Day 3 and 4 down

I got my run in yesterday. I did wind up moving the upper body strength training to today (Saturday) which was my scheduled rest day, but so far so good. I'm feeling much more on track. I am still very frustrated with how poorly my running has been lately (as far as speed, HR, and effort). I am running, but not getting the same results I was. I am hoping I start making improvements again soon and can get back to where I was in September. I was expecting to be faster now, not slower - very frustrating. It is what it is though and I will just keep plugging along. I know how much progress I made last training cycle so I am sure that I will make improvements again. I just need to stick with the program. I have tons to do as usual. Still trying to juggle doing it all. Trying to take all these classes at an accelerated pace is taking its toll on me. I'll update tomorrow after my long run.

Day 2 check

Yay! Done with day 2. No problems. I didn't do a whole lot for ab work, but I did something. I did 4 sets of different crunches and a 30 second plank. I am sure I will feel it tomorrow though as I haven't done any ab work in months. I may find some videos to do for ab work. We'll see. Just want to be doing something. Ran 5 miles on the treadmill too.

Also, been having problems with my heart rate being really high when I run as well as really bad orthostatic hypotension. The last couple days have been better, but it was getting to where every time I stood up I'd have a major head rush and have to just stand there. I've always had problems with it, but it's been worse lately. I have a few ideas for culprits. One being me burning the candle at both ends. This school and lack of sleep I think is doing me in. First thing I'm doing is trying to more sleep. 5 hours a sleep is just not cutting it and 6 is not much better. Second problem which sort of relates to the first one, my coffee intake. I have been drinking tons of coffee lately. Maybe 2 pots a day lately. I bought the 50/50 coffee and going to try to work my way down on the coffee. I'm not giving up coffee altogether, but I do not need this much. Finally, picked up a multi-vitamin and seeing if that will help. Since we are gluten free in the house I think I may be getting deficient with my vitamins. Oh and trying to drink more water too. We'll see if that helps. Will update tomorrow for day 3.

Day 1 of 30 day challenge

Well, day 1 is done! I am feeling much more accomplished (other than this stupid microbiology class that wants to put trivia pursuit questions on their test instead of the material that was covered in the book, but anyhoo back to my good day). I got up this morning and first thing did a 10 minute upper body workout. Since I have not been doing any strength training lately I didn't want to do too much and two, my arms hurt pretty quickly. I did 2 sets of everything including 2 sets of 10 push ups. Don't know the right names for all the exercises, but feel good about it.

I also did a real easy 3 mile TM run, but I have a ton to do today so don't have time to do much more including much of a real blog post. I still have an exam to do for microbiology and a lab report I need to finish up and get done before midnight. So with that I will end this.

Time for another 30 Day challenge!

I've been sucking big time! Well, I've been kicking serious butt with school and knocking out classes. I've taken 9 credits worth of CLEP tests in 5 weeks. Plus I am 4 weeks through an 8 week accelerated microbiology class and pulling an A, BUT in the process my running has gone into the crapper and I have gained 3-4 lbs. NOT COOL! I am not big on making excuses so time to get myself refocused. So my 30 day challenges have worked for me in the past so I figure I'll do it again. Be looking for a blog post from me EVERY single day for the next 30 days. They may be short and stupid, but I will be blogging something. (I have not been not exercising or running at all, but I've been missing runs entirely too often and strength training was tossed out the window a long while back.)

So onto what I've decided to do for my challenge.

Monday, Wednesday, & Friday - (Should only take 15 minutes)upper body pick 5 exercises 4 using chest, biceps, triceps, shoulders, and a set of push ups. Do at least 2 sets of each for the first week and increasing to 3 sets (and increasing weight or reps as needed after that).

Thursday, Friday, & Sunday - (Should only take 15 minutes) 5 ab exercises including a set of planks. Starting planks with 30 second hold and we'll see where I get at the end.

Saturday - Walk day. 30-60 minute walk, just to be doing something.

And of course RUNNING - Running goal is real simple stick to coach's schedule. No deviations. Determined to get that back on track as well.

Oops and food goals too - only goal is no binging. I am pretty good with everything else diet wise, but had a few bad binges in the past few weeks. One of my biggest downfalls is I binging when I am stressed. I do much better with it than I used to, but still have episodes now and then.

I will post my starting stats and will reweigh & remeasure at the end of 30 days. I am also posting before and after pics. I wasn't going to post them here as this blog is a little more public to real life friends and family, but decided to go ahead and hope nobody laughs too hard at my belly flab. Yes, I've had 7 kids and um, not been able to get rid of all of that. I'm okay with that. Not expecting perfection.

(And for the record NO I do not think I am fat. This is me fat (for those that have never seen my fat pics -

Me at 213lbs)

I would like to lose the 3 or 4 lbs I gained, but my main goal is getting my fitness back on track. I'm actually pretty happy with my weight. I do want to track weight and measurements though for this just to see how much adding back in strength training makes a difference.)

Now onto the measurements.

weight - 130 lbs

arm -9 3/4 inches
chest @ underarm - 33 inches
chest @ braline - 30 inches
true waist - 27 1/2 inches
@ belly button - 30 inches
hips - 35 1/2 inches
thigh - 20 1/2 inches
calf 12 3/4 inches

(Not stepping on scale or remeasuring until end of 30 days. This should be interesting.)

and finally for the starting picture for this challenge. I apologize for the horrible lighting. My 10 year old daughter is the only one I can get to take pics of me and she didn't do a perfect job, but I figure it gives me a reference point for starting.

(SORRY TOOK OUT THE PICTURE didn't like it)

I'll be back later today to post how I did with day 1.