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.