Friday, November 30, 2012

Spicy Friday!

I can not tell you how happy I am that it's Friday! And only because I have GREAT news!

This week went so well. I am feeling so much better and so much more on board now with my fitness again. I needed this. I also found out. I'm not as badly injured from my half marathon as I thought I was. Thank goodness!

The doc said it is injured from overuse and lack of strength in the muscles around it. All I need to do is strengthen the muscles in my thigh and butt and I'll be back to running in no time! :D I did go on a super short run yesterday though. Only half a mile, but it felt amazing. I miss running so much. Which is still weird to say.

Oh and...

I'm at 162.4 lbs! :D

YAY!

That is more then 2.6 lbs! I didn't know the point value when I saw 165, I was to angry. But in one week! That is huge! :D

Oh, and here is my workout picture from last night.


My next workout will be tomorrow.

If we are lucky we may here from Spunky tomorrow too. I'll try to get in contact with her.

Until Next Time,
Spicy

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Workout for Tuesday

Hey Everyone,
    I'm sorry neither Spunky or I have checked in for a while. Spunky is working through some recent changes in her life and I had a very rough and emotional week last week. I don't feel as "Spicy" as normal. I am still recovering from a major heartache. Nothing with The Hubs and I, dont' worry! We are well and happy and totally in love! :D

   I only did one workout last week. I had planned on working out everyday and it didn't happen. When I was getting ready for my second workout of the week I learned some ugly news and it really sent me into a downward spiral. I threw my plans in the trash (figuratively) and said "forget it". I ate what I wanted, when I wanted, and how much of what I wanted. Let me tell you... my taste and stomach have DEFINITELY changed from when I started this journey. I didn't eat nearly as much junk food as I used to although it was still more then I should. On Thanksgiving I had more veggies and yams/sweet potatoes then any thing else. I did have a few slices of white turkey, probably a cup of mashed potatoes with some gravy, not as much as I wanted though. I had two slices of pie which I do not regret AT ALL!!! I LOVE PIE and I only get it during Thanksgiving and Christmas. Friday I don't remember what I ate, all I know is that I didn't care. Saturday The Hubs took me out to a Chinese Buffet. Or was that Friday? I don't know. Anyway. When I weighed myself over the weekend. Yup, I know I said I wasn't going to, but I did. I weighed 165 lbs. I felt a little saddened by that number, but knew it was completely my own fault. So what did I do?

I came up with this...



You probably can't read it so I will tell you what it says...

The Game Has Changed
   I, Spicy, am committed to this new plan. I will not dive into a huge change, but slowly introduce my body into working out everyday. I will remain between 1200-1300 calories a day (until I reach my ultimate goal weight) and start slow with trying to limit my sweet tooth. 
   I will incorporate 2 Days of yoga from the beginning. I will drink at least 96 oz. of water and take daily vitamins, including B12.
   My Goal is to be 120 lbs ultimately, but my first goal is to weigh what I weighed when I married The Hubs.  I will reach that weight and lower! If I reach 130 lbs and don't believe I need to reach 120 lbs then I will re-evaluate at that time. The Game Has Changed and this is my plan. My PROMISE to myself, which I will not break.

I then have my plan to get into this new lifestyle:
Beginner: 3 Workout days a week w/ 3 cheat days for 3 weeks. Two Yoga nights with one full body workout.
Intermediate: 4 Workout days a week w/ 3 cheat days for 4 weeks. Two Yoga nights with two area focused workouts.
Advanced: 5 Workout days a week w/ 2 cheat days for 5 weeks. Two Yoga nights with one full body workout and two area focused workouts.
Expert: 6 Workout days a week w/ 1 cheat day for LIFE! Two Yoga nights, two full body workouts, two area focused workouts!

These may change as I learn more and develop, but this is my plan. I'm not longer jumping into doing this everyday. I've tried to do that many times and it's never stuck. I have a major sweet tooth, thanks mom, but if my Emilia Bedilia mother can learn how to control her sweet tooth and her very non athletic body to be super fit and healthy and beautiful then surely her headstrong, athletic, spicy girl can too! I just have to take it slow. I used a cheat day yesterday, today was nearly perfect though. :) And this is what I looked like after my workout.


The flash on my phone does a really good job of getting rid of the redness in my face. I was really red faced, haha. And sweating up a storm!!! Check out my workout on the Daily Log. 

Thanks for checking in. I'll get in contact with Spunky and see how she is doing and report back.

Until Next Time,
Spicy

Monday, November 19, 2012

Monday's Workout

Hey Y'all!
   Isn't is so nice to hear from Spunky?! I don't know about you, but I missed her! I got on just expecting to write down my stuff then I saw... 73 posts... what? Last time I wrote something it was at 72... OH! That must mean! Spunky posted!!! Woot!!! Haha, sorry. I love my sis. :) <3

   Sorry I haven't updated my Daily Log page over the weekend. It's seriously been CRAZY! We were gone all day on Saturday shopping for multiple different things. I mean all day too. We were out of the house by noon and didn't return home until after nine. Ugh... Shopping sure takes it out of you. That was my workout on Saturday. We came home and all of us, The Hubs, LW, and I, were worn out. Sunday I was suffering through cramps and recovering from Saturday and today... I don't even know what I ate. I had a green smoothie for breakfast. It was delicious. But then after that I was just snacking on things here and there because I was so busy! I know... that's not good. Dinner was pizza. The Hubs had pizza at work today for lunch, paid by his company, and brought home the leftovers and was begging me to eat it asked if we could have it for dinner instead of my planned dinner. I didn't even realize how hungry I was or that I really hadn't had lunch until I smelled the pizza. You should have heard my stomach, haha.
    This is me during my workout tonight.... Sorry about the red eyes.
Yes, I dyed my hair. :) 
I started my workout, already feeling tired from the days craziness, and made it through three different workouts before I started feeling light headed. I instantly blamed it on that time of month (ugh). I always feel weaker during these times. Anyone else? It's not that I have a low Iron count. I actually have a fantastic Iron count, but because I'm used to that higher amount... for my body, it must feel really low. Plus, not eating the best and I know I haven't had enough water today.... all in all... it wasn't good.

I've learned to listen to my body and when those warning signs start coming, not because I'm gasping for air, I know I really need to stop. So I stopped. I'm a little frustrated, but as I'm writing this I am still a little light headed. It's a good thing I stopped when I did. Hopefully tomorrow's Yoga will go much better. :)

Until Next Time,
Spicy

No trying, no promises, just commitment!

At least that is what I've read. I have this entire week off! I SO need it! This past Saturday I weighed 209.2. Oh well. Moving on.

My library does e-book checkouts and I am on a waiting list for quite a few books. Today, it was my turn to lend "Eat to Live" by Dr. Fuhrman. I have been waiting a very long time for this. This is one of those books I don't want to buy unless I LOVE it and it works.

I don't like...let me restate that...I despise fad/crash diets. I personally want to avoid any "diet" or "program" because I know, for my personality, that it will work. It will work wonderfully. I'll lose weight. Temporarily. No thank you! I am looking for permanent health. I'm not saying those things don't work for some people, but I think you have to be the right person. Those things are not for me.

Anyway, in the introduction, here are a few nuggets that I like!

* "...the most overlooked tool in our medical arsenal is harnessing the body's own ability to heal through nutritional excellence."

* "Eating large quantities of high-nutrient foods is the secret to optimal health and permanent weight control. You eat more, which effectively blunts your appetite, and you lose weight -- permanently."

* "Picture yourself in phenomenal health and in excellent physical condition at your ideal body weight." I just like to picture it, so reading those words is fun!

* "...addictions -- accept no excuse to fall off the wagon in the first six weeks. You can break the addiction ONLY if you give your body a fair chance. Do not say you will give it a try. Do not try; instead, make a commitment to do it right." (emphasis added)

Then, I went for a one mile stroll. 22 minutes. Just enjoyed being out (clearing my getting-over-being-sick lungs).

What commitment are you making today? Mine is to take that one mile stroll once a day while I am off this week.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Quick & Tiring

Tonights workout was FAST and TIRING!!! It wasn't very long, but I was sweating and huffing and puffing. Here are pictures to prove it. Don't mind the whole... looking a little drunk thing... I was TIRED and pretty much GASPING for air.




Until Next Time,
Spicy

This is why I've been a little absent...

So, I almost didn't post this. I'm thoroughly embarrassed. I'm feeling completely incompetent. I was way happy this morning, feeling great, feeling healthier and skinnier then I did last week... then I stepped on the scale. And my emotions plummeted.

I wasn't going to post, because today I weigh 164. I don't know the tenth after the point, I didn't look. When I started this blog I was at 165, I think... maybe a little less. I'm beyond frustrated.

I can't run because of my hip, and I feel like nothing else is working. Since my Half Marathon I have been slowly, but steadily gaining weight. I absolutely refuse to see 165 again! I will not see that number EVER again! I want to sit here and cry my heart out because of the frustration I feel. Going back over my food log this last week... the only thing that is holding me back, is portion control. One sucker, isn't going to make me gain weight. Two Hershey kisses are not going to make me gain weight... But six slices of Tombstone Frozen Pizza will... three bowls of soup will... I could keep going, but I think you get the point. We have pizza once a week, that's not bad. In fact, my super fit healthy personal trainer mom thinks pizza night is awesome. But lately, it's been more then once. Lately, I haven't been watching my portions as much, or at all.

I'm sick and tired of being over weight.

I'm sick and tired of crying when I see the scale.

I'm sick and tired of dreading the scale!

I will not be weighing next Friday. I'll probably still get on and rant how badly I want to step on that blasted piece of glass sitting under my bathroom sink, but I will not step on it. Not for two weeks. I need to readjust somethings and when I do step back on a scale... I WILL be a lower weight.

You might get sick of it, but I will be posting a Picture after EVERY workout over the next couple of weeks so you can see how hard I'm working. Accountability, right? You will see that I am sweating, that I am red faced, you will see that I am working HARD!

I will not go through a weight cycle again.

This. Ends. NOW!

Until Next Time,
Spicy

Monday, November 5, 2012

Spicy's Half Marathon Adventure

October 13th my Mom ran a race with me. A Half Marathon. My first. Her third. (I think)
Me, My Mom, and her cookie monster beenie

(Enjoy the pics, none were shot after mile 5.)

It was hard.

It was awful.

It hurt.

It was amazing.

Heber Creeper, the train we took to the start line.
The Half Marathon was a challenging one. My Mom registered for it. I blame it on her, haha. The first four miles were nothing but torturous hills. I had a mental break down when I couldn't even make it up the second hill. I didn't even make it a mile before I had to walk. I couldn't draw in enough air. And it only got worse. Thankfully she was there to talk me through it. I apologized because I felt like I was letting her down because I couldn't even run one stupid mile and I had been telling her about my long runs--About the hills I had been training on. She talked me through it as I fought back tears because the second I started to tear up my chest felt like it was collapsing so I couldn't let myself cry.

Mile Four was our first "aid station". Let me take a minute to tell you how upset my mom was about this race. My mom does not get upset easily. She is the most bubbly fun loving person I know. The "aid station" had nothing, but water. That is unheard of for a race of that distance. They always have something else; like alternative things to drink(specifically gaterade) and fuel (like my gu chomps). Yes, we brought our own stuff, but it was bad. My Mom dumped her extra layers at mile four... which had half our gu chomps in them. OOPS!

This beautiful mountain peak was poking through the mass of clouds to say Good Morning
Things got worse from there on out. My hip started hurting around mile 5. Yup... We still had 8 miles to go. When I was in high school I ran a 5K "with" my mom. I didn't stay with her during that race which is why there are the quotation marks. My hip, same hip as the one that hurt during the Half, started hurting during that race. It had never happened before. I was in front of my mom, by a bit of a ways, but she passed me because I had to walk. I started running when I knew I was close to the finish line, you know my thing with finishing strong. I couldn't lift my leg high enough to get over this tiny bump in the road and I tripped. I slammed my right knee into the ground and skidded a bit. I finished the race, running, limping, muddy, and bleeding. Since then, I haven't had issues with my hip. It was a weird one time thing. But it came back to haunt me during my 10 miler and again during the half.

It came back with a vengeance.

Photo Moment

Around Mile 7 we had another "aid station". I had started walking a bit before this. Running for a bit, walking for a bit... trying to give my hip a break, nothing helped. My body started cramping so bad. I was in so much pain. Everything was cramping, I wanted to curl up on the ground cry. (lack of fuel) I walked pretty much for the rest of the race. By mile 9 I had a definite limp in my walk. My Mom, being the wonderful mother she is, didn't mention it until I did and even then all she said was, "I see that." She asked me about horses, my time training them, what I loved about them, which horse was my favorite to train. I talked about my little mustang gelding, Wildfire. She helped me so much.

My goofy bubbly mother, the picture doesn't do the color of the tree justice.

Once I had hit half way there was no way I was going to stop.

I'm too competitive.

But I seriously considered quitting.

Mile 10 we had our last "aid station" where an angel was waiting for us. My mom, the overly comfortable in any situation woman (love that about her), told the lady there about the pain I was in, how we had run out of Gu Chomps a few miles back and I was cramping up. I was fighting the urge to cry as my mother told this wonderful woman about my condition. Remember I learned early on that crying would make my lungs close off. The lady listened intently and when my mom was finished talking she politely asked this angel if she had anything I could use for fuel. This angel explained she didn't have anything that the race had given her to hand out, but she was going to go raid her husbands private stash for me. She came back with a huge bag full of different fuels. She suggested one that would go down and into my system fast and I downed two of them. She asked us to take more and we did. I asked if there was anyway I could repay her for her kindness. Fuel, especially the stuff she let us have, isn't cheep. She smiled kindly, sadly, and sympathetically to me and told me, "Just finish the race."

Another Photo Moment, yes, my face always goes bright red when I run.

I'm tearing up just thinking about that wonderful woman.

I stopped cramping. I was able to focus again. I still couldn't run, it hurt to much just to walk. But I did. I walked. When I could see the finish line I started running again. I didn't realize how bad I looked until I saw the video a family member took of me running by them to the finish line. I looked miserable. I was in so much pain. Everyone who was at the finish line was clapping, which was my family that last of the race helpers, and another family. The Hubs ran the last few feet with me and the second I passed that finish line I grabbed him and sobbed into his chest. In the video you can see me clutching the back of his jacket. He asked me if I was okay and I said, "no". I was hurting. I still couldn't cry, my chest started collapsing, but I wanted to. I just wanted to cry. Afterwards I could barely walk for a couple days. I couldn't lift my leg to climb into the car or go up our stairs. It took about a week for the pain to leave, but it was worth it.

The race people were very nice. They had me laughing within a couple of minutes. They congratulated me and said they were very impressed. I wasn't the last runner. I beat my mom. There was one other runner behind us, and I didn't see him walk once. I don't know if he did. But because I had walked so much I was worried he had quit at mile four, which was the last time we had seen him. I was hoping he hadn't. Just as we were leaving he came around the corner. He was the last runner, but he did it. He completed the half marathon. He wasn't in the best shape, he was a little heavier, but he did it. I was very proud of him.

All in all it was a great experience. I had a lot of fun with my Mom, taking pictures (as I'm sure you can tell), and talking about everything. I learned a lot about myself too as I crossed that finish line. Something that only another marathoner would understand. When you've trained and competed in a half marathon... you cross that finish line and (at least for me) learn what kind of person you are. It's a feeling of accomplishment, and relief. It's so hard to explain, but even though I was in so much pain... it was wonderful.

The sun was shining right in our eyes in this one, my eyes are WAY sensitive to light so I was trying really hard to keep them open. Haha.
Now, less then a month after, I have already decided I want to do another one. Partly because I know I can run the whole thing! I'm angry that I had to walk most of this one. I want to beat my PR of 3 1/2 hours. Plus, I really want to run the Disneyland Half. ;) I love Disney. I won't do another hard one like that. I'll be sure to study the course before hand and choose them carefully, but I will do another one. I know that. The next one I have planned will be in a couple years when Spunky is ready to do it with me. I don't know if I will do one before then. We will see. :)

For those of you considering a Half, please note: Not everyone goes through what I did. I was lacking fuel and my hip has issues and the race I did was a challenging one. If you are considering a half marathon, DO IT! You wont regret it. I was in that much pain and I do NOT, for even one second, regret it.

13.1 Miles Completed!!!

Until Next Time,
Spicy

Saturday, November 3, 2012

I've been MIA... But here's an update!

Alright, the Spicy chick is back!

I'm sorry it's been so long. After my Half Marathon I had a hard time getting back on my feet, literally. It was really hard and I've been recovering.

However, I am proud to announce that I ran for the first time since my half today! YAY! I thought I had been my PR (Personal Record) for one mile but I didn't. My fastest one mile was 11:57 and I did 12:36, but for not running in three weeks I would say that is pretty darn good! I'm not saddened by it one bit.

Also, I weighed myself yesterday and I was at 162.4 lbs. Normally that number would probably bug me, but I am actually really happy to see it. Especially after two days of Pizza, Halloween Candy, Halloween treats, and not really doing any kind of workout in three weeks. I think I've worked out maybe four times total. Ya... bad. But that's why I've been MIA. I had nothing to say. I wasn't doing so hot. I wasn't eating bad, so that's why I didn't really gain anything, but I wasn't working out.

So. 162.4 lbs. Not a bad starting place. I told the Hubs today though that I'm done not working out. I told him I have to workout everyday! It doesn't need to be a huge workout, but at least half an hour. I told him to make me do it, even when I say I don't want to. Today was also my last run outside. *weeps* blasted cold weather!!! *shakes fist at sky* I may suck it up and attempt a run outside next Saturday as well. We shall see.

So I know 160 lbs may be stretching it a little bit for next FRIDAY (new weigh in day), but I'm going to attempt it. Those two pounds were just from a couple days of Holiday stuff, they will come off easy! Then I have some major updates for you about my life this next week too!

I don't like to, and I won't EVER mention specific dates on this blog. I know some people don't and won't like that, but it's a safety thing people! I will still post pictures of myself though and the occasional picture of the Hubs and LW. On Monday, I will be posting about my Half Marathon. Tuesday, will be a Tip about running with asthma. Wednesday will be about the Hubs and my Anniversary. And Thursday will be about Halloween! I want to mention more things about myself so our readers can get to know me better and understand that I am a real person. I do have a real life! :P Which is why I will be doing more posts about things not related to fitness and health. One day I may have a random tangent about sewing! Who knows?! Then Friday will be another update and weigh in.

I know some of you were looking forward to Spunky making an appearance today, I know I was, but she has been really really busy the past couple of days. She will be back soon. In the meantime, prayers and thoughts for her and her family would be very welcome.

However! I will tell you about my run today! After talking with my Mom about getting back into running she encouraged me to take it slow, which you will understand better after my post on Monday. She told me to start with two or three miles. I wanted to just jump right back to five miles!

I love running five miles...

I never thought I would say that....

eew...

Anyway! I listened and told myself I would only run two today. It's a good thing I did. My first mile was hard, it always is. I hate the first mile. But I kept pushing through and made it at 12:36! Woot! Then I turned around and headed back home... only to have my hip start acting up. I was really mad at this point. If you kept up on my training run posts then you know I had some issues with my hip. It made my Half extremely difficult both mentally and physically. I stopped to stretch my hip, it didn't help. So I started walking, knowing I needed to be careful with my hip. At about 1.5 miles I wanted to run again. My hip was still hurting but I wanted to finish strong. That's a thing with me. I HAVE to finish strong... and I did. I ran, slowly, but I ran. When I hit 1.92 miles I started sprinting. Not the smartest move when something is hurting, but I'm a very competitive person and I was angry with having to walk and being able to let my legs fly like that felt so good. I hit about a 7.2 mph, which I thought was really cool, and I walked immediately after completing 2 miles. It felt so good to run! Oh, how much I missed it. I needed those endorphins and just some peace and quiet and time to think.

We'll see how my running progresses next week. I'll be doing hip strengtheners as well and I will keep you posted on how those help.

Check back on Monday for my Half Marathon Update! :D

Until Next Time,
Spicy

I thought this was funny and would be a fun note to leave on. See ya!