Fitness Survey Linkup

Today I'm participating in my first blog linkup! Yippee!  I am linking up with Sara Stone of She Cooks, She Crafts, She Runs, a fellow Sweat Pink Ambassador that I connected with on Facebook for a Fitness Survey.  Enjoy :)

1.  What did you eat for breakfast?
My new favorite cereal from Target with unsweetened vanilla almond milk.  To say I'm obsessed with this stuff is putting it lightly.  I literally grab another box every time I'm in Target.

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2.  How much water do you drink a day?
Ugh, definitely not enough.  This is a hard one for me.  I have to consciously remind myself to drink water throughout the day as I know I don't drink enough, especially in the summer heat.

3.  What is your current favorite workout?
The obvious answer here is Running.  That's a given.  But I'm also enjoying these monthly 'challenge' workouts that I'm finding online.  I really liked the Plank a Day challenge I did in June.  I saw incredible improvement from the first, to the last of the month.  I'm starting a Squat challenge for July - link here.

4.  How many calories do you eat a day?
Oh boy I really have no idea here.  I eat 3 meals a day, and I snack in between.  I personally can't go more than a few hours without food or I get cranky and/or get a headache.  If I had to guess I'd say I probably average between 1600-2000 calories a day? 

5.  What are your favorite healthy snacks?
This is a hard question for summer.  I will eat any fresh fruit in sight right now!  One of the many things I adore about this season is the availability and abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables.  I've recently been traveling to different farm stands in the area to try out their fresh produce and have got some amazing food.  The other day I went to a farm stand a picked up a bag of fresh radishes (yes, I like to just bite into them and eat them!) for $1.00!  How can you beat that?  My parents also have a small garden and the sugar snap peas I picked there were to die for.

Instagram @ Jillyruns

 6.  What do you usually eat for lunch?
When I was working, I'd usually bring a sandwich, some fruit or baby carrots, and a granola bar.  I'd also go out to lunch a few times a week as well and either pick up sushi, a salad from Whole Foods, or occasionally get a burger.  Now that I'm home most days, my lunches are all over the place.  They often consist of a mishmash of various foods.  Example:  An entire avocado, a protein shake, and some carrots and hummus.  My lunches now are more snack foods, and I'll eat a bigger meal in the evening.

7.  What is your favorite body part to strength train?
Definitely legs.  My legs are the strongest part of my body so I like training them. And I actually love squats and lunges :)

8.  What is your least favorite body part to strength train?
Arms.  I feel like my arms are akin to that of a T-Rex.  Scrawniest things around! Always have been! However, I do think you can see definition in your arms pretty quickly when you focus on training them with a few key moves like curls, kickbacks, dips, and pushups.

9. What are your “bad” food cravings?
Hmm, even though I can't have dairy, I do indulge in soy or coconut milk ice cream in the evenings from time to time.  These coconut milk bars are my current fave:

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10. Do you take vitamins or supplements?
I used to take a bunch of supplements but have scaled back a bit.  I always take a multivitamin.  And I usually also take a Calcium supplement and fish oil.  I will sometimes take Vitamin E.  In the winter, I may add in a chewable Vitamin C supplement.  When I'm running higher mileage I add in Glucosamine Chondroitin because I think it helps my knees.  I used to take Glutamine which is an amino acid that is supposed to decrease muscle soreness after intense workouts.  I can't really say whether it helped but I'll take it from time to time. I also used to take Astaxanthin which is a super antioxidant that acts against free radicals.  It's somewhat pricey but I'll take it from time to time.
Wow, I just realized how long a list that is!

11. How often do you eat out?
I used to eat out more often when I was working downtown because I'd go out for lunch or happy hours with coworkers.  Now I'd say maybe once or twice a week I'll get takeout and maybe once a week I'll go out to eat with a friend.

12. Do you eat fast food?
Can't remember the last time I had real fast food like McDonald's.  The thought of eating there actually makes me kind of sick :(  The only 'fast food' I eat currently is Panera, Chipotle or occasionally Subway.

13. Who is your biggest supporter?
Oh boy this is a tough one.  I am pretty blessed to have an amazing network of family and friends.  My parents, sisters and several best friends are always there for me.  Pretty lucky gal :)

14. Do you have a gym membership?
Yes, I've had a gym membership for as long as I can remember although in the summer I do not go as much.  I prefer to run outside so I skip the gym except to go to classes or lift on my own. 
*Fun fact, I appeared in a TV commercial for my gym last year.  If you're lucky, I'll share the You Tube video in a future post :)

15. How many hours of sleep do you get a night?
I average around 8 or 9 now.  When I was working downtown it was a lot less.  Like 5 or 6 :(

16. Do you have a “cheat” day?
Nah.  I usually just eat whatever I want whenever I want it.  Fortunately, I don't really crave that many unhealthy foods, and being unable to consume dairy just wipes out another food group entirely for me!

17. Do you drink alcohol?
Yes, but not in huge quantities.  I'll go out once or twice a week with friends and have a couple drinks but I don't drink at home.  I guess not having a guy around means no beer in the fridge!

18. Do you have a workout buddy?
Nope.  I ride solo.  Last summer I was running with a few different running groups which was fun but then I got sidelined with a injury and when I got healthy, I just started running on my own again.  Perhaps I'll link up with them again.  But when I'm training, I find it easier to fit in my workouts according to my own schedule. 

19. What is the best thing that has changed about your life since committing to a healthy lifestyle?
Well I've always been pretty healthy, but since I started running more and participating in half marathons, my attitude about my life and myself has definitely improved.  Running brought me out of a dark place I was in a few years ago, and allowed me to see just how strong I am, and to believe in myself again.

20. What was the last healthy thing you did?
Hmm, I just started swimming again.  My goal for this summer is to do more cross training to hopefully avoid injury, so I just rediscovered the joys of lap swimming at my gym.
 

21.  What are your favorite shoes to work out in?

For running I like my Nike Vomeros.  For cross training, I have a pair of Asics and a pair of Saucony - both of which I like for those activities (biking, lifting, classes, walking, CrossFit).

 

22.  Photo of your favorite workout outfit

Ooh, this is a tough one. I don't have too many 'favorite' workout outfits because a lot of my running gear is very mismatched.  It consists of old race shirts or T-shirts from intramural sports and a pair of shorts.  But probably my favorite article of workout clothing is capri tights.  I'll wear them running when its a bit cooler or to do cross training workouts.  Here are a few shots:

Coaches' attire for BWC 5K training

 

Nike Women's Marathon DC outfit

 

Capri tights and Phillies shirt for indoor rock climbing!

 

 

Thanks so much to Sara for organizing this link up - what fun! 

 

 

Now it's your turn!

 

Feel free to answer one, two or a few of the above questions and enter your answers in the comments!