Active

Last weekend I went down South to visit some National Parks and some friends--Meghan Thomas being one of them! Anyway, we did some hiking in Zion National Park and then spent most of the rest of the trip driving around. So what does this have to do with fitness?

Mostly its about Meghan (and a bit about the hiking). Since moving to St. George, Meghan has become this crazy active/fitness queen. She did the Wasatch Back a few weeks ago and trains for triathalons and...just wicked awesome stuff. The thought occurred to me that more than even the training, she just leads a more active life than I do. And I would like to change that. I realized that so many of my preferred "downtime" activities are NOT active. I like to read and watch movies, for example. Why not go outside for a run or hit the pool? That's what I need to change.

So I start today! I did the gym like normal this morning, but then rode my bike to the library. Its a start, right? Tomorrow I'm planning on riding my bike to the church to get some Relief Society business done. And I'm going to look for every opportunity to go for a walk when I can. And...I want to go hiking. I had SO much fun hiking the Emerald Pools. I'm on the look out for some more hikes in the area.

WOOT!

Pop Chips

Today I tried pop chips, they are amazing. Do you know where to get them in a big bag? Target did you say?

Donuts again

I bought a dozen donuts for my Student Body Officers this morning. I have a dozen SBOs. One of them didn't eat her donut. One left. And I really really really really wanted it.

But I ate my apple instead and sent the remaining donut down to the other advisor's classroom.

I know I should be proud of myself and to some degree I am. But I also just really want that donut.

Thursday

I'm running. I'm swimming. I'm stepping in my aerobics class. And I'm only allowing myself one treat a day--if even that. So why do I still feel flabby and fat?

*sigh*

I think part of it is that I'm just tired. Really. And its hard to get up in the wee hours of the morning. Its also sort of tiring to always turn down desserts and treats, but I do it. I would just like to be able to see more of a result in my body shape, you know?

Oh well. We keep on keepin' on.

P to the S--super props for your running! I think the hardest part of any workout program is getting started. When is the 5K you're aiming for?

Running Report

I've been running 3 days a week for the last 3 weeks :)

I'm excited to work up to 4 and maybe eventually 5. Getting up is just so hard.

As Seen on the Internet!

I wanted to share this link to one of my favorite Blogs. The topic is fitness-related, and we can all use a good laugh now and again.

Enjoy the story of The Corporate Challenge!

Running Report

I ran 3 days this week. Including today in the rain. As my body gets more used to running again I plan on amping it up to 4 and then 5 days a week.

It feels good to be forming a routine again.

I Smell Like Chlorine

This morning I began a new phase of my workout program--swimming. I've never been fond of swimming as an exercise. I'm more likely to get in the pool with friends and "bob"--perhaps on a Funoodle. Then you can talk and just have a good time. Actually swimming laps to get fit seemed distasteful and quite frankly, hard. So I've avoided the pool altogether when it came to fitness.

Then my friend, Keith, started bugging me about swimming. Keith is one of my fitness gurus. He's totally ripped--honestly HOT (and if he wasn't two years younger than me I would be ALL over that)--and I can't help but trust him when it comes to working out. And Keith loves swimming. He insists swimming is the best way to trim down your figure and get fit "all over."

So my new plan now arises!

Monday--Cardio via running laps and stairs, etc.
Tuesday--Bike warmup, weight training
Wednesday--Step aerobics
Thursday--Swimming
Friday--SLEEP IN!
Saturday--Run

I'm hopeful. Specifically, my hope is rooted in the idea that I'll drop 2 or 3 inches and tone up my abs and arms. My optimism is also tied into my first swimming workout this morning that rocked. It was hard! But it was fun. Saturday I'm going to purchase a swim cap and goggles. Its gonna be big!

In honor of our upcoming races...

GO US!

Update--shaking head in shame

Okay. So in my last post, I declared my intention of losing 5 lbs. before I left for Disneyland. I leave on Thursday morning and I think I'm waving the white flag of defeat. SAD! But true. And I'm going to go have fun anyway. I'm not going to worry about how much I weigh (I'll just pack the tshirts that are a tad bit looser). March. March is when we begin anew, I guess.

Life just got in the way this month. Too much happening. Too many things beyond my control keeping me from the gym. Time at the gym not working out like I would like.

But March 1st* begins my observation of Lent. I'll be giving up sugar...can you believe it?! Crazy. But I think it will be a good practice in self-discipline, and its not just random. Lots of people are doing it! :) Wish me luck!

*Lent actually begins on Wednesday, February 25th. But I can't give up sugar and go to Disneyland at the same time. Sorry. Its not happening.

GOAL

I am going to Disneyland on February 26th. By the time I get on to that airplane at 6:10 am, I WILL have lost 5 lbs. That will put me at 147 lbs. for the Disney vacation.

That is entirely doable if I get back to hitting the gym 5 days a week, and cut down on my candy/cookie intake while upping my veggie intake. Oh, and I'll probably need to cut down on my breads and fried foods.

I CAN DO IT.

I'm putting it here because writing down your goals is IMPORTANT.

Running plans foiled

I gathered my jogging clothes together, my ipod, etc...

And wore my jogging shoes

and planned on a midday run

and then I left my clothes at home as I ran out the door.

Curses.

I'm so disappointed.

Woe is me---it's cold and dark

I really want to go jogging. Really I do. But if I want to jog during the work day I need to come in earlier so i can take the time in the middle of the day. This requires leaving early which requires waking earlier --- I have a lack of motivation to wake earlier. If I want to jog at home at night it is cold and wet and icy and dark by the time I get home.

I miss summer. It was so much easier to jog when i could do it outside, in the warmth, in a scenic park.

Any suggestions for getting more motivation?

On the diet front things are getting better. I'm eating less sugar then I used to---at least less processed sugar. I'm craving carbs less, eating less food overall. It's a good thing. I am feeling better. So motivation on the diet front is much easier to come by.

Helpful Website

My friend, Susan, showed me this Website. It allows you to look up the menu of almost every restaurant (at least chains) and see the calories in all the menu items. I find it helpful.

Dotti's Weight Loss Zone

Enjoy!

Burn more than you Eat

What makes the difference between feeling good about your "healthy lifestyle" and feeling terrible? I've concluded its all about the diet. It doesn't matter how long I work out in the morning or how hard I run or how many calories I burn. If my diet sucks for the day, I feel gross.

Monday is the perfect example. I worked out for 45 minute at the gym--intervals on the track (5 sets of 1000 meters), then some stairs and finishing off with a good ab workout. I burned over 300 calories. Awesome, right? And then I went home and spent the day crafting with friends and eating junk. The main foods consumed were chips with queso dip and M&M's. Oh so grand. I felt GROSS. That feeling even continued into Tuesday. My diet Tuesday was mucho better, but its taken until Wednesday morning for me to feel somewhat normal and not like a fat loser. (Harsh, but true.)

So the diet is the thing. I have got to eat healthy, drink lots of water, and be happy.