Happy Hump Day!

I'm happy to report the week is moving by fairly fast. 

My plan was to do a workout when I got home from work Monday but it didn't happen. I ended up having 2 Dr. Peppers at work. I know better. As good as they taste, they make me feel sluggish & sleepy later. I'm sure it's a crash from the sugar high. They never give me any energy. Needless to say I was not into a workout. I try not to beat myself up about it because those days are going to happen & it's not like I didn't do anything. I ran 6 miles before work. 

Speaking of - people annoy me. Maybe that's harsh but not as harsh as when I worked at The Advocate & I hated people. Progress right? Anyway, there's a guy I work with that has lost something like 150 lbs. He spends lots of his time walking up & down the stairs at the office. We're on the 6th floor. I had to go downstairs & pick up lunch for a meeting & he was there. When the lady asked if I was going to need help carrying everything I said no. This is where the annoying people come in. He says to the lady "She's taking the elevator".  Why yes, yes I am taking the elevator. I actually spoke up with a laughing "Hey, I ran 6 mi. this morning". He changed his tune real quick. "Oh I didn't mean anything". Un huh right. I do take the stairs sometimes. Not as often as I'd like mainly because of my shoes. It's hard to walk up 6 flights of stairs in a pair of wedges. 

Tuesday morning I was going to do a mix of leg work & arm work. It pretty much just turned into a lackadaisical workout. I couldn't get in a groove, I rested too much. I was tired. I woke up at 3:45 & was awake until sometime after 4:00. Last time I looked at the clock it was 4:10. Of course when the alarm went off at 4:30 Dean had to wake me up. Hate when that happens. 

All that led to burning a whopping 147 calories. I have to do better. 

About a month ago I signed up  for a free fitness challenge that Paige & Heather hosted. It was to get you to #movehappy. The rules were simple - workout  & comment on the blog post saying what you did & you were entered into that weeks drawing for prizes. Using the #movehappy hash tag on Instagram got you extra entries. Well guess what? I won the first week! I was able to pick out any pair of shoes I wanted from Finish Line. I got them this week.

..

My trusty Brooks Adrenalines! Love them so much. These are the shoes I was fitted in when I started running & they've been so great I haven't tried any others. These are the latest model. $120 pair of shoes for free? I'll take it!! 

Last night we had a girls dinner to celebrate my friend Sheri's birthday. I had time to kill after work before we met so I went to Starbucks.

Venti Unsweetened Passion Tea with 3 Splenda's. Really good but next time I need to go with 4 or 5 Splenda. 

Dinner was at City Pork. I wasn't thrilled with the menu when I looked at it online because there weren't many choices. I ended up with a wedge salad that was delicious but didn't look like any wedge salad I'd ever had. I mean if it's not actually a wedge of lettuce is it really a wedge salad?? I had the pulled pork sandwich to go with it. It came with homemade chips. I didn't care for the chips. They weren't salty enough. That was a good thing because I wasn't tempted to eat them. 

This morning was a run day. 

It was hot & humid as usual but I pushed myself a little more & was a little faster than I have been. Glad to have it done. Today when I get home I will be doing a leg workout. Legs are my problem area. Well, thighs are my problem area. I know squats & all that jazz will not only help how they look but will help my running. Strong legs make strong runners with less injuries. At least that's what I keep reading. 

How have your workouts been?

Toodles!

Yay Monday!

I'm trying to change my attitude! Yay Monday!!! 

So Friday night I felt the need for carbs. My training plan called for an 8 mile run Sat. so carbs sounded fabulous. Great excuse to eat crap right?! We went to Monjuni's. It's Restaurant Week in Baton Rouge which means we just eat more than normal. The special was 3 courses. 

I chose the Caprese Tart - Fluffy puff pastry topped with tomato, mozzarella and fresh basil and fished with our house made basil oil and fig infused balsamic vinaigrette.

I LOVED IT SO MUCH!!!

I chose the lasagna for my main course. No picture. Everyone knows what lasagna looks like. 

For dessert I had the Italian Almond Cream Cake. The menu described it as Tiramisu's cousin (which incidentally I just had for the first time a few weeks ago when we went to Ruffino's - LOVED IT!). Lady fingers soaked in amaretto layered with mascarpone and topped with toasted almonds.

Amazing! 

I was up bright & early at 5:00 am Saturday so I'd have time to eat a little something before my run. I went to the Lakes with Cindy, Renee & Dianne - the others running the Disney race with me. 

The LSU Lakes are one of my favorite places in Baton Rouge. It's so pretty. This was taken with my phone, no filter & I didn't stop running to take it. How gorgeous is that?

That's Tiger Stadium & Memorial Tower. 

Lots of ducks along the route. I like running at the lakes because I don't have to carry water on a long run. Several of the houses along the lake have water fountains & one of the Churches has one too. The houses along the route are huge & gorgeous. If we ever win the lottery that's where I want to live.

I paused my watch when I stopped for water & I forgot to restart it but I definitely did 8 miles. 2 laps around the big lake & a lap around the 1.85 mi. small lake. 

I went home & got in the pool for a bit to cool off. Then I went for a massage! It was great! I could've laid there much longer than an hour. 

We went to Mass & then to a fundraiser for a friends son that died several years ago from a rare form of cancer.  We got there a little early so we went next door to the Chimes for a drink.

I had Champagne with a splash of Chambord. It's one of my favorite drinks!

The fundraiser was for the Bare Pedals Foundation. It was formed after Jeff died.  There was good food, wine & bands.

We got to hang out with some friends we haven't seen in awhile. Mike (in the middle) was my boss for awhile when I worked at The Advocate. Everybody loves Mike!

I don't know what the heck is wrong with my eye. UGH! Anyway, me, Mike's Daughter in law & Renee'

Me & Dean. It was a fun night. 

Sunday I cleaned out the bathroom cabinets. I had so many just about empty containers of stuff it was ridiculous! After doing that &  watching one of my all time faves, John Smoltz, get inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame I spent some time in the pool. 

Dean grilled chicken & veggies. My part of the meal was cutting up the veggies.

Mushrooms, bell peppers, squash & zucchini. It was delicious! 

I had a little wine too. 

I've been reading a lot about grilled fruit. We decided to try it. I'm not a huge fan of fruit so I was thinking maybe this would be a good way to have it. 

Pineapple & peaches. I really liked the pineapple. The peaches were ok. Not bad at all but also not the greatest thing I've ever eaten. I put butter & cinnamon on the peaches & just butter on the pineapple. 

The finished product! Delicious! The next thing you know we had hurricane force winds & had to bring all the food inside. That was followed by a lot of rain! Haven't had that in awhile. It was much needed. 

I ran this morning. 

I was pleasantly surprised with the weather. Only 80% humidity & 76 degrees. It wasn't cool by a long shot but it wasn't so hot I couldn't breathe. I'll take it!

How was your weekend?

Toodles!

Friday Eve!!

Thankfully the week has gone by fairly fast. I have a couple of errands to run today at work so hopefully that will make the day go by fast.

 

Tuesday when I got home from work I did a leg workout. Burpees, a bunch of squats & lunges, leg lifts, more burpees. I don't like burpees but I don't really like squats & lunges either.

 

 

I was excited to see 242 calories burned. I seem to have a hard time breaking the 200 mark. That's the bad thing about working out at home & not going to a class like Yoglates. I'm  pretty sure I rest too much between exercises. it doesn't feel like it at the time. I normally just do a few sets of each exercise but I've got a ton of workouts pinned so I'm going to try a couple of those.

 

My brother sent me this picture the other night.

 

 

Clearly, someone dressed themselves after bath time! hahaha! Every time I look at this picture I crack up. That hat was one of his Christmas gifts from me & Dean. I'd brought him to eat one day & he saw a man with a hat on like that & he told me he "wanted a golf hat". He wasn't too enthused with it at Christmas but he's recently decided he likes it.

 

Wednesday was arm day.

 

Again less than 200 calories. Even though it's arm day I do a bunch of burpees to raise my heart rate. Still didn't do the trick.

 

Last night I sliced up a sweet potato & tossed it in olive oil & Cajun seasoning & baked it in the toaster oven. They were really good. Although, I would've liked for them to be crispier. I don't know how to do that. They baked for like 35 mins. I was starving & couldn't wait any longer. I've been buying Bolthouse Farms salad dressing. It's made from yogurt & doesn't have any of the usual crap. No preservatives or high fructose corn syrup & it's low in calories. I love the salsa ranch but they were out last time I was at the store so I got blue cheese. It's good too & I used it to dip the sweet potatoes in. DELISH! I had a salad with it. Everything was good but I'm getting tired of eating the same things. I may have to suck it up & actually look at some recipes & attempt to cook something.

 

Speaking of food. We're having birthday cake at work. Today's cake is Black Forest. As much as I love chocolate, an actual chocolate cake isn't my favorite thing. I'm not crazy about cherries either so I'm going to try to refrain.

 

Today was a run day. My friend from work Amber came with me again for a couple of miles. It's really nice to have company.

It wasn't as stifling outside as Tuesday but it's still pretty hot. This morning heat index was 83. I'm hoping for overcast skies Sat. for my 8 miler.

 

Toodles!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So NOT Ready For Monday!

I really hate how fast the weekends go by. Stay busy & they fly by, stay home & do nothing & they last longer but you're staying home & doing nothing. Sometimes that's fine but sometimes I want to do stuff.

 

I stayed on track with my workouts last week. One day I'll consistently burn over 200 calories on arm day.

 

 

Aren't my weight lifting gloves cute! I ordered them from Sparkle & Sweat. Dean rolled his eyes when he saw them but I was getting serious callouses on my hands & I can't have that!

 

One day last week was an exciting mail day.

 

 

Me & Cindy's Disney tickets for the race! November will be here before we know it!

 

My days are all confused but one day last week I needed to get to work early so I only ran 5 miles.

 

 

On Tuesdays one of the guys I work with host a men's Bible study at lunch in one of our conference rooms. One of the guys that came brought a piece of ginger.

 

 

It smells so good!

 

I've been reading about the greatness that are Oofos. No idea how to pronounce it. Everyone says they're the most comfortable shoes ever & great for recovery after a long run. I hadn't bought any because nobody in the area sold them & I didn't want to order online not being able to try them on first. Our local Fleet Feet posted on Facebook a few weeks ago that they'd ordered them. Random fact - we bought our house from the Fleet Feet owner - so I messaged her & asked her to let me know when they came in.

 

 

They came in & I got the pink & grey. LOVE THEM! They're so comfy. They have arch support too. I really like the pink & grey because the pink part is shiny. Kinda like patent leather. I find the others look a little Croc like. Not really a bad thing but I like the shiny better.

 

Wednesday I was invited by some friends to a ladies luncheon for Scott Angelle who is running for Governor of Louisiana. It was very nice & he was a very good speaker. Once the luncheon was over they announced that if you had a sticker on your chair you won the centerpiece. Guess who won?

 

 

Pretty right? I love fresh flowers. Especially when they've been arranged by a professional.

 

Thursday morning was a run day! My friend from work has been saying she wanted to run with me. She lives close so she came for part of my run. It's nice having someone to talk to.

 

 

I'm not sure what will happen with my runs when school starts. Traffic is so much better in the morning during the summer that I can run my 6 miles & get to work on time. I don't usually have much time to spare so I'm going to have to figure out a way to speed up how long it takes me to get ready.

 

We had a birthday at work Thursday. We had cookie cake.

 

 

I'm having a hard time with my willpower but I managed to have a small piece Thursday & none on Friday.

 

Friday night our crew went to Caliente for dinner. No big surprise there.

 

 

Saturday morning I ran 7 miles. I got up early to try & get it done before it was so ridiculously hot. The heat index was still 85 but it wasn't awful. Some random bug bit me on the back & it's driving me crazy but other than that all was good.

 

Cindy & some of her friends have a Triathlon August 1 so they were riding & running Sat. She set up a fuel station & it was awesome!

 

 

She told me Friday night at dinner that it would be set up by the time I finished my run so I ran my route so I'd finish  near her house. That was the best tasting chocolate milk ever!!! After that it was home for a protein pancake & Powerade, then some pool time. After I cooled off I did a leg workout.

 

Dean's brother & his girlfriend were in town so we went to dinner with them & Dean's parents.

 

Sunday we went to Mass early, did our grocery shopping & I did a arm workout.  

 

 

Still not burning 200 calories. UGH! I spent more time in the pool & I took a nice long nap!

 

We went to a charity event last night for abused kids. There was a silent auction but I didn't see anything I was dying to have. Caliente provided the food & she invited us to go.

 

Now it's Monday again which is annoying. UGH. Hopefully, the day will go by fast!

 

Toodles!

Wednesday!

I'm glad it's Wednesday but at the same time I keep thinking it's Thursday. Work is crazy.

A co-worker is out which means I do 2 jobs. Not fun. Oh well.

Friday night a group of us went to eat at Ruffino's on the River in Lafayette & we took their party bus. We've never been to the restaurant in Lafayette, just Baton Rouge but it was so worth the trip.

 

6 couples went & it was so fun. Surprisingly, we didn't have any problem with traffic. This is more of a miracle actually. See the traffic in this town is crazy & going to Lafayette means crossing the dreaded bridge. That would be the bridge over the Mississippi River that ALWAYS & I do mean ALWAYS has an accident or the dreaded stall. Seriously, it's news if there are no problems on the bridge. You would know the time we're on a party bus with nothing but time is the time we zip right along.

 

I've always thought my hands were big but they look huge in this picture! We've discussed how I have freakishly long arms but apparently freakishly large hands go with them.

 

We had their signature summer cocktail.

 

 

I don't remember what it was called but it had hibiscus vodka (didn't know there was such a thing) & champagne & some other things. I thought it was great. Some of the others weren't fans.

 

I had a hard time deciding what I wanted. Dean & I each got an appetizer & shared them. He got the crab meat cheesecake. This is usually my go to at Ruffino's. I LOVE it but the Seafood Martini was sounding really good so I got it.

Shrimp & avocado? You can't possibly go wrong. Those shrimp were so good! I had veal something or other for my meal & it was delicious too.

 

When we did the cooking class in Baton Rouge the chef from Lafayette was there watching how things were done because she was going to offer the classes in Lafayette. We saw her as soon as we walked in. I think she was surprised we remembered her. After our meal she came to the table & we told her how good the food was & we thought it was better than Baton Rouge. A little while later this happened.

We looked up & desserts were coming from every direction. The Chef & our wait staff were delivering Tiramisu & some sort of concoction with a ice cream to us. We were full & didn't need it but when the Chef sends out free dessert you have to eat it right??

 

When you go to Ruffino's there is always cotton candy at the end of the meal.

  

 

It's their thing. I did not eat any of it.

 

Saturday I went to a play. Our friends son was in Shrek The Musical. It was so good!

 

Myles takes classes every week & they do a lot of shows but this was the first one I'd gotten to see.

Dean & I went to Caliente Saturday night. Again, we were full & here comes Jessica (the owner) with some sort of chocolate cake & ice cream that was incredible. The cake is gluten free & she wanted us to try it. We're the Caliente Guinea Pigs. Apparently, it was the weekend of free dessert.

 

Good think workouts are going well.

 

Sunday I went to the lakes with our crew that's doing the Disney Wine & Dine Half. We did intervals which makes the miles go by faster. I did run the last 1.25 without stopping. They're all triathletes & running isn't their favorite thing to do so they've just started training. Since most of my running is spent alone I enjoy being able to go with them when I can.

 

Monday I was up early to do weights.

 

 

I need to do a better job because that's not enough calories to burn!

Tuesday was a run day.
 

 

I only did 5 miles because I needed to get to work a little early. I had every intention of doing legs when I got home yesterday but I worked late & certainly wasn't in the mood when I got home.

 

Today was arms again.

 

 

Did better with the calorie burn. Guess that means I have to keep doing burpees!!

 

So now that you're caught up, what's happening with y'all? 

 

Toodles!

July 4th Fun!

Of course being a holiday weekend we ate a lot. Thursday night was Walk On's & Friday night was Caliente. 

I found something new at Caliente - can you believe there's something I haven't tried?? Adobo Chicken tacos. Yum! I love their tortilla soup!

Friday morning we worked in the yard. I pulled a lot of weeds & I didn't finish. I can deal with the heat but the humidity was crazy & I was soaking wet in about 4.7 seconds. I finally just got in the pool & floated for awhile. I swam some laps too. 

Saturday I go up early to get a run in before all the July 4th festivities started. Also to beat the heat. 

 It was hard. I figured out that I wasn't hydrated enough. It's crazy what a difference that makes. I drank water Friday but considering how much I was sweating I didn't drink enough. 

After the run I found a nail salon that was open & I had a pedicure. Y'all just don't know how good it feels to have someone massage your calves & feet after a run! 

Then it was time for the party. We hung out with all of our neighbor friends at Jackie & Dennis'. 

We were able to float in the pool for a bit before the torrential rains came. I honestly don't remember the last day that it didn't rain. It's ridiculous! 

We had a really fun day with lots of good food. There was a dip that I really liked & it was healthy with black beans in it. I have to get that recipe. 

Sunday afternoon was Cael's birthday party. I got zero pictures of Cael or any of the other kids because I was too busy playing with precious little CC!

CC is Cael's cousin & I haven't see her since she was a little baby. She turns a year old this month. 

Again, there was a torrential downpour when it was time to leave the party. The only good thing I can say about the rain is that my plants love it & I'm not having to go out in the ridiculous heat to water them & it's not raining early in the morning so it doesn't interfere with my runs.

Today I actually didn't have a hard time getting up. I slept good.  My plan was to run 5 miles. That's what I've been doing during the week. I was at 4.6 &  I decided that I didn't feel bad at all so I was going to go 6. I wasn't sure I'd make it to work on time but I was going to try.

I did 6.1 because I wanted to compare my time to Saturdays run. So, I was faster & my average heart rate was lower & I burned FEWER calories. That makes sense because of the lower heart rate but geeze! 

Now I just have to figure out how to keep that pace the whole 13.1 miles & I'll have an awesome PR!

Toodles!