Day #4: Fit Test

I am So excited to share with you what I’ve been up to!! 

Drinking the 64oz minimum of water each day is always a challenge the first few days, but it just makes me feel so good that I really enjoy it! I usually find myself drinking more! The positive results of staying hydrated are evident already! Usually, when I get thirsty, it’s because I am already dehydrated and my body is crying out for help, which makes me groggy, tired, grouchy, and no fun. So, making sure I am drinking enough water before I have a chance to crave it Really helps stabilize my mood! It’s amazing.

Since my last post, I have been Rocking! The first few days, I was filling my 10 minute workout time having outdoor fun with Savannah Banana! But, we were having such a good time, it motivated me to do more. I was ready to do my Fit Test with no pressure of a workout start-date or following a rigid plan. I was just ready, so here’s how it went! Check out my scores and if you think you can beat them, go for it! Tell me how it goes in the comments below! … There is a really good chance of beating them! Ahahaha! 

 FIT TEST: 7 Exercises, 50/10sec Intervals

Squat Jumps — 31

Push Ups — 22 (all on knees)

Burpees — 5 / 3 (walked)

High Knees — 85 / 14 (march)

Switch Lunges — 9 / 17 (step lunges)

Tuck Jumps — 14

Sit-Ups — 17

 

This was a major wake-up for me! It’s just so shocking how quickly you become weak after training and teaching your body to work and do whatever you push it to! Going from being able to run 10miles straight to having almost zero movement or activity at all, there is no doubt that being in the hospital for a month and a half really took it’s toll on my whole body! Now, a little over four months later, having long forgotten what it’s like to really work hard to complete a basic 10 minute workout, it iss like weight shock! I am now carrying 40 extra pounds of body weight! No wonder it’s so hard! If you need a visual, try filling two book bags with 20lbs each. Where one on on your front and the other on your back for a day! Could you do it without dragging?! I doubt it. Easy for you, just take the bags off!  What I need to do before anything else is build up enough muscle to get my body moving comfortably, so I can actually carry my weight and then burn it all off! 

 Have you ever taken a break from your workout routine thinking it was no big deal? Was it even harder to get back into? I know its hard for me just after two missed days! Share your experiences in the comments below and tell me how you got back in the game!

Day #1: Major Confession

Before I share my confession, I just want to say that today was a wonderful first day! I woke up energized and spent the afternoon outside playing with my sweet dog Savannah! She definitely gave me a workout! 

Ok, so here is my confession: I have a serious addiction to SUGAR! 

If you are thinking it can’t be that bad, let me just share with you what I ate today. I woke up and had a bowl of fruit loops, during my group sessions at IOP I ate 3 packs of those Lance cookie crackers with the peanut butter (uh, so good), when I got home I ate a bowl of fresh strawberries, then indulged in the vast supply of sweet treats the Easter bunny left behind! We’re talking Jelly Beans (which are made of sugar, corn syrup, artificial flavor, bees wax, and dye) , Robin Eggs (my FAVE), Butterfinger Eggs, Reeses Eggs, ohmygosh the list goes on and ON! 

Disclaimer! Please do not follow my diet! It is outrageously Unhealthy! You will gain 40 lbs in four months! I’m warning you, do not try this! 

So, though I would Love to say that tomorrow my new absolute is NO SUGAR, I know that I would be setting myself up for failure. This is something I do not want to do. I must stay motivated and set attainable goals! This will help me focus on areas I really am improving and push myself even further!

For now, my absolutes remain: 

WATER 64oz (minimum)

WORKOUT (10min minimum)

 

Getting ready for Day #2 and heading to bed! See you guys tomorrow! 

 

That You May Win

Run in such a way that you may win.” -The Apostle Paul

These words were sent in a letter to the church of Corinth for-e-ver ago, but are used to this day to inspire my heart, my whole life.

Though, I have never given myself the title, I’m a runner… If you’re one of those who think runners are “overachievers” or just “crazy”, let me elaborate. I am not a particular fan of running as a verb. However, what I seek and desire from each running experience is to push myself further than I know my body can already take. I desire the way I feel when I’m done. I enjoy the discipline and consistency.

As I push myself to run harder and faster each time, I learn from that experience and apply it to every area of my life. It produces strength in every spiritual, emotional, physical and mental way.
So I’ve decided to share with you the beautiful places God has given me to exercise all of my strengths and the thoughts He whispers through my mind to push me through every time.

Each post you find in the “Running Free” category will simply consist of photos taken directly before, during or after my run accompanied by a thought or two that came to mind when I felt like giving up. My prayer is that each of these posts will inspire you all in some small way to know that no matter who you are, where you’re from, how misunderstood, out-of-place, or unqualified you feel, you too have the ability to and were created by God to… run free.

My 1st mile run since late Sept. 2010... Felt. So. Good. (Explanation: I have not been well. Posts about this coming soon.)

My second day running, 8:00am... .8mi ... It amazes me how quickly strength disappears when you quite feeding it a challenge.

The road to these two runs... 10 beautiful minutes of hills & trees.

Run Free.
leigh.

Sunshine On A Rainy Day

For my sweet mother who is cozied up in bed with a cold and drinking TheraFlu (yuck!). She has been catering to my every need for the past three weeks (due to rough times and illness) so I wanted to show her I could (and would always) do the very same for her! I made her some hot homemade soup!

It was no question what kind I wanted to make for her. I’ve been trying to recreate the same Tomato-Basil Bisque for over three years now, so I try a new version of it every time I get the chance (or motivation, ha!). My inspiration comes from a gallery bistro I used to work at in Savannah, Georgia called Soho South Cafe. Between classes and projects as a student at Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD), I worked as a hostess in this truly unique restaurant. I remember marveling at how delicious their signature Tomato-Basil Bisque was as I’d sneak a cup of it on my break (with employee discount, of course!) and count how many phone calls we’d received that day from people all over the United States asking how much they could pay for the recipe for it. Bonnie, the owner & chef, would always grin with her refusal to give it out. It was always evident that food and art were her true passions. Her husband, Bill, made evident that Bonnie was his passion. He was always there for administration, to make everyone smile, and support Bonnie and their life together through thick and thin. There was even a fire once in the middle of the lunch rush, and it was incredible! They stopped all the orders coming in for the rest of the day, but nobody left! I’m telling you, the food there is just that amazing. Please go there and try it yourself! You will not be disappointed!

Now that I’ve taken you all down memory lane for a moment, you will soon understand why this recipe is so precious to me… Because I have finally found one Very Similar!!! You can easily make it and see for yourself just how delish a bowl of it truly is! Note: This is not the Soho South Cafe recipe, it came from Taste of Home.

Chunky Tomato-Basil Bisque

What You Need:

6 celery ribs, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped
1/4 cup butter, cubed
3 cans (14.5oz ea.) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 tablespoon tomato paste
3/4 cup loosely packed basil leaves, coarsely chopped
3 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream

What to do:

In a large saucepan, saute the celery, onion and red pepper in butter for 5-6 minutes or until tender.

My red pepper had a twin growing inside!

Add tomatoes and tomato paste. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 40 minutes.

MMM! ... This is when it starts smelling delicious & you Know it will turn out just the way you love it!

Remove from the heat. Stir in the basil, sugar, salt and pepper; cool slightly.

The Basil plants were on sale when I was out buying some today! I can't wait to use it!

In the mix it goes!

Transfer half of the soup mixture to a blender/food processor. While processing, gradually add cream; process until pureed. Return to the pan; heat through (do not boil).

Oh, wow! Look at that awesome food processor! (its new!)

…. And that’s all there is to it! This recipe yields five full servings and preparation time is between 50-80 minutes. It’s also great with grilled cheese on wheat, or simply crusty bread. Try it for yourself! And let me know what you think! … My mother sure did love it! I know you will too!

Much Love.
leigh.

Critical Information

Ok, do I really have to explain where the idea of this blog came from?! I think the number one reason Anyone gets a blog, or writes anything at all, is because they have something to say. Their words contain critical information for those who read them…

I have such a strong voice, but my words never seem to come out right unless they’re on a page. I won’t get rest until they come out.