Taking the good with the bad

Life has a funny way of bringing the good with the bad.

Clearly yesterday was bad. But along with all of your sweet comments and a hardcore (albeit slow) 5.4 miles in 1:02 I made it through the day with my well-being intact.

(Lunch part 1: 1 can of reduced sodium organic vegetable soup with 1/8 cup Colby jack cheese)

As for the run, well it was raining and pretty cold. I felt as though the weather was reflecting my mood so I went for it. There were plenty of hills and walking breaks, but ultimately it was a run to clear my head and collect my thoughts, which was successfully accomplished.

(The better part of lunch: Everything bagel thin, 1/8 cup Colby jack cheese, Dr. Preager’s vegetable burger)

I spent the rest of the evening chatting with Chef Bob and Smutha Mutha (catching up on our busy lives), attending yet another career services appointment (where I learned about the art of an interview even though I do not have any offers), and painting my toenails. Like I said, taking the good with the bad.

(Afternoon snack: Dark chocolate oatmeal with 1 tbsp peanut flour mixed in.)

Like the not-cool college senior I am, I skipped Thirsty Thursday and called it an early night with a good book.

(Dinner Part 1: Everything bagel thin, 1/4 avocado, 1 can of tuna, mustard)

Overall, I was back in control of my food intake yesterday. No binges, no overeating, just control. It felt good to put a solid day under my belt. That is all I can really do at this point. Just take it one day, one choice, at a time.

(Dinner Part 2 and times 2: Nuked broccoli and mushrooms with butter spray, 2 tbsp nutritional yeast, salt, and garlic powder.)

This morning once I finally dragged myself out from under my cozy covers, I ate breakfast, digested with some blog reading, and then went downstairs to the gym to get my weight lifting on!

(Breakfast: 1 English muffin, 1/2 tbsp almond butter, 1 large banana, cinnamon, 1/2 tbsp blueberry jelly)

It ended up being one of the best weight lifting workouts I have done in recent memory.  I’m not one to be unprepared, so I planned my circuits before I left. Susan’s blog helped me generate ideas!

(The master plan)

Warm up: 10 minutes on the treadmill at 3.6 mph and 4.0 incline

Circuit 1:(x3)

Rotational Shoulder Press (7.5 lb weights, sets of 10)

Hamstring Curls (stability ball, sets of 12)

Lunges with weighted twist (10 lb weight, sets of 12 on each leg)

Reverse fly (5lb weight, sets of 15)

Side Hip Strengthener (2.5 lb weight resting on foot, 30 each side)

Circuit 2: (x3)

Tricep Kickbacks (5lb weight, sets of 15)

Stability Ball Squat with Lateral Raise (2 sets of 15, 1 set of 20)

Lower back extension with 5lb. weight (3 sets of 12)

That was all I planned to do, but since I was feeling great I added a last minute mini circuit.

Circuit 3: (x3)

Side lunges with 10lb kettlebell cross body arm raise (8 reps each side)

Weighted crunches with legs in the air (10lb weight, set of 20)

Side Crunches (8 each side)

Calf Raises (30 each side)

Finally, I stretched for a solid 15 minutes.

(Recovery lunch: 1/2 cup egg whites, 1/4 cup Colby jack cheese, English muffin, smear of butter, and ketchup.)

In all, I spent about 90 minutes completing the workout. I left the gym feeling strong and jacked. The best way to be if you ask me.

Since my appetite will surely reflect this workout, I anticipate difficulty staying in control today. But I am aware of it on the front side, so hopefully I can make good choices.

Until next time,

~Jenn