Are you ready to race?

Have you been fitness walking, speed walking or running for a while now?  Been hearing a few of your friends talk about doing races?  Are you considering signing up for a race?

I know.  That's a lot of questions.

If you've been considering participating in a race, I strongly urge you to...do it!  The feeling I get when I cross the finish line is such a "high" for me.  What a sense of accomplishment.  I did it!  I finished!  I gotta tell you, racing can be habit forming.

You can make it as competitive as you want.  Or you can do it to compete only with yourself.  Whichever you choose, it can be such a confidence builder.  Oh...and don't think that you have to be in top physical shape to participate in a race.  You'll see that people of all ages, fitness levels and body types do these races.

I've said it before...I'll probably never win a medal for 1st, 2nd or even 3rd place.  That's okay with me, since I love competing with me.  Working at shaving a minute or so off my previous minutes per mile.  Heck, maybe even a few seconds.

All this being said, my most recent race was last Saturday.  I have to say, this one was different than any of the others I've done.  It was The Biggest Loser Run/Walk Race 2015.  These races are held in many cities across the USA.  The one I walked was in Rockford, IL.  HERE is a link to the BL website.
The other races I've done were pretty low-key compared to this one.  Packet pick-up (your race day bib, t-shirt and various other goodies) was the evening before.  But in addition to our packets, there were merchandise booths and various speakers.  I'm always excited about an upcoming race, but this bumped up that excitement even more.

I got to the race venue quite early the next morning, since I know that this part of downtown Rockford has limited parking.  Quite a few parking lots and garages but they would fill up quickly for an event like this.  By the way, there were 921 runners/walkers in this race.  Wow.

Several of the Biggest Loser show contestants and a trainer spoke before the race and then as the start time neared, they moved to the stage near the starting line.  Lots of encouragement and lots of humor, made for a very motivating start to the race!

Later, as we neared the finish line, I could see that Sonya Jones was there cheering on each and every one of us as we finished.  That was so cool!  Especially considering that I have never even watched The Biggest Loser TV show.  I had to do a bit of research on line to see who these people were. :)

It was just such a positive, uplifting experience.  As I said, other races I've done are not as "hyped" as this race series.  BUT each and every one of them has been a great experience for me.  I'm ready for another one.  Oh yeah.

The Biggest Loser Race website uploaded the photos from Saturday's race today.  I keyed in my race bib number to look for my photos.  Well, there are 7 or 8 of them.  But...in most of them I had a very stern (or maybe even a grimaced) expression on my face.  Ugh!  In two photos my eyes were closed.  Geesh!
I finally found two that aren't too bad.  These are both at the finish line...and I finally smiled!

I finished in about the same time as the race I walked a couple of weeks ago.  I was pleased with that, because it was an improvement from my race times last year.  This race included a couple pretty steep hills (or maybe they just seemed steep!), so those slowed me down for a while.

So, have I talked you into signing up for a 5k?  Maybe?   Talk a friend into signing up with you and it's even more fun.  You can find races in your area by doing a google search for races by state.  I'm just sayin'.  :)

Later,

Racing....who, me?

Hey, all of those years during junior high & high school...I dreaded PE (physical education) classes.  Not just because I was NOT athletic, but because I was overweight, too.  Yeah, those two things made any kind of sports difficult.  Along with that I was SO self conscious about the way I looked when I tried to participate in any sports.  All of those issues, along with low self esteem and being extremely introverted made PE not a fun place to be.

I am not looking for sympathy, at all.  That was simply who I was at that time in my life.  That person is so different from who I am now.  So different!  During those years after high school I began to break out of that "shell", thank goodness.  Gradually I became much more social and outgoing, made more friends and eventually met the wonderful man who is now my husband.  He has told me many times that when we first met, he could hardly get me to talk...but now I won't shut up!  I take that as a compliment!!!

All of this is leading up to (or back to) my weight.  About 6 months before I met my husband I finally decided it was time to lose weight.  I succeeded, but didn't do it the right way.  It was "dieting".  Just a way to get to my goal weight.  I didn't exercise.  I didn't think of it as changing my lifestyle, at all.
So.  Guess what happened?  That's right, I gradually regained the weight.

I repeated that process a few more times over the years.  Again, I didn't make changes for my "lifetime"  It was just dieting.  I've come to dislike that word.  Diet.

In 2013 I finally made the decision to make permanent changes to the way I eat and my activity level.  Major changes!   If you've just now started reading my blog, you can follow THIS LINK to read more about how and why I started.

Well, by now you're probably wondering if I'll ever get to the title of this post.  Racing.
It all goes back to the first few sentences of this post.  PE class.  Sports.  Physical activity.

If anyone had told me, all of those years ago, that I would now be participating in races...well I would have told them they were crazy.  Me?  Race?  Voluntarily, even!

Oh my, how my life has changed...in so many ways.  I am SO active now and I have been active since August of 2013.  You know what?  I now LOVE being active!    If you're one of my Facebook friends you also know that I like competing with myself, too.  Doing more steps and increasing the distance I walk, whenever I can.  Especially when I can walk outdoors.  Fresh air and sunshine.

But the point that I really want to make, is that I don't do these 5k races in the hopes of winning.  I know that I won't ever win a medal.  That's just fine with me.  I do it for a few reasons.
1. Being a part of that crowd of participants, all working toward that finish line.
2. The activity of speed walking is fun.
3. Trying my best to improve my time (minutes per mile).
4. The fun of doing a race with a friend or relative, even though we get separated during the race.
5. Seeing if I can pass a few other walkers along the way (I will admit that I like that!).
6  And, best of all....CROSSING THE FINISH LINE!

I did a 5k race today and I'm already looking forward to the next one.  Just 2 weeks away!

I hope that I am able to continue to walk 5k races (maybe a 10k occasionally) for many years to come.  Being active makes me feel so good.  Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too.

Who knew, all those years ago, that I could and would make so many changes to my life?
What kind of changes have you made, that have surprised you?  Or, what kind of changes are you contemplating?   Anything is possible, you know.
Later,

Soup's On!

This is my favorite soup recipe.  In fact, I made a a pot of it today.  And...delayed my lunch time just to wait for the soup to be finished.  Mmmmm...it was SO good.

In one of my earlier blog post's I talked about The Doctor's Diet, a book written by Dr. Travis Stork.  It's chock full of information about health and nutrition.  Maybe I shouldn't tell you this.  But, I don't lend out my copy of the book to anyone.  Maybe that's a bit selfish, but I want to be able to refer to the book at any time.  Sorry.  It's mine.

I haven't yet bought The Doctor's Diet Cookbook, by the same author.  But I got the chance to borrow it from a co-worker last winter.  The recipe I'm sharing today, is from that cookbook. 

"Not Just Chicken" Chicken Soup  (I just call it Chicken Veggie Soup)
Here's a pic of the batch I made today.

I've tried to determine the best way to share this recipe, since I don't have a link to the recipe.  Since it's in a cookbook, it isn't posted online.  I typed up the recipe in MS Word, then scanned it to convert it to a .jpeg file.  So.  Here it is.  I don't know what size it will print or how clear the print will be.
Give it a try, then please let me know in the comments...or email me through the "contact me" area in the blog sidebar.  I'll figure out something else if this isn't working well.

I usually make a slightly larger batch than this original, so that I can share.  I simple add extra broth and veggies (love my veggies!) and maybe 1 more chicken breast.  In fact, even if I make a single batch I always add more veggies than the recipe calls for.  Always!


This soup reheats so well.  In fact, I think it's tastier the day after I make it.  The seasonings and flavors have time to blend and get, well...yummier.
This soup is one of my go-to work lunches.  I enjoy having a hot lunch at work and it feels like comfort food, without the guilt.  Low-fat, low sodium and full of vegetables, chicken and whole grain.


I hope you'll give this recipe a try.  If you do, please let me know what you think of it.
Later!

A Salad Recipe, a FitBit surprise and a personal record

I'm sharing a recipe today, that I've made a couple of times.  It's a nice light summer-time salad.

Skinny Broccoli Salad
Follow the link above to get the recipe.

That's a photo of the salad I made last week for a family gathering.  This salad keeps well, surprisingly.  The leftovers didn't get soggy or water-y in the fridge.  That's important, since I enjoy leftovers!

If you've been reading my blog, you know that I love to prep ahead.  I don't mind eating the same foods several days in a row, as long as it's something yummy.  This is.

By the way, I've been logging the food I consume, using my FitBit app.  Among other things, FitBit totals my intake of carbs, fats, protein and calories.  I've been surprised at my carb totals.  It's been a little higher than I thought it actually was.  Since I usually stay away from simple carbs, mine are complex carbs, for the most part.  Still...I was surprised.  It can take some time to log in everything I eat, but having the information at my fingertips helps me to make better decisions about what I eat.

FitBit also shows me a comparison of the calories I've consumed and the calories I've burned that day.  Sometimes I realize that I'd better get moving and add more steps!  Once in a while I have a calorie deficit.  That hasn't happened often, though!

That reminds me that I wanted to share something fun with you.  Last Friday, I walked on my treadmill before heading out to shop, then to the family farms (my brothers-in-law farms).  After lunch, one of my sis-in-law had to run an errand. I asked my other sis-in-law to walk out towards the woods with me, since the weather was SO perfect.  Sunny and in the 70's with a light breeze.

Later, after I got home I decided to add some more steps to my day.  I headed outside again.
After a while I realized how close I was to setting a personal record for me.  So, pushed a little further.

I walked 24,043 steps that day. If I remember correctly, that was just over 10 miles.
My previous record was just over 21,000.
That was so exciting for me and it was fun to compete with...me!

Hey, til next time...

Sweet Potato and Spinach Skillet

I was given 4 large sweet potatoes a couple of days ago.  So, I needed to find a good way to use a couple of them...soon.  The next day I happened upon the following recipe and last Sunday I tried it.

I'm always on the lookout for more healthy recipes to add to my collection.  Happily, this dish was a success.  So...it's a keeper!  I'll be taking a bowl of it in my work lunch each day this week, along with a boiled egg, since it's important to include protein as a part of each meal.

Sweet Potato and Kale Skillet
Click on the link above to go to GreenLiteBites website for the recipe.

Actually, I should call my version...Sweet Potato and Spinach Skillet. Here's a photo of my version.

I substituted spinach since I didn't have any kale in my fridge and truthfully, I have yet to try kale.  I know that it's supposed to be a "super food", so I really should try some.  Have you tried it?  If so, what is your favorite way to eat it?  Please share.

Once I did all my chopping (my husband says I can probably chop in my sleep, since I do so much of it!), things moved right along.  Since the potato is chopped into such small pieces, it cooked quickly.

That's it for today.  I'll be back soon to share a broccoli salad recipe that is a favorite of mine.  A great summer side dish!
Later,

Crustless Veggie Quiche...yum!

I'm sharing another of my favorite veggie recipes today.  It takes a bit of prep time, as most healthy recipes do, but it is so yummy.  Nutritious and low in calories, too.

110 Calorie Crustless Veggie Quiche.  Just click on the recipe name to follow a link to the blog post where I found this recipe last August.  Sally's Baking Addiction is the website.  You'll find lots of other recipes there, too.  You'll want to pick and choose the recipes you find on her website, as some are healthy...but many are not.  All of them look yummy, of course.  :)

The following photo of the quiche, from Sally's blog post.

Source: Sally's Baking Addiction

I just have to say...yum, yum and yum.  This is so good!  I've used a variety of different veggies each time I'm made this.  I always include spinach, onion and usually mushrooms along with the zucchini and peppers.  Use whatever your favorites are and experiment.  The recipe calls for 3 eggs & 3 egg whites, but I use 6 whole eggs and it turns out just fine.
As I read through other veggie quiche recipes, I saw that someone added 1/4 teaspoon curry powder and a pinch of cinnamon.   So, I also add those and find that it adds just a little more depth to the flavor.  Tasty!

Another food blog that I like is The Adventures of MJ and Hungryman.  I found her blog recently and loved it right away.  She follows a practice that I've been doing since I began my weight loss/getting healthy journey in August of 2013.

Weekly meal prep.  She calls hers "Meal Prep Friday".  Mine is usually on Saturday, but it doesn't matter what part of the weekend you choose.  Prepping ahead has helped immensely in staying on track with the foods I eat.  As I've talked about in a previous post, when I have foods already prepped and in the fridge I can grab it whenever I need it.  No digging through the pantry or staring in the fridge hoping something will magically jump out at me...already prepped.   I know that it's time consuming to do all that prep during some of my valuable weekend time (it goes SO quickly, doesn't it?), but when I consider the trade-off of eating fast food or boxed/pre-packaged foods, well...for me I know what I need to do.  Meal Prep Saturday.

Once I've completed all my meal prep, it's so satisfying to open the door to the fridge and see all of those storage containers full of nutritious and tasty foods.  And after a long work day, it takes so little time to pull out those containers and have a great meal on the table in very little time.  Not to mention how easy it is to grab containers of food for my work lunch, and be ready to go.

Each Friday after shopping for groceries, I see my fridge full of fresh produce.  By Saturday afternoon, I see containers full of prepped food.  Ready to eat!

As I've said before, I'm sharing what has worked for me.  I'm not saying that it is right for everyone else.  Only you can decide what works for you.  I just hope the info I share is helpful for a few others.
Let me know what works for you, because I always want to learn more!
Later!

Quotes that caught me eye!

Hi all, just a short post today.  I'm sharing a few quotes that I found on Pinterest, that really rang true for me.  I hope you like them, too.

If you're interested in following me on Pinterst, HERE is the link.

Source: skinnyms

Source:indulgy.com

Source: buzzfeed.com

Source: chattingoverchocolate.com

Source: bodyrock.tv

Source: livefitnadbehappy.com

And this final one.  It just called out to me.  I began with such small steps.  Those steps turned out to be some of the biggest steps in my life...in my health...in my self confidence.  In just plain, making me feel GOOD, and good about me.

Hope you're feeling GOOD, too!