In my training I do something called periodization, which means I have various periods of training intensity/routine for different goals. Training is not an all-or-nothing proposition and it recently occurred to me that eating right is the same. I always saw it as either I'm eating right or I'm not, but sometimes I think I need to step back for a second, catch my breath (so to speak) and go again.
Given that I'm really quite sick today and my body is breaking down just a little bit, I think it's time for for an easier week for both diet and training. I'm coming off the scale for a week having enjoyed my start with eating right and calorie counting and with the explicit knowledge that I'll be getting back on in about a week.
I had my best weekend ever last weekend. I had a nice 3 mile run on Saturday and an easy 8 mile bike ride. On Sunday, I had my best triathlon ever (and first run that didn't hurt like hell) and then ran a VERY solid 14 miler (I felt great). I felt the cold coming (although I thought it was just allergies). I expect to be better very soon.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
176.5: All I Had to Do Was...
I was 178 yesterday, which was OK (although I'd rather have been at 177) - so I set forth to get down to 177, and I did it (and then some). All I had to do was swim a mile, bike 18.6 miles, and run 7 miles (all yesterday evening) and just have a protein shake for dinner.
OK, I was better than it sounds (sort of). I had a great breakfast of Kashi cereal. I had a large lunch of pasta with meaty marinara sauce and then I cheated and had three awesome lemon cookies. Total awesomeness. I almost threw in the "eating right" towel then and there so I could eat more cookies. But alas, I held off and managed to limit the damage to something "moderate." Still disturbing that it takes so much to lose and so little to gain.
I also have re-started my consumption of soda - ugh. I'm not proud of that and Ithink know it hurts my athletic performance. Still, it does help me "get through" things at work. I know I can do those things without it - it's just a lame-ass crutch.
Today, I'd like to hold my weight. We'll see where this goes, I've been very hungry generally lately. Triathlon on Sunday.
OK, I was better than it sounds (sort of). I had a great breakfast of Kashi cereal. I had a large lunch of pasta with meaty marinara sauce and then I cheated and had three awesome lemon cookies. Total awesomeness. I almost threw in the "eating right" towel then and there so I could eat more cookies. But alas, I held off and managed to limit the damage to something "moderate." Still disturbing that it takes so much to lose and so little to gain.
I also have re-started my consumption of soda - ugh. I'm not proud of that and I
Today, I'd like to hold my weight. We'll see where this goes, I've been very hungry generally lately. Triathlon on Sunday.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
176.5: Whoops
My plan worked to perfection and then some. I packed a bunch of good food to bring to work and it really helped because I felt hungry all day. I once again got on the scale not knowing what to expect and when I saw 176.5 I thought "whoops, I'm dehydrated." I'm tempted to hold onto it by slowly re-hydrating (gotta ponder that a bit).
The connection between stress and food or pop is omnipresent in my life and it's highlighting the fact that I experience stress more than I was aware. Given enough junk food and pop, I guess, I become less aware of it. That's a weird trade off, and not one I'm willing to make (entirely).
Exercise-wise, it's a taper week (except for running) so my overall workout load is less. I'm happy about that, but now have fewer calories to play with. Still, I need this week after three tough ones.
The connection between stress and food or pop is omnipresent in my life and it's highlighting the fact that I experience stress more than I was aware. Given enough junk food and pop, I guess, I become less aware of it. That's a weird trade off, and not one I'm willing to make (entirely).
Exercise-wise, it's a taper week (except for running) so my overall workout load is less. I'm happy about that, but now have fewer calories to play with. Still, I need this week after three tough ones.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
177.5: Surprised
I had a really great weekend and on Monday (i.e., yesterday) was 178, but that was with some very serious working out. I guess I reaped some reward today. I honestly got on the scale thinking "I have no idea." My calorie count said I went 45 calories over, so it was anybody's guess. I'm surprised by 177.5.
In general, I find myself "slipping" more often - small slips. Ice cream here, pizza there. I'm not too fond of that and I'm not ready to give in. Today will be on track because I planned it that way - made my lunch last night and packed a lot of good things.
The good news is that my slips are small and my inspiration is big, so it's very easy for me to jump off (and more importantly back on) the right track. That's new for me and I'm not slipping entirely. The 177.5 is inspiring and it keeps me right where I want to be.
Time is going to be scarce today - trying to get in two workouts today could be tough. I'm still going to eat right though.
I'm not ready to back down.
In general, I find myself "slipping" more often - small slips. Ice cream here, pizza there. I'm not too fond of that and I'm not ready to give in. Today will be on track because I planned it that way - made my lunch last night and packed a lot of good things.
The good news is that my slips are small and my inspiration is big, so it's very easy for me to jump off (and more importantly back on) the right track. That's new for me and I'm not slipping entirely. The 177.5 is inspiring and it keeps me right where I want to be.
Time is going to be scarce today - trying to get in two workouts today could be tough. I'm still going to eat right though.
I'm not ready to back down.
Friday, August 19, 2011
178.0: Right On Track - I Suppose
I started this whole thing two weeks ago with a plan to lose one pound per week. I know I'm fully hydrated so 178 is a true number, which is 2.5 pounds lighter than when I started. I'm right on track I suppose. While it seems to me that I *should* (dangerous word there) have lost more, I'm content to have lost exactly what I planned because it means I'm eating enough. I feel good and I'm training hard (have enough energy), although I'm not sleeping altogether very well (maybe a little too much training).
As I said a couple of days ago, the frustrating thing is that I burn calories like there's no tomorrow but the effect is pretty minimal weight wise. I can't help but think much of this is perception; my perception of "good" and "disciplined" must still be pretty far removed from reality - because numbers don't lie. For now I'll keep plugging along because I know I'm doing the right thing.
As I said a couple of days ago, the frustrating thing is that I burn calories like there's no tomorrow but the effect is pretty minimal weight wise. I can't help but think much of this is perception; my perception of "good" and "disciplined" must still be pretty far removed from reality - because numbers don't lie. For now I'll keep plugging along because I know I'm doing the right thing.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
177.0: Off The Wagon, But Not the Street
I was really pleased with today's weight - it only took four workouts the day before (and some disciplined eating). What was really cool is that after this morning's 1:52:00 bike ride, I was 174.5. I know, I know, it's artificial and I should avoid going up and down the roller coaster. But I was just down and am going to enjoy going up for a minute.
I've fell off the soda wagon - and while I'm a little disappointed, I'm not so much because the fact is, I haven't slept much this week and the pop really helped me get stuff done. The trick is to come off the sauce now. Still inspired, so I believe I'll come off again.
Despite the fact that I've fallen off the wagon, I'm still traveling down the street. I resisted my normal temptation to go off the reservation with that 174.5 number. I was very disciplined today with the exception of a small peanut butter sundae after my 30 minute hard run.
To me, this is disciplined:
I've fell off the soda wagon - and while I'm a little disappointed, I'm not so much because the fact is, I haven't slept much this week and the pop really helped me get stuff done. The trick is to come off the sauce now. Still inspired, so I believe I'll come off again.
Despite the fact that I've fallen off the wagon, I'm still traveling down the street. I resisted my normal temptation to go off the reservation with that 174.5 number. I was very disciplined today with the exception of a small peanut butter sundae after my 30 minute hard run.
To me, this is disciplined:
- 1 serving of Wheaties FUEL with skim milk (300 calories)
- 1 CLIF bar (250)
- Turkey breast on wheat (690 calories)
- Sun chips (210)
- Organic whole wheat penne, 3 servings (630 calories)
- Chicken breast (275 calories)
- Goldfish (140)
- Peanut butter sundae (390)
- Goal (start): +1680. Exercise: +2039: Food: -2886. Net: 847 (833 remaining)
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
179.0: To Be Expected - Determined
I knew today would not be 178 like yesterday, after my tacos and roasted almonds at the Lighthouse concert. That said, I was in a public place without Diet Coke or junk food. Bonus! I'm frustrated still by how easily my weight goes up but how hard it is to get it below 178, but I'm pretty determined.
My "nark" moment for today is that I had a sugar free Red Bull this a.m. - the concert kept me up way past my bedtime and then I couldn't sleep. Still, I had just that and some tea - no soda! I also did a very good job watching calories today.
I'm not going to weigh in tomorrow or post because I didn't work out today because of some cool work I'm doing with the American Cancer Society DetermiNation Detroit team. So while I hit my mark calorie-wise, I don't want to associate anything negative with doing the right thing in my life (while skipping working out). Plus, I'm gonna make up for it all tomorrow - believe that.
My "nark" moment for today is that I had a sugar free Red Bull this a.m. - the concert kept me up way past my bedtime and then I couldn't sleep. Still, I had just that and some tea - no soda! I also did a very good job watching calories today.
I'm not going to weigh in tomorrow or post because I didn't work out today because of some cool work I'm doing with the American Cancer Society DetermiNation Detroit team. So while I hit my mark calorie-wise, I don't want to associate anything negative with doing the right thing in my life (while skipping working out). Plus, I'm gonna make up for it all tomorrow - believe that.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)