Fitness Gadgets in Review

**3rd post since January 2013's post**

Being a fitness junkie and a technology lover, I do love my fitness gadgets.

I was fortunate to get a computer with the Internet (Any old AOL 4.0 users out there?) in middle school, went to undergrad for it, & use it everyday.  One of my loves is technology.  So naturally, I'm into fitness gadgets.  Here's a scroll down memory lane from when I first started my weight loss journey 'til now.

1. Pedometer

I diligently attempted 10,000 steps (that's what they say is recommended daily) as goal. I really don't remember reaching 10,000 steps, at least using that.  I always forgot to put the thing on and it wasn't really a discreet way to hang on your pants without it being a  "fashion faux paux" So moving on...


2. Heart rate monitor

I used this heart rate monitor until it literally stopped working. Well, it was cheap anyways. I got it for like $10 at Wal Mart, but still. I counted calories to lose weight for the most part, so this thing really, really helped me. I liked to track my progress numerically. And it's pink for breast cancer awareness.

3. Nike+ app

This was my favorite app on my iPhone at the time. Once I completed the Couch to 5k app, I can say I really, really became anal serious about tracking my runs. I didn't know what the heck a running pace and splits were until I saw them on this app. I didn't even think about that type of stuff while I was learning to run a 5k period with C25K. I just knew I wanted to run a 5k in 30 minutes because that's what the app said. So once I started using this app and running with the "fast girls" in BGR, that's when I gave attention to improving my running statistically. And, so the number obsession began ... smh.

4. Nike+ GPS watch

So of course naturally, I thought I was a real pro after this (I was tho ;-)) and I grew tired of fidgeting with the app, the bulky phone case, so I got the GPS watch.I decided on it based on the ease of use, the price, and I liked that I could interchange between the app and GPS watch and it'd all be the same. Plus my iPhone battery sucked. During my first half marathon, my phone died around mile 10. :-( I set out to get this watch IMMEDIATELY. 

Oh, I almost forgot I owned the old school Garmin Forerunner 305. I might have used it...NEVER. That watch was way too bulky and I didn't like that I couldn't add the new miles I would track with that watch with my Nike app (see, I'm a numbers freak). It didn't take long to sell it over Craigslist for $20 more than I'd paid.. :-)

What's next? Well, I'm pretty content with my watch even a year later. It helped me run without all of this stuff attached to me, so I'm good with just that and my iPod. If anything, I'll get ear buds that won't fall out of my ear. On to the next...

Regaining Momentum

**See first post since January below.**

So far, it's been more of a mental struggle to regain my fitness momentum than physical. It went pretty good the first two weeks. I was so excited to just get a sweat in. And I gave it my all in this one class. The instructor couldn't believe I had just had a baby 7 weeks before. I got the green light by my midwife to workout at 5 weeks and I was at the gym the next day. Yup! But week 3, besides schedule conflicts, I think I am expecting more of myself than I should. I know good and well I won't just return back to running 9 and 10-minute miles just like that. But seeing that 13 and 14 is SO freakin' discouraging. It feels like I will never return to the level I once was. That's ridiculous thinking for just having had a baby 2 mths ago almost and only been working out for 3 weeks so far, but I can't help it! I wanna be where I was!!! It's gonna take too long I think. I think it's time to reunite with my girls from Black Girls RUN!.

Almost A Year Later

I guess I just feel like writing today. It's almost a been a year since I've written my last blog post. The blog post that was all about my new series for the year of writing about all of my workouts, ha. Yeah, well, that was a daunting task I obviously didn't know what I would be setting myself up for. I mean, I worked out. I just didn't write about them all afterwards like I wanted to. Actually, I ran my last half marathon at the end of January, became preggo, scaled my workouts back a lot, and then eventually stopped. They were so spread out I wouldn't consider my physical activity while preggo really working out. But anyways...

Here I am, 8 weeks and 1 day postpartum with only 11 more pounds to lose before I will reach my pre-pregnancy weight (gained about 37 while preggo...really good). How do I plan to reach my first goal of the last 11lbs? Well, eating as clean as possible and revamping the cardio and super revamping the strength training. I can't cut calories because I am breastfeeding. 

The first time I set out to lose weight (60lbs), I did 90% cardio and ate clean. It took me a year and a half to lose that 60lbs. I know losing slow is the way to go, but it shouldn't have went that slowly. The one thing I want to do differently this go around is take strength training more seriously, whether it is by weights or calisthenics. This time I am starting out with the gym membership, whereas before I worked out at home for almost 3 years before considering a gym membership. Well, I need to take advantage of all the weight machines and more of the classes. There's so much material and actual results out there from people who have lost weight.... well not weight, but FAT (I'm trying to lose fat), from people who really focus on their weight training. I want a specific shape and I definitely want my running speed to increase so I need to pump the iron more consistently before.

So, we'll see what happens...

#5 - Very Short Post

My 5th workout of the year consisted of just an hour of weights with the hubs....and then Taco Mac.

This was smoothie day challenge day #2. It's going okay so far. 

#4 - 3 mi/Smoothie Challenge/Taco Mac!

This was Sunday's workout. I knew I had a lot to do on Monday and wouldn't be able to run, so I definitely needed to squeeze in a short run on this day. I will be glad when daylight savings ends, btw.  This run was extra slow and boring. There were people on both sides of me running on the treadmill, that motivated me to keep going but only for so long. Well, regardless I got in 3 miles...but I will definitely have to find my way outdoors this week!

Sunday was also "prep for the week" day. Prep work was definitely required if I would be successful this week, my first week, at the "smoothie" challenge. I'm supposed to replace two meals a day with a smoothie. Breakfast and lunch are the easiest to replace. Pictured on the left are freezer bags, one bag makes one smoothie. I've filled each with strawberries, banana, blueberries, pineapple, and maybe an orange slice or two. I also add 1 to 1/2 cup of water and 1 serving size of chia seeds (for more fiber) and protein powder (the reason this can be used as a meal replacement) when I'm ready to blend.

I can go ahead and report on Day 1, as I am typing this post on Day 2. Admittedly, I was very hungry in between, I hadn't brought any healthy snacks to munch on at work in between. I was also under the impression the chia seeds would really have me full. Bloated, yes. But full for long, no. I was bloated, but still COULD eat if I wanted. Fortunately, I did not have any loose change, lol, because the vending machines, out of ALLLLLLLLL the weeks I've been working there, had CHOCOLATE DONUTS!!!!!!! I ought to be shame, but.... yeah.

Later the hubs and I watched the BCS Championship at Taco Mac. I didn't let that deter me. Almost everywhere offers healthy options on their menu. I ended up ordering sweet potato fries (SO GOOD!), the chicken ranch wrap, and water. I did good. Those fries were good. I wanted more. I was still kinda hungry, but remembered I had a little smoothie left over, so I drank that and went to bed! Oh, and in between all of this, I was gulping down water. 

It's definitely an adjustment. I haven't restricted my food intake in this way for over a year, before I met my weight loss goal. So, now I'm going through that initial phase of getting back into it. I'm counting my calories, so I'm not depriving myself of food. Just eating less.... Once I met my weight loss goal, I didn't restrict myself as much, just as long as I didn't go overboard. I do/did just enough to maintain. Granted, I've gained 10 lbs from that so-called method, but as long as I don't move up a size I'm good. I'll probably re-lose the 10 lbs during this challenge, but I'm cool with that because I have ING Miami coming up and I wouldn't mind being at my "race weight" of 10 lbs lighter anyways. 

#3

I definitely didn't jump up all excited to run 8-miles in 30 degree temps this morning. This is when running with others helps. I like the structure aspect of an organized run. It's like you HAVE to be there at a certain time. It helps keep me on track on those days it's hard to get out of the bed to go run in 30 degree weather like you're getting paid to do it. Truth be told, I have gotten out of the habit or "love" for group running (the picture taking at EVERY run, the not starting on time thing...yeah), but I knew if I didn't run with anyone TODAY, I would have to get it in solo on the treadmill or not at all. Miami, ain't gonna run itself so I chose the later.

I saw a couple people I knew, so that was a bonus. There were people that ran faster than me so that made me push a little harder to keep up. There were people behind me that I didn't want to seem like a failure to. So..hey, that's the main benefits of group running and fitness for me in a nutshell. The social aspect? Well, it's nice when you meet new people to connect with, but it doesn't bother me to walk away without meeting someone new.

All week I had been running on the treadmill. It's nothing like outdoor running. That's why it was so tough for me today pace-wise. I need to really consider the group runs more while it gets dark quicker or find a beastin' treadmill workout. Might be a lil far fetched due to time,  but I really want to PR on that flat Miami course! I'm upping my game for sure in the coming weeks cause it MAY be able to happen. Possibly. To get ready, I'm going to clean my diet back up by doing this smoothie challenge with a friend and I'm really focusing on strength training.

I went to the gym after my run this morning and worked on upper body and abs for about an hour with the hubs. I felt really good...and sleepy afterwards. I'm so ready to look and feel good in Miami!

#2

Lots and lots of New Years' Resolution folks in the gym tonight as expected.

Today's Workout

I ran 3 mi at 10:06 /mile pace. Amazing pace for a treadmill run. Especially when I need to desperately change my playlist. I canNOT run ING Miami at the end of the month and hope to breeze thru with played out music. My weekend objective: download more music.

Meanwhile, I mentioned (I think), that I got my weave done. Well, I stopped by Sally's and picked up a wrap that supposed to wick your sweat... hmmm. When it dries I will take it off and see how well it works. I decided to try this cheap version before ordering the 'Save Your Do' by that celeb (drawing a blank on her name) ...so we shall see.

Did you get it in today?

#1

Trying something new. I want to track my workouts, so I can better pinpoint and reach my fitness goals. *Given no natural forces of nature interrupts that. ;-)

Today's Workout

I ran 5 miles on the treadmill between 1 and 2.5 incline. My average pace, according to my Nike+ GPS watch was a sloooow 11:23/mile. I hate running on the treadmill, but it was raining and I just got my weave done.

Afterwards, I sat in the sauna. Still trying to test the benefits on that out for me. I'm going for clearer skin more than burning calories on this one.