A "bonus" day

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

This incurable night owl managed to get to bed at a decent hour last night and got up at 6am to eat oatmeal. Then to the gym and the treadmill before a quick shower and trip to the office!
When I got to work at 9 I was purple in the face from my early exertions, but what a great feeling, I've been soooo proud of myself today!

I'll definitely do it again, I've been thinking all day that I've already got my GOYAAM for the day before 9am and anything else I do will be a bonus today.

If that isn't motivating, I don't know what is!

So - these are the lessons I have learned today
(I will have to read these to myself before bed every day):

- Yes, even a night owl can do morning workouts!
- Morning workouts are motivating, fun and a great way to start the day!
- Yes, Marit - a good morning workout really really beats snuggling under the blanket for an extra half hour when you can think about how good you have been THE REST OF THE DAY!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

DONEPAT 11/20/2008 10:54PM

I used to do that when I was in my early 30's. Then I'd be the only energetic person at work. I need to get back to that, but the gym, not outside right now, (in the early morn). It's 29 out. LOL Great going! Report Inappropriate Comment

SWEETZMIX 11/19/2008 3:43PM

MARIT!! AND IT'S LIKE IF YOU HAVE PLANS OR SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE HUBBY IN THE EVENING, YOU CAN STILL DO IT & GET YOUR WORKOUTS IN. YOU WIL HAVE THE WHOLE DAY FREE!!! I USED TO DO IT, BUT I GAVE UP AND SWITCHED AFTER A FEW MONTHS BECAUSE I WAS JUST TOO TIRED! BUT AT LEAST I TRIED, BUT I DO THINK ONCE IN A WHILE IS GREAT!! Report Inappropriate Comment

RUSSELLORAMA 11/19/2008 11:38AM

As a fellow night owl, I can also attest to the benefits of working out in the morning. I definitely feel more energized and alert and it gets me in the right frame of mind for the day. Report Inappropriate Comment

MINI-ME-2B 11/19/2008 10:22AM

Congrats!!! I need to post these lessons on my fridge! Report Inappropriate Comment

LAB-LOVER 11/19/2008 6:06AM

Yay for you! I never thought I'd be a morning exerciser, but it seems to be happening! -LL Report Inappropriate Comment

CAMPINLADY 11/18/2008 7:46PM

Yay!!! Good for you! I would love to work out early in the morning, but I carpool, so it's late workouts for me. It's funny that you're a night owl working out in the morning, and I'm a morning bird working out at night. Who'da thunk. Report Inappropriate Comment

ZIRCADIA 11/18/2008 5:22PM

YES!!! It's so true!!! I rejected the snuggling siren to go workout today and I feel so much better for it. :) hehehee. GREAT JOB!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

Great weekend!

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Saturday we went for a looong lovely walk in the sun and did our shopping at the same time. Then we cleared away all the remaining junk and furniture and garden equipment and stuff that should be indoors from our garden. Winter and snow can come whenever it wants!

We had big plans of visiting the gym this weekend, and so we did, after breakfast today.

There was this voice at the back of my head telling me I wouldn't "fit in" there, with all the students (the gym is at the University). I told myself to stop being so silly and waltzed into the locker room to change into my running tights and t-shirt. As I suspected, no one there batted an eyelid at me, they were too busy putting on their make-up and fluffing their hair.

After changing, my dearest and I met up and then headed for the fitness studio in search of treadmills and instruction like the gym novices we are.

It was packed! On a Sunday!

So we waited for a few minutes, then two treadmills next to each other were free and we could step on them. Now, I haven't used a treadmill before, so I was happy there was an instructor nearby to go through the controls with us.


I eased into it with a slow unsteady walk, but found my feet and steadily increased the speed until I was running. I tried to keep the same speed and ran about as far as I'm used to outside. I think next time I'll go a bit faster and see how far I run before I have to slow. It wasn't as boring as I had feared beforehand. And phew, I sweat a lot more indoors than when running outside and I was so dizzy once I stepped off the machine!

My desk at work is heaped with unanswered mail and stuff to do since I've spent the last two weeks in bed with the flu. That's why I stopped by my office after our workout (it's close to the gym) to have a look at what's waiting. I'll have to prioritize on Monday but I do have a better idea about what's there.

I feel so GREAT about tackling the gym monster! It will be a great help to have a place close to work to drop in and get sweaty even when it's cold and nasty weather outside! Winter and snow can come whenever it wants!

I feel good about tackling the paper monster too, but I get paid for that!

Goals and plans for the coming week:
My 2-week flu is gone, all that's left of it is a bit of a cough. So I've got plans to burn-burn-burn again!
My weekly goal is ~2500 kcal. I keep track of the "Strong finish: Burn 30000 kcal by NY-challenge" with CJROMB: I have 17672 kcal left to burn.
That's 393 kcal every day.
Do-able. I'll try to burn more on some days so I get some slack, the last 14 days of more or less bed-rest has really thrown me off.

- This week I'll re-visit the gym more than once. I want to visit the gym and different times of the day to see when it's less crowded since I hate to have to wait and feel pressed for time.
- I'll get instruction for using the strength training equipment. (I only LOOKED at those instruments of torture today!!)
- I'll go to the gym before work to try a morning workout (They open at 7am)
- My darling is traveling from Wed-Fri, so I plan go to the gym alone one of those evenings after work.

How was your weekend and what are YOUR plans for the coming week?

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ZIRCADIA 11/17/2008 12:57PM

I work out at a University Rec Center and while there are lots of 18-25 ish year olds, there are also a lot of other diverse ages -- people who are faculty or staff at the university, AND OLD PEOPLE. ;) From accross the street at a retirement facility that offers membership to the Rec Center. It's SOOOOO cool. I don't know if yours might have quite that much variety in ages, but yeah, check out some different times for sure. And first time on the treadmill I felt SO crazy at first, then got the hang of it, then when I stepped off I thought the floor was moving. I think you get used to it somehow... My weekend was nice, food yesterday was INSANE. We went to this BBQ place and I got their BBQ nachos, and ate a rib, and a lot of white bread. :P And then I was full allllllllll day until about 10PM when we normally eat dinner. We ate lunch at like noon. So that kinda gives you an idea... at 6PM I went to my first ever spin class. It was an hour and fifteen minutes long so my bum is SOOOOO sore today. :) My plans this week: Off day today, workout Tues-Thurs, OFF Friday, workout Sat/Sun or both. Report Inappropriate Comment

VEEJAY3 11/17/2008 11:44AM

Yeah US! I (with great trepidation) tried out a spinning class at my gym on Friday. LOVED it. Was soaked with sweat at the end, but made it through, kept up with (most of) the class, and felt victorious. And yes, I'm checking the schedule for the next one I can go to. I figure with winter here (Denver), I'd better make friends with the indoor gym opportunities. Report Inappropriate Comment

SWEETZMIX 11/17/2008 10:36AM

for testing out the gym. It wasn't that bad right!!!!! Yea finding the right times is crucial, cuz I hate waiting for a machine. The week days and weekends are usually different at different times. I am sO glad you are feeling better!! You were sick for sO long!! Talk to you later while I think about my plan for the week!! Report Inappropriate Comment

WILSOCA 11/16/2008 8:50PM

I'm so glad to hear that you're feeling better and getting back on track. Way to go for getting to the gym too !!!!! I did my first run in the snowy blowy weather here. I think there will be days too when I have to use a treadmill but today was o.k. Good luck getting caught up at work !! I'm still behind from my holiday :):) C.J. Report Inappropriate Comment

CAMPINLADY 11/16/2008 6:07PM

Well, if it's a bunch of young, college students, maybe it won't be so crowded after work. Then again.... Good for you! The first time is always the hardest. If you're a little dizzy after, you may need to spend more time cooling down. Also, eating a little something before working out may help. Honestly, though...I think most of the time it's due to the fact that we're in motion on a stationary item. Kind of throws me off balance when I get off the treadmill too...like motion sickness. I'd rather be walking outside, but the winters get mighty brutal around here, so the gym is best for me...at least for the next 6 months anyway. Glad to hear the flu is gone and you're ready to kick it up. Report Inappropriate Comment

MINI-ME-2B 11/16/2008 4:27PM

WTG YOU on getting to the gym!!! At least you had practice running before stepping on the treadmill. The first time I went to the gym, I did the treadmill. Got scared, thought I was going to fall off and 10 mins later put my butt on the stationary bike! LMAO Hoping people didn't notice how wobbly my legs were from 10 minutes. And praying I didn't just drop in front of everyone. So cool that you have someone to do it with you. I just watched tv while I walked. My goal this week is to build my time back up on the treadmill. I can't get past 10 minutes, and I've been saying for weeks that I need to "try" and work it back in. This week I will, even if its 10 mins a day. Glad that yucky flu is gone! Report Inappropriate Comment

The Three Bears (updated version)

Friday, November 14, 2008

Just for laughs...

Perhaps this is a more accurate account of the events of that fateful morning... ? Happy Friday!



Baby Bear goes downstairs, sits in his small chair at the table. He looks into his small bowl. It is empty. 'Who's been eating my porridge?!?' he squeaks.

Daddy Bear arrives at the big table and sits in his big chair. He looks into his big bowl and it is also empty. 'Who's been eating my porridge?!?' he roars.

Mummy Bear puts her head through the serving hatch from the kitchen and yells,

'For God's sake, how many times do I have to go through this with you two idiots?'

She continues:

'It was Mummy Bear who got up first.

It was Mummy Bear who woke everyone in the house. It was Mummy Bear who made the coffee.

It was Mummy Bear who unloaded the dishwasher from last night and then put everything away.

It was Mummy Bear who swept the floor in the kitchen. It was Mummy Bear who went out in the cold early morning air to fetch the newspaper and croissants.

It was Mummy Bear who set the damn table.'

She sighs, and continues:

'It was Mummy Bear who walked the bloody dog, cleaned the damn cat's litter tray, gave them both their food, and refilled their water.

'And NOW that you've BOTH decided to drag your sorry bear-asses downstairs and grace Mummy Bear with your grumpy presence,

... listen carefully ...

because I'm ONLY going to say this ONCE...


'I HAVEN'T HAD THE TIME TO MAKE YOUR F***ING PORRIDGE YET!!!'

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MOEDANCING 11/15/2008 9:34PM

HELL YEAH MUMMY BEAR...THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING BOUT! WOOOOOOO WEEEEEE MARIT!!!! THANKS FOR THE GIGGLES AND BELLY LAUGHS...:) Always a grand read my friend! Report Inappropriate Comment

FLUFFYMOMFL 11/15/2008 10:42AM

Thanks for the laugh! Love it! Report Inappropriate Comment

ANGELBLEU 11/14/2008 3:36PM

hahahhaah now aint that cute! :) Report Inappropriate Comment

CAMPINLADY 11/14/2008 1:52PM

Good thing I wasn't drinking my water when I got to that punch line. Report Inappropriate Comment

GREENEYES334 11/14/2008 12:03PM

Thanks for sharing! Report Inappropriate Comment

SWEETZMIX 11/14/2008 11:33AM

SO FUNNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

MINI-ME-2B 11/14/2008 9:37AM

LMAO!!!!! Love it! Report Inappropriate Comment

The courage to start

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

I've been surfing running programs while I've been ill and came across John "The Penguin" Bingham again. You know - he's the guy with the excellent blog in Runner's world, and the wonderful life motto: "The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start."

I just ordered his book "The courage to start. A guide to running for your life." and can't wait until it gets here. I'm sure it'll give me some laughs and some extra motivation as I waddle on with my running.

Anyway, he wrote something great on his website that I've shamelessly stolen to share with you, you can read more on this link: www.johnbingham.com/

----------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
------

WHAT IS A PENGUIN?
In the running lexicon, the word "Penguin" has come to mean a person who runs more for the joy of running than for recognition and public rewards. Some of us are perpetual Penguins. We are consumed by the pleasure of movement.

Other Penguins find their joy in the challenge of reaching their own potential, whatever that is. For some it has meant running the Boston Marathon, the only U.S. marathon that has qualifying standards. For others, it has meant finding an independence and freedom in their daily runs that expands their limits.

Can there be such a thing, then, as a Penguin athlete? Or an athletic Penguin? Can people who are fighting to lose thirty or forty pounds be athletes? Of course they can! Can people who have waited until their forties to become physically active be athletes? You bet. Can people who finish last in a race be athletes? Yes, they can. And yes, they are.

You might be a penguin if...

- you have to politely (for the third time) tell the men in the police car moving behind you that No you do not wish a ride.
- you wear your jog bra on top of your singlet. This is especially true if you are male.
- during a race, you keep turning around to see if there is still anybody behind you.
- the rest of the pack is out of sight before you've run 100 yards.
- you meet both the hare AND the tortoise running back towards you doing their cool-down after a race.
- the only reason you don't drop out of a race is that you're embarrassed that the police in the car behind you (closing the course) will see you.
- as you're rounding the corner onto Main Street and the finish line, you overhear the announcer on a microphone to the crowd of 500 saying "we are ASSURED the young lady IS coming in!" (Oh well, at least I was young).
- you recognize all the regular runners on your favorite route from behind.
- you get passed on the uphill by a runner pushing a double baby jog stroller.
- you shoot a 24-shot roll of film during a marathon.
- you make arrangements for a late checkout at the hotel.
- you are more worried about the porta-potty lines than the start line.
- your support crew talks about meeting you for supper, not lunch.
- you have to memorize the route because you know that you will lose the back of the pack.
- the truck picking up the cones is pressing on your behind.
- as you pass a course volunteer they ask you, "How many are behind you yet?" and you say "Behind me? Behind? Gosh ... I think two ... Unless they turned around!"
- the awards ceremony is over before you cross the finish line.

----------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
------

Are YOU a Penguin Athlete too?

www.amazon.com/Courage-Start-Guide-R
unning-Your/dp/0684854554

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ZIRCADIA 11/14/2008 1:07PM

HAHAHAHA That is so funny. :) I definitely think I was a penguin when I started -- now I think I'm a LITTLE closer to the middle, at least at a 5K distance... longer than that I think I'm demoted back to penguin status. :D HEHEHE I can totally relate to the feelings of all of those situations, even if none of them were a reality for me (THANK HEAVENS!!) I was worried! HAHAH :D I definitely feel competitive against myself to improve, but there's no chance of me being number one for my age group or anything like that so I KNOW I'm not running for awards or recognition. :D Report Inappropriate Comment

CAMPINLADY 11/14/2008 5:01AM

Oh yeah..I'm a penguin. As a matter of fact, walkers have passed me. sigh. Report Inappropriate Comment

RUSSELLORAMA 11/13/2008 5:49PM

That's awesome! Is there anything slower than a Penguin? Whatever it is, I think I'm there right now. If I can hold a continual run for 30 seconds, that is awesome! I hope to build it up as I go on. Report Inappropriate Comment

MOEDANCING 11/13/2008 11:14AM

i laughed, i smiled, i giggled, i wooted, i am a penquin my friend who knew? HELL YEAH another fine post my friend:) Report Inappropriate Comment

BARBARA_G 11/13/2008 11:09AM

Thanks you for sharing! Report Inappropriate Comment

MINI-ME-2B 11/12/2008 10:17PM

I'm hoping my knees get better, so I can attempt to run. That's one thing I've never been able to do. I'm a turtle! LOL Report Inappropriate Comment

LAB-LOVER 11/12/2008 10:11PM

You know I HATE those people who pass me with the double strollers! Here's to penguining! -LL Report Inappropriate Comment

ECENT2001 11/12/2008 6:49PM

umm...yeah, I'm totally a penguin, can you tell? I'm glad somebody finally blogged about us and gave us the recognition we truly deserve. Love ya, Cheryl Report Inappropriate Comment

CAROLJ74 11/12/2008 5:16PM

I AM A PENGUIN! AND DANG PROUD OF IT! I am going to look for this book this weekend it looks !!! Report Inappropriate Comment

Some virus thingy

Monday, November 10, 2008

My doctor put me on sick leave for three days! I really hope that's enough and that I'll be well by Wednesday. My voice has disappeared and I have this itchy throat and I'm sleepy all the time.

I'll be lurking here and can't wait to get moving again!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MINI-ME-2B 11/12/2008 9:10AM

Oh yuck! I hope you start to feel better soon! re your comment - You sound well-adjusted re this lifestyle. Knowledge isn't obsession, knowledge is power. You aren't the type of person my blog was about. And, eventually I may learn the calorie in/calorie out/deficit mumbo jumbo LOL. It's the ones freaking over exactly how many are burned, whether SP, the machine, HRM are correct, because all are different, and now they can't eat because they don't know exactly how many were burned. Or they've set a specific figure to burn, yet all the figures are different. I had someone recently "set me straight" because I count WATP as low impact aerobics, and I should count it as walking. Err, I honestly don't care as long as its written down and I did at least 30 minutes of it. LMAO I try telling people to take it easy be glad they are doing something, and in time, they can get all up to snuff on how to figure out the numbers. Yet you have more experienced people here trying to teach newbies exactly how to figure it out. Let them worry about eating healthy & staying within ranges first before you scare them away with the other stuff! Or because SP gives one food 50 calories and the box says 60 calories, or there are three different versions of the same food all with five calories difference. And, this becomes a major issue. Sorry for the length, it just happens to be a pet peeve of mine. Comment edited on: 11/12/2008 9:09:38 AM Report Inappropriate Comment

ZIRCADIA 11/11/2008 9:04PM

REST AND GET BETTER ASAP!!! I HATE being sick. *HUGS* Report Inappropriate Comment

WILSOCA 11/11/2008 8:06PM

Take care my friend !!! I'm glad to hear that you're feeling a little bit better and I hope that continues. Take care of yourself and get better soon !!! C.J. Report Inappropriate Comment

SWEETZMIX 11/11/2008 2:52PM

sucks being sick. just take care of urself. at least u have a reason to sleep in. get well soon!!!!!!!!!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

CJROMB 11/11/2008 9:36AM

Dang, girl, you got SICK! :( I wish MY Dr. would put me on sick leave for three days...only not when I'm SICK! Haha. I'm about to go to Zilker...I think...and walk. It's gray, a bit hard to get motivated, and I have alot of work to do. These are the kinds of days when it MAKES A DIFFERENCE for me to get out, aren't they? I'm so sorry you're sick... :( More time to read Spark articles? Comment edited on: 11/11/2008 9:33:47 AM Report Inappropriate Comment

STARTSPARKING 11/10/2008 11:22PM

I'm sorry that you are so sick! Please take care and get plenty of rest. I wish you a very speedy recovery, my friend. Report Inappropriate Comment

LAB-LOVER 11/10/2008 9:58PM

Feel better! Fight off the thingy! Report Inappropriate Comment

KARBIE18 11/10/2008 8:23PM

Yikes! Three days! You must need the rest. Take good care of yourself, and don't rush into things. No more relapses! Report Inappropriate Comment