Chickpea, Chic me?!

This week I’ve been on a quest to find a snack that fulfills my munching needs as I sit on the computer all afternoon without being terribly unhealthy.  AND… I think I found it! 

Roasted Spiced Chickpeas

They are delicious!  They are chalk full of fiber!  They are small so I can eat them one at a time making them last longer!  They are not messy so I’m not worried about my keyboard getting too many crumbs or the mouse getting greasy.  They are super easy to make (mix in a bowl, spread on a pan, bake).  They are inexpensive (one can of chickpeas plus spices on hand).  And they are easy changeable, so they won’t get boring!  *I am imagining spice combinations as I type*

The only change to the recipe I would make is to up the temp to 450 and bake a little longer so they are a little crispier!  I did this on the suggestions of the reviews and am happy with the mix of crispier and slightly softer chickpeas in my bowl!  Watch them so they don’t burn though!

Along with the chickpea revelation, I’ve been doing really well on eating this week.  Breakfast has been made every morning for me and hubby.  Fruit has been eaten with breakfast and lunch.  Dinners have been fairly healthy, and more importantly, correctly proportioned.  And water… water, water, and more water has been consumed on a daily basis!

I also have managed to make it to the gym 4 of the last 5 days with a mix of cardio toning, zumba, kickboxing, and yoga!  I have yet to step on a scale, but I am definitely feeling better.  Between food, workouts and full nights of sleep I am feeling much more energized and organized.  Yay!!

January is coming to a close (already?!) and I am still psyched to be Tri-Fit this year!  Bring it 2012!  ;)

Sam

The Power of a Breath

Breathe in: Focus on the air coming in

Breathe out: Focus on pushing the air out

Breathe in: Slow the breath, make it smooth

Breathe out: Let go of distractions

Breathe in: Draw your focus inward

Breathe out: Find stillness.    Quiet.     Peace.

In theory that is how it should go.  Or what Yoga is hoping to attain anyway.  There are many types of Yoga, but they ultimately are aiming for enlightenment.  To me this means inner peace.  I’m not trying to be all lofty and superior, I’m just trying to be me, to find MY peace.  On the Yoga Basics website it says that yoga’s “essence is practical… as it emphasizes direct experience and observable results.  It is not a religion, but a practice of personal inquiry and exploration.”  Isn’t that what I said I was all about this year?  Being myself!  And in order to be myself, I kind of have to focus on me and finding myself. 

SO, I’ve started taking yoga classes at the gym, and…

I.    LOVE.  THEM.

Why, you ask? Because I leave feeling happy, and refreshed, and ready to conquer the day (I was going to say world, but that seems a little ambitious J).  And did I mention sweaty?!  I leave the gym feeling all of these things and I still get a killer workout!!

The other reason I love the classes is that they are all about modifying for your body on that day.  Some days my knees feel fine and I can do everything, some days they don’t and I can’t.  The focus is me and listening to what my body is telling me right then.  I am amazed at how fast an hour can fly by when I let go of the distractions and just focus on my movement, my body… my breath.

So breathe, focus, and be me.  Simple, right?!  ;)

Sam

This Beautiful Feeling I’ve Got…

I can’t quite put my finger on it exactly, but I can tell you this.  I am just plain happy.  Happy and motivated and optimistic.  I’m letting myself be me and it just doesn’t get better than that!  It just doesn’t.  This year has started off on a great foot, and almost ten days in I can’t see it changing anytime soon.  In fact, I think it can only get better.  There were so many things I let pass by the wayside last year because I was either scared or unsure of what people would think.  And I felt guilty.  A lot.  Guilty for letting myself watch too much tv, guilty for sleeping too long, guilty for not keeping up on housework.  And then beyond the guilt was the stuff I wanted to do that I just didn’t feel I had the energy or time for.  Like scrapbooking, and reading, and cooking good meals (can we say downward spiral?).  Let alone the fact that I had started my own business and was scraping every ounce of energy I could spare into getting it going.  Don’t get me wrong, the business was, IS making me happy, but I couldn’t put all of myself into it for a variety of reasons.  Reasons, maybe more excuses than reasons, but that goes back to that guilt thing…

You would think by now that it would have dawned on me that I am an adult.  LOL.  I’ve been married for two years, I’ve graduated college, I own a house and a dog!  But for some reason I still felt like I wasn’t part of that grown-up world.  I couldn’t find a professional job, no offense to those who choose to work retail for life… but that is just not for me, and I guess part of me was just waiting for things to fall into place.  Waiting, where was that going to get me?  HELLO?  Samantha?  Wake up and smell the freakin roses (or coffee, maybe)!  Things aren’t going to magically happen, I have to make them happen.  And I have to take responsibility for them.  And all of these things that dawned on me this year, in the last couple months, that I am finally putting into action, led to this….

            This Beautiful Feeling I’ve Got.

I was dancing in the shower this morning.  Yes, literally dancing, and singing.  Singing loudly.  The chorus to Kelly Clarkson’s “What Doesn’t Kill You Makes you Stronger.”  There is a line in there that says “what doesn’t kill you makes a fighter,” and that is totally what I feel like.  I’m a fighter.  Fighting for me this year.  It is the end of the guilt, because I’m not going to do things that make me feel guilty.  Doesn’t mean I’m not going to watch tv, or occasionally sleep too long, but I’m putting things into place that allow me some flexibility.  And I am taking the time to do things for me. 

Cooking at least one good meal a week! 

Going to bed early enough that I can at least read one chapter in my book! 

Taking the classes at the gym that don’t only give me a good workout, but make me happy inside, like Zumba and Yoga! 

Taking time to just enjoy my husband, and enjoy that he has been my biggest supporter of me being ME, and doing what I really want to do.

So, this week I leave you with me… BEING.  Being happy!  And motivated and optimistic. 

I’ve cooked.  http://2createsg.blogspot.com/2012/01/homemade-tomato-soup-sam.html

I’ve read. http://www.amazon.com/Water-for-Elephants-ebook/dp/B003I1WY2A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326151504&sr=8-1

I’ve taken pictures just to enjoy my camera.  http://sams365photos.blogspot.com/

I’ve taken Zumba.  And Yoga.  And Cardio Toning (ouch but great instructor and music)!

I’ve kept the kitchen clean (with a little help from Aaron’s cousin Meagan who is staying with me while Aaron is in China) for over a week.

I’ve organized.

And I’m done with Michaels on Friday, meaning my sleep schedule can go back to something fairly normal.

I’ve become responsible.  I’ve become an adult.  Scary, but oh so satisfying.

Updates soon.  J

xo – Sam

PS.

Planner+Kindle+Teal everything = A Happy Bonus.

Tri-Fit Revised

Ok, so last year the goal was to get fit and be healthy.  While I’ve made progress, I’ve come to realize that it is going to be a never ending process.  I’ve also realized that there is more to being healthy than going to the gym and eating better!  SO… this year blog will be a little more than just a workout journal.  I mean, how many posts can I write about running down the street anyway?!  There will be some about workouts and being physically fit, but it will also include more on healthy eating, and the things that make my mind happy.  Maybe the new ‘Tri’ can be body, mind, spirit, Instead of the literal triathlon.  J

Instead of rambling on about goals (which I do have), I’m just going to show you them in action over the next month by posting way more frequently!  I’m tired of being all talk and no action!  J

See you SOON!

Sam

My ‘Here’s Your Sign’ Moment

Yes, I’m referencing Bill Engvall.  Saw him live on a college Mom’s Weekend once, super funny, but I’ve always particularly loved the ‘Here’s Your Sign’ section of his standup!  Well, a couple weeks ago, I had mine.  I’ve been talking and talking and talking about change, and yet not always following through… and then BAM, Consequences!  I spent the night in the ER with some serious stomach pain.  It literally felt like someone was stabbing me right in between the ribs.  And without going into too much detail… turns out it is most likely all diet related.  Really?!  Worst pain of my life and it was because I drank too much coffee and ate a fatty dinner right before going to bed!  Yikes.  Total wake up call.  “Hello, Samantha.  This is your body speaking.  FEED ME RIGHT.”  Between that and the fact that I have been sick for basically the last month, proves to me that there is just no option anymore.  I have to treat my body well so that I can function and, oh yeah… not end up in the ER again.  J 

Oh and amidst this chaos… I had a side-note epiphany.  I want to have kids in a couple years… if I can’t take care of myself, how in the world am I going to take care of another little human whose life totally depends on me?!

In all honesty, since my trip to the ER, I have found it much easier to eat right.  I’m not on any sort of diet, but the fact that there are real, painful consequences if I don’t feed myself the right food keeps me in check.  Hopefully between that and some meds and some probiotics, my stomach can stay pain free for a very long time!  And benefit, without working out because I was sick… I’ve lost 2 pounds just from eating better!!  J

I did hit the gym today and am excited that I now have a workout buddy close to home as well, as a friend from work joined the Y too!!  Can’t wait to rock some Zumba tomorrow and try to get in a little better shape before Hawaii in less than two weeks!!!!!

I will be back soon, promise! 

Sam

A Peppy Post!

A quick little Wednesday update.  I’m super pumped right now after an awesome Zumba class at the gym!  I also did a good 20 min speed walking warm up, and my Jillian Michaels mini ab and arm workouts.  Tomorrow will be a week into Jamie’s and my workout plan.  We aren’t retaking stats until week the end of week 2, but I have a pretty good idea that I need to work harder to attain some progress by then.  I’ve done pretty good on everyday I’ve gone to work and been able to go to the gym.  And I’ve fit in a couple home workouts on days I couldn’t, but the long weekend kind of killed me. 

We went up to the family cabin on Saturday evening, ate decently and then I went for a brisk walk with my mother-in-law and puppy on his new ‘gentle leader’ collar.  I did my Jillian Michaels workouts earlier in the day.  Then Sunday came around… let’s just say snacks abounded, Dad’s smoked cheese called my name, and cards and wine completed the day.  I did get a short run in… as in chasing my dog down the road in bare feet and pajamas.  Adrenaline helps boost metabolism right?!  ;)  We stayed up late and I had to turn around at work early AM Monday morning.  After work I Just felt sick most of the day, so I was pretty lazy and did a lot of sleeping.  Tuesday and today I have felt much more energized and have done the workouts with gusto trying to make up for my lazy weekend. 

Note to self:  maybe snacking at canal is ok… just don’t sit next to the snack table while playing cards, you eat way too much!

As for the rest of life, things are starting to get a bit more organized, which just makes me feel good overall! 

See you soon!

Sam

Operation: Long Distance Workout Buddy!

Introducing my dear dear friend Jamie!

This is me and Jamie on a trip to the zoo with her kiddos last year!

Jamie and I are both in the ‘getting back into shape’ mindset and we have been chatting back and forth about our ideas and goals for doing this.  Recently she suggested we do this Jillian Michaels routine and compare/keep track of our stats.  And also make each other accountable for actually completing the workouts each day.  I have almost exactly 8 weeks to kick my butt into shape before going to Hawaii to visit family so this is long overdue!  I’m really super excited to have a workout buddy even though she lives an hour away.  In a sense it should be easier because we can each fit the workout into whatever time frame works for us and then compare notes later.  For our kickoff day today I texted her that our side goal should be to make sure we are drinking that 8 cups of water! 

The part we are doing the same of are the Jillian Michaels’s mini workout for abs, and mini ‘armed and dangerous’ workout.  Both of which can be found on youtube!  As for cardio we are each going to do what works for us.  She is going to be working on her treadmill and home machines, and I am going to continue taking my YMCA classes and swimming.  As for a day like today when I am not going to going to drive to the gym, I’m going to do a Kinect workout at home!  Or I’ve thought about looking up the P90x workouts too on youtube, but I’m not sure I’m quite ready for those yet! 

On the food note.  Busy is no longer an excuse for eating like crap!  I’m thinking I need to go grocery shopping more often and buy more fresh stuff to eat instead of falling back on the out of the freezer meals.  Also, hubby is having a weight competition with his Dad on who can lose the most weight before Hawaii.  But it is before they leave for Hawaii which is in one month, and it is by percentage.  Last night, Aaron decided he would track what he was eating with me so we downloaded the ‘myfitnesspal’ app on his phone and I think it will be quite the eye opener for him.  And here is to hoping we can spur each other on for eating better at home! 

Now that our re-siding project is almost done at home (all we have to do is finish caulking and paint!!!), getting reorganized in general is going to help a ton.  Managing time and making time to eat right and workout will help us get in the groove.  I bought a new planner with a great layout for a daily time schedule and I’m really excited to get my life more on a schedule so I can fit in more time for me! 

My personal challenge this weekend is going to be the fact that we are going to spend some time at the family cabin, and eating right and working out always seems to fly out the window.  But I’m not going to let that happen this time.  The weather is supposed to be nice so I am planning on swimming in Hood Canal for a workout, and I could also take the dog for a walk/run.  Cutting back on the alcohol intake wouldn’t hurt either, and paying attention to portion control and the snacks laying around will help as well!  I’m planning on posting a progress update after the long weekend so…

Happy Healthy Labor Day Weekend!!!

Sam