Slow Start II
I had a feeling that I already used this post title. I used it on the morning of Wednesday, February 6, 2008, just a few days after I started the blog. I love looking back at old posts and seeing how far I’ve come with my blogging skillz (writing, content, photography, etc.) and food choices (I eat less artificial stuff now).
Anyway, I had a slow start to my morning. I seriously struggled to get out of bed. Plus, I was having some strange and interesting dreams, and I wanted to know how things turned out! 
Workout
After slowly getting out of bed and dressed for the gym, I miraculously had a great workout. I ran for 40 minutes on the treadmill, followed by 25 minutes of upper body free weights.
Run Stats:
- Distance: 4.47
- Time: 40:02
- Pace: 8:57 min/mile
- Calories: 438
- Single arm rows: 20 lbs, 15 reps, 3 sets
- Upright rows: 12 lbs, 15 reps, 3 sets
- Military press: 12 lbs, 15 reps, 3 sets
- Biceps curls: 12 lbs, 15 reps, 3 sets
- Lateral shoulder raises: 8 lbs, 15 reps, 3 sets
- Tricep dips: Body weight, 15 reps, 3 sets
Breakfast
Mmmmm… Zoe’s! I put a good 1/3 cup of Zoe’s granola on top of my oats this morning. The crunchy nuggets are so delicious with the mushy oats. I love the combo of crunch + mush! 
Also in this morning’s oats: dried cranberries and almond milk. Now that I am in the office, I am sipping on Sumatra coffee with vanilla hemp milk, which doesn’t blend well at all with coffee… oh well, I just keep stirring.
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Blog for Your Health
From Self magazine, December 2008
Blogging may be good for your health!!!
- Sound Slumber: Blogging about your feelings can bring on relaxation, which helps usher in sleep.
- Improved Immunity: Expressive writing may encourage growth of white blood cells, which fight off infection, research shows.
- A Hardy Heart: Writing about emotional topics may lower blood pressure and heart rate, keeping your ticker in better shape.
Question of the Day
Posted by: Tina 37 comments
Posted in: Uncategorized, workouts
Tags: almond milk, dried cranberries, granola, hemp milk
on Dec 16th, 2008 at 9:59 am
I have definintely felt a big impact on my fitness levels since starting to read and write a blog! Seeing everyone’s different workouts and how often they do them really made me want to step it up. I always worked out, but now I want to exercise even more. This is especially true for running, I’ve always wished I was a runner but always hated it, but after seeing people run and race and love it so much it gave me the extra push to really try harder at it. Now I am starting to run more and more and it’s getting easier!!
The blogs have also introduced me to new fun food products and meal ideas! Plus it makes you want to be more creative with what you eat because then you can blog about it
I had a really hard time getting up today too…impressive morning workout though!
on Dec 16th, 2008 at 10:05 am
blogging made me more aware that i need to eat a variety of foods. i don’t want to bore my readers, and i know i need to eat a variety of food to stay healthy and strong.
its also really helped me stick to my running habit. i dont want to disappoint readers AND i want to serve as a good example, so its a great reason to get out the door!
on Dec 16th, 2008 at 10:05 am
I saw the same sub-article in Self this month.
I began reading Food/Fitness blogs when I first started to lose weight and they were such an inspiration. I think they have definitely inspired me to reach out and try new flavor combos, run longer distances and to know there are others out there just like me. If it wasn’t for blogging I’m sure I would have hopped right back on the unhelthy food train a while ago.
on Dec 16th, 2008 at 10:10 am
I’ve DEFINITELY benefited from reading food/fitness blogs! I’ve learned that I definitely do better with a bigger and more wholesome breakfast and smaller mid-day and evening meals.
Thanks for your fab blog!
on Dec 16th, 2008 at 10:23 am
I am a foodie so I really enjoy reading about food and getting different ideas for healthy meals. I also like to know that many other women feel the same way I do sometimes. It always helps to feel like you are not alone. I have yet to start my own blog, but am trying to muster up some courage by the first of the year. Seems like a good time to start right? ;p
on Dec 16th, 2008 at 10:24 am
I’m agree with all comments above. I think both reading and writing blogs makes me more concious about my eating and workouts. In order to not bore me and my readers, I try to eat a great varieties of food and try to create new combination of foods with my favorites ingredients. And also I discover new healthy products and knowing that bloggers are not paid to do the reviews, makes me want to try them!
on Dec 16th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Christy,
Do it! Blogging is so fun!
Please let me know if you have any questions.
on Dec 16th, 2008 at 10:33 am
Gotta try that Zoe’s soon! Blogging has made me more aware of what I put in my body. I also get a lot of good ideas for healthy eats by reading other blogs. However, I am spending too much time on the computer. Need to shut it down at night and get more sleep!
on Dec 16th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Tina, I’m in the same boat as Christy. I would love to start my own food blog, but I don’t even know where to start? How did you get started? I made excuses for the longest time– like, I don’t have time with work and everything else. But, you know what? I just lost my little investmant banking job, so now is probably the perfect time to start!
on Dec 16th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Isn’t it great to be able to look back on your progress!? The blog, my own and even more so, others, have helped me stay on track and keep me inspired! It has been a saving grace for me! Creative outlet, wonderful friendships, support, and so much more!
on Dec 16th, 2008 at 10:40 am
the two challenges have kept me running (and wanting to run more)
i think about what I am eating vs just shoveling it all in my mouth
on Dec 16th, 2008 at 10:44 am
Blogging is great because it introduces me to new products, meal ideas, people… love it all!!
on Dec 16th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Blogging has made me much more aware of what I have been putting in my body. It also has given me so many recipe ideas that has helped to get out of a food rut.
on Dec 16th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Good workout! I also had trouble getting out of bed this morning – crazy dreams, and I didn’t sleep well at all.
Blogging has made me realize that every bite counts, not just the main meals
Good question!
on Dec 16th, 2008 at 10:57 am
I just took a class on stress and anxiety management and creative writing and blogging were two of the big topics for stress relief! It’s such a wonderful tool to get to know yourself. Since blogging I have realized how much sugar I ingest. YIKES. At least I am aware now!
on Dec 16th, 2008 at 11:01 am
Reading blogs has helped me get this idea of being the perfect eater out of my head. It has helped me see normal portions. It has also help me in moderation. (from perfect eating + binging to moderate desserts)
on Dec 16th, 2008 at 11:06 am
blogging has definitely improved my health/wellness. I love having an outlet to express my thoughts and feelings because i definitely tend to bottle everything up inside and then get very overwhelmed and stressed. it’s so nice to get such positive feedback and support from everyone! Also, I’ve really focused more on my food choices/portion sizes. I used to have very unhealthy habits like eating lots of processed ‘diet’ foods that i would eat in excess, sometimes in lieu of a real meal. now i eat more balanced meals because i want to feel proud posting my food. blogging holds me accountable in eating healthily but ALSO helps me indulge on occasion too because I want to share delicious treats with the blogworld. Then there are all the great friendships I’ve developed! i really can’t express enough how much blogging has improved my life. I love it!
on Dec 16th, 2008 at 11:13 am
great question! Blogging has helped me keep a record of achievments and goals. People are also so encouraging and I have learned so much from people who have been in the health blog world for a lot longer then me!
on Dec 16th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Blogging/reading blogs has introduced me to new products, meal ideas, people…I could go on and on! Having my own blog has served as an awesome creative outlet for me. I love it!
on Dec 16th, 2008 at 11:22 am
wowee great run this morning despite it being one of THOSE days
i think blogging has introduced me to new products and ideas and a way to talk about things related to food and exercise with people that i know won’t judge! also, it’s helped me regulate my food intake with more set times for meals
on Dec 16th, 2008 at 11:47 am
Reading blogs really pushes me to get my veggies in!
I know you’ve said before that you usually have something small before morning workouts. Would you say you almost always do? And if so, what do you usually have? Thanks!
on Dec 16th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Blogging has really helped me track what I every day. If I feel like having a snack out of boredom, I rememember that everyone will see the snack and I think twice about it.
I love reading about other people’s food choices as well. It introduces me to new products! Especially like that Zoe granola that I must try!
http://www.missymaintain.blogspot.com
on Dec 16th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Reading blogs gives me lots of new ideas for fun foods and new products (like Adora supplements from you!!!!!). Writing a blog has made me try more new things and made me more aware of the processed stuff I eat. Since starting the blog, I’ve virtually given up splenda and diet soda!
on Dec 16th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
i never knew about the whole world of food blogging until i came across this site! (cnc took my food blog v card, haha) now it has totally inspired me to try new foods, new recipes, new exercises, etc. that i read about. since blogging, i’ve been mindlessly snacking way less (eating out of boredom, without even being hungry)…mostly because it’s a pain to take a pic as i grab a handful of something on my way out the door. i want to be honest with myself, so laziness has actually helped me!
elise
on Dec 16th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
sounds like you had a great work out!!
Your oats look GOOD!
on Dec 16th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
I love all the great ideas I have learned from other blogs. Also having my own blog lets me right about eating healthy and exercise, which are two things that represent me but aren’t part of my professional life.
on Dec 16th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Yummy oats, great workout!
Blogging has helped me in sooo many ways, from recovery, to just being motivational in general. Sometimes I don’t even realize the positive effect is has until days later, when I’m able to think more clearly, and that’s the best part I think. Residual effects!
on Dec 16th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Blogging helps me get new ideas, and writing my own makes me try more variety in our meals (although I still occasionally get in a rut).
on Dec 16th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Reading blogs has helped reinforce what healthy eating and exercise habits look like, and how there are a wide range of behaviors and habits that can be considered healthy. It has also shown me that my “goal” weight is probably too low – I am 5′6″ and I exercise regularly and while I weigh 120lbs now, I was hoping to get to 115lbs. After reading a lot of health/fitness/etc blogs, I have realized that my current weight is probably healthy for my height.
on Dec 16th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
reading blogs helps to give me new healthy food recipes and workout ideas. Writing my own blog has helped me be accountable for what I am putting in my body and also inspiring me to workout more consistently!
on Dec 16th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
I only just started but I’ve been trying to eat a bigger variety of meals (although it doesn’t show haha) and the bloggers provide numerous recipes to try out. Also, I feel like I can be more open with my new found friends than I can with my old friends. I love that we’re all on the same page regarding eating and healthy living – not so much with my “real life” buds. I also find out more nutrition facts and new products by reading everyone’s blogs.
Thanks for the list of benefits
Have a great Tuesday!!
on Dec 16th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Since I started blogging I’ve found a greater variety in not only the foods that I eat, but in the manner that I prepare them. I’ve always made healthy choices for the most part, but being a blogger has made me “stick to my guns” a little more and consistently eat well and exercise. It also gives me little goals to work towards fitness-wise with all the challenges out there!
on Dec 16th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
As a relatively new blog reader, its amazing how many new ideas and foods I’ve tried already. More importantly, its nice to see that other people think about their body/mind/soul balance as much as I do! Some people have an easy time losing/maintaining weight loss without talking about it whereas I find the talking to be the most important part. I agree with other’s fears on starting a blog…but I’m hopefully slowly overcoming them
on Dec 16th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
I read that too in that magazine! I thought- yet another research study telling me what I already know! hehe.
Blogging has been such a positive influence in my life, so I fully agree that it has improved my health.
Great run today!
Angela
http://www.ohsheglows.com
on Dec 16th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Tina, Great workout…. i was struggling to get out of bed as well. Ever since starting my food blog in August I have been having so much fun and getting great ideas… love your blog.
zesty
on Dec 16th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Yum, I love crunchy cereal on top of my oatmeal! What a great way to start the day!
on Dec 18th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Christy and Laura,
Sorry for the slow reply! I started with a Blogger account, which is very user-friendly, and then switched over the Wordpress, which isn’t tough to use, but takes a little getting used to. Please feel free to email me if you have specific questions! I’d be happy to help you start your own blog!
Allison,
Generally, I will eat a 150-200 calorie snack (if I am hungry) before exercising. My snack is usually a piece of bread with peanut butter/apple butter, homemade mini muffin, or handful of cereal.