Stats Sunday...

So, I havent been very on top of keeping my fitness log active on my side bar: and to be honest, if I did it would be longer than the length of my site. So now, as I begin to ramp up my routines in order to train better for my big race, I have deciede to weekly log my workouts...and anything else that may be important to note from the week in terms of health and fitness! im doing this first off so i have a record...and second as i have had some interest.

So to start out, last week was a pretty up and down week. Starting the Elimination Diet left me feeling, well rather eliminated in the energy department. But I still got in some workouts. Diet was good...cheated with some wine, but otherwise stayed g-free and dairy free!

Workouts:
Monday- 60 minute Spin
Tuesday- Crossfit
Wednesday- 40 minute run
Thursday- Jog and Crossfit
Friday- 10k run. Logged fasted time since pre-T!
Saturday- 40 minute run
Sunday-day off

Not a BAD week for the lack of energy...but in all honesty, this week was pretty weak. Time to begin ramping things up, getting in the pool, and pounding the pavement to attain those longer distances!

Time for some R+R with the husband to rest up for a new week.

"Pain is weakness exiting the body."~unknown

Sometimes a bit of a routine is a nice thing.
Today our routine got back on track. Last week, despite our change in destination, Ryan still took the week off of work. With him being home, we didn't send Kai to school and just took the days one at a time...lots of relaxing; ironically though, not feeling too rested. That will come soon I hope. We played with the kids, did little things around the house...got in some great workouts and watched some movies (amazing... as this is something Ryan and I have not sat and done in A LONG TIME).
We forced ourselves to do...well not a whole lot of anything! The weather pretty much sucked, as we dreamt of sun and sand. We will get there...one day!

Today, Ryan went back to work...Kai back to school...and my Monday's with our Nanny commenced again as I did errands, work and great workout. I take advantage of Mondays as best I can.  I cram as much in as possible as it is a day that I have some hours sans kids to get it all done. You sure can move a lot faster when you aren't carting another one around...especially in the grocery store when there aren't other arms lifting things from the shelves as you pass by. Yes, sometimes its the little things ;)

Kai was so excited to go back to school today to see all of his friends. I am so happy he enjoys it so much. It makes it so much easier for everyone...and he comes home in a great mood. Bonus!

Now back to the grind. The phone is ringing again; schedules are being made...and goals are being set.

I am not one that's big on New Years Resolutions. In general, I eat healthy, exercise and enjoy my family and friends... I think these are goals that you often see. I read a stat the other day that something like 63% of New Years Resolutions have to do with weight loss and/or fitness. Don't quote me exactly as I misplaced the article...but it was a high number. The other high number, how quickly people gave up on there Resolutions.
Have you made some Resolutions?
Are they still going?

For me, I like setting goals. Such as a race. For each baby born I had a goal of a race to get back in shape...and I have finally decided on my race.
I registered for the Kona Half Ironman. I am stocked!

With a goal, I find that it is something exciting to look ahead to and plan towards. Of course there are off days...or even weeks; but looking at a grander picture keeps me from becoming discouraged and stopping.

If you exercised with a friend or group...maybe your results would be better? Maybe you may hold onto your goal a little tighter? For me, other people help to motivate and push me. A sense of camaraderie. It is a great way to set new bars for yourself. Just my suggestion ;)
If you are looking for a check in partner or group...maybe there is a place here to find it? Its scary to chart progress and god forbid numbers...but when you write them, and you actually watch your progress...well it kinda gets addicting!

I have had numerous people ask me over the past year or so what I do for workouts...and how I fit them in.  Maybe I will keep my "Activity Log" online so that it holds me accountable, and allows some questions to be answered. (For now it is in my side bar on main page- may re-locate when i have more time!)
By no means should you follow what I do. I exercise because I not only enjoy it (i know, crazy right!?), but I find a bit of sanity in my hour(s) as I get to take a breath and re-charge.

So, for all of you out there that set that New Years Resolution to workout/loose weight/get fit/tone, whatever....I challenge you to set a goal instead. Forget the number on the scale and work towards a goal...you will have fun doing it, meet new people possibly along the way, and come race day not only lost weight (if that's your goal) but have a medal to prove it ;) (so to speak)! It could be a 10k, a 5k...or even a goal of walking every Sunday...but moving and seeing progress will inspire you to keep going. I promise you!

Anyways, enough of my Monday ramble. I finally had some moments to check in and get some fingers to keypad.

Happy Monday!

"We either make ourselves miserable or we make ourselves strong. 

 The amount of work is the same."  

-Carlos Casteneda

"Far too often, our progress is limited by our minds, not by our bodies!"

-unknown

The Next Adventure...

With baby's imminent arrival upon us, I am beginning to think of the future a little and my next athletic endeavour.
I have been really missing a "normal" workout; and have been definitely missing my long runs! I cant wait for the day I can throw my running shoes on and pound some pavement!

Now I am trying to figure out what it is I would like to set me eyes on for this year. Aside from running a few marathons and halves, I am setting something bigger in my mind...all things baby going well.
I know that life with three is going to be DRASTICALLY different than the two, so in my plans I need to think logically. What can we as a family afford, not only financially but in time, to train for and accomplish.

I have two races in my heart... and not sure if either will fly quite yet; but here's to hoping, with a goal.

Hawaii 70.3 Ironman

or

TransRockies Solo3... I would love to do the partner 6 day- but I think that at this point, that would not only be selfish... but likely, my husband would divorce me after +1 week with 3 kids! The 3 days looks a little more "doable."

Has anyone done either of these with any words of wisdom or thoughts?!

Bring on the post natal fitness, baby, dreams and goals.

"Far too often, our progress is limited by our minds, not by our bodies!" ~ Unknown


New York Marathon 2008- Fitness Motivation Post Kai:

Oliver 70.3 half Ironman 2010- Fitness Motivation Post Si:

 

A Dream and a Goal...

Lately I have really been missing exercise. And by that I mean, exercise at a higher level then my hourly sessions at the gym while pregnant. I still get there to get a sweat going, and it really does make me feel better...but I am talking about a workout that consists of my heartrate not sky-rocketing to high levels by barely doing anything and ligaments that don't throb from stretching with every run step I take.

I am currently dreaming of long runs, bike rides and future races.
What will 2012 have in store for me? I am leaning towards packing my schedule with Marathons...and maybe a 70.3 Ironman or two. I am excited just thinking about it!

Wouldn't today be the PERFECT day for a long run! The sun is shining, the temperatures are warming...our city is beautiful. For now, I will be heading across the street for an elliptical workout, dreaming of the run I will be doing in another handful of months.

I had to stop running a few weeks ago. The weight of my stomach was beginning to make every stride more uncomfortable: the feeling of ligaments stretching really isn't a nice feeling. I have also been experiencing sciatic pain this time around...which doesn't bode all too well with running. And so, the elliptical has become a close friend...and the occasional bike.

My husband is out for a long bike ride right now. Jealous! When he gets back we are trading off... bike outdoors or elliptical inside. Which one would you choose: i know, the answer would normally be a given!
I have to admit, when physical fitness is such a big part of your life, it's hard to loose the ability to do something so quickly. Especially when the desire is still there. Pregnancy is an AMAZING thing. It is amazing what a women's body goes through and produces, it truly is. But "you" are still in there. And for me, the "you" is missing the things that were taken for granted prior. Walking upstairs without being out of breathe. Standing up without getting light-headed. Running and biking with my husband.
I think what adds to the "missing" feeling, is watching the people around me continue to do it all. It's me wishing and missing, and them not really understanding how hard it is to suddenly S-T-O-P doing something that makes me a part of who I am.

Anyways...enough feeling down on myself, as that is not my intention here. I am excited to get out to move, period...and then enjoy this day with our family.

Maybe a picnic at the beach is in order!


 Just Click on It!!

The unsightly side effects...

I am experiencing a side effect of pregnancy that I did not experience with my first two. A symptom that occurs in some, and a symptom I am not in any way a fan of. Venous pooling / varicose veins.
"Veins are the blood vessels that return blood from your extremities to your heart, so the blood in your leg veins is already working against gravity. When you're pregnant, the amount of blood in your body increases, adding to the burden on your veins. And your progesterone levels rise, causing the walls of your blood vessels to relax." ~babycenter.com

I find for me, they are the worst in the morning, after a night of lying still and sleeping. They progressively fade through the day as I am moving more...but never fully go away. I have done some reading, and for many they do disappear after pregnancy. And for some, they don't. I am hoping I am a lucky one!

Not only are the a bit unsightly, through the night or first thing in the morning, they can actually throb and hurt a bit. And throughout the day, my legs are definitely "heavy".

Apparently some ways to help prevent them are to exercise and refrain from being sedentary, sleep on your left side, and stay within the healthy weight range through pregnancy...all of which I do and am doing. I think if exercise and movement actually had a part in preventing them, I would have the most attractive vein-free legs you have ever seen, lol. I move daily. Through work, two kids and a gym workout I have no excuse not to! So, I am chalking it up to possibly " they tend to get worse with each successive pregnancy and as you get older."
Sure, why not!
Who knows, maybe its the way the baby is lying: the way I am carrying: or, just because!

Anyone had or have them through pregnancy? What was your secret? Did you find something that made them less or more prominent?

I am off to the store to make an investment...compression stockings for bedtime. Sexy I know. My husband is going to love me...

Have a little faith...

My domain whiletheyaresleeping.com is now officially up and running. I am so happy! It actually happened early this week, but this week has completely gotten away from me.

I had a bit of a rough time last week; between dealing with Sienna, dealing with the kids in general (!), and feeling down on myself, it was a hard one...
I was getting really frustrated on myself with regards to work. Trying to figure out how I was going to do it, and what I was going to do at all! And then it kind of just happened...as if the stars just aligned!? I had three opportunities come at me in one day...and another on Monday!
Isn't it weird how things like that happen? I find that I couldn't be stressing harder, worrying myself, and thinking so negatively...and then my hard work and patience (ya right) start to pay off, and in the course of a few days, I have a new listing, and a few other avenues that I will have more to say about soon! This week has been a crazy one...run of my feet with things to get done...and still a list 10 pages long to complete; but I am taking it as it comes, one step at a time. I guess the lesson being, have a little faith and keep on walking!

"Faith is one foot on the ground, one foot in the air, and a queasy feeling in the stomach." — Mother Angelica
"What saves a man is to take a step. Then another step." — C.S. Lewis

I have been trying to get here to write, but with best intentions at hand, there hasn't been enough time in the day (and in a little over a week, there will be even one less hour in our day)!!

I will be back to post again soon...but I will leave you with this to look forward to.  In honour of my domain going live, I will be having a giveaway soon. Let you know all the details and what it is...in the next post.

I am taking some time for me this morning...gotta log some miles on my feet. Time for some sanity :-)
Happy Thursday!

"To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone and a funnybone."
Reba McEntire

"fat day"

What is it about our society that makes so many feel so self-conscious, so inadequate?

I came across this article, actually posted on Facebook my Jillian Michaels, and it stuck with me.

I am definitely guilty of having "fat days," and really at the end of it all, it only makes me feel down about myself.

Power of positive thinking...no more fat days!

www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2025345,00.html?xid=rss-mostpopular