Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Working Out and Weighing In Link-Up

Pretty Strong Medicine


The last time I wrote to you about my fitness journey I was completely frustrated, like in tears frustrated.  I decided for now, I am going to take a break from the scale and focus on my progress in numbers that are viable and I can push myself to change right then and there. 

The first thing I am celebrating is getting a mile in in almost 10 minutes.  I remember when I used to only walk a mile and in was a solid 17 minutes. 

The second thing I am celebrating is 4 miles in almost 45 minutes (really it is closer to 46, but I like interval numbers like quarters...OCD probs).  4 miles, if I even got to that distance was at least an hour (walking, because I couldn't run).

I have been using interval training to increase distance and time. 
I love HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) for several reasons:
  • It is great for increasing the time for a particular distance.
  • It is heart healthy.
  • It burns fat, not muscle.
  • It is great for weight loss.
  • It increases your metabolism.
  • You can do it with no equipment (I use a treadmill)

 Here is what I started doing:

 I have since changed this and I am now warming up with a 1 mile jog at 5.5-6 (depending on how I feel) and then go into interval training.  For interval training I have been walking 1 minute at 3.9-4 and running 1 minute at 7.5.  I think I am going to keep speeds the same and work on increasing the amount of time I run.  I can run half a lap in 1 minute at 7.5, so my hope is to increase that to 2 minutes, then 4 and so on until I can run a mile at that speed.  

And here is an after workout picture, just because.  
Ummm, next time, please remind me that to avoid a doubt chin to angle the camera HIGHER than me.  Thanks.



So, here is to letting numbers on the scale go, for now, and celebrating the journey.


17 comments:

  1. Yes, focusing on just one part of the weight loss process can be frustrating. You have to look at the whole picture. The scale doesn't recognize whether you're losing fat or gaining muscle. Celebrate the progress in any area!

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    1. The scale can be very discouraging for me...I tend to put too much stalk in it, so to speak. I am going to go down to a weigh in once every week or two...or maybe even farther between and focus on running progress, etc. :)

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  2. Congrats! I think this is a wonderful idea. I know I can get so caught up in what I'm eating, calories, the number on the scale, how many calories burned, etc. It is overwhelming and usually doesn't turn out well for me. I might have to try this approach!

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    1. Trying to lose weight is VERY overwhelming, there is so much you try to be conscious of and sometimes I feel if I let one thing go I am a failure!

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  3. The scale is totally my enemy! I think I'm going to do what you are and ignore that blasted thing and start focusing on non-scale related victories!

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  4. ah, yes, let the scale go, it doesn't know everything. Focus on how you feel and the progress you have made!

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    1. Thank you. I am going to focus on how my clothes fit, etc. Thanks for stopping by :)

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  5. I love HIIT and have noticed such a difference in my running durability. I haven't been running much lately so I didn't think to check, but I went for a run the other day for the first time in months (during which time I was doing various kinds of HIIT workouts) and was amazed when I just kept running and running and running. If I get near a treadmill again I'll have to try your workout!

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    1. I love HIIT cardio, too. I think it makes me feel like a runner before I actually am, but it has helped me make lots of progress.

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  6. Congrats on your running progress! That's awesome. I'm slowly getting there too!

    Keeo it up :)

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    1. I just want to be in that phase where I can go out and run like 7 miles and think nothing of it, lol. It time, I guess.
      Thanks for stopping by. :)

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  7. i think you have the right idea, girl!! get it!

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  8. I just had a chance to read this today ---- I was also starting to think about interval training, so I'm totally going to use your example, thanks!!

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  9. Congrats on your mile time! I've found that when I'm trying to build up distance, I go slow. When my the thought pops into my head, "I need to stop and walk." I immediately slow down, but keep running. Your body will naturally return to a good pace and you wont even realize it. LOVING your blog, so happy that we did a button swap!

    -Em

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    1. Thanks for the congrats and advice. Thanks for stopping by. :)

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