Running in the Rain

Motivational Quote: "That some achieve great success, is proof that others can achieve it as well." - Abraham Lincoln

Run Time: 21:00

Distance: 2.05

Average min/mi: 10:15

Calories Burned: 204

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If you know me well, then you know how much I hate running in the rain. Snow, fine. Wind, fine. Rain, no way. However, I had no idea it was raining this morning, so by some kind of miracle, I actually ran in the rain. It wasn't terrible, but it was also windy. That was fun. I enjoy running in the cold far more than in the heat. I feel I have more motivation to run. If I stop, I freeze or I'm just uncomfortable and my legs are cold. Cooler weather makes me move faster while running and I think (or feel) that I run harder in the cold. 

Nothing much has changed since my last post. I'm still running and doing Pilates. My work is still kind of boring and not something that I want to do for the rest of my life. I think this retail job is good for me. It motivates me more to be active about applying to grad school. I know for a fact that I don't want to stay there forever. Good thing my coworkers are nice, at least. 

Tomorrow is my birthday party and I can't wait. I'm going to the corn maze with some friends. It's going to be a lot of fun. On my actual birthday, I'm having a family dinner and will probably just hang out with my family. September has been good to me this year. 

Here we go!

Kelly-Rae 

September update!

September Progress Report

Motivational Quote: "Sometimes it's the smallest decisions that can change your life forever." - Keri Russell

Run Time: 21:00

Distance: 1.98 mi.

Average min/mi: 10:37

Calories Burned: 194

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Wow.  It's been a while since I posted last.  I can't remember if I mentioned this in my last blog post, but I have a job.  I'm a sales associate at Bed, Bath & Beyond.  Yes, you guessed it, it's my dream job.  Love it.  But really, I'd rather be back in school than working in retail, however I am very thankful to have something that will help pay off my student loans and help me save for graduate school.

Another reason I haven't posted in about a month, aside from working almost 30 plus hours a week, is that my internet is being a little dumb and has decided to not work from time to time.  That, and I'm crazy tired almost all the time.

Before my run this morning

That being said, I have been trying very hard to keep up with working out.  I just came back from a 20 minute run and even though I haven't had the time to run in the mornings for about a week, I fell into it very quickly.  I was very happy about that.

Cassey Ho, creator of POPilates and Blogilates.com, came out with an iPhone app that has some amazing features.  I downloaded it, mostly because I needed some motivation to keep working out, and I wanted to see how the app was designed.  The whole layout is great.  There's a place where she has the calendar with all the workouts for that day; there's a forum where people can connect with other POPsters; there's a recipe list.  Super great and super helpful.  I use it almost every day.

Action shot!

The problem that I've been running into lately is my work schedule.  I, as some of you may know, love to workout in the morning.  I hate evening workouts because I'm already burned out from the day and I just want to sleep.  In the morning, I'm so tired that my brain and my body are not in sync and therefore, I can get up and go.  I've been going to work at 7 am most mornings.  This means that if I wanted to get in my hour and half exercise, I'd have to wake up around 3 or 4 am.  I decided to try working out after work, and I think that only succeeded one time.  I may just have to force myself to go to bed early and wake up earlier than normal to get in those workouts.  I don't want to, but I'm tired of not feeling great after a workout.

Sweaty Pic

Aside from all that, I believe I'm doing a great job at keeping up with working out.  I have also been eating better.  We finally went grocery shopping and most of the food was what I wanted.  We're gonna need to go again soon, but at least I know what I need and want.  The only problem I have with eating clean is my living situation.  I seem to come from a somewhat lazy family.  I don't want that to be taken the wrong way -- my parents work very hard and I know that when they come home, they want to relax.  I get that.  But, what I'm trying to say by lazy, is that they don't put effort into their food.  Many times I've come home and someone has popped in a pizza.  Pizza's great.  I love pizza.  But not every day.  There is also a problem with constant munching.  I've gotten a lot better with it.  If I feel the need to munch, I either drink a bunch of water or I eat an apple.  I never knew how yummy apples were until I was craving ice cream and used that as a substitute.  I mean, I've always loved apples, but it certainly hit the spot.  I don't know how to talk to them about it without sounding like I'm chastising them.  I suppose those are challenges I will have to overcome in the long run.  But, all my snacks get eaten quicker because of all the munching.

I can feel a huge difference in my body this month.  I think my thighs don't rub together as much (yay!) and my stomach feels flatter than it did a few weeks ago.  I know I need to do more cardio to melt away that fat, and I'm working on figuring that out, but I'm just glad I'm seeing some improvement in myself.  I feel more energized and ready to go in the mornings, at least on the mornings I exercise and eat a healthy breakfast.

My goal is to see a difference in my body by October.  I know it takes a while, but I'm hoping that by forcing myself to exercise every day and making a lot of my food beforehand that I can see that improvement.

Here we go!

Kelly-Rae