Getting in Shape vs. Staying in Shape

Recently I read an article about various celebrities and their fitness habits.  One comment really stood out to me.  It was from actress Minka Kelly.  She said, "I've found that staying in shape is much easier than getting back in shape, so I try to keep things on an even keel."

I'm realizing the absolute truth of that statement!  A few years ago I was about 25 pounds lighter.  I won't say I was in better shape...I was in about the same shape I'm in now.  I've never been in amazing shape or anything like that.  But I'd like to have more muscles than flab.  I'd like to improve my running endurance and speed. I'd like to strengthen my core.  As I work toward these things, I'm disgusted with myself for putting back on the weight I worked so hard to lose.  This would all be easier if I was 25 pounds lighter.

So I want to publicly say that this time, when I finally get in shape, I'd really like to stay in shape and not have to get back in shape again!

I was tortured by met with a running coach today.  I had one free training session at the gym, so I wanted to try it out and see if it was something I might like to do regularly.

My day started off with my attempt to turn off the alarm, only to realize that I could barely move my arms. Yep, I was pretty sore from the yoga and water aerobics yesterday!  Once I sat up in bed, I realized that my shoulder was in super bad shape!  (It always gives me trouble and I've never injured it or anything, so maybe it's arthritis or maybe something's out of joint or something, I don't know.)  This morning it was worse than usual.  I could barely move my head.

Advil, heating pad, and slow moving helped me through the morning.  I had my appointment with the running coach at 1:00, and I considered canceling, but I don't want to be a quitter.  I headed to the gym at about 12:40.

We spent the first 10-15 minutes talking, and then he led me to an indoor football field/astroturf type place. And we proceeded to do a bunch of what I would call football player exercises.  Lunges, stretches, running backward, shuffling, side running, working with a band around my ankles, and etc.  My thighs were on fire. Then we got on the floor and did a bunch of ab and butt work.  I was really feeling yesterday's workout!

Once my legs were complete jelly, he wanted me to run a mile on the treadmill!!  I asked him if this was normal behavior, wearing yourself out before you run.  He said that I would get used to it.  :)  Then I told him that I always rested up before a run.  He just smiled.  :)

So I staggered hopped on the treadmill and away I went.  I ran for a mile but had to stop and walk for about a minute in the middle.  I couldn't believe how bad my legs hurt.  Usually after I run my calves are a little sore, but my calves felt amazing compared to my thighs!!  When I was done we talked a little and he gave me some assignments, then he had to go to a meeting, so I just stood there on the treadmill because I didn't know if I could step down!!  I looked around and saw another trainer nearby, and I figured if I fell down he would at least come and drag me out of the way.  Hahahaha!

Eventually I made it down - but it was REALLY hard!  Once you step down with one leg, all your weight goes on that thigh and it was excruciating!  I climbed the stairs slowly and exited the gym, and had more trouble when I had to step into the parking lot from the sidewalk!

This evening I soaked in a hot bath and it felt great.  But I'm still SUPER sore.  I know it will be worse tomorrow.  I am going to exercise tomorrow, even if it's just water aerobics.  I know the best thing for the soreness is to work it out, but it won't be easy!  You know what, though?  I feel good.  I'm hurting, but I'm proud of myself for working hard and not giving up.  Every year at spring break I swear that I'm going to exercise every day of my break and get in a good habit.  This is the first time I've ever done it!

And one more great thing today - my coach told me I have great running form and that I'm a mid-foot striker and not a heel striker!  If you're a runner, you'll get the significance of that, especially for a beginner!

Stay tuned - I'm sure I'll have many more adventures to share!! :D  If I can move my arms tomorrow, I'll let you know how my exercise goes!

Yoga

OK, I already moved my blog.  Haha! Tumblr was SO hard to use! And people couldn't leave comments!  One post and I was done.  :)

Anyway, it's Spring Break and I'm committed to exercising more than usual this week.  OH!  Which reminds me - I weighed in today and lost 2.4 pounds!!  Of course, I hadn't weighed myself for 17 days, so it's not THAT great, but it's better than nothing!  (I'm counting calories and tracking my food on Spark People.  Weight Watchers hasn't worked for me since they changed to PointsPlus.  But that's another post for another day.)

Back to exercising.  I did a yoga class at the gym today.  It was EXCELLENT.  The poses were difficult for me - I've never really done yoga before. But at the end there was a great cool-down and the instructor explained some things about the practice of yoga, which was very interesting!  We focused on gratitude and it was so nice to shut out the rest of the world and be thankful. I'm definitely going to be sore tomorrow! And I'm also definitely going to go again!

Then I did a water class with Brian.  He has really bad back issues and this class was focused on strengthening the back.  It was me, Brian, and 7 old ladies.  HA!  But it was great and I can totally see how you could tone up from water exercise!  I'll probably do that again, too.

Tomorrow is my running day.  It's probably going to be a tough one because I know I'll be sore - I'm already sore!  I'm also meeting with a running coach tomorrow.  I get one free training session at the gym, so that's what I'm doing.  I hope he doesn't kick my butt on the treadmill or something! I have no idea what to expect, but I sure have a lot of questions for him!

Finally.

Let’s get the introductions out of the way.  I’m Kerri, I live in the Orlando, Florida area.  I have a fabulous husband, Brian:
And I have two gorgeous and sweet fur-babies, Max and Meow-Meow.  I’ll include pictures of them later.  I have 2 nephews, and Brian has a niece and 3 nephews.  We like to think we’re are the cool aunt and uncle!

I’ve been wanting to start a blog about my running experience.  I need an outlet for all of my thoughts, and this will also be a great place to keep track of my races, times, and progress!  I started running a few years ago using the Couch to 5K program, and I loved it (which was a shock to me!)  But things happen - life gets in the way - work becomes too big and takes over your life - husbands lose their jobs - and I stopped running.  

Now here I am, about to turn 40, realizing I need to get in shape and lose a fewseveral pounds! Who wants to be 40 and flabby, right? So I started running again in January and haven’t looked back!  I did my first 5K in February and was immediately addicted, so now I’ve done five 5Ks.  I’m going to take this moment to document them, and then I’ll write more later.

The Color Run (Jacksonville) - Feb. 9 - around 50 minutes

First 5K ever and SOOOOO much fun!

Disney Royal Family 5K - Feb. 23 - around 50 minutes
Yep, we got up at 4:00 for this one.  Had to be there at 5:30 - it was still dark!  Craziness.  I think this is the day I realized how much I actually love running - why else would I get up at 4am on a Saturday?!

Adam Stratton Memorial 5K - March 2 - first timed race - 42:06
It was 45 degrees.  Crazy.  Some people probably think that’s not very cold (and actually, I don’t think it’s THAT cold - I used to live in Albany, NY!) but I had never run in weather like that.  It was a difficult run and my first 5K alone.  Brian was there to cheer me on, though!

St. Patty’s Dash & Bash - March 16 - 49:03
I blame Brian for my time. :) His back was really bothering him and he had to stop like 4 times! But I was committed to staying with him. My friends (Sarah & Staci) were WAY ahead of me on this one!

Rabbit Run Apopka - March 23 - 38:25 - personal record!
This picture was taken at 6:30am before I left.  I ran with Staci again. It was raining pretty hard when we picked up our packets, but it let up by the time we started.  I felt really good today and ran almost the whole time - a first for me!  I went shopping yesterday to get some wicking shirts, so I felt a little cuter than usual.  I think it made a difference. I love how you can see the string on my pants through the shirt - beautiful.

I also used this today for the first time:

I was so happy with it!  It fits on your hand tightly so you don’t have to grip it, and it holds 22 oz.  It was so nice to have my water with me.  I definitely felt more confident and prepared today than usual.

OK, I could keep writing forever probably, but then people will say TLDR - too long didn’t read!  Ha!