30 Minutes for 30 Days: DAY 30

August 10-DAY 30

I did it. 3.01 miles in 40 minutes. I really had to run hard at the end, and I think I sweated like 2 gallons, but I did it. Tomorrow...day off. Then, I'll post my reflections on the experience.

30 Minutes for 30 Days: DAY 29

August 9-DAY 29

I can't believe I've almost made it. More Dunderball today after a long, stupid day in Tacoma. Tomorrow...treadmill. I'm shooting for 3 miles in 40 minutes. We'll see...

30 Minutes for 30 Days: DAY 28

August 8-DAY 28
Intervals on the treadmill. 2.92 miles in 40 minutes. I felt great about that til I saw that the guy running next to me did 3.3 mi in 30 minutes. Oh well...maybe someday.

30 Minutes for 30 Days: DAY 27

August 7-DAY 27

Played a good game of Dunderball. I always start out feeling really coordinated and like I might have some minor ability to someday play a real game of raquetball, but that quickly goes away. It's fun never the less, and a good stress reliever too.

30 Minutes for 30 Days: DAY 26

August 6-DAY 26

Third treadmill day in a row. 40 minutes-2.78 miles. I would love to make it to 3.0 miles in 40 minutes but don't think that will happen in 4 days. My leg muscles were a little shaky after so I think I might play Dunderball tomorrow for a change. Then, I'll shoot for the treadmill for the last 3 days.

Bob asked if I still planned to continue after the thirty days is up, and I absolutely do. I might take it down to 5 days a week though, just because it's really hard to squeeze in the time every day. I'd also like to get back into yoga (which I know I've mentioned before). Fortunately, I am a person who likes routine, and once I get into one, I can keep up with it pretty well. Now that I've made this part of my daily routine, I plan to just keep right on running...

30 Minutes for 30 Days: DAY 25

August 5-DAY 25

I can't believe it's day 25 already. It really has gone fast. Today I did another 40 minute treadmill session making it 2.8 miles. Feeling better too, which is awesome.

30 Minutes for 30 Days: DAY 24

August 4-DAY 24

I think the cold is near it's end...thank god. I still cough a lot when I run (which I'm sure sounds just lovely). Did 40 minutes on the treadmill and went 2.66 miles. I'm able to maintain running intervals of 7-9 minutes now which is cool. I can also do short bursts at 6-6.2 mph. It's not sprinting, I'll admit, but I'll take it.

30 Minutes for 30 Days: DAY 23

August 3-DAY 23

One of the things I hoped might happen during this 30 days is that my immune system would improve. When Bob gets sick he has a cold for like 2 days and then is fine. Me...at least 10 days (and sometimes longer). Oh well...I guess exercise, water and vitamins can't fix everything.

I did feel somewhat better today, but still not great. In lieu of the gym we took a 45 minute walk around the trails of Lake Sammamish. It sort of felt like cheating, but Bob reminded me that my rules were just that I get 30 minutes of exercise each day and not that I go to the gym everyday. I guess it was good to take a break...It was definitely a nice day to be outside.

30 Minutes for 30 Days: DAY 22

August 2-DAY 22

Still sick...did 35 on the treadmill in the morning since I had to work in the afternoon. Am I ever gonna kick this cold?

30 Minutes for 30 Days: DAY 21

August 1-DAY 21

To be honest, things got pretty hectic so I'm writing this almost a week late... I THINK I remember that I did 15 minutes on the elliptical machine and 20 on the treadmill...blowing my nose and coughing all the way. (still sick... ugh).

30 Minutes for 30 Days: DAY 20

July 31-DAY 20

Well, I'm sick. I caught a cold or something from Bob. Not feeling at all like I could run, I convinced Bob to play a laid back game of Dunderball. Felt pretty nautious after, but glad I was able to stick with the 30 days plan. I would be really mad at this point if I missed a day for some stupid sickness. Hopefully I'll be better tomorrow...

30 Mintues for 30 Days: DAY 19

July 30-DAY 19

Intervals on the treadmill for 35 minutes. Did 2.4 miles. Felt pretty good because my running intervals are getting much longer. And, walking back up the hill after the gym is getting less difficult. That's something.

30 Minutes for 30 Days:DAY 18

July 29-Day 18
I couldn't make myself do the treadmill today, so I played Dunderball alone. I'm sure I looked rediculous but it was definitely a work out. I also did 10 minutes on the elliptical machine. It was a nice change to concentrate on trying to hit a ball rather than how many minutes I have left to run. Treadmill again tomorrow.

30 Minutes for 30 Days: DAY 17

July 28-DAY 17

40 minutes on the treadmill. I know I said I wouldn't, but I did. Was hoping for Dunderball, but Bob is sick. Work has sucked today (Tuesday) and I'm feeling tired and achy. I'll be happy if I just do a plain old walk for 30 minutes. We'll see.

30 Minutes for 30 Days: DAY 16

July 27-DAY 16

I did some pretty decent walking around downtown today, and probably could have technically called it my 30 minutes... However, I think I'm becoming what some might call "slightly obsessed" with the treadmill. I just don't feel like I've worked out unless I run/walk on it. But, I did limit myself to just 35 minutes today as my shins/knees really are pretty sore.

While out and about I got a new outfit today, and I didn't feel totally awful after trying it on in the store. I'm not sure if my shape has changed much at all or if my perception is just different. I guess I find it easier to come to terms with my appearance since I know I am doing things to at least attempt to make myself look better.

Tomorrow I think I really am going to have to take a break from the treadmill. Maybe I'll play Dunderball...

30 Minutes for 30 Days: DAY 15

July 26-DAY 15

I have reached the half way point. I fluxuate between feeling like I've come a long way already and feeling like 15 more days seems like a long time to go. And, in reality, I don't plan on stopping exercising when I reach that point (though I might cut back a day or two) so it's not exactly an "end point" anyway.

Today I did 65 minutes on the treadmill. I wasn't going to push it, but then I decided I wanted to hit 4.o mi so I went a little harder than planned. I ended up going something like 4.3 miles so I was happy. My legs were not. I'm starting to notice more prolonged pain in my shins and the top of my right foot, which probably means I should rest and do something else for a day. I like the treadmill though and it's hard to feel like I'm doing as much exercise on anything else I've tried so far.

30 Minutes for 30 Days: DAY 14

July 24-DAY 14

Another 45 on the treadmill. Not much exciting to say about it. Got "bonus exercise" when a "manditory frisbee playing meeting" was called at work. It was a nice break, and I'm not as bad at frisbee as I thought.

30 Minutes for 30 Days: DAY 13

July 24-DAY 13
Hit the treadmill for 45 minutes of intervals. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I could do 4-5 minute running intervals without getting terribly winded. I did 3 miles, which I thought was pretty good. It felt like it was one of my better sessions, which I am also surprised about since I was nearly falling asleep while driving home from work, and really wanted to just take a nap. I'll probably take it somewhat easy Friday since I'm planning on doing 60 minutes over the weekend.

By the way, the picture is in tribute to the X-Files movie which opens this weekend. Unfortunately, I won't be seeing it until next week as Bob is out of town. It just wouldn't be right for "Scully" to go without "Mulder". Anyway, at some point I am going to write a post about why "I Want to Believe" is one of the most powerful and profound statements in the english language, but not just yet. Stay tuned.

30 Minutes for 30 Days: DAY 12

July 23-Day 12

Did 35 on the elliptical machine. I still can't decide if I like it or not. Either way, I suppose it's good to change things up. I'm thinking of going to a yoga class this weekend. I've been wanting to get back into it but haven't got around to trying any of the studios nearby. I really miss the Memphis studio, Better Bodies Yoga (probably one of the only things I miss about Memphis). I doubt I'll find any place quite as nice, but it would be good to come close. Aiming for 45 on the treadmill tomorrow...

30 Minutes for 30 Days: DAY 11

July 22-DAY 11
Did 35 on the treadmill again today. Definitely doing the elliptical tomorrow...

30 Minutes for 30 Days: DAY 10

July 21-DAY 10

Well, I'm a third of the way through. I have been trying to be as conscious as possible to see if I have noticed any physical/mental changes so far. I can say I feel less tired at work all day. And, even though I feel kind of crappy at times during excercise (and occasionally dread it beforehand), I feel pretty good after. I think I've been eating less, but have never felt terribly hungry (thank you, water). I don't feel like I am building up my stamina/endurance as much as I'd hoped though. Not that I really expected running to get easy, I thought I might start to feel like it's somewhat less difficult. But, I do continue to push myself so we'll see. Maybe I'm expecting results too soon.

Today, I did 35 on the treadmill...run/walk/hills intervals. I usually try to turn off the count down clock because I find that I obsess over it and end up pushing myself to go 5, no 10, no 15... seconds longer. I debate whether I should run until I feel like I need to stop or run at a specific interval of time. On one hand, I think if I don't set a time I might just go longer. On the other hand, with the clock off, I probably never go for as long as I think I do. Anyway, I might do the elliptical thing tomorrow, to work my arms some and give my legs a break from the impact. Well, back to work.

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PS- A note on the pictures...all of the cartoons are by a girl named Natalie Dee. She's from Ohio and puts new illustrations up all the time. I am amazed at how relevant so many are to me or what I am thinking at the moment I happen to find them. Be sure to take a visit. It's pretty hilarious.

30 Minutes for 30 Days: Day 9

July 20-DAY 9

After a relaxing, sunburned day at Lake Sammamish, I did 60 minutes on the treadmill (intervals). I probably pushed it a little too hard (went 3.5 mi), but wanted to make up for the big dinner last night and the Chipotle lunch today (though I trimmed that back quite a bit from what I normally have). More Ricky Gervais made things go pretty quick though it was hard to hear it with the television (that the other guy in the gym was watching) at MAXIMUM blast-out-your-eardrums high volume...

GYM RULE #1: Don't annoy other gym goers with your TV watching. If you watch TV while exercising, turn the freakin' volume down so we don't all have to listen to it, especially when it is some bad Samuel L. Jackson action movie. Sheesh.

Going back to 30 minutes tomorrow should seem like a breeze...

30 Minutes for 30 Days: DAY 8

July 19-DAY 8

Today is the first day that I really dreaded going to the gym. I was tired and sore from standing at the festival the night before. I was also realizing that there probably is a reason they tell you your body needs a day of rest here and there between workouts. Seeing as how I am keeping to this thirty days thing, I couldn't take a day off but I decided to "take it easy" by just walking at a steady/slower pace on a 3% incline for 60 minutes instead of 30. I did 3.3 miles, and it wasn't too bad because I thought to listen to The Ricky Gervais Podcast, which is the funniest thing ever. If you haven't listened yet, I highly recommend it. After the gym, had a spectacular no-holds-barred dinner at a German restaurant in South Lake Union called Feierabend. German beer, Potato pancakes with applesauce, a German pretzel with 2 kinds of mustard and Brie, Kasespatzle, and a grilled chicken sandwich...yum.  Admittedly, it was a lot of food. But, given all the exercise, I didn't feel too bad about it. It was well worth it. 

30 Minutes for 30 Days: DAY 7

July 18-DAY 7

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOB!

It's been a week...yay. Feeling pretty good because I got "bonus" exercise by having to load and unload a ton of heavy crap from a van for a festival we are doing at work. That same festival screwed up my workout schedule, so I had to go to the gym in the middle of the day. I was feeling pretty tired (probably because I had less than 24 hours of rest between sessions) but did 30 minutes of intervals of the treadmill. Standing outside in the chilly lakefront air for 4 hours (at the mentioned festival) after left me stiff and achy. I was starving after and truly enjoyed the 1/2 burger and buffalo mac and cheese from The Wilde Rover in spite of the many drunk women near us doing shots and having a "night on the town". Cheers til tomorrow

30 Minutes for 30 Days: DAY 6

July 17-DAY 6

Opted today for 15 minutes on the treadmill and about 30 playing "Dunderball". Dunderball is a game Bob and I play named in tribute to the game invented by Toby in The Office. It is loosely based on raquetball (we play in a raquetball court). There is no official score though at any given time one may be awarded a "thumbs up", "gold star" or "A+" (If you are an Office fan, you will understand this system) The basic point is to hit the ball back and forth. Sometimes you get to hit it more than one time. Sometimes it bounces six times before you hit it. As long as you don't hit the other player, its pretty much no holds barred. It's great exercise, and great fun.

30 Minutes for 30 Days: DAY 5

July 16-DAY 5
In order to give my legs a day off from the impact of the treadmill, I decided to try the elliptical machine for 30 minutes. I sweated a lot and it definitely gave my arms a workout. However, I didn't really feel like I worked quite as hard as I do on the treadmill, and I don't like the fact that you have to control your own speed/pace. (the treadmill does this for you) But, it was nice for a change and time seemed to go pretty quickly in spite of the fact that I had to listen to "Baseball Tonight" blaring at top volume on 2 of the 3 TV's in the room. (The other "exercising guy" who was at the gym apparently had to have it visible from wherever he stood and also needed it so loud that he could hear it when he was in the tanning bed for 15 minutes). At some point I will write a post on what I believe "basic gym courtesies" should be. But I'll have to save it for later. Back to the treadmill tonight.

30 Minutes for 30 Days: DAY 4

July 15- DAY 4

Tried the weight training machines before running. Apparently my arms are pretty weak, because I can really feel the burn today. Walk/ran 2.2 miles in 35 minutes. Though I push myself, the actual excersise is not too bad. However, it seems that time passes waaayy more slowly. What seems like 2-3 minutes is more like a minute and a half.

This afternoon, I made the mistake of looking around the net for health/fitness info. I was actually looking for new interval training /exercise routines. However, instead, among other depressing things I learned that:

-Many doctors now think that 30 minutes of exercise a day is not enough. (Some say 60-90 minutes is required to keep weight off). Ugh.

-The Chipotle chicken burrito that I love so much (and felt not too guilty about because it seemed healthy) is actually about 1800 calories worth of food. Damn.

-That burning an extra 500 calories a day will only result in an average loss of 1 lb per month. When the stupid "BMI calculator" tells you that you need to lose 15-20 lbs, that's pretty much a buzz kill.

I know I said I am not into the numbers, but finding crap like this certainly funnels me into a numbers obsession. I am committed to doing this for 30 days but now wonder what kind of results I can expect. Will I notice any real difference at all or is this just not enough to make any significant changes?

30 Minutes for 30 Days: DAY 3

July 14-DAY 3
Drank my water, ate reasonably and did 35 min on the treadmill (2.14 mi). Tried some new organic fat free frozen yougurt that was actually good. Was ready for bed by 9, but feel fairly awake today. So far, water totally makes me feel fuller faster. Yay water.

30 Minutes for 30 Days: DAY 2

July 13-DAY 2:

Walked/Ran on treadmill for 35 minutes. Went 1.89 miles. Walking back up the huge hill to our house after was a killer. Was STARVING for lunch...ate Chipotle *yum*. Walked around Lake Sammamish (though not in a speedy, excercising kind of way) in the afternoon. Limited myself to 1 glass of wine. First two days have been pretty easy, especially since its been the weekend. Tomorrow we'll see how it goes during the work week. Cheers.

30 Minutes for 30 Days: DAY 1

July 12-Day 1:

Went on a 45 minute hike around our neighborhood. We live on a mountain in the wetlands so there's plenty of hiking to be done. Went out in the evening to see The Kinsey Sicks (they were awesome) and was tempted to have wine and molten chocolate cake. Opted instead for tea (that tasted like medicine) and sharing a yougurt cake w/apricots with Bob. Yay me.

The Thirty Days Project

If you have heard of the documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, the movie Super Size Me or the tv show 30 Days you are familiar with the "Thirty Days" concept: Do something for 30 days that represents a mode of life markedly different from your norm.

Inspired by this concept, I have decided to embark on my own 30 days project, though admitedly it is not quite the leap that many participants take in the television series. Realizing that I am terribly out of shape and feeling generally sluggish on a day to day basis, I decided that my first project will be: 30 Minutes for 30 Days. Basically I plan to partake in some form of active, physical exercise for at least 30 minutes each day for the next 30 days. I know you are probably thinking that it doesn't sound that hard. Hopefully it won't be. But, for someone who's been pretty sedentary for the six months, I feel like it is an appropriately challenging, but attainable goal. In following the guidelines of the show, I have set 3 rules for this project:

1. EXERCISE for at least 30 minutes EVERYDAY. It can be any kind of exercise...walking/running on the treadmill, using the machines at the gym, playing raquetball, going for a hike, etc. Just do it for at least 30 continuous minutes.
   
2. DRINK a glass of water before every meal, and one before bed. On the good side, I usually don't drink anything but unsweetened black or green tea. However, I know I don't drink enough water. Plus, I want to see if drinking more water before meals will make me less hungry. (and therefore eat less)


3. CUT CALORIES whenever reasonably possible. I don't believe in starvation, calorie counting, carb cutting, zone diets or any of that. However, I think that I can be more conscious of what/when/how much I eat and when I can cut something out I will.

Sounds like your standard doctor-recommended, National Institute of Health kind of stuff, right? Well, it is. I want to see if it works for me.

I plan to make brief daily blog entries both recording my activities and progress. Why would you want to read this, you ask? Well, you probably wouldn't. It's mostly for me. However, I do admit that knowing someone actually read it would be great motivation to stick to the plan.

I have not set any number specific goals in terms of how many pounds/inches I think I should lose. I don't even know exactly how much I weigh. I think that if this is successful, I will feel better (less tired all the time) and my clothes will fit better. That's all the results I need. And, if I make it, who knows what I'll try next?