And so it goes…

I did nothing that I had planned on doing yesterday.  No taxes and no working on the website.  Of course ~ Snow storm = ROAD TRIP!  Kerri and I heard that up in North Jersey by where I work they got NO snow…NOTHING!  So we decided that we would take a trip up there and go to the Whole Foods Supermarket.  We had the most perfect day.  We strolled around the mall and I found tech shirts on sale at Old Navy for $ 5 .00 !! Jack pot!

After the mall we made our way to Whole Foods.  HEAVEN ! For those who don’t know about whole foods.  It’s a huge grocery store that sells all Natural and Organic products.  PLUS ~ it had wine and beer, which isn’t the norm here in Jersey.  BONUS!   I thought since I’ve been dieing to go here, let me bring my camera and document my first Whole Foods Experience.   When we first walked in, we spotted the big display of crazy salts and sugars.

First and LAST picture

I hadn’t even finished eyeing up the shot, when  a Whole Foods worker came over and said ” I’m sorry…UNFORTUNATLEY you aren’t able to take pictures here at Whole Foods.”    Ummmm….ok, we were just admiring your nice display of sugar and salts.  So that was it for the pictures.   Good thing my baby is a rebel and doesn’t really care and snapped my favorite shot…the Beer sign

After we were reprimanded we discovered the sweet smell of Ginger! We followed the smell right over to the Fresh Juice bar!  They had huge batches of fresh juices.  We opted for the Carrot, Apple and Ginger. Yum !!  As Ker handed me our healthy drink, she whispered ” this should definitely help you!”  ( she knows I’ve been having some…ummm…elimination fiber issues.)  Well….you would’ve thought it would help~ NOPE still waiting…and sipping on my 3rd cup of coffee as I write this…with high hopes!

After more poking around we found the exotic chocolate section.  A whole wall of different kinds of organic chocolate bars from all over.  I knew that I would find my special chocolate bar that Jorge ( Belly Fat Cure ) recommended.  Yep ~ I found it ! Jorge just forgot to mention that it tastes like shit not like the chocolate I’m used to.  The sweet mouth melting, milky chocolate that brings orgasmic chills in desperate times. ( usually around the 5th of every month. ) Instead I could’ve just grabbed the bar of semi sweet bakers chocolate that has been buried in the back of one of my  cabinets and had the same experience.

In case of emergency...

Soooo many great things at Whole foods.  My greatest love ~ PASTA.  They have a whole section of fresh pastas that they will even cut for you the way you want them.  They had everything…some special ravioli made with Merlot wine pasta! WHAT?? Wine pasta..hell yea!   How did I walk out of there with NO PASTA or blocks of exotic cheeses, I will never know!   I did however find some fresh multi-grain pizza dough …..So we will be making a homemade pizza this week!  :)

We made it out of Whole Foods with a bill of only $ 15.00 ! How the hell we did that I will never know.  But we were very proud of ourselves………until what happened next.  ” It’s getting late are you getting hungry?”  Kerri = ” yea, I could go for something.  Let’s just grab something on the way home.”   Me =  ” Ok…sounds good…I know just the place..”

not my picture...but wanted you to get the idea..

White Manna is famous in Jersey.  It’s been forever since we have had a burger…and mini sliders make them seem not so bad.  The place is teeny tiny, with a small little grill.  The guy cooking is totally the burger Nazi.  ” NEXT !” ~ you yell your order out ( and it BETTER be in the correct way!! ) and move aside.  ” 4 2 – with cheese, onions and pickles”  Nazi = ” Nooooooooo……! YOU tell me what goes on the grill, I don’t do the pickles! ”  Me = ” ummm, yes of course…sorry. Just cheese and onion. ”    When the following couple came in and started to order I thought the world might end.  Couple = ” 6 burgers, with ketchup, mustard, and pickles…….”   Nazi = ” NOOOOOOOOOO!  You tell me cheese and onions.. YES or NO! That’s IT !”       I thought for sure it was going to be a ” NO BURGERS FOR YOU!” moment.  I’m getting stressed again, just writing this….but it’s all part of the experience.

So now it’s Sunday and of course we have so much to do….yet I sit here and blog.  Luckily the sun is out and we might just not have to snow blow or shovel or anything.   Thank you Sunshine!  I did manage to make the corn/bean dip for the Super Bowl party later tonight.

And now I’m off to the gym !……Happy Sunday

Snowed in Saturday..

” Some of the worlds greatest feats were accomplished by people not smart enough to know they were impossible.”

-Doug Larson

Today is a snowy Saturday here in Jersey and so far I’m loving it !! Except the part where I forgot to get gas for the snow blower.  Because a weeks notice that we were getting a  blizzard just wasn’t enough time for me.  Either way it was an adventure hitting the roads this morning and on the positive side of things…we had all of the roads to ourselves.

We went shopping last weekend in Smithville and picked up some carmel toffee coffee.  I’m making love to it as we speak.  HEAVEN ! Today is the perfect day to be productive.  Do our taxes maybe, and work on my website.   I haven’t shared my website with my fellow bloggers as of yet… because it’s very much in the beginning stages.  But as I was thinking and planning this morning of things I want to work on within the site….I realized that some of the best motivation and advice I get are from some of my blogging friends.  Who better to ask for suggestions? First maybe I should explain what I’m trying to accomplish with my site.

I want to build this site to eventually be a place where people can go for motivation and to build a local “get fit community.”  One of the things that I have experienced being overweight is the feeling of being out of place in certain situations.  Group exercise classes, running in public, even going to the gym..etc…So I want to build a community, where things can be planned such as group exercise type of things…maybe every Saturday morning…hikes, walks..whatever…where people can come and not feel intimidated.  A place where friendships can be built and struggles can be shared.  It doesn’t have to be a FAT club….but people of all fitness levels can get out there and improve without feeling out of place.  Does that make ANY sense?  The website would eventually become a place to go for fitness and food ideas…motivation.  I would love to hear ANY suggestions.  The good, bad or ugly > I’m totally open for improvement.

So if you have a moment please check out www.phatgirlrunning.com If you do have any thoughts and would rather email them instead of posting…that’s fine.  Please email me at  phatgirlrunning@gmail.com

Random thoughts and admissions..

This week I feel like a pregnant lady.  I’m tired and hungry~ constantly this week.  I’m trying to be as good as I possibly can..or at least as good as my  ” you will go insane if you don’t have some damn chinese food” mind will allow.  I will also admit that I have not worked out since…Monday!  It’s been so long since that I almost couldn’t even remember.  I’m going to really strive to get my ass there tonight.  I HATE going in the evening, but that’s what my lazy ass gets!

I don’t have any real topics today…but I do have many thoughts rolling around in my head.  So why not share my insane in the membrane blurbs?

~ I had pasta for the first time on Sunday in over a month! With my past pasta addiction issues, I’m surprised that I don’t miss it more.

~ I keep thinking about my awesome chicken tacos that I made for dinner last night.

~ Ever start losing weight and feel your body changing? I will lay in bed some nights and feel my hips and realize that they aren’t as bumpy full as they once were. I’m constantly feeling my face for less fat, and more definition.  But it’s always even a bigger surprise when I look in the mirror and realize that I really haven’t physically changed that much and don’t look anything close to the image in my mind….

~ I often wonder how Spring might throw a wrench into my life, since I’m just starting to get into my new routine.  With Spring comes golf…I need longer days!

~ This whole 2012, and threats of terroist attacks in the next 3-6 months scares the shit out of me.

~ I love the hell out of this woman …and this is the major reason why: because she makes me smile like no other!

~ Wonders if a 1/2 marathon is bey0nd my body..because I know it’s not beyond my will..

~  Needs to find a good low carb, low sugar fiber source..

~ Wonders if she wins a giveaway on a blog, if the person contacts me or do I have to constantly check back??

~ Re-discovered raw Broccoli as an afternoon snack….mmmmm.

~ Is super pissed, a little frustrated that as the leader of her companies Biggest Loser contest, and one of the one’s who need to lose the most weight….how am I losing the least??? And I’m being good!! Maybe I’m not eating enough!? ( excluding this week!! )

~ Thinks her chinese salad might be releasing it’s fiber benefits…………………….to be cont.

Back from the GYM bitches…  ;)      I think some people might take me a little too literally sometimes.  Don’t think I’m over here feeling sorry for myself or by any means thinking about giving up…ha! Not a chance …this IS my year! It’s already written in the books.

Blogs my brain..

Why didn’t anyone ever tell me that blogging would become all consuming?  Am I the only one who walks around all day long, passing ideas through the  yay or nay section of my brain?  Mmmmm….this tuna fish wrap looks delicious..wish I had a camera to take a picture of it.  Besides the ramblings that are called my thoughts, there is another whole role of blogging which I hadn’t realized when I first started.  The blogging popularity list..aka blog roll. Of course there are blogs that I need to stop by every day because I love reading them…..but then there are others where I’m trying to generate some damn feedback~ leave a few crumbs behind to have them follow me back to MY nest.  I won’t lie…I’m like a little kid anticipating Christmas morning wondering if I’ve made anybody’s blog roll.  Am I the only one who is constantly checking this out? I understand <<<< ( couldn’t get my damn strike through button to turn off in this spot!! sorry ) that some of my fellow bloggers have such a huge following that it is hard to respond to many….but damn it~ don’t make me take you off my blog roll!

Really??

3 lbs?? Really?? I f*ckin love being a woman! With all the glory and power it brings…I just love it! …about as much as a kick in the face! Ok…so maybe I’m being a little over the top.  Maybe I’ve had a horrible day.  Maybe….no…most definetley my co-workers are thanking their personal gods in the sky that today is over.   But really? 3 lbs ? What did I do to deserve that laughing scale this morning? I was sweet as pie this morning~ my day hadn’t even begun, and that’s what the damn scale shoves in my face! No matter how many times I tried to prove that stupid thing wrong…even on the 4th time of stepping on it, the number didn’t budge a smidge.  It’s at moments like that when accuracy is so over rated!

Once the medication kicks in and I stop breathing fire, I will update on how January was over all.  The idea that I’ve been staying strong, and working hard for a WHOLE month is a huge accomplishment for me.  This IS the year~ my bitchy, water retained body will be sexy one day! I promise you!! Keep on Keepin on!!

Saturday night dinner…

Kerri ( my beloved ) and I enjoyed a nice Saturday evening in.  Cheaper, Safer, and more comfortable.  My favorite type of evening.   She enjoyed some new wine that a friend had given us, and I my Amber Michelob Ultra.  I’m trying to watch those damn carbs! We cooked dinner together which I’ve said before, I think is just the most romantic thing.  I love it! We made a new Pureed Cauliflower recipe that is Belly Fat Cure good, and it also is just a great replacement for mashed potatoes.

It’s so simple to make, and it absolutely delicious!!  I didn’t miss my butter slathered mashed potatoes at all.  You Just throw a head of cooked cauliflower, 1/4 cup of parmesan cheese, a clove of garlic, and a tablespoon of butter into a food processor, and WA LA !

Our pureed cauliflower with a baked rosemary, garlic pork chop …yum, yum. Who the hell misses going out to Carabbas and stuffing their faces with warm bread and a pound of pasta?? Not me.

I have a special friend getting ready to visit..   and I don’t know what it is about her visits, but I go insane!!! Cranky bitchy! Whenever I prepare for her visits I always seem to work up such an appetite. Ughhhhh! I’ve been eating like a pig this weekend.  Nothing “bad”….but just huge amounts.  I’m constantly hungry!  Ohhhh….I did discover this weekend that I like Hummus.  Wow~ who would have thought?  Anyway…the whole point of this revealing was that I’m damn scared to step on the scale tomorrow.  Ughhh~ I can only imagine!!!!!

Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend!

Plan your work and work your Plan…

I love that old phrase! ” Plan your work, and work your plan.”  Straight to the point, simple and effective!   It’s so hard to get to where you want to go without some idea, some type of map on how to get there.  I know for myself that the weeks that I’m the most effective are the ones that I have planned for the best.  Whether that’s at work, my meals for the week, or my exercise plans…I will always get the most out of those planned days.

I figured I have been throwing around my grand plan of the September 1/2 marathon that I better get my ass in gear and start training.  I know that I  have a shit load bit more work to do than the average runner since I’m OBESE bigger than average, and well….I’m not really a runner.  So yea….I better get this ass moving!!! I’m going to follow Jeff Galloways 1/2 marathon training program, that can be found here : http://www.jeffgalloway.com/training/half_marathon.html

It’s a 19 week program, and since I have the time….and NEED it, I’m going to repeat the first few weeks.  I would love to hear any suggestions from my fellow running bloggers.

It’s crazy how good I feel about this year…almost to the point where I’m afraid that I’m going to jinx it by saying that. In the past I never gave the Nike slogan ” JUST DO IT”  too much thought.  But I honestly ~ get it now.  Just do it….just get off your ass and do it ! Make it Happen!

Good points..

This was in an article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer a few years back.

To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I’ve ever written.

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.

8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.

12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Overprepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ‘In five years, will this matter?’

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone for everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.

35. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative — dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.

Slacker…..

Sorry, I haven’t posted on here in a few days.  I was in Pa. for a meeting the last two days.  I have to say I always feel so good and re-energized when I come back from our beginning of the year sales/operation meetings.  I get excited and newly motivated about new goals, and my brain gets flooded with different ideas and plans.  I really do love it.  It doesn’t hurt that I love the people I work with, and the people I work for.  I wonder how many people can truly say that they love what they do, and the company they do it for?

After the meeting we all went out to dinner and then most of us staying at the hotel went to the hotel bar/club for MANY a couple of drinks.  $ 1.00 drinks….can be dangerous!   Not only did I spend hardly any $$$, but I also had a great time.   Wonder how much this fun is going to show up on the scale??

One statement that the owner/president of the company said that stuck in my head was ” Refuse to be Average!”.  It’s a small statement that really carries a lot of weight.  He said it…and I felt it.  I felt the connection of that simple statement click with many of my goals for the year.  If I…If all of us just REFUSE to be average in all that we do…what kind of heights can we reach?  Do we even know?   “Refuse to be average”….that makes me think of a Mark Twain quote…( I’m such a sucker for quotes ) .

” Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.  So throw off the bowlines.  Sail away from the safe harbor.  Catch the trade winds in your sails.  Explore. Dream. Discover.”

So I’m challenging myself…and you to REFUSE TO BE AVERAGE!  To jump into each and every day demanding nothing less from ourselves in everything we do.  In work, in friendships, in love…and in dreams.  Step outside of our comfort zones and dare to succeed! I truly believe in doing this, we have nothing to lose….but only the possibility of avoiding many regrets!

Refuse to be average….!

Comfy as home?…

….not  yet!  But I will admit that with each day that I go to the gym I feel more and more like I belong.  I know that might sound corky but I don’t know how else to say it.  I’m enjoying the familiarity of the faces and knowing mostly what to expect in the early mornings there.   I’m still staying in my safety zone as of yet.  You know the usual staples for fatties…the treadmill, the bike and the weight machines.  I haven’t gotten the courage to venture to the free weight section as of yet.  But I will……after I ride my new groove for a bit longer.

.

Then there’s the other dreaded section…where the fit bitches , nice ladies like to do their ab workouts.

Luckily for me at 4:00 in the morning there are only a few of us there, and today I was actually thinking ” I might just go over on that mat and do some sit-ups right here in front of everyone! ….then I thought again…” ummm, maybe next time. I REALLY need to get these arm curls in! ”

I know that it won’t be long and I will be floating around that gym like I own it.  Everyday is a new day…and you never know maybe tomorrow I will be rolling around on that big bouncy ball myself.  But even if I don’t make it to the meat head free weight section, I will still be there working up a sweat!!!

“You have a choice.  You can throw in the towel, or use it to wipe the sweat off of your face.”