January 29, 2011 - Already?
Where has January gone?! *Sigh*
Great week in training folks!! Kept my food log and shared with the trainer... I eat pretty ok! She wants me to get a serving more of veggies a day and a serving more of fruit. She also scalded me on my snack choice at work one day (4 brownies!). :) I did get to the gym 3 times this week!! First on Tuesday after work, just to make myself go and stop using work as an excuse. I ran a mile then 3 sets of 10 pull ups, 10 dips. Forgot how much I hate dips! But, it was closing time so that was it for Tuesday. Wednesday I met with Katie (my trainer). She kicked my butt again, this time with a full body workout. Lovin' it! Friday I went and repeated the leg intensive workout that we did last week. I upped the weight on 2 exercises (made a note to ask Katie whether or not I'm supposed to do that) and upped the reps on my incline sit-ups with the medicine ball from 3 sets of 10 to 3 sets of 15. Ouch! After headed home for a long hot shower, I loaded up my Kroger card with coupons (pennies add up!) and went shopping. I now have all the tools I need to eat a healthier, more nutritious diet!
Eating right! Exercising properly! This is how we're gonna get this goal accomplished!
I need to read back on previous posts, I felt like I was going somewhere with discussion topics. Hmm. Maybe I need to get back to daily postings. Anyway, if you have anything you'd like to hear more about, or anything you'd like me to discuss, Please don't hesitate to drop me a line or comment with a question. Also, it's shocking and gratifying to learn that anyone reads these. Sometimes I feel weird typing this, it's kinda like talking to yourself. So, any and all comments are welcomed and encouraged! Not to mention that it would be a GREAT motivational tool for me!
Many Thanks!
:-D
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
The good with the bad
January 24, 2011 - No more excuses!
I know. It's been a week!! But what a week it was. I seemed to work a lot, and then when I wasn't working... It was my birthday!! So, I sort of gave myself a week off. Although, as I was working today, I realized that I'm really only making excuses. The work isn't going to go away (in fact it's only gonna get worse) and I can't use that as an excuse to not workout anymore! And I remembered today that I've got to be getting in shape for a frisbee tournament the first weekend in February!! Ugh, I'm not ready! This is why I've got to re-motivate! My goal this week (and here on out) is to go to the gym 3 times minimum!
So, what have I done positive this week?
This week I've been keeping a food log on three days: 1) Working at the hospital, 2) Working with the transport company, and 3) A day off. I'll turn this in to my trainer (hopefully Wednesday) and get her feedback. I don't suspect it'll be positive, but it'll be good for me! :) She suspects that I'm not getting enough calories, I suspect I'm getting all the WRONG calories (ice cream calories vs protein shake calories).
And, though it's not positive in a triathlon sense, I got really drunk last weekend! I only seem to do it once a decade, to remind myself why I don't do that. :) I had a more-than-expected turn out from friends and had a fantastic time. There seemed to be a lot of "had a great time last night" around facebook thanks to my b-day, which made me happy. Had a feel-good moment of insight into my girlfriend's thoughts. That was great. :) Then had dinner with a friend and learned that she's found something super positive in her life that makes her happy and is going to pursue that some more. So happy for her!
So, yeah. Though it's been a very poor week for training, it's been an overall good week for me mentally and emotionally. Next week starts the uber-training and frugal living! With both endeavors, it promises to be rough at the beginning, but SO worth it in the end!
I'll keep you updated, as I said, as often as I feel the need, but weekly at the least!
:-D
I know. It's been a week!! But what a week it was. I seemed to work a lot, and then when I wasn't working... It was my birthday!! So, I sort of gave myself a week off. Although, as I was working today, I realized that I'm really only making excuses. The work isn't going to go away (in fact it's only gonna get worse) and I can't use that as an excuse to not workout anymore! And I remembered today that I've got to be getting in shape for a frisbee tournament the first weekend in February!! Ugh, I'm not ready! This is why I've got to re-motivate! My goal this week (and here on out) is to go to the gym 3 times minimum!
So, what have I done positive this week?
This week I've been keeping a food log on three days: 1) Working at the hospital, 2) Working with the transport company, and 3) A day off. I'll turn this in to my trainer (hopefully Wednesday) and get her feedback. I don't suspect it'll be positive, but it'll be good for me! :) She suspects that I'm not getting enough calories, I suspect I'm getting all the WRONG calories (ice cream calories vs protein shake calories).
And, though it's not positive in a triathlon sense, I got really drunk last weekend! I only seem to do it once a decade, to remind myself why I don't do that. :) I had a more-than-expected turn out from friends and had a fantastic time. There seemed to be a lot of "had a great time last night" around facebook thanks to my b-day, which made me happy. Had a feel-good moment of insight into my girlfriend's thoughts. That was great. :) Then had dinner with a friend and learned that she's found something super positive in her life that makes her happy and is going to pursue that some more. So happy for her!
So, yeah. Though it's been a very poor week for training, it's been an overall good week for me mentally and emotionally. Next week starts the uber-training and frugal living! With both endeavors, it promises to be rough at the beginning, but SO worth it in the end!
I'll keep you updated, as I said, as often as I feel the need, but weekly at the least!
:-D
Monday, January 17, 2011
A new trainer
January 17, 2011 - New trainer, renewed enthusiasm!
It was a pretty lazy day for me today. Went to lunch with a friend I haven't seen in a while and turned in an application for another job. That's right.. #3. :) That was about it. Until 1800. I went to the gym and met my new trainer. She seems pretty cool, very knowledgeable, and enthusiastic about her job (which is important, especially in her line of work). She's gonna have me keep a food log, give me homework, and train me up right! Her exercise focus is on marathon training, which I need desperately, and she is a registered dietician working on her doctorate? masters? I don't know, an advanced degree in Nutrition. If anyone is going to be able to help me get my eating habits together, it'll be her.
Another plus.. she knows a few of my former triathlon teammates AND she used to play frisbee with Sarah! Love those "it's a small world" connections!
On to business.. b'fast was a bowl of Raisin Bran with a banana, lunch was chicken fried rice from Rusan's (Sarah and I had sushi from there last night, so I wasn't quite ready for sushi again), and dinner was homemade spaghetti (Sarah cooked.. it was delicious! I might have to start making mine with veggie chunks and turkey). :)
My workout was rough and very leg and core oriented. I'll have to get my workout log to see what all we did, but I know I'll be having trouble walking tomorrow and Wednesday.
Ughhh.. speaking of walking, it's back to work in the morning! I really should start getting up early on my days off too. I used to tell my campers, "If you sleep through the day, you've wasted it." Again, I should heed my own advice. ;)
Good night!
:-D
It was a pretty lazy day for me today. Went to lunch with a friend I haven't seen in a while and turned in an application for another job. That's right.. #3. :) That was about it. Until 1800. I went to the gym and met my new trainer. She seems pretty cool, very knowledgeable, and enthusiastic about her job (which is important, especially in her line of work). She's gonna have me keep a food log, give me homework, and train me up right! Her exercise focus is on marathon training, which I need desperately, and she is a registered dietician working on her doctorate? masters? I don't know, an advanced degree in Nutrition. If anyone is going to be able to help me get my eating habits together, it'll be her.
Another plus.. she knows a few of my former triathlon teammates AND she used to play frisbee with Sarah! Love those "it's a small world" connections!
On to business.. b'fast was a bowl of Raisin Bran with a banana, lunch was chicken fried rice from Rusan's (Sarah and I had sushi from there last night, so I wasn't quite ready for sushi again), and dinner was homemade spaghetti (Sarah cooked.. it was delicious! I might have to start making mine with veggie chunks and turkey). :)
My workout was rough and very leg and core oriented. I'll have to get my workout log to see what all we did, but I know I'll be having trouble walking tomorrow and Wednesday.
Ughhh.. speaking of walking, it's back to work in the morning! I really should start getting up early on my days off too. I used to tell my campers, "If you sleep through the day, you've wasted it." Again, I should heed my own advice. ;)
Good night!
:-D
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Back in the swing!
January 15, 2011 -
So, it's been a while! I know, I know. You're thinking this is the beginning of a slippery slope. I assure you it's not. I've just decided that I don't need to post EVERY day. I think that I'll just post when I have something to say, but at LEAST there will be an update every week.
You'd like to know what's been going on this week? So would I. :) It was crazy hectic it seems. I work 12 hr shifts on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and I usually come home exhausted. I won't be working out on those days... yet. I'll be doing it eventually, I'm sure. But Friday I had a good workout. I rowed 1000m, but after every 15 strokes I did 10 burpees. That was rough, and then I went and ran about 3 miles! I say "about" because I accidentally hit the Stop button and it reset my run. Bummer, but oh well.
We celebrated Sarah's birthday last night. A good time was had by all, but it made working out today... well, non-existent. :( I'll work harder tomorrow! I promise! And, I've got an appointment with a new trainer on Monday at 1800. I have high hopes for this one. She is a Registered Dietitian, working on her PhD in Nutrition and has a focus on marathon training, which will be super helpful!
I somehow skipped lunch today. :( Maybe I had a late breakfast, I didn't really look at the time. Breakfast was a Waffle House bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich with hashbrowns scattered and covered. Mmm. In my opinion, the BEST morning-after b'fast ever! Dinner was chicken fried rice from Rusan's. I like their chicken fried rice because they put in all sorts of vegetables that I don't ordinarily eat (onions, zucchini, etc) but I love it!
Tomorrow starts a new week, and back to the swing of things of eating right and exercising.
Transmission ends.
:-D
So, it's been a while! I know, I know. You're thinking this is the beginning of a slippery slope. I assure you it's not. I've just decided that I don't need to post EVERY day. I think that I'll just post when I have something to say, but at LEAST there will be an update every week.
You'd like to know what's been going on this week? So would I. :) It was crazy hectic it seems. I work 12 hr shifts on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and I usually come home exhausted. I won't be working out on those days... yet. I'll be doing it eventually, I'm sure. But Friday I had a good workout. I rowed 1000m, but after every 15 strokes I did 10 burpees. That was rough, and then I went and ran about 3 miles! I say "about" because I accidentally hit the Stop button and it reset my run. Bummer, but oh well.
We celebrated Sarah's birthday last night. A good time was had by all, but it made working out today... well, non-existent. :( I'll work harder tomorrow! I promise! And, I've got an appointment with a new trainer on Monday at 1800. I have high hopes for this one. She is a Registered Dietitian, working on her PhD in Nutrition and has a focus on marathon training, which will be super helpful!
I somehow skipped lunch today. :( Maybe I had a late breakfast, I didn't really look at the time. Breakfast was a Waffle House bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich with hashbrowns scattered and covered. Mmm. In my opinion, the BEST morning-after b'fast ever! Dinner was chicken fried rice from Rusan's. I like their chicken fried rice because they put in all sorts of vegetables that I don't ordinarily eat (onions, zucchini, etc) but I love it!
Tomorrow starts a new week, and back to the swing of things of eating right and exercising.
Transmission ends.
:-D
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Snow day, still a work day.
January 11, 2011 - Sarah's Birthday!
That's right, it's Sarah's birthday and I had to leave her to go to work at 0620. Yuck. But, I did stop to brush the snow and ice off of her car before I headed to work. One less headache for her. :) Speaking of headaches.. I forgot my glasses at home, so I had to walk BACK home then BACK to work. Worked up a sweat on that one, even ran a little. :)
So, yes, I work in a hospital and see plenty of the effects of (sometimes) temporary stupidity, such as the homemade stunt work as seen on "Jackass". But worse than that, because even that can be explained with enough alcohol on board, is the type of ignorance that causes people to call an ambulance for pain that they've had for 24 years! Or a cold! This is amplified by the fact that the roads are solid ice! Calling an ambulance out of their bay, endangering the lives of the medics and others on the road, is justified and expected when the patient is threatened with loss of life or limb. It's part of the job. But to endanger the lives of the medics and other drivers and pedestrians for something as ridiculous as a cold is outrageous! To have that level of narrow-minded, self-perceived entitlement, is a special level of ignorance.
So, the pt gets to the hospital, is treated and discharged. Now what? How are you gonna get home? Taxi? They're not running! Ambulance? That's (generally speaking, for there are a few rare exceptions) a one-way trip! You're gonna have to sit in the lobby until someone can come to get you, endangering THEIR lives for you. Things to think about before you decide it's enough of an EMERGENCY to call an ambulance!
But, I digress. Anyone who is reading this is already smart enough to know when to and when not to call an ambulance. Just needed to vent for a sec. Whew!
Anyway, I'm not feeling very well in the stomach tonight, so I don't think I'll work out. Probably have a little spaghetti for dinner then hit the sack early.
Good night everyone!
:-D
That's right, it's Sarah's birthday and I had to leave her to go to work at 0620. Yuck. But, I did stop to brush the snow and ice off of her car before I headed to work. One less headache for her. :) Speaking of headaches.. I forgot my glasses at home, so I had to walk BACK home then BACK to work. Worked up a sweat on that one, even ran a little. :)
So, yes, I work in a hospital and see plenty of the effects of (sometimes) temporary stupidity, such as the homemade stunt work as seen on "Jackass". But worse than that, because even that can be explained with enough alcohol on board, is the type of ignorance that causes people to call an ambulance for pain that they've had for 24 years! Or a cold! This is amplified by the fact that the roads are solid ice! Calling an ambulance out of their bay, endangering the lives of the medics and others on the road, is justified and expected when the patient is threatened with loss of life or limb. It's part of the job. But to endanger the lives of the medics and other drivers and pedestrians for something as ridiculous as a cold is outrageous! To have that level of narrow-minded, self-perceived entitlement, is a special level of ignorance.
So, the pt gets to the hospital, is treated and discharged. Now what? How are you gonna get home? Taxi? They're not running! Ambulance? That's (generally speaking, for there are a few rare exceptions) a one-way trip! You're gonna have to sit in the lobby until someone can come to get you, endangering THEIR lives for you. Things to think about before you decide it's enough of an EMERGENCY to call an ambulance!
But, I digress. Anyone who is reading this is already smart enough to know when to and when not to call an ambulance. Just needed to vent for a sec. Whew!
Anyway, I'm not feeling very well in the stomach tonight, so I don't think I'll work out. Probably have a little spaghetti for dinner then hit the sack early.
Good night everyone!
:-D
Better late than never!
January 10, 2011 - Winter storm 2011!
So, the snow fall accumulated to approximately 8.8 inches last night, but that won't stop me! :) I awoke to a phone call from my employer asking if I was adventurous. Of course I am, would I be planning for an Ironman if I wasn't? He needed a pt taken from the hospital in Athens to one in Gainesville. I needed the money, so I took the job. Once all that was taken care of (including walking about a total of a mile in the snow) I got back home and spent the day cooped up in the house. Luckily I had Sarah with me! We watched a movie, played games, and talked. It was nice, but I was procrastinating. "It's time to work out!" Sarah says. :) Gotta love her! Just because we're stuck in the house, doesn't mean I can't exercise. With Sarah's help, I did a set of 1-minute jumping jacks, 1-minute push ups, and 1-minute run-in-place for 10 minutes. Rested for 1 minute, then continued the series, exchanging planks for the push ups. Rested for 1 minute then completed one last set exchanging crunches for the planks (on Sarah's suggestion, seeing that I was struggling with the planks) and squats for the running.
B'fast was cereal, Lunch was PB&J, protein bar for snack, and chicken quesadillas for dinner. Topped it all off with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream (hey, had to finish it off!) ;) Work tomorrow! Don't think I'll be driving just yet, besides, it's not very far and it's good for me. :)
:-D
So, the snow fall accumulated to approximately 8.8 inches last night, but that won't stop me! :) I awoke to a phone call from my employer asking if I was adventurous. Of course I am, would I be planning for an Ironman if I wasn't? He needed a pt taken from the hospital in Athens to one in Gainesville. I needed the money, so I took the job. Once all that was taken care of (including walking about a total of a mile in the snow) I got back home and spent the day cooped up in the house. Luckily I had Sarah with me! We watched a movie, played games, and talked. It was nice, but I was procrastinating. "It's time to work out!" Sarah says. :) Gotta love her! Just because we're stuck in the house, doesn't mean I can't exercise. With Sarah's help, I did a set of 1-minute jumping jacks, 1-minute push ups, and 1-minute run-in-place for 10 minutes. Rested for 1 minute, then continued the series, exchanging planks for the push ups. Rested for 1 minute then completed one last set exchanging crunches for the planks (on Sarah's suggestion, seeing that I was struggling with the planks) and squats for the running.
B'fast was cereal, Lunch was PB&J, protein bar for snack, and chicken quesadillas for dinner. Topped it all off with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream (hey, had to finish it off!) ;) Work tomorrow! Don't think I'll be driving just yet, besides, it's not very far and it's good for me. :)
:-D
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Short and Sweet
January 8, 2011 - Preparation of a different kind.
After a long day at work, on my feet for 12 hours straight, I saw a picture of the forecasted snowfall for our area. I decided that, rather than take a night to prepare for my triathlon two years from now, I'd take a night to prepare to be without power for a week. So, I cooked my chicken, made spaghetti, prepared my firewood, and got out my down comforter. I can walk to work, I've got cold weather clothes and gear, and I've got my camping gear including gas stove. I think I'm ready. :)
They're predicting 4"-6". There are large limbs hanging over every power line running near or to our house. I can almost guarantee that we'll be without power for at least a day, maybe two. I'm counting on a week. And if we don't... at least I'm ready for anything.
Semper Paratus!
:-D
After a long day at work, on my feet for 12 hours straight, I saw a picture of the forecasted snowfall for our area. I decided that, rather than take a night to prepare for my triathlon two years from now, I'd take a night to prepare to be without power for a week. So, I cooked my chicken, made spaghetti, prepared my firewood, and got out my down comforter. I can walk to work, I've got cold weather clothes and gear, and I've got my camping gear including gas stove. I think I'm ready. :)
They're predicting 4"-6". There are large limbs hanging over every power line running near or to our house. I can almost guarantee that we'll be without power for at least a day, maybe two. I'm counting on a week. And if we don't... at least I'm ready for anything.
Semper Paratus!
:-D
Friday, January 7, 2011
No shoes, no problem!
January 7, 2011 - Running.
Today was spent running. Most of the day it was running errands, finally, about 2100, I went to the gym and ran 5 miles. I've decided that treadmill running is NOT outside running. But I realized while I was running that lifting weights is NOT lifting things. Treadmills, like weights, are tools that you can use to train certain aspects of a job. I lift pts all day, which are heavy and awkward and require my whole body to work in unison. When I lift weights, I can focus on one muscle group. Isolate to enhance. On the road/trail I'm focused on where my steps are going to land, my breathing, the distance/elevation covered, etc. On the treadmill I can isolate a certain aspect. Tonight's focus was on my feet. I usually run with hard heels, stomping deep into the dirt. But, as I've come to learn, it's much more efficient, in many ways, to run on the balls of your feet. It's how you would run if you were barefoot and how the Tarahumara became responsible for many scientific studies on running.
The Tarahumara are a tribe in Mexico that is world renown for running barefoot for up to 700km in one session. It only makes sense that they have fewer injuries and can run longer distances faster than some of our track starts... they're running properly: we weren't born with shoes on our feet! "Humans have engaged in endurance running for millions of years, but the modern running shoe was not invented until the 1970s." says Daniel Lieberman, et al.
So, with that in mind, I focused tonight on how my foot was landing and what I needed to do to change it. My calves are sore, but my feet feel better! Success!
B'fast this morning was a bowl of raisin bran. I didn't feel like cooking. :) Lunch was another homemade quesadilla, this time I added some Nature's Season, making it explode with flavor! Mmm. Then for dinner was an impromptu stop On The Border for a burrito with Sarah. We were running more errands together and it smelled sooo goooood! It tasted good too! :) And I didn't say "No tomatoes and onions please." Gotta learn to like the healthy stuff.
More work in the morning! That alarm is gonna go off in about 7 hours, time for bed! Good night all!
:-D
Today was spent running. Most of the day it was running errands, finally, about 2100, I went to the gym and ran 5 miles. I've decided that treadmill running is NOT outside running. But I realized while I was running that lifting weights is NOT lifting things. Treadmills, like weights, are tools that you can use to train certain aspects of a job. I lift pts all day, which are heavy and awkward and require my whole body to work in unison. When I lift weights, I can focus on one muscle group. Isolate to enhance. On the road/trail I'm focused on where my steps are going to land, my breathing, the distance/elevation covered, etc. On the treadmill I can isolate a certain aspect. Tonight's focus was on my feet. I usually run with hard heels, stomping deep into the dirt. But, as I've come to learn, it's much more efficient, in many ways, to run on the balls of your feet. It's how you would run if you were barefoot and how the Tarahumara became responsible for many scientific studies on running.
The Tarahumara are a tribe in Mexico that is world renown for running barefoot for up to 700km in one session. It only makes sense that they have fewer injuries and can run longer distances faster than some of our track starts... they're running properly: we weren't born with shoes on our feet! "Humans have engaged in endurance running for millions of years, but the modern running shoe was not invented until the 1970s." says Daniel Lieberman, et al.
So, with that in mind, I focused tonight on how my foot was landing and what I needed to do to change it. My calves are sore, but my feet feel better! Success!
B'fast this morning was a bowl of raisin bran. I didn't feel like cooking. :) Lunch was another homemade quesadilla, this time I added some Nature's Season, making it explode with flavor! Mmm. Then for dinner was an impromptu stop On The Border for a burrito with Sarah. We were running more errands together and it smelled sooo goooood! It tasted good too! :) And I didn't say "No tomatoes and onions please." Gotta learn to like the healthy stuff.
More work in the morning! That alarm is gonna go off in about 7 hours, time for bed! Good night all!
:-D
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Mental health is important too.
January 5 & 6, 2011 - The yin and yang of employment.
First, let me apologize for missing yesterday. The posting form wasn't working and I was too exhausted to wait for it to resolve itself. In retrospect, I could have typed up the post in a word document and then posted it tonight, which is the plan going forward.
Having said that... Let me tell you about my last two days!!! As you may have read on my profile, I work in Healthcare. That's all I'm prepared to say at this time, but as with most jobs in healthcare, I'm on my feet ALL shift. I work 12hr shifts, 0700-1900, which turns into 0630-1930 when all is said and done. I get one half-hour break, which somehow, through some strange loophole I'm sure, doesn't violate any kind of labor laws. Strange, but that's how it's been for over 6 years. Most days are a big mix of nice pts, annoying pts, really sick pts, and pts who aren't really sick at all. I enjoy most aspects of my job and keep in the forefront of my mind that I HAVE a job! It doesn't pay very well and the benefits are pretty good, but the personal satisfaction is great.
Wednesday, though, was an especially busy and hectic day, rife with very sick pts, and thrice as many pts who could have been easily treated over-the-counter. Not to mention my boss breathing down my neck for 10 out of 12 hours! After work it was all I could do to get dinner before crashing (btw, dinner was a homemade quesadilla with mozz cheese, spinach, and chicken in a whole wheat tortilla. Mmmm.). The day was mentally and physically exhausting. Sadly, I did not make it to the gym. I know it's an excuse, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I felt like I had been beaten already, I didn't need it last night too. Double sadly, I crawled into bed exhausted, and couldn't fall asleep!!!! Grrr, I was so angry! What an incredibly lousy day! :(
So this morning, I woke up (before my alarm!) after 4ish hours of sleep, realized that my hair was a mess (yes, it had gotten that long) and decided that the extra 10 minutes of sleep weren't worth it. So I got up, cut my hair (which made me feel better), showered, and headed off to do it again. Luckily today was actually quite nice. I don't feel beaten and I had a few patients that I really connected with. A completely opposite day. The management that was there is always kind and fair and doesn't micro-manage. The patients were mostly sick or injured and did actually need my help, and as I said, a few needed some special attention that I was in a position to provide. I always feel better when I'm able to help people who actually need help. This is personal satisfaction that I was talking about. And to end the night, I went to dinner with a friend and had good conversation over a good meal (I tried to be healthy!) and came home to find a Christmas present in my mailbox from my cousin! A+ day!
So. What have we learned? Yes, there will be bad days. There will always be bad days. And there will be good days. There will always be good days. Remember that plants need sun AND rain to grow. Both too much and not enough of either can be harmful. Life is all about balance. We need the good in our lives, everyone knows that. But we also need those bad days. It's how we grow, how we recognize and come to appreciate the good days.
I didn't make it to the gym tonight, but rest assured that I'll be hitting it hard tomorrow! It's all about balance! ;)
:-D
First, let me apologize for missing yesterday. The posting form wasn't working and I was too exhausted to wait for it to resolve itself. In retrospect, I could have typed up the post in a word document and then posted it tonight, which is the plan going forward.
Having said that... Let me tell you about my last two days!!! As you may have read on my profile, I work in Healthcare. That's all I'm prepared to say at this time, but as with most jobs in healthcare, I'm on my feet ALL shift. I work 12hr shifts, 0700-1900, which turns into 0630-1930 when all is said and done. I get one half-hour break, which somehow, through some strange loophole I'm sure, doesn't violate any kind of labor laws. Strange, but that's how it's been for over 6 years. Most days are a big mix of nice pts, annoying pts, really sick pts, and pts who aren't really sick at all. I enjoy most aspects of my job and keep in the forefront of my mind that I HAVE a job! It doesn't pay very well and the benefits are pretty good, but the personal satisfaction is great.
Wednesday, though, was an especially busy and hectic day, rife with very sick pts, and thrice as many pts who could have been easily treated over-the-counter. Not to mention my boss breathing down my neck for 10 out of 12 hours! After work it was all I could do to get dinner before crashing (btw, dinner was a homemade quesadilla with mozz cheese, spinach, and chicken in a whole wheat tortilla. Mmmm.). The day was mentally and physically exhausting. Sadly, I did not make it to the gym. I know it's an excuse, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I felt like I had been beaten already, I didn't need it last night too. Double sadly, I crawled into bed exhausted, and couldn't fall asleep!!!! Grrr, I was so angry! What an incredibly lousy day! :(
So this morning, I woke up (before my alarm!) after 4ish hours of sleep, realized that my hair was a mess (yes, it had gotten that long) and decided that the extra 10 minutes of sleep weren't worth it. So I got up, cut my hair (which made me feel better), showered, and headed off to do it again. Luckily today was actually quite nice. I don't feel beaten and I had a few patients that I really connected with. A completely opposite day. The management that was there is always kind and fair and doesn't micro-manage. The patients were mostly sick or injured and did actually need my help, and as I said, a few needed some special attention that I was in a position to provide. I always feel better when I'm able to help people who actually need help. This is personal satisfaction that I was talking about. And to end the night, I went to dinner with a friend and had good conversation over a good meal (I tried to be healthy!) and came home to find a Christmas present in my mailbox from my cousin! A+ day!
So. What have we learned? Yes, there will be bad days. There will always be bad days. And there will be good days. There will always be good days. Remember that plants need sun AND rain to grow. Both too much and not enough of either can be harmful. Life is all about balance. We need the good in our lives, everyone knows that. But we also need those bad days. It's how we grow, how we recognize and come to appreciate the good days.
I didn't make it to the gym tonight, but rest assured that I'll be hitting it hard tomorrow! It's all about balance! ;)
:-D
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Use the days you have!
January 4, 2011 - Not wholly wasted.
Sometimes having blackout curtains isn't a good thing. I woke up at 9am, had some cereal, and stayed in bed until I realized it was 13:20!! I had a feeling of "the day is being wasted!" Got dressed, made a shopping list and went to the grocery store. When I got home I had lunch and started playing a video game. "What time is it? 18:00!!" That's right, a whole day, a whole beautiful sun-shining, fairly warm (for January in Georgia) day! Ugggh. I felt SO lazy! I jumped up, put on my workout clothes and headed for the gym...
A thought popped into my head along the way. I would have completely regretted not working out today. Let this be a lesson... It doesn't matter if you don't want to do it right now, you will have wanted to do it later! :) Sort of the opposite lesson of yesterday. Look to the future enough to know that you'll regret not taking full advantage of today. As I said yesterday, "The future will get here sure as the sunrise, use today to prepare for it!" I used to be (still am in many ways) a huge procrastinator. I'm trying to turn that around and say "what good is having a tomorrow if you're gonna waste today? You'll just end up wasting tomorrow too." Because this is what I've found.. I'll get into a pattern of laziness and if I can easily waste one day, before I know it I've wasted a week!
So, my diet was better today, and will be MUCH better tomorrow! For b'fast I had Raisin Bran, Lunch was a homemade egg mcmuffin (whole wheat English muffin, Turkey bacon, and a poached egg), and for dinner, tuna with ramen noodles (don't knock it 'til you've tried it!). I had two protein shakes today and started taking a multivitamin. My muscles felt better, maybe all the protein I've been trying to feed them to heal, or maybe they needed a day in bed. Who knows, but whichever, it works.
My workout tonight was rough. 2000m row, 50 wall balls, 1000m row, 35 wall balls, 500m row, 20 wall balls. For those who don't know, a wall ball is when you use a medicine ball (15lb in my case) held at chest height, do a full squat, and when you come up, toss the ball to a point on a wall 10ft above you and about a meter in front of you. Catch the ball while squatting again and repeat. After that, I ran a short mile on the treadmill. I wasn't trying to get a running workout in. I realized yesterday that I need to work on my running form, so that was the purpose there.
Anyway, now I'm pretty exhausted and get to return to work tomorrow at 0630. Yay! So I'll end the day with this inspirational quote I found from Michael Jordan...
"I've always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come. I don't do things half heartedly because I know if I do, then I can expect half hearted results."
:-D
Sometimes having blackout curtains isn't a good thing. I woke up at 9am, had some cereal, and stayed in bed until I realized it was 13:20!! I had a feeling of "the day is being wasted!" Got dressed, made a shopping list and went to the grocery store. When I got home I had lunch and started playing a video game. "What time is it? 18:00!!" That's right, a whole day, a whole beautiful sun-shining, fairly warm (for January in Georgia) day! Ugggh. I felt SO lazy! I jumped up, put on my workout clothes and headed for the gym...
A thought popped into my head along the way. I would have completely regretted not working out today. Let this be a lesson... It doesn't matter if you don't want to do it right now, you will have wanted to do it later! :) Sort of the opposite lesson of yesterday. Look to the future enough to know that you'll regret not taking full advantage of today. As I said yesterday, "The future will get here sure as the sunrise, use today to prepare for it!" I used to be (still am in many ways) a huge procrastinator. I'm trying to turn that around and say "what good is having a tomorrow if you're gonna waste today? You'll just end up wasting tomorrow too." Because this is what I've found.. I'll get into a pattern of laziness and if I can easily waste one day, before I know it I've wasted a week!
So, my diet was better today, and will be MUCH better tomorrow! For b'fast I had Raisin Bran, Lunch was a homemade egg mcmuffin (whole wheat English muffin, Turkey bacon, and a poached egg), and for dinner, tuna with ramen noodles (don't knock it 'til you've tried it!). I had two protein shakes today and started taking a multivitamin. My muscles felt better, maybe all the protein I've been trying to feed them to heal, or maybe they needed a day in bed. Who knows, but whichever, it works.
My workout tonight was rough. 2000m row, 50 wall balls, 1000m row, 35 wall balls, 500m row, 20 wall balls. For those who don't know, a wall ball is when you use a medicine ball (15lb in my case) held at chest height, do a full squat, and when you come up, toss the ball to a point on a wall 10ft above you and about a meter in front of you. Catch the ball while squatting again and repeat. After that, I ran a short mile on the treadmill. I wasn't trying to get a running workout in. I realized yesterday that I need to work on my running form, so that was the purpose there.
Anyway, now I'm pretty exhausted and get to return to work tomorrow at 0630. Yay! So I'll end the day with this inspirational quote I found from Michael Jordan...
"I've always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come. I don't do things half heartedly because I know if I do, then I can expect half hearted results."
:-D
Monday, January 3, 2011
Key #1: Patience
January 3, 2011 - Day two of...
Ohh... kinda stiff and sore today. You know how on these movies and TV shows, guys are running (sprinting) loaded with gear, uphill, chasing or being chased by bad guys? 1) It's television, not real. 2) They sure as hell didn't get that way overnight! This was the thought running through my head as I was running through the woods. I wonder how long it takes for Special Forces guys to get into the shape necessary to be able to do the things (television says) they do. I don't know the answer, but it's certainly not overnight.
Patience is the key. Well, one of them. Other keys to be discussed later, for today... patience. Don't just think, KNOW that this won't happen quickly. That's why I've given myself 2 years to train. After the first YEAR I may sign up for a marathon. I should be able to get to that point in that amount of time at least. Also, I looked up how much a bike will be... Yikes! But, I have at least a year to save and prepare. There are spin classes at my gym, my roommate has bikes that he's willing to let me borrow.. I can train, but eventually I'll need my own bike. The key: Eventually! Patience!
When looking too far forward, it's very easy to overwhelm yourself. But how far is too far? For now, next month is too far. I need to focus on the daily workouts, and the weekly meal planning. That's all that matters right now. Later, as I always say, can be dealt with later! What's important is that today I got through another workout with Sarah. She pushes, nicely. :) After running to the track, we completed 4 fartleks (jog the turns, sprint the straights)!! That was hard and Sarah smoked me! I'm so proud of her, she's training for her own tournaments. After that, she said "So, how about some strength training?" Uggh.. "Of course!" I said. We did squats, lunges (front and side), push ups, and some ab work. Then it was time to walk home. "You aren't gonna walk that portion of the Ironman, are ya?" Sarah inquires. It was time to run home. :)
My eating was OK today, could be better. Had oatmeal with turkey sausage and flax for b'fast, the last of the left over sloppy joe for lunch, and Barberitos (my FAV!) for dinner. Except for my post-workout protein shake, I didn't have any snacks. That's something I'll be working on since they say you should eat every 2-3hrs. Gotta head to the grocery in the morning. It's hard to plan meals with an empty fridge!
So, as I'm surfing the net (does anybody say that anymore?), my mind is wandering into the future and I have to stop myself! Patience. The future will get here sure as the sunrise, use today to prepare for it!
Even 140.6 miles begins with a single step.
:-D
Ohh... kinda stiff and sore today. You know how on these movies and TV shows, guys are running (sprinting) loaded with gear, uphill, chasing or being chased by bad guys? 1) It's television, not real. 2) They sure as hell didn't get that way overnight! This was the thought running through my head as I was running through the woods. I wonder how long it takes for Special Forces guys to get into the shape necessary to be able to do the things (television says) they do. I don't know the answer, but it's certainly not overnight.
Patience is the key. Well, one of them. Other keys to be discussed later, for today... patience. Don't just think, KNOW that this won't happen quickly. That's why I've given myself 2 years to train. After the first YEAR I may sign up for a marathon. I should be able to get to that point in that amount of time at least. Also, I looked up how much a bike will be... Yikes! But, I have at least a year to save and prepare. There are spin classes at my gym, my roommate has bikes that he's willing to let me borrow.. I can train, but eventually I'll need my own bike. The key: Eventually! Patience!
When looking too far forward, it's very easy to overwhelm yourself. But how far is too far? For now, next month is too far. I need to focus on the daily workouts, and the weekly meal planning. That's all that matters right now. Later, as I always say, can be dealt with later! What's important is that today I got through another workout with Sarah. She pushes, nicely. :) After running to the track, we completed 4 fartleks (jog the turns, sprint the straights)!! That was hard and Sarah smoked me! I'm so proud of her, she's training for her own tournaments. After that, she said "So, how about some strength training?" Uggh.. "Of course!" I said. We did squats, lunges (front and side), push ups, and some ab work. Then it was time to walk home. "You aren't gonna walk that portion of the Ironman, are ya?" Sarah inquires. It was time to run home. :)
My eating was OK today, could be better. Had oatmeal with turkey sausage and flax for b'fast, the last of the left over sloppy joe for lunch, and Barberitos (my FAV!) for dinner. Except for my post-workout protein shake, I didn't have any snacks. That's something I'll be working on since they say you should eat every 2-3hrs. Gotta head to the grocery in the morning. It's hard to plan meals with an empty fridge!
So, as I'm surfing the net (does anybody say that anymore?), my mind is wandering into the future and I have to stop myself! Patience. The future will get here sure as the sunrise, use today to prepare for it!
Even 140.6 miles begins with a single step.
:-D
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Not just a resolution!
January 2, 2011 - The Beginning!
Hello to anyone reading this! I've never blogged before, so I suppose this will be a journey in a few ways. :) It'll be interesting to see how my writing style will change (for I'm sure it will) and any/all suggestions are welcome with open ears and an open mind!
So, what will I be writing about? A friend and I decided a few months ago that we will sign up for and complete the Beach 2 Battleship Ironman Triathlon in 2012. For those who don't know what an Ironman is, prepare to pick your jaw up off the floor... An Iron-distance triathlon consists of a 2.4 Mile Swim, 112 Mile Bike ride, and ending with a full marathon of 26.2 Miles of running. "You GOT to be kidding me!! You're really thinking about doing this?!?!" I hear that a lot, and honestly, it's very motivational. No, I'm not kidding, and when I'm done, Yes I'll be getting a tattoo to commemorate! :) So, this blog will be about my journey of getting in shape, getting motivated, and hopefully keep me on track with this goal.
Why would I consider such an undertaking? When I was in college I had gotten out of shape and decided that the best way to get back into shape and meet some interesting new people would be to join a club team. I researched (as I do with almost everything I do) and found that the UGA Triathlon Team would be the most accommodating to my schedule, attract some very interesting people, and get me in the best shape possible. So in 2006ish I joined the team and certainly fell in love with triathlon! The team leadership was phenomenal! They accepted iron-capable athletes as well as couch potatoes equally and motivated each as they needed to be. Though we were competing individually, we raced together as a team. Coming into the finish line in my first race, with the team (already finished and on the sidelines) cheering me on, was one of the single most motivating experiences of my life.
Once I graduated from college, my triathlon training took a dive. I found that I lacked the self-motivation. A sobering thought. I'm 30 now, about to turn 31, and am back completely out of shape! So, one of my coworkers decided (much like I had) to get back into shape and the best way to do this was through triathlon. He's caught the bug big time, again - much like I had. Seeing his motivation has rekindled the flame in me, and in our discussions, somehow, we decided that we would both be doing the Beach 2 Battleship Ironman! We also decided that, though we had jumped to this conclusion, we would not rush the process and scheduled our race for November of 2012!
Though Jeremiah (that's my friend and coworker that I've been discussing) has been along this journey, and has signed up for a half marathon (Congrats!), I've decided that along with my resolution to change and manage my eating habits, I would take this "new beginning" to begin my journey. My girlfriend, Sarah, motivated me today to go for a long run, complete with some interval training and core work. I have a feeling she will be a valuable asset. More on her later, I'm sure. :)
So, for now, I've officially started! I consider my run/exercise session with Sarah today to be workout number 1. As far as eating... I had a chocolate milk for b'fast (a habit to be changed) and a glass of water and protein shake post workout. Lunch is yet to be determined.. I'll try to include a food log of the previous day on each post (Again, not sure what I'm doing yet, but we'll get there!).
<Insert catchy sign-off phrase>
:-D
Hello to anyone reading this! I've never blogged before, so I suppose this will be a journey in a few ways. :) It'll be interesting to see how my writing style will change (for I'm sure it will) and any/all suggestions are welcome with open ears and an open mind!
So, what will I be writing about? A friend and I decided a few months ago that we will sign up for and complete the Beach 2 Battleship Ironman Triathlon in 2012. For those who don't know what an Ironman is, prepare to pick your jaw up off the floor... An Iron-distance triathlon consists of a 2.4 Mile Swim, 112 Mile Bike ride, and ending with a full marathon of 26.2 Miles of running. "You GOT to be kidding me!! You're really thinking about doing this?!?!" I hear that a lot, and honestly, it's very motivational. No, I'm not kidding, and when I'm done, Yes I'll be getting a tattoo to commemorate! :) So, this blog will be about my journey of getting in shape, getting motivated, and hopefully keep me on track with this goal.
Why would I consider such an undertaking? When I was in college I had gotten out of shape and decided that the best way to get back into shape and meet some interesting new people would be to join a club team. I researched (as I do with almost everything I do) and found that the UGA Triathlon Team would be the most accommodating to my schedule, attract some very interesting people, and get me in the best shape possible. So in 2006ish I joined the team and certainly fell in love with triathlon! The team leadership was phenomenal! They accepted iron-capable athletes as well as couch potatoes equally and motivated each as they needed to be. Though we were competing individually, we raced together as a team. Coming into the finish line in my first race, with the team (already finished and on the sidelines) cheering me on, was one of the single most motivating experiences of my life.
Once I graduated from college, my triathlon training took a dive. I found that I lacked the self-motivation. A sobering thought. I'm 30 now, about to turn 31, and am back completely out of shape! So, one of my coworkers decided (much like I had) to get back into shape and the best way to do this was through triathlon. He's caught the bug big time, again - much like I had. Seeing his motivation has rekindled the flame in me, and in our discussions, somehow, we decided that we would both be doing the Beach 2 Battleship Ironman! We also decided that, though we had jumped to this conclusion, we would not rush the process and scheduled our race for November of 2012!
Though Jeremiah (that's my friend and coworker that I've been discussing) has been along this journey, and has signed up for a half marathon (Congrats!), I've decided that along with my resolution to change and manage my eating habits, I would take this "new beginning" to begin my journey. My girlfriend, Sarah, motivated me today to go for a long run, complete with some interval training and core work. I have a feeling she will be a valuable asset. More on her later, I'm sure. :)
So, for now, I've officially started! I consider my run/exercise session with Sarah today to be workout number 1. As far as eating... I had a chocolate milk for b'fast (a habit to be changed) and a glass of water and protein shake post workout. Lunch is yet to be determined.. I'll try to include a food log of the previous day on each post (Again, not sure what I'm doing yet, but we'll get there!).
<Insert catchy sign-off phrase>
:-D
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)