Monday, July 30, 2012

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.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

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.

Monday, July 23, 2012

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.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Day One....

Today started bright and early, with a triathlon.  No, I wasn't competing.... I was lifeguarding.  It was a great way to start the day-- reminded me of the early morning run-swim-runs.... I should start doing those again.  Hmmmmm....

But I digress..... a triathlon.  And I was lifeguarding.  I spent an hour or so in the water, ensuring the safety of the swimmers along the route.  And I arrived home, cold and tired.... thankful for sweatshirts.

After a two-egg spinach omelette, I am now vegging.  I started the day with Chobani honey yogurt, and some fresh pineapple.  I was hungry when I arrived home.   I am going to go for a run this evening.   The goal is 3 miles.

Today, is a FAST day..... so, my omelette is my meal for the day.  All of you who don't believe in fasting, please breath now.... I fast twice a week.  And do what one would consider a controlled fast during the day.  Sundays, I fast after my breakfast...... and well, if I need a snack after my run or training on Sunday, I will eat some nuts or fruit.  If I need something more substantial, I will eat.  I am not afraid to break the fast if I need to do so..... But what i have learned from fasting, is that it provides the opportunity for my body to cleanse.  I feel lighter, and actually feel good.  I like it.  I do acknowledge there are some days that I am just HUNGRY.... so, I follow the rule--- Eat when you are hungry.  Don't eat when you are not hungry.  This helps create consciousness so I do not eat mindlessly.  And I enjoyed eating on my deck..... listening to the sounds of morning.

I will get back to you on the reaction of the day.

Saturday, July 21, 2012

My new challenge....

I am recommencing a 90 Day Challenge.

The journey begins tomorrow.


I have had an interesting debate with someone who has bought and drunk the Kool-Aid about BeachBody products.... they are the makers of P90X and Insanity.... And for some reason, peeps think that these programs are the ONLY way to be fit.  The reality.... it might be a 'good workout' or a 'hard workout'.... but my experience with the company--- is it is a multi-level marketing.... meaning peeps just need to sell, whatever they need to sell to make money,  and the only requirement to sell the product is to join the company--- so many of the 'beach body coaches' no absolutely NOTHING about strength training, periodization, and training in general.... and i am not sure why the 'good' coaches would have bought into the kool-aid to begin with..... and so, many peeps refer others to those who sell these products, as authorities, and the reality is they don't understand training.  ALSO.... while the videos may look pretty or sound professional (they need to, they want you to buy them)..... the workouts go hard every day.  That is not training.  Further, the videos do not train you for anything.

And so...... my debate..... led to the self-imposed challenge.   This challenge it to prove that one can lose extra body fat and actually prepare or train for something and become fit without a video.

The reality:

I have been struggling the last several months.  I lose a couple pounds and gain it back.  And I am not satisfied with how I look, feel or my training.  Summer has been a challenge, as I am also struggling with my eating habits.  Coaching swim team has not provided for a 'normal eating schedule.'

So.....

Tomorrow,  I begin.

Day one of 90 (perhaps 100 begins).

I will take and record my measurements.  I will also share my eating and some of my struggles.  I will also share the accomplishments, and achievements..... and my training.

Hopefully, I will also share some pictures.

90 days is 3 months...... or 12 weeks.  My first goal is to drop at least 20#.

My second is to train for the half-marathon in October.  And lay the foundation for a half-ironman.

I look forward to the journey.

My 'friend' doesn't know what his arrogance preempted.  In a way, I am glad for his ignorance.  I will be glad to rub it in his face when it is finished.  In the meantime, this is a self-imposed journey.... not a competition.  I am looking forward to seeing the results.

Until tomorrow.......

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Proof of the Pudding....

is in the eating.

Today, I took my lazy butt out for a run.  It is important for me to be able to do what I am coaching others to do.  My run lasted 30 minutes before the heat overtook me.... and I walked home.  (Yes, I had a late start.... Yes, I need to get up earlier....)

It felt good to run.    Will bike later on the spinner.  30 minutes with 6 x 1 minute hill climbs.

Today's eating plan is a meal, fruit snacks and a low-carb meal.  Looking forward to it.

It is supposed to be HOT out there today..... See you tomorrow.

Monday, July 16, 2012

YoYo

After the last couple of weeks of down two, up one..... I am down six.  I like..... but my focus is not where it should be.  It should be on my training and performance, not the scale.  As I have said before, when the body is cared for and healthy the number on the scale takes care of itself.

I am using the rest of this summer to be fit, active and healthy.  I want to be able to run with my hockey team.  I want to be able to compete without too much struggle and swim because I enjoy it.  I want to get back to my lifeguard training condition...... and I want to be able to compete in competitions next summer.  I want to be fit to guard on the surf.

And today, I have begun the journey.........

My focus is eating.

Rule Number One:  Eat when I am hungry.  Don't eat when I am not.

And somehow.... incorporate that into my coaching schedule.  So far today, that is working.

Tomorrow my focus will be adding training..... it is easy and has been easy for me to blow training off, for lack of convenience.  I am reminded that nothing worth having is easy to come by.  I need to be a little inconvenienced and make it part of my routine, my habits.

For now, the sky is getting blacker, as it appears a thunderstorm is rolling in.

Tomorrow, I shall run.