What was I expecting? Insta-Abs?

This diet stuff is no fun. Mostly because I really like to eat. But here's the thing, I don't like to eat boring things. I really like food. I'm a foodie at heart. I ate overly priced pork rinds this past weekend. I love making food. It's my hobby. So of course, eating said food would be attached to this hobby. Eating cereal, and cereal products on a daily basis for 75% of the meals you eat: sucks! I think what these past 3 days has taught me is that perhaps I just need to exercise a little self control next time I think about eating an entire back of doritos. Ugh, god they are so good. And I also just need to exercise! A friend of mine, is contemplating taking a class called: arms, ass, and abs. Really, what was I expecting after 3 days of eating cereal? Bad ass arms and redonk abs? Hmm, maybe. Oh gentle readers, I am not giving up yet. Do I really want to be beat by some stupid cereal? We shall see. But really...you see those stupid Special K cereal commercials and the chicks they choose to highlight who've been successful on the diet? Do those ladies have 2 year olds that cling to your leg while you try to get dressed in the morning so that you can't actually even squeeze a wee bit of exercise in? Do those ladies have stretch marks from gaining 3 times your normal weight over the course of 9 months. Ok, enough Heather, off your soapbox... go eat your cereal.

Day One Down, 11 Days left...

First day of the Special K Challenge. To be honest, it wasn't that bad...until... last night. After eating only 2 bowls of cereal during the day, and a few pieces of fruit, you can imagine I was absolutely famished by dinner time. Grilled chicken sausage, polenta, and spinach with raisins and pine nuts. Seems like a "sensible" meal right? Not when your husband is doling out the portions. Whatevs... it was tasty. The only problem was that around 8:30pm, I got hungry again. It was the worst.

Day two has begun, and I'll be serving up myself a hearty portion of vanilla almond cereal with a banana that has less than an hour before it turns to complete mush. Yum.

To clarify, my gentle readers...this is not a starvation diet. And frankly, I'm not all about starving myself...it's just that its...well it's winter in Chicago. I just came off of 4 weeks of recruiting where I ate nothing but mini-quiches for breakfast (i would eat 4 at a time...hey--they were mini). I need a revamp on my diet and eating habits. I like a challenge.

Girding up my loins...

...for the special k challenge. winter has really made itself home to chicago this year, and one oftens succumbs to the effects of cabin fever. I got tired of watching those commercials about the special k diet and decided to try it. but who really eats cereal for 2 weeks straight, and loses a 2 dress sizes. and what if your dress has an empire waistline, and covers up your plumpness? Are we talking thin black sexy cocktail dress?

since we don't have a gym in our apartment building, i have been taking bikram yoga once a week to get a meager amount of exercise in. as if chasing around a 2 year old isn't enough. well it isn't enough. until the weather warms up and i can get back outside, there's no running for me. i figure, i've got some time to kill before the weather warms up...why not try this special k diet.

for those that don't know, the diet consists of eating special k products for 2 meals per day. the 3rd meal would be a "sensible" dish. uhhh, does burgers and fries count as sensible? anyway, i figure if state my new 2 week challenge in a public forum, i might just stick to the plan. i will be starting on monday february 15th. stay tuned...

p.s. i really don't even like cereal that much.

Chicago Marathon 2009

On Sunday I ran the Chicago Marathon. It was my first marathon and one of the peak moments in my life. Seriously. My friend and colleague Sarah and I decided back in June that we would commit to running. I decided to run on behalf of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The Team in Training is the running group that runs on behalf of this society. I worried that I wouldn't meet my fundraising goals, but was surprised to see that I had raised over $2500 for the cause.



For those that don't know, race day was freezing. It was a sunny, but cold morning. The gun went off, and about 10 minutes later I had crossed the start line. At mile 1 I looked at my watch and saw that I was running, sub-10 minute miles. On a side note, never in all of my training runs had I run this fast. I worried that maybe I had gone out too fast, but figured, might as well go for the gold while i can, right? At mile 2, 3, and 4 I was still running less than 10 minute miles. What?



At mile 12 I slowed down to grab Karl and he jumped in to run the rest of the marathon with me. At that point, I was starting to feel the effects of running too fast at the beginning of the race. We passed thru the loop and headed west out of the downtown part of the city. The crowds were still awesome, but it started to get quiet. I knew this was the time to start digging deeper. I was running with my Team in Training jersey on, and had also written my name on the front and back of my shirt. Thank god for sparkly green puffy paint! Every time I ran past people, they cheered my name, and it was enough to power me thru the tough spots. Karl ran next to me the entire time, making jokes, pointing out the pretty scenery, and just generally being a rock for me to lean on (literally at a few points). Around mile 18 is when the burn set it. I knew that I had run 20 miles, so I knew i could get to the 20 mile marker. After the 20 mile marker the race became a head game. Dig in. Breathe. Dig in. Water stops were the only times I would allow myself to walk. Each water stop became a ritual for me. I would grab a cup of gatorade, take a few sips. Gird up my loins, clap my hands together and take off running again.



At mile 22 or so we were still running south away from the city, and that was so tough mentally. All i wanted to do was see the city in front of me, but instead it was WAY behind me. Finally we turned on to Michigan Ave to run north. The crowds closed in on the course and there was lots cheering and yelling. As we approached Roosevelt road, to turn up the (only) hill towards the finish, Karl started cheering louder and telling me to pick up the pace. It's amazing how you can make your mind convince your body to run faster, even when you know you're out of energy. I started sprinting up the hill, got to the top, turned the corner and there was the finish line ahead.



Being a part of the Team in Training running group was so absolutely inspiring. Where else can you wear a silly purple shirt with a Team logo and people cheer for you without knowing who you are...but they know you are a part of a bigger cause...one that you and they believe in. Random coaches from the Team in Training on the side-lines would jump in on the course and run alongside me at various points of the course. Offering support, words of encouragement, and candy!



After the race on Sunday evening, I couldn't imagine running another marathon for awhile. Now it's Tuesday, and i'm looking to train for another. I think I have found my weakness. Or maybe it's an addiction. Who knows, at least it's healthy.

I *heart* our new pasta maker!

Karl and I received a pasta maker for the holidays! It is by far one of the coolest kitchen gadgets out there. Now mind you, you have to be a dedicated foodie (in my opinion) to really want to make your own pasta...but it is well worth the time and effort.

For New Years Eve, Karl and I made our very own fettucine with homemade bolognese sauce. It did take over 3 hours to make, but it was terrific...3 bowls terrific (i've started my New Year diet as a result of these 3 bowls).

Our next challenge--homemade gnocchi. Although you don't need a pasta machine for this. So we will try out homemade raviolis. Mmmm... now to figure out what kind of filling we shall decide upon.

Happy New Year!
p.s. I know you're looking for the pictures...b/c afterall, why read a blog if there are no juicy pictures to go with... unfortunately blogger is not allowing me to upload said pics... perhaps next time.

Our little Santa

At our Holiday Party, we dressed up as Santa--a 3 of us. Henry ofcourse was the cutest. Maryn was there too, dressed as a lady Santa. She was equally adorable. And quite a little wiggle worm. Henry was dazed by the whole experience, and Maryn couldn't sit still.

The Polifka men have this problem!

I believe there is a magnet in their brain that immediately draws them to any TV when it is on. And now my son Henry has this said magnet! This past weekend was Karl's 30th birthday. In honor of such a great occassion, his parents, brother, and mother-in-law flew into town to surprise him. A great party was had by all. I thought i'd share a picture from Saturday morning. Karl, Adam, Henry, and Poppa--all watching youtube videos. Sucked in. I don't even think they knew I took this picture.