Just Do Something

Yesterday was one of THOSE days. I apparently left my brain at home that morning because I acted like an airhead on more than one occasion, and a bunch of little things at work added up to make one frustrating day. I came home feeling tired and defeated. Then I made dinner, which was poppyseed chicken that I had taken out of the freezer. I was so proud for having a meal stashed away that I could just whip out and put in the oven, but then I ended up cooking it too long, and it tasted dry and unsatisfying. That means that of course after dinner, I wanted something else. So I had a scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream, and that wasn't satisfying either. Instead of distracting myself with something besides food (like, I don't know, PRAYER), I just finished off the container (there was probably about 2 scoops left in there, so 3 scoops in all). Then I sat there feeling weak and pathetic. I had planned to do a quick 2 mile workout using an oldie but goodie fitness DVD, but after eating all that ice cream, I just felt gross. The thought crossed my mind: "I've already blown it today, so why bother?"

WHY do I think this way? I am sure anyone else who has tried to lose weight has experienced similar moments (please tell me I am not alone in this!). If I don't follow my plan to the letter, then the temptation to abandon it altogether is strong. If I don't have time for a solid 45- or 60-minute workout, then I often skip exercising altogether because I can't do as much as I would like. I tell myself it has to be all or nothing, and when I can't do it all, far too often I choose to do nothing.

Of course, this whole mindset is ridiculous! As I've written before, I wouldn't do this in other areas of my life. If I overslept for work, I wouldn't just miss the whole day. If I failed a test, I certainly wouldn't quit going to class (well, except for that one time in college when I dropped Advanced Spanish Literature, but I digress). I realized last night that the problem is perfectionism. I set these lofty, often impossible expectations for myself, and if I don't think I can perfectly meet them, then I stop trying. Even though I know I know I KNOW I will never be perfect, I still insist on having this perfectionist mentality. The reality, however, is that I am just setting myself up for failure because perfection is not attainable. I will lose that contest every time.

So I'm changing the rules. Instead of trying to be perfect, I am just going to do something. Last night I may have overeaten, but that didn't mean I couldn't redeem the evening by also exercising. So even though it was 8:30, I pulled out that DVD, and I did 25 minutes of "power walking." No, it wasn't an hour. No, it probably didn't even come close to burning the amount of calories needed to make up for that ice cream. But it was better than nothing, and I will take something over nothing any day.

The wonderful thing about each day that we are given is that we don't have to end it in failure. By God's grace, we can find redemption, whether that's in the form of a quick run around the block, or an apology to your spouse or friend, or a much-needed phone call with a loved one.

What about you? Do you struggle with perfectionism, and if so, how do you combat it?

Missing: My Running Mojo

Once upon a time, I was a runner.

After years of living a sedentary lifestyle, in 2008 I started exercising, and in 2009, I began running, something I never thought I would do. I started with the Couch to 5k program, ran in my first 5k race, and I was hooked. While I didn't always love the act of running itself (let's face it, it's HARD), I loved how I felt after finishing a run, and I loved the calorie burn that running provided. From the beginning of my running journey, however, I struggled to gain momentum and find my groove. I would run very consistently for months then either get burned out or get bored. I got in a rut of only running short distances, which prompted me to train for a half marathon that I then decided not to run. After that experience, I took a couple months off from running, and just as I was getting back into a routine, I got pregnant. I ran sporadically for the first trimester and even a little bit in the second before deciding to stick to walking, as running just felt uncomfortable.

After I had Charlotte, I couldn't WAIT to get back into running but struggled to find time to workout when Charlotte was a newborn (and for months after that).  I did finally manage to finish Couch to 5k again and ran a 4-miler on my 30th birthday that October, but then my running fell off until the new year, when I decided to try yet again to complete a half marathon. Training for a half the second time around was really a wonderful experience. I enjoyed my runs a lot more and felt confident and ready to meet my goal. I finally crossed that half marathon finish line in March 2012 and felt on top of the world. Still, after the race I floundered a bit since I had no real goal to reach for, and my running was rather inconsistent through the summer months. I still managed to run a few races, though, and when fall rolled around, I started to find my running groove again. I set a new 5k PR and came within SECONDS of finishing in under 30 minutes, and a few days after that I ran 4 miles for the first time in months. I was looking forward to the cooler months ahead and thinking about running the Andrew Jackson Half again and maybe even running another half in the latter part of 2013.

Then I got diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, and my running came to a complete halt. For weeks I was so sick that running was impossible and yet I couldn't wait to get back to it. Then, slowly, I started to regain my energy. I was discouraged by the thought of having to start all over with my running and discouraged by the fact that my doctor strongly advised against my doing any more half marathons, but I rang in the new year by running a mile without stopping. I thought I was back on track.

The truth is, though, that the run on January 1 is the only mile I have run nonstop since the year began. Last week I could barely run for four minutes straight on the treadmill. I am so frustrated that I have lost all my endurance, and while I know part of it couldn't be helped because I was sick for a solid two months, if I had been more consistent with my running after that first mile, I wouldn't have lost all of my running base. I truly am back at the beginning again. I don't want to go through Couch to 5k for what seems like the 100th time, but I think I need to. I just can't go out and run a 5k tomorrow, and that kills me.

Not only have I lost my endurance, I have also lost my speed. Before I got sick, I was finally getting faster at races and getting so close to meeting my goal of a sub-30:00 5k, and now I am back to running a 12-minute mile.  There is nothing wrong with a 12:00 minute mile except for the fact that I have been there and done that and am ready to move on.

I can't move on, though, if I don't get up and MOVE. It's time to stop whining and start running! I may be starting over, but at least I know that I can do this because I've done it before. I will get my mojo back!

Now, if you'll excuse me, I better get to bed so I can get up and hit the treadmill. :)

30 Day Challenge Update

Nine days of the challenge are DONE! It has been fantastic to participate in this challenge and see all the members of the Facebook group posting about their progress. I am motivated by them daily, and knowing that I have to report to the group gives me that extra dose of accountability and motivation that I need. I haven't gotten as much exercise as I hoped to each day, but I have gotten at least 10 minutes each day and will definitely continue that.

My starting weight: 174.2
Current weight: 173.6
Loss of .6 pounds


It's only .6 pounds, but I'll take it! I have GOT to get out of the 170s, though! I have been in the 170s since February. It's time for us to break up!

My exercise so far has consisted of: running; walking with Charlotte in the stroller; lifting weights; doing crunches; punching; and jumping rope. I've enjoyed having more variety in my workouts and am going to try to keep my workouts varied so I work different muscles.

One thing I've learned is how easy it is to fit exercise into my day. I've been exercising for a long time now so this realization shouldn't be new, but somehow it is. In the past if I had a busy day, I would tell myself there was no way I could get a workout in, but that doesn't have to be the case. Even if I overslept and didn't get any exercise in the morning, I have found a way to exercise at night, even if it's only for 10 minutes. I discovered that it's fun to workout while watching TV and created little circuits to complete during the commercial breaks. I also used to think that a workout was pointless if it was only 10 or 15 minutes long, but even 10 or 15 minutes is beneficial and adds up over time.  

Every minute spent exercising is one minute I don't spend being lazy. 

It's not too late to start your own 30 day challenge! Let me know if you'd like to join the Facebook group, too! We'd love to have you! 

January 2012: Week 2 Report

Last week's weight: 181.2
This week's weight: 180.6
Total loss: .6 pounds

So I didn't lose 3 pounds this week, but that's okay. Here's what I did do:

1.  I exercised for 170 minutes.

2.  I woke up by 5:30 Monday-Friday.

3.  I kept up with my Bible reading plan.

4.  I logged my food 6/7 days.

5.  I did two separate strength training workouts.

6.  I ran a 5k distance without stopping.

7.  Stephen and I purged and organized several areas of our house.

Even though I had minimal weight loss this past week, I'm still pleased because of all of the other things I accomplished. I feel like I'm getting into a bit of a routine with waking up earlier. What needs work is going to bed earlier. I have always been a night owl, and it's been a struggle to go to bed before 10, even if I'm tired. (Although there was one night when I went to bed at 8:45 or something crazy like that. It was awesome.)  So this week my goal is to get in bed by 10 at the latest at least 5/7 days. I already failed at this last night, so I'll have to be nearly perfect the rest of the week. 

How are all of you doing with your goals?

Don't Get Sad, Get Fit!

Confession: I only worked out TWICE in November. 65 minutes total. Pitiful, right? I'm not entirely sure what happened, but I think I can blame laziness and exhaustion for the bulk of it. It's been hard to find a good routine that allows me optimal time with Charlotte and Stephen and also time to workout, read my Bible, and oh yeah, work full time. I haven't figured it out yet, but the most logical of solutions is the one I'm least fond of: waking up early. When I wake up at 5:30 or 5:40, like I did this morning, I can get things accomplished. Charlotte and Stephen are both still sleeping then, so I'm not missing out on time with either of them, and I enjoy the time to myself. Unfortunately, more often than not I end up setting my alarm for 5:30, hitting it when it goes off, and then going back to sleep for another hour.

This was not always the case. Early on in my first attempt to lose weight, back in 2008 and 2009, I routinely woke up at 5:30 or 6:00 to exercise. It was just a matter of routine. I rarely skipped, rarely overslept my alarm. So what's different now? The obvious difference is that I now have a 9-month-old who still enjoys the occasional crack-of-dawn wake-up call. However, while the early days of Charlotte's life resulted in some serious sleep deprivation, the truth is I'm FAR more rested than I was when she was a newborn, so the baby excuse really doesn't fly.

Perhaps if I were gaining weight from the lack of exercise, I'd be more motivated, but I managed to lose 4 pounds in November. 4 pounds isn't stellar, but it's pretty typical weight loss for me, and I'm happy about it. Of course, who knows what I would have lost if I had exercised!

Ultimately I think it comes down to the fact that I don't want weight loss badly enough to get up early. I'd rather sleep in than exercise. I'd rather succumb to laziness than chase after fitness. I may have run 4 miles back in October, but I'm fairly certain there's no way I could do that right now, and that makes me sad. But more than making me sad, it's making me motivated. Motivated to make a concerted effort to take care of myself and my body so I can be a good example for Charlotte and a good steward of this body that God has given me.

Do you have any good tips for waking up earlier?

Exercise That's Not Exercise

I have finally found it--exercise that does not feel like exercise. I've experienced this Holy Grail of cardio twice now, and I have loved it both times. What is this I am talking about?

ZUMBA.

Have you heard of Zumba? I'm a little late jumping on the Zumba bandwagon, but in case you don't know what it is, here's a little blurb from the Zumba website:

The Zumba® program fuses hypnotic Latin rhythms and easy-to-follow moves to create a one-of-a-kind fitness program that will blow you away. Our goal is simple: We want you to want to work out, to love working out, to get hooked. Zumba® Fanatics achieve long-term benefits while experiencing an absolute blast in one exciting hour of calorie-burning, body-energizing, awe-inspiring movements meant to engage and captivate for life!

The routines feature interval training sessions where fast and slow rhythms and resistance training are combined to tone and sculpt your body while burning fat. Add some Latin flavor and international zest into the mix and you've got a Zumba® class!

Does that not sound FUN? I had heard about Zumba for quite some time but didn't know of classes in my area that weren't at a gym. Then my friend found a class and invited me to go, so we did. I was slightly nervous about looking ridiculous because my dance experience has pretty much been limited to the occasional solo living room dance party, but I needn't have worried. The people in the class were all different shapes and sizes, and everyone danced with their own style. I had an absolute blast, and the best part is that Zumba really is not just fun; it's a fantastic workout that uses a lot of different muscles.

I went to my second class on Monday, and this class was even better than the first. There was a different instructor, and I liked the way she conducted her class a lot better. There were probably 60-70 people in the class, which made it a little challenging to see the instructor, but I managed to find someone a few rows in front of me who looked like she knew what she was doing, so I just watched her when I couldn't see the instructor.

Here's a tip if you try a class: try to get near the front. I know that I wanted to be near the back my first time because I didn't want everyone to see me looking a fool, but it's so much easy to follow along with the moves if you are near the front. Plus, there's just not time for people to be staring at you while you dance because everyone is so focused on their own workout.

I am hoping to go again next Monday with some friends, and I would encourage you to try it if you're looking for a fun workout. The classes I've gone to have been $5/class, but I'm not sure if the price varies by instructor or region. To see if there are any classes near you, click here.

My New Love

Yesterday, a magical fairy delivered this to my house:



Okay, so it was actually a delivery man from Dick's Sporting Goods, but wouldn't it have been awesome if a magical fairy had delivered it, especially since you know a fair couldn't lift that thing?! (I do think a magical fairy could have assembled the treadmill faster than the delivery guy.) Anywho, we purchased this little baby using some of our homebuyer credit, and I am so excited! I have wanted a treadmill for a long time, but when we lived in our apartment there wasn't room for one. Now that we're in our house, there's still not really a ton of room for one, but we were able to make space for it in our bedroom (romantic, eh?).

I completed my first workout this morning, and it was great! The treadmill has built-in speakers that allow me to connect my iPod, and so the music plays through the speakers, eliminating the need for headphones! Since I am constantly having problems with keeping my headphones/earbuds in my ears, this is a stellar feature.

Plus, since the treadmill is merely inches from my bed, it is one of the first things I see every day, and the visual reminder will be good for me. I really have no excuse not to get my 4 workouts a week!

I look forward to many more workouts on our new machine. I suggested that we name it, but Stephen said, "We're having a hard enough time trying to think of a boy name for our child. Do we really want to name something else right now?" Good point, honey, good point. :)

Put Your Mind to It, Go For It, Get Down and Break a Sweat

The baby is 12 weeks old now and the size of a lime. For a more detailed description of the baby's development this week, see the baby blog that Stephen created! I love this line from the babycenter.com description: "His face looks unquestionably human." Aw.

It's no secret that the pregnancy has caused me to feel quite exhausted, and I have not been very disciplined in keeping up my exercise routine. I have averaged about one workout a week for the past 2-3 weeks, and I need to change that. Exercise is good for me and good for the baby and is even supposed to help prepare my body for labor (and goodness knows I need all the preparation I can get for that!). I have not been very disciplined in this area, and while I know that rest is good, laziness isn't, and there definitely have been days that I wasn't as tired and yet still didn't exercise.

So here's my plan: Exercise in the mornings 4 days a week. I've tried it in the evenings after work, but by then I'm even more tired, and it's easier to talk myself out of it, so it really needs to be in the morning. Stephen has promised to help me get up in the mornings, so that should prevent me from continuing to sleep after the alarm has gone off, as I have done pretty much every morning.

I know exercising will make me feel better and give me more energy and provide health benefits, so why NOT do it? I will report back in a week to let you know how I did!

(Bonus points if you can name the show that featured the song lyrics referenced in my title!)