The aftermath of the two-a-days. & update blog!

I am so tired. I can't remember the last time I have been this tired. But, I will tell you one thing: I lost 4 pounds in 1 week. YES. I DID. Two-a-days work, my friends, but this type of exercise is not for the weak of : heart, mind, body or soul. You gotta be strong, and you have to be willing to work, bitch. I used my calorie journal and I turned it into a calorie/work out journal, this is what it contains as far as the two-a-days:

What I did this week:

Monday, woke up at 7AM, went to the gym. Ran 3 miles.  Ran from my house to Dans house at 9:45PM.

Total run: about 5.5 miles.

Tuesday, couldn't wake up. Went to gym at 3PM, ran 4 miles. Tuesday night, ran around the oval.

Total run: about 6 miles.

Wednesday, woke up early, and wen to the gym. Could only run 2 miles. Could only walk 1 mile at night.

Total work out: 2 miles running, 1 mile walking, lots of being tired.

Thursday, couldn't wake up early. Went to the gym at 4, ran 3 miles. Went to yoga at 6:30-8.  Was a sweat-fest.

Total run: 3 miles, 1. 5 hours of yoga. 

Friday, went to the gym in the morning. Ran 5 miles. Went camping at night, could not fulfill the 2 a day work out.

Total run: 5 miles.

Saturday, still camping, had smores the night before. Everyone went hiking, ran approx. 8 miles.

Total run: 8 miles.

Sunday, left the campsite, bittersweet. Showered, RELAXED, slept, blogged.

Total work out: 0 hours, 0 miles.

In the words of the Wu-Tang Clan, "Two-a-days, ain't nothin' to fuck with."

Tomorrow I'm still going to continue with my two-a-days. But I'm not going to feel guilty if I can't get it done. Your girl is exhausted. But I am ready, willing, and prepared to push my body to be all it can be. I'm in charge damnit! Not the tiredness, or the stress. 

Wish me luck, more updates to come, and I'll be 21 in like, 2 weeks, WHAT WHAT WHAT!!!!!!!

2 a days.

So, since I've recently been hitting a plateau in my weight loss journey, I decided to start doing-- TWO A DAYS. Working out both in the morning, and in the evening. And, since summer is here, and I don't have school work to worry about I think I can do this challenge with EASE. I won't work out 2 times Saturday, just once at night, and Sunday's will be my day off (a girls gotta rest).

The plan is: working out Mon-Fri (my work days) at the gym from 7 am - 8 am and then either going for a 3 mile run at night, do yoga, or swim. At the gym I'll probably run on the elliptical, do some weight training (these arms are getting solid, my friends), and sit in the sauna for a bit. I'm really excited for this, I'm going to start on my favorite day to start things--Monday!! As for this week, working out was slacking--but it was the week of PMS. But, no excuses! I'm going to get back on the horse. Today I'm going for a nice long run, it's really gorgeous out--I hope you're all out there enjoying it in some way.

I'll update next Friday and let you know how the two-a-days went. I'm nervous! And excited! I've only done a two-a-day once in my life and that was this past week--it was hard, let me tell you. But my body was built to handle hard things--and I can do it. 

I had a delicious banana today, and a subway sandwich (why am I so addicted? they must put something in that bread). Tonight, is sushi night for me--california roll--here I come. 

Also: new favorite work out music--T.Rex. It also turns me on a bit, no big deal.

Sun-Dried.

Sun-dried is something I would like to be. Where'd you go, old friend? Luckily, I don't need the sun to be shining on me to enjoy some other sun-dried treats: sun-dried tomato's to be exact. For Mother's day we went to Il Vicolo in town, it was really busy, loud, and the service was slow. However, the laughter at my families table, and the delicious food was more than enough to ignore all the shiteous stuff that was going on. 

I ordered the Penne Milano. The name  and the ingredients were simple, and it came with a beet salad--how could I say no? First the beet salad arrived, nothing special, some bits of Gorgonzola cheese stood out, and so did the generous amount of red onion-my breath was kickin. 

Then the Penne Milano arrived. A heaping portion of whole wheat penne (that I had to request, and was charged an extra 2 dollars for--really, Il Vicolo? You gonna play me like that?) Another generous helping of sundried tomatos, and bits of cubed mozzarella and basil leaves scattered about, and way, way, way too much olive oil (yes, there is such a thing). So I decided to break down this meal for you--Katie minus Katie style. 

Ingredients:

3 cups whole wheat pasta (serves 5 people)

2 garlic cloves (minced)

1 tablespoon olive oil

A pinch of salt

1 regular sized  package of sun-dried tomato's (approx. 20 tomato slices)

5 basil leaves

1/2 mozzarella ball (mozzarella should say part-skim for this recipe) (cut the half in half then cube)

Cubes should look about this size.

Start boiling your pasta water, add a pinch of salt.

When the pot is boiling add your pasta.

While the pasta begins to cook, grab a sauté pan and add your tablespoon of olive oil,

your minced garlic cloves, and your sun-dried tomato's. Do this on a LOW HEAT. 

Move the mixture around often and so the tomatoes are covered in the oil (I know it's not a lot of oil but trust me, you don't need much and it does the trick).

Cook the pasta for 5 minutes, then using a slotted spoon, scoop the pasta into the sauté pan.

Letting it finish its cooking process with all the other juices of the meal.

Turn the heat off, letting the residual heat of the pan do its job, add the mozzarella cubes and the basil slices.

Serve with a beet, or a regular salad. This dish is also delicious as a cold pasta dish--you can take it to work! 

Or whatever!

This kind of food is what I consider soul food. And let me tell you-this summer I am on a soul everything. Soul cleansing, soul journey, you name it. I want to rid my life of everything and everyone  that weighs me down. Just like in my Spring Cleaning blog post--this is the time to get it done. Right when a new season is beginning. I just have to keep reminding myself that I am worth the time and effort to be loved, taken care of, and respected. That includes treating MYSELF that way.

More on this emotional and soulful journey to self fulfillment, and self love, coming up in the next few blogs. But, for now, enjoy this recipe--it's a delicious, healthy, and very low-cal one. Approx. 300 calories per serving--I kid you not.

Penne Milano--there's so many ways to love ya.

And so it grows...

A month ago I decided it was time for a change. So I cut my (very long, very beautiful, very luscious) hair. 7 inches, to be precise. I think that was too much of a shock to my system. I fell into a very weird, Samson-like depression. I was happy to donate it-of course-but I missed running my fingers through it, twirling it around my chin and looking like Abraham Lincoln. Oh, hair. How fun you were. So then, after the cut, as if I wasn't traumatized enough, I decided to go redder and darker in color. I messed that up, and had to have my mommy fix it (don't they just fix everything?) 

The first picture is where my hair was a month ago, the second (very Myspace-looking picture) is where my hair is today. 2.5 inches longer. And, this is the first time in 3 weeks that I've worn my hair down for the WHOLE day. I ain't scared! 

I know what you're thinking: wow, Katie. What a shallow, pointless blog-post. Wrong! The point of this is not about my superficial obsession with my own hair. But its about moving past things in life. Whether it be a weight loss challenge, a poor grade in school, an extreme hair cut, a divorce, a break up, a loss of a loved one--these are all things we can get through. Just look at yourself baby, we were built for this! We were built to bounce back from difficult things. (Not that my hair cut was that difficult, ya'll hear what I'm saying right?)

So, whatever you are going through right now. Be it big, or small, you will get through it. And when your day seems like it will never end, or if it ends on a bad note- here's my remedy: watch a couple episodes of Arrested Development, have a big bowl of fruit loops with soy milk, and a sliced banana, lay in your bed, and work it out.

This is life. This is your life. Be proud of yourself, I'm proud of you!

And so it goes...

And so it grows...

Spring cleaning: home, heart, & diet.

I took the day off of work today, due to a really bad stomach ache that has kept me in a pretty sour mood this whole weekend. But, instead of laying around and allowing myself to completely heal, I obviously decided to do my big Spring Cleaning. It helps me keep my mind off of my sickness (that definitely could have been cheese-induced), and get me on the road to a very productive and happy week.

The first step to a true Spring Cleaning, in my mind, is to treat it like a complete life cleanse. Winter is officially gone, (though this chilly weather would beg to differ), summer is right around the corner, as is the end of the semester. Starting with your bedroom, assuming of course that your mother or father does the rest of the house cleaning-as mine do. I only focus on my room and my bathroom.

I did 5 loads of laundry today. Sorted through the clothes, some are much too big now! Yes! And some are perfect to give to my younger sisters. The rest: the ones that are too big, etc...I separate into a few paper Shop Rite bags and get them ready to be donated. I choose to donate my clothes to DASI. The VFW in Livingston, as well as Good Will and the Salvation Army are also great choices. Do something good! Especially with something as simple as clothes that do not fit anymore. Once my laundry is done it's a lot easier for me to evaluate what needs to be done next, my room is always constantly covered with dirty clothes. I vacuumed, cleaned off my desk and dresser, and cleaned my windows and mirrors. All while leaving the windows OPEN, I don't necessarily follow Fung Shui to a T, but I do believe that you can't get proper energy flow with your windows closed! It's okay that it gets a bit chilly-you'll work up a bit of a sweat by cleaning!

My favorite cleaning products are Seventh Generation products. I'm sure you've seen the commercials. They're all natural and don't give your room/bathroom that gross cleaning-product smell. My room smells like lavender. Yes.

Once my room was cleaned, I decided to move on to Spring Cleaning my heart, so to speak. Now this first step may sound RIDICULOUS and silly, but I DE FRIENDED over 150 people from my facebook. Yes! And I still have more to go. I don't know these freaks! They don't know me! Or if they did it was in HIGH SCHOOL sorry creepers, but you ain't gettin any information out of me! You don't need these strangers in your life. Beware: most of them will try to re-friend you, IGNORE THEM. Some of them will send you messages like: "Thanks for de friending me" Just respond with this: "you're welcome!" END of that situation.

Also, besides facebook friends, start thinking about the friends you see often. Or the friends you hardly see. Are all of them good to you? Do they all love, and respect you? Pay attention to the things you care about? If you answered "no" to any of these questions: those people are not your friends. It sucks, but it's high time you (me) start realizing who's really out there rooting for you. And the people who aren't? Screw 'em. I've realized a lot recently, and I'd much rather only have a handful of good friends than a lot of really, really, shitty friends. Are you with me? Yeah, you are.

Now, the most important part of Spring Cleaning-for this girl and for this blog at least: DIET! Again, people, when I use the word "diet" don't fear me! The word just means what you eat and how you eat-this blog is not about restricting-you know that! I cleaned out my pantry/refrigerator today. This will be much easier, mind you, when you live on your own. I had to keep some unhealthy things because of my sisters/mom/dad. But everyone here has been making a conscience effort to eat well, and live well. So proud.

First: I bought a whole bunch of fruits and vegetables. We all know they make great snacks, meals, and smoothies! Got some good yogurts, cereals, oatmeal, cheeses, whole grains, salmon, flounder, shrimp, and some delicious yellow rice and beans. Gonna have some good eatin for the next couple of weeks.

This is all just to help you get started on a healthy, happy routine. Trust me, I know it's hard. I feel so lazy, this whole weekend the most working out I did was walking. But today is a new day. And as a good friend told me today "you can't keep putting your happiness in the future". And she's right. I am happy with the person I am TODAY, and hopefully the same will be for tomorrow, the next day, and the next.

Tonight, I look forward to: a good meal, 8 full hours of sleep, and seeing the people I love.

Thank you to all of my loyal readers, you are my true friends. And, I am yours.

Today's the day!

Today is result day! And its a Friday! Two great things rolled into one. Though, I do have to say my results aren't super exciting, or super drastic. This was a difficult month, it really was a ROLLER-COASTER of EMOTION. Therefor, it was a roller-coaster of my weight as well. Lost 5 pounds went up 1 pound, lost 6 pounds, went up 2 pounds. Total weight loss as of today? 5.5 pounds. Not FABULOUS, but I notice now that my body is getting smaller it is much more difficult to lose the pounds! But I'm okay with that, "slow and steady wins the race", yes? My mom said that to me last night, I was having an off night and later confided in some Twizzlers.

Again, Photobooth on Macbooks are not the most flattering, but I ain't ashamed. I had to do some cropping though because of some revealing breast shots. Ya'll ain't ready for that. I'm starting to see a lot of definition in my core, I think I should thank Joey Sbarro and Yoga for that. Again, 5.5 pounds didn't really jolt my body into looking dramatically different, but I do see some changes, and, as always, I do feel better about myself. 

The lower half of my body (my heaviest part) is my new focus. Lots more cardio, and leg work outs. It's almost summer, time to get it done! 

I'm rushing this blog today because I just got out of the shower and have to leave for work in, oh, 20 minutes.

Enjoy this day, enjoy this weekend, will blog again Monday.

XXX

Poached Eggs.

This post it to pay my respects to poached eggs. I've never poached one before this week, and now I'm a poaching-fiend. I tell all about my eggs to anyone who will listen, and now I'm telling about my poached egg ventures to you!

First poached egg: Saturday 4/17, for breakfast. I had to google "how to poach the perfect egg", even though I've seen my grandma poach an egg, and I've seen it on "Cook Yourself Thin", I needed my computer next to me for moral support.

First, boil water, add a bit of salt. When the water reaches a boil add a little bit of white vinegar (this is not necessary but I think it's part of the reason my eggs came out so good). After you add the vinegar, turn the heat down to medium, and start stirring the pot with big fast stirs--to help cool down the water and also to add a whirpool effect. Crack your egg gently and let it drop into the center of the whirpool. Cook for 2 minutes, some recipes I've read say cook 3, or cook 1. I found 2 to be perfect.

On top of half a whole wheat english muffin I placed the egg, sprinkled some salt and that was that. Not the most exciting way to enjoy a poached egg, but so delicious.

Second poached egg, today 4/18, lunch time. I poached the egg, while the egg was cooking I toasted 1/2 a 90 calorie roll (Deli rolls-Pepperidge Farm--amazing), on top of that was some cheese-melting away. I sliced up a tomato and took 2 slices avocado and added some oregano. Placed those veggies (or fruits? who the fuck knows), on top of my cheesy bread-half, and on top of that my poached egg. Sprinkled a bit more oregano and some sea salt--HOLLA.

These past two days have been delicious, full of protein, and delightful. But I think I'll take an egg break--at least until Tuesday. Making some fresh pasta and sauce tonight with Andrew. In the above picture he had just finished doing a whole lot of heroin--we kid. We were working out!

Tomorrow is the beginning of my work/school week. Gym at 7AM, work til 3PM, and I ain't mad at it. I'm looking forward to a filled day and then to cleaning out/off my car in the afternoon. Hopefully the sun will be shining--unlike today. It was chilly! But I see the sun now.

Hope you all had a good weekend, I won't post again until the 23rd for my body update blog! Get excited, I think it'll be a good one.