Monday, November 12, 2012

Damage Control November - 11/12/12

The kids had soccer tournaments this past weekend and boy did it mess with my eating. I had great plans of bringing veggies and dip (which I did) but I never ate them. I was eating more pretzels and crackers than anything. I've really come to believe that my mind works on an all or nothing basis but usually only on the negative side. If I'm eating really well it is very easy to slip off that wagon but when I'm eating poorly it isn't at all easy to slip off that wagon and get back onto the good one. I'm sure most people would agree that this is the case most of the time but it doesn't make it any less frustrating. Each and every day I start with the idea that I am going to have a healthy plan for the day and follow it but yet at the end of each day I look back at numerous bad choices.

My exercising has been mostly on point. We had a good run Saturday morning and I took Sunday as a rest day. I was supposed to run this morning but I've been fighting a cold and with all the travel and such this weekend I didn't have it in me for a hard/fast run. I did however get in my Turbo Fire workout in the afternoon. It was the Fire Starter program and with a couple of exceptions I did better with the moves than last time. There is one portion of the workout that I just haven't quite got down but I think I was close toward the end so I'm hoping to get it next time I do the workout. Tomorrow is a new workout (forget which one) so I'm looking forward to that.

I'm going to try and write down my nutrition plan for the next day and then keep it with me during the day. I'm hoping that it will be a reminder for me to stick to the plan. I also need to work on increasing my water consumption. Those are my 2 goals for tomorrow - update to follow.

Friday, November 09, 2012

Damage Control - November 11/8

I've switched the type of title because I KNOW I will lose track of what day I'm on! LOL!!

Anyway, I didn't get a chance to write yesterday so I thought I make a short entry this morning. My run yesterday was a big struggle. My legs were still exhausted from the day before. Looking back on the day, it was a hugely intelligent move to combine my first Turbo Fire workout with a day that included the hardest run I've done in years (and that is NOT an exaggeration). However, I was really excited to get started with my new program so I'm glad I did it.

So, yesterday was already scheduled as an easy recovery run and it turned out to be very easy. I covered about 3.5 miles and even walked some of it. That particular fact didn't make Chip real happy because he was fired up to run yesterday. But I knew that the smart thing to do was to go easy - important tip!!! Listen to your body and adjust accordingly. In fact, I just told a friend how has recently started P90X - there is no rush to get through the programs. Don't be a slave to any program. The important part is to keep this lifestyle going for a.........lifetime. Sure it is good to have goals and to work toward something but not at the expense of your health!

Nutrition was only OK yesterday. I didn't get in my 3 servings of veggies but I did have my Shakeology. I also snacked on some off plan stuff - hence not getting in my last serving of veggies (I did get 3 in though). My biggest issue is the extra junk. My meals are pretty healthy but the extras that I add it are what is the biggest issue. My Friday goal is to make my nutrition plan and stick to it - no extras and no skipping. I will post my Friday results later tonight.

Have a great day!

Wednesday, November 07, 2012

Damage Control - November Day 3

Today was an amazing day on the exercise front! We did a run that my friend calls the "No Talk 5K". During this workout we run a 5K like we were in a race and then do a cool down back to our cars. Today there was a twist though: the run was basically all hills. One of these hills is an absolute bit*#! At the top of this hill I actually had to walk for a short time because I was so out of breath. From here we run back down the hill and then up a couple others. I really pushed myself hard and was rewarded when I took a look at my numbers at the end of the workout.The first mile was run in 8:39 the second mile was in 8:48 (this is the mile with the awful hill) and the third mile was in 8:21. These times are wonderful for me right now ESPECIALLY considering the course. After the fast 3 we walked for a bit and then ran back at a slow pace. The total distance covered was 4.45 miles in 39:56 for an average pace of 8:59!

If that wasn't cool enough....I was able to do my first Turbo Fire workout when I got home from work. It was the starter program where Chalene teaches you some of the moves you will perform in the "real" workouts. I put the work real in quotes because this starter program was a workout for sure! I can already feel all the muscles in my core starting to get sore. I  did pretty well with the moves too. I wasn't sure how I would do with them because I'm not really the group aerobics kind of person but this program is different. Chalene broke down the moves and did them slowly and then picked up the pace. Gradually adding moves as we went along. This program is really going to help me burn calories and tighten up my core!

Tomorrow I am hoping to run but I'm not sure what the weather is going to be doing. It is raining right now but it may turn into sleet and/or snow. If I do get out for a run it will be an easy one - don't think I could go hard after today. If I don't run then I have TF Stretch 40 on the schedule but I may add some lifting as well.

Off to get ready for tomorrow!

Tuesday, November 06, 2012

Damage Control - November Day 2

Today is day 2 of my newest challenge and although it is early I am pleased with how it is going. Yes, I know it is still early in day 2 and that I am writing this at a little before 9 in the morning but I've already got my workout finished. Today's workout was a difficult one to get started. I was up plenty early (Chip made sure of that - the dog LOVES his schedules) but a spent a little bit of time debating whether I should do one of my existing DVD workouts or wait for my Turbo Fire which is supposed to come today. I decided to get off my butt and do a workout! I chose P90X KenpoX. I really enjoy that workout, I think in part because I don't do it very often. Even when I was doing P90X consistently, I didn't really do the cardio type workout because I was doing a P90X/running hybrid. It was a good start to the day!

As for nutrition, so far so good. I decided to change it up a bit today with my Shakeology. I usually have it for breakfast and combine it with fruit, milk and OJ. Today I decided to have an egg white/salsa breakfast and will have my Shakeology as a mid-morning snack. I'm going to try it with some super cold milk (it is in the freezer as I type). I tend to drink my Shakeology the same way every day - it comes with a calendar off all sort of different recipes but I haven't really gotten around to trying any of them. Maybe that can be a secondary goal for this challenge.

I was also very pleased that I don't have any pain in my foot after yesterday's hard run! I had periods yesterday when it was a bit uncomfortable so I made sure to stretch and ice. It seems to have worked which makes me VERY happy. I'm really starting to believe that I will be able to get back to running the way I used to run. I know that I need to keep up with the stretching and the cross-training but I'm truly hopeful that I will be able to not only get back into racing but that I will be able to do so competitively!!

If anyone reading this is encouraged to change your eating or exercising habits please feel free to contact me. I would be honored to help you on your journey. All the programs I've mentioned here are offered by Beachbody and are terrific programs but if you are just starting out and want something less challenging, I can help you there too. Please check out my website or give me a shout. You don't need to purchase anything - I just want to help you reach your goals.

Have a great day and remember to vote!!

Monday, November 05, 2012

Damage Control - Novemeber Day 1

I haven't been a big Blogger lately but I wanted to document the next 30 days. I have joined a great group of Beachbody coaches and we are going to try to help and push each other over the next 30 days. I am planning on combining my running with the Turbo Fire program. I have been told that the Turbo Fire program uses a HIIT format which will be great for my running!

Over the next 30 days I want to do more than focus on my exercising. I am really beginning to believe that my relationship with food isn't a healthy one. I can slip into "bad" habits way to easily. I will be continuing with my daily Shakeology but it is the rest of the day that I really need to pay attention to. The kids have Halloween candy around and the holidays are on the way. Now is the time that I have to make the decision (and stick to it) to stay with a healthy nutrition plan. I'm not going to deprive myself of some of the wonderful holiday food but I'm not going to have "everything" and the things I do have will be in smaller portions and accounted for in my overall program.

I guess that is a good overview of the next 30 days. I also want to document my exercise sessions. As I stated earlier, I am combining my running with Turbo Fire. I haven't received my program yet (supposed to come tomorrow) and I am really chomping at the bit to take a look at it. I will also be doing a 20 minute yoga program with my co-workers every Wednesday night. As for today's workout - it was AWESOME! We did a pace workout. This is the first one in our training program for a January race (10 miler) so we started with 4 fast miles and 1 easy. Our goal was to keep our pace in the low 9s for the first 4 miles. We were actually able to maintain high 8's!! It is a mostly flat course but the one hill is pretty long and gradual. It was a great challenge trying to maintain our speed up the hill. Next week we are going to try and increase to 4.5 miles in the same pace range.

Since nutrition is going to be a big part of this program, I guess I should mention something. I am very happy with how things have gone so far today. I actually did some grocery shopping today and did not succome to the pressure my "Beast" was throwing my way. I avoided all the "junky" food - never made it into my cart so I won't be tempted later on. Afternoons are my tougher times so these are the times I when I have to be especially careful and have a plan. Today, I'm challenging myself to finish off my jug of water by dinner. The jug is 72 oz and I've had about 1/2 of it earlier today. By working on finishing it by dinner my stomach will be full and I won't be stuffing it with food.

Hopefully this will be the first of 30 posts. I am really looking forward to the next 30 days and to what I can achieve!

Sunday, August 21, 2011

96 Days until the Reunion

It has been quite some time since I have posted. We have been quite busy (last hurrah's of summer and all that). We have also been in the midst of getting a new air conditioner, a new heater and even some new carpet. Obviously there is a whole lot of money going out which is causing a bunch of stress. Overall, I think we are over the worst of the stress part and are just excited to start getting some of these projects completed. The AC/Heater project will, hopefully, be completed tomorrow!

We also just got back from our annual trip to Sesame Place. It is always a really fun time but doesn't do much for my nutrition or exercise plans. We obviously do a great deal of walking but other than that there isn't much other exercising going on. So, when I got back for our long run on Saturday, I thought I was going to collapse. We ran an out and back route that started with A LOT of uphills. I realized just how far my conditioning has dropped over the last month or so. I haven't been lifting consistently or doing my Insanity/Asylum workouts. I've been consistently running 3 times per week and they have been good workouts but it isn't enough. Especially, when combined with the poor eating habits I've had lately.

Saturday was a good wake-up call. I've made some nutrition plans for this week (all meals, not just dinner like I have been doing) and have been doing a good job at sticking to them. I am also, when finished here, going to make up this week's exercise plan with as much detail as possible. Tomorrow I will also retake my measurements and try to come up with some short-term and long-term goals!

School is starting for the kids next week which will also help me get back into a more balanced routine. I do better with more structure but don't always keep it myself so having the drop off and pick-up schedules to keep me accountable will really help. I will also be getting back to school which will help. The only thing I need to watch out for there is extra snacking. I will work on my positive self-talk to keep myself away from the "junk".

I'm looking forward to better days and a slimmer and healthier me!!

Thursday, August 11, 2011

106 Days until Reunion

I did it! I took my measurements today and now I just need to sit down and make some specific goals. I need to get some of my books out and figure out was a reasonable drop in % fat could be. I know that a drop in 1-2 pounds per week is reasonable but that doesn't correlate directly to % body fat.

Exercise was great this morning - hard hilly 7 miler with Lori. Nutrition was also pretty good today and I will keep refining it as I go along. Tomorrow I will do a strength routine. I think I may do Back to Core because I really like that workout AND it hits my hamstrings in ways that none of the other workouts do. I've been feeling some weakness in my left hamstring and I really want to try and fix that up. I also plan on going for a bike ride tomorrow - I got a new bike computer tonight and I would like to try it out before I meet up with the group on Sunday.

One more thing before I sign off. I've been listening to Michael Phelp's audio book "No Limits: The Will to Succeed" and it is really good. I love being able to put the stories on in the car and listen as I drive. He has told stories about races and such and it still brings back chills and tears to hear about come from behind wins and Olympic dreams being fulfilled. I think I'm going to be listening to this book often during the time up to the reunion. I get so psyched to listen to stuff like this!!!

Signing off!!