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!

9 weeks till Summer

I am so frustrated right now. I have gained two pounds this week (back to 26). I keep telling myself that it must be that damn cake. But I know that this is not true. I am a very logical person (some might even say a math genius) so I look at this like a math puzzle. It doesn't add up; a two-pound weight gain is not mathematically possible. Everyone knows that a pound equals 3500 calories, so two pounds equals 7000 calories. That's 7000 calories I would have needed to consumer over the 14,000 I am allowed to eat (2000 a day to maintain weight) plus the 4200 I burned off working out. So, mathematically speaking, I must have eaten 25,200 calories this week, or 3600 a day. That did not happen! This is why I am frustrated. I know that weight has to do with more than just numbers. I am sure it has more to do with salt intake, muscle mass, water retention, hormonal shifts, etc... but it's about to make me give up. And I know that you guys all want me to focus more on how I feel (crappy by the way) and the energy I have (none) and how my pants fit, but all my Monday weigh-in cares about is that number on the scale.

As I thought about this number in the shower this morning, I decided I was going to take a week off. What if for the next week I didn't count calories, or worry about what I am eating? What if instead I ate crap on purpose -- and enjoyed it? What if I worked out a few times, instead of seven? What's the worse that could happen? I'd gain two pounds -- oh well, that happens anyway. When I suggested this to Erin at work this morning though, she claimed the worst possible outcome would be ten pounds. Sigh... So I had Subway for lunch. I guess I'll keep on truckin'!

A Handprint On My Heart

I was going to spend this entry talking about how Brandy abandoned me at the gym this morning. I was supposed to meet her there at 10am. I dragged myself out of bed by 9:15 (after staying up till 2:30 playing Rock Band with Jennifer, Ryan and Hannah -- and let me say: I am a top performer!) But anyway, Brandy called to apologize. She didn't make it to the gym because she was at church. I can't argue with that I guess. And I forgive her. I did make it to the gym though, for an hour of circuit training (stairs, treadmill, elliptical). But I want to spend my entry talking about something else.

Those of you who have talked to me recently, know that I am currently addicted to the Wicked soundtrack. I listen to it over and over and over and over. And right now I am hooked on the song: For Good. As I listen to it (over and over and over and over) it reminds me of you. All of you that I call my friends and who read this blog and support me, totally! I ask that you all Youtube it and watch it be performed by the Broadway actresses. At the very least, read all the lyrics. For now, I am going to include my favorite part -- to let you all know what you mean to me.

I've heard it said that people come into our lives
for a reason, bringing something we must learn.
And we are led to those who help us most to grow
if we let them and we help them in return.
Now I don't know if I believe that that is true,
but I know I'm who I am today because I knew you.

I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for helping me to grow; for supporting me; and for being there for me. Because I knew you, I have been changed for good!!!

Let Her Eat Cake

I made it to three BodyPumps this week! Since I have been going light on the weights though, I haven't really been in that sore-state that I was the last time I made it three times. Instead I have been in a sore-state because of my bad back and the cold that has sprung upon me. I did better in today's class -- used my normal weight on everything except the back track and squats (the two tracks that put a lot of weight on my back). After I hit the gym tomorrow morning with Brandy I will have finished my seven hours!

In some good news: I got invited to a birthday party this evening, at the last minute, so I didn't have to spend my Saturday evening sitting at home alone, like I had planned. On the bad side: I ate cake! It was the kind with the whip frosting, I just can't turn that down! And I tell myself it's slightly healthier. But what's an extra 50 calories when you're talking about hundreds? I better work out extra hard tomorrow. I just wish my cold would go away, so I could push myself harder.

Loser-ville

There is a certain stigma about spending your Friday evening at the gym. Let's face it, it implies that you have no social life. When I was not single I had no problem hitting the gym after work on a Friday, because I knew I had someone waiting for me at home. Therefore, I didn't care what my fellow worker-outers (and gym staff) thought about me. Now, that I in deed do not have someone waiting for me at home, I feel like a loser spending time out in public. Ironic that I would feel less like a loser spending Friday evening watching TV by myself. I suppose this is a confidence issue. Needless to say, I was super-excited when my friend Erin agreed to go to the gym with me this evening. First, we will get in a good hour of cardio and then we will reward ourselves by watching Sex in the City. A show that reminds us that we are truly stellar, alone or not!

I heart my Library

So I had a really bad day at work. Well, I had about an hour of really bad work time, where I broke down crying twice, wanted to walk out once, and am still thinking about contacting a lawyer. But I don't want to go into the details. I also had a really good hour later in the day when I realized I really do love my job, it's just a certain person I can't stand. What it all boils down to is: I ate some crap food, and I felt like I deserved it, because I had a bad day. To give myself credit, I did work out for two hours to relieve the stress as well. When that didn't work, I turned to a deep fat fryer!

I did make it to Bodypump this evening. I went really light on all my weights though, seeing as I didn't want to injure my back again. Then I stayed after to do some cardio with Brandy. I had intended to just walk on the treadmill with her for 30 minutes, but she talked me into using the sitback bikes (as opposed to the upright bikes). She had used them earlier this week, and gotten a really good workout on it. I must have not been working hard enough, cause even though my leg muscles were burning, I wasn't sweating.

At about noon today I came down with a sore throat and as the day went on I ended up with a fever. Tuesday I say I want to work out more intensely; Wednesday my back goes out and Thursday I get a cold. I really hope that a good night sleep tonight just zaps it out of me. I am going to go take some NyQuil now!

Back Track USA

This morning at 4:30am my back went out. I woke up to shooting pain and couldn't go back to sleep. Every once in a while (and I mean like a year and a half ago) I get this strange back pain, where my muscles are spazzing out and won't calm down. I have to lie on the floor to get my back to stop hurting, but that doesn't stop the muscle spasms. And then, because my back is hurting so bad, it starts affecting my ab muscles. They begin spasming too. It is a mess. I can't lie still and I can barely move. I tried everything: hot shower, massage chair, bending over an exercise ball, sleeping pills. It doesn't matter. Time is all that will fix it. If it happened more often, I might need to check it out, but if it doesn't happen until 2010, I guess I won't worry about it. I absolutely do not know what causes it. I didn't do anything strange at the gym or work yesterday. In fact, at BodyPump on Monday, I said to Jennifer: I am going light on my back track, because I am tired to having a sore back all the time. (Ironic eh?) So I am spending the day taking Tylenol and lounging around my house. I am about to go stir-crazy, but I can't get up and do anything. I just hope that everything is better by tomorrow and I am able to go to BodyPump and get my cardio in tomorrow evening.

How Intense!

I've decided to focus on the intensity of my workouts. Even though I am putting in seven hours at the gym, I need to make sure that I am burning the optimal calories. I'm going to be working on increasing my levels on the cardio machines in the same way I am increasing my weight-lifting levels. I am blaming my lack of weight loss on the possibility that my cardio workouts have stagnated. On top of that, I have decided that I am only allowed to use the bike for 20 minutes per week. Although the bike can be a good workout, I tend to not push myself hard enough unless I am racing someone. For the most part, the bike ends up being a resting place where I never burn enough calories. We'll see how this plan works out. At the very least it gives me something to focus on during cardio workouts, seeing as how bored I have been lately.

Yesterday my boss said to me: Karrie you look skinnier every time I see you! Now, first it's important to know that my boss doesn't see me very often, because she calls in sick a lot. But it's still a nice compliment; especially since I haven't lost much weight in the last few months. She paid me this compliment about an hour after she asked me to work a split-shift today just so she could go see a basketball game. I'm gonna go on the assumption that the two are not related!

Because I have to work this evening, I had to make some adjustments with my schedule yesterday. I ended up taking an hour of vacation to make it to the 5:30 BodyPump class. I hated it. It was super crowded. Nobody wanted to stand in a way that made any sense, so we were just all bunched together in weird areas. And the girls were all these college age chicks who have no life but hanging out and taking classes at the gym (I know this because many of them had stayed after the Step class that was before Pump). It was nice to have my workout over by 6:30 -- the time I usually get home from work. And I am ensuring that I get my three BodyPumps in this week. I made it to the gym this afternoon in the split portion of my day. I managed to do 20 minutes each of: stairs, elliptical and treadmill. All while keeping the intensity high.

10 weeks till Summer

Finally! A two-pound loss for this week. That puts me at 24 pounds to lose in the next ten weeks. That might be a little difficult. But I would be happy if it took two extra weeks too! This is no lower than where I was when I rattled on about being at my high school weight, but it is my lowest Monday morning weigh-in. So that is great news. At one point I told Jennifer I wanted to go out and celebrate when I finally got down to this weight, by eating Chinese Food. I absolutely love Chinese food and all it's fatty greatness. But now, I don't know if I want to ruin a whole week. Maybe when I lose four more pounds!

I am really going to watch what I eat this week. Measure everything out, weigh things, no more estimating. At one point I had read that people who estimate their calories, lose just as much weight as those who actually measure precisely (and probably have more of a life). But I know that every once in a while I pour a bowl of cereal, and call it one serving, when really it's two. Perhaps that is where extra calories are sneaking in and wrecking-havoc on my plan.

Happy Easter Buffet

My family isn't like most families. We don't all gather at Grandma's house for a big meal. Instead, we don't let Grandma cook because she burns things, and us gathering is the size of the average dinner table. So for Easter we made reservations for five at some buffet around town. This is similar to what we do for most Thanksgivings, some Christmas' and now Easter. Usually the meal runs about $15 and I eat about one plate. Still, I figure I managed to stack 1000 calories on that fifteen dollar plate. I don't know what it is about buffets. I understand that a lot of people tend to over eat. I, however, pretty much get tired of the luke-warm food after about one trip. But what I do find that I actually enjoy eating, generally has been sitting in a pile of oil: eggs, potato casserole, biscuits and gravy, and bacon. Then there are usually a variety of desserts available: cookies, peanut butter pie, cheesecake, all of which are much harder to resist than Grandma's burnt pecan bars! On top of this, I went back to my mom's house to find a cute chocolate bunny waiting for me.

I managed to leave the family-festivities by 6:00 so I could make it to the gym before it closed at 8. So I succeeded with getting seven hours of gym time in this week. Today I ran a mile and then walked a mile. I had intended on running another, but was just too tired, or lacking the appropriate energy (what oily bacon doesn't inspire great jogs?). So I finished off my workout time with an uphill bike ride. I am going to try and do more running again. I have been looking at joining a new Nike Challenge. By the way, I came in 18th in the last one.

I am not looking forward to tomorrow's weigh-in. My weight has been high every morning this week, and today's crap food can't have helped it. Even though I got all my work outs in this week, and stayed pretty close to my calorie requirements, it's been a pretty crappy week. My basketball team has lost, work has been stressful, and I've been pretty emotionally drained. I'm ready for a better week!

My Friend Amy

My friend Amy has a government job, in which she's not allowed to waste tax-payers time and money (we can all relate to that right?). So although she says she reads my blog on work time, she doesn't allow herself to make comments (I wouldn't want her to get in trouble either!) But she said in an email the other day (because emailing on work time is a completely good use of tax funds) that by reading my blog, I have really inspired her! She has joined a gym, she is training to run a 5k at the end of May and she has begun taking a class they call Body Power, a class very similar to BodyPump. (I wonder if they have a song called Make your Body Power, it just doesn't have the same ring to it). Anyway, I wanted to congratulate Amy, who doesn't waste her own time updating a workout blog, but instead actually spends her time working out. She is a super-star! Way to go Aim! And, not that she wasn't buff and healthy before, but think of how much more productive she is at work now that she is working out more! That's something that the federal government should be thanking me for!

Now to my own workout woes... I made it back to the gym last evening, for another hour of cardio. We did stair climbing (up to level 3 for me!!) and biking; we were able to watch a little basketball in the meantime. Nothing came close to being as exciting as those afternoon games though! Tonight I had planned to go right after work; I brought my clothes to change into and everything. But my mom had to put a wrench in my plans. Turns out, she thought we were dying eggs this afternoon and has plans this evening. So I have to go over there right after work to dye the eggs so she can get on with her busy social life. I guess, seeing as I have no social life I will try to get to the gym around 8:00 tonight.