I WILL NOT be a hypocrite today.

Today I finally decided. 21 Day challenge of not eating bread/muffins/bagels, cookies/crackers, ice cream, pudding and popsicles!

These are the foods that I keep eating that really aren't that great for me. So for 21 Days I am NOT going to eat them.

I hav---
OH MY GOD. Literally my mom just walked into my room and asked if I wanted to go to Dairy Queen. OMFG. I would've. But nooo. I can't. I'm not.

The reason why I am not is because I need to stop. I realized the one thing that is really holding me back is my eating. I generally eat healthy, other than those things that are listed above.

The reason why it is for 21 Days, is because I read somewhere that not eating bread/carbs for 21 days makes a huge difference. Thats not exactly what I am doing, but I feel like this 3 week plan is a good guideline.

It is going to be hard. I will try not to cheat. I already accidentally had 1 cracker today, because I forgot. But no. I am going to fucking do this hardcore.

Now, if you know my thoughts on health and fitness, you know that I am not one for "diets". Diets are dumb. You need to make a LIFESTYLE change. So, This isn't just for 21 days.

It is just a kickoff...

After the three weeks are up (which will be killer) I will not eat muffins/bagels, cookies/crackers, ice cream, pudding and popsicles every day of the week, except one day, which will be my "cheat day".

Because if you are a health guru at all, you know that you do need cheat days. Your lifestyle change will not work. I always say you should never "eliminate" something completely from your diet. But these foods aren't the healthiest. So I am going to give myself 1 cheat day a week to eat those foods.

After the three weeks I will eat bread though. Its just I am not eating bread to go with the carb thing. I am still eating carbs... just for three weeks I am taking a break from all of the bread as well, even though it can be healthy, I think a break would do my body good. A good "Cleanse".

I haven't decided yet, but I don't think I am going to "define" my cheat day. Like say, Sunday is my cheat day! Etc. Because if I say Sunday is my cheat day, and I go out for dinner with my friends on Friday and I want an ice cream, I can't have one. So I will just do whatever date feels best. If someday a friend offers me a cookie, well I guess thats my cheat day.

Although, I think all of my friends know my 1 rule. I don't count ANYTHING on Holidays. Easter, Halloween, Christmas, New Years, Birthdays. I will eat whatever. Which is why on easter I always eat ALL of my candy. Yea. Its bad. But I just say calories don't count on holidays.

Although I never count calories. I think at the moment I am probably only burning 100 calories more than I am consuming. Just from a rough estimate.

Some days I eat almost 3000 calories (which is bad) and others I eat probably around 1200. It totally depends on the day and my appetite. But I don't sweat it that much.

BUT ALL OF THESE FOODS ARE GOING DOWWWN.

Oh. That reminds me. Back in Grade 9ish, I quit soda. I just don't drink pop anymore. Since then, I've probably had like 10 pops.

I like never eat candy or chocolate. Chips I never eat. I eat popcorn. I didn't put that on my list though, because the popcorn I eat is in 100 calorie bags. I am not going to add any flavour shakes to it though.

But I am going to rock the next 3 weeks. Maybe.

Run run run

RUNNING.

I have achieved some major goals in the past 2 weeks. I am so happy!

Just 2-3 weeks ago, I got back out on the road. I ran 6 miles. I almost died. I ran another 6 miles after that, then just decided to go straight for the 8 miler. I DID IT. Then I ran 3 miles on the treadmill. Then, this Monday, I ran 8.5 miles. Today I ran 9 miles!

This is happening! I am so excited!

My only problem is... my pace is slow. But I don't actually think its THAT bad. I use a phone app for my running.. and I do take breaks in my runs, I can't just run straight, I might walk for 30 seconds or so. So this screws up my "pace".

I'd really like to have a pace no more than 5:41 but ideally, I'd like to be at 5:07 (per KM), although thats not very realistic. I start off fast, then I get slower as I run. Which makes sense, but then that means I need to pace myself and not start fast and get slow. Currently my pace is at around 6:30.

I don't know. Once I have officially ran 13 miles (I am hoping by the end of this month, fingers crossed) I will work on my pace. So I can do well in the halfie! :)

Just put it this way... at my pace, now, if I were to have run the halfie last year (the same event) I would've gotten 26th / 30. Which isn't very good... I'd say.

At the pace I want to get to, I would get 16th/ 30th.

Getting 1st in my Gender would be AWESOME though. I would need to have that 5:07 pace.

See. I have endurance, but not speed with endurance. I also have strength and speed, but not with endurance.

Ugh.

I know my goal should be to simply *Finish* but that is not good enough for me. MUST. DO. MORE! >:D

Anyways. Guess what else? In August, I am no longer using music on my outdoor runs. Yep. You heard it. 0 iPod. I feel I could do that now. But only when I am running by the water. If I am running down dundas or something I need music.

But for the half-marathon, they recommend you don't listen to music, and if you do, you can only use 1 ear.

That might throw off my pace. I run faster to music. I don't want to run the half marathon with any music... but... if it does throw off my pace, I will.

Anyways, that is all for now.

Not running until at least Friday. Because. I need rest. My legs are going "SARAH Y U KILL ME".

Yes.

I am back in business! I am running the same amount I was before I injured my leg. So it took me what... 2-3 weeks to recover after I was aloud to start running. But yeah, I used to run about 6-7 miles, (not on the treadmill). I ran 6.1 miles today. So I consider myself officially back in business. I am going to aim for 7 or 8 miles on Tuesday morning. I think. Hopefully its not REALLY hot out then. 

I just want to run everyday! But my legs need rest. So I am going to wait until Tuesday to run next. I ran 6.1 outside today, and 6 miles yesterday on the treadmill. 

This should probably be on my other blog. My fitness blog. But I'll just continue here.

A Half-Marathon is 13.1 miles. I can do it. I know I can. Its just a matter of getting there. I have... less than 2 months left. Let me count the days. 49 days. I can so do it. 

But I am oddly having issues getting back into my "zoned out running mode". What I mean by this, is running without thinking about running. Because when you run, while thinking about running, everything becomes harder to do. And its hard to not think "Run slower, run faster, bounce more, stop pounding your feet so hard, breathe through your nose, your shorts are riding up, I'm thirsty" etc. But occasionally I can just think of other things, then running becomes easier.

Oh, I did some 100m dashes. The lines were sorta still on the track at Moira. So I decided to try it out. I didn't really have that legit of a stopwatch. But I ran the fastest time around 12.2 seconds. I was looking at average times online.. average for a runner is about 12-13, but basically you need to be under 11 seconds if you want to be good. I think I am going to train a lot more with the 100 m dashes. Go over to the track at moira like a weirdo. I ran 4 laps and 3 dashes there today. So I guess that was interesting. 

On the flipsideeee.

I realized that since I joined the gym, I am 100% more confidant with my body. I don't even feel like I look THAT different. Yes, I have more muscles. I haven't lost that much fat. SHIT. That reminds me. Tomorrow is my weigh-in/Body fat % check. But I just feel more confidant.

Like, I am willing to wear less clothes. BAHA. Sounds good. No, but I don't care about the little things as much. If I was ever sitting in a chair and my stomach would get a little bit squished by my pants, I used to freak. Now I don't care. 

I just think that I have made a complete 360. But landing in a different spot. So not a 360. Whatever, you get what I am saying. 

I just don't care the way I look as much anymore because I know I am healthy. I used to be unhealthy (as I have written at least 10 blog posts... most are deleted, about this topic, I am not going to repeat it), but now I am. I am happier now than I was then. Also, I am 15-20 pounds heavier than I was then. 

Also, now I can do pushups. 

THIS IS IT. BUT I HAVE SO MANY MORE THOUGHTS.

I have considered quitting sugar. I have considered quitting candy. But I am not sure. or Having "Meatless mondays". But I go days without meat anyways. Don't worry.. I certainly get my protein. SOY+GREEKYOGURT+PROTEIN POWDER FTW. 

Okay. Now. Bye 

That awkward moment when I haven't posted here in 26 days.

I have a lot of updates and things to talk about!

1st Off: I am off Running Rest! Did I mention that I injured my leg on my blog? I think so. But basically, I was an idiot. I ran 10km+ twice on the treadmill, then that Saturday (IN DEAD HEAT) I ran another 8ishkm. I wrecked my right shin + calve for a week, then tried running again, and failed. So I went to the doctor, and she told me to stay off of it for 3-4 weeks. Which I did.

I have run twice on the treadmill now. I have to start off slow... so I am. I ran 2.5miles my first time. Then I ran 3 miles and walked a bit and ran .5 miles. Which is sad compared to the fact I worked my way up to 7 miles. I know I can run 7 miles, I am just afraid I will wreck my leg.

Also....

I SIGNED UP FOR A HALF MARATHON. Yes, that is 13.1 miles. I am running it September 1st in Ottawa! Its a night time half-marathon. So I start running at 7pm. I am hoping to have a run time of about 1:48:00.0.

It'll be a long day that day.

Anyways, now I have a bit more of a sports psychology post. Not quite, but borderline.

I watch someone on youtube called ShayCarl. He recently lost 100pounds and he makes videos about his weight loss and health tips, etc. One of his videos sparked a thought in my head.

Many people try to be inspirational to a person, to tell them to get in shape... by telling them to get into shape. Example: Let's say your Dad is overweight, and you want him to be healthier, so you tell him to exercise and eat less chips. Do you think he is going to? Probably not.

For a person to be inspired by someone, they need to see examples, and not just witness, but experience and interact with them. Not even an example of someone who went through something like weight loss, but just anyone successful in being healthy.

I have noticed this more and more that I think about it.

Ever since I joined the gym, I have noticed at least 3 of my friends changing either what they eat, or their exercise patterns.

Before I joined the gym, I would work out, ride my bike, I started running back in november, but I mostly just did Pilates and workout videos at home. Once I joined the gym, I became even more inspired to be healthier and work out more, simply from seeing everyone else.

Its not like I see a girl's body and think "I want to be like her" its more like I see someone or hear someone talking about being healthy and I think "I am going to do that".

And my mom, oh goodness. She is getting a lot healthier. Its actually amazing. She's getting her blood pressure and diabetes under control. She hasn't lost that much WEIGHT but her body fat % has gone down, which is what it should be doing.

Not just that, but now that my mom and I are both healthier, if you look in our fridge/cupboard, it is 85% healthy. In our fridge we have milk, juice, protein drink, watermelon, blueberries, greek yogurt,... its actually such a change. Thats not all, thats just an example.

The most unhealthy thing in our house right now (Besides a jar of sugar or a bag of chocolate chip cookies, from baking) is probably the popsicles in our freezer.

I am actually so amazed by seeing this chain reaction.

Anyways, that is all.

Oh, P.S. I was taking photos of myself the other day. I didn't realize I had back muscle until then. I was just taking photos and wanted to see what my dress looked like from the back and I was like WHOA WTF. I was happy.

Quote: Between every before and after photo is a lot of "I can't do it"s and "It is too hard"s, but also included are a lot of pep talks and life-changing realizations.

I'm afraid I am/ I will over-do it. SUMMER GOALS (Again?!)

So right now I am on running rest. The doc told me 2-3 weeks, but I am waiting until exams or over.. or basically once exams start. I might like do a quick run to and from my exams (lol at 5 minute runs) but just because it boosts my energy level for a bit.

But from missing out on running, I do need to start slow. I mean, 5 minutes is really short, but hey!

I am so afraid that I am going to over do it this summer working out. But I am just so pumped!

I am going to get really intense into it. Then back in September, I will hopefully maintain it.

I am planning on ordering my shit that I have been wanting from Bodybuilding.com on like June 8th, after my next paycheque, but also by then I will have my credit card. Yes, a credit card, joint with my mom.

So that way I will have my shit by the end of the month.

But I want to work out a lot, I am going to look into exactly what is healthy and how much is too much.

But I guess I will just keep my eyes out for the warning signs of too much.

I just have so many goals! Endurance and strength.

-> I want to be able to do at least 5 regular pushups by the end of the summer
-> I want to reach 20lb bicep curls (I'm at 15, and REALLY CLOSE basically at 17.5 right now) and 25 (I am at 17.5lbs)  pound on triceps
-> I want to reach 300 pounds for my .. what the fuck is it called, the leg pushy thinger. I am smart. Right now I am at 255 lbs.
-> I want to reach 100 pounds for individual legs in the leg curl ones (I am at I think 75/60 depending on the day)
-> I want to run 13.1 miles. (A half marathon)
-> I want to ride my bike to kingston
-> I want to go to bike to the beach and swim at least 5 times this summer

I am not 100% how often I am going to the gym. But I am going to do more focus muscle groups. Like go to the gym for a while just focusing on one muscle group. Usually I go and spend 20-30 minutes on each arms, abs and legs. I might go and spend like an hour an a half on my abs.

I am going to start recording down my results and my progress in some form of journal.

My eating habits are going to change more again too. Like, the days I go to the beach, I am going to be sooo tired and losing so much energy by biking there and back and swimming while I am there. Plus the sun makes me tired sometimes. So I am going to be loading in the carbs and protein and calories. Not to mention energy shots.

I was thinking I might do like 3 days on 1 day off, all summer, for workouts. But I might just do something like I don't go every Tuesday and Saturday, etc. I haven't decided yet.

I won't push myself if I am tired though. If I wake up and feel like dying, I am just going be like... okay, break time.

Plus I am also doing online school, and I have my two jobs. Also, I do have a life besides gym, school and jobs. I am also planning on reading. But yeah, I need to chill with friends more, I never chill that much with friends in the summer.

But I plan on reading a book a week. (Yikes!) But I can do it. I will just take the book, divide the number of pages by 7, and read that many pages a day. During breakfast, before bed... at the Cafe I have a tonne of time too. so I can read them.

Gym Probs: I go to the gym and weigh myself before I workout: 127 pounds. After my workout: 129 pounds. Drinking a lot of water probs.

Afterthought- I wonder how much I will weigh by the end of the summer. I have already gained 10 pounds of muscle. But I wonder if I will hit 130 before the end of the summer. It is highly possible.

Updates!

Hey!

I haven't blogged on here in about 16 days! I have a few updates to talk about.

Last week I had a really weak week (haha that made me laugh) at the gym. I had 1 really good day, one average day, I missed one day because of homework and I had my worst gym day ever. I gained 2 pounds last week, I actually think its likely to be fat. Oh well. It doesn't bother me too much.

But this week has been good. Sunday was suckish because my shin splint was acting up so I ended up walking on the treadmill instead of running. Monday I ran 7 miles in under an hour, which is a new record! And Today (Wednesday) I did the same thing, except ran it 10 seconds faster. 10 Seconds. Wow. Thats actually funny.

I think I have announced this before, but NOW its official, I am now using 15 pound freeweights from bicep curls! I started off at 8 pounds! Thats so crazy! I am so happy! :)

Also last month I started working out my shoulders more. I went from 5 pounds to 12.5 pounds in free weights in about a month. Which is actually awesome.

Besides updates, I am going to blog about "imbalances".

I am not talking about the imbalance that is like, for example, having more bicep then tricep, resulting in injury.

I am talking more symmetrical. Like having your right quad stronger then your left quad.

I have noticed a lot of muscle imbalances where one side of my body is slightly stronger then my other.

Its weird because my right side (for the most part) is stronger then my left. And I am left handed. I just think thats odd.

But my left bicep, is stronger than my right. Maybe my shoulder and my arm in general. But my back, chest, and leg is stronger on my right side.

If you watch me run you can see that my right leg has more visible muscle and is slightly slimmer. I can't figure out how I am running wrong for my leg to be like this. I think it may be happening unconscious when I zone out while running, or something.

But it is annoying. But all I do to correct it is that sometimes when I feel that my one side of my body is getting stronger, I don't start using a heavier weight, I wait for the other side to catch up. Which I am not sure if thats what you are supposed to do, it makes sense though.

Well that is all for now.

Oh, I am drinking a lot more water now :)


Workout tip: When you go to work out a muscle group, workout the one you feel like FIRST, it always gets you more pumped. So if you are in the mood to do arms after cardio, do arms first. You don't need to follow the pattern down to up (legs then butt then abs then arms, etc), it doesn't actually do anything for you. Or mix it up and do one abs move, then a leg move then arms, then back to abs, etc.

P.S. I am SLOWLY getting abs. Really slowly. :) If I run and flex after you can see :)

Fucking Water.

Hydration Nation is Sarah's Station. This is lame already. I NEED TO DRINK MORE WATER. I know this for a freaking scientific fact. God fucking dammit. I am never hydrated enough. But I am never dehydrated. I am going to start drinking water at school now. And everywhere. Literally everywhere. I need it especially since I am running so much now. Ugh. Do you know what is annoying? Carrying water while running. Do you know what is annoying? Being thirsty as fuck and having no water while running. Its a lose-lose situation. RUNNING UPDATE! I have now officially ran 10.3km. (On the treadmill) the most I have ran on land is 9.2km. I am going to do 10km on land on Saturday... if theres good weather. I did 8.3km on sunday on land and the 10.3km monday. Tomorrow I am going to the gym again. I am going to aim for 10km again. I think thats good, just always aiming for 10km. Now my next major goal is running for over an hour. Because all of these goals I have completed in under an hour. So I guess that'd be about 15kmish. I need to start training for speed too. Its just so awkward running really fast. I would like to train for speed at night. Just like sprinting up and down Haig or Farley or something. So yeah, if you see some random chick sprinting down haig... ahahhah. Right. Okay. I am actually soo hyped. So, I said I wanted to run a marathon by the time I was 21.. but I think I can do it before the end of highschool! I might run next year's Toronto Marathon. This year's is this Sunday! Obviously since a marathon is 26.2 miles and the most I have ran is 6.4 miles....I'm not ready. But by the end of the summer I am hoping to be able to run at least a half-marathon.. maybe not an actual marathon, but just on my own, being able to run 13.1 miles. ' I just ate some ice cream and I feel so sick. This is what happens when you get on a health kick then get a craving for icecream and then eat it. Just ew. This is the weirdest thing ever. It is just grossing me out. I was honestly so tempted to puke it up, just because it makes me feel like puking, not even because I am afraid of gaining weight. But I am just drinking a lot of water (YAY) instead. Wash that motha'fuckin' shit down. Obviously this is a professional blog. Blah blah, blah, blah. Toodaloo. Go run a mile. The next time you have time. I dare you.