Goodbye 2013! Hello 2014!

This year has been filled with some accomplishments. My intention for 2014 is to be more consistent with my workouts and running. My other priorities are hydration and sleep.

I read a great article today. I wished I'd marked it so I could give proper credit. The main point I got out of it was to set small, manageable goals. While reading this, it dawned on me that I need to set some smaller goals to help with my Peachtree Road Race goal. So, at the halfway point, March, I plan to run a 5k to assess how my training is going.

Not too much else to say. I am very disappointed I am not at my healthy weight. In fact, I stepped on the scale this morning. I've gained 12 pounds! I have to put forth the effort to plan and cook my meals in advance. I was very successful when I was doing this. I started logging again. As much as I hate it, it is a very useful and supportive tool.

I will work on accepting the lifestyle changes I need to embrace in order to live the healthy life I envision.

So, 2014 I am ready for you. Let's do this!

Motivational Monday

I finally "finished" my vision board for the Peachtree Road Race. I left some white space so that I can add to it over the next six months.

I have six months to train for the Peachtree Road Race. I've had this race on my bucket list for three years. I have more than enough time to get myself together. Unfortunately, I feel like I'm falling apart. I've been having issues with my back and knee. Yesterday I did some light exercise. Earlier today I went for a quick ten-minute and decided I take the day off. Tomorrow I will do my strength training and get back on cardio on Wednesday. My biggest challenge is getting sleep. I've been doing better but I can still make improvements.

Fresh Air!

It was finally warm enough for me to hit the pavement. I was so happy. I did four miles. At first I was just going to do two miles and call it a day. After the first loop, I felt I had at least another mile in me. I managed another two. It felt great to be outside enjoying the fresh air.

Hopefully the temperature doesn't drop too much. I really need to work on my endurance and covering distance. The beginning of the new year is coming and there's no way I can stay on a treadmill for more than 30 minutes. In fact, I will probably avoid the gym for a while. There will be lots of people there working on their resolutions. I will either need to get their at 5:30 or right before closing. We'll see...

Motivational Monday

I'm feeling pretty good today. Despite not feeling like it, I completed 60 minutes on the treadmill. I've really made improvements in this area since the beginning of the month. I can still feel a little tightness on my left lower back and glute but with stretching and foam rolling it is getting better. I also take the time to sit in the sauna for five to ten minutes. One of these days it will click that consistency is key.

Someone on Twitter asked the question, do you exercise or train? This is a great question because there is a marked distinction. Sometime I exercise and other times I train. I have better success with training. Exercise is a chore. Training makes me feel like the athlete I always wanted to be. Training keeps me motivated. Training is fun. If I'm working toward a goal and have a plan, I do a better job. When I'm not seeing results, I start getting discouraged and unmotivated. So, I need to always have a goal in mind.

Right now my goal is to be consistent with my workouts, work on my endurance, strengthen my core, and build upper body strength. I need to be able to walk and/or run three miles comfortably before formally starting 10k training. I know I can run 3 miles. I just haven't been able to do it consistently. I need to keep my butt in training mode because 6.2 miles is no joke for me.

Today while I was on the treadmill I was so happy. I felt so strong. I could have gone longer but it was prime time and I didn't want to hog the treadmill. There were two other machines open but I decided 60 minutes was enough. Technically, during rush hour, you're only supposed to do 30 minutes on cardio machines. Plus, overdoing it leads to injury.

Fitness Friday

I just looked at my countdown. I have 201 days until the Peachtree. I need to make each and every day count, one day at a time. I took a power nap after work because I was so sleepy. By the time I got myself together, it was too dark for me to go out. This is one of the downfalls of not having an exercise buddy. I do not feel comfortable going out alone so late. By 5:15, it was dark! Then, I thought it going to be so crowded at the gym and it's cold out. So.... I'm going to do an impromptu workout here. I'll do my cardio tomorrow. I need to get a battery for my HRM watch so I will know exactly how many calories I'm burning. I really need to make sure I'm going bang for my buck. I feel some slight soreness from the strength training. Overall, I feel like I'm doing a pretty good job.

I just realize tomorrow was supposed to be my next 5K. I'm glad I didn't sign up. The weather is supposed to be yucky. Hopefully, by midafternoon I can get my miles in. If not, I'll be on the treadmill.

Transformational Tuesday

Many of the blogs I read and Facebook pages I "like" post Transformational Tuesday entries. Most of them are about physical transformations. For me, at this point in my journey, I need to work on a mental transformation. I am reminded of that part of the scripture which says,... be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind....

More than anything right now I need to get my mind in shape. With the exception of the occasional pain and discomfort I have in my back and knee, most of my challenges are with my mind. My workouts are fine, when I am consistent. I would like to be more consistent. For whatever reason, there are times I get so self-conscious about working out at the gym or walking/running in public. The truth is people are so self-absorbed, especially at the gym, they probably do not even notice me. Even if they do, it's their problem not mind.

I also know I can achieve the goals I have set for myself. Lately, my opportunities are with my food, not my exercise. I cannot out-train a bad diet. Every time I feel like I am depriving myself of something, I am mentally sabotaging myself. I need to turn that around. Each time I make a healthy choice, I am going to remind myself that I am empowering myself.

I also went out today I purchased a presentation board so I can make a vision board. It will be fun to add to work on over the next six months:

Feels So Good?

My body is so not feeling my new exercise routine. I know I need to keep it up and my body will eventually adjust. As usually, I need to do a better job with stretching and using my foam roller. Today I'm going to do my 3.1 miles at the gym and then spend some time in the sauna.

Improvements!

It took me all day to get to the gym today. I almost didn't go. I got dressed, stood outside for a while, went back inside, and took a nap. I got up. Wasted time on the Internet. I then gave myself a pep talk. If I expect to run the Peachtree Road Race in July, I need to get my butt in gear now. I struggle with 3.1 miles. The Peachtree is twice as long.

So, I finally get there and there are no treadmills available. Fine. I decided to do my 3.1 miles on the Elliptical. I set a new PR. The last time I did a 5K on the Elliptical it took me 38 minutes. Today I did it in 35:12! Pre-workout me I would think that is no big deal. However, anyone who workouts out knows an exercise minute can be an eternity! I'm so proud of myself.