Improvements

Earlier this week, I struggled, literally struggled, to finish my workout. I was disheartened by how much my mind and body resisted the running I was doing.

I took a well-planned rest day and followed that with a day of strength training. So today was my first day of cardio since that disheartening workout prior to my break.

And guess what?! My endurance today was unbelievable.

Not only did I run at the pace I struggled to keep up with the last time and all week, I was actually able to push harder and run longer! I’m usually breathless after the bursts of running, but I wasn’t today. I felt like a boss! I danced my way home from the gym. And nothing quite beats the feeling of accomplishment through sweat-drenched clothes and underwear! Amirite?!

I reached new milestones today. It was my first 5-mile workout during my usual hour of cardio and also the first time I ever burned 600 calories.

Lesson learned: Perseverance is key.

Diet Fail

I absolutely struggled with my willpower during my workout today. I did finish it and wholeheartedly but I was a bit taken aback but how much I resisted it. Another downer was my diet. I went out after working out for my friend’s birthday and the night included ice cream sandwiched between two cookies and a shot..and some late night snacking…

I’m trying not to be too hard on myself though. I have also decided to take my rest day tomorrow. I will enjoy the World Cup match with Spain (the team I am supporting) and I am going to a concert at night 🙂

There’s ups, there will be downs, just got to get back up and keep on keeping on.

The Numbers Are In…

I was at the grocery store today and caught myself doing bicep curls with a bag of sugar! All this working out has gotten me interactive with my produce 🙂

Despite it only being a week, I am happy that I have stayed motivated and consistent. And the numbers prove it.

My starting weight: 118 lbs

My weight today: 115 lbs

My Week 1 pictures don’t look very different from Week 2 pictures though. However, I do see a noticeable difference in my…neck fat haha. There is no attractive way of phrasing that, is there? My skin feels glowier too!

I hope this isn’t an unhealthy amount of weight to lose in a week though. The articles I have read said to aim for 1-2 lbs a week. My diet has to improve as well. I went from eating too little, to eating much more but absolute junk like Digestive biscuits and Lays chips. No worries, it’s a work in progress.

 

Cardio Tip

All credit to today’s workout actually happening goes to the above image!

I got myself out of bed and snapped out of the easy-to-get-used-to rest day vibes. I try to spend a lot of free time researching workout routines and nutritional tips. I find that keeping my mind on exercise keeps me motivated and focused.

The thing I learned today is that you can make mistakes while working out on a treadmill. Who would have thought? One mistake I was making was holding onto the bars during the brisk walk portion of my workout. You actually burn more calories and train better if you don’t do that! Here’s a read with nine more treadmill dont’s. 

My father would always come to my room when I was doing homework and he’d ask me how studying was going. I’d say “working hard, dad.” Dad would reply, “Don’t just work hard. Work smart.” 

Good tip. It’s made me approach exercising in a whole new, experimental and seemingly efficient way. Go, me!

 

The Rest Day

Today was my rest day. I chose today because my musician brothers were playing a festival so I knew chances were there wouldn’t be much time to workout.

I was looking forward to this day because of how hard I’ve been working out yet when the day finally arrived, I wanted to train.

I didn’t, but that was a lovely surprise for a feeling 🙂

And another surprise! I drank 1/4th of a beer before just wanting to stick to water. Which I did. 10 hours, 10 bands, 1/4th of a beer + lots and lots of dancing. Yeaaaaaaaaaaah!

HIIT-ing it all wrong

I woke up this morning feeling weak and nauseous. I think it’s because I have been exercising hard and not eating enough food. A three-egg breakfast helped restore me to health before my Strength Training day!

I haven’t mentioned my diet yet. So far I have been eating one cooked meal a day, like chicken or eggs. I try to keep my other meals small and healthy like fruits, nuts, low-fat yoghurt and vegetables. (I’m researching if I need to change this because of the way my body reacted to my routine this morning).

I discovered that I absolutely love strength training! It pumps me up with an incomparable good feeling. I think I enjoy it because it feels more interactive than cardio. I’m a big kid so lifting weights feels like playing games!

I’m also doing HIIT (high-intensity interval training), and doing it wrong at that (by overdoing it). An article I read today precisely noted, “HIIT will make you puke if you’re a beginner with zero endurance.”

All trial and error here. I’ll figure it out. Just got to keep on keeping on. for me and for my muma! 🙂

“If nothing ventured, nothing learned”

slowly but surely

Today was Cardio day. I spent an hour on the treadmill, alternating between brisk walking and running. Props to my playlist for keeping me going. I really struggled to push through around the 30-minute mark. But before I knew it – cool down, workout complete.

I’m growing real fond of that feeling after. Smiles, sweat-drenched clothes. Feelings of pride and accomplishment. The self high-five. The hurt so good.

The best part: Knowing it’s all for my mother!

This training for races thing is a lot harder than I imagined. I’m still researching the best course of action to take. There’s so much advice online; so many tips – Who should I listen to? Where do I begin? I don’t know.

What I do know is I have to keep getting myself to the gym everyday. Even though I feel I have no idea what I’m doing.

It’s like the first day of school, or work, when everything seems new, vast, intimidating. But when you leave, everything looks familiar and conquered.

Here’s a song for you. It reminds me: “if nothing ventured, nothing learned” 🙂

Muma

My mother is a powerhouse.

My earliest memories are visions of a beautiful, independent, graceful woman. My mother was a single parent for the first six years of my life. My father worked abroad and mum raised us three hyper kids. It was not an easy task but she did it!

I remember my mother reading Peter Pan to my brothers and me at bedtime. I also remember us laughing and chasing her around the house as she ran with letters from my father. She was always so excited when the mailman arrived.

The mother from my memories is different from my mother today. Numerous health complications has affected her skin, her weight, her pace, and even her outgoing personality. I notice the impact of her struggles in her eyes sometimes. But like all mothers, my mum never complains and always smiles.

I admire my mother in ways I cannot express with words. But perhaps I can show her my admiration, respect and love through actions.

One challenging action in particular.

I want to run for my mother.

I have never been a runner. Actually I am quite out of shape at the moment. Running a marathon has been on my to-do list or new year’s resolutions for a while but the time has come.

Today, I begin.

I dedicate this to you, ma.