I had someone describe themselves as 'skinny fat' and instantly knew what they meant: someone who is not overweight, but completely devoid of muscle tone.
Other than a brief year in high school playing field hockey and a year in my 20's when I was rock climbing almost daily for a few months, I haven't had much in the way of muscle. Even when I thought I finally achieved my weight goals in college and beyond, I wasn't thrilled with what I saw in photos because there was still flab, saddle bags, and cellulite.
Now let's see: today, I only have 10 more pounds to lose to reach my goal, but I'm seeing that same issues, plus major stretch marks from the pregnancies and a little hump in my upper back/neck from hunching to nurse the babies. We are our own worst critics.... :)
So while I plan to keep watching my sugar intake, I'm not going to fret over losing pregnancy weight. I want to have healthy posture to support my favorite activities. I want to build muscle, which weighs more. I'd rather gain 20 pounds of muscle, be able to be active, and never reach my weight goal, if need be.
After all, being thin isn't what will get me to the finish line after 1200 miles of kayaking. Being strong physically and mentally will.
A note to women who haven't ventured into strength-building: I know some women are afraid of bulking up, that men will be 'turned off' by an athletic build, but it's really hard for most women to get that ripped. Sure, we might temporarily add mass while muscle forms under the fat, but then the muscles burn the fat away fast. Being fit makes me happy. And frankly, I don't think there's anything sexier than a happy woman. And being strong isn't a turn-off to a man worth his salt.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Spring: Training plan
My winter training plan worked out pretty well. Here's my slightly modified spring plan.
Continue Tai Chi on Tues/Sun each week
Take on the 100 Push-ups challenge (10 minutes, 3 times a week= 30 minutes a week, for 6 weeks)
Bike my daughter to preschool 2 times a week, each way (8 miles total each day)
Swim once a week with Boulder Aquatic Masters for training
If I can do more, I'd like to add the 200 Squats Challenge, the 200 Sit-ups Challenge, the 25 Pull-ups Challenge, another day of swimming, and some hiking with the family, plus biking to run more errands. I hope to borrow a road bike and practice on it some to use in my June duathlon race.
I've picked things that are easy to fit into my family's life right now. The swimming I'll do early, making tai chi the only activity that impacts anyone else. The kids love biking, and the push-ups etc I can to before bed or other mornings on the sly. Heck, they can watch me do those- it's only 10 minutes to go through the sets.
Maybe you've noticed that paddling still isn't on the radar yet. Right now, I just want to get in really good shape. There's a boat swap April 10th that I'll attend to see if there's a good match for me (meaning an expedition kayak that I can afford). Paddling will come into play more this summer, I hope, with my goal being to learn perfect form, rather than clocking lots of hours. I don't want to practice something incorrectly and then have to undo the muscle memory of poor form. So this spring and summer I'll get strong and learn proper technique.
Continue Tai Chi on Tues/Sun each week
Take on the 100 Push-ups challenge (10 minutes, 3 times a week= 30 minutes a week, for 6 weeks)
Bike my daughter to preschool 2 times a week, each way (8 miles total each day)
Swim once a week with Boulder Aquatic Masters for training
If I can do more, I'd like to add the 200 Squats Challenge, the 200 Sit-ups Challenge, the 25 Pull-ups Challenge, another day of swimming, and some hiking with the family, plus biking to run more errands. I hope to borrow a road bike and practice on it some to use in my June duathlon race.
I've picked things that are easy to fit into my family's life right now. The swimming I'll do early, making tai chi the only activity that impacts anyone else. The kids love biking, and the push-ups etc I can to before bed or other mornings on the sly. Heck, they can watch me do those- it's only 10 minutes to go through the sets.
Maybe you've noticed that paddling still isn't on the radar yet. Right now, I just want to get in really good shape. There's a boat swap April 10th that I'll attend to see if there's a good match for me (meaning an expedition kayak that I can afford). Paddling will come into play more this summer, I hope, with my goal being to learn perfect form, rather than clocking lots of hours. I don't want to practice something incorrectly and then have to undo the muscle memory of poor form. So this spring and summer I'll get strong and learn proper technique.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Report: Women's Triathlon Training Group complete
One of the activities I undertook this winter was a triathlon training group for women through my local Rec Center. We met once a week for 9 weeks, then the 10th week was to be a 'dress rehearsal' race. Each week we would train in one of the areas of the race: swimming, cycling, and running. My goal was to increase my overall aerobic capacity and set me up to do some racing if I felt inspired.
Swimming was fine for me. Cycling was okay, except that I don't own a road bike and my big quasi-mountain bike is slow. Running was sad. Why mince words? SAD. I was so sore and tired after the run. I thought that I could fix that with a fair bit of effort, but my knees had other ideas. I decided to focus on the swimming and biking, and while the other gals ran, I did a core workout that the coach gave me.
I had my doctor look at my knees, and he gave me a referral for PT, but we are between insurances because my husband changed jobs, so I haven't been able to go yet. So no running, and lots of pain. I pronate inwards (my flat feet roll in, twisting everything and causing the bones in my knees to rub on my tendons) and have weak hips. Once I strengthen these, I should be good to go, but I doubt running will be a good choice.
Meanwhile, my coach offered to alter my triathlon race for week 10 and have me do a duathlon (swim-bike-swim) instead. I missed two weeks of training and did nothing on my own due to baby issues (see previous post). Despite all of this, I went ahead and tried the race with no preconception of how far I'd go.
It was a blast! It snowed the day before, so we moved the biking indoors to spin bikes. I swam a half mile (850m) in 19 minutes pretty much off the couch. I swam maybe 5 times this winter? Anyway, it's no pro time, but I was happy. Then I biked 12 miles in 45 minutes, and went back in the water for another half mile, clocking in at 18:59. So my swim strokes are consistent, which is good. I confess, I did a mix of freestyle and breaststroke. My breaststroke was actually faster and easier to sustain.
So what is the result of taking this class? I'm in a bit better shape now. It has me more interested in racing. Not to win- I'm not daft enough to entertain such foolishness living in Boulder, CO- home of a bazillion elite, sponsored, world athletes. No, I just like the fun of being around such motivated people! There's a duathlon coming up in June that I think I'll aim for next. A real race in public!
Swimming was fine for me. Cycling was okay, except that I don't own a road bike and my big quasi-mountain bike is slow. Running was sad. Why mince words? SAD. I was so sore and tired after the run. I thought that I could fix that with a fair bit of effort, but my knees had other ideas. I decided to focus on the swimming and biking, and while the other gals ran, I did a core workout that the coach gave me.
I had my doctor look at my knees, and he gave me a referral for PT, but we are between insurances because my husband changed jobs, so I haven't been able to go yet. So no running, and lots of pain. I pronate inwards (my flat feet roll in, twisting everything and causing the bones in my knees to rub on my tendons) and have weak hips. Once I strengthen these, I should be good to go, but I doubt running will be a good choice.
Meanwhile, my coach offered to alter my triathlon race for week 10 and have me do a duathlon (swim-bike-swim) instead. I missed two weeks of training and did nothing on my own due to baby issues (see previous post). Despite all of this, I went ahead and tried the race with no preconception of how far I'd go.
It was a blast! It snowed the day before, so we moved the biking indoors to spin bikes. I swam a half mile (850m) in 19 minutes pretty much off the couch. I swam maybe 5 times this winter? Anyway, it's no pro time, but I was happy. Then I biked 12 miles in 45 minutes, and went back in the water for another half mile, clocking in at 18:59. So my swim strokes are consistent, which is good. I confess, I did a mix of freestyle and breaststroke. My breaststroke was actually faster and easier to sustain.
So what is the result of taking this class? I'm in a bit better shape now. It has me more interested in racing. Not to win- I'm not daft enough to entertain such foolishness living in Boulder, CO- home of a bazillion elite, sponsored, world athletes. No, I just like the fun of being around such motivated people! There's a duathlon coming up in June that I think I'll aim for next. A real race in public!
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Aaaand she's back on the planet!
Sheesh. My son started walking and Round 2 of teething at about the same time. So for those of you who don't know or don't remember what this can be like, here's a glimpse of the past two weeks:
21 lbs of boy + great passion/zeal + physical pain in his head + sudden increased mobility
=
not sleeping (must practice walking at night, ma!!), not eating at all (back to full time nursing), increased clingy-ness due to separation anxiety (usually accompanies a new skill like walking)
=
tired mommy, tired body needs more fuel than usual, mommy gets no breaks from baby without terrible screaming/crying that stresses out the hubby, baby wouldn't sleep unless touching me.
So no blog for 2 weeks, no reading, very little exercise. Very little rest, and no drive to keep up the blog, my research, or my exercise, which disappointed me. Somewhat.
Fortunately, I'm able to keep the big picture right now. This is a short-term glitch in a very long-term plan. I'm back in the saddle at last, and have some cool information to share in my next update.
21 lbs of boy + great passion/zeal + physical pain in his head + sudden increased mobility
=
not sleeping (must practice walking at night, ma!!), not eating at all (back to full time nursing), increased clingy-ness due to separation anxiety (usually accompanies a new skill like walking)
=
tired mommy, tired body needs more fuel than usual, mommy gets no breaks from baby without terrible screaming/crying that stresses out the hubby, baby wouldn't sleep unless touching me.
So no blog for 2 weeks, no reading, very little exercise. Very little rest, and no drive to keep up the blog, my research, or my exercise, which disappointed me. Somewhat.
Fortunately, I'm able to keep the big picture right now. This is a short-term glitch in a very long-term plan. I'm back in the saddle at last, and have some cool information to share in my next update.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Sugar Free, Mentally!
The sugar free experiment was a huge success. I discovered that my dependence on as well as my unwitting consumption of sugar was not nearly as ingrained as I feared.
I enjoyed eating more veggies, more meat, and more fruit. Let me repeat that: I ENJOYED eating more veggies, more meat, and more fruit. Wow! I didn't suffer like I thought I would. When I needed a treat, I ate fruit or muesli (Udi's brand has no added sugars). I drank my coffee with no sugar. I drank more water. I ate less empty carbs. I tasted my food and found broccoli sweet. I even found myself wanting veggies with breakfast!
I lost 2 pounds that week, which seemed excessive until I remembered that I'm nursing a baby still and working out. I really like the change, and I like keeping the kids accustomed to healthier eating too (After discovering how much sugar they put in yogurt, we decided to invest in our own yogurt maker- it's too easy! Thanks for the tip, Mom!). So this change is a keeper- at this rate it should be easier to convert more body mass into helpful muscles and less stored fat.
Especially if I'm in The Zone (cue "to be continued" music).
I enjoyed eating more veggies, more meat, and more fruit. Let me repeat that: I ENJOYED eating more veggies, more meat, and more fruit. Wow! I didn't suffer like I thought I would. When I needed a treat, I ate fruit or muesli (Udi's brand has no added sugars). I drank my coffee with no sugar. I drank more water. I ate less empty carbs. I tasted my food and found broccoli sweet. I even found myself wanting veggies with breakfast!
I lost 2 pounds that week, which seemed excessive until I remembered that I'm nursing a baby still and working out. I really like the change, and I like keeping the kids accustomed to healthier eating too (After discovering how much sugar they put in yogurt, we decided to invest in our own yogurt maker- it's too easy! Thanks for the tip, Mom!). So this change is a keeper- at this rate it should be easier to convert more body mass into helpful muscles and less stored fat.
Especially if I'm in The Zone (cue "to be continued" music).
February Exercise Journal
February could have been worse. It started off strong, and then my baby got sick, which caused a few sleepless nights. And he cut his first tooth, which made him extra cranky. I recovered, kept being moderately active, and finished acceptably. I missed one swimming workout with the triathlete group, which is a bummer, that last week. I was afraid to swim for an hour and immediately go skiing for 4 hours.... Wimp!
Week 1
Tuesday Feb 2- Tai Chi 2 hrs
Climbing 2 hrs
Wed Feb 3- Private Pilates session 1hr
Fri Feb 5- Triathlon training: Swimming 1 hr
Sat Feb 6- Nordic (cross country) skiing 2.5 hrs (sooooooo fun! first time and I can't wait to go again)
Sun Feb 7- Tai Chi 2 hrs
Week 2
Tues Feb 9- Climbing 1.5 hrs
My triathlon trainer was sick, so no practice
Friday night, the sleep deprivation begins...
Sun Feb 14- Tai Chi, 1 hr, then was too tired to continue
Week 3
Tues Feb 16- Tai Chi, 1.5 hrs
Fri Feb 19- Triathlon training: core workout
Sun Feb 21- Tai chi 2 hrs
Week 4
Tues Feb 23- Tai Chi 2 hrs
Climbing 2 hrs
Fri Feb 26- Skate ski lesson, practice 3.5 hrs
Sun Feb 28- Tai Chi 2 hrs
Week 1
Tuesday Feb 2- Tai Chi 2 hrs
Climbing 2 hrs
Wed Feb 3- Private Pilates session 1hr
Fri Feb 5- Triathlon training: Swimming 1 hr
Sat Feb 6- Nordic (cross country) skiing 2.5 hrs (sooooooo fun! first time and I can't wait to go again)
Sun Feb 7- Tai Chi 2 hrs
Week 2
Tues Feb 9- Climbing 1.5 hrs
My triathlon trainer was sick, so no practice
Friday night, the sleep deprivation begins...
Sun Feb 14- Tai Chi, 1 hr, then was too tired to continue
Week 3
Tues Feb 16- Tai Chi, 1.5 hrs
Fri Feb 19- Triathlon training: core workout
Sun Feb 21- Tai chi 2 hrs
Week 4
Tues Feb 23- Tai Chi 2 hrs
Climbing 2 hrs
Fri Feb 26- Skate ski lesson, practice 3.5 hrs
Sun Feb 28- Tai Chi 2 hrs
Monday, March 1, 2010
Letter to Self
Dear me,
Parenting infants, toddlers, and preschoolers is insane, any way you cut the cake. Nothing is predictable, safe, normal, routine, nothing can be taken for granted, and the sleep is never guaranteed. Why am I writing this letter to myself? Because I am astounded at how hard this is, and how much of this I forgot in the two years between kids. So I know I'll forget even more as the years pass. If my kids ever have kids and I'm around, I hope I'll read the letters I write myself to keep my bafflement in check. Now if I could just find time to write the reminder-letters....
I swear, after doing this, ANY job will feel easy by comparison. Unreasonable coworkers? Can't be worse than a tired toddler. Strong ability to not react when people say or do stupid things? Got that. Aware of own boundaries of productivity? Absolutely. The difference now is that I don't get to take breaks, vacations, or quit. Hahahahhaa.
You guessed it- no sleep again last night... AGAIN. What's up with that? Looks like I won't get to finish reading my books to review for this month, although I'll share my thoughts on them anyway (it's not like I'm missing the plot- they're cookbooks, after all). I'll at least post my exercise log, since I'm proud that it has anything on it at all this month. So there will be at least two more posts this week.
Sorry for neglecting you. I think about you often, little blog.
Parenting infants, toddlers, and preschoolers is insane, any way you cut the cake. Nothing is predictable, safe, normal, routine, nothing can be taken for granted, and the sleep is never guaranteed. Why am I writing this letter to myself? Because I am astounded at how hard this is, and how much of this I forgot in the two years between kids. So I know I'll forget even more as the years pass. If my kids ever have kids and I'm around, I hope I'll read the letters I write myself to keep my bafflement in check. Now if I could just find time to write the reminder-letters....
I swear, after doing this, ANY job will feel easy by comparison. Unreasonable coworkers? Can't be worse than a tired toddler. Strong ability to not react when people say or do stupid things? Got that. Aware of own boundaries of productivity? Absolutely. The difference now is that I don't get to take breaks, vacations, or quit. Hahahahhaa.
You guessed it- no sleep again last night... AGAIN. What's up with that? Looks like I won't get to finish reading my books to review for this month, although I'll share my thoughts on them anyway (it's not like I'm missing the plot- they're cookbooks, after all). I'll at least post my exercise log, since I'm proud that it has anything on it at all this month. So there will be at least two more posts this week.
Sorry for neglecting you. I think about you often, little blog.
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