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April 29, 2008

2 pound damage

So the damage amounted to two pounds. I can live with that considering how much I blew sense and responsibility off.

To get back on track this week I tried running and swimming in one shot last night and then running again this morning. It sounds a little excessive but if I’m going to do a triathlon I should get used to it. It was pretty cool actually. I couldn’t completely run my 3 miles so I ran about 2.5 and walked three quarters or more. Then I hustled down to the pool, showered first of course, and swam a little over the half mile I’ll be doing in the race. Minus the insta-knot I got in my left calf, I felt great.

This morning I went to run another 3 miles. My previously mentioned knot came back instantly so I walked for a half mile to start. I raised the incline a lot to feel like I was pushing myself more. I’m not sure if you describe it as a “second wind” or if it was my initial wind, let’s just say I got a gust of wind and ran the last two miles until my calf felt like it was going to detach from my leg like a broken spring in a cartoon watch.

Now as I’ve been sitting nearly still for a couple of hours in front of my computer as I work I feel OK. I’m curious to see, when I try and take my first bathroom break, if I’m able to move at all. I suspect I might feel as if my bones have fused together and am incapable of moving.

But mentally I feel great. I’ve missed my workouts mostly for that: the reprieve from the insanity.

This week I’m going to watch what I eat so I can take off those two pounds (and hopefully one or two more). Anything I can shed before race on Sunday will help immensely.

Posted by hopeful @ 11:06 AM • Comments (2)

April 26, 2008

3 days off

I haven’t exercised in three days. My exercise partner had some plans and couldn’t it make it for a few of our scheduled workouts. I coincidentally had taken off from work for a couple of days and decided to make it a complete vacation and not exercise as well. The past two days have been fantastic. I wasn’t sedentary by any means because I used these past couple of days to repay some play dates and had my daughter’s friends come over for the first time.

I absolutely loved being able to give them all my attention and just play and watch them. It was amazing. The weather was absolutely perfect too. This was by far one of the best vacations ever.

I’m happy I took a break from working out, I think my body wanted a real rest. Of course I’m still pretty tired because I never want to go to sleep, but I feel really relaxed and good. My eating this past week was the worst ever. I craved and ate all really bad things, like cheese puffs, frozen pizza, and bagels or toast with cream cheese. I’m not sure what happened. It started even before the break in workouts so that’s not to blame. I didn’t feel like I was emotionally eating because I was feeling quite good. Not overly good, just really good and content. I just felt really hungry for these things. I think hormones are involved.

I’m going to ride out the rest of the weekend and I’ll check the damages on Monday. I will get right back on the bandwagon when my workouts resume.

Posted by hopeful @ 2:19 PM • Comments (2)

April 20, 2008

You're right

You’re right ladies. Running is getting better. I am becoming a lot less sore after our running and am able to run 3 miles now! Now I’m only sore one day as opposed to three or four. I will be doing a 5k in two weeks and feel pretty confident I’ll be able to run the whole thing, albeit slow.

My weight is still not budging but I can’t focus on that. Things are going well. I’m feelin’ great, even if I would like to get to a size 10 rather than 12 because I have more clothes in size 10.

One thing I have enjoyed about working out so much is that when I want to have a few indulgences, I don’t worry about it. When I don’t worry about it I don’t go off the handle. The past few weekends I may have prevented going under 180 with some beer drinking and dinners out. That’s pretty atypical behavior (thank goodness) and which is why I don’t have to feel guilty about it.

Last night we went to a pub for dinner. The servings were big, salty and fried and yummy. Less than half way into the dinner I was feeling quite full. Actually I was feeling full after chasing down only some of the fried zucchini appetizer with a corona. My belly button only had to cry out once when the snap of my pants started encroaching in its space. I pushed my plates away before my belly ran for the hills and spilled over my waistband (I don’t have a lot of leeway there). While not being great for any calorie counter I was happy that I didn’t feel compelled to eat any more, I didn’t pine for the sweet potato fries that I left behind, and I didn’t drink too much. The night was a complete success.

Posted by hopeful @ 12:33 PM • Comments (3)

April 11, 2008

Bi-athlete

So far I’m a bi-athlete. We’ve incorporated running a couple times a week. This morning I ran just over 2.5 miles and including the cool down I went about 3. Running really makes my body ache, my bones just hurt for days after. I’m probably still a too heavy to run.

I’m happy with my progress but I feel like I should be losing weight more quickly because I’m eating pretty well. Where I’m at fitness-wise is great and I’m really surprised that I can do all I am at my current weight. Mentally I’m in a very different place than I’m used to. I’m so focused on the training that I don’t think about how heavy I am. I feel fit and great and imagine my body that way. I like the way I look because I feel good, strong and healthy but technically I’m 40 to 50 pounds overweight. I want to lose weight more to relieve my body than I do for the vanity. Although, I’m sure with each 10 pounds I take off I’ll enjoy fitting into all my old clothes and the ease of buying new ones.

I also can’t remember the last time I emotionally over ate. Controlling my portions and the quality or health of my food has not been difficult lately. The other day I had a craving for potato chips. I didn’t have them in my house, didn’t go out and buy them, and just got over it I guess. I don’t even remember how I resolved it in my mind. It just didn’t consume me.

I know better than to say I’ve changed. Right now things are going a particular way and it’s good. I’m really happy. I would like to find more time to set aside for writing because I have a lot going on in my mind that I would like to share and just get written down. The majority of it isn’t about weight but it’s contributing to the weight change.

Next big task is to clean up and repair the rusty bike that is in my dad’s garage so I can work on becoming a tri-athlete.

Posted by hopeful @ 11:00 AM • Comments (3)

April 6, 2008

180!

I only have the energy to be quick. I’m typing from a horizontal position with one hand. I’m so tired after a very busy but very good week. I got right back on the workout bandwagon and swam and ran my butt off. I’m still recuperating.

I am finally seeing 180, wheh-hew, down a pound. That felt like it took forever, although, I haven’t been too worried because I’m now able to squeeze into size 12s. I’m squeezin’ but I can pull it off with a long enough, somewhat loose shirt.

Incorporating this vigorous workout schedule has been really difficult because I have no time to spare now. I am constantly running around all week. At first I thought I would not be able to get used to it and that I had no time for myself. But then I realized that the workouts ARE time for myself. And most likely the predominant activity I’d be doing with that time would be watching TV and eating. I really enjoy the time I spend with my new friends and the effect it’s having on my body (and my mental state). Mentally I’ve been doing fantastic.

I do feel like I’m going through a change and that it’s significant. I’m really trying to adjust to a different way of life and think that I will get better at all of it. Working my butt off at my current career, being a better mom, a better daughter, sibling, and friend, bettering myself physically and mentally, and working on my own business. Previously I used to think that I was too fragile to take on too much. Now I’m trying to build up my endurance in all these areas and take on more than I ever have while still being good at them all.

The thought makes me tired, good night.

Posted by hopeful @ 10:47 PM • Comments (2)