I went running today....and keep in mind I haven't had a good run in about a week. Last Monday, it was the perfect temperature outside so I decided to forgo the gym. Well, it was also insanely windy out and I accidentally pushed skip on my ipod (which is how I time my runs) so, it was disastrous in two ways. I went to the gym and tried again...and I did it, but JUST BARELY. Needless to say that run did not feel GOOD either. I missed my run this weekend for two reasons: 1) it was rainy and gross outside and 2) I had to drive home to get some homework I had forgotten and DC drivers do not know how to handle their cars in the rain (TRAFFIC). So I tried again this Monday, after hearing a friend tell me that treadmill runs seem shorter/easier when the system is set on random, so I tried that. Well, the prolem is, it had me going uphill for the entire first 1.5 miles. I got to a point where I was so warm and so tired I just couldn't do it anymore. All this being said, I'm proud of myself for how I have performed the last few days.
After deciding that the 2.5 miles was not going to happen on Monday, I got off the treadmill and did the reamining 15 minutes on the ellpitical. This move reminded me of how much I miss my beloved elliptical friend. So Tuesday, I went back to the gym and did 30 minutes on the elliptical - about 2 miles. Yesterday, I took a break. Then today, I was back in the gym and completed a 2.4 mile run with a bit slower pace, including a random stop in the middle to tie my rogue shoelace. I'm not the fastest runner in the world, but I've learned that I have to take it at my own pace. Just like they said in my Motorcycle Safety Course (MSF), "ride your own ride"...I needed (and still need) to learn to "run my own run". That's what I plan to do at the 5k in April! I may not run the entire thing, but gosh darn it, I'm going to finish! I am not giving up on my goal!!
In addition to stepping it up with exercise, I have been eating much better and tracking my calories again. I haven't noticed much difference yet, but it's only been a few days. Yay for small victories! My goal is to keep things sustainable and to do this for the sake of health, not the sake of weight.
Showing posts with label fitness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fitness. Show all posts
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Starting Over
My goals are still in tact, but all the schoolwork due last week through a kink in my running plans. As a result, I went nearly a week without doing a single run. I'm starting back up with week 2 of my running program so I don't fall too far behind. This morning's run was hard, but I felt so good afterwards.
In addition, Greg and I finally made a pact to start eating better - our habits are getting out of control. A few times a week, we'll go to the grocery store, grab a loaf of Italian bread and consume the entire thing...at 10 or 11pm! Not good if you're trying to lose weight (or in general). So tomorrow starts the habit of making lunch for the week. We're going to use the crockpot to make about 12 servings pasta e fagioli soup and the breadmaker to bake some english muffin bread. I'm pretty stoked. This is something I've been wanting to do for a while, because I know I won't lose weight until both my diet and exercise habits get under control.
In the meantime, I've been looking for pictures and quotes to inspire me through the beginning...always the toughest part of forming a habit. I plan to share them on a weekly basis (which will also help with my habit of reflecting and writing). Here are the picks for this week:
I chose this picture for a few reasons. First of all, it reminds me that a healthy lifestyle is a journey, and a long one at that. Also, it helps me remember that I need to have a goal I'm working toward, or it's hard to stay motivated. And lastly, it shows that if I make balanced, healthy lifestyle choices, the reward will be incredible (as I'm sure the view is incredible from the top of Mt. Rainer).
This weeks quote is directly correlated: If you don't do what's best for your body, you're the one who comes up on the short end.
* Quote by Julius Erving. Picture by Jim Frazier.
In addition, Greg and I finally made a pact to start eating better - our habits are getting out of control. A few times a week, we'll go to the grocery store, grab a loaf of Italian bread and consume the entire thing...at 10 or 11pm! Not good if you're trying to lose weight (or in general). So tomorrow starts the habit of making lunch for the week. We're going to use the crockpot to make about 12 servings pasta e fagioli soup and the breadmaker to bake some english muffin bread. I'm pretty stoked. This is something I've been wanting to do for a while, because I know I won't lose weight until both my diet and exercise habits get under control.
In the meantime, I've been looking for pictures and quotes to inspire me through the beginning...always the toughest part of forming a habit. I plan to share them on a weekly basis (which will also help with my habit of reflecting and writing). Here are the picks for this week:
I chose this picture for a few reasons. First of all, it reminds me that a healthy lifestyle is a journey, and a long one at that. Also, it helps me remember that I need to have a goal I'm working toward, or it's hard to stay motivated. And lastly, it shows that if I make balanced, healthy lifestyle choices, the reward will be incredible (as I'm sure the view is incredible from the top of Mt. Rainer).This weeks quote is directly correlated: If you don't do what's best for your body, you're the one who comes up on the short end.
* Quote by Julius Erving. Picture by Jim Frazier.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Time to Tri Something New!
First of all, yes, I know that "tri" is spelled wrong in the title. It's intentional, I promise!
As some of you may know, I've been in a "health" funk for quite some time now. In fact, I've just been in a general funk, but health has been one of the primary areas. While I've gotten back into an exercise "routine", I feel like it's not enough. Eventually it will become a boring, post-work activity that I don't look forward to in the least. I think I discovered why this is the case: I'm not working toward anything. Yes, there is always the goal of weight loss, however, that is not enough anymore. I've decided to set a goal for myself: I am going to participate in a sprint triathlon in August of 2009. At first, I thought about doing an Olympic Triathlon, but I want to start small...and I also want to leave more to work toward. So here is my plan (which I am writing more for myself than anybody else):
1. Complete the Couch to 5K Training Program. This program does exactly what is says - gets me off the couch and running a little over three miles. My first goal is to be regularly running 3 miles, at least 3 times a week. Running has always been hard for me, but I think that's because I've always tried to go too hard core too fast. This gradually helps me work toward a 3 mile starting point. One I hit that, I can continually improve. This is also perfect considering the final leg of the spring triathlon is a 5K run. Once I achieve this goal, I want to reward myself with a great pair of running shoes from a store that actually watches you run and chooses the best shoe (such as Pacers, or Portland Running Company).
2. Get a bike and start riding it regularly. For the time being, financial and weather constraints may constrict me to the stationary bike at the gym, but one spring hits, I would like to get a real bike (as I will need one for the race anyway). The Spring Triathlon distance is 16 miles, so I would like to be able to comfortably ride that distance come June or July. I am already starting to save toward this goal (purchasing the bike, and needed equipment).
3. Start swimming once a week. Since I want to keep my workouts varied, I would like to start "hitting the pool" once a week or so. I need to get back in the habit of swimming long distances, as I haven't really done this since high school. This is the first and (for many people) most daunting part of the triathlon. Luckily, I had some fairly regular practice with this in high school - I know I can do it, I just need to work up to it again.
4. Participate in the "Manassas Mini Triathlon*". This will be my first real triathlon experience, and will tell me if I have enough fun to continue with this event long term. It will also give me some beginning practice with transitions and all the anxiety that comes with competition. This will also be perfect as it will be taking place around the same time I would like to start my training program.
5. Finish the "Luray Sprint Triathlon**". Depending on how I do in the mini triathlon, and how my training is progressing, I will set more specific goals closer to race time. Right now, I'm just excited to have something to train for, rather than having a very large, ambiguous goal of "being healthy".
*Mini Triathlon = 250 yard swim/4 mile bike ride/1.4 mile run
**Sprint Triathlon = 750 yard swim/16 mile bike ride/3.1 mile run
As some of you may know, I've been in a "health" funk for quite some time now. In fact, I've just been in a general funk, but health has been one of the primary areas. While I've gotten back into an exercise "routine", I feel like it's not enough. Eventually it will become a boring, post-work activity that I don't look forward to in the least. I think I discovered why this is the case: I'm not working toward anything. Yes, there is always the goal of weight loss, however, that is not enough anymore. I've decided to set a goal for myself: I am going to participate in a sprint triathlon in August of 2009. At first, I thought about doing an Olympic Triathlon, but I want to start small...and I also want to leave more to work toward. So here is my plan (which I am writing more for myself than anybody else):
1. Complete the Couch to 5K Training Program. This program does exactly what is says - gets me off the couch and running a little over three miles. My first goal is to be regularly running 3 miles, at least 3 times a week. Running has always been hard for me, but I think that's because I've always tried to go too hard core too fast. This gradually helps me work toward a 3 mile starting point. One I hit that, I can continually improve. This is also perfect considering the final leg of the spring triathlon is a 5K run. Once I achieve this goal, I want to reward myself with a great pair of running shoes from a store that actually watches you run and chooses the best shoe (such as Pacers, or Portland Running Company).
2. Get a bike and start riding it regularly. For the time being, financial and weather constraints may constrict me to the stationary bike at the gym, but one spring hits, I would like to get a real bike (as I will need one for the race anyway). The Spring Triathlon distance is 16 miles, so I would like to be able to comfortably ride that distance come June or July. I am already starting to save toward this goal (purchasing the bike, and needed equipment).
3. Start swimming once a week. Since I want to keep my workouts varied, I would like to start "hitting the pool" once a week or so. I need to get back in the habit of swimming long distances, as I haven't really done this since high school. This is the first and (for many people) most daunting part of the triathlon. Luckily, I had some fairly regular practice with this in high school - I know I can do it, I just need to work up to it again.
4. Participate in the "Manassas Mini Triathlon*". This will be my first real triathlon experience, and will tell me if I have enough fun to continue with this event long term. It will also give me some beginning practice with transitions and all the anxiety that comes with competition. This will also be perfect as it will be taking place around the same time I would like to start my training program.
5. Finish the "Luray Sprint Triathlon**". Depending on how I do in the mini triathlon, and how my training is progressing, I will set more specific goals closer to race time. Right now, I'm just excited to have something to train for, rather than having a very large, ambiguous goal of "being healthy".
*Mini Triathlon = 250 yard swim/4 mile bike ride/1.4 mile run
**Sprint Triathlon = 750 yard swim/16 mile bike ride/3.1 mile run
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Focus!
I've now realized (again) that I can only focus on one area at a time. For the last month or so, my focus has been on getting better at my job. Before that, I focused on learning how to balance work and school. While I don't think I have either of those "down pat", I've decided it is high time I focus on another area - health. So for the next however many blogs it takes, I am going to discuss health. This is partly because I learn when I write and partly because I want to feel somewhat accountable, even if it is only to those 3 random people who stumble across this blog once in a while. I want to talk about both my successes and failures.
Lately, I feel like I have had FAR more failure than success. To be honest, since I started dating, and feeling "comfortable" I have really let me health and fitness slip to the wayside. At this point, I am almost back to the shape I was in before I really took hold of my personal health in 2006. I have backtracked a LOT! Greg actually gets bummed anytime I mention this because he feels like it is his fault. Well, the only fault he has in this equation is treating me like a princess and making me realize that I will be loved no matter what I look like. Therefore, for the last year, I have not cared about keeping up my appearance and being the best "me" possible. So to Greg, for loving me unconditionally, I blame you! But that is not a bad thing...just no more "regular" late night ice cream binges, etc. etc. :)
But all the real responsibility is mine. It is my fault that I often get lazy and skip the gym - often for weeks at a time. It is my fault that I stop paying attention/caring about what I eat. It is my fault that I start neglecting my health in general. Sure there are a TON of things that would make it much easier to achieve my goal of optimal health, but those aren't options right now; so I don't want to depend on them. I need to work with what I have.
It's not like I don't know how to lose weight/keep in shape...I've done it before, very recently. For some reason though, once a person enters a serious and committed relationship, it is hard to find motivation. I constantly catch myself thinking, "Greg will love me no matter what, so if I don't want to go to the gym today, that's okay." I have displaced the understanding that I do this, I stay healthy for ME! I do this because I want to live the best life possible...not to be impressive to someone else. So this week, that is my goal - realizing that my health is my responsibility and I do it for ME!
It's like one of my favorite personal finance bloggers always says "Nobody cares about your personal finances more than you do." This also applies to health...so my mantra for this month is "Nobody cares about my personal health and well being more than I do". So until I take charge of my health, I cannot expect anyone else. So this is my...taking charge!
And on a side note, I also need to get back on track with my finances this month! So that will be one of those "secondary focus" areas, along with school and work.
Lately, I feel like I have had FAR more failure than success. To be honest, since I started dating, and feeling "comfortable" I have really let me health and fitness slip to the wayside. At this point, I am almost back to the shape I was in before I really took hold of my personal health in 2006. I have backtracked a LOT! Greg actually gets bummed anytime I mention this because he feels like it is his fault. Well, the only fault he has in this equation is treating me like a princess and making me realize that I will be loved no matter what I look like. Therefore, for the last year, I have not cared about keeping up my appearance and being the best "me" possible. So to Greg, for loving me unconditionally, I blame you! But that is not a bad thing...just no more "regular" late night ice cream binges, etc. etc. :)
But all the real responsibility is mine. It is my fault that I often get lazy and skip the gym - often for weeks at a time. It is my fault that I stop paying attention/caring about what I eat. It is my fault that I start neglecting my health in general. Sure there are a TON of things that would make it much easier to achieve my goal of optimal health, but those aren't options right now; so I don't want to depend on them. I need to work with what I have.
It's not like I don't know how to lose weight/keep in shape...I've done it before, very recently. For some reason though, once a person enters a serious and committed relationship, it is hard to find motivation. I constantly catch myself thinking, "Greg will love me no matter what, so if I don't want to go to the gym today, that's okay." I have displaced the understanding that I do this, I stay healthy for ME! I do this because I want to live the best life possible...not to be impressive to someone else. So this week, that is my goal - realizing that my health is my responsibility and I do it for ME!
It's like one of my favorite personal finance bloggers always says "Nobody cares about your personal finances more than you do." This also applies to health...so my mantra for this month is "Nobody cares about my personal health and well being more than I do". So until I take charge of my health, I cannot expect anyone else. So this is my...taking charge!
And on a side note, I also need to get back on track with my finances this month! So that will be one of those "secondary focus" areas, along with school and work.
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