Workout Schedule 4/13 - 4/19 & Mileage Update #12

Sunday 4/13: cross training/gym- stationary bike 30-45 minutes, minimum 1 mile interval run

Monday 4/14: strength training/DVD- Body Revolution workout 1, minimum 1 mile interval run

Tuesday 4/15: strength training/DVD- Body Revolution workout 2, minimum 1 mile interval run

Wednesday 4/16: strength training/DVD- Body Revolution cardio 1, 2-3 mile interval run

Thursday 4/17: strength training/DVD- Body Revolution workout 1, minimum 1 mile interval run

Friday 4/18: strength training/DVD- Body Revolution workout 2, minimum 1 mile interval run

Saturday 4/19: strength training/DVD- Body Revolution cardio 1, 8 mile interval run

Body revolution.. I finally decided it was time to start another strength training challenge. I find it easier to follow a challenge like this, for whatever reason it's too easy for me to give up when I plan different strength DVDs a couple times a week. 

I had wanted to wait until I got closer to my goal weight, but why? Other than the fact that I know I will end up gaining weight for a while because of the changes in my muscles, there really is no reason to not do what works best. 

I have always found that strength training is the best thing for me physically and mentally. I love the way I look regardless of what I weigh when I am following a workout that tones and my main focus will be my health and the way I feel, not what I weigh. 

I've done it before and I'm doing it again and I will see success. My hope is to workout in the morning before work. I get in first and we have a part of the back room that we use for working out. I figure it will be better for me to get it done first thing and since we currently live on the second floor of an apartment it will save our neighbor the pain of being loud most nights.

I know that schedules will interfere, so I'm trying to make sure I get it done either in the morning or on my lunch, but I think I was able to talk Patrick into working out with me one night a week (I asked for 2-3 days, he agreed to 1 and I took it). Those nights I will be more than happy to wait for him. I think it will be a good thing for both of us.

 

Bring it Jillian..

 

Mileage update: (including tonight's run)

 

Monthly mileage goal: 105 miles

Monthly mileage as of 4/13: 47.11 miles

Yearly mileage goal: 1250 miles

Yearly mileage as of 4/13: 427.28 miles

34.18% complete

Total mileage recorded to date (1/1/12-4/13/14): 2177.29 miles

Running streak goal: 500 days

Running streak: day 175

This week's mileage: 25.90 miles
Sunday- 1.23 mile interval run
Monday- 2.04 mile walk, 2.44 mile interval run
Tuesday- 2.04 mile interval run
Wednesday- 2.05 mile interval run
Thursday- 1.34 mile walk, 2.08 mile interval run
Friday- 2.04 mile walk, 1.34 mile walk, 2.64 mile interval run
Saturday- 5.51 mile interval run
Sunday- 1.14 mile interval run 

Thankful Thursday #4

1. I am thankful to my family and friends for making my birthday last week a wonderful one. I am so grateful to be surrounded by such amazing people and so lucky to be able to not just love my family because I have to but love them because I want to. It's like that saying about sisters.. "Sisters by chance, friends by choice." It's so true in regards to each one of these relationships. I couldn't be luckier!

2. I am thankful that I finally was able to talk to my boss and coworker that I work directly with about some things that have been bottling up for awhile. It was like a weight was lifted off of my shoulders and I finally feel like we can make some forward progress. I held some things in that had been bothering me for awhile because I didn't want to step on anyones toes and because I truly didn't think anything would be done about it. Thankfully I was wrong about that last part and I may finally get the proper training that I deserve and need in order to be the best I can be at my job.

3. I am thankful that I am taking a couple days off from working out. Not that I was doing that much and not that I was actually in a routine that was exhausting or taking up too much time, but it was a good reminder for me to slow down and not jump in head first again. I tripped yesterday on my lunch break and ended up pulling something in my back. Yesterday's workout plan was 2-3 miles and an arm workout. I ended up going for 1.14 miles (to satisfy the streak), but skipped the strength. Today's workout is a strength DVD, cross training at the gym and a 1 mile run. I am adjusting it slightly to skip the strength DVD, but I will do the run and the stationary bike tonight. I do plan on doing my arm workout tomorrow but taking it easy with another 1 miler since the next half is Saturday.

4. I am thankful that I have decided to start journaling to Isabel instead of just using the journal to complain about daily annoyances. That was not my intention when I started journaling but it became so easy to focus on the frustrations in life (as petty as they were) instead of on the positives. I finally finished my second book for March yesterday and ended up crying at the ending. It involved a mother dying and leaving her 16 year old daughter a journal that she had been writing to her since finding out she was sick. I don't want to look back and think about the things I wish I would have done but didn't because I thought someone would think the idea was stupid or not start now because I wish I would have been doing this for the past 6 years. No, instead I started last night and I intend to keep going for who knows how long. It's a place to keep our story, our past, our present, hopes for our future, quotes, funny things she says or does, adventures we go on, adventures I hope for us to go on, etc.

5. I am thankful that I have so much in my life that makes me happy. I'm not happy 24/7 and I definitely have struggles in my life, but I think I learned awhile ago that it's better to focus on the good in your life then on the things you want to change. I'm working on improving my life in so many ways and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for me. I know that everything happens for a reason and I'm accepting of what's happened so far. To be honest, the person I am today is so different from who I was just a year ago. I can only hope that the changes (which I believe to be for the better) can be seen by those around me. I feel more positive, outgoing, and just all around happy. It's a good place to be.

Weigh In #16

Starting Weight: 189.2

Last Weeks Weight: 179.8

This Weeks Weight: 182.0

+/-: +2.2
Total +/-: -7.2

Okay, so I weighed myself yesterday morning because I was feeling good and I knew that I would be eating a lot for my birthday (lunch out with my best friend, a cake at work, dinner out with the family, cake with the family..) I weighed in at 179.8, the same exact weight as last week.

This morning I step on the scale and it's up to 182.

I'm not worried or concerned or annoyed or frustrated. In fact I'm just happy. I'm happy that I had a wonderful birthday that I enjoyed and that I didn't go completely overboard. I had soup and salad for dinner and enjoyed a small pieces of cake. Nothing over the top or crazy. Just apparently a lot of sodium.

I'm sure it will all even itself out and I'll be back in no time. I mean, a 2.2 pound gain in one day is a little much to all be a true gain. Either way, it is what it is and there's nothing I can do about it now other than work on staying within my calories this next week and to continue to make the best choices for me as well as to up the workouts. I've been slacking and need to get back to it, if for no other reason it makes me feel fantastic and I miss those endorphins. I am definitely still trying to find that balance with all or nothing when it comes to workouts. Hoping to figure that out soon. 

Last weeks goals:

1. Track. You probably won't believe this, but I have tracked every single thing every single day this week. I went over on calories five of the seven days, but I tracked. And, to be honest, it wasn't an awful week. I mean, obviously it would be better if I hadn't gone over so many days, but the point of tracking is to track it all. And I did. 

2. Water. I drank at least 6 glasses of water 6/7 days this past week. I am getting much better about it and am feeling better too. I plan to keep going in order to make it the full 7 days a week. 

3. Clean out closet and dresser. I did not get to this goal this week but plan to soon because I have been doing a little online shopping this past week and need to clear out the old to make way for the new. I have purchased more business attire items because I want to be taken professionally. I can't keep doing the jeans and a t-shirt thing.

4. Work on training schedule. I also did not work on this either. I have looked into Jeff Galloway's training plan a little more and do plan on using this, but I need to sit down and realistically write it out so that it is on the calendar for Patrick to see so that he is aware of what days I'm going to need to be focused on training and will need extra help (mentally, emotionally, physically, etc).

5. Enjoy my birthday dinner. Definitely succeeded in this! I decided to go to Chili's and even though I was planning on splurging (slightly) and getting the margarita chicken with rice and black beans, I ended up going with the soup and salad because I was still so full from having Chipotle for lunch. It was delicious and I really enjoyed it!

Workout schedule:

March 21st - March 27th

Friday 3/21: 2-3 mile interval run completed (3.10 miles)

Saturday 3/22: 8 mile interval run completed (8.14 miles)

Sunday 3/23: minimum 1 mile interval run completed (1.05 miles), cross train completed (15 minutes stationary bike)

Monday 3/24: arm workout did not complete, 2-3 mile interval run completed (3.09 mile interval run)

Tuesday 3/25: 30 day shred did not complete, minimum 1 mile interval run completed (1.51 mile interval run)

Wednesday 3/26: arm workout did not complete, 2-3 mile interval run completed (2.52 mile interval run), Ripped in 30 completed (warm up and circuit 1)

Thursday 3/27: 30 day shred did not complete, minimum 1 mile interval run completed (1.09 mile interval run)

This weeks goals:

1. Track.

2. Water.

3. Clean out closet and dresser.

4. Make April training schedule.

5. Stick to workout schedule for coming week.

Workout schedule:

March 28th - April 3rd

Friday 3/28: arm workout, minimum 1 mile interval run

Saturday 3/29: 5 mile training run, cross training

Sunday 3/30: minimum 1 mile interval run, cross training

Monday 3/31: arm workout, 2-3 mile interval run

Tuesday 4/1: strength training DVD, minimum 1 mile interval run

Wednesday 4/2: arm workout, 2-3 mile interval run

Thursday 4/3:  strength training DVD, minimum 1 mile interval run

Weigh In #15

Starting Weight: 189.2

Last Weeks Weight: 181.4

This Weeks Weight: 179.6

+/-: -1.8
Total +/-: -9.6

I have been off of the wagon for a while now. To the point where when I tried to catch up and jump back on I ended up getting caught and dragged. So, that's where I've been with that.

With my birthday coming up next week I made a deal with myself to not track or do anything special for the next week or so and then I would get back to it with 100% commitment on April 1st.

But then I woke up this morning. I thought about what I wanted, what I needed. I knew right away that what I want is to start tracking, start exercising and start caring about it again. I miss that feeling when you're giving it your all and it pays off. I can't expect to give it 50% and get the results you want.

So, I stepped on the scale and am moving forward with this new found desire to see results. I got a little too comfortable and even though I don't have all the motivation I would like at this point I am ready to fake it until I make it. 

I am hoping that whatever this new start is can kick my backside into gear to get more serious about training. I still have a lot of races coming up and I know I feel better when I'm in full training mode. Plus, it would be nice to see some successes at the end of the week in regards to my goals and workout schedule.

This weeks goals:

1. Track.

2. Water.

3. Clean out closet and dresser.

4. Work on training schedule.

5. Enjoy my birthday dinner.

Workout schedule:

March 21st - March 27th

Friday 3/21: 2-3 mile interval run

Saturday 3/22: 8 mile interval run

Sunday 3/23: minimum 1 mile interval run, cross train

Monday 3/24: arm workout, 2-3 mile interval run

Tuesday 3/25: 30 day shred, minimum 1 mile interval run

Wednesday 3/26: arm workout, 2-3 mile interval run

Thursday 3/27: 30 day shred, minimum 1 mile interval run

Measurements

Original measurements taken October 15th:

Chest: 41

Waist: 37.5

Hips: 45.5

L thigh: 26.5

L arm: 13

L calf: 14.5

Measurements taken on March 8th:
Chest: 40 (-1)

Waist: 33 (-4.5)

Hips: 43.5 (-2)

L thigh: 24 (-2.5)

L arm: 12.25 (-.75)

Current measurements taken March 22nd:

Chest: 39.25 (-1.75)

Waist: 34 (-3.5)

Hips: 43.5 (-2)

L thigh: 23.5 (-3)

L arm: 12.25 (-.75)

Weigh In #14

Starting Weight: 189.2
Last Weeks Weight: 181.4
This Weeks Weight: 181.4

+/-: 0
Total +/-:  -7.8

I am a little surprised that I maintained. In a good way. I had almost a full week of not tracking and I can feel it. I am not sure what happened to make me fall off the wagon so hard as I watched it drive away leaving me behind in the dust. I'm not sure what took me so long to the wagon wasn't coming around for me, that I needed to get up, dust myself off and find the wagon. Nobody can do it for me.

It took something happening to make me decide to commit again, and to commit 100%. For a while now I've been tracking very little each day. Some days it's just my coffee, some days I track through lunch, very rarely do I track the whole day (and even then, once I complete my entry for the day I don't go back and track more if I continue eating).. Needless to say, it's no wonder I've been gaining. 

Add that to the lack of working out and it's just a combination for disaster.

But on Thursday I forgot to go in and log my coffee. I forgot to go in and log anything. One of the things I like about My Fitness Pal is that it tracks the number of days you've tracked in a row. Thursday would have been day 90. But, since I forgot to log in, yesterday was day 1. 

Last Weeks Goals:

1. Track: see above. I'm using this as a kick in the pants to start actually tracking. My goal was 365 days in a row, now it's 365 days in a row of actually tracking my food, not just logging in. It's not a difficult task.

2. Follow workout schedule: no strength training or cross training this week.
3. Do not go overboard at birthdays: we celebrated Patrick's birthday at Red Robin. I had soup & salad and ate a cupcake that I made. Isabel picked Outback Steakhouse for her birthday dinner. I had salmon & carrots. I indulged in appetizers too, but did not feel as though I over did it. Isabel's party is today. The plan is to keep myself busy so that I don't eat all the things. Pizza, pasta salad, fruit, carrots and an entire dessert table. I've got this!

Workout schedule:
March 9th - March 15th
Sunday: San Diego Half Marathon completed
Monday: streak completed
Tuesday: streak completed
Wednesday: streak completed
Thursday (Patrick's birthday): streak completed
Friday (Isabel's birthday): streak completed
Saturday (Isabel's birthday party): Hope4Kids 5K completed

Get in two strength training sessions (using any DVD I choose) and one cross training session at the gym of a minimum of 30 minutes. did not complete

This weeks goals:
1. Track
2. Follow workout schedule
3. Clean out closet of any clothes I no longer fit into or feel good in

Workout schedule:
March 16th - March 22nd
Sunday: streak
Monday: streak, strength training
Tuesday: streak
Wednesday: streak. strength training
Thursday: streak, cross training
Friday: streak
Saturday: 8 miles

Here's to a great week. I really think I can do it this week. I think I am going to be able to stick to it. I want to see results and the only way that can happen is if I work the plan. 

Weigh In #13

Starting Weight: 189.2
Last Weeks Weight: 180.6
This Weeks Weight: 181.4

+/-: +0.8
Total +/-:  -7.8

Last Weeks Goals:

1. Track. Everything. Everyday. (hey, it will happen one of these weeks): I did really well tracking most of this week. But I fell off the wagon a little in the middle of the week and didn't even try to get back on. I let myself have a free for all and now I feel horrible about it both physically and mentally. I'm frustrated with myself for reaching a milestone two weeks ago and then letting it slip away because I did not have enough self control to eat healthy and use portion control. I know I will get back there and I'm now done focusing on the could have, should have, would have. This is where I'm at now and it's up to me to find a way to get back to where I want to be.
2. Find a better way to track water. Start small, 6 glasses a day: I did well with tracking up until the same time that I stopped focusing on tracking food. I was getting at least 6 glasses of water a day with some days being closer to and/or over 10 glasses. I stopped tracking though, so I don't actually know if I made it the whole week. Does anyone have a system they use that works?
3. Stick to workout schedule: I didn't quit stick to the schedule and have already stopped the NMTZ Challenge. What is wrong with me??? It's like I set myself up for failure when all I want is success.. I didn't get in the full 5 miles this weekend in one day because I had too many excuses not to. But I did get 2.04 miles on Saturday and 3.51 miles on Sunday. That counts, right?
4. Be self confident and own it: I have seen a tremendous difference in my self-confidence since starting to lose weight this time around. I have been focusing so much more on how I am feeling and less on what I weigh. I am also focusing on measuring success in different ways and not just based on the number on the scale. I have read too many articles (and experienced myself) about the scale being a liar and not the best tool to measure success or even progress. There are so many factors that can affect the scale one way or the other, and although it is a tool and can be helpful to reach certain goals, it's not the only tool and it doesn't tell the whole story.

The last few times I tried to lose weight I became obsessed with the scale and with seeing that number go down. It affected me to the point of questioning my self worth based on what the scale said. If I lost then I was able to do a happy dance and my whole life was validated because I saw success. If I gained then I would look at myself in the mirror and question everything. I honestly don't believe I saw the real me in the mirror, but a version of myself that was unacceptable in every possible way.

I decided for a while to put the scale away. To not care what I weighed and instead focus on how I feel. If I was hungry, I ate. Simple as that. I listened to my body and stopped eating when I was satisfied. Not full, not stuffed, satisfied. Unfortunately, this brought on more weight and although I was feeling better about myself for the first month or so it was showing that I was gaining weight and by the second month I was becoming frustrated with myself. My clothes wouldn't fit and it was affecting my marriage.

I don't know what happened or why it happened when it did, but in the middle of December I decided that I wanted to start the habit of tracking, portion control and making healthy choices overall. I was already in the middle of my running streak and had the daily exercise taken care of. At that point I was mainly focused on the eating. I had gained a lot of weight when I was training for my first marathon and since I had huge goals for 2014 and 2015, I wanted to get down to a healthier weight to make it easier to achieve these goals. The holiday's seem like the worst time to start trying to lose weight, but I viewed it as a challenge and ended up losing close to 6 pounds before the new year. The losing streak continued for 5 weeks before I saw my first gain and the yo-yoing of my weight began again.

 

I may not be where I want to be weight-wise. I may not be where I want to be measurement-wise. But I'm making progress and I'm trying my best to focus on that instead of where I want to be. I need to stop looking at what I have left and look at what I've already done. I'm becoming a better version of myself and not because I weigh less or have smaller measurements but because I am seeing who I really am in the mirror and because I am holding my head up higher with each passing day. I am who I am, whether I weigh 181.4 or 160 (my current "goal weight") has no bearing on who I am as a person.

 

 

 

Workout Schedule:
March 2nd - March 8th
Sunday: long distance run- 5 miles did not complete (I did get in 3.5 miles though to make a total of 5.5 for the weekend), NMTZ challenge completed
Monday: streak completed, NMTZ challenge completed
Tuesday: streak completed
Wednesday: streak completed, NMTZ challenge completed
Thursday: streak completed, NMTZ challenge completed, gym completed
Friday: streak completed, NMTZ challenge did not complete
Saturday: streak completed

This weeks goals:
1. Track
2. Follow workout schedule
3. Do not go overboard at birthdays

Workout schedule:
March 9th - March 15th
Sunday: San Diego Half Marathon
Monday: streak
Tuesday: streak
Wednesday: streak
Thursday (Patrick's birthday): streak
Friday (Isabel's birthday): streak
Saturday (Isabel's birthday party): Hope4Kids 5K

Get in two strength training sessions (using any DVD I choose) and one cross training session at the gym of a minimum of 30 minutes.

Measurements

Original measurements taken October 15th:

Chest: 41

Waist: 37.5

Hips: 45.5

L thigh: 26.5

L arm: 13

L calf: 14.5

 

Measurements taken February 22nd:

Chest: 39.25 (-1.75)

Waist: 33.25 (-4.25)

Hips: 43.25 (-2.25)

L thigh: 24 (-2.5)
L arm: 12.25 (-.75)

Current measurements taken March 8th:

Chest: 40 (-1)

Waist: 33 (-4.5)

Hips: 43.5 (-2)

L thigh: 24 (-2.5)

L arm: 12.25 (-.75)

My measurements are pretty close to the same with the exception of gaining in my chest (what the heck is that all about?!) and losing in my waist. I knew they were going to plateau at some point and this may be a good time to switch to taking measurements monthly along with my progress picture and body fat %. I will probably take them again in two weeks and then start taking them monthly starting April 1st.

 

 

Weigh In #12

Starting Weight: 189.2
Last Weeks Weight: 179.8
This Weeks Weight: 180.6

+/-: +0.8
Total +/-:  -8.6

Not as bad as I was expecting, yet not in the right direction. It's what happens when you get on track for the beginning of the week and fall off the wagon halfway through. 

I found some self confidence this week and rolled with it. It was an amazing feeling to walk around with my head held high and my mind focused on so many other things rather than my body and the areas that cause concern. I have spent so many years worried about the way my skin looks on my stomach and my thighs and stretch marks. A week off from that was much needed and pretty dang relieving.  

I just wish I had found a way to bottle that feeling up so that I could bring it out and use it in moments of weakness..

Hopefully those moments start to show up less often. It's a struggle sometimes and I wish I had that confidence, but until I do I'm going to continue to fake it until I make it!

Last Weeks Goals:
1. Track. Every. Single. Day. Fail. Did much better about tracking all day except for last night and Thursday night. Kind of fell off track and self sabotaged again for multiple reasons. Can't/won't get into it now but I need to get back to it. I just feel better when I do.
2. Drink 8 glasses of water. Every. Single. Day. Better, but not perfect.. Yet.
3. Attempt to PR at Seaside Half Marathon. Success!!! I still can't believe it. It was so exciting to cross that finish line knowing that I was able to accomplish something I set out to do. I don't run for speed. I run because I enjoy it and I have found that speed doesn't matter. I'm not going out to win these races, so why not enjoy it and appreciate the fact that I can do it. I spent a lot of time justifying myself being a "runner" because of my speed or my use of intervals. I'm done with that. I am a runner because I run.

Workout schedule:
February 23rd- March 1st
Sunday: Seaside Half Marathon completed
Monday: streak completed
Tuesday: streak completed
Wednesday: streak completed
Thursday: streak completed
Friday: streak completed
Saturday: long distance training run- 5 miles moved to Sunday, streak completed, NMTZ challenge completed

 

Measurements taken on December 28th: (first set of pictures)
Chest: 39
Waist: 35
Hips: 44
L thigh: 25
L arm: 12.75

Current measurements taken January 25th: (second set of pictures)

Chest: 39

Waist: 34

Hips: 43.5

L thigh: 24.25
L arm: 12.5

Current measurements taken February 22nd

Chest: 39.25

Waist: 33.25
Hips: 43.25

L thigh: 24
L arm: 12.25

Difference in 2 months:
Chest: +.25
Waist: -1.75
Hips: -.75
L thigh: -1
L arm: -.5

This weeks goals:
1. Track. Everything. Everyday. (hey, it will happen one of these weeks)
2. Find a better way to track water. Start small, 6 glasses a day.
3. Stick to workout schedule.
4. Be self confident and own it.

Workout Schedule:
March 2nd - March 8th
Sunday: long distance run- 5 miles, NMTZ challenge
Monday: streak, NMTZ challenge
Tuesday: streak
Wednesday: streak, NMTZ challenge
Thursday: streak, NMTZ challenge, gym
Friday: streak, NMTZ challenge
Saturday: streak

I am excited to start the NMTZ challenge again. I think this time around it is much more realistic compared to my last attempt. It will be nice to have "rest" days where I only run, and the shorter work out will be effective, yet I feel like it won't cause me to burn out quickly.

I'm thinking of getting Jillian Michael's new workout DVD which is called One Week Shred. It is a twice a day workout combination of strength for one workout and cardio for another. I think it's meant for doing right before a vacation or other big event. But, I like Jillian and her workouts are hardcore and her DVD's are reasonably priced, so I may buy it to incorporate into my workout routine.

I really want to find a good workout schedule that I can stick to long term that includes running, strength and cross training. I know it means that I should probably start working on getting up earlier for some morning cross training at the gym so that I am not cutting into my family time any more than I already am.

For March I am focusing on running and strength training with a minimum of one cross training at the gym a week. If I am able to do more (depending on Patrick's work schedule) then I will try to make it more often. Now that I know that I prefer the bike over the elliptical and have stopped forcing myself to do the elliptical when I really don't feel like it I tend to want to stay longer and get in a good workout instead of calling it short because I'm not enjoying it. I do like the elliptical, however scheduling a certain amount of time on it was not a good idea for me. I'm trying to be much more flexible in that sense.

And even though I am focusing on the NMTZ challenge I set for myself I am also going to be trying to run more. I have been running for my streak but have been relying on my walking miles and long distance training runs to get me to my mileage goal for the month. I would much rather run more during the week as well and am going to start trying to run two miles a day instead of the minimum of one. There will be days that I only do the short one mile, but I am going to make more of an effort to get out there and give it my all more often than doing the bare minimum.


Womp Womp

Well, my 30 day challenge lasted a total of 10 days.. And ended a while ago. I just haven't had the courage to write about my failing of this challenge. Whoops!

I knew by the end of the first week that this challenge was not something I could maintain. I know that 30 days is nothing in the grand scheme of things, however it became something that was not enjoyable and not just because it was a workout.

I'm the type of person that believes a workout should be hard work, make you push yourself past limits and be something you enjoy. Running does that for me.

But I can't lose fat and gain muscle by cardio alone. That's where strength training comes in. Strength training is where I'm going to lose inches and gain muscle. Strength training is where I'm going to become stronger, leaner, healthier and happier. And, for the most part, strength training is something I enjoy.

So, once I realized that the strength training routine I had planned out was over the top I knew I needed to stop being stubborn and just call it what it was. A failed challenge. To be honest, I'm not that sad about it. I wasn't enjoying it and I know that pushing myself would have made things worse. I wouldn't have put my all into it and my form would have suffered. Bad form = bad news.

I could sit here and give excuses as to why I stopped. Good excuses too. Knee pain type of excuses. Knee pain is not a good thing when you enjoy running and are signed up for a ton of races for the coming year.

So... What now?

Well, I actually really enjoyed the majority of the exercises in this workout, but felt burnt out by the second set of each. The 40+ minutes a day was a lot to commit to, however going through the workout once seemed to work well. It was quick enough to add in at any point of the day, but intense enough to be a good workout.

So the change is simple. Instead of repeating each circuit I will only go through each one once. I don't want to put too much pressure on myself, however the idea of a 30 day challenge is enticing and I know deep down that I can accomplish it. It just isn't the right time to do 30 days in a row.

The plan is to make it through the month of March doing the workout as follows- three days on one day off. Meaning I will be strength training three days in a row, taking a rest day and repeating throughout the rest of the month. I will be strength training a total of 24 days out of the month. I think that's a good trade off and should be easy to maintain for the whole month. It may not seem like much, especially with the number of repetitions for each workout, but it is something I can maintain and right now I need that "win".

Of course we now probably all know how well I maintain a training schedule, however here is my hopes for the month of March:

March 2014

Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
						1
						Training Run- 5 miles NMTZ Challenge
2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Streak NMTZ Challenge	Streak NMTZ Challenge	Streak	Streak NMTZ Challenge	Streak NMTZ Challenge Cross Training	Streak NMTZ Challenge	Streak
9	10	11	12	13	14	15
San Diego Half Marathon NMTZ Challenge	Streak NMTZ Challenge	Streak NMTZ Challenge	Streak	Streak NMTZ Challenge Cross Training	Streak NMTZ Challenge	Hope4Kids 5K NMTZ Challenge
16	17	18	19	20	21	22
Streak	Streak NMTZ Challenge	Streak NMTZ Challenge	Streak NMTZ Challenge	Streak Cross Training	Streak NMTZ Challenge	Training Run- 8 miles
23	24	25	26	27	28	29
Streak NMTZ Challenge	Streak	Streak NMTZ Challenge	Streak NMTZ Challenge	Streak NMTZ Challenge Cross Training	Streak	Training Run- 5 miles NMTZ Challenge
30	31
Streak NMTZ Challenge	Streak NMTZ Challenge

The challenge will be the following exercises:
Squat with shoulder press- 10
Backward lunge with shoulder raise- 10 each side
Chair squat with anterior raise- 10
Press outs- 10
Chest press with crunch- 15
Chest fly/reverse crunch- 10
Bicycle crunch- 15
Squirms- 10
Push ups- 10
Dead lifts with hammer curl- 10
Static squat with concentration curl- 10 each side
Alternating lunges with wide grip curl- 10 each side
Side lunge with bicep curl- 5 each side
Chair pose tricep kickbacks- 15
Sumo squat- 10
Crescent tricep kickbacks- 15 each side
Double crunch- 15
Twisting plank- 10
Toe taps- 10 each side
Windshield wipers- 10
Plank rows- 10
Superman- 10
Hollow man scissor kicks- 10
Pelvic thrust- 15 each side
Side plank left- 10
Foot raises left- 15
Inner thigh raises left- 15
Side plank right- 10
Foot raises right- 15
Inner thigh raises right- 15
Donkey kick- 15 each side
Fire hydrant with side kick- 15 each side

I added cross training once a week for now. I need to get back to the gym that I am paying for and not using. Thursday is a great day for me to get to the gym for a quick session after work and I can easily get in a solid 30-40 minutes on the bike. What's nice is that I am able to read while on the stationary bike while still keeping the RPMs up in the 90s and sometimes over 100. Meaning, I'm still working hard even though I am doing two things at once.

After March is over and I finish this challenge of 24/31 days strength training I plan on continuing the 3 on/1 off idea doing strength training, cross training, strength training, rest and repeat. While, of course running every day.

March is going to be my month. I can feel it. I'm getting a solid start now in regards to eating and continuing my streak so that when March comes I will be prepared. I need to be prepared for March because we have seven birthdays to celebrate. Pretty close together as well. 13th, 14th, 15th, 19th, 25th, 27th and 28th. That's a lot of yummy food and delicious cake. But I will be ready!