April Recap

If it's true what they say and April Showers [really do] bring May Flowers. Then May is going to be a rockin' month! I feel like I have really improved my life in April. It was only 30 days, but I made some great strides in my fitness goals. First, and most importantly, I lost 10 pounds. Remember, how my weight played some horrible April Fool joke and sky-rocketed on the first of the month. Well, it makes for a good stat! This morning I was ten pounds lower than that first day of April. This was made possible by the 28 hours of workouts I put in: 16 cardio, 12 bodypump. Speaking of weight-training, I increased the weight I use on my biceps and my shoulders. And while I wouldn't say either of them has become easier, or even bareable, I am still working on it. I attempted the Combat class twice this month, and have high hopes of making it a regular in my workout routine. And I bought all new capris for summer in a size or two lower than all my old capris! So, I can only hope that May's 31 days brings this many surprises!

I made it to Bodypump last night and stayed for 30 minutes of steep hill-walking. Then I made myself get up this morning and go workout before work (not until 9am mind you). But I have been having a really difficult time making it there in the morning and getting out of bed in general. So this was a great achievement. My legs are pretty sore from something -- perhaps going to BodyPump after taking five days off. Or from climbing a lot of stairs this morning, or just from overall exhaustion. My back is still tight from Combat, but not in a bad way. I think a massage might be a great reward for me in the future.

We've had a great April... here's to an even better May!

I combat, You combat, She combats

So I went back to Combat last night. It is one tough piece of work. There didn't seem to be as many drink breaks this time around. Once I had to quit in the middle of a song to go get a swig of water -- I felt like I was going to throw up. And there were a couple of times that I felt really dizzy and thought about sitting down. I think it had something to do with eating a big lunch. Since I had the day off, Jennifer and I went to a restaurant to eat, not my normal Subway sandwich. Still, it is tough. I would say I improved immensely, but I am still really bad. I jab when I should upper-cut, or cross when I am supposed to fake, and when I slice I look like I am serving wine on a tray. I am too scared to try the jump-kicks. And Erin and I both agree that we punch like a girl. We don't have enough hostility like some people in the class. But at least I'm doin' it! Again, my upper back is tight, but I wouldn't call it sore. I feel really exhausted, which is what kept me from doing more cardio all of last week. I will overcome! I really do like the class, in fact I wish that there were more I could go to during the week. I am not ready to go alone though. (Hint Hint... Brandy where were you last night?)

Tonight I will be hitting BodyPump. Erin and I are planning on staying after, probably just 30 minutes. Anyone else who wants to stay is welcome. Oh yeah, for those of you who went to High School with me: remember Ross P.? He works out at Gold's now; he joined a week ago after his boss at Sports Courts went crazy. He talked to Erin and me twice last night (once before class and once after). I assured him that we don't just stand around at the gym, which is what we were doing both times he saw us. You will all be happy: I invited him to the reunion. We agreed that it's going to be lame, but we plan on being there none the less. So look forward to seeing him at the gym and the awkward conversation that will ensue! He is pretty buff now.

5 weeks till Summer

Can you believe that June 1st is less than five weeks away. That is a scary thought. As I mentioned, I didn't have high hopes for this morning's weigh-in. I lost another .5 pounds taking me down to 19 left to lose. After having a heart-to-heart talk with Jen I am more sure than ever that I will be done once I lose those 19 pounds. Sometimes I use to have thoughts like: what if I get to my goal weight and I'm still fat. But she helped me put those thought to rest. And knowing that I only have 19 pounds to go is a huge motivator. Who cares if I spend the next few months wasting my life at the gym: I will have something to show for it. Obviously I will not be at my goal weight in five weeks. For now, I plan to just keep truckin' along. When my five weeks are up, I plan to re-evaluate and get a new timeline for my final 10ish pounds. Ultimately, I want to be there by my high school reunion, which is coming up at the beginning of August. I think that could be done.

Moving on... I am really hoping to have a good two-pound-loss week. I have mentioned that my work schedule is crazy. Other than that, I don't have many high stress days this week, no birthday parties, no events that will require me to eat unhealthily. I intended to get some gym time in this morning, but now it is 11:45 and I haven't gotten there yet. I am supposed to meet Jennifer at lunch at 1:00 so it doesn't look like the morning workout will happen. I will be at Combat tonight for a great hour of sweating. According to a site I use online, this class will burn 850 calories. I believe it. Maybe I should start counting calories burned instead of hours at the gym. I am pretty bored with cardio workouts right now. I just need the weather to get a little nicer so I can do some stuff outdoors. Every day that has been above 70 degrees has been super windy, that or I am at work all day.

Lazy Days

I have been super lazy this week. Well, at least when it comes to working out. I ate fairly healthy all week. But I only made it to the gym three times: twice for BodyPump and once for Combat. I could have made up some hours today, but I felt like the week was already so bad, I might as well take one more day off and start good and clean tomorrow. So I have allowed myself a week off basically. I also walked in a parade yesterday -- it was over a mile, but it wasn't like a great workout.

My weight has been the same all week, so I don't have any high hopes for my weigh-in tomorrow morning, but you never know. After a very stressful week at work, I finally have two days off in a row. Today, as I mentioned, I did a lot of relaxing. Tomorrow I am going to kick it into high gear. I plan on doing an hour of cardio in the morning (hopefully running/walking) and then in the evening I want to go back to Combat. Jennifer can't make it, but Brandy plans on being there. Erin also wants to take the class, so tomorrow will be her first attempt. I am hoping that I am a lot better tomorrow. I hope that ease of moves grows exponentially. And in return, I hope that when I get better at the moves, I will use my arm muscles more.

I have a slightly strange work week. I only work: Tuesday, Wednesday (evening), Thursday (evening), but then I work both Saturday and Sunday. So it looks like I will have to schedule my BodyPump classes for Tuesday evening and Friday afternoon. That will be all I can make it to this week, unless I made myself go tomorrow morning at 6am (doubt that). I will have to spend this week getting some cardio done.

Mac Raises

I'm sorry I haven't been around in a while. I have been meaning to update, you know I like to do it every day. But I haven't been real fit lately and therefore, I don't have much to write on my fitness blog. As I mentioned, I am working 6 full days in a row, which is always exhausting. It's even exhausting on day 4, just knowing that my days off are still far away. On top of that, we have minimum staff this week because everybody has to work on Friday for an all staff training (when 20 hour employees waste 8 whole hours sitting at a meeting, it doesn't leave many more hours for them to work during the week). So needless to say, work has been exhausting. And adding to it even more is the fact that two huge projects I have been working on are coming up on Saturday. After that, things should be looking better. Well, for a few days.

Anyway, enough complaining about work. I was too tired yesterday to make it to the gym both in the morning and the afternoon. All I have enough energy for is sitting around my house and watching TV. Missing my gym time yesterday means it is going to be nearly impossible for me to get my 7 hours in. I plan on making it to BodyPump tonight (taking myself up to three hours for this week). But I can't stay after, I have too many errands to run and other things to do: including watching Grey's Anatomy for the first time in months!!! I will probably make it to the gym tomorrow evening (with the other social-rejects) but I have to fit it around cleaning my house, hitting the grocery store, and preparing some food for my friend Jen's visit on Saturday evening. Saturday, with the aforementioned two major projects, and Jen's visit, will leave no time for working out. Sunday I plan to make it to my third BodyPump of the week, and probably an hour of cardio. Still, with all that crammed in, I will only make it 6 hours this week. Oh well... sometimes sleep is more important.

For my main point of this entry: I hate the new Shoulder track. Those Mac Raises are very tough. That's the move where one arm is going out to the side, while the other is going straight out in front of you. And even though I can make it through, I feel it the next day in oddest spot on my arm. And the pain lasts for like two days, until I do it all over again. Secretly, I kind of enjoy the soreness-- it makes it all worth it knowing that my shoulders are gonna be beautiful soon. I have also started using hand weights on the shoulders. My little hands just cannot grasp those medium sized weights when they have to defy gravity so many times. The hand weights make it much easier to do the move, without stopping to readjust, and therefore, I am probably doing more reps than ever before. Although a 5lb hand weight is slightly less than the 2.5kg plate I was using, so that could explain part of why I think it's a tad easier.

Official Weigh-In

My weight is hardly any better today. It's probably cheating to arbitrarily move my weigh-in when I don't like what it says one day, but in truth it will just make it more difficult next Monday. Now I only have 6 days to lose weight this week. But, no matter how unscientific it is, I'm going to go with this morning's number. I was down just .5 pounds (from last Monday). So I now sit at 19.5 left to lose.

I plan on having a good eating week. I have to work six days in a row (Monday - Saturday) which is never fun. It's hard to keep going to the gym for an hour each day, when I never get a break from work. But, honestly, being busy probably keeps me from eating poorly. Well, that is until the cake comes out this afternoon. Today is somebody's going away party, and my boss is bringing by a Hy-Vee cake. I am going to pass on it. A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips. (Does anyone remember this saying?) This weekend I don't have any plans to eat out. In fact, my friend Jen is coming down from Omaha Saturday evening, and I am going to make dinner at home. Very low-cal! Although, I am sure there will some wine-drinking. My largest obstacle will be lunch on Friday. We have an all-staff training day downtown, and usually several of us go out to eat together. Generally these people are not thinking: where can I get a satisfyingly healthy lunch? Instead they think: we hardly ever get to eat downtown, where is the yummiest fattening food? Needless to say, they won't pick Subway. I'll just have to make smart choices where ever we go.

I am a tad sore from Combat. My upper back is the worse. I was really hoping to feel it in my arms, but they appear to be fine. It could be that I was not punching hard enough. Apparently, according to Jennifer, the instructor shouted out levels of punching -- ensuring that you went harder and harder. I missed that instruction; I was probably happy that I was doing the right punch in the first place. As I get more confident with my kickboxing I should be able to punch better, thus toning my arms. You know what else I failed to mention about Body Combat? I could really see it being a great aggression releaser, especially that one where you take the attacker and turn them around by the head and then continuously kick the hell out of them. I'm gonna practice that one at home!

I Combat-ed

So I made it to BodyCombat. It was great. It helped that I took the class with Jennifer and Brandy (thanks guys!) And that I had my favorite (questionably-gay) teacher. But it really was fun. It has great music, the time just flies by and it's not nearly as complicated as the step class I tried a year ago. Sure, I felt lost several times. I don't feel like I have all the moves down. I still don't know the difference between a jab and a cross-jab. I probably didn't get the foot work down most of the time, and my high-knee running could use a lot of improvement. But I want to go back. Currently, my upper body feels really worn out, we'll see how sore I am tomorrow. This is exactly what I need: a way to get some cardio in while still toning my upper body. I was very sweaty... gross but true. This isn't the kind of workout you do and then go out to dinner. In the explanation of BodyCombat (on the schedule) they say it will improve body confidence and self-esteem. That's almost as good as improving my arms!

6 weeks till Summer

I saw this coming: I gained a pound this week. I had a bad weekend. Not that I ate too much, or didn't work out. I just didn't have the stellar weekend necessary to ensure a great weigh-in.

I did skip my cardio workout yesterday. I started the day off trying on 34 outfits. None of them fit (which is a good thing, but very very frustrating). When I finally settled on the one pair of jeans that stay up on their own I headed off to a quick lunch with my mom at Runza, where the rest of the world ate cheese and fries and onion rings. I ate a salad. Then I hurried home to get ready for Elijah's birthday party. I spent the next two hours playing with kids in the windy afternoon sun. It was exhausting. I participated in a three-legged-race that left me bruised really badly -- I don't think I will do that again. I won't be wearing shorts for a at least a week now.

Then I spent the next two hours shopping rapidly, in a very hot mall (apparently they weren't ready with their AC when the temperatures hit 80 degrees yesterday). I absolutely needed new clothes to wear -- turns out I got 4 pair of pants and 4 shirts all for under $100. Today it is cold and rainy and I am back in my sweatshirts and jeans. Ideally, I hope to be at my goal weight (and final size) in June, when my stimulus money comes in. If George Bush wants to buy me all new clothes, I will let him.

But I worked out enough this week. I am really sore from BodyPump, in odd places that usually aren't sore. In a place on my shoulder I didn't even realize was sore until Logan bumped it when he was crawling on me. And this morning, my sides hurt, either from tennis, or from all that oblique hovering in the new abs track. Added to that: tennis on Saturday lasted at least an hour, and actually was a pretty good workout. All adding up to : 7 hours of workout time. So I decided that I was allowed to sit around Jennifer's house all evening watching TV. And I decided that I was allowed to eat chips and salsa, even though I try to limit my salt intake on Sundays, because I don't need any more reasons for my weight to be high on Monday mornings! Well, my theory must be right, because my weight was up. But, I am going to also allow myself to move my weigh in to Tuesday this week. I deserve that too!

Tonight I am going to make myself go to BodyCombat. I am really excited and really scared. It's not that I am scared to look like a fool. It's more that I don't like to do things that remind me of junior high PE class. But I think that I have talked a few people into being there. And most things are easier with a few friends. After that, I am going to my mom's house where she is going to show me/help me/hopefully do it for me: alter my old clothes so they fit again. I have a few skirts that should be really easy, but pants might be a little more difficult. She says she can even do jeans. We'll see. After tonight, I might have a whole new wardrobe!

Yay Me

I woke up this morning not feeling very well. If dehydration has a feeling, this was it. I felt shaky and a little nauseous. Last night I ate some popcorn and drank one martini, but I don't really think those things would dehydrate me that much, seeing as I drink so much water on a daily basis. I really wanted to make it to the new launch of the BodyPump so I made myself go. By the end of the warm up I forgot all about not feeling well. I don't have a lot of opinions on the new tracks. I think it's dumb that they don't give you a break in the chest track. Is that suppose to motivate me? Be good for me? Encourage me to increase my weight? Hardly. What I hate about Launch Day is how many times the instructors mess up. We had to do like 6 extra single lunges because Marika forgot what she was doing. I am so glad I made it to pump three times this week, and so nicely spread out too. It was really nice that my schedule allowed that. I wish I had a job where I didn't have to work so many nights and weekends. It really messes with my bodypumping. I stayed after this morning for 30 minutes of speed walking on the treadmill. It makes me breathe much harder (and makes me much sweatier) than walking hills. But, according to the machine, it burns less calories. I never know what to trust.

It is a beautiful Saturday afternoon. I went and watched Elijah play soccer this afternoon and this evening I plan on playing a little tennis. I don't plan on counting it as a cardio workout because I generally don't enjoy running after the ball a lot. And we'll be playing doubles, and we're not all that good, so it's not that strenuous. I've already spent 6 hours at the gym this week though, so I just have one hour left to squeeze in tomorrow.

This weekend I will/have been in another battle with cake. Elijah's 6th birthday party is tomorrow afternoon. I am going to try to pass on the cake, even though I know that it will be a good one. And Brandy tends to be a little pushy with her cake (if you read this: please let me skip it and don't take it personally -- I will eat lots of cake at his 7th birthday!). Yesterday was someone's last day at work so people brought all kinds of food: brownies, cupcakes, and cake. I had one bite of brownie on my break, and then I went back to my desk and made a phone call rather than spend the next 14 minutes trying to talk myself out of eating anything more. Yay me!

Worked Up Worked Out

I made it to my second BodyPump of the week. I attempted the higher bicep weight again and it went slightly better. I still took a few breaks, it was still very hard, but I didn't want to die. Score! It was a shorter and slower track, but sometimes those are the most difficult. Everything else went smashingly, oh speaking of smashing: I dropped a little weight on my finger and it stung for at least 3 minutes. I always fear that I will drop the weight on my forehead during triceps or on my head during the back track. Erin and I stayed after to do some walking on the treadmill. I just can't say it enough, the time just flies by when you are talking to someone. It really is better than listening to music or watching TV. Mostly we complain about work. That gets me really worked up and allows me to work out harder. It's good to know that all that work stress is worth something.

Day of Rest

My biceps were sore today, but not to the extent that it kept me from doing anything. And mind you, I lift some heavy bins and boxes at my job. So I guess I will attempt this higher weight again on Thursday. We'll see if it gets just a little easier. So much matters on the song though too. Some bicep songs have no break, others are super-fast, some have 18 singles in a row, while others hardly have any. I wonder which one I made it through on Tuesday. I can't remember the song, only the pain.

Saturday is Launch Day in Lincoln. That means new versions of all the tracks come out. And then for the next two weeks that is all we do. In some ways I like this. It gives you an opportunity to learn/memorize the track. And if you're looking for improvements (as I am with my biceps) you can compare session to session because you're doing the same thing. It also has made me think that I should take the Kickboxing class. When a new launch comes out, everybody is new, and the instructors have to explain things more. It would be a great time to start. But I am scared. Who wants in?

I have worked out 5 days in a row (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday) and in those days put in 8 hours of time at the gym. So today, on the sixth day: I rest!

Gold Medal Workouts

I made it to the gym last night for Dancing with the Stars. I made myself run during all the dancing; I figure if I am watching other people sweat I should be sweating too. Turns out, that's not as hard as it seems. They dance for like 2 minutes and then they are done. So I let myself walk small hills when the scoring/practice portion was on, and steep hills when the commercials were on. The time just flew by. Oh, and who knew that the show was an hour and a half. But I stayed for the whole thing. I just had to see Kristi Yamaguchi. She was all-time hero as a fourteen-year-old girl. There was nothing I wanted to be more than a figure-skater. I would make up routines and dance around my kitchen floor (with my socks on, for better sliding). I would watch whatever skating competition she was in, and when she took home the gold medal, I was right there by her side! So, I just had to see her do some Latin dancing. It was a great workout.

This evening I made it to BodyPump. Remember, my goal for the evening was increasing my bicep weight. This is going to be a challenge. It was soooo hard. Not like: ow that was hard; not even like: I don't know if I can finish; more like: I think my arm has locked up and may fall off. But I think I just need to push past this. I have not increased my bicep weight in two years. The only way to move up is this extreme pain for the next two weeks, by that point it might just move to the point of extreme difficulty. I wonder if I will be able to lift anything tomorrow. Otherwise, it was an excellent class. And I stayed after and did 30 minutes of cardio. I am now up to three hours for the week, and it's only Tuesday. Now I can take tomorrow off without feeling guilty. It will feel great to sleep in!

7 weeks till Summer

Another fine weigh-in this morning. I lost another two pounds! I was secretly hoping for three, just to push past the 20 pound mark. But oh well, I will wait for that next week. Beggars can't be choosers right! I am just happy with the two pound loss and the fact that I have lost 14 pounds in the last 10 weeks (since I have started this countdown to summer). On a much scarier note, summer is less than two months away and I have a lot of planning to do for work. I must work at keeping my stress levels low and my workout times high, even when work gets busy and time-consuming.

This losing weight thing seems to be working again. So I have been asking myself what I am doing right this time around. Three things I can think of: I am really watching everything I eat, not sneaking in a bite of something here and there. I have been drinking at least 8 glasses of water every day. And I have been trying to eat really light on Sunday, so that my weight doesn't jump when Monday morning comes. There is nothing more disappointing than being low all week and then seeing a higher number come weigh in time.

For three weeks in a row now I have made it to BodyPump three times. I think, maybe, finally, I have stopped being so sore. The higher weights I have been using have now become normal weights. So as I mentioned, Tuesday it's time to increase again. This time, I am only raising one body part at a time; Tuesday: Biceps. This week seems to be a normal week schedule-wise. Here is my projected workouts for the week. It gives me a goal to aim for if I post it on here, and it allows people to workout with me when they are available.

Monday - Cardio at 7:00 (for Dancing with the Stars)

Tuesday - BP and 30 minutes of Cardio

Wednesday - OFF

Thursday - BP and 30 minutes of Cardio

Friday - OFF

Saturday - BP and 1 hour of Cardio

Sunday - Cardio (anytime)

Here's to being at 18 pounds next week at this time!!!

Desperate Measures

Well it's finally sunny out today and that seems to have given me no more energy. So I don't know if this exhaustion is just mild depression, or a lack of something in my diet, or an actual lack of sleep. Who knows, maybe I need 10 hours of sleep per night now. I went tanning, which makes me happy -- to actually be warm again, even for 6 minutes, is like paradise. I also managed to eat a nice healthy lunch with my mom today at LoneStar. And I plan on staying low in calories the rest of the afternoon/evening in order to ensure success with the scale tomorrow morning.

I made it to my third BodyPump of the week this afternoon. Brandy was so nice to meet me there. I have really started to see the benefits of taking classes with a variety of instructors. They all have something to offer, advice to give, new things to think about, motivational thoughts. I attempted my higher squat weight again. I haven't tried it since my back went out a few weeks ago. It's time to work on them again. It's not that it hurts my legs to squat that much, it's hardest on my lungs; it's a difficult cardio workout. I was able to make it through every track without taking a break (well I might have skipped one shoulder press!). I think that means I need to raise something on Tuesday. I suppose I should start working on building up my biceps, but they're pretty stubborn. I will give it another try next time.

I got to the gym 30 minutes early so I could cram in a little cardio. I plan on going back this evening at 8:00 to get my final hour of cardio done for the week. Tonight marks the return of Desperate Housewives. There is nothing that makes an hour of cardio fly by like the drama of a silly television show!

UPDATE: Well I made it. I tried to run during the show and walk the commercials. It was much tougher than it sounds. I wasn't able to make it until the commercial each time, but it gave me a goal. I accomplished a little over 4 miles in the 60 minutes, and sweated a lot. I stayed under my 1200 calories for the day and even got to enjoy half of a chocolate rabbit I had left from Easter. I will save the other half for another day with extra calories.

Turkey Burgers

I started my day off by sleeping in until 9:30! Then I managed to make it to they gym. I had told Brandy I would meet her there, even though she didn't know if she would be able to stay after Bodypump (because Elijah may or may not have had a soccer game -- he didn't). Even though I made it there, I had absolutely no energy. I ran one mile in about 11 minutes and then I was exhausted. I had to go sit down in the locker room. Then I made myself go back out, but I let myself bike for the last 30 minutes. I don't know why I don't have any energy lately. I can't just keep blaming the weather, but maybe that's it. We'll see if I get any back once it gets sunny again.

I ate out again at both meals. I had planned on having a boring evening at home which would have included cleaning my bathroom and eating half of a subway sandwich I had left over. But, at the last moment, I got invited to Old Chicago for dinner. I am not familiar with the menu there, and wasn't sure what I could order that wouldn't max out my calories for the day. I decided on the turkey burger. This is generally a good choice, although I have read the turkey burger at Ruby Tuesday's is like 1000 calories. When I got home and was able to look up the calories online, I saw that Old Chicago's version was only 485, so I managed to stay below my 1200 limit for the day.

My super-low weight that I had maintained all week, spiked up this morning. (What do I expect when I allow myself 1800 calories yesterday, and then only managed to ride a bike today?) Hopefully, if I can keep it healthy tomorrow, I can get back to a low weigh-in Monday morning. I spent this afternoon shopping. There is no greater motivator than putting on pants and having them be way too big. I didn't buy too much, because I can't justify spending $70 on jeans when they might only fit for a few weeks. But as soon as I am at my goal, I am driving right over to the Gap and buying that great pair I tried on today!

Help from my Friends

I ate way too many calories today. I think it was somewhere near 1800. I ate out at both meals, and although I made healthy choices, they just added up way too fast. Brandy, Elijah, Jennifer and I went to Red Lobster for dinner. I picked the healthiest, yummiest thing I could find on the menu: grilled shrimp skewers. They were only 150 calories (I checked online!). It was all the other things that I ate with it: potato, biscuits, salad dressing, oh yeah, and that super-delicious Berry-Mango-Daiquiri that Brandy talked me into (with little effort)!

Although I was super-tired all day, I made it to the gym for an hour and a half. I skipped the hour of cardio I hoped to do this morning in order to run some errands and do some shopping. Then I needed a nap in the afternoon. If I hadn't promised Erin that I would meet her at BodyPump I would have skipped it as well. But I had to pull myself from my warm, comfy bed to meet her. And although Marika was the teacher, and Erin refuses to ever take a class from her again, at least I made it. And it looks like I will get my three sessions in for the week. Then I was hoping to go home and rest a little more before dinner. But, Jennifer was waiting for me after class so I had to stay for a half an hour and do some hill walking. And Sunday, Brandy is going to ensure that I get there for BP again. Thanks to all my workout buddies. And to those of you who inspire me from afar!

Three Day Weekend

Boy am I tired. I was supposed to go to the gym this evening after my library bookgroup, but I was just too warn out. It was much too easy to talk Jennifer out of going. Now I am going to need to make up a lot of workout time this weekend. Luckily I have three whole days off. I had hoped (when I requested the day off four weeks ago) that it would be a sunny spring weekend, turns out it's going to snow! Great!

So my plan for the weekend is cardio tomorrow morning, Bodypump with Erin in the afternoon, more cardio on Satuday, as well as both cardio and BP with Brandy on Sunday afternoon. That seems like a lot of exercise, good thing I don't have that pesky job to stand in my way. The hard part is going to be eating healthfully. I have plans to do some eating out, and that never amounts to low calorie living. I just need to make some good choices.

In better news, my extreme soreness from running last Saturday has finally gone away. So has my sore throat / cold. So I am in tip-top shape to do some pumping tomorrow!

6:00 in the Morning

There is something very serene about waking up at 5:30am. As I drove to the gym this morning for BodyPump, only one house in my neighborhood had any lights on. I began to feel very lonely. I was nearly the only person on the street the entire way there. Then, as I turned the corner into the gym, there were lights everywhere, all this energy, and the parking lot was half full. Even though, I was still half asleep and standing there hoisting a heavy bar over my head, there is a certain energy from knowing that all these people got up early to do something good with you! I didn't attempt any extra weight this morning -- getting there was challenge enough. In fact, I even lowered my weight on back because she said there were four clean and presses in a row. I hate those. Turns out, I should have stuck to my higher weight, because it was way too easy. It's amazing how much of a difference there is between adding on a small weight and adding on a medium one.

As I have mentioned before, it is a nice feeling to know that I have my gym-going over for the day. After the gym I was able to come home and take a 2 hour nap (to make up for the lack of sleep I got getting up so early). Even after that, I was able to wake up and get ready for work leisurely. Sometimes I enjoy working 12-9. I would say that I definitely eat less with that work schedule. Last night at the Spelling Bee, I did let myself indulge and eat the fries. But, I ordered the grilled chicken sandwich no cheese and I drank water... so you give and you take! I still came in at around 1300 calories for the day. And this morning I saw my lowest weight ever, but I won't tell you what it was. I don't want to get anyone's hopes up!

Change in Plans

Somehow I completely forgot that tonight was the Library's Annual Spelling Bee! Now this is not just some nerdy competition mind you, this is full-out fun. Since I forgot that it was tonight I packed my gym bag in order to make it to BodyPump this evening. When Erin reminded me that the Bee was this evening I was hesitant at first -- I really want to make it to three BPs this week. But, she has never been to the fun-filled event, and there is a possibility that it won't happen next year (the location in which is it usually held, is closing). So, we are forgoing gym time this evening to make it to the Spelling Bee. This does not mean that I will be slacking. In fact, this means I will be up at 5:30am so I can make the Wednesday morning Bodypump. Erin agreed to come too, seeing as she has a lot of time to sleep afterwards!!

Not only will the Spelling Bee prevent me from getting to the gym, it is going to dangle good-greasy food right in front of me. I wonder if I should try not to eat, and then have something when I get home. Or should I try to get the healthiest thing there (probably a grilled chicken sandwich, and still really high in calories)? That's always a dilemma. If I eat at home things go so well. Even if I go to Subway or Arby's I know how to make perfect selections. But as soon as I broaden my horizons and eat somewhere out of the ordinary, everything goes to hell! Oh well, Spelling is F-U-N!

In other changes, I am not going to make the trip up to Omaha to attend Jen's BodyPump class. She has to work that afternoon so I won't be able to hang out with her. And with the price of gas, that is a long drive just to work out. I suppose I will attend Saturday morning BP like usual. What I am saying is: the schedule I posted Sunday might be a little off. But I am sure I will see you people at the gym sometime!

8 Weeks till Summer

All I have to say is: About... Freakin'... Time! I lost 4 pounds this week. Well, actually six pounds if you figure that my scale went up two more on Tuesday, but we won't count that. From last Monday, I am four pounds lighter. This is still not where I intended to be 9 weeks ago when I began the countdown to summer, but it's well on its way. After today's weigh-in I have 22 pounds left to lose -- in eight weeks. That might be a little difficult, unless this new four pound weight-loss is here to stay. I really felt like I took control of my eating this week, and that is what really helped (baring those three delicious chocolate chip cookies that I ate Friday night - and if I had it to do over again, I would have eaten four!!) Ultimately though, I have no idea why it works some weeks and not others. At least the fact that it happens at all keeps me slightly motivated. Please remind me of this when I lose no weight in the future!

I only have to work four days this week, and then I treated myself to a three-day weekend! It should be a good week. My BodyPump schedule will be off because I have to work Thursday evening. I am hoping to go visit my friend Jen in Omaha so I can check out her totally cool BodyPump instructor. But class starts at 9am, and I have to drive to Omaha before that, and that's earlier than I even get up to go to work! So we'll have to work out more details later in the week. Either way, I am determined to get three lifting sessions in this week. Jen says she can really see the results from going three times per week. I am not sure if I can, besides complete soreness. I need to take some good measurements of myself. I really haven't done that in the last six months. That's the only way to tell. Oh yeah, I am wearing smaller pants today! And they are staying up on their own! It's a beautiful thing.

Bronzed Beauty

I don't have a lot of vices. I don't smoke or do drugs. I don't drink a lot of alcohol and for the last year and a half I haven't eaten fries (mostly). But what I do do is tan. I love it. I love the warmth of the bed. I love the way I look when I am not pasty white. And although I realize it is addictive and horribly bad for me, I let myself do it. I always make myself wait until April 1st to start, even though it is hard sometimes. And I try not to over do it, I just don't want to be so ghostly when I put on that first pair of shorts. Who can deny that a nice tan makes you look sleeker and healthier. I understand the risks of tanning, but it just makes me so much happier. And it's my time to be happier again.

I have had a great week; a great weekend to be exact. I have eaten healthy, I have worked out almost four hours in the last two days; I have done everything I can to ensure a perfect weigh-in tomorrow morning. I saw my lowest weight yet this morning when I did a check, I just hope that it is still there (or lower) tomorrow. Boy am I sore though, from running on pavement yesterday, and taking three BodyPumps this week.

Here is my projected workout schedule for the week, please join me if you are free:
Monday - gym at 7:30
Tuesday - BP at 6:30, cardio at 7:30
Thursday - gym at 8:30
Friday - BP with Jen in Omaha?
Saturday - gym in am
Sunday - BP at 4:30

Defying Gravity

Well I did it! I accomplished my hour run/walk. It has been a long time since I have run outside (Oct. 20ish). It is a totally different experience: the hills, the wind, the scenery, the lack of water. I have a lot of new running accessories now that I did not have the last time I went out: the NikePlus system, a heart rate monitor, a Dryfit shirt to keep the sweat off of me, and those pretty pink and white shoes that haven't yet touched cement besides the space between my car and the gym. So although, these didn't make my run any easier, it sure did make it more interesting. I made a great playlist of my favorite Wicked songs on repeat. I set my NikePlus for one hour, so it gave me updates every five minutes and then I made myself run every other song. I ran down to Mahoney Park and all the way through it. I was almost to my library when it was time to turn around. I thought about stopping in -- but I wasn't sure if I would make it back if I ever stopped. I made it almost 4.5 miles at an average pace of 13.3 minute miles (including the walking)! That's really good for me. My ovary didn't even hurt, even though this is my 'key ovary week'. A few bad things did happen: I dropped my Ipod (I forgot that the Nike chip prevents the arm holder from working, and as soon as I started running it fell out and got scratches in it. Often, after running for five-minutes my heart rate monitor didn't work. Once, I thought I might be having a heart-attack, but alas, my heart rate monitor would give me no indication, so I didn't worry about it. I also spit on myself once, which is totally gross, but I just can't run without water and with all that extra spit in my mouth. And almost worse of all, my underwear kept falling down, even though my shorts stayed up fine. This sounds strange, but I think that my underwear is too big, and I had to keep pulling it up... a problem I have never had before. On a better note: because I did an extra 10 minutes warming up and cooling down, I only have to do 30 minutes of cardio tomorrow before BodyPump! All-in-all a great workout. My mind was occupied the entire time by Wicked songs until the very end, when I realized that I had never run outside that much or that well all alone. That made me start crying when I got back home, because quite frankly being an independent runner is not something that I really want to be.

Back in the Game

Recently I have been thinking of changing my blog (both location and name). I mean, I haven't really run in over a month and my interest in it has really faded since my running partner has left me. What good is a running blog if you never talk about running? But today I am going to get back in the game. This afternoon in the beautiful spring weather, I am going to go back outside and attempt to run again. I am not going to worry about speed; I'm not going to worry about distance. My only goal is to run and walk (briefly) for an entire hour, while I enjoy the sunshine. (Oh yeah) and to keep the intensity up.

I made it to BodyPump this morning (second time this week). I am going to attempt to go again tomorrow afternoon/evening. I am really trying to get three times in per week. I have been doing really well with my higher weights. Although I have been staying low on my squat track ever since my back went out and I caught a cold. When I use high squat weights, it really takes it all out of me, and then I am dead for the rest of the session. Tomorrow I will try to go back up on those. Today I was in the front row, right in front of the mirror, so I could actually see everything I was doing (I am blind any further back). And although it was really good for my form, I decided I hate my legs. That's part of why I want to start running again. I was much more confident with my legs last summer when I was actually running some. Now that my legs have reappeared from winter pants, I realized I hate them again.

On a side note: I made it to the gym yesterday after work (mostly alone). Jennifer was supposed to meet me there, but she only showed up for the last 20 minutes. I ate 10 crackers and a taffy off of the break room table yesterday. Where does this food come from? In order to get my seven hours of gym time in this week I need to run outside this afternoon and get to the gym tomorrow for 40 minutes of cardio and that third Bodypump. It's going to be a lot of working out this weekend, but it will be worth it. I just have to have a good weigh-in on Monday.

Sweet Emotions

I have heard that the hormones (serotonin) released when you work out are just as strong as any anti-depressant. And I do believe that is true. Generally working out puts me in a much better mood and when I work out consitently I am a happier person. Lately though, I have been too depressed to make it to the gym. I don't want to go alone (which is why I didn't go Monday or Wednesday evening). I forced myself to go work out tonight alone, but only stayed for 40 minutes, before I had to leave. Lately, I have just been sad and I don't know why; why now? Walking for an hour only gives me time to think and thinking just leads to panic attacks.

The weekend should be better -- it's supposed to be sunny and 70 degrees on Saturday. Perhaps it's just the rain that is making me sad. I have plans to go to Bodypump on Saturday morning with a group of people. I intend to stay after to get some cardio in. Then I might try to hit BodyPump again on Sunday. I hate to go two days in a row, but it's the only way I can get my three weight lifting sessions in this week. And weight lifting is something that makes me happy and doesn't give me time to think.

Community Food

There is a place where I face a lot of adversity in my healthy eating goals: the library break room. Half the time the back room is filled with a variety of foods: generally yummy, most often unhealthy. And they call to me. I can only walk through the break room so many times before I just have to have a cookie. Or I think: One Hershey Kiss won't hurt me and next thing I know I have eaten six. Lately I have been trying to take my lunch to work with me. The only place to eat it is in that break room, right next to the goodies -- it's a lose-lose situation. If I remove myself from the room, I would have to go out to eat. If I save calories by bringing my lunch, I have a stare-off with the left over cake.

I have taken several strategies to overcome this dilemma. Sometimes, I tell my co-workers that I will pay them money if I eat the food back there. For example: no cupcake is worth ten dollars. Other times I will cover the food with paper, or tablecloths. This probably annoys my coworkers (they would much rather get the money!) and it probably annoys the person that brought the yummy food -- they wanted us to eat it! Now, I am going to try another approach; I am going to post it every day on my blog. If I eat crap food from the back room at work, I will list it. This will make me more accountable. For today: I have eaten one chocolate chip cookie that was in the Bethany break room. I am currently on my lunch break (at home), but am planning on having no more when I get back this evening. If I do fold under that pressure, I will let you all know.

Tonight, I plan on working out after work. Also to assure that will go, I am going to list it now. I will stay for one hour and do 30 minutes on the elliptical and 30 minutes walking hills. Yesterday I went to BodyPump and stayed for 30 minutes to walk with Erin. Time really flies by when you have someone to talk to at the gym.

After BodyPump I went to Jennifer's house, who didn't make it to the gym because she left her workout clothes at home (I don't know where Brandy was). Jennifer, feeling guilty that I had referenced her as responsible for my poor eating habits, made me a very healthy chicken breast, with peas and rice for dinner. And when I wanted a cookie afterward she would not give one to me! I remained at 1100 calories for the entire day. And to clearify, I never meant to imply that Jennifer was responsible for my poor choices (I take that on myself). I only meant to suggest that Jennifer was around me most often, and that I would need her help the most. But I thank her for the chicken dinner, and (I suppose) holding out on the cookies!

UPDATE (10:00pm): Well, I didn't make it to the gym. I wasn't dressed right to change clothes at work, so I had to come home. That did me in; I needed a snack and wanted to watch a movie I got in the mail. I did not eat any other break room food though! So perhaps the logging is working. Oh, and I found something I love. For Easter I got these Wyler's Light drink mixers. They're like Walgreen's brand Crystal Light, I think (cheap too). So you mix these packets into your water bottle. The strawberry one is great; it tastes like Kool-aid but with only 5 calories. I haven't had Kool-Aid in years. And it helped me to get my 64 oz. of water for the day.

April Fool

Today my scale played an April Fool's joke on me: it went up two more pounds! Now I am even more convinced that Erin is right -- I could end up gaining ten pounds in a week, if I ate haphazardly. So instead, I am going to crack down on my eating. No more wasted calories; everything must have nutritional value. I am going to drink more water, work out harder, really limit myself. Why do I think I deserve cake? Margaritas? Deep Fried Mushrooms? Cookies in the break room? I am asking you all to help me, especially Jennifer (who I do most of my bad eating with). There are consequences to my bad choices. And it must stop. I am going to the grocery store this evening after BodyPump. I will buy some good stuff and get back on track. If you're eating with me: please make sure I am eating good things. If you are having a party: please don't offer me cake. If you invite me over for dinner: please don't pour me three glasses of wine. And if you're bored: please invite me to the gym and then challenge me to a race! I need help and that's why I have you guys!