How am I so encouraged and ready one day and then completely demotivated the next?
I keep telling myself today is the day, this week is the week, that I'm going to get back on track and eat right as well as workout at least an hour a day.
Yet, Monday, I woke up with LOW energy, didn't workout and then ate a big dinner with my client.
Today, I did a short 25 minute workout and ate well all day, but then got a huge craving for sugar and satiated it with a bar - because I really need 180 calories before bed.
I need to get back on track. I want to be addicted to a steady eating program and consistent workout but am having the hardest time jump starting this on weekdays filled with work.
I think in cases like this what has helped me in the past and what might help you is laying out an actual calendar with weekly goals.
What motivates you? Any inspirations to share?
OK. Signing off with promise to YOU that I WILL start tomorrow with a workout and proper eating.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Munchers, do the math
My "healthy" eating habbits have become my worst enenemy this year. A grapefruit here, salad there, carrots, granola bar, more fruit....until I've eaten more in calories than someone who eats a bagel for breakfast, pizza slice for lunch and sushi with frozen yogurt for dinner - what you would typically consider "unhealthy."
At the end of the day, it's calories in to calories out. I'm definitely not promoting unhealthy eating, but I'm just realizing that I've become a victim to healthy munching.
At some point, I think you have to balance your meals so that they are filling and satisfying enough to keep you from going back for seconds and thirds...and fourths. Didn't someone recently write a book called "Skinny girls don't eat salads"? I think they had a point.
Goal for the week, on top of squeezing 30-minutes of crunch time in a day, is to stop munching, and start eating MEALS.
I might even start recording calories again and doing the math. No promises ;)
What works for you?
At the end of the day, it's calories in to calories out. I'm definitely not promoting unhealthy eating, but I'm just realizing that I've become a victim to healthy munching.
At some point, I think you have to balance your meals so that they are filling and satisfying enough to keep you from going back for seconds and thirds...and fourths. Didn't someone recently write a book called "Skinny girls don't eat salads"? I think they had a point.
Goal for the week, on top of squeezing 30-minutes of crunch time in a day, is to stop munching, and start eating MEALS.
I might even start recording calories again and doing the math. No promises ;)
What works for you?
Monday, April 19, 2010
I have no time!!!
My favorite excuse! Tonight I didn't let myself use it. Instead of spending an hour on facebook to veg-out after an 11-hour work day, I cut my photo-stalking time to 30 minutes and used the other 30 to workout in my living room.
For years I've dog-eared workout suggestions and recipes in Self and Health magazine, "to try later." Today I finally went back to my stack and created an easy, 30-minute circuit to burn a few calories before going to bed.
The workout is below, in case you are interested. Running 3-6 miles might have been better, but on a night where I "had no time" this did the trick.
My intent for tomorrow - find time! I encourage you to do the same. When it comes to health, being selfish is allowed.
Circuit - repeat 3 times:
1) 60-seconds of jumping jacks or jump rope
2) 10 lunges on each leg
3) 20 push ups
4) 60 situps - 20 forward, 20 to each side, 20 leg raises for lower abs
5) Side and back kicks - 20 on each leg
For years I've dog-eared workout suggestions and recipes in Self and Health magazine, "to try later." Today I finally went back to my stack and created an easy, 30-minute circuit to burn a few calories before going to bed.
The workout is below, in case you are interested. Running 3-6 miles might have been better, but on a night where I "had no time" this did the trick.
My intent for tomorrow - find time! I encourage you to do the same. When it comes to health, being selfish is allowed.
Circuit - repeat 3 times:
1) 60-seconds of jumping jacks or jump rope
2) 10 lunges on each leg
3) 20 push ups
4) 60 situps - 20 forward, 20 to each side, 20 leg raises for lower abs
5) Side and back kicks - 20 on each leg
Sunday, April 18, 2010
P90x Tan Laundry?
While drinking my morning coffee I got sucked into an infomercial for P90X - the latest fitness craze for men and women. It's a 90 day program designed to whip you into shape by confusing your muscles.
NORMALLY, I'd change the channel and walk away, but the compelling testimonials combined with a real-life example (a cousin of mine who reshaped her bod and looks amazing) made it impossible. Two minutes after the commercial ended I purchased the series on Amazon and then two minutes after that I quit my expensive and unused gym membership at Equinox.
While running alone is a great workout, cross-training is essential for your body to sustain a 26-week, marathon training program (a lesson learned after my first marathon). You need to focus on strengthening muscles that aren't being used when you run to keep your body balanced.
The second marathon I rotated running days with pilates, biking, cross-training classes at Equinox etc. and felt 10x stronger for the first 25 miles of my race.
This time around, i'm testing the P90x method. Day 1 starts this Wednesday, April 22. Stay tuned!
And yes, I did tan on my rooftop and do laundry today, in true Jersey Shore fashion. Between the infomercial and the tan I managed to squeeze in a 3 mile walk with a few stair climbs. Eating was sub-par when you count the bottomless mimosas...;)
How do you stay fit?
NORMALLY, I'd change the channel and walk away, but the compelling testimonials combined with a real-life example (a cousin of mine who reshaped her bod and looks amazing) made it impossible. Two minutes after the commercial ended I purchased the series on Amazon and then two minutes after that I quit my expensive and unused gym membership at Equinox.
While running alone is a great workout, cross-training is essential for your body to sustain a 26-week, marathon training program (a lesson learned after my first marathon). You need to focus on strengthening muscles that aren't being used when you run to keep your body balanced.
The second marathon I rotated running days with pilates, biking, cross-training classes at Equinox etc. and felt 10x stronger for the first 25 miles of my race.
This time around, i'm testing the P90x method. Day 1 starts this Wednesday, April 22. Stay tuned!
And yes, I did tan on my rooftop and do laundry today, in true Jersey Shore fashion. Between the infomercial and the tan I managed to squeeze in a 3 mile walk with a few stair climbs. Eating was sub-par when you count the bottomless mimosas...;)
How do you stay fit?
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Starting Over
Two years ago I signed up for my first marathon with the intention to change my life. A goal this extreme seemed to be the prescription I needed to escape my current state.
Intimidated and excited by the challenge, I put EVERYTHING into training. I read books by ultimate marathon man Dean Karnazes, subscribed to Running World magazine, joined online forums and running groups. I changed my eating habits, stept a full 8 hours each night and overall just dedicated myself to a strict program. While my personal life took a bit of a hit, I fell in love with life in a new way. I was confident, alive, engaged with my senses and emotions, strong, capable and felt rejuvenated. Running became the most healthy addiction.
Four months into training I ran my first half marathon - under two hours and at least 8 lbs lighter! That was it. I was hooked. Two weeks after that I competed in my first sprint triathalon. (All I could think about is how much I preferred running to biking or swimming.) Another three months and I was running the Nike Marathon - unrecognizable from the day I signed up. Not only was I 15 lbs lighter, but I was a more confident person who for once could get behind my decisions.
The day of the marathon was one of the best in my life. I went into it thinking I would prove to myself that I could do anything alone. I came out of it realizing that life isn't about being alone. My sister, my best friend, carried me through the last six miles of that race. At mile 20 I wanted to quit. She was my courage and energy when I had none. Three miles before the finish my best friend met me to keep me going through the final stretch. I finished that race because of these incredible women and realized that life isn't about trying to do everything alone, it's about sharing it with people you love.
For about a year following the marathon I kept up running. I ended up running the LA Marathon the next year along with a 199 relay from Sonoma to Santa Cruz with a team of incredible women - my sole sisters.
It's been two years since my first marathon and a year since the relay. I'm ten lbs heavier, committed to work, but haven't "ran" for months and have lost a bit of my spark as a result.
So here I am. Signing up for my third marathon and using this blog to share the experience.
Today was my first day of training. I ran 5 miles...painful....but it feels good to be starting again.
I'm committed to myself and to anyone reading. I'll use this blog to record my eating, running and overall training plans.
The marathon is about six months, 26 weeks, and 100 runs away.
Time to bring life back!
Intimidated and excited by the challenge, I put EVERYTHING into training. I read books by ultimate marathon man Dean Karnazes, subscribed to Running World magazine, joined online forums and running groups. I changed my eating habits, stept a full 8 hours each night and overall just dedicated myself to a strict program. While my personal life took a bit of a hit, I fell in love with life in a new way. I was confident, alive, engaged with my senses and emotions, strong, capable and felt rejuvenated. Running became the most healthy addiction.
Four months into training I ran my first half marathon - under two hours and at least 8 lbs lighter! That was it. I was hooked. Two weeks after that I competed in my first sprint triathalon. (All I could think about is how much I preferred running to biking or swimming.) Another three months and I was running the Nike Marathon - unrecognizable from the day I signed up. Not only was I 15 lbs lighter, but I was a more confident person who for once could get behind my decisions.
The day of the marathon was one of the best in my life. I went into it thinking I would prove to myself that I could do anything alone. I came out of it realizing that life isn't about being alone. My sister, my best friend, carried me through the last six miles of that race. At mile 20 I wanted to quit. She was my courage and energy when I had none. Three miles before the finish my best friend met me to keep me going through the final stretch. I finished that race because of these incredible women and realized that life isn't about trying to do everything alone, it's about sharing it with people you love.
For about a year following the marathon I kept up running. I ended up running the LA Marathon the next year along with a 199 relay from Sonoma to Santa Cruz with a team of incredible women - my sole sisters.
It's been two years since my first marathon and a year since the relay. I'm ten lbs heavier, committed to work, but haven't "ran" for months and have lost a bit of my spark as a result.
So here I am. Signing up for my third marathon and using this blog to share the experience.
Today was my first day of training. I ran 5 miles...painful....but it feels good to be starting again.
I'm committed to myself and to anyone reading. I'll use this blog to record my eating, running and overall training plans.
The marathon is about six months, 26 weeks, and 100 runs away.
Time to bring life back!
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