Eat to Live

Yesterday I went for a run/walk. I completed both Week 3 Day 2 and Week 3 Day 3 of the Couch to 5k program.  I usually will complete one 'day' by heading out from home and then walk all the way back home, but I hadn't completed a day since last Wednesday I believe, and wanted to get through it - because I knew I was capable of it.

I was planning on Zumba tonight, but for no good reason decided to not go which left me feeling pretty down about my weight (especially since I stopped and got Rocky Rococo's for supper). I haven't been eating very well, staying in my calorie range for the day? - yes, eating healthy? - no.

More like here and Instagram.

I had put a hold on the book Eat to Live by Dr. Joel Fuhrman on the elibrary.  I read it before a long time ago, but it was more of a skim through rather than a read and absorb.  I like that he knows "diets" don't work and promises that I won't ever go hungry on his plan.  I also really like that the way he says we keep weight off is by eating real, natural food, not by eating the fat free, sugar free, over-processed foods that many diets encourage people to eat.

Challenge accepted!

Since I am going out Friday night to a beer bash, I will start Saturday fresh and on this new eating plan.  Dr. Fuhrman says to give him 6 weeks and it will change my life.  That's a big promise, but I'm willing to take on the challenge.  This will give me a day to plan my meals and grocery shop so I start out successful.

Have you ever read this book or another book to help lose weight or inspire yourself?

Spring is in the Air

I think living in a place where we have long, cold and snowy winters, really makes me more appreciative of sunshine and warm(er) temps, especially since it just snowed 2 days ago. I went outside to do my Couch to 5k workout. I am on week 3 day 1 which consisted of run 90 seconds, walk 90 seconds, run 3 minutes, walk 3 minutes for about 20 minutes.

Some muddiness and puddles from the melted snow.

Spring flooding of the River. 

I bundled up a bit, because the temps are just in the mid 40s and it's pretty windy out.  Otherwise, the sun felt amazing and the air smelled like Spring.  The ducks were swimming in the river, the geese were squawking and strutting around, and the robins were flying back and forth. I felt like I was in a Cinderella movie or something and we were seconds away from bursting into song.

Bundled up, but loving the sunshine.

Today was my day off, so I had the whole day to do what ever I felt like.  I slept til 9.  I was in a baking mood and ended up making a brown sugar and cinnamon coffee cake and a loaf of bread.  I also cleaned the house and did wash.  I know, I know. I'm a wild woman!  I also am reading Game of Thrones, the first book.  I am borrowing it from the elibrary and only get it for 7 days. I have only 4 more days and am not even 20% of the way through.  I may have to just buy the book myself.

Do you run outside?  

Have you read the Game of Thrones series?

Change is a Process

I've had a long hiatus from running. Jomo really hasn't been running all that much since the marathon in October.  I didn't realize how much those 26.2 miles took out of me, physically and emotionally.  I was completely empty of any desire to do any activity...unless you count snacking on the couch cardio.

Sometimes

I recently started running again.  I started the Couch to 5k program, because I can't just run for fun.  I have to have a program to follow.  I use the free app right on my phone so I don't even have to think about when to run or walk. The nice lady just tells me, "Run now" or "walk now". I don't even wear my Garmin. I need a break from being obsessed with time. I just want to enjoy being out there again.  I finished week 2 today.

The app I use

I've also been trying different exercises. I've found a love for Zumba. I've always enjoyed it, but there is a class on Tuesday nights that is just SO fun. I rearranged my work schedule just so I could go to it! I can't believe how much I sweat and how many muscles I can feel working!

During my 6 month running hiatus, I have also gained 20 lbs.  It's pretty depressing, but I just kept eating like I was training for a marathon when I was doing little to no activity.  Now I am trying to work it back off.

I did Weight Watchers for 3 months.  I signed up on my birthday, Dec. 30, after wanting to make a change with my eating habits.  There was a 3 month deal for only $18, so I figured why not?

I lost a couple of pounds, but ended up gaining another 5.  I just couldn't get into it again (I had done it years ago and lost 50 lbs).  So, at the end of the 3 months I cancelled it and started using the free program, myfitnesspal, again.  I deleted my old account and made a new one - sort of like a fresh start for myself. I'm jnmolina if you want to "friend" me.  I have managed to lose 5 lbs so far.

Wanting to change and actually doing it is so hard for me. I'm trying not to make too many changes at once so I don't become overwhelmed. I'm also trying not to put too much pressure on myself to work out.  I become sort of obsessed with it.  That's why I'm not bringing my Garmin on runs or even keeping track of my miles so I don't become obsessed with the numbers.  

Change is a process

I'm planning races again too.  I haven't done any in 6 months. I just did a 5k yesterday and walked it with 2 friends. It was pretty fun, even though it started raining down on us right after mile one!  I have a few more I'd like to do: an 80's themed 5k in June, the Iron Girl in August, and a half marathon in September.  It feels good to finally be looking forward to working out again!

What is your favorite form of exercise?  

My Marathon is Done, Now What?

Every since I ran my marathon over a month ago, I have just not been into working out at all!  I went to a spin class - which I always love.  I went to a new class called body combat - which was aMAzing!  I even ran once or twice...or once.  But that's it.

Never

I blame the marathon.  It's the only logical answer.  I read blogs where the writer ran a marathon and feels great, is already running again, and has another marathon in a couple of weeks.

I ran my marathon and I never, EVER wanted to do it again.  Ever!

Accurate face of pain of how I was feeling.

The actual race passed quickly.  I wasn't in pain until around 16 miles.  And even then, I knew I would finish.  I walked more than I wanted, but I wasn't really negative self talking. I just kept telling myself that I will Never have to do this again once I finish.  That is really what got me through that race.

I was in pain for a couple of days, but I have a job where I am running around for 8 hours so that helped work out the tightness pretty quickly.  I made myself wait to run, but then I never started running again.  I went once for three miles.  It was hard.  The whole time I couldn't believe I ran 26.2.  Why is this so hard?!?!

I love running, really!  I love the freedom, the quiet, the battle with myself, and the feeling of becoming stronger physically and mentally.  But lately, I guess I like sitting on the couch more.  I know the gym class schedule by heart so I can go right after work, but I've done it twice.  Why?  Why have I become such a bump on a log?

Ok, this is really why I love running.

Today is Monday.  I know most people hate Monday's, but I like them.  It's the start of a new week, a fresh beginning.  I am setting the goal to work out 3 times this week any way I want, as long as I get some cardio in.

I hope everyone has a great and successful week as well!

Do you get in work-out slumps?  What helps get you out?

Fear the Deer

I headed out today for my 3 mile run.  Now that I'm not training for anything specific, it's hard to motivate myself to get out and exercise.  I was excited to wear some leg-warmers today.  I made a couple of pairs last year for a costume and really like wearing them for running.  I can wear my capris and still keep my calves warm!

After the first mile I head into a wooded park.  Once in a while I see deer on my evening runs, but figured I'd bee safe this early in the afternoon.  As soon as I rounded the first corner I see a deer ahead staring at me.  I could tell he was a young buck, because of the antlers starting to grow on his head.  I stopped and debated what to do.  I am scared of deer when confronted with them.  They can get cray!  As soon as the second one peeked it's head out from the other side of the path I knew I better just turn around and head back.

They may look innocent enough, but one wrong move and who knows what could happen...am I right??

So, I headed back and got in 2 miles.  They were good miles though and I was glad I went out.

Do you run in the woods and ever see animals?  Do you turn around or just keep going?

Dr. Scholl's Active Series Influenster Review

Influenster sent me some complimentart Dr. Scholl's Active Series insoles to try out and review.

I am generally pretty active, so I was interested to see how these worked.  I wouldn't say I needed them though.  I wear neutral and minimal running shoes, meaning I like little to no support in my shoes.  I like to feel the ground below me and wearing cushioned shoes actually bothers my feet.

Here are some benefits that the insoles say they will deliver:

The first time I tried these out I used them on the elliptical at the gym.  I ended up staying on the machine for almost 2 hours while I watched Spirit of the Marathon.  They seemed to work fine, but my toenails on my big toes sort of throbbed.  I think it was a combo of me needing to cut them and the insoles being thicker than the normal ones so my toes were hitting the top of my shoe more.

I also started wearing them to work.  I have a very active job and am literally running around for 8 hours straight.  The first couple of days, I noticed the insoles were pushing up on my arch.  It caused some discomfort, but I didn't notice it after awhile.  They seem comfortable enough and haven't caused any more discomfort after the arch problem.

Would I buy them?  Probably not...as in no.  Like I said, I like minimal shoes and don't need the extra cushion, especially when working out.  I will keep using them in my work shoes though.

Have you ever used insoles?  What kind?

 "I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes." 

Documentarathon

It has come to my attention that I seem to like doing things that end in -athon: triathlon (close enough), marathon, sleepathon.  So, I've been on a documentary kick over the past week or so.  What did we do before Netflix?

I usually like to watch documentaries that focus on the food industry and how horrible it is; especially when I am trying to eat better.  I've watched a couple of those and more.

There was Bananas!*, a documentary about the Nicaraguan banana workers and the dangers they faced from the pesticides that were rained down on them.

There was Maxed Out, about how credit card companies prey on the poor and unknowing and make it virtually impossible for you to ever repay your debt.

And then my food documentaries: Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead, Food Matters, Vegucated, and Farmageddon.  I was surprised to see Dr. Fuhrman in a couple of these docs.  If you don't know, he wrote Eat to Live and encourages a clean eating lifestyle.  It made me want to reread his book and start  incorporating juicing like in Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead.

Eat to Live

So, I am borrowing my younger brother's juicer while he is gone for a couple of months and I will use it as soon as I get the thing clean.  He may be a great brother, but great at cleaning things? Definitely not.

I don't have the time to juice 3-6 times a day, but  I will definitely be doing it as at least one meal replacer.  I'm pretty excited to try it and will let you know how it goes!

Have you ever juiced?  If so for how long?  Have you ever done any type of cleanse? What did you do?