Genuine Efforts: Attempts at Healthy Living: November 2011

November 27, 2011

Thanksgiving Trash

I know that there are starving children (and adults) and all but I cannot mail them my Thanksgiving leftovers.

Therefore all the leftovers get trashed today. I don't need to pick at stuffing or jello salad for a few more days. In fact, my body is craving a salad and whole grains.

Thanksgiving, you were great, but it's time for you to go now and let me eat a bit healthier before Christmas parties start.

November 24, 2011

Thanksgiving Turkey Trot 2011

79:19

Seventy nine minutes and nineteen seconds for the Lloyde Clark Turkey Trot 10K for a 12:57 minute per mile avereage.

My goal was 80 minutes to come in at less than 13 minutes per mile and I managed to just squeak by that time limit.

The overall race was great, an incredibly positive atmosphere. One of the reasons I love running and these races is that runners are so nice- they're always rooting for you to reach your personal best. I kept a strong pace for the first 5K but during the second half I took a lot of walking breaks. I was really glad that I had kept strong 12 minute miles in the beginning because it allowed me to walk when I needed to during the second portion. However, even despite the walking breaks I still ran much faster than the Springtime Tallahassee which I ran in 86 minutes. That was all jogging, no walking (that I remember) so despite the fact that in April I jogged the whole thing I was still almost seven minutes faster this time. That attractive young man in the picture is my younger brother who also ran with me today. His time: 53 minutes and 43 seconds. Ah-mazing. Really.

That's awesome.

Oh, and in case anyone's wondering: according to my Garmin I burned 1,020 calories, which may, just may, have been the caloric worth of my dessert today.

November 22, 2011

Things are going very well.

First, an update about last week's goals. In short, I met them. All of them. I tracked and drank and ran and exercised and everything else. It was a good week.

Second, on Thursday I have a race, a 10K Turkey Trot in Gainesville. I feel mostly ready for it. I haven't ran any races since Springtime Tallahassee 2011. For that race I finished in 86:01 for a 13:51 mph average. I'd like to think I am faster now, or at least more consistent. My goal for this race is to finish in less than 81 minutes, less than a 13 minute mile. Four weeks ago I was running 11:30 miles, now my miles are averaging 12:22-12:45 minute miles. I've ran this race before and don't remember any significant hills or inclines, it's Gainesville, there are only hills on one side of town and this race is not there. That, I think, will improve my likelihood of a faster time.

Also, I feel ready, generally. I'm worried that I'll feel off or that my slower running times will be even slower on Thursday. My hope, fingers crossed, is that the adrenaline of the crowd will give me a rush of adrenaline that will carry me through all 6.2 miles. I'm also hoping that any additional strength or confidence acquired in my week at CrossFit will aid me, not hinder me.

I cannot wait to update everyone about my upcoming success!

November 16, 2011

125 lbs!

Okay, so one of the more awesome things I did this month was join CroffFit Tallahassee. While I am waiting to review the gym and the program on the blog later, I will say that I already think it is one of the better decisions of my 29th year.

For those that don't know what the CrosFit program is, it is a new-to-me gym trend that wants to revert back to gyms that (to me) look like something of the 1920s and 1930s. Think back to those old gyms that boxers used to belong to- rowing, olympic style lifting, jumping rope, etc. Minimalist. This place doesn't even have A/C or heat. And while I will explain their program and ideology after I've gone to a few more classes I will say something extra amazing:

Tonight I deadlifted 125 lbs!

What's a deadlift?

Watch this video.

November 13, 2011

Goals for this week.

Here's a review of how I did on my goals last week:

Tracking: I tracked like a demon for the first few days but got less and less accountable as the week went by; I didn't like tracking Halloween candy and a variety of other indiscretions.

Exercise: Three days out of the five I was hoping to do. I went to a Zumba class on Monday. Tuesday I got swamped with work, Wednesday I went out to a party. Thursday I met with a friend (thanks Linnea!) to go for a jog on a new-to-me trail. We started to jog but I couldn't stop coughing so we ended up walking for an hour. Friday I did a small but incredbly difficult strength workout at CrossFit Tallahassee (more about that on Tuesday) of which I am still sore.

Money: mostly kept to it until yesterday when I went to Target and bought myself Christmas ornaments. However, the overall goal was to keep me from getting take-out, which I did not do all week. So, I felt like mission accomplished.

This week's goals are simpler:

Eat wholesome, simple meals. Baked chicken, roasted vegetables, etc. I'm leaving my crockpot and recipe books alone this week in favor of simplicity and fewer ingredients. I'm going to track and consistently as I can.

Eat more vegetables and fruits. I'm pretty good about getting in my five a day, but I know that there is an indirect correlation between the amount of candy I eat and my produce intake. Meaning, the more candy I eat the fewer plants I eat.

Get rid of the candy. Okay, I'm ashamed of how much crap I ate last week at the party, at my house etc. I do consider it a sharp victory over the week before, but still not what I want for myself. I ate/threw away/donated the rest of the candy. This is why bags of candy is on my trigger lists and should not enter my house.

Exercise: I'd like to do Zumba on Monday and Wednesday. Tuesday, if I can make it without coughing, an easy 3 mile jog, Thursday 4 miles, and another three miles on Saturday. Also, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights this week I am going to take the first beginner classes at CrossFit Tallahassee.

Water: I've been incredibly thirsty lately because of all the junk and also from all of the cooked meals I've been making. Junk food always makes people thirsty but the foods I've been cooking for myself have also been incredibly high in salt and this week I've felt continally dehydrated. I will make a purpose to get 10 glasses of water a day to help me flush my adrenal system.

These are my goals for this week and I am sincerely trying to get back into my routine. Being sick and the holiday and party season have thwarted me but my general blah feelings this week have reminded me why my goals are so important.

November 8, 2011

Food I ate yesterday

I may have forgotten to post but I didn't forget to track my food yesterday. Also, I took a Zumba class.

Breakfast

Cooper Natural Pepper Jack Cheese, 1 oz

110

Western Bagel, The Alternative Bagel, Sweet Wheat (1 bagel), 2 oz

110

Egg Beaters, original - 1/4 cup, 2 serving

Ketchup, Heinz, 2 tbsp

Farmland 95% Fat Free Cubed Ham, 1 serving

Breakfast TOTALS:

390

Lunch

Spinach, fresh, 1 cup

Baked Tortellini, 1 serving (view recipe)

454

Pears, fresh, 1 pear, medium (approx 2-1/2 per lb)

Lunch TOTALS:

558

Dinner

Spinach, fresh, 1 cup

Crock Pot Honey Chicken, 1 serving (view recipe)

290

Barilla Plus Penne, 2 oz

210

Dinner TOTALS:

507

Snack

Western Bagel, The Alternative Bagel, Sweet Wheat (1 bagel), 2 oz

110

Philadelphia Light cream cheese, 6 tbsp

180

3 Musketeers Candy Bar, 1 bar, fun size

Snack TOTALS:

361

	CALORIES	CARBS	FAT	PROTEIN
Totals:	1,817	226	55	115

November 6, 2011

Re-boot

Okay, so I didn't do any of the goals I set for myself last week. I didn't track or post. I didn't exercise. I stayed sick and self-indulgent, whiny and unproductive. I beat myself up and belittled my lack of dedication.

That needs to stop. Not everyday will be great. I may even go for days where I don't do what I should.
Re-boot.

So, intead of setting up goals for the month of November I am setting up goals for just this week. Here they are:
1) No more shopping or spending money for this week, including eating out. I stocked up on some specific groceries, pulled some recipes, and should be able to eat at home all week long. One exception is that I may run out of milk and if so then I may go get some.
2) Eat at home! I only have one social engagement this week so it should be pretty easy to eat at home, to pack my lunches, and to make a point to eat what I've already paid for and to eat things that help me meet my goals.
3) Exercise 5 times this week. As long as I'm congested running may be out of the realm of possibilities but I should be able to still do Zumba and yoga.
4) Track as much as possible. Tracked everything I ate today and I should, minus the engagement on Wednesday and what I may eat if I go home, be able to track everything this week. That is completely accessible.