Vacation is Coming...

I spotted this strangeness on the sidewalk while taking the long way home on Monday.  Um, really?  Let's be serious for two seconds - Bruce Willis does not rock in any possible way, end of story.  Whoever did this has a tiny little feeble brain. 

Besides observing all things weird (also came across some guy doing magic tricks on the subway) I've been hitting the gym a lot this week -

Monday's workout:
1 mile at 8:57
1 mile at 8:34
1 mile at 8:20
1/2 mile walk, and run thereafter till 35 minutes
This workout was typical and nothing special, but I kind of wanted to die.  My legs were tired, I was sweating like I was in hot yoga, and it was a struggle.  Maybe, I was more bored than anything, this treadmill nonsense is getting really old.

Tuesday's workout:
35 minutes on the elliptical
60 minute weights and core class
Just a regular Tuesday...

Wednesday's workout:
5k - first half at 8:42 pace and second half at 8:06 pace
followed by a half mile cool down and then a sudden urge to do just a few hill repeats -
4.7% incline at 8:49 pace for 0.25 mile, power jog a bit back at 1.0%, repeat x 3
(Lesson learned here: hills are hard work even when not running explosively fast, I should do more of them)

I got my number for the B.A.A. 5K in the mail yesterday!  This was a nice reminder that I best not embarrass myself in a few weeks and also that I need to try and run while on vacation next week!  When it comes to working out on vacation, I'm all for it as long as I have access to a gym or someone can run outside with me (I'm terrified of getting lost).  This doesn't mean that I won't relax, I'm going to relax the shit out of this vacation.  - Eat, Swim, Run, Relax, Read etc.

A Run and an Easy Low Carb Lunch

This week wasn't great for my diet.  I forgot to eat breakfast a few times (this zapped my energy), there was often no time to eat lunch (you'd think I'd lose weight from that), and there was far less working out because I had no energy to do anything.  It's cool, I have one more full week before we head out on vacation so this week's 0 pound movement is not a big deal, I can improve that next week:

Feb 4th weigh in: -0.5
Feb 11th weigh in: -0.5
Feb 18th weigh in: -1.5
Feb 25th weigh in: -1.2
March 4th weigh in: -1.8
March 11th weigh in: -0.2
March 18th weigh in: -0.4
March 25th weigh in: 0.0
Total: -6.1 goal -10

I didn't work out on Thursday or Friday...I know, it's almost like I'm Not looking to lose weight.  This morning I ran to the gym, took a 30 minute core class and used some light weights for my arms and ran back.  The way there was great - I was really happy with my pace, but the way back was hard.  I was dealing with some crazy wind to the face the entire way plus a tired core and hip flexers, I could really feel my thighs going numb.  The temp. is listed at 35 degrees but there is no possible way, it's got to be in the 20s with all the wind.  Overall, this was a great outdoor run for me keeping all my splits under 9 minutes (this is a new goal) and not pulling out my bus pass when my nose started running (there were no buses out there today obviously or I would have been on it begging them to turn up flipping the heat).

My run was followed by 2 cups of steaming black coffee, and a fast and easy lunch.  People always ask me, "well what do you eat on a low carb diet?"  First of all - are you people stupid?  Ok, I know, it can be hard to fathom, but really the whole: no bread, rice, pasta thing isn't that hard to understand.  I'm not sitting here counting my carbs, I'm just not eating the glaringly obvious ones. 

Here is my favorite weekend lunch -

1 can of albacore tuna (no salt added in spring water) I use 365 brand
1/2 a cucumber chopped (red peppers work just as well)
2 tbsps of chopped red onion
2 tbsps of good olive oil
a couple slices of cheddar cheese (from a brick) chopped (also good without the cheese)
a splash of red vinegar
pepper
sea salt

Sure it may look like nothing special, but it's delicious and the nutritional value is excellent:

Approximately
350 calories
14g fat (mostly from the olive oil)
30g protein

This meal is a lot better (and filling) than one might assume!  After this meal, I can stay completely full until dinner time.  I used to eat this before I was a low carb Ho and dip a handful of Cape Cod chips into it using them as scooping devices... if you don't know what Cape Cod chips are, then you know, regular old kettle chips are fine too and work almost as well.

We're going out for dinner and drinks tonight, so there's going to be a little cheating going on... hopefully not too much.  I ordered 3 swim suits online today hoping that 1 of them will look decent!!

Finding my way to fast

Oh it's Wednesday and I have yet to blog...

My week so far in a nutshell:

• My new Asic 2160s are really awesome.  If you are a fan of the 2150s, you will like these even more... I think they are lighter but I am not positive. 
• A year ago, wearing shorts while working out was the scariest thing on the planet.  Today, I ran on the treadmill in brand new compression shorts, and loved them. - They are the 5 inch compressions shorts by City Sports for $27.  They make you run fast... ok, they probably don't make you run fast but they made Me run fast and they didn't ride up or chafe my thick legs... and I totally realize that so many people told me to try this style a long time ago, but I refused based on fear of jiggling thighs.  I have no idea if my thighs jiggled or not, but probably.
• My hair looks terrible.  I had an unfortunate reaction to a product and my highlights are now looking more orange/yellow than subtle light brown - I'm going to fix them after our vacation and until then, I will try my hardest to not freak out (I already emailed my hair stylist)...
• The Boloco burritos in a bowl are the best things ever.  I love that you can order them on a touch screen with all the fixings you want and then pick it up like 3 minutes later.  The fact that I could make it low carb makes it that much better too (no rice, no wrap: boom).

This week, I decided that it's time to take my running up a notch.  Sure my distance is still seriously lacking, but more than that my speed is lacking and It's easy to see why.  My easy miles need to be faster, my general pace needs to be faster, and my race pace needs to be faster.  I really need to start getting uncomfortable.  Today, I started with my easy miles and my general pacing and took them both a bit faster so that what was previously my easy pace is now something I'm not allowed to sink to.

Treadmill workout:
1/2 mile warmup 9:45 pace
1 mile at 8:34
1 mile at 8:20
1 mile at 8:45
Then alternating 1/4 miles fast to slow and back again till I hit 40 minutes on the treadmill.  This workout was in fact uncomfortably comfortable.

It felt really good, my legs felt nice and loose and my breathing felt normal.  I really need to stop being so freaking lazy though, and stop being so afraid of pissing people off at my gym by using the treadmill for too long (they suggest a 30 min. maximum).  That's the main reason my mileage has been so pitiful, so it's good that spring is right around the corner!

Weigh In and The Best Fried Chicken EVER

Friday's weigh in was a nice surprise.  TMI - but I'm PMSing and generally I gain 2ish pounds while my body decides to hold on to every last drop of water it can for no reason at all, but not this time.

Feb 4th weigh in: -0.5
Feb 11th weigh in: -0.5
Feb 18th weigh in: -1.5
Feb 25th weigh in: -1.2
March 4th weigh in: -1.8
March 11th weigh in: -0.2
March 18th weigh in: -0.4
Total: -6.1 goal -10

I'm officially more than half way to my goal, and yeah things are slowing down but it's cool, I feel like I'll get there eventually.  I can't ignore that I ate a lot of cookies this week...damn you Oreos, you get me every time!  When people tell you not to keep things like that in the house when you're on a diet, don't ignore them, they are right. 

Thursday night (St. Patty's Day), I took a 45 minute mediocre spin class.  The usual Thursday night guy was out partying so we got some chick who frankly... was just Ok.  I'm sure it didn't help her that only about 10 people showed up to spin on a big Boston holiday!  I felt like such a fat freaking loser, but I had the shittiest day and the last thing I wanted was a bad hangover on top of a bad week.  I didn't want to let other people ruin my workout/calorie burning/weight loss goals, so I just got on that stupid bike and got to it. 

Saturday morning, I ran to my gym and took a core class.  The weather is getting a lot less depressing, and my running is getting slightly less slow - but my form still is pretty awful.  I'm thinking that if I can fix my posture while just standing/sitting/walking, then it would also improve in running.  This workout was followed by a 2 hour nap - hard work followed by dedicated resting!

Saturday night, we went to a very special place - Bonchon Chicken.  They're website is lacking, so just trust me when I say it's the Only reason to ever go to Allston.  If you were like: hey, I'm going to Allston for dinner and you should come along!  I'd say to you, "shut you're ugly effing face, it sucks there."  That's how much I dislike that area, but this restaurant will Blow Your Mind!  It's modern Korean, so they had all the staples that we'd normally order at any Korean place (bim bi bap, kim chi, bulgolgi, sushi, etc), but their signature dish is actually fried chicken - and it's the best fried chicken that I've ever had in my life!  We shared a large order of the Bonchon Chicken and just got a bunch of appetizers.  You know what else is awesome there - the lychee martini because it comes in a giant bottle and you pour it into shot glasses to share or drink slowly, it's potent and delicious (oh so potent).  That's the first martini that I've felt the desire to drink in about a year.  The staff is authentic, you'd die if you saw how our waiter was handing me things - all proper-like, and you would also die if you saw how many freaking Asian people were eating there (that's how you know it's good).

Excuse the poor quality photo.  The sign says "now hiring".  We're thinking about getting jobs there just so we can learn the secret recipe behind that chicken...

Raining Jerks

Today was a terrible day.  It went from bad, to worse. 

Me: I just got screamed at by a client on the phone.  It wasn't even my client.
S: Nooo, was she old?
Me: Yes
S: Was she Ugly?
Me: Yes
S: Was she single?
Me: No... I think she had a kid. 
S: It's always those people that scream - the old, ugly, and miserable ones.
[My friend S is totally awesome]

I would be lying if I said that entire situation didn't bother me. I stayed totally calm while my face turned a glaring shade of red, but I did leave completely flustered and pissed off.  I felt like I was being bullied, and nobody likes that.  At the end of the day, what matters is that 1. It wasn't my fault, and 2. I am not an ugly self loathing screamer.

I didn't want to let this wench ruin my day - I mean, WTF?!  My day was a complete disaster from start to finish, so I thought: why not try out my running gloves and run outside for a change since it's still light out... you know get some cold fresh air?  So I did (3.21 miles in 30:50).  The gloves are awesome, but the run was not so much.  My hamstring was bothering me, I swear, everyday is a new freaking ache or pain.  I'm glad that I squeezed in a workout, but I'm not glad that it didn't help me feel any better.  As I sit here and type - I eat brownie bites (these bad boys are not carb free).  I really just need to go to bed now so that tomorrow I can dive right back into this shit show with smaller circles under my eyes. 

Sore muscle solution suggestions are welcome

Yesterday, I was So Sore from Sunday's 5K - my shin muscles were really aching.  That's what I get for not running outside all winter and then running a race on pavement.  I think that shin muscle pain (not really shin splints) is pretty common once coming off the treadmill and back onto the roads - is that right?  I've always been the person on my team (in all sports) to be the most sore after workouts, I'm not sure why.  I'm just way more prone to that for whatever reason - probably because I've always been the newcomer to a team or a sport and had to work extra hard to keep up with everyone else.  I'm going to try and hit the roads again by this weekend since the weather is supposed to drastically improve!

Today's workout:
3.4 miles in 30 minutes on the treadmill with 5 minute cool down after.  This started out as sort of a recovery run, and after my legs loosened up, it became more like a "how much distance can I fit into the time allotted" run.
[my soreness left during this run, but came back a couple hours later]
60 minute class: core and weights

I looked at myself working out in my class today and I was like: Looking Good.  Seriously.  I didn't say it out loud or anything, but I thought it in a very smooth and suggestive sort of tone.  Creepy?  Yes.  My arms used to hang like big rolls of jelly by my sides, and finally they are showing definition so there is some cause for celebration, this only took like 10 years.  My legs aren't as tree trunk-ish as they used to be, my capri pants fit so much better... maybe I can wear shorts now?  Gasp!  Ok, not yet, but maybe soon.  I'm still a little self conscious of my legs but I'll get over it, everyone has something that they just don't enjoy about themselves.

So, I have a few work friends these days and one of them is a runner.  This whole time, I'm thinking she's a casual runner who does races with her boyfriend, but no, she's serious as Effing F.  She ran a 5k (which was a much harder course than the one I ran on Sunday) in 18:36 and placed third for the women.  And in totally unrelated news, she's much younger than me than I thought she was... sigh.  Maybe she can give me some tips.  Did I mention that she signed us up to run the Corporate Challenge 5K in June?  I'm going to have to get much much faster as to not make a total fool out of myself in front of half the city.  I'm scared!  

Super Sat and An Ras Mor 5K

My husband worked for the third Saturday in a row - which gave me a lot of time to get stuff done. This is the most productive Saturday that I've ever had but what did it really get me? 

• Made eggs and coffee for breakfast
• Unloaded the dishwasher
• Heated up leftover bbq and steamed green beans for lunch
• Did a huge pile of dishes
• Showered - yeah this doesn't always happen
• Took the bus and the train to pick up my 5K packet
• Explained how a person can register for the same 5K twice
• Explained that I didn't know anyone who would want my extra bib (I have 1 friend who runs and lives around here and I was also picking up her packet)
• Went to City Sports and bought new sneakers and t-shirts with a coupon
• Read a magazine while on the bus back home - learned nothing.  Some magazines are so crappy these days!
• Tried to get a manicure but it was too busy - I'm not sure they wanted my business
• Did 1 load of laundry
• Swiffer Wet Jetted the kitchen floor
• Cleaned out the humidifier
• Threw out all my old makeup, every single cosmetic that I bought and didn't like which has been collecting over the years in a drawer - it's gone now, and I feel so much lighter
• Hard boiled some eggs for breakfast on Sunday
• Ordered Jillian Michael's 6-Week Six Pack DVD - ordering is one thing, doing is another thing, but the title is so Inspiring!
• Ordered myself some takeout for dinner

I did all those things and it was mostly boring, but seriously, that is productive as shit!  My goal was to get all this stuff done, but also to rest my body for Sunday's 5K (I skipped any kind of workout).  I realize that 3.1 miles never hurt anyone, but I really wanted to do well and start off my spring season with a decent time.

The morning of the race was supposed to be a nice balmy 50 degrees, but what was it?  It was freezing, so cold that my hands went numb learned a tough lesson - always go to a race prepared: always bring my light running jacket just in case it's absolutely freezing.  I had two options: run in the t-shirt I planned on running in or racing in a heavy North Face fleece...ugh, I checked the jacket and just had to deal with the cold.  I never really warmed up until the last 0.1 miles of the race.  Anyways, this was an out and back course, which is not my favorite kind - my soul is generally pretty crushed when I can see the winners already nearing the end when I haven't even gotten to the halfway point.  This race was a bit disorganized - we all gathered at the start and without any warning at all the gun went off and we started running  I have no idea where the actual starting line was so I couldn't use my Garmin, which I was sort of hoping to use to check up on my pace.  I'm not experienced enough to guess how fast I'm going, but I do know that I went out too fast (I always do) and then had a hard time in the middle, but brought it home pretty well.  The clock at the end read - 25:07 (8:05 pace) when I crossed the finish line.  My hope is that my time is actually a little faster than that due to my starting position and the timing chip on my ankle since I never start up with the fast people in the front - I'm no fool (update: official time was 25:09 dammit).  This is my best 5K time ever by over a minute and a half.  I think this is a great place to start, and I'm really happy with it!

I'm Still #Winning

A weight update -

Feb 4th weigh in: -0.5
Feb 11th weigh in: -0.5
Feb 18th weigh in: -1.5
Feb 25th weigh in: -1.2
March 4th weigh in: -1.8
March 11th weigh in: -0.2
Total: -5.7 goal -10

I've hit a bit of a plateau - which happens I guess, but also my personal advice to someone on a diet is that if you decide to go to a food festival on Tuesday and have a weigh in on Friday, then maybe don't expect to see a big loss because you stuffed yourself stupid.  That probably should have been a -1.2 week instead of a -0.2 but then the food festival happened and that's fine, next week should be better! 

Last night, I got my ass back on the spinning bike (my ass bones are freaking killing me today) and it was really awesome - and also a desperate attempt to help tip the scale in my favor today... yes, I'm that kind of person.  The class was challenging and drill-oriented, so there were a lot of up and downs and hill repeats.  I'm also pretty sure the instructor is totally crazysauce. 

Changes that my husband and I noticed from this low-carb - 4 hour body diet:

Hangry. We don't get Hangry anymore.  I certainly get hungry, but it feels different and more like I just get sleepy when I run out of fuel instead of wanting to rip some one's face off when my stomach rumbles.  This is a nice change, the public appreciates it!  There have been far less reports of a tiny Korean girl running around biting heads off in town.


Skin.  Both of our skin is broken out more, probably thanks to lack of specific nutrients - even with a multivitamin.  Not sure how to cure this one, but it's not horrible.  Jessica Simpson used to have a really annoying Proactive commercial where she talked about how her skin went crazy when she was dieting... I guess I have to believe her now.

Sleep.  I've been sleeping better.  It takes me about 5 minutes to fall asleep these days, but waking up is the same familiar battle.  I find that I have more energy throughout the day and even during workouts, but when I'm ready to sleep I can sleep instantly.

Taste.  I drink my coffee black or with a shake of cinnamon now.  Honest to God, I never thought I would see the day that I could drink black coffee - I am that jerk that usually wants vanilla soy milk and 1 sugar (not 2 but just 1).  Coffee is my deepest need during the day for the caffeine and for the taste buds, but something has changed - it just doesn't need all that extra stuff anymore.  Also, lentils have become my dearest friend.  So. Many. Lentils.  They're a dieter's friend.

Mood.  After the initial week,  I think that my mood has been drastically improved overall.  I don't feel as sluggish, which means I have the energy to do things that I enjoy doing.  You know what else makes someone feel pretty good?  Seeing results... and having your Wii Fit saying that you lost BMI from 1 year ago (yeah, even if you had to unpack it from when you moved over a year ago, whatevs).

Taste of the South End... Quick Recap

Tonight, Natasha and I went to the Taste of The South End and sampled all the most delicious restaurants in Boston.  We ate no less than 30 serious samples and by the end we both felt a little ill.  Our favorite savory sample was the pork belly by Union.  My favorite dessert was honestly the cake on a stick by Starbucks... I know!  It was a really fantastic cake with very pretty and sweet pink frosting in a ball...on a stick!  Anyways, if you are a dessert you don't need to do much to please me.  The South End Buttery was a close second with their mini cupcakes with superior butter cream frosting.   

It was super crowded so we ate our way through it and hit the road, but it was a seriously good time and I think that the South End has the best food in the whole city by a landslide.  Next year, I'll dress up for the occasion (we were like really under dressed).  I need to go digest...

Upcoming 5K

Today was one of those days that didn't include eating lunch.  Stepping out of my comfort zone is not something that I or anyone else enjoys doing, but it's a good thing in the long run (probably).  Today was seriously busy and seriously stressful, but I made it to the gym and ran a quick 3 miles in 26:45 and then did 30 kettle ball swings with a weight that was probably a little too heavy for me.  Ugh, strength training you kill me and my ass.  What would have made that workout better is: a sports bra for 1, and more than 300 calories consumed (not by choice) during the day for 2.  I pack my gym bag 3 days a week and every two weeks on the dot, I forget something important.  WTF.  I'm flat as a board, but running without a sports bra was seriously pure torture.

On my way home from the gym, I realized that the 5K road race that I thought was two Sundays away is actually just in 6 days away.  Ahhh!  I'm so not ready for this, I mean seriously, today I ran 3 miles in just under 27 minutes.  Ok, looking back this is actually right where I started off pace-wise as last year only my first 5K of the year is one month earlier so I am ahead of the game!  Last year my first 5K was April during marathon weekend.  Sunday's goal is to to go under 26:35 - to match my Carson Beach 5K last May.  I don't feel super prepared or anything, but I just think that I'm a better runner now - don't get me wrong, this is For Sure going to hurt!  I'm also pretty sure this is an out-and-back course and I don't enjoy those much.  It will be great to get back into the road race scene though, winters are dreary and I'm a big huge wimp - nicer weather somewhat disguises that. 

Tomorrow, I'm going to a food festival.  This does not bode well for my weight loss attempts!

The Day We Saw Anthony Bourdain

My husband was horrified that I posted a photo of myself in a bikini, he was all like: do you know how many perverts are out there?  And I'm like: I look like a 12 year old boy, and he's like: Yeah, there are a lot of perverts out there.  Whatever, if you are pervert and you found my blog: Congratulations, you're a pervert who likes mediocre blogging and poor photography.

Last night we went to see Anthony Bourdain and Eric Ripert speak at Symphony Hall.  Anthony Bourdain is like my hero, he just has the best job ever and I love No Reservations and his honesty.  The speaking event was pretty relaxed and they did almost a full hour of Q&As after.  They spoke a lot about Top Chef, "farm to table", past drug use, Haiti, and the best restaurants in the world.  I thought it was really fun, I just wish the seats at Symphony Hall were more comfortable... I had a major butt ache by the end.

[a little too up close and personal... and crazy-eyed, sorry]

Yesterday's weigh in results -

Feb 4th weigh in: -0.5
Feb 11th weigh in: -0.5
Feb 18th weigh in: -1.5
Feb 25th weigh in: -1.2
March 4th weigh in: -1.8
Total: -5.5 goal -10

I did much better than I had expected.  The lesson I learned this week: it's possible to eat dessert every night and still lose weight if you want.  Not like an entire pie or something, but 1 cookie never hurt anyone!  Abe wants me to read "4-Hour Body", and I will try reading it, however there are a few things in that book that I totally disagree with.  I can accept that he makes a few really good suggestions, I just already know that I won't be adopting all of his rules - more to come on that.  We know of a few people who have lost a lot of weight with this method, and I don't know when we became those people who are obsessed with what the scale says... I will say this - marriage is the best thing ever, and with that said: marriage can also make you fat.  Beware.

[Throwing food into mouth]

A whole week in just one post

What the heck day is it?  This is the slowest week in history, and I've forgotten what day it was like 3 times.  I mean really, how did this week take so long?  Ugh.  This post took 3 days to write because nothing happened...

I was a lazy bum and didn't work out Saturday OR Sunday, and whatever, it was one of those weekends where I needed some rest.  Also, I made Oreo cookies inside chocolate chip cookies - recipe from Picky Palate - inspiration from The Runner's Kitchen.  I didn't eat all of them myself, I shared!  I visited a friend, and she overfed me like a mo-fo.

Monday, I ran 3 miles and stretched and stretched - I seem to be dealing with a nagging groin/very low ab issue (how completely not embarrassing it is to stretch out my groin 8 different ways at the gym!)  But really, I am not sure what the injury really is or what it is... this is when any background in anatomy would be of assistance.  I refuse to call the doctor over this, enough people have seen and touched my pelvic bone in the past year thank you.

Tuesday I did 30 minutes on the cross trainer and an hour weights and cardio class with a substitute instructor - it sucked, she was a little aerobics woman who kicked every one's asses and it actually lacked fun times.  I was in much more pain then I usually am after my regular class, and not in the good kind of post-workout way, like the "AHH that sucked" way. 

Wednesday, I was beyond sore and working out was not on the top of my to-do list so what did I do?  I alternated power walking on the treadmill with light jogging, like an old lady, and how was it?  Not so fun, but it was better that sitting on my couch at home burning no calories at all.

Thursday, I ran 3.0 miles in 26:51 (I tried to look back for a time comparison but found nothing recent thanks to my awesome nonexistent running log, I really need to get on that) followed by an 8 minute cool down and 15 minutes on the stair mill and then lots of stretching.  Nagging injury is beginning to nag louder.  How a person can hurt themselves while doing only minimal training is beyond me!  This probably means that I'm officially old and brittle.   Also, my abs are still sore from Tuesday night...sigh.  I think maybe because I'm dieting that I may also be lacking certain nutrients which usually help my body heal faster - that's the only reason I can think of.  #paininthegroin

So how about that diet?  Going well... I'm uncertain about tomorrow's weigh in, I'm not exactly sure how it will pan out.  I'm going to think some skinny and shallow thoughts until then.

I post this photo not out of glory, but to shame myself into realizing how thin I was not long ago...

I will get back here...