Wake me up before you go-go

So the title has nothing to do with this post but that darn song has been stuck in my head since hearing it play on the radio on my drive in this morning.  Thought I'd share my pain with everyone.  Now onto the real reason for my post.

I have 3 goals for the next few months of what I'll loosely refer to as training.

1.  Tone and Strengthen - No I'm not fat I know that but I do have areas I'd like to tone and tighten especially and mainly my core.  I've also read in a number of articles that a strong core can help improve your running.  And the strengthening will help with the Tough Mudder.

2.  Improve my running distance - obviously seeing as somehow I was talked into a half-marathon.  I miss the days of having a bucket list and not feeling a certain sense of urgency to get to work on it.  I've had a bucket list for years and always figured I'd get around to the items someday.  Well someday never came but neither did a sense of accomplishment.  I've finally crossed a few items off the list and with this half and the Tough Mudder 2 more will be crossed off.

3.  Improve my eating habits - I know HOW  to eat but I don't always adhere to proper eating habits.  Apparently deep fried is not considered a food group.  I've been reading up on the philosophy of "eating clean" and am slowly incorporating into my own eating habits.  Slow and steady. 

So those are the goals.  Now the plan to achieve said goals.  I've always been self-conscious about my body.  Truthfully I never remember a time that I didn't have some body gripe.  I'm working on loving what I have but its a struggle.  So, how better to measure your improvements then with one of those awful before shots.  It wasn't easy but I've taken one and am posting for all to see. 

Like I said not bad but could be better. I will be using the app Sworkit for my at home workouts.  Sworkit provides random workouts based on the user selected length of time and type of workout (upper body, full body, lower body, core, etc).  I tried it for the first time this evening and loved it.  Really well done for a free app.

My training plan will be to run on Sunday, Tues, and Thursdays with 30 day ab challenge. Mon 30 minutes of a Sworkit exercise Wed with my trainer, Saturday Zumba and 15mins of Sworkit.  Friday is my all out rest day.  And if I feel overwhelmed I'll take another one as needed. 

For my second goal I've been using the Hal Higdon Novice 13.1 training app.  Again love the app and love the slow build of distance and the option to customize the days to my own schedule.  I have been struggling with building distance but am able to redo a week if I feel the need.

To improve my eating I've decided to break the goal down to smaller more manageable and less scary steps.  Each week I will add one new eating goal and by time the half marathon rolls around I should be a lean mean fighting machine.  Or in a hell of a lot of pain.

Eating goal of the week:  Eat a healthy filling breakfast everyday.  Yep I'm starting there because breakfast really is the most important meal of the day or so they tell me.  I've made it many years without out and seem to be doing fine.  But yes I will focus on eating a proper breakfast everyday.  Starting tomorrow - today didn't happen other things to do.  Perhaps I should research what a proper breakfast would consist of.  This may end up being more difficult then running or strength training.

And remember "Nothings impossible, the word itself says I'm possible" until next time happy running.

Cheers, Natasha