Extreme Makeover - Me Edition

Amber at {aefilkins} is hosting Extreme Makeover - Me Edition, where a bunch of (mostly) ladies looking to get fit and be healthy are posting updates on how their week went, answering Amber's weekly question, and getting lots of supportive feedback to help keep you going. Because it's hard, no? To take care of yourself as well as all those around you? It's very easy to let yourself slide and take the backseat to all your other responsibilities. So this is a way of being accountable, and getting encouragement to help keep you going, and maybe some helpful tips. If you'd like to join in, head over to Amber's to link up & read what it's all about! Also, here is where I'm going to plug my 'Pay it Forward' post - come on people, who doesn't want to receive something hand-made by me? Sometime in the next 12 months? I am just shocked at the lack of response to this :-) Go look at it and join in!

So, let's get started:

My Week

This was my last week of training for my 10k run in a last ditch effort to lose the last five pounds from baby #4, who is now 18 months old. I ran my last 2 miles this morning (thanks Michelle for watching the kids!) and now have 2 blissful days to rest before the race Saturday morning. Well, rest meaning I'm not supposed to run or cross-train - not like I'll be laying down eating bon-bons, or anything :-)

So - am I ready for the race? YES! Friday I did 5.5 miles, and I feel like I could have done 6; the race is 6.2, so if I can get more than the 6 hours of sleep I've been averaging since Sunday, I should be fine. I think I need new running shoes though, and 4 pair from Zappos will arrive this afternoon for me to try out. Have I lost the 5 pounds? NO! Grrrrrr. I have really slacked off on counting calories ever since Easter which is really the only thing that works for me - if I don't count, I always end up snacking way more than I should. It's really frustrating to put forth all this effort and still feel like my jeans are tighter than I want them. Weird thing is, my upper body looks pretty lean, all my fat is from my waist to my knees. And don't get me started about the baby pudge in my middle that nothing short of plastic surgery will fix. (Is it wrong to secretly long for a tummy tuck? Would you get one?) I think Heidi Klum is an alien and needs to go back to whatever planet she traveled here from.

Goals for next week

Saturday's the race, and I want to 1) run the whole thing and 2) not be last for my age group. I'm going to take a couple of days off after Saturday, maybe run once or twice and do a FIRM dvd later in the week. I'll probably lose a pound or two (that seems to happen if I stop, at least for a day or two); after we celebrate Matt's 40th birthday when he gets back, I'm going to get back on the wagon and watch what I eat, and drink water like a camel.

Share with us a healthy recipe

This is an easy one! This is one of my favorites, it has a lot of flavor, is lo-cal, and is really quick to make. I love to saute, as things cook quickly, you don't need a lot of pans, and the dishes are usually pretty healthy (as long as you don't use a lot of butter!) If you have kids the couscous make a mess, but I think the meal is worth it; courtesy of Southern Living (I think):

Tarragon and Grape Chicken
Serve with steamed broccoli and couscous

PREP: 15 minutes
COOK: about 20 minutes

4 med. skinless, boneless chicken breat halves (1-1/4 lbs) - I used chicken tenderloins
1/4 tsp. coarsely ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. salt, divided
1 tsp. olive oil
2 tsp. margarine or butter
3 medium shallots, minced (about 1/4 cup)
1/4 cup dry white wine
1/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup half and half or light cream
1 cup seedless red and/or green grapes, cut in half
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon (I usually use 1 tsp dry)

1. Sprinkle chicken with pepper and 1/4 tsp. salt
2. In a nonstick 12-inch skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat until hot. Add chicken and cook 6 minutes. Reduce heat to medium; turn chicken over and cook 6-8 minutes longer, until juices run clear when thickest part of breast is pierced with tip of knife. Transfer chicken to platter, cover with foil to keep warm.
3. In same skillet, melt margarine over medium-low heat. Add shallots and 1/4 tsp. salt and cook, stirring, 3 to 5 minutes, until tender and golden. Stir in wine; cook 30 seconds. Stir in chicken broth, half-and-half, grapes, and tarragon. Return chicken to skillet; heat through.
Makes 4 main dish servings

Each serving (chicken dish only): About 255 calories, 34g protein, 10g carbohydrate, 8g total fat, 2g saturated, 87 mg cholesterol, 455 mg sodium.



Comments

  1. This is saved in my recipe file and I will be trying it soon. yum.
    Good luck on Saturday!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Man, how good does that chicken dish look?!!! I'm thinking I could actually make it tonight :)

    Good for you on the running!! I'm doing the c25k program that you mentioned (I'm wk3d2)...will see how it goes! I really want to be a runner!!

    Good luck in your race!

    xoxo ~Lisa

    ReplyDelete
  3. Good luck with the race...cn't wait to see how it goes!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sounds yummy! I'm so excited to be getting new recipes to add to my collection!

    Good luck on the race! I can't wait to get my endurance back up so I can run again! I'm slowly getting there.

    Have a great Wednesday!

    ReplyDelete
  5. You are definitely gonna finish that race!! And you won't be last in the 21 year old age group ;)

    Also, where do you go to get your training schedule?

    ReplyDelete
  6. I need to join all of you. I will ponder stopping by her site.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I will be thinking of you this Saturday as you run your race because I will be walking 3 miles at the same time. Thank you again for sponsoring me!

    Great plan for the coming week! And I can't wait to make this dish! YUM...we love Tarragon.

    ReplyDelete
  8. OH....and I would participate in the Pay It Forward but I already did a while back and I need to post my own Pay It Forward post.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ok, I can't even IMAGINE what having to lose ONLY 5 lbs. would be like. I have so much more to lose than that! But good for you - you have a goal and you're sticking to it - Keep it up!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow, I can't believe the race is practically here already. I can't wait to hear how it turns out. You are prepared and have been working so hard, you'll do great!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Good luck with the race! It sounds like you're more than ready!

    ReplyDelete
  12. It's here, it's here! You're going to do AWESOME! Can't wait to hear all about it.

    That recipe sounds yummy. I'm going to have to try it. Thanks for sharing!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I can't wait to hear how the race goes!! You are going to do great! Those last five are tricky, but you can do it I know it! That chicken dish sounds yummy delish! I will have to give it a try!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Wow! You are doing so good. I am very happy for you. I can't wait to hear your results of the race. I will be praying for you.
    I can't wait to be able to run again. It has been so very long. Your an inspiring lady.
    Hugs, Bobbi Jo

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Jen -
    Wow - wonderful job getting ready for your race. You will do so well!

    And as far as the last 5 pounds go, I still have mine and my baby is 4! I think plastic surgery is the only way to get rid of all of that extra skin that gets stretched out. Ugghhh.

    I will be thinking about you on Saturday!

    XOXO
    Jen

    ReplyDelete
  16. We tried it tonight. Good reviews all around.
    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am so excited for your race !! You will do great ! Mile four is always the hardest ! Pace yourself, you will be so happy when you cross that finish line !

    BTW - Heidi Klum IS an alien.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Good luck with the race! You must be totally psyched.

    The recipes looks great.

    Can't wait to hear about the race.

    Much love from NJ,
    Sue
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  19. I've decided the baby 'pooch' (or pouch) never really does go away unless you get a tummy tuck...I still have mine and my 'baby' is soon 8 years old. I've exercised and dieted off and on all those years and still it's there. Apparently others don't notice it nearly as much as I do...and boy do I ever notice it.

    I think you had a great week and Good Luck on your race!

    ReplyDelete
  20. That sounds very interesting and YUMMY!

    Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Comments are awesome :) Leave one!

Popular Posts