Sunday | Weigh-in, Eats + Workout Re-cap!

I'm 16 pounds away from my goal! I've come this far ... #minuswell keep going. I'll soon be taking my journey off the visible path - in preparation for a few things launching in the Spring ... but here's a quick update:

Chopped Strawberries & Large Bananas

Plum love!

Mixed Greens, Blackberries, Cucumbers, Baby Dill - Dressed w/ Olive Oil
Black Tea

Oven-roasted Red Potato, Zucchini, Yellow Squash - Seasoned w/
Sea Salt, Rosemary and Ground Black Pepper

#TrailPic ... Looks sunny and innocent, but it was 17 degrees, y'all! 

Workout | AM:  17-Mile Trail Run (Solo Pace: 10:57:07) PM: *crickets*

Last Song Playing on the MP3 |  "Round of Applause" by Waka Flocka ft. Drake

P.S. Happy Holidays!

P.S.S. Like Brandy said, "Almost doesn't count" and the Lord (don't quote me), "99 and a half won't do"... the journey continues ... ;o)

P.S.S.S. Starting my PhD program, shortly, may or may not have had some influence on my decision to take a little hiatus, too, lol.

~PC

Don't Try This At The Gym | The Treadmill Dance Queen!

Two Planet Fitness gymgoers catch an "ex-Beyoncé" on the treadmill.

They don't call it the "dreadmill" for nothing. Sometimes, you have to spice up a trek on the conveyor belt to nowhere. Well, this woman did just that ... and then some:

Whose mama is this?

I'm not even mad. Kudos for her getting her workout on!

~PC

Quotables | Complacent

"Many of us become so complacent with hoping for the best in our lives, that we forget to make the best happen." - Anon. 

Food Guilt Season + Stop Blaming the Holidays!

Disclaimer: Now, if you're eating this, you
should be VERY, very ashamed!

"You don’t need to feel guilty for what you choose to eat, and you have nothing to make up for, and no reason to apologize. You don’t need to make self-deprecating jokes about how whatever you are eating will go straight to your thighs and you’ll need to spend extra time on the StairMaster to be virtuous again.


You don’t need to titter and say “Well, maybe just a little bit more” when someone offers something you want to eat. Nor do you need to apologize when you don’t really want to eat any of Auntie Susan’s sweet potato casserole because you can’t stand marshmallows; it’s totally fine to say “I’m good, thanks.”  -  S.E. Smith

All of that!

If you have a history of eating not-so-nutritional foods and in ample amounts, traditional holiday spreads can become a breeding ground for anxiety. You realize that you have to approach certain festivities different than other people. You are then overtly conscious of what to eat, and want not to eat. And who we'll offend by not eating something. Or, hell, who we'll offend by eating something (you know when you've lost weight or are in the process - the streets stay watching). And it can all go from good times to a daunting situation, once grace is said and someone yells, "Let's Eat!" This is so unfortunate, as more time, effort and thoughts should be dedicated to enjoying the true elements of the atmosphere; loved ones, fellowship, giving, service and faith.

Now, I know it's easier said than done, but try not to let the thought of food consume you, on these "special" occasions. One day, or five out of 365 is not what I base my success/failure rate on. Odds are, if I'm overeating just because it's a holiday, I'm overeating on other Thursdays, just because it's Thursday. And if that's that case, there are still issues that I need address regarding my relationship with food - whether it be the 25th of December or otherwise.

Just enjoy! Being smart about choices YEAR-ROUND is something we all strive for. I just refuse to wallow in self pity because I acted on taking an extra scoop of something scrumptious.

Happy Holidays!

~PC

MTV 2's Guy Code | Working Out

Following a record-breaking debut, MTV2 aired the second episode of its hit show, Guy Code. A (non-politically correct) program based upon supposed 'rules' and unspoken behaviors of men.

The topics are diverse in nature; as comedians, actors and other entertainment personalities give their take on everything from bathroom etiquette, dance floor mishaps and even working out:

"Guys should exercise, because you never know when you gotta fight."

"That has to be the biggest lie told on social networks: 'I'm in the gym!' Then lay right back in bed."

- Charlamagne, NY Radio DJ + Lil Duval, Comedian

"You speak gym talk. 'Hey, Stacy. You been doing squats? I can tell. Keep it up, though.' Now either you're going to get that number, or you're going to get kicked out the gym." 

- Damien Lemon, Comedian

Trouble with the vid? You can check it out directly on MTV.com: Guy Code: Working Out 

Get More: Guy Code, Full Episodes

I'll admit, this got a few chuckles out of me.


You can catch MTV2's Guy Code on Tuesdays at 10pm EST.

~PC

Sunday | Mini Grocery Haul + Workout Re-Cap

Hey, y'all! It's that time of year. I've swapped shorts for running tights, Long John shirts and fleece pull-overs. And ... I love it! Now, I'm not going to love it when the snow soon follows, but we'll cross that icy bridge once we get there.

Just a quick post with some of today's grabs from KrogerS (you will respect the invisible "S"). Pretty simple, mostly staple items to freshen up my food plans for the week. There were so many deals on frozen goods today, that I could not resist. And with my impending missions for warming soups, stir fry and bean salads - I think I've got my bases covered.

16-Variety Dry Beans

Mixed Berries (Black, Blue, Straw)

Romaine Salad

Mixed Baby Greens + Arugala

Corn On-the-Cob

Vanilla Almond Milk

Organic Vegetable Broth

3-Type Globe Grapes (w/ Seeds)

Lipton Pure Green Tea

Peppers and Onion Mix

Brown Rice
Asparagus

Cut Green Beans

California Vegetable Medley (Carrots, Broc, Cauli)

Yellow + Zucchini Squash with Dill
Kiwi

Red Potatoes

Plums

Pure Olive Oil

You've heard of Thin Mints, but what about Thick Mints?
Ah, what one will find in the check-out lane.

#RunPics

Downtown Columbus, Main St. Bridge

Ducks poppin' off at the beak. Ain't y'all supposed to be in Florida?

Controversial explorer, Christopher Columbus. But, if not for this
historical figure, I would not be getting two (paid) days off of work next week.

Hubby's new career home. I mean, Detective Hubby!

Workout | AM: 7.4mi. Group Run Downtown (Pace 10:36:23) PM: BOSU Ball/Yoga Fusion Routine; Flipped Runner's Lunge, Warrior Alternative, Flipped DFD, Bow, Side Plank, Chair

Last Song Playing on the MP3 | "Warning" by Lil Kim 

Make it a great week! ;o)

~PC

Fit Ads | Kim K.'s 235-Pound Weight Loss + Who Broke J. Hud?

The popular NY gym chain threw ultimate shade on Kim Kardashian and NBA player, Kris Humphries' short-term marriage. Ouch.

#ThatLean Does she not look like my somebody's drunk aunt at a wedding reception? I think her "new body" needs an alignment. 

~PC

Mariah Carey's 42-Pound Weight Loss + Jenny Craig® Deal

Watch out Screamin' Jenny, it looks like WeightWatchers® brand competitor, Jenny Craig®, has scooped up a singing spokesperson of their own! The one and only diva, Mariah Carey-Cannon. Debuting her post-babies physique in a teaser campaign for the company, the new mommy/singer/songwriter/actress (we've all seen Glitter) is proud of her transformation:

From JennyCraig.com:

"Jenny Craig® is excited to announce Mariah Carey as its newest brand ambassador. Mariah, like Jenny, hopes that by living as an example, and by teaching healthy habits, we can start to make a change. We can educate, raise awareness, and create a movement for a healthier life." PC Addendum: For a small fee of either you left arm, or right leg. 

Numerous weight loss-focused companies reached out, following the birth of her twins Morrocan and Monroe, for spokesperson-ship. But it was only after a call with Jenny executives, that she felt a special "kinship." I guess that's what we're calling the dynamic of whoever has the biggest check? Either way, she began the program (consultant-based fitness and meal planning) this past July and has lost an astounding 42 pounds!

Now, totally unrelated ...  but Mariah's husband, Nick Cannon, these days?

Photo Courtesy: Twitter

I'm just saying.

Cheers to the healthy, happy, family!

Source: USA Today
Source: Miss Jia


~PC

Quotables | Obesity Crisis Solved: Eat Less

Oh, okay:

Photo: Courtesy of Mark Bittman, food columnist for the The New York Times

See, America, why we're being passed up on all revolutionary fronts? Why didn't we think of this, first?!

While the titled-approach seems oversimplified in addressing any "obesity epidemic," England's Health Secretary, Andrew Langley, is charging fellow citizens with watching what and how much they consume:

"Being overweight or obese is a direct consequence of eating more calories than we need. Increasing physical activity is a part of the equation but reducing the amount of calories we consume is key." [Read Full Article Here]

Yet, while the government is calling for people to eat less, the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN), a cabinet within the same government, raised the recommended daily calorie intake for both men and women; saying average men should eat 2,605 calories, up from 2,500 and the intake for women also nudging up slightly to 2079 calories.


~PC

Keri Hilson Joins Michelle Obama's 'Let's Move' Campaign, Debuts 'Pretty Girls Sweat' Routine

Singer Keri Hilson pulled a Beyoncé and contributed to Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Campaign with some dancing -  as part of Teen Diaries' 'Project Butterfly'. Donning a ‘Pretty Girls Sweat’ tee, a play on her hit single, Pretty Girl Rock, she taught 100 girls her themed choreography, along with other exercises - geared towards fitness and fun.

The event festivities included a workshop where the girls addressed issues concerning, nutrition, physical activity and body image; specifically how to embrace their physical uniqueness, despite the media's (and society's) status quo.

As Miss Jia put it, regarding another artist, "Beyoncé’s pregnancy has ignited the 'I can do it' in everybody," lol. But, I'ma let Miss Keri Baaaaabay be great with this one.

Source

~PC