Don’t Phone It In

By ellen on September 29, 2009

is what Jillian Michaels told me this morning as she pounded me into oblivion in her “30 Day Shred“ video (level 2). I mean, it’s quite a way to wake up at 5:30 am, but I can say without any hesitation that I’m definitely awake now.

After Jillian’s Intensity in ten cities workout, I hit the showers, and then dove into my well-deserved overnight pumpkin oats and white tea. All this before 6:30. In the morning! Haha.

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It’s now a typical morning here before work – I just feel much much more accomplished, and now don’t have to worry about squeezing in a workout tonight when I’ll probably either be exhausted, or busy doing something else. I really do like working out in the morning. Ideally, I’d run in the morning, but it’s pretty dark here at that hour and I’ve seen many unsavory characters in those wee hours… so for now I’ll steer clear.

On the agenda today:

  1. Workout w/ my friend Jillian DONE!
  2. WORK (Tuesdays are my busiest work day, wish me luck)
  3. CLASS
  4. A little cardio at the gym (Cycling or elliptical, methinks)
  5. More leftover dinners at home w/ husbo
  6. Finalize moving plans
  7. Get lunches, etc. ready for Wednesday

Here’s my monster lunch with lots o’ little snacks to get me by (pb&j on whole wheat, apple, pear, yogurt, granola, goldfishies as a little treat, and a banana).

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Well, I’m off to kick more butt, Jillian-style, all day long. Hasta Luego!

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The Calm Before the Storm

By ellen on September 28, 2009

Good Monday morning! I slept in an extra half hour today since I have off from work, then I got into my regular morning routine – including the usual breakfast of overnight pumpkin oats and yerba mate.

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It’s starting off as a nice, leisurely Monday but I know it won’t stay this way! On the agenda today:

  • Finish lesson planning, handouts, etc. for the rest of the week
  • Buy necessary packing materials
  • 10:30 brunch with friends
  • 12:30 Bikram class (it’s about 3 miles away – I’ll run home from class to get a complete workout in)
  • Packing, packing, packing

This is pretty much the last possible day that I can pack (severe procrastination has brought me to this point, ha).

I’m also trying to plan some upcoming races and events to jump-start my running motivation (which took a serious hit over the summer).

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TGIF!

By ellen on September 25, 2009

I’m so excited that it’s finally Friday! I’m gearing up for a really busy weekend, though. I’m starting it off with an excellent breakfast to get me through…

(Sorry, pics not uploading for some reason today). It’s the usual, though! Overnight pumpkin oats (1/3c vanilla soymilk, 1/3c oats, 1/3c pumpkin, splash of maple syrup). On the agenda for the rest of my day:

  • 3:15 leave school
  • 3:30-5 hit up Target for shoes for wedding tomorrow, buy packing materials to finish packing (move next week), pedicure (maybe)
  • 5-8 packing the rest of the kitchen
  • 8-? Dinner and more packing.

Yikes – it’ll be a busy one. I’ll be sure to squeeze in a Starby’s pumpkin spice latte on my way to Target. I’ll check in this afternoon.

Happy Friday!

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Groundhog Day

By ellen on September 24, 2009

Good morning! I’m enjoying the same lovely breakfast as yesterday…

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Some overnight pumpkin oats (1/3c pumpkin, 1/3c vanilla soymilk, 1/3c oats, splash of maple syrup), and the Google Reader.

I’m a huge fan of having a routine on weekdays (I mean we are creatures of habit, right?), but sometimes I kind of feel like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day. Weekdays can tend to blend together – especially the morning part. This evening I’ll shake up the routine a little bit – more on that later.

What do YOU do to shake up the routine?

Have a great Thursday!

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Great Morning!

By ellen on September 23, 2009

Since I was just saying that I’ve been falling into routine, I thought I’d share exactly what that routine is. Let’s start with my AM routine…

I wake up anywhere between 5:30 and 6. Brush teeth, wash face, etc. Next I do a little stretching to wake me up a bit. Then into the kitchen to get some vittles ready. In the kitchen, I prepare my breakfast beverages (white tea, water, and a tea mug for work with yerba mate) by putting the water on to boil.

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While the water boils, I make my lunch (today it’s a bean tortilla, an apple, a pear, loads of water, and a coconut water for after yoga).

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Then I get breakfast ready. This morning that only involved taking my overnight oats out of the fridge. I had to try overnight oats after I had seen them posted so much on Kath Eats Real Food, Runner’s Kitchen, and  Eat, Live, Run. Wow – they aren’t kidding! Overnight oats are super delishy. My own concoction consisted of 1/3c oats, 1/3c vanilla soymilk, 1/3c pumpkin, and a splash of maple syrup. Soo tasty!

Once the water boils, I’ve packed my lunch and am ready for breakfast. (At this point, from wake up time, it’s only about 20 minutes). As I enjoy my breakfast, I check my Google reader and answer emails.

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Once I’m done, I may finish my tea, then get dressed for work! Pretty easy-peasy. I don’t have to be at school until about 8, but I like to get in at 7 to get some work done. With this routine, I don’t have to think too much and it gets me out the door on time.

What’s your morning routine to get you out the door in time?

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