Jogging My Memory

I had no time for breakfast, which was ok because I keep a few things on hand for quick take with me kind of breakfasts. I had picked this Erin Baker’s Pumpkin Spice Breakfast Cookie at the running store when I bought my shoes there in October, and today was the perfect day to try it.

I ate it before class. It was soft, chewy, and tasted a little bit like a pumpkin pie. Man was it yummy, I would definitely purchase this one again.

I made time to pack a quick lunch which I ate between classes: a Honey Crisp Apple, 3 oz baby carrots, Kashi TLC Chewy Peanut Peanut Butter Granola Bar, and Newman’s Own Organics Protein Pretzels.

This was my first time trying these Protein Pretzels that I received free from Newman’s Own Organics. I really enjoyed them. They tasted like regular pretzels, weren’t overly salty, and have a healthy dose of protein, great for someone on a vegetarian or flexitarian diet. I’m a huge fan of crunchy foods that also pack some nutrition, and these definitely do that for me.

After Contracts class today, I went to the school gym for the first time. I haven’t been to the gym this whole semester, because I’ve been running and weight training at home. I need to be better about cross training, and I think the gym is my best option. I started out simple for my first time there and just did 45 minutes on the elliptical at level 7/20. It felt AMAZING to be back at the gym.

I really LOVE working out, whether it is running, cycling, hiking, yoga, weight training, or ellipticizing (is that a word?) I’ll definitely be spending more time at the gym.

When I got home, I went to the apartment office to pick up a package.

I won a case of Chobani last week playing the Chobani Spoons game!

You get to pick your own flavor – I chose plain because it is so versatile. You too can play Spoons and win Chobani. You must have a twitter account. Then just follow @ChobaniNicki by clicking here. You can read more about the monthly giveaway at Chobani’s website (it’s at the bottom of the page).

Then I did my weight training for the day. Here’s the breakdown (I used 5 lb weights):

• 3 x 12 Dumbbell Curls
• 3 x 12 Plie Dumbbell Squats
• 3 x 12 Bent Over Dumbbell Rows
• 3 x 12 Lunges with Dumbbells
• 3 x 12 Dumbbell Shoulder Press
• 3 x 12 Calf Raises with Dumbbells
• 3 x 12 Tricep Kickbacks
• 3 x 12 Stiff-Legged Dumbbell Deadlifts
• 3 x 10 Push Ups
• 3 x 12 Leg Lifts (Each Leg)

A little later I warmed up some leftovers for dinner. I had leftover polenta with mushrooms from Sunday. I had half the portion that I had on Sunday which was definitely a good choice. I also had 1.5 cups broccoli. And I topped it all with .5 oz parmesan cheese.

After dinner I tried two other Newman’s Own Organics products:

Organic Apples and Organic Apricots. I had half a serving of each.

I REALLY liked the apples, they satisfied my sweet tooth and had a nice chewy consistency. I didn’t enjoy the Apricots as much. They weren’t as sweet as I would have liked, and I’ve always been a little weirded about by the consistency of dried fruits like apricots or prunes. I think these would be really good in a trail mix with some salty foods to bring out the sweetness, or cut up and put in some oatmeal. I just wouldn’t choose to eat them plain most of the time.

While watching Biggest Loser, I did my Whittle My Middle Challenge for the day.

• Plank with Straight Arms: 1:15 min
• Side Plank with Straight Arms:  1:00 min each side
• Bridge: 1:15 min
• Bridge with One Leg Up: 1:00 min per leg
• Plank with Bent Arms: 1:00 min

Dessert was a little decadent. Look at this beauty:

I had one of my Xagave Double Chocolate Bitter Brownies from the freezer, with 1.5 servings of Trader Joe’s Soy Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream, and 1/2 oz slivered almonds. Oh so good.

I don’t know if it has been obvious, but I have felt so positive the past few days. I think it’s a combination of keeping track of my attitude, working out daily, and eating healthy food, but still eating those things that I crave.

And I’ve been getting super lucky, which certainly helps. Not only did I win the Chobani Spoons giveaway, I also won Janetha’s Oikos Relaxation Prize Pack. I feel like I am being rewarded for eating and loving Greek Yogurt.

There is still time left to enter the Xagave Giveaway! It ends tomorrow (Wednesday) at 5pm, so get those entries in so you can do some Xagave baking for the holidays!

Night friends!

Tags: Biggest Loser, broccoli, Chobani, Double Chocolate Bitter Brownies, elliptical, Erin Baker's Pumpkin Spice Breakfast Cookie, leftovers, polenta, Soy Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream, strength training, Whittle My Middle Challenge, Xagave