Less than 12 hours!

In less than 12 hours I will be doing my first 5k!!!!!  I'm so excited!

Something interesting happened in my brain today.  I'm not sure what happened but I am now at peace.  

Last night and today I volunteered at check-in for the Color Run. I was manning the iPad and getting bibs for people.  I had a lot of fun!!!

Anyway, as I was checking in someone, I couldn't even tell you what the person or people looked like but I heard my trainers voice in my head. I just kept hearing him say "Don't get discouraged!  Look how far you've come!"

I had that OMG moment!  He's right!  So what if I walk the whole 5k?!  Could I have done this in January?  HELL TO THE F^(& NO!

This is only a small part of my journey.  I'm not feeling so angry about not being able to run part of it.  I'm not feeling discouraged either.

I'm at peace now knowing that regardless of how I cross that finish line tomorrow, I am FINISHING!  Isn't that the most important thing anyway?

Team Bad Teachers Rock no matter how we cross that finish line!

I love you all!

Long day....

I volunteered for the Color Run Check-In today.  It is real now!

I had so much fun!  I ended up putting on many hats tonight but that is nothing new. As a teacher I wear many hats so tonight I started out at the shirt table, made it over to the inital check in table, then was telling people "Start time has been changed to 7:30 instead of 8:30 due to excessive heat", then ended my night giving out packets of color.

Who knows what hats I will wear tomorrow but I have learned to wear different shoes!  My feet hurt so bad!

It's just weird knowing that in 36 hours I will be doing my first 5k. Unfortunately I will end up walking the majority of it but that's okay, I'm doing it.  That's all that matters!

I'm off to bed, it's been a long day and tomorrow is going to be long as well.  Actually the next 3 days are going to be long.

If I don't post, I'm just too tired but will post pictures as soon as I can.

Night all!

Thought of the day:

Green Tea

Before I begin with the health benefits of green tea, I thought I would let my readers know that I have asthma.  I found out tonight.  I was supposed to go to the doctor on Friday morning but after yoga today, I realized that I needed to go.  I went to the walk-in clinic that my doc. office has.  Long story short... x-ray, breathing treatment, 2nd treatment, discussion about exercise, prescription of an inhaler and finally a lecture about taking it easy during my 5k's this summer.

So with that...

I have started drinking 2 cups of green tea every day.  It is widely known that green tea is good for your metabolism.  Did you know that it has many other benefits as well?

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/11-benefits-of-green-tea-that-you-didnt-know-about.html

Weight Loss. Green tea increases the metabolism. The polyphenol found in green tea works to intensify levels of fat oxidation and the rate at which your body turns food into calories.

Diabetes. Green tea apparently helps regulate glucose levels slowing the rise of blood sugar after eating. This can prevent high insulin spikes and resulting fat storage.

Heart Disease. Scientists think, green tea works on the lining of blood vessels, helping keep them stay relaxed and better able to withstand changes in blood pressure. It may also protect against the formation of clots, which are the primary cause of heart attacks.

Esophageal Cancer. It can reduce the risk of esophageal cancer, but it is also widely thought to kill cancer cells in general without damaging the healthy tissue around them.

Cholesterol. Green tea reduces bad cholesterol in the blood and improves the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol.

Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. It is said to delay the deterioration caused by Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Studies carried out on mice showed that green tea protected brain cells from dying and restored damaged brain cells.

Tooth Decay. Studies suggests that the chemical antioxidant “catechin” in tea can destroy bacteria and viruses that cause throat infections, dental caries and other dental conditions

Blood Pressure. Regular consumption of green tea is thought to reduce the risk of high blood pressure.

Depression. Theanine is an amino acid naturally found in tea leaves. It is this substance that is thought to provide a relaxing and tranquilizing effect and be a great benefit to tea drinkers.

Anti-viral and Anti-bacterial. Tea catechins are strong antibacterial and antiviral agents which make them effective for treating everything from influenza to cancer. In some studies green tea has been shown to inhibit the spread of many diseases.

Skincare. Green tea can apparently also help with wrinkles and the signs of aging, This is because of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Both animal and human studies have demonstrated that green tea applied topically can reduce sun damage. 

Tea Tree Oil

I have discovered the joy of tea tree oil.

I started using it a few months ago to wash my hair.  Unfortunately being an elementary school teacher comes with some hurdles.  One of them... lice!  Even thinking about them makes my head itch. I had heard that using tea tree oil in shampoo helps prevent lice.  I didn't get any but then again, I haven't had them since I was a child.

While I was doing my research, this is what I have found.
http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/health-benefits-of-tea-tree-essential-oil.html

I have some 100% Tea Tree Oil from Trader Joe's and I also have some Tea Tree Soap from Jason's Naturals.  I LOVE the smell of the soap. It is an all over body wash so some of the benefits from the link above will help.

I can say since I've started using the body wash, the bumps on my arms are lessening.  Also, TMI moment, the acne on my @$$ is going away.  My skin is softening and I don't feel like I have to apply lotion as much.  Bonus, I smell good :)

Look at some of the benefits and see if you can benefit as well.

Tomorrow: The benefits of green tea

Thought of the day:
Are you really hungry or bored?

5 days and counting!

The Color Run is in 5 days.  I'm totally nervous!

My team (Bad Teachers) and I are making shirts on Thursday and picking up our packets. Once I get my packet it will be real for me.

I'm also making my team bracelets.  I was feeling a bit crafty. Check them out here
http://pic.twitter.com/mklb1C0I

I'm going to be decorated like no one has ever seen!  I'll post pictures of course!  Let's just say my step mom's chickens aren't the only family members with feathers ;-P

Off to work on the bracelets some more....

Thought of the Day:

Oh Boy!

Something interesting happened yesterday. It's disheartening to say the least.

I went to run and got about half way around the track and couldn't breathe.  I felt sick to my stomach and just wanted to puke.  I forced myself to go on. After two times around the track I just couldn't go on.

I thought I was going to pass out. It was scary.  I thought it was because I needed to take my allergy meds.  Unfortunately it was not the case.

Someone asked if I have asthma.  I don't think I do but I did do some research.

Why Does Exercise Induce Asthma?

During normal breathing, the air we take in is first warmed and moistened by the nasal passages. Because people tend to breathe through their mouths when they exercise, they are inhaling colder and drier air.
In exercise-induced asthma, the muscle bands around the airways are sensitive to these changes in temperature and humidity and react by contracting, which narrows the airway. This results in symptoms of exercised-induced asthma, which include:

• Coughing with asthma
• Tightening of the chest
• Wheezing
• Unusual fatigue while exercising
• Shortness of breath when exercising

The symptoms of exercise-induced asthma generally begin within 5 to 20 minutes after the start of exercise, or 5 to 10 minutes after brief exercise has stopped. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms with exercise, inform your doctor.

I think this is it!  I'm calling the doctor tomorrow.

After taking Primatine Tablets, I can breathe better.

I'll update once I talk to the doctor.

Prayers that I can do the Color Run on Saturday without too many issues.

Thought of the day:

Photo Progression June 2012

 

I thought it was time I posted another photo.  I guess I see it in my face. I'm just having a really hard time with self esteem right now.   Not sure why, but I know I'm not happy with my progress to this point.  I fell off the food wagon for awhile and gained about 4 pounds back on.  *Sigh* :-(

adding to the workouts

Now that it's summer I have time to do things I want to do. 

I've started going to yoga.  My lower back is hurting a little bit.  I have discovered muscles that I didn't know I wasn't using.  I've also started swimming laps.  That is a good workout!  My legs felt like they were going to fall off.

I can definitely see myself doing these exercises on a regular basis. 

8 days until the Color Run!  Today I'm feeling ready, that might change tomorrow.  Everyday is something new. 

I think I'm going to go start on cleaning out my closet.  If I haven't worn it in over a year, I'm donating it regardless of how it fits.  I have already filled one trash bag from my dresser drawers.  It feels good to clean out my closet and my soul.

Thought of the day:
When was the last time you cleaned out your closet and dresser?  Maybe it's time...

The night is young

The night might be young but I'm tired!

Did 42 minutes on the elliptical, 35 minutes of strength training, and 90 minutes of pool time with my friend and her 2 nieces.

One thing that I never thought I would do that I was able to do tonight was pull-ups!  This is what they look like.

It is crazy but I got 25 of them in.  I was supposed to do 3 sets of 10 but it just wasn't going to happen. They are modified but still very difficult.

I did a lot of upper body work tonight so my arms feel like spaghetti.

11 days until the Color Run, I'm not sure I'm ready today.  Every day brings me different emotions. Today uncertainy and doubt, tomorrow who knows!




On a different note, I cut my hair!  It is so much cooler and feels great!  Unfortunately, I didn't take into consideration needing to pull my hair back when I work out.  I can get it part way up, it was a little soaked after my time at the gym today. Gross...
So for those not on Facebook or Twitter... Here it is!

I love it!  Thank you to a friend from high school for the suggestion!

Off to bed, I'm so tired!

Thought/Tip of the day:
Stay cool, drink lots of water, take frequent breaks, and most of all have fun!

A new start

I woke up this morning, determined to make my day better. I went to the gym and only spent 30 minutes there.  My shorts were riding up my thighs and driving me absolutely crazy.  Not to mention it was so hot in there, I was sweating before I even got on the elliptical.  I felt totally gross.

I decided last night that I need to eat more meat (yuck!).  In order to do this, I need to be able to cook it and actually not just buy it then not use it (that happens more often then not). 

I spent less than $20 on a small George Foreman Grill.  It's small and can sit on the counter.  I then bought some freezer bags.  When I got home I put a single serving of each kind of meat (turkey, chicken, pork chops and steak) into the freezer bags and into the freezer.

I'm hoping this way I can just pull out one freezer bag, defrost it, and then cook it on the Foreman grill.  I found some marinades that didn't sound too gross and some rubs as well.  I'm hoping those will help with the taste.  I'm just not big into meat if you can't tell.

I'm hoping to get to the pool a little later today.  If I can't, then I want to at least go running tonight.  We shall see what the day brings.  For now though, off to read a book!

Thought of the day:

14 Days?!

Okay, so where did my post go?  I posted earlier today and it's not showing up.

So anyway, 14 days until the Color Run!  I'm nervous, excited, terrified, happy, scared and many other emotions. 

Tomorrow I'm starting intensive training.  Less calories, lean protein, more fruits and veggies, and more exercise. 

For now though, it's time for bed. 

Thought of the day:

School's out!

Today was the first day of summer break!!!!  I left the house for a brief moment to go to Sonic for an iced tea because I didn't have any tea bags in the house.

Tomorrow is the final day for my college class so I have quite a bit to do.  Hopefully I can get to the gym or at least get out and about tomorrow.

15 more days until the Color Run!  AHHHHHH!  I just don't feel ready today, all I've wanted to do was eat.  Luckily there was no random snacks in the house so I was able to not eat myself into a stupor.

To procrastinate tonight I'm watching Mean Girls... to end tonight a quote from Mean Girls

Cady: Calling somebody else fat won't make you any skinnier. Calling someone stupid doesn't make you any smarter. And ruining Regina George's life definitely didn't make me any happier. All you can do in life is try to solve the problem in front of you.  

17 Days?!

Today was the last day of school for the kids.  Tomorrow is staff breakfast and then room cleaning.

Logged 3.1 miles on the elliptical today in 44:11!  It's time to take this to the track.  I'm a little nervous but I'm ready!  17 more days until my first 5k!

I never thought this would be my life.  I always thought of myself as someone that just watched people run and exercise.  Now I'm the one that yearns for exercise.  My body craves exercise like it craves chocolate.

On a good note, the cellulite on my thighs is disappearing pretty quickly!

Cellulite going away = awesome!

Anyway, time to go to bed so I can rest of for helping others tomorrow.

Until tomorrow....

Thought of the day:

accountability is out the window...

Since I haven't been blogging every day, I feel like I'm not as accountable as I could be.

I will be blogging daily again.  I only have 4 days of class left and then I'm done until August.

I need to start moving a lot more.  Tomorrow is elliptical day, I'm hoping to get a workout in on Wednesday and Friday.

Tomorrow is the kids last day of school and Wednesday is my last day.

18 days until the Color Run!  I'm excited but don't feel ready yet.

Sorry for the randomness...

Until later....

Thought of the day:

Cheese and Crackers!

It's been awhile, I've been busy, things are crazy!

3 more days of one of my college classes and 8 more days of another.

5 more days of school for the kiddos, 6 more for me.

48 minutes on the elliptical today, strength training is going well.  Trainer Joe has started me on some very different exercises.  Pull-ups are going to be very difficult.  It's only been a few hours but my body is SCREAMING!!!  I can't even get up to pee, I really hope I can get up tomorrow.

Tomorrow is an exciting day!  My stepmom (retired English teacher) and my high school freshman English teacher (also retired and author) are coming up for my school's career fair!  I can't wait to see both of them, especially Mrs. Henrikson since it has been so long.

Happy trails to you!  Until we meet again!

Thought of the day: (very profound and makes me think of all of the things I've been through)

“What happened in the past that was painful has a great deal to do with what we are today, but revisiting this painful past can contribute little or nothing to what we need to do now . . .” William Glasser