Talk about a rude awakening. I stepped on the scale this morning on a lark and it told me I am up 4 pounds! I totally call shenanigans on my scale! There is NO way. I've been eating well within my calorie range, and have kept my sodium low for the last several days. Someone want to explain this to me?
The only thing I can think of is the joint pain I've been experiencing all week after my jog has caused me to retain some stress water. Or the cortisol is out of control. Or something.
Regardless, I swam 2700 yards yesterday and 2250 today. I must be getting faster because yesterday I swam 110 lengths in 60 minutes and today I swam 100 in 50 minutes. If nothing else, I need less recovery time in between sets. Tomorrow I plan on a long 75-90 minutes swim.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
On Second Thought...
I think the jogging may have to wait until I can get the right shoes. I have wide, flat feet (a la Fred Flintstone. Very pretty. Very feminine.), along with weak ankles. This morning I could barely walk, my ankles hurt so bad.
I had planned to swim this morning, and even woke up bright and early on my own. However, when I crawled out of bed and put weight on my right leg, I nearly fell down. So instead I popped a couple Alleve and went back to bed. Alleve is my new best friend (it was also my new best friend when I had a cracked rib).
The good news is, my sister-in-law's dad is a running shoe guru. He had some advice for getting the right shoes and may be able to hook us up with some nice shoes for less than retail price. Nice!
I am shocked with how much of an impact a few minutes of jogging has had on my body. I walk 4 miles in a day easily, but 6 1/2 minutes of jogging have done me in. Of course, SIL's dad pointed out that when you run, your legs absorb 5-7 times your body weight with each step.
I had planned to swim this morning, and even woke up bright and early on my own. However, when I crawled out of bed and put weight on my right leg, I nearly fell down. So instead I popped a couple Alleve and went back to bed. Alleve is my new best friend (it was also my new best friend when I had a cracked rib).
The good news is, my sister-in-law's dad is a running shoe guru. He had some advice for getting the right shoes and may be able to hook us up with some nice shoes for less than retail price. Nice!
I am shocked with how much of an impact a few minutes of jogging has had on my body. I walk 4 miles in a day easily, but 6 1/2 minutes of jogging have done me in. Of course, SIL's dad pointed out that when you run, your legs absorb 5-7 times your body weight with each step.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Jogging Aftermath and Weight
Hi there. I am very, very sore. Apparently jogging works all these muscles that swimming completely ignores because, as I mentioned, I am very sore.
You would think the soreness would be a deterrent, right? No, this is how crazy I am. The fact that I am sore means that I'm working something new and exciting, and, the fact of the matter is, I don't want jogging to beat me. I have given up my crazy competitive nature with regard to board games and I'm the consummate peacemaker during conflict and Jason complains that I don't argue enough because I can see multiple sides to many issues and because I just don't like aggressive discussions in general. However, this whole exercise thing brings out my competitive side.
For instance, I have been working on swimming 60 minutes in the mornings before work instead of 45 because I wasn't feeling pushed enough by the end of 45.
Also, I set a goal to conquer the hill in between work and my apartment. It's a big, steep hill. The last time I walked up it, not only was I not huffing and puffing so much, but I also proceeded to go a different direction after the big hill, which meant I walked up a bunch of little hills too. Because I beat the big hill and thought to myself, "I'm going to do those little hills too. Because I can."
So that's how my brain works and now I find myself thinking I should start at the beginning with the couch to 5K program and work jogging into my mornings. Because I'm crazy.
In other news, the scale went down on Saturday morning. If you count the weight I gained back, I lost 3 pounds. If you just go from my recent low weight, I lost 1.2 pounds. Either way, it's moving in the right direction.
You would think the soreness would be a deterrent, right? No, this is how crazy I am. The fact that I am sore means that I'm working something new and exciting, and, the fact of the matter is, I don't want jogging to beat me. I have given up my crazy competitive nature with regard to board games and I'm the consummate peacemaker during conflict and Jason complains that I don't argue enough because I can see multiple sides to many issues and because I just don't like aggressive discussions in general. However, this whole exercise thing brings out my competitive side.
For instance, I have been working on swimming 60 minutes in the mornings before work instead of 45 because I wasn't feeling pushed enough by the end of 45.
Also, I set a goal to conquer the hill in between work and my apartment. It's a big, steep hill. The last time I walked up it, not only was I not huffing and puffing so much, but I also proceeded to go a different direction after the big hill, which meant I walked up a bunch of little hills too. Because I beat the big hill and thought to myself, "I'm going to do those little hills too. Because I can."
So that's how my brain works and now I find myself thinking I should start at the beginning with the couch to 5K program and work jogging into my mornings. Because I'm crazy.
In other news, the scale went down on Saturday morning. If you count the weight I gained back, I lost 3 pounds. If you just go from my recent low weight, I lost 1.2 pounds. Either way, it's moving in the right direction.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Jog
Today I went for a jog with Jason. It reminded me that I hate jogging. Oh right.
I was lame and woke up too late to swim, so I thought I would head out with Jason. He was shocked that with all my swimming, I couldn't keep up with him on a jog. I tried to explain how they're different sports, you have to get used to any kind of sport, etc.
I've never understood all these people who can run like mad, but are in awe of my swimming ability. Because, seriously, I can NOT run.
My bones rattle with every step as my feet pound into the ground. And I can feel my flab bouncing. And my boobs. I guess I need a tighter sports bra. The point is, it's not pleasant.
Also, I tweaked my ankle somehow. I have weak ankles, which periodic yoga has helped make stronger, but I guess my right ankle turned a bit on one of those jogging steps. It's not a big deal, just a bit sore when I walk.
These sorts of things do not happen in the pool! Score one point for swimming.
Tomorrow, it's back in the pool for me.
I was lame and woke up too late to swim, so I thought I would head out with Jason. He was shocked that with all my swimming, I couldn't keep up with him on a jog. I tried to explain how they're different sports, you have to get used to any kind of sport, etc.
I've never understood all these people who can run like mad, but are in awe of my swimming ability. Because, seriously, I can NOT run.
My bones rattle with every step as my feet pound into the ground. And I can feel my flab bouncing. And my boobs. I guess I need a tighter sports bra. The point is, it's not pleasant.
Also, I tweaked my ankle somehow. I have weak ankles, which periodic yoga has helped make stronger, but I guess my right ankle turned a bit on one of those jogging steps. It's not a big deal, just a bit sore when I walk.
These sorts of things do not happen in the pool! Score one point for swimming.
Tomorrow, it's back in the pool for me.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Swimmy-Poo*
Made it back to the pool today. Because I am a rock star.
Actually, I kind of impressed myself because I did 90 lengths in 45 minutes. Which meant I was basically going the whole time I was in the pool. I used to do 80 lengths in 45 minutes as a rule. Maybe I'm getting faster.
I also walked to work and I'll be walking home. It's actually kind of hot outside so I'm sure I'll be nice and sweaty by the time I get home, but I will also be flushed with my awesome sense of accomplishment.
Apparently swimming puts me in a really good mood. Must remember.
* How many variations on the word "swim" can I use in these titles?
Actually, I kind of impressed myself because I did 90 lengths in 45 minutes. Which meant I was basically going the whole time I was in the pool. I used to do 80 lengths in 45 minutes as a rule. Maybe I'm getting faster.
I also walked to work and I'll be walking home. It's actually kind of hot outside so I'm sure I'll be nice and sweaty by the time I get home, but I will also be flushed with my awesome sense of accomplishment.
Apparently swimming puts me in a really good mood. Must remember.
* How many variations on the word "swim" can I use in these titles?
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Food Issues
The last couple of mornings I have had the worst time getting out of bed. I wake up on my own at about 5:30, then Tiny the cat nudges me out of bed to feed him at about 5:45, and I know I should get up and go for an hour swim, but I just can't. So I sleep until 7 or so and get up in time to get ready and still be able to walk to work. Which, you know, walking to work is good and all, but I need to swim since I don't think walking 3 1/2 to 4 miles per day is going to get rid of these 30 pounds when I spend the rest of the day on my bum in front of a computer.
Or maybe it will. Since I haven't been that successful thus far, maybe walking is the magical key.
I think ice cream is the reason I'm so lethargic. See, Breyer's was 2 for 1 this week. AND we had a coupon. 2 things of ice cream for LESS THAN 1. Score!
Only, not really when dessert for the past two evenings has been chocolate ice cream. We got the low fat version and I've been good about doling out portions in little bowls (or, last night, tiny plastic Paw Sox baseball caps). But I know how my body reacts to simple carbs and I feel like that's where the dragging is coming from.
What happened to my monthly splurge day, you ask? Yeah, that kind of went by the wayside. But I need to bring it back. I thought about it this morning and decided that I would much rather have a lovely pint of creamy, full-fat Ben and Jerry's or Haagen Daaz once a month, than the crumbly low fat pseudo ice cream every night.
I have also realized that it is seventy-five thousand times harder to be super-diligent when I have a husband in the house. When it was just me, I cooked for me and I bought groceries for me and I stuck to my plan. No questions. I still cook for us, but with Jason around I find that I tend to slip more easily. Like we're at a party and he eats a cookie. Well, darn it, I want a cookie too! Or he tells me about the sale on ice cream that we also have a coupon for, when, honestly, I wouldn't have cut out the ice cream coupon and I wouldn't have even looked at the ice cream sales in the store circular.
He's been doing really well with his jogging, and he's been eating what I cook and really thinking about his own health and that's wonderful. But I think he just doesn't have the same issues with sugary carbs that I do. I have a bad habit of eating and eating and eating when confronted with large quantities of treats. To the point where he's actually commented on the fact that I get out of control. I have to set limits for myself and I have to keep the junk out of the house. When I shopped only for me, it was very easy to follow those rules. Now it's harder and I'm trying to figure out how to make this work.
Or maybe it will. Since I haven't been that successful thus far, maybe walking is the magical key.
I think ice cream is the reason I'm so lethargic. See, Breyer's was 2 for 1 this week. AND we had a coupon. 2 things of ice cream for LESS THAN 1. Score!
Only, not really when dessert for the past two evenings has been chocolate ice cream. We got the low fat version and I've been good about doling out portions in little bowls (or, last night, tiny plastic Paw Sox baseball caps). But I know how my body reacts to simple carbs and I feel like that's where the dragging is coming from.
What happened to my monthly splurge day, you ask? Yeah, that kind of went by the wayside. But I need to bring it back. I thought about it this morning and decided that I would much rather have a lovely pint of creamy, full-fat Ben and Jerry's or Haagen Daaz once a month, than the crumbly low fat pseudo ice cream every night.
I have also realized that it is seventy-five thousand times harder to be super-diligent when I have a husband in the house. When it was just me, I cooked for me and I bought groceries for me and I stuck to my plan. No questions. I still cook for us, but with Jason around I find that I tend to slip more easily. Like we're at a party and he eats a cookie. Well, darn it, I want a cookie too! Or he tells me about the sale on ice cream that we also have a coupon for, when, honestly, I wouldn't have cut out the ice cream coupon and I wouldn't have even looked at the ice cream sales in the store circular.
He's been doing really well with his jogging, and he's been eating what I cook and really thinking about his own health and that's wonderful. But I think he just doesn't have the same issues with sugary carbs that I do. I have a bad habit of eating and eating and eating when confronted with large quantities of treats. To the point where he's actually commented on the fact that I get out of control. I have to set limits for myself and I have to keep the junk out of the house. When I shopped only for me, it was very easy to follow those rules. Now it's harder and I'm trying to figure out how to make this work.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Weight
Recently I told a friend of mine that I want to lose 30 more pounds. She looked at me like I was insane. I told her, well, I want to get down to 160, and let her do the math. She said, "Oh" because I'm sure she had no idea that I weigh 190. I tend to look about 20 pounds lighter than I am due to large leg muscles and my pear shape.
160 is still well within the "Overweight" BMI for my height. I have no desire to get down to "Normal" because I know it just wouldn't be sustainable for me. Lately I'm wondering if it's even possible for me to get to 160.
Yesterday I was feeling pretty good about myself. I feel like my stomach is flatter. I feel like my pajama pants are so baggy that it's only willpower and my huge bum that are holding them on. So I weighed myself this morning and I'm back up to that weight I was at a few weeks ago. I mean, it's only a pound and a half more than my last weigh-in, but still.
Usually when I combine swimming with a lower carb diet, I lose weight. Not dramatic weight, but steady weight. It just doesn't seem to be happening this time and I'm feeling a bit frustrated.
160 is still well within the "Overweight" BMI for my height. I have no desire to get down to "Normal" because I know it just wouldn't be sustainable for me. Lately I'm wondering if it's even possible for me to get to 160.
Yesterday I was feeling pretty good about myself. I feel like my stomach is flatter. I feel like my pajama pants are so baggy that it's only willpower and my huge bum that are holding them on. So I weighed myself this morning and I'm back up to that weight I was at a few weeks ago. I mean, it's only a pound and a half more than my last weigh-in, but still.
Usually when I combine swimming with a lower carb diet, I lose weight. Not dramatic weight, but steady weight. It just doesn't seem to be happening this time and I'm feeling a bit frustrated.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Strength
Long silences usually indicate a relapse into bad eating ways. Not true this time.
OK, so I did eat some junk when we went out of town last weekend. I also hiked, so it evens out.
I have been doing pretty well with the eating. This week has been nutso at work so far. However, we got a product out to a client this afternoon, they're happy, and now we get to work on all that other stuff on our to-do lists rather than just the one, huge, must-be-done-immediately project. I've come into work early and left on the late side, so I haven't been to the pool this week. However, I have been walking to and from work. Today it's windy and cloudy and threatening rain, but I'm leaving in a few minutes to walk home anyway.
Also, yesterday morning I woke up early enough to do some strength training. I know, I'm as shocked as you are. Despite not feeling like I was doing all that much, today my arms, chest and stomach are SORE. I think that's more indicative of my weak muscles than of my actually doing anything fierce with my strength training.
I did 10 push ups! OK, 2 sets of 5. But still. I absolutely and completely stink at push ups. You would think the swimming and the defined triceps would give me some upper body strength, but I guess it's the wrong kind of upper body strength.
First, I did 2 planks for 30 seconds each. Those in addition to the 50 slow crunches and 60 bicylce crunches is why my abs are sore. But then I decided to try push ups. I didn't get very low and they were totally pitiful, but I did them. Proud of myself.
OK, so I did eat some junk when we went out of town last weekend. I also hiked, so it evens out.
I have been doing pretty well with the eating. This week has been nutso at work so far. However, we got a product out to a client this afternoon, they're happy, and now we get to work on all that other stuff on our to-do lists rather than just the one, huge, must-be-done-immediately project. I've come into work early and left on the late side, so I haven't been to the pool this week. However, I have been walking to and from work. Today it's windy and cloudy and threatening rain, but I'm leaving in a few minutes to walk home anyway.
Also, yesterday morning I woke up early enough to do some strength training. I know, I'm as shocked as you are. Despite not feeling like I was doing all that much, today my arms, chest and stomach are SORE. I think that's more indicative of my weak muscles than of my actually doing anything fierce with my strength training.
I did 10 push ups! OK, 2 sets of 5. But still. I absolutely and completely stink at push ups. You would think the swimming and the defined triceps would give me some upper body strength, but I guess it's the wrong kind of upper body strength.
First, I did 2 planks for 30 seconds each. Those in addition to the 50 slow crunches and 60 bicylce crunches is why my abs are sore. But then I decided to try push ups. I didn't get very low and they were totally pitiful, but I did them. Proud of myself.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Podcast Recommendation
I walk to and from work at least once a week and on those 2 mile treks I like to listen to fitness and health podcasts. FYI, there are a lot of BORING podcasts out there. I just want to ask some people why they think they're being interesting enough to warrant an hour and a half podcast because they're sooooo not.
I have found a few that I like: Dr. Fitness and the Fat Guy, Livin' La Vida Low Carb, Fitness Rocks. These are entertaining enough to hold my attention and usually have some good information as well. I don't always agree with what they have to say, but it's interesting to hear what's out there in the fitness and health world.
As you've probably guessed, I'm a big fan of The Biggest Loser this season. I've actually never watched a complete season through to the end before this season. Usually I catch an episode here or there and then other things get in the way. But I am hooked this time around, and totally rooting for Tara. I know that there are some serious flaws in the methods used, but I do like the time that is spent talking with some of the players about their emotional issues and why they eat. I also like how they all seem to gain such new strength and energy and revitalization from their time on the ranch and how some of them are trying to be an inspiration to others (i.e., Kristin and her motivational speaking, Filipe and his Tongan exercise class).
I recently discovered Jillian Michaels's podcast. She has a Sunday morning radio show on LA Station KFI. You can get the podcast on itunes. I've only listened to a couple of episodes, but so far I really like what she has to say, mostly because I think she's "real". She can be kind of brusque, of course, and she doesn't take crap from people, but I get the sense that she honestly cares and wants to help the people who call or write in with questions. I've heard her deal with someone who was obviously emotionally fragile in a very delicate way.
She also talks about her own foibles. At the beginning of one episode she talked about how she had a crap weekend food-wise and found herself in binge mode. She had to catch herself and step back to try to figure out why she was eating that way, deal with whatever issue was there, and move forward. She talks about how she kind of hates going to the gym. I appreciate her honesty and her acknowledgment that it's kind of a pain in the butt sometimes to look the way she looks.
I have found a few that I like: Dr. Fitness and the Fat Guy, Livin' La Vida Low Carb, Fitness Rocks. These are entertaining enough to hold my attention and usually have some good information as well. I don't always agree with what they have to say, but it's interesting to hear what's out there in the fitness and health world.
As you've probably guessed, I'm a big fan of The Biggest Loser this season. I've actually never watched a complete season through to the end before this season. Usually I catch an episode here or there and then other things get in the way. But I am hooked this time around, and totally rooting for Tara. I know that there are some serious flaws in the methods used, but I do like the time that is spent talking with some of the players about their emotional issues and why they eat. I also like how they all seem to gain such new strength and energy and revitalization from their time on the ranch and how some of them are trying to be an inspiration to others (i.e., Kristin and her motivational speaking, Filipe and his Tongan exercise class).
I recently discovered Jillian Michaels's podcast. She has a Sunday morning radio show on LA Station KFI. You can get the podcast on itunes. I've only listened to a couple of episodes, but so far I really like what she has to say, mostly because I think she's "real". She can be kind of brusque, of course, and she doesn't take crap from people, but I get the sense that she honestly cares and wants to help the people who call or write in with questions. I've heard her deal with someone who was obviously emotionally fragile in a very delicate way.
She also talks about her own foibles. At the beginning of one episode she talked about how she had a crap weekend food-wise and found herself in binge mode. She had to catch herself and step back to try to figure out why she was eating that way, deal with whatever issue was there, and move forward. She talks about how she kind of hates going to the gym. I appreciate her honesty and her acknowledgment that it's kind of a pain in the butt sometimes to look the way she looks.
Monday, May 04, 2009
Saturday Weigh-In: The FINALLY! Edition
The scale moved.
I lost 1 1/2 pounds last week. And another 3/4 inch or so. Jason would probably be a total downer at this point and tell me how weight fluctuates and the 1 1/2 pounds may mean nothing. (he also likes to tell me how there's probably an error rate of 1/4 inch or so on the measuring, but I ignore him or tell him to be quiet and let me be happy about my progress, illusory or not)
Yesterday I kind of threw my food plan book away. I don't know why exactly. Maybe it's the lack of sleep for the past 4 or 5 days, but I just didn't feel like passing up on the few treats I was offered. Also, there was a mango lassi involved at some point. Yum!
So yeah, a couple cookies, mango lassi, and an ice cream sandwich. I was still within my calorie range for the day.
I've had faux sleep apnea for the last few nights, wherein I'm so stuffed up that I have periods of not being able to breathe and I keep waking up. I missed out on my swim this morning because miraculously at 4 AM (I know the time because I was awake), my sinuses cleared and I could breathe through my nose again. I fell right to sleep and figured I needed some real sleep more than a swim.
Saturday I swam for 132 lengths, 3300 yards. I discovered that chlorine fumes are an awesome sinus cleanser. I wasn't gross about it - no blowing snot into the pool, which, by the way, I have seen people do and it's foul. After pulling on my swim cap and stretching and showering, by the time I actually got in the pool, my head was clear. So if you have a cold and don't feel like working out, go for a swim. Preferably an indoor pool where you have the maximum amount of contained chlorine fumes.
I lost 1 1/2 pounds last week. And another 3/4 inch or so. Jason would probably be a total downer at this point and tell me how weight fluctuates and the 1 1/2 pounds may mean nothing. (he also likes to tell me how there's probably an error rate of 1/4 inch or so on the measuring, but I ignore him or tell him to be quiet and let me be happy about my progress, illusory or not)
Yesterday I kind of threw my food plan book away. I don't know why exactly. Maybe it's the lack of sleep for the past 4 or 5 days, but I just didn't feel like passing up on the few treats I was offered. Also, there was a mango lassi involved at some point. Yum!
So yeah, a couple cookies, mango lassi, and an ice cream sandwich. I was still within my calorie range for the day.
I've had faux sleep apnea for the last few nights, wherein I'm so stuffed up that I have periods of not being able to breathe and I keep waking up. I missed out on my swim this morning because miraculously at 4 AM (I know the time because I was awake), my sinuses cleared and I could breathe through my nose again. I fell right to sleep and figured I needed some real sleep more than a swim.
Saturday I swam for 132 lengths, 3300 yards. I discovered that chlorine fumes are an awesome sinus cleanser. I wasn't gross about it - no blowing snot into the pool, which, by the way, I have seen people do and it's foul. After pulling on my swim cap and stretching and showering, by the time I actually got in the pool, my head was clear. So if you have a cold and don't feel like working out, go for a swim. Preferably an indoor pool where you have the maximum amount of contained chlorine fumes.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
New Swimming Personal Record
Today I swam 2000 yards straight, which...I don't think I've ever done, actually. I always swam short distances on swim team so never had to do any real distance training. When I got to the pool this morning, it was super crowded. There was already one lane circle swimming, and the others all had two people already.
I've decided to not be such a pill about circle swimming. Yes, it's a pain because no one goes the same pace. The other woman in my lane today kept passing the man, and I kept passing both of them, though I was swimming slower than usual. But instead of being so rigid about my routine for the day, which is usually pretty hard to maintain when you're circle swimming, I just swim straight until there are only two of us left in the lane and then I pick up with my routine.
Only there were 3 people in my lane the whole time, so I just kept swimming and wound up doing 80 lengths straight. I still had some time left, so I did a 200 kick to finish. I'm just kind of impressed with myself because a few weeks ago I never would have been able to do 2000 yards straight.
I've decided to not be such a pill about circle swimming. Yes, it's a pain because no one goes the same pace. The other woman in my lane today kept passing the man, and I kept passing both of them, though I was swimming slower than usual. But instead of being so rigid about my routine for the day, which is usually pretty hard to maintain when you're circle swimming, I just swim straight until there are only two of us left in the lane and then I pick up with my routine.
Only there were 3 people in my lane the whole time, so I just kept swimming and wound up doing 80 lengths straight. I still had some time left, so I did a 200 kick to finish. I'm just kind of impressed with myself because a few weeks ago I never would have been able to do 2000 yards straight.
How Do You Get Excited About Strength Training?
So I'm all over the cardio. I love to swim and love to challenge myself and feel myself getting faster and stronger in the pool.
Where I fall down is with the strength training. I have several pilates DVDs and I do them occasionally. Now that I've done them all a couple of times, I'm not really that excited by them. I don't really care for weight machines, even though I've done them a lot. I'm just having a really hard time feeling excited at all about strength training. I know it's important and I should do it. But, frankly, my time is limited and if I'm going to spend time exercising, I'd rather be in the pool, swimming laps.
Anyone have any ideas about ways to liven up the strength training aspect of your workout?
Where I fall down is with the strength training. I have several pilates DVDs and I do them occasionally. Now that I've done them all a couple of times, I'm not really that excited by them. I don't really care for weight machines, even though I've done them a lot. I'm just having a really hard time feeling excited at all about strength training. I know it's important and I should do it. But, frankly, my time is limited and if I'm going to spend time exercising, I'd rather be in the pool, swimming laps.
Anyone have any ideas about ways to liven up the strength training aspect of your workout?
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
No Swim Today
After watching The Biggest Loser last night*, I was all fired up to swim this morning. However, I had an early work meeting. My options were to catch the 7:48 bus or the 8:08 bus to make the 8:30 meeting. Considering the 8:08 bus has been consistently running 10 minutes late, I figured the only way to definitely be here by 8:30 was to catch the 7:48. Which means I need to leave by 7:45. And it takes me about 50 minutes to get ready in the morning. So I would have to end my workout at 6:40 to get home and in the shower by 6:55. And so forth.
All said, it would have meant getting up much earlier than I wanted to. Since it's just Wednesday, I still have 3 days to swim this week so I'm not concerned.
I'm amazed at how hungry I'm not when I don't swim in the morning. On my swimming days I need to be eating at my high calorie range just to curb my hunger, whereas today, I knew it was lunchtime, and I ate, but I was kind of meh about the whole thing.
* Team Tara!
All said, it would have meant getting up much earlier than I wanted to. Since it's just Wednesday, I still have 3 days to swim this week so I'm not concerned.
I'm amazed at how hungry I'm not when I don't swim in the morning. On my swimming days I need to be eating at my high calorie range just to curb my hunger, whereas today, I knew it was lunchtime, and I ate, but I was kind of meh about the whole thing.
* Team Tara!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Need More
I swam today without using fins because the fins have caused their own set of problems. Namely, blisters on 6 out of 10 toes. I found a set of fins that some people have said are good for wide feet, so I may be investing in a set of my own. My shoulder feels better today, though, after having a few days off.
I felt distinctly dissatisfied after my swim today. I think part of that was due to my carb-tastic dinner last night. We had sushi, which I haven't had in ages and I LOVE and I figure if you're going to have a carb-heavy meal, sushi is probably one of the more healthy ways to go. So I was feeling kind of sluggish at the start of my swim.
But then I got on a roll and swam an 800 in 14:15, which is slow, but better than my last time from a couple of weeks ago. Then I realized I only had 6 lengths left in the workout. After swimming 90 minutes on Saturday, swimming 45 minutes on weekdays suddenly doesn't seem like that much. However, the only way I can swim longer is if I wake up earlier and get to the pool earlier and that doesn't sound like fun at all.
I suppose if I keep feeling dissatisfied, I can TRY to wake up 15 minutes earlier and get in a full hour. It's so HAAARD, though.
I felt distinctly dissatisfied after my swim today. I think part of that was due to my carb-tastic dinner last night. We had sushi, which I haven't had in ages and I LOVE and I figure if you're going to have a carb-heavy meal, sushi is probably one of the more healthy ways to go. So I was feeling kind of sluggish at the start of my swim.
But then I got on a roll and swam an 800 in 14:15, which is slow, but better than my last time from a couple of weeks ago. Then I realized I only had 6 lengths left in the workout. After swimming 90 minutes on Saturday, swimming 45 minutes on weekdays suddenly doesn't seem like that much. However, the only way I can swim longer is if I wake up earlier and get to the pool earlier and that doesn't sound like fun at all.
I suppose if I keep feeling dissatisfied, I can TRY to wake up 15 minutes earlier and get in a full hour. It's so HAAARD, though.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Saturday Weigh-In: SRSLY?!
Guess what? I weigh exactly the same as I did last week. And the week before. To the tenth of a pound, says my digital scale. Is it too much to just want the numbers to change a little? Preferably in a downward direction?
I did lose an inch and a half, including a quarter inch on my waist, hips, and chest. At least I'm toning up uniformly. Also a quarter inch on my right upper arm, which is random, but I'll take it. That means I've lost about 5 1/4 inches in 3 weeks.
So yes, I know, gaining muscle, losing fat, blah blah blah. I would still like the scale to go down a bit. I thought for sure this week I would have lost at least a pound. At least I can feel a difference in my body so I know it's really changing. For one, my jeans are baggier. For two, I feel incredibly energetic and excited to hit the pool and to find other ways to squeeze in some exercise. My boss even offered me a ride home after work on Friday, which was kind of a brain-melting day and I was exhausted, but I said, no thanks, I'm going to walk. Go me.
Saturday morning's swim was another kick-centric workout. My shoulder is still not great. I think I'm going to go to the doctor and try to figure out what's going on. My mom has severe arthritis, my maternal grandfather did too, and my paternal grandmother had bad knees, so it's not inconceivable that I would have some joint issues. I did 7 sets of 300 kick, 100 pull, 100 swim, plus a warm-up and cool down. I love the kicking, except the fins are starting to give me blisters. I wonder if they make fins for people with wide feet...
So I swam 4300 yards, which I think is a new high for me. That's 172 lengths. I was shooting for 176, which would be about 2 1/2 miles, but I ran out of time again and they starting breaking up the lanes for some swim classes that were coming in. Also, I did the last 100 in my long set in 1:25, which I'm very pleased about.
I did lose an inch and a half, including a quarter inch on my waist, hips, and chest. At least I'm toning up uniformly. Also a quarter inch on my right upper arm, which is random, but I'll take it. That means I've lost about 5 1/4 inches in 3 weeks.
So yes, I know, gaining muscle, losing fat, blah blah blah. I would still like the scale to go down a bit. I thought for sure this week I would have lost at least a pound. At least I can feel a difference in my body so I know it's really changing. For one, my jeans are baggier. For two, I feel incredibly energetic and excited to hit the pool and to find other ways to squeeze in some exercise. My boss even offered me a ride home after work on Friday, which was kind of a brain-melting day and I was exhausted, but I said, no thanks, I'm going to walk. Go me.
Saturday morning's swim was another kick-centric workout. My shoulder is still not great. I think I'm going to go to the doctor and try to figure out what's going on. My mom has severe arthritis, my maternal grandfather did too, and my paternal grandmother had bad knees, so it's not inconceivable that I would have some joint issues. I did 7 sets of 300 kick, 100 pull, 100 swim, plus a warm-up and cool down. I love the kicking, except the fins are starting to give me blisters. I wonder if they make fins for people with wide feet...
So I swam 4300 yards, which I think is a new high for me. That's 172 lengths. I was shooting for 176, which would be about 2 1/2 miles, but I ran out of time again and they starting breaking up the lanes for some swim classes that were coming in. Also, I did the last 100 in my long set in 1:25, which I'm very pleased about.
Friday, April 24, 2009
I Heart Fins
So I've never done kicking drills wearing fins before. I've snorkled and scuba dived (dove?) and I know fins are great and make you go fast, but I've never used them in the pool. Lap fins are a lot smaller than snorkling fins, but it's the same principle.
The Y has fins available with the kickboards and pull buoys and I decided to try them out since I knew I was going to have a kicking-heavy workout today to spare my shoulder. I was kind of dreading my workout since kicking makes me bored. However, with the fins it's superfun and I go superfast. I alternated free, fly and back kicking, breaking up the sets with a 100 swim. Not only did I sail through the water, but I could feel my leg muscles working hard as they pushed against more surface resistance.
Usually after a swim, the skin over my triceps is bright red because those muscles have worked hard. Today, the skin over my outer upper thighs was bright red. Tone the upper thighs? Yes, please!
Also, I did my last 100 in 1:29!
Although there was a girl swimming in the lane next to me who was doing 100's in about 1:02. I have work to do! I actually like it when there are fast people swimming with me because it makes me work harder.
2000 yards today
400 swim warmup
4 x 250 kick, 100 swim. Alternate free, fly and back kick.
200 fly kick cooldown
Tomorrow I plan to swim for 90 minutes. I'm going to go heavy on the kicking again and see if I can get my shoulder back into good condition. It's not sore today since I only used it for 800 out of my 2000 yards.
The Y has fins available with the kickboards and pull buoys and I decided to try them out since I knew I was going to have a kicking-heavy workout today to spare my shoulder. I was kind of dreading my workout since kicking makes me bored. However, with the fins it's superfun and I go superfast. I alternated free, fly and back kicking, breaking up the sets with a 100 swim. Not only did I sail through the water, but I could feel my leg muscles working hard as they pushed against more surface resistance.
Usually after a swim, the skin over my triceps is bright red because those muscles have worked hard. Today, the skin over my outer upper thighs was bright red. Tone the upper thighs? Yes, please!
Also, I did my last 100 in 1:29!
Although there was a girl swimming in the lane next to me who was doing 100's in about 1:02. I have work to do! I actually like it when there are fast people swimming with me because it makes me work harder.
2000 yards today
400 swim warmup
4 x 250 kick, 100 swim. Alternate free, fly and back kick.
200 fly kick cooldown
Tomorrow I plan to swim for 90 minutes. I'm going to go heavy on the kicking again and see if I can get my shoulder back into good condition. It's not sore today since I only used it for 800 out of my 2000 yards.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Darn Shoulder
I'm having problems with my right shoulder again. Yesterday during my workout, it started aching toward the end. I iced it while I was getting ready for work, and last night laying on the heating pad seemed to make it feel better. Still, I woke up this morning with a very stiff shoulder and the beginnings of a migraine. I nipped the migraine in the bud, but my shoulder still hurts. My extremely non-ergonomic workstation isn't helping.
Breathing on just my right side seemed to aggravate the shoulder more, so I've been working on breathing on my left. Only, now that it's hurting again I have to wonder if it's just swimming itself that aggravates it, rather than my particular breathing style.
I've had problems off and on with this shoulder for a few years now and it's driving me crazy. I didn't USED to have shoulder pain when I swam. I assume it's because of old age. Maybe it's a problem with initial overuse. I get enthusiastic about swimming and I go a little crazy with it. Last week I swam Wednesday through Saturday without a day off. I would have thought waiting 3 days to swim again would keep the shoulder from freaking out on me, but I guess not.
Tomorrow I'm going to swim, but I'm going to focus on kicking. This is when I REALLY wish I had a swimp3. Kicking by itself is really, really extremely boring. I'll try to mix it up and alternate free, fly and back kicking, but still. However, my legs and bum can always use some work, so I'll try to wear them out tomorrow.
In other news, I am so proud of Jason. He went for a run yesterday! I found a Couch to 5K program for him and he's actually doing it.
Breathing on just my right side seemed to aggravate the shoulder more, so I've been working on breathing on my left. Only, now that it's hurting again I have to wonder if it's just swimming itself that aggravates it, rather than my particular breathing style.
I've had problems off and on with this shoulder for a few years now and it's driving me crazy. I didn't USED to have shoulder pain when I swam. I assume it's because of old age. Maybe it's a problem with initial overuse. I get enthusiastic about swimming and I go a little crazy with it. Last week I swam Wednesday through Saturday without a day off. I would have thought waiting 3 days to swim again would keep the shoulder from freaking out on me, but I guess not.
Tomorrow I'm going to swim, but I'm going to focus on kicking. This is when I REALLY wish I had a swimp3. Kicking by itself is really, really extremely boring. I'll try to mix it up and alternate free, fly and back kicking, but still. However, my legs and bum can always use some work, so I'll try to wear them out tomorrow.
In other news, I am so proud of Jason. He went for a run yesterday! I found a Couch to 5K program for him and he's actually doing it.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Up the Calories
I'm trying to figure out a good way to increase my calories, without increasing the carbs too much. Now that I can eat some fruit and whole wheat bread again, I am having some of both with breakfast. I'm also trying to keep my calories high enough that I'm not ravenous all the time and that I'm giving myself enough fuel to swim.
I have a meeting after work tonight so I'm going to run home and probably eat a leftover pork chop and the easiest side would be a slice of bread with some peanut butter. I do need the calories, but I don't need the additional carbs. If there's anyone else out there watching the carb intake, how do you get in enough calories, without getting your carbs too high? Oh, and without feeling like you're eating an entire pig or chicken in the course of a day.
My goal is to keep my net carbs under 100 g per day, but I haven't been able to do that for the last few days because I made some yummy whole wheat bread this past weekend and it's, you know, basically all carbs.
I have a meeting after work tonight so I'm going to run home and probably eat a leftover pork chop and the easiest side would be a slice of bread with some peanut butter. I do need the calories, but I don't need the additional carbs. If there's anyone else out there watching the carb intake, how do you get in enough calories, without getting your carbs too high? Oh, and without feeling like you're eating an entire pig or chicken in the course of a day.
My goal is to keep my net carbs under 100 g per day, but I haven't been able to do that for the last few days because I made some yummy whole wheat bread this past weekend and it's, you know, basically all carbs.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
What Do You Do?
Yesterday I was poking around some of the Providence SparkPeople blogs just to see what other local people are doing. I came across one girl's blog that really worries me. She's calorie counting and keeping track of her fitness, but at completely unhealthy levels. She's basically eating about 700 calories per day, and then making sure to work out and burn at least 200, sometimes 400 calories through exercise. She's written this all down in her blog because she's proud of it. Proud of her "strength". (Does that sound like the mantras of the pro-ana sites or what?)
I suppose there's nothing to do, really. If I said anything to her via an email, I'm sure she would just tell me to mind my own business or ignore me completely. It just makes me sad to see this 21 year-old girl heading down this dangerous path.
Sigh.
I suppose there's nothing to do, really. If I said anything to her via an email, I'm sure she would just tell me to mind my own business or ignore me completely. It just makes me sad to see this 21 year-old girl heading down this dangerous path.
Sigh.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Saturday Weigh-In
This is the part of starting exercising that is kind of frustrating. I weighed and measured myself on Saturday only to find I haven't lost an ounce. I weigh exactly what I did last Saturday morning. So while I'm glad I wasn't weighing myself every day this week and feeling frustrated every day, it's still a little disheartening to feel like I've done all this good work, but to not have the scale move.
However, then I measured. All told, I've lost a little more than 2 inches all over my body this week. That means I've lost 3 and 3/4 inches in the past two weeks. Nice, right? This week alone, I lost a half inch off my waist and a quarter inch off my hips. So even though I didn't lose any weight, I lost fat this week, and in my mind, that's better. There are so many reasons it's better. For one, muscle burns calories faster than fat. So no wonder I've been so hungry.
I have always thought the fact that there was no measurement aspect to The Biggest Loser was one of its failings. On those weeks when someone has a lower number in the pounds lost, or even gains, I think there should be some way to say, "But wait! Let's see what the measuring tape has to say." Because chances are, that person didn't screw up that week, he or she just added some muscle. Maybe they should measure weight and body fat percentage. That seems a bit more fair.
Saturday morning I swam for 75 minutes and did 130 lengths. That's the most I've done at once since...well, I can't remember really. It's been a long time. I wanted to do 140 and get a full 2 miles, but lap swimming ended. I only needed 5 more minutes!
Saturday I caught a true second wind and it felt great! I warmed up, did 8 50's on 1:00 and then did the following set:
100 R :25
200 R :30
300 R :35
400 R :40
300 R :35
200 R :30
100
For one, I did that last 100 in 1:35. Those were lengths 104-108 so I'm pretty happy that I shaved 3 seconds off of Thursday's time. For two, I got a total burst of energy right in the middle of that 400. During the first 300, I kind of thought I was going to die. I've been working on breathing on both sides so as not to strain my right shoulder too much and injure myself like I have done before when I've started swimming again too quickly. However, when I start getting tired, breathing on my left gets more difficult and I feel like I'm a short inhale away from drowning. It's not quite that bad, but I definitely feel like I'm floundering.
After I caught my second wind, not only did I feel like I could keep swimming forever, but breathing on my left suddenly got a lot easier. Then after my workout, I had a total endorphin buzz. Instead of feeling exhausted after pushing myself, I felt great. Let's hear it for endorphins.
However, then I measured. All told, I've lost a little more than 2 inches all over my body this week. That means I've lost 3 and 3/4 inches in the past two weeks. Nice, right? This week alone, I lost a half inch off my waist and a quarter inch off my hips. So even though I didn't lose any weight, I lost fat this week, and in my mind, that's better. There are so many reasons it's better. For one, muscle burns calories faster than fat. So no wonder I've been so hungry.
I have always thought the fact that there was no measurement aspect to The Biggest Loser was one of its failings. On those weeks when someone has a lower number in the pounds lost, or even gains, I think there should be some way to say, "But wait! Let's see what the measuring tape has to say." Because chances are, that person didn't screw up that week, he or she just added some muscle. Maybe they should measure weight and body fat percentage. That seems a bit more fair.
Saturday morning I swam for 75 minutes and did 130 lengths. That's the most I've done at once since...well, I can't remember really. It's been a long time. I wanted to do 140 and get a full 2 miles, but lap swimming ended. I only needed 5 more minutes!
Saturday I caught a true second wind and it felt great! I warmed up, did 8 50's on 1:00 and then did the following set:
100 R :25
200 R :30
300 R :35
400 R :40
300 R :35
200 R :30
100
For one, I did that last 100 in 1:35. Those were lengths 104-108 so I'm pretty happy that I shaved 3 seconds off of Thursday's time. For two, I got a total burst of energy right in the middle of that 400. During the first 300, I kind of thought I was going to die. I've been working on breathing on both sides so as not to strain my right shoulder too much and injure myself like I have done before when I've started swimming again too quickly. However, when I start getting tired, breathing on my left gets more difficult and I feel like I'm a short inhale away from drowning. It's not quite that bad, but I definitely feel like I'm floundering.
After I caught my second wind, not only did I feel like I could keep swimming forever, but breathing on my left suddenly got a lot easier. Then after my workout, I had a total endorphin buzz. Instead of feeling exhausted after pushing myself, I felt great. Let's hear it for endorphins.
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