Beck80’s Journey to Better Health

So, my main goal is to be able to complete a Marine Corps PFT, which includes a 3 mile run. I recently decided to try jogging/running (before I made my goal). I have HATED running since elementary school, but saw someone running who just looked good and like she enjoyed it and that stuck with me. So I tried jogging with our dog (she’s an australian shepard who has LOTS of energy). Other than her plulling on her leash it was fine. Except afterwards the front of my shins & knees hurt. But I kept on and eventually the pain in my shins went away so my husband said it was probably just that my muscles were sore, which made sense. But everytime I run my knees hurt afterward. So is there something I could be doing wrong? I try to not lean to far forward and land softly. I don’t really know what else to do and I’d really like to continue running so I can accomplish my goal. Is it easier on the knees to run on a treadmill? Since I was never in sports and hated running up until Jan., I have NO clue about running! Help!

I know water is important, but this was just another reminder for me to stay hydrated. I weighed myself and did my bodyfat % and it was 34%. A couple days later I took both again and I hadn’t been staying as hydrated as I needed to and it showed! My bodyfat % jumped to 37%! I know it was mainly water so I have my .5L water bottle I have to fill about 6 times a day and am going back to journaling how much I take in. Just goes to show water is very important!

So today was Leg & Back day. I finished the tape (yea!). There are a LOT of squats & lunges and then pullups for the back. I used a band instead of a pull up bar. Boy, am I going to be sore in the morning!!!! I had a sick child today, so I haven’t done cardio….yet. As soon as my dear hubby is home, I’m going out on that bike! So other than a sick kiddie, today was good!

So today was Leg & Back day. I finished the tape (yea!). There are a LOT of squats & lunges and then pullups for the back. I used a band instead of a pull up bar. Boy, am I going to be sore in the morning!!!! I had a sick child today, so I haven’t done cardio….yet. As soon as my dear hubby is home, I’m going out on that bike! So other than a sick kiddie, today was good!

Today was Yoga X day. I made it through 1/3 of the video (30 minutes) before my babysitter got here so I could go for a bike ride with our dog. I rode for 4 miles today. I really like riding my bike more than running. I can go faster and my knees don’t hurt!

I’m going to finish the rest of the video this evening after hubby gets home from work. It’s a little difficult to be in downward dog and have my 2 yr old think she’s ‘helping’ me by climbing on my legs. silly girl. What is really cute is when all three girls try to do yoga with me. Anyway, I’ve never completed the video before, so finishing it up tonight would be a big deal. It’s a 90 minute video so that seems long so I’m working on getting it out of my head that it is long. Right now I’m just glad I got my workouts done earlier so I can move on with the rest of my day. Yea!!

So today I rode my bike 5 miles in 35 minutes. I have no clue if that is good or not, but my parents were surprised I was back that soon. And then this evening I did P90X Shoulders & Arms along with some of Ab Ripper X. I wanted to quit half way though Shoulders & Arms, but I didn’t. I gave it all I had and I completed what I wanted too. A lot later in the day than I wanted to, but life happens. Maybe tomorrow I’ll have it done earlier in the day. As long as I get it done and ‘Bring It’ I guess it doesn’t matter when it gets done.

Alright, so far this is what I’ve eaten:

Breakfast: 1/2 whole wheat english muffin w/ peanut butter and sliced bananas; 4oz light vanilla yogurt, 12oz water, 6 oz coffee with too much creamer (gotta work on that). and my morning supplements Double X multi, Calcium, vitamin E, & vitamin B6. Forgot to take the CLA before I ate.

mid-morning: other 1/2 of english muffin w/ peanut butter and sliced bananas; 12oz water

Lunch: 1/2 turkey & cheese sandwich with mustard (no mayo!); 12oz water

mid-afternoon: 8oz light vanilla yogurt with 2 tbsp berry granola; 12oz water

I’m planning on having 6oz grilled chicken , 1/2 cup brown rice, 1 cup steamed broccoli & some iced green tea (no sugar) at dinner with my evening dose of Double X (around 5:30)& then a protein bar after my evening workout, which should be done around 8pm.

That almost looks like not enough food, but I’m not sure.

I decided to keep track of my workouts by writing about them in Bodyblog. My old way of staying motivated and keeping track isn’t working as much anymore. So, today was plyo day. I was really looking forward to it because I think it is fun and different. It has been several months since I did any of the P90X videos, so I’d forgotten how much of a workout it is! My legs still feel wobbly 6 hours later! I didn’t take the dog for a run, though. But I did something, and right now thats what counts I guess. I could have done better nutritionally, but tomorrow is another day! I’m going to get together some menu plans until good nutrition is a little bit more ingrained in our lifestyle. (does anybody else have to do that to stay on track?!?!) Good thing is that while I was out of town this weekend, I didn’t binge I made a lot better choices than I used to. Until tomorrow….

I’ve been trying to be a lot more consistent with working out (after taking a few weeks off) and it is paying off! since March 30 I’ve lost 3lbs!!! I’m so excited! I’m still working on the nutrition aspect and remembering to drink enough water. But 3lbs is progress. It puts me in the 150s, now I just have to keep this up.  ;-p