Baking and Running

Today's post is a random post. I don't know about you folks, but I'm over counting the days. Realistically, I broke the challenge [insert boo's here], BUT I am still dieting and exercising and I am training away for my marathon. Besides, this whole writing about my days that are usually boring and repetitive was restricting my writing creativity. Ok, ok, it could also be because I am super random and it takes more effort to sit and plan out the posts and have them correlate with the days than if I allow myself to write whatever I please and force you to read it!

Anywho... If you haven't figured it out by now, I will admit to the blog world that I am not domestic. Tis true that my mother is an amazing cook and my father is NOT. And it is also true that I take after him, not only do I look like him (thank you dad for the FAT genes!) but I have also inherited his inability to cook! However, just because I can't cook doesn't mean I can't bake! I love baking and decorating, cupcakes are my favorite! I have been looking on pinterest for diet friendly dessert recipes and I found one for Healthy Banana Applesauce Cookies and they came out quiet deliciously if I do say so myself!

Healthy Banana Applesauce Cookies

These are actually my cookies, they kind of look like scones but they are delic!

 Ingredients

3	ripe bananas
2	cups rolled oats
1	cup raisins
1/3	cup applesauce
1	teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
   
2. In a large bowl, mash the bananas. Stir in oats, raisins, applesauce, and vanilla.
   
3. Mix well, and allow to sit for 15 minutes. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a wax paper lined cookie sheet.
   
4. Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until lightly brown.
   

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 20.8g

Amount Per Serving

Calories  40 Calories from Fat  3

% Daily Value*

Total Fat  0.3g 0%

Trans Fat  0.0g

Cholesterol  0mg 0%

Sodium  1mg 0%

Total Carbohydrates  8.7g 3%

Dietary Fiber  0.8g 3%

Sugars  3.8g

Protein  0.9g

Vitamin A 0% • Vitamin C 1% Calcium 0% • Iron 1%

* Based on a 2000 calorie diet Nutritional details are an estimate and should only be used as a guide for approximation.

Legend

 Fat
 Protein
 Carbs
 Alcohol
 Other

Calorie Breakdown (?)

Daily Values (?)

Now that I have made you all hungry by showing you pictures of delicious cookies, I would like to talk about the 18  mile run I had this past Saturday. It was honestly one of the hardest runs I have ever had to do in my life! I struggled with the run from the beginning which I knew was not a good sign. I had to coach myself into continuing. I even talked to myself out loud like a crazy person. My knees hurt, my thighs hurt, my feet hurt, my calves hurt and I did not want to continue running. But somehow through the whining, almost crying, I was able to talk myself into continuing! I was very proud of myself for pushing through the physical and mental barriers. I am 3/4 of the way there now! I know that I can finish this marathon! Even if I do have to talk myself into it the whole time!

I will leave you with this beautiful picture of myself in an apron. One of the few times you will see me with one on! I look much cuter sitting and watching others do the cooking! :-)

-Crystal

 

Personal Accountability

If there is one thing I know for sure it is this: weight loss isn't easy. There are two things I struggle with the most when it comes to weight loss: an undeniable love of food and personal accountability. I wouldn't necessarily say this is the reason why I'm fat, but I would say they are to blame for why I'm STILL fat. There is something that takes over whenever I tell myself I'm on the right path. Some could call it self-sabotage, and they would definitely be right, but I see it as a lack of personal accountability. I like to think that my life is all in order, and truthfully, I'm very blessed. Here's the thing though, everything except my health is in order. Sure, I walk around like I'm confident in my skin but it's a lie. (I say fake it, until you make!) Speaking of lies, I tend to tell myself quite a lot. Okay, maybe not lies but I tend to break promises to myself a lot. I promise myself that I'll stick to this or that and about half way there or when I start to see some progress, I somehow fall off the wagon.

Treat yo'self!

While everyone (myself included) is a work in progress, I tend to take my missteps a little hard. I don't particularly like when I've failed or haven't met my own standards. As I've been on this weight loss journey, I've done a lot of reflecting and this is what I've decided: I am going to treat myself like I would any of my loved ones. As a mom, I often put Presley first and while I will continue to take care of her to the best of my ability, I'm going to take care of myself in the same way. 

Side Note

Presley, my two year old, is an excellent eater (read "What my toddler taught me about eating"). The minute I started to feed her whole foods, I knew she was like a blank canvas and the kind of food I put into her would greatly affect her eating habits. This is the care I should be taking with myself as well.

A couple of things I'm going to do for myself

1. Take time to be active at least once a day. 

Whether that means dancing in the morning, walking at lunch time, or squeezing in an afternoon workout, I am going to take that time alone to be active.

One day this silhouette will be more svelte.

2. Find ways to eat nourishing foods.
I LOVE food. (Yes, the caps are required.) Unfortunately, the majority of what I eat on a regular basis isn't that good for me. As a magazine addict, I subscribe to numerous health and food magazines. Over time, I've ripped out articles, exercises and recipes to save for later. Well, later is here! I've pulled out some healthy recipes and am going to experiment with my taste buds. I feel very positive about it and because of my love of food, I think this step is going to be easy.

Olives stuffed with garlic (My coworker brought these to work and I think I practically ate them all with little help from her.)

3. Celebrate accomplishments
If I'm going to be true to treating myself like I would my loved ones, I have to start giving myself a little praise. I will need to be my own best cheerleader (Crystal must have known this all along). A couple of weeks ago, Crystal and I measured ourselves. I wasn't really expecting to lose anything but I lost 4.25 inches! Not bad for just two and half weeks.

Measurements

8/8/12                                                                                8/23/12

Chest: 43                                                                           Chest: 43

Waist: 38                                                                           Waist: 37

Lower Abs: 46.5                                                                Lower Abs: 44.25

Hips: 47                                                                             Hips: 46.25

Right Arm: 14.5                                                                 Right Arm: 14.25

Right Leg: 26                                                                     Right Leg: 26

                                                                                         Lost 4.25 inches!

4. Take one day at a time.

I know it's been said many times but remembering to take one day at a time isn't easy. I gained weight one bite at a time, so I'm look at each choice I make as one bite or one step closer to a healthier Nikki.

Ironically, I opened this in a fortune cookie. Couldn't have been better timing.

- Nikki

Confession Tuesday, Also Known As Days 22-25

Howdy Y'all! I'm feeling very country today, prolly because I'm about to confess all about how I fell off the diet challenge bandwagon [insert shocked/disappointed face here] and I am doing my best to confront the shame that comes with it.

So if you are one of the 4 followers (you really should follow me to help my bruised ego)... you may remember how upset I was at the scale for not being able to lose any weight and for actually having gained 2 pounds in one workout/diet weekend. I was bitter when I wrote that post and I basically said I should just gain weight the delicious way by eating and drinking. Well when I wrote that I didn't actually mean it and I didn't think I would break down and do it, but I did. And to tell you the truth, I don't regret it. I had a great weekend, I had a great 16 mile run, and I didn't spend my time craving forbidden food and counting calories.

Before we talk about how much weight I gained, let's discuss what a great time I had!

Friday was sushi for lunch, shopping and drinks! I bought some cool running socks, a new arm band (my old one was stinky), and arm sleeves with reflectors (so I won't get hit by a car like my brother did last week). I started the evening at BJ's Brewery and ended it at a Dive Bar. I had a great time and I remember most of what happened. Mission accomplished!

No I did not drink all of those beers!

I decided to post-pone my long run until Sunday morning because a.) we had a soccer game on Saturday morning and b.) I was nursing my hangover. After the game (we won) I went to the lake with my family. We swam, lounged, and ate. Beautiful weather, it was a perfect day for the lake.

Sunday morning was my long run. 16 miles ladies and gentlemen! It was actually a really great run all things considering. I overslept and it was hotter than usual, my foot was really hurting me on the last mile (the foot injured from my new shoe incident) but all in all, I had a lot of energy and I was running at a 10 minute mile for most of the run. I was confident and happy about the run, and then after my shower it all hit me. My muscles were so tense and sore, I couldn't even walk straight! I looked like a grandma! It took 5 hours and 4 ibprofen to rid me of my aches and pains. Long distance running really takes a toll on you. I was both physically and mentally exhausted afterward and it took lots of coconut water and trashy tv to nurse me back to health.

This is what 16 miles looks like before the aches and pains set in.

The moment of truth: How much did Crystal gain? Answer: I have no freakin' clue!!! I weighed myself on Sunday and I had gained 2 pounds and was at 198, which was not bad considering that I ate badly and drank badly. On Sunday and Monday I chose to just have one bad meal each day. I will weigh myself sometime this week when I am finally able to face my fears and jump on the dreaded scale! I swear sometimes I get so mad at that thing I just want to throw it at a wall! But then I remember that I am a rational person and I really do like my walls.

I hope you all had a great Labor Day weekend!!!

-Crystal

Ode to the Work Wife

Today I have decided to take a break from my usual challenge blogging and write about my Work Wife, also known as Evelyne Schmevelyne or EVIL-lyne...

I'm sure you are all wondering why I am writing about her when she couldn't be nearly as awesome as I am and you would love to read EVEN MORE about my amazing life! I know, I know, do not fret my pets, I will talk all about myself later this weekend ;-)

Anywho, back to Evelyne... What I have failed to mention to you folks is that Evelyne is quite the inspiration herself. Of course she still goes to bed every night praying to Baby Jesus that she will magically wake up one morning and be as charming and funny and intelligent and MODEST as me, but hey, can you blame the girl? ok, ok this story is not about me, this is about Evelyne. To date, Evelyne has lost 31 pounds, she is 5'3 and looks fabulous! She works out 6 days a week, 2 with a personal trainer, the others on her own. Of course she makes a conscious effort to eat right, but she doesn't deprive herself of the foods she loves, like cupcakes.

Evelyne and I first started working together in January of 2009. We quickly became the best of friends! That's probably because we were both baby hefers who loved to eat (baby sounds so much cuter). You name it, we ate it! And lots of it! We didn't judge each other, if anything we encouraged each other to eat that 4th slice of pizza, because it's so delicious and I want one too! Haha! Oh, those were the days!

I started my weight loss journey before Evelyne, but she quickly joined in. Unlike me, growing up, Evelyne never struggled with her weight. She was thin and very athletic, she CLAIMS she was quite the soccer player (of course I have my doubts, because it's my job to give her a hard time). She gained weight during and after her pregnancy with her daughter. She found herself not only holding onto the baby weight, but gaining more as time went on.

The light bulb moment for her was when she decided to participate in an office weight loss challenge (October 2011). You folks should know that Evelyne is very competitive and will do whatever it takes to win!!! And because of her competitive nature she won the challenge, Yeah, Yeah, Crystal is always the loser, go ahead and say it! Haha, just kidding folks! But I really did lose. Evelyne has been consistently losing weight ever since. As time has gone by she has been researching more and more about different work out techniques, healthy foods, and processed foods. She went from 158 pounds in October of 2011, to 127 pounds today. She is happy with her weight now and is focusing on toning her body. She is definitely an inspiration to all of those around her. She has even helped her family lose weight as well!

Evelyne and I have been each others support systems. I think we both would agree that we couldn't have come as far as we have without each other! I am very fortunate to have a Fitness Pal (aka: Diet Police) like Evelyne. She keeps me motivated when I am ready to quit, she keeps me away from that 2nd piece of chocolate I am craving, or the pizza attack I am feeling! And I do the same for her! So if you don't have a Fitness Pal, go out and find one! Your journey will be way easier with one!

                                                              August 2011                         

August 2012

-Crystal

Days 18-21 (AKA : FRUSTRATION)

Day 18 (Monday):
Weight: 197.7
Exercise: Soccer Practice (lots of running)

Day 19 (Tuesday):
Weight: 197.6
Exercise: 4 mile run

Day 20 (Wednesday):
Weight: 197.7
Exercise: 8 mile run + soccer practice

Day 21 (Thursday):
Weight: Prolly the same damn number!
Exercise: 4 mile run

This post is a BITTER post, so all readers in a good mood BEWARE! 

If you haven't noticed by now I gained 2 pounds this week. How the heck I did that I have no clue! That is the most frustrating part of this process. I have been eating right, exercising daily and saying no to all things delicious!!! And what is the thanks I get? A 2 POUND GAIN!!! It's just not fair. I can't explain why it's happening and why I haven't been able to lose the 2 pounds. And to top it all off I am sick! Do you know how much harder it is to run when you don't feel good? To make yourself wake up at 4 am when your body aches and your head hurts and your throat hurts and you get winded from your normal run because you can't breathe through your nose? Yeah it sucks balls!

So I'm bitter this week, YES I admit it. So much for funny, witty, and inspiring Crystal. Sorry folks, I hate to say it but, I'm not perfect and neither is this challenge that I am working so hard on. I am not getting the results that I wanted and right now I am upset and venting. THE END.

Oh and also, Labor Day weekend is this weekend. Can you say LOVELY? Talk about a lot of temptation I will be fighting! And right now I don't have the motivation to fight it. I might as well drink my favorite beverages while on the lake sun bathing and eating my favorite chips?! Heck! Why not? Dieting isn't helping me lose, maybe binging will! HAHA! I kid, I kid...I'm not going to ruin the challenge, I've worked too hard these last 3 weeks to blow it and I know that I will have a better week. I just have to tough it out!


Here's a little motivation for me and hopefully for you folks...

                                  January 2011                                           August 2012

*I apologize for the blurry pictures, they were taken from my phone

-Crystal                  

Days 15 - 17

Day 15 (Friday):
Weight: 195.0
Exercise: Rest Day

Day 16 (Saturday):
Weight: 195.0
Exercise: 10 miles

Day 17 (Sunday):
Weight: forgot to get on scale
Exercise: None - injured

This weekend was uneventful so I am just going to summarize it for you in one post. Two weeks of dieting has gone by and I have lost 6 pounds, which is really good in the scheme of things, but not for my challenge goals. I was supposed to have lost 8 pounds in 2 weeks, but I also know that it is a pretty unrealistic goal considering I've already lost 80 pounds. So we shall see folks, I am still shooting for 4 pounds a week, but if it doesn't happen I am not going to write a depressing country song and then slit my wrists while I'm singing. Are we all in favor of this? YES! Great! Moving on...

Friday I went to work, was off at 11 am (hip, hip, hurray for Fridays!) and then I was off to the beach! Santa Barbara was beautiful! It was the best way to spend my "rest" day. I ate lunch on the beach, sun bathed,  listened to music and just relaxed. My friend spotted some dolphins and I was so excited! It was literally the highlight of my day! Did I ever tell you folks that I am one with the ocean? I swear I was a mermaid in a past life! I love the water and I love dolphins and whales in particular! Anywho...went to bed at 7 pm, YES YOU HEARD ME RIGHT, 7 pm! This old lady was tired and she knew she was going to get up at 3:30 am for her long run on Saturday morning so she went straight to bed!

Santa Barbara beach

Saturday's run was a MAJA FAIL. Let me tell you why...So I get up at 3:30 am to prep for my 16 mile run and am out the door around 4:40ish. It's pitch black so I decide to run through town for a bit until the sun comes out. Little did I know that the sun wouldn't come out until 6 am. I decided to wear my new shoes because I'm an idiot and I let my inner child get the best of me. I was so pumped to wear my new shoes that I didn't even think that I needed to break them in first (Rookie mistake). Somewhere around mile 7 my left foot was killing me! I had a sharp pain shooting up from the bottom of my foot to my calf. I had to stop running because I was in so much pain. So I started walking back to my house to change my shoes. When I was about a mile away from my house I all of a sudden got the URGE. Yes, you know what I'm talking about, the urge to POOP! Not good! It's not like I could just run faster, I was walking with a limp! So here I am, crippled and in dire need to poop! Not a good combo!!! I finally make it back to my house, do my business, change my shoes, and then head out again (in pain) and I was only able to walk another mile before I had to go home and get ready for soccer pictures/game. The point of this story ladies and gentlemen, is that you cannot defy the Running Gods! I should have not have tried to run on Saturday morning, I should have done it on Sunday morning so that I could have gotten up at 5 am like a regular person, not a psycho crazy runner at 3:30 am! And the Running Gods saved the day! They ensured that I would have to stay in town and close enough to my house to go back before I killed my foot with my new (very cool) shoes and so that I wouldn't poop in my pants like a 2 year old getting potty trained. THANK YOU Running Gods! I Love Ya!

Saturday night was babysitting night. I watched my niece Meli, aka: Smelly Meli (2) [yes I came up with that name all on my own! She will thank me later for it] and my nephew Mauricio, aka: Micio (4). We decorated cupcakes (see pictures below) and we watched A Bugs Life. My niece Esperanza (who will be off to UCSD soon) decided to join us in the fun! You folks should be very proud of me. I did not eat any of the pizza I ordered for them, instead I ordered a chicken salad for myself and I did not eat a single cupcake! Go Crystal!

Isn't she adorable? 

This kid is too cute!

Love her smile!

Smelly's cupcakes

 Micio's cupcakes

Esperanza's brown family

My cupcakes are in love

Sunday I had lunch with my mentee. Yes I am a mentor, I know it's both great and scary at the same time. Don't worry folks, I only fill her head with wise "wisdom" and positive thinking, in other words, I tell her not to be like me! Haha! After lunch I went shopping with my sister-in-law Adrianna. I know I said I wasn't going to buy clothes BUT I really needed work clothes. I'm tired of wearing the same old baggy clothes. I want to feel skinny and professional so I bought 3 new work outfits (slacks and tops) and 3 shirts that I could wear out and to work. And all for the low price of $170! I did good right?!? That's like a weeks worth of clothes folks! Can I get a Great Job?!?!? Anywho, Sunday ended with dinner at my brother Gabriel's house (protein burger for Crystal), grocery shopping, and packing my lunch for Monday.

The moral of this weekend is: Life doesn't always turn out the way you planned it (despite how much I hate this because I'm a planner) but it always has a way of turning out great! My weekend was a lot of fun and as far as my run goes, well I didn't poop my pants so that's a success, my foot is a lot better, and there's always next week!

Yes, I know, I'm adorable! Crazy Hair and All!

-Crystal