Category Archives: C25K

Running + Not Running

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Last week I vowed to crank out 6 miles as a weekly goal for myself. I missed the mark and was only able to get in 3 miles. It wasn’t because I didn’t try but I didn’t put in the best effort and losing motivation 8 weeks out from your 30th birthday and 12 weeks out from your wedding isn’t really helping either. I ran twice last week and realized that I’m completely at square one with my couch to 10K program. I have zero endurance and I just feel heavier which makes it much harder to run. People seriously! What do you do when you don’t feel like doing anything!?

I’m back to tracking my calories on MyFitnessPal because I think that stunted by weight loss. I spoke with a nutritionist at work who told me to stop counting calories. Well, not counting calories doesn’t really make me aware of what I’m eating – so I just eat. And with a lack of motivation to work out, that means I’m not really moving either. It’s bumming me out and I feel terrible. Not a good mix since I’m looking for my wedding dress this weekend. Joy!

Ok, let’s make a promise! Let’s get those 6 miles in this week and track calories in AND incorporate some non-running exercises. Serrrriously! I can do this!!!

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What are YOUR exercise goals this week? How do you stay motivated?

 

Ultimate Loser: Week 6

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Hey there – I’m here with a quick update on my past week in the Ultimate Loser Challenge my work is hosting!

I didn’t hit the workouts as hard as I wanted to but was able to squeeze in Week 4, Days 1 and 2 of my Couch to 10K running program. Day 1 was Hell. It was a 62 minute run/walk with longer runs at 2 minutes each. To say I was dying during the last 3-4 intervals is a vast understatement. But I pushed through and even though I could only do 1 minute runs during some of those intervals, I finished the run and moved on. That’s what I keep telling myself – it’s 62 minutes and you never have to do it again if you don’t want to! During Day 2 I found that voice creeping in the back of my mind trying to reason with me why it was okay if I quit 22 minutes into the run. But then I quickly changed my thought and was like, if I’ve gone this far .. what’s another 29 minutes? So it made the 52 minute Day 2 a lot easier.

I didn’t do any at home workouts and am kinda bummed about that so I’m going to focus hard on getting those completed especially since I’m traveling for work over the weekend. Working out on the road is hard, especially when it’s mixed with bad eating habits so I’m going to focus on trying to make better food decisions as well. Overall, I was pleased to find that I lost 1 lb since my last weigh in so I’m down 8.2 lbs overall. I’m feeling better, my belly is slimmer and clothes fit better. I’m hoping that next week I’ll be able to inch right under 200 lbs total (I’m at 202.4 right now).

My goals this week are to:

  • Complete 3 days of running program
  • Complete 2 at home work outs

What are your weight loss goals for the week?

 

Ultimate Loser: Shoe Review

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I think I’ve mentioned a few times that I tried running a couch to 10K program a few years back and dropped 16 lbs in 6 weeks. Yep…it was awesome. Although I’ve always hated running, I’ve found that it’s the only exercise that really shows me results … and I’m not going to lie, I do usually feel better afterwards. Like I climbed a mountain or something. I begged for some Nike Free shoes last year to replace my usual and boring running shoes. When I run I switch up my shoes – and I’m not really good at replacing them because I think they feel better if they’re worn in.

A few months ago, JP and I spotted gray and neon green shoes on clearance at a local sports equipment store. She nabbed a pair that she liked which were Nike+ shoes where you can link up to your iPod and mine were the newer version of the Nike Free shoe – which has a slimmer build.

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Fun story about these shoes – when I first purchased them I accidently snipped the laces on the right shoe, so now I have to tie them in a tiny bow on the right had side of the upper tongue – or get new laces. But it works.  The first 2-3 times I wore them, they hurt. I have thicker hands and feet (ie. “meaty paws)  compliments of my father, so the narrower version of these shoes squeezed my toes and sometimes made my feet numb after wearing them for a workout. Not good, if you’re running. But after the first few times with them on, I’ve found that they have stretched a bit to make room for my toes and now aren’t too tight.

They are much thinner than my original pair, but I think they look great on my feet, and aren’t too bad when I run on a treadmill. I haven’t (and don’t) ventured outside to run in them yet and am not sure if they’d be a great fit for the hard pavement, but I know there are lots of runners that enjoy the slimmer shoe to give them more flexibility when they run – it can also make your feet stronger and give them a good work out too.

Personally, I think I enjoy my older, slightly thicker soled version of the Nike Free shoe. It provides a more cushioning run and is easier on my feet.

Do you have a favorite running shoe? Do you prefer indoor or outdoor runs?

Sometimes You Stumble

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I did great working out this past week and worked in at least 2 x’s running (once bright eyed and bushy tailed on a Saturday morning!) and even played some competitive volleyball, as well. But it was also Super Bowl weekend and we made tons of goodie treats and I really haven’t worked out since gorging myself on Sunday night. So when I had my weekly weigh-in yesterday for my work’s Ultimate Loser competition, I wasn’t surprised to find that I had gained 2 lbs since last week. I’m even more disappointed because one of my team members lost 2.4 lbs this week and I feel like I let the team down. Oh well, you win some, you lose some.

I think the biggest thing to take away from this week as that there are always going to be temptations in life and we have to navigate through them. It’s not ok to deprive yourself certain foods because in the end you’ll be miserable and it’ll make you binge the next time you have the chance.  I made sure I ate right all day yesterday (and today) and also incorporated a 47 minute run at the end of my day. I’m now done with the first two weeks of the Couch to 5K program and will boost up to 1 minute and 30 second run and 3 minute and 30 second walk intervals. Eek! I’m still dreading that 72 minute run that comes the first day in week 6 … but at least I have 3 weeks to prep!

Gotta pick myself back up and hope for a better weight loss week next week!

This week’s challenge:

  • Hit the gym at least 3x’s this week
  • Add some weights at least 2x’s
  • Try a new at-home workout