The Ups and Downs of Having a Meal Plan

Today was actually pretty productive. On Tuesday and Thursdays I have class from 10 to 11 and then have a 7 hour break until my class from 6 to 8. Usually, this means that I lounge around and do nothing for several hours and then at 8:00 panic and realize how much work I have.

Not today! I managed to get in nap (counts as productive), got my Russian homework done, finished almost all my readings, and worked out with Ali.
Sadly all the treadmills in the gym were taken (which is a tad ridiculous since there are a billion), so I just spent 30 minutes on the elliptical. It wasn't too bad because I ended up watching the end of the movie Avatar while working out. Embarrassing story: I cry at almost any movie I watch. I had to work hard to hold back the teary feeling because I was in the middle of a public gym. I do not want to be the girl crying while working out again haha.
Afterwards I headed back to the house, and decided to continue my workout by running a little bit on the treadmill. I ran a mile in 9:40 (yay!) and then decided to walk for another quarter mile to cool down. I finally decided just to spend the next 7 minutes walking on a slight incline with 5 pound weights so I could complete a full 20 minutes on the treadmill.

I also attempted to take pictures of my meals today because its been awhile since I last busted out my camera. Although the food we are served is usually really delicious, I'm really missing my kitchen back home.
Today I had my usual breakfast of scrambled egg whites, a piece of turkey bacon, and oatmeal. I've even gotten used to eating unsweetened oatmeal! The trick is I put a billion things in it like chocolate chips, brown sugar, raisains, and fruit.

For lunch, we are usually given a meal or two and then left to assemble it how we want (for example everything you need to make a wrap). Today was Greek themed, so we had all the items to make a pita pocket!

While I originally went for tofu with Tatiki, I made another one using one my falafels and hummus and it was thousand times better. Lunch at the house is almost always a winner:)

It was good lunch was so delicious because dinner was not. I was not a fan of the porkchops and potatoes, but I didn't have time to be picky (lame night classes) so I didn't try to get creative with alternatives.

When I got back from class, the cereal was calling my name and made up for the lame dinner.

I could eat literally over 3 bowls of cereal in a heartbeat, so I've learned ways to stay satisfied on one: mix a bunch of different cereals together. When I mix granola, Captain Crunch (not healthy haha), and Shredded Spoonfuls, I'm always convinced I can't replicate it and am even happier with the bowl. Win win!

Off to bed! I've realized I really need to get to bed earlier when I have morning classes so that I won't depend on my "productive naps" so much.

Goodbye Dorm Food

You know you no longer eat dorm food when you're served this for dinner:

Edamame and Quinoa Salad, Orzo and Asparagus salad, and Chicken Caesar Salad 

My food/living situation provides me with a meal plan at the sorority house and a small kitchenette (no oven or burners) and fridge, so most of my meals are prepared and served buffet style for my "sisters" and I. However, unlike dorms, it provides only one meal option (like if teriyaki chicken for dinner) and a salad bar. I'm definitely happy the menu includes healthy/fancy meals instead of last year's always present fried food buffet area. Seriously the specialty was that they made a different type of fry each day of the week. That becomes a little hard to resist ;)

I've been really good about trying to have a morning workout at least once a week! Yesterday, I got up at 7:15 to do a quick 30 minutes on the elliptical before starting my day.

I continued my small workout streak by doing something I've been meaning to start forever: Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. I have been telling my friends here about how I've been wanting to do it, and they got excited and convinced me to finally start today with them.

Even though I started on level 1 with 3 pound weights, it was hard! I was definitely feeling it by the time it was over. And since it was only 20 minutes, I'm beyond excited that I can fit it easily into my schedule since it's been more than a little crazy lately.

Off to bed! It's another big day tomorrow:)