Weighing In and Working Out

This week's weigh-in was pretty lame.

I've been pretty darn active since last Wednesday, so I had high hopes for this weigh-in.  I actually woke up excited to weigh myself, thinking I would be out of the 80's, and would be able to start wearing my new running shoes.

Alas, I'm up .6 from last week.  I was so shocked to see a higher number, that I got off and on the scale a few times to make sure I wasn't crazy.

Since we went camping over the weekend, I didn't eat the greatest those couple days, but otherwise, my nutrition has been spot on.  I have stayed within my calorie range the rest of the week, eating healthy foods to fill those calories, and haven't had any candy.

Though I'm bummed, I'm not going to let a bad weigh-in get me down.  I'm going to keep trucking with my workouts, and will work harder in the nutrition department.  

Nick and I are camping again this week, but it's just the two of us so I can control our menu for the weekend.  I'm going to work out a camping meal plan today, and make sure we eat WELL this time.

On Monday, I shared my workouts from the past week of 7/20-7/26, and this week's workout schedule.  So far, this is how the week has gone.

Monday

2.14 mile walk with the dogs

21-Day Strength Challenges: I found these basic strength challenges on Pinterest to help me ease into add strength training to my training plan.

Tuesday

2.32 mile walk with dogs

3-4 mile run - 3.56 miles in 38:50

This was a tough one!  At 8pm, it was still 79 degrees and HUMID!  The air just felt wet.  Before I reached the end of my block, I was already covered in sweat.

Today, I have a 2-3 mile run scheduled, which I plan to do as a tempo run.  I am also on Day 3 of the strength challenges so I will be doing 8 reps X3 of each move.  I will most likely also squeeze in a 2+ mile walk with the dogs before bed.

Weekly Rundown 7/20-7/26

Monday

2.07 mile walk

Tuesday

2.04 mile walk

3-4 mile run - 3.37 miles

This was my first run on my new training plan.  The plan has me running 5 times a week, with mileage ranges for each day.  Each run, I aim to run the higher end of the mileage range, but sometimes, it just doesn't work out.  I am using run/walk intervals (2:30 run/:30 walk) until my legs gain strength and my breathing comes easier.  

Wednesday

2.25 mile walk

2-3 mile run - 2.48 miles

I pushed myself with this run, working on speed.  Even though I am taking walking breaks, I am very happy with my pace.

Thursday

2.36 mile walk

3-4 mile run - My legs were DEAD so I chose to forgo the run, and stretched a lot instead.

My legs were so tired and sore that I just couldn't make myself run!

Friday

REST

Legs were still really tired so I took a true rest day, and didn't do any activity other than stretching.

Saturday

1.58 mile hike

1.72 mile hike

2-3 mile run - 2.08 miles

We went camping with my family this weekend at a small campground.  The trails were pretty short, so I did a double hike to get some extra activity in.  First, I went with Nick and the dogs, and then my nephew wanted to go so I took another loop with him.  It was a rather humid and steamy day, and I put off running for the longest time.  I almost didn't go at all, but finally talked myself into it.  I did the same hiking loop, with some added road running to get at least 2 miles.  Trail running is difficult, but a lot of fun!  The varying terrain helps focus my mind on the trail and my form rather than how tired I am.

Sunday

4-5 mile long run - 5.18

Everything about this run felt good!  I would have liked to see faster mile times, but I wanted to go with an easy pace so I could cover some good mileage.  Overall, very happy with how this run went!

This past week, I completed a total of 10 workouts.  Per my rewards system, I banked $20 (10 workouts X $2 each) for my shopping spree fund!  After work, I need to go grocery shopping so I'm going to take $20 out at an ATM to stash away in a safe place at home.

This weeks training plan looks like this:

Monday

Cross Train

I will walk the dogs, and I plan on doing upper and lower strength training circuits.

Tuesday

3-4 miles

Wednesday

2-3 miles

Thursday

3-4 miles

Friday

REST

Saturday

5-6 miles

Sunday

2-3 miles

Happy Monday, everyone!

Rewards Revisited, Again.

Finally, I have all my rewards for reaching certain weight goals figured out.

I originally came up with these in June, and then edited them at the beginning of this week because my needs/priorities changed a bit.

180 - Hiking boots Running shoes

I can feel that mine are wearing out.  I've had them for over a year, so it's time.  I already have my new pair bought, but I don't get to wear them until I reach 180.

175 - Sandals Subscription to a running magazine.

170 - Running shoes Pedicure

165 - Pedicure New sports bras

160 - New workout clothes 

155 - Massage *Still need to think of something*

Had the second one of my life while on our honeymoon.  Honestly, not much of a fan.

152 - Shopping Spree

I needed to add one more reward, and priorities have changed again.  The final reward system will be the following:

180 - Running Shoes

175 - Hydration Vest

170 - Subscription to a running magazine

165 - Pedicure

160 - New sports bras

155 - New workout clothes

152 - Wardrobe shopping spree

As my runs become longer, I'm going to need to start taking fuel along with me.  I don't like holding anything in my hands while running so I don't want to carry a water bottle.  I already have a hydration belt that holds four 6oz water bottles, but I go through them too quickly, and I don't want to keep stopping to refill.  To carry more water with me, I have my eye on these two.

Nathan Intensity

Camelbak Marathoner.

For extra motivation to reach my goal weight, and get that shopping spree, I have started paying myself to workout.  For each workout that I complete, I get $2.  Workouts are considered a run, 30+ minutes of walking or other cardio, doing a workout video, or completing a strength training circuit.

So far this week, I have completed 5 workouts: 3 30+ minute walks with the dogs, and 2 runs.  I've made $10.  When I reach $20 increments, I'll take the money out at an ATM, and will stash the cash away somewhere.  Once I reach my goal weight, I'll take that cash to buy myself a new, adult, professional wardrobe.

Does YOU use a hydration vest?  Do YOU recommend one of the above vests over the other?

Any recommendations on which running magazine is the best?

Throw Back

I dug up some pictures today to help motivate me to reach my goals.

This one is from my second half marathon in May 2013.  I was at my lowest weight, in the 150's, since high school, and I PRed with a time of 2 hours, 9 minutes, and some seconds.  This race made me realize that if I trained just a bit harder, I could get a sub 2 hour half.  

But didn't train harder, and I haven't reached that sub 2 goal, yet.

This one is from August 2012.  I had run my first ever half marathon in May 2012 with a time of 2 hours, 24 minutes, and some seconds.  I was in the 160's, and rocking that swimsuit.  I still remember that day, and how I felt SO comfortable, even with all that skin exposed.  

Was my body perfect?  No, and it probably never will be, but I was comfortable and happy with it, and that is what's important.  I want to feel that comfort again, and not be insecure in a bathing suit.

These pictures are proof that I can reach my goals, I just need to work for them.  They won't come easily, and it will be a daily struggle.

But, I can do it.

I've done it before, and I will do it again.

WIW

Happy Wednesday!

This morning was my first weigh-in in 3 weeks.  While I would really like to be out of the 80's, I'm just thankful it's not higher!  Our honeymoon really derailed my exercise and healthy eating plan, but I'm working hard to get back on track.

Since I have not run in the last 3 weeks, I have decided to ease back into it by doing run-walk intervals.  I'm running 2:30 and walking :30.  Once I become more comfortable with the intervals, I'll switch back to just running.

Monday, I had cross-training on the schedule so I took the dogs for a 2.07 mile walk.

Yesterday, I had a 3-4 mile run.  I left the house with intentions of doing all 4 miles.  When I started the first run/walk interval, I thought man, this easy.  After about the third one though, I was struggling!  Those 2:30 runs seemed to be longer and longer, and  those :30 seconds of walking went by way too quickly.  When I hit 3 miles, I wanted so badly to stop, and call it a day, but I made myself go through one more sequence for a total of 3.37 miles in 35:44. Mile 1 - 10:19, Mile 2 - 10:38, Mile 3 - 10:44, .37 Mile - 4:03.

My legs were very tired and tight after the run, so I took the long way home so I could walk and stretch everything out.  I walked for about a mile myself, stopped by the house for water and to pick up the dogs, and walked for another mile to round out 2.04 miles of added walking.

Even though the run was physically and mentally tough, I felt GREAT afterwards!

Today I have 2-3 miles, and once again, I'm aiming to do the full 3. 

Stop over to Winter or Cassi's blogs to join the Weigh-in Wednesday link-up!  Share your story, and cheer on others!