Endorphins how I LOVE thee!

Seriously nothing is better than a workout that gives you that LONG endorphin high! Today was the first time I attempt P90X Plyometrics since surgery. Honestly, I was skeered going into it, but told myself that if I couldn't do it I'd quick pop in Legs & back instead [I'm doing it for a leg & cardio workout combined]. So I had an awesome workout, needless to say, the long after endorphin high and was thinking... NO matter how long, how hard I've RAN or did the elliptical I never got an endorphin high from those, EVER. If I'm to set my head on running a friggin marathon and I don't get endorphins it might just be near impossible. I think this is why I LOVED P90X and INSANITY so much, ENDORPHINS! Insanity was the most endorphins since almost all the workouts are plyo, I think that's the key for me, so sad!!!

Before surgery I never sweated that much either, I hope it's my metabolism cuz I have goals that need to get MET!

On facebook I started a new photo album I ended up naming "Getting back to ME at 30, accountability". Last weekend I turned 30 and this is a way for me to better myself, physically AND mentally (I have had issues for a long while with eating). This sweaty pic was the first one in it, of course. I'm hoping to do a weekly pic, they don't need to be same pose (that'd be BORING, okay?!), just a little extra something and my 1400+ "friends" to be able to see. I am really struggling here & there and want to work this fat off so fast but I totally am missing Insanity *POUT* I will stay strong though. Tomorrow morning stat check and maybe even some easier cardio. Now I will forever be looking forward to Plyo days!

Food and food!

These are things I bought for my upcoming non-cheat cheat days :) Delicious blueberry waffles, sugar free chocolate pudding (with active cultures even), sugar free cool whip for the pudding, ff cheese, whole wheat sandwich thins & original BOCA burgers for yummy burgers, and a melon package cuz I've been craving some melon! Actually I forgot to add the light string cheese I bought too when I busted this all out for a pic. I'm actually looking forward to this!

I eat really non-processed (not totally strict like people can get, but still). I'm hoping stuff like this will help me refrain from actually cheating because I have not been able to get cheat days in check. I have one morsel of refined sugar or white flour (any form) and I go nuts, it's really really sad.



That is my typical daily food intake 6 days a week (roughly), well this is the new plan I started doing on Monday. If I need more I add in a couple ounces of chicken. I am really tired of not making much progress so now the freaking game is ON!

Freaking intervals!

So today's run (prescribed 2.5 miles) workout went like this: 5 mins walk @ 4.0 mph, jog @ 6.0 mph for 8 mins, then three times through of [1 minute each] 6.0 mph, 6.2, 6.4, 6.6. I wanted to do one more set of those intervals but I wouldn't have been able to finish so the last 5 minutes were 6.0 mph. Then I walked very very slow for 2.5 mins to cool down & got on my elliptical for 20. I'm not sure if my body is really ready for intense intervals yet, so I'm not going to push too much.

A couple days ago when I was doing an extra elliptical session I thought I was bonking in the middle of it (running out of energy) because all of a sudden it felt like I was running through knee deep mud instead of the easy breezy smooth sailing of minimum resistance (ha). Well after doing extra on it yesterday I found out it adjusted it's own resistance (aka it's getting old & I think I knocked something loose) so at least it wasn't just me getting worse or something lol.

Speaking of yesterday, I did an extra 30 mins elliptical and some abs and it was good. I'm hoping I see some changes this week. Hey I'm up to 7.5 miles a week (running) that's not toooo shabby :) Next week will be more then the next week will be the 5Ks. I'm possibly cutting out intervals altogether just to be able to do the time jogging "easy".

Moving on up

Or something like that. Yesterday was another C25K day. I did 3 slight intervals, my body isn't so ready to push more but I'll keep trying to do more every time. 5 min warm up then 1 min each of: 6.0 mph, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, & 6.4 3 times for 15 mins, then 10 mins @ a 10 min mile to finish off the called for time/distance. Then I went to max incline & walked & did a full hour. Midday I did half hr elliptical which was 2 mins forward 1 min backward (10 times).

This morning was P90X chest, shoulders, tris for the first time in forever also. It was good! That workout always makes my iffy wrist sore but my body needed a change. That's about all I got for now. Midday I'll probably hit the elliptical then do some crunches I think.

Whoops...

Yeah I keep forgetting to blog, probably mostly because I'm not feeling like how I used to in that I was super motivated, etc.

Saturday morning with Hubby on nights I missed my workout because the youngest woke up and was hard to get back to sleep. SO I did P90X shoulders & arms Sunday morning (and I won't do that workout again for a month). I took pics & starting stats for a 12 week challenge, not too bad but definitely nowhere near where I really want to be. It's all very discouraging with not losing weight, but I have to keep going so that I can at least get a running base to build on and so on.

Yesterday was C25K w7d1 which was run 2.5 miles or 25 mins (that's what all the runs are this week). I was tired ALL day because I don't sleep well with him on nights and every passing day it gets worse. Around 1 I made myself get it done though, regardless. At first I felt strong so I did slight intervals 1 min each: 6.0 mph, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4 did that twice (10 mins) but realized there was no way I'd be able to do the full 25 mins so I just did the last 15 mins @ 6.0 mph. Then I did 25 on the elliptical.

Today I did P90X back & bi's and man that is killer! I haven't done that since before surgery so I know I'll be feeling it!

Plan for the next 4 weeks is during my clean 6 days a week eating the processed foods I eat will be the ingredients for my protein bars (oats will be with breakfast too): whey protein powder, non-fat powdered milk, natty pb, old fashioned oats. The rest will be lean proteins & veggies. Hopefully this will get things moving! I can't commit to my old "cheat days", every time I try to skip a cheat I end up caving & feeling guilty, so I'm not sure what I'm going to do there yet. I would love to be eating clean, just not as strict, more processed foods, more carbs, fruits and the like and not really having anything wholly bad, but we'll see.

TGIF!

Yesterday I did a full body workout courtesy of Power 90 Sculpt 3-4. I went up in some weights which was good to feel some progress, and I could've gone up in weights on more (which I will do next time the workout is repeated, IF it is that is).

This morning was w6d3 C25K which ended up being pretty easy. It was just run 2.5 miles or 25 mins. I ran it at a 10 min/mile pace (since it's the first time I'm doing this distance) and it was pretty easy. Then I did 20 mins on the elliptical just to burn a little more. Next weeks' runs are all the same as today, so goal will be to do the 25 mins but progress to doing it all at 9:40 min/mile. I'm thinking Monday I'll alternate speeds and whatnot.

I'm really glad that we have power & nothing outside was damaged! We had BAD t-storms last night & tornado sirens were blaring & the center of it on the map? Oh that was centered over our freakin HOUSE! So yeah, I was glad power stayed on so I could workout this morning haha.

Just keep swimming

Yesterday I did P90X legs & back again, still a very good workout. I'm better at it.

This morning was couch to 5K week 6 day 2 which was 5 min warm-up then: run 10 mins, walk 3, run 10. I did the runs at a 9:40/mile pace. I started to get a side stitch on the 2nd run about halfway through but I slowed down for a minute (just a hair), stretched & said things in my head and it went away. So I picked the pace back up and the last minute of that I did 7 mph for the heck of it, good stuff. Then I walked slow for 2 mins then stepped up the incline to 12% and walked. I did a full hour.

That's about all my update for now. I got the tracking information that my body fat monitor is on its way, so that's good. Soon I'll feel like I have more direction. Friday it should be a 2.5 mile run (which will be slightly longer since I'm going for time not distance), and very very soon I'll be up to 5K & not feel bad anymore!

Couch to 5K week 6

Looking at the C25K program I saw that this is the last week with walk breaks during the prescribed runs (only today & Wednesday), so I decided to take advantage of it and step up my pace a wee bit so that I can get the FULL 3.1 miles in 30 minutes when it's time for me to run that in 3 weeks. Up until now I was just building a base getting used to jogging again and now that I know I am good to go I can push a little more. So today's prescribed workout was 5 min warm-up then: run 5 mins, walk 3, run 8 mins, walk 3, run 5 mins. I did all that with the runs at 9:40 mile pace then I walked until 45 minutes utilizing the full amount of the incline [no, I didn't want to get on the elliptical ha]. So that was good & easy.

Hubby wanted to surprise me, but I guess he just decided to spill the beans early. My b-day present will be spending $$$ at the sporting goods store =) I'm easy, ha.

Anyway, so the next step with running after the C25K is up will be adding in another day of running per week. At least one outside run a week, some speed intervals, hill training & slowly adding on distance on a long run. I don't know anything about running, but I'm gonna pretend like I do ;)

GAME ON!

Right now I'm starting the 1 month no cheats. It might possibly extend longer than that depending on how I feel. As SOON as my Ezekiel bread is used up I shall buy no more. Time to go psycho with the diet, I am finally ready after being on track for 5 weeks. Don't get me wrong, I'm pretty happy with how I look, I just want to be LEAN and stay there, and I will.

Today was originally supposed to be rest day, but I woke up early so I wanted to get on the elliptical. I've been crazy bored with going the same pace/speed this past month (plus I had some anger to work out) so I did some crazy HIIT. I haven't done HIIT since before surgery and it was freaking awesome! No issues with it, nothing, just me going hard, sweating & breathing harder, it was fabulous. So now that I finally felt the strength, power & speed [once again] I really do have things will be moving along quickly and I am more motivated. The Couch to 5K workouts will stay as prescribed and when I get there I will start using the tready for HIIT & run outside once in a while.

So, anyhow, tomorrow week 6 C25K starts (it's only 9 weeks). I will impatiently await news on the body fat monitor and step up my stinking game. I feel great! BRING IT!

More progress and random thoughts

This morning I did P90X shoulders & arms, did more reps at the higher weights that I had done last time. I even tried out some easy standing ab work and I CAN do that without things bugging me. So I figure come Monday I will call Doc and see if I am allowed to do some light ab stuff now. I won't retry a plank for a while, I do miss doing things that incorporated more muscles for sure. One day I'll get back there, whenever enough scar tissue has built up.

I have been coming up with a plan of attack lately too. I bought a body fat analyzer online and as soon as that gets here I will do a 12 week challenge type thing to getting back to my former awesomeness. So until I get that I will keep doing the workouts that I have been doing (which I really can't complain about since they really have rehabilitated me and I'm finally feeling ready for me). Then things will be a changing! I will be doing more P90X routines like back & bi's, & chest, shoulders & tri's. I'm thinking fat will be melting off & I will feel better.

Next weekend I hit the big 30, when your metabolism is said to start dropping and the like. Hubby will be working nights, so we celebrated early bad foods abound. I dealt with the aftermath, but it's no big deal. I figure I'm going to start a clean eating challenge with myself (if anyone wants to join in that's cool). I figure as a present to ME I will go a whole month without cheats. Now that I put that out here for everyone to see, I shall do just that. Now I will have little weekly treats like ff/sf pudding or whatnot, but I'm extra cleaning up the eats the rest of the week and then on until I'm exactly where I want to be body fat wise. That means reinstating my old no dairy, no sauce, and so on rules (except the one day a week I allow myself to feel like I'm "cheating" without the added fat & sugar & white flour & the like).

Yay

This morning was Couch to 5K prescribed run 2 miles & I did it, easy peasy. I'm not going for faster time, I'm just going at an easy 10 min mile pace until I'm up to 5K, then some days I'll do speed intervals, other days I'll do hill intervals & whatnot. Soon, very soon :)

Boooo to colds!

This morning I did Power 90 sculpt 3-4 which is a full body workout. It's quite good actually & I wasn't looking forward to squats & lunges with a sore booty! I did that then 30 mins elliptical.

After today though, until I'm over this cold crap that my girls gave me, I'm not adding on ANY extra cardio beyond the prescribed C25K workouts and the lifting I'm doing. I need more rest to kick it.

This weekend my cheat day will be horribly evil, ha! My b-day is next weekend but Hubby will be working nights, so I decided we'd celebrate this weekend instead. There shall be some cheesecake involved, pizza, and some alcohol ssshhh. Mommy never drinks, but she deserves a few once in a dang while! And I'm going into a new decade, so yes I shall drink :P

So it's easier...

The running thing, that is. I was so looking forward to the time when it got like this. Now my C25K workouts won't make me want to die anymore :) Today was week 5 day 2 which was 5 min warm-up then: run 8 mins, walk 5 mins, run 8 mins which felt very easy for some reason. I kept saying "easy" to myself in my head when jogging, I swear it helps. So then I walked for 4 mins & followed up with 25 mins on the elliptical. Good stuffs. I'm ready for Friday's 2 miler :) Bring it!

P90X Legs & Back

Done again, more reps on the pull-downs, feeling stronger. I'm thinking I might hit the elliptical around noon for something extra. Gotta strip this fat off somehow!

My girls are both sick and on antibiotics now. I have their congestion symptom & have been taking Mucinex. But I'm not coughing like they have been, so maybe I'll be lucky *crossing fingers* Anyway my thing is as long as I don't have a fever I can keep going, so I will. It's not like I'm doing HIIT or anything, so I will keep going as I feel like it.

I also decided it's too weird for me having rest days on Fridays, so I'm shifting this week to my regular Sundays. That's about all I got for now.

Bring it ON!

I am totally convinced the Couch to 5K program is the BEST way anyone can build up from not running to being able to a wee bit. It must be the very best beginner program out there. I'm sure most people who want to get into running do too much too fast & it takes a toll on the body, so they use the aches & pains excuses as to why they can't/won't keep running. Well this is made for minimal pains, especially is you fuel properly, take any vitamins you made need, and so on.

Today I did week 5 day 1 workout which is a 5 min walk warm-up then: run 5 mins, walk 3 mins, run 5 mins, walk 3 mins, run 5, then I did a 4 min walk cool-down & hit the elliptical for 30 mins. I was even smiling during some of the running, juust sayin.

It was freaking awesomely easy! That felt sooo good for it to be EASY when I know this week is pretty pivotal. The next workout is 1 more minute of running total but only one walk break, then the one after that is 2 miles straight (next week is harder, and so on). I am finally feeling like I CAN do this. I might not be great or fast, but I can do it.

Getting there

This morning I did P90X shoulders & arms again. I was finally able to get to an old weight on one of the bicep moves & got pretty happy about that (but not as many reps as I used to). I also went up weight in one of the delt moves as well. I'm almost lifting what I used to before sx so I'm feeling better! I'm starting to feel positive (at least) that this building back up to what I had been is going well. I know I won't be able to do core work for quite a while (I'm hoping come September I'll be released to do some again), but I'm getting happier about what I can do now. I do miss the feeling of being an athlete & hope I get that feeling again soon. I'm thinking when I can run a 5K I will feel tons better, and I'm not so far off on that (just about a month). I'll get there, soon!

Take THAT!

Mmmmhmmm! Couch to 5K week 4 hath finally been concluded =) I went to do it this morning, didn't want to but decided on it instead of lifting. Well it was easy peazy! No wanting to die, hurl, or even slow down. No killer side stitches, just J running & walking. Soon there shall be only walking in warm-up and cool down. Just sayin.

Bring on week 5! I'm READY to start solid longer running blocks. Yes yes!

On a side note, I got the new workout clothes yesterday and OMFG is moisture wicking freaking INCREDIBLE! Screw all my old crappy stuff, that's getting burned ASAP! Sorry Hubby, but I'm gonna be spending more $$$, juuust sayin XD

Progress NOT perfection!

I need to continuously remind myself that we should be focused on progress, not perfection. As long as I do continually get better, I am getting closer to my goals.

This morning I did a repeat of the C25K week 4 prescribed workout. This time I didn't contemplate death by falling off treadmill. I didn't wonder if I'd purge the water I drank before. Before the last 5 minute run, though, I did get a side stitch. During the 90 sec walk period before that I stretched, slowed a lot, tried my best & got it to disappear momentarily. I tried to convince myself that I could make it, it was really really hard. The last 2 minutes of that last bit started hurting a LOT, but I figured I could push through and I did. So, plan is to keep up this run until I can do it without pleading for my life or side stitches. Just sayin... It was 5 min warm-up then twice through of: run 3 mins, walk 90 sec, run 5 mins, walk 2.5 mins.

I'm so looking forward to resting tomorrow :)

Another day....

I went old school since I was tired of repeating the same workouts... Power 90 sculpt 3-4, a full body workout done in 4 circuits. It's actually quite good! I forgot about it :) I started with a good sweat from 10 mins on the elliptical. I went up in weight on bent-over rows, everything was really good.

One more day, one more C25K workout then I can "rest" for a day and keep going. It's not easy to keep going, but I know how things would be if I quit, and I don't want to go there. It'll be worth it & one day (hopefully soon) I'll start having my old bad @$$ attitude about it all again.

Oy!

Okay so this running stuff is hard for beginners (or those who do not run lol). With the last running I did being easy I figured I'd go to the week 4 workouts & be fine, omg um no. I must've forgotten I'm building up from not being terribly out of shape again, oy! Week 4 Couch to 5K prescribed workout: 5 min warm-up then run 3 mins, walk 90 sec, run 5 mins, walk 2.5 min repeat that run/walk sequence a 2nd time. Well the last 5 min run I wanted to die. I wanted to let myself fall off the tready then just lie in a bloody heap on the concrete basement floor... what? Okay maybe I didn't want that pain, but I sure as heck wanted to quit, felt like I was going to vomit etc. but I made it every stinkin second. And DANG IT next time I won't feel so bad doing it, it'll be easier! Then when I finished that & did a sloooow walking cool down I said EFF IT I'm going on the elliptical and getting in some time even if all I wanna do is go crash on the floor or couch or whatever. So I did 20 on the elliptical, stretched & ate. And I am here to tell the story, so I'm alive. HA! I don't want green lungs anymore, phew.

Another day, same ol...

This morning was P90X legs & back which was great! I am stronger & more flexible. I did more pull-downs (not sure if I'll eventually try pull-ups or just not). I almost didn't get it in because Aubrey walked out of her room at 4:30 again, but luckily I got her sleeping in 10 minutes and was able to go down there and get the workout in, barely.

DOMS will most likely be minimal now since I'm used to the movements again, but I still really like the workout & lots of sweating it induces :) It was near impossible to eat all I needed to yesterday. Not due to lack of appetite, I just could hardly force it all in (really TOM sucks!), but I did. We don't need me in starvation mode, we needs to keep the calories up enough to shrink da booty!

Anyway, tomorrow more running :)

Getting better =)

Sooo... This morning's prescribed C25K workout was: 5 min walk warm-up, then run 90 sec, walk 90 sec, run 3 min, walk 3 min go through that twice. What I did was warm-up then: run 90 sec, walk 90 sec, run 3 min, walk 2 min repeat 3 times :) Then I hit the elliptical for a faster 30 mins. So next run day I'll skip to week 4. It seems that mile run I did sure helped speed things up. Toward the end of my workout silliness crept in my head. All of a sudden I saw myself turn my head to my bestie on the westie & saw how we were running the last mile in our marathon & I grinned big & started kicking up the speed LMAO, really like 11 months away? Okay, I'm crazy, I already know that. I can already see myself doing it though, weird that it seems so easily possible but I've never run more than 5 miles at once.

When I was done working out I had a bloody sock. Dang my crazy toes, this happens to me time to time when I'm running regularly. One of my toes cuts the one next to it, whoops. It doesn't hurt. I'm also getting a baby blister on the pinky toe that I've broken repeatedly lol. I popped it so it shouldn't grow more, it also doesn't hurt.

HA also the freaking fabulous monthly "gift" came, so now I know I can't be upset about stats that I took on Friday. Hopefully it won't be more than one bad day, and now I'm looking more forward to upcoming stats since things will be less.

Here we go!

I TOTALLY cheated way too much yesterday. From now on cheats will be strictly limited to ONE meal because more is NOT worth the after effects! Because of the bloat and whatnot I decided not to run today. This morning I did P90X shoulders & arms, with typical weights & very high rep (can't go heavier yet). I did the full video too. This afternoon I got in a half hour elliptical session to work off some of the bloat and MAN did it feel great! This morning it probably would've made me want to hurl, stupid bad food hangover, ick!

So I'm totally stoked to start running and I don't even know why, maybe it's just having some sort of concrete goal. I do wish I had someone to DO it with (in person), but regardless I'm happy LOL and I can't even run yet. Maybe after I finish the Couch to 5K program I'll be a runner, maybe. Before Hubby had given me an extra monthly allowance (incentive for staying on track when the going gets rough) so I've now decided that $$$ will be for running gear LOL! Today I ordered a hat, shorts & 2 shirts. I figured as soon as I hit the 5K distance I will start making it out on the road for weekly runs, then come fall I can be outside 3 times a week easy regardless of DH's schedule.

I think I can make that 5K race. It's Sep 25th, it should be on the Saturday of his monthly week off. It's only a half hour drive away, so he should even be able to bring the girls down & make it a family thing & my first race can be cheered by my lovies ;) I think it's perfect to get a race feel, and it's better for my first because it's pretty small (just a 5K and a 3K). It's pretty much the only one I can run before the end of the year (because of his schedule & not being able to travel etc.). I'm not even 100% sure if I will be able to do it because his plant should start this insane thing called an outage either end of September or beginning of October. I'm really really hoping for October, just sayin'.

That's enough babbling for today. Adios!

Patience...

Is soooooo very very hard! Especially when you are me and used to being able to push yourself to all extremes on workouts... It's sooo hard following the sloooow Couch to 5K program but I know I KNOW, it's for the best.

So you have ME Miss I've never liked running, I will not run, I won't ever race... Ego put in check for surgeries & a friend 3000 miles away (I'm guessing lol) says HEY I bet you can't do a marathon with me next June... Yeah, I can't not agree to that. Worst comes to worst I do half. I bet I can go the distance.

Anyway so I'm trudging along on the C25K now, I picked up this awesome book on training for a marathon, read it and am now super jazzed to see what I can do. Main problem? I can't run 3 miles yet LMFAO, and I have to go, slowly progressing, and so on and so forth. But I don't want to hurt myself, sooo I'll grudgingly keep building up :)

I found a 5K run pretty close to us end of September, that falls on Hubby's monthly week off, so I'm gonna try to do it! I figured if I'm running a big race next year I might as well do a couple before so that it is not the first time I experience the race atmosphere. Soooo.... Yep. Tomorrow is rest day, then I will start blogging the boring daily workouts start Saturday, and try to be excited about jog/walking aka wogging, ha. Adios!