After my week studying for my pediatrics exam on Friday (click the link for my ‘What I learned on my pediatrics rotation’ blog), I feel like I’m in a bit of a funk. I spent most of last week at Starbucks or at home at my computer… very little time at the gym. I also gave myself every liberty to enjoy biscotti, coffeecake, whatever I needed to get more studying done. After my exam on Friday, Kyle and I went out to an AMAZING dinner that included shrimp cocktails, filet mignon, bread, and of course dessert. Because of a week of unhealthy eats and a weekend of sugar I now feel pretty gross. My stomach kinda hurts, a feel lethargic, and I don’t feel like working out.
I know this feeling too well because it happens every single time I slack off on my workouts and choose processed foods. It’s incredible how quickly I lose motivation for the gym- and that’s scary because I see how quickly someone can fall off the healthy wagon. When you feel gross and bloated, you don’t want to workout (even though it’s the one thing that can cure you!!). After a few days turn into a week of missing the gym, it is SO HARD to get back on track!
When I see myself slipping off the healthy wagon, I need to jump back on and hold on for life!! I’m reading ‘Super Brain’ by Deepak Chopra (thanks Amanda!) and there was just a chapter talking about how it’s much easier to change the mind before habits set in. It’s easier to avoid gaining weight instead of gaining it and then trying to lose it. It’s easier to stop yourself before you’re in a depression rather than becoming depressed and trying to lift yourself up.
So… I am stopping all these unhealthy habits IMMEDIATELY before they become real habits.
To kick off my healthy ways, I made some crockpot thai peanut chicken.
Holy moly this chicken is good!! It’s clean, has few ingredients, and is made quickly in the crockpot!
The best way to eat it (in my opinion) is on crunchy romaine lettuce with sriracha hot sauce on top.
OMGoodness this stuff is good!!!
Ingredients:
- 2 TBS lime juice
- 1 TBS soy sauce
- 1/3 cup peanut butter (I used the grind your own kind from Whole Foods but you can use any other un-sweetened kind)
- 1 TBS fresh grated ginger (I used the ginger in a tube from Walmart- love that stuff!!!)
- 3 chicken breasts
- Fresh cilantro
- Sriracha to taste (not required… but this stuff is the bomb)
Directions:
In a mixing bowl, mix all ingredients together to make a sauce/paste.
Add chicken to crockpot. Cover chicken with sauce.
Cover crockpot and cook on high for 3 hours or until chicken is fully cooked through.
Use a fork to shred chicken breasts and mix sauce in completely.
Serve with lettuce wraps, fresh cilantro, and sriracha!!
On Saturday I did manage to drag my booty to the gym.
I did a shoulders and abs workout that was rough and finished with 20 minutes of HIIT sprints on the elliptical at level 10. I felt like I was ellipticalling underwater or through a big tub of honey I was going so slowly. Let’s hope no one saw me 
Later Saturday night, Kyle and I went to the BUTLER Basketball game!!! I am a Butler Alum and I am PROUD!! I loved every minute of my time at Butler and I haven’t been to a game since. Kyle bought the tickets last minute and I am so glad he did!! We beat Temple and I was there screaming my head off!!
Hope you have a wonderful Monday!
Questions:
Do you find yourself slipping off the healthy train? How do you get back on?
Do you like basketball? I LOVE going to sporting events in person, but I hate watching them on TV unless it’s basketball. I can’t stand watching football on TV…. it’s a problem since Kyle is obsessed with sports.
Any good crockpot recipes?
***P.S. I am so in love with this blogging community. Every single blog comment makes me smile SO BIG! I want to make sure I check out all your blogs too and respond to all your comments so we can be best friends- so tell me about your blogs and stuff! ALSO… follow me on Instagram at adoctorinthehouse and on twitter at @doctrinthehouse. I will follow you back!! xoxo
that sauce looks awesome!!
Yum yum!!!! And just so you know… ALL your food looks awesome!!
Yum! We did a tofu peanut lettuce wrap last week!
Oh tofu is a great idea!!
TOTALLY ignoring the fact that you brought up the basketball game. I’m embarrassed and disgusted by our display of basketball playing. Ugh.
That being said, I love that you posted a crock pot meal because that is 100% going in my rotation this week! I spent the weekend with a stomach flu and haven’t really moved too much or eaten anything at all. Opposite end of the sliding off spectrum, but just as difficult to get back on! Enjoy Super Brain! I’m slowly getting the chance to keep reading. Have an awesome day!
Amanda @ Run Principessa recently posted…Back to the Grind
Whoops…. sorry to bring up the game!! Lol!! I am so sorry you were sick- hope you’re feeling better girl!! xoxox
have you seen the documentary about DEEPAK made by his son?
riveting!!!
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WATCHING IT THIS WEEKEND!! Thank you Carla!
I notice the same thing when I start slipping – I’m so much less motivated to get to the gym and feel sluggish in general. These looks like a fabulous way to get back on track. I love PB in savory form!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted…Nutty Quinoa Fuel Bars
I can totally relate to this! Last week I was full of energy, eating healthy, and working out. I did a Saturday morning Pure Barre class, but after that it went down hill when it came to my eating choices and lack of exercise, (not even a simple walk)! It only took a day and a half of choosing less than healthy choices to feel run down, tired, and bloated. I am all about balance and indulging at times, but the important thing is to get right back on track instead of beating yourself up. This is more for my own emotional health, and less about vanity reasons for me!
Oh I’ve been wanting to try Pure Barre!! How do you like it?? I’m so with you on the emotional health part- I feel like such a sloth mentally when I’m not caring for myself and my body.
All you can do is get back on the horse. No regrets, just move on. Good for you!
Thanks Pamela!
I completely agree with the whole mind over habits concept. My best friend and I always say “It’s easier to stay out than to get out” and that definitely applies here. It’s easier to stay out of trouble than to bail yourself out later! Fight the feeling girl, you’ll be back to your healthy self in no time. And PS, your chicken wraps look bombbbb diggity.
Thank you Jordyn! I love that you and your friend can say that to each other- it’s so great to have a support system!
You get back on the healthy train and you keep on moving forward
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That’s right! Choooo Chooo!!! Lol
Your chicken wraps look yummy! I will definitely try that one. I need to find some sirracha because I am out of my normal hot sauce and it am sitting here eating my spinach and egg white scramble– it’s blah.
Good for you jumping back in! This week I will be in your situation from last week. I have two exams, one lab exam, 16 essays (only 4 left yay!), and a lab report due. It’s so easy to allow myself anything I want because I am studying, but you have made me determined to not backslide. Thanks!
Basketball you say? Heck yes! My husband and I met while playing basketball in college. We watched the Butler game btw. Exciting! I have admired Butler basketball for several years now because they always seem to be fundamentally sound, talented, classy players led by an equally classy coach. So cool that you went there!
Holy Moly girl you have got your work cut out for you!!!!! Good luck with all your exams and essays! I will be sending my best study vibes your way! Glad you like Butler too
Oh.. and please get some sriracha for yourself- it makes life so much bettter!!!
Your recipe looks delightful! I am going to have to try it very, very soon.
In other news, sometimes you just have to have a very short memory. Try not to dwell on what happened yesterday and focus on what you can do today! As Rafiki says, “It doesn’t matter. It’s in the past.”
Thanks Mel!
I totally get how you feel about slacking off the health stuff. It’s better to get right back on track then to let it become a real habit again. I almost never skip working out. It just doesn’t feel right.
btw, the chicken looks delicious! i can’t wait to try it.
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It’s so funny how when I’m working out consistently it feels so natural, and missing a day is weird… but as soon as I take a few days off, I am OUT Of it big time!
Falling off the healthy eating / working out track is really easy to do, but freaking HARD to get back on it!!! I fell off HARD today, but I’m looking forward to my sweat session tomorrow morning
Your thai chicken looks incredible!
Jen@HealthyFoodandFamily recently posted…Liz & Bob’s Winter Wonderland Wedding
Hope you have a great sweat tomorrow! We will be back on the healthy train together in no time!
Ohhh….that does sound yummy! Wouldn’t think of making thai flavored chicken in the crockpot. Does it still cook up moist even though it isn’t as much liquid?
Tina @ Best Body Fitness recently posted…Pledge to Celebrate Health
Actually, as it was cooking, the chicken released a lot of liquid. When I shredded it all up I mixed the chicken liquid with the peanut butter sauce on top and it all blended together to create a really moist consistency. At first the pb kind of dried on top of the chicken and I was worried… but after mixing it’s perfect! It’s still good today!
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