Mercola B-12 Energy Booster

Ok, as many probably know, B12 is a fantabulous energy booster! The problem though is that the most potent form is available by injection only. See, B12 is hard to absorb in sufficient quantities, unless you are eating red meat regularly...and even supplementation is difficult since the digestion process doesn't allow full absorption of what you eat - so obviously, B12 caplets are not cutting it as much as we thought. Now, all the science behind B12 is here, so I simply won't restate it.

But, I do like this product. Its easy to carry along. It has a pleasant taste. Its easy to take. It doesn't give you a jumpy reaction, but keeps your energy level throughout a long period. Its natural.

Just my two cents....for those fighting lethargy all the time :)

Shakeology Challenge!

I'm committed....at least starting later this month for an entire 14 days I will be! Team Epton forced me...I blame Hope completely for this. The goal is to see if we can jump start our metabolism and incorporate a workout program (in addition to any training I'm currently doing) to feel healthier and lose weight/inches.

Once you sign up for a free Beachbody membership, commit to drinking one shakeology a day for a meal replacement and sign up for the challenge....what do you need to do? For 14 days, Hope will post a workout schedule for every day in the 2 week period. There will be mainly resistence work, plyometrics, high-intensity interval training, etc. Since there are a lot of runners training for a half marathon on this team, Hope will focus the resistence work on core and upper body for strength building and the cardio will most likely be running/biking/etc. There will not be any special equipment requirements, and if someone doesn't have the needed equipment, Hope will make modifications to the workout schedule to suit what you have on hand. It will take 20-30 minutes a day.


Diet-wise, she asks that everyone drink a Shakeology shake for one of their meals/snacks per day. Your diet should consist of 5-6 small meals/day. And also, try to eat as healthy as possible, within your comfort level. Quite simply, make good choices.


She even put a private Facebook group together to hold each other accountable, and she will provide all the support and address any answers/questions we may have.


Everyone on the team who make a full effort to participate will win some fun Beachbody prizes at the end and one participate will be chosen to win the grand prize of a basket full of Beachbody goodies (although I have no idea what that is!)....maybe a workout set? new mat? Oooh....how my mind can wander!

I can do this, right? I hope I can keep up with my normal routine AND do this for 14 days. I suppose I could always cut out the free weight training that I've been doing twice/week....but I'd rather do my normal workout plus this. I'm curious to see if I could drop 5 pounds in the 2 week period if I do everything that I've been doing plus what the challenge requires. Think its possible?

But, even more importantly, I do want to kick start my metabolism asap! I'm on this semi-crash diet for another 10 days...so that will end next Thursday (just in time for a Cracker Barrel breakfast at work the following day...I'll say no to the pancakes and syrup, but yes to the eggs and bacon/sausage at least!). So, I'm hoping to drop to about 152 prior to this thing kicking off (I'm currently at 156). More importantly, I want to stabilize at 152 prior to this challenge. Then, if I can finally get into the 140s as a result of this challenge, I will be ecstatic! I've lost so much weight this year (last estimate was 30+ pounds) by pushing myself hard for a bit, then plateauing intentionally, and then doing it all over again. But, if I can get into the 140s...wow...I haven't been there since before the kids were born! Maybe not even since my 20s!

And, it just so happens that the challenge ends on the eve before my first real race. Maybe this will give me the extra push I need to do well!

No Guilt Honey-Mustard Dressing/Sauce

Water it down a bit more for a salad dressing, and keep it at a thicker consistency for a dipping sauce for chicken. This versatile little dip has no calories (almost), no sugar, no bitterness, no carbs, no nothing. If you are on a strict diet, or simply don't want to worry about the content of some bottled items, try this on for size...

1. Mix about a half cup of yellow mustard with a packet of Stevia (or any sweetener you like). Mix to taste. If you like it tart, add more mustard. If you like sweeter, add more sweetener.
2. Add just enough water to give the mixture a dressing-like consistency.

Now, there are brown/spicy mustards that have no strange/sugary ingredients in them, but if you are not a label reader, stick to basic yellow mustard.

If you want something a bit tangier, try this:

Take Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar (just a tad, this stuff is potent)

Add spicy mustard, garlic powder, oregano, and crushed red peppers, to taste

Mix. Enjoy!

A note about Bragg's...don't even bother with any other apple cider vinegar. There has been a lot of research about the thermogenic effects of this vinegar, but Bragg's is the only one typically available that has the "mother" of the apple in it. Its unfiltered, so you will be able to see sediment in it...but that is why this one is so much better than any "clear" version out there....the clear version has essentially been stripped of everything natural and healthy in this vinegar. Its available at vitacost.com (for cheap mail order), as well as amazon...but typically available at the organic section in the grocery store.

Road ID/Shoe ID - Product Review

What can I say...I simply feel safer with this thing on my shoe. I purchased the Shoe ID, and I'm glad I did. Sure, its $20, and sure you will be lucky to find any discount code for more than $1 off, but its a basic essential in my book. I don't even know its on my shoe. There is no bounce, no jiggling, no weight. Also, RoadID gives a lot of good advice on what to include on your item, so I included:

• Full First, Middle and Last name (given, not nickname) - It is easier for emergency personnel to locate vital medical history if they have your given name. If you have a nickname, include that in quotes.




• City, State, and Country (zip codes are not necessary, as medical personnel will not need to know how to mail you a letter.




• Food/Drug Allergies should be included. Use the medically-accepted abbreviations that RoadID lists. If you have none, list "NKA" for "no known allergies" or "NKDA" for "no known drug allergies"




• Blood Type/Organ Donor/DOB can also be included




• You can also include insurance information, that just means you would have to purchase another tag when your company willy nilly changes your plans...something to consider

All in all, the guidance is good...and it does give a certain piece of mind, especially if you do not run with a phone (with a ton of contacts at their fingertips).

Shakeology Plans & Weight Goals

So, I ordered the chocolate shakeology goods...along with some protein powder. I've had a lot going on in the last several months related to my weight. I decided months ago that the baby weight had to go....I had gained so much just trying to get pregnant (and keep it), and then I gained more when I was all stressed out keeping the kids in check! I always put my health and eating habits last, and it did eventually catch up with me. I had that "a ha" moment more than once...the first time, I did lose about 15 lbs, but eventually gained it back....it was a temporary diet/fitness kick. This "a ha" moment has held momentum and has really created healthy habits that i think I can continue for a lifetime, or so I hope (as long as my knee holds up). But, maybe, just maybe, if I continue to lose weight, my knee will no longer be an issue with running? That, and the fact that each month of pounding pavement is simply making my bones stronger...yes, I'm on the right path!

I did a full round of HcG, I finished C25k, I started B210K, I did almost 7 weeks of doctor-supervised weight loss, I'm doing a mini round of HcG now....and I'm still running 3 times/week, doing strength training twice/week and elliptical twice/week. If I keep this up, I should be toned, right? Well, I've seen my body make miraculous changes in the last few months (I've lost an estimated 35 pounds, and its estimated because I didn't own a scale early on as its nicely kept me in the dark!), but I'm not where I want to be yet.

So, where do I want to be? I want to be right around a BMI of 22. That puts me around 130-135 lbs. of course, I would be pleased just to be in the "healthy" or "average" range, but to get there I still have to drop another 11 lbs (to get to 145). I just keep reminding myself of where I was and where I want to be, and I have to find the incentive to continue.

For me, this incentive and continued interest has come as a result of mixing things up...I kept on changing my approach/methodology to the weight loss effort. I've repeated things here and there, but have sustained variety in the approach so I don't feel too bored with an approach, and I've gone intense on a few, and then took healthy breaks for my body to stabilize. This has helped tremendously. While not all the methods I've used are acceptable to some, I feel that I've made good cost/benefit decisions and have gone into it with eyes wide open. Diabetes is looming in my family now, and I don't want to be a member of that club!

My ultimate goal is to get to 135 around Christmas. I want to be raring to go for the 10K and Half Marathon races early next year, and if I settle up a bit more than 135, I'm ok with that...I'm not targeting a number, but rather a middle "healthy" range....and if I do have to buy an entire new wardrobe, I suppose I'll just have to indure that pain :)

Zagg Invisible Shield

The more I read about my pricey garmin watch, the more I worried about scratches on it...seems like a lot of people complained about this. I suppose the complaints are appropriate. it is an expensive thing, so you want to keep it pristine, if at all possible. And, since its a piece of athletic equipment, it will be put to work outside and in places that are prone to scratches. So, I purchased a Zagg Invisible Shield. The 39mm size here fit the Garmin Forerunner 610 perfectly...it was easy to install, came with all the supplies to clean the face prior to application, smooth the front after application...took seconds to install. It also does not in any way interfere with the use of the touchscreen. Small price to pay to keep the face clean and readable for years to come, right? Also, chances are you can find a discount code that is valid here.

Running Club?

I tell you, I did actually apply for a running club...I've received an email update from them and even have my little card that shows membership. And yet, I'm still a bit intimidated by the thought of running with "real" runners. To non-runners, I suppose they think of me as a runner...but I'm not completely sure I'm convinced of that just yet!

I simply have to force myself to go, right? If I completely embarass myself, I just won't return, right? Whats there to lose besides a little bit of face and my pride?

So Many Races Committed To...I Should be committed!

Remember, I'm a new runner...just started in March, and I've committed to over half of the races you see on this blog! That means that half have been paid for! Some of them simply are not open for registration yet.

So, why so many.....I suppose I know myself pretty well. If I don't have a strong goal and haven't blatantly told everyone, the goal will just sink into oblivion. So, I threw down money once race at a time and spaced them all out so I have something to strive for. Now, all of them are pretty short for 2011, but for 2012...well, that was a different issue entirely.

Seems like all the BIG races are in the winter down here in sunny florida, which makes sense for the tourists. Sure, there is the Women's Running 5k/Half in November, but I simply will not be ready for that one. So, that will be a 5K and I'll really enjoy the experience. And there are a lot of other 5K-5Miilers between now and the end of the year...I'm hoping to continue to get into shape for those and work on my speed. Then, starting with a 10K in January, I should be primed to work on my distance....gotta do that for the half marathons that I wanted to do...

For 2012:

• January's St Pete Beach 10k race seemed like a perfect opportunity to ensure that I had a decent pace for a longer than 5k distance.




• February...how could I say no to an inaugural Rock n Roll race right here in my city?




• February...the Princess race is what started it all. I think this will simply be FUN




• March...Gasparilla is all about pirates, and my son's eyes went WILD when he saw the ad for this run, so how I could I disappoint?




• March...Sarasota is like 5 miles away...again, a local race that is absolutely beautiful?




• April...Irongirl 1/2...well this was sort of thrust onto me, a dare might you say...but I will definitely be ready for it. I just hope my teammate (who dared me, for pure self-indulgent pleasure of forcing herself to get into shape) holds to the bargain.

So, one could say this is all crazy....and if I have to drop out of one, so be it. But, I'm hoping that I will be really well conditioned to do them all by then. Afterall, it is several months away!

Best 5K Time Yet!

Last night, I ran a 5k in the neighborhood....32:30! Thats a 10:26 pace! Yeah me!

Music Right for Running!

Now, for some of us, especially on longer runs, we need music to keep motivation, steady beat, etc....but what songs best suit this? Its been proven that occassional treadmill sessions can increase your natural pace because it forces you to keep the higher rhythm....well, music selection can do the same thing.

I discovered the All8 BPM site to calculate your current running pace...try to mimic it. Simply click the white space in the last "touchscreen" line and click your keyboard to determine your running pace. Hopefully you can estimate it pretty well, as I don't think you want to carry around a keyboard outside and run to get an exact BPM pace! Now, you may want to tap a tad higher on the keyboard to get at a pace that is pushing you a bit, for training purposes, but not so fast that you struggle.

Another great option is Jog.fm - you plug your goal mile time into the search engine (or desired BPMs) and it generates a list of songs. Just click through to purchase on iTunes or Amazon! They also have full play lists for the same pace.

Cadence appears to be the nicest version which covers a myriad list of BPM needs. There is an iphone app, a desktop app that reviews and updates your BPM in the iTunes library and they even have a BPM calculator.

Also, check out Podrunner and MotionTraxx both have free workout music downloads available in any BPM.