I wanted to try Week 3 today, but I decided to wait til tomorrow. I forgot to take my iron supplement before I left for work. I don't know how long it stays in my system so I didn't want to chance running out of steam and hating every minute of the run. I was getting tired on the drive home too. I'm sure part of that was lack of sleep (like every night), but maybe part of it had to do with missing my morning dosage. So I opted for strength training today.

I'll be back on the track tomorrow. I want to do it in the morning, but it's seriously cutting into my sleep time. We'll see.

2 x 15 Crunches

1 x 15 Crunches w/Twist (once on each side)

2 x 15 Modified Plank

2 x 15 Modified Side Plank

2 x 15 Lying Leg Curls

2 x 15 Squats

2 x 15 Standing Side Bend w/Towel

2 x 15 Wall Push Ups

2 x 12 Tricep Dips w/Bent Knees (Back to 12. My arms were burning after the push ups.)

Breakfast: Grits w/soy margarine (Thanks to a friend. I was gonna eat my bagel, but she offered me a packet of instant grits. I miss those.)

Snack: Banana

Lunch: VWAV Curried Tempeh-Mango Salad Sammich (I'm surprised I liked this. Eating fruit like this isn't my kind of thing, but it works.)

Snack: Mango (Because it was extra ripe when I bought it yesterday. I figured I'd just eat it before it went bad.)

Munchies: I picked at Trader Joe's Cats Cookies and dark chocolate covered almonds throughout the work day.

Dinner: Spinach salad w/chickpeas, red peppers, tomatoes, and the best balsamic vinaigrette ever (I used this recipe. I added 2 T of dijon mustard, used 1 t of garlic powder because my fresh garlic was MIA, and added 1 extra t of sugar. This is so good. I licked the plate, seriously.)

Dessert: I'm treating myself to a So Delicious ice cream sandwich (Unfortunately, Wegman's was out of Tofutti Marry Me Bars. This broke my heart. But what can you do? Buy a replacement.)

One Mo' 'Gain

The weather cleared up, my MP3 player recharged, so I took myself to the track before it got too dark. I was glad to see other people out there. I don't want to be outside so late by myself. Well, I completed another session of Week 2. I still don't feel any better about going into Week 3. My guess is that I'll have to slow it down til I'm barely moving so I don't run out of steam halfway through the run interval. I can see feeling like Week 1 again. Hopefully it'll get better. I'll probably start Week 3 on Wednesday. We'll see.

Music: Robert's Week 2 Podcast
Run/Walk: 30min (includes 5min cool down)
I stretched before and after.

Dinner: A small salad so far (not sure what I will munch on next)

I wanted to fit in an extra running session for Week 2 before moving forward to Week 3, but I can't today. I was all set to head to the Y until I remembered that my MP3 player died yesterday and needs to be recharged. So that's not going down. I doubt I'll do it later because the Y closes early today and I have a function to get to this afternoon. Also, there's a storm coming, so I won't be on the track either. Darn. Well, I did my strength training so far, so today's not a waste.

2 x 15 Crunches

2 x 15 Modified Plank

1 x 15 Crunches w/Twist (once on each side)

2 x 15 Modified Side Plank (I held for 5 sec longer this time)

1 x 15 Crunches w/Twist (once on each side)

2 x 15 Standing Side Bend w/Towel

2 x 15 Tricep Dips w/Bent Knees (I've gone from 12 to 15.)

2 x 15 Wall Push Ups *New Exercise*

2 x 15 Lying Leg Curls

2 x 15 Squats

Breakfast: Strawberry Smoothie (This is my only meal so far)

Lunch: I'm gonna have falafel again

Mark it down

Week 2 is in the books. I don't know how I feel about moving forward to Week 3. I didn't feel right this morning. I was lacking some energy. It probably has something to do with my period. It's due next week, I think. And if that's not it, I refuse to believe that it has anything to do with the Bahama Mama I had last night. Last night was Christie's night. No strength training or anything. I made falafel and quinoa tabouleh salad, and put on my Family Guy dvd. I didn't even finish my 2nd glass of Bahama Mama. I passed out on the couch. It was late anyway.

So I finished up Week 2 this afternoon. I opted for the indoor track again because it was ridiculously humid when I woke up. It was just damn uncomfortable. I don't have central air. That could also be the reason why I wasn't feeling it today. But the good thing is, I did it, I'm not sore, and I feel like I didn't do anything at all. That's just the weirdest thing to me. I spend 30mins of the day doing the most intense workout I've ever done (I could NEVER run before) and I feel no after effects. I guess that's a good thing. Maybe I'll end up running a marathon one day. We'll see.

Well, if I'm going to be successful next week, I need to slow it down. It's so tempting to run faster. Then I find it harder to count to myself because I'm trying to catch my breath. I change up my pace a few times during the run so I can finish without hating it. And I have to say, I haven't hated it since Week 1. That's a good thing.

I haven't eaten much today. It's probably because I've been napping. It's just one of those days. The cats and I have been lazy today. Oh well, tomorrow's another day. Hopefully, I'll have more energy then. Here's today's breakdown.

Music: Robert's Week 2 Podcast
Walk/Run: 30min (includes 5min cool down)
I stretched before and after.

Breakfast: Strawberry Smoothie (I ran out of blueberries. This tasted like a strawberry shake. I miss those.)

Lunch: Falafel in a pita with tahini sauce and quinoa tabouleh salad (You can find the recipe here.)

Snack: My last Tofutti Marry Me Bar (I must get more.)

Dinner: Probably more falafel (Because I love it so.)

Week 2 Day 2

I was so beat when I woke up this morning. It has nothing to do with exercising. I wasn't sore at all. I haven't been sore in a while. All I can say is that stretching does a body good. Anyway, it's because I don't take myself to bed when I should. I'm so bad. So the track was out this morning. I figured I'd do it tomorrow morning. But on my way home, I was up for the challenge. I ended up at the Y's indoor track and did my thing. I like it. It's easier on the legs.

Music: Robert's Week 2 Podcast
Walk/Run: 30min (includes 5min cool down)
I stretched before and after.

Breakfast: The last of the OJ and Christie's Own Vanilla Soy Latte (Still tired this morning. Funny part is I didn't finish it until the drive home.)

Snack: Edamame (We're best friends now.)

Lunch: VWAV Tempeh Reuben w/pretzels (I was busy again today, and didn't finish everything until 5 something.)

Snack: Vitamin Water ( I wanted something sweet.)

Yeah, I know. I haven't eaten much. Some days are like that. It's Kool and the Gang.

Good News

I lost 2 lbs since the last time I weighed myself maybe 3 weeks ago. We have a scale at work. I figured I'd jump on real quick to see if my weight was steady. I weighed myself with my shoes on and saw that I was about the same weight I was with my shoes off last time I weighed in at work. So I took them off, and it was 2.2 lbs less. Wow. I'm kind of surprised, but I really shouldn't be. My goal wasn't to lose weight, just be more active. I knew that I would eventually lose something because I've gone from doing nothing to everything. I didn't think it would be this soon. I felt like I toned up in some areas, but I thought maybe it was in my mind because I haven't been doing this for long.

Anyway, I did both cardio and strength training today. The last time I did that, I was too broke down to jog the next day. I believe I'm getting stronger, but I still have to gauge how I feel in the morning.


Music: ElectricSoul mixed by DJ Lil Dave (gots ta have my house music)

Elliptical: 25min (5min of it was the cool down)
I stretched before.

2 x 12 Tricep Dips w/Bent Knees (I'm getting better at this)

2 x 15 Crunches

1 x 15 Crunches w/Twist *New exercise* (once on each side)

2 x 15 Modified Plank

2 x 10 Modified Side Plank *New exercise*

2 x 15 Lying Leg Curls

2 x 15 Squats

2 x 15 Standing Side Bend w/Towel

Breakfast: A few swallows of OJ to chase my iron supplement and Christie's Own Vanilla Soy Latte (I'm not even a big coffee person, but I was beat this morning)

Snack: Edamame

Lunch: VWAV Tempeh Reuben w/pretzels (It took a while to finish. I was busy today. It's hard to eat while working. I finished the last bit after 5pm.)

Snack Sorta: A swallow of OJ to compliment my 2nd dose of iron

I haven't had dinner yet. I wasn't hungry when I got in, but I do have the munchies now after the workout. I'm in the mood for more edamame.

Week 2 Day 1

I began my 2nd week of C25k on about 4hrs of sleep. I was on the track before 6am. It was more challenging, but I handled it a lot better than I did Week1 Day1. I'm glad I did it without hating it. Also, it seems like the time went by faster too. I'm still afraid of Week 3. I'm not that confident. I just hope I'll be ready for it when that time comes. I may do an extra day to make sure I'm prepared to move on, but I'll see when I get there. This was just the first day.

Music: Robert's Week 2 Podcast
Walk/Run: 30min (includes 5min cool down)

Breakfast: Glass of OJ

Breakfast 2: Cinnamon raisin bagel w/a big cup of peppermint tea

Snack: Banana

Snack: The rest of yesterday's chips

Lunch: Sasquash veggie sandwich from Bear Rock Cafe and side salad w/balsamic vinaigrette

Snack: Starbucks Vanilla Soy Latte (because I was gonna pass out at my desk from tiredness and boredom)

Snack: Banana

Dinner: VWAV Italian marinated tofu w/a baked potato and stir fry veggies (I'm done for the week)

I just did strength training today. Funny thing is, I did all but two exercises at the job. It's a good way to pass the time. It's better than watching the clock. It helps that I have a big cubicle away from everybody.

2 x 12 Tricep Dips w/Bent Knees

2 x 15 Crunches

2 x 15 Modified Plank
(I held for 5 sec longer than last time.)

2 x 15 Lying Leg Curls

2 x 15 Squats

2 x 15 Standing Side Bend w/Towel

Breakfast: Big cup of OJ (I sipped it like it was coffee. It lasted most of the ride to work. I drive 44mi one way.)

Snack: PBJ on wheat w/peppermint tea

Lunch: Sasquash veggie sandwich from Bear Rock Cafe and side salad w/balsamic vinaigrette and a couple of chips (the sandwich has squash, eggplant, sprouts, mushrooms that I pick off, lettuce, tomato, and vidalia onion dressing on sunflower seed bread)

Dinner: VWAV Italian marinated tofu w/a baked potato and stir fry veggies

Snack: Tofutti Marry Me Bar

Week 1 Complete

I should have completed Day 3 yesterday, but I didn't have enough time to. I woke up Friday morning with Thursday's headache. I debated about going to work, but I went. It eventually went away, thank God. Then, I went to a friend's house that night and stayed until about 2am. I got up at 10am on Saturday and had to rush around to get out the door. I took the train up to NYC and hung out with a friend. We went to Coney Island and then came back to Manhattan for dinner at Red Bamboo. We also went to a bar. I had four drinks. One of them was on the bartender. Anyway, I got back really late. Well, actually kind of early. It was almost 4am. So of course, I didn't wake up for good until noonish. And even then, I was just lying around. It was going on 3pm when I left the house today. I really don't like getting up so late. I feel I'm missing something. And I wasn't sure how I'd feel about today's session. I was just hoping not to hate it.

So I get there and decide I'm going to work on finding the right pace. They say you should be able to talk while working out. If you're too winded, then you're doing too much. Well, I took Robert's suggestion and counted as I jogged. And you know what? It worked. I FOUND MY PACE!!! I was no longer wondering when the walking portion would begin. The funny thing is, I was surprised when the jogging interval ended. It's like the time just flew by. I was struggling the other day, but that didn't even come into play. I went on the track thinking I'd need to do an extra session for the week to prepare for Week 2. I left the track confident that I could start Week 2 without hating it.

I didn't eat too much today, probably because I got up so late. But here's the breakdown.

Music: Robert's podcast

Walk/Jog: 25min (includes 5min cool down)
I stretched before and after.

Breakfast: Glass of OJ and less than a handful of peanuts and raisins

Lunch: Red Bamboo leftovers (wh/included soy chicken and steamed carrots. I made a baked potato to go with it.)

Dinner: I was thinking of cereal, but I don't have any cold soy milk. Maybe PBJ on wheat and water.

I honestly don't remember snacking today. After the track, I came home, showered and rushed back out to hit the nail salon before they closed. I had to get the little piggies done. Then my aunt came over. We talked for a while. She just left an hour ago. I don't think I ate anything the entire time. Don't fret. I will eat well tomorrow. I have some tofu marinating. I'm going to cook it up tomorrow for dinner.

Today, I completed Week 1 Day 2 of C25K. I actually did it in the morning. I didn't think I'd have the energy to do it after how I felt yesterday, but I woke up before my alarm. And I didn't feel too bad, so I figured, why not? I went to the local track and did my thing. I used Robert Ullrey's podcast instead of a stopwatch this time. He has it all set to some techno music that I don't particularly care for. Some tracks were okay. Anyway, you can check it out here.

It was nice not to have to keep my own time, but I did find myself wondering when he'd tell me it was time to walk again. It was tough this time around. But that's because I picked up the pace. It just feels better to go faster and pick my legs up. Man, did it wear me out though. I was thinking I wouldn't catch my breath during the 90sec walk portion in time to jog again, but I did. I guess my lungs are getting stronger. I tried to talk myself into liking what I was feeling. But I found myself saying,"I hate it. I hate it. I hate it." in my head. The funniest part was when I thought the second to last interval was the last interval, and I was on my way to the car. Then I hear him tell me to get ready for the last interval. Boy, that pissed me off, but I did it without stopping. I'm surprised. And I am so glad that I finished. It's good to feel like I've accomplished something.

Here's the breakdown for today.

Music: Robert's Podcast

Snack: Half a glass of OJ (usually I need more than this to do anything strenuous, but it was all good thanks to the iron)

Breakfast: Cinnamon raisin bagel w/soy margarine and decaf hazelnut coffee black (I left my soy creamer at home)

Lunch: Veggie Lo Mein bento box lunch special from Wild Rice (This is a lovely restaurant near my job. It comes with of course the veggie lo mein, steamed broccoli on the side, spring roll - I had a couple bites, small salad with ginger dressing, and miso soup. It's so good.)

Snack: Potato chips and Vitamin Water (again, not my thing, but I grabbed it on my way out the house this morning)

Dinner: Italian marinated tofu (Isa style), with sauteed veggies and a baked potato w/olive oil, salt and pepper (I left my soy margarine at work)

Snack: Strawberry blueberry smoothie

Okay, so the alcohol won. But I did stretch when I extended my arm to reach the glass and bring it to my mouth. I tried to be somewhat productive though. I went to my storage unit to find my Stretching book, but had no luck. Maybe it's around here somewhere. Maybe I'll find it when I'm not looking for it. That's how it usually goes.

Food-wise, today was a bad day. But hey, I never said I was dieting. I just said I wanted to be more active. Here's the breakdown.

Breakfast: PBJ on wheat toast and a latte

Snack: Vitamin water (not my thing, but there wasn't any cold bottled water left in the fridge)

Snack: Potato chips (I was at a friend's house)

Drinks: Bahama Mama and a Mojito (Still at my friend's house. I had one of each.)

Dinner: Bruschetta and some eggplant mixture on toast (Probably overstayed my welcome at this point. I was bad because there was cheese sprinkled on it and I didn't turn it down.)

Snack: Graham crackers

There's no way I'd have the energy to work out after what I've eaten. I'm still sore too. So I'll try for Day 2 tomorrow after work. Wish me luck.

Too Sore

I was planning to do Day 2 of the program today, but I am so sore right now. It's not from the elliptical at all. It was all the strength training stuff that I didn't think was THAT difficult, but apparently there was enough going on to work something out. My back, ribs, and shoulders are sore. My abs are fine. I have a little soreness in my calves, but nothing too bad. My thighs are holding up and I think my inner thighs finally healed from last week's swimming. Maybe I'll feel better later on tonight. But I doubt it. Maybe I need some alcohol to numb the pain. I really need to did my stretching book out of storage too. Alcohol..stretching..alcohol..stretching. I don't know which I try first.

Rest Day...NOT!!

I felt good today. I wasn't sore from yesterday at all. I am still sore from my 2 days at the pool last week. I tell ya, the pool is no joke. My inner thighs hate me for making them work. I'm always exhausted when I'm done. So I'm thinking I'll fit in pool time after work once I go back (I'm on vacation until Thursday this week). Splashing around in the water is a good way to end the day. And since it makes me tired, I should have a good sleep when I'm done.

Anyway, I didn't want to waste the good feeling and all, so I took myself to the Y and got on the elliptical. Then I took my butt home. That's all I needed. I chilled out, ate some breakfast, well technically lunch (it was after 12pm). I logged onto Spark People and took their advice. I really should work strength training into my weekly routine. So that's what I did. Hopefully, I can stick to that too. We all know how much I love routines. Yeah, whatever. I don't.

Well here's today's breakdown:

Music: Global Underground: Nubreed, disc 1 by Steve Lawler
(I'm trying to get into trance and I needed something w/the right tempo. Killing two birds with one stone.)

Elliptical: 25min (5min of it was the cool down)
I stretched when I got home.

2 x 12 Tricep Dips w/Bent Knees
(I really need to work on this. My triceps are WEAK.)

2 x 15 Crunches

2 x 10 Modified Plank
(I hate this with a passion. I was supposed to hold for 60sec. I just held for 10. I'll get better at it though.)

2 x 15 Lying Leg Curls

2 x 15 Squats

2 x 15 Standing Side Bend w/Towel
(This worked by triceps more than my obliques. Maybe I did it wrong.)

Breakfast: Strawberry Blueberry Smoothie

Snack: Less than a handful of peanuts and raisins (aka bootleg trail mix)

Lunch: VWAV Fronch Toast w/soy sausage (My mom loved this.)

Snack: Banana

Snack: Another smoothie

Dinner: Tempeh w/peppers and onions over rice

Dessert: Tofutti Marry Me Bar (That name makes no sense to me, but whatever.)

Couch-to-5k Running Plan

I'm serious about putting the couch potato thing behind me. So I decided to start the Couch-to-5k Running Plan. In 9 weeks, if there are no hiccups, I will be able to run for 30min straight. I can't wait to get there. Patience grasshopper. If anyone is interested, check it out here.

First, I had to get a stopwatch. That's definitely a necessity. There's no way I can estimate how long I've been running and walking. I played with the thing for about 30min before I got out the door. I went to the Y (I rejoined a couple of weeks ago) during rush hour. People were every where. All the treadmills were taken. So I got on the elliptical while I waited. Once a treadmill was free someone else got on it with the quickness. Oh well. So I left. I ended up at the local track and did my thing. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. But I was checking the stopwatch to see when my 60 sec of jogging would be over. Well, for me it was more of a trot. I didn't want to overdue it. I guess I can break out to a full run in Week 9 when my endurance is up. I can't wait.

Anyway, here's the break down for Week 1 Day 1:

Elliptical: 15min
Walk/Jog: 20min
I also stretched before and after. Go me!

Breakfast: Strawberry banana muffin and a latte

Lunch: Panera Bread's Mediterranean veggie sandwich (w/o cheese)

Snack: Peanuts and raisins (less than a handful)

Snack: Apple

Snack: Strawberry blueberry smoothie

Dinner: I'm planning to have tempeh with onions and peppers over rice.

It's been a while

Since I was last here months ago, it was cold and I was unmotivated. And it didn't help that my doctor called me frantically about my bloodwork and told me to get to an emergency room ASAP. My iron was dangerously low and blah, blah, blah. Anyway, over a month ago, someone suggested a liquid herbal iron supplement that won't jack me up. I've been taking it since June 9th. So far, so good. I think I'm here to stay. I will try my best to track my progress. It's hard for me to stick to routines. But there's a first time for everything right? Right. So let's get to it.