Happy New Year! I know, I've been MIA lately, but life got crazy busy. I was eating horribly and the resulting feeling just didn't make me want to write. But its a new year, another busy one it looks like, so I decided I should get back on top of this.
Right before Christmas (right when I disappeared from this scene) I found out that I was accepted into a doctoral program starting this Spring. I am super excited, but also know that even more of my limited time will be filled. I need to find a time in my schedule to fit in working out and eating right, but I'll talk about my strategies another time.
I started the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge after Thanksgiving, but right about the time I ran out of time for this, I stopped tracking. I tried to stay on top of things as much as possible, but it was hard. Really hard. I'm not sure how some people do this regularly. I know between working 3 jobs, and now studying in two grad programs, I sometimes feel I need to make the choice between working out and talking about working out/eating right.
I have just started the Best Body Bootcamp and its looking to help keep me on track. I really want to get back to Crossfit, but right now I know I won't have the time to do it. Between bootcamp, running, and eating right, I think I'll be okay.
Speaking of running -- I'm still running with my local chapter of Black Girls Run! and I love it. It really helps get me out the door on the weekend to get moving, especially when I just want to stay curled up in bed (and lets be honest -- bed is a much better thought at 6am on a brisk Saturday or Sunday morning). This past Sunday I ran 4.5 miles with them and the Saturday before Christmas I ran 7.25 with them.
With 2013, I have two main goals which I would love to make public on here so I can be held as accountable as possible.
1) Eat as cleanly (read: Paleo) as possible as often as possible: In order to keep myself accountable here, I am going to try to post a daily food log as often as possible. This is more so I can monitory my eating habits (which when left to their own accord are quite atrocious) than anything else, but feel free to keep me on track if you see me slipping. If I stop posting my food choices, remind me gently to get back on track!.
2) Run 13 HALF MARATHONS in 2013! Yes, I know this is crazy, but I want to run 13 in 2013. I will keep that updated as the year goes on. My first is the Walt Disney World Half Marathon in Orlando this coming weekend. This will be my first RunDisney event and my boyfriends first half marathon. I'm planning on taking this one slowly to stay with the bf and to enjoy the time. A race recap will follow.
Until next time... Keep on moving!
Showing posts with label #HBBC2012. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #HBBC2012. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Food for thought
So I saw this on my Facebook news feed and thought it was applicable to how I've been feeling lately.
I currently work more than 60 hours a week to pay off my student loans quicker than is expected. But sometimes I question why I do this week after week. I know in the long run it will pay off and I'll be happy I've been running myself ragged, but when will that time come.
This dilemma and this cycle of work, eat, sleep, repeat keep me from some of the things I love most: running, working out, camping, sleeping in on the weekends, etc. I wish I had the more hours each day to have time to get a run in daily, or to be confident that everything will be okay in the long run.
What would you do? Save thousands of dollars in interest working long hours for about 2 years to be debt free, or prolong the debt repayment in order to get a run in daily? If you have a crazy work week, what do you do to fit in your workouts daily?
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Things have been moving...a little more than I have
Last week I also joined my local group of Black Girls Run! for a Monday night 3-miler and it was fantastic. I have always run solo but was finding myself in a motivational slump. During a 10K with my not-so-enthusiastic-about-running boyfriend, I realized that there was a huge presence from these women. I reached out and they were more than accepting and happy to have me along for some runs. I think I'm going to keep this up (my schedule permitting!). My local group has official runs every Saturday and Sunday am (which lets be honest are sometimes hard to get to...I do love my sleep) and early AM runs 2-3 days a week. I would love to run with them ladies at 5am, but I tend to leave for work at 5:30am so the timing doesn't work out. A few of us have un-official group runs on Monday and Thursday nights at a local college that seem to be the perfect fit for me! Last night was a flop for me, as I hit traffic on the way home and just couldn't make it in time. From my experience, if you're looking for a group of fun, motivational women to run with, check out your local area! You'd be surprise how wide spread this group is!
I've also been trying to get my blog out there and testing my luck with the numerous fitness giveaways out there. I've been unluckly lately, but check this one out! Who wouldn't put there name in for a new pair of shoes!?
Win a pair of @Reebok RealFlex Fusion TR’s from @blondeponytail http://bit.ly/RkYnMv #getafterit
Now for my weekly recap (which wasn't so fantastic this week, but I think its getting better!).
Monday December 3rd:
3 mile run with BGR! This run was fantastic. I loved how everyone stuck together. The motivation was finishing and supporting one another, not cranking out PR's which felt good to me. The ladies worked hard and some held a faster pace than before. Love the MOTIVATION!
Tuesday December 4th:
I worked ALL DAY, and in turn, made this a rest day running-wise. When I say all day, I mean from 6am - 10pm. I was still feeling the high from the BGR! meetup that I didn't feel horrible about missing out. When I got home at 10pm, I did squeeze in 50 squats and 50 pushups which felt fantastic Wednesday morning! :)
Wednesday December 5th:
Another rest day -- the middle of the week for me is hard. I'm working 3 jobs and taking a grad class, so I don't mind a few days off. Plus I ended this day with a trip to see my parents for a short while!
Thursday December 6th:
I got in 1.5 miles with the boyfriend. I find it interesting that he complains throughout the run and tells me I have to do all the chores when we get home so he can sit on the couch, but then at the end of the day, he says thank you! (I believe he secretly enjoys it and loves me for kicking his butt!) We then finished off the evening with 50 situps.
Friday December 7th:
There's something about Fridays that make me think: lets get some errands done and sit on the couch -- so Fridays are regularly a rest day for me. But I did take care of myself at the salon and almost finished my holiday shopping! Progress and well-being are sometimes measured differently in my life! :)
Saturday December 8th:
I had to run to work Saturday morning (mostly against my will) but I left something at school that I absolutely needed for a party on Saturday night. So, I made it a rest day but spoiled myself by going to my local RoadRunner Sports and buying a new pair of running socks (I was not-so-secretly eyeing some new running apparel too!)
Sunday December 9th:
The boyfriend and I were supposed to get in 7 miles for our half marathon training (which is going quite miserably). I drug him out the door, in the rain, to get the mileage in before he had to leave for work. We got 2 miles out and his knee started bothering him. He said he was having trouble breathing too, so we turned around and headed home. So that 7 miler, turned into a crappy day 4 miler. It was better than nothing, but we need to log those longer hours.
I'm not terribly upset with how this week turned out, but it could have been better. How was your week? Any tips for getting out there after 12-16 hour days?
Have a fantastic week!
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Week of Nov 26th Recap
This week was a bit disappointing with my fitness levels. I feel like I didn't do anything... I didn't get out to run, I didn't lift, but what I did do was walk.
I walked for over 4 hours on Friday and I tried to get walks in during the day at work. One day I left my keys inside and had to walk all the way around the building to get back in the building at reception.
But this doesn't mean that this week was a waste, it just wasn't all that it could have been. I tried to eat healthy and get all my servings of fruits and veggies. I tried to get moving as much as possible when I could. I was busy, too busy, but I did what I could. Can't ask for more than that!
I walked for over 4 hours on Friday and I tried to get walks in during the day at work. One day I left my keys inside and had to walk all the way around the building to get back in the building at reception.
But this doesn't mean that this week was a waste, it just wasn't all that it could have been. I tried to eat healthy and get all my servings of fruits and veggies. I tried to get moving as much as possible when I could. I was busy, too busy, but I did what I could. Can't ask for more than that!
Thursday, November 29, 2012
How do you find the time?
Today's post is one looking for answers.
I work a lot -- maybe too much. Monday through Thursday I typically work from 6am - 8pm with time before and after to get ready for the day and drive to and from work. By the time I get home around 9pm, I'm exhausted and I'm already getting up at 4:30am to get to work.
I try to make it to the treadmill for at least a mile everyday, but that's not always possible. I'm trying to get back into a training groove because I really do LOVE running races, but lately I feel like my training has been slacking.
What strategies do you have to just get it done on long days? I know my problem is more mental than anything else because I have opportunities. I've found running groups that run later in the evening, but I can't seem to get myself to go there rather than home. Do you feel a mile a day on the treadmill is decent enough when life just gets in the way? I can absolutely get longer runs in Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but feel like I'm not consistent enough and I don't want to fall into the "weekend warrior" group. I would love to hear what you have to say about this dilemma because I know I'm not the first busy woman to face this challenge.
Until next time...
I work a lot -- maybe too much. Monday through Thursday I typically work from 6am - 8pm with time before and after to get ready for the day and drive to and from work. By the time I get home around 9pm, I'm exhausted and I'm already getting up at 4:30am to get to work.
I try to make it to the treadmill for at least a mile everyday, but that's not always possible. I'm trying to get back into a training groove because I really do LOVE running races, but lately I feel like my training has been slacking.
What strategies do you have to just get it done on long days? I know my problem is more mental than anything else because I have opportunities. I've found running groups that run later in the evening, but I can't seem to get myself to go there rather than home. Do you feel a mile a day on the treadmill is decent enough when life just gets in the way? I can absolutely get longer runs in Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but feel like I'm not consistent enough and I don't want to fall into the "weekend warrior" group. I would love to hear what you have to say about this dilemma because I know I'm not the first busy woman to face this challenge.
Until next time...
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Turkey Week Recap
So...maybe it wasn't the best of ideas to commit to holding myself accountable right around thanksgiving. I mean seriously, who does that.. Well I did. So I'm going to have to fess up with what I did (or didn't) do this week fitness wise.
To begin with: I'm participating in the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge AND the Runner's World Winter Running Streak in hopes that maybe I'll stick with it through New Years. For the most party I'm doing okay, however I still don't know how some people are getting so many points on the #HBBC. Oh well. This week also saw me signing up on Daily Mile as a way to compile all my various run tracking devices in nicely displayed graphs. In addition, I am doing a virtual half marathon and want to start getting out for 5am runs with a local group of women from Black Girls Run!
So here is my week, as pitiful as it was:
Sunday (11/18):
I didn't run, but I was on my feet all day. My family makes just over 1,000 raviolis by hand for the holiday season and this year it was this past Sunday. It was a long day of cooking, making raviolis, and spending quality time with family. I wouldn't say that it was a wasted day at all. Maybe I'll just call it a rest day!
Monday (11/19):
Today I knew I had to get out there and do something so I walked around during work and banged out a mile. Only one, and not as good as running, but any movement is better than nothing and I told myself I had to do something. And something is always better than nothing.
Tuesday (11/20):
I had a little bit of time between job #1 and job #2 of the day so I went ahead and ran a mile. Only 1, and it was on the treadmill, but again I am working on getting out and doing something almost every day.
Wednesday (11/21):
This turned into a rest day. Not because I didn't have the time, but because I was exhausted from shopping for Thanksgiving and knew I had a long week still ahead of me. I relaxed for the afternoon, but did dance for a while when I went out with family and friends that evening. Score for creative movement!
Thursday (11/22):
I snuck in a quick treadmill run again. Only to justify the food fest that was going to happen later on in the afternoon. I also made sure I walked around as much as possible.
Friday (11/23):
Again, just 1 mile...something is becoming habit forming, when it really shouldn't be. Oh well... I guess 1 mile is better than nothing. I did spend the whole day cooking and cleaning for family day #4 of the week...this time at my place.
Saturday (11/24):
Saturday was a good day to relax. My boyfriend and I ran errands and just got stuff done. Another Rest Day!
Sunday (11/25):
Today was the most exciting day of the running week! The bf and I did our first interval workout for his training for the Walt Disney World half marathon and it was fantastic. We ran 3 minutes and rested for 1 minute. The intervals were a bit slow for me, but this training is more for him than me. He pushed his heart out for an hour and completed 4.76 miles. I am super proud of him and got in a half way decent run. Here's to hoping he continues his progress since I feel like he's behind schedule for his training. Then again, I probably am too.. But that race is completely for fun.
Total Running Mileage for the week: 7.76 miles. Not bad, definitely not great. Here's to hoping it gets better!
Until next time...
Amanda
To begin with: I'm participating in the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge AND the Runner's World Winter Running Streak in hopes that maybe I'll stick with it through New Years. For the most party I'm doing okay, however I still don't know how some people are getting so many points on the #HBBC. Oh well. This week also saw me signing up on Daily Mile as a way to compile all my various run tracking devices in nicely displayed graphs. In addition, I am doing a virtual half marathon and want to start getting out for 5am runs with a local group of women from Black Girls Run!
So here is my week, as pitiful as it was:
Sunday (11/18):
I didn't run, but I was on my feet all day. My family makes just over 1,000 raviolis by hand for the holiday season and this year it was this past Sunday. It was a long day of cooking, making raviolis, and spending quality time with family. I wouldn't say that it was a wasted day at all. Maybe I'll just call it a rest day!
Monday (11/19):
Today I knew I had to get out there and do something so I walked around during work and banged out a mile. Only one, and not as good as running, but any movement is better than nothing and I told myself I had to do something. And something is always better than nothing.
Tuesday (11/20):
I had a little bit of time between job #1 and job #2 of the day so I went ahead and ran a mile. Only 1, and it was on the treadmill, but again I am working on getting out and doing something almost every day.
Wednesday (11/21):
This turned into a rest day. Not because I didn't have the time, but because I was exhausted from shopping for Thanksgiving and knew I had a long week still ahead of me. I relaxed for the afternoon, but did dance for a while when I went out with family and friends that evening. Score for creative movement!
Thursday (11/22):
I snuck in a quick treadmill run again. Only to justify the food fest that was going to happen later on in the afternoon. I also made sure I walked around as much as possible.
Friday (11/23):
Again, just 1 mile...something is becoming habit forming, when it really shouldn't be. Oh well... I guess 1 mile is better than nothing. I did spend the whole day cooking and cleaning for family day #4 of the week...this time at my place.
Saturday (11/24):
Saturday was a good day to relax. My boyfriend and I ran errands and just got stuff done. Another Rest Day!
Sunday (11/25):
Today was the most exciting day of the running week! The bf and I did our first interval workout for his training for the Walt Disney World half marathon and it was fantastic. We ran 3 minutes and rested for 1 minute. The intervals were a bit slow for me, but this training is more for him than me. He pushed his heart out for an hour and completed 4.76 miles. I am super proud of him and got in a half way decent run. Here's to hoping he continues his progress since I feel like he's behind schedule for his training. Then again, I probably am too.. But that race is completely for fun.
Total Running Mileage for the week: 7.76 miles. Not bad, definitely not great. Here's to hoping it gets better!
Until next time...
Amanda
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