BFL: Week 1 Complete

Okay so I'm going to have to admit I'm not sure I really should count this week as my first week of the challenge, but I'm going to anyway. I may not have done everything perfectly, or even close to perfectly, but I already feel a ton better because I'm thinking about what I'm eating and about being more active.

Food:
Overall I did extremely well with food this week. I used Tuesday (my cookie swap) as my free day and made the decision to eat well all day and just splurge a little during my swap. That splurge included only three cookies and then I took all the leftovers to work to get rid of them. The rest of the week I only slipped (purposely) a couple of times including eating a piece of my sopapilla cheesecake last night and a bowl of loaded baked potato soup (with bacon) on Friday night for dinner group.

It's amazing how even after only six days my eating habits are already beginning to change and when I go to eat cookie it just doesn't taste good or I don't want a second at least. And when I eat a meal, I really just want a small portion rather than to indulge.

Workouts:
Other than getting up with Afton on Monday morning I didn't do any of the planned BFL workouts. In fact the only other workouts I did were some intense volleyball on Monday and Wednesday night (2 hours each time).

Overall analysis:
I lost 3.5 lbs this week. And like I said before, this week already had me feeling much better without even including the workouts. So let's see how a week of workouts + good eating goes.

Next week's goal:
Complete at least 5 of the 6 workouts. I'd love to do all six but my cardio on Sat is probably not realistic since I have a vball tournament starting at 9AM.

Upper Body Workout 1

I got up at 6 this morning, drank some water, and got ready for my upper body workout with Afton. I walked out the door to go downstairs to meet her and realized I'd forgotten my keys. Richie wouldn't wake up so I went ahead with the workout and got keys from the front desk after. He still wasn't awake.

Overall the workout was fine, but I realized something. Not only am I weak physically, I'm weak mentally, which is probably why I quit things so easily. Trying to help me out - I really do appreciate it - Afton gave me a couple of pointers on my form. All of the pointers were useful and helped but inside I was annoyed and thinking, "I'm here aren't I. Just let me do this." That's a terrible way to think about things, but I tend to think about a lot of things that way too often. I'm not sure if it's pride or really just me being too sensitive about certain things, but it's another thing I'm going to work on during this challenge. I have to be able to take criticism, especially constructive criticism, or I'll never get anywhere in life. Because I'm not always or ever going to be perfect.

But I did it. Only like 6000 more upper body workouts to go. I thought about putting my actual workouts here, but I just don't think anyone cares. And this is more for me to write what I'm thinking and feeling as I go through the challenge. My way to keep motivating myself to keep moving forward. But in case you do care, here goes...

Chest - dumbbell flys + dumbbell press
Shoulders - military press + front raises
Back - Upright rows + Lat Pulldown
Triceps - Dips (killer by the way) + Tricep kickbacks
Biceps - Hammer Curls + Bicep Curls

Body for Life Challenge - Starting Out

I'm starting a 12-week Body for Life challenge with my friend Afton tomorrow. I'm really good at starting new things but never finishing them. I'm hoping that with Afton at my side AND Hawaii in the near future I'll be able to get through this one. People don't really want to read about my everyday triumphs and failures in the challenge so I'm going to track my progress here instead of my real blog. Starting with today - here are my goals for the challenge. I'll give a progress report at the end of week 1.

So here go my goals for my program:

1. Lose 10 lbs - if I didn't include this one, I would be lying.
2. Create and stick to a workout routine for 12 weeks.
3. Lose 2 inches from my chest and at least one from my waist.
4. Put on an outfit - any outfit in my closet - and feel good.
5. Fit easily into my size 4 jeans.

Family Goals

They gave me a gift card at work about three months ago that I surprisingly haven't used yet. I decided yesterday, since I miss my family already, that when I hit my weight goal again I can use the bonus to buy a plane ticket to get visit my family again. So here goes nothing. As of Tuesday when I got back from my trip I was 10 lbs away from my goal. Today I'm seven pounds away. I'm going to make it because there's nothing more motivating than hanging out with my family - especially if I can take Richie with me this time.

It's Been a While

I've been neglecting this blog horribly, not because I have nothing to say but because well it's just hard to split things between three or four blogs. But my half marathon training is actually going fairly well. I'm been doing a lot more cross and strength training than before for my workout competition - I'm determined to win this month!!! But I actually have been running some too. I ran six on Tuesday while I watched Duplicity, and it was great.

So I'm thinking I should actually start using this blog again for what it was made for. I've been looking for a great way to track my workouts and what better way than free-form writing? So here goes again. This week has been great so far.

Monday: 60 minutes of volleyball then 45 minute The Firm Hi-Def Sculpt (strength DVD)
Tuesday: 6 mile run + 1 mile walk
Wednesday: 45 minute SYTYCD Cardio Funk DVD (dancing DVD - so much fun!!!)
Thursday: 30 minute Self Bikini Ready DVD (arms/abs) + 30 minute pilates DVD

I'm planning to run a long run on Saturday and maybe a short easy run tomorrow. Seven weeks to go until I die in the altitude in SLC. I'll keep you posted.

Looking Ahead to #8

I'm on day 20 of my no sweets month, and I'm doing great. I have definitely noticed that I don't need to snack as much during the day and don't crave things all night long without the sweets. I may just keep going and try and decrease my sweets intake after this month is over. But I really really really want a chocolate milkshake on Februay 1st.

I finished half-marathon #7 this weekend and had a great time. I'm already looking forward to #8 in Salt Lake in April. I'm really enjoying these get together with friends and family weekends. Now if I could just pick out a good marathon... that'll be for next month.

Scared

I'm on day 10 of my no sweets month and doing great, still no real cravings at all. Apparently next month I need to give up salty treats and go back to the sweets.

I think I probably chose sweets because I knew it was doable, and I like doable a whole lot more than I like something that scares me or takes me out of my comfort zone. This weekend is going to take me out of my comfort zone. I'm running half marathon #7 next weekend and I'll admit it- I'm scared. Really scared. This is the least amount of training I've ever done for a half-marathon and my seven-miler didn't go great last week.

We'll see how it goes but I have a feeling the butterflies are going to be accompanying me to my pasta dinner Saturday. I'm just not going to think about it until then.

Day 5

You know what I realized? It's much easier to say no to something when you have a reason for it or a goal in mind. It's been fairly easy to say no I don't want that piece or cake or no I don't want those rice krispy treats because then I just say, "I'm not eating sweets in January." With that goal in mind saying no is much easier than if I'm just like oh I shouldn't eat that. I'm not eating it vs. I shouldn't eat that is a huge difference.

So I'm about to go to sleep on day 5 and have easily said no to hot chocolate, peanut M&Ms, a milkshake, birthday cake and peppermint ice cream, rice krispy treats, and tootsie rolls.

Almost one week down.

Day 2 and Workout Reward Ideas

Going well so far...it's 8PM and I've only thought about sweets once or twice while I was shopping at Whole Foods. Update- it's now 9:20, and I still haven't thought about them again.

And for a few minutes while I was trying to come up with an idea for our workout competition monthly prize. So I don't have to come up with these ideas again every month, I decided to write them down for once. Here's what I've come up with so far for rewards that are $10-$25. I tried to stay away from any food related rewards since that kind of defeats the purpose... but thought of a couple that were kind of fun.

• Manicure/pedicure gift certificate ($15-25)
• Magazine subscription ($15-20)
• iTunes gift card (any amount)
• Target gift card (any amount)
• Sports Authority gift certificate for new workout gear (any amount)
• Amazon gift certificate for anything really (any amount)
• Cookbook ($15-$25)
• Movie tickets ($15)
• Mall gift certificate (any amount)
• Workout DVDs
• Baking stuff (mixing bowls, baking sheets, cupcake tins, silicone mat)
• Bath and Body Gift Certificate
• Candles/aromatherapy type stuff
• Fresh flowers
• Gift card to Etsy
• Homemade dinner gift cards
• Nice waterbottle/water pack for runners
• Yoga mat and bands
• Workout bag
• Exercise ball (the big ones), medicine balls, kettlebells, dumbbells, etc.
• Pedometer
• Gift card to shoe store (DSW, Payless, Off Broadway, etc.)
• iPod accessories (cover, headphones, gift card, speakers, running armband)
• Online personal training program (Designed for the recipient)
• Paying for a race registration

And then I thought that doing some type of themed gift basket would be kind of a fun reward as well. Here are some of the ideas I came up with.

• Healthy treats- chocolate milk, fruit, baby carrots, string cheese, yogurt, granola
• Homemade dinner - rolls, salad, main dish, dessert
• Homemade goodies - cinnamon rolls, cookies, cupcakes, muffins
• Night off #1: Movie Night - Blockbuster/Netflix/Redbox gift card, popcorn, movie candy, drinks, snuggie or fleece blanket
• Night off #2: Game night - pizza place gift certificate, gummy bears, playing cards, any board games, written out instructions for games like mafia, Chex Mix/snack food, drinks
• Night off #3 - good book, snuggie or fleece blanket, hot chocolate, goodies/chocolate
• Breakfast in Bed - cute vase, breakfast tray, breakfast recipes, muffin tin/mix, juice, fruit
• Pamper yourself/Girl's Night - chick flick, bubble bath, nail polish, foot lotion, face mask
• Spa Day - massage lotion, candles, neck wrap,
• Workout - water bottle, towel, workout DVD, CD of workout songs, magazine
• Yoga - yoga mat, yoga socks, resistance bands, yoga balls, yoga DVD/cards
• Baking - silicone spatulas, cupcake tins, mixing bowls, measuring cups, apron
• Sweet and Salty Treats - Chocolate covered pretzels, trail mix, popcorn with M&Ms, chocolate/yogurt covered nuts or sunflower seeds, granola bars
• iPod gift basket- iTunes gift card, iPod cover, headphones, speakers, armband, etc.

No Sweets Day 1

I did it. I made it through day one, and it wasn't too bad. It probably helped that I didn't leave the house until around eight and spent the day working out (dancing, running, and playing RockBand). When I'm running chocolate and candy are the last thing on my mind. And I wasn't even tempted to eat the peanut M&Ms Ryan had during our game night.

And now on to day two.

8 Weeks

I've got eight weeks until the Phoenix half-marathon, and I've run a total of four times in the past month. I've got a tough 55 days ahead of me.

Running

I ran two miles tonight (in the middle of a 80 minute cardio session) and ran one of those miles in 9:20, which is pretty good for me. I'm going to continue to try and run short runs just a little bit faster each time. And I'm going to try and get the long runs in for real. I've got a ways to go with this half training for Phoenix, but I'll make it.

Day 2

Food
I didn't eat any candy at work today, which is much better than yesterday's six pieces and two cupcakes. But I did make my MIL's Kuaui Krunch Kake, which is definitely not healthy and had a good serving of that plus a small slice of pie at the wellness night. A granola bar for breakfast, pizza (it was free and hard to pass up) for lunch, and pasta for dinner (just a little) with the krunch kake. Overall I felt like it was a good day and good decisions made.

Fitness
We had a church activity tonight that was a panel of four medical specialists- a family practioner, a midwife, a wellness coach/nutritionist, and a personal trainer. I didn't workout today, but I did get motivated to start working out again and I'm going to start a workout competition with a bunch of my friends. The doctor told Richie that he had to start working out again and hopefully that would flush the sickness out of his body, which means that we are going to start exercising together. Hopefully all of these things combined will get me moving.

Workout Log

Hello running blog. It's been a while. Way too long really. And other than a handful of random workouts between then and now, it's been almost that long since I've had a good workout. That stops today. They say that it's a good idea to track what you eat and your workouts to get into the routine, so once again I'm going to try and keep a real workout log. I'm going to see my family in three weeks from tomorrow and then the rest of my family a month after that so it's time to get serious and back in shape. I've got six pounds to lose (2 lbs a week) and three weeks to do it in.

So here goes.

Food:
I've been struggling lately to eat anything for breakfast other than cereal, which takes time that I don't have. I normally eat a lot of fruit smoothies but Richie has been sick and can't have smoothies so really I've just been skipping breakfast. Today I had about half an apple and half a thing of yogurt (oh and some corn flakes). Definitely not the best start. And I just can't seem to walk past the cupcakes in the office kitchen without eating one. Tomorrow I'll walk by. So I had two cupcakes and a couple of pieces of candy. Fail. For dinner Richie made a broccoli cheese chicken that was delicious, and I actually ate a good portion size (not too much).

Workout:
I did a 45-minute combination weights/cardio DVD called Total Body- Time Crunch. Normally I love it, but I just felt like I was going through the movements today without having any power behind any of them. I still felt great at the end and was sweating like crazy (might be our hot apartment). I just need to remember that feeling the next time I don't want to workout. Success.

A Year of Breaking Boundaries

This is the year I'm going to do it. I'm going to run a marathon. I'm going to learn to like running. I'm going to get into a routine and stick to it. I'm going to weight train and tone my arms. I'm going to be proud of my body and want to flaunt it (I won't, but I'll want to). I can feel it. This is going to be that year.

Happy birthday self. Let's make this year a good one. No hitting walls, no turning back. Just going, moving, and doing.

My First 5K

My friends and I are going to run a 5K in October. I'm kind of excited to run with other people and just for fun. Then I'll have run most of the normal races that people run before a half-marathon. The only one left is the marathon and that's coming next year. Sounds like an eventful year.

I've Got to Get Faster

I just looked at my second half-marathon time and realized that I am getting much slower...never a good thing. My goal for Baltimore (well maybe not Baltimore) is to get back under 2:20. Here's where I started and where I'm at now.

• Athens, OH half-marathon at around a 2:10 pace.
• Death Valley Half-marathon: 2:13
• Boise: 2:18
• Nashville: 2:32
• Iowa: 2:25:37

Not sure what happened, but I've definitely gotten slower. My goal for Baltimore is under 2:20. I ran nine this weekend in 1:37, which is about a 10:45 mile pace and that includes running the first mile at a 12-minute mile pace. So that means running about a 10:30 pace for the entire thing. It's supposedly a hilly race though so who knows. Maybe running faster will be the goal for my next race since Baltimore is only three weeks away.

Two Weeks To Go

Half-marathon #5 is two weeks from today. Not having run for two weeks, I've got a tough two weeks ahead of me. But I'll make it. I always do. So here's the plan for the next two weeks.

Monday- cross-training (I'm playing volleyball with friends for a couple of hours)
Tuesday- 5 mile run easy
Wednesday- 5 mile interval training
Thursday- 5 mile run easy
Friday- Rest
Saturday- 10 mile run easy (this is the biggie, I've penciled it in and have to get it in)
Sunday- Rest

Monday- Cross-training
Tuesday- 5 mile run easy
Wednesday- 3 mile tempo run (just faster than my normal pace)
Thursday- 3 mile easy
Friday-Saturday- Rest
Sunday- Half-marathon

I've got my stickers ready.

Walking Never Felt So Good

Three people showed up to our running group tonight including me. One of the girls hadn't run since May so we ended up walking the majority of the route. And it felt great. We walked about 3.2 miles, and it felt so nice to just take it easy after working out hard Mon-Weds. So maybe I didn't run, but who cares. I got out there, went the same distance, and met someone new in the process. I call that a success.

8 miles down, 10 to go

I can almost say that I like running again. Not love, but like. We had our second running group yesterday, and it went really well. There were only four of us, but one of the girls pushed us to run faster (she's training to drop time off her 5K pace) and we upped our pace and ended up runing around a 9:45-10:00 minute mile pace, which isn't really fast but it's better than the 10:30 we ran last week. We ran a total of 3.41 miles (according to my Garmin), and it was incredibly humid and hot but still fun to run with people. The second best part was that I got to go home and go back to bed for 2 hours, and I had already finished my run for the day.

Since my Tues/Thurs runs are only between 3-3.5 miles each to make it possible for other people to come, I decided to do a little longer (5 miles) on Wednesday night and throw in some speed training. So tonight I did 5 miles on the treadmill with the intervals below. I normally run between 5.5-5.8 on the treadmill by the way.

Tonight:
Ran 1/2 mile at 5.5
Ran 1 mile at 6.5 (felt great!!!)
Ran 1/2 mile at 5.3
Ran 1 mile at 6.3 (felt great)
Ran 1/2 mile at 5.3
Ran 1/2 mile at 6.0 and 1/2 mile at 6.5 (still felt great)
Ran .1 mile at 6.7, .1 mile at 6.9, .1 mile at 7.1, .1 mile at 7.3, and .1 mile at 7.5.

And you know what? I felt great and wasn't even breathing hard. Two days of running (8 miles) and two left. I'm going to do an easy 3 tomorrow and then try and get it 7-8 on Saturday. If I can run five hard like I did tonight, I think seven or eight easy will be just fine.

Half-marathon here I come :)