Impromptu Blog

Well I actually was not planning on blogging today, but I sat down at my computer to check email, Facebook, and stuff when a beautiful cat jumped into my lap. She is now asleep, and I am a sap. :)   I don't have the heart to kick her off, so I am blogging today.  :)

The truth is, I've been feeling a bit bummed.  I read a book a while ago that had a list of 20 or 30 things that people who lose weight and keep it off have done.  It was scientifically proven and blah blah.  Two of the things were - weigh yourself often; and don't let that number get to them.  They are able to look at it as a reflection of either what they have done well, or what they still need to change in their diet. 

Well, I've come to a realization.  I am not able to do the latter.  I think that I have written in the past about how the scale and I are not friends.  I become obsessed, then start checking my weight more and more often.  (Sometimes even multiple times in a day).  The number would go up, and then I would freak out and go into some sort of depression. 

At the beginning of summer I asked Greg to hide the scale, and I decided that I would only weigh myself every three weeks. Last Monday was the day to weigh in.  My clothes had continued to feel more loose, and my measurements had been lower than I have ever seen, so I was sure that I would see at least four pounds on the scale, and last time I weighed in, it had been six, so maybe it would be six again blah blah.  I stepped on the scale and ...2.  It said I had lost 2 pounds in 3 weeks.  I stepped off, and then slowly stepped on again to double check - hoping that there was some sort of mistake the first time.  Of course I saw the same result.  I have tried to push past it, and still worked out four days last week, but I did not enjoy it.  I had to drag myself through, and I'm still stuck in this funk.  I also completely pigged out over the weekend.  I gave in, and didn't care.  It just gets to this point where I'm fed up.  I'm trying really hard to get into a good mood, and get back to just focusing on the triathlon coming up. 

So I think I have decided that if I cannot handle the negative results without throwing myself off for a couple of weeks, then I'm just not going to weigh myself anymore.  I'm setting goals that I have control of and can do.  There are three weeks left until the competition, and before I'm back to 65 hour work weeks, so I'm going to enjoy this while I can, and not worry about a silly number.  The truth is that I do feel so much better, can do more than I have ever been able to, and I am seeing some good results, so why I am wasting my time obsessing about my weight? 

Freedom Run and My Aching Back

First, the Freedom Run this year was so much fun!  I think mostly because I actually felt good about my  performance.  I only did the 5k this year since my knee has been giving me problems for so long, and I want to save it for my first Tri in August.  I was feeling really good until that magical mile number two, and you guessed it - my knee started hurting.  This time was different though, it was actually manageable, and I just slowed down and was able to finish the race, and even sprint past a handful of people at the end.  I was so grateful that it hung in there.  Good job knee!

It felt so good to actually be competitive again, and not just with other people but with myself.
When I crossed the finish line the clock said that I was about 20 seconds past my PR, and I was very ok with that considering I had done no running since UVM.  I knew that it had taken me a while to get over the start line, so I was hoping that maybe I had tied my PR, but when the results came in they showed that I actually beat my 5k PR by 53 seconds!  I was thrilled!

So all in all, freedom run felt great!

and the second part of my blog today...My Aching Back

Ok,ok, I think I am getting the hint that maybe I am training too hard.  First my knee, then my lower back was giving me some moderate issues for a day or two, and now my upper back/rib.  I did my regular Wednesday workout yesterday, and was feeling pretty good.  I took my niece to the pool for like an hour and just goofed around a bit.  When I went to bed I noticed that my back was hurting slightly, but I fell asleep thinking that it would feel better in the morning.  I woke up at 1:30 am in intense pain.  I felt a sharp, stabbing pain every time I took a breath.  I soaked in the tub for about an hour, and then figured out how to prop myself on the coach so that it didn't hurt as much.  I finally fell back asleep around 4. Erg!

I'm feeling a bit better today, but I had to call into work, which I was not happy about.  We kinda need that money right now.  Anyway, I do strength training 2-3 times a week, always with back exercises incorporated, so I'm not sure why all the back issues.  Maybe I am just getting old.  :(

Anyway, I think I may need to add another rest or easy day on Wednesday or something.  I'm just to the point where I can't stand holding still.  I've only been awake again for 2 hours, and I'm already going a little nutz just sitting here on my coach...  Uh, truthfully grateful for trials that help me stay grounded, and that help me grow.

- Happy...resting!  (Which I have learned is important too. :)