Lululemon Turbo shorts and run swiftly racerback and running when you are tired

I did something I never do, and I think it is because of the title of this blog. I got up early to run. Normally, today is my day off and I run 5 miles. I really don't like running. For me it is very difficult. I have slowly but surely built up my stamina and strength to get to this point and I so admire those people who run fast and make it look so effortless. Someday that could be me. Today at work, they were short staffed, so I said I would come in and help out. I shocked my daughter when she saw that I was actually awake and functioning at 6:00 and then walked out the door I ran 3 miles. I think old ladies walking dogs passed me. Kindergarteners walking to the bus passed me. But I did it. And, actually, I wasn't too, too slow, because in the back of my mind, I knew I was on the clock and in order for everything to work, I had to push, push, push. 

Magazines and websites have so many articles on how to get yourself going when you just don't want to. This blog isn't going to tell you anything earth shattering, sorry, or something that you probably haven't heard before. I have a bunch of different things that work for me, and I will continue to share them. The first thing you have to decide is: are you really too tired? Does just walking up the stairs tire you out? Can't even lift that cup of coffee to your mouth? Are you really and truly too tired? I admit that there have been days that I have skipped a workout and gone back to bed. For me, that is the best way to treat myself. But, be honest and ask yourself can you go do your workout and maybe give it 80% (chances are once you get going, you will be giving it your all). Unless I have been up all night, and there are nights that insomnia gets the best of me, then I go work out.

Today, though, I just had to remind myself of how hard it has been to get to this point. I know that if I skip a run, it is a slippery slope and I NEVER want to have to go through all that training again. For me, that is enough motivation. I also know that I will feel much better- both and mentally-once I am done. I have other tricks that I will continue to detail, but today, that is what worked for me.

Now, onto this outfit. First of all, after looking at these pictures and my profile in the mirror, I am so glad that I did run. That is motivation enough. These are my Lululemon turbo shorts from last year. I have three pairs of them and will be listing them on ebay. I love them, but the crotch is so annoying. Even just standing in front of the mirror, they creep up on me. I have two pairs of Lululemon shorts from about 4 years ago and unfortunately don't know the name, and they are pretty good. Not great, though. I have tried every Lululemon pair of shorts and I think I need to go exploring other brands. I do love the swiftly tanks and v necks, but the material is pretty unforgiving and shows every bulge and bump. It is super light weight though and good enough for where cars are going 30 mph and can't really notice (I hope). My bra is the 50 rep bra, from a few years ago, and one of my all time favorites. Every upload I would hold my breath...and then cry. But now I really love the Energy bra. Lululemon has to stop making it in such fabulous colors. Just enough smush, style and not too much armpit fat.

See? Isn't that annoying? If only there was a gap between my legs. Does Lululemon sell that?

And there are my awesome Asics Gel Noosa sneakers and Thorlo socks and pale legs. 

BTW, I felt great at work, having done so much before I even got there, but sitting in little 4 and 5 year old chairs was killer! 

My dirty little secret

No. It is not what you are thinking, whatever that may be. I can guarantee that no one is going to know what I do almost every night. 

Chocolate peanut butter! At least one spoonful. Usually two or three. If I am especially hungry, then I spread it on a hot Eggo waffle and it is all melty and gooey. So I don't know if you have tried Peanut Butter & Co before, but WOW. They sell it at Target and my Stop and Shop, but I get it by the six-pack from Amazon. It's a little pricey, but have you noticed the price of regular peanut butter lately? Did they stop growing peanuts? Peanut Butter & Co have all different flavors, but this is the one I keep coming back to...again and again. I even put a spoonful in my oatmeal in the morning and it tastes like a chocolate oatmeal cookie. If you compare the calories/fat/protein/sugar to regular peanut butter, it is pretty close. The way I have rationalized this is I'm getting a sortof healthy snack and feeding my chocolate cravings. The hard part is to stop at just one spoonful. I haven't mastered this yet. But really, how did I not think of this myself?  Has anyone tried any of the other flavors? I'm a little afraid I will love them as much as I love this one!

Well I am certainly on a streak lately. The good kind, too.

Last night for dinner I made Turkey Clubhouse burgers from  IowaGirlEats.com  (lots of good recipes here- check it out) and both my kids liked it.  Ground turkey with panko, bbq sauce, cheese, and bacon- how could it not be fabulous? Well, you would think I have little children who are so picky, but one child doesn't really eat meat, the other could inhale a cow. One loves veggies, the other cringes when something green appears on the plate. One eats peanut butter straight out of the jar, the other can't stand the taste (how this child is related to me,  I have no idea). So when both give a thumbs up, I do my happy dance. Plus, it was really super easy. I cooked the bacon the night before and then I think it took 5 minutes to get the ingredients together and no time at all on the grill. Our side was from Alexia. There are so many yummy frozen foods from this company, that I usually have 3 or 4 in my freezer at any given time. Our favorites are breaded mozzarella sticks, sweet potato fries and onion rings. I don't know if they are a national company, but we definitely recommend them. The calories and ingredients aren't too terrible.


Today, I am too tired to cook, forget about even running. It is about 90 degrees here (I had the heat on just a few days ago) and I worked a very long day and spent too much time outside. The underwear that we aren't talking about yet is sticking. So, I don't even want to think about cooking. Some of my emergency dinners are: waffles for dinner and baked ravioli. Usually I have something tucked away in the freezer for exactly this kind of emergency.  My favorite back up plan, though, is pizza from our neighborhood pizza place, Sorrentos. We could seriously eat there every day and never get sick of it. I get an Acton pizza, which is carmelized onions, chicken, bbq sauce, cheese and chicken on a thin crust from a brick oven. If it didn't involve getting back into a hot car, it would be an option tonight. Oh well.

I was looking on Pinterest and found this hysterical picture. This is so true!

Plank is so much fun. For about 10 seconds. Said no one ever. Actually, I don't mind plank as long as my arms and shoulders aren't already burnt out. Then it becomes torture.  Try sticking a rubber ball or something else between your legs and squeeze and all the focus comes off your legs and back to your abs. I like doing that much more than lifting a leg or arm. 

Let me know some of your favorite easy to throw together meals. 

So I have told you about my favorite running shoes (Asics gel noosa tri 7- what a mouthful) and today it is time to talk about my favorite socks.  Once we get to know each other better, we can talk underwear, but not today! Many, many years ago, for some reason, I ended up with a pair of Thor-lo socks. I don't know when or how it even happened, but that is when my love affair began. I like my socks nice and thick and these are so cushy. And there is extra padding where a runner or walker might need it. Gimmick or not, I love these socks.  A few years ago, while shopping in Marshalls (love), there were my socks! It said out of season or irregular or something like that on the tag, but I couldn't find anything. I didn't care and bought about 10 pairs. Since that time, I always checked Marshalls and TJMaxx for them whenever I was in one, and I never saw them again. Well my socks were slowly turning gray and I knew deep in my heart, somewhere in the near future, it would be time to replace them. (After getting such a deal on them, it never dawned on me to pay full price for these socks - something like $10!) Lo and behold, about a month ago in a Marshalls near me, there was a whole rack of the socks.

Thor-lo, where have you been the last few years? The sales lady probably thought I was slightly nutty when I bought about 10 pairs. Apparently she doesn't know how nutty I am, because I then drove to two different Marshalls and TJMaxx and bought even more. I have a whole supply in my closet just waiting for me. Who knew socks could make me so happy. Even better, socks half price!! Does anyone else stalk Marshalls? Love socks? 

Okay, here is a bad photo of dinner from last night. It was my daughter and I for dinner and we pretty much inhaled these standing up.  I just came home from work and my son had finished all of the leftovers. And I was so looking forward to one. Have to eat an apple instead!

This is the recipe from Emilybites.com. I've included my tweaks in italics. She has a lot of fun recipes, including an easy ground chicken parmesan recipe.

Southwestern Egg Rolls

Source: I’ve seen this recipe on a lot of different blogs. I used the one from Annie’s Eats, but I also saw them on Cake and Allie, Ezra Pound Cake and Budget Savvy Diva.

Ingredients:

2 cups frozen corn, thawed (I end up using one can of corn, drained)
1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups reduced fat shredded Mexican cheese blend (I used Weight Watchers brand) (I use Sargento)
1 (10 oz) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
4 scallions (green onions), chopped (I skip this, never seem to have them on hand)
1 (4 oz) can of green chiles, drained (I skip this)
1 t ground cumin
½ t chili powder
1 t salt
½ t black pepper
¼ t cayenne pepper
24 egg roll wrappers (1 package)

Directions:
1.    Preheat the oven to 425. Lightly mist two baking sheets with cooking spray and set aside. (I use Reynolds wrap yellow non-stick foil. Have you ever used this stuff? It is amazing- nothing ever sticks)
2.    In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients except the egg roll wrappers and stir to thoroughly combine.
3.    Pour some water into a small dish and set aside. On a flat surface, place an egg roll wrapper, corner facing toward you (like a diamond) and put ¼ cup of the mixture from the bowl on the center of the wrapper. Spread the mixture in a horizontal line from the left corner to the right corner of the wonton wrapper, leaving ½ inch or so of space on each side. Fold the bottom corner closest to you up over the ingredients and give it a 90 degree roll. Fold the side corners in and tuck them as you give the filled section another 90 degree roll. Dip your finger in the dish or reserved water and lightly wet the edges of the remaining top corner of the wrapper. Finish rolling the filled egg roll over the wet corner so that it adheres. Place wrapped egg roll onto the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
4.    When all of the egg rolls are wrapped and on the baking sheets, lightly mist the tops with cooking spray. Bake for 14-15 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until the wrappers are golden brown. Serve with salsa for dipping.

Except for the egg roll wrappers, everything is pretty much always in my cabinets. It is an inexpensive, relatively easy meal. And her picture totally blows away mine. Let me know what you think! 

So a funny thing happened at the gym today. Well, not funny haha, but the other kindof funny. I have a very loud, very bright pair of Asics running shoes that I love: gel noosa tri 7. I was fitted for these at one of those fancy running stores. My kids won't walk with me they think they are so ugly. So I told them that when they can run next to me, then they can give me grief about the shoes. They have been quiet.







What I really love about these sneakers is that the front is all mesh, so my feet can breathe. Also, I have very wide feet and there is plenty of room for my toes. I can stick my orthotics in there and the top of my foot doesn't get smushed against the top of the sneaker. I like a lot of cushioning too. I admit that the minimal Vibram stuff confuses me. And did I mention that they glow in the dark?( It kindof scared me the first time I noticed that.) Anyway, getting to the funny part...all the other moms and I looked down at our feet and we were all wearing Asics. Another mom said that Asics is the new mom jeans. Is that true? When did that happen? So I have a big fear that these perfect for me shoes will be discontinued. (This happened to me with a pair of Reebok sneakers that I LOVED) so I just bought another pair. I do feel that everyone at my gym wears Lululemon and I must admit that I like to see what everyone wears, but I guess I have to start looking down now, too.  I think there are a lot of Nike Free sneakers. Maybe next time I'm stuck on the treadmill bored out of my mind, I'll keep track. What's popular in your neck of the woods? or road? or gym?  Next post on my favorite socks!!!

Hello and Welcome!

The title of this blog is Too Tired To Run, but really, this is a blog about a lot of things that I love- exercise, reading, raising two teenagers, what's for dinner, too much time spent in Lululemon, teaching, decorating my house, Bobbi Brown makeup. So you can see why I might be tired! I think everyone I know is tired.

A little about me...I live outside Boston. I have one son going off to college in August and a daughter having a driver's lesson right now (hence the not sleeping part). I teach preschool. I have two ragdoll cats (the other reason why I don't sleep- they like to snuggle). I'm divorced. I love to exercise...really! I try to eat healthy every day. I love lipstick.

Anyway, today is my day off and of course I couldn't sleep even though my alarm wasn't set. My body just knows to get up at 6:15. Only a month left of school!  It will probably take me a month to break this habit. I went to my gym and worked out in a small group using weights. My trainer killed me. My favorite (in a hateful kindof way) exercise that she had me do was doing the leg press machine, with a lot of weight on it, but squeezing a ball in between my legs the entire time. This totally destroyed my quads. And then burpees. Arghhh.

After the gym, I hit the food store and Rite Aid. I can't believe I just spent $4.99 for a card! When did that happen? Actually, we have a very fun tradition in my house with my parents. After we ooh and aah all over the card, we give it back so it can be reused the following year. It is fun to see how long we can keep it going. We failed this year, my mom can't find her card. Oh well! I don't know about you, but I have to read EVERY card in the store before finding the "perfect" one.

Came home and had to make birthday brownies. My coworker is going on vacation and she is doing weight watchers, so I cooked a version of south beach brownies for her birthday. I got this recipe off of Pinterest (love) from Squirrel Bakes. I'm dying to see how it tastes, but I can't cut into it until tomorrow! It was strange, no flour, I used Spenda for baking, and pureed black beans. I hope it tastes good. Will let you know how it tastes and if it passes the 5 year old test!


Then I made tonight's dinner (yes, I did that at 2 pm). Tonights dinner is a recipe from Emily Bites. It's called Southwestern Egg rolls and it is totally delicious. It is like the southwestern egg rolls that you can get at Chillis. Has spinach (really), beans, corn, cheese and egg rolls, so what's not to love.  Anyway, it can be made in advance and BOTH my kids really like it. Really like it! Serve it up with some salad and we are good to go. I'm also trying to figure out dinner for tomorrow since I work and then have to go back at night, so there won't be too much time to throw something together. I think I am going to try a new recipe called Clubhouse Turkey Burgers, by Iowa Girl Eats. It involves bacon, which I don't usually cook, so I know my son will like it. I think I will cook up the bacon now. I saw an easy peasy way to cook bacon on Pinterest, which involved putting it in a cold oven and turning it up to 400 and cooking for 20 minutes. I feel stupid if everyone knows this. Usually, I try to plan out or meals for the week in advance and on my day off, I spend a lot of time prepping and planning. So many activities are scheduled at dinner, or right after dinner and if I wait until I get home, I am too hungry and you guessed it Too Tired!