get in great shape

Well, back in January I noticed that the holidays had deposited some poundage around my midsection. So I decided to start working out more and watching what I eat. So far, its working great, I’m down 14 lbs! I plan to keep it up till I can see my abs, which should be 5-10 more lbs. Having a dog that needs to run everyday sure does help!

I began this in January but I’ve started to let things slide a bit so I’m writing it down to make myself more accountable ;) I’ve started jogging 3-4 times a week as a cardio workout (built up slowly of course lol) I think I should do some kind of strength/resistance training too – at least twice a week. I’ve also been eating whole foods through most of January although I’ve sort of slipped back into old habits this last week :/ so.. need to get back on track!!! :)

I’ve been eyeballing this thing: http://www.roku.com/netflixplayer/order-now.php. Try as I might, I can’t bring myself to cancel Netflix…but if I had this, I could at least cut back to a cheaper plan. It’d pay for itself in a few months. (The only reason I’ve not bought the thing already is because I’ll also need a router, so I’m going to pick FFB’s brain about which to buy.)

Today I realized there’s an additional benefit to buying it: Exercise videos on demand. True, the selection leaves a bit to be desired. But I could try before I buy, and I might be apt to try some I wouldn’t ordinarily consider; nothing broadens the horizons like no effort, and instant access is about as low on the effort scale as you can get.

So I’ve adequately justified the purchase. Now I just need to talk to FFB. :)

I’m so stiff, it was hard to get out of bed today. And I’ve still got tons to do. So I get up, make a cup of tea, and stagger in here to check my email. This quote was the first to greet me on my iGoogle home page:

“Exercise relieves stress. Nothing relieves exercise.”
– Takayuki Ikkaku, Arisa Hosaka and Toshihiro Kawabata

I’m hoping time and stretching help…

I was too tired to work out Wednesday and Thursday; work is slowly sucking the life out of me. Last night, I had dinner with my parents; exercise consisted of going to Walmart with Mom and parking as far from the door as humanly possible. To compound matters, I’ve had pizza three days in a row now.

Today (and tomorrow, and probably next weekend, at the rate I’m going), I’m making up for all that sitting around by doing the fall cleaning. Pretty much all I’m not doing is washing the walls and shampooing the carpets (well, I’m washing the closet walls, since they didn’t get it last year). And there’s no place on my body that doesn’t hurt.

Productive exercise…when I’m done, I’ll not only have compensated for all that pizza, but I’ll have a clean house. I like it.

and so far, so good. Took Tuesday off, kinda-sorta, in that I skipped the workout because my allergy shot was brutal. (Still have the bruise…that hugger hurt.) But I cleaned, so it’s not like I sat on my butt all night. Hit the gym Wednesday and Thursday; shopped with Mom for nearly 12 hours Friday, and was sore that night, so I know I got a decent amount of exercise. R and I went to the gym yesterday, and walked a couple of miles today.

Let’s see if I can do a month of this.

seems to be a good time to go to the gym. Had the whole place to myself. And unlike working out at home, I can do weights there, too. (Real weights – not my 1-5 lb ones.) So I’m thinking I’m going to try to make it there every day…except for maybe when it’s pouring down rain.

R got on a fitness kick this weekend. Usually my suggestions about working out are met with groans; this weekend, he suggested we go to the gym two days in a row.

First day on the bike (after not having worked out for months, and also cramping), I decide to try the hill climb option. Not a good idea…20 minutes into it, R tells me I look like I’m about to die and suggests we take a break. I sit down on one of the weight machines and discover that I can bench press 30 lbs (75 with my legs).

Today I was smarter; I used the manual setting on the bike so as not to kill myself. Then did some more bench presses; 30 with the arms (which I’m already feeling) and 120 with the legs (it’s amazing what I can do when I’m not completely worn out). I’m more impressed with the 120, because in PT I could only do 50. Guess all that bike riding did get me somewhere.

Now, if I can carry this momentum into the week…at least at home.

I have been working out about five days a week since february and I am now in the best shape of my life. I lift weights and run. I started running about a month ago. I just to hate it, because I was sooo out of shape. But today I ran 2.6 miles. so proud

Ilove seeing muscles on me where there was fat before. I am amazed at the new me. :-) I’m gonna continue, because I love the feeling when I am done working out.

I started out weighing about 164 lbs, and now I weigh 145 lbs.

My husband and I have committed to going to the gym 4 nights a week at 9:00 p.m. We live two blocks from the gym, so we can walk. We only spend half an hour, but it works well—not to difficult to fit in. Plus it tears us away from the TV and gives us some time together doing something good for ourselves.