One of the most fun things I have encountered in races since I started running is the very cool and fun t-shirts that people make. There is nothing better than seeing this up ahead of you:

Or to be inspired by this saying along the way:

Right now, you can get a free custom made t-shirt, just pay a few dollars for shipping and processing.

Disclaimer: This post contains a link to an affiliate. See my Disclaimer Policy for additional information.

Something that I have realized in myself over the past year is that I tend to keep on task a lot better if I am training for something rather than just making it a point to exercise.

I've been in a rut on getting my exercise on a consistent basis and I think it is because I have been lacking direction!

I've been thinking a lot the past week or so about what races I want to tackle this year. Last year I ended up doing a few 5Ks and a 10K. I've been toying around with training for a half marathon, but I think I have lost so much of my mileage ability that I built up that it may be too much for me to get to that point this year by the time I would like to (which would be the Flying Pig, if anything).

So, with much introspect and wonderment, I think I am going to focus on two goals for this year, which will lead me to my next two races.

Flying Pig 10K - May 5, 2012

I'll still get all the experience of the weekend of the Flying Pig but at a distance I feel comfortable that I can get back up to. I want to increase my speed in this race as well. The last 10K I ran (my first 10K) was a "just finish" race. I've already started doing the Ease Into 10K training and I'm moving into week 2. It feels so good to be back on the road again!

Warrior Dash Pennsylvania - June 16, 2012

What is better than a 5K? A 5K with mud, fire, and walls. I'm really really excited to continue training for this because I feel like it is going to be so fun as well as a challenge for me. This is a little bit longer than a 5K - and it has a lot of other fun things thrown in as well!

Here's a peek at the course I'll be running on and the obstacles I'll be facing: Pennsylvania Warrior Dash Battle Field

I started training for this one yesterday and there are a lot of exercises that I am not attuned to doing. This is what my strength circuits looks like:

Right now I am doing these 2-3 times a week with 2 circuits a day. That's a lot of work!

On a side note - I have also discovered that I am horrible at push ups and burpees.

I feel better with having some direction under my belt. And tomorrow is February 1, so I'm going to take my measurements and weigh in (no matter how scary it may be!)

I've been in a bit of a funk lately. I'm not sure if it's the crazy weather (here in Cincinnati it goes from an ice storm to a thunderstorm in about 36 hours!), if it's because we no longer have a gym membership (more on that later!) or if it is just....well, me.

Either way, I've been finding it easier to miss workouts, eat crap (Homemade Black Raspberry Chip Ice Cream is a HUGE weakness for me), and much much easier to not track my foods.

I don't have any excuse to not track now either. Before it was an issue of tracking on my phone because I was using Android, and the Weight Watchers app, well, just sucks for Andorid. But now I have an iPhone, so I don't even have that excuse!

The Biggest Loser was on last night and if you haven't been watching this newest season, it's all about "No Excuses." The funny thing about it though is that I have seen more excuses and people quitting/wanting to quit this season than ever before. Then there I am running my mouth about how they just need to suck it up and do it. They knew what the show was about and what it takes to lose the weight.....

Um....Hello, Kettle? Black.

I totally know what I need to do. I was successful through most of last year, and have still been successful in maintaining the majority of my loss so far and my distance in running. I just need to revisit what my original inspiration was so that I can continue to pursue my goals in this area of my life.

My inspiration to lose weight came from a few things. I turned 30, had 3 kids, and couldn't fit into a ride at a fair. I hate my wedding pictures because I do not like the way I look in them. I don't want to die of a heart attack when I am 45 because I couldn't take care of myself. I don't want my kids to think that it is okay to be obese and eat fast food and ice cream everyday.

So, with all of that out there (Shew!) I am recommitting to do what worked before. I'm going to track, on paper, because that is when I have been the most successful. I'll still have my phone and computer access to my tracker in a pinch, but the paper tracker keeps me accountable. I also need to get back into a training plan and stick to it. It's a little more complicated now without the gym, but is completely doable.

Right now you can get a FREE Kindle download of the Weight Watchers Points Plus Crock Pot Cookbook.

Even if you don't have a kindle or another reader, you can download Adobe Digital Editions and have this cookbook right at your fingertips on your computer.

I took a look at this and there are some mighty fine recipes, including Spiced Applesauce, Chicken & Dumplings, and Stuffed Peppers. It's been a goal of mine to use my slow cooker more, so this will definitely get me heading in the right direction!

Disclaimer: This post contains a link to an affiliate. See my Disclaimer Policy for additional information.

While I realize that it is not the best option in the world, McDonalds does exist, and you may occasionally eat there while doing Weight Watchers. There are some healthier options to have there, but if you are craving something like a burger and fries, try a kids meal or one of the new mini meals. This way you can still have the taste you're craving but without as many points as say, a Quarter Pounder or a Big Mac.

A big part of me being able to stay on Weight Watchers is knowing that there are options - no matter where I am or what I am eating. It's all about the choices!

Here are some of the better choices to pick at McDonalds while following Weight Watchers:

Breakfast Items

• Breakfast Biscuit, Regular Size - 7
• Fruit & Maple Oatmeal with No Brown Sugar - 6
• Fruit & Maple Oatmeal - 7
• Fruit 'N Yogurt Parfait - 4
• Egg McMuffin - 8
• English Muffin - 4
• Scrambled Eggs - 4
• Snack Size Fruit & Walnut Salad - 6

Lunch/Dinner Items

• Cheeseburger - 8
• Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken Snack Wrap - 7
• Hamburger - 7
• Small French Fries - 6
• Side Salad - 0
• Newman's Own Low Fat Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing, 1.5 oz - 1
• Southwest Salad with Grilled Chicken - 8
• McChicken, No Mayo - 8

Dessert/Beverage Items

• Snack Size Fruit & Walnut Salad - 6
• Fruit 'N Yogurt Parfait - 4
• Kiddie Cone - 1
• Iced Latte, Small - 2
• Nonfat Latte, Small - 2
• Nonfat Cappuccino, Small - 2
• Iced Coffee with Sugar Free Vanilla Syrup, Small - 2

Somewhere along the way (I think it was on twitter), I heard some banter about Chia Seeds .  I didn't really catch all that they were about other than they are supposed to be super healthy for you and may even help contribute to your staying full.

So, when they went on sale free at Walgreen's after Register Rewards, I picked up a bottle.

And then I wondered - what in the heck do I do with these?

I've actually tried them three ways - smoothie (very good), meatloaf (subbed them in for the egg and it worked out great), and then I tried them in my oatmeal.

Yeah.  It wasn't nice at all.  I didn't like it.  They were crunchy!

So, I know I have heard that you can put your Chia Seed in your oatmeal, and I'm assuming most people don't like their oatmeal crunchy - so please tell me what I did wrong. Maybe I should have added them before I cooked the oatmeal?

I'd love to hear your chia success stories - I'm looking for new ways to use them! And I'd like to be able to stand them in my oatmeal in the morning as well so any advice there would be greatly appreciated!

Disclaimer: This post contains a link to an affiliate. See my Disclaimer Policy for additional information.

For those of you who know me personally, you know that using coupons is a big part of my life. Something that I encounter a lot out in the community is "Oh, I don't use coupons because you can't eat healthy and save money with coupons..."

Oh yeah? Sounds like a challenge to me!

Let me throw a little disclaimer in here though. My healthy and your healthy may be different. I'm not saying I buy all organic, all natural, gluten free, hormone free, processed free items.....but - I do try to do better than buying chips and soda every trip. If my healthy is not your healthy, I apologize :-)

Now, on with the post!

I want to show that you can eat healthy (my healthy) on a budget. I won't highlight every trip I make because that would get a bit overwhelming - but I will show when I get high savings on quality items.

So, here is a picture from this weeks trip to Meijer:

And I bought a paper that cost $2.

So, for a little over $7, I got all of that. Pretty sweet, right!?

I love saving money on items that my family and I will use and will break through the "couponing is unhealthy" sterotype!

If you'd like to learn how to save money on your groceries and get great deals like this one - check out The Savings Lifestyle!

Disclaimer: This post contains a link to an affiliate. See my Disclaimer Policy for additional information.

Yes, I do realize that we are about half through January and I am just now writing out my 2012 goals.  Better late than never, right? ;-)

I feel really good about all I accomplished in 2011 - losing 40'ish pounds, running a few 5Ks, and running a 10K (I did NOT see that one coming!).

I want to continue running in 2012.  I have been batting around with what races I want to do and what training plan I want to use, and I *think* I have decided on a few things.....after all, I've had a few weeks to think about it!

I am going to start training for a half-marathon.  It's just the next logical step in my running.  I actually tried to start this back in December after the 10K, but I fell off the wagon pretty hard.

I have not yet decided if I am going to sign up for a half yet......that is a big step for me.  We'll just have to see where the cookie falls with that one!

So, I've got increasing my mileage in running, and .... oh yeah.  I'm gonna get back to losing weight.

No fault of Weight Watchers.  It's amazing.  When you eat fast food and ice cream and whatever else your yapper tends to fall upon, the program doesn't work as well for you.....especially when you aren't tracking what. so. ever.

So yeah - tracking and eating healthy again is back for me this year.  I lost 7 pounds last week (yeah, a tribute to how much crap was in my system, no doubt!) so that's a good start.

I'm curious to know what everyone else tends to think about eating plans/running plans and the like.  Do you you have a structured program you use or just fly though with whatever feels right?  Inquiring minds want to know!

Tuesday I started the Bridge to 10K program. Day 1 was difficult due to not having the right clothing, and today became increasingly difficult because it was pouring down rain. I told myself that I was going to stick to my training schedule - no. matter. what. So, with a skeptic attitude, I headed out.

Yep, that's me looking scared because it was raining. Wait, what? You want me to run 3 whatever miles in the pouring rain? In November!!?? I honestly didn't think I would finish today. Before I even got through my walking warmup and to the end of the drive at the gym I wanted to come back. My feet were already soaked, the rain was pelting me in the face (because yes, I forgot a hat!), and my fingers were cold.

I told myself to just Shut Up and Run. I actually have a Bondi-Band that has that saying on it. It's one of my running mantras because I tend to whine a lot in my head when I'm running. So tonight, I just shut up and ran.

I found out that it is actually kind of fun to run in the rain. I don't know that I would prefer it everyday - but I felt like a kid out playing again. I ended up running 2.99 miles in 44 minutes. Not the best pace, but it was pouring!

I proved something to myself tonight by completing that run and I'm so excited to go out for W1D3 on Saturday!

I was so excited to get to do the Cincinnati Run Like Hell 5K to benefit Cystic Fibrosis! This would be my second 5K run and I felt more prepared than I did for any run so far.

Since this is a 5K that is right around Halloween, a costume is worn by most people. Let's just say - I'm not so much a costume person! I literally picked out my costume the day of the race! Here's what I went with:

Yep, I went as an 80's girl. Pretty easy to find items to go along and also easy to run in since most of the costume was just accessories! The kids also got a big kick out of the green and pink hairspray ;-)

I got ready to go and put on my number. I love the thrill of putting on a bib number for the first time. It reminds me of how far I've come in my running!

The race starts just off of Xavier University's campus. I realized after I parked that they've changed the campus a lot since I've been there. I was walking around and realized I was on the other side of campus from where I needed to be. So, I tried pulling up a map on my phone while walking. Big mistake...

I went flying thorugh the air and hit really, really hard. I honestly thought I was going to be seriously hurt when I first hit. Turned out I just scraped up my hand, bruised my leg, and my side. Nothing too terrible!

Finally it was time for the start of the race!

It was pretty crowded for probably the first half mile. Like, to the point that it was difficult to run. We started heading down the hill and then looped into the cemetary. Let me just say - running in a cemetery at night is a little creepy!

Right around 1.5 miles in I noticed that I could see the people up ahead - but they were above me. Hmmm, that's odd - right? Nope - there was a really big (well, big to me) hill right up ahead.

I didn't really train much with hills so this was tough for me. But I kept going!

We headed back out of the cemetery and back up the loop that we started out on. Remember that hill we went down. Yeah - we had to run back up it too. I believe my words at that point were Holy Freaking Hill!

After that point it was just getting it done. I saw the finish line and sprinted as fast as I could. I hadn't looked at my phone (I was running Run Keeper) so I wasn't sure exactly how I was doing. I ended up finishing in 43:10 - about a minute better than my last 5k run.

I'm totally cool with that! I'm still amazed that I can run more than a mile and any time I improve at all from a prior attempt it's just gravy. This course was a lot more difficult than my last 5k as well.

Now I look forward to the future. I am starting the Bridge To 10K program, I have another 5k on November 12, and then I have a 10K scheduled on Thanksgiving morning. I'm excited to see how far I can take this!

One of my passions that I have discovered since starting my weight loss journey is that I love to cook!  I'm a pretty basic girl and don't like to use a lot of fussy ingredients that no one has ever heard of (although I do like to try new things!).

When I signed up with Weight Watchers, one of the items in the new member kit was a cookbook.  Now, I have quite a few Weight Watchers books, but this one has all of the recipes converted into Points Plus values.

The meals are also easy peasy and is broken down by meal - so if you're only wanting ideas for breakfast or lunch, it's easy to find something!

I've decided what could be a better way to introduce someone to eating more healthy than to give them an awesome cookbook! I'm giving one of these away, and here's how you can get a chance to win:

1. Head over and "like" Skinny Points on Facebook.  It's a little more intimate setting to get to know one another!  Leave me a comment and let me know!
2. Go ahead and follow me on Twitter too. Leave me a comment and let me know!
3. Leave me a comment and let me know what your favorite meal to eat is - and if you have any tips to "Skinny" it up!
4. Get bonus entries for sharing Skinny Points with your friends on Facebook.  Just hit the "Share" button and leave me a comment that you've done so!

Entries will be accepted until 11/15/2011 at 11 pm EST.  Please leave a valid email so that if you win I can reach you.  The winner will be chosen at random based on entries received.

I am so excited that I am able to say I have completed the Couch To 5K program - again! I completed it originally back in May then ran a 5K at the end of the month - but who knew? If you don't keep running you lose your ability to run distances!

I became frustrated a few months ago because I had become stagnant in both my nutrition and my fitness. I decided to sign up for some races and get back to running, and I did. I love the Couch To 5K program because you really can start from the couch and move up to running.

Last night I ran 2.43 miles and felt fine. I probably could have gone farther but I didn't quite calculate my route correctly and it was starting to get dark. I was so stoked that I could do it.

When I started out in March doing the program, a quarter of a mile seemed like eternity. I dreaded the next run because I didn't think that I could do it. Now I know that I can do it and I'm challenging myself to do more!

I have the Cincinnati Run Like Hell 5K this Friday, another 5K in two weeks, and I'm signed up for a 10K on Thanksgiving Day! I will be starting the Bridge to 10K program 11/1 - so if any of ya'll are doing that as well I'd love to hear your progress and what you think!

Check back late Friday night or early Saturday and I'll have pics up from the Run Like Hell.....although I STILLdon't know what I'm going as. I should probably get that figured out!

I tracked all of my food today! YAY! I haven't done that (honestly, at least) in probably two months. Every little bite, lick, and taste is accounted for today.

After last night, I was hoping that I'd have a 100% on plan day, but I ended up not getting a dairy and either of my oils in today. I'm aiming for progress though and not perfection, so I'll take it! A little more planning (and a stocked fridge!) will help me get it all in.

I was able to run a bit tonight too after taking it easy this week due to some lower calf issues. I've got a 5K walk this weekend and a 5k run next weekend so I want to make sure I don't cause any more damage!

By the way - I strongly suggest 100 Calorie Wholly Guacamole packs - absolutely fabulous on top of a burger!

Morning
4  cup(s) black coffee	0
1/4 cup(s) Cereal Granola - summer berry	3
1  serving(s) Yoplait Strawberry 1 cup	6
Subtotal	9
Midday
pork chop 6 oz w Apple glaze - Quick-added food	6
whole grain rice, peas, corn mix - Quick-added food	4
vitamin - Quick-added food	0
Water 24 oz - Quick-added food	0
Subtotal	10
Evening
8  oz raw lean ground beef	10
1  serving(s) Wholly Guacamole 100 Calorie Pack	3
1  serving(s) Ore Ida Crinkle Cut Sweet Potato Fries - 13 Pieces	4
1  cup(s) cooked spinach	0
20  oz diet root beer	0
Subtotal	17
Anytime
1  bar(s) Strawberry smoothie, low fat, frozen yogurt bar	2
3  cup(s) water	0
Subtotal	2
Food PointsPlus values total used	38
Food PointsPlus values remaining	0
Activity
Run/Walk Combo - Activity I created	3
Activity PointsPlus values earned	3
Check off these important items daily:
Liquids          Milk & Milk Products     Fruit & vegetables          Multivitamin/Mineral   Healthy Oil     Activity

Last week I skipped my weigh in. This week I went to the meeting but was not planning on weighing in. Why???? Well, that is because in the last two weeks I have eaten nearly any and everything around me that moves! I seriously had good intentions the day after I skipped the first meeting, but that went out the window by Friday morning. It. Has. Been. Horrible.

So, last night I arrived at the meeting site and I wanted to get the little weekly book that they give you because it has great tips and recipes in it. I was honestly planning on just saying "I don't want to weigh in tonight - just give me my stuff!"....but for some crazy reason (we'll call it my conscience) I weighed in anyway.

Yeah.....so 2 weeks of not tracking and eating whatever I want (McDonald's, Taco Bell, Burger King, Ice Cream - ya know - the really good kind, donuts, strawberry milk....and several select others), I weighed in 6 pounds higher. SIX!! Now, I know that a lot of that is probably fluid retention, plus I was wearing heavy sweats and a sweat shirt, but still. That's just crazy and wicked unhealthy!

I was thinking while I was in the meeting about my Dad. He has high blood pressure and was hospitalized because of it a few weeks ago. I've been on him to watch his diet because he has a medical issue and his diet can affect how long he lives.

It hit me in the meeting. I too have a medical issue that my diet will affect. It's called being obese and if I don't get it under control it will eventually kill me.

I think that is the first time I have ever made the connection between my weight and my death. It's completely true though. I came out of the meeting with a determination that I have not had in a very long time.

I'm proud to say that today I tracked everything and made a more conscious effort to stay on track. I am in serious need of grocery shopping to restock the fridge, but I made due with what I had today. I'm ready to tackle this head on this time!

As I mentioned several times here, I had a goal this year to ride the Ferris Wheel at the local fair. I was so excited because this year I was going to be able to fit!

Unfortunately, Mother Nature had another plan and it started raining about an hour after we arrived. The temperatures were in the low 50s and combined with the rain it was making it downright miserable. My little 2 year old's hands were freezing!

It finally stopped raining but they had shut down the Ferris Wheel. We didn't have many tickets left and needed to get the kids home so they rode the cars one more time and then we decided to call it a night.

I stopped at a Shell station on the way home to pick up something to drink......which was a bad plan. I was upset because I was so looking forward to that milestone and I didn't get to do it. So, as I often do when I am upset - I ate!

I picked up an egg salad sandwich, a king sized Reese, and a Diet Crush. My feelings cost me 27 points!

After we got home everyone went to bed and I had sometime to think about all of what had happened.

It wasn't my fault that the ride got shut down.

I know I would have fit anyway.

Eating that food DID NOT help me feel any better.

Tomorrow is a new day.

Tonight was the big Aurora Farmers Fair and I was surrounded by yummy looking and smelling food! I planned my day ahead of time so that I would be able to have one of my favorite treats - an elephant ear!

While containing no nutritional value at all, I am so glad that I am following a plan that still allows me to occasionally have treats like this without feeling like I've failed! I'm still well within my points for the week!

Morning
2  tsp olive oil	2
1  cup(s) spinach	0
1/4 cup(s) onion(s)	0
1/2 cup(s) salsa	0
Vitamin - Quick-added food	0
2  packet(s) SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener	0
2  item(s) egg	4
2  cup(s) water	0
1  medium orange(s)	0
1  cup(s) fat-free skim milk	2
2  cup(s) black coffee	0
Subtotal	8
Midday
2  cup(s) Light Soups Chicken noodle soup	4
2  cup(s) water	0
1  cup(s) grapes	0
Subtotal	4
Evening
1  serving(s) Salads Southwest Salad with Grilled Chicken	8
1 1/2 fl oz Salad Dressings Newman's Own® Creamy Southwest Dressing	3
32  fl oz Diet Coke	0
1  serving(s) 1/2 of Elephant Ear Light Sugar	9
Subtotal	20
Anytime
No entries for this meal time.
Subtotal	0
Food PointsPlus values total used	32
Food PointsPlus values remaining	0
Activity
Jillian Michaels Yoga - Activity I created	4
Activity PointsPlus values earned	4
Check off these important items daily:
Liquids         Milk & Milk Products    Fruit & vegetables         Multivitamin/Mineral Healthy Oil    Activity

I sit here tonight both excited and nervous about tomorrow night. You see, as I shared previously, my prior Aurora Farmers Fair experience was one of the situations that prompted me to loose weight. Two years ago my son wanted me to ride the Ferris Wheel with him. I did - yet found that because of my weight the belt bar barely fit over us and I literally had a steel bar pressing (really hard!) into my stomach the whole time.

Fast forward to last year when I had gained about another 30 pounds and I was asked again by my children to go on the Ferris Wheel. Knowing that there was no way that I could fit - and sparing myself the embarrassment of being asked to leave a ride because my weight made it a safety issue - I had to tell them "no".

Tomorrow night we revisit the same fair. I'm down nearly (yes, nearly due to my sporadic tracking over the summer!) 50 pounds since last year and I'm ready to ride that Ferris Wheel. I had a huge smile on my face a few weeks ago when my baby girl asked if I would ride the Ferris Wheel with her this year. I'm so looking forward to it!

What milestones have you achieved in your weight loss journey? I would love to hear about them!

Table provided byRoni's Food Journal Generator.

I weighed in tonight at 207.8 - down 1.8 from last week!

This summer has been a big struggle for me. I've been going back and forth between the same few pounds and it has been frustrating!

I got as low as 50 pounds lost but then have been bouncing around since then. This week I focused on starting my running program again (as you can see from my side bar I have several races coming up!) and by making it a priority for me to get in other activity on my running rest days as well. I was able to keep up with my workouts this week but I was still lacking in my dedication to my eating (as well as my food journaling here!).

The thing that has been so frustrating for me is that I know what I need to do! I know if I really do track my food and honestly account for those night time snacks I'll be just fine. It's just a matter of doing it!

Tonight the meeting at Weight Watchers was about revisiting why you started this journey in the first place. For me - it was a culmination of things. For one, I turned 30 years old weighing over 100 pounds than I should. Probably not a good place to be! My knees, feet, and back were constantly hurting, as well as my hip. I did a "Know your number" calculation and it put me at 45. 45!!!

Another big motivating factor was wanting to ride the Ferris Wheel. Sounds a bit silly, right? Well, I have 3 little kiddos (6, 3, and 2) and last year my 6 year old wanted to ride the Ferris Wheel. I had to say "No" because I knew I wouldn't fit. I had rode the prior year at about 30 pounds less and barely fit.....that same festival is coming up on Friday and my little girl has already made plans with me to ride it! (6 year old has declared a state of fear of heights so won't be riding. I'll ride it myself if I have to!)

It also became apparent to me as my son entered Kindergarten that I didn't want to be a Mom that he was ashamed of around his friends. I was awkward in social situations and shied away from activities because I was ashamed of what I looked like.

Nine months on this program has changed a lot for me. I still have a long way to go until I hit my weight loss goal, but it is nice to be able to say (for once!) that I am proud of all I have accomplished. I know I have all of the tools that I need to be successful in this journey - I've just got to stick with it and do it!

How did you do this week?  Let me know in the comments and don't forget to submit your success story to be featured on Skinny Points!

There are a lot of opinions out there on the best way to lose weight. You can go no carb, high carb, low carb, vegetarian, all meat, tofu, shake...and the list goes on. With so many options and opinions, how do you know what is best?

I think the answer to this is you need to do what works for you! If you are truly wanting to lose weight - not just for the sake of losing, but to also gain a healthy lifestyle - you really need to take a look at the diet you're thinking of choosing. I feel like if a diet completely eliminates a whole food group it is probably something that I would not want to continue for my entire life, thus leading to a nice weight loss - which will likely be followed with a nice weight gain!

I am a true believer in all things in moderation. This is one of the things that I LOVE about Weight Watchers. I don't have to worry about buying "special" foods that my family won't want to eat or blow my entire budget on one week of food (cheese and meat get very expensive if that's all you're buying!). Plus, I know that this "diet" is becoming a lifestyle, and it is something that I can see myself doing forever.

Weight loss doesn't have to be as complicated as it sometimes is made to be. Break it down into day by day.  Simply eat better, move more, and repeat the next day.   You're well on your way to a healthier lifestyle!