C25K: Excuses, Excuses, Excuses

It’s hot!  I’m exhausted! I don’t have the energy!
Excuses, I know.  Ugh!  Unfortunately, my C25K training has slowed down a bit. I have been walking and stretching but I just don’t have the energy to push myself. I’ve managed to complete one C25K session this week. I am very frustrated but I am determined not to give up.

It’s not what’s going on in the gym that is keep me from moving forward. It’s other factors:  work, lack of sleep, last week I think I may have had some dehydration issues. I realize that if I expect to finish this training I am going to need drink more water and get more than six hours of sleep each night.  If I take care of my body, my body will take care of me.

One thing I am learning is that running/jogging is a different beast.  You really learn a different type of respect for your body.  The mental challenge has been totally different for me as well.

C25K: Repeat: Week Four

I'm still plugging away!

Week Four, Day 3

Done! It was a struggle to get to the gym yesterday. Ideally, I like to do C25K during my lunch breaks because I have more energy during this time. Work was crazy so I couldn’t get away. When I logged off at 4, I sat on my sofa, and just stared for a while. I was so tired. I ended up falling asleep. I guess I needed that nap.

Anyhow, I didn’t head out to the gym until 7. Part of me was tempted to hop on the Elliptical for 30 minutes and call it a day. I did the C25K training plus an additional 30 minutes on the treadmill. I made an unofficial goal to burn at least 500 calories. I have to admit this training is taking a lot out of me. I know I need to get more sleep. I feel much better about hydration. The stretching is going well. Now, if I could just get to bed at a decent hour….

C25K: Week Four, Day Two

Yesterday's workout went pretty well.  I definitely need to take more time with my stretching.  My legs were pretty stiff and sore while running.  My muscles loosen up as I continued.  While it's evident this is going to be a slow process for me, I'm so happy I am making progress. 

The heat is also slowing me down a bit.  I need to do a better job with hydration.  I also need to do better with getting adequate sleep.

I'm going to start over with Week Four next week.

No-Bake Oatmeal Protein Bars

Here's another attempt at a new recipe.

2 cups quick oatmeal
1/2 crunchy peanut butter (I used chunky almond butter)
4 scoops protein powder
1 tbs. flax seeds (I think I'll grind them next time)
1/2 water

Freeze for 45 minutes and then cut into squares.

According to the recipe maker I used on My Fitness Pal, each bar contains:

202 calories, 16 g. carbs, 10 g. fat, 13 g. protein
 

While very quick and easy to prepare, I was a bit disappointed in them.  They're pretty bland.  It could be because I used almond butter instead of peanut butter.  I think they could use some chocolate chips...but that doesn't fit into my OA food plan right now.  I do think I'm going to try them again with chocolate protein powder and/or craisins.

C25K: Week Four, Day Two

I didn't make it to the gym today.  I tried.  I was tired.  I had a headache. I was nauseous.  I think it's the heat. 

This is really throwing off my training schedule if I want to get in three sessions a week.  Hopefully, I'll feel better tomorrow.

C25K: Week Four, Day 1

Yay! I did it! Staying on Week Three for three weeks obviously paid off.  Although I struggled a bit with the second five-minute run, they are doable.  It's so amazing how much progress I'm making.  I can't believe I ran for five minutes!

Vacation Wrap Up

Well, I survived my vacation.  In fact, I lost two pounds. Yay!  Hell, I should go on vacation more often.  I think those two hours workouts did the trick.  Plus, I guess I was so paranoid about not being able to monitor what was going into my food that I may have been underestimating my calorie intake.  Since working on a modified version of the C25K last week, I feel a little better about moving onto Week Four.  So, it's back to business as usual.  I'm working a Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday schedule this week. Wish me luck!

C25K: Week Three - Modified

On vacation in my hometown.  My Dad's wife invited me to go to the rec center with her.  Mind you, she's 74 years old.  She wore me out.  We were there for over two hours!

I felt very intimidated by Week Four, so I did a modified version of week three.  Run three minutes, walk three minutes for 30 minutes.  I did every run.  I then walked an additional 30 minutes.  Normally, this would have been enough for me.  My Dad's wife, who was walking on the treadmill next to me, goes...okay, let's cycle for about 30 minutes.  What? Okay, fine.  When those 30 minutes were up, she goes...let me show you the rest of the facility.  We go in the weight room and she jumps on a machine for about five minutes.  I'm more than impressed.  She's 74 yr. old!  She's in great shape.  We then go into another cardio room and hop on these crosstrainer machines for another 30 minutes.  I had a great time with her.  According to my HRM, I burned 891 calories!  This is twice my usual burn.

The place is huge, indoor swimming pool, indoor track....  Tomorrow we're going to do her usual four miles on the indoor track and then get in the pool for a while.