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Fitness (Diet/Exercise) 2017: Relentless Forward Progress

Re: Fitness (Diet/Exercise) 2017: Relentless Forward Progress

This is what I plan to do the rest of the year. I don't have anything bigger to do than a marathon and the half-duathlon at Michigan Titanium.

June 17: Spring Lake Heritage Festival 5K
June 24: Charlevoix Marathon
July 8: Lake Michigan Road Trail Sand 10K
July 9: Grand Haven Olympic Duathlon (5K run/40K bike/10K run)
July 16: Tri Del Sol Olympic Duathlon
July 29: Coast Guard Festival 5K/10K combination
August 12: Hey Radio 5K
August 20: Michigan Titanium half duathlon (56 mile bike/half-marathon)
September 2: Marquette Marathon
September 9: Reeds Lake Olympic Duathlon
September 17: Grand Rapids Bridge Run 10 mile
September 23: Oktoberfest half-marathon
September 30: Hungerford Trail Marathon
October 15: Detroit Free Press Marathon
November: A turkey trot of some kind
December: TBD
 
Re: Fitness (Diet/Exercise) 2017: Relentless Forward Progress

So, getting back on track:

1. The scale, as of now, says 213.2. That's not as bad as I imagined it would be.

2. Since Clif bars are sugar with oats and protein thrown in, I've done a lot better switching to whole foods as a pre-workout and post workout snack. In fact, I just use gels and Gatorade now.

3. Since restarting yoga and Pilates, the problems I was developing (including a pinched nerve in my right elbow) have basically disappeared.

4. I am pleasantly surprised I've been able to get on track without slamming the panic button. I haven't had to drastically reduce calories or go for marathon workout sessions.

5. And now, if I go out, I go somewhere I can get an omelette and toast. The reason I like Anna's House here in Holland is because one of their omelettes with buttered rye toast keeps me going until dinner.
 
Re: Fitness (Diet/Exercise) 2017: Relentless Forward Progress

I have my semi-annual check-up in mid-August. I want to be under 185, BP below 115/75 on a consistent basis. 110/70 would obviously be better.

I'm still fighting with that bottom number. It keeps jumping into the low 90's.
 
Re: Fitness (Diet/Exercise) 2017: Relentless Forward Progress

I keep hearing that I don't need to lose weight.

My brain translates that as "go ahead. Eat all the food."

For once, I wish Google or someone would help with maintenance.
 
Re: Fitness (Diet/Exercise) 2017: Relentless Forward Progress

St. Clown said:
There are mixed results in the search, but good options appear to be listed. Just remember to target your daily Calorie burn rate, and plan from there.
Click to expand...

Kind of why I want to get back to a dietitian. So we can lay a plan out.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/54862062@N08/27556022426/in/dateposted-public/" title="bobyears"><img src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7340/27556022426_4be6e40804_z.jpg" width="640" height="360" alt="bobyears"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Because honestly, I'm looking at that left, and at that middle, and thinking NEVER AGAIN.

In the middle picture... oh, my health took a nose dive. I became incredibly weak, was nothing more than skin/bones/organs, became severely anemic, and I was taking naps while driving. It got THAT bad.
 
Re: Fitness (Diet/Exercise) 2017: Relentless Forward Progress

There are two things recommended for weight maintenance that rang a few alarm bells in my head:

1. Weigh myself daily. NO. A scale in the house just leads to me stepping on it 17 times a day... becoming obsessed with that number.

2. Calorie counting. It worked well for weight loss, yes, but when I can't enjoy a recipe without knowing how many calories it has....

And I've decided to go ahead and write a book about my struggle with my weight, from morbid obesity to anorexia to finding balance. But it will be a memoir, not a how-to.
 
Re: Fitness (Diet/Exercise) 2017: Relentless Forward Progress

My doctor's office is recommending me to a nutrition specialist, someone who will set me on a plan for maintenance. It is about time.
 
Re: Fitness (Diet/Exercise) 2017: Relentless Forward Progress

But what happened at Charlevoix has made me reconsider my plans for the future. Reached the halfway/turnaround in 2:38:xx. Thinking "great, no more than 5:30:00 and I'll be done." No.. the second half, I just dragged. Felt like there was no power in my legs, any attempt to speed up failed, and when a sheriff's deputy told me it was 12:37 (course closed at 1), I was depressed.
 
Re: Fitness (Diet/Exercise) 2017: Relentless Forward Progress

I am burned out. The weight of such high expectations placed on myself year after year... my running friends have encouraged me to not run anything long next year, but instead to cut back, and focus on other areas of life.

It's hard. Most of my identity is tied to endurance. I wonder if my friends didn't enable this by repeatedly calling me a "machine."

However, I do know that when I didn't race in 2013, I came back in 2014 well-rested and recovered. Maybe that's what I should do in 2018... just step back, rest up, and come back strong the following year.
 
ShirtlessBob said:
I am burned out. The weight of such high expectations placed on myself year after year... my running friends have encouraged me to not run anything long next year, but instead to cut back, and focus on other areas of life.

It's hard. Most of my identity is tied to endurance. I wonder if my friends didn't enable this by repeatedly calling me a "machine."

However, I do know that when I didn't race in 2013, I came back in 2014 well-rested and recovered. Maybe that's what I should do in 2018... just step back, rest up, and come back strong the following year.
Click to expand...

I am no ultra endurance expert by any means, but I do know at times our bodies will need rest. That might not mean you have to go cold turkey, but a year of moderation could be a good thing? I'd go over a plan with your coach / doctor etc etc. You could stay involved by signing up for a few shorter events here and there (5ks, 10ks) and maybe you would see your times on those improve as you do them on a more rested body?

Or maybe mix it up a bit and do a year of yoga or other strength training (crossfit or similar).

Im sure you will find a good course!
 
Re: Fitness (Diet/Exercise) 2017: Relentless Forward Progress

ericredaxe said:
I am no ultra endurance expert by any means, but I do know at times our bodies will need rest. That might not mean you have to go cold turkey, but a year of moderation could be a good thing? I'd go over a plan with your coach / doctor etc etc. You could stay involved by signing up for a few shorter events here and there (5ks, 10ks) and maybe you would see your times on those improve as you do them on a more rested body?

Or maybe mix it up a bit and do a year of yoga or other strength training (crossfit or similar).

Im sure you will find a good course!
Click to expand...

This is what I thought for now:

1. For this year, finish what I have on the schedule, but don't add any more. I won't even do a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving.

2. For next year, if I race at all, no more than 5Ks and 10Ks.

3. Do more yoga and Pilates; I know it helps. Possibly take a self-defense class as well.

4. Live. Go to movies, concerts, hockey games. Eat softball sized muffins from coffee shops. Drink wine with my friends. Volunteer with LGBT groups.

5. Take up baking again, but be more mindful of what I make and when I make it. When I baked in 2011, 12, and 13, I was so preoccupied with knowing that I could that I didn't stop to think if I should.

6. Travel. Go back to NMU for a hockey game. Go to the Twin Cities for the Frozen Four. Go to Chicago and see my friends.

7. Finally, go and find my smile. I lost it.

"We need rest... the spirit is willing, but the flesh is spongy and bruised."- Zapp Branigan
 
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Re: Fitness (Diet/Exercise) 2017: Relentless Forward Progress

I've started back into walking/running a course around my house. I had to stop about 18 months ago because of plantar fasciitis got really bad, but I'm now doing it again with what's still a mild set of symptoms. The route is roughly 3.35 miles, and I'd been completing it about 50 minutes. Today I finished it in 45 minutes. I hope to keep reducing that number, running more of the route with my progression until someday I'm able to run the whole thing non-stop. When I stopped last time, I had the timing down to just under 35 minutes. Here's to hoping!
 
Re: Fitness (Diet/Exercise) 2017: Relentless Forward Progress

I remembered to make and pack a sandwich for work today so I didn't go out to fast food.

I've also made the transition from Pepsi and Coke to Polar Selzter.

And my house has ten million stairs.

Here's hoping.
 
Re: Fitness (Diet/Exercise) 2017: Relentless Forward Progress

Whatever it was that you ingested at about 8:45 this morning, Kep, I want some.
 
Re: Fitness (Diet/Exercise) 2017: Relentless Forward Progress

I'm running again! And am once again giving up soda and cookies and donuts to go hand in hand with the running.
 
Re: Fitness (Diet/Exercise) 2017: Relentless Forward Progress

Nick Papagiorgio said:
I'm running again! And am once again giving up soda and cookies and donuts to go hand in hand with the running.
Click to expand...

Good for you. Please keep it fun... don't let it become a chore like I did.

This is what I need to do for the rest of the year, burn out or not:

July 8: Lake Michigan Road Trail Sand 10K
July 9: Grand Haven Olympic Duathlon (5K run/40K bike/10K run)
July 16: Tri Del Sol Olympic Duathlon
August 20: Michigan Titanium half duathlon (56 mile bike/13.1 mile run)
September 2: Marquette Marathon
September 30: Hungerford Marathon
October 15: Detroit Free Press Marathon

October 16, I plan on sitting down for a bit...
 
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