Dear Body,

I'm so sorry for the way I've treated you these past two weeks. It's unfair to ignore your needs for convenience, then still expect you to give me maximum output.

I ignored the signs of allergy strain via ear infection that you sent me, choosing instead to use the drops just long enough for the pain and swelling to go away. An oath is pledged now that I will restart the drops this very morning, and finish the full course.

I've dumped toxic sludge into you by way of pre-processed, non-existent nutritional value, loaded with simple carbohydrates "quick meals" that have you feeling sticky and like you're moving through molasses. Then, to add insult to injury, I've ignored your need for agua for way too much coffee, with spurts of pink lemonade thrown in. Starting this morning I'll get you back on the right track. An abundance of hydration is the first order of the day, so it's back to one cup of morning coffee. I'm cleaning out the Refrigerator of Doom before breakfast, so that my excuse of not being able to find anything healthy to cook is no longer valid. Keep your eyes open for fresh fruits, vegetables, and leafy greens today...I hope you enjoy!

As for the exercise that you crave and enjoy (though the brain doesn't enjoy it a bit I know that you, Body, do!) I have chosen, instead, to breeze past the treadmill and heavy bag. Turn a blind eye to my Tai Chi, Yoga, and Pilates. Then I tackle labor intensive jobs that leave you sore, scratched, aching, cramping, and exhausted. These chores have to be done, and I apologize for that, but from today on they will only be done AFTER you have been properly exercised. I will also not be so stubborn about taking the time to tend to your aches and pains. I realize that we both loathe medicinal intervention so I will make sure to use my herbal teas and holistic remedies to soothe you back to a feeling of calmness.

I do love you, Body. It's you and me until the end, and I should treat you with the respect that you deserve. I'm but a weak soul, however, so please know that these slip-ups are a result of such and have nothing to do with us being enemies in any way. Perhaps from now on I can do a better job of showing you just how important you are to me.

With Highest Regards,    

The Soul Which You House

xoxoxoxoxo

Couch to 5K - Week 1 Day 3

I DID IT!! I finished the first week, and with no injuries to speak of!!!

I had originally planned on doing the third day on Thursday, but made plans to go to my parents house and clean the hardwood floors of their downstairs. Yeah, that was enough of a workout, don't you think? Moving furniture, dust mopping, regular mopping, steam mopping, and THEN moving said furniture back into place. Friday was another bust, as my allergies were protesting my Thursday activities and I spent the majority of the day in a Benadryl coma. This morning, though, I decided nothing was going to stop me. I got up, had some coffee, did the dishes, threw my sheets in the washer, and hit the treadmill.

Today's workout was much easier for the first half. I also managed to job all 8 segments at 4.5MPH! For my cooldown I managed 3 minutes at 3MPH and the last 2 minutes at 2.5MPH. After I had completed the fist 6 jogging segments I was pretty sure I was going to die right then, but I kept pushing. Boy, am I glad I did! I'm dog tired now, but I'm SO happy with myself. I think, for a first week of a new program, I did pretty damn good.

Next week starts a 90 second jogs separated by 2 minute walks. Am I nervous? You betcha! Am I going to let it stop me? Hell, NO! I can already tell a huge difference in my energy level, even with my current stay in Allergy Hell I feel better, AND I've lost a pound and a half. Motivation, thy name is results...at least in this case!

Couch To 5K....the Beginning

I started the Couch to 5K program this morning. I snagged the free app for my iPhone, dropped the treadmill down, and set to work. I'd like to say that I enjoyed it, but let's get real. It's exercise. I may be brash and uncouth, but I do NOT like to sweat...unless it involves working in my garden in the sunshine. The point, however, is not to enjoy the exercise, but to force myself to do it because it is necessary for my health. Hopefully I can keep to that fact until the time comes that I DO enjoy it.

I've mentioned before that I totally suck at taking care of myself. I acknowledge this. I'm not talking about the way I eat...I'm not too shabby in that department. Sure I have a weakness for Krispy Kremes, but I only give in to that weakness 5-6 times a year. I've been a vegetarian for over a year now, so my diet consists mainly of vegetables and fruits and I always choose whole or multi grain products. I'm talking about taking care of my body, my skin, my hair, my nails, my psyche. Those are what I put on the back burner. Then I find myself sitting like a blob, feeling depressed, wondering why I'm not happy with myself. Publicly admitting this huge flaw is my way of forcing myself to do something about it. I'm constantly nagging the youngest kiddo to exercise...while I'm sitting on the couch. Huh? Yeah, like that's  going to work.

So, Week 1 Day 1. I started out with a 5 minute warm-up at 3MPH. Brisk for a beginner, a snail's pace for someone fit. The workout is spread into eight 60 second jogging segments, and seven 90 second walking segments. I got through the first 2 jogs at 4.5MPH, but felt like I was about to die when it got to the third. I dropped to 4.3MPH for it, then 4MPH for the last four. Not athlete quality, but I got through it and I was PROUD of myself! The walking segments I maintained at 3MPH. The 5 minute cool down was 2 1/2 minutes at 2.5MPH and 2 1/2 minutes at 2MPH. At the half-way point I really doubted that I was going to make it through. I found myself thinking, "It's okay to just walk through the next jogging segment." That brought my up short. What. The. Hell?! I have NEVER been a quitter. As a matter of fact I've always been quite happy to prove anyone who said I couldn't do something wrong. Yet, there I am, telling myself to go ahead and quit. SCREW THAT! I pushed myself through. Reducing speed, yes, but still jogging...and you know what? That feeling of defeat left. When I got to jogging segment 6 of 8 I told myself I could do it. By the next to the last segment I believed I could do it. When the final jogging segment ended? I always knew I would do it. I felt great! Sweaty, yet accomplished. Exhausted, yet exhilarated. Shaky, yet standing strong.

The program is just 3 days a week, so I'm off until Tuesday. I'll spend tomorrow telling myself that I. Did. This. Because I did, and I need to focus on that in order to force myself to continue doing it.