Amanda

Alive and Thriving

by amanda on December 16, 2011

PFG Jen said people have been asking about me and my maintenance life. Welp, here I am popping in for a quick hello! I have been up to so much since my departure from the blog world that I don’t even know where to begin. The short version is that I’m still being active at least three days a week, and I’m always mindful of what I eat. Now, being mindful doesn’t mean that I’m always eating superhealthy, but I am definitely aware. That’s the key. If I start feeling sluggish and I notice my clothes fitting differently, I cut out some of the snacky junk that I let creep into my diet and go back to the basics—lots of veggies/fruit and less crap. Easier said than done, but it’s the life of a maintainer! I’m so glad that I love working out, otherwise I’d be screwed … because I also love beer.

The longer version of my life update begins with my running at least one race per month from March through October. Chya! I’m superproud of myself. I sure didn’t think that I—a nonrunner—would sign up for my first 5K in September 2009 and have it turn into a fun little passion. And now for some pictures/proof:

Get Lucky! 7K in March (my farthest distance to date)

Before Goldy's Run 5K in April with Jason and Kelly

I was actually interviewed on live television about five seconds after finishing the Goldy’s Run 5K. The guy totally caught me off guard, and I’m fairly certain I blacked out or something because I didn’t realize what had happened until after we finished talking. Turns out I’m funny after a race, though, so that’s a plus. If you want to check it out and laugh at (with) me, click here. Fast forward to around 2:42 to get to the good stuff.

HeartBeat 5000 5K in June with Michelle, Kalley, Ashley and Kelly

Minnesota 5K in August

Now let me tell you something about the Minnesota 5K: I almost died. OK that’s not true, but it felt like 100 degrees with a jillion percent humidity. It was my first race running completely alone with no fans or anything. I planned to arrive at the race fairly early, but construction and crazy downtown parking made me get to the race JUST as the gun went off. Great start, Amanda. I was also, for the first time, using my phone instead of my iPod to play music. Big mistake! I had it set to shuffle songs every time I shook the phone, which happens a lot when I run apparently. So annoying. Oh, and did I mention how hot it was?? I was drenched after two minutes, and that’s totally not normal for me. But here comes the awesome part (*sarcasm*): I accidentally took the half marathon route instead of the 5K route. In my defense, it was horribly marked IF AT ALL, and I’m sure I wasn’t the only one to do it. I was, however, the only one to get about 3 miles along and stop at a first aid station to see if someone could come pick me up instead of running 3 miles back. I felt like an idiot. So embarrassing. If it wasn’t so dang hot I just would have jogged/walked back, but I was so pissed at everyone and everything I just couldn’t bring myself to do anything else. That picture up there was obviously taken before my mishap because I still look into it. Man, that sure got me worked up just thinking about it again.

I haven’t run a race since mid-October, and I actually haven’t run at all since the beginning of November. I’ll get back into it after Christmas because I have the 2012 Get Lucky! 7K to train for! The sweatshirt and medal you get for finishing are AMAZING. I mean really, a kelly green (my fav color) sweatshirt WITH THUMBHOLES?! Boom. Registered. However, I will need to either join a gym a purchase a treadmill to train this winter because I’m not a snowrunner. I used to have a gym in my apartment, but I don’t live there anymore. Wait, what??? Oh that’s right …

I BOUGHT A HOUSE!!!!!!!!

I’m a real adult with a real mortgage as of the end of September. I’m obsessed with my house and I love it so much. Yay homeowner! I had my housewarming party a couple of weeks ago, and we thoroughly christened the place. I was once again reminded at how lucky I am to have such wonderful, fun friends. They keep me mentally healthy in this chaotic world.

Cody, Liz and me at my party. Heck yes that's a tie-dye glass I'm holding!

It’s about time to wrap this baby up, but first a couple more factoids. Aside from my running adventures I’m still kickboxing three days a week and loving it. I bought a Groupon for two months of Jazzercise that I need to start within the next month, so that’ll be fun! I hope it’s as Richard Simmons-y as I imagine it. I’m hoping the schedule works out so I can do both kickboxing and Jazzercise for those two months. I need to get my beach bod back because I’m going to Mexico in April! The same city where I had my last-straw moment and decided I needed to change my life, and the same city to which I returned two years later as a healthy, happy woman. It’ll be exactly two years since the last time I’ve been there, and I am so excited it’s not even funny. To be honest with you, I’m up about ten pounds from two years ago, but I can work that off if I buckle down. And you know what? If I don’t lose the weight, I’ll be just fine, too. As long as I feel good about myself and am remaining active and healthy, I am happy. Ah, the life of a maintainer.

Meanwhile, I’ll be eating my usual salads for lunch and trying to not hit up the veggie burger station in the cafeteria.

yummm

You’d think I would get sick of making myself essentially the same salad almost every day at work, but I don’t. It’s just so good! Mixed greens, spinach, hard-boiled egg (minimal yolk), sprinkle of parmesan cheese, chickpeas, green peas, red grapes, sunflower seeds and some noodles. Top that with a little bit of make-it-myself dressing and fresh cracked pepper, and I’m a happy camper! The dressing I’ve been making lately is walnut oil, balsamic and red wine vinegar. I shake it up in a little cup and pour a little on. Sometimes I switch up the oil. I’m a wild one like that.

Anyway, this got crazylong but I’ve been busy! Since Jen said some people have asked about me, feel free to ask questions in the comments. I would love to hear from you!

Peace.

You're welcome to follow me on Twitter (@portmantowtruck), although I don't talk about diet and exercise too often.

{ 13 comments }

Onward and Upward

by amanda on February 13, 2011

Well hello there, long lost loves! Amanda here :)

As you’ve probably noticed, I went MIA from the blogworld. I haven’t gained all my weight back or stopped working out; I’ve just been living.

Blogging helped me stay accountable when I needed it most, but I just don’t require it anymore. Being healthy is an innate part of me now. I eat healthfully most of the time and stay active because I want to and it makes me feel amazing. I get excited about making delicious fruit and spinach smoothies every day. I seek out new workout classes and races because they energize me and keep things fresh. This is my life, and I love it.

Thank you for reading, commenting, and, most of all, supporting and encouraging me along the way. It’s quite amazing how people you might not have even met can have such a positive impact on your life. You’ve changed me for the better and helped me more than you know.

If you’ve happened upon my musings for the first time, I urge you to go back and read my previous posts. I do it from time to time and am reminded of how far I’ve come since my first post. Of course I love how my body has changed in the past few years, but I’m even happier about the mental transformation. This truly is a wonderful, sustainable lifestyle.

I’m kickboxing my way into a bright future, and I’m eager to see what’s in store for me!

And she lived happily ever after.

{ 4 comments }

yummy yummy pineapple salsa

by amanda on October 21, 2010

i’ve been meaning to post this salsa recipe for a while now, and i’m superpumped to share it with the world because it rocks. bigtime. i wish everyone who reads this will make it and love it as much as i did. we’d all have smiles on our faces and love in our hearts to share. the world would be a better place because of this pineapple salsa.

it all began when eliz gave me some tomatoes from her garden one saturday night. i woke up sunday morning and couldn’t stop thinking about those fresh tomatoes! however, i wasn’t in the mood to do anything too crazy and time-consuming with them. pico de gallo would be perfecto!

i headed off to the grocery store in search of an onion because i already had a cilantro, minced garlic and tortilla chips en mi casa. and then i was like … what if i threw some pineapple in the mix?? i grabbed a small can of pineapple tidbits and skipped up to the checkout line. (ok i didn’t literally skip, but i was that proud of my geniusness.)

turns out it was excellente! here are the deets:

yummy yummy pineapple salsa

1. Dice a tomato.

2. Chop up some red onion.

I used a chopper like this. Perfect for onions. Decreases the chance of tears.

3. Drain the pineapple juice into a cute little glass and drink it at your leisure.
I got my vessel at a beer-tasting fundraiser for the Minnesota Zoo. Funtimes.

4. Chop/crush the pineapple to your liking.

5. Chop as much cilantro as  you like (or omit if you dislike … but then i might dislike you). Add minced garlic for an extra layer of flava.

6. Stir, cover and refrigerate for as long as you can handle. It really makes a difference to let the flavors mingle and marinate.

I lasted 20 minutes.

It was fabuloso! Now it’s your turn :)

Seriously. Do it. You won’t regret it.
And it’s sooooo simple!

On a different note, I’m pretty excited for the One Breath, One Step PriorFatGirl Get-Together on Saturday morning. Are you going? If you just read that sentence and you’re going, let me know so we can be friends :) I might be the one in a supercute outfit … but I’ll be getting there around 7:30am, so it’s more likely that I’ll be in a comfy, not-as-cute-as-I-could-be ensemble. Whatevs!

Love.

{ 25 comments }

hi :)

by amanda on September 27, 2010

still alive and kicking, friends :)

to tell you the truth, i’ve had a few posts in my head in the past month, but then time got away from me and i never wrote them. oops.

i’ve also been searching for my camera’s memory card adapter for a couple of weeks now. today i decided to face the music and deem it gone forever. basically, the superyummy pictures i took of the most delicious and quick homemade salsa ever are stuck on the card until my new adapter comes in the mail. (found one on ebay for less than $2 and they’ll get it to me within a few days. heck yes!)

so i guess that’s part of why i haven’t posted.

and because i’ve been feeling boring for the past month.

what can i say? still kickboxing. still trying to eat well a lot of the time. still trying to shed those extra few summer pounds. same old amanda!

actually, i did throw in a morning run last week and it rocked. i had been setting my alarm for earlier than usual the past couple of weeks, yet i just wasn’t making it out of bed for exercise funtimes. but the other day i was like, “dang it, amanda! you complain that you’ve gained a little, but you’re not really doing much about it. GET OUT OF BED, FOOL!!!!”

and i did.

and i ran and ran and ran.

and i loved it.

i had a fab day after that, and i felt really great about myself. the only negative is that it was on the treadmill rather than outside. i find the treadmill boring and, honestly, too easy. i increase the incline and speed, yet i still don’t get nearly as tired as during my outdoor runs.

for instance, when i run outside, i kinda wanna start walking after 1 or 1.5 miles. i don’t NEED to by any means, but my brain (and sometimes lungs) try to hold me back. i can run a 5K on the treadmill and only have a couple thoughts of walking. i increase the incline and speed, so what am i missing?? i prob just don’t push myself enough.

umm ok i guess that’s all for today. wish i had more. will share some colorful salsa and amanda pics once my adapter arrives. love!

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