working on my fitness

(this is how i picture myself running in the mornings)

the weather has been crazy warm this winter and it's really helped in keeping me on track health-wise. now, i'm not going to say i have the perfect body by any means, but i think i'm keeping it together for a 31 year old. there are a few things lately that have really seemed to help me drop a couple of pounds and feel great:

1. myfitnesspal: this is an app you can get that helps you track how many calories you eat, how many calories you burn from exercise and how much you should be eating to lose any lbs you want gone. i've never in my life counted calories, but getting older has made me come to the harsh realization that i'm not only going to have to work out,

but i can't eat like i used to. boooooo. one of the best things is that you can follow your friends and help motivate them (or vice versa!) via the website. if you join, find me "megcmoore"

2. breakfast: i've always eaten breakfast. always. i'm definitely really hungry in the mornings and afternoons and then barely hungry at night, so i've always chowed on breakfast. i have run the gamut on breakfast foods: cereal, muffins, eggs, oatmeal, waffles, etc. lately i think i've found the perfect combo to fill me up and keep me full for a while- 2 egg whites, one egg and a morningstar "sausage" patty. if you don't like soy meats, let me just say to try this one. lp tried it and he even likes it. today he told me it actually smelled like rea

l sausage in our house. haha-gotcha!

3. snacks: for the past ten years or so, i've been what my mom calls "a grazer." i prefer snacks to meals, apps to entrees, tapas to 10 course meals- you get the picture. some favorite snacks are:

-veggies and hummus: i really like this caramelized onion hummus because it almost tastes like a french onion dip. yum.

-trader joes dried fruit bars: so good, all natural and no extra sugar

-lower sugar oatmeal

-laughing cow cheese

-apples and pb (really just plain peanut butter will do it for me too)

4. yoga: i was doing a ton of yoga for a while but now that weebay is here, it's hard for me to leave him. i've started doing 30 minute yoga videos that i found on demand from our direct tv service, but i'm about to order these dvds. my yoga instructor that i LOVE got me into power yoga, which he based from baron baptiste's power yoga. i'm gonna check it out and let you know how it goes!!

Born to run

i used to think i was not a runner. i hated it. for years. when i was in grad school, i went through a really bad break up. like, the not eating, crying all the time, drinking bottles (yes, plural) of wine for dinner kind of break up. anyway, one day i got really angry (don't you just love that part of the break up???) and i went to the gym to lift weights. i went to the gym a lot at that time, as i had nothing better to do, but i was a walk-on-the-treadmill kind of gal. so i hopped up on the treadmill and i walked. as i walked, i wanted to go faster so i upped the speed a little, then a little more, then a little more. pretty soon i was at a sprint and it felt good. now, i didn't last too long, but that didn't matter. the next day, i ran a little longer, then longer and then longer. when i (finally) finished grad school and moved back to austin, the weather was so great that one day i decided to run outside and let me tell you, huge difference!!! from that time on, i was a 'runner.' i put that in quotes because i am NOT a marathon runner, a half marathon runner, a triathelete, a 10k-er, a 5k-er- none of that. i run for as long as i feel like it, then walk for a bit, then run more, then walk more. some days i run for 20 minutes before i stop, some days i run for 5 minutes. the point is, that i really enjoy it. it's not even just running- i love working out period. weights, running, elliptical, yoga. i'm on it. like a puppy, if i go without exercise, i kind of freak out. anywho, i thought i'd let you guys know what keeps me going when i'm running (or working out period).

first up, the clothes. i know a lot of people think it doesn't matter what you wear. i am here to tell you that is absolutely untrue. i used to wear ratty old sorority shirts and old shorts and i felt 'meh.' lp convinced me to try out some real workout clothing and just see what i thought. here's what i think: when i look good and feel comfortable, i'm more likely to keep going with my workout. right now, it's silly cold here so i've been layering my look. some pieces i like when i work out:

Born to run by megancmoore featuring a yoga activewear

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1. running top: i don't personally wear the pink one, but i have it in another color and i LOVE it. it's from lululemon and one of my favorite parts is that it has a cuff that you pull over your hands to keep them warm. it's the best best best!!

2. pants: i typically prefer yoga pants, but i'll do a running tight also. the main thing it that they need to be a thick enough material to keep your tush warm.

3. sports bra: always prefer the skinnier, y-type bras. they don't dig into my shoulders as much and i appreciate that.

4. top: under my running top, i do a sports tank. now, this is really important for me, as i have a very long torso. i like these tanks to be l-o-n-g. i need it to cover my tummy because gross. i do not want my tummy hanging out.

5. shoes: i love brooks. it's my brand of choice for sure. light and sturdy and they help with the fact that i roll out on the edges of my feet.

6. ear warmer- a must. it's saved my running this winter. when my ears get cold, i get a cold headache so this is a life saver!

next thing: music. this is the hardest thing in the world and it's something i am constantly updating. i have recently realized that there are a lot of songs that i love working out to that i never listen to when i'm driving around or walking down the street or riding the metro. i do have some songs that are really keeping me going recently though:

1. straight outta compton (n.w.a): i know, sounds kind of hard core, right? ha! i have to say, it's really easy to keep running when easy e gets to his part and you just wanna say "hell yea!!!"

2. monster (kanye west): nicki minaj's part on this is awe-some and the whole song makes me just wanna beat someone up.

3. when they fight, they fight (the generationals): love this band and this song always makes lp and i dance. it also pumps me up.

4. toxic (britney spears): yeah, that's right.

5. 20 dollar (m.i.a.): there are actually a few m.i.a songs i love to run to, but this is the one that's been doing it recently.

6. the way i are (timbaland): he's a hoot.

7. lisztomania (phoenix)

8. l.e.s. artistes (santigold)

9. grolondic edit (of montreal)

10. anything off the kanye west jay z album

11. personal jesus (depeche mode): try it!!!

12. break ya neck (busta rhymes)

13. hello (martin solveig)

14. song 2 blur

15. i'm confused (handsome furs)

there are many more, but this is just the list i have in my head. hope it helps!!!!