#NotEatingAllTheThings (Week 7)

Week 1 Recap Here
Week 2 Recap Here
Week 3 Recap Here
Week 4 Recap Here
Week 5 Recap Here
Week 6 Recap Here

Obviously, I was hoping to have another loss on the scale. So close to my initial goal of losing 10 pounds! The food was on track for most of the week, although I pretty much gave myself a free pass on Saturday and Sunday. The downfall this week (again) was some decent beer consumption. It is just so tasty!!

Tuesday - A 2 mile bike ride with A around the neighborhood - SUPER HOT. Also did tank top arms and abs/obliques Fitness Blender videos that Heather sent me. I don't know why she is trying to kill me, I thought we were BFF's :-/
Wednesday - For some reason I got up early and ran on my treadmill again in the basement. 3.33 VERY SLOW miles, but nothing hurt and I didn't die, so that was good. I went to yoga for an hour and learned side crow pose. That was fun.
Thursday - Turbo kickboxing (sub again and she doesn't announce moves very well so that's annoying) and then when I got home I did the tank top arms and abs/obliques videos again. Not quite as hard as the last time.
Friday - Nada. Spent 7 hours in the car driving to Wyoming.
Saturday - Bighorn trail 50k
Sunday - 7 hours in the car driving home. I mowed the lawn. Does that count?
Monday - Was going to try to go to Chaos but was too sore to move so I settled for an Epsom salt bath instead.

I mean, thanks to Bighorn, it looks like I did quite a bit of running. I squeezed in some weight/strength training since I am the weakest human EVER and managed to get an hour of yoga in (which I hadn't done in a few weeks).

Weekly Loss - 0.6 pounds
Loss Since April 30 - 9.8 pounds (oh so close!)

So, again, a small loss, even with all of the beer. It's better than no loss or a gain I guess, but was still hoping to break that 10 pound barrier!

And... so we aren't picture-less this was pre-race dinner from Qdoba

Thoughts:

• Obviously my highest mileage in AGES, and yet it still doesn't seem to impact weight loss. Again, I find this FASCINATING.
• For the third week in a row, I am "less" hungry. I guess it is NOT a fallacy.
• This week I may or may not try to make a more "satisfying" breakfast to help get me through lunch.
• Again, if I cut back on the beer a bit more, I will likely see better results.
• I guess I will play the game for one more week...

#NotEatingAllTheThings (Week 6)

Week 1 Recap Here
Week 2 Recap Here
Week 3 Recap Here
Week 4 Recap Here
Week 5 Recap Here

Finally having a loss last week made me hate "the game" a tiny bit less. Just a tiny bit. I was hoping for a loss this week, but I figured one thing was going to stand in my way. I had a RIDICULOUS amount of beer this week. Food was pretty much in check the entire time.

Tuesday - Short bike ride with A around the neighborhood.
Wednesday - 2 horrible slow miles on basement treadmill for "National Running Day." That night I went out for drinks with co-workers.
Thursday - Turbo kickboxing.
Friday - Nada, but A had a sleepover and I went out and had MORE beer.
Saturday - Another short bike ride with A.
Sunday - Skirt Sports half marathon and then an hour of roller skating with A.
Monday - Chaos. The trainer announced that class would be ending in the next couple of months because it "takes too much time" and is "not profitable." They claim they will be adding something like chaos, BUT IT WILL COST AN ADDITIONAL $200 A MONTH. ARE THEY FUCKING CRAZY?????? Related: Researching a new gym. Must be close, have classes and inexpensive daycare. Womp.

Soooo. Running is still practically non-existent. And so is working out for the most part. So again, I am reminded that it is VERY important to consider what I put in my mouth as I'm doing practically no exercise right now.

Sorry for the blurry me, A still struggles with focusing the camera

Weekly Loss - 1.0 pounds
Loss since April 30 - 9.2 pounds

So, even with my excessive beer consumption, I still was able to have a modest loss. The only "splurge" foods this weekend were pizza on Saturday night and Smashburger after my race on Sunday. Now that I am typing this, I remember that we had a birthday in the office and there was some pineapple upside-down cheesecake in the office most of the week. I had small amounts every day.... starting Tuesday.

• Last week, I said I was hesitant to say that I "felt less hungry." However, a week later, I feel the same way. So maybe it just takes a month or so for the ravenous appetite to go away? Or maybe it is just that I am exercising WAY less and so I am less hungry? Don't know.
• I love love love salads. I only had a few of them last week since I'm having a bit of financial issues, I have to be careful with my spending right now, but I can usually get one from the salad bar at the grocery store for about $4.
• Beer consumption this week was OUT OF CONTROL. I will not be consuming nearly the level I did last week, so hopefully that will assist in another loss? A few more pounds to go and I will re-evaluate "the game."
• I don't really "miss" cupcakes. What.

#NotEatingAllTheThings (Week 5)

Week 1 Recap Here
Week 2 Recap Here
Week 3 Recap Here
Week 4 Recap Here

I was REALLY hoping for a loss on the scale this week. With pretty much no action the last few weeks, this "game" has been a LOT less fun.

Tuesday - Took the day off. Met the other B for drinks at a brewery near my work. Did not feel like working out, so I didn't.
Wednesday - Nada. A and I had to attend a "meeting" to prepare her for camp in a few weeks. It was at 6:00 pm, so I had to go there right from work. By the time we got done I sure didn't feel like doing anything.
Thursday - Turbo Kickboxing. Regular instructor was finally back. After three weeks back attending class, I finally feel like I know what I am doing again.
Friday - Well, it was the last day J was living at the house. I had all these brilliant plans for having a nice run in the morning. I did, in fact, get up and get dressed to run. Drove to the lake because I didn't want to run around the neighborhood. I cranked out one loop at a 10:0x pace. And then I was done. So not worth getting up early for.
Saturday - 2.3 mile walk/jog (more walking than jogging) with A at the Run For Aurora. I was wearing Uggs so not the best for running, although at a snail's pace, they seem fine.
Sunday - Steamboat half marathon. More walking than I'd like but hypothetically my second "fastest" half this year. Whatever.
Monday - Chaos class. Excellent, like usual.

Eating this week was better than in the past few weeks. With J moving out during the week, it was kind of hectic and I just wasn't all that hungry (what). Also, I was so busy during the weekend that I really didn't have TIME to eat. Not that I wasn't hungry, I was. I just had to make time to eat, and I tried to watch portion sizes. Skipping pizza this week probably helped (although no pizza is sad).

So, while I still feel like THIS ^ - I restrained myself this week.

Weekly Loss - 2.4 pounds.
Loss since April 30 - 8.2 pounds

HURRAY!!!! Maybe this is NOT all in vain. My initial goal was really to just get out of the "danger zone" and drop those 10 pounds. Maybe I'll play another week after all.

• Most fascinating to me is how little my lack of running seems to be affecting things. When I first starting running it was to HELP with weight loss. So... I guess, the whole "eat less" really has a bigger impact than I thought.
• I did have a decent amount of beer last week. Apparently, that doesn't really matter, as long as I limit it and don't eat a ton. Huh.
• It's been OVER A MONTH since I went to the bakery last.
• I am hesitant to even TYPE it, but I think, MAYBE, my appetite has diminished a teeny tiny bit.

#NotEatingAllTheThings (Week 3)

Week 1 Recap - Here
Week 2 Recap - Here

I feel like this particular week cannot even fall under the #noteatallthethings category. It really should be more of a #eatallthethings for three days with a few days of eating normal. Anyway, I know that birthdays and holidays can be the downfall of many peoples "diets" and I was curious how MY birthday would affect things since I had NO intentions of limiting my food intake.

Two things were therefore working against me this for this week's weigh in.

•  I had ZERO plans of doing any real running or cardio during the week.
• Tuesday-Friday exercise: 1 hour Yoga, 1 hour Turbo Kickboxing
• Saturday-Sunday: 2 half marathons (Recaps here and here)
• Monday: 1 hour chaos
• IT WAS MY BIRTHDAY. I tried to keep up to date texting Heather descriptions and/or pictures of all my food that I consumed over the weekend. To keep things short, practically none of it had any real nutritional value, although it was ALL DELICIOUS. I also had mucho beer. The collage below is just SOME of what I consumed over the weekend. Good thing I actually did some running? 

The real question is... what happens when you don't really run and you eat ALL of the high calorie and fattening deliciousness?

Weight gain - 0.4 lbs.

This was highly unexpected. I really expected it to be more. I plan on buckling down again since I am probably taking this week off from running as well. Food is back in check, and in fact, I think I gorged enough that I might even be cheesecake-d out for a bit.

What.

The Running Hiatus

Even as I am typing it, it seems ridiculous to be "impressed" that I haven't run all week. Even with minor injuries, I still have always sneaked in a few short runs. You know, just in case I "forget" how to run. So the 5 solid days of not running are probably a record for me.

Instead:

• Monday - Monday Night Chaos. This class never disappoints. It is a mix of circuit training, crossfit, strength and cardio. I spend the next few days wondering how I've never worked out certain muscle groups. Every week is different. I go almost every single week, and it is a always a challenge.
• Tuesday - Nada. Epsom salt bath.
• Wednesday - Yoga.
• Thursday - Epsom salt bath and back to turbo kickboxing at the gym. Hrm. Things have changed since I went last. Apparently there is a new instructor, which doesn't really matter other than she wasn't the greatest at shouting instructions so I was LOST. I haven't been to class in 7 or 8 months and it was AWKWARD. I was dazed and confused.
• Friday (today) - NADA. I plan on having pizza for dinner and a couple of beers with my older sister.

There were some questions/comments on my whiny blog post about hating running right now:

• Back in February I finally went to the doctor to address my fatigue, lack of energy, general soreness, etc. I had blood work done (thyroid, iron, electrolyte and other stuff) and EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL. So, apparently, there is absolutely no medical reason for this? Which is VERY frustrating.
• Am I actually injured? Dunno. My knee has been achy since the trail race I did last week. Not the IT band, but sorta under my knee cap. That's new. Also, my ankle has been tender on/off for a long time. Calf cramping still a HUGE issue. So pretty much the same things that have been plaguing me for years.
• I have the P90X DVDs. I had done them a few years ago (not sure if I had any success or not). I am hesitant to start doing this again because it is pretty time consuming and it has to be done at home. I've lost so much motivation that the thought of getting out from under my heated blanket to exercise is... well, probably not going to happen. But, that IS an option.
• I'm pretty limited to the classes I can take at the gym, and I had forgotten about the kickboxing. Pretty fun cardio, if I can at all remember the sequences of the moves so I don't look like a weirdo. 
• When do I plan on running again? Well, I am running double half marathons for my birthday this weekend!!! I know, seems risky since I hate running right now, but I am determined to make the best of it. I most likely will take all of next week off from running as well. Not sure if the physical rest will improve anything, but the mental break seems to be helping?

Lucy Cut For Me Legging (Product Review)

I was recently contacted by Lucy to try one of their products, the popular "Cut For Me Legging."

From the Lucy.com website:

Product Information:

• The Cut For Me Legging features flat-locked seams and trim lines for you to cut the legging to your specific leg length—plus the slimming, moisture-wicking strength of lucy powermax™ fabric.
• Moisture Wicking
• Jersey knit 87% supplex nylon, 13% lycra spandex
• Machine wash cold, tumble dry low
• High-tech Supplex®/Lycra fabric providing maximum compression, moisture management and four-way stretch.
• Body-Hugging: Form fitting for peak performance and muscle support; ideal for high-intensity activities

I was super excited to try these out. I rarely wear pants/tights when I run since I'm indoors most of the time I get way too hot. However, I do wear pants or capris when I have my kickboxing class. So... I tried them on (pictures courtesy of A, so sorry for quality):

First impression? Oooooh so comfy! Super soft (not "compressiony") waist band, yet it is wide so it didn't feel like they were going to slide off my waist. Not too snug around the thighs (a good thing!)


Immediately I knew I was going to have to cut these puppies down! So I watched the video... 





and cut them down. (Which by the way made me VERY uneasy... I really didn't want to do it wrong!) I cut to the tiniest inseam I could do and headed off to a night at the gym of turbo kick box and the stationary bike. Unfortunately the shortest inseam was still a bit too long. As a result of them not being quite tight enough around my ankles, I had a bit of sagging and bunching around the ankles. It got to be a bit annoying when I was jumping around, but it was a non issue once I moved to the bike. 

So... other than the length issue, these were fabulous. If you are taller than me (5' even), these would work GREAT for you.

(Keep in mind that 99% of the clothing I wear is too long. Just about everything I own is hemmed, so this is NOT a brand-specific issue).

Summer Is Almost Over

Yesterday A was bored out of her mind. Nothing seemed to entertain her. So I planned a SUPER full day.

First on the list? Going running.

Lake Arbor

It was pretty hot by the time we got to the lake. 77 degrees. Luckily, we had a breeze. It helped IMMENSELY. A didn't need the rest breaks like before. She did awesome:

We ran the loop about a minute faster than last week. She is gonna rock the 5k at Disney in a few weeks!

Next up? Quick trip to Starbucks and then on to the water park! We have season passes so it's a great thing to do that doesn't cost us anything.

Waiting in line... they were PACKED

I figured we had a few hours there before the afternoon storms were going to start and A had a blast!

We ended up not leaving until 1:30, and I was STARVING, so we headed home and had lunch. Then, off to get A a haircut:

All of the above took most of the day. I spent the remainder of the afternoon vacuuming, cleaning the carpets, and making dinner.

Then it was off to the gym. L has a new "thing" to entertain us at the gym. Every time we have a class, we are going to wear a shirt we have gotten at a race. In chronological order. So today? The shirt from my first 10K - the Bolder Boulder, Memorial Day 2008. I can't remember if I'm rockin' a side kick or a roundhouse:

I am STILL super sore. Why??

As an aside... Check on my link top left hand corner of my blog for Razzy Roo. Enjoy either 10% off an entire order using the promo code listed, OR, use code GLITTER40, for a FREE glitter band when you spend $40. Have I mentioned how much I love Razzy Roo??

Happy Tuesday!