Setbacks

Fight the Power! (Image via Wikipedia)

Setbacks. Failure. Excuses. We've all gone through it, over and over again. We all have our demons. So, I've been counting calories since March 1st and exercising regularly since March 7th. Things have been going really well, until this weekend. I haven't given up, but I want to admit my setback out loud so I can get back on track.

It started out with one bad day and ended up being 3 bad days. I do want to mention that even with my setback I did count my calories no matter how embarrassing it was to be honest and enter them.

So, I went out for dinner Friday and Saturday and I noticed that even though my meals were high in calories I did not eat all of the food put in front of me. To many of you that may not seem like a big deal but to those of you who are like me you'll understand why this feels like a win. I'm the type of person who feels like she has to eat what is put in front of her. I ate until I was full. Okay, obviously I wasn't perfect I did tell you this was a weekend of setbacks. I did eat the dessert and yes even though the chocolate explosion is over 800 calories and super bad for me I didn't finish it all either. Yes, I ate most of it, but anyone who knows me...knows I never leave ANY of the dessert no matter how full I am.

Saturday I really did try to be a good girl. I made sure I worked out really hard before going out and I came really close until exhaustion hit and I fell down in the dumps and had the extra ice cream. Today wasn't much better. I find it extremely difficult to manage impulse control when I've had an especially heavy period. I crave junk, junk and more junk.

Excuses.

Failure.

Setbacks.

This is why I'm writing this post. I am determined to get back on track. Tomorrow will be better. I've come this far. I've got a taste of the good life and I want more. I'm at the lowest weight I've been in years (233.4 at the beginning of last week). I want to feel what it's like to be in the 220s and then lower and lower.

So, this is me admitting Failure. Letting go of Excuses. Not giving in to Setbacks. Admit it and move on, move forward. Tomorrow is a new day. This week I'm going to focus on walking 5 km to start preparing for the Ottawa Marathon. I've yet to determine if I'll be walking or jogging, but that's why I'm starting to prepare now.

This is me...never giving up! I'll leave you with my favorite song of the day - Adele's Rolling in the Deep.

My Archnemesis - The Lying Leg Raise

Do you have one exercise that you absolutely hate and dread doing? Is it the one exercise you really SHOULD do? My exercise nemesis is Lying Leg Raises. I absolutely hate these but they're so effective. I'd rather do 100 crunches then a set of leg raises, so I thought I'd blog about it. 

The Lying Leg Raise targets the lower abs, but also involves the hip flexors to a large extent. 

Lie flat on your back with your hands palms-down underneath your glutes to cradle your pelvis during the movement. Your upper back, arms, and hands will be all that is in contact with the floor throughout the exercise.

Keeping your legs stiff and straight, raise them up off the floor until vertical. Thrust your legs upward as though trying to put footprints on the ceiling. Keep your legs stiff and straight throughout the movement.

Lower your legs until your lower back is back on the floor then lower your feet down almost to the floor (don't touch the floor to maintain tension in the abs). These are much more effective than simple lying leg raises as the thrust up further works the lower abs.








When I first started working out again back in November/December I'd avoid these as much as I could. I could barely lift my legs in and up and when I managed to do so I could barely do 10 reps per set. 

I do the flat bench version which you can see at BodyBuilding.com. Over the last couple of months I've been able to increase to 12 reps and y range of mobility is getting better all the time. Today I was able to add the lift at the end...I haven't been able to do this, since, well, I honestly don't know when. 


The worst thing about this exercise is that I KNOW it's effective. There's nothing worse then hating something that you know is good for you. So, with that in mind...I highly recommend adding the Lying Leg Raise to your routine. If I can do this exercise - anyone can!


I find the biggest encouragement is when I complete a highly challenging exercise. I end up feeling like I kicked it's butt instead of it kicking mine. I encourage everyone to do at least one exercise you hate and tackle it until you make it your *****! 


Which exercise do you hate doing the most? What is your exercise nemesis?

On the Other Side

Image by DeusXFlorida via Flickr

Good Morning Friends! I just want to take a moment and say thank you. Thank you for sticking by me and my many attempts to get it right in this life. In truth aren't we all just trying to get it right and to better ourselves?

Well, Seasonal Depression made me it's ***** but I'm fighting back and I think I'm winning. I'm still having some great days and some really low days but I'm on the other side and on the way out. I can't wait for the snow to be gone so I can really get moving outside. I want to invest in some outdoor running shoes so I can head outside as soon as possible. 

I've discovered that I CAN jog! I've been jogging just around my basement off and on and I've discovered that the real reason I thought I couldn't jog is all in my head. I've been too self-conscious trying to jog in public whether outside or at a gym. So, now that I've done it at home and KNOW what the problem is I'm going to get over myself and just go out jogging! Today I jogged for 26 minutes just back and forth in my basement I didn't have to stop at all and only paused to drink water a couple of times. I'm just so excited to know that I CAN JOG! 

I've started tracking calories again with MyFitnessPal.com. I've been doing really well and I've enlisted the help of my husband who doles out my favorite chocolates. I decided since I can't control myself but also don't want to completely deny myself to ask for his help. I have to tell you it's working quite well so far. 

Stay strong my friends spring is just around the corner and life gets easier.