As for me, I’ve now completed 2 weeks back on a plan of sorts. I know I could be doing better but my pants feel looser so I feel like I’m headed down the right path.
I headed out to the mall today and while I was waiting I put in a solid hour mall walking. Felt good to be out doing something.
Oooh, I love the loose pants test. It makes me feel much better than the scale in some ways. I also have to admit that the mall walking I did on Friday was interesting because I don't normally do that. A different kind of visual interest, you know. Of course, I know I was visual interest for some folks because of my pseudo race-walking. I received a few pointed stares. Hey, don't nosh on your pretzels and sodas and then laugh at me because of my "dewy complexion."
Hey all - I love the goals everyone is setting...
Debra has inspired me on the water intake for a goal!!
I went out for a mile today...I was hoping to begin a walk run plan since my knee surgety and ankle tendon strain have stopped that - looks like I might be a walker a bit longer - my knee started killing me...I couldn't go any further b/c I started coughing - I didn't want to irritate my bronchitis...
I've really found the water intake has made such a big difference in my training--and, believe it or not, it's one of my more challenging goals. Good luck with yours.
Hey, nothing wrong with walking, especially if it keeps you injury-free. Happy and healthy is the goal, right? And a mile is not just a miles, it's approximately 2000 steps! Not too shabby, eh?
Debra, I'm wondering about your increase of protein before LRs. I always thought it was protein after LRs and lighter fare before. I guess I'm wondering and want to know if it works for you.
Yeah, weird isn't it? I know the standard advice is protein afterwards to build up the muscles. But I find I do much better with overall energy and, I don't know, just a sense of well-being if I have a heavier protein load the night before a LR (or R/W as my case is, at this point) and a stronger balance of carbs/protein for breakfast.
But there are a couple of factors that might explain why this works for me. 1) As I noted, I'm currently a R/W with intervals just slightly edging over into the R part. I'm working on running more, so my diet might shift as my workout does. 2) I'm slow as molasses--mmm, molasses--and I tend to work out for hours at a time when I'm healthy. (Kind of to offset the slow part, I guess.) During training for the Goofy, I'd be on the road through 2 meals. 3) I'm a vegetarian, and my protein intake is always at the low end of normal. I think this is the biggest factor.
But one last thing worth noting: my DH, who is a middle-of-the-pack runner, and does distance, also prefers more protein before the LRs. He's not a vegetarian, but eats a mostly vegetarian diet at home. So it might be a vegetarian thing.
Tracey: Welcome & thanks for the analogy. I thought is was very humorous and appropriate--even if it did make me want to bake. I love butter, just not on my body parts. (There's a risque joke in there somewhere.) Anyway, I hope you join us Lean Meaners for support and motivation!
Beth: You're doing so well. You succeeded in your challenge! I don't know if you can say food runs your life if you resisted the Cold Stone Creamery, though. It sounds like you're just being conscious of the choices you're making. You rock!
Oh, and I have to agree with you that planning out a week's menu is not only better for us diet-wise, but saves money. And I hate to say this, but in the long run, it allows me to use less brain power. I hate sitting down on Friday night & planning the week's menu, but when Wednesday rolls around and I'm out of creative cooking idea--well, I don't need them. I've got a weekly menu. If you want to share the banana nut muffin recipe, I'd love to try it!
Maria: "There is no joy in Mudville." Hah! I thought I was the only one who ever said that! It seems kind of appropriate today, what with the Superbowl and all. Still, your use of that phrase just made my day. I hope your breakfast and lunch were satisfying, almost as satisfying as the TM workout!
Connie: One day in months~
For me it's like once a week. You give me something to aim for! Mostly I'm just trying to balance out the diet with the exercise, getting some kind of caloric detente.
Jeanne: I hope your back is continuing to feel fine. I'm not that familiar with sciatica, so I read a little about it. (What did I ever do without Google?) Wow, that sounds so painful and even debilitating. You take it easy with the exercising! And I agree with you regarding the Superbowl indulgences (I didn't have any, but that's another story): new day, new week! Let's look forward, folks!
As for me: Well, my illness stayed with me over the weekend. I lightened my workout load and only did XT on Saturday & Sunday, but I was feeling pretty awful on Sunday. I cancelled our Superbowl plans & slept through part of the game--didn't even see the end.
Sunday night/Monday morning the fever finally broke, and I got that temporary surge of energy you get after having been ill. You know the kind: you suddenly feel almost normal, so you *think* you can do anything. So I head for the gym today to run.
I made it a mile before I realized I was not entirely recovered. It's still too hard to breathe. So I did more XT, getting easy miles in & working up way too much of a sweat for the effort I put out. But I left the gym feeling better than when I entered it, a first in 3 days!
And in the other big news: I'm down another pound. Apparently, a cold doesn't effect my appetite but neither did it interfere with my pound-per-week schedule. Small losses equal big gains in my household!
Maria, you know candy really gives you pep, go ahead and eat it. It will really fuel your workouts. I mean besides, it is out of this world!! 
