Wednesday, November 28, 2018

WWU - All In

BCS Fitness Update:  Well, I've decided to go ALL IN with my workouts - I'm adding a third day.  I used to work out three times a week back in the day, but this go-round I started with twice a week because I wanted to be sure I could handle working out and running...and then I injured my calf so there was no rush to add that third day.  But I have been feeling pretty good plus I have three makeup days to do, so I decided to test out a Monday workout for the next three weeks and if I could still handle running the next morning and doing another workout the next afternoon, I'd commit.  And OK, it's only been one week with this new schedule, but I like it so come January, I'll be a regular at BCS Fitness three times a week.

For me, the benefits of working out with my group extend beyond the physical workout.  After the long Thanksgiving weekend, I was feeling the pull of sugar big time - I'm usually OK with not going crazy with sugary treats, but it was like I'd unleashed the beast from within and all I wanted was to eat from Buddy the Elf's four main food groups:  candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup.  OK it was mostly candy that I was craving, but honestly I'd have sampled anything with sugar in it.  So along with a bit of a sugar hangover, I was also experiencing a struggle from within to not buy and eat all the sugary things. 

Funny thing about that - after I finished with Monday's workout, I didn't feel so much like a sugar fiend.  I don't know if it was the fact that I got my sweat on and endorphins going, or that I fell back into the mindset of I don't want to work that hard only to undermine myself by eating junk, but whatever it was, I was not as sugar-crazed that evening as I had been for the previous four days.  I'm grateful for this, and who knows - maybe not having such a long period between my run on Saturdays to my run and workout on Tuesdays will keep me in a healthier mental place.

Running Update:  It's going well, and you know what?  I deserve to have some good running after sweating through the extra long summer months and then dealing with a torn calf muscle - it's about damn time!  I felt good doing the Turkey Trot 5K on Thursday, and then on Saturday Jeff, Diane, and I ran 5 miles, which is the farthest I've run since June. 

For that run, I'd planned out a route that we haven't done in a long time, mostly because it's a long, long uphill climb.  I used to do this one a lot when I was first with USAFit, but as a couple other roads opened up, I was able to avoid it.  But Jeff needs some hilly training as the Houston marathon route has a wicked hill toward the very end on the marathon side (it's not on the half marathon side and I always feel bad watching the marathoners having to deal with that after 25 miles), so we ran that route...and it was as challenging as I remembered.  But we did it, and I felt strong for the entire five miles which was most excellent.

Yesterday Diane and I ran our usual 2 miles; I wondered how that would go considering I worked out the afternoon before, but once again, I felt pretty good during that run!  It helped that it was 31 degrees - once I get going, I do pretty well in cold temperatures - as long as it's not cold and windy, or cold and rainy.  Then all bets are off.  The weather will be warming up for the rest of the week but it should still be a whole lot better than our summertime misery!

17 comments:

  1. Its sounds like you have a good fitness groove going on! Enjoy the running in the cooler weather season while it lasts just be sure and listen to your body.

    Your not the only one fighting with the sugar beast once its unleashed. I find I do better just keeping it out of the house. However, I live with a man who is always asking that I bake goodies for him. Lately I say no more than yes and I feel guilty but I think he understands why I can't eat like that. My husband has a fast metabolism I'm not that lucky.

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    1. I would be in big trouble if I made and kept homebaked goodies around the house - I can't resist them. Even putting cookies in the freezer doesn't help because frozen cookies are still pretty good as it turns out.

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  2. It makes sense that you're enjoying those workouts so much, because you are not in constant training for races. I like Susan's term, "fitness groove." Perfect way to describe where you are at right now.

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    1. You may be on to something with the no race training/workout correlation...hmmm.

      And now I want to add Shake Your Groove Thing to my running playlist, LOL.

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  3. It's all chemical---I know when I eat a lot of sugary treats, I feel like crap. Working out and running definitely helps suppress those cravings! I'm glad to hear you're upping your workouts.

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    1. I agree - sugar sets off a chemical response in my brain.

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  4. That's interesting that a good workout helped to calm the sugar beast! I have too much sugar in the house right now. I'm heading back towards a minimal sugar intake!

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    1. I am working on no sugary things in the house from now until Christmas when both kadults will be home. And even then, I still will need to not go crazy...easier said than done because it's all sooooo good!

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  5. I hate that when I comment from my phone, they do not post. You must think that I am ignoring your blog.

    Anway - take 2

    I love that you are running again.

    I am jealous of you workouts...someday.

    I always feel like sugar. I try not to buy them at home but I do order them in a restaurant.

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    1. Dang phone! No worries. :)

      I love how you enjoy ice cream year round.

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  6. Woo hoo, three days a week! That is awesome. I love the Buddy reference! And that going to work out helped you kill the sugar cravings.

    That is good to know re: the hill at the end of Houston. Why do they do this to marathoners? The Madison Marathon has a finish like that too. Like, right at mile 26, if I recall. Ha.

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    1. I know, the hills at the end of a marathon are downright cruel!

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  7. Haha, I have to laugh cus I live in a much cooler place and I haven't even had a 31 degree run yet! Yay on the 5 miles. I did 5 the other day too and it was the longest I've run in a LONG time too.
    This time of year is so hard to cut back on sugar. All the holiday flavored coffees and teas are what is killing me this time of year.

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    1. We are having cold weather exceptionally early this year! Mmmm, flavored coffees - although that new Juniper coffee at Starbucks doesn't tempt me at all...PINE FLAVORED COFFEE???

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  8. YAY I'm so glad you're feeling better! I completely know what you mean about working out and feeling better afterwards!!

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    1. Thanks, and yes - now I just have to remember how much better I feel after a workout.

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  9. I always find that a good exercise routine keeps me a bit more grounded and not craving the ‘bad stuff’ as much...for the very reason you mentioned...I worked hard and I don’t want that to be negated with bad eating.

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