I live, I eat

Hi all, so here we are again with another workout and eating plan with online coaching.  This program is about to start its 12th week and I feel I have done enough of this one to truly remark on it. It appears that many online coaching programs are doing a limited access site with "rounds" that you can sign up for and do.  I preciously gave the 10 Weeks BodyChange Changetime  a try and stopped it after 3 weeks.  The 12WBT is similar in the way that you have access for the 12 week span and each week you are given access to a new weeks worth of the program. You can go back and redo or review the previous weeks in both of them.  I have to say that this limitation is probably one of my biggest problems with both programs. The upsides for the 12WBT are: They have a whole prep section before you start your round to get you prepped to go, and this helps to keep you going good. You are able to track eating, water intake, mood, and sleep. You get full length workouts with Mich

So I signed up for the 12WBT a little over a week ago.  I decided to try that $3 for 3 weeks promo that I kept seeing.  After I signed up, I went on the website and saw that we were "pre-season" and there were a bunch of videos and tasks that you are assigned before the program begins.  The videos  have Michelle in them talking over the different sections and why that part of pre-season will help you succeed. I was initially put off by the pre-season.  I wanted to start right away and not deal with stuff in the meanwhile.  After the first week, when I was going through the tasks, I started to enjoy it.  New tasks, videos, and whatnot open up at different dates on the site.  You will see a notice when it will be made available.  Also, each week has a new task. When I started, pre-season had been underway for a while and I only had about a week and a half to go through most of the tasks.  After the first week opened up, I had access to my meals, was able to modify the dishe

My adorable pup and I decided to take advantage of the good weather and went for a quick hike after work.  Anchorage has the benefit of having some really great trails right here in town.  Most of them make you quickly forget that you are in town and in an area that still has cell coverage. We decided to check out the Spencer Loop system off the Campbell Airstrip Road.  It's a series of loops that you can decide how many you are going to do or just the outside perimeter.  Charlie and I made it about 1/3 of the way through the first loop when I fell, twisting my ankle. Oh my goodness, the pain was immense.  I tried to gather myself as quickly as I could and access how bad it was.  I was having pain shooting through when I stepped down, but thankfully had not heard a snap or pop.  I knew I wasn't going to be able to go through even one loop with my ankle in this way.  So, we headed back the way we came.  I was really trying to take it as easy as possible, even with trying to ke

Chicken goulash, as my family calls it, also goes by chicken paprika or chicken paprikash.  It has been a family recipe that has been handed down to me from my father who was taught by his mother.  This recipe is so simple and tasty, and not to mention budget friendly. I have tried adapting a couple of things, but mostly I have always stuck to the original.  My parents told me that you usually choose between potatoes and ganadle, but I do both.  I have also tried sweet potato.  The flavor was great and I will try it again, but with the long cooking time, the sweet potatoes disintegrated.  So they will have to go in later. Ganadle is a Hungarian egg noodle that is spoon dropped into your soup like a dumpling.  I'm sure it goes by several different names, but this is what I have always known it as. Your finished chicken goulash should end up spicy with a thinish broth and chicken falling off the bone.  The spice level depends on your taste.  Before I got married and moved out o

It is the beginning of the fourth week, and stuff is hitting the fan all around me.  How does this happen?  It's like a giant sign that goes on.   With everything going on with my business and personal life at the same time, I feel stretched too thin.  I haven't been able to workout to the intensity that I like, and had started to wane, but thankfully picked it back up again. Eating has been difficult, also with everything going on and all of my obligations.  It's not like your meetings are going to stop because you need to eat your apple, almond butter, and rice crackers.  Which by the way, is not the easiest meal to eat at once.  I ended up making a almond butter sandwhich and eating the apple on the side.  And of course when you need rice crackers, suddenly there is a shortage. WTF!!!! Okay, so the sad news.  I will not be able to continue on this path with the Lose weight Stay in Shape with Sara Fennell.  There are a couple of reasons for this. 1) money 2) websit

It's been a whole week so far! I'm liking the workouts, but would like to workout more.  I hate cardio.  Did I say that I hate cardio? Yes. Yes I did. Thankfully that is limited to mornings (optional) and after lifting. The food is going well for the most part.  I have the hardest time during the weekends when my husband wants to go out.  For him, it's better not to eat for a long time and then get some crap food.  Apparently, my need for a structured eating program is something I'm going to have to fight for.  He also likes to go out and buy wine.  How awesome. No, I haven't been an angel about drinking.  I have limited it, but during the weekend, when my husband brings me wine, is a different story.  I need to just say no. My water intake varies from day to day, but I'm doing a ton better.  If I am truly lacking I will go ahead and add some flavoring.  I know its a no-no, but sometimes it's worth it. So.........first week check in.  I have lost 2

Okay, I'm on day three.  In so far.... I like the workouts.  A couple of things I have to improvise on because my gym doesn't have a couple of pieces of equipment, but is otherwise completely doable.  I'm doing supersets and a couple of singular movements and then abs.  I'm working out Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.  She gave me a supplement suggestion, and I have to get a couple of things shipped. I normally go to bodybuilding.com to order my supplements because they usually have the best prices and ship super fast.  They also have great customer service. I have some bread products in my meal plan for these two weeks, and that is a little different to get used to.  Not bad though.  The rest of the food I like as well and eating every 2-3 hours.  Pretty clean eating.  I'm trying my best to drink my allotted water and not my coffee as I normally do.  I've also premade a bunch of food and have some of the steam bag veggies ready. I've also not

Okay, I'm compiling a list of places that I like and recommend to people.  You may not see a place on the list.  This either means I wouldn't put it on my list of recommendations, or I haven't tried it. If you have a question about a particular restaurant here in town, just ask in the comments.  I will try to get back to you quickly.  I haven't finished the list of descriptions, but will work on it as I have time.  I will then endeavor to add links to the websites or something similar to help you find these places. ANCHORAGE Downtown Alaska Cake Studio - Cake and coffee yum. Good location for while walking around. Simon and Seaforts - Good menu, but try out the bar for quick service and the drink specials. Orso - Brewhouse's sister.  Okay mix, not as busy as Brewhouse, Still need reservations on weekends. Food is good. Nice wine list Glacier Brewhouse - Make a reservation.  Seriously. Good food, noisy. Popular year round with locals and tourists Humpy

Alas, I am still searching for the perfect plan.  The up side is that I'm super hopeful about this one.  I just signed up with Sara Fennell to do her 12 week Lose Weight Get in Shape program.  You can see her website  here. Sara, who so far seems super nice, is the 2012 Ms. Ontario and 2011 Ms. Ottawa.  She has a bunch of different 12 week programs and help for competition prep.  The programs are: Lose Weight Get in Shape Bikini Body Challenge Fitness Model Build Baby Build Keep My New Body (Maintenance Plan) Plus Plan Get Fit at Home Pretty much the cost is 150.00 (Canadian dollars) every four weeks.  It was a bit more than I wanted to pay, but I thought of it like she was a trainer here at my gym.  I would actually be paying more and not getting as much.  With Sara's program I will be getting a nutrition plan, workout plan, cardio plan, and supplement suggestions.  There is also the website where I can track everything. I submitted the dreaded photos and paid the

I enjoy the idea of online coaching.  I really like the sites that allow food tracking and have a community area to chat with people that are in it with you.  I like interaction with my trainer whenever needed or to give me a boost.  In my search for the perfect program, 10 Weeks BodyChange with John Cena somehow got on my radar. Okay not my typical type of guy I am attracted to, but I'm not blind.  John Cena is eye candy.  What's better?  Oh yeah, he actually seems like he is a great guy.  I think I could make myself workout with him. This program is $99 for 12 weeks of access.  I searched for a coupon code, but they were all expired.  There is also a payment option, but you pay more that way.  There is also a 30 day guarantee.  The program is 10 weeks, and you get another two of the access to the website.  Then you are cut off.  You can sign up/pay for their other program which is just a continuation and maintenance plan.  There is also a group on facebook.  There is supp

We walked by the Kona Inn Restaurant almost everyday.  We finally ended up in this place, thinking it was the Kona Canoe Club down the shopping area. Our first time here, it was evening and we were going for drinks.  There are the lovely waves right in front of you, so this would make a nice place to watch the sunset.  As a note, the canoe club is excellent for a sunset if you were wanting to relax with a drink. The first time we came to the Kona Inn we sat at the bar.  The sun had been down for a while and we were just looking for somewhere to relax.  The sound of the waves were a nice addition to our mai tai's.  This place is actually known for their mai tai's and I admit they are pretty good.  We ended up having a late night meal here, with me having a cheeseburger.  It was good, but nothing that stands out.  The deluxe cheeseburger is 13.95 and comes with potato salad or cole slaw, or you have to pay $1 for an "upgrade" to fries.  Seriously!?! Our second tri

My husband and I were in Hawaii for our anniversary trip and I am doing a bunch of reviews for it.  I have to break them up because some of them need much more space than others. My husband and I, wherever we travel, always look for charters where they limit the number of people on the boat.  We haven't had much luck except one in Cozumel (awesome), and this one.  I was completely excited when I found an ad for them.  You will find Kamanu Charters' ads in various spots, you just have to pay attention. Kamanu Charter s offers:  Sunset Sail, Snorkel Sail, Dolphin Swim, Manta Ray Snorkel, and Whale Watch.  In Mexico we had done a snorkel trip which was amazing, and we were tempted to do it again, but we ended up with the sunset sail.  We would have had to wait for a date that was too far out for us, and we figured that we had never done one, and we wanted something romantic for our trip. I found a $20.00 off coupon in the 'This Week Big Island" mini mag.  You will s

We were on Oahu and the Big Island during late February and early March for our anniversary trip.  This was our second time doing this trip and it was nice to know what was going on and what we might want to look at.  One of my favorite things about Hawaii is the food.  I love Hawaiian and Japanese food, but my husband is much more into American and Thai.  I'm going to break up some of our reviews because it will be impossible to have a super crazy long review over everything and some things need more space than others. This is for Sushi Shiono on Alii Drive. I've been to Sushi Shiono during my last trip.  This place can get pretty busy and I somehow managed to get in without a reservation the first time.  Though I did have to wait a while.  I always prefer to eat at the sushi bar. I told my husband that I was in the mood for Japanese food.  I was actually planning on going to the Japanese place close to Sushi Shiono that was completely fabulous.  They had various dishes

What a time!  I got back from Seattle on Sunday.  Thankfully had Monday off (Presidents Day), because I have two days at work to keep my head in the game and try to get things as much together as possible before I am back on a plane and off to Hawaii.  It was a nice breather to get away for the weekend.  My husband was already in Seattle, so I met him there on Friday (Valentine's Day). WESTIN HOTEL We stayed at the Westin hotel.  It's a fairly large hotel with two circular towers, and is located on 5th Avenue.  It is super close to the Westlake Center, and about four blocks from Pike Market.  When you walk in you are greeted firstly by the concierge desk.  The front desk is actually off to the right and further back.  The staff is super friendly and very quick to get you put together.  We were offered to join the usual hotel membership, which we did, and it gave us free internet for our room.  There is also the Relish Burger Bistro (not bad) and a lounge which seemed popula

I was so sad to get to the end of my tub of Creme de la Mer.  You know I made sure to get every bit of it out of that jar.  I love the cream and it has helped my skin to no end, especially during and after vacations.  My dry skin always pays the price when I go to the hot beachy climate.  But every time, my skin heals in lightning speed because I keep slathering this bad boy on. Okay, back to my empty jar.  I was about to get a new one when my frugal side kicked in.  I knew this stuff worked, but was it actually worth the crazy price tag?  I put it off and scoured the internet to find an affordable replacement. I read that many people will use Nivea in Creme de la Mer's stead.  Cheap, easy, found everywhere... no prob.  I bought a large container and a small travel/purse size.  Everyday, just like I would use the Creme de la Mer, I used the Nivea.  My face never looked so greasy.  And that greasy lasted.  I ended up having to towel off my face so I could get my makeup on.  I us

I wish everyone knew how easy it was to do meal prep for the week so they could ensure they had healthy meals at their fingertips.  The hardest part is doing the calculations in the beginning so you do not make too much food and end up throwing money in the trash. I recommend writing down what meals you will be making.  Be honest.  Do you normally eat breakfast at home?  Do you have a day you go out with your friends for lunch?  Calculate those in.  That ends up being good amount of food you could make the following week and save yourself some money.  Another option is to go ahead and make some extra food and then freeze it into your own little lean meals you can store in the freezer at home or at work. My general plan is to choose what proteins and carbs I want for the week.  Chicken and salmon are my top two picks.  I also generally choose from eggs, chicken breast, turkey breast, and fish for my protein and i switch off between sweet potato, rice, and quinoa for my carb.   For m

I love shopping.  I love shopping online.  And I especially love discount shopping.  I have subscriptions to countless discount sites, the most recent being Zulily. I've made multiple orders with Zulily.  The way it generally works is you order one (or more) of the items, they make one big order to the supplier, they get the shipment from the supplier, and then they send it to you.  The prices range on this site, and you can actually find some good deals.  I get tired of the discount sites that say they are saving you over 50%, but if you do a google search for it, everyone is offering it around that price or for less. Zulily carries a bit of everything.  A lot of baby and kid stuff, including toys and clothes.  Then you have clothes, accessories, shoes, and the what not for the ladies and soon to be moms. I made most of my orders pretty closely together.  I ordered one dress, two tops, 4 bras, and a pair of sunglasses.  All but the sunglasses went through the normal ordering