[Girl♥Health]: Daily Workout Stats

Type of Workout:  Walk around the neighborhood with Finn the Dog
Duration:  45 min.
Description:  Totally flat walk, but did it at a nice brisk pace with the added workout of having to control of medium size dog who likes to lunge at cats and squirrels and sniff at everything.

Sunshine.  Finn.  Music.  My neighborhood in the middle of the day.

Wonderful.

Trying to Refocus

Things have seemed a little scattered around Girl♥Life lately.  I've been focusing a lot on certain things and letting other things -- meaningful, important things -- fall to the wayside.  My work at my internship is excelling, but my work on my own personal well-being is lagging a little.  I haven't been able to stir up the motivation to run or blog lately, and that's been putting me in a mood (hint: not a good one).  I'm feeling a little desperate and a lot discouraged on the job hunt front and am trying to grasp at a feeling of...hope, really, that things will work out, that I'll find what I'm looking for.  That I won't end up homeless and hungry, alone and desolate on the streets with only the birds and mice for companions.
 
Okay, so I'm also feeling a little melodramatic, apparently.

*shakes my body in an effort to snap out of it*

But we're trying to get refocused over here.  I mean, I'm the one in control of my life, right?  Who says I have to be in a funk?  Who says I can't shift my attention so that it's once again centered around good, fulfilling, positive thoughts and activities?

No one, that's who.

So even though November, as you all may know by now, is the motherload of all busy months for me (does this happen to anyone else?  Why does it feel like everything waits until November to actually happen?) I'm going to really make an effort this week to get back in my groove.  In fact, I'm going to close this post in a second, change into some workout gear, and take my dog on a walk.  Then I'm going to come back home, have some pumpkin pie (oh, whaaat), and dive headfirst into a bunch of really inspiring stuff -- from Daryl Hannah's vlogs on environmentalism, to researching more about the Keystone XL's impact on indigenous communities, to reading up on some freebie resources for living your best life (start here and then go here), and round it out by doing some journaling to get clear on where my head's at right now.

And I may just download Kelly Clarkson's new album while I'm at it.  Just maybe.

[Girl♥Health]: Daily Workout Stats

Type of Workout:  Treadmill - run/walk
Duration:  15 min.
Calories Burned:  112.9 cal.
Description:  5 min warm up walk, next 9 min alternate between 1 min walking and 2 min running, 1 min cool-down walk. 

So the flu I thought I was coming down with turned out to be a vicious chest cold instead.  The congestion made it nearly impossible to run without coughing, and I decided to just rest of up for the week instead of trying it.  I feel better now, but today was definitely a sloooooow start to getting in the running groove.  Hopefully I'll be able to pick it up this week and get back on track.

I feel like so much of October has been spent "getting back on track".  It's a little disappointing, but I'm trying to not let it get to me.  I'm going to focus instead on the fact that I'm still at it, still trying to get healthy, and still not giving up.

[Girl♥Health]: Daily Workout Stats

Type of Workout:  Treadmill - run/walk
Duration:  30 min.
Calories Burned:  240.8 cal.
Description:  5 min warm up walk, next 21 min alternate between 1 min walking and 2 min running, 4 min cool-down walk.  Stretch for 15 min.

So running is not the easiest thing when your throat is scratchy and your chest is congested with crap.  But I did it anyway, because I don't want to slow down my pace with the 5k being not so far away.  And it didn't end up being that bad.  It was tiring, yes, definitely.  But after I was done stretching I just felt so damn good.

Plus, I had a lot of things on my mind and I'm finding that running is a good way to sort of wade through it all, then end up energized and ready to take on the world.  Or, on the flip side, too exhausted to care anymore.

I also realized this morning that I haven't been keeping up with my attempts at yoga and/or pilates or even hiking.  I feel like there's just been so much going on, and so much to do, that I've let that fall to the wayside.  But I'm trying to recommit right now, so hopefully I'll see more of those activities in the next couple of weeks!

[Girl♥Health]: Daily Workout Stats

Type of Workout:  Treadmill - run/walk
Duration:  25 min.
Calories Burned:  187.9 cal.
Description:  8 min warm up walk, next 15 min alternate between 1 min walking and 2 min running, 2 min cool-down walk.  Stretch for 15 min.

To say that this has been a lazy week would be a wild understatement.  And when I say that, other than a few specific activities, I did nothing but sit on my bed and read would be completely accurate.  It was rainy, a little cold, and I just didn't want to do anything other than get lost in cheesy romance novels.  So, since last week Friday there has been no running, no stretching, no yoga or pilates, and no blogging.

And I don't feel guilty at all.  Because it's exactly what I wanted and needed.

But then I woke up today with stress already building.  For someone without a job, my schedule has become absurdly packed.  I know I've got a lot to do for the rest of the week, but I couldn't let myself start without a clear head.  So I ran, and it was exactly what I wanted and needed too.

Also, it's exactly 1 month until my run.

And I think I'm coming down with the flu.

Friends and Tacos

Last night, Danny, a close friend of mine and Nate's, took over a local cafe and cooked the most delicious tacos ever.  He knows I'm a sucker for his carnitas (Fried pork?  Yes, please.), and so we ordered a handful of those tacos, as well as his vegetarian tacos (mmmm, potatoes, peppers, onions...).  And then we ordered some tostadas with chicken and some chips and salsa just because they're that good.  :)  There was no stopping us.

There's a general consensus among our friends that Danny needs to open his own restaurant, so we're all so glad that he's taking this step to start building a following in our city.  These sort of "pop-ups" that are getting hugely popular right now are great for that sort of "feeling it out" stage, and our community is such a foodie one that it's just such a great opportunity to eat amazing food and meet amazing up-and-coming chefs.

Plus, it's a chance to support Danny and hang out with friends.  Always a good thing.  Especially when there's sangria involved.  And there is...lot's of it.

So if you're in the Berkeley, CA area on an upcoming Thursday evening (5:30-8:30pm), come and eat some damn good tacos at Guerilla Cafe!  And say hi!

[Girl♥Health]: Daily Workout Stats

Type of Workout:  Treadmill - run/walk
Duration:  30 min.
Calories Burned:  217 cal.
Description:  10 min warm up walk, next 15 min alternate between 1 min walking and 2 min running, 5 min cool-down walk.  Stretch for 15 min.

Today's post is coming a bit late because I seem to be running late all over the place.  I woke up well passed 9am, stayed in bed until well passed 10am, did my workout, stretched, then laid on my mat dozing for another 20 min before finally getting up, taking the longest shower on earth, and getting started with my day.  It's noon.

It's been a strange morning.

But the run was great.  My butt (I know I should probably call it my glute or something, but I'm just a "butt" kind of gal) feels super tight, so I spent some extra time stretching it out after the run.  I'm starting to worry more about more about my 5k, and that I won't be able to run the whole thing.  I know for someone who hasn't run in forever, running 3.1 miles straight right off the bat probably sounded like an unrealistic goal, but I really want to do it.  So I guess I should stop focusing on my doubts and just concentrate on my accomplishments.  Think positive!...or something.

Oh, so as an update to my attempts to wake up early on internship days?  It didn't happen yesterday.  It's my first sort of "failure" of this whole journey and, though I know there will be others, I feel really bad about it.  So I'll renew my efforts and try again next week.  (See?  That's me thinking positive.)

[Girl♥Health]: Daily Workout Stats

Type of Workout:  Treadmill - run/walk
Duration:  30 min.
Calories Burned:  201.6 cal.
Description:  10 min warm up walk, next 15 min alternate between 1 min walking and 1 min running, 5 min cool-down walk.  Stretch for 15 min.

Today was difficult for me.  Not because the distance was too much or I'm too out of shape.  No, definitely not one of those reasons.  Instead, today was difficult because -- and this might be TMI -- I've got the worst stomach cramps in the history of the world.  And, get this: Even though I haven't mentioned it before today, I've had these cramps for about 3 days now.

What.  The.  Hell?!

Am I coming down with something?  Did I get a mild case of food poisoning and not know it (I'm actually surprisingly really susceptible to food poisoning...maybe I'll tell you all about it one day).  Or is it just my regularly scheduled lady friend being an extra huge bitch this month?  Who knows.

So even though I powered through, and even did some really nice stretching after I finished running, I didn't get nearly as much enjoyment out of today's workout as I usually do.

Blah.

[Girl♥Health]: Daily Workout Stats

Type of Workout:  Stretching
Duration:  20 min.
Description:  Just did some stretches, particularly for my lower back.

So this was my first real attempt to "workout" before leaving the house in the morning for my internship.  Ideally, this would have included yoga or pilates, but since I haven't had a chance to look up a good yoga video or DVD, and my back is still slightly afraid of pilates, I decided to just do some stretches this morning.

And ohhhhhh, it felt good.  I did the typical stretches for my neck, arms and legs, and then tried to remember some that would really focus on my lower back.  It made me realize that I definitely have some homework to do.   

Homework: Look up a yoga instructional video or DVD, and find some light strengthening workouts that I can do on these non-running days.  Also, more research on stretches for my lower back!

[Girl♥Health]: What October Has in Store...

Now that September has come and gone in a blur of Yay, I did it!, I thought it would be a good idea to build my October Action Plan.  I think that last month's plan was really helpful for reminding me of all the little things I wanted to do and needed to incorporate somehow into my days.  Hopefully, this action plan will do the same!

October Action Plan

My main EXERCISE goal for the month is to continue to incorporate workouts into my life.  I think I've done a fairly good job at getting a start on this in September, so October will be a little easier in a way.  One of the main things I want to do is begin waking up and working out earlier so that -- fingers crossed -- when I get a job, having to fit exercise in before work won't be such a jolt to my system.  My other exercise goal is to do what I didn't get a chance to do last month because of my back, so trying out different types of workouts (and ones that don't all come on DVD) are definitely on the agenda.  Finally, a big HUGE goal is, by the end of the month, to be well on my way to being prepared for my 5k (which is in early November) -- that means nearly running the full 3.1 miles!

In terms of my FOOD goals this month, I want to concentrate on exploring healthier food options.  In September, Nate and I managed to drastically change our diets by cutting back on all the unhealthy foods we were eating and replacing those with the limited amount of healthy food options we knew how to make.  This month, I want to expand on those options so that we're not eating the same 5 grains and vegetables at every meal for the rest of our lives.

Key Activities:

Wake up before 8:30am (weekdays)
Continue to eat breakfast, lunch and small snacks throughout the day (daily)

Continue to run -- I use Women's Health Magazine's running guide for beginners (4 days a week)
Begin running outside
Back strengthening exercises (3 days a week)

Pilates or yoga at home -- in search of a good DVD's (3 days a week)

Try a pilates class (at least once)
Try a new recipe (twice a week)

Continue to read food labels -- don't buy what I can't pronounce and what's not naturally raised

Reward:

A heart rate monitor (if I have a job by the end of the month), or the $75 Gap giftcard Nate got for me (which I can use to buy some workout pants).

[Girl♥Health]: Daily Workout Stats

Type of Workout:  Treadmill - run/walk
Duration:  30 min.
Calories Burned:  178 cal.
Description:  10 min warm up walk, next 10 min alternate between 1 min walking and 1 min running, 10 min cool-down walk.

Today's run/walk was fairly simple (and you wouldn't believe how much of a hard-won statement that is coming from me!); I didn't find myself overly tired at the end of it, though I didn't necessarily want to keep on going either.  It was just a nice way to ease into a day that'll be pretty stressful for me and a week where I know I'll be pushing myself to run longer than I have before.

Things are gearing up around here now that it's October!