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Post-Epic Fat Tuesday Rascal Avoidance Club check-in
Let me be clear that the purpose of the RAC check-ins, as was always the case when it began in January 2011, is to help motivate each other towards a path to wellness. For many of us, that's weight loss. For others, it's weight maintenance. For yet others, it's boosting activity levels and/or eating healthier. So everyone is welcome here and hopefully no one feels shamed by these threads.
And now that that's out of the way, I need a serious Rascal Avoidance intervention. Warning - this will be long.
I have lost my exercise mojo. Besides my 15K race that I ran on Sunday, I've done no exercise in the last week and a half thanks to sickness last week and now pure laziness. While I was not thrilled with my finish time on Sunday, I did better than expected under the circumstances. I just feel burnt out. The problem is, I have my first half marathon on April 28th, but running 9.3 miles on Sunday made me spent. I hope I was so spent because of my sickness, but now I'm seriously worried and it makes me wonder whether distance running really should be my goal. The timing of this just sucks - I've already spent the whopping $225 to run the NYC marathon on November and now I'm already dreading starting my training program for that in early July. I hope doubting myself is normal and now I just need you all to slap me in the face and tell me to snap out of it.
Also, I've reached the point where I can no longer do NROLFW because the heavy weightlifting is now impeding my running progress. I guess I should be happy that I made it to about 8 miles or so before one activity had an effect on the other, but this is hard for me. I love weightlifting. I think I may love it more than I love running. And now I have to scale back and lift lighter weights and do running-specific strength workouts. I did not expect this to happen. Had I known I'd love weightlifting this much, I would have stuck with improving 5K and 10K times instead of signing up for a half-marathon and a marathon.
And to make matters worse, I'm just about at goal for WW (41 pounds down total since October 2010), and I decided to apply to work part-time for WW just for some extra cash. They rejected me after my group interview. I had a feeling this would happen. Lately I have been feeling out of place at the WW meetings anyway and even though I want to keep going to meetings because weight maintenance is not easy, I'm getting some comments from other members that make me feel like maybe I don't belong there anymore, i.e. "Why are you still exercising???". Um, hello - I'm not a naturally skinny person (duh!) and I've got weight challenges that I need to deal with forever. The journey is never really over for me. I gain weight just by breathing oxygen, it seems, so I've got the cards stacked against me and I have to watch what I eat and be regularly active just to stay this way. So part of me is happy that I didn't get an offer because I'm not sure I want to be a member anymore, but it also makes me wonder what WW is actually looking for in an employee. Sorry I'm rambling about this part.
So yeah. Help.
Re: Post-Epic Fat Tuesday Rascal Avoidance Club check-in
So, here's what I've heard works to get one's groove back--cross training. Your fitness will not suffer in a week or two of cross training, with some short (I mean short) runs mixed in. However, a more seasoned runner will be able to tell you more specifically (paging lazybum!).
Also, what about varying your route or investing (if that's feasible) in a new running "thing" (like shoes, an outfit, or a fancy-pants Garmin) that will boost your motivation a bit? I would say that you made it too far to throw in the towel now, and you are appropriately fit to even begin marathon training. I want to stand on First Avenue in November and scan the crowd in order to cheer you on!
As for moi, I am back on the wagon this week after a crappy week, points-wise. I am still dealing with the anxiety that weight loss will affect milk supply, so I'm just trying to stay within my points without being hungry and making sure to pump at least 2x a day. I need to try to get a run in this week.
I'd love to lose about five pounds but my biggest issue right now is my allergy meds. The pseudoephedrine lets me breathe but messes with my body in other ways. I get super dehydrated, and my appetite waxes and wanes. I have moments where I never want to eat again, and moments where nothing satisfies me so I just keep eating.
Let's just say that I sort of understand why the Feds regulate this stuff. I mean, I'm pretty certain I'm a mere two or three steps away from being a meth head.
Someone hide the Sudafed and any Craigslist listings for used RVs.
This was me last week, without the excuse of a 15K race.
Honestly? I really wouldn't worry too much. You need recovery days after a race to let your muscles rest and heal. Not doing that will lead to injury, which'll set you back more. Head on out today for a short run and you'll feel better.
I went to the gym yesterday for the first time in a week cause I'm a lazy slacker ass. I was still able to run a 5.4 mph pace for 30 minutes, so that was good. It actually felt kinda slow at the beginning but by the end I had a mega side stitch.
I'm thinking I'll keep that pace this week and then try bopping up to 5.5 mph pace next week. I will eventually get there.
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can I crash these RAC posts? I need to get my butt in gear.
I have no advice but I think you've been doing a great job so far! As for me, I've signed up for a 6 week corp fitness thing at the gym in my work building. It started last week. I've managed to get to both Tuesday night group workouts since it started, and will head back to the gym tomorrow. I've been sucking at my WW attempt but right now my focus is on the exercise because when I get that going I'm more motivated to eat better.
I'm hoping I can talk DH into letting me buy a membership at the gym if this 6 week thing goes well. I think it will be expensive but since I can just walk there after work I will actually use it. And since I'm not wasting a ton of time driving there I will probably make some use of it on the weekends too - I don't mind driving into the city then because the traffic is light.
This morning I decided to weigh myself, since it hasn't been done since my postpartum follow up (and I was also curious since yesterday's post). The scale didn't work, it just said Lo, and I was too lazy to change the batteries.
My parents came down for the weekend, which led to lots of eating out. I usually make all of our meals (for $ reasons, not necessarily health reasons). My activity levels haven't been so hot either. I plan on eating well the rest of the week, but realize that I go on vacation next week and will probably eat larger portions than I'm used to. Good news is that we'll be with my ILs. My FIL is morbidly obese, so I try to eat really well around him (he's the type that will order what everyone else does- so we try to be conscious of how food is prepared).
Andplusalso, I have the shakes. I'm cold AND sweating. I probably should not be caring for my children by myself. But hey, I can breathe though my nose!
Marie - have you thought of getting a personal trainer to guide you to your goals? It just seems like you are at that point now where you could be getting really far but have a good number of issues to sort out. Dunno if you are having your gut issues still but that's going to stop your weight loss too since your body knows it can't rely on the same constant nutrition. You are pretty much a big time athlete now (at least in my book!) and I know that requires a different type of setup than someone who just wants to be active and lose weight. I think you could probably use a good amount of insight from people who make this their life's work, kwim?
I had free Ben and Jerry's last night so I didn't weight in. Hoping that next week will be better.
On a positive note, I seem to be able to not gain weight as super easily as before, so that is a mini goal in itself. I still wanna lose my few lbs I have left, but its nice to know I'm not gonna gain 3+lbs anymore if I get a treat.
A trainer sounds like a good idea. I can book one through the Y but I honestly don't know how good they are. What I found really helpful were group runs, but I had to stop because they were so hardcore (which was great!) but because they were 1.5 hours from home, getting home on public transportation was extremely uncomfortable since I had GI issues thanks to how hard these runs were (the GI issues are mostly gone now). I belong to a running club near my house; I'm still new to the club and it seems like everyone else has known each other for years, so I'm a little shy around them but I think I need to grow some balls and see who's willing to at least run with me once a week.
I can treat myself to a cute new outfit - I never need an excuse for that!
I may actually need new sneakers too because after the race my feet were very blistery. It's like my feet expanded 8 million sizes during the race.
Thanks for the advice ladies, I knew I could count on you. I just needed to vent but you guys are a big help!
<a href="http://www.thenest.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=HTML&utm_campaign=tickers" title="Home DI don't really have any advice, but I have heard the same thing about cross training that DCMS suggested. So maybe try that? Also, that stinks about WW... but it's something I've heard from a good friend who lost a lot of weight on WW, but runs marathons and stuff now. Just that she eventually felt out of place and unsupported.
As for me... I have eaten a healthy breakfast w/in 1 hour of getting up for FOUR days in a row now! And for 3 days in a row, I have eaten a healthy lunch/dinner and snacks every few hours. This is huge for me b/c I hate breakfast, I take ADHD meds that kill my appetite (and I think have screwd up my metabolism even more than it was before), and in general, I prefer to just eat crap when hungry. This is probably the best I've eaten since my GD diet days.
I also have been to the gym the past 3 days, and yesterday, I took the kids to the daycare there. This is also huge b/c Scarlett used to just scream if I took her there. I just did a quick 2 mile run, so there were there for less than 30 minutes. But she did really well, and didn't even get upset when I left. I wanted to ease her into it, in hopes that we can do that all summer in the mornings.
Finally, I think the thing that is really motivating me now is that I have my breast reduction scheduled for May 17th. It's hard for me to stay motivated b/c inevitably, I have back issues, or even if I lose weight, my boobs are still enormous and I hate them. I guess I kind of feel like the reduction will take my biggest hurdle out of my way. Plus, my plastic surgeon won't do a tummy tuck w/ a reduction but will work with me on price and do it 3-6m after the reduction if I still want it. This gives me the motivation, and a deadline to get to where I want to be before that time to see if I really want to do major surgery. Right now it's hard to know b/c 1) I'm not at my goal weight and 2) I already hate my body so much b/c of my breasts that I don't think I can be objective.
(hugs marie)
girrrl. i'm nowhere near your level of fitness, but i've been such a slacker this past week. i haven't done a workout for 6 days now. thank jeebus i have 2.5 hours of volleyball tonight, but i might fall over due to lack of fitness. damn you bachelorette party and whisky sour slush. i obviously have run from the scale in terror as well. PP had it right, your muscles need time to heal, though. and i'm mad at those other folks at WW for you. that sucks.
i said last week that april was a bust, but i'm going to really try to at least maintain my current weight loss. that will be a lot of work during the week, but i'm just gonna take my wii on vacation and zumba in the mornings. my goal was to lose another 25 lbs by midyear and at this rate i am obviously not going to do that (no longer possible in a healthy way). i am at my pre-pg weight, which is good, but still 50 lbs too heavy according to the BMI charts that we agree can suck my obese tit.
I've been through and am currently going dealing with the same down feelings with my running. I've been doing CrossFit for the last few months and it is hard to get back in the groove with my running. I love both of them, but it is easier to go to CF and get a great workout and be done in an hour. That and I am actually seeing results faster than I did with running alone. I know that I need to run though and I do enjoy it. It's just the getting motivated part.
I am also having some issues with WW. I feel really out of place in my meeting. I've encountered this problem before and hope that maybe a change of meeting or center will help. I have a hard time relating to most of the people in my meeting since it is mostly older women. My other issue is when I run out of Weekly Points too soon, it just kills my motivation for the rest of the week. I need to get better about spreading those point out during the week, but it is difficult sometimes.
eclaires - are there specific weight guidelines you have to follow for the surgery/surgeries? I really hope the breast reduction surgery works miracles for your back!
In one of the other threads, you and a few other people remarked on how much you hate eating breakfast. If I don't eat breakfast within an hour or two of waking up, I become a raging b!tch. And I've gotten better - I used to have to eat breakfast within 5 minutes of waking up.
Stay motivated ladies! By the way, KCB - super jealous that you play volleyball. I miss it.
Maybe that's the cross-training I need.
<a href="http://www.thenest.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=HTML&utm_campaign=tickers" title="Home DMy leader is fabulous - it's the other members that are obnoxious. If they think exercise and healthy eating stop after they're done losing the weight, then they are in for a very rude awakening. It's not all older women either, but I can't help but think that maybe I was too young to work for WW lol. Age discrimination yo, I'm calling the ACLU!!!!
<a href="http://www.thenest.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=HTML&utm_campaign=tickers" title="Home DI know nothing about this - I'm wondering if one of those other chain gyms might be more up your alley since you wanna run and do weights. I keep having flashbacks to this one MTV show where people attempted to "live their dream" or "change their life" or something and this girl became one of those "fitness dancers" or something. It was almost like a gymnastic floor exercise but without the flips. It was all about toning herself in a certain and doing specific things to get her muscles to really "pop" but NOT to the level of those crazy steroid eating female heavy weight lifters. Anyway my point is that she had these special trainers that knew how to get her to that specific end and I'm wondering if there are trainers that could help you achieve a certain weight/muscle/competition goal.
Marie - I don't really have any advice re: the running but I can sympathize as to the lifting. I really got into lifting in 2010 (NROLFW) but eventually had to scale back because I was lifting such heavy weights that it was interfering with my ability to function normally. I was constantly hungry and tired, and it wasn't fun. Much as I hated to do it, I backed off the lifting and felt much better all around.
Can you back off with the idea that it's just temporary and you'll pick it back up after your marathon? How about just backing off the lower body lifting?
I'll check-in since the RAC silently motivated me to get back on some sort of wagon. I rejoined WW on-line since it has worked for me in the past and I've lost 9 lbs - I'm on week 6 right now. I really need to focus on working-out on a routine schedule, that's my next goal.
I've been too sick to exercise, and of course I have to be extra careful being pg, so I'm scared for my weigh-in at my OB appt today. Its really hard to watch the scale creep up - mentally AND physically. I know a little weight gain is a good thing for the baby, but I've been told to keep it easy, and well, we all know that isn't always easy
I think since I was in such hardcore weight-loss mood prior to getting PG, its been especially hard to see the weight come on. I'm at 27lbs+ at 34 weeks - I know thats normal, my GP is fine with it (he just said slow down any more gain); but its still hard.
And I'm sure post-baby and mojo I Have will go out the window completely.
You read my mind - that's what I will do. I found some lighter strength workouts that may keep me satisfied and won't impede my running, and once I get my mojo back I will start those workouts. Then I will likely be done with the marathon distance after November, so I can resume heavier lifting at that point.
<a href="http://www.thenest.com/?utm_source=ticker&utm_medium=HTML&utm_campaign=tickers" title="Home DFor both, I think you have to have a BMI under 30, which is not a problem for me (I'm fluctuating around 24-25 these days), and then for the reduction, they have a formula the insurance companies use where they take your weight/height, and get your body surface area. Then they use a chart that determines how much has to be able to be taken from each breast (at least - you can do more). The number that they gave me was roughly ~1.5lbs for each breast which the doctor thought was totally reasonable and easy. I'm currently an F/G cup depending on the bra. I told him I'd love to be as small as possible, haha. MH disagrees, but is supportive of it being my choice. Oh and I did find out at my appointment that I apparently have perfectly symmetrical ta tas - apparently that is super uncommon amongst all women, not just reduction patients, lol.
For the TT, I just feel like I'll be able to make a more objective decision if I'm at my goal weight vs. being 20lbs over it w/ breasts I hate. I'll feel like if I have worked hard (I have personal training sessions to use at my gym after I'm cleared from my reduction), and I am at the best I can be, if I am still unhappy with my stomach, a surgery makes sense. If I'm just hating everything in general, it's hard to be objective.
Re: Volleyball - look into a league! My BIL and SIL play in a league and love it!
Marie- I can sympathize with losing your motivation. Sometimes if I stop running for a few days, I feel off and get out of the rhythm. I went running last night for the first time since Wedneday even though I was sore from starting lifting, it felt grea.
I'm trying to get my exercise mojo back after my 1/2 marathon victory haze. I'm starting the HH Intermediate Spring Training Plan and will be running a 10 mile race with DH in a few weeks.
I started NROLW and I'm excited about it, but I'm also worried with how I'm going to fit it in with the Spring Training Plan and with marathon training when I start in June.
Off to the beach
DS 7/18/2010
Handy 2.0 Due Early August
2011/2012 Races
12/17/2011 Christmas Caper 10K
2/11/2012 Have a Heart 5K
3/17/2012 DC RNR Half Marathon
4/22/2012 10M Parkway Classic
10/28/2012 Marine Corps Marathon
Marie, that is very frustrating about WW. I lost 45 pounds using WW and have since gained it all back. But the last time I went to WW, I felt out of place at both meetings I tried. At one, it seemed like everybody was just trying to find as many ways to get low-point "treats" in. One woman said she didn't want to "waste" her points on getting her 2 teaspoons of healthy oil in per day. At that point, I couldn't keep my mouth shut and had to inform her that healthy fats are necessary for absorbing certain vitamins and for health hair, skin, and nails. At the other meeting, the leader was not able to offer me any satisfactory explanation as to why someone with 45 pounds to lose got the lowest possible point allotment. I don't hate WW, but I used to love it. I now have very mixed feelings.
As for your exercise, I'm not sure what to tell you. I agree with IIOY that you could scale back the lifting through the marathon. After that, since you like lifting, I would focus on lifting and shorter interval runs to improve your 5k & 10k times. That seems like it would be a good balance for you.
As for me, Monday morning, I saw the scale hit my all-time high again. It was exactly where it was in January 2007 when I went to my first WW meeting. I started couch to 5k AGAIN on Monday. I've been fighting a lot of negative thoughts. In November 2010, I ran a 10k. Now I'm sore after one day. It's really hard not to just hate myself for losing all that progress. I rested yesterday (mostly because I couldn't get to sleep Monday night) and ran again today.
I also started tracking my food again on Monday. My target is something like 1600 calories in order to lose 2 pounds per week. Yesterday, I ate approximately 2600 calories. But I'm already down 4 pounds from Monday, presumably because I was eating too much takeout (hello, salt-induced bloat) and drinking too much alcohol and soda.
My biggest challenge coming up is going to be tailgating since we tickets to 10 Brewers games this year. The good news is that since Opening Day falls on Good Friday and one of our tailgate crew is Catholic, we're actually going to have grilled fish. I just need to not go crazy on the beer.
LOL! I've seen only one or two younger WW leaders and desk people in the years that I've been off and on WW. Maybe you're on to something!!
definitely see if there is league in your area. I played league for a while and it is fun. also, a lot of bars form sand volleyball teams in the summer months. i'm not nearly as fond of sand as i am court, but it's something at least.
{{{{hugs}}}}
(((hugs Marie))) I think you've gotten good advice from the other ladies so far, but I'll ditto some of it - cross training, definitely try to join the group run closer to you, and a trainer might be great for you (I have loved mine). I will say too that I got the stomach virus, gosh - almost 2.5 weeks ago now? And I'm JUST starting to get 100% back to normal. Being sick is a biiiitch, so don't get too discouraged over that. Your body may just need a little time to get back into its normal rhythm. You'll get there - you have done so well so far. A little rest period is good for you. Take it! You'll be back to running, and you'll be kicking ass at the marathon.
Also, WW never worked for me because I worked out so much. It was like they could never comprehend why I wanted to workout like I did. I eventually quit because it just didn't fit my lifestyle. No, I didn't want to just walk for 30 minutes 3 times a week. It sounds like you may be seeing some of that as well.
As for me, things are great. I'm finally feeling better (2.5 weeks after getting the stomach virus), so that's awesome. At my appointment with my RD last week, I learned I'm down 11lbs and I lost 2" off all my measurements since January, so I'm pretty stoked. I initially said I wanted to lose 30lbs as an arbitrary goal, and now I think it might actually be possible. That lit a new fire under me, so I'm even more motivated to keep going. I'm so proud of myself. I'm getting back into my normal workout swing this week (since I actually feel good enough to do it again).
The hubs and I are going to do a century ride on April 21. I'm not training for it. The most I've ridden since January is about 20 miles. But what the hell? It's for charity. :-)
Marie, I can definitely sympathize with being in a running slump...and anytime its happened to me changing up my routes or buying some new running clothes or shoes has helped a ton! (I mean, shopping cures everything...right?) So I hope it has the same effect for you. And suck it up and reach out to the people in your new running group
I was the "new girl" in mine too, but forcing myself out of my comfort zone and joining some of the smaller weekday runs really got me feeling more comfortable with the group as a whole and I get a ton more out of it now.
Last week was kind of a lazy week for me, which really shouldn't be happening seeing as my half is in less than three weeks (ohhhshit). I at least got in last Wednesday's speedwork from hell and my long run on Saturday so that counts for something, right? I am still not 100% convinced I'll PR at this race, but we'll see what happens (and what Mother Nature throws at us).
I'm trying to really watch what I'm eating and listen to my body over the next few weeks and beyond...I just have to get past Easter first. I know my mom got us a crapton of Cadbury Creme Eggs and those bad boys are always my undoing. I love them SO much. So this year, I will have to try my damnedest to not binge on them. After the race, I'll still have my sister's wedding in August staring me in the face so hopefully that will help me stay motivated.
I'm so sorry, bridey. I can empathize. The memories of getting back into running last January after my hiatus are very vivid. I felt like a piece of shiit. All that hard work I had done ages before was gone and I had to start from scratch again with C25K. As someone who can be reallllly hard on myself when it comes to activity performance (like during my 15K on Sunday), I will just never forget how I felt and that's one big reason I know I have to get back into my groove. I actually teared up a few times during the first couple of weeks during my runs - not because it hurt, but because I "sucked" again. Ultimately, I talked to myself during the runs (and therefore looked like a crazy woman to everyone else) and just said 1) no one else besides me is paying attention to my progress, and 2) how the fvvck am I supposed to get back to the level I was at pre-injury if I don't start from the very beginning and therefore ensure that I *don't* get injured again since I'll be working my way up slowly?
And now, 15 months later, I'm in much better running shape than I ever was pre-injury. I'm the most impatient person there is, but somehow I was able to understand early on that patience is what I needed all along. I know you can do this.
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