I've found it rather convenient that my son has practices twice a week at the gym. So while he practices for an hour or so, I'm up on the track (running in circles) and hitting the weights.
Right now, it's all about maintaining for me and inspiring hubby to do the same. I realize that we are a team, and when I'm on it, so is he. When I slip, so will he.
On Monday hubby and I decided to get the kids all settled in before we hit the gym. It was late at night, 9:30 when we got there and I joined him on some sprint runs. (I really didn't know how to calculate this run on my Nike Plus, so that threw me off :) Hubby is now training with someone who is giving him an exercise regime which he shares with me... and we do it together. It's nice getting back into the swing of things, somewhat. I'm still dying to head out for a run. I haven't had time to make it to Skinny Ravens to install those studs in my shoes. But it's definitely on my To Do List.
Until then, you can find us at the gym late at night ;)
It's crazy that after a long photo shoot and being completely exhausted, I still made it out for my Sunday run. Mind you, we set our clocks one hour back, so as the clock read 4pm, it really was 5pm.. and it did feel like early evening out there. We set out for our run, the sun was starting to set on one side and that gorgeous moon shined on the other. It still is crazy how you literally see sun on one side and turn the other cheek and there you have the moon.
Needless to say, I threw on my gear, even though that little voice in the back of my mind, said "Are you crazy, it is in the 20's out there!" And with that I put on my beanie and North Face Gloves on! The craziest part was hubby decided to join me on a whim! I even said, "Are you sure you are up for this, it is frigid cold out there?"
We did.. venture out in that bitter 28 degree.
I bet you're dying to know, what running in nail-biting weather feels like? Well, to sum it up in one word: "Torture" (but for me.. it was worth it) The first few minutes, I always have that inner voice talking back to me "Girl, are you crazy?" Then I hit play on my iPod, and that little voice gets left behind! My fingers are the first to start freezing, I constantly have to move them around, to get the blood flowing. Then there's the war between my lungs and that cold air. That alone is a challenge in itself. But I'm glad I've been running out in the cooler temps for a while, cause I don't feel it as much as it does to hubby. I usually get into my rhythm after mile 1. It really is all downhill after that. And I get in my zone, drifting off into my music. My music list is a big part of my runs, I get lost in them, and it helps keep my "booty going boom, boom, boom".
I told my son to take a few pics of me and hubby getting ready for a run to record on my Week In My Life, but does a teenager listen? No.. so he recorded us getting ready instead... not much going on but us walking out the door and listening to our neighbors.
I dragged hubby with me on yesterday's run (thanks babe!) I'm sure there were 10 million other things he wanted to do besides run out there in freezing temps while the sun was setting... but he's a trooper, he came anyway! It meant a lot..
It's coming.. that white stuff has already fallen (not sticking just yet) but soon it will...
And the only thing on my mind is ...
Which shoe do I install those studs in so I can run in the snow? The new ones? Or old ones? Ugh, choices, choices..
I say snow... Bring it on!
I'm quite excited actually.. I have to say, I've never ran in snow before! What can I say.. I like the challenge..
Recently someone asked what my eating habits were like, as I sat there and ate yogurt for lunch. I chuckled thinking, I hope she doesn't think I eat like this all the time :) Truth is, I eat crap too and I enjoy it. I think the keyword is MODERATION.
In the beginning of my journey, I was very strict about what went in my mouth, almost to the point where I clearly was not eating enough. And all of a sudden my desire to eat healthier became an obsession. This obsession led me to challenge myself physically and mentally to the point where with each pound I lost, I needed to double it the next time. Then came a point where nothing I did was enough. I looked in the mirror and constantly felt "fat". Even though I was the slimmest I'd ever been since I was a teenager and finally rockin' size 2's.. It wasn't enough. Clearly the strict diet was bringing more harm than good.
It took a few bites here and there to allow me to believe that it was okay to introduce chips or even a piece of candy back into my life. Then as the summer came, parents visited, we ate out all the time... and I slacked big time. I ate as I pleased and as with any guilty pleasure, I really enjoyed it all. Then I stepped on that scale and I noticed it didn't budge at all and I was convinced that I was okay. As long as I exercised a few times a week, I realized, I was gonna be fine.
That little slacking I went through brought me down, but at the same time, it's exactly what I needed. It was reminder that I did not have to completely deprive myself of the foods I once loved, or be a workout monger to stay fit. As long as I ate them in moderation and workout a few times a week is all I needed.
And that's where I'm at right now. I enjoy cooking big dinners for the family and pumpkin pies. I think counting calories in the beginning of my journey helped my body to realize "enough is enough" or that an apple over french fries would suffice. Starting strict has helped me stray from fast food. I have not touched McDonald's since then and it doesn't faze me at all.
So, one day you may see me eating a yogurt with granolas for lunch one day or a big ol' Philly Cheesesteak and Garlic Teriyaki Wings from Straight Outta Philly the next... All in moderation and with a decent amount of workout in between.
When I logged my run in the other day.. I was surprised to see I placed on this Human Race 10K :)
Out of 86,799 challengers apparently I finished at 24,615...
Now I'm thinking.. if I only paid a little more attention to this site, I would've known and worked a little harder :) Of course, now I'm looking up all sorts of challenges.
This will be me.. probably in a few days.. I thought about this on my long run today. What will I do when that snow comes falling? Sure I will take my run indoors and work out at the gym. And my girlfriend told me about the Sports Dome, that would be great to run on. But... But... I really LOVE the outdoors. Something about being outside (constantly working indoors can become tiresome) that I just need that fresh air, despite the colder temps!
So I'm stocking up and spending way too much money at Sports Authority (they must love us there, I swear we drop several hundred bucks with each visit) for Cold Gear. I really LOVE the ones from Under Armour (I found some of the Nike ones to be too thin for me). But these are awesome. There are different types of Cold Gear stemming from 1.0-3.0 (3 being the thickest, warmest gear).. so they are completely versatile!
Today's run was a reminder that "technology" isn't so dependable all the time. I just about freaked out when I hit my center button of my iPod to find out my pace, because I felt like I was keeping up with that 7'50" pace that I set out 10 minutes earlier. To not hear my "lady" voice telling me how far I've gone. I kept running and hit again.. and I got nothing!! "Damn it!" I stopped in the "forest" (I call it forest, it really is just a trail surrounded by dead trees!) And I looked at my iPod and my Nike Plus was not tracking anything! What? There was no solid proof of my 2 miles that I already did at such an awesome pace? What!! Well, I originally set out for a quick run, (to the bridge and back), but now that I have to restart my Nike Plus, I just had to go even farther!
So this run landed me to the Post Road Gate. It was a nice LONG run. I enjoyed it.. cold and all :) So this 6 mile run is really like an 8 mile run :)
I felt really confident after this run.. there are some workouts where you go cause you "need" to go, and some you just come out of it, exhilarated! My cadence was awesome throughout the entire run, stuck to it, sang my heart out while running, and may have even thrown in a few dance moves ;)
Been feeling really good on the workout front.. learning the art of balance is always a struggle but a learning experience. That excuse of "not having enough time" is simply saying "I'd rather not make time".. I've also learned that in order to move forward, I have to let go of "negative-vibes" that only pulled me down. I've learned that when you surround yourself with the "positives" it makes a huge impact on your outlook in life and inspire you to continue to grow as a person.
These past few days it's been sunnier, but don't let that crisp blue sky fool ya, it's dipped down to about 35 degrees... which only led me out to buy more layers. The best part is having my work out buddy back, my hubby. We've been taking our workout, outdoors, making the most of this lingering fall :)
*not sure what I'm doing in these photos.. Izzy tried to take photos of mom :)
I don't know about you, but I really LOVE running in this brisk weather. I ran tonight (solo, hubby is back on mids and was on his way to work) and just added a few more layers on and really ENJOYED it.. Maybe it's because I needed to get out of the house.. but whatever it is, it really helped to clear my mind and forget about work for a while.
Today's run was an enjoyable one. I know there are times, I can't wait to turn around and get back.. but not today. It was one, where I literally could have gone a few more miles.. but too bad the sun is setting earlier and I was afraid of it getting too dark (and the fact that I had to play taxi for my high schooler how wanted to join gym night at his school)...
However, my left knee has been aching, but I'm still cranking out my runs, every other day... I really think my new pair of running shoes are helping out for better stability out on the pavements, we'll see.
Tracking my workouts has to be the highlight after a work out.. I don't know what it is about graphs that make me feel like I've accomplished something, LOL!
I've been hanging on to a great rhythm so far! It took all that stress and lack of exercise the month before to give it my all full force! I'm feeling that natural "high", sticking to my regime, and most important, living that lifestyle I set out back in April. I am not as strict as I was when I first started, I'm pretty comfortable at where I am, and if I want a chocolate candy, I will treat myself to it, guilt-free.
The weather has been beautiful, even on it's cloudy/rainy days, I still find myself out there.
I'm getting back into that grove, where I'm wondering what I can do next and when... I look at other runners and "smile" feeling their aura and anxious to get home so I can get out there too! The energy and vibe is back and I'm slowly finding that inner peace, that I craved last month. I even got my creative flow back and was able to scrap several pages while feeling relaxed about it and stress free. It still amazes me how exercise is so vital to a healthy lifestyle and helps ease the spirit and clear the mind.
Yesterday we bought the 5th generation iPod with that video feature.. (We are such mac freaks).. and of course I could not video tape my run, although I have to say I thought of it, just wanting to capture the path I pass by several times a week, but I waited for my cool down mode to do it.. This is take 3, all the others were a bit muffled as I man handled that mic :) I gave up trying to video tape after a while... but wanted to capture how gorgeous the morning was for a run :)
Hubby joined me today for my run.. I was so excited to see him. I left without him as he initially declined my offer, but saw him on my way back and we ran together.. I was just gleaming with joy.. he surprised me and I know how hard it is to get out of that rut and to just "do it"... so I was really proud of him! This is exactly what we needed. With Winter around the corner, we need to work extra hard to stick to our lifestyle.
Nothing like something like this to boost up my self esteem and give myself a huge pat on my back. I still
can't believe this was done by me, the girl who hated PE growing up and
would find any excuse to miss those 1.5 mile runs at school. I am so proud of myself, it makes me want to push even further.
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I went for a run today, despite the cooler (cold) temperatures. I think it barely reached 40 degrees! I came home from work (and being up at 5 am) and i just pushed myself. Sometimes I think I push myself too hard. I did not want to stop, even though I really should've with this one bad left knee. But I kept going, and now I am sitting on the sofa, wishing I had turned around 3 miles earlier..
I'm gonna have to push myself to take it easy on my knees tomorrow. I'm excited because both hubby and I are off from work, and we have set out to go for a run initially, but may settle for our day at the gym. I'm off to limp my way to the car to pick up hubby.. (Did I mention, we are still a one car family.. This is not working out!) LOL!!
I have to say, I have not worked out in a long time. I blame not having enough time, overloaded with work at the store and jammed packed photoshoots. But like any other rhyme or reason, they are all just excuses. To top it off, I use those same excuses to justify my reasoning. I like to use the "Well I've already reached my goal weight, still wearing my smaller jeans, and have not resorted to my "fat" pants at all." But I know that my lack of exercising, has affected many parts of my life, both physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally.
Physically, I don't feel as strong. My body knows what it's lacking and it craves it, and I'm lying to myself denying that physical challenge my body craves. Mentally and spiritually, there is absolutely no balance in my life. Even though, I finished my projects, editing photos, or getting dinner on the table. I don't feel complete. Even though I spend many days alone while the kids are in school, I am not spending it doing things for me. There's always work to be done, a project to finish, people to photograph. I think as the weeks went by, I was like a time bomb ready to explode.
And the worst part of it all, is not only have I steered off the tracks, but so did my hubby. I've realized that my hubby's motivation stem from me. I notice when I slip off the fitness wagon, he is sure to fall right along with me. It's bad enough with my excuses but to add his as well, makes things even worst :)
So last week, my hubby started hitting the gym again. And I am so proud of him, but I admit, it was enough to make me green with envy. Just the push I needed to get back into the swing of things. So naturally I pick one of the rainiest and cloudiest days to get back into the grove. I admit, by 6 pm, I was leaning towards not doing anything. But feeling the frustration of trying to help 3 kids with homework, getting dinner done, and finsihing up the laundry.. I knew I just needed to get out. And out of all days, I had no car (it's in the shop), so I resorted to going out in the 40 degree weather for a run.
It was a slow run @ 9'41"/ mile. It was quite interesting running in the colder weather too, although I was dressed warmed, my toes were the one thing that was noticeably cold. *Note to self, thicker socks.
