The Push Yourself Thread!

[lovely]

Okay, so I'm starting this thread because I was inspired by Jeff's (stovebolts) marathon thread to push myself more. It can be very hard to make changes in our lives, and sometimes all we need is the Lord to help us, and an example before us that gives us a little encouragement. So, I am going to try to chart my progress here, and hopefully it will help me to keep going, and also inspire others. Please, if anyone else is 'pushing' too keep track here if you like.

Week 1 report.

I kept super active all week long, and I have been exhausted every night from all the activity, but today my energy is higher than it's been for years! I should add that I have been sick for over three years, but I am beginning to feel like I am ahead of the disease by God's grace. I have also been on steroids that whole time, and have come off of them just recently. I think coming off the steroids has helped, but being inspired to generate my own energy has really made the difference. So, one week (of passing out nearly every night) down! My muscles are aching, and I actually passed out trying to hike a hill that was way too high for me. I also hurt my arm during this exercise/work frenzy, and so I am going to have to figure out how to pace myself. I am interested to see where this will lead. The Lord bless.

 

[JoJo]

Thank you, lovely, for starting this thread. I pray it will be an inspiration to everyone.

 

[Kelli]

Hi Lovely,

It sounds like you have an illness you are contending with. I'm sorry... I hate being sick. I will be praying for you. I was inspired by Jeff's story too. I think this is a great thread were we can come and encourage each other about that. I think I will start exercising, maybe not a 5K for now. Maybe just using one of the countless video's I've purchased and never used for more than one or two times. we can all help each other with accountability. Thanks, this is a great thread!

 

[lovely]

Hi JoJo and Kelli,

Kelli, I do have an illness that I am contending with, a lung problem, but the Lord is helping me. I hope this thread does inspire all of us. I have over three years of doing nothing to make up for...the climb so far has been a blessing, challenging, and even frustrating, but I am not going to quit. I am just getting started, but It's time to take it up a notch, or two, now. ;)

 

[stovebolts]

Hi Tina, Jo Jo and Kelli,

Tina,

Thanks for starting this topic! What a great way to share with each other and if I could, I'd like to also share some tips that I've found by experience and by reading many articles from Runners World

I'm very guilty of pushing myself a bit too hard as well (although I haven't passed out yet lol!), so here are some tips that I hope help.

Good shoes is a must! Invest in some good shoes that are right for you! That means finding a good running store and getting fitted for a shoe and an insert that is just right for you. This can greatly assist in preventing back pain, feet pain, knee pain and other injuries. Wear all the hand me downs that you want, but do get a good pair of shoes if you can! This is important!

Rest. Your body needs rest! For me, I have a natural tenancy to push myself too hard resulting in over training. Give yourself the rest your body needs. This means getting at least 8 hours of sleep.

You'll know that your over training when your regular routine gets very difficult. The first time I encountered this I was running my 1.4 miles with ease for a couple days straight, but then one day I had to stop like 4 times. I just couldn't make it. Cause? I was over training. When you begin to experience negative results, it's time to listen to your body and take a break. If you don't, your going to hurt yourself. Point in case. People who over train are more susceptible to colds and illness, not to mention that when you over train, your at risk for injury which could put you out of the game for weeks while your body recovers. Poof, there goes all that effort...

Eat after your workout. Your body want to replenish it's calorie store so have a banana or an apple. Your body is going to feed itself whether you eat afterward or not and it will eat muscle before it eats fat when it's starving. For me, I normally run before dinner and even though I'm eating more, I'm dropping a size in my waist.

Hydrate well before your run! It takes a bit for you body to adjust, but drink a tall glass of water (or two) about two hours before your run. Then drink another tall glass of water 20 minutes before your run. Of course, you'll be thirsty when your finished.

Stretch before and after your run! This not only prevents injury, but also, flexible muscles get a better workout and are able to recover much quicker.

Aches and pain. Yeah, your going to feel some pain if your older and out of shape. It's to be expected However, You'll have to learn how hard you can push your body. My first three weeks my knees were grinding and racked with pain. Also, the tendons in my feet are hardened and I've gotten shots in the past twice to loosen them up so physically, I was in a lot of pain when I first started running. Again, this lasted about three weeks for me. However, my feet started feeling really, really good after only my first week and by week three, all of the pain in both my knees was completely gone.

When I moved up to 2 1/2 miles, the day after, my left knee felt some discomfort. Nothing that I couldn't run through and after 1/2 mile the discomfort was completely gone. My knee was doing great until I ran 7 miles on Saturday, over doubling my longest run, and although my knee didn't give me any problems at all. (no tell tell signs) I sure felt it Saturday night and also today (Monday). I'm sure it will be fine as it become acclimated to the new demands put on it. (after it heals).

Rule of thumb, never never double your mileage. When your body gets over the initial first hump (It took me a month), only add a mile at a time to your longest run and increase it every two weeks.

Do one long run a week at a slow, slow pace. Don't get in a hurry and don't worry about distance. Focus on time. Time is more important than distance. Take a day of rest after your long run.

Vary your workout. Mix it up with running and walking at various paces. This helps prevent hitting a plateau.

 

[Kelli]

Hey everyone, I am so bad! after determining I would exercise yesterday, I made some lame excuse, like... I will look at one more post on CF and then I will do it!!!

Lovely. I don't know what to say to you. I am in awe, it truly must be God that helps you, because just the thought of not being able to get enough breath makes me want to panic, and take a deep breath. I will pray for you. Now Lovely if you can hike hills, with that kind of obstacle, then I CAN EXERCISE TOO!!!

Stovebolts It's funny that doing the opposite of what most people want to do when they hurt (to sit around and nurse the pain) Is exactly what you need to do. I have so many aches and pains, and I know they just get worse if I lay around, but when I push myself, that's when it feels better. Thanks for you advice. I will use it!

Jojo, are you an exerciser? I am a Human Resources assistant, and basically sit at my computer all day, then come home and sit at a computer all night!

I'm going right now!

 

[JoJo]

Jojo, are you an exerciser? I am a Human Resources assistant, and basically sit at my computer all day, then come home and sit at a computer all night!

No, I also work at my computer during the day and am on it at night. My fingers get a lot of workout, does that count? :type

But I really do want to start some sort of regime for myself, be it steady walking or maybe some sort of aerobics. I'm still in the all talk and no action phase. :gah

 

[Kelli]

No, I also work at my computer during the day and am on it at night. My fingers get a lot of workout, does that count? :type

This made me laugh out loud! I think we need to get some credit for letting our fingers do the working !

I just got back from a walk. I decided to take my three dogs with me... :o

They are not very good at walking, it's was more like pulling, and leashes getting all tied up in knots and stopping to unwrap myself while they are wrapping me up tighter... I don't know how much physical exercise I got, but my patience muscles sure got a work out. Thank the Lord my night in shining armor (my husband) decided he would like to walk with me after all, and rescued me. We took them to the park and they chased ground hogs.

I don't think I can count it as exercise though, so as I am writing this I am bouncing on an exersise ball. It is making me very dixxy though and im hal;kbing a hard time writing this.

Oh well maybe tomorrow! I think I am seriously going to make this a matter of prayer, because I know from what Stovebolts (Jeff??) said I will feel so much better if I do!

Love Kelli

 

[JoJo]

Oh my goodness, I can imagine that three dogs could give you a great workout!

 

[stovebolts]

Hey you two!
LOL, you both make me laugh and yes, my name is Jeff.

Well, I'm still nursing my knee... That's what I get for doing just under 7 miles when I had just worked up to 3. Like I said earlier, it's not the distance, but the time... I've always learned by my mistakes :ohwell What I don't understand is why it didn't hurt when I was running and waited until almost 9 hours later to show itself

So anyway, what's your goal for this week? Have you set a schedule?

 

[Kelli]

Jeff, that is brilliant, a goal! I'm running out the door on my way to work, I am going to pray about this today and will be back tonight to post it. And maybe ask for your advice??????? if that's okay????

Kelli

 

[stovebolts]

Hey Tina, How's your day going? Did you make it up that hill today?

Kelli,
LOL, I dunno if you wanna listen to me, I hurt myself Anyway, I found out what I did to my knees. Part of the problem is my Quad's arn't strong enough to keep my knee where it's supposed to be and I run on my heels instead of the front part of my feet. I think because my quads are weak, that's why my knees really hurt at first but then they stopped hurting (I had built up my quads to keep them in place for the short runs I was doing). When I did the long run, my leg's weren't conditioned to handle it. Needless to say, I don't think it would be a smart move for me to run today either... BTW, pass the motrin please

Ohh, one exercise I was told I can do to build muscle in my quads for the long runs is to lean against a wall in sitting position. I tried it earlier today and man does that work the quads!

 

[lovely]

This thread is turning out to be very encouraging...and entertaining!

Jeff, thanks for all the advice. I have to remember the stretching and the water. I am bad about both. I am wondering if Raw Milk won't help your knee? We drink it, but I have never had a joint injury. I have a friend who struggles with a knee injury and he is convinced that it feels better when he drinks raw milk. Something to think about.

I was wondering about work. I am not good at 'exercising' to be honest, but I am good at working. I think my goals are going to have to be centered around that idea for this to work for me. In some situations, I think people probably do not have enough work, but that is not the case here. We have a garden that needs to be planted, a garage and barn that need cleaning, and a house that needs a serious declutter, sheep that need to be sheared, some fencing to do, some weeding, some building, and some cages to build, etc. I have been sick a long time, and it would be nice to see things cleaned up 'my way' for a change. ;) Anyway, I want to apply my energy toward doing the work/projects here, and other places, and I hope that the sweat and exercise will do me good. What do you guys thinkg about that? Is it enough? I like to hike, and so I will be doing that too.

So, my goals this week are...
1. Declutter at least half of the house. I am getting rid of at least a third of our belongings. (I'll let you know how this goes.)
2. Plant the first garden, and prepare the second for planting.
3. Hike every evening.
4. Fence another pasture for the sheep.
5. Improve on all regular activities like cleaning, schooling, animal care, weeding, and cooking.


My outlook so far for this week is not good. Yesterday and today, I have had a fever...it's reducing, but not gone yet. I have been 'ordered' to rest, and Michael actually stayed home yesterday to insure that I would. :gah For me, this is the hardest part, because I do not feel sick other than this fever. I wonder if it's not just a way for my body to get rid of latent heat...probably built up from a lack of activity? Anyway, I am hoping it will be gone by tomorrow so that I can get back to things, because even with the fever I have some energy that needs to be used up, and bed rest is literally making my body ache.

I am going to remember you three in my prayers this week. The Lord bless you.

 

[lovely]

Hi Jeff,

I caught your post, and decided not to alter mine...it answers your question. ;) I am going to try to get in a warm bath again to try and reduce this fever some more, and then I am going to call Michael at work and 'nag' him until he lets me go outside and do some planting. :rolling

 

[stovebolts]

Well, you just go on ahead and nag him

BTW, if you actually figure out how to get rid of 1/3 of your stuff, let me know how you did it! :rolling :rolling

Just a funny story... but last night we were laying in bed watching TV and out of the blue my son asks, "What's a Pack Rat?" Mom stutters to answer so I just jump right in and say, "Your Mom and I"

 

[lovely]

Well, you just go on ahead and nag him

BTW, if you actually figure out how to get rid of 1/3 of your stuff, let me know how you did it! :rolling :rolling

Just a funny story... but last night we were laying in bed watching TV and out of the blue my son asks, "What's a Pack Rat?" Mom stutters to answer so I just jump right in and say, "Your Mom and I"

Jeff this made me laugh so hard!

 

[Kelli]

Hi all!

Lovely, if cleaning, gardening, building,.. and all that other stuff isn't exercise, I'm in big trouble!

Jeff, you mentioned goals, I have never been a goal setter, and not sure how to do it.

Do I use a pedometer and set goals in miles?
Do I Walk/run at first?
What sort of time goal do I set?

Can you tell I'm excited about this goal thing??? I hope I can do this, if I can't I am determined (like Lovely) to exercise!!! I'm not sure if running will work for me tho, I tried a little last night, but... um how do I say this...I have a female frontal problem that get's in the way! (I even paid for the stupid things, in my young stupid days) I think I will need to get some advice about that from somewhere... I'm not sure if I should be running though that kind of pain, because they are not natural... oh this if so embarrassing!!! YIKES, the things I did in my BC (Before Christ) Days!!!!

ANYWAYS!!! Jeff, I really appreciate any advice you can give me about setting goals.

AARG!! I have to keep editing these things, because for some reason I keep spelling "advice" as "advise"

Thanks, Kelli

 

[stovebolts]

Tina,
Just a hunch, but I kinda thought you might find that funny!

Kelli,

Umm, errr... Yeah definatly TMI Anywho... Find a good running store (Not a national chain) in your area and I'm sure they can get you fitted properly.

As far as a goal, make sure that your goal is attainable, yet challenging. My goal (which I thought was a simple goal.. NOT!) was to simply run down to our stop sign and back. I later found out that it's .7 miles to the stop sign, which made it 1.4 miles round trip.

I'm learning much from http://runnersworld.com , especially on taking their advice Had I taken their advice I wouldn't be having the problem with my knee because I would not have over doubled my mileage in a week regardless of how I felt when I was doing it.

I joined a running club in our area not only for running partners, but to network from people who have been running for a long time. From both the club I'm in and from Runners World, they urge new runners to start out walking while mixing in a quick jog in between. It seems like to main focus is more about time spent than mileage.

I don't know what kind of health your in, but maybe start off with a mile. Always start off walking, so walk at a fast pace for like maybe 5 minutes to warm up, then jog for three minutes, walk for two and keep repeat until your finished. Learn to listen to your body and play with the numbers for what's right for you. I'll bet you'll be running the whole mile effortlessly within two weeks.

One thing I learned unexpectedly after my first 5k is this. Never end your run by sitting down! If you've ran for 10 minutes, you need a 5 minute cool down walk and stretch (This is a good time to eat that banana) or you'll cramp from the extra lactate that's in your muscles. Also, walking helps get the blood out of your legs after a good run too.

Ohh, and I always swig down 20 oz of water before my run. It seems to work for me

 

[Kelli]

Okay, I was reading back through the post here, and I somehow missed your "had a hard time just going up stairs" post. This is so inspiring, I think for now, I am going to do as you suggested and do the run, walk thing. I am also going to use my pedometer (if I can find it) and try to take at least 10,000 steps a day. If I haven't reached that by the time I am finished with work and the walk run thing, I will bounce on my exercise ball until I reach 10,000. When I can do those easily I am going to up my goal! I am going to do like you did (AT First!!!), :naughty and take it one attainable step at a time.

Thanks, Kelli

 

[GojuBrian]

You go guys and gals!!!!