Perseverance

This week has been great week!  I had to forgo dance class this past Monday due to weather conditions but did my first fitness evaluation with my coach and my cousin, who I convinced to join my coach and I on Tuesday.  I pushed myself as much as I could and kept a smile on my face.  I was proud of myself!  Those damn planks got the best of me though, so it's something to attain as a near future goal!  :)

Wednesday was my first stretch class.  Fearing I'd feel the same way as I first did when I went to this establishment, I went with more positive attitude, in hopes to vanquish my fears.  It somewhat helped.  It was a small class, which was great.  I'm unsure if it's my positive attitude that is going to push me to go to the next class or the $150 I paid 2 weeks ago, but I'll see this course to the end.  LOL!  The class was difficult and myfitnesspal doesn't add up burnt calories for this type of stretch workout properly I entered it as Hatha Yoga stretching! (which isn't far from the truth really).  This class was strenuous and hard!... my arms were shaking!  (probably one of the reasons why they've been so sore this week!)  I'm going to keep at it!  Perseverance is key! 

Epic Failure

Two weeks ago, I took a pole dancing class.  In 5 words: it was an epic failure.  Never in my life have I felt the way I did that day.  I felt embarrassed, frustrated and angry with myself.  Embarrassed of my weight, frustrated at my lack of ability to "work the pole" and angry with myself for being such a perfectionist and being so hard on myself.   My weight has never stopped me from doing things like this before but as I stood at the pole in the back of the class, apart from everyone, I couldn't help myself to look at the other beginners that were there that evening.  They were all slim and had no issues with doing the "martini" move (pic above) or any other basic spins on the pole.  I, on the other hand, could not seem to do ANY of them.  I was able to take my feet off the floor ONCE and was thrilled but even though the teacher encouraged me, I knew she was only patronising me.  *sigh*  I felt a lump in my throat and wanted to flee within the first 10 minutes.  Despite my emotions, I stuck it out for the remainder of the class (it was a good workout, however frustrating).  It obviously isn't for me (hubby is relieved!) but I did, however, register for their stretch class.  I figured it would be a great workout to loosen up my hips and help me become more nimble.

New Year, new goals.

Many months have gone by since I've last posted.  The sprained ankle ended up being 2 fractures and an achiles splint, and due to the pain in my ankle, I've slowed down on my exercises and training for my 5k marathon.  It didn't, however, stop me from doing it!  I walked the majority of the time, at a medium to fast pace, but did manage to run the last little bit at the end, making me proud to say (however brief) that I ran!  LOL. 

This year will be amazing, I just know it.  I need to find my skinny self (she's in there, I know it) and get acquainted with her.   This is not a new year's resolution as resolutions tend to be broken, but a promiss to myself to eat better, feel better and to exercise more. 

Dancing has kept me somewhat limber and is a great cardio (especially dancing for almost 2 hours doing the cha cha and the triple swing!) so am hoping that my ankle will feel good while training to run. 

Thanks coach for being there for me and encouraging me for my first marathon.  It may not seem much to folks, but it means a lot to me.

My coach and I!

Onto a great year and to new goals.  Let's make what seems impossible, possible! :)

So excited!

This is definitely the year of new beginnings.  Although the universe has been preventing me to work out by putting obstacles in my way (badly sprained ankle, strep throat and now debilitating pain in my lower back - all this within 3-4 weeks), I signed up for the 5k run on December 31st with my coach (who will cheer me on while I swear, grunt, pant and possibly cry! - She's been forewarned!).  The running room hosts the resolution runs every year and when my coach mentionned it, I signed the two of us up!  My hubby thought I was crazy as 1) I've never ran in my life and 2) it's during the winter and he knows how much I hate the cold.  I signed up for it anyways!  It'll be my first 5k and I am looking forward to getting better and to start training!  I'm so excited! 

So... who's with me?

My new pal!

I've been logging everything I eat (the good and the bad!) for the past week with my new phone application, thanks to my coach's advice.  So far so good!  3lbs down!  I count, measure and weigh everything I eat and enter my food in my food journal.  I love this new app!!!  Love the barcode option too!  One quick scan of the barcode and voila!  Calories entered!  This application (My Fitness Pal) ROCKS!  It takes in consideration your weight, your height and your age and calculates how many calories you need to eat per day, in order to lose weight.  For those who don't have access to applications on their phones/blackberry units and still want to log your food in, you can access it free, online : http://www.myfitnesspal.com/  This app also logs in the exercise you do (you enter it in) and tells you how many extra calories you are allotted that day.  I did some major weeding at the front (OMG, the pile of weeds was huge!) and logged it in.  I don't think my coach was convinced at how much I had done, until I sent her the pic!  She told me to show them who's boss!  LOL!  Burnt lots of calories that day! 

I used to do sparkspeople before, but this is simpler and I really like it!   I'm hooked to my new pal!

Challenging myself for a future goal!

Many of my friends have participated in the Army Run this year, be it running or walking, and it has given me the itch to join the masses next year.  I'd like to challenge myself to be able to run the full 5K. 

I've been seeking advice from my coach (my amazing cousin!) and she has told me that with training, I could do it!  Run for a bit, walk for a bit, run for a bit more, walk for a bit more.... "don't overdo it!" she says.  Yeah... I doubt that!  It's going to be tough as I've never really jogged before.  Will definitely need a good sports bra!  LOL!

I've been dying to start working out again but my ankle still has not gotten better and bruising has now shown up, after 2 weeks.  I may have to go see the doctor.  They'll most likely say that it's sprained, but because the swelling has not really gone down and there's still pain (no crutches needed now, thankfully!), I may have to go and get it checked out.  :(

Once my ankle is fully recovered, a friend of mine suggested we do the "Couch Potato to 5K running program" together.  This sounds like a great idea and a great running plan.  Am excited about starting!!!! 

So, who's with me for next year's Army Run?!

thems the breaks!

left ankle that is swollen and sore

right ankle that is just fine!

 

Just to be clear, it's not broken.... just badly sprained and very swollen.

On Sunday, thought to go for a nice walk and burn some calories.  3/4 of the way on my route, I twisted my ankle and heard a loud snap.  Ouch!  Figured I'd still be able to do my walk (while limping) so took an extra 20 steps that realized that I still had to get home.... Stupid me, instead of calling my dear husband (who was fervently working on basement renos) I limped all the way home.  Once home, I asked my husband to help me and he iced my foot right away.  Been using his crutches and have been nursing my ankle as I start dance classes next week!  Oh, how nice it would be to not have weak ankles!