Sick to Fit

sara and i, on a rainy run last night, discussed the differences in our programs. we've both done the Self Challenge, but the P90X is new to both of us. (you know that voice they always use for monster truck rallies? use it here: P90X FITNESS! it's kind of like that.) the photos of bulging musclemen is offputting, but the program itself is well thought-out and well planned. so is the Self Challenge...

we decided that while Self is more targeted to someone in my state (just now recovering from a 6-week flu, no significant workout since october, 10lb weight gain) and P90X is great for someone super hyper motivated (sara: determination personified), Self's more flexible scheduling combines well with super motivation while P90X will have a more scheduled and disciplined approach for me, miss "my pillow is my best friend."

the P90 nutrition program is another matter. reviewing the foods and portions last night, i was aghast at the amount of food i will be eating in phase I. a sample breakfast calls for 6 egg whites scrambled with 3/4 cup mushrooms, cheese, scallions and half a roma tomato, then 8 oz of cottage cheese and a cup of strawberries (my normal pre-workout breakfast is one whole egg with half an english muffin). during the first week of phase I, i will consume 24 eggs worth of egg whites.

at which point, sara's fiance ethan promptly nicknamed the program the EGGPOUNDER 4000.

goals, other than helping chicken farmers send their kids to harvard: a solid 10-minute mile for 4 miles, a fitness foundation for relay training and a hill-shredding PR for the nike half in october. we start monday and i can't wait. (which means we're running this weekend! are you coming?)

Here we go again!

Well, folks, it's that time of year again - The Self Challenge. Let's see - the first time I did the self challenge was in 1998. Have I ever lost any weight while doing it? Hmm... It's doubtful. Have I ever really completed the entire challenge? Also doubtful. But I keep coming back every year.

What I like about it is it's accessibility. I can easily fit in the number of cardio workouts it requires per week. I have a bit of a harder time doing the strength workouts, but I'm hoping to be better at that this year. What I've never been able to do is keep a food diary.

Will that change this year? That remains to be seen. So why am I doing this? This year has already kicked off as my highest motivation level ever - I've been working about 5-6 days a week already! and the challenge hasn't even begun yet. I've already run my first race of the year, the Kaiser Permanente Half Marathon in San Francisco, and did my best time yet - a whole 15 minutes faster than my previous PR!!! (I'm still a bit giddy about that). If ever there was a good year for me to take on and complete this challenge, 2007 seems to be it.

I do like the strength workouts the challenge provides, since I don't have a gym membership and prefer to use free weights at home. And while I would love to do a Yourself! fitness challenge instead (having discovered the program when visiting my parents this past december), I don't own a playstation or xbox and don't plan to buy one any time soon.

So when Tamsen told me about her Tiny in 90 plan, I decided to join her. Well, to be honest, first I snickered at the thought that I could ever be "tiny", seeing as that I'm a broad-shouldered, wide-hipped 5'9"-er. And then, I agreed.

So here we go - let's get this fitness challenge started!