Time to Get Serious

After a wonderful but gluttonous weekend with Keefer, I woke up feeling not so great about myself and my recent eating and exercising habits.  I have been slacking not only at the gym but I've also been eating pretty much whatever my heart desires, however much it desires and whenever it desires.  I've never been one to take the number on the scale too seriously but lately it seems to be staying a little higher than normal.  I'm not saying that I'd like to lose a ton of weight but I would love to tone up, get back in shape and FEEL better about myself.  (Wouldn't everybody?)  I'm currently 145 lbs. and 5'8.5.  (Yes, I need that extra half inch.)  I'd really like to lose 4-5 lbs.  I need to think of a plan that I can stick to.  Every time I go to the gym it needs to be an A+ effort workout.  I also need to force myself to think if I'm actually hungry or if I just am going to eat because it looks/sounds good or I'm bored.  Finally I need to make my splurges few and far between.  I do NOT believe in diets so eliminating anything I love from my diet would be out of the question however cutting back on certain items wouldn't be the worst idea.  I'm going to think of a plan for me for the next few days that is attainable and sustainable.  (I'm open to suggestions!)  I will keep you updated.

Anywhoooo, this morning, at 4:30am I made Keefer some eggs over easy with toast and sent him on his way, back to The Mitten.  I went back to bed but when I woke up I was craving some of those eggs.

I hit the gym and had a pretty good work out.  I did a run/walk for 40 minutes and made it 3.47 miles.  Hopefully I can run longer and faster if I get more serious about my workouts.  I also did some strength training so I was ready for lunch when I got home.  I didn't want to eat a huge meal because I wanted to eat dinner before class so I went with a big smoothie and a PBJ on an english muffin.  I also used the last of my Krema so now I'm going to try the TJ's brand of pb.

Last week I found a recipe I wanted to try on a food blog and for the life of me I cannot remember which one.  I made it for dinner and it was pretty good but if I had to do again I would add chicken instead of beans (clearly I'm a big meat fan.) and mushrooms.  Probably more tomatoes too.  Marie suggested olives which I think would be yummy as well!

I actually had to bring this to class because I ran out of time.  Marie and I decided to leave early for class to go to Starbucks and try their new TAZO vanilla rooibos tea.  No pic but it was DELISH.  Can't wait to get another.  (I used all my self control not to order an oatmeal cookie, my favvvv.)

Anyways, here's the recipe.  I would definitely recommend it with those changes.  I'm sorry that I can't remember where I got this wonderful recipe!

• 2 cups orzo, uncooked
• 2 cups frozen spinach
• 1 pint grape tomatoes, havled
• 1/4 cup goat cheese, crumbled
• 1 can chickpeas, drained
• 1 Tbsp. dry dill
• 3 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• pepper to taste

Cook orzo and spinach in a pot, bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Add chickpeas, dill, grape tomatoes and goat cheese. In a seperate small bowl, whisk together olive oil, salt, lemon juice and garlic. Add oil mixture to orzo, stirring until pasta is completely coated. Serve in a bowl and enjoy!

When I got home I was actually hungry but not starving so I stayed with light snacking.  I had a kiwi and a grapefruit.  Both delicious.

I'm off to start some homework.  I'm off to the hospital again tomorrow!

Tara (: