Inertia

(from Jenn)

Well, I was doing really well the last two weeks, but then... we had company and we went out of town.  Starting last Thursday, we started eating crap, and we didn't really stop till yesterday.  I also haven't worked out since Thursday, unless you count walking around the Pittsburgh Zoo.

I was so excited yesterday to get back to the gym and back in a routine.  I was planning to take a 30-minute core class and then to spin for an hour.  Unfortunately, work was crazy and traffic was terrible and I was five minutes late.  And I didn't feel like waiting around for 45 minutes for the next class.  And I was overwhelmed because the house was a mess, and I had stuff I needed to get done in the kitchen, and I still had to finish my work report...  So I left.  I bought some groceries and headed home, thinking I could finish my report and clean the kitchen and maybe go back to the gym for a swim or something.  But when I was almost finished with the report, I lost all my info and had to start over.  And by then I was crying.  Not so much because of the stressful day, but mostly because I wasn't feeling very good about myself after our weekend of sloth and gluttony (a bit of an exaggeration, but still).  And all I wanted to do was work out and it didn't happen.

And then today...  I was planning to swim before a yoga class.  But it was thunderstorming and the pool was closed.  And I didn't really feel like going to the gym just for yoga.  And I still had stuff to do around the house.  So I didn't work out... again.

So basically, I'm demonstrating inertia.  You know, an object at rest tends to stay at rest?  Yeah.  Now I just need to figure out how to overcome this...

Tomorrow, I have a ride to go to, which would normally be great, but what if it storms again and we can't ride?  I need a SOLID back-up plan.  Hmm...

Feeling Strong

(from Jenn)

I had planned to swim Monday evening, but that didn't happen.  At least I'd gotten my run in, though.

I had planned to do my time trial last night, but that didn't happen either.  At least I'd lifted and swam in the morning, though.

And today I managed to run again and try an "athletic yoga" class at the gym tonight.  I didn't make it there in time for a core class I wanted to check out, but two out of three ain't bad!  And in between the run and the yoga, I had a pretty active day, too, cleaning my bikes and the house.

So, yeah!  Feeling pretty good about my week so far.  And I'm looking forward to a ride and some yoga by the pool tomorrow night, hopefully another swim on Friday, and one last run on Saturday.  We will have company here, though, so I'm not sure if all of those will happen, but we'll see what I can do!

Just Go!

(from Jenn)

I'm still so sleepy...
My back hurts pretty bad...
I barely have time before work....

I rationalized.  But then...

Stop thinking; just GO.

And I went.  I ran/walked around the lake.  My back hurt, and I barely had time to shower before my shift started, but I DID it.  And I was glad I did.

Month of No Excuses

(from Jenn)

Well, my "week of no excuses" went reasonably well, especially workout-wise.  So now I'm beginning a "month of no excuses" for July.  I'm going to stick to my workout plans AND eating plans.  There will be a few special occasions when I go off primal eating, but I'm planning for those.  The rest of the time, I'm sticking to it, no excuses.  I weighed myself this morning, but now I'm going to hide the scale and not check it again till August 1.  I have GOT to start making progress or I might have to try something different.  Vacation in a little over four months...

Back in the Water

(from Jenn)

Well, I didn't swim after teaching on Friday.  I was really hungry and tired, so I figured I'd go home first for lunch and a nap, then go out to the gym later.  Of course, that never works as planned...  And actually, when I was contemplating whether I'd go or not, around 5:00, a crazy storm blew through.  So I wouldn't have been able to swim at that time anyway.  Oh, well.  A day off never hurt anyone.

Yesterday morning, I met a friend for a bike ride.  We planned to ride early to avoid the scorching temperatures, and I also wanted to be finished in time to hit the gym for an 11:00 yoga/pilates class.  We only rode 27-28 miles, but we actually sought out hills, which I never do, so it was still a good workout.  We rode on the bike trail for a bit, and it was crazy.  There were so many branches and even whole trees across the path from the storm the night before.  We had to stop and get off and pick up our bikes to step over the obstacles probably 5 or 6 times over 4 miles each direction.  Felt like I was in cyclocross!

I did make it to the gym in time for the class, and it was good.  I know I need to keep doing these classes because my core is SO weak and I really need to increase my flexibility.  But it's so humbling!  Oh, well.  I'm going to aim for 2-3 yoga and/or pilates classes/DVD workouts each week, so hopefully I'll start seeing improvement soon.

After that, I had thought about trying that swim again, but I was tired and relaxed after yoga, so I just went home.  I did, however, make myself go back to the gym later last night.  I only had about 40-45 minutes before the outdoor pool closed, so I only swam just over a mile, but it felt really good!  AND... I didn't feel sick afterward!!!  My nose ran a little, but nothing like last time.  I'm not sure why, what was different...  Maybe because I'd pushed harder last time for my speed workout?  I don't know.  I think I'll keep it slower a few more times before trying more sprints and stuff, but at least I'm not afraid to get in the water anymore!  That was a great time to swim, too; it was really quiet since it was only adult lap swimming at that hour.  Nice!  Just wish I'd had a little more time to chill in the hot tub or sauna afterward, but I had to get to Whole Foods before they closed...

This morning, I thought about taking a walk before our church's picnic, but I slept in a little more instead.  So, probably another day off today, though I don't feel too bad about it since I did three workouts yesterday. :-)