Eating, Fitness, Running, Uncategorized

Talk About It Tuesday

Hello Hip Huggers,

Here is an interesting Transform(ATE)tion Tuesday to end the year….

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Jan. ’15 (left) Dec ’16 (right) – 2 year and 20 lb. difference. And yes, ate a sista did in 2016!

The picture on the left is from January ’15 and the other is today, December ’16. Almost 2 years apart and although I can clearly see where I’ve GAINED weight and hair in the new picture. There is about a 20 lb difference between the 2 pictures and you guys, I don’t feel bad about that at all! In fact, I think I look surprisingly great for having an anything but active year, complete collapse on eating in moderation and mindfully, and really allowing stress and self loathing to rue the day all this year. But anyway…

Lets talk about: Goals.

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Really, I did!

My fitness goals for 2017 are pretty simple: 15 miles of running/walking a week, 3 liters of water a day, and a loss of 20 18 lbs. by June 2017. I really want to get my portions back under control, cut out bread & cheese a bit (y’all, I’ve been doing really good with the cheese) and train of a race – all secondary achievements I plan on acquiring this by summer as well.

This is not, in any, saying I won’t involve myself in a plethora of other fitness activities. I’d like to run the Hot Chocolate 15k in Feb, which will require much more than 15 miles a week. I also can’t neglect how vital lifting weights and cross training are running, and I enjoy all of the above. But, to get myself motivated, I want to go back to what I know can easily be a part of my everyday with working, being in school, and having a huge family to take care of. Putting things into perspective: Just run the world day, Pam.

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Speaking of, today’s run ( first since June) was balmy and nice. The weather is so fall like here its crazy. We actually didn’t even get out for a run until well after 12, a sure no-no any other time of the year here in Texas pretty much. We just lapped it around the park here until we got 30 minutes so I have no idea the distance. That, thanks in part to an upgrade in FitBit. I got a FitBit Alta for Christmas. Lovely, however it doesn’t allow for you to manually start a workout on the watch – there s no button. I’m I missing something? Besides my old Charge HR….

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Merry Christmas to me. FitBit Alta, swapped out the black for the purple band, because like Nas, ‘my state of mind is purple’ in 2017.

I’m kinda bummed because I did want a FitBit that was a little more stylish, and more comfortable to wear around the clock so I can get accurate data of my sleeping. But I didn’t want to give up so many of the little things I wanted I a fitness watch. I can always return this and buy another, I just wish I’d done a little more research before adding this particular one to the Christmas wish list. I definitely didn’t trade up, but I’ll give in a little longer before I revert back to old faithful, like I’ve done with most meals…

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Fried chicken breast in grapeseed oil (was on sale), and lightly sprinkled with grated parmesan cheese while piping hot! Then, paired with plain jasmine rice and roasted skinny string beans.

Note: when making really flavorful (read: fried) protein, I always stick to plain rice, preferably jasmine. The chicken has plenty o’ seasoning and the plain rice balances it all out so the meal is sans unnecessary salt and oil (I sometimes stir fry my rice if just making chicken breast to add a little moisture to the meal,  but its really not necessary. I myself am cooking for 7 and they don’t all, or should not all, have to eat like me every night. Food is fun, don’t forget that! Meal down the hatch, and am currently trying to get down these last 20 oz. of water! Good night, Hip Huggers!

What are your 2017 resolutions and/or goals? We can encourage each other! Comment below!

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Fitness, Yoga

You’re Okay, but your lbs. Can’t Stay

Hello Hip Huggers,

Monday was my last day at my cool little job. Regrettably, I had to come home from working for personal reasons, not my own and I’ll share that caveat later. But it was definitely a fun time, with a fun company and fun people. I was sure sure lucky to have had an experience like this.

I’ve been working since June of this past summer. After years of being home and having the ease of planning meals, exercising at will, and constantly plugged into social media I didn’t fare well balancing it all whilst returning to the workforce, even part time. I started mindless munching  to soothe work stress, commutes and being spread thin at home. I stopped creating time in the mornings to workout consistently. And, I ate a lot of grits.

So, now that I am home and have to face the mirror music, I must admit: a sistah has gained 20 lbs, 19 to be exact, since May 2015.

I’m not upset with myself about the gain, but of the state of my life: uncontrolled. I hadn’t prepared my family properly before heaving myself into work. I felt like I was always catching up, and I of course, was last on my Own. Damn. List. But, I need to always workout for my own mental health and sanity. I shouldn’t allow myself to not put myself first. No one is jumping in to help figure things out. No ones pulling me out of bed to run. No one is planning my meals or workouts. No one is rolling out my mat when I’m off center. I’m not even sure anyone is praying for me! So, I’d better be doing all these things for my damn self.  And not allow life, at any pace, to control me.

Also, it doesn’t matter what you do- running, lifting, yoga, tracking calories… Just do it. Running kept me light, lifting kept me lean. Yoga made me strong, tracking kept me accountable. Great individually, but incredible altogether.

Today was a mix of it all , 30 Day Shred (which almost killed me) to start! I knew I had lost a great deal of fitness, but I didn’t think I’d completely forget the pain of mountain climbers, jump squats, or butt kicks…

Finished my workout and decided to take a 20 minute stroll to meet my kiddos walking home from school…

Came home and practiced yoga for about 20 minutes. I’m incredibly tight in my hammies so the stretch was very humbling.


Now I’m kicked back, drinking hot tea, reading up on a few blogs I’ve missed, and preparing marinated chicken thighs for the grill, happily exhausted… Or I’m wishing I had all that going on and really getting ready for a nap…

Catch some zzz’s you later, Hip Huggers!
Question: Have you ever left a job you loved?