New Year, New Me Challenge

A lot of people think new years resolutions are lame, but I happen to think sometimes they can be used for the positive to motivate and get things going. Aside from the the 1/2 marathon in Vegas, my overall 2007 year wasn't too swell. So I would like to get into a great healthy and fit mindset for 2008!

This weekend I am going around to various gyms in my area to start a membership. I have a pretty good idea which one I will be joining, but it's good to get a tour and ask questions.

I am also going to be joining all the new years resolution folks at weight watchers next week. I feel like that accountability really worked for me and just need to suck it up and go. It's the program that really worked with my schedule and eating habits while giving me the best weight loss.

I'd really like to work out at the gym 5 days a week. I'd like to do strength training 3 or 4 times as well. My 6th day I'd like to take a long rigorous hike, go for a long bike ride, or just pound out 5 miles of running. I'd like my 7th day to be easy going and just do some yoga or swimming.

As far as eating, I want to try something a little different. Since I'll be on the Weight Watchers point system, I'll have my calorie intake fairly monitored. One thing I realized when I was previously doing WW is that they advocate eating a lot of processed foods to make things easy and simple. Even though the calories and the fat are low in the processed foods, I'd like to try and eat more wholesome, organic type foods. I realize that this will require more of me and my need for quick eats, but I think I'd like to try it out. So with that, I will get reacquainted with sparkpeople.com and track my calories along with my WW points. I am aiming for a mostly veggie/fruit and protein (fish/tofu/poultry) type of diet, with minimal carbs.

I am down with starting a Saturday morning blast out. We could all get together and do a fabulous hike, bike, etc. somewhere. Anyone?

5 Week New Year New You Challenge - Who's In?

OK - this is a self-created, self-regulated challenge beginning tomorrow, ending January 23rd.

Why? Well for me, its my Cayman's bikini final push. But its just as good for not gaining weight over Christmas and New Year's, and for starting the new year off with a bang.

Here's what it looks like - a next-level kind of push - working out regularly is great, and we've all been doing that. Eating well is super - and we've all been working towards that as well. But now its time to shake out of that rut and (if you've been relaxing since the race) get back into a fitness health goal and buck it up for 5 weeks. Or, if you really want to do it in 4, that's cool too.

So who's in? Here are some preliminary guidelines for gameplay.

Rules -

• You set your own goals - if you need help planning we can help, but your goals are totally self-defined.
• Accountability - you put your goals out here on the board and then update weekly
• Proof - take before and after photos - you don't have to post/share, just take so you can see the raw data. Also take measurements (weight, inches, BF, dress size - whatever is really pertinent to you) weekly and post. The proof is for you - no one is going to call you out, but its both motivating and helpful to track your progress. :-)
  
• Reward - You have to set a reward for yourself that you really want. Something that is really going to motivate you. For me, new bikini in Caymans.
  
• Any other rules? Add them here
• Other People Too - I'm going to open this up to whoever wants to do this thing - I think its the perfect time for it, and if you have a friend who wants to do it, please invite them!

Here's what my next-level training commitments look like:

Exercise -
5 days at the gym (3 weight days, 2 HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training, ie BFL type cardio)
6 evening workouts at home (3 low intensity cardio workouts, 3 Superset training workouts using compound moves and bodyweight)
1 long run (5 - 8 miles preferably outside)
1 Yoga workout per week

Food -
5 meals totalling 1500-1700 calories per day - no whole "days off" - 3 cheat meals per week
No caffeine/stimulants
No alcohol (possible exception of a glass of wine socially at christmas and new years)
No fried foods
No crazy sugar bombs
Fiber! And how - 30 grams per day as per recommended daily allowance
Water! You betcha - 3 liters per day minimum
Veggies - 5 servings per day

Goals -
Weekly - achieve daily fitness and food goals, lose 2.5 lbs per week
Overall - Get to ideal weight of 133 - 12 lbs fat lost
Strengthen and tone butt and legs and abdominals
Eliminate back pain due to weak abs and tight/weak hamstrings
Lower BF to below 30%

Rewards -
Weekly - massage, beauty treatment, bikini or clothes for trip
Final - hmmm.... all new hair including color? A little makeover from Cam... That sounds awesome.

OK, who wants in? I want you all with me for company!!! heh heh, but seriously. Are you ready to boot-camp yourself?!?!

Love and Light,
AMY

Veni Vidi Vici

We came, we saw, we conquered!

Alright people, that was incredible. We did so well, all of us.

Michelle - we kicked ass, it was awesome. If anyone wants to check their time they can go here.

One thing that occurred to me as I was finishing the race was that next time I really want to do it for time, not just to finish. I got the fever! Not cause I care about beating other people, but cause I really want to see how well I can do when I shoot for my BEST. It was funny, I totally pulled out a crazy long strided sprint at the end and I was hauling ass across the finish line. I passed two people too. Hahahaha - that was wrong, I practically pushed them out of the way... I just remembered that...

Running in a big race is tricky that way - making sure you don't run people over, getting through the walkers, avoiding getting run over. One of the annoying parts of the experience was the bathroom problem - between flying the day before and waking up so early, my body just kept having to pee constantly. The port-o-potties were way crowded and I waited a solid 10 minutes for the first one, and then over 5 minutes for the next 4. I NEVER have to pee that much. WTF?!? And because it was so cold, I think Tom's theory is right - we weren't really able to sweat all the excess fluid out the way we do here. I wonder if there are tips and tricks for this kind of thing. My chip time would have been almost 20 minutes FASTER if that hadn't been an issue. Hmmm.... Depends?

But live and learn. I want to continue to keep my running up to a 6 mile long run each weekend just to stay in shape, and then I think the next half marathon we should all do should be the San Jose Rock and Roll 1/2 Marathon next October!!! That's 10 months away and I know we can ALL do it.

And lastly, Lisa, sorry about not being able to get ahold of you before you left yesterday - I got a horrible case of food poisoning that I am still experiencing today. Let me tell you, flying and food poisoning is not a pleasant experience. I'm weak like a kitten today and am focusing on trying to take in some food for the first time in 24 hours. Apparently a LOT of people got diarrhea, at least from my informal auditory survey in Vegas' bathrooms yesterday. I think I should probably report it to someone, but regardless, it was great to see you and Rachel after the race and I'm sorry I wasn't feeling more up to hanging out and dancing! See you in 2 weeks though, WHEN YOU MOVE UP HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-)

Love to everybody and I'm looking forward to doing a training run in a couple of weekends on West Cliff with all of you. - AMY

PS - Ideas on the future of this blog? I was contemplating archiving all the Las Vegas 1/2 Marathon entries in one area, and then starting a new section - what do you all think? And what are your fitness goals coming up? Anybody else ready to start bikini madness?

PPS - Ok, maybe this is a little kooky, but how about we do this for 2008: http://www.eliteracing.com/heavy_medals.html Takers? Anyone? Everyone? C'mon, it'll be a blast!!!