I'm SO Happy It's Friday.

WHAT'S UP??????????

I'm back home and feeling FINE!! How was your week? Did you kick butt? I kicked moderate butt. I'll say that. Moderate. I'm not feeling like I NAILED it this week, but I do feel that now that it is OCTOBER 1ST- the 1st day of the last quarter of this year- I'M MOVING INTO CRUSH IT TIME. 

ARE YOU??

I've come a long way in 2010, started to make the nightmare of 2009 seem irrelevant, but I tell you, this last 90 days, it has to be ON. It really is time to BRING IT. Go BIG or GO HOME. It's time to bring it all together, my running, my planned workouts, my eating right and healthy and sensibly, my supplements and my attitude. 

It's just ON. 

Went for a run this morning, and as you'll see in my vlog below (wearing some new Champion tops for outdoors from Target, I'm digging them so far!), I started getting those blasted side stitches again. I'm going to be reading that Chi Running book that so many of you have raved or are raving about- this weekend. It's all about belly breathing and I will nail it. Funny thing is, I've found that when I run REALLY FAST- I tend to breathe more normal. It's when I'm focusing on pacing myself that about 15 minutes into the run I start to breathe wrong- all upper breathing. 

I'm not worried about this but I am determined to move past it. I am LOVING running. I'm also really looking forward to making the next 90 days ROCK MY FACE OFF in the weight room. OK?? I'm just saying.

Tomorrow will be legs, and I'm thinking of Ms. Jenny Lynn and some of this:

I love to work legs. So love it. Now I'm also loving doing hard core work. Seriously. It's time to create some serious DOMS tomorrow! WOOT! 

Question of the day: WHAT ARE YOU BIG PLANS FOR THIS LAST QUARTER OF 2010?? WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE ABLE TO SAY AT THE END OF THIS YEAR THAT YOU'VE ACCOMPLISHED??

Learn From Everything. Every Day.

Hey Kittens!! How is your week going?? Fabulous I hope. This week should just show you that I'm so crazy busy lately and traveling so much that I don't even know what day it is half the time. What is UP with me forgetting Monday Manjoyment yesterday? FOR SHAME.

Anyway- today's post is, "Learn From Everything, Every Day" and that is because I just got in from an hour Run/Walk. Mostly Run, probably 75% and then walking. I learned a LOT about my body today, and I learn every day. 

DON'T VIEW FAILURES OR MESS-UPS as FAILURES OR MESS-UPS. Look at them as a way to LEARN SOMETHING. It's easier to move on then, instead of obsessing over what you did wrong or didn't accomplish.

Most importantly- I think a key to success in this "getting fit" game is to realize that we are all unique. What may work for me may not work for someone else. Recognize that and work within YOUR limits, preferences and capabilities. Some people kick butt at pull-ups, my own sister can do several and I've practiced for over a year and can't do ONE without assistance. Do I want to spend my time whining about it? No. I'm still gonna try, but I'm also going to focus on where I CAN excel. 

So....what did I learn today?

• I learned that 90% of the time I cannot do cardio - any cardio of the high-impact kind- on anything but an empty stomach. I have learned that my body digests food very VERY slowly and when I have food in my stomach, trying to do cardio....well it is challenging to say the least. I cramp up EASILY. 
• I have learned in general that I really excel with my workouts as early in the day as possible. Today, I went for my run around 5pm and - it had been 3 hours since eating but I was just NOT on my A-Game. I was tired and cramping from a full tummy.
• I have learned that I need to make sure my running GEAR or get-up allows me to run unencumbered. Today, I had this zip up sweatshirt on top of my running "gear" of Nike tank top and running pants/tights. The sweatshirt got too hot so I had to tie it around my waist, which left it needing to be fixed over and over again so it wouldn't fall off. I also need something to hold my ipod so I don't have to hold in my hand. I also had my crappy headset instead of the bigger ones I use at home that cover my whole ear- these kept needing adjusting and it just PISSED ME OFF to no end. 
• I have learned that having the fast, motivating rock or club music on tends to make me run too fast, and that I do a better pace with more mellow music. Who would've thought?
• I've learned that my stomach is a wimp. It is. Truly a wimp. I've mentioned that after having that bout of salmonella, I am more lactose-intolerant than before. And in addition, I am just MUCH more sensitive to anything...well out of the norm. I didn't THINK I had anything "out there" today- I chose a cucumber/tomato salad and a grilled chicken/artichoke/red pepper "toss" in like a vinaigrette. HOLY STOMACH-ACHE FROM HELL later. Seriously, you'd think I was 6 months pregnant the way my tummy was sticking out. 

So, I can either ignore this stuff or adjust accordingly. I avoid foods that I don't know are made simply....whacky sauces and stuff- I can't tolerate, plus it's likely that they are "bad" for me anyway with hidden sugars and salts and stuff. I need to do my cardio in the mornings whenever possible. I need to get my running gear so I can run and think about just GOING, not fidgeting with my clothes.

All in all, good. I've been in Lake Tahoe 2.5 days and gotten in two solid workouts. Tomorrow morning I will get up EARLY and do my run, with weights in the evening. And for my "diet", Jenny has worked out a nice simple diet to follow while in my weight loss phase, incorporating what I can tolerate plus the ViSalus Protein Shakes that THANK GOD work well for my tummy. And they are YUMMY. 

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Are there any foods you avoid or any dietary restrictions you have for overall health??