3d30Day3: Moving forward

Today I was extremely sore when I woke up, but I managed to get up and Shred. I decided to try Level 1 followed by Level 2 today. That's a little earlier than I had planned, but I wanted to see if I could do it. It was definitely harder for me than doing level 1 two times in a row. I used a variety of weights throughout the workout; for some of the exercises I used 8 lb weights and for some I used 5 lbs. I incorporated my 2.5 lb weights for some of the cardio work. I was whipped at the end, but now, about an hour after I've finished, I feel great.

Scale disappointment: I weighed myself this morning. I'm still at 138 lbs. Very disappointed, but that's all I'm going to say right now. I'm obviously doing something wrong. It has to be how/what I'm eating. I'm going to give myself another week of counting my points, and see where I am. My clothes are all so loose, I thought for sure I was down around 135/136. I'm also going for routine blood work next week to check cholesterol, etc, and I asked if they could also check my thyroid again to see if there's a problem there. I doubt it, but if I'm having the blood drawn, it can't hurt to confirm what I already know.

I've been so conflicted about weighing myself because I know me, I know I'll get frustrated and quit, but I'm hoping that I can muddle through, keep working hard, and maybe something will click.

The Biggest Loser: Helen! Yay for Helen. I don't think I'm alone when I write that I'm shocked by her results. Don't get me wrong, I think it's awesome that a 48 year old woman can beat the pants off of two much younger competitors, but she's down to 117 poounds! That is amazing! I need to find her trainer. She lives in my area, so I'm hoping her trainer is around here, too.

2d30D25: Of all the places

Just got back from my training session with Aaron. I woke up sore again today. I'm still not sure if it's from my workout with Nick on Tuesday or from running yesterday. To add insult to injury, my forearms are sore. Those are sore from holding 8 lb weights while walking on the treadmill with an incline of 8. I can not believe how sore they are. I've been trying to stretch them out, but it hurts too much.

Just a short one today. I've got to pick up my daughter from school.

2d30d24: Running

My legs weren't anywhere near as sore as I thought they would be, so... inspired by the Biggest Loser last night, I got up this morning and went for a run. I want to be a runner, I really do, I just can't stand running. But, I'm going to give this another try. If I'm going to do this, though, I'm going to need 2 pieces of equipment: (1) a pair of running shoes, my cross-trainers are not going to suffice and (2) a digital watch. I'm attempting to follow the C25K program, and I need a watch so I know when to switch back and forth from walking to running. Today, I counted in my head as best as I could. I did approximately 5 mins brisk walk to warm up, 3 minute run, 90 second walk, 6 minute run, 2 minute walk, 6 min run, 5 minute walk. I'm pretty happy with what I was able to do. I felt pretty good while I was doing it, I know I had my heart rate up, and I sweat alot.

I rounded out the morning with some Pilates. I tried a new yoga from On Demand, but the instructor wasn't giving enough cues. If I run again on Friday, I'll do one of my old stand-by Yoga routines. I just remembered that today is the day I had planned to re-take the push up test, I better get on that so I can stay on schedule.

Updated to add: 1. I did 25 push-ups, I could have done more. I'm not sure why I stopped. 2. My legs are so sore right now. I'm not sure if it's from yesterday's workout or from this morning's run, but I can barely walk up the stairs. 3. I didn't drink enough water today.

2d30D23: Quick update

Just a quick note to write that I had my training session today. Aaron was not there, so I trained with the owner of the facility, Nick. I have to say that I think Nick did a better job than Aaron, I'm almost tempted to make a permanent switch, but we'll see. The issue is the timing. Nick works the afternoon into evening shift, while Aaron works the morning into afternoon shift. It's easier for my schedule to go in the mornings, so we'll just have to see.

Nick worked out my legs today, so I know they're going to be sore in the morning. I plan to work out tomorrow morning, but we'll see what I feel up to doing when the alarm goes off. It may have to be a yoga day.

2d30D15: Mostly

For the most part, I followed Natalie for the third day in a row of Level 3 of the 30 Day Shred. I did my push up sets (for the 100 push ups challenge) yesterday, and my shoulders were really sore this morning, so I allowed myself to do the modified travelling push-ups. I did do Natlaie's version of the walking plank and the strength move where you're in a plank position, on your weights, and you lift one arm, then one leg, and then the other arm and other leg (I wish I knew the name for that exercise), so all in all, I followed Natalie as best as I could. Oh, yeah, I just remembered, I didn't do the Rock Star Jumps, I substituted "butt kicks," but I held onto my weights, so that has to count for something!

I'm still afraid to step on the scale. I've been working so hard, I know I faltered in the eating department a few times last week, but I'm trying really hard to keep my portion sizes down. I just want the scale to reflect all my hard work, and if it doesn't I know I'll get discouraged.

Right now, I'm just going by the fact that my clothes fit well. With the warm weather we had over the weekend, I was forced to pull out some shorts. In years past, when I've pulled out shorts after a long winter's hibernation, I've had to run to the store to buy new shorts, but this year, everything I have from last year fits just fine. So, that's a good sign...

Day 28: Not that sore

I went to bed last night thinking that I could already feel the "soreness" coming on. I even contemplated taking a few asprin just to ward off some of the soreness, but I didn't. This morning, I'm not as sore as I thought I would be. I remember the day after my first session with M, I could not even raise my arms above my head, and I also remember by shins feeling like they were on fire. Today, my shoulders are sore and so are my abs, but that's about it. I did 30 minutes of Yoga and 10 minutes of Pilates abs earlier. I know my abs are sore because I could barely get through "The Hundred" which is usually not that hard for me. I'm glad I did the Yoga, my body needed the stretching.

On an unrelated note, I made Leek soup last night. It turned out really good. I thought it would be a good thing to have for lunch and dinner tonight so I don't eat meat today, Good Friday.