What I Ate Wednesday!!

I love reading everyones blogs when it is "What I Ate Wednesday," so I am going to try my hardest to stay on the bandwagon. The only downfall is I pretty much eat the same during the week, creature of habit. During the weekend I have more of a tendency of eating out and enjoying different meals...I need to get better taking pictures of those meals. Anyways here are some pics of just a few things I ate today... Pita Bread with cottage cheese and strawberry jam (I love this combination)
Huge grilled chicken salad with tomatoes, onions and bbq sauce

Another grilled chicken salad only this time topped with blueberries and almonds

My big bowl of oats, blueberries, yogurt, protein powder and peanut butter...I love oat mush!

Some pita bread alongside cottage cheese topped with Cinnamon

I am working to get rid of an endless pit of blueberries I bought from Costco about a week ago. I am about 3/4s through them....I have been putting them in cottage cheese, oats, protein shakes, and of course salads. I love fruity salads in the summer time!!

Yesterday I took up my 2nd Insanity Video...Pure Cardio and Cardio Abs. The workout was not as hard as the Pylo I did last week, and I am happy to say it did not leave me unable to walk this week. I really am taking a liking to the high paced workouts...but my concern is my form is horrible on most of the moves and sometimes I wonder if I am really getting a benefit from it because some of the moves I can't even attempt even when I try. I guess as long as my heart rate is up and I am breaking a sweat, workout should be considered good.

Today I had planned on hitting my other gym in town to get a good spin workout in...but I chickened out. I know something about going to a new workout class...changing my routine...causes me to stress...once again I am a creature of habit. Also, going to the other gym in my town means paying $7 to enter...I don't have a membership there so I would have to pay. Craig thinks paying for 2 memberships is just to much...which I agree somewhat. Anyways, I hit up my gym for a 3 mile run on the TM followed by 20 minute cycle and some light ab work.

After teaching summer school I enjoyed my time at the pool for a few hours and came home to take care of sick Craig (he had a huge migraine which lead to him being very sick) and taking Cooper out on an hour walk. It was the perfect day for a walk, a light 80 degrees with a little breeze! I wore his little legs out!!

Is tomorrow Thursday already...wowsa!! Have a great night!

Are you a creature of habit? If so, how do you break your habits??

Have you ever considered joining 2 gyms?

I love my gym because it is open 24 hours, so that means that I can go at 4:30 in the morning before work. The only downfall is that it does not have all the equipment or classes the other gym in my town has. I would join the other gym but it does not open until 5:00 in the morning, and that does not give me enough time before work to complete a good workout...

Flood Business

If you have not heard already, Nebraska is getting some major flooding...and it just so happens to be happening four to five miles north of where I live. Craig works for Pioneer seed business, and many of his customers have lost their land and have had to evacuate their homes due to the flood. As of now, we are okay. They are watching our power plant and have put sand bags around it to make sure that it is safe. If the water does get to the plant, our water usuage will be shut down. Thank goodness I have parents that live just about 35 minutes from me so I would still have a place to stay. Here are just a few pics of some of the flooding that is around my area.

I feel so horrible for all those who have to evacuate their homes :( I can't believe all the crazy weather that has been going on everywhere!

Well today is Wednesday and the sun is shinning, I am off to the pool this afternoon and will be back for a "What I Ate Wednesday." Have a great Wednesday!!

These pictures took FOREVER to upload...I hate when blogger is so slow. Anyways, I was in the mood to post some of my favorite things I love to shop for. If you don't know already I am trying to save money this summer by not shopping so much, so I can at least write about it he he he.

I love running shoe shopping. I can spend countless hours in a sporting goods store looking and trying on shoes. Even if I don't have the money to buy them, I still love to look and dream. I have noticed more and more neon colored shoes. My next purchase I would like to invest in some neon pink or green ones. The brighter the shoe, the more fun the run!! Nike Tempo shorts are also fun to shop for. There are so many colors and designs now, they make it impossible to choose from.

Protein powder, I know sounds boring but when I come across a new flavor comes across my eye I jump for joy. I love Muscle Gauge protein powder, they have so many different yummy flavors from Rocky Road to Cake Batter.



You guessed it, how else can I handle my gum addiction..searching high and low for the newest flavors. Mint chocolate chip, strawberry shortcake, peach pineapple...YUM! I would love to meet the genius who invented gum, I would bow down!

Now a little more about my style. I try and I mean really try to be a girl. I paint my nails, try to buy a few floral shirts with some color here and there, dress up in dresses...but when it comes down to it I love being plain and simple. I am truly a jeans and v-neck tee girl. I have nearly 15 or so different color v-neck tees...they are so easy to wear and I still think they can make a girl look sexy.

Along with these tees, I go with a good pair of destroyed jeans and some type of silver jewelery..

then end the outfit with a stylish but comfy pair of flat sandals. Some may call it boring and such boyish look, but this is the look I love.

I remember when I was little, I always envisioned having a family picture of all of us in jeans and Gap t-shirts. I have guess you can say I really have fallen into the Gap. Ha!

What is your style consist of??

What are some of your favorite things to shop for??

So this weekend we finally made it out to the river back home. Craig purchased a four wheeler earlier this year and we have been waiting forever to get on it. Four wheeling is such great way to kill time in the summer time. We usually go with a big group of people, load up the coolers with snacks and beverages and hit the river. It can get pretty muddy and messy, but it is all in good fun. This is one thing Craig has introduced me to since meeting him. I am a city girl, so getting down and dirty with the river and four wheeler took some time to getting used to, but I love it! Afterwords, we headed over to our friend Brit's house. Brit has been friends with Craig ever since she was in high school and Craig sells seed to her Dad. We grilled out steak and hung out for a while. We try to come back to Craig's hometown every so often, but it can get hard with our busy schedules, so it is always nice to catch up with everyone when we see them.

Brit and I after a long day on the river

Don't you just adore the hat!!

We headed back into town this morning. I ended up going to the gym for a short easy cardio workout of the step machine and cycle machine. Afterwords, we headed up to work on our garden, we planted more green beans and watered the other plants. I can't wait for these yummy veggies to start sprouting up and about.

Saturday I made it out for a good 5 miler. I was a little worried I would be to tired (Friday we were out late with some friends till around 12 and I had a hard time falling asleep). I did great during the run, next weekend I want to try to hit a 6 miler and the following weekend will be my first ever10K!!!

Has your significant other introduced you to other hobbies??

Not only has four wheeling been introduced to me, but I also have been introduced to the world of pheasant and deer hunting, gardening, the business of corn, and boating...just to name a few.

What is your favorite running distance?

So far I am really liking the 10k, not to short but not to long.

Never Lease and Vacation

Words of wisdom, never lease! Well, it might work out for some...but for me it did not. When I first graduated from college I went right into my grad program which lasted for about a year. During this time I was driving a 98 Chevy Cavalier. I was broke and my car was ready to turn in. When I completed my grad program I was so thrilled to have an actual paycheck and the first thing I did was lease a brand new Jetta. My lease lasted four years, 10,000 miles a year and 350 payments monthly. Well, the mileage was great because I lived about 10 minutes from work and rarely took trips...until I meet Craig. Craig lived about 40 minutes away, and the weekend we would hit up his cabin which was another hour and a half away so the miles slowly put on. Brings me to the current time, I am driving to and from work 30 miles each and still going to the cabin with Craig at least 3 times a month. Currently I have 1 more year on my lease and the mileage is sitting at 38,000. Knowing I was close to going over my mileage I took my car to the dealership yesterday to see what my options were.
These are my options:
1. Buy the car out at 14,000
2. Sign another lease for 3 years with another new car and break my current lease
3. Just end the lease and pay back the remaining year worth of payments
4. Sell the car to the dealership and owe back the 2,300 in sales tax
After coming home from the dealership yesterday, I talked this over with Craig. He opted that I do everything I could to just get out of the lease and he would cover any extra expenses that I would have to pay. Of course after talking with Craig, we called my Dad because he works at a dealership and I wanted a third opinion. My Dad gave me the option of selling my car back to his dealership and taking out a loan to purchase a car from him. That way I would be completely out of my lease and making payments rather than burning money. This afternoon I plan to go into the dealership and figure things out. I can tell you this much, I will never lease again! I have learned my lesson, I don't need the fancy sun roof, heated seats, leather seats, etc. and have to pay an outrageous fee every month and not even take any ownership out of the whole deal. You live and you learn!

In other news, good news, Craig and I booked our trip to Costa Rica!!! We leave at 5:30am on July 11 and return on the 17th. We went through a local travel agent and booked it all inclusive for about 2,800 total. This includes drinks, food, hotel and air fares. We will have to be paying for extra activities that we would like to do. We are staying at the Riu Guanacaste

Now, I am really excited for this vacation for one reason, hopefully a PROPOSAL!! Craig and I have been talking about engagement, our wedding, and rings non stop for the past several months. Craig has set out a rule of being with someone for at least 2 years before becoming engaged, our 2 year is at the end of June. I know it is coming sometime soon....and I am hoping for this vacation to give him the push. Cross your fingers for me!!

Workout Recap: I am still sore from Insanity, it has lowered to just my calves and a short pain in my upper quad. I did some light elliptical and cycle this morning and I am setting out for a 5-6 miler run tomorrow. The weather is suppossed to be a mild 70 degrees. Perfect running weather for a Saturday!

Questions: If you run, what are your running plans for the weekend?

Have you ever leased a car? Was your experience a good or a bad one?

Any exciting vacations in your future?

Last day of Summer School for the week. It may only be a three hour day, but man the time moves sooo slow...I am thinking because in my mind I know that it is Summer. The kids are really hard to motivate as well, I don't blame them. I have gotten into quite a good routine everyday. Workout before summer school, teach in the morning, grab a bite to eat and then hit up the pool for the afternoon hours! Can't really complain :) My Local Community Pool

Another race is in the works for me. I signed up for the Seina Francis House Run on June 28. The run is held at a local lake where I used to run countless miles around when I lived at home. The race begins at 8am and will be a 10k. This will be my first official 10k!!

In my attempt to add in some different cross training to my workout routine (Insanity) let me say HUGE MISTAKE. I might have came on a little to strong, yesterday I had a hard time walking down the stairs as well as sitting. My calves are still killing me today as well as my entire upper body. I have muscles hurting that I never knew could possibly hurt. Wednesday and today's workout were taken a little lighter in attempts to recover.

Wednesday: 45 minute cycle-low impact with abs

Today: 2 mile run (brutal) 20 minutes elliptical and 10 minute cycle with light bicep work

I know once my body gets adjusted to the high impact cardio workouts I will not be as sore, but I do only plan to add in one or two during the week. The last thing I want is stiff sore legs that will ruin my runs.

Here are some eats from yesterday:

Protein Muffin with pb and greek yogurtHuge salad made with turkey bacon, tomatoes, artichoke hearts and green beans

I am really working hard on cleaning out my kitchen cabinets. I am notorious for buying numerous items and not finishing them. In my cabinet so far I have these items left to finish

-2 boxes of Kashi granola bars

-2 boxes of instant oatmeal

-1 huge box from Costco of freeze dried fruit pouches

-whole sack of dried raisins

-Around 10 cans of Healthy Choice Soup

-8 cans of Tuna

-1 can of Salmon

-3 small pouches of salmon

-3 Boxes of cereal (Go Lean, and Wheat Puffs)

-2 boxes of Flax Meal

-15 Protein Bars

-6 EAS Protein Shakes

This is just off the top of my head...when I go to the store I see products I want and buy, I don't think about all the food I have yet to finish.

Are you an impulsive shopper when it comes to food?

Insane!!

This weekend, I met another one of Craig's friends girlfriends who happens to be a spin instructor. This girl had an AMAZING body. I couldn't help but asking her what her secret was. She told me variety. Lots of pylo work and different workout routines to always keep her body guessing. I started thinking about my workouts lately. I have Incorporated some new lifting routines, but my cardio is always the same. Run on Monday/Tuesday, Wednesday cycle, Thursday run, Friday elliptical and Saturday run. Don't get me wrong I love running and the endorphin high, but since I am not really training for anything specific I might as well enjoy a little spice in my workouts. So I took up the Insanity workout challenge today, yes it is INSANE!
I did do some research on this program the past few nights and discovered that a lot of endurance runners incorporate some of the Insanity videos into their workouts to help with speed and agility. So I figured it would give me a shot. Well it kicked my rear into gear. I completed the 45 minute Plyo workout. The DVD consisted of Mountain Climbers, Squat Jumps, Jumping Jacks, Push Ups and many more high intense cardio moves. I did like how every 10 minutes or so there would be a water break for about 30 seconds. Also, half way through the video there is a short stretching session.
Yes, this was an awesome workout, but parts of it was just to hard and almost impossible for me to accomplish. Really, I was on my knees thinking "are you kidding me??" I do think if I continue this, it will get a little easier so I think that I might be sticking with it. The only downfall is being sore, I am laying on the couch with swollen legs as I type. What do I expect for jazzing up my workout? I figure I might add in this Pylo workout plus the Extreme Cardio workout once a week into my routine. The other days I can focus more on cycling, running, and some light weight lifting.

Running in place with High Knee Kicks

Killer Push Ups repeated numerous times during the DVD

Jump Squat into a Push-up

Mountain Climbers

Tuesday's Workout: Insanity Plyometric DVD, 10 minute cool down on bike 200 reps of various ab exercises

Question: Do you ever feel the need to jazz up your workout?

What have been some of your ideas to change your workout routine?