half Marathon
South Bend, IN
College Football Half of Fame to Notre Dame Stadium 50 yard line

My friends and I went over to South Bend on Friday and had dinner at a local Italian place called Carmela's.  I had a really good Eggplant Parmesan.

Saturday Morning we got up very very early and prepared for the race. My friend Nora and I had to ride the bus from the finish line to the start line.

Then we had to patiently wait... The 5K kicked off while we were waiting but it was slightly chilly so I had my garbage bag to keep me warm. Many runners wear shirts they can throw away. I love the garbage bag because it is perfect for the first mile or so until my body warms up.

Honestly the weather was perfect and there were really several shadded areas and tons of water available to runners. I really enjoyed the course. Several residential areas throughout South Bend and ending at the Stadium where the Irish play. Even a Cincinnati girl like me can appreciate how amazing that place is. I also was so lucky that the weather was so good. Normally they have much higher temps for this race. I got out to a pretty quick start and the miles were just passing by and passing by. Around mile 7-8 I even ran into this girl out on the course. She totally kicked this races butt and I was so excited to meet a fellow blogger especially one who I won a free race entry from. If you click the link you can also read all about her experience from the race. Around mile 10 I was hot and my stomach was really starting to turn. So I walked the next several water stops and really took in some cold water. I have several friends who had previously run the race so I knew that around mile 11 there was going to be 1 more major hill.. I was so ill prepared... the hill really got the best of me... I pushed hard and when I saw mile 12 and could hear all of the cheers that last burst of energy really got me going... I just couldn't wait to get into the stadium and I could see it getting closer and closer. When I looked down at my watch I knew I had already ran more distance than the race was supposed to be so I had to find one more burst of energy when I hit that down hill that took me through the tunnel and I saw 1:55...1:56 I pushed as hard as I possibly could and made it in just the nick of time for a  1 hour 56 minutes and 36 seconds later.... I was the 494th person to cross the finish line. I was the 23rd female aged 25-29 out of 102 finishers.. ... last year I did a 1:56:50 on a full length course. Amazing!! I was so proud of myself and all the fellow runners. I also love a race that gives money to a good cause like the children's hospital. Post race they served up some yummy Popsicle, chocolate milk, fruit, bagels and Cheetos. I loved the Popsicle since I was so warm by the time I finished. and I have recently jumped on the refuel with Chocolate milk bandwagon.

It was an amazing race... I ran almost the entire race with this guy... My friend Tim who hit a PR... He did amazing and I am so proud of him.

Nora and John are some friends from the local area who also preformed really great.

I finished and it was an amazing day....

What did you accomplish and feel good about this weekend?

Watch me cross the finish line...

Sunburst Races 2012 to be Streamed Live Online | Memorial Sunburst Races | Annual marathon, half marathon, 10K and 5K runs, and walks in South Bend, Indiana, benefiting Memorial Children's Hospital.