HELP! SOS!

SOMEONE PLEASE COME TAKE AWAY THE DOVE CHOCOLATE IN MY HOUSE THAT I BOUGHT ON A VALENTINE'S CLEARANCE! I THOUGHT I HAD THE WILLPOWER TO EAT IT WHEN I REALLY, REALLY NEEDED IT...BUT APPARENTLY I DON'T!

SOMEONE RESCUE ME!

I did it- and hope to do it again!

Not too long ago, just about three and a half months ago, I took a step. That step was a jogging step instead of a walking one. Little did I know that that one step would open up a door that I never knew was there!

My secret of jogging got out. I began running to half of a song on my IPOD, then a whole song, then run one song/walk one song. Before I knew it, it felt better to keep jogging rather than walk and start back up again. So little by little I added song by song to my distance. Soon I lost track of the number of songs and I began to count minutes and miles!

This is my great support team who encouraged me to take the step to run in a 10K event. (I don't call them races because my goal is to finish). They directed me here for training. Their undoubting faith in me led me to have faith in myself. I would train alone during the week and run with these gals on Saturdays. Did I mention they are marathoners? Marathoners supporting little ol' me!
I have now lost 35 pounds and plan on losing 20 more!

This is all so new to me- registration-
And we're off! This is at 1/2 mile. The other girls went ahead which I was so glad about. I did not want to hold them back. We are still chatting up a storm at this point.

What a great venue. This is the San Leandro marina. It was an up and back course which means we ran 3.1 miles in and then back again. All along the water with views of San Francisco and the Oakland airport. I have to admit, though, I only noticed the view for the first mile or so.

Mile 5- notice my friend is loooooong gone. Still okay by me. I was in the zone! I think my IPOD was playing Miley Cyrus' "The Climb" at this point. Do you know how many songs can relate to running? LOTS!

Total fake smile...

....until here! I could see my family and friends waiting for me and I felt like I wanted to cry! It was so amazing to accomplish something I never even wanted to do! Then I heard my 8 year old son yelling. "You psycho!" over and over. Yeah...you thought I was gonna say, "Yay Mom!" Nope he chose to deal with his emotions by calling me psycho! Needless to say, it took a little wind out of my sail! Oh well...

Hallelujah! 6.2 miles! Ran the ENTIRE way!Even Jupiter came to cheer me in. I am kindly telling my son, "Please do not call my psycho when Mommy does something great."


Ladies, I look forward to many more to come!

THE FUN HAS JUST BEGUN!

Restaurants- Friend or Foe?

I LOVE eating out!

I love sitting down and being served!

I love perusing the menu!

I love the conversation that freely flows across a booth!

As a matter of fact, going to lunch (moreso than dinner) is in my top 3 favorite things to do! But sometimes eating out gets us into trouble! Like when I really only want dessert, but end up ordering an entree because really, who just orders dessert for lunch?

BUT since I have been eating healthier I still LOVE eating out and have found that I not only welcome the challenge, but have favorites at all of our local pitstops! It is easy to load up on steamed veggies...just beware of salads! Many restaurant salads are higher in calories than a favorite entree.

Below are some of my low calorie favorites that I not only love, but crave! They are so good that I am not even tempted to order the cheeseburger!

Please leave me a comment about what you like to order out!

In N' Out- hamburger with grilled onions, protein style (no bun, wrapped in lettuce), cut in half. Cut in half is important, it makes you feel like you are eating more! 1/3 order of fries (I share).

Applebee's- Steak and Portobello mushrooms, Weight Watcher menu (yummy gravy)

Chevy's- Lunch portion of the Santa Fe Chop Salad with apple chipotle dressing.**This is so good I crave it and it is always my first choice when I go out**

Olive Garden- cup of minestone soup (luckily I am not a lover of their breadsticks, I know right?) Apricot chicken...YUM!

Panda Express- Hot and Sour Soup (100 calories!), chicken and green beans

Texas Roadhouse- 6 oz steak, side of steamed veggies

Cheesecake Factory- weight management salad **see tip below**, share a slice of splenda cheesecake. I could not tell the difference and it is all about not depriving yourself!

Costco Foodcourt- I have not been acurately able to determine the calorie count of their turkey wrap so I have made it a rule of thumb to eat only half and take the other half home.

** RESTAURANT TIP! Ask your server to pack up half of your entree in the kitchen and bring it out with the check. They may question it at first since it creates more work for them, but when they know you mean business they are fine and you only eat half the calories and can have an entire other meal the next day**

I used to only go out to eat just for the dessert. Usually I do not get dessert but so many of our favorite places are doing the "shot glass" desserts now. They are perfect because they are just about two bites and just enough to satisfy your sweet tooth!

Chocoholics Anonymous meeting in session...

My name is Jen and I am a chocoholic...Hi Jen!

I am not talking to chocoholics that are like, "Oh, I only eat the best chocolate or no chocolate at all." I am talking to those of you who crave that sweet and smoothe taste at a few different points throughout your day. That is me! Can you relate to this?

You've just finished a very satisfying lunch or dinner. It was healthy, filling and satisfied all of your taste buds...except those darn chocoholic ones! Here is our solution!!!!

Listen, I am not crazy! You need to have two of these a day (40 calories total) for your daily calcium intake. So it is perfect right after lunch for that sweet craving and right after dinner too. I LOVE milk, but as I have cut back on calories I also have cut back on my milk intake. This is a perfect way to get something I need and something I want all at the same time!

Thanks Costco demonstrators!

No, I am not getting any sort of monetary kickback for the last two posts about Costco. Although I'd be open to it if they wanted to!