A Fresh Start

The Atlanta Color Run 5K was this morning. I was supposed to be running my first 5K today. Instead, I'm starting over today. Instead, I'm saying, "It's OK...I can do it."

When my husband came home last night, we had a conversation about committing to this new healthy lifestyle. He said he's been actively working to lower his portion sizes and to resist snacking. We both identified weak areas in our eating habits, with mine being the area of snacking. I snack way too much. I am an emotional eater. I know I've written this before. If I'm bored, I eat. If I had a bad day, I eat. If I had a good day, I eat. It doesn't matter when it is, I eat. I'm learning to control this. I'm working on practicing this: when I think I'm hungry, I count to 100, and I take a sip of water in between each sip. That's been curbing my snack binges pretty well. It's tough though. 

This morning, I had some yogurt. For lunch I made a quesadilla on a whole wheat tortilla with red onions and mushroom and low-fat cheese. Delicious. I've probably had a gallon of water to drink today, too. I have been super busy with Pinterest finding resources for workouts and motivations. I've found a lot of healthy recipes, and blogs of people who have had success with changing their lifestyle. Also, thanks to a friend's advice, I'm trying to look at this as a "lifestyle change" and not simply a diet and workout plan. Maybe that'll help me stick with it better. 

The number one thing that is helping motivate me right now is the fact that my husband is now on board. He said, "If this is what you wanted to do, then say something. I'm good with whatever. We can do this." Thanks, honey. :) 

Once again, I'm getting all kinds of motivation and good vibes from friends in person, via text message, and through Facebook. Just last night, I had a friend from college randomly text me to say that my last two posts were honest and inspiring. That makes me feel good. 

I've discovered yoga. I've done it before, but today I completed a 25 minute yoga session on my balcony in the fresh air. It was so invigorating! I do, however, need a good yoga mat. There are a ton of free resources on YouTube! Anything from 10-15 minutes to a whole hour. I'm going to try to get up just a little bit earlier in the mornings a few days a week and do a short 10-15 minute session to start my day. It'll be tough, but I think it will make a huge difference.

You have to start somewhere, and today is a fresh start! 

"Thanks for calling me out!"

It was late when my husband called me Wednesday night. I smiled and answered with, "Hey baby!" He said, "Thanks for calling me out on your blog!" Of course my first thought was, "Awwww! You read my blog!" I didn't really know what he was talking about. He went on to explain about how I posted his comment about Weight Watchers. He didn't mean it the way it sounded, but it's the way I took it. Most of the time though, it's not what really happened that counts, but how the other persons felt about it. The point is, I felt like HE was calling me out, even though I know he really wasn't. He explained to me that his point was the follow through was the important part of any plan.

This "calling out" conversation led to my husband saying we could workout together! He said if I was really serious about it, then he was really serious about it. We could workout together on his days off (pretty much every weekend), and maybe some mornings before I go to work. How exciting is this? 

Also, a friend of mine suggested we do morning yoga before work. Now I know I'm not a morning person, but maybe I can do it? This friend and I used to do coffee dates before work once or twice a week, and then (as she put it), "life got in the way." Truer words were never spoken. Life happens. It sucks, but somehow you have to start over and try again. 

Another friend suggested on Facebook to start with just one or two workout days a week. Do it when I can fit in with my normal schedule. Start slow. Maybe I can stick with it this time. I'm tired of not being able to stick with anything. However my husband meant it, it's true. The follow through is the important part. Hopefully if I have my husband and my friends, the follow through will actually happen this time! 

Another goal is to keep up with this blog more often. I know people are reading, and it is a great source of encouragement for me! Thanks, guys! Keep it up! 

The whole point is that I'm really excited (and kinda nervous) to start actually working out with my husband. I think it will be a great adventure for us, and I'm so excited! It'll be great for us to do things together, and hopefully we can build healthy habits!

Falling Off the Wagon

OK, so it's been two months since my last post. So much for keeping up with this, right? I have fallen off the wagon with my healthy lifestyle. Stress and grief got the best of me. It felt like it was just one thing after the other. Shin splints stopped me from running...again. My close friend passed away, then another friend passed away just a week later. Things at work piled up. Once I had missed a week of my normal workout routine, all hope seemed lost, and I have been very sporadic with my workouts since. I have fallen back into my emotional eating, and I just feel like I can't get a grip on things.

I tried to do all of this without paying extra anywhere. For example: I already pay to use the workout room at my apartment complex, so why pay more for a gym membership? I already go grocery shopping weekly, might as well just buy healthier foods. But I still can't stick with anything. It's a tough realization to come to. Why can't I keep it going? Why do I essentially give up after each try?

Below is a side by side view of me with 5 years difference. My husband and I recently celebrated our first wedding anniversary by visiting one of our favorite places: the North Georgia/North Carolina mountains. We visited this area for our one year dating anniversary five years ago (and many times since that first trip). Seeing the pictures side by side really shocked me. Have I really gained THAT much weight in just five years? It's not like I've gained 200 pounds, or anything outrageous like that, but it is disheartening to see that it is that noticeable.

This is just not acceptable anymore. I mentioned to my husband something about joined Weight Watchers Online, because I know several people who have had success with it. He broke my heart a little when he commented (shockingly), "Why pay for something like that, when you're not going to stick with it?" I know he didn't mean it the way it sounded, but it was a little guilt trip for me. He's right.

I feel like I am doing this alone. I don't workout with anyone. I don't have a trainer. I don't have friends close by who will workout with me. My husband eats just as horribly as I do. My husband and I are on different schedules, so it's hard for us to commit to this together.

If anyone has any suggestions to help me get my motivation back, please share. I'm not ashamed to say that I have fallen off the fitness wagon, but I do want to get back on. I'm past the "looking good" phase of it, and I'm now in the "I'm just not healthy" part. If I continue down this path, it will not be good, I know. Help!

Emotional Break

I'll be the first to admit the simple fact that life throws you curves, and if I could learn to swerve I would, but I just keep getting blind-sided.

Yes, it has almost been an entire week since I officially worked out or blogged. This was not intentional, that's for sure. Wednesday night I found out that a close friend of mine and my husband's passed away of a sudden heart attack. I was in shock. I'm pretty sure I'm still in shock. It hit our group of friends pretty hard, and it's taken all energy (physical and emotional) to even get out of bed the last few days, much less exercise. Thursday, we all got together to remember our friend and mourn together. Friday, hubby had a gig (and the show must go on), so off we went. All the friends came too, so it was another mourning session. Saturday was the funeral, and I don't think I have to explain any further. Sunday was yet another emotional day.

Today, I was off work due to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and I spent most of the morning watching the Presidential Inauguration. It's always very inspiring, and it helped me get off the couch easier.

That being said, I spent the rest of the day super cleaning my apartment. I vacuumed, mopped, scrubbed, washed, folded, and freshened every room (except for my hubby's "man cave", which is just the second bedroom...either way, I don't touch that room). I logged all of my vigorous cleaning into Nexercise as well as My Fitness Pal. I went grocery shopping. Slowly, life is getting back to normal. I'm just glad I had an extra day to get there. It's still going to be tough, but I think it'll be OK. I also did a short session (about 30 minutes) of Zumba, and that always makes me feel better.

I found an amazing website: Skinnytaste.com . I made their version of chicken enchiladas tonight, and I just cannot believe they were only 160 calories a serving! Fabulous!

I felt bad about getting off my routine (I missed 5 straight days with 2 of those being scheduled workout days), but I had to stop and remember that I have to pause sometimes. Besides, my friend wouldn't mind me skipping workout days anyway. I could gain 15 pounds and the next time I see him, he'd say "I swear you've lost weight! You look FANTASTIC!" He was always quite the charmer. I'll miss you buddy. Thank you for helping make me a better person. Love you!

Going Strong (in a Different Way)

Wow! How has it been this long since I blogged? Life gets busy, right?

Well, despite the brief vacay from the blogging, I've still been exercising on schedule. I have been visiting the weight room and/or doing Zumba in my living room every other day. I feel great. My shins, however, still haven't recovered from my overzealous attitude in the beginning, so I'll just press on with my new methods.

I decided to focus on some strength training. I've been taking advantage of the workout room at my apartment complex. I've been using the stationary bike mostly, as well as the weight training circuit. My goal is 60 minutes at least 4 times a week. So far, I've kept my end of the bargain. I just need my body to respond appropriately (i.e. lose weight, get stronger, etc.).

Sunday, I mixed things up and played my Zumba 2 Wii game! I love Zumba. I'm pretty sure I look like a crazy woman, but it is in the comfort of my own living room so I don't care. Plus, I earned 5 stars on every song, thank you. I can't be doing that badly. If you have a Wii and like to dance (even if you don't), I highly recommend the Zumba line of games. Zumba Core Fitness just came out, and I may rent it on Gamefly to see how I like it. If it's anything like the one I have, I'm sure it'll be great. My sweet husband came home from his band rehearsal right in the middle of my workout. I was a tiny bit embarassed (after 6 years together, there are still some things that do it), but he went in the bedroom to watch TV until I was finished. I wish I could have convinced him to do it with me! Sidenote: we do love some Wii Sports Resort, though; we're pretty competitive.

I recently downloaded a new app (new to me) called My Fitness Pal. I know, I know, I'm behind the times a little, BUT it was just recently brought to me by a friend. It is not just a calorie counter. No! It lets you scan bar-codes to input foods, and lets you build recipes with nutritional info built in. Fabulously fun. Plus, you can add friends to help keep you motivated. The friend who told me about this app has been particularly active, so it pushes me to keep up. The app helps you set a weight goal, as well as any other fitness goals (hello, Color Run), and shows you cool updates. For example, after you complete a day of logging your food and exercise, it tells you how much weight and what your strength training will look like if you keep up your current progress. Apparently if I keep up the same pace I had today (calorie intake + exercise), I'll lose 10 pounds in 2 weeks. Whether it's accurate or not, it's a good motivator. I'm considering trying to get some kind of exercise every day, with an extended 60 minutes or longer workout every other day.

Even though, work has been super busy, and I've been getting home later than I'd like to, I feel amazing that I'm actually sticking with this! It's been almost 2 weeks (Thursday), and I don't feel like slowing down any time soon! Let's hope the shins heal soon!

Color Run Countdown: 11 weeks and 3 days (or just 80 days)!

Hey, that also means I have only 10 weeks and 3 days until Spring Break! Bonus!

Take it Easy

Tomorrow marks my first full week of what I've named "Operation Hot Bikini." Thanks, Bestie. Even though I've been working out only every other day, I feel good about making it a whole week on a routine. In the last seven days, I've exercised 50 minutes or more continuously for four. Even on some of those off days, I charted light walking, housework, dancing, and stretching. I feel good.

I've been stretching every day, as well as icing my shins for the pain, per the advice of a friend.

This morning, I wrapped my left shin in an ACE bandage to help with the shin pain, as I read on many websites. It felt good, but my legs still hurt.

I downloaded a stretching app called Stretch Guru that runs you through a stretching routine for about 15 minutes. It was $0.99, but I think it was worth it. It helped me extend my stretches, and I felt good going into my light workout.

I put a brace on my right knee, donned my workout clothes, and began walking. I walked a very short distance before my left leg (despite the ACE bandage) felt like it was exploding. It was burning so badly. I turned around and walked back. I only walked a half a mile. It was very discouraging, but I just could not handle it tonight. I don't know what I'm going to do. I can't, I won't, let this stop me. I can't let my momentum to exercise go away. This time feels different. I feel like I can stick it out, but HOW do I recover from this leg pain and still exercise effectively.

On my way back to my apartment, I decided to stop by the fitness room (that I've basically never used, sadly). It's incredibly small, but has all the necessary things, I guess: two treadmills, an elliptical, a bike, an ab machine, a 3-part weight-training circuit, and a variety of hand weights, as well as a TV, and a water cooler. Not bad. I figured I'm paying for it anyway, might as well use it.

There were two women on the treadmills talking up a storm, and I didn't think I could handle any more walking anyway, so I chose the low-impact workout of the elliptical. Since I walked a half mile earlier, I decided to go a half mile on the elliptical to even it out. That took about 10 minutes.

I downloaded a free app called Daily Workouts. There's a full version too for $3.99, but I'm on the basically free plan, so I didn't get that one. There are several categories to choose from (arm, abs, butt legs, and cardio), each with video guidance and a countdown timer. I picked up the smallest hand weights, I think they were 2.5 lbs, and selected arms. I used the hand weights for about 10 minutes, and did the circuit another 10 minutes. I felt better and especially so since I didn't just quit tonight. It felt good to push on, even if it was light.

I don't know what I'm going to do about this pain, or if it even gets better. I hope it does. I really want to succeed. Working out feels good (even if it is light). I felt the stresses of the day soften. I may just try to do some light work every day for a while until my shin pain goes away. Even though it was awkward and a little painful, I miss the burn and soreness I had last weekend. It felt good. It was a burn I knew meant something. I don't feel anything right now. My arms a little, tiny bit sore, but other than I don't feel anything but leg pain. I need to feel something again. It helps keep me motivated.

I have to remember those hot bikinis I'll be wearing come May! Right, Bestie?

87 days until the Color Run!

I've Invented a Week Zero

OK, so I may be over doing it. Yes, my mother told me so. Yes, my friend said so. Yes, my coworkers said so. Did I listen? Nope.

First of all, let me start with the fact that today was my first full day back at school with the students, and I only got about 3 hours sleep last night. I was soooooooooo tired today, after work especially. I called Bestie  after work, and complained. I talked about maybe taking it easy or skipping tonight. She insisted I continue! She said that if I skip one night, I'll lose everything...and she's right. I didn't want to lose momentum. So, I pushed on, and rightfully so. No blame anywhere. I had no way of knowing anything was wrong.

I put on a particularly bright t-shirt, since it was dark outside, and set forth on day three of my program. I was doing well, alternating my jogging and walking, for about 15 minutes. That's when the pain began in my shins. I pushed through for a little while, but I had to stop and stretch some more. I stretched for a good five minutes on the sidewalk thinking maybe that would relieve the pain. I refused to believe I was experiencing shin splints again. I didn't want to stop. I didn't want this to end my productivity...even if it hasn't even been a week, yet. This time it feels different. But the fact of the matter is, I pushed too hard I think, so I've invented a week zero and I'm slowing it down. I've researched some great stretching and training techniques to help the pain, and hopefully prevent it in the future.

Get Rid of Shin Pain

Shin Splints Treatment & Prevention

I was so powered by my motivation and resolve that I guess I ignored the warnings. The thing is, my shins did not hurt until today. I was sore, sure, but definitely not in pain. How was I supposed to know it was coming.

I feel so discouraged, not going to lie. I feel so lame. I know slowing down and taking care of your body is important, and that shin splints are incredibly common, but I just can't let it stop me. I've got to do something!

I'm sorry I'm not feeling too up to writing right now. I don't have too much to share other than my painful outing tonight. I'm working on stretching and everything tonight. Maybe I'll feel better in the morning.

I can't quit. I refuse to quit. Even if all 200 pageviews here are just Bestie and my mom, someone is reading (or at least looking at) these blog posts, and that's something. Today, in class, the students and I shared New Year's Resolutions and created some together. I shared that I was planning on running a 5K in April, not just any 5K, but the Happiest 5K on the Planet! They were all so excited for me. They were so encouraging. They were concerned, and hopeful for me, too. It was adorable and inspiring. I love seventh grade.

No, I can't quit. That wouldn't be a very good message for my students. If nothing else, I have that to keep me going.

89 days until The Color Run!

“The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.” 
― John Bingham, No Need for Speed: A Beginner's Guide to the Joy of Running