Back to Basics

We had an awesome summer! It was full of fun and activities. Obviously by my postings you can see that I had way too much on my plate and did not get everything done that I needed to do.

Fortunately my weight has not changed. I have maintained....well with a few ups and downs, but for the most part, I'm the same weight I was since before summer.

However, in all my busyness, I've noticed that I am slipping just a little.

• I'm not parking in the north forty anymore. Nope, I'm racing for the closest parking spot I can get.
• Eating good food, but I've noticed that I'm having more food then I need....Like adding an extra half cup of oatmeal. My little container of granola has a quarter cup serving instead of two tablespoons. I'm having more coffee with creamer. Been eating chips instead of rice cakes or pretzels. Eating less veggies and fruit and reaching for prepared foods.
• Exercise. I've been pretty faithful to running. However, I have not lifted weights all summer. I can already tell my core is weaker and my arms and stomach are flabbier. What an awful feeling!
• Sleep. Well I'm staying up too late and not getting up early enough to get things done without stressing. I hate that.

So for me....it's time to get back to basics.

• Need to get more steps in and move this body. So I will be parking way out from now on.
• No more fooling around with food. I'm going to clean out my pantry and get rid of this stuff. And I need to go back to measuring....because I can't trust my hungry eyes to really see what I'm doing.
• Exercise. I am going back to my regular exercise plan. Getting in weight time as well as cardio.
• Sleep...I will go back to my regular bed time. Having everything done and in bed by 10pm.

Did you know...

If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got.

With that said, if I want to reach my goals. I need to make some changes and make things happen!!

How about you....Do you need to make some changes?

Keep focused!!

Procrastination vs. Victory!?!

I am training for the Run Like Hell 1/2 Marathon that is scheduled in October. I have been on track for my weekly training runs ~ On Tuesday and Thursday I run a 5k's each day and on Friday's I walk 2 miles. Of course I do my other workouts during the week as usual. Anyway.....Each Sunday I'm supposed to run a distance. First Sunday was 3 miles...for me...no problem! Then each Sunday the distance is supposed to increase. If you're really smart, you would start 3+ months before your race and really work it so when you need to run 13.1 miles...it's no problem!

When I trained for my first 1/2 marathon, I did just that with no problem. I was very obedient to my training schedule and I did what I was asked to do. Because of all that work and dedication, I was in such great shape that I could and did run three 1/2 marathons in 5 weeks. Crazy, but I did it!!

So I got my calendar out and set up my training time. I did pretty well until I hit the weeks that I needed to run 6.5 miles & 8 miles. The only thing saving me, is I did very well with my weekly running training. So all is not lost.

Anyway, I'm behind on my long distance training....

Right now...I should be at mile at 9.5 miles. Unfortunately I'm facing 7 miles today.

I'm really behind!!

I'm really feeling the pressure!!

Kind of feeling like I need to quit. I'm too far from where I need to be to be ready for this race!! Kind of tired of trying to catch up.....

This picture was taken by mistake and I almost deleted it. But there's something about it that brings me excitement. It's me, while I was doing a 5k run for an (8/22) Intel event. I'm happy and smiling, I've got my head up and I'm focused. I'm running toward the finish!! I'm running to victory!!

This morning, as I have been procrastinating to get my 7 miles in. I'm feeling really behind and a little defeated. I get to make a decision about whether I'm going to let this procrastination get me another day.

Or I get to decided that I'm racing for victory!!

Here's what victory looks like:

Look at our faces. We are happy ~ We got it done!!!

Without doing the work today....I will not see that face on race day in October.

Without doing the work today...I will not see victory!!

So bye - bye procrastination. I'm racing for victory!!

How about you. Will you let procrastination stop you from reaching your victory?

Keep focused!!

Update ~ I got it done ~ 1 Hr 40 Min ~ 7 Miles = VICTORY!!!

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!!