Seriously though, I was leaving Brian’s studio last night, and thought about how I would likely not do any of the strength moves he has me try unless I was working with him. Before we started working together, I would do The 30 Day Shred from time to time. Then I met him for the first time last January and he gave me (and the rest of the club people in attendance) a little book of exercises. I used that for awhile. But I was not doing this:

What is that? I don’t recall the name of the piece of equipment but I thought it was fun. And tough. And you guys remember I work for the CIA, right? I decided to wear my bullet proof vest to our session:

Just kidding! That is a 10-lb weighted vest that I wore for the last half of our session. Brian said something like, “I don’t ever want you to gain back the weight you have lost, but here is a reminder of what it used to feel like” (he said it more cool and eloquent than that of course). 

What is the point of all this babbling? Well, I was just thinking – I have been taking Brian’s strength class on and off since March 1, 2011, and working with him personally since May 26, 2011 (first session June 3, 2011)- and it has made a huge improvement on my overall fitness level and how I feel. And here is the strange thing:

I really, really, really like doing strength training now. 

I never did it before because I thought it was boring and I didn’t get a high from it, like I do from running. But I leave a strength session now feeling energetic and strong. I LOVE IT!

What do you do for strength training?

Are you motivated enough to do it on your own, or do you have to take a class/use a trainer like I do?

Have you guys seen “Shit Women Say to Personal Trainers”? Kind of funny. I don’t think I have said any of that stuff though. Have you?

*Alright, I do get myself to kickboxing and on the bike trainer from time to time. On my own.

Steven bought this awesome tropical trail mix a few weeks ago. And I picked all the fruit out of it (picked around the tree nuts). 

I assumed me doing that was sort of annoying, so I bought individual bags of the things I would want in my ideal trail mix - banana chips, pineapple chunks, golden raisins, dried mangoes, and cocktail peanuts. I think the only thing missing is chocolate chips!

Gosh. Now I really want to add some chocolate chips.* 

It seems my trail mix is all about the sweet tastes with a slight hint of salt. Is your mix on the sweeter or saltier side?

*I actually wrote this post last Sunday. I added chocolate chips on Wednesday – no bueno. Chocolate chips not necessary.

• Congrats to everyone who signed up for the Chicago Marathon! It’s an amazing race! I did not sign up. I am not planning on signing up for a marathon until I get to a healthy weight and keep it off for awhile. That does not mean I am not doing long runs – I am just not training for a marathon.
• For dinner last night Steven made BBQ Soy Curls! They were so good and easy to make! I think even I could make them (if you are new to my blog, you should know that my husband does all the cooking). All Steven did was let the soy curls soak in water, then saute them with BBQ sauce. 

• Data has been so needy and talkative (more than normal) since we got back from Kansas City. I think he actually missed us!

Also, this post is about binge eating – if you find that triggering, please skip this post!

I ate so much snacky food Saturday afternoon that I could not finish my dinner – my stomach hurt that bad (and it was vegan masala that I really wanted to finish – from a restaurant in Kansas City that also serves meat, hmm, imagine that).

I was really upset by this – not that I couldn’t finish dinner – but that I was so full I physically hurt. I felt dizzy and light-headed and my stomach ached. That had not happened to me in a long time. I had been doing so well with my eating. Sure, I had little mini binges on food now and then, but nothing that made me feel this way.

It’s not carrots I am binging on!

I need to figure this out NOW before it gets out of control or I am going to forever be in a cycle of lose weight/gain weight, up and down.

I am going to try to go the entire 29 days of February without binge eating, and see what happens from there. And binge eating is not to be confused with overeating or indulging – I am okay with those things. Binge eating is described as (from wikipedia):

Binge eating is a pattern of disordered eating which consists of episodes of uncontrollable eating. It is sometimes as a symptom of binge eating disorder or compulsive overeating disorder. During such binges, a person rapidly consumes an excessive amount of food. Most people who have eating binges try to hide this behavior from others, and often feel ashamed about being overweight or depressed about their overeating.

When I binge eat, I feel out of control, like I cannot stop putting food in my mouth. It usually starts with a craving for something sweet, then salty, then sweet, then salty, until I eat enough that my stomach hurts and I feel confused and dazed that it all just happened. 

Generally, I don’t like making monthly goals. But I am putting this out there for accountability. So feel free to ask me how it’s going. Or not!

(I do think I will put a little widget on the side to track my binge free days)

Hey! Let’s celebrate something cool! I ran 142 miles in January! In January of 2011, I ran less – 86.8. The running year is off to an awesome start! Maybe I won’t have any months under 100 miles this year. That would be cool. But I want to be smart. So I won’t make that a goal. 

I had 28 respondents. I had 207 subscribers in Google Reader, so that is a 13% response rate. Pretty typical of a survey?

Do you like filling surveys out? 

I actually do, and always fill them out at work, and most of the ones emailed to me (except for that stupid Runner’s World one about energy efficient cars).

Anyway. Here are the results to the mandatory questions. 

Do you read ilaxSTUDIO through an rss feed aggregator or organically?

Well, since 9 respondents don’t use rss, that means my poll percentage rating just went down even more. Ha ha.

Which of the topics below do you find the most interesting for me to post on?

People may select more than one checkbox, so percentages may add up to more than 100%.

What is really interesting is that most people voted that they like Health + Fitness the most, which is the category I try to post in the least! I figure the blogosphere is so over saturated with health blogs – what more do I have to add?

Tell me, do you prefer for me to post my commentary on Health + Fitness related news, or do you want to hear about my personal health (weight loss, body image, etc.)?

I was surprised to see Recipes + Food in #2. I was not surprised to see Running + Training in last! That is not really interesting to anyone other than me. 

Which of the topics below do you find the least interesting for me to post on?

People may select more than one checkbox, so percentages may add up to more than 100%.

Fashion + Beauty got the most votes, followed by Memes (no surprise – they are fun to fill out but boring to read/hard to comment on, case in point, the 11 Things Meme that is still making its rounds) and Recipes + Food. I was surprised Recipes + Food got a high rating followed by a low rating. I do think reading recipes is boring. 

Which is more boring for you guys – the recipes, or talking about food products and restaurants?

I was surprised Running + Training did not get more votes here! I definitely agree that Memes can be boring to read, so I will continue to limit those. 

Should I continue to ask the Friday Question?

Do you like having a weekly summary of my training posts, or would you prefer to see them more spread out (throughout the week)? 

20 people said continue a weekly summary and 8 people said make them more spread out. I am not sure if I will do a post for each workout – I am not that creative of a writer. But maybe I will mention my workouts more. 

Should I continue to do giveaways?

How do you feel about the amount of photos on the blog?

How often do you like me to post?

One a day got 17 votes, more than once a day, 3, and a few times a week 8. So almost 30% of you think I am posting too often? I have a feeling it will slow down soon, as a result of my work-related stress. Ironically, this is my second post of the day…

Do you care what time of day I post?

2 people preferred morning, everyone else didn’t care. I will continue to post when I get up for work (between 4:00 am and 4:30) everyday if I can.

As for the non-required, form comments, I did get a few answers there too!

What topics would you like me to write about more (include anything I don’t write about now that you would like me to write about in the future)?

• My history. Running. 
• Posts like the one about how people present themselves on the internet. 
• All the movies I watch, including a movie rating system.
• Why I became vegan, what I eat to fill the “protein void.” (quotes mine, not theirs, ha ha)
• How Steven and I met, favorite places in Chicago.
• More Data.

Would you guys be interested in reading about my opinion on movies? Be honest!

Which topics would you like me to write about less?

• Food
• Running/Training/Health/Fashion
• Running

Most people who responded had a disclaimer that said they just skip the posts they are not interested in. I do that too. So no worries.

Any other thoughts you’d like to share?

This section was filled with blog love and compliments. Thanks, you guys!!!

After reading all of these results, I kind of wish I would have asked about blog post length. Do super long blog posts (like this one, ha ha) turn you off? Do you read them all? They sure turn me off!

Alright, here is a summary of all my follow-up questions for you guys. Thanks for participating!!!

1. Do you like filling surveys out?
2. Tell me, do you prefer for me to post my commentary on Health + Fitness related news, or do you want to hear about my personal health (weight loss, body image, etc.)?
3. Which is more boring for you guys – the recipes, or talking about food products and restaurants?
4. Would you guys be interested in reading about my opinion on movies? Be honest!
5. Do super long blog posts turn you off? Do you read them all?

…it is important to not forget that hunger is the price a picky eater must be willing to pay without becoming insufferable

Listen to your own advice much? The author complains that there are only two fully vegetarian restaurants in Kansas City. Um… that doesn’t mean you can’t go somewhere that serves meat and figure out what you can eat there. I mean, come on, we practically only eat out when we go to Kansas City, and it’s not in those two fully vegetarian restaurants every time. In fact, I had not even heard of one of them before (more on that below)!

Later on in the article, the author recommends checking out websites in advance for options (duh), going to a Chinese restaurant (more veg-friendly options?), and bringing your own food to eat before or after (duh). That’s all obvious to me. Of course, I am not from NYC (like the author) – where there is a higher per capita of vegetarian restaurants. But what did he expect?

While it is totally awesome to go to a restaurant and know I can order anything off of the menu, I am realistic. I know that is rarely going to be the case. I try to avoid restaurants I know won’t have anything close to a vegan option. But hey, sometimes you can’t. Get over it. 

Back to that quote – which I do love – do you know anyone who is extremely picky about food and is a martyr about it? 

I have to admit I have had my whiny baby moments. But I am getting better… right, Steven?

Alright, I kind of got off on a tangent on that silly article. I just meant to mention that I am happy Erin sent the article to me, because we were in Kansas City last weekend and went to the vegan restaurant listed in the article – Füd – and absolutely loved it!

We went with our two friends Amy and Adam, and got a nacho appetizer: (!!!)

And our own plates, which we all tried a bit of. I had macaroni and cheese, Steven had a fish filet, Adam had bbq pork and Amy had a chalupa.

What was cool is that they used very different meat substitutes that I had not even heard of! The “meat” on top of my macaroni is some sort of fruit! Who knew?! I loved it and want to go back. And try everything on the menu. 

When I was walking back to my office today from lunch, a car hit (tapped) me in the crosswalk. It’s kind of hard to explain what happened – I am downtown, so it’s mostly one way streets. The street I was walking south on to get back to my office goes north, and the cross street goes west. Not sure if this information matters or not. My thoughts are all jumbled right now!

One car turned left (west) in front of me in the crosswalk, because he had time/space, and the car behind him went too, assuming the crosswalk was empty? I guess?

All I know is I was walking through the crosswalk (I had the walk sign – I rarely jaywalk) and this car turned around the corner headed straight for me and I thought “I am going to get hit by a car.”

It was such a scary thought to have.

He hit his brakes, tapped my left knee, pushing me a bit to the right, and I ended up throwing my lunch bag on his hood (my water bottle went rolling down the street). I went after my bottle, then back to the car, sure he was going to take off. He actually rolled his window down and said “I am so sorry – I didn’t see you there.”

Then I cursed at him, because I am classy like that, “Well thanks for not fu*cking killing me.”

Then I walked back to my office. Another pedestrian asked if I was fine. I am. Just so shaken up. Rapid heart beat, sweating, shaking. Fun fun fun.

I came back and told my coworkers and got checked out from the nurse to make sure I was fine. I am. I am just so freaking emotional right now, apparently, I could not handle this. I started crying right away. I called Steven and told him I was fine, then what happened. Ugh. I feel like such a baby and like I should have done something different. I feel like I should have punched that guy in the face. I wish a traffic cop would have been there to give him a ticket.

At least I am fine though. I mean, I have to run tonight!

They’re a new vegan product Steven recently added to FakeMeats.com!

Soy Curls only have one ingredient – whole soybeans – and are all natural. 

The idea is that you can substitute these in your favorite meat recipes. We decided to make a fajita mix with them!

The first thing you do is soak them in water for 10 minutes. 

Then you drain the water, season them and add to your recipe (then cook according to the recipe)!

Super simple! For the fajitas, we used the Chik-Style Seasoning (also available on FakeMeats.com, from the same manufacturer, and all natural), and Steven added taco seasoning too. 

Yum yum yum.

They turned out really good. We were both like “Holy crap, how can these be so good?!”

The chewy, pull-apart-with-your-teeth texture reminded me of Gardein products. Only a lot cheaper – under $3.50 for the 8 servings in a bag. And they don’t have to be refrigerated (but that will extend their freshness, if you do). I have a feeling we are going to be using these Soy Curls a lot. 

Since Steven has been running FakeMeats.com, it’s really given us the opportunity to try a lot of fun vegan (and vegetarian, for him) products. I love how adventurous he is in trying new things, and how many cool products there are out there!

How often do you try to cook with new products, or new to you foods? Do you stroll around the grocery store looking for new items like we do?

Would you rather run in the dark:

• on the snow-covered streets? or
• on clear streets but with 30 mph winds?

Distance: 5.0 | Start Temp: 30° | End Temp: 30° | Time: 42:50 | Avg Pace: 8:34

Day 828 | January 24, 2011: cross

I went to cardio kickboxing and used it to work out the day’s frustrations again! I started to feel pretty drained during the middle of the class and wasn’t kicking as high as the start of class.

Day 829 | January 25, 2011: 5 m run (easy) + strength

I think I was still tired from kickboxing when I got up before work to run 5 miles. But at least the sidewalks were clear! Well, mostly. My headlamp warned me about the huge ice patches. 

Distance: 5.0 | Start Temp: 20° | End Temp: 20° | Time: 45:54 | Avg Pace: 9:11

At strength class in the evening, we did a kettleball + step workout. Which happens to = torture. I was wiped. Good wiped. 

Day 830 | January 26, 2011: 5 m run (easy) + strength

I was surprised by how warm it was for this run I did before work – 32°F! In January! I was also surprised to see another runner – since we’ve gotten snow I haven’t seen many in my neighborhood. 

I also saw another type of runner when I first started my run – a deer! He was running through someones yard. It was kind of creepy, since it was still dark out, and it took me awhile to register what I was seeing. 

Distance: 5.0 | Start Temp: 32° | End Temp: 32° | Time: 47:49 | Avg Pace: 9:33

During my lunch break, Brian came over and we did a workout with weighted sticks (not bars, but shorter) and the bench.  The weighted sticks made me feel like a ninja. A tired ninja!

Day 831 | January 27, 2011: 8 m run

I ran 8 hilly miles in Kansas City with my BiL, Andrew. We basically chatted it up the whole time. I love running with Andrew! Except for those damn hills. I don’t blame him for them. Too much, anyway. Ha! Who am I kidding? Andrew, I blame you for everything. 

Distance: 8.0 | Start Temp: 33° | End Temp: 37° | Time: 1:24:27 | Avg Pace: 10:33

Day 832 | January 28, 2011: 5 m run (easy)

On Saturday I was also lucky enough to have a running partner – my friend Laura, who drove a really long distance to come run with me. We ran on the same trail that I ran on with Andrew the day before. We ran at dawn and saw about 9 deer cross the trail in front of us. So neat!

After our run we ate breakfast at HyVee – then our chat session was quickly over! We never have enough time together. Laura is such a sweetie. I want to spend a whole day hanging out with her!

I see a lot of visits to Kansas City in my future, especially since my sister wants to move there! I know I will have more time with Laura… hopefully sooner rather than later!

Distance: 5.0 | Start Temp: 26° | End Temp: 26° | Time: 48:01 | Avg Pace: 9:36

Day 833 | January 29, 2011: rest

Week Summary: 28.0 miles

Oops?

I am going to make a wild guess that I like wearing the color purple.

This is where I would ask you guys if there is a color you wear more often than others, or what your packing methodology is, but since I have already written posts about both, I will skip it. Geez, I feel like I am really running out of material!

Oh! Here is something to ask that I really do need help with – how do you keep your things organized while you travel?

When I am in a hotel room, it’s really easy to keep my things organized because I have so much space. But when I stay in someones  homes, I feel like my things explode all over… and it makes me crazy having my stuff everywhere! I usually wear two outfits a day (exercise + street clothes) when I travel, so I just have so much extra clothes. And all the other stuff that comes along with being a runner. 

Do I just need to take the time to repack my suitcase each time I use it, to keep the mess contained? Or should I stack things up around it (like I started to in the picture above)? Or should I just shove everything back in it?

Also… how am I going to fit all of this stuff I bought at HyVee in to my suitcase?! Damn you HyVee and your awesome food selection!!!