Sunday, February 27, 2011

Feet

Feet.  Such a sexy topic of conversation.  But what can I say, we all have them.  So they deserve a spot on my blog!

Actually, my feet are not the best feet in the world (don't tell my feet though).  I've inherited bad foot genetics.  And the past 3 weeks or so have been really bad.  It's hindering my working out and creating a downward spiral!

My foot problems include (bear with me and these disgusting foot topics!) plantar warts, bunions and pain in my second toe.  So I finally made an appointment with the podiatrist.  With me signing up for a full marathon for this year, I have to make sure my feet are in the best shape they can be in.

Apparently, I have great mobility in my toes...the best ever!!  That's right...be jealous!  Actually, the doctor did say that.  He was very intrigued by my "toe mobility".  Thanks Doc!!

But that doesn't help my current foot problems.  He did address my plantar warts.  No need to talk about those ugly things.  I told him my main source of pain right now is the pain in my second toe on the left foot.  It hurts just to even walk.  That apparently is a direct result from the bunion.  And really the only thing to truly correct it is to have surgery.  I'm not having foot surgery right now.  My dad has had foot surgery in the past and it's a very painful thing to go through.

So he gave me a few things to try and wear to see if it will help relieve some of the pain.  I've been wearing it now for about 2 days.  I'm not sure if it's helping at all!  I've gone to the gym and I'm still working out with major toe pain!  There is one more thing I may try that my dad is trying right now.  I will see if that helps too.

Another thing I needed to prepare for the full marathon is new shoes.  Good running shoes.  I wanted to get fitted by an actual place to give me the proper shoes for the way I run.  My parent's were kind enough to give me a gift certificate to a new running store by their house for my birthday.  I finally decided to go.  I was a little intimidated to go and have someone watch me run on the treadmill.  But these people were very nice and made me feel immediately comfortable.

They had me strip my feet naked and walk on the floor.  Then they had me walk on the treadmill and run on the treadmill.  They videotaped it and showed me my feet as I was walking and running.

She said that I don't roll onto my arches.  She said that my feet stay in a pretty neutral position as I run.  I think that's a good thing.  She said a cushion shoe would be better for my feet as opposed to an arch support shoe because, I have a slight arch but not a high arch.

She brought out three brands of shoes for me to try on.  I tried each pair on and ran on the treadmill.  Finally, I decided on a pair of new running shoes!


Aren't they beauties!  I wore them today while running on the treadmill at the gym.  They feel pretty comfortable.

So that's the steps I have taken so far in an attempt to be fully prepared to train for the marathon.  I have to go back to the podiatrist in 2 weeks.  Hopefully my toe issue will get better.  It's really hard to get motivated to work out when you are in excruciating pain!

**In other blogging news, Biz from My Bizzy Kitchen is having a weight watcher food scale giveaway!  I have the old food scale but would love the new one!  Check out her blog post here for more details! The giveaway ends today so hurry to it!  Thanks Biz!

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Vitamins

To say that I've been in a funk lately is an understatement!  A funk with working out, eating right and just having plain old energy!  I'm sure you are all tired of hearing about it!

My funk with eating right, well, that's just it!  I'm not eating right.  I'm not making sure I get in all my dairy, veggies/fruit, oil, water, etc!  And I was so depressed last night (after my failed workout session, more on that later), that I vowed to never eat again!  

Well, ok.  I didn't go that far.  But I've been eating very conservatively today.  It's almost like I don't want to eat because I'm so depressed about the weight gain and feeling yucky and everything in general!  And I hate that I'm feeling this way.  I hate that I'm feeling like I shouldn't eat because I've gained weight.  That's not healthy.  That's what eating disorders are made of!  So, I'm working on my eating.  I need to find my right balance of eating again.

My funk with working out is two-fold.  I'm having problems with my one foot.  I call it my "problem foot" (aka my left foot).  My dad has had major problems with his feet, so much so, that he had surgery on one of them before.  I fear I am suffering from the same foot problems.  I need to make an appointment with a podiatrist.  I just keep procrastinating.  I know some of what he will say..."You should be running." "You shouldn't be doing step aerobics." "You shouldn't....."  Ugh, I don't want to hear it because truthfully, I'm not going to stop doing those two things right now.  What I do hope a doctor can do for me is give me a shoe insert that will relieve the pressure on my toe that's bothering me.  It even hurts to just walk on my foot.  

And because of this, my working out is suffering.  I stop working out because my toe hurts.  I skip classes because my toe hurts.  Then I get in a bad mood because all the things I love to do, I'm not doing because my toe hurts.  I hate having ailments.  And I hate complaining about them too!  My only option here is to make an appointment with the doctor.

I've also felt really tired lately.  So much so that I even "rested my eyes" during lunch at Subway yesterday, not to mention on the train to and from work!  Part of this reason is probably because I'm borderline anemic.  I go on an off taking iron pills but I notice that when I don't take them, I do feel more tired.  And I haven't taken any iron pills in a few months (I lost my bottle!).  lol

So today I went to Walgreens and bought some iron pills again.  Lucky me, they were buy one get one free!!  Woohoo!  I also decided to buy fish oil pills (which were also buy one get one free!  Woohoo!!).  I've never taken fish oil pills but know they are supposed to be really good for you due to the Omega 3 fatty acids.  I don't eat any fish ever so it's probably good for me to take these pills.  I also take a multivitamin when I remember.

My question for all of you is, do you take vitamins?  What vitamins do you take and why? 

Monday, February 21, 2011

Week in Review and Pork Chop Salad Recipe

Good Monday morning!!

Things are back to normal for me.  Matt is back in Omaha.  I'm at work.  I thought I would give a quick recap of the past week and two weekends.

Activities
1. Ice Skating at Millennium Park
2. Sears Tower (stood on the new glass ledge)















3. People watched at Millennium Park, saw the Bean and Matt took photos
4. Dinner, dinner, dinner, and maybe lunch
5. Bowling downtown and a few drinks
6. More drinks at my cousin's house on Friday night
7. More bowling on Saturday night into the wee hours of the night...with more drinks...uh...
8. Slept in.  Slept in some more.
9. 2 workouts at the gym on Sunday morning and Tuesday night
10. Art Institute
11. More stuff I'm sure...but I can't remember anything else!





















Matt loved, loved, loved my cat Isabelle more than anything else on his trip and basically spent the entire time cuddling with her.  Seriously!  Even when I went to work, he told me he cuddled with her in the bed for a while!  What!?!?  lol.

Now for the recipe!

Matt and I made this recipe for dinner on Saturday night.  It's relatively healthy (consists of good fats).  You can cut down or cut out on some ingredients as you choose.  We included everything the way it was but didn't end up using all the dressing or anything.  We did not include the almonds either.  This was such a delicious salad!

Click here for the link directly to the site that we got the recipe from.  

Pork Salad with Summer Fruits and Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette

Ingredients

  • 4 cooked pork chops, sliced
  • 8 cups mixed greens
  • 2 nectarines, cut into 12-wedges each
  • 1 grapefruit, segmented
  • 2 avocados, cut into wedges
  • 16 cherry tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon salad oil
  • 2 tablespoons slivered, toasted almonds
  • salt and black pepper
  • Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette:
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3/8 cup salad oil

Directions

  1. For the Vinaigrette: In a blender, combine all ingredients except oil. Blend at medium speed for one minute. Next, with blender at medium speed, pour oil very slowly into blender. Add salt and pepper.
  2. For each serving, toss 2 cups greens with 2 tablespoons dressing, top with 4 cherry tomatoes, 1 sliced pork chop, 1/2 avocado, sliced in wedges, 1/2 nectarine sliced in wedges, 1/4 grapefruit segments. Drizzle with more dressing and sprinkle with toasted almonds. Serve immediately.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

My Chicago Vacation

For those that know, I live in Chicago.  But I took a Chicago vacation!  Matt was in from Omaha and we did tons of "touristy" stuff in the City.  I never do much in the city.  I work there.  I eat at Subway there.  I even workout there.  And then I go home.

So what have I been up to?  We went to the Sears Tower.  We went ice skating in Millennium Park on Valentine's day.  We went to Chinatown and ate at a fantastic place!  We had a birthday celebration with my parents and fabulous cousins at my parent's restaurant.  We did more fun stuff at Millennium Park and "The Bean".  We walked...and walked... and walked A TON!  And we even went to the gym twice!  I'm sure I've forgotten stuff in the middle of all of this.  I'm back at work today and tomorrow.  That stinks.  Matt leaves on Sunday night.

Tonight, I've got a date!  With who???  You'll see!  (Hint:  It's with Matt).  He is meeting me after work.  He wants to go to the House of Blues but since we are both broke, no dinner there, just drinks (most likely).

So that's what I've been up to.  I don't expect to be able to post again until after the 20th when Matt leaves.  Just checking in to let you know I'm alive!!  It's been a great week so far!  Not over yet!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

I DID IT! I REGISTERED!

I really did it this time guys!  I might complain.  I might whine.  I might lose a limb. 

I registered for THE CHICAGO MARATHON 2011!!!

It's on October 9, 2011.

If you have run a marathon before, please share your training tips!  From fuel to shoes to clothing to hydration to a training program!  I need it all!

I actually am really scared.  After I registered, I put my head in my hands and (I don't care if you are not a religious person...), I prayed to GOD that I will not die!  lol.

I am running for a charity.  I will post further information on that.  It's a great charity and I run the half marathon for them every year.

Please share with your blogger friends who may have some tips for me!  Send them my way!  I need help! 

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Update

Happy Wednesday!

Wow, these last two weeks have been flying by for me!  Work is super crazy busy.  But the good news is, it's a little better for me.  I don't feel like crying when I'm there right now.  But I'm still looking for a new job.

My eating?  Well, again, I have not been tracking my food. What is my problem??  Well, I'm hanging in there. 

Matt is coming in town on Friday evening for my birthday.  Yes, my birthday is Friday!  I'll be the BIG 3-2!  32 years old.  Oh my!  So Matt's coming in and he is staying for a whole week.  Through the next weekend!  Wow, wonder if we will survive this!  lol.  I took Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday off of work.  I have to work on Thursday and Friday. 

Due to this little factor, I will not be posting to my blog!  Look for me to post sometime after February 20th.  Thanks for all your encouragement in everything! 

And the Chicago Marathon registration is open.  I guess I'm going to sign up!  I'm a little nervous!  I have to find a training program to follow!  I don't want to injure myself!

Have a great weekend and next week!

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Weigh In and Blizzard 2011

I went to my weight watchers meeting today and lost 2.2 lbs.  I'm very happy with that considering I've pretty much gained weight every week for 2 months! 

As promised, here are a few pictures of the Blizzard 2011 in Chicago.  It was the 3rd biggest snowstorm in the history of Chicago!  I feel as though it will never, ever...ever melt!  lol

 The drift by the garages!
 The front of my house.
 My back yard!
 The snow angel I made
 Cleared out my drive.
Hope you all have a great weekend.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Make it Good!

I think I've decided that I'm going to make today a good day.  Power of positive thinking, huh?  I do think there is something to this though.  Within reason.  You can only control what you can control.

Some things that I can control:
1. My mood.
2. My food.
3. My exercise.

My mood is slightly on the irritated side this morning due to a slight (ever so slight) spat with Matt last night.  Nothing major at all. Just irritating.  So I could be grumpy about it all day.  I could let that control my emotions.  But if I do that, I may dig into unwanted food due to emotional eating and I definitely do NOT want that.  So, I'm going to not let my mood get the better of me.  I'm going to try to make it a good one.  Fake it until you make it, right?

My food.  The last few days were slightly off track.  I can blame the blizzard.  I can blame my crappy work.  I can blame anything I want to.  But what good will that get me.  So today, I'm going to make it a good food day.  There is a container of delicious candy sitting on the desk across from me, just eyeing me!  "You want me! You need me!"  The candy says.  I say "Heck No!"  lol.  So I'm not going to touch a single piece of candy.  And I will make healthy, conscience decisions about my food all day today.

My exercise.  I always exercise on Friday's (except when I have to go to the airport for Matt, or I'm flying to Omaha).  In which case, I'll get up a half hour early and ride my stationary bike.  But there is an awesome kickboxing class that I go to on Friday's.  Today is that day!  I would normally go to this weights/abs class afterwards, but I haven't been feeling his style on that lately.  I feel that I'm not getting the most out of it.  So if I don't go to his 2nd class, I will do weights and abs on my own.  I still have a slight soreness to my back but I think I will be ok.  I'll listen to my body and see what feels right.

So that's my plan today.  I'm making it a good day.  I think I'm on track to lose a few pounds at my weigh in tomorrow, which will be a welcome change.  I have only gained weight since the beginning of December!

Thanks again to Jodi at Run Jodi Run for letting me be on her blog yesterday.  You can check that post out here!

Anyone have any plans this weekend?  I don't.  My only plans are to try to clean up my house a little bit and to get my flat tire fixed.  It's gonna be a fun weekend!!  lol

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Blizzard and Check me out here...

Wow, we had the 3rd biggest blizzard in Chicago history yesterday (started Tuesday evening).  I am a blogger without a computer so forgive me for not posting!  It took me a while to dig out part of my driveway!  My back is a little sore.  I do have a snowblower but shoveling is required part of the time.  I will post pictures over the weekend.

I have still been trying to work out every day for my 100 day challenge (see the tab above).  I missed one day here and cheated a few days (with just walking around a city).  But even the last two snowy days,  I managed to ride my stationary bike at home.

My eating was great Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  I slipped up on Tuesday and didn't track that day or Wednesday.  I'm going to blame the stress of the blizzard and being home all day.  It's my fault, yet, I know.  I'm getting back on track today.  I really hope to see a loss come Saturday's weigh in because I'm tired of gaining weight!  I need to get back to my goal weight!

**Also, Jodi from Run, Jodi, Run has kindly asked me to be a featured guest on her blog!  Check me out over there today.  I really appreciate the opportunity Jodi! 

Are you snowed in?  Did you have ice storms?  Or are you fortunate enough to live in a nice warm sunny area??