Whole30 Day 7 & a Bike Ride!

A full week! Go ME! Still feeling great-good energy, good mood, no cravings, and just feeling so much better about myself.

Yesterday started out with the usual: getting the girls ready for school, a breakfast of black coffee, 2 eggs, and 1/2 a sliced green pepper. After breakfast, my first bike ride in 3 weeks!





12.3 miles, baby! I had not been riding because since my last infusion every time I rode I would feel horrible for the next couple of days (chest heaviness, hard time breathing, exhaustion). Today I am feeling great! I attribute it to my new eating habits. My next infusion is a week from Friday. I have already started the "what ifs" in my head, but I'm trying really hard to just take it as it comes.

Lunch was my turkey & veggie meatballs on a bed of kale with sautéed onions & mushrooms. Dinner was more turkey & veggie meatballs, an egg, and potatoes with some broth for flavor. Snacks were apples with almond butter and some Medjool dates during my bike ride.

Here we go Week 2!


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TWENTY-NINE POINT SIX!!

Yesterday, we took another long ride-my longest yet-29.6 miles! I had a lot of improvement with my breathing on this ride. I did, however, get fatigued about 3/4 way into the ride. I think it was more of a mental fatigue because once we got close to the end, I felt an energy surge. Nothing can beat the cycling high after a ride-it's insane! After I cool down, I get this really great feeling of pride. It's awesome!

Here are my stats from Strava:










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TWENTY-SIX POINT FIVE!

Yesterday morning, we headed up to visit my parents at their campsite for the day. First on the agenda: drop the kids off with the grandparents and take our first long ride together! We planned our route and headed out...for a 26.5 mile ride-my longest yet. I've only had my bike for a week, and my longest ride was 10.7 miles, so I wasn't sure if I was up for the challenge. The first half of the ride wasn't too bad, although there were a lot of hills. Once we got to our halfway point, I was definitely ready to get back to the campground! I was pretty tired. When I saw the campground sign, I was so happy! We rode into the campground and saw Maya & Suri and my parents-then the pride sat in! I was so proud! I honestly did not think I could do it...it just goes to show, I'm much stronger than I give myself credit for!
I practically ran to the shower and after I caught my breath, the good old cycling high kicked in. I swear there is NOTHING better than that feeling.
Today I am resting and reading. I wonder what tomorrow will bring...

Here we are at our halfway point:




This is about 3/4 through our ride:


Here are my stats:


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TEN POINT SEVEN

This morning I decided to try to tackle those hills again. I tackled, and added .7 mile to boot! It was definitely a bit easier today, but still hard! I may have told Anand " I hate those hills" when I got home. But, man...as much as I hate them, they totally motivate me and increase my confidence! I left home around 10:30 this morning and it was a super hot day. When I got home, I told the girls we were heading to the beach. It was 93 degrees! That may have also increased my confidence a bit  ( knowing I could ride in that heat)!

Here is a snapshot of my Strava app:





I'm proud of myself!

In gardening news, we harvested some butter lettuce tonight and made turkey taco mix lettuce wraps...yum!




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TEN Miles!

This morning, I started out on a bike ride. I was feeling good, so I decided to try to loop down by the beach and back. My friend, Amy, was there so it gave me an incentive to get there to surprise her! I made it there easily, but was very nervous about the ride back as it's pretty hilly. I kept giving myself little goals (get to that mailbox, get up that hill, etc.) and it really helped. While I was going up hills that were rough and my breathing would get heavy, I was literally saying out loud "you can do this" and guess what? I did! I was SO proud!

Here are my stats:




And here is a picture I had my friend, Amy, take of me at the beach:



I cannot believe how much of a confidence boost these few rides have given me! I am feeling great and loving every minute of it!


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Stats

I've been using the Strava app for tracking my rides. It's fun and inspires me to go a bit further with each ride.

Here are my stats for my first 3 rides:







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Family Ride!

Stacy & Paul asked us to meet them on the Rail Trail for a bike ride yesterday morning. So, we loaded the bikes and met up with them. It was so much fun! We did 7.5 miles-the girls did the entire distance with us!





After our ride, we went to the campground they were staying at for some fun! We went swimming, played on the playground, and had a campfire. It was a great day! I cannot wait to take the girls to the Rail Trail again-it's such a great trail for all of us to ride on together!


The BIG Chair:


See-Saw:


Only in Maine:


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Shakira's Maiden Voyage!

Remember my post about ordering my new road bike?! Well, she arrived! We picked her up Thursday! I had already named her...Shakira! I figured my "hips won't lie" after riding, so it felt like the perfect name! :)

We brought Shakira home, and I immediately changed into my cycling outfit while Anand assembled my water bottle cages. It was then time for her maiden voyage! Our road is rather hilly, so I wasn't sure how far I could go. I rode a little over a mile down, and since it was pretty much downhill I figured I should head back. I started back and realized it was a pretty steady climb back. I got a bit nervous because I couldn't figure out the gears...it seemed like it was getting harder every time I shifted. Thankfully, Anand & the girls drove by to check on me. He could tell I was struggling, and helped me figure out the gears (I had been shifting the opposite way, so was making it harder). That helped SO much! But, then it seemed like the hill was never ending and my legs started shaking. I told Anand I wanted to put the bike on the rack. He told me I could do it, just to take my time and breathe. I took his advice and guess what...I did it! I was so happy! I did 2.4 miles. Here are some pictures:


Heading down the driveway:


Coming back up:


This was me practicing in the driveway:









The girls watching me take off:



Me and Maya:


Me and my girls:



I will conquer this road!

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Watch out Road-Here I Come!

Anand got a new road bike about a month ago. After watching his enthusiasm, I decided to give it a try myself.

Check out my new wheels! We ordered her today-she will be home next week!





Specialized Dolce Sport...isn't she pretty?! I think she needs a name.

Of course, I had to get a cycling outfit that matched. Nothing makes me happier than a nicely coordinated outfit! I need to match my bike! So, here is my new outfit & accessories-I feel like a pro already!


Jersey:



Bibs:


Gloves:


Helmet:



Water Bottles, Cages, and Mirrors:











Looks like I'm ready to ride!


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Summer!

Happy First Official Day of Summer! We've been having lots of fun around here. Maya & Suri had their last day of summer and are now officially Second Graders! How did that happen?!

We went to the campground to celebrate Dad's birthday. I have a bunch of videos, but only a couple of pictures. Anand had his first road cycling experience...we dropped him off 13 miles before the campground so he could cycle. He did great and was there to join us in a little under an hour!




Mom took a spin on my bike:





The girls took off like champs on their bikes! I was amazed at how quick they learned to ride after we took their training wheels off! We rode around the campground a million times and they never stopped! Of course, I have no pictures, just videos.

The campground did karaoke and Suri sang two songs! She loves karaoke! No pictures of that either since my phone battery died.


So, we have lived in our town for eleven years and have never been to the local beach. Seriously. I had no idea what a great little beach it was...and it is literally less than five minutes from our house! Suri's BFF's (Ashley) mom (Amy) invited us to go with them for Ashley's birthday. We went and liked it so much went back the next day. I can see where we will be spending the summer!














The girls had a blast playing with their friends and I chatted with Amy. We had a great time! The next day, I read while the girls played. So relaxing!

On Thursday, I went and had lunch with Freda, Kelly, Rachael, and Nancy! I had not seen Nancy in a year! We had a nice time chatting!

Yesterday, we were planning on going to the beach again, but it was pretty cold. We ran errands instead. Sage & Emma went with us. Emma selfie:





Look at that face!!!

We went to Barnes & Noble to turn in the girls' reading journals for a free book. We've been to the library a lot also. The girls are doing lots of reading for the summer reading program.

Last night, the girls went to a "Camp-In" at the library. They had pizza and snacks, s'mores, and lots of activities. They made their own tote bags.

Suri drawing a ladybug:



Maya drawing a worm:


Suri's Beach Tote:


Maya's Reading tote:


Today, we went to a baby shower for my friend, Kelly. Kelly & I met when we were both trying to get pregnant. After NINE years, she is 33 weeks pregnant with twin boys! I am so very happy for her! She looks fantastic!



And, finally, here is an update on our garden! It's doing very well, thanks to Anand. He is taking great care of it. I hope I can keep it going when he gets placed for his next project.







So that is what we've been up to. I'm feeling really good...physically & emotionally! I'm working on cleaning up my diet and trying to get in more activity (biking!).

Talk to ya soon!

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June 2 & 3, 2014

It's been a great couple of days! Yesterday morning, we walked the girls to school! It's not all that far, but the walk back is all uphill-takes about 45 minutes total. Tonight my calves & feet are aching, but I'm so glad we did it! The girls are loving it, it gives Anand & I some good time together, and it gives me a good chunk of activity!
Yesterday, after our walk, we decided to bring my old bike to the repair shop to find out if it was worth repairing-it was, just needs a tune-up! We have been talking for a while now about cycling. We're going to give it a try! Anand is getting a new bike and I've decided to ride my old one for awhile. If I enjoy it, I will get a new one after awhile. I think it will be a rest activity we will enjoy doing together and as a family. I'm excited!




Last night, I had some friends over for a girls' night "in" to watch the new season premiere of "Mistresses":




It was SO good! We started off with some icy margaritas (thanks to Anand for making them & serving us!). I made some guacamole and Freda made some dip, so we had snacks too. We watched the season one finale as a refresher first. Fun!
I took an online quiz "which Mistress are you" and got April!




This morning, we took the car in to get a hitch installed for the bike rack Anand ordered!
Tonight, we took the girls' training wheels off their bikes and started practicing! They did great! I have a video of Suri taking off, but it's to on my iPad so I can't share right now.
Off to watch another episode of Mr. Selfridge!
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