How I did this week:
1. Run 3 times/week: 3/3—check!
2. Resistance training 3 times/week: 2/3—fail! But I was sick (in a manner of speaking) on Monday, so I allowed myself an extra day of rest.
3. Drink 64 oz. of water: 6/7—fail! It's so hard to drink enough on Saturdays. And Sundays, for that matter. I think it's because I don't have the endless supply of cold water at home that I have at work.
4. Stop snacking: fail! But I've gotten a bit better over the course of the week. And I went to the grocery store and didn't buy a single item of crap food. Woot!
5. Smaller portions: check-ish. I'm still working on it, but I'm getting there.
6. No eating after 8 p.m.: check for the most part.
Results:
I lost 1.5 pounds this week. Not much, I know, but hey, at least it's something! And at least the weight didn't go up. And I've successfully conquered the first week of my running program! I've never been a runner before ever in my life, so the fact that I'm even running a little bit and not passing out is a very good thing. And by the way, inhalers are life savers. Just thought I'd let you know.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
This Is a First
In a really long time, anyway. Tonight marked the third night in a row that I have worked out this week. Woo hoo! I haven't done that since . . . it was so long ago that I can't even begin to formulate a guess. But I'm feelin' good right now!
First of all, I have to say that inhalers are AWESOME! Seriously. Well . . . if you have asthma, they're awesome. There was this one time in high school when my aerobics teacher made us run for a minute and walk for a minute for 10 minutes, and I almost died. Seriously. I couldn't breathe, my face was bright red, and anytime I took a breath, I would start hacking up a lung. Thankfully, those days are now in the past. Wednesday was the first day that I tried the Couch-to-5k program, which starts with jogging for 60 seconds and walking for 90 seconds for at least 20 minutes. I was successful on my first workout. Sure, I was tired, and by the end I was struggling a bit just to get through that one minute of jogging, but I wasn't short of breath, my face wasn't bright red, and there was no coughing. Thank you, inhaler!
Last night I did some at-home leg workouts. I wasn't sure if they were really effective, but then I did day 2 of the running program, and by the time I got off the treadmill, I could feel my muscles yelling at me. I think my at-home workout did all right.
I decided to walk for a while on the treadmill today, after my 30 minutes of jogging/walking (which I made it through just fine—again). I was on the treadmill for about an hour, and it felt good just to walk. I used to walk to and from campus, but since I graduated, walking hasn't exactly been in abundance. I wish work was close enough that I could walk, but alas, it isn't.
Apparently Friday night isn't a big night for the gym. Gold's Gym is usually packed. I have never seen the parking lot even a third empty—and it's a HUGE parking lot. But when I got there at about 8:00 tonight, it was two-thirds empty. Wow. Apparently I'm really lame for going to the gym on a Friday night. But I wasn't doing anything else, so I figured I might as well do something productive.
I hate watching other people work out. There were a couple of people on treadmills around me who would just get on and start running at full speed for 20 minutes. Man, I wish I could do that. I've realized that it's incredibly easy for me to get discouraged, but I have to remind myself that I have never been a runner, so I'm going to have to work up to it (hence the program). I'm only on day 2. It's going to take me a little while to build up to that 5k.
First of all, I have to say that inhalers are AWESOME! Seriously. Well . . . if you have asthma, they're awesome. There was this one time in high school when my aerobics teacher made us run for a minute and walk for a minute for 10 minutes, and I almost died. Seriously. I couldn't breathe, my face was bright red, and anytime I took a breath, I would start hacking up a lung. Thankfully, those days are now in the past. Wednesday was the first day that I tried the Couch-to-5k program, which starts with jogging for 60 seconds and walking for 90 seconds for at least 20 minutes. I was successful on my first workout. Sure, I was tired, and by the end I was struggling a bit just to get through that one minute of jogging, but I wasn't short of breath, my face wasn't bright red, and there was no coughing. Thank you, inhaler!
Last night I did some at-home leg workouts. I wasn't sure if they were really effective, but then I did day 2 of the running program, and by the time I got off the treadmill, I could feel my muscles yelling at me. I think my at-home workout did all right.
I decided to walk for a while on the treadmill today, after my 30 minutes of jogging/walking (which I made it through just fine—again). I was on the treadmill for about an hour, and it felt good just to walk. I used to walk to and from campus, but since I graduated, walking hasn't exactly been in abundance. I wish work was close enough that I could walk, but alas, it isn't.
Apparently Friday night isn't a big night for the gym. Gold's Gym is usually packed. I have never seen the parking lot even a third empty—and it's a HUGE parking lot. But when I got there at about 8:00 tonight, it was two-thirds empty. Wow. Apparently I'm really lame for going to the gym on a Friday night. But I wasn't doing anything else, so I figured I might as well do something productive.
I hate watching other people work out. There were a couple of people on treadmills around me who would just get on and start running at full speed for 20 minutes. Man, I wish I could do that. I've realized that it's incredibly easy for me to get discouraged, but I have to remind myself that I have never been a runner, so I'm going to have to work up to it (hence the program). I'm only on day 2. It's going to take me a little while to build up to that 5k.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
WLW
I'm completely stealing this idea from Megan, but I don't think she'll mind. (I'm even stealing some of her goals—they're good ones.) As anyone who has ever read this blog knows, I have been trying to eat healthier and get in shape, with the end result being a skinnier me. As anyone who reads this blog also knows, I haven't exactly been good at this goal. So I'm going to try another tactic and post my progress with Weight-Loss Wednesdays. Hopefully these concrete, dated goals will help me stick to them better.
My weight goal: lose 30 pounds total.
How to achieve this goal:
1. Run (or some other cardio) 3 times/week
2. Resistance training 3 times/week
3. Drink 64 oz. of water a day
4. Stop snacking!!
5. Smaller portions.
6. No eating after 8 p.m.
Check-in points:
1. Every Wednesday.
2. April 28—I hope to have lost 10 pounds by this date.
3. June 23—I hope to have lost another 10 pounds, for a total of 20.
4. August 18—I hope to have lost another 10 pounds, for a total of 30.
There's no check-in this week because I started today. But I did go to the gym and ran for 30 minutes, and did a couple weights. I wanted to get this up on my blog ASAP so I had something to hold me accountable for the rest of the week. Here's to finally sticking to a weight plan!
(By the way, guess who I saw at Gold's tonight? Ryan and Ashleigh Di Lello, from the last season of So You Think You Can Dance. No, I didn't talk to them, but they were there, and it was kind of cool. Even though they are exactly the kind of people I hate at the gym because they're beautiful and make me feel like a blob.)
My weight goal: lose 30 pounds total.
How to achieve this goal:
1. Run (or some other cardio) 3 times/week
2. Resistance training 3 times/week
3. Drink 64 oz. of water a day
4. Stop snacking!!
5. Smaller portions.
6. No eating after 8 p.m.
Check-in points:
1. Every Wednesday.
2. April 28—I hope to have lost 10 pounds by this date.
3. June 23—I hope to have lost another 10 pounds, for a total of 20.
4. August 18—I hope to have lost another 10 pounds, for a total of 30.
There's no check-in this week because I started today. But I did go to the gym and ran for 30 minutes, and did a couple weights. I wanted to get this up on my blog ASAP so I had something to hold me accountable for the rest of the week. Here's to finally sticking to a weight plan!
(By the way, guess who I saw at Gold's tonight? Ryan and Ashleigh Di Lello, from the last season of So You Think You Can Dance. No, I didn't talk to them, but they were there, and it was kind of cool. Even though they are exactly the kind of people I hate at the gym because they're beautiful and make me feel like a blob.)
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
I'm Baaaaack...
I got a gym membership. Again. Yeah, I know that I just canceled my last membership four months ago because I never went, but it turns out that I don't have the discipline for at-home work outs. And since I am now a full-time employee, my company offers a discounted membership at Gold's Gym. It's only $5 a paycheck, $10 a month. Now that I can handle.
I went for the first time on Saturday, and I hated it. I didn't like the layout of the gym, the elliptical felt funny compared to the one I used at 24 Hour, and there were way more beautiful people there than I was comfortable with. Not to mention the fact that I could only run on the elliptical for about 15 minutes before feeling like I was going to pass out. I think I got a bit out of shape, and my asthma didn't like what I was making my body do. So I got off the machine and left, feeling worse after the work out than I would have felt if I just hadn't gone.
But I finally mustered the courage and went again tonight, and it was better. There were still way to many pretty people, looking fabulous in their skin-tight spandex and muscle shirts while I sweated away on my bike, looking frumpy in my sweat pants and T-shirt. But I guess that's the nature of the beast. At least I was there and I was sweating, right?
I hated the fact that I was on the bike, though. Riding the bike doesn't aggravate my asthma like the treadmill does or the elliptical can, and since I've gotten so out of shape lately, I know I have to start with it. But tonight reminded me why I hated it so much: it freaking KILLS my butt. Not in an "all right, I'm working my muscles" kind of way—more like in a "this is so uncomfortable that I swear my tailbone is going to snap in two" kind of way. Especially after 45 minutes.
But I went! I went to the gym and burned a substantial amount of calories, which is something I haven't done in a long time. And this Saturday I'll be picking up an inhaler, which will hopefully calm down my asthma and allow me to do something other than the bike. Here's to a better active year than last year was.
I went for the first time on Saturday, and I hated it. I didn't like the layout of the gym, the elliptical felt funny compared to the one I used at 24 Hour, and there were way more beautiful people there than I was comfortable with. Not to mention the fact that I could only run on the elliptical for about 15 minutes before feeling like I was going to pass out. I think I got a bit out of shape, and my asthma didn't like what I was making my body do. So I got off the machine and left, feeling worse after the work out than I would have felt if I just hadn't gone.
But I finally mustered the courage and went again tonight, and it was better. There were still way to many pretty people, looking fabulous in their skin-tight spandex and muscle shirts while I sweated away on my bike, looking frumpy in my sweat pants and T-shirt. But I guess that's the nature of the beast. At least I was there and I was sweating, right?
I hated the fact that I was on the bike, though. Riding the bike doesn't aggravate my asthma like the treadmill does or the elliptical can, and since I've gotten so out of shape lately, I know I have to start with it. But tonight reminded me why I hated it so much: it freaking KILLS my butt. Not in an "all right, I'm working my muscles" kind of way—more like in a "this is so uncomfortable that I swear my tailbone is going to snap in two" kind of way. Especially after 45 minutes.
But I went! I went to the gym and burned a substantial amount of calories, which is something I haven't done in a long time. And this Saturday I'll be picking up an inhaler, which will hopefully calm down my asthma and allow me to do something other than the bike. Here's to a better active year than last year was.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Goodness Gracious
Wow, it's been a while. Again with the whole hating-goals-because-I-can't-stick-to-them thing. You know that Book of Mormon goal I mentioned? Yeah...it didn't work out so well. I made it to about Alma and then things started falling apart. I need some serious goal-keeping help.
But, on a happier note, I FINALLY did P90X today! I got some resistance bands (a few weeks ago...) and did a chest and back workout. I think I did all right, though I'm still trying to figure out how exactly the bands work. There are tricks you have to learn in order to get good enough resistance, and I'm still trying to figure those things out. BUT, I worked out. After weeks of inactivity, I did an hour and a half of P90X. Woo hoo! Boy, am I going to feel that tomorrow.
I don't think I even really want to mention the food goal...but hey, last week was Thanksgiving, so I have the same excuse as every other American for eating WAY too much. And then I've had other things that have included eating out...like football games and friends in town and birthdays...so eating has not been so good. But at least I worked off some of those calories today! Hopefully I'll actually be able to keep it up this time. (And yes, I know I say that at the end of every post. But I'm really, really hoping that this time it works.)
But, on a happier note, I FINALLY did P90X today! I got some resistance bands (a few weeks ago...) and did a chest and back workout. I think I did all right, though I'm still trying to figure out how exactly the bands work. There are tricks you have to learn in order to get good enough resistance, and I'm still trying to figure those things out. BUT, I worked out. After weeks of inactivity, I did an hour and a half of P90X. Woo hoo! Boy, am I going to feel that tomorrow.
I don't think I even really want to mention the food goal...but hey, last week was Thanksgiving, so I have the same excuse as every other American for eating WAY too much. And then I've had other things that have included eating out...like football games and friends in town and birthdays...so eating has not been so good. But at least I worked off some of those calories today! Hopefully I'll actually be able to keep it up this time. (And yes, I know I say that at the end of every post. But I'm really, really hoping that this time it works.)
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Why Goals Suck
Because I can never seem to stick to them. Not when it comes to weight and health and all that jazz, anyway. I've been absolutely awful. I think I did one workout last week, and it didn't even work very well because I needed workout bands, which I didn't have. I tried to improvise, and it worked a little bit, but I know I didn't get the full benefit of the routine. I'm probably going to buy some bands soon so that it will be easier to do P90X. I really, really want to try it. I just have to get myself to do it.
I have discovered that I have absolutely no self-control or self-discipline. I've discovered the three most destructive words in my vocabulary: "I don't care." Anytime I want something I know I shouldn't have, I think, "Gah, I don't care!" and have it anyway. I need to start training myself so that if those three dirty words pop into my head, I counter them by saying, "No! I do care! I really, really do, and that is why I will not eat this/do this!"
I started a new goal to read the Book of Mormon in a month, and so far I've been doing great. And I love that this is a goal I look forward to and want to do. Maybe my determination to accomplish this goal will sneak its way into my health goals and help those. Plus, the fact that my goal is to read 17 pages of scripture a day can't hurt all my other righteous desires, right?
Food lately hasn't been too bad. I actually had much more veggies than usual today, since I ate cucumbers at work and had a bunch of veggies in the stew I made for dinner. And I didn't really snack at work, which is great, because I usually do.
However, I did go to the store today and I did buy ice cream. And I ate some. And some crackers. But all in all, it was not the worst day I've had, and it gives me hope in my future self-discipline. And hope is really what matters, right? It drives us to action. Sometimes.
I have discovered that I have absolutely no self-control or self-discipline. I've discovered the three most destructive words in my vocabulary: "I don't care." Anytime I want something I know I shouldn't have, I think, "Gah, I don't care!" and have it anyway. I need to start training myself so that if those three dirty words pop into my head, I counter them by saying, "No! I do care! I really, really do, and that is why I will not eat this/do this!"
I started a new goal to read the Book of Mormon in a month, and so far I've been doing great. And I love that this is a goal I look forward to and want to do. Maybe my determination to accomplish this goal will sneak its way into my health goals and help those. Plus, the fact that my goal is to read 17 pages of scripture a day can't hurt all my other righteous desires, right?
Food lately hasn't been too bad. I actually had much more veggies than usual today, since I ate cucumbers at work and had a bunch of veggies in the stew I made for dinner. And I didn't really snack at work, which is great, because I usually do.
However, I did go to the store today and I did buy ice cream. And I ate some. And some crackers. But all in all, it was not the worst day I've had, and it gives me hope in my future self-discipline. And hope is really what matters, right? It drives us to action. Sometimes.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Long Time, No See
I find it ironic that my last post title is "Getting Better," and then I don't write again for two weeks. That doesn't really strike me as getting better . . .
I have made a few changes in my routines. Sort of. I've been quite terrible at working out lately (no, that's not one of the changes). Last week I did a couple P90X videos, like Kenpo X and Core Synergistics. The core work out killed! I was sore for a good three days after. It was pretty intense. But I haven't worked out at all this week.
I realized recently that I have only been to the gym about three times in the past six weeks. I've worked out more than that in general, but I decided that wasn't enough to justify $25 a month. So yesterday I went and cancelled my membership at 24 Hour. It makes me a little sad, but I have all the P90X videos and there's a little gym in my apartment complex's clubhouse, so I have no excuse not to work out.
I'm thinking of trying the P90X series. But it scares me. A lot. I've seen other people do it, and it's crazy! I tried Plyometrics, which is one of the hardest videos, with my roommate, and I couldn't even make it through the warm up. It was ridiculous. But I want to try, because it could really help me if I can keep doing it.
I have also started drinking Slim Fast shakes for breakfast. I have no idea yet if that has helped me at all. My mom said she started drinking them for breakfast and she lost some weight, but I don't have a scale, so it's hard for me to know if I've lost anything. I was afraid the shakes would taste really gross, but I was pleasantly surprised. I actually quite like them, and it's so much easier to grab a shake on my way to work than it is to make time to eat a bowl of cereal before work.
So consider this a new phase in my pursuit. Hopefully I can keep up with this one better than the last phases, since there have been a few.
I have made a few changes in my routines. Sort of. I've been quite terrible at working out lately (no, that's not one of the changes). Last week I did a couple P90X videos, like Kenpo X and Core Synergistics. The core work out killed! I was sore for a good three days after. It was pretty intense. But I haven't worked out at all this week.
I realized recently that I have only been to the gym about three times in the past six weeks. I've worked out more than that in general, but I decided that wasn't enough to justify $25 a month. So yesterday I went and cancelled my membership at 24 Hour. It makes me a little sad, but I have all the P90X videos and there's a little gym in my apartment complex's clubhouse, so I have no excuse not to work out.
I'm thinking of trying the P90X series. But it scares me. A lot. I've seen other people do it, and it's crazy! I tried Plyometrics, which is one of the hardest videos, with my roommate, and I couldn't even make it through the warm up. It was ridiculous. But I want to try, because it could really help me if I can keep doing it.
I have also started drinking Slim Fast shakes for breakfast. I have no idea yet if that has helped me at all. My mom said she started drinking them for breakfast and she lost some weight, but I don't have a scale, so it's hard for me to know if I've lost anything. I was afraid the shakes would taste really gross, but I was pleasantly surprised. I actually quite like them, and it's so much easier to grab a shake on my way to work than it is to make time to eat a bowl of cereal before work.
So consider this a new phase in my pursuit. Hopefully I can keep up with this one better than the last phases, since there have been a few.
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