Finding the perfect state to run in is a challenge for me. I can't have eaten too soon before, nor can I be hungry. I cannot be too tired or sore. I prefer not to run after work and only like weather that's not too windy, cold, grey, wet or humid... when it's humid my knees ache. And above all, if I decide to go running, I must be out the door within 20 minutes or I will inevitably change my mind.
All that has changed though, or at least a lot of that. I have found the perfect routine for me. With Hairy and I doing this 20-week training program (we're ending week 3 this week), we run four days a week: twice on workdays, and twice on the weekend. For the workday runs, we get up at 5:30 am (most of these runs are between 25-40 minutes) and on the weekends, we get up whenever we want (usually 7:30) and usually end up running around 8 - 8:30 (the Saturday run is a short one and the Sunday run, a long one). I do not eat before, I just drink a big glass of water, or two for the long runs. I am really liking this routine and the challenge/goal will be to equip myself to run in ANY weather. Yesterday Hairy thought it was raining, and before looking outside and seeing that it wasn't, I thought, f%ck it, I'm runnin'!
I am finally adjusting to going to bed earlier I think, but so far I've been drowsy in the afternoon because of that.
I am losing weight again and am thrilled. While, like I've said, I originally thought I looked pretty good physically and would not bother losing any weight for the wedding, after seeing a picture of myself, I did not like what I saw. I decided five pounds would make the difference for me, so I am trying to continue eating well during the week (I usually do, but was falling back into the habit of giving myself 'treats' all the time like back in the day). On the weekends, Hairy and I had become pretty overindulgent too, so weekends are still our more relaxed days food-wise, but maybe cutting back on the quantity/variety of junk we allow ourselves (instead of eating fatty food for meals, croissants, mochas, ice cream, chocolate, chips and more, we will maybe choose one or two of those ha!). With the running we can definitely eat more calories and I would still lose weight, but the quality of the food will really influence how we feel about running.
Earlier in the year I had gotten up to a solid 147, and then with a bit of self-control and my 'normal' exercise routine was back to 145, where I felt okay. Now I am 143. I hope to actually get to about 135-137 BECAUSE I know that between Thanksgiving/Christmas and in the winter I will gain back a few, so the total will likely be 5 pounds come wedding time. My focus is actually on running though, and the weight is a welcome side effect of that. For now I just notice it in my chest and belly, but soon I should see a difference overall. Hairy said something to me that I found interesting, something his mom has always told him supposedly, and I found it true based on my experience: weight loss goes with gravity, so from top to bottom basically. Face/neck, chest/arms, belly, hips, butt then legs. I know it's true for me anyway.
My dad has lost 10 pounds in the last two weeks. I'm sure 5 of those are actual pounds and 5 is water weight, but it's fantastic. In my dad's case it's ALL food control, and he is a super dedicated person, but if you knew his eating habits you'd understand why this is pretty difficult for him. He would rather workout 24/7 than ever have to cut back, but I am really trying not to go extreme with him so over the next year his habits actually change in a lasting way. His problem's the same as mine: he gives himself treats all the time, in his case, it's fries and cookies. I really just had to get him to not get fries more than once a week and no bigger than a small, and that's pretty extreme for him. But he has one-upped me and has had NO fries in two weeks. I remind him that those decisions really do make a difference. Every small choice make the MASSIVE undertaking that much less difficult.
Beach volleyball is almost over. I have two more games. I'm sad because I hate the schedule of court volleyball (late), the distance, and it's just not as fun. I really wanna try to run outside as long as I can so I don't have to go to the gym all winter and get completely unmotivated like I did last year. It might turn out to be a real bitch, but it's interesting at least.
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