The year continues to fly as we’re a few days into July. What have you been up to? I hope you had a wonderful Independence Day week/weekend!
I’m joining Hoho, Tricia, and Christine for the Weekly Wrap! It’s such a great linkup where dozens of awesome running bloggers participate and share what’s going on in their active lives!
I’m also joining Courtney for her Weekly Training Linkup! While I’m officially not in training mode right now, I’m getting back to tracking my workouts so that I can keep myself accountable over the next few weeks!
[bctt tweet=”How have your workouts been going? I’m joining in the #weeklywrap with my favorite running bloggers! #runchat” username=”Janelle_RWNR”]
Weekly Wrap: Summer Projects, 4th of July and a Harsh Truth…
Gosh, I’ve missed doing a regular weekly wrap. Things have been so busy in my world but I’ve missed connecting with everyone through the blog this way. So needless to say, I have a lot to recap as we’re well into the summer season!
Summer Projects
One of my goals for July is to focus on quality family time. One way that I’ve been doing that is by working on finally building a patio in our backyard. Over the past couple of weekends, Bret and I have been doing all of the labor to make that happen – hauling in bricks, pavers, gravel, and stone. We made so many trips to Lowe’s that I lost count. Oh, and we had a LOT of dirt to move as well! Bret also built a brick retaining wall with a little help from me and his mom and we picked up a few shade-loving annuals and perennials on Saturday. It’s looking really nice!
It’s been quite the strenuous project, but I’m so glad that we were able to work on this together. It really has been a bonding experience. It’s almost complete – still some minor touches here and there, but we’re finally ready to start looking at furniture! We’ve gone to a few stores but we haven’t been drawn to anything yet. Our patio is pretty small so a small table with 4 chairs is all we need. Do you have any recommendations on where to find nice quality, affordable patio sets?
4th of July Recap
Unfortunately, unlike many people, I didn’t have an exciting July 4 week. Having a holiday on a Tuesday is the worst! I decided not to take a vacation day on Monday so I worked the entire week and had the holiday off. It was pretty rough…even though it was quiet in the office, I had tons of work to do on Monday while just about everyone was out, and we had several meetings and phone calls over the remainder of the week. It’s a good thing that we’re busy as it means things are progressing with the project, but still!
Thankfully, I did have Tuesday off and we had a nice time with the neighbors. After continuing to do patio work until the late afternoon, we hung outside on the block where the neighbors had a potluck. The food was great and yes, I helped myself to a couple of beers! I also met some really nice people in the area that I hope to connect with soon. They wanted to party all hours into the night but nope…I had work in the morning and I get up at 5 am!
Dietitian Visit Recap
I have really enjoyed working with Danielle, my dietitian that I visit 6 times a year (thanks, insurance!). This year marks 4 years since we’ve worked together. The morning before my appointment, I spoke highly of the experience with a coworker and how I’ve been able to maintain my weight all this time since the initial weight loss that she helped me achieve. You can even see my post about my first dietitian appointment, it was one of my first on the blog!
Well, here’s the harsh truth. She weighed me last Wednesday, and my weight has gone up…4 pounds since our last visit in May. Now that may not sound bad, but I’ve actually reached my peak weight from 4 years ago – I was at an all-time high after being sidelined with my stress fracture in my foot. That was the turning point when I realized I needed to start seeing a dietitian!
Honestly, I was shocked when I saw the weight, and it’s still a hard thing for me to accept…but the good news is that I know that this is the impetus I needed to finally start making some changes. Danielle has suggested that I try the “Empty Calorie Challenge” over the next 4 weeks, starting on July 10 (tomorrow!). That means no cakes, cookies, chips, French fries, candy, soda, alcohol, or white flour products. She has allowed me to have one cheat meal/cheat day, thank goodness. It may sound extreme, but I know that I can do this!
I’ve bought a food journal and a meal planning journal on Amazon so that I can fully take on this challenge wholeheartedly. Stay tuned as I share my experiences with the challenge on the blog…I hope it works!
Workouts for the Week:
Sunday 7/2: We spent all day on the patio and we were exhausted, that was enough of a workout for me!
Monday 7/3: I planned to run on the treadmill at work, but unfortunately the day was too hectic, even though no one was in the office…go figure!
Tuesday 7/4: No Independence Day racing for me, but I did go to a HIIT the Barre class at my favorite local studio. This class was HARD! Barre on its own is challenging enough, but when you add lots of jumps, squats, and pushups in between sets, you really get tired out!
Wednesday 7/5: My feet and calves were still really sore from the previous day’s class, but the weather wasn’t too hot so I went for a 4.5 mile run in the neighborhood after work. It was my first time using my new Garmin 235 and let me tell you…I had some struggles figuring out how to use it! If you’re a Garmin or Strava user, I’d love to connect with you!
Thursday 7/6: Core Flow yoga class after work. This was my first time taking this class and it was a reminder of how terrible my sense of balance is! The class went quickly and I just didn’t feel that I was at my best. Hopefully I continue taking the class and improving!
Friday 7/7: Rest day!
Saturday 7/8: I was hoping for a long run on Saturday morning but we had a lot of errands to do for the house that was more important.
How was your week? Have you ever done an empty calorie challenge? Any tips for me?
Great week of workouts! Im so impressed that you’re building your own patio. That sounds like hard work. Good luck with your Empty Calorie Challenge!
Your patio looks awesome – all that hard work it paying off! I feel you on the 4th of July holiday. I worked on Monday but I did take off on Wednesday, then worked the rest of the week. It felt really odd!
I have been wanting to see a dietician for a while now. I went back and read your first blog about it and I feel like I’ll make some calls next week to make an appointment – thanks for the push! I know that you will do great with the zero calorie challenge and I might just join you!
Thanks, Kim! It would have been so much easier to pay someone to do the work but it’s satisfying to look at it and say “we did that”!
I definitely recommend seeing a dietitian if you can. Even though I don’t always do what she says (LOL), it helps me keep myself in check and get back to doing the right things. My junk food cravings have been at an all-time high so this empty calorie challenge is right on time, let me know if you join in! 🙂
I would love to work with a dietitian! Someday. Those last 5 lbs & all.
I haven’t done an empty calorie challenge. I eat pretty clean a lot, but I also enjoy some fun foods. Like dark chocolate. 🙂 Good luck!
The patio is looking really nice. We’ve gotten patio furniture at Lowes, usually.
I think it’s nice to have someone who can keep you motivated. I wish I ate as clean as you…I’ve had way too many treats this summer and I guess it’s adding up!
Thanks – we looked at some patios at Lowe’s but Bret didn’t like any of them…he’s so picky!
wow building your own patio sounds really above my ability level! Impressive
I worked Monday too! Working in healthcare always gives you a weird schedule.
I didn’t realize you were still seeing a dietician. I think you look great!
Oh yeah, I never stopped seeing Danielle (she has been trying to get me off the Twizzlers for a while now HA). Thanks for the compliment – now that I know I gained weight I can’t get it out of my head, lol!
Sorry to hear about the disappoint news at your appointment. I think that having a food diary is the best thing that you can do to help with a weight loss journey. My biggest downfall is eating when I am bored. I know that you will do great with your challenge. That seems like a great way to jumpstart things and get back on track. Good luck with it! Nice week of workouts!
I love home projects and yours looks great. It’s nice having some nice outdoor space to relax.
I’m very interested in your food challenge. I wrote down the “no no” items. I may do this with you!
Thanks, Meranda! It would be awesome if you joined me! Maybe I should make a whole list too!
Your patio looks great! We got our patio furniture from the previous owners of our house. They were downsizing and willing to leave it for us! Cool that you are working with a dietician. I’m sure you will get your weight back where you want it. I’m trying to be careful now that I’m back from vacation.
Thanks, Coco! I’ll have to let Bret know how many compliments you all are giving the patio! 🙂 Hopefully we’ll soon find a table and chairs set that we both love!
I’ve not done an empty calorie challenge. It sounds interesting! I like your patio. I’ve been working hard to get my backyard back to where it once was. It’s tough working in this heat! Good luck on your hunt for patio furniture.
I’m hoping I survive the empty calorie challenge…it’s gonna be rough the first few days, haha!
I remember you talking about updating your patio too. Thankfully our area is very shady so it’s not as tough to work on in this heat and humidity!
I know Lowe’s and Home Depot have patio furniture, but I saw Sears/Kmart is closing more stores. If you have some closing in the area, you could find some good deals.
Gosh, I probably need to do the “empty calorie diet”! I’ve got about 4 to 5 pounds that just seems to want to hold on to me waaaaay more than I want to hold on to them! 🙂
Your patio area looks great! I’m impressed that you guys did that yourself!! Great work.
Yoga is such a challenge for me because my balance sucks …well, actually it’s pretty much non-existent!
My husband had to work over the 4th too. He was out of town, so I didn’t get to see him at all that day. I felt so bad for him!
Your patio looks great!
I’ve never heard of Empty Calorie Challenge but I could do something like this so I can lose a few pounds as well.
Thanks, Zenaida! I think that even doing the challenge for a week would be an improvement or at least a way to reset!
Ugh on the weight gain. I’m there with you. While I couldn’t work out as much, I still continued to eat like I was and some weight crept up on me. I hadn’t stepped on a scale in months and when I finally did, it was shocking. One of my July goals is to lose some of that weight (so far, so good).
I haven’t done an empty calorie challenge by that name, but I have done 21 day challenges where I’ve cut out sugar and processed foods, which is kind of the same thing. In general, I’ve tried to cut those out recently to try to get this extra poundage off and it’s amazing how quickly I lose weight when I eat right. Best of luck with your challenge! Thanks for linking!
I’m with you – the mid-week holiday through everything off. Short weeks always feel SO SO long! I’ve never really done that type of challenge. I am more of a “generally eat healthy” kind of person but I hope it works well for you!
That’s great that you guys are doing the work together for the patio! It sounds like it will be a really nice place to hang out in the nice weather. Good luck with the food challenge 🙂 I’ve never done anything like that, just cut out added sugar for a while. I probably need to do that again to be honest.
I had an early morning on Wednesday after the holiday so no late night fireworks partying for me either. I went to NJ and had to get up at 4 to make the commute back to the city. That’s why it’s a holiday and not a holi-night 🙂 Corny, I know, but I hope you smile anyway.
I hope you have a great week, J.
Nice job with your patio! I’ve been trying to convince my husband we should take this on this summer, but he’s not biting given all of our other house projects.
Good luck with empty calorie challenge – I find elimination diets really hard because I start to obsess about whatever you’ve told me I can’t have! LOL!
The empty calorie challenge sounds tough! I justify my “garbage” calories by doing all the running/working out and actually NEEDING the surplus of calories. Well, that ain’t happening this summer LOL My appetite has really tanked the past couple of weeks because I have not been as active as usual…glad I’m not eating more than I need, but I don’t want to mess up my metabolism either. It’s always something, isn’t it?
Yay for a patio. It must be one of the best things to have in the summer!
Also, I am curious to hear more about your work with a dietician! I am relatively new to your blog, so I don’t know your whole story (but you mentioned that insurance covers her visits?) and I would love to know more about it!