Muffintop Metldown {v.5}

Progress, Points & Travel
No Pics this week!  Tune in Next week for progress pictures!

Progress Report:

Weight Lost Gain This Week: 1 pound

Total Weight Lost: 7 pounds

Points Earned:

Month of January: 307

I finally arrived in deep South Texas!  My sister asked me, before booking my ticket there, whether or not this trip was going to have a negative impact on my current goals.  I confidently said, "No."  While I'd be kidding myself to think there won't be any temptation, I have watched my hard work and commitment pay off, and after a little over three weeks, I'm pretty hooked!  I'm not saying it is going to be easy to stick with everything, but I did come up with a plan before going, so I'd like to share that with you today.  

I know that I show a 1 pound gain this week, but I have to admit, I have no idea why.  I kept up with workouts, have been eating well and the only thing I slacked on was water consumption.  I'm not discouraged at all though, I know that we all have our plateau weeks.  I'm actually thrilled because I am supposed to receive my first 4 weeks of Medifast meals tomorrow, which means I can begin resetting my metabolism Saturday.  I also have the use of a treadmill, which I can't wait to use tomorrow.  I have one hiccup though, I have no scale to weigh-in for the next two weeks! Eeeek!  I'm going to deal with it, and hopefully this means I will have a fantastic weigh-in on the 23rd.  Look for a more thorough update next week, I'll still measure inches and take pictures.

My tips for travel:

1.  Being realistic doesn't mean accepting failure is certain.  I can't tell you how many times I've allowed myself to fall into the trap of thinking that failure was inevitable due to the "holidays" or "vacation" or "this special event."  Instead of this mindset I have decided to recognize that I will be tempted, I may not have all the same options available, but I can still make good choices that won't set me off course.  Instead of saying, "Well, I'm on vacation, I might as well live it up" I am choosing to say, "I will take each meal as it comes and evaluate my options to make the healthiest decision possible."  Instead of saying, "Well, I'm on vacation, I'll be happy if I workout a few times while I am there" I am choosing to say, "Exercise is a part of my every day life, I will remain active, and find time to get in a minimum 20 minute workout every other day."

2.  The choice is still mine.  I don't have to make bad choices, even while away from home.  It is really empowering to me to know that I am fully equipped to turn away from temptation.  I can say "no" because I've been practicing it over the last month.  I can also say "yes" in a way that won't undermine my goals.  I can choose to say yes to a smaller sized portion of something that is "bad" for me.  And appreciate it all the more! 

3.  Preparation is key.  I've mentally prepared myself for this three week trip, and found it would be the perfect time to start my short Medifast program, eating will be no problem because I've taken the guesswork out of it.  I've also discussed options for exercise ahead of time (sister has a treadmill…no excuses!) and will be bringing my computer with easily streamed workouts.  I've considered the temptations I may encounter, and have resolved to stick with my goals because no food item is more valuable to me than reaching my healthy goal weight and being in optimal shape.

This Week:

I'm proud of these choices:

The  right stuff:  I am thriving on the vegetable-lean protein heavy diet, balanced by small amounts of whole grains, fruits and dairy.  I really feel good about my eating.  And my portion sizes are better.

Consistent workouts: I'm hooked!  And I can't wait to start running again while in Texas!

I'd like to work more on:

Water consumption: I slacked a bit this week.

Doing my physical therapy exercises a minimum of once per day.

Cutting down to 1 cup of coffee a day {I'm getting there! Not kidding myself after all!}.

I totally cheated when:

I totally indulged on a deluxe cheeseburger and fries from Five Guys at the airport yesterday!

How did you do this week?

Missed the last update? V.4, V.3, V.2, V.1

**I am not a certified expert on nutrition or exercise, so please, do your homework/research, and as always consult your physician before making major lifestyle changes that include diet/exercise!**

Time Away...

I have arrived at my first unsettling encounter with blogging discouragement.  Its okay, I'm not weeping in to my pillow or anything {yet}.  I'm just a bit surprised at how a few really minor interactions have me a bit down about the prospect of blogging.

Specifics aren't even worth mentioning, and I am sure that this little uneasy feeling in my stomach will go away in the next day or two, but it has got me thinking and re-evaluating my goals for this blog this year.  Working with people, especially via email and not in real life is tricky and can be difficult.  I find myself sometimes worried about things that are well out of my control and trivial in terms of real life or even real success.

I am grateful for this moment to have arrived though.  I must be doing something right, as I've heard of similar experiences time and time again.  The timing couldn't be better really.  I am about to leave tomorrow for Texas, to visit my dear sister and her family, as she welcomes her third beautiful child into our world.  I will be bringing Zion, but sans husband for three weeks.

I have connected with a really great group of ladies to share on various topics while I am away, and I'll pop in with my weekly weight loss updates, my pinning series and weekly recaps of the week's adventures.  I hope to have some time to stay up to date with everything you have going on as well, and look forward to jumping back in refreshed in three weeks time!  Wow…three whole weeks!

See you soon friends!

{Top 5} Reasons Everything {REALLY} Is Better in the PNW!

For those of you who missed my guest post on Amanda's blog, I'm reposting this here!  I couldn't pass up the opportunity to share my love of the PNW (again)s and didn't want you to miss out.

If you're familiar with my story, you know that I grew up in the Seattle area.  It is where my "crunchy granola" roots originate from.  One thing you will learn about me after knowing me only a short while is that I firmly and unwaveringly believe that everything in life is better in the Pacific Northwest.

Get cozy and top off your coffee for this {top 5} post…speaking of coffee:

Reason number {1} the best Organic, free trade coffee in America.  Local coffee houses filled with locally roasted beans, aromatic brews and rich dark flavors that not even the snobbiest of coffee aficionados can deny.  We are not talking Starbucks here friends…and don't get me started on Tully's or Seattle's best.  We're talking the wood-floored, rustic, artsy-fartsy coffee brewhouses that are worth the extra 5 minute drive in rush hour traffic to fuel that much needed good-morning buzz.  I mean, even the infamous "Twin Peaks" features a quaint little PNW diner serving up a "Damn fine cup of coffee."

My favorite coffee place in Washington?  Victor's Celtic Coffee in Redmond.  Add it to your list to visit, when you go (and trust me, after you get finished reading this post…it will be hard not to plan a trip!)

The best time of year to visit is late July or August, in my humble opinion.  You can be sure to enjoy this next benefit of life in the PNW:  PERFECT SUMMERS.

Reason number {2} 100 days of sunshine.  When I think back to my many years spent hibernating the Winters, shielding myself from rainy Springs and Falls, it does not  at all taint my glorious memories of Summertime.  The familiar, often played out favorite, "I Can See Clearly Now" brings me fondly back to Summers filled with rock & bridge jumping, sunbathing at Alki Beach and camping/hiking adventures in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.  Most Summers are mild, temperatures rarely reaching above 90, the humidity is trivial and there is less than an inch of rain per month in July and August.   Basically, consider yourself given the greatest secret about Seattle…the Summers.

It only gets better.  While you may have heard about the notorious never-ending rain showers, I challenge you to think of the positive side of this: lush, green vegetation.

Reason number {3} climate = perfect grounds for locally grown organic bounties year round.  It isn't just the Farmer's market, or the green grass growing everywhere, there are so many different climate zones in Washington state, that you can have a taste for everything.  All year long.  We have deserts to the East, mountains all over the state, hundreds of lakes, we even have a rainforest in the West which is like walking into an enchanted scene from Lord of the Rings.

Did I mention that Seattle is ranked the 8th best city to live in with a family by Parenting magazine? With all the trees, just think of the freshness of the air that you breathe!  I can tell you that I never once suffered from allergies until I moved across the country to dirty NYC.

Reason number {4} Bodies of water - lakes, rivers, ocean, Puget Sound - provide one of the best treats of the region - SALMON.  Wild, fresh, bright pink salmon.  If you have never eaten wild salmon from the Pacific Ocean, and not just Alaskan (although, it is easier and less expensive to get there)…you are totally missing out.  I balk at the Atlantic salmon they try to sell to me in stores here in Manhattan.  And then there is Dungeness crab…are you kidding me…you have never had it?  Basically, I rarely eat seafood here in NYC because I have been disappointed so many times {in other words I'm spoiled and a seafood snob}.  My mouth is watering just writing about it.  And I could go on and on and on about the health benefits of salmon, but I digress.

If I haven't sold you on at least a visit, let me finish with some of my favorite pictures I've taken over the last several visits home.

Reason number {5} This.  THIS.

So, are you packing your bags yet?  There are so many more things I could mention, but this post has to end for now.

Fall Firsts - Part II: Pumpkin Patch + Corn Maze

This is my Wordless{ish} Wednesday.  :) Enjoy!

Silly Pumpkin Faces

We have a winner!

We actually got lost in the corn maze, 6 adults and 1 toddler, we left via the entrance, lol.

We finished the day at Coogan's Restaurant in Washington Heights…that burger was massive!

Let's Connect! XO, Courtney

       

Fall Firsts - Part I: Apple Picking!

This year, we've decided to nix our usual holiday travel plans:  Thanksgiving in Ohio, Christmas in Seattle.  We've been all over the place the last couple of years and its time for us to take a break.  In order to make the most of this decision we've made plans to do things around NYC that we have never done before.  Instead of focusing on how we'll be missing out on our family traditions, we've broadened our horizons to participate in local traditions, and we'll be creating some of our own traditions as well.

I am so happy that my in-laws came out for a visit this past weekend, together we were able to do a lot of things we'd never done before.  So without  any further delay, I present to you a short series of posts which I will call "Fall Firsts."

We left bright and early from our place in Washington Heights, with a bounty of fancy coffee drinks, fresh baked cinnamon rolls and banana muffins, and headed over to the GW Bridge into New Jersey.  The drive was stunning, even in Jersey you can find beautiful red, orange and gold leaved trees lining the highway.  About an hour and some change later, we arrived at Stonyhill Farm & Gardens in Chester, NJ.

Apple picking was a blast, not only did we experience this very traditional NYC annual pilgrimage, we were able to bring our best friends and my lovely in-laws.  The weather was gorgeous, maybe slightly too warm, but not worth a complaint.  Zion had a great time, and I think we must of all heard, "Ahhh-pull" or "Aaahpuh-pie" a million times, plus as an added bonus she got to ride in a little red wagon for the first time.  :)

Stonyhill also had a wonderful farmers market with apple cider donuts, hot and cold apple cider and other delightful items.  After buying 10lbs of apples, I couldn't wait to get home and make my first apple pie using this fantastic recipe I found.  And it turned out DELICIOUS!!

Are you staying home this holiday season?  What local traditions do you enjoy?

XO,

Let's Connect!

       

Body for God: Couch-to-5k in 9 Weeks

I've decided to do a 9 week program to get back into running.  I mentioned in my previous post, I have had a lot of injuries this year, due to thinking I am invincible starting out too hard and fast, and not giving my body enough time to adjust to new routines.
I was browsing training programs and stumbled upon this guide here.  I have a hard time accepting that this is where I am at, because I honestly do not enjoy running under 3 miles.  I am more of a distance runner, in fact, I love running 6 or more miles at a time.  I now understand that in order to get back there, I have to take baby steps or I'll be benching it yet again, waiting for my injury to heal.
The thing I love about this particular 5k training program is that it only requires 3x a week.  That is less than half of the days, which seems like less pressure to get out and run.  Time won't be so much of an issue either, 20-30 minutes per workout is all that it takes.  
I have to get my jiggly-self outside (rain or shine) and do it this week, or I'll likely be faced with the "it's too cold outside" dilemma.  If I can get back to an addictive 3+miles a run before the brutal chill of winter, there is a very good chance I will be in crazy-running-addict-mode enough to run in the 20 degree tundra that I expect will be hitting by December.
If I get my way, next fall I will run my first marathon, in Chicago!  I've been dreaming of running that 26.2 mile race for the last couple of years.  (Not to mention visiting Chicago, which I hear has some serious foodie-friendly restaurants!)  
What are your fitness goals for the fall and the winter?  Do you want to try the 9 week program? 
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