Great Strides 5K

On Saturday, May 21, I participated in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Great Strides 5K in Waldorf, MD.  With the help of my family and friends, I was able to raise $270 for this event! 

The walk was great and scenic, taking us through parts of Waldorf I had never seen before. 

The event did not start until a little after 10 AM, which was a little late for my liking - it got really hot really quick!  Also, apparently we ended up doing more than a 5K, which made sense to me at the time because it felt like the walk was going on and on and on.  When we arrived back to the finish line the coordinator said there was a mess up with the walk routing and that we walked close to 6 miles.  I don't actually think it was 6 miles... maybe we did closer to 4, but definitely not 6. 

It was a great event and I look forward to doing it again next year!

Thanks to everyone for your financial support!

HilJoe Competition - Week 4

This week was a loss for both Joel & I! Go us!!

Joel (6'): 237.2
Hilary (5'8"): 255.8

 

I am getting closer and closer to reaching my first 10 lbs milestone!!!  I'm going to put in some extra effort this week to see if I can lose at least a pound.  I'm not going to be unrealistic and hope for a 2.8 lbs weight loss because look at my history on the left - the weight isn't exactly sliding off at the speed of light and that's okay.  

Here's to keeping the momentum going this week!

The HilJoe Competition - Week 3

Here is the update for the HilJoe Competition - Week 3.

Joel (6'): 241.8
Hilary (5'8"): 256.4

I'm back down to the prior week's weight - yay!  I'm getting closer to those new tennis shoes I want so badly!

Busy Bee!

Since last Wednesday, and continuing for the next 5 weeks, my life is going to be a little hectic.  Please bare with me as the posts will most likely be few and far between for a few weeks :(. 

For starters, I spent 2 full days last week searching for a place to live.  I wanted to move before summer got started so we can enjoy the summer in a new location.  As much as I did NOT want to move back to Virginia (toooooooo many people for this country girl!), it is going to happen afterall.  The places I like to live in Maryland involve a long commute (try 1 hour, 40 minutes during rush hour at night!) and I simply could not do that to myself again.  Joel and I searched high and low for a place in the part of Maryland we live in now (about an hour door-to-door), but it's more single-family home focused (i.e. no apartments at all) and so it just did not work out for us.  We checked out a 2 bedroom condo in Virginia and we decided it was going to be the best move for us, even though we're going going, back back to V-A V-A.  So with that said, a move is going to take place mid-June, and fortunately this time I only have to pack a bedroom's worth of stuff instead of an entire apartment - the rest is already sweetly packed sitting in a storage unit.  Oh and by the way, this will be move number 11 since 2002.  Kill. Me. Now.

So what else is happening that will consume my life for the next 5 weeks? Well, I'm in school for the second time in my life, pursuing a completely different degree than the first go around from the beloved Blue & White (Bachelor of Science: Management Information Systems).  This time I'm studying nursing, and for this 6 week long summer adventure I'm learning about anatomy and physiology.  And it has already taken over my life way more than I wanted it to. 

So that's my explanation as to why I may be in and out over the next few weeks - I did not want you to think that I have fell of the Weight Watcher Wagon!  Still, I have two 5K's to blog about as well as last week's results for the HilJoe Competition, and some other little things here and there.  Stay tuned!!

The 16th Annual Civista Run/Walk for Wellness 5K

On Saturday, May 16 I participated in the 16th Annual Civista Run/Walk for Wellness 5K.  Civista is one of the local hospitals around here. 

I planned to walk this entire 5K again because of the back pain I've been experiencing.  However, once the race started and the adrenaline started pumping, I had to take off!  I jogged and walked off and on throughout the entire race.   

I was happy that the organizers of this race chose a different route through the town than I was previously used to doing.  The March of Dimes walk and the Charles County Walk for the Homeless that I did 2 years ago used the same route.  Admittedly, it gets boring doing the same route and knowing what to expect.  Even though I jogged at various points during the race, my back never really bothered me and I was so happy about that.  I hope this back issue starts to dissipate because I haven't been pushing myself at the gym for fear of injuring myself further. 

crossing the finish line!

 I was also pleasantly surprised to find Joel waiting at the finish line!  I've been doing all these 5K's alone.  It sucks, especially whenever you see other groups of people clustered together before/after the race.  It's awkward just standing around by yourself.  That's why it was so nice to finish and see a familiar face, especially Joel's :).

very sweaty and hungry.

I've done four 5K's so far and I would do them all again next year if the opportunity arises!  I have three left as of right now and don't plan to do anymore until I move and class is over.  This weekend is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Great Strides 5K (Saturday) and the Weight Watcher's Walk-it Challenge 5K on Sunday.

Note To Self..

Do NOT overeat raspberries.

Courtesy.

I've overeaten A LOT of things.  Many of those things, like chocolate, have done numbers on my intestinal tract - need I say more??  I think you get the idea ;).  Still, it was no surprise to me.  It is junk food after all (in most cases) and it never came a shock to me when my stomach started rumbling.

Never have I ever overeaten fruit, or vegetables for that matter.  I think I'd be kind of proud if I said "Yeah I ate 2 full bags of broccoli florets for dinner".  Nevertheless, I ate a ton of raspberries yesterday.  Ok, not a ton, but I'd estimate about 3 cups worth.  I wasn't planning on it - it just happened.  They were so good!  Plus I figured - they're 0 Points+ and they're fruits - they're supposed to be good for me!  It wasn't long after the consumption that my stomach started to hurt..... BAD.  I assimilate the feeling to when I've taken Vicodin post-surgery - almost a burning sensation rising from the pit of my stomach to somewhere in my chest area.  And I don't mean heartburn either!

It was awful and it lasted for several hours, and there were repercussions even 24 hours later.  Blah!  I guess overeating anything is never a good idea!

Hungry Girl Cooking: Berry-licious Cupcakes

I made these cupcakes while at my sister's house celebrating my niece's 3rd birthday.  I'm pretty sure they were a hit since almost all of them were devoured rather quickly.  The icing tasted great too. You can find this recipe in Hungry Girl's first cookbook or on the Weight Watchers website.  Enjoy!

Hungry Girl/Weight Watchers Berry-licious Cupcakes - 3 Points+

Ingredients

• 4 oz Cool Whip Whipped Topping Free Whipped Topping, half an 8 oz container  
  
• 1/4 cup(s) fat-free cream cheese, softened  
  
• 2 Tbsp SPLENDA® SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener (I used regular sugar) 
  
• 1/8 tsp vanilla extract  
  
• 1/8 tsp food colouring, neon pink, divided (2 drops)  
  
• 1/2 Tbsp Hershey's Sugar free strawberry syrup, or raspberry variety  
  
• 9 1/8 oz regular white cake dry mix, 2 cups (half an 18.25 oz package)  
  
• 1 cup(s) diet cola, black cherry flavor (I used Diet Dr. Pepper)
  
• 4 large egg white(s), about 1/2 cup  
  
• 6 medium strawberries, pureed    

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
   
   
2. In a medium bowl, combine whipped topping, cream cheese, Splenda, vanilla extract, 1 drop of food coloring and syrup. Using an electric mixer at medium-low speed, blend until frosting is thoroughly mixed, about 1 minute. Chill frosting in freezer for 20 minutes and then transfer to refrigerator until ready to frost cupcakes.
   
   
3. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, soda and egg whites; add pureed strawberries and remaining drop of food coloring. Mix with an electric mixer at medium-high speed until smooth, about 45 seconds.
   
   
4. Coat a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray, or line with cupcake wrappers. Evenly spoon batter into prepared muffin pan.
   
   
5. Bake until firm, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely in pan. Once cool, remove cupcakes from pan and evenly spread with frosting. Yields 1 cupcake per serving.

HilJoe Competition - Week 2

I guess it was only a matter of time that I'd have to face a beating from Joel.  Hopefully this will only be one of a few I'll have to endure.  

Joel (6'): 239.6

Hilary (5'8"): 258

 

Honestly, I'm frustrated with myself for yet again another gain.  When am I going to get it together? I get one thing under control (exercise), only to have the other one suffer (eating).  I'm not one of those people who can simply 'eat right' alone and lose weight - I need both elements.

I'm not giving up.  

 

And so we move on to Week 3.

I Love the Today Show!

This is a late post about an awesome experience I had on April 30 at the University of Maryland's Maryland Day. 

Joel works for the police department as a police/911 dispatcher at UMD.  Each year, he participates in this Saturday event in order to fingerprint children.  Maryland Day was created a few years back in order to showcase what the university's departments are working on.  This year was the second year I attended.  My original intent in going was simply to get out of the house.  I had some computer stuff I wanted to do and was looking for a change of scenery in which to do it, and plus I love hanging out on college campuses - it brings back fond memories of the Blue & White. :)  Then on Friday, the day before the event, I happened to be perusing Facebook and realized that Joy Bauer was going to be in attendance for MD Day, thanks to her Facebook status update!  Joy Bauer is a health correspondent to the Today Show, the health columnist in Woman's Day magazine, and the nutritionist for the NYC Ballet & American Ballet Theatre.  I was sooooo pumped!  I LOVE the Today Show!  I watch it religiously when I work at home!  Yes!!

So my plans for MD Day shifted because of Joy, who happens to be a UMD Alumni.  Basically, in conjunction with dining hall chefs from the university, she held 30 min cooking segments throughout the day - cooking through her latest book - Slim & Scrumptious.  At the end of each cooking session, samples were passed around to the audience - I didn't have a sample I didn't like!  In between the cooking segments, she held mini sessions related to nutrition, fitness and weight loss.  It was all very inspirational and I learned some important things.  One of those things is that you should always have 5 go-to meals - 5 things that are easy and quick to make that don't require much thought.  By having these 5 meals, you're more likely to stay within your nutrition goals and not feel overwhelmed with choices, possibly resulting in a diet bomb!

I was SO excited!

Somewhere in the mix of cooking and speaking presentations, Joy stopped to sign autographs in her book.  I bought 2 of her books, Slim & Scrumptious and Your Inner Skinny, had them signed AND had my picture taken with her.  She also gave me her personal email address and asked that I send in 3 diet/nutrition questions for the Diet SOS segment on the Today show!!!!!!!!!!  She said she'd pass the questions on to the producers and then I could Skype in and ask them live on the air.  Holy moly!!!  I have yet to send in my questions - I'm still thinking about what to ask.  But I'm so pumped!

It was a Saturday well spent at the University of Maryland - if you're in the area I'd strongly recommend checking it out next year!

Activity Ideas Please!

Lately I've been trying to vary my workout.  Since November I've been going to the gym at least 5 days/week for at least 30 minutes.  In the last month I recently upped this amount to 35 minutes.  By the beginning of July I'll be doing 40 minutes. 

However, the gym can be a boring place.  I vary my workout between the elliptical and the ArcTrainer, and I'm one of those people who reads while on the machines.  I've heard a lot of criticism about those who read while working out - i.e. "it's not really 'working out' if you're reading".   I think that's crap.  I still sweat and burn calories - how is that not working out?  It would be extremely boring/agonizing to be on the machines for 35 minutes with no reading material, while constantly glancing at the time.  And in past successful weight loss efforts, this method worked for me perfectly.  Still, it gets boring after awhile. 

Since it's almost summertime, and the weather is becoming consistently nicer out, I want to incorporate some other outdoor activities into the mix.  I have four 5K's left, so that helps, though I'm hoping I can find more to sign up for as time goes on.  I also recently discovered the rail trail, so I definitely want to add that in for weekend activity once the 5Ks end.  But those are weekend activities and I'm most concerned with what I can do through the week to mix up the routine? (Mon-Fri)  I'm talking things other than walking outside.  Any ideas?

To switch things up, I've recently started doing the Biggest Loser The Workout Vol. 1 DVD that I've had for a few years, but never actually made it through the entire thing.  So completing this DVD has kind of become a mini goal of mine.  I've been going to the gym one day, then doing that DVD the next day, and alternating that.  The DVD also includes strength training, which is definitely something I'm trying to incorporate to aid in the massive amounts of poundage I have left to lose.

Do you have any creative ideas for exercise-related activities other than visiting the gym? Any suggestions on workout DVDs?      

May Goals & HilJoe Competition - Week 1

Several other people from health blogs I've been reading are posting their May goals.  I liked the idea and thought I'd do the same.

1. 10K A Day in May challenge: 10,000 steps a day for the Month of May sponsored by the Watch My Butt Shrink blog.  After 10 days into the month, I can tell you I have reached this number (and then some) on just a few days, but most days I have come very close to reaching 10K steps.  I find this especially challenging on the weekends and on days when I work at home.  It's a blessing I don't work at home full time because I would never move!  Still, my goal is to have more days than not at or very close to (within 2,000 steps) 10K steps/day.  I get most of mine from my walk to/from work, a lunchtime walk and my 35 min at the gym. 

2. Stay On Plan.  Obviously I aim to achieve this every month, but May is going to be especially challenging.  Stress = eating for me.  My next nursing class begins next Wednesday.  It's a 4 credit class that will only be 6 weeks long.  I'm scared for how hard and time-challenging this is going to be.  I also have three 5K's this month which are all on weekends, which is when I tend to cram in most of my studying.  It's going to be challenging to say the least. 

3. Move. I don't mean "move your body" either! While this doesn't seem directly related to health/fitness on the surface, it definitely contributes to my weight loss.  I've been living with Joel's family since October 2010.  After having lived for two blissful years on my own, it was EXTREMELY difficult/challenging/sad for me to go back to living with "roommates".  It's especially hard when it comes to eating.  The kitchen isn't mine, the kitchen stuff isn't mine, and I'm often forced to navigate around other people's cooking schedules.  This often leads to a "screw it, I'm going out for food" mentality.  Needless to say, I'm ready to get my own apartment again.  My goal is to be out by the end of this month.  Why wouldn't it be?  I mean, the classes and 5k's just weren't enough time commitment for me, of course I had to add a move in to the mix.

I'll be sure to keep you posted on how I'm progressing as the month goes on!

I'm not done yet folks!

Last week Joel and I had our second weigh in as part of the HilJoe Weight Loss Competition.  I lost a miraculous 3 lbs and Joel lost nothing, so he will be paying up this week!  Go me!

Hungry Girl Cooking: Tutti Frutti Crunch Yogurt Parfait

Breakfast this week has been amazing for me thanks to Hungry Girl's Tutti Frutti Crunch Yogurt Parfait.  When I think of a parfait, I think of vanilla yogurt, strawberries, blueberries and granola, right? 

Granola can often be the doomsday ingredient in this little berry concoction because granola is typically high in calories.  For example, in only a 1/4 cup serving of Bear Naked Fit Vanilla Almond Crunch Granola, there are 120 calories!  So what ends up appearing like a healthy, low calorie meal, it can actually be a huge caloric bomb waiting to go off on your waist by the time you tie all the ingredients together. 

Enter Quaker Apple Cinnamon Quakes - the perfect crunchy substitution for the high calorie granola - thank you Hungry Girl!  In 8 cakes there are just 60 calories, but we're only using 6 in this recipe, so about 45 calories in total.  Just crush up these bad boys and add those into your layered berry goodness and voila! - an extremely filling breakfast entree.

this honestly kept me full all morning until lunchtime!

hard to see my layers, but they're there!

Hungry Girl's Tutti Frutti Crunch Yogurt Parfait - 5 Points+
Ingredients:  
6 oz  fat-free vanilla yogurt  
6 pieces apple cinnamon soy crisps or mini rice cakes, crushed  
1/2 cup sliced strawberries  
1/2 cup blueberries

Directions:  
Place one-third of the strawberries and blueberries in the bottom of a tall glass. Add half of the yogurt.
Top with another third of the blueberries and strawberries. Cover with half of the apple cinnamon crunchies.
Spoon the remaining yogurt on top and cover with remaining fruit and crunchies.

March of Dimes - March for Babies 5K

The mission of the March of Dimes is simply stated:

"We help moms have full-term pregnancies and research the problems that threaten the health of babies."

Though the actual mission itself is nothing short of being simple.  I'm sure that you know someone who has had a miscarriage or has had a child born prematurely - I know several women who have been affected by this.  Participants in the walk on Sunday who have directly been affected by the issues mentioned above wore beads around their necks - purple beads signifying that their baby was born prematurely and had to fight for their life early on, and white beads signifying that their beloved child did not win the battle.  My heart went out to those people wearing the white beads - how tragic, how sad, how life shattering.  

Even though I'm 99.9% certain that none of my donors are reading this blog, I'd still like to let it be known how grateful I am for their generosity toward the March of Dimes-March for Babies walk that was held this past Sunday (May 1) in La Plata, MD.  I successfully raised $455, which was $255 over my goal!  THANK YOU!!!!!

I was pleasantly surprised to learn a few days before the walk that we would have two options for the race course.  We could either do the standard 5K (3.1 miles), or actually go ahead and do 5 miles.  I knew ahead of time I'd being doing 5 miles - there's no reason why I couldn't! 

I've also learned enough by now from the last two 5K's I've done that I wanted to position myself near the front.  When a race starts, it takes a few minutes to get your own momentum going because of the shear number of people clustered together.  And afterall, this was a noncompetitive walk, so there was no harm in me plopping myself within the first few feet of the start line.  It took me a few minutes to get around the slower people, but I finally did and was on my merry way.

The starting line

look how cute this team is with their pretty outfits!

There were about 7 people in front of me for a long time and then a few people started running and subsequently passed me.  Running was not an option for me Sunday due to the recent back pain I've been experiencing, and I definitely wanted to do the entire 5 miles - pain free if at all possible.  But I husseled in my 5 mile walk.  There was this one lady who ran ahead of me in the beginning.  I ultimately caught up with her and I wanted to finish in front of her.  That ended up being my little race goal - I wanted to beat this lady who had actually jogged for parts of the walk when I only walked the entire thing.  I was able to pass her with about 2 miles left! 

signs posted along the route to help you understand what your donated money goes toward..

As I was coming in to the final stretch, my right heel started hurting and I felt like I had a pebble in my shoe beneath the front of my foot.  Then I realized - crap!  I'm getting blisters!  I was shocked - these shoes are not brand new and I was wearing my typical cotton socks.  Sure enough, I developed an inch long blood blister (gross!) on my heel and 2 blisters started to form on my other foot.  Oh well - the exercise was well worth it!

I estimate I was in the top 20 of walkers at this point - I was actually passing a huge crowd of people on my way back as they were still on their way to finishing this part of the course.

It was on this leg of the course (pictured above), as I was personally feeling proud for staying ahead of this entire crowd (from a fitness standpoint), when I passed a lady who was walking by herself pushing an empty stroller.  My first thought was "Her child must have ran ahead to join the other dozens of children" and almost as soon as that thought ended I saw her white beads and I knew.  I knew that this woman was pushing the stroller of her child that did not win his/her battle for life.  This woman and I made eye contact, and I felt like she read my mind and the expression on my face as I pieced together what I was seeing, because she gave me a sympathetic nod and kept going.

That, folks, is why we walk for the March for Babies.

Friend Making Mondays: Are You A Bookworm?

I just recently started following All the Weigh, a weight loss blog written by a woman from NYC. I love her idea regarding "Friend Making Mondays".  You simply answer the questions below and go back to her blog and post a link to your answers.... read a few of the participants blogs and comment on theirs and then hopefully you've made a few friends!  

Today's Friend Making Mondays post is: Are You a Bookworm?

This FMM was written just for me!  Boy do I love reading - I actually have a whole different blog, titled Pritt-y Story To Tell, devoted to just that! 

1) How often do you read?  I read everyday Mon-Thurs on my commute to/from work.  I wish I read more though! 

2) What's the last book you read and loved? The last book(s) I read and loved was the the entire Twilight series.  I especially loved "Twilight" itself - what a great book! 

3) What book(s) are you currently reading?  I'm currently reading "The Shack" by Wm. Paul Young.

4) Share a few of your favorite authors.  James Patterson, Jennifer Weiner, Jodi Picoult, Joel Osteen

5) What's next on your list of must-reads?   That has yet to be determined because I ask my friends on Facebook and await their votes.  However, it will be between Angels & Demons, The Kite Runner, and Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. What do you think?

Thanks for stopping by my blog and I hope you come back!

The HilJoe Competition - Week 1

Friday was Joel & I's weigh in day and here are our official weigh in results for Week 1:

Joel (6'): 240

Hilary (5'8"): 259.4

Joel's strategy is to simply count calories, while mine will continue to be following Weight Watchers and visiting the gym (or doing some variation of activity) at least 5 days/week.

At one time Joel and I weighed exactly the same (a few years ago) and I felt grotesque THEN, but now I weigh more than him and that is simply not right.  I am not going to allow this to go on any longer and I look forward to updating you as I continue to lose weight and surpass Joel! :)