Hi Everyone! Hope your having a great Saturday!
This morning I was up and out again for my Saturday run. I wasn’t that hungry when I woke up so I went out on an empty stomach. I did 6.5 miles in 60 minutes and was really happy with my time. It was a beautiful autumn morning, but my hands were freezing again. I made sure to pick up some gloves today! When I got home I made myself this lovely smoothie:
Butternut Squash Smoothie (based on Gena’s recipe)
- 1/2 cup of roast butternut squash
- 4 ice cubes
- 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder
- 1 cup of soy milk
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger
Blend all ingredients and serve. I topped mine with a tablespoon of muesli and a good drizzle of maple syrup.
When Gena said this smoothie was to die for she wasn’t kidding. This was delicious! The cinnamon and ginger flavours with the sweet butternut tasted wonderful.
I spent the rest of the morning in Newcastle. I few days ago I bought a mug and loose leaf tea infuser on sale in Sainsbury’s for just £3, so I went to my favourite Deli and picked up some Amaretto loose leaf tea. This smells amazing! While I was there I got the most yummy almond chai mocha skinny latte. Officially my new favourite hot drink! I also went to a couple of shops in the market. I got more loose leaf tea, this time some Japanese Cherry Sencha Green tea. I also got some olives and a chipotle Chile Ketchup which should taste great with bean burgers.
After town I popped to my best friends for a cuppa. She had made me a jar of green tomato chutney, I can’t wait to try it!
While I was in Newcastle I also hit TK Maxx and H&M and had a bit of a naughty spending spree! I’ll post what I got tomorrow as I found loads of things, although I probably shouldn’t have spent so much I’m really chuffed with what I got!
September Review and October Plans
What I achieved in September:
- Completed the Great North Run!
- Ditched the scales
- Did my first spinning class
- Signed up for my first yoga class
- Lost 5lbs (more on this in a mo)
- Lost 1.5 inches from my waist and bust
Wow, this has been one hell of an eventful month!
A month ago I blogged about how I would be ditching the scales and not weighing myself every week. I did say I would weigh in once a month until I was confident I was balancing things out. I was shocked when I got weighed to see that I had dropped that much weight without even trying. Before I jumped on the scales I had said to myself that it didn’t really matter what number came up as I was feeling ok about myself and my body, my clothes have been fitting well etc. I was certainly not expecting a 5lb loss. On one hand this is ok as it gives me room for any eating out / over eating related weight gain that may come up, but at the same time I really don’t want to get any smaller. I think I need to see how I go next month, as due to the half marathon training, this month was always going to be a bit of an odd one.
I’m also really happy that I’ve continued running. I was a bit worried that after completing the GNR I wouldn’t have the motivation to continue to run but I’m glad to say that I still really enjoy it!
Now that the GNR is all done and dusted (for this year at least) I have a new set of goals and a new training plan:
Goals:
- Continue running – at least 15k (cause 15k sounds more than 9 miles ;-) a week either outdoors or on the treadmill
- Improve my strength and flexibility with my new yoga class
- Continue to attend spinning class once a week
- Think about other measures of ‘healthy’ rather than just weight / size
Current Stats:
- Weight – 9st 9lbs
- Hips –35 inches
- Waist – 27 inches
- Bust – 35.5 inches
My outline weekly plan will be:
- Monday – Gym – 30 mins high intensity intervals, 30 mins spin class, abs and core exercises
- Tuesday – DVD including strength work – for this month the 30 Day Shred Levels 1 and 2 back to back
- Wednesday – 3k run on the treadmill at gym followed by abs and core exercises
- Thursday – DVD including strength work – 30 Day Shred Level 3, Yoga Class
- Friday – Gym – 45 mins high intensity intervals, 15 minutes of strength and core exercises
- Sat / Sun – 10k outdoor or treadmill run / Rest Day
I also want to think about other ways I can measure health rather than just by weight or size. Here’s my first thoughts:
- How am I feeling in myself? Am I feeling tired / rundown / depressed or my usual cheerful self? :-)
- What’s my skin, hair and nails like? Is my skin blemish free? Are my nails strong and is my hair shiny?
- What’s my energy levels like?
- Do I have any aches and pains?
As I am looking to move away from focusing on weight and size as an indication of health I think I will find looking at these other things useful. What other indicators of health could I add to my list?
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Aw you went to Pumphreys! I always ask for their coffee for Christmas off my Mam :) Have you been to their roasting rooms in Blaydon? We went there a few years ago and bought about 50 million bags of coffee.
I love Amaretto tea – it smells so delicious.
Well done on completing the Great North Run this month, that’s such an amazing achiement. I’m trying to do the 30 Day Shred everyday this month, its definitely the toughest workout DVD I’ve come across!
You’ve really excelled last month, well-done Laura! Other questions you could ask? Does this make my heart sing? Am I playing(we only get ‘old’ when we stop playing:)? Love the sound of your seasonal smoothie, typical from the Queen of fine breakfasts herself!
x
The butternut smoothie sounds amazing! Your brekkies are also so yummy and creative. Your goals and exercise plan sound great. I especially love your alternative ways of thinking about what being healthy means.
What a fab month you had and great plans for the coming one well done you! x x x
I think reminding ourselves to focus on *health* is a good thing to do from time to time.
And glad you’re feeling good in yourself, and your clothes :-)
Well done on achieving your goals! x
Becky – their coffee is next on my list to try! I haven’t been to their place at Blaydon but it sounds wonderful!
Lily – Thank you! The 30 day shred is tough! I’m glad I only do it two days a week, I can’t imagine doing it everyday for 30 days but you will certainly see results.
Cosmic – I love those questions, your so right, we should be asking ourselves if we have that joy in our lives, its so important!
Stacey – thanks, honestly you should try that smoothie out its incredible!
Tam – thanks!
Alison – I’m always trying to bring the focus back to health to stop me getting too obbessed with weight loss, it helps to keep me balanced I think.
Hot choc – thanks!
I would love to try some ameretto tea, i may see if i can get some online yum yum!
You’ve accomplished so much :) and I admire you for running for 9km a week!
Wow, the smoothie looks yummy. Wish I could be as active as you. I am working at my own pace, doing what I can do.