Paleo or Paleo Like?

One fact I have known for a long time, no amount of exercise will work for me unless my diet is healthy. In my early 20's I could eat whatever I wanted and as long as I exercised I would burn it off. In my late 20's I was shocked to find out that didn't work anymore.

I can't survive on diets. I have gone PC and called them life style changes...whatever, but the truth is sticking to an eating plan is a struggle for me. I was a vegetarian for years. I really enjoyed a plant based diet, but after a while I started feeling poorly physically. 

My struggle with vegetarianism had more to do with food allergies and an intolerance to dairy. Without a lot of supplements I wasn't getting the nutrients I needed.  I can't eat certain tree nuts. As a result I missed out on a lot of raw foods. I love raw desserts, but many are made with nuts. That is what makes them so tasty. My daughter struggles with gluten. Wheat makes me gassy, plus I will never put my hair and nails through a vegetarian diet again. I still believe a plant based diet is a healthy one, but unfortunately not for everyone. I have to add too I really missed cooking a variety of dishes....meaty, hearty dishes.

So Paleo, seems too restrictive and I already know I won't stay on it, but I found an interest in the website, Mark's Daily Apple. I just purchased and downloaded  (weird saying that about a book) the Kindle version of The Primal Blueprint by Mark Sisson the same author/owner of Mark's Daily Apple. So far I like many of the things he says and the fact that he is a marathoner...well of course that makes a difference. 

Seems like his eating plan is ideal for me. I don't really have an addiction to pasta or bread. I do like rice and quinoa, but I love meat much more and I LOVE potatoes (the Paleo diet frowns on anything other than sweet potatoes or yams). Mark seems to think white potatoes are okay and he has recipes which include potatoes and recipes for coffee drinks. I really like that. Love my coffee. I am going to give his plan a try and see if I can turn it into a lifestyle I don't even have to think about to be successful. I can't do dairy, I don't care much about grains (well I will have my off and on again battles over quinoa and rice)....but for the most part....yea I think I was born to eat this way. 

Hey maybe there is something to this C25K thing?

I have ran races before, walked a few too. I have learned so much this year, especially with my injury. I have heard different success stories from people who started running by mixing it up with the whole walk/run process.

I didn't do that. I read somewhere that when you start off doing walk/run intervals you get stronger (developing the muscles in your legs), you are less prone to injury, and it helps to increase your speed. I have had people who walk/ran past me when I was running, and there pace was much better than mine.

I am out of shape, gained 20 lbs, that I lost last year (bummer), felt like my lungs were on fire (that first run burn), but I loved it. My pace was slow, I was relieved every time I got an opportunity to walk, but I felt good.

I love summer (benefits to being a teacher). I get time to regroup, dive into a few hobbies, and in this case get back in shape. I hope this time I don't get sidelined by another injury...Gonna do my stretches, strength exercises, and cycling. I was ready pre-injury to become a life-long (or life-remaining) athlete. I was so excited too.  My best friend was out there with me tonight...you will hear me talk about my daughter a lot too. We are on this journey together.

Little tiny steps equal, small victories one day at a time.  Wish there was a little paw in this picture....I look forward to having a furry running buddy with us one day too.

Save the Bragging for Someone Who Cares!

Last week was more of a struggle than I expected. I didn't get much exercise in, but I am still optimistic. I have memberships in a few running groups on Facebook and Google+, but I have noticed more bragging and attention seeking than there should be. Then there is always a post about someone who completed their first halfthon, or marathon and how that individual is still struggling with weight, or diabetes, or a challenge or two, but at the same time that individual is 90 lbs lighter than the year, or two before when they first started getting in shape. Those stories give me hope.

How many people truly care about someone who is bragging?...OMG I didn't PR...it was horrible. I ran a halfthon at only 4 minutes per mile....You know what!...cry me a river.  I will still see you as an attention starved, self-centered, blow hard, needy...wow let me stop. There I go judging and I can't do that, but I have to share this one post  I ran across one where a young lady stated, "People are always (yes she had the nerve to say ALWAYS) intimidated when they meet me, but after they get to know me they always tell me how cool and goofy I am."

I have had to leave a few groups, because it gets tiring...I am sure I am not missed. Still, I am in search of a truly supportive group. One where people give each other "High Fives" and "Right Ons!".....does such a group exist?

Don't get me wrong...you don't need to set up the "Bitter Party of One" table for me at the East By Yourself You Sorry Loner Cafe. I do enjoy hearing stories about someone running their first halfthon, or first 10k, or first Marathon. Those give me hope that I can do that one day too. We all know the difference between overcoming odds, doing something new, or just bragging for attention. 

It's gonna take me some time to rehab this knee. Anyone with runner's knee can tell you that it takes a few months to recover enough to truly run again, so my journey continues. I strive, with everything I have to do (teacher-student-mom), to get as much exercise each week as I can. I am in search of a support group online too. A group that encourages individuals who have obstacles to overcome and they just need a little boost. I love stories of triumph over adversity. Those are stories of true warriors, people I admire. It is admirable to be able to reach a goal and look back and say, "I did it yay for me!" That's encouragement. That is worth bragging rights.

Schedule....schedule....schedule

"I don't like downtime" - something I said to a coworker today. It's true, while I love rest downtime gives a person too many reasons to fixate on what's not going right in their lives...

I have had a really busy week. Everyday, I have thought about exercising, but was either too busy or too sleepy. Still fighting to get it all in. At least I did something for my knees tonight....my tiny little cycle is becoming my best friend.  Wow, almost Friday....looking forward to the weekend. Just finished a class, now on to another...but first sleep :)

What the PUKE!!!.....

I think my cat and I are kindred spirits.  He waits for me to come home everyday (according to my daughter) and is my constant companion until I leave for work the next day....kinda bugs me when he waits at the door for me to finish using the restroom...but well he is the sweetest little guy in the world.

It's been really hard coming back from an injury, but I am determined to keep trying. I have been through the whole gamut with physical therapy and all the recommendations on how to rehab my knee in order to continue to enjoy my life as a runner.  In speaking to a friend, who struggles with knee pain, his recommendation to me was to cycle. He stated even if I didn't own a bike, or have the time to ride, invest in something I could use at home, and cycle, cycle, cycle. Even my P.T. recommended that....so that and toning is where I am starting.

I guess I am a little scared to run right now too...Just a little. I get going pretty good and within a few minutes my knee starts hurting.  I end up slowing down, so much it just feels better to walk. My goal is strength training, toning (including cycling) five days a week, even if for 30 minutes or less. That is more than I have done for almost a year. Haven't been able to run for awhile. My knee (after a few months of struggle) finally gave out in June and now it's April....yup, not a mathematician...but....yea that sounds like a year to me. I have had a few false starts and stops...because of everything else I have to do (toning - stretching-cycling-running)... I am one of those people not (yet) really interested in a triathlon.  I am a great swimmer, grew up with a pool. I like riding bikes, but I really just want to run. 

Ok, so the cat story...I woke up Friday morning around 4:40 am. Decided I would get up and go for a long walk, once the sun came up since I was feel pretty good. My constant companion started struggling and I knew as soon as he started jerking....OH NO HE IS

ABOUT TO BLOW. There he is right next to me, but instead of just grabbing him, sleep stupor made me jump up, run around the bed, and watch him puke...Seriously?

I remained calm, wasn't too bad, went through my blanket and top sheet, not the fitted, but whatever? I cleaned the "offensive" and started to strip my bed. I have a strong stomach. I have cleaned poopy, puky babies, I have wiped my share of tears and noses, even cleaned cat "insults" of all kinds...Hey I am no novice at this....but then the gag reflex kicked in and...OMG I couldn't believe it...I AM GONNA!!!!!!.....well at least I made it to the sink without redecorating my bed or carpet. Oh...just hate the taste blowing chips leaves behind. After drinking what felt like a gallon of water I returned to bed.....till noon, then ran around all day, ended the day doing homework. One more day lost,

BUT...today I cycled, stretched, and toned....all in less than an hour (broken up throughout the day). Found a great exercise routine at liveexercise.com that I will follow three days a week, along with a little cycling 20 to 30 minutes. Opposite days I will walk until I can run.... Still doing research and asking questions on the best routines. After all I am a teacher, student, mom, and ametuer athlete...where do I fit all this stuff in? 

So....I only got three days of activity in this week. The good news...Next week I will get  more. 

Poop In The Tub...Not Stopping This Ole Gal

My day didn't go as planned, but it could have been alot worse. Unforeseen circumstances made me work a little differently, but at least I got to see my resolve unchanged. I recently broke the bank and purchased one of those fancy Littermaid self-cleaning litter boxes for my furry son.  I waited 24 hrs to turn the power on in order to let my furry "youngin" adjust.

Scared the poor guy to death. Over a period of three days he starting meowing constantly, as if to fuss at me about the recent change. He kept startling himself out of a sound sleep (sleeps with me so he startling us both on two separate occasions)...poor guy was so stressed that I woke up to find poop in my tub this morning.

Glad I am on Spring break....had to buy a new tub matt, litter box with the dome, and more litter. Petco was really good to me. Had no problem making the exchange, even though the electric litter box was used.

So I didn't get to take my long walk today. Had to get up and go shopping first thing this morning. Events throughout the day changed from one minute to the next, but I was determined to do something for myself physically.  So at nearly 11:00 pm tonight I cycled on my mini exercise cycle for 30 minutes. Made the mistake of not measuring miles. The timer on my bike is broken, so next time I will have to use my phone. I always love how it makes my legs feel when I am done.  My goal tomorrow is to go for a walk, and get in at least 10 solid minutes of full body stretching in, and some upper body toning. If I don't get all of that done, if I only get one or two of those planned activities completed,. I will be further along then I was when I was doing nothing.

Gotta start tackling my diet too. So over being a pescatarian (excellent diet - long story). I don't plan on eating red meats. I don't even want meat everyday, but adding a little variety (diet is a very personal thing for most people) seems to make my hair, nails, and skin happy. I feel better too.