New Blog

I am back, but not here.

With this new start, I needed a new start for a blog. I was so completely off base here, and It's no longer a challenge. It's now a new lifestyle.

So please join me at
http://www.lcmancini.blogspot.com/

Thank you all, and I can't wait to get back in touch.

How does your pony trot?

Mine's a little spastic, but I don't care. I'm up every day (almost - Thursday is a 9am class) at 5 am, and in the class by 5:30 working my butt off. Oh Yeah! That's me! The one who can't dance, and looks kind of funny no matter what we're doing.  I'm one of the few who don't do my make up or hair before I sweat. I don't need to have a style in my work out clothes, and I really don't care what I look like when I Zumba. Most importantly, I'm damn proud of what I'm doing, even if I look crazy.

I am doing great! I'm seeing results in the mirror. Oh, and I bought a pair of skinny jeans. Ok, so I have a little more to loose before I can REALLY show them off. However, I don't look horrible in them. YAY!!! So I may not be able to do the pony, but as long as my ass keeps looking better, I really don't care.

Motivation? or Sabotage?

While working out and eating right, what is your motivation? Is it coming from the right place? Is it really a motivation, or is sabotage?

My motivation sounds like this: I can do this. I deserve this. I've been working hard lately, and I need this. This is for me.

Sounds pretty good right? It would sound pretty good if it wasn't when I was eating ice cream, cookies, or fatty snacks. I have been talking myself into NOT loosing weight. Isn't that just the dumbest thing you've heard?

For the past 3 weeks, my neighbor and I have gotten up every day at 5am, and gone to the gym. We've tried all the classes offered, and have fallen in love with the variety. We have two cardio/stregnth classes a week, and 2 cardio classes. On Fridays, it's a fun class that teaches a different dance and mixes some cardio with toning. I should be dropping weight like none other.

However, during the past few weeks I find myself making more excuses for sabotage. The worst is that these excuses are the exact reasons why I work out. I should be rewarding myself with seeing my weight drop, not seeing me stuff my face.

Once again, I need refocus my willpower, and the direction of my brain. I love working out, but I need to start to love eating right.

Habits

Can you guys tell I'm trying to back into the habit of posting? It's a little hard. Getting out to run isn't hard, but it's half the battle. Being accountable is the hard thing. This blog keeps me accountable. I'm sorry I haven't replied on those blogs that I follow. It'll come soon, I promise.

Thanks for the comments of the few who have. You know they are more than needed!!!

I'm glad I'm running again.

I feel better about myself. I LOVE just listening to my music and not worrying about things, even if it's for an hour. Oh yeah, and my ass is already looking better!!!!

I'm definitely happier!!!

Back At It

A little over a month ago I said how excited I was about trying out my new exercise routine with my husband. We are now taking a break after three weeks to re-examine our decision. We started exercising at 5am together. We've been following a low calorie diet (to an extent) and following the exercise routine of Insanity. The question is; How do you like it?

I got this pic from here.

I like it fine. But I'm not overly thrilled. In fact, I'm not entirely happy with it at all. So why did I say that I like it fine? Well, I like getting up early, and I like sharing the time with my husband. Overall, he's getting active, and that's what is most important right now.

So why am I not entirely thrilled? Because I've gained 5lbs since I've stopped running. I'm not blaming that wholly on the exercise routine. Our eating habits have been OK. Not great, and I'm not surprised that I haven't lost any weight. But to gain 5 lbs when we've worked out everyday is definitely telling me that this exercise isn't solely what I need.

Also, If I'm getting my ass out of bed at 5AM, I'd better be seeing some results. So I'm not sure if we are going to quit. In fact, I think my husband and I are going to keep at Insanity, but you can be sure that I'm back to running. Besides, I LOVE getting my "ME" time, and I've sure missed it.

Early Morning

Today, I got up at 5am, and went to our new work out area. My wonderful husband asked me about a week ago if I'd start a program with him. He's in dire need of motivation, so we decided to start the Insanity 60 Day Program. We took a TV out to the garage, hooked up the DVD player, took the carpet off our deck and laid it out on the floor. He went out to buy a yoga mat so we both now have one. It's quite a nice little work out area.

Yep, it's one hard work out!!! And, we've only done the fit test! It was nice to have him out there with me. I'm a bit excited about this program, and I know it'll do us both a lot of good. It's also really nice to have someone pushing you.

I'm not giving up on my goal to run a marathon next year. In fact I think this program will be a great kick start here at the beginning of my training. I will have to fix and modify my training a bit. However, since this Insanity program as a basis of cardio, I will be able to focus on building up my endurance.

How's my eating been? (some may ask) Not too bad. I've added in all my soda again, which I'm not too thrilled about. I haven't lost weight, but I haven't gained either. I've got great habits set in place now. However, things will change again. I've made the decision that since starting this program, I won't be drinking alcohol or soda. And frankly, I'm done totally with it. I don't need to drink to have fun, and I hate the way I feel later if I end up having too much. We don't drink at home, only when we're out with friends, And it's not really that important to me any more. I feel good about this decision. In order to stop drinking Soda, on the other hand, is going to take A LOT of work!!!

New Revelations

Since starting my journey at the beginning of March, I just LOVE sharing what I know with those people closest to me. I'm not one who loves to preach, but I enjoy sharing my experiences to those who listen. I guess that's why I love blogging so much. We share in the journey to become healthier, and therefore we enjoy each other's stories.

Well, I think I've finally got through to my Wonderful Husband. He finally promised this weekend to start tracking what he's eating. I think he's finally gotten a little scared with his weight. We are using Spark People to track our food, and I've changed some things so that we can monitor his cholesterol, protein, carbs, and fats. He PROMISED me that he'd use it.

Well, I got a phone call just after lunch. He was positive it wasn't working properly. He said that there was NO WAY he could have eaten 1500 calories for lunch! I asked him what he had. Here's his list; 4 chicken strips with ranch, macaroni & cheese, and potatoes au' gratin. I had to laugh. I told him that he was LUCKY it was only 1500 calories, and he probably ate more like 2000.


So, I think today my Wonderful Husband had his first realization about how many calories he's actually eating. I just hope that it sticks with him, and helps him become healthier. It's much easier for a couple to become and stay healthy when they do it together.

What to Eat?

This post isn't about dieting. Yes I need and want to talk about food, but not about how to eat properly to lose weight. I need and want to talk about food as fuel.

I got this pic from here.

You all know that I'm at the beginning of training for a May Marathon. I've been searching  online about the proper diet THROUGHOUT my training. I've found sources talking about what to eat prior to the race, but not much about at continuous diet throughout the 30 weeks of training. Most importantly, what can I eat before (day before or day of) that will help me feel good with my runs?

With my past experience with racing (swimming, not distance running), it's important to get good healthy carbs the day before a long run. That makes good sense to me. But what about the other 6 days a week?

I know there is one very important ingredient to a healthy diet and good running diet that I've been missing. Its is....the water. Yep, I've been slacking. I've been slacking A LOT! I know I gotta get my water in and my hydration.

So now, I ask you. I have blog-befriended so many runners, and I really need your help. I need to eat for fuel. Will you please share what you eat to get the best run you possibly can? Any knowledge you are willing to share will definitely help me. Either post on your blog and share the link, or share in the comments. Thank you so much!!

Evening Run

I'm not sure if it was because of the time of day I was able to get out on the running path, or if it was because my two year old kept me up AGAIN ALL NIGHT (or what felt like all night). But it was very difficult for me to get out tonight. No matter how I felt, I was determined. I told myself, "No, I don't want to run tonight, I'm tired. But I have to." And that's how I feel. It doesn't matter how much I DON'T want to do it. It still has to be done.

I got this pic from here

Now that I'm home, stretched out. I'm damn proud of myself. I even held onto a decent pace, well-for me. The first mile SUCKED. I was in the sun, and I was still feeling exhausted. Mile two felt a little cleaner. I don't really know how else to explain it. I was still heavy footed, but just felt more at ease. Then came mile 3. NICE!!! Got my second wind. Started to stretch my stride a little. It was a great feeling to walk in the door after the way I felt when I left.

So, what time of day is your favorite? Do you like to start off the day with exercise? Or do you like to end the day getting all your energy out? I know I used to like ending the day exercising. I would stretch, shower, and fall asleep fast. Now it seems I've totally reversed. I feel more energised, and ready to do more after I run.