WiW…5ks vs. Half Marathons

I'm So I'm a little up this week (.8 pounds) I fully blame TOM he came to visit with a vengeance this week and I will admit to some chocolate and peanut butter shenanigans.  

And the fact that I didn't get in my full hike. It's still majorly hot here so our hiking trails were closed due to high fire danger.  

We didn't completely bale though and did a 4 mile run/walk on the paved trail. It was nice just not quite as challenging.

  

 So this Sunday is the Long Beach Full and Half Marathon. I totally lagged and never signed up for it not to mention train.  I've kinda lost the running bug, not fully but just for halfs it just takes so much time to train and it seems my commute for work is getting longer and longer every year (what used to take me an hour is almost up to two on the way home) there are just so many people on the roads it's starting to wear.  Its all I can do to get in 2-3 miles or hit the gym I'm just to tired when I get home after a 12 hour day every day!  

But my friend Carrie and Barb aren't the slackers that I have been and signed up for the 5k and the 1/2. I thought about the 5k but never signed up *insert Lazy Song* they have been talking and prepping and I have to admit I'm kinda jealous not so much the running part but the social part.  It's so much fun being a part of races there is such a community and team atmosphere.

Then yesterday Barb asked if I still wanted to run the 5k with Carrie (Barb is doing the half cause she's awesome like that)…Turns out one of her friends who signed up can't do it and they offered me the bib.  So looks like I get to run after all YAY!!

Linking up with Fitness Blondie, and of course the WiW girls.

#TrackTheTank

Ok  now check this awesomeness out...
Candra and Tia  came up with a crazy idea to get together a bunch of bloggers all over the U.S. and put together a giveaway.  It's kind of like that movie, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, but with a workout tank.

 They made a custom tank top, with the hashtag, #TrackTheTank, and it's going to a bunch of awesome bloggers who will sign the shirt, takes a selfie and then write a post about what keeps them motivated to stay in shape, stay healthy, commit to be fit, whatever.

At the end of the journey, it will end up with Tia, and will probably have accumulated a few extra goodies along the way. Who doesn't love some extra goodies.
We will do a GIVEAWAY to one lucky winner to receive the tank top and all the other stuff that came along for the ride.
Pretty cool, huh?

So last week I received the tank from Crystal @ Crystal Michelle's Mess.

I didn't even need to think about my motivation it's these two right here

 being silly with my girls...

They (along with the hubs of course) are one of my biggest motivating factors.  Not so much to lose weight,  but more of being a healthy role model for them.  I may not be a size 4, 6, or hell even a 10 but they see me at the gym, running races, and doing a ton of fun activities with them and with friends.  

My oldest TaTa and I have a Sunday ritual of going hiking then the farmers market, and of course we now run races together.  We have even done a half together too!

DQ and I love to ride bikes and go to the park or swimming.

My goal is to be here for a long time and show them a healthy, fun lifestyle, that even a crazy busy mom can keep up with.  And that it may not be perfect all the time but as long as you try everyday to do your best and keep moving!



Now I get to send off the tank to the one and only Mama Laughlin!!  (I know can you believe it) How awesome is that.  So go check out some of these awesome ladies and see what keeps them going.



Candra @ Camo and Lipstick

Erin @ She's a Big Star

Angela @ Mean Ang

Kristin @ Hopelessly Ever After

Jasmine @ Fleurty and Fit

Valerie @ Fab Chick Gets Fit

Amy @ Crazy Wise Woman

Amy @ Getz Girl on Fire

Brittney @ Brittney, Breaking Free

Lindsay @ Bourbon, Lipstick, & Stilettos

Aubrey Leigh @ ALG Uninterrupted

April @ Overextended April

Crystal @ Crystal Michelle's Mess

Alma @ Can I Borrow That?

Brandi @ Mama Laughlin

Rikki @ Momma's Got a Dude's Name

Erin @ Happily Obsessed

Darci @ Strongly Feminine

Tracie @ Tracie Everyday

Erin @ Homemade Happenings

Bridget @ Life as Bridget Knows It

Bailey @ Bailey McKenzie

Nicole @ Beautifully Awkward

Kati @ She's a Jewell

Christine @ The Chapters of our Life

and finally, Tia.

WiW…Spaghetti Squash Lasagna

Yay another pound lost (and that sucker better be lost for good!)  Actually it was slightly over a pound 1.2 to be exact.  

Even though the weather gods have decided fall was NOT coming after all and turned up the thermostat (triple digest again this week) it was cool enough last weekend to get in a cooking pooloza.

I made lots of healthy stuff that I froze for dinner and lunches this week, like chicken, rice, and black bean bowls,healthy pumpkin muffins and one of my faves, spaghetti squash lasagna.

I actually remembered to take some pics so I could share the recipe with you all.

It's pretty easy first I stab a largish spaghetti squash all over then throw it in the microwave for 10-15 minutes (this one was huge so it took 18 minutes) while thats going on I browned up some ground turkey and then tossed in a jar of pasta sauce.  

while that was simmering I mixed a block of low fat cream cheese, a container or low fat cottage cheese, crushed/minced garlic, and some parmesan.

after all the components were done, I just layered it like so

a little sauce at the bottom so it didn't stick, spaghetti squash

then cheese mixture, then sauce

top with a little extra parm throw it in the oven for 20-30 minutes (until all warm and bubbly)

and your done! it is so yummy, full of protein, and totally guiltless! 

Even though it's getting warm again by the time I get home (thank you 2 hour commute said no one ever!) it's cooled down, so I did a few work outs in my backyard so I could let my chicken girls roam and keep an eye on them.

and of course Dobby (my little rat/dog) was not going to be left out!

Linking up with the Weigh in Wednesday girls, and Vodka and Soda.