Day 4

Boot Camp was hard today!!!  After doing the Kimbo Video yesterday, all the arm work was just killer this morning.  But, got it done :)

I'm feeling good about myself, great about how well I'm doing.  I may be the weight I was last fall, but I have come to far to let it bring me down.  I was in the pool this afternoon with my boys and my ex... and I do admit I was nervous about this.  My ex has not seen me unclothed since our separation, so it was something that felt awkward to do.  But I got to say, I felt great in the end!  I just have to look at it as how far I have come, not how much further to go.  He on the other hand has developed quite the paunch lol.  I am now living my life, and making the most of it... there is nothing to feel ashamed about at all.

Day 3

I decided to try and do a P90X video (Kimbo) with my boys yesterday afternoon... let's just say it was a cluster f**k!  They decided to trash the house, run around like monsters, and in general drive me up the wall!!!  I did not finish the last 10 minutes, as I needed to get dinner on the table early for soccer night.  I'll keep trying, but it might take time... :(

So, I did 35 minutes of a good workout last night, I think the P90X videos will be a good addition to my workouts.

Day 2

Another night done!!!  It was much harder tonight, I could feel it in my thighs within the first few minutes... but I did do 33 minutes.

It felt so good to do this tonight, especially considering I felt so tired and drained this evening.  I am going to commit to 90 days of exercise, something that is totally doable!  It will be a bit tricky when I go to visit P, but I can makes things work.  I'll be doing what I can to mix up my workouts, so that I'm not bored.  Getting some weight training in will be key as well, but right now it's cardio I need to concentrate on.

Working my way back

It's been an uphill battle getting myself back on track, and I'm still a long way from being there.  I'm making a rule for myself, one that I will not break until I am 100% back on track.

I will not sit down to watch TV until I have completed a workout that day, or I must jump on my elliptical while I watch.

Tonight while watching Fringe I managed to get 35 minutes completed, it was much harder than it should have been.  I have two big events coming up for 2011.

The first one is that Bug wants his birthday party (5th) held at a Wave Pool, which will be in early January.  This means that I will be in a swimsuit around my ex... yuck!  I do and don't care about him seeing me in a swimsuit, but I do want to look good!  I know that I look so much better than the last time he saw me naked, and a swimsuit is as close as he will ever get to seeing me naked again... so I want to look incredible!

The second event is that I am planning a trip to Mexico for some time in April or May.  I still need to speak with my ex about dates, but I'm hopeful that something can be worked out.  I want to look rockin in a bathing suit for that trip!  I want to feel 100% comfortable sitting out on the beach, especially since I will likely be going alone.

Please come kick my ass!!

I need some serious ass kicking... I just can't seem to get my life organized these days!  I have made it sporadically for boot camp and running, but that just doesn't cut it!  My eating has been CRAP, big time serious crap.  Why am I ruining all the hard work I did last year???  I know what I need to do, I know how to do it.... so why the hell aren't I???

I am nursing a cold right now, and trying to get my house under control... but when it is all sorted out, I MUST get things moving again.  I need help... big time.

One day at a time

Ever get that workout high?  For years and years I looked and waited for it, to no avail.  Last year while going through the most stressful situation I had ever been in (Husband left me for someone 16 years younger than him), I manage to luckily find that workout high.  I would get on my elliptical every night, work my body hard, and get all the anger I had out... it was the best therapy (although I did see a counselor, knew I couldn't handle it completely on my own) I could have asked for.  It could have been that going from such a low throughout the day, to the wonderful rush of endorphins while working out is what eventually led me to find that wonderful, elusive high.  Whatever it was, has led me to this point... enjoying any and all workouts immensely!

If I can keep my momentum up, I am seriously considering working my way towards taking a personal training course.  There is an option through a local university that is online, over two years.  This would set me up perfectly for when my youngest goes to school full time.  I've been thinking long and hard over what I should look at doing when that dreaded day comes.  Whatever I do, needs to worked around the boys school schedule, as I want to be home when they finish for the day.  Something to think about anyways!

I did make it to Boot Camp today!!!  Felt wonderful to push myself!

Slowly finding my way back!

The last two weeks I've made it to Boot Camp Thursday mornings, Tuesday's just haven't worked out.  Today I made it down to the track for a run, a total of 6km, 5km running.  It was extremely hard work!  I ran for a kilometer (4.5 laps), and walked half a lap.

Tomorrow I will be attending Boot Camp, and will most likely be seriously hurting after lol.  I am looking forward to seeing progress again, losing these annoying 10lbs that have snuck up on me this last year.  I then look forward to getting my body into the best shape of it's life!

Where did the summer go??

I can't believe I am going to type this... but I haven't gone for a run since I did my 5km race in June!!!  I feel really bad for that... I hate that I didn't get any runs in this summer.  It's not to say I wasn't busy, just a different kind of busy.  I spent a total of 4.5 weeks camping with my boys, and the in between time trying to stay on top of the house and yard work.  But now that school has started back up, I have no more excuses for getting my body moving again.

I am now sitting at 147 lbs, which is 10 lbs up from where I was last year.  I am still happy with how I look, although I would much prefer to be back in the 130's.  To that end, I will start back up with my running this coming week.  Monday's, Wednesday's and Friday's I will get my runs in with the little guy in the stroller.  On Tuesdays & Thursdays I have no kids in the mornings!  To start I will join a boot camp class at the gym I just signed up at.  In a few months when I am back down, I will seek out a personal trainer to work on building muscle tone.

I refuse to allow myself to get heavy again... I do not want to have wasted all my hard work last year.

Where has the time gone...

Can't believe it's been almost a month since my last post!!!  It has been pretty crazy around here, with kids finishing school, and the start to summer camping.  I have had very little time to get any runs in at all, and I'm thinking it will be that way for most of the summer.  With camping as much as I hope we do, I'm not sure how to get it in... not what I wanted this summer!  One of these days I will need to figure out how to schedule outdoor runs in with all 3 of my boys, as getting down to the track is a lost cause right now.

I am up to around a 146 lbs right now, not too happy with this, but it's not the end of the world either.  I'm hoping that when the summer is over, and the boys back in school, I can put more effort forward to getting back into the 130's.  Although, it's not really a specific number I want to see, I just want to be very fit.  It's more about how I feel in my body, not a 'special' number.

Here's a few more pics from my run last month.

A few pics...

Here a few pics that I have from my race on Sunday.  My Mom took a bunch more, but I haven't received those yet, when I do I will post.

I did it!!!!

I finished my race, and in fairly good time too!  I didn't get it under 30 minutes, but then it was 27C out there, right at 12:30 pm, so the heat did not help matters.  I had also wanted to finish in the top 100 overall, and top 10 for my age group... and I did that!!!  I was 98th overall with a time of 32:44 and 8th for my age group (30-39).  I am so incredibly happy with these results, which are not too shabby for my first race ever!

There were thankfully no major hills, but the small hills were pretty hard in that heat.  The only real one of minor consequence was right past the half way point, ran it, but it was pretty tough.  There was only one water stop, so I will need to get a water belt for my next race... heck I need one to start training outdoors!

Outdoor running, that is the next step for me.  This will be key to running any further races.  The indoor track is great for those days that aren't so great, but do not help with hill running.  I should also make sure I start doing fartleks on my track runs, will help with those outdoor ones.  I'm still not quite sure how to get my outdoor runs in yet, I'm guessing have the older two boys on their bikes, and the little guy in the stroller.  I should think they would be able to bike for at least 30 minutes, or longer.  Will just have to try and see what happens.

Countdown is on!

Only 3 sleeps till I run my first ever race!!!  It's only 5k this time, but we all need to start somewhere.  I'm nervous and excited, it will be very different for me to run outside.  I'm guessing that is something I should start changing, should try a trial run with Bug on his bike.  He goes pretty fast, and as long as he can ride at least 30-50 minutes straight, it should work.

I got in for two hot yoga classes this week, and should be able to do this for the whole summer.  I have a sitter over Tuesday nights, and Thursday nights the boys spend that time with Grandma & Grandpa.  So far it is working out well, and should really help keep me nice and limber for my runs.

Excellent Run!

I am so proud of myself today, managed to get my 5k done in under 30 minutes!!!  I did 4 or 5 fartlek laps, essentially just pushing myself faster and harder for a minute.  It should really help improve my time over the next few weeks, as well as my distance.  Come July, increasing my distance will be my priority.  There are a few 10k races I would like to participate in this summer.  I will still do some 5k's, as I want to work on my time.  This of course would come along with working on my distance training.

The high I get from running is incredible, I love how I feel when I finish my run's.

Getting back on track!

The last few weeks have found me getting back to my running, and this week I've also added Hot Yoga twice!  Monday I was able to get my run done in 30 minutes, felt so good to get my time down like that.  I only completed 4k on Tuesday, wasn't feeling it as I was still recovering from a migraine Monday evening.  I did attend Yoga that night though... WOW, talk about intense!  I had taken a Bikram yoga class with a friend a few weeks earlier, but it was a 90 minute class at a more sedate pace.  This 65 minute class was quick and very intense... and I am really feeling those workouts now!  These classes will be excellent for my core, and upper body strength, something I have been neglecting the last while.

I only have 9 days till my first 5k race, and I feel very ready and prepared... or so I hope!  I would truly love to complete it in less than 30 minutes, but my main goal is to complete it!  Off for a run right now, then Yoga tomorrow, and another run on Sunday.  Not sure what schedule I will do next week, but will take Saturday, and possibly Friday, off to rest before the race.

Bit of a break

I have taken a bit of a break from running, not something I really wanted to do.  Last Monday I was exhausted from a long weekend, then spent the rest of the week feeling off... low and behold, I caught a cold from the boys before the week was out!  I now have just under 5 weeks to my first race, which I know I will complete... it's just how well I'll do that concerns me.

I have a few new goals to meet, as well as a reward!  To get this reward, I need to complete these two things.

1. Get under 135lbs (presently 143)
2. Complete my 5km run in under 30 minutes.

As for my reward... well... it's not something that most people would think of lol.  I am going to get a VCH Piercing.  One stipulation is that it must be after my race in June, not sure how well I'll be able to run right after getting it done ;)

2 great runs down, 3 more this week!

I have now completed 2 out of 5 runs for this week, both 5km in length.  Yesterday I finished in 34 minutes, today in a personal best of 32 minutes!!!  I made sure to keep my pace nice and steady today, and not slack off when I was feeling tired.  I am getting close to completing 5km in under 30 minutes, then it will be getting my time down to 25 minutes.  I'm not sure if I will be able to bring my pace much lower than that, but will just have to wait and see I guess.

I'm really looking forward to the race in June, I have 6 weeks to improve on my stamina.  I am pumped to work towards a 10km race for August.

Working...

Well, I went for a run this morning, the first one all week.  It was a little shy of 5km, but spent the last half with a stitch in my right side. Last week I managed to run 6.4km, which shocked and impressed the hell out of me!  I still have a lot of work to do, but I'm happy with my progress.

I'm thinking that I will start taking the younger two kids out for a bike ride in the trailer Tuesday & Thursday.  I want to increase my workouts again, and think this is a great way to get something in.

I feel like I've kind of stalled with my workouts, I need to push forward again.  I really need to get things moving...

I ran 5k today!

I have officially run 5km!!!!  What a great feeling that was!  I completed that in 35 minutes, which is a fairly decent time, puts my pace at 6:48 per km.  That makes my 3rd run for this week.  I am right on schedule for completing my first 5km race in a decent time in June.  Two months is plenty of time to work on my pace, and even on my distance.

I haven't lost any weight recently, but I'm noticing that my clothes fit differently... loser.  I still want to get down to around 130lbs, see how it feels and looks.  But I'm patient, and willing to take it slow to get there. That gives me a better chance of staying there once I'm down.

Getting closer!

Another great run today!  I ran for 28 minutes (one walking lap half way, which is not included in my totals) today, for a whopping 4.1k!!!  That was 18 laps (2 more than last week), and had a pace of 6.8.  My pace was down, but I was able to go longer... so a total win for me!  I need to work on my endurance, and once that is set, then I can concern myself with the pace.  Just a few weeks and I should have no problem running 5k straight...

Another push.

Another great run for me on Friday.  I ran for 12 minutes (8 laps), walked for 2 minutes (1 lap), then ran for another 12 minutes (8 laps).  This worked out to 3.63km in 24 minutes, with a pace of 6:37 per km.  This run was a lot harder than Wednesdays, but that could be from having to push the stroller.  I should still be running 5km in 2 to 3 weeks, which puts me in fine shape for the race June 13th.  The race should be a lot easier as well since I will not be pushing the stroller for it.

Can't wait to get this first run completed!

Back with both guns blazing!!!

Well, today I was finally well enough, and able to make it to the track for a run.  What was even better was that I was child free!!  So, iPod set to go, off I went.  What a run!  I really wonder what has been holding me back lately??  Has it been that I thought I couldn't do it?  That it would be too hard, so why bother?  Whatever the reason, it is no longer valid!  I ran for...

20 minutes

No breaks (other than quick sips of water every 3-4 laps), for a total of 15 laps, which equals 3.3km!  I have not done that well ever, still can't believe I did that!  I might have been able to go for a bit longer, but was getting some cramps, and felt I done well enough for one day.  The longest run, without breaks, that I have ever done is only 8 minutes.  I ran 12 minutes longer than I have before.

I have just signed up to run 5km in the Footstock race held here in town on the 13th of June.  I am so excited, and looking forward to completing this event... my first ever race!  This gives me just under 3 months to prepare, and if today is any indication, I will be running 5km straight in a month.  I will then have 2 months to work on my pace.

Obstacles

Life has just been full of obstacles lately.  Last Friday when I went for my run, I got some weird cramping and couldn't finish.  I did manage to get around 18 minutes of running in 5 minute intervals.  Monday I made it back to the track, and found I had a very, very hard time getting even 20 minutes done.  It was a very hard run for me, at the time I wasn't sure why.  Later that evening I figured out just why that run was so hard.  I got sick, so very sick.  Whatever it was, it was over quick.  The next morning I felt fine, just very tired.

Not wanting to push myself too much, I did not go for a run today.  And now on Friday I will be unable as I am going to be volunteering at Monkey's school in the morning.  All these obstacles that come along...

Next week I am hoping will be better.

Embrace Pain

I think that should be my new motto!!!  I went for a run/walk yesterday, pushed myself nicely.  Did a total of 25 min running in 5 min intervals with a 2 min walk in between.  The last 2 running intervals were hard, it hurt, but it also felt so good.  I still have a long way to go before I am running 5km straight, but I am really looking forward to that day... and then to pushing myself even harder!

I really wish I had learned to enjoy this feeling years ago, to love the feeling of my muscles working that much harder.  There is a simplicity with running, a joy that I have found.  I now look forward to those times that I can see how far my body can be pushed.

I am back!

That felt so good!  I feel that I am finally back on track with my exercise, and it couldn't come at a better time.  Spring is just around the corner, and I will be all set to enjoy it and the summer months.

Elliptical
45 minutes
2.14 miles
880 calories burned

I can't tell you how happy I am with my workout tonight, that felt just as good as the ones from this last summer.  Really makes me wonder how I could have let it slide for so long.  I need this feeling every day, it's too good to pass up.  I will be at the track tomorrow morning to work on my running, 5km, here I come!!!

Break night

Taking an exercise break tonight.  I am just too sore from the last few days that I need to rest my poor muscles.  I did get out for a short walk with the boys, I cannot wait until spring is truly here so that we can spend more time outside.

2 days!!!

Well, I think this might finally be the roll I have been looking for!  As sore as I am from yesterdays run, I still jumped on my elliptical tonight for 35 minutes!  Yes, it hurt like hell.  Yes, I should have been able to go longer.  But, I at least did it!  I have plans to jump on for the rest of the week, except for Saturday, as I will be out for the evening.

It's not like I have a lot to keep me occupied in the evenings.  Kids are in bed, house is usually in decent shape, and if I'm going to watch TV, should make use of that time instead of sitting on my ass!  So, here's to the next chapter of my life... maintaining!

Run time!

Well, even with some serious lack of sleep last night, I got out to the track for a run.  I dropped the older two boys off at school, and headed out with the little one.  Got down to the rec centre, strapped him into the stroller, and hit the track.  Considering I haven't consistently worked out in a good 5 months, I did better than I would have thought.  I was able to do around 22 minutes of running, in 4 and 5 minute spurts.  At the end of it, I also did 40 walking lunges.

Right now though, I am exhausted, and sore.  Rather wish I wasn't in a 4 level split, too many crazy stairs! It's not helping that I went skiing for the first time in 20 years on Saturday, so still have sore muscles from that endeavor.  Tomorrow night I will jump on the elliptical while I watch a show, and will do that each night until Friday.  I will be unable to run on Wednesday, as I will be at Bug's school for his special day.  Next week I should hopefully get 3 days in at the track.

I should be set to run 5km in about 5 weeks.  That will give me a few months to work on time and form before a local race is held here.

Night 2 this week!!

Not sure I would call it a roll yet, but I managed to get on the elliptical for the second night this week!  Just need to make sure I get on tomorrow, as I will be away this weekend... and sitting on some exercise machines is not exactly what I had in mind!  I forgot to get my miles and calories, but I did get 30 minutes done.  I have my official weigh in this Friday, and really want to see the scale get down to 135lbs!  That is the number I have been eyeing for the last X number of years... more than I really want to admit too.

I would now like to make my way down to 130lbs, as I am hoping to address a few trouble spots I still have.  Not sure if it's something I can easily maintain, but so far I've maintained at 137lbs for a number of months without working out, so I'm hoping my body can handle something a little lighter.  Just need to keep working away at it.

Starting back up!

Well, I finally kicked my butt, and got on the elliptical tonight!  I am so happy that I did too... and I really pushed myself.

45    minutes
2.05 miles
843  calories

Now I just need to keep this going, which I'm thinking won't be so hard.  I just have to remember the benefits I will reap from this, as well as how good it feels when I complete a workout.  Next I will need to figure out a time to incorporate some work on the Wii Fit!

Oh, I weighed in at 136lbs this morning!  That is now a loss of 46.6lbs... WOW.

Holy Crap!

Well, it has been some time since I jumped on my elliptical... not such a good thing!  I may be keeping my weight steady, but my endurance is shot to hell.  I can't believe I let this happen the last 4-5 months, especially the last 2 months.  While at my parents house, and then settling into this new house the first few months, it was so much more difficult to get my workouts in... but my excuse for the last 2 months is not good enough.

With a meeting tomorrow night, and a few late nights for my weekend (boys are at their father's hosue), it could be next week before I get a chance to really buckle down again.  I want to get back to where I was in August, and take it so much further too.  Not only do I have the elliptical, I also have a Wii Fit Plus as well.  I also have easier access to the local indoor running track then I did over the summer.  There is no more excuses!!