Finishing Week 6

Friday, December 13th:

Loving the progress! Close to my fastest time! Not bad. 

I could have done better if I were to have started with my normal stretching routine. I guess today I was in a hurry to get out and run. Because of that I forgot to stretch and my time and progress did suffer. Along with my left leg. My muscles are very sore and achey right now. More than normal. It's as if they are yelling at me saying I told you stretching helps! Head over to my Helpful Tips for stretching routines! Don't make the same mistake I did please. : )

Spread the Running Joy!

~Maddie J.

Week 6 Continues

Wed Dec. 11: 2 miles ran in about an estimated 25 minutes.
I forgot to start my timer when I left and remembered a little bit later. 
This time isn't the most accurate. But at least I was running my butt off!

Thursday Dec. 12: 2 miles ran in 23 minutes!!
MY FASTEST TIME YET!!!
WOOOT WOOOT!!!!!!!!!!
No excuses people! That's what dedication is all about! The second I stepped out onto the road it began to start snowing! Yes, SNOWING! It was very cold outside and snowing but I did NOT turn around. I held my head high and listened to my music and kept along my way!

You CAN do it! No excuses! 

Spread the Running Joy!
~Maddie J.

Starting week 6

Here is my time record so far for week 6 of training.

Sun: Rest, yoga day
Mon:Rest, yoga day
Tues: 2 miles in 26:36.2

Keep up the good work!
Spread the Running Joy!
~ Maddie J.







Wednesday Time:

*I forgot to turn the timer on when I left so this is inaccurate. Add about 4 or 5 minutes to this maybe. 

Thursday Time:

FASTEST TIME SO FAR!!!!!

Beginning of Week 6

Before going on my 2 mile jog today I decided to create a fantastic Refreshing Hydration water mixture. It is always a good idea to stay hydrated while exercising. 

Time to eliminate those toxins in your body with this refreshing hydration water made of cucumber, lemons, limes, and mint. I add a tray of ice cubes to the container before adding the ingredients and then finishing off with filling it with water. 

Benefits:

Cucumbers: 
This vegetable is a good source of B vitamins and are made of 95% water. The high water content and dietary fiber in these green veggies are very effective in ridding the body of toxins from your digestive system and they also help aid digestion.  Cucumbers are known to contain lariciresinal, pinoresinol, and secoisolariciresinol. Of which have a strong history of research in connection with reduced risk of cancer types; breast cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, and prostate cancer. Cucumber juice contains a hormone which is needed by cells of the pancreas for producing insulin which has been found to be beneficial to diabetic patients. Researches also found that a compound called sterols in cucumbers may help reduce cholesterol levels. Cucumbers also contain a lot of potassium, magnesium and fiber. These work effectively in regulating your blood pressure. This awesome vegetable is also a great source for silica, which is known to help promote joint health by strengthening the connective tissues. 

Lemons:
Lemons are a great source for calcium, vitamin C, magnesium and potassium that improve the appearance and condition of your hair, skin and nails.Who doesn't want that? Due to the amount of vitamin C found in lemons it is known to give your immune system a boost. The potassium is great for your heart, brain, and nerve function. Like cucumbers, lemon juice loosens toxins in your digestive tract. They also help relieve symptoms of indigestion; heartburn, burping, and bloating. Another great benefit of lemons is that they contain pectin fiber, which assists in fighting hunger cravings. Ironically, by drinking lemon in your water on a regular basis, it will decrease the acidity in your body, which is where disease states occur. It removes uric acid in your joints, which is one of the main causes of inflammation. When lemon juice is in your digestive tract it gives your body more energy and helps reduce anxiety and depression. 

Limes:
Limes contain calcium and folate, both nutrients are important for post-menopausal woman and woman of child-bearing age. One fresh lime contains 22 milligram of calcium and over five microgram of folate. The limonoid compounds in limes have been proven to prevent colon cancers of the; colon, stomach and blood. Lime juice contains more citric acid than orange or grapefruit juice. Citric acid is a natural inhibitor of kidney stones made of crystallized calcium. 

Mint:
Mint is capable of calming your stomach. the aroma activates the saliva glands that produce digestive enzymes. As a result, o your digestion becomes more fluent. The aroma and leaves are also great for treating nausea. The aroma of mint is so powerful is can relieve respiratory congestion by opening up the nose, throat, and lungs, as well as helping to overcome a cough. Ingesting mint on a regular basis can help those with asthma because it can provide relaxation and help relieve breathing. Some enzymes contained in mint leaves have also been shown to help fight against cancer. 

Bonus* ~ all of these also give you fresh breath! 

Spread the Running Joy!
~Maddie J.

Maximizing your propane oven capabilities!

I have been trying to create yummy recipes for daily dinner meals by putting a lot of time and effort for the freshest ingredients making the perfect tasty combinations. It is such a shame to put so much effort into my meals just to find out I am not using my oven to its full capabilities. I will admit I am the one who usually, not always, but usually burns the bottom of my delicious fluffy homemade dinner rolls.

As I have been dedicating so much of my time into preparing these meals before hand I have decided to beat this problem and leave it in the dust. I have done my research about my propane oven and found that I have been having a heat distribution problem.

How to fix heat distribution in your propane oven:

I will be buying 4 unglazed tiles to place on the top of the thin metal shelf right above the open propane flame. I will also make sure I do NOT block the vent holes running along side the shelf to allow air circulation. The unglazed tiles will be the heat conductor for my propane oven. I will continue to place my baking dishes on my metal rack as usual.

*I will most likely be buying the tiles from Home Depot.

Check back for photo updates and the results as I have added these unglazed tiles to my shopping list for this week. I hope this helps your baking in your propane oven. Let me know how the baking goes please. I’d love to hear your experience!

Good Luck!

~Maddie J.

Fluffy Snickerdoodles!

Fluffy Snickerdoodles!

The fluffliest of fluffly snickdoodle cookies you have ever had! Do I have your attention yet? Because I'm talking about fluffy snickerdoodles here people. :) Usually every time I think of snickerdoodle cookies I picture a flat gooey looking cookie coated with cinnamon and sugar. Then when I would eat them instead of gooey it was crunchy and crumbly, not these snickerdoodles. These are fluffy, airy and moist. They are a whole new type of snickerdoodles. This recipe makes about 20 snickerdoodles about the same size in diameter of a pop can, or a little bigger.

Fluffy Snickerdoodle cookies:

Ingredients you will need:

 ½  Cup butter< at room temperature

¾  Cup Sugar, also 3 Tablespoons of Sugar to be used separately.

1 Egg

1.4 Cups of Flour

3 teaspoons Baking Powder

¼ teaspoon Salt

¼ teaspoon vanilla

3 teaspoons Cinnamon

What you will need:

 2 mixing bowls, for dry and wet ingredients

Oven Safe Cookie Sheet

How to do it:

 Mix together the butter that is at room temperature with the sugar. Then add the eggs and vanilla, continue mixing thoroughly. In separate mixing bowl add flour, baking powder, and salt together, then stir. Now gradually add the dry bowl of ingredients into the wet.

Once all ingredients have been combined properly place into fridge for at least 30 minutes. This allows dough to thicken. In the mean time, use the empty dry mixing bowl and combine 3 Tablespoons of sugar with 3 teaspoons of cinnamon.

Once your dough has chilled long enough begin to roll into balls one by one. Take a ball of dough and roll through cinnamon and sugar mix to coat evenly. Then place on cookie sheet.

Bake in oven between 8 to 10 minutes at 375 degrees F. This will shift as each oven is different. My oven bakes and cooks very quickly, so please be aware of your oven capabilities. It would be a shame to have uneatable delicious cookies. : )

Cool, Serve and Enjoy!

~ Maddie J.

Challenge Complete!!

Yesterday I lived up to my self challenge and completed a 3.4 mile jog. Click here for records of my results!
How did I do it?
I pushed myself hard and motivated myself non stop.  Before the jog I thought about it a lot and I began to imagine myself running/ jogging the route Everytime ---  I used the visualization technique. Everytime I thought of the longer distance run I visualized myself kicking butt and running hard.  I began to say it to other people and to myself that I was going to jog/ run that distance. It became normal and started to flow off my tongue and finger tips. As I thought about it later and read my notes about taking the personal challenge to understand what I was going to have to achieve.  I saw I had wrote that I was confident I could do it. This is what pushed me to finish. This is what made me continue my self-confidence during my run.

While I was writing my original post about my self challenge I never once doubted myself. I just took on the challenge head strong. I believe when I accepted the challenge I felt as if I was undoubtedly, no questions asked, and positive that I could do it!!!  It made me feel good to know that I had such self-confidence and therefore I could NOT let myself down.

I feel so proud of myself! I feel so good for living up to my challenge.

What was going through my mind?
 As I completed my first lap I had turned back to start my extra 1.4 minles. I was excited that I was on track with my faster time schedule for my usual 2 miles. That made me feel good.

 I do have to admit that I awarded myself with a bit of a walk before continuing at a steady jog. Then as I started to get back up to a jogging speed I was having trouble holding it steady. A thought ran through my head, I could just go half way instead of to the very end of the road. I immediately stopped that negative thought and thought positively instead. I thought that if I cut the run short I couldn't say that I did it. I wouldn't have the results I want even if the times are longer than I would hope them to be. I really wanted to say I did it! So here it goes...

I DID IT!!!! I completed my longer distance run with flying colors!!! YyAaYy!!!

Alright, back to the run. I pushed through the negative thoughts and thought positively, while keeping a steady jog. I also thought that I needed to not only be honest to my fellow bloggers about the records of my jog time, that I also needed to be honest to myself and less ashamed. I need to feel good for myself that I am trying to get my body healthier and more fit. I am doing the first thing about my weight gain, I am trying to exercise on a regular basis and eat healthier. I need to be proud that I am trying and need to know that it's ok to have times that aren't the best. That I am at least trying and that within this trying I am working on my recorded times and my fitness level. Not to mention my entire lifestyle change I have dedicated myself to.

So within this new found self honesty I  am finally about to give you my times records for distance and time. I will be setting aside some time to begin measuring myself one day a week.


Head over to my Helpful Tips page for the Measuring Chart. Click here.
The mental challenge:
Pushing yourself to exercise is overall a big part of a mental challenge. Once you are able to overcome your fears and push yourself harder and faster because you believe you can do it, than this is when you have won the challenge mentally. Once you believe in yourself your ability to preform boosts you up to success. Anything becomes possible. The other part of the challenge is physical and since you have already been able to beat the mental challenge and know your going to win, you are able to complete the physical challenge by mentally telling yourself it is already done. You become unstoppable...
All the way until you fall to the ground at the end needing air or throwing your hands up from your excitement as you run through the finish.

Don't forget:
When training for a 5k beat the challenge mentally as soon as possible! Grab ahold of the challenge and start thinking positively about it. Envision yourself running the race, finishing, and achieving a personal best time!

For this is what I have learned about me completing my first personal challenge. Instead of being ashamed of my times I have become comfortable with myself because I know I can do it! I can at least finish the race and I can now envision my final times/ goals for this 5k along the way.

To start doing this I will begin by determining what my goals are:
Average pace per mile?-
total time?-
Stay tuned for those. : )
After that gets decided I will try my hardest to make it out to the track where the 5k along the way will take place. I will prepare for this as a normal race and run/ jog it as a race with putting every drip of sweat into my effort of pushing myself through the practice 5k. By doing this I will finally understand what I will be up against in 25 days.

I also need to admit that seeing the number 25 does scares me a bit, because time goes by so quickly lately, life has been so busy. Twenty Five days doesn't seem that far away from actually being race day! Yikes, here come the butterflies in my tummy.

Now as far as today, Saturday Dec. 7,  goes I will go the 3.4 miles again today and not forcing myself to have a time limit. Today I will lightly jog the same distance. Still using this for a good cardiovascular workout by lightly jogging the long distance. Sometimes I feel that when I don't force myself to be timed and super fast it takes pressure off me and I still do just as well without knowing my lap times during the jog.

Alright, now go put your motivation to use and spread that Running Joy!
~ Maddie J.