Good things are happening!

I've been getting my workouts in. excellent. I've even been eating well. even better. My official weigh in isn't until tomorrow, but I think it will be good news! Monday I managed a cross & strength train, tuesday my speedwork, and today a ride on the trainer after work. I've tracked all my food every day this week, I've watched my portions and eaten whole foods. Candy, chips, and other sweets have had no control over me!

What's changed?

A couple things. First, I'm sure the excitement of a new year, new start have gotten myself and every other american going strong. Only I am determined to not let this momentum get lost after 2 weeks, or even a month or 8. 

Second, my relationship has been drama free. ::HUGE sigh of relief:: There has been no fighting, no late night tears, no throwing tantrums or calling names. A big reason why? Kevin has moved in! We ultimately decided to wait until the spring/summer of 2012 for our wedding to give us more time to plan and wait for his brother to be home from the Navy (before the family drama last weekend). The compromise, was that even though we wanted to wait to live together until after marriage, our relationship needed to progress. So he has moved in. Not all his stuff, we're moving a little at a time, keeping it low key, and enjoying being able to spend more time together. 

Lastly, I know my february races are coming up! New Orleans is a little more than 5 weeks away, and I've been busy planning my running costume for the Disney Princess Half! (just wait until you see the t-shirt I designed!) I also had to order my running skirt a size smaller since they were out of my regular size. And although I was assured the princess skirts were roomier, and I know my current size is a little big, I want my ass and thighs to shrink a little more before I debut the skirt at the happiest place on earth!

Tired me needs to head to bed, get rid of the rest of this cold, and wake up for a tempo run tomorrow!

its been a few..... (Jessica's Gifts winner too!)

Sundays long run? well the first 6 or 7 miles felt awesome, then my knee started killing me. We had to stop & walk several times. So discouraging! I think part of the problem was my calf and hamstring were tight. I reallly need to start stretching more. My longrun parter, S, has decided to run RnR New Orleans as well!! She convinced one of our other girlfriends to fly out with her, so it will be a good group of us running now. so excited!!

Missed monday and todays gym time. Drama with my relationship again is to blame. It seems like the arguing has been nonstop, all on the same topic. He cannot be bothered to make a decision on when to tell our families about our wedding date and start planning. He says it doesn't feel right, right now. Did I mention the wedding date is less than 8 months away, and this is the second one we've had? I've seriously had it with his indecisiveness.

Tonight after work, I decided cleaning & decorating were needed. I did a much needed cleaning of the downstairs, followed by christmas decorations & putting up the tree. Love my 3 piece fakie from Target :)

Jessica's gifts winner? 

that would be Kandyce @ Konfessions from Kandyce! Please email me at sgrigely at hotmail dot com with your address, and I'll get it out to you!

look for a great new giveaway tomorrow! wish me luck getting my ass to the gym in the morning!

wine anyone?

wine was the culprit on Sunday. Well, I guess in reality it was the gateway to unhealthy eating, to continue with my poor tracking and eating theme of the week. Managed a 19 mile ride in the morning with my brother who kept me working hard to keep up with him, shouting encouragements along the way as we traveled a pretty route he had mapped out. Then it was off to the wineries with Kevin. I packed us a picnic, organic PB&J sandwiches, grapes, cheese & crackers (along with a few waters), and off we went. The first place we stopped at, we did a tasting, then had lunch at one of their picnic tables. Then off we went to 4 more wineries, nibbling cheese & crackers as we drove. We ended our day with dinner at the cheesecake factory, where I got a pomegranate mojito, a salad with dressing on the side, and white chocolate macadamia nut cheesecake to go.

The view from winery #4

view on the car ride there

My salad at Cheesecake Factory

Monday morning I made organic, whole wheat french toast as planned, with maple apple chicken sausage.   I spent a few hours after that cleaning the house, watering the lawn, & watching TV, before getting my butt in gear to exercise. I decided it was a beautiful day for an outdoor run, which I need to get more practice with, so off I went for a 3.35 mile loop which I completed in less than 39 minutes, a sweaty, panting, mess. That night my college roomate, who was in town to see her family, came over to visit & we talked about doing the A1A half marathon in florida together in february.  Score! Another goal to work towards after the triathlon is over!

Kevin and I were "discussing things" aka arguing last night into the early morning hours, which meant no gym this morning and a cranky girl low on sleep the whole day. He told me that he didn't want to re-propose at the wineries (despite the killer romantic atmosphere), because it wasn't something that was "our thing". I can't figure out if he is making up excuses still, or what. I don't understand then why he hasn't created a moment of one of "our things" and done it already. Its been over a month since he asked for the ring back to re-propose, and over 3 months since I've had it on at all. I am getting frustrated without knowing when things will improve or an action will take place. Stressed beyond words.

Today has been a good day eating wise, in fact I have a delicious dinner in the oven right now!

Foil Pack Chicken Fajita Dinner (from Kraft foods)

makes 4 servings. 6 points per serving

what you need

1 1/2 cups whole wheat instant rice

1 tbsp taco seasoning mix

4 small boneless-skinless chicken breasts (1#, I use organic)

1 green & 1 red pepper, cut into strips

1/2 cup salsa (I use organic)

1/2 cup mexican style reduced fat cheese

make it

Heat oven to 400 deg F. Fold up all sides of each of 4, 18x12 inch sheets of heavy-duty foil to form an inch rim. Spray foil with cooking spray. Cook rice according to package directions, after cooked combine with taco seasoning. Spoon rice into the centers of foil. Top with remaining ingredients.

Bring up foil sides. Double fold top and ends to seal each packet, leaving room for heat circulation inside. Place on cooking sheet.

Bake 30-35 min or until chicken is cooked through. Let stand for 5 min. cut slits in foil to release steam before opening packets. Enjoy!

all 4 foil packs after coming out of the oven

The inside, YUM!

I am on target to stay on track today, and hit the gym tomorrow for an morning swim and possibly some lifting, we'll see what I have time for. I'm counting down the days until tuesday night is Biggest Loser night again (14 days)!

The next big thing.

I like to make goals. lists. pieces of paper, or writings on a computer to remind me what my focus needs to be on, why I'm doing what I am doing.

1. Do not call Kevin or initiate communication with Kevin until tuesday (more on that later)
2. Develop a more organized weightlifting plan
3. Finish my house projects... stain the deck, finish the garden, put together the patio table & hang the large mirror over the couch
4. Start getting excited about my eventual return to road races
5. Focus on clean eating, counting points, and staying in control

Strangely, 5 has been easier since I feel so out of control with relationship right now. Having control over what I put into my body makes me feel as though I can control something. I can control my eating, my weight, my health. My roomate and I are going shopping later to help us avoid wanting to call our men (she has trouble with hers too). I will sit down and write out a lifting plan and post to here later. Raining out today, but I guess I could try to hang the mirror. I had been waiting for Kevin to hang it up, but oh well.

As far as racing is concerned, my friend Amy has been trying to get a group of us together to run in Niagra Falls in October. I know my foot will not be ready for a half by then. Im thinking maybe a 5k or 10k. I love Half marathons though. well, not entirely. I hate training long runs, I hate feeling like I may die before I finish haha but I love the sense of accomplishment afterwards. I am looking forward to doing the Disney full in 2012 & a sprint triathalon at some point but no solid plans. I have been googling races that might be fun, and my eyes are set here:

Fort Lauderdale A1A marathon & half marathon

The run is mostly along the coast, and there are so many fun things to do in the area, I think it could be a lot of fun. Mayyybe I could convince some other friends to come with me & do the run. We've become quite the running group, except us all living in different states/areas makes it harder.

Wow, I write long entries. Well, a quick update on the Kevin situation. I was at the gym yesterday morning and only lasted 15 min, I started having an anxiety attack & couldn't breathe. I left. Called him in the parking lot. no answer. I went to his house. he was home. I rang the doorbell 3 times, called once & left a message then left. He called me back around 11ish, we talked for a little. I ignored everyones advice because I was just feeling so devastated, I felt like I HAD to see him, talk about things & what was going on. He came over around 3ish and didn't leave till after 5. We talked a lot, how much we love each other, and why he really wants this break. Next thing I knew, we ended up in bed. mistake? maybe. I know I'm feeling a lot better after. He said he was glad we talked. He just needed to make sure this is really what he wants before he jumps in. He said he wants to talk again soon, he has class monday, so we decided tuesday. Now I just need to stick to my guns and avoid initiating communication so he realizes how much he misses me/us. wish me luck, on everything.