Lots of updates!

So it's been a while since my last post but I come with lots of updates. I'll try to keep it short though.

1. I'm engaged! John and I got engaged when were in NYC. I am so happy and we are so excited for what the future holds. No solid wedding plans yet but it looks like the date will be in Spring 2012.

Here is a photo from right after he asked me! :)

2. So as far as my weight goes I'm not sure. After our trip and the holidays I knew I'd be up. I got down to 171.8 before the trip. If I can get out of this and not be over 175 I'll count it as a success. I'll update this weekend about where I'm at.

3. I only have one more challenge coming up which is New Years dinner/drinking. I'm going to try and be as good as I can but I'm also going to consider it a last splurge.

4. Assuming I'm around 175 I need to lose 15lbs before I'll start trying on wedding dresses. I refuse to try them on before I hit 160. My goal is 145.

5. It's time to get serious for 2011. Not only do I want to make my goal for myself but now with a wedding coming up I need to get serious!

6. Running, what's that? I haven't been running much the past month. I still have a 5k distance in me but I've def. lost my 10k endurance.  I am going to start running again this week because I want to maintain a 5k endurance but I also want to focus more on strength training and toning.

7. I got a bike for Christmas! John got me a bike so we can start riding together.

Okay! So that is my quick update. I hope everyone had a great holiday!

Isagenix 9-Day Cleanse review...

So I am done with my cleanse!

I lost between 8 and 9 lbs (scale said 8 this morning but I was weighing in at a different time than last time).

I lost about 11 inches overall.

To be honest the process really sucked.

The cleanse days I felt like shit. Saturday and Sunday were my last two cleanse days and I feel bad today even though I'm done with the program and ate breakfast already. I feel weak, shaky and have stomach troubles.

I will say that days 3 through 7 weren't that bad with the shakes and one normal meal. In fact, I was probably around my WW daily points those days as the shakes were 6 points each.

I did this cleanse as more of a quick fix before my trip. I achieved what I wanted because my dress fits me now. Most my other close are loser now too!

I started the cleanse at 178.6 and this morning my scale said 170.6. So being that most of what I lost was in my torso I'd say it's safe to say I went down about a size.

I am hoping to keep this weight off but have to be good on my vacation. I don't want to gain it back after that hellish 11 days (including pre-cleanse days) so that motivates me.

Would I recommend this to a friend? Not really. It wasn't fun at all. Then again, it wasn't the worst thing in the world.

If you know me, you know these fad-type cleanse/diets aren't my thing at all. I felt like I needed to do something drastic though.

In the end it shocked me how strict I was and how well I stuck to this cleanse. It made me realize I have it in me to stay on program and stay within points for WW. This cleanse also made me really evaluate my hunger signals. When I thought I was hungry before I was wrong! I think it will help me in the future.

Off to NYC on Thursday! :D

p.s. Learned the new Pro Points system on Saturday. I start today! I'll report on it later!

Thanksgiving week is here/weigh-in!

Back to back posts, that is serious.

So I missed last week's weigh-in but I weighed at home and figured I was up about .6 so that put me at 178.

This week I weighed in at 177.8 so that is technically down .2 even though it's a gain on my sticker in my book!

John's birthday is today and last night we went to Ceviche with a bunch of friends. It was really good and fun! Daniella and I made a pact not to go crazy with eating and we did pretty good.

I had to estimate but I think I'm safe saying I used 17 points, plus we danced later at Czar!

Assuming my points calculations are correct, I have 30 WAP remaining. My goal is to earn 11 AP by Thursday too.

I don't love Thanksgiving foods so there is no reason for me to go crazy. We are going to be at my parents house and my mom is a WW member so that helps a lot. I may even make a baked potato for myself as a side so I can avoid higher point sides. :)

I decided to skip the Turkey Trot and save the $60 to sign John and myself up. I'll do a 3 mile run Thursday morning on my own.

There is one more challenge this week! On Tuesday at work we are going to my boss' house at 3 for a "Thanksgiving Fiesta." Crap. I'm bringing ground turkey breast and I think I'll also bring a bag of salad so I can eat it as a salad and skip taco shells etc.

I have to be strong if I want to wear my dress in NYC! I tried it on yesterday and it was closer but still tight.

In other news, I've decided to do a 9-day cleanse. I know, I know...sort of goes against my general attitude regarding weight-loss but with the success I've had with my acupuncturist for pain I trust her that this cleanse will be good for my body (IBS, overall health) as well as help get a few pounds off.

I will keep a detailed story of the 9 days (starting the day after Thanksgiving) and post it after. Hey, maybe I'll find it was legit and recommend it or maybe I'll find I was an idiot. Either way, I'm taking the chance...

Hope everyone has a great week!

What's next?

So what is next?

Today I retired my “10k Training Plan” that was pinned up at work. It’s done now. I feel happy and also a little sad. I replaced it with a “Workout Guide,” so I have something visual to keep my on track for working out five days a week.

First things first, I don’t want to lose my endurance to run a 10k distance. Therefore, I am going to continue doing one long run a week of at least 5 miles.

As far as races, I’m unsure. I’m definitely doing the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving but that is more of a fun/leisurely event and it’s also just a 5k distance.

Once thing I learned this weekend was that I love the 10k distance! I was able to really get into the groove and cruise for a while. When I run 5k distance it’s so short and it’s hard to not be focused the entire time on the end versus the journey there.

There is a 10k on November 14th in Celebration, FL which I’m considering. It’s a little inconvenient but I’m thinking we can go to Orlando Friday night, spend time with my family and head to the race nice and early Sunday. I’ll have to see as it gets closer.

Another possible long-term goal is the Gasparilla 15k, which would be an additional 3 miles to tack on over the next five months which shouldn’t be too hard. Plus, they offer free pace leaders you can meet with to run with a group. I like the idea of that!

I’d be lying if I said part of me isn’t still thinking about the Disney Princess Half. It’s just such a commitment and like I’ve said before I want to focus on other things. Plus with my knees still acting up I don’t want to hurt myself. I know I could do it but we’ll see. It’s a no for now but who knows if the crazy run bug will bite me. Also, it’s a bit costly and between Dakota’s vet bills, our upcoming trip to NYC and the holidays around the corner, $120 is a lot to do.

Another consideration for not doing the half and sticking to the 15k is I really would like to work on my speed. I am proud of my 10k time but during parts of it I felt slow. I’d really like to work on getting my time down to 10 min. miles (esp for 5k distance). I know weight loss will help with this too.
I’m still working for the 165 NYC goal. It will be close and I have to work hard and be diligent but I know I can at least get close.

In other news, John and I found a cheap hotel in NYC for our trip and I’m really excited. We were worried we’d have to pay more than we bargained for but I found a deal this morning.

Workout plan for the week:

M: 30 min. elliptical/15 min. cycling
T: strength
W: 3.1 mile run (outside)
R: day off
F: 2-3 mile run (outside?) + strength

Ugh, my stomach has been acting up all day! It has a burning feeling that is almost like hunger right now. Blech.

The Best Thing I Ever Ate: Taim Falafel & Smoothie Bar in NYC

So if you're a Food Network watcher like myself you've probably caught their show The Best Thing I Ever Ate. They have a handful of episodes with themes such as the best thing that was cheesy etc.

I don't consider myself a foodie per say because I'm not big on trying new and scary cuisines but John and I both love dining out and trying new places, especially in New York City which if you don't know is our favorite place in the world.

I write this post to make a tribute to the best thing I've ever eaten which was at Taim Falafel & Smoothie Bar in New York City.

I love falafel. It's one of my favorite foods but I don't eat it that often because it's not super low in calories but the main reason is that it's hard to find good falafel, especially in Florida.

I only had falafel once when I was in Israel because I had gotten a stomach flu. Tragic, I know...

So moving on, Taim was featured on the Food Network show Throwdown With Bobby Flay a while back and we knew we had to try it. When John and I go to NYC we usually have our line up of places to eat that we collect between visits or places such as Taim that we know we must visit again.

John had gotten the falafel sampler platter (see photo) which had I believe a red, green and yellow falafel.

I got a falafel pita with traditional toppings such as the red cabbage etc. It was hands down the most delicious thing I've ever eaten.

We also got a smoothie on our way out which was a Date/Lime/Banana smoothie and it was so delicious. We tried to recreate it at home and failed miserably.



On our next trip to NYC we plan on visiting Taim at least twice to indulge in their decliousness.

I can't wait until we move up there one day and I can visit much more often.

Now I'm hungry...