Welcome to my little sugar experiment! Ok, it’s actually nothing crazy, but, instead, taking some wise advice from Caitlin, Gracie, and a few other bloggers and readers. The goal is save the sweets until after dinner.
My problem is once I start, I can’t stop. But knowing that a delicious dessert is waiting for me at the end of the day will hopefully help me hold off my cravings. It’s sort of like Cookie Friday, but on a smaller scale. Wish me luck!
Breakfast
Oatmeal is my forever go-to breakfast when I want to feel satisfied for hours.
This morning’s batch included chopped apples, soy milk, ground flaxseed meal, chia seeds, and a huge scoop of Teddie peanut butter.
I didn’t drink an iced coffee this morning because Mal and I are going out to Starbucks in a little bit. We have gift cards from Christmas that are burning a hole in our pockets!
My project for the day (besides avoiding sweets) is adding music to my new iPod Shuffle for the marathon. Our usual TNT Saturday run was moved to tomorrow morning, so I need to get it loaded-up ASAP. (None of us wanted to run on New Year’s Day!) I had planned to use my iPhone for the marathon, but its battery won’t last 4+ hours and the camera on it is really slow.
![_MG_6219_thumb[1]](http://carrotsncake.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/MG_6219_thumb1.jpg "_MG_6219_thumb[1]")
Question of the Day
What are your favorite running/workout songs? What are the must-haves? Please help me load-up my Shuffle!
P.S. I’m giving away three boxes of Puffins over on Trading Up Downtown today!
144 Comments
The shuffle will probably be so much easier to carry too! Some of my power songs for running are:
Matchbox 20 – How Far We’ve Come
Matchbox 20 – This is How a Heart Breaks
Sean Kingston – Fire Burning
David Guetta & Akon – Sexy Bitch
Fall Out Boy – Thanks for the Memories
Hairspray – We Can’t Stop the Beat
Any Lady Gaga
Also, I agree that saving ‘dessert’ for the end of the day is a great way to go! That’s what I try to do as well and it’s even more satisfying when you’ve waited all day for it!
I have a small bit of dessert practically every.single.day. I too crave sweets (and salty foods) all the time! Having a small treat every day helps keep my cravings at bay…but it’s really hard if I don’t have anything sweet in the house…then my cravings are out of control & it’s all I can think about!
One of my fav running songs right now is “Right Hand Hi” by Kid Sister. Not sure why I love it so much…I just do!
I like to stick with the club bumbers for some upbeat motivation.
Top 3:
-Like a G6
-The Club Can’t Handle Me
-I Like It by Enrique Iglesias.
Good luck!
That’s not my name-ting tings
girlfriend-Avril lavigne
raise your glass-pink
low rider-???
right now-van halen
pressure-Billy Joel
I will survive š
I coul put a ton, but these are upbeat and inspirational
I definitely have to say that lady gaga, ke$ha, and rap are my favorites…but brad paisley has some good running songs too! š
Saving sweets for after dinner is my normal (not during the holidays) way of eating them. It gives me something to look forward to during the day, and helps keep me from indulging too much early on. I’m pretty sure my brain is now hardwired to crave sweets immediately after I finish dinner though…even when I’m totally stuffed, I STILL have room. You know, the extra dessert stomach. š
Your new sugar plan sounds like a good one! Good luck!
And you HAVE to put Born To Run on your marathon mix. I love when it comes on during hard runs – perfect pick me up!
Funny I just posted my playlist this week too. I see many people already recommended a lot of the songs on my list. As someone said I love “Til I Collapse” when I’m ready to give up I put that song on and automatically feel reenergized.
Those of you running with no music, you are Rock Stars! Without music the only thing that would be running through my head would be “when is this gonna be over, when is this gonna be over….”
I think this is a good idea. I think eating something sweet will be so satisfying at the end of the day and you will look forward to it. I am still LOVING the new blog design!!!
Some of my favorites:
Lovers in Japan- Coldplay
Just Say Yes- Snow Patrol
1901- Phoenix
Forever- Chris Brown
Teenage Dream- Katy Perry
Thunderstruck- AC/DC
I gotta feeling – Black Eyed Peas!!! This is an instant pick me up!
My workout playlist currently has:
Shakira
Pink
Fefe Dobson
Bleaker Ridge
Anberlin
I have to have ACDC – You Shook Me All Night Long on every running playlist I make. It totally pumps me up.
Good luck with the sugar!!!
Come with Me – PDiddy
Lose Yourself – Eminem
Call on Me – Eric Prydz
Club Can’t Handle Me – Flo Rida
Shipping up to Boston š – Dropkick Murphys
Favorite songs to run to? If it’s not in your head yet, Taio Cruz’s Dynamite and a lot of Kelly Clarkson songs because she has really good build up to the chorus!
Firework – Katy Perry
Raise your glass – Pink
Bulletproof – LeRoux
PokerFace – Gaga
One Tribe – Black Eye Peas
Black or White – Michael Jackson
Thats not my name – TingTings
I Like It – Enrigue Iglesias
September – Earth Wind and Fire
those are ones that i can remember off the top of my head. i have been fine tuning my shuffle (which is the same color as yours) for a couple of months now!
Bang Bang by Knaan is a great one! I also love Ravers in the UK & Ying Yang Twins’ Saltshaker š
I’ve been a big fan of the Glee cast version of Forget You by Cee Lo Green (of course, you can get his version too, they are both wonderful!)
I also like:
Paparazzi – Lady Gaga
Waking Up In Vegas – Katy Perry
Invincible – Ok Go
Touch the Sky – Kanye
Airplanes – B.o.B
Superstar – Lupe Fiasco
Misery – Maroon 5 (and their 1st cd is also great for working out)
Senorita – Justin Timberlake (but really? anything is good here too)
I wish I could think of more – I just donated a kidney in November and created a “Kidney Pick-me-up” playlist for when I finally could workout again. Some of these songs are totally on there!
avoid the songs that are on the radio right now… stick with some fun classics that make you wanna dance, move and keep going.
Mambo No. 5
Destiny’s Child – Jumpin Jumpin
Jay Z – Dirt Off Your Shoulder
Nelly – Shake Your Tailfeather
I will not be held responsible if you would rather have a dance party than run after these tunes.
Lady Gaga always makes me run faster. I also like the Black Eyed Peas…good stuff! Goodluck with the sugar challenenge! š
I love movie soundtracks and have my Shuffle loaded. I find power walking / exercising with the Shuffle a lot easier than my Ipod. I don’t have to look at it to make adjustments š I am intrigued by the sugar plan. I am moving toward something similar – making dessert each weekend to eat, or share, or giveaway. I am also going to use the My Fitness Pal website to keep tabs on the calories. I am 51 years old and if I’ve learned anything at all, it’s that I can’t skip dessert for the rest of my life. I’m tired of trying! Happy New Year!
Old school retro selection: Brick House by the Commodores. Great for lifting and for cardio. Always makes feel powerful and laugh at the same time.
“Every Little Thing She Does is Magic,” by The Police. For some reason, every time I hear the chorus, it pumps me up instantly and adds a whole lot of pep to my step.
Weemix (Vampire Weekend Remixes), Michael Jackson NUmber Ones, Madonna Hits, Glee, Black Eyed Peas, various 80’s and 90’s dance songs. š Good luck.
saving sweets til after dinner is my problem. i ALWAYS do that but then i lose control before bedtime.
Same!
You should add Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance, but the version by On The Rocks, an acapella group… they are AMAZING!
I run to the weirdest music, I like things that keep me calm and relaxed as opposed to pumped up. Really, I listen to Taylor Swift, Glee, country, haha.
So I kinda have weird workout playlists but here are some of my favorites:
Whitney Houston-Step by Step (Dance Version)
Ludacris-Money Maker
Beyonce-Crazy in Love
Notorious B.I.G.-Hypnotize
Eminem-Lose Yourself
Phoenix-Listomania
Garth Brooks-Standing Outside the Fire
Salt N Pepa-Shoop
Songs from Musicals
That’s a great plan! Good luck! š
For some reason, Linkin Park really helps motivate my runs. Pretty much anything off of Hybrid Theory and Meteora.
I actually did a guest post a while back on Green Dog Wine that listed a bunch of my favorite running songs. These are all pretty indie, if you like that type of stuff.
http://greendogwine.com/2010/10/running-beats/
Untouched- The Veronicas (this is the song that gets me to push through those tougher miles)
Make it Out Alive – Hanson
And I Waited – Hanson (I know, I know…)
Rabbit Heart (Raise it Up) -Florence and the Machine
Kiss With a Fist- Florence and the Machine
We Used to Wait – Arcade Fire
Wolf Like Me – TV on the Radio
Bulletproof – La Roux
Four Minutes – Madonna & Justin Timberlake
All the Above – Maino (feat. T-Pain)
Fader – The Temper Trap
Some of my faves right now are:
– Raise Your Glass Liam Keegan Extended Remix – Pink
– The Time (Dirty Bit) – Black Eyed Peas
– Firework Liam Keegan Remix – Katy Perry.
I love running to all of these!!
You reminded me that I need to update my running playlist!
Well… here are some of my recommendations:
Any Lady Gaga
Katy Perry
The Faint has some really up beat songs that have a good solid bass to keep you at a consistent pace.
The Killers
Head Automatica
Arcade Fire
Queen
Have a nice time uploading!
It sounds silly, but my absolute favorite running song is “Me and Julio” by Simon and Garfunkel. Something about that mumbaza beat gets me pumped!
Rihanna – Only Girl (this came up around mile 15 of my first marathon in Oct. and I think I listened to it like 3 times in a row)
Cake – Going the Distance
Kanye West version of stronger (stronger, better faster)
Britney Spears – stronger
A lot of my other suggestions have already been mentioned (love “Like a G6”) – Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Black Eyed Peas, Usher. I’m more of a hard rock girl but the pop/rap/hip-hop/dance beats are totally necessary for running. Check the playlist of your favorite local radio stations for song suggestions and also Billboard’s charts online.
Good luck!
Saving sweets for after dinner is a good idea!
Your Man by Down With Webster
Roxanne by Sting and the Police
Black and Yellow by Wiz Khalifa
Hello I Love You by Ima Robot
I Summon You by Spoon
Beautiful Love by The Afters
A Walk Through Hell by Say Anything
Naive by The Kooks
I love answering this kind of question… For weeks and weeks I searched for a suitable running play list and no one online really posted something really good, so I came up with my own, and I love it! But it’s long… so bear with me :o)
1. Strip Me – Natasha Bedingfield
2. Coming Home – Diddy – Dirty Money (also known by his seven thousand other names, Puff Daddy)
3. One More – Superchick (great for those moments you really feel like you can’t go another step)
4. Loca – Shakira
5. Firework – Katy Perry
6. What am I Living For – Katy Perry
7. The Time – Black Eyed Peas
8. ‘Till I Collapse – Eminem
9. Twist (Remix) – DJ Sanj (An Indian “bollywood” inspired song, with a great beat!)
10. We R Who We R – Ke$ha
11. Power – Kanye West
12. Kings and Queens – 30 Seconds to Mars
13. Just the Way You Are (Remix) – Bruno Mars (great, steady beat)
14. Bounce ft. Missy Elliot – Timbaland
15. All the Above (ft. T-Pain) – Maino (LOVE LOVE LOVE! Great motivational song!)
16. Not Afraid – Eminem
17. Lose Yourself – Eminem
18. Sandstorm – Darude (for speed)
19. Becoming Insane – Infected Mushroom (another speed song)
20. Blah, Blah, Blah – Ke$ha (ft. 3Oh3)
21. Bleed it Out – Linkin Park
22. I’mma Shine – YoungBloodz
23. Imma Be – Black Eyed Peas
24. Jesus Walks – Kanye West (religious beliefs aside, the beat and military march in the backround are huge motivators for me)
25. Remember the Name – Fort Minor
26. Sweet Disposition – The Temper Trap (This is a total “zone” song)
27. Suelta – Daddy Yankee (good beat, more of a dance song though)
28. Descontrol – Daddy Yankee
29. Just a Dream – Nelly (great cool down song)
30. Dog Days Are Over – Florence + The Machine (if this song doesn’t push you, I don’t know what will ;o)
Hopefully this helps! I have a ton more, so if you’re still in need, just holler!
Good luck with your run! You’re such a great motivator!
I almost forgot! You probably already have this song, but if you don’t, you’ll love it!
“I’m Shipping Up to Boston” – By Dropkick Murphys
I think the sugar after dinner thing is going to work for you. I always have some kind of dessert/treat at night. I’ve been told I could lose weight (not that I really need to, but I could) if I cut it out but I honestly don’t think that’s true- I think its my motivation and reward after a day of healthy eating haha.
SPICE GIRLS are awesome…. and Lady Gaga gets me pumped. I also like Dave Mathews and Neil Diamond for going slow/cooling down.
Right now I’m OBSESSED with the new Black Eyed Peas song, “The Time.” It’s SO catchy and whenever I listen to it I want to be on a spin bike or running….just super motivational!
I definitely try to keep the sweets till after dinner too. If I’m out at a special event I’ll have sweets midday, but by saving them till after dinner you’ll avoid that “my day is already sabotaged by sweets so what the heck” feeling!
Thank you for be so honest about your sugar struggles. It’s something i’ve been struggling with too. I think i’ll try the wait until after dinner method as well! š
Some of my fave workout songs are:
The WHOLE new Girl Talk album. But especially “Let it Out”
Too Much Too Soon – Green Day/American Idiot Broadway Cast
99 Problems – Jay Z/Linkin Park
Break It Off – Rihanna and Sean Paul
I’ve been loving my next big thing playlist…http://lovelyascharged.wordpress.com/2010/12/13/next-big-workout/…but No Hands by Waka Flocka and Hello Good Morning by Diddy Dirty Money are really geting me going lately!
I usually load just about everything that is upbeat by Black Eyed Peas and Michael Jackson haha
Tina, I always have something sweet after dinner & it really is a great way to control cravings and not over do it! Knowing that you are going to have something sweet actually makes you more conscientious of your other meal/snack options & ending things on a sweet note is always a good thing š
Regarding the no sweets at all vs indulging occasionally debate, I think it’s very interesting how different our bodies and minds relate to food and restriction.
I recently read this blog post at the Happiness Project Blog:
http://www.happiness-project.com/happiness_project/2009/01/quiz-are-you-a-moderator-or-an-abstainer.html
I’m definitely an abstainer, and I live healthier when I just eliminate those things that in excess can be harmful, but I do indulge when at social events where it is much more appropriate to indulge than abstain. When I indulge, I feel guilt-free knowing that in my daily life, I do not enjoy these things.
However, I realize my own habits are NOT best for you or other people necessarily and each of us should approach health questions in the way that is best for ourselves. Best of luck to you in your efforts and I love reading the blog!
LOVED that blog post! It reminds me of the quote, “All things in moderation, including moderation.” Although moderation may work for most of us 90% of the time, for some people with particular cravings, moderation actually sustains the craving instead of satiating it. I love the idea of figuring out whether you are an abstainer or a moderator, and going with whatever strategy works best for you personally.
I have a few key songs that I HAVE to have during runs:
1-Paralyzer by Finger Eleven…it really picks me up when I feel sluggish
2-Gypsy Woman by Hilary Duff
3-Mineshaft II by Dessa(all around amazing underground singer)
4-Camaro by Kings of Leon
5-Milk by Kings of Leon
Any Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Queen, Kings of Leon or Britney Spears
Breakfast sounds wonderful, maybe I’ll try oatmeal again this weekend. For working out, I adore high energy dance and techno mixes. My iPod is loaded with Ultra Trance and Ultra Dance albums that are techno-ized versions of current pop songs.
This is totally random but my favorite running song is When I Come Around by Greenday.