New Years Resolution

So many people make New Years resolutions, but why wait til New Years? I’m making goals now, so that by the time New Years comes around, it will no longer be something I put effort into…it could be a habit.

1. Run or walk a mile each day. Everyone who knows me, knows I am a hot weather girl. I hate running in the cold, but I’m going to try to change that. In the very least, I can walk a mile.

2. Run a 10 minute mile. I have a steady 12 minute mile. When I started running, I was only able to run ¼ of a mile (that may be exaggerating) before I had to walk. Slowly, the distance increased. I figured if I can start the same way, eventually I’ll be running an 8 minute mile. J

3. Take pictures. I hate this one. I’m my worst critic. I’ll notice any bulge or flaw, but it’s so hard to see a change in my body because it doesn’t happen drastically. Taking pictures will allow me to see the change (and the places I need to focus harder on).

4. Eat better. I saw a blog where this girl took yogurt and froze it in cupcake pans. She then took the frozen yogurt blocks and fruit and put them into sandwich bags. Every morning she grabs a bag and uses her Magic Bullet and fixes a smoothie. She did a variety of bags once a month, so she wouldn’t get tired of the same flavors. You can also add frozen juices. I also need to be consistent at bringing my own lunch. I’ve been bringing it on and off for the last month…I’ve already lost weight as a result. When I wasn’t working, I never ate fast food. When I did eat it, I thought it was greasy and gross. I need to get that state of mind back.

5. Spend less. I want a new car. My car has about 120,000 miles on it, so she’s about due for retirement. I’m holding out for as long as possible (mostly because there isn’t a car that I absolutely love and can afford). I like the 2010 Acura MDX, but not the 2012…it’s too round. OR we can maybe talk McSteeny into the 4 door jeep wrangler. Terrible on gas and no extra room. But I LOVE it. I also want to spend less on clothes…which conflicts with goal #6..

6. Be simple, but trendy. I am a huge fan of solid colored long sleeve t-shirts and dressing them up with accessories and scarves. Here are some outfits I love.

Love the color combo and the shoes.

I already have the coat...the rest should be easy to get, right?

<3

Baby I'ma be your motivation.

I'm slowly learning ways that work for me to diet/exercise. I've learned that I can't run/workout with someone who is faster/stronger/in better shape than me. I give up. I like being the leader. It might sound crazy, but I like pushing someone else. In running, I like to say, "Just make it to that sign" etc. Some people get motivated by watching Biggest Loser. Again, that doesn't do it for me. Muscles. Seeing pictures of chicks with muscles. The only sad thing is that most pictures of these chicks...they all have fake boobs. I need to get me some of them too. Muscles first. Boobs later. Here is some of my inspiration:

                                                        I wouldn't wear pants. Ever.

                                                           She's Hot.

                                                     Holy Back Muscles
                                        
Its hard to find pictures of bubble butts that are freaking awesome...this one is pretty close. I like my big butt.

                            1. I love dancing as a workout.
                            2. I love workout clothes...especially leg warmers.

                                                           I love legs.

More motivation another day. :)

Junk in the Trunk.

Dear Blog, I'm sorry that I abandoned you. Please take me back. Love, Jamie


It's been a straight up eternity since I've been up here. I seriously haven't had time to get my thoughts together, writing them is a whole additional challenge. So, here I am. Same place as before. Trying to get skinny. I mean fit. Who are we kidding. I want to be smoking hot in a size 4. I'd settle for being one of those skinny girls that can eat anything, but Jesus just won't do that. So I'm gonna have to work for that size 4. Starting tomorrow, I'll be doing Brazillian Butt Lift. Not the surgery, the DVDs. It's a BeachBody product (P90X, Insanity, etc) so I know it's going to work. In addition, I'm doing Shakeology. I bought the chocolate and the greenberry. I'll let you know how they taste. I'm a bit worried about the greenberry.

My starting measurements are:
 Chest: 34" Pray this number doesn't decrease.
Right Arm: 11"
Left Arm: 11.5"
Waist: 28.5"
Hips: 44" CLEARLY you can see that I need to be doing this exercise program!
R. Thigh: 25"
L. Thigh: 26"
Starting Weight: 140



So, there you have it. I have too much junk in the trunk.

Today's Emotional Run

So- today's run was emotional for me. I know I have this run coming up in 19 days, so I really need to run whether I feel like running or not. After eating too much this weekend, I haven't felt like running. Today was the same problem. Luckily, my IPOD was charged to help me today. I didn't have my arm band, so I had to stick the IPOD in the little pocket in my pants.

The wind was kicking today. I didn't realize it at first because it was going in the same direction that I was going...then I turned the corner and it was obvious. As I rounded the next corner, the wind was in my face. I felt like I was running so hard, but not going anywhere. Then my lips felt chapped, I had a cramp, my mouth was dry...I was feeling defeated. I kept telling myself the hardest part was going to be the first mile, the mile back, I would have the wind working with me most of the time.

Of all the Massey girls- I may be the most feminine. Tasha and Erica have always been hard core at sports. I never played football with the guys, I don't like frogs, I can't even change a tire (I could prob do it if I had to...I've never had to). One thing I can't do is spit. So, today as the wind is blowing so hard and I don't have any candy to keep my mouth from getting dry, I needed to spit. I call it thick spit. So, spitting usually goes like this...I spit and it hangs from my mouth until gravity takes over. Here's the problem: 40 mph wind + plus thick spit= Jamie getting her own spit in her face.

After a little bit of a struggle with the wind, I finally made it to my halfway point. I thought about going further, but I was ready to be on the way back to finish my run. So, I turn around and start back. With the wind pushing me forward, I get these thoughts of Kathie in my head. I didn't have a playlist to run with today...I was just using shuffle. I normally don't listen to country while I run because I need a faster beat...but SheDaisy- Don't Worry 'Bout A Thing happened to be on...here are the lyrics:

Life is funny, life's a mess
Sometimes a curse, sometimes a blessing
Don't worry 'bout a thing, don't worry 'bout it
Life gets sticky, life can bruise
Sometimes you win sometimes your losing
No matter what it brings
Don't worry 'bout a thing

Suddenly, I was overwhelmed with thoughts of Kathie. I was running like I was being chased. No jogging, flat out running. I'm sure the wind gave me a push, but my strides were wider and faster and it wasn't feeling winded like I normally would. It was a total Forest Gump moment. I ran until the wind started working against me. Then, I cried. I actually wept.

I used to loathe running. I didn't run for fun. Now I run for a reason. In the last month of Kathie's life, I begged God to take away her pain or fear and just bring her comfort. There was nothing I could do for her other than that. I offered to shave my head when she went bald, I wanted to donate bone marrow, but in all my attempts, I still felt helpless. Running is the one thing I can do even after Kathie is gone.

I don't like to use the phrase "Lost her battle with cancer"...to me Kathie won. I know that she is now eternally free from cancer.

I run because cancer sucks.

I've told my story before about why I run, but I want to remind myself about my motivation...

I was hired at Farmers Bank when Kathie had to leave because she had AML- Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Kathie became healthy enough to return to work and we became amazing friends. Kathie once said that anyone who runs for cancer, is okay in her book. After Kathie lost her battle to cancer (stupid tears are keeping me from typing), I decided I want to run for Kathie.

I started running on the treadmill, which is incredibly boring. One mile on that thing feels like an eternity. Then, I started running through Windsor. I finally ran my first 5k on Thanksgiving Day in 2009. In March of 2010, I ran my first 8k (5 miles). My finishing time was 1:01:01. 1 hour, 1 minute, 1 second...I can do better than that! My goal this year is to do it around 55 minutes...which means I have to knock a minute off each mile I run.

This years 8k will be on March 19, 2011, in Virginia Beach, at 8 AM. What do I need? I need running buddies for the next few weeks. I run better when I have someone to run with. I would also LOVE cheerleaders for race day. You don't have to run 5 miles with me. Just stand on the sideline with a poster and hoot and holler when I run by you. Then meet me at the finish line and hang out on the beach with me the rest of the day and go to lunch with me...It amazes me how much I can eat after running. So, any volunteers?

I am officially signing up with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training to raise money in memory of Kathie and to get help with training for a 1/2 marathon. I'm waiting to hear about starting up a team. If anyone else is interested in running, let me know :) The Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 marathon benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. That race is September 4, 2011...and it will be my first 1/2 marathon!

So...who wants to run tomorrow? :)

Game Day foods

I know that I am going to eat a lot during the Super Bowl. I eat when my boys are doing good and when they are not doing so good. These are some of my favorite foods. (I've listed healthier options for some of the ingridients...somethings are hopeless-fattening foods.)

Sausage Dip:
1lb bulk sausage (or turkey sausage)
1 brick cream cheese (or neufchatel)
1 can rotel tomatoes
tortilla chips (they make these in whole wheat now!!!)

Creamy Buffalo Chicken Dip:
1 brick cream cheese (softened) (Or neufchatel)
3/4 cup hot sauce
1 cup ranch dressing
3 cans chunk white chicken, drained and shredded
4 oz. shredded cheddar cheese

-Mix cream cheese, hot sauce, and ranch dressing. Stir in chicken. Pour in a casserole dish (spray it with Pam first...you'll thank me later.) Sprinkle with cheese and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Mediterranean Dip:
7 oz. Hummus
1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
1/4 cup cucumbers
4 oz. crumbled feta cheese
slice black olives.

-layer in a dish in the order of listed ingredients and serve with pita chips.

Meatballs:
1 bag frozen Italian style meatballs
1 can crushed pineapple
1 small jar grape jelly
3 jars chili sauce (near the ketchup or A-1 at the grocery store)

Cook in crock pot all day.

Taco dip:
Refried beans
Sour cream
1 lb. ground beef (ground turkey and ground chicken tastes just as good)
taco seasoning
salsa
cheese
lettuce
tomato

Mix beans and sour cream together (if you want to go without meat...add the taco seasoning to the beans and sour cream.) Put a layer of salsa, then cheese, and finish with lettuce and tomato. (If you have any other taco toppings that you like, feel free to add them. Serve with fritos. :)

The Ab Diet

My apple shaped friends will really like this blog. If you have extra belly fat, eating these foods will help blast that fat away. (The only way to get a 6pack abs is to work for them, but this will definitely help with a muffin top.)

Cereal- Not Cupcake Pebbles (one of my favorites), but a high fiber cereal that isn't jam packed with sugar. Some of the better choices are cheerios, special K, or Kashi. Cereal has fewer calories from fat than almost any other breakfast food. Cereal makes you poo. (If you aren't a cereal fan...you have other options. Keep reading.)

Eggs- They are high in protein...protein is the key here.

Instant Oatmeal- Everything I read is saying plain, but I'm not sure I could eat plain oatmeal. I'm a raisin, dates, and walnuts kinda girl.

Nuts such as peanuts and almonds. They slow the rise in blood sugar and curb hunger. I personally like the cocoa almonds, but from what I'm reading, you should eat them in as close to their natural state as possible. It even says to eat the skins around them (not the shell for anyone that is confused!).

Low-fat yogurt...again. Plain is the recommended way, but I can't do it. I can't eat greek yogurt either. I love Dannon's light and fit vanilla yogurt. (1 cup yogurt, 1/2 cup any juice, 1/2 cup ice and any fruit makes a great smoothie that can be one of your 6 "meals")

Berries-high fiber- Raspberries have the highest amount of fiber then blackberries, then blueberries. *Add these to that smoothie!*

Turkey- (With your eggs, you can have turkey bacon) Turkey has the fewest calories per ounce and it will help maintain muscle mass as you lose weight.

Here are some other staple items to add to your grocery list:

Beans and legumes, spinach and other green veggies (google how to make a "green smoothie" it uses spinach and you'll never know it!), low fat or fat free dairy...milk, cheese and yogurt, Olive oil, peanut butter *only 1-2 servings a day because of the saturated fat*, brown rice/whole grains *1-2 servings a day*, and whey powder-adds protein to your diet.

L-Carnitine- this assist in the breakdown of fat cells and to produce energy and is essential in making fatty acids available for energy in muscle tissue. $11 for 30 tablets at walmart in the vitamin section. I know about this stuff because when I worked at the vet clinic this is what is in the prescription dog food to help dogs lose weight. (Specifically the Science Diet-R/D dog food) This isn't something just for dogs. :D

Foods high in calcium inhibit calcitrol which is a hormone that stores fat. Dairy and turkey have leucine which helps fight fat. Fiber keeps your sugar levels low which keeps you from feeling hungry and it cleans you out. Protein- Your body burns about 25 calories digesting every 100 calories of protein you eat. That is the highest calorie burning food you can eat without having to do much work to work it off.

Eating foods as close to their natural state is best for you (I love a bright pink steak. Yum)

For people with big butts...the best thing I can tell you is breastfeed. (My favorite diet)

For people with big chests...I don't know. I don't have that problem. Enjoy it or surgery :D

I fell off the wagon...

Or is it I'm back on the wagon. I don't know whether I want to be on the wagon or off it, but what I'm trying to say is, I've failed miserably at getting fit. My goal weight was 135 lb. My Super Skinny Goal Weight (SSGW) is 130. (Honestly, I don't even know what I'd look like at 130, but if I set my goal weight lower than the 135, I'm hoping it'll be easier to get to the 135.

When I started blogging about this, I believe I was 143 and I needed to lose 8lbs. After a bit of work, I was down to 138lb. I was pretty satisfied because most of my size 4 jeans were fitting, so I didn't push to get rid of those last 3lbs (or 8 if I was going for SSGW). Well, Thanksgiving happened, then my birthday, then Christmas. Next thing I know, I'm up to 146.

People who are apple-shaped tend to gain weight in their belly. I'm kind of hour-glass shaped except I say that I'm hour and a half glass shaped. I've got an extra half hour on my butt. When I gain weight. I gain it in my rear. I wouldn't be sad about losing weight if I gained it in my boobs (I would actually be excited if that happened...maybe I wouldn't be able to feel my ribs anymore.) Once I realized that I had gained weight, I didn't think it was too bad...until my size 4 jeans were washed. Yep. Stupid washing machine and dryer.

I've had to ween myself off junk food. I was like a crack addict. Now, I think I'm eating like a normal human being again. I've actually lost 3 pounds! Yay! I still don't have a great desire to run, but I'm blaming that on the cold weather. With classes starting back up, I haven't had that much time to workout anyway. So, to help me get back to at least 138lb (5 away!), I've started using the kids plates for my food. Instead of eating a huge bowl of cereal, I've been eating Gracie's little bowls. It's probably the proper serving size...our bowls and plates are rather big to begin with. So, ya. that's where I'm at.

Happy Wednesday!

-Jamie

New Years Resolution???

So many people made a New Year's Resolution to either lose weight, diet, or eat better...right? I made that resolution a while back and I haven't stopped yet. This week, I am going to do a carb free week (I was going to start today, but I mind-lessly ate perogies for lunch....if you don't know what they are its mashed potatoes inside a pasta shell. Fail on all accounts.) So, starting tomorrow, no carbs. Hey. I might start with dinner tonight. Who says you have to start on a Monday morning...those are tough enough with carbs. Although, I did have scrambled egg whites and turkey bacon...you get my point. You know why I run...if you don't know, go to my entry about diagnosed back fat...it's a tear jerker. I hated running. When people say "I only run if someone is chasing me with a knife", I think...screw that...I don't want to be out of breath when I'm trying to get that knife out of your hand. BUT because I had a reason that I'm very passionate about...I started running. I wasn't even running when I started. I started at 3 mph for one mile. Then I went up to 3.5...one day I realized I could jog at 3.5 miles per hour for an entire mile. Shortly after that I was able to bump the speed up and it didn't affect me. Right now, I'm able to do run a little over 5 mph, but 6 kills me.
What do I hate more than running? Lifting weights. I'm the weakest person ever. Not only do my muscles quiver, but my joints hurt. And that is lifting 5lb weights. My elbows make me feel like my forearm will snap right off. The crazy thing. I can do yoga and hold plank for a while. My upper body is well over 5 lbs. I can even do chutarumba (who knows how to spell that for real?) which requires me to bend my elbows. So, I'm out to accomplish the task of getting muscles. Guns. Big guns. lol. My 5lb weights are getting tolerable and they hurt less and less every time I use them. I'm assuming the hurt is due to a lack of muscle to support my joints.

Inspiration
What inspires you to exercise? When I get in a rut, new workout clothes usually help, but I'm running out of room and money for exercise clothes :) Putting new songs on my IPOD also helps. I like to figure out which songs work best for what type of exercise. For instance, I'm a joker by Tom Petty is ok for walking or spinning, but terrible for running. The beat is way to slow. Here are a few songs that I like to rock out to while running:

I Only Wanna Be With You- Hootie and the Blowfish
Hey Girl- OAR
Little Things- Good Charlotte
You gotta have Faith- Limp Bizkit
How Far Do You Wanna Go- Gloriana (this song is so out of place with the other ones, but I love it)
How's It Gonna Be- Third Eye Blind (this is good for jogging slow...great for beginners)
Rock It Till You Drop It- Fefe Dobson
Gold Digger- Kanye West (I get down with this song. lol)
Shoop- Salt N Peppa
Crazy In Love- Beyonce

That'll get you about three miles :) What else inspires you? Looking at people who are in shape inspire me. Some people say watching the biggest loser inspires them. Not until they are running the marathon do I ever want to get up and workout. While they are big, I could sit there with a bucket of ice cream and watch them run til they throw up. I need to see someone with muscles. Maybe I should tape pictures in my junk food cabinet. :D

Oh BTW- Since I was so terrible at taking those poop pills, I've decided to take them again...because I gained 7 pounds since Thanksgiving. No bueno. Let's see if I can get all 4 pills down twice a day and not poop myself. lol. On that note: Yall have a great day :D