So, Kevin snapped a picture of me as we headed out for our run this morning…
I am sorry to report…I do not look like a Rock Star. 😉
I am pretty much your average, ordinary (poofy at times) Joe.
BUT…and that is a big BUT (pardon the pun)…
…that is why I started this blog.
I am on my way to getting in the best shape of my life.
I’ve always loved healthy food and exercising, but I’ve also always loved (lots) of chocolate chip cookies and other yummy things.
So…I realized I am not getting any younger and the time is NOW for me to take a hold of my life and my health and become what I WANT to be.
So, I will keep on plugging away…keep on eating the healthy food I love…keep on denying myself the crappy food I love too (for now)…and keep on exercising as often as I can.
I hope to motivate others to live a healthy, active life as well.
Then we can all become not-so-average, extraordinary Joe’s together!
That sounds like fun…so let do it!
K?
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So, that’s my pep talk for the day. 😉
Let me tell you about the run we went on this morning…
It was very very very hard.
Probably one of the hardest runs I’ve done in a long time.
It pretty much sucked….and I came home feeling defeated. 🙁
I don’t want to discourage anyone out there, but I also want to “keep it real.”
Yes, I’ve heard there are people out there who love running ALL the time and feel great doing it ALL the time!
I am not one of those people.
In fact, I haven’t had a really great run in a long time and it’s making me MAD!
Auuughhh!
I still love it though….I must be an addict.
Kev and I had intentions of running 5 or so miles this morning and then 5 or so miles tonight so we could prepare for our relay race that’s coming up in 2 weeks.
We headed out this morning much later than we intended to (story of my life), so it was pretty hot.
We also went to bed very late last night (also the story of my life!), so my body was pretty much hatin’ it before we even left.
The whole time I ran, I felt very sluggish and heavy.
Yuck.
I ended up walk/running the last 2 miles.
Lame.
So, needless to say, our run tonight did not happen.
Also lame.
As a runner, it happens sometimes.
I love love love when I have a great run; when I feel the runners “high”.
It is so awesome.
Every time I head out on a run, I am seeking that runner’s high that I love so much…when running feels so effortless and your body and mind can relax and escape for a while.
When you feel like you can just keep running…and running…and running.
It’s the best.
I’m thinking I need to chill.
I have been living the life of a madwoman lately…staying up all hours of the night and never taking time to relax.
I am feeling very very run down.
So, take a tip from me…go to bed at night and take time for yourself to chill every single day!
K, enough about that!
I hope to have a happier running report next time.
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On, to happier things.
I have been enjoying a very yummy protein shake lately. It is quickly becoming my favorite! It almost tastes like a treat…almost. So, here it is!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Protein Shake
1 C. Almond Milk (can sub Skim Milk or Water)
1 scoop Chocolate Protein Powder
1/4 banana (preferably frozen and sliced)
1 T. Natural Peanut Butter
1 T. Cocoa Powder
Pinch Xanthan Gum (optional)
2 handfuls fresh baby spinach (optional)
Ice (more or less depending on the consistency you like)
Mix almond milk, protein powder, banana, peanut butter and cocoa powder in blender.
(Optional) Add Spinach and mix well.
I pretty much add it to every protein shake. You cannot even taste it I promise!!!
However, if it freaks you out…you can omit it!
Add xanthan gum (it helps to make it creamy and smooth!) and mix well.
Add ice and mix until desired consistency.
Enjoy!
So so so yummy!
This shake is GIANT and it is about 300 calories. I would count it as a meal or if you half the recipe, it becomes the perfect pre/post workout snack or just a great snack anytime! It is very filling as well!
I chose to pair it with one of my other favorite snacks, Colby’s Kettle Corn!
It is the bomb…seriously.
In fact, it is so good that I have to portion it out and then eat it. I cannot eat it straight from the bag or I would eat the WHOLE thing! It is only 88 calories for 1 1/2 C. serving! Yay!
Not a bad snack.
Oh, and here’s a little random TIP,
I had 4 bananas sitting on my counter that were quickly becoming too ripe. I sliced them up and froze them for protein shakes.
I bagged one whole banana in each bag. Then I can just eyeball what I need and add it to my shakes! Easy!
Enjoy!
I am going to share my new found treat…PB2. It is REAL peanut butter that comes in powder form and is ONLY 45 calories for 2 T. It cuts back on 85% of the calories and I just add it to my protein shakes. I LOVE IT! Also you can add 1 T. water to 2 T. powder and mix it up and put on your apples or celery or bananas. http://www.bellplantation.com/
I just heard about this recently and wondered if it was any good. I’m going to get some!!! Thanks so much for the tip! 😉 Yum!
Another thing…MEL YOU LOOK FABULOUS! I love the quad muscles in your legs and your calves look awesome! A couple of tips on running to make it feel better…you really do need to make sure you get at least 7 hours of sleep each night or you are right it will catch up to you and wear you down. You also need to make sure that you eat carbs to fuel you for your run…even if it is this great drink CYTOMAX ordered from All Star Health to save a ton of money and get $5.00 shipping on anything. We usually make a big order between friends. Cool citrus is my favorite flavor…http://www.allstarhealth.com/li.aspx?&s=cytomax. Another thing that makes you love to run is to meet friends and just chat the whole time as you run. I will move back one day and we can run together. 🙂
My nice little friend Kelly, you are very sweet. I need you here to teach me all your tricks and rub off all your discipline and motivation on me!!! I love you!!
Oh Melanie, I’m so glad you’re doing this! I finally hired a diet/fitness coach cuz I have been sooo frustrated! I, too, want to be in the best shape of my life. I’m done having babies and I’m 2 1/2 years from 40, times ticking away. So the recipes, and hearing your successes plus frustrations is soo comforting and inspiring. Thanks for doing this! And you look AWESOME by the way, not average! But, honestly, I don’t know that you ever saw how gorgeous you are. And you are my dear!!
Thank you so much Amy! You are such a sweet friend! Being healthy and fit is freaking hard and I know it only gets harder as we age! Dang! I wish you lived closer and we could motivate each other! I love and miss you so much!!!
Melanie- This is diane and I just have to say that I am totally digging the blog! I love it! You do such a good job posting fun, yummy, motivational ideas. You Rock!
Yay Diane! I’m so glad you like my blog! I will keep pluggin’ away!! Thanks for your encouragement!
Hi Melanie, You rock!! Just so you know Kevin is one lucky man. You are not just some average Joe. You are so beautiful inside and out. I’ve been walking in the mornings with Sheree and she was telling me about your blog. I decided I needed some more motivation so she forwarded all your blog information to me. I will try some of your recipes. I love being healthy and I love unhealthy things to, so we have a common bond. I especially love your post about this weekend. It sounds like almost every weekend of mine lately. Thank goodness we always have Monday start over days, right! Keep up the fight!! It’s not over til it’s over!!
Susan, you are so so sweet! Thank you so much for being so supportive. I’m so glad Sheree sent you my blog address and I’m so happy you like it! 😉 Eating healthy and exercising is so hard and such an ongoing process….so I’m hoping this blog will help!! Thanks for being such a nice friend.