Katie

 

HITT - High Intensity Interval Training

Tuesday and Thursday mornings I rarely make it to the gym.

Ok I never make it to the gym. But I have a good reason. The gym opens at 6 and I teach class at 8. And I have to park, walk, etc. It makes for a tight schedule. My goal for this week was to make it to the gym EVERY morning. At 5:15 am this morning that was the absolute last thing I wanted to do.

However, yesterday gave me my motivation. We went to a great restaurant and I stuck to the diet perfectly. And you know what? Before I went to the bed I didn't feel "fat", "bloated" or anything else. I was happy! Talk about inspiring.

So I did 35 minutes of HITT at the gym. Boy was I feeling it. Basically you go as fast as you possibly can, so fast you couldn't keep the speed up for more than a minute, then recover for two minutes. I chose the elliptical this morning. It was also great to see I burned an extra 100 calories than my normal 35 minute session. Read about the benefits of HITT here... you may want to try it soon!

Meal 1: Oatmeal/Egg White Protein Pancakes
Meal 2: TIU Protein Shake: 1/2 Banana, 1/2 c. Strawberries, 1/2 c. Almond Milk, 1 tbsp. Flax Seed, 1 Scoop Protein Powder, 1 c. Water
Meal 3:
Meal 4:
Meal 5:

AM Workout: 35 Minutes HITT Elliptical

Food Confession

Sorry for the lack of blogs here lately... Friday I was busy babysitting, Saturday involved a banquet, FFA Contest, and getting a good workout in. But today I am back! And realized I need some pictures to my blog... I think it is going to start soon!


So what is my motivation? Why should I be working out busting my butt, eating healthy? I gave up creamed corn and a baked potato last night from the banquet to stay on track with my diet. Was it worth it?


Great question. After eating two spoonfuls of chocolate chip cookie dough (I'm premaking cookies for an event in a week), I thought, I can stop now, tell myself it is OK to eat it, and promise to put in an extra 30 minute cardio session today. And now I have the motivation to keep working because I AM that strong. And from the Tone It Up plan I really have started to see my body change. 


In the end, its TOTALLY worth it!

Daily Update: Week 4, Day 1

Meal 1: Oatmeal and Egg White Pancake, Coffee with Milk and Stevia

Meal 2: Two spoonfuls of chocolate chip cookie dough 

Meal 3: TBD

Meal 4: TBD

Meal 5: TBD

AM Workout: Walk, Attempted some yoga, I am going to need more instruction before attempting that one again!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

This is my favorite (and easiest) soup recipe ever. For those of you on the Tone It Up plan, it is a great meal 3!!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

• 3-4 chicken breasts
• 2-15 oz. cans black beans, undrained
• 2-15 oz. cans Mexican stewed tomatoes
• 1 c. salsa
• 4-oz. can chopped green chilies
• 14.5 oz can tomato sauce

Spray Crockpot with nonstick cooking spray. Place chicken at the bottom (can still be frozen). Add remaining ingredients. Cook on low 8-9 hours or high 4-5 hours. Makes 12  1 c. servings.

Daily Update: Week 3, Day 5
Meal 1: Oatmeal with Chocolate Protein Powder, Coffee with Vanilla Protein Powder, Milk and Stevia, Orange
Meal 2: Canteloupe
Meal 3: Quinoa Salad, Celery, Grapes
Meal 4: Homemade Larabar, Almonds
Meal 5: TBD
AM Workout: None, Walk 1 Hour at Lunch
PM Workout: TBD

Weekly Workouts

I unfortunately did not get up for my AM workout today. Not that I normally do. I have to be at school by 745 to teach and 800 class. And the gym does not open until 6 am. Still, I needed some motivation to get to the gym EVERY day. So I have devised a workout schedule!

Daily Update: Week 3, Day 3
Meal 1: Oatmeal with Chocolate Protein Powder, Coffee with Vanilla Protein Powder, Milk and Stevia, Orange
Meal 2: Skinny Shake: 1/2 Banana, 5 Strawberries, 1 scoop Vanilla Protein Powder, 1 tsp Flaxseed
Meal 3: Ground Beef, Black Beans, Lettuce, 1 Roma Tomato, Salsa and Avocado, Orange
Meal 4: Quinoa Salad
Meal 5: Almonds, Hamburger Patty, Green Beans
AM Workout: None, Walk 1 Hour at Lunch
PM Workout: Cardio, Walk Annie

Quinoa Salad

The Tone It Up Plan has been a major factor in cleaning up my diet and getting fit. I developed a twist on their Quinoa Salad:

6 c. Baby Spinach (chopped)
1 1/4 c. Uncooked Quinoa
2 8 oz. cans sliced olives
1 can of artichoke hearts
1 tbsp. Garlic Salt
1/4 c. Balsalmic Vinegar

Cook quinoa according to package directions (I usually add in twice the amount of water, put on stovetop and once it is boiling let it simmer for about 12 minutes).

Let quinoa cool.

Mix all ingredients together!

Makes 5 servings (one for each day of the week!)

Daily Update: Week 3, Day 2
Meal 1: Oatmeal with Chocolate Protein Powder, Coffee with Vanilla Protein Powder, Milk and Stevia, Orange
Meal 2: Celery and Almonds
Meal 3: Ground Beef, Black Beans, Lettuce, 1 Roma Tomato, Salsa and Avocado
Meal 4: Quinoa Salad
Meal 5:
AM Workout: TIU Circuit, TIU Lean Legs Pyramid, TIU Bikini Strap Workout, HITT (30 Minutes) Eliptical (30 Minutes)PM Workout:
PM Workout: BOSU Class, Walk Annie

Tone It Up Diet begins... Tomorrow!

I bought the TIU diet plan, got my meals planned, workouts lined up and can't wait to see what it brings! TIU focuses on eating whole, clean foods, and cuts out all of the processed foods. They believe in workout everyday. It's a great program and I can't wait to start!

I'll be posting my meals, new recipes and everything else I need to be successful on the plan. Stay tuned... I plan on posting pics, stats and all of the details along the way. Time to TONE IT UP!!!

22 by 22

I will be turning 22 on July 22 of this year. So because its not the big 21 like last year, I wanted to do something fun leading up to it. As so many of my friends and family know, I love and I mean LOVE The Pioneer Woman I have decided to do 22 PW dishes before I turn 22!

So last night I started with 1... The Cinnamon Rolls. If you have never had them, they are to die for. I managed to only eat one, and froze the rest for an upcoming bake sake. But seriously, make them, and make them soon!

And be watching for what is coming next, I've got a few ideas!

Who are YOU?

I think everyone at some point in their lives makes a decision as to who they want to be. Are you going to be known as a great friend, goal-drive, superior athlete, the fun one, the slacker? Whether or not you come out and say I choose to be _______ or not, the decision is still there.

I asked myself, what do people say about me? The answer I hear a lot: You're an over-achiever. I always got embarrassed, said I was not an over-achiever, just lucky. Which is partly true, but I also strive to work extremely hard for everything I have.

But maybe I wanted to be more... maybe I want to be that person who can always brighten someone's day. Or the person who is always invited along because I always have fun. Or I think about some of the girls that always dress so cute and seem to have it all together. Maybe all of the above. And maybe because I am an overachiever I can strive to accomplish all of these. Which brings me to my New Years  Resolutions. It being February now, I felt it appropriate to look back and see how far I've come...

1. Don't over indulge. The best things are enjoyed in small quantities.Except good friends and great conversation.
2. Simplify. Get rid of all things toxic. Get rid of junk, friends that bring me down.
3. Make it to the gym, make the body I want to have a priority.
4. Leave work at work. If I have to stay an hour to get it done I will, but I want my evenings to be enjoyed cooking, with friends, and my dog,
5. This year, I come first. If I don't want to go out, I won't. If I really want to do something, I'm doing it. With or without anyone.

So how am I doing? So far so good. I am proud of the person I am becoming and the priorities I have laid out this year. And hopefully I am on the road to becoming exactly the person I want to become!

Snow Days In Lubbock

Typically, I am less than thrilled to see snow on the forecast. However, my very busy weekend in Ft Worth made me pretty excited for the possibility of a snow day.

So here's how it went down... Monday night I waited and waited for the announcement of school to be canceled. I had to teach class at 8 am and the last thing I wanted to do was to get to school and find out it was canceled. Tuesday morning I get a call and email around 6 am saying classes were only delayed until 11. Fine with me back to bed I go. My boss then tells me not to come in and then my stats class gets canceled. Perfect. A full snow day.

Wednesday, the weather does not clear and classes are delayed until 10 am. So unfortunately I bundled up and headed to school. I only have one class today and I am praying it gets canceled! Anyways, if this day continues, be expecting another blog on "New Years Resolutions" to follow.

P.S. It was 2 degrees when I left this morning... and with the windchill, -18. Not cool, Lubbock! At least cancel class Texas Tech!

Food for thought.... Or just food!

I am a foodie. Hardcore. I think about food a lot. I like planning my meals, trying new recipes and entertaining and cooking for others. It's my thing! I spend a few minutes everyday checking out FoodGawker every day. I love the recipes from there.

And you want to know another one of the bright sides to me recently being single? I can cook WHATEVER I want. I don't have to worry about what he likes (which was pretty similar to a 5-year-old) and included Mac n Cheese, Hot dogs, tacos. And if there weren't specific things with a meal, I had to hear about it. Not that I don't love mac n cheese, it may be my one of my top 5 favorite foods, but as someone who enjoys cooking (and spends time at the gym trying to get into shape), mac n cheese isn't ideal on the food list!


However, here's what I plan on cooking over the weekend...

Creamed Spinach (Lightened up! Of course!!)

And PW's Favorite Pizza. This has long been on my list of things to make so I am beyond excited to have a weekend to make it!

Well I while I am not spending a day or two in Ft. Worth at the stock show! For all of my livestock people... Can't wait to see you in Ft. Worth :)

Check back for recipes, who knows what other recipes I will get to try. Now that I only have to please myself while cooking (Oh, but I guess approval of Annie is essential too...) I've got a lot more food for thought! Ok ok, just food!

Thank You...

I am known for turning to my music in any situation. When I am happy, I've got my playlist. When I am hurt and upset, well there's a playlist for that, too. And sometimes I just want my iPod to play on shuffle and see which of my 1,300 songs come at me.

There is one band I really like when I need some inspiration to get up and move on. Bomshel. They have a song called Thank You.

Cause I'm standing up as a fighter
Walkin' away a survivor,
Ain't lookin' back.
And here on my own I am happy,
You're leavin' me only taught me who I am,
So thank you.

One of the toughest things I deal with is remembering that what does not kill me will only make me stronger. Every situation, bad or good, has turned me into the person I am.

Right now I have to tell myself that I deserve someone who meets my criteria. I know there are always exceptions, but I also know that I can’t settle for someone who does not deserve me. It is a hard concept to grasp, but it’s something we all have to do.

So just remember when you are struggling, BE A FIGHTER! I think you’ll be surprised just how strong you really are!

On again, Off again

I seem to be one of those "on-again, off-again” bloggers and although it did not start the year on my New Year’s Resolutions, I think I am adding it. I mean it’s almost February, but who cares?

 

Why blog again? I think I’ve got a lot to say, and maybe a lot to offer. Well, to my very, very few readers (but who’s counting, anyway?).

 

I’ve got a few ideas for blogs. I wasn’t going to throw my personal life online but after reading a very convincing blog that changed my mind on a few things I figured someone may have something to learn from my life mistakes, and hey, there may be quite a few of them. Maybe not the way to just jump in and start blogging about something so important to me, but because of the relationship turmoil in my life right now, it is what is on my mind!

 

*And FYI, I am organized, I like lists so a lot of my blogs will appear in that format*

 

 

I work hard every day to become the ideal person that I want myself to be. No one is perfect, but I like having something to work towards. I always have goals and resolutions to better myself. But if I am putting so much towards myself, why wouldn’t I want someone who can put a lot into the relationship as well. So I came up with a list (see, I told you!) of what I want.

 

I want a guy who….

• Takes me on a legitimate date. Comes by, picks me up. The whole shebang.
• Knows that I love dessert, he could really change my whole day with a cookie.
• Texts me, initiates the conversation, and asks how MY day has gone.
• Is willing to stay at home and have a movie night. I’ll even cook!
• Will hold my hand in public, not a lot, just enough to show me he knows I love it.
• Will kiss me on the forehead.
• Legitimately thanks me for making dinner, doing his laundry, and driving him home from the bar.
• Isn’t afraid to put his arm around me in public. And does it frequently because he is so happy to have me by his side.
• Won’t complain about taking pictures with me, no matter how goofy.
• Will actually put those pictures up,
• Cooks dinner with me, and if I am really lucky, for me every once in a while.
• Brings me lunch because my day was so crazy I didn’t have time to eat.
• Tells me I am beautiful when I am having a bad hair day, without makeup, or simply for no reason at all.

 

I don’t think relationships should be about one can offer the other, but how special they can make you feel. Life isn’t about the person you can live with, I can live with anyone for a short enough period of time and cheap enough rent, but when someone walks out of your life and a weeks later you still don’t know if anyone could ever fill your heart the way they do, maybe its worth fighting for.

 

And maybe this list is pointless, because at the end of the day they still haven’t done one of these things, but you love them more than you could have imagined.