Zumba! Cardio Kickboxing! Bootcamp! Yoga! Volleyball!
The above are just a few classes I've taken through my local Community Ed. What I love about these programs is they give me a chance to try something new without commitment. No expensive gym membership required! Most of the classes offered are "drop-in" classes, where people can show up whenever it fits into their schedule and pay a small fee on that night (typically $5-8). However, many offer punch cards at a slight discount if you buy 10 sessions at once. Oh, and you don't typically need to live in a certain community to attend their community ed classes.
This is such a great way to add variety to a routine to avoid getting bored and to keep working different muscles. Some may choose to attend once and use moves from various classes in their personal routines at home or at the gym. Others may find they love a specific class so much, it becomes a regular part of the routine. Still others may attend a new class on occasion to move past a plateau or rutt. It's also a great way to meet other people interested in fitness!
If you need to pump a little life into your fitness routine, I suggest taking a look at your local community ed. You may discover a new passion or meet some new friends!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Freedom is Visiting the Scale Less
Yes, you read that correctly. Freedomg is visiting the scale less. It's hard to do, but it's possible, I promise.
After a nine month plateau where I literally saw only the same 5 lbs. fluctuating on the scale, I was frustrated and ready to give up. I tried everything including switching my workout routine, eating more, eating less, eating exercise calories and not eating them, drowning myself in water, watching sodium intake, etc. None of it worked! I was weighing myself obsessively (2 times a day or more!) trying to figure out what the problem was. Had it not been for my friends on MFP, who I would miss chatting with, I would have disappeared off the radar.
In an act of desperation, I decided to go back to Weight Watchers for something different. They rolled out their new plan in November, where fruits and veggies were now zero "Points" and they were encouraged. I figured I'd give it a try for a few weeks and if it didn't work, it didn't work. Nothing to lose (except pounds!).
What do you know? It worked. From the first weigh-in, I told myself I would not be allowed to weigh myself more than two times per WEEK at home. I've been with Weight Watchers eight weeks now and am down 8 lbs. What a relief.
Even though I believe in the Weight Watchers program, because it has worked for me in the past and is working for me now, I think the real magic is in having better balanced meals and weighing less often. When counting calories, I know I had a tendency to just look at the calories only. It didn't matter if I was eating ice cream, fruit or Cheerios, as long as it fit in my calories. The WW Points system takes into consideration the protein, fat, carbs and fiber, which is what is beneficial to me.
However, even more than the change in food balance, I think the stress obsessively weighing was hindering my progress. Now that I only check my own weight twice per week, I don't obsess about it and don't think about it. It's forcing me to think more about how my jeans feel, how I felt on a run or seeing definition in my biceps.
Those most helpful think I learned from my LONG plateau is to "Step Away from the Scale!" Seriously, your mind and body will thank you and reward you!
P.S. I know people have their opinions about WW, but if you have a negative viewpoint on it, please keep it to yourself. I understand that it doesn't work for everyone, but it works for me. I truly believe that each person knows what works best for them and they have to go with it. I wish everyone the best on their weight loss and fitness goals!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Tentative Running Event Schedule
With two 5ks under my belt for 2011 toward my goal of completing one running event per month this year, I'm excited that I have my running schedule figured out. I've registered for the events through July and will be signing up for the rest once registration opens for them.
Here's the tentative schedule:
January 29th - Celebration of the Lakes 5k ~ finished in 40:09February 12th - Freeze Your Bunz 5k ~ finished in 37:08March 19th - Get Lucky 7kApril 9th - Spring Fever 5kMay 7th - Nick Clare Memorial 5kJune 18th - Dew Days 4 MilerJuly 23rd - Warrior DashAugust 13th - Stockyard Days 5kSeptember 11th - Defeat of Jesse James Days 5kOctober 15th - Big Woods Trail 5kNovember 24th - Gobble Gait 8kDecember 25th - Christmas Day Joyous 5k I'm really looking forward to my running journey!
Here's the tentative schedule:
January 29th - Celebration of the Lakes 5k ~ finished in 40:09February 12th - Freeze Your Bunz 5k ~ finished in 37:08March 19th - Get Lucky 7kApril 9th - Spring Fever 5kMay 7th - Nick Clare Memorial 5kJune 18th - Dew Days 4 MilerJuly 23rd - Warrior DashAugust 13th - Stockyard Days 5kSeptember 11th - Defeat of Jesse James Days 5kOctober 15th - Big Woods Trail 5kNovember 24th - Gobble Gait 8kDecember 25th - Christmas Day Joyous 5k I'm really looking forward to my running journey!
Freeze Your Bunz 5k
Saturday, I completed the second 5k toward my 2011 goal of completing one running event per month!
Thank goodness it was a warm(er) morning here in Minnesota. The race took place on a path that had been plowed, but was still snowy and icy in spots, with the snowmobile trail running next to it. I wasn't sure how I'd do, but I did have my WinterTrax on my running shoes, in hopes it would give me the needed traction.
There weren't very many participants, with only 50 pre-registered. Let me tell you, it was a FAST group! Thankfully, I know my limitations and am only competitive with myself when it comes to running. I think it says it all when I say the first few people were making their way back before I'd made it to the half way point, which is somewhat discouraging when the trail is straight and flat with a turn-around half way. It's hard to watch the fast people zoom past you! Courses that loop so you can't see those speed demons kick your butt are much easier to handle.
Anyway, I heard someone say "Eighteen minutes" when I hit the turn around and I thought to myself, "if I keep this pace, I will definitely beat my last time." The last time, or my first 5k, was two weeks ago at a 40:09. Not too shabby for someone who has only been running (sporadically) for a year, if you ask me.
I made it 2/3 of the way when I felt myself starting to run out of steam. I slowed to a walk for about 10 steps, ran for a while, walked 10 steps, ran for a while, walked 15 steps and then ran the rest of the way. Had I brought my iPod with, I may have been able to focus on something else, but since I knew the course was flat, I thought I'd give it a try on my own.
Once I could see the family of three standing to the side of the path, cheering people on, I felt like I couldn't let them down. I picked up the pace again and held it through the finish line. I mean, really, who could walk past the adorable little girl in her pink snowsuit, waving and smiling at you? She needs role models in her life, or so I told myself.
My time? 37:08. Yep, 3:01 faster than two weeks ago. I just wanted to finish in under 40 minutes, so I surpassed even my goals and expectations! I'm proud of myself, but to be honest, nothing can compare to the feeling of crossing the finish line on my first 5k because I didn't know if I could do it. Now I know I can do it and it's just a matter of how fast I can do it.
The best thing about this race, though, was how friendly and encouraging the other runners were. Even those passing me on their way back threw out encouraging words and high fives.
Just after the turn-around point, two middle school-aged girls were cheering participants on. One of the girls, a stocky, bubbly girl said, "You're doing great! You're more than half way!" I said, "I'm getting there." Her response? "I couldn't do it."
Her comment almost stopped me in my tracks. I wanted to go back to her and say, "But, yes you can!" I wanted to tell her about how I was never a runner and turned myself into one. It almost broke my heart that by her voice I could tell she really thought she couldn't do it. Hopefully, someday she'll realize that she can do it if she really wants to.
As for me, I've already signed up for all of my running events through July! Once the registration opens for those beyond July, I'll be signing up. Happy running!
Thank goodness it was a warm(er) morning here in Minnesota. The race took place on a path that had been plowed, but was still snowy and icy in spots, with the snowmobile trail running next to it. I wasn't sure how I'd do, but I did have my WinterTrax on my running shoes, in hopes it would give me the needed traction.
There weren't very many participants, with only 50 pre-registered. Let me tell you, it was a FAST group! Thankfully, I know my limitations and am only competitive with myself when it comes to running. I think it says it all when I say the first few people were making their way back before I'd made it to the half way point, which is somewhat discouraging when the trail is straight and flat with a turn-around half way. It's hard to watch the fast people zoom past you! Courses that loop so you can't see those speed demons kick your butt are much easier to handle.
Anyway, I heard someone say "Eighteen minutes" when I hit the turn around and I thought to myself, "if I keep this pace, I will definitely beat my last time." The last time, or my first 5k, was two weeks ago at a 40:09. Not too shabby for someone who has only been running (sporadically) for a year, if you ask me.
I made it 2/3 of the way when I felt myself starting to run out of steam. I slowed to a walk for about 10 steps, ran for a while, walked 10 steps, ran for a while, walked 15 steps and then ran the rest of the way. Had I brought my iPod with, I may have been able to focus on something else, but since I knew the course was flat, I thought I'd give it a try on my own.
Once I could see the family of three standing to the side of the path, cheering people on, I felt like I couldn't let them down. I picked up the pace again and held it through the finish line. I mean, really, who could walk past the adorable little girl in her pink snowsuit, waving and smiling at you? She needs role models in her life, or so I told myself.
My time? 37:08. Yep, 3:01 faster than two weeks ago. I just wanted to finish in under 40 minutes, so I surpassed even my goals and expectations! I'm proud of myself, but to be honest, nothing can compare to the feeling of crossing the finish line on my first 5k because I didn't know if I could do it. Now I know I can do it and it's just a matter of how fast I can do it.
The best thing about this race, though, was how friendly and encouraging the other runners were. Even those passing me on their way back threw out encouraging words and high fives.
Just after the turn-around point, two middle school-aged girls were cheering participants on. One of the girls, a stocky, bubbly girl said, "You're doing great! You're more than half way!" I said, "I'm getting there." Her response? "I couldn't do it."
Her comment almost stopped me in my tracks. I wanted to go back to her and say, "But, yes you can!" I wanted to tell her about how I was never a runner and turned myself into one. It almost broke my heart that by her voice I could tell she really thought she couldn't do it. Hopefully, someday she'll realize that she can do it if she really wants to.
As for me, I've already signed up for all of my running events through July! Once the registration opens for those beyond July, I'll be signing up. Happy running!
Monday, January 31, 2011
I did it! I ran my first 5k!
January 29th, 2011 is a day that will live in infamy.
Well, maybe only for me. I ran my first 5k in 40:09. Amazing. A little over a year ago, if someone had told me I would RUN a 5k, I would have laughed. Me? Run? No way!
It all started in fall of 2009 when fellow MFPers suggested I try the Couch to 5k program. I thought, well, I'll do it but if I hate it I'll quit. Keep in mind I was someone who never, ever ran the mile in gym class at school. I "power-walked" it in 15 minutes, so didn't see any reason whatso ever to work harder than that.
I ended up finishing C25k, but didn't follow the program religiously or on the time frame suggested. I did it here and there as I could talk myself into running. Winter months are hard here with the snow, cold and ice and the treadmill is dreadfully boring so I'd do it for a few weeks, give it up for a few weeks, pick up where I left off for a few weeks, etc. But, I realized I kind of liked running, which was weird to think let alone say out loud.
Prior to last week, the last time I ran was probably early October but in the midst of making New Year's goals, I decided I would do one physical (running) even each month for the entire year. That meant I had to find a January event! Only two weeks to train? Yikes!
Then, I caught a cold and that put exercising out of my mind for a week. Shoot! Only a week to train? I can fit a few runs in on the treadmill and maybe one outside. Then, as it usually does, life happened. I ended up running one time on the treadmill five days prior to the 5k. Even then, I walked almost 1/3 of it.
Going into the 5k, I told myself I wasn't out to prove anything to anyone but myself. If I ended up walking 1/3 of it, that's fine as long as I finished. That morning, I got there early and spent a lot of time debating over whether to wear a jacket, which hat to wear, etc. You should have seen me when they gave me my registration packet with a timing chip! "What do I do with this?" Luckily, I spied someone who had their strapped around their ankle with the velcro strip attached to the chip. Whew! Didn't want to look like an amateur!
Soon, it was time to line up. I kept inching back further and further in the crowd, willing the serious runners to get in front of me. I didn't want to hold anyone back with my super slow jogging. I ended up finding the walkers and lined up just in front of them. When they gave the cue to start, I started off jogging, only to see that the first leg of the race was all uphill! "Oh, crap!" I thought to myself, followed by "You totally have this!"
It wasn't long and I found a good pace and some good tunes to get me through it. I started passing the power-walkers, then the walkers who started out jogging, and soon I was passing other joggers. What? I'm passing people? No way!
About 1.5 miles into the race, I hit another uphill portion that was covered in 2" of slush, which made it feel like running in sand. Gotta love Minnesota winters! I ran as much as I could, even passing two more people, but had to give my legs a break. I walked maybe a 1/2 mile, then started jogging again. One of the women I passed whizzed past me but she had a great pace, so I fell in behind her and kept pace with her. Before I knew it, we were on the last mile, which was mostly downhill. Yes!
As we passed the signs for 100 yds, 50 yds, 25 yds, etc., I kicked it into gear and started running faster and faster until I was sure my heart was going to explode or my legs would give way beneath me. The annoucer called my name and I crossed the finish line. I did it! I did it!
After a brief conversation with the woman I followed, I walked back to my car with tears in my eyes. I was so proud of myself for doing something I never thought I could do. I did my stretches and wiped my tears before going to the awards tent. I figured, I should experience all of the 5k.
Just as I was walking in the tent, I heard them call my name but given I have a terribly common name I figured they couldn't possibly be calling my name. It had to be another Heather J. So, I watched as awards were given out, then snuck up to the announcer and asked. He then confirmed that he HAD called my name. I then received my medal for placing 3rd of 6 in my age bracket! Unbelievable!
My official time was 40:09, which I thought was fantastic given I had never completed 3.1 miles on my treadmill in less than 42 minutes. I was told by my MFP friends that I would automatically run faster on race day, but never believed it to be true.
As I crossed that finish line, all I could think about was how I couldn't wait to tell my friends on MFP that I did it! I never would have started running, let alone have the courage to do a 5k had it not been for my wonderful, supportive friends here. Who would have believed that someone who started running at 200 lbs would run a 5k just over a year later?
For those of you who encouraged me and supported me through this, I can tell you how much it means to me. For those of you who want to do a 5k but don't think you can, I'm here to tell you that yes, you can!! You may have to work up to it, but I promise you it will be worth the time and effort.
As for me, my next 5k is in two weeks. Runners aren't joking when they say it can become addictive!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Seeing Progress Again
Today starts my fourth week of Weight Watchers and I'm seeing progress again on the scale after being stuck since March! It's renewed my motivation and I'm so glad I didn't give up this journey. Trust me, there were several times that had it not been for my MFP friends and weight loss sisters, I would have given up. I don't like to admit that I would have given up, but it's true.
I've lost all of the holiday gain plus a little bit and this morning's at-home, morning weight sans clothing was the lowest I've seen yet at 183.8! Exciting! Of course, I'm only counting my official Weight Watchers weekly weigh-ins on my ticker right now, but it's nice to know something good is happening again.
It's time to pick up momentum and work on those fitness goals! Being sick with a cold this weekend threw a loop in my plans to start training again for 5ks, but I'm jumping back on the exercise wagon starting tonight. 2011 is all about self-improvement and being the healthiest, fittest person I can be.
I've lost all of the holiday gain plus a little bit and this morning's at-home, morning weight sans clothing was the lowest I've seen yet at 183.8! Exciting! Of course, I'm only counting my official Weight Watchers weekly weigh-ins on my ticker right now, but it's nice to know something good is happening again.
It's time to pick up momentum and work on those fitness goals! Being sick with a cold this weekend threw a loop in my plans to start training again for 5ks, but I'm jumping back on the exercise wagon starting tonight. 2011 is all about self-improvement and being the healthiest, fittest person I can be.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Weight Watchers Restarted
I realize that I've posted several "plans of attack" throughout my weight loss journey so far and I've come to the conclusion that I'm still working the trial and error part of finding what works for me. As you may know, I've been stick in a pleateau since March and it's getting frustrating. My friends here on MFP have kept me from throwing in the towel, but I figured it was time to start something different to hopefully get things moving in the right direction again.
I basically took the time from Thanksgiving to Christmas off from really watching what I ate. For most of that time, I still tracked my food, but I just needed a break. Unfortunately that enjoyment came with several pounds.
Yesterday, I restarted Weight Watchers to see if it would shake things up. I was a Weight Watchers member in 2006, where I lost 12 lbs in 9 weeks. It was awesome! However, I quit because I moved and there were no convenient centers. Yes, it's a terrible excuse and it caused me to gain it all back over the next year, plus some. Now, I'm still at a lower weight than I was when I left in 2006, so that's at least something.
Even though I had eaten the majority of my food for the day prior to going to my meeting, I still went back and tracked what I had eaten and even had to use some of my weekly extra points. It's a good thing, however, that I've started eating a lot more fruits and veggies since most are now 0 points on the new plan. Yay!
I know everyone has their opinions about Weight Watchers, but I know it works for me and I need to see progress again to keep my motivation. Heck, the little "Bravo" stickers I got yesterday for declaring my 2011 goal (non-scale goal, mind you!) were a little bit motivating. I don't even care that it's a little bit elementary. Yep, I even like the round of applause you get at meetings for meeting goals!
I basically took the time from Thanksgiving to Christmas off from really watching what I ate. For most of that time, I still tracked my food, but I just needed a break. Unfortunately that enjoyment came with several pounds.
Yesterday, I restarted Weight Watchers to see if it would shake things up. I was a Weight Watchers member in 2006, where I lost 12 lbs in 9 weeks. It was awesome! However, I quit because I moved and there were no convenient centers. Yes, it's a terrible excuse and it caused me to gain it all back over the next year, plus some. Now, I'm still at a lower weight than I was when I left in 2006, so that's at least something.
Even though I had eaten the majority of my food for the day prior to going to my meeting, I still went back and tracked what I had eaten and even had to use some of my weekly extra points. It's a good thing, however, that I've started eating a lot more fruits and veggies since most are now 0 points on the new plan. Yay!
I know everyone has their opinions about Weight Watchers, but I know it works for me and I need to see progress again to keep my motivation. Heck, the little "Bravo" stickers I got yesterday for declaring my 2011 goal (non-scale goal, mind you!) were a little bit motivating. I don't even care that it's a little bit elementary. Yep, I even like the round of applause you get at meetings for meeting goals!
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