Keep Going Green!

I know I have mentioned her many times since this blog began but...

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:56:00 -0500

I know I have mentioned her many times since this blog began but I dont think I have ever featured a photo of her. This is my trainer Alison.

Yes I know its hard to believe but this tiny little person kicks my ass at least 3 times a week (sometimes more depending on the classes she is teaching that week).

And the second photo is Master Harrison who I also mention fairly frequently and who also ensures my ass is kicked when I leave his studio just about everyday as well.

Also they look pretty darn good in those shirts I designed for the Relay fundraiser. I know I should have been wearing one also that day but I did Warrior Dash that morning and figured I earned my Warrior Shirt. And anytime a race shirt fits me - I just gotta wear it immediately!

Did you know that this guy who used to hate fruit and would gag...

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 09:52:14 -0500

Did you know that this guy who used to hate fruit and would gag at even the thought of eating a banana …now has one just about every morning?

I got caught by one of my buddies after class taking this self...

Tue, 18 Jun 2013 07:41:39 -0500

I got caught by one of my buddies after class taking this self photo. Normally I take them when I get home which is only like a block and a half away from the martial arts place but by then the sweat on my shirt is kinda blended in. So today I got out of class and pulled my phone out of my car and took this photo quickly (and what I thought was without anyone noticing) but sure enough I got busted.

The funny thing was he suggested next time I just keep my phone on me and try and get some photos of how I am dripping everywhere during the class. Not going to happen but I like the encouragement!

Today was another one of those newer T-FIt classes and they are certainly challenging that for sure.

Came home prepped another big old salad for lunch and had a little breakfast. I am doing ok with breakfast/lunch and daily snacks. But come diner time I am still finding it so hard to not stop at every fast food place on my way home. As I mentioned recently I had some slip ups and I can’t help but think its less about food and more about the feeling I have when I leave work each day based on everything that is going on and my struggle to find my own path out of there.

I know food is not really going to solve the problem but I am not going to lie and say it doesnt feel so good in that moment. Of course clearly it sabotages all of the hard work I put into working out. All of the prep and thought I put into planning meals for lunch etc. And the hopes of someday being thinner, faster, more fit etc. And yet I find myself not able (or maybe willing) to control it like I had been doing for so many weeks.

That second diet bet I was in just ended yesterday and I did not win..how could I as I put back on 2.6 pounds during that 4 weeks.

So yeah - food is still very, very hard for me. Been thinking about possibly going to see someone about it. I get tired of losing this battle to myself over and over again.

Meanwhile on the positive side - today marks the end of 13 weeks of Drop the Pop. So at least I have my resolve and determination to stick to water still in tact and going strong. In all honestly I dont even have to really think about it anymore - except to remember to make these posts.

I like to believe if I could just stick to foods like I have to no pop - they would have been easier by now also. But for some reason its just not as easy.

Just a quick update on the work situation - they want everyone in our office to consider relocating...

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:29:00 -0500

Just a quick update on the work situation - they want everyone in our office to consider relocating out to the office in Northridge, CA. I personally am not willing to move (and my boss knows that as I didn’t accept moving to Denver a few weeks ago to continue leading the project I have been on the past few years). Each person left in our location has their own complications and while they are not all ruling out a move they would prefer to stay in this area.

There was no plan for what happens if folks don’t want to move or only some of them choose to do so.

Meanwhile I am standing in my own way in terms of starting to make some changes happen for myself. Clearly I want to get back into a more creative path in life. Have often thought about being a local business owner. But can’t quite wrap my head around exactly what I should pursue - can’t see the forest through the trees I guess. And I remain positive but I am noticing that I find myself too busy to work on it or myself lately.

All I know is that things wont change for me, unless I do.

navadoeslife replied to your photo: Good morning tumblr! As you know it was a fairly… I...

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:33:13 -0500

navadoeslife replied to your photo: Good morning tumblr! As you know it was a fairly…

I vote work from home. More Annie time. :-)

You know a few years ago I would have dreaded work from home simply because seeing people at the office was some of my only interaction all day. But since getting involved with the workout group and the fact that my office has dwindled down to hardly anyone there the idea of working from home sounds great. Saves gas cost and wear on the car. Get to be home with Annie all day. And have more flexibility to explore taking evening classes to build up some new skills for that career change etc.

Of course if they say they are relocating us to a smaller office that gives us a bit more security as they likely would not move us if they are thinking of closing us down. But working from home they can at anytime lay us off.

Either way I like the work from home idea the best for me personally for reasons noted above :)

Good morning tumblr! As you know it was a fairly busy weekend. ...

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 07:22:08 -0500

Good morning tumblr!

As you know it was a fairly busy weekend. After hitting 20,000 steps on Saturday I tanked yesterday and only got in 4900 steps. So it will end up balancing itself out in the rankings I guess. But my heels were just aching I think mostly from the uneven terrain and all of the climbing in the warrior dash. So I soaked them on/off in that ice water and it did provide some relief for sure.

Was a bit restless last night but still got up and out for Cage Fitness this morning. It was 30 seriously intense minutes and although I started out a bit slow I felt pretty good at the end.

Once again sweat everywhere, the way it should be.

Might be an interesting info day at the office today. Our site leader was asked to attend a meeting titled Naperville Relo with our boss and someone in HR. So that could mean lots of things - for instance they are keeping us around just moving us to a smaller location which would be fine. Or they could be asking us to all work from home, or they could be asking the staff to relocate to other locations in the country. Who knows - but any news will help shed some light on our future which is all we really want anyway.

Hope you all have a great start to the week!

Took a plastic storage crate filled it with water. Added ice....

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 18:31:53 -0500

Took a plastic storage crate filled it with water. Added ice. Inserted feet and am hoping this has a deeper impact than a single ice pack shared between two very sore feet. Not formal but hopefully effective.

Happy Father’s Day to my Dad and to all of you Dad’s...

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 10:50:14 -0500

Happy Father’s Day to my Dad and to all of you Dad’s out there!

How did you get into running? Were you heavy when you started? Did you go slow and steady at your own pace, or did you do a C25K type program?

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 05:14:02 -0500

When I first joined the kickboxing/fitness program they put you through a series of evaluations - weight, measurement, timed pushups, timed situps, sit and reach and then a 1.5 mile timed run. I HATED running growing up - doing a mile test in high school was the day I dreaded every fall and spring. So there I was at 369.8 lbs about to set out to run this 1.5 miles and I did awful - no surprise. During the 10 week program you have a check in a the 5 week point and I had to run again - I did better but the anxiety high. Same was true at the end of the 10 weeks. By that point I had gotten to know others in the program one of whom is a big time runner and marathoner. She suggested I give the C25K a try and just see how it goes. And that if I trained for it she would run my first 5k with me. At the same time she started to organize a run club for the summer. I did the first day of C25K on my own and was able to do it which gave me the confidence I had been lacking. So I went to the run club run and a few others were not really runners and we decided to do C25k as a group and signed up for a 5k which lined up with the end of that program. It was hard, it was summer so the runs were hot and humid but knowing a group was waiting for me on those mornings kept me going. And from there I just kept trying to keep up with them, sign up for the same events they were doing and ultimately going beyond most of them and doing longer and longer races leading up to the marathon. To this day I don’t love running and I know I wont do another marathon again. But I do like being part of something like the running community and the races and that’s what pushes me to keep signing up for more of them. In the case of Warrior Dash that is just plain fun. And I think of it as what it would feel like to be on Survivor for a day and doing some of their challenges :)

I was just under 10,000 steps after Warrior Dash. I left Relay...

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 20:16:40 -0500

I was just under 10,000 steps after Warrior Dash. I left Relay for Life at 17,500 steps. I just could not be that close to earning a 20,000 step badge and not go for it. So I took Annie for a walk to ensure I hit it. Now me and my sore feet are enjoying the couch and ice pack!!!

Now onto my second event for the day Relay for Life!!!

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 13:50:18 -0500

Now onto my second event for the day Relay for Life!!!

Mission Accomplished! Was a great time once again and I just...

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 12:18:13 -0500

Mission Accomplished!

Was a great time once again and I just always feel so fortunate to have such great friends to be out there doing these events with.

I was a bit slower than the rest but they would always give me a chance to catch up so we were able to do the whole thing together!

These kind of races are such a rush of exciting and anxiety while you are out there tackling the obstacles but it gives you such a great sense of achievement to know that even a big dude like me can be a Warrior!!!

On my way to get my warrior dash on!

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 08:00:26 -0500

On my way to get my warrior dash on!

Another coworker just gave their 2 week notice. He accepted an...

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 14:03:00 -0500

Another coworker just gave their 2 week notice. He accepted an offer with Microsoft and he and his family are moving to Seattle.

And then there were 5 of us left….

shortmom replied to your photoset: It is a beautiful night here - sunny with cooler… All...

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 07:40:05 -0500

shortmom replied to your photoset: It is a beautiful night here - sunny with cooler…

All of my steps are the ocean this week.

One woman’s ocean is this man’s opportunity!

melanietris replied to your photoset: It is a beautiful night here - sunny with cooler… I...

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 07:39:32 -0500

melanietris replied to your photoset: It is a beautiful night here - sunny with cooler…

I can’t wait to get my fitbit and kick your butt! :)

Now I am starting to understand why David wanted you to move far away from us here in the Chicagoland area! LOL

lostweightgainedlove replied to your photoset: It is a beautiful night here - sunny with...

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 07:38:22 -0500

lostweightgainedlove replied to your photoset: It is a beautiful night here - sunny with cooler…

what kind of dog is Annie, she is so pretty.

Thanks KC! She is a springer spaniel but they think she also has a little bit of pointer mixed in as well. All I know is that she is a really good dog :)

Online the list puts “you” in the center of the view...

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 20:07:41 -0500

Online the list puts “you” in the center of the view area so it cuts off the top and bottom ranks in my list. But per request this view from the app shows 1st and 2nd place ;-)

It is a beautiful night here - sunny with cooler temps and was a...

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 19:34:00 -0500

It is a beautiful night here - sunny with cooler temps and was a perfect night to take Annie for a long walk.

Along the way I spotted a No Dumping sign and I made sure Annie took a moment to stop and read it. The great news - it worked!!!

Came in after we got back, sat down and she hopped right up next to me and fell sound asleep with her head in my lap for while. Can’t beat that!

Went well past my goals in several of the fitbit categories tonight which always feels good.

This week there is little chance I am going to catch back up to Bryon (aka RunningwithPump) who even with over 105k steps himself is back in 3rd place. So for now I have to focus on my accomplishments and victories such as my current standings above someone I would like to now refer to as “EatMy-Short(s)Mom”!!!

Typically I have noticed that a kickboxing class averages around...

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 07:43:34 -0500

Typically I have noticed that a kickboxing class averages around 4000 “steps” in the 50 min span. Of course its not all just steps it is picking up its all of the movement which includes punches, kicks etc.

Today Master Harrison showed up once again and at the half time point of class he took over and had everyone working on their techniques of moving into and out of the fight sequences. He noticed several folks just standing around the bag, or folks like me who did the boxer bounce the entire time but sort of in one spot.

So he had us all going around those bags: in - punch/kick combo - out and circle around as your partner was punching/kicking.

It makes it more challenging but it also seems to fire me up when we are moving fast like that and I can tell my punches/kicks get stronger and more aggressive.

But meanwhile the fitbit was going in overtime as it picked up 5,200 steps today proving that there was a significant increase in movement from me in that second half of class.

My face was dripping and I can never seem to capture that in these photos but trust me I was soaked.

This workout felt good - still not totally out of my funk yet but trying to keep pushing past it!