I'm a Bad Blogger!!!

Hello all my little lovies! Well. I stink as a blogger lately. I've got the same old story. I'm reading...blahblahblah...haven't been commenting...blahblahblah...seems like blog-land overall has gotten quieter. I'm making it a commitment to not only start blogging more often myself, but actually post the comments that pop into my head when I read all of your blogs. With that said...what's new with me? Well, the biggest news is that I got a job!!! No more lounging on my couch all day. I'm working for a media company, supporting 2 sales teams, and basically helping run the office. They're paying me to be bossy and organize things. Perfect. It's been really good so far, everyone is really fun, and I like it a lot. There's a few paths I'm thinking about, to see what kind of advancement opportunities are possible...but that's all a bit down the road. Running is going really, really, really well. I'd have to go back and check to see where I was in C25k the last time I posted, but I finished it a few weeks ago. I was running the full 30 minutes, but not hitting the 5k distance (3.1 miles) because I was still running pretty slow. So, Trainer and I decided that before he got all happy with training plans, I'd work my way up to that. Tonight I did 3.01 miles...so I'd guess sometime this week I'll hit the official 5k mark (3 miles took me 40 minutes, 42 or so should get me to 3.1). I'm a real runner now, guys! Woo! Who would have thought even a few months ago that I'd be running?? Not me, that's for damn sure. The gym is also still going really well. I was a bit worried about how I was going to continue my very ambitious gym schedule once I started working, and while it's been a little bit of a challenge, for the most part, I'm keeping up with it. On average, I'm running 4x a week, lifting weights 1x a week with Trainer, doing Pilates 1x a week, and doing yoga 1-2x a week. I'd like to lift 2x, Pilates 2x, yoga 2x, and run 5x, but until I upgrade my gym membership to access all of the locations, that doesn't seem likely. I haven't weighed myself in weeks. Probably at least six. The last time I did, when my weight was stagnant at 222.1 for the umpteenth week in a row, and I almost Frisbee'd my scale out the window, I decided a break was in order. The break has been good, because I've been focusing on my fitness and just trying to eat well. In that time, I know for sure I've lost a lot of inches. I look slimmer and and feel better...so I've decided the break is over. Now, I just have to remember to weigh myself on Thursday, since I've gotten so out of the habit! My band is being finicky lately...no rhyme or reason to when it's going to act up. Pretty annoying. I'm going on vacation for 9 days in August, and haven't seen Dr K since March, so I decided to get an unfill for a bit. So next week I have an appt for that - not going to completely unfill, but I'm planning on taking out at least 1cc. I don't remember where I am right now, 7.7cc, maybe? Since I wasn't working, I didn't want to commit to BOOBS, and then possibly have to back out and screw someone else over. Now that I do have a job again, registration is closed :( I sent an email to the planners asking them to keep me in mind if anyone backs out...so hopefully I can make an appearance!!! That's all I've got for now...I promise to do a better job being active 'round these parts! xoxo

10 Things Thursday (on Saturday!)

I've been less bloggy lately - but I've been reading faithfully!!! I decided to do random bullet points today, since I don't have many cohesive thoughts. 1. I just finished Week 6 of Couch-2-5k. I was terrified of the 20 minute run at the end of Week 4, but Trainer and I came up with a plan, and I did it!!! Week 6 is the last of the intervals, and then the last day is a 22 minute run, which I'm happy to report I crushed yesterday. By crushed, I mean it was easy. At no point did I have doubts, unlike every other single run I've done. Onto Week 7, where it's a 25 minute run! 2. I GOT A JOB!!! Kinda fell into my lap and all happened very quickly, but Trainer set up a swim date for me and another one of his clients, and we were chatting, and her company was looking for someone. She emailed me the next day, I went in for an interview, the person they were looking for describes me to a tee (organized and bossy, um...have you been stalking me?!)...and so I start Monday. I'm excited! 3. I'm not going to make it to Chicago this year. I've kinda known for a while, as so hadn't put myself on the attendee list...but finally made the official decision. To all of my friends I met last year, I'll miss you! To everyone knew who is going, you'll have a blast!!! 4. Weight is still the same. Apparently my plan to focus on eating right and not the number on the scale is a big fail. Since my brain turned it into "we're not on a diet anymore, woo!" 5. As soon as I figure out the landscape of the new job (hours, kitchen space, lunch time, etc)...time for another re-commit. I tend to do better with this while I have structure, which is something I've not had too much of lately. This week, though, I plan on being easy with both diet and workouts. 6. I'm putting school on pause again. It's too much for me right now! 7. My mom's pool is open, and we went in the other night. 'Twas glorious. I plan on spending a lot of Sundays at Mom's house. 8. My apartment is thisclose to being fully decorated, after 20 months of living here. Just in time for my lease renewal, which is always a scary time. Ahh, NYC living. 9. I'm covered in bruises, and have no idea where any of them came from. I think someone is sneaking into my apartment and beating me in my sleep. Not cool. 10. I think I need an unfill. My band has been angry lately. Not sure when I can get in to see Dr K, though...with the new job. Sigh. xoxo, Liz

More Running and and a Recipe!

I've been reading faithfully, and even commenting...but haven't been writing much myself because I feel boring. In a good way, but boring nonetheless.

My life is currently revolving around the gym. Yep, that's right. I'm a gym rat. I'm only working a few nights a week (which requires no brainpower), and finally got a good handle on the demands of my schoolwork (current class requires very little!), so my brain is focused on my workouts. Being proud of myself for my last one, recovering from it physically, prepping for my next one, etc. When there are 7-8 workouts a week, that takes up a lot of time!

Running is still going really well. The way Trainer and I have been working it is that Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, I do the Couch25k program, and then Friday, he and I do something complementary to whatever is going on in the program before moving on to strength training. I mentioned a few weeks ago that I was terrified of the 20 minute run in Week 5...so I decided to repeat Week 4 in order build a better base and squeeze an extra session with him in. Well, it seemed to work - last week's repeat of Week 4 seemed much easier, and then on Friday, he had me run 15 minutes. FIFTEEN MINUTES STRAIGHT!!! We were going to follow that up with a 10 minute run (after a walk break, of course), but my knee was feeling wonky, and it was affecting my stride, so we nixed that idea after another few minutes.

Which means this Thursday is the dreaded 20 minute run. Except it's not as dreaded anymore, since we built up to it in a more logical way than the program. I'll be really excited when (please note usage of when, not if!) I complete it. The program just builds from there, but that was the big, scary hurdle I had to get over (get it? Hurdle? A running pun!!! Sorry...)

SINCE the running is going so well (a few injuries notwithstanding)...I've been playing with the idea of a few races this fall. I had already decided to sign up for a mud run near my mom's house in September (5k), but since that's trails, was going to run/walk that one. I think I'm also going to do a 1 miler down Fifth Avenue, and then contemplating a 4 miler in Central Park later in the fall. Have I lost my mind?! Yes probably.

On tap for today: yoga in a little bit (intense vinyasa flow - kicks my ass and I love it), then later tonight, Week 5/Day2 of C25k inserted into an hour on the t'mill, followed by about 35 minutes of strength training.

OK. Enough boring workout stuff. Let's move on to...FOOD! Last year, I bought an ice cream maker attachment for my beloved pink Kitchen Aid mixer. I spent too much time being overanalytical about the recipes I was looking at, and never ended up making anything. This year, I vowed that I was going to get out of my head, and just make something. After poking around a few recipes just to get an idea of proportions...I took the plunge and made Frozen Peach Greek Yogurt. And it's delicious!!!

Frozen Peach Greek Yogurt

Makes 8 servings (1/2 cup each)

Ingredients:
4 cups plain non-fat Greek yogurt (I used Chobani)
16 oz. frozen sliced peaches, thawed (I used Dole, you could probably also use fresh, but they're more expensive for me!)
1/2 cup Splenda for baking Zest and juice of 1 large lemon

In a food processor or blender, combine peaches, Splenda, lemon zest and lemon juice. Pulse until chunky (I wanted big chunks of peaches in mine, but this is up to you). In a large bowl, fold peach mixture into yogurt. Follow directions on your ice cream maker to freeze, then transfer into a container to ripen. Freeze for about 2 hours, or until desired firmness.

Nutrition (as per MFP):
Calories: 101
Carbs: 11
Fat: 0
Protein: 12

The next time I make it, I'll probably double the peaches. The lemon takes over (not in a bad way, I just wanted peach yogurt, not lemon yogurt). It tastes like a creamy lemon ice. I divvied it up into 1/2 cup containers as soon as it came out of the ice cream maker, so it's already portioned out. It's got a great balance of sweet and tangy. Yum!

Hope everyone is having a great week!

xoxo!

I Ran 10 Minutes Straight!

Just a quickie to report that. And actually, I ran 10 minutes, walked 5, then ran another 10. Oh, and then I got off the t'mill, and had a major case of the lightheads. Apparently watching me walk across the gym to the next set of torture devices was hilarious, since it looked like Trainer was going to pee himself, or at the very least strain something, he was laughing so hard. Evil, I tell ya.

As far as the "move on to Week 5 or repeat Week 4" dilemma, we decided I should repeat Week 4. He still thinks I can do the big scary 20 minte run at the end of Week 5, and I tend to agree, but I am not ready mentally. So we did the 10 minute run today...I'll do Week 4 again next week, and we'll probably do a 15 minute run or something like that next Friday, THEN I think I'll be ready for Week 5. Yikes.

Apparently, I'm allowed to call myself a runner now, since I ran for 20 minutes, run 4 times a week, and have had 2 running injuries (knees crapped out and a bruised toenail). So, uh...I'm a runner? OK, then...

I'm headed back to the gym for a stretch session. It's the only thing that makes him kicking my ass regularly worth it, I swear..!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

xoxo

Running Is Not Killing Me!

I finished Week 4 of C25k today. This week's runs were all the same: 5 min walk to warm up, run for 3 minutes, walk for 90 seconds, run for 5 minutes, walk for 2.5 minutes, run 3, walk 90, run 5, cool down for 5 minutes. On Day 1, I did the runs at the speed I've been doing all of the other weeks (~5.2mph)...and it was HARD. I had to double the walks just to catch my breath. On Day 2, my trainer happened to be at the gym when I was getting ready to start my workout, and I mentioned to him that I'd doubled the walks...and he urged me not to, and to follow the program. (Methinks he's just looking for another running buddy!) He suggested dropping the speed to about 4.7mph. Well, surprise, surprise...it was much easier, and I was able to do the prescribed run/walk intervals. Today I did Day 3, and it was wayyyy easier. I was pretty impressed with myself.

Which brings me to Week 5...with its dreaded 20 minute run. I'm so scared of this run that I'm considering repeating Week 4 to just get another week of base training before I try to tackle it. I'm going to run it by Trainer tomorrow during our session...but I know he's going to tell me to try it. What does he know, silly athlete?

In my last blog, I mentioned that I was going to not focus on the number on the scale for a while. I'm still weighing during this time...but not letting it get me down. Since I've shifted to focusing on making sure my input and output are on track...I'm hoping that it all falls into place from there.

Hope everyone is having a great week!

xoxo

Great Workout Week!!!

I totally kicked some major ass in the gym this week. I felt the need to post about it. Don't mind my bragging.

Sunday: C25k W3D1, as part of a 53 min t'mill workout (506 cal) Monday: T'mill 38 min (313 cal) Tuesday: Yoga 1 hour (285 cal), C25k W3D2, as part of 1 hour t'mill workout (693 cal), Strength Training 35 min (245 cal) Wednesday: Private Pilates session 55 min (226 cal) Thursday: C25k W3D3, as part of a 40 min t'mill workout (355 cal) Friday: Personal Training session, 125 min, included 1:45 cardio and 40 min of weights (1033 cal), Yoga 1 hour (376 cal)

Saturdays are always my day off, so my workout week goes Sunday to Friday. This week, I checked into the gym 8 times in 6 days. Yeah me! Next week's plan is the same (Week 4 of C25k), and adding a yoga class and Pilates mat class on Sunday.

Weight this week was up...I decided for the next few weeks, I'm going to not focus on the number on the scale, and focus on fueling my body properly and moving it a whole lot. I've definitely got the second part of that down...but need to work on the first a bit.

Running is going well, since a slight setback with my knees a few weeks ago. They still twinge, but not badly enough to stop me. I'm pretty stubborn! Luckily, my trainer is a runner, and keeps a close eye on me to make sure I don't go too far. Next week the runs get a little longer, and then in Week 5, I'm supposed to run 20 min straight. That seems bananas to me, so I sent the training schedule to my trainer, and he's going to play with it a little to build it to that gradually. I think I'll definitely be repeating a few weeks in the program. At this point, it's 50/50 physical/mental. The short runs are easy physically but I still have to pump myself up to do them. The longer runs are tougher, obviously...during a 5 minute run today I thought I'd die around minute 4...but pushed through and made it to the end. I'm not sure I like running yet...but I do like feeling accomplished afterward...so I'll at least get to the 5k, and then we'll see from there. Plus I think it'd break my trainer's heart if I quit on him...so I'll keep at it for now.

Other than that...not much else going on! Keeping busy with the gym, school and the few nights a week I'm working at the club. Looking for a day job hardcore, and hoping something happens soon.

Hope everyone is well...enjoy the holiday weekend!!!

xoxo Liz

I'm Not Dead!!!

Wow. Two months since I've posted or read blogs. BAD ME!!! I've been thinking of you all every day, but you know how it goes, the longer you go without doing something...the harder it is to get back to it. So where the hell have I been? Well, right here on my couch, I guess. Oh, and at the gym. Definitely not at work. School has been kicking my ass. And in turn, I'm kicking its ass right back. My grades for my first 2 classes, Business Communications & Critical Thinking and Conversational Spanish I, were A- and A respectively. I'm in my 3rd class, Business Computing Applications, and it's boring the shit out of me, so I'm losing focus. But today I have vowed to get back on track. The gym is still going really, really, really well. Who knew that once I got off my ass and actually started working out that I would grow to love it so damn much??? I'm still going to the gym 5-6 days per week, and even some days, getting in a 2-a-day. I've been doing Pilates, walking, lifting weights, and recently started running and doing yoga. I tweaked my knees running the other day, which means this week has been a waste for cardio, so yesterday my trainer introduced me to the rowing machine, and we decided to go to another location of the gym next week and he's going to give me a swim lesson (I know how to swim, but it's been years since I did laps, and have never done so for the purpose of exercise, which I would guess is a bit different than floating around a pool!) Running has been a slow curve, but my trainer is a running coach and marathon runner, so I'm in good hands with him. I am in love with yoga, I just started doing it a few weeks ago and I want to do it every day! Weight loss has been non existent. Logically I know that I'm putting on a lot of muscle, so that even while I look slimmer, I'm not necessarily burning as much fat. I'm hoping that will come soon - and that I'm establishing the foundation for that. I can't deny that my diet has been crap, as well. I got way off track with my "tracking" (no pun intended), and every time I try to get back on track, I lose focus pretty quickly. (See a recurring theme here?) I've been pretty checked out in lots of ways, I guess. Still looking for a job. Not getting anywhere with that. Well, that's it for this rant. I'm going to try to catch up on some blogs and see what I've missed. I'll be back soon, I promise, and maybe with some pictures! xoxo