Let's Get Fit!

• Write down five quantifiable goals for yourself.
• Lose 8lbs by February 1.  
• Attend Yoga three times a week. 
• Run three times a week.
• Do "Killer Abs" workout twice a week. 
• Track all food on SparkPeople for 30 days.
• Assess yourself and write down your current stats in all five areas.
• Right now I'm at 225, I want to be 217 by February 1.
• I've been attending 1 time a week through the holidays.
• Haven't been running since November.  
• Killer Abs workout has been done once.  
• I'm starting to track on SparkPeople again and have entered my one year goal!
• By Monday night, get on the floor an do as many pushups as you can. Modified (from your knees) or regular.  I did 10 modified pushups before my arms gave out.  This makes me sad because I used to do 20 of them in my rotation with my trainer last summer. 
• Beginners: Do 120 minutes of exercise this week. I'm putting myself at beginner since I haven't been doing much of anything and my body shows it unfortunately!  I will be so happy if I make the 120 minutes each week! 
• Identify your biggest excuse. I don't have enough time in the day!  To circumvent this I should do the abs workout during commercial breaks. 
• Each night before bed, write four things you did well that day.  I'm going to start a paper journal for this.  Last fall I would write down three "wins" each day at work and I want to get back in the habit of this.  Even if it's as small as drinking a water bottle each day or avoiding the candy bowl/snacks at work I should celebrate my wins!

 I also wanted to try to track my progress in the challenge visually so here's my starting photos:




I'm ready to Do Life in 2012, won't you join me?

After a way too indulgent New Years Eve today was the perfect restart to getting back in shape and focused. I slept a lot, didn't eat any meat, had two salads along with lots of water and iced tea. No exercise, but I'm starting a streak here of healthy living and moderation from here on out. No excuses for why I didn't work out, but here's to hoping I can add that to my routine tomorrow! Also, everyone should root for the Bengals in the playoffs so that I can see them in the Super Bowl here in Indy. -- Post From My iPhone

Over the last six months my life has changed so much, my life in 2011 was so different from 2010!  I went from a fairly easy online class in the summer to two fairly writing intensive grad school classes along with a career change.  I ran a marathon in October (sub-6 hour which was my goal!) and didn't even have a chance to blog about it since I feel like I was going about 100 MPH since July 5th! 

Why yes, that is the worst race picture I've ever taken.  My eyes are shut, my head and neck is one piece and I think you might be able to see me flat foot striking!   I loved the Detroit Marathon though, everything about it was fantastic and I'm amazed at how much I fell in love with the city.  I bailed on the Indianapolis Monumental Half-Marathon a few weeks later due to being super sick that morning.  I wasn't even able to be around light that day.  I've had my best marathon, my worst half-marathon and my first DNS half-marathon this year.  I've learned to be content with two B+ grades this semester instead of at least one A-.  It's been a year of growth and I'm ready to try to get myself back into a healthier weight with less meat, more fruits & veggies and more yoga in my life.

I've also been enjoying the semester break before I start marathon training for the flying pig marathon in January and three grad school classes in the spring. I'm trying to schedule everything out but this past semester I found it hard to stick to the plan.  I think I just need to suck it up and try to get through the first 12 weeks of 2012 to build new healthy habits and then see where I am!  


How do you stay motivated?
 

I finished with over a 12 minute PR from my Chicago Marathon 2010 time which I consider to be a huge accomplishment since my life radically changed in the middle of training (for the better)!

Onward to celebrate my way across Michigan today and tomorrow!

How can two weather channels have two separate forecasts for the same day? It's mindblowing to me, but at least it gives me something to obsess over going into the home stretch of waiting to run the 2011 Detroit Marathon.

I'm just hoping for upper 50's at the finish and chilly to start out. I don't want to expend all my energy trying to keep my body temperature regulated and I don't want to putter out at the end due to the heat! Keep your fingers crossed for cloudy and upper 50's. Heck, I'll keep the forecast as it stands as long as it doesn't get any warmer than 65 that day!



At least we're no longer unseasonably warm?

For the first time in almost a week I returned to my yoga mat and found my breath. My hammies were tight and only a few short minutes I was afraid I wouldn't be able to return to the mat after a brief hiatus. As I loosened up and stretched I found my intention.

My intention for this week is to try and build a foundation to make up for the missed training and poor eating this summer. To make my intention come true I'm going to do a light run tomorrow on my lunch and a couple of more yoga and pilates classes before hitting the road for Detroit. I'm hoping that I just finish strong, I want to rock Detroit and have a good time on the course. Plus I'll be able to cross into Canada and back without carrying my passport on me!

Last weekend I ran a ridiculously hot half-marathon that ended in a personal worst. The race was black flagged about 15 minutes after I finished so I consider myself lucky to have finished.

As part of my half-marathon celebration and to try to get myself back on track for Detroit and the family cruise in November I'm doing my own personal 30-day yoga challenge. I'm trying to take as many yoga and pilates classes as my schedule will allow. I'm going to squeeze my long runs in while trying to increase my fitness in other ways. So far I'm doing really well - I've done a yoga, pilates or trainer workout each day this week with two workouts today and 2.5 hours of yoga planned for tomorrow night!

I could say this is for national yoga month, but really it was for my own sanity for Detroit Marathon month! Are you "celebrating" national yoga month?




-- Post From My iPhone

Due to a couple of last minute changes August has turned into the month of vacations. This weekend I'm enjoying a four day weekend in Traverse City, MI at the wonderful Sugar Beach Resort.

On the drive up I stopped in Grand Rapids for lunch at Founders Brewing Company. I enjoyed a cerise and a caprese sandwich.


Laying out at the beach was great, I was able to finish two books on my kindle and also started a third. I'm hoping to do some reading later today to finish the third! After showering and relaxing a bit I headed into downtown Traverse City to do some exploring.


I had a great dinner at Red Ginger and kicked things off with a wonderful blood orange martini.


I had two specialty rolls, the rainbow roll and the vegetarian roll. I also had a serving of edamame.


I loved the note about reasonable dessert portions on the menu so I decided to treat myself to a coconut caramel sundae which was the perfect size (just one scoop) and was delicious!


After dinner I did some exploring and wandered around the city. I love the quaint downtown area and the vintage look of a lot of the signage.


Today it's rainy so I'm hoping to do a little wandering and enjoy a movie this afternoon.  I'd like to make it out to the shopping center located in the renovated old mental hospital and just wander the grounds! 



This weekend was just what I needed to relax and rejuvenate!

Be sure to take time off for rest. Preferably in Traverse City on the beach.

-- Post From My iPhone

Detroit Free Press Marathon Training Tip #3:

"Cupcake deliveries are your friend."

Especially from new food trucks that are just opening.  The carbs totally convert into running fuel, right? 
 

It takes an otherwise meh Monday to a much better level!  Thanks to Scouts Treats!