Day 34 to Day 43 Brings me to Feb 25, 2014 (getting close to halfway)

Day 34 to Day 43 Brings me to Feb 25, 2014 (getting close to halfway)


It's been 10 days since my last blog ;o

I have been fighting a cold and feeling like I'm losing the battle. It has sucked my energy but somehow I've managed to stick with my hour of exercise, although sometimes it is an hour of restorative yoga. Even this has been a learning experience. I am often surprised how horrible I feel in the morning and after dragging myself to the gym how much better I feel even if its just an hour of walking. I would love to have some spring weather to look forward to, but even the brighter mornings are helping. I am so glad that my routine is firmly established and that I have a workout partner, otherwise there would have been several mornings that I would not have made it to the gym. I'm also surprised that on a day I wouldn't normally go to the gym because of my cold, how often I can actually get a decent workout in. Not always, but most days are fairly productive. I think working out with a cold is OK, but if I was throwing up I don't think I could work out. So I haven't been feeling quite that bad. I would say I have a nasty cold, but not a flu.

I also eat more when I have a bad cold. I know that sounds weird, but frozen yogurt makes me feel better, so does chips and pop. Not exactly quality nutrition. My defences are down when I am not feeling 100% so I have to be careful.

On the upside, the gym has some new equipment in. This has freed up some of my favorite exercise machines (the elliptical) and today I walk/run on one of the new treadmills. The only thing I don't like is that the treadmills look out the window, and not towards the TV. I will have to download some magazines onto my ipad for reading. I have been using an app called "full fitness" at the gym at it has great application for weightlifting, programs and stretches.

This blog is just for my own personal reflection on this journey and to track my progress through my challenge, so I am surprised that I have so many viewers, but seriously if I can do it, you can do it too!

I have a couple of things that I do for gym cardio that might work for you too:

Cycling: I go to youtube, and download "spin class" and do the GCN spin class here is a 60 minute version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFbjsRvjF-A

I also used "yoga studio" an iphone/ipad app on my phone, when I just couldn't drag myself to the gym, it has great yoga from 10 minutes to 60 minutes. Be aware that there is no "beginner" 60 minute yoga, so I did the intermediate yoga, and it is harder than it looks!

I also did a 60 minutes of zumba one day, and did 50 minutes from one video, and 10 minutes of another called "latin dance"

Cold weekend blues Feb 08-11 Sat, Sun, Mon, Tues days 26/27/28/29 of a 100

Cold weekend blues Feb 08-11 Sat, Sun, Mon, Tues days 26/27/28/29 of a 100

I don't know where day 5 blog went, its a long way back and I spent time on writing it but it got lost in South Carolina. But we are in the cold cold north. Not regular cold, -33 cold, like can't breath outside without a bula cold. And that is centigrade not Fahrenheit. So that is like -to damn cold in Fahrenheit . I saw runners out there (disbelief) and they didn't look to happy. As a singer I don't run in -15 it makes my throat raw and I end up with a cough and can't sing.

Over one quarter of my challenge. It is working into a habit which is a relief. I am going to re blog day five which didn't make it out there but goes over my reasoning for the challenge, and talk a bit about my running which deserves some mention.

Why a 100 day challenge, and why an hour every day? Before the challenge I was signed up for courses and running sporadically. I thought I was running more, but according to my Nike app I was not. So I wanted CONSISTENCY which I was lacking. Also my schedule can be a bit wonky some days I work all day and then go for stretches at home, and because I am in the entertainment industry I also work weekends, which are times for long runs but the two often conflicted, I couldn't always make my classes because I travel to Edmonton and Jasper. So I wanted to ELIMINATE THE EXCUSES. I figured if I really tried I could fit in exercise every day. Also I have a fairly sedentary lifestyle, other than my hour of exercise I mainly sit and create. I also struggle with depression, and I believe I need to treat it to beat it, so every day exercise is important in MAINTAINING SELF CARE for myself.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/depression-and-exercise/art-20046495

I am also "pre-diabetic" so I need exercise to help COMBAT BECOMING DIABETIC and relying on insulin. I also overweight, and wanted consistent exercise to help me with my WEIGHT LOSS goal plan. I also WANTED TO BE STRONGER so I have added weight training into my regimen. I also wanted exercise to be a habit and not be a struggle, or something I do occasionally. I want to have MORE ENERGY throughout my day. I have and always will be a busy person, and I want to make sure that moving forward that I can at least say I am now giving it my best shot at leading a healthy active lifestyle and that will help me as I age. My ultimate goal is to be able to wear anything I want without being self conscious, indulge in treats occasionally without guilt, and to be able to do any physical challenge I want without worry.

So I am well into my challenge over 25%. What have I noticed so far?

• I am more energetic after a workout
• I appreciate naps
• I am exhausted in the evenings
• I have to eat better all the time
• I have cut down on drinking alchohol
• my mileage for running is way up (Nov 8.49 km/Dec 5.19 km/Jan 52.4 km)
• I am running stronger, I don't feel "exhausted after a 1/2 hour"
• I am feeling more confident, therefore I am happier
• I am having a harder time sleeping in
• I am more energetic throughout the day
• I am drinking way more water and coffee
• I am enjoying the company of my workout partner
• I am inspired by the people around me
• I am grateful for my body for allowing me to do this

Running this weekend: I hate the treadmill, I can only run a max of 1 hour and that is what I did Saturday , I tried the track at Whitecourt on Sunday, it wasn't much better. Those are the options I have right now, so I am glad that I do have options, I just love the outdoors so much, and miss the scenery, fresh air, sunlight, and company of my dog skip. I have no idea what my running strategy is this weekend. I just hope it warms up a bit.

In between Christmas and New Year's

This is my time to reflect on the good and the bad from 2009 and resolve to do better in 2010.

Good:

• Mackenzie is happier this year, I think the move to a new school was a really good one. She got a major role in the play and she was student of the month in October.
• Tristen is still doing good in School, and made the "B" teams in both Volleyball and Basketball. He also got to go with the school Golf to Jasper and placed well.
• We started family meetings, family outings, and are generally communicating better.
• Both kids had entries in YRAF and placed well.
• Bryan is still doing well in the same job.
• We got the new dog Skip trained.
• I started refining my piano skills
• Had alot of opportunities for my Arts and Crafts, mainly beading
• Did alot of scrapbooking, learned alot of new techniques generally updated myself
• made some great new friends this year
• took less students for voice, but started my fun performance group again
• started a music festival
• Joined the community Chior
• Started Bella Duetta with Diana

Bad:

• Suffered a major injury that will move me into the new year for recovery
• Didn't get all my Christmas cards out and was generally disorganized at year-end
• Was forgetful with my friends and family's birthdays, holidays etc.
• spent more than I made
• applied for a job that I really wanted and didn't get
• was a little "blue" this year, almost in depression after my injury
• gained weight and didn't exercise or eat as well as I could have
• took my Husband for granted
• cut my hair
• Quartet split up
• lost touch with some great friends from my past

There is more for each column but that's what stands out.

So my bad column is what I focus on for resolutions. I divide my resolutions into 4 areas:

• Physical/Mental/Spiritual/Emotional

1. Physical: Try to make it to the gym 4x a week. Follow my physical therapy program. Try using a menu plan. Walk the dog. Try to find people to work out with.
2. Mental: Well I had planned on taking a new grade for my piano, but considering that I am going to be physically unable I will have to pick something else to upgrade. I think I am going to pick "finishing my drum songs" as this has to completed anyway. Upgrade my resume and apply for jobs for the experience. Take music courses in Edmonton.
3. Spiritual: We have made some friends at the Baptist Church and don't appear like heathens when we are there. Some people are starting to recognise us and we feel like we are at home there. I commit to 2 sundays a month. Start reading the bible (Again).
4. Emotional: Strengthen my family commitment. Make a birthday calendar and holiday calendar and make my cards up early and send them out on time. Thank people with a card for presents etc. I have alot to be thankful for. Start a beading guild. Do coffee dates at least 3x a week with friends I want to spend more time with. Re-establish connections with old friends via letters, facebook, blog, personal visits.

I have to refine my list but for now this is my resolutions (so far) for 2010.