A hitch in the plan ...

Ok, so I did the run/walk thing today and I'm in pain. I think it's good pain, but it's pain and my tolerance is low. My arms hurt and my legs do too. I can feel the muscles everywhere, which means that something is happening and it's probably good. However, the sensation of achy all over isn't fun.

I just read an article on webmd about muscle soreness after working out and it suggested letting sore muscles rest for a day or two before working them again. I'm supposed to do the run/walk thing again tomorrow, but I think I might either walk for 30 minutes or bike or do a combo of those.

I'm not in horrible shape, but I can't be achy all the time, either. I'm determined to stick with this - I can feel my muscles which means that what I'm doing is working them and thus working. I'm never going to be skinny, and I'm fine with that. However, I don't want to be this big forever. I want to be healthier, and I have to keep reminding myself of that goal, because it's the most important one.

Down day.

I'm feeling particularly moody this evening, and I'm not entirely certain why. My day wasn't horrible; not good either, but not horrible.

I discovered that my favorite pen leaked all over my pencil case.
The photocopier at school jammed up like 30 times during one job and my hands got covered in toner while I fixed it.
The beautiful new shoes I bought gave me one hell of a blister on my heel and now I can't put my sneakers on to go to the gym.

I'm going to do my yoga dvd tonight, so I'm still getting active, but I'm just not happy. Could it be my uncle smoking in the house even though he KNOWS it bugs me and that I'm allergic? Could it be my Nana's snappy mood? Could it even be that I'm stressed about 100 different things going on?

This is the kind of day when I'm seriously going to have to force myself to do something physical. All I really want is to curl up with a warm cookie and watch television. But, I'm going to force my stiff (yep, that's right, stiff) body to do yoga with the Biggest Loser people.

The end.

Sore, but still trucking.

Just got back from day 2 ... I had to really stick to 30 minutes of activity today. Mostly, I got bored - maybe when the soundtrack to GLEE comes out the day before my birthday I'll get more excited.

Anyhoo, today was supposed to be 30 minutes of easy walking. However, since my heel is still sore I made an executive decision to bike 15 and walk 15. That biking seriously worked my legs. I'm glad I did it that way; not only did it break up the workout, but it was very little irritation on my heel.

Tomorrow I'm taking OFF. I have school, an IEP meeting, and choir rehearsal at 7:15. There really is no time, and the plan I'm doing allows one day a week off. The plan says Sunday, but I'm making another executive decision and taking Wednesdays.

That is it for now ... I need a shower and some stretching.

Reasons Why.

Here are the reasons why I'm going to stick with this getting active stuff:

1. My mother had diabetes, my Nana does. I. Don't. Want. It.
2. I want to be a healthier me.
3. Let's face it - I need to lose some weight.
4. My Nana's weight, and other medical conditions, are making it hard for her to do ANYTHING these days - I don't want that to be me.
5. It's time.

One step closer (in a lot of ways)

I just got back from the gym. Yep, the gym. Last week I decided that I would try my hand at running - eventually. For now, I'm working on building up some endurance and the ability to at least jog for any length of time. I posted the first two weeks of the schedule I found in my last post. Today I completed the first day. I did, I will admit, cut it short by 5 minutes because I wound up with a sore on the heel of my right foot (from socks that didn't cover enough).

I'm surprised at how "easy" it was for me. I walked for 2 minutes, ran for one. Walked 2, ran 1. I did that for 25 minutes, and am proud of myself. I mean, I can totally walk for 25 minutes, it was the running every 2 that worried me. I wanted to finish - I told myself from the beginning of the time that I needed to finish. No excuses. At about 15 minutes my legs were getting tired and I could feel the sore on my heel. I ignored it, kept going, and with a little help from Vince Vaughn and Ellen I forgot about the tired legs and sore heel.

At 20 minutes, my heel felt raw, so I paused the treadmill to take a look. Blister had formed and popped. I kept going, but at about 23 minutes I was limping. I know it sounds lame, and for people who are totally in shape it's not a lot, but I set a goal and I did it. I have to go out later today, so I'll squeeze in the last 5 minutes of walking then.

I don't know how many steps I took today, but I'm that much closer to being a happier, healthier me.

Maybe if I write it down ...

Ok. I'm posting it here ... I want to try my hand at running. I was on the internet looking up training schedules for beginners and this one looks manageable. I'm going to try, no. I'm going to DO IT.

At the Start

Ok. I was on facebook a few mornings ago, and posted a status about wanting to be more active. Got some supportive feedback, and have decided I'm really going to do it. I'm not unhealthy, but I'm definitely not in "good" shape. I'm aware of myself, and am at a point where I seriously need to do something. I've tried before, but it never works because it's just me trying to push myself. I start out with great plans, but can make excuses to myself and soon stop whatever it was I began doing.

Now, my very fabulous, most favorite teacher has offered some advice and to be my person (the one to whom I'm accountable). When we had our "biggest loser" thing at church this summer, it pushed me because I was reporting to someone. This is what I just wrote to Mrs. M:

Ok. You are my person, and I shall be eternally grateful. I feel like it's easy to make excuses to myself about why I can't find time for something, so here's my plan at this moment:

I'm going to poke around and figure out WHAT I want to do (run, swim, walk, whatever). Then, I'm going to figure out a goal for myself. Something manageable, but that will force me to push myself. Then, I'll make a concrete plan. I'm giving myself until Monday to get this done. Then I'll be back here, telling you what I decided. Ok?

It's already helping me to have someone to "report" to (and that's only for lack of a better term). Keeps me in line, and on track. A million, billion thanks!


And here it goes ....