#monthofmovement is more than haflway over!

So far, so successful! A few of the workouts I've done:

• Gorgeous run on the Atlanta Beltline
• New yoga studio
• Dancing ALL.NIGHT.LONG. at the club on the cruise ship. I count it as exercise because I sweated up a STORM!
• Ellipticals on a moving boat. Trickier than it sounds.
• Multiple tennis matches and tennis practices

 

This full body workout from HTP kicked my asana.

 

I'm pretty sure mixed in there were some treadmill runs, some elliptical sessions, and some more outdoor runs while I train for my half marathon.

 

Coming up this week:

 

• Monday rest day
• Tuesday 5 mile run
• Wednesday TBD, but probably a 2mi adventure on the treadmill followed by a body weight circuit of some sort
• Thursday I'm trying my very first CrossFit class
• Friday is hopefully another 5 mile run
• Saturday tennis match
• Sunday 6 mile run!

How is your #monthofmovement going?

 

I challenged my family to a Christmas Day 5k

The rules are there are no rules. Everybody has to participate, everybody has to finish, but there are no winners and no losers. Some will walk, some will run, some will train and some will not. I am going to have sweet prizes for everyone who finishes.

 

I needed a little oomph going into this holiday season, and a reason to get back on the wagon, if you will. I can eat and drink as much as I want when I'm doing cardio exercise regularly, which might explain the extra cushion I've inherited in the last 5 months, as I'm pretty sure the last time I found myself in a gym was about that long ago. #brokenfoot #notagoodexcuse

 

So, that's that. Our 5k is just for our little family, although if any of you find yourselves near Lake Hartwell on Christmas Day, you should by all means join us. We're a pretty fun bunch!

 

 

Big plans for October

Remember when I did the Lenten Adventure? I've been missing it a little bit. I've been missing structure, some sense of boundaries, rules, something to keep me in line. I thrive on routine, on the comfort of knowing what is coming next. And sometimes I let that all fall by the wayside just for funsies, and I have to rein myself back in. So, I'm re-adopting a few (just a few...) of the things I added or gave up earlier this year as part-challenge, part-being true to myself. It just needs to be.

 

1. Cheese - it's got to go.

2. Daily exercise - it's got to happen, broken foot be damned.

3. Church on Sundays - no brainer.

4. Snoozing the alarm clock - case and point, I should be at work right now and instead I'm working on my couch...

5. Making my bed daily - such an easy, satisfying chore.

 

We each have different coping mechanisms to deal with life, and creating rules for myself to live by is one of mine. Whatever works, I say, and I know this works for me. I haven't decided if I'm just going to do this for October or for the rest of 2013, but I'll report back.

 

What's the last thing you did in your own best interest? I also took myself home on Friday night rather than going out to another party and I call that a success by every count imaginable.

It only took 27.5 years...

I haven't posted about this yet because I guess I have kind of been in denial. But, it's starting to really impact me and what I can/can't do so....

 

I broke my foot while I was traveling for work in Texas a month ago, and I've been on crutches and then in a walking boot ever since.

To answer the most common questions, no I wasn't really drunk, I broke it stepping onto and tripping over a curb, and yes it hurts.

 

The 2 biggest disappointments have come in the form of exercise: no triathalon at the end of this month and no tennis this fall. I knew the tri would be out as soon as I broke it, but I was really optimistic about the tennis season. Unfortunately after seeing the doctor for a follow-up last week, I got the bad news that I would be in the boot for another 3-4 weeks, therefore ruining most of the tennis season. And who is to say I'll actually be healed by then, anyway? I guess it's better to just sit this one out, but it totally sucks.

 

The doc did tell me I could start doing some swim workouts and "light elliptical" (whatever that means), so looks like I can at least start getting a little exercise. I mean, let's be honest, I love a good reason not to workout, but my pants don't love it so much. So, clearly I started researching a good workout plan and voila! Ya'll know I'm obsessed with these little 1-page simple workouts so I couldn't resist.

 

My favorite elliptical workouts via Pinterest 1 2 3

 

 

I'm also going to add in some arm workouts, probably more in the form of these pagelets that I can save to my iPhone and access while I'm already in the gym. Seriously, I'm a huge fan. Whoever invented them gets major props from me.

 

So there you have it. It took 27.5 years, but I finally have my first broken bone and it is no fun. I will say, I am eternally grateful I'm not in a cast and that I didn't have to use the crutches for very long. Although I probably could have avoided the arm workouts if I'd kept up with crutches... so not worth it. 

"Training" Update #1

I've officially started 'training' for these triathlons I'm registered for. My goal is to log time on the bike, in the pool, and on the treadmill (or outside) each week, although pool has to wait until I find a pool to join! My new favorite way to work out is to combine Couch to 5k and these cross training ideas.

 

1. I did this one after just a straight Couch to 5k sesh. After the arm workout, I rode the bike for about 15 minutes.

2. O.M.G. I loved this treadmill workout. When I do this workout again, I'll repeat both parts.

 3. This was hard. Real hard. I did another day of Couch to 5k and then finished off the workout with the 4-3-2-1 and let's just say I'd be surprised if I was able to do 1/2 of the expected work. But man, did it feel good!

 

I've been mixing up morning versus afternoon, cardio first versus other stuff first, just to figure out my preferred, and it's been interesting. I've realized that I love working out in the morning, but I get so hot and it takes me forever to cool down. I also am learning that just running or walking isn't enough and doesn't leave me feeling like I got in a good workout. That's why I'm trying to add in these other elements - does that count as cross-training? I also know tennis is starting back up (I'm on 2 teams this summer, yippee!) so that will give me a pretty good mix of exercise. I just love tennis!

 

Anyway, this is where I am for now. I'll try to update regularly on my workouts and how training for the races is going. Everyone I've spoken to has been really supportive and excited, I'm a lucky lady!

 

PS - images above were random google finds or pins on Pinterest. I don't have original sources, but they most assuredly aren't mine :)

Ramblin Rose Triathlon Training Starts... NOW!

Remember when I said I was going to do a triathlon? Well, what I didn't know then was that I'd be racing as a Ramblin' Rose Blogger Ambassador!

 

I am so excited! One of the things I am most nervous about is training properly and finding motivation, and having the Ramblin' Rose community will certainly curb a lot of that! I've made some amazing friends through blogging so I'm stoked about the opportunity to connect with women from all different paths!

 

It's not really going to change what I post about - my plan all along was to post about training, how it was going, and probably to do a fair amount of complaining about how much I hate running. I have already taken advantage of the ambassador community and found a couple of websites that should help me put together a great training plan. The first race I want to do is July 14, and the second one is September 22, so while I have some time, I have a feeling it will fly by. No excuses now! I'm also debating whether or not to join the Atlanta Tri Club. I think I would really benefit from the group training programs they offer, and at $40/month, it seems like a reasonable investment.

 

I've already got a couple of friends interested in racing with me, but if anyone else wants to make the trek up to Charlotte at the end of September, it'd be a blast! I'd love to find some training buddies locally... everything is more fun with friends!

 

I do have to tell you that they are comping my entry to 1 of the tri's in exchange for posting about the events. But, it won't change what I post. I am still really, really excited and this just sweetens the deal!



Change Your Life Challenge: PUSHUPS. (not the Flintstone variety)

Who: Me. And my upper body strength.

What: Do 10 push-ups a day for 30 days.

When: Starting August 1, 2011 through August 31, 2011.

Why: Because I have flabby arms, and really, how many of you can do 10 push-ups without considerable effort right now?

How: Unclear. I'm just going to make sure I do 10 push-ups every day. I'd like to say it will be first thing in the morning but...I'll be honest, it will probably be randomly around 3pm in the bathroom at work or something equally ridiculous. Plus, I really hate push-ups so maybe when I'm going nuts at my desk they will sound appealing. You can choose the time when you do them.

I'm trying to decide if I should measure my arms now, on the 15th, and on the 31st. I will tell you how long it takes me on the first day to do 10 pushups, and how long it takes me on the last day. Anybody want to join me on this stupid little challenge? Let's kick it. Or...push it?

How about let's pump it?



Running (Yes, again)

I started running* again today. At least my Change Your Life Challenge gave me something new to complain about!

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post, likely to be titled: 10 Reasons Why I Don't Run (and why I am quitting again).




*loose definition. 2 miles in just under** 30 minutes
**as in, 29:49, but who's counting

For what it's worth, my ultimate goal is to be able to run a 5k in that same time. So, basically I want to add a mile. I wonder if I'll actually reach that goal. It would be pretty awesome if I did!

10 Things on a Thursday

1. I talk out loud to myself in my office when the door is shut. Wouldn't you if you had your own office?

2. I woke up this morning feeling so grateful to have such fabulous friends who know me so well. My best friend in the entire world is going to be in town next week and I am going to see so many friends and share so many wonderful memories over the next few months - it just left my heart feeling very full and satisfied this morning.

3. I grew 1 cucumber so far but it was a little...odd-shaped. Hopefully the rest of them will be a little more normal and I'll feel safe eating them.


4. I broke my camera. I sent it in to be fixed, then I bought a point-and-shoot because I have the patience of a 2 year old, then I found out my DSLR is being replaced. But the store I bought it from stopped carrying my model. I mean, really? So now I'm going to get an upgraded model but apparently I have to pay more and just, ugh. I need somone else to deal with this first-world problem for me. I miss my camera :(

5. I have zilch, zip, zero plans for Memorial Day weekend. Well, that's partially untrue. I have a date tomorrow night, and then I'm going to a birthday party, and I have a friend who wants to meet up for a drink on Saturday night. But other than that, my weekend is wide open.

6. I recently read The Pioneer Woman's book. I love P-Dub as much as the next girl (maybe more), but I wished her book ended differently. It was kinda abrupt. Maybe there's a part 2 that I don't know about.

7. I only skipped out on exercise 1 day so far this week, and that was on Monday, and I skipped exercising because I had heart palpitations over my grocery store bill. It was over $100. I only feed one person.

8. It's my job to plan Friday lunch at work this week (and next week too) and I only spent 1/2 of my budget this week. I wonder if that means I get to spend the other half plus my whole budget for next Friday's lunch? PARTAY if that's the case!

9. I skipped yoga last night and went for a walk instead and then I ate dinner at Nuevo Laredo and drank 2 Coronas, because that's what responsible kids do. I tried to convince my dinner companion to take tequila shots but he declined, stating that it would be an aggressive move for 9pm on a Wednesday. Fine, fine.



10. I just typed something incredibly passive-aggressive and then deleted it. See Mom, I'm growing up in the mature young lady you always hoped I would be.

Happy Memorial Day weekend, someone remind me next year that I should take a vacation around this time. I'm long overdue.

Change Your Life Challenge #3

Remember the Change Your Life Challenge?

I got all pumped up about it and my friends were talking about it and then it just kind of...fizzled away.

I (kind of) ate vegetarian for a week. I donated clothes like I was supposed to. And I haven't done anything since then. Well, not true. I have made some really awesome progress on my 101 in 1001 list, but I was really misisng that week-long CHALLENGE. Something that jump-started my own personal goals.

Enter my own Change Your Life Challenege. If the powers that be aren't brainstorming anymore, I'll do them on my own (and hope that you will play along!)

Who: Me, and whoever else would like to join!

What: Exercise for 30+ minutes every day of the week

When: Starting today, Sunday May 22, through Saturday, May 28. (I know this isn't a lot of prep time, so if you can't start until Tuesday, start Tuesday and go through next Monday!)

Why: It's so easy to get unmotivated when it comes to exercise, so I just need a little kick in the pants! Especially with the warmer weather and all the fun social activities that means!

How: Today I walked for 50 minutes (to my office and back home, 3 miles!). I intend to take a yoga class at Red Hot Yoga with a Living Social coupon I purchased, play tennis at least once, go on another walk, and who knows what else! You could do a class at a gym, 30 minutes of weight lifting in your apartment complex fitness room, a yoga video, Wii Fit for 30 minutes, walk your dog for 30 minutes...the possibilities are endless!

If you are ready to participate in this challenge, then comment on this entry so we can support each other!

Got questions about the "Change Your Life Challenge"? Email me with any questions or concerns you have.

If you accept the challenge, post the challenge logo on your blog and encourage more people to scurry over here and sign up for the challenge, too!

Grab the link for the logo: http://i54.tinypic.com/28rfe6a.jpg and check out the hashtag on Twitter.

Feel free to copy and paste (and post) this entry at your own blog. Just give credit and share the love!



Are you a gym rat?

I'm not much of a complainer via the internet. I really save my complaints for my mom. She's a good listener, mainly because she has to even if she doesn't want to. It's in the job description for mom. But, I have a complaint. Not a huge one, but just a little something that's bothering me.

I love Twitter. I think it is a FANTASTIC tool for networking, customer service, advertising, and whatever else you want it to be. While I was perusing the LA Fitness website a few days ago to figure out how to make the most of my few remaining days as a member, I discovered that they, too, have a Twitter account. Imagine that! So I decided to follow LA Fitness.

Then I opened my Twitter feed this morning to see this:


I think this is terrible, no good, very bad advice. First of all, it makes it seem as though snacking is a bad thing. It's not. As with everything else, it's healthy in moderation. Now, I don't consider myself an expert, or even a healthy living blogger, or anything else that would make me at all qualified to speak about this subject, but I just have to tell you, coming from a place like LA Fitness, that is not what I was expecting to see in my Twitter feed. As someone who is currently trying to perfect my exercise routine and eating habits, that 140-word-tidbit wasn't motivating. It didn't inspire me to not eat snacks. It discouraged me - made me feel like if I have more than 3 bites of my snack then I'm not up to LA Fitness par. Maybe I'm overreacting to a stupid tweet, but it's really how I felt!

Because I firmly believe that if you are going to complain out loud, you should also offer solutions to the problem... LA Fitness, rather than calling me out for the things I do wrong, how about tweeting instructions for a quick workout or challenging followers to meet a milestone such as increasing their speed or adding another lap to their swim? Or offering information about what's going on at clubs across the country! Or maybe a tip about how to warm up or cool down, or where to get great running shoes... Anything other than making me feel bad about what I'm already doing, really! I get that it's a suggestion, and I do see where the tweet was coming from but... I still don't like it. And maybe it's just me, and I'll deal.

I guess all I am trying to say is that LA Fitness is not in my good graces as of lately. Between the rotten (although remedied) customer service I received and now their tweets about how to eat and calories... I'm just not impressed.