Thursday, February 24, 2011

Hidden Opportunities

I am an opportunist. I am also an optimist. I see the glass as half full (actually I see the glass as overflowing most of the time). So this week has gotten me thinking. I’m not able to train. Now, this is a big part of my lifestyle – it is a major part of who I am. But I am out of commission. This is frustrating.

But flipping it around it is giving me a real opportunity to rest my legs following the marathon. As you know I have been having some nagging ITB (actually hamstring) issues. Well, my back is pretty sore and my shoulder is pretty sore which equals no running. I can’t tell you the last time that I took a week off running. I’m frustrated but the legs are loving me for it.

On top of that I am continuing to track my weight. I have weighed almost every day for nearly 10 years. I have a routine. I got do my early morning pee and then strip down and weight. I have a yearly calendar on the vanity and write it down. Then I transfer the data to a spreadsheet. I like to look at the trends. I like to keep my weight in check. This is also who I am since I was not always as concerned about my health – see Coach James.


So where is the opportunity? Well, I am still tracking my weight and I have also started tracking my meals. I have done this several times in the past as well. However, this time is different. I am not training. No exercise is taking place. What does this mean? It is giving me a pretty accurate representation of my basal metabolic rate. My weight is holding steady. I know how many calories I am consuming. So I should be able to determine with a high degree of accuracy how many calories my body needs to just eat, sleep and go to work. Then after the training picks up I can better access my dietary needs. Hopefully this will allow me to be smarter and not get in those calorie deficits and go overboard.  I wrote a 3 part series on Basal Metabolic Rate (part1, part2, part3)

Last, this is not so much of an opportunity but a realization. It is easy to break the habit of fitness! It is easy to not do the things to keep you health. And this is coming from a zealot. I mean, sleeping in to 6AM everyday; I could get used to this. And the laundry; well I train a lot. I train at least two times a day and sometimes three times a day – that is a huge pile of laundry each and every day (3x shirts, 3x shorts, headbands, visors, hats, compression shorts, cycling jerseys, cycling bibs, and don’t get me started on the socks – it seems like hundreds!).  Don’t even get me started on the showers.

Next week I will be rejuvenated and have a better understanding of my dietary needs. I am motivated. I am excited. I realize the value of the day to day. I’m not ever going to take my fitness and training for granted!

8 comments:

Happy Feet 26.2 said...

Your body will LOVE you for taking a break - forced or not. I typically take 2 wks off of running after each marathon. I think my body and mind need and deserve that time. It's my way of saying "thank you body for letting me continue to do what I do." You will come back so strong physically, and mentally refreshed.

misszippy said...

Making lemonade there, James. Good job!

Matty O said...

My problem with recovery... is getting back into my groove.

I don't see any problems with you though haha, you are a machine!

Make sure you take ENOUGH time though.

Jennifer said...

James! You really did lose a lot of weight and gosh that white workout outfit really looks stunning on you!

Oh wait... that's not you, right? ;o)

Tri-James said...

Jenn - it is all about compression!

JohnP said...

James - ummm I gotta say you look pretty hawt for a guy. Nice pic! lol

Heal up!

Jim ... 50after40 said...

Great outlook!

Ransick said...

Way to take the forces break as an oppurtunity to get info about your calorie needs when not exercising. Also, thanks for the link to your NOLA report. I found it helpful. I hope the lake is smooth this year. I don't get to do much OWS.