M is for Margaritas

I don't know what has come over me lately, but I can't get enough of Margaritas. The restaurant, not the drink. 

http://www.margs.com/locations/dover 

Though I wouldn't kick the drink out of bed either. Wednesday nights are turning into gym/Margaritas nights. Take-out style. With Coronas and limes...

 

Calgon Take Me Away

 

Fish tacos 

 

Enchilladas 

Yum!!!The problem? I want it all the time now. The thing about loving food as much as I do is that I get on these kicks and want that specific food all the time. It has happened with meatball subs, pastrami subs, Oreos, peppermint stick ice cream, and sushi (after a terrible bout with food poisoning, I'm avoiding sushi). Since I don't want to spend an arm and a leg on Mexican food all the time, I'm researching recipes. I started with their Lime In The Coconut Margarita because I want to drink about a thousand of those right now...described as: The Mexican flavors of tequila and coconut combine into one amazing Margarita that makes you thirst for the beaches of Cancun. Yes. Please. Now.

 

http://www.gatheraustin.com/blog/index.php/3-cocktails-granita/ 

 

http://www.mylifeasamrs.com/2012/01/coconut-lime-margarita.html 

 

http://valsocal.blogspot.com/2012/02/coconut-lime-margaritas.html 

I kinda gave up after that. "Researching" recipes might have been an excuse to find new cocktails and drool over how delicious they all look. Hello weekend!

Characters At The Gym

I *LOVE* watching all the characters at Planet Fitness while I'm working out. There is terrible cell phone reception at the gym and my Pandora bites it all the time. Normally, I would just watch one of the 14 tvs that they have running, but even that gets boring sometimes. My newest favorite hobby is to observe all the weirdos (characters) while I'm running. It is a good way to pass the time while I'm banging out a 5+ mile run. Here are some of my favorites to date:

Mullet/Rat Tail and Short Shorts Man (MRT/SSM): This guy has a mullet AND a rat tail. I didn't even know that was possible. Some hybrids are meant to be. Like peanut butter and chocolate. Edamame and beer. Cheese and wine. Combos that work. This ain't one of them. 

 

like a boss

MRT/SSM also wears the shortest shorts ever. Well, maybe not ever, but every other person in the gym is always on the verge of an unsolicited nut show. Seriously, buddy, lock it up because no one wants to see your boys while you are doing sun salutations on the floor mats.

 

oh hey John Stockton...nice gams!

Jeans On The Elliptical Girl (JOTEG): What in holy hell would possess anyone to wear jeans at the gym? I. Don't. Get. It. Isn't it hot? Wouldn't there be chafing? Do you change after you leave the gym or just go about your business in your sweaty jeans...or do you have a pair of fancy sweatpants for doing your errands? 

 

not JOTEG, but she's not even wearing shoes!!!

JOTEG likes her jeans in a capri style as well. She is a bigger girl. She has some meat on her bones. Like a bear prepping for winter - meat. So the jeans were tight and there was some...issues:

 

heh

 

double heh

The jean capris were bad enough, but JOTEG's top was something else. I would describe it as "lingerie" if that wasn't insulting to all forms of lingerie. The icing on the cake was that she was on the phone 85-90% of the time she was on the elliptical. Real cool. I'm sure whatever business meeting you were having with your cats was real important and couldn't wait.

 

P.S. You look like a butthole

Roid Rage Psychopath (RRP): I'm not saying that everyone that has big muscles is on steroids. I know that working out a lot and eating a boatload of protein and following strict programs/diets can get you similar results. What I am saying is that this particular guy at my particular gym looks like he carries around a few viles of juice in his gym bag. RRP is also REALLY tan. RRP also has a lot of tattoos. RRP also appears to enjoy hair gel. A lot. In fact, he looks like a cast reject from this:

 

G.T.L

Wondering where the psychopath portion of RRP moniker comes from? Well, besides looking f'n crazy. He was also walking around the gym in between reps, cocking his imaginary gun and aiming/firing at people. You know, casual like.

Lurker McCreeperson (LM): I'm pretty sure this guy doesn't actually work out. He just is creepy. And stalker-esque. (Man, I love making up words). He sits on a machine and then just kind of eye ball harasses everyone in the gym. Sure, guys check out girls and girls check out guys...and sometimes girls check out girls and guys check out other guys, but they are subtle. LM looks like he is trying to suck your soul out of your skull with his gaze. You can feel it before you see it.

 

aaaaannnd nightmares

And now that I have searched around for "creepy stares" and "creeper dudes" for about ten minutes to get the perfect creep, I'm totally skeeved out...and late for the gym. Can't wait for tonight's characters welcome episode!

Rule #1: Decrease Vices!

The warm weather months are upon us and if I ever want to put a bathing suit on again, I need to figure out some way to start working on the way I feel about my current body...
The food journal lasted about a day and 1/4 so that obviously is not the technique for me to use in order to maintain a healthy weight and mind. So, I asked myself on the ride to work this morning, "Marcy, what DOES work for you?"

And it easily came to mind that I am really tremendous at following rules.
To the extent that it will sometimes make my SO (significant other- boyfriend just sounds stupid at 30) crazy!

SO!

I need rules! And rules for the rules!                      

I'm actually pretty good at getting to the gym or running (although, I should also increase this with future rules to come) so I thought that I would start by brainstorming all of my major food vices so that I could prioritize which rules to set in place. Thankfully this blog format has an unlimited amount of characters you can type...

*Chocolate        *Cake                    *Candy
*Muffins            *Cookies                *Did I mention cheese?
*Cheese            *Pizza
*Bread              *Misc desserts
*Wine               *Fried seafood/FF (so hard to stay away at the restaurant)
*Beer                *Coffee- I'm keeping this one for life though...

Ok, that's enough...starting to feel really ____________ (fill in the blank)
The good news is that I don't smoke cigarettes or crack cocaine, although muffins may be my crack



These vices are in no particular order- and it looks like some of them can actually be combined into a few groups- Sugar, Cheese and Sugar-Cheese Carbs :) haha

They say that you need to start with manageable and attainable goals = one vice at a time...
My plan is to begin with knocking out the sugars. I've done this before successfully so I know I can do it again. The sugars are everywhere and there is always an excuse to imbibe so I'm making the hard and fast rule that I will not eat any more sugary/desserty/pastry like foods until further notice.
For now I plan to keep the alcohol (because life sucks too much to take it away :) and keep up with my current exercise/running regime. Maybe adding to it here and there when possible.

I'll do subsequent weigh ins to see how this is working for motivation.

Wish me luck!

~M