Spring workout

Yesterday evening I set out for a run. Sadly it seems that my love of running is disappearing fast this season.

After 20 min I had enough. So when I saw those tires, I took it as a sign.

I made up my own boot-camp style workout!

I started by flipping the tires over 200m or so and lining them up.

Then I used them to do jumps, squats, push-up, planks, mountain climbers, knee-high in between tires, lunges etc

Bonus, there were some squirrels around to entertain Freddie.

 

After 20 min, I was sweating and panting

On the way back I stopped at a bench to do more push-ups, triceps dips and planks.

All in all a great Spring workout!

Victoria Week-end

 

 

 

How was your long week-end?

For us it coincided with our 6th anniversary! With all the ups and downs we had, it still has been the best 6 years of my life. I love nothing more than to be with him and feel like I have someone at my side to take on the world with.

We just bought a Zodiak type boat, without a motor though since they are forbidden on most of the lakes we go to.

So Friday night was spent building the trailer for the boat and pumping up the boat.

Saturday we headed to to a lake with a bunch of friends. But by the time we made it to the “boat launch” (aka a little dirt ramp) it started raining like crazy! We still went for a little while and the guys were fishing. We then warmed up around a fire.

Sunday we visited a house since we are officially hunting for a  house to buy! We then went for our anniversary lunch and spent the afternoon doing nothing at all. Glorious!

Monday was beautiful day so we went out to a different lake.

We had it nearly all to ourselves

 

As you can see Freddie has his own little life jacket. He loves to swim. But last time I went out on a boat, he nearly drowned trying to swim to stay with us! It was because I was on the boat. Normally I would stay on shore and read instead!

I had big plans to go running and workout but it didn’t really happen because we were so busy.

I did however oar the boat for several hours on Monday. And with two big guys and a doggie on board, it was a good upper-body workout!

So far though my monthly goal of losing some weight and training more haven’t been going so well.

Looking at the pictures of us though, I realize I’m fine. I want my leg and arms to be firmer and my tummy flatter again. But I don’t think my weight is at a worrying high.

So I’m still focusing on eating healthy and staying active. I’ve been walking and biking everywhere. Biking with bags of groceries and a dog is a skill

I’m also hoping that because the Scotsman will be working later in the evening now, I will be able to workout more consistently after work when I have the house to myself…

As for my desire to run a 10k in June and a triathlon in June, I’ll have to wait and see. Sadly, my new job is very demanding. it takes a lot out of me mentally at the moment. And we are house hunting. So I am finding it hard to also focus on racing with my mind full already.

Do you have any tips?

It was so much easier last year when I would come home from work needing stimulation and rearing to train or study!

Happy birthday Freddie

The .little furry one is turning two today!

He’s our first dog and I never ceased to be amazed at how much love, energy and appetite for life he brings to our little family.

Since he’s now a teenager though, he has been trying to test some boundaries

Compared to last year though, he is much more quiet. He will now still sit in the house and doesn’t need constant stimulation.

He still is my favorite running / biking/ cross-country skiing / hiking / walking buddy though!

To celebrate, he got to hang out with his buddies last night. Our landlord (who lives right behind us) was at work and his wife is away. So a friend of his is looking after their dogs during the day.

I came home and found them both running around the neighborhood. One of them was about to cross the highway!

So we took them in for a couple of hours until their “dad” came home.

Friend #1 Echo

Freddie and his buddy Cedar

3 dogs in the house, especially bigger dogs was a lot to handle though! No room to do anything since all 3 of them were trying to follow us around.

Freddie tried to “kiss” me while I was putting on lipstick and got some on his nose lol

Cuddle me

His favorite spot, cuddling up with us on the couch

A year an a half ago

Let’s run!

Helping me study

My best friend…

Can I eat your skis?

Dad loves to play jokes on me

Daddy please catch a fish

 

 

 

 

Hello there

Can you tell I’ve been busy? I’ve been lacking the time to blog and read blogs / comment.

But for some reason my little corner of the internet is never far from my mind. It’s always such a joy to exchange with others and learn, grow.

This week has been a whirlwind. The weather here was beautiful with summer temperature. We made the most of it and sent a ton of time outside. By Sunday night, Freddie was done from all the running around.

My knee is better, so I’ve been able to bike around town. I also went for an hour run / walk yesterday. And it felt gooood! I’m starting to feel though as if I’ll never be ready for a 10k in a month and a half. Between my slow start of the season, my work trip and my injury, there hasn’t been much training around here

I’ve not been doing so well with my weight loss goal either, until yesterday that is. One thing I have realized, is my danger zone. When I come home from work, if I don’t go out and do something, or if the Scotsman is gone with Freddie, I over eat.

And I know it’s emotional eating.

I am not only stressed at work, but we are having some issues as a couple. We’ve been together nearly 6 years now, yet we still manage to have the same fights every few months sigh. And since we are looking at buying a house, it seems to highlight it. Having met each other in our early 10s, it’s hard to make sure we change and grow together. My favorite times are still with him though.

Also, I got some bad news on the family front. If anyone has any ideas on how to help a depressed and very fragile relative, I’d welcome them with my arms opened.

Thank god for Skype and my best friend from childhood. We both spend our Sunday, her in France, me in Canada, laughing and crying and sharing like you can only do with those who know you so well.

I’ll be back some time this week with a recap about triathlon and the questions I had for a world-class athlete!

May goals

I hope everybody had a wonderful week-en.

We had some gorgeous sunny weather here so we took advantage of it to go camping for 2 nights in the bush. We had the little adjacent lake nearly all to ourselves.

It was so nice to be able to relax. We borrowed a wooden fishing boat from some friend and Is pent the week-end on the lake relaxing while the guys fished. we were lucky to see a couple of American eagles fishing and hanging out around the lake.

I also tried to incorporate some new foods to our usual sausages and burgers when camping. We grilled some asparagus and baked some potatoes in the fire. Yum.

Sometimes it’s just nice to unplug and enjoy time with your loved ones.

Now, I’m so late for my monthly goals! The first came and went by so quick…

In April I wanted to:

• Train! I not only want to workout more regularly again, but I want to train for my mountain 10k in July and my triathlon in August. I am aiming for 2 runs and 2 swims a week plus 1 bike plus strength training station if I can. Also, a hike or long walk every week-end. It’s a goal, we’ll see how it goes. Sadly I did NOT have the best of months with my training. I went to Vancouver for more training and then hurt my knee. So not a good month
• Read for pleasure: because I have spent the last 3 semesters studying for an online course, I have not been able to read for pleasure as much as I normally do. I would love to know if you have any suggestions as to what I should read. I read 2 novels and one “real life” book. I didn’t read anything “amazing” so I’m not going to do a review here. The great thing is though, I borrow some e-books from the BC online library. So I get them for free and if they are not that great, I don’t feel bad.
• Spring clean: I’ve already started switching my wardrobe over to more spring / summer like items. I hope to do the same with the rest of the house. Some Spring cleaning has been done. But I am cheating. A cleaner is coming on Friday to do a full clean of the house! I don’t really have the time (or desire to sacrifice a week-end) to do it all properly
• Some DIY, crafting! I’ve been so busy, I’ve been neglecting this. I would love to crochet some little rabbit, or bee or something for my niece. I saw loads online and this lady has been inspiring me  Where does the time go? I didn’t have time to do any crafting this month!

I May I want to:

• Lose 5lbs, see why and how here I hate to admit that I didn’t feel confident baring my arms this week-end. And if it had been bikini weather, I would have felt shy. I need to get back to “my normal weight”
• Train? My knee is getting better and there is a 10k I want to do in June. So if all goes well with my legs I hope to be able to complete it!
• Craft? If I have the time, I would love to!
• Continue reading! One of my great pleasure in summer is to read a ton of books while soaking in the sun
• Get more organized at work. With all the new responsibilities I got this month, I need to find a way to fit all I have to do in a 40hrs week…

Do you have any goals for May?

Foodie penpal reveal

I feel terrible that I am one day late  to the “reveal” party! And that the pictures I took are so blurry!

I have lost the charger for my camera and my phone really doesn’t take good pictures inside.

I could not have asked for more than what Mel got me:

Coconut water to fuel my workouts:

Some delicious bars for snacks:

A selection of teas and some liquorice

Some mint chocolate!

And some local honey and maple syrup she harvested!

As well as some treats for Freddie

Freddie and I had to sample some of the goodies right away

Thanks again Mel!

If you want to join the fun (it’s free)

Back to my kettlebells

 

 

I love training with my kettlebells, but I have been neglecting them for a while now.

Since my knee is stopping me from running and biking, I took advantage of having the house to myself to train.

As per usual, I went to Myomytv for inspiration. She has some amazing workouts, check her out!

I had to modify the workouts but was inspired to do a pyramid workout.

8 (16) reps, 10 (20) reps, 12 (24) reps, 10 (20) reps, 8 (16) reps.

I did some KB swings, some pushups, some “around the body” with my kettlebell and then some lifting with each arm.

It felt great!

Action shot:

I use a bigger one for 2 arms / full body moves, and its little sister for one arm moves…

I’ve also been pretty good with my diet. I made a delicious mango prawn curry last night. I didn’t take any pictures, but might post the recipe still?

For lunch I had some mixed greens, with a tomato, some avocado and brown rice / quinoa / lentils mix. I love cooking a grain with a legume for extra nutrition and flavor.

Today is foodie penpal reveal day, but I forgot to transfer the pics to my computer… Hopefully I can post it tonight! Hint: She sent some treats for Freddie!

Can you believe it’s already May tomorrow?!!? And it’s snowing here

What’s you’re favorite strength accessory? Are you a weight or kettlebell person? Or do you like lifting real heavy?

Facing reality: My weight

This is a hard post for me to write, but I am hoping that as usual I will get some great advice from you and writing things down will help me.

As you are probably aware by now, I suffered from an ED. I was bulimic. I also had periods of anorexic behavior and bingeing.

Warning, if like me you are suffering or have suffered from an ED this post might be triggering.

I have written before on this blog about finally reaching a point in my life where I am happy with my weight and my body. It’s not “perfect” (whatever that might be) but it’s “perfect” for me since I workout regularly and eat healthy most of the time. I have been the same weight (give or take 5 /6 lbs) for the last 6 years!

But, lately life has been busy and stressful. A new job has meant new hours and some out-of-town week-long trips.

This has meant that it was harder for me to fit in my workouts and eat healthy. It has also put some pressure on my relationship and upped my stress levels.

The result? I have put weight. I am 5lbs over my normal winter weight!

I don’t weigh myself regularly. But I used to check every couple of weeks just to make sure. However in the last 3 months (or maybe even since Christmas) I have been avoiding the scales.

I have also ignored my other half when he told me I had put on a bit of weight.

So yesterday when I found that my pants were tighter, I finally decided to listen to my body. I have been feeling sluggish lately, and I feel “fat”. As in “bigger than usual”, like me on PMS.

When I went to the supermarket and saw a scale on sales, I knew it was a sign. I had to face the fact that I was not at my usual weight. Now for someone with a history of ED, it’s hard. I’m always so conscious that it does not take much to send me spiraling backwards.

So instead of focusing on how “fat” I am now, I’m focusing on what happened.

- I got complacent: I’ve been the same weight for years, with the exception of a few periods like this one. So I trusted my body to stay the same even though I wasn’t paying as much attentions as usual

- I didn’t workout as much. and working out not only helps maintain a certain figure, it also helps regulate my appetite.

- I indulged. When the Scotsman made some meat pies and curries, I ate. When he had some chocolates, I shared with him. And while his waistline expended, so did mine.

- I ate my emotions. There is no avoiding this. I am fond of listening to my body. If I feel blue and a piece of chocolate (rather than a run, a call to a friend or any other coping mechanism) will help, I indulge. The key for me is to recognize when I feel better and stop before I overindulged. Because I have been stressed, and away from home, I know I have over indulged.

- I have been lazy. Lately I have not cooked as many meals as usual and I have taken some shortcuts. I don’t really like fast food, so nothing like that. But I have not been having balanced meals most of the time. I’ve been eating he-radically too often.

The plan:

I hate that Spring is the season when a ton of diets come out. When people start dieting in the hope of looking like a different person come summer. It was always triggering for me.

So I refuse to go on a diet. To me, they are harmful.

I am going to readjust my lifestyle.

- I’ll make sure I start having fruits and veggies at every meal.

- I will ban chocolate from my goodies cupboard at work. Instead I will bring some healthy homemade snacks.

- I will get back into a rhythm with my workouts.

- I won’t let work stress eat at me. I’m new in my position and all the added responsibility I am given. It’s normal for me to take some time to learn all the ropes. And I am enjoying it! So that’s what matters.

- I will weight myself once or twice a week maximum.

- I hope to lose 5lbs by the end of May and another 5lbs by then end of June so I am at my normal “summer weight”

- I will not forget to celebrate my other achievement and won’t let the weight I gained define me.

Posting pictures of myself helped me see the gain. I can see it in those jeans and my cheeks look bigger on the picture below…

Do you have any tips for me?

And since my knee is still sore, what workouts do you recommend?

Do you monitor your weight? If so how? If not, why?

 

Triathlon: Question time

You may remember I was going to go to a conference organized by a world-class triathlete a couple of weeks ago.

Sadly I managed to get the days mixed up and missed it.

Well, the lovely lady accepted to meet me for coffee and answer all my questions! For free! How amazing!

I do have a bunch of questions I want to ask.

I want to know about local routes and where to train.

Whether my bike is good enough or I really need a road bike.

Her tips for beginners.

If I can do the swim using breast stroke or if I have to improve my free style.

What about transition?

And when do you put on your sports bra?

Do you have any questions for her? Please let me know, I would love to have an answer for you!

An injury?

 

Last night I felt like I finally had my energy and grove back.

So I decided to go for a run. After all I have a trail / mountainous 10k in 2 months! I need to train…

It all started well. Freddie was happy to be out too.

 

Though it was hard to keep him in the picture!

To keep things interesting, I stopped at every bench to do 5 push ups and 5 triceps dips. Great way to recover my breath and tone my arms

And then it happened… Some time near bench #3, I felt some pain on the outside of my left knee.

Ever since I twisted my knee as a child, my left knee has been bothering me. So I am careful every time I feel in pain.

I stopped running and had to walk home I decided to do some lifting for my arms for 10 min and leave it at that.

The outside of my knee is still tender today, and it’s slightly swollen as well. I was still able to walk Freddie this morning. But it hurts when I bend my legs or walk fast. So running is out of the question and I might avoid biking too.

Hopefully with some rest I will be able to get back to it next week?

How do you react to signs of an injury?