On Not Bailing

I left work around 6:45 last night. Already hungry, tired and knowing I had a 30 min drive ahead, I started to debate whether or not to go to the gym. In a text with Scott, I told him I was headed home, and he asked if I was headed to the gym. Well then - if I bail now, the guilt factor goes up bc someone KNOWS I bailed. It's easier to justify a no show if no one thought you were going. 

I had clothes and shoes in my car, but had to dig around the clean laundry to find the items I needed. After rustling around for a few minutes, I almost gave up on the notion that I might have a pair of yoga pants and was about to pass on the gym. But - You can't get to the parking lot of the gym and legitimately find a reason to leave, especially if you KNOW the pants are in the car. 

In I went. 1.5 miles on the treadmill (I upped it to 5.2 but wasn't feeling the full 2mi) and then 1.5 on the elliptical. Not an intense work out but better than not working out! 


Feb: 
Run: 3.5 mi 
Ellip: 1.5 mi

running goals - Feb.

my goal this month is to run 5-8 miles per week. I started the week off well with 2 mi in 24 min at the gym. I didn't feel tired or like it was that hard, so I clearly need to up the speed on that this week!! 


miles complete : 2
Time: 24 min
Speed: 5.0 

TNT run

Heather and Erik had a run with team in training today which I tagged along on! 65 min was the set time , and we ran to the bridge and back.

Woot!

2 under 20!

4. Done.

Maybe not well, but done.

Oh and Skinny Runner can run 7 miles in the time it takes me to run 4. She's sort of an expert runner though. http://skinnyrunner.com/2012/07/07/hug-or-kiss-it-out/

On the Cross Fit bandwagon

I've been hearing a lot lately about Crossfit, which from what I can see, is the latest work out craze. I guess it has been around for a while now, and is basically an intense, short workout. 


Heather and Erik tried Crossfit but weren't immediately sold. A blog I read regularly, Carrots 'N Cake , LOVES crossfit and goes almost every day with her husband. 


So I decided I had to try it out. I always did better with organized sports, where coaches told you what to do at practice everyday and you just did it. Put me in a gym, alone, and I run for 20 minutes, maybe 30 - do some crunches, stretch, get overwhelmed by all the weights and leave. Or, I go to a class which pushes me a bit but not as much as I know I could and should be pushing myself (and that usually only happens when a friend makes me go with her! ) 


I emailed Yosh, the head guy at Crossfit Somerville  and went for an intro class last week. I got stuck in traffic and missed half of it, but went by anyway. While the group was doing 30 clean and jerks  I was set up to do a separate workout: 
- 10 kettle ball swings
- 10 box jumps
- 10 sit ups 
and did that circuit on repeat til everyone was done w/ their clean and jerks. I ended up doing 5 or 6 rounds ( I sort of lost count) and felt my body ask, "What the heck are you doing? We haven't felt like this since 2000!"  I worked out harder than I had in way too long. 


Last night I went back for a full class. We started with a warm up: 
- 5 pull ups (they have bands you can use to get yourself above the bar if you can't do a pull up) 
- 10 push ups
- 15 air squats


Then - walking plank stretches across the room. 
Next - dead lifts. Instructions on how to do it without hurting ourselves, then 10 lifts [rest]; 15 lifts [rest]; 10 lifts [rest]; 15 lifts [catch your breath and stretch!] 


Finally it was time for the workout of the day. 
21-15-9
21 back squats w/ weight (I only used the 45lb bar, and it was enough by the end!) 
21 box jumps onto a 20" box
15 back squats w/ weight 
15 box jumps onto a 20" box
9 back squats w/ weight 
9 box jumps onto a 20" box


Man, those last few jumps were HARD. But  - I felt satisfied that I got through it, even if I had to psych myself out with the counting. I couldn't go from 1-21, I counted in increments of 5 to make it seem easier. 


I think I love Cross fit! 

let's be honest here

I don't remember to, or don't really like to track my workouts! 
I've done pretty well - going to spin with and without Lauren, running at the gym when it's freezing out, not drinking during the week (ok, sometimes I do). I even got Scott to go to the gym w/ me in CT last time I was there! 


anyway. I'm not where I want to be, but I'm focusing bc I'm almost 30, (less than a month!) and know that once I'm out of my 20's irresponsibility is out the window. I need to make me a priority, and I have let that slip. every excuse - I'm tired, I have plans, I forgot my sneakers, wah wah wah. excuses don't get you down a dress size! 


Today's research included this: 
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/diet-plans/lose-weight-face-oct04-2

Every photo I see, I think, man - my face is a puffball. What am I doing wrong and how do I fix it? 
 (puffball) 


The link says: 

Step 1

Drink at least nine 8-ounce glasses of water a day. - I drink a bunch, but not likely enough. I guess I'll start counting! (and cut back on the coffees) 

[The article] consider[s] this a critical step because when you don't drink enough, your body goes into maintenance mode. It starts to think it's stranded on a desert island with only a tiny water supply, so it holds on to whatever moisture is currently in its system. As a result, you begin to bloat. ...Other drinks (coffee, tea, diet soda and juice) count toward your water balance, but they may contain calories, and that reduces their benefits. .

Step 2

Eat at least three servings of fruits and three servings of vegetables every day. 

Clearly I'm not doing enough of this

Step 3

Just say no to alcohol. (so so sad.) 

Whether it's in the form of wine, beer or hard liquor, it dehydrates the body, and as we now know, that only adds bloat to your face.  ok! I got it. My IPA's are making me a porker. 

Step 4

Increase your intake of calcium. Did not know this! 

A number of studies have shown that consuming at least 1,200 milligrams of calcium (from food sources, primarily dairy) each day could lead to greater loss of body fat. 

Step 5

Every day, cut 250 calories and burn 250 calories. so simple, I will have to do some simple math at the gym to see how well I'm doing, and actually track calories a bit. 

Step 6

Hold the salt. gladly! I don't like the salty direct taste of salt. Though, I eat more processed food than I should, and need to watch the sodium intake! 

Step 7

Do strength training. my friends and I have recently done this together, more often! Yay us! 

By exercising with machine weights, dumbbells or your own body weight, you maintain your body's lean muscle tissue. And the more muscle you have, the more calories you'll burn — even when your body is on the sofa, not the treadmill. 

moving up a level

Oh Jillian. I remember now why I ditch you after a few workouts. The DVD has weird presets so you HAVE to watch the intro EVERY TIME. And, she makes you do push ups which I have a hard time with. But - I did feel the burn. 

Friday- Lauren and I had plans to go to the Intro to Boxing class at the gym so we can do the boxing class from now on. That didn't work out since I got out late, and got stuck in some stellar traffic. 

Saturday - my legs were killing me!! Spin on Wednesday and Jillian Thursday were not a great combo. Stretched but did not work out. 

Sunday - Back at it. I did Jillian- level 1, and felt pretty good. 

Monday - Jillian again. Though, I wasn't as tired at the end as I could have been, so on to level 2! 

Tuesday - crammed into my bedroom (don't get me started on why the living room wasn't an option! ) I did level 2. 

Tonight  - Spin at 7:30 !

Day 1 of 30

Spin last night was great ! I love my new shoes. I usually am worried I will fall off when we stand up, but I felt more confident and as though I was getting more out of the workout with less stressful effort. (If that makes sense)


Today it is rainy and gross and now that I'm home I don't want to go out again. So - I'm doing Jillian Michael's 30 day shred. Maybe this time I can motivate myself to do it for 30 days in a row. Not 5, then 3, then 2, then none.  I'm not going to post it here yet, but I am taking a before picture, and then one every week to see how it goes. 

Added Motivation

I joined the 10-pound Challenge hosted by Newlyweds on a Budget. Lose 10 pounds in 12 weeks, win $$$. Are you in?

I am IN -- can't hurt to try to win something when I'm already working out already! 



Looks like you make your own schedule for this challenge, and go from there.


I've already written about my workouts so far, but to condense:
Mon - 2 miles elliptical; 1 mile run
Tues - 20 min elliptical; crunches; 5 min row
Weds - 1hr spin class
Thurs - off
Fri - Intro to Boxing
Sat/Sun - TBD


Grand Prize: $75 Paypal Cash
First Prize: $50 PayPal cash
Second Prize: Ipod Shuffle
(2) Third Prizes: $25 Amazon or Paypal
Fourth Prize: $20 Amazon or Paypal
Fifth Prize: $15 Paypal
Biggest Loser Prize: $5 Amazon Gift Card

Tuesday already?

Monday - gym alone; 2 miles on the elliptical. The girl next to me was pretty hard core, and I was inspired by her speed. I upped the ante and did 2 miles in about 20 min, averaging 6.5- 7  on the speed, at 6 resistance. Of course hard core girl next to me was at 11 resistance and 8 speed, and I couldn't get quite that high. Some ellipticals make my feet fall asleep, and this was one. After 2 mi I had to stop to strectch.
After, I didn't know what to do next. I need to look up some lifting routines or something. I ran a mile, stretched and went home.

ok, I'm not that CLUELESS at the gym

Tuesday - Lauren and I went to the gym around 7. She gave me a trampoline tutorial - for the Urban rebounding class at the gym. After my first unsuccessful try she told me you have to push down not jump up. Huh? I got it a bit more today after our lesson. I guess I'd try the class again, but not at 6am! After, we did about 20 min on the elliptical (slowed by talking, and watching Dirty Dancing) and then 5 min on the row machines. We did a bunch of crunches and then watched the boxing class that we are interested in taking. Looks like you need an intro class first, so we are checking that out Friday afternoon! 

January in full swing

There are a ton of reasons that I am getting off the lazy train and finally making my life healthier and more active. The main one - I'm not happy with how I feel. Another great motivator - a LOT of pictures will be taken this year, and I want to be happy with how I look and feel in them. I'm Heather's maid of honor,and I want to look and feel good for myself, and in her wedding! 

I promise our dresses will be prettier than this -- and no bonnets. 

Last post was 12/29. I ran the next day too! Then it was a bit colder, so I skipped the run, and enjoyed New Years. Back to the daily grind -- I went to the gym on Tuesday night, then spin on Wednesday. Then Spin Friday morning with Lauren from work. Friday was a huge struggle. 

 5:25 am text to Lauren: "are you really going?"

Lauren: yes.

me: did not sleep well, I am struggling

Lauren: Haha, if you can't make it - I won't make you come. but you're awake already! 

me: I am awake but still in bed! I should go. 

Lauren: If you go you will be happy later.

And that is why you make plans with friends for early AM workouts. I really would not have gone if Lauren hadn't encouraged me to get up! 

Also - I said good bye to: 

weekday drinking. 

Those few happy hours, or glasses of wine with dinner add up! So, I'm cutting back. I'm sure I'll hit a happy hour or two over the next few months, but I'm not going out of my way to have it on hand, or have that casual glass of wine on a Tuesday night. After just one week, I felt better from this quick change. (And, there will definitely be times when we have to get a drink after work to catch up, vent, or regain our sanity! ) 

Day One

Well I did it - I got off my lazy vacation butt, and went for a run. I used the new Garmin watch, which I love! I used to use Map My Run but was never that confident that I was going as far as they said I was, and honestly - I like just going, and then turning around when I'm halfway through! 

I have not run since the Turkey Trot, so today was a run /walk for me. I did about 2.5 miles. Not stellar timing, but at least I got out there. It wasn't even that bad out -- not as windy as yesterday, and not that cold. 

On my run I passed this cute red house. I love the old flat front colonial (? ) style, and color. 

Tracker

I downloaded this app to my ipod touch last night. Basically - you enter your height/weight and goal - and it tells you how many calories you can have that day. Then, you enter in what you eat, and it tells you what you have left. Such as - my teaspoons of peanut butter were 99 calories last night! I never thought about how many calories one spoonful gave me, and now I will always have it in mind if the pb addiction kicks in. 


I feel like this will be a great educational tool - to understand what I am really eating, and determine where I want to use my calories. Of course when you work out, it factors that in too, so hopefully this simple little tracker will keep me in line a bit more!  I really think I overeat without realizing it, so I'm excited to see if this helps me change! 

So inconsistent in the blogging of this. Guess that is part of retraining myself - workout consistently, track it consistently. 


Anyway. 
09/28 - Spin at 6a
10/01 - 2.5 mile run
10/02 - 2 mile run 
10/03 - 10/05 were rough. I traveled for work, straight from work to the airport, 6a - 11p work day in Chicago, 6a -airport for 8a flight, meeting all day in Boston. 
10/10 - 2 mile run
10/11 - 2 mile run -- looks like I need to step this up a bit, challenge myself to move forward. 


This weekend - nothing. No excuses. No bad weather. Just didn't. :(

back at it

Friday - spin
Saturday - run! 2 miles in 21:07
Half of it was downhill, which was super easy. Coming back was a nice incline that made me slower than molasses. I probably looked like an old lady shuffling along. But at least I did it!

5ks and what not to drink before spinning

So annoying - I pretend I'm going to track workouts and progress and then I sort of forget. I literally did not even think about this blog or blogging in general for weeks, (clearly) even though I have a mild obsession to Google reader and a million other blogs. wth.

Anyway.
Sept 17 - ran the Gulf Beach 5k. This is the first annual 1/2 marathon and 5k at Gulf Beach. MONTHS ago, I thought, I can train and run the half marathon. Then I just - didn't. Maybe my sister is right - that if I haven't done it, and don't train for it, I don't really want to do it. But everytime someone tells me they did one, I am jealous. I guess I want to say I have done it, but don't want to do the work.

So, since this was year one - there were some kinks. The major one - the cop at the turn for the course didn't tell anyone to turn! The road wasn't marked well, so people ran straight. Luckily - one of the front runners had some sort of gps on so they turned around at 2.5 miles or so , and the 5k times were usable. Unfortunately, I wasn't sure where they had turned, and went a little too far. oops. I ran about 3.5 miles in 40 min. Not fabulous, but not the worst.

Results

Back in the work week, I thought - I'll go to the gym everyday! whoo hoo! And I went twice.  Friday AM my friend and I got up early for spin. I made the mistake of drinking some sort of Odwalla smoothie on the way to the gym. I felt SO SICK! I had to leave the spin class with about 15 min left for a quick bathroom break. Bad decision. I finished the class and felt like I hadn't put in a great workout bc I felt sick, but at least I did something!

Sunday

I ended up on the Dunkin Dozen Pan Mass Challenge team this year!  I expressed interest, and when they needed a 12th, I was it! 


I definitely have not trained much, but the ride we are doing is about 50 miles. I'm NERVOUS, but think I will be ok. I did the MS bike the Vineyard 100k ride (which ended up being about 65 miles) and lived to tell about it. 

It starts super early, 7:30 and we ride from Wellesley to Sharon, MA back to Wellesley. 

Wellesley to Wellesley

This route began in 2007 to accommodate riders who could only ride on Sunday or those looking for a less grueling ride. The ride starts with, what seems like a 15 mile descent following the classic Wellesley to Bourne route. Then the route heads east through Walpole and onto the Sharon water stop where riders returning on the two day ride from Bourne are arriving at their second water stop. The ride then heads back to Babson College. Fundraising minimum is $1,000 This ride begins at 7:30 am and depending on pace and rest times, can last from 2.5 hours to 6 hours. Most riders arrive back at Babson College between 10:30 am and 1:00 pm

Ok, back log of info to post here

Whoops. I got busy and didn't post. 


Ok, where was I? I was supposed to go to Power Yoga with my friend Lauren. Well, I got stuck at work and in traffic and showed up way late, so I skipped the class and worked out on the treadmill, elliptical and did some weights & crunches. 


Saturday - Lauren and I went to Cardio strike, which was great! I got so sweaty, and at one point was losing energy, but the instructor was good, keep us moving and before I knew it , we were done. It didn't hurt that I knew brunch was across the street waiting for me! (ps. the huevos rancheros (minus sausage) at Christopher's in Porter Sq is DELICIOUS!) 

Sunday - around 4 or so I hit the gym and did some running since it was pretty hot out side. I was highly motivated to get to the gym, since I felt good after my workout Saturday. 


Monday - Crazy, I know, I went to the gym AGAIN. It's easy when you start making it a part of your schedule. (not rocket science, but clearly when I don't make time for it, I am making excuses) I had a training session, which was good because now I have a list of things to accomplish on my own so I'm not wandering the gym like an idiot. 


Tuesday - Gym. Who is this girl??? I ran, and did some arm weights. I was sore in the legs and abs from the trainer! 


Wednesday - slacker


Thursday - Lauren and I skipped the gym for drinks and nachos at Tommy Doyles.  Oops. It was a long week! ha. 


Friday - no workout


Saturday - no workout


Sunday - no workout. OK I Suck. 


Monday - gym after work. Run, abs, elliptical. I watched the Social Network while I ran, and it made time go by quick but I was sluggish. 


Tuesday - met a friend for dinner - no gym


Wednesday - Urban Rebounding class -i.e. cardio trampoline workout. I struggled with this. My arches BURNED. I had to stop and stretch a few times bc I could barely move, and my ankles and feet felt locked. I am not that coordinated apparently because I almost fell off the trampoline a few times. I need to stretch those arches w/ tennis balls, and perhaps visit Marathon Sports to see if I am in the wrong shoes. 

I definitely haven't weighed myself in a week or two but I feel like I'm making some progress, and definitely feel less lazy!! 

vaca and getting my butt in gear

Vacation is awful for working out. A whole crew of us went to WI to visit some family and hang out for the 4th of July weekend. We spent time on the boats touring the lake, going for some pretty laid back swims, and tubing. There was lots of food, beer, and not a lot of exercise. 


So, when I flew back Tuesday, I thought - I'll go to the gym. Oops. Not quite. 
Wednesday - I went to the gym around 8ish, ran a bit, did some elliptical and crunches.


Thursday - When you join Healthworks you get a few free training sessions. Yesterday I met with Lauren, who is energetic and nice. She asked a lot of questions about what I do now, why I joined, and what my goals are. She did a few basic tests to see how my alignment is. Then, I have an actual training session with her next week when she will tell me certain things to do to work specific areas I am looking to improve. Trainers are COSTLY. Here, they let you do check ins - so you go work out alone, and then check in every month, or every 3 mos so you have a bit more accountability but not someone with you everyday. Also - this gym is all women, so I won't be as self conscious in the weight section! 


Last night, after the consultation, I ran for a mile on the tread mill, did a few arm weight lifts, stretched, did some elliptical, and left. 


Today - My friend Lauren from work (not to be confused w/ Trainer Lauren) are going to a Power Yoga class. Tomorrow, we signed up for Cardio Strike at 10a. I have yet to commit to a Sunday Night spin class!