Two Steps Forward and One Step Back

Here's a typical day in the life of me.

7:00-11:00 AM- Eat a good healthy breakfast and snacks.
Noon- Eat a healthy lunch and take a walk around my office (or my block).
2:00 PM- Crave, buy, and eat [enter junk food here] something.
5:00 PM- Go home and make a healthy dinner.
7:00 PM- Sit in front of the TV or computer thinking about how I should go to the gym.
9:00 PM- Work out (or not).
11:00 PM- Stop for a Frosty on the way home from the gym.

It seems like I can't make it through an entire day or being good, let alone a week. I keep taking one step forward (eating healthy and working out) then taking two steps backwards (gummy bears, not working out for three days). I'm pretty sure I won't make it to the top of the stairs anytime soon (or anytime for that matter).

So my goal for next week is to start taking two steps forward and only one step back. It might take me a while but at least that way I might eventually make it to the top.

One Hundred Pushup Challenge

I started the one-hundred push up challenge yesterday. In six weeks, I'm supposed to be able to do one-hundred push ups. I did the initial test yesterday and could do four in good form. I'm going to do my push ups on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Let me know if you're joining in so we can support each other. Only 10 minutes, three days a week, and you should be able to do 100 push ups in a row, even if you're like me and starting out in level 1 (0-5 push ups). Oh and I'm going to the gym after work to run today. It's only three miles, piece of cake right.

Revised Training Plan

So I'm beginning to think I like this whole 10K idea. The training plan looks much less intimidating than a half-marathon training guide. 2M + strength just sounds so much better then 4M + strength, at least starting out. I'll still do the half-marathon after the 10K, but it's much less to start out with something that actually seems achievable. Thanks to Hal Higdon, here is my five week 10K training plan that starts Monday (oh and I'm starting on week 4!).

Oh and if anyone wants to run with me, I'm planning on running the 10K in Vienna the end of July and would love a training buddy.

My First Race

Did you know that the only races I've ever run have been half-marathons? People say that signing up for races actually gets you moving. I'm not sure why not, but I've never signed up for any shorter races as part of my training. Well that trend has been broken. I just signed up for a 10K that is five weeks away so I better get my butt in gear and start running. I can run at least 3 miles now so hopefully 6.2 isn't an unreachable goal. I searched for 5Ks, but there weren't any listed in my area in the next month or so. So 10K it is. My first ever non-half race and hopefully a boost to reaching that final half marathon goal. I'll keep you posted.

Goal #2- Three Days

So goal #1 wasn't actually ever written down anywhere but in my head, but it was to run 3.1 miles (5K) without stopping. I got up this morning, got on the treadmill and just kept going. And guess what, I did it. My face may have been bright red (still is actually), but I probably could have even kept going.

I think it's about time to get serious about this whole running thing so my next goal is to get in three days of running a week. I'm hoping to accomplish that goal this week and work towards another goal (called strength training) next. I've learned that big goals come by setting up smaller ones that add up to equal the big one. Kind of like 1+1+1=3. Obviously my ultimate goal is to run another half-marathon so I've got to just keep coming up with smaller goals that will get me there.

I'm writing it down this time. This week's goal is to run three days a week.

I Must've Tired My iPod Out Last Night

This morning was one of those worst case scenario days. One of those days that you have every excuse not to work out (and not just excuses I'm make up). Richie had to be in early, so I dropped him off at the metro and went to the gym with the motive to run outside then shower at the gym before work. I remember distinctly putting my iPod and head phones in my gym bag this morning, but somehow the headphones didn't quite make it. I HATE running without music. I need some type of distraction to keep me from thinking about how far I've gone. And music just gets your feet moving when your mind and heart can't.

But I sucked it up and ran anyways. I only ran a little over 2 1/2 miles (without walking!!!), but that's better than not running at all, which is I almost did. After my run tomorrow, that'll be three days this week!! Three days the next two weeks and then I think I'm ready to officially start my training.

Oh and here's a fun story. Except for the fact that it's not fun at all. While I was on my last 1/2 mile, all the sudden I hear my name (never a good sign when you're running) and this guy on his bike stops and says, "Britni. I thought it was you." I'm staring at this guy because I sort of recognize him but really have no idea who he is. He starts talking and then notices me staring and tells me it's Milo (I remembered as soon as he said his name). Milo, my best friend's buddy that took me to Homecoming junior year of high school. Milo that I haven't seen since my junior (maybe senior) year of high school six years ago. We chatted for a minute and then I politely excused myself so I could finish my run and get to work.

The worst part of seeing him was that he recognized me. I always hope that I've changed so much (in good ways) since high school that people won't recognize me. I guess not if a guy I hung out with maybe two times could pick me out running on the street, which by the way is my #1 reason for not liking to run outside. I without fail see people I know. And nobody really wants to see me when I'm running- it's just not a pretty sight.

Another Day

Didn't end up having time to workout yesterday like I'd hoped. I sat in traffic for 90 minutes instead because the metro was having delays. Then we had a going-away get together for some of the girls in the ward. I ended up getting home around 11:30 because we just chatted away. Not a big deal, but it didn't leave me with time to workout. I was supposed to get up and go this morning but decided to come into work early and go to the gym after work instead. Probably not the best choice, but I'll get there and get on that treadmill. Started tracking what I eat yesterday with WW online and realized that some of the things I put in my mouth without even thinking about it are killers. Like that KitKat I took out of the candy bowl on Tuesday. I think that was like 10 points. Good thing I didn't start until yesterday. It really is making me be more conscious about what I eat though because I don't want to eat anything that has more than a few points. We'll see how it works out. I just keep telling myself that it can't hurt right. Slowly but surely I'll get there.

That Girl

Two years ago when I was training for my half marathon and getting ready for my wedding, I went and got a pedicure. The lady working on my nails kind of laughed and smiled. I thought she was smiling because my feet were so gross or because I hadn't shaved before coming. But then she said, "Strong calves. Soccer player?" I told her I wasn't a soccer player but that I ran a lot. She smiled again and massaged my calves (the best part of a pedicure by the way).

I want to be that girl. I want to be the girl who gets told she has nice calves by the pedicurist. The girl who warms up for a volleyball match with a seven mile run. The girl who says she's training a half-marathon like it's nothing at all. The girl who plans and actually runs her runs.

That girl was me once. It's about time that I'm that girl again.

Today's Appointment

The plan is to hit Best Buy tonight and then the gym right next door after work. It's on my Google calendar, and I'm not gonna miss this one. Time to start treating myself like I treat all of my clients. That Treadmill is calling my name.

Only Twice, But It's Progress

Even with all of my good intentions I only worked out twice this week. But hey that's better than the one time the week before, and not going at all for the month before that. Two is definitely better than zero in any book. I'm repeating last week's training plan this week and hope to actually stick to it. As an added bonus, I'm going to start writing out everything I eat with my daily calorie intake. It's more for my benefit because supposedly if you have to write everything down, you are less likely to eat the handful of M&Ms or third piece of pizza. Supposedly. But it can't hurt to try. This week should be a lot less busy, and I'm about to go sit down with my husband to plan out some goals and our weekly schedule, which will include my daily workouts. Slow and steady makes it to (I'm not trying to win right now) the race right. I'll get there eventually.

Healthy Snacks

Since I started working out again, I've been in dire need of food like all the time. I'm normally starving by lunch and have eaten all of my snacks by then. What am I supposed to do after lunch? Oh and my husband takes a huge lunch and somehow eats it all and is still hungry. I'm looking for some healthy snack ideas other than the typical ones (yogurt, fruit, veggies, nuts, string cheese, jerky, whole grain crackers) to keep from taking an entire box of crackers or bag of carrots. I want things that are simple to make or that I can just throw in a Ziploc bag and in my lunch box.

So here's where you come in. What are your favorite healthy snacks? What do you eat to keep yourself from starving throughout the day?

Daily Changes

One of the features that I love about Self Magazine (one of the only magazines I subscribe to) is a 30-day makeover. They've done things like losing weight, getting in shape, having more energy, being more charitable, etc. I realized that I can't just go healthy cold turkey; it's just not going to work. So I've decided to take Self's idea and add in one healthy thing a day and continue adding things in until it becomes easier to make the right decisions. Some things just aren't going to work, and I'll deal with that, but it can't hurt to try right. I'll post my healthy change on the sidebar each day and try to stick with the ones that work for me. Who knows maybe I'll eventually love eating healthy after all. I'm not promising anything but at least I'm trying.

It Must Be A Fluke

After two days of running, I already have more energy and feel stronger.

I've dominated in the past three office foosball games. Normally I'm the weak link.

Just another reason to keep running.

I Can Do This

I ran again today- 3 miles with only a few walk breaks in between the miles. I'm beginning to think that maybe I actually can do this. I made it through the final mile with breath to spare. I've just got to continue to take all of the necessary steps to make it happen- plan my weekly training schedule, plan a time daily to workout, and finally the most important, go.

I actually did pretty good eating wise today too... well other than the two handfuls of Peanut M&Ms I stole from the office candy bowl. Oh, how I wish that wasn't there. There's no hope for me when free chocolate is available. I'm gonna have to stay away from the front desk from now on. But other than the chocolate I had a fruit smoothie and Fiber One Bar for breakfast, snacked on a peach and caramel rice crisps, had a chicken vegetable stir fry for lunch, and chicken divan for dinner. So no it wasn't all extremely healthy, but it wasn't too bad. Baby steps right. Tomorrow I'll walk right past the candy bowl.