"The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers." - M. Scott Peck
Before I went out to play basketball today, I shared with a good friend of mine that I was going to do so. His only comment was "First blood wins:" Interestingly enough, if that were true, then the mosquitos today won hands down.
I haven't been on a basketball court since my highschool days, but I can boast proudly that I hold the record at my junior highschool for being the first person fouled out of game having never touched the basketball. I simply went and hit anyone who had the ball so that they'd give it up. (I was 11 and had never played an organized sport before - go figure). At the end of that game, the coach came up and suggested that basketball was maybe not my sport and I should consider something like bleachers for the rest of the season. I never played competitively since that day and other than what was mandatory for highschool phys. ed credits, the only time I stepped on a basketball court was to do a half-time routine.
I had a great time today, certainly not the fastest, certainly not the most agile, and certainly not the scoring leader, but I felt like I held my own out there when I had to. A few sneaky moves that proved "I still got it" and a few moves that said "you never had it". I'm stiff and sore from stops and starts, I'm paler from blood loss courtesy the mosquitos, but really enjoyed the entire experience.
I started thinking today about my body and what change I hope to see, which of course got me thinking about the pictures they have in the Body For Life Book. You know the photos I mean, the ones that show from "Fat to Fit", where people go from pastey white, melon shaped, frowny people to thin, ripped, muscled, tanned. smiling individuals with perfectly white teeth, who if you'd met them at a fraternity, would have shiny names like Chaz or Mipsy. I pondered the concept of getting a spray tan - but even that might be too much for people who have seen me as my transluscent wonderful self for this long.
I'll wait until I can see my abs to decide...
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
"The most important thing to remember is this: To be ready at any moment to give up what you are for what you might become.: - W.E.B DuBois
By the wonders of technology I was unable to post my blog for yesterday. So I will pay you back with two today!
Yesterday was Hardcore. It was my first time attending this class and I was really worried about how I could "hang" with the rest of the hardcore group. Turns out I only had to worry about hanging with Jo. (No pressure there!). The workout was incredibly challenging.
I found that at the end though, I didn't feel like I truly "owned" the workout. I didn't feel sweaty enough, the only muscles that were tired were the jelly like strings I call my arms, and I think I gave up too soon doing full push-ups. For starters, I probably shouldn't compare myself to Jo, that's just setting me up for failure. That said, I think that she is an excellent role model to fashion myself after. She doesn't leave anything on the table when she works out, giving 110% the whole time.
It makes me wonder how many times in our lives we cut corners, do less than our best because no one is counting how many pushups we complete?
By the wonders of technology I was unable to post my blog for yesterday. So I will pay you back with two today!
Yesterday was Hardcore. It was my first time attending this class and I was really worried about how I could "hang" with the rest of the hardcore group. Turns out I only had to worry about hanging with Jo. (No pressure there!). The workout was incredibly challenging.
I found that at the end though, I didn't feel like I truly "owned" the workout. I didn't feel sweaty enough, the only muscles that were tired were the jelly like strings I call my arms, and I think I gave up too soon doing full push-ups. For starters, I probably shouldn't compare myself to Jo, that's just setting me up for failure. That said, I think that she is an excellent role model to fashion myself after. She doesn't leave anything on the table when she works out, giving 110% the whole time.
It makes me wonder how many times in our lives we cut corners, do less than our best because no one is counting how many pushups we complete?
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
“Edison failed 10, 000 times before he made the electric light. Do not be discouraged if you fail a few times.” - Napolean Hill
Suprisingly, I don't have much to tell you tonight. Except that I ran 5k faster than I ran it last time. Without Amanda at Jo Dumont Fitness Training, I would not be out running. Today we ran 5:1 intervals the entire distance. In her own way, Amanda is a walking encouragement to others, and inspires me along our runs. During our run today, I asked her who trained her, who ran beside her, and she told me that she had a plan given to her and she just followed it. I found this fascinating since I could never run alone - at least not right now while I still don't understand the point of running - and yet here she is, living proof that you can care enough to make changes, even when you are alone and it's hard.
Thanks for running with me, Amanda
Suprisingly, I don't have much to tell you tonight. Except that I ran 5k faster than I ran it last time. Without Amanda at Jo Dumont Fitness Training, I would not be out running. Today we ran 5:1 intervals the entire distance. In her own way, Amanda is a walking encouragement to others, and inspires me along our runs. During our run today, I asked her who trained her, who ran beside her, and she told me that she had a plan given to her and she just followed it. I found this fascinating since I could never run alone - at least not right now while I still don't understand the point of running - and yet here she is, living proof that you can care enough to make changes, even when you are alone and it's hard.
Thanks for running with me, Amanda
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
"People change and forget to tell each other." - Lillian Hellman
As part of my personal training - (or maybe I'm just vain and everyone has to) I provide Jo with a food journal indicating what I eat on a daily basis. The first day that I met Jo, she asked what I had eaten and I could with all sorts of confidence tell her that I had 6 Werther's caramels and half can of zero.
Today, only a couple of weeks later, I am keeping a journal that includes actual food. I find this part of my change fascinating, only because I have ridiculous food issues. When I was little I used to have rinse my plate off inbetween each food item, potatoes, rinse, veggies, rinse, meat, rinse, and I always ate my food in the order of what I liked least to what I liked best (I still do that part). As I got older (and ostensibly smarter - or lazier), I began to mentally section my plate so that food wouldn't touch. Now, even though food items can touch each other from time to time, there are some rules that I have made for myself:
1. Melted cheese is only for pizza.
2. Food shall not be covered in gravy, syrup or other liquid topping. (the exception to this rule of course is raspberries with whipped cream).
3. Each food item must be completed before moving on to the next.
4. Under no circumstances will you eat a banana.
The list goes on. What wound up happening, was to live within the rules I created, I became very linear in my food choices, so that they were always the same. It was safe, easy, I could discern my calories easily and it was ...boring.
My point, however is that even these rules, which were so important on some psychological level (some underlying need for control I'm sure), can be changed. It's not an easy process I can assure you but with enough want you can do anything. Heck, I ate cookies with bananas and nuts!
Just don't ask me about my alphabetized pantry.
As part of my personal training - (or maybe I'm just vain and everyone has to) I provide Jo with a food journal indicating what I eat on a daily basis. The first day that I met Jo, she asked what I had eaten and I could with all sorts of confidence tell her that I had 6 Werther's caramels and half can of zero.
Today, only a couple of weeks later, I am keeping a journal that includes actual food. I find this part of my change fascinating, only because I have ridiculous food issues. When I was little I used to have rinse my plate off inbetween each food item, potatoes, rinse, veggies, rinse, meat, rinse, and I always ate my food in the order of what I liked least to what I liked best (I still do that part). As I got older (and ostensibly smarter - or lazier), I began to mentally section my plate so that food wouldn't touch. Now, even though food items can touch each other from time to time, there are some rules that I have made for myself:
1. Melted cheese is only for pizza.
2. Food shall not be covered in gravy, syrup or other liquid topping. (the exception to this rule of course is raspberries with whipped cream).
3. Each food item must be completed before moving on to the next.
4. Under no circumstances will you eat a banana.
The list goes on. What wound up happening, was to live within the rules I created, I became very linear in my food choices, so that they were always the same. It was safe, easy, I could discern my calories easily and it was ...boring.
My point, however is that even these rules, which were so important on some psychological level (some underlying need for control I'm sure), can be changed. It's not an easy process I can assure you but with enough want you can do anything. Heck, I ate cookies with bananas and nuts!
Just don't ask me about my alphabetized pantry.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
“Champions do not become champions when they win the event, but in the hours, weeks, months and years they spend preparing for it. The victorious performance itself is merely the demonstration of their championship character” - T. Alan Armstrong
I was a cheerleader in highschool and in 1991 I was the Canadian Individual Cheerleading Champion. I always found it interesting that I ever became a cheerleader because becoming a cheerleader was something I had never considered for myself. You see, cheerleaders were always pretty, popular, muscular, athletic, coordinated individuals. I was never any of those things.
The summer before I entered the tenth grade, my brother was at a rugby match and I was cheering my head off for him when I was approached by the highschool cheer coach (she was married to the rugby coach - welcome to Anytown, Alberta) who insisted that I tryout. I didn't give it much of a thought until she stopped me infront of the school the day of tryouts. I went and actually made the squad.
My first year as a cheerleader I went to Nationals and competed as an individual. I placed 22 out of 23. Not bad right? Well if you consider that I placed second last next to the girl that broke her leg in the middle of her routine, yeah, it was bad...
But, I practiced and I perservered. Every day I would work on my cheers and jumps, I would stare endlessly into the mirror perfecting each move. The second year my squad competed as a team and I once again signed up for individual competition. In my second year I placed 7th out of 15.
Again, I practiced and perservered and In my third and final year of highschool, I competed in individual cheering and placed 1st out of 35. It was an amazing journey and I will never forget how it felt to win, but what still remains amazing to me, is that it wasn't the victory that meant so much. What I missed was the opportunity to always improve and always get better. I don't think that there is anything that I have done since as far as competition and physical activity that meant as much to me as those three years. What I discovered that was more important than a four foot high trophy, was that I was just as good as all those girls I never thought I could be.
There is no quit in me. I can be the woman I want to be.
I was a cheerleader in highschool and in 1991 I was the Canadian Individual Cheerleading Champion. I always found it interesting that I ever became a cheerleader because becoming a cheerleader was something I had never considered for myself. You see, cheerleaders were always pretty, popular, muscular, athletic, coordinated individuals. I was never any of those things.
The summer before I entered the tenth grade, my brother was at a rugby match and I was cheering my head off for him when I was approached by the highschool cheer coach (she was married to the rugby coach - welcome to Anytown, Alberta) who insisted that I tryout. I didn't give it much of a thought until she stopped me infront of the school the day of tryouts. I went and actually made the squad.
My first year as a cheerleader I went to Nationals and competed as an individual. I placed 22 out of 23. Not bad right? Well if you consider that I placed second last next to the girl that broke her leg in the middle of her routine, yeah, it was bad...
But, I practiced and I perservered. Every day I would work on my cheers and jumps, I would stare endlessly into the mirror perfecting each move. The second year my squad competed as a team and I once again signed up for individual competition. In my second year I placed 7th out of 15.
Again, I practiced and perservered and In my third and final year of highschool, I competed in individual cheering and placed 1st out of 35. It was an amazing journey and I will never forget how it felt to win, but what still remains amazing to me, is that it wasn't the victory that meant so much. What I missed was the opportunity to always improve and always get better. I don't think that there is anything that I have done since as far as competition and physical activity that meant as much to me as those three years. What I discovered that was more important than a four foot high trophy, was that I was just as good as all those girls I never thought I could be.
There is no quit in me. I can be the woman I want to be.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
“Adversity is like a strong wind. It tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that we see ourselves as we really are.” - Arthur Golden
If I didn't date my posts, I could have called this one "If I have to do one more !@#$%^&* Step-Up!"
I learned two things today. The first is that I'm not as tall as I thought I was and two, every inch shorter that I am equals an increase of 2% Body Fat. Which means for those of you out there who are not mathletes, my current weight is 146 pounds (an increase of 6 pounds) and my actual and current height is 5'3". When we correct the original measurements taken to include my correct height, this makes my current body fat 27% (normal is 21 - 25% - it's not shocking that I'm not normal). The good news is, out of the 6 pounds I gained, only 5 of them were fat. (I know, ticker tape parade, right?)
So while the knowledge that I gained 6 pounds since I started this journey is a little disheartening, it is important and noteworthy, that this means I am doing what I promised Jo I would do. I continue to have faith that doing this her way and not resisting change will eventually find my numbers going in a downward direction. I am not anxious to have measurements done anytime soon.
Today was a personal training day with Jo. Freaking awesome abs workout, but today I found a new challenge. The Step-Up. The Reebok Deck (http://www.fitter1.com/Catalog/Items/Reebok%20Deck.aspx) is exactly 13" off the ground and was the bane of my existance today.
As Jo explained it to me, I don't need to get a Reebok Deck, but in the gym it provides a good cardio workout in a space where there isn't much room for cardio and other options are not available at the time. I may get one anyway, just so I get practice beating the machine!
The exercise was simple..do 35 step ups in 40 seconds. Easy, right? Yeah, not so much. Everytime I tried to complete this exercise, I came across some catastrophic failure somewhere around 16 that continued until 31 step ups or my time ran out. I think what I found more horrendous than not actually completing the task each time, it was the defeatest thoughts I had going through my mind, in addition to the noises eminating from my body - I made better sounds when I was having my daughter! No suffering in silence here, let me tell you. We did those effing steps I think 5 times without reaching the goal.
You see, I didn't feel breathless or even tired, really. It was just this unimagineable feeling that I could not lift my legs up 13". Jo called this dead legs and gave me this freaking awesome banana nut cookie (which is a huge step given my extreme dislike for bananas - ask me sometime about why I hate bananas). We did some other exercises and returned back to "The Step."
And what do you know, I did it. Infact, I did 35 in 37 seconds. I am so glad Jo didn't ask me to do them again starting on the other leg.
If I didn't date my posts, I could have called this one "If I have to do one more !@#$%^&* Step-Up!"
I learned two things today. The first is that I'm not as tall as I thought I was and two, every inch shorter that I am equals an increase of 2% Body Fat. Which means for those of you out there who are not mathletes, my current weight is 146 pounds (an increase of 6 pounds) and my actual and current height is 5'3". When we correct the original measurements taken to include my correct height, this makes my current body fat 27% (normal is 21 - 25% - it's not shocking that I'm not normal). The good news is, out of the 6 pounds I gained, only 5 of them were fat. (I know, ticker tape parade, right?)
So while the knowledge that I gained 6 pounds since I started this journey is a little disheartening, it is important and noteworthy, that this means I am doing what I promised Jo I would do. I continue to have faith that doing this her way and not resisting change will eventually find my numbers going in a downward direction. I am not anxious to have measurements done anytime soon.
Today was a personal training day with Jo. Freaking awesome abs workout, but today I found a new challenge. The Step-Up. The Reebok Deck (http://www.fitter1.com/Catalog/Items/Reebok%20Deck.aspx) is exactly 13" off the ground and was the bane of my existance today.
As Jo explained it to me, I don't need to get a Reebok Deck, but in the gym it provides a good cardio workout in a space where there isn't much room for cardio and other options are not available at the time. I may get one anyway, just so I get practice beating the machine!
The exercise was simple..do 35 step ups in 40 seconds. Easy, right? Yeah, not so much. Everytime I tried to complete this exercise, I came across some catastrophic failure somewhere around 16 that continued until 31 step ups or my time ran out. I think what I found more horrendous than not actually completing the task each time, it was the defeatest thoughts I had going through my mind, in addition to the noises eminating from my body - I made better sounds when I was having my daughter! No suffering in silence here, let me tell you. We did those effing steps I think 5 times without reaching the goal.
You see, I didn't feel breathless or even tired, really. It was just this unimagineable feeling that I could not lift my legs up 13". Jo called this dead legs and gave me this freaking awesome banana nut cookie (which is a huge step given my extreme dislike for bananas - ask me sometime about why I hate bananas). We did some other exercises and returned back to "The Step."
And what do you know, I did it. Infact, I did 35 in 37 seconds. I am so glad Jo didn't ask me to do them again starting on the other leg.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
I feel like I cheated you yesterday. Didn't share everything that I should share. I was hot, sweaty, pms-y? Worked out late and got tired somewhere after midnight.
So if I haven't told you enough already, Jo Dumont Fitness Training is the shit. If you have thought about your gym experiences in the past and everything that you wish you could change about it, you get JDFT.
Case and point. Last night I wanted to work out. Last night when I wanted to work out it was after 11:00pm and what gym in it's right mind, is open (unless you count 24 Hour Fitness, but then who is going to watch your children while you are there?) Instead, I was able to find a workout on YouTube (YouTube!) where Jo and Amanda greet you with a wonderful assortment of exercises for you to do from the comfort of your own room. Now I will confess that for me personally, it's a lot easier to cheat yourself on a workout this way, but to my credit, I was able to get through Boot Camp #6 quite proudly, only forgetting one set of twisty jumpy things.
Today I posted a casual posting on the JDFT Facebook page asking if anyone wanted to go for a run. ( I still don't get running as an activity, but it felt like something I wanted to do today) . I only had one responder, Amanda, who graciously took time out of her day, piled her daughter into a jogging stroller and away we went! I think it is rather noteworthy that Amanda took me on an 8 kilometer run and I didn't complain the whole time! (well there was that one moment where I thought I might die, and Amanda assured me there was only 20 seconds or so left).
It is absolutely incredible how much JDFT truly cares about your wellness and fitness goals and how they go out of their way to be available to you. You don't get that at any ordinary gym. But then, JDFT is not any ordinary gym - it's really its own community - one that I am glad I belong to.
I feel like I cheated you yesterday. Didn't share everything that I should share. I was hot, sweaty, pms-y? Worked out late and got tired somewhere after midnight.
So if I haven't told you enough already, Jo Dumont Fitness Training is the shit. If you have thought about your gym experiences in the past and everything that you wish you could change about it, you get JDFT.
Case and point. Last night I wanted to work out. Last night when I wanted to work out it was after 11:00pm and what gym in it's right mind, is open (unless you count 24 Hour Fitness, but then who is going to watch your children while you are there?) Instead, I was able to find a workout on YouTube (YouTube!) where Jo and Amanda greet you with a wonderful assortment of exercises for you to do from the comfort of your own room. Now I will confess that for me personally, it's a lot easier to cheat yourself on a workout this way, but to my credit, I was able to get through Boot Camp #6 quite proudly, only forgetting one set of twisty jumpy things.
Today I posted a casual posting on the JDFT Facebook page asking if anyone wanted to go for a run. ( I still don't get running as an activity, but it felt like something I wanted to do today) . I only had one responder, Amanda, who graciously took time out of her day, piled her daughter into a jogging stroller and away we went! I think it is rather noteworthy that Amanda took me on an 8 kilometer run and I didn't complain the whole time! (well there was that one moment where I thought I might die, and Amanda assured me there was only 20 seconds or so left).
It is absolutely incredible how much JDFT truly cares about your wellness and fitness goals and how they go out of their way to be available to you. You don't get that at any ordinary gym. But then, JDFT is not any ordinary gym - it's really its own community - one that I am glad I belong to.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Saturday, July 24, 2010
"Most people already know what they're doing wrong. When I get them to church I want to tell them that you can change." - Joel Osteen
Today was sort of a non-day. I got to sleep in, which as a mom almost never happens, and was treated to breakfast in bed, which also almost never happens. Taking it all in stride, I spent the day chillaxin' in my jammies and downloading stop watch and gps exercise apps for my iPhone.
It shouldn't be surprising then, that by 11:00pm I can't sleep. By 11:05 I'm searching YouTube for JDFT Bootcamp. I settled on number 6 only because I recognized some of the exercises. It is now 12:32pm, and I am sweaty, gross and feeling fantastic!
Short blog tonight, I need a shower.
Today was sort of a non-day. I got to sleep in, which as a mom almost never happens, and was treated to breakfast in bed, which also almost never happens. Taking it all in stride, I spent the day chillaxin' in my jammies and downloading stop watch and gps exercise apps for my iPhone.
It shouldn't be surprising then, that by 11:00pm I can't sleep. By 11:05 I'm searching YouTube for JDFT Bootcamp. I settled on number 6 only because I recognized some of the exercises. It is now 12:32pm, and I am sweaty, gross and feeling fantastic!
Short blog tonight, I need a shower.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Friday - July 23, 2010
"Accept the challenges so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory." - General George S. Patton
So, it's Friday and I'm still feeling ridiculously happy about doing 5-k yesterday. Today was a non-workout day, but I had a lot of exercise chasing 4 kids under the age of 12 all over Drumheller.
I am always striving to be the "best insert pronoun here ever" Best wife ever, best mom ever, best aunt ever. I generally win the title in most categories for whatever fleeting moment it may be. Today was no exception with one small change that surprised even me.
I am a spoiler - it's what I do. It's part of my ploy for world domination - buy the children whatever they want. Make them happy now and they'll take care of me in my final dependent days. (yeah right, I'll be in a home when I'm 50!). Generally speaking this is load up on salty good tasting bad for you junk, chocolate, slurpees (slushes for those you south of the border) and ice cream. As much as you want as often as you want and then I'm going to send you home to your mother.
Today, I did something completely different. I actually took the time to prepare healthy snacks and a healthy lunch for everyone. The decision was based on the knowledge that I would not be able to trust myself to eat properly if we went into the cafeteria or a restaurant. So, I did it, I packed a lunch. I haven't done that since I was 9 years old. (that's a lot of math ago).
The surprise, interestingly enough did not come when the kids opened the cooler expecting treats and delights and found carrots and celery, but more that they so readily ate these healthy choices and even asked me if we could eat dinner at home rather than in a restaurant. It occurred to me then and there, that kids are literally "starving" for healthier choices. That there is a lot more responsibility that we as adults need to take for the "fast food alternative". Is it possible, that in our desire to avoid cleaning the kitchen, or taking time to prepare, we are starving our children from the opportunity to eat healthy and well?
Curious, curious indeed.
So, it's Friday and I'm still feeling ridiculously happy about doing 5-k yesterday. Today was a non-workout day, but I had a lot of exercise chasing 4 kids under the age of 12 all over Drumheller.
I am always striving to be the "best insert pronoun here ever" Best wife ever, best mom ever, best aunt ever. I generally win the title in most categories for whatever fleeting moment it may be. Today was no exception with one small change that surprised even me.
I am a spoiler - it's what I do. It's part of my ploy for world domination - buy the children whatever they want. Make them happy now and they'll take care of me in my final dependent days. (yeah right, I'll be in a home when I'm 50!). Generally speaking this is load up on salty good tasting bad for you junk, chocolate, slurpees (slushes for those you south of the border) and ice cream. As much as you want as often as you want and then I'm going to send you home to your mother.
Today, I did something completely different. I actually took the time to prepare healthy snacks and a healthy lunch for everyone. The decision was based on the knowledge that I would not be able to trust myself to eat properly if we went into the cafeteria or a restaurant. So, I did it, I packed a lunch. I haven't done that since I was 9 years old. (that's a lot of math ago).
The surprise, interestingly enough did not come when the kids opened the cooler expecting treats and delights and found carrots and celery, but more that they so readily ate these healthy choices and even asked me if we could eat dinner at home rather than in a restaurant. It occurred to me then and there, that kids are literally "starving" for healthier choices. That there is a lot more responsibility that we as adults need to take for the "fast food alternative". Is it possible, that in our desire to avoid cleaning the kitchen, or taking time to prepare, we are starving our children from the opportunity to eat healthy and well?
Curious, curious indeed.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
"If you don't like something change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it." ~Mary Engelbreit
I hate to run. I have never in all of my years figured out what was so addictive about running. You plod along the road only to reach a certain point and say "well that was fun, let's run back!" I still don't know what's so great about it.
For those of you who don't know me that well, the day after I signed up at Jo Dumont Fitness Training, I went to my first running class. What's great about this class is that they employ a "No Man Left Behind" philosophy and the trainer who takes you out, will stay with the last person. I can see where this philosophy makes people feel good that they aren't being left behind and helps provide it's own motivation. However, I'm not like most people.
The run two weeks ago was 3.5 kilometers. Not far, right? I mean I am not the most physically fit person in the world, but I'm pretty sure that I can do 3.5 pretty easily. So away we go. Including Amanda, there are 4 of us on our way.
I started out great! It felt pretty good to be out there, and then something happened, rather unexpectedly. I slowed down, I couldn't breathe, I got tired and started praying for Amanda to tell us that the 2 minutes of running was over and I could have a rest. I started walking at about 1.5km (and that might be a generous estimate) and I never quite got back to it. And bless Amanda for walking back with me as my poor tattered ego went on and on for 2 kilometers about how I should be so much better than this, and how lousy I was doing and how I didn't want to hold Amanda back. (FYI, I'm surprised Amanda didn't take a minute to push me into traffic).
A side note for readers. If you have ever wondered what would happen if you cried when you couldn't breathe, I can officially tell you that when you inhale, you sound like a very large hippopotamus.
So today was running class #2. After issuing my challenge yesterday I couldn't very well not show up. Believe me though, I really wanted to. By time I got to the lights I had used my inhaler twice and had wished really hard that I had taken some anti-anxiety medication. I was so scared to go on this run and fail that I had myself completely worked up.
You see, it isn't just about the fail for me. I don't like letting people down. While the failure of not completing the run is horrible, the idea that Amanda might think "oh god, there's Shelley, "the quitter" is even a bigger fear for me. So I carried that motivation with me today.
I broke a nail tying up my running shorts - not sure if that was a good sign or not.
Turns out, I am the only person who showed up today so I felt even more pressure to "be good." so I confessed to Amanda that I had a lot of anxiety about the run, but that I was commited to complaining only a 1/4 of the amount I complained two weeks ago (Come on, I don't want to set myself up for failure!) and that I really wanted to complete the run this week. So off we went.
The first surprise came when Amanda told me that I had run for three minutes instead of two (I use the term run loosely as it has a connotation that I was actually moving with some speed). After a while we went down to two and ones and eventually thanks to lung failure we went to one and ones. (for those of you that can't figure that out, the first number is the time you run, the second is your resting time).
At one point I told Amanda that while I didn't want to walk, I might have to. She replies with "you want to walk?" I asked her how much time was left in the interval and she told me that there was one minute left, so I decided right then and there to stick it out and I finished the interval.
And you know what? I didn't quit, not for one minute (I will confess there was a reprieve at the lights when they turned red just as we got there), but I didn't quit and by the end of it I was absolutely ecstatic that I had completed my run.
Now, I'm not saying that I love running. I still don't get it, but maybe I'm going to learn to enjoy it and continue to improve and get better (a 9 minute kilometer is not all that impressive, so I'll want to trim my time down). I'm sure that the cardio will be useful and my ass will start to look amazing(er), but for now I'm going to connect with the smaller victory, having completed the run.
Oh and by the way, Amanda told me this was the five-K loop. (devious girl that Amanda)
But if you're reading this Amanda, thanks for hanging out with me today, I really enjoyed it!
I hate to run. I have never in all of my years figured out what was so addictive about running. You plod along the road only to reach a certain point and say "well that was fun, let's run back!" I still don't know what's so great about it.
For those of you who don't know me that well, the day after I signed up at Jo Dumont Fitness Training, I went to my first running class. What's great about this class is that they employ a "No Man Left Behind" philosophy and the trainer who takes you out, will stay with the last person. I can see where this philosophy makes people feel good that they aren't being left behind and helps provide it's own motivation. However, I'm not like most people.
The run two weeks ago was 3.5 kilometers. Not far, right? I mean I am not the most physically fit person in the world, but I'm pretty sure that I can do 3.5 pretty easily. So away we go. Including Amanda, there are 4 of us on our way.
I started out great! It felt pretty good to be out there, and then something happened, rather unexpectedly. I slowed down, I couldn't breathe, I got tired and started praying for Amanda to tell us that the 2 minutes of running was over and I could have a rest. I started walking at about 1.5km (and that might be a generous estimate) and I never quite got back to it. And bless Amanda for walking back with me as my poor tattered ego went on and on for 2 kilometers about how I should be so much better than this, and how lousy I was doing and how I didn't want to hold Amanda back. (FYI, I'm surprised Amanda didn't take a minute to push me into traffic).
A side note for readers. If you have ever wondered what would happen if you cried when you couldn't breathe, I can officially tell you that when you inhale, you sound like a very large hippopotamus.
So today was running class #2. After issuing my challenge yesterday I couldn't very well not show up. Believe me though, I really wanted to. By time I got to the lights I had used my inhaler twice and had wished really hard that I had taken some anti-anxiety medication. I was so scared to go on this run and fail that I had myself completely worked up.
You see, it isn't just about the fail for me. I don't like letting people down. While the failure of not completing the run is horrible, the idea that Amanda might think "oh god, there's Shelley, "the quitter" is even a bigger fear for me. So I carried that motivation with me today.
I broke a nail tying up my running shorts - not sure if that was a good sign or not.
Turns out, I am the only person who showed up today so I felt even more pressure to "be good." so I confessed to Amanda that I had a lot of anxiety about the run, but that I was commited to complaining only a 1/4 of the amount I complained two weeks ago (Come on, I don't want to set myself up for failure!) and that I really wanted to complete the run this week. So off we went.
The first surprise came when Amanda told me that I had run for three minutes instead of two (I use the term run loosely as it has a connotation that I was actually moving with some speed). After a while we went down to two and ones and eventually thanks to lung failure we went to one and ones. (for those of you that can't figure that out, the first number is the time you run, the second is your resting time).
At one point I told Amanda that while I didn't want to walk, I might have to. She replies with "you want to walk?" I asked her how much time was left in the interval and she told me that there was one minute left, so I decided right then and there to stick it out and I finished the interval.
And you know what? I didn't quit, not for one minute (I will confess there was a reprieve at the lights when they turned red just as we got there), but I didn't quit and by the end of it I was absolutely ecstatic that I had completed my run.
Now, I'm not saying that I love running. I still don't get it, but maybe I'm going to learn to enjoy it and continue to improve and get better (a 9 minute kilometer is not all that impressive, so I'll want to trim my time down). I'm sure that the cardio will be useful and my ass will start to look amazing(er), but for now I'm going to connect with the smaller victory, having completed the run.
Oh and by the way, Amanda told me this was the five-K loop. (devious girl that Amanda)
But if you're reading this Amanda, thanks for hanging out with me today, I really enjoyed it!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
”If you make the unconditional commitment to reach your most important goals, if the strength of your decision is sufficient, you will find the way and the power to achieve your goals.” - Robert Conklin
I can find a million excuses to not work out. I can find a million reasons to avoid the gym, to ignore the treadmill and walk away from running. I have paid the year-long membership fees and walked away after a month, I have purchased the expensive home-gym equipment and used it to hang my laundry (oh don't lie, i know you've done it too), and I have bought the $180 running shoes and have never moved a mile. What I have been searching for is the one reason that makes me want to go.
The fact is, no one cares. No one cares if I paid for a membership and didn't use it. Nautilus could care less that I spent $2000 on a piece of equipment that I now use to hand up my delicates. So if I am trying to find a reason to change to improve myself, I have to start limiting my search to something much closer...possibly in a mirror.
It's been two days since my last work out, and although my reasons for not going were both legitimate, I am disappointed. (I think I actually feel fatter) I don't want to get into the habit of missing regular workouts because I'm scared that once I start finding reasons (read: excuses) to not work out, that I will stop going altogether. So what to do what to do?
I am going to declare my commitment that I will be going to running class tomorrow. No matter how much it sucked on my first run, I am going to go running tomorrow. Why don't you all come join me at 5:30pm? No excuses.
I can find a million excuses to not work out. I can find a million reasons to avoid the gym, to ignore the treadmill and walk away from running. I have paid the year-long membership fees and walked away after a month, I have purchased the expensive home-gym equipment and used it to hang my laundry (oh don't lie, i know you've done it too), and I have bought the $180 running shoes and have never moved a mile. What I have been searching for is the one reason that makes me want to go.
The fact is, no one cares. No one cares if I paid for a membership and didn't use it. Nautilus could care less that I spent $2000 on a piece of equipment that I now use to hand up my delicates. So if I am trying to find a reason to change to improve myself, I have to start limiting my search to something much closer...possibly in a mirror.
It's been two days since my last work out, and although my reasons for not going were both legitimate, I am disappointed. (I think I actually feel fatter) I don't want to get into the habit of missing regular workouts because I'm scared that once I start finding reasons (read: excuses) to not work out, that I will stop going altogether. So what to do what to do?
I am going to declare my commitment that I will be going to running class tomorrow. No matter how much it sucked on my first run, I am going to go running tomorrow. Why don't you all come join me at 5:30pm? No excuses.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Tuesday - July 20, 2010
“What is necessary to change a person is to change his awareness of himself.” - Abraham Maslow
I have always considered myself to very self-aware and when you spend as much time alone as I do, you can become very VERY aware of yourself (yeah, I said it). From the pinch in my shoulder to the way I feel when I have forgotten to take my blood pressure medication, I have always been on top of the signals my body has been giving me. But for all of those aches, pains or pleasures, I have also come to the conclusion, that I don't know myself as well as I think I do.
Yes, it's true, I had an epiphany last night. My brain, whom till now I had considered an ally in my quest for change, is actually a saboteur (GASP!). That even though my mouth says, "Yes I can" or "Yes I will!", my brain doesn't actually mean what my mouth is delivering.
Case in point, last night Jo had me do - Box Squat Jumps - (To be honest I'm waiting for Jo to catch this part of the blog and tell me what the exercise actually was). The exercise was asking me to haul my ass and that piano tied to it, onto a box by "jumping". At first I was like "how bad can this be?", until my brain decided to start doing the math to determine that it would be physically impossible for me to jump up onto a 2 foot high box. (again, I'll probably wait for Jo to tell me that the box was only a foot off the ground and to stop being such a baby.) My point is, my brain actually had me convinced that I couldn't do this and I actually got scared. "Scared of jumping, Shelley? Really?" and it wasn't the fear of actually jumping, it was the face plant that I was going to do when I only jumped up half the distance and cracked my face open on the other side.
However, with a little internal coaxing,(and a lot of external coaching from Jo) I picked a spot on the box that I was going to land on, and nearly every time, I was able to hit that spot. I was ecstatic when I hit 25 jumps. Then Jo told me that I had 50 of these same jumps but with a 180 twist (was it supposed to be a 180? I'm sure I only did a 90...(omg). Fortunately for me, Jo recognized that severe bodily injury was likely to occur and found me a lower step to complete these exercises on - for now - but I know that I'll do the higher step soon.
What I realized last night, is that I had managed to change my way of thinking by giving myself a goal to focus on rather than focusing on the effort. I wonder how many times I missed a great acheivement by being too scared to try?
I have always considered myself to very self-aware and when you spend as much time alone as I do, you can become very VERY aware of yourself (yeah, I said it). From the pinch in my shoulder to the way I feel when I have forgotten to take my blood pressure medication, I have always been on top of the signals my body has been giving me. But for all of those aches, pains or pleasures, I have also come to the conclusion, that I don't know myself as well as I think I do.
Yes, it's true, I had an epiphany last night. My brain, whom till now I had considered an ally in my quest for change, is actually a saboteur (GASP!). That even though my mouth says, "Yes I can" or "Yes I will!", my brain doesn't actually mean what my mouth is delivering.
Case in point, last night Jo had me do - Box Squat Jumps - (To be honest I'm waiting for Jo to catch this part of the blog and tell me what the exercise actually was). The exercise was asking me to haul my ass and that piano tied to it, onto a box by "jumping". At first I was like "how bad can this be?", until my brain decided to start doing the math to determine that it would be physically impossible for me to jump up onto a 2 foot high box. (again, I'll probably wait for Jo to tell me that the box was only a foot off the ground and to stop being such a baby.) My point is, my brain actually had me convinced that I couldn't do this and I actually got scared. "Scared of jumping, Shelley? Really?" and it wasn't the fear of actually jumping, it was the face plant that I was going to do when I only jumped up half the distance and cracked my face open on the other side.
However, with a little internal coaxing,(and a lot of external coaching from Jo) I picked a spot on the box that I was going to land on, and nearly every time, I was able to hit that spot. I was ecstatic when I hit 25 jumps. Then Jo told me that I had 50 of these same jumps but with a 180 twist (was it supposed to be a 180? I'm sure I only did a 90...(omg). Fortunately for me, Jo recognized that severe bodily injury was likely to occur and found me a lower step to complete these exercises on - for now - but I know that I'll do the higher step soon.
What I realized last night, is that I had managed to change my way of thinking by giving myself a goal to focus on rather than focusing on the effort. I wonder how many times I missed a great acheivement by being too scared to try?
Monday, July 19, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
"Change is hard because people overestimate the value of what they have—and underestimate the value of what they may gain by giving that up." — James Belasco and Ralph Stayer
Change is HARD!
I can say with a great deal of pride that I have completed two (2) personal training sessions at Jo Dumont Fitness Training in addition to attending two circuit classes, an Amped class and one TRX Class. Had I started this blog earlier, I could have told you that I also attended a running class - but my blog would have contained a lot of expletives related to my experience in my 3 kilometer run/walk/crawl (also known as what the hell was I thinking?) Right now the success isn't in the completion of the class, but the fact that despite getting my ass kicked on regular basis I want to go back for more. (I will admit the jury is still out on the running class).
I am 37 years old, and at the time of my fitness test and measurements, I weighed 139.9 pounds, and had a fat percentage of 23%. While all of this is well into normal range and I know there are people out there that would kill to be that weight, there is such a mental block when it comes to looking at that number. Till now, I had literally starved myself at 1200 - 1500 calories a day, and now I am eating between 1800 and 2400 calories a day - this is scary stuff. It's a change that I'm really struggling with. I absolutely have placed my faith in Jo and trust her that I will acheive the results that I am looking for.
In the meantime, I have stopped weighing myself (it was part of my morning ritual to step on the scale, naked and after my hair was blown dry to ensure there was no extra water weight) and have actually taken the scale and put it away. I want to change, I want to see the physical changes as they appear and not be so focused on that "number".
Now if someone could only tell me how in the world do I resist going to McDonalds the second I wheel out of the parking lot after my workout I'll be set.
Change is HARD!
I can say with a great deal of pride that I have completed two (2) personal training sessions at Jo Dumont Fitness Training in addition to attending two circuit classes, an Amped class and one TRX Class. Had I started this blog earlier, I could have told you that I also attended a running class - but my blog would have contained a lot of expletives related to my experience in my 3 kilometer run/walk/crawl (also known as what the hell was I thinking?) Right now the success isn't in the completion of the class, but the fact that despite getting my ass kicked on regular basis I want to go back for more. (I will admit the jury is still out on the running class).
I am 37 years old, and at the time of my fitness test and measurements, I weighed 139.9 pounds, and had a fat percentage of 23%. While all of this is well into normal range and I know there are people out there that would kill to be that weight, there is such a mental block when it comes to looking at that number. Till now, I had literally starved myself at 1200 - 1500 calories a day, and now I am eating between 1800 and 2400 calories a day - this is scary stuff. It's a change that I'm really struggling with. I absolutely have placed my faith in Jo and trust her that I will acheive the results that I am looking for.
In the meantime, I have stopped weighing myself (it was part of my morning ritual to step on the scale, naked and after my hair was blown dry to ensure there was no extra water weight) and have actually taken the scale and put it away. I want to change, I want to see the physical changes as they appear and not be so focused on that "number".
Now if someone could only tell me how in the world do I resist going to McDonalds the second I wheel out of the parking lot after my workout I'll be set.
Friday, July 16, 2010
“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” - Epicurus
There are a few things I suppose that you should know about me and as I write, I'm sure that I will reveal alot about myself that words could not directly express. For today, we'll start with: I am an extremely type A personality and thanks to the wonders of Wikipedia, I can actually provide a definition of this for you:
Type A individuals can be described as impatient, time-conscious, controlling, concerned about their status, highly competitive, ambitious, business-like, aggressive, having difficulty relaxing. They are often high-achieving workaholics who multi-task, drive themselves with deadlines, and are unhappy about delays.
In short, I don't handle failure very well and I am ridiculously impatient (where are my abs anyway? I've been doing ab workouts for 4 days, shouldn't they have appeared by now?)
So why, after all this would I think it's time to put all my faith into a near stranger to help me with my health and fitness goals? It's easy, I have come to the realization that I can't do this on my own, that my way, simply isn't working. Change has to start sometime, right?
Today was a TRX workout, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1rkFLuGgRU - thanks Denver Fitness for this link). I was as clumsy as a teenage boy during a growth spurt I think I'm lucky that Amanda was there to keep me from hanging myself. I look forward to attempting this class again.
I have no scheduled classes for the weekend at JDFT, so I'll catch you all next week.
There are a few things I suppose that you should know about me and as I write, I'm sure that I will reveal alot about myself that words could not directly express. For today, we'll start with: I am an extremely type A personality and thanks to the wonders of Wikipedia, I can actually provide a definition of this for you:
Type A individuals can be described as impatient, time-conscious, controlling, concerned about their status, highly competitive, ambitious, business-like, aggressive, having difficulty relaxing. They are often high-achieving workaholics who multi-task, drive themselves with deadlines, and are unhappy about delays.
In short, I don't handle failure very well and I am ridiculously impatient (where are my abs anyway? I've been doing ab workouts for 4 days, shouldn't they have appeared by now?)
So why, after all this would I think it's time to put all my faith into a near stranger to help me with my health and fitness goals? It's easy, I have come to the realization that I can't do this on my own, that my way, simply isn't working. Change has to start sometime, right?
Today was a TRX workout, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1rkFLuGgRU - thanks Denver Fitness for this link). I was as clumsy as a teenage boy during a growth spurt I think I'm lucky that Amanda was there to keep me from hanging myself. I look forward to attempting this class again.
I have no scheduled classes for the weekend at JDFT, so I'll catch you all next week.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
"There is a certain relief in change, even though it be from bad to worse; as I have found in travelling in a stage-coach, that it is often a comfort to shift one's position and be bruised in a new place." - WASHINGTON IRVING, Tales of a Traveller
Whatever ambivalence you may have about signing up for a gym membership is quickly extinguished when you enter Jo Dumont Fitness Training. You enter the most unlikely of places expecting to see lines of treadmills, eliptical machines, free weights, weight machines, large men in tight shirts, muscles rippling.....okay that last part might have been for me....instead, you are greeted by a bright and delightful seven year-old girl bouncing across the room on an exercise ball (this girl is my idol by the way amazing core stability). Why can she bounce across the room you might wonder? It's simple - there is no equipment.
It's confusing and you may think you've walked into the wrong place. However, as Jo (of Jo Dumont Fitness Training) explains, the tenet is simple. "Let's make exercise easy to do and make it affordable."
JDFT is everything that your conventional gym is not. There is no equipment, no retainer or membership fees, no long commitment, and no egos. Infact, Jo has gone out of her way to make the fitness experience realistic for the working person, the single person, the single parent, the family. Want to go for a run? Need a sitter? Not at JDFT, they provide one for you. Want to go to the gym, but you have the kids? No problem, have them come and watch you and learn about the importance of being healthy and fit. Some of the nicest people I have met are at JDFT. It's easy to get to know them too, classes range from 3 - 8 people. If you are the only one, they will still work out with you.
Jo has agreed to take me on and be my personal trainer. I lack of lot of personal motivation and unless someone is all Jillian Michael's on my ass, I'm likely going to give up as soon as the new car smell is replaced by smelly feet. I look forward to the experience.
Check out Jo Dumont Fitness Training at http://www.jodumontfitnesstraining.com/.
Whatever ambivalence you may have about signing up for a gym membership is quickly extinguished when you enter Jo Dumont Fitness Training. You enter the most unlikely of places expecting to see lines of treadmills, eliptical machines, free weights, weight machines, large men in tight shirts, muscles rippling.....okay that last part might have been for me....instead, you are greeted by a bright and delightful seven year-old girl bouncing across the room on an exercise ball (this girl is my idol by the way amazing core stability). Why can she bounce across the room you might wonder? It's simple - there is no equipment.
It's confusing and you may think you've walked into the wrong place. However, as Jo (of Jo Dumont Fitness Training) explains, the tenet is simple. "Let's make exercise easy to do and make it affordable."
JDFT is everything that your conventional gym is not. There is no equipment, no retainer or membership fees, no long commitment, and no egos. Infact, Jo has gone out of her way to make the fitness experience realistic for the working person, the single person, the single parent, the family. Want to go for a run? Need a sitter? Not at JDFT, they provide one for you. Want to go to the gym, but you have the kids? No problem, have them come and watch you and learn about the importance of being healthy and fit. Some of the nicest people I have met are at JDFT. It's easy to get to know them too, classes range from 3 - 8 people. If you are the only one, they will still work out with you.
Jo has agreed to take me on and be my personal trainer. I lack of lot of personal motivation and unless someone is all Jillian Michael's on my ass, I'm likely going to give up as soon as the new car smell is replaced by smelly feet. I look forward to the experience.
Check out Jo Dumont Fitness Training at http://www.jodumontfitnesstraining.com/.
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