Taking the Reins

I am hurtin’ for certain today……  Like a good minion, I took Coach’s suggestion and met her and a group of eager runners at 24 Hour Fitness for an evening running club.  The only requirement?  You must be able to run 4 miles in 45 minutes.  OK, fair enough.  I fit the criterium.  What I didn’t take into account, though, was the 1 mile HILL we had to run up half-way through the run.  Holy hip flexor!  I made it, but I wasn’t as fast as I was hoping.  That’s what you get for tapering your workouts so much.  But now I have  Thursday night workout that is FREE (always a bonus), is coached (we have a personal trainer who takes the lead and then my coach runs “sweep,” making sure she’s last every time), and gets me off my rear.  We did 4 miles last night, so that was pretty fun.  Running at night in a group is actually kind of invigorating.  I feel so much more alive today!

Just tell my hip flexors to quit hurting so much.

I did conclude that exercising on a caloric deficit really stinks.  I’ve held fast to the plan for an entire week, and although I’ve lost 3 lbs., I do feel totally knackered when I hit the gym.  Coach suggested I time my meals so that I’m eating an hour before I work out, so we’ll see if that makes a difference. 

In food world, I’m facing down a restaurant lunch right now.  All new chains, so I don’t have Dottie’s Weight Loss Zone to act as my pre-lunch guide.  Hopefully I’ll find something mildly healthy so that I still have points left for dinner!  We leave for vacation on Saturday night, so I’m not sure how I’ll do over the next week.  I’m packing my running shoes and my swimsuit, though, so hopefully I can get a few good workouts in to make the week less painful.  Good way to get away from the in-laws, eh? 

Anyway, good luck to everyone on their Thanksgivings.  I know you can get through the week unscathed….just remember, a tablespoon of everything is what you get.  And if it’s THAT fantastic, then you can go back for another tablespoon.  It’s all mental.  If you deprive yourself, you’ll only want it more.  So indulge, but do so in a controlled manner.  I know you can do it!