Sweet Treat

I have a huge sweet tooth which can be quite a hindrance when trying to watch what you eat.

As evidenced by previous posts, I don't have a problem with artificial sweeteners, so often times my attempt to watch what I eat leads me to products sweetened with Splenda or something similar.  That said, here's a sweet treat that i'm loving at the moment.

Jell-O Sugar Free Snacks - Cinnamon Roll

I've tried most flavors of sugar free/fat free pudding and while they all taste good, none of them really satisfy that sweet craving...until I tried Cinnamon Roll.  It's very sweet (perhaps too sweet for some) and the cinnamon flavor really does the trick.

I say give it a try!

Inspired

I taught my usual 9:30a class this morning.  When I walked in to the classroom there was already one man pedaling away, wearing full cycling gear.  I wasn't sure if he'd stay for class or leave when it started.

He stayed.  He was in great shape.  I was actually nervous that my class might not be challenging enough for him.  (Most of my students are indoor cyclists with a few outdoor cyclists mixed in, but few people like him.)

After class I got to chatting with him.  He complimented me on the class (phew!).  I learned that he was training for the Lake Placid Ironman and was obviously an avid triathlete.  I was impressed.

I told him about my upcoming events, Spin Odyssey in March (six hours of spinning) and my lofty goal of running a half marathon over the summer.  He was encouraging and told me that he'd only started doing tri's about four years ago.  Prior to that he was a runner and had done several marathons.  An injury in the NY marathon put him on the DL and his doctor told him to try swimming.

For me, swimming is the scariest part of a tri.  This guy told me that when he started he could barely swim a lap.  He said it takes about three months of thinking "I can't do this" and then all of a sudden it clicks and swimming becomes your exercise of choice.

He had never done a spinning class or rode outside.  After some rehab he took a spin class, after which he went home and signed up for his first Iron Man (he didn't even have a bike).

I think it takes a certain personality to do an Iron Man, and I definitely don't have that trait.  But his progress and motivation were inspiring and I'm looking forward to channeling him as I begin my training.

I am constantly impressed by what people are physically capable of.  Just thought i'd share.

Subbing

In high school substitutes were rarely treated like the full time teachers.  Students disrespected them and were sometimes outright rude to them.

I was never able to understand why someone would want to be a substitute.

Part of getting started in the Spinning world typically involves becoming a sub.  Usually the process of instructing starts with becoming a sub, then once you have "proved yourself" you can audition for a class of your own.

I'm happy to say that subbing a spinning class is NOTHING like subbing a class in school.

I'll admit though that i've showed up to a spinning class (as a student), seen that the regular instructor wasn't there and toyed with leaving.  Given this knowledge it's my personal mission to make those who stay happy with their decision.

Subbing is good practice.  However, it can be hard.  You're walking in to a group you don't know, with preferences you don't know, and often times, they're watching you with a critical eye.

Some suggestions (from experience) are to contact the instructor you are covering for to find out the class's likes and dislikes as well as how he/she usually runs the show.  Walk in armed with this knowledge and confident and you're sure to do well.

I'm subbing for a friend tonight, but having taken his class for over two years I know exactly what i'm walking in to, and love it!

Sneak in some extra veggies

I'm constantly trying to include more vegetables in my diet (without eating salad all the time).

One of my favorite ways to do this is by using frozen spinach.  I typically have atleast one bag of frozen spinach in the freezer and I add this to anything I make for dinner (when appropriate).

Try adding the frozen spinach to tomato sauce, stir frys, eggs, pasta (or another grain), etc..

Spinach has great health benefits with very few calories.  Give it a try!

Calorie Saving Tips - Mexican Food

If you're anything like me, eating out is part of your social life.  Watching what you eat shouldn't mean that you have to eat every meal at home, but you do have to be aware and exercise restraint.

Here are some tips for making better decisions when eating out at Mexican restaurants (where dishes can have tons of calories)

• Skip the cheese (often times these dishes are so flavorful that you wouldn't even taste the cheese)
• Get black beans instead of refried beans
• Limit your use of sour cream and stick with a pico de gallo or salsa
• Try to resist the chips and salsa, if need be, have a few and then ask them to take them away, or move them away from you at the table
• Ask for fajitas to be cooked with less oil or no butter (i sometimes skip the tortillas and just eat the protein and veggies)
• You might want to try subbing a salad for the rice
• If you get a taco salad, avoid the deep fried "bowl"

The principles applied here are really basic calorie cutting concepts and can be applied in most situations.

Spin Odyssey 2010

Let me tell you a bit about an event we have here in CT...
Spin Odyssey

Spin Odyssey is a fundraising event consisting of Spinning, Zumba and Tennis.  Participants are able to sign up for various lengths of time in each of the abolve activities.  The maximum is six hours of spinning.  All donations go to breast cancer research.

Since moving to CT 2.5 years ago I had heard all about Spin Odyssey, however, this is the first year I will be participating and i'm so excited.  I've also volunteered to be on the organization committe so that's exciting as well.

Here's the website  http://www.spinodyssey.com/, check it out!

My mind works in strange ways

Clearly the thought of running a half marathon is on my mind.

Last night I had a dream that I was doing just that.  The weird part is that in the dream I was doing that with a rolly suitcase in tow.  Yup, one of those (smaller) suitcases on the wheels, like what the flight attendants use.  Random, right?

After mile six I decided I wanted to ditch the suitcase and tried to give it to my sister and parents (who were there to cheer me on) and they have me a hard time.  Bizarre!

The part of the dream that I did like was that after six miles I was looking and feeling great.  Clearly a dream!

Just had to share.

I had had my eye on doing the Philly half with a friend but turns out I have a wedding that weekend.  So, i'm keeping my eyes open for a new race during the late summer/early fall.  I'm thinking maybe the Fitness magazine half in NYC, but we'll see.