changing up workouts | TooTallFritz

I’m pretty simple and could do the same thing just about every day. However, my body goes into a holding pattern and if I have any desire to change the way my body functions, then I have to change my ~~diet~~ activities. Okay, both diet and activities. Once I put on a few pounds, they don’t want to leave. Like never. I fully admit that it’s part laziness where I just want to run, not eat like an herbivore ~~unless they also love jelly beans!!!~~, not give up alcohol and basically do whatever I want but on the other hand, I also have time restraints ~~which have nothing to do with my overeating~~.

So I’ve been trying to change things up, keep my workouts fresh, force my metabolism to MOVE without adding too much additional time to my workouts. I think it’s been positive thus far. If you follow me on DailyMile, Facebook or Twitter then you may have seen me tag things “Operation Lose 8lbs”. That 8 lbs is the bit of weight I put on during last summer’s injury and a “little” extra that I’ve picked up over the last 2 to 3 months. Good times. So I’m serious now and I need fast results so that I won’t have to carry the extra 8lbs through the Lansing Marathon. I mean really, 8lbs over the course of 26.2 miles is a lot and I only have 44 more days so there’s no time to waste.

First thing I added was push-ups. I have a love/hate relationship with anything strength related. I’m weak. I have a weak core. I start a routine and its always dropped within a couple week regardless of my good intentions.

Source:

So 50 pushups every day. The first two days, I was super sore but things are starting to get better and I already notice my core firming up a bit ~~which is my weakest area and where I gain weight first~~ so I’m happy.

I’ve also added in random StairMaster workouts. I did 2 last week. Duration of 30 to 40 minutes each depending on my available time slot. Old pic but same machine! The StairMaster really helps me lose!

I’ve split my workouts so that I can get in something, even a short something, a couple times a day. Trying to get the metabolism moving and then moving AGAIN before it totally goes to sleep. This may mean a short run and a short Stairmaster workout or possibly two runs like yesterday. I’d like to think this snowy run on Old Plank Trail burned a few extra calories last night!

I’m also stretching. One to two times daily. Not because I think it will burn “extra” but because I know I need it. Oh, and I’m chugging water, eating my fruits and veggies, focusing on lean proteins and trying my hardest to avoid processed sugar and NOT overeat. Not overeating is the hardest part.

So I’m focused. I’ve lost 3 lbs. I have 5 more that need to hit the road. 44 days. That’s 0.11 lbs per day. I’d like to think I can manage that but only time will tell.

Where is your weak spot? Overeating, eating junk, or not hitting the gym?

** Operation Lose 8lbs ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

I have just reached the point in rehab where I am able to run a little bit at a time. Yesterday was 2 miles in the dark at a conservative 9:19 pace. A two mile run, although quite an accomplishment, and testament to the effectiveness of my rehab, still does not constitute a full workout. So I’ve been doing a lot of random things to fight the boredom and keep moving. Yesterday included the 2 mile run, then a 30 minute StairMaster session. Today began with a 9.5 mile ride on the trainer and tonight I will do my weekly swim workout. I just try to focus and keep moving while utilizing workout DVDs, various pieces of equipment like the elliptical & StairMaster and I ride my bike both inside and out. While riding on the trainer is not fun, think running on the treadmill ~~mindless and super boring~~, it certainly has it’s benefits. The trainer gives me freedom to ride in the dark, when I’m with the kids and when the weather is less than ideal, like this morning during the thunderstorm! I admit, I feel empowered by the fact that I can ride my bike even when it’s not an option to take it outside.

My bike set up is below. I move the bike on and off the trainer all the time, by myself. So if you are looking for an indoor riding option ~~while the kids are napping, playing or watching a movie~~, there is no need to spend extra money on a spin bike, just purchase a trainer and use the bike you already own. I bought this fluid trainer years ago via an online sale at Performance Bike. I think it was $139 circa 2006. Just an idea to keep things moving even when the weather is bad! And this is way cheaper than a treadmill!

Now, the giveaway winner! Last night around 8pm, I read Aby all of yesterday’s comments on “keeping cool” and let her choose the winner. She had a tough time deciding between two but finally decided that Susan D’s suggestion to freeze her underwear was the best, most creative and funniest suggestion! She and her brother then promptly ran to their rooms for a pair of clean undies to put in the freezer. Thanks, Susan…..I really appreciate your “suggestion”.

Aby’s second choice was Brian P’s idea to hit every ice cream joint on the south side. Aby loves ice cream more than almost anything and she had a very rough time awarding Susan the win when it ousted Brian’s ice cream suggestion. Since Mission AthleteCare has been so generous with the goodie pack:

I decided to award Brian a prize too. Susan D wins the EnduraCool Towel & Brian P wins a 5 hour Anti-Chafe Stick. Please send your mailing addresses to amanda@tootallfritz.com and I’ll get your prizes out ASAP!

The 5 hour Anti-Chafe Stick is one more anti-chafe product in the Mission AthleteCare line. I had previously tried the Anti-Chafe Cream and compared it with Body Glide and was not impressed. The Anti-Chafe Cream works well for bra strap rubbing but did not perform well with the chub rub that I experience in the inner thigh area. It’s an issue for me and I keep Body Glide in my purse and use it constantly when I wear skirts or shorts. So I’m a big Body Glide fan for both life and running/triathlon. When the Anti-Chafe Stick arrived, I assumed that it wouldn’t be able to compete with Body Glide but I was wrong. It actually goes on much smoother than Body Glide and works just as well, if not better. So just in the “application” aspect, I now put the Mission AthleteCare Anti-Chafe Stick ahead of Body Glide. This is big in my world and I’m happy they sent me some to try because I probably wouldn’t have bought any since the cream wasn’t my favorite. Thanks, Mission Athlete! Brian, I hope you like this product as much as I do! Enjoy; I know your feet and body are taking a beating during marathon training in the heat and hopefully this will help prevent blisters on your feet and soothe any other hotspot/chafing areas you get while on the run.