Workout Wednesday...

Note To Self: When Trainer Jeremy says, "Today we're going to skip jump roping, we're going to do something fun!" It's not actually fun... at all!  In fact it really sucks and I would have rather did the jump rope!

Today instead of the jump rope we did these...

I'm not quite sure what the exact term for this exercise, but I do know it sucks!  What you do is you place your hands on the bench and jump side to side over the bench.  It might not sound that hard but you should try it sometime!  After each set we would lay on the bench and do reverse crunches like this guy...

... And if that wasn't enough we sat on the bench and did flutter kicks!  I believe we did this round of exercises 3 times.  Next time he says that he has something fun planned I'm outta there!

On a side note.. The past two weeks had me really down.  My scale didn't move at all!  It's so frustrating because the first two weeks I lost 7 pounds... 7 pounds... Then nothing!  It's hard for me to not get down on myself.  I play the, "Why am I working so hard when nothings working" game!  In reality I know what we're doing is working... I feel like I'm slimming... My clothes are not quite as tight as they were 4 weeks ago... So why is the number on the scale so darn important?!?  Finally today I was down another 2 pounds!  I felt like I had just won the lottery!  In the end I know it's not going to happen over night, and I keep reminding myself of that!  Little by little I'll get there!

Motivation Monday

Spinning Wheels...

I've been spending the slow days at work creeping catching up on blogs, and the more I read the more my wheels start spinning... and I'm not talking bike wheels here folks!

I've been spending time with her and her and her and her over the past few weeks and if you took the time to click on the links you've found one common thread between all of them...

Obstacle Course Races

That got my wheels spinning... I'm itching to do one, well another one!  I did the Dirty Girl in June with a bunch of my girls...

... and it was a lot of fun but it wasn't much of a challenge.  It was mostly hurry up and wait.  The race wasn't timed so there was no rush on the course or at any of the obstacles... which was fun but sometimes a gal needs a chip in her bib!

That's why after reading all of the posts about adventures in OCR's (that's what the 'insiders' call 'em) I really... really... really want to do one (or more) this year.  My first thought was Warrior Dash, but then I started doing a little more research and found this little gem...

The Tough Mudder

Holy hell... So after checking out their website I immediately sent Trainer Jeremy a text that said, "Google 'Tough Mudder!'" A few minutes later I still hadn't heard anything so I texted him again and got this response, "Looks pretty awesome!"   And that was it, folks my fate is sealed!  With Trainer Jeremy's approval we're signing up for a Tough Mudder!

I'm torn between being super pumped to be doing this and wanting to puke... mostly it's wanting to puke!  I am, however, really excited to have something big to work towards.  Training for a road race only requires you to run... run... run, but training for a OCR requires way more out of you!  They don't call it a Tough Mudder for nothin'!  So my friends here's to new adventures and mud running!

Workout Wednesday... The Treadmill

We've talked about the elliptical now let's talk the treadmill.  If there is one piece of equipment in the gym that I find the most boring, it's the treadmill.  I think it's safe to say that I actually hate the treadmill... Actually, this isn't the first time I've said this, remember?

Let's face it the treadmill can be, or should I say, is BORING!  I think this pretty much sums it up...

So, to try and make those minutes go by a little faster we like to change things up a bit!  One of the exercises we've been doing is.... what else but... Sprints!  This week before getting on the elliptical we've been hopping on the treadmill and doing our warm-ups there.  It's 10 minutes with 1 minute sprints between minutes 3 & 4, and another between minutes 7 & 8.  The hardest part of this exercise for me is to continue to run at my regular pace and not stop and walk after each sprint.  The more I do it, the better I get though.

Another exercise we do on the treadmill is to walk at a slower pace but raise the incline waaaaaaaaay up... Like to 12 or 15! This is killer... fer realz yo!  If I had to choose between the two I think I'd rather do the running with the sprints!  I wish I could skip the treadmill all together, but alas, I can't!  I hate to admit it but I need the treadmill, I need the cardio workout it gives me, the different muscle groups it works for me, and mostly because there is no way you're going to find me on a road running outside in Northern Illinois in the middle of January... Holla! 

Anyone else out there have any fun (said sarcastically) treadmill exercises that help the time go by faster?

Tasty Tuesday

Jeremy and I are Mexican food junkies so you can only imagine our heartbreak at knowing that it's not the best food for us to be eating now.  So to cure our craving I made homemade tortilla chips to dip in salsa...

The recipe is easy.  Take regular corn tortillas and cut them in half and then cut each half into thirds.  Place them on a baking sheet (it works better if you use one that doesn't let the air circulate through it) and bake at 400 degrees for about 5-10 minutes.  You'll really have to watch them though because my first batch took the full 10 minutes but the second only took 5 minutes!  Sprinkle with a little salt and you have a healthier version of tortilla chips!



Motivation Monday

Three Things Thursday...

1.  Yesterday I had the day off from work, but still got my rear end out of bed early to get to the gym with Trainer Jeremy.  I decided to utilize my day off time wisely by going grocery shopping. I hate grocery shopping... like HATE it!  I think I hate it so much because I split my shopping up between two different stores, Aldi & Walmart. My little town has a Walmart but doesn't have an Aldi so that leaves me no other option than to drive to the next town over about 20 minutes away... Boo hoo, poor me... I know!  The only good thing about having to drive to the next town to get my groceries on my day off is that I got to have lunch with Jeremy.  Don't worry, we stayed healthy and got Subway!  Also, my shopping was made a lot easier due to the fact that I'm trying to manage my time better by planning meals so I actually had a complete list!  I saved my Walmart trip for after dinner in hopes that Jeremy would be able to come with me but he ended up staying home.  Which brings me to my next topic...

2.  My washer died... Done... Kaput.... End of Story.  When I got home from Walmart it was already sitting in my garage.  I guess it's time was coming, we've had it as long as we've been married... over 12 years.  It was a good little washer... She lived a good life!  So Jeremy took a day off today to head out and get our new washer and dryer.

3.  I'm tired... really tired... today.  I went to bed a a decent time last night, but boy am I really feeling the effects of the hard work I'm putting in at the gym.  This morning I had a hard time during our workout, but I still pushed past the tired and the hurt for a kick ass workout.  Speaking of hurt, I don't believe there is a muscle in my body that isn't on fire!  I keep telling myself that it's a good hurt but every time I sneeze my abs tell me otherwise!  I sent Trainer Jeremy a love text that said this, "I hate you... It all hurts!"  Do you want to know what I got back as a response?  " :) "  Yep... a smiley face!  Whatever... It's paying off so far so I guess I shouldn't complain... Right?!?

Workout Wednesday... The Elliptical

I thought I'd share some of the exercises that Trainer Jeremy has me (us) doing in the gym and call them...

 

"Workout Wednesday"

 

Clever... I know!  So, here's the first and probably the hardest exercise we do, and it all happens on the elliptical!  I know most of my runner friends loathe the elliptical. Only because they feel it doesn't give them the same workout that running does, and they're right, it doesn't.  That doesn't mean you should shy away from the elliptical, it can give you quite a good workout too! 

 

We're only on it for a total of 20 minutes... Yep 20 minutes that's all, but in those 20 minutes we're working harder than most people would if they were on there for 40 minutes, heck, maybe even an hour!  Here's what it looks like...

• Minutes 1-4: Warm up at Resistance Level 10
• Minutes 5-18: Starting at the top of the minute raise resistance level to 12 and sprint for 15 seconds.  Lower resistance and recover 45 seconds.  Repeat at the top of the next minute.
• Minutes 19-20: Cool down.  Raise resistance to 12 again and change directions to a backward motion.

It doesn't look like much of a workout, but let me tell you it is killer!  By the time we're done I'm covered in sweat and feel as if I'm going to toss my cookies! Wait I don't eat those anymore!  Well you know what I mean!  The best part is, each week Trainer Jeremy bumps the sprint time up a second! Fun right... NOT!  We're in week two so that means 16 second sprints... Yeah! *Do ya hear the sarcasm?*

 

Next time you're in the gym and you're looking for something different try this, it really is a great workout!

 

Tasty Tuesday...

I have to say one of my very favorite sites to get healthy recipes is from this lovely lady here.  On Wednesday I tried one of her recipes called Crock Pot Santa Fe Chicken.  It was so good!  Here is her description of it...

"Slow cooked shredded chicken with corn, tomatoes and black beans. Prep this the night before and turn your crock pot on in the morning for an easy weeknight meal."

 

Here is the photo from her website... Doesn't it look amazing?!?
 

All of her recipes include what a serving size is along with calorie counts and also the Weight Watcher's old and new points.  Check her out I'm sure you love her site!

Motivation Monday

Time Management...

If there is one thing that I will openly admit that I really suck at, it's time management!  If you will take a look at the definition of the word 'procrastinate' in the dictionary...

"Procrastinate:
transitive verb: to put off intentionally and habitually.
intransitive verb: to put off intentionally the doing of something that should be done."

...And then you'll find a picture of me.  Okay, so maybe my picture isn't in the dictionary next to the word, but it should be!  And I also think this is why I continue to go up, and down, and up, and down with my weight!  I like to wait until the last possible second to get something done, and then I'm running around like a chicken with her head cut off trying to do it!  So what does this have to do with my weight loss you might ask... Well let me explain!

When losing weight, or trying to lose weight, the formula is easy...

Calories In < Calories Out

Don't you just love my math skills!  So in order to lose weight, not only do you need to be working out, but you need to be eating right as well.  This means that grabbing a pop tart for breakfast on the way out the door to work is probably not the best option!  It also means that eating vending machine lunches because you didn't have time to pack one are out as well.  That leaves no other option than to plan and prepare for the day.

This is where I struggle, and I'll be a lot of you struggle as well!  As I mentioned I'm a procrastinator to the 'T'!  I mean why do today what you could put off until tomorrow... Right?!?  Yeah? No!  Even though it's only been the first week I've made sure to plan and prepare.  When I make the kids lunches for school I make sure to make mine as well.  I've also printed a calendar so I can plan out our dinners too.  It usually works like this for the first few months and then.... well you know... and that is why I gained all my weight back!  It wasn't the lack of working out because really I still did that (kind of), it was the diet (or maybe I should say the eating!) 

So another goal for me this year is to continue the meal planning and preparation!  We'll see how it goes!

Three Things Thursday...

1. On Monday morning when Trainer Jeremy and I got into the car to go to the gym he said to me, and I quote, "Remember now, when we step into the gym we're no longer friends!"  Gee Dear... I love you too!  He was, however, correct!  Ever since Monday every time we step into the gym I hate him... and I make sure to tell him that too!  I don't actually really hate him... but I sure don't like him sometimes!  I'm glad he's back to pushing me to push myself harder, and I'm sure come summer time when I'm rockin' my bikini I'll love him even more for it!  Just don't tell him I said that!

2. Speaking of bikini's... Last night when I got home from work I made Jeremy do some before pictures of me in one of them... Let me tell you friends it was not good!  We also did measurements so I can not only track my weight loss but also the inches lost as well!  Oh and if you're looking for the before pictures I'm not posting them... at least not yet!

3.  I have a new favorite workout song...



P!nk's Try... Love it!  My favorite lyrics from the song are...

 

"But just because it burns doesn't mean you're gonna die...

You gotta get up and try try try!"

2013 Same Stuff... New Year...

Here I am again a new year and I'm right back in the same position I was in last year (and the year before... and the year before).... Fat and Unhappy! Maybe I should re-name my blog "Confessions of a Relapsing Couch Potato!"  Well, I wouldn't say I've relapsed into the couch potato I once was, but I am nowhere near the physical shape I was in as of my last post on April, 2 2012! I've struggled with whether or not I should even post anything on here or not since it feels as if I keep saying the same things over and over!  In the end I do like being able to go back and read my past posts so I've decided it can't hurt!

So what has been going on since the last time we talked?  Well... a lot!  Trainer Jeremy and I were able to keep rocking it in the gym up until about the end of May when his shift for work changed back to midnights, and I was left to get myself up and to the gym on my own.  That's where it started to go down hill for me. Not having Jeremy there to help keep me going means I simply didn't go!  Poor excuse but it is what it is!  I was, however, able to join my Lady K as her running buddy for her second Girls On The Run 5K!  Here we are getting close to the finish line... 

This has got to be my favorite picture of us!

In May we were also able to get out for our first camping trip of the season!  Camping is my little family's favorite way to vacation!  It's also mine and Jeremy's favorite way to put on pounds by drinking like fish and eating whatever we want!  Here's me with my two K's on a Mother's Day hike at Devils Lake State Park...

June brought more gymless mornings, a few outdoor runs, a Dirty Girl Mud Run with some of my favorite girls...

And more camping, eating, and drinking...

Don't you just love our beach bodies?!?

With July came un-godly temperatures, which lead to no outdoor runs, very rare visits to the gym, and more camping, eating, and drinking...



Our awesome golf cart for the 4th of July golf cart parade.

August was still hot, there were gymless mornings, and football & cheerleading started bringing our camping season to halt... you would think that would have stopped the eating but it didn't...

My Star Quarterback!



My Cheer Captain!

At the end of August Jeremy went back to day shift bringing September early morning gym visits again!  However, the intensity of these workouts were no where near the intensity of our workouts before his shift change!  We weren't watching what we were eating and at the end of September we were able to get the camper out with some friends who just purchased a camper of their own... So you know what that means!  Camping (especially with friends) leads to eating & drinking!  It was a blast though! 

October we were winding down the football & Cheerleading season, and Little Man's team won the Super Bowl!  We were so proud of the boys on the team we celebrated by doing... what else... eating & drinking...



The Super Bowl Champs!

My Two Favorite Super Bowl Winners!



And finally we come to November & December... Do I really need to explain what happens during these months?!? 

Lady K & I finishing up the lights on the tree.
For some reason Jeremy didn't think we were doing a good job! 
Can you tell where he stopped and we started?

All in all I really only missed about a total of 2 months in the gym this past year but the damage is done!  I think the biggest problem is that I've let my eating get out of control.  I'm angry with myself because I'm stuck here again but once again I'm commited to getting the weight off and I have no doubt I will be able to do it!  To KEEP it off... that's going to be my goal for the year!  Here we go...



Well...

I had this great elaborate post about all the happenings since I've last blogged and for whatever reason stupid Blogger isn't letting me upload any pictures and the post just won't be the same without pictures... Boo Blogger!  So until I can get the Blogger picture uploader to work you'll just have to wait for that post... But just know this...

"I'm Baaaacck!"