Terri's Blog

Spring Has Sprung

2009-04-13T09:38:00.000-07:00

Saturday was a beautiful day. I started my morning with a 3.1 mile run/walk. I got up a little late so the traffic on the road I prefer to run on was already heavy. I decided that my next best option was to run through subdivisions near mine. My first goal was to complete at least 3 miles. My second was to run 1.5 without stopping. I started out very, very slowly. Testing my knee, and giving my calves and shins time to warm up. There was a little tightness but nothing like last Sunday. I had my mp3 player going and would keep telling myself, "you can run until this song is over" then saying the same for the next song. I did get my 1.5 without stopping and was tickled. I walked .3 miles and the started running again. This time there was no pain, I just fell into a rhythm and kept going. When my Garmin beeped for the third mile I actually did a fist pump! I am getting there slowly but surely.

After I got home I got out in the back yard and worked in my flower beds for the rest of the day. It has been either too cold or too wet or I have been too busy with other stuff to work them and they were getting out of control. My husband I worked until around 4:30 pulling weeds and raking leaves. It was great to see when we got done how good everything looks.

Sunday was a lazy day. The only thing that I did that was productive is fold a few clothes and cook supper. The majority of the day I was on the couch reading.

If it isn't raining tonight I plan to run. If I can't run then I'll do something inside. I was thinking about a Tae Bo DVD that I haven't done in a long time. It might be a good night to bring that out if it is raining. Either way is good for me.

Tuesday Night Twofer

2009-04-08T08:34:00.000-07:00

I didn't work out at all on Monday. I watched Michigan State lose the NCAA basketball tournament instead. They played hard until the end. They were just out matched by North Carolina.

Tuesday night I came home determined. My legs were still a little sore from my weekned runs so I thought working out with my Wave would help. There are lots of lunges and leg routines, I also get a pretty good upper body work out which I haven't had since last week. I did 30 minutes of scuplting and then prepared a salad and turkey burgers for supper. I had a quick bite and it was time for American Idol. I set the recumbent bike to tell me when I burned 400 calories. It took 15 miles with hills and 50 minutes to burn 400 calories. I slept very well last night.

I am not sure who will get booted off American Idol tonight. I have a couple of people in mind and I would not be hurt if they went home tonight.

I am planning to run tonight. I bought new shoes yesterday, Asic Gel Kahana 3. I know that these are an older version but they feel really good on my feet. I used them when I worked out last night. The shoes I wore Saturday and Sunday are my Pearl Izumis that I bought two springs ago. I don't know how many miles that they have on them. Probably just enough to make it time for new shoes. They are still wearable they just don't have the support I need for running. After I run I need to do some upper body work. I am starting to notice some definition in my arms. That feels nice.

The good thing is I can work my arms and watch AI and see who get voted off the show. Nothing like being able to multitask!

Balance

2009-04-06T06:51:00.000-07:00

After feeling pretty good about myself and my reintroduction to running on Saturday, Sunday really was reminder of how unpredictable my body is. I woke up earlier than usual Sunday morning and was out on the road by 7:30. I was feeling pretty good, a little sore from the previous day but my energy was good. I started off running and before I even ran a half mile I knew today wasn't going to be a good day. My calves tightened up, my right knee started aching and the more I tried to push the worse it got. I was determined to get a least 1.5 in before I quit. I had to walk a lot of it but I did mange to get a mile and a half. Today my legs are a little sore and my lower back hurts. The good thing is that I am noticing that my muscles are toning up. My husband even commented that my behind is getting tighter this morning.

I guess the thing I need to try to remember is that I need to maintain a balance. I need to try and balance the good days with the bad ones. Remembering that as long as I am moving it really doesn't matter how far I go on a particular day. Just that I am out there trying.

I don't know what I'll do tonight besides watch the basketball game (Go Michigan State!)If I have the energy I'll try to run, if not I'll work out with my Wave. Remembering that some is better than none.

On the Road Again!

2009-04-04T15:51:00.000-07:00

Put on my running shoes this morning!! Why you ask? I signed up for the Toad Suck 5K. I haven't run since last September. Wasn't sure how it would go. It took me a bit to get my Garmin set but guess what?! I can still run a mile without a walk break. I walked/ran 3.15 miles in less than 40 minutes. That is with some stretching along the way. I am feeling pretty good right now.

On Tuesday I road my recumbent bike while watching American Idol. I am working out more days than not. I am feeling good about that. Still not losing weight. If I don't see some pound lose soon I am going to see the doc to make sure there is not some hormonal thing going on.

I plan to run again tomorrow morning. We will see how that goes.

Resisting Temptation

2009-03-31T11:15:00.000-07:00

Why does it seem like when you are trying to eat right and exercise that there are folks that want to sabotage your efforts? I really don't make that big of a deal about trying to do better but it almost feels like when people find out they go out of their way to put a stumbling block in the way. Today for example, I declined an invitation to go out for lunch and when I was pressured to go I mentioned that I am trying to eat better. I almost felt that I was being made fun of because of it. Then these same people brought cupcakes from a new bakery back with them. While they looked yummy, I once again declined. The response that I got was, "Well, you have been working out you deserve one". I am trying to change the way that I think about food. I don't want to look at food as a reward. My reward will be getting to that level of fitness and health that I deserve.

I worked out with my Wave on Sunday and again on Monday. I took off from work on Monday and worked in my yard all day after doing a 30 minute workout. I am beginning to notice that my muscles are starting to get more toned. I haven't lost any pounds yet but I think that my clothes are fitting better. I have a 40 minute workout planned for tonight.

The Wave

2009-03-25T07:34:00.000-07:00

I did survive a 40 minute session with my new Wave last night. I did the 10 minute ab video and a 30 minute cardio sculpting video. The ab video was not all that challengeing for me. Probably because I don't have each exercise down and it took me too long to get in postion for the next move. After I have seen it a few times I know that it will be more fluid. The 30 minute video is the same one I did the first night so I kind of knew where the changes were and could anticipate them better and as a result I think that that work out was more effective. I woke up this morning and my hamstrings and arm muscles were sore. Today is supposed to be a rest day accordnig to the training guide. I guess it will have to be because I have to travel today to get my kids to their grandmother's house for part of their spring break. It will be nice to have a couple of days without having to worry about where they are at and when they are coming home.

Tomorrow night I am going to do the extreme cardio work out. It really feels good to have an exercise plan again.

I'm Still Here!

2009-03-24T07:41:00.000-07:00

It has been crazy lately. Work has been insanely busy. This is always my busiest time of the year. It starts in January and doesn't end until the second week in May. About this time each year is crunch time. We are in the midst of planning a huge conference and I am the point person. It always turns out fine but until it is over I stay stressed. The night after it ends I usually unwind with a hot bath and a bottle of wine. Probably not the most healthy way but it works.

I started a new exercise program last night. I ordered it from an infomercial which is something I never do, at least not in the recent past. It is called The Wave. The system comes with a curved device that you must stand on and balance while going through various moves with and without hand weights. It comes with 4 work out videos ranging from 10 minutes to 40 minutes. I did a 10 minutes one and most of a 30 minutes one last night. I think that it is going to be good for me. I woke up this morning and my glutes were hurting. This is what it looks like.

The work out reminds me of Jazzercise. Lots of cardio along with weights. Many of the moves are the same as Jazzercise. I did Jazzercise for about 2 years. I lost weight and my husband told me that I was buff. Hopefully I can stick the routine out, drop a few pounds and maybe get back to running.

I have been walking during my lunch breaks at least two days a week. I always feel like I need to walk at least 3 miles. The route that I take starts by going downhill toward the river and the return is up hill all the way. The first couple of times I could really feel it in my hip flexors and calves.

I have 54 days until my beach trip. The good news is that I could button a pair of shorts this weekend that I wasn't able to 2 weeks ago. Surely in 54 days I can drop a few pounds and firm up a little.

I'll probably do the Wave again tonight. I'll do the ab work out and attempt the 40 minute cardio.

If I can move tomorrow I'll let you know how that goes.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-22T08:03:00.000-08:00

It is so hard to believe that the holidays are here. Last year at this time I had all my shopping and house cleaning taken care of. It is a very different story this year. December has flown by. It's all good. After Friday it will be time to start thinking about next Christmas.

I have so much to be thankful for this year. My oldest son graduated this month with his master's degree. My second son is going to start college in January after a very rocky couple of years of self-destructive behaviors. My daughter is growing into a beautiful young lady with aspirations for her future. My daughter-in-law is on her way to fulfilling her dream of becoming an early childhood educator. She will graduate in May.

In spite of my lack of exercise and the weight that I have gained this year, I have managed to stay healthy. I am looking forward to 2009 and getting back into shape. I have a beach vacation planned in May. My husband and I are going to vacation with my sisters and their families and I don't want to be the fat one. With that to keep me motivated I know I can do it!

Happy Holidays!

Not Just Yet.

2008-09-25T12:24:00.000-07:00

The medication the doctor gave me for my arthritic toe is helping. I haven't yet put on the running shoe and hit the road. I feel like I need to wait a couple of days for that. I have been riding my recumbent bike. I rode for 30 minutes yesterday and got up at 5:30 this morning and rode for forty. Yesterday I did 8 miles and today I did 11.5. I'll probably try to get on it again tonight. I have really been watching my caloric intake. I have been feeling a little lethargic and I know that it is must my body adjusting to fewer carbs and sugars. I haven't completely cut anything out of my diet. I am just watching it. I can't help but think that if I drop a few pounds that my feet will thank me and I will feel more confident about myself.

I'll get there. It may take more time than I would hope for but I'd rather get there healthy and uninjured.

Can you say OUCH!?

2008-09-23T13:02:00.000-07:00

That is what I have been saying for the past week and a half. I have had problems with bunions on my big toes off and on for several years but lately my left toe has been hurting pretty much constantly. I went to the doc today, I almost talked myself out of it because it seems so stupid to have toe pain. Anyway, I have a bone spur on my toe and have developed a bit of athritis. OUCH! He prescribed some anti-inflamortory medication and I hope that it will work. I just took my first pill a few minutes ago so we shall see. I almost cried when I saw my weight. I have really got to get this under control with some serious exercise. Women in my family (my dad's side) tend to "puff up" after they hit 40. I don't want to be a fluffy grandmother so I need to get to work before grandkids come along.

If this medicine is helpful I'll be back on the road tomorrow.

See you then!

What the Heck?!

2008-09-14T07:18:00.000-07:00

That's what my legs were saying this morning after only .66 miles. "You mean to tell us that you have been sitting on that big rear end of yours all summer and NOW you expect us to carry you while you attempt to get rid of some of it? NO WAY! We quit!" Then they did. I have never had shin splits that bad before. It seemed like the pain went all the way up my leg. I wasn't sure that I could even walk home. I was determined to get at leas 1.5 miles one way or the other. I tried running a couple of more times but there was no way. It is so strange that one day can feel so good and the next be so terrible. I guess maybe I am expecting too much too soon. I'll keep trying though. I think that I am going to go ride the bike for a little bit and burn a few more calories. That might help stretch the muscles in my calves out a little bit.

I'll hit the road again tomorrow. The weather is supposed to be nice all week. I'll just try to pace myself and give myself permission to gradually build back up my distance. I didn't get out of shape overnight and I won't get back in shape quickly either.

One Mile At A Time

2008-09-13T07:09:00.000-07:00

I told myself last night that this morning I would get up and run before it got too hot. I guess that is why I woke up at 5:30 this morning and could not go back to sleep. Anyone that knows me very well knows that I don't wake up that early unless I really have to. My legs were still sore from my run on Thursday night. I took both as a sign to get my rear end out of bed and get on the road. It was about 7:00 before I was out the door.

There was a breeze blowing and it felt nice out. I walked about a quarter mile and then took off. I felt good, my pace was comfortable, my breathing steady and there was very little traffic on the road at that time of day. My plan was to run a half mile then walk a minute or so and run another half. I only wanted 3 miles total today. I was feeling so good this morning that when my Garmin showed I was at a half I decided that I could probably do a whole mile without stopping; and I did! To folks who run regularly that seems like a small feat. I haven't run or really done much exercising all summer; so to m it was an true accomplishment. I walked about two minutes then began running again. I got about a half mile before stopping again. I ran and walked 1.66 miles then turned around and started running back. I decided that I would do 3.5 miles today since I had gone out more than 1.5 before turning around. Again, I ran more than I walked. When I got to my neighborhood I looked at my Garmin and I had 3.45. Then I decided to do 4 miles. I took off around another subdivision near mine. By the time I got home I had 4.01 miles in 54 minutes. Again, to a person who has been running awhile that seems really slow. To me it felt great! It took me 44 minutes to do 2 miles on Wednesday. So, I am improving already.

Tomorrow if hurricane Ivan isn't taking his wrath out on Arkansas I will run again. I'll shoot for 4 again and try to improve my time. If Ivan rears his head then I guess I'll hit the recumbent bike for an hour or so.

I have to go and get my 15 year old princess out of bed. She has an appointment to get her hair done. More running to do, only a different kind! Just as rewarding!

Slowly but surely

2008-09-11T09:55:00.000-07:00

I've been gone for awhile. I started writing here when I began a women's running clinic last February. The important word there was "started". I didn't finish which is not like me at all. I have prided myself over the years in finishing everything that I start. Not this time.

I got involved with a project at work that required working late hours and as a result I had to miss several clinics and couldn't get my workout in between times. So, I dropped out. I tried running some afterward but just didn't have the motivation and it always felt like work.

My motivation for getting back on the road was this, I tried on a dress that used to fit loosely and couldn't get it zipped up!! Time to do something different. I had already started watching my calorie intake and am trying to eat healthier but at 44 years old that alone no longer works.

So, last night I put on the shoes and hit the road. I wanted to start slow and gave myself permission not to be too hard on myself for being a slacker for all these months. I did 2.20 miles and ran probably a little more than half of that. Better to do that than nothing at all.....right!?

My goal is to reach for at least two miles a night and increasing the distance that I run each time. Tonight I will push for more than half a mile, we will see how that goes.

I am excited to be back!