All posts in category Running

Ready, Set, GO!

This morning I woke up with motivation in my bones, which is a good thing because I have big plans this week!  I took a moment last night to map out my workout this week, and I am ready to get on it!  Here is what it looks like:

Monday: 40 Minute morning walk w/Hanna.  In the afternoon I have a date with the treadmill for a Running for Weight loss Program.  10 Minute walk, 10 minutes alternating between walking/running and then a 5 minute cool down.  Remaining 35 minutes on the Elliptical

Tuesday: 60 Minute morning walk w/Hanna.  Then I will be trying out the “tone zone” exercises that the Running for Weight Loss program suggests.  Plus I can do it from home (since I have all the equipment) which means I only have to get sweaty once a day instead of twice a day like I have been doing.

Wednesday: 40 Minute morning walk w/Hanna.  Afternoon: Running for Weight Loss, walk 10 minutes, alternate walking/running for next 12 minutes walk for 3 minutes.  Remaining 35 minutes on the elliptical.

Thursday: 60 Minute walk w/Hanna.  Then “Rock Solid Abs” from the Women’s Health Website.

Friday: 40 Minute walk w/Hanna.  Afternoon: Running For Weight Loss program, Walk 10 minutes, next 12 minutes alternate walk/run every other minute, walk 3 minutes.

Saturday: Outside run w/Running for Weight Loss program.  Walk 8 Minutes, Next 15 minutes alternating walking/running for 2 minutes each, walk the rest of the walk for 35 minutes.

Sunday: REST DAY

Oh man, those rest days are glorious.

First Day Running Outside in How Long?  

I took a much-needed rest day last Saturday and decided to do my run for my plan on Sunday (which I normally don’t workout on Sunday, and I don’t plan on doing that very often), but since the activity center is closed on Sunday’s I decided that I was going to suck it up and go outside.  I had my hub’s go with me so he could push Hanna in the stroller, and I was praying that the running portions would be on the down hills and not the up hills.

It worked out pretty good because the course I walk is very hilly, but the running parts synced up almost perfectly with the downhill slopes.  It was comfortable, but challenging all at the same time.  I’m pretty sure I got a few good stares from drivers passing by, but I think it’s because I need a better sports bra ;)  I also need to get a new pair of running shoes.  My vibrams are great for when I’m on the treadmill, and when I am just walking outside, but for running outside I need to get some more support.  I’m going to Utah in July sometime, and so I think I will get set up for shoes at a running shop where they can actually analyze my stride (or lack thereof).

Overall Thoughts on Week One of the Running for Weight Loss Plan…

I had a GREAT week, and I looked forward to all of my workouts.  I will say that by the time I hit Sunday I was looking forward to taking one shower and actually doing my hair and make-up.  Since last week I worked out twice a day I pretty much just stayed in workout clothes, or lounging clothes all week-long, and I was ready to get a little prettified.

So far I have had no issues with this program, and it seems to start me off slow, which is exactly what I need to stick with it.  I am a little nervous about running for 30 minutes straight in the 6th week, but we will cross that bridge when it comes!

I’m ready for another week of great workouts!  How about you?  What’s on your schedule this week?

2 Comments
by Shrinking Carrie on May 21, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Running, Running for Weight Loss

Posted by Shrinking Carrie on May 21, 2012

http://shrinkingcarrie.com/2012/05/21/ready-set-go/

Running Day 2, Plus a Weigh in!

Oh man you guys.  I have had a great week.  One of those weeks where you gain some momentum and try new things.  I couldn’t have asked for more motivation this week, and I’m not going to lie, I needed good things to happen.

Let me start on the running front.  I’m trying not to get too excited and go nuts, but yesterday’s run was fabulous!  I walked at a higher mph (3.7, whereas before it was at 3.5), and I ran a little faster (on Monday I ran at a 4, and yesterday I bumped it up to a 4.5).  On Monday I had some knee pain and I am happy to report that yesterday’s run was completely pain-free!  Just like a said a few days ago, with weight loss my running should improve and I did have a great weight loss this week!

Now for the Weight loss:

Starting Weight: 282.8

Get to Fifty in Sixty Starting Challenge Weight (April 30, 2012): 257.2

Last weigh in: 258.4

This Week’s Weigh in: 254.2

Total Loss: -4.2

Total Overall Loss: 28.6

This week I really tried to stay focused, but in all actuality, it was the hour and a half of exercise I’ve been doing daily, and journaling my food.  I have tracked every piece of food that has entered my mouth, and it has paid off.  If you want to see exactly what I’m eating my food journal is public on Myfitnesspal and my user name is carrieseals.

As for the exercise.  I am not the kind of person who can walk for 30 minutes a day and see a loss.  I think I’ve screwed up my body’s metabolism so badly that I have to put more time and effort into the gym.

This week I have been trying to get out of the house in the morning and go for a 40 minute walk with my little girl.  I do this for a few reason’s:

  • Exercise, of course
  • so my child doesn’t go stir crazy
  • so I don’t spend more money on gas driving all over the place, and to save more money in general
  • It makes me feel like I’ve gone somewhere, even though I haven’t
I have been burning about 385 calories a day doing this, and then about 600 calories when I go to the gym in the afternoon to either strength train, do the elliptical, or use the treadmill for my running schedule. Let me just say that if I keep this up I’m going to have to invest in some more workout clothes and sports bra’s!  When I went to put on my workout clothes for the second workout they are still wet with sweat!  Ew!
I haven’t gone to work out with the girls from my church in a while because I have been spending a TON of money on gas lately.  I went to filling up once a month, to filling up almost 5 times a month!  That is a lot of money in gas!  Plus, Hanna has gotten pretty needy lately, and I don’t get a good workout when she wants me to constantly cuddle with her (not that I mind the cuddling!).
Anyway, I’m now rambling.  Have a great Thursday!

 

3 Comments
by Shrinking Carrie on May 17, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Running, Weigh in

Posted by Shrinking Carrie on May 17, 2012

http://shrinkingcarrie.com/2012/05/17/running-day-2-plus-a-weigh-in/

Running Day 1

I use the term “running” very loosely considering it was more like a very slow jog.  Back in the day (early 20′s), I could run 5 miles a day at 6 mph.  My cool down was a brisk walk at 4 mph.

Yesterday I was “running” at 4.2 mph.  Oh how the mighty have fallen.  I know that seems kind of downer, but trust me, yesterday was pretty monumental for me.  I actually STARTED my workout with a runner’s high, and it was a great warm-up for the 25 minutes on the elliptical I did after.  It left me a pretty sweaty mess:

And that folks is an award-winning zit right there.

What I Felt Like During the run

To my lungs the run felt effortless.  In fact, I was barely breathing when I was done with the 6 minute intervals of walking and running.  I was kind of surprised.  On the second minute of running I decided to kick it up a notch and upped it to 4.5.  My lungs felt fine and I still was not getting my heart rate up very much, but then my left knee started to get a dull pinch in it so I put it back down to a 4.  The pain was in my left knee, which is strange because usually there is a small pain in my right leg (the leg I fell on, and injured myself with when I was 21).

The only thing I can say is that I am still very overweight and for right now listening to my body is best.  If I have to keep the pace lower so that my aches and pains subside I will do just that.  The weight will start to come off, and my lungs and body will sync up perfectly, I have no doubt.  I will not quit this running program just because I can’t go as fast as I want to go.  It will come with time.

On the Diet Front

For the first time in a week and a half I have seen a loss on the scale.  I changed a few things in my diet and I think it has made a difference.  I’ve added some more protein and I think it has been the missing puzzle piece.  I’ve started eating chicken and eggs again (mostly egg whites).  It seems like it’s the only way I can get my protein high enough without going over on my  carbs and calories.

I truly believe that there is no one way for people to eat.  I think that many people thrive in different kind of diets, and you have to pick the one for you.  Even on the weeks that I was eating perfectly I was not seeing losses, and felt like I was depriving myself of foods that could help me in my weight loss, and now I can say that I have honestly done something long enough to see how it affects my body, and adding meat back into my diet has not affected my energy levels at all.  Which is great!

So there you have it.  My first day running, although a little frustrating, was a success!  The thing that keeps me going is knowing that I will improve.  I have nowhere to go but up!

 

6 Comments
by Shrinking Carrie on May 15, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Challenges, Commitment, Diet, Energy, Making It Happen, Running, Workout

Posted by Shrinking Carrie on May 15, 2012

http://shrinkingcarrie.com/2012/05/15/running-day-1/

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