Thursday, May 31, 2012

My Life Would Suck Without Kelly {Inspiration of the Week}

I can't relate to people who don't run with music. I respect their focus and discipline, but I cannot fathom how they push themselves to keep going when they feel like giving up -- sometimes music is the only thing that helps me hang on!

My ipod holds a vast array of songs I love to run to, but tonight's shout-out goes to one of my favorites artists, Ms. Kelly Clarkson.

First I must confess that I did NOT watch the first season of American Idol, and I had serious doubts that the show could produce a legitimately talented star. And then I heard her on the radio for the first time, and I was blown away. I've been a fan ever since.

She has a lot of upbeat songs that sound great LOUD and thus make great background noise for running, such as "Since U Been Gone" or "I Do Not Hook Up." Last night, the end of a tough run was saved for me by the infectious "My Life Would Suck Without You." The lyrics have nothing to do with running at all, but the song is just so fun, with a pumped up beat that leaves me with no choice but to keep moving my feet! I am certain I would have had to walk at least three minutes sooner than I did last night if it weren't for that song. :)

Next on my agenda is to download her recent single, "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)," which I expect to have a similar affect on my feet. It may be about a bad break-up, but a lot of the lines can be interpreted metaphorically. And the basic message is pretty obvious -- what doesn't kill you does make you stronger, and that includes a tough workout!

I think I'll keep taking my good buddy Kelly running with me. I'm going to buy "Stronger" right now!



Wednesday, May 30, 2012

{Wordless Wednesday}


Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Walk for Your Life!! {Weekly Summary}

Weight: 218 lbs.
Weekly Change: +2
Overall Change: -1 from "starting weight" of 219
Next goal weight: 214
BMI: 31.3 (obese) (using this calculator)
Waist Circumference: 38 inches
Disease Risk: Very High (according to this chart)
Jeans Size: 18
Total Workouts: 3 (but only 2 were runs)
Total Running Time: 27 min.
Total Running Distance: 2.25 miles
Longest Single Run: 15 min./1.25m (broken up with walking)
Progress on Training Plan(s): I'm in Week 7 of this Couch to 5K program .
Progress in Sit Up/Push Up Challenge: Up to 29 push ups and 58 crunches
Highest Daily Step Count: 10,553
Injury Report: No increase in busted toe pain, and it's still not directly connected to running.
Last Week's Goal(s): The only goal I successfully completed was getting started in the walking challenge at work. Once again I had a week where I started out strong but it all fell apart over the weekend. Even the jogging stroller couldn't help me this time -- I just didn't make exercise a high enough priority.
Next Event Goal: With only a month left before the Semper Fi Fund 5K, I have an important decision to make. I know I will not be ready to run the whole thing in that time. I feel confident that I'll be able to run more than half of it by then, but I don't think I can hope for much better than that. So I need to decide if it's worthwhile to enter a race knowing that I won't be able to run the whole thing, or whether I'd prefer to save my money and wait until I actually can run 3.1 miles.
Next Week's Goals: Three runs; hit 10,000 steps every day; only one day off from crunches/push ups at a time; start biking; blog more; eat better (vague, I know); make a decision about the Semper Fi 5K.

Analysis: I'm mad at myself for failing to complete a third run, but I'm trying to focus on the positive rather than the negative, so instead I will discuss the walking challenge! So far it is doing exactly what I need it to -- it's getting me up and moving on the days when I don't run. Twice already I have hit 10,000 steps in a day, and I've logged some good walking time on the treadmill. I'm also just moving around more throughout the day in order to get as many steps in as possible so I don't have to spend quite as much time on the treadmill later. The key to my success is the structure of the challenge, because I'm part of a seven-person team. Even when I want to be lazy and I'm willing to fail myself, I'm going to push through those urges because I don't want to let the rest of my team down! This is just the motivation I need to get my butt in gear right now!!! And I really believe that once I'm getting SOME sort of exercise every day, the rest of it will all start to fall into place (the "rest of it" being the biking and swimming and weight loss, for starters). I guess we'll see in a week if I'm right and changes have begun to happen!

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

The Gift that Keeps on Giving {Weekly Summary}

Weight: 216 lbs.
Weekly Change: -2
Overall Change: -3 from "starting weight" of 219
Next goal weight: 214
BMI: 31.0 (obese) (using this calculator)
Waist Circumference: Forgot to measure but probably still 38.5 inches
Disease Risk: Very High (according to this chart)
Jeans Size: 18
Total Workouts: 3!!!
Total Running Time: 33 min.
Total Running Distance: 2.75 miles
Longest Single Run: 12 min./1.0m (broken up with walking)
Progress on Training Plan(s): I'm finishing Week 6 of this Couch to 5K program .
Progress in Sit Up/Push Up Challenge: Up to 26 push ups and 52 crunches
Injury Report: Increased pain in the busted toe; sometimes it throbs and other times there are these little prickly pains under the nail. The pain does not seem to correspond directly to running, so I'll continue to ignore it unless it gets worse.
Last Week's Goal(s): Half and half!! I FINALLY MANAGED TO RUN THREE TIMES IN ONE WEEK!!! Can you tell I'm a little excited at this accomplishment? :) And as predicted, it was the jogging stroller that helped make the third run possible: I took the baby with me to a nearby park while the rest of my guys were occupied at a t-ball game on Saturday. Seriously, the stroller was the best Mother's Day Gift ever!! My other success last week was not missing two consecutive days of my push ups and crunches. I'm finding it a lot easier not to do it EVERY day because the muscles get sore, but I'd at least like to do it every other day, and I'm finally settling into a routine like that. Not much progress to speak of with blogging or biking...better luck next week?
Next Event Goal: My perspective on this has changed a little for the moment. Instead of being excited about future races, I'm having trouble wrapping my head around the idea of even attempting a race. Running is such a struggle right now and it feels like it is going to take forever to get into decent shape. I know I'll get there eventually; it's just that it feels so far off in the distance that it's not worth even thinking about races and such right now.
Next Week's Goals: Even though I accomplished the 3 runs and the consistent crunches & push ups, I want to repeat those goals this week. I'm also striving, again, for more blog posts, and sincerely hope to get working on the whole biking thing this weekend. There's one newbie to the goal list this week! I'm participating in yet another challenge (this is starting to become an addiction!). It's called the Global Corporate Challenge, and I'm on a team with six of my coworkers, trying to log the most steps every day for 16 weeks. This Thursday, I will strap on my super-stylish (and not at all annoying -- ha!) pedometer, and get moving! Hopefully this challenge will motivate me to add more exercise, even if it's just walking, on the days when I don't run. Until I get myself on the bike or back into the pool, I'm really not working out enough to lose weight or get fit as fast as I'd like, so anything that encourages cross-training is GOOD! Plus there are prizes, and my team is totally gonna win. :) For this week, my only GCC goals are to get ready (figure out how to operate the pedometer and navigate the website) and get started. Next week I'll have a better idea of some specific goals I'll want to set.

Analysis: Let's see, I can't remember if I mentioned that I FINALLY RAN THREE TIMES IN ONE WEEK!!! Oh, I did? My bad. Well, at least now you won't forget. I really wish it hadn't taken me so long to get to this point, but I can't dwell on that frustration anymore. Now it's time to focus on making three runs the default for every week unless I have a REALLY good reason to skip one. And I really need to branch out and add other exercise on my non-run days. I'm getting sick of losing and gaining the same two pounds over and over again. At first I wasn't really concerned with my weight because I wanted to focus on running and I knew the weight would eventually start to come off. Well, since I've been progressing so slowly with the exercise, nothing has really gotten going with the weight loss, and it's time to start worrying. I'm sick of still having to wear my "fat" clothes, and I'm sick of feeling flabby and huge and unattractive. It's time to start paying much more attention to the fuel I'm putting in my body, making healthier choices much more often than I have been. I think I've mentioned before that I don't "diet" -- the psychology of it just doesn't appeal to me or work for me. Instead I try to make good food choices *most* of the time, limit emotional eating to when I need it the most, and keep a general sense of moderation and balance in my diet. This approach requires constant self-control, a virtue that has been in short supply with me lately. I'm realizing I need to start working on that now if I ever want to start seeing results. I'm just not exercising enough to justify eating the way I do. Maybe I will add an item to the weekly update to address my eating progress. I'll think about that throughout the week and make a decision for the next summary.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

New Wheels! {Weekly Summary}

Once again, I'm a couple of days late with this update...

Weight: 218 lbs.
Weekly Change: +2
Overall Change: -1 from "starting weight" of 219
Next goal weight: 214
BMI: 31.3 (obese) (using this calculator)
Waist Circumference: Forgot to measure but probably still 38.5 inches
Disease Risk: Very High (according to this chart)
Jeans Size: 18
Total Workouts: 3!!!
Total Running Time: 18 min.
Total Running Distance: 1.5 miles
Longest Single Run: 9 min./.75m (broken up with walking)
Progress on Training Plan(s): I'm finishing Week 5 of this Couch to 5K program .
Progress in Sit Up/Push Up Challenge: Up to 22 push ups and 44 crunches
Injury Report: No real change in the busted toe; still sore sometimes.
Last Week's Goal(s): Semi-succeeded at one of my goals -- I finally managed to exercise three times in one week!! Unfortunately, the 3rd workout ended up being a walk instead of a run, but it was a long one, up and down hills, pushing a stroller, so it was good exercise even if it didn't move me forward in my training program.
Next Event Goal: I'm starting to have some doubts about being ready for a 5K by the end of June, but I haven't entirely given up hope yet. Meanwhile, I've been looking at other events throughout the summer. I'm really looking forward to registering for my next race!
Next Week's Goals: All repeats: 3 runs, keeping up with my SU/PU challenge, more blog posts, and get bike working.

Analysis: Well I might not have succeeded at all of my stated goals, but I did do the general thing I wanted to this week, which was get back to normal after the craziness of my work deadline the week before. I'm thrilled finally to have accomplished the elusive third workout, and especially happy to have done it outdoors on the weekend. That feat was made possible by my awesome Mother's Day gift from the world's best husband -- my new jogging stroller was exactly what I wanted and needed to help me kick things up a notch! It's hard to get anything done around the house with four small children underfoot, so many tasks are reserved for the weekends when we are both around. If I slip away for a run when the kids are running amok, our plans for the day are likely to derail. Now with my new stroller, I can toss one of the younger two kids in, and maybe drag one or both of the older ones along on a scooter or bike, leaving less mayhem behind for my husband to deal with while he tries to be productive at home! So that's one less excuse that will be keeping me from exercise on the weekends. I hope to build on my excitement and really make some progress this week!

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Something Beautiful {Inspiration of the Week}

I just stumbled across this quote I first found many months ago. I loved it so much that I emailed it to myself, and I referred back to the email almost daily when I was feeling frustrated or discouraged. Enjoy!


"Be of good cheer. Do not think of today's failures, but of the success that may come tomorrow. You have set yourselves a difficult task, but you will succeed if you persevere; and you will find a joy in overcoming obstacles. Remember, no effort that we make to attain something beautiful is ever lost."

— Helen Keller

Monday, May 7, 2012

Deadlines are Bad for Waistlines {Weekly Summary}

Weight: 216 lbs.
Weekly Change: -2
Overall Change: -3 from "starting weight" of 219
Next goal weight: 214
BMI: 31.0 (obese) (using this calculator)
Waist Circumference: Forgot to measure but probably still 38.5 inches
Disease Risk: Very High (according to this chart)
Jeans Size: 18
Total Workouts: 0
Total Running Time: N/A
Total Running Distance: N/A
Longest Single Run: N/A
Progress on Training Plan(s): I'm starting Week 5 of this Couch to 5K program .
Progress in Sit Up/Push Up Challenge: No new progress.
Injury Report: No real change in the busted toe; still sore sometimes.
Last Week's Goal(s): Failed on all my goals.
Next Event Goal: I'm not officially saying I'm definitely aiming for this race, but my friend Jack and I are discussing maybe reprising the fun the we had in the inaugural Semper Fi 5K. This year's event is June 30th. I'd love to be able to complete a 5K by then, but I'll probably wait another month before determining whether this is a realistic goal. Update: I REALLY need to get my butt in gear if this is going to be possible!!
Next Week's Goals: All repeats: 3 runs, keeping up with my SU/PU challenge, more blog posts, and get bike working.

Analysis: Work completely took over my life last week. Other than spending time with my family, all I really had time to do was work, eat, and occasionally sleep a little. (Okay, there was also some extra eating, junk food to be precise, in the wee hours of the morning to help me stay awake. It couldn't be helped!!) This week I'm planning to get my life back to normal and just pick up where I left off with everything, including exercise. I'm really motivated to get healthy right now. I'm sure I'll post more on this topic at some point, but this past week I was reminded how precious good health is. I can't control everything that happens to my body, but I'd like to make the most of what I can control to improve my odds of living a long, active life! Take care of yourself -- you're the only YOU you've got!!

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Still Not Quite Getting It Done {Weekly Summary}

I'm two days late with the weekly update. Oops.

Weight: 218 lbs.
Weekly Change: +1
Overall Change: -1 from "starting weight" of 219
Next goal weight: 214
BMI: 31.3 (obese) (using this calculator)
Waist Circumference: Forgot to measure but probably still 38.5 inches
Disease Risk: Very High (according to this chart)
Jeans Size: 18 (20 is officially too big! not really losing weight, but somehow getting smaller...)
Total Workouts: 2
Total Running Time: 12 minutes
Total Running Distance: 1 mile
Longest Single Run: 6 min/.5 mile (no walking!)
Progress on Training Plan(s): I finished Week 4 of this Couch to 5K program .
Progress in Sit Up/Push Up Challenge: Up to 40 crunches and 20 push ups, but they're still "girl push ups"
Injury Report: No real change in the busted toe; still sore sometimes.
Last Week's Goal(s): Failed on all my goals but one (I did manage to blog more than once!).
Next Event Goal: I'm not officially saying I'm definitely aiming for this race, but my friend Jack and I are discussing maybe reprising the fun the we had in the inaugural Semper Fi 5K. This year's event is June 30th. I'd love to be able to complete a 5K by then, but I'll probably wait another month before determining whether this is a realistic goal. Update: I REALLY need to get my butt in gear if this is going to be possible!!
Next Week's Goals: Once again repeating the goal of 3 workouts (all runs, hopefully), and the goal of keeping up with my SU/PU challenge. My blog goal is to work on some of the posts I've had in mind for a while. And I'm going to try again to get my bike operational so I can start riding!

Analysis: The week started out great but it all came undone over the weekend. Sick kids, sick husband, work deadline -- life just got in the way, as it is wont to do. I'm sure there are people who can balance all these things better than I can, but I have yet to find the secret. This week has started off the same as the last ended, but I hope I'll be able to turn it around.