New Week Resolution - Sleep!

As much as we all hate this fact, amazing results come little pieces at a time.  It doesn't happen overnight (this phrase is used SOOO much in the fitness world, and it drives me a little bit CA-RAZY!).  And, though it's said many times, many ways (is Christmas coming soon?  It must be), it's no less true just because it's annoying. 


You don't have to wait for a new year to make a resolution to change.  In fact, one week is daunting enough!  The reason so many people tend to fail at their new year's resolutions is because they make resolutions that are just too big.  They are unsustainable.  It's great to want to change your entire life, but really, you have to do it in pieces.  Turn bad habits into good habits little bit at a time.  Day by day.  When you've got one bad habit under wraps, you can begin to focus on the next.  And the next.  And the next.  And before you know it, a year has gone by, and 52 habits have changed.  THAT, my friend, is how you make a New Year's Resolution stick!


So, this week, I am focusing on something really hard for me, but really important.  I am working on changing my sleep habits.  Which means...look out world!  This girl is going to be a little bit cranky this week, until a healthy sleep routine kicks in!  But it should only take one day before I'm so tired that I just collapse into bed.  That will be a GLORIOUS moment, for sure!


Waking up early is hard for me, but it is such an important thing to do.  I get so much more done in the morning.  I can ease into waking up by staying in bed and praying, reading a book or watching Netflix.  The harsh, cold world that awaits me doesn't seem quite so bad after I've been up for a while.  I can drink my tea in bed, under the covers, and relish the time before the hustle and bustle of the day. 


I always find that, when I give myself time to be a morning person, I truly am a morning person!  But that time means I have to get to bed earlier, so I can have energy.  That's a tricky part!


Good luck!  And have fun with your mornings from now on!





Check out my products on my beachbody website,
www.beachbodycoach.com/fortheloveoflife
www.shakeology.com/fortheloveoflife
www.myultimatereset.com/fortheloveoflife

 

Today's Workout
Today was a much better day than I expected!  I woke up rather sore from yesterday, and I was coughing a lot, so I thought I'd struggle a ton, but I really didn't.  Actually, my run was rather pleasant (See my video about it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EhJ_UZyxho), and my Insanity workout was not too bad.  I mean, I didn't give 100% because I didn't want to get burned out (like I was talking about yesterday), but I did do an intense workout.  And, to be honest, towards the end, I did have to rest sometimes.  But I'm just not very strong, and so my muscles were quitting without my permission.  So, I guess I did give 100%!

I did the Insanity workout of Cardio Power and Resistance.  If the word "Power" is in a workout, chances are pretty good that I am going to struggle with it.  And I did.  But it wasn't impossible.  It felt good.  And now that I'm done, I feel even better! 

Thoughts on Training
I have gotten really discouraged before, because I'm not very fast, or because I'm not as good as I think I should be.  And that discouragement makes me give up.  Isn't that strange?  It seems like it would motivate you (not, necessarily YOU, specifically, dear reader, but, like, the general, universal "you").  It seems like it would make you want to work harder to get to that point.  But it doesn't.  Not always.  And that is extremely frustrating.

If you're pretty after a workout, you did it wrong!

I think that the great athletes of the world have that right.  I'm not saying that they don't ever get discouraged with their results, but I do think that they have the ability to re-frame their feelings and turn them into something positive. 


I am not watching the videos as I workout right now, because I don't want to get discouraged by the amazing people who are on the video.  They go so fast and with such endurance.  Granted, they do show them taking breaks sometimes, but when they are out there, doing their thing, they are so good, and I just am not.

Competition sometimes motivates and fuels me, but sometimes it just makes me want to give up.  You gotta do what you gotta do to keep your motivation up.  If that means not looking at the screen when you workout, then so what?  It's a simple way to do it.  And you know, I was really proud of myself after today's workout!  I stuck with it the whole time, and that was my goal.  I have nothing to complain about today!

What's on the Menu
Today I ate pizza for lunch.  I know, bad Krissy.  I didn't eat too much I don't think.  I didn't get full.  But, later tonight I am eating some nice, lean chicken and some veggies, so I think that'll balance it out.  It's going to be a very light, very healthy dinner to make up for the bad lunch.

Totals so Far
Days of Training:  7
Miles completed so far:  4
Fastest mile to date:  8:59 minutes
Longest run to date:  1 mile  
 
Check out my Beachbody Site:

www.Beachbodycoach.com/fortheloveoflife

www.shakeology.com/fortheloveoflife

www.myultimatereset.com/fortheloveoflife

Tired Like Crazy

Today's Workout
Today was a purposeful rest day, from running.  But, now that I am doing this whole Team Beachbody thing, I did do my Insanity workout!  Woo hoo!  It's pretty hard, I have to admit.  They definitely named it well!

So, today I "just" did the "Cardio Plyometric Circuit" workout, which was quite difficult.  But, I went at my own pace to make sure that I was staying safe and keeping good form.  And, to me, endurance is more important than just speed, so I really wanted to find that sweet spot in pacing so that I could just finish the DVD.  And, I almost didn't.  I actually kind of thought that I was going to fall on my face during the "In and Outs."  But I didn't!

 Thoughts on Training
I am so tired today.  I am sore from my workout, and tired from the fiasco that my life was yesterday.  And, I'm just, well, very very tired.  I can't decide which is better...more sleep or a workout.  Like, if I have to sacrifice sleep in order to get in a workout, is it worth is?  I'm just not sure.  I made that decision yesterday, and it about killed me.  I had a terrible day because of it.  Like, truly, terrible.  Like, I had a very public breakdown at Hyundai car dealership when I was getting an oil change.  It was a BAD day.  A little more sleep might have been good for me under those circumstances.  But who knows? 

What's on the Menu
For dinner, I made the most delicious Chicken Piccata and Pumpkin Bisque, from the Flat Belly Diet Cookbook!  It was yummy!  I loved it!  It was perfect for this chilly day!

Totals so Far
Days of Training:  6
Miles completed so far:  3
Fastest mile to date:  8:59 minutes
Longest run to date:  1 mile  
 
Check out my BeachBody Site:

Beachbodycoach.com/fortheloveoflife

Shakeology.com/fortheloveoflife

Myultimatereset.com/fortheloveoflife

 

Finding a Good Community

Today's Workout
Like I said in a previous post, I am starting VERY slowly.  Which means that I am not running today.  Right now, I am just trying to do every other day, and it's a little bit frustrating.  I want to get out there and WORK!

I did do my yoga challenge for the day, day 4!  You can watch the video here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLQsM6geGzs.  I am still really enjoying Adrienne's videos.  They are pretty easy right now, but that's perfect for my whole, "taking it slowly" motif.  Someday, it won't be enough for me, but for now, I am just trying to enjoy myself with my yoga!

Thoughts on Training
Training is hard, and people aren't always going to support it.  But, some people will.  It's SO important to find people who will be there for you, supporting you, encouraging you, loving you, and helping you in any way they can throughout your training.  Those people are out there.  Find them.  Community is such an important part of our lives.  Find a good community and let them love you!  And, of course, love them back, too!

What's on the Menu
Today was a bad food day for me.  I definitely indulged in foods I should not have.  Actually, I made healthy choices, I just ate too much of them.  I ate a lot of pumpkin seeds.  It's funny, because I get so annoyed at all of the pumpkin craze, and yet, there I was, snacking on pumpkin seeds.  Pumpkin seeds are actually extremely healthy, but not in the quantity that I ate them in today.  I definitely overdid it.  It's ok, though.  Tomorrow is a brand new day, and I can start fresh then!

Totals So Far
Days of Training:  4
Miles completed so far:  2
Fastest mile to date:  9:18 minutes
Longest run to date:  1 mile  

Lack of Motivation Already?

Today's Workout
It's day three, and what have I experienced?  A lack of motivation of course.  It figures.

Everything went badly today.  I meant to do my yoga in the morning, but I slept in too late.  I just didn't feel like working out.  I ate some chocolate today (although, I was still under my calorie goals I think).  It was just one of those days.  I really didn't feel like working out.  I didn't feel like eating my salad.  I didn't feel like doing anything right.

Riggins sat down after we finished running, and didn't want to get back up!

But guess what?  I did!   That's right!  I ran.  I ate my salad.  And I VERY begrudginly ate did my yoga.  But, alas, I did all of it!  And none of it was that bad.  In fact, some of it was quite nice.  I mean, I think that salad is actually really delicious, and today that proved to be true.  And yoga was amazing, as is always the case.  The yoga video was actually really easy today.  Like, it felt like I didn't even do any work at all.  I do like that, but it was actually almost annoying how easy it was.  But, I was really very tired and so it was probably a good thing that it was so easy.

Here's the link to today's yoga video.  Just because it was kind of easy today doesn't mean it was ineffective.  It was not supposed to be super intense, and it was still a work out.  I still like Adrienne.  So, don't think I'm just bad-mouthing her or that practice.  It just wasn't as intense as I thought it would be.  That's all.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqGHWXjgn-M 



Thoughts on Training
You know, the thing about change is it actually isn't easy.  It's easy to want a change, but you're never going to "feel like" actually doing the work. It's never going to feel good, natural, or easy.  If you want change, you have to make it happen.

Eventually, yes, you should come to find that it's a habit.  But that's not necessarily something that'll happen right away.  It's something you have to work at.  You have to force it for a long time.  And I don't care what they say scientifically, it takes more than 40 days for a habit to stick when the habit is a complete change of lifestyle.

Today, I experienced the urge to quit.  And it's only DAY THREE!!!!!  That's insane!  But, it's what happened.  I can't really change my desire.  I can only complete the goal, hoping that it doesn't feel as bad as I imagine.  Oh, and guess what?  Today, it actually felt good!

What's on the Menu:
Today was a really boring food day.  I enjoyed my salad, but that's not too exciting to talk about.  I used Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing, which just tasted wonderful today.

Other than that, I just ate boring diet-food, with the exception of some M&M's and Hershey Kisses.  But, I didn't pig out on those things.  So, I think I'm doing ok.

Totals so far:
Days of Training:  3
Miles completed so far:  2
Fastest mile to date:  9:18 minutes
Longest run to date:  1 mile 

Marathon Training and Time Management

 Today's Workout:
Today was a rest day for me. I decided immediately that I was going to do my first run, and then I was going to take a rest day the day after.  It's actually really hard for me to be disciplined enough to purposefully take a rest day today, but it has to be done.  Part of the discipline of marathon training is not over-doing it.  It's funny.  People who want to run marathons are typically the type of people who want to overdo things, but it's hard not to.  I'm an extreme person.  So, taking a day off is really challenging.

Also, I got my yoga time done!  Yay!  Today was day 2 of the 30-day challenge!  Click here to see the video and do it for yourself:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB2ISQZ5Mb0 

Thoughts on Training:
I think that part of the challenge of any fitness routine/weight loss program/event training program is time management.  Time is something that people just don't have enough of.  So, it's important to look ahead, make realistic plans, plan for important things (like sleep!  Hello!), and stick to the plan unless a real emergency prevents it from happening.

I have weird and frequently changing work hours, so it's extra important for me to plan ahead, because, well, if I don't, I really run the risk of not getting all of the big and important things in my day, forcing me to cut something important.  That can't happen.

Here is my schedule for tomorrow, Tuesday, October 20, 2015.  I got this all planned perfectly, right?

7:00-7:30 - Pray
7:30-8:00 - Daily chores
8:00-9:00 - Work out (run, stretch, etc)
10:00-11:00 - Shower and stuff
11:00-Noon - Grocery shop/make work meals
Noon-1:00 pm - Lunch time
1:00-10:00 pm - Work



What's on the Menu?
 As you may realize, I am trying to lose a bit of weight with this training.  It's actually kind of difficult to lose weight while training for a marathon, because you get tired and lathargic easy if you don't eat to replace your calories. As my training gets more intense, I will definitely be increasing my food intake.  But for now, I am allowing a deficit. 

I eat a salad every day.  Every.  Single.  Day.  Thanks to Pinterest, I have discovered the amazingness and convenience-ness of salads in mason jars!  It's great!  It's super convenient, easy to do, and fast, and the salad stays fresh!  Wow!  What a concept! 

Also, I try to eat 1/4 or half of an avocado every day.  I usually put them in my salads, but I didn't today because I was craving salsa, and instead of eating salsa with fatty chips, I like to eat it with fatty (although, good fatty) avocados.  Avocados are one of the world's healthiest foods. They are great for speeding up your metabolism.  They are packed with nutrients.  They have lots of filling fiber.  Those fatty acids do wonders for your whole body (including HELPING you to lose weight!).  Plus, they are TAAAAAA-STY!  I love 'em!  Get on the avocado band-wagon.  They aren't a fad.  People have known about the health benefits of avocados for ages. 

Also, I have a really hard time spelling the word "Avocado."  Actually, I know how it's spelled, my fingers just don't want to type it correctly for some reason.  I had to re-type it every time I used it in that last paragraph!  Silly Avocados!  Silly, delicious, nutritious, avocados!

Totals so far:
Days of Training:  2
Miles completed so far:  1
Fastest mile to date:  9:18 minutes
Longest run to date:  1 mile

Beginning again...

Ok.  I know.  I really do know!  You've seen me start this journey before.  Lots and lots and lots of times.  And every time, I've failed.  So why is this time going to be any different?

Funny conversation with the roommate

Well, it might not be.  It might end in failure.



But last time, I got close.  I got real close.  I could almost taste it.  But I got hurt.  And, though there were things I probably could have done differently to prevent that, you can't really help getting hurt when running distances like this.  It's going to happen.  And, I learned a lot of things from that injury, and now I'll do more to prevent that from happening again.  It doesn't mean I won't get hurt.  It doesn't mean I can't get hurt.  It just means that I learned and now I can do more.



But, like I said, I was close. And it killed me to quit.  Now I want more than ever before to cross that finish line.  To have people cheering me on, supporting me.  Loving me.

I think that I can do it this time.



This morning I woke up around 7:30 am.

I got up, picked up some dishes I left out the night before, and decided to really begin.  Usually I start very intentionally, and I make a huge, detailed plan for the following months.  I'm not quite at that point yet.  Right now, my goal is to get several 1-2 mile runs under my belt, do some good stretching, and start with some good workouts.  I want to do this right.  Like I said, I'm in no rush.



I ran 1 mile in 9:18, which is a pretty good time for me.  I'm usually happy with a 10-minute mile, so this was fast for me.

I burned 171 calories.

There are very small hills on this loop.  It's a park by my house.  I like to run there because it's so close to home, because the loop is exactly 0.25 miles, which makes it easy to calculate, and because it's relatively flat (though, not perfectly flat).  For this point in my training (the point of, starting), this is a good place to begin.







Songlist for the day's run:
Ain't Killed Me Yet by Eric Church
I Knew You That Way by Luke Bryan
I'm from the Country by Tracy Byrd.

I love me some country songs!

SOOOOO ugly!

 I am starting slow.  Why rush?  If I don't run a full marathon for over a year, is it the end of the world?  If I get hurt, it'll take longer.  So, let's take our time!  Enjoy it more!

Riggins, looking back at me, saying, "Come on, mom!  Run faster!"

Riggins is going to be my running companion for a while.  Certainly always on my short runs.  He needs the exercise, and he's good company!  As opposed to my "friends" who will absolutely never run with me (but often find others to run with, others who are "cool" enough to run with.  Yes, I did have a friend, who was so clear that she would never run with me no matter what because of how much she hates running, train and complete a 5K with some girls because they were just "so cool" that she wanted to spend as much time with them as possible. I guess I'm not cool enough to run with.  Another friend is doing a Pumpkin Run with her fiance's sister, because she wants to suck up to the family.  She'd never even consider doing that with me, had I asked her to).

Beautiful day for a run!

After today's run, I decided to really stretch well.  And, thankfully, there's this thing called YouTube, which makes it really easy and cheap to find someone to lead me in my stretches (left to my own skills, I'd fail).  I decided to embark upon a 30-day challenge, and so I am using Yoga with Adrienne's challenge.  I really like her yoga videos.  She's funny, and she's "playful," which is helpful.  I feel like she just really wants to make sure that the people watching her videos enjoy yoga, that it's about getting them relaxed, comfortable with their bodies, feeling good, etc.  It's like, a very pressure-free yoga, and I feel SO GOOD when I do her videos.  It's "easy," but not, like, easy.  I don't know how to explain it. But I like it!  Check it out at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBu-pQG6sTY



Please feel free to join me on this journey!  I'm excited, nervous, skeptical, pessimistic, optimistic, happy, concerned, fearful and ready all at the same time!  I need a bit of emotional support if you can't tell! 



Totals so far:
Days of Training: 1
Miles completed so far:  1
Fastest mile to date:  9:18 minutes
Longest run to date:  1 mile