"Sometimes You Gotta Roll the Hard 6"

[starpuck]

Jammer: "I'm not really cut out for this, sir."
Apollo: "Me neither. Sometimes you gotta roll the hard six."
Jammer: "What does that mean, sir?"
Apollo: "I don't know. It's something my dad says. Just don't shoot until I tell you to."
BSG - Season 2, Episode 2

 

Pretty fitting title and saying for my 2nd challenge. My first challenge I approached sort of halfassed, so now I gotta roll the Hard 6.

 

 

Weight: 153.1

Bodyfat: 32.7%

Waist: 36

Hip: 42
Thigh: 25

Bicep: 13

 

Fitness Goals

1. Strength Train:  3X / WEEK   STR 2, STA 1   
2. C25K - again  3X / WEEK  DEX 2, STA 3   
3. Eating Healthy   CHA 3

Life Goal

• Budget Related:  Eliminate one area of overspending.  WIS 3
• Organize vacation pictures into online albums.  (8000+ photos!)   WIS 1

 

The fine print and details...

 

On goal one.   I so badly need strength training.  I want to strength train.   I struggle with the sensation of feeling weak when I start it.  Need to get past the discomfort and embarassment (at myself) and just do it.    When I watch feats of strength I am always in awe of it, and feel an absolute sense of admiration and desire to BE that strong and healthy.   Gotta stop making excuses.

 

On goal two.   Two and a half years ago, I secretly began the C25K program to surprise my hockey teammates by being able to join them on all the races they do.  I've done several 5K's, the Warrior Dash and The Run for Your Lives run.  Never for time.  Just for the fun, and the sense of doing something I couldn't do five years ago.    I don't really LIKE running.  (I love the physical effects it has on me - my hockey pants slide up my hips like I were a greased pig when I've been running.)   I also hate the cold (And spring has failed to show up here in Chicago as of yet.)   But I REALLY want to do either the Foam Run or Hell Run (last year they gave up CAPES as finisher awards) and I don't want to be the sap that WALKS the whole course.   Thing is, I was out ALL last summer recovering from foot surgery to repair a ruptured tendon.   So.  I think I need to start from scratch and not let "used to's" discourag me.

 

On goal three.   I have no idea how I am going to track this.   Aha!  Lightbulb.   Part one of this challenge will simply be to track honestly for the entire course.  Every day.  Every BLT. (Bite, lick, taste.)    I want to try NOT counting calories and just eating 1) cleaner and 2) more in moderation.     So.   Part of the score will just come from whether or not I tracked dutifully.   The other part will be how often I caved in and turned into a honeybadger.  ("Honeybadger really doesn't give a sh!t!")     If I tell myself I cannot or should not have something I consider a food pleasure - it makes me nerdrage.   So for right now I am NOT calling anything off limits - but my indulgences MUST come planned, and cannot be a result of honeybadgering.   This is going to take some honest journaling.  Thankfully - I've already mentioned that tracking dutifully is a must for this goal to score an A.

 

Life goals are pretty self explanatory.

Eating out is limited to 6 and 12.  (This will help me avoid honeybadgering too.) 

And photo project is a doozy.   If I get all 8000 pics uploaded and sorted in 6 weeks.  That nets me the A. (And probably an eye twitch.)

 

Also - not really a full goal, but on the TODO list is to take before and after pics.   Because I think I need that non-scale measurement.   (OH!  And measurements too.)

[Terinatum]

I should join you on the photo goal. You have way more than I do however. Great Luck to You.

[starpuck]

Thanks Terinatum - it is a doozy of a thing to get organized, but I know I'll feel SO much better when it's done.   It's like a safety deposit box for my pictures and memories hehe.    Good luck to you too!  Go Team Ranger!

 

 

So, I am counting yesterday's workout as part of my 3x a week for THIS challenge, even though it started today and the workout was yesterday.   It was too good of one to NOT count!  (and my schedule doesn't have lots of wiggle room, so...)

 

Playground Workout / Strength:

forward lap on the monkey bars (1)
forward lap on the parallel bars (2)
parallel bar sits up - 10reps, 2x
Hangstands! - 5 total, max sustain ~6 seconds
parallel bar pushups - 4, 1x
Box Jumps (on the metal box behind the baseball diamond) - 10, at about 26"
Decline push ups on same box -10
Handstand attempts, about 7 (with spotter, no wall)
parallel bars, straight leg left - 5 (ow lol! I suck at these)

 

I need to figure out names that will stick for these exercises, and a good way to track them.  I have a small notebook I can carry with me, that will probably be what I do.

 

I also ate pretty close to paleo-ish yesterday.   So a good warm up into this challenge.   

 

So far- only pleasantly sore from the work out.     Oh!   And a bright spot of the session?   The woman and her mother walking with the baby stroller, and the grandma catching me doing my decline pushups.  "You're a better woman than I ever was, if I tried that, I'd be in traction for a week!"       I get a lot of crap sometimes for being a strong girl, and it was nice to see someone saying something that could be taken as a compliment.

[hearthsinger]

Your diet goal is great. Planned indulgences are really the way to go. You need to be in control and in the know about what you're eating and for now, I think you're right. Just focus on getting more whole foods down the gullet. The rest will come with time!

 

I know what you mean about running. It has changed my body and now I can say I like it most days (though today was NOT one of them lmao). Even though I do "some" strength training with bodyweight, I'm pretty sure it's the running that's reshaping my body the most.

[starpuck]

Oh hey!  Thanks for checking in on me Hearthsinger.   Gotta say, I feel like a celeb just came by my thread and was like 'Heeya whaddup Starpuck?'

 

What made you get to the point of 'liking' running?  Even when I last worked up to the 5k mark, I never got that runner's high, or feeling of enjoyment.  I used to tease my friends, that my high came 15 minutes AFTER the work out, when I was back on my chair and loading up a video game lol.

 

Just got done doing my 2nd strength workout of this week.  Which officially makes this challenge, a better success than the last one on THAT goal.  WOO!

[Brutus]

Just dont forget those of us who knew you before you got all famous with celebrities visiting your thread. I love the part about fighting off the honeybadger syndrome. Sometimes I get the same feeling and absolutely demolish everything in the fridge/pantry that can be eaten. What do you normally do to keep the honeybadger under control?

[starpuck]

Just dont forget those of us who knew you before you got all famous with celebrities visiting your thread. I love the part about fighting off the honeybadger syndrome. Sometimes I get the same feeling and absolutely demolish everything in the fridge/pantry that can be eaten. What do you normally do to keep the honeybadger under control?

 

I'd never forget you Brutus!   LOL.   I've not found a way to combat it really.  It all amounts to my willpower reserves for that day.  I find the longer the streak of nailing it and eating well, the more I think about fending it off.   But sometimes work, stress, this, that, just overwhelm me.     Everyone always says 'find something else to turn to for comfort' - I've not found that something else yet when THOSE moods strike.

 

I did do my run yesterday btw.  Hated it lol!

 

I dunno how I can be four years into ice hockey.  And also be tackling Hard songs on Dance Central - do each of those things for 60-90 minutes at a time... but SERIOUSLY 15 SECONDS into running, I feel out of breath and want to stop.   What gives?!

[starpuck]

LIFE GOAL UPDATE

 

Wednesday 4/17/13 - Taco Salad for gaming night.  (Better than my usual tacos and chips!) -1

Remaining: 11

 

Friday 4/19/13 - Planned Nice Dinner out.   -1

Remaining: 5

[hearthsinger]

Oh hey!  Thanks for checking in on me Hearthsinger.   Gotta say, I feel like a celeb just came by my thread and was like 'Heeya whaddup Starpuck?'

 

What made you get to the point of 'liking' running?  Even when I last worked up to the 5k mark, I never got that runner's high, or feeling of enjoyment.  I used to tease my friends, that my high came 15 minutes AFTER the work out, when I was back on my chair and loading up a video game lol.

 

Just got done doing my 2nd strength workout of this week.  Which officially makes this challenge, a better success than the last one on THAT goal.  WOO!

A celeb?? WHUT? I'm just a lady who likes chocolate too much. Besides, I always make it a point to stop by people's threads that come to support me It should be a back and forth!

 

I don't ALWAYS get a runners high, but I have gotten a few times and it's usually after I've pushed myself HARD and then break through it or if I hit a "flow". I would say if you're looking for that feeling start with something like that. Try to hit a flow and stay in it or try to do some tough interval training and then slow to a jog. 

[starpuck]

Week 1's Epic Summary

 

Fitness Goals

1. Strength Train:  3X / WEEK   STR 2, STA 1

Nailed this one.   Playground/bar workout on Sunday and Tuesday.    I REALLY love doing this kinda stuff.   Even when I can only do a few reps of something, I feel strong because it's so unique.     Sunday was core and upper body, with a few other things.   Tuesday I focused on lower body things.     Third session of the week was the boxing class which I count as upper body and core for this week.

1. C25K - again  3X / WEEK  DEX 2, STA 3   

This one wasn't as good, or as mood lifting.    I am really strugglign with the runs.   I don't understand how I can do all these other cardio like things and be okay, but I get so out of breath, gassed, winded, sucking-air-like-a-Hoover... after just 30 seconds of running.  And I am running slow!   A fast walker could pass me.     I did get two runs in so far.   And I've told myself, if I run today and still get 3 more in this week (Wed/Fri/Sun) that I can count today's as having gotten in 3 for last week.   (If I end up with 18 runs by the time the challenge ends, I'm counting it an A, basically)

1. Eating Healthy   CHA 3

Gotta say, this one I have to count as a success.   I tracked everything I ate, dutifully and every day.    I didn't stress over food choices if they weren't "this" or "that".   On most days I ate a lot more clean/paleo/not sucky than I have in the past.   And my meals out were limited quite a bit this week.  I upped my fruits and veggies, upped my lean proteins, and didn't find myself hungry or craving too much really.    On my nice dinner out, I allowed myself a scoop of handmade cinnamon ice cream and felt plenty satisfied with just that.   So cool!     Now.  I've gotten this far before.   Let's see if we can push this to two weeks of good eats, and committed tracking.

 

Life Goal

• Budget Related:  Eliminate one area of overspending.  WIS 3
• Organize vacation pictures into online albums.  (8000+ photos!)   WIS 1

Life goals - I stuck to the budgeted amount of times I can eat out, and am on par for not going over.   Counting this as a successful week on this front.

 

I did not upload ANY pics this week.   I need to play catch up on this.

[hearthsinger]

 

 

1. C25K - again  3X / WEEK  DEX 2, STA 3   

This one wasn't as good, or as mood lifting.    I am really strugglign with the runs.   I don't understand how I can do all these other cardio like things and be okay, but I get so out of breath, gassed, winded, sucking-air-like-a-Hoover... after just 30 seconds of running.  And I am running slow!   A fast walker could pass me.     I did get two runs in so far.   And I've told myself, if I run today and still get 3 more in this week (Wed/Fri/Sun) that I can count today's as having gotten in 3 for last week.   (If I end up with 18 runs by the time the challenge ends, I'm counting it an A, basically)

 

 

Don't sweat it! Don't worry about your speed. You'll find your flow eventually. Are you eating before you go out for a run? I find that if I get a cup of oatmeal and 2/3 ounce of cashews, I'm totally FUELED for my run. I eat, I wait a half hour and I get out. If I'm running on nothing I just feel like I'm dragging. Conversely if I run after lunch and I've had a lot... BLEGH. It's no good.

[Katinka]

I ran for about 3 years before I "liked" running. I started with a C25K program until I could run 3 miles, but I never actually kept it up. I'd walk/run 3 miles a few times a week, and dread it the whole time - I was only in it for the weight loss. Last August or so, I just started out on my usual run/walk path, and kept running. And running. And running. It took a few years of pushing myself to do it "because I should," but once it clicked, it was amazing. I don't know how or why this happens, but know that it may take a while, but in the meantime, you'll still see great results. Also, downloading the Zombies, Run app helps you like running a little bit more, too

[Brutus]

 

Week 1's Epic Summary

 

Fitness Goals

1. Strength Train:  3X / WEEK   STR 2, STA 1

Nailed this one.   Playground/bar workout on Sunday and Tuesday.    I REALLY love doing this kinda stuff.   Even when I can only do a few reps of something, I feel strong because it's so unique.     Sunday was core and upper body, with a few other things.   Tuesday I focused on lower body things.     Third session of the week was the boxing class which I count as upper body and core for this week.

1. C25K - again  3X / WEEK  DEX 2, STA 3   

This one wasn't as good, or as mood lifting.    I am really strugglign with the runs.   I don't understand how I can do all these other cardio like things and be okay, but I get so out of breath, gassed, winded, sucking-air-like-a-Hoover... after just 30 seconds of running.  And I am running slow!   A fast walker could pass me.     I did get two runs in so far.   And I've told myself, if I run today and still get 3 more in this week (Wed/Fri/Sun) that I can count today's as having gotten in 3 for last week.   (If I end up with 18 runs by the time the challenge ends, I'm counting it an A, basically)

1. Eating Healthy   CHA 3

Gotta say, this one I have to count as a success.   I tracked everything I ate, dutifully and every day.    I didn't stress over food choices if they weren't "this" or "that".   On most days I ate a lot more clean/paleo/not sucky than I have in the past.   And my meals out were limited quite a bit this week.  I upped my fruits and veggies, upped my lean proteins, and didn't find myself hungry or craving too much really.    On my nice dinner out, I allowed myself a scoop of handmade cinnamon ice cream and felt plenty satisfied with just that.   So cool!     Now.  I've gotten this far before.   Let's see if we can push this to two weeks of good eats, and committed tracking.

 

Life Goal

• Budget Related:  Eliminate one area of overspending.  WIS 3
• Organize vacation pictures into online albums.  (8000+ photos!)   WIS 1

Life goals - I stuck to the budgeted amount of times I can eat out, and am on par for not going over.   Counting this as a successful week on this front.

 

I did not upload ANY pics this week.   I need to play catch up on this.

 

 

So let me get this straight, you worked out 3x this week, ran 2x, ate healthy and stayed under budget? That sounds like a pretty high level week. Don't stress over the missed run, this week will be easier than last week was. I am amazed at how quickly adaptation happens when we introduce something new. Make this week just as awesome (maybe a little bit more awesome) and we are 1/3 done!

 

Keep it up.

[starpuck]

Thanks for the support guys.      The thing is, I want to really enjoy running because I am SUCH an outdoors lover.   I'd love to just hop onto a sidewalk, path, field and run - and get enjoyment out of it.    I've no desire to go long distance, 5k- tops.  Really.   But just to be able to say "I want to enjoy this beautiful day and get some activity in at the same time," and hop out for a 40 minute jaunt would be so great.

 

Just hard to enjoy that when you are sucking wind.  LOL.   I went out today for a run at lunch -(because I am determined to stick this out) and downloaded the phone app for C25K (not the actual zombies one though) and I kicked myself back to Week 2.   I figure, that maybe since I haven't trained for running since 2010, (and even though I do those 5k fun races every summer) that maybe jumping in at Week 3 with the idea "I was going to have muscle memory and just get back into it" was biting off more than I could chew.    I still got out of breath fast, but I was able to do the whole thing without hitting that growly, I HATE THIS! mood.   More of a... meh, this ain't /fun/ but ... ok, Dead Johnny said to run, so ok.

[hearthsinger]

Thanks for the support guys.      The thing is, I want to really enjoy running because I am SUCH an outdoors lover.   I'd love to just hop onto a sidewalk, path, field and run - and get enjoyment out of it.    I've no desire to go long distance, 5k- tops.  Really.   But just to be able to say "I want to enjoy this beautiful day and get some activity in at the same time," and hop out for a 40 minute jaunt would be so great.

 

Just hard to enjoy that when you are sucking wind.  LOL.   I went out today for a run at lunch -(because I am determined to stick this out) and downloaded the phone app for C25K (not the actual zombies one though) and I kicked myself back to Week 2.   I figure, that maybe since I haven't trained for running since 2010, (and even though I do those 5k fun races every summer) that maybe jumping in at Week 3 with the idea "I was going to have muscle memory and just get back into it" was biting off more than I could chew.    I still got out of breath fast, but I was able to do the whole thing without hitting that growly, I HATE THIS! mood.   More of a... meh, this ain't /fun/ but ... ok, Dead Johnny said to run, so ok.

Even though I'd been working out for 6 months and had lost about 70 lbs when I started running, I still started at week one. It felt silly, but I'm glad I was patient with myself cause I've really trained hard and built myself up to running 5ks three times a week. Now I'll try to push myself a little harder and longer, but still, you have to be patient with your body and let it adjust.

[Katinka]

Thanks for the support guys.      The thing is, I want to really enjoy running because I am SUCH an outdoors lover.   I'd love to just hop onto a sidewalk, path, field and run - and get enjoyment out of it.    I've no desire to go long distance, 5k- tops.  Really.   But just to be able to say "I want to enjoy this beautiful day and get some activity in at the same time," and hop out for a 40 minute jaunt would be so great.

 

This is similar to how I feel about running. I am trying to increase my distance and/or time during this current challenge, but mostly because I've gotten to the point where I'm so comfortable running for 30 minutes or so (my 5k time) that I'm hoping to get a little more cardio out of it. But yeah, I have exactly 0 interest in a half or full marathon. Although I keep telling myself that the longer I'm able to run, the better I'd do in case of zombie (or other) apocalypse

[starpuck]

Oh thanks Katinka.     Good to hear from others on the same wavelength.  Hehe.

 

How long did it take you to get to the point of just being comfortable running for 30 minutes?    Or what did you do/figure out to get to that point?    

 

Monday night at hockey, I was speaking to two of the newer girls there and they both run - they said that running is primarily mental training because it is so monotanous and boring - nothing to distract you from noticing you are out of breath, tired, fatigued, got a cramp in your side.      Maybe my mind IS my worst enemy lol!

[Katinka]

Last summer/fall was actually the first time I did a 30 minute run that wasn't intervals of walking/running, but I think if I wanted to, I could have done it well before that, I just didn't have the right mindset. That was my 3rd summer running (I don't run in the winter). The first year I did the C25K program, and started not even being able to run a quarter mile. I was able to keep up with the program just fine, but then I quit somewhere around week 8 and just started going for runs that usually lasted 20 minutes, followed by about 20 minutes of walking. Had I kept up with the program, I probably could have gotten to the 30 minute run within the 10 weeks.

 

Honestly, I think the biggest breakthrough in my running has been my ability to relax. When I started running, I lived in the city, was finishing up college, and had a lot of tension in my life. Now I'm married, live in a quiet suburban/rural area, and just have a happier life in general. Running is no fun if you're thinking about how much you hate everything the whole time!

 

I don't get bored running outside, but I seriously can't even make it 15 minutes on a treadmill - I just quit.

[starpuck]

Well yahoo!   Got my 3rd run in this week finished at lunch.    Sticking to Week 2 helped a ton.    I am still all whiny while doing it, but once I get back in and settle down, looking back on it - well it doesn't seem so awful anymore after that.

 

Planning to do my strength workout when I get home.  Then bra shopping!   (Darn losing weight from the girls first all the time.  So unfair lol.)    Then some Defiance.    Pew pew pew.  

 

Have a busy, activity filled weekend in store.   

Saturday is a 16 mile round trip bike ride to the zoo.

Sunday is a hike, some place.

 

I will also try to get my Sunday playground work out in, because I really am enjoying that!

[I-Jo]

I'm trying to swim 2x a week- so I feel your pain.  I get very mental with the swimming- I get all up in my own way and super stressed about it- it's annoying as hell.

 

But the more I do it- the better I get and the easier the whole process is- so stick with it- you're doing JUST FINE. 

 

 

[starpuck]

Week 2's 'Didn't Fall Off' Summary

 

Fitness Goals

1. Strength Train:  3X / WEEK   STR 2, STA 1

Had to tell myself it was okay to be flexible with days this week.  I got 3 in, but I had to count yesterdays workout as part of last week, when I typically call the Sunday work out part of the new week.   But, given that I have chosen two goals which require a 3x a week thing.  Yeah.  A lesson in flexibility as well I think.   AND, I am super impressed I even DID it yesterday, because it was after a 6.5 mile hike!

1. C25K - again  3X / WEEK  DEX 2, STA 3   

Better this week!  I got all 3 runs in, and was able to do them without too much anger.   So!   The path to the darkside has been skirted on this.   This week I go back to Week 3 (The week I originally tried to start on.   I am a little nervous about it, but it feels good to have gotten all 3 days in!

1. Eating Healthy   CHA 3

Well.  I tracked every day, every thing that went in my mouth and I did not honey badger it even once.    I don' think I was nearly as clean eating as I was the first week and I think it makes a difference in how I feel.    I am also starting to get into the worried mindset of "If I am not counting calories, how do I know if I am eating enough?  I am being so much more active, and lifting now, and ... what if I dropped into starvation mode?!"     I am not sure if I should get on board and TRACK calories this week - just like, eat what I've been eating and see how it lines up, or use it to seriously count in and out...  

 

Life Goal

• Budget Related:  Eliminate one area of overspending.  WIS 3
• Organize vacation pictures into online albums.  (8000+ photos!)   WIS 1

Life goals - I stuck to the budgeted amount of times I can eat out, and am on par for not going over.   Counting this as a successful week on this front.   Ditto from last week.   Helps that I got a few meals paid for!  BONUS!

 

I organized and situated old albums on my photobucket site, and began uploading.   I uploaded about 1500 pictures over the past week into albums that are semi-organized.  (I may go back and sub-album them and/or add dates/titles, but that is above and beyond the requirements for the goal.    So good showing on this project this week.

 

OVERALL :    This week was a success!   And yet I don't feel as good about it as I did the first week.   I may be experiencing the hump of, "Ok, I did good stuff for two weeks, I can has results now please?"    This gives me the opportunity to work on another hurde.   Stick-to-it-iviness!   Yup.   Need to keep on keeping on, and know that regardless of the amount of TRACKABLE results I get from this -- there are benefits and perks and good things happening at levels I cannot see or track and I MUST STICK TO IT.

 

I am going to try to clean up on the food a bit more.     And I may poke at you all for suggestions on whether I should track calories this week or not.    (For example, today I have a run at lunch and hockey at night, I will burn probably 800-900 calories between those two activities... if my normal eating routine settles me around 1200-1300 calorories consumed, I will be at a dangerously low net calories.   But I don't want to jam foods down my throat last minute, or consume bad food just to get a calorie spike.   And yet I know starvation mode is real and I don't want to eat less and do more - to the point where I slow my metabolism down...   ARG!   MATH FACE.  >.<   Help me!)

[Jakob Kopfeld]

Hello Starpuck

Looks like your week 2 passed quite well! Between strength training (If I may ask, what is it you're doing to gain strength?) and ating healthy you've got a nice thing going. 

 

The important part is to stick to it! I'm sure that if you can maintain playing hockey in a team, a little bit of strength training and diet should be  easy enough for you aswell! 

 

btw your moss picture is really beautiful. I can only imagine how great it would've turned out if you had your actual camera with you!

[starpuck]

Oh heya Substix, thanks for taking a peek in here. 

 

Yeah, I really need to start planning ahead more on the picture taking group - I have a nice camera, I need to learn to use it better for crying out loud.

 

As for the strength training, I am doing mostly body weight stuff.  Inspired a lot by the bar brothers videos that were floating around the site, and then anything that I can do at home or with little cost involved.    If you hop over to my Battle Log you'll see what I am doing on the playgrounds.   I also go to a women's boxing gym once a week and do 30 minutes on the heavy bag, and then she does a 6-7 station circuit that will have things like burpees, ball slams, medicine ball push ups, pull ups, TRX extensions, box jumps, all sorts of goodies like that.   I DO need to add some things in.  Right now I do the same things all the time, and just try to do one more in each set than I did last time. 

[hearthsinger]

 

Week 2's 'Didn't Fall Off' Summary

 

Fitness Goals

1. Strength Train:  3X / WEEK   STR 2, STA 1

Had to tell myself it was okay to be flexible with days this week.  I got 3 in, but I had to count yesterdays workout as part of last week, when I typically call the Sunday work out part of the new week.   But, given that I have chosen two goals which require a 3x a week thing.  Yeah.  A lesson in flexibility as well I think.   AND, I am super impressed I even DID it yesterday, because it was after a 6.5 mile hike!

1. C25K - again  3X / WEEK  DEX 2, STA 3   

Better this week!  I got all 3 runs in, and was able to do them without too much anger.   So!   The path to the darkside has been skirted on this.   This week I go back to Week 3 (The week I originally tried to start on.   I am a little nervous about it, but it feels good to have gotten all 3 days in!

1. Eating Healthy   CHA 3

Well.  I tracked every day, every thing that went in my mouth and I did not honey badger it even once.    I don' think I was nearly as clean eating as I was the first week and I think it makes a difference in how I feel.    I am also starting to get into the worried mindset of "If I am not counting calories, how do I know if I am eating enough?  I am being so much more active, and lifting now, and ... what if I dropped into starvation mode?!"     I am not sure if I should get on board and TRACK calories this week - just like, eat what I've been eating and see how it lines up, or use it to seriously count in and out...  

 

Life Goal

• Budget Related:  Eliminate one area of overspending.  WIS 3
• Organize vacation pictures into online albums.  (8000+ photos!)   WIS 1

Life goals - I stuck to the budgeted amount of times I can eat out, and am on par for not going over.   Counting this as a successful week on this front.   Ditto from last week.   Helps that I got a few meals paid for!  BONUS!

 

I organized and situated old albums on my photobucket site, and began uploading.   I uploaded about 1500 pictures over the past week into albums that are semi-organized.  (I may go back and sub-album them and/or add dates/titles, but that is above and beyond the requirements for the goal.    So good showing on this project this week.

 

OVERALL :    This week was a success!   And yet I don't feel as good about it as I did the first week.   I may be experiencing the hump of, "Ok, I did good stuff for two weeks, I can has results now please?"    This gives me the opportunity to work on another hurde.   Stick-to-it-iviness!   Yup.   Need to keep on keeping on, and know that regardless of the amount of TRACKABLE results I get from this -- there are benefits and perks and good things happening at levels I cannot see or track and I MUST STICK TO IT.

 

I am going to try to clean up on the food a bit more.     And I may poke at you all for suggestions on whether I should track calories this week or not.    (For example, today I have a run at lunch and hockey at night, I will burn probably 800-900 calories between those two activities... if my normal eating routine settles me around 1200-1300 calorories consumed, I will be at a dangerously low net calories.   But I don't want to jam foods down my throat last minute, or consume bad food just to get a calorie spike.   And yet I know starvation mode is real and I don't want to eat less and do more - to the point where I slow my metabolism down...   ARG!   MATH FACE.  >.<   Help me!)

 

As far as "dropping into starvation mode," you'll know if you do. You'll be able to feel yourself getting stressed, angry, and weak. Workouts will be harder because you'll feel weak, not because they're challenging. That's my experience at least.

[starpuck]

Week 3's 'Hanging in There' Summary

 

Fitness Goals

1. Strength Train:  3X / WEEK   STR 2, STA 1

Only twice this week.    I would like to get back to the playground workout on Sundays because it starts me off better and creates an easier schedule to stick to.    I had intended to do one yesterday that I could count as the 3rd for this week, but allergies + bad sleep + already doing my W4D1 run + food hangover from the prior night did me in.   I will get all three in this week.

1. C25K - again  3X / WEEK  DEX 2, STA 3   

All three runs in this week!   In fact, I had them in by Wed.  I knew that I'd stick to it more by running with the good weather, so I followed the forecast.   As an added bonus, I actually ran on Sunday as well, but am choosing to count that toward the next week.

1. Eating Healthy   CHA 3

Tracked daily as promised, no honeybadger moments/days, but one near miss, pseudo binge moment with the chips, salsa and queso at gaming last night in honor of Cinco de Mayo.     I can't call it a full 100% week, maybe a 92% week.    I had a planned indulgence day on Saturday that left me bloaty and tired and crabby on Sunday.   Iiiinnnteresting.     Cleaner eating on tap for this week.

 

Life Goal

• Budget Related:  Eliminate one area of overspending.  WIS 3
• Organize vacation pictures into online albums.  (8000+ photos!)   WIS 1

Life goals - I am not tracking the food/eating out budget very well.    I had burritos every morning last week, and only just now realized I should have counted them as something.   Granted, they are $1 a piece, so I spent a total of $7 on breakfasts... which I would have spent if I had regular breakfast food.  (Oh the rationalization engine is revved up this morning.)    I didn't have any lunches out, and my dinners out were paid for me.  (The joys of dating!)   So I am gonna count all the bf's as ONE lunch out, and be better about tracking this week.

 

Didn't touch the photos the past week.   Must again put some time into that project this week.    Hope I remember where I left off!

 

OVERALL :    Pretty good I'd say.  Not, a WHOLLY MOLY YOU ROCKED WEEK!   But nothing to be ashamed of.   Makes me want to remotivate myself and have a KickAss week this week.    Which is going to be tricky because of an awkward, one week only bowling league schedule.  (New one starts on Wed.  Old one ends on Thur. = two days I cannot work out after work.)   Still very pleased to have stuck with it this long.   I also find that I am not enjoying the effects of FUN!Eating as much as I used to.  Kinda makes me sick - this leads me to start plotting ideas for next challenge regarding food choices, prepwork and cooking meals.