Into the Distance

July 21, 2009 - Day 21
Lifted weights.


July 22, 2009 - Day 22 ::
July 28, 2009 - Day 28
I rock so hard. I decide to get back to it and then. Do nothing. I don't remember for my life what I was up to that entire week. EXERCISE FAIL!


July 29, 2009 - Day 29
Ran, and oh my god was that horrific. I was absolutely miserable by the end of it. And I am so determined to keep on keeping on. Feeling that terrible was not something I want to repeat, and I know that if I continue skipping out on working out, it's just going to get worse.


July 30, 2009 - Day 30
Was a day of horror. I'd planned to go bike riding with a friend (six miles!), but the latch on her trunk broke while we were putting the bike rack on her car. We spent the entire time we'd planned to ride out in the driveway trying everything we could think of to get the latch working again. Good lord. We also played some Wii Fit later on, so the day wasn't a total waste... but still. Sheesh.


July 31, 2009 - Day 31
Hahaha. I spent the entire day cleaning. By the time I was going to work out, my back was so sore from how I'd been standing that I collapsed on the couch with a pillow under my back and didn't move until I had to. Faaaailure.


August 1, 2009 - Day 32
I HAVE ACCOMPLISHED SOMETHING! Went to the basement to do some weight lifting and was so excited to realize that it's beginning to work. I'll confess to thinking it wasn't doing anything, but today I finished my 20 reps of curls without a pause--and even continued on to do another five more. So I've upped that set to 25 reps of 15lb on each arm. I am such a weakling. And then I did the bench press again, and while I did have to stop halfway through for a moment, I upped the reps on that one as well, so I did 25 reps of 20lb. After that I did a bunch of crunches because my abs were feeling a bit soft, and then came back upstairs and held the plank position for over a minute. :)

Also, today was my family's reunion. Haha, my younger sister and I decided to relive our childhoods and spent a good fifteen minutes swinging. You don't realize it when you're a little kid, but swinging really works muscles! I would love to go back to my old elementary school and swing. Perhaps I'll see about fitting that into my days as well. :)

I'm also so close to being able to do a proper push-up! This is exciting. I've never been able to do a proper push-up; I've always cheated. So I'm excited.



I wish I could say the same on my weight. Urgh; it's so frustrating. I'll be losing weight, and losing weight, and then suddenly holy shit it's all back. I realize that it's likely due to the fact that I had such an exercise fail, but it's a destructive cycle-- I see the exercise working, feel myself growing stronger, am super excited... and then my weight goes up again and I get discouraged and don't have the motivation to get up and go.

I'm working on it. It's just difficult.

At the end of this month I'll be moving; I still haven't decided if I'm excited or not. I think that it'll at least be good for my fitness regimen; I'll be away from the temptations of home and have access to a full gym! I'll just have to see what I can do about convincing friends to join me.

Right. At any rate, it's 3:00 A.M. and I really ought to sleep. :)

I have got to stop leaving updates for later; I forget what I've done.


July 18, 2009 - Day 18
Was another bad day. Oh gods, such a bad day. I would like to pretend that day didn't exist, in terms of exercising. I got completely distracted by business that needed to be taken care of and beginning my Japanese study again. Exercise fail.

Oh! I did actually do a tiny bit! :) I spent about a half-hour power-walking on the treadmill. Since I was only walking, I upped the incline as well to balance it out.


July 19, 2009 - Day 19
Did more weight-lifting! My arms are still shaking by the time I'm finished, but it's such a good exhaustion. Loving it. Also did a teensy bit of ab-work--needs more.


July 20, 2009 - Day 20
Ahahahaha I played Wii Fit. I know that hardly counts as exercise, but I was doing it for about two hours and it was fun, so I'm not going to complain. :)

July 15, 2009 - Day 15 (part 2)
Failed.


July 16, 2009 - Day 16
I wish I could remember what went on yesterday--all I remember is being too worked up to do anything. Guh.


July 17, 2009 - Day 17
Still not up to the best, but I did go to the basement to lift some weights. Still a weakling, still only using 10lb and 15lb weights, but I upped the reps to 20 instead of 15. I think I'll stay with that for a little bit--just until I start to get used to it--and then up it again. It makes me pleased that my muscles are hurting a bit. Even if it does show how drattedly weak I am, it's still an improvement~

Also, there is a 5k sponsored by Kellogg's happening next Saturday. I am 70% going to be there! :) I just have to convince myself that I can do it and go sign up.

July 13, 2009 - Day 13 (part 2)
I DID go running Monday night, but horrors, it wasn't as good running as was the last time I'd done the program! I'm a little bit afraid of the next time I run; I'm afraid I won't be able to do week 3, but it's time to take that next step up and I'm going to certainly try it.


July 14, 2009 - Day 14
Exercise fail. I had to get up after about 4 hours' sleep to go chase toddlers around. Wound up passing out after that until about 7PM, heh. And then was the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince premiere, which I totally went to ♥


July 15, 2009 - Day 15
Going to the basement shortly to do a little bit of weight-lifting, and then I will be running tonight. It's time to start week three, but I'm a little bit afraid of it. :| We'll see how it goes--wish me luck!

July 13, 2009 - Day 13
I haven't really done half of what I meant to today--I suspect it's in part because my baby brother has come home from camp and I really don't feel motivated to go and work out when he's sitting in the middle of my exercise room on the computer.

However, I was decidedly evil at one point and made him do the plank with me--I felt a little bit triumphant when he was complaining about it just as much as I was!

Right now I'm waiting for my laundry to finish; I've realized that one of my sports bras ran off on me and I... really don't feel like going running in a bra that was soaked in sweat yesterday. I figure that's an understandable cause for delay. While I was waiting to switch loads over, though, I decided to do some weightlifting, as we've got a nice set of weights in the basement. I am so weak. I did some sort of curls, possibly bicep (I really must find a list of all the exercises I can do with this bench, because I can't tell what from what!) at 15lb on each arm, and then I did bench press with a 10lb weight on each end. Only did one set of fifteen for each, but that seemed to be enough for the time being.

(In my defense, I haven't lifted weights in about five years. If I can get to benching 40lb by the time I move into my apartment in August, I'll be so full of glee it's ridiculous.)

I'm hoping that this will be a fantastic supplement to all the running and cardio I've been doing. That'd be awesome.

(It's so amusing to feel my muscles and realize that it's a little bit harder than the last time I did so. Obviously it's because of just doing exercise, but it's too funny.)

Waaaaaiting, waaaaiting, and I want to go running!

July 11, 2009 - Day 11
Was super-fun! :D My little sister kept complaining that she was bored, so eventually I took pity on her and the two of us went out by the river to play tennis.

...I am horrific at tennis.

Honestly, I feel more like a dog, because I chase the ball all over the place and reverse directions in an instant and just run all over being so very silly. It was so much fun, though! I had an absolute blast. The two of us played for about an hour and then when another group came to play, headed home. This was then supplemented by me going running around 12:30, because I was in a very "blah" mood and saw no reason not to.

The running is going better! I was so excited last night to realize that I actually have begun building up stamina. When I did week 2 for the first time, I ran at 5.0 MPH, walking at 3.0 MPH--but on the last two walking intervals, I had to bump it down to 2.9, 2.8. The last interval I ran I bumped up to 6.0, just because I like pushing myself hard at the end, and 6.0 is an actual run instead of just jogging along. (When I did week 1, I actually pushed the last run up to 7.0!) However, when I did it for the first time, I couldn't handle it and knocked the last run down to 5.0, and actually almost had to quit running entirely! It failed.

The second time I did that week, it was much the same. I managed to run the entire last interval, but that was only because I knew that there was only a little push left. I still was gasping for breath at the end, and it was just not very good.

This time, though--this time I was perfectly perfect! I actually thought it was going to be a horrible run, because I was feeling a bit weak just after the first couple runs, but when I reached the end I decided that I was going to go go for it and push and run at 6.0 the whole way. But instead of dying like I thought I was going to, I actually managed to run the entire time and in fact, when it reached the end I was surprised--I thought I'd still had another fifteen seconds to go!

So that was glorious.



July 12, 2009 - Day 12
Went out and played tennis with little sister again, with the temperature in the mid-80s. It's hot! But it was fun :) We're both improving, too--we managed to have a few really good volleys where we hit it back and forth.

Planning on going running later on tonight. :)

July 9, 2009 - Day 9
Was one of the worst days ever. :| Woke up at 1:30 P.M., which threw me completely off. By the time I usually would have been up and working out (in relations to my waking up, I mean), people had come home, which is rather awkward. Planned to go running regardless, but I was told not to because my parents and I were going out for dinner. Dinner made me sick. :| By the time I was feeling like I wasn't going to be ill just sitting still, I was just. Dead.

Excuses are excuses, but the interesting thing about it all was that I was in a terrible mood all day yesterday. I just felt moody and gross the entire day, and it didn't go away at all. I'm beginning to suspect that the endorphins are having an effect on me!



July 10, 2009 - Day 10
RAN! My knee went all out-of-whack last night, so I couldn't run as early in the day as I might have liked, but I still got up and ran a round. C25K, week 2 again--I'm possibly going to have to repeat that one, because I got to the last run and was dying again. Barring that, though, I may just run every day like I've been meaning to--I know you're not supposed to, but like I said before, I'd prefer to.

Also really wanting to do some ab-work tonight before bed. My abs are so stupidly weak, at least compared to how strong they were during my high-school years.

And, being a little bit shallow... I'm going on a vacation of sorts soon. ;) I know I'm not going to have dropped three sizes and gotten an entirely flat tummy by then, but hey, a girl can dream, right?

Besides--strong abs mean the stomach doesn't bounce around as much while running, and that would be wonderful!



EDIT: Did a bunch of ab-work before sleeping, just like I'd said. My abs are sooooore now. It's really pathetic to realize that I can't hold plank position but for forty-five seconds. I'm planning to repeat it like a million times until I can hold it for two and a half minutes.

Also did a bunch of crunches, both laying on the floor and using a ball, and leg-lifts.

July 8, 2009 - Day 8
Now I'm sure I've kept to this longer than I have last time, hah. What's that saying? If you do something for so long, it becomes a part of your life? Well, I may not have reached that checkpoint, but I can definitely feel this becoming a part of my life! I woke up this morning and chatted with one of my friends for a little while to cheer her up, and as soon as she'd left for work I was up and working out. I did a bit of yoga, but that just reaffirmed the fact that I need to get some actual DVDs, heh. The instructor was all "And now into warrior pose!" and I'm left here going "Uhh... I don't know what that is." I managed to follow along pretty well, but eh.

After that I popped up and did a ten-minute ab workout. :| Bloody frickin' abs, I have you. I have no problem doing the exercises they're telling us to do--so why do I have such a pudgy stomach? Sadness~~~

Found an old, bright green bouncy-ball in the garage from when I was in aerobics in high-school yeeeeears ago. Funny enough, I can still sit on it--am planning on using it to do crunches so that I can get the full range of motion.

I also wanna go running again! I've been reminded of the fact that running on a treadmill is nothing like running outside, so I'm contemplating where I can go out and run without feeling self-conscious. I mean, come on--let's be frank, I've got a big chest. There is definite bounce going on there and bounce going on with the stomach, and while doing the Couch to 5K program, I'm running for only a minute and a half and walking two. Then I compare myself to the little skinny things out there, who are running for like a half-hour straight. I know that it's a process, and I'm really fine with myself doing that, but I feel like I'm being judged by everyone else out there, and that bugs me.

I'll get over it. I'll get over it, and then I'll be out there--right along with anyone else.

But before that, it's time for lunch (I haven't eaten yet today, whoops) and then I'm gonna do some more working out.

July 7, 2009 - Day 7
Still burnt, and it hurts like a bitch--I've got a line from my swimsuit bottoms, where it just goes from red to white. It's gross. Chest is also burnt fairly badly--I can't put on my sports bra to work out XD; Put some aloe on it and am sitting around right now, just airing it out.

This doesn't mean I'm skipping the workout today, though; far from it! Maybe part of this is because my family's TV has been on Style TV for the past who-even-knows-how-long, maybe part of this is because of the scale in the house (one of my parents had it in the kitchen up until a couple days ago, because they're hoping that it'll dissuade 'em from going to the refrigerator). But I am determined! It's a great feeling; I think I've actually stayed on my "LET'S DO THIS" thing for longer than I have in the past.

But getting back on track here, the point of this is that I have two points. For one, I was ridiculously excited because last night I hopped on the scale to see where I was and--excitement of excitements!--I was below 170lb.

Yes, I'm putting my weight on the internet. I'm a little bit afraid of this. Maybe it'll give me the extra incentive to get going-going-going, heh. And I don't think many people know about this journal, so... whatever. WHATEVER. The point is that I've been gaining weight since leaving high-school and leaving Devilettes, and now it's going back down. This is incentive enough to keep going!

And point two... I started looking up stuff again for the State-to-State Half-Marathon. I wanted to do it last year, but I got off-track and it never happened. This year, I'm determined to make it a reality. This year, I'm going to let everybody know that I'm going to do it, so that if I don't, they can laugh their asses off at me. It's 13.1 miles in four hours--four hours, you guys. I don't know if I can do it in four hours! But that's why I'm training, right? I'm doing Couch to 5K, which is supposed to set you up for being able to run three miles in a half-hour, but... that's nothing compared to the length of a half-marathon.

You guys, I'm a little bit nervous. I think I need to look up another program in addition to C25K, one that will help me train for this half-marathon as well. I know I need to do some long runs in order to train as well. I'm afraid, but I know I can do it.

Right?

AT ANY RATE, IT'S TIME TO GET MY ASS UP. I've been sitting here for about twenty minutes writing--it's time to do some running and get back into the groove here.

I'm starting Week 2. HERE WE GO!



EDIT: OOOOOOOOOOOOOI. I HURT.

That kicked my ass. I almost couldn't finish that last run. :| But I did! And WHOO I AM AWESOME. SO MUCH ENERGY.

SO MUCH ENERGY.

Also, Peach-flavored Snapple green tea is fantastic. I want more. D:

July 2, 2009 - Day 2
Didn't do much. The day was wasted running around town doing various errands and taking my little brother to the doctor to get his shots. I believe there was some exercising done, but I don't remember. Blah.


July 3, 2009 - Day 3
Fail. :| Aunt came down to visit. By the time I would've been running, she was sleeping.


July 4, 2009 - Day 4
Fourth of July~! Not a lot of working out, but I did go walking around downtown for a while. Probably walked a mile or so--I'm considering that exercise.


July 5, 2009 - Day 5
HAHAHA. Had a conversation with my little sister earlier on our bodies and her pancake ass. This culminated in us working out together. 8D We did an ab-blaster workout and then a supposed "beginner's hip-hop" workout. Both were fairly lame, though I did discover that doing "the plank" (holding pushup position) is really really good. Aaaaaaa it hurt and was absolutely fantastic. Abs feel nice.


July 6, 2009 - Day 6
Went to the pool with my aunt--we spent a good twenty minutes just treading water. I could feel it in my shoulders. Good times.

Unfortunately, I am burnt liek whoa and so am proooobably not going to be doing any more working out tonight. ^^;



Short posts ensure that I will continue updating. :)

I'm beginning this with yesterday, as it belongs in my "days straight" line.


June 30, 2009
Starting the Couch to 5K program. I started another running program a while back (I actually started on the one that how_many_miles posted in her journal, the one she had begun at the very beginning), but every run on that program was an hour or longer (at least, once you added warm-up and cool-down times). Uh. It's kind of hard to convince myself to run off and do my running when I'm all "it's so looooooooong." A half-hour, which is about what these runs are, seems to be a lot more manageable, and I'm hoping that by the time I finish this program I'll be ready to step up and do some longer runs (my goal is to do the State-to-State Half-Marathon eventually).

Yesterday I did the first/second of these runs (it's really the second time I've done it, but I may just name it as the first). 41 minutes, 217 calories, 30 carbs, and 2.25 miles.



July 1, 2009 - Day 1
So far today-- 20 pushups as well as some handstand practice. :) Part of my goal in beginning to exercise more is to work on strength and--in the long run--to learn to do some tumbling. Obviously that won't happen on my own (I'm not fool enough to try doing flips without an actual coach or anything), but I can certainly work up to some things like back walkovers and handstands and maybe an aerial on my own!

Edited at the end of the day, I decided to do another run. I know they say to do it every other day, to give yourself a chance to rest, but the fact of the matter is that if I don't run every day, I'll lose motivation. This exercising every day will come to a very quick end.

Thinking I'm going to practice my handstands a bit more and I'll call it a night. :D Feeling fantastic.

This is an introduction, and I'm going to keep it short and sweet.


I'm Adalia. I'm a university student majoring in theatre, with a focus on acting and directing (though I work a lot in hair and make-up as well). I've been writing in various forms for about ten years and harbor dreams of eventually publishing--but that's not what this journal was made for.

I've already got a journal used for general purposes. I've already got a journal for writing. This journal has been created for a different purpose--one you can probably guess from the journal's name.

Back in high-school, I was a fairly active kid. I was a part of a dance team and spent about three hours every day working my ass off. I might have been a couple sizes bigger than other people my age, but I was fit--and that was the important part for me.

Now, years later, I'm starting it again. I know I'm not anywhere near as fit as I used to be, and knowing that on one side of my family there is a good risk for obesity, I'm determined to get back in shape. I do not want to be like that side of the family, where walking a mile in twenty minutes is considered a fast pace.

This journal is for accountability. I've begun working out over the past week, but from today, July 1st, I want to start doing some form of exercise every day. No more of this sitting around like an idiot, no more days without getting up and running around for at least a little bit. A sedentary lifestyle is not working.

If I don't write in this journal every day, somebody smack me. Please. >:|