31 Days of Lessons Learned: I Can Run a Mile!

31 Days of Lessons Learned:  Day Twenty Two

I Can Run a Mile!

To most of you, running a mile may not sound like a big deal.  That’s okay.  Just know I’m extremely proud of myself.  If you’ve been following my blog, you know that I’ve been struggling with my weight and I’ve recently lost 30 pounds and started a Weight Loss Class sponsored by the University of Michigan MHealthy Department.  It’s more than Weight Watchers – it’s a structured three pronged attack that focuses on exercise, nutrition and psychology.  I’ve been learning a lot in that class (and hope to share my wisdom with my family soon) and because of it, I’ve also gained some confidence.

On my way home from tonight’s class, I started thinking…  “You’re running a mile tonight.”

Not quite sure why that thought popped in my head.  The closest I’ve got to that lately are my lunchtime walks.  I couldn’t dismiss the thought though.  By the time I got home and had dinner, it was settled.  I was going to run a mile tonight.  I told my wife during dinner, then played with my daughter a bit before she went to bed.

It was time.

I grabbed my running shoes, which are stained from volunteering to be a color thrower during the Ypsilanti Color Run and went on my way.

I had my friend’s exercise mix from 8tracks playing in my ears and off I went.

I tried to keep a steady and manageable pace, but I definitely slowed down a bit towards the end.  The important thing is I never stopped and I never transitioned to walking.  Towards the end, I may have been able to go faster if I walked, but it’s the principle of the thing.

So, after 25 minutes, I did something I haven’t done in 15 years.  I ran a mile.  After my cool down, I came back inside and checked my route and found out I actually ran 1.2 miles instead of one mile.  Boo Yah!

Hopefully, this can motivate you to try something that you’ve been hoping to accomplish in your life lately.  It’s amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it.

Way Off the Wagon

The bad thing about sharing all of my previous weight loss successes on my blog previously means I kind of have to share the failures as well.

So, it’s been about two months since I fell off the wagon.  I’m not necessarily sure why I fell off the wagon or how it happened, I just know it did and since then it’s been a gradual downward spiral.  It’s pretty disappointing.  I know what I have to do to get back on track, I just haven’t done it yet.

Sure, I could blame the lack of accountability for Weight Watchers Online, but that would be a cop out.  The online program is really something you need to self regulate and I started cheating, which led to where I am now.

I have since cancelled my WW Online subscription.

 

I know what I have to do – I just need to do it now.

 

Onward.

31 Days of Halloween Hijinks: Healthy Pumpkin Spice Muffin Recipe

Day Twenty Five:  Healthy Pumpkin Spice Muffin Recipe

I’m going to say you’re welcome now, because after you try these Pumpkin Spice Muffins, you’ll be thanking me.  Not only are they super easy to make, they’re healthy and damn tasty.  My wife and I got the recipe from her Aunt, and since October is a month where pumpkins are in the forefront, I just had to share these instant Fall classics with all of you.

So, to begin, here’s what you’ll need:

What you’ll need

1 Box Spice Cake Mix (either Betty Crocker or Duncan Hines)

1 16 oz can canned pumpkin

1/2 cup egg beaters

Mixing Bowl

Mixer (or a big spoon)

Ice Cream Scoop

Non-Stick Spray

Muffin Pans

Here’s what you need to do:

(I just love pictures, so you’ll have to follow the link to expand)

Infiltrating the free AADL Toddler Playtime hour

I’m now on week four of unemployment, and while I have the itch to get back to work ASAP, I feel like I’m getting into a routine for the most part.  Sure, I still haven’t learned to clean up as well as I would like (and as well as my wife would like I’m sure), but I think I have the fun and educational stuff down.  Lily is napping right now, so I wanted to put up a little blog before I start picking up.  Yesterday, I spent her entire nap time applying for jobs and writing cover letters.  So today, I thought the ole blog needed some attention.  In the coming days, expect some posts about cooking (I did some awesome cooking last week that only my iPhone camera, my wife, Lily, and I know about), weight loss (I’m back on the wagon and seeing results), and writing (I have a new found motivation, now I just need to find the time…plus NaNoWriMo is coming up!).  Today though, I wanted to touch briefly on one of the things Lily and I have done recently:  Baby playtime at the public library!

Lily and I have been three times, all with varying success.  I will say that after three times, it is more fun for the parent if you go when you know another parent who is going.  Lily and I went today without a friend and it just didn’t feel right.  In fact, today’s trip wasn’t as fun and successful as I hoped, but Lily still had fun and we’re looking forward to going back again soon.

The playtimes at the Ann Arbor libraries consist of about 15 minutes of song and dance (which Lily loves the most), then 45 minutes of play.  Our libraries have some great toys and activities.  I know I always complain that I never really see my tax dollars at work, but the library programming is well worth it!  Usually, Lily runs around like a wild animal and has an absolute blast (in fact, two weeks ago, she escaped the play room and ran half way through the library with little ole me chasing along).  Today felt different though.  Thinking back on it, I really think it had to do with quantity of children.  This was the biggest group of the three playtimes we’ve been at, and I think Lily was simply overwhelmed.  She essentially shied away from all the kids and played on her own, which is a bummer because I bring her to these activities mainly for socialization.  If any of my readers have any ideas on less imposing socialization activities, drop me an e-mail or a comment.

The reason I called this blog “Infiltrating” is because as a stay-at-home Dad, I feel like I’m in the minority when it comes to these play groups.  It is slightly overwhelming, but so far the group of mothers who attend the playtimes seem very welcoming and accommodating.  They don’t necessarily strike up conversations with me or anything, but I don’t get dirty looks that question why I’m there, which is nice.  We all share one thing in common and that’s our love for our children.  I may still look like a fish out of water at times, but I’ll be a playtime pro in no time.  Now, all I need to do is learn those damn songs so I can stop faking like I’m singing along.

Oh, two more coming attractions for future blog posts.

1)  Lily and I checked out some potty training books, so you know what that means!

2)  We’re coming pretty close to October, which is one of my favorite months.  As a huge fan of Halloween, horror, and things that go bump in the night, I’m going to start featuring my picks and the like on this blog for a fright-filled October!

Chicken pot, chicken pot, chicken pot pie

That’s right.  Just like David Cross, I’m addicted to chicken pot pie these days.  Not just any chicken pot chicken pot chicken pot pie.  Rachel was looking for healthier recipes to try and she came across this super easy (and healthy) recipe for chicken pot pie. And, if you’re like me (unemployed and hungry), this recipe is super cheap, hearty, and will last for days.

Ingredients -

1 Rotisserie Chicken (the recipe calls for cooked chicken breasts, but I think it’s easier and cheaper to use the rotisserie chicken)

1 bag frozen stewed vegetables

1 can cream of chicken soup (I use the 98% Fat Free can because I want it to be healthier)

1 can chicken broth

1 ready to bake pie crust (feel free to make your own crust, but I’m going cheap and easy with this recipe.

pepper

Directions -

Take a 9×13 casserole dish and put the chicken meat in the bottom of the dish (you’ll have to peel it off the rotisserie chicken…and avoid the temptations of even the leftover cooked skin).

Next, put the bag of frozen stewed veggies on top of the chicken.  No need to thaw them out.

In a separate bowl, mix the cream of chicken and chicken broth together until the chunks of cream of chicken are dissolved.  Pepper to taste.  I’m a huge fan of pepper, so I go crazy, but you don’t have to.  After it’s peppered, pour the mixture on top of the chicken and veggies.

Then, unroll the pie crust.  I know the crust is round the and dish is rectangular.  Have no fear, simply cut off the excess on the edge and use it to fill in areas that weren’t covered by the crust yet.

Once you have the crust how you like it, make sure to poke some holes or carve some designs into it.  That’s an important step (and a good way to let your creative juices/frustrations fly).

Then, place in an oven preheated to 350 degrees for an hour.  Let sit for a few minutes, and enjoy.

Like I said, it’s a very simple recipe, and there are plenty of opportunities to edit and make your own.  Now that I’m Mr. Momming it around the house, I prefer quick and easy, while still relatively healthy.

The way I prepared it above averages out to about $10-$12 for the entire casserole dish.  We seem to get about eight or servings out of this recipe, so like I said before cheap, easy, healthy, tasty, and filling.

Chicken pot pie with a side of Sam Adams

I don’t have the points calculations in front of me, but if you’re on Weight Watchers like me and are interested, hit me up and I’ll let you know.

Now, a question to my readers – do you have cheap, easy, and healthy food options that you’d like to share?  Rachel and I are always looking to beef up our repertoire!

I’m Going Through Changes

I’ve been going at it for a few weeks now, and this week saw my first weight gain since I’ve rejoined Weight Watchers.  It was only one pound, but it hit me harder than I expected it to.  So, what did I do today?  Went for two 40 minute walks and then in the evening I jogged for the first time since Lily was born.  The last time I actively ran/jogged/did something with my feet other than walk, was the summer of 2009.  It felt good to be out there jogging again, but man it was tough.  I was out there for 20 minutes, and when it was all said and done, I ended up jogging for 8 of the 20 minutes.  Not bad for a fat dude who still has a long way to go.  I’m making progress though.

What got me motivated during my jog?  Eminem, Nas & Damian Marley, and Against Me!.  Those are some great bands to get you pumped up.  What are songs or artists that motivate you when you need to reach down into your guts to break through to the next level?  My wife and I are working on some mixes for our next bouts with jogging.

Damn, it feels good to get back in the swing of things when it comes to exercise.

In case you were wondering, the title of this blog is the Eminem song that really got me going the first time I got really tired on my jog.

Joining a new club

I know some of my family may feel uncomfortable with me speaking so honestly about my current weight issues and what I’m doing to fix those issues.  I’m not writing these blogs for them though – they’re all for me.

So, I’m just completed a month of Weight Watchers and I’m celebrating for two reasons – 1) I achieved my 5% weight loss goal (losing 5% of your starting weight) and more importantly, 2) I left the 300 club.  That’s right, there’s no longer a 3 in the beginning of my weight and there will never be a three in the beginning ever again.  I’ve said this before and it obviously didn’t stick – this time is different though.

When I started Weight Watchers this time, I was told my ideal healthy weight is between 145 and 179.  That seems insane to me.  I can’t remember the last time I weighed that much, but dammit I’m shooting for 175.  Oddly, this time around, 175 doesn’t seem to hard or so far away.  I’m doing this the healthy way and the right way, but after a month, I’m already seeing the end in sight, which is both amazing and scary.

I’m making great strides though – I’m walking faster, feeling better, and my clothes are getting looser.

I’m still taking it step by step, day by day.

 

Oh, as for writing, I’m going to go clean the bathroom.  We had to bathe both dogs tonight because they decided to play in the mud.

 

Saggy Bottom Club

I’m not sure how to chalk this one up – good, bad, funny.  I think it’s good and funny (not good n plenty).

The first thing that happens to me every time I start to lose weight is that the pounds fall off my backside first.  What results is me joining the Saggy Bottom Club.  No, my butt isn’t sagging – my jeans are.  I’m almost 31-years-old, and my jeans look like I think I’m 18 all over again.  It’s a small price to pay to get healthy.  Luckily, I have other pants in my collection that are smaller sizes – see, I’ve always had faith that I would get a healthy weight.

So, to all my friends, family, and co-workers who may see me walking around with my pants sagging, it’s not a sign of disrespect, it’s a sign of transformation – a well-needed one.

OK, back to writing/not writing.

At the moment, I’m watching The Killing with Rachel.

Something to cheer about

I read my last blog over again and it kind of sounded like a “woe is me” thing.  I didn’t intend that at all, so I wanted to take a break from whining about writing to post about something else.

For those folks who know me, I’ve struggled with my weight for years.  I’d say the last time I really had things under control was my junior year of high school.  Since then I’ve been as high as 320 and as low as 240.  That’s an 80 pound spread.  I’m not happy about it (in fact, I’m pretty embarrassed about it to be honest), but it’s just the truth.  I’ve done just about everything diet-wise – Atkins, South Beach, vegetarianism, and Weight Watchers.  I’ve had plenty of excuses for the gains and plenty of success when I apply myself, but at the end of the day, I’ve been stuck in a cycle of yo-yo dieting.  I’ve finally decided to do something about it.  I’m going to do it the old-fashioned way with diet and exercise as I work to transform my life.  I’m back on Weight Watchers and it’s the most confident I’ve felt in years.  I’ve lost ten pounds in the last two weeks and can already feel the differences.  I’m walking faster, and even went for walks that were as long as five miles last week.  This is only the beginning and I can’t (and won’t) be stopped.  As I lose the weight, I’m also starting to chip away from my fat kid mentality.  That’s the hardest part for me so far, but dammit, by the end of 2012 I’ll weigh 175 pounds – which is a weight that I can’t remember when the last time I saw it was.

So, what’s different this time?  What’s going to stop my cycle of yo-yo dieting?

Lily Bug - the only motivation I need