Running Reward

I hate exercise. I'll be the first to admit that I would rather just stay indoors and lie in bed for the rest of my life, if only I could. Yet, I've been at this exercise habit regularly for the last three years now. See, if even a lazy bum like me can do it—you should also be able to find the motivation to do it too.

Anyway, since quitting the gym to preserve my finances, I've taken up running, and, yes, it can get pretty boring. That's one reason I dislike exercise. I do listen to music while running, and I even bought a sports armband to take my mobile phone with me. And then, I realized it might not be a good idea to have a mobile phone bouncing around, suspended four feet from hard asphalt.

So, I chose to fork out a little more to buy a new iPod shuffle, since Apple came out with new shuffle colors (pink! blue! green!) a few weeks ago. I ordered a pink shuffle—to match BelleToday's colors —from the online Philippine Apple Store on the day the new colors were announced. Yes, I could have gone to the mall if I wanted it sooner, but there are perks from buying from the online Apple Store—free shipping and engraving.
 

...Tiny iPod
 

Yes, it really has my name on it!

I know a concern with this new third-generation iPod shuffle is the lack of physical playback controls on the body, and that it's necessary to use a special pair of earbuds (included with every new shuffle purchase) with a remote control. For some reason, earbuds never stay put in my ear, and I've always preferred to use headphones, even while running. I've never been one to change songs or volume while running with my mobile phone anyway—I just make a playlist in iTunes and go. Even when I use my old Creative headphones, the shuffle can still play songs when I turn on the switch at the top of the device. The downside is that I have to set my playlist and volume with the required Apple earbuds and remote first, before I can switch to my preferred headphones. It's a bit of a hassle, but one that I'd rather live with, than have the earbuds fall out of my ear with every stride I make.

I took my new toy out for last night's run, and the one thing that I did miss was that I didn't have a timer or clock on the device, as my mobile phone does. I was supposed to run for only 30 minutes, but I ended up going for 40. So maybe it's not such a drawback after all.

I was also able to run faster, since I didn't have to worry about dropping my phone anymore, clipping it onto the top of my running shorts. I'm experimenting with shorter but more intense bursts of cardio, rather than my old hour-long jogs. If I can save precious time this way and still maintain my weight, I'll be happy.

It's been a while since my last entry, but I took note of everything I did in the past week. It looks like I've been eating a lot, but notice—I avoid junk food, processed food, fast food, and sugary drinks most of the time, and I make it a point to eat vegetables or fruit every day.

I have to admit, this new toy is making me look forward to my next run! Rest day today.

Have a great week!

Thursday's workout
- 50 minute walk/run/jog
- 3 x 15 bicep curls with 2 x 5 lb dumbbells
- 3 x 15 tricep curls with 5 lb dumbbell
- 3 x 15 shoulder presses with 2 x 5 lb dumbbells

Friday's workout
- 30 minute walk/run/jog

Monday's workout
- 2,400 on the jump rope
- 3 x 15 bicep curls with 2 x 5 lb dumbbells
- 3 x 15 tricep curls with 5 lb dumbbell
- 3 x 15 shoulder presses with 2 x 5 lb dumbbells

Tuesday's workout
- 40 minute brisk walk/sprint
- 100 double-leg raises
- 100 straight crunches
- 100 bicycle crunches
- 2 x 50 tuck and crunch

Wednesday's meals
Breakfast: Whole wheat croissant with cherry preserves, 12 oz hot chocolate with low-fat milk, coffee with low-fat milk
Lunch: Ham and three-cheese on Italian bread
Dinner: Beef bulalo with vegetables, brown rice
Dessert: Cappuccino cake

Thursday's meals
Breakfast: 3 pieces of whole-wheat pan de sal with crunchy peanut butter, 12 oz coffee with low-fat milk
Lunch: Daing na bangus, Brown rice
Dinner: Fried porkchop, Chicken noodle soup with string beans, Brown rice, Banana with Nutella

Friday's meals
Breakfast: Old-fashioned oatmeal with Nutella, cocoa powder, and peanut butter, 12 oz coffee with low-fat milk
Lunch: Fried porkchop, Lumpiang ubod, Brown rice
Snack: One block of Meiji Strawberry Chocolate
Dinner: Beef menudo, Brown rice
Dessert: Dark chocolate macadamia cookie from Starbucks

Saturday's meals
Breakfast: Whole wheat croissant with cherry preserves, 12 oz hot chocolate
Lunch: 1 1/2 slices of pizza, Tortilla chips with cheese jalapeño sauce, Charlie Chan's Chicken Pasta
Merienda: Razon's Halo-halo
Dinner: Inihaw na liempo, Ginisang sitaw at kalabasa, Brown rice

Sunday's meals
Breakfast: Old-fashioned oatmeal with peanut butter, 12 oz coffee with low-fat milk
Lunch: Sirloin hamburger, Brown rice, Ginisang sitaw at kalabasa
Snack: Meiji Strawberry Chocolate
Dinner: Cheeseburger with salsa, chili, and jalapeño peppers, Crosstrax fries, Onion rings

Monday's meals
Breakfast: Peanut butter and triple berry jam on whole-grain bread, Coffee with low-fat milk
Lunch: Quarter-pounder burger
Snack: Homemade white chocolate chip pecan cookie, Caffé americano with low-fat milk
Dinner: Steak, Cauliflower with Ragu cheddar cheese sauce, Brown rice
Dessert: Yogurt with banana and almonds

Tuesday's meals
Breakfast: Old-fashioned oatmeal with peanut butter, 12 oz coffee with low-fat milk
Lunch: Spam, garlic fried rice
Snack: 100-calorie chocolate snack cake
Dinner: Toyo-calamansi chicken, ginisang sitaw at kalabasa, Brown rice
Dessert: Banana, Chocolate cake roll