Is one ever really ready to go back to reality?!?

Today was my first day with students. I am exhausted!! I am always tired after the first day of school and today was no exception. The last few days have reminded me it is still in fact, summer.  Summer has come back with vengeance and as luck would have it the air conditioning in my classroom is nonexistent.

I worked hard this week to get my class ready for today. Ready or not, today was the day.  I talked and talked and walked the room all in a dress. Did I mention it was a thousand degrees in my classroom today?!?!

Oh, yeah, I got my groove going! I have crossed off every day on my training plan this week. Today I made a last minute switch simply because I had already spent most of the day uncomfortably hot I chose to switch my run day to tomorrow. Four days may not seem like a lot but after Sunday’s dismal attempt at a run I needed to get going.

After the day I had it could have been very easy to just take a nap. I wanted to take a nap! The husband took the kid to karate so I could stay home and take a nap. But I got up and found a few Exercise TV workouts… Jillian Michaels’ No More Trouble Zones and Back to Bollywood. I learned today that I really do not like Jillian AND I really really am uncoordinated.

Work and working out!

I can do both and I can do them well!!

BUT…

work and working out and family and cooking and cleaning (Big Man does a lot of this but I still have chores and we take turns with the cooking)leaves less time for having a life (which totally means facebooking and twittering with my friends) and blogging. AND did  mention sleep?!?!

I will blog when I can but I make no promises.

Please, hang with me!  Since I can hit & run, I will update my facebook and dailymile page every day…so please follow me either place.

MUCH LOVE to ALL my friends!

]]> http://www.jeninreallife.com/2010/09/02/back2school-2010/feed/ 2 http://www.jeninreallife.com/2010/08/31/new-attitude-new-game-plan/ http://www.jeninreallife.com/2010/08/31/new-attitude-new-game-plan/#comments Tue, 31 Aug 2010 09:34:41 +0000 jen http://www.jeninreallife.com/?p=1428

A bad run will not derail me. A summer of heat and humidity and too many excuses will not derail me. I WILL NOT DERAIL ME!  People, I have a horrible habit of getting all self-defeatist and throwing in the towel the second something is too hard or hurts too much. I admit after yesterday’s running fiasco I was ready to quit. I was sure there was no way I could ever do this whole half marathon thing….and this is precisely the reason I set this goal for myself in the first dang-on place.

I did what a blogger does and I blogged it out! ALL the crappy feelings I had were poured out onto these pages. THANKS for all the wonderful comments from my friends. I came from work and I really did feel the love and support reaching me from the far stretches of Florida, Belgium, Minneapolis and beyond!

Even though I was feeling NOT AWESOME on Sunday, I was able to look ahead and start a “new” plan. I printed out blank calendars for September and October (side note: how the heck is it already September?!?!) and I got out my teacher tools…better know as Sharpies of many colors…and I went to town. I planned out my run days and even the mileage I am aiming for each run day.  I am also redoing week 2 of the hundred pushups challenge and using exercise TV (or my own workout dvds) on certain days.  I planned my training plan and I hope I am prepared for my half marathon. More than that, though, I hope I am ready to really & truly incorporate workouts in my real life.  I posted my plan on my front freezer which I see as soon as I walk in my front door. I see it quite frequently…do you have any idea how often a puppy needs to go out?!?! AND, even better, everyone can see my schedule/plan!

No Plan is perfect!

~~>I have already encountered a couple of problem in my plan.

Problem #1: I did not factor Lucy into the equation. Today for instance, I planned on following a pilates workout using Exercise TV On-Demand but it only took me two minutes to realize I could not concentrate on my breathing while fighting off a crazy puppy.

Solution: I searched online and found this to get me through tonight. I locked myself in my room and did my own thing.  While Lucy is still a pain in the ass puppy, I will have to be creative with workouts. Now that I am back in school, I can workout after school in my classroom using dvds (I just have to be prepared) or I can workout using certain dvds (ones that are me standing mostly, no floor work and not too much jumping around) when I get home.

*problem #2: I hate getting up in the mornings and jumping out of bed to workout. I fail at this every time I attempt it.

Solution:  STOP! I don’t have to wake up at 5:30 (I do however LOVE seeing my wake up text when I do manage to drag by butt out of bed). I CAN wake up at 6, let Lucy out, pee & stretch while she is out, start the coffee, strap on sneakers and walk Lucy. I should have enough time for a shower before I wake the kid and husband up at 7 .  I should be ready to walk out of the house by 7:50 and be at work by 8..oh yeah, that would work!!

And Now, I leave you with cuteness (but don’t be fooled, they are both terrors)!!

Thanks for always having my back!

I set out this morning to run 6 miles. I found the perfect place and I mapped out a 1-mile loop. I was up with the alarm at 7 and I never get up with the alarm…I always stay in bed for at least “5 more minutes, ma!” I had a bag on the dining table with my clothes, socks and sneakers and all my running stuff (I have a little blue bag that holds my iPod, ear buds, BodyGlide, GYMBOSS, and now sports beans) last night. I let the puppy out and managed to get her back in bed with Big Man and me out of the bedroom without her causing a ruckus.

I got dressed, grabbed a banana and filled my water bottles and I was out. I drove to my spot and that’s when the need for a bathroom hit me. I was quite happy I hadn’t already started running.  I drove to my mom’s since she lives in same town as my spot. A detour. No biggie. I was excited for today’s run.  I went back to my spot and started my run.  I knew withing the first five minutes I was in trouble. My pants would not stay up – I wore my Thriv pants, my own fault…I should have worn my black spandex shorts – I swear I have issue with pants rolling down off my belly and not wanting to stay up. I really hate pulling up my pants when I am working out but I have yet to find the perfect pant for such needs…except, my non-flattering spandex shorts, which stay put in both the waist and the leg.

Oh boy, do I ramble.

So wardrobe malfunction.

But I kept going, tugging at the pants the whole time.  I never got in to any sort of rhythm, then my knee started hurting. My knee hasn’t bothered me in a while so I was sort of caught off guard. I kept going for a bit but I didn’t last. By the end of the second mile I was done. I didn’t want to push it.

I got back in my car and I cried. I felt like such a failure.  I texted a friend and to my surprise she was awake and texted back.  Thanks Mo for reminding me of the good stuff.

I have heard that running is mostly mental. I felt totally mental, sitting in my car crying my eyes out because I only completed 2 of the 6 miles I had set out to do.  My knee was sore – a bit tight feeling and my feet.  My head was full of self doubt – who am I kidding? I can’t do this? and other similar thoughts all ran through my head. Mo told me we were in this together and we would get through this “crisis.” side note: I have the best friends ever!

After talking (read: texting) back and forth, Mo thinks I am not stretching enough. She would be right since I hardly stretch. My training has been just the minimum. I have not given my all to this. I sort of know why after today’s episode…if this is all mental I have to believe in myself and just do it. No over thinking it, just doing it. When I wanted to go to college with a baby as a single mom, I had to just do it. I had to throw myself into my projects (each one as they came up).  When I met Big Man he was used to me going and doing my own thing and he had always (always had and always will) encouraged me but somehow being home with my tripod this summer has been my excuse. I have sabotaged myself and today I finally realized it.

A new week is upon me! I have fewer and fewer weeks before the half marathon but I vow this week to not sabotage myself. I vow to follow my training schedule for this week. I will also make sure to spend a few minutes every day for stretching! The Doctor has ordered it!

I may not be awesome right now, one cannot be awesome when one is self-sabotaging, BUT I am NOT giving up. I just have to step up my game. Basically, I have to shut up and run or shut up and train, as it is. This shall be hard….I am not good at shutting up!

Monday = Back to Reality!

Planning has been the budget-life saver of the summer.

As part of my money-stretching strategy, I have been spending extra time in the kitchen preparing foods for the freezer. I have been using local produce (some even out of my own garden) and local produce = cheap! Prior to my last paycheck in July, we went to a local butcher shop where they have great deals on great quality meat. We stocked up the freezer and pantry (followed sales for dry good and canned goods). I have enough pasta and rice to alternate with potatoes for side dishes and meat to make any-type of meal and already-made-by-me meals that I only need to go to the stores for fresh produce.

I must plan carefully to use what I have and not let anything go to waste. I must plan so that what we have stretches to the next paycheck. This summer was financially rough but we made it WITHOUT using credit cards. I owe a lot of that to planning meals.

This week I go back to school. Wednesday is my first official day, my students come back on Thursday and my daughter starts next Tuesday.  I am actually going to school tomorrow to get some work done before Wednesday.

Back to it!

This week the menu will be super helpful in keeping me sane. I have to actually go to work this week. Plus there are still 3 nights of karate for the kid and a puppy and a big man and and and…ya’ll know the list never ends!

On the Menu:

Sunday: Chorizo/Beef Burgers topped with avocado. Tuna mac and corn on the cob will complete the meal.

Monday: Pork, Potatoes & Cabbage all in one pot

Tuesday: Breakfast for Dinner. A family favorite. I will use the remaining chorizo (I won’t use the whole link of chorizo for the burgers) to make a hash with potatoes and crack a couple eggs right on top.

Wednesday: Barley Stew (a freezer meal).

Thursday: Shrimp & Broccoli over Linguini

Friday: Steak Night with potatoes, green veg and side salad.

8.29.2010

My picture of the week! I am not holding a sign because my shirt is my sign…

In case you can’t read what my shirt says:

Today I had to wear this shirt because I am not feelin’ it!! This shirt is sort of like my superhero cape!!

Goals from now until December:

1. Make working out a habit.
2. Run/walk 3 times each week and strength train 3 times each week.
3. Complete a half marathon.
4. Try one new good thing (whether it be food, recipe, workout, etc.) each week.

I started this week feeling super positive and ready to take on the world. I did not end as strong. I was saddled a few days with a serious headache and it is still lingering. I ran twice and did one day of pushups. I will work much harder on my workouts this week. I DID try a new workout this week. I tried a bellydance class on Exercise TV on my cable’s On-Demand. It was fun and I think I will be trying more of the on-demand workouts!

ONE brag for the week: I made my own chicken stock!

ONE thing to improve upon for next week: This week I return to school. I don’t need to officially be in school until Wednesday but I am going to start Monday like it is a normal work week. I have a classroom to clean, organize and prepare and lesson plans to write. This week, I will not let the chaos undermine me. This week, I will track everything I eat or drink and I will track all my activity. Last week, I really worked on moving and my gruve helped and I plan on continuing to move & gruve. To track this week, I will use my fitbook (which has been neglected for far too long).

I am currently on Team A, or The Lowdown Dirty Loser, for the Shrinking Jeans Down & Dirty in 30 Challenge.  While this is based on weight loss, I am having more fun getting to know 5 new friends and teammates.  The sisters always host a good challenge and I am having so much fun! They never disappoint!!

But, another challenge has surfaced and this is one I could not turn away. My friend Jess over at Half of Jess is hosting Drop Dead Gorgeous by December.  I joined this challenge because it is not about weight, unless that is your personal goal.

I took this right from Jess’s page:

Rules for Drop Dead Gorgeous by December:

1. You can join at any time, but once you’re in, you’re in for good.

2. I will post people’s progress only if they want it to be publicized.

3. The challenge starts this Sunday, August 22 and ends Sunday, December 19.

4. Have FUN.

What to include in your Weekly Report:

1. A picture of you holding up a positive sign for yourself.

2. Your current week’s weight as well as your challenge start weight. *optional

3. Your goal(s) from now, or whenever you decide to join, until December.

4. ONE thing that you are proud of for the week.

5. ONE thing that you can improve upon for the following week.

I need a break from weight loss challenges but I really like the idea of challenging myself to think about the positive things in my life. I like bragging about one thing every week. I really like the idea of having a weekly picture. I will include the dates on my pictures because I want to keep a record of that for myself. I hope to really see some changes.

Week 1 Report:

Rockin’ the Red!! (My sign only has 8.2.2010 because I forgot about the positive part but I dyed my hair night before this pic and really like the new reddish-purply tint my new dark hair has)

Starting Weight: Not Applicable

Goals from now until December:

1. Make working out a habit.
2. Run/walk 3 times each week and strength train 3 times each week.
3. Complete a half marathon.
4. Try one new good thing (whether it be food, recipe, workout, etc.) each week.

ONE brag for the week: Today, I am proud that I got my butt out the door and ran/walked 4.92 miles.

ONE thing to improve upon for next week: My “off my butt” time. I have been way too comfortable with my couch lately! I will pay attention and not sit idle so much! I can monitor this with my Gruve.

Thanks Jess!! So, who is joining me and Jess?!?!

PS: Please help me name my new category.

Anyway, that forced me to back up my files (which I do regularly) and I started looking at all the pictures I take. I got to looking through all of my food pictures which got me thinking about how my thoughts on food and eating have evolved since I started this journey to health. Just that is a huge evolution – I originally started this whole thing to lose weight and get skinny.  I ate a ton of processed, diet food. Low-fat this and Weight Watchers that. I don’t eat like that anymore.

I am no longer the dieter I was when I first began. I am not even counting points anymore.  I realized that I am not counting anything anymore. I have changed my focus to a more mindful, natural way of eating. I am seriously focused on eating better-for-me food. Choosing real food over processed food, real food cooked in real healthy ways. I am focused on changing the eating habits of my entire family and  that is not easy. But I have a responsibility. I need to eat real food for real life. I need to make one meal for our little tripod and I need our meals to accommodate our activities so that we eat dinner most nights together.

Like I said, I have a ton of food pictures. Some are pictures of food I have prepared from a recipe, others my own creations, and other pictures are just plain hodge-podge. I have been meaning to blog so many of these food but people, I have been slacking. I suck, that it all there is to it. But, I am making a change! I will blog food stuffs regularly but I think I need a new category.

But, I don’t know what to name it!

So my peeps, I am asking you to help me name my new category.

Creative Cooking ?

or

Cooking in Real Life?

or something completely different?

PLEASE, hit me up in comments. I will leave you with a picture tease. And since I want to start posting food stuffs very soon, I will take your suggestions until Friday afternoon. Stay tuned!

I LOVE FOOD!!

on the menu:

Sunday: Chicken Cordon Bleu, rice & brussel sprouts

Monday: My Chinese Chicken LoMein-style with lots of veggies

Tuesday:  Beef Fajitas with spanish rice & beans

Wednesday: Grilled Chicken and Veg

Thursday: Breakfast for Dinner

Friday: Pork & Cabbage

Workout Plan:

Daily: morning walk with Lucy

Monday: Upper Body, Stretch dvds (morning)

Tuesday: week 2, day 2 #hundredpushups, crunches and stretch dvd (morning); 4 mile run (6pm); #tworkout (8:30pm)

Wednesday: sleep in; run 2-3 miles and walk for rest of q’s hour at karate (5pm)

Thursday: wee2, day 3 #hundredpushups, crunches and stretch dvd (morning); 4 mile run (4pm)

Friday: Upper Body, Stretch and cardio dvds (morning)

Saturday: REST

Sunday: 5-6 mile run

That dreadful time of year is now upon us. I must return to be “teacher lady Jen” in only a few short weeks. September 1 is my first day back and I have much to prepare. I have a to-do list a mile long to make sure I am prepared as well as my daughter. Fun stuff!! Sort of! It is a lot of work but I am going to work hard to get ahead of the game so I can stay there! HA! Every year I work hard to find my perfect organization and each year it gets better.

I need to find MY perfect balance!!

My balance requires a plan. But not a written-in-stone plan. I still need to be flexible. We shall see how the plan works this week. See ya next week.

Today, Karen linked on facebook and her post was so perfect. Basically she talked about all the blogger-types who are currently training  for some sort of race or another.  Karen asked, “Do you know what you REALLY want or are you letting someone else’s dream become yours?” This question really made me stop in my tracks and really think about it. I actually was thinking about why I am training for this half last night while I was running. I didn’t have an exact answer but it weighed on my mind and then I read Karen’s post. Karen, if you are reading this…Thank you! You helped me realize that I really do want to do this!!

Here’s what I have come up with so far:

1. I really have developed a love for running. I realized this running without music. I finish a run with no music and I am drenched with sweat, a tomato red face and a cheesy grin on my face. Yep, a smile.

2. I like the way my body feels after a run.  I am starting to get a strange appreciation for sore muscles.

3. I want to run a half marathon. At my own pace. I don’t care what pace anyone else runs. I don’t care about the competition part. That may annoy people who are diehards that it is a race so people who enter should want to win. Oh well, fuck it! I want to run, walk or crawl as long as I finish.

4. I needed something to train for. I want to solidify a daily workout plan.  This may sound crazy but seriously, I need to workout regularly or I will completely suck it at the half….that just cannot happen! I will not be unprepared! I am not there yet, but I am working on the perfect plan for me.

5. I have always wanted to be a runner. I ran cross country my freshman year but I sucked big time and I wound up hurting my knees (side note, I do have Chondromalacia patella in both knees and was diagnosed at this time) and I never really ran after that injury. I faked it as much as I could. I never pushed myself. I accepted my injury and let pain win. Since losing a bunch of weight and walking tons I have been practically pain free. I want to be a runner.  I want to do it for real!

I really do want to do this for me!

I know it is going to take hard work, dedication and a plan. I thought I had it all figured out but I am learning that I know nothing!  I need a new plan.

1.  My plan must fit me! I hate mornings and getting up to run just has not worked! I don’t like it and I hate beating myself up for not jumping out of bed. I do, however, not mind getting up a tad earlier.

2. I actually like running later in the day and especially after sunset. I hate running without sunglasses because I have sensitive eyes but I hate running with sunglasses because they are always slipping off my nose. A hat just doesn’t cut it in the summer sun.

My new plan:

1. I will continue to set alarm for 6:00, Monday – Friday: wake up and take Lucy out, do 20-3o minutes of some sort of workout video (dvd, wii, or on-demand), then take Lucy for a 20-30 minute walk.

2. I will be prepared! I will decide the night before what my morning workout will be and have workout clothes & sneakers ready.

3.  I will run 2 or 3 times during the week. I will plan for these runs. On Sundays I will look at the family schedule to determine best days & times for my runs. As school starts, I will rely on this schedule to keep on track.  I also will complete my long run on whatever weekend day fits in best…right now that is probably going to be Sundays and I may do them in the morning just to simulate the actual half but again, all will depend on needs of family schedule.

4. Menu plan! This is just as important! Every Sunday, will post a weekly menu plan and my weekly workout plan.  Menu planning will ensure I am fueling my body properly.

I want to be healthy and I want to lose the rest of the weight my body want to lose. Notice I did not say a specific number?!?! I don’t care what the final number is, I really don’t. I do know that my body is not at its optimal fighting weight!!

I want to run this half marathon in great shape! I want to feel strong! I want to be strong.

To be strong is going to take hard work.

A quote from my Runner’s World email Daily Kick in the Butt: “If you want to be a better runner, you’ve got to run more. It’s as simple as that.” Tom Fleming, running coach

guess I have to run more?!?!

I am willing to put in the hard work. I will make sure that while I put in all this hard work I need to spend quality time with my family. They are supporting and helping and inspiring me! I need to be more present with them as well. I have been to drawn into myself lately. Time to come back into the light.

This little light of mine

I’m gonna let it shine!

This little light of mine

I’m gonna let it shine!

Yesterday, I begged you for help. I told you I was struggling with getting off my ass and doing what I need to be doing. I wrote that post and you know what happened?

I got off my ass and I did something. I put on a sports bra and laced up my sneakers. I marched my butt to the living room and kicked the husband off the tv. I put in a Leslie Sansone dvd and I “walked away the pounds” for 45 minutes, 3 miles. I followed up 45 minutes of sweaty living room walking with week 1, day 2 of the hundred pushups challenge and 50 situps. Then later on that night, I participated in the Shrinking Jeans #tworkout.

After my hour workout and the much needed shower I was feeling rejuvenated!  Seriously, there is nothing like a good sweat and noodley arms to remind a girl.  A little bit of self-doubt disappeared.  I was feeling better and then I read my email and I had some of the sweetest comments here and on facebook. I had new dailymile friend requests. No, this isn’t about making friends but, it’s one awesome side effect. My friends encouraged me and supported me and believed in me. I felt the love coming through the comments.

I must admit, between workout afterglow and the love I felt in comments I was pretty much feeling like a rockstar.  I feel my mojo coming back. I even asked Big Man for help. I told him I need to start getting up early: two reasons here – 1. school starts back in 2 week, I need to get back in my routine and 2. I need to try to get runs in early whenever possible for humidity purposes. The alarm is on Big Man’s side of room because I usually don’t hear the stupid thing. I am a horrible morning person, unless I get up when I want and don’t have to rush. I am reaching out because I need help!

Today I set the alarm for 6 am. I actually woke up with the alarm, so did Lucy. Big Man took Lucy out while I quickly got dressed. I was just grabbing my sneaks when Big Man came back and told me it was raining. Not just raining but downpouring. I climbed right back in bed. No fricken way did I need to go splashing around at 6am. It continued to rain heavily ALL day. Finally around 6 pm the rain slowed down and finally stopped. After a late dinner, I set out for a run. It was sometime after 8:30 that I left the house. The rain was done, for the most part, but the air was wet and heavy. I just ran – no ipod, no HRM – just me and my GYMBOSS. I didn’t have a predetermined turnaround point. I just ran and turned around when I wanted to…basically, I knew it was after 9pm and I thought I should head for home. I ran on my local bikepath, it is very safe and very well-lit but I am still not going to be stupid. When I run at night I don’t listen to music because I don’t want to be distracted. I also wore the brightest t-shirt I own.

Tonight was a great run! I can’t even tell you what I thought about but I just kept moving. I stood up straight and kept my eyes on focal points down the path ans just kept getting to those points.  I pushed myself to keep going. Towards the end I wanted to walk one of the running intervals but I kept telling myself “on the next interval” but when that interval came I said it again. I even pushed myself to go a little bit faster at the very end.  When I came in the house, I was greeted by a very excited puppy. I realized she needed a bath. Sooo, before I got my shower I gave Lucy a bath. I totally think wrestling with a wet, 25-pound wiggly puppy counts as resistance training.

I know it’s only two days of pushing myself but I feel positive.

Thanks!

Day #3 here I come!!