Sunday, August 30, 2009

Bring it On

I decided to join in two challenges. Nothing like a challenge to get me motivated, especially when it is one with a plan. The challenges are:
The Hundred Push up Challenge
The Two Hundred Squat Challenge

Tonight I am doing the initial test and I will do the first week on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. For the second week I hope to be on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule, but due to a stomach virus I was not able to do the initial test on Saturday and therefore was unable to start workouts until Tuesday.

Initial test results:

Push-ups 5

Squats 60

There is one other challenge out there, the two hundred sit-up challenge, but I decided not to do this one because when I tried to do the initial test it caused my neck and back to hurt. I tried twice and decided that I must not be performing the sit up properly so it was in my best interest not to keep trying and hurt myself. Crunches have always hurt my back, which is why I normally do them only on the ball. Maybe once I buy a new ball, my cat put a hole in mine, I will try the sit up challenge on the ball.

Between me and my kids being sick I did not write often last week, but I did want to mention that after work on Wednesday I was really tired. I debated back and forth as to whether or not I was going to go home and take a nap or go to the gym and workout. When I got home I went straight to the fridge looking for something to eat even though I was not hungry. I then shut the fridge, grabbed my gym bag and left. I did forty minutes of cardio at the gym and afterwards I felt a lot more energized then a nap would have done. I was so proud of myself.

Here is my workout plan for this week:

Monday: Run 2 miles

Tuesday: Cross training 40-45 minutes Workout 1 of Squat and Push up challenge

Wednesday: Run 1 mile race pace

Thursday: Workout 2 of Squat and Push up challenge

Friday: Run 2.5 miles

Saturday: Run 30 min. EZ Workout 3 of Squat and Push up challenge

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

On the Run

Today I went for my 2 mile run I was supposed to do yesterday. It was so liberating!! Why do I try to get out of running all the time. Once I am out there I usually enjoy it. It is very rare that I don't. I felt so energized afterwards. Not to mention I was very proud of myself. That is such a beautiful feeling. Maybe I should make that a goal to strive for. To find something, no matter how little, to do that makes me proud of myself. It doesn't even have to be food or exercise related. Yep I think I am going to start adding that into my blog every time, maybe at the end.

My eating was really good today. I am tempted to go into the kitchen right now and just devour anything I can easily get my hands on. I am instead sitting in the other room typing and drinking water. One day at a time, one meal at a time, one decision at a time. I think that is what helped me battle my binging before. I took everything one decision at a time. If I overate at lunch I would make better choices the rest of the day. It seems these days if I do something that is not part of my planned program, then I throw in the towel until the next day.

What I am proud of today:
-I ran 2 miles
-I didn't eat the m&m's that seemed to be calling me
-I had dinner ready in the crockpot when I got home
-I did all the dishes and cleaned the kitchen after dinner
-I put the basket of clean clothes away
-I put a load of laundry in the washer

WOW! I got a lot of things accomplished today, and I don't feel stressed or tired.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Farwell

A coworker past away over the weekend.  There may be alot of us at work, but we are family.  This wonderful lady started many years (more than 5) before me.  I don't know work any other way than with her there.  She will be missed!  I pray for strength for her family during this difficult time and hope the knowledge that she is in a better place gives them some comfort.  Her laugh and uniqe carm will always echo in the halls at work.  Goodbye.  You are missed already.  Your memory will forever bring a smile to all who knew you. 

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Workout Plan For the Week

Here is my workout plan for this week:

Monday: Run 2 miles

Tuesday: Cross training 40-45 min.  Strength training

Wednesday: Rest

Thursday: Run 1 mile race pace

Friday: strength training

Saturday: Run 2.5 miles

Sunday: Run 30 mins. easy run

Hopefully I can stick with this plan this week.  That will be my one goal that I will focus on for the week.

Take a Hike

Saturday I went with one of my sisters to Leadville for a nice hike at Turquoise Lake. It was a wonderful day that made me wonder why have I wasted so many years sitting around doing nothing when I love being outside. I know the fat me was afraid to be "seen" by others. Now with the responsibilities of my family I can't just go and do things like this, but when I didn't have those responsibilities why didn't I? I also thought about how at home the kitchen needed cleaned, the laundry was piled to the sky, and how was I ever going to catch up? Then I realized do any of those things matter in the end. When I die will I remember how messy my house was yesterday, or the wonderful time I had hiking, spending time with my sister, enjoying nature, and just having fun doing something I enjoy. I think the answer is pretty clear. I am not my mother, I do not need to have a spotless house to be happy, and neither does my husband or my children. We need to live each day like there is no tomorrow and have fun doing meaningful things that we enjoy and will remember for a lifetime.

Sorry I'm stepping off my soap box. How about a short picture recap






The trail







The Lake





The views







The trail again



Leadville in the distance

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

free day no more

What is it they say, "if you want to make God laugh, just tell him your plans"? Just when I thought I had it all figured out I got thrown a curve ball. On my way home from work yesterday my daycare provider called to tell me my daughter had something wrong. Turns out she has a nasty virus that comes with fever and blisters in her mouth and throat. My plan for the day was to take the day off because I have my annual check up. I was going to take the kids to daycare since I will be charged for the day any ways. I was going to get in a long run, clean the house, pull weeds, and maybe get caught up with laundry. Now the only part of my plan that I got to keep was my Dr. appointment. Instead I am home trying to comfort my poor little girl and keep her as comfortable as possible. Her fussiness comes and goes as the Motrin wears off. Last night we got very little sleep. After rushing to get her to her Dr. before they closed, I had no energy to cook. So my hubby offered to pick up pizza, which I had four slices of. I can't forget to mention that the doctor suggest ice cream for my little girl so I got some for her and myself on the way home. Then I chose to hold my little girl instead of going to the gym. Tonight, since my hubby won't be home, there is no chance of getting a run or any cardio in.

Now with the stress of a fussy little girl and not getting in a good nights rest I could have just thrown in the towel for today as well, but I have not. I made a great pizza quesadilla for lunch. Next time I make it I will take pictures and write a recipe. Its just to crazy today.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

tuesday turmoil

Wow its been a while. A lot has gone on since my last post. I have had some good days, and some real bad ones as well. I ran my 2nd 5k on Friday night. I did way better than I expected. I finished in 35:17, that is 4 seconds faster than my first race. The results they sent me are as follows: "You placed 469th out of 742 finishers in a time of 35:17 for a pace of 11:22 per mile.Out of 417 women you finished 210th. The winning time for women was 17:51.For 30 to 39 year old women you were 37th out of 69 finishers. The winning time for your age and sex was 17:51." The course was quite a bit more difficult. It started with a huge hill right at the beginning. I ran the entire course.

Work is crazy right now, I don't even know what position I will be in a month from now. I guess I should just be thankful that I will still have a job (trust me I am, it is just a lot of change at once and someone else is in charge of my destiny).

Enough about that, it is time to lay out my goals for this week. Since I did not eat right or exercise yesterday this could be difficult.
1.) Get in at least 4 out of 5 of my running workouts in. I am going to Leadville on Saturday to hike with my sister, so that will be a good workout, but I don't want to run that morning before hand and be worn out all day.

2.)Strength training twice

3.)Log all food Tuesday thru Friday

4.)Try to think positive whenever I have a negative thought about myself

5.)Have fun, play with kids, try to be as healthy as I can so I can be around for them for as long as I can. You always needed your mommy no matter how old you are. I want to be there when my kids become grandparents!

The battery in my scale is dying, and since the number seems to be upsetting me this time, I think I am going to try not to weigh myself at all for the next two weeks, or even the next month. I've got to go make lunches and get this day started.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

sensational sunday

Had a great day today. We went to store and got some produce, cleaned house, and got most of the laundry done. I did all this and got some snacks packed up into serving sizes. Actually I put almonds into serving size baggies, and made up some apple pie oatmeal (http://greenlitebites.com/2009/03/18/homemade-apple-pie-oatmeal/) ingredients into baggies so all i have to do is add water and heat. I went for my 30 minute easy run today. It is almost ten and I still have like 248 calories left. I know I didn't make any of my goals from last week, but after reading an article about how setting goals can cause us to do worse when we don't make them made me decide to try just one goal for this week. My goal is just to live the healthiest week possible and to focus on taking care of myself so I am here for a long time for my son and daughter. I am very important to them and I am worth taking care of.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

busy saturday

Well my week has not been the best. I made some very bad choice the past few days. I have let stress get the best of all my hard work. I really need to find a different outlet. Ever since I quite smoking 5 years ago I have turned to food, with the exception of when I got skinny the last time. I wish I could find that motivation I had before. I know being around for a long time for my son was a big factor, so why are both my kids not enough of a motivator now? I keep asking myself this. Oh well, enough said it is time to move on.

Today has been a real good day. I woke up early and ran the two miles I was supposed to. :). Lab was not obeying again. I don't think I will take her again until my hubby works with her. I had to go to Grandma's and have lunch out with her, my younger sister, and my niece and nephew. I knew we would probably go to Country Buffet, we usually do with Grandma. I did really good I had BBQ chicken, salad, some potatoes, and some sesame chicken. I did have dessert, I deserved it. Just one small piece of plain cheesecake and a little orange sherbet. Then for dinner, by the time the kids and I got home, and the hubby got home from golf it was dinner time and I had nothing planned. We also needed to desperately go grocery shopping. I thought Village Inn would be a good choice. I had the veggie omelet with egg substitute and only two of the whole wheat pancakes. I probably went over on calories but at least I made the good choices. This is a big step in the right direction. I was going to go do my strength training tonight and tan a little at the gym, but by the time we got home from grocery shopping and got them put away, it was after ten. So I am going to sit and have a drink, yes alcohol, which I never have. It has been a rough day with the kids, and I just want to relax. Tomorrow I will wake up early again and run. Later on in the day I will go to the gym.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Manic Monday

Weigh In : 161 +1

All I can say for the one pound gain is I think it is all water weight. I barely drank any water Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. I have drank tons of water the past two days and have hardly had to pee at all. Yesterday's calories went well. I ended the day with "if every day were like today you would lose 1.3 pounds a week. You would reach your goal on 12/10/2009. Not bad. Today I stuck to my workout plan and went to the gym did my strength routine, and did my 40 mins. of cross training for my running program. :) I met my water goal (72 oz) both yesterday and today. As long as I don't grab any snacks on my way to bed, today will end with "if every day were like today you would lose 1.3 pounds a week. You would reach your goal on 12/11/2009. I am so proud of myself. It is late and I need some sleep.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Sunday

Wow, who could ask for a better day off. I woke up early and went for a run. Today I was scheduled for an easy 30 min run. The weather was beautiful! Then run seemed very effortless. I run on a recreation trail through town and today there were lots of other runners. For once I felt like I belonged. My only complaint is that my lab, shadow, is being less and less obedient. She tried to pull me down the trail for the majority of the run. It used to be she would run right next to me. Guess it time to take her back to school for a refresher course. A few hours after my run the hubby and I pulled weeds for a good hour. They are thriving with the wet summer we are having. Nothing seems to be working to keep them away. Later tonight when the hubby and the boy get home from the rodeo I will go to the gym and do my strength training routine. Talk about an active day!





Food wise I did awesome as well. I have already reached my water goal for the day plus some. I still have 47 calories left to lose 1.8 lbs a week, the maximum safe, and 438 calories left to lose 1 lb a week. Yesterday I ended the day a few calories shy of the calories to lose 1.8 lbs. The only bad item in my journal is my sodium intake is over 3800. The daily recommended limit is 25oo mg. This is no surprise as sodium is usually one of the areas I always get a frownie face for. One thing at a time. I am slowly making my way there. When I first started logging it used to be 6000 and above.



I thought I should set up some goals for the week to come. For me I count Monday as the first day of the week. This is also the day I weigh in.



1.) Log food everyday no matter how bad it may be. Just because I didn't log it doesn't mean I didn't eat it.



2.) Make every scheduled workout on my running program



3.) Do strength training at least twice.



4.) Try one new food or recipe



Since i didn't have any goals last week I can't review how I did, but I can list what I did right this last week. I hope to do this every Sunday as well with a minimum of three thing each week.



1.) I said no to a burrito Monday morning



2.) I ate according to plan Saturday and Sunday



3.) I made 4 out of 5 of my scheduled workouts for my running program.



4.) I starting blogging even though I was afraid to.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Day One

I suppose my first post should talk a little more about myself. I first started my weight loss journey in January of 2005. I had 54 pounds to lose. I finally reached that goal in August 2007. In September of that year I became pregnant with my second child. I had every intention of exercising and continuing to eat healthy through out my pregnancy, but I was so exhaused that I stopped exercising and eating dinner out became the norm. So fast foward to today and I now have 35 pounds to lose again. My daughter is now 13 months old and my weight has stayed about the same for the last year. I stopped breastfeeding a few weeks ago and I am finally started to return to the energy level I was at before I was pregnant.

I recently finished the couch to 5k program, and ran my first 5k on July 25 with a time of 35:21. My goal was 38 minuates. I had so much fun that I am planning on running another 5k on August 14. I am starting a new running training program for beginners that is a step above the c25k program. I found it on about.com. I also found a strength training program that I started this week. I am the type of person who needs a plan or else I am lost.

I use an online food journal program to count calories. The first time I lost weight I did it using weight watchers. I believe in weight watchers, but my goal is also healthy eating and by counting calorie I can also track other thing like sodium, fat, protein and such. When I counted points I would sometimes pass on healthy items that were too many points, such as avocados and almonds. My hope is that by blogging about my journey I will learn more about myself and be more accountable to stay on the right path.

Read this online earlier today. I think it is a good motto to live life by and for my journey

Aspire to inspire before you expire