So you want to be a vegan? Most of you (all 4 of you who read this) would most likely say no way! That doesn't mean you still can't make better decisions for your health. I was craving wanted a hot dog, so I searched and found "Smart Dogs." Hot dogs made with vegetable protein! I was curious, so I pan fried them (sprayed with cooking spray) and gave them a try... an All American meal!
They look just like the real thing... how do they taste? They were great, I couldn't even really tell a difference between these and the traditional ones. And there is quite a nutritional difference!
Smart Dogs: 45 calories per dog, 0 fat, 0 cholesterol, 8 grams protein, 1 gram fiber
Oscar Mayer Original Hot Dogs: 130 calories per dog, 12 grams fat (4 grams saturated), 35 mg cholesterol, 5 grams protein, 0 grams fiber
There you have it! You can still eat the things you love, just find a healthier alternative!
If you have kids, I bet you could make this switch and they wouldn't even know! I dare you!
One thing I really enjoy about my vegan endeavor is trying new recipes and flavors. I have always been a safety guy - finding something I like and rotating a few dishes over and over.
Here's one I made today, and I really enjoyed it. I found the recipe on Sprouted Kitchen (click here). It has great flavor, and was super easy to make. I like beans, and wanted the extra protein, so I added an additional can of beans. When I made it, I also doubled her recipe, and added some extra vegetable broth too. You just have to play it by eye and see how it goes if you make it! I topped it with home made corn tortilla strips, cilantro, and avocado slices.
Another great, flavorful vegan dish I'll add to my regular rotation!
I was determined to get the 2 mile jog in today, so I could try to fit another one in next week before the end of January. I slowed down the pace to a 12:45 mile, but I got the 2 miles in! The distance and endurance was more important today than the pace. Now that I got that in, I can keep adding to it, and work on the time as I go. Good way to end the week!
Ok, so I'm not even sure "runner's block" is a real term, but it sounds good in my head. I have a goal to jog 2 continuous miles by the end of January, so I can stay on schedule for my 10k in June. All I have to do is add 1 mile each month after that. Sounds easy, right?
Well, I have tried twice this week to push the 2 miles. I just can't get past 1.5 miles. I should be happy and excited about that, right? I mean, just 3 weeks ago I couldn't even do a quarter mile without stopping. I need to find a way to break through this block. I'm going to try again Friday night. And if that doesn't work, I have 2 days off this weekend, then 2 more days next week to meet my goal.
Step up Brad! Time to get it done!
So, part of my inspiration to get healthy and fit, besides me wanting to do it, was this last push by a video I saw online. Ben Davis of Ben Does Life started jogging one day. He kept jogging, and eventually lost 120 pounds. You can see his video by clicking here. So anyway, after working on this for more than 3 weeks now, I wanted to order one of the shirts so I could wear it for the Bellin Run in June! It came in the mail today! Not a good pic, but here is is! Yay!
So I've had a cold for the last few days, and I had to take 4 days off from working out. That felt terrible! I wanted to start the week out on a good note today, so I decided to dress it up a bit. It worked! I had a good day, and got back to the gym! That felt great! I did my back, biceps, abs, 20 minutes on the elliptical and 20 minutes on the bike.
So I'm now 3 weeks into my official program of working out and practicing a vegan diet. (minus no workouts for the last 4 days because I've been sick)
How am I keeping myself motivated? Well, different things work for different people I guess. For me, I keep going back to this photo from October 2005, the day I adopted Montey. Although I like this pic because it shows the immediate bond Montey and I had, I dislike it because it clearly shows how unhealthy I have been, for a long time. This is me at my worst. 312 pounds. (at least I think It's my worst, I didn't weigh myself regularly). I never want to look or feel like this again, not even close to it!
Another thing that keeps me motivated is the changes in my body, my mood, and my energy level. I feel like I have more energy, that I'm in a better mood and more lively. I see the changes, and feel them as I wear my clothes, or shower. And when I'm at the gym, I pick the elliptical in front of the window instead of the tv. This way, I see my reflection in the window as I work out, and I use that as motivation to keep going!
I've got a long way on my journey, but I'm excited to see where I'm at so far.
What keeps you motivated?
