yesterday was a run day: another seven sets of 2:1s. Finished with "relative ease" and by that I mean I wasn't dying at the end of it, but I was still really happy it was over. The last few sets took a lot in the way of convincing myself to keep going for that second minute. And since I do feel that I'm still really pushing myself with the 2:1s, I'm not going to try and increase back to 3:1s for at least another week. If I'm stuck at 2:1s until I lose some more weight, so be it. But at least I'm running a few times a week to keep that up.
On the elliptical however, I'm feeling less like I'm pushing myself. I was working at a good pace this morning, but I still didn't get my heartrate super high. I was always within the 'weight loss' range so it's not like my heartrate was super low or anything, just not at the cardio levels that it is when I'm running. And it was almost easy to do the circuit I chose today. I still was dripping sweat by the end, so I know I worked, but it didn't feel like a lot of work. And my heartrate shows it wasn't as much work as it's been in the past. And that's okay - shows I'm improving, but I'm going to have to figure out other ways to push myself on the elliptical - try some other of the programs perhaps. It is definately easier on the kness than the running, so it is the machine of choice until I get about 30 more lbs off.
I also am so glad I started pilates/yoga again this week. They use such different muscles and so are a different challenge than the cardio workouts I do. And they are calming, which is also a plus. (or at least they will be even more so once I build some flexibility). So now what I'm still lacking is my strength training. It's been a month since i've been to curves. And I know I need to develop my upper body strength and build muscle. It's all about figuring out how to get my butt there, at a mininum for 2x a week. I have to go until january anyway. Then I can just chose not to renew my year, so I might as well use it, and then if it also becomes routine, I'll keep it. I need to do strength training, I hate the weight machines at the gym, I hate the freeweights at home, so this really is the only option I can remotely stand. yes, I still don't love it, which is why I avoid it, but I NEED TO DO IT. So go do it already!
As for weight watchers - weigh in last night was the same as the week before. HOORAY! I ate vast amounts of chocolate, fried foods and desserts with wheat over the thanksgiving holiday and didn't track one thing all week, so the fact that I didn't gain is soooo amazing. I'm sure it's the exercise. At the meeting yesterday the leader talked about keeping our eyes on the goal even through the fog of plateaus, stress, temptations,etc. She had us write a list of all the reasons WHY we want to lose weight. For me I changed it to all the reasons I want to be healthy - since the weight loss is really a side effect of this lifestyle change. And since it's always good to keep reminding me of these reasons, I am going to repeat them here:
* To feel better
* To avoid diabetes, high blood pressure, and other health issues
* To help with depression
* To prove to myself that I am worth taking care of
* To be able to have children, and then set positive examples for them
* To be a better partner to mike
* To enjoy life
* For self esteem, self respect and self love.
* To be able to buy clothes from stores like Jacob, Tristan, Mexx, etc.
* To look good at Jon and Christina's wedding
* To smile at my reflection every day, not just on the days I'm feeling 'thin'
I needed a reminder of all my reasons for doing this, since this has been the type of week that has made me question my committment. It's good to see all the reasons I'm doing this written out, so I can refer to them over and over and over again.
