The longer version of my life update begins with my running at least one race per month from March through October. Chya! I’m superproud of myself. I sure didn’t think that I—a nonrunner—would sign up for my first 5K in September 2009 and have it turn into a fun little passion. And now for some pictures/proof:

Get Lucky! 7K in March (my farthest distance to date)

Before Goldy's Run 5K in April with Jason and Kelly

I was actually interviewed on live television about five seconds after finishing the Goldy’s Run 5K. The guy totally caught me off guard, and I’m fairly certain I blacked out or something because I didn’t realize what had happened until after we finished talking. Turns out I’m funny after a race, though, so that’s a plus. If you want to check it out and laugh at (with) me, click here. Fast forward to around 2:42 to get to the good stuff.

HeartBeat 5000 5K in June with Michelle, Kalley, Ashley and Kelly

Minnesota 5K in August

Now let me tell you something about the Minnesota 5K: I almost died. OK that’s not true, but it felt like 100 degrees with a jillion percent humidity. It was my first race running completely alone with no fans or anything. I planned to arrive at the race fairly early, but construction and crazy downtown parking made me get to the race JUST as the gun went off. Great start, Amanda. I was also, for the first time, using my phone instead of my iPod to play music. Big mistake! I had it set to shuffle songs every time I shook the phone, which happens a lot when I run apparently. So annoying. Oh, and did I mention how hot it was?? I was drenched after two minutes, and that’s totally not normal for me. But here comes the awesome part (*sarcasm*): I accidentally took the half marathon route instead of the 5K route. In my defense, it was horribly marked IF AT ALL, and I’m sure I wasn’t the only one to do it. I was, however, the only one to get about 3 miles along and stop at a first aid station to see if someone could come pick me up instead of running 3 miles back. I felt like an idiot. So embarrassing. If it wasn’t so dang hot I just would have jogged/walked back, but I was so pissed at everyone and everything I just couldn’t bring myself to do anything else. That picture up there was obviously taken before my mishap because I still look into it. Man, that sure got me worked up just thinking about it again.

I haven’t run a race since mid-October, and I actually haven’t run at all since the beginning of November. I’ll get back into it after Christmas because I have the 2012 Get Lucky! 7K to train for! The sweatshirt and medal you get for finishing are AMAZING. I mean really, a kelly green (my fav color) sweatshirt WITH THUMBHOLES?! Boom. Registered. However, I will need to either join a gym a purchase a treadmill to train this winter because I’m not a snowrunner. I used to have a gym in my apartment, but I don’t live there anymore. Wait, what??? Oh that’s right …

I BOUGHT A HOUSE!!!!!!!!

I’m a real adult with a real mortgage as of the end of September. I’m obsessed with my house and I love it so much. Yay homeowner! I had my housewarming party a couple of weeks ago, and we thoroughly christened the place. I was once again reminded at how lucky I am to have such wonderful, fun friends. They keep me mentally healthy in this chaotic world.

Cody, Liz and me at my party. Heck yes that's a tie-dye glass I'm holding!

It’s about time to wrap this baby up, but first a couple more factoids. Aside from my running adventures I’m still kickboxing three days a week and loving it. I bought a Groupon for two months of Jazzercise that I need to start within the next month, so that’ll be fun! I hope it’s as Richard Simmons-y as I imagine it. I’m hoping the schedule works out so I can do both kickboxing and Jazzercise for those two months. I need to get my beach bod back because I’m going to Mexico in April! The same city where I had my last-straw moment and decided I needed to change my life, and the same city to which I returned two years later as a healthy, happy woman. It’ll be exactly two years since the last time I’ve been there, and I am so excited it’s not even funny. To be honest with you, I’m up about ten pounds from two years ago, but I can work that off if I buckle down. And you know what? If I don’t lose the weight, I’ll be just fine, too. As long as I feel good about myself and am remaining active and healthy, I am happy. Ah, the life of a maintainer.

Meanwhile, I’ll be eating my usual salads for lunch and trying to not hit up the veggie burger station in the cafeteria.

yummm

You’d think I would get sick of making myself essentially the same salad almost every day at work, but I don’t. It’s just so good! Mixed greens, spinach, hard-boiled egg (minimal yolk), sprinkle of parmesan cheese, chickpeas, green peas, red grapes, sunflower seeds and some noodles. Top that with a little bit of make-it-myself dressing and fresh cracked pepper, and I’m a happy camper! The dressing I’ve been making lately is walnut oil, balsamic and red wine vinegar. I shake it up in a little cup and pour a little on. Sometimes I switch up the oil. I’m a wild one like that.

Anyway, this got crazylong but I’ve been busy! Since Jen said some people have asked about me, feel free to ask questions in the comments. I would love to hear from you!

Peace.

You're welcome to follow me on Twitter (@portmantowtruck), although I don't talk about diet and exercise too often.

Original article: Alive and Thriving

©2013 Prior Fat Girl. All Rights Reserved.

As you’ve probably noticed, I went MIA from the blogworld. I haven’t gained all my weight back or stopped working out; I’ve just been living.

Blogging helped me stay accountable when I needed it most, but I just don’t require it anymore. Being healthy is an innate part of me now. I eat healthfully most of the time and stay active because I want to and it makes me feel amazing. I get excited about making delicious fruit and spinach smoothies every day. I seek out new workout classes and races because they energize me and keep things fresh. This is my life, and I love it.

Thank you for reading, commenting, and, most of all, supporting and encouraging me along the way. It’s quite amazing how people you might not have even met can have such a positive impact on your life. You’ve changed me for the better and helped me more than you know.

If you’ve happened upon my musings for the first time, I urge you to go back and read my previous posts. I do it from time to time and am reminded of how far I’ve come since my first post. Of course I love how my body has changed in the past few years, but I’m even happier about the mental transformation. This truly is a wonderful, sustainable lifestyle.

I’m kickboxing my way into a bright future, and I’m eager to see what’s in store for me!

And she lived happily ever after.

Original article: Onward and Upward

©2013 Prior Fat Girl. All Rights Reserved.

it all began when eliz gave me some tomatoes from her garden one saturday night. i woke up sunday morning and couldn’t stop thinking about those fresh tomatoes! however, i wasn’t in the mood to do anything too crazy and time-consuming with them. pico de gallo would be perfecto!

i headed off to the grocery store in search of an onion because i already had a cilantro, minced garlic and tortilla chips en mi casa. and then i was like … what if i threw some pineapple in the mix?? i grabbed a small can of pineapple tidbits and skipped up to the checkout line. (ok i didn’t literally skip, but i was that proud of my geniusness.)

turns out it was excellente! here are the deets:

yummy yummy pineapple salsa

1. Dice a tomato.

2. Chop up some red onion.

I used a chopper like this. Perfect for onions. Decreases the chance of tears.

3. Drain the pineapple juice into a cute little glass and drink it at your leisure.
I got my vessel at a beer-tasting fundraiser for the Minnesota Zoo. Funtimes.

4. Chop/crush the pineapple to your liking.

5. Chop as much cilantro as  you like (or omit if you dislike … but then i might dislike you). Add minced garlic for an extra layer of flava.

6. Stir, cover and refrigerate for as long as you can handle. It really makes a difference to let the flavors mingle and marinate.

I lasted 20 minutes.

It was fabuloso! Now it’s your turn

Seriously. Do it. You won’t regret it.
And it’s sooooo simple!

On a different note, I’m pretty excited for the One Breath, One Step PriorFatGirl Get-Together on Saturday morning. Are you going? If you just read that sentence and you’re going, let me know so we can be friends I might be the one in a supercute outfit … but I’ll be getting there around 7:30am, so it’s more likely that I’ll be in a comfy, not-as-cute-as-I-could-be ensemble. Whatevs!

Love.

Original article: yummy yummy pineapple salsa

©2013 Prior Fat Girl. All Rights Reserved.

to tell you the truth, i’ve had a few posts in my head in the past month, but then time got away from me and i never wrote them. oops.

i’ve also been searching for my camera’s memory card adapter for a couple of weeks now. today i decided to face the music and deem it gone forever. basically, the superyummy pictures i took of the most delicious and quick homemade salsa ever are stuck on the card until my new adapter comes in the mail. (found one on ebay for less than $2 and they’ll get it to me within a few days. heck yes!)

so i guess that’s part of why i haven’t posted.

and because i’ve been feeling boring for the past month.

what can i say? still kickboxing. still trying to eat well a lot of the time. still trying to shed those extra few summer pounds. same old amanda!

actually, i did throw in a morning run last week and it rocked. i had been setting my alarm for earlier than usual the past couple of weeks, yet i just wasn’t making it out of bed for exercise funtimes. but the other day i was like, “dang it, amanda! you complain that you’ve gained a little, but you’re not really doing much about it. GET OUT OF BED, FOOL!!!!”

and i did.

and i ran and ran and ran.

and i loved it.

i had a fab day after that, and i felt really great about myself. the only negative is that it was on the treadmill rather than outside. i find the treadmill boring and, honestly, too easy. i increase the incline and speed, yet i still don’t get nearly as tired as during my outdoor runs.

for instance, when i run outside, i kinda wanna start walking after 1 or 1.5 miles. i don’t NEED to by any means, but my brain (and sometimes lungs) try to hold me back. i can run a 5K on the treadmill and only have a couple thoughts of walking. i increase the incline and speed, so what am i missing?? i prob just don’t push myself enough.

umm ok i guess that’s all for today. wish i had more. will share some colorful salsa and amanda pics once my adapter arrives. love!

Original article: hi :)

©2013 Prior Fat Girl. All Rights Reserved.

could this pic BE more perfect?!

(source)

if you’re reading this before lunch, get your butt outside like i will! do it.

if it’s after lunch, there’s still time for you to eat your din din outside. enjoying happy hour drinkies and food on a patio sounds fab. too bad it’s supposed to rain here this evening whatev. make it work! i could make myself a sandwich and eat it on my screened-in balcony. yes yes, that could work.

if it’s 3:00 in the morning, then you should be sleeping, and i should be, too. unless, of course, you’re driving. (athankyou pizza doctors commercial.)

anyone tried this?

(source)

this little doozy from yesterday’s hungry girl email piqued my interest. have you tried these mix-and-match oatmeals? i’m curious if they’re any good. they probably are. i mean, why not? i like the rest of the flavors. i’ll try to find a coupon somewhere and then give it a shot.

off to lunchy! peace out(side)! seriously, though, get outside and eat something.

Original article: enjoy the weather while it lasts

©2013 Prior Fat Girl. All Rights Reserved.

(source)

i’ve already gone on and on about my immense love for bananas last year on this wonderful holiday and a couple of weeks ago when i made the fantastic decision to add banana to my oatmeal. this time i’ll just hit you with the facts:

according to the world’s healthiest foods website, “Bananas are one of our best sources of potassium, an essential mineral for maintaining normal blood pressure and heart function. Since the average banana contains a whopping 467 mg of potassium and only 1 mg of sodium, a banana a day may help to prevent high blood pressure and protect against atherosclerosis,” which is when fatty deposits build up on artery walls.

aside from the potassium content and yumminess factor, i love that medium-to-large bananas contain 3-4 grams of fiber, which is awesome for keeping your tummy full longer.

this just in! i’m eating a banana right this very second, and it’s awesome. you should, too. celebrate banananess!

(source)

i could sing bananas’ praises all day long, but i’ll move on to something else that’s going to affect my next week or so.

the minnesota state fair — dun dun duuuuuuuuuuun …

i moved to the twin cities seven years ago, and every year the state fair creeps in and totally throws me off. and i haven’t even been there!!!!!

i’ve lived and/or worked in the vicinity of the fairgrounds every single year, and the traffic gets RIDICULOUS. each year i think, “yeah, this is the year i’m going to the fair.” and then the traffic congestion happens and i need to take new routes to everywhere and the fair becomes my archnemisis once again.

i’m a pattern kinda girl. i like to drive my regular routes, and i DO NOT want to sit in my car longer than necessary during my work commute. it already takes me at least 30 minutes to get to work, so 45 minutes or longer killlllllsssss meeeeeee.

i actually thought this would be the year i would go. i steered clear from it the past two years because i didn’t want to be tempted by fried-everything-on-a-stick. i’m (pretty much) maintaining my weight now, so i figured i could handle the food aspect. i wrote “(pretty much)” because i had a blast being crazybusy all summer … but it was unkind to my waistline. i gained a bit. i’m not beating myself up over it, but i’m not pleased either. i still haven’t gone in for my august weigh-in at ww because i’m out of nonpaying range

i should just bite the bullet, weigh in, pay the stupid fee and get back in range for september. i’m only a couple of pounds away. gah. whatever. i’ll figure it out. i know that i’ll be back to 149 (and less) within a month, but it still sucks. this never ends, does it??? nope.

ok enough of that. basically what i’m saying is that i’m not going to the fair this year either. i don’t need the food. i’m not a huge fair fan anyway. (i get my fill at oktoberfest in la crosse. what whaaaat!) i’ll go some time — just not this year. i’ll go when i don’t live near the fairgrounds and my routes haven’t been disrupted.

i think i’m the only person who doesn’t like the fair, so happy fair season to the rest of you!!! enjoy the minnesota state fair or other state fair for the both of us

if i WERE going i’d have cheese curds, corn on the cob, and guacamole. i was incredibly bummed when Tejas in edina closed its doors because they made THE BEST guac in the world. (i actually base my recipe off of theirs.) my hairstylist informed me that Tejas has a booth at the fair! maybe i’ll try it next year …

FAIR WARNING

the star tribune presented some numbers you fairgoers of any state might find interesting. i sure did!

here’s the entire article (Do the math: the calories add up), but i’ve included the pertinent information below. they even estimate how much walking it would take to burn off the calories you’ve ingested!*

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
8 to 10 (1/2- oz. each) 580 calories, 26 g fat, 6 miles to walk

PIZZA
5 oz. pepperoni, 404 calories, 17 g fat, 4 miles to walk

CORN DOG
3.7 ounces (regular size), 350 calories, 25 g fat, 3.5 miles to walk

ICE CREAM
Single scoop (vanilla or strawberry), 290 calories, 18 g fat, 3 miles to walk

CHEESE CURDS
7 oz. (1 container), 1,140 calories, 81 g fat, 11.5 miles to walk

FRENCH FRIES
25 medium, with ketchup, 310 calories, 14 g fat, 3 miles to walk

MINI-DONUTS
12 (11/2- in. diameter), 720 calories, 37 g fat, 7 miles to walk

FOOT-LONG HOT DOG
With bun, condiments, 540 calories, 31 g fat, 5.5 miles to walk

ROASTED CORN-ON-THE-COB
1 large ear with 2 tsp. butter, 200 calories, 9 g fat, 2 miles to walk

PORK CHOP ON STICK
4 ounces, 290 calories, 17 g fat, 3 miles to walk

totally had this theme song in my head after reading those stats.

whoa, baby. long post.
happy national banana lovers’ day!!!!!!!!!!!!

Original article: holiday! celebrate!

©2013 Prior Fat Girl. All Rights Reserved.

i haven’t been able to get cauliflower off my mind since. such a weird thing considering i didn’t care for raw cauliflower until only a year ago. it’s aaaaaaall because of the adult taste buds — but that’s another show. all i can say is that I LOVE IT NOW. with a smidge of dip, please.

happy as a cauliflower!

photo cred

i planned on going to a flick last night with eliz and sarah (inception, if you must know), and — i kid you not — i picked up a head of cauliflower and some fat-free veggie dip on the way home from work. i planned to cut the cauliflower into pieces, put them in a baggy, and portion some dip into a minitupperware thing. i was going to smuggle it in along with my bottle full of water.

my newest sigg bottle! 0.6 L of cuteness.

photo cred

who brings cauliflower to the movies?!?!!?!?!?!?!!? apparently i would. but i didn’t. because we didn’t go.

takes me back to my senior year of college. i had a film class at night, and precisely when the lights dimmed and the movie began, you could hear chip bags and pop cans opening like nobody’s business. i, on the other hand, was trying to slim down before spring break, so i’d bring sugar snap peas and water and eat them in agony while two of my best friends sat next to me and enjoyed their treats.

i cut up the cauliflower head this morning before work and filled a container with some of it. i also brought a little container of the dip i bought: marzetti fat free southwest ranch. only 30 cals for two tablespoons, and for me that’s a huge portion because i only like a tiny bit. when i’ve had this dip before i’ve really liked it. turns out it wasn’t what i was craving today, though. a normal ranch dip would have been superb. or dill dip! no idea when i became a veggie dip person … it’s those adult taste buds, i tell ya.

lucky day! a coworker brought dill dip with her veggie club loot, so i scored some of that for my personal florets.

cauliflock.

photo cred

i reckon i’ll pick up a dill dip at the grocery store this evening after kickboxing. the southwest just isn’t doin’ it for me, and i’ve got an entire head of cauliflower to devour! (ha. rhymed.)

i’m leaving for decatur, il, tomorrow evening and i’ll be there all weekend celebrating brianna’s birthday and basking in friendship with some truly wonderful people. i’m superpumped! last year we grilled 18 ears of corn, made calischetta, and i found a cute park for my morning jogs. wonder what we’ll do this year??

have any fun weekend plans of your own?

Original article: cauliflower power!

©2013 Prior Fat Girl. All Rights Reserved.

i was eating my morning banana as i always do, but i knew this banana was on its last day. let’s be honest, two days ago was probably its last day. i ate the first half and just couldn’t finish it. so i think to myself, “amanda, why don’t you mix the rest of this already-mushy banana into the oatmeal you’re going to make in a half hour.” self, you’re a genius!

the spice of my cinnamon swirl oatmeal blended harmoniously with my sweet banana and created a major mouth party. i had to put down my spoon between bites to keep me from shoveling it all in.

i can only imagine what it’ll be like when i use an ENTIRE banana tomorrow. i’m going to use true delights hazelnut latte oatmeal this time. oh the excitement!

(photo cred: natalie dee)

michelle suggested that i freeze my very ripe bananas and use them for smoothies. love that idea … but i know how i am with actually following through on making smoothies. i have good intentions to, but then i get lazy. i think mixing too-ripe bananas with my oatmeal is just the ticket for me! hardly anything to clean up. minimal brain power required. yeah, buddy!

what do you mix with your oatmeal? anything? EVERYTHING? dish.

as much as i love (and i mean LOVE) peanut butter, i just don’t think i’ll care for it in my oatmeal. i bet i would if i didn’t get the already-flavored instant packets. duh. why didn’t i think of that before?

bananas rock my world.

banactopus.

ring ring ring ring ring ring ring bananaphone (photo cred: my food looks funny)

i wonder if they make banana cat costumes ...

i want this!

that's right. a lego version of george michael and gob bluth at the bananastand. be still my heart.

bananas 2010 wooooooo!!!!!!!

you’re welcome for those

only a couple more jam-packed weekends for me. here’s my plan of action for this one:

• friday evening: dan rodriguez concert at brew at the zoo. (check out dan. good stuff.)
• saturday morning: oil change, renew apt lease, go for a run.
• saturday afternoon: wicked!!!! (for the fourth and final time. probably.)
  
• saturday evening: fundraiser for my friends’ kickball team. come, twin citians! it’s cheap!
• sunday: go for a run. possibly bowling and/or yoga with emily?? i swear i’m forgetting something …

happy friday, all! share your love.

Original article: banoatmeal

©2013 Prior Fat Girl. All Rights Reserved.

last night i had dinner and giggles with eliz and nathan. we (mostly they) made superyummy veggie and bean fajitas! so yummy, in fact, that i ate four. whatever, they were healthy.

here’s how i built each masterpiece: i began with a small corn tortilla that i had warmed in the oven (only 1 pt for two tortillas!). i proceeded to add a few diced tomatoes and an avocado slice. next i scooped on a spoonful of refried/black bean mixture. (yum! great idea, nathan!) atop that i added some sauteed green peppers, red peppers and red onions. i sprinkled some colby-jack cheese to finish it off.

i couldn’t wait to fold ‘em up and dig in, but, as you might have gathered, i filled those babies to the brim. i took one or two bites of the folded fajita and wound up eating the rest with a fork. still tasted great! nom nom nom.

while we were sitting around afterward, eliz suggested getting mini blizzards from dairy queen. i realized, OH MY GOSH I HAVEN’T HAD A BLIZZARD IN YEARS!!!!!!

where have you been all my life? wait, have i even missed you??

i used to get blizzards with my parents every once in a while in my hometown, but i’m not sure if i’ve gotten one since i moved to the sin cities seven years ago. if i did, it was within that first year or so. i definitely haven’t had one in the last two years.

but when eliz brought up the new MINI blizzards, i was gung ho for getting one. mini blizzards are only 7 oz, which is 5 oz less than the “small” size of 12 oz. i did some calculations using the dq website’s nutrition info for a small mint oreo blizzard and found that a mini mint oreo blizzard has 338.33 calories, 11.67 grams of fat, 0.5833 grams of fiber, and 7 grams of protein. well … at least there’s a gram of protein per ounce, right? hmm, pretty sure the 48.33 calories PER OUNCE cancels out the excitement i got from the protein number.

(UPDATE: check below for newfound nutrition info. yikes.)

as it turned out, we didn’t get the blizzards. not because of the 8 pts it would have added to our already-over-pts day, but because it was raining cats and dogs. sure they would have tasted like heaven, but i’m reeeeeaaalllly glad we didn’t get them.

i’m also really glad i looked up the facts on blizzards today. maybe some day 8 pts of mini blizzard won’t put a damper on my day, but it was the last thing i needed yesterday. or even any day in the foreseeable future, for that matter. hello! i’m still trying to lose like 10 pounds here!

so now you have some mini blizzard knowledge. information is power! i’ve never gotten a large mint oreo blizzard, but now that i know the numbers NO ONE EVER SHOULD. 1070 cals+36 g fat+2 g fiber=DISASTEROUS 24 PTS! never.

UPDATED TO ADD: so i finally found the nutrition info for the mini blizzards on the dq website. you need to use the nutrition calculator rather than the nutrition info pdf. bad news, folks … it’s worse than we thought. according to their calculator, the mini mint oreo blizzard has 360 calories, 12 grams of fat, and 0 grams of fiber. that’s 51.43 calories PER OUNCE. still 8 pts. still not worth it for me right now.

no excuses. get the facts about what you put in your body.

Original article: blizzardless.

©2013 Prior Fat Girl. All Rights Reserved.

i didn’t need to pay, i feel superskinny, and i’m set to have a wonderful weekend!

tracking works, people!

have a superb weekend

Original article: voila!

©2013 Prior Fat Girl. All Rights Reserved.