Week 6 Day 1 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh In @ 181.4

I traveled back today and though I am already missing that distinctive Illinois air, I am looking forward to getting home. As much as I enjoyed my trip, getting my training in, and seeing wonderful old friends, this body just wants to be back in a normal routine and my own bed.

I did one last run in Geneva, exploring another path on Mill Creek that Holly told me about. I love the area! I wish I could transplant those extensive paths to Teton Valley. It was a misty cool morning for a run but I thoroughly enjoyed it. By the last mile of my jog/walk cycle, I felt like my muscles were well-greased and I was getting the gait right.

I wish...I wish...but I'll be back. In the meantime, I have to stay the course. I have a good 15 pounds to go!

24 Hour Living Video: "Get in the present and stop worrying about the future."

Week 5 (CHICAGO) on Curves Complete

Tuesday:

AM Weigh In 180.4. Videos NONE. Sorry, but I am not going to backtrack and watch them. It's all I can do to sort out my week in review.

I ran in the morning around Bolingbrook–an altogether pleasant run that included a half hour at the Curves in town. I had even made it fun to walk from my car about 20 minutes to McCormick Place. I left early to meet Holly at her club for some water aerobics and met her group for a rewarding workout.

Dinner served at TGIF! A side salad with panko breaded chicken breast, cheese tortellini and mozza-tomato "salad"which was noted to be at about 600 calories so I will round that out to about 700c.

Wednesday:

AM Weigh In 181.4. Videos NONE. Not sure that I have the rest of the week figured out but I need to get back on the diet wagon. Today was a lax day. I decided not to return the trade show since it totally SUCKED! Not that I was really all that keen on it to begin with but what I did see was not particularly impressive so I hung out with Holly instead.

I had breaded chicken on a muffin for breakfast, followed by a mid-day stop at Starbucks for coffee and a "protein box" but did swing into Portillo's to pick up a chicken sandwich and fries. I only ate half the fries and a few bites of the sandwich. What a roundabout day! we dropped off the van at June's house only to find ourselves back there, picking up the van again after we had dinner at Gen Hoe in Geneva.

I feel so grateful for such wonderful friends but I definitely have  not mastered the science of travel eating.

Thursday:

AM Weigh In NONE. Videos NONE. Not a bad day if you don't count the raging headache I had in the morning. I had a protein shake and Clif PB Crunch bar in the morning, a mid-day lunch run, and a Luna Protein bar for a mid-afternoon snack. I left Curves Camp early to join Holly at her club for Aqua Aerobics and and Aqua Stretch. Dinner was leftover Chinese from her favorite place, Gen Hoe, in Geneva. We decided the cabbage in the egg rolls (yum!) was a bit of a bloater though...

Friday:

AM Weigh In NONE. Videos NONE. Forgot to weigh in. Oh well...moved on.

A long Friday schedule included Curves Club Camp, brainstorming with Cat, and a trip up to LaCrosse for Zumba training in the morning.

Let's see...how did my day go? I trained/worked out at the club in Elgin followed by another long day sitting but it did seem to go a little faster. Maybe having Cat there helped. I had my Luna Protein Bar, and PB/strawberry sandwich, and my protein shake. Lunch was with Cat at an interesting Chinese/Thai restaurant in downtown Elgin with chicken and veggies. There was an interesting salad there with chinese sausage. I wonder if Cat can remember if it had some kind of sauce on it because it was pretty good, actually. Travel snacks a disappointing order of cheese taquitos and sweet potato fries from a local restaurant paired with my equally disappointing leftover chicken sandwich from two days before. Dinner was not much better at the Best Western's restaurant. The chicken baked chicken breast had been under the lamp for a while, the cod was so-so, and the salad with cottage cheese was nothing to brag about. The only thing delightful was to arrive and find out that the hotel was situated on the banks of the Mississippi River.

Saturday:

AM Weigh In NONE. Videos NONE.

Didn't have an opportunity to weigh in today since I was at Zumba training.  I was only had latte in the and a sausage muffin in the morning. The rest of the day was a combo of protein shakes and bars plus my leftover cashews. I left training and headed for BK for a pre-drive dinner of chicken wrap, single stacker, and value fries with my diet coke. Fatigue was constantly at my heels so I had to take frequent breaks and snack stops–coffee, cookie, and a bag of sweet peppers.

Zumba (Basic 1) licensing was definitely worthwhile and I think that the ZIN certification is a good investment. It is still a bit confusing but I think I can sort it out. It does make me worry that I may be a better student than a teacher. Still, I have a lot of excitement for it and the possibilities it opens are very appealing. At $30 a month to maintain my ZIN membership, the next step would be how to push through my plans to teach both inside and outside of Curves to make it worthwhile.

Sunday:

AM Weigh In 181.4. Videos NONE. Not too bad for a week's worth of fun in Chicago and I am ending the week with a day of rest to visit with friends. It likely saved me that I spent Saturday in Zumba training that kept the calorie burn at a high level to make up for the madness.

Celebration day. I enjoyed my visit and reliving the the old days in my head. It was definitely a high calorie day so I need to tone that back down to my normal moderate eating cycle. Still, Portillo's was a pretty darn good place to eat. I think I may have packed in close to 3000 calories today.

Latte in the morning. Sausage McGriddle and Hashbrowns in the late morning. Portillos Lunch with 1/2 portion of my Beef and Cheddar on a Croissant along with Fries and Side of Cheese. Maybe it was a mistake to eat Tawn's Chicago Dog but it was definitely good. A mid-afternoon kiwi and line smoothie from my Maui Wowi friend. I think I will finish out the night with some French Baguette and my favorite brie.

So glad this diet week is over. It was definitely a challenge but–oh how delish!

SLC to ORD

When asked how the flight was, my response was tepid. Actually, the term I used was "uneventful" which, to me, is a good thing.

I have never been a comfortable flyer. I certainly appreciate the speed with which I reach my destination but I usually start out with a prayer to make sure that I get there. Today was no exception though I enjoyed a rarely seen perk.

The seat beside me was empty and I had the kind of legroom that I normally don’t have the luxury of paying for so I was able to find a little more humor in the experience. When the captain announced that we were cleared for take-off, I wanted to jump up and say, “Wait! I’m in the wrong flight!” I was even able to muster some bravado by taking my seatbelt off to get up and grab my backpack from the overhead compartment a couple of seats ahead before the seat-belt sign was off.

This good karma has been with me for a few days now and I am hoping it holds. The universe seems to be in alignment and I am wondering if I should buy a lottery ticket. After all, I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for some fortuitous moments that have led me to this point. Through the generosity of my friend and employer, I am able to attend my convention, training for her, and get certified as a Zumba instructor this week. Through the kindness and love of my high school classmate. I have a place to stay during my trip and I get to see old friends for the first time since I left Illinois over 20 years ago. Let’s not forget the young man who asked that I exchange seats with his wife on this flight so they can be together, thus bringing me closer to the front of the cabin.

It certainly felt like a first class flight without the first class price. If only the food was free.

Week 5 Day 1 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh In @ 181

It's a travel day. I had a late night packing followed by an early morning to take the shuttle to the airport. I have to keep mindful and stay the course!!!

Prayer Video: "Prioritize your day with faith. Begin your day with prayer and start each day with gratitude.

Week 4 Day 7 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh In @ 182.

It's D-Day! Jud and I did the Bates Road Loop with our bikes and I really enjoyed that. It was about an 18 mile ride and definitely a butt chafer for poor Jud. I feel pretty good though so I am happy.

Tips to Burn Body Fat Video: "Feed muscle and starve fat through strength training and consuming more protein. Research shows that taking calcium burns significantly more fat."

Week 4 Day 6 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh In @ 182

It is yard sale day! What a great way to start my first day of a new year–yeah!!! After having put together some things to sell well into the night, I came to our group sale with a respectable amount of stuff and came away with about $130 in cash. That will help pay for the trip this week.

Tips to Increase Steps Video: "Walking is a low impact (so is bike riding) cardiovascular acivity. Walk! Walk! Walk! Walk!"

Week 4 Day 5 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh In @ 182

Was that just a tiny bump on the road? No biggie! I went for the Bar Method class this morning and it certainly was a workout! It was a great alternative considering that I have only had an opportunity to do my running program once this week because of stupid plantar fasciitis issues. I still got my bike out for rides but I think it's time to kick it up a notch and do one solid ride this weekend.

Simple Weigh Loss Tips Video: "Breakfast is your most important meal; switch your afternoon snack to a PM snack, stay hydrated; sleep well!"

Week 4 Day 4 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh In @ 181.6

Good golly...what DID I do today? On the plus side, I worked out and got myself measured. I have lost some inches–yeah! The unfriendly scale at the club called me fat at 183 but I'm taking none of that. When I returned home, I re-weighed myself and I am still at 181 so that that you mean liar!

Mindfulness Video: "'A Beginner's Mind' is about selective hearing and understanding everything very closely."

Week 4 Day 3 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh In @ 182.4

The day wasn't really all that bad. I went to the chiro for an adjustment and addressed my plantar fasciitis issue. I will not be running or walking for the next 5 days. I wonder if she sees Zumba as a walking activity because I am doing it tomorrow and I don't want to miss it. I was able to do my workout but biking was not an option. I didn't have enough time.

On the plus side, it just seems that the universe is aligned for me today. Dare I hope that it is likewise the same tomorrow? It looks like I will be heading to Chicago next week. I will have back to back events that I will be dealing with and thanks to Cat's generous help, I will be able to get there and accomplish what I need to do at KBIS and Curves Club Camp PLUS Zumba Certification.

Self Talk Video: "Change the way you think. Find your own true healthy voice through positive self-coaching."

Week 4 Day 2 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh In @ 183.2

Today is a run day. I am so grateful.

Well, okay. Maybe grateful is not the word but it feels good to have done it. I am starting up C25K on Week 1. Apparently, I was on the wrong program all this time but–not matter. I still make progress. I walk to work in an hour and Zumba is set for tonight.

Attitude Video: "What's your attitude of gratitude? A healthy attitude balances reality and optimism. Consciously choose to stop putting negatives things in your mind. Consciously choose to start putting positive things in your mind. Consciously choose to avoid negative people. Consciously choose to speak to yourself in a supportive way."

Week 4 Day 1 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh In @ 183.2

I just didn't feel like I got much of a workout today even though I did my circuit and rode my bike. Then again, maybe there's something to be said about resting your body completely that enables you to feel like you can do well on the next session.

Your Process Video: "I am in the midst of the process for change. Stay the course."

Week 3 Day 7 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh In @ 183.2

I walked/jogged and rode my bike yesterday. Maybe it wasn't such a good thing because my muscles feel a bit stiff today. On the other hand, it's done and I (mentally) feel pretty good about the effort I made. I did realize that I was never on the C25K program–duh!. I was wondering why I was only putting in about 1.5 miles daily. Now that I know how to manage my app a  little better (I wish the damn thing had instructions!), I am now able to switch to the proper training program. The question is if I am ready.

Choosing Healthy Video: "Consume 25 grams or more of fiber daily."

Week 3 Day 6 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh In @182.4

It's cold again. I'll be wearing my Darth Vader look today just to keep the cold from seeping in while I ride. To be honest, it seems to be the only way to make the stupid bike helmet look good on me.

I have another big day today. I wish I hadn't quite pushed myself yesterday. I have a feeling that may affect what I do today. Two Mega Days in a row isn't giving me enough time to rest my muscles.

Junkfood: The Aftermath Video: "What is the cost to benefit to eating for pleasure rather than to fuel your body?"

Week 3 Day 5 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh In @ 183

Slow and steady wins the race. I just have to keep the pace slow and the momentum steady both in food and exercise. My goal is to reach 181 by this time next week.

There are snow flurries outside. Idaho spring days just suck sometimes. If it doesn't get any worse, I suppose I could live with it. I just have to dress warm for biking and running.

TODAY IS FRIDAY THE 13TH!!!!

Energy Sustaining Meals Video: "Portioned Whole Cabs BALANCED with PFF (Protein, Fiber, Fat)."

Week 3 Day 4 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh In @ 183

Teeth ache combined with muscle aches...I just can't seem to win some days. I went to the dentist and got some relief at first. It was enough to keep my mind off my teeth issues to finish out Zumba, a circuit workout and a run but I am SOOO pissed that the C25K app stopped during my run so it didn't recognize that I had completed Day 2. I have to do this again to get to the Day 3 session if I want to complete Week 4 by Sunday. Ugh!!!

Healthy Carbohydrates Video: "Refined grains actually spike or drop your blood sugar more than whole grains."

Week 3 Day 3 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh In @ 184.4

I got a bike ride in, even if it was a short one, and I did go in for a circuit workout.

Other than that, it was a "meh" day but I was mindful of what I ate. Thank goodness for baking days because I don't seem to focus on food on these days.

Dieting Myths Video: "Curves offers the most researched weight method available...a method that feeds muscle, starves fat and includes exercise and support. We have the only exit strategy for maintenance diet on the Phase III of the Curves Complete program."

Week 3 Day 2 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh In @ 185

I think that delicious hamburger I had on Saturday got the best of me. HoM read 184, 185.6 so I'm taking the middle road.

I ran today. It was W4D1 of C25K and laughed when I heard her cue me to run a mile. Holy crap! Needless to say, I didn't run a solid mile. I definitely had to jog and walk my pace which turned it into an 18 minute mile. But that's okay because I still made some headway in listening to my body. Slow and steady wins the race. I have to remember that! I know that it would make such a big difference if I didn't have this extra 20 pounds of weight on me. After about a hundred yards on each run cycle, my ankles feel every bit of the 185 pounds it's carrying.  I want to try a different way of running my mile the next time though to see if it makes a difference and ease the pressure on my hips.

Optimism Video: "Optimism is a life skill. Accept reality as it is and reset our expectations to meet the challenges with an eye towards the positive."

From Couch to 5K to Tough Mudder - First Month's Reflections

To be fair, I am not actually starting out from the couch.

I have been committed to a steady circuit workout routine for a good year now along with my Curves Complete program since January as I enter my third week of the diet plan tomorrow. But the running part came about several weeks ago–a tiny but determined seed in my head that wanted to grow.

Tough Mudder certainly played a strong part in that decision. Despite the fact that my orthopedic surgeon once warned me that I needed to stop running if I didn't want to ever see him again, I decided embrace the boredom of pounding the pavement again in preparation for that event.

Not that I was much of a runner to begin with because it was boring activity but I schlepped through it anyways, running about two miles three times a week on my treadmill. I will admit it was a more palatable endeavor when I headed south to Las Vegas where the elevation was a lot kinder to my joints and lungs than where I am now at over 6200'.

Having decided to fire up these leg engines again, it did mean easing back into it if I didn't want to risk hurting myself or quitting out of distaste so I decided to try the C25K plan and found to my pleasant surprise that, hey, there's an app for that. So I downloaded  it and I am now pushing through my fourth week of the program encouraged along by the mellow music on Pandora's "Adele" station as it focused me and tuned everything else out. And when I'm not doing that, I'm walking or riding my bike in sync with those same motivating rythms distracting my mind and my muscles.

I'd like to think I'm making progress. I still have a ways to go but I do feel stronger and the intensity of my workouts seem to be more bearable with each repeated effort. I expect to increase the level of difficulty on my training in the next 6 months and I am really looking forward to it even though a nagging, whining voice inside me is honestly not looking forward to it so I just fight to tamp it down.

In keeping with my all-or-nothing behavior, I chose Tough Mudder as my raison d'être and so far, my madness is apparently something that not too many people I know share. Even my supportive husband has told me that he can think of "better ways to kill himself."

Nevertheless, he, along with all my friends and club rats, are giving me their thumbs up. So I stay the course knowing that I have a wealth of support around me. As of today, I have 180 days to go and it just seems to be that everything is falling into place and my universe is in alignment.

Encouraging indeed.

Week 3 Day 1 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh In @ 185

I'm officially on PHASE II. It's a Monday. I put in about 40 minutes total on a biking today along my circuit workout. Tomorrow, I am doing a Mega Day just in case the coming bad weather sidelines me. It can be done. It will be done.

Habits Video: "A habit takes about a month to acquire."

Week 2 Day 7 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh-In @ 185.2

I'm okay with that. My muscles are a tad sore from my mega workout yesterday. The 16 mile bike ride was well worth the effort! I rewarded myself with a fantastic bacon cheeseburger and sauteed onions so I am not sorry for it.

Today, I will make good on my last day of C25K training and I really wouldn't mind going for another scenic bike ride but we'll see. It is Easter and maybe I'll just go for a relaxing day before I bump back down to PHASE II tomorrow.

Increasing Metabolism Video: "Strength training builds lean muscle mass increasing metabolism."

Week 2 Day 6 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh In @ 184.4

Today is a beautiful day! I have a circuit workout followed by a 16 mile bike ride. Looking forward to enjoying this day.

Finding the Time Video: "Make time, PERIOD."

Week 2 Day 5 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh In @ 184

Actually, HoM is telling me on several occasions that she prefers 183.2. However, After having tested her capabilities with that of Susie's at the club which read out at 184.4, I will take the middle ground.

It's snowing (ahhhh Spring, you fickle bitch!) so I am going to wait for it to taper off or stop altogether before I head out there for my run. It's supposed to be "nicer" tomorrow so I hope that is the case so as not to ruin my plans for the Huckleberry Shake Ride.

I got some chiro work done yesterday but my shoulder seems to still be tight. Aaarrrgggghhhhh!!!! My leg muscles are a bit stiff still from yesterday's run but blood is flowing through so it's getting better. I'll need to do my loosening exercises before I head out the door.

Curves Smart Video: "Tough Love on the circuit means 30 seconds of high intensity, good form and technique and full range of motion."

Week 2 Day 4 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh In @ 183.4

My HealthoMeter scale is flattering me this morning with a new set of numbers. My first two readouts were 181.3 followed by a couple of 183.4 and a couple of 182.4. I'll take the larger number just to be safe but I'm curious of the dramatic drop. Is it the TM workout days? Or is the HoM just asleep?

I have been struggling of late keeping snacks as part of the meal plan and had wondered if it was even necessary or needed. I have done well being calorie-mindful during the three main meals but eating five times a day can be a chore. But with the increased activity and workout routine I am putting myself through daily, it is really time for me to utilize those snacks to keep my energy and metabolism levels up.

Time Saving Meal Tips Video: "Plan ahead for success. Keep snacks handy in portioned containers. Prepare larger meals for leftovers the next day."

Week 2 Day 3 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh In @ 185.0

Well, it's going down anyways. It read 185.8 at the club when I came in for my coaching session but I am alright with it. These scales tend to not match up and it was done in the afternoon, not too long after my lunch. I think that I would prefer an AM coaching session instead. Cat calculated the fat pounds I lost on this last round of CC which turned out to be 14 pounds of fat! Woohoo!!!!

I am going back to 1500 calories this week and shift down to Phase II for a month. The game plan is to keep it solid for April and switch to a 2000 calorie Phase III diet in May before going back down to Phase II again in May with a goal to lose 5 pounds this month, ride the hi/lo wave in May and lose another 5 pounds in June to meet the first half goal of my 180 Day Challenge.

That's a pretty concrete goal and I just need to keep the momentum with my workout format...which can be a bit crazy like today. I rode my bike into town and dropped it off at the bike shop for a loving tune-up. I did an hour on the circuit with the usual matwork and put in a little time on my chi-running loosening excercises before I got down to my W3D1 of C25K training. I can't wait to get to the point when running doesn't kick my ass so much.

ABCs of Weight Loss Video: "You don't have to be afraid of the scale. Knowledge is power but don't get emotionally involved with the weight on that scale."

Week 2 Day 2 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh In @ 185.4

Dare I trust that number. It is really annoying. The day was busy from the get-go and I didn't get to do my workout–neither C25K or circuit. I did ride my bike to work in the afternoon so that was a plus in my favor. I only put in 1400 calories today though so thank God for small favors.

I'm putting in for the 180 Day Challenge at Curves so that will help to keep me focused too.

Curves Community Video: "Success breeds success and being a part of this Curves community will encourage accountability."

Week 2 Day 1 on Curves Complete *SMART GOAL*

AM Weigh In @ 186.2

Eye on the Prize! Tough Mudder is just 6 months away! This will be my 180 Challenge starting this week (though it doesn't officially start until the 14th) but that puts me at 6 months and in good time to wrap up my challenge before heading to TMLV.

Even with the rich post-dinner sweets I had of 1/2c ice cream and 1 small portion of bread pudding with vanilla topping, I still didn't make it over 1800 calories. I got my workout done but no didn't get to run or ride my bike so tomorrow, I will put a lot of focus on the bike, my C25K, and Curves+Zumba.

Self Assessment: I found that taking a day off my workouts helps me on my matwork and cicruit...hmmm...there's something to be said about letting the muscles recover after all. I felt like the pushups were easier today. Let's see how I fare tomorrow.

SMART GOALS
(S) Specific - I want to be physically ready or TM-Las Vegas, October 6
(M) Measured - I want to be at 165 with a little less jiggle on the belly fat by October 6
(A) Achievable - 20 pounds in 6 months altogether with greater muscle mass than today
(R) Written - Here it is!
(T) Timed - CC Round 2: next 10 pounds and CC Round 3: FINAL 10 pounds! before TMLV!

Week 12/1 Day 83/7 on Curves Complete

AM Weigh-In @ 186.4

I liked the first reading better at 185.4. I swear that this damn scale only knows a few specific numbers because it seems to bounce around these few particular digits.

Aside from being April Fool's Day, it is the last day of what was my 12-week CC program. So what did I do today? I think that it definitely qualified as a slacker day...though I didn't NOT do anything. I just didn't go out for a bike ride or run. I blame it on the gloomy weather and I'm sticking to it. Let's see how the (second) week of my second round on CC fares. I will stay at PH3 for another week and see how that goes then see if I'm ready to move back into PH1 or PH2.

Self assessment: These new custom orthos are definitely more comfortable. The high arch contour doesn't really bother me and I don't really notice it. Taping the left knee on both the IT band and around the patella seems to be helping as well. The weird part is the slight pain seems to have shifted to the right leg with a little more impact on the medial knee on both sides. It's like the damn pain has a mind of its own and will move on to areas that I haven't fixed. There is some soreness on the top of the right foot as well which leads me to think that I am pounding down a little too heavily on my right leg on my runs?

Supplements Video: "Calcium helps to burn fat while dieting and build strong bones." It may be also time to take some joint supplements again along with Omega-3.