Jocelyn's 1/2 Marathon Journal

[feelin-great]

No workouts this weekend. I was out of town. We went to the Milwaukee Brewers game yesterday afternoon - it was miserable (but at least they won!). The heat index was well over 100 degrees and we were sitting in direct sun the entire time (we tailgated before and after so I was in direct sun from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm). I think we could have wrung ourselves out in the end from the heat and humidity. By the end I was suffering from heat exhaustion - I got really sick on the drive home, not to mention I got a sunburn on my chest (the only spot I forgot to put sunscreen ). We did a lot of walking so between that and the heat, I am exhausted. I feel much better, but yesterday I couldn't drink water fast enough to keep up with the heat.

My shins are sore, no doubt from all of the walking yesterday. So tonight I will have to stay off of the treadmill. I will hopefully do my upper body workout and then the elliptical.

[feelin-great]

I didn't get my weights in tonight, I just did 35 minutes on the elliptical. I had a bit of an issue with my phone so I had to take it in to get it looked at. They are sending me a replacement, but I won't get it until Friday The earpiece blew so I can't hear anybody on the other end - and since it is my only phone I kind of need it!

But at least I got something in, I normally would have just skipped the workout altogether after something like that, because that is what I always did. I need my days to be planned out, so when something like this puts a dent in my day I normally just get frustrated and give up. But this time I started to go home and ended up turning around and going to the gym anyways

[feelin-great]

The earpiece blew so I can't hear anybody on the other end

Perfect! Enjoy the week off!

Normally it wouldn't bother me too much because I don't really talk on the phone much, but right now my parents are travelling through Canada on their way to Alaska in an RV. And I have their dog (for the next two months). So not having the phone is really a nuisance this week!

[musculArgirl2]

What a nice trip! Sounds like a fun time. How long does it take to get there?

[feelin-great]

What a nice trip! Sounds like a fun time. How long does it take to get there?

I'm not really sure - I think they will be in Canada for about a week or two total (including the way back). They aren't in any rush so I am sure they will take their time - my aunt and uncle went with.

[musculArgirl2]

Beautiful trip. Aren't the roads suppose to be really isolated driving up there? I wonder if they will even have cell phone service anyways??

[feelin-great]

Yeah, they will have service most of the time. I do know there is a stretch of 150 miles of mountainous terrain that has very narrow roads and no guard rails and steep dropoffs. I have to say I am really glad I won't be in that RV!

[musculArgirl2]

I wouldn't want to do that either especially in an RV!

[Boss Man]

I normally would have just skipped the workout altogether after something like that, because that is what I always did. But this time I started to go home and ended up turning around and going to the gym anyways

Be proud of yourself, because I'm proud of you. This shows progression in mental and emotional ways too, not just physical.

GOOD JOB, because the stronger you are on such things, the less you'll slip-up and the more you'll stay focused and consistent.

[feelin-great]

Tonight's workout:

30 minutes elliptical - random hills level 9.

I had come to the conclusion last night that the random hill was not really random. Every time I have done it I have had the same "random" hills. So tonight I got on expecting the same but I was in for a surprise - it wasn't the same - it was twice as difficult I burned a lot more calories than the last few times!

I am going to have a hard time getting cardio and weights in over the next few weeks because I will be putting in a ton of hours at work. I think when I am crunched for time I am going to focus on cardio. Then when I am available to workout on the weekends I will get my weights in. I hate to put them on the backburner right now, but I don't really have too much of a choice

[Boss Man]

If possible, focus on the weights instead of Cardio. Muscle building can burn an added 45-50 calories for every added lb, so that can be the main choice, then supplement the Cardio in when you're able.

Hopefully when your work settles down a bit, you'll be able to get things back on the usual track.

Whatever happens, keep believing in yourself and don't let this situation derail you from the progress you've been making yeah . You've been doing superbly well lately and this kind of enforced deviation from the norm, can be a chance to put that improved mindset to work and build on the progress made to it, as opposed to damaging it, by giving the work situation too much houseroom in your mind.

GOOD LUCK, chin up and no worries okay .

[feelin-great]

I understand where you guys are coming from with the weights, but I can't seem to get anywhere with weights. I am to a point now where I am so frustrated that I am stressing myself out. I have been working out hard for a month now and I have only lost .8 pounds. If I don't start seeing results soon I know I am going to end up giving up - I know what you are all going to say, that it will start coming off soon, but I am at my wits end right now with not seeing results.

Last night I was so stressed out about it I started thinking what's the point in working out so hard and wasting my time when nothing is changing. So I sat down and ate about 1,000 calories. And then I was so stressed about doing that that I started crying

I have got a lot on my plate right now and I know that I lose weight when I do cardio - I just need to start seeing results or I will give up, I just know that about myself - I don't have the extra time to waste on working out if nothing changes. Once I start seeing results I will feel better and then I will add the weights back in, but now I just need to do what I know works for me.

I appreciate everyone's input, and I know it is great advice. I love the support that I get so I thank you for that. But mentally I am drained. I am sorry if I sound crabby, I really am not, I am just so drained

[musculArgirl2]

now I just need to do what I know works for me.

Don't feel bad about doing what works for you or you feel comfortable with. the advice is heartfelt but like you said do what works for you. I think you should just do what you enjoy for now while you don't have time to do everything. You enjoy running and cardio and you lost quite a bit of weight last year so maybe do that. and like you said you will try to do weights on the weekend.


It's all up to you we will support you no matter what you want to do!

[fitoverforty]

Last night I was so stressed out about it I started thinking what's the point in working out so hard and wasting my time when nothing is changing. So I sat down and ate about 1,000 calories. And then I was so stressed about doing that that I started crying

Oh girl..I know exactly how you feel, and I understand. I have been there, am there now, pretty much have been there for 2 years. I have done the exact same thing with the eating badly, then feeling horrible about that, I've stood on the weight scale in tears after working so hard and then not seeing a loss. Let me share with you what I have learned through all of it:
1st and foremost, it is NOT a waste of time to take care of your body through exercise and healthy eating. Even if you never lost another pound, what you are doing for your body is good and positive. We tend to focus on one thing - that damn scale, and when it lets us down, we feel defeated. That needs to change. We can't see the good things going on in our bodies from the exercise - the heart, lungs, blood vessels, all of these things are healthier due to your time on that treadmill and any weights you do combined with the healthier food choices.
Making the choice to eat more clean, less processed stuff - just that alone is a positive thing and your body thanks you for it.

I don't have the extra time to waste on working out if nothing changes

Think about that for a minute (geez, i'm starting to sound like Brent ) but really? That time is an investment in your health, it is not just about losing weight, see what I'm saying? It isn't wasted time in terms of your overall health, living longer, feeling better, etc., so please don't give up or think that it is a waste - it isn't.

Once I start seeing results I will feel better and then I will add the weights back in, but now I just need to do what I know works for me.

Yes, Joc, do whatever you feel the least stressed about, whatever you enjoy, whatever at this point you feel will keep you going - do it! Just don't give up - what will that do but make you feel worse, right? Giving up is not an option.
We support you here, you know that. Each of us who reads your journal and give our opinions are just trying to share what we think will help. That is what I love about this site.
Sorry for the long post - I just wanted to encourage you, and to let you know that many of us share those same feelings you are having. Hang in there, keep forging ahead, focus on the positives, celebrate the victories, be proud of the efforts you are making each day, because they really do count in the long run.

[feelin-great]

Thanks Becky and Lynne, I appreciate your support more than you know (and Bossman and Brent, you're included in there as well, and everyone else who has supported me over the last year and a half )! Everybody on here is amazing and supportive, and that's why I keep coming back. Last night was an extremely weak moment and I unfortunately let it get to me (Lynne, I am my own worst enemy too ).

I don't want to give up and I know I won't, I know it is all worth it regardless of whether or not I lose the weight. I also know that I shouldn't be judging my losses based on the scale weight - but I know I am not losing any fat either, because my clothes aren't fitting any better than they were one month ago.

I know deep down that doing the weights is going to help me more in the long run, but in the short term I need to keep myself motivated, and the weights just aren't doing that for me. I don't feel good when I do them, and I don't leave the gym feeling invigorated, unless I do cardio after them. Right now I feel like I am holding on by a thread, and to keep that thread from snapping, I need to focus on doing the things I really enjoy. There is no better feeling to me than stepping off of that treadmill or elliptical (or running outside) and feeling refreshed and invigorated! I know that's what I need to do right now to keep the momentum going. I just wish that I had the extra time to spend to do both.