Wednesday Workout – Short Jog, Legs & Abs

So after being out of my usual workout schedule from the holidays, 6 day power outage and being sick I am trying to get back into a routine.

So today I did a short run on the treadmill. I did about 2 miles by the end of it. I feel kind of crappy about my running recently because I feel like I finished the couch25k program but still havent been able to do the whole 3.1 miles non stop. Also the treadmill isn’t as appealing anymore after I started running outside but in this crazy winter weather we are having running outside just isn’t an option. I feel like I won’t really get that distance until I am able to run outside again. On a side note I preregistered for the Run or Dye 5k. The date hasn’t been set yet but I preregistered to get all the info when they figure it out. It looks like it will be in the summer. I think this will be a good intro 5k for me as its more about the fun aspect of it than the time. I think it will help me get over the self conscious aspect of running with others.

After my run I followed these new apps I downloaded. I did the Ab Trainer and Leg Trainer. They are from Zen Labs and I downloaded them for free. They also have other ones too like butt trainer, pushup trainer, and a 5k and 10k. I like the apps. You can choose Easy, Medium, or Hard and you can choose how long you want your workout to be (5, 7.5, or 10 mins). Then it gives you instructions on how to do each exercise and you have a certain amount of time to do as many reps as you can and at the end it asks you to enter how many reps you did then you get a minute to rest then on to the next exercise. This is what the app kind of looks like and what the thumbnail of the app looks like if you are looking to download it.

The app is a great way to change things up a bit and learn some new exercises.

Do you guys use apps to workout with? What apps do you find the most effective?

Officially a couch to 5k graduate! Graduation ceremony = run outside.

I am a high school graduate, a university graduate and now….. a Couch to 5k graduate!!!

I decided this final run had to be outside. Originally I was just planning to run on the treadmill but I ended up waking up later than expected and then I was worried I was going to be short on time so I decided to postpone the run. I got ready for my interview and I think it went really well! They said I was a very strong candidate and they would be in touch next week. So I was feeling good.

I got home and put on my new zip up I got for running outside.

The pic makes it look kind of orange but it is actually neon pink. I figured a bright colour is good for visibility. I knew I had to take it slow because this would be my first real run outside and although I knew I wasn’t going to do the whole 5k I told myself I would do whatever I was able to without over doing it. The weather was decent today so I didn’t freeze. I have not gotten a headband yet and near the end of the run my ears/head was starting to hurt but I am hoping to do today and get a headband and a belt and water bottle. I didn’t bring  a water bottle as I really didn’t want to carry out. I jogged for just under 15 mins where I did about 2.2 kms. Which I am happy with cause I did not run a flat route. There were hills along the way and it was windy so I am quite proud of myself for jogging almost the whole time. I only walked once and it was for maybe 30 seconds. I can really tell the difference the last 2-3 months have made. The running, the weight loss, all of it has been such a positive change for me.

I came home and drank some water and then was greeted by this girl. She has a habit of always coming to me after I run on my treadmill and the fact that she did it today after I ran outside was cute. I feel like shes praising me for being healthy 🙂

Last night I did some weight training for about 45 mins or so and so that added to my little jog today becomes an hour I can count towards the Fall Into Fitness 30 Day Challenge which is half way through btw!

So one of the reasons I joined the challenge was to help me motivate to keep running once I finished the couch25k program. And now I am at that point. I am determined to continue running and being the best and healthiest self I can be.

Later today or tomorrow I am going to take a look back at my goals I posted about near the beginning of my journey and I am going to see what I can update and or cross of that list 🙂

Hope everyone enjoys the last bit of the weekend

Great Day! New distance, new weight, new opportunities. Week 9 workout 2.

So today has been my best distance yet. 3.06 miles. So close to the 3.1!!! And…… I did jog the whole 30 mins!!!! 😀

Since I was struggling to finish the 30 mins and even the 28 mins I decided to change things up. I did pyramid intervals with 3 differnt speeds and 2 mins at each speed. It definitely helped because I was focused on getting the 2 mins done in each speed instead of focusing on the overall time. It was easier to think “ok I got 1 min left at this speed” instead of “omg I still have 20 mins to go”. I got one more workout before I am officially a couch 25k graduate! Sunday Is going to be a big day for that reason AND I got an interview on Sunday 🙂 I hope it goes well as my current work situation is just making me more and more unhappy.

To top off the more good news the scale went down again 🙂 I didn’t think it was going to because I have been bloated and not feeling good because of girl’s time of month but I am down 4.2 lbs since I started the Fall into Fitness 30 Day Challenge about 2 weeks ago.

I am so happy my run went well today as it didn’t start great. When I am on my time of the month my digestive system gets all messed up. I become bloated and backed up and very uncomfortable. So 2 mins into my warm up I had to jump off the treadmill and head to the bathroom. I am so glad it was during my warm up and not the actual run. Anyways moving away from this topic… haha

I did some weights after my run and I had a workout buddy too!

After my workout I had a lovely breakfast. French toast made from sprouted grains bread with raspberries and banana. The smoothie had mango, papaya, berries, vegegreens, and half a scoop of vanilla protein. Protein, fruit, and veggies. What else could you want?

I am going to enjoy my day off now 🙂

Sunday Weight Training and beginning of the “Fall into Fitness 30 Day Challenge”

So today I decided to do some weight training. I figured it was a great way to start off the Fall into Fitness 30 Day Challenge.I even increased my weight on a few exercises. I have also been trying to hold onto my weights between sets if I am not too tired. This makes it a bit harder as your rest intervals aren’t full rests. It is just another tactic to make your workouts a little more intense. I like to use my EZ curl bar for a lot of exercises like overhead tricep extensions, bicep curls, bent over rows and etc. I did a good mix of exercises today. Mostly targeting biceps, triceps, traps, and some chest.

I suck at doing pushups and I decided that is something I want to improve on. So today I did 3 sets of 10 but on my knees. I want to eventually be able to do a decent amount of real push ups.

I was feeling some knee pain all day on the medial side of my right knee. I think it is due to my quads being tights and pulling on my patella. So I decided I should spend extra time with the foam roller. I usually dedicate my time to my calves and shins  and I think i have been neglecting my quads and inner thighs. Right now I am just taking a break from the foam roller as it is so painful! And so now it is time to get back to it.

Oh since I am doing the challenge I thought I would post a bit of what my food has been like to keep track.

Breakfast: Protein, veggie, fruit, smoothie

Snack: miso soup

Lunch: Chili with lean turkey, chick peas and zucchini

Snack: baked apple with cinnamon

Dinner: Sheppard’s pie but with sweet potato, lean ground beef, peas, corn & a salad with mixed greens, tomatoes and walnuts

 

Overall a good day 🙂

Tomorrow will be start of week 9 – my LAST week on c25k!!! Hopefully this knee pain goes away

 

Running, leftover candy and a demanding cat. Week 8 Workout 3

So last night I had about 60 trick or treaters but I still have candy left over. I am trying to think of a way to get rid of them (and no eating them isn’t an option haha). Any suggestions??

So I got to sleep in today YAY. I woke up and got ready for my run. It was another 28 min jog day today… my last before it increases to 30 mins and I take on my last week of the couch to 5k program 🙂

Overall the run went ok. I had to power walk again for a bit but this time just 30 seconds instead of a minute. I dunno why I am having such a hard time completing the 28 mins without a power walk. I did the 25 mins without walking but a little over halfway point int he 28 mins I feel the need to slow down. I will have to work on it and try to push through. My distance was pretty much the same as last time 2.96 miles. 

Once I finished I went on my yoga mat to stretch and my kitty joined me at first but then was just rubbing herself all over me and purring. She was demanding attention so I was stretching and petting her at the same time. Right now as I type this on my laptop on my bed she is sleeping next to me 🙂

Hope everyone has a wonderful Friday!

Best Distance Yet!!! Week 8 workout 2 repeated.

So today was another 28 min jog. I woke up with a back ache and after spending some  time with my foam roller I decided I was going to run anyway.I decided to up my speed a little bit and see how long I could keep it up for (my goal was 5 mins then reduce to my normal speed and then maybe another 5 mins if i could). I ran for 10 mins at the higher speed without realizing how much time had gone by and then started to feel a bit tired so I reduced my speed to my normal pace. When I had about 12 mins left of my jog I started to feel like I needed a break really bad. I don’t know if it was my mind or my body but I tried to push through it but I just needed to slow down and take in some water. So I power walked for 1 min and drank water. I ended up cutting out a min of my cool down so that I still finished jogging 28 mins but there was 1 min walk in between there. I don’t know why I can’t seem to run the full 28 mins non stop. I have to find a way to push through it.

However…. on the bright side I have had the longest distance yet 😀 😀 😀 2.97 miles which is like 4.78 km. I am getting closer and closer to that 5k mark.

Oh and the pic above is because well I had the sweatiest run ever haha.

“Feelin’ good” 28 mins pretty much done. Week 8 Redo. Workout 1.

So today was the start of repeating week 8. Last week was a bit of a hectic and emotional one and I am starting this week on a good note. My run went pretty well.

I had the 28 min jog to conquer. I started running and I felt pretty good. The music was keeping me occupied and I didnt feel tired, I didn’t get any cramps and things just kind of went from there. The bump in the road came at around 7 mins to go unfortunately. My ipod battery died and I had to power walk for a half min to get my other music sorted. I ended up turning on the music on my phone but it isn’t really workout music as it is pretty soft. But I made do! I ended up running 30 seconds extra to make up for the time I lost while fixing the music. My total distance was 2.89 miles. After I did some exercises for my calves and tib ant muscle and then a nice long stretching session.

When I finished all I could think is “I am feeling good” and then I had that song stuck in my head. This is my all time fave version of this song as I love Muse!

Now I am going to sit back and finish me mango, raspberry, protein, and veggie smoothie and listen to “Feeling Good”.

Late night workout & morning emotional run.

So last night I decided to do some weights instead of doing them today after my run. So I dedicated an hour to upper body strength training. I watched New Girl and Mindy Project while I worked out. It was great and I didn’t even feel like I was working out for that long. I have some wrist issues so these gloves help.. plus I wanted to take a pic cause I LOVE my new nail polish haha

Today I did my week 7 workout 3. My weeks are a bit messed up from my random outside workout but oh well. It was another 25 min jog. Right before I was about to start my jog I had a bit of an emotional phone call and I wasn’t sure if I would still run but I pushed myself to do it. It went well other than the fact that my nose was a little plugged (from the emotional convo) and breathing was a bit annoying. I put my speed a tiny bit up and I did the 25 mins non stop. I ended up with a distance of 2.67 miles.. getting closer and closer to that 3.1. The last 5 mins were a bit tough as my legs were getting tired and my head was getting in the way. It wasn’t so much negative thoughts as it use to be but I don’t know how to explain it… It was like my head still was telling me to stop or slow down.

Anyhow I pushed through and finished. Next workouts are increasing to 28 mins. I am wondering if I should redo week 7 or not… I can do the 25 mins but I am wondering if I should redo them and try to speed up a bit or just move on and focus on my speed once I finish the c25k program. Any thoughts?

I feel good! Week 7 Workout 2.

So I just did my 2nd workout for week 7. So another 25 min jog. I kept a 12min/mile pace because last time when I tried to speed up it backfired. So I was able to do the full 25 mins without stopping. I even hiked up my speed to a 11min/mile for the last minute as I just felt like I could do it and the music was pushing me to. I have been noticing that my negative thoughts are less and less. My mind is clear for the most part which is odd for me because I always have 101 thoughts running through my head. I mean yes there are time during the run tht thoughts come back and enter into my mind but its much less. When the thoughts come in that say “you are tired” or “it would feel so good to just stop and walk right now” I can tell those thoughts to get the f*ck out of my head and replace them with positive ones. Soooo I feel good!

Above is a pic of what I do after my runs. I sit on my treadmill and stretch my legs. It feels amazing to stretch them. I continued my workout with some weights and squats after. And as I type this I am battling with my cat’s head because she is trying to block my keyboard (as you can see in the pic below). So I will cut this short and go on and give her some much deserved love.

A so so workout acompanied by my cat. Week 7 Workout 1

So as I was setting up my treadmill my cat decided she needed to be pet at that exact moment. So… the pic you see above is what was going on. She is so funny haha. Later after I turned on the treadmill to o my warm up she decided to stare at me.

She was just so curious at what was happening. This is the first time she has watched me run.

Anyways my workout today was the same as the last one. Warm up, 25 min jog, cool down. Last time I did the 25 mins with no major problems. Today I struggled a little more. I increased my speed by just a little bit and I think that mixed with the fact that I was not feeling very well the day before lead to a not so great workout. I had to slow down and power walk 2x. Once my hair was driving me nuts and I had to fix it and the 2nd time I was getting cramps. So I jogged for about 22 mins instead of 25 because of those 2 walking intervals. I am a little annoyed but oh well I have more 25 min jogs to tackle and get it right.

I worked out my legs after the jog. Did some weights, squats, etc. I also made sure to do my exercises for my shins. We will see if these end up helping. I will probably get a foam roller this weekend.