Another great day!

I've been feeling really great this week, even though things aren't perfect! Spinning tonight was fabulous--we climbed for 15 minutes, always increasing the resistance. It was perfect for me, since I'll be doing that in a couple of weeks. Also, having ridden this weekend inspired me to hold nothing back, because that will make my on-the-bike time even better! Which means I have very tired legs.

The Runner's World magazine I bought last month has a quiz about what kind of runner you are--and I'm an exerciser, according to it. Which is true. But the profile that got me thinking was "purist"--"your main motivation is running for running's sake--you like how it feels and how it makes you feel afterward." That's pretty much where I am for cycling--I do it because I love so much about it: being on the road, being able to take in the scenery, pushing myself to keeping climbing those hills, and knowing that I can do it. I don't do it for the exercise or the social aspects (although those are nice) or to compete (ha!). This past week, I started wondering what it would be like to have that attitude toward running. What would it take to get me to that point for running? I love the idea of being able to run and participate in races, and I can imagine the same feelings about running that I have about biking.

This weekend, I may just go outside and run around until I don't want to anymore. We'll see how far that takes us.

BTW. My gym hero had a running partner tonight--I was shocked! I only beat her once tonight.

BMR: 548.5
FMR: 381.1

Feeling Good

This weekend was wonderful. We had such a great ride together, and it is nice to be out with my parents who are among my closest friends. They are almost always up for some kind of new challenge! I'll go back and ride with them in a couple of weeks for a charity ride. I think my mom and I are going to try the 45 mile route, and my dad is going for the century (100 mile) route. That ride used to be our first ride of the year, but we've been pretty good this year about getting our miles in.

The weather was gorgeous! Blue skies and not even too much wind at the end. The area is beautiful so it is nice to be out in it.

What I think is best about it is that it's not exercise. It's simply pure fun with people whose company I enjoy. A few years ago, I suggested my mom and I ride the Bike Ride Across Georgia--400 miles in a week--and off we went! A huge, crazy challenge and there we were, riding through south Georgia in June. Ever since then, it's been easy to sign up for weekend rides here and there--and ride around in rural areas near their house.

On a completely different point, Marla had a post at some point, some where, about something (!) that discussed the idea that if you aren't disciplined enough to floss daily then you really weren't serious about your health in any respect--so why bother trying to start an exercise/fitness regime, because you aren't really committed to your health. That was a really interesting thought for me, and it turned over and over in my head. . .until I went out and bought dental floss. Yes, it hurt like the devil to chew anything for a few days, but now I have habituated my little teethies to flossing and it is pretty much part of my day now. Woohoo!

Bwhaha.

BMR: 548.5
FMR: 382.1

A great ride this weekend with the fam. Won't make my 50 bmr miles for February, but I got more than halfway there. Remembered to bring the heavier weights back, so I can get more exhausted during arms workout. A better update may appear later.

Weight and Measures

W: 154
M: 39-33.5-40.5

Gym Heroes

Spinning and walking, just like I said! And I got to spinning on time--there were only 3 of us, plus the instructor! Somehow that made me work harder, but it felt good.

After spinning, I go upstairs and walk a mile on the indoor track. That's where I see my gym heroes. Actually, if you are at the gym, then you are one of my heroes. I'm so proud to see you doing something good for yourself--challenging yourself, becoming more healthy, socializing! Good for you! But there are some people who are there every time I walk. Girl with the pink ipod, whose arms I haven't quite figured out--you twist them back and forth instead of pumping them up and down and I always think hmmm. Tonight (as usual) you are my gym hero! Why? Because you are such a steady runner, and you run infinite numbers of laps! This is incredibly helpful for me, because when you lap me it brings out all my competitive juices. I think, next time I will be farther along the track when you pass me! And since you do not slow down or stop for breaks or just run half a mile, it works! Tonight, I was farther along for three laps when you passed me and the fourth time it took you a lap and a half to do it! Woohoo! Thank you, girl with the pink ipod.

Sometimes I wonder who I am to other people at the gym. Am I the "law student" because of my t-shirts? The speedy walker? The girl who strangely wears bike shorts under her pants?

Anyway, a good workout and another tick off the fmr.

BMR: 578
FMR: 382.1

Best laid plans

Well, no strength or walking yesterday either! I also did not buy an exercise ball. What I did do was go to bed early (for me) and sleep a little later, so I ended up with 8 hours of sleep. For the first time in a long time, I was glad to get out of bed! That counts for something health-wise, doesn't it?

Spinning and walking tonight!

Spinning!

Woohoo! Although I didn't get my Monday's workout in because of schoolwork + procrastinating on school work, tonight I went to spinning and then walked my mile afterward. Not half bad, but my abs are feeling scrunchylike now. I also went to the grocery store and bought lots of yummy things to eat, including more baby spinach. Back on that track, again!

ETA: Oops, I was supposed to buy an exercise ball tonight, too! Wonder where I got the idea that I would have time to do that--hmm. Maybe I will have time tomorrow after church.

BMR: 578
FMR: 383.1

Perceptions

If I lose one more pound, I will be at my lowest recorded weight since January 7, 2005. I am already at the smallest bust measurement in that time and tied for the waist measurement. I have a half inch to go to be tied for hips. It's nice that I have a steadily downward trend going on--I'm at 10 pounds lost from my highest weight. FYI.

What can I do this week to meet my fitness goals?

Monday: Do my strength work tonight after I finish one class's work.
Tuesday: Go to spinning and walk a mile. Go buy an exercise ball and some groceries.
Wednesday: Go to the gym and walk a mile. Do strength work.
Thursday: Go to spinning and walk a mile.
Friday: Go to the gym and do the C25k program in the morning.
Saturday: Ride bike. Bring heavier weights back.
Sunday: Go to the gym and do the C25k program. Ride one of the recumbent bikes for 25 minutes.

I want some rewards for myself for every 100 miles I tick off for each category, but I will have to think about what is possible that I actually want. Most of the time, rewards would be spending time with friends/family--but they have to want that reward as well, and sometimes it doesn't work out.

Weights and Measures

W: 154
M: 39-34-40.5

I've been pretty busy this week, and only been to spinning once. This weekend I am going to work on not giving myself permission to eat junk while I am visiting Dr. MM.

[Edited to correct hip measurement--I am not 30.5! Haha.]

Tock

Spinning was fantastic tonight. It felt so good to be back! Then I walked a mile afterwards. I'm having trouble either counting my food or eating enough--I'm struggling to break 1200 the past couple of days, so my RDA's are looking sad. Sodium is good though, and I'm still getting my fiber in. There's just nothing I really want to eat. Sigh.

Anyway, I can knock another mile off my FMR.

BMR: 578
FMR: 384.1

Measures

M: 40-34-40.5

A Mile

I did go to the gym tonight, just to walk. I also went to the grocery store and bought some lowfat frozen chocolate yogurt--just a pint. And a small (4-piece) box of Valentine's candy. I know I just said that I should continue to not bring junk home, but these are treats not every day munchies. I also picked up the latest issues of Bicycling and Runner's World.

I've snacked on my yogurt and now I'm going to watch the rest of my movie. I also am going to do some other productive school-related work. Woohoo!

BMR: 578
FMR: 385.1

Weekly numbers

W: 157
Forgot to measure.

I haven't been exercising any this week. Procrastination killed my first spinning set, and then a whole slew of frustration killed the second (I even made it all the way to the gym with my clothes). Tonight I have eaten too much to go running, but I might just go to the gym and walk some on the indoor track just to get my mind back in the groove. Plus, I think I may go out and get a sweet treat for myself since it is Friday and that way I will have put two trips into one.

A sweet treat? What about your resolution not to have anything that isn't homemade or a restaurant dessert? What about that, you ask.

Well, I came back from my holiday with Dr. MM and got back into my groove at home. That's when I realized that it's not a challenge. I don't buy cookies or candy or ice cream to eat at home. The only really junky food here is Coke, but I don't drink that anyway (they are for Dr. MM). It's just when I go visit him that I have problems limiting my sweets intake--when I visited him in January it was the same thing. So, really I need to focus on continuing to only buy delicious healthy food for home, and then not giving myself permission to eat only junk food when I am up there with him. My resolution is like resolving to eat breakfast--I do that everyday anyway, so it's not really a change in behavior.

Also, I need to have a review of what activities I am working on/training for so that I will be more motivated to do them.
1) Run an entire 5k. I think this will be in April.
2) Have a fun bike tour w/ Dad. This is May. I can do it without training much, but it will be exhausting instead of exhilarating.
3) Backbend from standing up. No date for this insanity.
4) 1000 miles challenge. Consistent miles now!

For #1, I need to continue the C25k training. I should be starting week 4 the next time I run (tomorrow?). #2 requires going to my spinning classes and strengthening my core, plus as many road miles as I can get. #3 would probably be benefited by adding some yoga into the mix on M/W. #4 means I should be walking everyday and getting those road miles in on my bike!

In general, I just need to build my routines around exercising. I'll get there!

As for RDA's, I'm doing pretty well. I still need to work on iron, selenium, vitamin D, magnesium, and zinc, and keeping my sodium levels down. Fiber is no problem, even without my cereal. I bought a giant box of oatmeal last time I went to the grocery store, so now I have that plus fruit every day for breakfast.

Catty thoughts.

Meow.

Do you ever notice that some people are always surrounded by people who are crazy or hateful (according to them)? What are the chances that every one in your social and professional circle meet those characteristics? Why is it that I can think of less than half a dozen of people who may meet these characteristics out of the 1000's of people I know, and yet some people inhabit a world where only those people exist? And sometimes it's the same 1000's of people!

Still no miles. . .

Well, I haven't hauled myself to the gym yet to cut some more miles away. I'm procrastinating on moving to week 4 of C25k. Maybe today is the day? I have done some exercise in the past two days--one day of strength exercises and yesterday I cleaned my house pretty well, which was active. Good for me.

The other day, I read somewhere (sorry I don't remember which blog) about how food calories seem to really add up, but exercise calories are so much harder to accumulate. I've been thinking about that, so I used fitday to look at how many calories they estimate you burn during certain exercises and then figuring out how long it would take to burn 100 calories doing it. Here's my list (I rounded up to the nearest minute):

100 calories in 12 minutes
* Running 10-minute miles
* Biking, at a vigorous effort

100 calories in 15 minutes
* Biking, at a moderate effort
* Running 12-minute miles
* Tennis, playing singles
* Swimming sidestrokes

100 calories in 17 minutes
* Backpacking generally

100 calories in 20 minutes
* Biking, light effort
* Hiking

100 calories in 25 minutes
* Snorkeling
* Shooting hoops in basketball

100 calories in 34 minutes
* Walking at a moderate pace--20 minute miles
* Hatha yoga

100 calories in 50 minutes
* Weight training, light to moderate
* Bowling
* Playing with a frisbee
* Canoeing, light

Of course, these are activities that I like or would like to do so the list may be a little skewed. I just thought it was an interesting general compilation, and it makes me feel good in some ways because for me a good day of hiking will be about 3-5 hours long (900+ calories) and the same for long days on my bike. Those are both activities that I LOVE though, and would do even if they burned 0 calories. The key to exercising is to find that thing you love, and to do it, in my opinion. What have you always thought would be an interesting thing to try?

For me, I would love to go backpacking. I've been on one semi-backpacking trip--we hiked into an inn, so we didn't have to carry everything, but I probably had about 10 pounds in my backpack. It was so wonderful and tiring! I read about backpacking, and I plan little trips out. I have a wish list, and when I get the opportunity I pick up some things. In the meantime, I go on dayhikes and learn about wildflowers and birds and geology.

I also love biking long days. I'm not fast, but to me the trip is about the journey and not about pounding out the miles. Riding out in the countryside is mesmerizing and very relaxing. It's not always fun--my recent bike ride was all about mental strength and tenaciousness, but realizing that is a gift is important, too.

And I would love to be a runner! I love reading running blogs and seeing their accomplishments. I love the sense of achievement I have when I push through C25k and meet that goal. So, I read about it, I think about what races would be fun to try and what I need to do to get there.

The formal exercise that I do when I do it--spinning, basic Pilates, the C25k--is all about supporting those activities that I dream about. They are not ends in and of themselves--not to health or thinness or anything. But I know that I will be able to do more of the things I love if I practice these other things in my off-time.

Do you have an "active" dream? What do you do to support that in your everyday life?

P.S. On the weird fitness goals front, I am going to add some yoga to my week in order to work toward my latest goal: a backbend from standing position. Tee hee. It's a good thing I don't have time frames for my goals.

W/M

W: 157
M: 40-34-40.5

I have been slacking a little bit in the exercise department the past few days--although yesterday the school was closed so no spinning class or walking was available. Today I am going to run and do the strength training that I slacked off on Wednesday. It's strange how just one day can ruin your resolve, but it can. Tonight, though, I will knock some more numbers off the FMR! Woohoo!