Resolutions for 2012

So, it has definitely been awhile since I last blogged. I wish there was an epically awesome reason, but there hasn't been. Work has been steady busy, and we've been prepping the house for baby #2. I guess that would fall under epically awesome.

Anyway, here is my list of personal goals for the coming year:

1. double the number of races to four.


2. read a book a month.


3. decide on, and apply for masters program


4. hit stable weight of 160, currently 162-163


5. finish painting the two rooms upstairs....lame but doable :)


6. travel to visit old friends.


7. get out and be more social


8. organize more stuff at home and let go of some of the old things.

There, I think that should do it.

Contacts Free

A few months back, I was on my last pair of contacts.

Seeing as it had been over three years since I got my one-year supply, I decided to call an optometrist and get my eyes checked out.

One of the benefits working at a Medical Center is that if you are looking for any kind of doctor, they are most likely there.  It makes getting to appointments easy: no need to worry about finding a place to park, just walk down!

I met with the nice Doctor and she did her eye Doctor thing.  Twenty minutes later, she told me my earlier prescription was too strong, and was probably too strong when I got it.  She recommended I get new glasses after seeing the battle worn glasses I brought in.

I asked her about contacts.  She'd be more than happy to fit me for contacts; all it required was a fitting fee and more money.

The practical (read: cheap) side of me starting butting in the internal monologue I was having.  If I had to get new glasses anyway, why get contacts as well?  If I decided that glasses weren't the thing for me on a daily basis, I could easily just stop down for another appointment and pay the fee.

Practicality usurped control and I just ordered glasses. It was hard to decided on a pair that I liked.  I knew I didn't want too thick framed or too large of a lens: I had flashbacks to my seventh grade picture with the glasses that ran halfway down my cheeks.  I also didn't want to pay a crapton for frames.

Side note: just like cars and houses, after looking a 30 or 40 pairs of glasses, they all look the same.  It helps to take notes and go back after a day or so to compare.

I finally decided on a frame and began the purchasing process.  Without any discounts, the glasses should have cost $460!

Thankfully, insurance kicked in $60 (sarcasm), I got an employee discount, and got a "game card" that got me an extra 15% off.

 

When it was all said and done, it ended up around $250...not bad.  Not great, but when you factor in time off from work increase, the employee discount and gas to drive, I don't know if I could have done much better.

 

So far, I'm liking just doing the glasses.  I do have to clean my lenses so I can see periodically, but I like it.  The only time I don't like wearing glasses is running, as they have a tendency to fog up and bounce a bit.  I suppose I could get a glasses strap to help keep the in place...

I could also get a pocket protector while I'm at it too...

Turkey-Day Running!

I decided to sign up for the 40th Annual Turkey Trot Run in Webster this year.  I chose the "2.5 miler fun run" instead of the 4.4 miler.  I figure, it may be Turkey day, but I don't want to go too crazy.

I know I could do both, but the run prohibits headphones.  I always run with headphones.  I'm sure I would be fine, but I like to listen to an audio book or podcast to help keep my mind active slightly distracted.  When I don't run with headphones, I tend to analyze my run too much, and end up making it worse.

I focus on my breathing, and how it should be longer/deeper, or that my stride is not Gazelle enough.

 

If this goes well, maybe I'll do the 4.4 next year.

Health Update for March 2011

it’s time for another update:

Weight on 2/28/2011: 164
Weight on 3/31/2011: 163
Weight Change : -1 pound!  I've definitely lost a bunch of Fat Weight, and have been doing more strength training.  I'm beginning to see definition in my arms, as well as my Legs.  I can also see my abs!

Total Miles Run this Month: 97.15 Miles  Another month of not missing a day!  I walked to the Parking lot a few times, which adds another mile or so each way.  Hopefully, the nice weather will allow me to do that more often and get even more exercise in.

Total Milage for 2011: 258.43 Miles …That’s a lot of miles!  I've worn down my shoes enough that I have ordered a new pair!

Total Workout Minutes This month: 941  It is staggering to think that this monthly total surpasses the YEARLY amount I did 5 or 6 years ago...

Total Workout Minutes for 2011: 3,242

Total Calories burned from Working out: 11,186

All in all, I'm shocked and excited.  I've come far in a short amount of time.  I haven't felt this good in a long time, if ever!

The other amazing thing is how quickly "exercise" became "my morning routine."  I used to have to make plans to go to the gym either during lunch or after work...that made it feel more like a job than what I see it for now: Fun.

Here's to another fantastic month!  April weather will slowly warm up, which means not so many layers!  I really LOVE running in the summer in the morning...I can't wait!

 

 

Bonus Health Update!

Well, I just had my physical...

 

And apparently I'm healthy!!

 

I had a health Screening back in January which said my Cholesterol was 231...not good!  So I made a change or two to my diet, and Have been running 6 days a week since then.

 

The results:

Total Cholesterol: 192

LDL(Bad cholesterol): 109

HDL (Good Cholesterol): 73

Ratio: 2.5

 

These are awesome numbers!

Also, my resting heart rate is 54...Nice!

Health Update for February

It’s time for another update:

Weight on 1/31/2011: 167
Weight on 2/28/2011: 164
Weight Change : -3 pounds!  Not as much as last month, but I've included more fiber in my diet, and have been really trying to not be starving myself.  I've pretty much lost my spare tire, but there's always room for improvement!

Total Miles Run this Month: 66.14 Miles

Total Milage for 2011: 127.23 Miles ...That's a lot of miles!

Total Workout Minutes This month: 728  I think I might have missed a day or two here...as it is way less than January...but the Milage seems right.

Total Workout Minutes for 2011: 1980

Total Calories burned from Working out: 8356

For the second month into this, I've definitely noticed a difference.  By altering my eating habits, and including more Fiber and greens, my Calorie intake has leveled off, and that has helped keep my weight fairly constant.

I've also added some basic Strength training a couple days a week.  Nothing too fancy, just some pushups, dips, and Plank(ing) to help improve the "T-Rex" arms as Robyn calls them ;)

 

All in all, Going well and I'm really enjoying it.  I've slipped a few days as far as tracking my intake, but I think I've got it down to a fairly good science: I don't change up my eating too much and stay away from Sweets...I've really started paying attention to portions, and ensuring my "helping" of food really isn't four or five.

 

Here's to another good month!

 

Health update!

I'm not sure who many people will care, but it's my blog damnit! So here are the updates from this month:

I've been using sparkpeople.com for about a month, and it's time for an update:

Weight on 1/1/2011: 178
Weight on 1/31/2011: 167
Weight Change : -11 pounds! (I think this might be a bit off...I'm not super confident in our scale, but I have definitely lost some spare tireage)

Total Miles Run: 61.09 Miles

Total Workout Minutes This month: 1252

Total Calories burned from Working out: 8315

All in all, I've felt good! Tracking my eating has shown me that there are days that I do not eat enough...So I'm working on incorporating more nuts and greens to help bring up the Calorie count, yet not adding too much in the way of Cholesterol or anything.

All in all, Going well!