I’d say March was a pretty a good month. There were some ups and downs–some stress, some illnesses, but finishing March with an awesome vacation cleared all negative thoughts.
MARCH GOALS
1. Try one new restaurant each month. This month: Pata-Negra YES!
2. Attempt running outside on the track at least once. YES!!!!
3. Really hunker down on portion sizes. I did my best.
4. Learn how to use the new Kitchenaid Mixer. NO.
I’m pretty happy with accomplishing #2. In fact, I did even better: instead of taking my slow jog out to the track to test the waters…I went FULL THROTTLE and ran twice while I was on vacation in Arizona. And it was a REAL run too. I ran 3.4 miles the first day at my old, pre-injury pace (about 10 minute miles) and the second run was a little over 3 miles at the same pace. With no injury. That fact alone means March was a total win.
I managed to go on vacation and still count my calories, try to be reasonable with portions, yet still enjoy myself. The only way to know for sure is this week’s Weigh-In. Of course, I have the Prednisone Debacle to factor in, as well.
April Goals
1. Try one new restaurant each month. This month: Tasty and Son’s
2. Learn how to use the new Kitchenaid Mixer.
3. Lose 2 pounds.
4. Call my old personal trainer and try his Crossfit Gym at least once.
I’ve been in an 80’s kick lately. My workout music has been solely 80’s hits like Tears for Fears, Howard Jones, Echo and the Bunnymen and Journey. Good memories!
QUESTION: What’s your favorite music to work out to?
Wednesday before I went to the gym I ate my vanilla Greek Yogurt but added some pineapple chunks to it. I haven’t had a chance to buy some other snacks that my readers suggested for pre-workout fuel. I will tonight.
I hit the treadmill and ran my 3 miles or so. It was a good run, faster than usual, but towards the end of it I was mentally and physically just over it. I was ready for the run to be completed. I could tell I’d gotten a good run in because I was dripping (literally) in sweat.
I lifted weights. I focused on my back and I spent extra time on the Gravitron machine doing Chin-ups.
I finished up with 15 minutes of stretching and Foam Rolling.
Gym Stats:
Time: 1:26
Calories Burned: 726
On the way home I ate a post-workout snack. The verdict: I did not crash, I didn’t have the shakes and it curbed my hunger (a little bit but not sufficiently). The downside: the sugar made me feel a little nauseated. The search for snacks continue.
Dinner Wednesday night was a repeat of a really yummy recipe we tried not too long ago: Braised Chicken with Spring Vegetables.
I really like this recipe a lot. Michael forgot to add the asparagus tips, which is okay. I love the flavor of the broth with the veggies.
The recipe is so good. I wanted more chicken!
Top Chef Finale! I won’t give any spoilers in case people haven’t seen it yet. But I will say that it was a GREAT episode and I was torn on who I wanted to win. The whole season I loved Richard Blais but the last few episodes I really started to like Mike too. It is such a good show.
QUESTION: Did you watch the Top Chef Finale? Thoughts? And what are your goals for April?
Lisa @ I'm an Okie
I really want to try Crossfit!
Lisa Eirene
My old personal trainer’s workouts were basically Crossfit training. So I’ve tried it a few times and they are AWESOME workouts. They kicked my butt and I’d be sore for days.
Lesley Lifting Life
Wonderful goals! I especially like the try one new restaurant a month 🙂
Lisa Eirene
I like it too! There are so many great restaurants in Portland that there’s no excuse to NOT try new restaurants!
Marykate
Hi Lisa. I have been a lurker on your blog for months now and I really enjoy your stories and writing style. I decided to break my silence and totally encourage you to try crossfit! Maybe you can convince Michael to try it too! I started doing crossfit as an obese couch potato and although I had to scale the workouts and exercises I was still hooked! The variety is wonderful and crossfit communities are usually very inclusive. It will help push your workouts to a different level. Thank you for taking the time to write this blog as it helps encourage me on my weight loss journey.
Lisa Eirene
Hi MaryKate, first thank you for de-lurking! I love hearing from readers who don’t normally comment. It’s nice to get a barometer about what they like to read. I’m glad that I can inspire you and others. That makes me feel good about doing my blog.
I’ve tried Crossfit before with my personal trainer back in the day. It was quite the workout. I am excited to try it again.
Lori Lynn
I’ve been listening a lot of Lecrae, which is a Christian rapper artist. I’m not really a big rapper fan, but the music has a good beat to it. I have to have upbeat music to work out to!
Lisa Eirene
Upbeat music helps a lot!
Beth @ Beth's Journey
I watched the finale and WOW what a great ending!!!!!! I actually met Mike in person (he’s a DC chef) but really loved Richard so I was happy with either winning, and thought the outcome was great.
I can’t BELIEVE April is tomorrow!!!
Lisa Eirene
It was such a great finale! But now I’m sad the show is over. When does it start up again?? 😀
That’s cool you met Mike! What was he like in person?
Mylene
I just decided this morning to work on my core so I can have a better back and then try to get fitter and finally try to run! I would love to be able to go jogging!!!
Lisa Eirene
That’s a great goal! Focusing on my core was a goal I had many months ago and I am so glad I’ve been working at strengthening it. My boyfriend is trying to do that now to heal from a back injury. 🙁
Amy Ramos
Great goals!
My goal for April-try one swimming class at the Y. You inspired me.
As a suggestion for snackage after working out, try the Apple Pie flavored Lara Bar. I think it hits the spot with sweet, crunchy and salty. If you have it, try topping with almond butter.
Third-you mentioned Crossfit and I tried my first class yesterday and I am not going back. I think it was the people as I just did not feel comfortable there as the guys were complete jerks and the ladies were snobs.
What is your take on Crossfit?
Lisa Eirene
I’ve never taken a Crossfit class but my old personal trainer did a lot of the Crossfit exercises in our sessions. I enjoyed the workouts a lot and since they were one-on-one I got all the attention. I’ve talked to my trainer who has started giving classes and I think I’ll check it out in the next week or two. I’m not a fan of classes. I have a hard time keeping up and I’m not really a “group sport” kind of a person. But I’m going to give it a try and write about it here. My hope is that it’s something I really enjoy (and can quickly catch on to). I’m sorry you had a negative experience at your class. I think that can happen with any gym and any class honestly. When I tried the Kick boxing class the girls there were definitely snobby but I could bench press more than them and probably run longer than then, so I didn’t let it bother me. 🙂
steena
Horrah for March being a win! That’s great you’re doing some outside runs and feeling good!
You make me want to set some mini goals like that!
My favorite workout music is guilty pleasure pop music, like Britney, Lady Gaga, Christina Aguilera, BEP, etc.. It’s gotta be trashy pop music.
Lisa Eirene
I’m with you. I like pop music when I run!