Ahhh, today redeemed yesterday!
Over the weekend I decided that I needed to suck it up and get outside to run and do it in the morning before everyone is up and moving. I used to do that and it was wonderful, but I've fallen out of the habit of getting up early and of running outside. Sometimes I get stuck in the enjoyment of running on the treadmill and watching tv shows on the computer. Sometimes I just like the easiness of it. And then I start dreading the challenge of running outside.
Anyway... ran 5 miles with Dave on Saturday morning and decided I needed to get back to it. So I went out yesterday morning to run 3 miles. And I had to stop before 3/4 mile and walk the rest of the time. My hamstrings were tight, my lower back was clenched, I couldn't get into a rhythm, it felt like every step was an individual mental effort, the humidity was weighing down on me. So I stopped and walked. It was fine.
But I knew the weather would be beautiful today and I wanted to make up for yesterday's disaster, so I tried again. And it was nice. My lower back was clenched for the first 1 1/2 miles, but when I got to the park I stopped and did 2 minutes of triangle pose and it felt better the rest of the time. I only did 3 miles, which is just fine with me, but it was nice to be outside and enjoying it again.
Now today I also have to get back to counting calories - I haven't gained any weight and haven't gone crazy, but I would still like to get down a couple of pounds. So I'm aiming for 1700 calories/day. I've been eating well, just needed a break from logging every single thing all day long.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Saturday June 2, 2012
I did week 1 of P90x last week and my right shoulder would prefer to be simply cut off of my body. So I will not continue with it. I've decided to run 3x/week, yoga 2x/week & p90x legs 1x. And I like this schedule.
Just trying to muster up the energy to go running today - not sure I'm going to get it in.
Just trying to muster up the energy to go running today - not sure I'm going to get it in.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Saturday May 12, 2012
Have been off of p90x since the beginning of April and it feels really good to give my body this break. I'm not sure that my right forearm is ever going to be fully healed... not sure exactly what is wrong with it, but the tweakiness of it hasn't gone away with this extended rest.
So I started out with the intention of doing pushups on my non running days. After doing that twice, I had to give that up, too. I did 200 the first day, 250 the second day. And started experiencing some soreness in both of my rotator cuffs. I'm an idiot - I just push too hard and too much. So I gave that up and my shoulders have recovered just fine.
I also really got into the mindset of eating the number of calories for maintenance of my goal weight. This is doing wonders for me in so many ways. I feel like I'm a completely new person in regards to how I feel about workouts, calories, etc.
So now I eat 1976 every single day - whether I work out or not. That is the maintenance number for my goal weight of 119lbs with a moderately active workout schedule (3-5 days/week). On the days that I run, I have a significant deficit from the 1976. On the non-running days - when I do yoga - I still have a slight deficit.
This has done amazing things for me, mentally. I no longer feel like I have to workout 6 days/week or I suck. I no longer feel compelled to increase my duration, frequency, or intensity of my workouts. I no longer pay attention to how many calories I burn during my workout. I no longer feel guilty on days that I don't workout. I am enjoying myself for the first time in a really long time. I am not obsessed with miles, time, pace, heart rate while I run (okay, I pay attention to it only because its always high and I'm going to a cardiologist in 2 weeks). I run because I enjoy it. I enjoy it while I'm doing it. I don't worry when I have to stop to walk or even to tie my shoe or take a drink (previously that would bother me because my heart rate would slow down, which would pull down my average HR and thus decrease my calories burned). I don't flip out on days that I do yoga and am not burning many calories, which means I'm enjoying the yoga more than before.
And... I have not gained weight by increasing my calories from 1200/day to 1976/day. I was 127+ when I started this, and now I'm below 125, which is a comfortable weight for me (it fluctuates between 123-126 on any given day, but that is comfortable for me).
I am loving everything about this.
We start p90x again on Monday and then I'll increase my calories to a highly active level (workout 6 days/week).
So I started out with the intention of doing pushups on my non running days. After doing that twice, I had to give that up, too. I did 200 the first day, 250 the second day. And started experiencing some soreness in both of my rotator cuffs. I'm an idiot - I just push too hard and too much. So I gave that up and my shoulders have recovered just fine.
I also really got into the mindset of eating the number of calories for maintenance of my goal weight. This is doing wonders for me in so many ways. I feel like I'm a completely new person in regards to how I feel about workouts, calories, etc.
So now I eat 1976 every single day - whether I work out or not. That is the maintenance number for my goal weight of 119lbs with a moderately active workout schedule (3-5 days/week). On the days that I run, I have a significant deficit from the 1976. On the non-running days - when I do yoga - I still have a slight deficit.
This has done amazing things for me, mentally. I no longer feel like I have to workout 6 days/week or I suck. I no longer feel compelled to increase my duration, frequency, or intensity of my workouts. I no longer pay attention to how many calories I burn during my workout. I no longer feel guilty on days that I don't workout. I am enjoying myself for the first time in a really long time. I am not obsessed with miles, time, pace, heart rate while I run (okay, I pay attention to it only because its always high and I'm going to a cardiologist in 2 weeks). I run because I enjoy it. I enjoy it while I'm doing it. I don't worry when I have to stop to walk or even to tie my shoe or take a drink (previously that would bother me because my heart rate would slow down, which would pull down my average HR and thus decrease my calories burned). I don't flip out on days that I do yoga and am not burning many calories, which means I'm enjoying the yoga more than before.
And... I have not gained weight by increasing my calories from 1200/day to 1976/day. I was 127+ when I started this, and now I'm below 125, which is a comfortable weight for me (it fluctuates between 123-126 on any given day, but that is comfortable for me).
I am loving everything about this.
We start p90x again on Monday and then I'll increase my calories to a highly active level (workout 6 days/week).
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Tuesday April 3, 2012
Workout: Plyometrix
My last Plyometrix for a while - thank goodness. I really had to fight myself to not go back to bed this morning because I was sooooo dreading the workout. I didn't have another time during the day to workout, though, so I gave in and did it. Very crabby about it though. And as usual, I was happy that I did. It is so hard, but feels so good when I'm done.
I'm ready to take a break for a while and am looking forward to this week of p90x being over. My muscles and my tendons need a serious break. But I'm going to feel kind of lost for a while, I think. Tony and p90x has been a part of our daily lives for 180 days now - 6 months! I'm going to miss him:)
My last Plyometrix for a while - thank goodness. I really had to fight myself to not go back to bed this morning because I was sooooo dreading the workout. I didn't have another time during the day to workout, though, so I gave in and did it. Very crabby about it though. And as usual, I was happy that I did. It is so hard, but feels so good when I'm done.
I'm ready to take a break for a while and am looking forward to this week of p90x being over. My muscles and my tendons need a serious break. But I'm going to feel kind of lost for a while, I think. Tony and p90x has been a part of our daily lives for 180 days now - 6 months! I'm going to miss him:)
Monday, April 2, 2012
Monday April 2, 2012
Lots of catching up to do...
I have maintained my p90x workouts since my last post. Dave and I are seeing huge strength gains and big changes in our bodies. He is looking awesome and is down to 196 pounds. He's been 196 pounds before, but he's never looked like this before. I got down as low as 122 before we left for Mexico. My arms are ripped and I feel really good about the way I look. I gained 5lbs in Mexico and have had a rough time getting back on track since coming home, due to going out or eating with my in-laws. I am also injured everywhere - dealing with tendinitis everywhere... left ankle and achilles, right ACL & MCL, and right elbow. My shoulders are also beginning to hurt. Its my fault - I always push too hard and now I'm hurting because of it... pretty bad, too. So I sat down last week and formulated a plan for the next month.
I'm gradually going to increase my calories/day. I had been eating around 1200 (net) and then was beginning to bump it up just before Mexico and lost 4 pounds pretty quickly. I haven't been super great or disciplined since we came back so I'm going to do this gradually. I think I need to eat between 1200-1700 cal/day (net, meaning that number + my exercise cal) but I don't want to go crazy and increase 500/day right away. Also, I need to take a pretty significant break from p90x (although that scares me because I'm seeing such great results) and give my body a break. I definitely think I'm overtrained right now. We only have 1 more week of it so I'm going to finish that out and then back off. So here is my plan:
April 1-8
* Finish last week of p90x
* 1400 cal/day (eat)
April 8-15
* Yoga 3x/week + pushups
* Run 3x/week
* 1500 cal/day (eat)
April 16-22
* Yoga 3x/week + pushups
* Run 3x/week
* 1600 cal/day (eat)
April 23-29
* Yoga 3x/week + pushups
* Run 3x/week
* 1700 cal/day (eat)
Yesterday I weighed 127 I think.
I will reevaluate after the month is done and see how my elbow/shoulders & knees feel.
Also, on just a general health front: Tomorrow I am having an echocardiogram to ensure that my heart is functioning properly. I talked to my doctor about my high heart rate and when he listened carefully he heard a murmur. I had an EKG done immediately and other than a resting heart rate in the 50's (awesome), there was no concern (and no concern about that because he knows I run). So he just wants to check it out and make sure the murmur is nothing to worry about... and he wants me to be reassured that my high heart rate is okay, although he agrees with my decision to back my pace down so I can run at a sustainable heart rate.
On Thursday I will be having a consultation with a hand surgeon to discuss whether or not I should have carpal tunnel surgery on my right hand. I had an EMG done a couple of weeks ago (excruciating) and the results showed a mild case of CTS in my right hand. I'm thinking that we may go the route of surgery just to deal with the issue before it gets worse and truthfully, after 7-10 years of it, I'm just sick of dealing with it and working around it all the time. So we'll see. I'm not excited about it, but recognize that I should try to take care of it before my nerve gets permanently damaged. However, I have not spoken to the surgeon yet so maybe he will prefer to go the route of occupational therapy instead.
I have maintained my p90x workouts since my last post. Dave and I are seeing huge strength gains and big changes in our bodies. He is looking awesome and is down to 196 pounds. He's been 196 pounds before, but he's never looked like this before. I got down as low as 122 before we left for Mexico. My arms are ripped and I feel really good about the way I look. I gained 5lbs in Mexico and have had a rough time getting back on track since coming home, due to going out or eating with my in-laws. I am also injured everywhere - dealing with tendinitis everywhere... left ankle and achilles, right ACL & MCL, and right elbow. My shoulders are also beginning to hurt. Its my fault - I always push too hard and now I'm hurting because of it... pretty bad, too. So I sat down last week and formulated a plan for the next month.
I'm gradually going to increase my calories/day. I had been eating around 1200 (net) and then was beginning to bump it up just before Mexico and lost 4 pounds pretty quickly. I haven't been super great or disciplined since we came back so I'm going to do this gradually. I think I need to eat between 1200-1700 cal/day (net, meaning that number + my exercise cal) but I don't want to go crazy and increase 500/day right away. Also, I need to take a pretty significant break from p90x (although that scares me because I'm seeing such great results) and give my body a break. I definitely think I'm overtrained right now. We only have 1 more week of it so I'm going to finish that out and then back off. So here is my plan:
April 1-8
* Finish last week of p90x
* 1400 cal/day (eat)
April 8-15
* Yoga 3x/week + pushups
* Run 3x/week
* 1500 cal/day (eat)
April 16-22
* Yoga 3x/week + pushups
* Run 3x/week
* 1600 cal/day (eat)
April 23-29
* Yoga 3x/week + pushups
* Run 3x/week
* 1700 cal/day (eat)
Yesterday I weighed 127 I think.
I will reevaluate after the month is done and see how my elbow/shoulders & knees feel.
Also, on just a general health front: Tomorrow I am having an echocardiogram to ensure that my heart is functioning properly. I talked to my doctor about my high heart rate and when he listened carefully he heard a murmur. I had an EKG done immediately and other than a resting heart rate in the 50's (awesome), there was no concern (and no concern about that because he knows I run). So he just wants to check it out and make sure the murmur is nothing to worry about... and he wants me to be reassured that my high heart rate is okay, although he agrees with my decision to back my pace down so I can run at a sustainable heart rate.
On Thursday I will be having a consultation with a hand surgeon to discuss whether or not I should have carpal tunnel surgery on my right hand. I had an EMG done a couple of weeks ago (excruciating) and the results showed a mild case of CTS in my right hand. I'm thinking that we may go the route of surgery just to deal with the issue before it gets worse and truthfully, after 7-10 years of it, I'm just sick of dealing with it and working around it all the time. So we'll see. I'm not excited about it, but recognize that I should try to take care of it before my nerve gets permanently damaged. However, I have not spoken to the surgeon yet so maybe he will prefer to go the route of occupational therapy instead.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Monday February 13, 2012
Workout: P90x Chest/Shoulders/Tris
Avg HR: 111
I think I despise this workout. I've decided it is the absolute worst of them all - it is so difficult and the people are so boring. By 3/4 of the way through, my arms are absolute jello and I can barely do any of the moves. I guess thats a good thing - rather than completely mastering everything and being able to get through it all, its probably better to get to the point of failure. But man, my arms are toast for the whole day. I also think this workout has the most ridiculous exercises of all of the workouts: 1 arm pushups, clapping pushups, pike presses, fly pushups. Ugh. But I get through it every time - and that is success.
I took Saturday and Sunday as rest days and it felt good. Right now I'm struggling, though, because I have a weird knee issue going on and I can't figure out how to figure out what it is. It is not joint related - in other words, the pain is not in the joint. The pain is in the ligaments next to the knee on the inside of my right leg. And I don't know how to heal that - it hurts every time I stand or bear weight on that leg. If I stand too long the outside ligaments hurt too. I also have this same feeling on the inside of my right elbow. I'm not sure what to do about it or if anything can be done.
Avg HR: 111
I think I despise this workout. I've decided it is the absolute worst of them all - it is so difficult and the people are so boring. By 3/4 of the way through, my arms are absolute jello and I can barely do any of the moves. I guess thats a good thing - rather than completely mastering everything and being able to get through it all, its probably better to get to the point of failure. But man, my arms are toast for the whole day. I also think this workout has the most ridiculous exercises of all of the workouts: 1 arm pushups, clapping pushups, pike presses, fly pushups. Ugh. But I get through it every time - and that is success.
I took Saturday and Sunday as rest days and it felt good. Right now I'm struggling, though, because I have a weird knee issue going on and I can't figure out how to figure out what it is. It is not joint related - in other words, the pain is not in the joint. The pain is in the ligaments next to the knee on the inside of my right leg. And I don't know how to heal that - it hurts every time I stand or bear weight on that leg. If I stand too long the outside ligaments hurt too. I also have this same feeling on the inside of my right elbow. I'm not sure what to do about it or if anything can be done.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Friday February 10, 2012
Tuesday - p90x core synergistics
Ugh. I'm better at this and don't hate it as much as the last round, but its still horrible. I would actually choose plyometrix before this... I really hate working core. I'm fortunate that I don't carry my weight in my stomach (I carry it in my hips/thighs), so I'm not as worried about core/ab work as many women. And because of that minor blessing, I don't care if I have a small little pooch... I actually think that it is a very feminine thing to have. BUT, I do recognize that I'm unusual in this regard.
Wednesday - p90x KenPo
I enjoy this workout, it just doesn't feel like a workout that raises my heart rate enough. It goes fast and is kind of fun, its just not difficult and doesn't feel like I'm working hard enough. So I think its a great recovery week workout.
Thursday - run on the treadmill
Ran for 2 miles, which ended up being about 22:00. I had to fit it in between some stuff, so I ran for 1 episode of Arrested Development, which worked out perfectly to 2 miles. It was good - I'm so meant to be running slower and working myself up.
Friday - p90x CardioX
The schedule for today was supposed to be yoga, but I did not want to get up at 5:15 to do a 90 minute workout. We opted for CardioX. Neither of us have done this workout before - its nice. It is only 45 minutes, which feels so short compared to all the rest of the workouts. It was kind of fun - its a mix of all of the non-strength workouts: yoga, kenpo & plyo. It was definitely enjoyable and went fast. It was also not terribly difficult, which makes it a great recovery week workout.
My body feels like it needs a break. I'm considering taking an extra rest day tomorrow. Either that or I'm going to do yoga... I just feel sore and fatigued, so i want to rest. I think, though, that it would feel really good to do all of the yoga, so I'll wait and find out what Dave wants to do.
Ugh. I'm better at this and don't hate it as much as the last round, but its still horrible. I would actually choose plyometrix before this... I really hate working core. I'm fortunate that I don't carry my weight in my stomach (I carry it in my hips/thighs), so I'm not as worried about core/ab work as many women. And because of that minor blessing, I don't care if I have a small little pooch... I actually think that it is a very feminine thing to have. BUT, I do recognize that I'm unusual in this regard.
Wednesday - p90x KenPo
I enjoy this workout, it just doesn't feel like a workout that raises my heart rate enough. It goes fast and is kind of fun, its just not difficult and doesn't feel like I'm working hard enough. So I think its a great recovery week workout.
Thursday - run on the treadmill
Ran for 2 miles, which ended up being about 22:00. I had to fit it in between some stuff, so I ran for 1 episode of Arrested Development, which worked out perfectly to 2 miles. It was good - I'm so meant to be running slower and working myself up.
Friday - p90x CardioX
The schedule for today was supposed to be yoga, but I did not want to get up at 5:15 to do a 90 minute workout. We opted for CardioX. Neither of us have done this workout before - its nice. It is only 45 minutes, which feels so short compared to all the rest of the workouts. It was kind of fun - its a mix of all of the non-strength workouts: yoga, kenpo & plyo. It was definitely enjoyable and went fast. It was also not terribly difficult, which makes it a great recovery week workout.
My body feels like it needs a break. I'm considering taking an extra rest day tomorrow. Either that or I'm going to do yoga... I just feel sore and fatigued, so i want to rest. I think, though, that it would feel really good to do all of the yoga, so I'll wait and find out what Dave wants to do.
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