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Couch to 5K Training and Adjusting my Eating

May 7, 2012 By 14 Comments

Exercise Habits

So…this week is the week I start Week 5 of the Couch to 5K program and while I’ve survived thus far, I’ll be honest I’m exhausted by the end of the week.  I took several days off from the training when we went to Disney and it was needed since my ankle is still sensitive and often still swells after a training session.  I was a little worried last week about jogging for 5 minutes straight, it felt more like a natural progression than anything else.  My breathing is still where I’m struggling, so clearly I need to keep working on that.  I’ve been trying to find as many articles about running and proper technique as possible, but honestly it’s a little difficult to tell if I’m doing it right.  This week’s 3 sets of 5 minutes should just continue to stretch where I’m going and help me build up to Week 6 and 8 minutes at a time.

Eating Habits

All of this running is fine and well, but my eating habits have been terrible since we got home, especially considering the Brammell Brownies I whipped up for Teacher’s Appreciation (and then made a batch to keep at home) and the tortilla chips with salsa that I have consumed this week.  I am going to need to me more present in my eating and get back to eating the fresh fruit and veggies that are currently sitting in my fridge.  Don’t want those tasty morsels to go to waste.

Problem Areas

My arms.

For serious. I have got to do something about them…either that or remove all sleeveless shirts from my wardrobe!  I have seen the pictures from Disney and I am not amused.  I missed the first week of Mamavation’s 2 week challenge, but I won’t be missing the second.  I’m starting on Week 2 Day 1 (so I can be caught up, but will be adding Week 1 Days 1-5 in the next week) today and am hoping this will give my arms a bit of a kickstart.  I need to find a set of arm exercises to do regularly along with the run/walking to give me the shapely arms I desire.

Goals for the Week

*Be Conscious with my Eating.

*Complete the C25K training for this week.

*Complete Week 2 of Mamavation’s 2 week challenge.

*Enjoy life.

What are your health goals for this week?

 

 

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#Mamavation Monday – Motivation to Move Forward

March 4, 2012 By 8 Comments

“Keep moving forward.”

It’s possibly my favorite line from a children’s movie…or heck…any movie.  Mostly because I think it’s a valuable lesson.

You can’t go back, might as well keep moving forward. It transcends all dimensions of life really.

Even weight loss.

Eat a chocolate doughnut?

Keep moving forward.

Drink too many glasses of wine at Girls Night Out?

Keep moving forward.

Eat a pint of ice cream?

Keep moving forward.

Gain a pound…or two?

Yep, that’s right: Keep moving forward.

We all stumble through parts of life.  Weight loss is no different.  The important thing is we don’t let those stumbles define who we are.

No, we…

Keep moving forward.

This week it’s been important for me to remember that no matter what life throws at me, I am stronger.  I’m going to keep fighting, working, running, and playing.  I’m going to Keep moving forward..  No amount of stumbling along life’s path will stop me.

In the coming week I hope to try some new moves out with a new yoga dvd, add back in my strength training at regular intervals, and focus on upping my water intake again.

Jon and I are also working on a little project, which I’ll tell you more about later this week, and I expect it will bring burn to new muscles.

Part of moving forward means planning for future events and working towards them, KJ’s 5th Birthday is this Friday so I’ll need to be mindful and plan to workout extra if I want to enjoy the cake with her without the guilt.

Think you’re failing? Here’s a little inspiration to keep you moving forward.

Image Credit: Flickr - Creative Commons - Krikit

What are you moving forward on this week?

 

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Getting Back Up Again

November 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I know. It’s been too long since I posted here and stood as an active participant in my health, but I am here again.  Honestly, life has been one big blurry recently (but more on that later) and I haven’t really given myself time to do anything sane for over a month.  Thus my health has suffered.  We’re trying to be active when we can, I make a conscious effort to park farther away when we shop, and I’m still trying to be mindful of the food we’re eating.  Honestly though? Any semblance of real exercise has disappeared from my life completely.

We’re battling major illnesses here with my KG, a busy work/school life, and various other obligations that have recently stood in the way of exercising (and blogging)…but I’m making a choice today to get back up and start taking better care of myself.  Last Saturday in the crisp of the early country morning, 102+ people, including myself, participated in a Turkey Trot 5K to benefit our local backpack food ministry.  It was fantastic and aside from my lungs feeling like they were actually lit on fire, I felt great.  It also showed me how out of shape I have gotten in just a month and how important it is for me to keep training and working.

What have you gals (and guys) been up to? Who’s running 5ks?  How do you train for them?  Who’s doing tons of burpees? Share your triumphs with me!

My big deal?

I’ve lost 5 more pounds!!

That’s a total of 15 since August!

Only about 15 more to go!

 

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Mamavation Monday – On a Tuesday

October 4, 2011 By 5 Comments

Just another Manic Monday…oh and Mamavation Monday.  Looks like I missed last week since I’ve been crazy busy at work.  Except that it’s ya know…Tuesday night.  Sigh. See? This is how life gets away from me. And I’ll admit to my share of getting buried in funneh pictures and Facebook updates.  Anyhow…it’s been two weeks since my last update. WOW. Sorry about that!  I had my last weigh-in of our local Biggest Loser challenge and am proud to say that I ended it with a loss!  Woo!  Thank you to everyone who has supported me through the past ten weeks and will continue to support me beyond. I love you guys.

In the last two weeks the Mamavation group has ended and started a new #2weekchallenge with Jon and I plugging right along.  I am thrilled to say that I and another awesome woman won the last #2weekchallenge!  I will say that I don’t feel pushed as hard with this challenge and have been giving myself time to slack off in the last two weeks.  I have a feeling that coincides with the not staying responsible to the group or being adult enough to even post here despite my schedule.

The Numbers
• Date: 10/4/11
• Non-Scale Related Triumph: Jon works out with me every day.
• Weigh-in: 161.4 {- 3 lbs!!}
• Goal Weight: 140

Measurements

• Waist: 31 1/2
• Hips: 41
• L-Arm: 11 ½ (-1 ½ inch)
• R-Arm: 12 (-1 inch)
• L-Thigh: 21 ½ (-2 ½ inches)
• R-Thigh: 22 (-2 inches)

Healthy Living Breakdown

Exercise: We started a new GruntStyle/Mamavation #2weekchallenge last week and am now a full 8 days into it.  I’m getting more winded at the end, but am not nearly as sore.  I don’t feel like I’m getting as good a workout as I should be. So obviously I can’t be doing this all right.  I desperately want to see some waist shrinkage…and some bottom perkage too. What is your favorite exercise?

Water: Still? Still. I am a slacker. HOW are you getting all your water?

Eating Habits: Yeah. This is not so good. I have totally stopped being diligent in the last two weeks since finishing the Biggest Loser contest and the #2weekchallenge.  NOT GOOD. I have got to get myself back under control, eat some of this produce I am letting go bad in the fridge and stay away FAR AWAY from the snacks. What are you snacking on this week?

Alright. Here’s my weigh-in picture for the week to keep me motivated and keep me strong!

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Mamavation – Seeing Changes

September 19, 2011 By 14 Comments

Wow. What a week! I started a new college class and am finishing up my math course this week. Jon and I have been good about working out nearly every day and making up for anything we might have missed. We’ve also been doing a good job of watching what we are consuming this week and making conscious decisions about what we allow our bodies to ingest. Yes, I’m talking a bit more about Jon this week since he’s been key in this challenge and for the last two weeks. It’s really nice to have him there to work out with and to have his encouragement while also being able to offer him my own. I think he’s really starting to like the differences he’s seeing in himself and the strength he can feel growing. I told him it was addictive.

The Numbers
• Date: 9/19/11
• Non-Scale Related Triumph: I can complete the #2weekchallenge workouts faster now even at two a day.
• Weigh-in: 164.4 {- 2 lbs!!}
• Goal Weight: 140

Measurements {Today was the last day of the Gruntstyle workout so I’ve updated the measurements. I will update again in two weeks.}
• Waist: 31 1/2
• Hips: 41
• L-Arm: 11 ½ (-1 ½ inch)
• R-Arm: 12 (-1 inch)
• L-Thigh: 21 ½ (-2 ½ inches)
• R-Thigh: 22 (-2 inches)

Healthy Living Breakdown

Exercise: This week marked the second (and technically the final week of the Grunstyle/Mamavation 2 week challenge and for the last couple of days we even moved up to doing two sets of exercises a day. Let me tell you I can feel it and I the ramp up to two exercises a day is just what Jon & I needed to see results and really push ourselves. I am thrilled to say that now that Jon has started to see results as well he’s really enjoying it and joins me pretty much every day. We’ve decided to keep going and with the current 2x a day pattern until the next #2weekchallenge starts up. I would really like to see some numbers change in waist and hips, but I know those are the hardest…I may have to throw in some more crunches or something during the day as well.

Water: All of the working out that we’ve been doing recently has certainly pushed my water level up, but I confess to needing to focus more on this in the coming week.

Eating Habits: Oh I did so much better this week! I am so proud of myself! I did indulge, but not to a point where I am regretting it today! I weighed myself on Friday and say the weight-loss first hand and I think seeing how much I had lost was a motivator for me to be conscious about my food choices and to indulge in small amounts. I’ve been upping my fruit and vegetable intake recently and plan to keep that a habit for this week as well. We stocked up on fresh fruits & veggies at the grocery this week so there’s no excuse for my not eating them.

Alright. Here’s my weigh-in picture for the week to keep me motivated and keep me strong!

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Mamavation Monday: Needing to Make Some Changes

September 12, 2011 By 8 Comments

Short update this week since I just updated everyone on Friday for Fitness Friday, but good news: I didn’t have to pay since I didn’t gain! Instead I lost .2 pounds…yes, I know it’s just .2 but it’s something right?!  I also went shopping for some new clothes to meet clients in last Friday and had a nice surprise there as well!  Let’s get to it this week:

The Numbers

  • Date: 9/12/11
  • Non-Scale Related Triumph: I have lost an entire pants and shirt size!! YAY!
  • Weigh-in: 166.4 {-.2}
  • Goal Weight: 140

Measurements {I won’t be updating these until after the GruntStyle 2 Week Challenge is over.}

  • Waist: 31 1/2
  • Hips: 41
  • L-Arm: 13 1/2
  • R-Arm: 13
  • L-Thigh: 24 1/2
  • R-Thigh: 24 1/2

Healthy Living Breakdown

Exercise:  I’ve been literally working my ass off with this GruntStyle Two Week Challenge with the Mamavation Sistahood and I’m thrilled because my Jon has been working at it as well.  I think it motivates us both to see the other working incredibly hard and getting exhausted…in such a good way.  I think the part I’m struggling with is that when I’ve doing the 900 million pushups or squats is my form.  I need to be focusing more on my form at this point, I find that when I near the end of the 900th set I’m just doing them quickly and rather sloppily just to get it done.  My worry is that I’ll not be able to finish if my form is perfect.

Water:  I’ll admit to slacking this weekend and not drinking all the water that I should be and partaking in some less than healthy drinks.  I am going to need to focus on getting what I need this week.

Eating Habits:  Alright. Here is the part I always struggle with right?  This week is no different. I do so well all week long, but come the weekend I convince myself that I deserve a day of no cooking and splurging.  That’s ok right? Well, then because it’s the weekend we inevitably end up eating out several more times before the weekend is over. This is becoming financially costly as well as physically costly.  It’s stupid for me to work so hard during the week to see it all go up into flames over the weekend. This is the real reason I’m not seeing any significant weight-loss. I simply cannot do enough exercise to work off the extra calories that I take in over the weekend…I do not like the idea of working hard all week just to eat it all up over the weekend.

I’m going to refrain from posting a picture of myself today since I just posted one last Friday on that post. You’re gonna have to wait until next week. ;-)

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Mamavation Monday – Motivation to Keep Moving Forward

August 21, 2011 By 15 Comments

Happy Mamavation Monday everyone!  I’m feeling mighty proud of myself this week after two weeks of sluggery.  I’ve been doing SO much better eating and exercise wise!  I even told Leah (aka Bookieboo) last week that I could feel my muscles growing.  I had forgotten what an exhilarating feeling that is.  And then yesterday after the weigh-in, after I got some relief (more of that at the bottom of this post), it reminded how motivating weight-loss was and how good it felt to know you were making the right choices and the work you’re doing is paying off.  It’s just a really good feeling.  I do want to give you a hint though I didn’t have to pay $5 this week!

Yesterday though, I allowed myself a rest day…with the exception of some Burpees (I started my own 100 Day Burpee Challenge since I missed out on the official Mamavation one.)  I spent the week being grateful for the awesome encouragement from Mr. Bookieboo to keep trying to do push-ups, a little at a time, and from my Sistas who kept me motivated and supported all week long.  Thank you all for that.

Let’s get to the weekly break down.

The Numbers

Date: 8/21/2011

Weigh-in: 166.6 (-1.8) (Not too bad if I do say so.  At least the arrow’s going in the right direction now!)

Goal Weight: 140

Non-Scale Related Triumph: I have already washed all of our fresh fruit for the week and have all of my snack pre-proportioned into serving sizes, so that I can make positive choices all week and save time while doing it!

Healthy Living Breakdown

Exercise: Ok.  I feel like I’m doing pretty decent here right now.  I’m playing a variety of Wii workout games, mixing it up with a little EA Sports Active More Workouts daily and some Fit-in-Six mixed in as well.  I’ve also been practicing yoga daily and honestly that’s where I feel the strongest, where I can feel the changes my body is making the best.  When I am practicing yoga my body feels strong and solid…I love that.  I’ve also talked a group of my friends (my fellow Biggest Loser HC team members) into walking for the two hours twice a week while KG was in cheerleading.  We even raced up huge hills and around blocks, it was fun and we pushed each other a little more each day.  I’m looking forward to continuing to do that!

Water: I have to say I think I did pretty darn good this week with the water.  I consistently drank 4+ bottles (equivalent to 8-8 Fl. Oz. glasses) daily and cut down my coffee consumption…some. You do not want to see me without coffee. It’s bad.  I didn’t drink any soda this week, but I did enjoy a glass of sweet tea last night…ok, maybe two.

Eating Habits: I did a little better this week with my eating choices and really I’m telling myself baby steps.  I did have some days when I chose (yes, I made the choice each time) to not eat super healthy, but overall I think I did much better.  I have been much more conscious about what I’m eating this week and plan to continue to make better choices as the weeks and months carry on.  I’m still allowing myself small treats (and occasionally not so small), but I’m also following these allowances with more working out to compensate for some of it.

Each week I am posting an updated picture to help motivate me and to hold me accountable…

 

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Mamavation Monday – Week 1

August 14, 2011 By 26 Comments

MamavationYes friends, it’s another post about my weight-loss travels…recently a very good friend of mine, Leah of Bookieboo fame, suggested I put my money where my mouth was in terms of weight-loss.  Now that’s what I thought I was doing since I have to pay out $5 for every time I gain weight with HC’s Biggest Loser program, but I thought what the hey…she’s right, it certainly won’t hurt me to join the Mamavation Sistahood (again).  You see, I used to be a proud member but then I got lazy and I quit participating…consequently I also quit losing the weight too.

I just weighed in yesterday and honestly I’m not feeling great about the results. I know it’s from the vacation & BlogHer eating, but is that just an excuse? Could I not have eaten healthy and found time to work out while I was gone?  Ok, it would have been hard to work out while at BlogHer since I was up at 6:30am every morning and didn’t crash until very late…but still.  Yes, I did get *some* exercise on the beach and swimming in the ocean, but the thing is I took my Wii game with me! I never even got it out of my suitcase.  See? That’s my problem. I am so unmotivated to work out. I keep saying when am I going to find time or I’ll start again tomorrow…but as that country music song goes, tomorrow never comes.

I decided to rejoin the Sistahood to find motivation in other’s successes and to encourage others not to give up…for some us it’s a lifelong battle this staying healthy thing, but it’s one we can win.  I’m looking forward to the support that I know will come from this amazing group of women and the swift kick in the butt I know I’ll get if I start slacking.  I’m also looking forward to reading about everyone else’s struggles, triumphs, and supporting them along the way.  Mamavation and the Sistahood certainly has grown since I was last a member and I’m looking forward to getting to know many new and inspiring women through this journey.

I’ll still be writing my Fat-burning Friday Biggest Loser wrap-up post every week, but instead of posting my weight and figures over there I’ll be posting them here so I can garner the support, motivation, and accountability I need from the Sistahood as well.  So if you’re on Twitter and you see me tweeting with this #mamavation you know I’m chatting with my Sistas and sharing in the encouragement.

The Numbers

Date: 8/15/2011

Weigh-in: 168.4 (+4) (eeek!! I’ll take full responsibility for this!)

Goal Weight: 140

Exercise: I started #GruntStyle’s 2 Week Challenge yesterday and yes, it is a challenge!! Yike! It’s killing me in an oh-so-good way! I’m always following along with a Pilates video and playing my Wii work-out games.  I’m determined to give it all I’ve got from now on since I want to see a change in my life and my body.

Water: I’ve upped my intake and am getting my full 8 8oz. of water a day now and really have seen a difference in my hunger level and my energy level.

Eating Habits: Here is where I struggle the most. I love food and Coke. :) I find that I’m coming into the most trouble when I’m working late at night at my desk. I’m just looking for something to snack on during this time and I eat everything in site.  I’m doing my best to keep the unhealthy stuff out of the house, but even the healthy stuff is unhealthy when you eat too much of it!  Do any of you know of a healthy snack that I could much on that wouldn’t kill me health-wise?

Each week I will post an updated picture to help motivate me and to hold me accountable…

Don’t I look thrilled in this picture? NOT! ;-)   Next week will be better!

 

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Mamavation Monday: Maintaining My Composure…and My Weight

January 25, 2010 By 17 Comments

As most of you know the girls and I have been battling illnesses of one ty[e or another since the week before Christmas…Thank you all for your love and support through this time.  We have now been well for a week and I’m trying not to push my limits.  SO…that leads me right into my point: I have not worked out or weighed-in since right after Christmas.  That’s right. I’m admitting it now. I should also add right now that I have managed to maintain my weight, but realistically the only thing that saved me was the fact that during most of my illness I couldn’t taste anything…so I didn’t eat. I know. It’s not the smartest move I’ve ever made, in fact, it probably kept me ill longer.  My husband looked at me one day while the girls were eating…and he was eating…and reminded me that I was much more likely to feel better if I were eating. Not just “eating” he reminds me…but eating healthy.  Eating the whole foods that I love.  All the fresh veggies and fruit, not only do I love them…but the nutrients inside could contribute to my getting well. And he was right. I do love fresh fruit and veggies…I do love whole food, but I just was not going to eat them until I could taste them.

Luckily I can taste them again.  I made my first full trip to the grocery yesterday since becoming ill and stocked up on all the goodies my girls and I love. Yogurt, string cheese, strawberries, romaine lettuce, oatmeal, dried fruits, carrots, celery….the list goes on and on.  I get the feeling though that my dear hubby is regretting the push for me to eat right again, the look on his face suggested something more along the lines of faintness. While I was sick my Aunt and extended family took advantage of my weakness and started bringing over junk food as a ‘treat’ for the girls…now it’s important to say here that I appreciate all of their help…I do not routinely purchase and allow my girls to have junk food and it is normally save for when they go visit Auntie. I must have spent the last month walking around in some kind of nutritional oblivion, because when I was cleaning out the cabinets yesterday (before the grocery) I found Cheetos, suckers, and O so much more. Trash.

I would love to get back to working out, but I haven’t been released for physical activity since my lungs are still so weak.  You see, while I am mostly well, I am still hanging on to the pneumonia.  It really is better, but activity…vigorous activity of any kind…can really set me back.  My Wii is still in the Family Room..still waiting for me to turn it on again.  And I will. I am determined.

Ahem. Which is kind of what leads me into my next “thing”. I am going to Blissdom next week thanks to some really awesome sponsors (Tommy Nelson publishing and Katja Presnal) and Disney right after that, which thrills me to no end. However, I am bigger (much) than I was last winter…or even the end of summer…so none of my clothes fit right. I have been able to get away with not buying many any new clothes by just sticking a sweatshirt over top of whatever shirt I’m wearing and you almost can’t tell I’m a full 20 pounds heaver than I normally am.  So I’m starting to freak out just a little. You see I’m going to have to have some cute or at least semi-professional clothes by then…but my budget is not allowing for it. In this case, it’s buy Mommy some new clothes or go to Disney. I pick Disney. Now I know I’m working on it and weight-loss takes time. I know I’ve been sick and haven’t been able to work out for 5 weeks. But it doesn’t change the fact that when I look at myself I see the fat. I see the rolls. And I see that none. NONE. of my clothes fit.

I’m taking comfort in you all today, reading about your triumphs and slip-ups will help me today. So thanks for that everyone. I’m working on eating right this week and doing what I can. I’m trying to remember not to sweat the small stuff and keep my eyes focused on the long run. I am also not going to think what “what to wear” until next week, won’t change anything this week. Ooops. I forgot to mention I have maintained my weight since last weigh-in so that’s ok I guess…

Ya’ll have a good week. Take care of each other. Take care of you.

This post is happily shared at Mamavation.

PS. Sorry for the book :)

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Mamavation Monday: January 4, 2010

January 4, 2010 By 25 Comments

Hey all! It’s been a while since I’ve felt like writing…or heck even turning on my PC…I’ve been tweeting from my precious BB for almost two weeks. I finally started to feel better this weekend, but I am not out of the woods just yet…my lungs are still very weak, as is my body, and I’m just not feeling 100% again. I didn’t want to miss out on another Mamavation Monday though, so I thought I would check in and let you know how things have been going.

Over the holidays, before my loss of taste (literally), I gained back most of the weight I had lost…this was probably caused from all the ”tasting” I did.  Now that I can’t taste anything I have managed to drop it all again and I am back at 161 for a New Year’s starting weight. I’m not worried though…as soon as I’m able I’ll be back at the exercise full force, as that has been one thing I have missed terribly.

My eating habits are crap right now. I’m forcing myself to eat..forcing because who wants to eat what they can’t taste?…and to remain active as much as I am able. I am still getting tired easily and have been finding on the days after I am particularly active that I am worn out and actually feel worse from over-doing it.

I actually hate to say this, but I will not be applying for Mamavation’s campaign 3 due to this illness and the unlikelyhood that my physician will give me leave to start anything new just yet. With that said, I will still be participating in the campaign, exercising and losing weight with all of you, and continuing my Mamavation Monday posts.

Here’s what I’m looking forward to doing this week:

I’m going to be forcing myself to eat again this week, or until I can taste again.  I am focusing on being aware of what I put in my body and am making a concentrated effort to choose whole foods (fresh fruit and veggies) for my family’s meals.  It is as important for my children and husband to eat healthy foods as it is for myself to do so.

Water intake in a place where I have not been falling behind in the last couple of weeks.  Since I can’t taste anything I have not seen the since in drinking anything else.

I am going to start slowly working exercise back into my schedule this week and aiming for 3-30 minute workouts this week.  It’s normally a very easy goal to attain, but as I stated earlier, my stamina has really taken a hit.

One of the main things I want to work on this year is being present, present in all aspects of my life.  Including weight-loss/healthy living. I plan on being very deliberate about the choices I make, aware of the foods I am eating, and to enjoy every minute of it.

I hope you’ll join me!

Are you making positive changes in your life this week? I’d love to hear about it…or maybe your wrote about it, be sure to leave me a link so I can encourage you too!

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