Tuesday, June 11, 2019

Choices: decisions that will bring success in my fitness levels

Every day we make choices. I would like to think that I make wise choices. But then again, I weigh just shy of 250 pounds so apparently I don’t always make wise choices. I am trying to change that. I was proud of some of the choices that I made this past weekend. While I am not happy with one of the choices I have come to make, I know that it is probably for the best.

Good choices over the weekend. In my last post, I wrote about my choice to not get the cookie at Jimmy John’s. I also wrote about my choice to not get the super high calorie, albeit tasty milkshake from a popular fast food chain. I was trying to break the barrier of that weekly rise of the scales  What am I talking about, I seem to have a pattern where my weight drops during  the work week… It’s very low during the weekend… And then it’s back up high again on Monday. I don’t like that pattern. So I made choices this week to try to break that pattern.While the choices that I did make were still not perfect (I made edible cookie dough for myself in a very small batch which was a much lower calorie count than the other options), I did not see my weight rise by the typical 3 pounds.   I am within a pound...so maybe a bit of a jump on the scales, but NOT the three pound jump!       I will take that as a successful choice.

I had that meltdown on the bike, while riding the trail of tears. I was four or five miles from the car. I had a choice to make. I could walk the bike out of the woods or I could ride out of the woods. I rode, I made a choice and I got back on that bike and I rode. I am very proud of that choice. I turned a failure into a success… OK maybe not a success but I at least kept the failure from not being absolute and complete. A good choice!

Sooo here comes the big choice that I have been contemplating!   I miss running.  I made a vow a few weeks back to start running again.  I meant it from the bottom of my heart.  The problem?  I am being pulled in two different directions.  I am riding my heart out on the weekends.  I come home decimated.   Ok, that’s a bit too over dramatic.   But I come home tired!   Running on top of that is just not wise or even really feasible.   I can do one but then the other suffers.  If I run in the morning my legs are already half dead by my bike ride and vice versus.  Sooo...I have had to come to a conclusion.   Right now, my focus is on riding. If there by chance is a day when no bike ride happens, well then I will go out for a run.  It won’t be a fast run or any great run.  In fact that day may be mostly walking.   In time when I start to feel amazing on the bike (or if we have to slow down the biking at any point for some unknown reason) I will THEN add running into the mix as a priority.  Right now however, I feel as if  I am spreading myself too thin if I try to conquer both of them at the same time.  .   I want to be successful at both but I will be only partially successful and it will take a lot longer if I try to split my time and focus.  That means that for me, right here and now, I need to focus on just one.   So biking it is!  It was a choice...and I’m prettty sure it is a good one. 

This doesn’t mean that I am giving up on the running.  NO!  Im just pushing that to the back burner.  If I have a day where I’m not on my bike when I should be, running it is.  I will enjoy the run and wait for the day when I can have the bike thing under control and be able to give running my all!   The bonus for when I start running?  My cardio fitness will be strong due to the riding, my legs will be strong due to the riding.  I will be one step ahead of the game.  But for now,  one thing  at a time as I make myself fit and strong!   




16 comments:

Melanie said...

I enjoy reading your blog. It is all about decisions. Sometimes they are hard to stick too. Especially if it requires waking up early to exercise before work. The only time in my life I did that was when I lived at my old house and would rise early to run with my neighbor. Now I have to exercise after work. My daughter and I were supposed to go to HIIT after work and talked ourselves right out of it. It is the daily choices that will get you to where you want to be. I didn't get a chance to comment but I liked how your husband cheered you up on the bike ride.

Sarah said...

I think that's a wise choice. Over stressing your body will only slow your progress.

I've been trying to make better choices.... one day at a time. It's not always easy.

MaryFran said...

Thank you! I’m glad you enjoy reading. You are absolutely right, this life is all about being healthy is all about choices. I am so glad I’m not the only one that Talked myself out of the after work exercises. Tonight, I’m exercising…

MaryFran said...

You’re right, it is so difficult sometimes to make the right choices… Those unhealthy ones are always so darn tempting.

jesseybell said...

I completely hear you about the decisions! With the hiking we've been doing, I haven't been running quite as much as I would like so that my legs aren't toast when I hike.

Shelley said...

There are only so many hours in a day available to run or bike or whatever...right now biking seems to be giving you the most joy so go for it, Mary Fran - all in, right?

*Sweat and Sparkle* said...

Think of it this way, it's great you have both of them to choose from! Focus on bike riding for now, and like you said, every now and then sprinkle in some running. It will be interesting to see how riding affects your running over time. A lot of people can't find any workout they enjoy, and you have more than one, so that's great!

Grace said...

It makes sense to choose "one at a time", which doesn't mean you stop doing either. But trying to do both in one day can cause burn out if it's too much. I know how much you love riding with Jason, so I'd do that and then on other days when you can't ride, run. You can't enjoy either if you are worn out. All things in moderation!

MaryFran said...

Yes, exactly! I’m sure you want to do both also! But it’s just not feasible!!! I will say, if we get ourselves in ‘fighting shape’ we will be able to do both!!!

MaryFran said...

I’m all in!!! :-)

MaryFran said...

That is my thought...the biking will make me a better runner for sure!

MaryFran said...

Exactly!!! I don’t want to burn out!!!

Jen said...


Wise choice MaryFran...your bike riding surely will make you stronger....and help with your running.

Anonymous said...

Hello,
Have you ever considered intermittent fasting? I have been doing it for 1.5 years and effortlessly (well almost) have lost 14#, most of it belly fat and hip fat that hasn't moved for years! I am making it a lifestyle forever! I don't eat until 5-6pm after drinking lots of water all day. See what you think!

Good luck on your adventures.
Female Farmer

peppylady (Dora) said...

We all make choices. But I find planning and having bounds has been most important thing for success.
My bounds are quite simple...well balance meal with portion control, exercise with increase weekly, water, and no eating after 7pm
Coffee is on

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