Life Hype: Couch to 5K

My health has not been the greatest over the past few years.  I had lost some weight in 2008 down to 152 only to gain it all back...now 178 again, actually since starting the program I have lost 2 pounds, so I'm 176.  Now overweight again and on high blood pressure and high cholesterol medicine I have decided to try to do something about it.  so I joined a running program.  The Fleet Feet Sports No Boundaries Training Program which is a Couch to 5K Program.  It takes you from the couch to running your first 5K in just 12 weeks. 

I am currently getting ready to start Week 3 which is 1 minute of running alternated with 2 minutes of walking for 1 1/2 miles. My first week I really struggled with breathing and my right lower leg muscle which is either my lower calf or my soleus muscle. The last week my breathing was better but I'm still struggling on some days with my right lower leg.  I have been doing some stretching and icing it as the coaches suggested.  On my days off I walk my dog for 20 minutes, then on Sundays I we go for a longer 45 minute walk.

I have also been trying to do better with my eating habits and I am doing better although there is still room for improvement.  I only drink water throughout the day.  I try to have something fairly healthy for breakfast and lunch then just eat a regular dinner, but not over do it.  I am hoping with the C25K, the walking and the small changes in eating that I will lose some weight and become healthier.  I hope to down the road, eventually be able to come off of high blood pressure and high cholesterol medicines. 

Everyone says the Fleet Feet Sports No Boundaries Program aka Couch to 5K is a great program and that it will change my life.  I hope so, I am counting on it.  I know it takes my 100% effort to do this program to make it successful and I am trying to do my best at sticking with it and attending all three weekly workouts.  So far, with the first two weeks, I have managed to do so.  I am just going to keep on going best I can.  And hopefully this program will have a great payoff and in the end I will be able to run a 5K and become a consistent runner.

Today's Quote:

Race or no race, Fast or slow, We all come from the same place:  The Very First Step!

Life Gripe: Another Rainy Day

Here we are with another rainy day.  It seems for the past two weeks it's either been cold or been raining.  I hate rainy days.  So dreary, dark and downright depressing.  Rain is cold and wet.  There is one thing I like about the rain.  I like the sound of the falling rain and it's always great when we need it, but still it's not one of my favorite things.  At least it's not thundering and lightening.  I really hate thunder and lightening.  I find them frightening.  I don't find them exciting in the least bit. 

Another thing about the rain is my poor dog has to stay couped up indoors all day long.  If it's raining the least little bit, she won't go outside.  She does not like rain and most definitely does not like to get wet.  I feel so sorry for her.  I usually take her outside two to three times a day for about a half hour.  Instead she's sleeping all day. 

And then there's me.  Rain depresses me.  Rain makes me feel dark and dreary.  I like it when everything is bright and lively.  Rain just makes me feel like I want to curl up under the covers.  Also rain keeps you couped up in the house all day.  And if you go out, you get soaked and that's not a great feeling.  Another bad thing about rain is that is sometimes causes flooding.  So while there are good things about rain, the bad out weigh the good for me.  I prefer the sunny days any time! 

Life Quote:

Weather is a great metaphor for life - sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad, and there's nothing much you can do about it but carry an umbrella. ~Terri Guillemets

Life Gripe: Working Out

I find that lately, I have absolutely no motivation to exercise, especially on days where it's cold and dreary. Nice warm sunny days is not as hard, but days like today I just can't bring myself to do it. So today, my lack of motivation wins out. No working out today.

Where does one find the motivation to workout. I know a big part of it is mindset, but I just can't seem to get there. I guess one reason is because for the first 1 1/2 months I exercised 5 times a week both walking with inclines and with jogging intervals, I lifted weights and exercised, and I watched my calories. I did all this hard work and for what, a measly little 5 pounds of weight loss. I even took a week off hoping that would help, but unfortunately it didn't. I think once it's warmer and nicer out on a regular basis where I can get out more will be better because then I can alternate the treadmill with getting outside some. Right now, it's too cold for me, so I have no motivation to get outside either. Also, I have a real problem with lack of energy. Even when I exercise, I still have lack of energy, it's even worse. Hopefully, my doctor can tell me something on this when I go later this month.

Some people get outside and run miles everyday. I really admire them, I don't know how they do it. They seem to do it so effortlessly. When I first started working out, I had some motivation, but after not seeing the results I wanted it has waned significantly. I wish I could be like those people who run for miles and seem to have tons of motivation. I would feel very accomplished and very proud if I could do it. Maybe one day I'll be able to, I guess I just have to get the right mindset, but I'm just not there yet. I'm not going to stop working out, but I'm not going to push myself right now either. And somehow, some way, I have got to find the motivation again.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Today's Life Quote:
 
Exercise is a dirty word. Every time I hear it, I wash my mouth out with chocolate. ~Author Unknown

Life Gripe: Getting Healthy

I really hate to call getting healthy a life gripe, but it's the getting there that's the gripe.  The fitness, working out, exercising, they're no fun.  But as much as I hate it I started working out January 6, 2012.  I am now getting on the treadmill walking/jogging five days a week and lifting light weights two days a week along with some exercises.  It's tough everyday to get onto that dreaded treadmill.  Once I'm on there it's not too bad, at least after about 10 minutes.  But everyday I have to talk myself into it and drag myself onto that thing.  I'm trying to be consistent with working out everyday because outside of working out, I'm pretty sedentary.

Eating healthy I would say is the toughest part for me.  I eat pretty healthy during the day, but eat a regular dinner.  I pretty much stay within my calorie range of 1350 everyday, but it's "what" I'm eating for dinner that's not particularly healthy, such as manwiches, corn dogs, pork chops, Italian sausage, etc.  I just at least try to eat my dinner in moderation.  During the day I do well.  I have a protein shake for breakfast, a green giant vegetable such as broccoli & cheese sauce or cauliflower & cheese sauce for lunch, and then a clementine for a snack.  For evening snacks I have almonds or rice cakes.  So as you can see, it's the dinner that's the only problem. 

So far, I have lost five pounds in a month.  It's not a lot, but it is something.  As long as I can keep on losing I will be happy, even if it is only one pound a week.  And I know what I'm doing is a lot healthier for my body, especially for my blood pressure.  I also get better sleep.  As far as energy, I have a tad bid more, but I'm still struggling in that area.  I have some energy about an hour after exercise, but then it goes away.  I'm hoping that will improve more with time.  Bottom line is exercise and activity are a great way to feel better, gain health benefits and have fun...well try to have some fun anyway.  Are you getting fit or are you a couch potato?

Today's Life Quote: 

Exercise and application produce order in our affairs, health of body, cheerfulness of mind, and these make us precious to our friends.

– Thomas Jefferson

Life Hype and Gripe: Christmas Time

Christmas time is always a hard time for me. I miss my parents so much. Christmas just isn't the same without them. When they were living, Christmas was a very big deal and very family oriented. Now, I rarely see my family and I don't see them at Christmas either. I try to get myself into the holiday spirit by listening to Christmas music, watching great Christmas movies, decorating, shopping and wrapping, but nothing seems to work. And then if there's no snow to boot, then it's even worse.


It's just me and my husband and he doesn't like Christmas. Matter of fact, he wraps my presents the very last minute. Usually Christmas Eve night because he has too. I just feel like Christmas is a lot of work for nothing. Having to decorate, Christmas shop, wrap and cook is nothing but work and can be very stressful for me. You spend money you really can't afford to. I really don't receive many gifts, but I do like buying gifts and surprising others. I enjoy gift giving if I can afford it.


Listening to others and reading others happy Christmas comments around me can be very hard for me. I feel like all this Christmas spirit and joy is going on around me, but I don't have it. I feel like it's something I can't have with my family far away, my parents deceased, my husband hating it and money being tight. All that I have that brings me joy is still having Christmas for my son, even though he is grown now. I know he enjoys it. He doesn't get much from others often, so I like to make him feel special at Christmas. It's the one small thing I can do that I enjoy. Also, the love of my sweet little dog Matte also brings joy to me. I try to focus on the good things and not let the rest get me down. At least enough to get me through Christmas without getting too depressed.


Christmas is kind of a life hype and a gripe for me. Both at the same time. I don't like to bring others down with me, so I try to keep most of it bottled up inside, but it doesn't always work. It usually ends up making me feel worse, but again, I don't want to bring others down. It may be hard for me, but I prefer to wish everyone out there a Very Merry Christmas!
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Life Quote:
 
Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.



Calvin Coolidge

Life Gripe: Feeling Tired

Today's life gripe is about feeling tired all the time.  I struggle with this daily.  The doctor said it could be CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome).  Chronic fatigue syndrome refers to severe, continued tiredness that is not relieved by rest and is not directly caused by other medical conditions.  Or it could be depression or both.  I tend to think it's a little of both.  At times I get depressed, but not always.  I think it's CFS because no matter what mood I'm in and no matter how much sleep I get or exercise I am always tired...just exhausted for no reason. 

I've heard from many people if you take a B vitamin it will help with energy, so I have started taking vitamin B12.  I've been taking it for about 3 weeks now.  So far, I haven't noticed any difference.  Maybe it takes some considerable time before it works.  I just feel with my luck and if it's CFS then vitamin B12 probably won't help much.  For CFS exercise is prescribed, along with sleep managment and medications to treat anxiety and depression which I'm already taking.  They gave me wellbutrin to help with the energy and depression.  The wellbutrin didn't work all that well for me and what little it did, it only worked for about two weeks. 

I am so envious of those who have endless energy. I just wish I could have a quarter of their energy. Some days it takes all the energy I have just to shower and clean up, some days that's all I get done. Once in a while I get a small burst of energy, but it's very small and not for very long. I would just love to have the energy to get through most of the day doing needed things such as cleaning and running errands. But as I said, usually by the time I shower and clean up, I'm too tired to do anything else.  Do you have anything specific you do to help you with your energy?

 
 
 
 
Today's Life Quote:
 
The higher your energy level, the more efficient your body The more efficient your body, the better you feel and the more you will use your talent to produce outstanding results.



Tony Robbins

Life Gripe: Writer's Block

I'm feeling very anxious and frustrated. My mind won't stay focused and I can't think. I have several blogs I use to write on all the time because I was always needing to get it all out. Now, I have writer's block. I can't think at all. It's been this way for months now and I really don't know what to do about it short of just quit blogging. I use to get in these very creative moods and could write anything, but lately I just draw a blank. I still feel a need to be creative, but it just won't come which is very frustrating to me.

I can hardly even focus to write this let alone the rest of my blogs. I try and concentrate, but all I draw is a blank. And then my mind wanders. I just get so darn frustrated. I don't know what to do to get it back. Writing was really my only hobby and now it seems I don't even have that anymore. I feel like I'm slowly loosing all my creativity. I feel like it's slipping away and there's nothing I can do to stop it. I constantly look at different topics and subjects to see if it will trigger anything in my mind, but still I have no luck. I just can't think. 

This is extremely frustrating, so if anyone has any ideas or suggestions, I am open to them, although I think I have already tried just about everything.  I just hope and pray that I somehow get my creativity back.

Today's Life Quote:

The act of putting pen to paper encourages pause for thought, this in turn makes us think more deeply about life, which helps us regain our equilibrium. ~Norbet Platt