So I've been doing some thinking - well it really started yesterday while watching "The Biggest Looser" (totally love that show) - and I've come to the conclusion that I do way better when someone is either working out with me or pushing me to workout. While I was watching TBL, I wanted to get a few push-ups done while the commercial was on (working on my core and upper body strength) and I did 2...... 2!
It was like I couldn't push myself to get more done, but if someone else was there I would have probably followed thru on at least 3 (well maybe). Why is it that some people have the internal drive/motivation to accomplish a task without needing the aid or assistance of others? Does it make you needy if you need others to accomplish a task/goal? I'm just letting you in on what's going on in my thoughts right now.
I think the reason I do better when someone is around is because I don't want to look like a goober or slacker in front of other people. So I put game face on and get the job done. But when no one is around it's like I don't push as hard and feel like it's ok to take a break. Does that make me a people pleaser, or a... hum, I don't know the word for it. Ok, I gotta think about this somemore, what do you think?
Friday, May 6, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
Day 310 (Part II): I DID IT
What did I do?? I rode my bike to work!! I rode it all the way there. All throughout I was saying inside my head, "Seriously Rochelle, this is too hard. Just turn around, get your car and drive to work already!" But I didn't do that, I keep pressing forward.
When I got to mile two, I had to fight through and keep peddling through the monstrous hill that crosses over 214, but I kept going. When I got to mile three, I had to figure out how to cross over 202 with all of the traffic with no real directional sign giving me the right of way and the construction blocking the way. At mile five I had to tell myself that I'm almost there because the hill that I was trying to get up was beginning to wear me out. At mile six I felt like I couldn't keep going and I was ready to go home (which was silly because it would have taken more time to go back home verses keep going).
At mile six and a half, something happened. As I crossed over 495 on a bridge, I was slapped in the face by three separate branches. It was the craziest thing. I realized at that moment why cyclist wear sunglasses. It's not just to keep the sun out, but it's also to protect their eyes. I will be sure to wear them going forward. Here are a few photo's of my journey
When I got to mile two, I had to fight through and keep peddling through the monstrous hill that crosses over 214, but I kept going. When I got to mile three, I had to figure out how to cross over 202 with all of the traffic with no real directional sign giving me the right of way and the construction blocking the way. At mile five I had to tell myself that I'm almost there because the hill that I was trying to get up was beginning to wear me out. At mile six I felt like I couldn't keep going and I was ready to go home (which was silly because it would have taken more time to go back home verses keep going).
At mile six and a half, something happened. As I crossed over 495 on a bridge, I was slapped in the face by three separate branches. It was the craziest thing. I realized at that moment why cyclist wear sunglasses. It's not just to keep the sun out, but it's also to protect their eyes. I will be sure to wear them going forward. Here are a few photo's of my journey
Photo's of my 'Biking to Work Experience'
Day 310: Scared!
My bag is packed and I just finished a good oatmeal breakfast. I guess it's nothing left to do but do it, right? I'm not going to chicken out or anything because I've talked about it so much (note to self: shut up sometimes!), but I'm definitely feeling butterflies.
It's now or never, here we go. More later!
It's now or never, here we go. More later!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Day 309: May Begins with a plan
They say that April Showers brings in May Flowers. For me, May isn't bringing in flowers, it's bringing in intensity, focus, courage and overall determination. I am less than a month away from a 5k walk (Weight Watchers Walk-It! which is a nationwide walk taking place in every major city) and a little over a month away from the Zooma Annapolis 10k.
Do I feel prepared....um, no. Will I be prepared.....um, yes!
This is what I have been working towards. Have I slacked off, yes. Have I lost focus, yes. Have I lost courage, yes. But I've never lost the desire to complete the task before me. With that, I have been riding my bike just about daily because tomorrow is the first day of doing something that will take great courage from me. I am riding my bike to work. From my house to the office is roughly 6.7 miles. But before going to the office I will be stopping by the track to have a "Track Date". I've been talking about it since getting the bike. It's a way of training for all of these races, but it's also a way of saving GAS! Man, gas is getting way to expensive so hopefully getting the confidence to ride to places less than 10 miles away from my house will save me some money.
What will May training include?
- Workouts with a trainer twice a week
- Bike 6+ miles three times a week
- "Track Date" workouts 6 times a week
- Incorporating a vegetarian food lifestyle (just for the month to see if it is something that I can do)
- Gallon of water a day
That's the plan, now it's time to make it happen.
Oh yeah, my hair is cut! Is it how I expected, "NO!" I just got more cut because it was too straight on the top. I was very surprised to find that my hair is way more curly than I thought. This is a huge transition for me because I've never had to style short hair. I'll upload some pictures soon, I just gotta feel a little more better about it (that statement was totally not good english).
Do I feel prepared....um, no. Will I be prepared.....um, yes!
This is what I have been working towards. Have I slacked off, yes. Have I lost focus, yes. Have I lost courage, yes. But I've never lost the desire to complete the task before me. With that, I have been riding my bike just about daily because tomorrow is the first day of doing something that will take great courage from me. I am riding my bike to work. From my house to the office is roughly 6.7 miles. But before going to the office I will be stopping by the track to have a "Track Date". I've been talking about it since getting the bike. It's a way of training for all of these races, but it's also a way of saving GAS! Man, gas is getting way to expensive so hopefully getting the confidence to ride to places less than 10 miles away from my house will save me some money. What will May training include?
- Workouts with a trainer twice a week
- Bike 6+ miles three times a week
- "Track Date" workouts 6 times a week
- Incorporating a vegetarian food lifestyle (just for the month to see if it is something that I can do)
- Gallon of water a day
That's the plan, now it's time to make it happen.
Oh yeah, my hair is cut! Is it how I expected, "NO!" I just got more cut because it was too straight on the top. I was very surprised to find that my hair is way more curly than I thought. This is a huge transition for me because I've never had to style short hair. I'll upload some pictures soon, I just gotta feel a little more better about it (that statement was totally not good english).
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Day 291: BIG CHOP Doom
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Day 283: "What Got Me To This Place?"
stress, joy, tiredness, confusion, celebration, etc.
The list goes on and on of reasons why food has become the main attraction or the tool I use to cope with the various events in my life. Unlike drugs or other indulgences, food is something that I've gotta have.... crap, I gotta eat right!
So how does the relationship change? How do I go from an unhealthy relationship with food to one that is healthy and balanced? I think the first step is deciding. Make a choice to change. Then, commit my ways/desires to the Lord. Then (and this is the hard part), I've gotta share my decision with other people. In sharing with others it creates accountability; of which we all know that I don't like, but totally necessary. You know what else is necessary? Education. If I don't know what healthy is, how can I engage in it?
Even if my food selections change, I've still got to change the "why" behind why I resort to food. I have to think about that some more. Anybody have any suggestions?
Monday, April 4, 2011
Day 282: The Subtle Sabotage
Sabotage is defined as the deliberate destruction; damaging actions; an action taken to undermine or destroy somebody's efforts or achievements. I have been sabotaged! Wanna know by who?
ME - Rochelle Juanita Barnes
I have come to the realization that I have sabotaged my own efforts over the past few weeks and months. Yeah, I've been making some positive strides by exercising and watching what I eat, but something bigger than those two things dictate either our success or failure. Wanna know what is the big determining factor in how successful we are in anything we do? It's our thought life! How we think about a matter trumps all feeling and truth. I have dreaded going to boot camp because in my mind I look like the fat fatty who can't keep up with everyone else. There haven't been any early morning Track Dates because I hate looking like the big engine that couldn't. So these thoughts have controlled my actions. Instead of working out in the morning, I stay sleep and wonder why I can't get up ontime for anything or instead of leaving work on time, I stay late so that I can't workout because the gym is closed.
How do you change your thoughts? By doing just that, change them. We have a choice in what we believe and embrace as truth.
Current Thought: I am still a fat fatty
Renewed Thought: Everyone has to start somewhere. Start and keep starting
ME - Rochelle Juanita Barnes
I have come to the realization that I have sabotaged my own efforts over the past few weeks and months. Yeah, I've been making some positive strides by exercising and watching what I eat, but something bigger than those two things dictate either our success or failure. Wanna know what is the big determining factor in how successful we are in anything we do? It's our thought life! How we think about a matter trumps all feeling and truth. I have dreaded going to boot camp because in my mind I look like the fat fatty who can't keep up with everyone else. There haven't been any early morning Track Dates because I hate looking like the big engine that couldn't. So these thoughts have controlled my actions. Instead of working out in the morning, I stay sleep and wonder why I can't get up ontime for anything or instead of leaving work on time, I stay late so that I can't workout because the gym is closed.
How do you change your thoughts? By doing just that, change them. We have a choice in what we believe and embrace as truth.
Current Thought: I am still a fat fatty
Renewed Thought: Everyone has to start somewhere. Start and keep starting
Current Thought: I have to modify every exercise so that I can do it
Renewed Thought: Modified or not, I'm still exercising. Keep modifing until it's not necessary
Along with our thought life, fear plays a HUGH role in how successful we are. Fear of doing well (or success) keeps me where I am and aids in me never achieving an attainable goal. I'm grateful because I have hope. My hope isn't in what I have the ability to do on my own, but my hope rests on the fact that through Christ I have the ability to do whatever is necessary to change the scope of my physical fitness. With a renewed focus on each day, today I know that I have the ability to succeed at this marathon journey.
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