What's wrong with you?

I was brushing my teeth this morning and a girl in my hall asked what I was doing up so early. I told her that I had a long run and it's better to do it in the morning because it takes a long time, get it out of the way etc. and I am in training for a half marathon. The response?

What's wrong with you? Not in a mean way, she's very sweet. However the question was in my head through the whole run. Not just for me, but for all runners. What is wrong with us? Why do we do what we do?

Today on my run I had to stop to go to the bathroom twice, my shin hurt, my stomach hurt, I had a coughing fit, the wind almost blew me away and I ran through all of it. And had an amazing run.

Today I set a new PDR! There were so many times on this run I thought I wasn't going to finish. I even told myself to only do seven. At the exact moment the number hit eleven Lady Gaga blasting into my ears told me "I was born to be brave" and I burst into tears.

That is what's "wrong" with me. That is why I run.

Plus it makes me feel like this

I'm cool

Before I left I had a clif bar (standard) and then because my stomach was feeling odd dairy was not appealing so I had two waffles with cashew butter, cream cheese, banana, honey and cinnamon.

My cashew butter is disappearing too quickly for my liking. It's like someone has just been eating with a spoon at night or something... weird.

Have an awesome Saturday!

Peace!

Caitlin

Why do you run?

Or for non-runners, what do you do to give you that same feeling?

Project New Nutrition Update 2

Project New Nutrition

Update Number 1

Physically things have been going wonderfully! I have been curling 15 LBS on a regular basis and my 15LBS rows and dead-lifts are beginning to feel easier so I should be moving up soon! I am also running faster and feel like I am recovering between workouts so much better (shocker).

I have seen massive improvement especially in my hair, for the first time in almost a year it's not coming out in chunks every time I wash it! My skin is still very dry although I put lotion on daily. I think I am in need of more omega-3's.

Mentally has been good and bad. I have been struggling more with fat talk because I have put on weight (which I needed to!) but of course ED is not happy about it. Of course this is a common problem among young girls and I just keep reading healthy tipping point and trying to overcome it!

The other thing I have been struggling with is fear of restriction. If I accidently let myself get overly hungry I end up somewhat compulsively overeating. I think this is because my body is so afraid that I am restricting again.

I am trying to make it a point to focus on intuitive eating which is scary for me because it makes me realize how much I need and it tends to feel like "too much" although it is not.

My new smaller goals are to incorporate more protein in general and find ways to convince my body and myself that I will not restrict .

I did an interval bike workout this morning (covered 15 miles and 62 minutes in total)

Then held plank

PLANK TIME!!! =D

For breakfast I had two whole grain waffles, one with cashew butter and honey and one with cream cheese and fruit spread. Plus a bundle of grapes

I used this cashew butter from my massive new stock. I love it, this kind really tastes like cashews!

Off to study, bio exam this week!

Peace!

Caitlin

How is life for you in general?

Core Strength

Some of you commented on the time that I held plank for yesterday morning. First off, thanks... you guys make me blush =). Second because I love strength training as much as I love running I thought we could talk this morning about core strength.

What is your "core"?

Surprisingly, not just that six pack that your after! It includes 12 muscles in your abdomen.

Plus your mid and lower back. Some people include glutes and upper quad muscles as well.

Importance of a strong core

Having strong core muscles can help in your daily life. They will improve posture and balance which can help with anything from running to tying your shoes. Having strong back muscles will also help to reduce and prevent low back pain which many people suffer from.

How to Work it

There are A TON of great core exercises you can do, pilates and yoga being at the top of my list. 45 minutes to and hour of either=45 minutes to an hour of core work.

Another great thing for core is to use props.

Resistance bands are an awesome added challenge.

My favorite way:

Lie on your back with your legs straight out. Wrap the band around the bottom of both feet and hold one end in each hand, make sure it's pulled tight! Raise your legs slowly engaging your lower abs, when you can no longer feel your abs engaged lower slowly leaving an inch between your heels and the ground.

Find more great resistance band workouts here!

Medicine balls are diverse and add a weight element to your work.

My favorite way:

Start with your feet a little more than shoulder width apart. Come to a squat position with your back against a wall. Hold the medicine ball with both hands in front of your chest. Twist at a good tempo from side to side touching the wall with the med ball on each side.

Find more great med ball workouts here!

This is my secret. The bosu dome. I LOVE this thing. You can use it for core work specifically but incorporating it in any way to your workout will strengthen you core because it will require you to balance. I use it for core, squats, push ups, even cardio. Jogging up and down on it or using this instead of the floor for mountain climbers is killer!

For instance, this morning I did on the dome

Crunches x 20

Single leg Stretch x 15 each side

Full sit up x 15

Twisting crunches x20 each side

Crunches x20

Flip dome over

Push ups x15

Slow mountain climber x12

Push ups x12

slow mountain climber x 8

push ups x 8

Hold high plank with hands on dome until fail

This is just one example, I change it up all of the time depending on how I feel!

Also this morning I had a protein bar, ran 4 miles in 38 minutes, walked for 5 minutes and did some weights for about 20 minutes (and then the core work)

Easy delicious breakfast

Whole grain toasted waffles, one cream cheese and fruit spread on PB and fruit spread and very ripe mango slices (of course I eat the skin!)

And as part of Project New Nutrition, PerMa sent me this!

I started it last night... it is amazing. If you are struggling with and ED at all you must pick up this book, I'll be reviewing it and sharing tips as I go!

Peace!

Caitlin

Tell me about your core workouts!

Oh, Winston

Happy Sunday Morning! Did everyone sleep great? I woke up in a great mood and wanting a little something different for breakfast this morning so I pulled out of the freezer




Two whole grain waffles which I topped with some smart balance light, cinnamon and a drizzle of honey

Mixed frozen berries

And for protein a glass of skim milk with a packet of chocolate no sugar added carnation instant breakfast

Some Irish Breakfast tea on the side! 

Summer,

Please arrive quickly.

Love,

Caitlin 

Agenda: 

Walk to get veggies 

homework 

lunch<-- I'm NOT used to working out in the afternoon, we'll see what happens! 

gym 

homework

dinner 

Office and 30 Rock! 

And because I am very chipper today here is one of my favorite quotes for you!

I am an optimist.  It does not seem too much use being anything else.  ~Winston Churchill

Peace!

Caitlin

Attempting moderation is key

Good morning blog world! I woke up this morning to my standard routine, snack, workout, shower/get ready, breakfast. The only problem this morning was I was A) WAY hungrier than normal upon first waking up ( I believe that you should be hungry for breakfast when you wake up but this was beyond normal breakfast hunger) and B) I had no clue what I wanted pre-workout or for breakfast! I normally plan as I fall asleep because my mornings tend to be a little rushed but I guess nothing was calling to me last night.

Anyway first thing was first, I knew I needed a more satisfying snack than normal so I dug through my bar stash and came out with a peanut butter power bar.

Normally I would only have this while on a long run. I wasn't too happy with my highly processed and high in refined sugar choice but sometimes it's alright if your body needs just some quick, filling fuel... plus it was DELICIOUS!

Friday is my "do what you feel and don't push too hard" workout day because Saturday is my long run, and I was feeling pretty good today! I did 40 minutes on the ET with speed and reverse intervals and then some full body strength only using body weight for lower body focusing a lot on chest and back, killer!

I then rushed back to my room where the only word in my head for breakfast was "fast!" So I finally settled on....

Two whole grain waffles topped with a delicious yogurt mix (1/2 cup plain greek, 2 tbsp chocolate protein powder, 1/2 mushed banana, cherry extract, cinnamon, truvia packet) and about 3 tbsp of trailmix because the salty was calling out to me!

leftover yogurt mixture for extra dippage!

Along with apple cinnamon green tea in my fave mug! "Ladies who Lift" =)

Always eaten at my desk with a side of homework or blogs!

This is where the message of moderation comes into play, these as well have an extensive ingredient  list and I was debating with myself because they could have easily been replaced with raw oats or wheat chex. But they were fast and what I truly wanted to I went for it anyway! Sometimes things happen, you have what you want and you do better at the next meal, no point in stressing! 

I'm off to pack lunch and go to class, see you later!

Peace!

Caitlin