Look what I got in the mail today.
Growing up, I never really believed in Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, or the Tooth Fairy. But I believed in the Valentine Man. The Valentine Man was a man who would leave goodies for my brothers and me on the doorstep. He would ring the doorbell and run away before we could discover who our admirer was. Kris Kringle – totally not realistic. But someone admiring me? My self-centered young self could believe in that.
Last year was my first Valentine’s Day away from Utah and the Valentine Man did not find me in my new NC home. I was a little upset. My mom The Valentine Man heard about my trauma and had no idea that I loved this tradition so much. He’s back this year. (Thanks Mom. :))
Unfortunately, my heart was broken today.
Bad, bad Maizey. She jumped up and grabbed one of the goodies off the counter. The wrapper wasn’t punctured, so I still ate it. But even if it was punctured…. 😉
I was excited to run at the gym tonight because I haven’t run for a looooong time and I had loaded my iPod with new songs. I got to the gym, my iPod wouldn’t work, and when I started to run, my SI joint and my right knee were both hurting. Not good. So instead of running, I did intervals on the Cybex Arc Trainer. I love those things! And I love intervals. I alternated between 30 second sprints and 30-45 second recovery. Makes the time fly. (And a few girly magazines don’t hurt either.)
After the gym, I realized I’d only had one serving of veggies for the day, so I threw in a scoop of Amazing Grass Amazing Meal (Original) with 1 heaping teaspoon of cocoa and 1 c. of milk and blended it all up with an immersion blender. Um, why have I not been using an immersion blender for this all along?? It makes it so good! Nice and creamy without any icky lumps. It’s a great post-workout drink – the powder has 10 grams of protein plus you get 8 more grams if you mix it with milk. And you get veggie goodness along with that – score!
One more thing to report on before I get in bed: I did my push-ups today. I’m a little behind and just did Day 1 for week 5. Oops.
|
DAY 1
REST 60 SECONDS BETWEEN EACH SET (LONGER IF REQUIRED) |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 – 35 push ups | 36 – 40 push ups | > 40 push ups | |
| SET 1 | 17 | 28 | 36 |
| SET 2 | 19 | 35 | 40 |
| SET 3 | 15 | 25 | 30 |
| SET 4 | 15 | 22 | 24 |
| SET 5 | max (at least 20) | max (at least 35) | max (at least 40) |
And…I decided to follow the program and drop down to Column 1; I didn’t earn column 2 so I won’t cheat. That and I got scared when I saw the Day 2 schedule. :) I’m kind of getting sick of push-ups, but I’m almost to the end. Raise your hand Leave a comment if you’re still following the program. I need group therapy support to get through.
OK, good night!
26 Comments
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run]
atHa…too funny. The Valentine Man (my mom) sent me something today too. Check it out: http://www.nutritionnutontherun.com =]
Teri
atCute! Where would we be without mothers? 🙂
Heather (Heather's Dish)
ati’m too chicken at the moment to do the push up challenge, but that’s great that you’re doing it so consistently! when i worked at my gym in dallas i’d do the arc trainer all the time after lifting heavy legs…helped me stretch me out a little more 🙂
Teri
atThat’s a good idea to try it after lifting legs because it does stretch them out a bit more than the regular elliptical.
Christie
atHey Teri!
You’re so right, the wind in Charlotte was crazy today! I love your little Valentines Man tradition, that is too cute 🙂
I wish I had been with you from the start to join your push-up challenge- maybe i’ll just have to start now!
~CK
Teri
atThe wind is my least favorite element. 🙂
You can definitely start the push-up challenge now! Only a few actually started the same time as me.
Ashley
atGirl!! I think our mom’s are secret long lost friends too. My mom always sends stuff for vday and easter. I think one year she didn’t do an easter basket [maybe when i was at college] and I about FA-reaked out! =P Ahhh…so similar! I’m glad your broken heart was not so badly wounded that you couldn’t EAT it!!! mmmm
Teri
athaha! I love that you freaked out too!
Krysten
atI totally need to tell my folks about the Valentine Man. Give them a little hint hint…
Teri
atdooo it! the valentine man is the best!
Cassidie
atI just started the push ups challenge this Sunday. I am already doing better. I am trying to get my room mates to do it with me for moral support too.
Teri
atAwesome Cassidie! Keep me posted! Good luck. 🙂
Emily
atThe Valentine Man (aka my mother too) always get me some goofy socks every year! Ha! While I rarely wear these silly socks, I look forward a new pair every year! Push-up…..eek! I’m getting better at them, but I still am not a huge fan of them while I’m actually doing them. The worst beast is PULL-UPS….barf!
Teri
atI love the idea of goofy socks! That’s awesome!
Are you doing the push-up challenge?
I think I might do a pull up challenge next because I’m pretty sure I can’t do even ONE.
Emily
atMy push-up challenge came in the form of P90X!!! While I have the complete set I don’t do it on a daily basis becauase of teaching classes and running training schedules. But I do occasionally pop in one of the dvd’s and am quickly dying because of the 9,000 push-ups and pull-ups!! 🙂
Teri
atI really want to try P90X. I’ve heard great things!
Karlee
atDont’ you worry, I’m still committed to the push up challenge 🙂 I better be, since I’m only on day 2!! I’m intrigued by your last post on oats…I haven’t ever been a fan (except for when their in cookies!), but maybe it’s time to give them a try??
Teri
atOh good. I’m glad I’m not pushing it alone. 🙂
You’ve got to try overnight oats at least once – they’re totally different. If you don’t like the tangy taste of plain yogurt, I would try just all milk the first time.
Jess
atI think that I need to start the push up challenge…maybe : )
Reece’s peanut butter hearts & peanut butter eggs are like crack to me!!!! Peanut butter & chocolate….YUMMMMM!
I love the idea of that tradition! I am all about starting traditions with my little man : )
Teri
atDo it! It’s actually pretty fun to see how much you’ll progress.
Seriously, peanut butter and chocolate are the best combination of two food groups. (What? They’re not food groups?? 😉 )
I love holiday traditions. I don’t feel like we have a ton so I get attached to the ones we do have.
Sarah Ikegami
atI love the Valentine Day man (or, Mom!)…the immersion blender is one of my favorite gadgets, ever! It’s so easy to use and so easy to clean!
Teri
atI know! I need to remember to use it more often!
Naomi (onefitfoodie)
atHI!! so glad you found me 🙂 love the name of your blog!! haha
awesome v-day pacakge, there is notthing like old school reseses!!
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg
atAwww! My grandparents used to give me a chocolate pb heart EVERY year for Valentine’s day! Love it 🙂
Teri
atThat’s so cute!
Deveree
atI LOVE the Cybex Arc Trainer! I never knew what it was called though; I’d just say “I love that elliptical by the mirrors at the gym that makes my legs swing really far”. The “arc trainer” will save so much hassle when expressing my love for the machine. That’s a bummer that it hurt to run though! Boo. I hope it feels better soon 🙂 We still need to do a race together one day.