Category: Keto adventures

Keto adventures, knee pain, moving forward, Novo Renew

Still Movin’

Movin' it with Michelle

Hey gang!!

I’m happy to say that I’ve been doing well with both my exercise, and eating over the last two weeks. Previously I spoke about refocusing for the summer and I feel like I am doing a decent job. While it’s been too darn hot outside to run, (temps in the high 90’s with a gazillion % humidity and real feel temps of the 105’s), I’ve done T25 work out videos twice this week, and have been great about doing my planks/core work outs as well. I even did the T25 lower body workout yesterday, and I can’t help but to give credit to Novo Renew and the amazing all natural ingredients it contains to help muscle recovery and joint health. Six months ago, I would have never attempted lunges or squats!! Click the link to try it out, and use my code Michelle25 at checkout to save…buy two bottles and shipping is FREE!

 

My new job is going well so far! I had zero training, so every day is a new adventure. My biggest struggle has been that I am not used to a “desk” job, so getting my steps in every day is a struggle for the first time since I can remember. I’ve been short a couple thousand most days, so I need to work on that issue. But, I have been getting GREAT compliments on my Stitch Fix tops that I got last week, so I am already looking forward to next month’s fix!!! Click the link to check it out!!! You won’t be sorry – they’ve got such cute items tailored just for you!!

Lastly, I am still struggling with the loss of my pup, Sammy, 13 weeks ago. I think this week is extra hard as my husband is gone for Army training…:(

IMG_3433 (1)
Miss ya, buddy

How are you all doing? How do you keep active during inclement weather? What is your favorite place to shop? (Mine is consignment shops!!)

Cheers,

Michelle

 

Keto adventures, knee pain, moving forward, Novo Renew

Monday Runday

Movin' it with Michelle

With storms looming I knew I needed to get this done despite 87 degree temps and strong winds. The first mile was easy, the last two not so much. My breathing was the only thing I struggled with, thankfully. I’ve got happy IT bands and knees thanks to @novorenew finally. If you like to give it a try by clicking HERE Use Michelle25 at checkout to save 25% off your order. What are you waiting for? This stuff is amazing!!!

For dinner I made a simple skirt steak seasoned with low sodium taco seasoning and salt and pepper over a cabbage salad with blue cheese dressing.

How was your Monday? Did you work out? What’s on your dinner plate?

Cheers!

Michelle

Keto adventures, Recipes

Meatballs with marinara sauce and ricotta cheese!

Movin' it with Michelle

Tonight we had meatballs and marinara sauce topped with ricotta cheese. I know I’ll be eating carbs tomorrow for Sunday’s race so wanted to eat healthy today. Yum!! And so easy!! 1 lb of ground beef, 1 egg, 3-4 tsps of almond flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, oregano, red pepper flakes (seasons to taste, about a tsp each) and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese. Form the meatballs and sear on all sides. Top with marinara sauce and transfer into a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. For the last five minutes remove and top with ricotta cheese and return to the oven that’s been turned up to broil for five minutes. Voila!!

What’s your favorite weeknight meal? Do you have any races this weekend? Good luck if you do!!

Cheers!

Michelle

half marathon training, Keto adventures, moving forward, Recipes

What a difference a day can make

Movin' it with Michelle

Wednesday I went out for my short run after work, and felt incredibly strong. I always wonder how I can pull these runs after working all day, but I got it done and it felt great. Fast forward to today’s long run, and whoa…but we’ll get to that in just a bit. I haven’t gotten a chance to write since my last post about mid-life due to crazy schedules, but just thought I’d share a little about my week last week.

Like I said, my mid week 5k went great. I settled in after the first mile and was able to let go and just run. While I often miss my once speedy average pace of 9:15 for short runs, I will celebrate my time no matter what. I didn’t get to run much for the year of 2016 while my husband was deployed, and 2017 was busy playing catch up for the year I lost with my husband, and moving my family across the country to start our Florida adventures.

 

This weekend started out really lovely. Friday night I cooked dinner and we relaxed at home. Saturday my husband came up with the idea to drive to Clearwater to watch the sunset and have dinner with one of our neighborhood friends. It felt SOOOO great to have my toes in the sand!!!!

 

Today was my long run. The last one before the Gasparilla half marathon on the 24th of this month in downtown Tampa. We had ten miles on deck, and I knew as soon as we walked out of the front door, that this run was going to suck. Mile 2 my stomach started to talk to me and we had to make a pit stop at the house after mile 3. (I don’t think Mexican food is a good idea before a long run, especially when its going to be blazing hot with full on sun with absolutely no clouds for miles. Thank God for the breeze!!). Mile six, the same thing happened and we had to swing back to the house yet again. We had gone 7.5 miles and I just didn’t think I could keep going. I drank some Nuun and had some Huma Gel, but I was still grey and pale. My hubby said I needed to stay home, and he was right. He finished out his ten miler, and I spent the next 30 minutes getting my body temperature regulated. Looking at my Garmin stats it showed my heart rate had gone to 195 bpm. Yikes. This will definitely be my last long distance race this season. I’ll stick to 5K and 10K distance until the fall/winter months, or until I cave and get a new treadmill. (My Mom had given me one back in IL, but it was old and just wasn’t working anymore so we had to get rid of it).

2.10.19longrun

For dinner tonight I made Beef bourguignon over cauliflower mash and it was amazing. To keep it keto friendly I omitted the carrots, but I feel like it was missing something with leaving them out.

Please click the links for the recipes!

How was your week/weekend? Are you training for any specific races? How do you handle running in extreme temperatures?

Cheers, and have a great week!!

Michelle

 

 

 

half marathon training, Keto adventures, moving forward, running, Thankful

Half marathon training, week 9 long run

Movin' it with Michelle

Despite not sleeping well last night, I knew I needed to get my long run done for the 9th week of training as I didn’t get it done over the weekend due to being stuck inside on a very rainy Sunday.

Once I got home from work I immediately changed clothes and headed out for my neighborhood loop/running trails. My plan called for a 10k race pace but I had planned to go a little farther to make up the 3 weeks of training I missed due to bronchitis. (That nasty cough is still lingering but getting a little better every day). The first mile felt surprisingly well, and I couldn’t believe I actually had a 10 mm in the mix, as well as I kept under an 11 mm pace for the entire 6.5 miles. Over all I was thrilled with this run.

Not to shabby for this rusty runner

Splits! Check out that 10 mm!

My cheerleader!

Today’s thankful 5:

  1. Easy commutes. Today’s commute both to and from work were surprisingly quick with no traffic, accidents, or crazy people that haven’t had enough coffee yet.
  2. Smooth days at work. Today was one of the first “good” work days I’ve had this year, and man did I need it.
  3. Left overs. I baked a big batch of chicken thighs yesterday, so all I had to do for dinner was heat them up along with a bag of steamed cauliflower rice.
  4. My daughter being so excited about trying out for her school’s play. We reciting her audition lines about two dozen times tonight, and I pray she gets the part.
  5. Good runs. Man did I ever need tonight’s run. My right knee has always been my bad knee, ever since I popped it back in high school track. And it sure hasn’t been happy with me this month. I just ordered some new knee braces off Amazon.
This brace got me through 3 full marathons! Got two, one for each knee!

How is your commute to work? What’s your favorite thing to have for leftovers? Get any mileage in today?

Cheers!

Michelle

food, Keto adventures, Recipes, Sunday Supper, Thankful

Rainy days

Movin' it with Michelle

Today we had 100% chance of rain, and not just for an hour or two like normal Florida storms, no, it was going to rain from 4 am until who knows when. In fact, I think it is still raining as we speak. So both plans to go to Disney and my long run have been postponed. I will run my scheduled 6.2 miles after work tomorrow, and we can go to Disney another day.

Since it was raining, we figured it would be the perfect day to watch movies and relax. We ended up watching “Christopher Robin,” and we all enjoyed it a lot. It was light hearted but emotional all at the same time. Afterwards, we played the Disney version of Monopoly and I am proud to say after a several hour long game, I won!

 

Hubby and youngest daughter
I won!

Lastly, we cooked a simple Sunday supper. Pork loin that was cooked low and slow in the sous vide, and a broccoli mash (see recipe for my cauliflower mash but use a head of steamed broccoli instead and parmesan cheese vs. Italian cheese), and my daughter made us arugula salad with radish and mushrooms.

 

Sous vide (cooking in a water bath at a controlled temperature)
Hubby took my picture while I was making the mash
My daugher helping out!
Final dish, minus the salad

Which brings me to my thankful part of this post:

  1. Dinner with my family. As busy as our lives get we almost always try to have dinner together, especially on Sundays.
  2. Rainy days that force you to stay in, and having quality time while doing so. So often we get caught up with our faces stuck in our phones. This weekend has been nice and I’ve been mindful of not being on my phone so much.
  3. The fact that my husband has gotten on board with healthier eating. He was cleaning out his closet tonight and found his “fat jeans” (not that he was ever fat) and I am so proud of how he’s embraced eating healthier and exercising more.
  4. Sleeping in on the weekends. I don’t sleep very well, I never have, so I love that I have the weekends (especially when we’ve got no plans) so catch up on the little bit of sleep I get during the week.
  5. Wine on Sunday evenings to calm me down for Monday morning. LOL. I just had to add that in!!

Have you watched any good movies lately? What’s your favorite board game? Does your family eat together in the evenings when possible?

 

Cheers!

Michelle

 

 

 

Keto adventures, Recipes

Keto cups

Movin' it with Michelle

Tonight I made quick and easy turkey, arugula, egg and Gouda cheese cups for dinner. Spray a muffin tin with non stick spray and put the turkey in the tins pushing down the middle. Add arugula and an egg, and sprinkle with Gouda cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bake at 350 for about 10-12 minutes. Yum!

Sorry I’ve been absent lately. Life just gets in the way sometimes and blogging from my phone is a pain. Hope y’all are doing well. Share with me your favorite low carb recipe!

Cheers!

Michelle

Keto adventures, weekly wrap up

Weekly wrap up

Movin' it with Michelle

This week we celebrated our one year anniversary of closing on our house here in Florida.

Hard to believe it’s been a year since moving in!

Work was fairly uneventful which is a good thing.

I got two tough runs in. One solo.

And one with our neighborhood run club. We’ve missed previous weeks due to our daughter’s voice lessons being on Fridays so it was a blast to be able to go!

We had another quiet weekend at home. We incurred some much unwanted debt with our move and our doggy vet bills over this year so we’re trying to get caught back up. We did enjoy another weekend of fun and sun at our neighborhood pool.

Speaking of dogs-can you get any cuter than this?

He’s worth every penny.

❤️🐾❤️🐾

We are on point with Keto eating. We’ve wrapped up our 6th week and I’m down almost 6 pounds and the hubby is rounding out at an 18 lbs weight loss! Our goal is to continue with this lifestyle once we hit our goal weight, but allowing ourselves a cheat day every now and then. Here are some of my easy, go-to meals.

How was your week? Tell me something good!!

Cheers!!

Michelle

Keto adventures, moving forward, running

Milestone Monday!

Movin' it with Michelle

Well wasn’t this a pleasant surprise. My blog 6-7 years old, and is just my tiny little space to share some of my passions so it’s always fun to see it hanging in there between moments of lapse. Life, moving, deployments, and everything else in between have kept me pretty busy. But I’ll always have this little space in the universe.

Today I wanted to get a few miles in after work. I walked the first mile, and once the cloud and thunder rolled in, I ran the last mile and cut it short for safety reasons. The lightning here is no joke!

We’re starting week 6 of Keto and we’re hanging in strong. I didn’t weigh myself this morning but am still at around a 4-5 lbs weight loss.

How was your day? Ever have your run cut short due to weather?

Cheers!

Michelle

Keto adventures, moving forward

Weekend of relaxing!

Movin' it with Michelle

We had a nice and quiet weekend finally. Lots of pool time and fun with neighbors.

I even tried my first Keto pizza. I think it was way too much cheese for me. But it was tasty. It was actually better cold lol! These buffalo wings, though. Amazing.

I was in a funk all last week so praying for a better week, this week.

How was your weekend? Ever try Keto pizza?

Cheers!

Michelle