July/August progress: 5K training

July/August progress: 5K training

Since my slip & fall accident a couple weeks ago as well as the unforeseen root canal procedure I had to endure last Friday, August has been a really tough month for me... haven't been able to do much with walking or lower body training, but my upper body is a different story.

I'm doing what I can with what I have. Arms are getting stronger, muscles are growing,  and my bat wings are starting to tighten up. I'm excited for that. So, I will chalk up the month of August as a success.  LESS THEN 2 MONTHS UNTIL BreannaRay's 5K!  I'm so excited!

Xoxo ~K

Dental Update, Just Because!

I'm updating you all of my dental status.... just because! LOL!

I ended up having to endure a root canal. Worst dental experience ever.  This hasn't been a great month for me health-wise!  But It'll all be better soon, and In hanging in there instead if giving up.

I actually got in a 2 mile walk yesterday; my ankle and knee are slightly sore today, but nothing that I can't deal with.

Have a great weekend, everyone!  Get outdoors for some fresh air and fun activities, and make your dreams come to life!

Xoxo
~K

Halfway Through August? Already?

Okay, okay.  I know what you are thinking.  It's been  a while since I have posted here. AGAIN.

I do apologize for the delay and lapse in my blogging dedication.  But maybe, just maybe, this is a GOOD thing!  Allow me to explain...

I have been so busy working on my goals, that I just can't seem to find time or energy to blog here or any where else.  My new rule is to not access any back-lit electronics after 5pm.  Seriously, if I don't unplug by 5pm, then I have a really hard time going to sleep later at night.  It also affects the quality of my sleep.  I tested this theory over a two week period at the end of July.  My conclusion is this:  I sleep better when I put down the electronics early!

Not having time to blog means that I am diligently working on the areas of my life that need some fine-tuning.  I'm training for a 5K, working on my weightloss goals still, writing for 2 companies as well as testing out 2 magazines, and I'm also wrapping up my Health Coach training, as well as renewing my CPR here in a few days.  I've got recipes to create, articles to write, exams to study for, races to train for, clean eating schedules to create and implement, and so many other incredible tasks that are guiding me through my goals.  It's really amazing to think how far I've come in just this past year.

 One of the goals I'm currently working on is obtaining my Health Coach Certification.  Classes will be winding down soon, and it will be time to take my final exam.  That being said, my life definitely feels like it did when I was in Nursing School....  all work and no play.  But it will be well worth the effort in the end!   

I had a set back in my 5K training recently when I was involved in yet another slip and fall accident (3rd one in 3 years) and sprained my ankle and right knee.  It's been almost a week since the occurrence, and I'm feeling a lot better today. I'm able to bear weight on my knee and ankle again, and have been hobbling around just fine for the past 2 days.  It's still painful and swollen, but I am healing a lot faster then I did the last 2 times this happened to me.  It's just something that can re-occur with people who have previous ankle, foot, leg, or knee injuries.  You just never can tell when you're going to be slipping and sliding all over the place!

I'm also having some dental issues, which has been intensely painful over the past 3 days.  I have another dental appointment tomorrow, as well as orthodontia scheduled.  Not quite sure what's going on... we'll see what they say!  Due to this recent dental issue/pain combined with my slip and fall injuries, I have decided to take 2 full weeks off from my 5K training to allow room for proper healing.  I know this is the best and right decision for me.  I'm not worried about it though... I'll be just fine.

Thanks to all of my supporters, I've managed to raise over $300 for my 5K Fundraiser walk!  I'm so excited.  To think that so many people have donated in honor and memory of my late daughter's name, it just touches my heart beyond anything that words could describe.  I am so grateful for all of the caring people that I know.  Thank you to all of you who have supported my fundraiser cause in honor of my daughter. XOXOX

This summer is flying by so quickly.  San Diego has climatically changed drastically over the years.  I can remember that, as a child with a birthday in the hot and dry summer month of August each year, we hardly ever saw any rain or ugly days in our summer months.  That is definitely not the standard here in southern California any longer.  Our summer months are filled with cloud-covered skies, producing humidity in the 95-100% ranges.  This summer alone, we've had several rainy days, to include thunder and even occasional lightning storms in our mountains. 

Our tropical weather reminds me of Hawaii... hot, humid, wet, sticky, drizzly, rainy, sunny, cloudy, humid, muggy, sticky, hot, humid, muggy, and did I mention hot, sticky, humid, and muggy?  Lol...  I don't like it!  I don't think I've ever been this ready for the season of Fall! It can't arrive fast enough! If it has to be ugly outside, then Mother Nature could at least have the decency to make the air a little cooler!  (Thank you Mother Nature... it's just a request... ;)

I'll check back in here soon and keep you all updated on my recovery from my slip and fall.  I'm sure you don't want to hear about my teeth, so I will leave that out.  Just wanted you to know that I'm suffering right now, and maybe someone will have a sympathy drink (or two) of wine for me...

Take care everyone, I'll catch up with you guys back here soon...

~K

P.S...  I forgot to mention that my website, 'The Live-Clean Lifestyle,' has moved!  I have a brand new web address, but am currently re-building a bigger, better, more beautiful site!  I will post details as soon as it's ready!  This is yet another one of my daily projects to keep myself busy.      

5K Training: July 6-11, 2014

I know, I KNOW....

 

I'm VERY behind in my blog posts! It's been a super busy past 8 days...

 

I'll be blogging here soon!  5K update:  I'm still on track, and feeling better then ever!  I'll catch up here soon.... Currently recovering from a nasty sunburn!

 

Until then, Aaaaarrrgghh! 

~The Kaptain

 

July 5th: Fighting Cravings

I had a very busy day, and got lots of exercise.  Today was a scheduled rest day from 5K training.   The odd thing us, it's almost 11 pm, I'm still awake, and I'm having hard-core chocolate and peanut butter cravings. Lord help me!

~K

Happy Birthday, America!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY, AMERICA!

 

Yesterday, I made the acknowledgment that my training time would need to be bumped up to the early morning hours due to the sun and heat wiping me out.  I arose at 5: am, had my pre-workout
meal at about 5:30 am, and was out the door for my 5K training by 6:30 am.

 

To my surprise, there appears to be an elite bunch of peoples in my beautiful beach city who also have goals that require walking, jogging, and/or running.  I even saw people working out at the park!

 

There is minimal traffic at 6:30 am.  Each fellow athlete that I passed returned my "good morning" greeting and smile with the same.  No one is staring at you, watching you, judging you.  It's tranquil and peaceful.

 

I think this is going to be the determining factor in my motivation to train early, each and every day, no matter what the weather looks like.

 

I arrived home from my speed walk about 20 minutes ago, and am currently finishing up breakfast part 2: Protein smoothie made with raw pineapple and cherries, water, ground flax, and Fage Greek Yogurt (plain). 

 

This is the first time in several years that I've felt accomplished before 7:30 am...

I'm proud of myself !



Heidi and Chris Powell are still in my head, encouraging me on. (Lol). Speaking of Heidi and Chris, you must check out their training app,  'Vemma Bode'.... I started the program and played around with the settings today, it's amazing! Lot's of videos, instructions, workouts, meal plans, and shopping lists.  Perfect!  However, I'm going to finish out my first week of training with my pre-arranged clean eating and training plan, and then Monday, July 7th, I'll switch over to their carb Cycling program again.  Get yourself Chris' s books, too... and check out Vemma Bode here to get your free phone app:

http://www.vemma.com/bode/

I previously discussed the pain from carrying all of this extra weight around; how it was bearing down on my bones and joints.  I know that will subside once I begin to lose larger amounts of weight, but it is still painful, none-the-less.  I'm pushing through the pain. And I'm getting through it.  I'd like to add, although maybe TMI for some of you, that I am currently on my menses, and had started it a few days before I started training. 

Some of you may already know about my menses issues, and fibroids that I suffer from.  This condition makes it nearly impossible to function on the days of my menses, because they are so heavy and painful.  But I have been pushing though it during my training~  Yes, it's uncomfortable.  But I am noticing that my menses is starting to lighten up a bit, and is not as heavy as it was before I started this 5K training.  So, I am making the commitment to push through my menses cycles each month. 

I am feeling slightly achy today with some low back pain.  I know it's normal, but I have to say, it's not really bothering me too bad... I am just 'aware' of it... but it's not knocking me down!  Chris Powell says that it's normal to feel a little sluggish later in the day after you have just began a new workout regimen... I did experience that yesterday, but I did not eat my way through it!  I did notice that, for a split second, I thought about crunchy carbs (salty chips) as soon as I started feeling sluggish yesterday.  I drank some water, sidetracked myself with some office work I needed to catch up on, and the feeling went away.

It's amazing what miracles happen when you put your foot down to excuses, and make a commitment to have integrity and do the right thing.  It's not easy, but I am doing it.  My integrity-fault lies somewhere between crunchy carbs and the excuse of being in pain from my ailments on most days.  That has changed now.  NO more excuses.  No more cheats.  No more crap. Period.  No chips, no wine, no fried foods, no soda.  ONLY my planned cheat with my friends Jeni and Crystal, when they come down to visit next week.  Jeni and I will be sharing a California Burrito.  Because we pre-planned it. =)

 

Today is the 4th of July... we have a small bbq planned at home,  and have decided to just keep it simple,  healthy & relaxing this 4th of I won't drive on holidays, because there are too many stupid drunk people on the roads.  Since we live pretty close to the beach, we can usually see fireworks from our house!


I'll post all of my SHEALTH Stats tonight, after they're all completed.

 

Happy 4th, America!
 

~The Kaptain

 

*I will post all of my SHealth Stats later on this evening, when I have completed them all. 

 

 

July 3rd: Feeling Positive!

I have to start off by saying that I got a great night of sleep!  I awoke today feeling rejuvenated & ready for my next round of 5K training. I haven't woken up this motivated in years.

In the back of my mind, I keep hearing Heidi Powell telling me, "You are motivated! It's not easy, but you can do it!"  I've been replaying her sweet "tweet" to me back and forth in my head since the last episode of, EWL, on July 1st (Melissa's transformation).  I can also hear Chris saying, "Awesome!!!"  In response to my #CommercialBreak tweets of lunges, squats, and sit-ups...

 

Heidi and Chris have really kept me going this week. And they don't even know it!

 

I've been eating breakfast (clean eating) earlier and earlier every morning.  It's hard, but I've been implementing the new habit. I've also been waiting 30 minutes to 1 hour after I eat to perform my training. I don't like the feeling of being "full" while I'm working out or walking.

I tried a different walking path today. 

 

I enjoyed the scenery, but it was much warmer and sunnier today compared to yesterday.  It's time to get my workouts done in the early morning now.  I did fine today, but I did get a bit of a headache while walking in the sun. I fought through it, and completed my training session for the day.

 

I also have noticed that my cravings are gone.  I'm eating at my scheduled meal times, I'm eating clean,  and I'm eating plenty of green veggies.  My water intake today could have been better, but I did manage to get down about 65 ounces so far. 

 

This evening, I'm feeling sore (legs, arms, abs) and I'm very tired.  It's lights out for this girl, just as soon as 'Hell's Kitchen' is over! 

Ending this day, I can honestly say for the first time in a really long time, that I am proud of myself.  I'm sticking to my goals, and with purpose.  I am so proud to be honoring my daughter's life and memory by training for this 5K, as well as fundraising for a cause close to my heart.



And just like Heidi said, I CAN DO THIS.

 

Have a blessed, safe, and Happy 4th of July holiday tomorrow!  And please remember, Freedom may ring, but it isn't free.  Tomorrow I honor the life of my friend and hero, SSG Richard Allen Burdick. RIP, Rich. Your sacrifice gor our country will never be forgotten.

 

~K