Some of my dreams include running a 5K, 10K, half-marathon and marathon.  All but the 5K TERRIFY me and seem extremely beyond my reach.  So I think my dreams are big enough :).

Workout #81 of 2012 ~ Mental Collapse

Why I decided to do my most mentally challenging workout today when I have so many things on my mind is beyond me.  I tried to get through No More Trouble zones but only made it through circuit 3.  I cheated my way through circuit 4, skipping the surrenders entirely, I tried to begin circuit 5 and just had lost all mental control.  So I quit.  I am glad I stuck it out as far as I did but know that in the future, if I have serious things on my mind, cardio is a better option.  At least on the elliptical I can let my mind wander.

So what's been on my mind?  Some trivial things as usual but the last 7 days have been quite emotional.

1. Last Sunday my words were misinterpreted and I got a lot of hate email.  It happens.  If people don't know you, it's easy for them to misunderstand you.  I totally get that.

2. On Wednesday, I got a call that my sorority that I helped found lost its charter.  I watched the group deteriorate on Facebook and point fingers everywhere but where the real reason lay: the actives broke a rule, got caught, got a second chance, broke an agreement with the school, got caught, lost the charter.  It is so sad that what my close friends and I worked so hard to create ended this way.  Something positive did come out of this though.  Many of us have reconnected and really realized how much our time in the sorority and with each other means to us.

3. Also on Wednesday, I'm pretty sure I figured out that someone I never really got a long with lost a loved one overseas.  My heart has been aching for her all week.  Her pain hit so close to home because that has been a huge fear of mine dealing with my husband's deployments with the National Guard.

4. On Friday, I found out my awesome principal is moving to a different campus next year.  I have thoroughly enjoyed working under him and am sad to see him go.  The good news is that I have only heard good things about his replacement :).

5. Yesterday is when the worst happened.  My husband is in the National Guard and he found out that on Monday he will find out if he's being deployed again.  They are filling slots for high security clearance and he's one of the few who has high enough clearance.  The reality is he's probably going to be on this list.  If he is, he will be leaving on May 17th for 12 months.  The last time we had to do this, we only had one child and I lived with my parents.  This time around, we own a house 30 minutes away from my parents and have 2 kids.  I'm a silver lining kind of person, but right now, I just can't go there.  I'm not ready to see the positive.  Right now I'm scared and praying he's not on the list.  If you are reading this and believe in the power of prayer as I do, please say a quick one for him.  And then say one for our family: that if this happens, we can get through it again and most importantly that Brady (my husband) comes home safely again.

So I have a lot on my mind which explains my mental collapse mid-workout.

XOXO,

40% ~ Workout 80 of 2012 ~ Pilates

After work, I got Chick-Fil-A for dinner and felt too sleepy to workout.  I was changing into PJs when I noticed stomach in the mirror.  I can see changes in my body that I've never seen before.  I've been thin but never this fit/toned.  I don't have a 6-pack or anything like that but I can definitely see definition in my core, and let me tell you... THAT was the BEST motivation for working out.  Seeing change and wanting to maintain it got me to workout tonight.

My upper body is pretty sore today from my Jillian workout yesterday so I decided to do my Total Body Pilates workout ($1.99 on iTunes).  I know my butt and thighs are definitely going to be sore tomorrow.  And I'd rather be sore than sorry :).

XOXO,

Workout #79 of 2012 (30 Day Shred Level 1)

In honor of Jillian Michaels' and my 2-year-anniversary, I naturally did the 30 Day Shred Level 1.  2 years ago I tried the workout for the first time and fell in love with circuit training.  I had never worked out with dumbbells and discovered that I LOVE doing activities with high reps and low weights.  My life was changed forever.

I will be forever thankful for Jillian Michaels and The 30 Day Shred.  I now own most of her DVDs and workout quite regularly to her workouts.  I can see the changes her workouts have done to my body.  AND I LOVE IT! :)

XOXO,

Workout #78 ~ Walking

Well darn, the whole time I was doing this workout, I thought I was on workout 79.  Oh well!

So today my school has standardized testing and our school decided to try something new with the students not testing.  They gave the kids the option to play various sports or relax in the gym and outside.  So a group of lovely teachers and I walked the track for an hour.  We didn't go at a particularly fast pace, we could carry a conversation easily, but we walked the entire time.  It was nice to get outside and walk, and to walk with people.  I am guessing we walked around 1.5-2 miles.  Maybe I should try to find a walking buddy to walk together once a week or something.  When it's hot, we could go walk the mall.  Ohhhh!  I have some people in mind!  I'm gonna make this happen!

How great it was to get outside!  I have got to take advantage of this spring weather because the summer heat is just around the corner...

On a different note, today is an important anniversary.  Today marks the 2 year anniversary of when I did my first Jillian Michaels' workout.  It was the 30 Day Shred and it changed my life for the better.  I never knew how much I could enjoy working out until I tried this program.  I can't believe it's already been 2 years!

XOXO,

A little motivation...

The feeling you get after a workout today makes you want to do it again tomorrow!

Have a great week!

Workout #77 of 2012 ~ 10 Pound Slimdown: Yoga

I am a beast.  I made it through half the workout doing chaturanga with each flow before I had to take a break.  At about halfway, I did have to resort to child's pose a couple of times to give my arms a break.  

I LOVE feeling progress!

XOXO,

Workout #76 of 2012 ~ Cardio

Tonight I struggled through 38 minutes, 3.01 miles and 375 calories on the elliptical.  My knees had a dull irritation the entire time, but I adjusted my foot placement until I found a comfortable position.  I also went at a slower pace because physically I could not handle going as fast as I did last week.

I feel awesome now and definitely plan to do some yoga after the kids go to bed.  Right now it's off to eat dinner.  I had a late afternoon snack to make it possible for me to workout before dinner.  I'm not going to be able to workout tomorrow because I'm getting my first airbrush tan after work.  They said I can't do any sweaty activities for 8-10 hours after so no workout tomorrow night.

XOXO,

Workout #75 of 2012 ~ Yoga

Just did Beginner Yoga with Meaghan Townsend.  Yoga helps everything.  I have been in a blah mood all day and this brief 20-minute workout improved my mood and has me motivated to workout again.  Hopefully that feeling will last until tomorrow night, LOL.

This is off-topic but today has been a CRAZY HUNGRY day for me.  I've wanted to eat non-stop.  I'm not dehydrated nor sleep-deprived, so I'm thinking it's boredom on this rainy day.  I am kind of wondering if it's the after effects of all the working out I did last weekend.  All the 2-a-days may be catching up to me.

XOXO,

Let's do this!

As I'm sitting my my couch with aching knees and ankles, I'm searching online for 5K races in DFW.  Why?  Because I am doing whatever I can to make running a part of my life again.  Right now my knees and ankles are not on board completely, but I'm taking my glucosamine chondroitin twice a day and icing after my workouts.  I plan to try to start the C25K program around June 5th (unless the supplement starts working sooner).  In the meantime, I'm scheduling longer elliptical workouts and pushing the distance.  I know it's not the same thing as running but every little bit helps.  The longer I can last, pushing hard on the elliptical, the easier it will be to transition to running.

I'm also looking into treadmills in the meantime.  I want to be able to mix up my cardio by being able to power-walk conveniently (and where I can adjust the incline).  The weather and the fact that I have small children make it difficult to get outdoors to power-walk.  A treadmill would help and will help once I can re-start the C25K program.

I'm praying all my efforts work and that my joints cooperate.

XOXO,

Workout 74 of 2012 - Killer Buns & Thighs Level 2

Today I bravely tried Killer Buns & Thighs Level 2 and it was freaking hard.  I had to be VERY careful with this workout because of my knee issues.  I will be honest, I did not like this workout because it made me feel like I had to keep cheating throughout.  It was very frustrating though I will say my buns and thighs got a good workout from it.

I may have to try it again sometime when I don't have a mental block.  This morning, I wanted to workout but mentally I was not present, making it that much harder to push through hard moves that I had to modify to make work.  

I'm hoping to get in some cardio later and/or yoga.  We'll see...

XOXO,

Workout #73 of 2012 ~ Cardio

I'm a little disappointed with this workout but my knees were none to thrilled with this workout following my earlier one.  I only completed 2.41 miles in 30 minutes (and supposedly burned 300 calories).  I had to push to make it from 25 minutes to 30, and now my knees are complaining, not screaming, but I can't quite ignore the dull pain.  I hope the glucosamine chondroitin starts working soon!

On a positive note, I'm still excited that I'm lasting longer on the elliptical than I used to, and with more ease.  Now... Off to ice the knees!

XOXO,

Workout #72 of 2012

Just did 10-Pound Slimdown: Total Body and I can tell that I'm almost in the best shape of my life.  I was actually in the best shape of my life when Kailee turned 1.  Anyways, I digressed...  Well, that workout used to kick my butt (literally) pretty hard but all my diligence has improved my abilities so this workout was quite easy. :)

As I type, I'm sitting in the hallway waiting for the kids to fall asleep (they can both see me from their beds).  Once they are out, I feel motivated to hop on the elliptical.  I've decided to "train" for a 5K on the elliptical for now since running makes my ankles and knees feel like death for weeks.  Around June 5th, I will bravely attempt to restart the C25K program outside because by that time, my glucosamine chondroitin should be helping my joint pain improve.  If it doesn't workout, at least I tried :).

XOXO,

Trying Something New

Tonight, I took my first glucosamine chondroitin supplement (thank you, Aunt Karen for enlightening me!) to help ease my joint issues.  It says online not to expect results for about 8 weeks; for me that would be June 5th.  Why am I doing this?  Well, I want to be able to run again.  I don't know if this will make it happen, but it's certainly worth a shot :).  For now, the elliptical it is.  I figure the longer I can last at a fast pace, the easier it will make the transition to running.  Stamina has been my issue with any cardio in the last several years, and I'm working towards hour long workouts on the elliptical.  Give me a few weeks and it shouldn't be a problem.

XOXO,

A little motivation...

Those of us that have stopped making excuses and have started making changes see right through your excuses.  Stop lying to yourself and do something!  You CAN!  I believe in YOU!

XOXO,

Workout #71 of 2012 ~ Cardio Game

As I started out on the elliptical tonight, my legs felt like dead-weights.  I adjusted the resistance down a level and powered through.  Tonight I watched the most recent Vampire Diaries episode (so I'm all caught up) with the rule that I could not check the time until the 4th commercial break.  At that time, I was past the 30-minute mark and proceeded to up the ante every time I met one of my mini-goals.  So tonight I ended up with 3.6 miles and 449 calories burned in 45:19.  As it turns out, at the beginning I had set the resistance up a level higher than normal, so when I decreased it, I was at my normal level.  I'm about a week ahead on my workouts which is awesome.  I've been trying to get ahead in preparation for busy weekends where it will be hard to fit in workouts and vacations when I probably won't workout (just being honest here).  I'd rather stay ahead than get behind :).

Feeling pretty great right now.  Time to get a snack so I don't go low tonight!

XOXO,

Reflections on Lent ~ My Fast Food Fast

One of the things I gave up for Lent was fast food.  This is the first time I've given it up without cheating and for the most part, it was easy to do.  However, lately I have had CRAZY cravings for fast food, notably Taco Bueno and Jack-N-The-Box tacos.  Now that Lent is over and I can again have fast food, I have zero desire.  I know that will change--probably within the next couple of nights after work when I'm too tired to cook(and while Brady is still out of town)--but for now, I don't even want it.  

This is the longest I've ever gone in my entire life without fast food.  The reality is, fast food enables my laziness when it comes to cooking.  I have a few menu items among various chains that I like, but for the most part, it has been a convenience that we've heavily depended on in the last several months.  It took 40 days without it to really see that.  I thought I'd miss it more, but I haven't.  I've even been around McDonald's French fries many times throughout Lent, and I had ZERO trouble resisting them.  It made me realize that somewhere along the way, I began to believe I actually loved fast food.  

Like I said, I have some items I love (like Mexidips and chips, tostadas, tacos) but I don't love fast food like I thought I did.  I don't need it.  I am so glad to know this about myself as it will make it much easier to stay away from in the future.  We had become so lazy that we were eating fast food on average 3 times a week.  THREE TIMES A WEEK!  That's so bad!  I am so lucky I did not gain 20 pounds from it.

We'll see how much longer I last without it at all.

XOXO,

Workout #70 of 2012 ~ Yoga, a Family Affair

I know I sound like a broken record but this week has been so stressful with Brady gone.  I thought the older the kids got, the easier they were supposed to be.  This is NOT the case right now.  2 and 5 together means lots of bickering, antagonizing, screaming, crying, requesting, etc.

So I needed some yoga!  I did my favorite, 10 Pound Slimdown: Yoga with Chris Freytag and it was much appreciated... Even with Kailee running over my hand with her baby stroller and with Gavin trying to get me to look at him creating his own yoga moves.  By the end, I was fighting for a spot on my mat as both kids attempted the last several moves.  A family that works out together stays healthy together :).

Despite the distractions, I still feel a lot better.  Yoga is quite empowering.

XOXO,

Workout #69 of 2012 ~ Cardio

It's been a stressful week with my husband out of town and my kids have been testing my patience a bit more than usual today.  Thus, I felt the need for some cardio therapy.  I worked out for 45 minutes on the elliptical, did 3.55 miles and burned 442 calories according to the likely inaccurate calorie-counter on my machine.  I did not even look at the time until 32 minutes had passed.  How is that possible?  

Well, while I worked out, I watched the last 17 minutes of one episode of The Vampire Diaries (including some commercials that I fast-forwarded through) and then began a new episode.  I made a self-imposed rule that I could not check the time on the machine until the second commercial break in the new episode.  It was a game of willpower and I won! I was trekking along thinking, "Surely it will be past the 20-minute mark."  Imagine my surprise to see 32 minutes had already passed.  I also was already at 2.6 miles.  I first decided to make it to 2.75 miles.  Then I decided to make it to 350 calories burned, then the goal became 3 miles, then 45 minutes and/or 3.5 miles.

It's just like with teaching.  If you can make it a game, it's that much more engaging.

XOXO,

Workout #68 of 2012 - Pilates

Awhile ago I downloaded a season of yoga workouts on iTunes by ExerciseTV.  Today I decided to try Total Body Pilates with Nicole Stewart.  I forgot how much I enjoy pilates.  I feel like in the 20 minutes, I got a decent core, leg and butt workout which makes the 20 minute video worth my time.  I need to get some more pilates workouts seeing as how I'm trying to reattain my long lean legs.

XOXO,

Workout #67 of 2012 ~ Killer Buns & Thighs Level 1

Before having kids, my legs were always my favorite body part.  I was a figure skater for 10 years, then ran cross country and track for two years.  My abs were always my problem area (and still bug me at times today).

After having Gavin (now almost 6), my hips definitely widened, stretching out my lower abs, making them the flattest they ever have been.  My legs were still pretty good, but I was not exercising like I do now, so I was just thin, not fit.  After having Kailee (now 2 and 1/2), my thighs have become my problem area.  My waist and abs are not too bad for someone who has had 2 pregnancies and 1 c-section, but my pants are snugger in the thigh area.  This is still new territory for me, so I am trying to do more to focus on that area--though I know you cannot spot reduce fat.

Today I did Jillian Michael's Killer Buns & Thighs level 1.  If you've never tried it, she incorporates cardio and strength but does not encourage the use of weights on your thighs.  Weight machines at the gym are for building muscle--and frankly, I don't want built thighs; I want long and lean thighs.  I think I'm gonna focus on these workouts a bit the next few weeks to encourage my thighs to shrink while still incorporating cardio (to reduce fat).

XOXO,

Workout #66 of 2012 Cardio con Podcast

Tonight I felt like hopping on the elliptical and after reading a tweet recommending listening to health/fitness podcasts (specifically the Jillian Michaels Show), I decided to investigate.  The tweet (which I can't find to give the person credit, sadly) recommended starting a podcast mid-cardio when you start to lose interest, and basically begin to count down the minutes.  I decided to start with it from the beginning, planning to turn it off if I got bored and just read one of my magazines on my iPad.  I picked the top one listed on the Jillian Michaels show on iTunes and started my workout.  Let me just say, this made the time pass way faster than TV.  Typically, I prefer to read fitness/health magazines while on the elliptical; they keep me motivated to workout longer.  The podcast did the same thing.  As a huge Jillian Michaels fan, I am excited to see that there's a plethora of 50-minute podcasts that I can listen to straight through iTunes on my phone without having to download them.  Maybe soon I'll be willing and have the stamina to stay on the elliptical for 50-minute workouts :).  I certainly have the entertainment options to keep me going!

XOXO,

Workout #65 of 2012 - Core

Tonight my kids were quite cranky and after constant bickering and screaming (from them, not me), I needed something to burn off some tension.  I decided to get some serious core work with Chris Freytag's 10 Pound Slimdown: Core.  It's only 20 minutes, but I can feel the sore creeping in already in my abs.  I'm so glad :).  Bikini season is around the corner and I'm looking forward to it for the second year in a row--something that was NEVER true until I started getting fit.  I'm turning 30 in August and I plan to have my best body yet in my 30s!

XOXO,

Workout #64 of 2012 ~ Cardio

While attempting to get my sick toddler to nap, I decided to hop on the elliptical.  I did 2.5 miles in 35 minutes and according to the calorie counter I burned 316 calories (though the machine does not know my weight and age).  Anyways, it has been a workout productive day home with Kailee.  With my husband out of town, I had to take advantage of an opportunity to fit in two workouts in one day since the evenings the rest of this week will be more hectic without my partner to help.

I also have plans for more cardio with Gavin later playing Just Dance Kids.  I know I'm crazy-obsessed with exercise right now but I can't help it!  That's my personality!  Now off to pick up big brother.

XOXO,

A little motivation...

If this kid doesn't motivate you, nothing will:

XOXO,

Workout #63 of 2012 - Extreme Shed & Shred level 1

I was scared to do this workout having recently read my review of my first attempt.  Good news though!  I am much stronger now at workout 63 than I was at workout 1 of this year (when I first attempted the DVD).  It was still tough, my heart rate was definitely off the charts by the end--she definitely makes you gurgle your heart--but I can do it.  I love feeling such a difference in my body already this year!  It makes me look forward to attempting to do level 1 and 2 together as one workout.  Of course, I first have to work up the courage to try level 2 :).

XOXO,