It’s all about the goods
Hey, hey!
I’ve actually been wanting to blog for several days, just because I’ve been in a pretty darn great mood for about 2 weeks straight. I thought I’d talk about the top 5 things in my life (the goods) that are rocking my world, especially in the arena of fitness and health.
5. Klean Kanteen
My klean kanteen is a great help throughout the day, I know that before I go home from work, I need to drink 2 bottles full of water. I love the weight of the bottle. (Yes, I know that it can double as a weapon on dark walks to my car from the fitness center;) ) I also love that I know I’m drinking clean water, without any toxins leeching from my plastic bottles.
4. Whole Wheat
Whole wheat is taking over my life! I’ve traded in my regular “wheat bread” for a variety that is actually 100% whole grain (not to mention free of high fructose corn syrup, or HFCS, which is another cause for madness all on its own). Also, I’m on the whole wheat pasta bandwagon, whole grain waffles, whole grain pita… It is filling, and keeps me rolling through the workday without grabbing for candy or treats.
3. Data Trackers
I’ve got to cheat a little and combine two of my most important tools into this one category. I like data and keeping track of minutia, part of that is tracking what is coming into my body, and what I’m doing to burn it off of my body.
Sparkpeople/DailyPlate
and
Sparkpeople and the Daily Plate are huge helps for me. First, Sparkpeople is how I track my workouts, and get meal plans for the week. It tracks my weight and measurements, as well as provides me with tons of really great articles. Another cool feature that has been motivational for me, is the point system. For doing good stuff, and accomplishing goals, I earn points (that are virtually useless) but I still want them, dangit!
Daily Plate is FAR superior to Sparkpeople for finding specific, brandname nutrition information. Ate a can of Amy’s organic lentil soup? It’s on dailyplate. Ate a McDonald’s egg mcmuffin with no canadian bacon? It’s on dailyplate. Now to be fair, as I’ve significantly reduced the amount of junk I eat, but even greek yogurt, raw almonds, and veggiepatch portobello burgers are in there. It is a great resource.
Garmin Forerunner 50 + Garmin Connect
Now, how I track what I’m doing to take calories OUT of my body, my garmin forerunner 50. This badboy is my second attempt at a heart rate monitor/tracker. This thing is awesome! I’ve been able to get detailed information about my pace, distance, calories burned, and cadence. It is a really great device, and I’m really enjoying the cool tools on their data management site, garmin connect.
2. Good Running Shoes (for me- Nike Zoom Structure Triax+12)
Getting fitted for, buying, and using these running shoes have made all the difference in my runs. I’m able to go farther, faster, and without pain. These shoes feel like they were made for my feet, and make me feel like I’m running on clouds. They’re extremely breathable, and I just can’t tell you how awesome they are. I <3 them.
1. human support system
I’ve got a GREAT support system. My hubby is awesome, and always has something great to say that keeps me motivated. Just the other day, I was walking in front of him in the grocery store, and like a good husband, he checked out my butt. He proceeded to stop me, turn me around, give me a kiss, look me in the eye, and say, “I’m so proud of you. Your jeans are REALLY baggy in the butt, like, they look like they’re gonna fall off.” 
That was a good moment.
Jess always goes the extra mile to encourage me throughout the workday. I found this in my inbox last week:
Roses are red,
Violets always pout,
Have you been working out?Because you look svelte.
Can you beat that? I don’t think so.
Lastly, I’ve got a GREAT online community of highly knowledgeable and supportive women, who I check in with on a daily basis. They are always there to listen, or guide, and they have great ideas about fitness, and how I can keep my life on track.
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I know this was a long one, but I’ve been wanting to write it for a while. I’m really enjoying my journey, and I hope you’re doing well on yours!
I conquered.
So, I’ve been busting my booty, working out and counting calories (which is not cumbersome as you might imagine with websites like sparkpeople and the daily plate.), and I’ve been seeing BIG changes to my body.
One of the most exciting things I’ve been doing is the c25k, and its been a few weeks since I’ve posted, but let me just tell you, I’m being transformed! Prior to starting this program, I’ve never run a mile straight through without stopping… ever. Well, on a whim, I decided to sign up for the 5k that was happening just minutes from my house, and knowing it would be a relatively small event, I was pretty excited.
I was pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to run the whole thing, because, I’m only on week 3 of c25k, and haven’t even run a mile straight in the program yet. Nevertheless, I decided that I was capable of seeing this event as MY race. If I focused only on MY pace, and MY body, I would be able to push myself in a healthy way… I might even pull a mile without stopping…
Well… I won’t bait you further! I didn’t stop to walk until 1.25 MILES had passed, (at which point my, now rejected sportline hrm, completely betrayed me and I lost all my data) thats right! I ran a mile! The first mile EVER!
I definitely had to walk some during miles 2 and 3… (am I the only one who was surprised in their first 5k just how far 3 miles is on foot!?), but I finished… and I pushed at the end, jogging about the last half mile straight to the finish. 
I was beaming, (and crying just a smidge) because I was so proud. As I was catching my breath, I remember saying to Daron through misty eyes, “I… I can do anything.”
This race symbolized so much to me. It represented my focus… my dedication to a healthy life. It also showed me that I am limited only by my desires, and if I want to change, I need only to decide to.
When I crossed the finish line (my first finish line) a bunch of people flew through my head… my babe, who encourages me, just by being proud… JESS, who calls me svelte every day, and is a constant encouragement… my mom, who said I could do anything long before I ever believed her… Angie–who I don’t really know, but who managed to set my feet in motion…
I’m so glad I’m on this path, and I can’t wait for my next run.
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Results and PicturesBIB 612
AGE 25
RANK 190
TIME 42:20.1
PACE 13:39/M(google readers, you’ll need to come to my page to see pics.
*Note: I am reviewing this item in two parts. Part 1 is after day 1 of use. Part two will be after 2 weeks of use)
Item: Sportline S12
Purchased at: Walmart (I believe this is a Walmart only item)
Price: $38.77
Functions: Clock (time/date), heart rate zone monitor, resting heart rate tracking, alarm, chronograph, timer, dual time zone clock, pedometer, workout timer, calorie counter, distance calculator, speed (mph) calculator
Part 2 [Rating: 1/5]
Well, here is part two of my review of the sportline s12 heart rate monitor.
It is with great disappointment that I share that I will be returning this device tomorrow. During the 5k I ran on Saturday, after about 1.25 miles, the watch just sorta… reset. It suddenly had a new date, new time, wiped all of my step, milage, and distance data. HALF WAY THROUGH MY RACE. I was livid.
There isn’t any particular reason to draw my review out longer, it just didn’t do what it needed to do, when I needed it to do it.
(on another note, I’m not sure it was entirely acurate as a HRM, calories burned tracker, or distance keeper. Even with specific measurements of my stride, it was occasionally -inexplicably- off.)
Sorry, sportline… I really, REALLY wanted to like it.
My Anti-Resolution
Welcome to the new year!!
I’ve put off writing this entry, because I did not make any resolutions this year. I made Anti-Resolutions.
Anti-Resolutions, as I’m defining them, are not tied to a magical date, are not fads, are not triggered by the pressures of society and popular culture, but are commitments. (Let me disclaim and say that resolutions are highly effective for some people, and I wish every resolutioner great success in achieving their goals) For me, this commitment began in November when I started (and completed) the 30 day shred. The commitments I’ve made about my 2009 experience are not restricted to the coming 12 months, but are part of a CHANGE I’m making in my life.
In light of this information, I present, my 2009 Anti-Resolutions.
1. I will not worry about how much I weigh.
How much I weigh is not important. Being healthy is important. I want to live a long and active life, and in order to do that, I need to be more active and eat right.
2. I will not forgo a balanced diet.
I am not 16 years old and I can not eat everything I want. I will put good food in my mouth, and I will make choices about what I eat and drink, ensuring that I enjoy the fruits of life, but take everything in moderation.
3. I will not stand still.
I will run my first 5k in 2009. I’ve started the couch to 5k program (hereafter referred to as c25k) and am on my 2nd week. My body, endurance, and stamina are already improving! I’m excited about this one.
4. I will not be quiet.
I pay for this blog. Instead of using a blogspot blog, I have my own domain and my own hosted blog, and I will not waste my money!
5. I will not waste my brainpower!
I have 2 semesters left in grad school. I’ve managed straight 4.0, and if I focus, I can finish with one. Also, I want to keep reading. I love reading, and do more than most people, but I’ve got a pretty long to-be-read list, and I want to read a minimum of 25 books in 2009.
I will have a Masters Degree in 2009!
6. I will not take my fellow humans for granted.
From my beautiful husband, to my family, to my friends old and new, I want to make sure that the people in my life (even those with whom I’m only an acquaintance) know how valuable they are to me. I don’t want to miss out on chances to tell people that they are precious, and I am glad to have them in my life.
I hope that the promises you’ve made for your life bring you more joy and contentment in 2009, and I hope that the effects of your efforts last much longer than 12 months.
Happy New Year.
Review: Sportline S12 heart rate monitor (part 1)
*Note: I am reviewing this item in two parts. Part 1 is after day 1 of use. Part 2 will be after 2 weeks of use)
Item: Sportline S12
Purchased at: Walmart (I believe this is a Walmart only item)
Price: $38.77
Functions: Clock (time/date), heart rate zone monitor, resting heart rate tracking, alarm, chronograph, timer, dual time zone clock, pedometer, workout timer, calorie counter, distance calculator, speed (mph) calculator
Part 1 [Rating: 3.5/5]
I’ve been stepping up my fitness gradually since November, and I recently began training for my first 5k. While burying myself in message boards and websites dedicated to helping people improve their fitness level, I began to read about the glorious Garmin 305. As someone who’s been focused on fitness for all of 2.5 months, I wasn’t really comfortable shelling out $160-$300 for a device that I wasn’t even sure if I’d use.
So, yesterday, at the glowing goliath, I saw this little guy hanging in the fitness section.
Now, the primary functionality I wa excited about in the 305 was, tracking my speed, tracking my heart rate, and tracking my distance. After reading the box, and determining that this little baby did all of those things, I decided to grab it.
Today, I used it for the first time, and there were a ton of pros:
- It is significantly smaller than the 305. I don’t know if the 305 would have been too big or not, but this one is definitely smaller.
- It was pretty easy to set up. After determining my stride length, measuring my resting heart rate, and determining the ideal heart rate range I was aiming for, I was ready to go.
- While running, I could glance down and check my speed which was great for determining if I was pushing hard enough.
- It was easy to switch between speed, heart rate, and distance while running.
- It tracked my steps (which I love).
- You can stop the tracking process (stop the pedometer function) but you don’t have to clear the data right away, so you can track it/record it when you get home (see the cons list)
Now for the few cons:
- It uses my stride length to determine my distance, not GPS… So, if I was super wrong about my stride length, or if my stride length changes significantly then I’d need to make an adjustment.
- This little guy can’t compete with the computer interface of the 305. It does NOT connect to your computer, nor does it keep track of all of the goodies that the Garmin does. (but for $40 bucks, I’ll just open excel
)
All together, my day 1 assessment, is that I CERTAINLY got $40 worth of functionality. No. It is not as cool, shiny, or as technologically advanced as one that costs 5 times as much. However, if you’re just getting started, or unwilling to shell out that much green at the beginning of your fitness quest, or if you simply don’t have the cash available to spend on a big honkin one right now, so far, it seems that this thing will do the trick.
We’ll see how I feel after 1 week of use.
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