Polgara Back into Gear with Top Gear

[Polgara19]

After a summer and early fall where I fell off the wagon (big time) due to an onslaught of life (new jobs, school, more new jobs, kids, etc), I am once again unhappy with my midsection.  So, I need to put myself back into gear!

 

Now, I lived in the UK for 6 years, and fell in love with Top Gear!  

I mean, what's not to love?  Goofiness, ridiculous challenges, arrogant boors for presenters, and a worldwide cult following.  Recently, I've been watching them again on Netflix, and think they'd be a perfect theme for my new challenge.

 

 

Honestly, while I could be doing more exercise, the biggest thing I want to accomplish in the next six weeks is pulling my snacking back under control.  So, the first part of my challenge is:

 

No Eating a Chocolate Shoe

 

 

By which I mean no eating sweets alone.  This was an extremely effective challenge for me the last time I did it since it meant I could still enjoy dessert and treats as long as I was with someone.  Apparently peer pressure triggers my self control.  This is hard for me, so if I manage 6 weeks, then I will be rewarding myself with something!

 

Beat Jeremy!

 

 

This means running at least twice a week.  I ran a 5K in the middle of October and really enjoyed it.  Thinking that come spring I'd like to be training for a half-marathon or 10K, but for now, I'd just like to increase my stamina for ringette!

 

Push Something

 

 

I haven't done any pushing or pulling in a long time, and I feel week.  I would like to do some body weights at least twice a week, preferably more!

 

Well there it is, a challenge to get back in 'Gear!

[Polgara19]

Day 1

 

Well, today has gone pretty well.

 

Most importantly, I didn't have any sweets by myself.  My children shared some Halloween candy after dinner, but I only had one (unlike the 8-10 yesterday).

 

How much candy?

 

On the running front, I actually ran a full 5k yesterday, so today was a day off.  Out tomorrow morning though before the weather turns!

 

No pushing today either!

 

However, I weighed myself

 

70.9kg

 

Must do better

 

Oh well, one day down.  Many to go!

[maegs]

Oh well, one day down.  Many to go!

That's the spirit!

[Polgara19]

Day 2

 

No Eating a Chocolate Shoe

 

So far so good, but I'm struggling.  I had oatmeal for breakfast, half a tortilla and hummus after my run, leftover fish curry for lunch... and now.  I am craving something sweet.  Hard.  I had a handful of sugar snap peas, but I still want it.  I want to go and have something else to eat, but I'm not sure how best to get rid of the craving other than powering through.

 

Beat Jeremy

 

 

I ran. I ran far.  I upped my distance a bit this morning, running 5.32K!  More importantly, I actually ran the whole way - no walking breaks!  This is a big deal for me!  

 

Of course, then I did 20 jumps for the Green team, and then I wanted to pass out.  Ouch.

 

Push Things

 

Nothing.  Maybe tomorrow.

 

Ugh.  Still want a cookie.

[Polgara19]

Day 3

 

Today was a fairly busy day.  Got the kids of the school, did dishes, and then headed out to work.  Rushed home to rescue a family member who had kindly agreed to pick up youngest at nursery.  Then, after nap, collected eldest and friend from school, made dinner, put kiddos in bath and then to bed.

 

Actually doesn't sound like much actually.  

 

On to the challenge then!

 

Don't Eat a Chocolate Shoe

 

 

Didn't have any sweets alone.  Done.

 

I actually ate pretty well today.  Had oatmeal for breakfast.  Made a salad with popped black beans and leftover pulled pork (on top of veggies) for lunch.  Made some lovely caramelized banana and oatmeal muffins that had only 3 tbsp of honey in them for the kiddos snack, and then had one mini one with them.  Finally, made macaroni and cauliflower and cheese for dinner.  And didn't have seconds!  I even walked past Cinnabon.  Twice!  Without buying something!!!

 

But just now, made myself some popcorn.  Really I wanted some ice cream, so this is a victory!

 

 

When I'm not eating junk, I just feel better about myself, but the junk is sooooo hard to resist...

 

Beat Jeremy

 

Didn't run today, as was the plan, but I'm actually a bit worried about my foot.  

 

The story is that I've been reading about half marathon training, and learning about how you have to increase your mileage slowly to avoid injury - particularly plantar fasciitis.  Because I'm a nerd, I then learned about all the exercises people do to help with plantar fasciitis (pf), and started playing around with the stretches and exercises.  And then started noticing my left foot starting to hurt underneath and off to the side.  

 

So, I think I've talked myself into pf.  

 

 

 

Now I suspect I have injured something by stretching the foot, but now I'm not sure what to do.  I don't think I've injured it by over training, but I still think that I should maybe be not running until it stops hurting?  I've already done 10k this week, so maybe not the end of the world, but I'm sad to be missing the lovely weather.

 

Push Things

 

Did some pushups and squat jumps today, so I'm counting this as a win.

 

[Elastigirl]

Great challenge start. Woohoo for avoiding sweets, even passing up Cinnabon.

[Polgara19]

Will be back with a real update later, but just had to share.  I saw something I haven't seen since I started my new jobs:

 

 

69.8 KG

 

 

!!!!!

 

 

 

As soon as I stop eating crap, my body dumps the excess so quickly!  It will take time to take off the real weight (69-65kg), but this first kg has just sloughed off in half a week!  I haven't been below 70 in months!

 

[Polgara19]

Great challenge start. Woohoo for avoiding sweets, even passing up Cinnabon.

 

I think Cinnabon is my nemesis.  It calls to me....

[starpuck]

Heeeey you.   Decided to poke in here and I am so glad I did.   Love the challenge, and while I don't know the theme much, it's amusing the hell outta me

 

Way to go!

[Polgara19]

Heeeey you.   Decided to poke in here and I am so glad I did.   Love the challenge, and while I don't know the theme much, it's amusing the hell outta me

 

Way to go!

 

Thanks!  Top Gear is just so silly - but hard to describe as anything other than a car show.  What makes it work is the chemistry between the hosts, very competitive, snarky, and soooo British!  In some ways, I wonder how funny the gifs are for someone who doesn't watch the show, but it's making me laugh, so that's all that matters I guess!

 

I've been rewatching the more recent seasons on Netflix as relaxing-watching, so figured I'd give it a go!

 

And I'm glad you poked in!

 

 

 

 

As for today, I'll be back with a proper update later, but the short version is my foot is feeling better, and I'm sooooo tempted to go for a run before the weather turns.  I'm afraid it's a bad idea though, so instead I might go use the elliptical at the gym instead - rest instead of making it worse.  Putting the brakes on, as it were!

 

 

Back later!

[Polgara19]

Day 4

 

 

Not much to say about my day in general, will just jump straight to the challenge.

 

Don't Eat a Chocolate Shoe

 

Had oatmeal for breakfast, but was hungry at 9:45, so might have to up the amount of peanut butter I'm stirring into this, or maybe add some nuts?  Then was working, so didn't have my lunch until 1pm!  I had leftover macaroni, cauliflower, and cheese, and only had one bowlful.  Then, we had leftover pulled pork tostadas for dinner.  I'm most proud of not succumbing to the post-work, alone in the house, craving for crap.  Instead I had the most amazing cup of assam tea - it really hit the spot!

 

 

Beat Jeremy

 

As I mentioned earlier, despite my concerns, my foot was feeling better today.  It still seems delicate, but I'm still not sure whether that's due to a real injury or just an over-awareness of the bottom of my foot.  Regardless, I wanted to take it easy.  Due to the aforementioned amazing assam tea, I almost stayed with my butt planted, but actually got up and went to the gym to use the elliptical.  Spent 20 min at a medium intensity (hr 120-130 range), covering about 2.5k.  Was pleasantly 'glowing' at the end.  Though I noticed that you actually do bend your foot with every stride, there's just no impact.  Regardless, my foot feels about the same as before!

 

 

Full speed ahead I guess!

 

Push things

 

Haven't done any today.  Haven't even done any jumps for the mini challenge.  Poo.

 

 

Ah well, like Richard with Oliver, I shall push on and try again tomorrow

 

 

Finally, I think I might have figured out a reward for myself if I make it 6 weeks without any sweets alone.  I would like to replace the large bag I've been taking to work as it is developing holes.  Not sure what exactly I would like to replace it with, but I will be shopping and working towards it!

 

 

[starpuck]

Oh I like your plan for the 6 week reward!     As a backpack/bag hoarder, I looooove me some bags.    The delicate balance between sporty yet professional bag is one that I continue to dance the line on!

 

I can't do anything short of protein with a side of protein for breakfast, otherwise I get hungry very quickly.   Eggs with cheese and salsa, plus bacon.   Lunches can be protein light for whatever reason, but start me off with some dense teeth-required protein for breaking my fast.

[Polgara19]

Not sure I'm going to get a proper update out tonight - have ringette out in Markham (50 min drive each way!).

 

Enjoy this car hockey instead!

 

[starpuck]

Oh man that was an amazingly fun little video!

 

I had a friend lived in Markham once!

 

We just got two new players for my hockey team, both from Canada.  They were talking about ringette last weekend at our game, and I felt like part of the cool Canadian club for knowing exactly what they were talking about.    Totally thanks to my NF peeps.

[Polgara19]

Oh I like your plan for the 6 week reward!     As a backpack/bag hoarder, I looooove me some bags.    The delicate balance between sporty yet professional bag is one that I continue to dance the line on!

 

 

I'm actually just starting to explore the world beyond backpacks. I have a black...shoulder bag? (sigh, I don't even know the terminology). I love it because it's big enough to take a binder, my lunch, water bottle, etc. The straps are long enough that it's long enough to go over my shoulder with my coat on. It has one small internal pocket to hold my keys, but generally large and unstructured, therefore flexible. However, it's nylon, and starting to develop holes. Have to find something similar without having very much time to shop. Also don't want to spend too much. Argh!

 

 

Oh man that was an amazingly fun little video!

 

I had a friend lived in Markham once!

 

We just got two new players for my hockey team, both from Canada.  They were talking about ringette last weekend at our game, and I felt like part of the cool Canadian club for knowing exactly what they were talking about.    Totally thanks to my NF peeps.

 

Glad to initiate you into the ringette enclave!

 

Day 5

 

 

Yesterday was a pretty low key day - I was home with the kiddies, and then played ringette at night! I did lots of housework - bathroom cleaning, toy sorting

 

 

Don't Eat a Chocolate Shoe

Oatmeal for breakfast, salad with leftover pulled pork and some hummus/pita for lunch, squash and chickpea curry with rice for dinner. I also had a bunch of chips since I was having head rushes and suspected my blood pressure was low (a problem for me). Will have to stay on top of the hydration and salt!

All in all though, no solo sweets! (Which is good, since I'd pull a James and eat everything!)

 

Beat Jeremy

Yesterday played ringette, so that counts as my cardio for the day. We were playing with 2 subs, so everybody got lots of ice! I was on fire though, and scored 3 goals! Was lots of fun!

 

Push Things

Nothing yesterday. Not even jumps for the mini. Must get on this...

 

Must remember to do jumps...

[Polgara19]

Day 6

 

Somewhat unusual day today.  Got up and quickly put on all the food robots (crockpot and bread machine), then baked a cake, then spent 30 min with my sister who had come a long way to see me.  Then I had to rush off to work.  Luckily my sister came and ate lunch with me!  Then, home for pre-prepared dinner, and had cake for a friends birthday.  

 

Beat Jeremy

 

So Saturdays are pretty much always a rest day for me, recovering from ringette, and I just don't have time on the weekends for much running.  However, I spent some time at work looking over training plans and doing some thinking.  I think I'm going to try to start structuring my running time - aiming for 10K.  I think I have been avoiding training plans because they tend to have too many runs a week - I can really only manage 3 in a good week.  So, I think I will try to start tracking my runs to manage my weekly km's.  This week so far, I have done one "long run" at 5.3k, one 'easy run' at 5k, and tomorrow I will do a 'fast run'.  I think I will try to continue this pattern, with two ±5k runs (one fast, one easy) and slowly increase the length of one run.  I think that by the end of the 6 weeks I will hope to be running 7k?  Is that reasonable?  

 

Don't Eat a Chocolate Shoe

 

Today's eating was not as clean as sometimes.  I went to Subway with my sister, and had cake for a friends birthday.  But I didn't eat sweets alone, and I kept my cravings under control.  I was hungry mid afternoon and had an apple instead of the cookie I really wanted.  

 

Push Things

 

This is clearly not going as well as I could have hoped.  Poo.

 

 

 

Guess I'll have to fix that...

 

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

You should be able to get up to 7K in 6 weeks if you're running 5+K now.  Listen to the body, but a 10% per week increase should be feasible.

 

Top Gear ... man, these guys just crack me up.  

[Polgara19]

You should be able to get up to 7K in 6 weeks if you're running 5+K now.  Listen to the body, but a 10% per week increase should be feasible.

 

Top Gear ... man, these guys just crack me up.  

 

Glad to hear 7K is doable in 6 weeks.  I think I'm going to keep running at this current distance one more week, and then go up slowly from there!

 

Aren't they hilarious?  Just so much fun...

 

Day 7

 

Today was a busy day.  I went for a run first thing this morning, and then went to work.  At work, I was running an 8 year old's geocaching birthday party, so did an insane amount of walking (hiding caches, finding caches, running with 8 year olds).  Now I'm sore and tired, but feeling virtuous!

 

Don't Eat a Chocolate Shoe

 

Am very proud of my eating today!  Had oatmeal for breakfast, and then packed myself off to work.  Once there, I ran the birthday party and ate the lunch I had brought with me (leftover squash and chickpea curry).  Then, since I wasn't dying of starvation, I was able to decline the pizza and birthday cake offered by the birthday family (happens every time).  I wanted some cake, and it would have been within the rules since my coworker was having some too, but I'm always disappointed by store-bought cake.  So I said no.  Then ate my apple and came home.  Had mashed potatoes, meatballs, and lots of veggies for dinner, and shared some Halloween candy with my kiddies.  All in all, a good day.

 

This wasn't me today, thankfully!

 

Beat Jeremy

 

As mentioned above, I went for a run this morning.  This is particularly notable since it was 1C outside when I left!  Brr!!  But I went and ran my 5k.  Then, I went to work and walked all over the property.  My phone says I have done over 15 000 steps today, and my feet can tell.  Oof.  So, I guess this is why I think I need to up my mileage super slow, I'm still feeling it in my daily life.

 

Weekly Runs:

         5K

         4.93K

         5.3K

Total: 15.23K

 

This is me, freezing my tail off before I got going this morning

 

Push Things

 

I finally finished the jumps for the mini challenge tonight.  Man, jumping is hard!

 

[Erick the Red]

The socialized eating goal is going strong.  Good work!

 

Your runs also look strong.  I well understand the fear of chronic injury, but it sounds like you are doing well so far.  Most running plans I have seen have one "long" run (whatever your personal long distance happens to be) per week, plus two or three shorter ones, to work on speed or just acclimate the rest of the body to the demands of running. 

 

Your goal to push things around could maybe use some more flesh on it -- do you have some particular exercises that you want to try out?  Any particular days that could be improved by some muscle-strengthening work?

[Polgara19]

Your runs also look strong.  I well understand the fear of chronic injury, but it sounds like you are doing well so far.  Most running plans I have seen have one "long" run (whatever your personal long distance happens to be) per week, plus two or three shorter ones, to work on speed or just acclimate the rest of the body to the demands of running. 

 

Your goal to push things around could maybe use some more flesh on it -- do you have some particular exercises that you want to try out?  Any particular days that could be improved by some muscle-strengthening work?

 

Maybe I should be a bit more specific for the strength training!  Would make it easier to fulfill wouldn't it!

 

Will noodle it a bit.

 

Thanks for the advice!

[Polgara19]

Day 8

 

Don't Eat a Chocolate Shoe

 

So, the day was going pretty well.  Then I made cookies with the kids.  Fine.  Then I licked the beater.  Not great.  Then I fell face first into the batter.

 

Oops.

 

 

This is why I can't have even a taste when there's no one around.

 

The important thing is that I only had one cookie with the family after dinner.  Not 2 or 10.  So now to refocus.

 

Putting cookie dough incident behind me...

 

Beat Jeremy

 

Still recovering from the 14 000+ steps yesterday.  Ouch.

 

Actually not too bad today.  A bit stiff through the lower back and hips, and my feet still felt tired, but surprisingly pain free.  Was going to go for an easy run tomorrow, but unexpected medical appointment before work has derailed that.  Might get to the gym tomorrow afternoon, but running will be pushed back to Wednesday.

 

Push Things

 

Based on advice, I will be trying to be more specific about my goals here.  I really want to be working on push ups and pull ups.   

 

Took the kiddos swimming this evening though.  Not that much of a workout for me, since I'm mostly just catching them and keeping them from downing.  This was their faces though!

 

 

They love swimming!

 

 

Better day tomorrow.

[Elastigirl]

Great job at refocusing and only having one cookie. When I make cookie batter, I allow myself one spoonful, and then I either give the bowl to someone, or place it immediately in the sink and fill with soapy water. This was after too many times of falling into the batter, I understand your pain, I love cookie dough.

[Polgara19]

Great job at refocusing and only having one cookie. When I make cookie batter, I allow myself one spoonful, and then I either give the bowl to someone, or place it immediately in the sink and fill with soapy water. This was after too many times of falling into the batter, I understand your pain, I love cookie dough.

 

Yep.  I should have put it in the sink.  I kept telling myself that.  But then I'd have another lick.  Once I've had one I can't stop.  There was nobody else there to make me stop due to pride, so I just kept going.

 

Sigh.

 

Now, to not let it derail me!

 

Thanks for the cookie dough support - I desperately want to make this cookie dough no-bake cheesecake for something!  

 

[Erick the Red]

Your chocolate shoe goal is keeping you on track.  One cookie and some batter is a lot better than the disaster that could have happened.  I think that you should be proud rather than ashamed.

[Polgara19]

Day 8 (late)

 

Had a non-specific terrible day yesterday.  Nothing in particular happened, just by the end of the day, I felt like this:

 

 

I wanted to quit everything, hide in a bed in a hotel room and never see anybody.  

 

Yuck.

 

A good night's sleep (thank you hubby for dealing with kiddos) and I'm feeling much better this morning.  Onwards and upwards!

 

Don't Eat a Chocolate Shoe

 

Yesterday was ok - not great eating, but no sweets alone at least.  Had breakfast, then had to go do some tours at work, so knew I would miss lunch.  Therefore, I had a Tim Horton's breakfast sandwich at 10.  Had some cheese and crackers when I got home, then dinner of pasta.  I know my eating likely contributed to my terrible mood last night.  Well done me.

 

 

Beat Jeremy

 

Spent the entire day on my feet - not walking, but standing.  By the end, my feet were feeling weird and tired.  No pain exactly, but just...off.  

 

 

Push Things

 

Hope to do some crawls for the mini and some assisted pull-ups today!