Workout Routine: Make it and then Break it

Routine is great.
Getting into a routine can be the best thing that will happen for you workout-wise. A set schedule of when you work out is one of the best ways to consistently get to the gym. Once you keep that consistency up you'll be SO much more likely to lose weight, and see the results you want.
HOWEVER, be careful that you don't get so set in your workout routine that your body becomes accustomed and slows down your progress.
Change in your routine is good! Mix up what you do for your cardio. Try adding in some higher intensity intervals or increasing your time. Add weights into your schedule, and keep that routine changing as well. Increase the weight your using, add some balancing, rotate your exercises. Variety in your workouts not only help you avoid boredom, but will keep you working harder, and keep those muscles "confused," so to speak. Don't let yourself get comfortable.
Progress comes from change!!

Chipotle fan?

So, I have to admit...I've never been to Chipotle, BUT from what I hear it's pretty amazing. I Found this link that will generate your nutrition facts for you depending on what you order there...pretty cool if you ask me.

click HERE to try it out!

See Megan Run...

14 miler. Check.

Wow. Today was unexpectedly hard. It feels strange to say that my run today was a LOT harder than my run last week. Despite the decrease in mileage.

I did everything right. Ate enough carbohydrates last night, got enough sleep. ate a great breakfast. had my water, had my shot blocks, etc. etc. etc. but no dice.

What didn't i have? the mental readiness. I think I went to bed last night knowing I wasn't excited about getting up and knocking out the 14. I woke up this morning not wanting to lace up my sneaks, and it effected me. I felt sluggish. It felt like I was going to be running for the rest of the day. I think this proves that mental preparation is really important, and does indeed effect you!

Despite all this...I made it, and I'm glad to be done!

Next week is my hardest week and then it's easy cheese until race day.

I'll top out next week at about 40 miles total. goooooo....pray for me! ;)

I heart the Sunflower Market (again)

More Sunflower Market love from me...

Today I picked up
- 3 grapefruits
- 1/2 lb brussel sprouts
- 2 zucchinis
- 5 braeburn apples
- 1 pint of strawberries
- 1 mango
- 1 pineapple
- 1 head of lettuce
all for $8.00

AMAZING. If you have one near you GO.

Apricot Chicken/ Chicken Elegant

This recipe has been a family favorite for years. My mom is a great cook, and I took this recipe from her. It's super easy, very low in fat & calories and SOOOO good.

Ingredients
- 1/2 cup apricot jam (I use the sugar free version)
- 1/2 cup fat free Catalina/or Russian dressing
- 2 TBS of Lipton Onion Soup mix (dry straight from the package)
- 4-6 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Pound out your chicken breasts so they are flat and tender. Roll them, starting at one end until they are in a long tube-like form. Arrange them in a 9" by 9" pan. Mix together apricot jam, dressing, and onion soup mix. Pour entire mixture over chicken making sure the pieces are covered completely. Bake uncovered in the oven at 350 degrees for about 30 mins or until done. I serve this over brown rice and a side of steamed veggies and it's so good!

Exercise of the week: Plank Push Ups

This exercise is a great one to strengthen your core and work the entire upper body as well. It's a variation on the normal push up, which of course is one of my favorite things ever. A GREAT way to sculpt those arms, and increase your upper body strength. Begin in the start of a push up, an extended plank. Hold this position for 10 seconds. Slowly release down into a push up and back up to your starting position. Hold again for 10 seconds and repeat. Do this 15 times. Really focus on keeping your abs tight, glutes tight, and your body in line.

See Megan Run

(my apologies for the pic if you're offended....I thought it was hilarious!)

Yesterday was my 18 miler. AND I MADE IT!! I come to realize more and more how running is just such a mental game for me. I have to divide it out in my head, and give myself milestones. Yesterday My breakdown was to take it in three sections. First, I'd take care of the first 8 miles, then I'd tackle 6, and the last 4 would be my final bout. I do it all consecutively, of course, but i just have to have a breakdown in my head. If I were to be thinking "one mile down, 17 more to go," I don't know if i'd have made it. I was very pleased with how smoothly it went. I attribute this to...

-adequate hydration aka lots of H20
-new songs on my Ipod
-strawberry flavored shot blocks (they are SO good)
-comfortable attire
-no chafing (Thanks to Benita I have an anti-chafing roll on that is AMAZING. Usually I get big stingy rashes under my arms.)
-my knees didn't hurt!!

I was so glad to be done when that last mile came around, let me tell you. BUT after yesterday I am feeling like this marathon is doable. For my long run next week I have a 14 miler, and the next week I peak at 20, and it's taper down from there. I can't believe the race is so close! I also just found out my mom will be in town to cheer me on, which makes me SO happy!