A bad run is better than no run

I has been a crazy busy couple of days. The drywall finisher came to give an estimate on Tuesday and they were ready to come on Thursday! NOOOO NOT YET! We aren't ready. This means rush rush to get things ready for them and to get the basement ready to tear out the ceiling so the guys can work on running new duct work and installing a new furnace. I am amazed and the little amount of items I can live with. I thought I had condensed in the beginning to only the basics. Since then I have condensed twice more. We really have a lot of STUFF we don't use. So the drywall finishers will be there Monday and the house will be ready to paint by Friday. I thought I had a few paint colors picked out but now that it is time to decide for sure, I DON'T KNOW!!! And of all things in life this stupid decision is really stressing me out!!!

When I stood on the scale on Monday I was up again, 211.6. I hate Sundays. They are the hardest day for me to stay on track! I talked with the girl I weigh in with on Mondays and committed myself to scale stalking this week. Why would I do something I preach not to do?? Well I needed to be committed to get myself back on track. I decided to weigh in on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. I made the goal to be down to 205 by Monday. I made 207 on Wednesday and we'll see what tomorrow brings. I was up this morning, I did go over my calorie goal yesterday but less than 100. I did make a few bad choices, frosted sugar cookie in the afternoon and rice at supper. NO CARBS IN THE EVENING!! I know better. It was sooo nice out yesterday. Spring is finally coming! I wanted to run. Even if it was just 2 miles. However I woke up and couldn't hardly walk. I had injured my foot last year in Warrior Dash. When I jumped over a wall the outer aspect of my foot popped and nearly dropped me. This was the second obstacle I think and I managed to fight off the tears and finish the race. I couldn't put weight on it for a few days but it got better. Tuesday night in kickboxing it started bothering me and I have it figured out I can put weight on my heel and ball of my foot but not the outside. So needless to say there was no run last night. It feels ok today so if I manage to be very productive at work and get off at a decent time I may run a couple miles in the afternoon and going to try taping it for kickboxing tonight.

 
 
 
 
 
 

Tomorrow I am going to take Trenton to the Science Center in Des Moines to see the dinosaur exhibit. He LOVES dinosaurs and can tell you way more about them than any 5 year old should know. It should be a fun spring break outing. Then a follow up ENT appointment and to pick out the hard wood flooring and bring home doors and kitchen cabinets. I will manage to get in a workout every day this weekend. I will have to work hard to get to 205 by Monday but I WILL DO IT! This means run, run, run! The Ipod is charging!! But it really needs some new music. I will try to run tomorrow morning before the family wakes up so we can just focus on our fun for the day. I know I won't get it in after we get back from Des Moines.

EVEN DAUGHTRY WORKS OUT! HOTTIE! WHEWW!

Ever changing

What a busy weekend. My body hurts so bad everywhere! My hips and knees are killing me! BUT all the destruction of my house is done for now. Until we put in the new furnace and at that point we will have to tear out the ceiling in the basement which means we have to move our stuff out of the basement and the upstairs is not move in ready. Ugg. I am thinking about a mini vaca while the guys do that. They think it will take them about 4 days to tear out the duct work and put in new along with the new furnace. I think it sounds like a good time for Trent and I to pack up and head to Michigan to visit my mom. I haven't been out there for nearly 2 years!

Coming into the weekend I had done really well with my meals and food choices. All I wanted Saturday night was a dam Cadbury egg. I did go to Casey's and they did not have any!! So I ate all kinds of other crap. And the same thing happened Sunday. This night time eating is killing my success lately. I go down a couple pounds and then back up a couple more. It is a stupid vicious circle right now. I do a lot of thinking about myself. That sounds a little selfish I know but I am always analyzing what I have done and how it makes me feel or act. I have come to the conclusion that the change hasn't happened yet. I have made a LOT of changes to myself in the last 4 years but I have found I still don't have that inner strength to do this on my own. I have always been a motivator to others and I am always trying to get people to join me in my fitness excursions. But when it comes down to myself without everyone else, I won't and don't do it. What does it take to get back there? Because I once did have that. When I felt my strongest, not physically but mentally and emotionally was when I was doing distance running. It was a confidence built from within that maybe I could do this! As I am dreading it right now because running is not easy, it is time to start training again. I must get out on the pavement. I will continue to drag with me whoever will go because if that is what it takes to get back to where I was then that is what it takes.

I talked with one of my  most successful former training clients this morning and we are going to try to start meeting again. Even if it is once a week we could both use the time together. We have both been through so much and many very similar things that we work well together and we feed off each other. Time to move forward. I have big goals this week and am resorting back to checking in with her every other day to keep on track until I get my grove back. The one thing I am sure of over the last few years that I have learned is nothing works for everyone. Every day we are constantly evolving and changing. The key is learning from yourself and finding what works for you. Well I have found what doesn't work so it is time to try something else. Trial and error. It is not failure until you stop trying.

Left, right, left, right

I have really been thinking about signing up for Dam to Dam again this year. My past running partner does not want anything to do with this race again. We have done it twice now and it is a little tough. But I guess that is why it remains in the back of my mind. 20 k is 12.4 miles and this race ends the last 2-3 miles in hills. Great place to throw in the hills huh! My biggest fear is failure! I HATE THE "F" WORD! More than anything in this world, I hate failure. So I constantly think about all these "what ifs". But I guess it is not comfort that got me this far and remaining comfortable won't get me any further. When I started this blog I still hadn't decided yet if I was going to run this race. I can't let it come and go and not participate. I would be really disappointed on the day of the race if I wasn't there!   So I guess that means I am signing up! Oh dear!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes at a certain point it does get this simple. Left right left right left right....

 These are pictures from Dam to Dam 2011. There is a huge feeling of accomplishment when crossing the finish line. Well after the search for the nearest trash can because I was going to lose my stomach on the crowd around us! There is no better feeling than when you feel you have no more left in you and you can not take many more steps. But out of nowhere comes this burst of energy and you stop jogging and RUN the last couple of miles faster than the first 10!! And looking at the picture of me with Trent makes me tear up every time. He said to me that day, "mom, you didn't win." No your right buddy mommy didn't cross the finish line first, but I crossed the finish line. He was so proud of his mommy that day! I want another one of these pictures after I cross the next finish line!

This picture is from the IMT Half Marathon. Roger on my left and Lynn on my right. And the other three are people I met nearly by chance. It is what running is all about. The family and relationship that is developed is AMAZING. We all struggle through the same thing. We share aches and pains that non runners don't understand. We can spend to hours side by side and not say a word and know what the other is thinking. And all that may be said is, "We've got this." So with butterflies in my stomach I hit the enter button. Dam to Dam 2013 here I come and finish first, finish last, finish with a PR(BTW is currently 2 hours 20 minutes) or finish with the worst time ever...I will finish!

Bob's Skinny Rules

I came across Bob's rules earlier in the week and wanted to share it with everyone and my take on things.

Rule 1: WATER WATER WATER It is SOOOO important. If you lack in your water you will be able to tell in how you feel and on the scale. Also drinking it before a meal will help you to consume less food because of the space it takes up in your stomach.

Rule 2: Drinking your calories is a complete waste. Drink water, eat your calories

Rule 3: Protein helps you stay full longer, it helps to stabilize your blood sugar which keeps you from having uncontrollable cravings and spikes and valleys in your energy.

Rule 4: refined flours and grains are unnecessary. Anything refined is really unnecessary and you are just adding extra chemicals and fake food to a body that is not meant to process them.

Rule 5: Fiber keeps you full longer. Also the most beneficial fibers come from fruits and veggies, these are naturally low calorie foods, enjoy all you want of them!

Rule 6: Apples and berries are great antioxidants and are some fruits with the lowest sugar content but you still get a sweet fix.

Rule 7: Many people will tell you that you need carbs. Let me correct them. Your body needs very limited carbs. If you don't use(burn) a carb within 2 hours it is processed by the body, broken down into sugar and stored as fat. FAT. IT'S STORED AS FAT! That is why he says none after noon. So that all the carbs you have consumed are processed by your body and you don't have sugar in your blood when you go to bed. Even if you starved yourself all day and ate a high carb supper, you will probably still have a higher body fat percentage. Who wants to be skinny if you still have a lot of body fat? This is what we call skinny fat.

Rule 8: Read food labels so you understand what your eating, they may surprise you.

Rule 9: Portion distortion is a huge problem in today's society. It is most likely not as big as you think it is.

Rule 10: No added sweetener. The body is not meant to process it. Even thought artificial sweeteners are no calorie they still affect the blood sugar causing cravings and that sudden 10 minute nap at your desk in the middle of the afternoon that you hope no one else saw. However this is one that I have not been able to get away from. Yes I still use them :(

Rule 11: white potatoes have very little nutrition value. Again back to that carb thing.

Rule 12: Well it lessens the calories I suppose, but I love my meat.

Rule 13: Fast food and fried foods are full of hidden calories, artery clogging grease, and about 30-60 minutes after consumption is usually followed by a sudden fast trip to the bathroom. Yes it really screws with the bowels. Remember your intestines is where all your nutrition is absorbed. You wouldn't take a bite of Crisco or a swig of vegetable oil. Don't eat the fried stuff!

Rule 14: Start your day off right. Eggs and veggies are really easy to throw in the microwave while you put your make up on or tie your shoes!

Rule 15: If you make it you can control what is in it and it's a lot cheaper

Rule 16: High salt causes water retention and can lead to health issues like high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.

Rule 17: Vegetables are not an option. That's all

Rule 18: I love to go to bed hungry. This means my body will be burning my stored fat while I sleep and not what I have eaten and is in my blood stream. Burning stored fat means less body fat!

Rule 19: Sleep is so important in health and weight loss. It is something you may not notice until you start to pay attention. When I start to lack sleep, I binge, uncontrollably. I become more emotional. I don't feel like working out. And another note...I could eat the same foods and exercise the same way and when I lack sleep your body also lacks results. It doesn't have time to run all it's process. Every person is different. You have to try it out and see what works for you. I need no less that 7 and no more than 8.

Rule 20: It is important for one cheat meal. But plan it. Know what your going to have and when so your cheat meal doesn't turn into 3 days of binging. When your body gets used to what you give it it tends to not work as hard. Your cheat meal throws it off and keeps it revved up and going.

 

So that is my take on Bob Harper's skinny rules in a nut shell!

One day at a time

Today is an off day. I set my alarm clock for 5:30 so I had a little extra time to just sit and enjoy my coffee before it was time to get ready for work. And Trent had asked if he could watch a show before we left this morning. Well my alarm clock went off, several times and I ended up waking up late. 6:50 to be exact and I like to leave by 7:15. I don't even think I had wiped the sleep from my eyes when I left. My eyes hurt today. They feel puffy. Like that feeling you get when you have cried a lot. But there has been no crying, just puffy eyes.

We went to Donkey basketball last night and it was hilarious! I have never seen anything like that before! My food choices were a little poor yesterday. I was on a self pity trip from that unexplained gain on the scale yesterday. I had 2 glazed donuts and a small mint shake. I did not eat from 2:00 until after the ball game when I was so hungry my stomach was past growling, it hurt. I ate peanut butter and banana toast and a Greek yogurt. Should not have eaten at 9:45 but I would have been in awful shape if I would have waited until morning. I did stand on the scale this morning. Yes I preach no scale stalking but I am guilty. It was back down to 209. I don't get it. Decent food choices and a gain. Crappy food and no exercise and it's back down. Oh well it is what it is.

I think today is a detox day. I have eaten well. Every couple of hours and good choices and I have the shakes almost a little nauseous. Most likely my body yelling at me for all the sugar yesterday. I know better.  Tonight is my circuit training class and I have a pretty tough 55 minute program planned. Most likely it will be an early to bed night. Although I have more staples to pull so the last of the drywall can be hung in the back porch and need to start organizing the garage so we have room to stain the doors when they come.

Mental funk takes me back to the basics.

I had a pretty good weekend. I really struggle to get out of this mental funk I have been in lately. I think it boils down to I am sick and tired of living in our house the way it is. But I guess I can't twinkle my nose and make it all done. I have tried. It didn't work. Mom always told me I could be anything I wanted but I guess a genie doesn't qualify.

Friday night Trenton stayed at Grandma's and we made another trip to Menards for more drywall and boards. I was starving by the time we got to Des Moines. We dicided to stop at Panchero's. I thought to myself, this is going to be a disaster! But was supprised when we got inside that they had a salad on the menu. The steak or chicken burrioto looked magnificent!! But I knew with the hand made tortilla and stuffed with rice it would be off the calorie charts. I ordered a salad with chicken, black beans, a little cheese and salsa. It was really good! Then when I put the calories into My Fitness Pal I was pleased to see it only had 238! That burrito by the way was 1098!!!! Glad I didn't let my eyes change my mind! We did a little furnature browsing and did agree on a paint color for our bedroom and left the rest as we agreed to disagree.

Saturday started out with Kickboxing. Always my favorite part of the weekend! The guys worked on getting the front, back and patio doors in while I packed up my kitchen stuff. It is going to be suppppper hard to make the next month work without eating shit food all of the time but I will do it! I went grocerey shopping on Saturday afternoon and then to a get together for a friends birthday Saturday night. The kids played and ran wild. I had my fair share of vodka & crystal light. It may be my new drink of choice! Sunday I didn't do much. Got my hair highlighted, few loads of laundry and took a nap. I have no motivation here lately, to do anything.

Monday is weigh in day. It sucked! I have been at 208 for two days and then I get on this morning and it says 211!! WHAT THE HELL!! I did not eat late in the day, I did not go over on my calories, but I gain 3 pounds!!! Yes this is VERY frustrating! I will do things one day at a time this week. All I can do is do my best and then move on. Goals for the week are clean food choices and lots of water. Guess I am going back to the basics this week.

Our Condemed House

Today is going to be great! It is supposed to be so nice outside!! I am so over winter and ready for spring!

 I had weigh in at our work weight loss challenge today. I was not supprised that I was up 1 pound. The last two days have been pretty stressful for me and my husband has been out of town. What do I do when I am lonely and stressed?? EAT! So I now have no chips or junk food of any kind in my house. I ate it all :( I am not making excuses because I am the one that put the food in my mouth but I tell you this remodeling my house is starting to get to me. I have all these great intentions when I leave work and by the time I drive 45 minutes home I have lost every bit of motivation I had. By the time I pick up Trenton and come home, get supper started. Mind you I have half a kitchen right now and that is the only room I have. We eat and then most often Trent wants to watch an episode of Wild Krats. Well as I said the kitchen is the only room I have and the three of us are crammed into the basement along with all of our belongings. The ONLY place to sit down, is my bed, which sits on the floor because the box spring would not fit down the basement steps. By the time you sit down on that bed there is no getting back up. It just sucks you in. I think Trent and I were both asleep by 8:00 last night. It may have still been light out. I had cleaned out, vacuumed and washed my car before we ever came in the house and that is all I got done. Oh, I did do a load of laundry, but forgot to put it in the dryer so my jeans were still wet this morning!! I just want to set on the couch or at the table. Have another room to go to beside our crammed basement bedroom and bathroom. You can only clean the same small space so many times before you say screw it! I could never make it in an apartment!

                       I think right now it looks like it should be condemed!  The windows are covered                            in plywood, siding is tore off in places and mess everywhere!

It will all be worth it when we're done, right?


I have not worked out since Tuesday night. I feel really lazy because of this. If I just did something I would have a lot more energy! Tonight I will be able to go to kick boxing. I haven't been to boot camp in 2 weeks! UGG I have to get busy!

In the next week I will be losing what kitchen I have left. When we started this project we kept saying the kitchen is the only room that we are not doing because we did it 5 years ago. Well it is about to go out the window! I have been making a list of crock pot recipes. I think this may be the strangest part of the entire remodel. Cooking in my garage! Yeah this will suck.

No great big goals this weekend. Just kickboxing tonight and tomorrow morning, try to run on Sunday and to stay on track with proper food choices. NO ORDERING OUT. Yes it is killing me that the new Mexican restraunt has opened in Greenfield and I reeeeealllly want to go there but I just can't let myself yet!