Fit Test Friday

Dun Dun Dun... Fit Test Friday has arrived. Although, it's really not that exciting this time around being as it's just my starting numbers and there's nothing to compare it to. Regardless, I can already tell I'm going to enjoy this additional method of tracking my progress. The scale and tape measure can only tell you so much. Regularly performing a fit test really shows you where you at. It gives you the opportunity to see all your hard work in black and white. Not to mention, when the scale and tape measure are at a stand still, fit tests are great motivators to not give up. Which, lets be honest, is exactly what I need lately. So... let's get right to it.

-- One --
First things first (in case you missed it earlier in the week), here's the actual Fit Test. I made it using some of my favorite moves, and ones that I really want to improve on.

And my starting numbers:

I'll be doing the actual test on Monday's and sharing on the blog every Friday, for now. My one mile warm-up was extended to 2 miles since my running buddy begged to go longer. However, my 1 mile time was 9.54 minutes with my 35 pound buddy and jogging stroller. 

If you would like to try the fit test, here's a blank tracking sheet.

-- TWO --

This will be going in the crockpot at lunch. Mmmmm. No, it's not overly healthy. But I'm allowing myself a bit of a splurge tonight.

SOURCE

If you haven't checked out "Damn Delicious", you need to. Yum.

-- THREE -- 

It's time. Potty training. The day I've both dreaded and looked forward to is coming. We're starting to buckle down and get serious with it next weekend. Overall, I'm one of those very laid back mothering types. I don't get worked up if Wyatt doesn't do things where, when, how other kids do. I don't stress or worry about every little thing. Not that there's anything wrong if you do. That's just not me. I'm a go with the flow kind of person, for the most part. However, potty training is a whole different story. So, keep your fingers crossed for all our sakes and sanity. Oh, and if anyone has any awesome tips, I'd love to hear them.

-- FOUR --

Tomorrow is the big day! My first ever, official 5K race. I'm neerrvvoouus. Ridiculously so. Not only is it my first race, but I'm going by myself. This is a big deal in my "stepping outside my comfort zone" goal. Big. 

While on the running topic, I have a question for runners out there. When you up your mileage, how do you handle the hunger? I've upped my weekly mileage quite a bit these past two weeks now that we have the jogging stroller, and I am starving. Constantly. 

-- FIVE --

Go check out Amber for information on Get Your Shit Together September. I am so excited for this! I lacked motivation with my plateau in July. Then, I spent most of August sick. So, the extra motivation and challenge will be perfect!

Don't forget to link up with us next week for Motivation Monday! Have a happy and safe holiday weekend!

NSV - Fear of Failure

I fear failure. More times than I'd care to admit, this fear holds me back from trying many things and getting out of my "comfort zone." I've been a "runner" off and on for years and was active in high school sports back in the day, but I have never participated in an actual race. I feared being last. I feared what people would think of me. I was just plain terrified to disappoint myself.

A couple months ago I made a goal to push myself, in all areas of life. From trying new things in my workouts and overcoming the mental hurdle that happens. To being a more active, present mother. A better boss and employee. As well as make a bigger effort in social situations. (I'm a bit of an introvert, so this hasn't been easy for me.)

When I heard about the Super Hero 5K, and it just happened to fall on a weekend I would have help with Wyatt, I knew I had to jump that hurdle and run my first official race. Then I got sick. And the sickness lingered (still not 100% over it). The deadline was approaching for pre-registration and my form and check were still sitting on my table. I hadn't sent it in, because I just knew that 2 weeks of junk food and lack of workouts were taking their toll and I wouldn't be at my best the day of the 5K. There's no way I can run that race if I'm not going to be at my best. See, there's that old way of thinking creeping again. But, with a near panic attack, I dropped my registration off at the post office and there was no going back. I accepted that it wouldn't be a PR. I accepted that I might have to take some walking breaks and decided I was ok with that.

That acceptance didn't mean I was just going to lay around for 2 weeks, though. I got out there and did everything I could. Not expecting some magical time, just so I could say "I did my best." I made a goal of under 31 minutes for Saturday (which I've only ever done once.) Last night was my last opportunity to run without my 35 lb running buddy and jogging stroller before my upcoming race. My goal for last night was to take zero walking breaks. With the way my times have been the past 2 weeks, I figured it would be around 33 minutes.

Whaaaat? Where did that come from!? I am still in shock. It just goes to show that hard work really does pay off, and a setback doesn't mean that all is lost. 

Clearly, this means a new goal is required for Saturday. I'm a bit nervous to put my new goal of "under 30 minutes" out there, but I'm all about pushing myself these days. So there it is. I hope to run a 29 minute something 5K (even if that means 29.59). Eeekkk. 

W.O.W - Ab Workout and Fit Test

 Sometimes we have to do things we just don't want to do. It's a simple lesson that our dear parent's started pounding into our brains before we even entered Kindergarten. "It's a part of life... deal with it." That's abs for me. I despise ab workouts. Post c-section, that is even more true.

C-sections reek havoc on the abdominal muscles; that's no secret. Two and a half years later, and I still have a lot of numbness in my mid-section as well as the occasional pain around my incision. But, it's tolerable and something I'll probably have to deal with forever. No biggy. However, when I do an ab workout, I feel like my abs are being ripped to shreds. Honestly, it's a very strange sensation and I've yet to figure out how to put it into words. If you're a c-section mama, maybe you can relate and know what I'm talking about. Or, maybe I'm just a giant sissy.

Anyways, I dread working them. Who wants to do something, knowing about 2 seconds in you're going to feel like you're being ripped apart? Definitely not this girl. I avoided ab workouts until recently for this reason. But, like my mama taught me, "it's a part of life... deal with it." No pain, no gain, right? They aren't going to heal themselves. Nor am I going to wake up tomorrow and they will magically be just like they were.

So, now that I've whined and cried about it, I'm going to share one of my favorite ab workouts with you today.

 

Toe touches are the devil himself, in my opinion. I'm still trying to work up to being able to do 25 in a row without having to stretch out. I'll get there eventually! Practice makes perfect. (something else my mama taught me.)

---

I did my starting fit test Monday night. I was dripping sweat by the end, so I take that as a good workout! I'll be sharing my results on Friday for "Fit Test Friday." If you try it out, let me know how it goes! I've made a tracking sheet if anyone is interested in joining me.

If you have any questions about what moves are, or are curious about modifiers, just let me know

Motivation Monday - Fit Test

It's time for another Motivation Monday! Grab a button and come link up with us.

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For the first time in what feels like weeks and weeks, I am excited and ready for this Monday! Thursday night I started feeling like myself again, and each day since I have felt better and better. Which couldn't be better timing since my first official 5K is this coming Saturday!

I've done well with my plan to  incorporate more cardio into my schedule for the two weeks leading up to the race. I purchased a jogging stroller last week on a whim, and quite honestly thought that Wyatt was going to hate it. He's a busy little guy and usually has to be up running around. To my amazement he LOVES it! He begs to go for a run every night, and there's no turning down that sweet face, so we've been getting quite a few miles in!

It had been a month or so since my last long (for me) run and I wanted to get at least one in this month, so my mom watched the munchkin for me Saturday morning. I managed to finish 5 slow and painful miles. Overall, it was far from my usual pace, but I know I'll get back there! After Wyatt's nap, he begged to go for a run, so I logged another 2.5 miles giving me 7.5 miles total on Saturday. I have never done more than 6 miles in a day!

Refueled with a delicious peanut butter, banana, oat smoothie

Uncle Dylan caught up with us at the park during our run/walk

Sunday, we headed out to the river for a change of scenery. I was sore and had convinced myself to lay around. Wyatt had different plans.

Honestly, as the illness progressed and I was missing more and more workouts, I started to lose all interest in my healthy lifestyle. I was really getting discouraged and knew it would be painful getting back to it. The only things that have gotten me back on track was knowing I had already registered for this race, and an adorable two and a half year old little boy cheering me on.

It's a lifestyle change. Not a diet. Not a temporary fitness plan to lose weight. Lifestyle. Life is always going to throw me ups and downs. Sometimes I'm going to stray and struggle. Sometimes the motivation isn't going to be there. It's impossible to be right on track all the time. Throughout Body Revolution, Jillian often says, "When it gets hard, when you're struggling, remember why you started." Thursday night, when it was raining and Wyatt was bawling on the floor because he wanted to go for a run; I remembered why I started. For him. For myself. For our futures. We bundled up, and we ran in the rain. He laughed and clapped the whole time we were out and made me realize, there's no giving up. Not this time.

All that being said, I'm constantly looking for new ways to track myself. There's the scale and the tape measure of course, but I wanted a black and white way to track my fitness level and hold me accountable. So, I've designed my own fit test. I chose 10 of my favorite moves and will be tracking my weekly progress.

Friday's will becoming "Fit Test Friday" on this 'ol blog. Feel free to join me if you'd like! If we have enough interest, I might start a link-up? We'll see...

Here's the thing I love about fit tests; you're competing only with yourself. Your only goal is to do better than you did last week, or last month. If you can only do 2 rock star jumps in 60 seconds, who cares. A fit test is designed only to track your progress. The hope is, the next time you complete the test, you can 3 rock star jumps. Then maybe someday you will see 10, and on and on.

If you would like to try the fit test, and are unsure what a move is (or would like a modifier) let me know! I'll be sharing my starting numbers on Friday.

Now, grab a button and come link-up!

Quick Updates

Sorry I've been a bit MIA as of late. I'm still trying to beat this nasty bug and haven't had much free time! I did manage to get a very slow 2 mile run in yesterday and am trying my best to get back into the swing of things.

I do have some plans in store and some things I'm working on for this little 'ol blog, so stay tuned for those in the near future.

Also, my dad is currently in surgery to repair some pretty extensive injuries, so any thoughts and prayers would be great appreciated.

I hope to be back to normal next week! Have a great weekend, all!

So What Wednesday

So what if...
*   I'm late to the "Grey's Anatomy obsession". I started watching it on Netflix while I was sick and am        already in season 5. How did I ever live without it? 

*   I haven't ran in 2 weeks and still can't breath normally, I'm going for a run tonight.

*   On that note, so what if I didn't get a workout in last night. We had family come and visit!

Grandma and Wyatt

Uncle Dylan just moved here to attend the University of Wyoming!

*   We are coming into our "busy season" at work, and I have zero motivation. I need some worker elves!

*   If I'm terrified of ever having to weigh in again. I need to pull it together!

I'm Baaaack!!

Well, sort of. I still can't breathe through the 'ol nose if my life depended on it and my ears are all plugged up, but I had to get off the couch yesterday and attempt some sort of exercise. I have a 5K coming up, and I'd really like to PR it - so it's time to get my butt into gear, illness or not.

I was going to do something light impact until I felt 100%. Basically, I was looking for excuses. Then Shaun T happened. In case you're sitting there thinking, "Girl, who the heck is this Shaun T person?" He's the creator of Insanity and now T25 (which I'm hoping to get in the near future). Anyways, I've followed him on Facebook and IG for awhile now. I'm fairly certain that he is the most positive person that's ever lived. Seriously. While catching up on his Facebook yesterday, I was motivated to jump all in. Forget this light impact, easy-way-out crap. So, I did Insanity Pure Cardio after work last night. My least favorite of the Insanity DVDs.

I lived. I survived the Insanity, but barely. It's amazing what 10 days off and eating junk can do to your endurance! Yikes. This was a reality check, and I have got to get things together before my 5K. Time for a game plan.

My 5Ks usually land anywhere between 31-33 minutes. This was pre-illness. My goal for the Super Hero 5K on the 31st was to complete it under 31 minutes. After last night's workout, I am very worried about meeting my goal.

My normal workout routine is 2 days of cardio, falling on Wednesday and Saturday, with 4 days of circuit training. Every Wednesday is a short run, and every other Saturday is my long run. I would love to be able to fit more runs in, but for now they can only happen while Wyatt is spending time with his dad.

So, in order to feel ready for my 5K, I'm going to be switching things ups. I hope to get some circuit training in, but for the most part, I will be concentrating on cardio for the next two weeks to help get my endurance back up. Normally, I would not be running this weekend, but I've arranged for a sitter (AKA Grandma) for an hour Saturday morning to get some miles in. .

Fingers crossed that this does the trick!

Motivation Monday - Set Backs

Thank goodness for No Scale August. If I was not on a scale hiatus this month, I'm fairly certain that I'd be reporting a 100 lb gain today. You think I'm exaggerating... I'm here to tell you it doesn't feel like it.

Here's the thing, when I'm sick, I eat. The second I feel an illness coming on, I start to day dream about pizza, Taco Bell, cake, ice cream, chocolate... The list goes on and on. I know this about myself, and I swore last weekend that I would keep my eating in check; that didn't happen. Salad and chicken were the last things on my mind. None of that sounded good. I couldn't force myself to eat it. So, I ate the junk, and a lot of it. All.week.long. It was bad.

Here I am, about 10 days later, and I'm still sick-ish. Seriously, it's the never ending illness of August 2013. I haven't been able to workout in over a week and I'm worried. I'd reached a point where I didn't have to force myself to get up and workout. It was part of my daily routine. It was a "must - do". Every day, no excuses. I have my first ever, official 5K coming up in 2 weeks, and it's been far too long since I've gotten a good run in, or any cardio for that matter. I don't want to lose the motivation I had worked so hard to find.

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I know what you're thinking, "Real motivating 'Motivation Monday' there, Tiffany. (Insert eye roll here)" Weightloss and fitness journeys aren't easy. We all have our struggles, this is one of mine. What's important is that we don't throw in the towel completely when they happen. So, my week long pity party is over. I'm not 100% today, but I feel well enough to try and get a workout in. I'm going to have to keep it low impact, but my sanity needs a sweat session. It's a new week - back on track!

Don't forget to come back and link-up with us!

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Workout Wednesday - HIIT

Quick post today to link up with Megan today for another Workout Wednesday!

Today, I have a HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) workout for you. I'm a big fan of HIIT. Studies show these types of workouts burn more fat and improve endurance. You can find more information on the benefits HERE.

There are many apps out there now to help you time your intervals. I use the "Round & Workout Timer". 

Tiffany Pity Party - Party of One

Four. Four days since I've been able to workout and I'm losing my sanity a bit. I have no idea what illness I have, but it's kicking my butt. For the most part, I don't struggle with fitness motivation. My workout is my second favorite part of the day (first is picking Wyatt up from daycare), and I'm missing it. Believe me when I tell you, I'm far more pleasant to be around when I'm not getting my daily sweat fix. Add being sick to the mix, and lets just say, I feel bad for anyone that has to be around me this week. 

The picture on the right is exactly how I imagine I looked all day yesterday

Negatives to being sick (aside from the obvious raw throat, short of breath, plugged sinuses, body aches, chills part)? Wyatt has basically had free rain of the house. He's loving it. I am not. As long as he isn't doing something that could cause him harm, I'm letting him do it. Maybe that makes me a bad mommy, but I really don't care at this point. I'm lacking the energy, balance, and motivation to pick up after every little thing. Which results in a very cluttered house. He's also been allowed to have dinner in front of the TV for two nights in a row. Yes, yes. Bad Mommy. 

Long story short: Mommy feels like death. Wyatt feels like he's on the best vacation of his short little life. 

In addition to missing my workouts, healthy food is the absolute last thing I want to eat when I'm sick. Luckily, I don't have junk in my house, so I've been able to escape eating like complete crap the past few days. However, it most definitely has not been perfect.

I have an auto immune disease that causes me to get sick often, and makes it harder to recover. Essentially, my body is my own worst enemy. I know myself well enough to realize it's going to be awhile longer before I'm 100% and able to push myself in my workouts. I'm hoping I'll be able to at least get back to some weight lifting tomorrow and ease slowly back into some cardio. But it's really not up to me. My body will let me get back to it when it's time, I suppose. 

In the mean time, I'll just whine and cry about it. Tiffany Pity Party - Party of One. 

Motivation Monday - Running 4 Maggie

Grab a button and join us for Motivation Monday!

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Also, I real quick update on my fainting spells: Turns out, I am sick. Like want to curl up in a ball and rock back and forth sick. I might be a little MIA this week, but will be back once I'm back on my feet! I'm unable to work out, so hopefully I can control my food intake!
I'm a bit behind on responding to comments and emails. I'll get to everyone as soon as I can! :)
- - - - -

"When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a wonderful treasure to always hold in your heart. Miss you forever & always."

The past year was full of tragedy, sadness and trials in my life. Some of which I've addressed, some I haven't and possibly never will. However, it was also a year of personal growth which ultimately led me to my healthier lifestyle.

Just over a year ago, Wyatt's older brother passed away suddenly and far, far too soon. A few months later, my boss who was a second father to me (and Wyatt's great uncle) was killed in a job site accident. This past May, my child hood best friend passed away a few days before her 26th birthday.

There are no words to describe the pain one goes through when someone you love passes away. Especially unexpectedly. I've seen first hand just how short life is. We take so many things for granted and think we have all the time in the world, when in reality, we don't know how much time we have.

Not a single day has gone by that I don't think of them. The good and the bad. But I've also struggled with regrets. Things you did or didn't do. Things you wish you would have said when you had the chance. I can't go back and change any of it. All I can do is show them these things through the life I live now. I find myself going through life at a slower pace. Soaking all the little moments in. Things that bothered me in the past, don't seem near as important now and for those things, I am grateful.

When I heard Sami's story about her sister, Maggie, I was touched. What a wonderful thing to take the memory of such a special person and improve the lives of others. I didn't know Maggie personally, of course, but she has impacted my life through Sami's hard work.

I ran my Running 4 Maggie 5K Wednesday evening after work. Before heading out, I decided not to worry about my time. That's not what this run was about. I dedicated each mile towards one of the people I've lost. For mile one I though of Wyatt's brother, mile two was Steve, and three Kynstyl. There were a lot of tears shed in this 5k, but happy tears.

 At the end of 3.1 miles I sat in the park for awhile, just to pull myself together. Then, I thought of Sami and Maggie, and I got up and ran one more for them.

As you go through your week, notice the small things. Embrace every moment you have with the people you love, and don't forget to tell them how much they mean to you.

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Unexpected Rest Day - Listen to Your Body

I'm fairly certain I have never been happier to see Friday arrive. It's been one of those weeks where nothing seems to go right. We all have them from time to time, and I'm beyond happy that mine is coming to a close. That being said, my workouts and nutrition have been going really well. Until last night...

I was in the middle of my chest/back workout last night when Wyatt asked to watch Lion King. As I'm standing there waiting for the main menu to pop up, I started to feel a little funny. I felt hot all over and my ears started buzzing. Next thing I know, I'm woken up as I crash into the bookshelf and fall to the ground. I passed out! I had felt "off" all day, but figured it was the accumulation of stress and lack of sleep for the week.

Needless to say, I didn't finish my workout. I tried to rest the best I could with an energetic two-year-old and forced myself to eat a large, healthy dinner. Unfortunately, I'm not feeling much better today. There is still a funny feeling in the back of my head and my fingers have been tingling on and off. Strange.

 I never eat below 1300 calories, normally I'm up around the 1500-1600 range. I'm drinking plenty of water. So, I don't feel that's the issue. To be on the safe side, I'm giving myself a high calorie day. Really, throwing calories out the window today without going too crazy. My arm workout will have to be made up another day, because this mama is taking it easy.

I've been working on the finding the positive in things. While it's a little hard to find something positive about passing out and feeling "off", I'm listening to my body. That's big for me.

Speaking of listening to my body, don't forget to stop by yesterday's post and leave a comment for my Rockstar Jump Challenge. I'm doing 5 Rockstar jumps for every comment left before 5:00pm MST tonight, and 1 for every Facebook "like". Originally I was going to be doing these tomorrow. Depending on how I'm feeling, they may not happen as scheduled, but I will do them as soon as I'm back on my feet!

Don't forget to link up with us on Monday for Motivation Monday! I'll be sharing my Running 4 Maggie virtual 5K recap. It was an emotional, but great experience!