Diet decent but need to get back to the gym

I have improved my diet since Easter (slowly). I'm a bit disappointed in myself this week but I am slowly getting back on track. It is hard to wake up early to get to the gym! wow. I still need to make this routine as some mornings I just don't want to wake up. I think mostly due to getting the kids to bed by 10-11pm and then having to fit in time with my wife, for myself and sleep all in the next 7 hours. tough.

The guilt is setting in

Sorry for not posting for a few days. no followers on this blog yet anyway. It is Monday morning. It was this past Sat before my legs didn't hurt anymore from the previous Tues night's squats.

So, I blew the diet and exercise this weekend pretty bad. I didn't get to the gym Friday morning or at all Sat or Sun. Sunday was Easter and the family got together and in typical fashion ate a lot. Ham, candy, yams, peeps, potato salad. tasted great, more filling. The experience of slipping on exercise and diet this weekend woke me up. I feel a bit run down this morning. I feel better if I swim in the morning and not eat as much. Hello! duh! Back to work this week.

It might be my negative side coming through but it occurred to me on my commute this morning that maybe no one thinks I can actually run a half marathon by this October (my mother excepted. She has been a wonderful source of support this past week). Of course no one cares about it as much as I do but still. Except for my mom, I haven't had one person ask me how it is going so far. Maybe everyone just wants to smile, have a few words of encouragement when I first sent an email I was going to do this, but deep down thinks it is like the small 100 lb kid trying to make the varsity football team or something. They are being polite but don't really think this will happen. After falling off both diet and exercise this weekend I couldn't blame them for thinking that because maybe deep down I started thinking that myself. Well, I am going to prove them and myself wrong! Enough of this self loathing crap! I ate too much Easter chocolate last night and felt crappy this morning. I didn't like it. Enough.

Last week Mon-Thurs I did great with diet and exercise. I can keep it up, I know I can. I've been complaining about others not seeming to care but in reality they all have their own lives to worry about, not mine. I need to do this for myself and I will! Some people may be able to easily run a half marathon or even a full marathon but for me this a huge hurdle and something I am scared of. I have to conquer my fears.

I had trail mix and an apple for breakfast this morning. I didn't make it to the gym this morning but I am going to find some type of exercise to do before I go to bed tonight. It may be the gym, it might be more squats at home (less weight and reps this time) or a combination with a brisk walk involved. Something! Any of you out there doubting that I can pull this off, I understand completely why you would have doubts but I am going to do this.

I had surgery on my right foot several years ago for plantar fasciitis. Ever since then my right foot has been slightly larger than my left making finding shoes that fit well on both feet difficult. Also, since the surgery my right foot gets sore quickly when exercising. I am willing to fight through the pain of running with my foot problem as long as it doesn't get so bad I just can't keep going. I don't think that is going to happen and I am not using it as an excuse but it is the only thing I can think of that would cause me to miss this goal. Maybe running will make my right foot better over the long run. That is my hope.

Third day / fourth day

My legs are still hurting this morning (Thurs) from doing squats Tuesday evening. Maybe I over did it with the squats or maybe my legs just need to get used to it. Either way I'm going to stretch more next time and try to do just the right amount.

Made it back to the pool Thursday morning. I swam 1050 yards this morning. So 50 more yards than yesterday. I'm going to try and add 50 yards each time I swim until I reach 2000 and then go from there. Swimming felt great this morning. I am keeping up with having 1 or 2 pieces of fruit in the mornings along with some caffeine and then something like a powerbar mid morning to hold me over til lunch. I am starting to eat more raw vegetables too. Had some celery and carrots last night along with a great salad. I brought a good mix of broccoli, carrots and other vegis for lunch today.

It may rain this afternoon but if it doesn't I plan on a nice 30 min brisk walk during lunch. Maybe that will help my legs feel better.

The road is long but so far so good. I plan on actually starting to run in about 2 weeks.

Second day in the books.

I am learning that I need to make sure and eat enough in the mornings and during the day. Tuesday I had a banana and powerbar in the morning and an average to small size portion of coos coos at lunch. My work schedule on Tuesdays is shifted a few hours earlier than normal and I got home Tuesday and by mid-late afternoon I was so hungry. Instead of pulling out the organic carrots or celery I had purchased a few days before I heated up a bratwurst. Oh it was so good. But then the guilt set in. I think I have been doing well with diet in the first few days and will resist future brats but I also realized that I should probably allow myself a few bad things just to keep my sanity. For the most part I have been eating more fruit, less portion sizes and drinking more water than I used to. It is a long road to change a lifestyle and as long as I keep improving I will be happy.

Tuesday night I did some squats at home while holding a 25lb dumbbell in each hand. Did 10 sets of 10. My legs still hurt. It was great to do. Got my heart rate up and woke my legs up that they will need some attention.

Got to the pool again this morning (Wed) and swam 1000 yards. I cut it close on time again in relation to getting to work but I did get to the gym a little earlier so I was able to swim the 1000 yards I wanted to.

Things are going well. I heard we have 20-25 coworkers lined up to do the 1/2 marathon so there will be plenty of competition.

Thank you everyone who has emailed me with support so far. Full steam ahead!

First day in the books

Monday - first day of "training". went fairly well. Got to the gym in the morning and swam. I was feeling good and wanted to keep going but time was my enemy and I had to hurry to get to work on time. Lesson learned - get the to gym a bit earlier in the morning so I have the time I need. I swam 600 yards but would have loved to do at least 1000. I was able to keep my diet in check the first day as well. An apple, a powerbar, greek salad with cucumbers, onions, artichokes. Then chicken, rice and peas for dinner. Normally at dinner I would take seconds of my favorite few items but last night I resisted and only ate one serving which turned out to be enough food. I was not hungry nor was I feeling stuffed.

One of my kids has been up coughing a lot in the last two nights so my sleep has been broken up which means caffeine today. Not too big of a deal but I didn't make it to the gym this morning so I plan on doing some weights at home tonight.

Also, I don't have decent running shoes yet. It will most likely be about 2-3 weeks before I'll be able to run out and get some. So, in the meantime I am planning brisk walks, swimming at the gym, fixing my diet and doing some exercises at home.

Anyone know if powerbars are really all that great for you? I found them at the grocery store on sale for $1 a piece and bought a bunch.

Early morning of

Ate some pizza and drank beer tonight as a last hoorah before starting to get in shape. I know I won't stop drinking beer as I am currently making home brew but I can definitely cut back. As for pizza, I know I can drastically reduce my pizza intake. maybe once in a while but honestly after having too much pizza earlier tonight I really didn't feel all that great and it only motivated me more.

My beautiful wife and children deserve a husband/father that will be healthy enough to live a long time and be with them. Well, off to bed. I plan on starting slow tomorrow with some stretching and a nice 500-800 yard swim at the gym.

Sunday - The day before training starts

I am going to train to do the Denver Rock n Roll half marathon this fall and am scared out of my mind.

Two days ago, on Friday, a co-worker sent an email to the whole company challenging anyone who wants to to try the Denver Rock 'n' Roll half marathon on Sunday Oct 17, 2010. I am not a runner. I used to be a swimmer. I have never run more than 2 miles at one time in my life. This email was sent only a few hours before I had planned on leaving work and stopping by 24 hour fitness on the way home to cancel my membership. I had only gone to the gym about an average of 1-2 times per month and no longer wanted to waste the money. Well, I did not cancel the membership.

In order to give you a taste of the challenge I set before myself. I am 37 years od, 5'11", 258 lbs and way out of shape. I get winded just going up two flights of stairs. I have a long way to go to be able to finish a half marathon.

I have small children and have this underlying fear of my health affecting my ability to enjoy time with my kids other than sitting on the couch watching Spongebob Squarepants. Many years ago I was a very successful swimmer and I would love to be half the athlete now that I was then. Of course my swimming years were also my teenage years so I understand my body was able to handle it better back then. But still! I must do something. I need a challenge and I need an improvement to my overall health. I chose this insane goal of a half marathon to bring my body back to life. If I can finish a half marathon without having a heart attack it will be a good day. :)

I plan on using this blog to track my thoughts, training, diet and any comments about my road to a half marathon. It will be interesting to say the least but in the end it is my hope that this adventure will have nothing but positive results.