GPS Distance Tracker

I am so excited about this! I was given money for Christmas this year, and so I went on the hunt to look for a portable GPS distance tracker that I could wear like a watch. I looked everywhere, and I finally found one at Frye's (go figure right? haha). Anyway, it's an R300 Navman GPS specifically made for running. I just got it today, but I am planning on using it to go running outside during the weekdays and then I can know exactly how far I have run or will run. This way I can run in much more populated areas than at the lake and know exactly how far and how fast I've run :)

5k!!

I ran the San Diego Baloon Parade 5k race yesterday! My time was 34 mins and 49 seconds which averages 11.1 minute miles. I was so excited because my goal was to make it under 35 minutes and I did! I have some pictures of the race that I need to get developed, and as soon as I do, I will post them on here :)

There were 1500+ people who ran yesterday in front of 100,000+ people on the sidelines. The run kicked off the baloon parade so we ran past all the spectators. It was a lot of fun. I think I'm going to run this one next year too :)

Calf Issues

Well, my calf was still bothering me yesterday when I ran at an incline. I took today off from running, but I am still planning on running tomorrow. I'm going to see how I am doing in the morning, but I did get my husband to run it with me so that will be fun. I think I'm okay to run the race tomorrow because the course is rather flat which should be okay on my calf, and if worse comes to worse, I can walk the 5k since it is a run/walk anyway. My goal is to run it all though so we will see what happens. I will keep you posted...

Christmas @ Coronado

My husband and I love going to Coronado, and one of our Christmas traditions has been going there on Christmas morning. Well it was absolutely beautiful there this year, and I just wanted to post some pictures!

Christmas Morning Run

My cousin is in town, and we went for a super nice run this morning (Christmas) outside down by a golf course by my parent's house. We estimated that it was about 1.5 miles that we did this morning, but it was wonderful because it was outside AND my calf is not hurting :)))) Which means I should hopefully be able to run my 5k on thursday!!!

Blog Layout

I got suckered yesterday into "updating" my blog so now it looks a bit strange. I will work on getting it looking better sometime tomorrow, but I wanted to let you know why it looked weird lol

Status Report

Well, my calves are doing better today. They don't hurt anymore, but when I do calf raises I can feel them stretch a bit more than typical. I have not run all week in order to let them recover. I am taking tomorrow off from the gym since I did legs today, but come Sunday, I am going to jog a slow 1.5 miles flat and see how my calves feel. If they are doing alright, I'm going to keep up-ing my miles each day next week so I can be ready to run the 5k by Thursday. I hope that I am up for it!!

On a different note, I was at the gym today, and some random weird guy just started talking to me while I was resting between leg extension sets. It was the one time that I did not have my ipod shuffle with me... It was rather disturbing because I didn't even know this guy and he just started talking to me randomly about how he coaches girl's track and how girls can be emotion??? What the heck?? He talked to me for like 5 minutes while I was staring at him trying to figure out why on earth he was saying anything to me... I've seen this guy at the gym before too so it was really weird. Never will I forget my shuffle and I will remain far away from that guy if I see him lol

So Sad....

So, I need to let both my calves recover right now. I was so sad today when I had to do the elliptical machine.... I was pouting the whole way lol... I just want to go run... I think I'm addicted to running. Anyway, I'm going to keep on the elliptical for at least a couple of days if not the rest of the week to try to let my calves heal. I've got my race in 2 weeks so I need to let them recover otherwise I may not be able to run it :(

Calf Injury

So I injured my right calf on Wednesday running. I took Thursday and Friday off from the gym to give my calf some time to recover. This morning I went to the gym and I walked 1 lap at 3.7 mph and I was feeling pretty good so I ended up running 2.85 miles at 4.8 mph all flat, and my calf is doing alright. I'm going to be running flat for a couple of days and doing some calf raises to get my calf muscle strengthened. I hope it heals 100% by the 28th!

Christmas Party

Well, I've been working pretty good at keeping the diet and workout plan together. It's the weekends that kill me though. This past weekend was my work's Christmas Party and I wanted to post some pictures of me at Christmas party 2005 and this year Christmas Party. I think it's a good indication of where I am going :) Enjoy! Can't wait until next year's Christmas party :)

9 Minutes 40 Seconds!

For the first time ever, I ran 1 mile in 9 minutes and 40 seconds! Almost died!! but I did it :)

New Schedule

So I've come up with a new schedule with Luis' help... and so here it is!

Sunday: Run 3 miles at the Lake
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: Morning- Run 2-3 miles
Afternoon- Weights, Run a fast mile, Climb as many stairs in 5
minutes
Tuesday, Thursday: Morning only- Weights, Run 2-3 miles
Saturday: Rest Day

And for my new eating schedule:

5:00 am - Protein Shake or Breakfast Bar
8:00 am - Protein Bar
11:00 am: M,W,F- Yogurt
T,TH - Sandwhich & Apple
3:00 pm - MWF- Sandwhich & Apple
T,TH- Yogurt
6:00 pm- Small Dinner

I've been able to stick to the meal plan pretty good, but going to the gym twice a day is going to proof tough. But I am going to stick with it so that I can hit my goal of weighing somewhere around 145 pounds by summer.

I did it!

I went to the miramar lake and ran 3 miles without stopping, and I'm feeling alright today! It was my first time to run outside in years and it felt wonderful, and the scenario is gorgeous with the sun setting over the lake. Now I just have to get faster for my 5k at the end of this month. Although, I need to be a little careful and let my legs recover because running outside is harder on my knees than on the treadmill.

Albertson's Fruit on the Bottom Yogurt

Awhile back I had posted about not liking yogurt. So I finally got the courage to try different brands of yogurt because I had only had the yoplait brand. So I tried all of the following:

Blueberry Yoplait Yogurt
Chocolate Whips Yoplait Yogurt
Lucern Plain Yogurt
Lucern Vanilla Yogurt
Ralph's Fruit on the Bottom Blueberry Yogurt
Albertson's Fruit on the Bottom Blueberry Yogurt
Albertson's Vanilla Yogurt

Now, I very much disliked all of the above except for the Albertson's Fruit on the Bottom Yogurt. All the others have a disgusting sour flavor to them which I can't stand (although I'm sure you dissagree with me on this but oh well). Even the Albertson's Vanilla Yogurt is not good either. I don't know what it is that they put in the Albertson's Fruit on the bottom, but it is hella good... haha!

The aMazing Title

I've been able to get into the gym all week! It's been wonderful being able to go! I started off by just running 1 mile on Monday. Tuesday I worked biceps and ran 1.5 miles, and today I worked triceps and ran 2.0 miles. I am going to run 2.5 miles tomorrow, and I hope to run 3.0 miles on Friday outside at the Miramar Lake. I heard from a friend that it is a nice run and that it has mile markers. I'm somewhat uncertain if I will be able to be ready to run my 5k since it is only a few more weeks away, but I'm going to work hard for it.

Well, I ended up gaining that 4.5 pounds that I had lost, so I am back at an even 50 pounds again, but I have worked out a new diet plan that I will detail out below that I am going to stick to. I hope to get back those pounds by the end of 2 weeks from this past Monday. Here is my new diet plan:

5 am (if I actually wake up on time haha) - Protein Shake or Breakfast Bar
8 am - Protein Bar
11 am - Yogurt (Fruit on the Bottom Yogurt Rocks!!! Don't even diss it Luis...)
2 pm - Sandwich & Apple
6-7 pm - Small Dinner

Surviving the Holidays

Well, to the say the least, I've been a little unmotivated due to the holidays. We went up to Northern California for Thanksgiving to my mother-in-law's home. It was a nice get away for both of us, but bad on food and no gym since we were out of town. This week I am planning on getting together with my friend to talk about getting back into the gym and getting motivated again. I've been doing quite well marinating my current weight, but I don't want to just maintain... I want to lose more. So I'm going to get back in to the gym and get motivate once again!

Dress Shopping

The company I work for has a formal Christmas party every year, and like always, they are having one this year on December 9th. Because of this, I need to get a formal dress. I went to David's Bridal yesterday to look around to see what was out there, and I tried a couple of dresses on. Now, My wedding dress that I wore was a size 22 from David's Bridal and that was 3 years ago... When I tried on dresses yesterday, I could fit into the size 14 but it was a little to snug so I went with the size 16! I know that I'm still far away from my goal, but that was encouraging for me...

Training

Well, I'm trying to get back into the swing of things as I was unable to go to the gym for the last month due to my work. My work now has slowed thanks to the holiday season so now I'm back in action once again! I went to the gym yesterday evening, and I ran 1.5 miles at 1% incline and at 5.0 mph. I realized that it's going to take a lot to do well at this 5k as I was out for awhile. Anyway, the gym was super busy yesterday. I have never seen the gym that busy before, and I don't know if everyone has renewed their memberships or something. But it is always encouraging to see people working on their fitness especially if they follow through with it. Well I'll keep you posted on everything as it happens :) Thanks for the encouragement!!

December 5k Run

So I've Decided to run the 5k run at the San Diego Balloon Parade this December 28th. I'm going to start training for it hardcore tomorrow, and my husband, Chris, is going to run it with. I can't wait!

GYM

I finally went to the gym!!! Oh boy!! Here was my workout after much debate:

1 mile run @ 1% incline
3 laps @ 4.5 mph
1 lap @ 5.0 mph

20 Stairs on the actual stairmaster thing @ level 5

Leg Curls
1x15 @ 30 pounds
1x13 @ 35 pounds
1x10 @ 40 pounds

Leg Extensions
1x15 @ 30 pounds
1x11 @ 35 pounds
1x9 @ 40 pounds

My goal was to make 15 pounds but to fail on the last two sets. Anyway, it felt really good to be in the gym. Going to the gym just helps out in my outlook and perspective for the day :)

Good Morning!

Well, I am finally making my way to the gym this morning!! I still haven't decided what I am going to do today, but I'm thinking arms or legs today. I will have a detailed list of what I did today when I get back from the gym.

I need to get back on track with my eating also. I know this past week I ate really bad... lots of coffee, fast food, and etc. But not this coming week. Anyway, thanks for everyone's encouragement to me this past year. I've really needed it.

Torrey PInes Afternoon Hike

Well my husband and I decided to spend some quality time with each other by going hiking. Neither one of us had been the to the Torrey Pines Reserve before, and we had both heard that it was beautiful so we decided to go. It was so much fun walking around and enjoying the beautiful San Diego weather. Here are some photos from our day :) Enjoy!

Me sitting on a Bench on one of the Trails:



The sun over the ocean was breathtaking:



Check out the Gliders catching air currents:



Here is the view from the Highest Point:

Back in Action

I finally went back to the gym today! After about a 2 week lapse, I was able to get into the gym since I wasn't going into work today. I have a feeling that I won't be able to go back into the gym until next weekend, but being able to go at all is a huge stress reliever for me.

Since I hadn't been to the gym in 2 weeks, I took it easy today and only did cardio. I ran 1 mile @ 1% incline @ 4.5 mph, 20 stairs, and abs. I was thinking that I would maybe have a legs day today, but my husband and I are going to go out hiking this afternoon so I didn't want to be miserable with sore legs so I decided only to do cardio. Anyway, we are going to take pictures of our hike today, and I will post about that when we get back :)

I weighed myself today to see where I was because I have been out for awhile, but I am still at 54.5 pounds of weight loss. I've been living off of coffee for the last couple of weeks trying to get my projects done at work, but I am going to try my hardest to stop that habit this week as it does nothing for my goals.

Work

Sorry for no posts! My home computer kicked the bucket and I haven't had a chance to get it fixed. I'm actually using my parents computer to post this:

Well, I'm down another 4.5 pounds so that puts me at total loss of 54.5 pounds. That being said, I haven't been able to get into the gym since last weekend because of my work schedule. So much work to do! I really hope to get back into the gym this week, but I think I won't be able to go for another 1-2 weeks because I have a bunch of projects that I need to get done in the next couple of weeks.

Needless to say working 60+ hours a week at work puts a damper on being able to go to the gym. But as long as I continue to eat right I will still be able to make my gains.

Progress

As I progress through achieving my weight loss goals, I have gotten lots of comments from different people wondering if I'm losing to much weight or if I even eat. So I wanted to give everyone a refresher on where/when I started this journey and where I have come:

If you read my "The Beginning" blog archived in August, you will notice that I have lost the 50 pounds over the last 10 months by eating healthy and exercising. That is really the only good and safe way to lose weight. Also for my height and body type, I should ideally weigh somewhere around 130-140 pounds. When I started my weight loss journey, I was at 246 pounds therefore me wanting lose 100 pounds is rather reasonable and would put me where I should've been all along (so only 50 more to go! lol).

It annoys me that this blog won't automatically let you see my archived posts (but I suppose that's why they archive it) so every now and then I will put reminders like this up so that you and I can remember where I've come and where I am planning on going.

Sick Again

Sorry for no posts! I have been battling a cold for the last week. I have really bad congestion in my lungs and throat and I've been coughing like crazy so needless to say I haven't been to the gym although I've been sticking to the more aggressive eating plan. I've been taking some decongestant and drinking hot tea which is quite unusual for me as I don't like tea, but I think it has been helping. If I'm not better by Wednesday then I plan to go to the doctor, but I'm hoping to be over this soon and get back into the gym as soon as possible! Oh How I miss the gym!!

So many posts, and so little responses lol

Well, I didn't meet my goal of 11 pounds although I wasn't too far off. I lost a total of 6 pounds since my last weigh day, and I think I attribute it mostly to the last couple of weeks when I wasn't able to get into the gym very often. Anyway, I was a little bummed to say the least, but all and all, I have a lost an even 50 pounds since I started back in January. I realize that 50 pounds is an accomplishment as I am now officially half way to my goal of losing 100 pounds, but it still doesn't feel like I've accomplished very much.

Anyway, my friend helped me put together a much more aggressive dieting plan for this coming month, and I plan to make up the 5 pounds that I didn't get today by November 2nd. So I've got 4 more weeks to make up the difference of my original goal for today.

Collage 2

Here are some more pictures of where I was and where I am going :)

Sunday Cardio

I went to the gym this evening and I did the following:

1 mile @ 1% incline @ 5 mph
40 stairs

Wrist Curls Superset with Reverse Wrist Curls
2x15 with 10 pounds for wrist curls & 5 pounds for reverse wrist curls

30 crunches to front
20 Medicine Ball Work
20 crunches to front

It was a shorter workout so that I could get back home early enough to prepare for work tomorrow.

Music Play List

I bought a I-pod shuffle a couple of months ago, and it makes a world of difference when you are in the gym and can go into your own little world listening to your music. I would recommend to anyone that they get some sort of music device that they can bring to the gym. My shuffle with the arm band cost me $100 bucks, but it is definately worth it. My friend kept telling me how wonderful it was to have it at the gym. I of course didn't really believe him until I got my own, and now I would definately have to agree. Anyway, I wanted to post the music that I listen to that helps me get through my workout faster and more pumped than when I didn't have my shuffle:

(These are in no particular order, as my shuffle automatically shuffles the songs anyway)

Guitar Date by The 5,6,7,8's
Dream Boy by The 5,6,7,8's
Alcohol by Barenaked Ladies
Shadow Stabbing by Cake
Nugget by Cake
You Turn the Screws by Cake
Zombie by The Cranberries
Soul Meets Body by Death Cab for Cutie
Goodbye Earl by Dixie Chicks
Some Days You Gotta Dance by Dixie Chicks
In My Head by The Echoing Green
Showerhead by Eve 6
Death Valley Queen by Flogging Molly
Jacqueline by Franz Ferdinand
The Dark of the Matinee by Franz Ferdinand
This Fire by Franz Ferdinand
Killing Me Softly by Funny G.
Last Living Souls by Gorillaz
Running Out of Time by Hot Hot Heat
Soldier in a Box by Hot Hot Heat
If You Don't, Don't by Jimmy Eat World
Your Man by Josh Turner
How Forever Feels by Kenny Chesney
Mr. Brightside by The Killers
3 AM by Matchbox Twenty
The World At Large by Modest Mouse
Staring At the Sun by The Offspring
Get Over It by OK Go
The Cup of Life by Ricky Martin
Ojos Asi by Shakira
Baby Girl by Sugerland
Hypnotize by Systam of a Down
On a Night Like This by Trick Pony
Beverly Hills by Weezer
You're Pretty Good Looking by The White Stripes
Apple Blossom by The White Stripes
Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes
The Hardest Button to Button by The White Stripes
Hypnotize by The White Stripes
Blue Orchid by The White Stripes
The Denial Twist by The White Stripes
Hotel Yorba by The White Stripes
Woman by Wolfmother
Leave the Pieces by the Wreckers

Tomorrow is the Day!

Well, I am a little concerned that I won't make my target of -11 pounds by tomorrow, but at least, if I am down anything it is better than going back up if you know what I mean. I'm not sure if I am going to make my target date as I haven't been able to be consistent with going to the gym everyday because of my work schedule. Hopefully this week I can get back on track. I am about to head off to the gym right now, and I am only going to do cardio today. I will post my actual workout when I get back. Anyway, until then :)

GYM = HAPPY

Oh it felt so incredibly good to get into the gym today! After a long stressful half week of work, I finally got in to the gym this evening. I felt like I could have run for miles. For me, the gym really helps me feel better not just about myself but everything else.

Anyway, here was my fabulous workout that I just got back from:

Today was Chest/Shoulders & Cardio

Seated DumbBell Press
2x15 w/ 10 pounds
1x7 w/ 15 pounds and finished w/ 1x8 w/ 10 pounds

Seated Machine Press
3x15 w/ 50 pounds

Machine Flyes
3x15 w/ 30 pounds

Inclined DumbBell Press
3x15 w/ 10 pounds

2 Miles @ 1% incline as follows:
1 mile @ 4.5 mph
1/2 mile @ 5.0 mph
1/4 mile @ 5.5 mph
1/2 lap @ 6.0 mph
1/4 lap @ 6.5 mph
1/4 lap @ 7.0 mph

I was feeling SO good running today... I felt light as a feather running... oh it was wonderful lol

Weekly Schedule

I have been asked recently by different people what my schedule is like for the gym each week. So I decided that I would detail it out for anyone interested. (Note: this is my schedule when I have time to go to the gym and my work isn't crazy):

Monday:
Arms & Cardio
Tuesday:
Back & Cardio
Wednesday:
Legs & Cardio
Thursday:
Chest/Shoulders & Cardio
Friday/Saturday:
All Cardio
Sunday:
Rest Days = light cardio workout

This way I can target one muscle group each day and then I give them a full week before working them again. Some weeks I mix the order around a bit depending on what I feel like working out, but that is pretty much the routine. The different workouts that I post throughout the blog are the different routines that I go through on each of those days.

Hectic Life

I went in today to the gym and I did a short workout as follows:

Seated DumbBell Curls:
1x15 with 10 pounds
2x15 with 15 pounds
Superset with 1 Arm Extensions:
2x15 w/ 5 pounds
1x15 w/ 10 pounds

Preacher Curl Machine:
3x15 w/ 30 pounds

Reverse Preacher Curl Machine:
3x15 w/ 40 pounds

1 mile run @ 1% incline at 4.5 mph

I was running out of time today so this is all I had time for. Tomorrow I don't think that I will be able to make it to the gym either... busy busy schedule...

Update Update

Sorry for no posts... I actually haven't been able to go to the gym since Monday and now it's Friday!! ACK, not so good for my goal day, but I'm going to hit the gym regularly starting tomorrow. Work has just been crazy and I started taking a class so I wasn't able to go this week. So leaving home at 5:30 am and then working until 6-6:30 pm then with class and traffic, I haven't been getting home until 9 pm and I've just come home and crashed. SO, this coming week I've got things figured out and I'm going to get back to the gym, but just to let you know...

Update

Good Evening Everyone,

Well I'm back into the routine of things as Monday rolls around. Today I went through the same bicep workout that I did last week, but I only ran 1 mile. I felt pretty good actually running, but I have noticed that I am not as strong as I would like to be, but I know that as I lose the weight I am also losing strength which I have to continue to build. Due to my work schedule, I won't be able to go to the gym until the evening so I might miss a post here and there this week as it is a busy week for me. Anyway, really nothing new to report other than my October 2nd weigh day is coming right around the corner! 11 more pounds here I come!

Late Evening workout....

I didn't end up going to the gym until about 8 pm tonight which is a bummer, but at least I still went as I was debating whether or not to go. My friend advised me not to run today as my knees were in a bit of pain yesterday (they feel fine today) so I did not run. I need to build up the strength in my legs as I felt that I could keep running the other day, but my legs were so tired. Anyway, here was my leg workout:

10 minutes Elliptical: Level 4 ~ 80 rpm

Leg Press Machine
3x20 @ 100 pounds, 120 pounds last 2 sets

Leg Curl Machine
3x20 @ 35 pounds each set

Leg Extension Machine
3x20 @ 30 pounds each set

Seated Calf Raises
3x15 @ 25 pounds each set

Abs
30 forward crunches
20 medicine ball work
10 V crunches
rest
20 side crunches
20 medicine ball work
10 V crunches
rest
20 side crunches to the other side
20 medicne ball work
10 v crunches

I got this free ab workout DVD in the mail after mailing in so many upc from the Kellog breakfast bar boxes. They show you had to do some crazy ab work. I am hoping soon that I will be able to get through one of their workouts as it is pretty hard to do. I will probably start going through that tomorrow. Until tomorrow, Happy working out to you!

Weird Guys @ the Gym

So I was at the gym this evening, and I was only doing weights today to give my knees a break from yesterday's ridiculously hard run. At the gym here by my house, there seems to be a large majority of really big buff guys who workout there. I could care less about any of that sort of thing except for when they are giving me funny looks for being the only female in the free weight area. Can anyone explain this to me? I wanted to tell them a thing or two, but I just kept doing my thing. Anyway, enough with my rant... Here was my workout today:

Seated Dumbbell Press
1x12 w/ 10 pounds
1x10 w/ 15 pounds
1x8 w/ 20 pounds

Seated Machine Press
1x12 w/ 50 pounds
1x10 w/ 50 pounds
1x8 w/ 65 pounds

Seated Inclined Dumbbell Press
1x12 w/ 10 pounds
1x10 w/ 10 pounds
1x8 w/ 15 pounds

Machine Flyes
1x12 w/ 30 pounds
1x10 w/ 30 pounds
1x5 w/ 45 pounds and I finished the last 3 with 30 pounds

Abs
30 crunches forward
20 Medicine Ball work
10 "V" crunches (I'm not sure what these are called, but you balance on your rear, keep your feet from touching the ground and bring your knees to your chest)
20 crunches side
20 Medicine Ball Work
14 "V" Crunches
20 Crunches to the other side
20 Medicine Ball
10 "V" Crunches

42 Minutes later...

So today's running out of that magazine ended up being a total of a 42 minute run at 1% incline for 3.25 miles. Aye!! That is not easy! So this is how they had me break it up (all of this was run at 1% incline):

10 minutes @ 4.5 mph
1/2 mile @ 5.0 mph
1/4 mile @ 4.5 mph
1/2 mile @ 5.0 mph
1/4 mile @ 4.2 mph
1 lap @ 4.5 mph
1 lap @ 5.0 mph
and then I finished at 4.2 mph for the last 1/2 mile (I walked for about 1 minute at 3.8 mph at the beginning of this 1/2 mile)

Thankfully I have a rest day from running tomorrow!

Triceps & 5k Training

Today, I only worked triceps as follows:

1 Arm dumbbell Extensions
1x12 w/ 5 pounds
1x10 w/ 5 pounds
1x8 w/ 10 pounds

Cable Pushdowns
1x12 w/ 40 pounds
1x10 w/ 40 pounds
1x8 w/ 50 pounds

Seated Dip Machine
1x12 w/ 50 pounds
1x10 w/ 50 pounds
1x8 w/ 65 pounds

Skull Crushers
1x12 w/ 20 pounds
1x10 w/ 20 pounds
1x8 w/ 20 pounds

2 miles @ 1% incline at 4.6 mph

I am a bit weaker in my triceps, but I just have to work on strengthening them. One thing is for certain though, that 2 miles kills! Tomorrow I plan on just cardio and no weights to recuperate on this whole training for the 5k. (I am going to be super sore!!)

Photo Collage

Here is a photo collage that I put together that shows the different stages in my life in the past couple of years to give you more of an idea of where I have come from. I hope you can see a difference! I'm going to work on getting this to look better, but here it is for now :)

Monday - 1st day of 5k Training

So today I started the 5k training program out of that magazine that I got the last Friday. I will have to say that running at a 1% incline is killer, but I did make it through. Since I was running 2 miles today, and I wasn't able to go to the gym until later this evening, I only did biceps. Here is my workout as follows:

Seated D-Bell Curls:
1x12 w/ 15 pound
1x10 w/ 15 pounds
1x4 w/ 20 pounds, 1x4 w/ 15 pounds (I tried to do as many as I could with the 20 and then I immediately switched to 15 pounds when I couldn't do anymore of the 20's)

Preacher Curl:
1x12 w/ 20 pounds
1x10 w/ 25 pounds
1x8 w/ 30 pounds

Seated Hammer Curls
1x12 w/ 15 pounds
1x10 w/ 10 pounds
1x8 w/ 15 pounds

21's w/ Barbell
1 set w/ 20 pounds
1 set w/ 30 pounds

2 Mile run at 1% incline:
1st mile at 5.0 mph
2nd mile at 4.5 mph

I actually took my 14 year old niece through the biceps workout today too! She has decided that she also wants to get into shape and lose weight. I hope that you continue to do so!! She's doing a great job already. But I just want to reiterate to everyone out there, that you have to make changes to your diet or you won't see much change to your body. 75% of weight loss is diet while 25% is exercising. So to be successful, remember to watch what you eat!

Sickness...

I started not feeling well yesterday. The typical: sore throat and sniffles so I came home from work yesterday and went straight to bed which is why I did not post anything yesterday. I'm sorry! Well today, I am still getting over my cold so I did not go to the gym (so sad). If I feel better tomorrow, I plan on just doing a whole cardio day tomorrow, but if I am still not well, I will just skip it again:( I have to say the gym is quite addicting after awhile.

Anyway, since I was not able to make it to the gym, I stopped by Barnes and Noble this evening and picked up a fitness magazine. This one was incredibly helpful with tons of tips AND a 5k training program. The program is spaced out over a 6 week period so I plan to start this tomorrow if I am feeling better. I found the article in the "For Women, Fitness Rx" Dated August 2006. I will keep you posted on how I do getting through it and if it really helps.

Oh, and I have only 3 weeks left before my October 2nd to be down 11 more pounds. I have found that my current jeans that were tight on me when I bought a couple weeks ago, are getting to be pretty lose on me now. I keep having to buy new jeans every couple of months lol. Sometimes I still wonder if this is all worth the effort and discipline, but everytime I look at myself or try on a smaller pair of jeans it is such motivation when I think of how far I have come. And I just want to thank everyone who has been very supportive and helpful to me through all of this. I could not be on this course without you!

Running Competition

A couple of months back, a good friend of mine and I decided to have a 1.5 mile race scheduled for May 2007. There has been quite a lot of smack talk between the two of us as to who is going to win. According to my friend, he always wins and has always won since he was young. Well, my plan is to prove him wrong this time. So today, I really am starting to train to build up my speed and CRUSH him next year! lol... So in order to increase my speed, I ran a mile today at 5.0 mph at a 2% incline on the treadmill. Tomorrow, I plan to run 1.5 miles flat, and I will continue to alternate like this while increasing my speed. This way I can build up my strength and endurance in running.

So far, the fastest mile I have run was 9 minutes and 54 seconds. That was running 3 1/4 laps at 6.0 mph, 1/4 at 6.5 mph, 1/4 at 7 mph, and then the last 1/4 at 6.5 mph. Let me tell you that I was dieing on that last lap! Now, I just have to work on my running. I've got 8 months to get to the speed that I want to be at, and by then, I will be at least 50 pounds lighter than I am right now so that will definately help. After this competition, I am going to start looking into running a 5k or 10k run. I will keep you posted on everything that happens from now until then!

Meal Planning

Let me first go over what I ate today, and this is what I typically eat each day:

5:30 am - Jay Robb's Protein in a glass of Non-Fat Milk
8:00 am - Kellog's Blueberry Breakfast Bar
10:00-10:30 am - Turkey Sandwich on whole wheat with mustard
12:30 pm - Apple
2:00 pm - Banana (If I have grapes instead of a banana, I eat it about 9:30 am)
4:30 pm - Luna Protein Bar
6:30 pm - Jay Robb's Protein in a glass of Non-Fat Milk
7:30 pm - Small serving of spaghetti (or a small meal of whatever)
And I drink only water thoughout the day

The key in eating healthy, is to eat small meals and frequently throughout the day in order to keep your metabolism always working. By eating frequently, it keeps the urge from binging on food in the evening away because you never go through the day hungry. I used to not eat breakfast and I would maybe pack a sandwich for lunch, and by the time I got home I would be starving and eat way to much. It took me quite a long time to get used to the schedule I have listed above.

I am also an extremely picky eater, and therefore, if you are not like me, you can add things like veggies or non-fat yogurt also to your diet. I hope this has been helpful. Please let me know if you have any questions regarding anything I have written!

My Encouragement to you...

As I read and hear about all these "quick" weightloss surgery fixes, I can't help but feel very sorry for the person who thinks that they need those in order to lose weight and get healthy. I know that it is hard and tough to lose weight, but YOU CAN DO IT THE HEALTHY WAY. I can understand how it feels to want to lose weight instantly, but the real world does not work that way. I've wished thousands of times that I could lose weight with a blink of the eye, but that never happens.

The only way to healthy living and a healthy weight is to exercise and eat right. By working out and eating healthily you will not only feel better about yourself for losing the weight, but you will feel a sense of accomplishment because you earned it and worked hard for it. Believe me, I understand that it is an extremely difficult thing to do, but like I said, if you put your mind to you, you can do it.

My whole goal in writing this blog is to encourage and inspire others to get on a healthy program and lose the weight right. There are no quick fixes in this world when it comes to anything else. Everything that you have and own, you had to earn them. So why is losing weight any different than that? I want to encourage you today not to give up, but keep up the fight and do yourself a huge favor and work for that body you have always dreamed about.

Labor Day Back Workout

Here is my Labor Day Back workout :)

1 arm rows:
1x12 w/ 15 pounds
1x10 w/ 20 pounds
1x15 w/ 15 pounds

T-Bar Rows:
1x12 w/ 20 pounds
1x10 w/ 20 pounds
1x15 w/ 15 pounds

Seated Cable Rows:
1x10 w/ 45 pounds
1x8 w/ 60 pounds
1x15 w/ 45 pounds

Reverse Flyes:
1x12 w/ 20 pounds
1x15 w/ 20 pounds
1x20 w/ 20 pounds

Lap Pull Downs:
2x25 w/ 40 pounds

Lap Pull Downs to Rear:
2x25 w/ 30 pounds

1 mile run on treadmill in 10 mins 30 seconds

Ab Work:
30 crunches to the front
2x20 crunches to the side
2x30 medicine ball work
2x10 crunches

This workout gets your blood pumping and your back burning that will have you sweating through the entire workout. Let me know if you have any questions :)

New Picture

Well I promised I would post a new picture of myself so that you could really tell the difference so here it is as of today!

The Beginning...

Let me tell you a little bit about me and where I am coming from. I am 24 years old, and have had a weight problem my entire life. I could always come up with some rather great excuses as to why I should not workout or eat right. After I was married at 21, I started working full time, and I felt that I didn't have the energy or time to change the way I looked. And after drinking lots and lots of "coffee" (ie frappucinos) almost everyday because my husband used to work at starbucks, I gained about 30 pounds to my already overweight body. This of course didn't help my emotions or outlook on life. My husband (who was slightly overweight) decided he would start going to the gym, and he dragged my lazy butt over to LA Fitness to get signed up (This was in August 2005). Let me tell you I was not at all thrilled about going to a gym where everyone who is in there is in top notch shape.

It's a bit intimidating walking into a gym as I had never stepped foot into a gym before. So after much persuasion, we got signed up for personal trainers because I didn't have a clue as to what I was doing. I remember the first time I went in with the trainer and it wasn't very pleasant. The first thing she had me work was lifting weights to target my arms. I've never had upper body strength, and I about died working my arms. I was sore for the entire week, and I seriously wanted to quit going to the gym if all my workouts were going to be like that! Well needless to say, I stopped having the personal trainer after only a month, and then I went periodically throughout each week up until January 2006.

You know how when the first of the year comes around we all start making new yearly goals for ourselves? Well, I decided that I would try to get more into the gym on a regular basis, but I still was very unsure on what I should be doing each day. I remember the first time I went to the gym by myself, I used a bunch of random machines that I had gone over with my trainer but I had no plan. A very good friend of mine at work decided to help me out with getting me on a workout schedule. It was incredibly hard at first, and I wanted to quit many many many times because I didn't see much of any gains at first.

When I started working out with my friend's new schedule, I weighed 246 pounds! I was aghast to know that is where I was. It is now August 2006 and I weigh 202 pounds. I have lost 44 pounds in 8 months, and it is incredible to me to see the gains. My new goal is to lose 30 pounds by this Christmas. I just want you to know that it has been very hard but definately worth it.

As I get more and more into working out and eating right, I've started reading health and fitness magazines. I don't know how anyone can be motivated to lose weight just by reading a book so I decided to start writing about my experience because if I can make these gains anyone can. I know that sounds a bit cliche, but it's true. You just need the motivation and determination and you can accomplish great things! I hope that you will!!

Here is me and all my glory at 246 pounds. I'll post a more recent picture of me tomorrow as I post my workouts:

Hello! Welcome to my Fitness Journey :)

Welcome to my blog! I've decided to create this website to detail the health and fitness journey that I have begun. My hope is to post daily my workouts and eating habits as a record and inspiration to others who might be like I am: overweight but working to change.