75 Hard Day 5

Today was really hard. I feel like I am breaking. I don't know if it is the challenge, the fact that I didn't sleep much last night, or other life circumstances. Of course, it could be a combination. I have to quit my Glow Up challenge which was specific exercises daily, Monday through Friday. My injured ankle has been getting worse as I do the jumping jacks and butt kicks. I also can't really run until it heals a bit. Today, I did some yoga and went for a walk. I don't enjoy yoga very often, but it actually felt good today. I may need to do this video more often. The fasting part was a bit more difficult than it should have been because I took Noel to 7-11 and had to wait to eat my snack for about 3 hours. I made it and was quite proud, but it was hard. I know I need to make better food choices during my eating window. I have the food in the house, so I will make a better effort tomorrow. Hopefully, that will help me feel fuller longer. All I have left to do tonight is my reading. I will read the next 10 pages of "I am Malala." It is an easy read, so it won't take too long. 

75 Hard Day 4

 

Today was a bit more difficult. I struggled with the desire to workout. I had planned to do yoga with the Wii, but the controllers didn’t work. I hopped on the Gazelle instead. Then, I sat and talked to Noel until I made dinner and left for a youth activity. By the time we got home it was almost 8:30, and I still needed to do my workout outside.  With my right achilles hurting, I opted for a walk. The cool breeze felt good, and I don’t regret doing it. It was hard to convince myself to get out and do it, though. 

Tomorrow, I will hook up my dvd player and do some yoga from my videos. If my tendon feels better, I’ll get that run in that my body is craving. 

75 Hard Day 3

Today was a bit harder in some ways and easier in others. When I’m working is the main time I snack, so fasting until10am was really hard. I sensed up drinking half of my gallon of water trying to clam the hunger pains. I texted a friend who has done intermittent fasting to get some ideas on how to stay full longer and implemented some of them during my eating window today. I hope it will make it better tomorrow. The workouts weren’t too bad. I played tennis with Chad for one workout. That was nice. The other one was a bit more difficult because I hurt my ankle and tried to do jumping jacks. I will wrap it tomorrow to see if it helps. Other than that it is now 9pm and I still need to do a ton of homework that is due tonight. I’ve got to get my schedule figured out better. 

75 Hard Day 2

Today was a good day. I did a bike ride in the afternoon and some strength work tonight. Having a day off helped. Honestly, I’m a bit concerned about it working with all of my other responsibilities. I’m crossing my fingers. 

75 Hard Day 1

I have officially completed day one of 75 Strong. It wasn’t too bad. I know other days when I have more to do will be harder, but I am ready for them. I have a plan. 

Day 1 picture:

Harder than I Thought

It has been hard to work consistently on my running. We had wonderfully mild weather for most of January. It seems like as soon as February hit, so did the snow. It has snowed about every other day since the second. I have tried going to the gym to run on the treadmill, and it has been successful when put forth the effort unless it is too close to when I finished dinner. The problem is that after fighting traffic for an hour, I don't feel like getting back in the car to go to the gym even though it is only a 10 minute drive. I dusted off the old Gazelle for now, but I know that will not work once I really need to get into my half marathon training next month. I guess I will just have to get my but to the gym or figure out how to run in the snow for a little while. Of course, I could always hope we will have some nice weather for the entire time I am training. I think I would have better luck with that if I lived in a different state.

I have been working on my weight again. I think I can get faster and have more energy if I can lose weight. I have an outfit picked out for when I get down to 175 pounds. I hope to be able to wear it by the time Eric graduates on May 16. About a week ago, I started following the South Beach Diet for everything except dinner. I lost two pounds doing this. I also realized that I had a lot more energy. When I decided to do this a week ago, I thought I would start eating all food according to the South Beach Diet, but I am thinking this probably won't change. I can eat very healthy for most of the day and still eat food I am used to with my family. If I can continue to lose 2 pounds a week, I should be able to reach my goal plus a bit.

I really think that by combining my training with my weight loss efforts, I will be able to finish my half marathon in June and be healthier. I can't wait until I can have more energy and feel better than I have been feeling. Honestly, I am hoping I can get on a lower dosage of thyroid meds even though I know it is a long shot.

Trying Again

I am determined to run a half marathon this year. I tried last year, but the race I signed up for was canceled a few days before the event. This time I have signed up for one that has been going on for a few years instead of one that was going to the be inaugural run by a small company.
For my training, I am starting with a 5K training plan to get myself back in shape. (I haven't been doing much running for the past few months because of the cold.) When I am done with that 10 week plan, I will move on to the half marathon plan from the same book. I really think that by following these plans I will not only be ready for the half marathon, I will also be able to get faster and be in better health than I have been in for a long time.
Along with this training, I am changing the way I eat. I know I can't make any drastic changes all at once, but I am making changes now. I have written down my plan for what I will eat for breakfast and lunch each day for the next week. It is in a notebook where I am keeping track of my daily and weekly goals. I am hoping I can lose weight by following the plan that I make. I will continually reassess as I learn more from books and podcasts that I listen to.