February – Five Things Over Coffee
Here we are again – It’s Friday, it’s the beginning of the month and I’m still trying get my head around everything . I completely missed runfessions last week as well, and I did have quite some things to runfess about. Shall we have coffee and talk about the last month?
If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that I’m surprised at how active and busy I was. A lot of running – 106 KM (100 miles) in total which is pretty unreal! I didn’t plan on running this much, I’m not training for any long distance races, but it just so happens that the training I had planned plus the non- planned runs have all added up to this. If I were runfessing anything, I would however tell you that I really don’t miss the Sunday Long Run at all, so maybe it’s a good thing I’m not really going to start any Half or Marathon training until I’ve recovered from my foot operation.
If we were having coffee, I would mention that I’m still not completely sold on Pilates; but maybe that’s because I just find it really challenging and I may have mentioned before, I feel like I’m not doing much. However, this week I actually started to feel like the muscle contractions were easier and I could control the movements more without releasing my stomach muscles (because it’s all about the deep core muscles, right?). I started pilates to have something to focus on while I was healing, that would actually benefit my running later when I can start up again. If I were runfessing anything, I’d tell you that this is a pretty expensive experiment and I hope it helps. I actually bought a soft ball and a “magic circle” so I can continue at home. I will miss two lessons (planned) after the surgery and I’ve committed to going to the studio for lessons until June. If I could runfess one more thing I’d tell you how frustrating it is to see all over the internet (youtube, instagram, blogs) people just magically doing pilates as if it’s not difficult and encouraging others to do the same. I mean, honestly? You can’t just do Pilates – even learning how to breathe properly is a challenge!
If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that while I want to lose weight, I”m trying to be less consumed strict obsessed focused on exact numbers, weight watcher points, etc. I’ve paid for Weight Watchers for one more month so that I can have it to fall back on in case I feel like I need it (for anything, to look up what better choices could be as far as restaurant menu items go or whatever). If I were runfessing I’d tell you that I used it only about 30% in February and I lost a whopping 600 grams this month. That’s a little over a pound. Which is fine, because it’s down and not up. My goal was to be a little bit down each month, but I’m still looking for balance.
If we were having coffee, I’d mention again the DEXA scan to you that I had done last week. I feel surprisingly very ok about the numbers, even though the fat percentage is higher than what my Nokia scale tells me (the physio told me that this is common in the scan). For me it was mostly about the fat inside my body (if there was any and there is not anything that came up on the scan), my bone density and my muscle mass. I would however runfess to you that because basically the amount of weight I want to lose is pretty much exactly the fat on my thighs and bum, I have looked into liposuction/ liposculpture clinics in my area. And I’d runfess that this is not the first time. For me, it validates everything and while it’s something I wouldn’t do lightly, nor something I would do right away, I do think this option is on the table for me in the next year or two. Because I’ve been at this for 10 years now and no matter what I’ve done, there is a part of my body that, whether genetics or too much peanut butter (maybe both?) , is just not budging. 10 years. I hope it’s understandable why I consider this. It’s not that I don’t accept my body the way it is, because I mostly do, but as a runner who is constantly trying to improve, a runner who has goals and dreams, I still truly believe that 4 or 5 kilos less than I am right now will make a huge difference in my speed and endurance. Anyway. Just want to be honest and open about what I’m thinking about. And I hope that when I get to that point, even if you don’t agree with me, you will respect my choice and support me.
So Bone Density was very high, so, very good – happy with that. Lean muscle mass is 62.8% and I’d like that to go up (and my fat percentage a bit lower) but I think it’s also a good number. I’m planning to have another scan near the end of the year to see the comparison.
If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that one of my goals this year was to not buy any InkNBurn or ProCompression for 6 months to save money. I’ve made it through two months! If I were runfessing I would tell you that 3 times already I have “added to cart” from the InB.nl site because they are stopping and everything is on sale! But I haven’t clicked on “buy now”. It’s so hard because the force is REAL! I’m glad I’m sticking to my guns though because we’ve had some extra costs since the end of the year (a new bicycle insurance policy, tax bill, end of year utility costs and pilates) and we are trying to get used to the new situation with the lease car so it’s been a pretty frugal couple of months. By the end of March things should have stabilised again. So, nose to the grindstone, and hang on for just another month. Not that I will buy InB then…nope, six months or bust!!
February was a good month, lots of activity, two races and some social outings as well. My operation date is on the horizon. I’m nervous but excited. I know I want to have a plan of attack when it comes to my recovery. There are a few things I want to take care of before the date; call my physio to see if he can help me get me walking/ running again in a safe way, call my doctor to see when I can get off the medicine I take for the nerve pain (it’s an anti-depressive and I have to carefully ween off of it) and one practical task – arrange crutches so I can actually get around the first week or two! So March is going to be busy too, but a bit different kind of busy! More on March ideas coming up soon!
If we were having coffee, what would you tell me? What’s your favorite hot beverage? Did you run a lot in February? Have you ever done balance exercises on a (pilates) ball before? What do you think about liposuction / liposculpture? Have you ever tried to NOT shop online and suddenly seen all the deals on your favorite brand?
I’m joining Deborah and Coco for the March Ultimate Coffee Date!
I’m also joining Meranda and Lacey for the Friday Link-up!
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Coffee yes. Latte please.
I’ve tried to cut back on buying running clothes. My drawers are full. I do the same. Add to my cart and don’t buy.
Running in Feb. not much since Feb 10. Just trying to rest my leg and only running minimally. Nothing has changed. Lots of races coming up. What to do????
I hope your surgery goes well. Fingers crossed they fix what is wrong.
I was very optimistic about ART but nothing has changed 4 sessions later.
About your weight… you have to do what makes you happy.
Have you been to a physio, Darlene – is that the ART that you were doing? What the heck is going on with your leg? If it doesn’t get worse then I guess just try to race and take it easy??
thanks for the good surgery wishes. My surgeon is the best in the country at this sort of surgery so I have a lot of faith. I guess if they don’t fix it, the worst that can happen is that it stays the same and I’m on meds the rest of my life?
I would also like to try the dexa scan just to have a baseline on bone density. Have to look into that. I never stick to my no shopping rules. I am a terrible clothes hound
I definitely recommend the DEXA, really enlightening!!
Pilates is definitely challenging. Since I have been teaching body flow I have noticed how much of your breath makes a difference when doing those moves as well as yoga poses. Bring awareness to your breath is a working progress. That Pilates circle is hard to use!!!
It’s very challenging and not being able to “just do it” like running, or bodypump or RPM is very frustrating. i’m really trying to let go of the expectation but it’s just so hard. I hope I can learn more in the few weeks, especially with the magic circle :)
I think liposuction is totally a personal choice, so go for it. Years ago, I did some image consulting where we helped (mostly) women with their wardrobes. I learned that there are four basic body types, based on a dominant gland in one’s body, that determines where the bulk of weight/fat is carried or stored. Thart’s why some people have skinny bird legs that never get fat with weight gain, some are bottom-heavy, some are top-heavy, etc. My sister and I, for example…she’s taller than me, weighs more, but has always had thinner legs (but I have the smaller waist LOL). AS for breathing…that’s my downfall with yoga….I have a hard time focusing on breathing. I’ve never done pilates, but I’m guessing it would be a similar issue (?)
I just actually realised that I’m a pear! ALL of the women in my family have ample hips and backsides, I’m no exception! Not one of them however is athletic in any way! So this is really where the frustration lies.
breathing is like key #1 in Pilates. Apparently you have more muscle control with breathing but I haven’t got the two to coordinate yet.
I DO think Pilates is hard! I also do think it’s beneficial. I guess I was lucky, I did it in a small group with a person who was doing her training and didn’t charge much — a very long time ago! I’ve never done any of the machines.
I have thought about cool sculpting (do you have it there? It’s laser). I have a lot of flapping skin from just yo-yoing weight. But I don’t have the $$ for it. Most of us do have something that no matter how hard we work won’t go away.
I belong to WW, but I’m a lifetime member, and for me it’s about the meetings. I go most weeks. I no longer use the app — I use MyFitnessPal to track my macros.
Don’t even get me started on the Skirt Sports sales . . .
I am doing Pilates with a pretty small class. The instructor is really good. She works with everyone individually and is constantly checking our form and asking if it feels ok or if we are struggling. She’s going to have me on the ball for some exercises soon – I like it already the studio is totally willing to work with me and my recovery. I won’t even be allowed to use the machines until I “graduate” from the beginners class.
Cool sculpting… interesting. We do have it here but I wasn’t aware until now. So thanks for the tip! I don’t have the money either, so that’s why it’s not something I will do just now anyway.
I’m also a LT member but I can’t make it to meetings! I used to go and use MFP too! I still have to pay though, at least weekly because I’m 1.5KG over my goal weight… I really wish there were a closer meeting to me.
haha yes I’ve heard the same thing about SkirtSports as I do InB – the force is so REAL!!
This is the first year in a while that I’ve had to pay sometimes. :( This month will be close but I’m hoping to squeak through. It helps a lot to be retired (or working from home, which is what I did previously).
Can you believe I’ve never done PIlates? I always chose yoga because I like the mind/body part of that discipline. But I know it’s good for the core and that’s what I need…
Wasn’t the DEXA scan cool? I loved the information I got from it and I’m looking forward to having my follow up one at the end of the year.
I’ve already bought 3 INB things. But I sold a couple, so it’s all balanced out. Right?
to be honest I think you need some of that mind/body thing for pilates as well. and the breathing. if you can’t breathe right, you aren’t doing it 100%. Both Yoga and Pilates seem very hard to me. maybe I’ll eventually try yoga so I can make a proper comparison at some point :)
oh are you doing the DEXA again too? yes I found it very informative! I thought I would be more upset about the fat percentage but I mean, hello, I do KNOW… I see where it is and I’m glad it’s only where I can see it!
hahaha well yes I think you can justify it that way! it’s so hard. I mean with PC socks it’s easier. I already have 20 pairs of socks! I don’t feel like I “need” the latest design. but with InB… *sigh* . Four more months.
I was interested in your dexascan comments. I think I would like to try that. I feel like I would like to lose a few pounds too, but restricting my diet is so HARD! I started weighing myself every day, but soon realized that was counterproductive. Now I weigh myself once/week. Much better.
You had some great miles in Feb. Way to go! One of my running buddies recently said to me that we need to “train to your weaknesses”. So, I keep doing things I struggle with, like hills. Maybe that’s what Pilates is to you?
You had a solid month of running! I am missing my long runs, but that’s because I’m not missing them by choice – darn ankle! Your scan results look typical for a woman — where women tend to carry weight. I know it’s frustrating, but consensus is that you can’t pick where you will lose weight from, and that area seems to be the last to let go. ;-) I am scared of all surgery, but you need to figure out what’s right for you. xxooxx
I feel the same way about dropping a few pounds and speed. I’m still struggling with weight gain after going gluten-free. Trying to focus on making better choices, logging my food, and sticking with my calorie goal.
Remember, those people making pilates look easy have been doing it for years. And probably forgot how hard it was when they started. Magic of the internet. ;)
I’ve taken a couple of Pilates classes but I never feel like I know what I’m doing! That’s cool that you can do the workouts at home!
I am very interested in the DEXA scan, it seems so eye-opening!
I wanted to run more in February but the awful weather caused me to retreat! Definitely going to step it up in March now that I have some half marathons to look forward to!