Just One Pound

Thursday, January 13, 2011

When I am in full SP mode I often look around SP for inspiration and topics that others start with answers I didn't even know I was looking for.

Today I found a page with a cute little story from the "one pound's" point of view. It really caught my attention because I've been doing this a very long time and really not going much of anywhere. I stick with it for a while and then just go back to my old habits and gain back all that I lost. Usually I also give up on the fitness part and end up having to start all over on that too. To be honest the fitness part bothers me more than the weight. Not sure why.

I read a lot of books on how to lose weight or even get where you want to in life. The tips and tricks really are similar. One of the things that is universal is picturing yourself where you want to be. I have a very clear picture of where I want to be. I am very fit, with muscle definition on my arms and legs. I don't even want to be skinny - I am a curvy person - I'll keep some of those curves. But I do need to drop a big portion of this extra weight.

I am wandering again - this is about the one pound. It really is a powerful thing that one pound. So easy to ignore while it creeps back on. So easy to dismiss when it disappears. Especially when you need to loose 90 of those one pounds!

So I've decided to continue to focus on my running. It is easier for me than focusing on pounds. One thing I have learned and learned really well, is I have absolutely no control over how many pounds come or go. What I do have control over is if I make the effort to exercise or even what I choose to eat, but as I've said I am really bad at the eating part and really good at the exercise - so let's go with my strengths! I've also realized I am something of a control freak and when the pounds don't do what I want I give up.

I am going to embrace the one pound - I'm even going to embrace the quarter of a pound. As long as it is movement in the negative direction it will be noticed and welcomed! I am not going to set a pounds per week goal, because they are fickle those pounds. I do want to set the goal of only downward movement. Is this a good idea? I will have to think about that a little.

Today is a running day. Schools and activities have been canceled for a second day in a row due to snow and icy conditions. I won't be running outside because so far I am a fair weather runner. I did notice some threads on winter running and equipment - I am actually considering it because it would probably be peaceful and beautiful out there today. That's a future thing though. So my choices are to drive my car on the icy roads to the gym and run on the treadmill as planned, or to pull out my mini trampoline and run on it in my living room. I've never tried that for a true running training session. I've only used it to keep myself from becoming completely out of shape when I am in one of my anti-gym modes.

I think I will see if the Nike+ registers me running on the trampoline. It does work my legs and butt really hard so it will be a good workout.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

TINAKATRINA1 1/13/2011 11:21AM

I caught that article, too! Good points! Yes, focusing on your running and how you feel, and even watching the inches drop are better than watching the scale. There's more than one way to recognize success! Report Inappropriate Comment

MOUSTER 1/13/2011 11:03AM

i know you can do it. I know one thing for me that has helped was staying active on spark. I found one team that for me has been a great support and i do believe that one team keeps me trying and not giving up, even when i want to, they would hunt me down and drag me back kicking and screaming lol.. I also was shared this by a fellow sparker and i find it fun. it's a digital dream board, i need to print out my new one i just did on jan 1st. but i usually print them out and put on my fridge. And i like to change the pictures but the theme is usually the same. http://www.digitaldreamboard.com/R> Report Inappropriate Comment

Positive Start

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Made it to the gym last night to start my running again. First run of the new year so my Nike+ gave me a summary of last year. Apparently I ran more than I remembered last year. Must be why I can start running again without feeling like I can't breath or move my legs another step.

I always think back to those first times I ran and promise myself to never be that out of shape again! It also reminds me of that fleeting time a couple years ago when I was my fittest - when I could run for 10 minutes straight without a walking break and I was wearing two sizes smaller. Then I stopped working out for about 8 months and gained all my weight back plus more. Before I let regret kick in, I remind myself that was a very important lesson, because now I will never, ever stop working out completely for months on end again!!

So my gym has multiple locations including one near my daughters dance school in Shelton- so my plan is to run at the Shelton location after dropping her off for class two nights a week. The Shelton gym is smaller than the one in Milford and has less equipment. It was extremely busy last night and I got the last available treadmill and had someone waiting to get on mine before I was done.

I did well - completing my 1:30 run/2:00 walk intervals at a good pace for just getting back. I will run the 1:30 for the rest of this week and then start increasing the running intervals by 5 seconds. Last time I was increasing by 10 seconds, but my feet did hurt last night so I want to take it slower this time. I think my socks are worn out and need to be replaced. I replaced my running shoes just before I stopped running again in the fall.

One of my goals is to not have a period where I stop running completely this year. I've noticed I am a fair weather runner - I dislike when my running shoes get wet in rain and I am a wimp when it comes to cold weather. The cold is why I stopped this fall and even after joining the gym I still didn't want to go out in the cold to drive myself to the gym. Well just suck it up Judie because this it your life now!!

I finished my workout by getting in 5 minutes on the rowing machine - went 863 m. Need to note that so I can improve on this as well.

Drinking black coffee again this morning. This was the hardest morning so far, we got 14 inches of snow last night and it's still snowing so my husband took the day off work. He is drinking his coffee with yummy, creamy fat in it. I am very proud to say after my first few sips I was very tempted to add some yummy, creamy fat but I reminded myself that I would regret making that choice.

I did allow myself more carbs last night and this morning because I ran. The rest of today will be lower carbs. Again it's that nesting mind frame where I want to eat comfort food because of the weather. I will be the same size by winters end if I don't curb that urge!

Here's my pups out in the snow this morning - they wouldn't leave the shoveled path because the snow was higher than the Jack Russel and just about as deep as the Beagle's shoulder height.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

BLESSEDMAZARS 1/12/2011 1:23PM

I think your title is SO appropriate. A start on a journey that will continue...I am happy for you! It's adorable to see animals frolicking in the snow (unless they are all white and you can't see them at all, like my last dog). Enjoy your day.... Report Inappropriate Comment

TINAKATRINA1 1/12/2011 10:15AM

I am amazed at your planning--you will definitely make your goals! And boy that works out nice, getting to work out while your daughter has classes. I hate spending that time sitting, wasting that time. You go girl!! Report Inappropriate Comment

The Food...*sigh*

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Here's the hard part - what to eat.

Okay, so I love the concept of eating clean - when I was younger and my stomach less trouble I would have pulled out the two week plan from the magazine and been off. I love almost all vegetables and fruit, and like to try new foods. Here's the problem my stomach is a pain in the butt - I can't tolerate any oatmeal or peanut butter at all. That seems to be the basis for most plans and eliminates a lot of the healthy bars and cereals. I have to be careful of how much acidic foods I eat - so limit citrus and tomato too. There are a few others, but that's the biggest ones. Add in a family who expects me to create a dinner everyone likes too, oh my I'm tired already.

So how to work around it, the first switch is easy, any place it says peanut butter I substitute sunbutter.

Now the oatmeal is more of a challenge - if someone knows of a grain that can be substituted for oatmeal in recipes please, please let me know!! I already know I can eat quinoa cereal in place of just regular oatmeal - it's the recipes that challenge me. I have an intolerance to a smaller degree to other grains, tried wheat berries and even though I liked them, when I eat too many and I don't feel well.

This months plan in Oxygen magazine actually looks pretty good. Only a couple substitutions for myself, and the family, well they might just be on their own.

In addition I continue my "just say no to creamy fat in the morning" campaign - day two of black coffee.

No eating after 8pm except when due to scheduling dinner is after 8pm.

Remember to drink my water!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

TINAKATRINA1 1/11/2011 2:01PM

I vote for letting the family help with the cooking! Good to see you're up to the challenge of being creative with your cooking. I'll see if I can come up with a substitute idea for oatmeal... Report Inappropriate Comment

AXISLADY 1/11/2011 12:00PM

When I was a young working woman one of my co-workers said to me: drink your coffee black for 2 weeks and you'll never go back to cream. She was so right. I had always drank mine with cream and sugar because my folks did. My sister as well, drinks her black. It is the only way to taste "good" coffee and I definitely know the difference. Hazelnut is a delicious choice black. Yep, we've gotta drink that water and I have fallen down on that since we arrived at our FL place Dec. 14th. Starting today I vow to get my 8 glasses + in. Thanks for blogging. Report Inappropriate Comment

Other Exercise

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

I know my body needs exercise just about every day to make progress. Probably slow metabolism plus thyroid issues. So in addition to my Tues, Thurs. and Sunday running days I need a plan for Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Saturday is my rest day.

I will follow Oxygen magazines 10 week jump rope plan as my basic routine, making it a tabata routine by adding pushups, crunches, etc in the rest intervals.

So week one intervals will be 30 sec jump rope/30 sec tabata for 10 sets. Tabata moves for this week are pushups, crunches, tricep dips, rows, planks and will be repeated twice.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

TINAKATRINA1 1/11/2011 2:04PM

I was going to suggest strength exercises the other days. I'll have to look up tabata. That's a new one for me. :) You are doing so well with your planning, it amazes me! You could also just add a bit of fun cardio those days--maybe some dancing to favorite tunes or something. Report Inappropriate Comment

Running to my goal!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

I've proven to myself time and again that aiming for a weight loss goal doesn't work for me. What does work is aiming for a fitness goal and then being very aware of how I eat affects how I feel and progress. My stomach issues make following someone else's plan impossible, so I will make my own. That's for a later post - this one is my running goals.

Running Goals for 2011

There is 4 weeks before I need to start training for my first race, I will use that time to build up my running intervals to 3 min run/1 min walk.

Run for Vets - 5K - March 27th
Start training on February 8th, using Galloway's plan for a 45 min. finish.

Mother's Day Run - 5K - May 8th
Start training on April 5th, using Galloway's plan for a 38 min. finish on week 3 of the plan.

Red Dress Run For Women - 5K - July 9th
Start training on May 24th, using Galloway's plan for a 30 min. finish. There is a one week gap between training, I will fill it with an easy training week.

Artistry in Motion - 10K - September 11th
Start training on July 19th, using Galloway's plan for a 59 min finish on week 4 of the plan.

October 4th start Galloway's plan for 1/2 Marathon with a 2:20 min. finish, on week 2 of the plan with the sincere hope to make it to the Disney Marathon weekend. With the promise to myself even if I can't make it to the Disney plan I will run the 1/2 marathon distance on a treadmill if need be just to make it so!

Now I need to post this before it disappears again - second time typing it!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

BLESSEDMAZARS 1/11/2011 2:24PM

Keep on going, girl!!! Those are awesome goals and you can do it! Report Inappropriate Comment

CECE0330 1/11/2011 11:40AM

Wow...AWESOME!!!! You are much braver than me....I started running in May of last year, and plan to run a half marathon in October, but i'm SCARED WITLESS about it! The longest I have run so far non-stop is 4 miles. I tried a 5 mile race last October & choked, so I have a really, really long way to go yet. But all things are possible, and reading other people's goal to do one inspires me a little more each & every time, so thank you! We can do this, right? Report Inappropriate Comment

MONICA_W 1/11/2011 11:21AM

Woo hoo! Running goals, I like it!!! And sheesh you're a speed demon! 30 minute 5ks, under-an-hour 10ks?! Zoom zoom! Way to go! I'm behind you all the way and can't wait to see your progress. I'd kind of lost touch with you... have you been doing a lot of running, or is this the beginning? I'm always a little surprised when I see people aiming for half marathons, which are a little crazy, but SUCH an accomplishment. (I love them!) Bravo and keep up the good work! I agree that aiming for fitness goals is far more reliable and less emotionally painful! At least the cause-and-effect theory works for fitness goals, unlike the scale! Keep in touch! Report Inappropriate Comment