Author Archives: khharms

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Confession Thursday

I hate dieting. I always do well in the beginning, I get my head straight and focus. Then I lose a little weight and I think I can stop. You know, oh, this meal won’t hurt, I’ll just make up for it tomorrow…. we’ve all been there. Unfortunately, I can’t do that. So, here I am two weeks later still trying to regroup. I have 1 month until my mini goal deadline, and zero motivation to get back on track.

Please help. Send me some words of encouragement – but please don’t tell me it’s ok. Be harsh, I deserve it.

Tomorrow is a new day, and I WILL start fresh. Yes, on a Friday.

P.S. I’ve lost 11 lbs since Jan 1 – I know I can do this.

 

 

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Focused

I don’t know if I’m just in the zone, or this has gotten easier, but I’m on the road to determination. Last week wasn’t my absolute best week, but I could have made worse decisions.

I did gain a pound this week, but I’m a woman. It’s going to happen, I’ll leave it at that.

We are knocking on the door of February, and my goal is to be down 20 lbs by March 19th. I’ve lost 7. I don’t know at this point if 13 lbs is reasonable in 7 1/2 weeks, but I’m so determined to get as close as I can.

My new plan of attack is to meal plan (which I do already) but track it in the morning to keep my self accountable. Being on the Weight Watchers plan has worked well for me, as long as I track. So far today I will have 7 points left over after dinner, not too shabby :) As I write this post and desperately wanting chocolate, I grabbed some fresh cut pineapple instead. Small changes. It also helps that I didn’t buy any chocolate this run to the store.

I’ve been a rock star with no soda! I’m really very proud of this achievement. If I make it to the 1st (which I will) this will be my longest run without it. Ever. At least in my adult life.

Workouts this week will be as I can. We had a LOT going on last week and I didn’t get to the gym once. *thumbs down* This week it looks to be the same, so I’m going to try doing some circuit training at home. I have to do this during nap time, or in the evening, which is where the scheduling gets iffy. I *could* get up before the kids and do Jillian’s Ripped in 30, but who am I kidding, this mama of two needs sleep when I can get it! Maybe I can make it a goal to get up early twice this week? Big maybe.

One thing I will be doing is getting back on the bike. It’s prime season for Triathlon training and my bike is doing me no good with a flat in the back of the closet. The trainer will go up tonight, and I WILL get on it.

I’ll leave on this final note. Last night my wonderful husband asked if I was wearing skinny jeans. Confused, I laughed and said no, why? He replied with because I haven’t seen you wear those before. Hmm. No, not skinny jeans, they just fit now :)

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Week in Review – Week 3

After last weeks embarrassing review, I figured I’d report how I did this past week.

Better, but I still have room for improvement.

I went to Chick-Fil-A, once. I got a wrap :)

I also went to a family lunch at Red Robin. Did you know that the Caesars Chicken Wrap is 22 points???? I’m still trying to figure this out, and all I could come up with is the dressing is high calorie. I killed my daily points in one sitting. Either way, I could have had the Tower of Onion Rings or a ridiculously high fat burger. I applaud my better choice :)

Still no sodas! I’m past the breaking point. I can at least be around soda and not be tempted. For me, that’s huge. I think for anyone trying to give it up that’s huge.

I went to the gym only twice, life happens sometimes and kids activities will trump the gym. I hate to get in to that mindset, but it’s true. I need to put together my training schedule, that should help some. Or maybe if I actually did all those mini-workouts I have pinned on Pinterest…

I think those are the big highlights. Oh, and I’ve lost 8 lbs since the 1st :) I’m headed in the right direction, one day at a time.

 

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Week In Review

Let’s see, we are three weeks in to the new year so let me recap how I’ve done since my last post:

1. Lose Weight. – I gained. 1/2 lb, but I’m chalking that up to my work out routine

2. No Sodas – I had one. Yesterday. Yep. Let me explain – I was in the midst of shopping and I felt like passing out. I took off my coat so I could ‘breathe’, still felt kind of jittery, so I went to Arby’s and got a Pepsi. I also had a massive migraine attack at the same time so I think maybe my blood sugar dropped or something? Which is wierd because I had just eaten lunch. Either way, the pepsi was nasty and I won’t make that mistake again.

3. No Fast Food – Sigh. Better choices, but it’s still crap. I really have to get past this mental block of the drive thru. Any tips? I’m a grown adult, I know better, it’s just easy. Maybe I’ll have to come up with some kind of punishment for doing it – 100 push ups, 25 burpees – I don’t know. Something.

4. Drink more water – I’m doing better. I also attribute that to working out. Whatever works.

5. Do crunches. Everyday. – um, no.

6. Run – ultimate goal is 3 times a week, 2-3 mile minimum – Once the weather start cooperating I’ll begin this challenge. I think it has rained every day since my last post. I don’t do treadmills.

7. Do push-ups, correctly, and do them well – I’m working on this. I think it’s going to require doing weights to strengthen my shoulders.

8. Eat less carbs, more veggies and fruit – Last week was great, this week has been awful.

9. Take pictures of myself, everyday – Yep

10. Be confident in myself, that I can DO this. I NEED this.
11. Fit in to my BeBe Size 10 Dress. I wore it on one of the first dates with my hubby

How I feel this week – slow, bloated and very tired. I can’t imagine why.

I don’t know what happened this week. Too many temptations, too many ‘it’s ok, I’ll regroup tomorrow’. This is why dieting doesn’t work for me, I have very little self control. So today, I’m going to the store so I can regroup. It’s Wednesday, no day like today to get back on track.

For anyone who has gone through this, what helped you get focused, and STAY focused?

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I Have Issues

Commitment issues that is.

I’m not a fan of making resolutions because they fail. Every time. So instead, I’m making changes, lifestyle changes, and I’m diving in DEEP. I have made a list of goals, wants and desires and I’m here to share them with you. I need to be held accountable, I need people to see these, and I need you to keep me in line :)

Deal? Here we go:

1. Lose Weight.
2. No Sodas
3. No Fast Food
4. Drink more water
5. Do crunches. Everyday.
6. Run – ultimate goal is 3 times a week, 2-3 mile minimum
7. Do push-ups, correctly, and do them well
8. Eat less carbs, more veggies and fruit
9. Take pictures of myself, everyday
10. Be confident in myself, that I can DO this. I NEED this.
11. Fit in to my BeBe Size 10 Dress. I wore it on one of the first dates with my hubby

Here’s my plan of attack. I’ve joined weight watchers and I’m getting back to the gym. Everything takes time and I don’t want to burn out from the beginning. So, I change my goals as I move along. Is that acceptable? I have no idea.

So far I have:
Given up sodas – 10 days and going strong.

Had no fast food – I have had two salads, one from McDonald’s and one from Chick fil a. I also had a grilled chicken sandwich from Sonic. These are better choices, but going to a drive through is a demon I have to conquer. Yes, I have issues.

I’ve lost the initial water weight, and now I’m working on losing the real weight, or inches.

I have forgotten to take a couple pictures, once I get in to this routine it will be second nature. It also helps if I’m not running out the door for an appointment, play date, or what ever else. I need to work on morning time management!

It’s 10 days in to the new year. I’m off to a shaky start, but I’m also in the zone. I will conquer these demons and be a better me. I don’t want to have issues, but I do, I am human, but I’m also not healthy and I VOW 2013 will be my year.

Before – Christmas 2012

GOAL

Goal – Size 10 Dress

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Race Report: Oktoberfest 2012

Race:  Oktoberfest at Cross Creek in Fulshear, TX
Sprint Triathlon – 400 meter swim, 15 mile bike, 3 mile run
Race Group: Athena
Number of participants: 360ish
Weather: 54 degrees, windy, overcast

Pre-Race
I rolled out of bed at 4:15, made some toast, took a Motrin and drank a little water. I grabbed my gear and loaded up the car, second guessing what I’m forgetting as I ran through my mental check list one more time. My sweet husband wrote me a little confidence note and set on my towels – not going to lie, I got a little teary.

I got to the race site just after 5 and waited in my car for a few until they opened transition. Given that this race has open racking, I wanted to be there early to get a great spot. It never takes me long to set up, but this time I had to really think about how to set up my transition. Nerves were setting in, for sure! I got set up, marked up, chipped up, ate my banana and hung out until my friend, Cherish arrived. It took everything I had not to freeze. It was so windy and cold – I had my tri suit on, a light jacket and flip flops. People were wrapped in parkas and heavy blankets, long pants, sweatshirts… and here I am in flip flops. I’m tough people, tough! And yes, I complained like a baby, lol

Swim – 400 meters
Cherish and I took off for the pavilion for the start and noticed that the smart people were standing inside a building to keep warm. We decided to follow suit to thaw out. Just after 7 we took the plunge and headed out. Go timing on that, I think her group was called shortly after we got there! I on the other hand, had some time. To freeze. And chat with some peeps. And freeze. Did I mention it was cold?
Last year we started in the water, this year we had to start on the pavement, go down three stairs, muddle through the rocks and mud, then swim. I don’t know which was worse. Moving on.
There were 5 Athena’s, three of us started together, and we were intermixed with the Clydesdale’s. It was a small group, so I wasn’t worried at all about the mass start. The horn sounds and off we go. I felt great, the water was so warm and calming, I could have swam for days (ok, maybe not). I had total control of my swim, I kept my eye on the last buoy, and did my thing. Once again, there were no helpers to grab us as we exited. Not cool at all.

Time: 8:05
Athena Place: 2nd <– bummer!! out of 5
Age Group: 7th out of 20

Transition 1 (T1)
There’s not a lot I can say about this. I got disoriented putting my socks on for some reason. I decided to unroll them? I don’t know. I had an extra body towel so I opted to wipe my legs down. It was windy, I knew I wasn’t in for a fun ride dripping more than necessary. I walked my bike out and again, got disoriented getting on it. I couldn’t get my shoe in the cage, then I ran over a cone… Just a mess. Once I got it together, off I went.

Time: 1:40
Athena Place: 2nd out of 5
Age Group: 8th out of 20


Bike – 15 miles
This will definitely go down in the record book for the worst bike ride. Ever. I started off great, there was headwind but I thought, hey, this isn’t so bad. No, not bad at all, until I got out to the countryside with nothing to block the wind at all. It didn’t matter which direction I was going, there was headwind. I was able to do I’d say the first quarter at 18 mph, or higher. Unfortunately I was not able to hold that and quickly dropped to 13, 12, 11 mph. It was brutal out there. I also forgot to reset my mileage on the computer so i really had no idea how far I had left. I swear every turn I took I told myself it was the home stretch. Imagine my disappointment! I had to make the decision to fall back some and save my legs for the run. My whole goal leading up to this was to run the entire 5K. I was also just exhausted and very under trained on the bike. I did the best I could.

Time: 1:00:34
Athena: 4th out of 5
Age Group: 15th out of 20

Transition 2 (T2)
My T2 is usually pretty quick. I don’t have cycle shoes for racing just yet, so I don’t have to spend a lot of time changing gear. I unlatched my helmet, grabbed my water and off I went. There is not much room for improvement here.

Time: 00:29
Athena: 1st out of 5
Age Group: 1st out of 20

Run: 3 miles
It took me a while to get feeling back in my legs after the bike. I tried to run it out in the beginning, but I also started to feel faint. I decided to walk a bit until I felt comfortable running.
The run course was the same as last year; through the neighborhood, in to the gully and back. Overall I felt ok about the run. I wasn’t able to run the entire way, but I did the best I could considering the conditions. Next year I will defeat this course.

Time: 41:26
Athena: 5th out of 5
Age Group: 19th out of 20

Total Time: 1:52:17
Athena: 3rd out of 5
Age Group: 18th out of 20
Overall: 65 out of 85

Post Race
I was greeted at the finish line by my parents, sister and two friends from The Y. It’s always nice to have a cheering section, and even better to see them at the finish line!
Overall, I felt like this race was a base line post baby. I had zero expectations, other than to finish. Of course placing is always a nice plus! I have a ton of work to do for next year, so it doesn’t end here. I have a goal list a mile long, not only for training, but for my physical self as well. I am proud of my accomplishment, but I know I can do better, and I WILL.
Until next year…

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Pre-Race Jitters

Well, the time has come. I will wake up tomorrow, be nervous as heck, do my thing and by tomorrow afternoon I’ll be sipping on a margarita and chomping on some chips and salsa.
I am not fully prepared to do this race, but I will do the best I can and move on from here. Because I am also training for a half-marathon, my main focus has been running. I have spent very little, if any time in the saddle, so I fear that may hurt me quite a bit.
Aside from normal pre-race nerves, I am also preparing for the worst with the organization of this race. Last year, things went horribly wrong and I have a gut feeling the same will happen again. I’ll just say that when I picked up my race packet the director asked if I was supposed to be in the Athena group. We’ll leave it at that for now, pray for the best, and move on.
With that, I have a short time to shake these jitters out. I ate a pretty light and early dinner, I’m well hydrated, my bag is packed, the bike is ready… it’s all mental from here.
Check back tomorrow for a full race report!

My future triathlete :)

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HM Training: Day 1

I promise not to bore you with my training everyday, but I felt like this needed to be posted so I can look back in a year and hopefully laugh at myself!

Today was a 3 mile Run, it’s hot and humid and not a cloud in the sky. I loaded the baby in the jogger and took off. I knew it was going to be a terrible run when I barely made it even 1/4 mile before walking. Then I ended up messing with my itunes so I would walk for that too. Then I had to dodge people, and not just people, old people who feel it’s necessary to take up the entire width of the trail. (by the way, that stuff doesn’t fly at Memorial, you literally get yelled at by runners: 2 ABREAST!!) I almost became that person, but who am I kidding, I could barely run a mile today, no need to get hot-headed. Nonetheless, it was frustrating.
I made it around the trail 3 times, 4 would have been mile 3 mile run. I contemplated at least walking the last lap, but I hung my head in shame and took off for the car instead.
I am super disappointed in myself. I don’t know what happened, I know I could have done that last lap, but I just gave up. I just know I will have a break through soon, but until then, this is the frustrating part of training. Back at it on Tuesday.

I really need this video today:

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Half Marathon Training – Week 1

To keep myself accountable, I’m going to go ahead and post this weeks workout schedule. That way I will have to explain to the public why I didn’t do what I said I was going to do, and well, I don’t like that.

For starters, I have 12 weeks until my first ever half marathon. This is huge people – I don’t run. In fact, I hate it. The thought of me even attempting such a race is making me kind of queasy, but at the same time I cannot WAIT to have the 13.1 sticker on my car :) Without further ado:

Monday – AM: 3 Mile Run  PM: Pilates and Strength
Tuesday – AM: Track and Field (Running intervals) PM: Spin or Swim
Wednesday – AM: 3 Mile Run
Thursday – AM: Core/Zumba
Friday – Scheduled Off Day  PM: ZumbaFest
Saturday – AM: 4 mile Run
Sunday – Scheduled Off Day

This is kind of a trial week to see how this will work. Next week will be a recovery week as I prepare for my Triathlon, but I will stick to my running plan.

Encouragement and cyber check ins are welcome! I have to do this for me, it’s my time!