100 Day Challenge: Day 100

100 Day Fitness Challenge

Today is 100 days until my birthday. It also happens to coincide with the heaviest I've ever weighed. Needless to say, I was not happy when I stepped on the scale today! I feel like it wasn't just a coincidence though. I swear it's a wake up call so I start running again. 

My work has been crazy lately. I'm either sitting at a desk or sitting in the car driving to a county where I will then sit at a desk. I feel like my stress levels are OK though as I can manage the work. You'll see why that's important in a minute.

So...It's a few months until my birthday. I weigh more than I ever have in my life. So what am I going to do about it? Five things make up my 100 Challenge.

EXERCISE

I will start running again. My goal in the beginning is to get out there at least 3 times per week for an easy run. I also want to do speedwork or hills at least once per week. Eventually over the 100 days, I will start having a long run once per week. 

I plan to run/workout in a fasted state so my body burns fat since it won't have a ready supply of carbs from eating. 

For example, this morning I ran/walked for 30 minutes which was about 2.03 miles. I had to walk 4 times which was upsetting to me in and of itself. I had not eaten anything but felt totally fine otherwise. In fact, in all the years I've run, I prefer to run in a fasted state. Even in my long runs believe it or not. I just don't do well with food in my system. Side aches, sluggishness...it's just not good for me. 

STRENGTH TRAINING

I will start doing my daily dozen - or least some of them along with some dumbbell workouts like curls, squat thrusters and other strength exercises like push ups. Muscle burns more calories at rest than fat so if I can add muscle, I will increase my metabolism.

What is the daily dozen you ask? It's actually a routine I used to do in high school on the Cross Country team. It's both a strength and stretching warm up. Exercises include: Jumping Jacks, Windmills, Hallelujahs, Mountain Climbers, Cross Overs, Bicycles, Wall Push, Miss Americas, Butterfly stretch, Lunges, High Jumps & Burpees. 

I'm really out of shape, so this morning, I only did the jumping jacks, windmills, hallelujahs, lunges and wall push exercises/stretches. 

REDUCE STRESS

I mentioned I don't feel stressed, but adding in the exercise will be taxing on my body. Therefore, I will take rest days. This will do two things: First, it will give my body a break and time to relax. Secondly, it will allow down time for my body to make the adaptations to the exercises I'll be doing so that I get stronger and faster. 

It will be tough, but if I'm in bed by 11 p.m. and up by 6:30, that's 7.5 hours of sleep...pretty close to 8 and definitely more than the 6 hours I typically get. 

BETTER EATING

I will try to eat as clean as possible. What do I mean by clean eating? Mainly, I mean I will cut out/drastically reduce sodas and sweets. Anyone that knows me, knows that I love my Coca-Cola and desserts. Cookies, ice cream, cake, candy....if it has sugar, I'm a huge fan. But it also means I will focus on whole wheat breads and pastas in an effort to cut out/cut down on refined sugars. If I just stick to whole foods like meats, fruits and vegetables, and stay away from the inner aisles at the grocery store, I should achieve that goal. 

I do like to eat out. In fact, sometimes, it's necessary since I'm on the road so much. For example, today, I had a grilled chicken sandwich at Wendys. No fries and a bottle of water to drink. Dinner was the same. I went to Chick Fil-A and had a grilled chicken sandwich (forgot to ask for wheat bread) but I skipped the waffle fries and skipped the soda. I only drank water. For breakfast this morning, I was hungry after my run so I had a banana. So, I will still eat out, but I will choose the healthier options on the menu. 

ACCOUNTABILITY

I will blog each day and let the world know what I did that day. This will keep me motivated knowing I have an audience watching. So check in from time to time and follow my progress. Hopefully you'll be rooting for me. But I know people love to see a train wreck too so here's hoping I prove them all wrong.