5k

I did my very first 5k today. I had a cold starting to kick in, but it was for a good cause and I committed to walk it. I knew running was out of the question, but i knew I could walk it without embarrassing myself. So I tied on my shoes this morning as the sun rose, and I did it.

I'm currently in the worst shape of my life. Being busier than ever, working out hasn't found its place in my efforts to balance this last year of relocating and getting settled. (I'm ashamed to admit this, but it's true) But I think about it, and as the weather gets better, I've hoped to find some sort of routine that has regular exercise in it.

This 5k was the answer. It was fun, I walked and even ran a little. It was a beautiful day, my body felt fantastic and I could have gone farther. I finished in about 45 minutes--not bad for a computer potato with 40 extra pounds hanging off her frame.

As I returned home to life, something happened. Within me, a spark was ignited. A desire I didn't expect to have, is now there. I want to do it again. I want to do more. I want my family to do it too.
I want to make change. I want to make it a lifestyle. The desire to be different, to be better, is there.

I need to go research 5k training because next time I do a 5k, I'm going to run it.

Update

SO much has happened this past month and I have been a bad blogger. But then again, it IS Christmas time and time is short! Especially when you are moving! Yep, we are moving in a few weeks (horrible time of year to do so I might add) but it's for a VERY good reason.

No time to go into details now, but in a nutshell:

• I'm heavier than I would like to be.  Current photos likely resemble my "before" pictures. :( 
• We are moving to be closer to our children's new school and hubby's work and we will now have sidewalks and parks and people to walk with. Big plans for a more healthy lifestyle for the whole family.
• I plan to start the year with more activity on this blog with more health info/exercise/recipes that will make an unforgettable and effective journey for this gal.

Merry Christmas to all and see you in 2012!!  

Day 166: WTHeck is going on?

I LOVE donating blood.  I've been doing it for years and try to do it whenever I can.  I'm nearly to the two gallon mark--maybe I've passed it already? I need to remember to check so I can get my license plate holder saying, "I'm a 2 gallon donor."  Call me a weirdo, but I like having that on my car.

Needless to say, I've never had an issue when donating.  Actually, I take that back.  When I was in college, I had an incomplete donation.  Turns out, if it's hot and you are a little low on water before going in, your blood can be too thick and stop flowing...right in the middle of a donation.  Yeah, that happened once, but I've never been turned away...until today.

I sat down behind the private curtains with the lady and she checked all my vitals.  Blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, all normal, and then she pricked my finger.  Normally, the tech has to squeeze hard to get a big enough drop to fill up the glass vile.  Not this time.  I noticed she was sucking it up as the blood drop slid down my finger. That caught my attention, but I didn't think it was a big deal.

"Do you usually have a problem with this?" she asked, as the little ball of blood didn't sink in the blue liquid.

"Not usually, but it usually hovers for a sec until in falls to the bottom.  Why?"

She walked over to a machine that was out of my sight, I heard it whirl behind me as I waited.  Soon, it beeped and the tech came back and told me I couldn't donate today but that I could come back in three weeks and try again.

This has never happened to me before and I'm a little frustrated with my body right now as it's freaking out on me.  I have noticed that I've been extra tired lately, I just thought it was the heat and my hubby's snoring.  Guess it was something more.  I've also been a bit more stiff and sore than usual too, I need to research Fibromyalgia more thoroughly.  I'm SO grateful I have the habit of working out every day or who know how I'd be feeling like right now.

Now more than ever, I really need to be stepping it up.  I need to be more balanced in my eating and adding more to my exercise regimen.  It's a reminder to never get complacent.  Health is ongoing and how we take care of our body needs to adjust as our needs do.  It's my journey and I now have an unexpected detour. No worries though, it's all a lesson on adjusting to the unexpected.

3/365 - Something I've come to realize.

2/365 - Surprised!

I'm amazed at how quickly my body got out of shape. I swear I just worked out a few weeks ago and I didn't notice anything different from the norm. Last night when I hopped onto the elliptical I did a shorter and lower resistance workout than I'm used to. The workout didn't feel bad, but I could tell it didn't feel as easy either.

By the time I finished 15 minutes, I was sweaty and breathing heavy--certainly not how I used to feel walking off the machine.  I admit, I was a bit surprised. (I mentioned I lightened the workout since it has been a bit since I last did it, right?)

Although I was surprised walking off the machine, you can imagine my shock when I started to feel sore a few hours later. Seriously? I cannot believe I got out of shape as quickly or as badly as I did.  I'm relearning that taking care of your health is a daily thing, not just when you "have a goal" or when it's convenient.

1/365 - Happy New Year 2011

As I sit here ready for the new year to begin, there are many thoughts floating around my head.

Excitement. Trepidation. Hope. Fear.

I've had weight loss successes before. I went to Diet Center (A local weight loss clinic in town) while I was in Jr. High and lost 20 pounds. I was a size 6 afterwards. After my second baby, I lost 50 pounds with Weight Watchers. I was a size 8 when I hit goal.  I have had my moment to shine and feel triumphant.  I also know it was because of a program I lost it.  As soon as I was done with the program, it slowly came back. Every time. I have learned since, that programs, for me, don't work in the long term.

In 2009, for the first time in my life, I lost weight on my own. 40 pounds of weight was gone because of my efforts. No program. No help. Just me. Success has never been so sweet. Without making an official "weight loss" goal, I finished the year pretty close to where I need to be to have a healthy BMI. I was a size 10/12 and I was happy with my body for the first time in my life.

2010 wasn't so sweet.  I started the year out strong, but slowly lost momentum. I thought about doing a 720 days of workout challenge, but decided to take Sundays completely off. It was for good reason, Sundays are a special day for me. Unfortunately, once you miss a day in a long streak, it's easy to make it two. The cycle then begins. I thought about doing another 365 day goal starting mid-year, but that didn't work. (Refer to my recent vlog where I discuss why) For me, I need to be a bit OCD with my goals or its easy for me to sabotage my efforts. I've learned this. It's how I roll.

I now end 2010 feeling like I never had a success at all. I had a very rough year, probably the toughest in my life and I took it out on myself.  Writing was a wonderful, creative escape but I stopped working out when I started to write. Sometimes it was because I didn't want to take a break from writing, but mostly it's because I forgot to workout until it was midnight and too late to do it.  (My husband needs to be up early and the elliptical is in our bedroom)  Over time, poor eating habits returned and a few pounds were found before the holiday season began.  By the time December came, I was in full blown binge mode. Right now I feel like I never made a change to begin with.

Weight loss efforts has such an ugly side. When making positive choices we are moving forward, learning, becoming better, it feels great. But once you have a weight problem caused by bad habits, those habits can so easily be found no matter how long time has elapsed. Especially when life gets challenging.  I chose to put "Journey" in the name of this blog because that is exactly what it is.  There really is no end. Constant vigilance needs to be there or we'll find ourselves in a place we don't want to be.  That dark ugly place that is so familiar.

As I sit here, my pants feel tight and my body feels flabby. I can literally feel the newly formed fat on my legs.The thought of eating any sweets right now makes my stomach turn because the over-sugared, over-fill feeling is nauseating. I'm so sick of eating right now--the idea of a week long fast sounds inviting. Actually, my body would probably benefit from a good fast too.

I'm excited for 2011. It holds promise. I also start it somewhat ticked off at myself and determined to do better. I know I can do it, I've done it before. But there is always a fear in the back of my head. What if? I'm happy to say that I have pushed my what ifs to the back of my brain and ignoring them. I plan on getting up tomorrow and ending the day on the elliptical, doing my workout. I'm not going to focus on all the things I should do better like getting up earlier, eating better, planning better, spending less time on the computer, being outside more, etc. I'm only going to focus on one thing, my work outs. I know me. If I try to do too many changes at once, I will fail. Guaranteed. But if I focus on one thing, I know I can do it.  Keep things simple and it's easier to make changes. That's my plan.

2011 Workout Goal

Hanging off the wagon by a shoelace.

So I haven't been the best example lately.  The elliptical trainer is dusty and I couldn't tell you the last time I was on it.  I also haven't been eating as well as I should, but I haven't been completely out of control either. This is probably because there isn't anything in the house to snack on, or I would be. (I didn't buy snacks this week on purpose) 

Every once and awhile we find ourselves in a place where we wonder how we got there.  I haven't been trying to avoid being healthy, but I certainly haven't been embracing it either.

Today I noticed that my knees were a bit achy.  The ache is a reminder that I am not 19 any more and when I don't workout, my body will remind me of this.  For me, when I don't work out, I slowly gain weight.  Mostly, because I like to eat.  Working out daily and eating the way I do balance each other out.  Take away the exercise and eat a little sloppy in regards to good choices, and the weight returns, quickly.   

Lately, I have been using the exercise excuse that is as old as the existence of stationary bikes.  

"I am just too busy to workout tonight."

Honestly, I'm too busy for my health?  Really? Shouldn't that be a priority?  If we don't make it a priority, our body will certainly make our health a priority when it's taken away.  Health is never more precious than when you aren't in possession of it.  My knees are reminding me daily of this important fact.  I must put working out back into my schedule.

Day 66/365 Dancing

So I did something a little differently today in regards to exercise.  The family and I danced to fun dance mixes in the privacy of our living room.

It was more fun than I would have expected dancing around and having fun. Even our little toddler was in there grooving as well.

We were all sweaty by the time we were finished and I think this might be something we will be doing a bit more of.

What I did today:
Dancing: 30 minutes

Day 36/365 Books & Authors

I love to pass the time on the elliptical while reading a good book.I am busy balancing too much on an over full plate and getting time to read is a rare thing.  For me, when I am on the elliptical, that is precious time to read and I take advantage of it.  Also with a good book, I can stay on for a lot longer than when I am just watching TV. The longest workout yet is 1 1/2 hours...it was a good book and I didn't want to put it down!!

There are so many wonderful books out there and most sequels seem to be coming out late summer/fall.  I am trying to wait patiently, but patience isn't my strongest virtue...

Some of the books I am patiently waiting for 

(In order of publication): 

Sisters Red - Jackson Pearce

The Short Second Half Life of Bree Tanner - Stephenie Meyer

Linger - Maggie Stiefvater

Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins

The Clockwork Angel - Cassandra Clare

Bran Hambric:The Specter Key - Kaleb Nation

The Scorch Trials - James Dashner

Something I have discovered recently that I have been enjoying is Twitter.  I know, I know, I too thought it was stupid and for the tweener generation.  I COULDN'T HAVE BEEN MORE WRONG!  I am actually liking it more than Facebook right now too.  (Maybe because it's new to me)  I just like the way it's quick little blurps.  

I have met several people.  Some across the country and overseas others local enough that we plan to meet at Starbucks soon for a mommy date.  (My favorite Starbucks drink is the Vanilla Creme-it's hot, frothy milk with vanilla flavoring) It's been great to chat with them throughout the day.  I spend so much time on the computer home schooling my kids, that it's nice to take a few minutes to say hi and catch up with others.


The best thing about Twitter is being able to send messages to people who otherwise would never add you to their FB page.  If you have a Twitter account, you can tweet ANYONE else with an account.  To "follow" someone allows you to receive all their tweets.  It's such a wonderful way to network and great for any age group, not just the tweener Bieber fans.


Since I was talking books earlier, here are the authors I follow on Twitter. There are more I have yet to find, so these are just a few. Simply click the following names and you can follow them too.

KalebNation
mstiefvater 

AprilynnePike
cassieclare
jamesdashner
haleshannon
JacksonPearce
jk_rowling

What I did today:
Elliptical: 15 min @ level 15
Hundred Push-up Challenge: Week 5 Day 3 (120 push-ups)

Day 22/365 Push ups and crunches

Surprisingly, my tummy isn't sore at all today.  I am super surprised since they were screaming while I was doing the crunches.  Maybe tomorrow?


As for the push-ups, they are getting brutal.  I was suppose to do 20 or so more then I did, and I just couldn't do it.  The first 2 weeks have a simple progression, then the 3rd week gets challenging.  The 4th week is going to kick my rear!  I'll keep doing what I can, that is for certain.


Another thing I wanted to share was about Calcium.  I am in my mid 30's.  I had four babies and nursed them all well over a year.  They have sucked all the calcium from me and I hope that I can recover in the next few years so that I don't end up with bone issues in my menopausal years.  


About a month ago, I thought I would start taking those chewy calciums they have on the market.  I opted for a generic bag from Target, caramel flavor.  (They were out of chocolate or I would have grabbed that)  I don't know how much it has effected my bones, but I can tell you that I see a huge difference in my nails.  They are much stronger then they were, so I guess they are doing something.  


I would like to research and find out the best way to get calcium.  I know there are better sources then others and I plan on finding it all out when I get the chance.  Right now, my little angel is entering his terrible two's and he's keeping me on my toes...


This is what I did today:
Elliptical: 15 min @ level 15
Hundred Push-up Challenge: Week 4 Day 1 (90 push-ups)

Day 21/365 Crunches

So I decided to do something different today. I have wanted to do something lighter on Sundays, but I haven't had any ideas, so I have been doing elliptical at a lighter pace.

Today though, the idea of doing crunches came to me.  It's a workout, it's light, and it's something different.


I have had 4 c-sections and needless to say, my tummy needs all the help it can get.  My last baby was born a year and a half ago and I can honestly say I haven't done a single crunch.  So tonight I thought I would see how many I could do.

I did 50 in a row.  I am not sure if that is a good number or not, but I don't care, that is what I could do.  My abs started to burn and I felt a little queasy in the 40's, but being so close to a nice number like 50, I pushed it.

We'll see how my tummy feels tomorrow...

This is what I did today:

50 CRUNCHES

Day 17/365 Push-ups

I hit 100 push-ups today!  Now, the goal isn't to do 100 push-ups in a workout, the goal is to do 100 in 1 set, right in a row, no breaks.  


For instance, today's workout had 5 sets with 120 second break between sets. The first set was 20 push-ups, the second had 25, third 15, fourth 15, and the final set at 25.  Every day, the numbers of push-ups in each set increases with the final goal of being able to do 1 set of 100 push-ups by week 6. 


Today I started to feel some soreness in my shoulder joints.  Never a good sign to have joint pain.  Luckily, by the time evening came and I started the workout, I didn't notice anything.


This is a lofty goal.  I am not sure if I can do it in 6 weeks, but I am going to try my best. I have nothing to loose, so why not!  


More information on the 100 push-up training: http://hundredpushups.com/


This is what I did today:
Elliptical: 15 min @ level 15
Hundred Push-up Challenge: Week 3 Day 2 (100 push-ups)

Day 12/365 Illness

The family has been sick so I spent most of the day doing what moms do when their family is sick.  I also had a chance to start a new book that really make the time fly while on the elliptical.  It's called MAZE RUNNER by James Dashner. 

So far it seems like a guys version of Hunger Games.  Lots of questions, a fight for survival, suffering, death, teenagers and certainly a page turner because the book keeps you wondering what is going on.


A little food for thought here.  I also got the virus that attacked my family.  The others in the family that came down sick, were very sick.  Me on the other hand, only got a touch of it.  I contribute this to the fact that I am working out everyday.  I have noticed that when I regularly workout, my immune system is stronger.  This is another motivation to create a regular routine.


This is what I did today:
Elliptical: 30 min @ level 10 
Hundred Push-up Challenge: Week 2 Day 3 (81 push-ups)

Day 9/365 - Feeling lame but doing it anyway

This is where a goal really helps a lot on one's journey.  I think there may be a bug in the house and I haven't been feeling 100%.  My stomach is off and I feel a little weak.  You know how you feel when you aren't eating or drinking enough?  I know I made a goal, but when you aren't feeling well, you should rest. It's a great excuse (I mean reason) to take a break and then get back to it, right?

NOPE.

Listen to your body in times such as these.  I did't feel good, but I wasn't bed ridden.  I didn't feel strong enough to go all gusto, but I got on my elliptical anyway.  I didn't really have a plan on how long I would go, just thought I would play it by ear.  So I grabbed a book, and got to it.  I got into the book, checked the timer, and it said 15 minutes, so I ended it there. No. More. Excuses.

This is what I did today:
Elliptical: 15 min @ level 10 

Day 8/365 - Pictures are certainly deceiving

So I was looking at my blog today and I noticed that my head shot doesn't really show my weight issues, it actually hides them quite nicely.

My toughest weight challenge starts at my belly button and goes down to my knees.  If you would like an idea of what I look like today, just add 5 pounds to that area in the "during" photo on the side.

Although I did my last challenge 40 pounds heavier, it's often harder to get the last bit off and so this time around, I will have some great challenges to blog about I am sure.

Evenings are the best time for be to workout for so many reasons:

• It's the toughest time of day to stick to my goals, because at the end of the day, I am tired and I start to not care.  
• I am an evening snacker.  
• Exercise curbs my appetite and my cravings.  
• The kids are in bed so I can do it without any distractions.  

Evening time for me is a win all around.

I haven't been sleeping well and I am exhausted right now.  I could crash if I went to bed, but I have a challenge to attend to...

This is what I did today:
Elliptical: 20 min @ level 10 
Hundred Push-up Challenge: Week 2 Day 1 (63 push-ups)

Day 3 - KEEPING THE FOCUS, REACHING THE GOAL

WORKOUT

Elliptical Trainer: 30 minutes @ level 10

YES!  I am feeling like I am getting back into focus!!  What a great feeling!!  It's virtually impossible to create lasting change in your life if you lack the focus.  I think it's one of the biggest reasons we stop working towards our goals in the first place.  


So what does it take to keep the focus?  
A plan that will work for you. 


What kind of plan works for you?  
One that not only fits into your particular lifestyle, but that is also exciting for you to do.


If you create the "perfect" plan for yourself, and it becomes boring, you need to make a new plan because you aren't going to stick with it if you don't.  Make a plan that is also adjustable, because life changes, seasons change.  


It took me decades to finally get it.  For years I would make goals, barely getting started and then something would come up and I would stop.  Time after time this happened until I got to a point where I didn't make goals anymore.  I would shy away from any and all goals and felt that goal setting just wasn't for me.  "Goals are great, and they work for others, just not for me."  Ever think that?  


Now, I know that the plan you start with, isn't necessarily the plan you stick with until the end.   You have to adjust it depending on your life circumstances.  If you do this, nothing will stop you from achieving your goal, no matter what it is.


My current plan:


Push-ups 3X/Week - using 100 push-up app on iPhone.  (This makes it so much fun to do-but you can also use the site if you don't have one)


Daily workout on an Elliptical Trainer - I used to think that TV was a great thing to occupy my brain while exercising, and it used to be.  But now, it's all about a great book!  


The book I am currently re-reading is Bran Hambric: The Farfield Curse by Kaleb Nation.  (I sometimes find that when I read a book super fast the first time, I miss a lot of the minor details.  Going back and re-reading, especially if it's been awhile since the first read, makes the book even better the second time around because you find all those details you missed---making the workout go even faster.  Harry Potter is next unless I find a really good book to gobble...)  With reading, I up the resistance and go a little slower but stay on a little longer and I end up with a great cardio workout with a muscle toning op.


I also plan on adding the Kettle Bell again once I adjust to what I am doing.  Summer is coming and I want to get that "after" picture before looking for a suit.  

Day 2 - A NEW CHALLENGE

WORKOUT
Elliptical Trainer: 30 minutes @ level 10
100 Push-up workout: Week 1 Day 1 (45 push-ups)

In efforts to get that "after" photo, I need to set up some goals to get me there.  Last year I was loosing weight (40 pounds total) and I took my photo in July.  I haven't taken any more photos because nothing has really changed since then, I have been maintaining for the most part.  I did gain a couple of pounds at Christmas that are still lingering (dang stress).  But they won't be lingering for long.

I started the day today doing my push-ups.  I decided to go back and start with Week 1 Day 1 doing MANLY push-ups.  What a difference form makes when doing push ups!  Don't get me wrong, girly push-ups are great and your arms and back do get a workout!!  If it's the only way to do a push-up, then do it girly style!!  But if you can, go all out and do regular push-ups, it makes a big difference.

I never really thought there was a big difference between the two styles in regards to the benefit your arms are getting.  With this thought, I figured if I could do more with girl style push ups, my arms would benefit greater.  For the most part, they do.  But if you want to really get your tummy and for the most part, involve your entire body, use the standard push-up method.  I am converted!  The only way I can compare the two is that girly push-ups are like riding a bike with training wheels, standard push-ups are like riding without.  Both get you on the bike so you can ride it around and enjoy the ride, but only one is using your entire body to keep the bike from falling.

So yesterday marked a new challenge although it's not a new idea for me.  Last year I did the 365 days of working out and accomplishing such a goal taught me so much about goal setting.  It's really the only goal I was able to finish entirely on my own merit that I can remember.  This year I decided I would still work out every day, but I would skip Sunday's since they are my Sabbath Day and it just seems weird to me to workout after going to church.

I started off this year doing exactly as I planned, but as soon as a virus snuck up on me, I decided to amend the challenge to include taking days off for illness, which is a good reason.  Although I have regularly been working out, I have had a few days where I COMPLETELY FORGOT TO WORKOUT!!  This is NOT a good sign because that is the beginning of the end! How often have I set a workout goal, got sick for a week and then forgot the goal.  Then one day gets forgotten, then another, and then before you know it, you aren't working out regularly any more!

So today is the second day of working 365 days in a row. Although I still want to keep Sunday's special, I'll probably just do something different and lighter than what I do the rest of the week.  I also plan on getting a little more creative in the kitchen, to keep things exciting!

**Update-I started this new 365 day goal on March 1, but began the push-ups on day 2 thus throwing myself off and having this post originally stated as being day 1.)

Push Up Update

So I was chuggin' along doing my push-up routine when week 4 hit.  (Week 4 is grueling!)  Between joint pain from doing 120 or so push-ups over 5 sets and a funky virus setting in, I was having a hard time.  Maybe the joint pain was from the virus??

Anyway, after a little beef about doing them "girly style" I have decided to do the challenge from the beginning with MANLY push-ups!   I did the repeat "Initial test" and ended up doing half as many as I did when I did the test girly style.  Honestly, I was surprised-I thought I would have done less!!  What a difference it makes when you take your knees off the floor.  I liked how I could REALLY feel it in my stomach.  I could feel it in my stomach before, but not quite this much.

So I am adjusting my older adventure and creating a new one in the process. We'll see what happens after a 3 week break and during week 4 of the program this time around.

The One Hundred Push Up site has a really great break down on training  and the iPhone app for it is AMAZING!  If you have an iPhone/iPod and you want to take this challenge, invest the $1.99 to get the app.  It's worth it!

Week 4 Day 1

Wow! This push-up challenge is getting....challenging! Last night I barely did it. My arms hurt. My joints ached. It's a great feeling to finish what you started.

I took a few extra days of rest knowing that it was going to get harder. I thought it would help, but I am not sure it did. I will find out tomorrow, with a 1 day rest which is better for my body right now.

I don't want to injure or over work any part of my body where I wouldn't be able to carry on with the challenge. This morning, my shoulder joints were a little crampy. I hope I am not too old for such a challenge. (I know I'm not, plenty of decade older individuals can do pretty much whatever they want with their bodies when it comes to exercise) but I am certainly starting to feel older.

Your body always has a way of reminding you that you aren't 17. Luckily, if we listen to our bodies, and take things slow, we can strengthen them and stretch them how we need to. Aging doesn't mean a thing if you are willing to take care of yourself though diet and exercise on a regular basis. You really are only as old as you allow yourself to be.