I had a bunch of goals set for November, after a successful October, but this was cut short because of several things going on. First, was my fridge flaking out on me. This meant I had no means of keeping foods after cooking and had to toss a bunch out. This makes it hard to cook ahead and stay healthy. Second was/is work. I don't normally let work get too involved in my non-work time, but the last several weeks it's been hard with two weeks of training and then a major planned power outage at work today. That meant I couldn't plan on anything this weekend for getting out and doing stuff as I don't know when I go in or for how long. Yesterday I got there at 6:45am and left at 11:15pm, then didn't know if I was coming in today in the morning or evening when the power comes back. As it turns out, it will be this evening.
Because of that it's been hard to keep up with my work outs and eating. But, I have been not too bad with eating and making good choices by going to the grocery stores and getting chicken and salads and veggies for lunches while at work. I did have pizza last night, but it was ordered in for the group of us working and I didn't gorge too badly on it. And I had some gnocchi for breakfast today, as it was thawed out from the fridge and needed eating. And some mexican food as well today, grilled chicken with onions, mushrooms and cheese, with rice and beans. So not great, but I never over ate and don't feel bad about doing it. I know the coming week will also be a challenge as I need to get back to working out and eating healthy and restocking my fridge.
All in all, it wasn't a bad first week of November for my goals, not meeting them all, but still meeting some of them. Again, this goes back to my thinking that goals need to be flexible since you never know what life is going to throw your way and you just have to go with the flow and do your best.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Goals: Flexible or Not?
Today I had a goal to run 8 miles. I woke up this morning feeling a bit cruddy, so I adjusted my goal to run 5 miles and see how I feel. The weather here in Houston is awesome currently. As I headed out, the temps were in the low 50s. After a summer of record weather: most days in the 100s, highest temperatures, no rain, to name a few; these cooler temps which wouldn't feel that cold in years past but this morning it felt cold to me. I don't know if it was because I was feeling cruddy, or just not use to the temps for so long but I was feeling the cold this morning, so I waited a bit before going out when I had planned to. Another goal, running by 8.
So, for those keeping track, that's two goals today alone: 8 miles, and running by 8. I didn't make either goal, I adjusted them. I ended up getting to my run around 10:20 and ran around 6.4 miles. So, I guess I technically made the adjusted goal of run 5 miles and see how I felt. At mile 5 I was feeling a bit tight in the legs so knew I should push past it too much further, but I also was in the back of the trails when that happened so running back was the only option I had.
As disappointing as not running 8 miles should have been since I didn't make that goal, it was one of the most enjoyable runs I've ever had. For me, this means more than reaching any goal, original or adjusted. It's documented quite well how much I'm not a fan of running. So any time I have an enjoyable run, I think that trumps any goals I have. And since this was the most enjoyable this counts as a good run. And I will take it.
This brings up the question. Should goals be flexible? I mean, I didn't reach my goals as I wanted, but still feel great about the run. I didn't make the 8 miles which means I'm behind on the training I am trying to accomplish, but does that much? Will next weeks run goal (10 miles) be achievable because I had a good run this week even though it was 1.6 miles short? I guess I will find out next week!
Why all this talk about goals now? I came across a revelation recently. I set myself a goal for the month of October to not eat out at a restaurant all month. Now, I didn't reach that goal because I did eat out a couple of times, but much less than I normally do, which had a surprising effect on my bank account. So, even though I didn't reach the goal, I had positive results. This has got me to thinking that I really need to start creating myself more proper goals. I always say "my goal is whatever" and although I say that, I don't actually make it happen. I once saw a sign that said "Goals are dreams with a plan."
Time to start planning out my dreams and turning them into goals.
So, for those keeping track, that's two goals today alone: 8 miles, and running by 8. I didn't make either goal, I adjusted them. I ended up getting to my run around 10:20 and ran around 6.4 miles. So, I guess I technically made the adjusted goal of run 5 miles and see how I felt. At mile 5 I was feeling a bit tight in the legs so knew I should push past it too much further, but I also was in the back of the trails when that happened so running back was the only option I had.
As disappointing as not running 8 miles should have been since I didn't make that goal, it was one of the most enjoyable runs I've ever had. For me, this means more than reaching any goal, original or adjusted. It's documented quite well how much I'm not a fan of running. So any time I have an enjoyable run, I think that trumps any goals I have. And since this was the most enjoyable this counts as a good run. And I will take it.
This brings up the question. Should goals be flexible? I mean, I didn't reach my goals as I wanted, but still feel great about the run. I didn't make the 8 miles which means I'm behind on the training I am trying to accomplish, but does that much? Will next weeks run goal (10 miles) be achievable because I had a good run this week even though it was 1.6 miles short? I guess I will find out next week!
Why all this talk about goals now? I came across a revelation recently. I set myself a goal for the month of October to not eat out at a restaurant all month. Now, I didn't reach that goal because I did eat out a couple of times, but much less than I normally do, which had a surprising effect on my bank account. So, even though I didn't reach the goal, I had positive results. This has got me to thinking that I really need to start creating myself more proper goals. I always say "my goal is whatever" and although I say that, I don't actually make it happen. I once saw a sign that said "Goals are dreams with a plan."
Time to start planning out my dreams and turning them into goals.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Addictions and Distractions
Yes. I know. I need to be better at writing up here. But, I have really bad excuses for not doing it. "Tomorrow" "Nothing good to write." "blah blah blah."
Anyways.
So, the last couple weeks I've been in training for work. Basically 8 hour days in front of a computer in a hot conference room. Sitting around eating bad foods and coming out totally unenergized. So, I have not ridden my bike. I have not ran since last Wednesday. I did partake in some Dragon Boat races on Saturday though. So I have not been a complete slug. I was suppose to run 4 miles Monday, but did not as I was suppose to head to Clear Lake for a birthday celebration, but did not because traffic was horrible. So instead, went for a burger and beer.
Yesterday I was suppose to run 4 miles, to make up for the four missed on Monday, but got out of training zombiefied and so, I didn't.
I've been eating like crap because it is free food and well, free food when you are low on money is a good thing! This week I have been making better choices (no chips, extra fruit cups) but I still find myself buying and eating sugar loaded pies, cakes, what have you with out thinking about it until after the fact. This is something I continuously fight with. I keep trying to find that zone that I was in several years ago when I did not have any sugar related items for a couple of years, but it continuously eludes me.
I keep trying to get on the Paleo Diet which I have done before for a couple of months and had great success with it, but then I fell off that fairly hard and just haven't been able to get back on there. Right now, the hard part is because of these distractions at work of free meals. But luckily for me they end this week and I can get back into a schedule next week that I'm familiar with for work outs and eating.
The title is "Addictions and Distractions" and I have discovered they go hand in hand. My addiction to sugar is amplified by distractions to being healthy. The less active I am and the poorer my food choices are, the more I crave the sugary, chocolaty foods. Right now my distractions in life are this this training for work. It will end soon and I can better refocus myself against the addictions again. I will also attempt to get back on the Paleo wagon again once I have time to start cooking and getting things ready. I have always been trying to do it cold turkey. Cutting out the dairy, grains and other processed foods all at once, but this time I am thinking about doing it in sections. Cut out dairy first, then grains, then processed foods (or some order of the three.)
Right now I have been doing "enough" to maintain my weight, which is not a good thing, as if I cut out the extra calories I mindlessly consume (damn you chocolate fudge pies!) I would probably drop weight very fast, with the running I am doing.
Speaking of running. That has been going not too bad all things considered. I have been fairly good at being consistent with it (up until the last two weeks) and so my distances and speeds have improved quite a bit. I have been happy with it and am looking forward to getting back into it so I can continue to improve. The running goal right now is to get up to 15 miles for two long runs, then I can ease off and reintroduce resistance training. I feel this will help me maintain the distance and speed and also rebuild some lost muscle mass, which will in turn help me burn more fat in a healthy manner. Plus, 15 miles has always been my goal distance to have at a moments notice. "Want to go run a 25k this weekend?" Sure! I can do that without thinking! So, we shall see how that goes over the next month as I'm about that far away from getting there!
Until next time (hopefully much sooner than last time!)
Anyways.
So, the last couple weeks I've been in training for work. Basically 8 hour days in front of a computer in a hot conference room. Sitting around eating bad foods and coming out totally unenergized. So, I have not ridden my bike. I have not ran since last Wednesday. I did partake in some Dragon Boat races on Saturday though. So I have not been a complete slug. I was suppose to run 4 miles Monday, but did not as I was suppose to head to Clear Lake for a birthday celebration, but did not because traffic was horrible. So instead, went for a burger and beer.
Yesterday I was suppose to run 4 miles, to make up for the four missed on Monday, but got out of training zombiefied and so, I didn't.
I've been eating like crap because it is free food and well, free food when you are low on money is a good thing! This week I have been making better choices (no chips, extra fruit cups) but I still find myself buying and eating sugar loaded pies, cakes, what have you with out thinking about it until after the fact. This is something I continuously fight with. I keep trying to find that zone that I was in several years ago when I did not have any sugar related items for a couple of years, but it continuously eludes me.
I keep trying to get on the Paleo Diet which I have done before for a couple of months and had great success with it, but then I fell off that fairly hard and just haven't been able to get back on there. Right now, the hard part is because of these distractions at work of free meals. But luckily for me they end this week and I can get back into a schedule next week that I'm familiar with for work outs and eating.
The title is "Addictions and Distractions" and I have discovered they go hand in hand. My addiction to sugar is amplified by distractions to being healthy. The less active I am and the poorer my food choices are, the more I crave the sugary, chocolaty foods. Right now my distractions in life are this this training for work. It will end soon and I can better refocus myself against the addictions again. I will also attempt to get back on the Paleo wagon again once I have time to start cooking and getting things ready. I have always been trying to do it cold turkey. Cutting out the dairy, grains and other processed foods all at once, but this time I am thinking about doing it in sections. Cut out dairy first, then grains, then processed foods (or some order of the three.)
Right now I have been doing "enough" to maintain my weight, which is not a good thing, as if I cut out the extra calories I mindlessly consume (damn you chocolate fudge pies!) I would probably drop weight very fast, with the running I am doing.
Speaking of running. That has been going not too bad all things considered. I have been fairly good at being consistent with it (up until the last two weeks) and so my distances and speeds have improved quite a bit. I have been happy with it and am looking forward to getting back into it so I can continue to improve. The running goal right now is to get up to 15 miles for two long runs, then I can ease off and reintroduce resistance training. I feel this will help me maintain the distance and speed and also rebuild some lost muscle mass, which will in turn help me burn more fat in a healthy manner. Plus, 15 miles has always been my goal distance to have at a moments notice. "Want to go run a 25k this weekend?" Sure! I can do that without thinking! So, we shall see how that goes over the next month as I'm about that far away from getting there!
Until next time (hopefully much sooner than last time!)
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Coming Back!
Hey hey hey... (Always reminds me of Fat Albert)
So here it is, many many many months since I last posted. There have been some ups and a whole lot of downs since then, mostly why I have not posted. But things are slowly creeping their way back up again. I have been back to training, and getting more and more happening there. Third week and this is my first week where my morning workouts (yes, I know it is only Tuesday, but I am 2/2!) have actually fully happened.
Been working on my biking, as I was asked to be a part of a triathlon relay as the biker for it. So, decided that was a good place to start. I have my hard workout tonight which last week, after I was done, well, never finished, because it was the closest I have come to vomiting ever in a work out. It is a rough one! Basically it is 50 minutes long. 5 minute warm up with a cadence around 85-95. Then I spin up to 100-125rpm. Then 5 min rest at 85-95. I do 5 repeats of that. Then, a 10 minute cool down afterwards. Ouch.
I have noticed though after my run yesterday that these spin ups actually sped up my cadence on my run as well. So I had some extra speedy feet last night! I do not know my stats from last night as I have not uploaded them yet, but I know my first mile was sub 8:30 which is quite painful for someone that has not been running much lately and caused me to be super slow on the next two miles! Ended up with a 27:30ish time for 3 miles, so not horrible and a good start!
I have been doing weekly trail runs with a friend as well. I am sure these runs have helped with the running, but we do 5/1s and last night I was not doing 5/1s. But I could tell I had been training for them, as I kept wondering when I could start walking!
Eating wise, yeah, a different story. I have not been good at all here. I am trying to behave and go back to eating Paleo like. But, it is a struggle as I try to find some foods that I can cook in batches so I do not have to worry about cooking during the week. The main problem is breakfasts. Always so rushed in the mornings, that I end up eating from the cafeteria and I have managed to limit the damage there, still would prefer not to (not only for the waistline but the wallet line!)
Anyways, that is the update for today, and I will be back sooner than last time! Promise!
Enjoy!
So here it is, many many many months since I last posted. There have been some ups and a whole lot of downs since then, mostly why I have not posted. But things are slowly creeping their way back up again. I have been back to training, and getting more and more happening there. Third week and this is my first week where my morning workouts (yes, I know it is only Tuesday, but I am 2/2!) have actually fully happened.
Been working on my biking, as I was asked to be a part of a triathlon relay as the biker for it. So, decided that was a good place to start. I have my hard workout tonight which last week, after I was done, well, never finished, because it was the closest I have come to vomiting ever in a work out. It is a rough one! Basically it is 50 minutes long. 5 minute warm up with a cadence around 85-95. Then I spin up to 100-125rpm. Then 5 min rest at 85-95. I do 5 repeats of that. Then, a 10 minute cool down afterwards. Ouch.
I have noticed though after my run yesterday that these spin ups actually sped up my cadence on my run as well. So I had some extra speedy feet last night! I do not know my stats from last night as I have not uploaded them yet, but I know my first mile was sub 8:30 which is quite painful for someone that has not been running much lately and caused me to be super slow on the next two miles! Ended up with a 27:30ish time for 3 miles, so not horrible and a good start!
I have been doing weekly trail runs with a friend as well. I am sure these runs have helped with the running, but we do 5/1s and last night I was not doing 5/1s. But I could tell I had been training for them, as I kept wondering when I could start walking!
Eating wise, yeah, a different story. I have not been good at all here. I am trying to behave and go back to eating Paleo like. But, it is a struggle as I try to find some foods that I can cook in batches so I do not have to worry about cooking during the week. The main problem is breakfasts. Always so rushed in the mornings, that I end up eating from the cafeteria and I have managed to limit the damage there, still would prefer not to (not only for the waistline but the wallet line!)
Anyways, that is the update for today, and I will be back sooner than last time! Promise!
Enjoy!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Biking - Good and Bad
So I've been putting time in on the bike. Doing the Shiner GASP in May has got me a bit motivated which is good. I've been using my mountain bike lately because I need repairs on the road bike which I can't really afford right now. And unfortunately turns out the mountain bike needs some repairs too, and I just got it back from the shop, so I will be taking it back in tomorrow to see what's up. Just some loose spokes so it shouldn't be a big deal, but still. So that's the bad.
Anyways, today I was suppose to ride an easy 15 miles with a friend. But he got a migraine and so canceled out. No worries, I headed to MP myself and was thinking about my workouts this week and how they just won't fit into the schedule too well because of other things going on. I started thinking about doing more than the 15 miles so my Thursday ride can be shorter since I'm busy that day. But after the first 5 miles, I realized how fast I was going and decided to keep the tempo going and see just how fast I could do the 15 in on the mountain bike. Then as I got closer to the 15, I decided to up it to one hour to see how far I can go in one hour at a good tempo. And as it turns out I managed 17.32 miles. Which is not a bad speed for the mountain bike and for me being out of shape! I can totally see me getting quite a bit faster with the consistent training. After that, I spun easy for another 9 miles, so got a total of 26ish in tonight. Meaning Thursday will technically only need to be 15 miles, but I might just do 5 since it's St Patrick's day and I'm going to be hanging out at Howl (You should come out! Tell them Steve sent you to get in free and a couple cheapo drinks!)
This past Saturday I put in 30 miles and that felt pretty good until I got off the bike. My legs and butt just didn't want to move around too much, but after a nice hot shower things became flexible again and I was good.
I've also started doing weights again last week. And I'm noticing improvements already on that. So that's also motivating. I'm suppose to do it tomorrow but Wednesdays are optional, if I get up and feel good or feel good after work then I will do it, if not, I will do it on Friday, which is not an optional day.
So things on this front are seeming to be pretty good.
Now if I can get the rest of my life cleaned up like this, it would great. Latest truck news, someone tried to break into it. They failed but they screwed up the passenger door lock. So that will have to be replaced once I can save up the money for that. My poor truck... Always getting beat up on.
Anyways, today I was suppose to ride an easy 15 miles with a friend. But he got a migraine and so canceled out. No worries, I headed to MP myself and was thinking about my workouts this week and how they just won't fit into the schedule too well because of other things going on. I started thinking about doing more than the 15 miles so my Thursday ride can be shorter since I'm busy that day. But after the first 5 miles, I realized how fast I was going and decided to keep the tempo going and see just how fast I could do the 15 in on the mountain bike. Then as I got closer to the 15, I decided to up it to one hour to see how far I can go in one hour at a good tempo. And as it turns out I managed 17.32 miles. Which is not a bad speed for the mountain bike and for me being out of shape! I can totally see me getting quite a bit faster with the consistent training. After that, I spun easy for another 9 miles, so got a total of 26ish in tonight. Meaning Thursday will technically only need to be 15 miles, but I might just do 5 since it's St Patrick's day and I'm going to be hanging out at Howl (You should come out! Tell them Steve sent you to get in free and a couple cheapo drinks!)
This past Saturday I put in 30 miles and that felt pretty good until I got off the bike. My legs and butt just didn't want to move around too much, but after a nice hot shower things became flexible again and I was good.
I've also started doing weights again last week. And I'm noticing improvements already on that. So that's also motivating. I'm suppose to do it tomorrow but Wednesdays are optional, if I get up and feel good or feel good after work then I will do it, if not, I will do it on Friday, which is not an optional day.
So things on this front are seeming to be pretty good.
Now if I can get the rest of my life cleaned up like this, it would great. Latest truck news, someone tried to break into it. They failed but they screwed up the passenger door lock. So that will have to be replaced once I can save up the money for that. My poor truck... Always getting beat up on.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
I'm still here...
Don't know if anyone really reads this, but I am still here.
I was kind of down and out with a sickness the last two weeks. But I'm getting back into the swing of things now.
Yesterday I realized I have less than ten weeks left before Shiner GASP (a 100 mile bike ride from Austin to Shiner.) This prompted me to get a biking schedule figured out. So for the next 9+ weeks I have biking three times a week, trying to get my mileage up to where I need it to be so I can enjoy the ride. I could probably survive it now, but yeah, enjoying it would be much better.
With that, I will be adding some strength training as well, trying to get my lean muscle back. This sitting around doing nothing has definitely put a toll on my body that it's not use to, and it's time to get things back to where they need to be.
I still need to get my sugar addiction under control. I had a good couple of days this week, but then fell backwards yesterday. ... Interestingly (just now thought of this) yesterday was the only day this week I didn't have my smoothie for breakfast. If it's helping me stay away from those other things, I need to redouble my effort to making sure I have a morning smoothie every day.
Will start posting my frequently again now that I'm getting back into things...
I was kind of down and out with a sickness the last two weeks. But I'm getting back into the swing of things now.
Yesterday I realized I have less than ten weeks left before Shiner GASP (a 100 mile bike ride from Austin to Shiner.) This prompted me to get a biking schedule figured out. So for the next 9+ weeks I have biking three times a week, trying to get my mileage up to where I need it to be so I can enjoy the ride. I could probably survive it now, but yeah, enjoying it would be much better.
With that, I will be adding some strength training as well, trying to get my lean muscle back. This sitting around doing nothing has definitely put a toll on my body that it's not use to, and it's time to get things back to where they need to be.
I still need to get my sugar addiction under control. I had a good couple of days this week, but then fell backwards yesterday. ... Interestingly (just now thought of this) yesterday was the only day this week I didn't have my smoothie for breakfast. If it's helping me stay away from those other things, I need to redouble my effort to making sure I have a morning smoothie every day.
Will start posting my frequently again now that I'm getting back into things...
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Still Struggling
There hasn't been much to post about lately. I've been on the bike a couple of times, but that's about it. Still struggling with my bad eating habits as they go down hill as well still.
Trying to dig myself out of this whole I seem to be burying myself in. Probably won't be posting much over the next couple of weeks still as I work my way through this.
Trying to dig myself out of this whole I seem to be burying myself in. Probably won't be posting much over the next couple of weeks still as I work my way through this.
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