Bring it.


Posted by YSP

I’m tired. I’m busy. I’m stressed. It’s hard. It’s hold/cold/raining/Tuesday. I’m sore. My stomach hurts. I have too much to do.

I call bullshit.

I’m calling in the troops. It’s time to woman up, stop making excuses and OWN MY BADASS. I can do this. I can do ANYTHING.

Will it be hard? Hell yes. It wouldn’t be worth it any other way.

For the first time in my life, I’m on the edge. Well, I’ve been on this edge a thousand times before, but I’ve never seen it coming until now. I’m on the line. I can step over it, let go, stop trying. I can gain back every pound, lose every ounce of strength I’ve worked for, and go back to feeling tired and slow and heavy all the time.

…or…

I can step back. I can turn around. I can RUN for all I’m worth away from those ridiculous choices that I know I’ll regret. I can kick it back into high gear because I WANT THIS. I want strength and health and energy. I want the zest for life that comes with regular exercise, and goddamnit I want that stupid medal I’ll get if I finish the races I signed up for this year.

<small voice>
I think I’m going to need your help
</small voice>

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Of sleep and miles…


Posted by YSP

I’m struggling this week. I’m running on a sleep deficit, having weird physical pains (SUPER sore calves?), and I’m feeling high stress. Work is nuts because I was out for two days at an off site training and now I’m scrambling to get a week of work done in three days, process and implement everything I brought back from training, and stay sane.

So I’m tired. I’m eating… poorly. I have zero motivation to exercise. Yesterday was the first day in a while I actually did NO real exercise, but today I’m dreading my planned run. It’s just… tough.

Excuse my whine. Sorry.

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Hotel…


Posted by YSP

3.5.12 HotelI’m in a hotel tonight. I’ve got a two day training for work that’s just far enough away from home to warrant a night in a hotel. Fortunately, the office is paying for it.

I spent the entire day in meetings, doing everything I could to maintain decent eating habits in a catered office breakfast/lunch. I am super proud of the fact that I made good food choices, walked as much as I could manage, and even reigned it in when we went out for dinner. We went to PF Changs, and I chose steamed shrimp dumplings that were absolutely wonderful.

Tomorrow I’m planning on a run…

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Above Water


Posted by YSP

Oh hey there!

Work is SO BUSY, you guys. SO BUSY.

I’m grateful. I love my job.

I have no time. for anything. ever. It’s one of those offices where the work flow is super chaotic, and where I am frequently being presented with OH MY GOD, last minute, panic, do-it-now sort of things. I happen to like working that way, but it makes it super, super tough to get runs in since I’m frequently two steps from the door when crisis strikes.

Also? My god I hate running on my lunch break. I HATE getting all disgusting midway through my day. I hate having to change my clothes twice in our tiny, cold work bathroom.

Yes, they’re all excuses. Yes, I need to keep my priorities in mind. Yes, I have a flyer with all of the year’s races highlighted and posted at my desk.

Yes, I’m headed out the door now…

Workout Regret

quickiechick.tumblr.com

Also? I’m a FitFluential Ambassador now! I promise to write more about it when I have a minute, but I’m so excited to be part of a group that’s supporting healthy habits, good choices, and peer reviewed products.

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Back breaker


Posted by YSP

ouch

Behold, my nemesis… the mountain climber, the plank with knee drive, the death of my spirit.

Okay, maybe that’s over dramatic. But remember when I hurt my knee a few weeks ago? It was mountain climbers. Remember the back pain I was struggling with a few months ago? It was mountain climbers. Today’s vaguely aching right knee and SUPER sore lower back? MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS. And that doesn’t even cover the super gross popping sound my left hip makes when I do them.

I had Aaron watch me do them while also watching a form video, and he says it looks to him like I’m doing them right. So why are they so damn painful? Why do they ALWAYS result in knee and/or back pain? And what the heck is the grody sound my left hip makes? It sounds and feels like my hip is shifting in a weird and potentially bad way.

Do I need to video? I can.

 

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The turn-around


Posted by YSP
ballet (tumblr)

source: http://allanahsayshello.tumblr.com/

Today was supposed to be my long run day. It’s a little colder out, so I planned to head out when Evi went down for her nap, since that would be just about the warmest part of the day. I was really looking forward to the run.

Sadly, as you may have guessed, it didn’t happen. We’ve just reclaimed our second car after three weekends of working just to get it running again. I have to drive it tomorrow, so some surprise brake work had to be done this afternoon. Since the kidlet would never put up with six miles in a stroller, the run was a no-go. I was bummed. I’m still bummed.

However, once she did go down for her nap, I put in the NYC Ballet Workout 2 video and kicked my butt with 65 minutes of ballet.


(that’s an affiliate link)

I LOVE these DVDs. LOVE. I will say that there’s a fair amount of jumping in each of them, and if you know nothing about ballet they will probably frustrate the crap out of you since they don’t do much explaining. Essentially, they expect you to be reasonably familiar with ballet terms and to pick up the moves quickly by watching the dancers. Speaking of the dancers, they terrify and amaze me. I’m pretty sure they could squash me with their calf muscles, which is sort of awesome. These DVDs make me miss dance, and also make me feel pretty cool for still having any clue what to do. I’m sure I look RIDICULOUS though.

Note to self: video the next time, just to see how funny I look. :)

Since it’s also World Yoga Day, I’ll try fitting some yoga in later in the day. I did a quick five minutes of mood boosting poses before my ballet workout (yes, they really do make me feel happier), but I’d like to get more yoga in at some point today.

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WINNERS


Posted by YSP

Here are the ten winners for the thinkThin giveaway! Email me your mailing address right away!

  1. Lauren says: And, I would find so much value in winning because snacking (due to lack of protein!) is my biggest challenge. I’m craving to have more healthy, filling snacks in my desk drawer.
  2. BillieJean says: Hi ! I already “Like” them on Facebook and follow them in Twitter! I think that ThinkThin will help me with my wellness goal by helping me gain a little weight the healthy way! I’m under for Air Force BMT… I noticed that they are a calorie dense snack with lots of protein, which is great!
  3. Eugenie says: I like Think Products on FB and follow @thinkproducts on twitter. thinkThin bars would help me be healthy by providing a quick snack when I don’t have time to eat a meal.
  4. Howell says: Like Think Products on FB and follow @thinkproducts on twitter. These bars would be great after a workout.
  5. Caroline
  6. Jacey
  7. sushigal_karen says: These would help me have a healthy snack and help me control my diabetes.
  8. Lily
  9. Angel says: These taste great! I’d love some for work.
  10. JoHannah says: thinkThin bars help me add high-quality protein to my diet without adding any sugar!
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Rain Running


Posted by YSP

RainRunGirl

Alternate title: “I am so awesome it hurts.”

Today I ran three miles IN THE RAIN. Not drizzle. Full on, soaking, makeup washed off, hair a mess rain.

I felt SO badass.

It was a great run too. I was able to decrease my walking intervals to 55 seconds (from 1 minute) and finished all but one of my two minute running intervals. I felt strong for the most part, and it didn’t seem as tough as it has. At the last running interval, as I had entirely given up on wiping the water out of my eyes and just let it stream on down, I was actually laughing. It was a little weird to people on the street, I’d imagine, but I was having a great time.

I am SO glad I went out. I almost didn’t. Now I’m actually sort of excited for Sunday’s SIX MILES. Six miles. Dude.

My average pace is now less than 13min per mile, which (for me) is INCREDIBLE. The closer I get to a 12min mile, the more “legit” I feel as a runner. I know, if I’m running it counts, but I still really want to beat a 12min mile. It’s my new goal, along with the continued effort to run a 5K without walking, which I know is a long time coming. In the end, though, I’m so unconcerned about the pacing and the goals and everything else. I’m getting out there consistently. I’m making clear progress. I’m getting faster, stronger, and thinner too.

I’m genuinely enjoying running.

I’M ENJOYING RUNNING.

What a great day for a Friday. What an awesome afternoon. What a beautiful rain storm.

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Strength and Sweat


Posted by YSP
Warrior Wall

source: blog.mlive.com

I am really loving my new job so far, which is great, but as I mentioned… I’m having a tough time with schedule and balance. I did go for a lunchtime run yesterday (complete with a day-making wave from other runners!) and I felt GREAT for doing it. I think fitting in two runs a week will work out fine and still leave me plenty of time for personal time and the odd work lunch/commitment that takes up my lunch time.

What has me worried, however, is how severely my strength training efforts have fallen off. I did wedge fifteen minutes worth of strength training into my morning yesterday, and I’m aiming to do at least a little more at lunch today, but it’s a TON less than I was doing before. I just can’t spend an hour sweating IN my office (at least when I run, I’m outside) and there are no gyms close enough to be time efficient. I’m terrified, because I know I’ve got the Warrior Dash coming up in May, and I know May is going to be here any second. I’m not overly worried about leg based strength stuff like the tire jumps, but I’m SUPER SUPER concerned about climbing up walls and such. My arm strength SUCKS. Yesterday I did pushups, tricep dips, planks, and some leg/ab work too… but I feel like I’m never going to be ready!

Here’s the list of obstacles on the Warrior Dash course:

  • military crawl (worried)
  • sliding down a muddy slope
  • scrap yard, crawling over and around old cars and such (worried)
  • teetering traverse, a high track
  • deadman’s drop, climb up and over (WORRIED)
  • satan’s steps
  • net crawl (worried)
  • warrior wall (WORRIED)
  • rappeling
  • cargo climb (worried)
  • fire pits

So, HELP? I need your suggestions on ways to prepare specifically for these obstacles. I’m so, SO terrified. I really need to build up my strength. ANY advice is happily accepted.

————————————————

While we’re on the topic of advice, can I ask you guys for some about something… else? I’m sweaty. REALLY SWEATY. I don’t mind it so much (or at all, really) when I’m working out, but when I’m at work or home or out with the husband? I’d rather not sweat so much. I don’t stink (yay!) but most of my relatively new work shirts are nearly ruined because of the constant wetness. I’ve tried every deodorant out there including a fair number of clinical strength varieties that, if anything, seemed to be LESS helpful. I’ve been considering trying out some men’s varieties in the hopes of finding a better antiperspirant… so, any suggestions? Anything ELSE I could do to help it? I am SO embarrassed at work events when I have these HUGE armpit stains. MUST BE STOPPED.

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The Pie


Posted by YSP

My Pie DayBehold, my day as a pie chart. I’m having a tough time with it. The big sections (work, sleep, travel) are pretty consistent and happen at specific times of day. The rest are more fluid and happen less consistently when they happen at all. Lately I’ve been having a SUPER hard time choosing a workout when I could instead choose either ME time or extra work time that could in turn make me look better at my brand-spanking-new job.

My eating is all over the place because my head is all over the place. I’m mostly making good decisions, but I’m definitely seeking out some comfort foods that I’m eating just for the sake of stress relief. It’s not a good place for me. I don’t like the way I feel when my “eating for it’s own sake” meter goes up instead of down.

I’m trying, which counts for a lot, but I’m really struggling with how to do everything I want/need to do in a day. So how do I do it? How do I fit it all in?

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