Healthy Meal - Nutri-Bullet and Fitness Updates

So it's been awhile since I've blogged about my healthy snacks, running updates, or fitness in general (which is weird because fitness is such a big part of my life) so without further ado here are some long overdo fitness updates!                                                     We recently purchased a Nutri-Bullet and it has been a staple in my daily routine. I was skeptical at first that a "juice" could fill me up as if it was a meal, but I'm not kidding I was actually full! This photo to the left was of my first concoction: blueberries, half of a banana, half of a peach, three stalks of kale, an apple, a tablespoon of chia seeds, and a splash of water for good measure. It didn't taste at all like kale and it was absolutely delicious and I'll be making a drink for one meal each day. I can't wait to see what other mixtures are yummy. Have any of you tried the Nutri-Bullet?

I've backed off a lot of my running since I last checked in. I believe I had just completed my first half-marathon when I last posted so my mileage was up to at least 25 or 30 miles a week. After finishing the race the plantar fasciitis flared up a lot more, and I injured my foot from wearing shoes that I'd destroyed during training. I run about an average of 5 miles per week now, and recently ran a 5K at Irish Fest! Below is the Milwaukee Hurling Club (MHC) team for the run.

Speaking of hurling, that brings me to my main fitness obsession. I've been playing hurling all summer and I'm sad to say the season is almost over. I don't want to get back to normal life with no long summer Sundays at the pitch. I love hurling and I love the MHC. Hurling is a great outlet for me because the game includes a lot of running, but it's also very physical. Hurlers in my position (halfback/midfield) in Ireland will run up to 7 miles per game and will take open field shoulder to shoulder body contact. If you've never heard of or seen hurling I definitely recommend checking it out on YouTube, or finding a local club. Below is a photo of me in a scrum near the beginning of the season.

I've also been quite serious about Pilates. I finished up my Pilates class at school in the spring and it was the best class I've ever taken. I always felt energized and ready for the day after I'd attended. I've decided I want to become a Pilates instructor and work to get certified over this next year. It should be challenging and fun, but in the end it will be mentally and physically rewarding.

I've been sticking to the gluten-free/dairy-free diet, and occasionally eating Paleo. It's hard to stick to Paleo for a long period of time because sometimes a girl just needs to eat popcorn or corn tortillas. The Nutri-Bullet will help me stay on track because there are so many meal options with smoothie/juice drinks and other recipes in the Nutri-Bullet recipe guidebook.

I think I'll start being more regular with my fitness posts because I like to keep track of exercising and eating habits myself anyway. It might be helpful for some of you to see it too.

What are your recent fitness faves/updates?

Meeting Laila Ali

I had the incredible opportunity to hear Laila Ali speak at my school this week. She's a legend and she's only in her 30s! Obviously, her father is a boxing legacy, but she has accomplished so much on her own that she will be a legacy as well.

From a very young age, Laila decided she didn't want to be known as Muhammad Ali's daughter, she wanted to be independent. She spoke about her inspirations, her training regime, and how a healthy lifestyle wasn't always a part of her plan.

Her outlook really resonated with me as an athlete because there I was sitting in the audience listening to a 24-0 world champion. I know to be successful in anything I need to be motivated and inspired by people like her. When asked about staying motivated in the gym she replied, "If I'm lagging or dogging it and not doing my best, I ask myself, 'Why am I here?'" This is true of all things in life. Why do something if you're only going to do it halfway? Do everything 110% to be successful.

Laila Ali is tough, beautiful, and inspiring. I want to be like her because she's a member of the Women's Sports Foundation working to motivate and get young girls excited about sports. This is an organization that is special to me because I've had such great experiences in sports growing up and I want to share that with others. I wouldn't change it for the world and being an athlete has sculpted me into the woman I am today. She a fighter, a role model, and a beautiful person. I hope I can be as successful as she is someday.

Beauty and the Beast

As a little girl I found it hard to walk the line between being a strong athletic girl and a fashion obsessed sweet girl. I played hockey with the boys and spent little time on makeup, clothes, and hair because I didn't know I could be both tough and pretty at the same time. I guess I just hadn't had the time to explore both realms. But after years of practice, I've merged the two into my own style. I've decided to call it "Beauty and the Beast" because we can all be both. I can be a beast on the pitch, but I'm a beauty once I step off. Here are two looks - one beauty and one beast.

Beauty

Dress, Headband, Ring, Shoes, Bag, Nail Polish (Angelic)

I don't often wear dresses, but when I do I love to have it look as girly and sweet as possible. Dresses make you feel like a modern day princess! I like soft muted colors and this dress is a perfect periwinkle blue with ruffles to enhance the girly feel. I paired it with accessories that are simple and classic so they would not take away from the main piece, the dress. This dress looks floaty and fabulous for a beautiful day.

Beast

Top, Pants, Bag, Sports Bra, Yoga mat, Shoes

This beastly outfit would be perfect for a Pilates session, a hard training run, hurling practice, or even just a day when you want to look like you are going to kick butt. The bag fits a yoga mat, but could easily fit running shoes and whatever products you need for post-workout touch ups. Personally, I always need dry shampoo if I'm going to be running off to my next class!

Don't think that just because you're a kick butt girl it means you can't throw on a dress if you want to! Be you. You can be both the scary beast on the field and the sweet innocent girl off!

Half-Marathon #13.1

I did it! After months of training and excitement I finished the Trailbreaker Half-Marathon! Six months ago I set out with high hopes of running a marathon; and while that is still my long time goal, injuries, time, and lack of experience with long distance races set me back to the half-marathon. I'm still extremely proud of myself (and my running buddy, Connor) for finishing with a time we set out to run.

Race day was an experience I'll never forget. I was nervous, jittery, and a bit worried that the last few miles would be difficult. Connor and I kept pace and never stopped moving. Just one foot in front of the other. By the 7 mile turn around mark I had lost myself in the run, all you runners out there know the feeling. I wasn't thinking about breathing or running, I just was. It was such a great experience and everyone there was very encouraging. I'm proud to say I finished and I know there will be many more half-marathons (and full marathons) to come! I already have plans to sign up for a run at the end of the summer!

My Love For Pilates Rant

So here's another little fitness bit for all of you out there. I know Pilates and yoga are a big fitness trend right now, which is obviously why I am writing about it at all, but this is more than just a trend. Pilates and yoga have both been around for years and people all over the world have been reaping the benefits that these exercises provide.

I have practiced yoga on and off for about two years now and can attest to the inner body/mind changes that you can attain from doing yoga. It is extremely relaxing and one of my main stress relievers, it provides me with exercises that target my very tight hamstrings and hips, and it can be practiced at all skill levels. Everyone knows about yoga, but Pilates is still growing and gaining its following. I was introduced to Pilates when I wanted to sign up for a fitness class at my university. I wasn't sure what to expect other than it was similar to yoga, but my goodness, was I wrong! STOTT Pilates, the version of Pilates taught at my school, focuses on breathing, hip and pelvis placement, and spinal alignment. A lot of the movements are not like yoga at all, but instead more like one long abdominal workout! The movements may look easy if you were to stick your head into the Pilates studio, but we are all working our deep abdominals through the breathing and positioning.

KT Tape on my feet during the summer to help with my plantar fasciitis (photo credit to Sarah Rinke)

I've been dealing with plantar fasciitis, inflammation of a thick tissue on the bottom of the foot called the plantar fascia connecting the heel bone to the toes and that creates the arch of the foot. I believe this developed from running on very hard ground in cleats all summer and then continuing my training and running into the fall and winter. With just five weeks of Pilates under my belt I'm already noticing a change. I feel like it has improved my situation and I feel less daily pain. My Pilates instructor informed me that this is a result of strengthening opposing muscle groups. Pilates works deep core muscles and helps to work muscles that are not usually worked as often. Not to mention, my midsection has become quite toned (and as a girl, who is going to complain about that!). After just 10 classes (two each week) that's what I call results!

Sassy sleeping boots for plantar fasciitis!

Due to the dramatic personal results I've noticed, I have been recommending Pilates to everyone I talk to. I've even thought about becoming certified as a Pilates instructor so I can help others learn Pilates and share my love of fitness! So, I recommend Pilates to all of you! You could check out blogilates.com or merrithew.com for some Pilates workouts and more information about the benefits because I'm just a girl ranting about how much she loves Pilates!