So, although I've neglected this blog since May, I am happy to report that I have NOT neglected myself - I have remained on WW, taking a a break now and then, and have continued with the RYBO program, advancing to Stage 9 of the program. This means that during my "training runs," I now walk for 1 minute, run for 9 minutes, repeating this sequence two more times, ending with three minutes of walking for a total workout time of 33 minutes, 27 of which is running. In this time, I am covering between 2.7 and 3 miles, depending on how I'm feeling that day and/or the route I take.
I spent the summer diligently running, and in July I attempted another 5K. This was a race that I had run before, so I was not unfamiliar with the terrain. I knew about the hills/steady inclines, and I anticipated that, per ususal, it would be HOT out there - and it was. Throughout the race I perservered, and really "went the distance," (cliche I know, but it fits). I took only one walking break, in response to a nagging stitch in my side that just wouldn't quit. After mile 2 on the course, I was proud of myself for the first time in a long time - and I felt strong. I didn't break any records that day - not even my own. I finished in 36:39, and ran at an 11:50 pace, but the point was that I finished, and ran longer and farther than I had in a long time. At that point, I had only advanced to Stage 7 in the RYBO program. I was really challenging myself, and in doing so, I boosted my confidence, and my strengthened my desire to continue with the RYBO training program.
The summer came and went, and I kept running. On October 1st, I signed-up for another 5K - a 5K Fitness Challenge. The course included paved and dirt roads, and treacherous wooded trails, complete with tree roots, rocks, and wet, slippery leaves. This was different than anything I had ever done before - even in my "hey-day" when I was in top physical shape. What a workout it was. Trail running is a totally different experience than being out on the streets. Beautiful scenery, fresh air, but hazardous to your health if you don't watch where you're going. During my training runs, I always remain focused on an object in the distance - this, for me, really helps me maintain good running posture. This strategy is NOT an option on a trail run, unless you're feeling very lucky. I found myself staring down at my feet, watching for little obstacles in my way, and dodging them as neatly and quickly as I could. Only once did I stumble over some immovable object that was camoflaged by a blanket of fall leaves. I recovered quickly though, and went on to "sprint" through mud, and scale the steepest hill I had ever encountered on a race course. When I crossed the finish line, I was covered in mud and elated to learn that I had complete the course in 33:23 - in spite of the additional obstacles that I encoutered, I maintained a 10:46 pace - and I ran the entire time.
Unfortunately, as luck would have it, for the past several weeks I've been out of commission. I sustained some form of an injury to my right ankle (possibly the result of my stumble on the trail run). Sprain or stress fracture, I don't know...but I used an immobilization boot for a week, since walking without pain was not possible. In addition, I had a surgical procedure (not related to my ankle injury) which has further extended the length of my hiatus. Following doctor's orders, I will not be running until the third week of November. This means I'll be taking a total of seven weeks off from the sport with which I have fallen so in love. I feel like I'm going through a break up. But I'm not drowning my sorrows in ice cream or chocolate. As I count down the days, I am doing all I can to maintain a healthy diet until I can start running again. As it so happens, I had registered for a 5K being held in November, before I knew that I would be taking such an extended time off from training. It so happens that the race is being held on the first weekend I can officially start running again. So, I'm going to get out there and give it a go, taking it VERY easy - it will be my way of celebrating my return to the sport. I don't plan on running for time though - just to feel the street beneath my feet. I already paid the entry fee, so why not?
Finally, I'll mention that since starting this whole process of reinventing myself, I have lost 10.2 lbs. But that's nothing compared with the amount of confidence I've gained. Til' next time - happy trails.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Week 2 and WW - May, 2011
So, finally, I've taken the leap and gone on to the "Week 2 Workout" in RYBO. This has consisted of walking for four minutes/jogging (no faster than your walking pace) for one minute. So far, so good. I was having horrible shin splints when I first started out, but after seeking advice from seasoned runners, I have learned that all I needed to do was change my running route (and "ice, ice baby!"). Typically, I hit the streets in my neighborhood, but as I reside in a notoriously "hilly" section of my city, I had to find an alternative. Fortunately, there is a beautful "rail trail" in a neighboring community not too far from where I live. This trail is TOTALLY flat, not to mentioned tree-lined and traffic-free. Shin splint problem = solved.
As far as dieting, well, I'm down nearly 4lbs. I can't remember the last time that I had success with a weight loss effort. I have joined and been using the Weight Watchers Points Plus Program in addition to following the RYBO exercise program. The weight loss has been gratifying - but even more so, is how I feel after a walk/run. I really think that I'm Finally hitting my stride.
This is a post that I completed in May 2011 that I neglected to post. Since I'm back to blog a little more, I thought I'd post this and move on from here.
As far as dieting, well, I'm down nearly 4lbs. I can't remember the last time that I had success with a weight loss effort. I have joined and been using the Weight Watchers Points Plus Program in addition to following the RYBO exercise program. The weight loss has been gratifying - but even more so, is how I feel after a walk/run. I really think that I'm Finally hitting my stride.
This is a post that I completed in May 2011 that I neglected to post. Since I'm back to blog a little more, I thought I'd post this and move on from here.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Tired of Being Tired
A big piece of my new get-fit regime for me, is finding the energy that I always seem to lack. At 32, I am too young be as tired as I always seem to feel. Yesterday I visited my neuroendocronologist and discussed my feelings of overwhelming fatigue with him. We discussed the reasons why I might be feeling this way, and he decided to run some tests. It should take about a week before I get the results. In the meantime, I am trying my best to continue with my weight loss efforts, although I am finding it difficult to motivate myself to exercise as often as I should be. It's hard because I know that if I drop some poundage, I will feel more enthusiastic about exercise. Unfortunately, in order to lose weight, I need to exercise. So right now, I guess it's about will power - willing myself to get up off my butt and get moving. My pig-out sessions over Easter weekend are haunting me. Not much I can do about it now, but make today different.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Think Before You Eat
For the past several days, I've remained committed to my new routine. I've not felt overwhelmed, deprived, or cheated. I've been eating sensibly, and taking 30-minute long brisk walks with my sister. I've scaled back from running to walking since my 5K attempt, in keeping with the recommendations of "Run Your Butt Off." As I said in my previous blog, the approach to getting fit outlined in RYBO really makes sense to me. So, I'm gritting my teeth, holding back and taking this step-by-step to build up strength and stamina, as directed. Easier said than done. Who knew that forcing yourself not to run could be so tough? But I know that if I want to run faster and farther than I ever have before, I have to take this slow.
I've been logging my daily intake of food and drink - accounting for every drop and crumb that passes my lips. This has been very enlightening. Cognizant of the fact that I must account for everyting I eat, I am thinking before I put anything in my mouth. With this awareness, I've caught myself nibbling on a slice or two of deli cheese while making my husband's lunch for the following day, eating the pasta that stuck to the bottom of the colonder after I served portions out onto supper dishes, eating a couple of handfuls of cereal as I poured my breakfast bowl of cereal. Until now, I would wail "It's not fair! I don't go out and buy candy bars, or snack on chips like other people! Why can't I lose weight?" Now I see that all along I have been snacking like other people....consuming all those extra calories in between meals, and not even getting any real enjoyment out of it.
My new motto? Think before you eat. Make a conscious decision about eating - eat when you are hungry, chew slowly, and taste thoroughly
I've been logging my daily intake of food and drink - accounting for every drop and crumb that passes my lips. This has been very enlightening. Cognizant of the fact that I must account for everyting I eat, I am thinking before I put anything in my mouth. With this awareness, I've caught myself nibbling on a slice or two of deli cheese while making my husband's lunch for the following day, eating the pasta that stuck to the bottom of the colonder after I served portions out onto supper dishes, eating a couple of handfuls of cereal as I poured my breakfast bowl of cereal. Until now, I would wail "It's not fair! I don't go out and buy candy bars, or snack on chips like other people! Why can't I lose weight?" Now I see that all along I have been snacking like other people....consuming all those extra calories in between meals, and not even getting any real enjoyment out of it.
My new motto? Think before you eat. Make a conscious decision about eating - eat when you are hungry, chew slowly, and taste thoroughly
Saturday, March 26, 2011
The Starting Line
I'm a married mother of one (two counting my furry baby). I'm a nurse. I specialize in caring for people...and yet I really don't know how to take care of myself. At 32 years of age, I am in the worst physical shape of my life, and I have realized if I don't do something, and soon, I am resigning myself to a life of poor health and unhappiness. Because right now, I am unhappy - about the way I look and the way I feel.
I graduated from nursing school in May of 2009 - during the 3 years it took to complete my degree, I put off exercising, pulled all-nighters, and paid little attention to what I was eating. I figured once I had completed my degree, I could focus on myself. But, life had other plans for me - in August of 2009, I learned that I was pregnant with my first child. And unfortunately, it was not an easy pregnancy. I was working in my first RN position, and with the stress that brought, combined with the ill effects of my pregnancy, I was in no shape to be exercising. Focus on myself? Nope - I had to focus on my patients and my pregnancy, and I expended all of my energy just trying to make through a typical work day. I worked M-F, 9 to 5, with an hour commute each way. My position was that of visiting nurse - so I spent my days sitting in traffic, driving to appointments, and pulling off the road in between the latter and the former to either get sick (my "morning sickness" lasted throughout my pregnancy, and was not confined to the morning), or hit a drive-thru.
When I got home at night my "exercise routine" consisted of dropping onto the couch, and picking up the phone to call for take-out. I was very committed to this routine - I did it every day for 9 months. Unfortunately, it now shows.
So, what to do now? I need to commit to a new routine - I need to get off my couch, lose the numbers to my favorite take-out spots, and start making better choices, so I can feel better about myself. The day before yesterday, the book "Run Your Butt Off: A Breakthrough Plan to Lose Weight and Start Running (No Experience Necessary)" arrived in the mail. I had ordered it from Amazon after I noticed a friend (who has an amazing weight loss story of her own) "Liked" it on Facebook. I've read through it, and what it has to say makes sense (to me anyway). The writers support not "dieting" but making lifestyle changes to achieve weight loss goals. It also talks about taking small, slow steps toward becoming a successful runner. My most recent attempt at a 5K resulted in a 36:24 finish - it was a hard run, and I realize that the extra pounds that I'm carrying weighed me down. Having read this book, what do I now envision for myself? A lighter me, who floats across a finish line after running a 5K in 30 minutes. This blog will tell my story as I do my best to reach that finish line.
Me, at the Fritty 5K finish - March 20, 2011
I graduated from nursing school in May of 2009 - during the 3 years it took to complete my degree, I put off exercising, pulled all-nighters, and paid little attention to what I was eating. I figured once I had completed my degree, I could focus on myself. But, life had other plans for me - in August of 2009, I learned that I was pregnant with my first child. And unfortunately, it was not an easy pregnancy. I was working in my first RN position, and with the stress that brought, combined with the ill effects of my pregnancy, I was in no shape to be exercising. Focus on myself? Nope - I had to focus on my patients and my pregnancy, and I expended all of my energy just trying to make through a typical work day. I worked M-F, 9 to 5, with an hour commute each way. My position was that of visiting nurse - so I spent my days sitting in traffic, driving to appointments, and pulling off the road in between the latter and the former to either get sick (my "morning sickness" lasted throughout my pregnancy, and was not confined to the morning), or hit a drive-thru.
When I got home at night my "exercise routine" consisted of dropping onto the couch, and picking up the phone to call for take-out. I was very committed to this routine - I did it every day for 9 months. Unfortunately, it now shows.
So, what to do now? I need to commit to a new routine - I need to get off my couch, lose the numbers to my favorite take-out spots, and start making better choices, so I can feel better about myself. The day before yesterday, the book "Run Your Butt Off: A Breakthrough Plan to Lose Weight and Start Running (No Experience Necessary)" arrived in the mail. I had ordered it from Amazon after I noticed a friend (who has an amazing weight loss story of her own) "Liked" it on Facebook. I've read through it, and what it has to say makes sense (to me anyway). The writers support not "dieting" but making lifestyle changes to achieve weight loss goals. It also talks about taking small, slow steps toward becoming a successful runner. My most recent attempt at a 5K resulted in a 36:24 finish - it was a hard run, and I realize that the extra pounds that I'm carrying weighed me down. Having read this book, what do I now envision for myself? A lighter me, who floats across a finish line after running a 5K in 30 minutes. This blog will tell my story as I do my best to reach that finish line.
Me, at the Fritty 5K finish - March 20, 2011
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