Half Marathon Training Progress

Run #1: 4 miles (45 minutes on treadmill, ending heart rate 181)

Run #2: 4 miles

Run #3: 6 miles

Run #4: 4 miles

Run #5: 4 miles

Run #6: 7 miles

Run #7: 4 miles

Run #8: 4 miles

Run #9: 5 miles

Run #10: 7 miles

Run #11: 4 miles

Run #12: 5 miles

Run #13: 8 miles

Run #14: 4 miles

Run #15: 5 miles

Run #16: 5 miles

Run #17: 5 miles

Run #18: 3 miles

Run #19: 2 miles

Run #20: 10.2 miles

Run #21: 5 miles

Run #22: 6 miles

Run #23: 10 miles

Run #24: 6 miles

Run #25: 6 miles

Run #26: 11 miles

Run #27: 6 miles

Run #28: 6 miles

Run #29: 11 miles

Run #30: 6 miles

Run #31: 6 miles

Run #32: 12 miles

Run #33: 6 miles

Run #34: 6 miles

Run #35: 8 miles

Run #36: 5 miles

Run #37: 4 miles

Run #38: 2 miles

Run #39: 13.1 miles in Nashville!!

tonedcurves:

When you’re dieting, think protein. The best protein diets are low in fat and moderate in carbohydrates. Protein-rich foods will fill you up faster and for a longer time. This fact alone can make you cut back on snacking and speed up weight loss. Here are a list of helpful tips to a nutritious protein diet:

Say Hello to High-Protein Steak
Nothing says protein like a nice juicy steak. And if you’re careful to choose a lean cut, you can get all of the protein with far less fat. In fact, a lean cut of beef has barely more saturated fat than a similar size of skinless chicken breast.

Think White Meat
Chicken and poultry pack plenty of punch in a high-protein diet, and if you enjoy the white meat you’ll be eating a lot less fat than if you choose dark. To slim your meal down even further, remove the skin, which is bursting with saturated fat.

Look for Pork Tenderloin
It may surprise you to learn that pork tenderloin is a white meat. What’s more, the cuts available today are 31% leaner than they were 20 years ago. If you’re interested in a high-protein diet, you may want to plan on pork.

Lots of Protein, Healthy Fats
Fish is a no-brainer — it’s loaded with protein and almost always low in fat. Even the types that have more fat, such as salmon, are a good choice. That’s because the fat in fish is generally the heart-healthy kind known as omega-3 fatty acid — and most diets don’t contain enough of this good-for-you fat.

Affordable, Convenient, and Tasty
Eggs are perhaps the most classic and certainly least expensive form of protein. The American Heart Association says an egg a day is safe for healthy adults, so you may want to get cracking with eggs when you’re on a high-protein diet. If you’re concerned about the fat and cholesterol, egg whites are a good substitute and a heart-healthy source of protein.

Soy: It’s High in Protein, Too
Soy products, such as tofu, soy burgers, and other soy-based foods, are nutritious plant-based sources of protein. An added bonus: Consuming 25 grams of soy protein daily may also help lower cholesterol and protect against heart disease.

Beans: Full of Fiber and Protein
Beans pack a powerful one-two punch — they are loaded with proteinand also full of fiber. Along with protein, fiber helps you feel full longer and also helps lower cholesterol. As for the protein content, 1-1/2 cups of beans is roughly equal to 3 ounces of broiled steak.

Low-Fat Milk Products
If you want to give your high-protein diet a tasty boost, don’t overlook dairy products as a protein source. Milk, cheese, and yogurt are not only protein-rich, they also provide calcium for strong bones and a healthy heart. Look for low-fat, nonfat or reduce fat dairy products as part of a reduced calorie diet plan.

Cereal and Energy Bars
Pressed for time? You can turn to high-protein cereal or energy bars to give your high-protein diet a fast boost. Just make sure the bars you choose have 25-40 grams of carbohydrates, less than 15 grams of protein, and not too much sugar or fat.

Go Whole Grains, Go Fiber
Most high-protein diets limit grains to a couple servings a day, so you want to make sure the grains you do eat are pulling their weight. That means staying clear of white breads and pastas, which have little to offer nutrient-wise, when compared with their whole-grain cousins. Whole-grain breads, cereals, and pastas, on the other hand, are rich in fiber, which might otherwise be in short supply for people on a high-protein diet.

Leave Room for Fruits and Veggies
No matter the emphasis on protein, make sure you leave room for fruits and vegetables in a high-protein diet. These nutrient gold mines contain powerful antioxidants that aren’t found in most other foods, and research suggests that people who eat plenty of fruits and veggies may lower their risk of cancer.

(via get-thinspiration)

Parmesan-Crusted Tilapia »

I decided randomly last Sunday that I was going to go back to a ‘vegetarian’ diet. I have pretty strong beliefs about meat and how unnecessary it is to our diet. And, in fact, how harmful it can be. But, I am not looking to put unnecessarily harsh restrictions on myself when I am making mostly good decisions, and I am also a bit of a foodie, so I was always pretty flexible with my plant-based diet. Including fish whenever I felt like, eating turkey or chicken about 1 time/month and eating beef (something like a filet) only once a year. So, more “flexitarian”. Buuuut, somehow it became a slippery slope. Turkey or chicken became a daily or every-other-day part of my diet for the last couple years. My brother, of all people, has “gone vegan” which planted the seed in my mind. And then I started thinking about training for a half marathon and what I really wanted in my body while I am conditioning and training it. Meat is not it. I am 5 days meat free and had a great run today, so I decided to treat myself to a delicious dinner. Found this on Pinterest. I only had bottle parmesan, and dried parsley, but it still came out great. Serve with rice and veggies - delicious!