My Go-To Workout Playlist

So I was at the gym this week running on the treadmill and while I was there a woman on the treadmill in front of me was walking and totally jamming out. I mean, she was waving her arms in the air and if it was possible, dancing as she walked! I thought, “Gosh, I really want to know what’s on HER playlist!”

Have you ever wondered what people are listening to? I always do. It’s probably my most popular random thought while I’m at the gym. I mean, the majority of the people there are plugged in and I can’t help but be curious as to what they are jamming out to.

I’ve been trying out a no-music running thing ever since I turned off my iPod during a run and did pretty well. However, I’m still listening to music when I cross-train.

Here is a list of my #1 playlist. The playlist I can count on to get me through a tough I-don’t-wanna workout : )

  1. Let’s Go-Calvin Harris
  2. Where Have You Been-Rihanna
  3. The Anthem-Pitbull
  4. Forever-Chris Brown
  5. The Pretender-Foo Fighters
  6. Best of You-Foo Fighters
  7. Believe Again-Delta Goodram
  8. Fire in your New Shoes-Kaskade
  9. Hot-Inna
  10. I’m a Slave 4 U-Britney Spears
  11. Parallel Universe-Red Hot Chili Peppers
  12. Getting Over You-David Guetta
  13. Cry For You-September
  14. Runnin-Doman & Gooding
  15. Indestructible-Robyn
  16. In The Air-Morgan Page

–Are any of these songs on your playlist?

–What’s your go-to jam to workout with?

Fast Food Struggles

I’ve written about my love for fast food before, and I wanted to update you all on how I’ve been doing.

I have not eaten at McDonald’s in two months. I repeat, I have not eaten McDonald’s in two months!

This is huge for me. I was a crazy person when it came to the Quarter Pounder with Cheese meal and would have it 3-5 times a week. You read that right. Large size too (gosh, the McDonald’s fountain drinks are amazing–tackling my soda intake is for another day lol). I’ve tried quitting McDonald’s before, watching Super Size Me and reading Fast Food Nation to no avail.

But ever since post pregnancy I’ve become more serious than I’ve ever been with running and knew that if I wanted to improve, my diet would have to too.

CONFESSION: I still eat fast food.

I no longer eat McDonald’s or Burger King, KFC makes me nauseous just thinking about it, Arby’s has zero appeal but…. In-n-Out is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.

I justify eating at In-n-Out by saying it’s the healthier of the fast food options but I’m not kidding myself, it’s still counts.

I think what makes it difficult to let go of fast food completely is that I love the convenience of it and I hate to cook. I’ve tried, but when what I attempt doesn’t come out tasty it’s such a blow to my self-esteem. I wish I had the same approach to cooking as I do running: practice, practice, practice. But, sadly, I don’t.

I wanted to tackle the biggest hurdle and I knew that was McDonald’s. If I could not eat that, everything else would be easier for me to handle and that’s proven true as I avoid all the other places I frequented.

I know eliminating all fast food, In-n-Out included, isn’t realistic. I believe in everything in moderation. I know someday I’ll probably drive thru McDonald’s again but it won’t be the same. It won’t bring me the satisfaction it used to. I’m so proud of how far I’ve come these past few months, not just in weight loss and training, but as a person. I’ve proven to myself that if I have a plan, I can be disciplined enough to follow through with it.

–What are struggles you face maintaining a healthy lifestyle?

–Do you like fast food?

Week Three Marathon Training Recap

One of the things I hear the most from people is, “You always have something going on!” It’s true. It’s like I thrive on having a lot to do jaja! That’s actually part of why my blog is named hellyontherun—I’m always running around everywhere, literally and figuratively

This past week was busy busy as I’m sure it was for most Americans preparing for the holidays. Last Sunday we began Christmas decorating (I know, I know, Thanksgiving hadn’t even happened) and I had the cutest little helper.

meandlaurentree

I had to rearrange my training schedule for the holiday and because we were going out of town so I did my tempo run on Monday—a chill 4 miles. On Tuesday I had my doctor’s appointment to check out my shins which I wrote about here. Tuesday this guy also had an appointment–

benfourmonths

–his 4 month check-up. Yep, 4 months already!

That same day (told you I was busy) we hit the road down south.

week3blogpic

Wednesday, my husband and I ran an easy 2 miles to get acclimated to the cold weather. I love running in Douglas but I forget how cold it can get there.

Thursday was Turkey Trot 5k day and boy was it an awesome day : )

5kturkben

Friday morning my husband and I did another easy 2 miles (I started the Runner’s World Streak Challenge on Thanksgiving) before we hit the road back to Phoenix.

Saturday morning at 5:30 I was up and ready for my long run, 8 miles. I decided that after a whirlwind week I’d make it an easy 8 so I started the first half of it at a very comfortable pace. The second half I picked up the pace. Here are my all over the place splits:

1- 10:48
2- 10:51
3- 10:56
4- 10:52
5- 10:43
6- 10:17
7- 10:08
8- 9:43

19 total miles for the week and finished November with a grand total of 50.43 miles.

Oh, and this happened today : )

xmasfampicsanta

–Do you like having a lot of things going on?

–Are you excited for the holidays?