I FEEL SO GOOD

I am feeling so great! There is definitely something to be said about getting in shape, you just FEEL so much better. I love the feeling when I wake in the morning and my body feels just so fantastic. It really helps motivate me to get to the gym. I feel like I'm making a huge lifestyle change. Not that I was super unhealhty before, but cooking at home, eating healthy and getting my body in shape is just so vital to the way I feel. I am happier, I have more energy, I get A LOT more done during the day. Using my bodybugg, I figured out that on day's when I'm doing things all day, I meet my calorie goal. Days that I take long naps, watch TV, or just "mope" around, I have to do like 2 extra workouts! So I make it a priority to move move move throughout the day. I don't have to do anything drastic, but even things like folding laundry, cleaning the kitchen, putting toys away, burn a lot more calories than just sitting. Now there are days that I do have to work at my computer, but as long as I get some movement in throughout the day, I'm fine. This makes such a huge difference in my household chores--things get done!

Another thing I've found that ruins my calorie goal is sleeping in. I rarely do this as the mornings are my favorite time to work out, but on the occasion that I do sleep past 8:30 or 9, WOW does it make a big difference, I really have to make up for it. This in turn also makes my day more productive.

I'm also eating a lot better. I have found things to cook that are healthy and yummy at the same time. Before this year, Boyd and I were eating out almost every day, sometimes twice a day. Not only was this unhealthy, but EXTREMELY expensive as well. Last month we only spent $50 in eating out!!! I was shocked and amazed at this! And my grocery bill wasn't even that much either. You can eat good for less, it's possible. I'm eating a lot more fruits and veggies. I'm not a huge veggie fan, but I've found clever ways of disguising vegetables. Like cooking spinach with garlic and adding it to a whole wheat pasta, or cutting sweet potatoes (which are delicious) into strips and then baking them like "french fries", or my new favorite: caulliflower "mashed potatoes"-- here is the recipe, they are so yummy! (although I didn't fool Boyd, he still thinks they taste like caulliflower, darn)
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/george-stella/mock-garlic-mashed-potatoes-recipe/index.html
I am also not depriving myself. I eat chocolate everyday in some way or another. Whether it's a skinny cow (their new truffle bars are AMAZING, only 100 cals and 12 carbs) or a few Hershey Hugs (only 25 cals each!), I fit in a treat somehow, and I am still losing weight. The secret really is moderation.

As you may know from earlier posts, I am "training" to run the SLC 5k with my Mom on April 18th. Those of you that have known me a while know that I am NOT a runner. I did Swim Team and Golf in high school--because you don't have to run in those sports! But I've always wanted to be a runner, runners typically have long lean bodies which I want. So in getting ready to run this 5k, I've been gradually running. I started out just doing 0.5 miles on the treadmill, then outside, then a mile on the treadmill, then outside...and so on. I noticed on my bodybugg that I burn the most calories when I run, i.e. more weight lost. Today I ran a mile and half outside, no stopping. I felt GREAT!! I kept thinking about the 5k that I'm going to do and how good it's going to feel. I am really enjoying running and am excited to take it further.

My friend Loni did the Nike Women's Half Marathon in San Fran last year and she was telling me how cool it is. I've been checking their site to see when the one this year is because I was thinking about training for it. Well I checked it yesterday and registration was already over! BUMMER! However, I found out that there is a 1/2 marathon in Disney World next January (2010). I'M GONNA DO IT!!!! I am SO excited about this! I have 10 months to train for it, and although I've never been a runner, I have complete faith in myself that I can do this. Boyd said that he's going to do it with me too, and so is my mom (yep that's right, now you're officially committed Mom!). The race is through Epcot and the Magic Kingdom and it looks like a total blast. I think it will be a great goal to have. I need to always have something that I'm working towards to keep up with my fitness routine. Anyone else that wants to join us is more than welcome! The more the merrier! It's going to be a fun weekend in Walt Disney World!!! Here is a link to the website, I'm going to register soon because it's filling up!

http://disneyworldsports.disney.go.com/dwws/en_US/events/eventDetail/detail?name=WdwMarathonDetailPage


Yep that's me on the right. Except when I run it, I'll have a better body than the one in this picture, lol. Can you envision yourself in the pic too? :) I hope so!
After I meet my weight loss goal, this blog will become my "running" blog... so stay tuned!!