You've Got a Friend in Me

[Toy Story]

Got this in the mail today...

Ya... Chocolate. Coconut. [Natural]. Peanut Butter!

What could be better? Uh.. nothing.

Thank you to Wild Friends Nut Butter for sponsoring team #highnuun!

PB & J's saved me at Ragnar Wasatch Back. It's a necessity to have at Ragnar CO.

You can order your own here.

And don't forget to follow Erika & Keeley, you'll fall in love with them and their PB recipes!

Facebook: Wild Friends Nut Butter

Twitter: @2wildfriends

Instagram: @wild_friends

Can't wait to try this out after my 10-miler in the A.M! I'll let you know what I think... 

...but, I suspect I'll love this. I haven't met a coconut item I didn't like.

Erase Me

[Ben Folds Five]

So part of my getting back on the healthy wagon, is to shed a few pounds and get my weight back in order.

I've tried a lot of diets over the years. Surprise, surprise -- none of them are sustainable.

But, for me, eating what I want but keeping a food journal DOES work. I end up eating healthier in portion size and nutritional value. And it's been mostly sustainable.

I've mentioned Lose it! before, but I've never discussed HOW I use the app. So here's the run down:

1. Download the [free] Lose It! app

2. Weigh yourself

3. Enter your weight into the app and enter your goal weight.


The app will calculate your calorie allotment based on your weight and how many pounds per week you want to lose.

Goals > Modify Program > My Plan

However, since I've been studying Nutrition in school and personally, I've found that the calculation they have exceeds the Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). [BMR is the amount of calories your body burns per day, in a rested state.] By using the Lose It! number the actual weight loss you see won't match the goal number they provide -- causing frustration after self-control and dedication to using the app.

But, luckily, you can calculate this number and alter the app, so that you can see success.

Because it's a GREAT app!

How to do the alteration:

4. Reset your goal back to "Maintain current weight"

Goals > Modify Program > My Plan

5. Calculate your [at rest] Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) using the following calculation.

• Women: BMR = 655 + (4.35 x weight in pounds) + (4.7 x height in inches) - (4.7 x age in years)
• Men: BMR = 66 + (6.23 x weight in pounds) + (12.7 x height in inches) - (6.8 x age in years)

My BMR = 1381.35

6. Multiply the BMR number by your job/daily activity [don't include workouts]

• Sedentary (desk jobs): BMR x 1.2
• Lightly active (standing jobs): BMR x 1.375
• Moderately active (heavy lifting jobs): BMR x 1.55
• Very active (personal trainers): BMR x 1.725
• Extra active (professional athletes): BMR x 1.9

My Activity BMR = 1657.62

7. Subtract your BMR from the "Maintenance" calorie budget Lose It! provided.

1890-1657.62 = 232.38

8. Adjust your calorie budget by this number.

Goals > Modify Program > Daily Calorie Budget
>Adjustment

 9. Lastly, update your plan to the number of pounds you want to lose per week.

Goals > Modify Program > My Plan

IMPORTANT NOTE: notice the disclaimer in the screenshot below. It is unhealthy to go under 1200 calories per day. I could list all the reasons... but maybe that's another post for another day. Just please don't go there. It will mess you up...

That's it.. you are on your way towards your goal. And guess what?! It's not that far fetched... I am sure of it, with Lose It! I've lost 20 pounds and 6% body fat using it.

How does technology help you stay on track? Do you use a food journal?

Help team #highnuun get to Ragnar Colorado!

Vote daily through August 9th!

http://gotchocolatemilk.com/team-refuel/high-noon

Sad Beautiful Tragic

[Taylor Swift]

Spudman...

What can I say about Spudman?

It was... hmm.. interesting? lonely? tough? reassuring? disappointing? strengthening?

Basically.. it was all over the place. An emotional rollercoaster.

It's one of those races I am glad to have behind me.

Don't get me wrong. I enjoyed myself... mostly. But, I had a number of hurdles to jump through to finish.

1. For one reason or another, I ended up taking the 3 hour drive to Burley, ID to stay and compete alone.

2. I didn't have a tent or anything, so I slept -- rather uncomfortably -- in my car. [Luckily, I was so tired that it ended up not mattering.]

3. The pinky toe wasn't healed. Ya... ugh. The biggest UGH of them all. It didn't impact my swim and run much, but my running was S-L-O-W. It wasn't even the toe so much. I was compensating for the hurt with my ankle, which caused WORSE hurt. So I had to back off to prevent REAL injury.

4. I didn't take the day off to drive up there, so I was late coming from work. I rushed to dinner and then to setup my bike transition. Since I was in a hurry, I forgot to setup my Garmin watch. Decided I'd go back in the morning, but never made it there.

5. The morning of the race, I was running to start line zipping my wetsuit. And just barely had time to ask a girl to zip it up after it got caught on my singlet.

6. I didn't get on the podium... [failed New Year's resolution].

But....

1. I had a great swim. Learned a couple new things for the next race, too.

2. My bike was -- for me-- amazing. I am NOT a cyclist. It's my weak area. But, I kept nearly a 18mph pace! Incredible for me.

3. I finished the run under an hour, even with the injuries.

4. Overall I PR'ed by about 10 minutes!

5. I was reminded that I am independent and can make it on my own.

6. There was accomplishment in just getting there, starting the race, finishing each leg, and then crossing the finish line. So much, that I broke down in tears.

Life was trying to break me. But, I am in control of my life. And I'm not giving into the hard times. I am positive about the future and know, from experiences like this, that I can get through and fight whatever comes my way. I love when running can teach you those lessons.

“I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!” -Dr. Seuss

What lessons have you learned from/while running?

Help team #highnuun get to Ragnar Colorado!

Vote daily through August 9th!

http://gotchocolatemilk.com/team-refuel/high-noon

Pictures

[Cheryl Crow & Kid Rock]

I finally uploaded the pictures for my lengthy post, Rollercoaster. If you so feel interested, hop over there.

And, because I'm being lazy, here are some additional recent photos...

Bacon-Off 

(AKA - Krick's Birthday Party)

Deep Fried Bacon

I hadn't unpacked the kitchen yet...so...
Junior Bacon Cheeseburgers

Hilary's dish...delicious...of course.
Take-5 Brownies with a Carmelized Bacon Topping.

 Dirty Dash

(AKA - Freeze your butt off.)

Paul's 60th Birthday Party

(AKA - The party with amazing food, awesome music, and odd entertainment)

Shortly after Paul arrived.
I just liked this picture of those two.

KC giving Paul one of our gifts.
This was a poster we put together of all 7 porsches that Paul has owned.

Poster.

(Little do you know this is the second round...I missed the picture on the first)

Set Fire to the Rain

[Adele]

This gloomy weather has sure messed up my training schedule. With the race in 12 days that's not the best thing.

This weekend's open water swim didn't happen. I was scheduled for a run and a swim this weekend. I moved the run up to Saturday when rain was forecasted in hopes Sunday would be clear. I ran 8.5 miles after eating Tacotime with the family. I tried to get out of it, but lunch together after our annual garage sale is tradition. So I regretfully caved. It was a horrible, bad, painful idea [the Tacotime, not the garage sale -- I made $60 off my junk]. End of the story: worst run I've had probably this entire year. I just felt heavy and sluggish.

Family photo at the garage sale.
Top to Bottom (L-R): Kels, Hilz, Mom, Oz, Malia, Me, Joff, and Krick
All my siblings, minus Dano.

Sunday, it rained again. SO I decided to move my swim to Monday and move my Yoga up a day. I struggled with that, too. I think I've been eating so well that I was still suffering from my poor choice of food the day before. I had a junk food hangover. My body wasn't having it. But nonetheless, I made it through the hour.

Today, I woke up to blue skies. I packed my swim gear fully planning to hit the Rec center pool after work. The day went on with sunshine. But, as I was leaving work I could see the dark clouds moving in. Not again! Rescheduling for the third time, I pushed my swim back and moved up my speed work run.

However, with the clouds looming the temperatures had dropped to the 80s. I decided rain or not I was taking my speed work outside to take advantage of the cooler weather. I ran my first fartlek run, well my first conscious fartlek...I just learned what this speed session actual entails recently. I also explored a new route, which I rather enjoyed.

The first 3 miles rain drizzled lightly on me. Then it started to rain more. Then pour down. I had water dripping down my face. Off my hands. I was soaked. But I had a great time. I only recall a couple runs in the past where I got this wet. (1) The last long run before my first half-marathon. Remember that run, Nate? We were covered in gnats and sopping wet. Haha. (2) When I used to run with my brother-in-law, Patrick, there was a time or two where we returned home drenched. I recall those runs being miserable. But today, it felt great. I was on fire. (And I am not talking about the record number of honks I got..it was getting kind of silly. If you are looking for some catcalls to boost your self-esteem go for a run in the rain. You'll get more than you can count on your hand.)

Seriously though, after some setbacks this weekend it felt great to dominate the road. I fought the wind and rain and still came out 7.34 miles later with having beat my 10k record time by an entire minute (Old PR exactly 53'00").

(PS - if I haven't said it...I LOVE the new NIKE+ website!)

That's right. I'm killer tough. [Tough isn't usually a word I'd use to describe myself, so I'm taking the opportunity to use it now. You know...while I can.]

Post run.
You can't really tell but I was dripping from head to toe.

Now, I've got my swim training piled up for the next few days....so is it too much to ask for a little sunshine? Pretty please...

ALSO, if you are interested, my stellar sister-in-law Crystal has recently started a fitness blog (eatcleanandtraindirty.blogspot.com). She's done a spotlight on me today. Hop over there to read our Q&A session. And then keep reading the rest of her posts. I really like the conversation about diet vs. regular soda.

On This Night of a Thousand Stars

[Evita - Broadway Cast]

Still on cloud 9 from meeting Ricky Martin (Did you hear I met him? Sorry, I had to...right?), Saturday we boarded a dinner cruise. It was a last minute trip decision. We purchased tickets the night before the trip. I had found a cruise with dinner, dancing, and that hit some major landmarks; including the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, and New York Skyline.

If you remember anything about these blog posts, remember this:

If you go to NYC:

1. GO ON A DINNER CRUISE!

2. SKIP THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING....GO TO THE TOP OF THE ROCK INSTEAD!

[Deep Breath]

You got it?

This is important.

Do you need me to repeat? Dinner Cruise. Top of the Rock.

So the dinner cruise...

So. MUCH. FuN!

We boarded in Chelsea at 7pm. We rushed to get there in time, but we made it there and got our seats.

Bec, Me, Hilz, Katie, and Krick

Sisters in Charge
Me, Hilz, and Krick

Our waitress, Rachel [whom we are all Facebook friends with now] was awesome. She informed us that, yes, there was dancing....[really, the entire reason we all wanted to be there]. Also, she would be performing.

View inside the ship.

Buffet. Which was actually REALLY good.

Mmm. Dessert.
Cheesecake and Chocolate Mousse 

Bec, Hilz, and Me

How often do you get a view like that?

After we ate up, the performances started. With them all being singers, dancer, performers hoping to be on Broadway....the show was incredible. One guy knew the entire "Singles Ladies" dance. I loved it. It was perfect for a girls trip. I think if KC were there he would have died. But for us, it was a hit.

When it was Rachel's turn, she sang "Born This Way" for which us girls hopped onto the dance floor. Up until that point NO ONE was dancing. NO. ONE. 

The DJ got out a feather boa and Rachel gave it to me:

I was dancing around. Shimmying. You know...the boa usual. 

At this point, the "French Man" entered the seen...

He was so DRUNK. He came up, grabbed the boa right off me and then proceeded to steal the show. I couldn't stop laughing. It was funny. NO it was awkward. NO it was funny. Awkward. Funny. Funny. Awkward. I don't know... It was awkwardly funny.

After the song we left the dance floor. Us four (Katie doesn't dance...[shaking head]) weren't going to stick around with the French dude. Rather, we decided to go take in the view on the deck.

Bec, Krick, Katie, Me, and Hilz

Me and Hilz
(sorry, Hilz, for the hair in the face)

Bec, Me, Hilz, and Krick

Bec and Me (with crazy hair again)

When we returned inside, the dance floor was P-A-C-K-E-D. Packed! We cut through and found a spot to dance. And boy did we dance. And dance. And dance. [Even danced to a special request of "Livin' La Vida Loca']

Once we got hot, we went outside again. Perfect timing because we were just hitting the Brooklyn Bridge:

Then we turned back and stopped at the Statue of Liberty:

The night ended with more dancing and a beautiful view of the evening skyline. Have I told you how much I love this city? Because I really, REALLY do.

This is Good

[Ricky Martin]

"Did you hear I met Ricky Martin?"...haha. Is that getting old? [That's a rhetorical question...I am sure it has to be.]

But seriously now, we've covered Ricky [and for those of you who are critics of our love...he's Bi, not gay. I do still have a chance -- wink, wink].

We've also covered Avenue Q and Newsies.

Now let's talk food...mmmMMMmm...foooooooood....

I've been to NYC now 7 times? And you know what? I've never really eaten at local restaurants there. You see I am married to a picky eater. So wherever we go, MCD's it is. Including, in the big apple. [So sad.]

Thus, part of the fun of this trip was going with my sister, Hilz. Owner of Rue de Lis Desserts, cupcake wars champ, and a major foodie. She had a list of restaurants and bakeries she wanted to go to. We tried to fit in as many as possible. We didn't get to everything, but what we did get to was absolutely DELICIOUS!

Here's the rundown of what devoured.

• Creme Brule doughnuts @ Doughnut Plant.

Katie, Hilz, and Krick @ Doughnut Plant

I got both a Coconut Cream & Creme Brulee
[Numm..Numm]

• Pizza @ Lombardi's in Little Italy: My attempts (2) at NYC pizza before this trip were a major let down. But, Lombardi's does it [oooh soooo] right.

Katie, Krick, Me, Hilz, and Bec @ Lombardi's 

Greasy, yummy, goodness. 

• Chicken and Waffles @ Southern Hospitality in Hell's Kitchen

Yep, THAT food was for 5 girls.
--We know how to do it right.--

• Decadent chocolate desserts @ Finacier Bakery

• Coffee Cake @ Bouchon Bakery

• Frozen Hot Chocolate @ Serendipity 

Serendipity

Really cool lighting inside.

Hilz & the massive menu

Hilz & I @ Serendipity

THE Frozen Hot Chocolate
mmmMMMMmmmm

If you go...share....too much for one person.
Me & Krick

• Chicken kabobs & pretzels from a Street Cart

         [Not pictured]

• We also really liked this place next to our apartment called Bread & Butter. We ended up eating there for a couple meals as it was convenient and yummy.

         [Not pictured]

Yaaaa...the pants were for sure tighter after this trip. But, so worth it. Just hitting the gym harder now. 

[How Hilz stays a tiny little thing...beats me! But, I want to know her secret. She's such a babe!...AND...knows how to pick OUTSTANDING restaurants/bakeries. Smart of us to bring her along ;)]