Getting Serious

For some reason, in the past week, everything I own has become tight. In response to this, I have decided to re-focus my goals. Since before this challenge my eating habits were mostly healthy aside from the lack of numerous fruits and veggies, I am going to go back to not worrying about my food so much. I think part of the problem is that I don't usually eat a whole bunch and I am eating more now to try to get in all the fruits & veggies to meet my goal. Since I am working out practically every day now, I am not really sure what else to do.

Today I ran/walked lake Elkhorn (2 miles) in 23 mins. When I got to the end I said what the heck and went around again for a total of 4 miles today. Halfway around the second time I stopped and did 20 step-ups on each leg on a platform that was taller than knee height for me. I am definately feeling my legs now. Oh and by the way, my legs were very decently sore the past two days from that stupid workout video. So I guess it did something, other than irritate me.

New & Different

Okay, so the past two days I have tried new methods of exercise. Yesterday I downloaded a workout program off of i-tunes. It is one of those Nike ones called "Anywhere Anytime: Outdoor Freedom." The program has a trainer that talks you through different exercises in between segments of walking or running at specified intensities. I liked the constant guidance, but felt awkard at best at some of the exercises I had to stop on the side of the path to do (I was at Lake Elkhorn which is 2 miles around). Needless to say I got more than one strange look and a few of the exercises I just didn't do & ran or walked instead. The music with the program was a bit strange with some of the lyrics bordering on bizarre, but the beats were good. I am sure I will do this program again (probably minus some of the exercises still).

Today I tried an exercise DVD made by "Shape" which is supposed to work your butt, abs, and thighs. The thing started off with a stupid dance routine which I fumbled through and then actually rewound to do again to try to find some coordination. I was practically swearing at the tv I hated it so much. I moved on to the two seperate leg workouts one in Pilates style and the other Ballet style. I did pretty well with both of these. There is also a 12 minute total body workout on there with a different instructor. I liked this one better. I did all but the upper back and arm segments (my back started giving me trouble again yesterday). Wow, that's a lot of info for ya.

I am doing much better overall getting in those fruits & veggies. Yesterday I had cereal, a banana, 3 clementines, an avocado, 2 chocolate cookies, a half of a veggie sandwich and greek salad from Panera, and a little bit of movie theatre popcorn. Today I have had cereal, 3 clementines, and 2 marshmallow eggs covered in chocolate, 1 pack of raw sliced mushrooms, fake beef stew, spinach sauteed in Olive Oil, 1/2 an acorn squash with too much butter, 1 chocolate cookie.

Anybody Out There?

Today I did 100 crunches and two minutes worth of the leg lift thingys from day 13. I also took a brisk two mile walk. Eating was decent, I had healthy cereal, blueberries, blackberries, mushrooms, three chocolates, a veggie burrito, and a few jelly beans.

AAHHH!

Just went to the gym for an hour. Did the elliptical for the first 10mins to warm up and then spent the rest of the time lifteing weights. I weighed myself at the end (like I always do) and I am up 2lbs for a total 124lbs. I know that muscle weighs more than fat, but I really thought that switching to more cardio instead of the lifting I usually do would have made me lose weight not gain it.

Day 22

Today Katie and I went for a 20 min run/walk. Then I did 50 crunches. My eating was decent today too. I had three clementines, an apple, and a doubletree cookie. Lunch was a banana and half of a veggie cheese sub from Wawa. I had some chocolate as a snack and then asparagus soup for dinner. In a bit, I will add some salad to the daily totals. I did weigh myself today & seem to be back at 121. I guess the three pounds was just a fluke. I'm not at home yet, but when I get there I'll find the pants.

UG!

Greetings from Omaha. Okay, I'll start off by telling you that the night before last I went to bed at 2:00am. Scheduling called at 4:15am with a killer trip for me, three 11 hour days (4 flights the first day and five flights each of the next two days), separated by two 13 hour overnights. I went to bed at 9:00pm last night! I had to get up at 4:45 today and will have to do the same tomorrow. For those of you who know me, and that is all of you, nuff' said. I went straight to my hotel room today at around 6:30 and got right into pjs. Then I went to get online and was unable to. Of course I needed to check on a CM order and my bank account (today is payday). The crew room with a free computer for us is on the first floor of the hotel...as is the gym. You see where I'm going with this. I changed into gym clothes and made my way down stairs. I started on the treadmill. After a brief walking warm-up, I forced my self to run an entire mile without stopping for walking breaks. This is a big deal for me and was not easy (or fun). My mile time was 12 mins which, I know is approx two times as long as it takes K & S. Still I don't think that's so bad for a beginner runner. What I want to know is, does it get easier? After cooling down, I did today's challenge. I did the lunges with a 5lb dumbell in each hand and I threw in the 20 push-ups just for kicks. I am beat and am sure will be cursing my soreness at 5:00am tomorrow. I would like to know how everyone else did with the lunges. It was very difficult for me to do that many without sacrificing my form. How about you? Nighty night.

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Today, I did absolutely nothing as far as exercise goes and only managed to eat about a serving of fruit. Yesterday I did better on the veggies, but not on the fruit or exercise. On Thurs. and Fri. I did great on the fruit & veggie goal & so so on the exercise. I did 100 crunches on Thursday and completed the Fitness Challenge on Friday.

Back on the Wagon

This afternoon I "power walked" 2 miles (this brings to mind images of middle aged women in coordinating fitness apparel) but nonetheless, then I did the exercises on our main page (which were a lot more vigorous than I thought they would be), and finished off with 100 crunches. I started off today with a large slice of banana bread (I made this yesterday and the recipe was actually not so bad b/c it did not have any butter or oil, though it did have plenty-o-sugar), I just ate three leftover lobster raviolis, and am currently chowing down on a large bowl of romaine lettuce with a small amount of parmesan cheese and just a touch of really bad for me dressing. I'll work hard the rest of today to get in the rest of my fruit & veggie quota.

So so

Well, I hate to admit it but, I've been a bit of a slug the past two days. I did do the 50 lunges last night and then did the 20 push-ups and 100 crunches today, but that's about it. My eating has been okay. I have gotten in all of my required fruits and veggies and not a ton of junk. I seem to eat a lot more and exercise less when I'm at home than when I'm traveling. I guess this is like my weekend in a way. I'm not sure I'll do much to change my habits at home because the break is nice, but maybe just being aware of it will help me to adjust my habits some.

Follow Through!

So far so good with my success in our new program. I have not changed my eating habits all that much and certainly, I have not gotten rid of any of my junk, candy, or Girl Scout Cookies. I have done well with adding in at least my very minimum requirement of 2 fruits and 2 veggies per day, though I must admit the veggies are not always green veggies. Yesterday I ran/walked for about an hour, did a minimal 15 situps, and did "a whole bunch" of step-ups. Today also I ran/walked for about an hour and did about 40 of the step-up thingys on a stone wall that was just over my knee in height, 50 jumping jacks, and 30 crunches. So in summary, I mostly achieved my eating goals for last week and exceeded my exercise goals with one extra day of exercise from my goal of three =0) I would really like to see some more posts from my fellow fat losers. I am greatly encouraged when I can log in to see that I am working with you guys instead of by myself. Also, LOVE THE CHALLENGES! Bring em'on!

Days 7 & 8

I don't have a whole lot to report for today or yesterday, but I did pretty well on the eating both days. As for exercise, aside from the four flights I worked and the extra work associated with the little girl who projectile vomited on the plane, I can only take credit for 100 jumping jacks and a brisk walk through the terminal today. Yesterday for breakfast I had an Egg Mcmuffin without meat (obviously), the usual few packs of peanuts, one tomato juice, a banana, a jelly filled doughnut, 5 clementines, three eggs over medium, a pack of frozen peas, a glass of oj (after I got home) and almost a whole sleeve of thin mints (I have no willpower when it comes to Girl Scout cookies as you well know). Okay, so maybe I didn't do as well as I thought, but at least I did get some fruits & veggies in there. Today I started with some of my yummy cereal, grapes, a salad with very little ranch dressing, a banana, two individually wrapped slices of cheese, a handful of mini robin egg malted milk balls, an avocado, and about six fig newtons.

Good Day

Today was a good day for me with eating and exercise. I started off by going to the gym in Tampa and running/walking for 20mins and then did 50 crunches on a medicine ball with a 15lb dumbell on my chest. I did 75 lunges on the plane...yes that's right, on the plane. Then when I got to my hotel room I did the 75 jumping jacks and another 50 crunches for the challenge yesterday. For some reason I can't get "the award" to paste onto my page, but I did it all =0) As for food, I had a banana, an apple, a veggie sub on wheat, three packs of peanuts, oatmeal, miso soup, grape tomatoes, fig newtons, two hershey's kisses, and a mini twix bar. The only thing I had to drink today was lots-o-water and a cup of tea with lemon. Oh yeah, and I weighed myself at the gym in Tampa and I have lost 3lbs. Not sure if its permanent, but it made me feel good anyway =0)

Fruits and Veggies

First of all, let me just say that I just got off the plane about an hour ago, after having to be at work at noon today. Needless to say that I would love to do the day's challenge, but am ready for bed and don't want to start now. I will tack on today's challenge before tomorrow's workout. I'm in Tampa and they have one of the best gyms here of any of our hotels, so I'm excited to workout tomorrow. Next, I'll tell you that in an effort to meet my goals, I went to the supermarket last night. I bought bananas, clementines, blackberries, blueberries, grapes, baby arugula salad blend, mushrooms, asparagus, grape tomotoes, acorn squash, and several things of frozen veggies. Since then I have consumed 5 clementines, 1 banana, all of the blackberries and blueberries, half of the tomatoes, all of the bag of salad mix, oh yeah a fat free yogurt, a bag of "plane" crackers, 3 bags of peanuts, 1 bag of pretzels, 6 mini reeses cups, and half a sleeve of fig newtons. I think I have a problem where I either have no access to fruits & veggies or I have a bunch and like them so much I want to eat them all. This may be a very expensive diet plan for me. I will have to find a more happy medium between the two.

Tired...

Yesterday was exhausting and I'm pretty sure I should get extra credit for physical activity. I painted the master bedroom at my Mom's condo from 2:00-5:00 and (after a dinner break )from 7:00-11:00 without taking any breaks in the two time blocks. I finished painting the entire room, two coats on each wall, one thorough coat on the ceiling. Of course the work also included breaking down to pieces and then moving the king sized bed, moving the large dresser/mirror/tv, taking down blinds, and cleaning molding...by myself. Then I drove the three hours home, which of course doesn't really count as activity, but is a good excuse for me being too tired to do any today. Yeserday I did eat 2 fruits, but sadly missed out on the veggies. Will try to do better tonight.

Katie takes a run...

For our first day of exercise Katie & I decided to go for a 25 minute run/walk. Kate wanted to sprint for the first 10 minutes and I tried to explain the notion of pacing yourself to her. Hard to have a logical discussion with a Golden Retriever. Anyway, we made it through and she only panted for about 45 mins afterwards. I added 100 sit-ups to the day's torture. As for food, I have kept pretty well with my goals. For breakfast I had "Healthy Heart" cereal (by the way the stuff is awesome & I'm completely addicted to it in the brown sugar variety) and a banana, I guess lunch was made up of an apple, some celery, an avocado, 3 cashews, and alas about 6 girl scout cookies (come on they're Samoas, tell me you could do better). Tonight we're headed out for lobster (mmmmmmm =0) and I'm sure I can balance that out with a veggie and a salad.