Got Chocolate Milk?

My sister & I refueling with chocolate milk after
the June 2013 Lincoln Park Zoo Run 5K in Chicago, IL.

Did you know that lowfat chocolate milk has 9 essential nutrients that an athlete needs, including some not found in many recovery drinks?  Take a closer look at chocolate milk: 

• A natural source of high-quality protein to build lean muscle.
• The right carb-to-protein ratio scientifically shown to refuel and rebuild exhausted muscles.
• Vitamin A to support a healthy immune system and good vision.
• Electrolytes including calcium, potassium, sodium and magnesium to help replenish what’s lost in sweat.
• B vitamins for energy.
• Fluids to rehydrate.
• Calcium, vitamin D, phosphorous, protein and potassium to build and maintain strong bones and reduce the risk for stress fractures.

Source: http://gotchocolatemilk.com/

I’ve always enjoyed an icy cold chocolate milk, but it was in the fall of 2011 when I first learned just how good it is as a recovery drink.  I was on Facebook when I saw the opportunity to apply for a grant from Chocolate Milk to help support athletic goals.  Turns out, I received that grant, which helped fund my trip to my first half marathon, the Disney Princess Half in the spring of 2012!  And ever since I learned of the benefits, I’ve been trying to spread the word and let others know that chocolate milk is not only delicious, but nutritious.  Learn all about it at: http://gotchocolatemilk.com/science.

Chocolate milk is on my mind as I write this, as I’ve just updated my profile with Team Chocolate Milk for 2014. (Click here for my 2013 profile.).  In my 2014 profile, I’ve declared that 2014 is going to be the best year yet since I began my fitness journey. I’ve struggled a bit in 2013, but am leaving 2013 on an upswing and plan to dominate 2014!! I WILL return to my 5K personal best and I WILL set a new personal record at the 10K distance.  And chocolate milk WILL play an important part in my post-exercise regimen, to help keep me fueled and healthy and ready for that next workout!

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Running in a Winter Wonderland!

Time to rekindle the blog!

Today my sister and I braved the winter wonderland of Chicago to run the Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bell Run 10K in Lincoln Park, along the Lake Michigan shoreline!  The run started at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, ran north through the park for 3ish miles, looped around, and returned to the museum.  And it was a classic, snowy winter day in Chicago (which consequently resulted in poor traction, which we figured helped burn extra calories)!  Here’s a collage that showcases some of our pics from today:

Jingle Bell Run 10K - Chicago, IL - 12/14/13

Perhaps since I haven’t blogged in a while, I will gradually bring the blog up-to-date with my latest races, as I continue to attempt to run at least one event per month.  With that in mind, my November 2013 race was the Turkey Trot 10K in Valparaiso, Indiana.  It was a bitter cold Thursday morning, but I was super-proud of my time of 1:12:51 (a pace of 11:45/mile), as I was consistent through all 6.2 miles, and I haven’t been running much lately.  I’ve gotten to a point where I was just running my monthly races and not much in between.  Now, I’m committed to running at LEAST twice per week, and am working to get back to my best times!

Turkey Trot 10K - Valparaiso, IN - 11/28/13

In other news, I recently became an Independent Team Beachbody Coach, which means I want to be your cheerleader in you fitness journey!  It also means that if you are in the market for Beachbody products (including, but not limited to: P90X3, Insanity, T25, Shakeology, and more! Learn more at www.beachbodycoach.com/JoanGrott.)  Currently, I’m working on becoming a product of the product through replacing my breakfast with Shakeology daily… so far, I’m enjoying the shakes, and after week 1, I was down a pound (after having previously hit a weight-loss plateau which I could not break through).  Stay tuned as I continue my fitness journey and keep you updated on how improved nutrition with the help of Shakeology is helping me!

For daily motivational thoughts and more regular updates about my fitness and nutrition journey, like my new Facebook page at www.facebook.com/JoanGrottFitness!

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I've been a blogging slacker.  I never make the time to sit down and write.  Follow my micro-blogging:  www.twitter.com/joangrott and www.instagram.com/joangrott.