Happy Thursday and the last day of my work week! Yay! I *finally* will get 2 whole days off in a row. I need it. Headed off to do my run at the gym. I put on some music from the jog tunes indie podcast and just used that to do my different speedwork with. That was fun. I normally use this outside to help me keep a pace. It’s easy to do on the treadmill 
I did 5 good miles today and it felt great! I am surprised my body wasn’t a little more sore from the shoveling yesterday. A little in the back, but not bad. John said he had “shovel back” today. Shhhh… don’t tell anyone, but he needs to be lifting weights….
I had a little trouble deciding on a breakfast today as I just wanted to eat! I wanted blueberries, though, so that meant protein waffles!
I am randomly going to answer some of the FAQs over the next few days:
As a NWOL4W veteran, how did you track your progress? Did you update charts each lifting day? Are there any aps for this?
I tracked my progress using the charts at the website. I just printed out the forms and used those. It was kind of neat to see how I progressed over time. I brought those sheets with my to the gym and recorded my weight tallies as I did them. I don’t know as there are any apps for something like that. Go NROLW!!!
For lunch I was wanting something kind of sweet, for whatever reason. I decided to make a PB and nana wrap using a Smart Carb tortilla with 1 tbsp of PB and half a banana, plus a drizzle of chocolate sauce. I then pan grilled it. It was quite good, although a bit messy.
After more work, it was time to do one of my civic duties! Blood donation.
There was no line today, which was nice. I think the weather scared people away, although it was just raining. I was pleased that my iron was good (hematocrit) at 13.1. My blood pressure was also pretty good at 118/68. A little higher than normal for me, but it goes up a bit for donations because I get a bit nervous. Travel safe to your new home, little blood cells….
After donating, I restocked that iron with raisins!
I so wanted one of the cookie packs, but they were the really caloric kind – to the tune of 300 calories for 1 pack! Probably full of trans fats, too. Ah well, the raisins were good.
Dinner time and I felt like some shrimps We had extra in the freezer from our Mardi Gras dinner, so I cooked some up. Mmmmm…. pressed and formed shrimplets.
I love how using smaller dinner plates makes it look like a huge amount of food. We are on the 3rd pound of strawberries we bought on Sunday already. Guess that is why John calls me a fruit Hoover. 
Working later tonight as I had to flex hours to donate blood (better be getting some good karma back, I tell you). Then it will be time for the weekend!
Snack time – one of my favorite combos is dark chocolate chips and something salty crunchy – like these whole grain Wheat Thins.
There is some chocolate under there!
Question: What snack texture/taste do you like? Crunchy, smooth, sweet, salty?
I love salty with chocolate to snack on. That’s why I always love seeing your snacks. Oh, and coffee…if I haven’t had too much already.
I love crunchy and salty! Although since I married someone with a sweet tooth I now crave sweet a lot more!
.-= Simply Life´s last blog ..Vegetable Noodle Bowl! =-.
I love chocolate covered pretzels but I can’t stop eating them so they are off limited (for now). I love the sweet/salty combination.
Thank you for the great meal idea! I am off to fry up a peanut butter and banana wrap now myself!!! Yummy!
.-= 266´s last blog ..Running In Circles =-.
I feel super guilty because I’ve never donated blood. good for you! I tend to have low blood pressure and tendency to faint so it scares me!
.-= Michelle @ Find Your Balance´s last blog ..Red velvet coconut muffins =-.
Salty and crunchy is my nemesis. Thanks for donating blood. And thanks for the info on tracking. I start tomorrow!
.-= Roxie´s last blog ..MAN UP =-.
Thanks for visiting my blog. I read your story and you are amazing! I cannot talk about snacks right now… I will want to go eat
Good job on the run! I did my C25K outside today instead of the treadmill. What a difference. It was much tougher.
Love all of the yummy food! The idea of the grilled banana PB & chocolate sounds incredible.
Did you (or are you) following the exact plan for NROL4W? Have you noticed a difference?
Also, how do you know how hard to push yourself?
So many questions. I’m going to talk to a personal trainer tomorrow to see if it’s something that I could afford.
.-= Kelly´s last blog ..Wednesday Stuff & New Recipe =-.
It really depends on my mood… Crunchy is usually Kashi cereal, sweet is Vanilla Oikos with Sweet Potato and salty is meatless BBQ or Salsa and Beans!
.-= Whole Body Love´s last blog ..Biggest Loser Vs. BioChem: Battle Of The Protein Powders =-.
In answer to your question, yes, yes, yes and yes! My latest snack that I loved was BBQ Pop Chips. Loved them so much that I will only buy them in the single serving bags, lol!
.-= Shelley B´s last blog ..Wednesday Workout Update – Snow Edition! =-.
Yummy food today! I like salty and sweet too. But I think my favorite is chewy…as in, chewy chocolate chip cookies or caramel or…I better stop talking about this stuff. But the raisins remind me, I really like to get a little bowl of raisins, walnuts, and chocolate chips. Kind of a pricey snack, but I really love it.
.-= debby´s last blog ..One Day Off =-.
Lori,
HUGS from Orlando!
Loving the change in pics at the top of your blog. Also, five miles….outstanding! You’ll be ready for a half mary with me in no time flat.
.-= Robin´s last blog ..Giveaway Happening Over at …. =-.
maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan. you, friend, are a runner indeed.
me? Im a sheep in wolves clothing,errr, a weight lifter in running garb
Funny – I don’t think of myself as a runner, just somebody who runs LOL! I always think of myself as a biker and a lifter first
I like the sweet/salty combination too. We go through strawberries just as fast as you do! Kind of funny that we buy a bag of apples and it lasts us like a month though- haha. Not a huge fan of apples for some reason!
.-= Alissa´s last blog ..Double-Cheese, Spinach and Chicken Pizza =-.
We’re going through strawberries like crazy around here, too! And just had to tell you that I finally make your protein pancakes this morning as waffles. I keep wanting to and forget at breakfast, so today I remembered and my 2.5 year old and I LOVED them, especially with the blueberries! Thanks for sharing
.-= Lillian´s last blog ..Good Food =-.
I’m glad you liked the recipe! They are so easy to make, too.
Hahahaha, I always nagged Chris about lifting weights. He thought holding himself up on a road bike was work enough to maintain upper-body strength over the summer
I am definitely a soft and sweet kinda gal. Give me a rich piece of chocolate fudge and I think I’ve died and gone to heaven
Have a wonderful “weekend” Lori!!
.-= Susan´s last blog ..The Age Old Weight & Rep Debate =-.
Crunchy and salty all the way.
.-= Joanne´s last blog ..Happy Pistachio Day =-.
Great working out as usual Lori! Enjoy your two days off with doing lots of fun stuff, but knowing you a little bit better I’m sure you will.
.-= Fran´s last blog ..A day in my life: Thursday February 25th 2010 =-.
I’m an equal opportunity snacker. I tend towards sweet stuff like cookies, though I can’t turn down tortillas and cheese dip.
.-= Ang´s last blog ..Valentine’s Day Festivities! =-.
I love the crunchy! I guess that is why I like my healthy animal cookies from Costco vs. a low fat ice cream or something like that. More people like the ice cream!
Like you, I am a 2 day off person so yes, today(Friday) & tomorrow off for me! I may do a few core/abs & stretching today but nothing major.
Enjoy your rest!
.-= Jody – Fit at 52´s last blog ..Dieting & Life Help – Are you Whole or Hole =-.
It really depends on what mood I am in. I like to have a sweet snack usually, something chocolate! If its a pre dinner snack I’m all about the crunchy and salty. Good for you for donating blood!
.-= Nicole´s last blog ..Do something for your HEART today! =-.