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What a day

February 21st, 2012 | Posted by admin in deep thoughts | exercise | fitness | food | Glasgow | health | Scotland | shopping | spinning | stress | UK | walk | workout - (3 Comments)

I am sure all of you had normal mornings. I am sure none of you had to jump out a WINDOW to get out of your living accommodation. I did. See, my key doesn’t work well and I have a hard time unlocking it from the inside. I tried and kicked at it and swore for a good 20 minutes before I gave up, climbed up on to the window sill, and jumped. I then went in the front of the building and unlocked the door easily from the outside. Seriously, this is my life.

When I got to the office, I found it open and some random guy at my computer. He didn’t know it was my desk- granted I haven’t really personalized it….

I then proceeded to leave my umbrella at the coffee shop (I later retrieved it). And then I managed to snap off the wrappy bit of the umbrella and now it is closed by a hair elastic.

My gym workout was less than stellar. I didn’t even want to BE there, but I did 10 on the spin bike (I need a spin cushion seat!) and 10 on the elliptical, and then a bit of weights, and then I walked home via Tesco- all in all the workout was 1.5 hours and burned 560 calories. I counted the walk home as part of it, it being partially uphill and me carrying a ton of crap in my backpack.

Now, today being pancake Tuesday I decided to make pancakes. I should have realized that given the fact I can’t cook at all (other than pasta and simple things) that even a pre-made pancake mix would be a disaster. Which it was. The first one had powder in it, and the second was burned and runny. Steph, come back! I then tried to make tea (with tea leaves) and managed to mess that up as well. So I am very glad I had a backup dinner plan (pasta, faux mince and roasted veggies) which is almost done. (Jen, help! I need a big canister of parmesan, the ones here are so tiny!!!)

The rest of the night’s plan is to watch last night’s House, and perhaps more Sherlock. (Of course I will watch more Sherlock, I can’t help myself! I am such a Cumberbitch!) I also want to get through some more of the Cyber bullying book I am reading that is due in a few days.

Tomorrow I need to run errands, get my ashes, and read more.

I also need to figure out what I am giving up for Lent. I was thinking about shopping but I mean, really. Then I thought about giving up swearing, and I was like yeah, that isn’t frigging happening. Last year I gave up diet Coke. I should give up eating brownies at the library. Hrm.

If so inclined, what are you giving up for Lent?

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Too quiet

February 20th, 2012 | Posted by admin in exercise | fitness | Glasgow | grad school | gym | health | life | running | Scotland | stress | UK | workout - (0 Comments)

It’s too quiet here. Steph has gone back to the US for 2 weeks (long story, don’t ask) and it is very, very quiet here. As much as we’ve already been getting on each other’s nerves (stress- again, don’t ask) I miss her. It’s too quiet here.

She had to leave early, and I wasn’t able to fall asleep early, and then when she left I was awake for a few hours and then finally fell back to sleep and woke up at noon. Which wasn’t on my plan of attack for the day. I wanted to be in the office by 11ish. Yeah. Didn’t happen.

I ended up going to the library since I had to return something and then after spending a few hours there, I went to the gym. I’m running a 10K in May and since the weather here isn’t quite conducive to running outside right now, the Uni gym is the best bet. It isn’t great; It’s so crowded and I am by far the largest person there and all the super skinny undergrads were looking at me like I was a bit odd.

Once that was said and done, I had to walk home, which made me unhappy since it was raining and too windy to put up my umbrella. I’ve had dinner, done a load of laundry, and am now watching Sherlock (again).

I just hope I get an actual decent night’s sleep and can actually get some work accomplished tomorrow.

Controversial post: Workout obsessions

February 17th, 2012 | Posted by admin in beauty | calories | deep thoughts | exercise | food | food choices | health | motivation | personal training | running | spinning | sweaty | walk | weight | weight loss | workout - (6 Comments)

Disclaimer:  These are my thoughts and opinions and observations.  If you respectfully disagree, that is fine, but please keep the comments civil.  I am just curious if anyone else has noticed these patterns, or if I am in the minority.  I also know I have no business judging anyone on their behaviour.  

 

Now this may sound ridiculously hypocritical and it is way beyond me to say what is right for someone other than myself (and given I’ve been a lazy sloth for the past month and a half, I really have no right, but…)  I am going to write about it anyways.

 

I am not usually a fan of reality tv.  It really isn’t my cup of tea.  But I did watch the biggest loser for a few seasons, and I really liked season 10 and 11.  I haven’t watched any of this season b.c when I was home it was on the same time as NCIS and well Mark Harmon > The Biggest Loser.  :)  Enough said.

 

Anyways I do follow some of the previous contestants on twitter.  They look fab.  I wish I could look so good.  But one thing I have noticed is their exercise habits seem rather extreme some days.   Not every day, as I am sure I miss tweets and nor does everyone post about eveyrthing they are doing.  But some days it is extreme, like 4-5 hours of working out.  What I like about the BL is that it does teach healthy habits and exercise.  Now granted they work out all day there on the show, and I would assume, as they get fitter and more toned and after the show is over, they wouldn’t need to have such extreme habits to keep the weight off, am I right?  (granted it is what *I* should have done after losing 85 lbs and then stopped, but well I was stupid and in a bad relationship, blah blah blah)

 

How can you go back to your real life, and still work out that much?  How do you have time to work, deal with family, errands, etc, sleep, and still manage to work out 4-5 hours a day?  That is not feasible for most people I know.  No, everyone I know.  Granted, I am not working and don’t really have a scheudle.  I feasibly could work out that much, if I were trained and toned and in shape.  But would I want to?  Would I want to spend that much time to keep working out after I have achieved the body I want?  Wouldn’t I want to MAINTAIN it healthily with daily workouts of 30-60 minutes?

 

Unless I am training for a marathon I don’t think I would have the patience, tenacity or desire to.  I would want to go back to my life feeling better about myself, and not have to spend as much time in the gym.

Am I wrong here, or have perhaps some of them gone from a “food addiction” to a workout addiction?

 

I am not a personal trainer, and I am not in shape and in order to get to the correct weight for my height to have a normal BMI I would need to lose nearly 100 pounds, so I am really not one to be harping on what someone who has done that is currently doing.  I just think it is something to think about.  I wouldn’t want to lose weight again, and have to go through still having to work out to excess after I have done it all.  Am I making sense?

 

I know when I lost 85 lbs, I didn’t do it in the healthiest of manners.  I ate little and worked out a lot.

It looked like this food wise:  ( I was a vegetarian at the time)

Breakfast: egg white omelette w/ veggies and sometimes some cheese, coffee

lunch: big salad

snack: coffee

dinner: pasta with sauce and faux mince

I was hungry ALL THE TIME.  I never felt satisfied.  I never let myself have a treat and if I did splurge on half a cookie, well I had to work out MORE.

 

Then I would go to the gym and hit the elliptical/weights or take a Tae Bo class and a weight class and then workout on the treadmill (about 1.5-2 hrs per day)

 

So yeah I lost weight, but I wasn’t happy.  I ended up in a relationship that was harmful.  I thought once I had hit 140, I was golden. I began eating more at my boyfriend’s house; his mom was a great cook, and ended up back at 160 in about 3 days.  I still worked out, but not to the same level.  I was back up to nearly 200 within a year or so gaining and losing the same 10-15 pounds year after year.

 

>So…..would I have been better off maintaining and working out like a fiend?  Or being a little bit happier to eat good food and not care?

 

It’s one of those things that I just can’t get my head around- the balance of it all.  (That and just being lazy.)

Thoughts and opinions?  

Update on all the things

January 25th, 2012 | Posted by cindy in exercise | Glasgow | grad school | health | life | running | Scotland | shopping | UK | update - (1 Comments)

Flat: We have put the deposit down on the flat, and hopefully should be moving 1st February if not sooner, which is what I wish. My back is not a big fan of the crappy mattress at the hostel.

Illness: I guess I am back to about 95%. My throat hurts sometimes when I wake up but I think that has to do with the ridic heat/dryness at said hostel.

Working out: Well, suffice to say I haven’t done anything other than walking about since the 10K. Now that I don’t feel like utter crap, I plan to either start running again (weather permitting) or hitting the gym. While I am still not within walking distance of uni, I have a 5 day pass to a gym close to the hostel I will be using ASAP.

Uni: I met with my professor. I have to rework my proposal and whatnot and we are meeting again next week. Unfortunately I cannot locate my proposal AT ALL. I don’t even have a hard copy; I looked through all the paperwork I had here. Unless it is hidden away somewhere and I have no idea where that would be, I am kind of screwed. I can rewrite it, but I preferred not to reinvent the wheel and just wanted to edit the old one. So I have started over. I have 71 words written. Great start, right?

Still looking into getting a new computer. My old Dell laptop is slow and the cable doesn’t stay plugged in. I will get one with my office, but it won’t be “mine,” nor will it be a laptop. Also I don’t know when space will be allocated for me.

Fandom: Still a Cumberbitch. I can’t help it. I clearly need help, stat.

And I am off to get some errands done.

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In Glasgow!

January 12th, 2012 | Posted by cindy in exercise | Glasgow | grad school | life | money woes | running | Scotland | travel | UK | winter - (0 Comments)

I’m in Glasgow! Horray!

Ok I have been here for a week, and I have been pretty busy looking for flats, trying to get things for school set up, going to Boots and Tesco, and having some sort of weird vertigo thing for the past 2 days, which hasn’t helped matters. It has been rather nice; sunny and cold which works fine for me. I need to get a picture of the sunrise or sunset over the River Clyde. Being on the 8th floor gives us great views, but the windows are dirty which is why I haven’t taken any as of yet. I’ve done a fair amount of walking, but I haven’t run since the 10K. Eep! I do have a pass for 5 free days at LA Fitness in Glasgow, so as soon as this dizziness thing sorts it self out, I can get my running on! {Or at the very least run along the river while it’s nice and sunny!}

So far I am waiting on my loans, so we can get a flat, and I can get some more clothing! I didn’t bring a lot of my stuff and I would like to get some basics of long sleeved tops and a pair of jeans and some wellies before I get too caught up in school.

I’ve been reading a lot as well, as I am not sure how much time I will have for it. If anyone has any recommendations about schooling and education in the UK, I would love to read them. Most of my knowledge is fiction based from Waterloo Road and an old copy of Scottish Education I had rattling around the old flat. I’d like something a bit more contemporary and not too dry. {I’m not asking much!}

I hope everyone is having a great week!

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Boxing day 10K!

December 27th, 2011 | Posted by cindy in exercise | running - (0 Comments)

Yesterday I ran a 10K as part of the home for the holidays virtual 10K. I wanted to do it on Christmas but it just wasn’t in the cards.

I had to work yesterday and I had a later start than I intended, so I knew I needed to move quickly. I headed to the windy track and got started. I had some technical malfunctions so that I had to reset my timer twice. This annoyed me b/c then I had to do some math to make sure I had the actual 10K mileage.

It was cold in the suburbs of Boston, so I wanted to keep moving as much as I could. So I pretty much alternated run for one song, walk for the next and on and on. Depending on the length of the song I would sometimes run for 2 or more. As I got warmer and comfortable, I felt like I could go on for even longer than the 10K, which is encouraging considering 2 months ago, running for 30 seconds was torture. I also wanted to go as quickly as possible because I needed to get back home and get ready for work. I can’t believe I ran a 10K before working a 5 hour shift on my feet the day after Christmas. Who am I? I am pleased I did it in under 2 hours and felt amazing the entire time. I hope to run an actual 10K when I get back to Scotland. :)

I look like a total dork in this photo, but there wasn’t anyone around to take a picture, and I don’t have a full length mirror.

I feel fine today my feet and legs do not hurt at all. This is the first day in ages that my feet aren’t hurting. Wow. Apparently I needed to run 6 miles and then work all afternoon in my nice boots to make my feet not hurt. Totally random.

I really wanted to run today, but I am watching my nieces and there was no way I was getting up at like 6am to run. I won’t be running until Friday when I have a day off.

I could use a nap right now actually. :)

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Christmas wishlist

December 13th, 2011 | Posted by cindy in David Tennant | deep thoughts | Doctor Who | exercise | fitness | Glasgow | goals | grad school | health | life | motivation | nsv | Scotland | shopping | workout - (1 Comments)

Wow 2 posts in one day? Who am I?

In my new {almost} running shoes I banged out nearly a 6k in under an hour. AND despite not thinking I would have a new PR, I DO! Thanks to my clever oldest niece who had showed me how to take screencaps on my iphone you can see it. Go me!

The sky was very, very blue today. It was such a great day out for a run!

Now, to the actual point of this post. This Christmas isn’t going to be great. In fact, in some ways it’s going to suck, and there isn’t anything I can do about it. I miss my mum, end of. So I decided to try to make myself feel better by coming up with the most crazy Christmas wishlist, a top ten you may say. Please do not think that I actually believe I will get any of these things. Especially #1. I wish!

10. All this retail work has made my nails a mess. I’d love a shellac manicure and a pedicure {I don’t even need toe polish I would just kill for the foot rub!} to start off the New Year right!

9. I could sure use this for my iphone.

8. Since I am being totally frivolous here, I can see myself in Buchanan Square with this bag.

7. While I am waiting for the coffee {see below} I should stretch.

6. I will need plenty of coffee to keep me going, so those Starbucks gift cards are always welcome. :)

5.Since I am going to be working hard on my thesis for my PhD, a new computer would be a huge asset! In my dreams, I know! I can be reasonable, even if it is still a stretch.

4. I guess new super cool running shoes would be great to get as well! The New Balance 993′s would be perfect. Grey/pink is fine. Size 7. :)

3. Now that I am running I really need a Road Id. I’d like the wrist id slim, in black. But I think I need to wait until I move until I get it.

2. While I’d love to have this at my door as well I will probably have to settle for this.

Or this, even.

1. What I would really love most of all would be to open the door on Christmas and have this waiting for me.

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TGIF

December 9th, 2011 | Posted by cindy in couch to 5k | exercise | life | running | weigh ins | weight | weight loss | workout - (1 Comments)

TGIF! Not that it really has any relevance to me, as I have to work tomorrow. But I know it does matter and is relevant to most other people I know.

Today was a good day. I managed a great run with a new 3 mile PR of 45:45!

Full workout time:

I was really surprised I did it, as my foot has been hurting. I was glad to get outside even though it was cold, and to wear my new running tights! They were so comfy and amazing. I may have to get another pair!

Anyways, my foot. It’s hurting on the top across right where my toes meet my foot. I have no idea what this is, and I am sure I should see a doctor, but I am giving it another day or so as I will have to go to the ER as there is no way I am spending $25 to go into the city to see my primary only to have her send me off for an xray when I can just do that at the ER. If there was a walk in care clinic around, I would go to that, but unfortunately no.

I also am still not seeing any results on the scale. I am running longer and faster, which is great, but for all this calorie burning I would like to see something change! I know it is a number on the scale and it shouldn’t define me, but it’s really hard not to. I suppose I should do measurements again; I have to find a measuring tape.

I have to work tomorrow, as I said. It is going to be another long day, but then I am off until Wednesday unless they ask me to come in on Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday.

Have a great weekend!

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Sunday catchup

December 4th, 2011 | Posted by cindy in exercise | fitness | Glasgow | goals | health | life | motivation | running | Scotland - (0 Comments)

Thank everyone for all the kind words. I am so excited about going back to Scotland!

Since I last posted I had a work shift at work, which I thought was going to be me actually working. But it was an orientation that ended early. I work for real tomorrow- not in the department I am supposed to be in, but in mens. Nine hours. Should be fun. My feet are already dreading it.

This week I work Monday and Saturday. Wednesday I go to Boston to do biometric data for my visa, and Thursday I have a family obligation. The following week I have more shifts, including 2 days working at the Coach counter!

Today I have been for a run and am going out soon to do some errands. I did 3.1 miles in 47 minutes, which is 3 minutes shaved off my previous PR. I am getting faster! I I wish all this running and activity would show up as a result on the scale or at least in my jeans! Of course it doesn’t help that I dry them in the dryer, or at least that is what I tell myself.

Overall I got an hour in, which I am happy with. I technically didn’t work out yesterday. It was freezing out and by the time I got home from work it was getting dark. I cleaned my room and moved things around instead. I *should* have gotten up early yesterday, but I didn’t sleep well the night before and decided that sleep was more important, since I thought I was actually working yesterday. Whether or not I manage to get up early tomorrow and walk or run is another story b/c I know after nine hours on my feet I will not want to come home at 6:45ish and do anything but crash. {I haven’t worked on my feet like that in years, and teaching certainly doesn’t count since I could sit whenever I felt like it, so yeah I am being a wuss about it LOL.}

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December goals

December 1st, 2011 | Posted by cindy in couch to 5k | exercise | fitness | goals | health | life | motivation | running | workout - (8 Comments)

I haven’t really been setting any goals, unless sleeping as much as possible or setting the record for re-watching Mad Dogs counts. No? I didn’t think so.

So my goal for this month {unless I am sick or dying or something} is to work out every day. Even if I am working. Even if I have to get up earlier to run, or come home and do a video. I am proud to say that I achieved this goal today. I even managed a new PR for myself which was 3 miles in 50 minutes. I managed the first 2 in about 30 minutes {today was a C25K day}. I started the HRM a bit early to make sure it was working and left it on as I stretched at the end.

I’m feeling especially good about this because in the past I always shied away from working out outside when it got cooler. It made me wheezy which I didn’t care for. But now that I am an adult and have an inhaler for this, I really have no excuse not to hit the outdoors. It was chilly but not, freezing. I think I was overdressed, but it was hard to tell leaving the house.

I did really feel it in my feet and legs and am SO happy to be getting new trainers tonight!

Other than that, I can say that my super secret secret should be revealed any day now. :) So if you are in the know, shhhhh! And if you aren’t, but have perhaps guessed, all shall be revealed as soon as possible.

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