Thursday, April 03, 2008

Rethink and Re-evaluate

I had a set back this past week. A BIG ONE in my book. I hurt myself with my workout AND the scale climbed up a few pounds. This didn’t really do much to me physically but emotionally, it killed me. I beat myself up. In a bad way. I am going to share with you readers, a few things from my experience book with regard to my set back now, in hopes that maybe someone will learn something from me.

I began my journey in October. A pretty drastic journey actually. It was after much research and thought that I made these changes in my life, but I made drastic changes. I became a vegetarian after being a meat and potatoes gal for over 35 years. My lifestyle changes were not easy. Sure, I feel great. But some days, it is all that I can do to keep from woofing down a whopper with cheese. I crave the things that I have removed from my diet and my life badly. Every. Single. Day. The only thing that keeps me on track is weigh in on Fridays. THAT is what I focus on. When I want that bloody steak, I just think about my Friday. I can’t let anyone down on weigh in day. I would be a failure right? 

I put pressure on myself. I have absolutely no self discipline. NONE. At least I think that. If I don’t have to be accountable to someone besides myself, I am no good. So, mentally, I made myself accountable to all of you here at OWW. It is working for me even if some of you might not understand it. I am not saying that I am losing this weight for any of you. Oh no. What I am saying is that my having to post my success and failure here each week is keeping me on track. It is because of you guys that I can turn down that chocolate. I bet you all feel like super heroes now huh?

After a week of beating myself up, I decided that I needed to re think some of what I am doing and my attitude. The fact is, I have been slipping. I am not working so hard to NOT eat the bad stuff. I ATE JELLYBEANS for god sake!!!! I am also getting to a point that I know my body will be slowing down on the weight loss agenda unless I push it and push it hard. I mean, aside from my handful of jelly beans, how much more can I give up in my diet? No sugar, no soda, no meat, no dairy, no caffeine...what the hell is left?  So, I have been looking at my exercise routines, my foods, the quantities of what I am eating, when I eat etc.

I decided on Monday, when I could barely walk, that I was taking this week off. I would use this time of letting my bod heal itself to figure out my new plan of attack. I am not worrying about the scale every day. I am not thinking about weigh in on Friday. I am not setting here killing myself over the fact that I scarfed down some jelly beans 4 days ago. It’s time to refresh my battle plan. I have been working my ass off for almost 6 months with no break in the game. I need an emotional overhaul as much as a physical one. I have to stop pressuring myself so much about my weight and start enjoying more how I feel right this second. I have lost almost 40 pounds without diet pills, without starving myself and without making myself sick. THAT is something to celebrate.  So, today, that is what I plan to start doing. Celebrating my accomplishments. Ciao. 

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

The Best New Sneakers

I decided to expand upon Shelah’s post and help you all find the best new sneakers!  Now some of us are lucky enough to be able to be custom fitted for sneakers, but some of us are on a significant budget and are unable to do so.  For those of you who are like me, here are some of the greatest sneakers for 2008.  Prices are actually dropping, and if you are even luckier, you may live near a sneaker outlet store, or you can find great sales.  So even though they may say that they are around $100 or so, you can find them significantly lower through the internet and store only sales.  So here goes:

Best Walking Sneaker - Saucony Grid Instep RT Saucony - only around $60!  Good for walkers of all speeds becaue they are lightweight and not clunky like other sneakers.  They are so comfortable that in a poll by people who wore them they almost “forgot” they had them on.  Sounds like a sneaker for me!

Best For Distance - Saucony ProGrid Guide - $90 - Great for runners training for a 10K or in our case a couch to 5K run.  Feels supportive but doesn’t weight you down

Best for Stability - Asics GT-2130 - $95 - Asics America - These are great for runners whose feet roll in too much, or any runner who likes extra support. 

Best for Cushioning - Adidas Supernova Cushion 7 - $90 - Shop Adidas - Great for runners with a neutral stride.  Stays cushy even after several runs

Best for Speed - Mizuno Wave Elixir 3 - $100 - Mizuno USA - Also great for runners whose feet roll in a little too much, or those with a neutral stride.  This shoe seems to mold to the food creating a feeling as if you are running barefoot.  It weighs 2 ounces less than other running shoes. 

Best for Crosstraining - Asics Gel-Kayano Trainer - $80 - Great for working in a gym, lifting weights, getting on the treadmill, and then using other cardio machines. 

Best for Fitness Classes - Nike Shox Electro - $105 - Nike Store - Great for those looking to punish themselves with high energy fitness classes or highly choreographed workouts.  It is very flexible and moves with you. 

Hope this narrows down the kind of sneakers that may be best for you!!  *These top sneakers are brought to you by Shape Magazine where they were researched thoroughly out of many many sneakers*

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

*Insert whining here*

I hate whining. I really do. But in this case, I just can’t help it. WAAHHHH!

I have been working from an updated version of the couch 2 5k workout. Updated by me because I was bored stiff by the original. I run/walk 4 times per week on my treadmill while I watch The View. I have been doing great. My run portions of the workout were going very well. I felt great. Sweat my ass off but still able to function etc. By my workout on Wednesday, I was flying.

Saturday morning, I woke up to a beautiful blue sky. Light breeze blowing. It was a picture perfect day. So, I decided to take my workout outside. I put on my shoes, my comfiest clothing, grabbed the mp3 player and my pedometer.  I knew when I walked, when I ran in my workout, but I didn’t know how far it was around my block. That was the only thing that I would need to figure out during my workout.

I step outside. I stretch. I kick on the tunes and proceed with the warm up walk. This puts me on the back side of my block. I am feeling great. Song one over, ready for the first part of my run. Turnthe first corner and whammo, not a beautiful breeze but WIND. Ohhh didn’t account for that. I also didn’t account for the humid air that weighs 500 pounds or the sun baking down on my body while I worked. By run section #2, I was in serious trouble. Breathing hard, leg cramps, sweat pouring down my face.

I am no quitter though. I just adjusted. Cut my runs down a bit. Did them more frequent though. I had a goal. By the time I reached my driveway for my finish, I could barely breathe. I was huffing and puffing so hard that my hub was worried about me. I paced my pool deck while cooling down. Drank some water. Caught my breath. WOW. I felt tired in the end but very happy that I completed my entire workout despite the conditions.

As I type this entry, it’s Monday. (Yes, I know when you read it, it will be Tuesday) I still can barely walk. Both of my legs from ankle to hip hurt like a bitch. I think I may possibly be experiencing shin splints. It’s not joint pain. I have decided that. It’s muscle. So, I am popping Motrin like they are candy in an effort to function. I skipped my workout today and feel guilty as hell about it but I hurt so damn bad. *insert more whining here*

I can tell all of you who may be treadmill running, when you make the adjustment to the great outdoors, its a HUGE transition. Not the same at all. Start slowly. Don’t expect miracles and for god sake, stock up on Motrin. I am going to use my time that I have grounded myself to my desk chair to heal to figure out why this is so different. Post to follow. Right now, please pray for me, do voodoo over my crown, send me some love...do whatever you can to help make my legs function again. Please, I beg of you. Thank you in advance. Ciao.