So two and a half weeks in and how is it going? Actually really well. I didn't get my weekly shopping trip in with my co-worker but I did it over the weekend so it worked out okay. Friday's walk got cancelled as well, but only because we both got our workouts in other ways.
1) My water intake has substantially increased. I'm easily getting in my 60+ oz a day now.
2) I've been getting to the gym at least 4X a week usually with Jules and he's loving it.
3) The first two Monday's went well and I'm looking forward to Monday's trip.
The running is picking up and the physical therapist finally sourced the problem thankfully and is doing all she can to get my distance back up. I might just hit 4 miles this weekend. I'm easily burning 700 calories a day and the first 3lbs came off quickly and I've slowed a bit but I'm getting the balance with the food down so I'm hoping my metabolism will kick in soon.
I'm adding a new goal...strength training 2X a week. I need to build muscle to help my metabolism and I've just been plain avoiding it. So time to hold myself accountable and voice the goal. It should be achievable and this past week I did.
So the gym is my friend, running is my drug and I need to remind myself how high it makes me and get my ass out of bed first thing in the morning to get it in. It saves my sanity.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
Groove Electric or Electric Slide?
Wow it's been since October since I've "held myself accountable" but a lot has happened...Thanksgiving passed without incident then Christmas passed with divorce. Needless to say I lost 12 total lbs in a couple of weeks but it certainly wasn't the way I intended. So 5 months later I'm beginning to feel like me again. The me that started this blog full of motivation and energy and enthusiasm...ELECTRICITY. I lost my groove and I let my wellness physically and emotionally slide but I'm ready to get back on the dance floor.
So I've decided a different approach, some reachable little goals and instead of projecting what I want my workouts to be I'll post how well the week went and what the pitfalls were and how to avoid them for the next week.
On Sunday I set forth 3 achievable goals for myself:
1) Increase my water intake from 30oz-60oz
2) Get to the gym 2X a week, not workout 2X, but get to the gym 2X
3) Grocery shop on Mondays at lunch time for the weeks breakfast and lunch and keep it at work so there's no temptation for fast food.
So how'd I do?
1) I brought in a 32oz water bottle to work with me and so far this week I've accomplished polishing off two of these a day just at work. I continue to intake water though once I've gone home and at the gym so I'm easily accomplishing this task.
2) I have raised a little taskmaster and he keeps me on task for getting to the gym. I bought 10 kids passes for accountability and told him what days we are planning on going...he doesn't forget. I was reminded Monday and Tuesday were gym days (and we went) and last night had to offer affirmation that yes we were going as planned on Friday night and Saturday morning. 2X accomplished and then some as well as a 90 minute Hot Yoga class on Wednesday and 45 minute walk at lunch on Wednesday. All totaled a good workout week (unfortunately the scale is my nemesis right now and I got nothin' to show for it).
3) Mission accomplished and I only ate out once at lunch and that was my leftovers from Wednesday evening's eat out. To keep me on task with this, I've got a co-worker who needs motivation too, so we now have grocery shopping on our calendars for Monday's together to hold each other accountable.
For the weekend I'm looking forward to getting my first run in, in a month, due to the injury issues, I've had to not run. So looking forward to the elliptical and a swim tonight, then gym and run tomorrow and either gym and run on Sunday or Hot Yoga and run on Sunday. I'll reset the clock of accountability and head into next week. If you need a work out buddy or some motivation, let me know! I'm always looking to give it and it's the one time I don't mind having my advice or motivation thrown back into my face...if I can't practice it I shouldn't be preaching it.
So I've decided a different approach, some reachable little goals and instead of projecting what I want my workouts to be I'll post how well the week went and what the pitfalls were and how to avoid them for the next week.
On Sunday I set forth 3 achievable goals for myself:
1) Increase my water intake from 30oz-60oz
2) Get to the gym 2X a week, not workout 2X, but get to the gym 2X
3) Grocery shop on Mondays at lunch time for the weeks breakfast and lunch and keep it at work so there's no temptation for fast food.
So how'd I do?
1) I brought in a 32oz water bottle to work with me and so far this week I've accomplished polishing off two of these a day just at work. I continue to intake water though once I've gone home and at the gym so I'm easily accomplishing this task.
2) I have raised a little taskmaster and he keeps me on task for getting to the gym. I bought 10 kids passes for accountability and told him what days we are planning on going...he doesn't forget. I was reminded Monday and Tuesday were gym days (and we went) and last night had to offer affirmation that yes we were going as planned on Friday night and Saturday morning. 2X accomplished and then some as well as a 90 minute Hot Yoga class on Wednesday and 45 minute walk at lunch on Wednesday. All totaled a good workout week (unfortunately the scale is my nemesis right now and I got nothin' to show for it).
3) Mission accomplished and I only ate out once at lunch and that was my leftovers from Wednesday evening's eat out. To keep me on task with this, I've got a co-worker who needs motivation too, so we now have grocery shopping on our calendars for Monday's together to hold each other accountable.
For the weekend I'm looking forward to getting my first run in, in a month, due to the injury issues, I've had to not run. So looking forward to the elliptical and a swim tonight, then gym and run tomorrow and either gym and run on Sunday or Hot Yoga and run on Sunday. I'll reset the clock of accountability and head into next week. If you need a work out buddy or some motivation, let me know! I'm always looking to give it and it's the one time I don't mind having my advice or motivation thrown back into my face...if I can't practice it I shouldn't be preaching it.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
If you have seen my lost MOJO, please return as soon as possible
Yeah, okay...well, Mojo seems to have taken a vacation or gone on strike or something, cuz I've totally lost it. I biked to work last Sunday, felt great and then could not get motivated to workout at all...to make matters worse I had a week of junkfood.
So it's Sunday, the start of a new week and hopefully new motivation. Last night I bought a bag of chicken, some brown rice and will fix my lunches for the week. Got some sweet potatoes and apples/bananas for snacks. I know if I can get myself back in a groove I can commit to this, but I've got no accountability going, apparently even to myself. I started a new motivation poster yesterday and instead of putting it where I'll never look at it, I put it where I can't help but look at it every morning...
I still want to do tris next spring and summer so I know at some point I really need to swim but the pool is really a difficult option with their hours. So I'm going to make mini goals for the week.
So it's Sunday, the start of a new week and hopefully new motivation. Last night I bought a bag of chicken, some brown rice and will fix my lunches for the week. Got some sweet potatoes and apples/bananas for snacks. I know if I can get myself back in a groove I can commit to this, but I've got no accountability going, apparently even to myself. I started a new motivation poster yesterday and instead of putting it where I'll never look at it, I put it where I can't help but look at it every morning...
I still want to do tris next spring and summer so I know at some point I really need to swim but the pool is really a difficult option with their hours. So I'm going to make mini goals for the week.
- Lose from the 157.6lbs to 155lbs
- Run 10 miles
- Bike 1 hour (on the trainer)
- 3 cross-training workouts.
I don't think these are unreasonable goals and am going to start my chicken & rice, then go for a 30 minute run...outside while the gettin' outside is as the rain has stopped for a tiny bit.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Back at it or Starting to Listen to my Inner Parent
So after the revelations from my last post, which was made after my swim last Tuesday, I had a week to refocus and decide what I was going to do. I did the half last Monday, swam with Jeff on Tuesday, forced myself onto the treadmill Wednesday, ran with Jeff on Thursday, yoga on Friday and did a swim while camping on Saturday. All in all, not a bad week, but there's no real strength building there for one. My arms were actually sore on Wednesday from the swim, hello? Not so bad on Sunday from Saturday's swim, but it didn't feel quite as much of a work out at Tuesday did. And to make matters worse, I gained weight. I swear everytime I do an event I gain weight the week after because I reward myself with really unhealthy food.
So to get started again: Today's weight was 157.4lbs and my BMI is 30.7 which counts as obese.
I've laid out a plan for the week and thankfully the Biggest Loser and Survivor start this week which are always great to work out to.
Monday: I calibrated my new Nike+ sensor finally so I have two, one for each pair of shoes. Then I ran 2.3 miles at a pace of 13:02/mile
After that I got started on the Gleason Gym Boxing Workout for Women. I've completed the 4 week program before and did lose weight and the punishment I get to unleash on the bag is great so I'm up for doing it again. I did the week one, day one workout today which included:
6' jumping rope
3' of running the cross, 1' rest
3' of running the circle, 1' rest
3 x 8 jump squats
3 x 5 alligator pushups
3 x 10 side scissors
3 x 10 crunches
Accomplished it all in under 1.5 hours.
Tomorrow's goal will include yoga at lunch, then while watching the newest season of the Biggest Loser...a 30' run, then week one, day two of the boxing workout. And no more weighing in until I've completed the four week program.
So to get started again: Today's weight was 157.4lbs and my BMI is 30.7 which counts as obese.
I've laid out a plan for the week and thankfully the Biggest Loser and Survivor start this week which are always great to work out to.
Monday: I calibrated my new Nike+ sensor finally so I have two, one for each pair of shoes. Then I ran 2.3 miles at a pace of 13:02/mile
After that I got started on the Gleason Gym Boxing Workout for Women. I've completed the 4 week program before and did lose weight and the punishment I get to unleash on the bag is great so I'm up for doing it again. I did the week one, day one workout today which included:
6' jumping rope
3' of running the cross, 1' rest
3' of running the circle, 1' rest
3 x 8 jump squats
3 x 5 alligator pushups
3 x 10 side scissors
3 x 10 crunches
Accomplished it all in under 1.5 hours.
Tomorrow's goal will include yoga at lunch, then while watching the newest season of the Biggest Loser...a 30' run, then week one, day two of the boxing workout. And no more weighing in until I've completed the four week program.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Official Results
Drum Roll Please! The goal was 2 hours, 59 minutes and 59 seconds. Previous personal best for the half marathon was 3 hours 4 minutes and some change. I wasn't just looking to break that! And I did! 2 hours and 50 minutes on the nose. And that was gun time, there was no chip time for this race. I'm a bit sore the day after and all those people who said,"oh, this is a flat, fast course." All I can say is,"LIARS, LIARS, LIARS." The race starts on an incline, then you get flat and some downhills until you get to mile 7 which was a beeyotch...then rolling hills (whatever that's supposed to mean) from miles 8-10, then down and flat on the way back. After 10 it took me to 11 to get my legs back, then 11 and 12 were not horrible, 12.5 stuck to the run walk plan and then ran out the last .5 mile, passing all the people that had already finished and were heading back to their cars.
Learned a lot about myself. I understand now why I've been unable to meet my goals in the past. It helped immensely to have the Jeffinator (Jeff Moore, my running buddy, swim buddy, all around work out buddy & he makes awesome wine & beer) run with me. He was convinced he couldn't finish in under 3 hours, I knew he could so I knew if I could keep pace with him, I'd finish in under 3 hours. We stuck together the whole time and he ran in the whole last mile, finishing 3 minutes ahead of me.
So lessons learned: Uhm, you can't quit if you feel a little exertion. I'm not talking pain, I'm talking exertion. I realized what I had been doing in the past and that was not pushing myself. I've put the hours in for the training and could accomplish the distances but was never going to meet my time goals cuz I just gave up when it got too hard. Having Jeff there showed me that, because I was having trouble keeping up with him for the second half of the race. I finally stepped outside of the comfort zone and said to myself that it might be a little uncomfortable right now, but you're not going to get to the finish line by your goal if you don't test yourself. So the correlation here is simple, it's the whole reason I'm not losing weight either. It's like saying, I walked on the treadmill for two hours last night and then leaving off the part that it was set on 1 mph. Or saying you did the stationary bike for two hours but you never even got it going fast enough for the power to kick on. I can push myself and need to, so this winter isn't going to be about accomplishing an endurance race, like a half or full marathon. It's going to be about getting stronger mentally and physically. Becoming a more efficient swimmer. Spending more time exerting myself on the bike. Speed drills on the treadmill, to get faster at the shorter distances, then at Christmas, I'll start to build the distance to go with the speed. Finally, strength. I'm weak, the hills totally kicked my butt and it doesn't matter if it's running or riding. I can go all day on the flats, but if you get a .5% grade I start huffing it. I'm 36 and haven't smoked for years, so there's no reason why I shouldn't be more capable.
Tonight, I had a great swim with Jeff too. Something I would never dreamed I'd do. It was 60-65F outside, the water was freaking cold, but I went out hard for the first 300 meters across and got there in 13 minutes. Then on the way back, did some mentally challenging things like swimming with my face in the water. It was the first time I'd even used my goggles for looking down. I have a lot of obstacles to overcome this winter and I hope to challenge them all and accomplish 4 tris and maybe 2 or 3 half marathons, as well as some 5K and 10K races.
CARPE DIEM! Funny it sounds cliche' but always appropriate!
Learned a lot about myself. I understand now why I've been unable to meet my goals in the past. It helped immensely to have the Jeffinator (Jeff Moore, my running buddy, swim buddy, all around work out buddy & he makes awesome wine & beer) run with me. He was convinced he couldn't finish in under 3 hours, I knew he could so I knew if I could keep pace with him, I'd finish in under 3 hours. We stuck together the whole time and he ran in the whole last mile, finishing 3 minutes ahead of me.
So lessons learned: Uhm, you can't quit if you feel a little exertion. I'm not talking pain, I'm talking exertion. I realized what I had been doing in the past and that was not pushing myself. I've put the hours in for the training and could accomplish the distances but was never going to meet my time goals cuz I just gave up when it got too hard. Having Jeff there showed me that, because I was having trouble keeping up with him for the second half of the race. I finally stepped outside of the comfort zone and said to myself that it might be a little uncomfortable right now, but you're not going to get to the finish line by your goal if you don't test yourself. So the correlation here is simple, it's the whole reason I'm not losing weight either. It's like saying, I walked on the treadmill for two hours last night and then leaving off the part that it was set on 1 mph. Or saying you did the stationary bike for two hours but you never even got it going fast enough for the power to kick on. I can push myself and need to, so this winter isn't going to be about accomplishing an endurance race, like a half or full marathon. It's going to be about getting stronger mentally and physically. Becoming a more efficient swimmer. Spending more time exerting myself on the bike. Speed drills on the treadmill, to get faster at the shorter distances, then at Christmas, I'll start to build the distance to go with the speed. Finally, strength. I'm weak, the hills totally kicked my butt and it doesn't matter if it's running or riding. I can go all day on the flats, but if you get a .5% grade I start huffing it. I'm 36 and haven't smoked for years, so there's no reason why I shouldn't be more capable.
Tonight, I had a great swim with Jeff too. Something I would never dreamed I'd do. It was 60-65F outside, the water was freaking cold, but I went out hard for the first 300 meters across and got there in 13 minutes. Then on the way back, did some mentally challenging things like swimming with my face in the water. It was the first time I'd even used my goggles for looking down. I have a lot of obstacles to overcome this winter and I hope to challenge them all and accomplish 4 tris and maybe 2 or 3 half marathons, as well as some 5K and 10K races.
CARPE DIEM! Funny it sounds cliche' but always appropriate!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Injury-Free (well, less anyway)
I am amazed how an injury can totally derail me. I don't know how professional athletes do it, well except that they don't have to "work" while re-habbing. But after my 12 miler last weekend and my foot was killing me, I was totally done. It really had started before that. The pain had been lingering and just making me dread the running. But what I learned last week that I felt really guilty and anxious all week for not working out. It also didn't help that work was super busy and our extra hands in the house were gone. So my schedule wasn't as flexible as I'm used to. Well all excuses aside, I haven't been getting it done.
So what do I do now? Well hopefully I didn't overdo it today, we'll see how I feel tomorrow. I won't run tomorrow, but I would like to get a ride in, if possible. I'll bus to work, then home, and hopefully get a 12 mile ride in the evening. The garage is back in winter mode, which means the workout gear is all accessible. I took advantage of that tonight and did my second run for the day on the treadmill.
So this week's goals, which I'm going to make flexible as I don't want to derail when I miss something:
3 more runs
2 rides
1 swim
1 yoga & some cross-training.
I want to start working in more cross training to build strength over the winter and work on increasing speed, not distance for the running.
We'll see how it goes, another busy week at work but I'm going to work on managing my time better and getting workouts in early instead of late!
So what do I do now? Well hopefully I didn't overdo it today, we'll see how I feel tomorrow. I won't run tomorrow, but I would like to get a ride in, if possible. I'll bus to work, then home, and hopefully get a 12 mile ride in the evening. The garage is back in winter mode, which means the workout gear is all accessible. I took advantage of that tonight and did my second run for the day on the treadmill.
So this week's goals, which I'm going to make flexible as I don't want to derail when I miss something:
3 more runs
2 rides
1 swim
1 yoga & some cross-training.
I want to start working in more cross training to build strength over the winter and work on increasing speed, not distance for the running.
We'll see how it goes, another busy week at work but I'm going to work on managing my time better and getting workouts in early instead of late!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Wasting away
So as you can see from the lack of blogs things are not going as well as I'd hoped as the last time I blogged was the 4th. Food tracking has completely gone out the door, fortunately the working out bit isn't completely gone.
My interval run last week went really well and I was hoping to get one in this week, but with my work picking up I'm finding it hard to fit in the length of time it would take to do 14 intervals, thus, tonight I'm just going to go out for a one hour run.
We went to the Olympic Peninsula for the weekend and I did get a 4 mile run in on Friday after we got to Sequim. It was beautiful as usual. The sun was out and setting on the mountains and I ran along the river. On Saturday after finding our campsite and pitching our tent we went out on the beach for awhile but unfortunately it was raining and cold so we went back to the campsite and sat by the fire for the rest of the evening. On Sunday though we totally lucked out and as we were cleaning up our camp-site (where it rained all night long) the sun came out. We packed it up & headed back to Rialto beach where we hiked for 3 hours (for a total of 3 miles). We climbed out on the rocks and checked out the tidal pools, saw sea anemones and barnacle hotels. It was amazing! Of course afterwards it took us about 6 hours to get home.
As for since then, nada...I haven't gotten in one workout. Monday was to be an off day, then Tuesday I was going to bike to work and do intervals in the evening (neither happened) and now I'm on Wednesday where I was supposed to bike to work and then have the evening off from working out (now I WILL get a run in). Tomorrow, hopefully I can bike to work as my 8am telecon with Copenhagen has been cancelled. And I'm running at lunch with Jeff. Friday will be an off day & Saturday is usually a long day but since Jeff is willing to run with me on Sunday I'll get a 1 hour run in & do my long one with him on Sunday. Hopefully Saturday the weather will be really sucky too and I can go out on the lake and no one else will be there.
My interval run last week went really well and I was hoping to get one in this week, but with my work picking up I'm finding it hard to fit in the length of time it would take to do 14 intervals, thus, tonight I'm just going to go out for a one hour run.
We went to the Olympic Peninsula for the weekend and I did get a 4 mile run in on Friday after we got to Sequim. It was beautiful as usual. The sun was out and setting on the mountains and I ran along the river. On Saturday after finding our campsite and pitching our tent we went out on the beach for awhile but unfortunately it was raining and cold so we went back to the campsite and sat by the fire for the rest of the evening. On Sunday though we totally lucked out and as we were cleaning up our camp-site (where it rained all night long) the sun came out. We packed it up & headed back to Rialto beach where we hiked for 3 hours (for a total of 3 miles). We climbed out on the rocks and checked out the tidal pools, saw sea anemones and barnacle hotels. It was amazing! Of course afterwards it took us about 6 hours to get home.
As for since then, nada...I haven't gotten in one workout. Monday was to be an off day, then Tuesday I was going to bike to work and do intervals in the evening (neither happened) and now I'm on Wednesday where I was supposed to bike to work and then have the evening off from working out (now I WILL get a run in). Tomorrow, hopefully I can bike to work as my 8am telecon with Copenhagen has been cancelled. And I'm running at lunch with Jeff. Friday will be an off day & Saturday is usually a long day but since Jeff is willing to run with me on Sunday I'll get a 1 hour run in & do my long one with him on Sunday. Hopefully Saturday the weather will be really sucky too and I can go out on the lake and no one else will be there.
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