I can't believe that only 8 months ago running for 5 minutes made me feel as if my heart would explode and in three days I'll be running 26.2 miles! I've lost at least 5 inches off my waist and 3 inches since my progress photo in Januray.
I have learned a lot about myself and it has helped me realize that I can acheive so many things that I never thought possible. If you had told me when I graduated high school that I would be living in England, going to university, and running a marathon, I would have told you that you clearly hadn't noticed my Holloway hips nor my giant booty. Somehow, despite my over-sized deriere (which hasn't lost a single inch!) I am running 6 days a week and lifting 4 days and feeling amazing.
I would encourage anyone who wants to be a bit more fit, active, or just needs a general change in life to start it now. You can start out small, for me I'd run as far as I could then walk 2-3 minutes and repeat for 30-60 minutes. It seems futile at first, but after a few weeks you'll be running the whole time and feeling great. I have only lost about 10 pounds over the past 8 months because I have gained a lot muscle, but the inches are falling off, my arms and legs look great- though I still have plenty of work to do. I feel generally happier as well. As much as I am complaining about running 6 days a week I know that when I've finished the marathon I will be overjoyed that I did it. The person who couldn't run at all, the person who was at the back of the wing in rugby and yet still had to run first(for those who are rugby fans you will understand how slow that is).
This has been a long hard road, but so completely worth it. I have been reading the 'Tao of Pooh' again recently, however silly and frivolous it sounds, it has completely changed how I look at the world and my life. I am more at peace with who I am. I am coming to accept the nature of who I am and what is best for me. I am learning to stop forcing things, but to feel out what is best for me and my life. To stop following what others think is best for me and to instead live life for me, but with a mindfulness of others with a giving, wise spirit which seaks not to take from others, but to give happily so long as it also doesn't take from me or my truth. The book also tells all of this in a simple, fun way which is what Taoism is all about. I would encourage anyone to go out and read it. You can buy it for cheap on amazon or ebay and it will change your life. It isn't a long book, but its effect is profound.
Oh, and a happy birthday to me!!
Showing posts with label marathon training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marathon training. Show all posts
Friday, 20 April 2012
Wednesday, 22 February 2012
Running and lifting
It is week 17 of the London Marathon's Beginner 24 Week Training plan and I am 3 weeks into my new lifting regimen
Today was: Jog 20 minutes and run for 10, it the first day in months that I ran outside for my whole run and ran with my running partner. It was nice to run with someone else and be outside, but it was still a bit too cold for my liking. Today was on of those runs that the only thing that kept me going was the thought of my after workout snack of broccoli and chorizo stirfry. I was achey and tired, but mostly just cold. I may have to stick to the treadmill for another week or so. My workout today was roughly 5 miles in about an hour(I forgot the check the exact time we ran out the door).
My lifting workout at home went well, but they always do as lifting is my favorite form of exercise. I love the new lifting routine, I feel much stronger and I love how tired and sore I feel just after. I can see and feel the difference in my muscles and on the scale. I haven't lost any weight, but I can see that I am slimmer in most places, sadly, the Holloway hips will never cease!
I would also like to point out to those women who worry that if you lift, especially if you lift heavy, you will become a big hulking mass of muscle- YOU WON'T! First off, the women who get that way take supplements and injections, secondly, they workout constantly and do bulking diets and work HARD to look like that. We produce different hormones than men which means we do not gain muscle as easily as men and therefore do not get as large. If you want a perky butt, do heavy squats that make you feel like dying and for tight, defined arms lift as heavy as you can.
The thing that probably draw you to lifting heavy most is that muscle burns more calories than fat and is nearly half the size. So, you are slimming your size and burning more calories with less effort in the long run.
For those that are athletic lifting will help your running, swimming, biking, rugby, baseball, softball, or play any other sport. The more muscle you have the harder you can push in a scrum, the faster and harder you can bike, and the longer you can run.
Below is the lifting plan for the first 1-4 weeks, sometimes I like to switch it up and do abs and arms on the same day, just be sure that you do not work out all your muscles in one day. If you work out all your muscle groups you will be too sore to lift the next day. Consistency is key, without it you will not gain muscle, lose fat, nor get faster runs.
Today was: Jog 20 minutes and run for 10, it the first day in months that I ran outside for my whole run and ran with my running partner. It was nice to run with someone else and be outside, but it was still a bit too cold for my liking. Today was on of those runs that the only thing that kept me going was the thought of my after workout snack of broccoli and chorizo stirfry. I was achey and tired, but mostly just cold. I may have to stick to the treadmill for another week or so. My workout today was roughly 5 miles in about an hour(I forgot the check the exact time we ran out the door).
My lifting workout at home went well, but they always do as lifting is my favorite form of exercise. I love the new lifting routine, I feel much stronger and I love how tired and sore I feel just after. I can see and feel the difference in my muscles and on the scale. I haven't lost any weight, but I can see that I am slimmer in most places, sadly, the Holloway hips will never cease!
I would also like to point out to those women who worry that if you lift, especially if you lift heavy, you will become a big hulking mass of muscle- YOU WON'T! First off, the women who get that way take supplements and injections, secondly, they workout constantly and do bulking diets and work HARD to look like that. We produce different hormones than men which means we do not gain muscle as easily as men and therefore do not get as large. If you want a perky butt, do heavy squats that make you feel like dying and for tight, defined arms lift as heavy as you can.
The thing that probably draw you to lifting heavy most is that muscle burns more calories than fat and is nearly half the size. So, you are slimming your size and burning more calories with less effort in the long run.
For those that are athletic lifting will help your running, swimming, biking, rugby, baseball, softball, or play any other sport. The more muscle you have the harder you can push in a scrum, the faster and harder you can bike, and the longer you can run.
Below is the lifting plan for the first 1-4 weeks, sometimes I like to switch it up and do abs and arms on the same day, just be sure that you do not work out all your muscles in one day. If you work out all your muscle groups you will be too sore to lift the next day. Consistency is key, without it you will not gain muscle, lose fat, nor get faster runs.
I am training for the London Marathon on April 22nd and I am running for Action Deafness and I am trying to raise £2,500 for their very worthy cause. If you would like to donate please do so here. I am also sewing and selling kitschy, geeky crafts to support them. Please take a quick look and see if anything strikes your fancy. You can find them on etsy.
Wednesday, 18 January 2012
Weight, measurements, and the dreaded photos!
I would highly recommend to anyone starting a new fitness or diet plan to first take pictures and measurements of yourself. They may feel discouraging and terrible in the beginning, but after a few weeks or months they can serve as a source of strength. I did not take my measurements when I first began, but the photos speak volumes for me about how far I have come. I have the before/after picture hung on my door to remind me of what I have achieved and what I still want to achieve. It encourages me to get out the door and run instead of staying in and watching more Parks and Rec(though Ron Swanson's mustache is awfully inviting). It also reminds me that the number on the scale is not the most important thing; I have gone from 150-140/145, yet my tummy is tighter, my arms are slimmer, and my bum is just a bit perkier(though that bad boy will never shrink). If you are discouraged by the scale, please try this method, it is more accurate and gives you a better idea of your progress.
My measurements as of 18th January 2012
upper arm 12 inches
forearm 9 inches
bust 34.5 inches
chest 30.5 inches
thighs 24 inches
knees 16 inches
calves 15 inches
To take your own measurements follow this chart:
Below are the pictures of my progress. The pictures in the yellow sports bra are from a year ago, it is the same shape I was in when I began training in September(though possibly larger as I was allowed to have endless burritos all summer). I am eating healthy, low calorie foods and running(or biking) 6 days a week and lifting 4 days a week now. Some weeks are easier than others, but I can see and feel my body changing and getting stronger.
My measurements as of 18th January 2012
upper arm 12 inches
forearm 9 inches
bust 34.5 inches
chest 30.5 inches
waist 29 inches
midway 41 inches
hips 36 inchesthighs 24 inches
knees 16 inches
calves 15 inches
To take your own measurements follow this chart:
Below are the pictures of my progress. The pictures in the yellow sports bra are from a year ago, it is the same shape I was in when I began training in September(though possibly larger as I was allowed to have endless burritos all summer). I am eating healthy, low calorie foods and running(or biking) 6 days a week and lifting 4 days a week now. Some weeks are easier than others, but I can see and feel my body changing and getting stronger.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)