Alright... I'm currently preparing for my four day whirlwind trip to Japan for work (not a leisure trip... working the entire time) and I realized that I needed to post my official "Start of Layoff" weight. I am hoping that through some determination, controlled eating habits and hard work (lots of running) that I will be able to drop 20 pounds by the time that the tour starts back up again in Orlando at the end of October. That's my goal. 20 pounds in essentially three months. I can do it!!!
Weight 7/29/12: 249.6
I gained about 5 pounds from when I left New York three weeks ago. I figured that was about right with my back being out of commission plus my uncontrolled eating. But no more!
I went back to my chiropractor here in Toronto on Friday and she said that I can get back into running once I no longer feel pain in my back. I honestly think the main culprit is the bed in the hotel. When you wake up feeling worse, that's a bad sign, right? So, I'm hoping that getting to my Mom's house and sleeping on a better mattress will help this out. We'll see... I plan on finding a chiropractor while I'm there, just in case I need to go back in for a tweak.
Also, I decided NOT to pack my scale. I'm going to try and do all of this simply by holding myself accountable. I can tell when I'm on the right track. I feel better. I feel healthy. My clothes start to feel looser. If push comes to shove and I find I simply can't do without one for three months, then I'll simply go buy one. No biggie. It's not like it would be that hard to find, and they aren't really that expensive.
Alright, so you heard it here first kids... By October 28, 2012 I plan on weighing 229 or below.
Let's DO THIS!!
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
To Scale or Not To Scale?
Okay everyone, I have a question I would like to ask you and to get your opinion on...
At the end of this week, my tour has a good amount of time off. We have four weeks off, during which I will spend the majority of time at my Mom's house in Kentucky. After our time off, our tour flies to Japan for three weeks where I will be in Tokyo for two weeks and Osaka for one week. After Tokyo, we again have five weeks off, during which I will be in New York City and New Zealand (can't wait to visit my little sister in New Zealand!!)
I know you're wondering... "Okay, but what's the question?"
I'm wondering if I should pack my scale with me to have during the time off and Japan or have it go into storage for three months?
Here's the thing... I've gained a bit of weight since we've been here in Toronto. It's partially due to my back and being afraid to really exercise. The other part is I've been craving all sorts of horrible food since I've been here, and I have been caving to the cravings. I've gained about 7 pounds in the two and half weeks since I've been here. I know that during the breaks I can most definitely lose this and then some. Not to mention I'm actually thinking that I might lose weight while in Japan because I'm actually not a huge fan of fish, and I'm worried about how much I'm going to find to eat while over there. My boss told me the last time he was in Japan (his taste in food is very similar to mine) he lost ten pounds. Now, I'm not counting on it, but it's in the back of my mind.
I'm afraid that I'll be neurotic about how much weight I'm losing during my time off if I take the scale. Like constantly measuring myself and beating myself up if I'm not losing it fast enough, or if I'm not losing enough. I would like to relax during this time off, and while I do have certain goals that I would like to achieve while I'm there, I don't want it to be all that I think about. If I don't pack it and it stays with my stuff and goes into storage with the other stuff from the tour, I think that I will be a bit more relaxed about it but I'm worried I might be too relaxed about it... Plus, not really having an idea where my weight is during the almost three months could drive me crazy, not to mention my calorie goal for the day would be a guess. I wouldn't know my exact weight and therefore wouldn't necessarily be eating the right amount of calories for the day.
You see what I'm saying? I'm afraid of the two extremes... Neurotic and obsessed if I have it, or completely slack off and go crazy without it.
I know that without trying too hard I will lose some of this weight, because I'm pretty sure some of it is water weight from the amount of salty crap I've been eating. I just feel swollen. I'm definitely looking forward to having a full kitchen again and cooking for myself. I know that because of that alone, I will be so much better about my eating habits. Not to mention I need to watch how much money I spend over the breaks and the best way to do that is by cooking for myself. Also, I need to be sure to keep up the running while I'm home. My official training for the half marathon begins after my second break when the tour starts back up in Orlando and I need to not be starting from scratch. I would like to be at the point where I can easily run four or five miles, like I used to. So, I know that I will lose weight, but will it be enough is the question...
I just don't know...
While you guys ponder what I should do, I'll give you the update from my chiropractor visit.
I have a weak ass. Literally.
According to her, because I have a desk job and sit for the majority of the day my butt was not used to working the way that I was demanding it do when I got back into running. My glutes were not functioning properly thereby straining my lower back to compensate. She also thinks it might be the combination of that and the crappy hotel bed from the hotel I'm in. She gave me acupuncture in my lower back and attached some electrodes to my butt and made my glutes contract on and off for about 10-15 minutes during my visit. It made me laugh just lying on this table with my butt half exposed being literally shocked into submission. She gave me an exercise to do every night and told me not to run during the rest of my time here in Toronto and that I need to ease back into it. (I think I over did it while I was in NYC and did that four mile run as well...) But, my back has felt better since my visit and I am doing what she said. I have one more visit with her before I leave so I'm hoping that I will be okay for a while.
Okay, that's its for me for a few days. Before I leave from Toronto I will post my official weight, so I have a starting off point for the beginning of the break, with or without my scale. I have a goal to lose 20 or so pounds during the next three months. I NEED TO DO THIS!! I need to know that I can still lose weight and not just the same ten pounds that I've gained and then relost during this past year.
At the end of this week, my tour has a good amount of time off. We have four weeks off, during which I will spend the majority of time at my Mom's house in Kentucky. After our time off, our tour flies to Japan for three weeks where I will be in Tokyo for two weeks and Osaka for one week. After Tokyo, we again have five weeks off, during which I will be in New York City and New Zealand (can't wait to visit my little sister in New Zealand!!)
I know you're wondering... "Okay, but what's the question?"
I'm wondering if I should pack my scale with me to have during the time off and Japan or have it go into storage for three months?
I'm afraid that I'll be neurotic about how much weight I'm losing during my time off if I take the scale. Like constantly measuring myself and beating myself up if I'm not losing it fast enough, or if I'm not losing enough. I would like to relax during this time off, and while I do have certain goals that I would like to achieve while I'm there, I don't want it to be all that I think about. If I don't pack it and it stays with my stuff and goes into storage with the other stuff from the tour, I think that I will be a bit more relaxed about it but I'm worried I might be too relaxed about it... Plus, not really having an idea where my weight is during the almost three months could drive me crazy, not to mention my calorie goal for the day would be a guess. I wouldn't know my exact weight and therefore wouldn't necessarily be eating the right amount of calories for the day.
You see what I'm saying? I'm afraid of the two extremes... Neurotic and obsessed if I have it, or completely slack off and go crazy without it.
I know that without trying too hard I will lose some of this weight, because I'm pretty sure some of it is water weight from the amount of salty crap I've been eating. I just feel swollen. I'm definitely looking forward to having a full kitchen again and cooking for myself. I know that because of that alone, I will be so much better about my eating habits. Not to mention I need to watch how much money I spend over the breaks and the best way to do that is by cooking for myself. Also, I need to be sure to keep up the running while I'm home. My official training for the half marathon begins after my second break when the tour starts back up in Orlando and I need to not be starting from scratch. I would like to be at the point where I can easily run four or five miles, like I used to. So, I know that I will lose weight, but will it be enough is the question...
I just don't know...
While you guys ponder what I should do, I'll give you the update from my chiropractor visit.
I have a weak ass. Literally.
According to her, because I have a desk job and sit for the majority of the day my butt was not used to working the way that I was demanding it do when I got back into running. My glutes were not functioning properly thereby straining my lower back to compensate. She also thinks it might be the combination of that and the crappy hotel bed from the hotel I'm in. She gave me acupuncture in my lower back and attached some electrodes to my butt and made my glutes contract on and off for about 10-15 minutes during my visit. It made me laugh just lying on this table with my butt half exposed being literally shocked into submission. She gave me an exercise to do every night and told me not to run during the rest of my time here in Toronto and that I need to ease back into it. (I think I over did it while I was in NYC and did that four mile run as well...) But, my back has felt better since my visit and I am doing what she said. I have one more visit with her before I leave so I'm hoping that I will be okay for a while.
Okay, that's its for me for a few days. Before I leave from Toronto I will post my official weight, so I have a starting off point for the beginning of the break, with or without my scale. I have a goal to lose 20 or so pounds during the next three months. I NEED TO DO THIS!! I need to know that I can still lose weight and not just the same ten pounds that I've gained and then relost during this past year.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
I have an ouch-ie
I have been in Toronto for a week and a half and pretty much one thing has been consistent since my arrival...
My lower back is killing me.
Some days have been better than others. This is my first time ever experiencing this kind of pain before, so I wasn't really sure what to do or how to handle it. I kind of figured it would just go away on its own. Unfortunately, that has not been the case.
I have made an appointment with a chiropractor for tomorrow afternoon and I hope that I feel normal after this. I don't like not being able to do the most mundane things because it might make my back twinge.
The other horrible side effect that my back pain has had, is that I haven't really been able to exercise that much. I've tried a few times and while I felt okay while I was running, honestly I couldn't get my mind off the fact that I was afraid I was going to make my back worse. So, I haven't fully run since Sunday, which in and of itself isn't horrible, but what do I do when I'm not feeling well? I don't eat well either. Doesn't help that there is a Wendy's across the street from the hotel and on the way to the theater.
I checked my weight this morning and thankfully I haven't really gained since my last official weigh in. It just irks me because I had such huge hopes for these three weeks in Toronto and with the weather being bearable (compared the harsh summer the US is experiencing...) I really wanted to get out there and RUN!
Luckily I have a few months until I start my official training for the half marathon. I have time to get myself back into shape. I just feel slovenly. Like, even though the scale doesn't say it, I feel fatter. All the salt I've been eating probably isn't helping with that...
Anyway, I'll update you guys after I've seen the chiropractor and have (hopefully) gone for a run.
My lower back is killing me.
Some days have been better than others. This is my first time ever experiencing this kind of pain before, so I wasn't really sure what to do or how to handle it. I kind of figured it would just go away on its own. Unfortunately, that has not been the case.
I have made an appointment with a chiropractor for tomorrow afternoon and I hope that I feel normal after this. I don't like not being able to do the most mundane things because it might make my back twinge.
The other horrible side effect that my back pain has had, is that I haven't really been able to exercise that much. I've tried a few times and while I felt okay while I was running, honestly I couldn't get my mind off the fact that I was afraid I was going to make my back worse. So, I haven't fully run since Sunday, which in and of itself isn't horrible, but what do I do when I'm not feeling well? I don't eat well either. Doesn't help that there is a Wendy's across the street from the hotel and on the way to the theater.
I checked my weight this morning and thankfully I haven't really gained since my last official weigh in. It just irks me because I had such huge hopes for these three weeks in Toronto and with the weather being bearable (compared the harsh summer the US is experiencing...) I really wanted to get out there and RUN!
Luckily I have a few months until I start my official training for the half marathon. I have time to get myself back into shape. I just feel slovenly. Like, even though the scale doesn't say it, I feel fatter. All the salt I've been eating probably isn't helping with that...
Anyway, I'll update you guys after I've seen the chiropractor and have (hopefully) gone for a run.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
So... This Happened...
It is official y'all!
See you next February, Walt Disney World! I'll be the one (well, one of many...) wearing the tiara and probably cursing myself as I run.
YAY!!!!!
Friday, July 6, 2012
NYC, what is it about you?
Ah... home.
It's been about 9 months since I've been home in NYC for more than 3 days, and I'm liking it. It's a little weird because I'm crashing at my old apartment, however my room is currently occupied by a subletter. So, I've been the main inhabitant of the couch and living area. But, it's been great because I'm getting to spend so much time with my roommate and her wonderful dog, Wylie. (Hi Beth!)
Since I've been here, my eating hasn't been that horrible. Yes, I had a turkey burger and tater tots yesterday (um, hello! There were TATER TOTS! How can you say no to TATER TOTS??) but that pretty much filled me up for the majority of the day and then after my run I had a Clif Bar essentially for dinner.
A run, did you say?
That's right! I've been back out and running in Central Park since I've been home and it's been great! I have run two of my old routes, and even though they were kind of a struggle to finish, I am able to report that I ran 3 miles on Tuesday and 4 miles last night. WOOHOO!!! I'm not completely back, but I'm well on my way! The 3 mile route was just twice around the Central Park Reservoir path but the 4 mile route was my old hilly route that most definitely put me to the test. The other great news? Even though I felt like I was going SO SLOW, when I looked at my watch? I realized that for the first mile, on both runs, I was FLYING! (Or, at least flying for me...) but then I had to slow down and pace myself for the rest of the run so that I could finish. All in all, I finished both runs at a 13:45 mile. I'm insanely happy with that.
Why? I mean, by everyone's standards, that's really slow. I'm extremely happy with that, because when I took my break from running last year the fastest pace I recorded was 13:30, and that was after MONTHS of training and running! I put in hours upon hours and miles upon miles to get myself down to that speed. If I'm starting out at this speed, after a couple of months of C210K training, I'm very excited to see what I am going to be able to accomplish come next February.
And what's next February, you ask?
Why, the Walt Disney World Princess Half Marathon, that's what!
I know, I've said this before but this time, it's gonna happen! Registration opens next week, the timing is pretty perfect with the tour, and I've talking with my roommate's fiance and she has agreed to run it with me. I was worried about this week's runs actually because I wanted to be able to run a decent distance again before I made this commitment. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to run 3 miles consistently, which is what they say you should be able to do before you start training for a half marathon. Well, I've run 7 miles thus far this week and I'm going to go out again tonight and put in at least another 3. By the time that my official training schedule starts in the fall I should be good and ready for it.
I'm so excited. Things are starting to look up for me fitness wise. I've received several compliments since I've been home about how I look and I do have to say that I do feel better about myself when I look in the mirror. Even though the scale doesn't reflect a weight loss, I do think that I've lost some inches.
The thing is that I've never felt more physically challenged than when I'm running. I sweat more, I get my heart pumping and my muscles ache. I push myself more than I ever do when I'm on an elliptical or exercise bike. I don't know why, maybe its because I could never run before as a child, but it's a total mental block. When I run, I am always striving to be better than I was the day before.
Anyway, that's what is happening with me in the Big Apple. I head to Toronto next week for three weeks. I'm hoping that there are some good running trails nearby. Now that I'm back to running outside, I don't want to get back on a treadmill! It's just so boring!
I probably won't post again from NYC. I left my scale with my tour stuff, so it's well on its way to Toronto right now.
Catch you guys from the other side of the border!
It's been about 9 months since I've been home in NYC for more than 3 days, and I'm liking it. It's a little weird because I'm crashing at my old apartment, however my room is currently occupied by a subletter. So, I've been the main inhabitant of the couch and living area. But, it's been great because I'm getting to spend so much time with my roommate and her wonderful dog, Wylie. (Hi Beth!)
Since I've been here, my eating hasn't been that horrible. Yes, I had a turkey burger and tater tots yesterday (um, hello! There were TATER TOTS! How can you say no to TATER TOTS??) but that pretty much filled me up for the majority of the day and then after my run I had a Clif Bar essentially for dinner.
A run, did you say?
That's right! I've been back out and running in Central Park since I've been home and it's been great! I have run two of my old routes, and even though they were kind of a struggle to finish, I am able to report that I ran 3 miles on Tuesday and 4 miles last night. WOOHOO!!! I'm not completely back, but I'm well on my way! The 3 mile route was just twice around the Central Park Reservoir path but the 4 mile route was my old hilly route that most definitely put me to the test. The other great news? Even though I felt like I was going SO SLOW, when I looked at my watch? I realized that for the first mile, on both runs, I was FLYING! (Or, at least flying for me...) but then I had to slow down and pace myself for the rest of the run so that I could finish. All in all, I finished both runs at a 13:45 mile. I'm insanely happy with that.
Why? I mean, by everyone's standards, that's really slow. I'm extremely happy with that, because when I took my break from running last year the fastest pace I recorded was 13:30, and that was after MONTHS of training and running! I put in hours upon hours and miles upon miles to get myself down to that speed. If I'm starting out at this speed, after a couple of months of C210K training, I'm very excited to see what I am going to be able to accomplish come next February.
And what's next February, you ask?
Why, the Walt Disney World Princess Half Marathon, that's what!
I know, I've said this before but this time, it's gonna happen! Registration opens next week, the timing is pretty perfect with the tour, and I've talking with my roommate's fiance and she has agreed to run it with me. I was worried about this week's runs actually because I wanted to be able to run a decent distance again before I made this commitment. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to run 3 miles consistently, which is what they say you should be able to do before you start training for a half marathon. Well, I've run 7 miles thus far this week and I'm going to go out again tonight and put in at least another 3. By the time that my official training schedule starts in the fall I should be good and ready for it.
I'm so excited. Things are starting to look up for me fitness wise. I've received several compliments since I've been home about how I look and I do have to say that I do feel better about myself when I look in the mirror. Even though the scale doesn't reflect a weight loss, I do think that I've lost some inches.
The thing is that I've never felt more physically challenged than when I'm running. I sweat more, I get my heart pumping and my muscles ache. I push myself more than I ever do when I'm on an elliptical or exercise bike. I don't know why, maybe its because I could never run before as a child, but it's a total mental block. When I run, I am always striving to be better than I was the day before.
Anyway, that's what is happening with me in the Big Apple. I head to Toronto next week for three weeks. I'm hoping that there are some good running trails nearby. Now that I'm back to running outside, I don't want to get back on a treadmill! It's just so boring!
I probably won't post again from NYC. I left my scale with my tour stuff, so it's well on its way to Toronto right now.
Catch you guys from the other side of the border!
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Are You Okay?
It's been a while since I've posted, but no good excuses. Whenever I don't post, it's usually for the same reasons: I'm depressed, I've eaten poorly, I've stopped exercising...
In this case? All three.
Last week my tour was in Las Vegas. In addition to that, it was my birthday and one of my best friends came out to visit me. We stayed in the Fremont Street area of Downtown Vegas instead of near the strip and while I liked being away from the craziness of the strip, staying on Fremont presented its own problems. Number one being that there was no food really accessible except for fast food. I ate more crap my week in Vegas than I think the past two years combined. It was awful!
In addition to the bad eating, I had a friend in town so instead of making time to exercise I was spending every waking moment with him. I enjoyed it, but boy, did I feel the pain when I finally got back onto the treadmill this week. My body was rejecting it and my heart rate skyrocketed WELL above what it normally does. By last night though I was feeling closer to normal and even tested myself to kind of cheat on the C210K and run longer than was required so that I could make sure I could actually run a mile again. Good news, I could. :) I had a smile on my face after last night's workout, that's for damn sure!
Anyway, add the horrible eating (also it was my birthday so there was some drinking involved!) with the lack of exercise and I'm positive I gained about 5 pounds (AT LEAST!) during the week of Las Vegas. I stepped on the scale today for an official weigh-in for the first time in a month... It could have been worse. It could have been better too, but I'm back on the road to fixing that!
Last Official Weigh-In (5/19/12): 244.9
Today Official Weigh-In (6/23/12): 244.9
Nothing lost, nothing gained
I know that I've lost some of what I gained that week, but I also know I'm not back down to where I was before. The clothes that had felt a little loose don't feel the same, that's how I know.
On top of the weight fluctuation, I got kind of depressed as well. I tend to get depressed around my birthday, so it's nothing new. Just a kind of "blue" feeling washed over me. I think it had to do with being away from my NYC "Family" not to mention my actual family. It's really hard sometimes for my family to be literally spread across the globe. But I'm feeling better, especially since I have a few friends here in LA (where my tour is through the beginning of July) and after that I get to spend a whole week in NYC over the July 4th holiday. A whole week to just go back to my normal life. It will be a nice break. Then for the entire month of August I'm going to be staying with my Mom back in Kentucky. That I'm actually looking forward to the most! Crazy as it sounds I miss Kentucky (I'm sure that will pass in a few days after my arrival) but it will be nice to just relax, spend time with my Mom and get some stuff accomplished that I've been putting off. Not to mention, eat real food that I've cooked for myself and not from a microwave!
I've come to a couple of conclusions over the past month that I want to share with you. One night in Vegas, I had a dream (which I usually don't remember...) and the only thing that was vivid enough to remember the following morning was that I had received a text message from my dear friend and all it said was "Are you okay?" At the time, I wasn't actually sure of the answer. It was the midst of my depression last week and I couldn't honestly say "yes" or "no." This week, I think I know the answer... "I"m getting there..." I slipped and fell last week in terms of my life and this week I'm picking myself up, shaking myself off and walking in the right direction.
The other conclusion I came to a couple of days ago was that I'm becoming a very negative person and I don't like it and to be honest I don't even know if I like myself. I'm finding myself making very bitchy comments and remarks the vast majority of the time. I don't know if its because I'm tired and I'm looking forward to the upcoming break or if this is just what I'm becoming. Either way, I'm going to try and make a very concerted effort to be a nicer person. I don't want to be mean. Sarcastic? Sure, I've always been sarcastic, but I don't like being mean. So, from here on out I'm going to try and think positive thoughts. It might sometimes be a challenge but I'm going to do it.
Anyway, this is where my mind has been the last couple of weeks. I'm going to keep putting one foot in front of the other and make progress next week. Here's to hoping for a better tomorrow.
Oh, and since it was my birthday last week, I decided it was time for another comparison photo. Even though I don't think I've lost a lot of weight, I think I might be losing some inches. (sure do wish I kept track of those... Maybe one of these days I'll get around to it!)
Until we meet again, oh great interwebs...
In this case? All three.
Last week my tour was in Las Vegas. In addition to that, it was my birthday and one of my best friends came out to visit me. We stayed in the Fremont Street area of Downtown Vegas instead of near the strip and while I liked being away from the craziness of the strip, staying on Fremont presented its own problems. Number one being that there was no food really accessible except for fast food. I ate more crap my week in Vegas than I think the past two years combined. It was awful!
In addition to the bad eating, I had a friend in town so instead of making time to exercise I was spending every waking moment with him. I enjoyed it, but boy, did I feel the pain when I finally got back onto the treadmill this week. My body was rejecting it and my heart rate skyrocketed WELL above what it normally does. By last night though I was feeling closer to normal and even tested myself to kind of cheat on the C210K and run longer than was required so that I could make sure I could actually run a mile again. Good news, I could. :) I had a smile on my face after last night's workout, that's for damn sure!
Anyway, add the horrible eating (also it was my birthday so there was some drinking involved!) with the lack of exercise and I'm positive I gained about 5 pounds (AT LEAST!) during the week of Las Vegas. I stepped on the scale today for an official weigh-in for the first time in a month... It could have been worse. It could have been better too, but I'm back on the road to fixing that!
Last Official Weigh-In (5/19/12): 244.9
Today Official Weigh-In (6/23/12): 244.9
Nothing lost, nothing gained
I know that I've lost some of what I gained that week, but I also know I'm not back down to where I was before. The clothes that had felt a little loose don't feel the same, that's how I know.
On top of the weight fluctuation, I got kind of depressed as well. I tend to get depressed around my birthday, so it's nothing new. Just a kind of "blue" feeling washed over me. I think it had to do with being away from my NYC "Family" not to mention my actual family. It's really hard sometimes for my family to be literally spread across the globe. But I'm feeling better, especially since I have a few friends here in LA (where my tour is through the beginning of July) and after that I get to spend a whole week in NYC over the July 4th holiday. A whole week to just go back to my normal life. It will be a nice break. Then for the entire month of August I'm going to be staying with my Mom back in Kentucky. That I'm actually looking forward to the most! Crazy as it sounds I miss Kentucky (I'm sure that will pass in a few days after my arrival) but it will be nice to just relax, spend time with my Mom and get some stuff accomplished that I've been putting off. Not to mention, eat real food that I've cooked for myself and not from a microwave!
I've come to a couple of conclusions over the past month that I want to share with you. One night in Vegas, I had a dream (which I usually don't remember...) and the only thing that was vivid enough to remember the following morning was that I had received a text message from my dear friend and all it said was "Are you okay?" At the time, I wasn't actually sure of the answer. It was the midst of my depression last week and I couldn't honestly say "yes" or "no." This week, I think I know the answer... "I"m getting there..." I slipped and fell last week in terms of my life and this week I'm picking myself up, shaking myself off and walking in the right direction.
The other conclusion I came to a couple of days ago was that I'm becoming a very negative person and I don't like it and to be honest I don't even know if I like myself. I'm finding myself making very bitchy comments and remarks the vast majority of the time. I don't know if its because I'm tired and I'm looking forward to the upcoming break or if this is just what I'm becoming. Either way, I'm going to try and make a very concerted effort to be a nicer person. I don't want to be mean. Sarcastic? Sure, I've always been sarcastic, but I don't like being mean. So, from here on out I'm going to try and think positive thoughts. It might sometimes be a challenge but I'm going to do it.
Anyway, this is where my mind has been the last couple of weeks. I'm going to keep putting one foot in front of the other and make progress next week. Here's to hoping for a better tomorrow.
Oh, and since it was my birthday last week, I decided it was time for another comparison photo. Even though I don't think I've lost a lot of weight, I think I might be losing some inches. (sure do wish I kept track of those... Maybe one of these days I'll get around to it!)
Until we meet again, oh great interwebs...
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Holy Dehydration Batman!
My work has brought me to Tempe (Phoenix) for the week and holy crap, it's hot!
Every single day is forecasted to be at least 100 degrees, and while yes, it's a dry heat that doesn't make the heat any less unbearable.
The hotel we are staying in does not have its own gym, but they have an arrangement with Arizona State University to allow hotel guests to use the Student Rec Center. After taking care of the normal errands that I usually take care of after my arrival in a new city (grocery shop, get the lay of the land, etc.) I decided that I might relax by the pool and read for a bit. Um, yeah... that lasted about 20 minutes. Even just laying out in the sun I started to drip with sweat. I took a bottle of water outside with me, but I only drank about half of it. First step in my road to dehydration...
After my casual pool lounging idea was a total bust, I decided I should just go ahead and make my way to the gym. Get my work out over with for the day, that way I had plenty of time to shower and eat dinner before seeing a movie with my boss later that evening (a typical Monday night event.)
As soon as I started walking to the gym (it's two and a half blocks) I realized that I had left my water bottle back in the hotel. I don't have one in the gym on a regular basis so I figured I would be okay. WRONG. Step two in my road to dehydration...
Today was the first day/long run of the new week of my C210K program. It called for me to run 5 minutes/walk 1 minute a total of 10 times. After the first 15 minutes I knew it was going to be a rough one. I slowed my pace way down, I extended the walking breaks, basically did anything I could do (with the exception of shortening the running segments) to get me through it. The thing I realized is that even though the gym was air conditioned, I think my internal thermostat knew that it was over 100 degrees outside because I was sweating like crazy. Even more than normal. My legs felt sluggish, more so than they should have after the previous two days of rest. (stupid hotel in Salt Lake City locked the gym door on Sunday night and not even their master key could get it to open. I was livid that they made me miss my run.) Afterwards, however, was when I noticed a slight pounding in my head. My lips were insanely chapped, and I was drenched in sweat. We have a winner! I was officially dehydrated!
When I got back to the hotel I drank about a liter and a half of water, but it was no use. I dehydrated myself and it was going to take me a while to recover. It made me realize that on a regular basis, I do not drink enough water. Unless I am sincerely making an effort to drink water specifically, I am a soda drinker, and when I do drink water it's with Crystal Light or Mio mixed in. I just find water so boring! I know that soda, even of the diet variety, is insanely horrible for me but I just can't stop! Caffeine plays a factor with that as well.
What I did buy at the grocery store are the flavored carbonated waters, but as soon as I buy them, I drink them almost immediately and they are quite cumbersome and not easy to really buy in bulk as say a case of soda.
I need to do a lot better with my water though. I can't be in a constant state of dehydration for the two weeks, or I'll be miserable!
Chug a lug, Maia! Drink it up!
Every single day is forecasted to be at least 100 degrees, and while yes, it's a dry heat that doesn't make the heat any less unbearable.
After my casual pool lounging idea was a total bust, I decided I should just go ahead and make my way to the gym. Get my work out over with for the day, that way I had plenty of time to shower and eat dinner before seeing a movie with my boss later that evening (a typical Monday night event.)
As soon as I started walking to the gym (it's two and a half blocks) I realized that I had left my water bottle back in the hotel. I don't have one in the gym on a regular basis so I figured I would be okay. WRONG. Step two in my road to dehydration...
When I got back to the hotel I drank about a liter and a half of water, but it was no use. I dehydrated myself and it was going to take me a while to recover. It made me realize that on a regular basis, I do not drink enough water. Unless I am sincerely making an effort to drink water specifically, I am a soda drinker, and when I do drink water it's with Crystal Light or Mio mixed in. I just find water so boring! I know that soda, even of the diet variety, is insanely horrible for me but I just can't stop! Caffeine plays a factor with that as well.
What I did buy at the grocery store are the flavored carbonated waters, but as soon as I buy them, I drink them almost immediately and they are quite cumbersome and not easy to really buy in bulk as say a case of soda.
I need to do a lot better with my water though. I can't be in a constant state of dehydration for the two weeks, or I'll be miserable!
Chug a lug, Maia! Drink it up!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)