So I have to admit that I have been avoiding blogging for the past few weeks, for the one and only reason that I have (barely) worked out in the month of December. I wish I could say I am one of those, this year at least, who amped up the workout routine with the business of the holidays and all that, but I have not. It has taken everything I have just to make it through the day this month.
I have just beens so stressed, working extra, a mini-trip to Tampa, hosting my husband's work party, and then packing for 11 days in Niagara Falls. Let's discuss that for a minute. They got 8 inches of snow in one day last week, and after one suitcase, I have to pay $25 for each additional bag? One bag will definitely NOT cover all of my layers, shoes, sweaters, toiletries, and clothes for my little one! Not fair. Please don't get me wrong...I'm not complaining. This is good stress-spending time with family and close friends, traveling. Nonetheless, just alot on the good ol' holiday plate.
I have been squeezing in a few at home workouts in the meantime. For a minute there, I got a headache even thinking about throwing a workout into the mix. I know, I know. Working out will help decrease stress. But not this time. I mean, come on. We are busy girls, and though it's ideal to be working out all the time, life happens. I am only hoping to get back on the ball after New Years. This will probably be my last post until after the holidays...Till Next Time!
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Ahh...Thanksgiving
What a week. My in-laws were here for the entire week and just left this morning, along with my hubby's friend, Ralph. Needless to say, I had little motivation for anything except eating, um..drinking, and shopping for a Christmas tree! I did manage to make it to the gym twice, and didn't gain any weight this week! Talk about a miracle.
I also had...gulp...my body fat percent read this week. Now why in the world would I pick to do this THIS week? Between eating lunch out everyday, and delicious home cooking from my MIL...yep, I must be crazy. So I took to being poked and prodded, lifting up my shirt, and straining to get my pant leg up to measure my thigh...trying to keep it G-rated! Not exactly comfortable showing this amount of skin without being near a pool or three sheets to the wind (um...bachelorette party, what?) but alas, that is another story my friends. My goal now is to be 15% in one month. We'll see what happens.
This week, I mainly lifted, upper body one day and lower the next time. It was hard enough to get in the gym at all, so I'm satisfied. I'm going to have to do some at home workouts this week-I'm working an extra day, and the hubby is traveling 4 days, but my goal this week is to have at least one good run, and go to the gym 2 days.
P.S. Anthony survived a whole hour in daycare last week, allowing Mommy to do spin! It was frickin' sweet =) Ah...the little things in life.
I also had...gulp...my body fat percent read this week. Now why in the world would I pick to do this THIS week? Between eating lunch out everyday, and delicious home cooking from my MIL...yep, I must be crazy. So I took to being poked and prodded, lifting up my shirt, and straining to get my pant leg up to measure my thigh...trying to keep it G-rated! Not exactly comfortable showing this amount of skin without being near a pool or three sheets to the wind (um...bachelorette party, what?) but alas, that is another story my friends. My goal now is to be 15% in one month. We'll see what happens.
This week, I mainly lifted, upper body one day and lower the next time. It was hard enough to get in the gym at all, so I'm satisfied. I'm going to have to do some at home workouts this week-I'm working an extra day, and the hubby is traveling 4 days, but my goal this week is to have at least one good run, and go to the gym 2 days.
P.S. Anthony survived a whole hour in daycare last week, allowing Mommy to do spin! It was frickin' sweet =) Ah...the little things in life.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Spin Again
Today I had my last training session with my trainer, and also attempted my first spin class since last summer. (I can remember it perfectly...I was suffering from major morning sickness, and the instructor asked me after class if I was hungover...at least with hungoverness, I would have felt better the next day. So that was the end of that. But now, different gym, different instructor.) It was great, I have forgotten how much I like spin! I love the music and like having someone else take the reigns to make sure I get a great workout. Pretty much easiest way to be lazy with cardio. LOL.
So I worked out first (upper body) and did some exercises I have never done before-I think they are called Arnolds? And they are killers. Basically you start with the weights touching in front of your face and then twist your hands as you raise them to touch again above your head so your hands are facing out. If that makes sense. Either way they are killers. After that, I am walking past the spin room and realize that a class is starting. Take a peak at the baby, resting on the shoulder of one of the day care girls, and then jump into spin. The back row, nonetheless, but still. I keep an eye on the daycare area to make sure no one is trying to find me. And I make it 25 minutes. Supposedly, he started crying right after spin started. Aside from a little mother's guilt at having my baby upset so that I can get a little exercise, I feel like it was a success.
I think with my halfsie training, I am going to do alot of crosstraining. Still running 3 or 4 times a week, but also doing spin, and weight work outs. If I run more than that, my knees can't take it. I'll try to post my training schedule from my last (and only) halfsie next week. I will probably follow that same training pretty closely. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
I also did my speed workout again over the weekend. I meant to workout Sunday, but I got sucked into football and pizza, yum. Plus, it was cold. Sad how influenced I am about the weather. My in-laws will be here for a week starting on Saturday, so I am hoping to work out more next week. But Anthony will still be keeping up with his bootcamp! Our goal now is twice a week =)
So I worked out first (upper body) and did some exercises I have never done before-I think they are called Arnolds? And they are killers. Basically you start with the weights touching in front of your face and then twist your hands as you raise them to touch again above your head so your hands are facing out. If that makes sense. Either way they are killers. After that, I am walking past the spin room and realize that a class is starting. Take a peak at the baby, resting on the shoulder of one of the day care girls, and then jump into spin. The back row, nonetheless, but still. I keep an eye on the daycare area to make sure no one is trying to find me. And I make it 25 minutes. Supposedly, he started crying right after spin started. Aside from a little mother's guilt at having my baby upset so that I can get a little exercise, I feel like it was a success.
I think with my halfsie training, I am going to do alot of crosstraining. Still running 3 or 4 times a week, but also doing spin, and weight work outs. If I run more than that, my knees can't take it. I'll try to post my training schedule from my last (and only) halfsie next week. I will probably follow that same training pretty closely. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!
I also did my speed workout again over the weekend. I meant to workout Sunday, but I got sucked into football and pizza, yum. Plus, it was cold. Sad how influenced I am about the weather. My in-laws will be here for a week starting on Saturday, so I am hoping to work out more next week. But Anthony will still be keeping up with his bootcamp! Our goal now is twice a week =)
Friday, November 14, 2008
What did I tell ya....
...I promised that I would continue to post on a daily basis! I don't have much to report since I didn't get a workout in yesterday...bummer. I thought I might have time to do a quick yoga session at home but I had issues with cooking dinner. I planned on making Rachel Rays Whole Wheat Skillet Lasagna for my church community group.
http://www.lesliesansonevideos.com/#beginners%20ls
I thought I had all the ingredients and I was all set to make this quick and easy "30-Minute Meal". Fat chance...more like "1 Hour Minute Meal". I got home and realized I didn't have all the ingredients so I had to run back to the store during the middle of cooking. I swear I have lost my mind sometimes. I followed the recipe but made it with 2 extra servings. I am not sure if that is what messed me up or what happened, but it turned out really liquidity (very professional cooking term). I ended up pouring out a lot of the beef stock that I added which meant pouring out a lot of the flavor. Oh well! The group said it was good and c'mon...free meal for them!
Knowing that I wasn't going to have time for exercise tonight, I woke up this morning and attempted to go to the gym. Yep, I made it as far as the bathroom. There was no way I was going out in the cold rainy weather. Instead, I opted to try a workout video in the family room on On Demand. My co-worker told me about these On Demand work out videos from Fitness TV. Most of them are really short blurps but some have 30 minute workouts. Pretty cool. I decided to try a "walking video" from Leslie Sansone. My roommate does these all the time and swears by them. At first, I didn't get what the hell it was and how you could do a walk and watch the video in your family room without a treadmill. But according to Leslie Sansone you can "Walk Away the Pounds" in your very own living room! Check it out...
http://www.lesliesansonevideos.com/#beginners%20ls
Now, I am not trying to walk away any pounds...I just wanted to get my heart rate up a little so I could get energized for the day. After about 3 minutes of the video...I realized my heart rate was going no where. I think the video was meant for "older women". I basically walked in place in my family room for 30 minutes and looked like a moron in front of my neighbors. I ended up picking up some weights to add a little difficulty to the workout. I broke a small sweat but nothing like I wanted. At least I got a little activity in for the day.
I am taking it back Old School tonight and heading to the Smashing Pumpkins concert. The tickets were free and I am not one to turn down free anything! I am hoping to take it easy tonight on the booze so I can get up early and go for a nice long run. Here's to hoping...
http://www.lesliesansonevideos.com/#beginners%20ls
I thought I had all the ingredients and I was all set to make this quick and easy "30-Minute Meal". Fat chance...more like "1 Hour Minute Meal". I got home and realized I didn't have all the ingredients so I had to run back to the store during the middle of cooking. I swear I have lost my mind sometimes. I followed the recipe but made it with 2 extra servings. I am not sure if that is what messed me up or what happened, but it turned out really liquidity (very professional cooking term). I ended up pouring out a lot of the beef stock that I added which meant pouring out a lot of the flavor. Oh well! The group said it was good and c'mon...free meal for them!
Knowing that I wasn't going to have time for exercise tonight, I woke up this morning and attempted to go to the gym. Yep, I made it as far as the bathroom. There was no way I was going out in the cold rainy weather. Instead, I opted to try a workout video in the family room on On Demand. My co-worker told me about these On Demand work out videos from Fitness TV. Most of them are really short blurps but some have 30 minute workouts. Pretty cool. I decided to try a "walking video" from Leslie Sansone. My roommate does these all the time and swears by them. At first, I didn't get what the hell it was and how you could do a walk and watch the video in your family room without a treadmill. But according to Leslie Sansone you can "Walk Away the Pounds" in your very own living room! Check it out...
http://www.lesliesansonevideos.com/#beginners%20ls
Now, I am not trying to walk away any pounds...I just wanted to get my heart rate up a little so I could get energized for the day. After about 3 minutes of the video...I realized my heart rate was going no where. I think the video was meant for "older women". I basically walked in place in my family room for 30 minutes and looked like a moron in front of my neighbors. I ended up picking up some weights to add a little difficulty to the workout. I broke a small sweat but nothing like I wanted. At least I got a little activity in for the day.
I am taking it back Old School tonight and heading to the Smashing Pumpkins concert. The tickets were free and I am not one to turn down free anything! I am hoping to take it easy tonight on the booze so I can get up early and go for a nice long run. Here's to hoping...
Thursday, November 13, 2008
P.S.
Mel - How is Baby Daycare Bootcamp coming along?? Who is winning that battle...Anthony or Mommy??
srh
srh
Back on the Wagon...
So...it has been awhile since my last post which isn't really good if you are trying to start a blog. I am so busy reading everyone elses blogs that I forget that I have my own. Today...I am getting back on the wagon! I just got home from my last vacation of the year (ATL) and so I don't have any more excuses. I was able to stay with Melanie while I was visiting which motivated me too.
After all of my eating, drinking, snacking in ATL I knew I had to get my butt to the gym this week. I have done well thus far by going to Cardioboxing on Monday, running on Tuesday and cardio/weights last night. I started off with 20 minutes of cardio...see the specs below:
Treadmill - Time/Speed
1) 0-3:00 - 4.0
2) 3:00-6:00 - 6.0
3) 6:00-6:30 - 8.0
4) 6:30-7:30 - 6.5
5) 7:30-10:30 Repeat steps 3 and 4 twice
6) 10:30-11:30 - 7.0
7) 11:30-12:30 - 6.5
8) 12:30-16:30 - Repeat steps 6 and 7 twice
9) 16:30-18:30 - 7.5
10) 18:30-20:00 - 6.5
Total Distance: 2.1 miles. This is one of my favorite warm-ups. You are constantly changing the speeds so it's not as boring.
Then I hit the weight room afterward to work on my arms. Gosh...I sound like a gym meat head or something...haha. I found some arm exercises in Self Magazine called "Sexy Arm Shape-Up". Supposedly Madonna's trainer uses these exercises and swears that I will have sexy arms if I do these exercises 3 times a week. We will see if it actually works. I did 3 sets of each one of these exercises.
12 reps Machine Chest Press - 24lbs
12 push-ups
12 reps Chest Press with dumbells - 12 lbs each hand
15 reps "bowling throw" - 7 lbs each hand
15 reps "Double Pull" - 6lbs each hand
15 reps of Hammer Curls - 5lbs each hand
12 reps "Victory Sign" - 5lbs each hand (I felt like an idiot doing this in front of everyone!)
12 reps Tricep Kickbacks - 6lbs each hand
12 reps Tricep Pulldowns - 5lbs each hand
You can go to to the Self website and check it out yourself. Below is the link:
http://www.self.com/fitness/workouts/2008/11/sculpt-a-list-arms-fast
Then I just did some ab work. Overall it was a nice Wednesday work out. I am not going to be able to make it to the gym tonight because I making dinner for my church community group. That should be interesting...
I might try and fit a quick yoga video in once I am home if I have time. I am not a huge fan of yoga but I keep trying it out hoping that one day I will have a "zen" moment or something. More tomorrow!
srh
After all of my eating, drinking, snacking in ATL I knew I had to get my butt to the gym this week. I have done well thus far by going to Cardioboxing on Monday, running on Tuesday and cardio/weights last night. I started off with 20 minutes of cardio...see the specs below:
Treadmill - Time/Speed
1) 0-3:00 - 4.0
2) 3:00-6:00 - 6.0
3) 6:00-6:30 - 8.0
4) 6:30-7:30 - 6.5
5) 7:30-10:30 Repeat steps 3 and 4 twice
6) 10:30-11:30 - 7.0
7) 11:30-12:30 - 6.5
8) 12:30-16:30 - Repeat steps 6 and 7 twice
9) 16:30-18:30 - 7.5
10) 18:30-20:00 - 6.5
Total Distance: 2.1 miles. This is one of my favorite warm-ups. You are constantly changing the speeds so it's not as boring.
Then I hit the weight room afterward to work on my arms. Gosh...I sound like a gym meat head or something...haha. I found some arm exercises in Self Magazine called "Sexy Arm Shape-Up". Supposedly Madonna's trainer uses these exercises and swears that I will have sexy arms if I do these exercises 3 times a week. We will see if it actually works. I did 3 sets of each one of these exercises.
12 reps Machine Chest Press - 24lbs
12 push-ups
12 reps Chest Press with dumbells - 12 lbs each hand
15 reps "bowling throw" - 7 lbs each hand
15 reps "Double Pull" - 6lbs each hand
15 reps of Hammer Curls - 5lbs each hand
12 reps "Victory Sign" - 5lbs each hand (I felt like an idiot doing this in front of everyone!)
12 reps Tricep Kickbacks - 6lbs each hand
12 reps Tricep Pulldowns - 5lbs each hand
You can go to to the Self website and check it out yourself. Below is the link:
http://www.self.com/fitness/workouts/2008/11/sculpt-a-list-arms-fast
Then I just did some ab work. Overall it was a nice Wednesday work out. I am not going to be able to make it to the gym tonight because I making dinner for my church community group. That should be interesting...
I might try and fit a quick yoga video in once I am home if I have time. I am not a huge fan of yoga but I keep trying it out hoping that one day I will have a "zen" moment or something. More tomorrow!
srh
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Baby Day Care Bootcamp
Since starting this blog, I have found myself more apt to try to get to the gym and also get out and run. I'm pumped and ready to go. The weather has been beautiful here-mid 70's all week! Perfect fall weather to get my miles in. 2 that is, at least so far. It's only Thursday, right? But that's another story.
I went to the gym on Tuesday to run on the treadmill and then workout with my trainer for half an hour. I have 3 training sessions left with her, but I can only manage to see her once every few weeks. It was a birthday present from my husband in July (I asked for it...he wasn't telling me to get my fat butt in the gym. Haha.) It's not like I'm one of those annoying stay at home moms that works out with a trainer like 12 times a week and looks 10 pounds lighter after having a baby. I digress...So I'm running on the treadmill maybe 10 minutes? And here comes our lovely babysitter from the gym. I take off my headphones, and I can hear my baby screaming. Keep in mind that I'm in the cardio area UPSTAIRS and he is downstairs in the back corner. That's how loud he is. Work out over, baby prevails.
The sitter and I have gotten quite close actually, discussing different ways to keep my WAILING baby happy so Mama can have her work out time. And so came my idea for Baby Daycare Bootcamp. I am going to take Anthony to the gym daycare EVERY* single day until he gets used to it. (*except the days I work) Those poor girls are so nice there, smiling at me and telling me just to keep bringing him in. Even though I know they dread it when we walk in the door. Don't get me wrong, he is an absolute angel at home and at non-gym hang outs. But we walk through that little gate to babyland and he immediately gets worked up. Any other ideas out there? I really want him to be well adjusted and happy there.
I partly think I waited too long to start bringing him. Now he has started with some seperation and stranger anxiety. Nonetheless, I am determined to keep it up in hopes of an hour long sesh at they gym. Ahh...dreams.
More later!
Mel
I went to the gym on Tuesday to run on the treadmill and then workout with my trainer for half an hour. I have 3 training sessions left with her, but I can only manage to see her once every few weeks. It was a birthday present from my husband in July (I asked for it...he wasn't telling me to get my fat butt in the gym. Haha.) It's not like I'm one of those annoying stay at home moms that works out with a trainer like 12 times a week and looks 10 pounds lighter after having a baby. I digress...So I'm running on the treadmill maybe 10 minutes? And here comes our lovely babysitter from the gym. I take off my headphones, and I can hear my baby screaming. Keep in mind that I'm in the cardio area UPSTAIRS and he is downstairs in the back corner. That's how loud he is. Work out over, baby prevails.
The sitter and I have gotten quite close actually, discussing different ways to keep my WAILING baby happy so Mama can have her work out time. And so came my idea for Baby Daycare Bootcamp. I am going to take Anthony to the gym daycare EVERY* single day until he gets used to it. (*except the days I work) Those poor girls are so nice there, smiling at me and telling me just to keep bringing him in. Even though I know they dread it when we walk in the door. Don't get me wrong, he is an absolute angel at home and at non-gym hang outs. But we walk through that little gate to babyland and he immediately gets worked up. Any other ideas out there? I really want him to be well adjusted and happy there.
I partly think I waited too long to start bringing him. Now he has started with some seperation and stranger anxiety. Nonetheless, I am determined to keep it up in hopes of an hour long sesh at they gym. Ahh...dreams.
More later!
Mel
Monday, October 27, 2008
P.S.
Oh yeah, that last post was from Melanie! And here is a picture from last week of my son, Anthony, at his dad's football practice (he's a coach). I love my little peanut!
Motivation, anyone?
Hi. So here is my first blog (blogging?) ever. Wish me luck. I used to be a super dedicated gym-aholic for the longest time before I got pregant. One or two hours 5-6 days a week. I ran a half marathon the year I got pregnant. I even worked out while I was pregnant, but not to that extreme. And I thought it would be so easy to jump right back into things after I had the baby. I forgot to consider things like daycare at the gym, feeding schedules, nap schedules, and the fact that I am just flat out exhausted after working (part time) and caring for a baby. I am currently running/working out 2-3 days a week, but I am not satisfied with that. I've lost all of my "baby" weight, but things sag that didn't sag before, need I say more? My goal with this blog and with our half marathon is to get back the motivation that I once had, (ok maybe not to that extreme, but at least more than I have now!) and get in better shape. I am going to follow a training schedule that also allows for cross training so that I don't wear out my knees and I don't get bored. Because let's face it, the Atl is not as cold as Boston, but it still gets cold. Last week, I ran 3 miles one day, did yoga another, and ended with an all over workout at home. Let's see if I can improve this week!!!!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Top of the Mornin'
I was supposed to get up this morning and do a quick 2 mile run on the treadmill with some weights BUT of course I was too tired. I didn't make it to bed until 11:45 p.m. and when the alarm went off at 5:45 a.m. my body just wasn't havin it! So...I got up and studied at work. At least I was some what productive this morning. Yesterday was supposed to be my "rest" day but it looks like I might have 2 rest days in a row now. I am leaving straight from work to Martha's Vineyard for the weekend so there isn't any time for me to fit in a quick run. There are 6 girls going and I am looking forward to a fun filled relaxing weekend with just the ladies. Wine, food, movies, games...can't wait!
I attempted the Pumpkin Chocolate-Peanut Butter Chip Muffins or (whatever they are called) the other night, and yes, of course I screwed them up. I don't know what it is about me and baking but it just doesn't go well with me. At least I attempt...right? Below is a picture of my masterpiece...
As you can see they are a little "sunken in". This is a very special technique that I have mastered called "not baking something long enough". Note to self...READ THE DIRECTIONS! I missed the part in the recipe that indicated these were mini muffins, so I made regular muffins but only cooked them for the mini muffin time. Oh well...they were still pretty tasty. I brought them to my Community Group for church and they seemed to like them. Mush and all!
I am planning a run on the Vineyard tomorrow. I am hoping for some beautiful scenery to keep me going b/c I need to make up for my lost day. Wish me luck. More later...srh
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Brrrr....
Hellloooo! I decided today was going to be the first day I post on our new blog. Why? Because today was the first day of running in the COLD ass Boston weather! I brought all of my clothes to work so I could do my normal run around the Charles River but forgot to check the weather. I should know better by now that you can never trust Boston weather. So...yep...cold, windy and rainy..what else! I was set on running outside today too because I brought my long sleeve gear and I can't wear that to the gym otherwise I would sweat balls! Soooo...I sucked it up, bundled up and set off for my run with low expectations. Surprisingly, I hit a stride and ran my normal route. It is hard not to keep going when you have a view like this! 
I ran a total of 4.23 miles according to Mapmyrun.com. (http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/us/ma/boston/943919134497) You should check out this website. It is awesome! You can save your runs, create new runs, calculate distance, calculate calories burned, etc.
I feel much better now that I got a good run in today considering it has been two weeks! I have been slacking big time. I will give myself a little slack b/c I was on vacation in Spain for two weeks but I brought my running clothes hoping to get a few runs in overseas. What a shocker that I wussed out...drank too much wine instead!
All right, enough rambling. I am off to pick up my laundry, make dinner and bake Pumpkin-Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Muffins...mmmm. Well I hope they will be mmmm. This will be my first time making them so wish me luck. Plus I need to give my very good friend Kris a birthday call. Happy 30th Birthday Kristina!!
More from me later...srh
I ran a total of 4.23 miles according to Mapmyrun.com. (http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/us/ma/boston/943919134497) You should check out this website. It is awesome! You can save your runs, create new runs, calculate distance, calculate calories burned, etc.I feel much better now that I got a good run in today considering it has been two weeks! I have been slacking big time. I will give myself a little slack b/c I was on vacation in Spain for two weeks but I brought my running clothes hoping to get a few runs in overseas. What a shocker that I wussed out...drank too much wine instead!
All right, enough rambling. I am off to pick up my laundry, make dinner and bake Pumpkin-Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Muffins...mmmm. Well I hope they will be mmmm. This will be my first time making them so wish me luck. Plus I need to give my very good friend Kris a birthday call. Happy 30th Birthday Kristina!!
More from me later...srh
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