May 3 - something you wore today

 

This photo challenge is getting me to stretch my wings and explore my world while sticking to the task at hand. I'm loving it.

Something you wore today could go any way. I took pictures of my braids I wore, but my running shoes and track pants perfectly explain what I wear at this point in my life. I've made the gym the first priority of each day that is all about me. I get dressed for the gym, make lunches, fuel up on toast and peanut butter and leave as soon as the school bus leaves.

I'm up to 10 minutes on the stairs, followed by 10 minutes on the rower. Once I'm all warmed up, I hit the weight floor to use various arm, back and chest machines. This takes about 30-45 minutes and my workout buddy finally shows up. We head up to the treadmills where I am working on learning to run again. I jog either 1 minute followed by walk 2 minutes which I alternate for 30-45 minutes or I just started jogging an 1/8 mile then walk an 1/8 mile back and forth until the time is up.

I feel like I've got myself at a great work out pace, but I can not get my scale to move! My hips are smaller (always a blessing), but I really want the weight to come off. I think it's time to log the food I do it. It doesn't feel like much, but obviously something is keeping this weight on. I'm not asking for a bikini body, but pre-kids would be the biggest blessing.

Couch to 5K

Hello my peeps. It's been awhile and I have been doing lots. Too much really.

I've been working through the 9 week couch to 5K app. I'm running on the elliptical to strengthen my legs and lungs first. And hopefully lose some weight!!

So far, I'm at week 7 - day 2 and I am kicking butt. I thought I was going to die the first few times, but now I'm pushing to finish the whole 5K. I'm still at a walking pace (overall), but in the last week I shaved about 2 minutes off my overall time.

No weight loss - yet. AND I'm loving the gym. Yea me!!

exercise

It's official. I'm a gym addict. At first I thought I liked to go because of the cute guys on the weights. But he hasn't been there in 2 weeks and I actually look forward to going even more. 

I'm self motivated!!

How did that happen?

At first, it was all treadmill, treadmill, treadmill with an occasional bike thrown in there. Then I found the rower. I love the rower. Feeling my back, shoulders and stomach get worked encouraged me to move out onto the weight floor. Because of the nasty crunching sounds in my knees (doctor says 50 straight leg lifts per day to strengthen my quads - no weights), I only work out my arms, shoulders and back. I love that I can feel my arms getting stronger.


The weight loss is slow, but I'm building a strong heart and a healthy habit. I'm instilling in my kids that the exercise is for my sanity and health. I want them to grow up enjoying exercise. 

On June 4th I participated in Relay for Life. It was a last minute decision from a last minute invite by my friend. Her friend had just finished chemo for Breast Cancer. I have always wanted to so something and here was my opportunity. I joined her team, arrived at noon and walked for the next 18 hours. Instead of taking turns, we all walked together. Talking and enjoying the rare day of Seattle sunshine. We averaged 1 mile per hour (not sure how that happened). My hip was displaced, I got a blister on my heel and under my 2nd toe. I walked for 4 hours in just flip flops. But I knew my whining was nothing compared to all the cancer survivors that were out there walking. 

Making it through the night with the luminaries lit around the track. Finding the luminary for my Mom and watching the sunrise turned a corner for exercise for me. It was time to get serious and make some progress. I started the Couch to 5K program last week. I'm doing it on the elliptical to strengthen my quads and not get discouraged. I'll finish the 9 weeks and then try it on the treadmill. Today was Week 1, Day 3. Even though I only had 45 minutes to get to the gym, exercise and get home, I was determined to get it done. I'm so glad I did because I feel FANTASTIC. And really, isn't that the point of exercise?

Our camp name

26/365

Tuesday, January 26: We are in the middle of our normal day to day affairs. Week in, week out without to much change. To shake things up, I'm taking on a little extra exercise. Mr. C is participating in a free soccer clinic on Tuesdays. It's 90 minutes long and very chilly out. There is a jogging track at this facility that I have decided to take advantage of. Last week, I ran the straight aways and walked the corners. I thought I would die, but I survived and am invigorated to move forward. Tonight I pushed myself a little further. Miss M joined me on the track and together we jog/walked 1 mile (4 laps). I can walk no problem, but the jogging is going to take some time to get used to. It feels great to be moving my body and pushing it into better shape.

20 & 21/365

20/365

My workout log. It's 8:30 at night and I haven't done my workout yet. So, I head downstairs and turn on the Wii to complete day 9 of my 30 day challenge on Wii Active. I love this program (except the leg strap will not stay where it is supposed to). I can't tell if I'm really into working out, finally, or if the OCD in me has kicked in and I HAVE to finish the 20 workouts before the 30 days. I am pumped to someday see changes. I've resolved to only weigh in once a month. Not seeing the scale move is discouraging. But getting into this habit of exercise is encouraging.

At the end of the 30 day challenge, I'll start over with the "medium" settings. This month is "easy". I need to start somewhere! Tuesday night during the kids soccer clinic, I took it upon myself to go on a walk (it was my Wii Active rest day). I jogged to the front of the high school and found the track. I decided to try my hand at jogging. Man do I have a LONG ways to go. I was sucking air at the end of the straightaway. I walked the corner and then ran the other straightaway. Training for a 5K will be much longer than I thought. I can walk the 5K, no problem, but it will be awhile before I'm jogging it and jogging it in good time. The front of my shins STILL hurt. But, I'm on the path and come summer, maybe, the bathing suit will reemerge from it's hiding place in the closet.

21/365

I was going to make this picture one from tonight of our first "Third Thursdays" Moms night out, but I will have one for tomorrow. Today, the sun is shining. If you know anything about Washington, you know that it is overcast A LOT. The weathermen have multiple ways of saying rain.
1. chance of rain
2. mostly sunny
3. partly cloudy
4. rain at times
5. sun early, rain later
6. spotty showers
7. you get the picture (it cracks me up)
But January, has been kind to us. I'm sitting at my desk in front of a south facing window, pouring blood, paying bills and the sun made it's way across the trees into a perfectly open spot and right into my face and the house. It feels wonderful. I just had to share it with you.