Struggling.....for a normal routine!

Well it's been a while since I've last posted. Truth be told, I've been struggling. Oh, not with the weight loss and fitness journey.....Because I'm still focused on that. Have not lost any more weight, but my fitness level is still high. Frankly, I've been enjoying my summer!! We've been camping, went on a little anniversary trip to the beach for a couple of days, we've been boating....a lot, I've ridden my bike more miles this year than ever....I've been to the gym lots, oh, yes, I've been running!! I've participated in 2 5k's and I'm training for the 1/2 marathon in October. I've been involved with ministry opportunities, out with friends, been to the zoo a couple of times, and have spent a lot of time with my family. 

Needless to say, some of my other routine things, like writing, have been put on the back burner. 

Obviously, since I'm not losing weight, I've had more food than my body needs. Thankfully because of my activity level, I've not gained any weight....Not to say that I have not seen that scale go up a little. 

On our anniversary vacation I have to say we indulged a little. Well we did try to make good choices, but I did allow myself some fried foods, which I don't do well with...I have to tell you. We had some sweets and a little alcohol. We did get a  run in and lots of walking so that helped. All in all not too bad....but the real problem was that I forgot my water pills (I take these for my blood pressure) and I guess that is a problem if I don't have them, because when I got back.....(Now mind you...I feel no difference in my clothes).....but when I got on the scale. I was up 15 pounds.....Yep....15 pounds!!!!

I about had a heart attack. Can I say that I was a little depressed after that? Since then I've lost all of it. In fact the next day when we got home I was down 6 pounds and the pounds just kept coming off each day, so I'm right back where I started. Obviously it was all water weight. Unfortunately, I'm still struggling with acne. It started that weekend and it's all over my face. I've never had it this bad. It must be from the foods that I ate. I guess my normal diet is pretty clean, because introducing the vacation foods has really messed up my system. If you know what I mean!! 

Anyway we got right back on plan and I'm still going forward. Thankfully I'm past that. 

So ready to go to the next level...I am so close to  onderland ~ I've just been hovering around it. Can't get there for more than a nano second. Then it's back to 200 to 204. 

I'm kind of feeling desperate and anxious about getting there. I mean, I've put in a lot of hard work and made really good choices (OK except for the anniversary weekend) and I'm still stuck. I'm feeling like I'm never going to get there!!

So this morning, in my reading time, I came across this little nugget:

A positive attitude during this journey will get me to where I want to be! 

And that's exactly what I need today....is a positive attitude. I know if I keep going. I WILL GET THERE!!

How about you...do you need a positive attitudes?

Keep focused!

How we limit ourselves

So yesterday I rode my bike to work. It was a beautiful day and everything went well, even through the construction zone....still really scary, but doable! Well...I did have a couple of snags..First off ~ I take a shower at the office and I forgot my towel...Hey do you know how many paper hand towels it takes to dry a 200 pound body?  Well it's about 30. Just in case you ever wanted to know. The other thing I forgot was my hair dryer. Still very doable. Just a lot of drip and dry for me. The next thing that did not work was my bike computer.

I never ever realized that tiny little tool, that's supposed to help my biking experience, kind of limits me in a way. Because I did not have it, I had no idea how fast I was going. So I just rode as fast and hard as my little legs would let me. When we arrived at our destination, my Hubby commented that I had a great ride. My pace was great even through the hill climbing. Much improved from the last time we did this.

I was quite surprised, because without seeing the information, I thought I was not doing very well. Instead, I was pushing past my usual activity level and made some real progress in my ride.

For me, watching my numbers...if I'm in the "acceptable" range or where I think I should be riding, then when I get there, I'm satisfied. This experience made me realize that I don't usually push past what I "think" is OK. Not really pushing like an athlete would.

Anyway, all in all, I learned something that my tiny computer could not tell me and that I've got more in me than I thought. I can push myself and improve! I've got this and so much more!!

The bonus part of the day was my Hubby kept telling me over and over that I'm a really good bike rider. How cool is that?

How about you. Do you limit yourself?

Keep focused!

Mornin' Ride

It's 5:52am and I'm ready for my bike ride to work. It nine miles one way, with a one mile stretch of construction that is quite scary! There is no bike path, so you need to ride in the narrow street, dodging the orange construction pylons the whole way. Fortunately, they do offer a sign that says "Bikes on the pathway", but that lends me no security! I have to say, I probably ride the fasted during this stretch of road.

The sun is barely rising. the sky will be blue and the air is crisp and inviting.....I'm ready!!

Whatever you do today, do it with you whole heart, give it your all!! Make this day, be  your turning point day and stretch for your goals!!

Keep focused!!!

I'm Fired!!!

Can't believe it's already August 9th. Where has the time gone. We have had a fun and very busy summer so far and I feel like my training for the 1/2 marathon in October has been put on the back burner.

Well today, I got back to my training.

I have been thinking about something that's bugged me for a long time.....I did not realize until recently why I can put 100% in at work, doing everything they ask ~ consistently, every day. And then at times...well most times, for me......I am willing to let myself down. Always putting what is important, for me personally, on the back burner.

What I have realized is that I have put no feelings attached to going to work. No matter how I feel, except in extreme sickness...I'm there and giving my employer my all. So even though I have a headache, don't feel great, I'm tired, I'm bored, I'm whatever....I'm there! It's what I do!

Not so for myself. If I even experience any type of negative feelings when I'm facing anything I need to do for myself. I will talk myself out of doing it and I base these decisions on feelings. Example: I need to train for my run in October. Most days I'm tired, lazy and lately, just too busy. So I put off my training. Other things.....I eat food, not because I'm hungry, but because of some feeling ~ I'm stressed, tired, happy, sad, bored etc. How long do you think I'd have a job, if I acted that way on a work day. If I just did not show up because I'm happy or sad. I'd be fired really fast! Right?

So I've adopted this new thing ~ and that is ~ if I have something scheduled or planned for myself....I don't care what it is I'm going to do it. No matter how I feel!!

Can I just say WOW! It's amazing how many times I've pushed through my lazy, tired, bored...whatever feelings and got stuff done. And do I feel great!!

Have I been perfect with this. Ah....No! But at least I stop long enough to think about it. And seriously if I am really fatigued, I will rest....I do really need to listen to my body....But the rest of the time. I'm doing what I say I'm going to do. Even if I don't feel like it!!

How about you.....Do you put off things for yourself because of how you feel?

Keep focused!!!!!

Trying a Mini Tri

I am really thinking about doing a Mini (Sprint) Triathlon. That would be a 500 yard swim, 13 mile bike ride and a 5k run (3.1 Miles). Does not seem too tough ~ Right?

Today I thought I'd see what I could do...Thought I'd give some training a try. I really just wanted to see what I could do.

So I went to the pool today and did my 500 yard swim without any problems. When it was over, I felt pretty good. SO then we decided to do our bike ride. Now mind you....it's over 100 degrees today and we were riding in the thick of it! I was doing pretty well, handling the heat OK and so thankful for the breeze we had, when all of a sudden I get a flat. Geez.....4 miles in and we are already stopped.

Once it was fixed we were off again and I realized that I really did not know the route as well as I did. I did not realize the whole way was uphill. For heavens sakes, I've driven through the route a 100 times, but I did not know how hilly it was. Well mostly it was slight inclines and tiny hills the whole way!!!

I would love to say that I did this with no problems. A piece of cake. Well.....it was not easy...not easy at all and I did not accomplish this ride the way I would have liked.

We had to stop about 5 times for water and electrolyte drink. My neck hurt, my feet were hot, my hands were numb and I was sick to my stomach. Literally throwing up on my way.

The straightaways I was able to go about 18 to 20 miles per hour, But some of the hills I could only go about 5 miles per hour. I guess the good thing is that I finished 15.6 miles. All in one piece!!

By the time I got in, there was no way that I could run a 5k. Too hot, too tired!!

So I have a long way to go to be ready for a mini Tri!!

I'm a smidge disappointed that I did not do better on the bike ride, but excited that I got this done and excited to start my official training. I can do it!!

How about you are you pushing yourself?

Keep focused!!

So much to do!!

Did you know that there so many opportunities out there? So many things to do with people, things to see, ways to get your body moving!! When I was 274 pounds I had no idea! The only things that were important to me then, were my Family, home, TV, couch, books (where I could read about other people living their lives), and FOOD!! That's all I needed to live!?!?!

Now that this body can move, I have experienced so much more in my life.

Everyday I get a flurry of emails about a new 5k, half marathon or mini tri event that's coming to my area. I also get biking events, zoo events, and community events. I could never be alone with nothing to do around here. There's always something to do, something to get me out of this house and something that will keep me active.

Really thinking about doing an event like this. How fun would that be?

Or what about this one?

It's a Pineapple Classic 5k Obstacle Course Race!!

So many fun things to do!!

Are you still stuck in your house? Are you ready to do some living? Sign up for an event today...they have them for all activity levels!! Whatever you do.....just get out of the house and get your body moving!!

Stay focused!!!

Not the last one in!!!

Just got back from a week of fun....camping, boating and hiking!! We had a blast and now...I'm so thankful to be home....Lots and lots of highlights to share ~ We had a blast with our family (Daughter, Son-in-Law and two grand-baby girls) and friends. I wake surfed and swam a lot. Did pretty well with my food, I weighed in tonight and I was up two pounds....Bonus ~ it's evening time (I usually weigh in the morning) and it's hot ~ I know I'm retaining water. So I should not be too bad!!

The other bonus and the one I'm most proud of is we went on a hike and I was not the last one in. I came in first!!! This is where we were going....Now mind you, I'm at our base camp looking up!

We started off with one mile just getting to the base of the mountain. Then it was one mile up to the ridge.. Straight up with tiny little trails...You know the ones where you step on them and the little rocks roll down the hill. SCARY!! Once we got to the top, we had to walk another mile until we could see our camp. Here it is:

The pictures don't really show how high we were. I think we climbed 600 feet!

Then once we got up on the ridge, we had to take some pictures!

I was a happy girl to be there!! After a little rest we ran/walked another 3 miles and then it was back down the skinny trail.

Here's were I get excited! I ran the whole way down. Except for a couple of rocky places I made it the whole way. Oh, ahem....except for the time when I fell flat on my face. I was not running then. Thankfully I made it out without any pain or problems, except for two tiny boo boo scrapes on my elbow. The best part was I made it back to the bottom before everyone else. I was not last!!! Then we hiked back another mile and got ready to go on the boat.

All in all....it was just 8 miles, but I did it without any problems making the distance and climbing those hills. It was a blast!!

While we were walking this woman came running by us ~ Super fit, sweaty and running fast and I told the group....That's what I want to be! And for a tiny moment....I was that woman!!

How was your week? Are you making stuff happen?

Stay focused!