How Low Can You Go

Gym Flow

>> Tuesday, April 30, 2013

     Let me start by telling you about last weekend.  We celebrated my father's 65th birthday and it was great.  Except for the fact that I suffered from a terrible migraine.  Up until three years ago, I had never had a migraine. Now, I get them about twice a year, I have concluded that it is probably due to the change in pressure when the seasons change.  They are absolutely terrible, the lights have to be all off in the room and all I can do is lie down, usually I have to stay home from work.  I am lucky that they only last a day.  I truly sympathize with people who suffer from migraines on a regular basis.  The one that I had this weekend was the worst I have ever had.  Because of the party, I really tried to put on a brave face but by 10:30 pm I had to go to my parents room and lie down.  Since the party was still going on downstairs, the volume was so loud with people talking and laughing, as well as the music.  At midnight, I finally told my parents I had to go home.  My mother was really sad to see my go, I felt terrible.  
     The next morning (Sunday), the pain was still there.  I had to cancel my 12K run and just lie in bed in pain.  I finally send a text to my parents that they had to come over and bring me something for my head (I hate taking medication that I do not have to take).  I am sure that they knew things were serious because I NEVER ask for help.  They came with some Advil gel caps and the pharmacist said to take 3 every 4 hours.  I did and by the end of the day I felt so much better.

    On to yesterday, feeling like a new person, I went back to the gym, trusty polar in hand on wrist.  I did 30 minutes on the stepmill, 30 minutes inclined walking on the treadmill and an hour Tabata class.  For those who done know Tabata is:

•     4 minutes long (whole Tabata Session)
•     20 seconds of intense training
•     10 seconds of rest
•     Total of 8 sessions or rounds


After the whole workout (1h and 54 minutes) was done I burned....1164 calories!!!!! Damn homey!  

My polar has proved a few things to me:

  • I work out hard (it is nice to have a machine confirm what you know)
  • I am regularly in the cardio heart rate zone (and sometimes over)
I went to bed nice and early and woke up this morning with time to spare so you know what I did?  I went to the express spinning class this morning! Woop, woop! Go me!

I am taking 30 students in a race today.  I cross my fingers that they do well.

want to talk about one last thing.

When I started this blog, I did it because I wanted to share my story and be part of a community that was like minded in losing weight.  I also knew that many black women didn't work out and there wasn't tons of blogs about black women trying to lose weight (this was back in 2008).  I never thought that my blog would be a resource that people turn to. Honestly.

I looked at my blog stats yesterday and realized that one of the keyword search terms that bring up my blog up on google is "African american weight loss blogs".  When I typed it in my blog comes up THIRD.  I was floored.  In all honesty I never looked at myself as a role model (I still kinda don't) for blacks (or anyone for that matter) trying to lose weight.  I was just being me, telling about my trials and tribulations in trying to get fit.  We have shared so many firsts, my first 5k, my first 10k, my first half marathon.  When I tried hot yoga, pole dancing, cross fit.  This really has been an eye opener for me.  I sometimes forget that this is the internet and I can reach so many more people that I think I do.

I.AM. GOING. TO. DO. BETTER

Thank you to everyone that reads, I do appreciate it.  I want to thank those who comment even more.  You have gotten me through some hard times.  Blogging has been a positive experience for the most part and even though there have been times I wanted to close up shop, I am still here, I am still standing, I am still strong (Antoine Fisher voice).

If you have any comments feel free to leave them.

Would LOVE to here what you think about what I just said.

xoxox

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I Heart My Polar

>> Sunday, April 28, 2013

This is the summary of my workout today with my new baby. I did 4 minutes on Jacob's Ladder Ladder (that thing is a biotch, I cannot do anything more than that). Twenty minutes on the elliptical and and hour of Zumba. I really love how easy the polar is to use. I am so curious to see how many calories I would burn during hot yoga. Monday's goal is to beat 900 calories.

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A New Toy and other news

>> Thursday, April 25, 2013

     First of all let me say thank you for your kind words yesterday.  I know that this sounds so cliche, but it was what I needed, I always seem to forget the big picture.  Yes, I am up in my weight, but I am still down from my highest.
     I went online last night and ordered a Polar FT4,  I figured I need something new to help me get back to the gym and I am hoping that this is it.  I read countless reviews and everyone seems to talk highly of this Polar.  I know quite a few bloggers use it also.

I am hoping that I can get back into classes/cardio/hot yoga/weight training and track my calorie usage and heart rate.  I am super competitive so I am hoping that I can try and beat my numbers on each day that I use it.

So it is official, I have been offered an in person interview to teach in the Middle East.  My interview will be in Toronto on May 16th, pray for me.  I am excited, scared and nervous. If you want to read more about that journey, I have started another blog.  Black Girl in Abu Dhabi will chronicle my journey to (hopefully) teach Science in Abu Dhabi.


If you have this watch what do you think of it?

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Giving Up

>> Wednesday, April 24, 2013

   I think I have given up.  I still run yet I have not been in the gym in forever.  I don`t know how I once had so much motivation and now it is all gone.  Maybe it is because my future like so many things nowadays is in the cloud.
    I long for the days when I had organization in my life.  When I ate well and went for to the gym.  I am sure that I could have those days back but I am at a lose at how to get where I used to be.  I long for the days when I weighed 209 or even 214 hell even 223.  Every few months the numbers just keep climbing and I am at a lose at where to begin because I feel as if I have already thrown in the towel.

Sigh.
    

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Run For Boston

>> Thursday, April 18, 2013

     After the tragic events that occurred on Monday in Boston.  I decided to dedicate my Wednesday running club run to Boston.  My girls loved the idea.  We ended up running 6k and one girl even brought her dog and he ran with us.  I took this time to reflect of the things that are important to me and thank God for what I have.  Yes, I can stand to lose about another 50 pounds, but I am up and active and I am able to do that.
    Hope that everyone has a great week, if you have a run this week, dedicate it to Boston.

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The Last Few Days

>> Tuesday, April 16, 2013

     The last few days have been so crazy.  Life is really taking me to places I never thought I would go, I will let you know more about this soon, all I can say are there are BIG changes happening in the next few months. I don't want to say too much until things are a little more sorted out.  Here is a recap of the last few days.

Thursday:

  • I went to see Oprah!  She was amazing.  Especially for me with where I am in my life right now, her words really got me thinking about myself and my life.  I went with my mother and I had an excellent time.  The tickets were a bit pricey (120$ for the nosebleeds) but it was worth it.  My only regret is that I did not take any notes.  I saw a woman in front of my taking a few notes on her iPhone but I just wanted to sit back, listen and reflect, I really regret that now.
Friday:

  • We had a snow storm here in Montreal.  I was not impressed. Snow in April, no bueno.  I had to drive downtown to get a police check for my new endeavor (like I said earlier more on that to come).  I hung out with my friend who lived closer to downtown so I wouldn't have to tackle the highway in the crazy weather.  We ended up eating at a yummy taco restaurant that is a food truck in the summer.  If you live in Montreal check out Grumman 78 in the Place St-Henri area. I especially loved the BUFFALO BITS salad/chicken wings.  The salad was had blue cheese, walnuts and green apples.  YUMMY!
Saturday:

  • Did nothing.  I watched Dexter (my new obsession) and chilled out. Was suppose to go for a 16k run, but my running buddy postponed until Sunday.
Sunday:

  • Running buddy cancelled, luckily I had another friend waiting in the wings.  Went for a 16k run that turned into a 17k run and it was horrible. Around 10k I got a stitch in my side that went away for a bit , but then got worse.  Eventually it felt as if I had an ice pick stuck in my side and I had to walk.  Then we encountered a crazy hill.  Then my ankle started to bother me.  The I felt nauseous.  Let me just say that shit hit the fan on this run and I had to walk the last 3k.  I was sweaty, cold and it was windy.  I could not wait to get back to my car.  I swear I wanted to cry. But at the same time I thought to myself that i didn't give up and I did it.  I think the reason that I felt so sick was that I did not eat enough that morning, I am going to have to rectify that in time for the race.
  • I am proud of myself that even thought my training is not at its best, I am MUCH MORE prepared this year than I was last year.
  • That is another thing that I took home from Oprah on Thursday, I am really trying to focus on the positive these days.  Even when people at work or friends say something, I really try and look at the positive in the situation.  People are noticing
Monday:

  • Went for a 3k run with the running club, even though the only ones that showed up were me and another teacher.  It was a beautiful day so I didn't mind.  It made me happy when I realized that I had almost run the half distance in two days.
  • Shocked at the news of what happened at the Boston Marathon.  I have never run a marathon, but I have done a few halves and marathons are usually being run at the same time.  I know what it is like to be at the finish line tired, but happy.  I can only imagine the chaos that ensued yesterday.  My prayers are with everyone who was touched my this tragedy.
The scale is finally moving. HALLELUJAH! 

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Sad News

>> Friday, April 12, 2013

Hey all.  My heart is heavy right now because I found out that blogger Lorri, from Token Fat Girl has past away.  Read the article here.  I did not know Lorri personally, but her blog was one of the first weight loss blogs that I ever read.  My prayers are with her husband and family.

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14k Run This Weekend

>> Friday, April 5, 2013

    Yikes!  I have not run 14k in, ummmm, forever.  I am hoping that the weather holds up (yes, we had snow today, in April).  I have been avoiding the gym.  I am just not in the mood.  I have been eating better so that is a good thing.

Do any teachers read my blog, has anyone been overseas in the Middle East to teach?  If you have please hit me up, I would love to pick your brain.

Have a great Friday!

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On The Road Again

>> Tuesday, April 2, 2013

    Let me tell you a secret, I haven't been running.  I have a half marathon at the end of May and I hadn't hit the road since January, I thought about it a lot, but never actually put my feet on the pavement.  Then something happened last Thursday.  I was on Twitter (@MissHaneefa --> shameless plug) and a friend of mine that I used to run with at the Running Room was talking about going for a run on Good Friday.  She then invited me to come with her, after a lot of himming and hawing (is that even how you spell that?) I agreed to join her on a 6K run.
    The run was actually pretty good.  I was sweating like a mofo, but I was so happy that I was out and I was surprised that I wasn't as out of shape as I thought I was.
     You know that saying one good turn deserves another?  Well this was one good run deserves another.  I went out on Sunday and did a 11.6k run!  I am so proud of myself.  Along the way I had a few people beeping at me giving me waves and thumbs up.  I really felt like a million dollars.
      Today I am going to try and tackle some hills.

     I am thankful for my friend for getting me out.  We are going to continue the tradition and go for a run a Saturday, this week we are doing 14K.  Wish me luck!

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