So it's a good thing I'm prepared for this week. Prepared for a change, a challenge and a step up from what I once thought was my A-game. I've had this lull in my diet and exercise lately - I'm complacent, I haven't pushed myself and I've been happy at a total standstill. All of this tells me that once I hit my goal weight, I'll be the poster child for weight maintenance. But for now, my total complacency is getting me nowhere near that size 6 dress just calling my name in Nordstrom. So, time for a game changer.
Bootcamp. Half marathon.
I look at that and realize how much cooler "Marathon" would have fit there for typography and emphasis. But, half marathon it is. I've forced myself to make physical and financial commitments to exercise plans over the next 5 months to get my ass back in gear. I've signed up for a bootcamp [through extensive persuasive skills displayed by a friend] that meets before work in the mornings. It's a step up from the classes I've been taking at the rec center, but not quite as intense as the crossfit classes that I only wished I were ready for. I'm hoping for a happy medium, and let's face it - I'm really hoping to drop a size and lose 2 inches in my waist. From what I hear, that's not entirely out of the picture. It's only for one month, but if I see serious results, I'd totally consider adding it as a regular part of my plan. I'll keep you posted (if I survive).
I also got super crazy and signed up to run a half marathon the weekend before my wedding. That gives me approximately zero time to recover before the big day, but how hard can it possibly be to walk down the aisle in the sand following a half marathon? I think I'll survive. The training plan I'm following isn't that intense either, making it super feasible to fit into my already busy schedule. I firmly believe that anyone who wants to run a half can. There's training to do, and a level of dedication and discipline you have to be willing to commit to, but it's definitely possible. That being said, I realize how much I didn't take care of myself the first time I ran a half, and vow to not make those mistakes again. So, here are my half marathon promises:
I will sleep. I will get 7-8 hours a night, and not let laziness get the best of me on my long runs.
I will walk. I will incorporate walking into my training, knowing it will benefit me during the second half of the race. I will take walk breaks early and frequently, and not feel like less of a runner for it.
I will not beat myself up. The last time I trained, I would beat myself up over not being able to run whatever number of miles were on my calendar that day. I didn't appreciate the fact that I could actually make it through 8 miles - I'd be mad I didn't run 10. I will appreciate my body and my capabilities.
I will eat right. I will fuel myself properly before and after runs. I will eat clean, but will not be scared of fueling with healthy carbs for fear of what the scale will say.
I will run early. Training during the summer means some blistering hot days, and I refuse to feel like I'm running through a blanket of humidity every day. I will wake up before work, or early on weekends to get my runs in when it's fairly cool. Ain't nobody got time for 8 miles in 80 degree weather.
I will take care of my plantar fasciitis. God, it's awful. It hurts so bad, and I'm notorious for not doing a damn thing about it. I will implement stretching and therapy techniques. I will use tennis balls, frozen water bottles and all the orthopedic shoes I can get my hands on.
I will make rockin' playlists. Lots of them. So I don't get bored.
I will attempt to increase my speed. I'm a notoriously slow runner, and I've prided myself on that. That being said, if I ever want to beat my last time and push myself as a runner, I need to step up my game at least a little. Hoping the walking plan works well with this.
I'm not quite sure if I'm crazy for signing up for this or not. But I'm in better physical shape now than I've ever been in my entire life. I'm at least 20 pounds lighter than I was when I ran my first half marathon, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious to see what I'm capable of now. But truth be told, I really just can't stop. I can't stop propelling myself forward. I can't stop trying, wondering, questioning, thinking, pushing myself. I can't stop running. The aches and pains I feel after each run are enough to put me on an elliptical for life, but I won't stop. I have no idea when I started to love it so much - I think I talked about it before. Feeling my body move like a runner - feeling like I'm running and not just shuffling. I cannot get enough.
Oh, and I need to lose these last 25 pounds.
And to jumpstart all this, I spent my life's savings at the grocery store this week going back to the basics. I do this awesome thing where I eat low carb and almost completely clean for about two weeks, and then I let the carbs slowly come creeping in. First, it's a potato because well, that's a "natural" food, yeah? Then that moves into french fries, because that logic only makes sense. Before you know it, I've eaten an entire box of macaroni and cheese and we're back to square one. So, we're going back to basics. Here's what's on my menu this week:
And to jumpstart all this, I spent my life's savings at the grocery store this week going back to the basics. I do this awesome thing where I eat low carb and almost completely clean for about two weeks, and then I let the carbs slowly come creeping in. First, it's a potato because well, that's a "natural" food, yeah? Then that moves into french fries, because that logic only makes sense. Before you know it, I've eaten an entire box of macaroni and cheese and we're back to square one. So, we're going back to basics. Here's what's on my menu this week:
Monday: Grilled Pork Chops, Roasted Buffalo Cauliflower
I marinate my pork chops in a caribbean jerk marinade - I think KC Masterpiece makes it? It's totally not "clean," but I'm already ditching the starchy sides, so don't send me over the edge. The roasted buffalo cauliflower is a new recipe for me this week - I don't particularly like cauliflower but I'm hoping the buffalo sauce will amp it up for me. Rob, who would eat a styrofoam cup, will be thrilled.
Tuesday: Balsamic Glazed Steak and Veggie Rolls
This is one of those Pinterest recipes that looks absolutely fantastic but I can't trace it back to a specific website. So, forgive me for not giving credit where credit is due, but here's what it's supposed to look like. I'll post my review on this afterwards, because it looks awesome.
Wednesday: Skinny Chicken Pesto
This is easily my favorite recipe from Skinnytaste, and I cannot urge you enough to make your own pesto, per her recipe. I'll never buy pre-made pesto again. I like mine less oily, and this lets me adjust the recipe as needed.
Thursday: Spinach and Artichoke Chicken
This is another favorite in our house. I only use three chicken breasts, and cut them into thin cutlets because I have a hard time cooking thick chicken breasts in the oven. This is cheaper, but still gives you plenty of food. Leftovers are awesome too.
Friday: Steaks on the grill, corn on the cob, roasted asparagus
Rob and I are both finding we'd rather cook good steaks at home - it's more cost effective, and eating filet in your sweats is totally appropriate at home. I've also become obsessed with roasting both asparagus and zucchini - drizzle olive oil over asparagus on a baking sheet, season with fresh cracked pepper and garlic salt and roast for about 20 minutes, or until your desired tenderness. YUM.
Here's to a good week!
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