Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Week Nine results!!
Ok, so week nine was pretty much a disaster as far as the plan goes.....work and life definitely got in the way! I couldn't eat much all week, but I could tell that what I was eating my body wasn't digesting because my stomach was just in one big knot. I couldn't work out much because I was exhausted from working more than ever AND I kind of fell apart emotionally...not a good combination. So when I stepped on the scale this morning I was hoping for 132 but knew that was probably unrealistic. I was 133...Not too bad, I didn't gain anything I guess. I just hope that things stabilize next week and I can maybe make up the difference. I'm supposed to be 130 by next Monday to stay on track....and I really really think I can do it!! I have THREE DAYS OFF this week with not much planned so I'm going to hit the gym hard and get back into my routine. And I'm going to feel better. If I'm at 130 by Monday, that's my original goal weight, which is amazing!! I'm almost there! I know there is a lot more I can do after that point though, so I'm going to stick with 126-128 as my revised goal and hope to be there by the time I take off for San Diego in three weeks!!!
Week Nine, days six and seven.....
I'm pretty sure I took these days off. I don't even remember. I was working a lot towards the end of the week and physically and emotionally drained. So they were kind of a blur. It was hard enough just to get the energy/motivation to go to work when I was supposed to, so working out was sort of out of the question. Here's hoping next week is better.....
Friday, January 1, 2010
Week Nine, days one through five.....wow what a crazy week!!
Ok so I obviously haven't been very good about updating this week! Things have been crazier than ever....I thought that this week would slow down at work but it's actually worse than last week, at least I had two days off for the Christmas holidays last week, as opposed to this week working my regular schedule this week plus the holiday days....too many extra shifts!! But good money. But man am I exhausted. Anyway, here's the recap:
Monday, Day One....today I was scheduled to work my usual Monday double, but actually got called off my morning shift which was AMAZING. So I took advantage of the morning/afternoon off and went to the gym to start my first day of the new phase of my running program. So my plan for the day called for 30 minutes of running followed by 5 "strides" (30 seconds at a really fast pace followed by a minute of rest, repeat 5 times) and then ten more minutes of running. Wow what a workout!! It looked intimidating at the outset, but I did it! I also did pilates at home. Then went off to work in the evening and it was a crazy busy Monday night! Apparently nobody but us is working this week, and they're ALL at the mall. Hmm.
Tuesday, Day Two....today I wasn't planning on working out at all as I was scheduled to close lunch (which means I stay until the dinner folks come on and take all those late afternoon tables) and then work a food running shift in the evening. I ended up getting about a half hour break between....basically worked an 11 hour day with one half hour break. And it was CRAZY busy the whole time! This was not good at all for my eating schedule and my stomach started to go kinda crazy with hunger, but when I did finally eat it felt weird. Then after work I went to a movie with my friend Tom (yay) and ate some popcorn....made my tummy feel even weirder.
Wednesday, Day Three.....today was my one and only day off this week! My next day off is a full week away. Yuck. In the morning I did my pilates and weights at home, and then went to see some friends in Beauty and the Beast at the Ordway. Fun!! Then did some shopping and got home early to lay low. My stomach was still feeling weird and I was just feeling generally tired. More days off needed!!
Thursday, Day Four....today I had one of those days where I must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed or something. I have been really stressed/tired with all the work shifts, and sad and missing Eben and dealing with all the lovely things that come with having your fiancee be away at the holidays, and being in the military, and not being able to even talk to him on your anniversary. It all kinda came to a head today and I just felt crappy and emotional and spent and I could tell by the way my stomach was all twisted up that it was not going to be a good day. But, I did what I always do and just keep going.....in the morning I had a session with my trainer and she worked me really hard! She commented that she is starting to see my muscles build as I get leaner, pretty cool! I just can't seem to slim down in my thighs and butt though, no matter what I do. Damn genetics. But, she is focusing on those areas and recommends that I keep at the cardio and run on an elevation to help blast that fat. After our training I felt really spent but did twenty minutes of cardio....then home to get ready for the dreaded New Year's Eve closing shift at the restaurant. It was awful, and I was in no shape to be there. I was having a bad week, a really bad day, and badly needed some down time or even time to wallow but instead I had to suck it up and go get my butt kicked at work. My head was throbbing all night, my stomach was in one big knot and I felt despondent about having to be there. Not fun. The best part of my day was being in bed before midnight. Happy New Years :(
Friday, Day Five....today I felt a lot better for some reason, it's amazing what a good night's sleep and a good cry can do for you. I started off the afternoon with some yoga, then I went to the gym to do day three of the running program which was 3 sets of ten minute run/5 strides. Even though I was real sore from the day before's training and working, it felt really good and I seemed to have my energy back for the first time in a while! Then I had to go home and get ready for work, again. I feel like I'm on an endless loop....eat, workout, eat, work, sleep. Repeat. I can't wait for my upcoming vacation!!! Oh, and next week....I have THREE DAYS OFF!! In a row!! I am oh so thrilled :)
Workout tally for this week so far:
Cardio: 3
Weights: 2
Pilates/Yoga: 3
Monday, Day One....today I was scheduled to work my usual Monday double, but actually got called off my morning shift which was AMAZING. So I took advantage of the morning/afternoon off and went to the gym to start my first day of the new phase of my running program. So my plan for the day called for 30 minutes of running followed by 5 "strides" (30 seconds at a really fast pace followed by a minute of rest, repeat 5 times) and then ten more minutes of running. Wow what a workout!! It looked intimidating at the outset, but I did it! I also did pilates at home. Then went off to work in the evening and it was a crazy busy Monday night! Apparently nobody but us is working this week, and they're ALL at the mall. Hmm.
Tuesday, Day Two....today I wasn't planning on working out at all as I was scheduled to close lunch (which means I stay until the dinner folks come on and take all those late afternoon tables) and then work a food running shift in the evening. I ended up getting about a half hour break between....basically worked an 11 hour day with one half hour break. And it was CRAZY busy the whole time! This was not good at all for my eating schedule and my stomach started to go kinda crazy with hunger, but when I did finally eat it felt weird. Then after work I went to a movie with my friend Tom (yay) and ate some popcorn....made my tummy feel even weirder.
Wednesday, Day Three.....today was my one and only day off this week! My next day off is a full week away. Yuck. In the morning I did my pilates and weights at home, and then went to see some friends in Beauty and the Beast at the Ordway. Fun!! Then did some shopping and got home early to lay low. My stomach was still feeling weird and I was just feeling generally tired. More days off needed!!
Thursday, Day Four....today I had one of those days where I must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed or something. I have been really stressed/tired with all the work shifts, and sad and missing Eben and dealing with all the lovely things that come with having your fiancee be away at the holidays, and being in the military, and not being able to even talk to him on your anniversary. It all kinda came to a head today and I just felt crappy and emotional and spent and I could tell by the way my stomach was all twisted up that it was not going to be a good day. But, I did what I always do and just keep going.....in the morning I had a session with my trainer and she worked me really hard! She commented that she is starting to see my muscles build as I get leaner, pretty cool! I just can't seem to slim down in my thighs and butt though, no matter what I do. Damn genetics. But, she is focusing on those areas and recommends that I keep at the cardio and run on an elevation to help blast that fat. After our training I felt really spent but did twenty minutes of cardio....then home to get ready for the dreaded New Year's Eve closing shift at the restaurant. It was awful, and I was in no shape to be there. I was having a bad week, a really bad day, and badly needed some down time or even time to wallow but instead I had to suck it up and go get my butt kicked at work. My head was throbbing all night, my stomach was in one big knot and I felt despondent about having to be there. Not fun. The best part of my day was being in bed before midnight. Happy New Years :(
Friday, Day Five....today I felt a lot better for some reason, it's amazing what a good night's sleep and a good cry can do for you. I started off the afternoon with some yoga, then I went to the gym to do day three of the running program which was 3 sets of ten minute run/5 strides. Even though I was real sore from the day before's training and working, it felt really good and I seemed to have my energy back for the first time in a while! Then I had to go home and get ready for work, again. I feel like I'm on an endless loop....eat, workout, eat, work, sleep. Repeat. I can't wait for my upcoming vacation!!! Oh, and next week....I have THREE DAYS OFF!! In a row!! I am oh so thrilled :)
Workout tally for this week so far:
Cardio: 3
Weights: 2
Pilates/Yoga: 3
Monday, December 28, 2009
Week Eight Results!!
My goal for this weigh-in was 134....and after all of the upset in my routine/plan because of the holidays, I was hoping at least not to gain anything and to stay at 135. So I weighed myself this morning, and....134!! It's a Christmas miracle!!! ha ha ha :) This makes me feel pretty good about my ability to maintain my loss when this is all over, since I was eating the things I wanted (within reason, and smaller portions) and working out less. So, once I get to my goal, I can get onto a "maintenance schedule" and hopefully keep at that weight! Plus, I know I will keep active no matter what, and try to run at least three times a week and do pilates three to four times a week, regardless of whether I am trying to lose or not. Now it feels like a habit, something I'm used to doing and something I want to do!
So...four and a half weeks left and it will be the end of the 13 weeks, and I will be in San Diego! I have been thinking recently, and looking at my calendar...if I do maintain this two-pound-a-week loss which seems to be very do-able for me, I will be at 126 the Monday before I leave for San Diego. I wasn't sure when I started out how the weight would come off, or what I would look like after 20 pounds of loss. Most people that I told my goal to at the outset thought I was crazy and said "How are you going to lose twenty pounds, you'll have nothing left!" Because I wasn't huge, and I'm pretty small and short to begin with. But I knew it was there and that it had to go!! Now I look at where I am currently, and I think if I take eight more pounds off I will probably be at my optimal weight. Very slim and not much fat, but I think it is completely within healthy range. I do have a lot more fat on my thighs and butt (and some minimally on my tummy and arms) that could go, thank you very much. So I am going to keep trying for the two pound a week thing. 130 is still my minimum goal, but I'll say 126 is my optimum goal!! I know I am building muscle and that weighs more, so we'll see how it all evens out. I think I'll know when I am at my perfect balance, and at a weight/muscle ratio that is realistic to maintain long term.
So...now that Christmas is behind me, it's time to get back to the gym!! Let's go!
So...four and a half weeks left and it will be the end of the 13 weeks, and I will be in San Diego! I have been thinking recently, and looking at my calendar...if I do maintain this two-pound-a-week loss which seems to be very do-able for me, I will be at 126 the Monday before I leave for San Diego. I wasn't sure when I started out how the weight would come off, or what I would look like after 20 pounds of loss. Most people that I told my goal to at the outset thought I was crazy and said "How are you going to lose twenty pounds, you'll have nothing left!" Because I wasn't huge, and I'm pretty small and short to begin with. But I knew it was there and that it had to go!! Now I look at where I am currently, and I think if I take eight more pounds off I will probably be at my optimal weight. Very slim and not much fat, but I think it is completely within healthy range. I do have a lot more fat on my thighs and butt (and some minimally on my tummy and arms) that could go, thank you very much. So I am going to keep trying for the two pound a week thing. 130 is still my minimum goal, but I'll say 126 is my optimum goal!! I know I am building muscle and that weighs more, so we'll see how it all evens out. I think I'll know when I am at my perfect balance, and at a weight/muscle ratio that is realistic to maintain long term.
So...now that Christmas is behind me, it's time to get back to the gym!! Let's go!
Week Eight, days four - seven....recap time!
So, what with the holidays and all I was a little less than diligent about updating here, and things were all around kind of screwy! But I'm happy to report that I did a pretty decent job with my plan, regardless! Here's a quick and dirty recap...
Thursday, Day four.....today I was planning on getting up and going to the gym to get some cardio in....but I was feeling pretty worn out from work the night before and I only had a small window of time (not to mention we got dumped on with snow overnight and I really didn't feel like dealing with that!) since we were supposed to be leaving for my aunt and uncles' in Lakeville by around 1:00. So I decided to stay home and do some pilates instead.
Then I continued my trend of breaking my diet plan (only in small ways though) and had an amazing meal made by my aunt Patty, beef teriyaki tenderloin, mashed potatoes, salad, green beans...it was SO GOOD! And then like 10 different types of cookies to choose from for dessert. I was in heaven. But I was pretty good and didn't feel like I fell off the wagon too hard :) None of the food was terribly unhealthy either...just a lot richer than what I have been eating lately! YUM.
After dinner we all played many rounds of Apples to Apples (which is kind of becoming our holiday tradition), then drove home in the snow just in time to make it to the midnight Christmas Eve service at church. All in all a great Christmas Eve!!
Day Five, Friday....Christmas Day!! Since my gym was closed today I knew I would be either taking the day off working out, or just doing some stuff at home. So after opening our gifts in the morning (I got an awesome new workout outfit, thanks Dad (and Jen for helping)!) I did some pilates and resistance/weight stuff at home. It was actually a really good workout and got my heart pumping! The rest of the day was very relaxing, we had a yummy beef roast for dinner and then watched Julie & Julia that evening. I didn't realize it at the time, but that movie definitely inspired in many ways the first time I saw it....to start this blog, for one, and just to go after my dreams and realize that it's going to be hard at times, but when you are following your passion, those minor setbacks are to be expected and even embraced! Such a great movie :)
Day Six, Saturday....today I went back to the gym to do some weights and cardio! It felt great! I did some stuff on the machines to concentrate on my legs and arms, and then ran for about a half hour with ten minute intervals of running and three minute rest. Then had to cut it a little short to get home and prepare for having the future in-laws over for lunch :) Then I had to work a lame carry-out shift at work which turned out to be very short, which was nice because I had the rest of the evening to hang out with my sister! We had Dairy Queen. It was SO good. I got a small blizzard and brought half home for my mom, and that seemed to be good enough to satisfy my craving (and treat my mom!) without going off the wagon too bad!!
Day Seven, Sunday....today I planned on resting, and with church in the morning and work all afternoon/evening, there isn't much time for working out on Sundays ever! Weigh in tomorrow...hopefully my lax workout/eating this week didn't make me gain weight! Ah well, it's the holidays...and I still have four weeks left to get to my goal...I can't believe it is coming to the end of the thirteen weeks!!
Workout tally:
Cardio: 2
Resistance: 5
Pilates/Yoga: 3
Thursday, Day four.....today I was planning on getting up and going to the gym to get some cardio in....but I was feeling pretty worn out from work the night before and I only had a small window of time (not to mention we got dumped on with snow overnight and I really didn't feel like dealing with that!) since we were supposed to be leaving for my aunt and uncles' in Lakeville by around 1:00. So I decided to stay home and do some pilates instead.
Then I continued my trend of breaking my diet plan (only in small ways though) and had an amazing meal made by my aunt Patty, beef teriyaki tenderloin, mashed potatoes, salad, green beans...it was SO GOOD! And then like 10 different types of cookies to choose from for dessert. I was in heaven. But I was pretty good and didn't feel like I fell off the wagon too hard :) None of the food was terribly unhealthy either...just a lot richer than what I have been eating lately! YUM.
After dinner we all played many rounds of Apples to Apples (which is kind of becoming our holiday tradition), then drove home in the snow just in time to make it to the midnight Christmas Eve service at church. All in all a great Christmas Eve!!
Day Five, Friday....Christmas Day!! Since my gym was closed today I knew I would be either taking the day off working out, or just doing some stuff at home. So after opening our gifts in the morning (I got an awesome new workout outfit, thanks Dad (and Jen for helping)!) I did some pilates and resistance/weight stuff at home. It was actually a really good workout and got my heart pumping! The rest of the day was very relaxing, we had a yummy beef roast for dinner and then watched Julie & Julia that evening. I didn't realize it at the time, but that movie definitely inspired in many ways the first time I saw it....to start this blog, for one, and just to go after my dreams and realize that it's going to be hard at times, but when you are following your passion, those minor setbacks are to be expected and even embraced! Such a great movie :)
Day Six, Saturday....today I went back to the gym to do some weights and cardio! It felt great! I did some stuff on the machines to concentrate on my legs and arms, and then ran for about a half hour with ten minute intervals of running and three minute rest. Then had to cut it a little short to get home and prepare for having the future in-laws over for lunch :) Then I had to work a lame carry-out shift at work which turned out to be very short, which was nice because I had the rest of the evening to hang out with my sister! We had Dairy Queen. It was SO good. I got a small blizzard and brought half home for my mom, and that seemed to be good enough to satisfy my craving (and treat my mom!) without going off the wagon too bad!!
Day Seven, Sunday....today I planned on resting, and with church in the morning and work all afternoon/evening, there isn't much time for working out on Sundays ever! Weigh in tomorrow...hopefully my lax workout/eating this week didn't make me gain weight! Ah well, it's the holidays...and I still have four weeks left to get to my goal...I can't believe it is coming to the end of the thirteen weeks!!
Workout tally:
Cardio: 2
Resistance: 5
Pilates/Yoga: 3
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Week Eight, days one, two and three....here comes the hard part...
....trying to keep my fitness momentum going with work being absolutely insane, working more shifts, trying to get things done for xmas, fitting in workouts when work is weird, other holiday things are scheduled everywhere, and my gym is closed and classes cancelled, trying to eat responsibly when there is temptation EVERYWHERE and my regular routine is all screwy. SIGH. All I can do for this week is try my best to fit things in when I can and realize that it may not happen, and that's ok :). Luckily, I still have 4 1/2 weeks left after this one to get the remaining weight off and get all buff! So maybe next Monday I won't be 134, but I'm sure as hell gonna try to get there in spite of it all. And by all means try to not put ON any weight!!
Day one, Monday.....today I was scheduled to work my normal Monday double, but on Sunday offered my day shift to anyone who wanted it (and like three people jumped at the offer at once, and fought it out, ha! I can see why, it was so crazy busy on Monday and the person who took my shift made really good money. Oh well.) So I didn't work in the afternoon so I could do all the cleaning and stuff for my sister to come stay with us and use my room (actually her room, but I live in it now, ha ha). Then I went to work the night shift and it was pretty insane. It felt busy and stressful like a Friday but it dragged by like a Monday. Go figure.
I didn't plan to work out at all today, which ended up being a blessing because I woke up with the worst cramps EVER, and felt nauseous and pretty awful all day. So I was glad I was just home in the afternoon, cleaning and kind of taking it easy and not getting my butt kicked at work all day and all night. I didn't really feel like eating at all but I forced myself to eat my usual meals, and then by the time I got to work I was ravenous for some reason but still felt queasy. I decided the only thing that would help me in this condition was one of our brownies :) So my manager bought one for me at the end of the night and I scarfed it down on the way home. It really did help, I swear! Chocolate is the only thing that does in those situations.
Day Two, Tuesday....today I worked in the afternoon, and it was as expected busier than usual so I was on for much longer than usual....then my mom and sis stopped by since they were at the mall shopping and we had a late lunch/early dinner at the restaurant! YUM. (This week I am cheating in small ways everywhere it seems. Oh well, it's Christmas!) But we shared some appetizers and one entree between the three of us and did generally healthy stuff so it wasn't all that bad. When I got home after some more shopping, I forced myself to do pilates and weights. I was feeling pretty tired, but felt good afterwards :) Then my mom and sister and I made and decorated cookies (a little more cheating) and wrapped presents while watching "A Mighty Wind" and laughing our butts off :)
Day Three, Wednesday...today I met with my trainer and she worked me really hard! After going through some weights and resistance stuff, she showed me something new to do on the treadmill as part of my cardio...it is basically doing a chasse sideways on the treadmill for a minute both sides (it feels really weird but toward the end I got the hang of it) and then sprinting for a minute. I did this for fifteen minutes, and then finished up with 15 minutes (1.5 miles) of running and some cool down walking. Pretty great workout! I am now running easily at a faster pace too, which is cool! I can easily do a mile in ten minutes without getting winded. Then tonight I work my last shift until after Xmas, don't know what to expect business wise...I feel like it might be a little slow. And people are starting to get nervous about the expected weather we are supposed to be getting...sounds like we will for sure be having a white Christmas! Yikes.
I can't believe that I will be in San Diego five weeks from today!!!! It is going fast now, but I am missing Eben like crazy. I don't like this Phase II of training, I have only gotten two letters in 2+ weeks. BOO to that. But at the end of this week he comes back to the Recruit Depot to begin the final phase and then graduation is just weeks away! So now that it's getting very close it should be extra motivation to get and stay in the best shape ever!
Workout tally:
Cardio: 1
Resistance: 2
Yoga/Pilates: 1
Day one, Monday.....today I was scheduled to work my normal Monday double, but on Sunday offered my day shift to anyone who wanted it (and like three people jumped at the offer at once, and fought it out, ha! I can see why, it was so crazy busy on Monday and the person who took my shift made really good money. Oh well.) So I didn't work in the afternoon so I could do all the cleaning and stuff for my sister to come stay with us and use my room (actually her room, but I live in it now, ha ha). Then I went to work the night shift and it was pretty insane. It felt busy and stressful like a Friday but it dragged by like a Monday. Go figure.
I didn't plan to work out at all today, which ended up being a blessing because I woke up with the worst cramps EVER, and felt nauseous and pretty awful all day. So I was glad I was just home in the afternoon, cleaning and kind of taking it easy and not getting my butt kicked at work all day and all night. I didn't really feel like eating at all but I forced myself to eat my usual meals, and then by the time I got to work I was ravenous for some reason but still felt queasy. I decided the only thing that would help me in this condition was one of our brownies :) So my manager bought one for me at the end of the night and I scarfed it down on the way home. It really did help, I swear! Chocolate is the only thing that does in those situations.
Day Two, Tuesday....today I worked in the afternoon, and it was as expected busier than usual so I was on for much longer than usual....then my mom and sis stopped by since they were at the mall shopping and we had a late lunch/early dinner at the restaurant! YUM. (This week I am cheating in small ways everywhere it seems. Oh well, it's Christmas!) But we shared some appetizers and one entree between the three of us and did generally healthy stuff so it wasn't all that bad. When I got home after some more shopping, I forced myself to do pilates and weights. I was feeling pretty tired, but felt good afterwards :) Then my mom and sister and I made and decorated cookies (a little more cheating) and wrapped presents while watching "A Mighty Wind" and laughing our butts off :)
Day Three, Wednesday...today I met with my trainer and she worked me really hard! After going through some weights and resistance stuff, she showed me something new to do on the treadmill as part of my cardio...it is basically doing a chasse sideways on the treadmill for a minute both sides (it feels really weird but toward the end I got the hang of it) and then sprinting for a minute. I did this for fifteen minutes, and then finished up with 15 minutes (1.5 miles) of running and some cool down walking. Pretty great workout! I am now running easily at a faster pace too, which is cool! I can easily do a mile in ten minutes without getting winded. Then tonight I work my last shift until after Xmas, don't know what to expect business wise...I feel like it might be a little slow. And people are starting to get nervous about the expected weather we are supposed to be getting...sounds like we will for sure be having a white Christmas! Yikes.
I can't believe that I will be in San Diego five weeks from today!!!! It is going fast now, but I am missing Eben like crazy. I don't like this Phase II of training, I have only gotten two letters in 2+ weeks. BOO to that. But at the end of this week he comes back to the Recruit Depot to begin the final phase and then graduation is just weeks away! So now that it's getting very close it should be extra motivation to get and stay in the best shape ever!
Workout tally:
Cardio: 1
Resistance: 2
Yoga/Pilates: 1
Monday, December 21, 2009
Week Seven Results!!
So this morning I did my weekly weigh-in...goal for the end of week seven was 136. I stepped on the scale and I'm 135!! So even though I missed some workouts I still managed to lose 2.5 pounds last week which is great! I did manage to make up almost all my missed workouts toward the end of the week though which was good. So I only have to lose one pound this upcoming week at minimum to stay on track. Which is good, because with Christmas on Friday everything is going to be a little less than routine this week, to say the least! But I am pretty confident I'll be able to fit most of my workouts in, and cheat responsibly on the eating front! Ha ha :)
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