Sunday, August 30, 2009

Honesty is the best policy

It's been a rough week for me. Last Sunday, I gave blood. As much as I hate it, I feel like it's something that I should do to help people. It literally saves people's lives. I'm a people pleaser. I have this guilt complex that takes over.
However, when I give blood, I physically am sick for at least a week. I get very dizzy when I stand up, I am tired, short of breath when I exercise, and sore. It almost feels like I have the flu.
So I took the week off exercising. A whole week. I tried on Wednesday and Friday to do the shred, but as soon as I got to the first cardio circut in each, I got so out of breath and dizzy, it scared me.
This also means I haven't been on a run in a week. Tomorrow morning, I'm going to do it. I have to.


I have always noticed that if I don't exercise or half-ass my eating, I see the weight gain in my stomach first. If I don't get hardcore and try to work off the 3-4 lbs. in the next week, it gravitates to my hips. So, it's been a week, and I've noticed my stomach is fatter. I need to work it off before it goes to my hips. Not that I like it in either place, but it's more permanent when it's on my hips I've noticed. And seemingly harder to get rid of. I'm glad I know my body well enough to see the "warning, weight gain ahead" signs, but that doesn't always mean I listen.
So there's my truth.
And maybe I gave blood so I could have an excuse to take a week off subconsciously. But there's no reason to because as long as I don't have a job, exercising needs to be priority #2 (after looking for jobs!!!)


All I know is that I need to find a job - SOON! JJ's going to start travelling again with work every other weekend, and I need something to keep me busy and keep me from sitting at home alone, with the tendency to emotionally eat. I am proud of myself for how well I've done since moving here (it will be a month tomorrow), and if you don't count the past week, I've done awesome so far!
I do have a good feeling about a job I've interviewed on the phone for twice, I'm going in for a final, sit down interview this week. I also met with the editor of a magazine down here and have some big plans for the future with food and restaurant blogging, but when I know more details I'll fill everyone in.
In a month, I'm going to start ramping up my running from 3 miles, 3-4 times a week to 3 miles 2x per week and 1 or 2 longer runs, bumping it up 1/2 mile each week to take my back to 10k distance since Thanksgiving is only 3 months away. Then I'll take it easy in December and then start preparing for the 15k in March.
So I've got a plan, I've got some promising possibilities in the near future... that should be a good motivator!


So if you're still with me, any ways you help get yourself out of a week long 'funk' where you don't exercise and eat just ok? I told JJ about it and he said he'd try to encourage me to get back on track if he remembers... sounds promising, right?
I'm trying to think of ways I've pulled myself out of it in the past, but with nothing to look forward to and no big plans coming up, I feel like I have no goal and nothing motivating me.

12 comments:

  1. New workout clothes motivates me to get out of a funk. I look forward to wearing my new clothes. I also like new routines. My step instructor creates a new routine the first Monday of every month so I look forward to going those days because I know it will be a new challenge. It sounds like you use DVDs. Try to get some new ones to mix it up or check some out from the library.

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  2. I love the design of your blog! Great personal plan for losing weight!

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  3. It seems like a lot of people have been in a workout funk lately. I skipped two of my marathon training runs and then beat myself up about it, even a yoga teacher friend of mine has complained that she just doesn't want to do anything. Perhaps it's just something seasonal?

    Sometimes it helps me to try out a new class at the gym to get myself back on track, and sometimes you just have to get out there and do it. I've found that not working out makes me feel lazy and lethargic which leads to more not working out, but the opposite is also true that working out gives me more energy to workout the next day.

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  4. New workout clothes or gadgets gets me back at the gym every time. Maybe (if you have the extra income) look into getting a personal trainer. It's always motivating for me to go workout if I know I have someone waiting for me and keeping me accountable.

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  5. Just hop back on the train Ash! You can do it!! I haven't been a diligent blogger either, which I really think helps with staying accountable. Maybe work back at being a regular poster could help? I have a plan to do a big summer recap and get back in the swing of things myself. Overall tho, don't beat yourself up. you are doing great, going thru a lot of changes... you will get back in the swing of things in no time!

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  6. you've had some changes in your life recently that probably assisted you in getting off your normal track. you can only take things one day at a time. i think today is a new day, today can be the day you start getting into your healthy routines. even if you have a minor slip-up, just get back into the swing of things with the next meal or snack. no reason to wait til tomorrow. you can do it!

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  7. I'm the same way with "warning, weight gain ahead" signs. I can know recognize them. Usually I can feel it before you can really even see it and I know it's time to act.

    Your training plan sounds good to lengthen your runs.

    Good luck with the job interview!!

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  8. I definitely like seeing the warning of weight gain before it become permanent. You can get this weight off. Just remember you've done it before. You know how to do it. You are not having to re-invent the wheel. Just take it one day at a time. I use the mini-goals of planning my eating the day before. I feel like I've accomplished a lot when I follow my plan and don't stray.

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  9. I think you have the right idea and motivation to get back on the right track.
    Best of luck with the job situation.

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  10. To motivate myself at times like those, I force myself to wear around the house jeans that are too tight. Nothing says no Captain Crunch cereal Peabody like having to sit in those jeans and eat it.

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  11. Thanks for this post. Went out of town and ate bad/haven't worked out since Thursday. This is so motivating for me to get back on track today/tomorrow! Thanks! Thinking about buying new clothes helps me get re-motivated.

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  12. HI Ashley, Indiana misses you but we know you are enjoying a wonderful new adventure!

    I think just hearing you be honest with what works and doesn't work and of course healthy, easy meals... that always seems to be my downfall.

    Thanks for inspiring us!

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