Fri, Sat, Mon, Tues, & Wed
Friday I broke the 8:00 mark finishing 2.5 miles in 19:50. Saturday I didn't run. It was another day of helping the Ewell's move. So I've missed my longer Saturday run for about a month. This makes me a bit nervous about running with you guys. I’m a short distance guy and I’m proving it more and more all the time.
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday have all been good for pushing that time down just a little bit more. This morning I did 2.5 miles in 19:28 for a 7:47 pace. Getting below the 19:30 mark means I’m going to bump up my distance another ¼ mile. But I’ll likely wait until I’m back from vacation to check my pace; set new goals; and make that small increase official.
The truly great news is I measured 17.5% body fat this morning. I’ve completely plateaued on weight lose for the past six weeks, but I’m still shaving down the body fat. After 10 straight days at 18% I got the scale to take that little step down to 17.5%. The weight loss plateau I mostly get as I’ve been much less rigorous about my diet, though still disciplined. Now it’s all about putting muscle weight back on.
My measurements say I’ve basically traded two pounds of fat for two pounds of muscle over the past six weeks. That’s great considering I’m still not lifting yet. I’ve lifted a little, but nothing I’d call a workout.
So now I just have to not get too out of control for Christmas. See everyone soon!
posted by Jason Fletcher at 9:48 AM
3 Comments:
That's awesome Jason. I'm the one who's totally jealous. I think the improvement you are making is just inspiring to me. Seriously, reading this blog has gotten under my skin. It makes me want to run and get in better shape. If I really want to get more healthy I really need to change what I eat though. It is just a question of whether I would rather be healthy or eat whatever I want. I guess that is the next step. At least I went running today. I was thinking of doing a distance run but then decided that I missed having hills close by so I decided to run through Belgatos park. I took Brayden with me today and let me tell you, pushing him up Harwood hill in a jogger wasn't easy. I was going so slow! I did it jogging though without stopping or walking at all. I think I only ran like 2.5 miles or so.
As far as school and break go, I think it was a little different for me because Nat wanted me to help set up the tree and stuff a couple weeks ago, so it made it more Christmassy (if that's a word). My semester hasn't really been that bad either. I only had one class and it was cake. Mostly just research for me this semester and it was slow at times as well. It sure is nice to be at home though. Can't wait to see you guys in just a few days.
The first time I made an honest effort at being healthy after getting married I was 28; I think. So you're getting to about the right age. I did great until one day when I fell riding my bike. That took me out of commission for a couple of months. Then we moved. Then my work-out buddy’s wife had their third kid and he dropped out. Then Kristi got pregnant. Then with the twins sleep was too valuable to exercise. Then one day I noticed that I was eating what I wanted and not exercising and I was fat! Then I kept doing it for a while because it felt good. Then I hit 200 lbs and it scared me.
So I’m back to regular exercise. I won’t be doing any marathons soon or even half marathons for that matter; maybe a 5k or 10k. I’d love to run a six minute mile for my 35th birthday, but mostly I’m looking to develop a reasonable exercise routing that I can maintain for the long term. If I run 20 – 25 minutes three times a week and lift 45 – 50 minutes three times a week my cloths will probably continue to fit and I won’t weigh 200 lbs. And it will cost me less than 4 hours a week.
The blog has been very important in keeping me motivated. I check it almost every day, sometimes more then once. John started it around the time I was trying to get back in shape and he and I had had a couple of phone chats about running. The other thing that keeps me motivated is a running log I keep in excel. Seeing the progress graphed helps me see where I’ve been and how I’m going to get where I’m going.
As for the eating whatever you want. Intuition says if you’re not going to exercise you’d better watch what you eat, but my experience is just the opposite. When I’m exercising food becomes less about the pleasure of eating and more about fueling my body for a workout. When I don’t eat good stuff it hurts my exercise sessions so it’s much easier to make sure I’m eating good fuel.
See you tomorrow night.
I totally agree with Jason on his last few paragraphs. Eating is different now, it is definitely about fuel and less about pleasure, and when I do slip and binge out on sweets I feel sick to my stomach. Good food is nice but that is what special occasions are for. The blog has been very helpful to me as well and I feel badly about neglecting it for the last two weeks. I want you to know that I have not done the same with my workouts, those have continued, I just have been super busy and it is super cold up inthe attic where the computer is located. I get up at 5 or 5:30 and don't get home until 6. Family stuff comes first and by the time that is over it usually late at night and I am ready for bed. I have had to make a choice between the internet and studying. Studying won. Sorry. Looking forward to seeing you all soon. I love California!
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