Day's Goal: 3.5 miles
Actual Distance: 3.5 miles
Well I haven't been blogging for the whole week so I feel outta touch. I was really bad with my training program this week as well. Having a full week of a new school schedule always throws me off for at least a week but usually two.
On Monday I took my boyfriends advice and ran on the treadmill at work so that I could get used to training in different areas. Everytime that I have tried to run on this particular treadmill I never cover my desired distance. Our air conditioner doesn't work well so I think my body just overheats faster causing me to feel my fatigue that much quicker. I was actually able to run the day's goal of 3 miles so I felt very accomplished that day. I also did some of my pilates moves from class and threw in some hip abduction/adduction machine and some ball squats. After my great workout on Monday I didn't work out again until today! I was so bad!!!!! Most of my group classes are at nights which worked out great with my work schedule but since that has changed because of classes I just don't have the time to take them. I'm really bummed out about that because I have noticed the extreme changes that my body has gone through in the past three months with those classes and I don't want to see all that hard work go to waste. I really need to be strict on myself and try to do the exercises from my classes at least once a week so I can hopefully maintain the hard work that I put in. I plan to go to the gym tomorrow to do my walking routine but depending on how I feel (I have to stay up until 3am because my boyfriend's car is being fixed and he won't get off of work until then) tomorrow morning I might do a small jogging session instead to try and make up for the lazy week I had.
Happy Running : )
Megan
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
A new direction...again
Well it had taken me awhile to figure out what I wanted to do with this blog. I have now decided to keep it as a running journal. I'll keep track of my training and race results and share anything interested along the way.
This morning I ran my second 5K race. It was the Megan Savage Memorial 5K in Upland, CA. I have been training for this race for three months and the hardest part was that last month. I don't know why, maybe because I had two months of continous exercise and still no race. All I know is that there was a week when I missed two of my three training days and I was scared that I wouldn't be prepared for today. I finally was able to look at the race result online and was pretty impressed. I ran my first 5K in October of last year. I didn't really prepare for it and couldn't even run the first mile non-stop. I ended that race with a time of 39:40. This time around I ended with a time of 36:38 which is 3:02 faster which really lifted my spirits. The first mile and some change of this race was completely uphill. By the time I got up there my lungs and allergies had had enough so I started to walk so I could catch my breath. I only stopped one other time towards the end because I wanted to save every ounce of energy I had to finish off with a bang. The race results page also showed you want place you got in the race overall and what place you got in your division. I was 273rd place out of 622 runners and 16th in my divison! I was stoked when I saw that.
My next race is in three weeks. It is the Matthew Meyers Memorial 5K in Pomona,CA. This race is the one I did the previous year so it will be interesting to see if my time gets better or not with course familarity. I'll definately be working hard these next three weeks. I'm also excited because my boyfriend has also decided to participate in this run with me! I love motivating people and if it sticks with him like it has with me it will be just one more thing that we can do together : )
Until next time....happy running! : )
This morning I ran my second 5K race. It was the Megan Savage Memorial 5K in Upland, CA. I have been training for this race for three months and the hardest part was that last month. I don't know why, maybe because I had two months of continous exercise and still no race. All I know is that there was a week when I missed two of my three training days and I was scared that I wouldn't be prepared for today. I finally was able to look at the race result online and was pretty impressed. I ran my first 5K in October of last year. I didn't really prepare for it and couldn't even run the first mile non-stop. I ended that race with a time of 39:40. This time around I ended with a time of 36:38 which is 3:02 faster which really lifted my spirits. The first mile and some change of this race was completely uphill. By the time I got up there my lungs and allergies had had enough so I started to walk so I could catch my breath. I only stopped one other time towards the end because I wanted to save every ounce of energy I had to finish off with a bang. The race results page also showed you want place you got in the race overall and what place you got in your division. I was 273rd place out of 622 runners and 16th in my divison! I was stoked when I saw that.
My next race is in three weeks. It is the Matthew Meyers Memorial 5K in Pomona,CA. This race is the one I did the previous year so it will be interesting to see if my time gets better or not with course familarity. I'll definately be working hard these next three weeks. I'm also excited because my boyfriend has also decided to participate in this run with me! I love motivating people and if it sticks with him like it has with me it will be just one more thing that we can do together : )
Until next time....happy running! : )
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Week 6 Day 3
Weight: 171 lbs
Distance: 2 miles at 5.2 mph
Meals:
Breakfast: 1 Gala Apple
Lunch: Turkey Sandwich
9 Pita Bites
1 package of 100 calorie Cheez-its
Dinner: Chicken Breast with Wild Rice and Veggies
1 Smirnoff Raspberry Burst Drink
Snacks: 1 serving of grapes
1 Fiber One Oats and Chocolate Bar
Health Tip of the Week: Get in at least 30 minutes of cardio training a day. Whether it's running, walking or riding a bike those 30 minutes are essential for starting to leave a healthier lifestyle
Exercise of the Week: Oblique Reaches
Description: Lay on your back with knees bent and feet resting on the floor. While keeping
abdominal muscles engaged lift your torso so you shoulders are slightly off the ground.
Keeping you head a fist distance from your chest, exhale and reach for your left ankle with
your left hand. Inhale and return to center. Then exhale and reach for you right ankle with
your right hand. Repeat this alternating sequence taking breaks when your neck muscle start
to burn.
Duration: 3 sets of 10 reps on both the left and right sides.
I kinda flaked out last week and got home pretty late last night which is why I'm doing yesterday's blog today. I continued with my workout plan of walking on Friday, running on Saturday and taking my pilates class Sunday morning but I really dropped the ball on my weight training. I felt like the end of my week last week was rushed and I didn't have any time to do anything but the bare minimum. On the upside we got a new scale which is awesome since our old one was weighing us 2 pounds heavier. They really encouraged me to continue being good which resulted in me weighting 171.4lbs this morning! I think it's funny how simple things in life keep me motivated to carry on with my plans. So far this week I haven't taken a day off from exercise although I haven't picked back up with the weight training. I might have a chance to do that today because my pilates instructor let us know there might be a chance she won't be there tonight and if that is the case I think I'll walk on the treadmill for 30 minutes and then pick up all the weight machines to make a full hour. Running yesterday was pretty difficult for me and I think it's because I ran a little later than I usually do and also I have no fuel for my body to use. Tomorrow I'm supposed to step up the speed so I want to make sure that I don't help in the fatiguing of my body by not eating enough before hand. Well, it's about that time to start heading to work. Until next time...
Good Luck and Good Health
Megan : )
Distance: 2 miles at 5.2 mph
Meals:
Breakfast: 1 Gala Apple
Lunch: Turkey Sandwich
9 Pita Bites
1 package of 100 calorie Cheez-its
Dinner: Chicken Breast with Wild Rice and Veggies
1 Smirnoff Raspberry Burst Drink
Snacks: 1 serving of grapes
1 Fiber One Oats and Chocolate Bar
Health Tip of the Week: Get in at least 30 minutes of cardio training a day. Whether it's running, walking or riding a bike those 30 minutes are essential for starting to leave a healthier lifestyle
Exercise of the Week: Oblique Reaches
Description: Lay on your back with knees bent and feet resting on the floor. While keeping
abdominal muscles engaged lift your torso so you shoulders are slightly off the ground.
Keeping you head a fist distance from your chest, exhale and reach for your left ankle with
your left hand. Inhale and return to center. Then exhale and reach for you right ankle with
your right hand. Repeat this alternating sequence taking breaks when your neck muscle start
to burn.
Duration: 3 sets of 10 reps on both the left and right sides.
I kinda flaked out last week and got home pretty late last night which is why I'm doing yesterday's blog today. I continued with my workout plan of walking on Friday, running on Saturday and taking my pilates class Sunday morning but I really dropped the ball on my weight training. I felt like the end of my week last week was rushed and I didn't have any time to do anything but the bare minimum. On the upside we got a new scale which is awesome since our old one was weighing us 2 pounds heavier. They really encouraged me to continue being good which resulted in me weighting 171.4lbs this morning! I think it's funny how simple things in life keep me motivated to carry on with my plans. So far this week I haven't taken a day off from exercise although I haven't picked back up with the weight training. I might have a chance to do that today because my pilates instructor let us know there might be a chance she won't be there tonight and if that is the case I think I'll walk on the treadmill for 30 minutes and then pick up all the weight machines to make a full hour. Running yesterday was pretty difficult for me and I think it's because I ran a little later than I usually do and also I have no fuel for my body to use. Tomorrow I'm supposed to step up the speed so I want to make sure that I don't help in the fatiguing of my body by not eating enough before hand. Well, it's about that time to start heading to work. Until next time...
Good Luck and Good Health
Megan : )
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Week Five Day 4
Weight: 177 lbs
Distance: 2 miles @ 5.2mph with hill program
Meals:
Breakfast: 1 Gala Apple
Lunch: Turkey Wrap Sandwich
28 Pita Bites
Dinner: Taco Salad
Snacks: 1 cup of carrots
4oz of Fat Free Activa Yogurt w/ Kashi Go Lean Honey Almond Cluster Cereal mixed
in
1 package of 100 calorie Fudgeshoppe cookies
Health Tip: Drink at least six 8oz glasses of water a day. The increase in water intake helps lose weight, cleanse the body and also keeps you hydrated on these hot days.
Exercise of the Week: Military Press
Equipment Needed: barbells, soup cans or milk jugs with water for weight
Description: With weights in hands, hold arms out to the side at shoulder height. Bend your elbows in to make an "L" with each arm and have your palms facing front. To ensure you are at the correct starting position, you should look like a football goal post when looking in the mirror. Next extend arms straight overhead being careful not to knock the weights together. Then return to starting position.
Duration: 3 sets of 10 reps
So today was another good day. After work I did not feel like going to the gym so I made myself go because I recognized my normal pattern of putting the gym off until the next day....and then the next day...etc. I think I was intimidated by the fact that I was running on a hill program instead of just a flat surface. I know it takes a lot more energy to be able to run the same speed while going up an incline. After the first mile I felt like giving up but my goal was to run between 1.5-2 miles so I pushed myself. Shortly after giving myself a little pep-talk I started to feel the begining of a cramp in my right side. I tried slowing down my breathing to help decrease it's intensity but it still got stronger. The key combination I found to combat that type of crap was to concentrate on the breathing but also take longer strides. By slowing down the movement I was able to slow down the breathing a little easier. Also taking longer strides helps when running on an incline so I'll start to pay more attention to my stride length. I was pretty beat afterwards and after having lunch and reading my book I took a good hour nap. Since I pushed myself on the treadmill I thought I would give myself a day off of weight training. Tomorrow morning I'll go and walk the treadmill for 30 minutes so I get my daily cardio in and really concentrate on all the weight machines as well. I don't run again until Saturday and there aren't any hills planned so it should hopefully be an easier day.
Good Luck and Good Health
Megan : )
Distance: 2 miles @ 5.2mph with hill program
Meals:
Breakfast: 1 Gala Apple
Lunch: Turkey Wrap Sandwich
28 Pita Bites
Dinner: Taco Salad
Snacks: 1 cup of carrots
4oz of Fat Free Activa Yogurt w/ Kashi Go Lean Honey Almond Cluster Cereal mixed
in
1 package of 100 calorie Fudgeshoppe cookies
Health Tip: Drink at least six 8oz glasses of water a day. The increase in water intake helps lose weight, cleanse the body and also keeps you hydrated on these hot days.
Exercise of the Week: Military Press
Equipment Needed: barbells, soup cans or milk jugs with water for weight
Description: With weights in hands, hold arms out to the side at shoulder height. Bend your elbows in to make an "L" with each arm and have your palms facing front. To ensure you are at the correct starting position, you should look like a football goal post when looking in the mirror. Next extend arms straight overhead being careful not to knock the weights together. Then return to starting position.
Duration: 3 sets of 10 reps
So today was another good day. After work I did not feel like going to the gym so I made myself go because I recognized my normal pattern of putting the gym off until the next day....and then the next day...etc. I think I was intimidated by the fact that I was running on a hill program instead of just a flat surface. I know it takes a lot more energy to be able to run the same speed while going up an incline. After the first mile I felt like giving up but my goal was to run between 1.5-2 miles so I pushed myself. Shortly after giving myself a little pep-talk I started to feel the begining of a cramp in my right side. I tried slowing down my breathing to help decrease it's intensity but it still got stronger. The key combination I found to combat that type of crap was to concentrate on the breathing but also take longer strides. By slowing down the movement I was able to slow down the breathing a little easier. Also taking longer strides helps when running on an incline so I'll start to pay more attention to my stride length. I was pretty beat afterwards and after having lunch and reading my book I took a good hour nap. Since I pushed myself on the treadmill I thought I would give myself a day off of weight training. Tomorrow morning I'll go and walk the treadmill for 30 minutes so I get my daily cardio in and really concentrate on all the weight machines as well. I don't run again until Saturday and there aren't any hills planned so it should hopefully be an easier day.
Good Luck and Good Health
Megan : )
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Introduction
My first post yesterday was pretty short and I felt that I needed to do a post describing what to expect from this blog. First, a little about me. When I started my weight loss journey I weighed 223 lbs. I joined a weight loss program and lost fifty pounds in a year and a half. When I started to plateau I left the program feeling I knew what I needed to do to keep the weight off. I ended up gaining twenty pounds and felt miserable. I joined a gym and attended pretty regularly but I didn't change my diet so I was staying in limbo. I then got frustrated and it was really hard for me to get going to the gym. I ended up joining the weight loss program again so that I had the access to the tools I needed for a better and healthier me. I solved my gym problem by making a goal I needed to reach. I found that if I was working towards something instead of just working out I was more successful in my visits at the gym. The goal that I have chosen for myself is to run a 5K race. The training program that I'm following is a three months program and I have just entered into the second month of training. I also try and attend yoga and pilates classes that are given at my gym to change up my routine.
I want this blog to be used as a tool for people who are struggling in losing weight or staying in shape. I know how hard it is to do things on your own and with the economy as it is right now it is even harder to join a weight loss program or a gym so I will try to give both gym advice and at home alternatives so that everyone can participate. With this blog I hope to give useful health tips, home exercises and healthy recipes. I plan to post at least three times a week and share my own weight loss story with all of you out there. I will post things such as my current weight, meals I ate that day and anything else that pops into my mind. I'm a full-time student and work part-time so I understand how hard it is to make time to improve your health. If you feel that this blog lacks information you need or if you need clarification on anything I post please feel free to contact to and I will help you the best that I can.
I want this blog to be used as a tool for people who are struggling in losing weight or staying in shape. I know how hard it is to do things on your own and with the economy as it is right now it is even harder to join a weight loss program or a gym so I will try to give both gym advice and at home alternatives so that everyone can participate. With this blog I hope to give useful health tips, home exercises and healthy recipes. I plan to post at least three times a week and share my own weight loss story with all of you out there. I will post things such as my current weight, meals I ate that day and anything else that pops into my mind. I'm a full-time student and work part-time so I understand how hard it is to make time to improve your health. If you feel that this blog lacks information you need or if you need clarification on anything I post please feel free to contact to and I will help you the best that I can.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Week 5 Day 2
Weight: 177 lbs
Distance: 2 miles @ 5.2 mph
Meals:
Breakfast: 1 Gala Apple
Lunch: Turkey and Wheat Tortilla Roll-Up
1 Serving of green Grapes
Dinner: Taco Salad (Romaine Hearts, Fat-Free Cheese, Ground Turkey Meat, Salsa, Onions)
1 Bicardi Mojito
Wow. The first month of this training went by so fast and seemed kinda easy. Today totally took the easy out of it. The actual running was fine but my energy was zapped afterwards. I had a yoga class this evening and I was dragging bad. But I will struggle on and conquer this training program and get to my goal weight.
Distance: 2 miles @ 5.2 mph
Meals:
Breakfast: 1 Gala Apple
Lunch: Turkey and Wheat Tortilla Roll-Up
1 Serving of green Grapes
Dinner: Taco Salad (Romaine Hearts, Fat-Free Cheese, Ground Turkey Meat, Salsa, Onions)
1 Bicardi Mojito
Wow. The first month of this training went by so fast and seemed kinda easy. Today totally took the easy out of it. The actual running was fine but my energy was zapped afterwards. I had a yoga class this evening and I was dragging bad. But I will struggle on and conquer this training program and get to my goal weight.
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