My Sixth Portland to Coast

Last week I was in full preparation mode for my 6th annual trip to Portland to Coast the walking relay of Hood to Coast.  It was a rocky road leading up to the race, but everything turned out great!  I did have one drama queen in my van but that couldn't overshadow the amazing camaraderie of the team. 
I did great this year as far as time and endurance.  The long walks I have been taking all summer with my very fast walking friend have clearly paid off.  In addition to that I walk twice as far to and from work now.  I was very nervous going into this race because I am heavier than I've ever been on the race and I knew carrying the extra weight would make things harder.  It turns out I may have more body fat than before but apparently I was more prepared this year.  I wasn't very sore at all and I walked my two legs and split a third to cover a teammate.  This year I also took measures to prevent the massive blisters I have suffered the past 2 years.  I used Band Aid Blister Band Aids on the inside of both heels and was so thankful for them, I will absolutely do that again next year. 
Now I need to try to get back into the swing of things for Fall.  First, I think I will enjoy my holiday weekend.  My goal is to have fun and not over eat while getting in some walking and site seeing in Portland.  I would love to hit the Portland Farmers Market and get some flowers and veggies and go to Art in the Pearl.  Other than that I am looking forward to a nice relaxing weekend. 

Portland To Coast Week

Let me just start by saying my weight seems to be out of control and I'm taking a week off from obsessing about it.  That said, I had a great week in all my other goals!  I think adding the bike back in to my routine is going to be a positive thing, and not just because it sits in my living room and mocks me when I don't.  The food diary is another tool that I think I need to eventually be successful. 
Here is a recap of my week:

• 10,000 steps 6 out of 7 days - I made it 5 out of 7 and one day I had over 9,000
• Log food 5 out of 7 days - I completed 4 days and was only over calories on 1
• Plank 6 out of 7 days - 1 day then I hurt my shoulder and took the week off
• Bike 3 times for 30 minutes or more - 3 out of 3!!!! 

Goals for this week:

• 10,000 steps 6 out of 7 days
• Log food for 4 out of 7 days - I'm going to be out of town and this is more realistic
• Plank - I'm taking this week off I don't want to aggravate my shoulder pre-race
• Bike - 3 times 30 minutes

 This is going to be a crazy week!  I will be walking in the  Portland To Coast relay for the 5th year in a row.  It's part of a running relay called Hood To Coast, which is one of the largest relay races in the world.  This annual event is a fund raiser for cancer and as a cancer survivor it's always a very special weekend.  I am very lucky to have an amazing team and a kick ass group for my van.  As van captain I will be very busy this week getting everything ready, and work is super busy this week too.  I know that eating may be weird this week, so I'm going to try to off set that with consistent exercise.
The scale was starting to bum me out so I have decided to do what I know I need to do and just stop worrying about the number.  It's difficult to behave and see a weight gain on the scale.  My husband keeps reminding me that this is how all my diets start and if I keep with it my body will level out and cooperate.  The problem is I want to have major success after each day of good choices!  I suppose that's not very realistic.  I have to go now, I have to go get some compression pants so my things don't start a forest fire during the race. 

Fun Is Complicated

I find myself in a constant struggle between having fun and "being good".  I want to have fun so that usually wins out, then I beat myself up after.  On the one hand I feel like I'll never wish I had stayed home and had more sensible meals when I'm old and looking back on things.  On the other hand I wonder if feeling great about how I look would be worth it, but what fun is being thin if I'm sitting at home desperately trying to maintain it?!  I wonder if people like Jennifer Aniston ever tire of not having the cookie or extra glass of wine.  Maybe they feel so happy with their achievements that they don't miss those things.  Can that be? 
I over indulged last night which is annoying for a weeknight.  I was supposed to go to a party that got canceled and instead of staying home I decided I still needed to go out to dinner.  I spent the evening saying I should be more adventurous and go out on weeknights more etc.  Of course I woke up this morning thinking I should never go out again and I should probably be punished.  What's with the self guilt trip?  What makes it worse is I have to work tonight, so I'm spending the day moping around the house waiting to go to work.  I swear I really am my own worst enemy, I drive myself crazy!  I am so lucky to have a husband that's willing to give me pep talks about what I consumed the night before. I did ride my bike for 30 minutes which did make me feel better.  Now I need to decide between another productive activity and a nap.  I swear I can't handle an unsatisfying nap though! 

Any Day Now

Maybe I'm an optimist, or maybe I fit the definition of insane for once again thinking I'm really on track this time.  Either way, I do feel hopeful and what I would call motivated.  I have not lost any weight since last week, but I went out of town for a few days and didn't gain any.  I have set a goal for this Friday and I am going to do everything I can to achieve it.  So far I am having luck with the other non weight goals that I have been setting which is something.  Here's how last week shaped up with a 3 day vacation in the mix.

Recap:

• 10,000 steps 6 of 7 days: I exceeded 4 of 7 and was less than 1,000 away 2 of 7
• Plank 6 of 7: I made it 4 of 7
• Food log 5 of 7: I made it 4 of 7 but exceeded calories 3 of those 4 times
• Bike 3 days 30 minutes: Did it!!!  This was my real win for the week.

I felt that these goals were achievable, and that I will meet or exceed them this week.

 Goals for this week:

• 10,000 steps 6 out of 7 days
• Log food 5 out of 7 days
• Plank 6 out of 7 days
• Bike 3 times for 30 minutes or more 

I went to the beach last weekend and had a really great time.  I don't feel like I busted either my calorie or money budgets which feels great!  I have a busy time at work coming up, and I am a little nervous about resisting the urge to treat myself to things just to make myself feel temporarily better.  I am going to pick out a nice restaurant that I would like to go to next time the occasion arises so that I don't burn an opportunity on mediocre. 
I still have not used my credit cards!  This is a huge win for us!  We went to the beach this weekend and it would have been so easy to use the vacation special event excuse.  The less I spend the more I think about what I'm spending.  I have had a few bumps along the way such as only bringing one bottle of wine this weekend and having to pay $3 more to purchase it at the beach.  Live and learn. 

The Goals Helped Let's Try It Again

I have a diet pattern that is rearing it's ugly head.  I tend to gain weight at the beginning which is SO unmotivating!  I had salty foods and an all day brunch celebration this weekend, and despite doing pretty well up until then, I am right back where I started last week.  I have no one to blame but myself so that sucks, but it does mean it's within my control to change.  Here's how the goals shaped up last week:

Recap:

• 10,000 steps 6 of 7 days: I made it 3 of 7 and far exceeded on those 3 days
• Plank 7 days: 6 of 7!  Not bad, I think that's my new goal.
• Food Log: 5 of 5!  
• Bike 3 days 30 min: One day 30 minutes

I was broke last week, and I still did not use my credit cards!  I wanted to so bad and I resisted!  I carefully set up my finances for the next 2 weeks until my next payday, and I am really hoping I can manage my money better than last time so I'm not counting change the day before payday.

Goals for this week:

• 10,000 steps 6 out of 7 days
• Log food 5 out of 7 days
• Plank 6 out of 7 days
• Bike 3 times for 30 minutes or more