Sprints! 9/20/11

Happy Tuesday!

I’m in a mood today… Not sure what kind of a mood but it’s tasting a little foul.

I wasn’t able to go to dance last night as Branden didn’t get home from work until almost 7:30 (dance was at 6:30). So, I cooked Manicotti instead. It wasn’t the best or worst food option, but it sure was tasty. It’s good for regular lean cooking, but not so much for my vegan-flirting new style of eating. Regardless, the recipe is below. A BIG slip-up last night was oatmeal lace cookies. My mom makes this in the cooler-weather time of year and they are the most delicious things on the planet… and completely addicting. I will absolutely not post the recipe (lol) but I will admit that I over-indulged.

SO after my cookie and manicotti dinner last night, I decided to amp-up my running this morning! This is what I did at the gym today:

TIME	EXERCISE	REPS	LBS	SETS
5 M WARMUP	TREADMILL	WALK	N/A	1
15 M INTERVAL	TREADMILL	2 MIN JOG / 1 MIN WALK	N/A	1
10 M INTERVAL	TREADMILL	1 MIN SPRINT / 1 MIN WALK	N/A	1
	BALL CRUNCHES	20	N/A	4
	6 INCH KILLERS	10	N/A	2

I felt really great stepping off of that treadmill! Sure, there were a couple of points during the sprint intervals that I thought I was going to vomit/die/both… and I actually extended one walking portion to 1 ½ minutes… and then made up for it with the next sprint by increasing the speed by .5 J

I’ve been noticing the reactions from people when they see me running, and I think it’s really funny! For instance, I was jogging on the street the other day when Nora and I were going to the park and a lady actually applauded me and said “good for you!”. Lol… and I’ve noticed people at the gym having kind of surprised looks on their faces when I start jogging/ sprinting on the treadmill (like this morning). I freakin love it! I’ve always refused to let the ‘fat bring me down’ (as opposed to the ‘man’?) and it always surprises the hell out of people to find that I don’t just sit on my ass and eat Little Debbies all day. I’m really happy that my body is starting to whittle down to the appropriate size and allowing me to do the exercise-type of things that I’ve always wanted!

Another great thing happened today… I tried a size 9 ring on my ring finger and it fit! I can honestly say that I don’t know that a size 9 has ever fit on my ring finger. Granted, it’s only 1 ring and it could very well just run big but damnit I was excited! I remember when I used to buy size 12 rings and would sometimes have issues with those! Every part of my body is changing and it’s awesome J Did I mention yesterday that I ordered a size 20 pair of jeans? Well, I did. Another first in a VERY long time! I’m not so sure that they’re going to fit right now but they sure as hell will very soon!

Food Today:

Breakfast:

Mocha Protein shake

Snack:

Oatmeal

Snack:

Banana and 4 chunks pineapple

Lunch:

Sandwich on 7sprouted grain bread w/ black bean spread, avocado and pineapple salsa

Snack:

¼ c fruit & nut trail mix

Snack:

Protein tofu

Dinner:

No clue – we’re taking Nora to see Yo! Gabba Gabba live at the Aranoff tonight!!

I know that I list pretty much the same thing for lunch everyday, so I thought that I would post a picture of what my lunch looks like all packed-up! (This is yesterday’s lunchJ)

Spinach & Leek Manicotti

1box Manicotti Shells

2tubs Fat Free Ricotta Cheese

2c Fat Free Mozzarella Cheese, separated

2c fresh baby spinach, chopped small

1c Leeks, chopped small

2tbs garlic, minced

½ tsp red pepper flake (optional)

S&P

1 jar Roasted Garlic Spaghetti Sauce

(could easily add fresh oregano/basil/herbs of your choice – I chose to highlight the garlicJ)

-          Boil manicotti per box directions, drain and rinse with cold water for immediate filling

-          While manicotti is boiling, mix ricotta, 1c mozzarella, spinach, leeks, garlic, s&p and red pepper flake (if using) in a large bowl

-          Spread ¼ jar of sauce on bottom of a glass baking dish

-          Fill manicotti shells w/ ricotta mixture and place in baking dish in a single layer

-          Cover with the rest of the sauce and remaining mozzarella cheese

-          Cover dish w/ foil and bake for 30 minutes

I just served this with some crusty whole grain bread and it was delicious!

Well, I suppose that’s about all I have for today. Hopefully I can get out of this funk soon! Ugh.. I need a pumpkin patch in my life – that will definitely cheer me up J

I hope everyone is having a happy and healthy Tuesday! Until tomorrow…