Happy Halloween!

I am in So California at my little sisters with my brother and parents.  Having a great time.  I have not been into blogging so much but please dont fret...I am still on plan.  My little sister and I went running at La Jolla beach for 4 miles (I was feeling particularly slow that day) and we are about to go hiking right now.  My birthday is the week before Halloween so growing up I had the best parties!  Thought I would throw up a 80s halloween party picture for old times sake!  Happy Halloween!

Murn

Back Blogging

In Sept I ran my first real race.  I seem to not of blogged about it yet.  It was a race 2 miles up Mt Diablo and then 2 miles back down.  There were racers also doing 10 miles, 1/2 marathon, marathon and ultra marathon (not sure how far that is but it seems really crazy that anyone would run up a mountain more than 26 miles!)  I did the race with Laura and Jewell.  It was a fun morning.  I was able to run much more of it than I thought I would be able to.  I will say that there was a tarantula in the path on the way back!  Yikes!  Apparently they are out mating in Sept/Oct.  (Mental note.....never go back to Mt Diablo in the fall.)  Next race....Nov.  A 10K (6.2 miles) in SF with many of my friends.  I even have Q flying in for the weekend!

(please note that when you always see me in a pink running shirt...know that I have 3 of them.  When I ordered them it was the only color in my size and they were on sale so I bought 3.)
Murn

slacker

I have been a major blogging slacker.  There are a couple reasons....
#1 I have a friend that took an amazing safari trip to africa.  I told her that I would help edit and make a digital book for her.  Her past history of taking pictures made this seem like an easy task....til she came home with almost 3000 amazing pictures.  I have been spending most of my free time working on that and quite frankly when I wasnt working on it, I didnt want to be on the computer.
#2 I have been slacking in the weight loss area.  I messed with my birth control pills trying to avoid having a period and instead it has sent my body into unhappy land.  Bloated, constipation etc etc.  I dont recommend doing this on your own without the right type of BCP to do it with (mine were not the right kind) and of course as a nurse I thought I could do anything.

I did go back to WW after several weeks of not going.  I was 207 this morning.  My body is really loving the zone between 204 and 208.   It is also an area that I can maintain in.  But I am not happy here!  I exercised very little last week and I feel blah.  I went to the gym today and ran 4 miles in 50 min (there were a couple times of walking in there.)  I am also going to get some warmer clothes in this size.  I really only have 2 pairs of pants right now and only about 5 shirts.  I am use to having 2 closets of cute clothes to choose from so this is not working for me!

I have several things to blog so be watching for those coming this week.
Murn

Yahoo

Just a quick post.  This morning I was at an all time low on my home scale.  202.6!  YEHHHAAAA!  I will not change the thingy at the top of my blog til Mon but I am knocking back on the door of being under 200.  I have to get there before my bday (Oct 26!)
I went to SF last night to see an old friend and catch up with her and meet her very sweet hubby! I dont get to see people from my far past too often since I live so far away from everyone.   Today I am heading back to SF to go running with Hannah.  We are planning on doing my favorite run by the water with hopes of seeing the blue angels show while we run.  After we are going to get nails done and cooking a healthy dinner at Hannah's!  Should be a fantastic day!  I need it!  Pictures to follow!
Murn

3 Point dinner!

Last night I made dinner for Meg and me.  I made my veggie soup.  I think I have put the recipe on here before but its super easy....

32 Oz fat free chicken broth

veggies (I used 2 zucchini, 1 red bell pepper and 2 carrots)

2 cloves of garlic

Boil veggies in broth til tender (about 20-30 min).  Put soup in blender or use the blender that goes in the pot.  

Add 2 T light sour cream.  blend more.  

makes 4 servings at 1 point each.  

At costco I got a bag of brussel sprouts.  They are something I have learned I love.  We did not eat them as kids.  I am sure we would not of touched them.  I cut them up in quarters.  Put them in a zip lock bag with about 1-2T olive oil and a few sliced almonds.  Tonight I added Tony Casheries cajan seasoning (yes...they were so good yeasterday I am cooking more right now!)

I then baked them for about 25 min at 450 degrees.

Delicious!

Enjoy!

I did go to the gym with Jewell tonight.  Did 2 pathetic miles on the treadmill mostly running.  I am still hurting from my 5 mile run yesterday.  I then got back in the pool after not swimming in a while.  I did my 1/2 mile.

Murn

sucess

ok....did great today staying on the plan.  Meg and I planned on going running.  She came over and as usual made me do more than I had planned.  I had wanted to run 4 miles.  We walked 1 mile and ran about 5.  I felt pretty good running today.  When we got back to my place...she pulled out a pilates tape.  WTF???  I just ran 5 miles!  So on the mats we went.  I am sorry to tell you that we ended up laughing through a large part of it.  Let me give you background on Meg.  She is not a runner.  She rarely goes for runs.  there is nothing more annoying then someone who is not a runner who is kicking your ass in speed!  Oh well.  Good thing I adore her!
I made all the food for the week including my soups and salads.  I bought a new thing at costco and liked it quite a lot.....its called an apple pear.  It is a cross between the 2 fruits.  Try it.  you might find you like them too!  Also....pre cut up butternut squash is back at costco.  Oh how I miss that when its not in season.

Hope you had a great day!
Murn

Whew! I have a plan.

Well I am happy to say this last week has come and gone.  I successfully planned and carried out all but one of the new Emergency Dept orientations.  I worked 76 hours (thank goodness for getting to go hoem one night early!!!) and most importantly it is OVER!
It was a stressful week.  What was stressful was the last minute way I had to do so much of it.  I am a bit OCD on planning.  I was not in control of a lot of this...so it all had to come together at the last minute which is not how I like to work.  Something had to give this week.  Sadly it was me.  I have reflected about it this weekend and am putting me back on the list....after all I said this year is about me!  So starting tomorrow I am back to eating healthy.  I am back to exercising.  period!
Tonight I sat down to map out my plan.  I planned what I am going to journal this week.  I am not going to go out to eat this week.  I have been doing that too much and I need a week without it.  I am not sure how much my weight is up but I think its not good!  I can only go forward.
Today when I started planning what I am going to eat this week it was a bit eye opening.  I stopped journaling about in June.  My weight loss slowed significantly since then.  When I actually sat down today to figure out what I can eat for 27 points it made me realize i was eating more than my points!  Guess thats why I have been only very slowly losing weight!

Here is what I am going to eat this week:

Breakfast: (4)

Oatmeal Pack-3

Fruit-1

Lunch (9)

Lean cuisine-6

Spinach-0

Salad veggies-0

Dressing-2

Goat Cheese-1

Dinner (6)

Chicken-3

Veggies-0

Smart Balance light 1T- 1

BBQ sauce- 1

Soup-1

Snacks (8)

Light Cheese Stick-1

Greek Yogurt- 3

Honey-1

Fruit-1

Popsickle-1

Weight watcher Bar-1

Mapping this out makes me realize how I have been overeating. I guess thats why journaling is so important.  Makes you really count what you are eating.  

I am also exercising.  This week I am going to really hit it hard.  I need to have a big loss this week.  Here is my work schedule and my exercise plan:

Monday: meeting in morning, Run 4 miles

Tues: meetings 7:30am-4pm  Gym: Run 3 miles on treadmill, swim 1/2 mile

Wed: work 7am-7pm  Walk 4 miles

Thurs: Work 11am-11am off exercise

Friday: Work 11am-11pm  Run 3 miles before work

Sat: Off work!!  Bike 20 miles and run 2 miles

Sunday:  Off work!!  Run 4 miles

I am hoping by writing it here I will be accountable for my exercising.  I am also ok with changing what I end up doing as long as it is about the same amount.  This is what I want.  This is important to me.  I will keep you updated.  I am actually looking forward to getting back on track.

Back to it being my turn!

Murn