Taking another approach

1st day back on the wagon & I'm over in my calories, I ended with 1771. I was a little tougher than I remember. Even with those calories I'm going to bed hungry. I can't wait to sleep.
 
Screwed up again yesterday. I had too light of a breakfast and I felt hungry the whole day so I ended up eating random food, a few of them from the boy's halloween bucket (which i have since thrown out).
Back on today. God I don't know why this is sometimes so hard. All food for the day is planned out. Sticking to it is the hardest part!
Huge workout schedule for today due to I didn't get my 30 min run in yesterday. I hope I have the energy.
30 min jog, just getting it done not worring about time; pilates; SBBC circuit training. Tonight a 500 meter swim split into sections; 50 warm up, 100 1st 25 hard & last 25 hard, 200 solid effort, 100 same as last 100, 50 cool down easy easy easy. Only trying to work on breathing & shoulder rotation.
God give me strength!
 
Morning portion of workout completed. It was tough getting into the grove but by the time I finished I felt accomplished and proud.
Now I'm trying to make sure my food stays what it should be. I think a large portion of that is to not let myself get hungry. I need to eat every 2 hrs to ensure I stay on course. When I get hungry all willpower goes out the window!
Now my day is off to the chiropractor then swimming tonight. Good, good day so far!
 
Ended up with a great food day and a great job on both workouts. My calories ended at 1571 with a split of 52% carbs, 20% fats, 28% protein. I felt satisfied and energized. I hate to say how hard it is to accomplish that goal with all the working out I did.
My finaly exercise was my swimming routine and stairmaster for 20 mins. In my frusterating without being able to get a handle on proper swimming form I checked out some videos on youtube and there were a few that were quite helpful. Hopefully when I get into the pool again tomorrow I'll be able to practice a few techniques.
Today my food goal is the same, which will be hard again because I'm taking the kids to the movie theater. I've got my lunch made with snacks so hopefully it wards off hunger!
My workout today is; interval speed work on treadmill and same weight lifting program as Mon.
I'm off now, I've got to meet my running girls at the Y @ 8:30 and I need gas on my way. The best I can feel at this moment is prepared and I do feel it.
 
Friday equated to another great workout day. I completed all set workout tasks and I, also, finally have a firm understanding on form while performing a front squat, that has been quite tough.
Today was difficult getting up and out of bed. My husband, Jimmy, actually had to make me get going. I really think I wouldn't have if I didn't have this support and, when needed, his push!
Anyway, I ended up running with the running group and ran the full 5K with a negative split. I have been running enough now to know how to hold back till the 1/2 way point then start to increase my speed slowly until the last .2; at that point I can really sprint it. The interval speed work has obviously been helping with my final push.
After the run I went to the Y and made up a workout. It consisted of inchworms around the track then walking lunges around the track then kangaroo hops around it. I repeated it twice. I did 3 sets of 10 squats and lunges. From there I swam my 500 meters with the same break down as Thursday. I had Mike, one of the lifeguards, watch me to see if I kept myself in a straight line and he said I did pretty well. That was nice to hear after having been hearing a lot of constructive criticizm lately. I think those video's I've been watching are helping me.
Getting ready to, actually as I type this Jimmy just brought me up my dinner. I have it pretty good!
See ya Monday!
 
Happy Monday, my favorite day of the week. Everyone back to work or school and those of us left who do neither of those things are back on schedule. There was a time in my life I thought schedules were overrated, not anymore. I am a schedule lover!
So today I met the 2 girls who now do speed interval training with me. We did 5 min warm up, 6 X 60 secs sprint, 1:30 recovery between each set, 5 min cool down. My sprint time is still @ 8.5 on the treadmill. I'm dying with a shorter rest time but my heart rate is good 120 just after sprints then goes down to 86 before the next sprint. I remember when I 1st started back at the gym and my heart rate was, with minimal effort, up around 140-160 and if took minutes for it to come back down and normal then was around 100. Healthy Heart!
Lifting was especially difficult. 3 sets of 8. Heavy! Alternating between 2 exercises:
Front Squat 85lbs
Wide Grip Seated Row 60 lbs

Supine Hip Extention on Swiss Ball w/ Roll in
Barbell Push Press 60 lbs

Dynamic Lunge 55 lbs
Upper Body Twist 12.5 lbs

Snatch Grip Deadlift 95 lbs
T-Push up as fast as I could go (which really isn't that fast)

Bulgarian Split Squat w/ Over Head Dumbbell Press 15 lbs
Underhand Close Grip Pull Down 70 lbs (that is still so bloody tough)

Romanian Deadlift w/ Row 60 lbs
Lower Body Twist (I still have to hang onto the squat rack feet as to not move my upper body)

I have got to buy gloves, I have caluses on my hands now. A few of the lifts I think I'll go heavier on Friday when I do them again but a few, seated row & pull down, are still so tough I couldn't do more when I tried. I don't know why I can't seem to pull any more weight. I think I've done the same weight since I started this session. OK well I just looked back at my log and I have gone, on my seated rows from 55 to 60 lbs & pull downs from 60 to 70 lbs. There has been progress!

Nothing feels quite as great as after a great workout. As ususal, now I have to make sure my food is as good. I'm off to go get some cottage cheese! Make it a great day.
 
OH, how I wish I had more time to journal about my YMCA family. People wouldn't imagine worshiping the lord totally from home, they go to church or some other place of gathering to share their love and experiences. The same goes for exercise. I have worked out from home and I have worked out in a gym, there is no question which one keeps me motivated and on track. I walk in every day and there is an accountability there. People notice when I'm losing weight and they notice when I'm gaining. I get congratulations when things are going great and understanding when they aren't. For anyone who reads this and doesn't have a gym, I suggest you give it a try. It is worth the $ every single day of the week.
I have been a member of this YMCA for 4 years but it hasn't been until this past year that I have grown apart of this most wonderful family. It has become my home away from home. I walk in and check into the front desk, I then pass Roy and Keith in maintenance. They and I exchange pleasantries. The tot spot is like a beacon of light for me and the boys, as they cannot wait to get in. They are treated like grandchildren or like nephews of the women who work there. Not a morning goes by that we all don't have gripes, success stories, irritations and laughter that we share with one another. The Ladies Lockerroom is like another world, coffee is being made, chit chat is coming from each stall. I evesdrop on conversations about politics, religion, illness within a family, pros and cons of certain school districts. I could go on and on and on and on, as if I already hadn't. I haven't even gotten to the men in the weight room or the people in the classes I take. The beautiful sight of sweaty runners, walkers, steppers and rowers. I find that I love them like an extended family. I truly don't know what I would do or how I would keep up what I have accomplished without them.
Anyway, yesterday I did pilates, SBBC circuit training and then at night I went to swimming class. Tuesday is so much work!!! I find that I fall into bed at then end of it wondering if I'll be able to wake on Wednesday.
Today because of our new found desire, or so I keep reminding myself, to run in the Borgess 1/2 Marathon in the spring we have a running schedule to keep with. I have been dubbed the workout bully by a few of my Y friends and have recruited 6 women who are going to give it a whirl, one of whom has MS and is willing to go at her own pace and walk or stop when necessary (WHAT AN INSPIRATION). I think we should be an official group and get donations though our running for the cause. I wonder how one goes about starting something like that. Any suggestions???
So one woman who has to work cannot come this morning so I'm going to meet with her tonight to run another 3 miles. That puts me at 6 miles today, bonus; I get to eat carbs. Fun for me! Obviously, I still need to keep it within my range of calories but carbs are so fun, I think I have a love affair awaiting me today.
I am off, I get the PRIVLEDGE of running with some beautiful women who I hope would call me a friend!
 
Last night I met with Colleen for our Wednesday night jog. It was flat and fast. We left at 6:02 ran 3.4 miles and got back at 6:27. Either my watch is wrong or she clocked it wrong, there is no way I can run that fast. We'll see what the time is next week. I hate to get my hopes up and have them dashed by reality.
Today I was sore. I actually didn't want to go to the Y because I thougth maybe my legs needed a break but I told Dawn to go to the pilates class so I felt I needed to be there in case she was. I don't know how I'd explain to her that she should go but I don't need to.
Anyway; pilates, SBBC circuit training. Tonight I do stairmaster and swimming. Lovingly exhausting!!!
I did not get up this morning to do chores so I need to get them done now. Have a great one everyone! I look forward to having more time to journal tomorrow.
 
Last nights stairmaster and swimming didn't work out for me. Walter didn't take a nap and wouldn't stop crying in tot spot so I didn't leave him. Instead I got myself and all the kids into the pool at the Y and just played for an hour. It felt good to focus on just their playing. I don't do that enough. I need to make that more of a priority! I found out yesterday that they have family swim on Thursday nights so I think that will be our gig after I do lap swim.
Today I do interval sprint work on the treadmill and my last and final lift of Fat Loss II from the New Rules of Lifting. Next week I do 0, none, zip weight lifting. I really do feel that my body needs the break.
I cannot say enough great things about this program. My body has transformed during this last 6 week period! My legs are now like bricks, I cannot even believe they are mine. Yesterday in pilates when you have to do the 100 and your legs are straight up in the air I just couldn't take my eyes off of them. They are a little like the shape of a jelly bean, (maybe a jelly bean isn't accurate) but they kind of bow like that. They are hard muscle, my fat is minimizing like in unbelievable fashion. The pants I've been waiting and waiting to wear that I try on every Friday to see if I'm closer, well, if I don't wear them now like RIGHT NOW they will be too big. This workout is like body transforming!!!
I saw a friend the other night at the grocery store. He's been my husband's best friend for forever. We don't get together much anymore because of our whole herd of kids and he doesn't have any (the whole lot of us can be a little overwhelming to be around). Anyway, he couldn't believe how far I've come. It brought to my mind that 1 year, 1 year that's it, ago I was 241lbs. I was 241lbs 1 year ago, that seems impossible now. I have facial features, a normal width to my body, I can see the detail tendons and muscles in my feet (my feet were so fat I couldn't wear the boots I'm wearing now). I couldn't wear my wedding ring for the past 4 years now it is so big I think the Xmas gift to myself and my husband (because he can't wear his anymore without string tied on the inside of the band) rings resized.
I'm reading yet another book, this one is called the Athlet's Way. It's about mental transformation. How one looks at the difficult yet blissful way of exercise. His journey, the author, is one of love and inspiration and dedication. I want my athletic life to be like that, I have found I agree with his assessment of SWEAT = BLISS. When I was fat I hated sweating, now I CRAVE it, the feeling of it dripping down my now slim body is like a symbol of work and beauty and intensity and love. I love myself, I couln't say that before, I love myself enough to make my body sweat! Oh, for how many of the past year have I not loved my body. It was something I tried to hide, I stopped wearing makeup and colorful clothes I stopped doing my hair because I didn't want to be noticed. I was with my family at a hockey game for my oldest son and my husband introduced me to a childhood friend whom I had never met and I scolded him as we left to NEVER introduce me to anyone. Just let me keep walking. My whole self was warped because of my body. I was ashamed I had let myself get to that point.
Sweating to me is proud and powerful and LOVE!
Today I get to sweat again and sweat with friends. May each and everyone of you who read this have a great SWEAT today.
 
Something amazing and beyond me is happening to me. Over the past 6 weeks I have, on a few occasions, been told how I have inspired this one or that one to push themselves harder because of them observing me during my workouts. I've been kind of amazed and have brushed it off as kinda quacky women, like a whatever gets you moving is great. I don't take that stuff too much to heart because I know women, I am one, and we are fickle (keeping my expectations low has been my moto for quite some time now, even for other's). I figured this too shall pass. Yesterday, though, it smacked me right in my face.
I was running late, from my workout and from chatting with the ladies in the lounge, to pick up my boys from tot spot. I walk in and immediately start talking about why I'm late and the funny stories I'd just been told when this woman who was also picking up her kids interjected into the conversation to talk to me. She informed me on just how much I have inspired her. She called me a maniac, which may or may not be true, and told me that because of watching me push myself she is now pushing herself to do the Borgess 1/2 Marathon. She didn't just say it, she.....made me feel it from her. She had no idea how overweight I had been but she knew that my body had been changing and she wants change for herself. I brush stuff like that off, again because women are crazy sometimes and say things we don't really mean just to be nice, but she made me feel it. She made me realize that people are watching. People need some one to look to and say to themselves "if they can do it why the hell can't I do it, well, maybe I CAN DO IT". Anyway, we started talking and I told her how there is a few women also training for that race and she joined up on the spot.
I leave the tot spot, with some bounce in my step that has been coming for a while. I left there feeling like maybe this is my purpose. Maybe this is what I am meant to do, work with women. As I'm still walking down the hall, Kristen, she works at the Y, asked me to stop by her desk after she was done with a new member tour. I went out, put the boys in the van, loaded up my crap and went back inside to talk with Kristen. She was still giving the tour so I left my cel # with another front desk worker. I had no idea what Kristen wanted but I knew my membership was paid up so I figured it wasn't anything bad. When I got home I made the decision that I had already sort of made, I'm going to take classes and become a certified personal trainer. I want to work with women who have had or currently have weight issues. I signed up under ACE and am currently awaiting my reading material to arrive.
After a little while at home my phone rings. It's Kristen from the Y, she informed me that there is a member who has also been watching me and asked if she could give me her information for us to get together. She wants to run a marathon and wants someone to be with her mentally for this challenge. I emailed her and discovered that she and I go to the same pilates class, why she's never talked to me I don't know, but it really doesn't matter. She cannot train with us as she works the mornings we run together but she is looking for mental help getting though it and hopefully will manage a run or 2 together on Wednesday nights.
I'm not posting this as to boost my ego or brag, I'm saying this because what we do matters to other people even when we aren't aware of it. I have a fire in me to work out and work out hard. I have more drive than I have ever had for anything in my "me" life. I want a certain body, I want a certain mental toughness, I want strength and agility and flexibility. In striving so hard for me I found that it isn't just for ME. I used to be the one in high school that steered my peers to party and get into trouble; oh how I've changed. wow.
Alright so on to my workout yesterday. Interval sprint work on the treadmill; 5 min warm up walk, 7 X 60 sec sprints @ 8.0 (my knee and hip have been bothering me and my race is Sunday, I didn't want to push it too hard), 1:30 recovery between sprints, 5 min cool down.
Weights 3 sets of 8 w/ 30 sec recovery between alternating sets, my final lift for 1-2 weeks (should be 1 but I'm going out east to my sister's for the following week and I don't know if I'll get started with my new routine out there or just go to her body pump class);

Snatch grip deadlift @ 95lbs
T-push up, as fast as I could get up

Bulgarian split squat with dumbbell shoulder press @ 15lbs (much better I finally felt comfortable with that heavy a weight)
Underhand close grip pull down @ 70lbs (same, if I were doing this set again I know I could up my weight)

Romanian deadlift w/ row 60lbs (super tough on my right wrist, it don't know why when I pull up to do my row I feel like slight burn heat going to my hand)
Lowerbody twist (same, I still have to hold on as to not go all the way over)

Front squat @ 85lbs
Wide grip row @ 50lbs (that is still so tough, I cannot keep good form and do 60lbs)

Supine hip extentions on swiss ball w/ roll in
Overhead barbell push press 1st @ 50lbs (because I have such a hard time getting it from "CLEAN" I dont' know if that is the correct term but I also don't know how to describe it.) 2-3rd @ 65lbs (I figured out how to do them in the squat rack and have the bar start at my shoulders so I don't have to pull it up from my waist)

Dynamic Lunge @ 55lbs
Upper body twist @ 15lbs

Done, done, done. The book is right, I need the break. My body is tweaking all over. My wrist hurts this morning, my elbow hurts, my back is sore (just muscle I think). I'm ready for a break regardless of whether it is 1 or 2 weeks. I think my body will thank me.
Tomorow is my race with the running group. I'm posting my hoped for time 5K in 29:30. That is pretty fast pace for me to keep up but I really do think it's possible.
Have a great day everyone and remember people really are watching and hoping you succeed in your goals!
 
Today I completed my 1st 5k since the Tri back in August. I had hoped to be under 30 mins, as I have never accomplished that in all my time running (even from 7 yes ago). Well, I did it today with time to spare. I finished in 26:04; I ended up placing in my age group. I couldn't believe it; amazing. I'm going to try and posts pictures.
More explaining tomorrow, I'm wiped!
 
Alright, pictures of the race are up. I know the red lips are a little much but I wanted to make sure my husband noticed me so I could get a picture. When I look like my momma self I don't tend to stand out in a crowd. I figured those red lips would make me stand out in a crowd!
Yesterday on the way to the race Jimmy, my husband, asked what time I was looking for. I didn't feel well and was irritated that he expected me to have some sort of magic time to throw out. I ended up going on a rant about "I am only mediocre, don't have high expectations of me. You married a mediocre woman, I'm a mediocre driver, mother, wife"; anyway, you get my point. I felt like crap and didn't really want to have to work hard. When he dropped me off to meet up with my group they were all charged up and I started feeling the excitement. I realized this wasn't just another "run" with my group. This was a race and I was going to give it all I had. While walking to the start line I saw Dawn and we decided we were going to do this in under 30, no joke, we were ready and could do this. When we started it was slow and cheerful. Dawn started to fall back a little but told me to hit it. I started passing by a few people and my legs just took over (I wish my lungs could keep up with my legs). I finally put my music on my ears and sort of just got lost in the beat and my breathing. I realized I take 3 ha ha ha breaths to every 2 steps. It became a rhythm, I just focused on it. The next thing you know I was at the 2 mile mark. I figured I could push it a little faster, I was looking for another woman from my running group (the one in the picture in purple), she's pretty fast and I figured if I could catch her maybe she could help me keep the pace and get through in under my hoped for time. Finally around the 2 1/2 mark I saw her, we ran together for a few steps but she was loosing steam and I just wanted to finish this as fast as I could. By the 3 mile mark my legs were losing it and I had to repeat to myself that there was only .1 left GO GO GO GO GO. When I turned the last corner and started up the hill to the finish and notice that the clock said 25 mins something I couldn't believe it. I saw Jimmy struggling with the camera because he didn't expect me quite yet either. By that last push I was done, my legs and lungs (mostly my lungs) were wiped but I crossed at 26:12. The final on my time was 26:04 due to I was a little behind in the pack at the start line. Never, never, never did I expect that time. I was so happy I didn't have my watch on so I couldn't tell myself, "you're going to fast, slow down, you won't make it that far this fast". I don't know if I'll wear one for the next race or not but I'll tell you, this race felt great!
Next race up is the Turkey Trot in New Hampshire with my sister.
Interval training today, there is a change up. Kid is crying so I gotta go.
 
Interval training today; 5 min warm up, 7 X 30 sec all out 100% (9.2 on the treadmill), 1 min jog recovery between each sprint (6.0 on the treadmill), 5 min cool down walk.

OMG, my legs were dead. When I read you should be burning during this workout I thought "ok, burning, I can handle burning". I surpassed burning and went straight to numb! My legs are like lead. I'm taking a nap today. Thankfully no running, jogging or walking tomorrow. Pilates and SBBC circuit training. Hopefully Kraig will go easy on us!

Have a good day all!
 
I'm home today. I've been fighting this cold and sore throat for at least a week; I'm finally tending to it. Rest, fluid, rest, fluid, rest; hopefully, the kids will allow this to go on dispite their rambunctous energy levels.

I hate being sick!
 
Woke up ready to take on the day. Amazing what a day of rest will do for the body. I'm totally ready for my 45 min run today with the girls! I can't wait!!!

45 mins run today, around town with hills. Should be great!
 
We ended up running the trail out behind the Y. None of the 3 of us have ever run back there so we ran over and under and through the woods for our 45 mins. By the end we were lost. We kept walking till we thought we found the way out but found out it was a way out but not the way out to the Y. We found our way to a street that we followed back to the Y. Thankfully it was light out, we would have been totally screwed in the dark!

Felt great, slow pace, chatting through the whole thing. Tonight I run with Colleen, hopefully it's a little faster pace.

Now on to finishing up chores and getting dinner together.
 
Ha! You be careful doing that stuff. I love the woods but it is easy to get disoriented out there. I hope that you least let someone know where you are running when you do that due to a worst case.
 
We did, the front desk knew we 3 ambitious but otherwise silly women were out in the elements. It's weird because the path leading out to the trail seems so distinct but not so much after we had gone round and round a while. Everything looked exactly the same as everything else. Fun story we'll look back on when the miles get high, hopefully it will keep our spirits up.

Last night I went out with Colleen. It was raining when I left and Michigan winter rain is not a friendly type rain. It was more like pellets falling from the sky. Thankfully, by the time I got to the school the rain had stopped and it turned out to be a beautiful night for a run. We went 42 mins instead of 45 but who's going to quibble about that; 22 out, 20 mins back. Nice neg split. I finally clocked it with my car because I don't think we went as far as she thought we did. This is not a fast run, we ended up only running 3.4 miles but it felt good.
Today NO running. Pilates and SBBC circuit training. I'm looking forward to both classes as I couldn't make them on Tues. My hammies are so tight. I think I need to find a good yoga class although I don't know where I would fit it in.
Crazy day and 1/2 ahead. We leave to go out east tomorrow afternoon, hope to be out of the house by 1pm. Laundry, packing, cleaning; so much to do and yet I sit at this computer.
I'm off, i'm off!
 
OMG, what a day. Between wanting to get my workout in and get all the things done so we can leave tomorrow and regular life; I'm wiped out. I'm only even up this late waiting for my daughter to call so I can go pick her up from a choir outing. I really need to be up cleaning the livingroom but...I'm too tired. I hope I wake with enough energy to finish everything off and get to my sprints with the girls at the Y.

Today I did make it to pilates and SBBC circuit training. In pilates I finally met with Rebecca, a new member to our running group who works on the days we run so she will be running after pilates on Tues & Thurs along with anyone who missed Mon Wed or Fri workout. She seems really quiet but nice. SBBC was different today, we used kettlebells. I've never used them before, quite a workout. I enjoy all the body weight stuff but it was a nice change up.

Tomorrow sprints with the girls, if I get off my hump and finish this packing I've got to do. So I guess, until then! Have a great night.
 
I'm back! Vacations are killers of all things healthy and routine; it's so much work. I'm so happy to be home and back to normal. Lots of workouts happened while I was away but so was lots of crappy yummy food.
I've got a baby crying on my leg so I'll write about it later.
 
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