Fruits, fruits, fruits

Today was my “off” day, but that just sounds silly really because there really is no off day.  I slept till 8:00AM…like a log.  I was so tired once my head hit the pillow.  

I got up, had a protein shake, and really, it’s not much…like 6oz of water and 1.5 scoop of this strawberry protein drink, but man it’s filling.  I did some stretching, some arm work with the band and some push ups and sit ups.  That’s about it.  Seems that unless I get to this part of my routine earlier, or we get a bigger place where I can have my own space, I am destined to working out to Dora.  I sat on my mat in the living room, set my legs for a nice touch-the-toe stretch and then my 2.5 year old sat between my legs to cuddle (sigh).  After a brief moment of cuddling and love, I was able to complete what I needed to do.

Breakfast consisted of a small bowl of cereal, some honey flake thing.  Hit the spot.

We set out to enjoy the beautiful day and before I knew it WHAM! Hunger.  I looked at the time. 1:00PM.  I so suck at eating!!!  The boys were hungry too (poor things) and the opportunity came to make a decision on what to do.  I looked around me: a Starbucks, a pizzeria, a Dunkin Doughnuts, a chinese food restaurant, a diner, McDonalds, and a fruit market.  I walked to the fruit market and picked up some melons, strawberries, apples, trail mix (not including the chocolate pieces), water, and yogurt.

We went to the park, had a moment and ate our snacks. Between the melons and the trail mix and water I felt completely satisfied, but in addition to that, so thrilled that I made the right choice even when faced with debilitating hunger (ok, ok…it wasn’t debilitating…but it was pretty intense!).

As we made our walk back home, I realized I am surrounded with bad choices, but even more great choices for those moments of unexpected hunger, especially in my neighborhood, and especially during warm weather.  The choices are your basic fruits, but can also include pineapples, mangos, coconuts, papayas!  It’s like they bring the island to me! And here’s the skinny: they are cheap!  

I got home, I wasn’t eager to snack before dinner (which I often do) because I wasn’t hungry.  

Dinner was pasta tonight.  But I skipped the pasta part.  Turns out what I and my family loves about my pasta dishes are the flavorful sauces I serve them with.  So, I steamed some veggies, made my salad (this time with a light Caesar dressing) and had the Italian sausages with chopped tomatoes WITHOUT the pasta.  I didn’t feel at all that I missed out, because I was enjoying the best part of the dish and had plenty of greens to go with it and fill me up.  Dinner, once again, was wonderful.  I was pretty pleased.

Oh yeah…but it’s not ALL about food either.  I went to Modell’s to get another pair of sneakers because the pair I had previously bought turned out to be too uncomfortable and gave me a blister.  I got my sneakers, tried them on, ran with them, jumped with them…and they are perfect.  But then I also had a chance to satisfy this “fever” I have going on with Converse (hehehehe).  I mean, I was there, right?  What’s a tomboy to do?  So, this is what I walked out with…oh yeah and a pedometer.

My goal is to get one in every color.  I mean, seriously, no need to walk around all monotone when I am out on one of my adventures.

This weekend should be interesting.  Part of what I do is taste foods at different places.  Can’t stop doing that!  Let’s see how I can make it work.  Wish me luck!

First Day…So Much Green

I woke up at 6:45 AM today.  That is, by far, the earliest I have voluntarilly woken up in a very long time.  Hubs gently indicated it was time, I stretched, and quickly got up.

First thing I did before getting dressed was check this blog and I saw the wonderful messages waiting for me.  I have to say, they really were encouraging.  I was up, and was going, but those messages helped to animate me even more.  So, thank you!

The walk was awesome.  It was a great morning, the sun was out, but still lazy, its rays not giving out full intensity of heat just yet.  I was going to listen to music, but my iPod wasn’t charged up.  It was for the best.  The silence of my walk was amazing.  I am always with the boys and rarely ever get alone time.  I didn’t think about how much I would appreciate the silence.  The alone time.  I loved it!  I took these photos as I walked through (never stopping) just to share some of what I was experiencing (if you follow my other blog, then you know I love expression through photography, though these were taken with my iPhone so not as great).

Once I got home, I had a protein drink and popped in a cardio and weight training DVD, but before I got the to the weight training part the little ones got up and wanted to monopolize the T.V. (story of our lives), so because I know the DVD already, and have done weight training in the past, I proceeded with lifting the weights, and doing the reps, while watching Dora the Explorer with the boys. I did this for 30 minutes.

When I finally got hungry for breakfast I hit a psychological wall…a wall of habitual oppositions, if you will.  My mind wanted a healthy breakfast, no carbs, my body craved sweetened cafe con leche and toasted buttered bread.  But willpower is an amazing thing.  I scrambled some eggs (2), took some left over salad from last night’s dinner and cut up some strawberries.  Here’s the skinny: not only did it look pretty, it tasted great and I didn’t feel weighed down afterwards!  I loved it!

I didn’t get hungry again (thanks to the protein drinks-one more before lunch) till about 1:00PM.  Yes, I am an awful eater.  I forget, or don’t do it because I am busy, or wait too long.  I’m the worst at eating at good times.  So, adding that to my list of goals.

I allowed myself to have a bit of rice, and chicken, also left over from the night before.  I usually don’t lunch like this at all, but it actually reminded me of the days when  I lived in the Dominican Republic as a teen and this is exactly how we lunched…and then dinner consisted of something much, much lighter.  Good thing to note as obesity among Dominicans on the island is nothing like it is here in the States.

Dinner was no carbs, consisted of even more greens and salmon.  Again, LOVED it.  Mainly because I was full, but not heavy.

I am a little sore from my walk, but will stretch a bit before I go to bed in a few.  I feel amazing.  I wasn’t sleepy at all during the day and felt really, really good and positive. I ate more green in one day then I have in a long time, and the result was feeling light after my meals, but satisfied.

Tomorrow I will head out to the market and buy more greens as I have decided this will make up most of what I eat.

Great start!  So excited!

P.S.  A darling friend read this blog, and I inspired her to start her own blog on her journey to health!  Join me in cheering her on!  Congrats Bella Amiga!  I am so excited for you as well!  Much love.