Temptation is a Dirty Witch

At lunch at Matchbox with my team.  I had a salad prior to getting here to stick to the strict parameters of  lunches consisting of salads-only-with-no-exceptions!

Sniffing these mini burgers and onion strings while I sip on my tea is torture.

Oh the agony!

Photo Update

HI

I know I have been gone for a while.  But I promise that I have still been working out and eating right (at least trying to).  Workout buddy and I have begun a breakfast and lunch challenge.  Here is how it works:  We will eat either oatmeal (yuck) or yogurt for breakfast....and for lunch...salads (yummy).  We are also supposed to do 100 crunches or situps every day.  

So here is how its been going...for me at least.

I have failed miserably on the abs portion.  Like for real.  I think it is day 9 and I have only done my 100 situps like once.  Pathetic, right?  But to compensate I have been running still...even when I have been on travel (treadmill in Salt Lake City, sucked major booty but running in Belle Isle (see photo) in Richmond was awesome). 

I have also run in the rain (a couple of days after the EARTHQUAKE and in the midst of IRENE).  I am up to eight miles for my training and even tried out trail running- and I'm not sure that I am a fan.

But I digress...

As far as the food part is concerned.  Success!  Kind of...I got a little thrown off after the earthquake happened and my evening was thrown off so I was unable to prepare my salads.  I think that's a legitimate excuse, right? So I missed one day.  Other than that I haven't been doing too bad.  I have been able to stomach the oatmeal and have been doing fun things like adding peanut butter and nutella (separately of course) but both delicious in their own way.  

See...

I am eating more oatmeal as opposed to yogurt but I have even made homemade granola- to create a parfait of sorts and its not too bad.  Recipe to follow.

I have even designated froyo (with cocoa pebbles among other things) as my new reward food.

Not bad if its non-fat froyo, right?

During my hiatus, I traveled to Salt Lake City and my buddy and I ate so bad.  Bad meaning good that is.  The food wasn't what you would call healthy.  But it was delicious.  Just so you know, the work travel trip was exempt from the food challenge.  We stumbled upon a place called Bay Leaf, where we had a three course meal. We also had some of the best.sushi.ever! at Ahh Sushi.

(Course 1) Fried pickles

Course 2: Fried Catfish, Hoppin John, and Collard Greens

 

Course 3: Peach Cobbler

which was gone in 60 seconds

ahh sushi/oh shucks... some of the best sushi and beer I have ever had. 

Despite all of the food, we still got in some good strength and cardio workouts and even went on a three hour hike.

During the hiatus, I also celebrated a couple of pretty important birthdays-like milestone birthdays- not your everyday-just-another-year- birthday.

Bar Crawl for Whit's (Cheerios And Beer) 25th

My Hubs turned 30 and we had a kick ass house party (<---thanks to the hurricane)

video of the 30 y/o doing a keg stand. 
watch out college kids...he's still got it

I also need to share that I have lost a couple of additional pounds bringing my total weight loss since June-ish to 11 pounds.  Six weeks until my cousin's wedding I wonder if I can keep going.

Moral of this update is that.. 

It's all about balance.

ta-ta for now,

<3 Shaunté 

Untitled

I was so famished after todays crazy workout (3mi & strength training) that I needed Mexican.  I have yet to find the dive I have been looking for where we can both eat for like $11 bucks but nonetheless I had shrimp and scallop chimichangas for dinner tonight.  The cheese sauce just made me content.  I know I am dead wrong for eating like this. But I did workout today so its ok, right? 

The workout...was a little intense today. After work, I stayed in the city and ran with my workout buddy.  We then came back and attempted a crosshit (oops) style workout.  Not for me.  Give me some weights and I will bang that all day. Its something about pushups and pullups that make me want to smack somebody.

On my way home, I read an article that made me contemplate my ability to actually complete a full marathon.  I snapped out of that real fast.  Thats too darn long to be running.  I can think of several things I can do in 4 hours.  That's half a work day!  I thought about how rewarding it would be and how emotional I was when I ran just 10 miles.  But I still dont think so. I'm not quite there yet...probably never.

(pardon my typos_phone post)

Hasta manana,
Shaunte

Wordless Wednesday

I'm getting tired of salads already

 

I miss you coffee!

I have been having a hankering for seafood. Or maybe its the rice!  Paella, I need you.

Tea (in my coffee mug) isn't doing it for me

Typical Bfast is grapes, cheese, and boiled egg or....

A black bean veggie patty and fruit

I had 3/4 of a donut today-coming clean.  (but I didn't have coffee)

I heart the Farmer's Market.  I can't wait until Friday.

This week I attempted to eat mashed cauliflower as my "starch". Substitute fail.

Today is my rest day.  I think I will stretch...and do some sit ups :)

Until tomorrow,

Shaunté

August Goals

Equip myself with everything I need to achieve my fitness goals
I purchased new running shoes in July so now I just need to get some new sports bras, shorts and socks because the reality is, I [still] will not do laundry often.  I also need to find a more than adequate gym bag that can accommodate my workout clothes, snacks, wallet etc.  The perfect workout bag has been an ongoing challenge since I have been in the District and taking the Metro.   I have been stalking this bag but have been unable to find it in blue.  Just a trash baggy black and a too light grey.  There goes that shopping thing again.

Really sweet puma bag I want

Actually set and stick to a workout regimen this month
I plan to work out at least 5 days a week and this can easily be done if I follow my half marathon training regimen.  I will incorporate yoga, circuits and strength training in with my running schedule.  Along with that, I will challenge myself to set my alarm and actually wake up to work out at least seven days in the morning before work.

Make some dietary changes
I will only eat meats that are either fish or poultry.  I will try my hardest to limit my caffeine intake; coffee, tea, soda and I am already setting myself up for failure.

Document my progress
I will weigh in weekly (not every day...hmmm what about every other day) and write it down.  I will post on my blog daily and document my workouts on the dailymile.

Register for races
I have identified the races I want to do this fall- now I need to pay for them.  Talk is cheap.

I am addicted to you

I can't think of a better way to start off my fantastic new blog than with a confession.  I have an addiction.  An addiction that has reared its ugly head as of late.  I love to shop.  Like LOVE to shop.  I have been trying to keep things under control by setting small goals and rules for myself. I must say that I was doing totally fine...until I stumbled upon some glorious shopping apps on my handy, dandy smart phone.  As of late, I have been getting my fix on {I'm ashamed to admit}....

• Groupon
• LivingSocial

Who on earth cursed me and told me about these wretched (wonderful) websites?! I mean really!  Like today's Groupon Deal of the Day....

Againn (correct spelling I promise) Downtown Penn Quarter Restaurant- $30 for $60 bucks worth of fare at a restaurant featured in the Washingtonian with a huge selection of scotch, beer and wine.  On top of all of that it has (wait for it) a chic, dark wood interior.  I guess you can't beat that.

The Zoom Teeth Whitening Deal for today has completely sold out on LivingSocial!

As I type this, I am switching back to the LivingSocial deal from yesterday of $30 for 5 pole fitness classes and noting that I have 7:48:37 to buy this deal.  I just have to get it because we all know that pole fitness is such a good workout.  Even if you haven't done it, you've heard the rumors.  It's a steal- $6 bucks a class!  That's 50% savings.  Who cares that the place isn't Metro accessible and that's mine (and tons of others) primary mode of transport in the area?  A deal is a deal!

I am simultaneously checking Groupon and stalking this Bikram Yoga deal...I can pay $24 for 5 classes or $44 for 10 classes! I have a day to think about this one.  But its a no-brainer because its a 70% percent savings!  As of now 828 people have purchased the deal.  It doesn't matter that all 828 probably wont ever fit into the classes there or that I have never done Bikram Yoga a day in my life.  Hot, sweaty yoga sounds pretty darn good.  

Why haven't I purchased these yet?!  Here's why- since April, I have purchased the following:

1. 15 Yoga Classes for $15-expiring October 18, 2011  (livingsocial)
2. $39 of Unlimited Yoga- expiring October 28, 2011 (groupon)
3. $27 for three drop in dance classes- expiring September 20, 2011(livingsocial)
4. $45 for five Pilates Reformer and two Mat classes- Expiring November 3, 2011  (livingsocial)
5. 20 Bikram Yoga classes for $30- expiring November 14, 2011 (livingsocial)

$156!!! on some things I have never done and may never even be able to use! 

1.  I must admit it was a great way to introduce me to yoga.  I have started to put a dent in my classes (due to the strength and stretching requirement of my half marathon training) and I anticipate that they will be used by 10/18.  I actually <3 yoga now as a result.  Hence the other purchases
2. This is at a place that is no where near my office or even on my way home.  For sale?
3. Used the classes up on Zumba (which I love) and ended up paying $10 for two consecutive classes.  That came to an end once I realized everything else I had bought.
4. I have no idea what Pilates is, to be completely honest.  This place is in Shirlington, which is a super cute area with lots of great things-none of which is a Metro stop!  The bus gets too complicated in unfamiliar areas.  Why did I buy this?
5. People have been trying to get me to do hot yoga for ages.  I figured I needed to start with regular yoga first and since I did (and liked) that, I purchased this groupon.  I still haven't figured out a solution for my hair for running while its 90 degrees outside, much less turning myself into a pretzel in a room that is 105 degrees.  This place is near George Mason University (also not close to me)- so I purchased this one why?
   
   All of these purchases were made with the thought that these things could help me (if I used them) with my weight loss.  But in reality it was just another way for me to buy something, since I have put myself on a no-clothes-buying-until-you-are-ten-pounds-lighter hold.
   
   Moral of this story...good intentions are still sometimes insane!  I'm probably just going to stick with what I know and run and lift.
   
   On a separate note: I did go to yoga (vinyasa) today and although I have a lot to learn (me at yoga=deer in head lights) and my practice leaves a lot to be desired, I already have a favorite pose- crow/crane pose. 
   
   I am going to keep at this, I know it will help to shrink my asana :P

<3 Shaunte