Progress is Progress Nonetheless

Progress isn’t always dramatic or noticeable. If you’re expecting dramatic changes in your weight loss, or whatever goal you’re striving to achieve, don’t get discouraged by small numbers or small progress. Progress is progress! If you’re losing inches but not pounds, you’re still losing. If you lost 1 pound this week instead of 3, you’re still losing! If you can run 1 mile without stopping to walk that’s awesome! Keep doing it!

I’m trying to remind myself that Progress is Progress as I start my running again. It’s a slow process. During a recent #runchat Twitter chat participants were asked to name their running in one word. My word was Bipolar. It’s totally true. One run could be awesome and really uplifting, and then a few days later it will just suck a$$ and leave me feeling discouraged and grumpy. There’s no telling which way it will go, either.

Progress

Before my Spin class, I hit the treadmill. For about a week both ankles and calves were bugging me. I was feeling grumpy about my body aching and didn’t think I’d be able to run at all. I told myself I’d try and if it hurt–I’d stop. Giving myself that okay to quit took some of the pressure off.

I increased the treadmill speed to 5.0 and 5.2 as I warmed up and was happy not to have any pain! My knees felt good. My achy ankles and calves weren’t bothering me anymore. The run was so good that I felt like I could just keep going!

So I kinda did keep going. I was only going to do 1.15 miles but just kept running. Afterward, I hit spin class, which was another good class. It was a mixture of seated sprints with resistance and standing climbs.

Gym Stats:
Time: 1:25
Calories Burned: 642
Distance: 1.20 miles 

I was so happy that my bipolar run had finally swung back to the positive end of the spectrum! I hope I can keep it up for awhile.

Another Try

A few days later after my awesome run, I tried again! I was inspired from the last run and was so incredibly happy that I’d been able to do it. I was able to recreate the awesome run again on my weekend workout! It was great.

I felt good, I felt strong. My legs seemed happy to be running again–even if it wasn’t for very far. Small steps. Small advances. That’s better than moving backwards. I wish I hadn’t quit running completely back in November. I had just been so frustrated with my body that I gave up. Now I have to start from scratch.

I’m listening to my body and running about twice a week. I think I will stay at this distance for another few weeks and then try for 1.5 miles.

Gym Stats:
Time: 1:44
Calories Burned: 859
Mileage: 1.20

That workout was intense. I warmed up on the elliptical, ran my 1.20 miles on the treadmill and then spent a bunch of time doing free weight exercises.

I created my own circuit workout:

Step-Up to Overheard Press (two 10 pound free weights)

Squats

Triceps Dips (three sets of ten)

Walking Lunges (three sets–some with weights, some without)

Russian Twist (three sets of 20 holding 10 pound plate)

Triceps Push-Ups (3 sets of 7)

This workout leaves me sore for days every time! But if feels really good to push my body to do these workouts. Progress!

QUESTION: What progress have you seen in yourself lately?