Dear Readers,
I haven't blogged in a long time because I haven't had anything to blog about. I stopped training for my try-a-tri because although I'm excited about the idea of doing a race I'm really not that committed to it. I didn't feel like I was successful enough at the running part to really do a good job at it. I felt like I was taking on too much (like learning to run before you can walk). I haven't totally given up on the idea of entering it yet. I have until the end of July to register. But, if I do enter it will be just to try it out as I am and see what happens. I no longer wish to train for it.
Now to most (and I'm sure my husband) this will seem like I'm giving up. I hear your exasperation and words of encouragement. To me it is not giving up (on the race and running yes, but on me and fitness no). I've been feeling like I'm trying to be someone I am not and have never been before. I shouldn't be surprised that I struggle with living a fit lifestyle when that is a lifestyle I never lived nor saw myself living. If my husband was not fit and very active now I don't think I would have even entertained fitness for as long as I did. It is not me.
What is me is doing things that I find interesting and exciting. So, I am going to shift the focus of my blog to reflect that. I am no longer learning to love the gym. I am learning to live an active life. I want to do more things and get outside more often. I don't want to spend time convincing myself to get off the couch to exercise. I want to get off the couch because I choose to go cycling, swimming, walking, geocaching, volleyballing, badmintoning, baseballing, gardening, etc. I feel like I need to change my lifestyle before I can change my mindset. I need to just do the things I love for fun first. Then I can get competitive about them and try to do them better in the future. I need to walk before I run.
Today I'm heading in a new direction and that direction will take me through all the active things I do now, want to do soon, and will do someday. Check out my new tab to see where I'm headed and stay tuned to my blog to read all about my new adventures.
Be well,
Amber
Monday, July 1, 2013
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Summer Brings About Change
Summer is finally approaching and with that my try-a-tri creeps closer and closer upon me. What will I be doing different over the next few months to train?
For starters I'm not sure if I'm doing the try-a-tri or if I'm going to tackle the duathlon instead. I've convinced a friend to run with me during the week using the Couch to 5k program (with some modifications-but always pushing for improvement) and if we can run enough by the middle of July we will enter the duathlon together. We've found the increases in running intervals to be too much for our fitness level. It was impossible to go from 1.5 minute runs to 3 minute runs so we bumped it to 2 minutes. She's not so sure she wants to swim otherwise we'd already be a go for the try-a-tri.
Chris posted about the budget cuts we've made to focus on getting rid of our debt and creating some savings. One of the cuts will likely be to my gym membership. For now I have it suspended for the summer as I have been mostly training outside for running and cycling. I will pay to go to the pool if needed and I can do online yoga videos while at work or home. If you have ideas for the winter months please let me know.
I clicked a link for a new-to-me blog the other day because of the praise this blogger received from someone whose opinion I admire and trust. Check out Connie's blog because she is doing amazing! I liked that she had a tab about what she is eating. I've seen this on a few blogs and I usually question how healthy the meals are that have been posted to some fitness blogs. As Chris and I just finished creating a 6-week dinner menu for the summer months to keep us out of restaurants I thought it made total sense to post a "What I'm Eating" tab as well. You can see our whole menu by clicking my page tabs up top. Let me know what you think about our meal plan. What do you like? What would you change? What do you have questions about?
I am at my lowest weight in a long time. I have my sights on hitting 25lbs lost by the end of the summer. All this running is doing wonders for me. Baseball, cycling, and swimming must be helping too.
For starters I'm not sure if I'm doing the try-a-tri or if I'm going to tackle the duathlon instead. I've convinced a friend to run with me during the week using the Couch to 5k program (with some modifications-but always pushing for improvement) and if we can run enough by the middle of July we will enter the duathlon together. We've found the increases in running intervals to be too much for our fitness level. It was impossible to go from 1.5 minute runs to 3 minute runs so we bumped it to 2 minutes. She's not so sure she wants to swim otherwise we'd already be a go for the try-a-tri.
Chris posted about the budget cuts we've made to focus on getting rid of our debt and creating some savings. One of the cuts will likely be to my gym membership. For now I have it suspended for the summer as I have been mostly training outside for running and cycling. I will pay to go to the pool if needed and I can do online yoga videos while at work or home. If you have ideas for the winter months please let me know.
I clicked a link for a new-to-me blog the other day because of the praise this blogger received from someone whose opinion I admire and trust. Check out Connie's blog because she is doing amazing! I liked that she had a tab about what she is eating. I've seen this on a few blogs and I usually question how healthy the meals are that have been posted to some fitness blogs. As Chris and I just finished creating a 6-week dinner menu for the summer months to keep us out of restaurants I thought it made total sense to post a "What I'm Eating" tab as well. You can see our whole menu by clicking my page tabs up top. Let me know what you think about our meal plan. What do you like? What would you change? What do you have questions about?
I am at my lowest weight in a long time. I have my sights on hitting 25lbs lost by the end of the summer. All this running is doing wonders for me. Baseball, cycling, and swimming must be helping too.
Friday, May 17, 2013
It's Baseball Season!
The last and only time I played baseball my mom coached my team so I'm guessing that was over 15 years ago. I suggested to Chris that we join a local mixed fun league as a way to do something fit together and to meet people in our area.
He agreed and we had much discussion about how I felt we needed to go and play for fun and he felt we needed to go and play to win. He really does not see how I can go just for the experience and not care about the outcome. In the end I told him if he wanted to play competitively or if he was going to be grouchy if we lost every game because our team might suck (it's luck of the draw) then he should go find another team to play on. He decided he could play for fun as long as we at least tried to win and give it our best.
Tonight was the first game of the season. We arrived the 45 minutes early as requested to meet the team. Our captain showed up 20 minutes before the game already buzzed on beer and I think a little stoned. She proceeded to continue drinking beer throughout the game. We were feeling like these were not our kind of people.
Our "team" consisted of only 5 players. Somehow, out of 6 teams, we ended up on the team that was not filled. We convinced some players from the previous game to join us (the rules state if you do not have enough players you can fill your team to 9 players only). We played against a corporate team of about 20 players. The guys and gal that joined our team were very nice. It made me wish we were on their team.
Due to the lack of players and the league rules...all girls had to be on the field for every inning (2 infield, 2 outfield) and every other batter had to be a girl. This meant there were some innings where I had to bat twice (max 10 batters or 3 outs in an inning).
My biggest fear going into the game was that I would not be able to hit the ball. We practiced catching but not batting before the game. Surprisingly because your own team member pitches the ball I hit the very first pitch, hit all my other balls when at bat, and made it on base all but one time. My first run to first base went fine, but I discovered all my running had not trained me to sprint. My thigh was already sore. Thankfully I hustled enough during the game when running and never felt too out of breath to run to where I needed to be.
Chris was the hitter of the night I think. He hit the ball out of the park and over the fence on his second at bat. We discovered later in the game that whoever on your team does this first becomes the only person allowed to do this for the rest of the game. Anyone else that hits it over the fence is an automatic out. I have to say that I was concerned that Chris would be so awesome (which he was) that I would feel intimidated or inferior when playing, but I didn't. I think it helped that his first pitcher was drunk so although I hit the ball and got on base, Chris who followed me, struck out. I was pretty proud that I showed him up at least once during the game.
Somehow in all the confusion of an ever-changing batting order due to 4 girls and 5 guys on the team, a drunk captain, and a drunk scorekeeper we managed to tie the game 13-13. This is where the game should have ended as time was up according to the rules, but everyone opted to play one more inning as it was the first night. 13-13 reminded me of my gym teacher in school who always scored every game as "tied 11-11" at the end of the period. I was happy with this as it reinforced my argument that we were playing for fun and not to win.
We played the last inning and we won the game. Chris gloated "see, isn't it more fun when you win!", but I found it did not make a difference. I think having a happy husband who got to win the first game of the season made a difference over having an unhappy husband because he lost. But, the game itself, did not matter to me how we scored. And, truthfully, I'm not quite sure how we managed to beat the other team. Chris might argue it was because of him and his grand-slam homerun over the fence. I think it had a little more to do with luck.
End result: Happy to go play again next week. Decided we may bike the one hour to the field, play ball, grab an ice cream cone, and bike back as we get the early game. Sore thigh muscles and a strained groin muscle. Definitely need to warm-up first next time.
He agreed and we had much discussion about how I felt we needed to go and play for fun and he felt we needed to go and play to win. He really does not see how I can go just for the experience and not care about the outcome. In the end I told him if he wanted to play competitively or if he was going to be grouchy if we lost every game because our team might suck (it's luck of the draw) then he should go find another team to play on. He decided he could play for fun as long as we at least tried to win and give it our best.
Tonight was the first game of the season. We arrived the 45 minutes early as requested to meet the team. Our captain showed up 20 minutes before the game already buzzed on beer and I think a little stoned. She proceeded to continue drinking beer throughout the game. We were feeling like these were not our kind of people.
Our "team" consisted of only 5 players. Somehow, out of 6 teams, we ended up on the team that was not filled. We convinced some players from the previous game to join us (the rules state if you do not have enough players you can fill your team to 9 players only). We played against a corporate team of about 20 players. The guys and gal that joined our team were very nice. It made me wish we were on their team.
Due to the lack of players and the league rules...all girls had to be on the field for every inning (2 infield, 2 outfield) and every other batter had to be a girl. This meant there were some innings where I had to bat twice (max 10 batters or 3 outs in an inning).
My biggest fear going into the game was that I would not be able to hit the ball. We practiced catching but not batting before the game. Surprisingly because your own team member pitches the ball I hit the very first pitch, hit all my other balls when at bat, and made it on base all but one time. My first run to first base went fine, but I discovered all my running had not trained me to sprint. My thigh was already sore. Thankfully I hustled enough during the game when running and never felt too out of breath to run to where I needed to be.
Chris was the hitter of the night I think. He hit the ball out of the park and over the fence on his second at bat. We discovered later in the game that whoever on your team does this first becomes the only person allowed to do this for the rest of the game. Anyone else that hits it over the fence is an automatic out. I have to say that I was concerned that Chris would be so awesome (which he was) that I would feel intimidated or inferior when playing, but I didn't. I think it helped that his first pitcher was drunk so although I hit the ball and got on base, Chris who followed me, struck out. I was pretty proud that I showed him up at least once during the game.
Somehow in all the confusion of an ever-changing batting order due to 4 girls and 5 guys on the team, a drunk captain, and a drunk scorekeeper we managed to tie the game 13-13. This is where the game should have ended as time was up according to the rules, but everyone opted to play one more inning as it was the first night. 13-13 reminded me of my gym teacher in school who always scored every game as "tied 11-11" at the end of the period. I was happy with this as it reinforced my argument that we were playing for fun and not to win.
We played the last inning and we won the game. Chris gloated "see, isn't it more fun when you win!", but I found it did not make a difference. I think having a happy husband who got to win the first game of the season made a difference over having an unhappy husband because he lost. But, the game itself, did not matter to me how we scored. And, truthfully, I'm not quite sure how we managed to beat the other team. Chris might argue it was because of him and his grand-slam homerun over the fence. I think it had a little more to do with luck.
End result: Happy to go play again next week. Decided we may bike the one hour to the field, play ball, grab an ice cream cone, and bike back as we get the early game. Sore thigh muscles and a strained groin muscle. Definitely need to warm-up first next time.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Yoga and Non-Scale Victories
I was really looking forward to my week of yoga. So much so that I dragged my butt to the gym for 8pm after already coming home, making dinner, relaxing, etc. I even jumped on the treadmill for a jog/walk to warm up my muscles while I waited.
Last night was Yogafit for one hour. The only other yoga class I've been to was a relax and rejuvenate class so I was looking forward to doing more than lie on mat in meditation. I was eager to learn some poses that I can try at home. I was excited to see progress in my ability.
"Welcome to Yogafit. My name is Marsha and it is my goal that by the time you leave tonight you will feel like you've done 1000 squats." Oh God. What did I sign myself up for?
Let's start with successes...
And the I'm still working on it...
Last night was Yogafit for one hour. The only other yoga class I've been to was a relax and rejuvenate class so I was looking forward to doing more than lie on mat in meditation. I was eager to learn some poses that I can try at home. I was excited to see progress in my ability.
"Welcome to Yogafit. My name is Marsha and it is my goal that by the time you leave tonight you will feel like you've done 1000 squats." Oh God. What did I sign myself up for?
Let's start with successes...
| Downward Dog |
 |
| Pigeon |
And the I'm still working on it...
 |
| This one |
 |
| Eagle (I did a modification) |
 |
| Moving from plank to crocodile
I left dripping in sweat and sore everywhere. I even had to take a break from the poses halfway through the class and just sit on my mat to watch. However, during that time I stretched my legs and discovered that I can finally touch my toes! I firmly grasped the ball of each foot with my legs extended out in front of me. This is a big deal because even in my ballet days as a child I have never been able to gain enough flexibility to touch my toes. All in all it was a success. Looking forward to relax and rejuvenate with a friend tomorrow.
|
Sunday, April 28, 2013
This Week is Full of Fitness
I completed week 1 of the couch to 5km program. I even had a friend join me on a 4th day to run as she was inspired by my try-a-tri goal and may choose to enter the duathlon. We are going to train together this week as we seem to run at the same pace and enjoy each other's company.
Side note: Running is making my body sore (shins and one ankle - but I think I slept on it wrong). Someone cautioned me that running is not worth the strain on your body. I agree to an extent. I have no desire to run like my husband does. I do think that I should be able to run after my future (way future) kids, circle the block once, or run away if under attack. I'm not training to run because I think fit people run. I'm training to run because I've always wanted to be able to run one lap around the school yard and because I love the solitude of circling the neighbourhood with the wind in my face.
I've also decided that yoga is most definitely for me and I hate that I have not been going with the change in my gym's schedule. I'm going to find a way to make it work. I'm also going to a free Zumba class in May as I've always wanted to try it. It also might be a good way to meet more women that live near me as it is at a local hall.
And...did I mention yet that Chris and I joined a baseball team? We start playing mid-May with a fun mixed league. It should be good to get out and do something fit with my husband that has us working together and not competing.
This Week's Plan of Attack
Monday - trail walk on own/with friend, yogafit class
Tuesday - run with friend (1 min run, 1.5 minute walk)
Wednesday - relax and rejuvenate yoga, run with friend
Thursday - bike ride or swim with Chris, Kundalini and Ashtanga yoga
Friday - morning run on own
Side note: Running is making my body sore (shins and one ankle - but I think I slept on it wrong). Someone cautioned me that running is not worth the strain on your body. I agree to an extent. I have no desire to run like my husband does. I do think that I should be able to run after my future (way future) kids, circle the block once, or run away if under attack. I'm not training to run because I think fit people run. I'm training to run because I've always wanted to be able to run one lap around the school yard and because I love the solitude of circling the neighbourhood with the wind in my face.
I've also decided that yoga is most definitely for me and I hate that I have not been going with the change in my gym's schedule. I'm going to find a way to make it work. I'm also going to a free Zumba class in May as I've always wanted to try it. It also might be a good way to meet more women that live near me as it is at a local hall.
And...did I mention yet that Chris and I joined a baseball team? We start playing mid-May with a fun mixed league. It should be good to get out and do something fit with my husband that has us working together and not competing.
This Week's Plan of Attack
Monday - trail walk on own/with friend, yogafit class
Tuesday - run with friend (1 min run, 1.5 minute walk)
Wednesday - relax and rejuvenate yoga, run with friend
Thursday - bike ride or swim with Chris, Kundalini and Ashtanga yoga
Friday - morning run on own
Monday, April 22, 2013
FMM: Inside My Head (Apparently Kenlie and I Are in the Same State of Mind)
Head over to www.alltheweigh.com to participate and link up. I just did an activity with my grade 1/2 library class on poetry where we wrote "I am" poems. This FMM reminds me very much of that.
Inside My Head
I don’t like…getting sick.
I love…my husband.
I dream of…having children.
I wonder…what life will be like when I'm old and gray.
I know…that I'm still learning.
I went…to work yesterday.
I think…all the time.
I plan…to run tonight.
I regret…nothing. Really and truly.
I do…take time for myself.
I drink…seldom.
I wish…I was debt-free.
I am…an amazing person.
I am not…fit yet.
I need…a clutter free space.
I hope…I will succeed.
I want…to complete the try-a-try this summer.
I sometimes…sing in the car.
I always…help others.
I can…accomplish what I set my mind to.
I cannot…do a proper push-up yet.
I avoid…doing the dishes.
I will…do better next time.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
I've Been Stuck in My Head
I can't remember the last time I posted on my blog about fitness. I have been thinking, talking, and reading about fitness on a daily basis. I have been doing fitness on a semi-regular basis. I haven't been able to pull it altogether though to share in a coherent way through a series of posts though so I'm just going to spill my thoughts and questions at once in an organized fashion.
Mind-set
Most days I think I don't like fitness. The days I do fitness I think I like it immediately following the workout when I'm feeling that euphoric energy, clear lungs, and adrenaline. Some days I look forward to doing fit things. I don't know where I stand overall. I have proven to myself that I feel better when I am exerting energy on a regular basis and I feel worse when I am not. I've recognized I really need to think differently in my approach to fitness. Some days I'm there and some days I'm not - I'll let you know when I figure it all out. Have you ever struggled with changing your mind-set?
Motivation
I was convinced for a long time that I needed motivation to be fit. I needed a goal to achieve, someone to push me, someone to be accountable to, a reason to do it, a passion for it, and more. The longer I struggle with longevity and the routine of fitness the more I'm realizing motivation has crap to do with it all. I do not need motivation. I need commitment, consistency, and plans. I already have motivation - it is what gets me thinking about wanting to do fit things, setting goals, and researching new ideas, but it doesn't get me actually doing them. Where do you stand with motivation? I still struggle with this scenario from the past: I am committed to going to the gym every day. I've been going every day. I wake up every morning not wanting to go and wanting to go at the same time. I wake up exhausted, I have a zillion things to do, I'm not going anywhere near the gym and it's raining outside, and I also hate my current fitness routine...if motivation does not play a part in me deciding to go or not go, then what is influencing my decision???
Food
I am more successful when I track the food I eat. Plain and simple. I stop tracking when I am consistently eating within my calories and by no surprise I immediately start to eat too many and lose all my hard work. Tracking food makes me think about whether or not I'm actually hungry or if I'm just bored and wanting a snack. I need to do this again and keep at it. How do you find the balance between what you want to eat and what you have allotted to eat?
Working Out
I need to do this every day ideally. I need to commit to a program and not deviate from it at the very least (ie. couch to 5km which I started last week). Programs are designed to help me succeed. I cannot succeed at them if I do not follow them blindly. They worked for a reason - I need to trust this and not question it or try to speed it up. When I do then I fail. What programs have been the most successful for you to a)lose weight b)build strength c) build endurance d) increase flexibility e) feel empowered?
Competition
I am not competitive. Not with myself or with others. I strive to do well. I'm happy when I do better. But, ultimately I do not care if I beat my score or someone else's. I am more apt to get frustrated and quit if I continue trying to strive for something greater than my current ability. I need to focus on lengthy workouts not beat my time to get it done faster workouts. More cardio=more success. Instead of working to get done faster (my old mindset) I need to enjoy the time I do work so I will do more (my new mindset).
I'm sure there is more floating around in my brain that will spill out in the weeks to come. For now, plans to track my calories, complete week 2 of couch to 5km, and learn to lift weights in my garage. But, most all, to attack fitness with a positive mind.
Mind-set
Most days I think I don't like fitness. The days I do fitness I think I like it immediately following the workout when I'm feeling that euphoric energy, clear lungs, and adrenaline. Some days I look forward to doing fit things. I don't know where I stand overall. I have proven to myself that I feel better when I am exerting energy on a regular basis and I feel worse when I am not. I've recognized I really need to think differently in my approach to fitness. Some days I'm there and some days I'm not - I'll let you know when I figure it all out. Have you ever struggled with changing your mind-set?
Motivation
I was convinced for a long time that I needed motivation to be fit. I needed a goal to achieve, someone to push me, someone to be accountable to, a reason to do it, a passion for it, and more. The longer I struggle with longevity and the routine of fitness the more I'm realizing motivation has crap to do with it all. I do not need motivation. I need commitment, consistency, and plans. I already have motivation - it is what gets me thinking about wanting to do fit things, setting goals, and researching new ideas, but it doesn't get me actually doing them. Where do you stand with motivation? I still struggle with this scenario from the past: I am committed to going to the gym every day. I've been going every day. I wake up every morning not wanting to go and wanting to go at the same time. I wake up exhausted, I have a zillion things to do, I'm not going anywhere near the gym and it's raining outside, and I also hate my current fitness routine...if motivation does not play a part in me deciding to go or not go, then what is influencing my decision???
Food
I am more successful when I track the food I eat. Plain and simple. I stop tracking when I am consistently eating within my calories and by no surprise I immediately start to eat too many and lose all my hard work. Tracking food makes me think about whether or not I'm actually hungry or if I'm just bored and wanting a snack. I need to do this again and keep at it. How do you find the balance between what you want to eat and what you have allotted to eat?
Working Out
I need to do this every day ideally. I need to commit to a program and not deviate from it at the very least (ie. couch to 5km which I started last week). Programs are designed to help me succeed. I cannot succeed at them if I do not follow them blindly. They worked for a reason - I need to trust this and not question it or try to speed it up. When I do then I fail. What programs have been the most successful for you to a)lose weight b)build strength c) build endurance d) increase flexibility e) feel empowered?
Competition
I am not competitive. Not with myself or with others. I strive to do well. I'm happy when I do better. But, ultimately I do not care if I beat my score or someone else's. I am more apt to get frustrated and quit if I continue trying to strive for something greater than my current ability. I need to focus on lengthy workouts not beat my time to get it done faster workouts. More cardio=more success. Instead of working to get done faster (my old mindset) I need to enjoy the time I do work so I will do more (my new mindset).
I'm sure there is more floating around in my brain that will spill out in the weeks to come. For now, plans to track my calories, complete week 2 of couch to 5km, and learn to lift weights in my garage. But, most all, to attack fitness with a positive mind.
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