Workout {Run + Abs}

As I posted on Friday, I planned to do an arms circuit with cardio included. However, a friend texted me wanting to run together after work on Monday, so I said yes. I can adjust! So, we ran 2.5 miles. Then, I went to the YMCA and worked on abs for all of 15 minutes. I'm all for keeping my light workouts under an hour total. I don't want to spend my life at the gym and/or get burned out!

Nike App

Nike App

Ab Workout

{The Scale}

We are going to talk about the scale. I feel like this is a controversial topic. Everyone handles weighing themselves differently and everyone seems to have a strong opinion and how when it should be done: time of day and overall frequency.  And the controversy is more about the mental health, or the possible obsession, over weight. We probably even have an intimate relationship with this object. My friend, Laura, personifies it by calling it a "Flat-chested Bitch." Love her blog. Hilarious! The fact of the matter is, most of us use the scale as a concrete numerical measurement of our lard load. We also notice how our clothes fit, but if you are like me, you could gain or lose 5 pounds and you don't see much difference in the fit of your clothes.

Here's my deal:
I have weighed myself every single day since I was probably 16. (Except for the rare occasion when I'm sleeping in a hotel or traveling.)  I swear that I'm honest when I say that it's not a huge barometer for my emotions. I just want the information. There is not a day goes by that I don't at least think about my weight. When I'm not formally dieting, I'm pretty relaxed about food and just eat whatever, but in the back of my mind I'm thinking Should I eat this?.  Some days I stuck to my effort to eat sensibly; some days I didn't. Thus, the gradual weight gain. Anyway, now that I've changed the way I eat completely, I can see that maybe I truly won't need to weigh myself every day and still maintain my weight.  I think if I weigh once a week that would be good. Then, I'm checking in so that I have the information, but I'm not relying on the scale to tell me whether or not I'm okay. I should be able to tell that based on what I put in my mouth and how I feel. I really feel like I've learned a lot about food and portion sizes. I'm not eating food that will cause great fluctuation (sugars, high fructose corn syrup, processed food, etc.). In fact, since being on FitOrbit, I haven't had my weight go up or down drastically at all. I just slowly and steadily lost 0.5 here and 0.2 there. That sort of thing. I even "cheated" one day and had an extra bowl of cereal (obviously) and some chocolate chips. I didn't gain at all. Why? Because I'm eating clean. Even when I "cheat" my body doesn't go crazy.

I am seriously scared to not look at the scale every day. My biggest fear is that I read 142 tomorrow and 7 days later I will be at 145 and I'll have to "diet" again. UGH. Having said that, I think it's time to try it. I'm weighed myself this morning and then I told hubby to hide the scale. I will ask him to get it out again next Monday morning.

Do you weigh yourself? How often? What's your opinion on this???

Food {Monday}

Back to the Clean Eating magazine recipes! Today's food was absolutely amazing. Especially lunch and dinner. These are recipes I never would have tried without the magazine. That's why I  think I'll stick with the magazine for a while! WHY NOT!? Yummm.....  Portions and measuring are still important, so if anyone wants the exact recipes, let me know in the comments below and I'll post it!

Breakfast {Cottage Cheese + Fruit + Seeds}
Cottage cheese, mango, strawberries, sunflower seeds

Cottage Cheese + Fruit + Seeds

Snack {Cheese + Carrots}
Mozarella string cheese; whole carrots

Cheese + Carrots

Lunch {Citrus Couscous Salad + Apple + Almond Butter}
Whole grain couscous, chickpeas, Kalamata olives, grape tomatoes, artichoke hearts, orange juice and zest, lemon juice and zest; apple; almond butter

Citrus Couscous Salad + Apple + Almond Butter

Snack {Cucumber Salad}
Cucumer, Greek yogurt, red onion, honey

Cucumber Salad

Dinner {Sweet Potato + Broccoli Chicken Filling}
Sweet potato, broccoli, cheddar cheese, chicken

Cheat Snack {Cereal + Banana}