a new start up... just in time for the holidays

I am a little embarrassed that I started this blog so gung-ho only to slack off for months. Shame. Regardless, I am back and ready to get fit again!

After a tough August to November (we've had two miscarriages now... doctor in January), I started running again. Ouch. I am so out of shape now. We did so well with our 5k too!

So this week, I started running again on our new-to-us treadmill {Nordictrac on craigslist for $25. really!} which wasn't too bad on the muscles but murder on the stamina. I have a resting heart rate of around 62. Whilst running, I was up past 165. I'm pretty sure that isn't a good thing. Took me forever to catch my breath afterward... a little light-headed. But! Out of my one mile, I ran a quarter, walked a quarter, ran a quarter, walked a quarter. Not too bad for a first time back. That was Tuesday night. Wednesday, I did pilates for a half an hour. Jack loves this. "Ekercise?" Then crawls all over me while I do the reps. So funny.

Any running advice? I found this article which I think will be helpful as far as my food intake goes as I get going again. Is anyone else starting/continuing exercise schedules? Can't wait to hear what everyone is doing!

phase 2: week 2

I made it through the first phase with only a handful of unintentional cheats {I'll let John post his version of the cheat himself :)}... and my clothes fit so much nicer! Phase 2: week 1 was tougher than I suspected in keeping my addition of 1 fruit & 1 carb to only... 1 fruit & 1 carb. I admit, there were a few more cheats this past week — thank you Grandma... you know what you did... official OREO temptress — but this week I get 2 fruits, 2 carbs. Love it. Just about home free! I notice now that this detox has changed my cravings and recipe alterations. Last night? Balsamic chicken w/mushroom and zucchini over wheat angel hair pasta. Here's the recipe:

1 tbsp. olive oil
2 chicken breasts, cubed
1/2 yellow onion, diced
8 large mushrooms, quartered
1 1/2 cups cubed zucchini
2 cups water
1 cube chicken bouillion
1 tbsp. garlic powder OR 2 garlic cloves
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar + more if you like
2 tbsp. lime/lemon juice
salt & pepper to taste

wheat angel hair pasta

Heat olive oil in skillet, add chicken and onions browning on outside. Add mushrooms, zucchini, pepper and salt. Cover and cook 5 minutes. Add bouillion to 2 cups boiling water and stir until dissolved. Add to chicken etc. along with garlic, balsamic vinegar, lime or lemon juice. Sauté then simmer. While this is simmering, boil angel hair pasta.

The Big E

Every day that I work out, I get to put an E on the calendar. Call me silly, dumb, immature, childish or whatever, but the big "E", for exercise, is great motivation. I look back and either feel ashamed that I only exercised once or twice a week, or totally motivated that I managed to work out everyday.
The big E is a rewards program too! If I have so many big E's on my calendar by the end of the month, I get a treat! i.e. new pants, shirt, trip to Jamaica...jk. Sure it's kind of like what we used to do when we were kids, but seeing all of the E's on my calendar sure makes me feel like I am on my way to achieving my fitness goals. Incidentally, my fitness goal for this year, the year of the new decade...DECADE!!! Egh! I'm getting old...is to be my healthiest by the time I turn 31. Did I say egh at my age yet, because I'm going to say it again, EGH!
Anyway, off to go put another E on the calendar. Wish me luck. I have been toying with the idea of doing a P90X leg work out, but may take a break from Tony Horton (host/creator) after the Ab Ripper I did yesterday. Ah well, regardless, I will be doing something.

day thirteen & fourteen

I have great news! I'm just 1 1/2 days away from being finished with Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet. 13 days ago, I honestly didn't think I was going to make it. However, I am pleased to report that I've lost roughly 9 pounds which is equal to one roll of the muffin top. {I would have a more precise weigh in but we have no device with which to weigh in. Thank heaven.} 

Thanks goes to Jen and Chris for their excellent coaching, encouragement and introduction to a perfectly decadent yet legal chocolate fix. You have no idea how much I appreciate it!! I made it through the ultimate test... Pioneer Day party at Grandma's house. I even sat at the table with corn on the cob (illegal), potato salad (illegal which I helped make), fruit (illegal, which I helped cut) etc. AND THEN... I fed Jack his homemade ice cream and brownie. Without eating it. Are you impressed? I'm still stunned. That said, tomorrow I get to start back with 1 fruit & 1 carb each day. YEA! I think I'll make it yet!

Back on track

I have started working out again today thanks to our elliptical and P90X (a sweat box of workouts). I did the machine for an our thanks to Nara's amazing sleeping habits. Here's to healthy eating too. I am going to try to cut down processed sugars by a little bit and go with the all natural type like my delicious grapes that we got from BB. I have two weeks before my measuring day (Once a month I measure myself, arms, legs, waist, weight, calves, in hopes to see improvement, I even chart and graph it in excel to keep track...call it a closet obsession). The last MD was in May. I hope for some improvement. I have really missed working out since I had my surgery. I crave the rush of endorphins, the breathlessness, and the sweat that comes with working out. I know...I'm gross...deal with it! :) I figure, if I sweat then I am working hard. So here is to the sweat and healthy living. Let's make time everyday to do something, whether it be simple or complex, Boothe family, let's get moving!

There's a lot of blood, sweat, and guts between dreams and success.
Paul "Bear" Bryant

look what I found

Sometimes the best way to lose weight is to just not eat at all. Nothing is safe. :)

Read this article to find out.

my mini coach

Turns out Jack is quite the workout buddy. This morning, while I did my 100 crunches {center & sides}, he laid down on my tummy and had fun playing with my hair. Leg lifts & pilates leg moves? Jack thought it would be fun to add extra weight and go for a ride. :) My favorite though, I've started *benching* him twice a day, 10 reps to start. Pretty good so far... 30 pounds of wiggly weight... feel the burn!

On a side note... we went to winco today for their grind-it-yourself peanut butter. No sugar. No salt. Perfect for phase one of South Beach! Only 4 days down, 10 to go before we get to add in moderate fruit and whole grain!

Helpful websites...

I found a couple of websites that I got really excited about! On the livestrong website you can add your recipes and it will calculate the nutritional information. The other one will help you calculate the number of calories, fat, sodium, sugar etc. you are consuming. I found this to be very interesting!! Let me know what you think!

www.livestrong.com

www.caloriecheckbook.com

*Suzanne

my turn

Well, I started a new way of eating on Tuesday to healthify myself and so far so mostly good. Except... I am starving! After our sugar-fest that is cabin week, I'm going through some pretty mean withdrawals. :) John and I started the South Beach diet to kick start our weight loss {on Jen & Chris' recommendation when they heard we wanted to get healthy} which is turning out to be a little tougher than we thought. Jen has been a super coach though... thanks sistah! I think it might be a little strange to keep a log of what I am eating all the time, but I figure it can help a few others in our family too {yes, I'm talking to you, Dad}. Plus, I post this so my coach can help me out. Here we go:

breakfast: 1 egg w/mushroom and tomato

snack: 2 celery sticks

lunch: lettuce wrap w/lunch meat & cheese

snack: 10 almonds

dinner: garlic chicken, string bean & mushroom stir fry with spinach salad (avocado, cheese, vinegar & dill)

What do you think Jen? How did I do? (this is actually from a couple of days ago, but I just wanted to see what you think.)

So, what are y'all doing to healthify?? Your turn.