On monday there were exactly 2 months to my wedding. My lovely bridal shower (see above pictures) had been that weekend, and all this had me thinking about my hopes to shape up before my wedding.
Overall I am fairly comfortable with my body. I definitely have some work to do, but logically I know I'm not as out of shape as I feel most of the time. I ordered my wedding dress in a size that just barely fit in February, when I was still actively losing weight. This meant that I would have to lose at least a few pounds to feel comfortable in it. As of last weekend, I had not lost those few pounds yet. Late Sunday night I decided to give myself a strict plan to follow. Here's what I'm up to...
Couch to 5K (C25K)
C25K is a program that trains people who are not physically active to run the length of a 5k race. Now I have been working out pretty regularly since January, and I am in shape enough to run a 5K, not fast but I could do it. So why I am I doing this program?
Exercise induced asthma. I have had a growing suspicion that I had this, and my allergist confirmed it. I have an inhaler to try, and it has helped in some small ways. Whenever I used to end a run I would come home and cough and wheeze for 10-15, which is not normal. My inhaler has solved this problem, but it has not solved the issue that bothers me the most. My aerobic stamina while I run is a joke. I have a hard time running slow enough for my lungs to be able to keep up, and once my lungs are pushed to their limit, I can't breathe and I have to stop and walk. After that point, each time I run my lungs last less and less time.
It's so frustrating that there was about 2 months where I didn't even want to run. Thinking about running made me feel like my chest was being squeezed, and I knew I need to a way to get past this feeling. I had read about Couch to 5K a few times for various reasons, and I finally decided to use it to try to train my lungs. It starts the first week with intervals of 60 seconds of running, followed by 90 seconds of walking. Each week you progress to increase your endurance, and there are 3 work-outs a week. I am using podcasts that someone made to go along with this program. He uses upbeat music, and tells you when to walk and run. It's pretty neat.
So far I like it because of the structure, 3 work-outs a week is easy to commit to. Also, the short intervals allow me to get a decent pace going, followed by a guaranteed recovery period. I plan to ask my allergist for a different inhaler next time I go, because I don't think this one is doing enough, but in the mean time using this plan will help me get some good work-outs in before my wedding!
The South Beach Diet
Now, as a health educator I am the first to say, diets don't work. You need to instead focus on portions and healthy eating, along with exercise.
But, I am human (and American). I eat fairly healthy on a regular basis, and I can tell a huge difference in how I feel when I am eating right and when I'm not. I also like a challenge though, and sometimes challenging yourself is a good way to bring long term small changes.
I had never looked in to the South Beach Diet (SBD) before, because like I said, I really don't believe in diets. Some people I work with have used it though, and when I looked it up and started reading, I was intrigued, and wanted to give it a try.
It starts with a 2 week diet of all vegetables, protein, and small amounts of dairy. After those 2 weeks you start to add some carbohydrates and sugars back in to your diet, and so on.
There are critics that say you gain the weight back, but seriously. Talk to any bride 2 months before her wedding, and she will say, just get me through that day.
Today was my third day of the strict first phase, and so far I doing good, and I am still enjoying the challenge. I think I am cheating a little though. I had 3 servings of dairy today instead of 2, and I am having one dove milk chocolate Promise each night for dessert, and I am not supposed to have any sugar. Sue me.
So, that's what I'm up to right now. Interning, wedding planning (really coming along), and dieting and exercising.
How are you? How has your summer been?
(The pics below are from a walk my friend Allison and I take Tuesday nights. This week we started in the Arb, walked to Gallup Park, and then through Furstenberg Park, and then back. It was a 2 hour walk, and it was amazing outside!)
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