Music to Run With

Alright readers, I need your help.  I need more up-beat work out music for my iPod.  I wear my ear buds when I go running and I want some more variety.  So my question is, What song gets you supper pumped when running or working out?  I want all your suggestions... I love most every kind of music.

Here are some songs that are already on my iPod:

Eye of the Tiger by Survivor

Just Dance and Born This Way by Gaga

Raise A Glass by Pink

the Body Talk album by Robyn

all of Michael Jackson and Prince

4 Minutes by Madonna

Weigh In - Week 28

I feel more rested and more relaxed than I have all year.  Jack and I just returned from a week away in Cancun.  Sitting on the sugar fine white sands of Cancun, watching the unbridled beauty of the sea was spectacular.  Then, just when I thought it couldn't get any better, someone would bring me a pina colada from a near by bar.  It was the bomb.

I did not work out while I was away.  But I did swim in the sea, walk on the beaches and drink a lot of Negra Modelo.  But somehow, much to my surprise, I still lost a pound while I was away.  Go figure.  The day after I returned, I went for a mile run.  Then this morning I attended the most ass-kicking boot camp session ever.  It was epic.

Pounds lost this week: 1

Total pounds lost: 44

The "I Did It" List

I went to boot camp on the morning I left for Cancun (that is commitment!)

Left my two babies with my mom and mother-in-law for a week

I drank heavily on the beach with my husband

Ate healthy food while away

Renewed my spirit and soul by taking some time for myself

 

Vacation?

What's that?

Jack and I are leaving tomorrow for a one-week visit to Cancun, courtesy of my Mom and her wonderful husband!  Its been a crazy year, what with Charlie's surgery and all.  So, we're taking a break.  This is the first non-work related vacation without children since our honeymoon seven years ago!  And the best part is that my mom and my mother-in-law have both flown into take our boys for the week.  Two grandmas for two boys!  What could be better?

Adios!

Weigh In - Week 27

The weeks are starting to get a little crazier now that Christmas is approaching.  We hosted a dinner party on Friday and I had a ladies stitch n' sitch style craft night on Saturday - both of which brought a slew of snacking.  But it was a great week all in all.  I attended two rounds of boot camp and got out to run a mile on three separate mornings.  I'm still sticking to my raw snacks and mostly raw meals as well! The thing I'm noticing most these days is that my exercise keeps my metabolism up and my raw snacks keep my sugar consumption in check.  This combo is obviously a good mix because I lost four pounds this week!

Pounds lost this week: 4

Total pounds lost: 43

The "I Did It" List

got out the door in this cold weather to run three times

made lots of new yummy nutritious raw smoothies

enjoyed dessert with friends without pigging out

researched a running shoe purchase

Produce for Less

I just joined the Bountiful Baskets Food Co-Op.  Today I picked up my first basket - a 50/50 veggie and fruit basket filled to the brim with beautiful fresh produce.  The best part is that I paid about 16 dollars for produce worth about $50.  What a deal!  Except for the slight tardiness of the delivery truck, it was a great experience and I will certainly order again.  Thank you, Jacki, for introducing me to Bountiful Baskets! Have any of you ever participated in a food co-operative? 

Here's a look at my stash:

4 heads of brocolli
4 cucumbers
4 green bell peppers
6 tomatoes
5 apples
4 persimmons
6 pears
bunch of radishes
head of butter lettuce
3 onions
1 pineapple

Six Months / Half Way

Today, I'm half way between the beginning and the end of my one year journey to lose 75 pounds.  I had no idea how important this journey would be to me when I began June.  It seems simple, right?  Eat less, exercise more and loose weight.  In six short months, those three seemingly simple things have changed every aspect of my world.  There are obvious and visible changes, like dropping 40 pounds, a healthier complexion and more energy.  However, the most astonishing change is not an external shift, but rather an internal one.  My mental and emotional state is calm, clear, focused and acutely aware of the possibilities that lie ahead.  So far, the greatest gift from my weight loss journey is a renewed sense of self worth and a re-invigorated joyful spirit.  I am so excited to embark on the second half of this amazing year.

Bacon

I have really laid off the meat lately. I'll do an occasional chicken breast or fish, but mostly I'm sticking with plant based foods.  But for some reason every time I smell bacon, my nerve endings go a little crazy.  Why does bacon smell so good?  Its just burning fat, right?  But oh the smell!  I love it.  I haven't eaten any bacon.  I just like smelling it.