Hi everyone! Happy New Year's Eve! I can hardly believe that 2009 is already coming to a close. In a year, (and probably in ten years) I'll be saying the exact same thing. :)
I've been reflecting a little on the last decade. So, here, in no particular order, are some of the things that have happened in the last 10 years:
-Lived in Billings, MT, Madison, WI, Austin, TX, and St. Paul, MN
-Moved a total of 7 times
-Stumbled around with my career a bit - not quite sure I'm finished doing that
-Met J, got married 5ish years later
-Ran my first 5K
-Traveled to Mexico, Monaco, France, Italy, Spain, Tunisia, Sicily, and a whole bunch of US States
-Said goodbye to my kitty
-Lost 30 lbs, gained back 60(!)
-Bought our first house
Those are pretty much the highlights, I think. How fast a decade goes. I'm just thinking about all of the emotions that are wrapped up in that one little list.
I've also been floating around some of my goals for 2010. Weight loss is, of course, the obligatory goal year after year - and actually, the last two years, my goal has been that weight loss NOT be a goal for the following year. Alas, I'm going to add it to the top of the list:
-Reach and maintain a healthy weight
-Log 300 miles running in 2010
-Start a new daily walking habit
-Floss everyday
-Be better about keeping in touch with friends & relatives
There probably is little need to elaborate on anything in that list, but I do just want to make a couple of quick notes - the new daily walking habit is something I'd like to try - just 30 minutes of walking everyday. Nothing stressful, no expectations, but just 30 min of walking.
And, the 300 running miles logged should be an interesting challenge. :)
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
The Y: Day 1
Hi all! Sorry I didn't get a chance to post yesterday, but I did want to tell you, I went to the Y for the first time on Monday night! It went really well. :)
My 30 minute workout DID end up taking me about 2 hours total, but I think that was mostly because I needed to get my ID card picture taken and printed, and get everything set up in my locker...just that putzy stuff that I won't need to do from now on. Oh, and I did relax in the sauna for about 20 minutes :)
The workout itself was just okay. I had intended to do an elliptical workout, but the machines that were available wouldn't turn on, so I ended up on a treadmill (which is slightly ironic since the reason I joined the Y was so I could get in workouts that are different from my treadmill workout at home). But, it felt good to get moving and I feel like I've gotten over a hurdle just by getting there.
There were some things I need that I hadn't thought about (i.e. shower shoes). I think it'd be nice to have some sort of caddy for my locker too, but for the most part, I have all the stuff I need right there in my locker.
Also, it's been so long since I've been in a gym environment, I've forgotten what it's like to be naked around other naked people. I'm sure it isn't just me that feels this way, but I wonder why it seems that other people seem so very happy and content being naked in a locker room, and I am so UNcomfortable being naked. Maybe that awkwardness just dissipates with time....
Holidays
As I think I've mentioned, our family starts arriving tomorrow night for the holiday. I'm really looking forward to it, but I haven't been able to think about much else other than what needs to be done around the house before they get here. I'm actually taking tomorrow off work so I can get some things done.
H2O
I realized I haven't updated you all on my water goal for December - I'm doing great on it! Since the 3rd, I've only missed one day of meeting my water goal, so I'm feeling pretty good. It was a good goal to set for this crazy busy month :)
Trivia
Once a month, J and I and some friends go to Kieran's for trivia. Tonight happens to be trivia night. We used to be in the top 5 teams pretty consistently, but either the questions have gotten harder, the competition has gotten stiffer, or we've gotten dumber because we've slipped down to the middle of the pack. That's alright, though, it's still a ton of fun :)
Ok, that's all for today - I'll try for at least one more update before the holiday!
My 30 minute workout DID end up taking me about 2 hours total, but I think that was mostly because I needed to get my ID card picture taken and printed, and get everything set up in my locker...just that putzy stuff that I won't need to do from now on. Oh, and I did relax in the sauna for about 20 minutes :)
The workout itself was just okay. I had intended to do an elliptical workout, but the machines that were available wouldn't turn on, so I ended up on a treadmill (which is slightly ironic since the reason I joined the Y was so I could get in workouts that are different from my treadmill workout at home). But, it felt good to get moving and I feel like I've gotten over a hurdle just by getting there.
There were some things I need that I hadn't thought about (i.e. shower shoes). I think it'd be nice to have some sort of caddy for my locker too, but for the most part, I have all the stuff I need right there in my locker.
Also, it's been so long since I've been in a gym environment, I've forgotten what it's like to be naked around other naked people. I'm sure it isn't just me that feels this way, but I wonder why it seems that other people seem so very happy and content being naked in a locker room, and I am so UNcomfortable being naked. Maybe that awkwardness just dissipates with time....
Holidays
As I think I've mentioned, our family starts arriving tomorrow night for the holiday. I'm really looking forward to it, but I haven't been able to think about much else other than what needs to be done around the house before they get here. I'm actually taking tomorrow off work so I can get some things done.
H2O
I realized I haven't updated you all on my water goal for December - I'm doing great on it! Since the 3rd, I've only missed one day of meeting my water goal, so I'm feeling pretty good. It was a good goal to set for this crazy busy month :)
Trivia
Once a month, J and I and some friends go to Kieran's for trivia. Tonight happens to be trivia night. We used to be in the top 5 teams pretty consistently, but either the questions have gotten harder, the competition has gotten stiffer, or we've gotten dumber because we've slipped down to the middle of the pack. That's alright, though, it's still a ton of fun :)
Ok, that's all for today - I'll try for at least one more update before the holiday!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Living in the future
You know how sometimes people say they are living in the past? Well, I live my life in the future. I'm always thinking about tomorrow, next week, next month. Things I'm going to do, want to do, need to do. Always making plans. I'm now in full holiday mode - our family starts arriving this Thursday and will be with us until the 27th. I've got all kinds of things to do around the house to get it ready for the company. So, I was knee deep in planning mode this morning, and all of a sudden thought about how the holidays are already in progress and I should take a moment to just enjoy it and appreciate it.
I think that the future living makes me a little zombie-ish in my day to day life. Like, I'm just going through the motions today so I can get to tomorrow.
Of course, this happens with my health goals too - I'll start that diet tomorrow, next Monday, after things die down...it's like the Scarlett O'Hara syndrome - I won't think about it now...I'll think about it tomorrow.
But, I'm working on it and am trying to be more mindful of living today.
The Y
So, I'm starting at the Y tonight! I'm nervous and excited. I hope it's not too crowded. I thought I would do an elliptical workout tonight - I'll be sure to update you.
MTM
The Mississippi Ten Miler training has not been happening and I'm fighting really hard not to berate myself over it. I can't change the past and what I have not done. I know it's a combination of laziness and fear that holds me back. I think I'm always waiting for my fairy godmother to swoop in and change me into an athletic, fit, happy person who has no doubts about her abilities.
I'm getting a little nervous about the run because I haven't found any concrete posting about when it's happening, although it's been on the Sunday before Memorial Day the last few years, so hopefully this year isn't any different.
I'm also very excited because after my friend from HS and I are run it, we'll hurry home and clean up and get on a plane to Vegas for a couple of days! We've never taken a trip like this together in the 18 years we've known each other, so we're both very excited and it will be quite the reward for us.
Ok, that's all for today. Enjoy today, everyone!
I think that the future living makes me a little zombie-ish in my day to day life. Like, I'm just going through the motions today so I can get to tomorrow.
Of course, this happens with my health goals too - I'll start that diet tomorrow, next Monday, after things die down...it's like the Scarlett O'Hara syndrome - I won't think about it now...I'll think about it tomorrow.
But, I'm working on it and am trying to be more mindful of living today.
The Y
So, I'm starting at the Y tonight! I'm nervous and excited. I hope it's not too crowded. I thought I would do an elliptical workout tonight - I'll be sure to update you.
MTM
The Mississippi Ten Miler training has not been happening and I'm fighting really hard not to berate myself over it. I can't change the past and what I have not done. I know it's a combination of laziness and fear that holds me back. I think I'm always waiting for my fairy godmother to swoop in and change me into an athletic, fit, happy person who has no doubts about her abilities.
I'm getting a little nervous about the run because I haven't found any concrete posting about when it's happening, although it's been on the Sunday before Memorial Day the last few years, so hopefully this year isn't any different.
I'm also very excited because after my friend from HS and I are run it, we'll hurry home and clean up and get on a plane to Vegas for a couple of days! We've never taken a trip like this together in the 18 years we've known each other, so we're both very excited and it will be quite the reward for us.
Ok, that's all for today. Enjoy today, everyone!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Promises, Promises
Sorry, I couldn't upload the actual video (embedding wasn't allowed) but, you can listen anyway :)
So, I've made some promises that I haven't kept. Namely, starting at the Y this week - this is what happened:
Monday morning I woke up with a killer headache and decided to take a personal day from work. I went back to bed and slept another 4 hours and woke up feeling like a new woman, so I spent the rest of the day with J running errands, buying xmas presents, etc. Since I'd been in Duluth all weekend, it was really great to spend the afternoon with him. But...I did not go to the Y.
On Tuesday, my best friend's dad was in town and wanted to see us and the new house, so I hurried straight home after work to tidy up and...I did not go to the Y.
Tuesday night we got a pretty good storm, and I didn't want to deal with riding the bus, so I worked from home on Wednesday. I had a doctor's appt Wednesday afternoon and...I did not go to the Y.
Thursday (yesterday), I was back at work with my normal schedule, but wanted to go straight home so we could get our xmas tree and...I did not go to the Y.
Tonight, J is taking me out for my birthday (which is on Sunday), so I will not go to the Y.
In fairness, this week was much busier than my normal week. I think it's that way for all of us in December...there are holiday gatherings and family visits and life just gets busy. Next week won't be much better for me - our family comes on Thursday night. But, I've got nothing going on Monday or Tuesday night, so I'm putting trips to the Y on my calendar right now.
I do want to share that I HAVE been rocking my water consumption! I've had 8 days in a row of meeting my water goal, so I'm really happy with that.
I will try to update you all next week at least one more time before the holiday. I'm taking the week of the 21st off of work, so likely there will be no updates that week, but I'll try...I'm not making any promises though ;-)
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Random stuff + a new goal...
So, there's this website I like to read called Texts From Last Night - if you ever feel like you're life is not that interesting, it's kind of fun to live vicariously through the people who post these texts and seem to live lives consisting only of endless drug and alcohol fueled parties. Anyway, there was a quote I read today that made me think of my own Y fears:
(641): Just witnessed a fat girl fall off the treadmill, pop a medicine ball, and drink coke from a water bottle all in one workout.
I just thought it was a funny mental image, and it actually made me feel better about the gym thing. My membership starts on Monday :) This weekend I'm going to pick up some secondary workout supplies that I can just keep in my locker there all the time and not have to schlep to work and back home.
Music
I'm always keeping my ears open for music I like for working out & last night I heard a song (on a Criminal Minds rerun) that fits the bill perfectly - it's called "Tres Cool" and is by Jupiter Rising, who I've never heard of before, but I am now a new fan. The video isn't great, but the song is very catchy. Especially the chorus.
Goals
I haven't done much in the way of small goal setting for a while, and I'm feeling like now is the right time. I have not done well with several things to keep in line with my ultimate goal, but I'd like to just tackle one at a time. The first that comes to mind is tracking what I eat, and although focusing on that would no doubt help me, I don't think starting that goal in December (when I have a birthday, xmas, and family coming in the next two weeks) is very realistic.
I've decided my small goal for the month of December is to drink my water everyday. So, starting today, (12/3), my goal is to drink 64 oz of water everyday through 12/31. Staying on track on the weekends will be a challenge, but i've got a very nice nalgene bottle that can come with me almost anywhere, and I have no plans of being any place where water is not readily available.
My reward for accomplishing this goal is a 1 hr massage.
I will keep you posted on my progress each time I blog - thanks for being there to keep me accountable :)
Today I've drank 32 oz and I just got a refill. :)
MTM
I did have a run scheduled today, but, actually, my ankle is still really sore. I'm not really sure what I did to it, but ice alone has not helped, so I'm going to rest it over the weekend. My plan is to run on Sunday if it feels better.
I'd like to re-visit my MTM training schedule:
11/5-11/11 - Week 3 C25K
11/12-11/18 - Week 4
11/19-11/25 - Week 5
11/26-12/2 - Week 6
12/3-12/9 - Week 7
12/10-12/16 - Week 8
12/17-12/23 - Week 9
12/24-12/30 - Week 9
12/31-1/6 - Week 9
1/7-1/13 - Week 9
1/14-1/20 - Week 9
1/21-1/27 - Week 9
So, as you see above, my original plan had me at week 7 in the C25K training starting today. Still being at week 4 ability, I am a full 3 weeks behind schedule - but, that's ok, it's been a tough month. I'm adjusting the schedule and doing what I can do.
Weekend Plans
This weekend, I'm making the annual trip to Duluth with my closest girlfriends. We have one friend who moved up there a few years ago, and now it feels like kind of a tradition to visit her every winter. Duluth is a cute town and we always have a great time. I'm leaving tomorrow after work and coming back Sunday. My only healthy goal for the weekend is to stick with my water goal, and that will be just fine :)
(641): Just witnessed a fat girl fall off the treadmill, pop a medicine ball, and drink coke from a water bottle all in one workout.
I just thought it was a funny mental image, and it actually made me feel better about the gym thing. My membership starts on Monday :) This weekend I'm going to pick up some secondary workout supplies that I can just keep in my locker there all the time and not have to schlep to work and back home.
Music
I'm always keeping my ears open for music I like for working out & last night I heard a song (on a Criminal Minds rerun) that fits the bill perfectly - it's called "Tres Cool" and is by Jupiter Rising, who I've never heard of before, but I am now a new fan. The video isn't great, but the song is very catchy. Especially the chorus.
Goals
I haven't done much in the way of small goal setting for a while, and I'm feeling like now is the right time. I have not done well with several things to keep in line with my ultimate goal, but I'd like to just tackle one at a time. The first that comes to mind is tracking what I eat, and although focusing on that would no doubt help me, I don't think starting that goal in December (when I have a birthday, xmas, and family coming in the next two weeks) is very realistic.
I've decided my small goal for the month of December is to drink my water everyday. So, starting today, (12/3), my goal is to drink 64 oz of water everyday through 12/31. Staying on track on the weekends will be a challenge, but i've got a very nice nalgene bottle that can come with me almost anywhere, and I have no plans of being any place where water is not readily available.
My reward for accomplishing this goal is a 1 hr massage.
I will keep you posted on my progress each time I blog - thanks for being there to keep me accountable :)
Today I've drank 32 oz and I just got a refill. :)
MTM
I did have a run scheduled today, but, actually, my ankle is still really sore. I'm not really sure what I did to it, but ice alone has not helped, so I'm going to rest it over the weekend. My plan is to run on Sunday if it feels better.
I'd like to re-visit my MTM training schedule:
11/5-11/11 - Week 3 C25K
11/12-11/18 - Week 4
11/19-11/25 - Week 5
11/26-12/2 - Week 6
12/3-12/9 - Week 7
12/10-12/16 - Week 8
12/17-12/23 - Week 9
12/24-12/30 - Week 9
12/31-1/6 - Week 9
1/7-1/13 - Week 9
1/14-1/20 - Week 9
1/21-1/27 - Week 9
So, as you see above, my original plan had me at week 7 in the C25K training starting today. Still being at week 4 ability, I am a full 3 weeks behind schedule - but, that's ok, it's been a tough month. I'm adjusting the schedule and doing what I can do.
Weekend Plans
This weekend, I'm making the annual trip to Duluth with my closest girlfriends. We have one friend who moved up there a few years ago, and now it feels like kind of a tradition to visit her every winter. Duluth is a cute town and we always have a great time. I'm leaving tomorrow after work and coming back Sunday. My only healthy goal for the weekend is to stick with my water goal, and that will be just fine :)
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
BMI and the Y
BMI
So, I got to thinking about measuring my BMI. I’ve done it before, but never really put too much thought into it or considered the number very seriously. But, in the last week, I heard two different stories where people referenced their BMI being right at 25, which is the cusp for being overweight – anything higher than 25 is overweight, and anything over 30 is obese, so I thought I would take mine again. My current BMI is 35.2. Doing a little math, I figured out that at my height, I need to lose 5.8 lbs to drop one BMI point. I also figured out that when I was 150 (in that really good driver’s license photo), I was still above 25 BMI (just by a smidge, but still above). Imagine how good I’d look and feel if I was under that pesky little 25! Hm..just imagine…
The Y
So, after my tour at the Y Monday, I’m still really scared/nervous to sign up. Where is this hesitation coming from? Let’s make a list.
I’m afraid that:
1. I’ll pay this money and then not use it
2. I’ll be the fattest person there
3. I won’t like it
4. I won’t fit in
5. People will laugh at me
6. I will fail
7. I’ll be too busy and it will stress me out to go
8. I’ll be sweaty and embarrassed in front of people I work with
Now, let’s use our rational mind to respond to these fears:
1. This isn’t a lifetime commitment. If I’m not using the membership, or not getting my value out of it, I can cancel it.
2. At 200 lbs, I couldn’t possibly be the fattest person at the YMCA. And, even if I was the fattest person there, as long as I kept going, I wouldn’t be the fattest for long.
3. See #1. If I try it and don’t like it, I can cancel my membership. But, I won’t know if I like it until I really try it.
4. What’s to fit in with? It’s a gym, not a social club. I don’t have to make friends with anyone…I don’t even have to talk to anyone if I don’t want to. I’ll be there for me, not anyone else.
5. This isn’t 5th grade – if someone laughs at me for trying to get my health and body back, they are an asshole.
6. There is nothing to fail at – this isn’t a competition or a game. As long as I show up, I’m succeeding.
7. Too busy? I get off work at 4:00 and go home and waste 2 hours in front of the TV. I don’t have kids, my husband knows how to cook dinner. If I have one really busy day and can’t make it to the Y, it’s just one day.
8. Sweaty & embarrassed? I think I’ll just have to get over this one. Yes, I’m extra sweaty when I work out, but I need to stop dictating my life by what other people think of me. In one of my favorite movies, Point of No Return, there’s a scene where Dermot Mulroney is going through Bridget Fonda’s grocery cart and he says, “I guess it’s kind of embarrassing to have a stranger rifle through your groceries”, and she says, “Don’t worry about it. I don’t get embarrassed.” How I envy her.
So, where does this leave me? The answer is pretty clear to me - I let my fears and "what ifs" hold me back all the time, and I know where it's gotten me. This is an opportunity for action. My membership will start next Monday & I'll be sure to update you with my adventures there.
Mississippi Ten Miler
Time for a little MTM update - I ran last night when I got home! Yay! I consider it a repeat of W4D1 and let me tell you, it was a challenge to get through it. But, it felt good too. I do have some weird ankle pain going on this morning, but I don't think it's anything a little ice can't cure. Next run is scheduled for Thursday.
I have more I could blabber on about, but I've got a bunch of meetings at work today, so TTFN!
So, I got to thinking about measuring my BMI. I’ve done it before, but never really put too much thought into it or considered the number very seriously. But, in the last week, I heard two different stories where people referenced their BMI being right at 25, which is the cusp for being overweight – anything higher than 25 is overweight, and anything over 30 is obese, so I thought I would take mine again. My current BMI is 35.2. Doing a little math, I figured out that at my height, I need to lose 5.8 lbs to drop one BMI point. I also figured out that when I was 150 (in that really good driver’s license photo), I was still above 25 BMI (just by a smidge, but still above). Imagine how good I’d look and feel if I was under that pesky little 25! Hm..just imagine…
The Y
So, after my tour at the Y Monday, I’m still really scared/nervous to sign up. Where is this hesitation coming from? Let’s make a list.
I’m afraid that:
1. I’ll pay this money and then not use it
2. I’ll be the fattest person there
3. I won’t like it
4. I won’t fit in
5. People will laugh at me
6. I will fail
7. I’ll be too busy and it will stress me out to go
8. I’ll be sweaty and embarrassed in front of people I work with
Now, let’s use our rational mind to respond to these fears:
1. This isn’t a lifetime commitment. If I’m not using the membership, or not getting my value out of it, I can cancel it.
2. At 200 lbs, I couldn’t possibly be the fattest person at the YMCA. And, even if I was the fattest person there, as long as I kept going, I wouldn’t be the fattest for long.
3. See #1. If I try it and don’t like it, I can cancel my membership. But, I won’t know if I like it until I really try it.
4. What’s to fit in with? It’s a gym, not a social club. I don’t have to make friends with anyone…I don’t even have to talk to anyone if I don’t want to. I’ll be there for me, not anyone else.
5. This isn’t 5th grade – if someone laughs at me for trying to get my health and body back, they are an asshole.
6. There is nothing to fail at – this isn’t a competition or a game. As long as I show up, I’m succeeding.
7. Too busy? I get off work at 4:00 and go home and waste 2 hours in front of the TV. I don’t have kids, my husband knows how to cook dinner. If I have one really busy day and can’t make it to the Y, it’s just one day.
8. Sweaty & embarrassed? I think I’ll just have to get over this one. Yes, I’m extra sweaty when I work out, but I need to stop dictating my life by what other people think of me. In one of my favorite movies, Point of No Return, there’s a scene where Dermot Mulroney is going through Bridget Fonda’s grocery cart and he says, “I guess it’s kind of embarrassing to have a stranger rifle through your groceries”, and she says, “Don’t worry about it. I don’t get embarrassed.” How I envy her.
So, where does this leave me? The answer is pretty clear to me - I let my fears and "what ifs" hold me back all the time, and I know where it's gotten me. This is an opportunity for action. My membership will start next Monday & I'll be sure to update you with my adventures there.
Mississippi Ten Miler
Time for a little MTM update - I ran last night when I got home! Yay! I consider it a repeat of W4D1 and let me tell you, it was a challenge to get through it. But, it felt good too. I do have some weird ankle pain going on this morning, but I don't think it's anything a little ice can't cure. Next run is scheduled for Thursday.
I have more I could blabber on about, but I've got a bunch of meetings at work today, so TTFN!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)