Gaining Momentum

So, I've had a rough run of it for the past couple of months, but I am starting to get back on track now. I went to the gym again tonight to run for a couple of miles. This felt really nice, and I experienced no ankle pain again. I actually did 7.0, 3.0 mph intervals for about 25 minutes. It was difficult but bearable. I want to do this once a week for a couple weeks before upping the speed any more.

I've kinda been having thoughts lately about what I'm eating in relation to the amount of exercise I'm doing. It sucks to think that I'm not getting anywhere because of my food choices. Today I watched it a lot more, and I felt better. I might have even consumed less calories than I used.

One thing that's been killing me is the late night eating. I need to get to bed earlier, because I get hungry again if I stay up too late. I know...I know...this is a neverending struggle for me. I'm so tired all the time, but I can't seem to make myself go to bed at an early hour. I think it's because of all the kids. Everyone's in bed, and this is my "me" time.

Sooo...that being said...I'm going to bed now.

12 Weeks

Yeah...it's that time of year again. Just about 12 weeks left until DEMF. Time to get serious. I am pretty sure that I weigh just about the same now as when demf came last year. It sounds kind of depressing that I haven't really lost any weight, but I think that my body is completely different now. I guess I'm not really in much smaller clothes, but I look a ton better in them. I did have a while where I dipped down in weight a little, but I honestly think that I didn't look great - and I know I didn't feel great (mentally). It's hard to explain, and I don't feel like going into it tonight anyways. The bottom line is that I am coming to terms with the fact that I just don't really need to lose much more weight - if any at all. I think I still look pretty good even if I don't lose another pound. The problem is my middle section when I'm not eating right.

Anyways...it was just about a year ago that I decided to get back to the gym (beginning of April 2007). How cool is that - I've been steadily working out for almost a year. Plus, I had worked out for half a year the year before. Never in my life had I stuck with exercise for more than a month or so. This is different. I don't always love working out, but it is a part of my life now. I haven't gone as much as I'd have liked for the past couple of months, but I've been doing much better lately...and I think it's only going to get better with Spring around the corner.

My eating keeps getting better, but I've been drinking a little more lately...just on weekends. I should cut back though. It's not really worth all the calories.

I've been going to the gym regularly for the past week. Bootcamp on Thursday and tonight. HIIT on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I actually did some running on Friday and Sunday - with no pain. I've been using the treadmill that seems to have a little more cushioning. Plus, I've been trying to stay 6.5 mph or less. I think I strike down too hard when I go higher than that. This is usually fine, but I don't want to damage the ankle again. I'm going to keep slowly increasing my mileage to get back into it. The good news is that I haven't suffered too much cardiovascularly. It should only take a few weeks to get back to where I was. 5k time.

My strategy right now is to go to the gym almost daily - even if it's just to do 20 minutes of HIIT. Bootcamp days are 1 hour (MWTh). I am getting a bike, and I will be using it when it gets a little nicer around here. I will also be doing some outdoor running very soon. How exciting...I can't wait.

Ah-ha!

Ok. maybe not so ah-ha, but I figured out why I've gained weight. duh. I've been eating a lot more lately, which isn't so much of a problem in itself. However, when you stop working out as much, and you don't decrease your calorie intake...hmmm...pretty much a recipe for weight gain.

I missed bootcamp Monday and Wednesday this week. I went Thursday, and I felt guilty that I was only going once this week. Then today I realized that there are several days left that I could get in some gym time. I don't know why I'm thinking so slowly lately. Anyways, I went tonight and did some intervals on the treadmill and bike. I was reading Alwyn Cosgrove's blog the other day about the 2 groups of people that were doing cardio - one steady state and the other intervals. It encouraged me to get up to the gym for 20 minutes to do some hard intervals.

I need to get back to going to the gym almost every day. This is when I felt best. I know that hurting my ankle is a big part of why I haven't been as faithful. I used to love to go and just run, and it really wasn't an option anymore. I still have to be careful, but I haven't had any pain recently. Of course, I haven't been doing much to inflict pain, so that doesn't necessarily mean anything. I really need to go see my doctor.

Anyways, it just felt so good to go tonight and just do cardio. I would like to do that again both days this weekend, but I might not be able to get up there tomorrow due to some sucky family obligations.

As far as eating goes, I've been a bit better these past couple of days - since my scary weigh-in. The truth is that I'd rather continue eating as I am now and reincorporate the exercise. I honestly don't really care if I lose much weight. I just can't gain any more. Plus, I'd like to get back to the lower part of my size 8's.

I'll be so glad when it's sunny and warm out.

Life is Good

Ok. I'm on an upswing again. This feels nice :) I'm not necessarily back where I was, but I'm moving forward, which could be better than that anyways. My eating has been ok, but controlled for the most part. I'm still not really trying to limit myself too much. I went to the gym on Sunday, and it was a nice workout...intervals on the bike and then a lot of upper body stuff with dumbbells.

I missed bootcamp on Monday, because my boss was in town and he wanted to take us to eat. I try to never miss a nice meal on the company dollar, and I must say the fillet was spectacular. Unfortunately, I ate too much of everything, but at least I jumped back on the next morning.

I had bootcamp tonight, and it was a great session. I really love this class. Last week I was feeling a little weak on the squats and planks and everything, but I felt much stronger tonight. It really doesn't seem to take long to regain strength. I have bootcamp again tomorrow night, and then we're off to Chicago for the weekend. I'm super excited about this trip. I think it's going to be the perfect mix of everything.

Bootcamp Day 3

We had a substitute instructor for bootcamp last night, but it was still a very good workout (not Keith good, but still good). I'm feeling better physically today...starting to feel a bit firmer. I'm sure it's a little psychological, but whatever. My eating isn't exactly stellar, but it's still better than it was.

I obviously don't have much to say today, but I'm trying to get in the habit of blogging a little more regularly. I still haven't weighed myself. Maybe tomorrow. It's not really that important. I just want to be healthy and fit for now...I know I'm fickle with this.

My goals for the weekend are to try to eat well enough and to make it to the gym at least one day for cardio.