Exercising in the Summer

It is so hard to work out in the summertime! For one thing, it is way too hot! For another, there are many more activities I'd rather do in the extended daylight hours that include, but are not limited to:

• Floating on a raft in the pool
• Sitting on my couch in the air-conditioned living room with the blinds closed
• Eating ice cream

Oops.

I have been doing some sporadic swimming here and there. But to be perfectly frank here, I've been mostly a lazy bum. It should be no surprise then that my laziness is noticable on, well, my bum!

I returned to the gym yesterday.

Go me!

Still Working Out and Abs Stuff...

One of my New Year's Resolutions was to be motivated to work out and start living a healthy life for more than the two or three months leading up to our annual trek to Mexico.

Last year was a total bust in that regard.

I'm pleased to report that we've gone to the gym twice this week! That's two times more than I went in the two MONTHS post-Mexico last year!!

A commenter on my main blog asked what I do as far as working my abs out. I have to say that the main thing I did was to turn my hips and suck in for photos. ;-)

Seriously, though, my workouts consist of three main components when I go to the gym:
Cardio for 30 minutes (and I mean running or going hard on the elliptical)
Arms and shoulders (3 or 4 set circuit of low-weights and high reps)
Ab machines (3 sets of obliques, crunch machine, upright leg lifts)

When I'm at home, I use the Turbo Jam DVDs. The intro set comes with a killer 20-minute ab routine, but the entire workout is geared toward building your core, so even the cardio parts are ab-intensive.

I also have a DVD that came free with my first Turbo Jam called Ab Ripper 200. It is part of the Tony Horton Power 90 set, but I don't know how to get just that little 6-minute video. You might try ebay.

I'm all about the shortcut and getting the maximum results with the least amount of effort, but because your ab muscles don't really start to show until you burn the fat on top, there is no easy way out.

Hi! I suck!

Where do I begin?

I have to get over the fact that this year is not the same as last year and that I did not work out like a crazy woman 6 days a week for three solid months and also during that time period gave up virtually all "bad" foods.

It did not happen this year.

So while I am a bit disappointed in myself and the fact that I'm not as toned as I'd like to be, I'm happy with myself.

Here's why...

• I now have a gym membership and a workout buddy (Hi Dr Pop!)
• I have not burned out with the being healthy
• Because of that, I am more likely to stick with a healthier lifestyle
• I now have a Wii Fit and can't wait to really start playing with it
• I don't look terrible in a bikini

So there you have it! I'll be removing the countdown ticker when I get back and will really go to town with this blog. I need all the motivation I can get once the beach vacation is over.

An Open Letter to My Belly

Dear Belly,

You and I have been through quite a lot together. We've suffered through stomach flus. We lived through workouts. We survived a pregnancy. I want to thank you for not producing stretch marks as my son grew inside you, by the way. You really rocked that one! And the way you went back to normal? It may have taken a while, but hot damn! You rocked that as well! I would like to think that you and I have a mutual respect for one another. After all, I feed you well (most of the time); I make sure you get plenty of exercise via lots of cardio and abdominal crunches; I take care of you when you are sick.

Today, however, I feel we are at a crossroads. I know I have a genetic predisposition to a certain condition we'll call "bloat." Because of this, I do pay close attention to the times when you are a little swollen and uncomfortable and try to treat accordingly. In the past, all I would have to do is take a little medicine or exercise a little more and our "bloat" would be gone in an instant!

Are you on strike or something???

Look. You and I are getting on a plane next Friday to go to the beach for 9 days. I have two brand new adorable bikinis this year (plus those from last year) and YOU are not cooperating with me. What gives?

In an effort to return to our old, good relationship of yore, I'm calling a truce. For the next seven days, I'm going to not stress out about your, um, tendency to swell. I'm going to continue to exercise like I have been. I'm going to give up the Benefiber in an effort to give you a rest. I'm going to give you plenty of water. I'm going to drink lots of tea. Maybe, just maybe, we will be on friendly terms by next Friday.

Love,
Mrs. Pop

P.S. Could ya stop craving those cookies and chips???

Neglectful

Hoo-boy! Yesterday, I was a bad, bad girl... I did not exercise at all and mainly ate to soothe my hangover.

Saturday was not much better than Sunday, either.

Too much drinking, too much eating to ease the after-effects of the demon drink, and not enough movement.

I've been bad.

I need to turn it around and get back on the wagon today! And be good, super-good, really, really good for the next three weeks and four days (25 days total)!

I must do crunches every day!
I must eat right every day!
I must do cardio every day!

Aaaaaaaaaccccccccccckkkkkkkkkkkk!!!!!!!!!

Down to a Month

Well, I've hit one goal in my quest to get ready for the beach. But, as I noticed on Saturday at the pool, I'm not nearly as toned as I want to be.

With 30 days left, my focus is on building lean muscle and toning my abs, ass, and arms. The three A's if you will.

I've made a commitment to do my ab program every day. So far, I've gone three days in a row (Sunday and Monday were my Ab Ripper 200 DVD and yesterday, I did the ab machines at the gym).

I've done cardio... LOTS of cardio. I think tonight I'll focus on strength and body toning and give the running a break.

My only problem this year is with food. I've been drinking the sludge. I've been adding protein. I have been saying "no" to fast food and most unhealthy choices. But I'm so hungry! I've been really bad in the evening hours... Last night I took a tortilla and spread shredded cheese on it and nuked it for 15 seconds, rolled it up, and devoured it. The night before, I had a peanut butter sandwich. Both of these things were after dinner. Ugh.

I'm in a weird place right now with the whole food thing. If I want to meet my goals, I need to eat right. But it is so darn boring! And I don't want to give up the bad stuff forever. But every time I indulge in something I know I shouldn't be eating, it seems I take a step backwards, even with the working out.

Yeah. I'm frustrated. But I'm frustrated for the future, not today. Once this trip is over, how am I going to handle life? Will I go back to my old ways? Will I stay on this path? One thing I do know for sure is that working out and meeting goals is a lot harder this year than it was last year. I'm not sure I can make any other choice than to continue and not turn into a slug for 8 months.

38 days until we leave

Despite being completely harried and crazy last week, I did manage to work out on Tuesday and Friday. I kicked my ass, if I do say so myself!

There was no working out over the weekend, but I logged three miles on the treadmill yesterday.

Today, I plan to either do Turbo Sculpt at home or work out with the weights at the gym with very little cardio. My knees need the break!

Quite Obviously

My best laid plans for working out and eating right this week have been put on hold...

No working out, but the stress has curbed my appetite, so it's a trade-off.

Another Note to Self...

Dear Self,

I don't want you to panic, but you will be getting on a plane to the beach in 44 days. That gives you roughly 43 more days to get your damned act together and stop eating crap!

But you did a great job yesterday and many kudos to you for not getting a double cheeseburger at McDonald's when you really, REALLY wanted one.

And double-kudos for working out. It was touch and go for a while, I know, and I do not recommend a 10PM Turbo Jam session with weighted gloves to become a regular occurrence, but good for you for doing it, when you could have simply kept your ass glued firmly to the couch!

Love,
Me

P.S. The next time you think it would be a "good" idea to eat a frozen dinner that has been in your freezer since 2006, please think twice.

P.P.S. You have a huge bag of frozen chicken breasts that could have been baked in that time period.

P.P.P.S. But good for you for at least eating something that tried to be healthy. Even though it was nasty.

46 Days and Counting...

There's just over a month and a half to go and I'm yo-yo-ing like crazy!

I do well during the week and then blow it all to hell on the weekend! Lovely.

I worked out each day, Monday through Friday, drank the sludge every day last week, ate right, blah, blah, blah...

Friday, I was a champ, though... Worked out, came home, took a shower, and went out with my husband...

But I ate like shit on Saturday and Sunday and did not exercise at all... So I'm back at square one. AGAIN!!!

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday...

Even though I didn't do *much* on Tuesday, I did do some strength training with my dumbells.

That means, I've gone four days in a row! Go me!

And I've consumed the sludge every day for the past two weeks except for one.

Yay!

Stupid, Stupid, Stupid

I don't know quite what I was thinking... Okay, that's not exactly true. I was in a zone. I was wanting to burn calories. I was wanting to build some muscle.

So.

Yesterday evening.

I did Turbo Sculpt (all of it).

Then I did Fat Blaster (all of it).

Today I'm in agony.

Quick Little Update

• Monday -- 3/31 -- Drank sludge, ate reasonably well until nighttime when all bets were off, spent 45 minutes on the elliptical going absolutely nowhere.
• Tuesday -- 4/1 -- Drank sludge, ate reasonably well until nighttime when all bets were off, took a nap, played a little with my dumbells. But I did envision myself doing the entire Turbo Sculp DVD while I was in a semi-awake state. Does that count?

Today, I've done very well so far with the eating, but my measure is how much of Boy Pop's Easter candy I consume after I get home. I'll more than likely do a Turbo Jam as Dr Pop will be driving home from a business trip during our normal gym time.

Still the One

More than the gym, more than the free weights, more than the ipod and neighborhood running path, Chalene is the one who gives me results.

I did Turbo Sculpt twice last week (once all the way through and once for 20 minutes after a 30 minute run). For the first time in quite some time, I see some results.

Don't get me wrong. I enjoy going to the gym and using those machines. I completely see and recognize the value and I do not intend to stop.

But for a good, fat-burning, cardio blasting, make-you-sweat workout, give me Fat Blaster, Cardio Party Mix 1, and Turbo Sculpt!

I've hit this wall and I am getting a little discouraged. It seems that no matter what I do or what I eat, I am stuck. I keep comparing my body this year to my body last year, and frankly, this year's isn't adding up. It's like I'm the poster child for the reason you DON'T stop working out! I have 53 days to whip myself into shape and looking at it from that perspective, I don't have enough time!

Of course, looking at it from the other side, my vacation cannot come soon enough, but that's another story for another blog.

Here's the past week in review:
Monday -- 3/24 -- Ate reasonably well. Drank sludge. Went to gym.
Tuesday -- 3/25 -- Ate reasonably well. Drank sludge. Did Turbo Sculpt (entire thing!).
Wednesday -- 3/26 -- Ate reasonably well. Drank sludge. Walked to park, played at park, walked back with son. Spent 4.5 hours in the AM at the emergency room with Dr Pop. Long story.
Thursday -- 3/27 -- Ate reasonably well. Drank sludge. Did not work out as spent entirely too much time at office of orthopedic surgeon (another long story).
Friday -- 3/28 -- Ate like a pig. Drank sludge. Did not work out as was too lazy.
Saturday -- 3/29 -- Ate reasonably well. Drank sludge. Snacked a bit too much. Went on aforementioned 30 minute run in neighborhood and 20-minutes of Turbo Sculpt.
Sunday -- 3/30 -- Ate like a pig. Did not drink sludge. Did not work out.

Monday -- 3/31 (so far) -- Got on scale and had gained 4 pounds since Thursday. Depressed. Eating reasonably well so far. Drank sludge. Have plans to go to gym with gimpy husband.

You Really CAN'T Go Home Again! And Better Sludge!

Not if you're trying to be healthy, that is!

This past weekend, we traveled to my hometown for Easter. I ate like a pig! Thanks Mom for making those cupcakes and cookies and then holding me down and forcing me to eat them (no, not really, but I did eat too much)! Oh well.

I have some sludge news!!!

I have been using Greens Plus (http://www.greensplus.com/) because it is available at my local vitamin store. The taste has been completely gag-inducing, but the powder was very convenient. Well. My parents decided to try the other recommended product, Greens First (www.doctorsfornutrition.com) and they bought an extra can for me.

WOW! All I can say is WOW! It tastes good! You read that correctly. It tastes good. Sort of sweet and minty. So for the past two mornings, before I leave for work, I mix a scoop of the powder with three teaspoons of Benefiber and 4 ounces of water, drink it, then chase it with another glass of water and I feel terriffic!

I'm not putting in the spirulina powder because it just tastes like skanky pond scummy water (or how I imagine skanky pond scummy water would taste) and instead I'm taking spirulina tablets with my vitamins.

I have an amazing amount of energy!

Even though I did not eat well over the weekend, I did manage to get a three mile run/walk in on Saturday morning. My mom and dad were impressed with my ability to do that!

Last week was pretty terrible as far as working out goes. I worked out Monday and Tuesday, Boy Pop was sick on Wednesday, and we went to the carnival (for a second time) on Thursday. Friday was spent trying to get out of town and actually driving 3.5 hours.

I have a ton of pictures from the weekend that I'm going to post on my main blog and some shopping news, too.

We leave for Mexico in under two months and Dr Pop and I are stepping up our efforts to get into swimsuit shape. We went to the gym yesterday for an hour. I'm buying protein bars and eating lots of fruit and salad and lean protein and whole grains.

If I could only get rid of my bloat...

I Think I Prefer the Treadmill

Which means I should be doing more Turbo Jam!

I just had my ass kicked by Chalene Johnson. But I made it all of the way through Cardio Party Mix 1, which is a feat I haven't accomplished in a year!

So that, um, snacking I did right after work might not stay on my middle today.

Going...

Two months and six days until "B" day (that would be bikini day)...

Last week, I went to the gym on Wednesday and Friday. I walked to the park and back with my boy on Tuesday. I walked/ran to the park and back by myself on Thursday. I shoveled poop yesterday. That counts, right?

I think I'm doing something wrong, though, and I cannot put my finger on it. I'm eating lots of fruits and veggies, mostly drinking that sludge, eating lean meats and low-sodium foods. I'm exercising 3 to 4 days a week and have been for a month or so now.

And yet... I look the same! If it's possible, I look bigger in places I shouldn't. I'm bloated. Maybe it's an instant-gratification mentality, but I want to see results! Like yesterday.

I'm still motiviated to keep going, but I feel pretty discouraged. Yes, I'm still snacking, but hell's bells! I've cut WAY back on Diet Coke, chips, candy, and cookies. A woman cannot live on lettuce alone.

Oh. Um. Hi. Is this thing on?

...
Silence
...

I've been neglectful of my little workout spot. Wanna know why? LIFE! Stupid life, getting in the way of living and writing and stuff!

Oh, okay, I've been lazy.

Sue me.

I haven't been back to the gym since the free trainer visit. I know, I know... Whatever. I did manage to walk to the park and play with my boy on Saturday and yesterday, though. It's something. Not much. But something.

I just looked at my countdown ticker. I have two months and 11 days. That's it.

Last year, prior to our trip, I worked out literally 5 to 6 days a week. I didn't do weights every day, but I did some sort of aerobic activity (Turbo Jam, walking, running) almost every single day.

I'm going to have to bite the bullet again. It's time to be ACTIVE again. It's time to start obsessing.

But I did start drinking the sludge again on Sunday. Ugh. It's still as nasty as ever. But whatever works, right?

And I'm giving up junk food. Except for tortilla chips. And party foods.

This bod will be TIGHT by the end of May!

But I still contend that the best part is my newfound workout buddy who will make sure I go to the gym even if he has to drag me there himself. I love that we are doing this together.

Gym Update (and general update)... A "State of the Process" if you will...

I haven't yet gotten into the routine I was in last spring, leading up to my Mexico trip, but I'm *this* close...

Last week, I only worked out two days (Tuesday and Saturday). There was simply too much life going on around me, you know, it being my birthday and anniversary week and all...

Dr Pop and I gathered up our boy and went to the gym Monday and I ran! Two whole miles! Non-stop! On the treadmill...

So, um, yeah, running on the treadmill is slightly easier than running through my neighborhood, it would seem. Who knew? Of course, I didn't run on an incline at the gym, so that might have something to do with it.

I also made some decent food choices even though we spent a lot of time in restaurants over the end of the week and through the weekend. Lots of salads and seafood and wraps. I'm sure the butter I drowned my crab claws and crab legs in wasn't that healthy, but Hello? special occasion, who cares? ;-)

Yesterday, I met with a trainer for my "free introductory session" which was really "we'll tell you stuff you already know, make you laugh, and try to get you to sign up to pay $35 an hour for more of our services." I did enjoy it, but it took forever! They showed me how to use some scary-looking machines and I worked my back, arms, shoulders, and abs. I'm feeling it somewhat today, but I'm a "Day 2" soreness person, so I fully expect to not be able to move tomorrow.

I enjoyed the trainers that I worked with, but I don't think I'll be signing up for any further sessions. The truth is, I know what I need to do. I know how long I need to do it. I know what my nutrition needs to be. I know I need to steer clear of fast food, salt, sweets, and junk food. Duh. And having a person call me and get on my ass about what I'm eating and how much I'm exercising seems a bit extreme. I have one of those living with me already. Hi Honey!

For now, I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing, incorporate some of the moves they taught me yesterday, use my DVDs every now and then, and just make healthy food choices.*

*This includes the green sludge that I can only seem to manage to drink for a week at a time.

I Could Get Used To It

After work yesterday, we all loaded up and headed over to the gym. Boy Pop was a little wary of the children's area at first, but was soon writing all over the dry erase board and watching Charlotte's Web.

Then Dr Pop and I went our separate ways... Him to the weight equipment, me to the cardio equipment. Now this is where we really need two IPods because I hijacked ours for myself. I have to go off on a tangent now. I love my workout playlist!!! I made it kind of long, so in half an hour I didn't get through it all, but I love the order of my songs:

1. "Bad Boy for Life" -- P.Diddy
2. "Piece of Me" -- Britney
3. "Puke" -- Eminem
4. "Ayo Technology" -- 50 Cent/Justin Timberlake
5. "Hips Don't Lie" -- Shakira
6. "Kryptonite" -- 3 Doors Down
7. "Crank Dat" -- Soulja Boy
8. "Fake" -- Pushmonkey

Those songs took me to over 30 minutes of cardio. And the ebb and flow of the music really made me get on it.

Sadly, my new gym does not have any classes to take, but that's okay. I get a session with a personal trainer instead. I already have my appointment made.

I cannot give up my Exercise on Demand or my Turbo Jam, but going to the gym with my family was fun. I'm glad we are doing this.