Oh Monday... Wishing the Rain Away

Okay, Okay.. so I know we've really needed rain here in TX

Yep, like I said... Texas was really in need of some rain, BUT Mondays are hard enough to get through without it being all rainy and humid outside.

Only plus was I got to bust out my knee high black BCBG boots for the first time this season. 

I ALSO got to bust out this little black headband bc humidity does crazy things to my hair...

{Thank you RunningOffTheReeses for that one!}



So this weekend was rainy, and that messed with my plans of completing another Long Run outside.  I had 5 miles to log this weekend and they were trapped to a treadmill and Sunday I was just not feeling my workout.  I kept staring out the window thinking how I missed the perfect weather earlier in the week... I was completely ADHD and knew there was no way I was going to get in a good straight 5 miles so instead I knocked out a quick 3 (9:10 avg pace with 1min walk breaks between miles) and finished up my time on the eliptical on 65 resistance (my eliptical goes to 80... so whatever that means). 

Then, I kicked my own butt in a random circuit of whatever strength training I thought of including planks, a row back exercise Mike set up for me, and some of my favorite strength moves  --- finishing strong with 5 min ABS that went like this:

Basic Ab Circuit

10 Chest Press Crunches

10 Flye Crunches

{link to move} 

10 Bicycle Crunches

10 Toe Touches

10 Leg Lifts from Bench

10 Jillian Swivels (idk what they're called)

 Basically you are laying back on the bench, legs bent, feet flat on floor.  Lift your shoulders off the ground until you feel your abs engaged and then reach with your right hand and grab the inside of your right ankle, then reach with your left hand and grab the inside of your left ankle - you should feel your obliques engaged.

 {Thank you WomensHealthMag, LookLikeAnAthelete, SelfMag and Kristi'sBlog for the pictures so that I didn't have to do them myself!}

Repeat 3 times.

I also tossed in 50 Dead Lifts for good measure. Because I want a perky bum ;)

For this I use 10lb weights.

And probably a few more things I'm forgetting... Like I said, I kept getting bored and having to switch up my workout to keep my own interest.  Still, got in a sweaty 75min workout so all in all it was a good day!

Anytime I feel like being lazy, I just ask myself WWJD (What Would Jillian Do)?

Repeat of delicious salads happened this weekend -- but with the addition of pulled chicken on top for protein :)

Yes that is approx 1/2 a white nectarine in my bowl.. the other 1/2 went directly into my mouth as I snacked while preparing the salad!!

ALSO This weekend we celebrated my DAD'S BIRTHDAY!!!!

We ate Brunch at The Original Pancake House which happens to make THE MOST AMAZING OMELETTES!!!  If you have an Original Pancake House in your area please do yourself a favor and check it out!

I ordered an Egg Whites Omelette with Mushrooms, Spinach & Broccoli.

The picture does not do it justice -- the fluffy omelette is easily 7 inches in diameter and almost 2 inches high!

It also came with 3 whole wheat pancakes I topped with sliced strawberries and a bit of syrup.

Approximately 9 million cups of coffee were also inhaled :-D

Over Brunch we let him open presents and cards... this one was too funny and I had to share!

{Open Card}

{Birthday Card to my Dad from my Aunt}

Then we skipped on over to the movie theater because my dad loves going to the movies -- only our movie wasn't showing for another hour so we decided to play arcade games to pass the time.

I also befriended Big Foot.

"Ummm I don't think you were supposed to just pick me up and bring me with you.."

 I forgot just how fun arcade games can be!  There were a few Air Hockey battles, some extreme racing, and shotgun shootouts!

We saw the movie Money Ball, the one about baseball with Brad Pitt in it.

Overall it was a win! It wasn't too sporty (I really can't focus on sports for long without some sort of a background story line.. I'm all for the real life drama and happy endings) and the concept was pretty interesting.

Hanging out with my family all day for my Dad's birthday was a blast!! Then Mike & I skipped on over to watch the Ranger's game with some friends and my Roommate.

Flashing forward in time...

Today's lunch was a lil' Pick-Me-Up at La Madeline's <3

I had a doctor's appointment right before lunch and I always hate those so I was excited to have such a fun lunch afterwards to cheer me back up.

La Madeline's had a special where you could get a little Spinach Pochette, Cup of Soup (mine's Tomato), and Salad (I got Strawberry Red Pepper Spinach Salad).  I also had a hot tea and some bread with their fresh strawberry jam - delicious! And filling.. which was good since my protein shake this morning was on the lighter side.

I know the only good part of the Spinach Pochette was the spinach but I almost never eat pastries and wanted to spoil myself on this rainy Monday :)

Just don't tell Jillian....

Questions for the Day:

When you have days you're just not feeling motivated in the gym, what do you do?

Favorite Ab Move?  and why...

BEST thing you've eaten in the past 24 hours -- ready... GO!