I miss running so much. It's been very hard for me being told not to do any type of activity except swimming for the past several weeks. It's mainly been hard, because it scares me.
I am scared that I am going to lose the positive momentum I have built these past several months. I am scared that I am going to gain 20 pounds back almost overnight. This level of inactivity I've been forced into is scary, because when you don't have to be as active, it's very easy to slip into some old bad habits.
When I was running consistently and steadily increasing my distance and pace, it was easy to drink alot of water (and give up the diet coke), and eat healthier - I just felt like it! Now I've already started drinking diet coke again (when I had a cold I told myself it was ok) and haven't stopped yet. Also, I have to say my overall eating has not been nearly as nutritious.
I have done some indoor swimming and it's a great workout (alot harder than I remember when I swam laps as a kid!). But unfortunately for me, it's much harder to fit into my schedule and make it work due to indoor pool availability.
It's become extremely obvious to me that a very active life is the key to the success of my overall healthy lifestyle. If you are reading this and you want to get healthier (and aren't already exercising consistently), start...soon. It could make all the difference for you like it has for me. And I am not talking difference in weight (although that has been a great benefit), I am talking difference in my overall quality of life (see previous post).
I can't wait to get running again - I've been doing my leg stretches and am going to try tomorrow. Here's hoping it doesn't hurt too badly when I start.
PS- I haven't gained the 20 pounds back overnight. I've kept it off even without the running, but I'm so looking forward to getting extremely active again and watching those pounds melt away faster!
SONG THAT KEPT ME (THINKING ABOUT) RUNNING THIS WEEK: "Club Can't Handle Me" Flo Rida
RANDOM TIP OF THE WEEK: Use fresh herbs whenever you can. I was on a real herb kick when I was shopping this weekend, as you can tell from the picture. I think it's because I am already missing certain in-season summer foods. The herbs at my market looked good and they portioned a nice size for the price (you can always freeze the extras for future recipes). Fresh herbs make such a difference in the flavors of the foods that you cook - especially when you are minimizing the fat content. I am making 3 recipes packed with herbs this week - the best of the bunch will be featured in a future post - so far the leader is a butternut squash risotto!THIS WEEK'S RECIPE: Turkey & Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
This recipe has been adapted from a recipe by Bethenny Frankel. I love her but her original recipe was way too salty so I altered it a bit (and see note at the end about the burnt feta!). They are good and super filling!
Turkey & Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients:
6
Peppers (cut off tops & use them) you may also need to cut a little of bottoms to get to stand straight
1 pound
turkey meat
 |
| Yes - I make mistakes.... burnt feta |
½ large
onion
2 cups
jarred tomato sauce (low-sodium if possible)
1.5 tsp
garlic powder
2 tsp
Tabasco
2.5 tsp
Worchester
1 tsp
salt
1 tsp
pepper
1 tsp
chili powder
2 tsp
fresh thyme
1/3 cup
feta cheese
2
tablespoon toasted pine nuts
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees Cook for 30 minutes Prep Time 30 minutes
- Cook quinoa per directions. Add one cup grain to 2 cups water. Boil, then simmer until water is gone
- Crumble turkey meat with wooden spoon over medium heat.
- While turkey meat is cooking, chop the tops of peppers into pieces and combine with chopped onion, garlic salt and tomato sauce. Saute over medium heat and add remaining ingredients except the feta and pine nuts
- Combine the above with cooked turkey, quinoa, pinenuts and feta cheese (save a small amount of feta to sprinkle on top later on)
- Remove the inside of the peppers. Portion the mixture into each of the peppers and place them on a baking sheet. Top with feta cheese. Bake for 30 minutes.*Note - obviously I burnt the feta - I would recommend adding it only towards the end of the overall baking process!
I will have to make this. Been looking for a good Quinoa recipe. I went right to the red Quinoa thinking I was all brave... and what I made was terrible lol (and i'm usually pretty good!).
ReplyDeleteOn a separate note, I can only imagine and understand your fear because I had it too for about a week and a half then was able to start again. And I'm the SAME way: as soon as I stopped running, suddenly, I was having dessert again(small, but still, I hadn't needed it in weeks), not drinking enough water, etc.
Have you thought about Yoga or Pilates - something else that might be easier to do at home w/a DVD and still burn a lot off?
Good post on fear! I hear where you are coming from! Keep your fun recipes coming!
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Those peppers look really good. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
ReplyDeleteI just started running again after having to take 5 weeks off because of a stress fracture. I missed running so much during that time, but I also found out how much I enjoy biking. You will run again! Keep your positive attitude and hang in there!
That recipe looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you're scared and missing running! I wonder if you could keep the mindset by reading Runner's World or something to keep your heart in the game while you heal. You'll be back. I look forward to reading about it!
Those peppers look amazing!!! I will have to give them a shot. As for the running, good luck! I just started running and am 3 days into my training for a 5K. I feel great, still huffing and puffing alot at the end but still, I have made it through and it feels great. I also look forward to reading about your running, its an inspiration to me.
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