Running Thoughts

Light jog

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 20:23:21 -0400

I only went a mile. (I didn’t eat much today so I didn’t have the energy to push myself farther than that.) But, it was just what I needed to clear my head.

Today was a bit of a rough day, and I had a few mini meltdowns. There are few things that are efficient when it comes to calming me down: my fiance, going for a run, and spending time so with the Lord. All of which played an important part today.

Great Workout!

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 21:11:29 -0400

2 mile run
bicep curls: 3 sets of 10 with 15 lb weights
overhead tricep extensions: 3 sets of 10 with 15lb weight
seated twists: 50 with 15 lb weight
bicep curls: 2 sets of 10 with pilates resistance band
overhead tricep extensions: 2 sets of 10 with pilates resistance band
roll-ups: 25 with pilates resistance band
10 push ups
12 tricep dips
45 second plank
stretch

:-)

I’ve missed this.

I’ve decided to forego the workout plan I’ve been doing, but I have not decided to...

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 06:59:57 -0400

I’ve decided to forego the workout plan I’ve been doing, but I have not decided to forego working out altogether. I’ve decided to go back to isolating muscle groups, like I used to do. I know my body well. I know the pace that it grows and strengthens. I know when I can push myself and I know when I need to take it easy. A standardized workout program doesn’t. It’s a great baseline for a lot of people, but I’ve determined it’s not for me. I hadn’t been making the progress that I wanted to, and, honestly, I was getting bored.

The same thing happens when I try to follow a devotional as my baseline for spending time with the Lord. I usually don’t grow as much as I would like to, and I often times get bored. Again, I think devotionals are great tools for a lot of people. And, honestly, I have found a select few that I liked such as Jesus Calling, and I honestly did enjoy the devotions in PrayFit. For me, however, I prefer reading through the bible and looking up study tools as I go. Maybe it’s my control-freak tendencies, but I prefer to follow my own program - it’s when I feel I grow the most.

Idk what day I'm on..

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 06:17:31 -0400

…and while I could easily figure it out, I’m not going to. I don’t think I’m going to go back to the program I was doing. I was getting bored with it, and I think that’s part of why it was so easy to stop. I didn’t feel like I was getting out of it what I needed to. Excuse? Maybe. But nonetheless, I need to get myself motivated again.

I have also have been slacking when it comes to my personal devotion time with the Lord. I need to be even more diligent with that than I am with working out. I said I’ve hated not working out, but I’ve felt even worse about this.

Priorities. Mine and been a little out if whack. Unfortunately, being in a new environment does that to me. It takes me some time to adjust. Excuse? Probably.

I decided to do my max sets of “everything” this morning to see where I am at:

Push ups: 17. Crunches: 60. Bicycle kicks: 100 (50 each side) Squats: 55 Lunges: 30 (15 each leg) Calf raises: 40 Dips: 18

I am going to try and push myself to go for a run and/or practice some yoga tonight.

Alarm set for 5:30am.. I WILL get back into a workout routine. I’ve hated the past week and a...

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 22:31:32 -0400

Alarm set for 5:30am.. I WILL get back into a workout routine. I’ve hated the past week and a half.

Day 52

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 20:48:07 -0400

I haven’t worked out in over a week (save the short run on Sunday night). It started that I was so busy and has turned into just not feeling like it. Ugh. What is wrong with me?!

I knew this day would come - I just didn’t think it would be so soon. I have to give in and...

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 07:20:38 -0400

I knew this day would come - I just didn’t think it would be so soon. I have to give in and use the elevators today. I have a few errands to run on my lunch break and the only way Ill have time is to use the elevators :-/

Day 49

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 20:34:44 -0400

Went for a quick jog then walk tonight with the fiance. No idea how far we went, it was just nice to get out :-)

Tomorrow I’m going to start week 3 again instead of trying to pick back up on the program after 4 days off.

Day 48

Sat, 24 Mar 2012 22:59:25 -0400

It’s been a bad workout week.

I have spent the last 2 days moving (from 7am until the time I crashed on the couch). Going to try and get a workout in tomorrow, but I’m honestly not making any promises. I just hope I didn’t set myself too far back…

Day 45, Week 3 - Workout 1

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 20:29:17 -0400

Conquered another 18 flights of stairs this morning. I definitely did not stretch my calves well enough yesterday because they were WAY too tight today. Trying to be diligent about stretching them today so I don’t have the same problem tomorrow. I also had to pause a few times to catch my breath (and so I didn’t sweat too much on my way into work!). It’s a totally different workout than running, and I felt so out of shape! Hopefully it wont take me too long to build up my endurance for it. Everyone at work thinks I’m crazy. While I’m doing it, in part, because I’m now petrified to use the elevators, I’m also doing it because I really need to work on my calf muscles - they look disproportionate to my thighs at the moment.

I contemplated going for a run today because it’s so gorgeous outside, but I didn’t want to push it since my calves were so sore today. I’m trying to be diligent about listening to my body and not pushing myself past my threshold. I’ve been in physical therapy (and chiropractic care) too many times and for too long. I’m trying to build my strength and endurance back up more gradually than I have in the past. At the same time, I do not want to be too easy on myself either and thus hinder my growth.

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

-Philippians 1:6

Today’s Workout:

Set 1: 14 push ups, 21 sit ups, 19 squats, 18 dips, and 19 calf raises.
Set 2: 18 push ups, 27 sit ups, 24 squats, 23 dips, and 24 calf raises.
Set 3: 14 push ups, 21 sit ups, 19 squats, 18 dips, and 19 calf raises.
Set 4: 14 push ups, 21 sit ups, 19 squats, 18 dips, and 19 calf raises.
Set 5: 20 push ups, 27 squats, 30 sit ups, and 26 dips.

Again, I really struggled through the push ups and had to take a couple pauses. I can feel my strength increasing with every other exercise but that one. It’s a little frustrating.

18 flights of stairs? Conquered. 8 minutes.

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 08:14:47 -0400

18 flights of stairs? Conquered. 8 minutes.

Day 43, (Extended) Week 2 - Workout 3

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:56:58 -0400

Set 1: 17 push ups, 24 sit ups, 22 squats, 20 dips, and 22 calf raises.
Set 2: 17 push ups, 25 sit ups, 22 squats, 21 dips, and 22 calf raises.
Set 3: 14 push ups, 21 sit ups, 19 squats, 16 dips, and 19 calf raises.
Set 4: 14 push ups, 21 sit ups, 19 squats, 16 dips, and 19 calf raises.
Set 5 (max): 22 push ups, 46 sit ups, 37 squats, 25 dips, and 43 calf raises.

I had to pause between every few push ups during set 2 - I don’t know why, but during that set in particular my arms just felt weak. Sometimes I feel like I’m never going to be able to do 100 push ups (especially) in one set… I am reminded of my fiance’s favorite bible verse: Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” And then, I am convicted because I haven’t been giving enough glory to Him through this. Looking over my past (quite a) few posts - they have been all about me. And then, I think that is why I’ve been struggling so much with my past few workouts - I have been relying on my own strength. Unlike the (unfortunately) growing trend in our society, I do not want the main focus of my life, my fitness included, to be on myself.

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.

- Acts 20:24

Just about every day I hear about someone getting stuck in one...

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:08:46 -0400

Just about every day I hear about someone getting stuck in one of the elevators in my building. I swore that the first time I ever got stuck in one would be the last time I ever used one.

Guess who walked down 18 flights of stairs today? Answer: The same person who plans on walking up 18 flights of stairs tomorrow morning.

Instead of getting a workout in before church, what do I do? Log on to home access and work for a...

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 10:17:16 -0400

Instead of getting a workout in before church, what do I do? Log on to home access and work for a half hour…

Hopefully getting a quick workout in after church.

Then cleaning out fiance’s old room and doing some organizing/packing all day - I’m moving in with his parents to save some money before the wedding and need to be out of my apartment by March 31st.

Probably going to get a couple more hours of work in too.

So much for Sunday being a day of rest :-/

Day 41, Week 2 - Workout 2

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 11:10:41 -0400

Tip 1: Don’t drink 2 cups of coffee (and only 2 cups of coffee) before going for a run.
Tip 2: Don’t stop at an estate sale mid-run, especially on a short run.

Side note: I did not miss running through swarms of bugs.

Ran a mile and a half then walked a quarter mile to cool down.

Set 1: 14 push ups, 21 sit ups, 19 squats, 16 dips, and 19 calf raises.
Set 2: 16 push ups, 24 sit ups, 22 squats, 20 dips, and 22 calf raises.
Set 3: 12 push ups, 20 sit ups, 16 squats, 15 dips, and 16 calf raises.
Set 4: 12 push ups, 18 sit ups, 16 squats, 15 dips, and 22 calf raises.
Set 5 (max): 15 push ups, 50 sit ups, 30 squats, 16 dips, and 40 calf raises.

Stretch.

Protein shake and scrambled eggs for a late breakfast.

Now, time to get ready for our cake tasting :-)

I need a new pair of sneakers, but don’t have a lot of money to spend. Any suggestions?

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 10:35:35 -0400

I need a new pair of sneakers, but don’t have a lot of money to spend. Any suggestions?

[Insert check mark here.]

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 21:14:16 -0400

2.5 mile run followed by a 1 mile walking cool down -I am LOVING this weather!!

Day 39, Week 2 - Workout 1
Set 1: 14 push ups, 21 sit ups, 19 squats, 18 dips, and 19 calf raises.
Set 2: 14 push ups, 21 sit ups, 19 squats, 18 dips, and 19 calf raises.
Set 3: 10 push ups, 15 sit ups, 13 squats, 13 dips, and 13 calf raises.
Set 4: 10 push ups, 15 sit ups, 13 squats, 13 dips, and 13 calf raises.
Set 5 (max): 12 push ups, 57 sit ups, 32 squats, 15 dips, and 30 calf raises.

2 loads of laundry

cleaned the kitchen

—————————————————————————————————————————————

I didn’t get to sorting through my paperwork, but I still feel pretty accomplished for the day :-) It’s after 9 so I want to give myself a little wind-down time before going to bed. I’ve been having trouble sleeping lately. So drinking some tea and catching up on some reading for a bit.

Goodnight.

"Running is beautiful. It gives you control, it leaves the negative behind. Hurt, tears, hate, anger,..."

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 07:32:30 -0400

“Running is beautiful. It gives you control, it leaves the negative behind. Hurt, tears, hate, anger, sadness, it all leaves in the form of sweat and something stronger takes its place.”

- (via milesofsmiles22)

To-Do List

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 07:32:00 -0400

By posting my to-do list for all of my Tumblr followers, and subsequently everyone on facebook, I hope that it will function as an accountability - and I’ll actually do the things on this list when I get home from work. I’ve intended to do these things all week, but it hasn’t worked out so well keeping those intentions to myself…

go for a run (unless the scattered thunderstorms come later than expected)
pushups, sit ups, squats, dips, and calf raises
laundry
[insert dinner somewhere around here]
pack up my winter clothes
clean the kitchen
sort through the obnoxious pile of paperwork on my desk/bookshelf

Then relax! (If it’s not time for bed at that point..)

Day 37

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 18:31:27 -0400

I can’t say that I went for a “run.” Because I really didn’t actually run much at all. Every time I tried to run, my legs felt like bricks and I had trouble breathing. It was pretty analogous to how I’m currently feeling mentally (and probably emotionally too). My mind is heavy and nothing is really moving around in there… There is just so much going on right now I’m a little overwhelmed (again) and don’t really know where to start (or rather continue on from…). And instead of being able to take it out in the pavement during a good run, I’m taking it out on those closest to me who are just trying to help. I feel like I was in this same place not too long ago, just under slightly different circumstances and pressures. I need to get out of this pattern. And of running isn’t going to be a successful outlet this time, I really hope I find another replacement soon.