I migrated here from FLZine since everyone else was doing it. So why couldn't I as well? Anyway, I'm 31-years-old, a native Bronxite, cat fanatic and someone who started getting serious about fitness 2 years ago. I found FLZine through Leigh Peele's AvidityFitness site, and then found my way here.
My weight over the last 20 years has veered, from a high of 140 lbs. (I top out at 5'1", so I looked rather fleshy in this phase) to a low of 100 lbs. I've learned to reign in my eating, which bordered on binge fests as a teen and my early 20s. I definitely love to eat when I'm bored, so it's a good thing I discovered things such as walking and hobbies like crocheting.
I have never followed any fad diets. The first time I lost weight, I did it through the classic combo of eating less, and cardio exercise. However, I got skinny-fat from that, and in 2006, was put on a strength-training program by a trainer that really helped with my body recomp. My bf % went down from 34% to 25% - big difference. I haven't done any measurements recently, but I guesstimate my body fat is now in the 20% zone.
In 2008, I did NROLFW, and wow, it produced great results. I lost 10 lbs. on that, and gained a ton of strength. More importantly, it really helped to improve my core and back, which have always been my problem spots. Can't say enough good things about NROLFW.
Now, I'm training for a half-marathon in December, and started running seriously last year. I entered a 5K in November 2008, the first one I'd done in almost 10 years, and even though my time sucked (I completed it in 31:10, or something like that), I got hooked. I've also gotten a running coach to help me with my HM training and am so excited. My first speedwork session with her is next Wednesday. I'm nervous but still looking forward to it!
That's it from me. I'll shut up for now, until the next time.
I'll post stats next week, when I find my measuring tape. :P Until then, here's a wrap-up of what has happened since Thursday.
Thursday, 6/4/09
Ran 2.3 miles in the morning
Ran 4 miles in the evening
What had happened here is I got really paranoid about the weather that day, and as soon as I got up, I put in a brisk run that went horribly. Or at least it felt horrible - it was hot, I felt sluggish, and just a general feeling of "ugh." Later in the evening, the weather held up and I decided to meet with my running club. I've now shown up enough times that the veteran members actually said "hi" to me on Thursday, LOL. I was in the back of the pack - 9 min/mile and more - but that was ok. I had company and we had a great conversation on how we started running, the Boston Marathon (my 2 running companions have both completed it), and how difficult running actually is, even though it looks easy as pie.
Friday, 6/5/09
Kettlebells and bodyweight stuff!!!
Squats
Windmills
Farmers Walks
YTWL on stability ball
Reverse crunch
Wanted to do 4 sets (6 reps each, except for the Farmers Walks), but it got cut short. Not bad though. My windmills are getting better, and man, it still hurts doing them with a 26-lb. KB.
Today, 6/6/09
Ran 2 miles, 9:30/mile pace
Pace time was better this round, but it's frustrating how it's stalled at the 9:20-9:50 mark. Would like to get back down to 9 min./mile for 3 & 4-mile runs. I hope the speedwork my running coach is planning on doing w/me will help. I have a feeling it will, though - when I used to run intervals regularly, my speed went up, too.
Eats today were sketchy. However, dinner was great. I made chicken thighs with sauteed swiss chard and red peppers, seasoned with Slap Ya Mama. That stuff is also stellar on fried eggs.
No activity today, except for some housework, going to Barnes & Noble, and then attending a cookout. I ate what I wanted, and really liked the rum & coconut cake with cream-cheese frosting that was served. Damn, I should've asked for the recipe!
Today is also the last Sunday that'll be a rest day, at least for the next 12 weeks. My running coach does her group long run on Sundays, at 6 AM, and that's part of my HM training. Oh boy.
It'll be interesting to follow your running training, especially speedwork (this still puzzles me and I imagine a trainer would be needed to start with).
I've just completed Stage One of NROLFW so it's great to hear you singing its praises and I was thinking of incorporating some running too (I've done a couple of 5Ks and a couple of 10Ks - my 5K speed is pretty much what yours was back in November).
Probably Saturday. But I think I'll really know for sure when I get into my new routine this week. Eek!
Charlotte - You can definitely incorporate running into NROLFW, which is what I began doing around Stage 4. (Before then, my steady-state cardio was a mix of stairclimber, elliptical or rowing machine. Intervals were sprints.) Have fun with NROLFW.
Runnergirl88 - Always nice to "meet" fellow runners, too!
Did these exercises superslow with low reps (except for the kb swings, of course), and on the second set of t-pushups, my arms nearly gave out. Completed all sets, though. Another bonus from the slow reps: my abs are feeling sore this morning. Those stability ball rollouts are wicked.
Food
Still working on the protein intake. However, I'll also discuss this with my running coach, and see what her recommendations are. It's frustrating how nutrition is the one area I am always lagging behind in. I think that's why I didn't track what I ate for a long time - it just seemed pointless after a while. If I can't something right or perfect, I don't want to continue and it's a lot easier for me to get workouts in, but not to plan meals.
Today, so far:
Ditched my morning run, and will probably just walk for 30 minutes instead. I also have bellydance class tonight, so I don't feel bad about not running. Also, tomorrow is my first official speedwork session! I want to feel as ready and prepped for it as possible - don't want any nasty surprises on the track.
Duh, I forgot to post stats as I'd promised earlier:
Age: 31
Height: 5'1"
Weight: 102 lbs. (this goes up to 104 lbs. on the weekends)
Body fat percentage: 21.6% (plugged my measurements into one of those online body fat calculators - don't know if this is over or underestimating it)
Energy levels: All over the place today. I didn't go walking as I thought I would - I flopped on the couch late this afternoon and took a 15-minute nap, then did a few sets of KB swings (one and two-armed variations), some jumping jacks and burpees. I'm quite happy to report I can do 20 consecutive burpees without tossing my cookies. However, I felt completely tired after that and wanted to take another nap. That didn't happen, though.
Bellydance class tonight was a lot better. This time, the instructor didn't go wild with the shimmies and hip circles, and instead focused on grapevines (a traveling step move) and lockdowns (think calf raises). That was great, because it was low-impact and in tune with my (lack of) energy and enthusiasm.
I think I'll be going to bed early tonight. Today was just a "meh" one for me, and I'll be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed tomorrow.
I'm not sure if you read Runner's World or not, but in the most recent issue, it said that runner's need more protein than most. I was actually sort of surprised. It seems like carbs are really ingrained in runners minds.
Did you find it difficult doing NROL4W while running? I can only imagine how sore those workouts might make you.
I'm not sure if you read Runner's World or not, but in the most recent issue, it said that runner's need more protein than most. I was actually sort of surprised. It seems like carbs are really ingrained in runners minds.
Did you find it difficult doing NROL4W while running? I can only imagine how sore those workouts might make you.
I haven't read it yet, but I think "carbs, carbs, carbs" have been far too ingrained in a lot of runners. But the ones that I've spoken with at my running meets realized this error a long time ago, and we make sure that our post-run recovery meals include some form of protein.
I completed NROLFW last year, when I was only running once or twice a week. I got sore, but definitely not from running, LOL. I think there's someone in the forums here who is a long-distance runner and doing NROL; I'll have to check on that later.
Cute little man you have there and the human is not bad either.
My avatar is named after my cat. We are the only girls in the house and have to stick together. She is so affectionate. When we are in bed together she will reach her little paws over and hug me and give me one little lick on my cheek. She is just the sweetest thing.
__________________
Peaches
The journey to health and fitness
Should be taken
Because you love yourself,
Not because you hate your body
Got back from tonight's meet with the running coach, and I'm absolutely RAVENOUS. I totally want to snarf down a pan of cupcakes. I'm being good, though, and am having chocolate milk instead. It also helps that there is no cake mix in the house right now.
Anyway, the session wasn't too bad, but it had its moments of potential humiliation. There was a big turnout, I estimate 50 folks. Some are beginners, some are seasoned marathoners, and some are high school track team kids who are keeping with their cross-country routines. We began things with a 1.5 mile warm-up run, which was pretty easy. Then the fun began w/plyometrics. We ran with knees to the abs, then with butt-kicks, leaped and skipped, hopped on one leg, then the other, and finished it off with squat jumps across a field. That one even drew groans from the high schoolers. Surprisingly, I didn't feel too bad from that - I hope the burpees I occasionally do had something to do with it.
But the real excitement was with the following circuit:
-Sprint up a hill as fast as you can
-Do 10 pushups at the top
-Run/walk/jog to the bottom of the hill, and do 20 sit-ups
-Repeat 6-10 times
I'm going to brag here because I was the only female who did full-on pushups throughout the installments. I may have sucked wind on the sprints, but damnit, I can pound out those pushups! I could only do 7 circuits, but I wasn't disappointed. I'll do better next time.
Right now I'm going through the program packet the coach prepared for me, and a strength component has been included. It's a bodyweight-based one, greatest-hits package full of pushups, pullups, dips, walking lunges, leg raises and uh, more burpees. *sigh*
I'm going to have to reconfigure my entire workout scheme, and prolly hit the local park a lot more often (not only does it have a nice and comfy running trail, but it also has pullup and parallel bars). I'll see.
The coach commented that my running form is currently very efficient, but that I have to work on opening up stride. That's good to know - at least I have one area to work on, as opposed to totally reinventing the wheel.
I'm not feeling too bad now. Actually, it's a nice and pleasantly exhausted feeling that I have. Hopefully that means another good night of rest for me!
Peaches6311 - Is your cat an orangie? If so, she's super-special - female orangies are so rare. My cat isn't so affectionate - he's more into biting me, LOL - but dh and I love him the way he is. I think dh and I have delusions of grandeur, because we keep on referring to him as "our tiger."
Joyce, that's quite a work out! And a special congrats on doing all full push ups, I doubt there's many women who could do that - particularly after the beginning parts of the workout.
And I also can't imagine a house without a cat. My current one is Bijou (she came with the name). She's a little primadonna rescued Siberian, who is super affectionate when she wants to be. Which is usually around 6am when I'm trying to get some sleep.
Yeah, that sounds like one helluva workout! Well done! I think I'm going to have a little run on Saturday. Haven't run since about January.
My young cat (nearly 3 yrs) is part fox/part hyena. She is a dilute tortie (lots of orange) with a slightly foxy face but as she stalks down the garden it looks like her back legs are higher than the front, hence looking like a hyena. She's my snuggly cat. The older one (15 year old tabby) is tiny and fluffy but likes her space (except if she wants to be all over you and have her tummy rubbed). I love cats!
No, not an orangie --- that was what we wanted when we went to the adoption center. My oldest son loved Calvin & Hobbs and wanted a cat that looked like Hobbs --- plus, my sister has an orangie. But Peaches (cat) is what I call a tuxedo cat (don't know real name). She is black with white an arms and legs and white down front (belly) area. She jiggles when she walks she is so fat.
BTW, way to go on the pushups.
__________________
Peaches
The journey to health and fitness
Should be taken
Because you love yourself,
Not because you hate your body
Can't believe it took me so long to find you! But I'm subscribed now.
__________________
They call me Amanda, that being my real name, and "They" being people who know me in person as I don't go around introducing myself in real life as "scribess." 'Cause that would just be strange.
I'm really pleased with how tonight's run went. I got my pace down from the 9:30-9:50 zone that I seemed to be hovering around for the last couple of weeks. However, it did feel a bit bad midway because I tested out a pair of sneakers (there was a New Balance sales rep at the running meet I went to tonight), and they started feeling weird in the midsection of my right foot at the 3 mile mark. However, I started off and finished strong. Too bad the middle parts are where I drag.
Food
M1: Hummus in a tortilla wrap, 1 oz. reduced-fat colby cheese, red peppers
M2: 1 slice homemade meatloaf, 1/2 cup brown rice, 1/2 cup broccoli slaw
M3: South Beach Diet protein bar; 1 slice of pizza
M4: Goat milk yogurt, blueberry flavor (forgot which brand, but this was pretty good, and I'll recognize it by label next time I go to Whole Foods)
M5: 1/2 cup blueberry kefir; handful of fresh blueberries, and slice of pineapple
M6: 12 oz. strawberry/pineapple/mango smoothie w/whey protein
M7: 1/2 slice meatloaf,1/2 cup brown rice, some swiss chard (don't know how much), 1/2 cup lentil/diced tomato stew
I was a hungry girl today.
Looking forward to tomorrow - I'm gonna take a day off from all cardio and play with my kettlebells instead. And I'm so happy because I'd asked the coach if I can do KB work as my cross-training, and she said yes. Part of me was afraid I'd have to neglect my strength work, but that is not the case, and our coach is very much into weights as well. Phew!
Energy levels: very good. Even when I woke up at 6 AM today, I felt alert, not the usually-draggy self that I am at that hour.
Okay, I'm not by any means a runner, but I have to say I think I'd be suspicious of anyone who said to lay off of strength training entirely while training for any sort of cardio work. I'm definitely of the "both are important" camp.
Goats milk yogurt, huh? I've tried goats milk cheese but have never tried the yogurt since it's more expensive. May have to give it a shot, though.
__________________
They call me Amanda, that being my real name, and "They" being people who know me in person as I don't go around introducing myself in real life as "scribess." 'Cause that would just be strange.
Yum, strawberry/pineapple/mango smoothie and a slice of pineapple! Yes please! I'm in the mood for juicy fruits at the moment. I'm loving pineapple at the moment - especially with my protein pancakes and a touch of maple syrup. Delicious!
Today's been pretty busy, but I got a kettlebell workout in, and will have dinner tonight with relatives. I'll also fix myself a nice cocktail with the drink mix I got on sale at Williams-Sonoma.
I read through the nutrition plan and sample menus my running coach provided me on Wednesday. Her stuff is not carb-centric at all; she likes the protein, incl. the cottage cheese and whey protein powder. Most of our carbs will come from fruit and limited amounts of breads/potatoes/rice/pasta. I guess that blows the myth that runners need to carb-up more than others, even the long-distance folks.
Exercise
-40 min. KB & Bodyweight circuit
-Front squats/military presses/deadlifts/Supermans
Eats
M1: 2 scrambled eggs, 1/2 cup red peppers, handful of onions, 1 flour tortilla
M2: 1 old-fashioned donut, 1/2 french cruller donut
M3: 1/2 cup lentils, 1/2 cup jasmine rice, 1/2 cup swiss chard & red peppers
M4: 1 scoop vanilla soy protein powder, 1/2 cup hemp milk, 1 cup frozen bananas, 2 tsps. Quik and 1/2 cup coffee = great smoothie
M5: Don't know what will be served at tonight's dinner. Am definitely choosing plenty of veggies and having a good portion of protein, though.
M6: Cocktail with vodka and lemon-basil drink mix
Energy
Not as peppy as yesterday, but doing fine all the same. I hope this getting a good night's sleep is not just a passing fad, but a long-term occurence on a nightly basis.
Quote:
Originally Posted by scribess
Okay, I'm not by any means a runner, but I have to say I think I'd be suspicious of anyone who said to lay off of strength training entirely while training for any sort of cardio work. I'm definitely of the "both are important" camp.
Goats milk yogurt, huh? I've tried goats milk cheese but have never tried the yogurt since it's more expensive. May have to give it a shot, though.
I know that any good trainer, running and otherwise, would never write off a strength component, but there was still that little part of me that was a bit scared that would be the case, LOL. And the thing is, I notice a good deal of runners would love to do nothing more than just run, and neglect strength work.
And yes, the goat's milk yogurt is a great treat! I really enjoyed the apricot-mango flavored one. Yum, yum!
I read through the nutrition plan and sample menus my running coach provided me on Wednesday. Her stuff is not carb-centric at all; she likes the protein, incl. the cottage cheese and whey protein powder. Most of our carbs will come from fruit and limited amounts of breads/potatoes/rice/pasta. I guess that blows the myth that runners need to carb-up more than others, even the long-distance folks.
Damm! That's the only reason why I'd consider running in the first place!
Joyce's Running & Everything Else Log
Anyway, I'm 31-years-old, a native Bronxite, cat fanatic and someone who started getting serious about fitness 2 years ago. I found FLZine through Leigh Peele's AvidityFitness site, and then found my way here.
I could only do 7 circuits, but I wasn't disappointed. I'll do better next time. 
Linear Mode
