Exercise Recap

So my training went pretty well yesterday. I timed the walk/runs and the direction of my travel just right such that the middle walk (It's W-R-W-R-W in an 8-5-5-5-7 relation this week) happened just at the right time to walk around the observation deck over the marsh. I got a happy little viewing reward that way, yay! The marsh is sooooo pretty regardless of time of year. I think I like cattails. Well the first run went well. I remembered to focus on my form - mid-foot strike, heel touch, roll & push-off; keep feet pointed forward; try not to over exert my ankle muscles; & bent-knee landing. It felt good. I think I was slower again. I think I get slower when I focus on form, but it's definitely better for my joints, especially that friggin' left knee. On the second run, my mind wandered and I had to pull it back to the task at hand because I could feel my feet turning back out again. I like barefooting because it really does force you to have a biomechanically good form. If you are off, you hurt or at least don't feel perfect. If you are on, you feel just fine. I'm still sore through the back of my calves a little - they're tight - but that's indicative that I was still overcompensating with my ankles and just not keeping it all loose. That'll get better over time. This is why I've been starting out slow again - so that I can get the right form down again so I don't blow my knee out.

In other news, I just put on my super skinny skirt from the end of HS, the beginning of college. It fits! I'm quite pleased. I'm happy that I'm getting back into running because if I do more running and dancing, hopefully it'll firm up my butt & thighs some more. *crosses fingers* We'll see. I'm not complaining about the quantity of muscle that I have already... it's been established that I have more muscle now than last time I was this size because I weigh 15 lbs more than I did then. That's at least SOME progress that was made over the last 10 years. Ah! I also went climbing the other day. That felt kinda good. I don't think I like most of the people at my gym though. They're not very social. I think I need to find myself a regular partner. I was happy to find out that the main strength I lost was in my fingers. They got fatigued well before any other part, so that's OK I guess. That's one definite thing that's great about taking up running as a form of exercise - you can do it ANYWHERE. Not so with climbing. Next week is T-giving as you all know and I'll be home for 5 days? Yeah. So I'll just pack my five fingers and my jogging pants and go! Yay! Hopefully this time my mum won't worry about me exerting myself in the cold. Parents always worry, I guess. : )

Speaking of Five Fingers... if anyone feels like getting me a random senseless gift, I'm jonesin' for those light blue/green ones featured on the front page.... ; )

Ah, I also entertained myself by taking Retro Pinup pics of myself last night. That was fun. No, I'm not posting them on here. Needless to say, if anyone wants any pin-ups done for them, let me know. I love it! I also do head shots & I really, really want to try recreating the effects of 16th century paintings with my camera. Let me know if you're up for a shoot!

Progress

For anyone who hasn't been talking to me since April and for anyone who hasn't seen me recently and for anyone who just doesn't know.... I've been on a really big weight-loss kick. I finally reached that point that just kicks one in the ass such that one actually has some motivation to keep with it. I was one of those people who had "tried everything" and "nothing works" and "I have a lousey metabolism."



[aside: that last one's true. I'm genetically predisposed to be very strong & hearty and would be well-suited to old-school farming or full time athelete or a life without cars, horses, etc because I can go forever and not burn much of anything. The only time I've been able to keep weight off was when I was walking 5 miles a day and dancing for 1.5 hours 5-6 nights a week. and the only time I've been able to lose weight due to exercise alone was a summer of competitive swimming practice, 1.5 hours a day 5 days per week.]





This year, starting Nov.1, 2007, has been a year of discovery for me. I've been reevaluating my needs and wants and how to maintain my sanity and I've been focussing on improving my health. I started by trying to "eat better" and started running so that I could do the Cherry Blossom 5K in April. I was also rock climbing once or twice a week at that time. April came around. I was in better cardiovascular, muscular, and mental shape, but I had failed to lose any weight.





April 9, I weighed in at 196 (ugh!) and started using The Daily Plate... It has made the biggest change for me thus far. TDP keeps me honest and aware of what I am putting into my body. It makes me aware of when I'm not eating enough fruits & veggies, it's making me realize that a lot of "healthy" options at restaurants aren't really, and that average serving at a restaurant is about three servings on one plate. Excuse my language, but WTF?? No wonder this country has a weight problem. No wonder we have a economic problem!! I have probably cut my food bills in half because I take home leftovers almost every day and eat them for another meal. I suppose it is a good thing since then I get to enjoy the good food twice. Additionally, TDP has made me realize that one does not need to totally control what one eats. One can have good days or bad days as long as they somewhat even-out over time. See?

Well, anyway, the whole point between sharing this rant/ background is that I am giddy because I weighed in today at 152.5 lbs and still going. I'm below the weight I was when I left college, and can fit back into some of my vintage clothing. (goodie!) Hoorah!