What's Up Wednesday: favorite workout song

From time to time I update my music library by asking you guys to recommend some workout songs.  Today I'm secretly* doing that in the form of this What's Up Wednesday:  What's your current favorite workout song?

I think my two favorites right now are the two that have gotten me through my two most recent races. For both of these races, I was not allowed headphones, so I was forced to sing whatever song was stuck in my head over and over to keep me going.

First, at the Turtle Crawl Triathlon, it was "Magic" by B.O.B.:


Then at this past weekend's Heels N Wheels Duathlon, it was Mandisa's "Good Morning:"



What's your current favorite workout song?

PS See more of my favorite workout music here and here.


*I'm sneaky like that.

Love Where You're Going

Last week I had a post entitled "Love Where You Are." It had a pretty good response and a few friends even posted the link on their Facebook pages' to share the thought with those in their friend circle.

I'm always excited for a little blog buzz. However, one of them registered a comment that read something along the lines of "I'm thankful for a constant desire to improve myself and my surroundings." A witty quip, for sure, that played off of our thankfulness for our current situations.

Obviously this comment comes from a non-reader of Lost and Not Found, because any regular reader would know that I am all for bettering ourselves and our surroundings.  But he had a valid point.  While it's great to be content with where we are, we will only improve if we set goals and work for the future.

I'm thankful to be working toward:
Fitness
The US Marine Corp Mud Run
Increasing my biking distance
An Olympic distance triathlon
A half marathon
100 pounds lost and not found
Personal
Loving others as myself
Not using food to improve my mood
Re-reading the Bible in one year's time
Re-reading the entire Harry Potter series
Re-watching the entire West Wing series
Financial
Paying off my house
Purchasing my next car without a loan
Work
Learning about printing presses
Becoming a good manager

So, why don't you give a little love to where you're going and name your goals. Either here in the comments section (always encouraged!), to a friend or loved one or even just to your own journal. The point is determine what they are and then start working towards them. Ready, set, GO!

Ending the Cycle

If you've been reading this blog for any length of time, you know that I tend to go through cycles. I feel like I post about it a lot. I'm either super-motivated or I've given up all hope of making it to 100 pounds lost and I'm eating (not literally) crap for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

I've been reading a great book lately, called Made to Crave, that has been making me think I may be able to end the cycles and live life without all of these food issues someday.  It has given me, simply, hope. Pair that with finishing the duathlon this weekend when I wasn't really sure I would be able to, and I'm feeling pretty confident this week.

If you're the praying type, I would love it if you would pray with me that I be able to rely on God for strength and wisdom as I continue this journey. It's not something I've been very good at in the past.  I really want to deal with this food struggle once and for all so that I can move on and be more available for God's use. (Not that I think God can't use me while I'm in the midst of this.)

PS I will definitely be sharing more specific information from the book in the future. It has a lot of great truths of who we are as God's children.
PPS Thanks to blog reader, Mel, for the recommendation of Made to Crave months ago. I'm just sorry it's taken me this long to get around to reading it.

Duathlete with a Medal!

I survived my duathlon yesterday!

Over the course of the 1 hour, 49 minutes and 5 seconds that it took me to complete these 17 miles in the Georgia swamp, I had a lot of time to think.  A lot of time to bemoan running in my head and wonder about my future in the sport.

Then I finished and they gave me this beauty for finishing 1st place in my category*.

And it wiped away every thought I had of giving up running.

Because this medal is tangible evidence of how far I've come. It is piece of metal that I can point to and feel the weight around my neck (yes, I am still wearing it 24 hours later) and remember that despite all odds, I am an athlete.

Now more about the actual race.

I loved this course for several reasons:
1) It was beautiful, on the edge of the Okefenokee Swamp in South Georgia.  Running and biking around a majestic lake, past towering and enchanting trees is a plus.

2) It was in South Georgia, which means it was completely flat (really the only way I like to run).

3) It was an out and back course for both runs and the bike.  Once you've done one leg, you know what's coming and it's easier to push yourself.

4) We got to see our fans A LOT (clarification: we had two fans, Amie and Bryan).  The course went past the start/finish line like 8 times.  As my friend and spectator Bryan said, "It was like watching a NASCAR race.  You kept coming around every 30 seconds."

5) The layout of the course also meant that I got to see my friend Daniel, who was also running the race, multiple times.  We high fived every time and just knowing that he was up ahead of me kept me going.

Tough competitors who heart WU and wear all black

I did better than I expected during the first run.  And aside from some gear shifting difficulty during mile two of the bike portion, it went really well too.

But multi-sport racing is not all sunshine and roses (or medals and fans).  It is HARD. Hopping off the bike after the 13 miles, I got a severe and sharp cramp in my right calf.  I racked my bike and walked out of transition in pain.  I ended up walking most of the second run portion.  Not just because of my calf, because it felt better after a quarter mile, but because my legs were just exhausted by the first run and the bike.  Of course that is disappointing, but I was, as always, very encouraged by the volunteers and fellow competitors out on the course.

Yes, racing is hard. Yes, training runs often suck.   Even tired and sore today, I would do it all over again tomorrow for the atmosphere of race day and the way it reaffirms my belief in myself and what I can accomplish when I have the courage to try.


*Let me explain more about the medal. For most triathlons and duathlons, they award medals to the top three finishers in each age group category and a few special categories, including two that are based on weight: the Athena category is for women who weigh more than 150 pounds and the Clydesdale category is for men who weigh more than 200 pounds.  


In both the Turtle Crawl Tri and yesterday's Heels N Wheels Du, I entered as an Athena, meaning I would only be competing against other women who weigh more than 150 pounds.  AND I CAME IN FIRST AND GOT A MEDAL FOR IT. Granted, there were only two women competing in the Athena category

Photo Fridays: August 26

Mike and Mary in their matching M&Ms shirts at our Stop Hunger Now event!

Found this place on one of my training runs this week, less than a mile from my house. Isn't it beautiful?

And I discovered this guy on the same training run...needless to say I used the same path for a later bike ride and second training run

My beautiful flowers on my front porch.

Look who was hanging around my work today- Jimmy Buffett!*  Sing it with me "You've got fins to your left, fins to your right, and you're the only bait in town."

*Jimmy Buffet was not actually at work today, but a life-size cut out of him was visiting for our annual F/S back-to-school party. 

Heels N Wheels Du'

By this time tomorrow, I'll be heading for the coast and the Heels N' Wheels Duathlon.

It's two miles running, 13 miles biking, followed by another two miles running.

Hurricane Irene seems to be running scared.  Last I heard she was turning East and shouldn't bother us in Waycross, Georgia.

Since we're talking about running scared, though, we can add me to that list.  I've don't think I've ever felt less prepared for a race.  The whole "not really following a training plan" idea may not have been the smartest move on my part.  My recent attitude and my recent runs have been not-so-hot.

When I initially signed up for the race, I thought running two miles at a time would be a piece of cake. Now I'm not so sure.

But the time for training harder or better has passed.  Now I've just go to go out there and do the best I can while having the most fun you can have at 7:30 in the morning.  No matter how slow this tortoise goes, I know that I can cross that finish line* and add "duathlete" to my growing list of athletic accomplishments.


Plus, doesn't the saying go "Slow and steady wins the race"?  I wonder if that applies to duathlons?


*barring any freak accidents like hurricanes, flat tires or sea monsters rising from the deep

What's Up Wednesday: Holidays

Labor Day is still more than a week away, and really, not much of a holiday (I don't even get the day off of work). Still, it's all we've got for a few more months and it got me wondering, what's your favorite holiday?

Mine is probably Thanksgiving, because of the time spent with family and the relaxed nature of it (as opposed to it's frenzied holiday neighbor, Christmas).  In recent years, I've also developed a fondness for Halloween, because of a few stellar Halloween parties (and these costumes.)

Down to the point: Today I want to know, what's your favorite holiday?

Love Where You Are

Stolen from the Facebook album of a friend...

I'm going to do what it says today and love where I am.
Things that make me love my life right now:
my roommate's couch
the grace and mercy of God
consistent workouts
consistent bowel movements
the people I work with
the people I hang with
the ample time I have to read
the upcoming visit of my parents and cousin
well-told stories
crazy dreams
Halloween costumes
Georgjetta (my car)
remembering God's truths



What about you? What do you love about where and who you are right now?

Stop Hunger Now

On Saturday, I had the unique opportunity to help feed 300,000 people by spending about two hours of my life packaging meals with my friends.

My church partnered with Stop Hunger Now, an international hunger relief organization, to package 50,100 meals. Over 100 volunteers of all ages prepared dehydrated, high protein and highly nutritious meals that will be delivered to school age children in Africa.

For a girl with, how shall I say, food issues, it is important for me to get outside of my own head now and again and remember that there are people in our world dealing with real food issues.  As in the not enough to eat, kind of real food issue.  

I make food too big a deal, especially since I have so much.

And while we fought hunger, we also had a pretty darn good time (despite the hairnets). Check out the evidence of the good times and hard work below.

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Our team at work.

The Funnel System: first into the bag goes a vitamin packet, then soy protein, then dehydrated veggies, then rice.  Then the packet was weighed, sealed and boxed up to be sent to those in need.

The dehydrated veggies

The rice

The Cindy

The Jenna

Radical Raquetball

Yesterday, I remembered one of my original cardio loves: RACQUETBALL!

Here we are, ready to play!

Back in 2007, before I began my healthy living journey, my school opened a brand spanking new gym, complete with racquetball courts. I had never played before, but a couple of co-workers and I quickly became addicted. We played several days a week for months and months during our lunch hours.  Eventually we cut back on the racquetball, because we felt like we could get better workouts in other ways, but not before many, many good times were had on that court (the second court from the left, always). Then we stopped playing completely because one of our trio was pregnant and having a baby. Her little guy is 1 now, so it's been at least a year and a half since we've played.

Some things you should know about me and racquetball:
1) I am always the scorekeeper.
2) We always play on the second court from the left.
3) You can get some good bruises playing racquetball (more than one person who's played with us has vowed never to play again.)
4) It is possible to play with three people. The game is called "Cut-throat" and every woman is out for herself.
5) We were taught to play by the campus Chief of Police, himself a skilled racquetball player.
6) They should really install stop motion cameras in the racquetball courts, because there would some hilarious sequences.
7) Intentional grunting always makes a game more fun.
8) I am an enthusiastic, but mediocre player.
9) The only way I think racquetball could be more fun is if they had a DJ who could play a clip from a song after each hit. Until that is instituted as a USA Racquetball official rule, however, I will be happy to the sing appropriate selections for myself and my competitors.

Back to the story:
Yesterday when one of the girls suggested we play again, I was all for it.  I'd been hitting it hard this week, exercising every day and sticking to my eating plan.  A little racquetball sounded like a great reward.

And I was right. It was so much fun to be playing again. And guess what?  It was also a great workout. I guess when you haven't done something in 18 months, you can challenge your body in new ways when you pick it back up again.

PS. My co-workers and I were so into racquetball two and a half years ago that I organized a departmental tournament.  I designated myself commissioner, recruited additional competitors, drew up brackets and crafted the trophy (which was shaped like a golden racquetball) by hand. Here are a few pics.  Hey UR folks- don't you think it's about time we had another tourney?? Who's in?

As commissioner, it was my duty to congratulate Matt, our winner.  Judy took 2nd place.

The trophy presentation.

Matt relishes his success.

Photo Fridays: August 19

I apologize for the sweatiness of this fantabulous photo Friday!

This is how sweaty I was after last Saturday's attempted brick.

I got a new headband to keep the sweat out of my eyes. It promises to not retain smells or stain, but I look a little ridiculous in it.

Got to spend some quality time with the fabulous Cara B this week!

And had to say "See you later!" to sweet Christin...she's been in my family group at church for four years and she leaves for college tomorrow!

This is the scene at the lake where I walked this week. Everything was blooming and beautiful.  Anyone know what these purple flowers are in front?

This is a sign posted next to a machine I was using at work today.  At the bottom it says, "IF ALL ELSE FAILS GET MANUAL- IF PROBLEM STILL EXISTS, CURSE, SCREAM AND THEN LEAVE THE MACHINE FOR 30 MINUTES."  The sign looks like it has been there for 30 years.  That's a lot of cursing,the sign gave me a sense of solidarity with all of those who had been frustrated by this machine over the years as I was today.

How was your week?

The Decision Not to Weigh

I decided about a month ago to seriously cut down on my weighing.  Back when I was really attacking my weight loss, getting on the scale could have so much power over me.  It would make or break my mood for the day and although I was only "supposed" to be officially weighing once a week, I was often stepping on the scale at all hours of the day just see how I was doing.

The week before I went skydiving, I was crazy about the scale, jumping on every time I was in my bathroom or the weight room at the gym, mainly because I was concerned about being too close to the weight limit.  Ever since that week, I haven't really been weighing at all, and it has been wonderful.  But along with not weighing, for me at least, comes gaining weight.  If I'm not weighing I'm much more lax and ready to overeat.  Not good.

So during a semi-diet reboot back in July, I decided that I would only weigh once a month, on the Friday closest to the first of the month.  As a whole, I'm loving it.  I love not being ruled by the scale.  I am, however, worried that once a month is not really enough to keep me accountable.  I'm going to give it a go for a few months at least before I make a final decision. Goodness knows I have not been nearly as strict in my diet in recent months as I was when I was losing pounds steadily and weighing like it was going out of style.

So we'll see...the question of how often to weigh shall remain unanswered for me, for now...

What's Up Wednesday: Cardio

On today's What's Up Wednesday, I'm wondering, what's your favorite form of cardio exercise?

I usually try to keep my cardio varied, because I get bored easily.  Lately, though, I've been putting a lot of emphasis on biking and running because of my upcoming duathlon (Side freak out: IT'S IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS).  After Saturday's reconsideration of my running goals, I started thinking maybe I should start trying new forms of cardio again.  I thought I'd peer into your worlds and see if I can steal some ideas from you. What's your favorite way to sweat?  Walks with friends?  Hiking? Dancing? Group exercise classes?



Oh, and of course, make sure you've checked out the other What's Up Wednesdays:
Fridges
Body Parts
Motivation
Healthy Snacks
Guilty Pleasure Food
Celebrity Doppleganger

Tale of the Tomatoes

I've been blessed this week with an abundance of tomatoes. Neighbors and co-workers have been growing tomatoes, and I'm lucky enough to have benefited from that. At first I was freaked by the sheer numbers of tomatoes on my counter, but then it occurred to me: I should make salsa!

I've never made salsa before in my life, so I looked up some recipes.  They varied somewhat, but had the same basic principles. Cut tomatoes, cut onions, cut cilantro and mix together, so I decided to wing it.   About halfway through all of the cutting, I got nervous about the decision to wing it, but in the end, I realized that enough tomatoes, cilantro and lime juice make anything tasty. I was right.

But then I was like, "Now the tomatoes are gone, but what am I going to do with this salsa?"  Solution: Make tacos!  Look at these amazing tacos I'm eating this week.  For approximately 320 calories, I'm eating a plate-ful of tacos for dinner tonight, and they are delicious. A smattering of taco meat, a generous helping of my salsa, some lettuce and a sprinkling of cheese = satisfying, delicious and quick.   

Happy Taco Tuesday!

Operation Laziness

I dubbed this weekend "Operation Laziness."  I had no big plans, and I was determined to keep it that way.

The operation was a success.  Aside from my Saturday morning attempted brick, my Sunday morning at church and a trip to the actual movie theater, I evenly split the rest of the time between the two couches in my house, either reading the Island by Victoria Hislop* or watching the West Wing, Season I.** 

It's been a very, very long time since I've had a weekend of such lethargy, but I had absolutely zero problems getting back into the lazy groove.  Work has been crazy lately (the month of August always is on a college campus), and I've been pretty spectacular at filling all of my non-working hours with busy-ness.  I needed the break.  

Anyway, I'm not sure the point of telling you all of this, except to say that I'm rested and raring to go for this next week. 

* It was a good multi-generational tale about leprosy, Crete and family. 

**I've seen the West Wing Season I before, but after spending so much time this weekend watching it, I've decided it is one of the top 5 best television shows of all time. Most of the episodes make me both laugh (out loud) and cry (or at least bring tears to my eyes.)  You can check out seasons at your local library (at least you can at mine) if you're interested.

Reconsidering Running

Went out for another brick today.  Had a great 11 mile bike ride and then couldn't bring myself to run a mile.  My shirt was soaked through with sweat at this point, and I was just tired.  So, of course, that launches me into a spiral of thinking, "WHY DO I KEEP TRYING TO BE A RUNNER?"  I can not believe I have this race in two weeks.

I don't want to be a Debbie Downer.  I'm not upset about it. I'll be able to handle the race, even if I end up walking a good bit of it. I'll finish; I'm not worried about that.

But, it does leave me thinking about the future of my running career.  Running is hard work (for me, if not for everyone), and I often dread the thought of a looming run workout.  At the end of this week I skipped two workouts completely, just because I didn't want to run.

I've got to keep in mind my main purposes for working out: being fit and losing weight.  Maybe running isn't for me.  But then again, I hate to lose any of the precious little stamina I have built up if I were to quit running.

I realize the irony that this post comes after my multiple running posts last week (find those here and here). What can I say? My moods are like a roller coaster, sometimes, and you've just got to go with the flow.

What do you think? Should I stick with running?  Got any ideas for new types of cardio for me?

Photo Fridays: August 12

Saw Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part Two again. This time in 3D!

Got to babysit my youngest niece, Natalie, so her mom, dad, older brother and sister could go see Cars 2.  

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Fiona was racked and ready to roll on the back of my car this week as I got in multiple training rides.

I got my first jellyfish stings during my quick trip to the beach.  These looked bad, but didn't hurt.  The ones on my foot stung a lot, but you couldn't even see them!  How's that for injustice!?!

Some of my favs stole my phone to take this pic: Luis, Cara, Amie and KLB!

Mafia party! This is my favorite game. My friends and I get together to play every few months.Everyone goes to "sleep" (pictured here) so that the mafia can strike "in the night." The game is to figure out who is in the mafia.  This is what it looks like when everyone is asleep.  Have you ever played this awesome game?

Product Review: Fiber One 90 Calorie Brownies

It's been awhile since I've done one of my product reviews, and it just so happened that I bought some of these Fiber One 90 calorie brownie bars at the store this week.  I'm a fan of the Fiber One granola bars, so I was excited to find a dessert of the same brand for less calories. Plus, it combines chocolate and peanut butter, two foods that were meant to live happily ever after (ooh, great couples' costume idea!) Can't get much better than that, can it?

Turns out, it can. It could, in fact, get a lot better than this. I would not recommend these brownies to anyone unless that someone is a fan of the idea of sinking his or her teeth into a thick and chewy slice of cardboard.  I'm guessing that when you attempt to up the fiber content and lower the calories (thereby, removing the stuff that tastes good), it is physically impossible to concoct something that tastes good. I just wish I'd come to that realization before I brought the box of cardboard brownies home.

Also there is no discernible, legitimate peanut butter.

The only plus side is that for such a tiny square, they are somewhat filling.

Has anyone else tried them?  Please let me know what you thought. Am I being too harsh?

What's Up Wednesday: Fridge Edition

On today's What's Up Wednesday, I'm wondering what's in your fridge?   Why do I want to know? Eh, I'm just nosy, I guess.  To be fair, though, I'll go first. In addition to your usual assortments of condiments (ketchup, mustard, assorted salad dressings, BBQ sauce, soy sauce) and plenty of Diet Coke, I have the remainders of my meals for the week, cherry tomatoes, strawberries, and my lunch box ready to go for tomorrow (see pic at left).  My meals this week were an Italian pasta bake and a low-fat cheeseburger pie.  Yum!  

In my snack drawer (see pic at right), I have cheese sticks, pepperoni sticks, individually packaged cottage cheese and apples and peanut butter.  All of this individually packaged food helps me eat within my calorie range and pack my lunch quickly on the go.

Okay, now it's your turn. Whatcha' got in yo' fridge?  What's a fridge essential in your house?