Last week, I saw something that motivated me to get back in gear-- two of the girls that I trained with for Cowtown have continued their training and have recently completed their 20-mile practice run in preparation for a marathon next month. Meanwhile, I plug away on the treadmill, maybe reaching 4 miles if I don't become too bored. My motivation has waned and my resolve has all but vanished. I've continued working out, of course, but not having something to work towards has left me feeling... well... blah, for lack of a better word. I see what they have accomplished and I nearly kick myself for not continuing my training, until I realize that that very discouragement is what has kept me from moving forward in the past. Whether it's about a distance goal or a weight loss goal (or anything else, really), disappointment and frustration have often managed to stop me in my path, leaving me with the feeling that I don't have it in me to move forward.
Not anymore!
As soon as I saw what the girls had accomplished, I decided right then and there that I am in training again! Training for what, I'm not entirely sure at the moment. I will run Cowtown again in February but I'm hoping to find a half in December that I can run more competitively (because I'll probably be pregnant by February's race). I stepped on the treadmill on Monday in training mode and have managed to run 16 miles by the end of the week. I was very excited to catch up with the running group again this morning. It was early, and it was a tad chilly, but it was so invigorating. I've missed running outside! I managed a steady 5 miles and will continue moving up from there. It's great feeling like I'm working towards something beyond a number on a scale or the way I look in the mirror. I confess that for me, those things are not nearly as motivating as what I am able to accomplish with a healthier and more fit body. Numbers go up and down so easily, and body image is so subjective and often distorted, but when I cross the finish line of a big race, I know I've accomplished something great. It's an incredible feeling that I get from nothing else. That's what gets me excited and motivated to be healthy. What is it for you?
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
September 1st
Oh, hello. Long time, no see.
Ok so I decided today to dust off the old blog and get back to it. I had committed to regular postings until I reached my goal and since I haven't quite gotten there yet, here I am. I could be frustrated that I'm not there yet. I was getting so close, just a few pounds away, and should have been there earlier in the sumer. However, with all of the madness over the last month and a half, I've experienced a bit of a set back. The surgery kept me from working out for nearly a month, preceded by a break from the gym due to Lacey's collar bone break. While I'm not much heavier in weight, 160.8 today at the gym, my body composition has certainly changed. Those muscles that I worked hard to develop aren't quite as obvious as they once were. The still jiggly belly is a little more jiggly now. Clothes aren't fitting quite as nicely as they once did.
The focus for this week is primarily to just get my butt moving again! I put in a good chest and back work out yesterday and a grueling leg workout today, both of which are going to leave me quite sore. Add to that my cardio sessions and my arm and shoulder workout for the rest of the week and I'm going to be feeling some pain. I'm not strapping on the heart rate monitor or counting calories until next week. Just getting back into the groove and trying not to obsess too much about it. Gotta give myself a little leeway, right? While I did not go completely crazy in the healthy eating department, there are things I need to fine tune so I am also working on getting back in that gear this week.
Though you may not hear from me again until next week, I just wanted to recommit to myself and to the blog-o-sphere. I am back and ready to get better than ever!!
Ok so I decided today to dust off the old blog and get back to it. I had committed to regular postings until I reached my goal and since I haven't quite gotten there yet, here I am. I could be frustrated that I'm not there yet. I was getting so close, just a few pounds away, and should have been there earlier in the sumer. However, with all of the madness over the last month and a half, I've experienced a bit of a set back. The surgery kept me from working out for nearly a month, preceded by a break from the gym due to Lacey's collar bone break. While I'm not much heavier in weight, 160.8 today at the gym, my body composition has certainly changed. Those muscles that I worked hard to develop aren't quite as obvious as they once were. The still jiggly belly is a little more jiggly now. Clothes aren't fitting quite as nicely as they once did.
The focus for this week is primarily to just get my butt moving again! I put in a good chest and back work out yesterday and a grueling leg workout today, both of which are going to leave me quite sore. Add to that my cardio sessions and my arm and shoulder workout for the rest of the week and I'm going to be feeling some pain. I'm not strapping on the heart rate monitor or counting calories until next week. Just getting back into the groove and trying not to obsess too much about it. Gotta give myself a little leeway, right? While I did not go completely crazy in the healthy eating department, there are things I need to fine tune so I am also working on getting back in that gear this week.
Though you may not hear from me again until next week, I just wanted to recommit to myself and to the blog-o-sphere. I am back and ready to get better than ever!!
Monday, July 27, 2009
July 27
Hello... I have returned! After a week-long hiatus from working out and focusing on my health (broken bone, gallbladder attack, trip to Arizona....), I am back in action today. I wasn't sure I would work out today because I was pretty tired, but after a conversation with Amber about exercise and health, I felt compelled to hit the treadmill instead of the bed. So glad I did! I am starting the Isagenix cleanse over today as it became difficult to focus on that last week as well.
As for the conversation with Amber, I thought I'd share a bit of what we discussed (hopefully she won't mind! :) because I think it's important for all of us mommas to remember. In her considerations of joining a gym, she's feeling the inevitable guilt that moms face when they feel they're doing something for themselves-- money, leaving the kids, and feeling selfish about all of it. I've definitely felt it all. Before Lacey was born, though, I decided that I would not give in to that feeling. I honestly feel like that's one of Satan's tools to keep us miserable. He takes a genuinely good thing like motherhood and uses that to keep us from doing things that would make us happier, more in tune, and ultimately better mothers and wives. Health is NOT selfish!! Think of how you feel when you're feeling over weight with the typical aches and pains associated with not living a healthy life. As for me, I was not happy. I thought I was happy, but now that I'm healthy, I know how to be so much happier. I was easily depressed and didn't feel worthy of the things that I wanted. I wasn't as good a friend, a sister, a wife, etc. If I were still over weight, I know I wouldn't be a great mom either. How would getting out of that slump be considered selfish??? Let's step away from the short-term effects and think of the long term ones. If you were to stay on the exact same road you're on right now with the same eating and exercise plan you currently keep, how do you think you'll feel 10, 20, 30 + years from now? That's hard to think about because it seems so far off and we all like to think we're invinscible, but ask people in their 50s and 60s if they wish they'd taken better care of themselves when they were younger and I'm sure they'd say yes. It's possible to age well and to be active and healthy for many years. Think of how your kids, grandkids, and so forth would benefit from that. Think of all of the things you can accomplish and do as a healthy 40, 50, 60, 70... year old. The kids are all going to leave home at some point, leaving you to either continue a downhill spiral or to travel, earn college degrees and have a rewarding career, go on missions, etc. etc. etc. The fact that Satan has convinced us women that working towards health goals is selfish is astounding to me! But he is a cunning one and knows what will work. Darn him! Hm... I've jumped on a soap box, haven't I? Well, take it for what it's worth. My simple hope is that we, as mothers, will resolve to stop allowing those thoughts to keep us from achieving what we and our families deserve. If you continue to avoid workouts and healthy living, then let it be for some other reason because selfishness just isn't valid in my book.
That's my lecture for the evening. Now time for Bachelorette!!! Who's it gonna be????
As for the conversation with Amber, I thought I'd share a bit of what we discussed (hopefully she won't mind! :) because I think it's important for all of us mommas to remember. In her considerations of joining a gym, she's feeling the inevitable guilt that moms face when they feel they're doing something for themselves-- money, leaving the kids, and feeling selfish about all of it. I've definitely felt it all. Before Lacey was born, though, I decided that I would not give in to that feeling. I honestly feel like that's one of Satan's tools to keep us miserable. He takes a genuinely good thing like motherhood and uses that to keep us from doing things that would make us happier, more in tune, and ultimately better mothers and wives. Health is NOT selfish!! Think of how you feel when you're feeling over weight with the typical aches and pains associated with not living a healthy life. As for me, I was not happy. I thought I was happy, but now that I'm healthy, I know how to be so much happier. I was easily depressed and didn't feel worthy of the things that I wanted. I wasn't as good a friend, a sister, a wife, etc. If I were still over weight, I know I wouldn't be a great mom either. How would getting out of that slump be considered selfish??? Let's step away from the short-term effects and think of the long term ones. If you were to stay on the exact same road you're on right now with the same eating and exercise plan you currently keep, how do you think you'll feel 10, 20, 30 + years from now? That's hard to think about because it seems so far off and we all like to think we're invinscible, but ask people in their 50s and 60s if they wish they'd taken better care of themselves when they were younger and I'm sure they'd say yes. It's possible to age well and to be active and healthy for many years. Think of how your kids, grandkids, and so forth would benefit from that. Think of all of the things you can accomplish and do as a healthy 40, 50, 60, 70... year old. The kids are all going to leave home at some point, leaving you to either continue a downhill spiral or to travel, earn college degrees and have a rewarding career, go on missions, etc. etc. etc. The fact that Satan has convinced us women that working towards health goals is selfish is astounding to me! But he is a cunning one and knows what will work. Darn him! Hm... I've jumped on a soap box, haven't I? Well, take it for what it's worth. My simple hope is that we, as mothers, will resolve to stop allowing those thoughts to keep us from achieving what we and our families deserve. If you continue to avoid workouts and healthy living, then let it be for some other reason because selfishness just isn't valid in my book.
That's my lecture for the evening. Now time for Bachelorette!!! Who's it gonna be????
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
July 14 Day 3 of 30-Day Cleanse
So far, so good! I'm already back down to 158 today!! (Remember that the scale said 162 just on Sunday!) I suspect that part of that quick loss simply has to do with retention or something but any change on the scale is a good thing and I'll take it! I'm hopeful once again that I may actually reach that 155 goal by the time we go to Pheonix next week... wouldn't that be great?! The two shakes and one meal a day thing really hasn't been so bad. I was worried that I would be hungry, but I haven't been. Of course, I throw in a healthy snack like apple w/ peanut butter or almonds and some other piece of fruit or something of that nature and it keeps me full and happy. I'm sure it will become more difficult as the days go on, simply because I'll want to eat something as opposed to drinking two meals a day, but seeing the progress will certainly help to keep me going. I don't typically advocate rapid weight loss but this really is about cleansing your body, kicking bad habits, and priming your body for continued healthy living. For me, it's the thing that is going to take me the rest of the way on this journey and I am quite confident that it will work... it already is doing so. Can't wait to see how far it takes me!
As for my workout, here we go (to the best of my memory because I forgot to write it all down today... oops!)...
3-minute warm up run
Squats:
3 sets * 75 lbs * 15 reps
Step ups in between sets, holding 15-lb dumbells w/ a front kick as I came up-- step ups always help to get my heart rate up, but the front kick made it shoot up there.. quite the exercise!
Dead lifts:
3 sets * 75 lbs * 12-15 reps
More step ups between sets
Walking lunges:
3 sets * 8 lb ball twist (for the obliques) * 20 steps
Leg extension:
3 sets * 75 lbs * 15 reps
Supersetted w/
Hamstring curl:
3 sets * 55 lbs * 15 reps
Ended with a 20-minute run in zone 2 and 3
Calorie burn: 815
Hard workout but totally worth it!
As for my workout, here we go (to the best of my memory because I forgot to write it all down today... oops!)...
3-minute warm up run
Squats:
3 sets * 75 lbs * 15 reps
Step ups in between sets, holding 15-lb dumbells w/ a front kick as I came up-- step ups always help to get my heart rate up, but the front kick made it shoot up there.. quite the exercise!
Dead lifts:
3 sets * 75 lbs * 12-15 reps
More step ups between sets
Walking lunges:
3 sets * 8 lb ball twist (for the obliques) * 20 steps
Leg extension:
3 sets * 75 lbs * 15 reps
Supersetted w/
Hamstring curl:
3 sets * 55 lbs * 15 reps
Ended with a 20-minute run in zone 2 and 3
Calorie burn: 815
Hard workout but totally worth it!
Sunday, July 12, 2009
July 12... Hello again!
OK... after a couple of difficult weeks, I'm back. Also making their return are a four pounds that I worked so hard to lose. With the extra calories from the apple juice and olive oil (I still gag at the thought!), the cold that made it all too easy to lay around the house in my jammies and avoid the gym, and the lack of discipline that ensued as a result, the scale said 162 this morning. That's even hard to type! But, it is what it is and I can only move forward and do my best to undo the damage. I am doing something new this month that should help me get rid of those pounds pretty quickly. You've seen that we drink Isagenix shakes every morning. Well, Isagenix is a product that we've half-heartedly promoted in the office and are considering doing a little more with it. Mike has a couple of patients who have had a lot of success using and selling the product and they'd like to get us to take a more active role with it. We're veeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrry unsure of doing that for various reasons, but we agreed to give it more of a shot to help us reach our goals and then we'll see what we want to do with it from there. For the next month, I am going to be doing a 30-day Isagenix cleanse. It involves replacing two meals a day with the shakes (which really are quite good and pretty filling) and then eating a sensible meal and snacks for the remainder of the day. One day a week, I'll drink this cleanse stuff that will, in theory, rid my body of toxins and all kinds of junk that shouldn't be there. Technically, I'm not supposed to eat much of anything on that day, but we'll see... I'm not into starving myself! I'm sure I'll modify things a bit and add more calories to compensate for my workouts, but it will be interesting to see how this goes. I am hopeful that it will help me to get to that 155 goal by the end of it and that it will help my body to function more effectively. Especially with the gallstones and other digestive problems I have had, it may be just the thing I need. And if anyone else is interested in trying any of these products along with me, we can get you started.
As for the surgery, I have an appointment with an insurance agent tomorrow to change our policy and then a meeting with the surgeon on Wednesday. Hopefully this thing will be out pronto! It's been a year and a half and I am ready to be rid of it! We're hopeful that this won't change plans too drastically but we'll see.....
As for the surgery, I have an appointment with an insurance agent tomorrow to change our policy and then a meeting with the surgeon on Wednesday. Hopefully this thing will be out pronto! It's been a year and a half and I am ready to be rid of it! We're hopeful that this won't change plans too drastically but we'll see.....
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
July 8
So, today wasn't the ideal day. Went in for the ultrasound on my gallbladder and as it turns out, drinking the apple juice and olive oil was nothing but a big calorie consumption with none of the benefits we hoped for. Gggggggggggggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!! It didn't work. Some of you may be thinking "Well DUH!" but it has worked for several people I know so why not me? I don't know. Not fair. There remain lots of little stones in there, filling up my poor gallbladder. Next step: surgery. It's a simple surgery, assuming all goes as planned... they won't know how invasive it needs to be until they get in there. Ideally, it's laproscopic... but it could be worse. The recovery isn't long (again, this is assuming...), and given than I'm an otherwise healthy 27-year-old, I don't anticipate long-lasting effects. A part of me was pretty disappointed to see the stones, but there is also a part of me that's actually quite happy to just get it out after all of the trouble it has caused me. To know that I will never have a gallbladder attack again is a beautiful thing! If you've had one, you know what I mean. If you haven't, well, imagine being in labor without the relief of a break in contractions and doing that once a month or more. So very, very painful! So yes, it's coming out. It does mean other disappointing things when it comes to the next baby. We were thinking that it would happen quite soon, but now with the expense of the surgery, we may just have to push it back a bit longer. That was a bit of a painful reality at first, but if that's what happens, then it's fine. It won't be much longer and it will give us time to get other things in order anyway so maybe it's all for the best. Stupid gallbladder. Stupid crappy insurance. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
I'm whining. And while I did work out today, it was sort of mellow because I was supposed to be fasting before my ultrasound, which meant that I couldn't take in water. Who wants a really tough workout if you can't drink water?? Overview: squats (3 sets of 15 at 70 lbs), deadlifts (same reps and weight as squats), leg press (3 sets of 15 reps at 100 lbs), hamstring curl (3 sets of 15 at 55 lbs), leg extension (3 sets of 15 reps at 75 lbs), and calf extensions (3 sets of 15 reps at 110 lbs). I didn't wear my heart rate monitor so I have no clue on the calories. And I don't feel like counting the calories consumed... just that kind of day. I do know that it's been hard to really get back in the game after last week and I need to find my focus again. I gained 3 or 4 pounds through all of that! How very, very frustrating! Ug. I'm just frustrated all around. I should stop writing and go clean the kitchen or something. At least I have a fun day to look forward to tomorrow-- Amber's bringing the kids down to play and then Haylee and Grace are staying with us for a couple of days. Fun times with the nieces!
I'm whining. And while I did work out today, it was sort of mellow because I was supposed to be fasting before my ultrasound, which meant that I couldn't take in water. Who wants a really tough workout if you can't drink water?? Overview: squats (3 sets of 15 at 70 lbs), deadlifts (same reps and weight as squats), leg press (3 sets of 15 reps at 100 lbs), hamstring curl (3 sets of 15 at 55 lbs), leg extension (3 sets of 15 reps at 75 lbs), and calf extensions (3 sets of 15 reps at 110 lbs). I didn't wear my heart rate monitor so I have no clue on the calories. And I don't feel like counting the calories consumed... just that kind of day. I do know that it's been hard to really get back in the game after last week and I need to find my focus again. I gained 3 or 4 pounds through all of that! How very, very frustrating! Ug. I'm just frustrated all around. I should stop writing and go clean the kitchen or something. At least I have a fun day to look forward to tomorrow-- Amber's bringing the kids down to play and then Haylee and Grace are staying with us for a couple of days. Fun times with the nieces!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
July 7
Ok, back in action... here we go...
Since you probably don't really care what exactly I'm eating, I'll just sum it all up by saying I ate about 1480 calories.
Workout (for Courtney): Chest and Back
*Some women are afraid to do much work on their chest because they don't want manly muscles there... which I understand. But, the reality is that unless you're taking steroids (we'll assume that you're not!), you're not likely to get those no matter how many push ups and reps on the bench you do. Actually, I quite love what working my chest has done... kind of an inexpensive lift! Seriously, go for it. And the back? I loooove working out my back! It's not seen unless I'm in a bathing suit, I realize, but a nice-looking back in just sexy so it's a fav of mine. Here's how I did it today.....
5-minute warm up run
Bench-
1- 55 lb - 15 reps
2- 55 lb - 15 reps
3- 55 lb - 15 reps
Superset w/
Lat Pull down-
1- 50 lb- 20 reps
2- 100 lb- 15 reps
3- 100 lb- 15 reps
Jumped rope between each superset and then run 1/4 mile before moving on to next superset....
Decline bench press machine-
1- 40 lb - 15 reps
2- 50 lb - 12 reps
3- 50 lb - 12 reps
Superset w/ Compound row-
1- 90 lb - 20 reps
2- 110 lb - 15 reps
3- 110 lb - 15 reps
Jump rope between each superset and run 1/4 mile before moving on....
Free Motion Machine Press-
1- 40 lb - 15 reps
2- 40 lb - 15 reps
3- 50 lb - 12 reps
Superset w/ Free motion row machine-
1- 50 lb - 15 reps
2- 50 lb - 15 reps
3- 60 lb - 12 reps
Jump rope between each superset and then run 1/4 mile...
Incline bench press-
1- 45 lb - 20 reps
2- 55 lb - 15 reps
3- 55 lb - 12 reps
Superset w/ bent over row-
1- 65 lb - 10 reps
2- 65 lb - 10 reps
3- 65 lb - 8 reps
Jumped rope between each superset
20 minutes of cardio to finish it off
Calories burned: 800
Felt great to get back in there!!! Need to get back into the healthy eating mode... I didn't eat a ton, but I could have made healthier choices. Hard to go back when ya take a little time off, but I'll get there.
Now Courtney, I expect you to do the exact same workout tomorrow! :) As for me, I'll be doing legs... painful deadlifts, grueling squats, but-blasting lunges- bring it on!!!
Since you probably don't really care what exactly I'm eating, I'll just sum it all up by saying I ate about 1480 calories.
Workout (for Courtney): Chest and Back
*Some women are afraid to do much work on their chest because they don't want manly muscles there... which I understand. But, the reality is that unless you're taking steroids (we'll assume that you're not!), you're not likely to get those no matter how many push ups and reps on the bench you do. Actually, I quite love what working my chest has done... kind of an inexpensive lift! Seriously, go for it. And the back? I loooove working out my back! It's not seen unless I'm in a bathing suit, I realize, but a nice-looking back in just sexy so it's a fav of mine. Here's how I did it today.....
5-minute warm up run
Bench-
1- 55 lb - 15 reps
2- 55 lb - 15 reps
3- 55 lb - 15 reps
Superset w/
Lat Pull down-
1- 50 lb- 20 reps
2- 100 lb- 15 reps
3- 100 lb- 15 reps
Jumped rope between each superset and then run 1/4 mile before moving on to next superset....
Decline bench press machine-
1- 40 lb - 15 reps
2- 50 lb - 12 reps
3- 50 lb - 12 reps
Superset w/ Compound row-
1- 90 lb - 20 reps
2- 110 lb - 15 reps
3- 110 lb - 15 reps
Jump rope between each superset and run 1/4 mile before moving on....
Free Motion Machine Press-
1- 40 lb - 15 reps
2- 40 lb - 15 reps
3- 50 lb - 12 reps
Superset w/ Free motion row machine-
1- 50 lb - 15 reps
2- 50 lb - 15 reps
3- 60 lb - 12 reps
Jump rope between each superset and then run 1/4 mile...
Incline bench press-
1- 45 lb - 20 reps
2- 55 lb - 15 reps
3- 55 lb - 12 reps
Superset w/ bent over row-
1- 65 lb - 10 reps
2- 65 lb - 10 reps
3- 65 lb - 8 reps
Jumped rope between each superset
20 minutes of cardio to finish it off
Calories burned: 800
Felt great to get back in there!!! Need to get back into the healthy eating mode... I didn't eat a ton, but I could have made healthier choices. Hard to go back when ya take a little time off, but I'll get there.
Now Courtney, I expect you to do the exact same workout tomorrow! :) As for me, I'll be doing legs... painful deadlifts, grueling squats, but-blasting lunges- bring it on!!!
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