It was wonderful!

It was wonderful, fantastic, just awesome!  Feeling the warmth of the sun.  The wind blowing through my hair.  Hearing the birds sing.  The frogs croaking and all of the other little critters making noise signaling the start of Spring.  It's time that I spend with God.  I felt free and alive.

And it all happened on an 8 mile bike ride.

Fit Friday, Recipes, and Family

Wow - another week is over and I can't believe it's Friday already.  Our area is supposed to get more snow on Saturday and even though it's only supposed to be 1-3 inches, it still is depressing.  Like so many others, I really am over snow, winter, and cold weather.  Carl's parents are coming to visit tomorrow and we will be celebrating Ryan's birthday - my baby will be 10 on Wednesday.  I can't believe how time has flown by! I'll be posting pictures of my little angel (he knows how to turn on the charm when needed) on Wednesday if you would like to see him through the years.  The Maple Syrup Festival is going on in Rockville this weekend and next - the plan was to go there on Saturday, but I don't know if we're going to do that.  I would like to go to this great store on the square that was open last fall - it's called Neva's and there are country/prim decorations plus antiques.  Cute, cute, cute! 

Carl and I have been going to the gym to workout and I think he's really becoming addicted to it.  For some reason Carl is more motivated to work out when we go to the gym than he would be if we were working out at home.  Personally, I think it's because he works from home and enjoys getting out.  I remember those days - home with a baby and craving adult interaction.  Since we've been going to the gym, I've discovered two pieces of equipment that are slowly becoming my fave workouts.  I don't know what the first one is called, but it works you thigh muscles - inside, outside, and hamstrings.  I'll try to get a picture today and post it for all to see - maybe  you can help me figure out what it's called.  I've also discovered the rowing machine.  Love it!!  Everything from my quads to shoulders gets a workout when I'm rowing. 

Today is one month since I originally took my measurements and the results are not what I hoped for.  I've gone from 3 pounds lost up to 1 pound lost, and I've only lost 1.25 inches.  Not happy!!  So, I have to be honest with myself about this.  First, the older I get, the more difficult it will be to get the weight off.  Second, I have not worked out consistently.  Third, I have not changed all of my bad eating habits.  So, lets talk about this ..... do we have to?  Isn't there a magic pill I could take to get the weight off? 

Ok, I need to get real.  I can't do anything about the first one - mid 40's, time doesn't go back, just embrace the years ahead and start taking care of my body. 

Second - excercise.  Why haven't I worked out consistently?  I'm lazy.  Work have been crazy busy and when I get home I'm exhausted.  The weather stinks!  In reality, these are all excuses.  I'm in this situation party because I'm lazy (and partly due to a knee injury) and tired, but if I would do something, anything, for even 20 -30 minutes, it would be better than nothing.  Stretching is something that my doctor told me to do and that can be done while I'm watching the TV. I can also do some floor exercises, my P.T. exercises, or situps during this time.  One good thing to report - I am still doing the Physique 57 workouts and Carl even did the arm and ab workout with me last night.  He said it was a good workout.  Would he do it with me again?  Yes!  It's always nice to have someone to work out with.  A friend also told me about Zumba.  She has been going to classes for a couple of weeks now and really likes it.  This is a snipet from the Zumba website:

The Zumba® program fuses hypnotic Latin rhythms and easy-to-follow moves to create a one-of-a-kind fitness program that will blow you away. Our goal is simple: We want you to want to work out, to love working out, to get hooked. Zumba® Fanatics achieve long-term benefits while experiencing an absolute blast in one exciting hour of calorie-burning, body-energizing, awe-inspiring movements meant to engage and captivate for life!

The routines feature interval training sessions where fast and slow rhythms and resistance training are combined to tone and sculpt your body while burning fat. Add some Latin flavor and international zest into the mix and you've got a Zumba® class!

It sounds like fun and if you go to YouTube, there are several videos of classes. In addition to that, I'm so looking forward to warmer weather when I can ride my bike.  As a family, we like to ride in the evenings and Carl and I will go out on the weekend and go for longer rides into town. 

 

Third - changing my eating habits.  I know what I should do and need to do, but I don't want to do it. Well, too bad self! Why haven't I changed my eating habits?  Hhhhmmmmmm..... emotional eating. Work has been busy, I feel stressed, and I want to eat for comfort. Possible solution:  workout to relieve stress and keep healthy snacks on hand for these times. Yesterday, Carl and I were talking about weight loss and I told him that I could probably be a vegetarian 75% of the time.  I like chicken, fish, red meat - but not all the time - and Carl wants (needs) meat at almost every meal.  So, I pulled out two Weight Watcher cookbooks (one is a vegetarian cookbook) that I found when I was decluttering a few weeks ago (clutter - another subject that makes me want to eat).  Surprisingly, Carl said that he would like to eat more vegetables and soups.  That was music to my ears!  I've picked out a recipe from one of the cookbooks that I want to share with everyone - Risotto with Roasted Peppers and Peas - recipe posted below.  Speaking of Weight Watchers, check out this blog by the Weight Watcher Chick.  

One last thing - we tried star fruit last night.  It was yum yum yummo!  It doesn't have much flavor - kind of like a watered down version of an orange.  BUT - don't eat it if you have kidney problems.  Read here to find out why.  Here is a picture of our cute little fruit after it was sliced.

 
One last thing that I want to do to share - and I usually don't share this with everyone - but I said in a earlier post that I was going to start being real and posting about all of us - I really believe in the power of prayer.  Prayer is a wonderful thing - it doesn't have to be fancy, it doesn't have to be a long prayer, you don't have to say it out loud or in front of anyone else.  It's a conversation between you and God.  I am going to pray consistently about what I put in my mouth, what I do with my body, my thoughts about food and exercise, how my body responds to all of this - you get the point. I truly believe that this is a "tool" that I've been neglecting.  Check out this blog for weight loss inspiration - Shaped to Serve.  This lady is from the same town I live in and we have a mutual friend, which is how I found her blog.  Another one that I occasionally read is Karen Ehman's blog. She has a segment called Weight Loss Wednesdays. 

Here are the two recipes that I said I would post.  After you check these out, would you please check out Colleen's blog?  She hosts a weekly recipe swap and there are always good recipes to try.  Carl and I really like biscotti and Colleen has posted a recipe for Pumpkin Cranberry Biscotti!  I know what I'm making....

Risotto with Roasted Peppers and Peas

3 lg red bell peppers
2 c. canned vegetable broth, undiluted
2 c. water
1 tsp olive oil
1 c. uncooked Arborio rice
1 - 10 oz. pkg. frozen green peas, thawed
1/2 c. (2 oz) finely shredded fresh Parmesan cheese
3 tblsp chopped fresh basil
3 tblsp chopped fresh parsley
1 tblsp fresh lemon juice
1/8 tsp. fresh ground pepper

Cut bell peppers in half lengthwise; discard seeds and membranes.  Place pepper halves, skin side up, on a foil-lined baking sheet; flatten with hand.  Broil 15 minutes or until blackened.  Place in a zip-top plastic bag; seal.  Let stand 5 minutes.  Peel and chop peppers; set aside.

Bring broth and water to a simmer in a saucepan (do not boil).  Keep warm over low heat.  Heat oil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat.  Add rice; saute 2 minutes or until lightly browned.  Reduce heat to medium-low.  Stir in 1 c. broth; cook until liquid is nearly absorbed, stirring constantly.  Add remaining broth, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly; cook until each portion of broth is absorbed before adding the next (about 30 minutes total).

Add peas and cook until thoroughly heated, stirring constantly.  Add roasted peppers, 1/2 cup cheese, and next 4 ingredients, and cook until thoroughly heated, stirring constantly.  Garnish with shaved Parmesan cheese if desired.  Yield:  4 servings - 1 1/2 cups per serving. 

Note:  You may substitute 2 cups chopped bottled roasted red bell peppers if desired.

I know this is a long post, and thank you for taking the time to read it.  I hope you weekend is warm, happy, and full of love. 

Fit Friday - Finding Your Motivation

Welcome to Fit Friday.  Last week we covered some basic good health guidelines and now we need to talk about one more piece to the puzzle - MOTIVATION.  The definition of motivation is to give reason, incentive, enthusiasm, or interest that causes a specific action or certain behavior.

I've been thinking lately about my inspiration and motivation to get in shape and lead a healthier lifestyle.  Most recently it is to feel better physically.  I've had alot of problems with my knees during the last year and exercise hasn't always been easy or I haven't been able to exercise at all.  Another motivator is to look better in my clothes - I tend to carry extra weight around my middle (now I know why it's called a spare tire).  Another motivator is that I just feel better. 

There are all kinds of things that can motivate you to stay focused and reach your goals.  The key is to find what works for you even if it changes from time to time.  I've always heard that keeping a journal or food diary is very helpful.  Exercising with a family member, friend, or co-worker is also another great way to stay motivated and encouraged.  These are some of my top motivators:

*  Pictures from when I was at my goal weight.
*  Finding some good recipes to try.  Healthy Appetite with Ellie Krieger has some good recipes to try.
*  Talking to friends about our exercise routines.  I need some variety in my routine or else I get very bored!  Check out Collage Video if you are looking for something new.
*  A kind word from my husband or my boys.  Encouraging words can be so uplifting, especially when they come from someone special :)
*  Reading other people's stories of success and failure.  There is so much to be learned from others! I like watching The Biggest Loser, reading Prevention, Shape Magazine, and Weight Watchers.   I also saw a blurb about DHC National Body Challenge - check it out here.
*  Sometimes it's nice to have an exercise buddy.  Last summer I would ride with Roxana and it made the miles not seem so long.  Can't wait to hit the road again this summer.
*  Seeing results of my hard work!

So, take some time to figure out what your motivation is.  Find a picture, a quote, a favorite outfit - search the net for one article or story that will stick with you, something that will keep you focused on reaching your goal. 

Yes, in our dream world, we would all be thin like one of those Hollywood starlettes, but it's not all about being thin - it's all about your health.

N.I.T.E. Ride

It was a dark night, I was in the heart of the city, there were people everywhere, there was the sound of a gun, and.......it was time to ride baby!! Ok - no gun - I just need something dramatic to go along with the rest of the story. What really happened was I participated in the NITE ride (Navigate Indy This Evening) with a few friends. The ride started at 11:00 p.m. and by the time we reached the start line it was 11:20 with a finish time of 1:10 a.m. This was my first year for this ride and I was really looking forward to it. I couldn't believe how many people were there - like hundreds and hundreds of people. Before the ride started we watched some races on the Major Taylor Velodrome and checked out items for sale at the BGI tents. The ride went through the IUPUI campus, Butler campus, Indianapolis Art Garden, downtown Indy, down Meridian, and an exit ramp off of 38th St. to get back to the Velodrome (that was one of my favorite parts of the ride). The ride was 20 enjoyable miles - an experience that I'm so thankful for having and being able to share with friends.

Here are some links if you would like more information about this ride and others:
http://www.indygov.org/eGov/City/DPR/Parks/SportsComplexes/Pages/MajorTaylorVelodrome.aspx
http://www.niteride.org/home.html
http://bgindy.com/
http://www.cibaride.org/

From Dugout Divas to Bicycle Babes

Well, before I begin this story, I have to share another one. Prince Charming used to coach George's baseball team a few years ago and my friend "R" (her DS was on the team) and I would help in the dugout. I don't know if we started this or maybe it was Prince Charming, or both, but we ended up with the name Dugout Divas. Well the name stuck even though our boys aren't playing baseball any longer. Now to the rest of the story.....I love to ride my bike. Love it, love it, love it. Last year I rode in the Brownsburg B&O with my friend "C". Our plan was to ride the 45 mile route but it rained (really, it poured), and we did approximately 15 miles. We probably shouldn't have done it, but I was excited about the ride and in the end I did have fun.

I found out that "R" was riding her bike and we started riding together this year. The Brownsburg B&O was our first ride and we are going to do about four more rides before the snow flies. As you can see from the pictures, my family came out to cheer us on. Prince Charming and the boys made the sign - they put all kinds of things on there - I love pink ("R" and I both like the color), they wrote "pedal it to win it" which is a take off from a Travis Pastrana quote that they say when they are riding their dirtbikes, and other encouraging words. They even brought an old cow bell along and were ringing it when "R" and I were riding up to them. I have to say that it was fun, exciting, and motivating. At one of the rest stops the dog was there and was "greeting" everyone - I think George made a new friend that day. We did the 45 mile route and I only walked up part of one hill. I think we both enjoyed the ride and are looking forward to the next one. Now you know how two Dugout Divas became Bicycle Babes.