Yippee, it’s Wednesday! 😀 And you know what that means…
It’s party time!
True to my early bird ways, I was up at 5:30 this morning. But I was tired, so I’m pretty sure that the only reason I was actually able to drag my sorry butt out of bed was because of the promise of a delicious breakfast…
[eggy bananafied oats topped with almond butter and chocolate/caramel pudding]
I didn’t end up passing out at 9:30 last night, like I thought I would. I was up until 11 doing… I don’t even know what. I remember there being a computer. Books were involved at some point, too. Oh, and I definitely remember this beautiful sight…
Rainbow sunsets 😀 Nature never ceases to amaze me.
And speaking of amazing… any guesses as to which book I picked out of the crazy stash to read first?
Drum roll pleaseeeee….
My thoughts so far? Ah.maze.ing. I’m completely smitten. And I’m also smitten by my new favorite pre-workout snack…
… which I inhaled before powering through a 20 minute HIIT workout on the treadmill, followed by one of my last strength routines in Stage 1 of The New Rules of Lifting for Women.
I’ve been following the lifting program for just a little over a month now (I don’t follow the diet plan) and dayyyuuum… I’m loving the results. I’ve definitely gotten stronger and leaner, and I just feel… good. Happy. Healthy. It’s nice 😀
And the best part of it is that I think I’ve finally reached a place where I can say that I have a perfectly healthy relationship with exercise. I no longer look at is as a way to burn extra calories, but as a way to make myself healthier. I used to suffer from the “exercise more, eat less” mentality, meaning that the more I exercised, the more I was tempted to restrict my intake (because that makes perfect sense), but now the complete opposite is true. The more I exercise, the more I want to eat so that I can become even faster and stronger. I hate the feeling of dragging through a workout, or dragging through a day in general, and I notice that it doesn’t tend to happen if I’m properly fueled, so I fuel…
After I managed to pick my sweaty and shaky self off the floor (stability ball jackknifes kill me), I was more than eager to dig into my favorite lunch…
[mango tofu protein smoothie – Greek yogurt topped with trail mix, Puffins, Kashi Sunshine, puffed wheat – unpictured salad beast]
… and because I was still feeling a bit peckish after that, I followed it up with dessert, which came courtesy of my dad. He knows how much I love my Greek yogurt, and has to listen to me complain about the lack of variety up here in Canada, so he picked up this gem just to shut me up because he loves me…
… and I. am. in. LOVE. The combination of sweet mango and slightly tangy orange is just to die for. Be still my fluttering heart. Mmmm yessss. Err. Sorry. I was having a moment…
MOVING ON
The afternoon was devoted to this, that, and a little bit of everything in between. I worked. I shopped. I got hungry. I ate an afternoon snack…
[a perfectly sweet nectarine alongside the last muffin]
… I ran some work related errands. I cussed like a sailor when I hit rush hour traffic on my way home. I eventually made it home. I whipped up a quick dinner…
[Pumpkin Hummus Tortilla Pizza]
… I blogged while it baked. And nowwww I just want to relax and do nothing at all. I’m wiped, and tomorrow promises to be yet another crazy day with even more condo viewing in the afternoon. Sigh.
It’ll all be worth it in the end. It’ll all be worth it in the end. It’ll all be….
Love you guys! Wish me luck!
. – . – . – .
Let’s chat. Why do you exercise? Because you truly enjoy it, or because you feel guilty if you don’t? Do you do it to get stronger, or to burn calories? Have your views on it changed over time?
Dancing is my passion! 🙂
YAY!!! I am so happy you’re loving the Alchemist!!! Its such an amazing story….like I said, totally one of my favorite books!
I have finally (I think) come to peace with exercise….It feels so weird (in comparison) to feel like I can go forever (hooray proper fueling! Yay carbs!) but just stop because…you know what? I’m done. That’s it. Ends there.
PS- What time is the sun setting up yonder?
Pss- Hope all the alluded to changing and business is thrilling and exhilerating and all good things. (o:
Thank ya 😀 And I believe it sets around 10 or so? Around there anyways.
Oh my gosh I LOVE that sky! I exercise simply because I love it. No other reason. If I don’t feel up to it, then I just don’t do it. Once I took the pressure off I found I was much more apt to CHOOSE to workout than I was when I felt pressured to do it 🙂
The same thing happened to me. When I felt like I HAD to do it, I never wanted to. But when I backed off with all the planning and schedules, I found that I wanted to do it even more 🙂
I read the Alchemist just few months ago, and it was great. Seriously, I mean, it’s when I truly started to believe in “fate” somehow – that everything happens for a reason.
Even with ‘eds,’ if it wasn’t there, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be living the way I am right now and I wouldn’t be having the dream I have currently.
I’ve already seen so many people who change their path of life due to different events in their life, (such as GC) and it’s just amazing how we all find our way at some point.
I loved the simple, and straight-forward writing of the book and thoroughly enjoyed it. (best part is that it’s pretty short, lol).
I admire so much on your new realization on the exercise thing. I don’t really obsess about the amount of exercise I do, but a post like this will sure help many other people 🙂
p.s. How much of pudding do you add once? I recently tried Soy pudding and while it’s so good, I think it’s ridiculously high in sugar (and I sometimes have two a day).
I just eyeball it and spoon on a couple big globs. Our bodies need sugar too 🙂
I’m jealous of your Greek yogurt! I know we have way more variety down here in the U.S. but I’ve never seen any mango orange flavor! I did just buy some peach mango Greek yogurt so maybe it’ll be similar.
I do struggle a little with enjoying exercise vs doing it for the calorie burn. I do feel guilty if I’m not active every single day, but for the most part, I love the feeling it gives me. And I always do yoga because it never makes me feel bad and it helps me clear my mind and get stronger. I love it!
I love to exercise and to be active, so it comes naturally for me. For me personally, if I have to refer to something as exercise, I shouldn’t do it because it means I’m not enjoying it. I love to rollerblade (for hours!) I love yoga, walking, dance, lots of sports etc. Those endorphines feel so good!
Good Luck! Haha, I really want to steal your book, The New Rules of Lifting for Women one. I have heard so many bloggers raving about it!
Hmm….truthfully, I exercise because I know it is good for me. But I equate exercise to an intense run or bike ride in my mind. But I really enjoy yoga videos, weight lifting, playing tag, swimming, frisbee, hiking, climbing,…ahhh, I change my answer.
I like exercising but only when it has purpose. Going out for a run or bike ride through random neighborhoods gives me no joy, but calming my mind with yoga, pushing myself with weights, running around with kids, racing through water, exploring God’s creation, or challenging my strategy with a climb; those things get me psyched! Problem is through, I don’t do most of those things because, in my mind, they are unrealistic. You have to pay for most of them and I can’t even afford clothes and my parents make getting a job very. hard.
I guess I am going to have to change some things in my life…
Thanks for this question Amanda! It has challenged me to go out on a limb for the things I love.
Oh! and I LOOOOVE sea kayaking! LOVE IT!
So first off, I’m a new commenter (*enthusiastically waves hello*) – and I effing adore your blog. The recipes look great, the pictures are gorgeous, and it’s just generally awesome. Well done! 🙂
On the exercise issue, I’ve always worked out because it makes me happy — but in the last two years or so, it all changed. I gained some weight after I started dating my soon-to-be-husband (he makes great lasagna, and the fact that I chose his company over my gym-Nazi ways is testament to how much I love the man), and I was pretty peeved about the fact that my thighs seemed to be expanding faster than the universe. (He wasn’t the least bit bothered by said thigh expansion; I, meanwhile, was uber not thrilled.) I then started looking at exercise as a way to burn calories, but that just made me miserable. Now I’ve started doing more strength training and less cardio, and focusing on becoming strong — vice watching the calorie counter on the elliptical — has made a huge difference. Like you, I really like the physical results of strength training, and the psychological benefit has been huge too. Keep on lifting!
Hi Lillian, thank you for saying hello 😀 Your fiancé sounds like a great guy. Congrats!
I didn’t even know rainbow sunsets existed but that’s crazy! And by crazy I mean beautiful!
Still needing to try pudding on my oats. Theres a vegan mix they sell in the stores, Ill always walk buy, go to buy it then think to myself, ohh maybe next time.
So yesterday I went in to buy it and they were sold out 🙁
Oh my gosh that sunset, that hue of pink is just amazing.
Thats so good that youre feeling fit and healthy.
My relationship with exercise and food is slowly getting better. This is thanks to people like you. 🙂
Ever since I started eating what my body wanted I’ve found I do love exercise, and I WANT to do it, because I actually have the energy.
Sometimes I do it because I really want to, but yes I will admit I have a side where I feel guilty if I dont and sometimes to burn calories. 🙁
hopefully this is something Ill get over.
You will… it just takes some time. Soon you’ll fall in love with feeling healthy and strong, and calories and guilt won’t matter anymore 😀
I do truly enjoy exercise. I love the feeling that I get when I complete a really hard workout. Working out improves my moood and I get really crabby if I don’t work out for an extended period of time. However… I do get caught up in guilt as well. Mostly on rest days. I know my body needs the rest.. but I don’t like having nothing to do in the timeI normally workout.
And I am LOVING that pumpkin hummus tortilla. I just bookmarked the recipe to make one day soon~
I exercise because it gives me energy and I love feeling strong. Running (whether it is 1 mile or 26.2!) gives me such a feeling of accomplishment that I just love and want more and more.
1 – GORGEOUS sky/rainbow. I’m such a sucker for beautiful sky photos.
2 – The Alchemist is amazing isn’t it!
3 – I haven’t seen that Liberte Mango Orange flavour yet but I am definitely going to be on the lookout
4 – Exercise oh exercise. I’ll admit, it’s VERY up and down for me. Sometimes I do it because I genuinely love it, both during AND after. The zoning out and thinking time, the getting pumped up, the blasting tunes, the feeling strong and AWESOME… all great things. But then there are times, usually when I’ve been overdoing it, that I just get right worn out of it… and continue doing it anyway out of guilt. I have a lot of hatred for it at those points, I’ll tell you. Lately exercise has been more of a resentment for me. With so much time on my hands, it always feels like an obligation as one of the only “productive” parts of my day and I feel like I need to kill it hard, strong and multiple times a day. No good. That being said, that mentality is fading and I’m starting to enjoy it again which is nice! I do think I need to switch some things up soon though. I may just bite the bullet and join a gym. I LOVE classes and I’d love access to some larger weights/weight machines. Staring at my basement wall is getting old 😉
Would you recommend the TNRLW? I really want to get it.
I definitely would, yeah 😀 It has a lot of good info in it, and it’s super easy to read. The workout plan is a nice basic routine to follow, and there’s some good info on nutrition in it too!
All of your food always looks SO beautiful and delicious 🙂 And I’m happy that you’re reading The Alchemist because it truly is an amazing book! I LOVE exercise because it makes me feel happy! I do it to feel balanced, strong, healthy and fit. I think it’s such an important part of living. Any form physical activity is essential to life! I love doing so many different things…yoga, lifting, pilates, running, dancing, etc. Variety is the spice of life and I like to keep things spicy 😉
I think that picture just renewed my taste for morning oats!!
Hi beautiful!!!
I have to say that is ONE amazing pic of the beautiful sky and sunset! How amazing, seeing a pic like that, makes you realize how lucky you are, to have each day you are given in this world : )
Loving the WIAW, I did not join in this week, perhaps next ; ) I had birthday boy on my mind, so it didn’t happen
Loving that you are saying that book is amazing, should I get it?!!! I need a new read!
Love you! Hope your night is great!
and DQ Ice Cream cakes rock too! Love them!
Mike is way more important than WIAW, and you definitely need to get this book! I think you’ll love it 😀
I’m so happy that I can say I exercise because I really and truly love it! While I used to look at it as a more “well, it’s good for me so I should” kind of thing – I honestly look forward to each and every run or cross-training session. I love feeling strong, too!
Your breakfast looks amazing. Seriously. My mouth is wateringggg
That rainbow sunset is stunning, nature never ceases to amaze me! 🙂 I’m kookoo for cocoa puffs for your breakfast–you should totally make a breakfast cookbook one day, all of your oat creations are so easy on the eyes 😉
I love working out because it makes me feel strong, keeps me on the right path in recovery, gets my blood/endorphins pumping, and it just makes me feel so happy! I look so forward to my lifting days 😀
Haha my breakfast cookbook would be like… 3 pages long 😆 I eat my pudding oats almost every day!
your hummus pizza looks amazingggg.
I just wrote a workout post today, so it’s funny that your post today is about exercise too! I usually don’t talk about working out on my blog. Anyway, I exercise because I truly enjoy it, and because it keeps me mentally sane. I need an outlet for all the anxiety I carry around! Yes, unfortunately I’m a natural stress case. Exercise helps…majorly. I don’t do it to burn calories, but I definitely do it to stay strong. I’m very proud of my strength! Working out makes me feel like a superhero. My views changed when I met my current fiance, who’s a kick-ass personal trainer. He showed me the amazing effects that lifting can have on a body. I got so inspired that I got certified as a personal trainer! Exercising became a sense of empowerment for me, rather than just a means to stay thin. I love both the mental and physical benefits, but I no longer think of working out in terms of weight loss.
I am loving your eats 🙂 What a nice dad with the greek yogurt!
congrats on getting to the next stage in the lifting! sounds like fun 🙂
and I really wish I could say my relationship with exercise is as good as yours, but it just isnt yet. there are still times I do it just because I feel like I have to. but days like today where I DO do what I want, those feel great 😀
You’ll get there, Scott. It’s definitely been a long process for me.
Damnnnnnnn, I need all of your eats. I know I say it every day but it always looks so yummy–and that pizza!! WOW! I used to exercise for the wrong reasons (cutting cals) but now I do it for my sanity…love the feeling.
I love how much you love TNROLFW , it seems like you have really found a way to excercise you ENJOY and have a fab mentality towards exercise now. I can’t say I have a 100% healthy relationship with exercise:/ but I feel pretty addicted to the endorphins(maybe a little dependent or something) & I do feel so much better once iv done it.
Mango orange greek yoggy sounds to.die.for, and so do the rest of your beautiful eats!
Lovin the gorgeous sunset!
Xxx
I exercise because I do enjoy it and I love results. I like getting stronger or faster.
Oh those Jackknifes…not to mention they come at the END of the workout! I just finished that workout although I have few more left in the stage. I also find myself getting stronger. On days I exercise I definitely consciously eat more, because I want my muscles to grow and I want to be a strong women. I agree with what Tara said in the above comment, I also exercise because it makes me feel like I’m on top of the world!
I agree about Canada’s greek yogurt selection…so few options 🙁
Good luuuuck! You’ll find the perfect place soon 🙂
I used to exercise just to burn calories & totally relate in that the more I exercised, the less I ate…I think that’s now why I don’t really enjoy running…
I just love strength training for how it makes me feel, cliched as that sounds! Its nothing to do with calories or weight, purely for me and my well being…I see it as a kind of treat these days rather than a chore like I used to! Whoah this is turning into an essay!haha.
Love your eats as always, happy WIAW! <3
Okay, first of all, those stability ball jackknives look killer! must try that sometime 🙂
and I exercise because I fully enjoy it. I consider the way it makes me look a bonus, but the way it makes me feel is why I do it. There is nothing like a hard sweaty workout – it makes me feel stronger and more determined.
It hasn’t always been that way, I used to tell myself I did it because I enjoyed it but I would be staring at the calorie counter the entire time. I’m happy to say I’m gotten past that. I don’t think about calories anymore, I just know that It takes energy to exercise therefore you will have to eat more. Since I’ve learned this my workouts have become 100% enjoyable!
When I finally work my arse up to go exercise I definitely do so for the mental clarity and energy it gives me. I feel less sluggish, and my motivation ups to cross stuff off my to-do list/do everything I’ve been procrastinating- plus it puts me in a good mood and gives me a killlller appetite 🙂
You take the prettiest food pictures. Sooo i’m gonna come over and you’re gonna make me that hummus pizza, right? It looks faaaabulous.
I love that strength training has helped you make peace with exercise. A good, hard strength workout that leaves you trembling is awesome (stepups kill me!) and so satisfying. I was talking about why I love exercise today with my mom in the car after I went to a spin class “for fun”. I just can’t get enough. I love to strength train and do cardio because it makes me feel like I’m on top of the world and has boosted my self esteem tremendously (before and after ED). Don’t even get me started on running, because i don’t even call that exercise… that’s my true love, my oxygen, my motivation to be a healthy, happy person. I am fascinated by the human body and it’s capability to do so much, especially exercise and move. I can’t wait to study this stuff in college… I’m such a geek, but I LOVE it.
Awwr girl that’s not geeky at all! I love it when people have a true passion for exercise 😀
I just started eating “eggy oats” because of your blog, and I’m never going back! 🙂
About exercise…running I do for the enjoyment, and for the training. But honestly, sometimes I do cross-training to burn off calories.
I could never go back to non-eggy oats either. They’re just too good!
I used to exercise to burn calories! Now I look it as a way to stay fit and boost my mental health. Whether I’m walking, running or lifting, I try to do something at least 5 days a week! This new mentality makes exercise more of a pleasure that I crave to do!
My favoriteform of exercse is eith a nice long walk, yoga, tennis or biking,Ive never been one for the gym – id much rather bee outside in the sun! I love to do some form of exercise at keast once a day but thankfully don’t feel guilty when ii don’t have the timeor energy. After all i do love those days of just relaxing!
Great meals today! Thst greek yogurt sounds like a winning combination!
Enjoy the book – i heatd its great – it too is on my list for must reads!
After college I used to think I could eat junk and drink excessive amounts of alcohol and then just like that I could exercise and it would erase all of the indulging. Ummm, no, that didn’t at all work in my favor! After a total life shift and a healthy understanding of whole foods and exercise for strength and energy, I view exercise as a must for the balance of feeling empowered, strong, lean and healthified!
I just started weight lifting more and love how strong I am feeling! I used to workout to burn calories, but now I do it to make me feel happier, stronger, and less stressed 🙂
I love The Alchemist, it’s one of my faves. Hope you enjoy it 🙂
I’m a little over halfway through and I’m loving it!
I’m loving the new rules of weight lifting! I’m halfway through the first stage and I’ve noticed such a change! The jackknifes kill me! My abs are actually feeling it right now.
I’ve been cutting back on cardio so much because I’m loving the strength training. It makes me feel powerful, strong, and confident. I love exercise for the high that I get after I’m done. It never fails to make me feel better. 🙂
I exercise because it makes me feel strong. I exercise in the morning because it starts my day on the right food – feeling accomplished and self confident. How could you not feel great when you’ve done more before 6am than most will do all day? 🙂