Wow.. another really tough workout tonight! But first, I got an iPod Nano this weekend so that I could spend even more $$$ (fortunately no more than $30) on the Nike+ system. OMG ~ I love it! I calibrated the thing this afternoon and then proceeded to do my first workout. It said I ran 2.01 miles in 23:15. That's a damn sight faster than my normal snail's pace, and I think I'm finally convinced that my treadmill just isn't consistent in its mileage reads. I had the same problems with my Polar 625 footpod showing a faster pace and farther distance than the treadmill did, and now I'm having the same thing happening with the Nike+ system. Each system was calibrated with the treadmill (same incline, yadda, yadda), so while I love my treadmill, I'm not convinced I'm as slow as it thinks I am. I'm going to just go with this new philosophy. :-D

So after the run, I was inspired to call Lisa and request an additional training session since I had sorta kinda paid a bit ahead. Lucky for me, she was available. Let's just say my legs are going to be sore tomorrow! No worries about that, though, as I'm aiming for a 3lb loss this week (not every week, just this week!) and I'll need extra exercise in order to do it.

Oh, and on another note, I did eat well today, which was absolutely necessary after not being as strict as I wanted to be this weekend. It's a new day, and it was a good one. Well, it's the end of this day and I'm off to bed now.

Happy running, cycling, or lifting to you all!

Today's workout consisted of 15 minutes on the stairmill, which was intended to be 20 until my left knee starting tweaking on me. No worries, though, because I moved to the elliptical trainer for another 30 minutes and had no problems. Also planning to get in 20 minutes of Pilates. I really enjoy feeling ab muscles working again.

On a different note, on my right foot towards the inside just under the big toe (not sure what it's called) I feel like I have a blister, only I don't. It burns like that, though. What could have happened under the skin to make it feel this way? Anyone? Bueller?

I'm interested to read anyone's thoughts on it. I'm usually barefoot around the house, and I noticed it begin to hurt the longer I was on my feet today. I took Excedrin Migraine ~ it's a wonder drug. I'm sure I'll be fine soon.

Oh, and Lisa called today to say that our neighbor is going to begin joining us for workouts. This will be good for two reasons: first, so that I can get to know my neighbors better (haha!) and second, it's going to decrease my hourly training fee, which will mean either a savings or possibly the potential to move to 3 sessions per week, if Janet wants to do that at some point. For now, 2 is all I can afford without cutting back on other things like food & water. LOL

Another milestone reached today as I ran 2 miles with no planned (or unplanned) walking. I'm still slower than slow, but I did it and feel good. I also did 25 minutes Pilates sculpting w/ the ring and the Beginner program was easy. Next time, I use the Advanced.

I have until Tuesday to lose another 2 lbs to have met my goal-setter in LL. Since I blew it off the first 3 weeks (5 week total), that means I'm eating super clean and really pushing it on the exercise to make goal. I still think I can do it.

While normally I'd be a bit perturbed that I'm losing weight so slowly, let's face it ~ I haven't kept it off the last few years, so any losses were purely superficial. This time I'm incorporating significant and pretty heavy resistance training to build muscle (this MUST help my metabolism!), not cutting my eating back to nothing, and doing cardio without over-doing it. It all feels more relaxed somehow.

I am so beat! We had 3 great workouts this week (Mon, Tues, Thurs), and I managed to get to Bally's on Wednesday also. I plan to take the kids and do at least an hour of cardio (running & elliptical?) on Saturday morning. I may try to swim as well. I need tons of practice as my stroke is so incredibly undeveloped. I suppose that's the best word for it. I can keep myself afloat, but I swim ugly. That's right, I do.

Sunday I'll try to sleep in a bit if Joel doesn't mind getting up with the kiddos. I have to begin getting more sleep. It might help if I go to bed now.

Sunday's workout was nice. 15 minutes upper body workout and 20 minutes jogging.

This morning I woke up on schedule at 5:00 a.m. and did 20 minutes Pilates and 20 minutes fast walking. I intend to jog for 20 minutes this evening as well. All in all, it should be a good day. Food shouldn't be a problem since I've got a good plan in place.

I'm still slightly freaked out about the fact that I found and purchased my car in one day, but hey... I love it! Will post more later, but must work now...

LATER: My eating plan went all to hell. It's logged, and it sucks but it's honest (the log). I did get to the store for more salad stuff (badly needed!) this evening. But on a much more positive note, Lisa called and said we could do the makeup session tonight. This will give me 3 training sessions this week ~ cool!

Off to warm-up so I'm ready when she arrives. I really enjoy this and it's really working for me. I do NOT want to have to give it up (cutting costs due to new car!), so maybe I'll just cut back on food. *giggle* That's one way to lose weight, right? *sigh*

Yesterday's workout was pretty mild ~ 20 minutes Pilates and 20 minutes fast walking. Lisa will be over later tonight, and I'm looking forward to the workout. Today's eating sucked, as I mostly forgot to eat. Of course, I forgot because I went car shopping, and lo and behold, I found my car! I am now the proud owner of my little dream car!! It's a beautiful midnight blue Mercedes CLK 430.

Holy crap ~ I can't believe I bought this thing! haha I will have pictures posted soon. Oh and ew, speaking of pictures, Lisa is taking mine tonight. That thought makes me cringe.

Today's Workout:
5:00 a.m. ~ Treadmill ~ 15 minutes
9:00 p.m. ~ plyometrics, squats, lunges, back, abs (w/ TrainerLisa)

Wow ~ what a workout! On top of having packed my entire office to be moved later this week, Lisa kicked my tail with plyometrics tonight. After the first really bad experience with them, I had been hesitant to even think about them again. But not tonight! My 2 whole days of healthy eating left me feeling quite empowered. LOL When Lisa mentioned them tonight, I was stoked to try again!

Oh! Not only did the plyo's go well, we took measurements again and I was pleased to see that although my weight is still moving ever so slowly, I've lost a number of inches. Quite a few, actually. :-) go me!

I've got a crazy busy day planned for tomorrow, so I'm going to finish some work and get as much rest as possible. Hunter has her first swimming lesson in the morning, and I'm a bit pissed that I can't make it (due to out of town colleague arriving too early in the a.m. for my liking!), but I'll be able to take her on Thursday and Friday, as well as most of next week.

I've got my food journal back up on LL, so if anyone was previously viewing it and has comments, I'd love to hear them. It's a big step to make it public since it puts my actual weight out there for the whole world to see, but if public humiliation doesn't inspire me to eat clean & exercise, I don't know what the hell will.

Today's workout:
5:00 a.m. Pilates ~ Ab Sculpting ~ 22 minutes
5:30 a.m. Treadmill ~ walking ~ 20 minutes
2:00 p.m. Bally's ~ UBWO ~ 30 minutes
8:30 p.m. Treadmill ~ jogging ~ 30 minutes

On my lunch hour, I plan to stop at the gym and do a decent upper body workout. I've already knocked out the pilates & morning cardio. The walk was actually a nice way to begin the day ~ got the blood flowing and all that.

J and I went grocery shopping yesterday and bought all sorts of fresh veggies & healthy meats. Let's hope I can maintain the energy level to cook the stuff, rather than getting lazy and just ordering something. On the menu tonight is grilled chicken (gotta love George Foreman!) and creamy cilantro/pico de gallo lf yogurt sauce. I'll add either a salad or corn on the cob with that.

PM Update: So what actually happened is that I got to Bally's a little after 3:00, did a 20 minute UBWO that was decent but not really tough, and then did 15 minutes on the stairmill. That left me with time to get home, finish work for the day, shower, cook a nice, healthy meal for Nicholas and me (gr. ckn & squash & asparagus), and then get the pedicure I've been dying for. It's barely 9:00 p.m. and I'm off to bed now. What an excellent day!

I've been working out with Lisa for just over a month now ~ maybe 6 weeks ~ and I'm feeling much stronger. My weight is still off the charts horrible, but my eating habits have sucked, so it's not a surprise. For ages (read: years) I've taken one appetite suppressant or another. When combined with eating healthy foods and exercising, the results were good. I've tried over the past year or so not to use it any longer, mainly due to the caffeine content, and the result is I'm larger than I want to be. Not only that, I eat when I'm not hungry, and I eat junk food.

It's purely emotional eating; I know this. What I don't understand is how taking app supp's will affect my need to indulge in emotional eating. Why don't I want to do the same when I take them? Regardless, until I get this FOOD BEAST under control, I'm taking them again. This means I'll have to cut out all other caffeine from my diet, but that's okay. I won't need it.

In other news, I really like the new Bally's. I haven't taken the kids yet, but I've become quite familiar with the stairmill, and it's every bit as daunting as the elliptical was when I first tried it years ago. So far, I'm averaging 52 flights in just under 20 minutes, so yes, I'm walking slowwwwwwly. But I'm walking it!

More later...