Happy Tuesday! I had meant to post days and days ago, but it’s just been one of those busy weeks where real life gets in the way of blogging!
Practice What I Preach
More than that, I’m very happy to report that I’m already making moves on my 2014 Resolutions. Here’s what I’ve been working on thus far:
Increase Frequency of Hip Strengthening and Balancing Exercises
- I’ve been working on the hips every couple of days, usually in the morning but sometimes after work. When I’m in the gym, I hold the exercise ball in my arms and lean forward while standing on one leg to work on balance. I’ve really regressed since PT, so I have to bump it up!
Get More Involved with Black Girls Run
- I’m a member of the Philly Chapter’s Facebook group, and I’m always creeping/following what’s going on. But I’m really excited because I’ve signed up for my first Nike+ Challenge, to run 150 miles in 90 days! Will I reach my goal? I have no idea. But we’ll see how close I can get! Plus it will encourage me to use the Nike+ GPS watch and run outdoors, since I can’t enter anything manually with its software.
Workout More With My Boyfriend
- Bret and I ran together last Saturday, in 20 degree weather full of snow and ice. The trail was plowed the best they could, but getting to the trail was an adventure in itself! I have to admit I was pretty grumpy, especially since we had to run single file most of the time and you can guess who was always in the back. The cold actually didn’t bother me (I warm up quickly)…it was worrying that I was going to slip and hurt my foot again! Plus, due to performance anxiety, running with my boyfriend is always stressful. Run with no regrets?
Start Prepping Meals for the Week
- It’s on! Last week I Googled a template to use for weekly meal planning, and on Sunday, B and I filled it out. It was actually pretty difficult doing it the first time. We decided which days each of us would cook. I’ve got Tuesday and Thursday this week. I’m only focused on dinner for us since I’m already really good about breakfast and lunch during the week. Planning ahead is HUGE for me because now I’m not stressing about what to eat when I get home, I’ve already got it down! I’ve been told that I’m quite inflexible…but I am all about flexibility with this plan. Having just this simple template for our first week is a big accomplishment!
Weekly Meal Planning!- I also made my first slow cooker meal on Friday, thanks to the great recipe from Amanda at Eat Hard Work Hard! I’m so proud of myself! I took 3 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cleaned them and put them in slow cooker, added some of my new spices from my spike rack (I chose some italian spices and marjoram–whatever that is), covered it with organic vegetable broth, and cooked on low heat for about 7 hours. Then I simply shredded the chicken with a fork. It was so tender and delicious! We had leftovers up until this morning. It was a great sandwich for lunch and also tasted great with spinach salad. Thanks so much for the inspiration, Amanda!
Don’t Worry What Others Think of Me
- While I was running on Saturday, I said “good morning” to just about every person I passed. Can you guess how many said it back? Zero. One person nodded, one smiled, and the rest pretended they were too “in the zone” to follow simple etiquette. Like Stephanie Tanner would say, “How rude!” This really bugged me…normally with that much rejection I would have given up. But I didn’t; I kept saying hello even though I felt stupid for trying to be nice. I know I was doing the right thing. Has this ever happened to you?
Workouts
Tuesday 12/31: Boot Camp was canceled, so I just did a lunchtime run with 1.55 miles on the treadmill at a much quicker pace. Felt pretty good.
Thursday 1/2: Hip strengthening first thing in the morning. I felt extremely guilty because I was too hungover tired to work out on New Year’s Day. Also had Boot Camp Class, which was unlike our usual set up and involved doing repeated rotations of 20 light reps on the weight machines working biceps, triceps, quads, hamstrings, chest and abs. I did a little elliptical work and exercise bike work too, about a mile each.
Friday 1/3: I may have just done a little hip work.
Saturday 1/4: 3.95 miles out in the frigid cold with B and the Nike+ watch. I wish I took pictures…we saw people cross country skiing and kids sledding down snow covered hills! Both knees felt crummy, and I foam rolled once I got home.
Unfortunately now my knees are feeling worse. They felt TERRIBLE over the weekend, but thankfully I’ve passed that storm. I’m now convinced that I did something to my left knee during Boot Camp….most likely some botched squats. I hate having the reputation of being injury-prone…ugh, why me?
How was your week of fitness? Are you carrying out on your New Year’s Resolutions? Do you have any recommendations for dealing with knee pain besides taking painkillers? Leave a comment!
You’re doing great!
We had a shooting tragedy in our community that finally started people saying “hello” to each other. So, I say, don’t wait for that! It will probably get better over time, especially as you see some of the same people again.
Thanks Joy! I hope that since I’m running more outside again, I’ll become more recognizable. I did get a wave today, so that made me happy!
Public accountability is always great, because I personally have trouble holding myself to my goals. Looks like you’re taking them one by one, keep it up! (Only 51 weeks to go)
Thanks a lot! I hope to keep it up…it helps to have an “audience” 🙂
I LOVE when I see women from Black Girls Run out and about. Great roll models for your friends and family!!!! Track is dominated by black athletes, so we need to see more casual black runners out there for sure. =)
I love providing a little diversity when I can 🙂
People are weird that way – no saying hello or acknowledging your existence. Don’t let it bug you! Maybe they are just distracted with their life etc 🙂 I hope your knees do not cause you too many more problems. Slow cooking is next on my to do list. I need to be more adventurous in the kitchen like you!
Thanks Crystal. It was just so shocking to get ignored so many times!! My knees…sigh. I think I still need to work on my form and get some better running shoes. And definitely try the slow cooker when you can, it’s so easy!
I can’t believe so few people even acknowledged you on the run! I always make a point to wave/smile/say hi to fellow runners!
Way to keep at those goals!!
Thanks Ali! It was crazy….I don’t want to experience that again!
Yay so glad you tried and like the chicken! And great job making progress and checking in on your goals! SUPER impressed you ran outside last Saturday–the weather was terrible!
Thanks Amanda, I couldn’t have done it without you! It was a really successful week. I’m so glad the Polar Vortex has ended though…yikes!
First, congrats on your first slow-cooker meal, I don’t know what I’d do without mine use it almost every week! Plus it looks like it turned out yummy so you’re well on your way to bein a Pro lol. Second I’m glad you say hello when out running b/c you’re right it’s so rude Not to! Especially if someone says it first…you’re one of the good ones 🙂
Thanks a lot! It was fun…I need to find more recipes! I need to find more nice people like me…they have to exist somewhere in Philly!
What an inspiring post! Congrats on all your forward progress.
Glad I visited today from Saturday Sharefest on SITSgirls.
Thanks so much for dropping by Julie!
Keep your head high, your doing a great job! Just wave and smile like you own it! So glad I found your blog and the #Sharefest over at http://www.thesitsgirls.com/community/january-11-share-favorite-post-saturday-sharefest/comment-page-1/#comment-347620
Thanks a lot! I appreciate you dropping by, Kimberly!
I am so in awe of your workout routine and eating regime. I really have goals of starting anew in the New Year and have been doing pretty well so far. I love to cook and scope out new veggie recipes on Pinterest and have been upping my workouts. I also took in a dog so taking her for walks is great exercise, too. BUT what I would really like to know is how I get my bf to work out with me? He’s of the stubborn variety and works a lot so I know it’s hard for him to fit it in, but I just wish this was something we can do to motivate each other (especially on the weekends).
Stopping in from SITS Sharefest and THOROUGHLY enjoyed reading this. You GO, girl! XOXO
Hi Charlotte…thanks for the kind words! Working out hasn’t been nearly as challenging as eating well! It’s been quite the adventure! My boyfriend is primarily a runner, so fortunately that’s something we can do together. Maybe you guys could start simple with going on a long walk with your dog? Again, so glad you dropped by! 🙂
Um. Yeah. That happens to me all the time! I still try to be friendly, but it’s one of those things that kind of bugs me. 🙁
Yeah…it just really shocked me! But it’s better to be friendly regardless!
Ugh, I would not have been running outside–I’m a wimp about the cold! 😛 But congrats to you for sticking to your workout goals!!
It’s a bummer that people are so unfriendly. Their loss, I guess. :/
Thanks a lot Martha! I am SO glad the weather has warmed up again!!
sticking to PT is so hard and yet so worth it! I’ve been doing the same exercises for years now to stay injury free!