Apparently...

Apparently today was a cheat day. I'm not going to run you through my day-long naughtyness but you can see from exhibit A what I'm talking about.

That was a cupcake and that definitely is sprite...

Week 5 Under Way

Sorry I really suck at this whole updating thing. Sometimes I over exaggerate.... a lot. But take me for my word when I say that I am really pretty busy now through May 11.

So running.

I was terrified to complete Week 4 because I was required to run five whole minutes multiple times throughout the workout. And to athletes, five minutes is nothing at all. Hell, its not even long enough to be a warm up. But for me, it was so daunting. The first time I did it I was at the beautiful Buffalo Park and the entire run I just remember repeating to myself "I can do anything through Christ who strengthens me".. and I made it through the run. Afterwards, I died, but I made it through the run.

Wednesday I started physical therapy for my knees and my p.t. gave me orthotics for my shoes. Well, long story short I ran weird with them and I couldn't move for 2 days. Butttttt I'm back in the game.

Want to hear some cool news? Today I completed Week 5 Day 2's workout and I ran 8 minutes straight twice! Check me out! But I had a killer stitch in my side almost the whole time.


So physically: I'm doing alright, I'm having less sore muscles but more sore knees.

The thing about changing one aspect of your life is that it is a pain in the ass. It makes you want to change everything. Once you start exercising you think to yourself, maybe I should eat healthier. Then you start reevaluating everything else in your life. I'm looking at how I spend money, my relationships with my friends, I'm trying to become more organized. It's a little overwhelming. And the hardest part is that I'm trying to do it for me and sometimes that isn't always easy. By nature, I'm a people pleaser (middle-child-syndrome.com.org). I can't do this to look sexy for whichever guys I date in the future. I can't do this because it is what people are telling me I need to do. And I definitely can't do this as a contact-free slap in the face for the next time I see me ex whenever it may be. It needs to be for me. Because when I'm running and I keep hearing that voice, the "you can't do it", that is my voice. That isn't their voices. So I just need to dig deep and do this to kill my self doubt, not to please the world surrounding. And I can do it, and I will.

Because sometimes I don't want to be a gangster

This is my playlist for when I want to go slower and just take it all in and think and pray and breathe. There might be a slight angry girl theme..... oops.

Product Review

Can I review a product if I never actually bought it?....... cool.

So when I was in Atlanta with the beautiful Tara Lynn, naturally we went shopping and we found ourselves at Victorias Secret. I saw myself at the sports bras intrigued by this bad boy.

It is the Incredible sports bra that is advertised as .. Maximum support plus

Smooth, no-show cups

Concealed-wire technology cushions the wire away from the body for ultimate comfort

Adjustable back closure

Sleek performance fabric with breathable 4-way stretch

Imported nylon/Lycra® spandex

Well it comes in bright pink. First of all, sizes are limited. They are mostly for smaller cupsizes. If you are like me then you are thinking to yourself, why do the little girls need maximum support. Don't get it. I put it through a series of tests and here are the results. Needless to say I didn't get it.

Pros:
You look like a sex kitten (meow). There is padding in this bra and you look hot hot hot in it.And I would say it is fairly close to maximum support (jump tested in the dressing room).

Cons:
Why the hell is there pushup and padding in a sports bra? I'm working out, not seducing Antonio Banderas. Secondly, I struggled to get this bra on even a size higher than I usually am. And its $50, that is a lot of money for a bra you'll have to fight to put on.

Go try it for yourselves!



Man-proof chicken chili

After many failed cooking attempts, I have finally found a winner. I am one of the world's worst cooks possibly.....ever. But I made this bad boy the other day and not only was it edible, but it was good. AND IT WAS HEALTHY. You know the best part? One of my big burly guy friends couldn't get enough of it.

Crock Pot Chicken Taco Chili
Calories: 203.7 • Fat: 1.4 g • Carb: 33.3 g • Fiber: 10.0 g • Protein: 16.9 g

Ingredients:

• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 16-oz can black beans
• 1 16-oz can kidney beans
• 1 8-oz can tomato sauce
• 10 oz package frozen corn kernels
• 2 14.5-oz cans diced tomatoes w/chilies
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 tbsp cumin
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 24 oz (3-4) boneless skinless chicken breasts
• chili peppers, chopped (optional)
  
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions:

Combine

beans, onion, chili peppers, corn, tomato sauce, cumin, chili powder and taco seasoning in a slow cooker.

Place

chicken on top and cover.

Cook

on low for 10 hours or on high for 6 hours. Half hour before serving, remove chicken and shred. Return chicken to slow cooker and stir in. Top with fresh cilantro. Also try it with low fat cheese and sour cream.

Gillian's Note (Try it with tortilla chips and its heaven)

RICE & repeat

If you've been following my facebook for the last couple weeks, you might have noticed a certain trend in my posts about fitness and running. Well, I'm training for a 5k on March 3 at Ryan's House in Phoenix. Te quieres correr? And I know you are thinking to yourself, wait... Gillian runs? The answer is no....well, not really. If I am running anywhere, it's because I'm running on average five minutes late. I've always been a walker, and have dreamed of becoming a runner. Four weeks ago a family friend asked if I wanted to do a 10k with her and I said no.... but I'd do the 5k.

Running is an adventure, both good and bad. I'm using this program called Couch to 5k and its an app and its suppperrrrr amazing to use. Ch ch check it out.

I started my training adventure over break so I have trained for four weeks in four different places. The first week I was in Tucson, second week in San Diego, third week in Atlanta, and finally I'm in my final training place, Flag. And this probably goes without saying but training in Flagstaff is AWFUL. Definitely pretty, but awful. Flagstaff has some lovely lady lumps that most people call moutains and they are currently kicking my ass.

"But if training in Flagstaff is so awful, then why are you doing it?"

I had a realization a couple weeks ago, there is never going to be a convenient time in my life to become healthy. There are always going to be holidays in the near future, dates, dinner parties, and amazing pizookie. I will always be busy not because I need to be but because I like to be. In the midst of my last breakup, I just realized that for once, I get to do something completely for me. I'm not running because I want to look better for someone else or to make them happy, but because I want to take charge of my life.

 And it's scary. I'm terrified of not being able to do this, run 3.1 miles. I'm on week 3 (the sequel) right now and I'm struggling even though I repeated this week due to jumping 5000 feet in elevation. Starting tomorrow and Week 4 I run more than I walk plus I have to run a consecutive 5 minutes. By the end of Week 5, I'm running for a consecutive 20 minutes. I never wanted to run before because I had a million excuses i.e. I have bad knees. Well, they've gotten worse but like I said I'm taking charge. Starting next Wednesday I will be doing physical therapy twice a week for 2 months. Also, I thought I was too heavy to run. But right before my breakup in November I started losing weight and thanks to the break up diet and running, I've almost lost 15 pounds. 

The best thing about training for this 5k has been committing to something and following through with it. However, the second best thing and this is a very close second has been getting my own cheerleader. For the first two weeks, I was able to run with him. Just having somebody by your side makes it a million times better. And it didn't matter if we talked about running, or dumb stuff, or becoming a better person, or we didn't talk at all- he made it all so much better. He is hands down my biggest supporter and days where I just want to throw in the towel I think of him and decide to keep going. And I know when I cross that finish line on March 3rd, he is going to cross it right next to me.

I love you Dad. 

Yo quiero!

I want this app a tonnnnnn!!!!!! Too bad all my music on my phone is awful.

Yummmy Breakfast!

Spinach Quesadilla 

289 calorie Spinach Quesadilla Sauté a large handful of spinach with a teaspoon of olive oil until wilted (about 3 minutes), then add 3 egg whites, and a tablespoon of feta cheese. Quickly fold the mixture together and transfer to a whole-wheat tortilla. Fold the quesadilla in half and lightly toast both sides in the skillet.

There's A Kangaroo in the Gym

This little water bottle is too cool! That pocket can hold i.d.'s, money, everrrything! 

http://www.gocontigo.com/autoseal-kangaroo-water-bottle.html

Healthier Cream of Broccoli Soup

Well I live in the frozen tundra and currently its winter so I couldn't be more obsessed with soup. I could eat it just about every day so here is a recipe posted from Weight Watchers on how to have a healthier version of one of my most loved soups.

	1 medium uncooked onion(s), chopped
	1 clove(s) (medium) garlic clove(s), minced
	2 pound(s) uncooked broccoli, tough ends removed, stems and florets chopped
	4 cup(s) fat-free chicken broth, or vegetable broth
	1 cup(s) fat-free evaporated milk
	1/2 tsp hot pepper sauce, or to taste
	1/4 tsp table salt, or to taste
	1/4 tsp black pepper, or to taste Combine onion and garlic in a 2-quart saucepan with 1/4 cup of water. Simmer until onion is soft, about 10 minutes; spoon vegetables into a large pot. Add broccoli and broth to pot; bring to a boil over high heat. Once soup boils, reduce heat and simmer until broccoli is soft but still green, about 8 minutes. Do not cover pot while broccoli is cooking or it will turn gray. Remove soup from heat; puree until smooth in batches in a blender (be careful not to splatter hot liquid) or puree in pot using an immersion blender. Add evaporated milk and hot pepper sauce to soup; season to taste with salt and pepper. Yields about 1 3/4 cups per serving.

Dog yoga.

Thou Shall Not Covet

So I'm not a runner, but I look like one. What I've discovered is this whole "fake it till you make it" philosophy. I dress like a runner. I fooled my future brother-in-law into thinking I was a legit, hardcore runner. How? Wearing work out clothes. Workout clothing is pretty expensive, not gonna lie. But thankfully Old Navy has activewear that I am super happy with. Right now I have my eye on these bad boys. The top is compression so the girls won't be doing an extra workout, and the pants are compresssion as well. Want to know a secret? The key factor in looking like a runner is wearing the tightest stretchy pants possible.

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=5508

Workout Playlist

Little known fact, I lovvveeeeeee rap music. I can listen to it all day especially if I'm in the courthouse. I like to mix up my running playlists and usually my go-to one is usually rap and hip hop. I'm going to try and post playlists weekly so here is numero uno.
In Paris- JayZ & Kanye
Dance- Big Sean
Church- T-Pain
Drop it Low- Ester Dean
Get Ur Freak On- Missy Elliot
Lip Gloss- Lil Mama..... I couldn't help it.
Miss Independent- Ne-Yo (Not gangster rap, but it makes me feel good on the inside)
Outta Your Mind- Lil Jon & LMFAO
Pretty Girl Rock- Keri Hilson
Stronger- Kanye
Ridin Solo- Jason Derulo (It's the perfect cool down, plus nothing beats riding solo).