It's Official

I'm running a 10K. Even though I've been training for the Tufts 10K, I haven't registered. Until tonight. So, that makes it no longer just an idea, it's for real people! This is my last week of training for it, which is great, because I'm looking forward to hitting the weights an extra day of the week, and being able to have more flexibility with my workout schedule. I've been doing early morning workouts every day, which gives me one 14-hour day/week, and some other fairly long days. I will still do the morning workouts, but I will be able to choose the days so that it allows me to get a bit more sleep. Sleep is good.

I had a good run Wednesday morning - my time has improved since I started. I also had a kick-ass workout Friday, which I'm proud of because I postponed it from morning to afternoon and then almost skipped it. Those 50-lb push presses are killer, not to mention the 50-lb lunges and then floor wipers. Then a 2-mile run after. Fun fun fun!

I work with a woman who works out regularly. But you really can't tell. I don't want to be one of those people, who works out all the time but has very little bodily evidence, so to speak. I mean, I like to work out cuz it makes me feel good, but I don't want to put all the work in and then not look like it at all.

5 Miles

My 5 miler was good. I'm proud - I feel like 5 is a nice number to be able to run. Of course, I haven't even run my 10K yet, but I'm thinking about a half marathon. The good thing is that my pace was pretty good, a little faster than it has been previously, but my heart rate was lower, which I think means it was easier for me to run faster. So that makes me feel good. Speaking of feeling good, thanks for all the encouragement and positive comments on yesterday's blog. :)

I ate potato chips today. Bad girl. I was sleepy and trying to make it through an orientation meeting, and I caved in to the Lay's. Betcha can't eat just one! The good thing is that I put a handful on my plate, and resisted the temptation to get some more. I don't even really like chips! But still, it was a bad decision. :(

This is How We Do It...

This is a picture of the majority of my food consumption for the week - 3 different kinds of meats being marinated (salmon, pork loin and chicken), carrots, sugar snap peas, salad, tuna salad, 3 days worth of BCAAs, 10 servings of protein powder, and hummus. Tuesday I'll cook meat for the remainder of the week. Although my weight loss for the week was a wee bit disappointing, I know that had I not invested this time over the past 3 weeks, I would have gained weight, or at least stayed the same. It's not fun, but it's worth it. Although I only lost .4 lbs this week, I lost 1 inch off my hips. Yay! Oh, but at least my partner the Swankmeister held it down with 3 pounds - go swanky!

Tomorrow is my first ever 5 mile run. Woo hoo! I mapped my route, and I'm on my way to bed so I can get up bright & early and get it done. Wish me... something. :)

As I mentioned, my weight loss was minimal this week, but I'm making a couple of changes this week, and we'll see how it goes. I've been eating a carby breakfast in honor of my morning runs. Not this week. Umm... that's the only change. Here goes another week in the life of Rebecca!

Weird, I Know

I'm so proud of me. I skipped the gym today, and I'm skipping tomorrow too. For most people that would not be a source of pride, but it is for me. My challenge in life is often doing too much, pushing my body too hard. But last night I didn't feel so well, and rather than pushing myself, I took the morning off from my work out, and I feel so much better today! I decided that I needed the sleep more than I needed the cardio. So Sunday I will get back on it, but I'm proud that I was able to make that decision for myself, and do what is good for me. Yay!

Just Had to Say

I just wanted to say that I worked my ass off today. I did 3 sets 15 of floor wipers holding a 50-lb barbell, lunges with a 50-lb barbell, and push/presses with a 50 lb barbell. Whoa. Nice way to start my day. :)

Just One of Them Days

Today was one of those 'awe, man, it's time to get up already?!' days. I babysat twice this weekend, didn't get in the bed until about 1:00 am, and was supposed to get up at 6:30 to run 4.5 miles. When my alarm went off, I debated. I was all set to sleep for another hour, but at the last minute, I decided to just get up and run. Because I lingered in the bed, my run was cut short by 1 mile, but better that than nothing, right? Right.

Another Week...

I remember years ago, when I was young & foolish, my older, wiser brother said to me: 'perspective is reality'. I disagreed with him then, but I have come to realize that he is right. Since today is his birthday, I just might tell him that.

Whatever perspective a person has shapes everything: their thoughts, feelings, beliefs, actions, attitude. Sometimes a simple perspective change (or paradigm shift, as Steven Covey calls it) can radically alter someone's life. I mean, we have all experienced the pain of trying to help someone change something that we clearly see is bad for them. But until they see it for themselves, our efforts will be futile.

I guess for me, the bottom line is that my perspective on the various aspects of my life: school, weight loss, relationships, dictates how I handle them. School is my number 1 priority. I have been feeling a tad bit overwhelmed by the amount of reading that I have to do, but I realized that I need to be reminding myself that I am capable of handling all of it, and that I am privileged to be in school, and grateful to be learning about what I love. When I take on that perspective, it's easier and less daunting.

Weight loss is also a top priority and my perspective on it is that it's not an option - gotta do what I gotta do to get it done, as quickly as possible. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm not willing to starve myself or take any other drastic measures, but within reason, I need to do what it takes to get it done. It's a sacrifice. I spend a lot of time planning meals, meal times, shopping lists, cooking, and preparing for my week so that I can eat well. But my perspective tells me that there is no alternative. There is an abundance of food opportunities around work & school, and if I am not prepared with my own food, I will indulge. Not a good idea for my pocket or my waistline. So... I spend the time to prepare & plan.

I've worked pretty hard pretty consistently for over a year. September 12 was my weight loss anniversary. 42 lbs later, I have learned a lot. I am a better, more confident person. Although I am not any happier necessarily, I am happier with myself, if that makes sense. I have lost 10 inches from my waist, about 5 from my hips, and 4 from my thighs. (I'm speaking from memory, so those aren't exact numbers). And I have a sense of accomplishment that no one can take from me. Cuz nobody did it for me. People helped me, and I'm SO grateful for it. It's not even about wearing a smaller size or looking better in my clothes (although I am NOT mad at those things!) It's about taking control of my life, putting my priorities in order, and doing what it takes, day after day, to get it done.