Already one month in to 2012.
I finally feel like I've gotten back on track workout-wise and *making* the time is once again starting to feel "normal" as opposed to being a chore.
I finished the Groundhog 10K in reasonably good time, actually 2 min faster than the last time I completed it in 2010. Considering the '10 run was 3 weeks after I completed the Disney Half, I'm pretty happy with my run this year.
I've set some goals for myself for the next couple of months. I am again planning to run the Heart and Sole 10K, the first week or so of May, and I intend to beat my best past time for that race as well.
My February focus needs to be on my eating. Although I am doing better, I always struggle in the winter and this year is no different.
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Saturday
One month of winter in the bag. Woohoo. I just might make it yet. After the last couple of years, I'll take the milder than usual weather.
After a shaky start (and despite being a bad blogger), I'm doing pretty well with my 100 day challenge. I'm not following a specific rotation, just trying to push myself using a variety of workouts. I am planning to run a half marathon later this year so my treadmill will continue to get a fair amount of use but I am trying change it up as much as I can.
After a shaky start (and despite being a bad blogger), I'm doing pretty well with my 100 day challenge. I'm not following a specific rotation, just trying to push myself using a variety of workouts. I am planning to run a half marathon later this year so my treadmill will continue to get a fair amount of use but I am trying change it up as much as I can.
Sunday, January 01, 2012
Happy New Year!
Today I start a new challenge. 100 days, 30 min a day of moving/exercising with purpose.
I started the new year with a run with my friend Deb. A local running club sponsors this run along some public trails that is basically come as you are, do as much or as little as you can. We managed 4 miles in about 50 min. 
My goal for the challenge is to get back to exercising consistently. My efforts have been pretty sporadic this past year and I really want to make a change. I have all of the tools and I have the time.
My goal for the challenge is to get back to exercising consistently. My efforts have been pretty sporadic this past year and I really want to make a change. I have all of the tools and I have the time.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Tuesday
I am definitely in recovery mode this week.
I did not particularly over indulge, but something (some combination of ?) - food, stress, lack of sleep, etc - left me feeling a little ick. Not sick precisely but not great.
Let's put it this way: at our family get together, none of the sweets were even remotely tempting. I had half a cookie and a couple of cinnamon red hot candies.
Most of the treats I got on Sunday are still shrink-wrapped and my plan is to leave them that way. I may regift a few of them on Friday at a party I'll be attending. (A "regifted gift" exchange is planned as part of the festitivities.)
My goals for this week involve organizing and cleaning up some old business at work and around the house so my new year truly is a fresh start.
Workouts: I have been sticking with lighter workouts so I can maintain some sort of routine. Short runs on the treadmills and that sort of thing. I won't be setting any personal records this week and that is just fine by me.
I did not particularly over indulge, but something (some combination of ?) - food, stress, lack of sleep, etc - left me feeling a little ick. Not sick precisely but not great.
Let's put it this way: at our family get together, none of the sweets were even remotely tempting. I had half a cookie and a couple of cinnamon red hot candies.
Most of the treats I got on Sunday are still shrink-wrapped and my plan is to leave them that way. I may regift a few of them on Friday at a party I'll be attending. (A "regifted gift" exchange is planned as part of the festitivities.)
My goals for this week involve organizing and cleaning up some old business at work and around the house so my new year truly is a fresh start.
Workouts: I have been sticking with lighter workouts so I can maintain some sort of routine. Short runs on the treadmills and that sort of thing. I won't be setting any personal records this week and that is just fine by me.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Happy Festivus!
I am heading out today to run a few errands and that is about it for me for Christmas. Tomorrow I will be fixing dinner for DH, my SIL and I(their family holiday tradition) before heading out to midnight mass. On Sunday we will be hanging out with my family in the afternoon.
I haven't done much in the way of decorating the house this year. I am not exactly sure why. I will probably haul out a few bits and pieces this afternoon so things look nice for tomorrow.
Workout wise, I had planned to run this morning but that will have to wait. The temperature dropped rather unexpectedly so I am not too excited about heading outside. I will like spend some quality time on the treadmill instead.
I haven't done much in the way of decorating the house this year. I am not exactly sure why. I will probably haul out a few bits and pieces this afternoon so things look nice for tomorrow.
Workout wise, I had planned to run this morning but that will have to wait. The temperature dropped rather unexpectedly so I am not too excited about heading outside. I will like spend some quality time on the treadmill instead.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Knitting Projects
Where I fail at blogging, I seem to have made up for in knitting projects this year. Here is a sample of what I have been making:
A Mobius Cowl because I'm a nerd like that. (It's actually a deep burgundy, not at all mauve.)
A Scarf that took way longer than it should have to complete. (Apparently counting to 2 is a problem for me.) 
This little Halloween set was a gift for my namesake. For some reason, this photo looks FINE on my computer but uploading it to Blogger causes it to rotate 180 degrees.
Self-Explanatory, I trust? You didn't think Adrian would allow me to make things for everyone else EXCEPT her now, did you? (I should post an "after" photo. It lasted all of about 20 min before she figured out how to unravel it and pull out the stuffing.)
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Hmm...
So apparently, I still suck at blogging.
I did get my posterior over to WW a couple of weeks ago to check out the new program. The latest update is an attempt to make the Points Plus program more flexible. Whatever. Here's the lowdown:
a) The basic program is still a reduced caloried diet. That has not changed. Last year, they did change the way Points are calculated to favor foods with fewer carbs and more protein and discouraged high fat or high sugar foods. Additionally, most fruits are now considered "Zero" Points along with vegetables.
The idea is that if you eat more fruits and vegetables, while eating less processed stuff, your Points will go further. This is further supplemented by the usual Good Health Guidelines to ensure members get enough servings of fruits and veggies, take a multivitamin, drink water and milk, etc.
b) Your daily Points target is determined by the same factors as before: age, height, weight, sex, normal activity levels, etc. Now, you have the option, presumably based on discussions with a meeting leader, to adjust your target +/-3 each day. There is a minimum (26, I think) that you should not go below to get enough nutrition.
Also, as before you have a "pool" of extra Points, the Weekly Points Allowance, you can use as needed over the course of the week. The idea is that you can use them any time during the week you need a little more flexibility. (In prior incarnations, your daily points target was a range instead of a single value.)
c) A key change, IMO, to the new program is that WW is being more proactive about helping new members to get started. In the past, new members were invited to stay for a 15-20 "orientation" session after their first meeting. Now, there are actually 3 sessions that cover the first 3 weeks. Each week has a different theme and these sessions will be rotating on a regular basis after each meeting.
Week 1 was PowerSpaces: evaluating and making changes to the "spaces" that affect your eating and exercise habits. Your kitchen is an obvious place to start but you should consider other "spaces" where you spend time like at work or in the car.
Week 2 was PowerChoices: this is about looking at what you eat and demonstrating how making better choices will help you reach your goal. For instance, if your normal lunch is a sandwich, how can you make it a better, more satisfying choice: substituting 100 calorie sandwich thins for regular bread, choosing mustard over mayonnaise, adding vegetables, etc.
Week 3 was PowerPlans: how to adapt the Plan to meet your goals each week despite challenges. For instance, if you plan to have dinner out with friends, think about what choices you can make to enjoy the evening without going off plan. Check 'net for restaurant menus and decide in advance what to order; plan to use the Weekly Points Allotment, etc.
eta - Each of the sessions for the first 3 weeks includes a suggested meal plan as well as tips for incorporating changes into your life.
d) Another change is an increased emphasis on being active. Activity Points have been a part of the program for a while and during the past few years, members have been encouraged to prepare for and complete 5K walks (or runs). Now, WW eTools includes an Activity Assessment that helps you set an Activity Goal and progress from there. It is still pretty basic but I think it makes a pretty good start for a beginner. (And there are now 3 Stephanie Huckabee-led WW workout DVDs!)
e) Last but not least (and sadly not all that relevant to moi), Lifetime members who weigh in w/in 2 lbs of their goal weight each month receive free access to eTools. (About flippin' time, imo.)
I did get my posterior over to WW a couple of weeks ago to check out the new program. The latest update is an attempt to make the Points Plus program more flexible. Whatever. Here's the lowdown:
a) The basic program is still a reduced caloried diet. That has not changed. Last year, they did change the way Points are calculated to favor foods with fewer carbs and more protein and discouraged high fat or high sugar foods. Additionally, most fruits are now considered "Zero" Points along with vegetables.
The idea is that if you eat more fruits and vegetables, while eating less processed stuff, your Points will go further. This is further supplemented by the usual Good Health Guidelines to ensure members get enough servings of fruits and veggies, take a multivitamin, drink water and milk, etc.
b) Your daily Points target is determined by the same factors as before: age, height, weight, sex, normal activity levels, etc. Now, you have the option, presumably based on discussions with a meeting leader, to adjust your target +/-3 each day. There is a minimum (26, I think) that you should not go below to get enough nutrition.
Also, as before you have a "pool" of extra Points, the Weekly Points Allowance, you can use as needed over the course of the week. The idea is that you can use them any time during the week you need a little more flexibility. (In prior incarnations, your daily points target was a range instead of a single value.)
c) A key change, IMO, to the new program is that WW is being more proactive about helping new members to get started. In the past, new members were invited to stay for a 15-20 "orientation" session after their first meeting. Now, there are actually 3 sessions that cover the first 3 weeks. Each week has a different theme and these sessions will be rotating on a regular basis after each meeting.
Week 1 was PowerSpaces: evaluating and making changes to the "spaces" that affect your eating and exercise habits. Your kitchen is an obvious place to start but you should consider other "spaces" where you spend time like at work or in the car.
Week 2 was PowerChoices: this is about looking at what you eat and demonstrating how making better choices will help you reach your goal. For instance, if your normal lunch is a sandwich, how can you make it a better, more satisfying choice: substituting 100 calorie sandwich thins for regular bread, choosing mustard over mayonnaise, adding vegetables, etc.
Week 3 was PowerPlans: how to adapt the Plan to meet your goals each week despite challenges. For instance, if you plan to have dinner out with friends, think about what choices you can make to enjoy the evening without going off plan. Check 'net for restaurant menus and decide in advance what to order; plan to use the Weekly Points Allotment, etc.
eta - Each of the sessions for the first 3 weeks includes a suggested meal plan as well as tips for incorporating changes into your life.
d) Another change is an increased emphasis on being active. Activity Points have been a part of the program for a while and during the past few years, members have been encouraged to prepare for and complete 5K walks (or runs). Now, WW eTools includes an Activity Assessment that helps you set an Activity Goal and progress from there. It is still pretty basic but I think it makes a pretty good start for a beginner. (And there are now 3 Stephanie Huckabee-led WW workout DVDs!)
e) Last but not least (and sadly not all that relevant to moi), Lifetime members who weigh in w/in 2 lbs of their goal weight each month receive free access to eTools. (About flippin' time, imo.)
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