A New Year Approaches, Time for a New Approach?

So I have thought about my weight and overall health this week and my conclusions are not good.  I have a BMI of 30.  That is just awful (unless you are Shaq and no traditional body mass index could ever capture you!).  I read articles now about how BMI is antiquated and blah blah blah, but at the end of the day we need to have some sort of general measurement of which to go by.  Do with the results what you will.

So rather then focusing so much on my weight, I am going to focus on inches and see how that goes.  I did some body measuring the other day (horrific results).  So my goal is to lose some inches. 

What is my game plan you might ask.  Here are some changes: 

1. Drinking Carnation Instant Breakfast (hey it worked for me in high school and college, so I will try again)

2. Go to the gym and walk at least 3 times a week during my lunch break

3. Swim at least once a week

4. Restart P90X

5. Take long walks with my dogs (yes, even in the winter when its F!!!!ing cold)

Wish me luck and check in on me now and then!

Hot Chocolate 5k/15K

Hubby and I participated in the Hot Chocolate 5k/15K yesterday AM.  It was madness.  We stayed at the National Harbor for the weekend and we were so happy that we did.  We got their on Friday afternoon and no one knew where the expo was.  We finally found a post online that another participant had posted showing were the expo was.  We went and got our stuff and roamed around.  As far as an expo goes, I could give a C.  Yes there was a lot of stuff to buy, but since it was all one vendor there were not great prices.  Also I had to change my jacket to a Men's Large.  The jackets ran crazy small.  I got a hat in my bag, but my hubby did not.  No idea why.  Also upon checking, my hubby has a jacket from the Chigaco race.


Race day morning: we get up around 6:30 and eat and hydrate.  We leave our hotel at 7:45 to head to the start for the 15k which is supposed to start at 8am.  Ummm it was a LONG walk to the start.  We get there a few mins after 8 and the 5k hasn't even started yet.  Also on the walk over, we could see tons of traffic trying to get into the National Harbor, some people were jumping out of cars to get to the race on time.  We are sitting around waiting for the races to start and finally the 5k waves start.  As the last one is getting ready to start we decide to ditch the 15k and jump into the 5k. 

The 5K:
We start the race at a nice jog...for about 100 yards.  Then we are forced to walk as the course narrows and bottlenecks.  We felt like we were in rush hour traffic on the way to work.  We finally get past that area and start to jog only to once again be forced to walk due to the course narrowing.  We end up just walking the rest of the course.  After the finish line, you then have to hike it up a big ass hill to get your fondue and hot chocolate.  I gave my fondue ticket to a little kid but I did get my hot chocolate.  Then I had to walk a mile back to the hotel. 

NEVER AGAIN!


Here are some others people's opinions on the race: 

http://carlybananas.com/2011/12/04/hot-chocolate-5k-recap/

 http://dinedashdeadlift.com/2011/12/04/a-bad-day-running-beats-a-good-day-in-the-office/

 http://dcist.com/2011/12/hot_chocolate_15k_5k_race_called_ep.php

Also a petition someone started:
http://www.change.org/petitions/ram-racing-refund-runner-entry-fees-for-the-1232011-hot-chocolate-5k15k-in-dc

What a week!

Hubby and I have been working out this week!  We did P90X on Monday and Tuesday (look a break yesterday) and back at it tonight.

I went to the gym during lunch on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Tuesday I did 3.5 miles on the cybex (its like running but no impact and much better then the elliptical) and on Wednesday I did the bike for 30 mins.  My legs were pretty sore when I woke up on Wednesday, both from the previous day cardio as well as the P90X Legs and Back.  So biking was right up my ally. 

I'm not going to do cardio today at lunch b/c the workout tonight is a cardio one. 

I am tired but somehow full of energy...not sure how that works.  Once I get moving in the AM I'm good but getting me out of bed is a challenge. 

the past week

I have been doing pretty good this past week.  Hubby and I started P90X which has been amazing so far.  I am enjoying the workouts and I like that you can go at your own pace and modify the moves. 

I have also been to the gym a few times to do cardio.  I went one day after work last week and I went on Friday night to cardio it up.  I need to get ready for the 15K in December.  It is quickly approaching and I'm not sure what kind of shape I will be in for the race itself.  I know that I need to do more running but for whatever reason I just haven't been motivated to run. 

This week I will be going to the gym at lunch time to do cardio (walking, elliptical or bike) and doing P90X in the evenings.  We will see how this goes! 

I just had to get sick

Just when I'm getting into a routine, I get some nasty head cold.  Spent most of the weekend in bed or chilling on the coach while hubby took care of me. 

I hate when I have congestion and then it drips into my throat at makes it hurt too.  My head feels like a big balloon right now.

I'm at work today but just for half a day.  Gotta go home and rest up!

November is Cardio Month for Me

So I need a bit more structure (I really like having structure) just one of those people I guess. 

Since I have a race coming up in December, I am going to work really hard on my cardio this month.  I will always stretch and do ab work, but I really need to kick up the cardio. 

Today at the gym I tried a bunch of machines for 10 mins each.  Silly yes, but it keeps some variety and keeps me from getting bored.  Also since my right ankle sprain I have been very cautious about using it too much or doing too much impact. 

Here is what I did today.  I stretched and did ab work (total about 15 mins).  I then did the cybex for 10 mins, the evil thigh machine (don't know what its called) for 10 mins, the ice skating machine (again don't know the name so I made up my own) and then relaxed pace on the elliptical.  I stretched again and headed out of there. 

The race in December is a 15k so my goal is about 1:45-1:50. 

Running from Zombies is dangerous!

On Saturday, hubby a friend and myself participated in the first ever Run For Your Lives 5k in Baltimore.  It was amazing.  The race started in corals every 30 mins.  We missed our 10am start by about 2 hours, the parking and shuttle buses where a NIGHTMARE.  More on that later. 

We start the run and the first obstacle come into sight.  Its a crazy high hay bale climb.  Once you get over the top all you see below you are zombies!  After a mad dash past those zombies we hit the trail to continue on.  The next item we come to is a cargo net climb.  Beware of the zombies under the net, they bite!   More trail running and then pipe tunnels to go threw.  More trail and a big hill and a hay maze which was full of mud.  Heading down hill from there, I had already lost all my flags and would officially finish as a zombie....but some man behind me fell and slid into me knocking me down.  Hubby and friend and a few other nice runners waited with me until medics came for me.  I sent everyone on their way and got an nice pack and chilled near the finish line watching people finish the race.

The after race party was great.  There were a variety of bands playing and lots of food vendors and clothes and whatnot. 

Heading back to the car after the race, we got on a shuttle bus and got to the parking lot which was now a big mud pit.  Luckily hubby has 4wheel drive so we were ok but many others were stuck along the way.  All and all a great time and I will be back next year!

So its been 2 years

This month will be 2 years since the broken foot happened.

Here are some of the things I have been up to:

TNT fitness
swimming
using my spin bike at home
got lazy and stopped working out
Couch to 5k program
Ran the Shamrock half marathon in March 2011
got lazy and stopped working out
playing softball
training on and off for various events
got lazy and stopped working out
got my MBA
got my MRS (this is not a degree for those of you who might ask, I got married)

So basically I have gone in cycles of being into fitness, getting a minor injury and then not doing anything.  Needless to say I am not in great shape. 

I am now trying to eat better and work out on a regular basis.  Nothing wacky, just sensible and adding in activities as I get into better shape.

True Story

This is the true story (true story) of an injury that has plagued me for many years.  You may be like me in that you have had an injury that has sidelined you from the activities you love.  Trying to make a comeback sure is tough.  But I'm tough too.

Here is what happened to me.

I broke my foot in August of 2009.  I went to the ER that day, they did a sit down x-ray and said that it was just a sprain and would heal on its own in about 6 weeks.  I followed up with my primary care doctor 5 days later and had more sit down x-rays.  Same result.  Rested for 8 weeks.  Still in pain.

I finally go to an orthopedic doctor who has me stand up for the x-ray to put weight on my foot.  Guess who has a broken foot and needs surgery?  If you guessed me, you would be correct, it not...why are you reading this? 

So I have two screws put in my foot and am non weight baring on that foot for 2 months.  Great. 

View from the top, 10 days after having 2 screws put in my foot

Just had the stitches cut out, 10 days after surgery

After 2 months I start slowly using my foot more and more while wearing a lovely boot.  Finally after 3 months I get to go in for my second surgery and get the screws removed from my foot and another few months in the boo.

setting trends with stylish footwear

In the meantime this is happening:

heck no, I'm not going out there