First:

Second:

Third:

I guess this makes me a Merrylander now?

A few shocks to my system at the MVA today:

1. The guy asked me my height. I told him. The guy asked me my weight. I slapped him. Okay not really, but I was like, “umm, does that go on my license for the world to see?” Yep. Now everyone who sees my license will know I weight 348 pounds. Cool.
2. That ugly piece of plastic cost me $45. At least it has that delightful picture of a crab on it. Okay yeah, not helping.
3. I made the mistake of looking at the toenails of the man sitting next to me. FYI fellas, extremely long toenails not sexy.

Now for some recent binge spending:

I’ve been dying for a double ring.

Plus feathers are going to be HUGE this fall.

Meow.

Oh Too Faced. Why you gotta go and release a new eye palette.

This Is my fourth Too Faced eye shadow palette called Matte Eye. I also have Smokey Eye, Natural Eye, and Romantic Eye. Obsessed, I know. Also, I couldn’t help but love the fact that one of the shades is called “chinchilla.” <3

I also love that Too Faced shadows come with step by step application instructions.

Great for beginners.

Well this post was pointless. See ya.

Yesterday was apparently National Eat What You Want day. I actually do that every day… sometimes it works out well, sometimes it doesn’t.

The important thing is to find healthy foods you actually like. There has to be some of them. Here are my favorites:

• Cucumbers

• Strawberries

• Oatmeal

• Brown Rice

• Ezekiel bread

• Greek yogurt

• chocolate soy milk

So go find some healthy foods you like and eat what you want. After all, healthy eating won’t last long if you don’t like what you’re eating.

What healthy foods do YOU enjoy?

One of my birthday presents last month was a trip to a running shoe specialty store outside of Pittsburgh in Valencia called Up in Running. Maddie originally went there to get fitted for shoes after her running shoes gave her such bad blisters on the back of her feet that they turned black. It was really quite disturbing.

I ended up with a pair of Saucony shoes with major arch support. Since I got the shoes, I no longer get blisters of my pinky toes and the pain I was experiencing beneath my right ankle is reduced. And for the first time today, I ran without experiencing any pain in the tendon in the back of my knee.

This all very clearly shows the importance of getting professionally fitted for your running shoes. The guy at Up In Running looked at my feet, my old shoes (which I recommend taking in) and also watched me run on a treadmill to determine what kind of shoe I needed.

I didn’t run for a few months because of the knee and the ankle pain I was experiencing, so I’ve been working on rebuilding my running endurance. Remember the beginner running training schedule from Runner’s World Complete Book of Running? I’ve been modifying that depending on how much pain I’m experiencing.

I think following a schedule like this is important when you’re a beginner runner because in the beginning, how many minutes you can run is more important than how many miles you can run.

If you can’t run for 30 consecutive minutes, you should probably follow a similar schedule.

Kara Goucher’s book has a very similar beginner running plan to the one in the Complete Book of Running. Both plans work on getting you up to running for 30 consecutive minutes.

The Plan:

Kara recommends running 3 times a week with a day off from running before and after each running workout.

I began a few weeks ago on a modified version of a week 3 program and have made a slow progression to a modified version of a week 4 program. It sucks that I lost the endurance I had when I completed my first 5k, but I’m running these intervals at a faster pace so I think my 5k time will end up being a lot faster once I build back up to it.

Rebuilding is not as bad as I thought it would be :)

Believe it or not, I won something. It took a lot of skill and determination and effort. Actually, it didn’t. But that doesn’t take away from my winnings.

I received this awesome loot on Friday from the ever so generous Jen from Why I Run: a spibelt, shot roks, and nuun electrolyte drink tabs. Giveaways are awesome. Especially when I win. Which is hardly ever. So thank you so much Jen, you made my life. Or at least my month!

Now let’s talk about something serious—hydration.

Umm… no… not that kind of hydration, ya sloppy.

I’m talking about H₂0. I knew that subscript button on windows live writer would come in handy someday…

Funny story about water:

My little sister Maddie and I were doing dishes one day. Maddie was in complete freak mode, crying about something insignificant most likely. Being the sensitive person that I am, I took the cup of water I was about to wash and instead threw the cup’s contents in her face and said

“PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER, GIRL.”

The only thing that was more fun than that was when my mom let me kick in the front door when she forgot to take the chain lock off.

None of that is really important.

Why is water important for weight loss?

According to CNN Health,

Research does suggest that drinking plenty of water may help you lose weight. An abstract by Dr. Brenda Davy, associate professor of human nutrition, foods and exercise at Virginia Tech, presented at last year’s obesity conference in Phoenix, Arizona, showed that people who drank two glasses of water 20 to 30 minutes before every meal lost weight more quickly initially and lost significantly more weight than those who didn’t.

In another study by Davy and her group, published last year in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, she found that people who drank water before meals ate an average of 75 fewer calories at that meal. This may not seem like much, but if you ate 75 fewer calories at lunch and dinner for the next year, you could lose about 14½ pounds! In addition, being even 1 percent dehydrated can cause a significant drop in metabolism, which can also interfere with weight loss.

Finally, it is very difficult for the body to differentiate hunger from thirst. If you don’t drink enough water throughout the day, you may mistake thirst for hunger and eat more than you really need, which can also impair weight loss. So staying well hydrated is important, particularly if you are trying to lose weight. And don’t forget to eat lots of water-based foods like soups, vegetables and low-fat dairy, which are equally important for weight loss, as they lower the calorie density of meals. That can help you reduce calories without reducing portions.

For awhile I was really struggling to drink as much water as I knew I should be drinking. That is until I found a really inexpensive and convenient way to drink tasty water everywhere I went.

The Water Bobble. A bottle that lets you filter as you drink.

According to Water Bobble’s website, Americans spend $17 billion every year on portable water. For $10, I bought one Water Bobble that I can reuse every day. The filter needs changed every 2 months or every 40 liters.

I think the Bobble really improves the taste of my water. I also think the design is really attractive. The only con to the Bobble in my opinion is that it takes a little bit more work to get the water out of the bottle since it has to pass through the filter. But it’s really not that big of an obstacle for better tasting water in my opinion.

So you don’t have to worry about drinking Smart Water or celebrity tap water, you can just get it out of your own tap.

Just so we all know, I really didn’t mean to write “Thee” in my post title last time instead of “The.” Don’t worry, I’m not going all Shakespeare on you guys or anything.

I come to the blog today with some great news. On Tuesday, I had an interview at Mt. Lebanon Magazine for an editorial internship and I got it! MTL magazine is an award winning community magazine and I could not be more excited to intern for them. In case you didn’t know, I am a senior journalism major and would like to work for a magazine after I graduate, so I know this will be great experience for me.

During my interview, one of the senior editors was telling me about all of the great places to eat around the office. The good news is that means some sweet restaurant reviews. The bad news is, she said she gained five pounds when she started working there. Shit. lol.

In other news, I’ve been running with one of my coworkers, Megan, a couple times and it has really respurred my interest in it. I asked my sister if she’d be interested running a 10k sometime in March in preparation for the Pittsburgh half marathon I want to do in May. I haven’t signed up yet, but I think I will soon. Who else wants to do it? Erica?! Becky?! Anyone?!

Oh and since you haven’t seen me in awhile, I’ll treat you with a picture.

Oh wait, that’s not me. That’s a rabbit with a mustache. Oh well!

Laaa you guys,

Lexie

More on my blog post title later ;-)

So hey blog, remember me?

Yes, it’s been awhile.

I hope you all had a bangin’ Thanksgiving.

I’m currently watching True Life: I want a perfect body 2. The one girl is training for a fitness competition. Has anyone ever done one?

Heyyy, a girl can dream, right? Of course all the dreaming in the world won’t get her a body like that…less dreaming, more gym-ming. Lol.

So I think Tom and I are going to brave Target tomorrow at 4 a.m. I want to get his x-box 360 and I want him to get me six seasons of Sex and the City for $10 each. Ohhhh Black Friday! Unfortunately, ever year the Backyard Brawl–aka the Pitt v. West Virginia game–is on the same day as Black Friday. I will be a tired girl tomorrow after shopping that early, being at the game by noon, and sitting in the snow and rain for four hours. Last year the game was in West Virginia and FRIGID. Coldest day ever, I swear.

backyard brawl. so cold.

Don’t I look like Nanook of the North?

Okay, so about the title of my post. Tom and I are having a competition. Our goal is to lose each lose 6 pounds before January 1st. And uh, I better win :) or at least tie. But mostly win.

And finally, here are some songs I’m obsessed with atm:

The first two are good for working out, the third one is good for yoga. In fact, we listened to it during yoga once and that’s why I ended up becoming obsessed with it.

Alright, well I can’t believe I’m considering getting up at 3:30 a.m…. but I’m sure I’m not the only one!

TTFN,

Lexie

Today, we’re going to talk about something a little uncomfortable.

That’s right, birth control.

When I was 16, I went on birth control to regulate my period. I’ve been on it ever since.

But let’s be honest, I’m not great at taking a pill at the same time every day.

So when I went for my annual crotch doc appointment, I decided to give NuvaRing a try.

My lady doctor gave me 3 samples, and told me to store the two I’m not using right away in the fridge. Gross. They are currently under the butter. lol

I used an empty tampon applicator to help me insert the ring. I’ll admit, getting it up there was a little painful. Right now it feels fine.

As far as side effects go, I’m pleased to report that my boobs are a little bigger! I’ve been waiting for a BC that could do that for me. I also think I’ve lost a little weight, and I’m experiencing a couple extra pimples.

I absolutely love not having to take a pill every day. I know it seems like it’s not that big of a deal, but when you’ve been on it for 5 years, it gets kind of annoying. Especially when you have to whip out your “slut pills” in public.

In other news, yesterday I ran to Frick Park for my workout and found the fitness course, which has different little exercise stations on the side, like pushup bars, chin up bars, and balance beams. It was pretty sweet.

Have a great day kids,

Lexie

Since you’ve been gone…

Oh wait, I’m the one that’s been gone.

First of all, I hope you all had a marvelous Halloween.

Naturally, I chose to rock out as Alice Cooper.

Apparently, my bra says “hi.”

Second of all, Bob has been working out marvelously at getting me back on the work out wagon.

Last week, I did Bob’s 66 minute strength workout 3 days, had my Pilates class 2 days (although, we did kickboxing in the first class and yoga in the second…not weird at all), and went running twice.

This week, I did Bob’s DVD on Monday and had rigorous circuit training during my Pilates class on Tuesday. And no, we never do actual Pilates in Pilates class. Lol. Today, I put on Bob’s DVD but I just was not in the mood for it. I was already in workout clothes, so I decided to see what was on Exercise TV on OnDemand.

 I ended up finding Jillian Michaels’ Shred it With Weights workout.

This DVD has been surrounded by a lot of controversy. Experts have attacked her for not using proper form when working with kettlebells, saying she doesn’t have the proper training to work with them let alone instruct others to work with them. Naturally I decided to put my life and limbs on the line and check it out.

I watched the 25 minute workout before doing it, and a lot of it looked really dangerous. Nonetheless, I carelessly decided to dust off my kettlebell and put it to good use. And by good use, I do mean questionably good use.

I have to admit that this is one of the easier Jillian workouts I’ve done, probably because there weren’t a lot of cardio bursts in between strength moves and ridiculous plyo moves. I worked up a sweat, but I also have same pain in my right inner thigh. Some of the really dangerous looking moves I opted out of all together–like the one where you swing the kettlebell up above your shoulder and it slams you in the back of the wrist. That can’t be right, Jill, that can’t be right.

So finally, I have a new addition to my ink family:

This little beauty is on my right hip. I got her done by a guy named Josh at Jester’s Court in the South Side, if you’re interested. My previous tattoo was also done at the Jester’s Court in the South Side by a guy named Doug. He apparently now works at the shop in Etna.

My first tattoo is on my left wrist and is done in white ink. White ink is supposed to fade after 1 to 2 years. I’m going on to a year and a half with it, and it’s going strong. It’s just more of a tan color now rather than a white one.

Don’t worry, I won’t be looking like this anytime soon:

Actually, I wish I looked like that. Kat Von D is supah hawt.

Okay, have a great day boo boos.

Lexie

I’ve been more into working out at home than going to the gym lately, but there are a lot of distractions at home. I’ll be using my jump rope and then all of the sudden think “oh let’s check out facebook.”

I needed something to keep my attention.

Enter Bob Harper.

I think it’s good practice to watch a workout DVD first so that you know what you’re in for. This was a 66 minute strength training workout, and Bob had the people on the video squeeling. I was scared.

But I made it through the whole 66 minutes with a few extra breaks here and there. I used 3 pound weights and was dying, which is funny because Bob was using 12 pound weights. I really liked the video and learned a lot of new moves. One of my favorites was an Iso arm–where you hold a weight in one arm in a front raise for about thirty seconds and then switch it and hold it in a vertical raise for about thirty seconds, and then alternate a couple times before breaking. I also liked matrix lunges, which alternated front, side, and backwards lunges. My goal is to do the video three days a week for a month. Wish me luck, I’ll need it.

I hope everyone is doing great!

Lexie