I'm Counting my Blessings instead of Sheep

Week 2 Day 4 - Today was one of those introspective days for me. I was lucky enough to have a day off from work. The sun was just about as brilliant as you could want, my hubby was working at home and had some things that were troubling him with a project all work out, and I had the time to do my strength workout and slow cook my jambalaya for the get together tomorrow. I had lots of time to think and reflect on how blessed I am. I know that for lots of people things are not good in these hard times, yet we are doing okay and have the means to give a bit of aid to others. There are alot of people, some who are dear to me, facing grave health issues, yet we are blessed with good health. There are people who feel that they are alone, yet we bask in the warmth of friendship, family and faith.
I had a great workout. I am beginning to have the confidence to push a little harder each time. My meditation was a bit more peaceful.
Yes, today was a great day for counting blessings.

I was bad - I shoulda gone with the beer

Week 2 Day 3 We went to a comedy club tonight. Tickets we had forever that were about to expire. Two drink minimum. Coulda had a $4.00 dollar bottle of water, but I thought red wine couldn't be that bad? Wow. 80 calories a glass. Coors Light 52 calories. In my twisted mind I thought I was better off with the wine. Wrong! I did make a great food choice, though. They had a salmon salad with strawberries that was only 280 calories. The comics were great and it was a fun evening. I am not one to drink so I am sure I will pay for it tomorrow with my strength workout. I will push ever so hard to get that poison up and out!
Today I was going to run in the neighborhood. I drove in from work and saw a car sideways on the main street. I decided that the wise choice was the dreaded dreadmill. The workout was great, though. Not as fast as last week, but still 3 miles in 30 minutes.
Today was not one of my better days. I made some bad choices from being uninformed and my workout was disappointing cause I really wanted to hit the streets. But I made good food choices all day and at least I ran! The old me would have just said No to the run. I am all about making improvement and to me though it wasn't perfect, it was better. The comics really were funny ;>)

The Big Snow

Week 2 Day 2 - I am lucky enough that when we have these big snows I am set up to work at home. I took advantage of that today. I hooted when I read Chris's shovel instead of blow snow tip. Rick and I have never had a snow blower. In fact, we would be ashamed to use one as our 70 plus neighbors are out there with their shovels as soon as the snow stops falling! Heck, if we aren't fast enough, they will do ours too! Inspiration comes from the most unexpected places at times.
Once again the strength workout was really challenging for me. I was pooped after jumping rope and I hadn't even started! I upped my weight some. It really made a difference. By the time I was to the core work, I was done. The muscles were definitely partying again. Hope everyone made it safely around town today. Back to the office tomorrow!

I Love Intervals? I must be Weird!!!!!

Week 2, Day 1 - I took the time to catch up on everyone's blogs today and am so glad I did. I am getting such a great feeling from all these witty great people. I liken this to spices. We are all bringing a certain spice to season this adventure and the flavor is fantastic! Geez, a food analogy! I guess that comes from spending way too much time planning meals. I hope this gets easier as time goes by. But my husband Rick and I have been eating so well. It is worth the time put into it. For those of you who haven't tried the Bragg Liquid Aminos, I highly recommend it. We have eaten stir fry at least five meals since this started. I even put turnips in the stir fry. The flavor was unbelievable!

Even though it was snowing and the roads were a mess, Rick and I got to the health club. I figured I would have the track to myself to run my intervals. Okay, I love intervals!!!! Am I weird? I've always harbored this fear of trying this, but those thirty second pushes are just so satisfying. I play the I can't go anymore game after the third one. So I say, do just one more and then see how you feel. Before I know it, I am done and wishing for more (I have a feeling more (or longer) are in my future). Because of the mindfulness I have gained through yoga, I just feel my legs getting stronger. I know that the other two runs a week will yield results too, but somehow not like this. I can do this. I will run the Mini in May. I don't care about speed. It would be nice to set a goal and surpass it. But that isn't what this is about. This is about sticking to something and seeing it through. Maybe my Momma is sitting on my shoulder? If she is she better hold on tight! Good night and thanks for reading.

Calories, Crunches and all that Jazz

Day 7 - My off day. It felt strange not to get a workout in. I was late leaving the office so missed Marsha P. yoga class. I did do my ten minute meditation. I digressed from the second one. The yakker was back. The time seemed to pass quicker though.
I spent the greater part of the evening planning the meals for the week so that Rick and I wouldn't be rushing around like we did the first week. I am going to have to get more inventive with salads! As much as I thought that cutting back on coffee would do me in, that hasn't been near as much of a challenge as I thought it would! I'll try to reduce again next week.

Tomorrow is intervals. I am looking so forward to it. I am going to stay on the indoor track, at least for this week to get the hang of it. I feel like such a jock rounding the corners at lightning speed (well in Ginger's world it's lightning speed :>) Anyway, I am ready to put my best Nike Freed foot forward to get the most of of this. It is good to have a day off and not be on call!

Leaving Footprints in the snow - a first

Day 6 - I got up knowing that today was my longer run and that I had mentally prepared myself for running through my neighborhood no matter what the temp or weather. It was snowing and 12 degrees. I consulted my Runner's World guide as to how much layering to do and set off. My intention was to run for 40 sustained minutes. This one like the previous two runs turned out to be awesome! I actually logged a firsts. I NEVER left footprints in fresh snow because I NEVER ran in the snow before. That was such a cool thing to do. Hearing it fall as I ran was also very cool as I opted to try to get used to running with out my beloved iPod. It also had been so long since I ran for 40 minutes without a walk break that I don't even remember it. Yes, it was a little slick in places, but I learned that if I gave wide berth to previous lumps of snow on the street or tire tracks I avoided most of the slick spots. I am anxious about falling, but the mindfulness of yoga really helped me here. I can't stop grinning. :0)) I am a happy BTWG camper.

If you are reading this, I thank you. I am writing these long passages for basically two reasons, the first selfish, the second not so much. First, I want a good record of what each day brings during this 12 weeks and second, I really want to give somebody else out there the guts to try something they may be a little anxious about. I have always been the Queen of Excuses, not the Princess, but the Queen , so I really feel that we all have it in us to make progress. Once again thanks for reading!

Missed the Gang but No Excuses!

Day 5 I missed my yoga class this morning. I am on call this weekend and past experience has taught me that trying to stay focused when worrying whether my pager would go off or if I would hear it or respond in time is not cool. So, I just happened to have a great alternative yoga class. I bought the P90X workout DVD's last year, but then had some tendon issues and never used it. So I previewed the Yoga DVD knowing that today was a no go with Chris. I know that he approves of this class so I used it as my yoga class. Other than the "instructor" being a little annoying with the way he said Chatarangaaaaaaah it was a great alternative. It's nice to know that I have one cause this will come up once more in the three months.
I did miss the gang, though. I hope that everyone is doing well and getting into the "BTWG groove".
Tomorrow is a longer run for me. I will do it in the neighborhood and hope that Rick doesn't have to track me down cause the pager has jangled.
Good Night Group! Sleep well.

Is the Honeymoon over or did I just have a bad day?

Day 4 I had this great plan to leave work mid-morning and get my strength workout done and then work the rest of the day at home. Then came a last minute meeting called for the afternoon by my director (kinda can't tell him no) - So I had packed breakfast and a snack but no lunch. (next time I have to be better prepared) By the time I got home I was starving, but wanted to get my workout done. To say I totally crashed was an understatement. I thought geez the honeymoon is over and this really sucks! I had to back down on what I had been able to do on Wednesday. I learned a valuable lesson - cars aren't the only thing that need fuel. It was really painful. I cramped- I couldn't get any lift when I jumped. I felt like a wimp! That was the downside - the upside was that I really enjoyed doing the workout at home. I was really organized and felt I got into a great rhythm.

A note on meditation - this was my second attempt. The first attempt didn't go that great. My mind yacked the old time! I was practicing ujayyi breathing. I thought that listening to my breath might help. The second time I breathed normally and I tried to concentrate on the feel of the breath instead of the sound. I felt the cool air when I inhaled and felt the warm air as I exhaled. It helped so much. I felt totally peaceful and calm when I was done. Then I treated myself to a bubble bath which extended the really good feeling ; >)

Hello Quads!

Day 3 - went to Eagle Creek to run after work. I feel I put a solid effort into what was asked of me today. I ran 3 miles in 28:45 and that counted the warmup. That is really Wow for me. I pushed, but didn't feel like I was going to draw my last breath. The legs are overtaking the head :>) My quads were really stiff to start but warmed up as the time went by. Who knows? I may just be ready for the Mini when it comes around.
Rick and I are really getting the calorie counting and menu thing down. I have a whole new appreciation for vegetables. I remember when I was little and ran in the house starving from school. We lived in the middle of nowhere and my Momma and Daddy had this great vegetable garden. I never ate cookies and milk when I got home. It was usually some vegetable that Momma had cooked or a serving of fruit or veggie straight out of the field. I was always famished and those vegetables were good. Relying more on fruits and veggies is bringing back good memories and I also know that we are doing the best for our bodies.

Day 2 Adventures in Strength and Toning

Day 2 and looking back on Day 1
I really enjoyed my interval training yesterday. I did the work on an indoor track - and while doing my work, I got to hear alot of President Obama's speech and view the millions that were there; they will be able to tell children and grandchildren that they witnessed history. Outside of politics the speech was truly moving. So I ran.....full of hope for a new beginning for our country and for my body and spirit, inspired by the words and the atmosphere.

Day 2 - Level II Strength and Toning
The first time through my circuit of exercises, I thought Hey I can do this. The second time through all I could think was "Owww, this is going to leave a mark!" And then when I am already shaking, I did the ab work. It felt brutal!
That muscle party that Chris always talks about? My muscles were so rowdy I had to call the police! But I did it and really am looking forward to tomorrow's adventure.
I am going to run outside!

Interviewing appropriate calories for the job

Day 1 - Wow! I am amazed at how much food you can eat if it is the "right stuff"and how much thought you need to put into putting meals together. I feel like I should put an ad in the want ads
"Wanted: Calories that are willing to work hard and believe in teamwork"
As it stands now, this is going to be a big challenge for me - well that and reducing my coffee intake :>). But I am working on it.
Drank my morning cup with Stevia - Not bad! Bye bye sugar!
Off to intervals

Entering the Blog Zone

Wow! I'm blogging. Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks ;>)