My Diary

i remember when i first ran for more then a few seconds and i wasnt tired, i was surprised tho. I was so out of shape for so much of my life (i know im only 18 but 14 out of 18 is a lot!) that i was afraid of having to do physical activity. Grade ten fitness test, the 12 minute run, killed me, i did three laps and gave up.
Last year when i was doing rugby again after a two year break, i was in the best shape of my highschool times. and in two years after that 12 minute run beat me up, i ran that exact same track 4 times with my team, not feeling tired. Now i know i could be in the front with thoes other girls and screw 12 minutes, i know i can keep pace for at least 20 if i am in that mindset and then jog lightly the rest of the way.
I have been overweight like you have been, and i totally and completly understand that surprise that my body was a functioning one under all that fat and laziness.
 
Thanks for all the encouragement. It's funny, but even with being about 100 lbs from my "proper" weight according to the charts, I'm probably in the best shape of my life, which is both a good and bad thing. I've been thinner, yes, but even with that I don't think I could've completed a spin class, let alone a race day. Also too, I notice that my flexibility has come back a bit - although I need to warm up beforehand, I can front kick to shoulder level again with either foot.

With all that said, I still need to find a good goal to work towards. I've done weight loss and that doesn't hold much interest for me as I know I can do it - it will just take time. One private goal, which I've yet to complete, is running up the steps of the Philly Art Museum (yes, like Rocky) - but the longer I train the more it seems I should shoot for something bigger. Any suggestions appreciated.
 
I would say stick with the steps goal. I think that is a big goal to accomplish. If I would have lived in D.C., my goal would have be to run up an down the Exorcist steps in Georgetown. They are steep as hell and I don't see how the college kids can do it, but they do.
 
stingo said:
Thanks for all the encouragement. It's funny, but even with being about 100 lbs from my "proper" weight according to the charts, I'm probably in the best shape of my life, which is both a good and bad thing. I've been thinner, yes, but even with that I don't think I could've completed a spin class, let alone a race day. Also too, I notice that my flexibility has come back a bit - although I need to warm up beforehand, I can front kick to shoulder level again with either foot.

With all that said, I still need to find a good goal to work towards. I've done weight loss and that doesn't hold much interest for me as I know I can do it - it will just take time. One private goal, which I've yet to complete, is running up the steps of the Philly Art Museum (yes, like Rocky) - but the longer I train the more it seems I should shoot for something bigger. Any suggestions appreciated.
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Do you have access to a bike? Maybe you should try a race...heck, you could train for a century at the rate you're going :D If not bike, try for a 5K run! There are tons of fun runs for good causes and that might be motivation to increase the running gradually and because its newer to your body it would probably stimulate further weight loss.
 
sparrow said:
Do you have access to a bike? Maybe you should try a race...heck, you could train for a century at the rate you're going :D If not bike, try for a 5K run! There are tons of fun runs for good causes and that might be motivation to increase the running gradually and because its newer to your body it would probably stimulate further weight loss.
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Yes, I had thought about that - the idea of a goal that goes beyond myself is certainly appealing, but I think I'd need to feel more comfortable with running in general first. Not really into the whole competition thing, except with myself.
 
stingo said:
Not really into the whole competition thing, except with myself.
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Well yes, thats the whole point! To compete against your own doubt :) Thats the whole reason I do any of it. Just to prove to myself I CAN do something thats bigger than me. Its a very satisfying thing :D
 
sparrow said:
Well yes, thats the whole point! To compete against your own doubt :) Thats the whole reason I do any of it. Just to prove to myself I CAN do something thats bigger than me. Its a very satisfying thing :D
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Yeah that is pretty hot - I just have to figure out what that thing is for me.
 
Workout 1/16

Spinning

Today was an all jump class - similar in difficulty/heart rate to race day. we were doing mainly 6 up and 4 up (6 up = standing for 6 pedal strokes, sitting for 6 pedal strokes etc.) for most of the class, alternating where we would pick up the pace (sometimes sitting down, sometimes standing up). I was able to do it for the whole ride, keep my heart rate in the desired zone, and not feel exhausted at the end. This is something I know I could not have managed 6 months ago, let alone a year ago (when I'd started spinning, almost to the day). So it's a subtle, yet powerful reminder of how progress can sometimes sneak up on you when you're looking in another direction. I'd also add that for the previous rest day I didn't do any cardio at all the day before - yesterday I did a light jog/run on the treadmill, mainly for the impact training, but still, it's something.
 
Wow...Tom....u rock...have I told u that lately? And hey....you and I could train together for a 5k!!! (ok, virtually of course lol) But how cool would that be!

KEEP IT UP!!! CONGRATS!!!!! :D
 
2hott4u said:
Wow...Tom....u rock...have I told u that lately? And hey....you and I could train together for a 5k!!! (ok, virtually of course lol) But how cool would that be!

KEEP IT UP!!! CONGRATS!!!!! :D
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Thanks for the encouragement :) A 5k wouldn't happen for a while, but I'll definitely keep it in mind, since I've begun working on the treadmill now. I think I'd like to do an activity on my own time first - not a competitive race right off the bat. I have a few thoughts on what this might be, but will keep mulling it over til I'm sure I know what direction I want to pursue.
 
i think i might want to train towards a race or some other event. That way i would have a tangable goal that i am working towards. How has your jogging been going? Im so interested in running, i want to be faster and have more stamina, do u find yourself able to recover quickly after a workout, or are u heaving for air? I think i might be improving my heart health since my recovery time after a workout gotten smaller.
Good work stingo, your dedication to this is something that i think we can all work towards!
 
With running it's been an issue with my left foot flexor - it doesn't always work the way it should, so I have to keep careful tabs on it lest I trip and fall. I do like using the treadmill though as it keeps me honest - unlike the elliptical where the speed is up to me. As for the heaving for air, I find that I can get to an 85% heart rate and hold it (but I've been doing the elliptical and spinning for about a year before I started getting on the treadmill) without gasping for air, past what is expected when working that hard. Thanks for the encouragement. :)
 
Workout 1/17

Chest Press (on bench) 3x8@50
Bent Row 1x12@40
Squat and Overhead Press 1x12@30
Hammer Curl on 1 Leg 2x12@20
Skullcrushers on Stability Ball 1x12@30
Cross Chop with Squat 2x12@30
Reverse Fly 1x12@25
Step Up with Front Raise 2x12@15
Bicep Curl 1x11@30
Dips from the Bench 1x12
Obliques on Stability Ball 2x12
Ball Bridge - 1 minute, 30 secs
Crunches on Ball 1x12@12
Hip Raise & Leg Curl (on Stability Ball) 1x12

Well I talked to my trainer and found out the right way to do the hip raise and leg curl (which was indeed harder than what I was doing - I wasn't doing the hip raise part too much.) Live and learn and practice...

30 Minutes Fat Burner (Elliptical), L10

I REALLY did NOT want to do the elliptical today - it was odd... my conscious mind was saying to not get on, or once on to go for a shorter time. But my body was unheeding of it and just did its thing - got my ipod ready, programmed the elliptical, and just kept going. I'm glad I finished it, but dang it was tough going mentally there for a while.
 
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What I want to know is, I have 1001 songs on my Ipod... How does it consistently manage to shuffle in the slow songs when I'm working out and the fast songs for the cooldowns?
 
Sounds like something that would happen to me. I don't know why it would do that, but I keep all up beat songs on my Mp3. Maybe one or two are slow but not more than that.
 
Workout 1/18

Spinning

Had it a bit easier today - an 80% endurance ride. Which was just fine by me. I was emailing the instructor about our jump class and she said she thought it went very well, to the point that she's going to "kick it up a notch" for the regular classes from now on.
 
stingo said:
Funny you should mention spinning legs - it's been about a year since I started spinning, and I do notice a difference. I mean, it will be my 2nd Race Day tomorrow - something I know I'd not have even contemplated a year ago. Add to that I've started a bit of running (ok more like light jogging) something else I'd not thought I'd be able to do.

I don't know if you've ever been overweight/obese, but there's a whole mindset that needs to be shaken off when turning your body/lifestyle/life around. Me? I've been overweight nearly my whole life - but even though I've been working out consistently for a good year and a half, the old mental demons pop into my head - like expecting to get winded when I've run half a block, or going up a flight of stairs - and then being surprised when I don't.
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I read through some of your journal, You have made some great gains and losses! congratulations!
I started last year not being able to even run a 1/2 mile... I just got up to five! so I know how difficult it is... but I also know it can be done!!!
Keep it up!
 
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