Elf4Health: Week 4 Update!

Alright, so I'm just putting this out there right from the start-- Week 4 kinda sucked for me. Not because the challenges sucked or anything... I just kinda sucked it up. I didn't focus on it and didn't check the next days challenges the night before and just got busy and blah, blah, blah <insert random extra excuses here>. After rocking out Week 3 so much I had higher expectations of myself for Week 4 and just kinda bombed. Oh well... it is what it is, I suppose. There's always Week 5, right?

 

So, without anymore moaning and complaining, here's the run down for Week4 Elf4Health Challenge.

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W4D1 (Monday, 12/17): Do a circuit workout today.

Ok, so maybe I didn't do this on MONDAY, but I did do it the next day so I'm calling that a win. Challenge completed in the form of good ol' Jillian Michaels. To me, Jillian's 30-Day Shred is the circuit world's Queen Bee. It's quick. It needs minimal equipment. You can do it from home. It combines strength, cardio and core. Done, done, and done. Love her.  

W4D2 (Tuesday, 12/18): Treat yourself to something you've been craving!

I don't know if I would really say this WW ice cream bar (at a whopping 80ish calories), but I was craving it and I did eat it, so I'd say I treated myself. Challenge completed. Boom.

W4D3 (Wednesday, 12/19): Bake cookies!

No go. I wasn't gonna bake cookies just to bake cookies and didn't need them for anything and so, challenge failed. Wah, wah.

W4D4 (Thursday, 12/20): Make a casserole for dinner.

Fail again. Womp. The Hubs worked late and I had to go fill out the paperwork for Sadie and we have SO MUCH leftovers right now that we need to eat up since we're heading outta town for the holidays. No casserole made. The hubs ate at work and I had left over brown rice with some scrambled egg whites. SO EXCITING.

Same "I FAILED" pic from last week, but ya know... same thought. FAIL.

 

W4D5 (Friday, 12/21): Pay it forward!

Big, fat failure again. Didn't get coffee on the way to work. Didn't buy anything all day. I mean, I guess I could have gone somewhere and gotten something just for someone else, but that didn't happen. Call me a Grinch, I suppose.

W4D6 (Saturday/Sunday 12/22, 12/23): Going to a holiday party? Have a healthy snack before, choose water, and split dessert.

I mean, I don't have any holiday parties this weekend! So, fail--but, not by choice! Buuuut, in full disclosure, I have had several holiday parties this season and didn't eat a health snack, choose water or split a dessert for any of them. #whoops

Week 2: Elf4Health

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So, by now you know all about the Elf4Health challenge, right? Excellent. So, let’s just get straight into the Week 2 Recap.

 

W2 D1 (Monday, 12/3): Eat 25-30g fiber. Done! Success.

 

W2 D2 (Tuesday, 12/4): Eat w salad with homemade salad dressing. Sorta done. I did have a salad... I did not make my own dressing. So, what is that like a 50% success? Man... if that were a grade, it'd be a big, fat F. I wouldn't say I FAILED... I'd say I only kinda succeeded.

 

W2 D3 (Wednesday, 12/5): Pack a healthy snack for you and a friend. Didn't happen. In fact, quite the opposite happened. I had a bad day. It happens.

 

W2 D4 (Thursday, 12/6): Lift weights and try an exercise you've never done. Fail again. I definitely worked out this day... but, it was a running day. No weights for me. FAIL. Buuuut, I did go to Signature Strength of Tuesday and did several new exercises and really pushed myself.   

 

W2 D5 (Friday, 12/7): Go makeup-free. Fail again. Man! I really didn't do great this week. I work in a pretty professional atmosphere and I just don't feel comfortable going bare-face to work. Maybe it's silly, but it's how I feel. I did however intentionally go makeup-less on Sunday while the Hubs and I ran errands and had people over for a dinner party. So, I wouldn't say I FAILED this challenge... I'd say I adjusted it to make it my own.

 

W2 D6 (Saturday, 12/8): Plan meals for upcoming week and write workouts in planner. Well, I didn't use a planner (b/c I don't have one other than my iPhone or my work Outlook calendar) but I did make a plan!

 

So, I'd say Week 2 was less successful than Week 1, but still good. It's definitely more of a struggle than I expected it to be simply because I have to remember to look at what the challenge is before that day and really make it a priority. It's been great, though! I love that it's helping me focus on staying healthy (& even just stay sane!) in many different ways during this crazed holiday season. 

 

So, what's coming up in the #elf4health challenge? Well, we got new elves yesterday! I'm emailing mine today (Hi, Mandy!). It was sad to say "goodbye" to our Week 1-2 elves. So, I won't. I won't say bye.... I'll just say, talk to you soon! Hear that, Martha? You're not getting rid of me! :) I'm excited to press forward into Week 3, though. Speaking of Week 3, here's a snapshot of the upcoming challenges...

Monday: Track your water intake. Try to drink your body weight in ounces of water.

Tuesday: Clean out and organize fridge/pantry. Get rid of expired & unhealthy things.

Wednesday: Eat 3 servings of veggies by 2pm.

Thursday: Buy coffee for the person in line behind you. Or, treat a co-worker to lunch or snack.

Friday: Workout with a buddy.

 

 

 

 

Alright, week 3. Let's do this!

WIAW - Monday #elf4health Edition

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I interrupt your normally scheduled day of work and n*sync holiday radio (just me?!?) to bring you this week's WIAW edition. New to WIAW? Hop over to Jen's website and let her tell you all about it. It's basically just a fun way to show a day-in-the-life via food. So, let's get to it!

This week my WIAW is all my eats from Monday, December 3, 2012. This also happened to be W2D1 of the Elf4Health Challenge and the challenge of the day was to eat at least 25-30g of fiber. So, let's see how I did...

Before I ate breakfast I went to the gym for a 5:30am 60-minute spinning class. I don't eat before going to the gym or working out, unless it's the weekend and it's a pre-planned long run (over 10 miles). I do drink loads of (unpictured) water during and after the workout.


Breakfast: 9am

 

What you can't read those nutrition facts from there? Well, that'd be a big fat ZERO for the fiber count.

 

While I suppose challenge wise, this was a big fail with no grams of fiber, it's still an incredibly healthy breakfast. Plus, every morning I have fiber via my (unpictured) morning coffee via benefiber-type powder.

My doctor "prescribed" two servings of this every morning as a way to help with my IBS (so sexy). I don't mention it much because adding this has helped with it INCREDIBLY and it doesn't bother me much at all any more.

Anyway, with the addition of the soluble fiber, I hit 6g (2 servings) for breakfast.


Lunch: 12pm

If you live near a Trader Joe's and haven't tried this soup-- try it. It's good. Not knock-your-socks-off fabulous, but definitely good for a quick, hot lunch. Yum. I, for the record, do not have a TJ's near me, but I do always stop and STOCK UP whenever I go to a city that has one. This was my first time trying this soup and I only got 1 can. FAIL, Meagan. Oh well. Anyway, take the soup (5g) add an apple (~ 5g) and a FiberOne brownie (which, btw, aren't GREAT, but are pretty OK. Try them cold. It makes them even better, which is weird, I know.) (5g) and that put my lunch at 15g of fiber. Add my once a day can of diet coke on the side and call it lunch!


Snack: 3pm

I spy a Santa Claus pepper shaker! Don't worry... I didn't sprinkle my almonds with pepper. Promise!

 

Speaking of Trader Joe's-- they have the best almonds. Sounds weird... I mean, it's a plain ol' nut. How can it be better or worse at some places? It can. TJ's is the bomb. Trust me.

Anyway, according to self.com, almonds are pretty BA on the nutritional front. Note: the info below is based on a 1-cup serving (which is a LOT of nuts!).

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Ok, so they aren't exactly low-cal, but they are an excellent fiber and protein source.

 

I had about 1/4 a cup, clocking in at 137 calories, 5g protein, and 3g of fiber FTW.

 

 

(Note: By here I had already ALMOST met the challenge with 24g of fiber, so I wasn't really too concerned with getting a HUGE amount at dinner.)

 

Dinner: 6pm

I definitely had 2 more pieces after this. Just being honest.

The Hubs and I made pizza! Can you tell pizza is the Hubs FAVORITE food? We only eat it like once a week so I'm not sure if you've caught on. ;)

Anyway, we made this on a Trader Joe's (woah! Just noticed I ate TJ's stuff ALL day. Yes, I am obsessed with this store. Our next move WILL be based on its proximity to a Trader Joe's. You heard it here first. Don' tell the Hubs.) garlic dough. His 1/2 was sausage and pepperoni with mozzarella cheese. My 1/2 was sausage and goat cheese. YUUUUUM. So, so, so good. Noooot so good on the fiber front, though. The sausage and goat cheese offered MINIMAL, if any, fiber (but loads of protein!), but the dough helped! 2g protein for 1/8 the crust. I probably had about 3/8 of the crust (Hey! Don't judge. I was hungry!) totalling to 6g of fiber.

Oh, and there was definitely a big bowl of low-fat ice cream for dessert. Inhaled it MUCH too quickly to snap a pic. Blogger fail, I know.




So, all in all I finished the #elf4health challenge with about 30g of fiber. Challenge = Dominated!

Quick review of challenge: To be honest, I didn't really THINK about my fiber intake at all during the day. I know I tend to get enough, so I wasn't really concerned. After looking at it as I was writing this post, I was a little surprised I didn't get even MORE. So, maybe I'm not getting AS MUCH as I thought I was and should be more aware in the future. I also noticed how tracking fiber is great... but, there are also other health needs too! I did pretty good on protein today, but that "didn't count". It's important to know there's more than 1 way to be healthy. I could have eaten nothing but FiberOne brownies all day and met the challenge, but FAILED at... life? Haha. Kidding. But, really-- I definitely wouldn't have been HEALTHY. Though, to be clear-- I don't think the point of the challenge was to not eat anything other than fiber. I think it was just trying to get us to pay attention to an aspect of our diet we might not pay much attention to. 

It's important to know there's more to "healthy eating" (not that I eat healthy nor am I anywhere remotely close to a "healthy eater") than just fiber. Or protein. Or calories. Or sodium. Ya know... the whole has to equal the sum of all the parts. Or whatever. 

Week 1 Elf4Health

Just wanted to quickly recap the first week of Elf4Health!

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As a reminder-- it's basically an internet "challenge". You get partnered up with a random person (who becomes your elf and you theirs) who also signed up who cares about healthy living and such. You complete a challenge a day and give (and take!) encouragement from your elf and others via twitter, facebook, DailyMile, wherever.

So, challenge officially kicked off on Monday, after we were "introduced" (via email) to our elves (hi, Martha!) on Sunday.

Quick run down of the weeks challenges and how/if I met them...

Monday: Go Meatless

I killed it. Admitting, it was pretty easy for me as I go meatless a lot of days. Either way-- totally rocked this challenge.


Tuesday: Send a card or handwritten note to a friend.

Again--- nailed it! I sent 2 cards Tuesday and 2 more Wednesday. And, it made my day a few days later when I got the above text letting me know one of the recipients (one of my sisters) got the card and that it really brightened her day. Seriosuly-- I think I was happier that it made her happy than she was happy. Did that even make sense? Moving on...


Wednesday: Try a new workout.

Not to keep bragging, but my elf and I killed this one too! We exchanged workouts and the one she came up with for me is above. It was BRUTAL!

Thursday: Get up 15 minutes early to meditate and reflect.
No pics to share for this one... I'd say I "kinda" did this challenge. I mean, I TRIED. I didn't do it in the morning, but before bed I tried to meditate for a bit. I just suck at it. I keep thinking of other things and get distracted. Oh well. I did TRY.


Friday: Eat as many colors as possible.
Well, this one was hard because both my meals for that day were a bit out of my hands due to a work event and then plans with the Hubs. I did the best I could, but it wasn't the greatest. And, again- no pics. Blogger fail.


Saturday: Clean out closet and donate bag to Goodwill.
No pics for this one because it simply didn't happen. When we moved a few months ago we did a HUGE overhaul of our belongings and donated SEVERAL car-fulls of clothes, shoes, board games, a TV, books, DVDs and more. Everything we have left are items that we actually want/need now. I will do another closet clean out in a few months, but it's just been too soon since the last one right now.


So, that was week 1. I'd say I did OK. Not great, but definitely not bad.

Sneak peak at Week 2's Challenges:
Monday: Eat 25-30g fiber.
Tuesday: Have a salad.
Wednesday: Pack a healthy snack for you & a friend.
Thursday: Lift weights & try an exercise you've never done.
Friday: Go makeup free.
Saturday: Plan meals for upcoming week and write your workouts down in a planner.

Weekend Fun - Pizza, Shopping, Running, and Movies!

I had a fabulous weekend! Did you? I hope so!

So, what made mine so great? Lots of things!

Friday night started with a meeting with our financial planner (woah-- serious stuff. we're like grown ups and stuff.) followed by a quick trip to the outlet mall to get a little Christmas shopping in before meeting the in-laws for pizza and beer! YUM!!! Was it the healthiest or most colorful (elf4health challenge of the day was to eat the rainbow)--- meh. Not so much. And, wanna know a secret? I didn't care even a little bit. Why workout so much if you can't eat some pizza and drink a beer without guilt? I won't even call it an "indulgence"... it was just--- dinner. And damn good dinner.

Saturday I worked in the morning. Sometimes I proctor SATs or ACTs for some extra cash. Easy money! Basically, I sat there and read blogs and books. And got PAID to do it. Score.

After work Saturday I hit the road to Kalamazoo to meet up with some friends. We headed immediately out for an Ikea, Trader Joe's, and HomeGoods shopping extravaganza! So much Christmas shopping done! And, lots of yummy food from TJs! So, so good!!!! Wish there was one closer. Best part? LOTS of girl talk!

I stayed the night with my running-bff, Amy. She and I had big long run plans for Sunday. But, before we could get to that-- we had some Ikea furniture to put together!

 That's Amy and her cart!

 

OK, maybe it doesn't look like much and it might be upside down, but we assembled a kitchen cart-- all on our own! I'm pretty proud!!

 

Sunday morning we negotiated a start time-- I wanted 8, she wanted 9 (true morning bird and night owl right there)-- we settled on 8:30am and were out the door right on time!

 

We hit a local trail and were off by about 9am.

 

The weather was ALMOST perfect. A little rainy/misty, but not too bad at all. Not too windy and not too cold or hot. AMAZING company. All around-- perfect.

It was a straight out and back course in almost complete isolation. It was SO quiet! I do all my runs around a city and college campuses which almost always have other people, runners, dogs, bike and everything in between. It was almost therapeutic to have it be so quiet and be alone (ya know... minus having Amy there next to me). It was just amazing.  Maybe it was because we were going a bit slower and I didn't obsess over pace at all. I didn't push myself at all. I didn't have a care in the world. I could just-- be. And run. Complete and utter running perfection.

We chatted the whole way out (about 7.5 miles) and each zoned out to music the way back (about 7.4 miles). Again-- just complete and utter running perfection. I couldn't have asked for a better run with better company. I loved every second of this run. I legit found myself grinning like a mad woman at some moments and had to intentionally wipe the grin off my face so Amy wouldn't think I was crazzzzzy. (Though, let's be honest-- she already knows I am.)

 Thanks for the run, Amy !! Best running friend evvvvver. And, for the record-- you KICKED that trail's ass. Just like you're gonna kick the WDW Marathon's ass in a few weeks. Get pumped. It's gonna happen.

 

We covered 15 miles even at about an 11:15/mile pace.

 

Maybe it wasn't my fastest run. Maybe it wasn't even a "fast" run (whoever defines what "fast" is and isn't, I'll never know). Maybe it wasn't hilly or hot or snowing. Maybe nothing crazy or even of note happened. WHO CARES? It was perfect. I loved every step. I loved not caring. I loved not tracking. I loved just RUNNING. And having a great friend there to talk about life and love and food and running and everything in between.


I headed home after our run where the Hubs was waiting with flowers and a clean house (even the laundry was done!). BEST. HUBS. EVVVVVVER. Seriously. Ever.

We went to see Pitch Perfect and the local cheap theatre. Good movie. Not great, but good. Funny and cute. Definitely worth a redbox trip in the future if you haven't seen it yet.

Post-movie we grabbed some dinner and then just chilled. I was SOOOO tired. That run took it outta me! I was long, long asleep by 9pm.

Today started off with the classic 5am alarm and Monday morning Spinning Class. Another Monday, another spin class. Done and done.

Today's elf4health challenge is to eat lots of fiber and I've been doing that all day like it's my job! Stay tuned for Wednesday's WIAW to check it out! Veggie soup, almonds, apples-- oh my!

Anyway-- today's still a Monday and Monday's are pretty much always rough... luckily today I have a secret weapon to help me get through it.

Yup. N*Sync Holiday Station on Pandora. Don't believe me? Try it. It'll brighten your day, even if just a little. You'll see.

Elf for Health

 

I’m a elf!

 

 

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In case you don't Twitter stalk me (and why not?? You know I'm stalking you!) you may not have heard anything about this. If you do, you've likely seen the #elf4health ALL over.

 

So, what is this whole crazy elf madness? Well, first thing to know is this girl and this girl created it. It really has become absolute madness, too. Over 600 bloggers and/or blog-stalkers are participating. Crazy!!

 

Ok-- so clearly I didn't exactly explain what it is... let's try this again. And, since the creator's can describe it WAY better than I can, let's steal one of their words:

 

Introducing the Elf for Health Holiday Challenge! This is a six week challenge that will run from the Monday after Thanksgiving thru the first week in January. There will be daily tasks, daily winners, prizes, weekly newsletters, and a Facebook group for support. As an Elf, you are expected to support your assigned buddy with their holiday health goals and the daily challenges. Elves & buddies will be reassigned every 2 weeks. (source)

 

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So, basically it's a great way to get partnered up with a random person (who becomes your elf and you theirs) who also signed up who cares about healthy living and such. You complete a challenge a day and give (and take!) encouragement from your elf and others.

 

Below are the recent and upcoming challenges.

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So, as you can see-- they range from healthy living centered goals to make-someone-else-feel-goal kinda goals to good-will/philanthropy kinda goals.

 

The challenge is split into 3 2-week sessions and for the first session I have totally lucked out with a BA elf. If you haven't read Martha's blog, you should. Now. Seriously. Stop reading this and click on over to her page. You won't be sorry. She's the bomb. I mean... girl owns a BAR and is a power lifter. How freaking cool is she?!?!? And, she's a pretty sweet elf, too! We've exchanged daily emails and even designed a quick workout for each other for Wednesday's challenge (which is "Try a new workout!"). Told you. She's the bomb.

 

Day 1's Challenge was Meatless Monday! This wasn't really all that challenging for me, as I frequently don't eat meat for days at a time. I had a veggie stir fry for dinner... which I have at least once a week regularly. Forgot to take a pic (blogger fail again), but here's an old one of the exact. same. meal. Even eaten off the same plate and on the same coffee table (nothing but class at my house!).

 

Day 2's (today!!) Challenge is send a handwritten card or note to a friend. Lucky for me, I actually do this semi-regularly. I loooove sending friends snail mail. So fun! I'm sending out 4 cards today!

 

 

So, so far-- I'm 2 for 2! 

 

Are you bummed you didn't sign up for this awesome challenge? It's not too late! You can join in for round 2 and/or round 3! Go here to get more info and you too can be an elf!