Are you ready? Do what works for you!

 

You would think that getting fit would be simple. Watch what you eat and do some sort of physical exercise, right? Wrong.

It's like with anything that is poorly planned, if it is not well-thought of without a clear goal or vision in sight, it will fall to the wayside. Thus, the many roller coasters of fluctuating weight and forever keeping those bigger jeans "just in case".

When you read that last sentence I just wrote, it gives you a pause doesn't it? I'm pretty sure we are all guilty of doing that but this time...it's different. It's time to get rid of the bigger size "just in case" mentality and get rid of it. This time resolve to make a difference for a better and healthier YOU.

Yesterday, I was lazy. I simply did not want to run or do anything except take a nap as soon as my husband and I got home from the movies (I'm thinking it has something to do with the popcorn and hot dog as well as not really eating any lunch). However, I kept thinking in my mind, "You have four big race events coming up...you can't slack at all, woman. GET UP."

 

I dressed in my running gear and laced up. As I started running, I kept thinking about the half-marathon training plan. I don't know about you but there is a rebellious streak in me that says, "I want to do things my way." And that made me pause because it made me think about my previous post. There are some training plans that works for me, like SOHI Fitness training plan because she scaled it down to what worked for me without discouraging me. In addition, I shared with my husband, "I'm 42 years old. My body is not like how it was in my 20's or 30's. I have to train smart." He agreed.

What is training smart? As I shared in my previous blog post, know what works and what doesn't work for you. Training smart is listening to your body, noticing the aches and pains that is normally associated with getting older and planning on workouts that works for YOU.

Training smart also means nutritionally smart, which is learning how to research on foods (i.e., complex carbohydrates, protein) because what you eat..is it giving you the proper nutrition that your body eats or are you consuming food lacking in nutrients? Seriously, incorporate veggies, fruits, beef (lean), poultry, pork and fish (if you have to..I don't like fish).

Not every plan fits everyone. Not everyone knows how to plan. However, everyone within has a resolving spirit to dig in and be determined to make a change, make a move and go forward.

So, I'm sharing...if you're stuck in a rut and you feel as if you've been slacking despite that you've been running and exercising but you need to up the volume to get you into beast mode and sticking consistently, then you develop and stick to a plan that WORKS FOR YOU.

If you're unsure, here is a sample of a simple workout plan that I used when I first started working out back in August/September of last year:

Warm-up: Stretch 10-15 minutes

Run: 1-2 miles (comfortable pace)

Workout (3 sets of 10):
Overhead Squats 10 x 3
Push-ups 10 x 3
Sit-ups 10 x 3
Burpees 10 x 3

Cool down: Stretch 10-15 minutes

Note: I did this workout 3-4 days out of the week considering this was the beginning of getting fit. You don't want to do too much at the beginning to where you'll burnout or get discouraged.

Here's some food for thought of something that I read on Pinterest...if you maintain a routine for 3 weeks, it develops into a habit.

 

¡Dos Mas! Two more added before the Spartan Race 2014

My posts will be confusing by the numbers because I just added two more runs to the list that I posted previously. First, I added the Turkey Trot at Kaneohe MCBH but I also decided to add the North Shore 5K at Turtle Bay / Kawela Bay "Turkey Trot" run.

 

 

 Not only did I add those runs, but I am now registered for the Neon Vibe as my first run of 2014 because my cousins decided it would be a great fun run to do as a family after I shared about the runs I've been doing because of my training for the upcoming Spartan Race.

 

So, what's adding two more runs before the Spartan Race in 2014? To other runners and sports enthusiasts, it's probably no big deal. In fact, I am pretty sure there are more seasoned runners and sports enthusiasts who have signed up for more runs than I have throughout a 12 month period.

But, as I shared in my previous posts...this is a first for me. This is the most runs I've ever done and God willing, I'm looking forward to many more.

 

(North Shore 5k Kawela Bay photo courtesy of www.oakridgevisitor.com)

(Neon Vibe photo courtesy of North Shore Kawela Bay facebook page)

(Running Quotes photo courtesy of http://extrememarathonguide.com)

 

 

What am I eating???

I'm on this new goal plan to achieve as close as I can get to be ready for the Spartan Super (or is it the Super Spartan???) for next year in Hawaii.

I am finding or it's coming back to memory from all the times that I've watched what I ate that once you have your mind set, it is easier to stay on track then succumbing to the cravings. For example, yesterday, I didn't pack my lunch or buy my breakfast (boiled eggs and bacon) and have my snack ready (pineapples and papaya), which I was starving by lunchtime. In fact, I consumed majority of my  peanut butter Clif Bars and then my chicken fajitas (no tortilla) with green beans and corn (fail on the corn). Since I was starving and not consistently eating every 2-3 hours...I was thinking of cookies, cake, ice cream, Doritos. But, thank goodness, I didn't indulge in it because I would have been really upset with myself.

I'm typing away at my desk and on the side of my keyboard, I've printed a list of Paleo Food List that was provided by another blogger. At least I can say it is doable. However, I'm kind of sad that I have to say goodbye to Ketchup. I love ketchup. Can I cheat with ketchup? It's just a little that I use. But then again...probably I can be like my dad and what he used to put onto his rice, spam and eggs. It wasn't ketchup...it was just tomato sauce.

Anyhow, about two weeks has passed since the Spartan Sprint and slowly I've been making changes here and there especially with what I've been eating. I've been making sure that fruits are bought as well as lean chicken breasts (I think I need to incorporate more beef (lean) because my family is probably thinking they are about to bloom out some feathers).

I haven't been drinking any soda, however, I believe I need to cut down on my Gatorade because that is a lot of sugar. ALOT of sugar. Or wait...on the list it just says sugary soft drinks. I know, I KNOW. I shouldn't be compromising. Time will tell and progress is progress plus I'm still learning on the healthy side of eating.

Another thing that is good about watching what I eat is that I am not going to consider it dieting nor am I going to be drastic. I'm happy to say that half of the stuff on this list is what I have already been eating for awhile and the list is quite doable. It's tasty and it's healthy. I'm just somewhat concerned because some wheat products are eliminated even the complex carbs plus I'm thinking of that whole grain cinnamon and raisin bread that will now sit forever in my freezer that I purchased from Down to Earth.

The best part of all this change in eating habits and incorporating healthier methods is that my family is supporting me on this all the way and do not mind what I've been choosing with me knowing I need to incorporate other meats like beef and pork to spice things up a bit, you know?

Happy Eating!

Consistent

I'm sitting here after I ate three cinnamon rolls and a half glass of soda.

Yes, you read the intro right-I didn't have a healthy breakfast after my morning workout.

I think it's because my body still goes through the PMS phase despite the fact that I had surgery few years ago because I was having issues with my a non-stop menstrual cycle (I know...TMI)

Anyhow, back to me sitting on the couch and relaxing. I'm seriously contemplating on putting on running shoes this afternoon to go for an afternoon run...just because.

Never did think I would ever share that I love running but I do. Why?

1) It's a stress reliever. You find that as you start running off stress, it helps especially when you realize how far you've ran and you have to turn back to make it back home despite being tired. By the end of that run, you're so relaxed that you will find the stress you had earlier is not as bad as it seems

2) It motivates you to go further than your original goals. Earlier this year, I made it my goal to beat my time in the Great Aloha Run. Guess what? I won't even be in Hawaii because I'll be training in Baltimore from January throughout February! Argh... I'll also miss the Warrior Dash... :(

3) It has you incorporate a healthier lifestyle before you know it because why would you want to maintain a unhealthy lifestyle? Going backwards should never be an option if it means picking up a bad habit again

4) You'll feel great especially if you run in the morning. 1 or 2 miles per day is a great thing to do.

It's been over a year since I've been on a fitness journey. Seems like it is ongoing and I am not looking for it to stop.

All that I am...

All that I am is because of God.

Seriously, I'm having a tearful and greatful moment because I'm reflecting on recent events. I can't help it because I am looking back and I am amazed of where God has brought me from to where I am now.

Who wouldn't be in awe especially if He had to pick you up, dust you off, point to the mirror and tell you, "See that dirty girl (or guy)? You are beautiful...so why do you want to continually be dirty? Trust me and I'll create you to be more than you ever thought you could be."

I am blessed. Not because of me but because of Him.

All I can say is that I hope and pray that I will consistently shine for Him and that no one will stumble or fall because of my idiotic actions that does happen from time to time.