Daylight Savings, Running and Summer is Coming

I don't know about you, but I don't mind losing the extra hour of sleep one bit. I have been waiting for DST to begin, well, since it ended, basically. I swear by the end of the winter, I find myself in a funk with working out...I also tend to have been drinking more with holidays or get-togethers with friends because there just wasn't really much else to do when it's dark outside by 5:30pm. It's all just a recipe for disaster and not keeping sight of my goals. Of course I've worked out throughout winter, but I did let myself get lazy and skip more workouts than I normally would. It just seems to happen every winter. You know what always gets me out of this funk? DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME!

I hit the gym for the first time in weeks this past Saturday. I hate to say that I hadn't been since sometime in early January! Farrah had just been sick for so long, I avoided taking her to the childcare there, which meant I really didn't get to go. I worked out at home instead, but I sure missed the gym. Also with my new job, finding the time for the gym has been tricky, but I plan to squeeze it in Monday thru Thursday around 4pm before I pick up the kids after work. Then of course, I'll continue to go on Saturdays and Sunday after church. Summer is coming and I don't have much time!

I believe having a plan makes all the difference, so I've written out this week's gym routine in advance:

My cardio will get done via running outdoors in the evenings on nice days or Insanity when it rains.

Are you happy DST is finally here? Does it help you with your fitness goals? How do you stay on track?

Losing Sight Of Your Goals // Re-Boot

First of all, I apologize for TWO MONTHS of no posts. I have been alive and well at my daily lifestyle blog, California To Carolina, but I have horribly neglected this blog and I really need to get out of that bad pattern.

I think the main reason has been that I don't feel I've had much to share since my last few posts back in August. I'm still battling the postpartum weight {15 lbs to go!}, but I've definitely gotten in a rut of sorts...I've been at the same weight for a couple weeks now...I've definitely plateaued. And then of course, I'm fighting internally with my disappointment at how hard the weight is to lose this time around...how hard I am working...and feeling like it is just "unfair" that I have to kick my ass so hard to see results after pregnancy, when so many of my friends seemingly shrink right back down with little to no effort at all. I just want to be back in a pair of pre-prego jeans, damnit! {Is that too much to ask?} I feel at nearly 6 months postpartum now, I should be there. So I then have some moments of retaliation...basically saying "f*** it", I'm going to just eat what I want, drink my wine and throw in the towel {which of course, I really don't want to do, but sometimes my frustration takes over}.

So all that being said, I need to reboot. I need to get back on the motivation train. For the last several weeks, I've been doing a few classes at the gym each week, running with the kids in the stroller and just hitting the gym in general {when there is not a class I want to take}. So I definitely haven't "thrown in the towel" at all, but I know I'm at a point where I need to take it up a notch - in my exercise and in my diet.

Truth be told, my diet probably needs the most work. I'm always generally pretty healthy, but I have not been super-strict as I was a couple months ago when I started the meal prepping. I sort of got lax with that. My husband, however, did GREAT, and is down nearly 30 lbs {friggin' men}. I think seeing him lose the weight so quickly pissed me off even more! {No, seriously, I'm happy for him and glad I could get him motivated.} And then, of course, there is my infatuation with wine. I find that glass {or two} after a long day of watching the kids, cleaning the house and what-have-you, is so enticing and hard to give up. However, I'm at a point where I need to take some drastic measures...and I think cutting back on that {a lot} is something I really need to do. I think in the long run, not seeing the results I want with how hard I work pains me more than giving up wine for a little while. Lastly, I need to start up the meal prep again...there's really no excuse not to. I've got a date with the grocery store and my kitchen tomorrow.

Three months ago, I posted my stats for my tracking purposes. Here is what they were then:

Weight: 173 lb {Height 5'7"}
R & L Bicep {unflexed}: 11.25"
L Thigh: 22.5"
R Thigh: 21.5"
Waist: 33"
Hips: 40.5"

These are my stats now:

Weight: 160 lbs
R & L Bicep {unflexed}: 11"
L Thigh: 21.25"
R Thigh: 21.25"
Waist: 31.5"
Hips: 38.25"

So yes, obviously there has been progress. I've lost 13 lbs and almost 6 inches total in the last 14 weeks. I am happy that I've averaged a loss of about a pound a week, but I know had I been strict on myself the whole time, I could have done better. Well, it's time to do better. I still have my goal to have this weight gone by the end of the year. That gives me just over 9 weeks to knock off 15 lbs...which is a daunting task, but if I stay motivated, I can do it.

Anyway, in the last week, I've started adding running in {solo, so I can push harder} when Jake gets home from work in the evenings so he can handle the kids for me. I'm signed up for my first postpartum 5K race on November 1st.

And we will be in Myrtle Beach for Thanksgiving, so I am doing their Turkey Trot 8K.

I think running will help make a big difference in the coming weeks. Once DST ends, my runs will be in the morning before I help get Tanner ready for school...it will be nice to have them out of the way. I will also be adding some Insanity workouts into my routine, especially on days I can't get to the gym.

Anywho, I hope I'm not being a downer, it's not my intention...I just want to be raw and honest about this process - and the truth is, it's not easy and it's got its ups and downs. It's helpful to me and I hope maybe someone else out there struggling with weight loss might be encouraged to reboot as well.

Stay Happy & Healthy!

Just Go. No Excuses.

So did anyone join in on yesterday's Pinterest Fitness Board Challenge? I'm urging you to do this along with me. I tell you, the one I did last night was pretty darn good. And today's well, today's is killer. It's the 100 Workout.

I think just the 100 jumping jacks to start off was quite the task. I managed to get it done though - I'm the only one working in my office right now and it used to be a yoga studio or something so it's perfect for workouts - I basically took a 15 minute break and just knocked it out. But killer, yes. Don't worry - I'm wearing workout clothes at work right now...because I also decided I will be running on my lunch breaks in order to train for my first half marathon. Here are my run stats for today's run:

Aren't I so lucky to work right on the water? Here's a pic of the bridge I was on:

And I took this one while on the bridge:

I realize those stats aren't amazing, but here are my lame excuses, in case you were interested:

1. It was hot and humid and noon.
2. I should have drank more water this morning before my run.
3. I walked some - but I did a lot of sprinting too {working on endurance}.
4. I let myself get sidetracked by the view and deep thoughts on some of my walking moments.
5. I'm pathetic and I should have never fallen out of running after coming so far at the end of last year.
6. I need a better playlist.

Yeah, #5. I do not need to make excuses! I just need to keep kicking my ass.

I'm actually headed to the gym later for some strength-training - Biceps/Triceps/Chest Day.

What are your fitness plans for today? Hopefully you'll consider this Pinterest challenge - what have you got to lose?

Half Marathon Training Begins!

I'm on a mission to kill myself this week, y'all. Case in point: My workout schedule for the week...

Monday, July 1 - 4am - 4:30am - Cardio
                           4:30pm - 5:30pm - Barre Class
Tuesday, July 2 - 5:30am - Run 3 miles {First official training run for my half marathon!}
                           5:30pm - Glutes/Legs/Abs {Strength Training}

Wednesday, July 3 - 4am - 4:30am - Cardio
                                5:30pm - 6:30pm - Barre Class

Thursday, July 4 - 6:30am - Run 3 miles

Friday, July 5 - 4am - 4:30am - Cardio
                        5:30pm - Chest/Triceps/Abs {Strength Training}

Saturday, July 6 - 6am - Run 4 miles
                            8:30am - 9:30am - Barre

Sunday, July 7 - 6:30am - Run 2-3 miles

I don't plan for a rest day because inevitably I know "life" will happen and I may miss one of these planned workouts.

What's with the 4am cardio sesh? Well, I work at my gym on MWF as the opener, and I sort of use that time as a "just in case I don't get back to the gym for a workout later" session. I figure 30 minutes of cardio is better than nada. I typically do get back to my planned workout after my normal 9-to-5 job, but some days, sh*t happens. I'm lucky that my main job allows for some flexibility - I don't necessarily have to be at the office the entire 9-to-5, as I can log on and work from home in the evenings if need be, so sometimes I get to the gym earlier for my strength training sessions, which makes my evenings a lot nicer for getting dinner on the table and not rushing the bedtime routine with the boys.

This week is the start of what is going to be a hectic few months of workouts due to training for the half marathon in the midst of it all. I didn't want to give up my strength training or barre classes just because I'm running because I don't believe replacing one thing with another is going to make me better. The running is purely going to be in addition to my normal workout routine, which is why I have scheduled those so early in the morning {plus to beat the SC heat}.

Wish me luck with the half marathon training!                          

The First Run Is Always The Hardest

This weekend, I decided I should just go for it and hit the pavement. As I mentioned in Thursday's post, I wanted to start this week getting prepared for my half marathon training, though my official training start date is July 1st - 16 weeks out.

Even though I'm in the gym regularly on the elliptical or treadmill, this was just so different. Here's how I did:

Yeah, crappy.

I had only planned on running about two miles anyway, but still, I just did not feel in good running shape at all...plus I was not in A/C like at the gym...it was very hot and humid {thank you, SC}. I am so far from where I was just six or so months ago when I was training for the half marathon I didn't end up doing. I know I'll get back, but man, what a hit to the ego this was. I'm not going to let it discourage me though...I know I will improve with time and that is what training is for. I've never been much of a "runner" - it's a totally different kind of fitness for me. Put me in a dance studio and I could go for hours, but when I run, sometimes I feel like I might die. I'd like to be someone who runs regularly - if I could run a consistent 20 miles a week, I'd be satisfied.

I also think a those running results had a lot to do with the fact that a) I went out the night before and had a few drinks with friends, b) I didn't drink as much water  that day as I should have and c) my body was not properly fueled with the right foods.

Anyway, I know I've got a long road ahead of me {pun totally intended - hehe}. It's more of a mental challenge than anything. I know the endurance will come, but it's the mental battle that I have the hardest time breaking through. I have to find ways to not get bored - gorgeous scenery, great music, etc.

My plans this week and going forward are to:

a. Drink 8-10 glasses of water per day and cut back on alcoholic beverages during training.
b. Be a bit more strict on my diet - only consume what will fuel my body and cut out unnecessary calories.
c. Plan out my run times so I can know what to expect and thus keep up with my running schedule easier.
d. Stay motivated and not get discouraged!

I'm using Map My Run to plan my routes and RunKeeper to track my stats for each of my runs. If you're new to running, training for anything, or just looking for some good fitness apps, I highly recommend these.

A 13 in 2013

This goal must be met, people. My goal to run a half marathon sometime in this lifetime. What better year for a 13-miler than 2013? It sounds so unlucky that it just might be lucky.

I have decided to make a goal of the Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon again this year.

It was my half marathon goal last year that I never made good on. It is on October 20th. This would put my official 16-week training start date on July 1st. I actually plan to get back into running over this next week and a half so that I am ready to be in training mode on July 1st.

Here is my 16-week training plan:

It's going to be a challenge, and I know that {especially with the Charleston, SC heat and humidity in July and August!} But I really want this...I have for a long time...and it's high time I got my ass in gear and got it done!

I plan on updating y'all throughout the training...follow me on Facebook and Twitter for my RunKeeper app updates. I use that app on my iPhone to track my mileage and time - I love it.

Wish me luck and keep me motivated with your support!




Random Update: See above where I mentioned that a 13 in 2013 "sounds so unlucky it just might be lucky"? Well, I just happened to look over at my blog archive and realize this is also my 13th post since starting the blog!