Making_A_Change’s BodyBlog

Today, the little one wasn’t feeling too well, and I wasn’t feeling 100%, so we stayed home. It was nice just to snuggle and take care of her, and frankly I have been a little bit burned out. Work and school have me feeling overwhelmed. Fortunately, my advisor offered me an extension on my literature review. What a relief! The last thing that I wanted to do was to submit a mediocre paper.

 Once my husband got home, I ran about 2/3 of the way around the lake (3 miles). I think I waited to long between the last meal and the job; so I felt a little sluggish. I have been thinking of my time at the gym as my serenity time. It’s not about producing a product for anyone else, but me. I have a hankerin’ for red meat my cycle must be coming.

I tried some of that Kashi Go Lean (shout out to Flex) cereal and I was pleasantly surprised. It reminded me of Sugar Smacks–remember those? I think there was a frong named Digg ‘em or something like that.

I didn’t work out on Sunday or Monday, so it is imperative that I stay focused and make it to the gym for the rest of the week. I am looking forward to going tonight. It was nice to take some time off; nothing is sore or stiff. Although my chest and back is next in the rotation, I think I am going to do legs today. My least favorite part, but there is some improvement (see my last blog about my awesome calves). On Sunday, I wore some white capris that had been in my closet for two summers; I couldn’t wear them last summer, because I had gotten bigger. Well, they are my current size (14). They actually fit nicely–no pulling or puckering, just laid nicely and were comfortable. I can throw them back in the rotation. Now…to make them too big.

Went out to dinner with sorors and our kids last night. It was unexpected and really we couldn’t have planned it better if we tried. It was so nice to see them. We decided to go to the Elephant Bar. I had this plate with a serving of rice, a few strips of tri tip steak and around 4 shrimps, and a some nice mixed veggies. Then we split a dessert. Oh, social eating. I have got to get over that hump. What are some strategies that you use to deal with that? I guess it just comes down to making the best choices or substitutions that you can in that situation.

 This week alone I have had two days of poor eating Easter and my night out. I just want to get this whole clean eating thing down. The highs and lows of my irratic eating are getting to me; I just don’t feel "level" sometimes. That is the only way I can describe it. The past few days have served as a example of what I don’t want–going back and forth between hunger and bloated fullness. It doesn’t just effect me that day, but the following day as well.

Working out has become the least of my worries, now. I am "enjoying" the workouts, now. Enjoying is in quotes because, at the very least, workouts becoming a part of my weekly plan, and an integral part of me reaching my goals of  being a better (dare I say hotter?) wife, a more focused student, and a super mom.  

Tonight, I was on the treadmill for 40 minutes (20 minutes running @ 5.2 mph/20 minutes walking at 3.4 mph @ 8% incline). I was nowhere near tired. I ate to close to going to the gym and had a stitch in my side. But it was nice to know that i could have run the whole time. Now, I know it is time to increase my speed and improve my time.

I drafted a blog this morning and I was a bit disappointed about Easter. Although I was immensely thankful for all of the support and advice.  I was having a bit of a pit party as I am sure many do as they wage this uphill battle to better health and and a sleek physique. Well, I can’t figure out how to retrieve the blog from "draft section", so it, and my sentiments, are gone with the wind, I guess.

Well, let me share what put me in a better mood. While heating up my brown rice and chicken at work and admiring my hot pink loafers and pencil skirt, I noticed some swelling in my legs. But it wasn’t swelling at all, it was a calf! I have the beginnings of some rather nice calves going on. They are not huge, but they are noticeable to me. I may have to take a picture.

So, if you see me coming your way, please give me and my calves plenty of room…

I went to the in-laws and as usual there was a wonderful spread. I ate hotwater cornbread, homemade macaroni and cheese (with cayenne pepper for a kick), ham, cake, you name it. While I didn’t do the damage that I normally do…oh, who am I kidding I ate horribly. And I feel terribly bloated. But, I enjoyed the company immensely and the food was delicious. I did begin to think about how I want to celebrate and what new family traditions that I want for my own family. It definitely want to include physical activity and arts and crafts. I many be alone on that last one.

 Last night I spend 45 minutes on the recumbant bike (my new favorite) and tomorrow will be an intense chest, back, ab day.

but my bo-dy’s telling me yee-eees.

This is where I have been for the last couple of days. So much for the mind/body connection. My mind is giving me all sorts of reasons why I shouldn’t or can’t wake up, how goo-ood the extra hour of sleep would be, how tired I am, how much I would rather be home, how difficult it will be to find parking when I return home, I need to clean up–I could go on. But it seems like the body says, I need this and didn’t you say you wanted to wear shorts?; and steps up, puts on some clothes, grabs tennis shoes and my backback, and walks out of the door.

This morning I worked on my arms and shoulders hopped on the recumbant for 10 minutes (couldn’t do much more, my legs were shot from last night’s leg workout). As usual, I felt great after I finished. I never regret going. I’ll do a long, deep stretch tonight after the family comes back from bowling.

Tomorrow, my 3-year old goes to gymnastics and then we are going to try caporiera. There is a free trial class.  So, I am going to check it out and see if it is something that she would like to do. I like that it is a martial art, rhythmic, musical, and steeped in history. You use every part of your body. There is a parent/child class on Fridays, so if she likes it, I wanted that to be something that we do together.

I have been keeping a log for the past couple of days on fitday.com (Thanks Flex & Phearless). And I thought that my diet was pretty good. I love fresh fruits and vegetables. What I have learned is that my carbohydrate intake is really high. I have sandwiches at least twice a day because they keep me pretty satisfied. I keep a loaf of bread and some fixing in my cooler. I keep crackers in my desk if I get hungry and in my car for my toddler. I have typically been eating some source of protein (usually tuna for lunch and chicken for dinner) 2, maybe 3 times per day–with my lunch in the middle of the day and my dinner at the end of the day–but that’s it. So, now I am thinking about ways to better meet my protein needs and vary my diet more. Food logs are, indeed, very helpful especially in light of the fact that I am getting to know this "mommy body". Fitday was been especially helpful in allowing me to look at the value in the food that I eat.

The things that used to work for me don’t. Just eating less isn’t working. I am actually having to think about nutrition, supplementation (protien shakes are the way), and work three times as hard. I just three hard-boiled eggs and made deviled eggs. Instead of maynnaise I used plain, lowfat yogurt, and little mustard, and a pinch of garlic powder. Now, if I was at home I probably would added curry or something (I am always putting curry in something.), but it was GOOD. And I didn’t miss the mayonaisse.

I didn’t workout yesterday. My daughter and I made a cardboard castle in the living room. It was so awesome. I use the word ‘awesome’ sparingly, so know that this castle was indeed that. She slept in it that night which was really cute. But I am back on tonight–business as usual.

By the time I got home yesterday, my stomache was a bit unsettled. I didn’t eat much dinner, a few chicken strips that I prepared for my daughter and some cookies. I went to the gym and did 45 minutes on the recumbant bike. I was uncomfortable for most of the workout because I had to pee. The bathrooms were horrible–toilet paper thrown everywhere, dirty bowls! Aren’t we adults? I never understand how we can be in adult environments and people do such immature things. In my time at this gym the restrooms have never looked that bad. So I held it. But on a positive note, I felt strong. Sitting down and having back support allowed me to really challenge myself.

Later that night, I had the bubble guts–twice. I am not sure if it was my lunch. I hadn’t eaten for hours because I was too full. Feeling full wasn’t even satifying.  In the past, I associated the full feeling with having had a good meal and certainly showing my appreciation for the food prepared. I have been eating smaller meals and maybe that was a bit much.

 Tonight, will be a leg day, focusing more on isolation moves, low/moderate weight and high repetitions. Then, back on the recumbant bike. I am really looking forward to it. I just keep visualizing my summer legs.
 

Yesterday did turn out to be a rest day. By the end of the night I was so achy. My chest, back, and legs were sore. So, I watched a movie with the husband, did some reading, and just relaxed. I slept in this morning and will be at the gym tonight. 

 I have gotten some great advice and it is so motivating to read comments who are either doing what I am doing, have been there,or who are elite athletes. I think I am at the point where I want the big change. Of course, I know they will be slow, but I secretly would like to be working out and look in the mirror and not recognize the person staring back at me. As far as my goals I only managed to down 1/2 a gallon. I am working on a 1/2 gallon right now and its early. So, I shouldn’t have any problems if I continue to eat with the rest of my meals. I need to go grocery shopping. I’m almost out of chicken breasts.

It’s after lunch and a co-worker and I went out for Vietnamese food. I had a rice plate (problem one) with shrimp and veggies. It wouldn’t have been so bad if I hadn’t eaten the whole thing. My original plan was to put about a third of my order on a plate and refridgerate the rest. I was too lazy to get up for a plate and convinced myself I would just eat a little bit. I kept eating and then it was gone. Normally, I would feel bad. But I know it is part of the process-the ups and downs, the temptations, the choices. I won’t beat myself up and will keep my workout and water schedule. I have to say that I didn’t enjoy the white rice as much as I used to. I have been eating brown rice, yams, or potatoes and they now taste alot better to me. My preferences are changing a bit.

I decided that today would be a rest day. I have been reading about the importance of recovery and reading other profiles and decided that I am not going to the gym. The most I will do is stretch. But I am finding myself aching to go, the gym is calling me–maybe I’ll just do 30 or 40 minutes of cardio, after class tonight. Or maybe a shorter, intense session on the stairmill. My glutes and hamstrings are sore from this weekend’s leg workout, but not painful. I’ll work them again on Tuesday or Wednesday. I have been wearing shorts to the gym to remind me of what I have to do. Normally,I wear baggy sweats to hide my legs. They are not my favorite part right now. But I am facing my demons. Yesterday’s chest workout was great. I used 15 pound dubmbells for chest presses, something I had never done. I was able to do 3 sets of abour 8-10 reps. I wanted to push it, but I was shakey and afraid of the weights falling on my face. That would be nasty. That’s when a trainer would have come in handy.

For the month of April I am going to list a few short term goals, a personal challenge, and see if I can do them by April 30th:

(1) lose 2 inches in my waist

(2) run 5 miles on the treadmill

(3) have bi-weekly cheat days instead of weekly

(4) lose 2 inches in my hips (however, if my butt gets fuller, and firmer and sticks out, that is all good)

(5) drink 3/4-1 gallon of water daily (been slacking on this one)

I purchased some muscle milk. When I get it I’ll post how it works for me. I also need to determine what I need to be eating and how much. How much protien do I need? How many calories should I be getting to support these workouts? I have to really start charting what I am eating so I can get some help. This is ALOT of work.

 Update: My slacks feel tight and when I sit down, it feels like balls are on the back of my legs. I think it is my hamstrings. Hmm…it’s weird.

My daughter and I just enjoyed a bowl of delicious oatmeal and are on our way to church. This evening, I’ll be working on my back, chest, and abs. And I’ll do about 20 minutes of cardio at the end. It has been almost a month since I first posted on the site ad I feel alot better than when I started. I realize that  I just need to be patient with the physical changes; I just want to see them so badly. My legs are a bit firmer and my stamina has increased. I can now say, with confidence, that I can run 3 miles.

I was so excited to get a friendly challenge by a fellow bodyblogger to enter a half marathon in October. I am so excited, I have been researching first-timer training plans and shoes. I have plenty of time to get ready. It is an entirely new feeling to train for something. Currently,  I run a 13 minute mile. I am a super slow runner, and have alot of room for improvement. At that rate, I wouldn’t finish the race for over almost 3 hours. I suppose one of the things that I need to do is improve my time. If I can get my mile time to the single digits, say 9 minutes, I will be thrilled with myself.

I have never been an athlete. The high school track coach "recruited" me when I was in middle school. I guess he figured a tall, lanky Black girl must be able to run. Well, I wasn’t athletically inclined, at all. I showed up at the wrong practice and began training with the cross country team. It killed me, and ran right off of the field. Maybe things would have been different if I showed up for the right practice. Maybe that coach could have helped me develop some skills. Who knows. This half marathon is a chance to discover my inner athelete and I am ready…