Ok, yesterday was a bad day, and I did not get my walking done. Good thing I planned to start yesterday, cuz I did get it done today. I haven't gotten home until almost 5, and by the time I do supper and bedtime for the kids; all I wanna do is go to bed. But luckily The Biggest Loser was on tonight. What am I going to do when it's not on anymore? It is my motivation. Of course, it was too cold and dark to walk then. So I pulled out the treadmill. Now I have never been able to walk on a treadmill. I can do the bike for 40 minutes, but something about treadmills and my coordination doesn't work. Plus we have lost the legs for it, so I didn't think about the incline. At least not until I'd been walking for about a minute, and I realized it was like walking uphill. I decided I wouldn't look at my stopwatch until the first song was over. Then a faster song came on, and that helped. When that one finished, I realized the time was on the treadmill and I had gone over six minutes. Well, at that point, I couldn't stop. I was ready to collapse when it finally hit the ten. But I did it! Not only did I walk on a treadmill and not fall off, I made it ten minutes at an incline. I still want to find that part. And maybe knowing how hard this is will help me walk on the level sidewalks during the day. LOL
Ok, anybody else out there starting this?
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Come On, Get Ready
I woke up this morning with an old Temptations song running through my head. At least the chorus was. It says (Get ready 'cause here I come) I'm on my way.
(Get ready 'cause here I come). And that's how I feel this morning. Here I come, world, watch out.
I am about to embark on a major change in my life. Just the idea of running the 5K is absolutely thrilling for me. I have heard from a few of you that you are going to be right there with me. I hope you will pass the word to anybody else you think might be interested. I hope more will join us. I'd love to see a big group there running. The training is scheduled to start on April 1st. But since that is a Wednesday, I have altered mine a little. I walked ten minutes for three days last week just to see if I could do it. I'm going to be doing my walking on Monday-Wednesday-Friday-Saturday. So I will be starting today to train. Please let me know when you are starting. I realize it is a seven month program, and we could just start in Jan 2010. But who wants to start walking in January? This is Evanston in April, so it's gonna be hard enough to start now. We've had snow all last week, and the forecast is for more this week. I decided that this is still the best time of year to start, and I will just have to keep running when I'm done with the 7 months.
So, come on, get ready and join me. Let's do this in memory of Ru. Let's do this for each other. And let's just do this for you! I told Marsha last night that when I started back on my bike after surgery, I could only go 3 minutes at a very, very slow pace. I couldn't believe that was all I could do. But I did the 3 minutes and after a few days I could go 5. Now I ride at least 4 days a week at 40 minutes. This is not bragging here. This is just saying that if I can do it, anybody can. That was the first of December four months ago. Imagine how we will all feel and what we can do four months from now. Take baby steps, take it one week or one day at a time. Set small goals. Try it with me for 30 days and see how you feel. I think you will be amazed at the difference. And keep your comments coming here. Let me know how you are doing and how you feel. Keep encouraging each other. Because I know that we can all do this!
So come on, get ready, cuz here WE come! We're on our way.
(Get ready 'cause here I come). And that's how I feel this morning. Here I come, world, watch out.
I am about to embark on a major change in my life. Just the idea of running the 5K is absolutely thrilling for me. I have heard from a few of you that you are going to be right there with me. I hope you will pass the word to anybody else you think might be interested. I hope more will join us. I'd love to see a big group there running. The training is scheduled to start on April 1st. But since that is a Wednesday, I have altered mine a little. I walked ten minutes for three days last week just to see if I could do it. I'm going to be doing my walking on Monday-Wednesday-Friday-Saturday. So I will be starting today to train. Please let me know when you are starting. I realize it is a seven month program, and we could just start in Jan 2010. But who wants to start walking in January? This is Evanston in April, so it's gonna be hard enough to start now. We've had snow all last week, and the forecast is for more this week. I decided that this is still the best time of year to start, and I will just have to keep running when I'm done with the 7 months.
So, come on, get ready and join me. Let's do this in memory of Ru. Let's do this for each other. And let's just do this for you! I told Marsha last night that when I started back on my bike after surgery, I could only go 3 minutes at a very, very slow pace. I couldn't believe that was all I could do. But I did the 3 minutes and after a few days I could go 5. Now I ride at least 4 days a week at 40 minutes. This is not bragging here. This is just saying that if I can do it, anybody can. That was the first of December four months ago. Imagine how we will all feel and what we can do four months from now. Take baby steps, take it one week or one day at a time. Set small goals. Try it with me for 30 days and see how you feel. I think you will be amazed at the difference. And keep your comments coming here. Let me know how you are doing and how you feel. Keep encouraging each other. Because I know that we can all do this!
So come on, get ready, cuz here WE come! We're on our way.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Advice from an Expert Pt. 2
I'm so bad at posting that I'm doing two today since I have the time. So here is more of what Chris told me. I asked him about working out with weights because we have an awesome weight machine in our garage. I asked which is best higher reps with lower weights or lower reps with higher weight.
1. Three days a week would be plenty and you should do both. People think low reps make you big but if that is all you had to do then everyone would walk around looking like Arnold.
I asked if I should do y legs one day and arms and chest the next day so I'm working out every day.
2. Just alternate. So if you do high reps Monday then do lower reps Wednesday and then high reps Friday. you should be doing full body workouts the two or three days a week you lift. Just move from one body part to body part without any rest. As an example you do chest, back, shoulders, biceps, triceps, legs. You should be able to do this in 5-7 minutes as long as you don't take breaks between exercises. After legs you start right back over again and do this for 30 minutes.
3. It doesn't really matter what time of day you workout.
For those of you who have looked at the links on this blog, we have also started a yahoo group for those who would rather do that. I posted a message there about the advice Chris gave me, and my friend Angela said she wants to do this but hates running. So her question is: How did Chris get to love running so much? I'll be sure to ask him
1. Three days a week would be plenty and you should do both. People think low reps make you big but if that is all you had to do then everyone would walk around looking like Arnold.
I asked if I should do y legs one day and arms and chest the next day so I'm working out every day.
2. Just alternate. So if you do high reps Monday then do lower reps Wednesday and then high reps Friday. you should be doing full body workouts the two or three days a week you lift. Just move from one body part to body part without any rest. As an example you do chest, back, shoulders, biceps, triceps, legs. You should be able to do this in 5-7 minutes as long as you don't take breaks between exercises. After legs you start right back over again and do this for 30 minutes.
3. It doesn't really matter what time of day you workout.
For those of you who have looked at the links on this blog, we have also started a yahoo group for those who would rather do that. I posted a message there about the advice Chris gave me, and my friend Angela said she wants to do this but hates running. So her question is: How did Chris get to love running so much? I'll be sure to ask him
Advice From an Expert Pt 1
My oldest son is an expert on health and staying in shape. He's been in the Army 14 years, and he runs every day more than I will in the 5k. So I caught him online to pick his brain. Here are the highlights of his advice:
1. Eating healthy is just as important as working out.
2. The most important thing is that you aren't on a 'diet' but instead are changing your eating habits. Diets end and then you go back to bad habits but if you change your habits then you will be successful in the long run.
3. Lots of vegetables (potatoes aren't vegetables, moderate amounts of whole fruits (no juice), whole grains which is different then things which say multigrain. You don't want multigrain, you want whole grains. Oatmeal, whole wheat, brown rice not white rice, and lean meats. also most people have a cheat day once a week but that doesn't mean you eat whatever you want because then you just ruin all the work you did all week. Evcen your cheat should be moderate.
4. Always remember that you have to burn 2500 calories to lose one pound which equals swimming 1 mile, running 12 miles or biking 50 miles.
5. I asked about sweet potatoes and his response was "no sweet potatoes are starches also. If it isn't red or green then it isn't a vegetable.
Stay tuned: the next post will be his advice about working with weights.
1. Eating healthy is just as important as working out.
2. The most important thing is that you aren't on a 'diet' but instead are changing your eating habits. Diets end and then you go back to bad habits but if you change your habits then you will be successful in the long run.
3. Lots of vegetables (potatoes aren't vegetables, moderate amounts of whole fruits (no juice), whole grains which is different then things which say multigrain. You don't want multigrain, you want whole grains. Oatmeal, whole wheat, brown rice not white rice, and lean meats. also most people have a cheat day once a week but that doesn't mean you eat whatever you want because then you just ruin all the work you did all week. Evcen your cheat should be moderate.
4. Always remember that you have to burn 2500 calories to lose one pound which equals swimming 1 mile, running 12 miles or biking 50 miles.
5. I asked about sweet potatoes and his response was "no sweet potatoes are starches also. If it isn't red or green then it isn't a vegetable.
Stay tuned: the next post will be his advice about working with weights.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Comments
I passed the word on about this blog through my regular blog. And I emailed Mary to pass the word on to the rest of her family. So one thing I'm asking is if you read this blog, please leave a comment. It doesn't have to be much. I'd just like to know your thoughts, feelings and anything else you'd like to say. I won't know if you've been here if you don't let me know. I'd also like to know if anyone is taking the challenge with me.
Come on! You all knew and loved Ru. Get off the couch, follow the program, and let's be there together in her memory next year. This is a very doable program. I actually had no clue how far a 5k is until I looked it up this morning. It's 3 miles. We have over a year to get into shape. We can do this. I can do this, but I would love your help, support, inspiration and your body by my side to run.
Come on! You all knew and loved Ru. Get off the couch, follow the program, and let's be there together in her memory next year. This is a very doable program. I actually had no clue how far a 5k is until I looked it up this morning. It's 3 miles. We have over a year to get into shape. We can do this. I can do this, but I would love your help, support, inspiration and your body by my side to run.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Why Am I Doing This?
This website is dedicated to the memory of my daughter-in-law Ruth. Three years ago she started training for a 5K race. She had been walking to lose weight and get in shape. As I recall her sister helped influence her toward the 5K. At the time I was engaged to be married and was going to move and live with them for three months before my wedding. After the wedding I would be living in the same town, so we made big plans. We were going to start walking together and the next year do a 5k together.
The move and the wedding never took place, so I never got the opportunity to work out or be in a face with Ru. But I drove to Provo and watched her in that race, and it was so inspiring to see her face when she crossed that finish line. My son was sooo proud of her for accomplishing her dream. Life is what happens when you're making other plans. Just over one and a half years ago Nick, Ru and their daughter Audrey were killed in a tragic car accident. Our family had a miracle because their daughter, Joie, survived and is a beautiful, healthy little girl today. I have always been sorry that I never ran with Ru.
Last fall I had major surgery on my stomach and my gall bladder removed. When I stepped on the scale two days before surgery I was shocked at how much weight I had gained again. I have spent years doing the yo-yo dieting thing. The doctor had a little chart showing my BMI, and he didn't say a word as he showed it to me. The wonderful thing about the surgery is that it has totally changed my eating habits. I am healthier than I have been in years and have lost 42 lbs. I ride my stationery bike 40 minutes a day and love it.
My favorite show is The Biggest Loser. This season I am working hard along with those people, and it has been fantastic to watch. Last week's episode had all of them running a 1/2 marathon. It was incredibly motivating to watch them accomplish this. The look on their faces as they crossed the finish line made me start thinking of Ru and the 5K I was going to run with her someday. So I set a new goal.
On July 4th, 2010 I will be running a 5K. And the reason this blog is called a challenge is because I am challenging both families to run along with me in memory of Ru. For those who can't come to Provo, just get up that morning and run where ever you can. This challenge is also opened to anyone else that wants to run with us.
I have a wonderful friend, Angela, who is going to run alongside me. We've been friends for years through good times and bad. She shared this website with me which is where we got the idea for the name. There are already five of us following the program.
http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/Programs/conservative_program.htm
The official start date is going to be April 1st, 2009. I want to get as many people to do this as possible. This is the place to come for motivation, sharing your failures and successes, and just to chat about what you are doing. So come on, get off the couch and run!!
The move and the wedding never took place, so I never got the opportunity to work out or be in a face with Ru. But I drove to Provo and watched her in that race, and it was so inspiring to see her face when she crossed that finish line. My son was sooo proud of her for accomplishing her dream. Life is what happens when you're making other plans. Just over one and a half years ago Nick, Ru and their daughter Audrey were killed in a tragic car accident. Our family had a miracle because their daughter, Joie, survived and is a beautiful, healthy little girl today. I have always been sorry that I never ran with Ru.
Last fall I had major surgery on my stomach and my gall bladder removed. When I stepped on the scale two days before surgery I was shocked at how much weight I had gained again. I have spent years doing the yo-yo dieting thing. The doctor had a little chart showing my BMI, and he didn't say a word as he showed it to me. The wonderful thing about the surgery is that it has totally changed my eating habits. I am healthier than I have been in years and have lost 42 lbs. I ride my stationery bike 40 minutes a day and love it.
My favorite show is The Biggest Loser. This season I am working hard along with those people, and it has been fantastic to watch. Last week's episode had all of them running a 1/2 marathon. It was incredibly motivating to watch them accomplish this. The look on their faces as they crossed the finish line made me start thinking of Ru and the 5K I was going to run with her someday. So I set a new goal.
On July 4th, 2010 I will be running a 5K. And the reason this blog is called a challenge is because I am challenging both families to run along with me in memory of Ru. For those who can't come to Provo, just get up that morning and run where ever you can. This challenge is also opened to anyone else that wants to run with us.
I have a wonderful friend, Angela, who is going to run alongside me. We've been friends for years through good times and bad. She shared this website with me which is where we got the idea for the name. There are already five of us following the program.
http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/Programs/conservative_program.htm
The official start date is going to be April 1st, 2009. I want to get as many people to do this as possible. This is the place to come for motivation, sharing your failures and successes, and just to chat about what you are doing. So come on, get off the couch and run!!
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