How to Drive the Indecisive Batshit

Not too long ago, Skwigg posted a review of The Female Body Breakthrough. Unlike some of the other things Skwigg has reviewed (*ahem*), FBB was actually in my price range, and seemed like it was getting good feedback, so I ordered it.

After it arrived, I spent a couple of days going through it and reading about the nutrition plan and the workout routines and the various tips, guidelines and rationale. Some of the "supportive" stuff in the book made me do the eyeroll, but I guess that's to be expected in any fitness plan aimed at women. Which, ok, is kind of sad.

Overall, the nutrition plan and workout guide seemed reasonable, the rationale behind the workout plan makes sense. The whole thing is kind of scary, especially considering how restrictive the nutrition plan is compared to how I currently eat (no sugar of any kind, no processed foods = anything with more than three ingredients is considered a processed food). I was excited about trying it out, and decided to make a dream board. I've heard a lot about these, and have had some friends use them with success for focusing towards a goal.

Speaking of all things blue & orange, Garmin* Slipstream's team colors are blue & orange, and, through December 15th, they're donating 50% of the profits from the sale of their podium bottles to the Huntsman Cancer Institute. Totally a coincidence.

Because my fitness goals have always revolved around what I want to be able to do, instead of what I wanted to look like, the images I chose showed women doing things that I would love to be able to do. Fitness, for me, isn't about being "skinny" or "looking hot", it's about having a body that allows me to live the life that I've always pined for. And, yes, that involves roller derby, and running and surfing and fire dancing and maybe even burlesque. It also involves hiking and swimming and bicycle riding and all manner of other things that keep a body in motion (and have I ever mentioned what an awesome area we live in for all of those things?).

The FBB motivational poster arrived, furthering my excitement about the program:


But, then, I picked up a copy of this magazine:

Which included an ad for Big Sur International Marathon.

I started doing some research, mostly just out of curiosity. I didn't think there was any way I'd be doing that anytime soon. I mean, I am still a fat girl, and in no way near in shape enough that running a marathon seems like a reasonable goal. But the more research I did, the more I thought...

Why not?

It's five months away, which is both a lot of time and no time at all. Big Sur isn't that far away, so we could drive down and stay locally for the two or three nights we'd need to stay. There are shorter runs available, if I really don't think I'll be able to handle a full marathon. I have until January 5th to register at the lowest rate, so I have more time to decide if I think I can pull of being ready for BSIM.

So I'm kind of in that place where I'm thinking that it might actually be possible for me to run this:

And all I have to do is figure out to get there from here.

Doing the math, I find that if I do the full 16 weeks of the FBB's "Hell NO cardio**!" program, I would have a whopping one month of post-FBB training time to get ready for a marathon.

Anyone else see the problem with that?

My thought at this point is that I'm going to rip FBB apart and reassemble it for my needs. The workout plans are three days on, three days "stretch & foam roller" and one day off completely. I think I'm going to do the three day a week FBB strength training plan, and on the other three days do the C25K plan, with one day off completely.

I'm not entirely sure what to do about nutrition. I think the philosophy in the FBB plan is sound, but I'm not sure it will work as well when I add in running. Maybe what I'll need to do is use the FBB plan on FBB days, and find a good running nutrition plan for my running days.

And scarf zingers and diet Coke on my days off^. *smirk*


* Our GPS system, Stella, is a Garmin. She's kind of passive-aggressive and pushy, but she mostly gets me there ok.

** In this instance, "cardio" is pronounced "car-DEE-oh!"

^ I'm kidding! (mostly)

PS: I'm totally open to tips, suggestions and advice. And, yes, I probably will be blogging this train wreck. You're welcome!


**Roller Derby images courtesy of Travis Young**