Healthy Living – Page 15

Not Quite a Setback

I had a feeling about this week. About halfway into the week, there was just this feeling that it was going to be one of Those Weeks. While I was staying within my Points and not even using as much of my Extra Points as I usually do, my body was rebelling.

I could pinpoint just what I did wrong. Not enough exercise (only 3 days). Not enough water (although I did drink my 24oz 3 out of the 7 days). And the biggie: eating bad points. While I stayed within my limits, I wasn’t eating the good stuff. The problem with staying within your limits with the bad stuff is that you tend to undereat during another meal to make up for it. So if I had a 20-point lunch, I could only have a 5- or 6-point dinner, unless I wanted to use up the vast majority of my extra points.

It’s never a good idea. But it wasn’t a big setback, just showed me I have to be careful of what I’m eating and whether or not it’s a Power Food that’s going to be good and filling for me. I tracked my food, but would conveniently “forget” certain things I ate.

This isn’t a big setback for me that causes me to go crazy, cry, and doubt I’ll ever be skinny. I know what I did wrong and I know how to improve it. I want to really put my focus back on tracking and eating Power Foods, drinking more water (24oz a day, for now), and getting in exercise. I really want to strive to do some sort of physical activity every day of the week, even if it’s just a 20-minute walk. I get very lazy or busy with schoolwork that exercise can take a backseat to other things, but I’m going to work hard to do something every day.

Stats (Week 3)
Starting Weight: 159.2 lbs
Current Weight: 153.6 lbs
Net Difference: –5.6 lbs (-0 this week)
BMI: 28.1 (-1 total)

Categories: Healthy Living

This Time, it’s Different

I like to consider myself somewhat of a Weight Watcher expert. I’ve been doing the program, on and off, since May of 2007. I’ve tried out the Core Plan, the Flex Plan, the Momentum Plan, and now this new PointsPlus Plan. I love them all but struggled with most with Flex and Momentum (which were the same program, basically). This new plan works so well for me, getting me to take in more fruits and veggies and make healthier choices. (Not just low-point choices.)

It feels different this time around. I started Weight Watchers when I saw how much success my mom was seeing on the program. And while my mom never pushed me to start attending, I guess I felt like this was her program and I was just tagging along. When she made good choices, I made good choices. When she made bad choices, I made bad choices. I’ve always looked at Weight Watchers as my mom’s thing.

It’s my thing now. It’s about me, my health, my weight loss. I have to stop riding on my mom’s coattails and start taking action over my life. I’m losing this weight for me, not because my mom already did. I am much more in control of my eating and my exercise. I’m not worried about how my mom is doing (although I care!), so much as how I am doing. I’m documenting everything I eat throughout the day and relying on my own self-motivation to keep me focused.

It feels different this time. Like it’s finally going to happen. This is the time I lose the weight for good, adopt healthy habits for good, and become a brand-new version of myself. It feels like it’s my time and I look forward to proving to myself just how strong I can be every week. It’s not easy and I won’t say I’m even halfway there yet. But my baby steps are getting bigger and less wobbly.

Stats (Week 2)
Starting Weight: 159.2 lbs
Current Weight: 153.6 lbs
Net Difference: –5.6 lbs (-1.4 this week)
BMI: 28.1 (-1 total; –.2 this week)

Categories: Healthy Living

It’s All About the ‘Tude!

On Thursday, I officially started training for my half-marathon. And it was terrible. I tried sticking to the 5:2 interval but my body was not happy by the time the third interval came around. Out of the 3 miles, I maybe ran one of them.

Yesterday, I had to run 4 miles. I stuck to running 1 mile, walking 1/2 a mile, and so forth, which worked so much better for me. Ideally, I don’t want to walk so much but it was a good practice run for me and I hope to work on cutting down my time. (I think I probably could have only walked 1/4 a mile, but I decided to keep it easy.)
Thursday’s 3 miles took me 49 minutes. Sunday’s 4 miles took me 59 minutes (just 90 seconds off my goal race pace!). Thursday’s run made me regret signing up for a half-marathon. Sunday’s run made me want to sign up for 6 more. Thursday’s run defeated me. I defeated Sunday’s run.

The difference in the two runs can all be boiled down to one word: attitude. I was nervous for both runs, but honestly, I had it in my mind that I wouldn’t be able to handle Thursday’s run. I was worried about how my run would go, not very confident I could even run for 3 minutes after taking a two-week break. And it showed. My mind wasn’t in the run, so my body wasn’t. Sunday was a totally different story. I was determined to have a good run. I wanted to be able to brag about this run, not get discouraged by yet another crappy run. (90% of which is just my own inability to beat the mental game.) I left my heart and soul out on that path. I didn’t give in, even when my body was screaming at me to stop. I kept thinking, “Hey! I’m still running!” I won’t deny that I came close to tears around Mile 3.5 when I realized that I was indeed still running and was going to complete these 4 miles with a big, huge grin on my face.

My confidence is back. I won’t say I’m not nervous about Tuesday’s 3-mile run, but I know it all depends on my attitude and beating the mental game. Physically, I can do it. Mentally…I can also do it.

And before I forget! The winner of the $55 gift certificate to CSN Stores is Becky! Please e-mail me at stephanywrites [@] gmail [.] com within 48 hours to receive your prize!

Categories: Healthy Living

Control

This week has been about taking control back. Maybe my eating habits weren’t the best most days and maybe I could’ve worked out longer and harder, but it was the first time in a long time that I felt like I had control over my body, my eating, and my emotions.

It always happens like this when I get back on track with eating healthy and exercising. I feel like I’m back in the driver’s seat again. I’m putting good, wholesome things in my body. I’m not overindulging and I’m saying “no” to temptations. I’m not mindlessly eating. I’m stopping when I’m satisfied. And I’m letting myself have an extra piece of chocolate if I want to.

Sunday was probably the worst day of it, eating-wise, but I wrote down every single thing that touched my lips and accounted for it. And I kept tracking and eating well on Monday and Tuesday.

My snacks have vastly improved from cookie dough and chocolates to carrots and hummus, applesauce with cinnamon, and fiber bars. I made a plan for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and things to eat at work if I got hungry. I stuck to the plan and it felt great.

I worked out four days this week: a 15-mile bike ride on Thursday, the Core workout on Saturday (which knocked me out for 2 days. Lauren is not playing around with this routine!), a 2-mile elliptical workout, and a 10-mile bike ride on Tuesday, and a third bike ride (9.4 miles) on Wednesday. I love being on the bike and I’m definitely going to buy a “real” bike and start biking more seriously after April. Being on the bike makes me happier than anything.

This wasn’t a perfect week. I’m still struggling with drinking the amount of water I need to be drinking, but I’m getting there. This week was a step in the right direction and I just want to build the foundation from here.

Stats
Starting Weight: 159.2 lbs
Current Weight: 155 lbs
Net Difference: –4.2 lbs (HEYYO!)
BMI: 28.3 (-.8)

Weekly Goal
WATER, WATER, WATER. I plan to drink water at all my meals, as well as only drinking water at work. I think this will help immensely, and give me the small push in the right direction that I need.

What’s your favorite go-to healthy snack?

Categories: Healthy Living

Half-Marathon Training Plan

First and foremost, bloggers participating in the Blogger Book Swap: please make sure to get your books in the mail by this Sunday! And send me a tweet, e-mail, or comment when you do. Currently, I only know of two who have sent them so just keep me in the loop!

I’ll be running the IronGirl Half-Marathon on April 10th. I’m super nervous about it, especially since running is still a big struggle for me. But I’ve already registered so there’s no turning back now. Must. Do. This!

I’ve made a very tentative training plan, using Hal Higdon’s Novice Half-Marathon plan. I’m really not looking to do anything but complete 13.1 miles in a reasonable amount of time.

	MON	TUES	WED	THURS	FRI	SAT	SUN
1/17	REST	3 (5:2)	XT	3 (5:2)	1	STRENGTH	4 (5:2)
1/24	REST	3 (5:2)	XT	3 (5:2)	1.5	STRENGTH	4 (5:2)
1/31	REST	3.5 (6:2)	XT	3.5 (6:2)	2	STRENGTH	5 (6:2)
2/7	REST	3.5 (6:2)	XT	3.5 (6:2)	2.5	STRENGTH	5 (6:2)
2/14	REST	4 (7:2)	XT	4 (7:2)	3	STRENGTH	6 (7:2)
2/21	REST	4 (7:2)	XT	4 (7:2)	3.5	STRENGTH	5 (RACE)
2/28	REST	4.5 (8:2)	XT	4.5 (8:2)	4	STRENGTH	7 (8:2)
3/7	REST	4.5 (8:2)	XT	4.5 (8:2)	4.5	STRENGTH	8 (8:2)
3/14	REST	5 (9:2)	XT	5 (9:2)	5	STRENGTH	6 (9:2)
3/21	REST	5 (9:2)	XT	5 (9:2)	5.5	STRENGTH	9 (9:2)
3/28	REST	5 (9:1)	XT	5 (9:1)	6	STRENGTH	10 (9:1)
4/4	REST	4 (9:1)	XT	2 (9:1)	REST	REST	13.1

Now, some notes:

I’ll be using a run/walk interval plan because it’s the only way I’ll get through this training cycle. The numbers in parenthesis on my run days is the interval I’ll be running. I will hopefully be up to doing a 9:1 run/walk interval on race day.
On Fridays, I’m going to try to run these miles the whole way through. This isn’t on Higdon’s training plan, but it’s something I want to try out. I’m not sure if I’ll be up to 6 miles by March 28th, so these are very tentative.
XT = cross-training. Generally, this will entail the bike and the elliptical.

And, some questions:

Do you see any problems with my training plan? I’m eager to do this right, and not injure myself in the process.
Do you think I need the Friday training runs where I’m just running, or should I use them for rest days?
At what mileage should I eat a Gu? Is there anything you would suggest, aside from Gu, to eat during a long run?

Don’t forget to enter my giveaway – a $55 gift card to CSN Stores. Giveaway closes at 7pm on Sunday.