Whole Life Challenge Recap

I made it through the eight weeks!  That in itself was a huge accomplishment!  I really wasn't going to do it.  I don't like paying money for things that I might think sound good, but know I won't be able to successfully complete.  After learning about the bonus points in the WLC, I realized it was something I could do.  Not only did I finish, but I was successful!  I used many of my bonus points, but not all of them.  I used them on my birthday, and on Bill's birthday.  We enjoyed every minute of those "cheats", and then jumped right back on track.

I lost 20 pounds!!  The last two weeks, my weight loss had dramatically slowed but still continued.  I decided to not worry about it, but to just focus on my goal of hitting 20 pounds.  I hit it with a few days to spare.  Now 20 pounds wasn't my initial goal.  Initially I'd thought I'd be happy with 10 pounds, 15 would've made me very happy.  But I blew through both of those and decided to try to hit 20.  And at the final weigh in, I'd also lost 9.25 total inches!  What?!  Crazy huh?!

It was great to see that I could do it and the kids would survive.  They didn't love all of the "meat" dinners I was making all of the time, but after awhile they didn't really notice as much either.  They still got the occasional pasta dinner or pizza.  We just ate something else that night.

In the weeks since, I've kept off all but 2-3 pounds.  It is the holidays, so I will work to keep my weekdays as pure as possible while leaving the cheats to parties.  I've really enjoyed seeing the results that eating this way as afforded me.  There are many facets that won't change.  I now don't need milk in my coffee.  While in Connecticut last week I ordered a cappuccino and felt like I was really cheating, but in reality it was fine.  I have to have a balance while remembering to keep the good outweighing the bad.  I'm definitely signing up for the next challenge that starts soon!  I'll keep you posted.

Killer WOD

So yesterday I went to get my normal Thursday WOD in.  I keep thinking with this clean diet, my workouts are going to feel easier.  I guess I'm wrong, they are always going to kick my butt.  I don't mind a tough workout, but I am tired of feeling like I'm going to keel over mid way through my workout.    Our workout was:

5 rounds for time of:

15 box jumps
12 toes to bar
9 thrusters (65#)

It seemed like one of the workouts I would've liked.  I've always liked every one of those movements.  So I figured 5 rounds would be tough, but I would do good.  Turns out I was wrong.  I did fine the first round.  By round two my heart was already beating way too fast.  By the third round I felt like I was barely moving.  I had to break each movement in half, which was fine, but I took way too much time trying to catch my breath.  I'm sick of breathing being my issue.  I think once I get this diet thing down comfortably I need to work on cardio stuff.  Not running at my usual pace, but maybe some sprints or something.  I wish there would come a time where I'm just satisfied with where I'm at and not have the next major thing to work on.

The silver lining was that I completed the WOD.  I almost threw up about 45 minutes later, but I didn't so I guess the day was a success.

Walking

It seems that I've lost my running mojo.  I had not run for a few months, deciding to focus on crossfit.  Then I realized my crossfit was suffering without my running.  So I dropped back down to two days a week and was going to start running.  But it was too dang hot.  So I've been on the treadmill.  And have found, I don't like running on the treadmill.  But I do like walking.  So rather than get frustrated, I'm walking more often.  I am aiming for 3-4 miles every day.  Today I am cleaning the house.  But I committed to walk my 3 miles.  So I cleaned until 10:00, then hopped on and did my 3 miles.  Now I'll go stretch and then finish up my cleaning.

I'm finding following the diet to be a bit easier than I thought it would be.  I am still eating too many unfavorable foods, but it's a 100% improvement from where I was.  I've been sauteing 1/2 a banana in coconut oil and topping it with cinnamon and a teeny bit of nutella.  It is the best!!!  I know I've got to keep it as a once in awhile treat instead of a daily treat though.  I'm also eating too many yams.  I've been having a whole one every day.  Half at lunch and half at dinner.  I shouldn't be eating them at all, but they are really good plus very filling.  I've been so hungry that I'm trying to find ways to be satisfied.  Now that I've had a few days of satisfaction, it's time to buckle back down and get to work.

Fail

Well so much for daily blogging.  I was in San Diego when I decided this would be a good idea.  The problem came when I watched three water polo games and then had to drive home on Saturday.  That day was out completely.  The idea of taking 10 minutes to slow down and reflect though hasn't been lost.

I had plenty of time while driving to reflect.  It wasn't exactly meditation, but it was time to myself to reflect.  Stephen was in the backseat doing homework so I didn't have music on or conversation.  I do like the idea of taking 10 minutes for myself everyday.  Sometimes I feel so guilty if I'm not doing something at all times.  It's good to remember that taking a few minutes every day is just as important.

I have also figured out it's not going to work to try to take that time while the family is home.  It seems any time I'm busy, everyone is fine.  But as soon as I want to take a minute for something quiet, everyone needs something.  So rather than try to fight it, I'm going to take the time during the day while everyone is at school or work to find my time.

I'm off to crossfit in a few minutes so I better go unload the groceries.  But I have enjoyed my few minutes of quiet.

Whole Life Challenge

Yes it's been too long since I've blogged anything.  I haven't been very motivated to run and feel like I can't blog if I haven't been running.  It's not like I've been lying around on the sofa, eating bon bons.  I have been going to crossfit 2-3 times a week.  I've also been hitting the treadmill all of the other days.  But I am not signed up for any races.  I felt like when I run races, I have to train and I don't have the time to train while doing crossfit.  So I decided to take a year without signing up for any races, and run just for enjoyment.  That was good in theory, but with the heat, I have found no enjoyment.  So I've been just walking on the treadmill.  It's not the end of the world, but I know it's done a number on my endurance to have taken off so much time from running.  Wednesday I did my first run on the streets in months.  I only went 3.5 miles and I felt like it was the worst run of my life.  I'm used to going out for a run, and running the whole time.  I am not super fast, but I never feel the need to walk.  Well Wednesday, I walked...often.  I felt like a failure.  But the weird this is, when I was done, my time wasn't all that awful.  It just reminds me that I need to be consistent.

This week the Whole Life Challenge that I'm doing through crossfit has challenged each of us to take 10 minutes every day to contemplate. Whether it's through meditation, journaling or whatever it's about being mindful.  So I've decided to blog this week.  It may not be about running, but it will be my thoughts about the day.  It's funny because I thought my thoughts were going to go in a completely different direction today, but once I started typing here I am.

It's been one week since the WLC started.  I didn't think I'd be able to do the diet portion of the challenge.  But I've surprised myself and have been fine with the diet.  I have only lost one point and it was a conscience decision.  I had a tri tip that I'd marinated before the challenge.  I didn't want to waste it, so I ate it and subtracted the point for the marinade.  It's definitely interesting to stop and think about how all foods are prepared.  I'm learning a lot and am glad I signed up for the challenge.

Crossfit Family

Today was my son's fourth crossfit class.  It's official that he can now beat me at most any WOD.  I knew the day would come quickly, but I thought I'd get at least two weeks on him.  This was his second time beating me, so I guess he's got me.  That doesn't mean I'm going to stop trying though!

Today we did:   dumbbell thrusters (men 35#, women 20#)
                          box jumps (men 24", women 20")
                          ab mat sit ups
21-15-9

He finished in 5:30, I finished in 6:33.  Not bad for me and really good for him.  His water polo coach was there too so I'm sure that was a good incentive for him to go faster.  Chris finished in some crazy fast time, oh yeah 4:57.  So he pushed Stephen and Stephen pushed me.  I guess that's the way it's supposed to work.

I have to say I'm loving going with my son.  It gives us something to talk about as well as things to work on together.  I hope soon hubby will join us.

Top Ten Running Songs

Here's my top ten on my running playlist.  I need new ideas...

#1- Sweet Caroline by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
#2- I Want You To by Weezer
#3- The Rock Show by Blink 182
#4- Young Blood by The Naked and Famous
#5- Jolene by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
#6- Bleed American by Jimmy Eat World
#7- Hey Ya! by OutKast
#8- Jump by FloRida
#9- Young, Wild & Free by Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa
#10- Untouched by The Veronicas

I'd love to see some other top 10 lists.  I know some people don't listen to music or listen to podcasts.  I need my music loud and fast.