Not feeling it.

What do you do when you just don't have the energy?
I just haven't felt or had the energy to blog.
I sweat I will get back into it.. 
I have some good plans for the next couple posts.

 Over the past 4 days I have been busy.
On Thursday Jason and I drove back to our home town.

We spent sometime with his grandparents before taking his younger sisters out to dinner.
His one sister just graduates and turned 18!
I wish I could go back and do it all over again...


We spent the night at his dad's house, sleeping in, and making a lazy breakfast, which was hard because Jason's dad is a bachelor and generally does not fill his kitchen with healthy options...meaning no fresh fruit or veggies..
I opted for instant oatmeal with some PB swirled in.. Jason even tried and liked it!

My dad left for the Peace Corp in March and is renting out our house to a friend.
He also left our family dog there... who I miss so much.

So we decided to stop by and see my childhood house and Morgan!

isn't he adorable...he's 11 years old!!

a walk down to the creek..

our house.

look at this kitty?  he has an extra digit..like a thumb!

It was great to see my puppy..
He is getting old now and has pretty bad arthiritis.
He was just at the vet because he was limping around and has all these cysts all over, but he still runs around and acts like a little puppy..

We headed into town, and had some time before we had to meet up with a family friend..
So we stopped by this little organic cafe.

a green juice and almond milk chai latte for me...

sesame seed and banana smoothie..

We also had a pita and hummus plate.

We headed over to my family friends house to visit.
She had just stepped on a pitch fork and gotten stabbed. She had to get stitches and had to ice her leg.

I helped by making iced tea, emptying the dish washer, and bringing her iced peas for her leg.

We headed back to his dad's and watched some of Wimbledon.
We got a bit lazy..so I decided to hit up his dad's treadmill for a little bit, running 4 miles with some hills.
I showered and we headed out to our friends birthday party.
It was a little bit of a disaster since I hadn't really eaten dinner, and there was nothing veggie friendly, only snacks available so I spent more of the night snacking on chips and spinach dip.

Saturday was a lazy day.  I felt horrible, lacked energy, and was feeling very sick.  I just laid around for a majority of the day before heading out to Trader Joes & Whole Food's to grab some groceries.  I decided to get some xanthan gum & chia seeds for my smoothies, as well as this,..

Looks pretty nasty when mixed up but.. has some pretty awesome benefits...

• Increases and sustains energy naturally
• Detoxifies and cleanses your body
• High alkalinity helps balance your body’s pH level
• Strengthens your immune system
• Insoluble fiber gently cleanses your digestive tract and promotes regularity
• Complete food with enzymes and all essential amino acids
• Natural source of antioxidants to help repair damaged cells
• Excellent source of beta carotene, folic acid and vitamin C 

Last night was a quiet lazy recovery night.. filled with Netflixs, salad & ice cream.
Fireworks have been going off and our cats are TERRIFIED of the noise.

Max crawled under the couch which had a whole in the lining.  He always crawls in there when he is scared.  So funny..

Today Jason and I headed to the gym together.  I stayed a bit longer as Jason had to go to work and walked home.
I attempted to make a smoothie when I got home..
AND disaster fell..
Blender began to steam and burn!!  AHH..
Time for a new one..luckily this was donated to me from my mom..

I headed off for some errands including..

• picking up a package
• faxing paperwork
• Target trip--Blender
• GNC for protein powder-- sadly this was closed by the time I got there!!

When I got home, somehow I got sucked into watching Skulls..
Anyone remember this movie, complete with these guys..

Josh Jackson

Paul Walker

I am trying to keep myself busy and since I didn't get any strength training in earlier today, I did some P90X which was absolute killer, not because of the work out but also because our air conditioner stopped working down stairs.  POURING, DRIPPING, SOAKED in Sweat.

After a shower, it is now smoothie and relaxing time!

complete with chia seeds, wheat grass powder, and zanthan gum.










Check out Run to the Finish for a major giveaway!!
Check out Happy Healthy Runner for Gotein giveaway!! 
Check out Peanut Butter Jenny for protein giveaway!

Monday Exhaustion..

I swear Monday's always exhaust me.
I don't know if its just the it being a Monday but I do think it has something to do with it.

I was sad to skip my 20-20-20 work out at the gym this morning but felt like I had to skip the morning work out to get to a Doctor's appointment for one of my clients.  It generally takes me an hour to get there but there is always traffic.  With the 20-20-20 class I would have had seriously 1/2 hour to shower and get ready to give myself an hour to leave and that would be pushing it.
So.. I nixed it.  I did not work out this morning at all.
I knew that this afternoon I would be done with all my clients generally early in comparison to other days, and Jason works late on Monday's so I would be able to get a work out in after.

I so wished I had gotten it in during the morning.. My energy level was definitely low when I left my last client and I was hungry after not having eaten since 11:30 am. (It was 4ish..)
I decided to stop at home to change, grabbed a Gu and some nuts, and headed off.

I decided to go for a run outside.  Although I initially thought I would go run around my house, I hate the neighborhood and its not really fun to run...
So instead I drove to the Philadelphia Art Museum and Kelly Drive

Its a great running and biking path.  it was super busy due to the good weather (not too hot/not to cold..)  It was perfect because I struggle during very hot or extreme cold..
I did about 12-13 miles?.. no watch or whatever but I know about how long the run was.  There is a loop that is 8.5 miles and I did more than that.  I made a point not to go too fast.  I always push myself too much and then die out.  So I just ran for distance rather than speed.  I ran for about an hour and a half, included some incline up and down.  I usually do the art museum steps but decided to forgo that and headed to the gym to get some much needed stretching and strength training in.  I haven't strength trained for a couple days, only did a little on Saturday...

Dinner included a berry smoothie, some pickles, nuts, cheese and spinach sandwich thin.  Kind of a lot.. possible the reason for my weight gain.. (though I weighed myself again today and it was not as bad as I initially thought, and was probably due to the wedding food from the previous day..)

Currently watching the Bacchelorette-- and angry because of Bentley.

source

Who is everyone rooting for...?

Although I think Ryan is super cute, I really like J.P. and Ames.  I don't think Ames is the most attractive guy but he is super sweet!!! A million times better than Bentley!

J.P.

Ames

Tomorrow is another busy day-
-->have to get an early workout, meet with a client, & meet with my school advisor in the evening...
Cannot wait to relax tomorrow night with Jay!

** Make sure that you enter Blue Eyed Runner's Giveaway for a $100 Home Goods Card!!

The Big Morning Decision...

..to sleep or work out?

I meant to wake up early to get a work out in, but I slept through my alarm.
I still managed to wake up an hour after my alarm was supposed to go off.

I intially thought, well, I already woke up late, maybe I should just skip it..

This happens a lot when I have to wake up early, but  I DID IT!
I figured that its better to at least get some of a workout in..even if it was not what I had originally planned, than not work out at all!

It took me a little bit to get moving..

I did over a 4 mile run in a little over 30 minutes.
13 minutes on the Stair climber..
I definatly needed to stretch.  My left hamstring is feeling pretty tight..

Abs & Push ups.
I finished off with 13 minutes of intervals.
1-8.5, 1.0 incline
2- 4.5, 14 incline
3. 8.5, 2 incline
4-13; 1 minute 4..5, 1.0 incline, 1 minute 9.0, 1.0 incline

ugh boy was I sweaty..

As I was walking out, a cop told me that I had worked out enough for him..so he felt better by himself!

Breakfast
A spinach, raspberry, strawberry smoothie with vanilla protein powder and ice cubes. Yum. Perfect Start to the day along with some espresso coffee and an apple to eat on my way to work..

Work
I have to say, some days are easier than others.
Some of the kids that I work with are a joy, and I leave feeling as if I am helping them as well as their families.  They are sweet, and their smiles go a long way in making me feel as if my long drive to work is worth it.. (despite the crazy traffic)

These last two days have not been those kind of days.  Yesterday, despite working with the cutest kid, I got spit on, kicked, and he swore at me (while laughing)..  oh, by the way.. he is in PRESCHOOL!!  That is when I know it is all due to the home that the child lives in, and the influence the family members has on their child's behaviors.

Today..two of us went to observe a boy in school.  He is a very difficult case.  He was recently diagnosed with seizure disorder but he also has numerous other health problems, including previous feeding tubes, ear plugs, early onset adolescence ( you don't want to know what that mean for him.. it includes feet! :/ )  He is also a big curser, and if I leave a session with him without being sworn at 2 times (called a b****, f*** up a**.. and more) I can call it a success (though it has not happened yet!)
What a joy... This is why I run!

I spent part of the afternoon sitting in Wegman's eating my lunch, with papers spread all over, my computer open, pretty much looking like a mess!

This is my to go spot because there is free Wi-Fi, food!, and I feel better because I am not stuck in our stuffy office!

I am tired! Thank god I do not have any clients the remainder of the week (though this doesn't mean I don't have work to do...)

Although I had planned on writing a post about adrenaline.. I will save it for tomorrow!

Its getting HOT in here!

ANOTHER heat wave..

Today it is supposed to get in the upper 90's.
This morning at 8 am schools were already talking about getting out early due to the heat!
I don't remember that EVER happening to me!
Tomorrow another hot one.. TRIPLE DIGITS.. ugh!
It wouldn't be so bad, but not only does it get hot, but also humid, which makes it unbearable!

I didn't sleep wonderfully last night.
I read for a little and then passed out for about 30 minutes before waking up, and being unable to sleep.
After making some hot almond milk and grabbing a little snack..
I went to bed and was able to sleep for the rest of the night.
I always have difficulty sleeping especially in the heat.  Luckily our room is kept cool for the most part by the AC..

Today I woke up, and hung out a bit.  Reading blogs, watching the Today show.
Then off for a work out.
When I walked  out my door, I realized there was a cracked egg on my back wind shield of my car!!!
EWW!
The neighbor hood that I live in is right next to a school and lots of kids wander around during the evening.. I am a little PO'd but, I guess this will just force me to go get my car cleaned, which it has been needing for a while since it is caked in pollen.

I wasn't in the mood for running but knew that would make me the happiest at the end.
Soo.. I did 3 miles at a 7:30 pace.. then 1.25 miles at about an 8:20 pace.. I was DRIIPPPING.
I climbed on the stairclimber where I did 15 min. of aerobic training program, and then 18 min of intervals. Stretching, weights, and finished up with 1 mile at 7:12.

Made a strawberry, blueberry, spinach smoothie with vanilla protein powder..

Off to work in a bit.
Have to get some papers signed for a treatment plan for one of my clients, and off to another therapy client.

Mismatched Schedules

Waking up this morning was a lot easier today, compared to yesterday..

Feeling a lot more rested from the weekend party.. :)

Off to the Gym..
I decided to take it easier on running today.. well sort of.  Instead of a fast run, I did 6 miles at about 8:30 pace will 2.0-2.5 incline (about 50 minutes).  I was still super sweaty at the end.  I hopped on the stair climber for about 20 min, level 15, but felt like I was struggling through it.. I was dripping sweat!!  I never really care if I am the gross and sweaty girl at the gym.  Atleast I am getting a good work out, instead of trying to look pretty.

Just a tangent off of that.. one of my BIIIIIGGEST pet peeves at the gym is girls who have the hair down while running, with a full face of make up, and girls who aren't wearing sports bras, and have their boobs hanging out.  I would much rather look gross and sweaty than impress anyone at the gym.  Hope I don't offend any one :)

Anyway...I did Gina's Day One of the Summer Shape Up!  (Congrats to Gina by the way..For her Amazing news on her new addition!) Then finished up with about a 7 minute mile before heading home..

A new smoothie today!  Frozen Pineapple, Fresh PEACHES (yum!), Spinach, Ice, Vanilla Protein Powder, and Banana.  I also added water, a little too much making my smoothie a little more watery than I wanted...but still yummy.

Off to work..

In between Clients I had a banana and a Starbucks Ice Lemonade Green Tea.. Not bad.  I was just really looking for some extra energy..and maybe should have just gotten iced coffee.


Trying to Keep it Together

Jason and I haven't been able to spend a lot of time together which has put a bit of a damper on our relationship.  Its pretty hard because our schedules are so different.  He works in the evening (which is not so bad because we usually get home at the same time, and have dinner and relax together for the night), and 2 days a week he works from 3 pm until 11.. not getting home till almost midnight.  Also he occasionally works at 4 am or 5:30 am.

I always find it hard when he works on Sunday and Monday nights, though I usually get home late on Mondays.. I would rather enjoy dinner with someone than by myself.  It makes it even harder when one of us is gone one day during the weekend like this past weekend...
On Friday, he worked at 4 am and worked 2 shifts..And then again on Saturday.
I was off Saturday until Sunday and by the time I came home on Sunday, he was back to work until late.
Then yesterday I got up early for the gym and only saw him for about 30 minutes before heading off to work...
Again he was gone to work until 12 last night..
And I only saw him for about 15 minutes at the gym as he was starting his work out and I was leaving..
Finally tonight, we got to enjoy some homemade pizza together, but he has to get up early again for work tomorrow.
Usually he has off on Thursdays and Fridays, but he has some additional training this week, and then is heading out of town for a friend's birthday on Friday....
Soooooo.. the next time we can really spend some hard core time together is Saturday, AFTER he gets back.. I am hoping he will not be too hung over so that we can actually hang out!
Ahh...
Any advice?
When this initially started I began to make Saturday our night where I would experiment with a new recipe and make him a special dinner, but lately its been a struggle!..

Off to snuggle with him while reading...at least its a little quality time together.

Monday Morning Struggles..

Ugh..
I struggled to get up this morning.
I did it, but I was not happy!

I trudged my butt to the gym.  I had a 20-20-20 class waiting for me.  Its 20 minutes of boot camp, 20 minutes strength training, 20 minutes yoga.  I got there a little before so I did a fast and speedy 2 miles on the treadmill, leaving me sweaty and ready for the class..

The class was horrible.. I mean horribly wonderful. 
It was a good start to the week.  I left feeling a little nauseous after the lack of sleep from the past two nights and lots of food.

I decided to stay a little and go on the stairclimber for 20 minutes before heading home, and getting ready for work.

I made myself a berry and spinach smoothie, YUMMY.  Also grabbed a handful of raw almonds after words because I was still hungry.

Off to work...
Just been sitting on the computer.. ugh, making phone calls, doing paper work.
Had some greek yogurt, a salad with goat cheese, tomotos, cucumber, avocado, and "fake" chicken.  Also had a grape fruit.  I had been craving grape fruit forever...it was yummy.

Still very tired. SO want to go to bed.. 2 more hours until I have to see my first client, probably will not be done till 7?  Its been a long day..

Friday Fun Time!

Ahh I love Fridays!  Its the best feeling in the world!!

Today I woke up and attempted to skype my Dad in Kazakhstan.  The connection was a bit iffy so we didn't really get to talk..So going to try again tomorrow!
Off to the gym.  Did intervals..for about 50+ min.(24 min of 7.0 for 2 min, 8 for a min, which I did again for another 18 min) (12 min of 7.1 for 2 min, 8.5 for a min, and 9.0 for the last min) , also 20 min on the stair climber, and some weights.  At the end, as always did a FAST min at 8.5, with 9.0 for the last min.

A yummy strawberry smoothie.. made from fresh strawberries! :)  It was quite yummy, though the frozen strawberries made my smoothies so much coooler and icy!

Off to work, well sort of. 
Stopped by the office, got some papers, chatted it up with some people in the office.
Off to Wegmans, and got Jay some beer that I had been promising him forever....THEN off to meet with my client.

Afterwords, I met up with a grad school friend at Wegmans where we grabbed some YUMMY food at the food bar.. I got a black bean burger, some asparagus, veggies, mushroom, little quiche.  I was starving and shoveled the food down!  My tummy hurt a little when I was done...

We went off to the outlets.. on a mission to get a dress for the bachelorette party..and maybe some more things?!
I will have to take some pictures but I found a dress I LOVVVE at Banana Republic for $36!!! Such a steal!  Also found some cute shorts!

Came home to finish the cupcakes that I made for the bachelorette /bday party.. Packed up a bit for tomorrow so I can go to my favorite cardio boxing class in the morning before I head down to AC! SO EXCITING!!!

Starting off the day right.

Today is the first day of the week that it hasn't been unbearably hot when I woke up..
It was sunny and in the 70's.  I could NOT not go for a run outside.. So I did. 

One of my favorite places to run in Philly is on Kelly Drive near the art museum.  Its a favorite of most people actually and on really nice days in the afternoon or on weekdays it can be a little busy with bikers, runners, walkers, etc.  at some parts.  The art museum is there, the river, Boat House row.. BEAUTIFUL!

I usually do a loop which equals about 8.5 miles and sometimes I will do a little more if I am feeling up for it which will be about 13 miles, I almost always do the steps of the art museum a la Rocky!

Today I just did the loop and no stairs.  Ever since doing my last 1/2 my leg has been bothering me so today I stopped a couple times to walk a bit. But I finished with running.  Went to the gym to stretch out, do some weights.  Today has been pretty relaxed since I have a much later start to the day...So it was nice not to feel rushed!

Came home and ate an apple and made a wonderful smoothie bowl... I have grown to love these.  They keep me so full and I always try to sneak some spinach in.. which I love anyway in anything so its no problem! So YUUUMMMY!

I am prepping for a bit girls weekend, starting off with shopping tomorrow with a friend from grad. school for a bachelorette party outfit, and then going to Atlantic City Saturday for the night for the bachelorette party!  Filled with the beach, food, drinks, fun, and a male revue!!  Very excited!!  Definitely need some hard core girl time!