Okay, so I got out there and ran tonight. It hurt. Like hell. My right leg started to hurt the second it hit the pavement. Awesome. Happily, it went numb after a few minutes. I predict that's going to come back and bite me in the ass. Anyway, the new shoes felt weird. The right one fit pretty well, but my left foot kept sliding back and forth inside the shoe. I get the impression one of my feet is bigger than the other. I'll have to figure out how to compensate for that. I was getting some serious hot spots on my feet by the time I reached half-time, and I was pretty tuckered out anyway, so I only did 1.84 miles tonight. My time was 27 minutes 55 seconds. I think that's an improvement. I'll have to go back and check to be sure though. I was at the one mile point a little earlier than the last time though.
I haven't lost any weight for the last week and a half or so. I was under the weather, then we were traveling, then under the weather again. Just haven't been on schedule. Hopefully, I can bring it for the next few weeks and get it burning again. I haven't gained any back though, so that's good.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
My Pet Monster
Title really has nothing to do with this post. Remember that toy from the late 80's early 90's? I always wanted one. The husband had one when he was a kid, and it's in mint condition. The inlaws sent it home with us this past weekend for the menace to play with. She's kind of terrified of it, so it's become mine. He's sitting on the couch. Awesome.
Anyway, see that nifty little widget over there? It tells the world my mileage that I've run (after I log it in there, of course). It's on zero right now, but I aim to fix that. I didn't wind up using the elliptical yesterday. I just felt tired and weak all day, so I figured I'd give my system one more day to rest. I'm planning on going for a run tonight though. That should be interesting. We have to grill out as well, so there's going to be some complaining from the peanut gallery when the mother/wife bails to go for a run for a bit, but I'm confident they'll survive. I'll just have to get the stuff ready for them before I leave. Yes, my family is helpless without me. At least, that's what they'd like me to believe.
That funky little weird spot on the back of my leg is still there, and it's still funky. I still don't know if it's a bug bite or what, but it doesn't seem to be any better or worse today. Just ugly.
I was reading a post from another woman who ran the Disney Princess Half Marathon this year. I was so jealous. That's my ultimate goal at the moment. I'd love to run that race! Honestly, seeing pictures of people running that race is what got me started in this whole endeavor. I really want that medal! I can't go to Disney in March for the foreseeable future, so I'll settle for the Family 5K. There's a half marathon that weekend too, but there's no way I'll be ready for that. I'll just run my little 5K and be happy that I got a taste of a Disney race. In a few years though, that Princess race is mine! I'm going to wear a running skirt and a tiara and have a blast!
http://espnwwos.disney.go.com/events/endurance/princess-half-marathon/
Anyway, see that nifty little widget over there? It tells the world my mileage that I've run (after I log it in there, of course). It's on zero right now, but I aim to fix that. I didn't wind up using the elliptical yesterday. I just felt tired and weak all day, so I figured I'd give my system one more day to rest. I'm planning on going for a run tonight though. That should be interesting. We have to grill out as well, so there's going to be some complaining from the peanut gallery when the mother/wife bails to go for a run for a bit, but I'm confident they'll survive. I'll just have to get the stuff ready for them before I leave. Yes, my family is helpless without me. At least, that's what they'd like me to believe.
That funky little weird spot on the back of my leg is still there, and it's still funky. I still don't know if it's a bug bite or what, but it doesn't seem to be any better or worse today. Just ugly.
I was reading a post from another woman who ran the Disney Princess Half Marathon this year. I was so jealous. That's my ultimate goal at the moment. I'd love to run that race! Honestly, seeing pictures of people running that race is what got me started in this whole endeavor. I really want that medal! I can't go to Disney in March for the foreseeable future, so I'll settle for the Family 5K. There's a half marathon that weekend too, but there's no way I'll be ready for that. I'll just run my little 5K and be happy that I got a taste of a Disney race. In a few years though, that Princess race is mine! I'm going to wear a running skirt and a tiara and have a blast!
http://espnwwos.disney.go.com/events/endurance/princess-half-marathon/
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
An Apple A Day Keeps The....WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!?!
So, I've been telling my body that I'm going to be making some changes around here, and I'm feeling a bit like it's not happy with this decision. We went out of town to visit some family this weekend, and there wasn't any exercising going on there. In spite of that, my legs are still killing me. My new shoes came in the mail, which is cool. They do fit better, and are quite comfortable. I'm going to get on the elliptical some time today, so I'll probably take them for a walk around tomorrow. Maybe.
There's this nifty little black bite on the back of my right leg. I just found it today because it was itching. It still itches. Interesting tidbit? There's no skin in the middle of the bite. I'm pretty sure that's not a good sign. I'm not sure what bit me, and I feel fine (other than being peeved off) so we'll wait and see what happens. If it gets bigger or worse, or if I start doing something super fun like throwing up, I'm going to have to take it to the doctor and she if he/she can figure out what the hell it is.
Speaking of puking, there's been a lot of that going on around here lately. We got back in to town late Sunday night, and just as we got all settled down, the husband and the menace both started....well....throwing up. They are better now, but we still don't know for sure what brought it on. Then, last night we awoke at 3:00 AM to the dulcet tones of our lab puking under our bed. Which is particularly bad because A.) He's been on a hunger strike most of the time since we left to go out of town. Apparently he didn't appreciate traveling and decided to let us know this by starving himself. (Just in case there's any confusion, he came with us. As did the other dog. And the cat with the urinary tract infection, since he still had to take his medicine every day. It was a friggin zoo in our little car). Oh, and B.) I gave him pureed pumpkin in his food yesterday to entice him to eat it. Which worked. Which resulted in neat-o orange dog puke. Under our bed. Awesome.
Now, in possibly the worst transition ever, I've been craving chocolate cake. Not regular out of a box chocolate cake. The kind you get in a restaurant with three layers, with chocolate ganache in the middle and on the top. The kind that curls your toes it's got so much chocolate in it. Yeah, that kind. I'd decided that I was going to get one slice of one of those on my birthday in a few weeks.
So, yesterday, at the awesome grocery store here in town, with the awesome bakery, they had an individual slice of this cake that I've been dreaming about for the last few weeks. It was large, and chocolaty. It had the requisite three layers and everything. I picked it up, and on a whim looked at the nutrition contents that were conveniently located on the bottom of the container (note - sarcasm). It was only one serving, and it had 37 grams of fat. Wait. What? 37? Seriously? That's not a typo? 37? What the hell is in it that it's got 37 grams of fat? Straight lard?
My chocolate cake craving vanished. I think I'll just have a chocolate cupcake on my birthday. Out of a box.
There's this nifty little black bite on the back of my right leg. I just found it today because it was itching. It still itches. Interesting tidbit? There's no skin in the middle of the bite. I'm pretty sure that's not a good sign. I'm not sure what bit me, and I feel fine (other than being peeved off) so we'll wait and see what happens. If it gets bigger or worse, or if I start doing something super fun like throwing up, I'm going to have to take it to the doctor and she if he/she can figure out what the hell it is.
Speaking of puking, there's been a lot of that going on around here lately. We got back in to town late Sunday night, and just as we got all settled down, the husband and the menace both started....well....throwing up. They are better now, but we still don't know for sure what brought it on. Then, last night we awoke at 3:00 AM to the dulcet tones of our lab puking under our bed. Which is particularly bad because A.) He's been on a hunger strike most of the time since we left to go out of town. Apparently he didn't appreciate traveling and decided to let us know this by starving himself. (Just in case there's any confusion, he came with us. As did the other dog. And the cat with the urinary tract infection, since he still had to take his medicine every day. It was a friggin zoo in our little car). Oh, and B.) I gave him pureed pumpkin in his food yesterday to entice him to eat it. Which worked. Which resulted in neat-o orange dog puke. Under our bed. Awesome.
Now, in possibly the worst transition ever, I've been craving chocolate cake. Not regular out of a box chocolate cake. The kind you get in a restaurant with three layers, with chocolate ganache in the middle and on the top. The kind that curls your toes it's got so much chocolate in it. Yeah, that kind. I'd decided that I was going to get one slice of one of those on my birthday in a few weeks.
So, yesterday, at the awesome grocery store here in town, with the awesome bakery, they had an individual slice of this cake that I've been dreaming about for the last few weeks. It was large, and chocolaty. It had the requisite three layers and everything. I picked it up, and on a whim looked at the nutrition contents that were conveniently located on the bottom of the container (note - sarcasm). It was only one serving, and it had 37 grams of fat. Wait. What? 37? Seriously? That's not a typo? 37? What the hell is in it that it's got 37 grams of fat? Straight lard?
My chocolate cake craving vanished. I think I'll just have a chocolate cupcake on my birthday. Out of a box.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Parenting.
Okay, first of all, I did another hour on the elliptical day before yesterday. I haven't been feeling very well this week, so I've been trying to take it kind of easy. My legs are killing me. It's wrapping around the sides of my calves and really tender. I've ordered new shoes, but they're taking forever to ship. Hopefully that'll help. Anyway, I did an hour on the elliptical, 30 min forward and 30 min backward. Burned 800 calories. I made sure that I'd had a good breakfast and lots of water this time, and I didn't have any problems afterward. Yay!
So, parenting. I've decided that parenting is like having secondary ADD. Children grow, turn into teenagers and assume that their parents are morons largely because they can't seem to remember what it was that they were doing most of the time. There is a reason for this. Before your parents were parents, they didn't have these problems. Then you were born and it began.
I'll start to do something, or think of starting to do something, and just when I get motivated to do it, or have just begun the task it's;
Kid - "Mommy? Mommy? Mom? Mom? MOMMY? LISTEN?"
Mom - "Hang on a minute, honey, let me finish..."
Kid - "But, Mommy, it's really important, just it's, LISTEN."
Mom - (Assuming that there's a boo boo or the toilet is overflowing, pauses in train of thought.) "Okay, what?"
Kid - " I went to the bathroom, and my poop looked just like a DINOSAUR!"
Mom - "Um, well, that's super honey, but it really could have waited until I NO BAD DOG! BAD DOG!! WE DO NOT CHEW ON THE KITTY!"
Mom rescues kitty from jaws of labrobeast, sits back down.
Mom - "Now, can you please go play in your room so that I can NO BAD KITTY! I DID NOT SAVE YOU FROM THE DOG SO THAT YOU CAN PEE ON MY CARPET! DAMN IT!"
Cat bastard scurries into basement and Mom places kitty door cover over kitty door. Cat bastard officially changes name to basement Kitteh. Mom spends half an hour cleaning cat pee out of carpet, full knowing that the smell is never going to completely come out, and the playroom is forever going to smell like cat pee. Mom begins daydreaming about new carpets. Realizes new carpets aren't in the budget, so starts daydreaming about vacation where at least the pets are boarded.
Kid - "Mommy? Do you want to see my dinosaur poop now?"
Mom - "No, not really. You haven't flushed it away yet? Go flush it already."
Kid - "It won't flush."
Mom - Sighs heavily and wonders if 8:45 AM is too early for a drink. Figures it probably is, and goes to deal with dinosaur poop. Figures out toilet problem after call to husband, who is trying to work, but is very amused at mom's quickly told tale of morning events after he escaped with his coffee. Mom makes mental note to smack him later for his snorting now. WHY DOES THIS NEVER HAPPEN WHEN HE'S HOME?? Mom remembers that she's got to do the whites or no one is going to have any socks this weekend that don't have Santa Clause on them and walks through kitchen. Walking through kitchen triggers a figment of memory, and mom tries to remember what she was doing before everyone lost their minds/ control of their bodily functions. Catches a whiff of cat pee in now ruined carpet and forgets it. Goes downstairs to do laundry and berate basement Kitteh for ruining her carpet. (Yes, he's been to the vet. He's on medication for a urinary tract infection. That makes it diagnosed. STILL NOT COOL!)
See? We're not idiots. We just haven't been able to finish a freaking thought because of the chaos around us. Eventually, the synapses in the brain that used to be capable of starting and finishing a task without any trouble break in half, and our bodies become so accustomed to our fight or flight response being triggered every half hour that we start to have paranoia when the house is quiet for an unusually long period of time.
This is why we take such delight in embarrassing our children when they're older.
So, parenting. I've decided that parenting is like having secondary ADD. Children grow, turn into teenagers and assume that their parents are morons largely because they can't seem to remember what it was that they were doing most of the time. There is a reason for this. Before your parents were parents, they didn't have these problems. Then you were born and it began.
I'll start to do something, or think of starting to do something, and just when I get motivated to do it, or have just begun the task it's;
Kid - "Mommy? Mommy? Mom? Mom? MOMMY? LISTEN?"
Mom - "Hang on a minute, honey, let me finish..."
Kid - "But, Mommy, it's really important, just it's, LISTEN."
Mom - (Assuming that there's a boo boo or the toilet is overflowing, pauses in train of thought.) "Okay, what?"
Kid - " I went to the bathroom, and my poop looked just like a DINOSAUR!"
Mom - "Um, well, that's super honey, but it really could have waited until I NO BAD DOG! BAD DOG!! WE DO NOT CHEW ON THE KITTY!"
Mom rescues kitty from jaws of labrobeast, sits back down.
Mom - "Now, can you please go play in your room so that I can NO BAD KITTY! I DID NOT SAVE YOU FROM THE DOG SO THAT YOU CAN PEE ON MY CARPET! DAMN IT!"
Cat bastard scurries into basement and Mom places kitty door cover over kitty door. Cat bastard officially changes name to basement Kitteh. Mom spends half an hour cleaning cat pee out of carpet, full knowing that the smell is never going to completely come out, and the playroom is forever going to smell like cat pee. Mom begins daydreaming about new carpets. Realizes new carpets aren't in the budget, so starts daydreaming about vacation where at least the pets are boarded.
Kid - "Mommy? Do you want to see my dinosaur poop now?"
Mom - "No, not really. You haven't flushed it away yet? Go flush it already."
Kid - "It won't flush."
Mom - Sighs heavily and wonders if 8:45 AM is too early for a drink. Figures it probably is, and goes to deal with dinosaur poop. Figures out toilet problem after call to husband, who is trying to work, but is very amused at mom's quickly told tale of morning events after he escaped with his coffee. Mom makes mental note to smack him later for his snorting now. WHY DOES THIS NEVER HAPPEN WHEN HE'S HOME?? Mom remembers that she's got to do the whites or no one is going to have any socks this weekend that don't have Santa Clause on them and walks through kitchen. Walking through kitchen triggers a figment of memory, and mom tries to remember what she was doing before everyone lost their minds/ control of their bodily functions. Catches a whiff of cat pee in now ruined carpet and forgets it. Goes downstairs to do laundry and berate basement Kitteh for ruining her carpet. (Yes, he's been to the vet. He's on medication for a urinary tract infection. That makes it diagnosed. STILL NOT COOL!)
See? We're not idiots. We just haven't been able to finish a freaking thought because of the chaos around us. Eventually, the synapses in the brain that used to be capable of starting and finishing a task without any trouble break in half, and our bodies become so accustomed to our fight or flight response being triggered every half hour that we start to have paranoia when the house is quiet for an unusually long period of time.
This is why we take such delight in embarrassing our children when they're older.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
55 Minutes 48 Seconds
That was how long it took me to do my run today. That's quite an improvement over exactly 1 hour last time. Just over 4 minutes. I'm happy with that. There are several factors that were different that helped, so it's not my amazing prowess. I ran earlier in the day this time, after breakfast but before lunch, and after drinking two cups of coffee. Rather than trying to run for 90 seconds and then walk for 3 minutes, I just ran until I got tired and then walked until I felt like running again. It worked out a lot better for me. The area I run on is very hilly, and I was exhausting myself running up the hills trying to keep on my little schedule. I was able to take it easier going uphill and then work a little harder on the flat parts and downhill. I'm pretty sure that building up my stamina this way will make running uphill easier later. Another added bonus? Not nearly as much calf pain.
I went to a local sports store today that will custom fit you for a pair of running shoes. It was really great. I ran on a treadmill in my socks, and they video taped it. Then they slowed it down and told me what kind of foot-strike I have so that I could pick the shoes that will support that. I have a neutral strike, with just a little overpronation. The biggest thing was that I've been buying the wrong shoe size. They said that I should be buying an 11 1/2 in running shoes. They fit with a little bit of extra room in the toe, but they said your feet swell when you run, so you need a bit of extra wiggle room. They had me try on about five different pairs of shoes to find the best ones. I didn't wind up buying them just yet, I was just there for a consultation. That, and I didn't like the color they had in stock of the shoe I picked out. What? I can be a little vain sometimes, right? I found them online in pink and silver (yay!) and they're the same price that they are in the store. (They don't work on commission, and I'm sure I'll be going back in there to spend money on other gear, so I don't feel like a total jerk.) I'll be ordering those before too long, so hopefully my leg pain will be better after that.
I used the elliptical a few times, walked, ran, and used my weights and resistance band a few times this week, so I'm happy with the exercise that I got. Especially since I've been trying to give my legs time to heal. We ordered Chinese food for dinner Friday night, and although it wasn't exactly a diet friendly meal, I made much better choices. Instead of ordering chicken fried rice or lo mein noodles, I ordered steamed dumplings and beef with vegetables. I had a little bit of egg drop soup and a few crab rangoons too, but it could have been a lot worse, so I'm not going to beat myself up over it. I can't expect not to slip up sometimes.
Aside from that, it's been an absolutely gorgeous day today. The menace rode her little tricycle outside with her daddy, and we grilled and ate outside in the perfect weather. It was a great day to be alive and a wonderful afternoon with my little family.
I went to a local sports store today that will custom fit you for a pair of running shoes. It was really great. I ran on a treadmill in my socks, and they video taped it. Then they slowed it down and told me what kind of foot-strike I have so that I could pick the shoes that will support that. I have a neutral strike, with just a little overpronation. The biggest thing was that I've been buying the wrong shoe size. They said that I should be buying an 11 1/2 in running shoes. They fit with a little bit of extra room in the toe, but they said your feet swell when you run, so you need a bit of extra wiggle room. They had me try on about five different pairs of shoes to find the best ones. I didn't wind up buying them just yet, I was just there for a consultation. That, and I didn't like the color they had in stock of the shoe I picked out. What? I can be a little vain sometimes, right? I found them online in pink and silver (yay!) and they're the same price that they are in the store. (They don't work on commission, and I'm sure I'll be going back in there to spend money on other gear, so I don't feel like a total jerk.) I'll be ordering those before too long, so hopefully my leg pain will be better after that.
I used the elliptical a few times, walked, ran, and used my weights and resistance band a few times this week, so I'm happy with the exercise that I got. Especially since I've been trying to give my legs time to heal. We ordered Chinese food for dinner Friday night, and although it wasn't exactly a diet friendly meal, I made much better choices. Instead of ordering chicken fried rice or lo mein noodles, I ordered steamed dumplings and beef with vegetables. I had a little bit of egg drop soup and a few crab rangoons too, but it could have been a lot worse, so I'm not going to beat myself up over it. I can't expect not to slip up sometimes.
Aside from that, it's been an absolutely gorgeous day today. The menace rode her little tricycle outside with her daddy, and we grilled and ate outside in the perfect weather. It was a great day to be alive and a wonderful afternoon with my little family.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Heh heh....oops
Um, yeah. I would be open to the possibility of the outside chance that I may, perhaps, have overdone it today on the elliptical machine. Maybe.
I wanted to see if I could do a full hour. I've been doing about 40 minutes and burning 500 calories. I did it for an hour and 6 minutes today and burned 800 calories. I felt pretty good until I'd been off the machine for about an hour, and then I felt less good. And then I crawled into the bathroom on my hands and knees to drive the big white bus. Note to self. Good intentions - bad outcome. Soooo....no more hour long elliptical sessions for a while. 500 calories seems like a good number, right?
I never said, "Diary of a smart white woman."
I did go for a walk yesterday with the menace. I only walked half the full distance, but I'm taking it. I also did squats and lunges while she was playing at the park. Happily there was no one else there, so I didn't feel like a total moron. This time.
There was major whining on the walk home though....and it wasn't even me. The husband is determined that we will not be taking a stroller to Disney World when we go, so we've been making sure that the little menace gets lots of time to walk and build up her stamina, without tiring her out too much. She's walked this particular distance several times before and never had an issue. This time it was a little warmer, and she was not a happy camper. Made me rethink the "no stroller" decision big time! I can just imagine a tired, hot, sweaty, whiny, little menace being dragged through the happiest place on Earth. Yeah. I don't want to be those parents. Also? I don't want to shell out the amount of dough that Disney seems to think their rental strollers are worth when we have a perfectly good umbrella stroller here. Now I just have to convince the husband that carrying the stroller through the airport and on Disney transportation for the week will not be the end of the world.
I wanted to see if I could do a full hour. I've been doing about 40 minutes and burning 500 calories. I did it for an hour and 6 minutes today and burned 800 calories. I felt pretty good until I'd been off the machine for about an hour, and then I felt less good. And then I crawled into the bathroom on my hands and knees to drive the big white bus. Note to self. Good intentions - bad outcome. Soooo....no more hour long elliptical sessions for a while. 500 calories seems like a good number, right?
I never said, "Diary of a smart white woman."
I did go for a walk yesterday with the menace. I only walked half the full distance, but I'm taking it. I also did squats and lunges while she was playing at the park. Happily there was no one else there, so I didn't feel like a total moron. This time.
There was major whining on the walk home though....and it wasn't even me. The husband is determined that we will not be taking a stroller to Disney World when we go, so we've been making sure that the little menace gets lots of time to walk and build up her stamina, without tiring her out too much. She's walked this particular distance several times before and never had an issue. This time it was a little warmer, and she was not a happy camper. Made me rethink the "no stroller" decision big time! I can just imagine a tired, hot, sweaty, whiny, little menace being dragged through the happiest place on Earth. Yeah. I don't want to be those parents. Also? I don't want to shell out the amount of dough that Disney seems to think their rental strollers are worth when we have a perfectly good umbrella stroller here. Now I just have to convince the husband that carrying the stroller through the airport and on Disney transportation for the week will not be the end of the world.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Two steps forward, one step back
First of all....YAY! I lost 4lbs last week! Awesome! I don't expect that every week, and some of it could have been because I cut my long hair completely off and dyed it blond (it's like P!NK's hair now). Love it! It's way more flattering, it was a blast to do, and I feel like I look younger and have more energy. Exceeding my weight loss goal last week was just the icing on the cake. (Which I won't be eating, because I'm trying to be less fat. ) I've lost 10lbs since mid January. So, again, YAY!
Now the bad news, my calves hurt. Like, shouldn't run anymore until I get fitted for proper running shoes or I'm going to hurt myself kind of hurt. Dammit. I've changed my workout schedule so that I'm doing the Elliptical machine Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, and I'm walking the same distance (3.68 miles) that I would have been run/walking on Tuesdays and Fridays until I can scrape together the money for some spiffy new kicks. I had to use my clothing budget this month to buy the little menace and myself some new summer clothes. I love clothes shopping for her. I hate clothes shopping for myself. I'll have more fun with it when I'm less fat though. Anyway, I'm getting new running shoes for Mother's Day. And, hopefully, something involving popsicle sticks and glue.
Now the bad news, my calves hurt. Like, shouldn't run anymore until I get fitted for proper running shoes or I'm going to hurt myself kind of hurt. Dammit. I've changed my workout schedule so that I'm doing the Elliptical machine Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, and I'm walking the same distance (3.68 miles) that I would have been run/walking on Tuesdays and Fridays until I can scrape together the money for some spiffy new kicks. I had to use my clothing budget this month to buy the little menace and myself some new summer clothes. I love clothes shopping for her. I hate clothes shopping for myself. I'll have more fun with it when I'm less fat though. Anyway, I'm getting new running shoes for Mother's Day. And, hopefully, something involving popsicle sticks and glue.
Friday, April 9, 2010
1 Hour.
That's how long it took me tonight to do my long run. 3.68 miles. I did the first half in 29 minutes, and finished it at exactly 60 minutes 0 seconds. I had to hoof it the last little bit, but I wanted to finish in 60 or less. At least it will be easy to remember. My legs were killing me by the time I was done, but after some stretching, some Advil gel caps, and a hot shower, they're only killing me a little. I think I'll survive.
I've lost 2 pounds this week. Even with all the rain causing me to miss a run, that's not too bad. I intended to run last night, but the husband insisted that he couldn't live one more day unless he mowed the lawn, so I held it over until tonight. Oh well. At least I got it in.
Oh, and Bradford Pear trees reek! Yuck. Happily, I'm allergic to them, so every time I run past them I begin to sneeze and that distracts me from the stench. Note to self. Remember to take Clairitin.
I've lost 2 pounds this week. Even with all the rain causing me to miss a run, that's not too bad. I intended to run last night, but the husband insisted that he couldn't live one more day unless he mowed the lawn, so I held it over until tonight. Oh well. At least I got it in.
Oh, and Bradford Pear trees reek! Yuck. Happily, I'm allergic to them, so every time I run past them I begin to sneeze and that distracts me from the stench. Note to self. Remember to take Clairitin.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Barbells and a Book Plug
No running for me tonight. Mother nature is unleashing her wrath around here, and I'm not dedicated enough to run in the rain. I did do weight lifting and yoga today though, so there's that. Side note - isn't yoga supposed to be relaxing? I think I'm doing it wrong, because OW!
I just read today that my favorite author is releasing a new book. I have her first four books and they are hilarious.
http://www.amazon.com/Fair-Lazy-Television-Culture-Up-Manifesto/dp/045122986X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1270481994&sr=1-1
Someday I shall figure out how to post pictures. Until then, there's the link to the book on Amazon. My favorite book of hers is "Such a Pretty Fat." Now I know what to ask for on Mother's Day.
I just read today that my favorite author is releasing a new book. I have her first four books and they are hilarious.
http://www.amazon.com/Fair-Lazy-Television-Culture-Up-Manifesto/dp/045122986X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1270481994&sr=1-1
Someday I shall figure out how to post pictures. Until then, there's the link to the book on Amazon. My favorite book of hers is "Such a Pretty Fat." Now I know what to ask for on Mother's Day.
Screw you stretchie band.
So, it was beautiful most of the day yesterday, then it rained its ass off last night. I managed to get outside with my handy dandy elastic band while the little Menace played outside. (She's currently obsessed with earthworms). Anyway, my backyard is visible to several neighboring houses, and while I was using my handy dandy elastic band I kept imagining this conversation taking place,
Wife - "Oh, look. The little fat neighbor girl is working out in her backyard. Bless her little heart."
Husband - "Honey, close the blinds."
Also? It should be noted that when I went to the store to purchase my handy dandy elastic band, I chose the level 1 for beginners (as I am a beginner, no?). Turns out the level 1 for beginners is really for 95 year old ladies recovering from hip replacement surgery. I have to stand about ten feet from the anchoring post to get any resistance from the resistance band. But other than that, they're pretty cool. Except for that one moment when I tried to anchor it to my foot to do some nifty leg thingy that I saw in Shape magazine, and it slipped off and hit me in the face. Touche` resistance band. Touche`.
Anyway, today I'm supposed to run (because I started on Sunday instead of Monday this week). However, it's pretty wet outside after the storm we had last night, so I don't know if I'm going to make it out there. I'm going to use my hand weights, and probably do some yoga with the yoga ball (try not to picture that, it's not pretty). I'll try to run this evening though.
Wife - "Oh, look. The little fat neighbor girl is working out in her backyard. Bless her little heart."
Husband - "Honey, close the blinds."
Also? It should be noted that when I went to the store to purchase my handy dandy elastic band, I chose the level 1 for beginners (as I am a beginner, no?). Turns out the level 1 for beginners is really for 95 year old ladies recovering from hip replacement surgery. I have to stand about ten feet from the anchoring post to get any resistance from the resistance band. But other than that, they're pretty cool. Except for that one moment when I tried to anchor it to my foot to do some nifty leg thingy that I saw in Shape magazine, and it slipped off and hit me in the face. Touche` resistance band. Touche`.
Anyway, today I'm supposed to run (because I started on Sunday instead of Monday this week). However, it's pretty wet outside after the storm we had last night, so I don't know if I'm going to make it out there. I'm going to use my hand weights, and probably do some yoga with the yoga ball (try not to picture that, it's not pretty). I'll try to run this evening though.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Begin at the Beginning.
I suppose I should watch "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" since I pretty much ripped off the title, in my own special way. I'll be sure and put that on my to do list.
Okay. Here's me. I'm 27 years old. I'm a stay at home mom to a four year old little girl who is absolutely insane. If Dennis the Menace were a girl, that would be my kid. She has a partner in crime in the form of a big, cream colored labrador. We've also got a black cocker spaniel, one freakishly large kitty, and one smaller orange kitty who drools when you pet him. I'm married to my high school sweetheart, and we pretty much lead a typical middle class American lifestyle.
Oh yeah. And I'm fat. I've struggled with varying stages of fat and slim since middle school. I've got all the tools to lose weight. I know what's healthy to eat (whole grains, lean meat, fruits and vegetables) and what's not (pizza, soda, entire sleeves of Oreos). I even convinced my husband to buy me an elliptical machine this past January so that I could fix this little fat problem. (It should be noted that my husband is one of those people who can eat whatever crap he wants whenever he wants, and never gain an ounce. If I didn't love him so much, I'd kind of hate him.)
I've been pounding away at that elliptical machine for months now. I've gone from barely being able to complete five minutes on the machine, to lasting for 45 minutes and burning 500 calories at a time. I've only lost six pounds. Dammit ass, you win again.
So, in an effort to further encourage myself, I've convinced my husband to let me sign up for a 5K (I'll get to the "let" in a minute) and I've convinced my niece to run it with me. (She's one of those people who's naturally tall and blond and slim and if I didn't love her so much, I'd kind of hate her.)
Here's the kicker. The 5K is at Walt Disney World. The entry fee is $100. I can't fail, or I'd have wasted six months and $100. It's called Mickey's Family Fun Run, and it's a Halloween themed race that runs through the Magic Kingdom. Awesome, right? We were going to Disney World anyway, and taking my niece with us as her High School graduation gift. It turns out this race is the day after we arrive. I know that I can be in good enough shape to run it by October if I work for it, and I'm ready to work for it.
I started my running program a few weeks ago. I don't have access to a treadmill, so I have to depend on the weather to cooperate. It hasn't been all that much, but I've still managed to go out a few times. I finally picked up a watch to time my runs. When we run the race, we have to maintain a 16 minute mile or we get swept. My last run was almost exactly a 16 minute mile (actually, 1 1/2 miles). I can certainly build on that to improve my time, and I need to work up to 3 miles, but I felt pretty good about it. The elliptical machine has made me a lot stronger, and I don't have nearly the amount of pain when I finish my runs as I did when I tried this in October. (Didn't go so well. Husband kept telling me I was going to hurt myself. He was right.)
Here's my training schedule:
Monday - Run
Tuesday - Elliptical
Wednesday - Weight training and yoga
Thursday - Run
Friday - Elliptical
Saturday - Long Run
Sunday - Off
The other secret is going to be maintaining my diet. I tend to not be very hungry during the day, and then overeat at dinner (and after). So I'm going to eat small meals more frequently. I also need to teach my body to tell the difference between hungry and thirsty. I'm pretty sure a lot of the times that I think I have the munchies what I really need is a glass of water. I know the things that I need to eat. I've read the books, I was even on Weight Watchers a few years ago. It's a good program for a lot of people, but it was the opposite for me. All you do is think about food on it. What you're eating, how many points are in it, how many you have left for the day. Not for me.
I'm also an emotional eater. I'm not particularly picky about which emotion either. Bored? Sad? Mad? Happy? Depressed? PMS? Gas? Doesn't matter. I've got to break that habit as well. Learn to celebrate with something other than food.
So, here we go. I've got to get healthier. I've got to get slimmer. I refuse to turn 30 in a few short years as a fat girl. No way. I'm not wasting all of my 20's as a fat girl. No way. Besides, at the end of this, I won't have any clothes that fit, and I'll need a whole new wardrobe, and shoes to match. Yes!
Okay. Here's me. I'm 27 years old. I'm a stay at home mom to a four year old little girl who is absolutely insane. If Dennis the Menace were a girl, that would be my kid. She has a partner in crime in the form of a big, cream colored labrador. We've also got a black cocker spaniel, one freakishly large kitty, and one smaller orange kitty who drools when you pet him. I'm married to my high school sweetheart, and we pretty much lead a typical middle class American lifestyle.
Oh yeah. And I'm fat. I've struggled with varying stages of fat and slim since middle school. I've got all the tools to lose weight. I know what's healthy to eat (whole grains, lean meat, fruits and vegetables) and what's not (pizza, soda, entire sleeves of Oreos). I even convinced my husband to buy me an elliptical machine this past January so that I could fix this little fat problem. (It should be noted that my husband is one of those people who can eat whatever crap he wants whenever he wants, and never gain an ounce. If I didn't love him so much, I'd kind of hate him.)
I've been pounding away at that elliptical machine for months now. I've gone from barely being able to complete five minutes on the machine, to lasting for 45 minutes and burning 500 calories at a time. I've only lost six pounds. Dammit ass, you win again.
So, in an effort to further encourage myself, I've convinced my husband to let me sign up for a 5K (I'll get to the "let" in a minute) and I've convinced my niece to run it with me. (She's one of those people who's naturally tall and blond and slim and if I didn't love her so much, I'd kind of hate her.)
Here's the kicker. The 5K is at Walt Disney World. The entry fee is $100. I can't fail, or I'd have wasted six months and $100. It's called Mickey's Family Fun Run, and it's a Halloween themed race that runs through the Magic Kingdom. Awesome, right? We were going to Disney World anyway, and taking my niece with us as her High School graduation gift. It turns out this race is the day after we arrive. I know that I can be in good enough shape to run it by October if I work for it, and I'm ready to work for it.
I started my running program a few weeks ago. I don't have access to a treadmill, so I have to depend on the weather to cooperate. It hasn't been all that much, but I've still managed to go out a few times. I finally picked up a watch to time my runs. When we run the race, we have to maintain a 16 minute mile or we get swept. My last run was almost exactly a 16 minute mile (actually, 1 1/2 miles). I can certainly build on that to improve my time, and I need to work up to 3 miles, but I felt pretty good about it. The elliptical machine has made me a lot stronger, and I don't have nearly the amount of pain when I finish my runs as I did when I tried this in October. (Didn't go so well. Husband kept telling me I was going to hurt myself. He was right.)
Here's my training schedule:
Monday - Run
Tuesday - Elliptical
Wednesday - Weight training and yoga
Thursday - Run
Friday - Elliptical
Saturday - Long Run
Sunday - Off
The other secret is going to be maintaining my diet. I tend to not be very hungry during the day, and then overeat at dinner (and after). So I'm going to eat small meals more frequently. I also need to teach my body to tell the difference between hungry and thirsty. I'm pretty sure a lot of the times that I think I have the munchies what I really need is a glass of water. I know the things that I need to eat. I've read the books, I was even on Weight Watchers a few years ago. It's a good program for a lot of people, but it was the opposite for me. All you do is think about food on it. What you're eating, how many points are in it, how many you have left for the day. Not for me.
I'm also an emotional eater. I'm not particularly picky about which emotion either. Bored? Sad? Mad? Happy? Depressed? PMS? Gas? Doesn't matter. I've got to break that habit as well. Learn to celebrate with something other than food.
So, here we go. I've got to get healthier. I've got to get slimmer. I refuse to turn 30 in a few short years as a fat girl. No way. I'm not wasting all of my 20's as a fat girl. No way. Besides, at the end of this, I won't have any clothes that fit, and I'll need a whole new wardrobe, and shoes to match. Yes!
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