White Orchid Melody

In addition to financial fitness for the new year, physical fitness will also be a goal.  I will definitely have some baby weight to contend with, so getting back on a lower calorie meal plan and into an exercise routine will be tops on the to-do list. 

I was using the weightwatchers.com “core” plan last summer and had lost excess weight and felt really good.  Basically it is about eating whole foods: all the fruit, veggies, and beans you want and a limited amount of whole grains.  No processed crap, easy on the sugar.  There is wiggle room, of course.  One can’t live life without chocolate!  But moderation is key.  In contrast, refined carbs have been my comfort food throughout this pregnancy.  That is natural and normal as your body needs the extra fluid and calories.  But my body won’t need all that after the baby is born.  So, I plan to get back on a healthier track with my eating habits.  Then, when the doctor gives his okay, start up strength training and jogging again.  Now keep in mind I haven’t jogged since I got pregnant, so I’ll be starting from scratch! 

http://whiteorchidmelody.com/blog/2007/09/16/how-to-start-jogging/

Yeah, I’ll be doing that again.  Walk, jog, walk some more.  I figure it will take a few months just to get back in good enough shape to get in 15 to 20 miles a week in the form of 3 to 5 mile outings.  Then I’ll start to increase my mileage and I’d like to train for another marathon.  I had about 10 or 15 extra pounds on my frame when I trained for my first marathon.  And we were rehabbing, so I was eating really crappy food like pizza and bean burritos all the time.  I think if I can get down to a good base weight before I start the marathon training, I can improve my time.  Marathon training is not a time to try to lose weight, as your body needs lots of calories to deal with the stress of those long runs.  But losing the weight beforehand can really help once you start the training.  I read in a magazine that one extra pound of body weight puts 4 pounds of pressure on your knees while walking and 25 pounds of pressure on your knees while jogging!  That should be incentive to lose a few pounds!  Anyway, I might consider doing the Lewis and Clark Marathon again.  Really it is an awful course, but it is in September, which might be a good time frame.  There is also the Chicago marathon in October, but the weather is so unpredictable…I could end up running in extreme heat or extreme cold, you just never know!  Otherwise, there is a marathon in Huntsville, AL in December.  I could stay with my family in Alabama and go to that one.  I’m not sure how I feel about travelling to race though.   Then again, I might just take it easy and do a half-marathon for Lewis and Clark and then train up for the St. Louis Marthon next April.  Or maybe the baby will really hate going on jogs with me and I won’t be training for any races!  Things are pretty unpredictable as far as that goes!  But those are my goals none the less.