"Slow Is Better Than Quitting"

"Slow Is Better Than Quitting"

I read something along those lines yesterday. 
That is how I feel right now.
It's hard to know if I should stop or just go slower.
I'm still waiting to hear from the specialists, so I have to stick with how I feel.

Speaking of how I feel, I have very little pain.
These meds, arthritis meds, really help.
I should be sore, because I did lots of squats with weight.
I can feel that my muscles were worked, but I am not sore.
I feel my foot, but not pain.

Is it more damaging to take the medicine and still workout and not feel the pain?

I'm going to have to focus on my nutrition more, again, now that I can't workout how I want to.

I didn't realize how little protein I was getting.  If I want to maintain muscle, I need more protein.

 

The goal is at least 100 grams throughout the day, but if I follow a mid-range carb plan, I should get 200 grams of protein.  How do you get that much without a shake?  I deleted my food app.  I probably need to get that back.  I prefer to just think about the protein and figure that I do okay with fat and carbs.  But if I want to lose fat, gain muscle--I'm going to have to pay attention to everything.

It probably won't happen until the kids are back in school.

 

My husband loves giant bowls of cereal, I love giant bowls of salad.  Our version of Jack Sprat.

 



Workout
I really wanted to try some burpees today.
I did a couple push-ups and popped up at the end.
It didn't feel quite right.
So I stopped.

I also tried the rowing machine again.
That felt so hard.
I thought, "How can I be this out of shape?"
Then I looked at the resistance and it was all the way up.
That's why it was hard.

I looked at the treadmill.
It was calling my name.
But I know I am not ready for that.
I put in my earbuds and jumped on the AMT.
No treadmill!  Not yet.

 He was underwater treasure hunting under the couch cushions.

Good thing he had his goggles!

Dr. Visit, 10 Days Off, Macros

Time Off
After trying everything I could think of to try to heal, besides take a hard break, I decided it was time to just rest.
10 days felt like forever.
I really didn't do any exercise, except for a walk with my daughter one morning.
My leg has improved, but my foot still hurts.

Yesterday, I was in a foul mood.  I did not feel well, I have been tired and not able to sleep.
I had also been stressing out over my daughter going on a trek for church.
They left this morning and will be in 100+ degree weather.
I hope she survives.
She is not an outdoorsman.
This will be a test for her.

When I woke up this morning, I decided that I would go workout, but I wouldn't run.
I am now a non-runner.
I hope to lose that designation soon.
I drives me nuts.
One plus, I won't need new shoes for a while!

Dr. Visit
I went to see my Dr. last Friday.
She is a runner too.
She suspects that I do have some form of Plantar Fasciitis and some tears in my calf. 
I will be visiting the podiatrist and doing some Physical Therapy in the next few weeks.

She said to do the following:

• Ice
• Stretch
• Tape
• Rest
• Elevate
• Roll
• Take anti-inflammatory

I had been doing all of those things, except for the meds.
So, she encouraged me to take something 2x/day for 2-3 weeks.
I don't like taking medicine, but if it helps me get better, I think I will try.


Cleanse, Again
It's that time again.  My body is so ready for a reset.  I have not felt well in my guts for a long time.  I love doing the Advocare Cleanse.  It works!

That looks like a lot of protein.  Your needs will depend on your goals and activity levels.

 

To determine your needed calories and macronutrient break down, look here.

Friday Catch-up

Athleta is having a sale.

Check out some of their deals.

I really like their compression shorts.

athleta.com

 

 

It's been extra hot here for the past week.

And I have been feeling extra tired.

I normally only drink water.

But I discovered Peach flavored Propel and it has been a nice, refreshing treat.

 

 

This week has been tough on the potty training front.

Post-vacation, he has not wanted to go on his own.

 

I decided to set timers one day. 

30 minutes on one timer and 1 hr. on the other.

The last time I set the timer, I must have hit cook on the microwave.

I went upstairs and after a while, I smelled burning.

The microwave was hot on the outside.

 

It won't turn back on.

Luckily, there was no smoke and no fire.

It just got close.

I think we were pretty lucky.

 

 

My arch was bugging me this morning.

One strip of tape on my foot and it was fixed.

 

 

Workout:

15 minutes--AMT

50 minutes--lifting

• OH Press (45 lb. bar)
• Front Squat (45 lb. bar)
• Sumo Squats
• Triceps Push-ups
• Bicep Curl with Twist
• Concentration Curls
• Biceps (40 lb. easy curl)
• Triceps Pushdown
• Triceps Push-ups
• Bicep Rows

25 minutes--AMT

 

 

 

 

 

Push Ups and Green Beans

I thought today was the day.

But my leg is still hurting.

Blast!

 

I think running hills by the lake didn't help my cause at all.

And flip flops are definitely not supportive shoes.

My pain is running from my arch, up the side of my leg.

I am hoping that it is not anything more troublesome than my other current aches.

 

My cousin said, "It sucks getting old."

I have never really considered myself old.

I mean, I am not the cute young thing that I once was.

And I shudder at some of today's "fashion."

I'm not old, I'm middle aged...

That doesn't sound any better.

 

Anyway,

I can still work out.

I just have to be careful.

 

35 minutes on the AMT

45 minutes lifting

25 minutes AMT

Stretching.

 

Came home and did some push ups and abs.

 

 It took me a while to figure out how to do this type of push up (arms close to your sides)

Sometimes I do them with a hand release, if my muscles are already tired.

When you get down to this position, just lay your body on the ground for a second and pick you hands up just off the ground.  Then push up again.

 

 Shoulder Tap Planks

 

 Stretch all the way out and then tuck into a ball.

 

 With a friend

 

And just for fun.  Green Beans.

 

I can't remember what kind these are, but they are not what I was expecting.

Those long strings are the beans. I don't think I can eat them. You probably only have to eat 2 to get a full serving.

 

 

How was your workout today?

Any  interesting plants in your garden?

How hot is it where you are?

 

 



Why Women Run and I'm a Mom

Runner's World is collecting women's running stories.  You can be part of the story.

Harnessing the Power of Women Runners

 

I have yet to find a running community where I am, but I have found lots of inspiration online.

I am grateful to those ladies who work hard at home, at work, and at running.

Life is about balance and becoming your best self.

It is about finding joy along the way.

 

Sometimes I want to feel like I am more than just a mom and then I realize that there is no such thing as being just a mom.

Mothers are important.

I am grateful that I am able to stay home with my children.

I need to be more grateful for the opportunity I have to be a mother.

 

Whether you have children or not, we can nurture one another and serve others.

We can support one another and help build each other's confidence.

 

Let's hear it for the Mothers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zucchini Muffins

 

I finally made my Zucchini Muffins. Click link for the recipe.

I had to wait until our garden started producing before I could do it.

Just like garden tomatoes, garden zucchini is way better than store bought.

 

 

Waiting is hard.

 

Now we can eat these every week.

 

 

It's Been A While

We spent the last week with nature. 
I didn't take many pictures.
I didn't run every day.
I didn't eat great.
I didn't sleep well.
But I did get to spend time with family and get a little sunshine.

We went to 2 Reunions.
One for my family and one for his.

 Rim Rock

 

 Leaving Priest Lake

 

 They were ready for their own beds.

 

Birkenstocks are back.

How about socks and Sanuks?

 

 

How have your Summer travel plans been going?

Where are you headed next?

Looking Forward To Some Time Off

Take a Break

I am so excited to take a break.
We will be sitting by the lake soon and that is exactly what I need.
My kids are big enough that I can just watch them and won't have to help them as much.
Except when little man has to use the restroom.

We are working on standing at the toilet instead of sitting.
He thought is was fun last night, but asked to sit this morning.
I think when we are outside, he will be all for it.

Workout With My Daughter

Her first day at the gym, she did a 22 minute mile, walking.
Today, she did a 17 minute mile and was at a 3.0 incline.
She said that she really likes working out.
We did pull-ups again.
She did like 50.
It wasn't enough weight and she didn't want to stop, so I let her keep going until she got tired.
She also likes the adductor/abductor machines. 
She wasn't feeling her best yesterday.
I could tell she was feeling a little tired, but she just kept pushing.
She finished with 20 minutes on the AMT.  I told her she could stop.  She told me, "I'm going to go until the time runs out."
Way to go, Mimi!

Welcome to the OOL
Notice there is no P.  Please keep it that way.

We used to swim at the neighbor's pool growing up.  She had that sign hanging by her pool.  It's hard to keep kid's from piddling in the pool.  That's why we replace the water every few days.

 

We decided we could fit 100 people in the pool if we sat on laps.

That means everyone is invited!

Food for the Fourth
I got some apples and blueberries to share and some saltwater taffy.  I love to eat holiday food.  We only do it a few times per year, right? Next go around, I'll actually make something.

And instead of sitting around, I'm going to try to play and move more.  I got a little boat to float in.  It's actually for the kids, but if it's big enough I'll be getting in too. 

Have a great holiday!

One Month on the Food Plan

My results doing Chris Powell's eating plan have been mixed.
The real reason I wanted to try it was to see if I could avoid the monthly weight swing.
Not that I wanted to lose any lbs. really, I just didn't like the 8-10 lbs. I went up last month.
It all coincides with my cycle. (TMI?) It is so frustrating. 
I always have a baked goods craving, but even if I am not "bad" I still have at least a 5 lb. swing.

I started off losing 3 lbs. in the first 2 weeks, which got me back to normal.  Since then, I have gained back 2 lbs.  I have not stuck to it word for word.  I don't like a lot of cheese and their meals have lots of cheese.  And last week, every day was a high carb day.  So I ate carbs.  But I didn't eat the best carbs.  I didn't have a cheat day because I felt like I was cheating every day with the extra carbs.  Anyway... I am glad to report that I didn't have a huge swing.  But I still feel bloated.  Argh!!!

Such is the life of a female. 

New Workout Buddy
I signed up my 12 yr. old for a month pass to the gym.  They are going on a trek this summer and I want her to increase her endurance before they go.  The fun thing is that she actually likes going.  And I like helping her.  She is still not fond of lifting, but she is interested in learning.  Today she asked to do pull ups again.  The machine was needing repair.  But I was impressed that she wanted to do them again.

Days Off
I took 3 days off in a row to see if my feet and leg pain would improve.  It did feel better this morning.  I want to run for the next 2 days and then take another 3-4 day break.  I know I need to heal, but it is so hard to skip that many days.

I was good today and stuck with upper body exercises, so I wouldn't add stress to my heals.  I keep trying to stretch and ice. We got a small pool for the kids so I got in while it was filling up and the water was chilly.  It was kind of like an ice bath, but I could tan at the same time.  Maybe that is the way I can get my husband to do an ice bath.

He finally went to the chiro and got adjusted.  He was told to stretch and strengthen the muscles around his hips.  I think it is hard as a runner, because all the motion is forward.  You think you are getting a good workout, but you ignore a lot of muscles. I know I don't get enough side to side or rotational movement to keep all of my joints and muscles loose and strong.

I should probably break out some DVDs so I can round out my fitness.  We use to do Richard Simmons in high school.  It's not high intensity, but has he got some moves!

Family Get Togethers
When we get together, I find it hard to decide what to bring to share with others.  Sometimes I want to bring something that everyone else will like to eat and sometimes I just want to bring something that I like. Some people want treats and some people want food. 


How do you decide what to bring to a potluck?
What is your favorite recipe? Dessert? Side? Snack?

Any help would be appreciated.