Yay, Deborah! It DOES help to have this group lurking in the back of your mind, doesn’t it?
3.2 on treadmill last night after work. I simply couldn’t face the dark. This morning I FINALLY got outside and it was wonderful! Definitely very hard to get out of the bed in the dark, but it was light enough by 6:25 that I wore a reflector light on my shoe but no headlamp. 24 degrees but clear and no wind. Wore a lot of clothes… I needed that fresh air.
We had a beautiful morning here as well - nice to get outside. 28 degrees which is perfect for me. Got a bonus half mile warmup - forgot to start my Garmin until it warned me it was going into conservation mode - oh well. 6.11 timed miles plus a half.
I think I’ve found two halfs I want to run in April and then will probably do the same marathon in the fall. See if I can’t speed things up a bit.
4.99 miles run/walk. I had to do it on the treadmill since we’ve got a slippery snow glaze on everything. This was my first 15+ mile week – not a lot for some of you runners, but a pretty big deal for me. I’ve got a slightly achy hip that I hope isn’t going to develop into anything. Almost done with Serial – what next?
Encouraged by a recent article on businessinsider.com that says short intense bursts of exercise are better than long slogs, I roused myself to do some stair climbing and running in place in the basement. 
I must say, people my age are amazed at how fast I do steps. (Unless they are runners, of course. Then it’s no big deal.)
Question about probiotics for you nutrition experts here. I found this on a list of “weight loss myths,” which seemed pretty legit (e.g., low-fat isn’t necessarily going to help you). This one was kind of unclear; anyone have any more detailed thoughts about probiotics?
@Momannoyed, that’s why I like my current routine - CrossFit three times a week and running three times a week. So I alternate the short bursts of exercise with the long slogs. I think both are important. And I am getting stronger because of CrossFit! I never thought I would bench press or do overhead squats, etc.
On the food front, I am doing the Whole30 diet - it lasts only 30 days. You aren’t allowed to eat sugar, carbs, or dairy. It sounds crazy, but it has helped me lose my intense cravings for sugar and carbs! I’m on day 11. It’s also forced me to learn how to cook healthy and not use any processed foods. At first, I was cooking only for myself, but when my family saw what I was making, they asked that I make enough for them!. My favorite is sauteeing chicken (boneless, skinless breast) in coconut oil, adding onions, capers, and garlic, then mixing in kale with lemon juice drizzled over it. You steam that for a few minutes. Add a few kalamata olives and serve! It’s just such a good combination of flavors! I’ve already lost several pounds and feel great.
I usually get tons of headaches, but I’ve had very few in the past week and a half. At the end of the 30 days, I will learn how to add back one type of food at a time, so I can identify which ones trigger headaches or other bad reactions.
I use a probiotic that my doc recommended specifically - the first time I bought an OTC probiotic without really thinking about what I needed - next time I was there he made a list of what to look for specifically and recommended brands. Hadn’t really thought about using a probiotic for weight loss - I have IBS so that’s why I’m using one. Can’t tell if it’s changes to diet or the probiotic that’s helping but it is.
Good to hear from you, ML - that Whole30 diet sounds great. Anything is possible for 30 days, right?
No hill for me yesterday but I think I did the equivalent hauling a face cord of wood up the smaller hill to the firewood stand 
McH fell on the ice and sprained plus fractured his ankle. Not fun. Will make for an interesting winter if the roof needs to be raked again…
Which got me thinking (while hauling wood) maybe I should open “kmcmom’s exercise ranch.” You know, where people pay me to enjoy the pastoral splendor of the property and I put them to work with farmer carries, roof rake tai chi, and other healthful sporting competitions, such as speed-shoveling-on-snowshoes
I’ll give y’all a free weekend pass!
Sign me up, kmc!
Easy 9 miles this morning with my running group - I say easy but it was tough going. Glad to have it done.
Ouch kmcmom! Sending healing thoughts to your home.
kmcmom- that’s terrible about your H! That may take some time to heal.
Good job, sabaray!
4 miles with H from the house early this am before we have to leave for an event. Cold but nice.
Ok, everyone. I have fallen off the wagon. I have been dealing with a hugely stressful situation w a relative (MOWC will attest!) which has both legal and financial ramifications and my stomach has been in knots for the past week, I am waking up at night thinking about it, I’m totally distracted at work and yep - that’s when I start to stress-eat and blow off the gym. Any words of encouragement greatly appreciated! I blew off all my classes this past week and basically lived off chocolate and coffee. I’m sure it’s an attempt to self medicate in a sense.
Did an indoor cycle class on Friday–had not been to one in a while. It was tough going, but I made and was happy when it was over. This morning, I went to a TRX class. Small class–only 5 people. It was a good workout.
A friend is urging me to sign up for this:
http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/PageServer?pagename=HOM_MUCK_MuckFest_info_boston
She says I can do my shuffle/walk between obstacles and don’t have to run. Not sure how to train for it, but there’s a team in my area and I can workout and get tips from them. Has anyone done one of these? This one benefits MS. and the team I’d join is one that a woman with MS started.
Pizzagirl, this week is over. Believe me, I have been there as well! I am sorry you’re going through this - but chocolate and coffee won’t fix the problem anymore than doughnuts fixed my problems.
Start fresh. Today might be a nice day for a walk. Fresh air does wonders. Get a massage or a pedicure. Drink some fresh juice, some tea and have a nice salad. Reset that mind frame. You can do it!
Bromfield, that looks suspiciously like a Tough Mudder. I would have no idea how to train and honestly, I’d be worried about getting hurt.
PG–sorry you’re having to deal with nasty stuff. I fall off the wagon with food and know how bad that feels. Don’t beat yourself up–see if you can start on your exercise routine again–set a date to start and keep it. Throw the chocolate away or give it away–don’t keep it around. If it’s there, you’ll grab for it.
Deep breathing like the kind you do in yoga helps too. Meditation can be helpful; if you can clear your mind even for five minutes, you’ll feel better. One thing that’s taken me a long time to learn is that it really helps to share your feelings with someone you trust. I tend to keep things to myself until I get like a crazy person. Good luck.
Sabaray: I need a goal and this seems like it might be one I could accomplish. I’m not a runner, so I don’t have goals like running in X race or X distance. I like this because of the obstacle part, which would be my challenge. Also, I’ve learned what I can do and what I can’t do and I’m careful. I wouldn’t feel bad skipping an obstacle if I thought it would lead to an injury. I’m talking to my friend tomorrow and going to get information on the obstacles. She has done it for two years.
Reset. Key word. You will be a better,person helping out your family and dealing with work crisis when you take a little time and care for yourself. Instead of feeling like you are drowning in the problems (and chocolate) you will feel like you are up for the battle of solving the problems.
Agree with Sabaray - take an hour today for something that is for your health and well being. - be it exercise, a beauty treatment or whatever. Fresh air is very thereapeutic!!
Giddy with excitement today to be able to run outside here at my daughters where the roads and sidewalks are mostly clear. -she lives in an adorable neighborhood with cute shos, brunch places, boutiques etc and lots of active people of all ages,out walking and jogging - was so fun to be among them and out in the fresh air!!!
kmc- ouch. that is just going to take time for H to heal. I am guessing a little TLC, too.
Pizzag- I got in a rut and realized I was out of breath running easily. Just decided to get rid of snacks in the house, change my clothes to workout clothes at night (that helped a lot). go outside?- hard to eat while walking outside or shoveling snow, etc. make a small to do list that includes chores and fun. sometimes writing the days plans helps. exercising indoors with a netflix also helped me alot.
Pizzagirl, stress can do a number on you! Been there, done that - MOfWC also knows! She was the one who hunted me down and brought back to CC when I was not feeling well due to mega stress (I ended up being physically unwell, like to the point of needing a cardiologist’s assessment). Please take care of yourself. The proverbial O2 mask and all that stuff! No need to feel guilty that you have not been able to be as stellar exerciser as you have always been. And please come here to just say hi or to chat. And chocolate is a superfood, you know.
We all have those stretches - even the pros. I ready Iron Wars (about Dave Scott and Mark Allen- the top triathletes of their era) and they each went through stretches where they were a complete mess. Pizzagirl- just be kind to yourself and do what feels right for you as the next step. Maybe it’s a walk or juice or a nap! Take care of yourself. You have plenty of time to get back on the train.
Pizzagirl, don’t forget that this is the wellness thread. That covers a whole lot!