After last night’s Reeses throwdown (which I lost), I knew I needed a little extra boost on the exercise front today. Not to mention my football dinner 😀
I wanted to go at least 6 miles. Had a Zone Fudge Graham bar to start with. Bars and bagels really and truly are the best preworkout fuel, although yogurt smoothies come in a close 2nd. I did a daisy loop around the house. A newly mapped 2 mile run, which turned out to be way more hilly than I thought. I was a little tired from that, probably because of yesterday’s workout. I wound back to home, drank some H2O and did a 3 mile loop. For whatever reason, around mile 4.5 I got an energy boost. Back at home for more water and then another 2 mile loop. 7+ total today. I didn’t wear my watch. I have decided that on long runs where I have a set distance to go, I don’t want to know the time. It’s depressing to look down and see 20 minutes and know that I have more than 45 minutes left, you know? I figure I will be done when I am done.
In the spirit of Operation Beautiful – I am showing that I am beautiful when I am sweaty!
Had super delicious oats when I returned. John cooked up one of the pie pumpkins last night in the pressure cooker and here is some fresh pumpkin!
Take *that* Libby’s!!
Added to my oats with a tsp of brown sugar and cinnamon and topped with cranberry preserves.
So fresh tasting and yummy!
I am trying to think of ways to organize my blog into more helpful posts other than just me blabbing on about food and fitness of my own. I am not sure if 2 posts a day is better or just 1. I don’t like to overwhelm readers and I am not sure if it is better to have 2 shorter posts or 1 really long one as I am doing currently. Any thoughts on this?
Yesterday I was talking with John over breakfast about the view I have of myself. I had looked through some old pictures the other day and it is so weird seeing myself at 250 pounds in photos. I almost don’t recognize myself in them. However, I also look at photos of me now and think “Do I really look like that?”. When I see myself in the mirror or look down at my legs, I have that sort of mix of still feeling heavy, yet feeling smaller. I don’t know if I can describe it and not sure if any of you get what I mean. Maybe it’s a feeling that is magnified by how much weight one has lost. I said something to John about being chubby, and he said I wasn’t chubby at all. In fact he called me a healthy dynamo, which kind of made me laugh. Makes me think of this:
John asked how long it would be before I saw myself as I really am, and I don’t know. It’s like not seeing myself as an athlete, but I think I am a bit of one. Certainly not of a professional caliber, but one nonetheless. I really don’t know how to correct that way of thinking, either. I don’t view myself in any negative light and actually tend to be kind of clinical in how I look at the areas that I think need improvement. Maybe that isn’t really a bad way to think, I don’t know.
I spent the majority of 40 years being overweight and maybe it will take 40 before I get used to seeing me as I am LOL!
Well – it was my football winning dinner tonight! Decided on downtown Glens Falls and stopped at Prima. Yum. They normally aren’t open for dinner on Thursdays, but tonight was a special night.
I had a delicious panini made on artisan wheat bread, turkey, brie, sprouts, and cranberry chutney. So good!
After dinner we walked around downtown. Prima was open because it was opening night of balloon fest weekend! (Guess you know what kind of pictures are coming up in a day or so 😀 ).
They let us walk inside this balloon. Here is a view from the inside out!
That was fun!
PSA – Another first time triathlete coming up this weekend! Give PubsGal some love!
I’m off to do a little more work and indulge in my guilty pleasure of Project Runway!
I enjoy reading your blog, but I also understand the challenges you are facing. I too want my blog to be more than just my diary – I want it to be a place people come to gain useful information or motivation. It is hard to convert to that from where it is now though.
BTW, there is no doubt in my mind you are an athlete. I also understand how it is hard to see yourself that way. I still find me referring to myself as the fat one, or I find myself amazed when I actually see that I am really an average size now.
.-= South Beach Steve´s last blog ..Hot 100 Update =-.
Total athlete, without a doubt. I’m always in awe of your dedication and accomplishments.
.-= roxie´s last blog ..It did not go well. =-.
You are definitely an athlete. I love reading your about your day and would prefer reading 2 shorter posts than one long one. Maybe continuing your daily “what I did today” posts and then add the motivational stuff or whatever you want when you’re in the mood. Whatever you decide to do, I’ll be reading. Thanks for being such an inspiration.
.-= MB´s last blog ..Biggest Loser – Season 8 =-.
Lori, I know EXACTLY what you mean when you talk about how you see/feel about yourself. Sometimes I think I look small, and then sometimes when I think I look ‘hideous’ or ‘fat’ I wonder if regular people think that about themselves too. Of course, we know they say they feel that way, but do they feel the way we do? You know what I mean?
Anyways, before I checked your blog tonight, I was thinking about how much I like that you post so regularly–I can RELY on you having something I want to read. So whatever you decide is good with me. I like the motivational articles (reading and writing them) but that is hard work to always come up with something like that. And the truth is, it IS very helpful to hear about the daily life and thoughts of maintainers/ATHLETES! Of course you are an athlete!
.-= debby´s last blog ..Busy, busy =-.
I debated between two short or one long post too. Just do what works best with your schedule 🙂 I gave up the two short ones because it was too hard to come up with quality content when I was time crunched before work in the morning.
I only lost 30 lbs and still see myself as chubby. I think everyone has distorted views of themselves, even if they’ve never dealt with weight loss.
.-= Susan´s last blog ..The Pyramids of the Weight Room =-.
I love your blog and I think you need to do what’s best for you… one long, or 2 short. 😉 I’m lucky to get a post up daily! LOL!! And you are definitely an athlete!! Look at how much you run, it’s amazing & inspiring!!!
I don’t think we ever see ourselves as we really are.. i’ve lost 35lbs and still see “flaws” in my body which i’m working on ‘fixing’, which deep down is probably nuts, cause i’m a sz.2/4 now… so we’re all like that no matter what we look like on the outside I think. I don’t know.
Anyways, love your blog, do whatever makes you happy! You could always do a combo of long posts on days you have more time to blog, or 2 shorter posts on other busier days!
.-= Carla´s last blog ..Are you kidding me!?!?! =-.
What ever is better for you with your posts Lori. I just love the fact that i can count on a post from you nearly every day! Thats awesome and some real dedication. You eat incredibly healthy and you inspire me to eat healthier which can’t be a bad thing. And exercise you are definately a little dynamo! LOL! I can definately see Taz as your icon.
Body image…..wow……thats a tough one. I have good days and bad days……Thankfully mostly good. Days when i get dressed and look in the mirror and i can honestly say Wow girl you look good! And other days the scale will say the same but all i see is the jelly roll. So i learn not to put much stock in it. I’am who i’am. How i FEEL is way more important. You ever think its a hormone thing? Our daily ups and downs with how we feel about ourselves? Some days i think i really SEE myself in the mirrow and others not. Who knows how long it will take to really TRUST our vision of ourselves…..Jinx!
Thanks for the shout-out! 🙂
Oh, I know what you mean about body image. I’m still wrapping my brain around that one, too. Sometimes I catch a glance of myself and think, “Whoa! That’s *me*!” Fortunately, it’s either a “yeay!” feeling or that “clinical” feeling you’re talking about: “arms and legs look strong, little loose skin there on the inner thighs, looks like the abdominal area could use more work but we’re getting there.” I feel more energetic, but I’m not sure I feel “lighter.” What really blows me away is picking up my son for a hug (he’s nearly 80 pounds) and realizing that was how much extra I was carrying around on my body every day. No wonder I felt so tired and achy all the time.
.-= Pubsgal´s last blog ..In 24 hours… =-.
Post as you like and what you prefer. I write a blog every 2 days so I won’t bore my readers 🙂 and simply because I haven’t got the time to write every evening. I don’t read/write blogs at work and I love reading blogs including yours so I want to spend time to that too.
Anyway I love your blog and read everyone of it.
The only thing I’m missing is dat I can’t subscribed to posted comments because I also like to know what the comments of your other readers are and I usually forget to check your post again the next day.
.-= Fran´s last blog ..A day in my life: Friday September 25th 2009 =-.
I need to figure out how to do a subscribe for comment updates.
I love your blog no matter how long or short your posts are, you are always an inspiration.
And you are definately an athlete! Look at all you can and do do. I can’t wait until I can call myself one!
.-= Karyn´s last blog ..A surprise! and a new favorite 🙂 =-.
I love your blogs and I love love to read it! Please do what’s best for you but I think what you do now is super motivational! The pictures of what you eat and your exercise logs do motivate me enough..I really wish I can work out daily like you do..I love your blog!