Coming out of hiding

Well, 2 weeks has come and gone... I just finished a 14 day stretch at work. This was the most emotionally, physically and mentally draining stretch ever. I had some really sick patients and some really stressful days; I don't really want to get into it, but suffice it to say that I am glad that it is over.

As far as fitness goes, I haven't done anything in 2 weeks. It's the longest that I have gone without working out since I started my journey in Feb 2008. I went to the gym the first day of the stretch, but the I fell and hurt my knee that night It was nothing serious... I just wanted to be safe and rest it for a day or two. Two days then turned into four, which turned into seven which turned into 14. I just couldn't stomach the idea of getting up at at 4am when I was just so tired! Maybe my not getting to the gym added to my exhaustion and stress, but I felt that it was the right decision at the time.

The good news? I managed to maintain my weight during this time. Over my month without Sean, I lost something like 8 lbs (8 from my last official weigh in -- it could be more or less overall since I can't remember if my weight was higher or lower when I decided to do it on my own). I'm even moved the ticker! And I'm on the fence of my initial goal again! I never shared it with all of you because it involves my actual weight... I got there once before on this journey and promised that I'd never get there again but then I backslid. Hopefully, I can make it stick this time.

So it's back on the fitness trail today! I'm seriously considering going back to Sean, but I need to think about what specifically I need and want from him first.

Happy Thursday!

LP

Motivation/Consistency Problems

... I guess this is where the trainer comes in handy.

I am having problems getting it together. I know what I need to do, but making myself do it is another story. Yesterday, I kept telling myself that I needed to get to the gym to do my elliptical workout... I didn't listen. Today, I am supposed to do a run/walk workout. I also have 15 other things that I need to do before I start yet another 14-day stretch at work. Hoping I can find the time and motivation to actually do it.

and now for the pity party...

What is wrong with me? I can't seem to figure out why I sabotage myself. I am my own worst enemy. I'm angry and disappointed with myself. Agghh!

OK, now that that's out my system... what's next? I guess I have to just keep trying. After all, I'm in this for the long haul, right. If it were easy, I would have done it a long time ago.

Happy Wednesday!

LP

C25K and My New Goal

For my next race I'm going to do the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure. It's a 5K on May 8th. It's probably premature for me to expect to run the entire thing, but I would like to at least run half of it. Hopefully, it will help me stay on track with my other fitness goals.

I found a podcast to help me along the way. It's called C25K (which stands for couch to 5K). Basically the same premise that I have been doing with alternating running and walking, but what's great about it is that I don't have to time myself, because the guy tells you when to start running or walking. The first week in this program is 60s runs and 90s walks, so guess what? I graduated (I had been doing only 30s runs before this). It was harder than I thought but I got through it... I didn't have the energy to walk the extra time (the first week only calls for 30 min and I usually do more than that in my cardio workouts), but maybe I can go for a second walk later.

Not a bad start to the week!

Happy Monday!

LP

The Importance of the Bounce-back

Well, it's been a rough week... first traveling to NY and visiting with family (which always includes way too much food) and then working 2 night shifts really messed with my routine. I've been dragging. I still haven't gone grocery shopping and so my food choices have been crappy. I'm not proud of how this week has gone...

... BUT, I can choose to start again right now. And when you think about it, isn't it what this journey is all about??? Recommitting to myself every day. Life happens. Stuff inevitably comes up that knocks you on your butt -- it's how quickly we can get back up that is the key.

Time to go work out... catch ya' later!

Have a great weekend!

LP