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,