Stubborn is as stubborn does?

Pig-headedness can be a good thing, I've decided. Sometimes it's just what gets you through. While my running is going fantastic, I'm struggling with other minor injuries. My back has not fully healed from last weeks "lifting the 85 lb dog" episode, and now I have a tear in a strange tendon on the side of my leg that is luckily only affected by a squatting/leg press motion. Happily, neither of these injuries are bothered by running, so that's what I'm focusing on at the moment while I let the other things heal. I'm consistently running a solid 2.5 miles 3x a week, and now working on my speed and time. I've got a 13 minute mile down, now I need to push for a 12 minute mile, with the goal of a 10 minute mile within the next 8 weeks.

Ack! 8 weeks!! Seriously. How did this time fly so fast?? I have 8 weekends left before basic. 2 Army drill weekends, 3 5k's to run, and 3 free weekends. Of course, this "free" weekend will be dedicated to all the Army online training I need to finish before my recruiter slaps me silly. Though I will fit in a sushi lunch and Fast Five matinee with friends on Sunday. I mean hello? Vin and Dwayne in the same movie?? Pass the smelling salts, please.

My greatest fear at this point is injury, so while I stubbornly continue to run regardless of other injuries, I am making a point to take more rest days. Yes, I'd really rather push harder with 2 extra days of weights, but I can't go to basic injured. Sure, I can become injured while there, but I need to be 100% healthy upon arrival. This I must do. So for now I'm down to 2 days of weights, 4 days of cardio, and of course, boot camp on Thursdays.

I've also been very lazy about my diet (again!!) and while I'm thrilled that I haven't gained any weight, I could still stand to lose some chub. So May is going to be a solid healthy eating month, with my Thursday night family dinner as my 1 cheat meal of the week. I am stubborn. I can do this. ;)

My That'sFit.com story

http://www.thatsfit.com/2011/04/14/joining-the-army-motivated-rebecca-to-drop-45-pounds/

Here's my weight loss story, or at least the Reader's Digest version, on AOL's That's Fit site. It's weird to see my story in print. It's like all the pain, heartache, blood, sweat and tears neatly packaged into simple little paragraphs. I don't feel motivating today. I'm sick, and tired, and sick and tired of my antibiotics making me sick. Bleh. Energy wise I'm already feeling better. I had a good workout today with my personal trainer. I think I only did 40 push ups today. They are definitely coming easier, or at least that first 10. Tomorrow, we run outside. God willing and weather permitting. And only 3 weeks to the next 5k. Cinco de Mayo, baby! Praying for the health to run this one!

Bring on Monday!

I spent the day putting together some new chicken salad recipes for my lunches this week. I came up with a really yummy Mandarin Orange Chicken Salad, but it has way too many calories. I think I can cut back on the soynuts, and maybe even the craisins, but it's really the sauce that's adding so many calories. Do they make lowfat sesame oil?? I'll have to do some research to find out. This recipe needs more work but so far it is delicious!

My diet has been mediocre at best for several months. Not that I ever eat fast food or junk food. What I eat is generally healthy, I just often eat too much of it. It's that damn Southern gene. If it tastes good, I will keep eating it until it is gone, regardless if I am full or how much there is of it. I'm limiting myself to one night of "junk" food, which is Thursday family night at my dad's house, where we generally consume an entire Pappa Murphy's Chicken Delite pizza in one sitting. So. Yummy. And I have one lunch out with co-workers for a birthday that I organized, so I damn sure won't miss out on that! But I will attempt moderation. Otherwise, I'm not going out to eat for the next 9 weeks. My wallet will thank me as well.

I'm feeling slightly better, though the antiobiotics make me sick if I don't have enough food in my stomach. I would like to run tomorrow after work, but I might hold off and run Tuesday instead. I'm worried about pushing too hard, too soon when I'm just starting to feel better. I watched Invictus today and there was a good quote about never being at 100% but playing anyway, and isn't that what life is all about? Just because I'm only at 80% doesn't mean I have time to slow down. Let's hope I don't regret that decision later in the week. ;)

Reinvention

Reinvention –verb (used with object) 1. to invent again or anew, especially without knowing that the invention already exists. 2. to remake or make over, as in a different form. 3. to bring back; revive.

When I started this journey I was focused on the second definition; literally focused on remaking myself into a different form. I didn't like being overweight and I set out to change that. It didn't occur to me that the motivation and willpower already existed within myself and I'd always had the power to change my life. It wasn't something new. But it was definitely a revival.

Changing myself physically has led to changing almost every aspect of my life. I thought this journey was just about physical health and wellbeing. I really had no idea what I would find and discover about myself along the way. There are days I stop and wonder, who is this crazy person?? My personal trainer and I were commenting on a co-worker of mine as he worked out. I called him "hard core" and she looked at me and said, "You're hard core. You do the same classes and workout he does." It startled me that she said that. Me? Seriously?? My default position is whiney and lazy. I just push myself to be active anyway. And I whine about it along the way to the people who let me. In boot camp class, Marie asks for 100 tricep dips and then yells, "And no whining, Becca!" I love that she knows me so well. And for the record, I think I did at least 75 of those tricep dips.

I've become this person who enjoys pushing myself to the limit, so I've hard to relearn moderation. Ok, so I did boot camp and personal training with a sinus infection and now I'm exhausted, but instead of running the 5k this weekend, I'm going to rest and go see a doctor. See? Old dogs can learn new tricks. Though I really hate missing that 5k.

I have 9 weeks left before basic training. I'd still like to drop another 10 lbs before I go and I need to shave 5 minutes off my 2 mile run time. I rearranged my weekly workout schedule to be just a touch harder (3 runs, 4 weight days and boot camp class) and I'll pay closer attention to my diet. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!

11 weeks and counting

11 weeks to BCT. 2 weeks to my next 5k. 3 day drill weekend this weekend and I MUST at least jog on Saturday. To fit it into the crazy drill weekend schedule, that will have to happen at 6am. Yikes. Guess I'd better get used to it now. Spirits are high. Strength training is going awesome. Push-ups are amazing. Cardio is recovering. The 3 weeks off during my minor bronchitis spell didn't help at all, but lung capacity is slowly recovering. My diet has SUCKED bad for several weeks but I've somehow managed to avoid gaining weight. Minor miracle. It's the sugar and the daily cookies that are killing me. If I could give up coffee and cookies again I'd be golden. Ok, fine! Consider it done. Where there's some willpower there is damn sure a way. Totally excited that my That's Fit article runs in 2 weeks, the Monday after my Young Life 5k. I will be sure to post the link. The above is my newest "after" photo. I may have been sick, but adrenaline does amazing things to get you through the day. :)