Just Feeling Good

I have no idea why, but I woke up feeling pretty awesome today.  Someone called and woke me up early, I am sore, my scale isn't really moving much, I have reading to do for class, BUT I feel great and motivated.  Isn't it odd how that works sometimes?

I went for a walk/jog this morning.  I almost did not go, because it is so cloudy and supposed to rain.  I went and was very happy that I did.  I am starting to get back into it.  Years ago I loved it, so getting back to that place would be nice.  This time I am doing it without an official program (like C25K).  I am just going out there and doing what I can, while pushing myself to do just a little more every week.  In a sense that is basically what C25K is, I am just doing it without keeping track of official times.  It takes some of the pressure off of me.  I am also learning to enjoy jogging and working out in general without headphones.  My super old (1st or 2nd generation) ipod shuffle died and I have not replaced it.  Now I am not sure if I will.  The shade produced by clouds and the breeze right before it rains was wonderful.  It was just a nice morning.

Yesterday I had another instructional class at my gym.  We did some deadlifts and squats.  The thing that really wore me out was my introduction to the rowing machine.  After getting comfortable with the machine and making sure we were using it properly, our coach made us do a 2000 meter row.  He just said do what you can, but do your best.  We are going to use it later to see how much better we have gotten.  I completed my row in 9 min 11 sec.  Of course, the coach was cheering everyone on and pleased with what we did.  I looked it up online though, and 9 minutes does not appear to be very good lol!  To be honest, it really doesn't matter to me.  I am my only competition right!  It gives me a goal to beat next time.  For someone out of shape, I know that I gave it my all and I am looking forward to smashing that time when we test again in the future.

This morning I was standing in front of the mirror and I don't know if my body is changing or if I only think it is changing because I feel so much better about myself.  I know it sounds crazy, but I am really not sure which it is lol!  I think confidence and pride in yourself does show, so maybe that is it.  I am really excited about the changes I am making for myself.  It is hard...really hard some days, but I am enjoying it.  While working out I wonder what have I gotten myself into, but afterwards I feel like a rockstar!  For me that feeling is worth it!

Don't you just love Soul Train?!?!  The video quality is awful, but in honor of his birthday.....

Marvin Gaye - Got to Give It Up

Slow and Steady

I have to keep reminding myself of this.  Averaging 1 lb per week does not sit well with me all the time, but over time it really is quite wonderful.  I was watching Dr. Oz yesterday and he brought up the fact that those who lose weight slowly, statistically have a better chance at keeping it off.  That made me happy.  I have to remember that I'm only in a race with myself and the only way I lose is if I quit.  I have come to far to quit, so that is not an option.  Let's be honest though...sometimes it is hard.  There are days I don't want to do anything or I only want to do half of a planned workout.  Today was one of those days.  I had an hour of cardio scheduled for today.  I chose the elliptical.  After 10 minutes I was in the zone and feeling great, but at 45 minutes I hit a wall and it took almost everything I had to finish.  Life is like that sometimes, but I did finish and I was proud of myself for doing so.

Am I the only person who takes pride in a sweaty body after a workout?  It's like my badge of honor.  I love it.  It makes me feel like I've really done something.  A soaking wet t-shirt makes me giddy with joy.  It reminds me the pounds and inches are going away, and in the end that's all that matters!

Yeah, I really do have Nsync in my workout playlist...don't judge me lol!
Nsync - Pop

Nothing but Motivation

Today's blog is really for myself.  TOM has hit and I did have a monster gain and I'm in an ill mood overall about my weight loss.  So, to combat that I've decided to make myself a blog post that I can come back to whenever I need motivation.

First, let's look at what I've lost:
WHAT I'VE LOST (counting down from my heaviest..249)

1 pound = a Guinea Pig (DONE)
1.5 pounds = a dozen Krispy Kreme glazed donuts (DONE)
2 pounds = a rack of baby back ribs (DONE)
3 pounds = an average human brain (DONE)
4 pounds = an ostrich egg (DONE)
5 pounds = a Chihuahua (DONE)
6 pounds = a human’s skin (DONE)
7.5 pounds = an average newborn (DONE)
8 pounds = a human head (DONE)
10 pounds= chemical additives an American consumes each year (DONE)
11 pounds = an average housecat (DONE)
12 pounds = a Bald Eagle (DONE)
15 pounds = 10 dozen large eggs (DONE)
16 pounds = a sperm whale’s brain (DONE)
20 pounds = an automobile tire (DONE)
23 pounds = amount of pizza an average American eats in a year
24 pounds = a 3-gallon tub of super premium ice cream
25 pounds = an average 2 year old
30 pounds = amount of cheese an average American eats in a year
33 pounds = a cinder block
36 pounds = a mid-size microwave
40 pounds = a 5-gallon bottle of water or an average human leg
44 pounds = an elephant’s heart
50 pounds = a small bale of hay
55 pounds = a 5000 BTU air conditioner
60 pounds = an elephant’s penis (yep, weights more than his heart!)
66 pounds = fats and oils an average American eats in a year
70 pounds = an Irish Setter
77 pounds = a gold brick
80 pounds = the World’s Largest Ball of Tape
90 pounds = a newborn calf
100 pounds = a 2 month old horse

I've lost a tire and a rack of ribs (22 lbs...not including my TOM gain)!  That's no small feat!  Have you ever lifted a tire?  Now imagine having to carry it around everyday, all day.  How the heck did I do it? lol!  Anyway, I'm glad it's gone.

                            Taken from http://www.believe-toachieve.tumblr.com/

The thing about reaching your goal weight is that it’s 100% possible. It’s completely in your control. The only thing stopping you from getting there is you. So get out of the way.

The three above images and the quote were taken from http://www.byebyechubbydays.tumblr.com/

                                Taken from http://www.reasonstobefit.tumblr.com/

Taken from http://www.changingfromfattofit.blogspot.com/

 

I belong to a website called Sparkpeople.  The following are quotes I have seen on the pages of other Sparkers.

QUOTES FROM OTHER SPARKERS:
"Eat healthy foods, stop when you feel full, give yourself a treat now and again, stay hydrated, and ENJOY eating." - GAPINTHEVOID

"Running Shoes are Cheaper Than Insulin" - Anthony Reed (a book I read about on ABSOLUTZERO's page)

Ability is what you are capable of doing.
Motivation determines what you do.
Attitude determines how well you do it. - ZIRCADIA

"Success is the result of what you do when the Whoo Hoo is all through." - ON2VICTORY

"You can't out exercise a bad diet" - Bill Phillips from an article sent by REEKU731

This reminds me of what I am capable of.

I know I have posted this picture before, but it reminds me of the changes I have made recently.

If this page is not enough motivation for me, then I don't know what will be.  I hope you all have a great day!  Oh, and if you're curious about what Sam looks like (since I've been chatting away about him for months) check out the previous blog post!

Lady Gaga - Poker Face

Sabotage

Sabotage....why do I do it?

Since my last group of measurements I've been doing a pretty good job with my workouts and eating.  Slip ups here and there, but that's to be expected and I didn't have many.  All of that changed this past week.  I don't know what happened.  Anything I should not be eating...I eat.  You name and I think I have had it this past week...wings, fries, candy, chips, chicken nuggets.  The only thing I have not eaten that I wanted was a cheeseburger.  I had to throw out some chicken breast today, because I had completely forgotten I put it in my fridge to thaw 5 days ago.  Why did I forget?  I've been eating out so much that I really have not looked in my refrigerator.  Sad, I know, but it's the truth.  It's depressing to think about.  Normally, I would probably say it's in the past...move on.  I will move on and I do agree it's in the past, for I feel like I intentionally sabotaged myself.  SO, I feel like I need to evaluate what happened before I move on.

When I say intentional, I don't mean I said "Hey, I'm sick of eating better.  Let's eat crap and be happy!"  It's difficult to explain, but there were times when I really thought about what I was ordering and knew I shouldn't, but did anyway.  What do I think led to this?

1. This is my work rotation.  Everything is such much more difficult for me when I work, because my time is so limited.  During my work week I am sleep deprived and hungry, because I do not have the opportunity to get much sleep and I have even less time to eat.  This means I eat one (sometimes twice a day) when I work.  I literally sat at my house and cried Friday morning when I got off.  There was no real reason why, other than the fact that I was exhausted.  At the moment I think I had 3 hrs of sleep in over 2 days and I had eaten 1 meal and 1 Fiber One Bar.  I felt like I was having some sort of mental breakdown.  I'm not sure if it was the week catching up with me, or if it was the year catching up with me.  I've been operating like this for quite some time now.  It's overwhelming, but I should graduate in May and things will get easier then.

2. TOM is approaching.  I don't even need to explain this one.  Just know the cravings for salt and sugar are unreal.

3.  I'm uncomfortable with all the attention.  I don't feel like I've lost THAT much weight...close to 20 lbs since my heaviest of 249.  I honestly do not feel I look completely different either.  Well, regardless of what I think, people are noticing.  I'm getting comments about it and I'm getting hit on more often.  I'm not used to it and it makes me uncomfortable.  This might be another reason I am still wearing clothes that are too big for me.  I want to cover up.  This is the opposite of how I thought I would feel.  I'm just not used to the attention...that's all.

I really can't think of anything else.  I'm back on track today.  I'm getting it together.  Everything will be fine.  This was just a tough week.

I had to cancel with Sam Friday morning.  I was having chest pains when breathing.  The best way to describe for me is in terms of an asthma attack.  So, if you have asthma, you'll understand.  The day after having a bad asthma attack my chest of really sore.  This is how I felt Friday, like I had an attack the day before (but I didn't).  I'm still having issues with this off and on.  I have not gone to a doctor, and I'm not sure if I will or not.  This plus being sleep deprived...I just couldn't train.

This week no excuses.  I saw a great picture on another blog a couple of weeks ago.  The next time you are making excuses for not working out, think of this picture.

This will serve as my motivation this week to get back on track.

Sorry if this blog was slightly depressing lol!  Here's something to lift your spirits

Robert Randolph - Ain't Nothing Wrong With That

I Want to be My Own Inspiration

I'm the type of person who is always looking around for other people who have lost weight for inspiration.  They are "success stories".  I'm always thinking...man, I want to be one of those people.  I want to do that.  I wish that was me.  Well, I want to be my own success story.  I want to be my own inspiration.  I can easily be one of those people if I do what I already know I need to do.

This morning I had to take a picture for Win, Lose or Blog and this is what I saw:

Goodness, I look smaller than I feel like I look in the mirror.  I wasn't sucking anything in and I don't have any equipment to alter photos to make myself look thinner.  I think I look pretty bloody fantastic.  (Sorry about the "bloody"...it's a habit from reading too many British books lol!)  Although, I think  the size of my body looks great in this picture...I'm still trying to figure out why.

I know it really makes no sense to wonder about this, because I've been working hard.  I'm honestly puzzled though.  This is not what I see when I look down at my body or even when I look in the mirror.  I had to run and take a quick check on my belly button and hip measurements and they have indeed gone down in just two weeks.  My head still isn't wrapping around this picture though.  When I look at myself in the mirror or down at myself I think I see about 20 lbs more than this picture shows. 

I'm not an emotional person, but at the moment I want to cry.  There are two reasons:

1- I'm a little upset the self image I have of myself is so messed up.  if this picture is what I really look like, why am I not seeing it?  What's wrong with me?

2- The more I stare at this picture, the more I realize I AM DOING THIS!  I mean I know I've been making changes and I know the scale has been going down, but this picture is just.....WOW.  It's my "aha moment."  I AM DOING THIS!

Even while typing this I keep scrolling up to the picture asking "Is this really me?"  I don't have anything close to a flat stomach, but this shirt used to be tight and showed all kinds of stomach rolls.  I just don't know.  I really don't have anything else to say.  I'm just a little in awe...my mind has not caught up to this picture yet.

              

This isn't a song on my workout list, but I'm kinda feeling like an All-Star

Smash Mouth - All-Star

Whoo Hoo!

First of all, I applied to be a contestant in a friendly weight loss competition a week or two ago.  I received an email today saying that I have been accepted!!!  I am so excited.  Their website is Win, Lose, or Blog.  I'll give the address to my personal blog through their website next week when the competition actually begins.  You can also click on the icon to the right of the page to go directly to their site.  They have giveaways (even if you are not a contestant) and nice motivational posts throughout the week.  I'm really pleased to have been chosen.  This will be great motivation for me.  I'm 3 months into my journey and some days the motivation is really not there, but knowing so many people will be watching my progress with help me keep going.  Yay me!

On to regular stuff......
Today was a training day.  I did burpees, mountain climbers, wall balls, high knees, jumping jacks, and ski jumps (I can't find a video of the ski jumps...probably called something else.)  Boy, did I sweat today! 

I went to the grocery store today and stocked up on chicken breast, salad stuff, Greek yogurt, and lite raspberry vinaigrette dressing.  I like to grocery shop, but It's hard to pass up the candy and cookie aisle.  I did good today though.  I would not even allow myself to walk down the aisle to look.

Short blog today...mostly to tell you about Win, Lose, or Blog!  Have a great day!

Love Love Love today's song
Michael Jackson - PYT

Turning Into One of THEM

Sorry for the delay.  It's been a busy week...research, work, studying for exams...you get the idea.  Anyway, this has been a super week.  I've had some really great workouts that have challenged me every step of the way.  I honestly can't remember everything I did on Monday and Friday.  Wednesday was homework day.

2 laps
10 push-ups
2 laps
10 burpees

I had to do this for 6 rounds.  This means I jogged 3 miles, did 60 push-ups, and 60 burpees.  I thought it would never end lol!  It took me 50 min 50 sec to finish.  I went to do this at the Rec Center as soon as I got off on Wednesday morning.  I was in the middle of round 1 and guess who comes upstairs with a client...Sam.  He looks at me and says "faster faster" lol!  Part of me was happy he saw me doing things on my own, so he knows I'm really putting in the work.  Another part of me was thinking oh no, now I really have to do it lol!  When I met with him on Friday he said when he saw me jogging on Wednesday he was so happy and felt like a proud father haha!

Let me give you a few videos of exercises I had to do this week that completely wore me out:

1. Weighted Rope Jumping Jacks
This is incredibly hard.  These ropes are super heavy and I felt like my arms were going to fall off.  I had to do 3 rounds of 30 on Monday.

2. Stability ball Push-Ups, Stability Ball Knee Tuck (In and Outs), Stability Ball Press
I could not find a video of what Sam called a press.  I did the push-up, immediately went into the knee tuck, and from the tuck to the "press".  Basically when you are back in the push-up position at the end of the knee tuck, press your hands into the ground and your body backwards on the ball (almost like you're trying to roll off of it backwards).  Once you push back as far as you can, then bring yourself forward again to the push-ups position.  It's almost a kind of stretch, but it works your arms and core like crazy.  Sorry if I did not explain it well enough.  I don't have a stability ball, so I can't just film myself.  I did 3 sets of 5 of these and believe me...that was PLENTY.  I'm sore as I type this.

3. Thrusters
I had 2-15 lb dumbbells.  I've done these in the past and it has not gotten any easier.  I had to do 3 rounds of 13 on Friday.

4. Box Jumps
For some reason these were very intimidating to me.  To be honest, I can remember the last time I jumped onto something with both feet like this.  I was always paranoid that I was not going to jump quite high enough and only hit the edge of the "box" and fall lol!  I did 3 rounds of 30 of these on Friday and boy they can wear you out big time!

5. Walking on Incline
On Monday I had to walk at a 12% incline.  At first, I thought "no problem".  After about a minute I was thinking will this ever end?  haha!  It was difficult for me, but I can say that if you do this consistently you should have killer legs!

It's funny how hard workouts motivate me to do more.

My food this week has been pretty good except for last night.  I went to a Mexican restaurant and had a taco salad made with steak.  I honestly probably wasn't too bad on its own because I did not eat the fried shell it came in.  I DID eat chips and cheese dip though plus a frozen mango margarita.  Eeeek!  Other than that I had a great food week.

This morning I woke up and my arms and core were pretty sore.  I thought to myself "Hmmm...it hurts so good.  I like this.  Sore IS good.......wait a sec.....Did I just think that?  Oh my, I'm turning into one of those crazy fitness people...mmm mmm mmm."  That was literally what when on in my head lol!  Then I got out of bed and did Zumba on Wii for 45 min.  Here's the sweaty pic I took afterwards.

So, looking at this now, you can't really tell I was sweaty, but I PROMISE I was soaking.  It just didn't translate well in the pic.  Yes, I know I look a mess with the headscarf on, but I like that my face looks thinner.  So, I'm posting it anyway!

Today I'm posting a zumba routine instead of a song since that's what I did this morning.  Try it out and let me know what you think!

Zumba - El Bacilon



Doing Better

So, for the next 6 weeks, I'm going to make a real effort at doing things right.  I've been halfway doing things or not doing them at all when I'm away from Sam, and I know I can do better.  Today was a cardio day.  I did 2 min moderate and 2 min fast in a continuing rotation for 45 minutes on the elliptical machine in between my classes.  Most of the time I was actually thinking, I'm really going to have great results in 6 weeks.  I also liked the sweat...go figure.  Initially I was not sweating at all, so I found myself working harder simply to feel sweat drip down my back and face.  It's almost like a badge of honor.

I showed Sam my stats today (I didn't have a session with him.  I just stopped by his office to show him my 3 month results).  He looked over the numbers, but his face really lit up when he saw the before and after pics of my face.  That made me happy. 

Anyway, tomorrow is a circuit day.  I will have to look back at my sheet in order to see exactly what it is I'm supposed to do.  I hope to get it done early.  I CAN be dedicated for 6 weeks.  I'm GOING to be dedicated for 6 weeks...there...that's better.

Today's song...by request lol

LMFAO - Party Rock Anthem

Oh Boy!

I have not posted in a week, because I have not worked out in a week.  I have a history of terrible migraines that will not stop and I had an episode over the weekend and it lasted for a few days.  So, I spent much of the past few days doped up on medication.

So, I knew today would be rough.  I was honestly excited to see Sam again.  I've finally crossed over into enjoying my sessions and I even look forward to them.  I've practically taken a week off though, so I was expecting my body to go into shock.  I don't post links if I've already posted a link to the exercise in a previous post.

Today's Workout:
20 Modified Push ups
20 Wall Balls
20 V Ups (yeah, really freakin ridiculous...I'm seriously not kidding)
40 Step Ups
20 Sumo Squat High Pulls
20 Burpees
20 Shoulder Press w/ Barbell
Then jog across a gym, up a flight of stairs, 1/8 of a mile, and back down the flight of stairs, then do it all over again.
ALL OF THIS WAS DONE FOR 3 ROUNDS

Yes, people, 3 Oh my goodness I think I'm going to puke rounds.  I did the 1st round in 11:20, the 2nd in 11:40, and the 3rd in 10:22.  These times may seem a slow to some one who is in shape, but I'm close to 240 lbs, so I was beat.  Sam knows by now to play on my competitive nature, so he tells me how long it takes me, because he knows I will want to beat my time.  When he told me I was slower the 2nd round I got a little ticked.  I was completely exhausted the 3rd round, but I just HAD to beat my two previous times.  It took everything I had and a prayer or two, but I did it!  I was rewarded with a high five.  Hey now...don't turn up your nose at my high fives.  Lol!  I've only gotten one on two other occasions.  It's how I know I've surpassed his expectations.  Well, maybe I should say it's how I know I've turned in an awesome workout, because he always tells me he only asks me to do things he knows I can do.  Anyway, you get the point...high fives mean I kicked butt!

The hardest thing for me was definitely the V-Ups.  If I did not have to do those I would have finished much much sooner.  They are HARD HARD HARD...just try 5 if you don't believe me.

Today's song is an all time fav of mine.  Prince is picky about his music being on youtube, so this link may not even be active a few minutes from now but here it goes anyway
Prince - I Would Die 4 U

No Whining

Today was a training day and as one of my Sparkpeople friends would say, "I completely ROCKED IT!"  lol!  I'll tell you what I had to do towards the bottom.  I never flat out complain.  For example, I don't say I won't do that.  I am notorious for saying "This is craziness, Sam!"  I say it so much that sometimes he sees a look on my face and says,  "just craziness!" before I can get it out lol!  My mind and my body are at odds sometimes.  I can look at something and my mind says oh no, but my body does it anyway.  Well, today there was none of that.  I walked in there very sleepy and I did not think this was going to be a good day.  Boy, was I wrong.  There was no whining or self doubt at all.  He told me what to do and I knocked it out...end of story.  It felt awesome!  Sam told me I did great and he was impressed that he keeps throwing harder things at me and I fight through it. 

Today there were other girls in there (a group of 4).  Do people really work out in full make up?  I mean really...in full borderline almost too much make up???  I was totally distracted lol!  They were thin, but not in the best shape.  They were tired after a few squats.  I have to be totally honest, I smiled a little and thought I do more than that without getting tired lol!  I also remembered when I would be exhausted doing a few squats though.  I've come a long way.

Today's workout:
-Squat w/ knee raise (1 min), pushups (1 min),burpees (1 min),  Reverse Lunge w/ Knee Raise (1 min each leg), Kettlebell Swing (30 sec each arm), BOSU ball plank (1 min)  (3 rounds)

-BOSU ball squat (12) and Bicep Curl w/ Shoulder Press (12)  (3 rounds)

-Tricep Pushdowns (4 rounds of 12)

-Lat Pulldowns (3 rounds of 12)

-Stability Ball Knee Tuck (6 then 12)

I always do a 10 minute warm up on something, usually the bike.

Today's song is another one that really gets me moving.  I'm beginning to feel like I say this about every song I post.  Anyway, here it is...
Cascada - Evacuate the Dancefloor

Too Hot

I went jogging yesterday and it did not go so well.  First, I should not have waited until 11am.  I live in Alabama and the heat and humidity will cause severe damage to your body.  I simply got out of my car and began to sweat.  I should have known to get back in my car and jog indoors.  The problem is I absolutely hate to jog indoors.  I like the scenery of jogging/walking outside.  So, I pressed on.  I had dreams of doing 3 miles (mixture of walking and jogging).  This did not happen.  Close to half a mile in I was drenched in sweat.  My breathing wasn't normal anymore and I knew this was a BAD idea.  I also forgot to stretch, so my legs were not cooperating.  To sum things up I walked/jogged 1.5 miles in 20 minutes in 97 degrees and insane humidity! 

I am happy I did something, but next time I will know to take it inside.  I'm really trying to do much better the next 4 weeks.  If I'm counting correctly, that's how long I have until another big weigh in and measurement session.  I'll also run my first 5k around that time too.  I'll be heading to see Sam in a couple of hours.  I'm feeling pretty good, so I hope it's a good day.  I hope I do not see my nemesis...the dreaded BOSU ball lol!

Today's song is an oldie, but goodie...and one of the craziest music videos I've ever seen lol!
Deee Lite - Groove is in the Heart

EDIT:
I have now come back from my training sessions and I did have to meet the dreaded BOSU ball lol!  I also met my nemesis, Mountain Climbers, today too.  Today's workout:
-20 modified pushups and about 15 walking lunges (3 rounds)
-jog for 1:30, burpees on the BOSU ball for 1:15, mountain climbers for 1:00, and squats with medicine ball overhead toss for 0:45 (4 rounds)
-step ups for 1 minute and bicep curls for 1 minute (3 rounds)
-tricep extensions (12, 10, 8)
-chest fly (12, 10, 8)
-plank on bench (held for 1 minute, 3 rounds)

Today, Sam also told me that he can tell I'm starting to drop the weight.  This made my day, because I know Sam does not throw out idle compliments!  So, now I'm feeling super motivated.

The Boobies are Always the First to Go! (6 Weeks In)

Today marks 6 weeks of working out for me.  I have not done anything hardcore, unless I'm with my trainer.  So, don't expect any mind blowing numbers lol!  I see my trainer twice a week and I'm supposed to do cardio on my own 3 other days a week.  In all honesty I only do about 2 other days of cardio, and until the last two weeks I was not putting in all I could to those cardio days.  I also don't eat as I should.  Don't get me wrong, I definitely eat better, but I cannot say I'm eating clean.  Anyway, enough with the excuses I know you all want to see the numbers and here they are.

	6/7/2011	7/16/2011
Arm	14.75	14.75
Bust	46	44.75
Band	38.5	38.25
Waist	41.5	40.5
Navel	46	45
Hip	48	47.5
Thigh	32.25	31.5
Calf	17.75	17.5
Total Inches:	284.75	279.75
Weight	244	236.8

So, I've lost 5 inches and 7.2 lbs.  I wanted more of a loss on the scale, but I know I didn't do all I was supposed to do.  That's my fault, so I'm not stressing about it.  Plus, a loss is a loss.  That is 7.2 lbs I am no longer carrying on my body.  I know what I need to do for this next 6 weeks and I'm more motivated now to do it.  I'm super excited about the inches lost though.  I lost the most around my bust (1.25 inches).  This always happens, so I'm not shocked.  I'm also really happy about the inch gone from my waist.  Whoop Whoop!

I started jogging on Wednesday and it was fabulous!  I was planning to do the Couch 2 5k plan, but for whatever reason I just was not feeling it.  So, what I did was walk 0.25 mi to warm up then I alternated jogging and walking 0.25 mi.  I did  close to 3.1 miles in 48 minutes.  I was not in any pain or anything.  I was really shocked because when I tried C25K back in March it was horrible.  I was in pain and aching every single time I jogged.  So, I expected the same thing this time, but it was not there.  I think this is because of the strength training I've been putting in with Sam.  That's really the only thing I can think of that is different.  Regardless, it was a really exciting day for me.  It felt GREAT!  I'm going to keep walking the 0.25 miles, but slowly increase the jogging intervals.  I had a slight injury.  My shoes rubbed the skin off my heel and I was bleeding.  I've learned to wear socks that completely cover my heel.  I was supposed to jog yesterday, but I visited my grandmother for a few hours instead, so I'll do it today.

The bottom line is that I'm excited about working out.  I look forward to working out and it makes me happy.  I know it's going to be hard work, but I get excited to see Sam.  I'm also looking forward to my next jog.    This has been a good week!

Today's Song is Whitney Houston's Million Dollar Bill.  I'm a slow jogger, so this song is perfect for em when I'm jogging.  I love when I'm on a section of the trail by myself so I can sing out loud haha!  Enjoy!
Whitney Houston - Million Dollar Bill

Music Makes Me Move

This was the end of week 5 with Sam, my trainer.  I'm not making progress like I want, but I know it's my own fault.  My eating habits are still not so good.  Calorie wise I'm doing fine, but my nutritional content sucks...big time.  My sodium intake is HORRIBLE!  I know this and I need to take the steps to change this.  It's so easy to stop at a fast food place and get junk though.  Ugh!  Excuses excuses!  I have one  week until I take 6 week measurements.  I'm going to try really hard to do what I'm supposed to do on my own this week.  Although, I am not doing everything I need to be doing I can say that I am definitely stronger.  When I think back to my week one and the the things I am doing now...it blows my mind.

I'm going to start up my 5k training again.  I am signed up for the Mayor's Cup on August 27th.  It was supposed to happen at the end of April, but was cancelled due to the tornado damage.  My ultimate running goal would be a half marathon.  For some reason I have no desire to finish a full marathon.  It seems like too much.  I've read the blogs of those who absolutely love marathons and afterwards they are in pain and have to recover for weeks sometimes.  That just does not appeal to me.  You never know and I might change my mind.  I know someone who felt the same way I do now, and she has now completed a few full marathons.  Anyway, baby steps first...my 1st 5k. 

Music really does make me move.  If I'm jogging and feel like I just can't do it, certain songs will completely change my attitude.  I really need a new ipod.  I'm still using the very first shuffle that came out.  I've had someone at the gym say, "What is that?"  Haha!  Yeah, time for an upgrade.  It still works though, so at the moment I don't have a large desire to replace it just yet.  I think I might start posting a link to some of my favorite workout tunes at the end of each blog. 

Today's song is by Janet Jackson.  I actually have quite a few of her songs on my workout playlist, but this one always gets me going. 
Janet Jackson - Make Me

He's Right

So, it was another day with Sam.  I was still SUPER sore, and he said he doesn't want me that sore and we took it a little easier today.  He said that if I'm constantly in terrible pain from soreness it will be all I ever think about and I will not want to train.  Honestly, he's right.  I was absolutely dreading going to my session today and I almost cancelled, because I just didn't think my body could do it. 

I'm glad I went.  Don't get me wrong; he worked me hard.  I am sore, but I can move comfortably right now.  I don't feel like body parts are going to fall off lol!  We had a chance to talk a little more today, and I feel blessed that Sam was assigned to me.  He really cares and I could really tell that today.  This is his career.  It isn't just a hobby or side job for him.  It is what he's passionate about doing, which makes him more invested in me.  He doesn't want me to simply set weight loss goals.  So, I have other goals like taking steps to eating clean, 25 regular push ups with perfect form, a 5k, a 10k, and eventually a half marathon.

I was doing bicep curls set at 35 lbs and I told him, "You think I'm stronger than I really am."  He looked at me with a grin and said,  "You're a heck of a lot stronger than you think you are.  I'm not the one confused."  After some reflection, I've come to the conclusion that he's right.  This is my 3rd week with him and I'm doing things I never would have thought I could do.  There have been several moments when he tells me to do something and I think I absolutely cannot do this.  I think my body is going to fail me.  Well, I have done every single thing he has asked me to do, so he must be right...I AM stronger than I give myself credit for.