Float & Sting!

 ..... Float like a butterfly, 

sting like a bee .................

With all the training sessions I did in May and June, I earned a free session so today, I worked with Russell -- and yep, you guessed it, we did boxing!  We warmed up with shadow boxing, 25 reps of each different punch, then moved on to the punching bag.  I was throwin' 'em hard n fast, Marcos came over and said "You've got a helluva punch!"  I just grinned, and hit some more.   

Then there was the "Ali footwork" - dancing my feet around one of those workout "ladders".  Then came the situps - sitting up then throwing a one-two punch, and back down again.  For a minute. (I always forget to breathe! lol)  *whew*  We did the entire circuit three times, switching it up just a bit, but wow......  


It's now six hours later, and I am so feeling the effects of this workout! 
(To be honest, I felt like I could crawl in bed and go to sleep at 5:30pm!!! hahahaha)  

Any way to make a workout feel like playtime is great!

-Lauren Conrad

Weigh in Weds

Weigh in Weds .... wasn't so bad.  I was SO hoping to get to that 40lb loss mark... but I missed it by half a pound.  I know, its not about the scale, but milestones are something to celebrate!  and I've been working on this one for a very long time it seems!  Next week........  In the meantime, Russell made me work hard, and that felt terrific!  This is my new "walking shirt" ... because I'm feeling Simply Amazing!

Country Music ... There's a new song by Jason Aldean (love his stuff!) called 1994, and today I was thinking ... where were you in 1994?   I was living in the Bay Area.  I was commuting 45 miles each way to my job, which I loved.  My son was 8, my daughter was 12.  We lived in a junkie little house, but we were making it home.  We had a dog named Flipper (a 120lb German Shorthair, who thought he was a lapdog!).  And we were always on the go, traveling somewhere in our van, we loved to camp! 



Photos ... After work, and the gym, I went home, grabbed the dog and headed out to Riparian Preserve ... mostly for a walk, but pix are always a priority as well. :)  The cacti are beginning to bloom, so pretty!

 Happy Wednesday :)

Weigh In Weds

Yep... its that day again... weigh in Weds at the gym.  And today was a pretty good day!  Down another 3lbs, so that felt good, encouraging.  Yes, even though Russell measures body fat and does calculations to tell me I'm doing well.... I sure do like seeing it on the scale.  I just need to keep this up for a stretch.... just one more pound to go to reach the -40lbs mark! 

Russell worked me HARD today.  Lots of strength training, and he increased the amount of weight I'm lifting.  And I think I surprised him by just being a "go get 'em" kind of gal today, knocking out the reps in short time -- which left extra time for extra exercises on the cable machine, but that's ok, if felt good.  And, he took time to stretch me today, which felt wonderful too.  I've had a sore right hamstring or glut or both for about a week now, and I'm still trying to get it to heal up and feel right.  Maybe it means its time for a new pair of tennies for work -- sometimes a bad shoe will throw things off, so ... I'll be shopping this weekend!

Weigh In Weds

After Monday's workout, and Tuesday's mark for reaching a new goal, my body was burned out for my weigh-in.  Granted, I still went, but thankfully Russell understands and toned the workout down.  We did a bunch of boxing moves and those are always good workouts.  There's nothing like putting on a glove and punching away at something to release a little frustration. 


And frustration was what I felt when I stepped on that scale.  We all know that working out and eating right doesn't always bring the results we want -- meaning the numbers on the scale.  And I'm no exception.  I still expect to see the numbers going down, even when logic tells me that it won't happen all the time.  In fact, I had steeled myself for a 2 lb gain, and it was only a half pound gain.  As Russell pointed out, it could be extra water retention because its warmer outside now.  Or because of the amount of sodium intake over the last couple of days.
(Or lets face it honestly, maybe is was the Venti Green Tea frap from Starbucks!)

But the scale isn't always a good enough measure.  Russell and I talked about this from the beginning, and he takes body fat measurements on Weds as well.  And those showed me down a half percent.  Not a lot, but down is better.  So I'm crossing my fingers that next Weds will have some results on the scale for me as well.  Because no matter what I tell myself, the scale is my ultimate measure -- and my emotional downfall when I don't achieve my expectations.

So, I plod along in my days, working on calories, cardio and (mental) conditioning.  I have to admit, having a trainer is worth the expense -- a great big Thank You to Russell Daniels at 24 hour fitness, you're the best! (Especially when you push me to do things I think I can't do! hehehe )

Day 9

I was too tired to post yesterday.  Work is going well..... errr, well enough.  As I get tired, I realized today that I can do my job, the functions that are performed every day.  But the more days I'm there, the harder it is to think about things outside the normal realm.  But that's ok... its nearly done and heading toward the weekend!


After my workout yesterday, I came home, put Sadie on her leash, loaded up the car and off we headed to Riparian Preserve (Our fav place to walk and take pix!)


A local photographer is posting challenges for photos -- and this week's topic was "Green".

Sadie and I stopped here along the creek and captured this hmmm... water grass.

There's something so peaceful about the sound of running water.  I've always loved that -- wouldn't a cabin near a river be a wonderful way to retire?





A new Personal Best today on the elliptical machine: 

2 miles in 27:45 - with a calorie burn of 318! 

(When I am working the mileage, my goal is to be more than 10 calories per minute -- which would have been 274 -- that's how I know I'm working harder than average)

My trainer is on vacation - but that doesn't stop him from being in touch!  Thanks, Russell, for the Happy St Pat's wishes!  And yes, even though you're not there, I'm still hitting it hard (just not as hard as when you're putting me through my paces!!!)

Weigh In Weds

They seem to happen once a week!  And today was typical,... down a pound on the scale - which for those of us who are trying to get those numbers down can be a disappointment.  But its not always about the scale, and that's the part I try to remember.  I think I'm replacing fat with muscle... which is good ... but muscle weighs more.   Russell takes measurements every week and says I had a really good week, and I am pleased :)

As for my workout today, wow!  O. M. G. Workouts have been becoming more intense. It's a good thing my trainer has more confidence in me than I do!  I got to the gym early and logged in a mile on the treadmill (because I went to work early, I  left at 2:30) Little did I know what was on his agenda ... so we climb on the treadmill (rather, *I* climb on the treadmill, he's working the controls!) and says "we're only doing a half mile" and I'm thinking ok, I can do this.  Then he throws in the other part:  "We're going to see how fast you can run."  *blink*blink*  Well.  I know I can run for a bit at 5.0mph -- meaning about a minute, 90 seconds on a really good day.  I had to slow down and walk a couple of times, but got right back into the 5.0 - the whole time Russell's telling me I can do this -- is he convincing ME? or himself?  lol  Like I said, good thing he has more confidence in me than I do!   Half Mile reached in 6:25.  High Five!

Of course, the workout doesn't end there -- 50 pushups, 100 situps and 150 squats. Oh yeah, fun times! And to finish off the workout??? Yep, you guessed it, another half mile on the treadmill, trying to break the first time record.  Up to 5.1 and cranking it out, walking a couple of times, but finished strong for a few seconds at 6.5mph.... who knew these legs could run that fast???  hahahahahahahh  (This half mile took 6:05!!! )

Mileage update:   89.4  miles.  Less than 300 to go!
Look out beach.... I'm headin' your way :)
(its good to have goals!!)

The 1--2 Punch!

Life seems to throw us one--two punches often, and they're no fun!  Luckily, the only one--two punch I threw today was at the gym; boxing with my trainer was on the program!   It's a lot of fun, for sure, but so very complicated at times.  I forget to keep both hands up; I can toss a pretty mean punch; I get all confused when its a combination of punches.  All in all, its quite a workout though!  Russell says its like dancing... um, yeah, that explains a lot  about my boxing. hahahaha

After 20 minutes of boxing with some silly ab work thrown in, it was Bicycle Burnout time.  This was 20 minutes on the stationary bike, pumping away while holding 10lb weights in each hand and doing bicep curls and shoulder presses.  Then we tossed an 8lb medicine ball back and forth -- yes, while I was still pedaling away!!  Then came the burn:  increase the resistance every 15 seconds until I'm close to passing out, then bringing the resistance back down every 15 seconds so I can breathe again!   lol  Yep, lots of hard work today, but totally worth it! 

I spent my lunch hour in the gym trying to gain some mileage, too.  Every mile logged is that much closer to the beach for me!  the Goal is 384 miles, and I am currently at : 80.75 -- Getting closer!!

It was also Weigh In Wednesday...... drum roll please ..... (or like Russell, cow bell clang!!!)  I lost 4.5 lbs this week!  Woooo Hooooo!!  (I am convinced now that diet soda does me in --- is it because of the artificial sweeteners?  Or something else in the drink that makes me crave other "bad for me" foods??)

So... when life throws you a few one--two punches, pull on some gloves and throw a few back its way!  Its not hard to do-- but you have to do a little each day in order to reach your goals .... if I can do it, so can you!

Weigh In Weds

Well.  My second weigh in  and my third week of training.   It wasn't as good as I hoped for, but it held true to my efforts last year in the beginning of my training -- up 1.5 lbs on the scale.  But that's not always the only measurement we should be looking at.  And I know this in my mind -- it just takes a little effort to get past the dashing of my hopes. 

With that in mind, Russell took some 'body fat' measurements to give us something else besides the scale to measure progress.

Russell said we'd be "ramping it up" this week - and he sure did!  Every routine, every move, was done with more weight than I've ever lifted.  So I'm feeling it already - I wonder what tomorrow will feel like!  hehehe

As usual, I have homework for the weekend -- some of the workout moves he's been teaching me.  (BTW, reverse crunches are one of my least favorite moves!)

So its onward, no looking back and only moving forward with better eating choices, and more cardio.  Yesterday I completed 60 minutes and 3.5 miles on the treadmill and was pleased with that.  I'll be working on trying to increase my miles in that amount of time next, which means more running and less walking! 

During today's workout, I was at a point where I was quite fatigued, and only had 5 more lifts to go -- and I got quite winded.  Or maybe it was more asthmatic?  Felt like my throat was constricting and I couldn't get any oxygen.  After a few moments of forcing myself to breathe deep and relax, I was feeling better again.  I think it happens when I push myself and forget to breathe while I'm doing an exercise.  Yeah. silly me!!  It's really nice to have a trainer who makes notes of that and will make sure to keep an eye on me next time! 

When it was near the end of my session, he stuck me on the floor and stretched me all out --- I can not tell you enough how wonderful it feels to have exerted all your muscles to the max then have someone stretch those muscles.  I walk to my car afterwards and my body feels like jello -- a little quivery but still intact.  Its a glorious feeling! 

Weigh-in Weds

Weigh in Wednesday is always an interesting day for me... did I stick to my plan well enough?  What will the scale tell?  Ok, in my mind, I know that the scale doesn't tell all.  It doesn't mean I am not working out (because I am!) and it shouldn't be the only measure that counts.  But, its a fact for most of us - when it comes to weight loss or being healthy, we want it to show in measurable numbers, so the scale gets it.


The answer is yes-- down two pounds, and that was the goal!

My trainer, Russell, threatened to bring in a cowbell to ring with every success -- oh boy won't that be fun!?!  It was a good workout today, and at the end, he stretched me, really pushing for limits this time, and boy does that feel good!

Day one in my 40 day commitment, and I walked Sadie around the figure 8 blocks, for 3/4 mile in 20 minutes, a little slow for a walking speed, but with pups you tend to dawdle in places. hehehe  After a nice dinner, a little extra stretching, and a long hot shower, I'm pleasantly relaxed and ready for bed.  :)

PT, Day 2 + Homework?!?!?!?

Today, I saw my trainer again.  We talked about how I felt after Monday's workout (lol I felt horrid! my core muscles were screaming, kept me awake and nauseous that night!)  So he told me we'd tone it down for today and see if that level works better.  We did all kinds of different things, he mixes it up well!  Part of it was tossing a 6lb medicine ball back and forth - which feels like a game, but it was definitely a workout!  Then "slams" with the same ball - raise it over my head and slam it to the ground.  Wow -- talk about a true stress reliever!  We did a lot of other usual things, lots of leg work.  But the best was the last 10 minutes.  He had me lay on my back and he stretched me.  Pulled and pushed on each leg in various positions.  Then did my shoulders and arms.  Maaaaaaaaan - that felt terrific!!  I'm still relaxed :)   What a difference that makes!

But... then came the homework.  I must have blinked five or six times, wondering if I heard him right... "Homework???"  ha!  Saturday's homework = 100 wall pushups.  Ok.  Doable. Sunday's homework = Ball Trio (a set of different arm and shoulder presses done while balanced on a stability ball, oh boy!)

He's going to be the best trainer!!
Time for that hot shower, and an aspirin! hehehehe

PT, day 1

Personal training can be a good thing. 
and maybe a bad one too?!?
I came home tired, a good tired, all my muscles worked to the extreme.  Then I walked the dog and had dinner, a baked potato and 3 eggs over easy.  Showered, took some aspirin and crawled into bed and was asleep before 8pm.  Probably more like 715 hahaha.  But now, nearly 11pm and I'm awake and feeling a little nausea.  Too much in the workout dept, I suppose.  Hope it goes away soon!

Russell is a good trainer, and he works me hard.  Harder than I used to work with Daemeon.  Wow.  I bet I'll be hurting tomorrow!  We did a full circuit-training type routine, with plenty of arms, shoulder, legs, hamstrings and inner/outer thigh work.  Boy oh boy.  We laid out a road map for the month of the things I need to do in order to get to the point I want to get to for the  month of February:  to be down 8 lbs.  Nothing too drastic, just right is what I'm hoping.  But if I hold true to form, I'll lose, then gain some back, because of muscle gain.

We'll see how this goes, I'll keep you updated!