The Temptations of Weekends

Wow! I can do so well and keep clear of all sweets all week, but when it comes to the weekends, there are so many temptations! First was yesterday. I took my daughter to a birthday party and just had to have a piece of that yummy homemade carrot cake! Then today my husband made his wonderful breakfast foods! Pancakes, biscuits and gravy, eggs with cheese, and sausage and bacon! I think I did well not eating too much of it. Then he goes and makes homemade chocolate chip cookies tonight! I ate one when they were fresh out of the oven.

I just hope that all the work I put in during the week and the way I watched my calories the rest of the day help balance those slip-ups! No more cheating this week until my anniversary on Friday when I WILL have some really good dessert!

3 week weigh-in in the morning...hope it is down another pound!

After my really long run yesterday, I wanted to give my body a break from cardio today and did an extra body pump class today. And let me tell you, I can really tell my arms are starting to get sculpted! :) Yay for weights!

A Picture Finally

So I actually put on make-up today and got dressed...not something I do too often as a SAHM...I hate putting on make up when only my kids see it! What's the point in that?!

Anyway, so I took a picture of me today. As you can see, I'm just where I was in my title picture to the right after I lost my first round of weight a little over a year ago after working hard when I had my 2nd child. So I'm back there and my jeans are fitting nicely! Now to truck on and go where I've never gone before! ha ha

Some online friends have given me some inspiration and I'm determined to have a flat belly for the first time in my life for the summer! It may look pretty flat here, but you can't see under my shirt! :) I've definitely got more work to do.

I did run 6.2 miles this morning! So proud...that is 10k. I CAN do it...just got to keep at it to make sure I can accomplish it outside and not just on the treadmill!

TGIF

I'm so happy for Friday...mainly because on the weekend mornings I allow myself coffee and I so look forward to it! This morning was busy in that I had to get up early and drop my dog off for a check-up at the vet and then go get blood drawn for a test for my doctor that I have been putting off since October. Glad to get that done! But after all that running around, I still made it back to take my daughter to preschool at 9 and then went to the gym. I made it to Body Pump class and then ran 3.1 miles on the treadmill. Because the inlaws might be coming to visit on Sunday, I wanted to get my class in in case I miss that day. The scale still isn't moving for now, but I had a nice compliment from a gym friend this week saying she noticed my weightloss in my face and legs! Nice to hear after I had noticed that as well.

Now on to the weekend!

Down

I'm just down today. Don't feel like writing anything at all, but wanted to at least put in my exercise for my own records.

10 minutes on elliptical trainer, Body Attack class, 10 minutes walking on the treadmill to cool down.

My Sonic Set-back

After a great workout yesterday, Sonic derailed my day! My kids and I occassionally pick up drinks during happy hour time (half-priced) at Sonic before going to the park. Well for some reason yesterday, they were way busy and I waited about 20 minutes to get my Cherry Coke Zero, so finally I called them back on the buzzer and they brought it out, only to realize later when the diarrhea hit that they must have given me a real coke, not a Coke Zero! When I don't get a diet drink from there, that is what happends to me. I was so mad! All those extra calories after all my work. I will not be going back there for a long time!

Today, I am trying to recover. I ran 3.75 miles and then did my body pump class.

Day 15

So I've made it half a month now that I realize! Pretty good, but 69 more days! I don't have much to say today, just that I was down another pound this morning and stuck with the elliptical mostly today at the gym...did 65 minutes plus my ab work and lunges.

2 weeks down!

10 weeks to go! Just when I had given up on the scales moving since I had been weighing in all week seeing nothing, I stepped on this morning to a loss! Finally! So now I am down 7 lbs total which isn't bad with so much time remaining. I felt so happy and motivated by this that I ran 5.75 miles on the treadmill this morning as well as 10 minutes on the eliptical just to cool down. I also put my skinny jeans back on! :) It is a good Monday!

13th Day

Even though I haven't lost as much weight this week, I've definitely noticed that I'm getting more toned. That is nice to notice when the numbers aren't changing. I think bodypump has been helping a lot on my arms and legs, but all the running is helping my legs as well. Getting toned is one of my major goals, so I'm happy this week with those results.

I did bodypump class this morning, ran a mile on the treadmill, and then also ran around our neighborhood big block pushing the kids in the double jogging stroller. And tomorrow ends week 2 and begins week 3!

Day 12

Yes, my weightloss has slowed down! I did lose half a pound, but after losing so much last week, I guess that evens it out to a practical weightloss.

I skipped running today...my knees were kind of bothering me a little after my run yesterday and then getting down on the floor playing and tending to the kids, so I did an hour on the elliptical today plus my ab workout and 10 minutes on the stationary bike. I also got a good arm workout in this afternoon working out in the yard pulling weeds and raking them out of our out-of-control front flower beds. My husband will be planting in another month or two, so I wanted to get that done while the weather was nice. My husband was going to do it, but the days he has been off have been rainy of course.

So here I am in the weekend staying on track, but am looking forward to some Chic-fil-A tonight. I think I've earned it with how well I have been doing.

A week and a half in!

I ran 5.25 miles this morning...just about a mile short of what the race will be. It is tough, but it is going to be so awesome to do and will be such a high to know that I accomplished it when I do. I HAVE to start running outside sometime soon. I think Mondays and Fridays if it is nice out, I may take the jogging stroller out to a trail to run. That is the part I'm worried about...the outside and the hills....gotta be ready for it all.

I've also been trying to drink more water. I know I need to and it is essential in losing weight, so I'm trying the propel packets to add to my water to help me drink it. I just can't make myself drink plain water unless I'm working out and it is fine then. I'm hoping with the help of some flavor, I can drink a lot more during the day.

The weekend is also here and I'm not really worried. My husband will be working all weekend, so there really aren't many food temptations when he is...it is a normal day for me and my lean cuisines. Keeping my fingers crossed for my weigh-in on Monday!

Day 10

Had a great workout this morning doing the Body Attack class. I also did a little running and 10 minutes on the elliptical. It is a gorgeous day outside, so hopefully I'll get some more activity in this afternoon outdoors. The sun is out, it is around 70 degrees and I want to enjoy it while it lasts before it gets cold again. No change on weight this morning. Hoping to see something new in the morning!

Trying to Keep it Up

I think I have been doing very well. I haven't cheated on my eating at all. And I'm giving it my all at the gym. I need some other ideas of things to boost my weightloss. I know it is slower after the first week, but I feel like it is a very very tired turtle walking along this week. Just half a pound has come off so far. I guess this is just part of it. Can't give up! I know it takes time.

Today I ran 1.5 miles, 15 minutes on elliptical trainer, and did my body pump class.

Day 8

We had a nice visit with my daughter's preschool mom's and her friends this morning at my house. But because we had morning plans for once, my work-out got moved to the afternoon which is nice sometimes to switch it up. I ran for 20 minutes on the random incline selection and it was challenging. Then I did the elliptical trainer for 40 minutes as well as my normal abs and lunges I do daily. I'm anxious to see the scale in the morning and hope I see a change! I know the weightloss will slow after the first week, but change sure keeps you going more!

One Week Later!

It is one week later and I'm down 4.5 lbs! I'm so excited. I just hope this weight loss continues. I'm working so hard, so it is nice to see results in numbers. After working out at the gym this morning, I've been busy cleaning the house for a play date tomorrow. We are having over 3 other kids from my daughter's preschool class over with their moms to visit and eat tomorrow. I've definitely been burning some extra calories vacuuming, mopping, and cleaning windows. It needed to be done though!

Today's gym workout: ran 5 miles on treadmill, did 20 minutes on elliptical trainer, and did my crunches and sit-ups.

1 week down! 11 weeks to go!

Day 6...Tomorrow is a week!

I took the new release 73 bodypump class this morning at the gym. It was great! I love the new music and just had so much energy. I have to remember how wonderful pump is for my muscles on the toning besides all the cardio I do. It definitely has made me stronger and I can see the difference especially in my arms.

Once I put the kids down for a nap today, I also ran the big block around my neighborhood. I need to clock how far it is officially. It is a great workout since there are several inclines and hills. Will have to figure that out and post it later.

I can't believe tomorrow is offically a week since I began. It feels like a lot longer. I still have an 11 week journey ahead, but am so excited about it!

Day 6

I had a wonderful work-out this morning at the gym. Saturdays are the day that I am supposed to do my long run for training for the 10k and I only really needed to run 2 miles according to my 12 week plan, but I got to 3 and felt like I could really keep going a while, so I ended up running 4.5 miles in 41 minutes. It felt great and the best feeling was not even being out of breath when I was done. For the first time, I really felt like, hey, I'm going to really be able to do this! Especially with 11 weeks to go. I also did my abs and 10 minutes on the elliptical to finish up. Getting pumped! Just wish I knew someone close to me that would run with me at the race....not as exciting when you go alone.

Day 5

Still going strong...the weekend will be another challenge though. I like to do my weigh-in on Fridays even though my official start day was Monday. So after the first week, I'm down 3 lbs.

I ran 30 minutes today 3.30 miles. Then after being called to change Andrew's dirty diaper, I did my crunches, sit-ups and some other ab exercises ending with 20 minutes on the elliptical trainer.

I thought I would cave and get my pannini favorite at Jason's Deli last night, but instead got the Turkey lite sandwich and I'm glad I did. It was delicious as well without all the calories!

Here comes the weekend. Hoping I get 3 more lbs off by this time next week!

A Hard Day (Day 4)

Today was a rough day between my son, Andrew holding on to the garage door and going up with it and then falling down running and scraping his head on the concrete. Then losing my drivers license somewhere at the gym. Not fun. But I had a great work-out. I did the Body Jam class at Gold's. I had done it once before, but wanted to try it again to shake up my workout a bit. It was tough and I sweated it all out!!! It was great! Then I did 20 minutes on the elliptical trainer. Besides that, I cleaned my bathroom which was an extra mini-workout. I had planned to possibly run outside tomorrow, but it doesn't look like the weather is going to cooperate, so hopefully next week, I can do that.

Day 3

I'm still excited and trucking forward. I've been watching those calories and trying to drink more water to help as well. I know that if I did it between May and September of 2008, I can do it now. I know my hurdles are going to be any traveling we do when we tend to stop for fast food. I'll have to remember to stick to my guns and find the healthier options.

My workout today: Ran 2.25 miles in 20 minutes and 30 seconds on treadmill, 10 minutes on elliptical trainer and then 1 hour body pump class (weight-lifting to music.)

I've got to start running outside as well when the weather allows it. Hopefully soon I'll be out getting that done!

The Journey has Begun

It's January and everyone began making their resolutions. Some following them, and some have already given up. I guess I might could be thrown in with the group of resoluters, but I consider it more of a goal than a resolution that I am setting.

Last year, I told myself that I would be running a 10k this year. I figured that I've done 3 5k runs without a problem, so it was time to up my goal. But at that time, 2010 still seemed a while away until last week, I realized that April will be here before I know it and I need to really get focused if I'm going to do this. I have until the end of February to register before the price jumps up, so I wanted to get started and see if I was really ready for a 10k.

It just so happens that yesterday, Monday January 11th, Gold's Gym, where I work out, is having a company-wide contest called the Know Your Own Strength Challenge. It lasts 12 weeks and as a very crazy coincidence, that is exactly when the 10k will be. The challenge is for individuals to set goals for themselves and lose weight or inches or just get toned and in shape. Whatever is your goal! There is one contest that is just within the gym and one that is company-wide for all Gold's Gyms. The local contest has prizes like TVs, gift cards, and such. The big one has a grand prize of $12,500 for the top male and female winners. Wow! I don't think I'll make it to that caliber, but wouldn't it be awesome! And it is something to really dream about as you are sweating. Their are prizes for different categories too depending on if you lost the most weight, inches, or other.

I think of this challenge as kind of a biggest loser incentive for gym members. I figured it couldn't hurt to sign up and it will give me motivation to stick with my plan. I went to sign up and they asked me if I want to sign up just for the local contest or for the national one...the kicker was that they take your picture to be your before picture and for the local one, you can wear whatever you want, but for the national one, you have to just wear a sports bra and your pants.....oh the horror! But I thought, hey, I might as well....I wanted to dream of that big prize! So now I can say I've had my picture taken without a shirt....I just hope it doesn't leak out to the paparazzi!

My goal:
My main goal is to run and finish the 10k in April, but in training for this and accomplishing it, I hope to accomplish my side goal of toning up for 3 (aka the title of my blog.) I worked so hard after having Andrew to lose the baby weight and did it! I lost 32 lbs and was 10 lbs less than I was before I had kids. But somewhere along the way since then, I've managed to gain 10 lbs back, so I want that off of course and 5-10 lbs on top of that.

I want to be in great shape. We have been waiting to have our 3rd child since our 2 children are so close in age. Lillian turned 3 in October and Andrew will be 2 in February. We wanted to make sure they are more independent and able to help out a little before we add to the family. So our plan was to possibly conceive number 3 this fall if that works out. That means I have until then to be great shape. It will mean a easier pregnancy for me and just feeling better all around, along with making my post-partum easier as well.

So now my journey begins. I hope to write daily to help me stay motivated and focused.

Yesterday: Ran 3.25 miles on thread mill, 20 minutes on elliptical trainer, crunches, lunges
Today: Ran 20 minutes at 6.5 on thread mill on random inclines, 20 minutes on elliptical trainer, lunges, crunches