Elvis Oatmeal Smoothie + Getting Fit #8

Yesterday on Facebook, I shared the post for Peach Pie Oatmeal Smoothie. As of today, that recipe is exactly one year old. I have not posted a single oatmeal smoothie recipe since! I’m not a huge smoothie person–although I’m not sure why. I’ve just never been one to crave a smoothie.

However, someone commented on the Peach Pie recipe, “Ever thought of coming up with more oatmeal smoothie recipes? This one was delicious :)”

Reading that comment gave me the motivation to finally make this recipe!

This is the eighth segment of my Getting Fit series. This series features my friend Crystal, a rockstar figure skater and fellow oatmeal lover. You can her blog, Confessions of Crystal, and check out her Instagram,@crystalchilcott.

TOA: Hello! I hope you are fine and dandy and your training for the collegiate championships is going well!

As for me, I have noticed a slow increase in energy since summer vacation started. I went a little over a week without running because of my move, and I can’t believe how much that hurt my endurance. The first time I went running back in South Dakota, I only made it three-quarters of a mile before I had to give up. (To be fair, it was hot and uncomfortably humid, but still.) Again the next day, I made it just half a mile before I stopped in my tracks, TURNED AROUND, and walked back home to do yoga instead. haha!

Finally, the next day I managed to accumulate two miles’ worth of jogging (with a tad bit of walking mixed in). The next day, I ran an easy three miles again (no stopping). It seems like it’s been forever since I’ve done that!

Anyway, the takeaway is that I’ve been able (and more than willing, I might add) to run daily. In fact, the day that I didn’t run, I felt uncomfortable and restless all day! I wish I always had this much energy.

Crystal: It’s tough to come back after a break! I recently took a few weeks off from skating due to a concussion and it was rough to come back! I’m glad that you were able to get back in the habit of running though! Maybe you’ll keep this energy! Did you find some scenic trails to run?

TOA: Yes! My hometown is full of natural beauty (and void of stoplights…hooray!). I miss the view of skyscrapers, but the lake and big, luscious trees are also lovely.

My current inner conflict is trying to figure out what my goals are with running. Do I want to keep working up endurance and trying to wrong longer distances? Sometimes, I find it motivating to have a goal like that. For example, I was quite motivated in the beginning to work up to three miles, but ever since I’ve hit that, I’ve been kind of “meh” about working up to a higher distance.

On the other hand, my main motivation is to alleviate my IBS symptoms. For this to be successful, I have found that jogging two or three miles is perfectly adequate and brings me great relief. When I do not run, I basically go through the day with a constant ache in my stomach, like someone filled a balloon with concrete and shoved it in my intestines. Thus, that keeps me very motivated, but only to run the 2-3 miles. Anything beyond that seems excessive, especially since I’m not trying to lose weight.

Should I keep with my current distance, or should I challenge myself to reach five miles? I can’t decide.

Crystal: It sounds lovely to run by lakes and trees! I just went hiking around the Maroon Bells in Aspen and it was so gorgeous that it didn’t even feel strenuous!

I’m so proud of you for regularly committing to run two to three miles! It sounds like your body is happy about it too! When it comes to what happens next with running, it does come down to your personal goals. Do you like the challenge of increasing your mileage?

TOA: I guess it’s a little fun, but it’s not a big deal to me. To me, the challenge of completing three miles consistently is pretty exciting. I’ll probably just stick to that…at least until I get bored!

Crystal: If you do get bored, you could always challenge yourself by adding on them. It might be fun to even add a half mile, just to throw yourself off a bit! Are you still doing the strength exercises?

TOA: I actually really hate the strength exercises haha. So I’ve been doing yoga after my runs instead. I hope that’s okay.

Crystal: I always recommend doing strength too, but yoga has many helpful benefits as well. I love yoga!

TOA: ….Okay, so I just returned from a 2-mile run, and I did all three sets of strength exercises afterwards. Go me! Question: should I keep doing 30-second planks, or should I try to go longer? I’ve noticed that they’re feeling much easier than before.

Crystal: Great job! If they feel much easier, you can increase. I recommend increasing seconds at a time.

TOA: Will do. Question: do you like smoothies?

Crystal: Yes, I love smoothies! I got a NutriBullet for Christmas and make a smoothie with it almost every day.

TOA: Fantastic, because I have a new smoothie recipe to share. Have you tried putting oats in your smoothies yet?

Crystal: I have not though I have made batter for your oatcakes in my NutriBullet. That’s not quite the same though! I’d love to try your smoothie recipe!

TOA: When I was making this recipe for the photographs, I actually forgot to add the oats at first! I tasted it, and I was underwhelmed. What is it missing??

I was just about to pour it into a glass when I realized I forgot the stinkin’ oats!! I couldn’t believe how much more I enjoyed the taste once I had the oats in there. If I had been at my own apartment, I absolutely would have added some tempeh bacon on top (…or perhaps even mixed it in!!), but I didn’t have that available to me at my parents’ house. 🙂 Enjoy!