A Year Later

It's been an entire year since I've updated this blog, and I can't say a whole lot has changed. Yes, I've done a few half marathons, and yes I have been exercising off and on, maybe even a little more on than off, I've even lost a few pounds but the truth is that I still don't feel like I'm making the progress that I want to make. But hey, I'm a work in progress, so I'm getting back in the saddle and trying again.

Right now I'm planning to do the More Half Marathon in NYC in April, then the Middlebury Half Marathon in VT, In August I'll be doing a sprint distance triathlon in NJ and in September I'll be doing another half marathon in Tennessee. Oh - I'm sorry, I should have mentioned that my new goal is to do a half marathon in every state within 10 years. So, wish me happy trails along the way.

Beyond the Fear of Bikram Yoga

I've been curious about Bikram yoga for quite some time, wanting to give it a try for the longest, eyeing the front door of the yoga studio every time I passed it, wondering what was going on behind Door #1, but I was also a bit of a punk. Afraid to step into the unknown, mentally going through all of the what ifs. Seriously, what if I passed out? What if I threw up? What if I hurt myself? Well, I finally did it. I took a day off from work, decided I'd go in the middle of the day when I was sure the studio would be relatively empty. I'd go in, give it a try and head for the door midway when I realized it was too difficult, or too hot, or too something. I did it, and it was very hot, and it was definitely a challenge,and it wasn't as empty as I expected but I didn't run out. I stuck with it through the entire hot 90 minutes. The next day my body was achy, my neck hurt and for a moment I questioned whether I should go back. But the frugalista in me said "Hey, I paid my $20 for one week, and I want to get my money's worth." So, I knew I had to go back and I did. I went back two days later and when the instructor asked if there were any newbies in the class, I raised my hand, and since she remembered seeing me two days earlier, I was informed that you only get one day to be a newbie. Apparently, I am no longer a newbie at Bikram yoga. (Go Me!)
I can't say Day 2 was any easier than Day 1, but I got through it. I've been looking for the benefits, but I don't know if what I'm feeling is for real or if there's some placebo effect going on and I'm just feeling less stressed and more relaxed because that's what I expect to feel. I'm not even sure if it really matters. Does it?
Today was Day 3 and I think I'm addicted. I'll extend my membership to the introductory 30 day plan, and decide then if I want to be a regular, because you know me, once I'm paying for it, I'll have to get my money's worth.

Baby Steps

"Baby Steps" That's what my daughter insists I consider whenever I remind her about something that I feel she needs to get done now and she feels can wait, or can be done over a stretch of time - "Baby Steps". I've decided to take her approach to life and work on some of my own baby steps.

Today's baby step will be to eat at least four servings of fruits and three servings of vegetables. I've already had half of a banana and a handful of blueberries, is that one serving or two?

Baby steps...

Fifteen Months Later

So here I am, fifteen months since my last post, and nothing much has really changed. I still need to eat better, I still need to lose 15 - 20 pounds, I still need to get more sleep... Why is that? How is it that I've started and restarted this journey countless times, had so many day ones, yet I've barely made any visible progress? Or have I made progress and not even realized it because I'm too busy looking for the big pay off that I'm missing the baby steps in between?

True To Form

True to form, I'm registered for a half marathon in Philly on November 22nd and I've barely been running, or jogging, or shlogging for that matter. Well actually, after watching the NYC Marathon from the comfort of my bed on Sunday morning, I felt quite ambitious so I went out for a 6.5 mile run, which was more like a 6.5 mile shlog. (A shlog being something between a shlep and a jog.)It actually felt pretty good. When I got home I took two Advil PM's and slept like a baby.

31.1%

According to the Tanita Body Composition Analyzer TBF-310 I am 31.1% body fat and the desirable range for my age, height and body type is 23 - 34%. My goal will be 23%. My loose plan is to alternate my workouts between cardio and strength training and cut back on the junk food some more. Yesterday I did a jog / walk of 10 miles. I was exhausted when I got home. Feel free to give me any suggestions. I'll post pictures along the way.

NYRR New York Mini 10K - June 7, 2009

So, I just signed up to do a 10K (6.2 miles) race in Central Park on June 7th. No - I have not been running lately and no I do not believe I am or will be ready to do well by June 7th, but no one said I have to do well, I just have to finish and I will. I have 10 days to get as ready as possible to do a 10K race. It's called the NYRR New York Mini 10K. I wonder what makes it a mini. If I can maintain a 12 minute mile pace for the entire race, then I will be satisfied. If I can maintain an 11:59 pace, then I'll be very happy.