Today's Miles: 1 mile.
I ran today!! I ran today!!!
I'm seriously way over excited about running a whole mile today! But it's been 36 days. 36 very long and very difficult days.
In my running absence, I've had A LOT of time to think about running. What I want to do differently, better. With such a long hiatus, I'm basically starting all over again. So, I might as well do it better this time (and maybe reduce injuries along the way).
One thing I completely lacked in my running/training programs was cross training. I'd bear an elliptical in a hotel gym if the treadmill was out, but ellipticals don't really count as cross training in my book. I'm talking about weight-bearing exercises. Whether that be lifting weights or doing power yoga.
I never really committed to it before. I always had a day of "Rest or Cross-train" on my calendar.
I always chose rest.
I occasionally did some yoga, but that was rare. So, my new goal is to seriously include cross training in my running program. I know I'll benefit from it. I know it will make my run stronger and easier.
So why am I just now coming to this conclusion?
Who knows. But one thing I must do first is put together a workout 'portfolio' that can be done without weights (because the TSA looks at you suspiciously if you carry a 10 lb barbell in your carry-on) and anywhere (because I'm cheap and won't join a gym, and I need to be able to do it while traveling).
Another thing I've been doing again recently is calorie counting. I decided to do this again for a few reasons:
1) even though I was no longer training for a half marathon....my appetite didn't get the memo
2) my weight has been fairly stable for a year, and that's been okay, but I'd like to drop a few more pounds
3) writing down how many calories are in something and adding it up at the end of the day is accountability. It's also scary, liberating, shocking and depressing. (Did you know a medium curly fry at Arby's has 600 calories in it. So sad. Curly fries are my favorite kind of fry.)
Here's an example of my meals for the last two days.
Sunday 12-11-11
Trop 50 OJ 50
Bacon, onion, cheese omelet 266
Homemade apple cider donut 87
PB&J sandwich 340
fruit bar popsicle 25
4 Krystals w/ cheese 640
large french fry 380
Weight Watchers frozen latte bar 90
Homemade apple cider donut 72
For a grand total of 1925
Monday 12-12-11
Oatmeal 120
with almonds 24
with blueberries 17
TacoBell Fresco Steak Soft Taco 150
TacoBell cinnamon twists 150
Homemade apple cider donut 79
Homemade fried chicken 185
macaroni & cheese 144
green beans 31
For a grand total of 900
Funny thing is this...half as many calories today than yesterday, and I'm no hungrier today than I was yesterday.
I try to shoot for a total day's caloric intake of about 1300-1400. I have found that is the range at which I lose weight. Less than about 1000 calories, and I'm starving (except for today for some reason). More than that, I get nothing. My guess is my maintenance level caloric intake (no gain, no loss) is somewhere around 1600-1700. This is where most people go wrong....they believe it's 2000 calories. For an adult, active man, maybe. For an adult, active woman, not likely (unless she is doing some serious exercise program).
But the thing is this....I'm not beating myself up over Sunday's numbers. I felt like making an omelet Sunday morning and Mark wanted bacon. And we've both been sick and cooped up in the house, and I was craving Krystal's last night (don't judge me...it happens). So what if it was 500 over what I had intended?
I even ate out fast food two days in a row! I was out with a bunch of appointments today and needed food on the run.
Guess what?
THAT'S LIFE!
However, today I made smarter choices. Tomorrow I will try as well. I've lost weight before by doing this, and I will again. I know it won't come off fast - and I don't want it too. That's not sustainable. That's not healthy.
Here's the thing people. It's not about depriving yourself. It's not about denying yourself. (I made fried chicken for Pete's sake! I didn't eat the whole chicken breast, but I didn't want the whole thing! I ate a boat load of green beans to fill me up first.)
It's about being ACCOUNTABLE to yourself. To tell yourself "Well, that didn't quite work out like I had thought. Maybe next time." versus "You failed. You'll never do it."
If you want a donut. Eat a donut (I highly recommend apple cider donuts). If you want fried chicken. Eat fried chicken.
But take responsibility for it.
Gotta run.....
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