Simple Summer Staple - Infused Detox Water

This week I have been pretty busy which I love. Being off work during the summer months while Joe and other friends are still working can make for boring days at times. After two days of binging on TV, I reach my limit and start to crave structure and activities. This week has ben filled with packing for our big move, visiting with friends and packing for vacation next week! I am thrilled to be spending two weeks at the beach with my family. I am also squeezing in a bachelorette party over the weekend of July 4th.

With lots of beach time my future, my goal is always to eat clean to avoid bloat. Another easy tip I always do to keep slim is stay hydrated! I find that I drink 2x more in the summer as an attempt to beat the summer heat. Staying hydrated actually can help reduce bloat. I love sipping on flavored water instead of plain water to help file soda cravings as well. An added benefit besides flavor is the detox qualities of many fruits.  Today I am sharing some of my favorite flavor combos. Adding ingredients such as raspberries, cucumber and mint create a detox powerhouse in your water. Hence the term Detox Water! Detox water is great for helping remove bloat while hydrating your body. Right now I am loving pineapple and mint. All I do to prepare it is place a few slices of each in a bottle right when I get up in the morning. I let it sit in the fridge and then 2 hour later I have delicious cool water!

Juice Infuser/ Sport Water Bottle/ Double Walled Bottle/ Flip Top Bottle 

 Here is the low down on some key ingredients. Red Raspberries and Strawberries contain strong antioxidants including Vitamin C as well as anti-inflammatory properties. Red raspberry ketones have also been used as a weight loss supplement for years.  Lemon improves digestive function, strengthens the immune system and can help curb appetite. Cucumber promotes hydration and has anti-inflammatory properties.

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Summer Workouts- Tips to Beat the Heat

Good morning! I am just getting back from an early run this morning. I am enjoying every second of summer break. There is lots of packing and cleaning happening to prepare for our move. Of course I am making time for time by the pool as well! I thought it would be a great time to share some warm weather running tips.

Each year as summer rolls around and the weather heats up I find myself changing my running routine to help beat the summer heat. My number one tip is to listen to your body. With the warmer weather and humidity, it takes more effort to exercise at your normal level. When temperatures go from 75 to 90 degrees, heart rate can increase by 10 to 20 beats per minute, which will make your perceived effort much greater. (Competior.com) What that means is come fall running outside will feel much easier!

1. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. I always carry a handheld water bottle with me in the summer. Taking a sip every few minutes helps keep my body them down. It is also nice to dump over your head when you get too hot. 

2. Avoid Chafing. If you have ever gone on a run in a tank top you know what I am referring to. I get lovely chafing under my arms almost every run. This makes for a miserable time in tanks or swimsuits due to the burn it leaves. Body Glide under my arms before every run helps me avoid that. 

3. Shade your Face. I always seek out the most shaded route. Wearing a hat or visor also helps tremendously. I don't wear sunglasses when I run so the visor helps to keep me from squinting the entire run.

4. Protection. Something you never think about is the amount of sun you can get on your skin while on a 30- 45 minute run. I am trying to prevent more sunspots appearing on my face so I always swipe sport sunscreen on my face and chest before heading out. I love the sunscreen that comes in stick form as it is so easy to apply.

5. Proper Apparel. Everyone knows to make sure you wear sweat wicking clothes. What many people look over is proper socks. Regular socks that you might wear to the gym will cause blisters.

How do you change your routine in the summer?
What is your favorite summer workout?
Do you love or hate running in the summer?

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Ditching the Diet Mentality: Intuitive Eating

I have always strived for my blog to be a journal of sorts. Chronicling everyday life while highlighting my passions. One of my passions is for healthy living. Lately, I feel like I am not practicing what I know and love.  I have set forth on numerous diets and lifestyle changes this year only to bail half way through leaving me feeling like a complete failure. This past month was the last straw and I knew something had to change. So, I did the complete opposite of the norm and ditched the diet completely!

Looking back over the years I noticed a pattern. When I place myself on a diet I develop a tendency to binge, both before my diet begins and during due to feeling restricted.  How am I hoping to solve this? Intuitive eating.

Intuitive eating: Eat only when hungry, don't feel guilty about food, and eat whatever your body is craving. 

Let me share my inner psychology nerd for a second. Intuitive eating is based off habituation strategy. Habituation is the diminishing of a physiological or emotional response to a frequently repeated stimulus. When applied to eating it means that allowing yourself to eat what you are craving, but typically don’t indulge in, will decrease the temptation or “sparkle” of the food.

This past month, I tried this with Peanut Butter M&M’s. I have always had the mindset that I can’t indulge in candy or keep it in the house. I was sure I had an insatiable appetite for anything peanut butter. But the first time I gave myself permission to eat as many as I wanted, I was surprised that I was satisfied after just a few handfuls. By day three, the candy was already less tempting. Now they don't seem as scary as they did before when I walk by the candy isle. Removing the danger sign helped me realize that they are just a treat and don't have special power over me.

There are three main guidelines that I am following on this journey.

ID hunger signs.- Know your hunger signs and aim to eat only when you're hungry. 

Slow down.- Instead of inhaling dinner, sit at the table while you eat and make the meal last at least 20 minutes. When you go slow, it's easier to read your body's hunger and fullness signals.

Portion Control - Be conscious of how much you’re eating. Eat whatever your body is craving just be aware of serving size. Portion out one serving at a time. If you’re not satisfied with one serving then you can enjoy more.

I realize that I can't change how I view food overnight. I have had a distorted relationship with food for a long time; dieting disconnected me from how food makes my body feel.  But with time, I hope to get to a better place.  The goal is to repair my relationship with food and my body and have weight loss as a side effect of that.

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Healthy On The Go Snacks

The end of the school year from April - June is considered the busy season for my job. That means grabbing a small snack between meetings and assessments and planning a lunch that is simple and can be enjoyed on the go. When work gets busy and stressful it is easy for mt to let my healthy eating slip and instead grab something sweet from the vending machine or a pack of cookies I keep in my office for students. Being prepared with delicious snacks I love is the only way to prevent that! Recently I have found myself in a rotation of a few favorites which I wanted to share with y'all today. 

100 Calorie Pack Almonds- I buy these for pure convenience as I am sure that I could make my own but  honestly don't want to spend the time doing it. My favorite are the sea salt and dark chocolate. 

Chobani Greek Yogurt- I always switch it up depending what brand is on sale but Chobani is my tried and true favorite. 

Dates with Peanut Butter- When I need a little extra fuel for evening workouts or just craving something sweet this treat is amazing. I can't believe I just discovered how good it was until this month! I top two dates with a tablespoon of peanut butter and enjoy. It tastes super sweet almost like a caramel candy. If I am feeling extra indulgent I'll add a few chocolate chips. 

Larabar Uber- These bars skirt the fine line between healthy treat and candy bar. I will enjoy one when am craving something really sweet in the afternoon after hitting that 2-3pm slump.  I'll reach for one of these instead of the M&M's.

What are your favorite on the go snacks? Have you ever tried dates and pb? or do you think it's a crazy combination. 

Linking Up with Michelle, Shanna, Diatta and Heather

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Bikini Ready

The weather is finally warning up and I know spending long days out on the boat will be here before I can blink! That means it is time to get my booty in bikini shape. There are 9 short weeks looming between me and summer break. Tone It Up's bikini series came at just the right time! I'm thrilled to be joining in on this challenge and would love for you to join in as well.

So, what is the bikini series? It’s eight weeks of daily workout challenges & motivation from Tone It Up. The Bikini Series features a new workout video each week. My favorite part is that you can get rewarded for working out! The series features weekly prizes and grand prizes including a trip Playa Del Carmen just for signing up and following along! Also, if you are a member of the Tone It Up Nutrition Plan 8 week, meal by meal Bikini Guide to follow during the bikini series.

Here are three things I'm focusing on over the next 8 weeks. I think it is important to make changes that are sustainable, not quick fixes.  

Three Tips for a Bikini Ready 2015

1) Workout daily. Aim to be active every single day, on rest days try to enjoy a long walk or a good stretch session.

2) Nourish your body. Enjoy fresh fruits and veggies as much as you want. Try and aim for an 80/20 ratio of whole foods and to processed/junk foods.

3) Set up for success. Schedule your workouts like an appointment and don't cancel. Prepare and plan  meals ahead of time helps decrease the chance of hungry junk food impulses.

 

Linking Up with Michelle, Shanna, Diatta and Heather

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April Goals

Happy April loves! Did anyone get fooled by April fools jokes yesterday? I always forget it's April first so I had a few get past me. No joking here, promise. Today I am sharing my April goals and a quick recap of my March goals. 

I am pretty pleased with my progress on my goals for March. I just finished the Calligraphy class through Scarlet & Gold. Still need tons of practice to become fluent. I truly find spending a bit of time each evening practicing relaxing. This is something I hope to keep up through April. My second goal was to complete the 21 Day Fix. This did not happen. I did start watching what I eat and loosely followed the meal plan. I did not get in as many workouts as I had wanted. I am going to continue this goal into April. My other goals were to bake a new treat and share my meal plan for the week. I tried a few new recipes including white chocolate macadamia cookies which were amazing. I hope to share them with y'all soon. My last goal was to get a massage. I ended up getting a facial instead which was amazing! 

April Goals 

1. Improve my 5k time. My pace has hovered around a 10 minute mile since I stared running 5+ years ago. Over the past year I have been focused more on distance than pace. Once you increase distance (think marathon) your pace time dramatically increases. I really want to consistently be able to run a sub 30 minute 5k (9:40 pace). 

2. Run 3 x week. This goes right along with my first goal. I have been slack on my cardio lately. Since bikini season right around the corner I have got to get my booty in shape! I will be sharing my workout progress with y'all weekly. 

3. Pack breakfast and lunch for work. Pretty self explanatory. I often pack a salad and end up starving and raiding the vending machine. 

4. Only necessary purchases. I find myself grabbing new arrivals and unnecessary items more often than not. Especially when there is a sale. My challenge this month is to say no to sales and shop my closet. I will make one exception for Lilly at Target which I have a set budget to go by. 

5. Be active every day. My goal is to get 10,000 steps in every day. This could be a long walk, Pure Barre, a workout DVD or a run. I just got the Garmin VivoFit to track my steps so I will be using it to  motivate myself to get moving. 

What are your goals for April? I'd love to hear your favorite 5k training plan.

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Honest Shakeology Cleanse Review

Alright so today I am back talking about Shakeology and the three day cleanse I told y’all about last week.  You can read all the details about what is recommended to eat on the cleanse here.  A quick summary of the cleanse is that you substitute two meals (breakfast and lunch) as well as one snack (afternoon snack) with a Shakeology shake.  For dinner, it is recommended to enjoy a large salad with lean protein.  You can also have a piece of fruit during the day if you get hungry.

I started the cleanse last Wednesday. I never felt hungry during the day and enjoyed not having to worry about packing my meals for lunch. Thursday I enjoyed shakes for breakfast and lunch. I ended up getting a bit hungrier than normal that evening after my workout so I enjoyed a sweet potato with my grilled chicken salad. Friday was the last day and I was starting to crave something I could munch on instead of sip during the day.  I started off with a shake for breakfast and enjoyed a piece of fruit as well. We ended up having dinner early with my parents so I never had the last shake. Instead I celebrated with a steak salad, some bread and then a giant piece of cake (whoops!).  As you can see, I followed the rules of the cleanse very loosely. Even with not following the plan exactly I still lost 4 pounds and am maintain the weight loss these past few days!

Thoughts After the Cleanse

I only enjoy Shakeology when it is blended with ice like a smoothie. I cannot stand the texture when it is blended with water in a shaker bottle.  Since I don’t have access to a blender at work, I made two servings at breakfast and carried them to the office. That was a bit tedious to remember each day.

Drinking cold shakes when it is freezing outside is not pleasant.

Personally, one to two day cleanses are best for me. I have struggled with being in a good place emotionally with food. Strict diet plans for longer periods of time tend to be a trigger for me. I don't want my body to feel restricted which can lead to a binge. I have talked briefly with my struggles in the past here.

It is important to listen to your cravings in moderation. I was able to lose weight even with enjoying bread and cake at dinner. The trick is don’t eat the whole cake or the entire bread basket.  I have always had the mentality that you have to eat XY and Z to lose weight.  With proper nutrition, you can enjoy treats occasionally and still lose weight!

I enjoy the taste of Shakeology but not enough to enjoy a shake three times a day for three days. That is way too much "chocolate like" flavor for me.

Would I do it again?

I would not do it for the total three days. Personally, I missed real food and felt myself getting pretty obsessed with food. I like the idea of doing a one day “refresh” every other month or so.

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5 Pure Barre Tips for Newbies

A month ago, I started my Pure Barre journey. My goal with my unlimited month was to attend as often as possible. In that month, I averaged 4-5 classes a week. I am by far no expert after a month of classes. I can share a few tips and tricks gleaned from my first month…

1. What to wear. I recommend tights or capris and loose tank top.  I am a firm believer in investing in a pair of grippy socks which keeps you from sliding around. Any pair of black socks will do if you’re unsure if you want to make the investment.
2. Find a spot. For the first few classes it is important to make sure you can see the instructor to follow her moves. They explain it aloud as well but can be confusing to put together all at once without a visual.  “Feet together, toes apart, slide your legs toward the bar, tuck your hips under…” It will feel like strange contortion moves at first, after a few classes the positions become more natural.
3. What to expect. Lots of shaking and stretching. You will hear the instructor say it a lot in class “Embrace the shake.” Sometimes it is harder to put that into practice when you feel like your legs may collapse beneath you. Believe me they won’t so hold on for another 10 seconds. Also, no one will judge you for your shaking legs. That’s the goal! Afterwards there is lots of stretching which feel amazing. One of the goals of Pure Barre is to increase flexibility so don’t worry if you can’t slide into a split. It will come with practice.
4. Focus on the muscle. The class is broken down into sections which focus on different large muscle groups with a stretch break in between . Classes typically follow the same pattern: Warm-up, Core, Upper Body, Thighs, Booty or ”Seat”, Core and finish with Seat and Thigh combo. Try to focus on the contraction of the muscle you’re working in each move.  The instructor might say lift your leg, then you should focus on squeezing and contracting your glute muscle to make the leg lift.  The lift may only be an inch. If you are unsure if you have it right, place your hand on the muscle that is supposed to be working and see if you can feel it contracting. I find that this is really helpful during seat and ab work.
5. Relax.  Pure Barre is unlike any other workout class I have taken and I always leave relaxed and refreshed afterwards. Don’t stress about being perfect just do the best you can. Remember everyone was new to class at one point and it takes a while to learn the moves. Don’t be embarrassed to come out of a move and shake it out if it is too intense. Take a break and get right back to it.

I hope these tips help unveil some of the mystery of Pure Barre. New Year Resolutions may be on your mind with goals to tone up, lose weight or just live a healthier lifestyle. I highly encourage you to give a Pure Barre class a try .

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Home for the Holidays & Holiday Treadmill Workout

Happy Monday morning. I am excited to start off this Christmas week at home with my family. One of the huge perks of working for a school system is the long Holiday breaks. I am beyond thrilled to be off for the next two weeks. My mom broke her right wrist and is in a cast so I am in charge of helping with cooking and chores this week.

Joe was battling a sinus infection this weekend so we changed our plans and kept things low key. While the husband rested I spend my time at the gym, wrapping last minute gifts and watching Christmas specials. Saturday morning we were surprised with a bit of snow! Unfortunately, it did not last long and by mid-day it had turned into rain.

I took the chance Saturday to really work up a sweat on the treadmill. I am still not cleared to run yet. So I cranked up the incline to really work up a sweat. Runner or not this workout is a doozy! I always forget how challenging inclines can be. If you are looking to work up a sweat on the treadmill and are not in the mood to run give this workout a try! Make sure to not hold onto the sides of the treadmill for support. If it gets too intense just decrease the incline.

Hope you all have a wonderful Monday. I'm looking forward to enjoying time with my family!

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Total Body Circuit

I thought today I would mix things up and do a little fitness post. Honestly, my workouts beyond Pure Barre have been limited due to my injury. I have little to no motivation to complete cardio or eat healthy these days. How  can you say no to homemade cookies and  pedaling on a bike for 30 minutes going nowhere should be considered torture. Thanks to some less than flattering photos this weekend I have jumped back on the cardio and clean eating train. I plan to keep the motivation going through Christmas and New Year.  

This workout is a great low impact option if you don’t like plyo exercises or are concerned with annoying the downstairs neighbors. I have a love/hate relationship with lunges. It is one exercise that gets results but is beyond painful for me. Give this a try and let me know what you think. I'd also like to hear your favorite workout move. Mine currently is planks. I am working my way up to the complete 90 second plank at Pure Barre.

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Weighing In Wednesday

Weighing in Wednesday has been on the back of my mind for a while. I haven't posted much this past month because I wanted to rework the direction it was headed. This past month I have tried to push the focus off the number on the scale and toward being comfortable with my body. I have been fighting with the scale for years now with little success. If it's not working then why continue it! Something had to change. I still am focusing on eating healthy and working out but with a different end goal in mind. Wednesday's will be focused on tips and tricks I have learned along the way about weight-loss. I also am looking forward to sharing more recipes and workouts. Today I want to share a few tips that help with getting the weight off and keeping it off.

1.    Baby steps: If you look at the big picture of trying to change everything at once it can be overwhelming and lead to frustration.  In order to be successful in making a lifestyle change and not a quick fix diet is to start small. Make one positive shift every week, instead of overwhelming yourself with a bunch of changes at once. Example: This week I’m focused on nutrition next week I will add in more intense workouts.
2.    Find what fuels you: Tap into your motivation and use it. I try to focus on goals that go beyond that number on the scale, and set specific and personal mini-goals like training for a race (or slipping into that pair of jeans that are a bit too snug) helps tremendously with motivation. Seriously thinking and reminding yourself about long-term goals will keep you committed to a lifestyle change.
3.    Visualize your goal: When you have struggled with weight loss for a long time it is sometimes hard to visualize a reasonable expectation for a healthier life. What has helped is to create a healthy vision board on Pinterest to be a tangible reminder. My Pinterest page is focused on inspirational quotes and images not necessarily pictures but motivational workouts and things that will help me you start to recognize when I am starting to reach my goal.
4.    Consistency is key: Plan out your workouts like they are an appointment. This will help get in the habit of going to the gym every morning or after work. Remember, this isn't a quick fix — this is a lifestyle change. After a few weeks, these things will feel like second nature.
5.    Find healthy foods you enjoy: Many don’t believe it but healthy food can also be delicious! It may take a little getting used to but enjoying clean foods will help cut cravings and you will eventually want to fuel yourself with clean, natural foods.
6.    Don't focus on deprivation: I love this quote from celebrity trainer Heidi Powell, about when you deprive yourself of food, "all you want is what you can't have!"  When I focus on not being able to have cake at a birthday party- all I want is a huge corner slice. If I instead focus on how energized I feel with a healthier diet I tend to not focus on the cake and enjoy the party.
7.    Have compassion: Sometimes, we indulge a bit much and slipups happen. Instead of punishing yourself with countless hours of cardio or restriction after eating a food that's "off-limits” it is better to forgive yourself and make it a learning experience. Then just move on. When you allow yourself kindness, it is easier to bounce back and stay on track. Just skip the downward spiral of a whole day (or week) filled with junk food, shall we?
8.    Do exercise you enjoy: Heading to the gym shouldn't feel like torture. Try a new group fitness class or a different cardio machine. Or skip the gym all together and get outside join a rec league or go for a run. An activity that flies by and feels like fun will ensure you get those workouts in.
9.    Plan ahead: Enjoying a sweet treat or special meal out are key parts of sustainable weight-loss. When you know about an upcoming girls night out there is no need to freak out just keep your diet extra clean leading up to the special indulgence. Knowing you have planned ahead will make the whole experience more rewarding.

I'd love to hear your tips on maintaining your goal weight or weight-loss!

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Fitness Gear

Here is a little honestly for you all- I have been in quite a rut lately when it comes to working out. I am still getting in my miles for my half-marathon training but have felt unmotivated to do anything beyond that. This is not good for my goal of reaching and maintaining my happy weight by the end of the year. (I’m aiming for Thanksgiving.) When I am in a fitness rut, one thing that puts pep in my step as I head out the door is a great fitting outfit or a new cute top.  I don’t have a huge collection of workout gear  (maybe 4-5 tops, shorts and crops) but I make sure the items I have are ones that I love.

I recently received Victoria's Secret new line of sport bras through Influenster to test. The sports bra was Incredible by Victoria's Secret Sport Bra. Along with the bra, they sent a pair of compression leggings.  These are the Knockout by Victoria's Secret Tight Leggings in Black Marl. Also, inside the box was a packet of 25% off coupons (email me sweetcarolinabelle@gmail.com) if you want one.

 

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I have worn this sports bra on several long training runs and am so impressed. The bra is very well made with thick straps and underwire support. I don’t need much support  but can tell this bra provides it for others that are well endowed. It has a bit of padding and shaping which is great for gals like me who become flat chested when wearing sports bras. The leggings are okay but the sports bra stole the show for me. The design of the bra is excellent and there are lots of color/pattern variety to choose from.

A tried a true favorite for workout gear is Luluemon. I know I am one in thousands that just love this brand. Being short I have to pick and choose what works since their brand is made for tall, leggy yogis. My favorite capris for running are Luluemon’s  run inspire crop and illumina crop. The illumina crop has a perfect pocket to store your phone or fuel on runs.

{here & here}

This Brooks tank has been my go to workout tank this summer. I wore it during my marathon and loved the loose but flattering fit. Even after 26 miles the tank did not stretch out one bit. It is on sale right now and comes in a ton of different colors you just have to search around to find them. My favorite is the berry color from REI. 

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Fabletics is a recent discovery of mine. It’s an online boutique that features high quality, fashion forward fitness gear. My first outfit was the Lima Capri and the Adventura Tank. Both pieces are great high quality items. I really enjoy wearing these when doing toning or lifting exercises. I also think these pieces would be great for Pure Barre! 

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Well, there you go if you are in the market for new, cute and functional workout clothes I encourage you give these a try! Hope y’all have a great Wednesday.

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Adapting Workouts & Recipes

Let's jump right into some fitness for the day. I started the day off with a fantastic gym session that left me completely drenched. I find that starting the day with exercise encourages me to make smart choices the remainder of the day.  While browsing my Pinterest boards last night, I re-discovered a great treadmill workout by Iowa Girl Eats. You can check out my Running Pinterest board here. 

I knew that I would be burnt out if I attempted to conquer the workout in full. So I decided to do a modified version of the routine.  Instead of one minute intervals- I completed longer intervals to help with recovery. I ran at 6 mph for 1:30 and 8 mph for :30. Always keep in mind if a workout plan appears too hard it can be modified by reducing the speed or amount of time. Then make it a long term goal to complete the workout without modifications. I am going to keep on attempting this interval plan until I can master it. 

After the gym, I took the chance to cook a filling breakfast.  I am enjoying the slower mornings these next two weeks since I know once work starts back I won’t have the chance.  French toast always seems so indulgent to me but I have figured out a way to make it light and filling.

I took two slices of light whole wheat bread and dipped them in ½ cup of egg whites.  Then I placed the bread on the griddle for 1-2 minutes until light brown. I topped it with cinnamon and blueberries. If I had Greek yogurt I would have added some as well.  So easy and surprisingly healthy! 

Now I'm off to spend some quality time in the kitchen today baking some treat for tonight's girls night. Look for the recipe next week! Tonight is where my willpower is going to get tested as I love to hang with friends but need to watch it when it comes to food. Let's hope this morning workout and smart breakfast leads to a day of smart choices.

Weighty Update

One of the major reasons I stared this little blog was to share my passion for fitness and healthy living. I honestly love to workout.  However, I don’t always make healthy food choices. I always working to get better.

As long as I can remember, I have been a yo-yo dieter. I have struggled with my body image and always wanted to lose more weight- even when I was at my thinnest. Over the years, I have learned to dress my body well. Dresses and empire waists are my go to as my hips and stomach are my problem areas.

2005                                                 2010

2014

One of my goals {here} for this year was to get to a “happy weight.”  It is not about a hard number on the scale. Although, I do have a weight range in mind. I just want to feel comfortable and not self conscious about my stomach and thighs. I feel best about myself when exercising consistently and fueling my body with clean food.

Even though I set a goal for myself in JANUARY to lose weight. I have not lost a pound. Well, I guess you can say a small victory is that I have not gained a pound either. Over the months, I continuously made excuses as to why I could not achieve my goals and take control of my weight.  Weekends are the worst.  Friday night? I deserve Wine and Dessert! Saturday means brunch, of course! Then Sunday rolls around and since Friday and Saturday were a bust might as well wrap Sunday up with some ice cream.  I'll start again Monday… then the cycle continues. Sweets are my other downfall. Sugar might as well be a food group for me as well since I have the largest sweet tooth of anyone I know. Most of my friends can attest that I can polish off a giant slice of cake for dessert single handily without much regret. Eating like this for 7 months is why I say it is a victory that I haven't gained a pound.

Now I realize my weekend habits and sugar intake has got to change in order to meet my goals. To keep me accountable, I want to document my journey here. I’m going to start sharing more of my meals and workouts as a journal of my progress.

I truly hope you enjoy following along these next few months!

Super Food Secrets: Apple Cider Vinegar

I learned about the benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) through  the Tone It Up nutrition plan. The plan recommends  drinking ACV every morning with breakfast. I don’t follow Tone it Up strictly anymore but I still drink ACV every morning. I will warn you that ACV is very strong and does take a little getting used to.  I recommend drinking it through a straw to help preserve the enamel of your teeth. Curious to why I drink bitter vinegar each morning? Here are some of the health benefits. The raw form of vinegar is recommended since it contains the "mother" of the vinegar which looks like cloudy strands floating at the bottom of the bottle. These strands contain important enzymes that give ACV it's health benefits. 

Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar:        

Keep you from feeling hungry by slowing stomach emptying

Help regulate blood pressure and reduce bad cholesterol

Soothe upset stomachs and help to remove toxins the body

Prevents indigestion

Help clear up skin and blemishes

Help with weight loss by breaking down fats

There are many ways to get a daily dose of ACV including incorporating it into marinades or dressings. I choose to drink ACV first thing in the morning on an empty stomach to help aid in digestion and absorb nutrients from the vinegar. You can drink ACV straight up like a shot mixed with a bit of water but I found that a bit to harsh in the mornings. My favorite way to enjoy ACV is mixed with fresh fruit juice and a dash of cinnamon.

Tropical Super Juice
1 1/2 cups fresh pineapple juice
2 tbs Apple Cider Vinegar
1-2 drops liquid stevia
1 dash cinnamon

Stir together and drink. This juice is great for before breakfast.

Sources: 28 Health and Beauty Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar & Web MD

Marathon Training & Weight Loss

In January, I started training for the marathon. Along with my goal of running 26.2 miles I also set a goal to lose 20lbs.  Well, let me share a little secret-  long distance running and weight loss do not go together. You would think that burning over 2,000 calories on a run would have you shedding weight. Not so at all!

My body holds onto all those precious fat stores for energy and recovery after each run. After a hard long run, I am typically not hungry for a big meal until late afternoon. By the afternoon, I am ravenous and can't get enough carbs! I have tried several different "diets" and strategies these past months to try and lose a few pounds. I tried keeping carbs low during the week and increase them on the weekend. This left me exhausted and grumpy during the week and eating everything in sight during the weekend. After a few weeks I decided to stop focusing on weight loss and focus solely on marathon training.

Post marathon, I have not gained any weight but I have not lost any either.  I am slowly learning to love my body no matter what the number on the scale or the size of my pants. Not everyone can say they have ran a marathon and I need to appreciate the endurance my body has. Now that marathon training is over, I am looking forward to trying different workouts and get back to eating clean. Can't wait to try more Pure Barre classes soon!

What's your favorite way to exercise? I'd love to try new workouts!

Throwback Thursday: My Running Story

One month from today I'm running my first marathon!  Here is a look back into how I started running. I started running my Senior year of college as part of my final project for a health class. I was not an athlete in high school. I danced for years but stopped once I moved to college. The health class senior year was one of my elective classes and really sparked my interest in health and fitness.  For on final project, we had to do research on any health topic covered in our class. I had already lost a few pounds from watching my diet and thought focusing on running would be a fun way to sneak in cardio while completing my assignment. Prior to this class, my two favorite forms of running were doing the elliptical for 30 minutes with no resistance and walking. For my project, I walked on the treadmill and gradually incorporated running. After each session, I  measured my heart rate. The goal was to use intervals to increase my cardiovascular endurance which was measured by my heart rate. Pretty nerdy stuff. By the end of the semester I was running around 3 miles and loving how it made me feel.

Freshman year- Exercising consisted of waking the loop at Wrightsville Beach

That spring I entered my first 5k. I did not shatter any records but since it was such a small race I ended up placing 3rd in my age group (out of 4 people). I remember being so nervous for race day. Making sure I had just the right outfit and my favorite tunes on my ipod.  

My first 5k

After that I stated reading several running blogs including Meals and Miles, Healthy Tipping Point & Skinny Runner. As I read I became intrigued by long distance running. I remember reading about their training plans and wondering if it was something I could do. Honestly, one of the biggest things that peaked my interest was the post long run meals or treats. I remember thinking that I could run 13 miles if there was candy and lots of carbs involved. That's when I decided to train for my first half-marathon.

Battleship Half Marathon

 I was hooked. I not only loved the experience of the race but the endless training miles that led up to the race. I have taken several breaks from running over the years due to injury, time commitment and weather. However, I always seem to go back to it. I am not a competitive person but love the feeling of accomplishment when you cross the finish line.

Jingle Bell 5k 

Ramblin' Rose Half Marathon

Flashback 10K

I am not a natural born runner. Long distance running has been a huge mental battle for me. I can conquer 3- 5 miles no problem after that my mind starts to wander and things get uncomfortable. Feeling uncomfortable is not something I enjoy most days. But to get better and change you have to get uncomfortable. Honestly, marathon training is very uncomfortable for me. I downplay it a lot because I still can't believe next month I will be running 26.2 miles. I know I have the physical ability to complete the race it's my mental strength that I question. Training is a lot of pounding the pavement with just your thoughts and music. It takes about 3 miles for me to get in the groove and feel comfortable. On some runs I feel like I could conquer the world. Other runs I just count down the miles until it is over. I despise running fast and it is something I want to work on for future races. Right now I am focused on getting in my miles for the marathon and taking it one run at a time.