Have a lean, powerful, energetic body that matches the woman inside it

2 months away from this goal for various reasons, and it sucked. I really should have started back on thursday, but that would have been so cliche. Anyway, I told myself today would be the day and looked forward to it all week.

I do like my treadmill. I know real runners hate treadmills, and I can see why. I always have an awkwardness about my pacing, never sure if this is where I run or just walk fast. But once I’m on that thing, I do love the feeling of just doing. Not answering anyone, not getting anything, not planning for later but just being in the moment.

I’m thinking about doing couch to 5k. There I said it.

I haven’t been paying much attention to this goal. I can blame a busy summer, travelling, hot weather, joint problems….bottom line is this goal fell down my priority list.

I have managed to lose a couple of pounds and pay much better attention to my eating. But even a serious reboot on my attempts to get back into an exercise routine weren’t working this week. Every night it’s been scouts, soccer, teacher meetings….

So this morning I got woken up at 4:00 by someone snoring. Instead of drifting back to sleep I just told myself “NOW” and went to the basement for a workout. Nothing spectacular. Some stretching and a half hour on the treadmill. Damn, it felt good.

Blame the business of summer, screwed up routines or whatever. But one busy days excuse has blurred into the next day too many times. I’ve now officially declared that I need to hold myself more accountable on this goal and get back on the treadmill (which now involves cleaning the basement, because hubby made a big mess while the treadmill was folded and now I have no where to set it up.

I made a sad, lame attempt at the prison workout. All the prisoners I’ve ever met are incredibly trim straight out of prison. I found out quickly that this takes a heck of a lot of upper body strength and coordination, both are strangers to me.

Really hardcore guys do descending sets of 20-30. As part of this goal, I want to be capable of doing descending sets of 10. Just ten, because I am neither a prisoner, nor a man, and not so young either. So there. Of course right now, I can’t even do one properly, so this might take awhile.

and by “week” I’m meaning 8 days…. I’ve managed to get on that treadmill 5 times. I’m trying to do it every day, but 2 days in a row I had so much trouble getting the kids to bed that I had to go into a blankly staring post-trauma reaction for the rest of the night.

And another night I was just making too much progress on putting down baseboards and wild decluttering to even think about running without going anywhere. Plus I bonked my noggin pretty good and was rationalizing a head injury excuse.

Weight is not getting better, not getting worse. Since it was on an upward climb before I’ll take this as a battle won but still at war.

Energy level is very very good. People are noticing it. Too bad it’s not a leaner body getting noticed, but I’ll take it.

I finally finished off my antibiotics today. I definately got hit with that “fatigue” side effect. Decided I’d better get back on that treadmill but take it easy. I did the lowest setting, and still stopped short. Couldn’t push myself to do the last 7 minutes.

But I also mowed the lawn with the push mower today. I think that should count for something.

I must say, I was worried about how I would manage using the treadmill without hubby to watch the kids (travelling). I spent a lot of time getting the kids settled in front of the tv with snacks but they came downstairs anyway. But instead of getting in my way, Son hopped on the exercise bike and daughter made her own treadmill by putting a toy computer in front of a couch cushion and running on the spot. Then we took turns shouting encouragement at each other.

Treadmill: 55 minutes, 361 calories. cardio programs 1 and 2 back to back.

I noticed a much more defined calf muscle while shaving my legs this morning. Cool.

I quite like it, but it’s just a sample card. I tried the “Wellness Workout”, which is just a quick 20 minute thing to get moving. I can see how it would be good if you’re feeling sick but just want to make sure you do something. But otherwise, too easy and a bit of a waste of time.

So today: 20 minute wellness workout + 30 minute cardio, 4 km, mere 200 calories.

Must stop skipping days, however the finding of time is difficult.

Barely before 160. But that number is much larger on my scale than 159 so it must be important.

Treadmill: 5 km, 350 calories. Daughter snuck out of bed to stand next to me (on solid ground) and copy me by running in place. Then she started yelling “Go Mommy! You can do it!” It was incredibly cute.

I’m trying to pay more attention to my posture on the treadmill, standing tall and sucking in the tummy. Got to do something about that tummy.

It’s the first day of really hot weather and I feel so conspicuous. I went shopping but couldn’t find any shorts that fit. Blah. Everyone I see is wearing summer clothes and I was feeling, well, slovenly in my ill fitting winter clothes with saggy pants that don’t stay up around my waist…...wa? Whoa…..must check that out…..

yes, 3 weeks into this goal and I’ve gotten around to checking my measurements. I wasn’t expecting much since the scale has barely budged.

Waist: was 37”, now 35” (at navel)
Hips: was 43”, now 41-41.5”
Thigh: was 23”, now 23.5” (lets ignore that)
Weight: was 163 lb, now 160.5 lb (it went up and then down)
Fat: was 29%, now 27% (I don’t think this is very accurate)

I’m wishing the scale would show more, since I’ve been eating much better. But until I started this goal, the weight was going up and up so just stopping that is a real victory.