Is this realistic?

[StayCool]

Chiomaca: the running group is a good idea. I like the idea of having to meet someone because it forces you to get out there and run. But, I also agree with StayCool. I LOVE my running time. With all the stuff I have going on with the wife this year my running time was my thinking time. I have considered a running coach though, I just don't know how to go about finding a good one.

StayCool, do you WANT to run a marathon? Do you WANT to run Dopey? Do you believe in yourself and realize you can do it? Do you want those 6 medals around your neck? (Did you see all the medals at the expo?) Because if you want it then you can do it. If you are doing it because you feel like you have to prove yourself or for some other external reason it will be much harder. You will lose the weight and when you do run the races you will be running it with much less weight so it will be easier. It's all relative. When I first began running I didn't think I could run 5 miles ever. I ran 4.8 miles yesterday and it felt like a jog to the corner after running a marathon. And if you keep listening to the podcast and hear some of the things those people are doing you will realize that if you are as determined then you will be able to run a marathon.


So, my goals for next year are as follows: (I may be crazy but I decided I was a lazy couch potato for so many year I know owe it to myself to see what I am capable of with a little work.)

1. I am currently 217 lbs. I want to get to under 200 lbs by the Father/Daughter dance, which is usually in April.
2. Run at least 3 half marathons and I am rerunning the full marathon I just did
3. All this is with the goal of qualifying for the 2017 Boston Marathon, which would have to happen next October because where it lands on the calendar.
4. I will study for and hopefully pass the first of 3 tests for this designation I have wanted and always talked myself out of because I was afraid to fail. (It has a 33% pass rate)

So these are my goal beginning now through 2015. It will be very difficult. I may never be able to qualify to run the Boston Marathon but I have to give it all I can and try. The lady I sat with on the bus to the ToT race she said it is the best race, it is so unbelievable. So I have to know if I can do it.

I signed up for the gym last night and I will begin going next week. I will do my treadmill work but will also focus on cross training so when spring hits I am ready to go.

OK, feel free to tell me how crazy I am. I'm ready for it.

I don't know if I want to run a marathon. Right now I am good with the 1/2 marathon distance and once I feel more comfortable with that, I will re-evaluate. I don't really LIKE to run but I like how I feel physically as well as the sense of accomplishment I get as well. I LIKE zumba lol because it is fun. Running is ok. I guess for me it is mostly the sense of accomplishment. I WANT to lose weight. That is important to me. Although I'm not doing well with it.

As far as your goals, well even if you don't reach them exactly when or how you want to, you will get there. I'm not sure how tall you are so I don't know how close you are to your goal weight. The closer you get, the slower it comes off. You will have no problems with running the races you want. It is just a matter of putting the time in. Qualifying for Boston may be tricky, but look how far you have come already! That is just the tip of the iceburg.

I feel free!!!!! I finished the two sets of books I was working on and made the deadline for filing the GST (sales tax). It meant a full week of basically working around the clock but I'm now sitting on my couch with a warm fire watching a movie and I feel great! My schedule is now clear for the next month and I'm super excited to get back to the runs/walks/pool. Our grocery store just started home delivery and your first order is free delivery. My girls are both at sleepovers tonight so I made a menu and placed an order and my groceries will be delivered tomorrow morning while I wait for the girls! I'm so excited about being a homebody. Planning dinners and lunches will be a big part of the weight loss plan. I also bought breakfast stuff because I either don't eat breakfast or I go to McDonalds which needs to stop.

I'm going to try and do at least one 5k a month for the next few months and then bump it up. I had no idea just how many runs there are here and also how many people I know who are runners and who have run marathons.

I have to sign up for the marathon weekend in April so I'd need to decide by then if I was to do Dopey because it will sell out quickly. It's a difference of about $200 to sign up for Dopey vs just the other three races and I think I'm willing to spend the money just to give myself the option. Everytime I think about it I get crazy excited at the thought of it so I think it will fuel my motivation even if I don't end up doing it. I also want to make a medal holder for my daughter for Christmas and I think a collection of bling will also help the motivation because it will be something visual.

I'm glad to see that you will have some free time. It always feels good to get things back in order so you can stay on track. I hear ya about the bling. It definitely motivates me to put one foot in front of the other. I'm so proud of my ToT medal it is ridiculous.

Staycool and Waiting2goback, I do most of my running alone, even when I'm with the group. I'm in a weird in-between place where I'm slower than most of the people who run the distances I do, and the ones closest to my pace run shorter. So I join up in the morning to hear the route and pep talk, and then run pretty much on my own. But since most routes are out and back, I'd pass people and we'd say hi, encourage each other, that sort of thing. Even at track workouts where everyone was on the small track doing laps together, I was on my own. And of course, you have to do your own mid-week runs.

Staycool, I totally understand your feelings about your pace. I think you'll find that overall, the running community will be more welcoming and encouraging than you imagine. The Disney races are just one example. If you haven't found him yet, John Bingham is sort of an unofficial spokesperson/leader of us slow runners. They even give a "Penguin Award" to the last person who finishes the Marine Corps Marathon, named for the movement. The blog isn't well kept, but the archive of his monthly articles is pretty good. Poking around, I found this article that might speak to you guys, too. Running with a group.

I've got my first post-marathon run planned for tomorrow morning, a 5k with a friend. It's for Women's Cancers, and we run in honor of a mutual friend, by after 12+ hours on my feet yesterday, my knees and lower back ache like heck. Not really looking forward to the run, but I'm sure it will be better once we get there.

I know I shouldn't feel so self conscious. I've always been like that and am a work in progress. Maybe once I get a little weight off I will feel better about doing some of the group runs. I am seriously considering going to the gym though. I'm not afraid of doing that for some reason.

You say my goals are doable, and maybe they are. But, I am most worried about the weight loss one. I may never be able to qualify for Boston. All I can do it give it my best shot and if I do I will be satisfied. I just need a goal to keep me motivated and that's a good one. If I fail, I fail. But, at least I tried. The weight loss is going so slow I don't know if I can get there by April. I am losing only 1 lb a month in recent months. My body fat % dropped a bit this month, so that's good, but the weight is not falling off.

Dizzy, now that you are more free with your schedule just focus on your workouts and give it your all so you will know by April if you are willing to do the work to run Dopey. Running races is a great idea. Running as many races and getting that experience will be very important if you do Dopey. I think the medal holder is a great idea as well. If you have that sitting out somewhere that is can be seen constantly it will motivate you to run the races to get a medal to hang from it.

I personally had an eye opener today. I did my back and legs workout from P90X today. I thought it would be pretty easy given how much running I have been doing and how much stronger my legs are now. NOT. My legs were like rubber and I am sore now.

I listened to Fitz Koehler at the ToT expo. She said the best way to improve running is to do cross training. I had stayed away from my legs because I didn't want to overwork them by weight training on top of the running. She told me, because I asked the question, that weight training works different muscles and it is important to train them as it will help make me faster. Given the soreness right now, I guess she was right. Just more proof I have so much to learn.

You are doing well! Cross training is supposed to target those muscles. And just imagine how bad it would've hurt if you weren't running... You've got this.

Me? I'm just being a bum. We got new phones yesterday so I spent all day today setting them up. What a pain! I also finally downloaded my Disney pics off my camera. My photopass dvd will be coming soon. Then I can hopefully make a scrapbook of some kind. Trying to talk my hubby into a short (cheap) cruise this summer for some alone time. Now time to eat dinner and watch a movie. Hope everyone else is enjoying their Sunday!

 

[Chiomaca]

You say my goals are doable, and maybe they are. But, I am most worried about the weight loss one. I may never be able to qualify for Boston. All I can do it give it my best shot and if I do I will be satisfied. I just need a goal to keep me motivated and that's a good one. If I fail, I fail. But, at least I tried. The weight loss is going so slow I don't know if I can get there by April. I am losing only 1 lb a month in recent months. My body fat % dropped a bit this month, so that's good, but the weight is not falling off.

Dizzy, now that you are more free with your schedule just focus on your workouts and give it your all so you will know by April if you are willing to do the work to run Dopey. Running races is a great idea. Running as many races and getting that experience will be very important if you do Dopey. I think the medal holder is a great idea as well. If you have that sitting out somewhere that is can be seen constantly it will motivate you to run the races to get a medal to hang from it.

I personally had an eye opener today. I did my back and legs workout from P90X today. I thought it would be pretty easy given how much running I have been doing and how much stronger my legs are now. NOT. My legs were like rubber and I am sore now.

I listened to Fitz Koehler at the ToT expo. She said the best way to improve running is to do cross training. I had stayed away from my legs because I didn't want to overwork them by weight training on top of the running. She told me, because I asked the question, that weight training works different muscles and it is important to train them as it will help make me faster. Given the soreness right now, I guess she was right. Just more proof I have so much to learn.

Looking back, 17 lbs in 6 months when you're as close as you are to your goal weight might fall into unhealthy territory, especially if you're training for distance running. The Runner's World site is full of articles about how not to gain weight training for marathons, and questions about why the scale isn't moving. I know that my intake goes up substantially in the last third of my training cycle - basically once I get beyond the 14 mile mark. Suddenly the small sandwiches no longer cut it at lunch. And if I don't get the large, my run the next day is miserable.

Weight training will also add lbs since you're burning light fat and building heavy muscle. Maybe instead of a big, single, weight goal, you could peg 1-2 lbs per month, or even go with a goal waist size?


My 5K on Sunday went okay, 37-ish minutes that might have been faster had I warmed up properly before hand. The weather is getting colder, so I've got to remember more layers! (If there were a shivering smiley icon, I'd have inserted it here.) You Northern living people are crazy!

 

[dizzyr]

Dizzy, do I remember that you're in Vancouver? If so, that's on my list of places for destination racing. Some of my friends go out for a half marathon called "Sea Wheeze" - it sells out like a Disney race though, I assume because it's sponsored by Lululemon. I'm not a fan of their stuff, so that hasn't motivated me, but the pics of the run are beautiful!

You got it right I'm from Vancouver and it is a gorgeous city. I just looked up the Sea Wheeze and 2015 is already sold out and it's in the fall! That's crazy. There are so many races here, at least a couple a month and you can pretty much run all year as long as you don't mind the rain. It's a great place to come visit (come in the summer though so you can really take advantage of the beaches and the seawall). The 5k I'm doing in December runs through Stanley Park which is the seawall/park part you can see in the Sea Wheeze video. It's an untimed fun run so I thought it would be the perfect one to start with.

 

[dizzyr]

I personally had an eye opener today. I did my back and legs workout from P90X today. I thought it would be pretty easy given how much running I have been doing and how much stronger my legs are now. NOT. My legs were like rubber and I am sore now.

I had the same eye opener as you on Sunday. I went swimming and was shocked at how much my arms felt like jelly. We do a lot of arm work in my aquafit classes and I used to swim regularly. I have been staying at work longer on aquafit nights because the class starts later but I think I'll leave right after work and do some laps before the class now.

 

[Waiting2goback]

Waiting2goback - your goals seem pretty do-able to me. Do you have a plan for the gym - what kind of cross training?

I've got my first post-marathon run planned for tomorrow morning, a 5k with a friend. It's for Women's Cancers, and we run in honor of a mutual friend, by after 12+ hours on my feet yesterday, my knees and lower back ache like heck. Not really looking forward to the run, but I'm sure it will be better once we get there.

My plan for the gym is to go 3-4 days a week. I went for the first time yesterday as winter arrived and we had some snow, 30' temps and 20-30 mph winds. I want to work on speed on the treadmill. I did that yesterday. I set it for a 7:00 mile pace as I will need that to qualify for Boston. It amazes me that people can run that pace for 26.2 miles. Maybe I will get there too. I will do some elliptical and some bike as well. I will also add in P90X at home as well.

I hear you on being on the feet all day and having a sore back. I am there with you.

Looking back, 17 lbs in 6 months when you're as close as you are to your goal weight might fall into unhealthy territory, especially if you're training for distance running. The Runner's World site is full of articles about how not to gain weight training for marathons, and questions about why the scale isn't moving. I know that my intake goes up substantially in the last third of my training cycle - basically once I get beyond the 14 mile mark. Suddenly the small sandwiches no longer cut it at lunch. And if I don't get the large, my run the next day is miserable.

Weight training will also add lbs since you're burning light fat and building heavy muscle. Maybe instead of a big, single, weight goal, you could peg 1-2 lbs per month, or even go with a goal waist size?


My 5K on Sunday went okay, 37-ish minutes that might have been faster had I warmed up properly before hand. The weather is getting colder, so I've got to remember more layers! (If there were a shivering smiley icon, I'd have inserted it here.) You Northern living people are crazy!

My doctor said 1 lb a week is healthy. If I got to 200 lbs by the end of the year it puts me at 50 lbs in a year. So, if I got to 200 lbs by April I am way below a healthy rate. But, I will get there eventually.

Great job on your run!

 

[Waiting2goback]

I don't know if I want to run a marathon. Right now I am good with the 1/2 marathon distance and once I feel more comfortable with that, I will re-evaluate. I don't really LIKE to run but I like how I feel physically as well as the sense of accomplishment I get as well. I LIKE zumba lol because it is fun. Running is ok. I guess for me it is mostly the sense of accomplishment. I WANT to lose weight. That is important to me. Although I'm not doing well with it.

I'm not sure how tall you are so I don't know how close you are to your goal weight. The closer you get, the slower it comes off.

You are doing well! Cross training is supposed to target those muscles. And just imagine how bad it would've hurt if you weren't running... You've got this.

Me? I'm just being a bum. We got new phones yesterday so I spent all day today setting them up. What a pain! I also finally downloaded my Disney pics off my camera. My photopass dvd will be coming soon. Then I can hopefully make a scrapbook of some kind. Trying to talk my hubby into a short (cheap) cruise this summer for some alone time. Now time to eat dinner and watch a movie. Hope everyone else is enjoying their Sunday!

I much rather a bike ride than a run so I know how you feel. But at the same time, I know my life has changed because of running. I had typed a long reply of how it has changed but it disappeared. Let's just say that the sense of accomplishment has given me self confidence. The whole process of that Disney race made me a better person only to be reinforced by the marathon.

Now the goal of accomplishing the Boston Marathon is what is pushing me now. I may not get there but I won't give up and stop trying like I used to and that is what is important. All this is because of running.

And you should be proud of your ToT medal. I am so proud of both my medals its not even funny. When I get a place of my own I will display the proudly as a reminder to myself of what I can accomplish. And I think the sense of accomplishment is greater with running because I always hated it.

I am 5'10" and I have 30 lbs more to lose. It should still be coming off faster than it is but oh well. I will get there eventually.

Getting new phones is fun. Don't worry. You will find the motivation again. You know you feel too good when you exercise so you'll get back to it. You know if you get on the scale and gain all the weight back that you will regret it so I am confident you will force yourself to start working out again and once you get into the routine it will be easier.

I had the same eye opener as you on Sunday. I went swimming and was shocked at how much my arms felt like jelly. We do a lot of arm work in my aquafit classes and I used to swim regularly. I have been staying at work longer on aquafit nights because the class starts later but I think I'll leave right after work and do some laps before the class now.

My legs are so sore. It's good because I am working more muscles and getting stronger overall, but right now it's hard to walk or even sit, as my bum is sore from squats.

 

[Chiomaca]

You got it right I'm from Vancouver and it is a gorgeous city. I just looked up the Sea Wheeze and 2015 is already sold out and it's in the fall! That's crazy. There are so many races here, at least a couple a month and you can pretty much run all year as long as you don't mind the rain. It's a great place to come visit (come in the summer though so you can really take advantage of the beaches and the seawall). The 5k I'm doing in December runs through Stanley Park which is the seawall/park part you can see in the Sea Wheeze video. It's an untimed fun run so I thought it would be the perfect one to start with.

Sounds like a great plan to me! No pressure and pretty views to distract you are a good way to start. Then you can get in line to sign up for Sea Wheeze like the rest of the crazy people. I'm hoping to end up back on the West Coast of the US in the next year or two, so will probably save Vancouver for then.

My doctor said 1 lb a week is healthy. If I got to 200 lbs by the end of the year it puts me at 50 lbs in a year. So, if I got to 200 lbs by April I am way below a healthy rate. But, I will get there eventually.

I mis-typed, meant to say 1-2 lbs per week as a goal, not per month. If you gain muscle as you burn fat you're just not going to see the kind of weight loss that you want, but you've already said your BMI dropped, which is a pretty good indicator. Not sure where my head was when I was typing, though.

You might see if your gym has core-based classes too, though I have been told the P90X yoga is killer, so if you're doing that, you are probably good. I'm pretty sure that core strength is what gets me through the hard parts of the runs and I know for sure that's what powers me up hills. My problem is all the little supporting muscles...my chiropractor told me today that I need to start doing lateral movement exercises (gluteus medius, to be specific) if I want to keep running - said that's always a problem for distance runners.

I don't know if I want to run a marathon. Right now I am good with the 1/2 marathon distance and once I feel more comfortable with that, I will re-evaluate. I don't really LIKE to run but I like how I feel physically as well as the sense of accomplishment I get as well. I LIKE zumba lol because it is fun. Running is ok. I guess for me it is mostly the sense of accomplishment. I WANT to lose weight. That is important to me. Although I'm not doing well with it.

I like the marathon distance for the challenge but honestly, when it comes to losing 4+ hours to running - even when I've only got two days in a foreign city - the time investment can be a tough sell. I'm running Goofy in January and then I'm seriously considering spending the rest of next year working on the half, which is a great distance and takes less time investment.

 

[StayCool]

I much rather a bike ride than a run so I know how you feel. Now the goal of accomplishing the Boston Marathon is what is pushing me now. I may not get there but I won't give up and stop trying like I used to and that is what is important. All this is because of running.

And you should be proud of your ToT medal. I am so proud of both my medals its not even funny. When I get a place of my own I will display the proudly as a reminder to myself of what I can accomplish. And I think the sense of accomplishment is greater with running because I always hated it.

Getting new phones is fun. Don't worry. You will find the motivation again. You know you feel too good when you exercise so you'll get back to it. You know if you get on the scale and gain all the weight back that you will regret it so I am confident you will force yourself to start working out again and once you get into the routine it will be easier.

I'm working on the motivation. It's kind of eh. I plan to work out and sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. I know that I have been moving more than I was. Some progress is better than none. I am so glad I upgraded my phone. I had a 4s and now I have an iphone 6. So much nicer and way faster.

You might see if your gym has core-based classes too, though I have been told the P90X yoga is killer, so if you're doing that, you are probably good. I'm pretty sure that core strength is what gets me through the hard parts of the runs and I know for sure that's what powers me up hills. My problem is all the little supporting muscles...my chiropractor told me today that I need to start doing lateral movement exercises (gluteus medius, to be specific) if I want to keep running - said that's always a problem for distance runners.


I like the marathon distance for the challenge but honestly, when it comes to losing 4+ hours to running - even when I've only got two days in a foreign city - the time investment can be a tough sell. I'm running Goofy in January and then I'm seriously considering spending the rest of next year working on the half, which is a great distance and takes less time investment.

I know I need to start working in some core exercises and start squats and stuff. I'm working on getting everything together and trying to come up with a realistic schedule I can keep up with.

I think that once I increase my speed for a 1/2 marathon, the marathon could end up on my radar. Right now I feel like losing weight and focusing on the 1/2 is all I can handle. I would love to do the Dopey eventually (mostly for the bling!) but I just can't think that far ahead yet. It would be a totally different type of training because it would have to mostly be inside on a treadmill. That does not sound like fun at all. lol

Now for my WW weigh in today: Down 2.4 lbs! I kinda was better on the diet. I'm still working on reigning it all in. I had 2 crappy workouts and then Zumba. Baby steps. I am down a total of 11.2 lbs from my highest weight.

I talked to my husband yesterday and I am thinking of making an exercise/entertainment area in my basement so that I am more comfortable working out in my house. This would entail getting a new tv and entertainment stand and cleaning things up. I need room to do Zumba videos plus have the weight machine, treadmill and elliptical. I'd like to get an exercise bike as well. Then we can put the Xbox and stuff down there so the kids can use them as well. So win win! I don't think the kids will be as excited as I will, but right now they almost never get to play the Xbox so they might enjoy it.

 

[Waiting2goback]

You might see if your gym has core-based classes too, though I have been told the P90X yoga is killer, so if you're doing that, you are probably good. I'm pretty sure that core strength is what gets me through the hard parts of the runs and I know for sure that's what powers me up hills. My problem is all the little supporting muscles...my chiropractor told me today that I need to start doing lateral movement exercises (gluteus medius, to be specific) if I want to keep running - said that's always a problem for distance runners.

I like the marathon distance for the challenge but honestly, when it comes to losing 4+ hours to running - even when I've only got two days in a foreign city - the time investment can be a tough sell. I'm running Goofy in January and then I'm seriously considering spending the rest of next year working on the half, which is a great distance and takes less time investment.

Planet Fitness is the gym I joined and they don't have classes. I wouldn't be able to make classes anyway with the schedule I have at work now. I have training for the next 3 weeks and it is a 90 minute commute each way. So, I left at 6:45 am and got home at 7pm. I did get up early this morning to workout before work. I was hoping to go to the gym tonight too but I was tired and my legs are still really sore from the workouts I have done the last few days.

I have yet to make it through the whole P90X Yoga workout. It's 90 minutes long and up until now my legs haven't been strong enough to make it through. I end up shaking by 45 minutes. I end up lasting to 90 minutes. But I am dripping sweat 20 minutes in and my core is very sore for days after. I just need to do it more consistently for this round.

I am with you on the marathon more being about the challenge for me. Running for 4 hours is hard. But, I remember being a fat couch potato and for years saying I wish I could run the Boston Marathon. So, now I will do everything I can to make it happen. I do enjoy the 1/2 marathon much more. I never ran one in a race but when I crossed that line during my marathon I felt like a million dollars and it was so much fun. But, I also would like to do Dopey in 2018 and for that to happen I need to keep running a marathon.

I'm working on the motivation. It's kind of eh. I plan to work out and sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. I know that I have been moving more than I was. Some progress is better than none. I am so glad I upgraded my phone. I had a 4s and now I have an iphone 6. So much nicer and way faster.

I know I need to start working in some core exercises and start squats and stuff. I'm working on getting everything together and trying to come up with a realistic schedule I can keep up with.

I think that once I increase my speed for a 1/2 marathon, the marathon could end up on my radar. Right now I feel like losing weight and focusing on the 1/2 is all I can handle. I would love to do the Dopey eventually (mostly for the bling!) but I just can't think that far ahead yet. It would be a totally different type of training because it would have to mostly be inside on a treadmill. That does not sound like fun at all. lol

Now for my WW weigh in today: Down 2.4 lbs! I kinda was better on the diet. I'm still working on reigning it all in. I had 2 crappy workouts and then Zumba. Baby steps. I am down a total of 11.2 lbs from my highest weight.

I talked to my husband yesterday and I am thinking of making an exercise/entertainment area in my basement so that I am more comfortable working out in my house. This would entail getting a new tv and entertainment stand and cleaning things up. I need room to do Zumba videos plus have the weight machine, treadmill and elliptical. I'd like to get an exercise bike as well. Then we can put the Xbox and stuff down there so the kids can use them as well. So win win! I don't think the kids will be as excited as I will, but right now they almost never get to play the Xbox so they might enjoy it.

Great job on the weight loss. I think if you can afford the equipment and making the spot in the house it is a great idea. I have my own workout area in the basement and if I could have afforded the treadmill I would have bought one. But, the health insurance will reimburse me for my gym membership so it costs me nothing. If you can do it, it makes it much easier. Go for it!!!

As for the motivation issue. I know how you feel but I am here to tell you that you just need to do it and keep doing it and eventually the motivation will return. I have been getting up at 4:45am lately to get my workouts in before I go to work. When the alarm goes off I swear at it and I get so pissed. But, I tell myself every time, "If you turn that off and go back to bed you will turn back into the person you used to be." It makes me jump out of bed because I was not happy making the excuses and quitting on myself. Now that I am getting used to the early rise I am not tired throughout the day.

As for the phone issue. I am torn. I have an iPhone 4, not even the S. They just told us employees that we can get the 6 now, we couldn't this whole time because the customers needed theirs first. But, I am also learning that there are much better phones out there. I just can't figure out how to use the droids. I'm assuming I will as I go through training and gain more experience but I am torn. I love the comfort of the iPhone but why am I paying the same price for a phone with worse battery life, 1/2 the camera, and a slower processor? OK, just had to say it because I am sore torn. I have only ever had iPhones. I thought they were the bomb. Now I am seeing they aren't. Now what?

 

[StayCool]

Planet Fitness is the gym I joined and they don't have classes.

Great job on the weight loss. I think if you can afford the equipment and making the spot in the house it is a great idea. I have my own workout area in the basement and if I could have afforded the treadmill I would have bought one. But, the health insurance will reimburse me for my gym membership so it costs me nothing. If you can do it, it makes it much easier. Go for it!!!

As for the motivation issue. I know how you feel but I am here to tell you that you just need to do it and keep doing it and eventually the motivation will return. I have been getting up at 4:45am lately to get my workouts in before I go to work. When the alarm goes off I swear at it and I get so pissed. But, I tell myself every time, "If you turn that off and go back to bed you will turn back into the person you used to be." It makes me jump out of bed because I was not happy making the excuses and quitting on myself. Now that I am getting used to the early rise I am not tired throughout the day.

As for the phone issue. I am torn. I have an iPhone 4, not even the S. They just told us employees that we can get the 6 now, we couldn't this whole time because the customers needed theirs first. But, I am also learning that there are much better phones out there. I just can't figure out how to use the droids. I'm assuming I will as I go through training and gain more experience but I am torn. I love the comfort of the iPhone but why am I paying the same price for a phone with worse battery life, 1/2 the camera, and a slower processor? OK, just had to say it because I am sore torn. I have only ever had iPhones. I thought they were the bomb. Now I am seeing they aren't. Now what?

I'm considering joining Planet Fitness and dragging my husband along. I think he would like it once we got started. It is a nice gym and cheap which is huge for me.

I already have 2 treadmills, an elliptical and a weight machine. I would just like to get a bike and I would be set. The cost would be in getting another tv for the basement and cleaning/reorganizing the space so it is more useful. I'm kind of excited about setting it up. Right now I try to do videos in my living room. Not easy to do when my family is around.

I got the iphone 6 because it is what I know. I like it and it works well for me. My husband decided he wanted a change so he got the new Samsung Note 4. He has a learning curve to come up because neither of us are familiar with the Android iOS and it's a pain to have to find things. That being said, he really does like it and there are a ton of different bells and whistles. I think that the differences between the phones would be lost on me so I'm content to stay where I'm at for now.

You have gotten me intrigued about podcasts so today I decided to check some more of them out. They help motivate me and I need to hear this stuff over and over, even if I know it already. Positive reinforcement and all that. So I downloaded Half Size Me, Nutrition Diva and Get-Fit Guy. They all have good reviews so I figure I will check them out on my commute home.

 

[dizzyr]

Noooooooooo don't make me question my iPhone lol! I also have just the 4 - we used to be blackberry people and when we switched phones my husband though about the andriod but he wanted to be able to use his same aps on the phone, iPads and iPods. At least that's what I remember but it could have been something totally different - I heard blah blah pretty pink phone blah blah lol!!

I gained a lb this week and I know exactly what it's from - chips!! They are my downfall and we got lots on Halloween. Thankfully they are almost out of the house.

I'd love to have a workout area in our house but there's no room

 

[Chiomaca]

I say get the phone you love. If the Droid does stuff you want/need to do better but you hate using it, will that matter? On the flip side, if you get the iPhone, will you be frustrated because it doesn't do what you know other phones can do? I have a brand new 5s because I didn't want the size increase to the 6 and that means the same issue applies to the Driod phones. Portability is more important to me than anything else; it took me months to upgrade to iOS7 and I still haven't upgraded to 8 because the extra bells and whistles don't mean anything, I even have Siri turned off. I wouldn't hve upgraded at all except that I'd dropped my old phone so often that the battery only lasted about 4 hours with minimal use.

I'm struggling a bit with getting exercise in recently. It was easy to run to work (I live 3.5 miles door-to-door) when the sun was up, and I usually put in 2 miles before that with the dogs. But I have a new foster dog who is so big that I don't feel safe running with both him and my own dog. Leo is adorable but still a bit scared of things, and he could hurt me if he decided to go one way and the other dog went a different direction. I try to run at work, but the last two days have turned into a series of crazy "OMG, do ths NOW!!!1!" things and random "Hey, can we talk about this thing this afternoon?" requests. So my running shoes sit idle in the locker. Tomorrow, darn it!

StayCool, it's neat that you have so much exercise gear at home, have you figured out what is causing you to turn away when you've planned to exercise? Like Waiting2goback, I have a few tricks that I play on myself - sometimes that even means wearing my running tights to bed. Then I'm half ready to go the moment I wake up. (Note: not in a Sparkle Skirt because I don't need glitter in bed!) I also have little rewards for myself - a treat meal or new pair of running shoes, that sort of thing, for reaching small goals.

 

[Waiting2goback]

I'm considering joining Planet Fitness and dragging my husband along. I think he would like it once we got started. It is a nice gym and cheap which is huge for me.

I already have 2 treadmills, an elliptical and a weight machine. I would just like to get a bike and I would be set. The cost would be in getting another tv for the basement and cleaning/reorganizing the space so it is more useful. I'm kind of excited about setting it up. Right now I try to do videos in my living room. Not easy to do when my family is around.

I got the iphone 6 because it is what I know. I like it and it works well for me. My husband decided he wanted a change so he got the new Samsung Note 4. He has a learning curve to come up because neither of us are familiar with the Android iOS and it's a pain to have to find things. That being said, he really does like it and there are a ton of different bells and whistles. I think that the differences between the phones would be lost on me so I'm content to stay where I'm at for now.

You have gotten me intrigued about podcasts so today I decided to check some more of them out. They help motivate me and I need to hear this stuff over and over, even if I know it already. Positive reinforcement and all that. So I downloaded Half Size Me, Nutrition Diva and Get-Fit Guy. They all have good reviews so I figure I will check them out on my commute home.

StayCool, between the gym and your home gym you have all the resources needed to kick some serious butt. Come on, I am pulling for you big time. I went to the gym for the first time on Sunday. I do not like the treadmill. But, I will use it for what I need it for and when I can run outside I will.

I will probably get a new 5S. I don't see spending an extra $100 for a phone that does the same thing just because it is bigger. This might be my last iPhone though. I have loved them but I can get much better camera's in the Droid phones. I do like how easy iTunes is to use though. Yeah, I'll make a good phone salesman, I can't even make up my own mind.

I love listening to podcasts. Now that I have found a few I just download them to my phone so I don't use data while I am driving. I do find them very motivating. I hope you like the ones you picked, let us know if they are any good.

Noooooooooo don't make me question my iPhone lol! I also have just the 4 - we used to be blackberry people and when we switched phones my husband though about the andriod but he wanted to be able to use his same aps on the phone, iPads and iPods. At least that's what I remember but it could have been something totally different - I heard blah blah pretty pink phone blah blah lol!!

I gained a lb this week and I know exactly what it's from - chips!! They are my downfall and we got lots on Halloween. Thankfully they are almost out of the house.

I'd love to have a workout area in our house but there's no room

Dizzy, come on now. We need to get in gear. The momentum has been lost. We need to get back in gear ladies. Holidays are coming and this is when most people fall off the wagon. WE DO NOT WANT TO BE SOME PEOPLE, RIGHT????? We are talking about marathons, Dopey, 1/2 marathons, etc.... These are not activities of the ordinary person. We need to walk the walk and set an example.

I say get the phone you love. If the Droid does stuff you want/need to do better but you hate using it, will that matter? On the flip side, if you get the iPhone, will you be frustrated because it doesn't do what you know other phones can do? I have a brand new 5s because I didn't want the size increase to the 6 and that means the same issue applies to the Driod phones. Portability is more important to me than anything else; it took me months to upgrade to iOS7 and I still haven't upgraded to 8 because the extra bells and whistles don't mean anything, I even have Siri turned off. I wouldn't hve upgraded at all except that I'd dropped my old phone so often that the battery only lasted about 4 hours with minimal use.

I'm struggling a bit with getting exercise in recently. It was easy to run to work (I live 3.5 miles door-to-door) when the sun was up, and I usually put in 2 miles before that with the dogs. But I have a new foster dog who is so big that I don't feel safe running with both him and my own dog. Leo is adorable but still a bit scared of things, and he could hurt me if he decided to go one way and the other dog went a different direction. I try to run at work, but the last two days have turned into a series of crazy "OMG, do ths NOW!!!1!" things and random "Hey, can we talk about this thing this afternoon?" requests. So my running shoes sit idle in the locker. Tomorrow, darn it!

StayCool, it's neat that you have so much exercise gear at home, have you figured out what is causing you to turn away when you've planned to exercise? Like Waiting2goback, I have a few tricks that I play on myself - sometimes that even means wearing my running tights to bed. Then I'm half ready to go the moment I wake up. (Note: not in a Sparkle Skirt because I don't need glitter in bed!) I also have little rewards for myself - a treat meal or new pair of running shoes, that sort of thing, for reaching small goals.

Chiomaca, it is the time of year to lose motivation, no doubt. You just joined us recently and I don't know as much about you and your goals but I hope you get back into the swing of things.

As for me, I worked out yesterday morning before work. Up at 4:45 am. It was a P90X workout. I was planning to go running when I got home from work but I was pooped and my legs were sore from all the work I have been giving them.

Then I was up all night, literally. I have been up since yesterday at 4:45 and I had training all day. It is hard to stay away during training on a good day. It was brutal. I came across some texts where my wife had some not so nice things to say about me. I won't bore you with the details but I suspected a few things and they were confirmed. So, things are coming to a boil way sooner than I hoped. I really wanted to end this peacefully for the kids sake but she seems dead set against that. Anyway, no workout for me today, I am tired.

Hoping to get to bed early enough to wake up and do my workout tomorrow. Hard to fall asleep in the same house with someone who says they hate you and want bad things to happen to you though.

OK, no feeling bad for me though. Everything will be good. In the past this would have devastated me. Today I shook it off and realize I am so much better off. I just need a few more checks before I can begin to take care of the kids on my own. One good thing that came out of it is I found out she went to an atty and he told her I will get the kids, child support, and alimony. VERY unusual in this state. Now I just need to get the job rolling and things are great.

OK, thanks for letting me vent. Hope I didn't bore you much.

 

[StayCool]

Noooooooooo don't make me question my iPhone lol! I also have just the 4 - we used to be blackberry people and when we switched phones my husband though about the andriod but he wanted to be able to use his same aps on the phone, iPads and iPods. At least that's what I remember but it could have been something totally different - I heard blah blah pretty pink phone blah blah lol!!

I gained a lb this week and I know exactly what it's from - chips!! They are my downfall and we got lots on Halloween. Thankfully they are almost out of the house.

I feel the same way about iphones. I think it is just easier to keep everything the same. But I don't use my phone for anything crazy so it does not really matter to me. I feel ya on the chips too. Except my weakness is chocolate! And we have a company rep that brings us a bag of chocolate every Wednesday. We have asked him not to but he doesn't listen.

StayCool, it's neat that you have so much exercise gear at home, have you figured out what is causing you to turn away when you've planned to exercise? Like Waiting2goback, I have a few tricks that I play on myself - sometimes that even means wearing my running tights to bed. Then I'm half ready to go the moment I wake up. (Note: not in a Sparkle Skirt because I don't need glitter in bed!) I also have little rewards for myself - a treat meal or new pair of running shoes, that sort of thing, for reaching small goals.

I think the biggest reason that I have not exercised is because I don't feel well. I have been dancing around this but I have been having heart palpitations. So exercising and intentionally raising my heartrate makes me nervous. I don't know why I am having them and me EKG is normal so that is good. I like the idea of wearing my exercise stuff to bed. Lol. that totally sounds like something I would do. Once I get sorted out I may try that. I think that since I am doing WW again, one of my motivators will be the fact that I can eat more if I exercise. lol Sad but true.

StayCool, between the gym and your home gym you have all the resources needed to kick some serious butt. Come on, I am pulling for you big time. I went to the gym for the first time on Sunday. I do not like the treadmill. But, I will use it for what I need it for and when I can run outside I will.

I will probably get a new 5S. I don't see spending an extra $100 for a phone that does the same thing just because it is bigger. This might be my last iPhone though. I have loved them but I can get much better camera's in the Droid phones. I do like how easy iTunes is to use though. Yeah, I'll make a good phone salesman, I can't even make up my own mind.

I love listening to podcasts. Now that I have found a few I just download them to my phone so I don't use data while I am driving. I do find them very motivating. I hope you like the ones you picked, let us know if they are any good.

As for me, I worked out yesterday morning before work. Up at 4:45 am. It was a P90X workout. I was planning to go running when I got home from work but I was pooped and my legs were sore from all the work I have been giving them.

Then I was up all night, literally. I have been up since yesterday at 4:45 and I had training all day. It is hard to stay away during training on a good day. It was brutal. I came across some texts where my wife had some not so nice things to say about me. I won't bore you with the details but I suspected a few things and they were confirmed. So, things are coming to a boil way sooner than I hoped. I really wanted to end this peacefully for the kids sake but she seems dead set against that. Anyway, no workout for me today, I am tired.

OK, no feeling bad for me though. Everything will be good. In the past this would have devastated me. Today I shook it off and realize I am so much better off. I just need a few more checks before I can begin to take care of the kids on my own. One good thing that came out of it is I found out she went to an atty and he told her I will get the kids, child support, and alimony. VERY unusual in this state. Now I just need to get the job rolling and things are great.

OK, thanks for letting me vent. Hope I didn't bore you much.

I have to say that I do like the bigger screen on the 6 and if you are going to spend the money, why not go for the newest? Then you can go longer between upgrades.

I know, I totally have what I need. Too bad I need one more thing. Motivation. Working on it though. Zumbathon this weekend, so 2 hours of activity Saturday night. That will have to count for something. And I'm hoping the podcasts help too. I have an hour commute and am tired of listening to the same songs all night long. :/

All I have to say about the situation with you and your wife is this; prepare mentally/emotionally for it to get nasty. If it doesn't, great. But those kinds of divorces are very rare. I know you have the greatest intentions but be sure that you stand up for yourself even though it is harder. And that is good about the kids and everything. It will be a rough year or two. But then it gets better and life is fun again.

Ok, still slacking on motivation, but like I said part of it is because I am having palpitations and don't know why. So exercising makes me a little nervous although when I do it, I don't seem to have any problems. Doing WW will help motivate me though because then I can have more "fun" foods. And I will check out those podcasts tonight on the way home and we will see if they are any good. My hubby is trying to watch his diet without my prodding so that is good too. We will get there. All of us.

 

[Chiomaca]

Chiomaca, it is the time of year to lose motivation, no doubt. You just joined us recently and I don't know as much about you and your goals but I hope you get back into the swing of things.

As for me, I worked out yesterday morning before work. Up at 4:45 am. It was a P90X workout. I was planning to go running when I got home from work but I was pooped and my legs were sore from all the work I have been giving them.

Then I was up all night, literally. I have been up since yesterday at 4:45 and I had training all day. It is hard to stay away during training on a good day. It was brutal. I came across some texts where my wife had some not so nice things to say about me. I won't bore you with the details but I suspected a few things and they were confirmed. So, things are coming to a boil way sooner than I hoped. I really wanted to end this peacefully for the kids sake but she seems dead set against that. Anyway, no workout for me today, I am tired.

Hoping to get to bed early enough to wake up and do my workout tomorrow. Hard to fall asleep in the same house with someone who says they hate you and want bad things to happen to you though.

OK, no feeling bad for me though. Everything will be good. In the past this would have devastated me. Today I shook it off and realize I am so much better off. I just need a few more checks before I can begin to take care of the kids on my own. One good thing that came out of it is I found out she went to an atty and he told her I will get the kids, child support, and alimony. VERY unusual in this state. Now I just need to get the job rolling and things are great.

OK, thanks for letting me vent. Hope I didn't bore you much.

It's not so much an issue of motivation for me as it is time available in the day. I'm not and have never been a couch potato. My problem is the opposite, I'm scheduled like a high school junior trying to pad her college application at the last minute. It all fits together like a jigsaw puzzle, and when one piece shifts, so do the others. So between the dog I can't run with and unplanned interruptions in my day, my two exercise windows have been shot this week. And my regular full-bore workout routine picks back up next week.

The good news is that Leo the dog goes to his forever home on Tuesday morning and I'm so antsy to exercise that I've signed up for a class on Friday night, which is usually my only free night during the week. And I'm running Avengers next Sunday, so I have to get out and do at least 6 miles this weekend!

It sounds like your home situation is just getting worse, and I'm so sorry about that. You seem like you're really starting to get your head in a better place though, more confident in yourself and your ability, which is kind of cool. Hold strong, for yourself and your kids. It will be hard but in the end they'll benefit from having a strong, happy (or working towards happy) dad.

Oh, and recovery is just as important as exercise, your muscles repair themselves and get stronger on rest days. You know, so you can tear them apart during your next workout. Don't get down on yourself for missing the occasional workout or needing to sleep because your body needs that as much as the exercise.

 

[Chiomaca]

I think the biggest reason that I have not exercised is because I don't feel well. I have been dancing around this but I have been having heart palpitations. So exercising and intentionally raising my heartrate makes me nervous. I don't know why I am having them and me EKG is normal so that is good. I like the idea of wearing my exercise stuff to bed. Lol. that totally sounds like something I would do. Once I get sorted out I may try that. I think that since I am doing WW again, one of my motivators will be the fact that I can eat more if I exercise. lol Sad but true.

Eeek, I'll bet that's scary. My heart used to race like crazy until I figured out that it was the allergy pills I took. I've since decided I'd rather sneeze than have a heart rate similar to a chipmunk's.

Could it be anxiety if they've ruled put a physical cause? Is there a point in your workout where you stop stressing and start to feel better? (And have they really ruled out a physical cause? My trsut level in doctors is low.)

Re: fun foods on WW. I have a friend who used to try and see exactly how much she could eat and still stay under her points allowance. I've never seen anyone eat so many raw veggies for lunch in my life. My eating goes in waves, but I try to make my meals depend on my exercise level. Salad if I am not working out that day, then increasing to more substanial meals for workout and double workout days. I'm not great, but I keep my squishy Blerch at my desk to remind me

 

[StayCool]

Eeek, I'll bet that's scary. My heart used to race like crazy until I figured out that it was the allergy pills I took. I've since decided I'd rather sneeze than have a heart rate similar to a chipmunk's.

Could it be anxiety if they've ruled put a physical cause? Is there a point in your workout where you stop stressing and start to feel better? (And have they really ruled out a physical cause? My trsut level in doctors is low.)

Re: fun foods on WW. I have a friend who used to try and see exactly how much she could eat and still stay under her points allowance. I've never seen anyone eat so many raw veggies for lunch in my life. My eating goes in waves, but I try to make my meals depend on my exercise level. Salad if I am not working out that day, then increasing to more substanial meals for workout and double workout days. I'm not great, but I keep my squishy Blerch at my desk to remind me

I haven't started any new medications so it's not that. I was thinking anxiety, but I really don't have anything to be anxious about right now. I have had issues with anxiety in the past but never had palpitations like this. And oddly enough they usually happen later in the day when I am just relaxing. It has been 3 weeks of daily palpitations several times a day so I figure it's time to get it checked out now.

I don't manipulate my WW stuff that much. I will make adjustments if I know I am going to splurge, but I can't just sit and eat veggies just because. I am a sugar junkie so I need to work on keeping that out of my diet. It's more just being more aware of what I am putting in my mouth.

 

[Waiting2goback]

I feel the same way about iphones. I think it is just easier to keep everything the same. But I don't use my phone for anything crazy so it does not really matter to me. I feel ya on the chips too. Except my weakness is chocolate! And we have a company rep that brings us a bag of chocolate every Wednesday. We have asked him not to but he doesn't listen.

I think the biggest reason that I have not exercised is because I don't feel well. I have been dancing around this but I have been having heart palpitations. So exercising and intentionally raising my heartrate makes me nervous. I don't know why I am having them and me EKG is normal so that is good. I like the idea of wearing my exercise stuff to bed. Lol. that totally sounds like something I would do. Once I get sorted out I may try that. I think that since I am doing WW again, one of my motivators will be the fact that I can eat more if I exercise. lol Sad but true.

I have to say that I do like the bigger screen on the 6 and if you are going to spend the money, why not go for the newest? Then you can go longer between upgrades.

I know, I totally have what I need. Too bad I need one more thing. Motivation. Working on it though. Zumbathon this weekend, so 2 hours of activity Saturday night. That will have to count for something. And I'm hoping the podcasts help too. I have an hour commute and am tired of listening to the same songs all night long. :/

All I have to say about the situation with you and your wife is this; prepare mentally/emotionally for it to get nasty. If it doesn't, great. But those kinds of divorces are very rare. I know you have the greatest intentions but be sure that you stand up for yourself even though it is harder. And that is good about the kids and everything. It will be a rough year or two. But then it gets better and life is fun again.

Ok, still slacking on motivation, but like I said part of it is because I am having palpitations and don't know why. So exercising makes me a little nervous although when I do it, I don't seem to have any problems. Doing WW will help motivate me though because then I can have more "fun" foods. And I will check out those podcasts tonight on the way home and we will see if they are any good. My hubby is trying to watch his diet without my prodding so that is good too. We will get there. All of us.

I never get the newest phone out there. I don't do much with my phone and I take good care of them. I would rather spend $100 less to get the older model.

I agree with Chiomaca. I think it might be anxiety too. I had the same problem for a few years. I would get palpitations all day long. Felt like my heart was pounding out of my chest, I would get dizzy and lightheaded. I went through every test and was fine. But they didn't stop. Even with all the anxiety and depression meds I took over the years (which turned out to be a waste because I never had depression). I'm not saying this to trick you into working out, I promise. But they didn't stop until I began exercising. I never get them anymore. The exercise works out the stress.

As for getting them when you are relaxing. Yes, because that's when your mind isn't occupied and you have time to think. You might be anxious about not being able to exercise for all you know.

As for the relationship issues. I really try not to discuss it much here but this one caught me off guard. I am afraid you are right. It is going to get nasty despite my pleading with her to do what's right for the kids. She apparently is hoping for some bad things to happen to me.

So, I have placed a call to a lawyer. I didn't want it to go there but if I don't do it then I only have myself to blame if something happens.

I still appreciate the support from you all.

It's not so much an issue of motivation for me as it is time available in the day. I'm not and have never been a couch potato. My problem is the opposite, I'm scheduled like a high school junior trying to pad her college application at the last minute. It all fits together like a jigsaw puzzle, and when one piece shifts, so do the others. So between the dog I can't run with and unplanned interruptions in my day, my two exercise windows have been shot this week. And my regular full-bore workout routine picks back up next week.

The good news is that Leo the dog goes to his forever home on Tuesday morning and I'm so antsy to exercise that I've signed up for a class on Friday night, which is usually my only free night during the week. And I'm running Avengers next Sunday, so I have to get out and do at least 6 miles this weekend!

It sounds like your home situation is just getting worse, and I'm so sorry about that. You seem like you're really starting to get your head in a better place though, more confident in yourself and your ability, which is kind of cool. Hold strong, for yourself and your kids. It will be hard but in the end they'll benefit from having a strong, happy (or working towards happy) dad.

Oh, and recovery is just as important as exercise, your muscles repair themselves and get stronger on rest days. You know, so you can tear them apart during your next workout. Don't get down on yourself for missing the occasional workout or needing to sleep because your body needs that as much as the exercise.

I'm not too worried about missing a workout. I just wanted to lose a decent amount of weight this month. No workout today either. I was more tired today than yesterday. I plan to get up tomorrow though and then I am off this weekend so I hope to get in a couple good workouts over the weekend.

I hope you get in your training run. I can't wait to hear about the Avengers. I gotta say, that theme does nothing for me. I would still run the race because its a Disney race but the theme is just blah for me. I don't even know much about those characters. Avengers is in Disneyland, right?

 

[StayCool]

Well I got my Zumba on this morning. It felt good but I can tell I'm not 100% yet. I am a little annoyed though because I tried to track it in the WW app and there is currently nowhere to track activity!! I went online but because I'm on my phone I can't because it requires flash. Blah. I did find out that I can link my jawbone to the WW app. I did but it is not showing up. So I don't know. Tomorrow night is 2 hours of Zumba so that should be fun. I need to work on a workout schedule that I can maintain. It's snowing here today so blah.

 

[dizzyr]

Well I got my Zumba on this morning. It felt good but I can tell I'm not 100% yet. I am a little annoyed though because I tried to track it in the WW app and there is currently nowhere to track activity!! I went online but because I'm on my phone I can't because it requires flash. Blah. I did find out that I can link my jawbone to the WW app. I did but it is not showing up. So I don't know. Tomorrow night is 2 hours of Zumba so that should be fun. I need to work on a workout schedule that I can maintain. It's snowing here today so blah.

I'm able to do it on my phone - down at the bottom click on track and then activities and it should bring up a list of them. It looks different then it did because they have upgraded the app since I last used it but it's still there.