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Kelly's First Challenge: a Bloodless Coup


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Between today, May 31st, 2011 and Tuesday, July 12, 2011, I think I can accomplish several realistic things.

1) In the course of six weeks, I would like to lose 12 pounds. I weighed in on Saturday at 240 (2 lbs up from my last weigh-in, after vowing to never see the 240s again). If I do this, I will be in the 220s for the first time since around when I graduated HS in 2002.

2) I wish to run my first 5k, but kind of not just run a 5k like I run at the Rec Center at PSU, but I would like to run one outside before I join in a 5k happening here in Portland on June 25th. So, my goal is to run at least 3 5ks by the end of this challenge, two of which will be outside. AT MINIMUM.

3) I will attempt to have no more than one meal per week at a restaurant or PDX food cart or what have you. Homemade for the win! And, as the term ends for me next week, I will have far fewer obligations which eat up my time that would prevent me from cooking and preparing quick, healthy meals.

“In the depths of winter I finally learned there was in me an invincible summer†- Camus

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My ultimate plan for this year is a half marathon in October. My first 5k is this one: http://www.nwveg.org/race_for_animals.php, and my second will be: http://rfcwportland2011.kintera.org/faf/help/helpEventInfo.asp?ievent=480103&lis=1&kntae480103=E80DB23A4B424D7393641D84817E24B0. I like that they're great causes, too. Beyond that, I haven't looked into any 10ks. We'll see if I survive amping up my running to a 5k for the first half of summer.

“In the depths of winter I finally learned there was in me an invincible summer†- Camus

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I weighed in this morning. No change since Saturday. Hoping that the scale will budge between today and next Wednesday. I've also started tracking my calories and nutrition on SparkPeople again, since it works, even if I hate the tedium. Last night I ran, blerg (I posted about this in my Battle Log or what have you). Tonight I will be better. I'll post my daily calories and calories burned each morning after the full daily wrap-up, and post more detailed exercise logs in the other thread where I have been. So. Yeah.

“In the depths of winter I finally learned there was in me an invincible summer†- Camus

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Oof, #3 would be impossible for me right now - but I applaud you. I'm trying to reduce my restaurant hopping and cook as much as possible with limited equipment at home!

I did a sneaky weigh in this morning just to see if the scale is moving in the right direction, and so far it is. Will do a REAL weigh in on Wednesday. Here's hoping for good progress!

I also did this earlier in the week. I was down 7, now down 9. So pumped up!

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Okay, things are going pretty swell. I only ate out once last week, Thursday evening at Noodles and Co. I got the Bangkok Curry with tofu, and it was excellent and filling and nutritionally amazing.

I missed Friday at the Rec Center because they closed before 5 pm to "appreciate their employees," so I couldn't go after work. I went home and cooked/prepped stuff for a picnic on Saturday. We had a super healthy picnic but then I went NUTZ on some carbs, so I need to just not cook pasta or bring it in my house because I cannot stop at just one serving.

Yesterday was much better. I ate a lot but it was almost all fruit or vegetables. I didn't track on SparkPeople because I was lazy, but I know it was good. However! I made a meal plan for this week, and have sketched out every day from now until Sunday. If all goes to plan, I won't eat out once this week, which means if I do go nuts and eat out twice a week at some point it'll be ok. Basically I get six meals at restaurants during this challenge so we'll see how that goes.

Back to the gym tonight. Finals are done after my last class this evening, so I can start going right after work, every day, and pump up the frequency of stuff on the weekends without having papers to write. I'm hoping that I'll run my first 5k indoors this week at some point, but counting 33 laps on our tiny indoor track will be very difficult as I get mentally dumb the more I run (endorphins plus tired equals total shutdown), so I'm not sure how to count it. I do not want to run on a treadmill for this, but maybe I ought to. It'll push me to keep a speed. This will be my "pace car" 5k, and hopefully each subsequent 5k will show an improvement.

19 days until the Northwest Veg 5k. I'll register by the end of this week if I feel the progress has been good enough to think I could handle an outdoor 5k.

Alright!

“In the depths of winter I finally learned there was in me an invincible summer†- Camus

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Okay so I went a little nuts and did a 5k at the gym. Except there was not, no way, no how, any way I could have gone faster than I did, which makes me feel like a loser! But, I kept track of my heart rate, and it was getting scary. So I had to take breaks, and then my muscles started burning and I just couldn't make myself run again.

So, baseline 5k (all other 5ks will be better than this):

49:48 (I was shooting for under 45 min :( frownnnnn... )

3.8 mph

Alright, we'll get better here on out.

(I feel like tenderized meat today)

Total exercise yesterday:

10 ish minutes walking, 50 ish minutes run/walking, 15 minutes elliptical: 1:15 done, 143.75 hours to do before Chicago.

Calories: like a lot. Who knows.

Food consumed:1522 cal. A LOT OF FRESH FRUIT/VEG. That includes "dessert" of two tbsp peanut butter, straight from the jar. I earned that.

Non-scale victories:

First time in my life I did Downward Facing Dog with my heels totally flush to the ground. FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE.

Wearing a suit jacket I bought maybe TWO YEARS AGO and could never button to work today. It fits beautifully now and I was told I look cute today.

I guess the 5k in and of itself was a NSV because, dammit, I started.

Fruit/Veg tally as of this morning:

Fruit:

1. Apple

2. Banana

3. Blueberries

4. Cantaloupe

5. Dragonfruit

6. Grapefruit

7. Grapes

8. Green papaya

9. Kiwi

10. Lemon

11. Lime

12. Mango

13. Orange

14. Papaya

15. Peaches

16. Pineapple

17. Raspberries

18. Strawberries

19. Watermelon

20. Winter Melon

Vegetables:

1. Artichoke

2. Asparagus

3. Bamboo Shoots

4. Broccoli

5. Carrot

6. Corn

7. Cucumber

8. Eggplant

9. Green Beans

10. Green cabbage

11. Mushrooms

12. Nappa cabbage

13. Peas

14. Red Bell Pepper

15. Spinach

16. Tomato

17. Zucchini

37/100. 63 to go.

“In the depths of winter I finally learned there was in me an invincible summer†- Camus

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I guess the 5k in and of itself was a NSV because, dammit, I started.

You didn't just start it, you completed one. Lot's of people can't and would do it in a slower time. You are going to start seeing great results and before long that time will be nothing to you but a place where you never wish to return.

Time to climb.

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I would have to advise against a 5k a day in your current state. Build up to it. Run for 2 minutes, walk for 1, run for 2, walk for one. Something of that nature until you get your conditioning and endurance down. Also, be careful that you don't hurt your legs or feet.

Time to climb.

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Oh, I'm going to do them every other day, at most, for the time being. It's definitely going to be different next time, too. Yesterday, I ran 10, walked two, ran 10, walked two, ran 3, and then gave up running. Tomorrow I'll try run 3/walk 1/run 3, etc and see how that goes. Or something to that effect. I've been used to running 20 minutes straight with intervals on the track, but I think the treadmill had me at a faster pace than I would have done without it, so I'll try using the track again. Tonight, I will exercise, but it won't involve running and it'll be more focused on strength, I think. Thanks for all the tips!

“In the depths of winter I finally learned there was in me an invincible summer†- Camus

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Okay, so I totally meant to run (partially) a 5k last night, but I am having some ~female issues~ which resulted in some logistical problems which... I won't go into it. I got a half hour in on the elliptical, so there was at least SOMETHING. Anyway, I've planned ahead for today, and now that I'm SUPER rested from Monday's attempt, I'll totes try again tonight.

So far, I only need to lose 5 more lbs this month to meet my goal for this six week period, and I haven't eaten out once this week. Which is great, because planning lunches for work can be hard when I'm super tired (again, ~female issues~ ... I'm wiped out. I fell asleep WHILE taking off my work clothes last night).

143.25 hours of exercise to do before Chicago. Next week I should start taking the bus (I have to double check when my parking pass expires) which means I'll make up for LOADS of lost time just by walking to and from the bus. And then, you know, walking plus training to run... I should be svelte in no time.

“In the depths of winter I finally learned there was in me an invincible summer†- Camus

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Okay, did another 5k last night, and this time, zomg, amazing.

I kicked today’s ass SO HARD.

Calories: 1624. A bit over my daily goal, but holy crap, if THAT’S being bad, so be it. Plus, I got a glob of peanut butter. SO. There.

EXERCISE:

5 min elliptical

5 K:

Remember how I hurt so much trying it on Monday? And didn’t get a great speed? And was wiped out for a full day after?

Monday’s 5k: 49:48

Today’s 5k: 44:35

WOOT WOOT

Monday I ran 10 minutes, walked two, ran 10, walked two, and then, like, floundered for the rest of it.

Today, I ran 5 laps, walked two (getting water during the first walking lap), and so on, for 34 laps (small track at the Rec Center. I walked the penultimate lap, and then SPRINTED the last lap. And felt GREAT!

And I have massive endorphins right now, hence the updating now instead of lazily doing so over a cup of coffee in the morning.

And then I cooled down with 10 min. on the elliptical.

I have NEVER felt SO good while running, never. Next time I try, I want to run 6 laps, then walk two. Then the next time, run 7, then walk two, and so on, until my running intervals increase and eventually I stop walking altogether.

But, wow. I’m high on running and peanut butter right now. Some Sims 3 and then bed for me!!!!

<3

142.25 hrs of exercise before Chicago.

And I feel AWESOME this morning.

“In the depths of winter I finally learned there was in me an invincible summer†- Camus

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Hopefully everything! I'll be taking a road trip with my best friend, and getting there September 12th and staying until September 16th. I plan on walking a LOT while there, and otherwise, seeing all that there is to see.

“In the depths of winter I finally learned there was in me an invincible summer†- Camus

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