Pace Yourself

All my life I’ve wished that I could run long distances without difficulty. The reality is that I’ve always struggled to run even short distances without becoming very winded rather quickly. Its not that my muscles tire or my legs hurt, but rather my heart rate gets out of control and I’m unable to breathe. Maybe I’m forgetting to breathe properly or I try to push myself too far too soon. Its probably a combination of the two. What I have learned though is that it can get easier progressively if you start slow.

A few years ago when I weighed a lot less and was in much better shape than I am now, I had begun training myself to run. I would go to the local high school track every day. I walked the curves of the track and ran the straights. I started very slow, but each day, I pushed myself a little bit farther than the day before. The more I did this, the easier it got to run and eventually I found myself running up and down the bleachers too.

I’m no where near in that shape now, but I’d really like to get there again. I found a plan that may help me do it too. Yesterday, I was reading Amy Cremen’s blog. {Amy was on the Biggest Loser last season.} She posted a program that eases you into running at a reasonable pace.

Getting started: Warm up your joints and muscles before each running session with an easy 3–5 minute walk. Do each workout below 3 times per week for at least 3 weeks before progressing to the next level. Listen to your body: Moving on before you’re ready can cause aches and pains.

Weeks 1 through 3: After every 3–5 minutes of walking, run for 30 seconds–2 minutes; repeat for a total of 30 minutes. Not into numbers? Run until you’re tired, then walk until you’re bored.

Weeks 4 through 6: Alternate 3-minute stretches of walking and running for a total of 30 minutes. If that leaves you winded, try cutting the intervals to 90 seconds, then gradually build up your time.

Weeks 7 through 9: Alternate running for 4–5 minutes with walking for 1–2 minutes; repeat for a total of 30 minutes.

Weeks 10 through 12: Run for 8–10 minutes, then walk for 1–2 minutes; repeat for a total of 30 minutes. Or run 1 mile, then walk for 2 minutes; repeat 3 times.

Week 13 and beyond: Try to run 30 minutes straight. If you have to take a midrun breather, don’t despair. Keep trying, and soon you’ll be sailing through your run, no walk breaks needed!

No Trainwrecks Here Either

It’s been a little quiet around here lately. Is everybody still doing okay? I’ve meant to write, I’ve just been really busy. This week was much better than last week. I didn’t stay completely on track, but did well for the most part. I’m happy to say that I’ve hit a small milestone. I’ve lost 10 pounds. That’s not too bad, but I’m not real happy with it. At the rate I’m going, I’m still going to weigh around 200 pounds when we go to Mexico. While I seem to have my portions under control, I need to do better with what I’m eating. I also need to be exercising. As of right now, I’m not doing anything. Nothing. I absolutely HATE working out. I’d rather not eat than to work out. I have no excuse other than sheer laziness. I renewed my gym membership today though, and at a much cheaper rate than I’ve been paying. I’m going to make a genuine effort at going. You guys keep me in check, ok?

On an unrelated note, did you watch the Biggest Loser last night?! I was heartbroken to see Dan go home. He needed to be there more than anybody! I’m glad to see he’s done so well at home. I wish I could say the same about his friend who seems very apathetic about the whole thing. But anyway. The other half of the teams are back now and I can’t wait til next week’s episode!

Last Night

Alright, so I hurt today. I mean REALLY hurt. My left knee feels like it’s going to buckle with every step I take, and I blame it on…myself.

I went over to Reese’s house last night for a work-out, and I’ll be damned if she didn’t work me out. I picked the video, which was a Jillian special, working out your butt, thighs, back and biceps. Let me tell you, it was brutal, very intense. I ended up running/hobbling into my house and straight for my recliner to watch The Biggest Loser.

I concluded the show feeling angry and sad. Angry that someone who doesn’t deserve to be there stayed and one of the people that DID deserve it had to go home. I feel for Jerry, he’s like everyone’s favorite grandpa. I cried as he was voted off the ranch.

I have set a couple new goals.
1. To get through that blasted video! Reese, we’re gonna PUSH ourselves even more the next time we do that video!

2. To lose 89lbs by my birthday next November. That means losing about 2lbs a week.

I’m positive that all of us can lose the weight and reach our goals if we just push ourselves enough. As hard and as sadistic as Jillian is, I wish she were my trainer. Reese is doing an awesome job in that department. I wish she had picked me up by my hair last night when I sat down. *S* WE CAN DO THIS if we put our minds in the right place.

No more junk food. I have actually stopped stocking my pantry with chips and sweets.
More water. Actually I’m not sure I can drink more water. *S* But I’m going to try.
Exercise. Even if it’s just walking up stairs or down the street. Lets get up and do it. I think I’m going to buy one of those things that counts every step you take. Then I can push myself to take more and more steps.

I’m going to do this! I’m going to reach my goals!

Who’s with me?

Day 5

Once again, I walked with Reese. I’m so sore, and she’s telling me she’s taking it easy on me. My legs feel like JELLO for goodness sake! I feel awesome though. Like I’m really accomplishing something.

I found half a 12-pk of Diet Coke in my home today. I thought I had drank it all. I opened one and drank about half of it, and realized it doesn’t taste good anymore, so I dumped it out and refilled my water bottle. Food-wise, I’ve done pretty good. I did slip a little bit yesterday. I made cheezy stuffed pizza bread for the kids, and ate entirely too much. That totally set my entire day back, but I walked with Reese for the first time that day.

Today on the other hand I did awesome! I had 2 scrambled egg whites with one slice of american cheese and chipotle tabascco, along with 2 slices of toast. I made a sammie out of it. I got so involved with housework today that I forgot to eat lunch. For dinner I made home-made chicken noodle soup. I had 2 bowls of that with a couple of rolls, and more walking.

I think I said it the other day, but I’ve been feeling fab. Tons more energy. I’ll be weighing myself on Monday to see how I’m doing. I would be happy with losing a pound at this point.

First Steps

I did it.  I signed up at rec center yesterday for my spinning classes and for a rec membership.  Start yoga tomorrow!!  I’m pretty excited about it.  I talked with the health educator here at the health dept where I work and she’s given me some pointers on how I should excercise i.e, how many reps at each station in the weight circuit, how long i need to be on the cardio machines, how to watch my heart rate, etc.  since I’m targeting weight loss, she said I should really drink the protein shakes as a meal replacement or if drink for a snack, make half as much.  Now that I’ve done all of this, I need to motivate myself to go!!!