"What? Day: Anonymous?" you may be asking...
Well, after much consideration and loss of sleep over the matter (well, not really), I've decided not to assign days to my posts. Why? I've come to realize that my life hands me daily delays, detours, and unexpected blessings. Sometimes these little interruptions prohibit me from completing my daily run or my daily post. So instead of placing such heavy value on the "day" quantity, I will instead place more value on progress and accomplishments according to whichever variety they tend to happen. Now, don't get me wrong - this is not my ploy to become lazy and inconsistent in my efforts. No, I plan to practice everything I mentioned in my introductory post and do so more and more each day...I just need to approach my writing, ahem, blogging, in a more comfortable, sincere fashion. Okie dokie? Yep, I just blogged "okie dokie"...
As for today's achievements??? Another 3-mile run in the FiveFingers - whoop!whoop! However, today was a bit rougher and a bit more forced. I'm still trying to figure out my optimal time during the day for effective running. Will keep you posted once I figure it out...
On the menu:
Breakfast - Organic whole grain mini bagel with cream cheese (oops!)
Lunch - Banana, kiwi, apple smoothie made with almond milk
Dinner - Possibly appetizers at my most favorite Vail restaurant, Kelly Liken. Don't worry! I'll make health-informed choices while dining out and vow to uphold my vegetarian promise. Kelly makes it easy to eat well at her restaurant, for she prides her menu on locally/regionally produced food (often organic)....so, there!
Oh, P.S. Please notice to the left side of my blog I have posted a new link to "Food Matters". Find a good time to visit the site...very interesting stuff!!!
Until tomorrow (or whenever it is that I post again), VIVA BENE!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Day 5, ahem..I mean 6
THREE WHOLE MILES in my Vibram FiveFingers today!!!! As I mentioned on my Facebook status, it may be a microscopic step for mankind (if that), but it was a huuuuuuuuuuge leap for me! I could literally feel that pregnancy weight eating my dust..what? Anyway, it felt great. I think I broke that threshold of discomfort and explored only the beginning of my possibilities as far as running is concerned! I hope to reach the same mark tomorrow, if not a mark farther down the road.
To celebrate, I think I will enjoy some fresh cherries, grapes, and raw almonds. A mouth-watering fruit smoothie is on the menu for lunch, and perhaps a ginormous mixed greed salad for dinner! Sophia will join in the fun and endulge in some mushed avocado later this evening...I know, you can barely contain your excitement. ;-) Until tomorrow, VIVA BENE!
To celebrate, I think I will enjoy some fresh cherries, grapes, and raw almonds. A mouth-watering fruit smoothie is on the menu for lunch, and perhaps a ginormous mixed greed salad for dinner! Sophia will join in the fun and endulge in some mushed avocado later this evening...I know, you can barely contain your excitement. ;-) Until tomorrow, VIVA BENE!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Day 3/4 Weakness Exemplified
Ugh! I'm so sorry to be a no good piece of solid disappointment, but I must confess that Day 3 consisted of a too-far delayed attempt at a run resulting in horrible timing and a shaky start and run-cancellation due to lightning....boo. Now, I know I seem like the Excuse Queen (already!), but I truly did want to go running, and I was totally psyched about it, but mother nature and my common sense decided together that a run wasn't in the cards. So, I instead prided myself on my still-successful vegetarian diet and only faltered a little at the end of the day to have a homemade mexican tortilla and part of a dark chocolate Toblerone bar - yikes!
Today (Day 4) was a bit better, but it was crowded by many side activities and a 6am wake-up by a little Miss Someone...
Dietary Journal in the abridged version: granola, fresh fruit smoothie, almonds, caprese sandwich on whole grain.
Running Log: Quick little family jog down the street...not even 2 miles - A DISGRACE, I KNOW!!!!
Exhausted.
Day 5 will be a better day, I'm sure of it!
Today (Day 4) was a bit better, but it was crowded by many side activities and a 6am wake-up by a little Miss Someone...
Dietary Journal in the abridged version: granola, fresh fruit smoothie, almonds, caprese sandwich on whole grain.
Running Log: Quick little family jog down the street...not even 2 miles - A DISGRACE, I KNOW!!!!
Exhausted.
Day 5 will be a better day, I'm sure of it!
Friday, June 25, 2010
Day 2: Shots and Snuggles
Okay, okay...it's not what you think. I have not consumed a shot since my bachelorette party two years ago. However, Miss Sophia was subjected to her 4-month vaccinations yesterday. She was a total trooper and cried for only about 10 seconds, but the shots did cause her to feel a bit "ugh" the rest of the day. I, therefore, had to sacrifice my run to comfort her. No problem, since "Sophia snuggles" are the best thing in the world, but I was sad to skip a day so early on in my training. Sigh - oh well, that's motherhood for you!
As far as my dietary journal is concerned, I won't bore you with over-the-top detail, but I will give you the highlights:
Mediterranean Chicken Platter (HOLD the chicken!)...My father wittingly commented, "That's like ordering the 'filet mignon' hold the 'filet'" - Maybe so, but without the chicken the platter is still a hearty combination of hummus, avocado, cucumber, tomato, kalamata olives, and feta cheese......Mmmmmmm!
For dinner: A delectable "fruit and cheese fantasia" platter inspired by the oh-so-delicious "Pita Jungle".
Running today...I promise! Will report tomorrow :-)
As far as my dietary journal is concerned, I won't bore you with over-the-top detail, but I will give you the highlights:
Mediterranean Chicken Platter (HOLD the chicken!)...My father wittingly commented, "That's like ordering the 'filet mignon' hold the 'filet'" - Maybe so, but without the chicken the platter is still a hearty combination of hummus, avocado, cucumber, tomato, kalamata olives, and feta cheese......Mmmmmmm!
For dinner: A delectable "fruit and cheese fantasia" platter inspired by the oh-so-delicious "Pita Jungle".
Running today...I promise! Will report tomorrow :-)
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Day 1: Granola, Vibrams, and the Rocky Mountains
Dietary Journal for the Day:
Breakfast = Non-existent due to a mad rush out the door for Sophia's 4-month wellness exam....she passed with flying colors, my little lump of perfect love!
Brunch = A bowl of wonderfully delicious Bear Naked granola (perhaps the best granola on the market - all natural and surprising low in calories. My favorite flavor is the flax-enhanced one with dried blueberries...YUM!) with some almond milk. Yes, almond milk; not to replace the protein value achieved in regular cow's milk, but to avoid excessive dairy intake - and again, low in calories!
Snacks = Fresh plum, and half an avocado with a small scoop of organic red pepper dressing!
Late Lunch = Cheddar cheese on organic whole wheat bread and a banana
And finally, Dinner: Homemade caprese salad, again with whole wheat bread and a slice of watermelon for dessert!
Da-da-da-dummm!!!! An entire day without sweets, meat, or junk - only the rest of the days of my life to go....
Running Log:
As expected, my first Vibram run was terribly weak in comparison to the 5-mile mountain runs I used to do in running shoes before I got pregnant. Now granted, running with Vibrams, while in the long-term will benefit the body, in the short-term, causes the body to re-train itself to place one foot in front of the other in a swift motion. Ahem, I am also going to take the easy way out and blame part of my struggle on the last 15 pounds of pregnancy weight I currently carry in my midsection.
All excuses aside however, a run is a run, even if it is a sorry 1.5-2 mile, gasping-for-breath, crawl through the neighborhood. At least the first one is out of the way. If I can convince my terribly sore, Vibram-conditioned muscles to crawl out of bed tomorrow, I will hopefully accomplish another jaunt - hopefully one of greater achievement, but I know, I know - "take it slow, one step at a time." Until then...
Breakfast = Non-existent due to a mad rush out the door for Sophia's 4-month wellness exam....she passed with flying colors, my little lump of perfect love!
Brunch = A bowl of wonderfully delicious Bear Naked granola (perhaps the best granola on the market - all natural and surprising low in calories. My favorite flavor is the flax-enhanced one with dried blueberries...YUM!) with some almond milk. Yes, almond milk; not to replace the protein value achieved in regular cow's milk, but to avoid excessive dairy intake - and again, low in calories!
Snacks = Fresh plum, and half an avocado with a small scoop of organic red pepper dressing!
Late Lunch = Cheddar cheese on organic whole wheat bread and a banana
And finally, Dinner: Homemade caprese salad, again with whole wheat bread and a slice of watermelon for dessert!
Da-da-da-dummm!!!! An entire day without sweets, meat, or junk - only the rest of the days of my life to go....
Running Log:
As expected, my first Vibram run was terribly weak in comparison to the 5-mile mountain runs I used to do in running shoes before I got pregnant. Now granted, running with Vibrams, while in the long-term will benefit the body, in the short-term, causes the body to re-train itself to place one foot in front of the other in a swift motion. Ahem, I am also going to take the easy way out and blame part of my struggle on the last 15 pounds of pregnancy weight I currently carry in my midsection.
All excuses aside however, a run is a run, even if it is a sorry 1.5-2 mile, gasping-for-breath, crawl through the neighborhood. At least the first one is out of the way. If I can convince my terribly sore, Vibram-conditioned muscles to crawl out of bed tomorrow, I will hopefully accomplish another jaunt - hopefully one of greater achievement, but I know, I know - "take it slow, one step at a time." Until then...
Why? and... How?
Well, basically this is my attempt to "practice what I preach". After giving birth to a most beautiful baby girl this past February, I am on a mission to reclaim my 25 (almost 26) year-old body and to conquer a healthy and simple lifestyle for me and my family. I must admit, much of my motivation stems from Christopher McDougall's recent book, BORN TO RUN. I fell in love with his journey and vowed to complete a similar experience of self-bettering. Therefore, it is here that I will journal my daily running progress, dietary habits, and any other life-improving components that may come my way.
The running portion of the journal will be highlighted by a barefoot approach accompanied by my new pair of Vibram FiveFingers (a much talked about running phenomenon in McDougall's book). It will undoubtedly begin with meager and embarrassing attempts at the sport, but will hopefully end in a victorious half-marathon....or who knows? Maybe even a full marathon...but probably not.
The dietary habits will hone in on my attempt to live an organic, naturalistic, semi-vegetarian lifestyle with my husband and daughter. Keep in mind, this will be a very difficult feat for me to accomplish, for I am a die-hard lover of white breads, hearty pasta dishes, and the occasional, succulent filet mignon. But no, from here on out, it is fish only, along with whole grains, fruits, veggies, and the occasional surrender to red wine and dark chocolate!
So please, bear with me as I embark upon this probably painful, but ultimately rewarding journey - while I train to become a "real runner" and a healthier life-liver (as in one who lives, not the organ). And as the small, Italian script reads on my lower back: VIVA BENE!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)