And so I ran......

I have been struggling with my commitment level....my commitment to me. Granted, I am working crazy hours, and am exhausted justifiably so......but the commitment to me is NOT showing.

Today, I choose to put myself first. I got up and ran....... And I needed the run. I had woken from a very realistic dream in which my JEEP had been stolen. And i woke suddenly when one of my cars jumped on the bed.....thankful for small things.

As a result of the dream, I had unsettled energy. I decided to go run. Today's task was to run 30 minutes.... With 6x 30second burst scattered in. And off I went.....surprisingly, My pedestrian pace was faster than I expected, and I completed the run. Tomorrow, my legs will thank me as I will teach two spin classes.

But for now, I feel focused and ready to tackle the paperwork and planning to prepare for the rest of the week.

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Ride Your Way Lean

Reading an interesting book.... Ride Your Way Lean, by Selene Yeager, one of the staff members of Bicycling Magazine.

The thing that impressed me was she discusses how FUN cycling is!  And regardless of your starting point, physically, you feel like a kid again!!!!  She also is disappointed with the Biggest Loser whose contestants look like they are being tortured to ride a bike.

It brings me back to the FUN part!  I teach indoor cycling and coach triathletes.  I need to remember the fun.  Peeps come to my classes because of the hard work, well maybe.... but because there is an element.   Whatever the element, they want to feel good.

I need to remember the fun.

AND to remember fun is why I began cycling.  Fun is why it doesn't hurt so much.  Fun..... riding outside, wind blowing through your hair, pulling your feet off the pedals, saying weeeeeee!!!!!  and laughing outloud....

Fun is the element I need to return to.

Beginning with a Cycling Class....

Monday.....

brought a 2# weight gain.  Not sure where or why that happened.  Hormonal, I am sure.

Pffffft..... monday.

But I am not going to let that get me down, I have classes to teach and peeps to coach, teach and inspire.  I am an example.... even if I feel, what not to be.

Alas, I started today with a new class in my repertoire... I am now teaching 4 cycling classes a week, and that will soon be seven.

After class, I enjoyed a iced coffee, and went off to do Day One of my six week protocol.
I lifted, ran and rowed.  Intervals to the max!!!

I started the day with a bowl of oatmeal with flax seed and almonds.  Leo (my maine coon cat) like oatmeal.  And well.... he was eating from my bowl.
And I had a meal replacement drink-- essentially protein shake.

Tonight, a low carb meal is in order.

So far, I feel great.  Now that could be different at 6am tomorrow morning.

HItting Bottom

I feel like I hit the bottom.  I don't think there is any lower than I can go...... I have successfully gained the weight I lost prior to moving to MA.  Go Team.... Yay.... and for the life of me, I struggle to do anything.  And it isn't like I am watching hours of TV doing nothing.... I am actually working and living and exploring.... I just have no desire to train.  AND yesterday, when I actually wanted to swim.... the storm commenced.  It was Thundering.

PFFFFFFFT.

This morning, I got on the scale.  YIKES!  And I took my measurements.  I need to lose the equivalent of a small person.  No arguments here.... I looked at my profile in a reflection the other day... wow.  and yuck.

My plan is to keep it light and fun.... and refocus on staying on point.   I buy veggies, and they sit in the fridge, b/c they aren't ready to eat.  AND I find myself picking at lots of things.... and then not really eating a quality meal.

I want to be the example and live what I preach..... and I am struggling with it all.

Perhaps, this is a good point for me to go.... b/c it is about me and my health.  My birthday is Wednesday, and I want to really look and feel the youth I am.

First Week Complete

And I have begun Day Nine today.....  I feel great.  I am down another .2#.........

This morning started with a bowl of oatmeal, flax seed, almonds, walnuts and blueberries.  Satisfying!!!!  I am now enjoying an iced coffee.... the first of the day.  AND prepping a MR shake-- basically whey protein, and some fruit.... Tonight, I am looking forward to some fish and veggies... not sure what veggies I will choose, but I have squash, eggplant, and yams to choose from.  

It is great when I enjoy the food I eat.

I had a grilled cheese sandwich the other day from my coffee shop..... and after the initial hot of the sandwich, it didn't taste good.  I am choosing food better, and carrying more with me for better preparedness.

The summer season has changed.  Swim team is now on break, and I am enjoying the down time.  I used some of it today to row for 40 minutes, doing intervals of 4 minutes hard with 3 minutes recovery.

Tomorrow.... Day Ten begins.  I am looking forward to the adventure.

It's like.... thunder...... lightning....

Well, maybe not..... But that is how I was greeted with the day.  My little cat, Aries, decided that purring on my head at 4am was appropriate.... after all the food dish may have needed one more crunchy to satisfy.  And well.... he was awake.  *In his defense, I do wake normally around 4.15ish, to prep for the day, when I am training clients, or teaching spin.*

After walking through the apartment, noting how suddenly humid it had gotten, there was a big flash of light..... not normal or natural.  I wondered what could have caused it, not even thinking weather.  Moments later, the thunder joined the party..... and I read while the storm did it's thing.

It is now overcast and gloomy looking, like more rain, but I am not certain what the weather is going to do.  *Waiting on that inevitable swim lesson cancel*

Today is day two..... and I weighed in at .8# less than yesterday.  Part of the reason of the daily scale ritual, is to be aware, and part of my journey..... weight normally fluctuates throughout the week, and it can be devastating to weigh oneself once a week, and see an atrociously higher number, instead of following throughout the week.  I also don't like weekly weigh-ins... I do not like surprise.

Yesterday went well, except I did not train.  I took the noted rest day.  I needed it.  My neck felt twisted, and I was challenged looking to the left.  Today, it is better, but not 100%.  And I ended the day with a bowl of string beans and slivered almonds.

This morning began with two hard-boiled eggs.  I felt hungry.

I am not certain if I drank enough water yesterday.  

Today's focus is training.....
I am scheduled to run 3 miles, bike 55 minutes with 6 x 1 minute high gear, fast paced hills, and possibly rowing.  I will see how I feel for the row.

Food:  meal, fruit snacks, and a low-carb meal.... is the plan.   Although the fruit snacks might be a salad of sorts.

And the day is off and running..... I better go catch it.

A shell in my pocket, and sand in my toes.....

I cleaned my bag after returning from the triathlon, and I found a small handful of rocks and shells I had collected on my journey since the last bag cleaning.  And I was reminded that happiness is sand or mud between my toes.  It is great.

Day One finished pretty well.... the fast was successful, except I was hungry late afternoon.  I had a small bowl of butter lettuce, with some fresh crumbled blue cheese.  It was the perfect choice.  I felt satisfied.  Note to self:  I need more water available.  I don't necessarily like tap water, and I didn't have my supply available, as I haven't been able to food shop or visit BJs..... lack of cash flow.

Today, I am down .6#.... and while I am happy, I am skeptical, as I have been here before.  I am taking it in stride.

The goals for Day Two.... are eating:  meal, meal-replacement drink, and a low-carb meal.

I am also set to row for 30 minutes, and swimming 1200 yards.

The day looks overcast, so it will be a nice change of pace.

I will see you tomorrow.