And even more questions!

Stupendously great Amy asks:  First 5K is turkey day. I bought the under armor leggings for outside walking/running through fall & winter. Though the size I bought (xlg) kept falling down this past weekend when I attempted running on my 'walk' So I need something warmer then yoga pants for my 5K next week and only have this weekend to get it done. Any suggestions? I also bought an under armor fleece jacket that keeps my middle warm but not my arms. I'm guessing I need an outer layer? I haven't a freakin clue but don't want the elements to be my undoing or my failure to even show up for my 5K....
Help!

I am so sorry that your question went unanswered, and now your 5K is over!  But maybe this will help someone else.  First, I'm not in a frigid climate, but it does get pretty cold here in the winter.  I have the underarmour tights and they rock, but mine are too big as well - they slide down.  So I'd recommend getting a smaller pair.  My typical outfit is the tights, a long sleeve underarmour or the like shirt, a polarfleece jacket (I remove it after about 10 minutes and then just carry it), and a beanie if it is under 30 degrees - an insulated headwrap/ear warmer type thing if it's between 30 and 50.  I also wear the underarmour gloves.  I really like their stuff.  Nike has a good line of comparable stuff for cold weather.  I really get hot when I run, so that's the most I ever wear.  I also never run without my Mace, both people and pet version.

Phenomenal Kendra inquires:  You've said before that you get up at 5am to get your work out in. Could you share some of your tips for time management? Maybe a 'day in the life' type post? I'm not a morning person and am having a difficult time working in a regular cardio time-and I don't work, and only have 3 kids. I know, excuses, excuses, but a glimpse into your days could help me and others figure out when to get it in.   Gah.  The bane of my existence.  How to fit in the exercise.  I do get up at 5 Monday, Wednesday and Friday to work with my personal trainer.  I then take the kids to school, go to work and work from 8:15 to 1:15.  I try to do some housework and cooking after work.  Sometimes, I try to walk or do ab work when I get home, but I'm usually really tired and flop onto the sofa. 

I am NOT a morning person by any stretch of the imagination.  People at the gym know to give me a wide berth until I have completed a few sets of exercises.  Ask me how they learned THAT valuable lesson.  I am finding, though, that I have been getting up easier.  I think once you've done it for a while, your body becomes used to it.   On the weekends, I try to get up early and run.

I take capoeria class Monday and Wednesday nights, which make for a really long day, since it's not over until 9:30 p.m.  I also take capoeira on Saturdays.  I try to run on the weekends or at night when my little guys are in bed.  If my housework isn't too far behind.  I have to force myself, sometimes, to get out there, but I am always happy once I'm actually DOING it. 

The rest of my life fits in around that. Does that help answer the question?

The next question is below the fold!

Splendiferoius Cairogal asks: 

Did you ever have a problem losing weight that couldn't be easily identified (e.g. portions too big, stale exercise routine, etc.)?

How did you deal w/ the psychology of listening to your body? I attended a cooking class last night that addressed cooking and eating to speed up your metabolism. She touched a lot on not allowing yourself to feel like you were giving things up. I tried it today. I had one piece of pizza and waited 10 minutes before deciding that I wanted/needed that 2nd piece...longest 10 minutes of my life!!! It just goes to show you that exercise and eating right are just half the battle.

Huh.  I don't know if I ever had an issue with not being able to identify why I wasn't losing weight.  For me, if I weight plateaued it was because I was either eating too much or not moving enough.  I hate to sound simplistic, but that's really what it was.  Now that I'm maintaining, it's the same issue, but a bit different.  I can be a little bit more free in my choices, but not eat to the extreme that I used to. 

The psychological - yes.  I know of what you speak.  Sometimes, I want a cookie, and I want it now. I don't want to think about "do I need this cookie?  What am I missing in my life that I'm trying to fill with a piece of pie?"  I just want to eat the damned cookie.  And so I do.  I find that if I DON'T eat it, and think think about it, it becomes a FORCE in my day.  So I just do it and then move on. I don't eat twelve cookies.  I eat one and then move on.  Brush my teeth, drink some water, eat a breath mint, call a friend, do some pushups. 

The last set of question/answers are on for tomorrow!

Comments

[Kendra]

Thank You!! I'm really trying-especially after the food and drink fest last week. Our accountability trio is doing your mission monday and an exercise challenge this week-4 days of cardio, 30 min or more, by Sat. noon.
Go Janelle and Michelle!

[Pat]

I have been getting up at 5:00am for 20+ years. In my younger years, I used to teach a 7:30am college class; I'm still not a morning person and still groan when the alarm goes off. I don't think it ever gets easier until you get "senile insomnia" and just never sleep anymore!

[Lynae]

I just wanted you to know that something you said has "clicked" in my brain.

It is all about choice.

So far this week, I have managed to NOT eat between meals by simply telling myself it is a choice. I put back the snack items when I went to get my tea yesterday....I have been choosing better options for lunch.

Now, I just have to make that voice a little louder in my head at 5am when I should be getting up to work out.

[Heather]

5am will never be easy for me, but my two favorite weight classes are at 5:45am. The challenge has been hauling myself out of bed on the days that I don't have class. I hate, hate, hate getting out of bed that early, but I absolutely love having my evenings free.

[Sky]

I just wanted to say thanks. I pop in once in a while and every time I do you are offering encouragement.
I have lost twenty pounds since August, which is great! I am trying for a slow but sure weight loss so my skin has a chance to recuperate and I don't end up with baby-belly stretch marks around my knees.
I was nosing around the kitchen just now and realized what I was doing, I did a quick about face and vowed to stay out of there until I make dinner for my family! (When I get bored I head to the kitchen)
But this summer I cut out snacking and late night dessert. Now when I am feeling munchy I get out my carrots or yogurt. I detest that it isn't chocolate but I feel better at the end of the day.
And when my clothes fit so much better and then start feeling baggy? THAT is the best feeling ever!
One comment you made in passing(A while ago) really hit home with me; tanktops, you said you used to hate wearing them and now you are proud to! I have felt like that the last three summers. This coming summer, OH THIS SUMMER it's gonna be different!

[amy]

great book just released in paperbook about how/why we make the choices we do.
Mindless Eating by Brian Wansink.
I've only just begun. Did you know we are faced with over 200 choices about food each day??????
And you don't have to give up pizza but maybe first have a nice salad then a single slice rather then being too hungry and diving into the entire pie. And drink more water. A full glass before/during a meal. Sometimes we're actually thirsty and confuse that for hunger.
So applaud your good choices. Recognize the not so stellar and move on. Don't beat yourself up about. That usually leads to the oh well I already blew it so I may as well eat the entire row of oreos mentality.