Thrive Day 3

So with today being the last day of my Thrive sampler, I have to admit that I'm kind of bummed that I don't have anymore to take in the morning. While no, I haven't had loads of endless energy that some have, I definitely feel like it gave me a little extra bounce in my step!

I'll be completely honest in that I'm running on only about 12 - 13 hours of sleep all weekend, and I can't say I've really felt tired once so far. Friday, I was easily up to 2:00 am after waking up at 6:30. Saturday, I woke up at 8:00-ish and didn't get to bed until after 1:00 even though I felt horrible all day. Today, I woke up around 8:00 am again and am still awake at 12:18.

Today was definitely a much better day as I felt about 75% better. Not quite fully normal as of yer, but a definite improvement over Saturday. I believe tomorrow I'm going to order my first full month of Thrive and see how that goes. I intend to complete the 8 week challenge before completely passing judgement of the Thrive system, but so far I'm pretty pleased even though I haven't seen anything drastic changes from it.

Thanks for reading!

Better Week, But Not Great

I've decided to start posting only a few times a week instead of every day since not much changes from day to day.

This week was a little better than last week.  I didn't get out to run Monday morning because Jacob and Harley had been sick the night before and I really didn't want to go out by myself.  Tuesday, I worked out with the Wii Fit and Wii Active games.  Wednesday, I went out for an early morning run with Harley.  Thursday and Friday I didn't get a workout done.

Since Emma has started school, it's really thrown off my routine.  I would love to be able to go run after dropping her off at school, but I can't leave Ava, who is usually awake until about 11:00.  After that, it's too hot to be out running.  I'm aiming to make this week better.

I am pretty proud of myself though, as I've lost almost 5 pounds in the two weeks since cleaning up my diet!  I feel better about myself.  My jeans that used to fit well are now a little looser and slightly baggy.  A few of my shirts are looser as well.  I'm definitely pretty pleased with myself :)

Thursday - Wii Active Workout

I normally don't work out other than my running, but my kids and I spent the day at my parents house today because my air went out and the heat index is 112°F.

It all started with me trying to get Emma Grace, my four year old, to play Mario Cart. She played a race or two, but lost interest because Ava, my two year old, was amassing a huge pile of toys that Emma wanted to play with.

While they were playing, I played a few Wii games, but none were really holding my interest. Then, I remembered that my parents have Wii Fit, so I wanted to play it. My Dad and I spent a good 30 minutes looking for the Balance Board, but couldn't find it. So I decided to play Wii Active instead.

I picked a pretty high intensity 30 minute work out and started sweating it out. After 40 minutes, I was finally finished with the workout.. and I burned about 220 calories!

I think I may have to start coming by to bug my parents on my non-running days to come use the Wii because it really kicked my butt! Plus, it would balance out the cardio of running with a bit of strength training.

Weekly Weigh In

As promised, here are my updated stats:

Arms - 12.25
Chest - 37.5
Waist - 41
Hips - 42.75
Thighs - 21.5
Weight - 172.2
BMI - 27.4

I am dissappointed, but I also understand why I gained it back. This week, my goal is to do all three of my runs and drink at least 54 ounces of water every day.

C25K: Week 3 Day 2

I know I said I was going to post yesterday, but ad I was getting up and getting ready I noticed the house was awfully hot. Turned out, there was something wrong with our A/C system that we spent most of the day fixing.

I went out for a run today instead. Maybe it's a good thing this week is going to be a 3 day week instead of a 4 day. My shins are really sore from Monday's run, so I may have a few weeks of "recovery" 3 day runs instead of jumping back into the 4 day weeks like I was planning.

Anyway, here are today's stats:
Distance - 2.62 miles
Time - 37:36 minutes
Average Pace - 14:19/mile
Fastest - 9:03/mile
Slowest - 96:33/mile ??
Calories Burned - 281

I must have walked faster than usual today, as my average pace is almost a minute faster than usual, even though my running was a little slower. I will admit, I have been trying to speed it up because I want to keep my heart rate up in the "calorie burn" zone.

I changed up my route slightly today as Harley has been getting stickers in his feet in one particular area. I considered trying to put socks or something on his feet to try to try to repel them, but I know he would absolutely refuse to go outside if I did. If he did decide to put up with the sicks, hoeever, it would be quite comical to watch him trot along beside me!

It's been quite humid here the past few days, so any little breeze is much appreciated. However, on my last 3 minute round, I was running against the wind and it literally felt like I was trying to move a mountain. And it wasn't even a strong breeze!

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go soak my shins an some Epsom salt bath. I'll see you guys Friday!

C25K: Week 3 Day 3

Today was rough!  According to the weather, it was 132 degrees Fahrenheit when I went out!  Now, we all know it wasn't actually (more like 70 degrees), but it sure felt like it!  The weight of the humidity in the air felt like I was running with an extra ten pounds strapped to my middle.

And if that wasn't bad enough, there were birds everywhere this morning.  And Harley is a Catahoula Cur mix, which means he was bred to be a hunting dog..  So he was trying to chase all of the birds.  One time, he actually darted in front of me and halfway across the road to chase a bird that had swooped past.  Thankfully there wasn't a car coming.

Today's stats are:
Time - 37:07 minutes
Distance - 2.44 miles
Fastest - 10:17/mile
Slowest - 34:48/mile
Avg. Pace - 15:12/mile
Calories Burned - 260

I believe that I'm going to bump up my mileage next week from 7.5 miles to 10 by adding in an extra running day.  So my new running schedule will be Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.  I'll be adding in repeat day for my C25K program instead of advancing to the next week.  I may even be repeating Week 3 next week as it's pretty tough and Week 4 will be even tougher.  Week 4's workout is run 3 minutes, walk 90 seconds, run 5 minutes, walk 2.5 minutes, run 3 minutes, walk 90 seconds, run 5 minutes.  I'll give it a try Monday before I make my final decision, however.

I'll see you tomorrow for my weight in!

New Name, Same Blog

Hi guys!  What do you think of the new name?  I'm pretty excited about it!  I decided to rename the blog as I no longer use it as it was originally intended (as a food diary to keep me more accountable).  I now also have a personal Instagram account that I will post updates on and be a little more visual with my daily life than on here.  Pop on over to IG and follow me if you'd like!

Easter Break Catch Up

Hi guys!

I hope everyone had an enjoyable holiday weekend!  I had an extremely busy (yet wonderful!) Easter break, so I'm just now catching up on my posts.  My last weigh in results (which I actually took Monday morning) are:

• Arms - 12 (down 0.5")
• Chest - 36.75 (down 1.25")
• Waist - 41.25 (down 1.25")
• Hips - 41.75 (down 1.25")
• Thighs - 21.25 (down 1.25")
• Weight - 168.6 (down 3 lbs)
• BMI - 26.8 (down 0.5)

I know last post I stated that I was going to repeat my C25K program's Week 2 again until I felt more comfortable running as long as Week 3, but I think part of my inability to keep up was the fact that I went at the hottest point of the day.  The heat just sapped all of my energy.

So this week, I've been doing Week 3.  I did Day 1 yesterday and Day 2 today, as I'm trying to get my running back to my Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule.  Friday, I will be completing Day 3.  I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to repeat Week 3 a few times.  Running for a  solid three minutes is extremely tough!

Week 3's course is running 90 seconds, walking 90 seconds, running 3 minutes, walking 3 minutes and repeating.  Yesterday, I was unable to run the first 3 minutes.  I found a better pace and was able to go the full 3 minutes the second time, however.  Today, I was able to do both 3 minute times.

Week 3 Day 1 Stats:

Distance - 2.57 miles

Time - 35:40 minutes
Fastest - 8:33/mile
Slowest - 33:43/mile

Avg. Pace - 13.51/mile

I ran my fastest 1K by running it in 6:56.  I ran my fastest mile at 12:48.

Week 3 Day 2 Stats:

Distance - 2.46 miles

Time - 38.05 minutes
Fastest - 9:50/mile
Slowest - 27:28/mile

Avg. Pace - 15.27/mile

Today's average pace should have been faster, but I had to chase down my dog and walk her back to the house in the middle of my run.  Emma Grace, my oldest, let her out of the house.

I love seeing my records update on Nike+ Running.  I can't believe I've come so far!  Here are my beginning times:

1K - 16:53

1 mile - 17.25

I can't wait to see how much faster I get and how much further I can go!

Thanks for reading!

C25K: Week 2 Day 1 Repeat

Yesterday I completely skipped doing Insanity.  As the weather warms up, my house gets to almost 80 degrees F during the day, which I feel is just a little too hot to be doing that kind of activity.  I'll try doing it earlier than I have been before I put it back on the shelf until cooler days.

Today, I went out running much later than I usually do.  I actually went at the hottest time of day because my children woke up extra early this morning.  They usually don't wake up until 9-ish, but my youngest woke up screaming about 7:45 while I was getting dressed to go out.  I guess she had a bad dream.

It was so hot when I went out today that I couldn't keep up with my Week 3 Day 1 run.  I decided to back track and start Week 2 over again as I still have difficulty running for that length of time.  I'll repeat Week 2 at least one more time before I progress to Week 3.

If I go out that late again, I'm going to have to take a bottle of water with me at least for Harley.  I was afraid he was going to get too hot.  I tried to let him drink from a small stream, but as he approached, a turtle that we both failed to see dove into the water.  He charged about 10 feet backward and decided he didn't want water that bad.  When we got home, both of us drank plenty of water and sat beside one of the air vents in the floor until we cooled down.

Thanks for reading!

C25K: Week 2 Day 3

It felt absolutely wonderful to go out for a run this morning!  I waited about an hour later than usual, so I missed most of the "morning rush" traffic - no parents speeding to get the kids to school and no college kids speeding to get to their morning class!  I did, however, have to deal with two chicken trucks that had just picked up a trailer full from the chicken farm down the road.  I don't think there's a comparable stench that exists on Earth..  They were absolutely horrible.

I don't know if any of you know what a sweet gum tree is, but they are no fun to run around.  There's a couple of them on my route and I absolutely hate it when a car is coming when I'm by these trees.  I have to be really careful to not fall down because their seed pods are all over the ground around them.  It's literally like running on huge marbles!  Here's a picture.  Just for size, they're usually about the diameter of a tealight candle if not a bit bigger.

Anyway, enough chit chat.  I had a great run this morning.  I went 2.5 miles with a time of 37:40 and an average pace of 15:03 according to Nike+ Running.

See you tomorrow!

Day 15: Pure Cardio & Cardio Abs

Pure Cardio never gets any easier.  It's still just as difficult as the first time I did it!  I know I'm improving, though, because I'm able to push myself harder and do more reps during the exercises.  My stamina is getting better and my muscles are getting stronger.  I'm really enjoying the feeling of working for the body I want.  I'm setting an example for my children, because they watch me do every workout.  I don't want my children to live a life of obesity, and I want to be able to keep up with them when they're running around.  It feels great to know I'm working toward that goal.

Every time I start to feel down and don't feel like working out, I think about my end goals and how far I've come since January.  Each and every workout I do is one step further toward my goals, and every workout I miss is ten steps backward.  Each workout skipped makes it easier to say no to the next.

Just do it!  Don't let anyone tell you you can't.  Prove them wrong.

Weekly Weigh In

I believe I've hit my first real hurdle in losing weight.  My weight stayed about the same this week, and my measurements didn't really change any.  I'm hoping that the increases I've experienced are because of muscle gains, but I know I haven't been eating like I should be either.

• Arms - 12 (down 0.5")
• Chest - 37 (down 1")
• Waist - 41 (down 1.5")
• Hips - 42.25 (down 1.25")
• Thighs - 21.25 (down 0.1.25")
• Weight - 168.6 (down 3)
• BMI - 26.8 (down 0.5)

See you Monday!

Day 14: Cardio Power & Resistance

Phew!  I had my butt kicked today!  Somehow, I did enough yesterday to make me sore today (or maybe I slept wrong, who knows), so today's Insanity workout was torture!  Obviously, no run today.  I was dog tired this morning so I slept in.  I guess it helped, because I'm feeling much better today than I was yesterday.  I had my sugar drop right about the time I started the DVD, so I drank a quick glass of tea and gave it a few minutes to kick in.  Eating supper here in about an hour, so I wasn't worried about grabbing a snack right after I finished.

Cardio Power & Resistance is a really good arm workout, especially the last half.  All the V Push-Ups, Triceps Dips, and Moving Push-Ups really made my arms feel like cooked noodles!  I actually really enjoy the feeling though, because I know each drop of sweat is progress, and progress means I'm one step closer to my goal than I was yesterday.

The other day, I read about a great motivational thing for visual people like me.  What it is, is you take a clear jar (I have a glass vase) and you fill with with things each time you complete a workout and watching it fill up is motivation for the next workout.  Some fill theirs with money and use it to reward themselves after so many workouts.  I got marbles to fill mine with, pink for running, and purple for Insanity.  Well, wouldn't you know it, the same day I bought them, I misplaced them.  So I have, quite literally, lost my marbles...  I've been looking for them for three days now!  And the bad thing is, they're in a bright yellow bag!

See you guys tomorrow!  I'm going to look for my marbles some more..

Day 13: Plyometric Cardio Circuit

I just did not feel like doing this today.  I've been really sluggish all day and procrastinated until about three in the afternoon to do the workout.  I was barely able to keep up with the video or even complete it.  I finally made it through, but I felt like it would never end.  It didn't help that my shins have been aching since I woke up this morning.  Maybe I need to invest in some memory foam insoles for my running shoes..  But it's only every now and then that running irritates my shins.

I think a lot of it has to do with my poor diet recently.  I've been trying to eat more nutritious this week, but I haven't been eating near as often as I should.  Several days last week, all I ate was supper.  Absolutely terrible, I know.  I haven't been hungry for some reason, so I haven't been thinking about eating.

Tomorrow morning, before anything else, I'm going to to sit myself down and eat an egg white omelet for breakfast.  I'll even add in extra baby spinach leaves for the vitamins.

Hopefully tomorrow, I'll have more energy and feel good for my morning run!

C25K: Week 2 Day 2

Hello everyone!  I went out for my run this morning even though I really didn't want to.  But I'm glad I did!  I woke up this morning really tired and drug around until the absolute latest I could possibly go out because I was telling myself that I didn't want to go today.  When I finally forced myself outside, I told myself that I was only going to walk a few laps and go back inside.

I was not enjoying being outside, at all.  There's been a cold snap the past few days, so it was quite chilly when I started this morning.  Not to mention, there was a heavy dew on the ground that had soaked my shoes and socks through before I even made it to the road to start walking.

After my half mile warm-up, however, I finally forced myself to turn on my C25K app and started running, still telling myself that I was going to go in after two laps.  Let's face it, who likes running with wet, squidgy shoes?  I sure don't!

After two laps, I had started to wake up, the temperature was warm enough to take off my jacket (or maybe I was just hot?), and I had quit paying attention to the water squishing between my toes with every step.  I was enjoying myself!

So I finished my 2.5 miles in a rather slow 39 minutes and already completed my step goal set by Noom.  So far, I already have 6500 steps and it's only 8:20 in the morning!  Today is going to be a great day!

Get out there and work past your excuses!

Day12: Fit Test and Weekly Weigh In

I'm sorry this is so delayed.  It's allergy season here and I've been under the weather all weekend long.  Last Wednesday, I did Day 11, which I said was Pure Cardio and Cardio Abs.  Well, turns out, I accidentally skipped a day.  Wednesday I was supposed to do Cardio Powder & Resistance and Friday was supposed to be Pure Cardio and Cardio Abs.  I planned to make this up Friday, but, since I wasn't feeling well, I have changed my plans and hope to get it done this week - perhaps tomorrow.

Anyway, Saturday was my weekly weigh in day, but I never got around to posting it.  It turned out alright, however, as today was my second Fit Test.  Here are my results:

Weigh In

Arms - 12 (down 0.5")

Chest - 37 (down 1")

Waist - 41.5 (down 1")

Hips - 42 (down 1.5")

Thighs - 21 (down 0.1.5")

Weight - 169 (down 2.6)

BMI - 26.9 (down 0.4)

Fit Test

Switch Kicks - 58 (3 more)

Power Jacks - 32 (7 more)

Power Knees - 75 (20 more!)

Power Jumps - 10 (5 less)

Globe Jumps - 6 (1 more)

Suicide Jumps - 12 (3 more)

Push-Up Jacks - 25 (15 more!!)

Low Plank Obliques - 40 (10 less)

Now, you may ask, "But Hunter, aren't you bummed that you gained weight?"  My answer would be, "Yes, a little, but I know why."  There are actually a few reasons that I believe I gained weight this week.  One, would be my diet.  Since I've been feeling a little under the weather for the past week and a half, my diet has suffered as I've turned more to comfort foods rather than the healthy things I should be eating.  Instead of my 80/20 rule that I try to follow during the week, I've been munching on snacks and eating out more than I usually do simply for convenience.

Another, is because I've seen results, and my mind wants to tell me that I don't have to try as hard.  The little devil on my shoulder tells me that I should reward myself for my progress this far, and usually that involves sitting down to a Criminal Minds marathon, or going out to eat, or having that cupcake I've been eyeing.

The last reason, could be due to a gain in my lean muscle mass.  After all, I can't expect to do Insanity without gaining some muscle, can I?

So, this week, my encouragement won't be my weight loss, but rather that my clothes are fitting much looser (I can finally put my bras back on the tightest hook, my brand new jeans that fit when I bought them a week before I started Insanity are about to fall off, and I can tighten my belt two more notches.), the compliments I'm getting from my friends and family asking how much weight I've lost, and the results of my Fit Test.  Who would have thought I would have improved that much already?!

Tomorrow morning, I'm getting up and going for a run.  My husband is showing less interest in running with me, so it'll just be me and Harley out pounding the pavement.