Focus

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Me:  Nervous as hell
Mark:  Chill as can be

Back in 2012 at a family reunion my cousin Mark and I were talking about the upcoming Las Vegas Half Marathon.  Shortly after that I got a message from him that he'd entered and was going to run it as well.  So, we bonded over that and hung out together at the start line.  I was a mess of emotions.  Mark was as cool as they come.  Anyway, a few days after the race we traded messages again and I admitted I was disappointed in my performance and he gave me a pep talk that I will never forget.  I had the pleasure/honor of having another one of those memorable conversations with him on Saturday.

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We were talking about weight loss and I recalled a story that my friend Diane has told me a few times.  After Diane reached Lifetime status she asked our leader, Karen, if the journey ever got easier.  Karen replied that it didn't.  This is one of the few times that Karen and I disagree.  As I was telling this story I said that I think if we focus on the things that we shouldn't have (or the portion sizes that we shouldn't have) then of course it remains difficult because that's all we want.

Mark replied that whatever you focus on will grow.  I couldn't get this thought out of my head and
knew that I wanted to write a blog post about this.  I truly believe that if we focus on the good things -- like being able to run a half marathon then the journey becomes easier.  I'm not saying that it won't be difficult to stare down a pan of brownies or cookies but I'm also not saying that you have to avoid the brownies or cookies completely either.  In fact, I say have them.  Just not as much as you would have before and then focus on something else to get your mind off the temptation.

What will you focus on to get you closer to your goal?

Thanksgiving Plan

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If you're hosting Thanksgiving are you planning your meal yet?  Last year, about midway through the turkey roasting, my brother asked about pie at which point Dad exclaimed that he'd forgotten to make it and quickly busied himself making a blueberry pie.  Aside from the last minute pie making I really do like to plan because I know that it helps me stay on program and feel in control.

My fantastic father .... making pie

Since we are just over a week away from Thanksgiving I realized that I probably needed to get moving on a plan.  I like plans and luckily for me most of the menu will be very similar to last year.  Some of it will be prepared before Thanksgiving day (roasted vegetables) and simply reheated before dinner.  This makes Thanksgiving day much less stressful that is for sure.

I know there will be other food temptations throughout the weekend and I am going to allow myself to eat/drink for the Thanksgiving meal with minimal measuring and then get right back on plan.  I'm also planning on logging some running and hiking miles to make up for any indulgences.

• Turkey
• Roasted beets
• Roasted squash
• Cranberry Orange Cornbread
• Coconut Topped Sweet Potatoes
• Cranberry Orange Relish
• Caramel Apple Salad
• Pumpkin Cake

Do you think we'll have enough food?  There'll be 5 of us!  :)

What is your Thanksgiving plan?  

Quick and Easy Meals

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The past couple of weekends have been incredibly busy which is why I've been quiet on here lately.  So, the routine for this month seems especially relevant.  Two weekends ago we were in Wisconsin with friends and had an absolutely amazing time.  But I knew I overate.  A lot.  There were more starchy carbs eaten in four days than in the last year I think.  Last weekend we were home for a family reunion.  Let me tell you, my mom and aunts can cook up some seriously delicious eats.  Again, I overate.

Don't get me wrong I really enjoyed the food that I ate.  Not surprisingly, after having eaten way too much (and things I'm not used to eating) I got sick.  It's "nice" that my body reminds me when I make stupid choices.  Being able to put together a quick meal is essential to staying, or getting back on, plan.  I'm pretty good with the side dishes, mostly because there are only a handful of vegetables that Dan will eat which certainly makes that part of the meal easier.  Then it's just a matter of figuring out the protein for the meal.

My favorite side dishes:
Brussels with Bacon
1 bag frozen Brussels sprouts
2 slices bacon
1 t. olive oil

I cut off most of the fat from the bacon and just use the meatiest parts.  Add the olive oil to a pan, then the bacon and the frozen sprouts.  Cook for about 8-10 minutes.  The bacon should be crispy and the sprouts tender with a little crunch.  Since the bacon is salty you don't really need to use seasoning, in my opinion.


Garlicky Green Beans
1 bag frozen green beans (I like the french cut beans best)
1 t. olive oil
garlic salt to taste

Add olive oil to pan, then green beans.  Cook until beans have begun to brown.  I add a little spray butter and then garlic salt or another seasoning (sometimes steak or barbeque) depending on my mood.

What quick and easy meals do you have in your pocket?

Half Marathon Training - Week 2

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As the second week of half marathon training comes to a close I have mixed emotions.  I had a few really good runs and a few days that I didn't do anything because I wasn't feeling well and the weather was less than cooperative.  Let's talk about the good runs rather than the not feeling well part because that is just going to be a lot more fun.  I decided to head across the border to Wisconsin to spend a few days with my parents before they head to Texas for a reunion.  I was planning on hopping on the bike to get in some good cross training on Wednesday (the day I left) but when I woke up it was storming so I couldn't do that.  Not wanting to spend the time in the gym I decided it'd be another rest day.  However, while I was driving to Wisconsin I realized that I could NOT go three days in a row without doing SOMETHING.  So, I figured if the weather was nice when I got home that I'd head out for a run before dinner.

Mom asked me when I arrived how my bike ride went and I told her that I bagged the ride but was going to go for a run before dinner and hoped that the temperature would drop a little.  It was close to 80 that day so the weather wasn't bad but I was hoping it'd be better.  As I was getting ready for my run my dad asked if I was going running (he's perceptive that way) and I asked him if he wanted to come along (on his bike) and he agreed.  So, away we went.  Dad pedaling ahead of me and watching in his "rear view mirror" either to make sure that I was still back there, still running or maybe checking that I hadn't fallen over!  He'd go on ahead of me for awhile, turn around and ride a ways behind me and then catch up.  He warned me about trucks that were coming, deer that I didn't see and just made me smile having someone to "run" with in the country.  I know this run will be one of my favorites for a long time because I got to spend that time with my dad.

The other run I did was part of my 5K - 10K training plan that I've been following.  I didn't mind running in the country however going much farther on the country roads would have meant some serious hills would be involved and I didn't want to navigate hills on such a long run (it would be about 6 miles).  So I decided to head to town and had mapped out a pretty good route.  Dad told me that there is a path around Memorial Park that was 3 miles long so I figured I'd just run that loop twice and that wouldn't be so bad.  However, I missed a part of the path because the loops I ran were only one mile long.  After two and a half laps I decided to venture out of the park and run through town.  It was a great run with the most perfect running weather - cool and sunny, exactly the way I like it.

So my training schedule was supposed to be:
Monday:  Run 1 Mile
Tuesday:  Cross training or speed work
Wednesday:  Run 2 Miles
Thursday:  Strength train
Friday:  Easy 30 minutes
Saturday:  Rest Day
Sunday:  Run 3 Miles (Group Run)

What my schedule actually was:
Monday:  Rest Day
Tuesday:  Rest Day
Wednesday:  Run 2.68 Miles
Thursday:  Run 5.84 Miles
Friday:  Rest Day
Saturday:  Bike 9.2 Miles/Strength Train
Sunday:  Run 3 Miles

I am hoping my actual training schedule is a lot closer to the planned schedule next week but I also know I logged some solid miles with good pacing so I feel good about that.  So, while I'm training how about you go and donate a few dollars to my fundraising campaign?  You can donate by clicking on the Team Challenge logo at the top of the page, by visiting my fundraising page or even by mailing me a check!  Donations are tax deductible because CCFA is a 501(c)3 registered charity.

Family + google

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This past weekend was spent in my home town in Wisconsin.  Every two years my extended family gathers for a family reunion.  Some of these people I've seen and keep in touch with on a semi-regular to regular basis.  Others I haven't seen since the last reunion but love catching up with.  Add lots of family (and a few new babies I hadn't yet met) and good food to the fact that I was excited to show off a little (they'd seen me on The Dr. Oz Show but c'mon, I've lost 180+ pounds and that screams showing off!) and catch up.  A few people me chuckle a little.  One such interaction:

Him:  Who are you?
Me:  I'm Jen
Him:  No you're not!
Me:  Yes I am
Him:  Roger's daughter?
Me:  Yes!

Others were more convinced about who I was and I got some great big bear hugs!  A few family members actually lifted me off the ground (seriously that was awesome and odd all at the same time) as they hugged me but regardless it was amazing to see family again.  Aside from the hugs Saturday was all about the food - between food prep, eating and clean-up there was food all around.  Since it is basically a pot luck event I cut up a mess load of vegetables and made my favorite vegetable dip.  While I'd planned to go out for a run that day it didn't happen but we did go for a walk with some family members and that was fun too.  

It was sad to come home (cause my whole family is all kinds of awesome) but then I started to look at some blog stuff and I know that there are a number of things that have brought people to here.  Some are family, friends, friends of friends or family, etc... some get here by a search on the world wide web.  I thought we'd take a minute to find out how/why people got here.  This is information that I tend to look at but haven't shared, until now.  The search term they used to get here is in italics and my comments are following them.

1. Color Run Racine - Where ever you are if you can run a color run - DO IT!  It's the race that doesn't feel at all like a race.  Some people walked and some ran so it's open to all fitness levels.
2. Humorous things that you're thankful for - I'm thankful for things that aren't even funny but I'm glad you're here!
3. Naked weigh-ins - if you find a center that does these, let me know cause some weeks I know that's the only way I'd lose weight!
4. Anna Devlantes - I'm not actually her but she was super nice and so am I so I guess we could be twins?
5. Broiled Mushrooms - These are awesome and if you're making them I do still expect an invite!

So what'd you guys do this weekend?  Spend time with family?

Thankful Things Thursday: Sappy Sally Edition

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Hey everyone!  Today didn't exactly catch me off guard as Thursday usually does but it did find me a little bit behind schedule.  I had toyed with the idea of not posting today since I had a post go live last night after the show aired that talked about the finale.  However as I thought about Thankful Things Thursday I knew I had to write a post because there is one thing that really hit me yesterday and makes me thankful every day but this week deserves extra kudos.

Somewhere in Central Park

This week (and most other weeks too) I am so thankful that I have Dan.  While the voting was going on he was reaching out to friends, co-workers and others to tell them my story and ask them to vote and share my story with people they knew.

When we were in New York on Friday he spent much of the day sitting around waiting.  For those that don't know Dan, waiting is not really his specialty.  Having been through the filming before I kind of knew what to expect but even I couldn't prepare him for how much time he'd be waiting.  But, he handled it like a champ and even seemed to enjoy himself.

About 5 minutes before the show would start in my area he texted me and told me not to start the show because he was on his way home but because of an accident he was stuck in traffic and running late.  I was so touched that he'd leave work early to come and watch with me considering he knew how the show ended.

Best.  Husband.  Ever.

And so he gets his own post all about him.

PS - I warned you it would be a sappy sally edition (and I even edited out a bunch!)

My Dad, My Hero

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I want to take a short break from talking about my successes and failures and tell you a little story about my week.  Don't worry, I will get back to telling stories to boost my ego and then another story with some deprecating humor soon enough! 

Everyone has people in their lives that really make them who they are.  People they admire for any number of reasons and I am lucky enough to have a father who is not only a fan-freaking-tabulous role model but also my hero.  My dad was drafted into serving in the Army and was sent to Vietnam.  When we were little I remember him bringing out the projector and looking at slides that he projected onto the wall in the living room of his time overseas.  He would tell us a few stories about his time there but not many.  I'm not sure why but at some point he stopped talking about Vietnam or looking at the slides.  I mean he completely stopped.  I remember writing a term paper my sophomore year of high school and it was about Vietnam and I had to pry any information from him.

My Dad has always been the quiet one who sits in the corner listening to the conversation.  He's not interested in being the center of attention so it came as a little bit of a shock when, a few years ago, he started reaching out to the men he served with.  He would spend hours and hours on the phone reconnecting with them.  Then Dad and Mom started attending annual reunions all over the country that one of the men in the unit organized.  A few years ago Dan and I had the opportunity to attend a reunion and we've met several of the men that Dad served with.  It is nothing short of incredible what these men have given of themselves for each of us.  I feel blessed and thankful each time I see or hear from one of them or their family.

Two and a half days of my week this week were spent in Madison while my dad underwent surgery at the Veteran's Administration (VA) Hospital to have two of his four parathyroid glands removed.  Two bonus points for anyone reading who knew what a parathyroid gland was.  Two extra bonus points if you knew there were four of them or as Dan like to say a pair of a pair of parathyroid glands.  Anyway... I've been to government run facilities before, the DMV, post office, etc... and I kind of dread going there.  Add that to the stories that surfaced a few years ago about the VA hospitals and let's just say I was a little sketchy about Dad having surgery there.

I was completely wrong.

The hospital was as I imagined it would be.  It's a large facility that is crammed full of people, equipment and activity.  The space may be limited but the staff really makes the most of it.  The building was clean and well maintained.  The rooms were comfortable and the accommodating.  Everyone that we talked to, both hospital staff and other patient's family members were tremendously kind and welcoming.  We were able to ask what seemed like endless questions and I never, not even once, got the feeling that the doctor was in a hurry and needed to rush off because there was something or someone more important waiting.  The thing that struck me the most was that anyone who came to see him, from nurses to aides to doctors all said one important thing to him before they walked away. 

Thank you for serving.

In this holiday season remember those who have loved ones serving or have lost loved ones in the service.  I know I will. 

Oh, and to my dad and the other guys he served with.  Thank you for serving.

Imitation is - well it's delicioius!

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I have an older sister, Brenda, who I have always looked up to.  Brenda has done an amazing job of managing her weight and she runs half marathons which makes me a little jealous but mostly uber proud.  Anyway, I have always looked up to my big sister and a couple of years ago Dan and I were at Brenda and Alex's house and they were telling us about this program they were part of called Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). 

Essentially, local farms sell a 'share' of the farm.  You, as the shareholder, get a portion of what they grow.  I thought this was really cool so I looked into it the night we got home but I missed the deadline to sign up for that year.  So, I checked it out again this spring and found one that looked like they delivered a good variety of produce.  The farm is called Angelic Organics and it is located in Caledonia, IL.  I also did a quick google search on the farm and the CSA and I couldn't find any negative comments about it.  So, we signed up for a 12-week share of vegetables and a 6-week share of fruit.

This meant that beginning in August every week we pick up a box of vegetables and every other week we also pick up a box of fruit.  The farm that we use delivers a bunch of boxes all over the area and even into Chicago.  This was one of the selling points for me, convenience!  In addition to that nifty convenience, our CSA writes a blog post for each vegetable delivery and each fruit delivery so that you can know what you're getting.  They also offer a 'trade' box so that if there is something that you don't like you can leave it for someone else and/or take something that someone else has left. 

Our first vegetable and fruit box!!

Before the first week that we picked up food, we received a package in the mail from the CSA.  EUREKA!  The farm wrote a cookbook based on the vegetables they grow and share with their consumers.  Each item has several recipes but it also gives storage instructions and even some interesting stories from the farm.  For those who don't know me well, I love cookbooks.  I love reading them, I love looking at the pictures I really love everything about them.  So, this cookbook was right up my alley and now I was doubly excited to get our first box.

We have been delighted with our vegetables and uber delighted with our fruit.  I've purchased a few other fruit items in addition to what we've gotten in our box and I've always been tremendously disappointed in that fruit.  All of the items we get from our CSA have been so ripe and delicious.  In all of the produce that we've gotten during our time with the farm, we've only had two mis-steps.  The first was a smushed tomato that got in the way of a watermelon and the second was a box of figs that were moldy.  I was disappointed, but the rest of the delivery was fantastic.  I mean, yum times a thousand!

Anyway, this is my way of saying THANK YOU to Brenda and Alex for inspiring us to invest in our neighbors, in their farm, and especially in our health by joining the CSA.  If you can join a CSA, you should really consider it.  The produce you'll receive is way better than what you can find in the local grocery store.

Do you have any interest in joining a CSA?  You should probably check them out now because if you wait until spring it might be too late.  You can start your search for a local CSA here.  If you're currently a member or you join one I'd love to hear your thoughts on your experience.  I'd also love to hear any recipes that you've whipped up as a result of your fresh vegetables.