Getting back on track
So, I took an impromptu hiatus. Didn't mean to....I stayed with my workout schedule for the most part -- I think I skipped two or three days. But between my teeth, travel, and training I've just been exhausted and a little overwhelmed. But, I'm feeling strong! And my triathlon is a little over 4 weeks away and I've got confidence that I will finish it. I think I've gained a pound or two (haven't weighed in at WW for *weeks*) but I'm trying to get my food back in order so I can start losing again. I cooked on Sunday (made pesto pasta with zucchini, tomato tortilla soup, and low-fat egg salad from all the Easter eggs). I'm counting points again and trying not to eat every sugary thing in sight....I win most of the time. :)
This week is a light week on my training schedule. I ran 6.7 miles yesterday and this morning I hit the pool for 25 minutes. I finished 13 laps or ~800m in that time. Today I have my last part of my root canal (finally!) and then I head to the gym and bike for 50 minutes and lift some weights. Tomorrow is off (yay!) and Thursday and Friday are swimming for 42 minutes and running for 25, respectively. Saturday I'm going on a bike ride with my friend (who is also doing the race) and then coming home, cooking, cleaning (so so so desperately needed!), and trying to get my life back in order.
To be fair, I've done many fun things over the last few weeks. I went to Tahoe with DBF and my best friend and her fiance (visiting from NY). Unfortunately being with my best friend always brings out the delicious food and good wine -- so I overindulged. Then we visited my parents on the way home and my mom always feeds us well...and by well I mean with lots of cheese. I had the choice to eat healthfully, but I didn't take it. Still, I had such a good time and being with my family and close friends was such a treat!
The next week I focused on training but didn't count points. I convinced a whole bunch of my friends to go on a bike ride with me up in Novato (where my friend who is running the tri with me lives -- she graciously lent out many of her husbands bikes to my friends). After having a nice bike ride we decided to have taco bar and margaritas....there went all that hard work. I crammed in several training days into the following week, but didn't have the energy for one whole workout and the evening section of another. It was exaserbated by the fact that I had the second part of my root canal. I was sore and unhappy from all the drilling and pressure and...you know what...it hurt! So I overate hot and sour soup and comforted myself with soft pot stickers. What can I say? I was stressed and hurting so I used a coping mechanism that has been tried and true. I think I can handle stress OR pain...but definitely not both at the same time.
Then, up and at 'em at the airport by 5:45 to catch my flight to NY. We had such a great time!! We went cross country skiing -- where I used muscles I didn't even know I had. We ate very very well (see the part about being with my best friend and eating and drinking A LOT!), but stayed very active. I ate and ate and ate. But we also went hiking and I ran on the treadmill. We tried on bridesmaids dresses (I'll be in her wedding next summer) and went to a play and listened to music at a bar. But I drank too much and could feel myself bloating up. Still -- worth it! Such a fun little mini-vacation. It was jam packed and I was exhausted when I came home. I wouldn't have had it any other way!
Last week TOM came. I got back on track with my workout schedule completely, so that felt good. This week is going to be the first normal week since the week after Tahoe. I'm glad for it because it means I get to have a day off in the middle of the week. However, with TOM came sugar cravings like you wouldn't believe. I was just out of control. I knew it, too...but I didn't stop myself. Then it was up to Sacramento to see my folks to celebrate my dad's 50th birthday (We went on a tough 40 mile bike ride together! How cool is my dad?!) and the snowboarding on Sunday. See the part about my mom feeding us well. She made veggie lasagna and the best chocolate cake I've ever had. We topped the cake with three types of Coldstone icecream. So...that 40 mile bike ride? Yeah, I made up for it.
So, after all of that I'm happy with a one or two pound gain (we'll see on Saturday) and I'm making a concerted effort to count points and plan my meals. I think this weekend (since I'll be home for once! YAY!!!) I'm going to plan out my food for the next several weeks until my race. I think it will really help me over the next month to have a game plan and stay with it since I'll be exercising 8-10 hours a week. I usually exercise 5-6...so those extra 2-5 hours I use to plan and clean and get organized will be gone. I just have to be smart about how I use my time over the next few weeks.
So the plan:
- Plan out points for next 4 weeks -- make grocery lists
- Stay on exercise schedule
- Eliminate miscellaneous plans that will stress me out
- Order wetsuit, tune up bike, and rent hotel rooms as preparation for race.