Back on it. Again. Worked out three times in a week. Trying to make it 4 in any 7 rolling days. Motivation - kids are coming back. I'm stressed and gained 5 pounds. Undy is 3 months away. Onward....
New Jillian video last night. She's a sadistic bitch, and yet, she motivates me. Need to do it again tonight. Goal is to add a circuit. Did two of six last night. Going to try to work up to three of six. WILL work up to six of six.
*sigh*
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Hurdles
The good news is that I was able to workout with my Jillian yoga dvd again last night (and, in typical form, she kicked my arse). I can't imagine what it's like to have her literally in your face pushing you - I just can't begin to imagine.
Anyways, I also have a lead on a free treadmill from a friend of a friend. Hoping to get it this weekend, and make sure it works. Then, poof - I can run ALL THE TIME! So awesome.
I'm realizing that I'm gaining weight. It's not much (about 5 pounds so far), but I have to question why? I'm working out, I'm trying to be conscious of what I eat, but I fell into traps, like everyone else. Oh, I worked out so I can have this. Or, I'm starving midday and it's just as easy to snack on carb-heavy stuff as it is fruits or veggies. I'm trying to pack a better lunch for myself, but when I do get into a routine of working out regularly, I find that I'm hungry all the time. I need to figure out what this is all about. Is my body hungry because it's working more? Am I deluding myself? Am I gaining weight because I'm gaining muscle? I need to figure this out. I'm not impressed, but that isn't going to stop me. I'd be happy with maintaining - not gaining. but, I know there a reason for this all, and I just need to figure out what it is.
*sigh* This isn't nearly as easy as I thought it was going to be - blech. I hate even writing that statement, but it's truthful.
Anyways, I also have a lead on a free treadmill from a friend of a friend. Hoping to get it this weekend, and make sure it works. Then, poof - I can run ALL THE TIME! So awesome.
I'm realizing that I'm gaining weight. It's not much (about 5 pounds so far), but I have to question why? I'm working out, I'm trying to be conscious of what I eat, but I fell into traps, like everyone else. Oh, I worked out so I can have this. Or, I'm starving midday and it's just as easy to snack on carb-heavy stuff as it is fruits or veggies. I'm trying to pack a better lunch for myself, but when I do get into a routine of working out regularly, I find that I'm hungry all the time. I need to figure out what this is all about. Is my body hungry because it's working more? Am I deluding myself? Am I gaining weight because I'm gaining muscle? I need to figure this out. I'm not impressed, but that isn't going to stop me. I'd be happy with maintaining - not gaining. but, I know there a reason for this all, and I just need to figure out what it is.
*sigh* This isn't nearly as easy as I thought it was going to be - blech. I hate even writing that statement, but it's truthful.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Monday Night Workout
I did the Biggest Loser Weight Loss Yoga DVD last night - I've been getting kind of complacent with the Level one (which is a 20 minute workout, plus a 5 minute each warm-up and cool-down), so I set the DVD to do the 5 minute warmup, 15 minute Pilates abs workout, 10 minute strength workout, and 5 minute cooldown. Plus, I spent some time afterwards stretching some more. Feels pretty good. I'm sore today, so I'll take tonight off, but tomorrow night, back with Jillian.
This morning, I was in the shower (not that you need a visual) and happened to run my hand across my bicep, and felt muscle. Wow. It was not as defined as I'd like (thanks to the extra layers of fat), but it was more muscle than I've ever noticed on my body, ever. Now, my focus will be to maintain that lean muscle and try to get rid of the fat surrounding those muscles, while increasing my aerobic capability. Hoo boy - I love when results come to light when I need them. This is motivation, people!
This morning, I was in the shower (not that you need a visual) and happened to run my hand across my bicep, and felt muscle. Wow. It was not as defined as I'd like (thanks to the extra layers of fat), but it was more muscle than I've ever noticed on my body, ever. Now, my focus will be to maintain that lean muscle and try to get rid of the fat surrounding those muscles, while increasing my aerobic capability. Hoo boy - I love when results come to light when I need them. This is motivation, people!
Monday, May 17, 2010
Back on the horse, so to speak...
I can, once again, make all the excuses in the world. I can tell you that I felt overwhelmed in life (true), that I felt like I had to take a break from EVERYTHING (also true), and that I'm lazy (unfortunately, ditto). I could berate myself for not working out diligently over the past two weeks (actually, I've already done this).
But, instead, I'm going to tell you that I worked out last night, and I'm back on the wagon. I'm back to working out 3-4 times each week (this seems to be a very good goal for me - it allows me to set a realistic goal, but also gives me the freedom I need to live my life). Last night, Jillian Michaels kicked my tush with her new yoga DVD. I hate this DVD because it's fairly high intensity, but I love it for the same reason. It's a great workout and has me dripping in sweat at the end of each session. It's well worth the time, and I can always feel the muscles that the program works on. Tonight, I'm going to do the other weight loss yoga workout, which is a lower intensity but more relaxing, and that's what I need. I'll add two of the sections together to make it a 40 minute workout, and I think that will give me a good headstart on my workouts for the week.
But, instead, I'm going to tell you that I worked out last night, and I'm back on the wagon. I'm back to working out 3-4 times each week (this seems to be a very good goal for me - it allows me to set a realistic goal, but also gives me the freedom I need to live my life). Last night, Jillian Michaels kicked my tush with her new yoga DVD. I hate this DVD because it's fairly high intensity, but I love it for the same reason. It's a great workout and has me dripping in sweat at the end of each session. It's well worth the time, and I can always feel the muscles that the program works on. Tonight, I'm going to do the other weight loss yoga workout, which is a lower intensity but more relaxing, and that's what I need. I'll add two of the sections together to make it a 40 minute workout, and I think that will give me a good headstart on my workouts for the week.
Friday, April 30, 2010
And then, another one....
So, after I wrote the last post, I was feeling pretty good about myself. I knew that my hard work and dedication were worth it, and that I was doing the right thing, even if it was going slower than I wanted it to.
Wednesday night, I went for a walk/run. I prefer to call them "runs" because I do run....maybe not as much as other folks, but for me, it's a lot. And, instead of trying to stick to a timed schedule (which is VERY hard without a watch!), I instead listened to my body and ran when I could, walked when I needed to recover, and pushed when I knew I could. I set goals for myself that consisted of, "I'll run from the driveway of the school until that tree there" and if I got near the tree and could push, I'd set a godl further down the road. This worked out really well for me - I wasn't exhausted when I got home, I wasn't frustrated, and I felt really good that I was able to do this.
After I got home, we ate dinner and got the kids their baths. Levi wanted to work out, so he and I did Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred, Level 1. When I did taht video for the first time, I didn't make it the whole way through. I was gasping for air, cursing Jillian and ready to qui. But, I made it, and stuck with it. When I did it this time, with Levi, I made it through, and was SO PROUD of myself. I asked Levi last night if he wanted to do level 2 before CSI - he said no, his quads were still hurting. :-)
I was able to not only walk/run 2.5 miles that day, but also able to complete that DVD workout and still function the next day. Holy crap - I'm getting into better shape.
Pretty freaking amazing!
Wednesday night, I went for a walk/run. I prefer to call them "runs" because I do run....maybe not as much as other folks, but for me, it's a lot. And, instead of trying to stick to a timed schedule (which is VERY hard without a watch!), I instead listened to my body and ran when I could, walked when I needed to recover, and pushed when I knew I could. I set goals for myself that consisted of, "I'll run from the driveway of the school until that tree there" and if I got near the tree and could push, I'd set a godl further down the road. This worked out really well for me - I wasn't exhausted when I got home, I wasn't frustrated, and I felt really good that I was able to do this.
After I got home, we ate dinner and got the kids their baths. Levi wanted to work out, so he and I did Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred, Level 1. When I did taht video for the first time, I didn't make it the whole way through. I was gasping for air, cursing Jillian and ready to qui. But, I made it, and stuck with it. When I did it this time, with Levi, I made it through, and was SO PROUD of myself. I asked Levi last night if he wanted to do level 2 before CSI - he said no, his quads were still hurting. :-)
I was able to not only walk/run 2.5 miles that day, but also able to complete that DVD workout and still function the next day. Holy crap - I'm getting into better shape.
Pretty freaking amazing!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
A realization...
I've been feeling farily frustrated lately about my workout regimen, and about what I felt was my lack of progress. I've been in touch with Coach Bob, and I think that with his help, I have some of the issues identified and a way that seems like it might resolve some of those things.
Part of what I've been struggling with is that I feel like I'm not progressing as quickly as I'd like. If I had it my way, I'd be running (not jogging) already, and I would see a pretty big difference in my physique. (Pretty lofty goals when you consider training started in March, but again, this is my fantasy world we are talking about here.)
Not so much, in reality. My legs have been very tired lately (it gets better as I warm up and get going, but I have to push through the first several minutes, which isn't always easy!), and I've been very frustrated that I've got this issue. I have also not seen a single bit of difference in my physique. While this isn't my goal or main reason for working out and training for a 5k, it's a nice side effect and would no doubt be a good motivator. Unfortunately, I'm not seeing much progress with this.
Honestly, I've been going through the motions lately, more since I feel obligated to, and not because it's something I want to do. I got a swift kick in the pants last night, though. A wake up call, if you will.
Levi and I took the kids on a walk last night. I needed to get out and do something physical, and I know he's been wanting to go with me. We can't very well leave an 8 year old and a 3-almost-4 year old at the house to fend for themselves while we waltz around the neighborhood (well, we could, but we'd probably get turned in). So, we took the kids along with us, Julia in the wagon nursing her still-sprained foot, and Kevin was on foot. Our initial intention was to get out and start a family activity. We also had the intention of wearing Kevin out - he's going to be 4 next month, and I swear he has the energy of 3 kids his age. It's like he was twins in utero and just absorbed all the energy in the other one, so that he can't contain it in his little body. It's kind of terrifying, sometimes.
Anyways, I digress. So, we went for a walk around the neighborhood, and Kevin wanted to pull his sister in the wagon. We thought (comically) that this would last a couple of minutes at most, and we fully planned to take turns pulling Jules in the wagon. Much to our surprise, Kevin pulled his big sister in the wagon for over half of the almost 1.5-mile walk. Yikes! His antics had neighbors commenting on his strength, and had us a little worried that, while we were planning on tiring him out, we were only conditioning him for God only knows what!
The good news, for me - while Kevin wasn't pulling his sister, he and I were taking turns chasing each other down the sidewalks. The moment of truth hit me when I realized that I COULD KEEP UP WITH MY FOUR YEAR OLD! I was running with him, after him, and in front of him. I was r-u-n-n-i-n-g! With one of my kids! And, I didn't die. While I was slightly winded, I wasn't ever gasping for air, bent over in half at the waist waiting for my lungs to take in enough air to survive. I was running with my son, and it felt amazing.
I was shocked when I realized this, and when I realized what it meant to me. This must mean that what I'm doing is working. I don't need to look at the numbers on the scale, or the way my clothes fit, or whether I can complete a marathon at this point - the mere fact that I can run with my son is reason enough for me to recommit myself to this personal goal.
I talked with Levi about this, and he said that he thinks I'm in better shape now than I was when we first met, over 10 years ago. I know I'm in better shape than I was when we got married (then again, I was 5 months pregnant, so that's not a good comparison). But, to hear him say that to me meant SO MUCH to me. It means that he can see the difference in me. Maybe not physically, but overall.
So, what does this mean? It means that I'm recommitting myself to this journey - I've talked with the Cancer-To-5k Team, and I'm going to finish up this season, then start back up with them next season (fall). I'm going to talk with a gym this weekend and get a tour, possibly sign up (assuming the fees aren't too much) so that I can continue to run over the summer in spite of the heat. I am going to go for another walk/run tonight, following Coach Bob's advice and using common sense to take my body to the next level, rather than setting unrealistic expectations for myself.
And, I'm going to celebrate my 2nd cancer-versary next month knowing that cancer didn't take this chick down. Instead, it made me stronger, more powerful, and more determined to finish this goal. Whatever happens in the future, I can say that, as a 33 year old women, I'm in better shape than I was at 23, despite going through two pregnancies/C-Sections, gall bladder surgery, colon resection, chemotherapy, etc. That's a pretty amazing statement. I am SO proud of myself, and I cannot wait to see where this all takes me. I can't wait to run in the Undy 5000 this year, and to (maybe?) participate in the PF Chang's Half-Marathon in January. Might not run the whole thing, but to even be in it as a participant - that would be AWESOME. ***dreaming***
Part of what I've been struggling with is that I feel like I'm not progressing as quickly as I'd like. If I had it my way, I'd be running (not jogging) already, and I would see a pretty big difference in my physique. (Pretty lofty goals when you consider training started in March, but again, this is my fantasy world we are talking about here.)
Not so much, in reality. My legs have been very tired lately (it gets better as I warm up and get going, but I have to push through the first several minutes, which isn't always easy!), and I've been very frustrated that I've got this issue. I have also not seen a single bit of difference in my physique. While this isn't my goal or main reason for working out and training for a 5k, it's a nice side effect and would no doubt be a good motivator. Unfortunately, I'm not seeing much progress with this.
Honestly, I've been going through the motions lately, more since I feel obligated to, and not because it's something I want to do. I got a swift kick in the pants last night, though. A wake up call, if you will.
Levi and I took the kids on a walk last night. I needed to get out and do something physical, and I know he's been wanting to go with me. We can't very well leave an 8 year old and a 3-almost-4 year old at the house to fend for themselves while we waltz around the neighborhood (well, we could, but we'd probably get turned in). So, we took the kids along with us, Julia in the wagon nursing her still-sprained foot, and Kevin was on foot. Our initial intention was to get out and start a family activity. We also had the intention of wearing Kevin out - he's going to be 4 next month, and I swear he has the energy of 3 kids his age. It's like he was twins in utero and just absorbed all the energy in the other one, so that he can't contain it in his little body. It's kind of terrifying, sometimes.
Anyways, I digress. So, we went for a walk around the neighborhood, and Kevin wanted to pull his sister in the wagon. We thought (comically) that this would last a couple of minutes at most, and we fully planned to take turns pulling Jules in the wagon. Much to our surprise, Kevin pulled his big sister in the wagon for over half of the almost 1.5-mile walk. Yikes! His antics had neighbors commenting on his strength, and had us a little worried that, while we were planning on tiring him out, we were only conditioning him for God only knows what!
The good news, for me - while Kevin wasn't pulling his sister, he and I were taking turns chasing each other down the sidewalks. The moment of truth hit me when I realized that I COULD KEEP UP WITH MY FOUR YEAR OLD! I was running with him, after him, and in front of him. I was r-u-n-n-i-n-g! With one of my kids! And, I didn't die. While I was slightly winded, I wasn't ever gasping for air, bent over in half at the waist waiting for my lungs to take in enough air to survive. I was running with my son, and it felt amazing.
I was shocked when I realized this, and when I realized what it meant to me. This must mean that what I'm doing is working. I don't need to look at the numbers on the scale, or the way my clothes fit, or whether I can complete a marathon at this point - the mere fact that I can run with my son is reason enough for me to recommit myself to this personal goal.
I talked with Levi about this, and he said that he thinks I'm in better shape now than I was when we first met, over 10 years ago. I know I'm in better shape than I was when we got married (then again, I was 5 months pregnant, so that's not a good comparison). But, to hear him say that to me meant SO MUCH to me. It means that he can see the difference in me. Maybe not physically, but overall.
So, what does this mean? It means that I'm recommitting myself to this journey - I've talked with the Cancer-To-5k Team, and I'm going to finish up this season, then start back up with them next season (fall). I'm going to talk with a gym this weekend and get a tour, possibly sign up (assuming the fees aren't too much) so that I can continue to run over the summer in spite of the heat. I am going to go for another walk/run tonight, following Coach Bob's advice and using common sense to take my body to the next level, rather than setting unrealistic expectations for myself.
And, I'm going to celebrate my 2nd cancer-versary next month knowing that cancer didn't take this chick down. Instead, it made me stronger, more powerful, and more determined to finish this goal. Whatever happens in the future, I can say that, as a 33 year old women, I'm in better shape than I was at 23, despite going through two pregnancies/C-Sections, gall bladder surgery, colon resection, chemotherapy, etc. That's a pretty amazing statement. I am SO proud of myself, and I cannot wait to see where this all takes me. I can't wait to run in the Undy 5000 this year, and to (maybe?) participate in the PF Chang's Half-Marathon in January. Might not run the whole thing, but to even be in it as a participant - that would be AWESOME. ***dreaming***
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Run tonight, rest tomorrow, workout at home on Thursday
And with that title, you have my gameplan for the week. Last night was a rest night. Was supposed to walk on Saturday, but had to take Julia to ER (sprained foot) then prep for her birthday party, so no workout. Sunday, ran with Heat (and *heat*) and learned that running/walking in 90 degree weather is NOT SMART! Will be avoiding this in the future, or at least until I get used to the weathere here again and can run at 4am. LOL!
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