Next Challenge- Swimming!

So, what do you do when your Running Coach also happens to be a Tri-Coach?  You learn how to swim (in order to improve your running, of course).  Okay, so I had the basic idea, and could stay afloat in deep water, but that whole breathing thing and proper form?  No way.  Thankfully, Joella is very patient with me.

This is my next big challenge- and I figured a good one for the winter, when I can't get out to run nearly as often as I'd like.  Plus, I need to switch up my routine a bit anyway-- plateauing again.  So here's what I'm focusing on right now:

• Getting the breathing thing down-- I am pretty sure I could do it- IF I didn't have to work my arms and legs at the same time.  *Multitasking and Amber don't mix very well
• Keeping my legs straight, and kicking from the hip.  For the life of me, I can't stop bending my knees!  Guess I need more kickboard practice.  Focus on one thing at a time.  (*See multitasking comment)
• Fingers together
• Breathe to the side, only to the side.  And don't suck in water.

Right now, I'm swimming with flippers.  I must say that I was getting foot cramps yesterday with them, so I took them off for a few laps--- oh.my.goodness- you'd think somebody cut my feet off!  It was like swimming against a current!  Uh yeah, I don't see myself doing a tri anytime soon--- I've got a LONG way to go!  

But I like it!

Boy am I bad at updates!

One quick thought from Run Club:

Joella says, "Think 'bad posture' when you're running!

Apparently, I arch my back too much, and you're supposed to be 'hunched over' and leaning forward a little bit.  lol... Guess I have my posture timing backwards, because, that's how I do everything else!

A few Healthy Tipping Point thoughts

A Healthy Tipping Point is when all the small decisions you make add up to something big.  I had a HTP moment this morning.

Confession: I am really bad at getting my fruits and veggies in.  Granted, the smoothies have helped me tremendously, but Joella says  that I need to be spreading my fruits and veggies out throughout the day as well... not just all in one sitting.  Apparently, this is the healthy thing to do  ;-) .  I know she's right, and I've been trying really hard, but it's almost as if my body goes into defiance mode sometimes.  I really do like apples.  But there are times of day when if I see an apple, I'll just want to throw it out the window, yet alone eat it.  


This morning wasn't one of those mornings.  I'm just not hungry, but I need to eat before I go out for a run.  First thought: If I just eat my yogurt, then I'll save some calories!  It's not often that I'm not hungry in the mornings.  Then, my HTP buzzers started going off in my head.  Recognize: this is a chance I have to make a smart choice.  So I ate the apple.  1 F/V down... at least 4 more to go!  It's so ridiculously simple, yet, the small decisions add up.


The thought that eventually pushed me over the edge to just eat the darn apple (with my yogurt) was 'parking lots'.  Yes, parking lots.


See, I've probably mentioned it before, but my head makes sense of things by using metaphors and comparisons.  So I compared the decision of eating the apple, to, when I run Graham Park- it's a basically flat, straight shot out and back.  But, I choose to run around the parking lots sometimes along the way instead of heading straight for the trails.  Those little 'ventures' add up, and make a significant difference in (okay, get this...) "the long run"!  AND, it's kind of a mind trick too, because it doesn't seem like you're adding that much to your run... but little bits add up!  (Since I'm being corny anyway :-)... and with the apple... little 'bites' add up!)  

Nutritionally Challenged.

So, yesterday was my nutrition meeting with my coach, as she has been looking over my food logs for the past 4-5 weeks.  Um, #FAIL!

She said she couldn't believe how many carbs I eat... and I knew I ate a lot, but I didn't think it was THAT bad!  After all, I cut WAY back from what I used to eat!  Why can't we lose weight on relativity??  Compared to how much I used to eat, or compared to how much others around me eat and I-pass-up??  HUH?

Obviously, I've got to focus on the protein, fruits and vegetables-- consistently through out the day- not just in one meal (my beloved Green Smoothies).  This is WAY hard when it comes to eating with extremely picky, young children.  One really good idea Joella suggested was a "Snack Plate".  She's really big on snacking through out the day, as long as you balance it out-- some proteins, some fruits and veggies,  a little carbs.  Put together a snack plate with things such as: cheese, yogurt, pretzels, baby carrots, hummus, nuts/seeds, fruits, veggies, granola- and when my kids (or myself) get hungry, choose what I want, already prepared, but once the carbs are gone, they're gone.  Having it accessible makes it an easier choice, and keeping my blood sugar stable will keep me from going carb crazy later.  Let's start with that and see how it goes.

Here is a list of Meal Ideas from my coach.