Warrior Dash Race Report

Monday, August 22, 2011

Despite my misgivings I wrote about in an earlier blog, I did the Warrior Dash Rockies.

Yes, there are some really unflattering photos out there of me covered in mud, but it's a reflection of what I look like now, so I'm ok with it. And they may make some good "before" photos.

The race itself was at 10,000 feet and my heart raced as we ran the first 1/2 mile. The first several obstacles were not easy, but they were cake compared to some of the later ones. We climbed up a steep ramp, went over and under walls, swam in a mud pit, picked our way through a tangle of muddy crossed bungie cords, balanced on elevated planks, climbed across cargo nets, crawled through a dark tunnel, etc. It was SO fun! We did have to do a few long, steep climbs--and I slowed so it was more like fast hiking with obstacles than a "dash".

The last 4 obstacles were the toughest. Three of them involved climbing up 15-20 feet, hefting yourself over the top, and then sliding or climbing down the back side of an obstacle. The obstacles were muddy and I was muddy, tired, and terrified of heights. Did I mention they were set up on concrete?

I'm sorry to say I wussed out on two of them outright. I'd like to think that if I was thinner I'd be less afraid since there will be less of me to haul over/control and it would be easier for people to assist me if needed. I made an attempt to get up one of the less scary ones but the incline was too much for my tired body.

The last obstacle was the best (next to swimming through the mud): jumping fire! The official pictures aren't up yet but someone caught me pre-jump. I'm fat, I'm dirty, I'm tired, and I am having a blast.

I am so happy I decided to do it. The crowds were great and encouraging. My fears were (mostly) unwarrated. It was a great weekend with friends and I am looking forward to next year already--and I will be able to face it fitter, faster and thinner.

  

It's not that weight loss programs haven't worked for me, I haven't worked for them...

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Looking back, I realize that I've had a habit of making excuses that weight loss programs haven't worked for me. I couldn't figure out how to do Weight Watchers well as a vegetarian (even though I know a few vegetarians who have lost a lot on the program). Medifast was too rigid. L.A. Weight Loss was a racket. One Nutri-system-like program gave me migraines which made me vomit profusely (now there's a path to quick weight loss). Excuses for all of them.

Anyway, I realize that I haven't worked for them--I haven't made a sustained effort. I haven't gone fully in for more than a few days. On some I haven't gone fully in at all.

I was so excited to find the Eat to Live program. It's been a year since I first read about it. I've followed the plan in spurts. Overall, I'm feeling better and healthier. Yet the weight remains. I've yo-yo'd a bit. And it has nothing to do with the program. It's because I'm doing my standard M.O. I'm just back from vacation where I pretty much threw the program out the window. Before that I was following the program for breakfast and lunch and going astray at dinner.

Today I'm planning and making meals for the next week. I'm committing myself to stay OP for the first week. I am hoping to build some momentum. I am ready. Monday I start a new job so it's a great time to establish new habits.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

DEEDAYE 8/20/2011 11:06AM

Oh I know this story well, because it's my own! I start and restart every week. I am not consistent in my efforts. I wish you well on your new job and new outlook. Report Inappropriate Comment

TEACHERWANDA 8/13/2011 2:13PM

I have faith you can do this. Take my word for it, ETL is the best thing you can do for yourself. Old habits die hard and new habits take time to get established. One piece of advice, since evenings are a problem, completely change your evening routine so the old pattern of eating does not sneak back in. Establish a new evening pattern with new evening way of eating. Report Inappropriate Comment

Trying out a new mantra

Monday, July 25, 2011

I'm a stress eater. I have two job interviews this week and I'm finding myself lured to the pantry by some dark (very evil) recess in my mind.

When I am tempted, I usually put up some feeble defense but eventually give in to whatever impulse I'm having.

Today I felt the pull of some junk food in the pantry that my kids begged me to buy them. I know it shouldn't be in the house but part of me feels no one else in the house should suffer for my weight issues.

Anyway, as I approached the pantry the words "you are stronger than that" popped into my head. I am--and I like that it is a bit of a challenge to myself. I'm thinking it's a pretty good mantra for a lot of situations so I'm going to roll with it.

What are some mantras you use to keep on the straight and narrow? I'd love to hear them!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

TEACHERWANDA 7/25/2011 5:06PM

I like it. I'm stealing it and posting it on the top of my grocery list. Report Inappropriate Comment

KOFFEENUT 7/25/2011 2:26PM

I like your mantra! I use "Progress, not perfection", especially when I find myself hitting bumps on the journey (or wandering off the road entirely!). I figure the MOST important thing is that, regardless of how fast or slow I'm travelling, I'm headed in the right direction. Report Inappropriate Comment

Losing inches but scale is not moving

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

I had thought I looked like I'd lost some weight and my clothes are a little roomier--but the scale hasn't budged much at all.

I busted out my trusty tape measure and I'm down between 1/2 - 1 inch on all my measurements except my arms (must be the fat I replaced with my rockin' biceps).

Anyway, it's good news. I've been working out regularly I could be working ETL better. That is my goal for this week. Get. On. Program.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

READYTOJOG 7/21/2011 8:35AM

Great! I so wish I had measured myself before I started! I know that I lost maybe 7 lbs before I got back on SP and now have lost a few more...but inches would be a nice alternative to the flat bastard : ) You have inspired me to break out a tape measure tonight and record where I am now.... I ate a burger last night, so I too am needing to adhere a bit more to ETL....it was really working for me though...esp the more RAW veggies I ate I seemed to see better scale results..... Report Inappropriate Comment

TEACHERWANDA 7/20/2011 4:18PM

Don't be afraid of moving slowly; be afraid of standing still. Progress is progress, keep it up! Report Inappropriate Comment

BECKYB73 7/20/2011 1:08PM

PROGRESS BABY! Report Inappropriate Comment

RAKYM1 7/20/2011 12:23PM

OMG!!!That is the same thing that is happening to me? I am so glad I am not doing this alone. Report Inappropriate Comment

The return of the 12-minute mile

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

I've been in a funk. I'm not losing despite working out consistently. I've forgotten why I used to love exercising. Lately it's seemed like such a drag.

I should have run outside this morning. I'm bored with the gym and it was an unusually cool morning. I haven't been walking/running much outside at all. That HAS to change.

Instead, I hit the treadmill. I was feeling really good (I remembered my inhaler for once). I started at 4mph and did a pyramid bumping up the speed every 5 minutes by .3 mph. I held a 12 minute mile at the top for 20 minutes (plus a 10 minute mile sprint for a minute).

I finished up drenched in sweat, bright red (see lobsteresque photo--that's not sunburn), and full of enthusiasm. THIS is what it means to actually earn that sweat. THIS is when I love exercising. THIS moment made remember what it felt to live like inside this formerly athletic girl's head. I could see a thinner future from there.

I know 12 minute miles are by no means blazing, but it's 3 minutes faster per mile than what I have been working out at. My ultimate goal is to return to 9-10 minute miles but I'm probably 50 pounds away from those. Speedwork and weight loss will get me there.

I'm excited by this realization--I wrote in an earlier post about how I've been slacking. This is further proof and feeling this excitement again has me so excited to kick it up a notch.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

READYTOJOG 7/12/2011 5:43PM

you rock! 12 minute miles are a distant, hazy memory for me : ) good for you!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

JONICACALDWELL 7/12/2011 4:11PM

That sounds awesome! Way to push it! Keep it up! (And I really mean it, I just did an 8k in 57:35, just about 11:30 minute mile, so I totally understand!) Report Inappropriate Comment

BECKYB73 7/12/2011 3:46PM

12 minutes is SMOKING in My World! Keep up the great work! Report Inappropriate Comment

EMILY088 7/12/2011 2:23PM

I know how you feel - there are times when exercising can be a drag and you almost wonder why - then you have that great workout and it pulls you through for more love and punishment. The results are coming! Report Inappropriate Comment