Its been a month since I started my 12-month couch-to-marathon plan.
The good news first.
Running
I’ve been running 10 miles per week the entire month as per my plan. At some points, even 11 miles per week. That’s pretty great since I love meeting my goals. The runs are not easy and the music in my MP3 player is not very good, but I ran.
Somewhere towards the end of January, I had a “Runner’s block”. Its sort of like a writer’s block but for runners. I couldn’t run anymore. I had no motivation. I felt like riding the bike in the gym or rowing on the rowing machine instead. So, one day I just did. I skipped my run and used the other machines.
From that point on, I didn’t get back to running and its been a week and a half. I am still working out pretty hard, just not running. I know that I’ve reached a plateau and I plan on restarting my runs tomorrow. I am predicting that it won’t be easy to “get back on the horse”.
Running goals for February:
1. Keep up my commitment to running 11 miles per week.
2. Get over my fear of technology and fill my MP3 player with a great music playlist.
3. On nice days, run outside instead of in the gym.
Sit-ups
This is a sensitive category. Since gaining much weight during my four pregnancies, my tummy area looks like I am in my third trimester of pregnancy (I am not pregnant). I get congratulated on my upcoming birth quite often. I cannot tell you how bad that feels. I smile and correct the congratulating person but something in me dies every time that happens. Maybe its the hope that one day I will have a normal-looking stomach.
Abdominal muscles - On my way to becoming an expert
In any case, I am happy to say that I kept up my goals of 100 sit ups per day during January. If I skip a day, I make it up the next day by doing double the sit-ups. This is very good news for me although this will be a very long road until I will see results. There are many layers to get through before I will get a six-pack. I am not losing hope although its been a long while since I’ve had a flat stomach.
Sit-up Goals for February:
1. Move on to 200 sit-ups per day according to plan. You will see results. Keep it up.
2. Learn 2 new exercises for the stomach muscles. There are many videos online. Find them. My goal is to become an expert in these excercises.
3. Love your stomach. Smile to it when you see it in the mirror. Treat it with respect instead of loathing it. Befriend it. It looks the way it does because of your choices. Forgive yourself for those choices.
Calories per Day
The bad news.
Touchy subject. I tried. I really did. I tried to cut down on food. I tried to avoid sweets. I tried to document the calories. It didn’t work so well.
Writing down what I ate today on the board hanging on the refrigerator
Why? Frankly, I have no excuses. I didn’t do it properly. I didn’t stick to it obsessively like I did with the workouts. My husband reminds me that I haven’t slept at night since the baby was born and I suspect that major fatigue could have something to do with it.
Besides, I love food. More than I love food, I need food. It calms me down. Makes me happier. Fills me on days when I am emotionally empty. Wakes me up on days when I am tired. I am eating it for all the wrong reasons. i know.
I did something interesting this month. I’ve been making green smoothies like I saw in this movie. Some days I do it three times a day. Other days just once. Since I am cleansing my body from Diet Coke and caffeine in general, this has been a great “waker upper”. The green smoothies fill me up so completely, that I can’t even think of food. I think I will continue with this and use this as a tool to lose the excess weight.
I’ve also transitioned to a more plant-based diet. I can’t believe how relatively easy it is. I’ve been wanting to do it for a while but am now completely ripe for it. Nuts, lentils, veggies and fruits all day long. My instinct tells me that this is the best way for me to eat during this period.
Calories Goals for February:
1. Write Write Write. I found these great journal pages to write down everything I eat and how I felt after eating and will print them out and fill them religiously. There is no other way to do it.
2. Juice morning, noon and night until the weight drops. There is no risk here.
3. Continue eating plant-based. It provides the much needed big portions without the big calories.
Weight Goal
I am a pretty serious person. When I set a goal, I reach it. My goal was to reach 167lbs. I hate to share with you that it didn’t happen this month. Not only did I not lose the weight, but until I started juicing, I’ve gained about 4 lbs. With the juicing, I’ve lost the excess and am now at 172 – which means square one.
This is when the little voice inside says: give up. Go on. Just give up. You won’t lose the weight. You’ll never resolve this complex relationship you have with food so just give up.
I hear you, little voice. I hear you loud and clear and I say to you today: No way! No way am I going to declare this experiment a failure. It is hard, I admit. It is so very hard. I am not giving up though so you can go waste your time trying to weaken someone else. You are wasting your time here.
Weight goal for February:
1. I will be more modest. I would like to go from 172 lbs. to less than 170lbs. Two pounds. That’s it.
2. Focus on the number 170 and GO GET IT.
Dear readers, what about you? What has worked for you in your journey to lose weight and get fit? How do you overcome your cravings? How do you stay strong and focused on your weight loss goals? Does any of this sound familiar? Do share.
As for me, I am heading to get some rest. I have a 4-mile run tomorrow and a long night with the baby. I pray that I find the strength to stay focused until I reach my final destination.
I pray to the higher power that is within me. This is your time to surface and do your magic.