Thursday, March 28, 2013

Run Numero Dos

Today was my second run in my training for the 10K.  I've been using the "Map my Fitness" app on my iphone to track my runs through GPS.  Today I ran 2.17 miles at an average 9:46 pace... only sightly faster than on Tuesday.  I guess I can't blame my dog anymore for my pace... today was all me.  It's tough because I'm used to running either on a treadmill (which I now hate) or on the track (which I secretly love).  There is no change in terrain or elevation on either.  But now I am forcing myself to run on a new section of the bike path near my apartment and it has killer hills!  I think I am in for a major shock when I fly from New England to Colorado for this race... the change in elevation is going to kill me  :/

I haven't tried running on the trail with my ipod yet.  I did it once when I was running on the track and HATED it... for some reason I was better off focusing on the run than zoning out with my music.  Any opinions on running with headphones?  




Photo: bodyquestadventure.blogspot.com 

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

BolderBoulder



Helloooo!  It's been a while since I have posted, but what with the random weather patterns and even stranger cold viruses I have been battling, there hasn't been much to report.  However, my boyfriend has finally convinced me to sign up for a race!  Today was my first training day for a 10K race in Boulder, CO which will take place in May.  I found a "running for beginners" schedule on Pinterest which I have decided to follow.  It's supposed to be a half-marathon training regimen, but I liked that it only has one rest day and cross-training on the other non-running days.  Also, it is kinda likely that if I feel even slightly miserable during the race I will pitch a whiny little fit and just drop out halfway through.  So, if I can push myself to run 10 miles during a training day, 6.2 will be cake-walk.  Hopefully.  


2013 Registration

Today I ran a slow 2 miles at a 9:50 pace.  It was tough because I had my dog with me, and she isn't the best runner yet.  Every 5 steps she would be pulling so much that I couldn't swing my arms naturally, so I had to give a little tug on the leash to bring her back to my side.  I'm also still getting over a cold, so I had to swallow a nasty amount of post-nasal drip just to have an open airway.  BUT I am proud to say that I never stopped to walk once.  


Tomorrow will be a cross-training day.  The schedule says to workout for 30 minutes.  I will mix an ab and leg workout with the "Morning Workout" that Aimee posted last week.  I won't be doing it until the afternoon though, but hopefully it will have the same results....

Ciao for now!

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Fiber One

After receiving my first delicious paycheck from work, I decided to go on a Target run. Oh yes, Target -- where my wallet saddens the moment I step through the sliding doors into my Wonderland. When I'm in my Wonderland, I tend to just do laps and find things to buy that didn't make an appearance on my official To Buy list.

As I'm home for the week, I decided to check out the baking aisle to scope out some healthier food to make. I found a Fiber One banana nut muffin mix (who knew that even existed?!), which I threw in my basket as soon as I laid eyes on it. I went home and made it so unbelievably fast and I'll have you know that I licked that bowl clean.



I strongly recommend buying these and making them asap. Although they are very yummy in the tummy, what I don't recommend is scarfing down more than one in a sitting -- that's a stomachache you don't want to deal with.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Workout Wednesday: "the Morning Workout"

Phew, I am beat. How sad! I looked at this picture and thought, easy peasy, I'll just go through this quickly before my shower. Yeah, no -- halfway through the second set of these and I was dead. Not to mention the fact that I was only doing about 15 girly push ups and half the amount of lunges.

If you're looking for an easy to follow skipping-the-gym workouts, definitely give this Bad Larry a try.

{photo: À la Corinne}

Monday, March 18, 2013

Spring Break

Hello dolls!

I am officially on spring break! Actually, it started friday night after my long ass shift at work. Can I get a hell yes for raking in the money, though?

Anyway, I must admit that I have yet to work out since last thursday... Sorry body! I haven't had time and quite honestly, I've just wanted to be lazy these first few days to be in relaxation mode.  I fully intend on working out tomorrow. (Though I did lose 2 more pounds! That's 6 so far!)

For now, I'm taking it easy on the food front and trying my best to make good decisions that will bring my body happiness rather than regret. And a special thanks to my mother for stocking up on Chobani yogurt! She knows me so well.

And because I've been pretty naughty in the sense that I haven't been blogging as much as I'd like, here's your Motivation Monday pic!


Sunday, March 10, 2013

Plateau

Is it even possible to plateau when I've only lost a total of 4 pounds? No idea. I'm frustrated that I'm still not dropping pounds. Sure, I feel better and I look a bit better in some places, but it's seriously upsetting to hop on the scale and want to cry looking at that number. I know it's not good to be thinking in such shallow terms, but it's upsetting.

I was recently browsing Taralynn McNitt's blog, Undressed Skeleton, and I found a great post about plateau. I'm honestly close to printing this out and posting it up on my dorm room wall so I can remember these tips for achieving success.

  • Increase your calories and increase your workouts.
  • Change your workout routine. Try new classes or focus on new muscles.
  • Don’t eat the same thing over and over
  • Continue to eat healthy, but take a couple days off working out to allow your body to relax and your muscles to rebuild. 
  • Have a cheat meal to increase your leptin levels, shocking your metabolism, causing it to speed up. 
  • Relax. Find a way to relive your stress. Yoga a couple times a week can help relax your body and muscles.
  • Treat yourself. Depriving can cause stress and binge eating.
  • Add strength training and weight lifting into your work out routine to speed up metabolism. 
  • Calorie cycle. Don’t eat the same amount of calories everyday. Go up and down, but never under your recommended intake. If you go under, you will put your body in a starvation mode. That will seriously damage your body.
  • Stop weighing yourself. Focus on the measuring tape. Your scale may not be changing, but you may be losing inches. 
  • Be patient. It didn’t take you overnight to gain the unwanted weight. It won’t come off overnight either.
  • Increase your water intake to speed your metabolism. 
  • Eat more fiber.
  • Increase your social life activities. Going out and clearing your mind from a weight-loss plateau can help you relax and push forward.

I understand that obviously weight loss is something that will come gradually, as I am literally starting from scratch -- I'm at the heaviest I've ever been and honestly, I'm just tired of not being happy. I do honestly want change and I am going to try keeping each of these tips in mind throughout my days.

What is your #1 tip for success in your weight loss/journey to health?

Spinach Chips

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

Coat your spinach in a little bit of oil (I used coconut oil.)  

Lay the spinach in a single layer on a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper.

Sprinkle with salt, pepper, onion powder, etc.  (pick your poison)

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the leaves are dry and crispy.  

Chips. 

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Workout Wednesday

Do this before you let yourself have a snack.  Want to have 2 snacks today?  Maybe 3?  BAM...  45 minute workout.  

this KILLS your legs and you feel it the next day, but feels AWESOME
Pinterest

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Training Together

Last night my boyfriend asked me to do the 200 sit -up challenge with him.  It's a program that starts you off at your current level, then builds you up so that you can do 200 consecutive sit-ups.  I usually do at least that many in one workout session, but I suppose they aren't all consecutive. 

 If you download the app on your phone, it tells you how many to do, then you start a 1 minute timer to rest, then it tells you the next number of sit-ups, then another minute rest, and so on.  Last night, our last set called for 25+, so I continued up to 70 sit-ups.  I might have to find a way to make this more challenging and beneficial for my body type.  


You can also do a push-up challenge by this same program, or check out any of the workouts listed on the site.  

http://www.twohundredsitups.com/

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