Trying this out again...

I am so NOT consistent when it comes to this blogging thing. Sometimes I think it would be a useful place to get all my irritations out, other times it seems like it's more work than it's worth. I don't know. Today probably isn't the best day to try and jump on the wagon again either... I've only got a couple hours left at the office before it's time to hit the road. Finally going on a climbing trip, it's only been like a year since the last one due to my newly diagnosed wrist tendinitis. And, to top it off, the darn thing is acting up again in the last couple of days. I've had no problems with it for 2 full months, then two days before a climbing trip it has to get sore? Oh well. Even though it's a 3-day weekend/trip I'm only planning one day of climbing anyways. And of course I'll be getting in a couple runs and other workouts while we are there. Maybe go swimming, do some hiking, lay around, etc. Ok, maybe laying around isn't a workout, but it's still something I plan to do. Maybe I'll even bring a book to read. It should be a nice and relaxing weekend. :)

Other generic info to update the world about, I ran my first half marathon last month and participated in my second indoor triathlon as well. A couple weeks ago I got a PR in a 5k, that was pretty awesome too. Next month I've got a 10k planned, hoping to PR that one. Then, I'll be doing what I said I wouldn't... train for another half marathon! This one will be in October, likely it will be relatively warm still, so that kind of sucks. I'm not a huge fan of warm weather when it comes to running. I rather enjoyed my winter runs, nice layers, cool air to breathe in! This warm weather sucks, it makes me go slower than I want to and feel more tired than when I run faster in cold weather. I read another blog earlier and he was talking about warm weather blues as well, and the consensus from other runners was to simply suck it up and just do it. :) So I guess I'll shut it for now and just do the damn runs. lol.

Next week will be busy after we get back from climbing. We'll be going on another trip, celebrating our 10 year anniversary (holy crap!). Then we come home to get ready for a graduation party on saturday and then the mother-in-law's 50th on sunday, of which I'm making the cake. Busy, busy, busy!

Time to get back to work... 2 hours and 8 min before I get to leave...

Francis

My cat drives me nuts, but he is also the cutest cat ever!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Oatmeal

In recent times I found myself eating more oatmeal, but not the pre packaged stuff, I would cook it in the microwave from the tub of oats. You know, the plain stuff and then sprinkle in some cinnamon and splenda. Well even more recently I discovered that I was buying the quick cooking oats, and that they are basically the same as that pre packaged stuff, only plain. I can be so clueless sometimes, its unfortunate. But, I write today to say that I finally picked up some old fashioned oats, and I wanted to share that in my opinion, they are way better than the quick stuff. Its not mushy, the flavor is nice, and I pretty much cook it the same and add my other stuff as well. So, I recommend if you are going to take the time to cook oatmeal, on the stove or in the microwave, get the old fashioned stuff. Its way better!
-------------------------
Sent via BlackBerry

Things that I hate about specific pre-packaged/cooked foods

Precooked Chicken Breast Strips - When the chicken pieces have parts of fat or gristle in the chicken... if I'm paying $4 for a small package of cooked meat, can't it be quality?

Canned Asparagus - When there are stalks as hard and un-chewable as bark.

"Fresh String-less Snap Peas" - When they really aren't string-less.

SICK!

Constant Struggle

So, I'm trying this whole "eating healthy" and "losing weight" thing... AGAIN.

It's so freaking hard. I seriously make a decent effort, and then just completely fail, like pretty much every time. They always say that as long as you keep trying you are not a failure... but it seems to me that if I "fall of the wagon" constantly, then its a failure. Alas, I continue this deranged cycle back and forth of losing weight, gaining it back, feeling depressed about it and then getting inspired again. I'm sure its wreaking havoc on my mental stability, but what else is a girl to do?

At least I've finally noticed a little improvement in my rock climbing since all this non-sense started a few months ago. I dropped a few pounds and I feel as though I might have actually moved up a grade. The last time I was at the gym I managed to top rope 3 different 5.9 routes, cleanly. That is the first time I have ever done that, so that was pretty exciting. I hope to continue improving my climbing skills, that is one of my main drivers in the weight loss thing, I am just tired of sucking at climbing compared to everyone else. I hope that I can stick with it and keep improving this winter, as opposed to letting hibernation tendencies kick in and balloon up all over again.

Wish me luck!

New Toys!

So, I came into a little extra money recently from work and decided to spend some of it on some fun stuff. Steve and I went to a guitar center and we each got a new guitar and then an amp to share! Now I am not much of a guitar player, very much a beginner, but Steve has been playing for a long time and has wanted a new one for a while. It will be fun to learn and eventually play together!

-------------------------
Sent via BlackBerry

No More McDonalds!

Ok, so I have managed to go a full work week WITHOUT going to McDonalds for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner. The breakfast part is more amazing than the rest, because I was literally going there 3-5 times during the work week... it was just so easy to stop on the way to work... and while I do still miss the taste, I rather enjoy the feeling of eating something healthy for breakfast and not having to deal with my blood sugar dropping drastically a couple hours later.

So anyways, I don't think I've yet to kick the habit, but baby steps are good. Its definitely important to make sure you have the food available to eat so that there are no reasons to slack off.

And, I owe this to my new friend who is slowly but surely helping me to establish the good habits again and get healthy. Thank goodness for that!