2014: make it count

just a little reminder to keep chugging at it. july isn't too far away. must. do. it. gotta do it. just do it!

a new approach to losing weight and getting fit: weekly exercise challenges

i think i've come to the conclusion that i suck at long-term challenges or goals when it comes to exercises, especially strength-training exercises. i tell myself i'd do all these exercises and then i'm really good for the first week or two and that's it. looking back on the month of june, it wasn't very successful. i didn't do everything i said i would. i think i stuck it out for the first week and stopped soon after. i did however stuck to the minute planks, pushups and dips, but that was it. i think that was easier to stick to and do on a regular basis because it only took a few minutes. the exercises were still challenging enough, but the fact that i could do them in 5 minutes or less was maybe the reason why those stuck and the others didn't?!

now, having set some kind of exercise challenges/goals the last few months, i think i know what kind of person i am when it comes to working out. i know i run regularly (at least 3-4x a week, some weeks may be a run or two less or more, but regardless, i make sure i run at every week). i also know i do my minute plank, 30-second side planks, 20 pushups and dips just about every night. i also know i can never go beyond the 10-14 day marker for any zone-targeting exercises. so maybe instead of setting out month-long goals, i will focus on itty bitty goals for starters. start small and over time, it will accumulate to great things. :)

with this new enlightenment, i think it will be an accomplishment if i finish one thing this week. and that is to do one full (proper) strength-training workout. even if it's just 10 minutes, as long as it targets the abdominal, arms or legs – that would be quite the fete. i know one session isn't a whole lot, but for someone who gets bored easily, one session a week will do. one session of 10 minutes or longer per week for someone who can't even be bothered to do anything beyond 5 minutes of strength workouts, that is. one session will be a whole lot more than no session at all. i say i can do it. i know i can.

what's the exercise workout i have in store this week? i have a few in mind. there's this 6-exercise routine in the britney spears cover shape magazine issue (not sure if it was june or july 2013), but i'm thinking i can do that. 6 different moves, for a minute, 3 times. sounds easy enough and all under 20 minutes or so. if i don't do that routine, i could always do one of the 15-minute videos from nike's training app. i've done those in the past and they are quite the workout. i know i'll work up a sweat. and lastly, if i don't do any of those two, i'll probably just make up my own. you can't go wrong with a few pushups, dips, lunges, squats, planks, bicep curls and military presses. yeah... those are good options as well.

okay, stay tune. i plan to update at the end of the week. i hope when i check back on sunday night or monday morning that i've accomplished what i've set off to do here.

random stats (for myself, really) just because:

• miles ran this year as of today: 255.15 miles
• lifetime steps with fitbit as of this morning (member since feb 24, 2013): 1,993,073 steps
• weight lost since january 1 of this year (as of yesterday): 9.6 lb (from 108.6 lb) -- i know i haven't highlighted this a whole lot, but it's pretty impressive. i haven't been under 100 lb since before baby #2. making slow progress to my goal weight of 97 lb! :)

:)

2013 boston marathon tragedy, 30-day exercise challenge update, new challenge

yesterday's tragic event at the boston marathon was just awful. it really hit close to home. we don't run big race events very often, but the boston marathon was definitely one race we'd hope to someday be able to run. i know it's one of those races where you'll have to qualify to get in or be a part of some kind of charity group. i figure if we can't qualify it ourselves, maybe we'd consider raising money for charity and running it that way. yes, all of this one day in the future as we tackle city marathons one at a time.

i heard about the bombings at this year's boston marathon 3 hours after the incidents. i know, a little late. but when i heard about it, my heart just dropped. i felt so bad for all those spectators, participants and event members near the explosion sites. just thinking about them how moments before they were cheering on all the runners (maybe even a loved one who was running the event) who were approaching the finish line or approaching and crossing the finish line themselves. oh, it's just awful. i think i went to bed thinking about it. i had to tell myself i needed to get to sleep because i had a 4 or 5 mile run this morning. i needed to keep up with my half marathon training as i will be running the sf marathon in june. i'm sure and hopeful that after yesterday's tragic event that security will be tighten around all marathons or big events. i heard the london marathon is this weekend and that the event will go on. the london marathon is also one event on our list we'd like to run in one day too. i told m we'd have to get an england address first before we can even apply to run. actually, he already has an england address, i just need to get one myself. or he'll just run it without me, and i can cheer him on. (you see? it's terrible right, just thinking about how it could be anyone, at any event.)

okay, moving onto other things more on a lighter note. how have i been doing in my 30-day exercise challenge? not bad actually. so far, i've passed the halfway mark and i am proud to say i have been going strong, still is and i hope to reach the finish line in top form. i did however modified what i had set out to do once i got going on the exercises though. instead of resting on the 7th day, i work out 5 days straight, then rest on the 6th day. after each rest day, i bump up my reps on the different exercises. i'm proud to say i can do 110 squats easy – yes, just like that. so far, so good. i think after this 30-day exercise challenge i'm going to do another one but with much tougher exercises such as lunges and arm strengthening moves. yeah, i'm not a big fan of lunges so that will be tough. we'll see how many lunges in a row i can do. ugh, i hate lunges, just thinking about it. hehe ;)

modified 30-day exercise challenge:

• day 1-5: start with 50 squats on day 1, increase squat count by 5 (should be at 70 squats on day 5), 30-sec plank, 20 pushups, 15-sec side planks (each side), 20 dips
• day 6: rest
• day 7-11: start with 80 squats, increase squat count by 5 (should be at 100 squats on day 11), 45-sec plank, 30 pushups, 30-sec side planks (each side), 30 dips
• day 12: rest
• day 13-17: start with 110 squats, increase squat count by 10 (should be at 150 squats on day 17), 60-sec plank, 40 pushups, 30-sec side planks (each side), 30-sec plank, 40 dips
• day 18: rest
• day 19-23: start with 160 squats, increase squat count by 10 (should be at 200 on day 23), 75-sec plank, 50 pushups, 45-sec side planks (each side), 45-sec plank, 50 dips
• day 24: rest
• day 25-29: start with 210 squats, increase squat count by 5 (should be at 230 on day 29), 90-sec plank, 60 pushups, 60-sec side planks (each side), 60-sec plank, 60 dips
• day 30: 250 squats, 2-min plank, 75 pushups, 75-sec side planks (each side), 90-sec plank, 75 dips

oh, i've joined a bunch of groups on fitbit to keep my motivation going. in one of the group forums, someone started an independence day (july 4th) challenge. it's for anyone who wants to lose or maintain weight or be able to do a certain set of exercise or whatever by july 4th. so my goal for that challenge is to lose those last 10 pounds! yes, it's so frustrating. 18 months later and i'm still not back to my pre-baby #2 weight. ugh, i know.

independence day challenge (as of 4/15/13):

• starting/current weight: 106 lb
• memorial day goal: 101 lb
• independence day goal: 97 lb

i think if i really discipline myself, i can get there. i'm also trying to eat better, so hopefully that will help a bit? i don't know. i haven't been eating very good lately, even with all this exercising and half-marathon training. so today i've decided that if only i can get myself to eat very good (strict 1200-1400 cal diet) 2 days in a row, i can splurge a little bit on the third day. so eat good 2 days, splurge a little 1 day, and just keep repeating. when i mean splurge, i don't mean eat all the crap i want. it just mean if i want to have ice cream, i can have some. just not the entire carton! so yes, with that said, good luck to me! :)

alright, we'll see where i am come july 4th! i'm excited. now i say, if you want to set a goal for this independence day challenge, why not?! whether it's losing weight, maintaining weight or having the ability to do 50 or 100 pushups in a row or 250 squats, etc… you can certainly join in!

okay, stay tune for updates. :)

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random stats i'm throwing out there (more for me, personally):

• miles ran this year as of today (according to my data on garmin): 137.73 miles
• lifetime steps with fitbit as of this morning (member since feb 24, 2013): 749,254 steps
• weight lost since january 1 of this year: 3.2 lb
• today's weight: 105 lb

just run

it's already 17 months after little miss v and i still have about 10 pounds to shed (ideally 12). it's so awful! a year ago i was so much better off, with only 5 or 6 pounds. instead, i've gained a good 5-6 pounds since! it's terrible.

well, i've decided that i'm not going to beat myself about it. what i've decided to do is to take little itty bitty baby steps. losing weight is a tough thing to do. i should know, since i did it before after c. i just need to really put my mind to it, and i know i will get back to pre-baby #2 weight again. of course, get there and stay there.

these are the tiny steps i am currently taking and plan on keeping/sticking to it. i've recently been testing out the fitbit one (a wireless activity plus sleep tracker) and i say it's fantastic! it's given me this little extra motivation i need to really push myself. so below are the things i'm currently monitoring with the fitbit one device and other stuff on my own.

go get it, girl!

• walk at least 20 minutes during lunch (monday-friday)
• accumulate at least 10,000 steps every day (the more, the better!)
• have at least one 20,000 steps day in a week
• run 4x a week, 2-5 miles
• strength training exercises, 3x a week (no time limit required… just need to do some!)
• be watchful and careful of what i eat. eat more fruits as snacks. and remember to drink more milk or have a piece of cheese for that calcium requirement!

i think that's it. nothing fancy, but i must really try and stick with it. :)

looking forward to a year from now

so the olympics have been on the last week and a half. seeing all these athletes and their crazy amazing bodies is… what's the word? well, let's just say i've been inspired to get back into shape again. i mean really get back into shape and for good this time around. it's another added motivation. of course i know my body will never be as rock hard as theirs, but close enough will work for me. i just want to be lean and toned; in shape and healthy. i'm thinking i'll be approaching 30 in a couple of years, i really should try to enter my 30's at the best shape of my life and keep it.

 since baby #2, i've been easing myself back into exercising and eating better. but the last couple of months i've fallen off the wagon and the numbers on the scale are not good. i want to say i'm almost the same weight as i was exactly at this time (9-10 months post baby) compared to baby #1. i was hoping with baby #2 it would be different. it was for a while, until recently. and i can't go on with what i've been doing recently; eating whatever i wanted, skipping runs and strength training workouts. my weight has creeped up to 108 lb from 101 lb. i cannot be 108 lb this time around, no way!

to help me get into the best shape of my life i've decided to take baby steps, as we all should know, losing weight and looking good doesn't happen overnight. it takes a lot of time, effort and commitment. you must want it and do something about it to make it happen. you can say i'm making that first step today. with 2 months to go before my baby turns 1, i want to ensure that come her first birthday, i'm a step closer to my ideal figure. i'm not exactly sure what ideal is, but for now, let's say something in the ballpark of lean, toned (with muscle definitions please?! =/) and 95-100 lb.

these are the things i'll be doing for the next 2 months (and beyond):
- run 3-4x a week, 15 miles total to start, then slowing increasing to 25 miles/week
- strength training 3x a week (pilates, yoga, basic strength moves)
- 2 sets of 20-rep modified pushups, dips and lunges every night
- drink lots and lots of water
- eat at least 1 piece of fruit and 2 servings of veggie a day (i'm terrible at this, sometimes i'll go on for days without eating a single piece of fruit! veggies on the other hand i'm much better at, but still not good)
- portion control, really pay attention!

here are some things i'll keep as reminders along the way. the quotes below are great. they've helped me a lot in the past and i know they'll do the same this time around.


i love this quote. i try to tell myself this every day... i want to look ahead a year from now and know i've really done it or at least is getting there because i've made the commitment to start today.


this is my favorite all-time no slacking quote. no excuses, just do it!


here's me with my cutie pie (baby #1) at the nike women's marathon (nwm) expo in october 2010. i was at my lightest weight (96 lb) post baby #1, and before baby #2 of course. i want to get there again.


me before the nwm. i must get there again... not only with my figure, but also with my running speed! ran my first ever half marathon in 2:04. i know i can do it again. :)