The Updates-Not So Good

I haven't updated in a long time. One, because having three blogs is ridiculous for me, and two, because my knee pain has crossed the line from annoying to dehabilitating. I got an MRI done and bascially have "runner's knee". I went to the physical therapist and after a bit of work, realized that I also have IB band issues. As I am trying to save money for the stupid house right now, I have to wait for a little bit before I go to the orthopedist. I have so many issues with my allergies right now that this is my last priority. So I will probably just get rid of this site, but thought I'd formally say goodbye.

I miss you so much running. I really really do. And every month when I get my Runner's World, I just get more upset. Our love affair wasn't long enough, and I took you for granted when I had you.

Back to the Grind

Last night’s run did not go very well. Calling a run is an overstatement. I jogged at 6 mph for about 3 ½ minutes before feeling like I was going to die. I had all sort of side stitch pains and it was really hot in the workout room. I have been plagued with allergies and sinus issues this week, but I was thinking I’d follow the “no excuses plan” and go anyway. I left after 15 minutes because I had to tinkle so badly I thought I would die, but it was really disheartening. I was starting on week 4 of the Couch to 5k plan, and I’m wondering if I should just start it all over again. Yet, I don’t know that its necessary to start with 60 seconds on 90 seconds off, because even I am stronger than that right now. I feel like I’m dying/hyperventilating though, so maybe I should go back even further. This is just more proof on why you shouldn’t stop running in the first place because it is always harder when you get back into it.

I signed up for the Army 10 Miler in October, and my friend Lindsay was going to join me, but two hours later when she tried to sign up it was sold out, so I guess I’ll be running solo…with 25,999 other people.

I need to get this weight off, I need to keep it off, and I need to match my healthier eating with a healthier physical lifestyle as well.

Running, Jogging, Walking Fast

I have started making time for running again. I keep getting down on myself for not running consistently, but I have to forgive myself for being tied up with school and other obligations. I ran for the first time in a long time on Tuesday and I found that my running was a little better than I'd expected, considering it had been so long and I'm 35 lbs heavier. I'm going to start on week 4 of the Couch to 5k plan to help me get back into it safely and effectively. I'm going to run again today even though I'm tired and don't want to, I know I'll be miserable all week if I don't do it.

I'm so sick of this yo-yo weight and assorted b.s.

No More Lazy Bones!

It has been awhile since I’ve focused on fitness. Although I have been focusing on my eating habits, I have been almost exponentially gaining weight these last few weeks and months. This is a sure sign that I need to increase my physical activity, and despite the fact that I am busy, I am never too busy for my health and welfare.

I signed up for the Jingle Bell Run/Walk this Saturday. What’s really funny is I was a team captain last year and I ran it and was cute, small and adorable. This year, I am walking it, and am not cute, fat, and way less adorable, and will not have a team of fitness gurus. I will, however, be walking with the girl I met at some road races last year, so it will be nice to talk to her and make some fitness goals together.

I am so embarrassed of the weight that I have put on, and unfortunately that shame hasn’t been motivating me to take action. It’s motivated me to hide from the world and be too embarrassed to participate in a lot of my prior activities. I worked so hard to lose weight several years ago, and I was running all of the time and keeping active. I was a part of a running club while I was on travel…running was so important to me and now it is nothing.

I intend on “starting over” in the running department, and participating once more in the Couch to 5k running plan that infected me with the running bug several years ago. I am going to sign up for a half-marathon in the spring, as a motivator for gaining and keeping fit during the winter months. I need to operate on the “No Excuses Plan”, where, obviously, there are NO EXCUSES for not working out and being active. It will be quite a lifestyle change…changing back to my old, healthy lifestyle, from this sedate lifestyle I’m currently [not] enjoying.

So my first step is this walk. My second step is to start going to the gym regularly. I need to determine when it is best for me to go. It is so darned busy after work, so I should go in the morning. But I'm so darned lazy in the morning...I think what I am going to do is try to go to the gym two mornings a week, and do a workout video at the house the other three days. If I find that I just can't do the mornings, then I am going to wait in line at the gym and suck it up and do it there 3 times a week, with a work out video twice a week at home. My goal is to keep active on the weekends by walking outside and partipating in active events.

I need to figure out what half marathon I am going to do. I'd like to do one in the midwest so I can go "home" and take Mircea to see my old stomping grounds. I'll post later on when I determine what race I'll participate in. If I'm lucky, I'll run a decent half and be able to run a full marathon in the Fall, but I don't want to set myself up for failure as I have in the past.

I do want to put a disclaimer here. I am very hard on myself about my weight...but I don't think that people that are overweight are "lazy" or "worthless" like I feel about myself. The reason I hold myself to that standard is because I maintained a very healthy weight for much of my young adult life, and though I put on weight, I took the iniative to get it off and become more active. That is the lifestyle that I want to live, and I know if I don't rebuild those habits now, then I will be very unhappy with myself and it will become impossible to take the weight off as I age and my life changes (babies?).

I'll post a picture of myself at the walk this weekend...with a picture of myself from last year. Here's hoping next year's will look more like the "old" me.

Day One: Wow I'm Out of Shape

Today was my first run. Not on the running plan (which starts Monday) but a little test to see how out of shape I am. I think I win the award for "most out of shape ever".

I'm going to try again tomorrow. Same path. Let's see how it goes on Day 2. It can't get much worse!!

More Swimming

I did some swimming today, and I did better than the last time. At least I'm improving, I can't ask for much more than that, you know? I think that Robyn and I are going to swim tomorrow outside, which will be nice. Hopefully I'll get a little sun...I'm so pale.

It's hot as heck out there today so I'm not sure I'll be running. I have to mow the lawn and I'm pretty sure that will be more sweat than I'm looking for.

Lunch Time Calorie Burning

Instead of consuming calories during the noon hour, I went with my friend John to the Drill Hall (base gym) to get some exercise. I used the recumbent bike for 40 minutes and then it was time to go. It was so hot in there, but I feel a lot better for having done it and don't feel the pressure to do it after work (when I don't want to move a muscle).

I was feeling so fat, out of shape and ugly this weekend and realized that no food, no matter how tasty, is worth feeling this way and it's time to get over the shame of letting myself put on some weight and get rid of it, before it becomes any more. I have a wine and cheese party at the French Embassy tomorrow (pretty cool huh?) but I don't intend on having too much of either of those items as 1.) Neither are figure friendly and 2.) I'm driving. I'll be home too late tomorrow to get any activity in, but schmoozing will probably burn a few calories. And probably squeezing into my outfit. Those are both verbs right?