Great Workout Week!!!

I totally kicked some major ass in the gym this week. I felt the need to post about it. Don't mind my bragging.

Sunday: C25k W3D1, as part of a 53 min t'mill workout (506 cal) Monday: T'mill 38 min (313 cal) Tuesday: Yoga 1 hour (285 cal), C25k W3D2, as part of 1 hour t'mill workout (693 cal), Strength Training 35 min (245 cal) Wednesday: Private Pilates session 55 min (226 cal) Thursday: C25k W3D3, as part of a 40 min t'mill workout (355 cal) Friday: Personal Training session, 125 min, included 1:45 cardio and 40 min of weights (1033 cal), Yoga 1 hour (376 cal)

Saturdays are always my day off, so my workout week goes Sunday to Friday. This week, I checked into the gym 8 times in 6 days. Yeah me! Next week's plan is the same (Week 4 of C25k), and adding a yoga class and Pilates mat class on Sunday.

Weight this week was up...I decided for the next few weeks, I'm going to not focus on the number on the scale, and focus on fueling my body properly and moving it a whole lot. I've definitely got the second part of that down...but need to work on the first a bit.

Running is going well, since a slight setback with my knees a few weeks ago. They still twinge, but not badly enough to stop me. I'm pretty stubborn! Luckily, my trainer is a runner, and keeps a close eye on me to make sure I don't go too far. Next week the runs get a little longer, and then in Week 5, I'm supposed to run 20 min straight. That seems bananas to me, so I sent the training schedule to my trainer, and he's going to play with it a little to build it to that gradually. I think I'll definitely be repeating a few weeks in the program. At this point, it's 50/50 physical/mental. The short runs are easy physically but I still have to pump myself up to do them. The longer runs are tougher, obviously...during a 5 minute run today I thought I'd die around minute 4...but pushed through and made it to the end. I'm not sure I like running yet...but I do like feeling accomplished afterward...so I'll at least get to the 5k, and then we'll see from there. Plus I think it'd break my trainer's heart if I quit on him...so I'll keep at it for now.

Other than that...not much else going on! Keeping busy with the gym, school and the few nights a week I'm working at the club. Looking for a day job hardcore, and hoping something happens soon.

Hope everyone is well...enjoy the holiday weekend!!!

xoxo Liz

I'm Not Dead!!!

Wow. Two months since I've posted or read blogs. BAD ME!!! I've been thinking of you all every day, but you know how it goes, the longer you go without doing something...the harder it is to get back to it. So where the hell have I been? Well, right here on my couch, I guess. Oh, and at the gym. Definitely not at work. School has been kicking my ass. And in turn, I'm kicking its ass right back. My grades for my first 2 classes, Business Communications & Critical Thinking and Conversational Spanish I, were A- and A respectively. I'm in my 3rd class, Business Computing Applications, and it's boring the shit out of me, so I'm losing focus. But today I have vowed to get back on track. The gym is still going really, really, really well. Who knew that once I got off my ass and actually started working out that I would grow to love it so damn much??? I'm still going to the gym 5-6 days per week, and even some days, getting in a 2-a-day. I've been doing Pilates, walking, lifting weights, and recently started running and doing yoga. I tweaked my knees running the other day, which means this week has been a waste for cardio, so yesterday my trainer introduced me to the rowing machine, and we decided to go to another location of the gym next week and he's going to give me a swim lesson (I know how to swim, but it's been years since I did laps, and have never done so for the purpose of exercise, which I would guess is a bit different than floating around a pool!) Running has been a slow curve, but my trainer is a running coach and marathon runner, so I'm in good hands with him. I am in love with yoga, I just started doing it a few weeks ago and I want to do it every day! Weight loss has been non existent. Logically I know that I'm putting on a lot of muscle, so that even while I look slimmer, I'm not necessarily burning as much fat. I'm hoping that will come soon - and that I'm establishing the foundation for that. I can't deny that my diet has been crap, as well. I got way off track with my "tracking" (no pun intended), and every time I try to get back on track, I lose focus pretty quickly. (See a recurring theme here?) I've been pretty checked out in lots of ways, I guess. Still looking for a job. Not getting anywhere with that. Well, that's it for this rant. I'm going to try to catch up on some blogs and see what I've missed. I'll be back soon, I promise, and maybe with some pictures! xoxo

Weigh In and a Swimsuit Poll!

Hello my lovelies! I hope everyone is doing well. I've actually had time to read blogs this week, since school is settling into a rhythm, and you folks are quieting down. What gives?! ;-)

Yesterday's weigh in was the first gain I've had since my re-commit at the beginning of January, but it was small (217.6, up from 217.2 last week). I know exactly why...I've gotten a little too relaxed and have been giving myself too many "off" days with the food planning and tracking, so I know what I need to do. Lots of dinners out coming up, so I am just going to have to work around that, and be "on" every time else.

I see Dr. K on Monday, and while I know she'll definitely be happy with my progress, we need to have the dreaded "floppy port" convo. I don't don't don't want surgery at this point (if at all possible, I want to wait until plastics, and fix it at the same time), but I really do feel a lot of discomfort from it, especially when I'm doing cardio (which I generally do 5 times a week!). Dropping an 18 lb bar directly onto it earlier during personal training didn't help...

I have a weird NSV to report...I was bummed out yesterday after my weigh in, so I went to the gym, and after 15 minutes on the treadmill, I decided I wasn't in the mood and left. I then went to the grocery store, bought a bag of potato chips (my Kryptonite) and proceeded to EAT THE ENTIRE THING. No, it wasn't a single serve size bag. It was a 9 oz bag. Then I was disgusted by myself, so I decided to get my shift covered, and took a nap. When I woke up at about 8:30, I felt incredibly guilty about blowing off my workout AND screwing my diet for the day. So I went back to the gym and did an hour on the treadmill, and somehow ended up under calories for the day.

The gym is still going really really well...I'm going an average of 5-6 times a week, and really enjoy it. My trainer is kicking my ass. I wish I could afford more than one session a week with him. He is a marathon runner, so he is trying to steer me towards running. I'm being resistant, but we're getting there, we did a bunch of sprints today, and other than it really making me winded, and being terrified that my boobs were going to pop out, it went better than I expected.

I needed a new bathing suit, so I ordered 2 from L.and's E.nd during their recent sale. I'm undecided...I think I know which way I'm leaning, but wanted to post some pics here to get some opinions.

Suit #1



front



back



close-up (not sure if you can see the color, it's "Wild Grape': http://www.landsend.com/pp/womens-grecian-one-piece-slender-suit~180862_593.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::GC2&CM_MERCH=IDX_swimwear-_-women-_-shop-by-collection-_-slender-suits&origin=index)

Suit #2



front



back



close-up (Kinda hard to see the detailing on this one, since it's black, but this is the suit: http://www.landsend.com/pp/womens-solid-carmela-one-piece-slender-suit~191482_593.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::KE5&CM_MERCH=IDX_swimwear-_-women-_-shop-by-collection-_-slender-suits&origin=index)

Thoughts? Opinions?

xoxo!

I Didn't Disappear!

OK, well maybe I sorta did. I started school again a few weeks ago, and between that and my 6 day a week gym schedule, I have barely had time to read blogs, much less post my own.

Things are going well - I'm still losing (although it's kinda slowed to a crawl - last week was 217.2). I'm still rocking the gym. I've loosened up with the tracking a bit, and need to crack back down on that. School is also going well so far but it's a lot of work!

I definitely am planning on coming to BOOBS but it looks like I need a roomie! Ronnie wasn't sure if Amanda and I were coming, so she is rooming with some other lovely ladies, and Amanda isn't sure if she can make it! So, if anyone is interested in rooming together, let me know! At this point, I am tentatively planning on being there Thurs-Sun.

Hope you're all well - as soon as this class is over in 2.5 weeks, I'll be able to catch my breath again and I will be back!

xoxo

What a Great Day!

I have had a wonderful day so far...let me tell you all about it!

First of all, Thursday is weigh in day...I was down 1 pound for a total of 56.4. I've been to the gym every day this week, so that could be why it's moving slowly...it could also be my 3000 calorie day on Monday (oops! At least I logged it, and got right back on the horse without skipping a beat.) As long as it keeps moving, I am ok with that.

Next, I was lucky enough to be able to go to the D.avid L.etterman show taping this evening. My favorite musician (B.utch W.alker) was playing it with his band, and I used some of my comedy world connections to get a seat in the green room. It felt great to be able to surprise him there. He's my fave person on the planet :) You should all tune in (or DVR) it tomorrow night!!! It was a great show!

Then, I busted it home, changed into my gym clothes and headed over to the gym immediately. I got in a good solid hour on the treadmill, and burned 689 calories! I've now earned some quality time with my couch and DVR.

Some NSV's from the day: B.utch told me I looked great, and then a few hours later, one of his bandmembers texted me to say the same thing :) I also wore the boots, and they're not as tight at the top, I'm it's partly that they stretched a bit, but my legs are also smaller, so I'll call it an NSV!

Now for some pictures!



Me in the green room at L.etterman. Not sure why I am standing so strangely...



Me and B.utch



Quick change into gym clothes!!!

Hope everyone is having a great week, I'm going to go crawl to the shower and pass out!

I've Been a Bit MIA...

But no worries, things are all good. I was in a bit of a funk for the few days around my dad's anniversary, but am feeling much better now. Thankfully, I didn't let my funk derail my newfound gym routine or my eating. I did skip logging for a few days while a friend was in town, but think I managed to keep it pretty much under control, even without the tracking.

So! Last week's weight was 219.6, down 1.4 from the week before. That's the 6th week in a row that I've had a loss - coincidentally, I've been tracking for 6 weeks. Hmm. I'll take it! The gym has been going really really well, too. I love Pilates, I love working with my trainer, and I've been working out on my own another 2 or 3 days a week. I am definitely noticing a difference and I feel fantastic. I haven't worked up the nerve to take a spin class yet, but I did take something called Barre Burn. I honestly thought it was going to be a bit different, but I did like it (the pace was much faster than I was expecting). I may try it with another instructor, and also with the same one next week (now that I know what to expect from him).

I bought a pair of skinny jeans, in a size 14. For the first time in my life, skinnies not only looked good, but I was able to get my new hottza boots on over them! Of course, I needed to take some pictures:





I also went and got a haircut today. I love it. I love my stylist. I guess that's appropriate since it's Valentine's Day.





I always end up with a silly face in these kinds of pics, so I actually made this one on purpose! :)

Hope everyone is having a great week!

xoxo

Bonus Workout and Some Shopping Pics!

I ended up not having to work last night, so I decided to get my butt over to the gym and do a bonus cardio workout. Since I got my handy dandy HRM, I wanted to also play with that and see how close the treadmill was estimating my burned calories. I did an hour on the treadmill, a fast walk at a pretty decent incline, and burned 709 calories!!! How bad ass is that! I ran into my trainer too, who was working a floor shift, and he kept me company for a while, which was nice. Thursday is not on my list of planned gym days, so I am excited...I think I'm starting to get a little addicted :)

Speaking of the HRM, I ordered that, a new pair of sneakers and a new water bottle together. All pink. I'm the most unlikely girly girl ever, but here are my new treasures..



Last night when I got home I had another surprise waiting for me - my wonderful black boots had gone on sale so I decided to get the other color (hey, they were only $70!) They were waiting outside my door. Here they are (a brownish greenish color).



Today was another personal training session. We're playing around with different exercises, and spent most of the session working on my legs and butt. When we were finished, he gave me a great stretch, which was apparently a workout for him because I'm really flexible :) I'm gonna be very sore tomorrow if tonight is any indication.

Tomorrow is a planned day off but I might do a beginner's yoga class. We'll see. Tonight I'm sitting on the couch wishing my bathroom was closer so I didn't have to walk ALLL THE WAY down the hall :)

Hope everyone has a great weekend!