Day 4, 5, 6, and 7

I really need to figure out how to do this when I work nights!  It was a lot easier to get into a routine when I just worked days, with none of the switching around.  I will keep trying different things, though, until I get it to where I can consistently do what I need to do.

I didn't get in a scheduled workout each of these days (4, 5, 6, and 7) but I did get some in. I worked day 4 and day 6.  Day 6 I did my scheduled long run (4 miles) and Day 7 I got some extra walking in at work overnight.

I'm so tired when I only have 1 day off in between but that's really no excuse.  If I'm awake, I can take 20 minutes for myself.

I'm trying to learn to be gentler to myself and know that when I don't do things perfectly it's because I'm human, not flawed in some way.  

Today (day 8) I work dayshift.  When I get home tonight, I will either go for a walk or do some in home workout.  I really wish I still had the dreadmill!  It made things a lot easier when I got home in the dark.

Have a good day, people, and remember to be gentle to yourselves.  You are worth it.

Day 3

Just a quick note before I leave for work.  I had planned on running today before work but I woke up with a splitting headache and absolutely no motivation.  I ended up doing the 60 squats but no run.  I will either have to run tomorrow or Friday.  I haven't decided which since I have a staff meeting tomorrow along with working tomorrow night.

I really have to figure out how to manage my training with my work.

Foodwise, it's hit or miss.  I keep dipping into the Christmas candy.  I need to get some snacks just for me here at home.  I do much better managing it at work.

 

Day 2 now, Day 3 later :)

I promise I did not forget to move yesterday...I just got caught up with Netflix and forgot to write about it!

Yesterday was a cross training day but I also try to run at least a mile a day.  I did 1 mile (which, unfortunately was a bit miserable) then I restarted the squat challenge that I failed at last month.  50 squats in the book for yesterday, 60 planned for today after I nap.

I'm back to work today and trying to figure out how to fit everything in that I need to do.  I have 3 miles to do and for me that's 45 minutes not counting the before and after.  I've pretty much resigned myself to showering a second time before work (I had to shower this am for a doctor's appointment).

Speaking of that (the doctor).  I know my blood pressure is under control with the meds but I also know I will get a lecture about my weight.  I'm sure it's more than last time.  I'm not looking forward to it.

Anyway, nothing fancy for today.  I will be back after my run!

Today's theme:  Be kind to yourself!

Out with the old

Disclaimer:  I am dusting off this blog in order to have some record and accountability for myself.  I expect it to be boring to most people and I won't be offended if no one reads it :)

So here I am again.  Overweight, feeling lazy and sluggish, and so unhappy with myself that I have trouble getting up, let alone doing anything about it.  I looked at the calendar today and realized another year is almost gone and I have not only NOT gotten healthier but have actually gained weight and lost more fitness and endurance.

THIS HAS TO STOP!

I am 50 years old.  I have a 6 year old that is depending on me being here for her, not to mention my 4 other grown kids. I have grandchildren that I want to watch grow up.  I have a husband that I want to spend as much time with as possible.  I have a career that I want to see grow.  I have too much to look forward to.  I don't want it to end too soon because I couldn't commit to my own health.

So.  It has started today.  Today, I will make myself and my health a priority.  My plan is to log my daily activity, how my diet was for the day (and by diet I mean how healthy, or not, that it was, not a fad diet), my water intake, and how I felt.  I'm hoping to do this daily but will be gentle with myself if I have to skip a day or two of logging because of life.

Here we go:

Day 1 
Workout:  3.44 miles - 53 minutes
Diet:  Still to be determined.  Protein shake for breakfast.  Will log on MFP
Water:  1 down, 7 to go.  Will also log on MFP
How I feel:  This is the hardest one.  I am so ambivalent right now.  I feel good that I've started, scared that I'll fail.  I want to feel strong but I really feel weak.  I'm proud that I started.  Embarrassed that it's come to this. 

You may have noticed I say nothing about weight or measurements or clothing sizes.  I did that on purpose.  Too often I let the numbers define me and I give up because they don't change as fast as I'd like them to.  This time, I am focusing on the feelings and the commitment to the activity.  If the numbers come, that's great.  What is most important to me is that I get healthy.

If anyone is here...thank you.  Your support means more than I can tell you.  I will try not to let you down. 

   

Day 2 and 3

Aloha, my friends!  So far so good. The past 2 days I've managed to do 3 workouts.  Tomorrow will be a lighter day because that pesky thing called work is getting in the way...followed by back to school night. I'm going to try to do the stairs in the parking ticket garage at work...17 stories!

So day 2 was a beach day which means some open water swimming. I don't do laps but chasing after a fearless 5 year old can be a workout! No picture for that one though, I forgot my water proof thingie for my phone.

Day 3 (today) I did my interval run followed by the dreaded core workout. I am still so frustrated with my endurance progress but my coach reminded me that it will take time and that I need to have patience.

I was joined in my core workout by my littlest one. She's probably my biggest cheerleader!

Here we are bridging.

And here I am attempting to side plank.

I feel so weak!

I know I promised goals, etc, but this post is from my phone and dinner is ready. I will tell you that my first post injury race is this weekend and I'm scared and excited all at once. More about that in my next post.

Peace!

Back Again

I started this blog a year and a half ago as an offshoot of my main blog, My Mommy Misadventures.  I actually did really well, losing a total of 27 pounds even after I stopped blogging.

Of course, life sometimes happens.  If you follow my other blog then you know that I had a few major changes take place.  That isn't meant to be an excuse or justification, just the way it goes sometimes.  I ended up gaining back all I lost and then some.  I got injured and was unable to run for almost 2 months.  I'm still not 100% (more like 60%) but I've been working pretty hard since I was cleared to work out again to get back to where I was last summer.

So here I am, post run tonight:

and here I am in all my glory in the pic I took for the diet bet I am participating in this month:

I don't look very happy, do I?

Probably because I'm not.  I'm disappointed in myself.  I'm also scared that I won't succeed, that it's too late.

So I am asking for your help.  If you see me slacking off CALL ME OUT ON IT!  Remind me how I have complained about not being able to do what I used to, how I don't fit into any of my clothes, how uncomfortable I am in my own body, and how unattractive I feel.  I don't think I can do this alone but I KNOW I can do it with your help.

I don't promise to post everyday, life just doesn't work that way anymore.  But I do promise to move everyday.  For the next 100 days.

I don't think it was a coincidence that the video that started it all happened to pop up on my Facebook feed this morning.  If you missed it, here it is:

This lady is so inspiring to me.  Check her out!
Anyway, if you made it this far then thank you!  Next post will be about my hopes, goals, and dreams for the next 100 days or so.

Peace!

What day is it anyway?

I know I drifted off the map for awhile now.  For those who know me they know that this time of year is such a hard time for me.  Add to that the stress of waiting for closure on all the stress of the last year...well it was a recipe for me to withdraw.

That said, regardless of the fact that I have not blogged faithfully as I promised myself I would, I still have continued to move.  Everyday, I get stronger, faster, and more confident of my abilities.  I'm beginning to think that I may actually succeed at what I am trying to accomplish.

I want to do a quick recap of February's goals and set some new ones for the rest of this month.  I'm saving my updated pictures and measurements for next week.  I am really excited as to how far I have come.  I am finally starting to see what other people tell me they see.

Here are my February goals:
Lose 7 pounds by March 1

Register for a 5 or 10K to be completed before June

Up my mileage to 18 miles/week

Run 50 miles in February

Up my speed to 5.2 mph consistently (I am currently at 5.0)

So how did I do?

I've done both a 5K and 10K virtually and have another one scheduled for St Patrick's day (10K)
For February my mileage has been 17-22 miles per week.  Thanks Angie!
In February I ran 74.5 miles!!!
My speed is still sort of variable.  I don't go below 5.0 and try to at least go to 5.1.  I am not consistently at 5.2 yet though.

And my weight?  As of 2/28 I had lost 16.6 pounds.  I can't begin to tell you how awesome I feel.  I have gotten into pants I hadn't been able to wear for a year and feel almost...pretty.  I definitely feel empowered and like I can do just about anything.

Now for some March goals.

• Mileage to 25 miles per week
• Consistent 5.2 mph
• Lose 22 pounds by 3/31
• Run 100 miles in March
• Find a yoga class

I think those are lofty enough, don't you?

I can't promise to blog everyday.  I realize that about myself now.  As I get healthier, I seem to have less time to sit in front of the computer and more things to do.  This is actually a good thing.  I know that if I try to make myself blog daily I will 1) end up wasting too much time online and 2) Disappointing myself because I know I will skip days.  So instead, I will try to make a valiant effort to blog twice a week.  If I manage to do more then I'll call it a bonus :)

Thanks so much for coming along with me.  I may only have a couple of readers but it helps to know that there are people out there rooting for me.

Jenn