Back in the Saddle Again

Running, here I come again!

Like last summer, I'm venturing to become a runner. I lost all progress from last summer, so I'm starting from step 1 again.

Today was easier than the start last summer. I walked 1/4, ran at 4.5-5.0 for 1/2, walked 1/4, ran 1/4 at 4.5, walked 1/4, ran almost the whole next 1/4 at 4.5, and then walked the last 1.4/ Did 2 miles in 30 minutes. Far from competition, but it's a start. Last summer, I was able to run 2 complete miles without stopping. This summer, my goal is 3 miles. I haven't decided whether or not I'll do a 5K at some point towards fall. I have a lot of work to do before thinking about that.

My parents are in town today, so calories are not counted, but portions are being watched. Tomorrow, it's crack down. I'm in two weddings this summer and I don't want to be the flubby, chubby bridesmaid.

Stay tuned. Stats coming tomorrow. I rushed to clean before the parents got here this morning, so I didn't get it done then.

Restart Button

You know how when your computer is running slowly, programs take forever to work, and you get completely irritated with it? What do you do? You restart your computer. By restarting, the computer starts over fresh and functions much better.

Well, I've done the same thing. I was doing so well with the 30 DS, ready to move to level 2, and then I get bombarded with the worst cold/flu/sinus/allergy thing I've ever had. I felt out of it for a literally a week. Now that I'm feeling back to normal, it's time to hit my restart button. There's no way I could be ready for level 2 of 30 DS, so I started back today with some tae bo. I made it through 36 minutes before feeling like dying, so it's better than nothing.

Have you ever hit your restart button?

To continue or not to continue...

that is the question.

I've been having some serious issues with what I thought was a continuation of my allergies, but now, I feel like it's some serious sinus issues going on. My head is so clogged that when I flip my head over to dry my hair and flip it back, I seriously thought I was going to fall over this morning.

So, needless to say, I haven't shredded in three days. I was going to attempt it today, but my energy level is zero. I am supposed to move onto level 2 on Tuesday. If I can work out tomorrow at level 1 and see if I survive, I may still bump up. Otherwise, I'm tempted to go back to tae-bo. So, I guess we'll see tomorrow.

I'm bummed because just as I get back into my groove, something pops up to disrupt it. Why can't life help me out on this journey?

30 DS Day #6

Day 6 done. Feeling a little stronger. Schedule messed up today, so I once again, didn't get additional cardio in. Two days away from a full week in. Next Tuesday is the first day of level 2.

I really hope to start seeing results, but gotta be patient.

I'm working out consistently and that's a good thing for me.

30 DS Day #5

Well, Day #5 of the Shred is done. I feel stronger, but I still have a long ways to go. I didn't do additional cardio tonight, but frankly, it took all I had to get the Shred done.

Small on words today. Half way done with level 1. On to tomorrow...

30 DS Day #4

Not as sore today! YAY!!! Day 4 went okay, but for some reason, the push ups were harder today. I've got this weird popping noise in my right elbow when I bend it a certain way. I'm sure it's 30 DS related. I'm being careful with it and when I go to the chiro in a little over a week, I'll ask him his thoughts (if it's still popping).

I need to stay away from the scale. It is not my friend. I'm expecting instant gratification and not receiving it. As a result, I get pissy. I need to quit. Everyone says with the 30 DS to measure rather than weigh. I measured last Saturday when I started and I won't measure again until Day 30. I just hate the weight I'm at.

I hate how I look. I hate pants fitting, but not as loosely as they used to. I hate shirts grabbing onto my muffin top. I despise my arms that are huge and jiggly. I hate my bootay that shakes more than it used to. I want it to go away. I want clothes to fit loosely. I want people to notice. I want the scale to react. I know, I know...patience is a virtue. Well, that's not helping me right now!!

Okay, pity party over. I'm going to research some people's progression of 30 DS and see what to expect. Obviously, everyone's different.

I really hope to notice something next week when I switch to level 2. Please.

30 DS Day #3

Surprisingly, today was easier! I love that! I felt stronger through the pushups and cardio. To be honest though, those lunges with bicep curls hurt more. I despise lunges with all my being, so it takes literally every bone and muscle in my body to push through those suckers. But I did.

I also did an additional 25 minutes of cardio intervals on the elliptical. Hate that thing. My feet fall asleep after 15 minutes, so I pushed through with tingling feet during the last 10 minutes. Boy, was I a-sweatin' though!!! Fifty-five minutes today. I'm happy with that.

Food? Well, today was my first lunch challenge. They had an Italian restaurant cater spaghetti, salad, and garlic bread. I took a scoop of spaghetti, two small pieces of garlic bread and the other half of my plate was salad. Then, there was dessert. Oh Lord, there was dessert. There was a peanut butter truffle that literally was heaven in a bowl. And I ate it. I ate a big scoop and then followed up with a little scoop. I didn't feel guilty until I left. But holy buckets was that good. But, my butt probably enjoyed it even more as it layered it on my cellulite!!

Onto Day #4!!!

30 DS Day #2

So, you'd think Day 2 would be easier than Day 1, right? Doing the same workout for the second time shouldn't be as hard? YEAH RIGHT! Holy buckets! The lunges were torture, and I'm not even going to go into the push ups. But you know what? I did it. Then, I jumped (okay, I didn't jump) on the treadmill for an additional 20 minute workout. I did a five minute warm-up walk, 2 1/2 minute jog at 4.5 mph, walk 2 1/2 minutes, repeat for a total of 20 minutes. Those jogs were tough, and I did shorten one by about 30 seconds for my lung's sake. But I burned an additional 150 calories or so.

Food has been okay. I haven't stuffed myself and I haven't limited myself. We had dinner out last night, but I had a salad with my sandwich. It's little changes like this that I want to help me succeed at weight loss.

Didn't get a chance to win any money for my new wardrobe, but had a fun evening with the hubby! Now, my next challenge is Teacher Appreciation Week this week. Catered lunches each day. I'm going to partake in them, but not indulge in them. I want to show myself that I can handle these types of events.

Wish me luck!

30 DS Day #1

Well, workout 1, Level 1 is done! It was hard. Three minutes strength, two minutes cardio, and one minute of abs seems simple, right? Heck no!!! I was sweating bullets by the time we got through the first six-minute circuit! Jillian Michaels knows her stuff though. My arms could feel it from the weights, my butt from the butt kicks, and I'm not even going to start on my abs!

This just goes to show I need work! I'm giving Jillian these 30 days to prove her stuff. Now, I'm also starting to journal my food (not calories right now, but just what I eat), and add additional workouts to the 30 Day Shred. Today, I did 15 minutes on the elliptical, so all together, I got about 45 minutes in.

On May 30th, I will reveal my measurements from today and the end, as well as weight and body fat. She claims up to 20 pounds in 30 days. That's what I'm going to shoot for. I weigh 238.4 as of this morning, so that would put me at 218. My goal is to be 220 on May 30th. It's not impossible, but it's going to be a challenge. I have the month of May off from grad school, so I have no excuses not to work out daily.

I have challenges my first week already. It's Teacher Appreciation Week at school and our PTA provides lunch for us every day. Now, I'm going to practice moderation and partake in it. But instead of loading my plate up and going back for seconds, it's just going to be a little of things. I want this to be a lifestyle change, not a diet. If there's dessert, I'm going to have a small section, not the entire piece. I really want this to work and it's going to take a lot of effort on my part, but I want to prove that you can eat things in moderation and still lose weight.

Off to clean up and then try my luck at the slots tonight!!! I'd love to save up more money for some smaller clothes in a month!!