CELESTE GIVES UP

Week 8 Challenge: Stop counting calories

I’ve mentioned before that I wanted to free myself from calorie counting.

So, this week’s challenge is to give up the food log. I need to do this to prove to myself that I can eat like a normal person without tracking.

I officially stopped counting on Thursday, and the next few days were slightly disastrous—a combination of rebellion/wanting to eat the world after 9 miles and working out. It was two days’ worth of eating junk without any satisfaction. I went to bed bloated and sick.

Luckily I got that out of my system, and yesterday was business as usual. I need to cultivate a healthy relationship with food—a relationship without calorie counting and obsession.

Now, because this doesn’t actually take any effort on my part, I’m going to have a secondary challenge.

Week 8 Mini Challenge: Lose the negativity

I’ve had a shitty attitude the past week or two. I need to remember that I have a lot of incredible things going on in my life.

Every day this week, I’ll pick a different aspect of my life (marriage, work, self, family, etc.) and list five positive, appreciative thoughts.

Sometimes I take my life for granted. I have so much to be thankful for, and I’m going to remind myself of that this week.

I’d love if you’d join me! What are you thankful for?

In honor of America, today I rode my bike a lot, ate a huge cookie and drank a lot of water. Happy Fourth!

Anyway … today was fantastic. Riding is a lovely way to start my day. Then I watched some Harry Potter, finished the fourth HP book, went out to dinner with my mom and sisters, then saw some friends at a barbecue. Now, Jo and I are going to watch True Grit. Being a teacher has its perks for sure!

Celeste Gives Up Challenge 1: Dehydration

Day One: 114 ounces (to be updated at bedtime)

I did not drink enough on my bike ride. Like, 16 ounces over three hours. Unacceptable. Next time I’ll take an extra water bottle and put it in my jersey. And I’ll just have to come up with a solution to peeing on long rides, ha. 

Otherwise, hydration was A+. I made a very conscious effort to drink a lot of water throughout the day.

Monday, July 4 exercise log:

• Bike: 38 miles at 6 a.m.
• Home: 100 push ups, 100 triceps chair dips

All ready for my bike ride tomorrow.

Alarm set. Water bottle frozen. Saddle adjusted. Tires pumped. Padded butt shorts, helmet and clipless shoes located. Tentative route planned.

Unfortunately I could only find my left cycling glove. I looked for Jo’s, and only found his right glove. I guess I’ll be wearing mismatched gloves haha.

Sunday, July 3 exercise:

• Run: 6 miles (went pretty well, though my knees are sore/tender currently)
• Walk: 3 miles
• Stretch: a lot

I’ve been getting some awesome feedback about the Celeste Gives Up challenges … thanks guys! I can’t wait to get started on Monday. :)

Today was an easy day. Nothing crazy at the gym, then spent most of the day cleaning and reading.

Tomorrow I’m going to do four or five miles and see how my knees are feeling. I’m heading to the track, so it should be nice and cushiony on my joints.

Friday, July 1 exercise log:

• Gym: 3.5 miles incline walk (9%), serious arm workout, push ups

Can I get a hell yeah for today?

• Successful run
• Manicure/pedicure
• Lunch with my fam
• Awesome training sesh
• Date night
• Harry Potter

Thursday, June 30 exercise log:

• Run: 3 miles
• Gym: 17 miles spin bike
• Training: more knee stability work, some core 

Gooooodbye June!

I’m running tomorrow! Today included some intensely painful/beneficial foam rolling. Brandon gave me the clear to try two or three miles tomorrow morning to see how my knees feel. Let’s cross our fingers…

Wednesday, June 29 exercise:

• Gym: 4 miles incline treadmill walk (9%)
• Training: stretching and foam rolling around my knees
• Home: 75 push ups, 75 triceps chair dips

I give today a B. It could’ve been better, but I can’t complain.

Highs:

• Watching the women’s World Cup on the treadmill
• Brandon being optimistic about my knees and saying I can still run
• Having sushi with Sarah at Sushi 101 (frugal flashback from ASU days!)
• Eating delicious food but staying within my calories goal

Lows:

• Skipping my weekly Tuesday run :(
• Spending the majority of my day in teacher professional development
• Going through a painful battery of knee stability tests at training
• Realizing that my knees feel worse than I thought and are very imbalanced

Tuesday, June 28 exercise log:

• Gym: 3 miles incline treadmill walk (5%)
• Training: a bunch of knee stability exercises

Super boring post warning

Today ended up being more of a recovery day. I “slept in” until 7 a.m., then headed out for my run. Silly me, I forgot that it’s already 3,492 degrees at 7:30. I made it three miles, then went to the gym instead. Whatev.

My knees and hips have been feeling a little sore, so I think I need to let ‘em rest. Tomorrow is an off day, then Tuesday I’ll do a short, easy run. Hopefully that’ll help get them back to normal.

Sunday, June 26 exercise log:

• Run: 3 miles
• Gym: 18 miles spin bike, arms

I wish every day could be this successful. Running, working out, brunch with a good friend, reading, eating tasty food, nail painting and movie watching. A+.
Saturday, June 25 exercise log:

• Run: 7 trail miles at McDowell Mountain Park
• Bootcamp: core stability, glute strength, cardio obstacle course
• Gym: 16 miles bike, 2 miles walk treadmill (5% incline)

This time we’re meeting at 5:20. And it’s 40 miles away from my house.

Running, I am more dedicated to you than to myself!

I better get myself in bed ASAP after soccer tonight. No tumblr allowed tonight.

Friday, June 24 log:

• Gym: 27 miles spin bike, some arms

• Indoor soccer game

Two thoughts:

1. I managed to go all day without getting ill. First day since last Thursday.
2. I’m getting back on my push up regimen. I feel like I’ve turned into a weakling. Over it! Time to get buff.

Thursday, June 23 exercise:

• Run: 3 miles “warm up,” 2 miles track, 1 mile cool down
• Training: glute strength, treadmill intervals, core
• Home: 50 push ups

Not much to report today. Had some awful stomach pains after lunch, and sat through professional development thinking I was going to die. Eventually they went away and I had a lovely evening with Brittany.

My running buddy K was hit by a red light runner a couple days ago, so we’ve been taking it easy. I think my body needs the rest, so the mild mileage feels nice. With that said, tomorrow starts back in with a run and then personal training in the evening, so I’ll get my butt kicked.

Now: time to finish the second Harry Potter. Wish me luck at my appointment tomorrow. Hopefully my doctor can help me come to a conclusion.

Wednesday, June 22 exercise:

• Run: 2 easy miles with Kelsey
• Gym: 14 miles spin bike

Today was a massive success, especially compared to yesterday. Thank goodness. It included:

• Brunch with Josiah’s cousin (and my bff)
• Working out
• Getting blood drawn for my GI appointment
• Meeting some awesome new tutoring clients
• A date with Josiah! Dinner at Ticoz + watching him have some drinks at Sidebar

Even though I ate out twice (which is crazy, because I haven’t been eating out at all), I did well. Egg white omelet with green chiles, tomatoes and mushrooms for breakfast, then a spinach salad with no dressing for dinner. Yesterday can kiss my ass.

Tuesday, June 21 exercise log:

Gym: abs, 22 miles spin bike, 2 miles incline treadmill (12.5%)

Monday, June 20 exercise log:

Gym: 28 miles spin bike, some arms, 3.5 mile incline treadmill (15 percent at 3.5 mph)

Well, today was an eating disaster. 

Read More

I want to run trails all day, every day. I’ve always wanted to try it, but just didn’t know where to start. I’m bummed that today’s trail is so far away (like 45 miles!), but I’m hoping I can find some similar, even-keeled rolling trails in centralish Phoenix.

And just another reason why I love running:

Today I ran with Shannon, a woman I’ve met twice at personal training. We set up today’s run without even having a real conversation.

I drove 45 miles to meet a stranger at 6 a.m. We ran 6 miles and had a blast. Seriously, when else does that happen? Bless your heart, running. Us runners have such an instant connection that I’ve yet to experience elsewhere.

Saturday, June 18 exercise log:

• Run: 6 miles on rolling trails (aka not up a mountain), with about 300 ft elevation gain
• Boot camp: speed ladder obstacle course, med ball throws, spikes, etc.