Today I was motivated to run, but I hate the process of getting to the gym. It involves getting two little boys ready, and dropping them off at preschool just to get in a workout and pick them up again. My oldest attends a Pre-K program out in town, and my youngest goes to a preschool/daycare. While my oldest is on Winter Break, I can drop him off for $3/hr at the little one's school. It works out well.
Getting to the gym this morning involved missing "Days of Our Lives" (soap opera.) I can hear the groans already...LOL. I missed it yesterday because I was at the gym, so I hoped to catch the repeat at 10am today. Oh well. ;o) I am not a big TV watcher during the day, but that is the one show I watch before 7pm.
Since I am really concentrating on making exercise a priority, I made it to the gym. In the past, exercise was the first thing I would ditch if I had to run an errand while the boys were in school. It seems like any little excuse would get me off the hook for going to the gym that day. I still got in at least two workouts per week, but 2 is hardly the 3-4 I aimed for.
It probably sounds so wrong, as a fat chick, to say this...but I am DREADING January at the gym. The month of January creates a swarm of go-getters, who luckily for me, seem to disappear in February. The machines will be full, and when you do get on a machine you will be limited to 30min because they are so busy. The cardio room at the gym will be full, and will get so muggy. The good ol' gym on base is about ready to be replaced. Hopefully the new one has better circulation...LOL.
That brings me to Guam's weather. It SUCKS! I HATE IT! We are only 10 degrees north of the equator. It is 85-95 year round, with HIGH humidity. Guam is a beautiful island, with a great culture and lots to do, especially if you love the outdoors. I enjoy it except for the weather and the fact that it is SO far from Colorado. It was so bad the other day, that a friend of mine who does half-marathons could only do 2 miles before it was too much for him. Crazy. If you want to run outdoors here, you pretty much have to do it first thing in the AM or at dusk. The darker the better....LOL Hearing about the blizzards back home in Colorado, where I was born and raised, made me incredibly homesick. I envy all of you that get to go running when there is snow on the ground. I would be perfectly happy if I lived somewhere, where it never got above 70 degrees!!!!
I wouldn't say this attempt to lose weight is a New Year's Resolution. I seem to start on a new venture every month or so. I have gained and lost the same 10-15 pounds about 10 times this year. Sad thing is, I am not kidding. Losing 10-15lbs is a piece of cake. More than that should be just as easy, if only I didn't start giving myself some slack after those first 10-15lbs. All of my attempts to eat healthy in the past have failed after giving myself a 'free day' and not getting back on track the next day.
Wow, I am a rambler.....
Anyways, I took some suggestions and slowed down my run. When I posted on Day 1 that I can run 3/4-1 mile, that is at a 10min/mile pace. I slowed to a 11.5min/mile pace and was able to run 1.28 miles in 15min before I had to slow to a walk. I then pushed myself to do 2 miles in 24:45 with a combination of walking and running at a 6-7mph pace. My legs were SO tired after that...LOL. I walked another 1/2 mile, then planned on doing 1 mile on the elliptical. I could only do 1/2 mile on the elliptical because I was THAT tired.
One thing I have noticed is it is my legs that get tired and that is what is causing me to slow down to a walk before my breathing does. I guess it is to be expected when I am carrying all this weight around. I told my husband to imagine strapping 75lbs on his back and running. He said he couldn't do it. I know I couldn't if I was another 75lbs heavier. I am trying to visualize how much better it will feel and how much easier it will be to run without the extra weight.
I was a little sore when I got home. Usually, when I get sore, it is 2 days after the exercise. This was different for me. I went ahead and took the dog on a 1mi brisk walk this evening to help loosen up enough to stretch again. I am taking tomorrow as a rest day, though I may do another walk tomorrow evening.
Day Three - 4 miles
___________
10:30am - 2.5 miles run/walk - 34:30 total (first two miles in 24:45)
- .5 miles on elliptical trainer
-Same strength training as yesterday, but with slightly lighter weight. (BTW, I am supposed to do strength training for my knee 2-3 times a week for pre-op physical therapy, hence the repeated exercises)
8:30pm - 1mi brisk walk
I ate well today. I came in around 1750 calories. I was given a suggestion to up my calories. While I feel afraid to jump to 2000 calories because for the past few years I have tried 1500, I think I wrap my mind around 1750.
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5 comments:
You're doing a great job. Keep up the good work. I can tell by your tone that you ARE motivated. You'll fit those workouts in. Perhaps there are things you can do at home, so you don't have to load up the kiddos?
Way to get it done!!!
Jenn,
You are doing great!!! Your attitude is good and with help from online friends, I am sure you will maintain the positive attitude.
Let you tell you my story as it may help you in your quest. In early March 2005 I tipped the scale at 201... it does not sound that aweful but on a 5'-6", slight frame it was enough to qualify me as obese. I resolved to do something about it. I tried running but with the extra weight and my lack of conditioning I could not do it; so I walked, a lot. On week days I would put in 45 - 60 minutes on the treadmill every morning, walk 3 miles at lunch, and, twice a week, I would go to the gym to lift weights. On weekends I would put in 60 - 90 minutes on the stairstepper at home.
I also changed my eating habits. It was typical for me to skip breakfast and lunch then gorge myself at dinner (3,000+ calories at one sitting). I adopted the plan to eat small meals 5-6 times a day. But I did not give up my 2 beers a day :)
Nine months later I was 40# lighter but continued my work out routine (it had become a part of me). By Feb 2006, the treadmill was set at 4.5 mph and an incline of 15% but my heart rate would not stay above 125 bpm so I began running. Let me tell you, running without that extra 40#+ made a world of difference.
Today I am down 45# (and maintaining) and running 40 - 45 miles a week.
I guess this is my long winded way of saying that you too can accomplish your goals. Recognize that it is a long process; 2 years is what you can anticipate (1-2 pounds per week) if you take the weight off slowly as is recommended for keeping it off later. Also, life WILL get in the way... and that is okay; don't beat yourself up over it just keep plugging away. You are a mother of young kids so there will be times where scheduling your workout will be difficult... but find ways to work it in; you are doing this as much for your children as for yourself. You are a wife with all the obligations that entails... but keep in mind that the transformation you are shooting for will enhance your relationship with your husband in the long run.
I know you can acheive your goal... I will be here to provide moral support.
By the way... I am SablePantere on the Runner's World forums.
I think my eyes got about a 1/4 mile in today just reading this lol, but it's great to see you pushed through the barriers and got it done. So often with kids we set our own lives aside not really realizing how important it is to take care of ourselves so we'll be available for them. Especially as they get a little older and want you to play all of the time:)
Have Fun:)
I know what you mean about the "horrible" weather in Guam. I put on some weight there because it was just too damn hot to ever go out and run. I don't know how I managed to stay in shape for soccer. Maybe you should end your runs near a beach, so you can just jump right in to cool off. That's something I should have tried.
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