Facing Facts

May 2009: The weekend I was accepted to law school.

When I started the 50n50 journey, I had a plan. First, I altered my diet.  Then, after I lost about 25 pounds, I added physical activity.

I think it was this decision that ultimately led to my success. I first became accountable for my diet and then adjusted that diet to take care of my body's needs as I added physical activity. As things progressed, I saw the importance of diet - not just in weight loss, but in fueling your body.

Getting control of the diet first was key for me. Otherwise, I know how I would have acted: "Oh I walked 5 miles today, that means I can have ice cream without feeling guilty." But by the time I was walking 5 miles at a time, I knew my body needed protein and carbohydrates to fuel itself and would snack on something that would feed those needs. (Sure, maybe it was frozen yogurt, but I chose it for the nutritional values AND the taste, not just the taste!)

Now that I've hit a new wall, I have to face facts: I can't keep losing weight by diet alone.

Sure, you might say "duh" but there are times when I'm slow to see things - especially when I'm overwhelmed with school and work. I've been watching my numbers fluctuate between 141 and 147 since the moment I hit my goal weight. And, strangely enough, it was the moment I hit 145 that winter came to Kansas City and I stopped working out. Yes, I've let my discipline slip a bit and have an extra sweet more often than I should, but that's something that should be okay at this point. If this is the eating lifestyle I want to maintain, then I've got to get the physical part in check.

And it's not going to happen today, tomorrow, or next week. I have to be realistic. Here's the thing: I am overwhelmed with school this semester and am having a really hard time taking care of my responsibilities as it is. I honestly don't think I can fit exercise into my routine. Please understand it is REALLY hard for me to admit that I can't do everything I want to do right now. Really hard.


That said: I have another plan (of course I do!). School ends in 4 weeks. And with that comes a new routine! I'll be working in Kansas City and won't have to commute to campus (about an hour) all summer. I won't be taking classes so there won't be a lot of reading assignments to finish each day and I'll probably be quitting my job. So, as soon as I take my last final, I will be back out there - pounding the ground with my books on tape and getting physical.

I just have to make it through the next month. I walk to work on the weekends and do what I can when I can, but I'm going to stop sweating my lack of sweating. I have to - otherwise I'm going to go all kinds of crazy. Priorities shift sometimes, but it's all for the ultimate goal of becoming the best version of me I can be. And that includes finishing law school!

Getting a jump start

Confession is good for the soul ... or in this case, the soles.

Since writing my previous post, I have been so ashamed with myself and my admission, that I've been working out just about every day! Sure, I'm not up to where I should be training-wise, but at least I'm off my seat and on my feet.

If you follow me on Twitter, you know I have a "virtual jump rope" and have been using it lots lately. If you don't follow me on Twitter, shame on you! I'm @50n50, look me up!

Say "Hello" to my little friend!

Anyway, my virtual jump rope isn't an imaginary toy. It's an awesome gadget that came as a gift-with-purchase when Kevin bought some workout thingie after Christmas. And I LOVE IT!

Literally, it is best described as two handles with strings and little weights at the end. You hold the handles like they were jump rope handles and swing the strings like they are attached as a rope. The Cardio Rope, as it officially calls itself, tracks time, number of jumps, and calories burned based on the weight you enter. Jumping for 10 minutes burns 100 calories. And I have a good burn going in my calves!

I don't just jump for ten minutes straight - I change it up and do different things with my legs: Criss-cross, high kicks, waist twists. The time flies (when a funny tv show is on) and my heart gets going. 

Last night I was even feeling it in my arms. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, and while I admit I looked a bit silly, my arms looked insanely awesome. The handle and swinging motions, you see, make it an upper body workout too.I felt so good last night that I decided to do some push ups. Usually I do them girly-style because Kevin says I do them wrong the real way. But not last night. I did 5 perfect push ups - twice! Maybe ten doesn't sound like a lot, but my butt wasn't sticking up and my nose was a jut a few inches from the floor. They felt good and in my head they looked good too.

I'm already seeing better definition in my legs and I've been jumping for a few days now. But it's motivation enough for me!

Clearly, I just needed a jump start!

Beef it up!

No, this is not a blog about eating beef because anyone that knows me knows THAT blog would just be laughable (haven't eaten beef in over 10 years).

This blog is about beefing up your workout routine. Here's what I learned recently...

I love running every morning but I sometimes feel like its not much of a challenge anymore or I just need something to shake up my routine. I like doing workout videos at home but there's nothing like an early am run and no workout video will replace that.

A friend is taking a 5:45am Boot Camp class every morning. It's an outside, month long, 5-day a week, class that kicks your butt. They run around the local park using everything from curbs, to parking deck stairs to the jungle gym to work every muscle in the their body. They had a "Take a Friend" day recently so I was able to attend for free. I loved it!

However, I don't have the extra $200 a month it costs to take the class. Shucks. But I was able to take some important lessons home with me for free. I've started adding things like push-ups on the park benches, tricep presses on my neighbors retaining walls and curb steps (stepping up and down the curb really fast). These short, quick changes in my routine make the run more interesting, workout more muscles and make my heart work harder....Everyone wins!

I know it seems silly that I had to take a class to learn to do these things. After all, I have done practically every work-out video known to man (or woman, in this case) and could probably teach a few classes myself, but it never occurred to me to translate these various routines to outside.

Linking and Thinking

There have been a lot of wonderful "articles" and such popping up in my email lately. So much so, that I'm a bit overwhelmed trying to keep track of the great ideas, advice and lessons!


Here are a few I think are worth sharing:

Whittle while you work

Get sleek at your seat: This is our kind of on-the-job training! Daniel Loigerot, a pilates instructor in New York City, designed these moves to help you tone all over in about 10 minutes using a resistance band and chair.

9 Power Food Pairings

According to Women's Health, healthy eating starts with these dynamic duos.

(Natalie Note: I'm having tuna and hummus salad with red peppers for lunch today!)

The Rules of Pizza

From Eat This, Not That: As crazy as Americans are for pizza, few ever dare to make it at home. That's truly a shame, because the pizza we turn to is overpriced, awash in empty calories, and ultimately not all that delicious. Anyone can do better in their home by combining a handful of fresh ingredients and following a few simple steps. And believe it or not, pizza made in the right way can make for a truly well-balanced meal.

Still making adjustments

1200 calories a day just isn't cutting it.

I didn't think it would be that big of a deal - but it totally is. I just can't seem to get full. Sigh. By the end of the day, I just want to eat and eat and eat. While it could be PMS, I'm pretty sure I'm just hungry.

I lowered my calorie intake because my activity level is considerably less nowadays. You know, since I'm not walking 30+ miles a week anymore. The training regimen for Couch to 5k doesn't even have me burning 200 calories ye (the equivalent of walking 2.25 miles).

It looks, however, like I should increase my calories back to 1300 a day and augment the training to include more walking and calorie-burning activities besides the runs. 

A girl's gotta eat, right?

A new workout perspective

You know the biggest thing I've discovered since I started this new running regimen? It's practically nothing!

Seriously, after a program involving mid-week trainings that took 90 minutes (on a Tuesday or Thursday evening, people!), getting out and run/walking 25 minutes is nada.

But, for some reason, it takes the same amount of energy to motivate me to actually start the workout each day as it did when the workouts were a scheduled 5 hours (that's a 15-mile walk). Go figure.

Once I'm in it, it's practically over and I feel wonderful. But getting my butt off the computer, away from the coffee and into my workout clothes in the morning before the heat of the day strikes - well, that can be tough. Especially since I tell myself, "Eh, it's only 30 minutes. You can handle the heat for 30 minutes. Just go later."

And it's true. I can handle the heat so I happily go later. Sure, the workout is a bit rougher, but at least I'm still getting it done. And it's all because I say "If you can walk 20 miles in 90 degree temps, you can run/walk 30 mins in 95 degrees."

Perspective is a funny thing. Following the 3-Day, I honestly feel like I can do anything.

Now what?

Following the 3-Day, I hit a tiny "Now what?" wall.

I love walking, don't get me wrong, but I just don't want to keep dedicating entire days to it. So, how am I going to burn calories so that I can reach my weight-loss goals?

A little nugget of thought started growing in my mind a few weeks ago, and I've decide to give it free reign. I'm going to start running.

I know it sounds like the logical progression from all of the walking, but for me there are a few unusual factors to apply.

1. I was diagnosed with arthritis in both knees when I was 11. Seriously. They are great weather vanes and I can always tell when a good storm is brewing. In junior high, I wasn't allowed to run because of my knees. Also, I had numerous physical therapy sessions geared at straightening my knee caps - they are on a crooked track! The therapy hurt my knees so much I never really finished.

2. I don't know how to run. Again, I'm serious. Since I was not allowed to run as a kid, I never learned the proper running form. A couple of weeks ago I was walking with Sadie and Kevin and decided to jog a little. When I finished, Kevin said "Do you know you run bow-legged?" Um, what?

3. I tried becoming a runner about 3 years ago - and I got myself up to running a mile without stopping. But then, I was attacked by a German shepherd.

So, those are my reasons for NOT running. Here are my reasons for wanting to do it anyway.

1. I am super jealous of people who can run. I've seen a lot of them during my 3-Day training and I envy them all. They are just so pretty and physically fit! I keep a copy of Runner's World on my magazine rack just to ogle the girl on the cover. I want to have her body! I am jealous of her calves, her butt and her abs. I am jealous of the fact that she can, presumably, run without getting winded in 30 seconds.

2. Running is a great cardio workout that works every part of your body. A 155 lb. woman burns 182 calories while walking 19 mph for 45 mins. That same woman burns 412 calories running 12 mph for 45 minutes. Seriously, to burn 400 calories, I have to walk about 5 miles - and that takes about an hour and 40 minutes! The efficiency alone is enough to excite this busy girl!

3. Kevin is a runner and I would really like to share this hobby with him. I proudly tell anyone who will listen that Kevin has run 4 marathons. He tells a story about our first meeting. Apparently he mentioned being a runner and I said, "Well, there's your problem." It was a defensive statement made totally out of jealousy and awe. I swear.

So, Friday morning found me starting a new training regimen: Couch to 5k. The original regimen is available at CoolRunning.com, but there are also lots of smartphone apps available.

I used Couch to 5k (c25k) for my running adventure 3 years ago and saw great success. It is an interval training program that can be used by serious, experienced runners to improve their pace or by newbs like me. I wouldn't exactly say I'm coming off the couch, but running involves working a different muscle group than walking and I need to get them in shape. Plus, it can only help my pace, right?

Here is something I wrote in a blog then first time I did C25K:

So, I guess this is it. No more excuses. I expected to suck some serious ass today. I thought that today would prove to me that I am not cut out to be a runner. Damn, looks like I get to do this again Wednesday. And don't tell anyone, but I am kinda proud of myself and looking forward to the next workout. I'm sore already and every muscle is protesting my very existence, but I feel good.

No soreness following Friday's run - and it really was easy, breezy. Guess that means I get to do it again today. The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Kansas City was last Sunday. However, the Wichita Race for the Cure is September 25 - six weeks from now.

C25K is a 9-week program, but after the ease of Friday's run, and because I'm not officially at "couch" status, I am jumping to week 2 today. I plan to run 2 of the 3 runs for week 2 and then follow the program from there. It's still about a week short, but I REALLY want to run the Race for the Cure in Wichita.

Today's Weigh In

Ever notice that the contestants don't take their shirts off for the final few weigh-in on Biggest Loser? My thoughts are that they have a lot of loose skin from losing weight so fast! I lost 3.4 pounds this week - which is more than I am comfortable losing on a consistent basis.

In this case, however, I think I've been holding in A LOT of water weight over the past month or so. Luckily, it seems my body is getting used to me drinking 80+ ounces a day (yesterday alone I consumed 90 or so).

I am in the final 9 weeks of this plan (though I know I'll keep blogging!) and have 11.4 pounds left to lose. Last week I had 15 pounds to lose and it averaged to 1.5 a week. I'm going to continue aiming for a pound and a half - especially since a big loss one week is usually countered with little loss, if any, the next week.

But I will say, this was a VERY active week!

Last Wednesday saw me mowing my front lawn - and burning 250 calories in the process. Then Thursday I walked 5 miles at an average pace of 4 mph (I usually walk long walks at 3 mph so it was a cardio workout for more than an hour!). Friday also found me mowing - my back yard this time and on Saturday I did A LOT of lifting and such for the garage sale. Sunday morning work me up bright an early for a 17-mile walk around town (took 7 hours with bathrooms stops and buying Gatorades at a couple of gas stations). I took a rest on Monday then walked 5 miles last night.

I feel like I'm balancing my calories accordingly - on my 17-mile walk Sunday I literally consumed 500 calories while walking! Sure, I burned more than 1500, but I didn't exactly skimp on my foods that day. Overall I consumed 1850 calories that day so maybe I can let myself have a smidge more next time ...

I'm pretty excited to see the 150s, by the way. There is no memory in my head of me weighing these numbers and it feels AMAZING!!!

Also, big congrats to Ben - he's officially lost 5 pounds!!!

My wish list ...

So, it looks like I'm moving to a rent house all my own at the end of the month - and I couldn't be more excited!

It's a one bedroom - technically - but has a great bonus room that thrills me to no end. What should I do with it? Make is a game room for the boyfriend that is choosing not to live with me? Make it a play room for the animals that seriously need to keep their paws (and teeth!) off my stuff when I'm not home? Or make it a home gym?

To be completely honest, I will probably turn it into the playroom for my kids, BUT the bedroom is super big and I have grand plans of dedicating a section of it to a home gym.

To that end ... I have a wish list (and a birthday coming up ... hint, hint!)

1. Yoga mat
2. Swiss ball
3. Dumbbells - 2-5 lbs.
4. Nintendo Wii with Wii Fit
5. Subscription to Womens Health (I'm going to set this up once I get moved - smiley face)
6. Gym bag
7. iPod charger (can't find mine!)
8. iPod speakers
9. Full-length Mirror (2)
10. Jump Rope (I might actually have one of these packed away ... hmmm)

No, I'm not angling for birthday gifts ... I'm really just documenting a plan I have for my new house :-) Hold me accountable, Ladies!

A Great New Reason to Get Fit

The holiday craziness is over...it's always so bittersweet. Family and friends have left town, back to their everyday lives and I'm left with a quiet, empty home. But sometimes its really nice just to have your home back to yourself. The diet and exercise both got off track over the past few weeks though. My mom loves Gordon Biersch's garlic fries so much we had to go twice while she was in town! Plus, I didn't have an extra second to go to the gym.

I'm back on track now. I went to the gym yesterday and today and got an extra bonus workout playing laser tag last night. Such a fun way to burn calories! Plus, I have a new reason to want to get fit....I'M ENGAGED! My boyfriend proposed a few days before Christmas during a carriage ride through snow covered DC. It was so romantic! So now I have to get fit and trim for the wedding. What a fabulous reason to workout!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

It finally feels like winter outside, which means the perfect running temperatures have gone the way of the colorful fall leaves. I've spent the entire weekend either shopping online or reading books for class. Tonight I got off my butt and pulled out my plethora of work out videos. Hmmm, what to do...yoga, pilates, yogilates, weight training, aerobics....so many choices.

I recently got one from Netflix, Jillian Michael: Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism (http://www.amazon.com/Jillian-Michaels-Banish-Boost-Metabolism/dp/B001NFNFN0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1259459536&sr=1-1). Sounds pretty good, right? I tried it for the first time tonight. It is awesome. It totally kicked my ass, in a good way :) It keeps you moving constantly without concentrating on any one area for too long. My only problem was there was a lot of jumping, which is difficult to do in my 100 yr old townhouse without annoying the hell out of the neighbors. Jillian Michael (of Biggest Loser fame) has several other videos that I'm excited to try.