Awesome-ness

Ahhhhhhh .... that was SO much better!  Last night I took the same bootcamp class that I did last week.  However, the instructor took us outside for this class - which I absolutely love and prefer to workout outdoors.  I know I had to stop taking these classes for financial reasons, but boy I didn't realize how much I loved and missed them.

This time I took an Abs Only class before bootcamp. It was the same instructor as bootcamp and she puts on a good class.  Plus, it's at the same facility, back to back, and you pay one admission and can use the facilities as much as you want.  Heidi likes to get her money's worth so anytime I can take more than one class at a time is a good thing.  We did use the ball a fair bit in the abs class, but for ab work I do like and appreciate it and the moves this instructor used were much more effective than the class I took the other day.  I know it takes about 24 hours for abs to kick in, so I'll be feeling this later tonight.

The one thing I'm really noticing this time from the last time I did bootcamp is I suck!  Last time I was in pretty good shape and was usually in the top 25% of the class (if not the top), even when I just started.  Right now I'm struggling and am often the last to finish my sets and sometimes have to modify moves to complete them.  I'm quite a competitive person and do not like being in this position, even if I am EASILY 10 years older than anyone else in the class.  I like to be good.  I like to be the best, or darn near it.  But it just motivates me to work harder.

Last night was kind of funny because we actually did a lot of running.  We started off with about a 1 mile warm-up run.  I started about mid pack and by the end of the mile had moved right to the front with the others dropping off.  Then we did a bunch of sets that included various strength moves followed by various running related activities (suicides, high knees, runs).  For every strength move I'd be slower than pretty much everyone else and last to finish, but in the run portion I usually caught up.  Definitely know where my strength and weakness is. It's time to balance these out!

After class I got talking with one guy.  Him & his wife have lost 35 lbs each in about 9 months mostly just by taking the bootcamp class twice a week.  Now, I ... more than most, realize that nutrition also takes a HUGE place in weight loss.  But, it was very inspiring to hear of their success.  They both look fantastic.  I left there and headed straight for the grocery store where I stocked up on $80 of mostly fruits & veggies.  My lunch today is so yummy and healthy!  It may be taking me a long time to get back to a fully healthy lifestyle, but I really am getting there.  I just have to keep it up and I will soon begin to reap the rewards.

Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend.  We have a long weekend here.  I have a long run planned (which I hope my legs can handle) and then a few fun activities.  Hopefully a little sleeping in too ... even until 9:00 would be nice!

Heidi

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Not A Fan

Well there's an hour & $5 that I'll never get back.  Hmmppppffff!!!!

Yesterday I had planned to ride my bike to/from work.  However, in the morning my husband said it was spitting with rain and offered to drive me in with my bike.  I don't mind riding home in rain, but I really dislike being wet and frizzy haired all day, so prefer not to have to ride to work in that.  He asked me to sit with him while he had breakfast & coffee.  The whole time I was looking out the window and didn't notice it raining, nor did it rain on the drive in.  Hmmmmm ... probably should have ridden, but it was nice to have a little time together since I rarely see him these days.

Since I missed the ride in, I knew that I'd be getting alot less mileage on the bike.  I contemplated a run after work, but ... in the spirit of mixing things up, I decided I'd find a fitness class to drop in to.  Last week I did one day of bootcamp (which I'll also do this week), but 2 days is better than 1, right?  Well, not so much with this class.

The class was called Abs, Butt, Thighs BALL class.  The whole thing was done while using a fitness ball.  It's a good concept, but to be honest I found the ball more annoying and distracting than anything and I got nothing out of the class.

We spent about 15-20 minutes "bouncing" (i.e. squats while rebounding off the ball) while doing various arm movements.  My ball kept walking away from me and I had to keep adjusting.  This was to be the cardio portion of class and I never broke a sweat.  SNORE!

Then we moved on to doing various squats while bouncing the ball in front of us.  I found it awkward to get into a really deep squat with the ball.  Normally squats kick my ass big time and I can barely walk the next day.  These did nothing for me.

Next was some upper body work while leaning on the ball against the wall, and doing squats while rolling the ball up and down the wall. Again, because I'm trying to keep the ball from flying out from behind me, I couldn't concentrate on the moves and never felt a burn.

There was also some ab/core exercises and for the most part those were decent.  Today I'm feeling the slightest of twinges in my abs, but not at all what I should be considering the horrible shape my core is in.  If I was remotely core fit, I wouldn't have worked them at all.

My shining moment was when we were lying on the ground, doing leg lifts with the ball between our legs.  My ball was admittedly a bit big for me, and my legs are short and stubby - thus it's rather difficult for me to hang on.  The ball shot out from between my feet and beaned some poor woman in the head.  What a nice feeling! Laying there, concentrating on the burn, and WHAM ... someone's ball nails you from across the room.  Poor lady!

admittedly, this is my favourite 

thing to do with a fitness ball

This is definitely a class I will NOT be attending again.  The instructor is good, I've had her before .... but a class focused solely on the ball does not do it for me.  Should have gone for the run. :(

Heidi

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Fake It 'til you Make It

I do not need chocolate. 

I do not need pretzels.  

I do not need sherbet.  

I do not need goldfish crackers.

I do not need toast with peanut butter.

I do not need an English Toffee Cappuccino.

I do not need a Fruit Smoothie.

These are the mantras I have been trying to repeat to myself all day yesterday and today.

I've been trying to intuitively eat for a while now ... and I'm just not having any success.  The weight is not going down.  So yesterday, I fell back to an old friend and my world is a little challenging at the moment.  I know I have to go through this.

I planned out a great healthy menu yesterday.  By 2:00 I was ready to eat the drywall in my office.  Going from zero to 60 is not easy, I know that.  Seriously, I drank so much tea trying to squelch the cravings I thought I might float away ... and I was still craving food, any food.  I did manage not to venture out and pick up a little somethin'-somethin' in the afternoon.

Unfortunately my resolve did not hold and when I got home I devoured a much too large serving (much, MUCH too large) of Goldfish cracks (pretzel and multi-colored ... a girl needs some variety ya know!).  Followed by a bowl of cereal, some salad and a little more than I needed Nutella.  YUM!  I did however not bother eating dinner with the family later (like I had any room left - pfffffttttttt!).

While yesterday didn't go perfectly, it was a step in the right direction.  I actually appreciated the feeling of hunger, because honestly I haven't felt that in a while and I need to get in touch with that.  It's about finding that balance and that will take a little more practice.  Today has been better, although it's only 3PM so we'll have to wait and see.  Yesterday I'd finished my lunch before noon, today I toughed it out and waited, plus had a great snack in the afternoon  ... Edamame

source

A 9 oz bag (from Costco in the US) has 158 calories, 6 g fat, 4 g fiber, and 13g protein.  This makes a large serving and totally keeps me satisfied not only from the protein, but it's also something that takes a bit of time to eat which is a good thing for me.  I just ♥ this stuff!

Ran 9.7 miles on the weekend ... lost count of the # of stops, but made it through.  Flat route along the ocean side, very pleasant.  Knocked me out cold for the rest of the day.  This getting back in shape thing still sucks.  Yes, 9.7 miles is a very respectable distance for most runners, but there was a time not so long ago where I would have banged that out any day, without stopping and continued on with my day without issue.  Mentally I'm still having a hard time accepting that, but there's nothing I can do but work my way back there.  At the moment I'm forcing it until it becomes easier.

Heidi

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Week at a glance

Another busy week over here.....

Monday - Bike to/from work .... Bike - 14 miles

Tuesday - running late in the morning so got a ride part way to work with my husband ... Bike - 9 miles

Wednesday - Met up with a friend after work and we did a trail run. She mentioned during the run that the Running Room was doing their "20 min Challenge" night that evening. So we scooted over there and joined in at the last minute and left with a rather bright hat. Not the prettiest thing, but will definitely help to make you a bit more visible out on the roads to traffic. Ran - approx. 7 miles

Thursday - Got back to something I haven't done in a long, LONG time! For quite a while I tried to talk my running friend into doing weight workouts, but she really didn't want to. Recently she's lost some weight and is feeling a little flabby in parts that could use some firming up. She recalled me pushing the weights before and said she's maybe be willing to give it a try ..... "one day". I mentioned that we could take some drop in classes at the local rec centers. I scoped out the classes and we made plans to go to one this Thursday.

However, Thursday afternoon she called me. It was a beautiful day and she wanted to be out and about, not stuck in a class. I did mention that there was a slight possibility that the class might be outdoors since it was nice. Nope, she wanted to bike instead. I was a bit disappointed but am pretty easy going and it didn't matter too much to me. I'd already biked to/from work, but whatever. I got home from work and I have a message from her saying screw it ... let's do the class.

OMG! Unfortunately it was indoors, however since we asked about it, the instructor said she may do next week's class outside if the weather is good. We did a circuit and it kicked my butt! Squats, suicides, lunges, push-ups, burpees .... all that "fun" stuff! Being indoors made it super hot too so we were dripping in sweat.

Definitely going back, and hopefully we'll go outdoors. In the fall I'd like to sign up for a session of bootcamp like I used to do where alot of the classes are outdoors. The class we took last night was only 45 min long and I would have liked to do a longer class. Next week there is an abs only class before bootcamp, so I'd like to do both. Overall it was a VERY active day ..... Bike 14 miles, 45 min bootcamp, followed by a 45 min walk.

Friday - Biking to/from work today and with any luck I'll meet up with another friend for a walk tonight, though low intensity. Bike - 14 miles ... maybe walk about 3 miles

Have a great weekend everyone! I have a 9 mile run on tap for tomorrow! Hope I survive.  It's at a location I've been dying to get back to for about a year and a half.  Someone remind me to bring a camera .....

Heidi

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Tropical Paradise?

This blog post comes to you from the tropics of British Columbia.  Seriously, the weather here is so damp and humid.  It's crazy.  Never had something like this before.

Actually ... there was this article in the paper the other day: Woman's banana tree grows fruit - in Surrey?  Really??? Banana's don't grow here ... EVER!!

Saturday morning we awoke to a heavy drizzle that just didn't want to let up.  I had plans to go for a long walk with a friend.  Finally late afternoon we headed out and as we pulled into the parking lot ... the rain stopped.  We took the doggies on a nice long walk (at least 10K over hilly terrain).  The sun even peaked out for a minute.  But it was so humid.  While it wasn't a basic walk in the park as it had some pretty good hills, I was sweating like I'd been running a half marathon on the hottest day of the year.  Sticky!

After the walk, we headed to Tim Horton's and moments after we got our drinks ... the skies opened up and it just poured.  Couldn't believe our luck.

Later that night we had the most amazing thunder & lightning storm.  The lightning came about every 10-15 seconds and went on for hours.

Sunday wasn't much better.  Off and on drizzle all day, just very light, but it was super warm.  After delaying for as long as I could finishing a few important tasks, I headed out for my planned 'long' run.  I had planned 8 miles and was fully prepared to stop as much as necessary.

Unfortunately I left it a little to the last minute and had to cut the run short to take my daughter to work.  During the old days, I would have had more than enough time.  But these days I require more stretch/walk breaks.  Even before I got to my first mile, my shins started hurting pretty bad and I needed to stretch for a good 10 minutes.  I REALLY need new shoes again.  These one's don't have alot of running miles on them, but I have worn them alot and one shoe is squeaking from a small hole in the air cushion.  Probably not ideal!

Funny thing ... I came back from my run and managed to gasp out to my husband "SEVEN TWENTY SEVEN".  He responded, "WOW, good, that's under 8".  HUH?????  He thought I meant my pace was 7:27/mile ... not that I'd run 7.27 miles.  Yeah right!  Not even in my best days did I run any kind of a distance in a 7:27 pace, maybe a single mile, but that's it.  My fastest race pace (on a 5K) is only an 8:01.  With the shape I'm in these days, I'm pickled as a pig in a pancake shop to be anything under a 10:00 pace.  I have no idea what he was thinking!

No Complaints

It's been a stellar week!

So far I have ridden my bike to/from work 6 out of the last 8 work days.  YAY!  The days I missed I had to do errands that required me to have a vehicle.  I can honestly say that I missed riding my bike on those days.

I have also ran twice so far this week.  Monday was a short 5K that I would have loved to have made longer, however there was a hungry crew awaiting dinner that I had to attend to.  I need more hours in my days.

Tuesday was an interesting run.  First off, it was 10K.  It was HOT and stuffy and I'm really proud to say that I put my nose to the grind and powered up the hills.  For the last while I've been taking walk breaks on the hills.  Yesterday I decided it was time to push myself a bit and force my way up them.  I did take a couple walk breaks, but not on any hills (YAY me!).  

On our run yesterday we encounter a drunk man passed out on the side of the road.  We stopped to call for help as he was laying flat on his back and I was afraid if he threw up he would choke on it.  Then, near the end of the run two little dogs almost got hit by a car and we directed the owner in finding them.  Apparently both these events are common situations with both the people involved.  Kinda sad. :(

And, on a super good note, I checked my weight today and am down 3 lbs from last week!  As I stated in my last post, I'll officially be tracking just monthly weight change, but I'd still like to be aware on a weekly basis (JUST a weekly basis though).

Things are really coming back again!

Heidi

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A Different Perspective

Yesterday was awesome!  After riding my bike to work (7 miles), then walking at lunch (2 miles), I then rode out to meet my husband at his job after work (another 13 miles).

In total I biked 20 miles and walked 2 miles.  I call that a great day!  Honestly, had it been earlier in the day I would have biked home from his worksite.  I'm working up to a 45-50 mile return day trip that I want to do.  When you break it up a bit, it's really not all that hard.  Biking is great exercise, but not nearly as challenging as running.

Because of the longer ride I didn't run last night, but tonight I'm getting my run on again!

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The other day I was having a chat with a friend who is wanting to lose some weight.  She knows from years of experience that she does not lose weight easily, even though she is an exercising queen!  Right now she's working on a 1 year plan.  Her plan is simple ..... lose 2 pounds per month.  It takes patience.  Typically when we decide we want to lose weight, we want it off NOW, or yesterday would be even better.

Lately I've been struggling with this.  I put on some weight over a relatively short time, and I want it off PRONTO!  But, I have to realistic and know that's not going to happen.  I know it won't come off overnight, I don't expect that.  But, like many people, I can put ON weight a HECK of alot faster than I can take it OFF.  So, if it took me 3 months to gain the weight, it's likely going to take me 6 months (or more) to take it off.

Considering I've been at a weight I was pretty comfortable with for a few years, it's hard for this not to be frustrating.  I just want to be back to where I was.  I know there are reasons why I put on this weight, and so quickly, but I can't worry about that now.  After listening to my friend, I've realized that I need a different perspective.  I need to practice patience, and consistency.

So ... my goal is to lose 4 lbs this month, then 2 lbs per month after that until I reach my desired weight.  I think these are manageable chunks.  I know  often people have weekly goals, but for me I find it a bit disappointing when you have those weeks where no matter what you do, you don't lose.  I'm at this point now where I HAVE to do this, and I HAVE to be successful.  But I'm going to be patient about it.

Continuing on the Path to Success

I am behind on doing a little recap for June and goals for July.  Last month I re-instituted my 30 Days of Activity Plan.  The sole purpose of this was to kick my butt into action again after months of sitting on the couch letting my butt get bigger ...... being incredibly lazy ...... feeling sorry for myself ...... not being active enough.  While I did miss 2 days (and felt guilty for it), the plan definitely did it's trick and I'm proud of myself.

Jun 1- 2.5 mile run + walking

Jun 2- 2.6 mile run + walking

Jun 3 - 75 min walk

Jun 4 - 30 min walk

Jun 5 - 75 min biking

Jun 6 - 80 min biking, 10 min running, 15 min walking

Jun 7 - 30 min walk

Jun 8 - 80 min bike

Jun 9 - 30 min walk

Jun 10 - 90 min bike, 35 min run

Jun 11 - 7hrs yardwork

Jun 12 - 2+ hrs hike

Jun 13 - 4.5 mile run

Jun 14 - 1.5 hr hike

Jun 15 - approx. 90 min walking

Jun 16 - NOTHING - Grrrr!

Jun 17 - 1 hr 40 min biking, 2+ hrs hike

Jun 18 - 60 min walk

Jun 19 - 30 min walk

Jun 20 - 60 min bike

Jun 21 - 60 min bike, 4 mile walk

Jun 22 - 80 min bike, 2 mile walk, 3.8 mile run

Jun 23 - 3.6 mile run

Jun 24 - 7 mile run

Jun 25 - 4 hrs yard work

Jun 26 - 90 min walk

Jun 27 - 75 min bike

Jun 28 - 4 mile run

Jun 29 - 60 min bike

Jun 30 - nothing :( (you'd think I could have sucked it up for the last day!)

While I did miss 2 days, I still easily did a minimum of 30+ minutes on all the other days, with lots of variety.  I did fall short on the 50 mile run goal I had set.  I hit 32 miles, which sadly is substantially more than I've done in any month since January.  This will only be increasing because my best running friend is recovered from her surgery and is dragging my sorry ass out as often as she can (no matter how much I kick and scream!).  As for my eating goals .... well, I was no where NEAR what I set out to accomplish and that continues to be a beast the I fight.  Haven't given up though!!

So .... JULY ......

It struck me the other day, while on a 7 mile run (which is the longest I've managed since early March), that I really want to get back to running the half marathon distance again.  Not necessarily to race it.  But I felt so good when my body was trained and able to comfortably run that on a regular basis.  This is what I want.  It's a distance that I can train at on a regular level without it taking over my life and putting a ton of demand on my body.  It enables me the time to do other activities, not just run, run, run.  

My goal this month is to be do a long run of at least 10 miles (building up) and total mileage of at least 60 miles.  I'm still taking walk breaks and hills are kicking my ass BIG time, but I'm able to run a little further every week and a little more comfortably with shorter walk breaks.  By September I want to be doing the full distance, under 2 hours.  I don't need a race to do this, I just need to do it to satisfy my desire to reach this goal.

I'm also going to be biking ALOT this month.  I'm just loving biking to/from work and am getting quite the system down for making it fit in with life.

So, nothing earth shattering, no major changes.  Just keeping on the path that helps to lead me to success.  I already know that being more active, and on a higher intensity level, helps me make healthier food choices ... and keeps me away from mindless eating.  I plan to enjoy every moment of summer that I can and not wallow in self destruction and guilt.

Heidi

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