Keto..lowcarb...just do better

I have decided to write about this. I warn everyone from the top I will use ...sentence enhancers.. throughout this blog. ( cuss words for those that need the explanation). I am an angry dieter.  I set out to do keto. That is still my goal but I don't know what label you want to give this. Keto. Lazy keto. Low carb. No sugar. Bullshit... whatever you call it, I'm on it. I have  it down to 50 net carbs, or less, per day. Got it. No problem. I downloaded an app called Carb Manager. It's amazing. I have been tracking and have stayed below 50 net carbs for the last 11 days. (Go me!!) .

Water intake. Got it. Done. I drink at least 9 glasses of water a day. I bought a big water bottle from a store called Five Below. It holds 73 ounces.   I have done that for the last 11 days. (GO ME). 

Now let's talk about the other stuff. The other micronutrients,  protein and fat.  The calories needed vs burned. Here is where I get mad. There is 0 consistency when I read the info on the diets. Keto wants you to have more fat than protein. Fine, but I have spent MY WHOLE F#@&!@G LIFE being told to avoid fat. I have a hard time grasping that I need to eat fat in order to loose it.  I know, there are good and bad fats. I get it. Don't ask me which one is which but I know avocado is better than doughnuts. 

I have yet to meet my fat macro. I always meet and exceed my protein macro. If you follow low carb and not keto, then that is ok. On keto that's not ok. So which is it? 

I learned today that to much protein,  unused, is turned into glucose (sugar) which the body stores as fat. SERIOUSLY???!!!!! I gave up bread. I gave up sweets. I have been religious about carb counting and you are telling me that protein does the same thing carbs do?! I went on to read that as long as your calories are balanced then you are ok. So if you go over your protein count AND your calorie count then you are eating to much protein. If you go over on protein but you still meet your calorie goal then you are ok. So which is it??? Meet the protein goal or don't? Am I making glucose by going over? Is my body storing it as fat, therefor defeating the purpose of doing this f@!#&*g diet??? I am meeting ,or coming in under, my calorie goal but I don't know if that's good or bad either.  I have used a macro calculator on several websites and they all come out differently.  I looked up how much is to much protein and according to Google 

"If you want to lose weight, aim for a daily protein intake between 1.6 and 2.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight (. 73 and 1 grams per pound)." By that math, I am not eating enough protein. I don't know. I didn't go to school for nutrition. 

Let's talk about "keto flu". Week one I had the fatigue and the headaches. It was rough. I finally turned a corner and that stopped but now I am an absolute bitch. I hate everyone and everything at all times. Keto flu symptom or ( wait for it...) a result of consuming extra protein?  I read that online today.  One of the side effects of to much protein is irritability.  

Long story short I am just as confused as I was 11 days ago. I have lost 0lbs according to the demon in the bathroom. (The scale for those that need the explanation). I can say my BP is better. I can tell I'm eating better than I was but only in how I feel ( only health wise. Emotionally I'm a disaster). I am angry. I have cried. I just don't know if this is worth it. Maybe I'm just destined to be a horrible fat cow. Hubby suggested I talk to a nutrition person. Amazing idea, except they want to be paid. I can't afford that. I can barely afford to buy healthier food. (Regular pizza from the store $5. Keto pizza $9. Burger from a restaurant $10. Salad $15+. ) It should not be so expensive to make healthier choices. My choice to eat better shouldn't be dictated by the fact that I don't have the extra cash for the $20 salad. Everything is way more expensive now but it's even more if you want to do better. 

This is a starting point. I am going to do my best not to give up. I am horribly discouraged. I will make adjustments and push forward. If my anger doesn't get better , Matt may start throwing stuff at me. Hopefully pillows and not rocks. I deserve rocks..I have not been easy to deal with. I am on my own list of people who annoy me. I will post more soon. I will research more and hopefully find answers to some of my questions.  

January push ups ..day 5

Day 5 of 30

OK I promise I did my push UPS yesterday and my plank .I was just too tired to write about it. I'm tired again today but I owe you guys a post.

Yesterday, and today, were both a 10 second plank and 8 push-ups. I will say it's getting a little easier ...or at least my brain thinks it is ..

but that's really what counts right? Your brain has to think it's getting easier. Your brain has to think that what you're doing is worthwhile because if your head is in the game then you really can do whatever you set your mind to. Goes back to my 1st post you're your own worst enemy (OR YOUR BIGGEST FAN) because you know what it takes to talk yourself into or out of something.

I got some words of encouragement from a couple different places today , and that was pretty cool. I had one lady at work ask me how I was losing so much weight and what was I doing that she could try too. I had another person my cousin actually,tell me that she enjoyed reading my blog because it was really encouraging... Which I found really encouraging! :)

I really thrive off of confirmation and encouragement, it's almost comical to me how much drive I get from thinking that someone is proud of me, impressed with me, inspired by me, or motivated by me. I'm sure there's a fancy science behind it but all I know is that's what makes my brain tick. That's why I love running and running for race medals because I have something to show off ! Not only am I proud of me for completing the distance but there are other racers who are there to tell you how awesome you are. That you did great to hang in there. The metal you get when you cross the finish line encourages other random people to High 5 ,congratulate, and cheer for you. It also prompts people to ask ,"Hey did you get that medal for?" Which will lead to explaining that you ran a race and finished... and then they will be proud of you, congratulate you, high 5 you ,cheer for you, or (in this day and age )elbow bump you because social distancing is important.

I really need races to come back! I know there are virtual races ..I can pay money, go run around my neighborhood ,and give myself a metal. It's great, don't get me wrong. I have many virtual medals but there is just something to be said for toeing the line with thousands of other people; and running with those people, sweating with those people and finishing with those people. I can't explain it except to say try it and you'll get it . You may not love running but you'll get what I mean.

So, all of this inspired and brought to you by 8 pushups and a 10 second plank. Funny the things that come to your brain when you're tired but you still manage to do the one thing you set a goal to do. Be proud of yourself, encourage other people... some people like me thrive on it.

P.s.

I don't intend for this post to be a shameless plea for you to tell me how amazing I am, however, your comments of love and adoration will be well received I assure you. LOL!!

January push ups day 3

Day 3 of 30

Today was a 10 second plank and 7 push-ups. It was much easier to convince myself to do it today, I  actually did it earlier in the day than I usually do. 

Today is the last day of the holidays and I have to go back to work tomorrow and Zak has to go back to school ...on the computer. I hope it's easy work...and it continues to be easy to convince myself to do this once life gets back to some resemblance of normal. Eventually the weather will cooperate and I'll be feeling better and I can start back with the couch to 5K like I want to do. (Again, if someone wants to be nice and buy me a treadmill that is totally Fine with me. I will not say no and I will use it graciously and send you a thank you message every time I run on it.... Just a thought.. No pressure... But that would be cool...)

Part of me is contemplating whether or not I should add a second challenge that works a completely different part of the body. For example since I'm currently doing a push up challenge maybe I should also do a squat challenge or a by trimming challenge. Would you do to it one time?  I want to,but if you read my post yesterday you understand the mental struggle that I am currently in the midst of. I don't know ...maybe 2 challenges and the couch to 5K would be entirely too much. I'll pray about it see what I think ;maybe that's a goal for next month when I have established a habit and it's not as much of a chore to convince myself to stop and do something for me. 

Happy new work week! Hope your 2021 starts awesome!!!

January push ups day 2

Day 2 of 30

Why am I so lazy??!! Its 6 push ups and a 10 second plank...why was it like pulling teeth to make myself do it. It was easy. It took maybe 2 minutes.  My brain is ....the human brain is so weird. It takes maybe a month to form a habit. It takes about a minute to break it. Once broken it is difficult to rebuild,  even though I know good and well I enjoy working out. 

I think I am my biggest obstacle.  I know me. I know how I work. I know exactly what to tell myself to talk me out of it. I can rationalize myself out of anything because I know what I want to hear. One of my favorite quotes I have seen is "Be careful what you say because you are listening. "  It's so true!! If you say it enough, or if you say it how you know you need to hear it, then you WILL believe it. ...

I can eat that..it's just 1. 

I can have more, I am an adult.

I don't need to run today, it might be hot and that will mess up my time. 

Oh I can't take time for that right now..I can't be to busy to parent. That wouldn't be fair to my husband. 

The good news is that you can also talk yourself into stuff just as easy. You can build yourself up by rethinking. I know what I need to hear to help me out. I just have to choose to say it/think it. 

I can work out now it's just a few minutes. 

I could eat that but I really dont need it at 11pm.

You dont get better at running in heat by avoiding it.  Just like you don't get better at running up hill by walking it every time.

I am stronger than I was before I can do that exercise. 

Then I need to follow my own advice. 

 For today, I did listen. I reluctantly completed my 6 push ups and my 10 second plank..I will keep you posted on my listening. I believe the word my Papa used was 'hardheaded ' . We'll see how it goes. 

January 2021 push up challenge

Day 1 of 30

Challenge 1 of 12

I am starting here because I need arm and shoulder strength to do other challenges.  Short and sweet today 10 second plank and 5 push ups. I'm a girl so.. push ups are with knees down. 

I am also going to restart my couch to 5k app. It's a free app that helps anyone go from 0 to 3.1 miles. I will start that tomorrow if weather allows. If someone wanted to just be nice and buy me a treadmill that'd be cool too...I'm just saying...no pressure...

My goal is to blog this journey daily, even if I fall short. I am going back to the basics to rebuild confidence and motivation.

Some entries may be long and full of opinions... others may just be a paragraph.  Please feel free to do these challenges with me or do your own set of 12. Teamwork makes the dream work, right?? Comment me, let me know how it goes!!

Happy 2021 everyone!! In the words of a great song from my younger days,  "It's been a long December and there's reason to believe maybe this year will be better than the last." 

Bring It On 2020!

I haven't written anything in awhile. I have been waiting for inspiration to strike and it finally has. I can tell you all what my 2020 is shaping up to be. I set my bar really high coming into this year, I wanted to run 13.1 every month, for 12 months.  I am going to do that... but not in the form of half marathons. There are plenty of people who make 13.1 and 26.2 look easy.  Even though they aren't in the elite pack at the start of the race, they just seem to breeze through.  My hat, hats, literally every hat I own, is off to those people. It is not easy.  It takes training, work, practice, patience, and more training. I WILL get to those distances. I WILL get to them this year, but not as quickly as I originally planned.
I  have 4 big races planned so far.  ( Big either by name or reputation)

February 22, 2020  Hot Chocolate 15K  in Charlotte NC ( 9.3 Miles)
April 4, 2020 Cooper River Bridge Run 10K in Charleston, SC ( 6.2 Miles)
April 18, 2020 Charlotte Race fest Half Marathon in Charlotte, NC ( 13.1 Miles)
December 12, 2020 Kiawah Island Marathon on Kiawah Island, SC  ( 26.2 Miles)

I am sure I will run a few 5k races in there. I will be training and working my way up to the marathon. I am excited. I am nervous. I am going to do this. I am moving one step closer to Boston!

I managed to do something a couple of weeks ago that I have been hoping for . I was able to see a 12 minute mile.  Me, Amanda, saw a 12 min. mile!! I now KNOW it is possible because I have done it. Now I want that to be my average .  I am starting to see averages in the 13 and 14 minute time frame. 12 is not to far away and I am beyond excited!! I know I need to slow down and enjoy this moment, but I am already wanting to be able to start reaching for 10 minute miles. I am floored that I can even type this paragraph. A year ago I was this excited to be seeing 15 minute averages with a couple of 14 minute miles as my sprint pace.

I am a few short weeks away from my 15K. I ran this race last year and did really well, considering I had only been running about 3 months.  I am ready to see what I can do this year!  BRING ON THE MOUNTAINS OF CHARLOTTE!!!!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Don't Believe Me; Just Watch

Today, I watched a movie that made me ugly cry. I knew I'd tear up, but I had no clue it would hit home with me on so many levels. I watched Brittany Runs A Marathon.  I am going to try not to ruin it for you.  If you haven't seen it you need to. It's got bad language,  but so do I sometimes  :)

Spoiler alert: Brittany runs the marathon. ..

I cried with her through her journey to get there. Through her struggle to make a life change and the resistance she met along the way. I knew how she felt going from the one who looked at the runners like they were insane to being the insane runner. 

I knew exactly how she felt as the 'fat funny friend'. I am the one who has been one of the guys because I was not shaped right. I am not a size 2. Heck, I'm not even a 12. I felt her pain on a soul deep level.  I have been skinny and I was absolutely treated differently than when I put my weight back on. The reality of that sucks. The good news is, true friends dont care. The good ones love you no matter what . But! That is a rant for another day. 

I have experienced her stress of others not taking my running seriously.  Her heartbreak at set backs. Her need to prove to the world that I ,and I alone ,am able to do this. The feeling of swallowing your pride and allowing others to help, in case you dont have all the answers. 

I cried like a child in time out when she ran New York. I cheered every mile they showed. I cried at her support system showing up and screaming her to the end. I cried when they showed her foot going over that finish line. I cried knowing this wasn't just a fun movie, this Brittany person is real. She runs. 

I want to, and I will, check 26.2 off my list. I want it checked in New York. I want it checked in Chicago. I want it checked in Boston.  Spoiler alert #2: I will cry then too.

I am overweight, but that does NOT count me out. I am not on a weightloss journey.  I am on an "Amanda is a runner" journey. 

Tomorrow I plan to run 3 miles. In February I will run 9.3. In April I plan to run 13.1. By this time next year, I plan to be well on my way to 26.2. 

Goal: 2021 NYC is mine. 

"It's not about winning. It's about finishing" - Brittany Runs A Marathon