Yep, I fell off the running wagon. Between studying for my certification exam and an injury, I stopped trying for a while. My runs went from every few days to every couple weeks. The last run was done after a 4 week break. Despite going back to week two intervals, I was injured. My tibialis anterior threw a fit and would not allow me to walk without limping or going up on my toes. I rolled and massaged, but it just needed rest. The good news? I passed my exam (yay, I'm a certified personal trainer!!!), and my leg is all better now. I am going to restart (and finish) the C25K program, but before I restart it, I am going to do about a month of Walk Away the Pounds just to get my body used to moving again. I'm going to start with the two-mile walk and work up from there as appropriate. In the mean time, I remeasured myself so I have a new starting point. I also put in the differences from the first measurements I took six months ago. The new addition is the waist-hip ratio and body-fat (using the Body Fat Calculator app and these measurements).
Weight: 134.6 lbs (-5.65 lbs)
Neck: 13.25"
Bicep: 9.75" (-1.25")
Forearm: 9.5" (+2")
Chest: 35.25" (-1.25")
Abdomen: 31.75" (-1")
Hips: 36.5" (-0.75")
Thigh: 20.75" (+2.5")
Calves: 13.5" (-0.25")
Waist-hip: 0.87
Body fat: 28.82% (95.8 lbs lean, 38.8 lbs fat)
A healthy waist-hip ratio for women is 0.70-0.80. Right now, I'm on the verge of high risk for chronic health issues. Gotta change that.
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Monday, April 27, 2015
C25K Run #7
I'm still here and still alive! The run did not kill me! I just had a minor hiatus due to scheduling. *groan* Thing #2 was sick. Husband was working a lot. I was out of commission for a couple days. Crazy crazy. Glad to be up and running again (literally).
The run was actually on Saturday (the 25th). so it had been eight days between runs. Far too long! I was itching to get out there again (never thought I'd say that)! I contemplated repeating run #6's intervals one more time since it had been so long. In fact, I had selected that day on my app. For whatever reason, though, I changed it last minute back to #7. Why, oh why?
It was rough to say the absolute least. The intervals are now two sets of 90 sec run/90 sec walk and 3 min run/3 min walk. Doing that after not running (or doing much of any exercise whatsoever) for eight days? Brutal. But I did it! I ran the whole time for each interval! I did NOT stop! Granted, by the end of it, I was running like a wounded animal, but still--I ran the whole time! During the first 3 min interval, I almost pulled out my phone to see how much time was left. But I stopped myself. I knew that I was just looking for an out. "Oh, I made it 2 minutes, that's enough for this time." I stopped my brain from making excuses and made the choice to either run until I fell over or until the timer dinged. Well, the timer dinged, and if I had any spare breath, I would have yelled "Thank you, God!" But I had no breath, haha. I tell you what, my calves were NOT happy after that interval. They were screaming at me. If I had been a smidge dehydrated or had a bit less nutrition, I'm very certain my run would have stopped right then and there because of massive cramps.
For the second 3 min interval, my feet were barely coming off the ground, and I was going ridiculously slowly. But I was going. I didn't stop. I didn't give up. And I didn't trip over the flat ground. ;) I pushed through because I knew that was the last running interval and that I'd be only walking after that. My calves weren't nearly as angry after this one, but my tibialis anterior are still pretty sore (three days later).
Because the intervals changed, the workout was about 3 minutes shorter than previously. That combined with the fact that it had been 8 days since the last run, and that 1/3 of the run was uphill AND against strong winds means that my distance and pace were lacking compared to before.
Time: 28:20 (-3:17)
Distance: 1.74 mi (-0.31 mi)
Pace: 16:19 (-0:52)
The stats actually aren't that bad, especially considering the circumstance. I am more focused on the fact that, as I've stated numerous times already, I did it, and I didn't quit. I'm fully prepared to run again on Thursday (praying nothing gets in the way again!). Also, I am going to start walking between runs just to help stay moving. The big change with this run was that it completely wiped me out. In the past, I have craved nothing but carbs after my runs. This time, though, I was just out of commission. I ran in the mid-afternoon, and I had enough energy to keep the boys from tearing apart the house and to make sandwiches for dinner, and that was about it. I sat down with my snack when I got done running, and I tried to let my body relax. Yeah, bad idea. Instead of melting into the chair, my body tried to lay down.
The run was actually on Saturday (the 25th). so it had been eight days between runs. Far too long! I was itching to get out there again (never thought I'd say that)! I contemplated repeating run #6's intervals one more time since it had been so long. In fact, I had selected that day on my app. For whatever reason, though, I changed it last minute back to #7. Why, oh why?
It was rough to say the absolute least. The intervals are now two sets of 90 sec run/90 sec walk and 3 min run/3 min walk. Doing that after not running (or doing much of any exercise whatsoever) for eight days? Brutal. But I did it! I ran the whole time for each interval! I did NOT stop! Granted, by the end of it, I was running like a wounded animal, but still--I ran the whole time! During the first 3 min interval, I almost pulled out my phone to see how much time was left. But I stopped myself. I knew that I was just looking for an out. "Oh, I made it 2 minutes, that's enough for this time." I stopped my brain from making excuses and made the choice to either run until I fell over or until the timer dinged. Well, the timer dinged, and if I had any spare breath, I would have yelled "Thank you, God!" But I had no breath, haha. I tell you what, my calves were NOT happy after that interval. They were screaming at me. If I had been a smidge dehydrated or had a bit less nutrition, I'm very certain my run would have stopped right then and there because of massive cramps.
For the second 3 min interval, my feet were barely coming off the ground, and I was going ridiculously slowly. But I was going. I didn't stop. I didn't give up. And I didn't trip over the flat ground. ;) I pushed through because I knew that was the last running interval and that I'd be only walking after that. My calves weren't nearly as angry after this one, but my tibialis anterior are still pretty sore (three days later).
Because the intervals changed, the workout was about 3 minutes shorter than previously. That combined with the fact that it had been 8 days since the last run, and that 1/3 of the run was uphill AND against strong winds means that my distance and pace were lacking compared to before.
Time: 28:20 (-3:17)
Distance: 1.74 mi (-0.31 mi)
Pace: 16:19 (-0:52)
The stats actually aren't that bad, especially considering the circumstance. I am more focused on the fact that, as I've stated numerous times already, I did it, and I didn't quit. I'm fully prepared to run again on Thursday (praying nothing gets in the way again!). Also, I am going to start walking between runs just to help stay moving. The big change with this run was that it completely wiped me out. In the past, I have craved nothing but carbs after my runs. This time, though, I was just out of commission. I ran in the mid-afternoon, and I had enough energy to keep the boys from tearing apart the house and to make sandwiches for dinner, and that was about it. I sat down with my snack when I got done running, and I tried to let my body relax. Yeah, bad idea. Instead of melting into the chair, my body tried to lay down.
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
C25K Run #6
Woo! That was intense!
I did my run yesterday. It was raining off and on in various parts of the city, but I went anyway, and I'm glad I did. I chose yet a different route (I have not used the same route once since I started because I haven't found just the right one for me), and this one I won't do again. The first third of the route was uphill--a 138 foot climb slowly. It is definitely good for a challenge, but my next run bumps up the intervals yet again, and that in itself is going to be a big enough challenge.
My problem is that anywhere I go is going to be either uphill or downhill (yay for living next to a mountain). So I am trying to go uphill first, when I'm still fresh, and then work my way slowly down once the run actually starts. I think I found a good path. I'll find out, huh?
Stats:
Distance: 2.05 mi (same)
Time: 31:37 min (-0:01)
Pace: 15:27 min/mi (+0:02)
I am not worried that my pace was a smidge slower simply because of that massive hill at the beginning. But I am really nervous about the next interval set. I'll be rotating between 90s run/90s walk and 3 min run/3 min walk. Ahhh!! I know I can do it, though, simply because one thing I have learned over and over is I am stronger than I think.
My hamstrings were still incredibly tight before the run despite an epsom salt bath the day before. Surprisingly, though, the run helped loosen them up (which I was very grateful for!), and I remembered to stretch. :D I did notice my feet turning out even more with this run....dang it. Time to start strength training to correct this muscle imbalance I have!
I did my run yesterday. It was raining off and on in various parts of the city, but I went anyway, and I'm glad I did. I chose yet a different route (I have not used the same route once since I started because I haven't found just the right one for me), and this one I won't do again. The first third of the route was uphill--a 138 foot climb slowly. It is definitely good for a challenge, but my next run bumps up the intervals yet again, and that in itself is going to be a big enough challenge.
My problem is that anywhere I go is going to be either uphill or downhill (yay for living next to a mountain). So I am trying to go uphill first, when I'm still fresh, and then work my way slowly down once the run actually starts. I think I found a good path. I'll find out, huh?
Stats:
Distance: 2.05 mi (same)
Time: 31:37 min (-0:01)
Pace: 15:27 min/mi (+0:02)
I am not worried that my pace was a smidge slower simply because of that massive hill at the beginning. But I am really nervous about the next interval set. I'll be rotating between 90s run/90s walk and 3 min run/3 min walk. Ahhh!! I know I can do it, though, simply because one thing I have learned over and over is I am stronger than I think.
My hamstrings were still incredibly tight before the run despite an epsom salt bath the day before. Surprisingly, though, the run helped loosen them up (which I was very grateful for!), and I remembered to stretch. :D I did notice my feet turning out even more with this run....dang it. Time to start strength training to correct this muscle imbalance I have!
Saturday, April 11, 2015
Running Effects and Progress
There have been no significant changes in my body as of yet from the running, but there have been lots of little changes. The first one--I WANT CARBS! After last night's run, I could NOT stop thinking about popcorn...and that's AFTER I had a large helping of spaghetti! When I thought about having to make the popcorn, and that I wouldn't eat all of it, my brain switched to thinking about crackers. Plain crackers, of all things! I seriously had to go to bed so I wouldn't sabotage myself. I WANT to use my my glycogen stores so that my body will start burning some fat! I don't remember if I put it on here or not, but one of my ultimate fitness goals is to have a healthy waist-to-hip ratio. Right now, I am in the danger zone (just barely, but still there).
With that being said, I have noticed a slight decrease in my abdomen, which is ridiculously exciting for me. It's nothing extremely obvious, but it is enough that I have noticed. I will do another set of measurements after my ninth run is completed.
With yesterday's run, my right foot was having some issues, just proximal to my big toe. I have noticed it in the past just walking around my house. It just feels like the connective tissue right there is overly tight. I think I'll have to start massaging it so I don't develop plantar fasciitis. I have never had it before, and hopefully I never will. I am going to nab a plastic bottle, fill it 3/4 full of water, freeze it, and roll my foot over it a lot.
On the same note, I realized yesterday I have neglected my stretches. I do my cooldown as I ought, but I tend to crash with a snack when I get home, or just stay upright and cook dinner, but no stretch. Today I am going to start foam rolling and stretching. I also plan to try to foam roll right before I run to help correct some issues. The last two runs I have noticed something else besides my toe. My feet, especially my right foot, turn out when I run. My toes are not forward. It actually feels like my foot turns out as I lift it up, and then I end up landing semi-flat-footed, which I am pretty sure is contributing to my big toe issue.
Aside from that, I have been popping and creaking all over, from my ankles to my knees to my upper back...all the time! My body is getting used to moving all over. it will subside...soon?
With that being said, I have noticed a slight decrease in my abdomen, which is ridiculously exciting for me. It's nothing extremely obvious, but it is enough that I have noticed. I will do another set of measurements after my ninth run is completed.
With yesterday's run, my right foot was having some issues, just proximal to my big toe. I have noticed it in the past just walking around my house. It just feels like the connective tissue right there is overly tight. I think I'll have to start massaging it so I don't develop plantar fasciitis. I have never had it before, and hopefully I never will. I am going to nab a plastic bottle, fill it 3/4 full of water, freeze it, and roll my foot over it a lot.
On the same note, I realized yesterday I have neglected my stretches. I do my cooldown as I ought, but I tend to crash with a snack when I get home, or just stay upright and cook dinner, but no stretch. Today I am going to start foam rolling and stretching. I also plan to try to foam roll right before I run to help correct some issues. The last two runs I have noticed something else besides my toe. My feet, especially my right foot, turn out when I run. My toes are not forward. It actually feels like my foot turns out as I lift it up, and then I end up landing semi-flat-footed, which I am pretty sure is contributing to my big toe issue.
Aside from that, I have been popping and creaking all over, from my ankles to my knees to my upper back...all the time! My body is getting used to moving all over. it will subside...soon?
Friday, April 10, 2015
C25K Run #5
I finally got out to run again, and man was it a beast! Halfway through I just started dragging horribly. I felt like my feet were shuffling instead of coming up off the ground, and I didn't feel as if I was propelling myself forward at all. I was certain I would not break the two-mile mark today, but, much to my surprise, I did! Five days was definitely too long between runs, but I did manage to keep up with the intervals the whole time.
Today's stats:
Time: 31:38
Distance: 2.05 mi (+0.02 mi)
Pace: 15:25 (-0:18)
Also worked on my handstand today. I made it 13 seconds today (+0:08)!!
They may be small victories, but I'll take what I can get. Yay!
Planning another run on Sunday morning. Hopefully hub's job won't be as hectic and demanding time wise as it has been these last two weeks so I can get some regular training days in (and, you know, so we can have him home).
Today's stats:
Time: 31:38
Distance: 2.05 mi (+0.02 mi)
Pace: 15:25 (-0:18)
Also worked on my handstand today. I made it 13 seconds today (+0:08)!!
They may be small victories, but I'll take what I can get. Yay!
Planning another run on Sunday morning. Hopefully hub's job won't be as hectic and demanding time wise as it has been these last two weeks so I can get some regular training days in (and, you know, so we can have him home).
Thursday, April 9, 2015
C25K Run #4 and more
Well, I just found out that my runkeeper account has been set to elite, which is only supposed to be a paid thing. I sent a message asking about it. *shrug* We'll see.
In the meantime, I did run #4 on 5 Apr. The one before that was 30 Mar. This is not ideal, and I do not like it, but I can only run when my husband is home to watch the kids, and he has been really busy lately. I toyed with the idea of doing another day of the intervals from the previous week (60 s run/90 s walk) since it had been so long since I had run, but I decided to at least try the new intervals (90 s run/2 min walk). To my surprise (and joy), I survived the whole run on the new intervals.
Here are the stats for this run:
Distance: 2.03 mi (+0.3 mi)
Duration: 31:57
Average rate: 15:43 (-01:14)
Despite the training days being stretched further than I like, I am going to keep this up. I am excited to be able to run a mile without stopping. I feel like I am finally accomplishing a good fitness goal.
On top of that, I discovered this app called coach.me. It helps you track goals and habits you want to develop. A couple of the habits are fitness related (of course). One is a plank challenge. Today was a 20 second front plank, and then a 15 second side plank (on each side).
The other I started was to simply practice handstands. My shoulders are weak, and my wrists are tight, so I knew I had to start out slowly. I looked up a few videos for inspiration on the best way to start, and I found this one. I figured this would be a good start for me, though I don't have the hand props--simply getting my legs up and my weight onto my arms. I didn't expect to be able to do much at the beginning, and I was right! I set up my mat, marked where I needed my hands (which I had to do a little further out so I wouldn't fall over), and put my feet on the wall. Oh my gosh! I tried it probably four or five times, and the longest I could hold it was 5 seconds. I feel ridiculous right now. BUT, I am working on it so I can become stronger and not be ridiculous anymore. :)
In the meantime, I did run #4 on 5 Apr. The one before that was 30 Mar. This is not ideal, and I do not like it, but I can only run when my husband is home to watch the kids, and he has been really busy lately. I toyed with the idea of doing another day of the intervals from the previous week (60 s run/90 s walk) since it had been so long since I had run, but I decided to at least try the new intervals (90 s run/2 min walk). To my surprise (and joy), I survived the whole run on the new intervals.
Here are the stats for this run:
Distance: 2.03 mi (+0.3 mi)
Duration: 31:57
Average rate: 15:43 (-01:14)
Despite the training days being stretched further than I like, I am going to keep this up. I am excited to be able to run a mile without stopping. I feel like I am finally accomplishing a good fitness goal.
On top of that, I discovered this app called coach.me. It helps you track goals and habits you want to develop. A couple of the habits are fitness related (of course). One is a plank challenge. Today was a 20 second front plank, and then a 15 second side plank (on each side).
The other I started was to simply practice handstands. My shoulders are weak, and my wrists are tight, so I knew I had to start out slowly. I looked up a few videos for inspiration on the best way to start, and I found this one. I figured this would be a good start for me, though I don't have the hand props--simply getting my legs up and my weight onto my arms. I didn't expect to be able to do much at the beginning, and I was right! I set up my mat, marked where I needed my hands (which I had to do a little further out so I wouldn't fall over), and put my feet on the wall. Oh my gosh! I tried it probably four or five times, and the longest I could hold it was 5 seconds. I feel ridiculous right now. BUT, I am working on it so I can become stronger and not be ridiculous anymore. :)
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Couch to 5K--The Beginning
A little over a week ago, I started the Couch to 5K program to learn how to run. I do not know why I suddenly have an interest in running. Maybe I simply want to have the experience of it so I can more appropriately help future clients who want to be trained to run more efficiently. *shrug*
Running has never been my strong suit. I have done it as little as possible through my whole life, I think. I don't recall ever having a PE coach who actually explained anything to me. I remember having coaches who would yell at the class to do a certain exercise, only to see the girls fumble and then roll their eyes. Yeah, because that makes us better and stronger. Thanks, Coach. I did try during PE; I wasn't the girl who saw the ball coming and jumped out of the way squealing. I chased the ball, I tried catching it, I kicked the ball hard and ran hard to get to first base quickly. I did what I could. I never dove for the volleyball, but I did block a soccer ball with my face (yeah, went to the nurse for that one). They can't say I never put myself out there, but they sure acted like it. It seemed that if we didn't participate in the extracurricular sports that they didn't feel the need to train us, or thought that we weren't worth their time.
My high school only required one year of PE, so I did that my freshman year and nothing else physical (aside from marching band) for the rest of my high school days. My coach that year was not very good, to say the least. She was fresh out of college and still seemed stuck in the popular-high-school-athlete mentality. The girls in my class who actually were athletes would change into their gym clothes and then pow-wow in the coach's office, chatting and laughing with her like they were all best buddies. As soon as the rest of us non-athletic students were dressed (and they chatted a little longer), we started class. We frequented the track outside, not that it mattered. The coach did not structure the class at all, it seemed. We would start by walking. Eventually she would yell out "Everybody run now!" so we ran. She'd chat with someone on the sidelines and after a while yell for us to walk again. She never tracked how far we went, never timed our miles, nothing. I did not have the endurance to actually run, so I very slowly jogged. It was a big joke with my friends because I walked faster than I ran (4 mph walking vs probably 2-3 mph "running"). They would pass me while running, and I would catch up while walking. My final was to run a mile without stopping. If I stopped at all, I failed the whole class and had to retake it the following year. Since I had never run a mile, it was a grueling time. It was inside the gym. Most of the class didn't have to run; they were exempt from the final due to perfect attendance. My friends, God bless them, cheered me on from the sidelines. I was determined to complete the mile because there was no way I was taking another whole year with this coach. To this day, I do not know how I did it, but I finished the mile without stopping.
Here I am, 14 years later, actually wanting to learn how to run. Go figure. And running is one thing I did not learn in college. We learned how to program for people learning to run and things such as that, but we did not have the opportunity to actually learn to run. I figured the easiest way to get started was by using the C25K program (via their android app), which is interval training between walking and running. The program I chose only calls for running on three days out of the week, which is great. I tried running with my boys, considering they can run for 0.75 mi before tuckering out. Alas, it's not meant to be. No matter how much I explained it, when I got to my running interval and thus ran past my kids, #2 inevitably stopped and broke down crying "Mommy, don't leave me!" Every single time. I ran with them for the first two days. Both times I ended up changing the route to go to the playground so they could play while I ran circles around the park to avoid further meltdowns. The third run, I did while hubs was home, so he watched the boys so I could run alone.
And it was fantastic.
Here are my stats for the first three runs. I'll be posting about each run and then what exercises I'm doing on my off days. Lately I've been doing random exercises at the park while my boys play.
Run #1: 23 Mar. 1.47 mi in 28:37. Avg speed 3.09 mph.
Run #2: 27 Mar. 1.53 mi in 29:58. Avg speed 3.05 mph.
Run #3: 30 Mar. 1.73 mi in 29:20. Avg speed 3.54 mph.
Slow but certain gains, which feels great. I have also noticed that my abdomen is smaller since I started running. I don't know if it's anything measurable. It just looks ever so slightly smaller to me. I will do a new set of measurements after the first month. These past runs were intervals of 60 seconds running with 90 seconds walking. This next week bumps up to 90 seconds running and 2 minutes walking. My initial reaction is "Hahahah, yeah right," but looking back at my runs, I know it will work. My third run, I remember feeling surprised when the timer went off and told me to walk. I felt like I could have gone for longer. So, here goes! Tomorrow is my next run.
Oh, one other detail. The last three runs, I have become slightly dizzy. I thought it had something to do with running small circles around the playground, but the third run was straight paths. Then I remembered that I'm at a much higher elevation than I was a month ago. They say it takes about 30 days to acclimate. Hopefully that happens for me soon. I do NOT like that feeling.
Running has never been my strong suit. I have done it as little as possible through my whole life, I think. I don't recall ever having a PE coach who actually explained anything to me. I remember having coaches who would yell at the class to do a certain exercise, only to see the girls fumble and then roll their eyes. Yeah, because that makes us better and stronger. Thanks, Coach. I did try during PE; I wasn't the girl who saw the ball coming and jumped out of the way squealing. I chased the ball, I tried catching it, I kicked the ball hard and ran hard to get to first base quickly. I did what I could. I never dove for the volleyball, but I did block a soccer ball with my face (yeah, went to the nurse for that one). They can't say I never put myself out there, but they sure acted like it. It seemed that if we didn't participate in the extracurricular sports that they didn't feel the need to train us, or thought that we weren't worth their time.
My high school only required one year of PE, so I did that my freshman year and nothing else physical (aside from marching band) for the rest of my high school days. My coach that year was not very good, to say the least. She was fresh out of college and still seemed stuck in the popular-high-school-athlete mentality. The girls in my class who actually were athletes would change into their gym clothes and then pow-wow in the coach's office, chatting and laughing with her like they were all best buddies. As soon as the rest of us non-athletic students were dressed (and they chatted a little longer), we started class. We frequented the track outside, not that it mattered. The coach did not structure the class at all, it seemed. We would start by walking. Eventually she would yell out "Everybody run now!" so we ran. She'd chat with someone on the sidelines and after a while yell for us to walk again. She never tracked how far we went, never timed our miles, nothing. I did not have the endurance to actually run, so I very slowly jogged. It was a big joke with my friends because I walked faster than I ran (4 mph walking vs probably 2-3 mph "running"). They would pass me while running, and I would catch up while walking. My final was to run a mile without stopping. If I stopped at all, I failed the whole class and had to retake it the following year. Since I had never run a mile, it was a grueling time. It was inside the gym. Most of the class didn't have to run; they were exempt from the final due to perfect attendance. My friends, God bless them, cheered me on from the sidelines. I was determined to complete the mile because there was no way I was taking another whole year with this coach. To this day, I do not know how I did it, but I finished the mile without stopping.
Here I am, 14 years later, actually wanting to learn how to run. Go figure. And running is one thing I did not learn in college. We learned how to program for people learning to run and things such as that, but we did not have the opportunity to actually learn to run. I figured the easiest way to get started was by using the C25K program (via their android app), which is interval training between walking and running. The program I chose only calls for running on three days out of the week, which is great. I tried running with my boys, considering they can run for 0.75 mi before tuckering out. Alas, it's not meant to be. No matter how much I explained it, when I got to my running interval and thus ran past my kids, #2 inevitably stopped and broke down crying "Mommy, don't leave me!" Every single time. I ran with them for the first two days. Both times I ended up changing the route to go to the playground so they could play while I ran circles around the park to avoid further meltdowns. The third run, I did while hubs was home, so he watched the boys so I could run alone.
And it was fantastic.
Here are my stats for the first three runs. I'll be posting about each run and then what exercises I'm doing on my off days. Lately I've been doing random exercises at the park while my boys play.
Run #1: 23 Mar. 1.47 mi in 28:37. Avg speed 3.09 mph.
Run #2: 27 Mar. 1.53 mi in 29:58. Avg speed 3.05 mph.
Run #3: 30 Mar. 1.73 mi in 29:20. Avg speed 3.54 mph.
Slow but certain gains, which feels great. I have also noticed that my abdomen is smaller since I started running. I don't know if it's anything measurable. It just looks ever so slightly smaller to me. I will do a new set of measurements after the first month. These past runs were intervals of 60 seconds running with 90 seconds walking. This next week bumps up to 90 seconds running and 2 minutes walking. My initial reaction is "Hahahah, yeah right," but looking back at my runs, I know it will work. My third run, I remember feeling surprised when the timer went off and told me to walk. I felt like I could have gone for longer. So, here goes! Tomorrow is my next run.
Oh, one other detail. The last three runs, I have become slightly dizzy. I thought it had something to do with running small circles around the playground, but the third run was straight paths. Then I remembered that I'm at a much higher elevation than I was a month ago. They say it takes about 30 days to acclimate. Hopefully that happens for me soon. I do NOT like that feeling.
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
The Move
Yep, it happened--the move took it's toll, and I fell off the exercise wagon. The Bikini Body Mommy Challenge was left behind. But that's life isn't it--a series of choices and priorities we make? The stress of finishing school, working part time, preparing everything for the cross-country move, my childcare availability being cut in half (long story), the move itself, and the acclimation to my new surroundings definitely won that battle. Is that an excuse? Technically yes, but that's also how it happened. Work and school were both physically demanding (working as a trainer at Curves, and going to school to be a personal trainer which means lots of movement every day), being an acting-single-parent up until the move and holding down the fort, not to mention the physical demands of packing--bending and twisting and lifting, oh my! I was pooped, both physically and emotionally. If I had down time, I used it to zone out and just let my mind turn off.
So here I am, halfway across the country, and adjusting to a new life all over again. I'm going from beautifully green midwest to extremely hot and arid desert. On top of that, I am no longer an acting-single-parent (yaaaaaaay!!!!), which means I am adjusting to making daily decisions with someone else again, learning how to share the house with another adult, as well as reteaching the boys how discipline works (now when Mommy gets too stressed and gives in, Daddy takes over, and they are NOT getting a break, mwahaha).
I am trying to set up a new routine where I get the cleaning, unpacking/setting up house, exercise, and studying for my certification exam (*gasp*) all done as they should be. I have never been good with strict schedules, but I know if I don't schedule it out, it won't happen. Because of this, screen time is being actively limited, which is rough! However, I do not like feeling as if I am bouncing from one screen to another all day6. I went from watching 30 minutes a day and checking my email to watching an hour, checking my email and clearing facebook, moving back to the tv and playing a phone game while a show played, etc. And I wondered why my kids were screaming for my attention! This being the first time I have scheduled out my time so strictly, I know it is going to change as I learn what works and what doesn't. For instance, as the year goes on, I'll have to move my run time either earlier in the day or later in the evening because it will be too hot any other time, so everything will have to shift around that. Like a budget, the schedule is something that I will have to revisit on a regular basis and reevaluate to make sure it is still working as it should.
So here I am, halfway across the country, and adjusting to a new life all over again. I'm going from beautifully green midwest to extremely hot and arid desert. On top of that, I am no longer an acting-single-parent (yaaaaaaay!!!!), which means I am adjusting to making daily decisions with someone else again, learning how to share the house with another adult, as well as reteaching the boys how discipline works (now when Mommy gets too stressed and gives in, Daddy takes over, and they are NOT getting a break, mwahaha).
I am trying to set up a new routine where I get the cleaning, unpacking/setting up house, exercise, and studying for my certification exam (*gasp*) all done as they should be. I have never been good with strict schedules, but I know if I don't schedule it out, it won't happen. Because of this, screen time is being actively limited, which is rough! However, I do not like feeling as if I am bouncing from one screen to another all day6. I went from watching 30 minutes a day and checking my email to watching an hour, checking my email and clearing facebook, moving back to the tv and playing a phone game while a show played, etc. And I wondered why my kids were screaming for my attention! This being the first time I have scheduled out my time so strictly, I know it is going to change as I learn what works and what doesn't. For instance, as the year goes on, I'll have to move my run time either earlier in the day or later in the evening because it will be too hot any other time, so everything will have to shift around that. Like a budget, the schedule is something that I will have to revisit on a regular basis and reevaluate to make sure it is still working as it should.
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Days 17-19
Yep. Life happened. My oldest has been sick, bad winter weather has hit (and threatens to do so again tomorrow), and packing is becoming a priority since we're less than 3 weeks away from the moving date. Despite that, though, I still managed to get my workouts in.
I do not recall which days did what at the moment; I am tired. I do recall a few mental notes I made, though.
Yesterday was a cardio day. I had a snack about an hour beforehand and figured that was enough time to digest. Apparently not. All those squat thrusts, mountain climbers, etc. were fine at the time, but 30 minutes after my workout I had what a friend calls a vurp (vomit+burp). That's all. Nothing more. I did not drink excess amounts of water, so that wasn't the problem. Not sure what it was aside from the sloshing of my snack. It didn't seem like that much, though. *shrug* Aside from that, I made it two moves further into the workout before I had to rest during the move! Yay, progress!
My right hip is a LOT tighter than my left, which I find funny since my left leg is a lot weaker than my right. I wonder which is my lead leg. ;)
ALWAYS wear appropriate shoes for these workouts. As much as I love being barefoot....
squat thrusts - shoes = massive rug burn on feet. Fair warning.
I cannot do her side plank twisting things, either from last week or from this week. I don't know why. Maybe I am not strong enough in my core yet. Maybe I just haven't figured out the correct form of the movement. Maybe it's just a bad move altogether. Whatever the case, I have been doing a standard elbow side plank ... without the twist.
Water is still lower than I want. 30 oz seems to be my go-to amount. Tomorrow I'll be drinking a lot, though, since I'll be at my externship and then at work. On my feet all day means I'll always have my water bottle with me.
I'm all about renegade rows. Unfortunately, my dumbbells are too small, and I end up basically doing a plank on my knuckles, which hurts me a lot. Also, my weights are not heavy enough for me to really feel anything from the row. :\ *Starts this year's Christmas list.*
Hopefully I will get my workout in tomorrow despite my busy day. I know, that's not a good attitude to start with. *sigh* I look forward to the day that this becomes a happy habit instead of a dreaded chore.
I do not recall which days did what at the moment; I am tired. I do recall a few mental notes I made, though.
Yesterday was a cardio day. I had a snack about an hour beforehand and figured that was enough time to digest. Apparently not. All those squat thrusts, mountain climbers, etc. were fine at the time, but 30 minutes after my workout I had what a friend calls a vurp (vomit+burp). That's all. Nothing more. I did not drink excess amounts of water, so that wasn't the problem. Not sure what it was aside from the sloshing of my snack. It didn't seem like that much, though. *shrug* Aside from that, I made it two moves further into the workout before I had to rest during the move! Yay, progress!
My right hip is a LOT tighter than my left, which I find funny since my left leg is a lot weaker than my right. I wonder which is my lead leg. ;)
ALWAYS wear appropriate shoes for these workouts. As much as I love being barefoot....
squat thrusts - shoes = massive rug burn on feet. Fair warning.
I cannot do her side plank twisting things, either from last week or from this week. I don't know why. Maybe I am not strong enough in my core yet. Maybe I just haven't figured out the correct form of the movement. Maybe it's just a bad move altogether. Whatever the case, I have been doing a standard elbow side plank ... without the twist.
Water is still lower than I want. 30 oz seems to be my go-to amount. Tomorrow I'll be drinking a lot, though, since I'll be at my externship and then at work. On my feet all day means I'll always have my water bottle with me.
I'm all about renegade rows. Unfortunately, my dumbbells are too small, and I end up basically doing a plank on my knuckles, which hurts me a lot. Also, my weights are not heavy enough for me to really feel anything from the row. :\ *Starts this year's Christmas list.*
Hopefully I will get my workout in tomorrow despite my busy day. I know, that's not a good attitude to start with. *sigh* I look forward to the day that this becomes a happy habit instead of a dreaded chore.
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Day 16--Cardio
What did she do?!
*gasp*
Our lovely fitness challenge leader changed the workout. It is not that she simply added more moves or harder moves, it's that she changed it to 50 seconds of work followed by ten seconds of rest. Ten! That's it!
*deep breath*
Yep, that'll get the cardio going alright.
One thing I don't like is that she doesn't actually squat. Whether that's a bad form issue or a muscle imbalance issue for her, I do not know. But it was very evident with the jump squats today. She simply hinged at the hips to touch the floor, stood, and then jumped. The knees bent very little. So it was more like a dead lift with a jump. And the jump should be propelled by the squat itself. It shouldn't be a come to standing and then hop kind of thing. Of course, that's hard to do if you aren't actually squatting.
I was very happy today that, despite the decrease in rest time, I did not have to stop for an unofficial break until halfway through the workout. Also, I would like to get to the point to where, during the swirl stretch, I can bend and touch my face to the floor. When I started, I couldn't get anywhere near there. Though it has only been two weeks, I noticed some improvement today. My chest can officially come down low enough to touch my leg. Getting closer!
Food--Another wonky time day today. Gotta stop doing that.
B: Scrambled eggs, black beans, rice, butter, orange, hot tea.
L/D: Taco Bell--supreme chicken gordita, supreme chicken chalupa, beef taco, orange.
Sn: Cottage cheese.
W: 30 oz.
Better tomorrow hopefully.
*gasp*
Our lovely fitness challenge leader changed the workout. It is not that she simply added more moves or harder moves, it's that she changed it to 50 seconds of work followed by ten seconds of rest. Ten! That's it!
*deep breath*
Yep, that'll get the cardio going alright.
One thing I don't like is that she doesn't actually squat. Whether that's a bad form issue or a muscle imbalance issue for her, I do not know. But it was very evident with the jump squats today. She simply hinged at the hips to touch the floor, stood, and then jumped. The knees bent very little. So it was more like a dead lift with a jump. And the jump should be propelled by the squat itself. It shouldn't be a come to standing and then hop kind of thing. Of course, that's hard to do if you aren't actually squatting.
I was very happy today that, despite the decrease in rest time, I did not have to stop for an unofficial break until halfway through the workout. Also, I would like to get to the point to where, during the swirl stretch, I can bend and touch my face to the floor. When I started, I couldn't get anywhere near there. Though it has only been two weeks, I noticed some improvement today. My chest can officially come down low enough to touch my leg. Getting closer!
Food--Another wonky time day today. Gotta stop doing that.
B: Scrambled eggs, black beans, rice, butter, orange, hot tea.
L/D: Taco Bell--supreme chicken gordita, supreme chicken chalupa, beef taco, orange.
Sn: Cottage cheese.
W: 30 oz.
Better tomorrow hopefully.
Friday, January 30, 2015
Days 14 & 15
Day 14--rest day!!! And a massive cheat day...with lots of ice cream. :\ I have never experienced a sugar rush and crash like that. Wow. Staying away now.
Day 15:
Remeasure and Fit Test #2
Measurements:
Weight: 138.25 lb (-2 lbs)
Arm: 9.5" (-1.5")
Forearm: 7.5" (0)
Chest: 36.75" (+0.25")
Waist: 33.75" (+1"--I blame my eating for this last week.)
Hips N: 34" (-0.25")
Hips W: 37.25" (0)
Thigh: 18" (-0.25")
Calf: 14" (+0.25")
Fit test:
Squat to press (3 lb weights): 26 (-2)
Tricep dips: 27 (+7)
Jump squats: 24 (+1)
Push ups (proper--last time they were high and wide. this time hands were directly under my shoulders): 12 (+1)
Lunge kick (R leg stationary): 23 (+5)
Lunge kick (L): 20 (+4)
Mountain climbers: 70 (-4)
Plank: 45 sec. (+10 sec, no breaks)
How I feel: Strong. Confident. A little shaky but not bad. Overall a lot better than after my first fit test. My tendons/ligaments were not popping over bone as I did the walking quad stretch this time. They are still doing that when I do hip stretches, but they are not as bad as they were.
Goals for the next two weeks:
1)Focus more on my nutrition. I lost it this last week. I tried being cheap and incorporate Ramen, but that made me extremely bloated and uncomfortable. I ended up just eating bad in general and blamed it on the stress of the move. So, I would rather eat less instead of eat worse. Meaning no chips, no ice cream, no candy bars. Any desserts I have will be homemade, healthier than normal, and portioned correctly. So, back to tracking my food.
2) Water. Water. Water! Aiming for 50 oz per day.
3) And those two combined will hopefully lead to some loss in my waist. That is my ultimate goal right now--a healthy waist-to-hip ratio. Right now I'm at 91%, and to not be prone to disease I need to be 80% or below (plus who doesn't want that hourglass figure?!).
Day 15:
Remeasure and Fit Test #2
Measurements:
Weight: 138.25 lb (-2 lbs)
Arm: 9.5" (-1.5")
Forearm: 7.5" (0)
Chest: 36.75" (+0.25")
Waist: 33.75" (+1"--I blame my eating for this last week.)
Hips N: 34" (-0.25")
Hips W: 37.25" (0)
Thigh: 18" (-0.25")
Calf: 14" (+0.25")
Fit test:
Squat to press (3 lb weights): 26 (-2)
Tricep dips: 27 (+7)
Jump squats: 24 (+1)
Push ups (proper--last time they were high and wide. this time hands were directly under my shoulders): 12 (+1)
Lunge kick (R leg stationary): 23 (+5)
Lunge kick (L): 20 (+4)
Mountain climbers: 70 (-4)
Plank: 45 sec. (+10 sec, no breaks)
How I feel: Strong. Confident. A little shaky but not bad. Overall a lot better than after my first fit test. My tendons/ligaments were not popping over bone as I did the walking quad stretch this time. They are still doing that when I do hip stretches, but they are not as bad as they were.
Goals for the next two weeks:
1)Focus more on my nutrition. I lost it this last week. I tried being cheap and incorporate Ramen, but that made me extremely bloated and uncomfortable. I ended up just eating bad in general and blamed it on the stress of the move. So, I would rather eat less instead of eat worse. Meaning no chips, no ice cream, no candy bars. Any desserts I have will be homemade, healthier than normal, and portioned correctly. So, back to tracking my food.
2) Water. Water. Water! Aiming for 50 oz per day.
3) And those two combined will hopefully lead to some loss in my waist. That is my ultimate goal right now--a healthy waist-to-hip ratio. Right now I'm at 91%, and to not be prone to disease I need to be 80% or below (plus who doesn't want that hourglass figure?!).
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Days 12 and 13--Strength and Cardio
I have to say, both of these days were great for me. Granted, I'm still sore and tight, but I am functional now, whereas I was so tight before that I couldn't do much of anything. I am not sure what happened, but I'm glad it did. I felt strong. I felt confident. And I had an overall want to do. Today I sat down at my computer after work. Ever since I started, doing that would result in me yelling at myself to get back up and do the workout and then dreading the whole workout. But these last two days, I wanted to get up. I wanted to exercise. And it felt great. Oh, and a winning aspect? I was finally able to get off the floor and do a real jog in place today. Woo! I also didn't slow down until the one-leg pogo balance hops or whatever they're called.
My left hamstring is still tight, but still a lot better. One thing I don't like about BBM is that she doesn't hold the stretches long enough at the end, and she doesn't always do both sides. For instance, she'll say "one more time on both sides" and then only do one side. But, I digress.
Water:
1/27--25 oz
1/28--45 oz
My left hamstring is still tight, but still a lot better. One thing I don't like about BBM is that she doesn't hold the stretches long enough at the end, and she doesn't always do both sides. For instance, she'll say "one more time on both sides" and then only do one side. But, I digress.
Water:
1/27--25 oz
1/28--45 oz
Monday, January 26, 2015
Day 11--Cardio
Yes, I took a day off. I had one of those weekends where I was so happy that it was Monday. My kids were being crazy, skipping naps, refusing to sleep at night, not following any of the rules. It was rough. And this was after a couple weeks of my oldest having bad day after bad day at preschool. I sent a text to my husband and told him to call when he had a chance because I figured my boys just needed some Daddy time. When bedtime came, they refused to go to sleep. About an hour later, Daddy called. Ten minutes after they were done talking, both boys were asleep. *sigh* Between being exhausted, frustrated, and incredibly sore, I just couldn't make myself do it.
But today I succeeded. Despite a full day between school and work, I came home and exercised before I ate dinner. Despite my bath, I still hurt. My calves are better, but my hamstrings are still crazy tight. Usually I can put my hands flat on the floor when I bend over, but right now I can't even touch the floor. To do inchworms, I have to bend my knees just to get to the floor. And my squats are more like hip hinges for kettlebell swings right now. I got off the floor a little bit today during the stationary jog, but I also had to walk in place for half of it.
Food
B: Scrambled eggs, black beans, rice, butter, orange, hot tea.
L: Southwest hash.
D: Pb&j, orange.
W: 30 oz.
I seem to be stuck on 30 oz of water, and it's really frustrating me. On top of that, all I want right now is hot cocoa. That's not helping any...
But today I succeeded. Despite a full day between school and work, I came home and exercised before I ate dinner. Despite my bath, I still hurt. My calves are better, but my hamstrings are still crazy tight. Usually I can put my hands flat on the floor when I bend over, but right now I can't even touch the floor. To do inchworms, I have to bend my knees just to get to the floor. And my squats are more like hip hinges for kettlebell swings right now. I got off the floor a little bit today during the stationary jog, but I also had to walk in place for half of it.
Food
B: Scrambled eggs, black beans, rice, butter, orange, hot tea.
L: Southwest hash.
D: Pb&j, orange.
W: 30 oz.
I seem to be stuck on 30 oz of water, and it's really frustrating me. On top of that, all I want right now is hot cocoa. That's not helping any...
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Day 10--Strength
Ow. Ow. Ow. Ooohhh....
I hurt...but mainly only on the back half: triceps, low back, hips, hamstrings, and calves, oh my! I packed a little today, cleaned half the house, and scrubbed the tub so it would be ready when the time came for that epsom salt bath I keep thinking about. The good news is that tub is looking pretty good. The bad news is I have to wait for my kids to fall asleep or they'll rampage while I'm in there. ...and they're fighting bed... Yesterday I couldn't even get my feet off the floor while doing the stationary jog, and today I couldn't even do the jump back part of the burpee. I had to either step lightly or jump one foot and then the other simply because the back of my legs are sooo tight. My back is so sore I thought I actually might be coming down with a fever, but it's just the tightness. Hoping the bath helps and tomorrow is better or I will probably need to take a day off. I can't afford to strain something right now.
Food
B: Scrambled eggs, bacon, tea.
Sn: Ramen, orange, fermented cod liver oil.
L: Pb&j, banana.
D: Tuna sandwich, tea.
W: 40 oz
I hurt...but mainly only on the back half: triceps, low back, hips, hamstrings, and calves, oh my! I packed a little today, cleaned half the house, and scrubbed the tub so it would be ready when the time came for that epsom salt bath I keep thinking about. The good news is that tub is looking pretty good. The bad news is I have to wait for my kids to fall asleep or they'll rampage while I'm in there. ...and they're fighting bed... Yesterday I couldn't even get my feet off the floor while doing the stationary jog, and today I couldn't even do the jump back part of the burpee. I had to either step lightly or jump one foot and then the other simply because the back of my legs are sooo tight. My back is so sore I thought I actually might be coming down with a fever, but it's just the tightness. Hoping the bath helps and tomorrow is better or I will probably need to take a day off. I can't afford to strain something right now.
Food
B: Scrambled eggs, bacon, tea.
Sn: Ramen, orange, fermented cod liver oil.
L: Pb&j, banana.
D: Tuna sandwich, tea.
W: 40 oz
Friday, January 23, 2015
Day 9--Cardio
Ohhhh my calves! They are seriously tight! As are my hamstrings and lats! Too bad I'm no longer going to my school, which was where I always foam-rolled, and my roller is currently in another state. :\ Epsom salt bath tonight, methinks, especially since I never got around to one the other day.
Workout
I thought I bombed out yesterday, but I feel like today was worse. Yesterday was simply a lack of energy, but today felt like a lack of ability. I did better about jumping back in after I needed a few seconds of rest, but at the same time, I was also needing the rest earlier on with each move. I can't decide if that's progress or just plain bad.
Food: So, we had an issue arise with our daycare. The result? Being cheap for this last week of the month.
B: Scrambled eggs, bacon, banana.
L: Southwest hash, grapefruit.
D: Ramen noodles, spoonful of peanut butter (my attempt at ingesting some form of protein so my muscles can heal a little), hot tea.
W: 35 oz
Workout
I thought I bombed out yesterday, but I feel like today was worse. Yesterday was simply a lack of energy, but today felt like a lack of ability. I did better about jumping back in after I needed a few seconds of rest, but at the same time, I was also needing the rest earlier on with each move. I can't decide if that's progress or just plain bad.
Food: So, we had an issue arise with our daycare. The result? Being cheap for this last week of the month.
B: Scrambled eggs, bacon, banana.
L: Southwest hash, grapefruit.
D: Ramen noodles, spoonful of peanut butter (my attempt at ingesting some form of protein so my muscles can heal a little), hot tea.
W: 35 oz
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Day 8--Strength
Ooohhh, today was much better! The externship was not excessively demanding, the internship was nothing because my client didn't show up, and I did not have to work. While at school, I foam rolled my back, and it popped a bunch! It was one of those "hurt so good" moments. I've noticed that I have been a lot more loose today, and my back is no longer incredibly tense. I still feel like there's something that needs to be popped, and my leg was not as obviously shorter than the other today.
Workout
I won't lie--I feel like I only did half the workout. I have no stamina right now, whether because of fatigue left over from Zumba or from the crud I had a couple weeks ago, I'm not sure. Today, I found myself only doing about half of the time for almost every move. I would try to restart, but it just wouldn't work. So, I am definitely not 100% right now, but I'm feeling better anyway. Hopefully with my internship done I'll have a little more time to recuperate.
Food--I know I am not doing very well with food, but my goal starting out was simply to log everything so I would be aware of just what I eat. My goal for this next week is to increase my water intake.
B: Hard-boiled eggs, bacon, banana.
L: Chili, grapefruit.
D: White sloppy joes, broccoli, hot tea.
W: 55 oz.
Workout
I won't lie--I feel like I only did half the workout. I have no stamina right now, whether because of fatigue left over from Zumba or from the crud I had a couple weeks ago, I'm not sure. Today, I found myself only doing about half of the time for almost every move. I would try to restart, but it just wouldn't work. So, I am definitely not 100% right now, but I'm feeling better anyway. Hopefully with my internship done I'll have a little more time to recuperate.
Food--I know I am not doing very well with food, but my goal starting out was simply to log everything so I would be aware of just what I eat. My goal for this next week is to increase my water intake.
B: Hard-boiled eggs, bacon, banana.
L: Chili, grapefruit.
D: White sloppy joes, broccoli, hot tea.
W: 55 oz.
Day 8...Or not...
One week in and I've already bailed multiple times. I feel like I am failing, but I have to keep telling myself that I am doing what I can while still taking care of myself. I chose not to do today's workout because I am incredibly sore. All that shimmying at Zumba threw my hips out of place and screwed up my back. I was apparently not keeping good form and a nice, tight core throughout all the Zumba moves. So, sore low back on the verge of spams plus hips being out of place so much that my left leg is a couple inches shorter than the other means no workout today. Hopefully tomorrow is better.
Food
B: Scrambled eggs, bacon, sweet potato, butter.
L: Chili, orange, snack bar.
D: Southwest hash, orange.
W: 30 oz
Food
B: Scrambled eggs, bacon, sweet potato, butter.
L: Chili, orange, snack bar.
D: Southwest hash, orange.
W: 30 oz
Day 7--Rest!
I am so happy that this was a rest day, because the rest of my day wasn't! At my externship, they had me participate in a one-hour Zumba class. Thirty minutes in my legs started to not function fully anymore. Then, I had to go to work after that and teach a legs class! So, yeah.... I wouldn't have been doing anything even if it wasn't a rest day. Yay for epsom salt baths!
Food--I wasn't hungry immediately after Zumba, but I felt like I needed sustenance of some sort, so I'm guessing I needed electrolytes or something. And then I started falling asleep and still had to finish my internship and go to work, so I broke down with snack #2.
B: Hard-boiled eggs, cottage cheese, bacon.
Sn: Orange
L: Chili
Sn: Clif Builder Bar
D: Tuna sandwich with avocado, carrots.
W: 60 oz
Food--I wasn't hungry immediately after Zumba, but I felt like I needed sustenance of some sort, so I'm guessing I needed electrolytes or something. And then I started falling asleep and still had to finish my internship and go to work, so I broke down with snack #2.
B: Hard-boiled eggs, cottage cheese, bacon.
Sn: Orange
L: Chili
Sn: Clif Builder Bar
D: Tuna sandwich with avocado, carrots.
W: 60 oz
Monday, January 19, 2015
Day 6
I worked a double today, but I still did my workout when I got home and before dinner. So hopefully I'll be calmed enough to still sleep well in a couple hours.
Today was a cardio day. I seriously loathe the burpees. They aren't that bad to do, but they're just so demanding. I actually had to start taking breaks during the pogo jumps today. I didn't even make it to the burpees. Harumph. Heart is going, breath is fast, and I'm definitely sweating, so I know I'm not just slacking off.
Food
B: Scrambled eggs, black beans, rice, butter.
L: Chili, hot cocoa.
D: Tuna salad sandwiches with avocado, orange.
W: 25 oz
I'm not hungry, but the last couple days I have had the munchies. Like now--I feel full, but I can't stop thinking about the cottage cheese in the fridge. Do I get some, or do I suck it up and drink more water? Lord knows I need more water, but I feel like I need it. Argh. .... How about a couple spoonfuls plus more water? Yeah...
Today was a cardio day. I seriously loathe the burpees. They aren't that bad to do, but they're just so demanding. I actually had to start taking breaks during the pogo jumps today. I didn't even make it to the burpees. Harumph. Heart is going, breath is fast, and I'm definitely sweating, so I know I'm not just slacking off.
Food
B: Scrambled eggs, black beans, rice, butter.
L: Chili, hot cocoa.
D: Tuna salad sandwiches with avocado, orange.
W: 25 oz
I'm not hungry, but the last couple days I have had the munchies. Like now--I feel full, but I can't stop thinking about the cottage cheese in the fridge. Do I get some, or do I suck it up and drink more water? Lord knows I need more water, but I feel like I need it. Argh. .... How about a couple spoonfuls plus more water? Yeah...
Day 5
I forgot to post this yesterday, but here it is.
The workout was good. I was actually feeling pretty relaxed--tired, but relaxed. I still had to take breaks, but I felt more confident and strong in general. It was nice.
Food
B: Scrambled eggs, rice, beans, butter.
L: Southwest Hash, Twix.
D: Chili, orange.
W: 35 oz
The workout was good. I was actually feeling pretty relaxed--tired, but relaxed. I still had to take breaks, but I felt more confident and strong in general. It was nice.
Food
B: Scrambled eggs, rice, beans, butter.
L: Southwest Hash, Twix.
D: Chili, orange.
W: 35 oz
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Day 4
Unholy guacamole, Batman!
I did a bunch of packing today--knickknacks and books. I was winding down from that when I realized that I had not done my workout yet. Whoops! Not letting that happened after this past week! So, already tired, I jumped into day 4 head first. While it was a repeat of day 2, that doesn't mean it was any easier. The cardio killed me, though I did do better than day 2. This time, I didn't take any breaks until the burpees. Dang burpees always get me! All things considered, I'd say seeing results already is fantastic.
Food
B: Scrambled eggs, rice, black beans, salsa, butter, hot tea with honey and master tonic.
L: Southwest hash, orange.
Sn: Apple and peanut butter, Twix (yeah, I know).
D: More southwest hash.
W: 24 oz.
Not fantastic today on the food. The Twix was actually to get rid of the master tonic breath and burps. The hash didn't do it, and for some reason, something creamy always works.
On to day 5!
I did a bunch of packing today--knickknacks and books. I was winding down from that when I realized that I had not done my workout yet. Whoops! Not letting that happened after this past week! So, already tired, I jumped into day 4 head first. While it was a repeat of day 2, that doesn't mean it was any easier. The cardio killed me, though I did do better than day 2. This time, I didn't take any breaks until the burpees. Dang burpees always get me! All things considered, I'd say seeing results already is fantastic.
Food
B: Scrambled eggs, rice, black beans, salsa, butter, hot tea with honey and master tonic.
L: Southwest hash, orange.
Sn: Apple and peanut butter, Twix (yeah, I know).
D: More southwest hash.
W: 24 oz.
Not fantastic today on the food. The Twix was actually to get rid of the master tonic breath and burps. The hash didn't do it, and for some reason, something creamy always works.
On to day 5!
Friday, January 16, 2015
Day 3--Back to it!
Sorry for the absence! My boys decided to share the crud with me, and I am just now feeling like my old self. While I never had a fever, I had absolutely no energy, and for most of last weekend, I would have random coughing fits that nothing to stop. I also developed sinus congestion and lots of drainage. Unfortunately, my master tonic was not done curing yet, so I was stuck with simpler, less effective remedies. Still, though, I did not catch the flu, which I am very happy about. Today was the first day I was perky and had all of my energy back. I think the sunshine and unexpected 60 degree weather had a hand in that, but still.
The Workout
So, I decided not to count my reps with each workout. During the fit test it's one thing, but counting reps at every single workout to me is the same as checking my weight every morning--not needed, distracting, and often misleading. From now on, I will simply push myself during the workouts and only count reps during the fit tests. I am very sad that I lost most of my first week. Though only two days in, I felt like I had lost a lot since then. For instance, I couldn't even do the minute of mountain climbers. I had to stop four or five times, which is about double what I did during the fit test, and my heart was pounding like mad. Same thing with the Irish jig. I feel like it was more from hip tightness and leg weakness than from being winded, though. I also went for a half-mile walk afterward.
Side note: Last night I did most of the Zumba class at work. Woo! Other than that, I did nothing during my sick days aside from the required activity at work and school.
Food
Food....well, being sick put me in a slump. I have been wanting bad stuff so much. I am not sure if it is my body revolting to my eating better or if it is my body telling me there is something I am lacking, like adequate healthy fats. Needless to say I did cave recently, to include Cheetoh's and a dark chocolate Hershey bar. The good news? Dinner tonight was wonderful, and I think it's because it was filled with good fats. Extra bonus: My master tonic is officially ready, so I am starting to take some a couple times a day until this cold is completely gone. Woo!
Also, I have been doing pretty well, for the most part, on the not having snacks. My extra things I have squeezed in to the end of meals, and I have not been overly hungry between meals. I also find that I am eating more healthily simply because when I was eating snacks, I always expected to eat snacks. With my hectic schedule, I almost always forget to pack a snack, so then I find myself thinking about food with nothing to eat, which more often than not leads to the vending machines.
Breakfast: Scrambled eggs, rice, half of a polish sausage, an orange.
Lunch: A piece of bread with peanut butter, a banana, and a Curves dessert bar.
Dinner: Southwest hash (ground beef, rice, black beans, corn, salsa, and avocado), hot tea (with master tonic and honey), and an orange.
Water: 35 oz. Bad today, though the past two days before this I did 50 oz or more each. I'll get there. The real test is being home on the weekend and still drinking enough water. I never do!
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Challenge Day 3...kind of...
I failed. And I semi-failed.
Today was crazy and tiring. I shadowed an intense trainer that had us workout with the clients, and they were doing like a boot camp circuit-type workout. My two internship clients cancelled today, so I was at least able to sit for a couple hours today. Then I went to work, and I did not have to teach classes. I forgot that Thursday's classes are in the morning. So, really the day was not as difficult as I planned it to be. Well, maybe it was, but it was all crammed into that boot camp circuit. Yeah...that sounds about right.
The semi-fail was I went shopping hungry. I had 30 minutes before I had to go pick up my kidlets, so I ran to the store. Before I even arrived, I wanted chocolate. I talked myself down from a jug of milk for a week's worth (or more) of homemade hot cocoa to a Snicker's bar (simply so I would have a bit of chocolate without ensuring that I would be indulging every day for the next 7-10 days). I picked a Snicker's because it has peanuts, so I'd at least be getting a bit of protein. Right? That evens out? ... No? Dang. Anyway, I almost didn't eat the whole bar because it was sickeningly sweet. I guess I have been eating better if my old treats are now too much for me. Next time I get weak, I'll get one of those nice dark chocolate bars without all the bells and whistles and make it worth the splurge. The other good note is that I also talked myself out of Cheetoh's. They were on an end-cap, and they were like Sirens singing "Cruuuunchy saaaalty gooooodness!!!!" But I resisted, knowing I was already going to cheat with a candy bar.
So, I got home and immediately started dinner since it was already time to eat. My plan was to do the workout first and THEN cook, but I was too tired to remember that tidbit. So dinner began, I took my first couple bites, and then remembered the workout. Unfortunately, I have already sat down, which means I'm not getting back up for something strenuous. Yeah, I know, I'm lazy, and that's a mindset I need to work on. There's no reason I can't let dinner digest and then workout, right? Right. But, truth be told, I don't want to. I'm excessively sore, I am teaching classes tomorrow at work, and I know that at this point, it is more important that I sleep instead of workout (especially since I technically exercised this morning).
So, I'll post my food for today, and then I'm going to bed. I'll redo day 3 tomorrow. I only work a half-day, so there's no reason for me to not do the workout.
Food
B: Scrambled eggs, rice, black beans cooked in butter; hot tea with honey.
L: Gyspy soup; hot tea with raw cane sugar.
S: Snickers (dang Snickers).
D: Chicken nuggets, green beans, cottage cheese, wine.
W: 4
Today was crazy and tiring. I shadowed an intense trainer that had us workout with the clients, and they were doing like a boot camp circuit-type workout. My two internship clients cancelled today, so I was at least able to sit for a couple hours today. Then I went to work, and I did not have to teach classes. I forgot that Thursday's classes are in the morning. So, really the day was not as difficult as I planned it to be. Well, maybe it was, but it was all crammed into that boot camp circuit. Yeah...that sounds about right.
The semi-fail was I went shopping hungry. I had 30 minutes before I had to go pick up my kidlets, so I ran to the store. Before I even arrived, I wanted chocolate. I talked myself down from a jug of milk for a week's worth (or more) of homemade hot cocoa to a Snicker's bar (simply so I would have a bit of chocolate without ensuring that I would be indulging every day for the next 7-10 days). I picked a Snicker's because it has peanuts, so I'd at least be getting a bit of protein. Right? That evens out? ... No? Dang. Anyway, I almost didn't eat the whole bar because it was sickeningly sweet. I guess I have been eating better if my old treats are now too much for me. Next time I get weak, I'll get one of those nice dark chocolate bars without all the bells and whistles and make it worth the splurge. The other good note is that I also talked myself out of Cheetoh's. They were on an end-cap, and they were like Sirens singing "Cruuuunchy saaaalty gooooodness!!!!" But I resisted, knowing I was already going to cheat with a candy bar.
So, I got home and immediately started dinner since it was already time to eat. My plan was to do the workout first and THEN cook, but I was too tired to remember that tidbit. So dinner began, I took my first couple bites, and then remembered the workout. Unfortunately, I have already sat down, which means I'm not getting back up for something strenuous. Yeah, I know, I'm lazy, and that's a mindset I need to work on. There's no reason I can't let dinner digest and then workout, right? Right. But, truth be told, I don't want to. I'm excessively sore, I am teaching classes tomorrow at work, and I know that at this point, it is more important that I sleep instead of workout (especially since I technically exercised this morning).
So, I'll post my food for today, and then I'm going to bed. I'll redo day 3 tomorrow. I only work a half-day, so there's no reason for me to not do the workout.
Food
B: Scrambled eggs, rice, black beans cooked in butter; hot tea with honey.
L: Gyspy soup; hot tea with raw cane sugar.
S: Snickers (dang Snickers).
D: Chicken nuggets, green beans, cottage cheese, wine.
W: 4
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Challenge Day 2
Workout--Cardio
I did forget to count the jog and the jump rope, but I can say that the jog I was steady through it, and the jump rope I had to take a break.
Right side step up: 18
Left side step up: 18 (felt sturdier)
Squat twist: 33
Pogo hops: 123
Burpees: 13
Jumping jacks: 50
Squat shuffle: 34
Star Plank jump-outs: 30
Again, I'm feeling weak and tired, but I'm not as shaky. My calves and hamstrings are screaming at me. I still have a sore throat, and coughing has begun. Time to make some hot tea and start gargling a lot.
Food--Today I am trying to do bigger meals and no snacks. Those snacks are my downfall. However, because of starting my partial routines and getting in my big stones at particular parts of the day, my breakfast was again late.
Breakfast: Scrambled eggs, black beans, and rice cooked in butter; grapefruit with raw sugar cane; hot tea with honey.
Lunch: Gypsy soup.
Dinner: Chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, corn, wine.
Water:6
I did a lot better with the quantity of food today. Oh yeah, and teaching classes at Curves on top of doing this? Hahahah! Three words...
epsom
salt
bath
Tomorrow is going to be a bear. I extern at a gym for a few hours in the morning (which tomorrow includes me working out), then I train a couple clients at my school, then I work in the evening (most likely teaching two classes in the process), only to come home and do this challenge. My goal is to do it, whether it's horrible and I need to take breaks every five seconds or not. I just want to do it.
I did forget to count the jog and the jump rope, but I can say that the jog I was steady through it, and the jump rope I had to take a break.
Right side step up: 18
Left side step up: 18 (felt sturdier)
Squat twist: 33
Pogo hops: 123
Burpees: 13
Jumping jacks: 50
Squat shuffle: 34
Star Plank jump-outs: 30
Again, I'm feeling weak and tired, but I'm not as shaky. My calves and hamstrings are screaming at me. I still have a sore throat, and coughing has begun. Time to make some hot tea and start gargling a lot.
Food--Today I am trying to do bigger meals and no snacks. Those snacks are my downfall. However, because of starting my partial routines and getting in my big stones at particular parts of the day, my breakfast was again late.
Breakfast: Scrambled eggs, black beans, and rice cooked in butter; grapefruit with raw sugar cane; hot tea with honey.
Lunch: Gypsy soup.
Dinner: Chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, corn, wine.
Water:6
I did a lot better with the quantity of food today. Oh yeah, and teaching classes at Curves on top of doing this? Hahahah! Three words...
epsom
salt
bath
Tomorrow is going to be a bear. I extern at a gym for a few hours in the morning (which tomorrow includes me working out), then I train a couple clients at my school, then I work in the evening (most likely teaching two classes in the process), only to come home and do this challenge. My goal is to do it, whether it's horrible and I need to take breaks every five seconds or not. I just want to do it.
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Challenge Day 1
Today is the first day of the Bikini Body Mommy Challenge for me.
A few side notes:
-I am not actually following the meal plan, but I will be posting my food simply in an effort to eat better.
-When tracking food, I do not measure everything. If I do, I'll last anywhere between a few hours to a couple days, and then I'll quit. Instead of keeping portions, I am focusing more on the quality of what I am eating, as well as paying attention to when I am full, and drinking more water instead of grabbing more food.
-I am not doing the progress pictures. I am moving cross country soon, and my current residency does not have a good place to take a full-body picture.
I should also note that I am currently fighting...something. My boys have been sick, and I woke up with a sore throat and congestion. Too bad my master tonic won't be ready for another 11 days.
Measurements
Weight: 140.25 lbs
Bicep: 11"
Forearm: 7.5"
Bust: 36.5"
Waist: 32.75"
Narrow Hips: 34.25"
Wide Hips: 37.25"
Thighs: 18.25"
Calves 13.75"
The workout--fit test:
During the walking knee pull of the warm-up, I noticed that my tendons/ligaments were popping over the joints/bones of my pelvis. We'll see if that happens by the time this challenge is over.
Squat to press (3 lb weights...heaviest I have): 28
Tricep dips: 20
Squat jumps: 23
Push-ups: 11
Right lunge kick: 16
Left lunge kick: 18
Mountain climbers: 74
Elbow plank: 35 seconds (w/ breaks)
And now I'm pooped, a little light-headed, and most definitely shaky. I feel like a weenie!
Today's food
Breakfast: Scrambled eggs, black beans, and rice cooked in butter; hot green tea with ginger.
Snack: Curves bar (Almond Allure); a grapefruit with raw cane sugar, and colby-jack cheese.
Lunch: Gypsy soup
Dinner: Apple w/ peanut butter; glass of wine.
Water: 5
With the boys being sick, we slept in this morning, had a late breakfast (around 1030) and a late lunch (around 1530), which is why dinner was more like a snack to top off the day. Aside from knowing I was going to start the challenge today, I did not have my mind ready to do so. My goal for today was to get the workout done, which I did. However, because I was not truly ready, water and food were not my focus until the day was almost over. Hopefully tomorrow I will do better. Tomorrow I am also going to start using routines throughout the day to ensure that I'm getting everything done. I have the routines written now, but the first week is going to be a lax version, mainly focused on doing things at a certain time (like waking up when I ought to) and taking care of those big stones in my life (referenced from this blog entry http://moneysavingmom.com/tag/how-to-develop-a-routine).
A few side notes:
-I am not actually following the meal plan, but I will be posting my food simply in an effort to eat better.
-When tracking food, I do not measure everything. If I do, I'll last anywhere between a few hours to a couple days, and then I'll quit. Instead of keeping portions, I am focusing more on the quality of what I am eating, as well as paying attention to when I am full, and drinking more water instead of grabbing more food.
-I am not doing the progress pictures. I am moving cross country soon, and my current residency does not have a good place to take a full-body picture.
I should also note that I am currently fighting...something. My boys have been sick, and I woke up with a sore throat and congestion. Too bad my master tonic won't be ready for another 11 days.
Measurements
Weight: 140.25 lbs
Bicep: 11"
Forearm: 7.5"
Bust: 36.5"
Waist: 32.75"
Narrow Hips: 34.25"
Wide Hips: 37.25"
Thighs: 18.25"
Calves 13.75"
The workout--fit test:
During the walking knee pull of the warm-up, I noticed that my tendons/ligaments were popping over the joints/bones of my pelvis. We'll see if that happens by the time this challenge is over.
Squat to press (3 lb weights...heaviest I have): 28
Tricep dips: 20
Squat jumps: 23
Push-ups: 11
Right lunge kick: 16
Left lunge kick: 18
Mountain climbers: 74
Elbow plank: 35 seconds (w/ breaks)
And now I'm pooped, a little light-headed, and most definitely shaky. I feel like a weenie!
Today's food
Breakfast: Scrambled eggs, black beans, and rice cooked in butter; hot green tea with ginger.
Snack: Curves bar (Almond Allure); a grapefruit with raw cane sugar, and colby-jack cheese.
Lunch: Gypsy soup
Dinner: Apple w/ peanut butter; glass of wine.
Water: 5
With the boys being sick, we slept in this morning, had a late breakfast (around 1030) and a late lunch (around 1530), which is why dinner was more like a snack to top off the day. Aside from knowing I was going to start the challenge today, I did not have my mind ready to do so. My goal for today was to get the workout done, which I did. However, because I was not truly ready, water and food were not my focus until the day was almost over. Hopefully tomorrow I will do better. Tomorrow I am also going to start using routines throughout the day to ensure that I'm getting everything done. I have the routines written now, but the first week is going to be a lax version, mainly focused on doing things at a certain time (like waking up when I ought to) and taking care of those big stones in my life (referenced from this blog entry http://moneysavingmom.com/tag/how-to-develop-a-routine).
Monday, January 5, 2015
Bikini Body Mommy Challenge 3.0
A friend of mine posted on Facebook that she did her first workout for the Bikini Body Mommy Challenge 3.0. Being a newly found personal trainer (as well as a mommy without a bikini body), I took a gander to see what it was about.
Initial thoughts:
I like her. This woman is real. She isn't fantastically fit and saying you can do it with no story of her own. She is documenting her own progress as the challenge goes, which is fantastic. I just like her.
I am very busy right now. I am about to graduate from school to be a personal trainer, so I am in the middle of my internship and externship, I am working part-time, I am planning and preparing for a cross-country move at the end of February, I am studying for my NASM personal training and correct exercise exams, and I have two boys for whom I am an acting-single-parent. All those things combined mean the last thing I want to do is plan something else, like a workout plan for myself. In pops this challenge, which a couple of my friends are doing, and I think this would be great simply because it's something I could do and not think about what I needed to do.
So, starting tomorrow (which is a "day off" since one boy has a fever), I am going to jump in head first with this challenge. I am using this blog as an accountability partner, whether anyone reads it or not. So here goes!
Initial thoughts:
I like her. This woman is real. She isn't fantastically fit and saying you can do it with no story of her own. She is documenting her own progress as the challenge goes, which is fantastic. I just like her.
I am very busy right now. I am about to graduate from school to be a personal trainer, so I am in the middle of my internship and externship, I am working part-time, I am planning and preparing for a cross-country move at the end of February, I am studying for my NASM personal training and correct exercise exams, and I have two boys for whom I am an acting-single-parent. All those things combined mean the last thing I want to do is plan something else, like a workout plan for myself. In pops this challenge, which a couple of my friends are doing, and I think this would be great simply because it's something I could do and not think about what I needed to do.
So, starting tomorrow (which is a "day off" since one boy has a fever), I am going to jump in head first with this challenge. I am using this blog as an accountability partner, whether anyone reads it or not. So here goes!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)