Three weeks in a row!

Last night marked the third Wednesday in as many weeks that I made it to the gym for a run. I wan on the treadmill for close to an hour, and spent 30 minutes running. I'm pretty proud of sticking to my goal to run once a week and hopefully I'll be upping the amount soon enough. But, hey, slow and steady is the name of my [running] game! Tonight, I'm also thrilled to have plans to go to a Body Pump class. It's been too long. I also want to stay on target with my new (more intense) workout goal which is to complete the IWTB dvd in its entirety by my birthday. That plan calls for some serious strength so I'll definitely benefit from the muscle-toning effects of an hour of lifting weights!

There are costs and risks to a program of action, but they are far less than the long-range risks and costs of comfortable inaction. John F. Kennedy

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!

Feb 3-Feb 10: 3 workouts and 9 miles

Now that I am once again excited about overtime, I'm trying to find that balance between working longer hours and still finding time to exercise.

Last Sunday I had a robust workout to start the week. I got in cardio on the elliptical and strength training for my upper body.

On Wednesday I was at the gym by 7am where I managed to run for 30 minutes straight even though my enthusiasm was lacking.

nataliedee.com
I also did about 5 sets on the leg press machine. I was in a bit of a hurry and didn't consider this to be that intense, but 3 days later my hamstrings were still sore.

On Thursday, I squeezed in 15 minutes of ab work with my IWTB dvd. You might be surprised at how a small amount of time spent on your gut can really have a lasting effect a few days later.

Friday was the tough one. I worked a 10 hour day and then had already vowed to still go to the gym. I had to boost my waning energy reserves. I added two new songs to my work that booty playlist. I jammed a cup of coffee about an hour before I hopped on the treadmill. With a fortunate feeling of an eager spirit, I pulled off five miles! That was a huge emotional accomplishment. I haven't run 5 miles since, gosh, maybe before my half marathon in October? So, hmmm, it has definitely been awhile.

I feel great!