Running

It really was only like 4 months ago that I started running again. Before that I couldn't really run a mile without dying. (Well, since before Zach anyway.) And since then, I've had some pretty good runs. The AF Canyon 1/2 marathon, some fun runs on the Jordan River Parkway trail, and most recently the Deseret News 10K!

I ran this one with my dad last week and I actually beat him! For the first time EVER! By like 4 minutes! Maybe I will actually have a chance at winning the $100 for beating him in a triathlon this year. This is always a fun race because the last 2 miles are along the parade route. It's fun to see all the people camped out and some even bring squirt bottles to cool you off!

I also went on a run with my dad a couple of weeks ago at our cabin. We did 5 miles at 8500 feet along a very hilly, dirt mountain road. It was beautiful!



We ran down one hill, into a valley, up another hill and back again. It was hard, but I did it! I'm glad I have gotten back into running enough to be in shape enough to enjoy it again. And I've found a running buddy! Finally! We are going to run together every Tuesday morning. Yay for running again!

Struggling

I have really been struggling these past few weeks. I feel like my big plans for the 6-week shape up were pretty much a big, fat failure. I do decent at exercising, but I throw it all away by eating crap. I saw this the other day, and even though I might be able to run a half marathon or whatever, if I can't get a hold of my eating habits, I'm never going to win.

I have also been struggling with motivation to WANT to eat healthy. Sure I want to be thin, sure I want to be healthy enough, but I also want to eat hamburgers and shakes. It's kind of like I want to do the bare minimum. I need to figure out how to want it bad enough or it's just going to be a miserable process.

And I've been struggling with other things too. But I saw this and it made me feel better.



I need to remember that all these negative thoughts and struggles I'm having are not coming from God. They are coming from Satan, who doesn't deserve to get credit for all these lies he is telling me. And I can't let him win.

Weekly workout

I got back on the wagon with exercise this week....

Monday: The Shred Level 3, ML arms
Tuesday: Run 3 miles, leg strengthening
Wednesday: Ripped Level 2, ML arms
Thursday: 30 min swim, 8 mile bike ride (pulling the kids in the trailer)
Friday: Yoga Meltdown DVD, ML arms, Ab Ripper X

I definitely could have done better with my eating though. I struggle much more with nutrition than with exercise. I've still been tracking my food, but I've gone over my calories on a few days. No loss this week, but no gain either.

This week I'm really going to focus on eating well.

Daily Motivation

If you're interested in getting some daily motivation via Facebook, go "like" the Erika Pike Fitness page! She posts daily motivation stuff like this...



It's always nice to get a little motivation in the middle of the day. :) She also coaches health challenge groups. Check out her page for more info, but basically she offers free online fitness and nutrition coaching when you do one of the Beachbody workout programs (like P90x or Insanity). But you have to be seriously committed! I've heard good things about these challenge groups, and I've contemplated doing one. (I REALLY struggle with doing DVDs at home, which is why I haven't done it yet. I'd much rather go to a class or run/bike/swim, etc.) Maybe when it gets colder I may try this. But for now, I'm really enjoying her FB motivation!

Christy Lively and the no-good, very bad week

So this week was a big, fat mess. I had a lot of stress, and I didn't handle it well. I was running all over the place buying a new car and trying to sell my old car. Plus, Emily was sick and I had some family commitments I had to be at, and I had to teach Sunday School yesterday. I'm still trying to learn how to deal with stress and still be healthy at the same time. I tend to eat junk and not exercise when I have a lot going on to deal with. I need to figure out how to deal with stress better because this week, I sure didn't.

This week, I ate junk and only ran once and swam once and did ML arms once. Yeah, I totally did not meet my goals for the 6-week shape up this week.

But...I am starting again today. I still have 4 weeks left til my vacation, and that's still plenty of time to reach my goal of being in the 150s. Luckily, even with all my bad eating this week I didn't gain anything, so I've got 4.5 pounds to go before I get into the 150s. I can do it!

I got up early this morning and did The Shred, Level 3 and ML arms. I had a smoothie for breakfast and some whole wheat pasta with spinach, tomatoes and chicken for lunch.

And so here starts the 4-week shape up!