Summer Challenge Day 17

Today has been a bit challenging for me to get motivated. I got up at my normal time and had planned to cycling, but Celeste had company last night and evidently they stayed up too late because my earlier riser wasn't moving and I need her to keep an eye on Autumn while I ride...so I messed around the house, had some breakfast...cheerios with almond milk and a banana...then once she got up we were off to look for a bathing suit top for her...so no ride this morning...

Got back and dropped the gang off and headed to they gym for a full body weight workout, then a zumba class. This was a good class. I really enjoyed it and I am excited that this instructor is going to start teaching a regular zumba class as of this Friday...the class today was a beginners class and it is starting to seem pretty easy...glad there will now be more intense zumba classes at my gym on multiple days....the only thing with the Friday class is it will be right after my kickboxing class! There should be another full body st session in there as well, but I think it will get moved to Saturday when I have no classes! The only thing about my gym is the class schedule changes monthly and so I have to adjust to work around the classes I am doing, but it is all good...love more class options!

I spent a couple of hours playing with Autumn in the pool and while it is not really lap swimming, she is getting to the point that we do swim a good bit together. Today it was holding hands and swimming under water...we have some play time as well. She loves to be thrown in the pool now...or lifted up to the sky and then kinda dropped in the pool. I get on my knees and lift her up in the air, then bring her to about chest level and drop her...it is kinda like a military press with her! Loving this time with my girls this summer!

Lunch was a grab and go. Celeste made me a sandwich on whole wheat, turkey, avacado and tomato...snackage was veggie straws and a green tea...

Dinner tonight was turkey burgers with all the veggie toppings on a whole wheat bun...

I met another lady at the gym today that is doing the Tri I plan to do. She told me there was a training plan available for free download...I thought cool! having never done a tri, it is challenging to know how to balance all the sports and strength training and classes. I came home and checked out the plan...I think I will use it as a model for what I am doing, but this plan is assuming you have no base in the sports...I can ride 15 miles and easily run the 5k, where I am weak is swimming so that really needs to become a focal point for me...working on the details of a plan now and trying to keep it doable...but at the same time, not wanting to drop my distance for long runs...always that possible full later to look at...lol...

Over all it has been a good day. Now I am off to relax and get some sleep...

Summer Challenge Day 16

Today has been an awesome day for me workout wise! I got up this morning and went running...3 miles 27 minutes....best time to date I think! Then a kick butt kick boxing workout with a new instructor for me. Our regular instructor for this class was out today with a back injury and I pray she is back soon. The class was fun and challenging! He seemed to focus more on like boxing drills which was different pace and intense. I love the kick boxing side of this so I missed Nicole today. She is tough, but fun! However I came out drenched in sweat...between the run and the class! Then I hit the pool for some swim time and if I am honest, I must say, it is feeling amazing to swim and see that I am stronger and my endurance is so much higher! I love feeling healthy and strong!

Yesterday I was focused on changing goals, so I didn't share this, but I was lifting yesterday...lat pull downs with a twist...you do them on the cable station and stand and pull them down like a swim motion...anyhow one of the trainers came by and was like "Wow...girl...I see some muscles popping out in that back!"...That made me look in the mirror and from the angle I could see some muscle in my upper back...YAY!!! That made me feel amazing! Near the end of my workout I was doing shoulder press and during a rest, I caught a glimpse of my upper leg...it look like a bump on the outside of my leg....I looked down to see what it was...you know thinking this could be bad...a knot in my leg...not good...it was a muscle! So loving my body these days!

I got on the scale tonight...I know...that is not something I need to do and especially not at night...no real change in these last 15 days...but you know I am okay with that! I didn't do measurements, I am waiting for one month to do that, but it really didn't bother me that the scale hasn't changed...one it is night and eating has been off today and was off over the weekend, two it is the time of month my weight is the highest anyway...and I know I am building muscle and burning fat...so who cares what a dumb old scale says! I love how I look and feel and that is the best place to be....for the first time in my life I am comfortable with my body! I am comfortable walking around in a two piece at the pool, or taking off a soaked t-shirt and going to a sports bra in a class...For the first time in my life I am at peace with what my body looks like and I truly love it...no it is not perfect and it is not where I want it to be, but it is strong and healthy...tanned and toned...my endurance is better than ever...

I asked the question, the other day on Fabulous Fitness...what is your weakest link in your fitness journey...mine is nutrition...I love working out, I love getting sweaty and feeling the high that comes from a good hard workout...but I also love food! (some people have dreamed of hearing me say that...lol) the problem is some of the foods I love are not good for me and I know in moderation they say everything is ok...but processed, chemically loaded foods are poison to my body regardless of the doseage I take! I have got to get back to a place of eating clean, healthy nutritious foods and eating them in abundance! I discovered today that I burn around 1200 cals a day in exercise...to give my body what it needs I need to eat a ton of food and this is where I struggle with eating clean...it takes a ton of food to have enough to fuel my body...suggestions from my clean eating friends?????

Moving forward with the Tri training plans and looking at a tri for Sept 25, 2011! This is why the nutrition needs to come into line...i am pushing hard, training hard and my body deserves the best fuel!

Summer Challenge Day 14 and 15

I know slack on the posting lately...it was late when I got settled last night after church and really yesterday was a good day...only workout time was push mowing grass, eating was soso...had some blueberry pie after church! It was yummy...and then it was back to watching it today!

I am struggling a little bit right now, dealing with some family stuff and it is making it a little hard to focus, however I did workout hard and strong today...The day started with a kick butt zumba class...I think someone went and got some inspiration last week and unloaded a ton of it on us this morning...but hey it was a zumba party and it was fun and a great workout...after zumba I hit the gym for a full body weight workout...this is new for me. Normally I break weights into three day splits...but since I am seriously looking a triathlon in September, I am shifting to tri training and recommendations are for a full body workout 3x a week...so we will give this a try...if nothing else it keeps my body guessing...instead of weight training on the other days, it will be stretching days and core work.....

I posted a statement today that said, "It is a dream until you write it down, then it is goal." It is time to stop dreaming about what I could do and do it! I know I can complete a tri and currently that has become my dream...today it becomes a goal!

I am working on a training shedule that gives, 3 days running, 3 biking and 3 swim workouts...obviously there will be more than one workout a day...I plan to lift or stretch on alternating days and for now I will continue with a class a day (Hey these are just pure fun to me,a s well as a good workout, but I love the classes!)...later that may have to adjust...time will tell...

Today I finished the day with a 15 mile bike ride! Oh yeah! I am really doing this and I feel amazing!...I think I am ready for this training because I have gotten the point that I can listen to my body and I will rest if I need to, I will eat more if I need to, I will slow down if I need to!

I enjoyed trying a Lara bar today...pretty good stuff..it was a chocolate brownie...pretty good! Something I would eat again for sure!

I also had a blast swimming underwater with my 5 year old today...she is getting really good! My 14 year old is still running intervals!

Okay off I go...need to get a hot bath and settle down...part of the equation has got to be rest!

Night night everyone!

Summer Challenge Day 12 and 13

Sorry no blog yesterday! It was a good day...I got up early and made it to kickboxing and zumba classes...I had planned to do a tri, bi and shoulder workout, but didn't have time...it was ok because we used bands in kickboxing, pretty much took care of the muscles I was going to target anyway. I spent the afternoon hanging with my two favorite girls and then we chilled at home for the evening...Food was clean for the day except my daughter treated me to an ice cream coffee shake...that was my treat for the week...

To my amazement Celeste decided to go out for a walk yesterday that turned into a walk run in intervals! She said it was fun and as I right that, she is out there running/walking for a bit...When I first started running, I tried to get her to go with me, but she was not interested...I have brought it up a few times over the last couple of years, always to be shot down...it excites me that she is finding it on her own...of course she is like mommy and she wants to run alone at her own pace, for her own benefit! But it excites me to see the kids finding their own fitness path! I so love it! They are on their own journeys and that is going to be awesome to watch as they grow up!

Today, I got up not feeling good...kinda sick to my tummy. Got a bowl of cream of wheat with vanilla whey protien. Autumn, my 5 year old wanted to try it...she is nortorious for not liking smushy foods, so I was shocked when she like it and wanted her own. I made hers with out the whey protien. I added some vanilla to her to make it taste the same. She loved it! Yes! I love it as they try new things.

For workout today, it was mowing grass with a push mower for 2 hours! That was it for working out today...

Foods have been clean and healthy...

Summer Challenge Day 11

Well today turned into an unexpected rest day! Unplanned rest days are not good for me mentally, maybe physically, but when plans get changed I don't deal well with it...

I got up this morning knowing it was going to be a tough day to get a good workout in...My 14 year old, Celeste, had several plans going on today, translates to added traveling for mommy. She was baby sitting her one of her favorite baby boys today for a few hours and then off to a friends for the night.. Autumn, the 5 year old munchkin, had swim lessons this morning... and it was raining so no outside run for mommy...

Got up and had a bowl of rice cereal with almonds and almond milk for breakfast, took care of some errands and then headed to the pool, outside in the rain for a swim lesson...Autumn did great in the pool! She was swimming on top of water and going under to swim...awesome job, but she got too cold...her lips turned purple and the swim instructor got her out of the water to warm up..at the end she wanted to get back in and try the back stroke so we let her, she started shivering again, but hey she is a determined kid and she did float on her back! This led to a little girl that hasn't felt great all day...she has been cold and so the decision was made to stay close to home and keep her in out of the rain and where she could cover up if need be. She is like mommy and has always had issues regulating her body temp...we can both get cold and stay that way for a very long time before our body temp will return to normal, which is on the very low side on average.

Lunch was a turkey sandwich on all natural 12 grain bread with all natural veggie straws and green tea..

Snack this afternoon was stawberries and cashews (Thanks Amy S....my new addiction!)

Dinner...we decided to get take out...not the best choice, but mommy got grilled chicken and slaw, added mashed sweet potatoes at home...it was good and I enjoyed getting to sit down and eat something I didn't cook...lol...

I did take some of the down time today to work on a training plan for the Triathlon I am hoping to do early fall and looked at some marathons for the end of the year, first of 2012...so no I haven't completely ruled it out...still thinking about it!

Now I am going to go cuddle with my little popcicle and read...If all goes well (she seems fine now) training will resume normally tomorrow...

Oh I did get a new pair of NIKE running shoes today! A running friend called me and told me she had gotten these shoes last month, but just couldn't adjust to them. The arch was high in them and since she knew I had the high arch she wanted to know if I wanted to try them! Awesome! I needed to get a new pair anyway...so it worked out good for both of us!

Summer Challenge Day 10

Today has been a good and productive day! I got to sleep a little later this morning....that is always good! I had leftover whey protien pancakes with all natural peanut butter and banana for breakfast. I headed to the store to get gogggles for my 14 year old, Celeste. Decided to get a new bathing suit while I was there...They had one on sale that I liked...it is a two piece for the up coming 4th celebreations...I, like most of us, have always hated shopping for a bathing suit...I actually enjoyed this today! It was fun especially when I had to down size from the size I first tried on! I love it!! :)

Then I headed to the gym to get my lower body workout and running in before my zumba class...I did squats, lunges, leg press, calve press, leg curls, hip abductors and hip adduction, plus some ab work...I ran intervals for 35 minutes and then went to zumba. My BFF joined me for this class again! It was fun! It is getting easier as I learn the routine and kinda know what is coming! I was also trying out some new cross trainer shoes for this class..

After the workout, I came home to get the girls to go to the pool. Celeste had my strawberries and cashews ready for me with a big bottle of water. She had packed a lunch for me in the cooler consisting of a turkey breast, sweet potato and some Greek yogurt for my afternoon snack! She is good. She really pays attention to what I eat and when I eat it! Autumn, the 5 year old, actually helped eat the cashews and strawberries...she loves both.

We enjoyed and afternoon of playing in the pool and then came home to clean house and let mommy study! If all goes well, in another 6-8 weeks I will be a certified personal trainer! Celeste is my biggest advocate for this. She thinks it is cool that mom is so into fitness and stuff!

for dinner we decided to have egg white omlettes with spinach, mushrooms, onions, tomatos and feta...with a slice of all natural 12 grain bread.

I received an e-mail from Jeff galloway about a new free download he has for 1:1 run/walk intervals, so I downloaded that and put it on my ipod...not sure if a marathon is in the picture or not, but if it is I think I will use Galloway's method and do intervals...currently I am focusing on a tri...we will see what comes next, but for now I am planning to continue to build my run miles every other week so if I decide to do the full I can...

Now I am off to do yoga and then a warm bath and some reading before bed...

Hope it has been an awesome day for everyone...

My thought today....If you don't dream, you will never reach beyond your comfort zone to try something new...you will never know what might have been...so dream BIG!

Summer Challenge Day 9

This is going to be short and sweet tonight. I am having major internet issues today so while I have signal and before I lose it again I am going to try to post this.

I got up early this morning and had oatmeal with blueberries and flax seed, with 2 scrambled egg whites for breakfast. We packed lunch and snacks and headed to the YMCA so I could workout before Autumn's swim lesson...I did an upper body workout...chest and back and some abs....then I went outside for a run...only ran about a mile then had to walk...it was too hot to run! Next came kickboxing! I love this class...still not sure what I am doing, but it is fun and I feel it...so all is good! The instructor is great about explaining what is going on and encouraging you where you are...today she was using bands in the punches, but told the newbies not to...then she brought me one to try...it was good! Made it more intense! I like intense!

While Autumn had her swim lesson, I sipped on a protien shake made with almond milk and chocolate whey protien...then it was swim time...this was the most amazing thing today. My 5 year old, who has been afraid to put her face in the water, decided she could do it...not only did she get her whole head under water, she took off swimming under water!! NO JOKE!! It was all I could do to get her to stay above the surface to tell her I was proud of her...the head life guard said to lose the life vest, she was ready and that was all it took!

We munched on our usual pool snacks...greek yogurt, grapes, I think I had part of liff bar too...

Came home made half a sandwhich with turkey, tomoto, spinach and avacado..

Dinner was oatmeal pancakes made with vanilla whey protien and topped with strawberries...yummy!!

Went for a short bike ride this evening...had hoped for 10 mile, got about 8...storms moving in forced me back home!...now off to do some yoga and then a warm bath and reading...

Night everyone!

ps...sorry not that short! You know me...I like to talk (write)!

Summer Challenge Day 8

Today started off cloudy and overcast...that is the 2nd day of this yucky weather...I don't like gray skies...but I got up early, had some rice cereal with almonds and almond milk, topped with flax seed, then headed to the gym for what was suppose to be a zumba class, but turned out to be cardio dance! It was an awesomely fun class! I so love the instructor for this class..she is full of energy and craziness! It helps you relax and enjoy it. This was a high energy class with lots of high impact...loved it!! Then I headed up to the gynm to lift weights...I worked bicepts, tricepts and shoulders today! Felt good to be lifting after a couple of days break...

I came home and got a cliff bar with almond milk, ran to the libriary and then hung out at home and tried to clean a bit...that seems to be never ending. We chose not to try the pool today with the gray skies and I planned to run tonight...For lunch, I had a roast beef sandwhich on all natural 12 grain bread with a spinach dip for the topping on it. The spinach dip was homemade...so yummy! I tried to study for a while, but fell asleep for 3 hours!! My kids actually let me nap for that long...my 14 year old even told daddy I was tired and needed to rest! She woke me up and told me dinner was ready. She had boiled shrimp, made couscous and mushrooms! Way to go Celeste! We enjoyed dinner and then I did some yoga and took a bath. I didn't run today. It was sunny and hot this afternoon and after my nap I just felt stiff and not much up to running...trying to listen to my body, but still do what I need. Since I am not a napper, my body is telling me it is tired...could be from late nights this weekend, just needing to catch up on sleep....could be needing to balance my nutrition for the increased workouts...I think I am going to start tracking cals in and out for a couple of weeks to make sure I am eating enough for what I am doing...

All in all it was a good day and I appreciate the extra rest time!

Summer Challenge Days 5, 6, and 7

Okay so I didn't post yesterday! I was tired last night and decided sleep was the need of the day! So Day 5...I got up early, had the last of my already made all natural blueberry crepes...someone ask for a recipe...it is

Make whole wheat or oatmeal pancakes
Cook some blueberries in water and add agave nectar, vanilla flavoring...to thicken the liquid add corn starch.
Take some yogurt cheese and add a orange zest to it, mix it up.

Scoop some yogurt cheese onto a pancake and then some blueberries, roll up and there is your crepe...wish I had took pictures, but wasnt awake enough for that...

Then it was off to the gym for a Kickboxing class. My best friend showed up at the gym and when I pointed out zumba was later, she decided to go ahead and try the kickboxing class...it was a blast...The instructor in this class is awesome at giving you the heads up as to what you are going to do next and that helps so much for us newbies!

After kickboxing, I headed upstairs to lift weights. I did a little chest and back and abs....not my normal routine because I was tired and realized I had not brought a snack with me...
Bench Press...3 x 12 x 45
Incline Press...3 X 12 x 30
Flyes....3 x 12 x 40
Rows...3 x 12 x 74
Lat pulls...3 x 12 x 50
Crunches 4 x 25
Rv. Crunch...4 X 20

Then I headed to the store for a snack...grabbed a banana and peanutbutter at Walmart...with a water...then back to the gym for the zumba class...

This was a beginners zumba class that I took for the first time last week...It was fun, we had a zumba war and the instructor did a great job of making it fun...it was a good workout, but after having done kickboxing earlier, it was not as intense...still fun and a good workout...

After class I headed home to pick up my kids and then yet again back to the gym to hit the pool with the kids...this was purely playtime, that always involves lots of running around the pool and jumping around with my five year old...while at the pool I some roast beef, greek yogurt and grapes...

Took the kids home and then went to buy some produce for the week...

Somewhere in the day I did manage to get a pot of pinto's cooking and when I got home I made some brown rice and that was dinner!

I was really tired last night!

Today, I got up early to take my oldest to meet up with some of her youth group and go to Carowinds for the day...then my 5 year old and I started our day of fun...we headed back by the farmers market to get some fresh eggs and of course she had to have strawberries...then off to yard sales, she found a train set and a porcelin doll! Makes for a happy kiddo,,,I found a bar stool that I needed for my bar and it was only 2 bucks!! love a good find! We also found each of us a bathing suit...the sweet thing was mine was brand new!! It is a Nike suit and the woman had bought it last year and then found out she was pregnant and had to take it easy for the first 3 months...then it wouldn't fit and she can't wear it now! Love it...this will be a good suit for tri training!
This was all before 10am...around ten, we headed home, grabbed a snack...Greek yogurt...changed clothes and headed to the gym. I put Autumn in child watch, planning to go to a zumba class, but decided to go to the pool instead. My back and shoulders felt tight and honestly I was just tired...I ended up swimming laps for about 30 minutes, but it was good...felt good and I got some coaching from one of the life guards that really helped my form...after I got done swimming I just laid on my towel for a bit, then got my daughter and played with her for about an hour...we had a ton of fun. We did eat some healthy snacks by the pool. I had all natural veggie chips with my green tea...then grapes on the way home...

We came home and I mowed grass...that is a workout in itself! I got to relax and watch The Blindside today finally!

For dinner tonight I had a sirloin and mushrooms with a salad!

Tomorrow, yes I am posting ahead. I will eat clean for most of the day...probably have pizza after church tomorrow night...and unless I go cycling, it will be a rest day...Sunday is my planning day for the week...meals and workouts go smoother if I have a plan...

Oh yeah, I found a really good cooler for packing our foods for the gym in and it will free up my smaller one for my long workout!

I can't believe I am going to post this, but I took this picture at the Y today before I went swimming....I am hoping it will help me see the changes in my body this summer....

Summer Challenge Day 4

Today was an easy day for me. I enjoyed an all natural blueberry crepe for breakfast, went hill running for a couple of miles. I ran a mile to the hill and did repeats on the hill and then ran back home. I took the kids to the Y and put my youngest in child watch so I could have some mommy time at the pool. I swam for about 25 minutes and then just layed out and read some magazines and relaxed for a a half hour.

I picked up my 5 year old and returned to the pool. Grabbed a greek yogurt and some green tea then off to play and swim with the little one! We had fun and played games...love this bonding time with her. During swim breaks I had some raw fruits and veggies and hard boiled eggs.

Tonight I returned to the Y for my first cardio dance class. This was an hour class that had you sweating in the first 5 minutes! Tons of lower body work and just pure fun! Loved it, but need to rethink my strength training schedule so a leg workout is not scheduled on the same day. I was suppose to go upstairs and do a leg workout, but decided enough was enough for my legs today and came home.

Currently I am enjoying a reeses smoothie made with frozen bananas,Chocolate almond milk, peanutbutter, and jsut a bit of dark chocolate mixed in...oh yeah added some flax seed as well...yummmy....not sure if this will be dinner or if I will grab some turkey and salad later...

When I am done here I am going to to do 30 minutes of yoga and sit in a warm episom salt bath....then wath The Blind Side before bed....

The question today has been to train for a triathalon or not? I had originally thought I would do one this year, then thought not, now I think I might want to. I love running, but I also love cycling, swimming and lifting and all these classes....I don't know that I want to give up the other things I enjoy to focus on just running to prepare for a marathon or even that I feel the need for a marathon any more...a tri would prove to myself that I am not just a runner, but an athlete...that is what I want...so I think I made up my own mind...my focus will become training for a tri!!!

Stole this from a FB buddy but it fits how I feel right now...instead of doubting what I can do, I am embarcing what my body is capable of!

Summner Challenge Day 3

Day 3 was a fun day! I started the day off with a bowl of rice cereal in alomnd milk, topped with almonds and bananas. Then I headed out the door for an easy run. I ran five miles in an hour. It felt good to be running...instead of feeling like I had too, my body wanted too. It is kinda nice not to be focused on training for a race right now...

I got home and had a Greek yogurt with strawberries, packed the cooler for pool time and done some stuff around the house...then it was time for lunch and off to Zumba...lunch was a roast beef sandwhich on all natural wheatberry bread...the roast was deer meat that a friend of mine fixed and sliced up real thin for me! This was topped with avacado, roamine lettuce and tomato. On the side I had some carrot sticks, fresh spinach and raw squash....Then I headed to the gym.

I did a strength training workout for Bicepts, Tricepts and shoulders...

Bicepts...Dumbell Curls, cable curles, preacher curls, incline curls...
Tricepts...Tricept extension, lying extension, cable press and dips
Shoulders...military press, lat raises, upright rows and shoulder press..

I also did 4 sets of weighted crunches and 4 sets of incline crunches...

After my ST workout, my best friend joined me for her first zumba class! We had so much fun! The class is getting easier for me as I learn the steps and get used to hor the instructors lead...really loving this class! It is fun and girlie...something I seem to be missing at times...lol..

After Zumba, I went home and picked up my girls and then we headed back to the pool. I spent about an hour and a half swimming with and playing with my girls...my youngest one would 'swim' after me and catch me and then I would squat hop, or lunge walk back tot he other end of the pool with her on my waist or back...then we would repeat....after about an hour od this my oldest daughter got involved and it became an all out water wrestling match! Problem for her...mommy has gotten strong!! I had fun putting my 14 year old under the water!!!

Highlight today...I made some observations about my body today...I am not a tiny person! I am not one of those women you look at and think...oh she is so petite! I am a muscular woman...I would give the impression of someone that took care of themselves and could take care of themselves...My legs are solid muscle and there is now definition and visible muscle in my back and arms!!!! I decided instead of waiting for my body to be what I want it to be, I was going to begin to love my body right where I am, to trust my body's signals for what it wants and needs. I have been training my body to eat right, to train hard and that will continue, but to honor my body along the way is important. I don't want to be some stick thin girl that looks like she will break if you touch her...I want muscles and curves. I want to look like an athlete and that is where I am headed.

Accomplishment today...I decided to stop hiding and wore a two piece swim suit to the pool!

Summer Challenge Day 2

Today has been a good day, but a bit more chaotic! I got up this morning and enjoyed a bowl of rice cereal with almonds in almond milk. Packed the cooler for the YMCA...it seems like we have to pack half of the house now to go to the gym, between my workouts and pool time we are there for 4-6 hours! It takes a lot to get ready to go!

We made it out the door by 9am and I did my first kick boxing class! I enjoyed this class. I used to kick box so this was more in my comfort zone. It was challenging, but fun. Definitely a good workout that I can feel tonight.

After class, I grabbed a greek yogurt with pomegranite and headed to the weight room. Today was a lower body workout.
Squats
Set 1: 40lbs 12 reps
Set 2: 50lbs 12 reps
Set 3: 60lbs 12 reps
Leg Press
Set 1: 190lbs 12 reps
Set 2: 190lbs 12 reps
Set 3: 190lbs 12 reps
Walking Lunges
Set 1: 20lbs 24 reps
Set 2: 20lbs 24 reps
Set 3: 20lbs 24 reps
Calve Press
Set 1: 190lbs 20 reps
Set 2: 190lbs 20 reps
Set 3: 190lbs 20 reps
Leg Curls
Set 1: 30lbs 12 reps
Set 2: 35lbs 12 reps
Set 3: 40lbs 12 reps
Leg Extensions
Set 1: 35lbs 12 reps
Set 2: 35lbs 12 reps
Set 3: 35lbs 12 reps

After weights, I picked up my 5 year old and headed to the pool. I got about 30 minutes of swimming and 2 hours of playing in the pool. I would get her to swimm after me, then she would sit on my lap as I hopped in the water all the way back to the other side or end...it was like weighted squates in the water.

Food at the pool included lunch...a roast beef sandwich with swiss on all natural wheat berry bread, oh topped with tomatoe and avacado. On the side was freeze dried veggies, grapes, and green tea.

We headed home in time for mommy to go cycling this evening. I rode 8 miles in 35 minutes...I really enjoyed this, a good workout, but it was relaxing to me...the breeze in my face and the sun on my back...

I came back home and made angus hotdogs for the kids, served on whole wheat buns. I took a turkey breast I grilled yesterday and cut it in half and ate it like a hotdog on a whole wheat bun and we had all natural veggie straws with this....hey it is summer and hotdogs are an American fav...trying to keep my kiddos on board without totally throwin clean eating out the window..

After dinner, my 5 year old, my 14 year old and tow of the youth from my youth group and I did 30 minutes of yoga! Now I amr eady for a warm bath, a good book...make that a school book and my bed!

Tomorrow my best friend is going to join me for her first Zumba class!

What I am learning, there are many ways to enjoy fitness. While I love running, my body enjoys moving in many ways and I feel like it needed this change up in activity and I needed it mentally to feel refreshed in what I am doing. I look forward to my next class, my next workout and that includes my next run...but instead of running be my all in fitness, it is just a part of my fitness routine!

Summer Challenge Day 1

Awesome day!! I have really kicked it up today! I got up at 7am this morning and enjoyed a healthy bowl of cream of wheat with flaxseed, blueberries and vanilla whey protein...blueberries and cream, cream of wheat....yummy way to start the day...then I grabbed a water bottle and headed to the gym for an 8:15 Zumba class

I am really enjoying Zumba! I really don't think my body is meant to move like that, but it is fun trying and it is an intense workout!

After Zumba I headed upstairs for a weight workout.
Bench Press
Set 1: 30lbs 12 reps
Set 2: 35lbs 12 reps
Set 3: 40lbs 12 reps
Incline Press
Set 1: 22lbs 12 reps
Set 2: 22lbs 12 reps
Set 3: 22lbs 12 reps
Flyes
Set 1: 35lbs 12 reps
Set 2: 35lbs 12 reps
Set 3: 35lbs 12 reps
rows 74lbs 12 reps
rowa
Set 1: 74lbs 12 reps
Set 2: 74lbs 12 reps
Lat pulls
Set 1: 50lbs 12 reps
Set 2: 50lbs 12 reps
Set 3: 50lbs 12 reps
Hyperextensions
Set 1: 15 reps
Set 2: 15 reps
Set 3: 15 reps
Weighted Crunch
Set 1: 20lbs 15 reps
Set 2: 20lbs 15 reps
Set 3: 20lbs 15 reps
Side Crunches
Set 1: 20 reps
Set 2: 20 reps

Then I headed home to pick up the kiddos to go back to the pool. WHile I was at home I enjoyed some greek yogurt and blueberries.

When we got back to the YMCA, the pool was closed because of storms and I had time to kill...so I took a 30 minute walk outside to fill the time...I am guessing that was around 2 miles...just an easy walk. Then back to the pool. I got about 20 minutes of swimming laps in before I had to pick my youngest up from her class, then it was play time in the pool. My 5 year old actually swam a couple of laps with me! That was fun!

While we were hanging out at the pool, I munched on a ham sandwhich made on on all natural whole wheat bread, with avocado mayo and tomatoe, freeze dried veggie chips and grapes....this was lunch and snackage for the afternoon...

Then we headed home. I finally got to try bison. I grilled bison burgers and we had mushrooms on the side. This was awesome! The Bison burger was topped with avacodo mayo, tomato, romaine lettuce, onion and pickles, served on a whole wheat bun....I really enjoyed this. It is awesome to have a clean burger that I can enjoy! the kids loved it too!

After dinner we headed to the park for the kiddos to play and mommy to do some run intervals...3 miles of run intervals...run .25 mile, all out run, walk .25 miles...working on speed. Not sure right now what I want to do with running, but for now I am training like I will race this fall...only time will tell...

Came back from the park and did 20 minutes of a yoga dvd and then some stretching...my five year old joined me for this...that was really fun! She was trying so hard!

Fluids today has been water, coffee and green tea...no soda!!!!

Summer 2011 Challenge and Goals!

A few weeks ago I said I was going to challenge myself this summer so I would not get slack and undo what I have accomplished this far. Normally I get really slack in the summer...the heat and all the stuff with the kiddos makes it hard to stay focused. This summer is going to be my summer to go to a new level with my fitness!

The challenge:
1. Try new fitness activities. (classes)
2. Strength training all summer.
3. running 4x a week
4. cycling 2x a week
5. Clean eating!! (eliminate Diet Coke again!!)
6. Finish my CPT program and get my certification!

I am getting ask about training for a full marathon...is that in the plans for the summer...I am only going to say I am going to run this summer, I will continue long runs adding miles every couple of weeks and see where I am at in the late summer. The full I would like to do if I do one is in Novemeber, so I can decided in August on this one...for now this summer is about training my body and having fun doing it!

My goals this summer:
1. Build muscle and lose fat!
2. Lose inches
3. Increase endurance.
4. Make clean eating second nature.
5. Have some fun family fitness trips.

The challenges I have put in place should make reaching my goals possible. I am not setting a weight goal, because I do not want to be obsessed about weight all summer...any weight loss will be a bonus...but I am looking for muscle this summer!

I will measure monthly on the 12th to see the changes along the way.

Starting today:
Weight...137lbs
chest...34in
waist...29in
hips....36.5 in
thigh..19 in
right arm...relaxed..11in
flexed...12.5 in
Left arm....relaxed..11 in
flexed...12.5 in
right calf...14.5 in
left calf....14.25
neck....12 in
forearm...9in

So there is what I am starting with, now let's see how it changes...

I have made a plan for the week that includes running, cycling, swimming, weights, and classes...pool time for the kids and my wonderful 14 year old has offered to keep my 5 year old for me to go somewhere to study so I will have no distractions! Let Summer 2011 begin!!

Trying New Things!

Part of my summer challenge was to try some new things...this seems to be the week for getting started with this challenge! Yesterday I tried Wasabi Peas...loved them!! Today I went shopping and got dehydrated veggie chips and they are amazing! Great snack for afternoons at the pool. We also got ground bison which we will grill later this week. Then I found soy nuts to try...so several new foods to test out.

Exercise wise, I finally got to try a Zumba class this morning...I loved it! I haven't done any group fitness in many years so I was a bit nervous about stepping out of my comfort zone of running and lifting, but this was part of the try new things challenge. It was fun and it was intense! Definitely a class I will add to my training program from here on out! I also want to try cardio dance later this week.

Trying to figure out how to balance in the things I currently enjoy with new interest. Right now the plan is:

Interval running on Monday
Cycling on Tuesday
Easy run on Wednesday
Hill repeats on Thursday
Long Run on Saturday
Cycling on Sunday (Short Ride)

Zumba for this month will be MWF
Cardo dance on Thursday if I like it
Weight training MTWTHF

I may throw some yoga in on Tuesday...not sure yet....I know it seems like a lot, but this summer is about challenging myself out of a comfort zone and seeing just what my body can become. I am notorious for getting slack in the summer and that is what I am advoiding this summer. I will not panic if I don't get to do something one day here and there..it will be okay.

Nutrition wise, I am going to eat clean, cutting out diet soda...yes, got real slack about that one this week...back to water and green tea...

I will track my food and fitness on here daily, along with lessons learned along the journey.

What are your plans this summer!

Oh yeah, swimming as much as possible is a part of this equation...for me that is just plain ole fun!

It Has Been a Day

I got up this morning and went for arun. Three easy miles. My legs were a little sore to start with, but then they loosened up and it felt good. I kept a slower pace than normal for this run, but it felt good.

I went home to work on the yard some more. I push mowed for about 1.5 hours, then went in and took a bath to get ready to show our house. This would be a good thing if it was our house to sell, but it is a lease house and this could mean we will be moving and I really don't like to move!

Got through that and finally got some lunch. Went to the gym for some strength training this afternoon...
Trisha B. (@fitnessfreak) @Ymca Weights and Running
It was my first real workout sincxe the half. It was a good workout...legs were a little sore, but not bad...

Easy Recovery Run 3 miles 00:35
Dumbell Chest Press
Set 1: 10lbs 12 reps
Set 2: 15lbs 12 reps
Set 3: 15lbs 12 reps
Dumbell Flyes
Set 1: 10lbs 12 reps
Set 2: 10lbs 12 reps
Set 3: 10lbs 12 reps
Flyes
Set 1: 30lbs 12 reps
Set 2: 35lbs 12 reps
Set 3: 40lbs 12 reps
Incline Press
Set 1: 40lbs 12 reps
Set 2: 40lbs 12 reps
Set 3: 40lbs 12 reps
Rows 74lbs 12 reps
Rowa
Set 1: 84lbs 12 reps
Set 2: 94lbs 12 reps
Dumbell Rows
Set 1: 15lbs 12 reps
Set 2: 15lbs 12 reps
Set 3: 15lbs 12 reps
Lat Pulls
Set 1: 50lbs 12 reps
Set 2: 60lbs 12 reps
Set 3: 60lbs 12 reps
Back Ext.
Set 1: 60lbs 12 reps
Set 2: 65lbs 12 reps
Set 3: 70lbs 12 reps
Weighted abs
Set 1: 10lbs 12 reps
Set 2: 10lbs 12 reps
Set 3: 20lbs 12 reps
stretching

Workout Time: 1 hour(s) 15 minute(s)
Workout Date: Today

It really felt good to be back in the weight room!

I was hoping this week things would get back to a normal routine for me, but it looks like things may get delayed. My husband is planning to come home for home time tomorrow and he has a major problem with any me time when he is home, so I may be taking a few more rest days...I so wish he would just step into my world for a little when he is here and see why I enjoy and crave working out so much. It frustrates me that he wants me to stand around while he does stuff outside or sit on the couch and do nothing the whole time he is here. I am not a sitting type person and without working out I tend to get cranky...not a good thing. I want to spend time with him, but I want him to want to spend time with me in my world to...I love this man with all my heart, but anything that matters to me goes on hold when he is here and that is hard for me to handle for several days...Got to try to figure out a way to make this work while he is home.

Recovering

Wow...those hills really kicked my booty this weekend and while I had planned on running today...my calves said NOPE!...I did spend sometime working in my yard, cleanin up broken tree limbs and trees from the storms that rolled through last night. I also push mowed for about an hour and took a 2 mile walk this evening. I had planned to hit the gym this afternoon and do an upper body workout, but a call from the realtor letting me know that the house we lease is to be shown tomorrow, sent me home to clean and prepare for this. Apparently the house is now being shown in short sale so everything is up in the air around here...to move or continue the lease with new owners is the question of the moment...only time and prayer will give us the answer...

So I have taken a couple of days to recover from my half and to plan where to from here. I said if I ran the half in under 3 hours I would start training for a full. I ran in in under 2.5 so full training is part of my plan...I have a race in mind, but I don't want to commit to one just yet...I want to see how the training goes..

I am also planning to see what classes are possible for me at the gym tomorrow...what will fit in my schedule to add that to my routine this week...I want to try something new and mix it up a bit, I figure now is the time. Hopefully tomorrow I can sit down and get a shedule of what I am doing so it will a planned thing and that will allow for consistency.

Nutrition wise...it has been soso this weekend...Saturday morning was good, but the after race party and the pool party was anything but clean. I definitely could tell I had too much sodium because of all the bloating in my belly...it is amazing, I can go from like no tummy to a round tummy overnight when I eat the wrong foods. I can also tell the effect of the white flour in the crash I felt later and the lack of energy...obviously my body has gotten used to eating good, clean, whole foods...today was better and I can tell a difference...really need to get back to my gallon of water a day and away from so much caffine...

So recovery time is up and time to start training again! Time to start fueling my body again. Time to start working on the goals I have set for myself this summer...time to get serious about my dreams and goals...

I can do this, failure is not an option! I will be be fit and fabulous! I will not get slack this summer!

Half Marathon Mania!

Today was the day I have been training for for the last 6 months! You put so much time into planning, training and eating right that when the day arrives it seems unreal! I got up at 4:15 this morning and had my usual bowl of oatmeal and cup of coffee, then headed out to the race. I took a banana and some almond milk with me because the race didn't start until 6:30 so I figured I would eat that about an hour out.

I arrived at the event and spent sometime warming up and stretching and talking with other runners...before I knew it, it was time to line up...

I always go toward the back because I am not a fast runner and I believe in walk breaks as needed...my plan had been to run a mile and then walk 2 minutes...that put walk breaks at water stations....

As we started out, it became clear really quick that this was going to be a very hilly race, with more uphill than downhill! I train on hills, but these were mini mountains with some of the incline lasting for two miles!! Nothing like that to train on where I live! There was one good downhill segment a little over halfway through..

Miles 1-4 I followed my plan pretty well...was doing pretty good, holding my own at least...then I saw a runner go off course and fall to the ground. I am not a competitive person, I am a compassionate person and that led me to turn back to go check on her. She was okay, just needed a break, her pulse was fast, I gave her a water bottle I had in my fuel pack and told her to call for the EMT on the course if she needed. (I had already offered to go get one for her and she said no.) Then I resumed my race. Mile 5 and 6 I just ran straight then we hit a two mile incline that seemed it would never end. I walked some of it and enjoyed a banana and water...then started running again. I honestly don't know where the energy came from because then I didn't want to walk anymore. I would grab some water and keep going. I felt really strong going into mile 10, then started having some major cramps in my quads from all the uphill running I imagine and had to walk a little. At mile 11 the cramps eased up and I could run again. I know I had a prayer partner praying for that mile and I truly felt it as I ran that mile...at the top of mile 12 two of the suppport people came out to run with me and the other gilr close to me...it was what we needed to make it up that hill without stopping, then the finish line was down the next hill.

I didn't look at my watch as we started and ran the whole race thinking I was running slow, but when I crossed the finish line and saw the 2:29:15 I was shocked! Found out we started about 8 minutes late! So I had pushed because I had a time goal of 2:30, but was realistic enough to say I would be okay with anytime!

This was an awesome half! Yes it is the only one I have done, but I can say I will do it again! The volunteers were amazing, the support over the top! registration was 45$ when i registered in Feb. I got a nice fleet feet bag filled with goodies...gu, protien bars, recovery bars, my tech shirt and then all the goodies today during and after the race. They had water/gatorade tables at every mile marker with tons of people to hand it to you so there was no bottle neck getting to it. At mile 6 they had fruit, bagels, gu, and carb bars along with the water/gatorade, mile 9 had cold wet towels to help you cool down and then again at the finish line you had a cold towel ready for you! The after party consisted of a live DJ, free beer (I am not a beer drinker), pizza, fruit, bagels, hydration water, water, soda, and cotton candy! There awas street dancing and yes, this I like!

Whiel all of the goodies was great and made for a good race, it was truly the support along the way that would bring me back. It is a tough course, but they had people at every corner to cheer us on, signs posted all over the place that had little motivational thoughts on them, even messages written on the pavement as you ran over them you could read. The course was clearly marked, the EMT's were visible on their bikes if you needed them and the police were great with traffic control. It seemed like just when you wanted to stop you would come on a cheering station and they would pull you through! A very well done even that has a returning runner for however long I continue to run!

I don't know what the future holds and someone told me once not to plan my next big race until a couple of weeks after this one. If it was a good experience you may commit to something that you will regret, a bad expereince or soreness and you may not commit and regret it...however, I told a friend that if I ran this half in under 3 hours, I would begin training for a full...so I will train for a full...I am not committing to a set race yet, but yes i have one in mind..we will see where I am in the next few months with training, before I commit!