Wednesday, March 31, 2010

2 milestones in 24 hours!

I completed my first 25 minute run! yea. It wasn't pretty, but I kept my speed from 5.2 to 4.6 the whole way. I was definately tired at the end, but as has been my habit completed the rest of the 5k walking. I am averaging under 45 minutes on a regular basis now, so that is an improvement. 2- 3 more times of running 25 minutes before I have to increase again.

Then I came home to an empty house (that never happens), made myself some leftovers and proceeded to feel very ill. NOT happy at all. Luckily (or unluckily) this typically means the arrival of TOM. Great timing - not as my MIL was about to walk in the door. Medicated and powered on though.

THEN this morning my weight had a 5 in it. As in 159.5. Woo Hoo! I still have that cute little computer bag sitting waiting for me to hit 155. Getting there way slower then I want to, but I am also eating at a level I can sustain and not feeling hungary all the time. So that is critial to making this a life choice rather then just for this summer, or my reunion etc. Running every other day is a goal that I have committed to, so I am a little worried when I run out of C25K program. Cross that goal when we get there. I only have about 18 passes left at the rec center and then I can buy a monthly program (I bought passes for when I lapse - which I majorly did before - so I don't lose my investment). There are a ton of good classes that I should/could take to get the tummy and arms involved in this revolution.

how did you do today?

Monday, March 29, 2010

Keep Moving...

That seems to be the only goal I can achieve lately. My to do list runnth over, my mental list is even bigger (I don't dare write it down!). I can't control that so much, but what I can do it to take things one step at a time. I have had to prioritize by due date - something I try not to do because then I finish things just prior to the due date and not before.

One thing I cannot put off is my goal to move more and eat better! Due to some stressful encounters with my daughter, I did a little bit of drinking this weekend. (after she finally fell asleep) Not more then 2 drinks, but it makes the snacking come on. So there were some tortilla chips. Maybe more then a few. Eliminating late night snacking alone could shed some pounds! So there is a goal.
Couch to 5k - still plugging along. I ran W6 day 1 and 2 with no problems. Day 3 (a 25 minute run) was a little more challenging. I ran in the morning, which I rarely do, but we were already at the rec center for the kids swimming lessons. I ran the first 10 minutes, walked for about 2.5 minutes and then started running to finish. I was thinking about giving up after the first 10, but then said to myself - that is just dumb - you know you have run 20 minutes in a row - get going! (yes there is a lot of self talk going on during these runs!) So I finished strong. Week 7 is all 25 minute runs, no intervals, so I get to get right back on and try again (tomorrow). Goal: do it!
Looking for a challenge - Jill and I are co-hosting the 100 mile challenge. New this round- pick your poison 100, 200 or even 300 miles in 3 months! Check out 100milefitness.blogspot.com to sign up! Goal: sign up - I did, will you?

Another success is that I signed up my son and I for the frst 5k I am going to RUN in April. Got to get through the next 3 weeks of running and I will be ready to go. Wonder when I can call myself a runner? :)

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

I did it!

No suspense there! I made 20 minutes and didn't feel too bad at the end. What I do know is that I can't do math and run at the same time! That is why I love the podcasts that are available to do all that fun stuff for me. Next round is more intervals and then a 25 minute run. I might be able to run the 5k I signed up for with my son in April. Run the 5k, not walk. :) Mentally I am still feeling like a poser, but I am actually doing the work, so let's hope I see the results.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Gearing up

Today is my 20 minute run.  I have been focused on water all morning long and now have to go to the bathroom way more then normal - but at least I am getting up from my desk. It is raining outside, so this is definately a treadmill day. eating wasn't horrible, but wasn't great this weekend - mostly the carrot cake Sat night - blah. I cut back on almonds - because while good for you, I could eat them all day long! Feeling very full right now, but I plan to head to the rec center in about 3 hours, so should be good to go. I am working on a positive attitude for this run.
No 30 day shred this weekend as I have family in town and taking up the family room to get all sweaty is just not a hospitable option at the moment.
Wish me luck!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

9 days.... but they have been fun!

ok - 9 days since my last post - I hate it when bloggers do that! Don't they know we are out there waiting for their newest thoughts and adventures. So what have I been up to?

I worked out 7 of the last 9 days in some capacity. (I am counting 1 day of just tourist walking - but the rest is valid!)
I completed week 4 of the couch to 5k and did day 1 of week 5 yesterday. That included 2 days of failed attempts, but I kept going and am looking forward to conquering W5D2 which is 2 8 minute runs. Then comes the dreaded 20 minute run. I figure if I can do that, the rest is just keeping on.

I have not gained or lost any weight. Is this frustrating - very. I had that bizarro week the end of Feb that was related to PMS - but that 5 lb lose has stayed lost. If I only lose weight during that week of the month, I am not sure I can keep up my efforts!! Goodness - doesn't my body know there is a reunion, shorts weather, swim season and all sorts of other good reasons to dump some of this weight? Plus I AM running - ok maybe jogging- 3-4 times a week. Runners are skinny. I want my skinny too!

Between run days I am going back to the 30 day shred. Getting some arms in, which is oh so important! No new veggie this week. We were just beat from being away all weekend. I did get a costco box of spinish that we used in a pasta dish and have been using for salads. I also signed us up for a half share of a co-op, so we will have fresh veggies during the summer to check out, delivered each week.

the weather is fine - but my body is not ready!

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Family Meet the Artichoke

So this week's veggie was artichokes. I didn't really think the kids would go for it, so I only bought 3 at the store on Sunday. I decided to cook them tonight since we were just have sausage and potatoes. Boiled them up and taught everyone how to eat them. Well they were somewhat of a hit. I have to say I was surprised, but everyone dug in and kept at it. I was so proud!

Yesterday I didn't work out (Sat was a rest day- so I definately wasn't due!) but I wasn't feeling great and decided to just take a break. A slippery slope, but I did manage to get dressed and go for a "run". I say that because I didn't run all of Week 4 Day 2. I did day 1 fine on the treadmill, but outside seemed harder for some reason. It was so nice out, it seemed a shame to spend money on going to the rec center, but I am not feeling good about the results.
Tomorrow is a new day.

I have not lost any weight since my giant loss, so that is discouraging, but you never know when another breakthough will come. I have a cute bag waiting for me in 5 more pounds!

Monday, March 8, 2010

Status March 8, 2010

well after a fantastic week the end of Feb, I have managed to keep stable. In some ways that is a victory, but I was a little disappointed since I worked with a personal trainer or was running my Week 3 of the C25K plan all week. (Saturday was my rest day) Thursday and Friday I went a little over board on my snacks and had alcohol, so that could be the difference. That being said I want to eat and drink in a way that is sustainable. Leave the "dieting" to the boring weekdays when nothing exciting is going on. Take this week for example, no evening plans at all.

100 mile challenge - (2/26-3/5) 17 miles for a total of 134 to date. I doubt I will make it to 200 by the end of March (it will be close), but have been continuing to move!
Weight has been from 160-161. So my fears of shooting back up to 165 seem to be just that, fears.

Personal Trainer

Personal training seems like a good fit for me. I have to make an appointment - so someone is waiting for me. There is someone to do the thinking/counting for me - which I am convinced as to why I didn't complete the C25K challenge previously and I sweat. All good things. My Wednesday workout was focused around boxing, which I have wanted to try. It was "hard" in that I couldn't complete the reps, but it did make me sweat and I liked the trainer. Friday's workout was with another new trainer (they have 4 at this place) and it introduced me to kettle bells. He had me to a circuit of 4 exercises - some kind of body lift, squats, kettle bell swing and ellipical. 15 reps, 12 reps and then 9 reps. Kettlebell killed me. Other then that I was fine. However, I felt this workout the most the next day. I had to keep the obligitory sell session on Friday and gave the owner some feedback she didn't seem to happy to hear. Basically I didn't feel like my sessions ever hit the 45 minute mark. If I was paying over 60.00 a session, I would have been more aggressive about it, but I thought she should know. Yea, didn't take that well. Hrm, might have to rethink my decision to go there next fall once the weather starts to cool off.

Overall though, I felt like I had a good experience, but maybe wasn't pushed very hard. It is a little hard to guage because I had a new trainer each time and I am sure they don't go hard core on the newbies as to not scare them off. At this point I am thinking I will look into the rec center and what they have to offer.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Misc

So many things to catch up on this week.
First- I ended the week at 160. yes 160. 5 lbs in 1 weeks. Did I really lose 5 lbs in one week - no way! but that is what my body told the scale. Let's just say the three of us are not in a circle of trust. So far this week I have bounced from 160.5 to 161. That I will take. Let's not see 165 again!!
Second - I had a coupon from a personal training place for 3 free workouts. Well of course I was going to take them up on that. So I started on Monday, have a session at lunch today and am squeezing in the last one on Friday despite my crazy week. First was was good. I felt like I worked out, but didn't see that it was much different then a good session at the rec center. Which by the way I plan to talk to and see what their personal trainer run. I am still all over the place with a plan, but I am working out, so that is the point right? Anyways this place sells 20 and 40 visit packages, averaging about 65-69 dollars per visit. That was a big number to see in writing. I just don't think I am there at this point in time (see kitchen designs) and with the warm weather coming, there will be a) more time issues b) more things to do outside. So not looking forward to that conversation, but maybe next winter.
Third - veggies. My DH is great in that he plans and shops for all the food for dinners.  We eat out pretty rarely, so this isn't a small feat. We do our best to expose the kids to food they will eat, but isn't kid food. We cook out of the weight watchers cookbooks quite a bit, but let's face it a little distorted portions and it doesn't matter if it is weight watchers or not. Anyways to my point. I did the shopping this week - good things too, cause he had forgotten quite a bit. Anyways, I am trying to bring new veggie options into the house. Few weeks ago I did Speghetti Squash, and this week I did cauliflower. First dinner I just steamed it. he didn't want any. :) Last night I got crazy and made cauliflower mash by adding milk, butter and a small amount of instant potato flakes. It wasn't really mash (I should have steamed the cf instead of boiling it) but it was still good. P declared it tasted like ice cream! ha! H didn't like it, but tried it, which is the rule around these parts.
Fourth - C25K progress. So far so good, except for my fail last night. I was to run Week 3, Day 2 and didn't feel like getting to the rec center after putting the kids to bed. I had seen that some people do it on the elliptical, so I thought I would try that. Fail. period, end of sentance. I was on it for 38 minutes (more then the 20 minutes of running) but didn't feel like anything other then an elliptical workout. blah. Plan is to run again on Thursday and if I get through it ok, I am just going to move on. how's that?
Fifth - MAJOR nacho craving last night. resisted. Almost stopped on the way up to bed to grab 2 girl scout cookies, resisted. applauding right? well I had red licorice and sweet tarts in the office, so it wasn't a completely sweet free day. I have a feeling those nachos will be happening before the week end though.

wow - that didn't take as long as I thought. So much going on in my head, but it doesn't always make it to the blog. make good decisions today. Don't worry about yesterday or tomorrow.