Today's Workout
7:00 a.m.
Sweat 1/2 (Power 90® workouts)
Ab Ripper 100 (Power 90® workouts)
Yoga ~ 60 minutes

9:30 p.m.
Run/walk ~ 3.05 miles, 38 minutes

Decent food choices. Great exercise today.
Happy New Year!

12/30 Workout

Sculpt 1/2 (Power 90® workouts)
Yoga for Weight Loss ~ 60 minutes

12/29 Workout

Sweat 1/2 & Ab Ripper 100 (Power 90® workouts)
Run/walk ~ 30 minutes

12/28 Workout

Sculpt 1/2 (Power 90® workouts)
Run/walk ~ 30 minutes
Elliptical ~ 30 minutes

12/27 Workout

Sweat 1/2 & Ab Ripper 100 (Power 90® workouts)
Run/walk ~ 30 minutes


Getting back into the swing of things and enjoying this Power 90® stuff a lot. Still lovin' the Nike + but got sidetracked by business commitments (again) and took too much time off from running or doing anything else that would get me back into shape. I am, once again, trying to maintain a proper work-life balance and prioritize my fitness for a change.

Today's Workout
30 minutes Core Rhythm Ab/Cardio workout
30 minutes treadmill
squats - 2 x 20
lunges - 2 x 10 (forward & back)
pushups - 3 x 10

ouch. ouch. ouch. Sunday my legs felt great after Saturday's run, with very little soreness. I woke up in the middle of the night, however, with serious DOMS. Wearing new shoes today (and getting the heel stuck in bad spot while crossing the street) combined with turning my ankle while searching for the breaker box outside made for the second half of my run being forfeited for a walk.

I did get the minutes in, but I was disappointed not to be able to run them all. Somewhere around 15 minutes, I started feeling this tweaking pain in the little bone (any thoughts on what it's called?) just to the outside of my ankle. Every step was painful, so I opted for the safer bet of walking. No pain when walking, but when I tried to begin running again, more pain. And that's why I finished with a long walk.

Tomorrow I'll take a break from running, and Wednesday, Sandra and I will hit the park at lunch. Wish me luck!

We had a very nice start to the weekend. I planned to take Hunter with me to Cullen Park and run while she rode her bike, but that would have meant leaving Joel and Nicholas home. It also would have meant trying to figure out a way to get Hunter's bike into the car (top down??), but Joel was the voice of reason and said there was no way in hell I was putting her bike in my car. :-)

Instead, we piled both kids & bike into the SUV and headed off for Mary Jo Peckham Park. My plan was to run for an hour and let Hunter ride as much of it as she could and then she could play on the kids' equipment with Nicholas. Well, what's that old saying about the best laid plans?? Something about them getting all screwed up?

To her credit, she was excited and really tried to ride with me. I don't run quickly (as is evident on the right of the screen), but two-thirds of the trail is dirt. It's great for running, but not so great for a kid's bike with training wheels. Compound walking backwards waiting for her to catch up with stopping and watching her run up a hill then back down and I finished with a 20 minute mile. Seriously. One mile. 20 minutes.

We packed the bike back into the car and just played for the rest of our time there. Then we stopped off at our favorite little hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant. As usual the food was better than average and the kids cleaned their plates.

So that means 1) I didn't run as far as I intended outdoors this a.m. and 2) I ate really yummy, really high fat Mexican food for brunch.

Alas, all was not lost! We made it home after picking up a new tire for Joel's bike and while Nicholas napped and Hunter played, I hopped on the treadmill for my 60 minutes. I did it! God, I was tasting brunch the whole time, but I ran barely over 5 miles in 60 minutes. Long, slow run, right? I think this qualifies as slow, and it's sure as hell longer than what I'd normally do.

Dinner was actually relatively healthy, and I haven't wanted to snack all day. In an attempt towards honesty, I should say that's because I pigged out on chips & salsa at brunch. Whatever.

I did try a new recipe for this smashed cauliflower thing at dinner. I need to add more seasonings, but overall it was decent.

Confetti Cauliflower
1 bag frozen cauliflower
1/2 bag frozen julienned peppers (red & green)
1/2 cup low-fat whipped cream cheese

Nuke the first two ingredients until warm, add the third and blend until smooth. (I had to nuke it more after blending because the cheese was cold, but it was an easy thing to do.) I topped it with some paprika, but it could have used more in the actual mix. It didn't suck, which is more than I can say for most other attempts I've made at making cauliflower edible.

I don't know if I want to run tomorrow or take a break. It's not like I need another break from running, since last week it was almost negligible. I read somewhere this week that if after a long slow run you feel the need for an all-afternoon nap, or that you can't get up your stairs, then you didn't run slowly enough. For that reason, I ran slower today. I felt noticeably better than I normally would after a weekend run, and that's what leads me to think I could run tomorrow with no negative affects.

OH!!!! I almost forgot ~ I got new running shoes !!! I didn't realize I needed them until I ran in them. Oh my gosh, I had forgotten what good cushioning felt like! The ones I got last year are here but last year's version. They were/are great, but apparently I've run more on them than I realized. I still like my Nike Free (first edition), but I've worn holes in the stretchy bit above the heels.

Clearly I'm on a roll talking to myself here... what next? I guess nothing. Happy & healthy running to all of you!

Today's Workout
60 minutes RT - PM

Talk about having reality smack you in the face.... I was just reading my old [and very limited] blog and had a posting there from exactly 2 years ago. I was thrilled to have reached a particular weight. I was thrilled to pass mirrors and not flip out over the 'fat chick in my clothes'. (yea, there was the whole bit about how some bigger girls are quite able to look pretty and well put together, but I'm not one of them, so I'm not hating on larger people, I swear ~ it just doesn't work for me.) And guess what that magic number was? Are you ready?

I'm not telling. What I will say is that it approximately 28 lbs below where I am these days. Unless my brain is fried and I can't do math today, but I don't think that's it. It better not be, as I just closed a multi-million dollar deal and there were calculations involved.

If I were speaking this outloud [to myself] there would be a string of expletives invoked here. Since I'm posting this for anyone and everyone to read, I'm not going there. Just know that I'm highly disgusted that instead of reaching my goal weight shortly thereafter, I'm now heavier than ever.

There's also a bit about the advice I'd give myself on my marriage, if I happened to be a friend of mine. How I cope [or don't] cope with the myriad of routine problems in my life has more to do with the number on the scale than anything else. I'm afraid that if I don't stop stuffing myself with food to avoid the real issues I'll just get bigger and bigger until I explode. I'm afraid that if I do stop stuffing myself with food to avoid the real issues, the emotions will come out and I'll explode. The bottom line is that I'm afraid.

So how do I get beyond this? How do I just suck it up and make it all work as best it can? For starters, I sign off, change into my workout clothes and meet Lisa downstairs for our workout.

The questions I pose aren't just rhetorical. I'm open to hearing/reading any suggestions that may be offered.

Today's Workout
20 minutes walk - PM
60 minutes RT - PM

Janet and I had another good workout with Lisa tonight. Lots of legwork, such as wall squats, one leg squats, deadlifts, leg lifts - from a side lying plank-ish position on the ball. As I said, LOTS of legwork! Back and calves, too, but I think my quads and hamstrings will feel it the most tomorrow.

And speaking of tomorrow, I've scheduled a treat for myself ~ a 90 minute massage. It's been ages since I've had one at all, and I've specifically requested someone who specialises in deep tissue, in order to work out some of the excess toxins (i.e., CAFFEINE) in my system.

Food stuff was good today, not perfect, but snacks were fresh fruit in the afternoon & a protein smoothie tonight after the workout. Lunch was a BIG salad, grilled chicken, and tomato bisque. I have no idea how the soup was made, but it was yummy and I needed that today. Surely it had to be better for me than the normal empty calories in baked lays, chocolate covered almonds, chips/salsa, or other such [yummy] crap.

More important than what I ate was that I felt in control of what I ate. I was more cognizant of whether I was really hungry or just wanting to munch (when that happened I grabbed 2 strawberries and a bunch of grapes from the fruit basket at work). That feels like an improvement.

Amy commented on yesterday's post that I should look at what fears are holding me back from making the right choices and living in the body I want. She's absolutely correct. I've been psychoanalysed to death and although I do know the whacked out reasons behind my rather irrational fears of being fit/thin/attractive again, there is something stopping me from making the consistent changes needed to reach my goals.

something.

it's probably just me.

On to more exciting topics... Hunter is cheering at her first pep rally tomorrow. I can't believe it. She's so worked up about it, and she's been practicing so hard. This is going to be so much fun!

Thanks to anyone and everyone who bothers to take the time to read this. Your comments are always welcome and appreciated.

Today's Workout
45 minutes tempo run (2 min. w/ 2 min. recovery) PM - 3.24 miles

Well, that didn't suck.

I'm still dreadfully slow, but that's okay. I am making progress and, while still slow, I'm faster than I imagined I could be this time last year. Huge improvements in endurance are evident also.

It's about freakin' time, folks. I guess the consistency thing really does pay off.

Speaking of consistency, Sandra has suggested that the two of us begin running at lunch twice a week. That means that instead of my evening run, I'll be getting in 30 minutes during the day. I might still be able to add a bit at night, but I don't want to overdo it. It will be nice to have someone to run with again, and Sandra is great company. It won't hurt that I'll actually be OUTDOORS running, which I desperately need practice in doing. I love my treadmill, but it's not the real thing, ya know?

In talking with another fitness/nutrition specialist (btw, I do still <3 Trainer Lisa but a girl's gotta tap all the resources she can!), he commented that this business about doing the right things to lose the weight and improve fitness (i.e., consistent yet varied cardio + resistance training + clean eating) is much like buying a new car. I know what the cost of fitness is. Do I want to pay that price in order to obtain the body I know I can have again?

Do I?

This has definitely triggered some new (and a resurgence of old) thoughts for me. I have some decisions to make and they're the same ones I've wrestled with making a million times over the past 4 years.

Either I accept myself at this size and this sub-par level of fitness and continue with the unhealthy eating and sporadic exercise, or I suck it up and make a change. If I don't do it now, I'll just have to revisit this decision later. Hell, even if I do it now, I'll still have to revisit it again and again in order to keep the motivation.

Yesterday's workout
45 minute tempo run

Today's workout
20 minute walk (AM)
60 minutes RT (PM)

I'm beat.

Looking forward to continuing the 3 day per week running ~ 1 tempo, 1 interval, 1 long slow run. Well, the long runs aren't so long right now, but they'll get there. I'm following the Half Marathon Training Schedule for Runners & Walkers by Jeff Galloway. There's no immediate plan to actually run a half-marathon, but I needed some sort of training plan to follow with a start and a finish. And who knows, maybe 13.1 will sound good again some day!?

I'm here.. still running.. still enjoying it.. but still fat.



blah

New haircut ~ yippee! (I could probably have used some makeup!)

Hunter @ her big brother's bday party!








Nicholas @ the party









Hunter, me & Donnie @ his party

Tonight's run (again on the treadmill) was excellent! I set the Nike+ to prompt me through a 5k and off I went. 36:53 later, I had completed 5.03km! Consider the .03km the time it took me to figure out how to undo the hold thingie and turn the Nano off.

I'd imagine that if you're just reading this blog and have never seen a picture of me, you might consider me blonde. That's okay. I can live with that.

I realize my time is still really slow, especially considering it was run inside, but the big win here is that I ran the entire thing. NO WALKING BREAKS. For me, and considering I'm still about 40lbs overweight, that's huge! It's even got me thinking that maybe, just maybe, I could do the half-marathon this year. Maybe with some well-timed walking breaks, I could do it in a reasonable period of time. Sure, I know I can take an idea in its infancy and run miles with it! That's part of my appeal! Well, that and the fact that I pretty much just talk to myself on this blog.

I'm still in the headspace that's content with being a slow runner. I don't expect that to change, and I'm good with it. What I would like to see change is for my distances to increase. I want to see big increases ~ not all at once, of course, but sooner rather than later. I know I should set goals, sign up for events, etc. That thought still paralyzes me and I think I do better, for now, in not doing that. I must be having serious commitment-phobia or something.

On an entirely different note, the team I am facilitating on LeannessLifestyle for 6 weeks is beginning a challenge with another team tomorrow. The challenge is for each participant to eat 4 cups of vegetables per day. In order to score maximum daily points, each veggie must be of a different color. By the end of the week, each person should have eaten 10 different veggies and they'll get a bonus if they have.

Sounds like fun?? Sounds like a way to trick ourselves into eating more veggies? To me, it sounds like a step in the right direction. Onward and (hopefully) downward on the scales!

And about challenges, I'm in a 20-miles per month challenge for August through Nike+. I'll hook up a link somewhere once I figure out if there's one I can actually share. It seemed like an easy enough one to begin with, and one which I can't find an excuse for not doing.

To all my Minnesota friends out there, I hope you are safe. To those I don't know who were affected by the tragedy this evening, I wish the very best for you and will keep you all in my prayers.

It's official ~ this Nike+ thing is addictive. Compared to other similar sites where you can track mileage, it's slow, but they use pretty colors. LOL Yeah, I didn't think that offset the slowness of it all either. BUT, the coaching on the iPod Nano is way cool. As are the challenges, I think. I've signed up for a Beginner 20 miles in August challenge. That's a reasonable place to begin. Also, I signed up for an NFL Challenge ~~ a running challenge where you run for the home team. What a hoot, huh?

Again, Lisa kicked my tail tonight. It wasn't nearly as bad as last night, but we worked upper body pretty hard. I expect my triceps and lats to hurt badly tomorrow.

I must shower & sleep now. But what a nice day it turned out to be! A little bit of sun today, the top down on the way home, lots of hugs & kisses from the munchkins, and a nice workout with friends. Life is good.

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.