Slow Dancing With A Stranger {10} "A Month of Challenges"
 

Oh Krystal, sorry I wasn't around last night to give you a :hug:

I don't know what to tell you.

I am wondering, if I was you, if I would just give myself the authority to take a maintenance break until the race is over. Figure out what maintenance calories would be with 6-7 days of working out and eat at that until the race is over. Eat extra calories above maintenance when you have your long runs for the fuel. I think you are doing too much and your body is demanding fuel. You are trying not to give it, and when you do break down, it is junky stuff. If you concentrate on fueling with smart foods right now for the next 3 weeks, perhaps you won't feel the need for as much junk? Don't worry about fasting, don't worry about losing weight, don't even worry about trying to do certain workouts (except our challenges ;)), just concentrate on the running. It's only 3 weeks, and then after that, you can go full force again. I bet if you fuel for the next three weeks, your body will be ready to lose again when at a deficit. Maintenance breaks are good for the body, it's just hard to wrap our minds around.

Thanks for starting the new thread! I notice you had planks on the old thread, but not on the new one, did you mean to leave those out? I am going to do them either way. I think for the challenges, you just do them whatever days workout for you. We should all report back when they are done too.

I was able to follow it this time! YAY!

Sorry ladies, but an actual "scheduled" challenge isn't going to work for days, but I am going to try to challenge myself. I have never done 60 miles in a month (I know that is a piece of cake for you all... for me, not so much). It's been so hard with scheduling, things popping up, plus putting my strength training in there... so... going to be tracking on my own to see if I can do it this month. I like the idea of challenging yourself to new heights for a month - this will be mine :P

OMG, sounds like a psycho ward instead of cardio ward! I am sorry! That is rough.

I looked at your diary and I see you are kinda slipping :( -- I have sugar addiction. I went through h3ll when I went off sugar. I wish there was rehab for sugar addicts. I understand your frustration :hug: -- maybe try just doing detox? -- I am totally an emotional eater. -- We moved 11 times in 8 years and each move I gained anywhere from 5-30 pounds. I always managed to take it off right before new move). I wish I could be there for you!! All I can do is to tell you how much I understand, and try to keep you accountable.

Challenge 1 complete! I went to grab my 10s and my youngest son had them in his room, so I used 12s for the first set, too light, so I ended up using 15s and then did an extra set so I would get 3 sets of 10 in with the 15s.
So in total,

40 squats
40 hammer curls
40 shoulder press ups

Felt pretty good, but I'll have to make it harder next time:devil:.

That was all AFTER I got in 55 minutes on the treadmill, HIIT and steady state jogging :D.

I feel pretty good today. I should feel good, I went waaaaaaaaay over on my calories yesterday for my spike day. I was shooting for about 3500 and ended up around 4700 :yikes: I was pretty carby and sugary yesterday too. Today is a new day.
I can never seem to spike within my calories, I am going to try harder next week. According to my calculations I should still have enough deficit for a pound, but who knows if that is right :dizzy:

ItsMyTurn, sounds like a good challenge! Good luck. If you feel like jumping in on any of our challenges, whatever day it is, feel free to. The point is that we just do something right?

Sum, hows it going? Are you spiking today?

K9, another :hug: for you

ItsMyTurn Any challenge is good :) Glad you found us :hug:

Jo I don't feel like eating today; how funny is that?? I love this time right after TOM. So I am not going to spike today. I tend to save those up for pre-TOM days :lol: I am also being a poster child for IF :D

I walked 7.5 miles this morning with DH and puppy. Doggie is exhausted.
I had perfect 19/5 IF day yesterday, and I am planning on having 24 fast tomorrow. I have not completed Jo's challenge yet, but I will.

My :crazy: love sick (damn) husband needs attention...he is crowding me so I guess I need to cut this short.

:grouphug: Have a FAB day

Hi Everyone :hug:

I am back!! February 5th was my last visit and I have been out of control in sort of a limited way. My scale says I gained 12 pounds since February 5th.
The strange thing was I had a routine three month followup Doctor visit with my primary care physician this past Friday. His scale says I lost 5 pounds since my last appointment on 12/26/2011.

Krystal: That is quite a workout plan. I will do the parts that I can. My Orthopedic Surgeon has instructed my to stay away from stairs. He says the part of my knees used for stair climbing is worn out from arthritis. I used to always choose the stairs when my destination was 10 stories or less. Both hips are arthritic, the right one severe so I may have to follow a different routine.

I have had cataract surgery on one eye 2/22/2012 and the other eye on 3/28/2012. I am typing this without glasses!! :D:D I have to concentrate to read and use the computer but my distance vision is great, I have worn glasses for 36 years and it seems strange without them. The day after my last surgery I asked the doctor when I could drive a car again. His answer "right now and without glasses" He says my vision will improve a lot in the next 30 days. I think it's great now!!

Now to stay on plan and start losing again.

Larry H

JO: Did you not see this??

Guess what, I just lost mine :D I kid you not!! Second toe on my right foot. -- I think it was my shoe getting old or something, or my feet changed in size, anycase it is completely gone now. It was sore for awhile, then turned blue and then just fell off :( I was thinking about getting a fake one, but it kinda scares me, there is really no nail and the fake one would not breathe.

Jo; you shedding any nails? :lol:

:hug::hug::hug::hug:Larry:hug::hug::hug::hug:

We were worried!!! I am glad your surgery went well. Now you are back on track with us. Soon you will be riding your bike again with brand new eys to check FL girls out :) :)

I am glad you are back!

LARRY!!! Welcome back! So glad things are going well for you, I sure have wondered. That's super about the cataract surgery, glad the outcome was more than you expected. Did you have to choose if you wanted to see better near or far? My mom needs cataract surgery and she is having a difficult time choosing which method she wants. She thinks she has her mind made up and then talks to someone else that talks her into the other method.
Hey, don't worry about the challenges, we are just trying to shake things up around here. Maybe just challenge yourself this month with something you feel you can accomplish.

Sum, sounds like you are back in the groove! I will be fasting with you tomorrow, if all goes well.

K9, a big :congrat: on your run today, well done! I am glad you are feeling better about things.

Um, no.

Oh my goodness, maybe I am the one who needs to get their eyes checked.

larry glad to see you back!!

last week i ran every day for 6 days in a row!! i ran 2 miles one day, 1 1/2 the next, 1 the next, speed intervals the next day etc...i like to vary it ALOT...but it totals 45 minutes on the treadmill...whenever my "running" is up, then i do incline walking for the rest of the time, varying at faster speeds, highest incline

the 5th day of running i got a bad bout of stomach flu that afternoon (i work out in the mornings) ...the next day i felt fine, began running faster intervals...got up to about a mile of running total (plus the walk breaks) and got the worst calf cramp i've EVER EVER had (!) i couldnt even walk it out, i couldnt even take a step but i managed to limp home and still get through my afternoon work...even that night it just KILLED me but the next day it was alot better...i wonder if it was from being dehydrated from the previous day's stomach bug...

so the next day (friday) and all day yesterday i havent worked out...not because of that, but because of the state education conference here in town...not only do i need to attend the workshops for training hours, but since i'm on the board of directors i do alot of things behind the scenes...like pick up the keynote speaker from the airport etc...so its' been a busy few days and i was soooo exhausted last night

today im busy with house cleaning and our son's birthday party this afternoon....lots of kids coming over for cake etc and then we're all going to the new aquatic center....rather than hosting the party AT the aquatic center (which limits the number of ppl you can have) ....it'll be an experiment...hope it all turns out okay...

eating has been okay-ish...i packed lots of fruits and a salad for my conference days...still managed to eat some crap anyhow LOL...today will be cake and ice cream...but im not gonna stress over that when i'm busy doing 493 other things LOL...whatever i eat, i eat...and tomorrow starts a fresh day with good food and back to running

krystal i was going to message you to ask about if dehydration from the stomach flu could have caused such a terrible calf cramp...but then i got busy...i text All The Time though if u want to send me your number :)

Love Banana Pudding & need a healthier alternative?
Try This:

Jo - Thanks, actually I will technically be doing one of them, the strength training I do is full body, but all of the ones Krystal suggested are things I do :) The stairs one is a bit difficult since where I live in AZ everything is one or 2 stories... I have stairs in my house, but that would be a ton of times up and down my stairs, :lol:

Kristiina - I did find y'all!!!! Now that I am back on, you can run but can't hide from me now, LOL!

Larry - So very good to see you back on the boards! Missed ya :) Glad you can see better and will only improve :) Then you can see your tracking, :lol:

Krystal - After committing to trying to do 60 miles in April... I started to second guess myself. However, since I already wrote it down in my excel spreadsheet, it was a done deal. You all are way inspiring, and now that the plateau is hopefully being broke, it was time for a new challenge :D Thank you all for making me challenge myself. How amazing if I actually accomplish it!!!

As for me... I am 3.3 miles into my 60 miles today :O Since I can't do this daily, I have to try to get in more than 2 miles whenever I CAN do it in order to make up the mileage timing :)

I did not have to choose. My left eye is a lazy eye from birth and far sighted is best for me. I may end up with reading glasses but do not know yet. If I concentrate I can read standard size type but small print is still fuzzy. I see the eye surgeon on Thursday and will have more answers then

Larry H

Krystal, Sum, Jo... this is your fault... literally trying to find things that will challenge me, push me, but still achievable now. Oy! Going to cuss myself out for doing it, but have added to my own challenge and you all are welcome to jump in if you want more :lol: http://www.twohundredsitups.com/index.html

That's the thing, my Mom has worn glasses to see distance for forever and enjoys many up close hobbies without needing glasses, i.e. crafts and computer games and such. I don't see why she would want to change that to the total opposite now??? It's her decision, it just seems to be a difficult one for her so I thought I would ask, thanks for that.

Oh my, that looks like a lot of fun, NOT :lol:! I think that is a great challenge and I am tempted, but I think my tailbone would reject the idea. Not sure if you caught it, but a little over a month ago I (think) I broke my tailbone. I don't think I should go there right now. . .
You do it and tell me how it goes, I want full reports!!! I am going to add this to my mental list to do in the future, thanks for the link!

Ahhhhh, I slept in until 7:30 today, :cool:
It wasn't a perfect night of sleep, but that extra hour/hour and a half put me in a good place for the morning :cloud9:

Fasting today. Trying for 24. DH is not home for dinner tonight so I should be able to do it barring any physical problems (like severe hunger :lol:).

My friend cannot walk, but I will go out to walk once it warms up a bit. I am a little sore all over today from the running/dumbell exercises. I will be glad when my fitness catches back up with my goals.

Krystal, that pudding looks yummers! I just threw away some ripe bananas too. I found some ants in my kitchen and freaked out, throwing away anything that was sitting out :lol: Spent most of the morning yesterday washing down everything with vinegar (they are supposed to not like it and will stay away). This morning I saw an ant though :mad: On a positive note, my counters and backsplashes are very shiny! Who knew vinegar puts off such a nice shine? DH told me it smelled like a massengil factory.
Anyways, your recipe reminds me I just got my PB2 a few days ago and have yet to use it.. . Hmmmm
So what's your week look like? You have your long run done, what else will you do?

Sum, are you with me today? No surprise lunches? What's your plan today, probably a long fast walk?

I woke up at 3:30 am :tantrum: I wiggled until 5 and then decided to come downstairs and watch TV. -- I had remembered to turn my phone alarm off, I had texted my DS to turn off his alarm (he was at a sleep over), BUT forgot to tell my DD :mad: so that darn alarm woke me up around 6:30 am. Jo don't know if I will make it till 6 pm today.... I feel like I have been up half a day already :tired: I am going to try my hardest to go as late as I can. I usually end up doing a lot of cleaning and errands on my fast days. DH loves it :lol:

Scale is heading back down; 147 lbs this am. -- Friday is my official monthly weigh-in and measurement date. I record the first Friday of each new month: TOM is gone and no ovulation or PMS :) I would like to end up at 146; that would bring 3.5 pound loss for the month of March. I think I can do it. :crossed:

ItsMyTurn, I HATE situps. HATE ,HATE ,HATE them. and I really need to start doing them :D -- I just saw this strange core exercise. Place basketball in black garbage bag and sit leaning back, making sure to have straight back, and swing the bag side to side 20-30 times. I was thinking about trying that one. Hmm maybe a challenge for next week? :chin:

How are you feeling today Krystal?

Larry I finally had to give in and wear my reading glasses. I resisted for a long time, but my arms got too short to hold things far enough :dizzy:

Well I am off to my walk. I think today we will "only" walk 5.5 miles. Doggie was really tired yesterday....but then again, once I get out there, I just love it so much that I just keep going. I am so lucky to have a great, and for the most part, empty nature park with so many hills, woods, fields and the lake for Shadow to swim in; all in one package.

I forgot to tell you my good news!!

I totally forgot to take my BP meds last week. I have felt okay.... so I just realized today my mistake. I took my BP and it was 119/79 with 54 HR. I am going to skip them and just monitor my BP. Imagine if I could get off those?? I think my BP was totally weight related. -- How sad :( so about 20 pounds gone and BP is back to normal?

Usually this is not a sign of mild to moderate dehydration. In severe cases, yes.. but it would also be combined with decreased urination, lightheadedness, lethargy, and confusion. Hopefully, you didn't have all of that.

What are you eating before you run? I would suggest 1-1.5 hrs before you run that you pack in some proper fuel, such as 1/2 banana, 1 Tbs PB, and 1 serving of plain oatmeal. or 1/2 Multi-Grain Round, PB, 1/2 Banana
If it bothers you to eat before a run, eat this after you run.

It sounds more like an electrolyte imbalance to me, but I could be wrong. You could also try drinking some Gatorade/Powerade--especially when you are sick and not taking in vital nutrients.

Also, another thing you can try is BioFreeze--get it online or from a chiropractor's office.
You can try icing for 20 minutes on 1 hr off.
You can also try Village Naturals for aches and pains from Walmart in your bath.

I use all of these techniques for pain!
As well as Goody's Cool Orange or Aleve!

Hey, I know it's alot, but I need to be pain free to do what I do. I don't have time to allow pain to slow me down!

Hope you feel better!!

:woohoo:

This is FABULOUS news!!

Well, Yesterday was a bust for me. A major binge, I ate everything in sight:(

Today is a new day and a new chance. I have been skipping breakfast so as a trial I am changing that starting today. I tried Hungry Girl's Egg in a Mug for the first time this morning. I had to substitute a slice of Borden's Fat Free American Cheese because I was out of the Laughing Cow Cheese called for in the recipe. It sure tasted great and it was only 90 calories.

http://www.hungry-girl.com/newsletters/raw/1256

Larry

Jo - I so didn't know that. Ouch!!!! I sure hope you aren't suffering too many after effects of the tailbone, that is such a central location wow. I admire those that can fast, especially a full 24 hrs, I couldn't do it. Funny part, before I started eating healthy, I would miss a day here and there all the time - too busy, didn't think of it, etc.... but then would eat crap when I did eat. Now that I am healthy, I actually get "hungry". I admire you all so much for being able to though :)

Sum - You were up when I was :) I have to though in order to get all my stuff done before work - kids' meds ready, supper prepped, etc. Then on the road at 5:30 to go to work. I wish you luck on your fast... I think you will do great!!! I have never heard of that basketball exercise - totally curious now
Super yay on the BP!!!! That's amazing!!!

Krystal - I saw your response. My right wrist is in a mad arthritic flare, so had to find an alternative to planks and my Ab Bootcamp I started... and still work the core until my wrist decides to cooperate. 8 miles and no soreness??? You are my idol now! That's awesome!!!!

Larry - Everyone has an "off" day :) You are one I don't worry about though, totally know how to recover and do so with awesome results!!!! Own it today! :)

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

I think I made it! I did a lot of shopping and many, many errands. Now I will start prepping dinner, and I will eat 5:30 sharp :D

I am really surprised that I did not give in, considering I have been up 13 hours.

Star; do you get up each day this early? :hug:

Whew, I have managed to keep myself busy as a bee today and now I only have 1 hour left to go for my 24 hour fast. By time I finish this post and get dinner going, it will be time to eat, I'm so excited :carrot:

I got a 45 minute walk in today, I cut it short because I get so bored without my gf, and then I had to pee too, oh well, close enough. If felt good to get some of the soreness worked out. All I could think about on my walk (besides that I had to go to the bathroom) is that I am so thankful to be able to be upping the intensity of my workouts again, it really feels awesome. And I am not even doing half of what I was, but I will get there.

Sum, a huge :congrat: to you for getting off those meds. That is so much bigger than any number on the scale (even though that is looking good this week for you too!). That tells you that what you are doing is having an effect that you cannot taste or see or feel, but that effect is huge!
Great job on your fast today! Fast 5 tomorrow?

Larry,way to get right back at it today, you can do this, you are better than that food you are craving. Your breakfast sounded yummy but it made me think of a mug brownie recipe I used to make :lol:

Star, for some reason, fasting comes pretty easily for me, on the 24 hour ones, I don't really even feel any hunger until about 20-23 hours. Today, it has just been the last hour or so, and not terrible, just that I notice it. The other types of IF, like fast 5 (a 5 hour eating window) or Leangains (an 8 hour eating window) are very much like I normally eat. At times, I am just pushing back my first meal a bit. I really like it a lot and it is good to know I don't have to eat 6 small meals a day like people always preach. Now, when I was working, I had to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner. Not sure why I was hungrier, but I was. I also gained a lot of weight the years I worked. :lol: working is bad for my waistline.

Krystal, what swimsuit did you get, are there pics online we can see? I bet you are going to look amazing!

Sum - I get up every weekday that early, not on the weekends though :) Congrats on getting it done!!!! That is amazing timeframe for a fast! Great job!!!!

Jo - That's awesome! To not just be able to do it, but then not feel the hunger until the end is amazing! Awesome job!!!!

Jo: I got the Maldives Triangle Top in Pacific Blue
with the Skirted Bottom in Pacific Blue
from VS ;)

Krystal

I checked the link you posted and you being a cardiac care nurse should know better than to expose a poor guy like me that has had cardiac bypass to that picture.:rofl: My bradycardia has resolved itself after seeing that.

It could have been FATAL!! :yikes:

Larry

:rofl: OOPS! Glad it wasn't me in the suit in that pic. My significantly over-extended water-weighted abdomen would have really had you in cardiac arrest!!! :rofl:

A great day today!! I am back on plan :D my calorie intake was 1039

I will weigh in tomorrow and I expect the eye surgeon will give me clearance to resume my exercise when I see him on Thursday,

Larry

after three days off running being busy elsewhere, i went back to run today...it wasn't pleasant....that SAME pain behind my knee returned quickly even though it hadnt bothered me for those three days off....its a pain at the back base of my knee like where it's connected to the top of my calf...ive never had something like that happen before

i ran at 5.0 briefly and it flared up...i walked a bit and tried a faster speed, 5.5, and it was worse...so i settled for walking the rest of the time at a high incline...my leg still bothers me tonight...not sure what's up with that

my breakfast about an hour to 1 1/2 hours before i run is either a homemade protein shake, or two pieces of toast with peanut butter and a bit of honey, or some oatmeal with dates and walnuts...i try to make sure i eat something every morning that i plan to run

i think i need to take it down a notch, maybe go back to running 4.7 speed and try for distance instead of speed for awhile....not sure...never encountered this before

and when it initially happened last week, i wasnt doing anything different, harder or anything...and i thought it was a major cramp...now im not sure...

Krystal - CUTE suit!!!! You will be able to rock that thing!!!!

Larry - Great job staying on plan!!! :dance:

Alaskan - I don't know enough to offer any advice on that, but betting maybe Krystal could offer up something helpful??

Last night I did Bootcamp Abs with BOTH my daughters (the word "ouch" was heard a lot) since my wrist calmed a bit from the flare - I wanted to take advantage of it. Then did a 10 min dance cool down. It really does help to stretch them afterwards. 5 solid hours of sleep last night, and will be in to work early today. Have to do some extra time in order to be able to leave earlier on Friday (my youngest's birthday). Have a great day all!!!!

Krystal, that suit is adorable and I love the color too. I know you look good in that color because of your scrub top in you avatar. My suit looks like a tent compared to that one :rofl: I hope you rock that suit and your new body, you so deserve it!

Larry, you missed Krystal's before and during/after photos in last months thread, talk about hot! That bikini model has nothing on Krystal!

Sum, hope you got some much needed sleep last night! Great job on your fast yesterday.

Star, yeah, I think keeping busy has a lot to do with not being as hungry. That applies whether you are fasting or not, at least for me. So do you have birthday plans for your DD? You said the 6th right? How is your challenge going?
ETA: I just saw your post, I guess you are doing well with your challenge!!!!!

AFM, going to try to get my hour walk in before the rain rolls in for the day. I think I will do the core challenge tomorrow because I have to take DS to the doctor later this morning.

Has anyone else finished any of our challenges for this week?