Weigh In Wednesday / July 31, 2013

Oh my Lordy! This week flew by, didn’t it? I’ve been a bit overwhelmed with no time for blogging, but the Northeast Bloggers and I have a fun challenge for August! Stay tuned!

We had a busy weekend filled with delicious food that wasn’t on my diet plan, but you don’t often get to go to a beautiful wedding and indulge in yummy goodness. So, I did and I paid for it on the scale. On top of that, it isn’t every day that your husband’s Grandfather celebrates the big 8-0...more yummy food!

So, the bad news is that a bunch of the great progress I made last week went away with each scrumptious bite. The good news is that I have managed to make an amazing come back and still drop a little since last week! YIPPEE!!

Here is my list ‘o weights ... I prefer to list them all, it keeps me focused on the long term, the big picture and helps me find the motivation to keep pushing!

2013 Starting Weight – 169.0
May 22, 2013 – 151.2
June 19, 2013 – 151.8
June 26, 2013 – 152.6
July 3, 2013 – 151.4
July 22, 2013 – 155.6
July 24, 2013 – 151.4
July 31, 2013 – 149.8

YES! I managed to drop 1.6 pounds over the past week! I could not be happier! I’m almost 20 pounds lighter than I was in January and that is exciting y’all!

Update on Goals

Weight – Be in the 140’s before August
DONE - Okay, so just barely...I couldn't have cut that one any closer! Since I met my goal I will make a new one ...
Be in the 130's before September. OMG. Can it be done?!

Running – 10 mile LSD before the end of August
On the Fence – My ankle is still not right, I attempted a short run tonight (2.5 miles) and about a half mile in I felt really good, but toward the end I really just feel like I'm slapping my feet against the pavement. After stretching for a long time I can feel the soreness already. We may be rethinking the Route 66 Marathon due to my ankle and Dad’s feet. Such is life, maybe 2014 will be our year!

Fitness – Complete 90% of scheduled workouts, Increase Core and Arm Strength
Well Done – I cut one workout short, but other than that I have completed everything that I have planned. I can tell that my arms and core are both getting stronger.

Insanity Review
For those of you that are considering the Insanity program, which I know has been out for quite some time and I’m totally late to the party on this one, I highly endorse it.

I have completed the first 10 days of the program and the improvement that I have seen so far has been amazing. I still can’t do the entire workout without taking breaks, heck I usually can’t make it through the warm-up without taking a break! I don’t think I’ll be invited to be on the next video shoot, but I’m hanging in there.

After I finish the first month I plan to repeat it before moving on to the second month. I really want to be able to do the full workout before moving on and I’m far from that. Repeating the month will still be super challenging since you can control the intensity yourself.

Weigh In Wednesday / July 24, 2013

I’m back for Weigh In Wednesday! I can see the excitement in your eyes!

The past couple of weeks have been hectic. Every time I take a trip I seem to get thrown all out of whack. But I am back and better than ever, well...kinda.

My left ankle is still giving me fits. Once I get warmed up I can run very well, but the next day I can barely walk. I’ve taken to stretching it a ton and it seems to be helping. Anyone have any problems with Achilles Tendonitis? I’m 99% sure that it’s the source of the pain. I have wrapped it for extended periods and am considering getting a Strassburg Sock, but those are mostly for Planters Fasciitis...I don’t think I have that.  Anywho... suggestions are welcomed!

I gained some weight over the past few weeks, nothing major, but putting pounds back on that you worked so hard to get off is very frustrating. I stuck to my July plan for 15 days, but with my heel pain I wasn’t able to continue, I was disappointed. I evaluated my food intake and while it wasn’t horrible, it wasn’t great either. I have opted to start ‘Eating Clean’ and I LOVE IT. I’m sure I will post more on this in the future.

So, here are my weights...I’m including a few dates mostly for personal tracking purposes.

2013 Starting Weight – 169.0
May 22, 2013 – 151.2
June 19, 2013 – 151.8
June 26, 2013 – 152.6
July 3, 2013 – 151.4
July 22, 2013 – 155.6
July 24, 2013 – 151.4
So, I’m back to the weight I was earlier this month, despite gaining to a weight I hadn’t been at since April. I call this VICTORY. I’m back on track and have made some very attainable goals for my weight, running, and overall fitness.

Goals
Weight – be in the 140’s before August
Running – 10 miles LSD's before the end of August
Fitness – Complete 90% of scheduled workouts, Increase Core and Arm Strength

Weigh In Wednesday / July 3, 2013

I’m back for the 3^rd week in a row and I am HAPPY to report my weight this week!

June 19, 2013 – 151.8 lbs
June 26, 2013 – 152.6 lbs
July 3, 2013 – 151.4 lbs
Down 1.2 from last week!

Weight Loss Recap
Weigh In Wednesday Total Loss – 0.4 lbs
2013 Total Weight Loss – 17.6 lbs

When I started this journey at the beginning of the year I really hoped to be down at least 20 pounds by this point. Of course I had big dreams of magically dropping 50 pounds, but I wasn’t willing to cut off a limb or have lipo. This is the real world y’all and I want to do this in a healthy way. I am proud of what I have done thus far and I’m looking forward to making more progress!

Yesterday I started my July Workout Plan! I completed everything on the list and MORE! Here is what I did...

Treadmill
5 minute walking warm up
Stretching
6 mile run – 56 minutes and 56 seconds
Average Pace – 9:30
6.2 mph with 10 7.2 mph sprints
5 minute cool down

Home Workout55 squats
55 alternating lunges
45 crunches on stability ball
0:25 plank
10 REAL push ups!
STRETCHING

I’m really trying to be better about stretching. I really do feel better when I stretch properly, but I get so bored and I find myself skipping out on that part too often.

My run felt really good. I only had to jump off once to rearrange my bra and my sock; it took less than 30 seconds. Treadmill runs are normally a little faster simply because I don’t have the opportunity to slow down! I still prefer running outside. Changing speeds, the uphill and downhill, and dodging cars really keep things interesting and I find that the miles go by much quicker. 

So far the workouts are quite easy. I’m sure I will be singing a different tune next week and for sure the following weeks! I used to be able to do about 30 real push ups in a row and I want to get back to that and push it on to 50. I enjoyed being strong and rocking out some real push ups is quite impressive to some people. Maybe I will win another $10 bet! I could use the cash. 

I am going to work hard to have many improvements to talk about next week!

Happy Independence Day!

Weigh In Wednesday - June 26th, 2013

Happy Weigh in Wednesday!

June 19, 2013 – 151.8 lbs
June 26, 2013 – 152.6 lbs
0.8 weight gain ... no bueno!

I was actually sick at the end of last week, so I didn’t work out much at all. I’m back on track now and trying hard for a weight loss next week! I’d really love to be below 150 in July! Baby steps friends, baby steps.

Here is my planned workout for today – we have an appointment at 7:00pm, so this is the perfect quick, but very effective Tabata style workout. I’m just praying that it doesn’t rain! I have to do my sprints outside! If I’m able to do the entire thing I estimate that I will complete this in less than 45 minutes.

Set #1
Burpees – 20 seconds
Rest – 10 seconds
High Knees – 20 seconds
Rest 10 seconds
Repeat 3 more times (4 minutes total)

Squats with Shoulder Press – 30 seconds
Bicep Curls into Tricep Kickback – 30 seconds
Repeat 2 more times (3 minutes total)

Run/Sprint 1/2 mile

Set #2
Jumping Jacks – 20 seconds
Rest – 10 seconds
Jump Squats – 20 seconds
Rest – 10 seconds
Repeat 3 more times (4 minutes total)

Dumbbell Rolls – 30 seconds
Walking Lunges – 30 seconds
Repeat 2 more times (3 minutes total)

Run/Sprint 1/2 mile

Set #3
Side Leaps – 20 seconds
Rest – 10 seconds
Burpees – 20 seconds
Rest – 10 seconds
Repeat 3 more times (4 minutes total)

Squats – 30 seconds
Push Ups – 30 seconds
Repeat 2 more times (3 minutes total)

Run/Sprint 1/2 mile

Weigh In Wendesday - June 19th, 2013

Remember when I posted about my weight loss troubles and goals for 2013?
Read about it here.

Remember when I altered those goals just a few months ago?
Read about it here.

I am proud to say that recently my goals to be healthy, strong and in shape have been a priority. However, Weight loss has seemed to fall to the wayside a bit. I’m eating well; with a few exceptions ... I can’t turn down a good pierogie or a nice plate of nachos. I think that you should be able to splurge from time to time without feeling too guilty.

May 22, 2013 - 151.2 lbs
June 19, 2013 – 151.8 lbs
Okay, so I gained 0.6 pounds since May 22^nd. That’s not too shabby in the grand scheme of things. I know that I have gained muscle and I just need to work harder on burning the fat. My size is basically the same; I think I’ve lost an inch or so in each thigh and a ½ inch off my waist.

I’m linking up for Weigh In Wednesday to motivate and hold myself accountable going forward.

Yesterday, I spent 20 minutes on the stair climber, like the one with the moving staircase. Brutal! I was dripping sweat! Since my body gets used to doing the same workout over and over without losing any weight I’ll be trying new things to get my calorie burn higher. Plus this will keep my body guessing, I think that is key for me to drop pounds.

Of course I’ll still be running to keep up my endurance, more on that in my next blog...

June 18, 2013 Workout

Treadmill
Warm Up – 5 minutes at 3.5 mph

Distance Increase Run
0 – 6.1 mph
0.1 – 6.2 mph
0.2 – 6.3 mph
0.3 – 6.4 mph
0.4 – 6.5 mph
0.5 – 6.6 mph
0.6 – 6.7 mph
0.7 – 6.8 mph
0.8 – 6.9 mph
0.9 – 7.0 mph
1.0 – 7.1 mph
1.1 – 7.2 mph
1.2 – 7.3 mph
1.3 – 7.4 mph
1.4 – 7.5 mph
1.5 – 7.5 mph
1.6 – 7.4 mph
1.7 – 7.3 mph
1.8 – 7.2 mph
1.9 – 7.1 mph
2.0 – 7.0 mph
2.1 – 2.3 – 6.5 mph
2.4 – 8.0 mph
2.5 – 2.8 – 6.5 mph
2.9 – 8.0 mph
3.0 – 3.5 – 3.8 mph

Cool Down – 5 minutes at 3.2 mph

Stair Climber
15 minutes at 65 stairs per minute
Cool Down - 2 ½ minutes @ 35 stairs per minute

I think I’d like to get a something that will track calories burned – any suggestions? Body Bug, Nike Fuel Band? I’d want something that wouldn’t break the bank, but is a bit more sophisticated than a notebook.