The abs streak continues

Last week I carried out my plan five days in a row, then like God, I rested on the Sabbath. Not surprisingly, this got me to forget about my plan and so I skipped Monday. However, I was determined to correct for this and get back to the program. I completed my 100 on Tuesday night. Then I was back at the gym before work this morning where I completed another 100. I don't really have the $8 to spare for Body Pump this week so I figured I'd make it to the gym and give my best effort on my own. I pushed myself and sweated like a buffalo. I did squats on the Smith machine; one-legged standing squats; lunges on the balancing foam; the abductor/adductor machines; sumo squats holding weights; single, double and double-to-single leg reps on the leg press machine. I'm happy that I accomplished so much in one hour before the day had even begun. Huzzah!

Found

I was walking to my car after work yesterday and noticed a piece of paper stuck under one of the tires. I bent down to inspect it, wondering if it was something personal that flew out with the wind, but it was a paper from one of those quote-of-the-day desk calendars:

Remember, personal growth is the result of giving, not withholding.

I thought it had a universal appeal. Obviously, it speaks to a life outlook, but it also applies to working out! You aren't gonna make any gains if you withhold your effort by sitting on the couch all day.

Weekend fitness

Anyone who even occasionally reads my blog knows that I am a huge fan of Tamilee Webb's I Want That Body dvd series. In fact, I wrote a review that waxed enthusiastic about it for Her Active Life. Check it out here. Basically, I love it for its simplicity. It's broken down into three segments: abs, arms and buns---that pretty much covers the entire body. Each body part comes with a choice of Chapter 1 of 2, depending on how advanced you feel. Each chapter is only 15 minutes long. Seems short but it packs a strong punch!

I feel that I have mastered the abs and arms segments but always the buns portion was the most challenging for me. I have never had 15 minutes feel like such an eternity's length of time. And her sumo squats---yow! This weekend I threw the dvd in and I, once again, felt the powerful results of Body Pump. I actually made it through the entire 15 minutes without stopping to breath, stretch or just rub my legs in agony. And two days later my thighs are still burning. That is what I call a proud success.

After that 15 minutes segment, I pushed myself through my own version of upper body weights and abs. I'm still on a roll with the 100 a day until Reggae Fest. I did them for five days in a row last week and only skipped Sunday. I figure my gut needs a day off if the muscle fibers hope to heal and grow stronger.

Keep on keepin' on!

On the horizon

Our upcoming 2008 Reggae Fest takes place in about two weeks. The spectacular festival hosts a great combination of music, camping and swimming. Does it get any better? No, not for me. Having this on the calendar ups my desire to get in some fresh workouts before the big par-tay. My new goal is to do 100 sit-ups every day leading up to that weekend. I don't think doing them is as hard as remembering that I have the goal. I also want to stay steady in my balance of overtime, sleep and exercise. I've been doing great this whole week. Well, actually looking back to last weekend in Chicago, I biked and walked plenty. Monday I took a necessary day off for sleep. On Tuesday I managed my commute so that I park and walk for 30 minutes to work and then back to my car afterwards. On Wednesday I went to Body Pump. Thursday I did the same driving/walking commute. This morning I was up at 6 to get to the gym before a long day of sitting on my butt (ie, work). Hopefully I can keep up the streak while being realistic and listening to my body. Happy Friday!

Body Pump. It works!

I woke up this morning for an 8am Body Pump class. I'd never been to a morning class but since I have plans this evening it was the right time for today. Apparently, this time slot is quite a popular one. I'd never seen such a crowded class. Oh well. It's been a week since my last session with weights and I was eager to feel the burn. I upped my weights for a couple of different body parts. It was a serious struggle but I know I need to push myself to keep improving. Being comfortable can be the same as being complacent.

Anyways, I was in the kitchen at work when I first goto to the office and another co-worker happened to put her hand briefly on my shoulder as we were talking about the weather. (What else do coworkers discuss with enthusiasm?) After that brief exchange she showed up at my desk to tell me that she could feel how strong my arm was just with that quick grazing of her hand. I was thrilled! She asked me if I worked out to get like that. I mean she called me strong! Hallelujah! I quickly fired off an email to say how her words made my day so bright. Then she sent me this long reply about how I am an inspiration to her. And she was serious. She said that I look amazing. That was the most unexpected thoughtful precious moment of my recent days. It is very reassuring to have those reminders that there is a reason to stay on track and try to be healthy when you can. Sure I love my hash browns smothered in cheese and eggs and avocados or nachos towering with cheese but that's why I get up early and drag my tired buns in for some exercise.

Chicago

This post is for the 5 readers who wonder what happened with the sister-sister team for Sunday's 5K. Well, I hate to burst your bubble but we did not run the race. My sister is having trouble with her leg/thigh and was waiting on new orthotics that had not yet arrived for the big day. Without those helpful aids her leg was troubling her just walking around. Could we have opted to walk the race instead of running? Sure, I suppose so. However, I really don't have anything to prove to anyone that I can walk side by side with my sister for 3.2 miles. Plus, it was pouring rain that Sunday morning and, well, sometimes this is what happens. I'm comforted knowing the money still went to a good charity and the race is what got me out to Chicago for a weekend anyways. We still biked around most of the city and did plenty of walking (when it was not raining). We even went to a 90 minute yoga class on Saturday afternoon. So, I was no slouch. I love how in that city if you don't have a car and you do have a bike (or 10 of them if you're so lucky) you can build exercise into your daily transportation. Pretty cool! This actually motivated me to choose the route to work where I park my car at a friend's house and walk from there. It really doesn't save me much gas and it does double my commute time, but it's still a way to get in some exercise and fresh air. It's good to see how others get around and live their lives. New ideas can often be exciting ideas!

Island Lake

I finally made it to Island Lake Recreation Area for the first time this year. I went swimming and did lots of walking around the lake looking for a prime location to put my stuff. Jason met up with me and did some fishing. I'll post some pictures soon.

I leave for Chicago tonight. Look out mega bus! Round trip ticket for $30. We're supposed to run a 5K on Sunday morning but I don't think either of us are feeling especially fit or optimistic. I'm sure we'll be a delightful pair.

More to follow!

Does this skirt make my butt look fast?

I bought this Champion running skirt from Target a few months ago when it was on sale for $20. Tuesday's run was my first time testing it out. The weather was so hot and I am not heat acclimated so it was the perfect choice. I liked it a lot and I will definitely add it to my running apparel rotation. It fit great and looked fun and never bothered me by riding up. There are built-in shorts underneath so it's not as if you have to worry about accidentally mooning any passer-by as you bend down to readjust your laces. Now onto my recap of the run: In one word---brutal. First, I have not been running much lately. I figured my last time running was 3 miles on July 3rd and that was indoors on a treadmill. Second, the heat. It was incredibly hot and sunny last night. Third, the pace. I'm sure Ed thought he was slowing down for caterpillar me but to these untrained legs it felt like I was trying to keep up with a cheetah. I was a pathetic whining wimp for the entire duration, but I guess the important thing is that I went out and tried. Yes I was groaning and complaining about the heat and about the beastly mini-mountain and about how out of shape I am but the truth is I am thrilled that I made it out. Ed is training for his 100 miler in Vermont this weekend and wanted to practicing jogging down the hill and walking back up at a decent pace. I know it seems fairly easy. It does, doesn't it? Let me tell you---it wasn't for me. But again, if it's easy it ain't worth a damn, right? I liked the variation of the hill repeats as opposed to plodding along for some great distance. It's something different to play around with. Of course, now I'm all hyped and want to try it every week to watch and see if I improve! Then I stopped at the grocery store on the way home ready to devour any food item in my path. I got Makahara rolls for an appetizer, corn on the cob, macaroni salad and wasabi sesame noodle salad with lima beans. Jason had fresh fish that his dad caught and a salad so it was a fresh, hearty and thoroughly enjoyable meal that was well deserved!

One workout done. The rest of my life to go! Body Pump was a blast as usual lat night. I did more push ups than I've ever done and I think my chest twinges when I cough! Today I'm meeting Ed for some kind of hill repeats. What did he say? Hmmm. I don't know where this guy comes up with these ideas and I don't know why I agree to them. I'm gonna wear my running skirt as well. I need to do laundry so bad. The current weather stats are 83 degrees and 40% humidity. I suppose it's appropriate!

Bumper sticker

I came across this insightful statement driving home from work one day. Not all bumper stickers infuse me with many feelings but this one hit the spot:

Change the way you see, not the way you look.

5 Day Workout Challenge

Another restless weekend passes and I'm determined to make it to a Monday 6pm Body Pump class. Also on my calendar is a running appointment with Ed for Tuesday evening. I have that 5K this Sunday and I could use at least one running session before that. Plus Ed is in his taper phase4 as he looks forward to his 100 miler in Vermont so I can probably keep up with him! I think I will aim to keep the momentum going by jamming in some other workouts for the rest of the week. I mean exercise beyond a 20 minute jaunt while on break from office work. Perhaps I can get in a few swims at Island Lake while the hot weather holds or maybe I can even cram in an early morning trail ride. I have the ambition, let's just see if I have the follow through.

200th blog post

It's my 200th blog post since I started my blog back in January (or Feb?) of 2007. Since then I ran (err, limped) through a half marathon. I think I've run two 5K's and one 10K. I've gone to physical therapy for tendonitis in my hip. I've gone through numerous heel lifts to keep my back spasms at bay. I've dealt with sporadic knee pain. I have found a new (and cheap) gym that is close to my house. I've kept up with Bikram Yoga. I've discovered Body Pump. I've flirted with my old standby IWTB dvd. I can pretty safely make the statement that if my body breaks down on me it isn't because I haven't tried to keep it functioning well.

Exercise is so vital. I don't even have enough space to list the 10,000 reasons why it is so important to make healthy living a priority. Sure you don't have to become a fanatic. Some people think I am but I assure you I am not. I like to drink beers in the sun. I enjoy a late night plate of chili cheese fries. Sometimes I'd rather order a pizza than make something out of my refrigerator. I've had my fair share of Johnsonville brats this summer.

The key is moderation, finding that balance between relaxing and partying and sleeping and work and socializing and family and friends and exercise. You really can't do it all, so you have to prioritize and you have to be open to changing those priorities. This past weekend I whooped it up at Jason's cottage with Martinique and Brittany and it was a blast. But then come Monday I was at a 5:00 Body Pump class. I figure if I can chill out for three days then I can find one stinking hour to do something positve for myself.

Sure we don't always feel excited about lacing up our shoes or driving to the gym or walking to work but we do it because we know it makes us better people. It makes us healthy. It keeps us strong.

And like my dad likes to say "If it's easy, it ain't worth a damn."