40-Somethings - Accountability!!!!

UGH!!!

I haven't run for a WEEK!!! I am ashamed, and I thought what better way than to face it than to just fess up here.

I have told yall here before, I am signed up for a 10K, in Sept!!! So, why did I take this week off??? I dunno...but leseeee, here are some of my excuses I have for myself (please feel free to roll your eyes after each one):

1. "I have been running for months, what does is hurt if I skip just today?" OK, maybe that's not too bad. But when "today" turns into "and today, and today, and today".. said consecutively (is that a word?)...well, that's just not good.

2. "I'm sleepy." Best excuse for not getting up in the morning! By noon that day, did you really care how sleepy you were? Did you say to yourself, "Wow, Self, I'm so glad you got your extra 60 minutes of sleep this morning!!"

3. "My heart rate might get too high today." Umm, darling Self, if this is TRULY a concern of yours, then see your damn doctor.

4. "I've got too much to do today!" Yeah, so much that you can't take 45-60 mins out of your ultrasuperbusyimportant day to take care of your body. Oh and in case you didn't get it hat is SARCASM. *****, please.

Jasmine, not too many of us are having a bump-free journey. You're already putting yourself in the realm of the Serious Losers by signing up for the 10K - I mean really, what percentage of the population would even CONSIDER doing that??? One week shouldn't set you back that much - and if you get right back to business, by next week it will be like you never stopped. But as an ex-jock, I will tell you - do NOT let this slide for more than 10 days. Use the energy that you're generating on being mad for the Power Of Good, and get yer @$$ back on the road. :hug: You CAN do this, and you WILL do this!

Jasmine - I think you're being way too hard on yourself. You messed up, you've acknowledged it, and you've moved on. Please, don't berate yourself... you deserve better than that. You need to be your own best cheerleader, not your own best critic... At least, that's my belief.

You're right, you're making excuses. Just catch yourself mid-excuse and stop.

As for #2 - I don't think that one is necessarily an excuse. People do need sleep, and a lot of people don't get enough. That lack of sleep can create all sorts of problems in your day, from being cranky to making bad choices to having difficulty falling asleep the next night.

Often beating yourself up just defeats your progress. MOVE ON and FORWARD.

Love yourself and respect yourself and start tomorrow making the healthiest choices you can for that day.

also I agree with Newleaf---getting proper sleep is important.

tomorrow is a new day! put last week behind you and determine that tomorrow you'll get it right, and then tomorrow and tomorrow etc. the way I look at it is that every day I stick to my plan it brings me one step closer to my goal. a missed day or week may have me standing still temporarily, but it's still better than going backwards - or giving up completely! I'm soooo impressed that you've signed up for a marathon and will be in your cheering section when you meet that goal!

OK, I got up at 6:00 this morning and ran, and I feel sooooo good now! I was surprised that I was able to pick up where I left off.

Thanks for listening. I'm the kind of person who needs a swift kick in the seat when I get off track, even if I have to do it to myself.

Staying accountable...I went running this morning too! I'm going to see my dad in Texas tomorrow and since I have to get out to the airport I won't have time to run. I packed all my running clothes and Asics so I can continue running while I'm there. I know it's hot in Texas right now, but Dad has an exercise room with a treadmill so no excuses!

That's great that you can keep up the routine while you're in TX. Have a great trip!

way to go! where in tx?

San Antonio, TX

I am keeping it up here. My husband gave me a Garmin 205 for my birthday, and I have really enjoyed using it to run around Dad's neighborhood and the surrounding neighborhoods. It's very pretty here, and there are tree-lined trails that begin almost out his front door. I've been heading out before dark so I can run before the heat hits. Other than getting extremely thirsty by mile 3, I'm doing well!

I think I may have lost a few more pounds, but Dad doesn't have a scale, so I'll have to wait until I get home to check.

Way to go Jasmine! Sounds like you're back on track. Maybe you just needed a change of scenery?

awesome jasmine, keep it up! I used to live in houston, the heat is wicked. great plan to get out while it's dark, now that's dedication!

I did my final night of Level 1 on the 30-Day Shred with Jillian Michaels. I've been nervous about moving on to Level 2 based on what I've read on this site. After I worked out tonight, I watched Level 2 and it didn't look as bad as I thought it would be. I'm going to give it a go tomorrow. :crossed:

That's great! Go for it, SunshineCA! I find that thinking about something for too long just makes me more apprehensive and more afraid. I just have to jump into it and do it.

on the topic of accountability, I need to stop ordering in/going out to eat for dinner almost every night! even though I stick to my 50% rule (only eat half of what I order and trash the rest) I think this is really holding me back when it comes to losing weight : (

WeightlossWanted, I've found that restaurant food is a real problem. The food usually isn't as good as I can make it at home, and it is usually VERY high in calories. Do a search on Cheesecake Factory calories and it will be enough to tell you, never again... (fortunately I had ruled out Cheesecake Factory many years ago just because the food made DH & I really sick; now I know it's because of the very high fat content that we just weren't accustomed to eating).

So if you can, toss the restaurant food (save it as a treat, as opposed to a daily thing) and eat at home as much as possible. That will make a huge difference. It will probably save you some money, too.

newleaf: I know, but coming home and cooking for myself after work is a real problem! Especially after a draining day. I love to cook, but not when it's just for me. I buy all these great fruits and veggies, and tons of chicken breast but alot goes to waste because I never get around to cooking it. When I do I cook a ton and freeze/prepackage it for healthy lunches during the week. I can have a great food day all day, until I get home at night : (

I hear you, cooking for one is hard... as is cooking after a long day at work... Maybe you can find someplace that makes all sorts of awesome salads?

That's great! Go for it, SunshineCA! I find that thinking about something for too long just makes me more apprehensive and more afraid. I just have to jump into it and do it.

Exactly! Like Nike says, "Just DO It!" I hurt but it was worth it. ;)

I really like this runner's blog: http://www.seejessrun.com/ Look for her entries under "food for fuel". She cooks for one, and posts very healthy, creative recipes.

Ok, here's a link with a "food for fuel" search I did to find her recipes on her blog: http://www.seejessrun.com/?s=food+for+fuel&submit.x=17&submit.y=15

Well I'm back home and no more weightloss like I had thought. I was surprised because I can *see* a difference, plus I am wearing some old jeans that I haven't been able to wear in years! So, I know I'm shrinking, and I'm ok with the scale not moving yet...

And I am estatic about something I just noticed....ladies, the cellulite on the backs of my thighs is almost GONE!!! I have had cellulite since I was in my early 20's (even though I was very thin back then - but I didn't exercise - I guess I was "skinny fat" as they now call it) and didn't think there was anything I could do about it. I guess running has really helped. I can actually wear shorts above my knees again!

Oh - and for accountability, I went out and ran 4 miles yesterday. Lots of hills in PA so it was tougher than running in TX, but it felt good.

way to go jasmine! you may not be losing weight but are obviously reshaping your body : ) the hills may be tough, but I think I would prefer that to the heat and humidity in tx! keep up the good work!

newleaf: I know, but coming home and cooking for myself after work is a real problem! Especially after a draining day. I love to cook, but not when it's just for me. I buy all these great fruits and veggies, and tons of chicken breast but alot goes to waste because I never get around to cooking it. When I do I cook a ton and freeze/prepackage it for healthy lunches during the week. I can have a great food day all day, until I get home at night : (

WLW, do you have a George Foreman grill or something similar? I'm also just cooking for one and it has been a lifesaver. Between that and my freezer, cooking for one hasn't been too bad. Last night, I wanted a chicken fajita so I got out some frozen chicken breast and cooked up enough chicken for last night's dinner and today's lunch.

Another thing I do is make turkey burgers out of a package of ground turkey and then freeze them individually. When I want a quick meal, I pop a frozen turkey burger into the pan and in literally 10 minutes I have a yummy turkey burger. I melt a slice of pepperjack over the top, heat up a 100 calorie sandwich thin and hack off a slice of watermelon or a cucumber and dinner is done.

I don't cook big fancy things like lasagna for myself (very often, anyway) but when I do, I make a full batch and then freeze leftover individual portions. I'm a big believer in nuking dinner in the microwave whenever I can. :)

thanks for the suggestions windchime! I know I do better when I do some precooking...just haven't been good about it lately, and my microwave died! I do usually cook up my chicken breasts with different seasonings to make it easier, and if I make a batch of spaghetti sauce w/chicken and veggies I can eat it for lunch all week. I just seem to poop out after work or whatever I have in the house doesn't appeal. a grill of some kind might help!

Another neat thing I have to report! Back when I started running in May, my resting heart rate was usually around 72. Well, most of the time recently it's been consistently around 62. Just the other night, it was 54 - my lowest rate ever! This is with a digital heart rate monitor. I am just thrilled.