All right. This blog is called the Shrinking Knitter for a reason. I started it as a way to stay accountable and get support while I was losing weight, and to talk about knitting once in a while. Hmmmm. For the past four months it's been about running.
I thought when I started the blog that I would forevermore be a fitness walker. That was okay, but I do love to run and I'm glad to know I still can. Barring injury, I should be able to keep on running for many more years.
So it's time to use running as a weight-loss tool, along with weight training and nutrition.
In order to continue running for fitness, I'll need to eat good, clean carbs – whole grains, vegetables and fruit. I got pretty sloppy with food as race day approached, although it didn't do any damage. I'm the same weight today I was in January.
Hey! I can maintain! Heh.
In order to build muscle, I'll need to eat high-quality protein – chicken, tuna, Boca Burgers [we love Boca Burgers around here!], etc. I wasn't as sloppy with protein as I was with carbs, but there's always room for improvement.
Jonathan commented the other day that all the little things I did consistently led me to the finish line. Since he said that, I've been trying to pinpoint what some of those things were.
I'm going to use my Mac's calendar application to create a workout schedule that I can print out. As each day's activity is completed, I'll cross it off or put a star on it. Doing that was very helpful as I trained for the half-marathon.
Since it works so well for exercise, I'm going to do some menu planning as well. The YOAD idea of eating the same breakfast and lunch is a good one. I'm okay with Shredded Wheat or Fiber One, skim milk and fruit for breakfast. [I'll go back to steel-cut oats when it gets cold again.] I also like yogurt/fruit/skim milk smoothies. I need to keep fresh salad greens on hand, along with chicken strips, tuna and low-fat cheese for lunch.
I want to have a vegetarian meal at least once a week for dinner, and won't have any trouble coming up with ideas for that, or for the rest of the week, for that matter. The YOAD book and the internet are both rich sources of dinner menus, as long as I'm willing to use them.
I've been very sloppy about eating in the evening. I'm not sure when I picked this habit up – I never used to do it, but I was able to justify an evening snack because I knew I'd be running the next morning. I'm going to start breaking that habit tonight, by brushing my teeth as soon as I'm finished with dinner. I'm not hungry in the evening; it's just a bad habit.
The goal for race training was to cross the finish line. It would be great if I could set a weight-loss goal and have it happen simply by eating cleanly and exercising consistently. But if you've been here a while, you know I've been there, done that. I guess the reward has to be simply stacking one good day on top of another. I think it will result in a few more pounds lost, but I don't dare put A Number out there.
I lifted weights yesterday and feel deliciously sore this morning. I did two sets of 12 reps of several different moves, some on the bench and some [curls, squats, kickbacks] not. I tried to use the same go-get-'em mindset with the weight training that I used with running. Today I'm going to run/walk four miles on my good old mountain road. I can't wait to get out there and pick up the pace again! My knee was fine yesterday and feels perfectly normal today.
I guess what I learned most during the race training was how capable I really am. [I'm getting a little teary!] And I'm not done.
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3 comments:
I've noticed some creep in my habits as well, like eating a lot more fruit then veggies and introducing some cereals for breakfast that are kind of high-carb. I decided to keep a closer watch on it this week, so hopefully I can get back into the loss zone too. Good idea writing down your goals too. I find that helps clarify things mentally.
I didn't want to assume that you were still thinking about losing weight, but I almost posted yesterday that with a return to normal eating and a decrease in training miles you'll probably be able to start losing weight again, possibly more easily than before. At least, that is my plan and what I am hoping will happen for me in June - we'll see.
I've maintained weight loss for 6 months, so I guess that's ok, but sometimes it can be really disheartening. I'm 100% vegetarian and I never have protein issues, but I catch myself tempted to eat a pound of pretzels every night. Perhaps, I too should brush my teeth after dinner every night.
Of course you are capable of accomplishing goals and if you ever doubt that, you should just remind yourself of the feeling of someone putting the finisher's medal around your neck.
Thanks for stopping by my blog! The support was much appreciated! I too struggle with food and am fighting to get off another 25...the mind is willing but the flesh (in particular my mouth) is weak. I am trying to get control over my out of control mini meltdown!
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