Author: jaj05002

35. DC/NoVA. Fitness Enthusiast. Balance Seeker. Recovering Workaholic. Healing Journey. Weight Watchers. Loud Laugher. Fiery Leo. Theatre Junkie. Music Aficionado. Avid Writer. Pom Mom. Lawnguyland Native.

DailyMile

I spent some time this morning creating a running plan. It’s a mix of my half marathon training and full marathon training. I hope to get back in the swing of things sooner than later.

I also created a DailyMile account. Right now I’m keeping it private just for me, but it should be a fun way to track my mileage in my quest to run 1000 miles this year!

Since January was pretty much a bust – I WAAAY behind on mileage, but I’m hopeful!

Measuring Me: 2.1.11

Here’s a little look at my measurements in review. May 31 was the first time I took my measurements, I wish I had taken them last January when I started this journey, but it’s good to see the change nonetheless.

February 1, 2011 – Dec 1, 2010 – May 31, 2010

  • Chest: 35 – 34  – 36
  • Waist: 34 – 32 – 38
  • Hips: 41 – 40 – 48
  • Upper Thigh: 24 – 24 – 28
  • Above Knee: 16.5 – 16.5 – 19
  • Calf: 15.5 – 15.5 – 16.5
  • Upper Arm: 13.25 -11.75 – 15
  • Mid-upper Arm: 11.75 – 10 – 13
  • Neck: 13 -12.5 -13
  • Wrist: 6 -5.75 – 6.25

It’s nice to see that my legs have held on strong during my hiatus. It’s interesting how it’s only ~5 pounds since that Decemeber 1 measurement, but most of those numbers changed. I’m not as toned as I was then and apparently it shows, especially in my arms! I am looking forward to getting back to my Dec 1 body and then continue to see those numbers change.

I wasn’t thrilled with the inconsistency of my measuring the past few months, so I’ve opted to measure more areas and add more detail for me to remember where the hell I’m measuring. I’ll be using these areas from here on out

New & Improved February 1 Measurements

  • Under Breast – 35
  • Smallest Waist Point: 34
  • Belly Button: 38
  • Hips (under belly): 41
  • Neck: 13
  • Mid Upper Arm: 11.75
  • Upper Arm: 13.25
  • Wrist: 6
  • Upper Thigh: 24
  • Above Knee: 16.5
  • Mid Calf: 15.5

Reclaiming My Treadmill

  • 3 mile run
  • stretches and abs

The gym was PACKED today – I knew from friends/colleagues at my gym that it’s really been a madhouse lately. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to find a treadmill to use. However luck was on my side. My favorite treadmill was open and I was ready to pound her/him (awkward haha).

I’ll be the first to admit, DAMN those 3 miles were haaard. It wasn’t so long ago that I’d say “only 3 miles.” ONLY my ass, that shit is work any way you cut it. I was an 11:30 min/mile paced sweat machine with the biggest freaking smile on my face the whole time. 

Actually I ran my 3 miles on a “negative split.” I found a nice stride and banged out the last mile in under 11 minutes – we’ll see how my legs feel tomorrow. 

It’s so crazy how weak and out of shape I feel, yet physically I pretty much look the same. The peace of mind in working out and eating well really is such a wonderful source of confidence. 

I can’t wait to get back to spin class on Wednesday!

Getting back on the horse…

The scariest part of taking a few weeks off to get my life together was being terrified of the scale. I wasn’t working out, I wasn’t eating well and I just didn’t feel good. I spent so much of last year feeling good that the scale really never scared me. I was so scared that I gained 10 pounds or 15 pounds – I even felt some days like I gained ALL the weight back and that I undid all my hard work. In the long run these 2 months will be a BUMP in the road.

I feel weaker and slower, but I know that I can and will bounce back. My strength and speed will come back to me and I look forward to pushing myself to new levels of strength and speed this year.

I’m going to plan out a new running routine. I have some miles to make up in my quest for 1000 this year. I need to look into my next race, I do best when I have a goal to focus on. I do know that I am going to run my Race For Hope 5K in DC again in May with the plan to shave 10 minutes off my time last year – which was my first race ever. I’d love to find a 15K in April to train for – I think that’d be a perfect distance right now, we’ll see I may push for another half marathon. I do know that this fall I WILL be running a full marathon – there will be a lot of factors to calculate into which one I will run, but IT IS happening.  I also want to make sure I get to yoga and spin as much as possible – I always love how accomplished I feel after both these classes.

  • Last WIW (1/19/11): 182.4
  • Today: 180.4
  • Lowest Weight (12/1/10): 175.8
  • Overall Difference: +4.6 lbs
  • Weight Lost to Date: 42.2 lbs
  • Left to Lose: 12.4/25.4

I must not forget those 42+ pounds that I lost. I’m not starting from scratch and I’m not going to beat myself up. I got this.

I’m Baaaaaaack

My Mantra:

I don’t care if it hurts. I want to have control. I want a perfect body. I want a perfect soul.

Life has throw me a few curveballs lately and my head wasn’t in the right place to work on my body so the past few weeks I have been focused on improving my spiritual health. The boyfriend and I have been going to church the past 3 out of 4 weeks. A co-worker also gave me a daily devotion book that I have found a lot of comfort in. 

Today I finally am ready to focus back on my body. I went to yoga today which was a great way of combining my body with my soul. I also did a mile on the treadmill to ease my body back into things. 

I felt great. I have a renewed dedication and the mindset to get things done. 

Mind. Body. Spirit.

It’s a new dawn. It’s a new day. It’s a new life. For me. And I’m feeling good.

I’ve had a harrowing few weeks, but learned so much about myself and what I want in the process. I’ll be back very soon tumblr. I promise.

WIW – Out of Order Edition

This Week: 182.4

2 Weeks Ago: 179.0

Work is stressful.

Diet/exercise is practically nonexistent.

However my love life is fantastic.

I fell off the wagon in December and it’s been extremely hard for me to get back on. I am such a creature of habit and routine (despite the fact that I tell myself I’m a impulsive free spirit). The start of the semester is always hella crazy and trying to get into a new groove is always challenging.

Plus I have an on campus interview at Columbia University next week which is both stressful and exciting. I have so many emotions about it and it’s not helping me focus and get a routine. If I get the Columbia job (and take it for that matter) I’d need to be there pretty quickly. W is supportive of me moving, but things are still so new between us. Part of the reason I wanted to move back to the Northeast was to start my “life” and find a serious relationship. That’s been my plan for so long. Now here I am in a serious relationship, but I still want a new job and city.

I feel so unsettled and that’s my biggest hurdle in getting my act together. I need to stop trying to wait things out. I need to just handle things day by day. With that being said my gym bag is packed and I’m going to spin class tonight and do some treadmill running too.