zenmom

I'm not quite there at 48 but thought I would say hello anyway.

I used to have this fantasy goal of participating in a local beginner’s triathlon. However, last year when I decided to get serious about training in the swim portion, I discovered that swimming laps creates barf inducing motion sickness. I'm thinking I am more of a duathlon kind of girl.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]4946[/ATTACH] I thought this was super duper neat-o. They have a PDF you can download or you can buy a limited edition poster at this link.

Here is what I've learned, everyone learns differently. I was taught to read with phonics (sounding it out) so I wrongly assumed that would work for my own kid. I quickly learned she is a sight reader and phonics just pissed her off because the rules don't always apply. (and why that is was a long discussion that frustrated her too) What did work was when she came to a word she didn't know she would ask "how do you say that word". I would answer and she would look at the word and repeat it several times. Often we would write it down (her own idea) and later she would look up the definition and write that out too. She generally had the word down after that.

Thanks Ladywildross and Doodle Week 5 Update The past week did not go well at all. There was a lot of pain in my hip, leg and knee so I did not get in the amount of work outs I had hoped to complete. I ate a lot of junk this past week and I know it was emotional eating so I need to work on that. The after math from my Grandfather’s passing has been harshing my calm. He did not want a memorial so folks have had a hard time with coming to terms with their feelings and getting closure. We have all decided to get together for a potluck next Sunday to share memories, photos, etc and get our own closure. It’s just been weird and emotional. I need to put together a strategy for dealing with high emotional circumstances that do not include eating high sugar foods. Diet: average for the week Carbs: 128 grams (+28) – lots of sugar and I drank soda for the first time in months. Protein: 79 grams (in range) Fitness: I took Sunday and Monday off trying to let my hip, leg and knee heal. Tuesday: Warm up: walk 2X around the loop, 1.28 miles, 23:40 NFBW X3 20 body weight squats 10 pushups (wall) 20 walking lunges 10 dumbbell rows (5lb dumbbell, each arm) 15 second plank 30 Jumping Jacks Cool down: stretching for 5 minutes The next day I could barely walk. It hurt to stand, to sit, to walk. Friday: Decided to try walking 3X around loop, 1.92 miles, 43 minutes, lots of limping I only did 2 of 6 workouts. Bummer! This week was an epic fail! Learn and move forward.

Week 3 and 4 Updates! Week 3 The week started out great! It ended less great. Diet: averages for week Carbs: 115 (+15) Protein: 73 (In range) Not bad Fitness: We ended up having record hot temperatures and I kept thinking it would be cooler in the evening but it was still 90 at midnight. So I did the workout I posted midweek though Thursday and did not do any running Friday, Saturday or Sunday. So I only did 3 of 6 workouts for week 3. I realized that I do not have any contingency plans for emergency or weather issues. What I should have done was pick one of the plethoras of aerobic DVD’s I own and did one of those. Now I know. Life: I saved another $20 in my Disney Fund. Week 4: This week was very busy, as well as physically and emotionally exhausting. It is sort of a blur. My daughter had girl scout camp from 9 am to 3:30 pm except on Tuesday and Thursday where she had camp until 6pm. She also had play practice every day from 6:30 to 9pm. I also had to take my husband to work and pick him up every day. My mom had a couple of pre surgery doctor appointments she made me tag along to. (she is having her knees fixed) Also, my grandfather was very ill and I ran my mom back and forth to visit him. The week ended with my Grandfather’s passing, which while we knew it was coming was still shocking when it actually happened. Diet: weekly averages Carbs: 81 (in range) Protein: 64 (-6 grams) Not bad Fitness: I did nothing on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday. (UGH!) Tuesday: Up and down my stairs 12x NFBW 3X Stretching 5 minutes Thursday: Dancing and jumping around my living room 25 minutes. (I had the music in me that day) NFBW 3X Stretching 5 minutes I managed to over stretch and injure myself during this stretching session. The next day I was in a tremendous amount of pain and had a hard time sleeping due to pain. This injury is still creating pain for me a week later. I am beginning to wonder if I did more than pull a muscle. I keep thinking about the handful of aprin I plan on taking after I type this. Again, I had no plans to get in my workouts with all of the other things I had going on during the week. I need to plan better for such events. My fitness goals have turned out to be the ones I have struggled with the most. Also, I really wish I would quit hurting myself.

Your runs are going great. This >"After doing some Google Maps magic, I found out it was definitely just a mile away, a mile that I could make easily" is awesome. So I just ran to park that was a mile away but it was no big thing. HA! Someday I'm gonna do that. Reading your posts keeps me motivated, so thanks for that. Glad you had a great July 4th.

We all know you can do this, you just need to remind yourself that you can.

You are doing amazing! I also wanted to tell you that I also don't like running outside so I tend to run at night. I feel "safer" and like to prented that zombies are chasing me. I'm weird like that. Congrats on completeing the week 3 extra challenge too!

Thanks guys! I appreciate all of the encouragement. I wish I could get on here more often. Week 3 Midweek Update Diet: Monday: Carbs: 75 grams (range 50-100) Protein: 53 grams (range 70-98) - short about 17 grams, I don’t know why this has been such a struggle for me. Tuesday: July 3rd was our city’s big July 4th celebration. They hold it the day before so the local cities can have their own July 4th shindigs without the big city one interfering, or something like that. Anyway, I ate some things I knew better than to eat, like potato chips. Not only was I way over on my carb count but the next day my joints were all achy. I don’t know why white potatoes cause my joints to swell but they do and it’s just not worth it any more. Carbs: 167! +67 grams, YIKES Protein: 81 grams Wednesday: Carbs: 28 grams (-22) Protein: 51 grams (-19) I am trying to look at the big picture and see how my daily averages are per week. Fitness: Monday: I ended up taking this as my rest day, although I didn’t want to, stuff just happened and I pushed my schedule back one day for the week. Tuesday: Warm up: ran up and down my stairs 12 x 3X 20 body weight squats 10 pushups (wall) 20 walking lunges 10 dumbbell rows (5lb dumbbell, each arm) 15 second plank 30 Jumping Jacks Cool down: stretching 5 minutes Hey, did you notice that up there, I did the NF Beginers BW circuit 3X! 3X! 3X! I did it! Wednesday: We walked in a July 4th parade with our dojo in the morning. It was kind of a slow walk. I was one of the parents passing out coupons and flyers, which was way more fun than it sounds. We walked 1.4 miles in about 30 minutes. Later that night I did my C25K run/walk interval. 5 minute warm up walk 2 minute run/ 1 minute walk for 24 minutes 5:42 walk to finish loop 1.92 miles, 35:42 Thursday: Warm up 10 minutes dancing around the kitchen and living room and trying to do fancy spinning kicks without knocking over lamps. 3X!!!!!!!!! 20 body weight squats 10 pushups (wall) 20 walking lunges 10 dumbbell rows (5lb dumbbell, each arm) 15 second plank 30 Jumping Jacks Cool down: stretching 6 minutes. I also noticed, I can touch the floor now when bending over at the waist, without bending my knees. Also, my husband told me today that I look healthier than I have. I am feeling super motivated!

Week 2 Update Diet: My averages for the week are protein 98 (range 70-98); carbs 104 (range 50-100). I am a little disappointed in myself that I went over my daily average in carbs. I was really hungry this past week and really enjoyed munching on apples and blueberries, which are high in carbs. Certainly they were good choices for carb intake, but more than I should have had. Fitness: I’m not going to lie; I totally rocked my fitness this week. Monday: Warm up: up and down my stairs 12X2X: 20 body weight squats 10 pushups (wall) 20 walking lunges 10 dumbbell rows (5lb dumbbell, each arm) 15 second plank 30 Jumping Jacks 1X: 10 body weight squats 10 pushups (wall) 10 walking lunges 10 dumbbell rows (5lb dumbbell, each arm) 15 second plank 15 Jumping Jacks Cool down: stretching 5 minutes Tuesday: Warm up: walk 5 minutes Run 1 minute/walk 1 minute for 20 minutes Walk to finish the loop for 10:37 Total: 1.92 miles, 35:37 I felt sluggish and slow, my ankles, shins and calves hurt a lot. Wednesday: Warm up: 10 minutes dancing around my kitchen like an idiot, because its fun. 2X: 20 body weight squats 10 pushups (wall) 20 walking lunges 10 dumbbell rows (5lb dumbbell, each arm) 15 second plank 30 Jumping Jacks 1X: 10 body weight squats 10 pushups (wall) 10 walking lunges 10 dumbbell rows (5lb dumbbell, each arm) 15 second plank 15 Jumping Jacks Cool Down: stretching 5 minutes Thursday: 5 minute warm up walk 24 minutes of 1 min run/1 min walk 7 minutes to finish loop 1.92 miles, 36 minutes Friday: Warm up: 10 minutes dancing around my kitchen like an idiot 2X 20 body weight squats 10 pushups 20 walking lunges 10 dumbbell rows (5 lb dumbbell, each arm) 15 second plank 30 Jumping Jacks 1X 15 body weight squats 10 pushups 20 walking lunges 10 dumbbell rows (5 lb dumbbell, each arm) 15 second plank 20 Jumping Jacks Cool down: stretching 5 minutes I increased my 3rd set! I should be able to do a complete 3 circuits soon. Saturday: Due to storms and my knee hurting I decided to make Saturday my rest day instead of Sunday. Sunday: Warm up: walk 5 minutes 2 minute run/1 minute walk for 30 minutes 1.92 Miles, 35 minutes - I guess my time is slowly improving, it feels hard though. It stormed yesterday to so during my run all of our street lights were out which was kind of creepy, but I did it anyway. I have noticed that I look forward to walking but not so much the running. I don’t know if it is because I a slow and fat and things hurt and my brain is trying to get me to give up or if I truly do not enjoy running as much as I remembered from my younger days. I’m going to continue with my running program though. I still have this vision of running a 5k. If I stop now I will never forgive myself. It has been crazy busy here so I didn’t participate in the extra challenge. I thought summer was supposed to be lazy and relaxing. Ha! Sorry this is so long, I will get back to two updates a week.

You are rocking this challenge!

Great goals and you are doing great at achieving them.

Great goals! I look forward to following your progress.

Congrats on your improved run times!

Congrats on your strenght building I hope your move went smooth.

Congrats on avoiding the soda and on the firmness in your legs. Great job on your bike ride and the mini challenge.

Hi Nikki, welcome to Nerd Fitness!

Thanks everyone! I am plugging away so far.

Awesome!!

How are you doing?

How are you doing?

How did your interview go? Still sending get that dream job vibes.

Congrats on your run times and on finishing your first book.

Congrats on the mental challenge! Your squash and zucchini pasta sound yummy! Good luck on week 2