You guys – Biggest Loser!!!! The underdog, Helen won!!! Were you surprised? Disappointed? Happy? Correct on your prediction?! Wow… I just really did not see that coming and it still kind of bugs me that she sent her daughter home instead of going herself back in the middle of the season – but credit must be given where credit is due - girlfriend worked for that title! Good for you Helen!
And how about Jerry?! WOW – if that man can do it at 64 years old, and AT HOME – I gotta believe that anyone can. What an inspiration!
Oh – I was so excited to watch the Biggest Loser last night that I forgot to tell you about my workout! It was pouring and I didn’t feel like spending a lot of time at the gym, so I ran Wednesday’s 10×400 at a 5k pace yesterday and I’ll go 4.25 miles tonight. So updated stats are:
- Monday: 5 mile run
- Tuesday: 10×400 5K pace
- Wednesday: 4.25 miles
- Thursday: 4.25 mile run + strength
- Friday: 3 mile run
- Saturday: rest
- Sunday: strength
Bleh gym – it’s so hard to go back there when I’ve tasted the sweet, sweet bliss that is running in the great outdoors! Ah well, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.
This morning I was feeling a little crazy, and inspired by reader Kevin and his recipe for an avocado smoothie, I made a Banana Oatmeal Smoothie for breakfast! I didn’t have an avocado like Kevin’s smoothie called for, but I had bananas and oats (obvi), milk and ice! I used these ingredients + a few others and tossed them all in a blender. Measurements were:
- 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
- 1 cup milk
- 1 frozen medium banana
- handful of ice cubes
- splash of vanilla
- dash of cinnamon
I blended everything for about a minute/until it was as smooooth as a smoothie should be 
I topped my glass off with some toasted coconuts, almonds and a fig – natch. Great call on the blended oats, Kevin! This was so good!!! Refreshing, smooth, creamy and…hearty? In a good way!! You guys should try adding oats to your smoothies – they’re a fantastic addition!
For lunch today, I packed an apple-iscious meal:
- Sliced Braeburn apple with chunky Barney Butter for dippin’ (the best combo EVA!)
- Apple Pie Lara Bar (my second fave, after Peanut Butter Cookie!)
Barney Butter is not the most photogenic of the bunch 
While this isn’t a very voluminous meal, the cal count is around 500 and I know from experience that all of these items keep me full, so I’m not too worried. If I get hungry during the middle of the day, I have a package of microwaveable Simple Harvest Quaker Oats at my desk to whip out at a moment’s notice!
Morning mom walk was canceled due to rain, so I took some pictures of the gray sky…which actually doesn’t look very gray in these pictures, but it was!
Mere minutes after I took these, the sky turned BLACK as night and was filled with lightening. Then the clouds opened up and the rain came down. This was “God is angry” type rain it was coming down so hard…yowza!!! Where are you May flowers?!
i was disappointed helen won. i didn’t like her attitude during the show AND i thought she lost TOO MUCH weigt. 117 for a 5 ft 6 woman?? that’s ridiculous. i thought she looked unhealthy and creepy thin.
i wish mike had won!
I was NOT happy when Helen won!! I wanted Mike to win so bad. I agree with Caitlin…she just looked creepy and way too thin.
your smoothie looks delish! I tried figs yesterday and have to say I love them! they are amazing..i love the seeds in them, no wonder you like them.
have a great day
Great running plan for the week. I completely agree with tasting outdoors and then being forced to move back inside! It’s incredible that you could have those two things and be satiated. I guess we’re all different! I’m definitely more of a volume eater.
I agree that Helen should get congrats for her hard work…but I was pulling for Mikey!
However, as an RD who works in wellness and weight management, they should all be commended for their hard work. I just hope that they have continued support to transition to a “normal”, healthy lifestyle!
I was really disappointed Helen won and the reason being that I have not liked her since she sent her daughter home. I mean seriously, what mother would do that?? I also hated the way she looked at the other two contestants last night and said she thought she had them beat. What??? Even if you thought that you should NEVER say it. I wonder if she will split her winnings with her daughter whom she sent packing home? Probably not because she is SELFISH! Ok, can you tell I’m a little bitter? My daughter Heidi and I both watch this show and we both couldn’t believe she did that. Take it from a mother….I can’t imagine choosing self over children in anything, but particularly something that would change their life like this. Look at how Mike’s father continually sacrificed for him. Either he or Tara could have won and I would have been very happy, just not Helen. And I have to say…I agree with the others who commented that said she honestly did not look good. She will never be able to maintain that low of weight. Well, I feel much better and ready to start my day now that I have been allowed to vent. Thanks for the opportunity to get it off my chest! Happy rainy day!
an oat smoothie…what a great idea for warm weather!
I wished Tara had one on TBL! Helen did look really strong though, especially in her upper body. Love your oat smoothie idea!
Love your oat smoothie!
I know what you mean about how hard it is to go to the gym after it’s good running weather. I’ve been struggling with that too. But I’m really pushing myself to switch off between running and going to the gym. Otherwise I get running injuries.
That smoothie looks so good!
I wanted tara to win…but yea, kudos to Jerry…so inspiring for the older generation!!
i agree…i’m ready for may flowers too!! i had a morning outdoor run planned this AM too…but that gray sky had other ideas…to the gym I went!
Woah, that smoothie looks incredible!
I don’t want to make everyone mad…but I don’t watch Biggest Loser?!?!?! But I do watch DANCING WITH THE STARS…and I was SOOOOOO sad to see Ty go:( But go Shawn! Take the trophy girl!!!
i wanted tara to win. helen made me mad bc of her sending her daughter home. seemed very selfish to me. i felt so bad for tara that she was off by just 5 pounds!
-leslie
http://lovejackson.blogspot.com
I couldn’t believe TBL last night!!! Jerry’s weight loss was absolutely amazing. He is such an inspiration. And Mike looked incredible. I really wanted Tara to win – she was so determined and such a strong competitor. I can’t believe Helene won… and she did look a bit frail. Her weight is on the very low end of healthy for her height now. I hope she is able to find a good balance and maintain her health now. This was an awesome season overall!
Your smoothie looks really good! Have a great Wednesday Kristin!
I cannot believe Helen won! And Jerry! Wow!
I really think Tara thought she was going to win – and looked super disappointed. They definitely cut the end short, and she may not get as much press if Mike or Tara had won, I don’t think. But, the bigger thing I took away from all this is how much weight the home contestants didn’t lose. I feel like in other seasons they’re more competitive at home, and it really only seemed like the ones who were on campus close to the end (Ron, Kristen, Sione, etc.) were the ones who dropped the most lbs. Still, totally inspiring!
Thank you for your feedback, Kristin! It’s so awesome, I’m having a tall boy avocado banana smoothie right now as I type this (two large bananas and one large Haas avocado)! Also, when I am avocado-less, I’ve added chocolate protein powder in the past. It’s pretty good that way too! I’ll have to try incorporating a little cinnamon and vanilla extract sometime.
I know – I was SO proud of Mike – he didn’t even look like the same person! He’s got a whole new lease on life and I’m so happy for him!