Fitness Challenge: 1 week done

So the fitness challenge officially began on November 15th, and then starting on November 17th, the week one challenge rolled out. And, yikes, it was called revving the engine, and the challenge was 500 each of sit-ups, push-ups and squats. That was definitely a tall order, especially given I haven't been doing a whole lot of anything lately. Needless to say, I had my work cut out for me.

In the beginning, I tried to do full body push-ups, but it was just a little more than I was capable of, so I resorted to the girl version and was doing the push-ups from my knees, not my toes. And as for the sit-ups, I started doing them old school, and quickly moved to the exercise ball as I was finding them a bit too tough on my back. Let me tell you though, even with these modifications, wow, that was a lot of repetitions. I am happy to report though, that I am now finished them. Most days I broke it down into 4 sets of 25 each. With the push-ups, I ended up breaking those down into 15 and then 10 most of the time. Seriously. It was a lot to ask of me. Today, my arms, abs and legs are still a bit stiff, but the first week challenge is done!!

Weight is down two pounds from last week, so that is progress. I haven't been tracking my eating, but I have been very aware of my eating and made mostly good choices all week. Some meals are tricky to track and so I just didn't put forth the effort I should have. I will keep working on this, but so far, I'm happy with that progress. I also got in some cardio as well. And, I signed onto Strava. There might be some motivation there as well.

So now, I will look onwards to what week two has to offer. I'm excited to hear, even if the challenge might seem impossible. Hey, so did this week's but breaking it down, it was achievable, so there is hope!!

No sweeter reward!!

Just finished the next treadmill run. I am watching Once Upon A Time while I run. This morning while contemplating a morning coffee, I opted for a small latte over a mocha. I know, trivial little decisions, but wait. By choosing the latte over the mocha, I was able to have the sweetest reward after my run. A glass of Avalon Dairies Organic Chocolate Milk.

 It is such a treat. And although it makes a pretty amazing mocha, a glass of chocolate milk, made all the fancier in a nice cup, is pure heaven. Try it. You will see what I mean. You might have to run a bit longer and a bit further, but it will be worth every sip.

In the meantime… another 4.98km run. Why not 5km? Because it was a preprogrammed route and that is just how far it is. This afternoon I will get a bit of a walk in, as the kids go on their walk-a-thon fundraiser at the school. Yay, it's a time to be active with the kids!! Love every one of those opportunities.

A Fitness Challenge...

As I was leaving work the other day, I noticed a poster for a fitness challenge. It is being organized by a police constable, but open to anyone working in emergency services, so I sent off an email saying I was interested if it wasn't too late to sign up. 

I have the information now, and just need to send it off. It should be interesting. It will be twelve weeks long, and every week there is a challenge. As well, you have to have a goal in mind. Then, there is this complicated formula based on percentage of weight lost, goal attainment and challenges completed that will assign everyone points, and from there we determine our top three. 

I think the competition will be good for me. I really want something to kick start me, since obviously I am not doing well on my own. It is exactly what I need right now. 

I vow to track my eating on MyPlate through LIVESTRONG. The challenge will last for twelve weeks and goes straight through the holiday season, and ends at the end of January. The whole point is to make some friends and work to better yourself. This seems achievable. I saw there are a few people on the list from my work, so I am certainly not in this alone. 

Given that I want to improve my body before I turn 40, this seems very well timed for me. So time to get out of this negative fitness and food funk and get moving. Again. Tonight I'll do all my measurements and get all that sent off. 

And then it is time to look at the race calendar and find something to inspire myself with for next year. My son has said he might do a 10km with me. I like that idea. Huge accomplishment for him if he does it, but something I'm certain he can achieve. That kid is quite the little runner!!

Five months left...

I know, I know. It is broken record time again. And I know I will say this time is different. And maybe it will be. Or maybe not. Ugh. I am not very good at this lately. However today marks only five months until my thirties are a thing of the past. I would rather not start my forties as my body currently stands. So I will hope that today marks a change. Especially since, post vacation, my weight is on the rise. I will show a picture. Not sure why. Hopefully so I have to never see these numbers again. 

It is not pretty. I can be so incredibly lazy. 

And I can make very poor choices when it comes to eating (read: sweet tooth). Please let this be the time I really do change. 

That is all. Your encouragement and support are appreciated. 

Run done.

The beautiful part about two boys being at camp is that I can exercise as I wish. No kids fighting. No arguments. Just me and my run. It was great. 

I went for an hour. Just slow. Sort of copied the husband. When his bike program said go faster, I ran faster and when it said go slow, I went slower. So it was a nice mix. And it is done. Hopefully tonight I do some weights at work. I will keep you posted!!

And so we begin again...

With less than ninety days until we leave for a long anticipated family vacation, once again I must try and be disciplined and a little more in charge of myself. I work hard to be active with my kids yet I can't seem to stay focused on myself and my food choices sometimes.

Part of it is just self sabotage. That's terrible I know. And that might not even be the right term. Making bad choices in the moment for short term pleasure rather than thinking about the long term goal. But if I am serious about the long term goal, then the short term decisions really do matter. I need to keep that big picture close by so that my day to day decisions take that into account. 

So where do I stand... Well, here...

See what I mean? It's not pretty. Two years ago I was very disciplined with eating and my weight was at about 164.  Last year I was disciplined with exercise as I trained for Ironman Canada. At the moment I'm not being very disciplined at either. That needs to change. That HAS to change. 

And so I once again, I commit myself to this journey of eating better and exercise. I know the journey is not always easy. But it can be done. I know it's a mindset. I have done this before and I will do this again. Because, I know I want the bigger goal now more than the quick sugar highs. 

I also want to feel more comfortable in my own skin. I know being back at this weight that I just don't look how I would like. 

I do make fairly good eating choices. Like breakfast today. I had my muesli with half a peach and blueberries. So tasty. And I had one small mocha. Eight ounces. See, very portion controlled. I will track my eating again. Truly, tracking your eating is key. If you don't hold yourself accountable, you'll cheat. If one cookie is good, two is better. That kind of thing. So I will track it. And I will blog about it. And maybe I'll find some other people facing a similar journey. 

It is mind over matter. And I know I have a strong mindset. I'm an ironman for goodness sakes. So if I can accomplish those huge physical tasks, I know I can do the eating ones as well.  

I want to do this for me but also for my kids. Part of being an active family is setting a good example. That means being active but it also means consuming the best fuel for that activity. It means no snacking on junk food once the kids go to bed. If I need a snack, making it wholesome and healthy and within the guidelines I need to sustain myself, not pushing over that. 

So, there you have it. Post Ironman has been less than ideal. I've slumped back into some bad habits but the time to get good habits going again is here. I have big dreams. I have big goals. There are so many races, hikes, bikes, runs and more to do. But I want to get faster and not just finish. The time is now. Today we get going once again. Better eating, more focused exercise. And...GO!!

Insult to injury...

Okay, so I know I need a change. It's hard to believe that a little less than a year ago, I finished Ironman Canada. Super awesome right? Yet here I am now... the weight creeping back on, ugh.

So yesterday I am talking with a work colleague and the Tour de France comes up, and we are talking about the riders and kids and setting good examples, and soon enough the conversation moves on to triathlons, and racing and such. I mentioned that I'd done an ironman, and he asks, "oh, did you finish it?". Of course I finished it. I worked hard that day, and on the long bikes and swims leading up to it. I know I might not look it, but I am an Ironman Finisher.

That's it... time for change... truly... not having a conversation like that again!!

Today, eating... check!! Rocked it!! Kept track of it too. I really do love the Myplate Livestrong app on my phone. And just knowing I am tracking it, the box of Tim Bits beside my desk at work has stayed exactly that... others come and take some... and I resist. And at 50-80 calories per timbit... I'm glad!! I also resisted the pizza night, and the fries and burgers, and milkshakes... I stayed good!!

And after midnight, I'll indulge in a nectarine with some homemade Muslei. Cause it's awesome... and full of good stuff. My favourite healthy eating cookbook for athletes. Feed Zone. from the people behind Skratch. It's from there. Give or take an addition or two of my own...yum...

It's starting. I can feel the winds of change...

Get me out of this funk...

Uh... seriously...

Again...

What is it with my complete apathy lately when it comes to exercise?

And Eating...

I need an intervention...

Or some focus...

Or a desire to change...

Something...

It is less than 100 days until we go on a trip I have been anxiously awaiting for more than two years now. Truly. I need to get serious.

I will be in a bathing suit...

I will be in the sun...

I am tired of my pants and shorts feeling tighter...

I don't want bigger work clothes...

I want my kids to see a positive example...

I want to eat better...

I want to be healthier...

I need a change...

I want a change...

I must be focused...

Starting now...