Kicking *kitten* In Our Twenties! - November Challenge

Melissa - Hahah i'm on that thread ALL the time... Actually I have chicken breast, salsa, onions, peppers and jalapenos in the crock pot as we speak! :happy: Cooking for tomorrow's dinner since I won't be home during the day.

The farthest I have run thus far is about 6 1/2 miles as well, so I think we're at about the same level of endurance and speed. Hoping to start training slow and long for a Half in January (Half is in May). I want to give myself ample time to prepare. I was thinking that since most training programs are anywhere from 9-18 weeks, I might double up every week to progress through the training program more slowly, hoping to see marked improvements in my time and speed as I work up to 13.1 miles. Not sure what you guys had in mind, or if this seems like too much training, but I am on board for any constructive criticism or other ideas For me the training is more about the progress and the journey toward the Half than just getting ready and getting it done. I have been so pleased with my progress using the Higdon 10k program -- It's really a great feeling to finish every week and know you're doing better, running farther, and getting faster.

Let me know what you think - You too, Gonks!
No worries about the Warrior Dash, Melissa - I'll be going with the boy if we have the time and money. Probably NY but we may go for Ohio if it's easier and cheaper (unless of course I have some MFP friends running in NY :glasses:)

I'm at about 5 miles (that's the long run planned this week), so I am a little behind you guys.

I think doubling up weeks makes sense- the Hal Higdon plan also urges that, if you have time, work in short mileage weeks if they arent already incorporated in the plan. I definitely think that spending multiple weeks on each scheduled week of whichever program we settle on is a smart way to go.

I'm pretty copacetic when it comes to training- I'm always following one of some kind so there's really no such thing as "too much" training. The only thing- I have a hard time doing any run incriments that are metric (stupid american city blocks in .25 mi splits). But I can be flexible.

That's fine by me, Gonks. Ill be training from Jan-Mar in a gym mostly and the treadmills are all imperial (damned Americans!)... Also, the conversions aren't so bad for me and my RunKeeper is set in imperial as well. We'll find something imperial to use :happy: Glad you are on board for a slow and steady training regimen.

Thanks for the tip Aly -- Higdon does recommend quite a bit of X-training in his 10k program but I haven't checked the Half program yet... Here are two programs I have found so far that seem like they have some potential:

http://www.canadarunningseries.com/crs/training/basicmar.htm
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-244--6851-2-2X5X8-4,00.html

We can always adapt them to our needs or personal goals, of course. Any suggestions on training programs that work, Aly? JILL!?!? I know you're here :laugh:
-Meag

Whoops forgot the QOTD!!

What do you do to relax? (besides working out)

Relax? MFP, of course! (I wish that was entirely a joke, but there is so much truth to it...)

Mostly I curl up in bed with a book or just to decompress. Sounds incredibly lazy but I never get enough sleep and it's nice to just lay down quietly for 45 mins in the dark to recharge. Otherwise, if I am stressed or feeling overwhelmed, I go for a long walk outside to clear my head or have a hot chai tea and play some cards or scrabble with someone I love - always makes me laugh and takes my mind off things. I'm a total dork. Deal with it

Not too sure what else I do to relax really... We spend a LOT of time at local indie coffee shops, lounging and chatting, and watch copious amounts of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia on the computer whenever we have spare time. That seems to always make me happy.

Off to NY State today (Buffalo region) to shop for inexpensive clothes and shoes in the outlets! So excited :bigsmile: Hoping to find some good cold-weather running stuff at one of their sports outlets! If not, I'll just load up on other clothes and call it a WIN anyway. Have a great day everyone! I'll check back in once I get home - I am sure the thread will be moving along quite nicely by then!
Meag

QOTD - You have GOT to be kidding me Aly!! Ice cream is all I ever think about... haha I'd have to say PC Candy Cane with Chocolate Fudge Crackle pieces, probably, but I think that's just because it's in season. Otherwise I usually LOVE the Chapman's Premium Frozen Yogurt (MacNut - so good and sweet!!) or ANYTHING with peanut butter in it. President's Choice makes another called "Loads of Peanut Butter Treats" ... Holy smokes, that is one rich and freaking delicious ice cream. I can barely even eat it without feeling sick but it's totally worth the stomach ache! haha I think PC may only be a Canadian brand though, so you guys are really missing out!!

Don't forget about mint choc chip... Love that old staple. Oh and Marble Slab makes an awesome Cheesecake ice cream that I used to get mixed with raspberries and graham crackers in my past life -- Have I mentioned that I really love ice cream? :blushing: It's not a wonder I was 190lbs! Thank goodness for having developed some self-control.

OK enough about ice cream! This is driving me mad...

Shopping trip was AWESOME but so, so long and I am happy to be home. Left at 9am, got to Niagara around 10:30 and went outlet shopping for a few hours. Bought a few *really* cute sweaters/cardigans that the heavier me could have never pulled off. I have never felt comfy in pull-over (non-hoodie/zip-up) sweaters because I always had a pudgy mid-section and felt really exposed. It was nice to buy size XS at The Gap and actually feel good wearing them! I still have some pudge (despite being an XS, I know I sound like a mental case but it's mostly just loose skin) but I am ok with being imperfect now! Such a great NSV for me :happy: I never thought I'd be able to pick out whatever I want to wear and actually look GOOD in it! Being too small for a sweater or shirt is now my biggest issue (at stores where sizes are quite generous) - and it's one that I am more than happy to deal with! I also found a sweet pair of running tights for the cold weather months at the Under Armour outlet which made me insanely happy! 54$ instead of 100-120$ in Canada-- you betchya!

Anyway, I tried to eat well all day. Ended up having Subway for lunch, which was alright. Kind of a sh*tty option but it was the only half-decent choice where we were. Better than other fast food. And at least I know the nutritional contents. Had sooo much coffee and ended up snacking on a HUGE apple and Popchips in the car. But generally a decent eating day, all things considered.

Really love shopping trips like this one... They remind me of how far I have come in my health and fitness journey, and I ended up having a really productive conversation with my mom about healthy eating and how hard it is for me to navigate eating with our family some days. It seems that conceptually in our family and in society generally moderation and denial are so often confused -- I regularly dismiss certain foods that I don't like or don't want to eat for health reasons, in exchange for other foods that I prefer (ex. rice for a bed of spinach). This is now regularly misunderstood as me being a diet-freak (although I have never eaten rice in the past b/c I don't like it) and met with comments like "Oh come on Meag, you're thin now, you can have the rice..." This is annoying for a few reasons:

1) I certainly don't need anyone's permission to eat whatever the *kitten* I want. I am an adult. And I have control over what I put in my mouth. If I didn't, I'd be 400lbs.
2) It's absurd that any preference of a healthy food over something else (not that rice is inherently unhealthy) is PURELY for weight-loss purposes. I happen to really *like* spinach! I eat it every day. And I happen to really *not like* rice. Deal with it.
3) Being healthy makes me feel good. Eating high cal/high fat food makes me feel nauseous and bloated. It's not much of a "treat" if you feel sick after the fact, is it?

Anyway I tried once again to explain this as politely as possible and I think it may have actually gotten through. I know that my family finds my eating habits inconvenient, mainly because I do a lot of the cooking and they are subjected to healthy foods they wouldn't normally choose. Also because I normally turn down their invitations to eat out, since I would rather eat in, enjoy my food and avoid feeling guilty afterward. I am just tired of feeling like I should be the one to constantly compromise to make them happy... Hope this has cleared up some of the issue b/c I am done with feeling like I always need to accommodate everyone!

END RANT... Sorry I am so rant-y these days. TOM. Things will be back to normal in a few days hahahah!

Liz - Amazing weight-loss! You must be soooo happy! So close to 30lbs too - I hope you find a really great treat for yourself once you reach your goal :happy:
Melissa - Speedy run, girl! :noway: The rain certainly doesn't make me run any faster... Just makes me cranky and wet! haha I'm impressed with your dedication!!
Guam - Wooot! Glad to hear you are having a FAB day! Keep it up :bigsmile: :drinker: :bigsmile:
Aly - I know I already said this but seriously -- GREAT JOB ON YOUR HALF!!! I am SO proud of you :bigsmile: And you look gorgeous in your new pic. Woot!
Roo - PB every day sounds like an awesome plan :laugh: Try nuts, healthy oils, avocados, eggs and other higher fat/protein foods. I have been aiming to increase my fat/protein lately and it certainly is changing how I feel! My mood is improved (despite the ranting lately) from lowering my carbs and sugars and my skin feels and looks better. Good luck!
Tai - So right about my friends and VERY happy to have you ladies and all the support here :bigsmile: Really makes a world of difference!

OK This is thesis-sized. Sincerely apologize!! Love you guys and thanks for reading.
Meag

Emmy - It's great to hear you are back on track with your workouts. Sounds like you are working hard and your muscles are letting you know! The tightness is normal... I still get that when I workout, even the same circuit training I've been doing for weeks/months now. It's just your muscles recovering -- So long as you can still function I wouldn't worry too much about it. Lots of stretching and a nice hot bath are always good ways to relax and ease the tension. Make sure you cool-down after your workouts too... 10-15 mins walking at 3.0 or 3.5mph should do the trick. If you work really hard for 30 mins and then just stop cold your muscles can tense up pretty badly. And the extra walk is never a bad thing, right? hehe Sorry to hear about your boy-troubles, sweetie. As Rai said - relationships are hard! Just do what is ultimately best for you and what makes you happiest - if you feel like your preferences aren't being considered or accommodated then you should let him know. Relationships should be give and take and if you feel like you're the one always "giving" it can be very draining... Good luck <<hugs>> Private message me any time if you like I'm always lurking around somewhere!

Lauratx2 - Great loss, girl! What are you doing to keep the pounds coming off? Haven't heard from you in a while! :happy:

Cruan - Awesome! 2.4lbs is mega :drinker: Getting darn close to that double digit!! Zumba video game is news to me - For which system? Sounds like it could be lots of fun! Let us know what you think

Alright, I am going to totally punish myself today. W3D2 push-ups, 3X circuit training that I missed yesterday and a few miles logged in my new gear. I am way too psyched about it NOT to run today! hehe I am also making low-cal pumpkin cupcakes *gasp* with a box mix cake. Completely out of the ordinary for me since I love making things completely from scratch but I want to try them and I know they will go over super well with the family. Randomly baking things reminds them that I am changing my lifestyle and can have ONE cupcake without having to completely fall off the bandwagon -- this change is for good!

Oh and Emmy thank you for the supportive words :happy: It's so nice that you ladies understand where I am coming from. I have worked SO hard and it can be really discouraging that so many people in my life cannot understand or support my choices, even after more than a year of healthy living. 40lbs down and a major shopping spree is in your not-so-distant future! Just keep chipping away at it and you'll get there.

To everyone: IT'S SO WORTH IT -- If you ever need a reminder, let me know! XOXO
Meag