I'm Back! (for now....;P)

I cleaned most of my public rooms today. They have not been really cleaned, I'm sad to say, since I got sick last August. I've had women from church come in and pick up for me, but I can't even remember the last time the floors were swept, for example. So I picked up, and swept, and ran out of gas before I could mop. And I almost passed out only three times. (yeah, need to get back on that cardio ASAP) Tomorrow? Toy organization!
The Almighty Liz

Wednesday & Thursday

Wednesday I ran stairs for 20 minutes then I got totally bored of it and went outside for a 3 mile run. I had felt kind of semi barfy for several days. Not enough to keep me down, just working out sucked. I had to force myself to finish that workout, motion made it worse. Happily though, I can say that everyone in our family is officially well again. Yay! Nobody had better catch Todd's strep though!! We had strep and then a stomach virus that effected literally everyone in the family immediately following and on top of the strep. Justice got the stomach virus 3 separate times!!

Anyway, I ran 6 miles with the group on Thursday. My hip actually didn't hurt much before or after. It still feels weird and out of place, but oddly it doesn't hurt. I hope it stays good. I'm afraid that if I over do it, I'll be right back where I started.

Cooking Adventures!!!

Snack:

Fresh picked lettuce w/ hummus, tomatoes, pumpkin seeds along with gluten free crackers w/ goat cheese.

I loved it! One of my favorites of the week!

Breakfast:

Mango, Banana, Peach, blueberry Smoothie & Nettle Tea

I discovered a love for mangoes this week. I'd eaten them while vacationing in Cancun a few years ago but hadn't had them since to my knowledge. Oh my my! I was so delighted with this concoction. The Nettle tea wasn't the best but I will tolerate it for it's reputed health benefits.

Dinner:

Miso Chicken on Spring Mix Salad w/ Asparagus & Baked Sweet Potato

This was another homerun meal! I'd had Miso Soup while on my mission. One of my companions was half Japanese & Miso was a stable of her household. Miso is a wonderful, healthy, ingredient that pops with flavor. I'll probably eat it every single week from now on.

Breakfast

Dandelion Tea & Papaya, Mango, Pineapple, Lime, Carrot Juice

This is the first time I'd ever bought a papaya. I'd had it in Mexico & remembered liking it but I'd never taken the time to buy one. I loved this juice. I even saved a little & froze it til it was good & slushy & delicous!!!

Breakfast:

Pau d'Arco Tea & Strawberry, Raspberry, 2 Pear, 1 Apple smoothie

This wasn't a favorite despite the fact that I love every single thing that went into it. The texture was gritty due to the pear & I just didn't enjoy it. Maybe next time I'll put in less pear & more of everything else.

Dinner:

Adzuki Bean Casserole w/ Sweet Potatoes & Green Beans seared in olive oil with herbs

I really, really loved this one too! I'd never, ever had Adzuki beans which are a stable in Japanese homes. The casserole also includes onions, garlic, carrots, celery, & yellow squash. I'm making a salad with the remaining casserole for tomorrow's lunch.

Lunch:

Cucumber/Beet Salad w/ apple cider vinegar, alfalfa sprouts & sesame seeds along with a baked sweet potato

This is a dish that required the open mind I was talking about earlier. I'd never had steamed beets before. Honestly I can't remember ever eating a beet & as I mentioned earlier I despite cucumbers. Alfalfa sprouts aren't my favorite either. Yet this wasn't horrible. It was so/so but I consider it progress. I love sweet potatoes so that saved the day!

Lunch:

Cannellini Bean Soup & Avocado dip

I've eaten a lot of new foods this week. I am so proud of myself! I'd never had cannellini beans (also called white kidney beans) and I've never been a big fan of soup. I'm happy to report that it was awesome! I sauteed onion, garlic, & leek (another brand new food that I wasn't sure how to even slice) in olive oil & vegetable stock. Then I added the beans, simmered, & blended with a handheld blender. Even my mom wanted to try it because it smelled so good & tasted even better! The avocado dip was wonderful. It's just an avocado smashed up with lemon juice alongside black bean backed tortilla chips & veggies. I even stirred in some alfalfa sprouts!!

Breakfast:

Nettle Tea & Ginger Zinger Juice made of 6 carrots, 1 cucumber, 1 stick of celery, & 1 inch fresh ginger

OK so like I said earlier I despise cucumbers. I'm also not a fan of raw celery. Still this juice was pretty good. I drank the whole thing & my body loved me for it. I didn't love it as much as the Mango or Papaya smoothies but I know I'll have it again. This was the very first time I'd ever drank vegetable juice as an adult.

Breakfast:

Fruit salad with apples, pears, & apricots

An easy & fabulous salad. I had to use canned apricots because their not in season but it was still a good salad & a great way to start the morning. I followed it up with oats.

I've tried so many new things this week. Lots of herbal teas & exotic fruits & beans & veggies of all sorts. It's been a great adventure & I'm looking forward to more new things as the days goes by. All of the recipes so far have come from Dr. Gillian McKeith's cookbooks. I highly recommend them. My tastes are changing & I'm really excited about that. An open mind has been a requirement but I'm so pleased that I've enjoyed nearly everything I've tried including the stuff I absolutely hated before now. I'm having a lot of fun with this!

Exercise is all about protecting my fragile ankle. Lots of balance work. At home I play with the dogs & walk & clean house. That's enough for now. I'm confident that taking it slow is what my body needs. I'm so grateful to be off crutches. I'm plan to stay off of them. At least that's what I pray for on a daily basis. :)

Tuesday Strength Workout/Running in Place 40 minutes

Strength- 30 minutes, running in place 10 minutes. I wanted to run in place longer, but I did not eat as much as I should have before I worked out, so I got sick and had to stop.

I also did laundry all day and baked two kinds of cookies (fiddly recipes too, with lots of hands on stuff to do!).

Monday Swimming 1 Hour

I also cleaned out closets for 2 hours (on my feet most of the time).

Note to self- maternity swim suits SUCK! My chest is outrageously big already, so I'm sure that was not helping :(

Breast stroke-15 minutes, freestyle 15 minutes, back stroke 20 minutes, kickboard 10 minutes.

Saturday Exercise Bike/ Yoga 45 minutes

Exercise bike 30 minutes, yoga 15 minutes.

Plus, 2 hours of Christmas shopping and 1 hour of wrapping presents.

I'm back... :)

Breakfast:

Nettle Tea

Strawberry, Blueberry, Pineapple Fruit Salad

Oatmeal with honey

Lunch & Dinner:

Spring Mix/Spinach Salad with chicken, goat cheese, peppers, & dill

I got really lazy today & just didn't feel like fixing anything else. :)

Snacks:

Bananas

Snow Peas

Carrots

Pumpkin Seeds

Millet & Flax Bread with natural peanut butter

Hi ya'll! For the past several months I've been on numerous rounds of steroids. That along with a lousy internet connection kept me from posting. Now I'm steroid free & I once again feel like taking the time to prepare my own food. I'm also happy to have my doctor's go-ahead to resume exercise with a few provisions. I have to start going to physical therapy to rehab my poor ankle, however, the therapy prescription goes further. I'll actually be under a physical therapist's supervision until I reach the body mass index considered healthy for my height. I didn't even know that physical therapists did that but apparently they do. Naturally I thought of all my Svelte girls & wanted to add blogging to my regime. :)

Strength Workout/Running in Place 45 minutes

Plus cleaning the house for an hour and shopping with two kids for an hour.

Strength workout- 30 minutes, running in place- 15 minutes. I think I will always run in place now with my strength workout since it gives me that aerobic "high" that makes it worth it to work out.

Thursday

I ran with the group today. 6 miles at just a shade over a 9 min. mile. It was harder than it used to be. I expected that though. We'll see how my hip does. It's a little sore right now, but not bad.

Wednesday Exercise Bike/ Marching in Place 45 minutes

Exercise bike- 35 minutes, marching in place, 10 minutes. I did not feel like working out at all since my cat died this afternoon, but I thought it might make me feel better.

I'm Still at It

I've just been too lazy / busy to post. Today I biked on the trainer. It's a lot harder with the tire aired all the way up! I only averaged 15.5 mph for 40 minutes, and that was hard.

Tuesday Strength Workout/Running in Place 50 minutes

I missed swimming last night because I only got 3-4 hours sleep the night before, and I was afraid I would actually fall asleep at the wheel either there or back. It was a good thing, though, because Vance and one of our older cats were both sick :(

Strength workout -30 minutes (arms, legs, abs) and running in place 20 minutes.

Saturday Strength Workout 30 minutes

Abs, arms, legs.

I wanted to go running, but it started raining just as I was about to go. I had my shoes on and everything! I figured running+getting over a sinus infection+pregnant=bad.

Friday Brisk Walking 30 minutes

And then 30 more minutes of heavy duty outdoor chores. I actually ran the first 5 minutes of the walk since my car battery was dead and I needed to pick Vance up from school (1 mile away). So, 2 miles total walk/running.

Wednesday Running in Place/ Marching in Place 45 minutes

Running in place 30 minutes, marching in place 15 minutes.

I wanted to go running outside this morning, but I woke up feeling really nasty. I did not start feeling better until the afternoon.

Tuesday Strength Workout 45 minutes

Arms, legs, abs, with some yoga mixed in.

Monday Swimming 1 Hour

Good swim!-- 15 minutes breast stroke, 20 minutes back, 20 minutes freestyle, 5 minutes kick board.

I also cleaned out my dirty old car for about an hour and did laundry off and on all day.

I did not mean to take a whole other week off for this nuisance of a sinus infection! The second round of antibiotics really kicked my butt AND I hurt my foot, so I was benched. I'm revving to go now though! (send happy thoughts my way that this second round of antibiotics really got rid of this stupid infection!).

Interesting...

I have nothing to report in the exercise arena. I'm having back/hip/leg problems, and my doc doesn't want me to do anything except walk in a pool. So I'm in the process of accessing a pool. I hate bureaucracy.
Anyway, the reason I'm posting is that I gained twenty pounds, freaked out, talked to some friends of mine in my area, and they put me in touch with a lady at church who is a fitness counselor/dietitian/ect ect to help me get a handle on my issues, and she told me something I didn't know, and maybe you guys do, but I thought I'd throw it out there. (How's THAT for a run-on sentence?!) She told me that when you hit a plateau in losing weight, OR a plateau in your work outs, that if you go back to where you started, it resets your body, and you break through the plateau. So like this (hypothetically):
I'm trying to lose twenty pounds, so I start walking. I can only walk a mile a day at first, but after six months, I can do three miles. I lost ten pounds, but that last ten just won't come off. What my instructor told me is that you should go back to one mile a day for a bit, and work your way back up to three miles, it won't take you six months obviously it will go way faster, and that resets your metabolism, and shazam! You break your plateau. The same for work out plateaus. If you just hit a brick wall and can't seem to plow through it, go back to your easier work outs for a bit, and work back up to where you were, and you should be able to bust through it then.
Anyway, cool huh? Another weapon in our arsenal against unhealthiness! Booyah!
The Almighty Liz

Tuesday

20 minutes stair running, 20 minutes on bike.

Friday Exercise bike 40 minutes, Yoga 20 minutes (1 Hour total)

My rear end hurt, so I guess I missed last week on the bike. The yoga was because my back and shoulder have been really tight this week.

Thursday (Turkey Day Workout) Strength Workout 30 minutes

Arms, abs, legs.

I was going to do yoga tonight, but I am just too pooped from eating all day ;)

A Nice Surprise for Turkey Day

I just finished doing the first of many stair workouts for the cold months. I haven't done one of those since last winter. It's a standard shut-in-bad-weather workout for me. I usually get so incredibly sick of it by the time that spring comes that I refuse to do it until forced to. Well, today I just did NOT want to do that bike again. Plus I really need to cross train anyway. I failed to get up early enough to go running before Bruce went off to Turkey Bowl, like I had planned. So, to make sure that I got my workout in today, I did the stairs. Every winter when I do the stair workout for the first time, I am surprised by how hard it is. It's the same thing with spring and running pushing a buggy. I was expecting this to be a really hard day, especially since I haven't been doing much running. However, that bike must be doing something for me because it really wasn't that bad. Don't get me wrong, it was a good workout, but I didn't feel like dieing. I started out with the intention to quit after 30 minutes, but I felt okay, so I did 40. Go me!

Wednesday Running/ Walking 35 minutes

I ran 1 1/2 miles with BIG hills in 20 minutes, and then walked 1/2 mile in 15 minutes. I think it was 15 minutes on the walking, but I did not actually look at my watch at the end.

Plus, I washed a bunch of toys that were outside all summer and were packed, caked, and ground in with mud. It took over an hour kneeling over a bath tub so I'm totally counting it!

Saturday & Tuesday

I ran a little on Saturday, only 3 miles, but I was pushing a stroller.

Today I did 35 minutes on the bike in the basement. I aired up the tires, making a lot more friction with the friction creator thingy. It was a lot harder!

Monday Swimming 1 Hour

Plus, I fixed my car, took two kids grocery shopping for an hour, and helped the kids put up all their big toys in the yard, and bring all the little toys inside.

Breast-15 minutes, back-20 minutes, freestyle-15 minutes, kick board- 10 minutes

Walking 30+ 10 minutes

After Ahlana Shea's B-day party, I came home exhausted. I took a nap when we got home (6:30 ish), vegetated while the wife read to the kids, tucked my son in and then when down and napped some more. At about 9:45, I became conscious and checked my e-mail intending to go back to sleep. Instead, I took some baking soda (stomach settling) and some ibuprofen (my head felt bad during the napping).
Earlier, my intention had been to go get some eggs and bread from the store. Due to the previous tiredness, I did not think that it was going to happen. After I read my e-mail and checked some forums, I felt close to human. At that point, I thought that it was up to me to take a walk to the store or not, so I took the walk. Yippee.

Friday Running/Walking 35 minutes

I only ran 1 mile this time (with BIG hills) and I did not look at my watch when I stopped so I have no idea on the time. My chicken is kicked this week. I think I overdid it a bit with other stuff since I could not swim on Monday (stupid #@!&#@ car!)

Friday

I dragged my lazy carcass downstairs and rode that durn bike for 40 minutes this morning. I've also been practicing my piano like a crazed woman trying to fight off a nervous breakdown, but I don't feel like posting that everyday. Once this program is over and my immediate need to practice is gone, I'll have more need of someone to report that to.

Thursday Strength Workout/ Running in Place 45 minutes total

Strength workout- 30 minutes, running in place 15 minutes.

Alright slackers, the pregnant lady is kicking your butt! Hop to it!!!

Wednesday Running/ Walking 30 minutes

I ran 1 1/2 miles in 20 minutes (with BIG hills), and then walked a 1/2 mile in 10 minutes.

Tuesday Running in Place 30 minutes 20 minutes Yoga (50 minutes total)

I did the running in place in the afternoon, and the yoga in the evening.

I Went Running! (Sort of)

I went to the running group this morning. Everybody had gone to the hill route except one lady who runs considerably slower than I do. I was happy to run with Judy though for my first time back. We did 6 miles slowly. My PT says to stay away from hills for a while. My hip hurts, but only a little. I hope I can beat this thing soon!

Monday Strength Workout/ Exercise Bike 1 Hour total

Strength Workout 25 minutes, exercise bike 30 minutes, marching in place 5 minutes. My sinus infection seems to be getting better, and hopefully will be gone in the next 10 days or so.

Thursday & Wednesday Piano

I biked 15 minutes then went out and ran 3 1/2 miles. My hip feels tight, but it doesn't hurt. I'm still not fixed yet. I hope I figure this out soon.

Yesterday I practiced choir stuff for an hour or two. I'll practice later on today too.

Wednesday Running in Place Standing Ab Work 30 minutes

Running in place 20 minutes, standing abs 10 minutes.

Plus, housecleaning ALL day for Vance's party on Friday.

*Grooooooooan*

Okay, my back/hip/leg is really giving me fits lately, so I laid off of working out for a bit to see if that would help, since working out seemed to be making things worse. I tried to do abs today, but couldn't finish the 10 minute set. Not my back, but my hip and leg (the whole leg) were freaking killing me after eight minutes. I'm thinking this is because of the broken leg, and perhaps I need physical therapy for it after all. *sigh*
The Almighty Liz

Tuesday Strength Workout/ Exercise Bike 1 hour

1 hour total. I did the strength workout in the late morning (30 minutes) and the exercise bike at 7:30pm at night.

Tuesday Piano

About an hour and a half maybe more.

Tuesday

I biked 40 minutes on the trainer. I also cheated on and then broke up with my Physical Therapist. I went to see a gal from our ward who is a Physical Therapist. She seemed more knowledgeable, plus I was more comfortable with her. She told me to run 3 1/2 miles tomorrow. I hope it goes well! I want to be fixed so bad!

Monday Running/Walking 40 minutes

Running report- I ran 1 mile in 12 minutes, and then walked about 1 1/2 miles in 28 minutes. I meant to walk 2 miles, but I got turned around in this nice neigborhood I like to walk/run in (it was dark).

I did not feel like swimming tonight. How weird is that? I love swimming!

Monday - Yoga

Feeling better after a week with a cold. Did 90 minutes of Yoga. It really cleared my sinuses. The workout was felt good, but I am really tired now.

More Friday

I ran with Lydia at the 24 hour run. Their "mile" was short. I'm guessing it was more like 3/4 mile. I ran it 4 times (not in succession). My hip hurts, but not really bad. The trouble is that I don't think it's healed any. I just haven't good and annoyed it for a while. If I started running again, I'd be right back where I started with this junk. FRUSTRATING!!

Friday Exercise Bike/Marching in Place/ Standing Abs 50 minutes

Exercise bike 30 minutes, 15 minutes marching in place, 5 minutes standing ab work.

Friday

40 minutes on the bike. It sucked (as in it was hard, in a good way-now that I'm done.)

Thursday

I practiced choir music a lot. It was at least two hours worth, maybe three. I need to quit and do some things around the house for my family. There is so much music to learn! I feel like I could practice all day. Sunday's practice approacheth. Will I be ready? YES! (I hope.) At least it won't be for lack of effort on my part. I will have justly earned some Heavenly Help.

"Why am I posting piano stuff here?" you ask. (That is if you missed the earlier explanation.) It's like this: This is the place where we keep tabs on each other, and have someone to report to. Plus pianists are small muscle athletes. Harlan says so. It might be a stretch of "SVELTE," but you'll have to get over it.

I ate too much junk, and I want to puke.

And Pushing a Little Harder Still...

Same thing;
10 min. Pilate ab workout and then 20 min. on the bike, but a little faster at 11.5-12.5 mph for a total of 3.9 miles covered. The back is still giving me fits. Gr.
The Almighty Liz

Wednesday Running/ Walking 1 hour

Running Report- I ran 1 1/2 miles in 21 minutes. I wanted to do 2 miles, but this cold is still dragging me down. I did walk 1 1/2 miles after that though, which is longer than I usually walk. I'm not sure on the exact time for the walking since I did not look at my watch after I finished walking. Too busy enjoying talking with Renae and Suzanne!

Plus, doing laundry today.

Wednesday

I biked 35 minutes on the trainer (the computer is broken, so I don't know my speed) then I ran 1 mile with Lydia. The good news is that my hip doesn't hurt anymore than it did before I ran, so I am free to go a bit farther. The key might be massaging and then stretching that spot well before and after a run.

I've been practicing my booty off with choir stuff. It's GREAT! I love having a piano project! Say it with me: "I think I can. I think I can."

Tuesday Pregnancy Yoga 45 minutes

Plus, I've been cleaning off and on all day today.

I tried ZenMama with Rainbeau Mars: Prenatal Yoga Workout- Not bad. I liked it better than some other because it was longer and felt like more of a "workout". The lady was more annoying than Crunch Yoga Mama's lady, so I think that one is still my favorite. This one had table, down dog, a couple standing postures, plus some difficult back bends which I still enjoyed. My back feels better and I love the relaxed feeling I get from these prenatal yoga DVDs. Now, if only I could take a nap ;)

Also on Monday

I already told you that I biked, but I also went to physical therapy, not that it was a workout. I cleaned the main floor more thoroughly than I've done in a while, did laundry, and I practiced choir music for about an hour. How I wish I had Aunt Marsha's abilities!!! Someday...

Monday Swimming 55 minutes

Plus I raked leaves for an hour, and other yard chores for another half hour.

Swimming- Breast- 15 minutes, back- 20 minutes, freestyle- 10 minutes, kick board- 10 minutes. I'm totally blaming daylight savings time for me pooping out on the freestyle! My body thought it was almost bed time ;) (ok, the leaf raking and the fact that I have a cold may have had a teensy bit to do with it!)

The Same, but with Intensity...

....or as close as I get right now, lol! 10 minute Pilates ab workout, but while she was doing the really hard ones, I substituted easier exercises. Then 20 minutes on the bike, but I pushed it a wee bit harder today, and did 10.5-11.5 mph for a total of 3.6 miles covered. My back is still sorta killing me, but no so much that I'm incapacitated anymore, like last week. Oi! I totally hate back problems. They make it pretty much impossible to do anything. Very annoying. On the bright side though, I do have an excuse to make John change all the diapers....
The Almighty Liz

Monday

Biked on the trainer 40 minutes. The bike's computer is broken, so I don't know my speed. I WANT TO RUN!!!!!

I've also practiced choir stuff a bunch this weekend!

Saturday Running/Walking 30 minutes

Running Report- I ran 1 mile on flat terrain in 12 minutes. I walked 1 mile in 17-18 minutes. 2 miles total.

Friday Exercise Bike/ Marching in Place 45 minutes

Exercise bike 30 minutes, marching in place 15 minutes to cool down. This head cold is kicking my butt, so we'll see if I can workout tomorrow. The exercise did clear up some sinus congestion, but then my stomach didn't like that. I need some sun! Blah, stupid rain, blah.

Same as Yesterday

10 minute pilate ab workout, and 20 minutes on the bike at 10-10.5 mph for a total of 3.4 miles covered. Yay me! Am I sore? Ooooooh, yes.
The Almighty Liz

Thursday

I biked 40 minutes on the trainer. Average speed 19.2.

Oh, and Chopin and Schubert are going to have to take a rest. Holy Freak, I just agreed to play piano for the Stake Christmas Cantata!!!! I'm totally excited and totally scared! I'm going to have to tie my butt to the piano bench for the next month an a half! I know I can play well, it's just that no one else does. Not even Bruce knows how I can really play. I just get so nervous when I have to play in front of people! What have I DONE?!

I'm BAAAAAAACK!!

Hey girls!! Did you miss me?! I sure as heck missed all of you. So, I'm back in the game, although it will be awhile before I'm any sort of competition at all. ;) So I guess it's a good thing this isn't a competition, lol! A little thing you all missed because I was in the hospital at the time and couldn't post about it, but on August 11th, we hit our year anniversary!! A whole year of consistent working out ladies!! How freakin' awesome is that?! So I say, go celebrate a bit! I was going to do a whole party, but I'm not able, so maybe next year, but this is big people, so go get yourselves a cookie, you deserve it! And then jump on treadmill or stationary bike and work those calories off, lol! Just kidding. (you can decide amongst yourselves what part I'm kidding about. ;))
So I did my first workout since the beginning of August today! I did a ten minute Pilate abs workout. I chose this because my lower back has had me incapacitated all week, and it's totally because my belly is just pure mush right now. So, I took it super slow and easy, and didn't do any of the more challenging exercises so I didn't damage anything worse than it is right now. Instead, I substituted smaller exercises for the big hard ones so I could do the whole stinking ten minutes, and I gotta tell you, it was HARD. I have really lost a ton of ground, but I am beyond determined to make it all back up! I've put on fifteen pounds, and lost a lot of muscle during this latest bout with illness/broken bones/heart trouble, so my goal is to lose ten by Christmas. I would like my winter clothes to fit again!! And no, I'm not going to concentrate uber hard on my scale, I'm going to concentrate on inches and strength and how my clothes fit....and then I'll see how much I've lost, lol!!
The Almighty Liz
Edited;
So, I wanted to see how much cardio I could handle today as well. I didn't think I would be able to handle much at all, but I ended up doing twenty minutes! Real slow, 9.5-10.5 mph, and on the lowest tension setting, but still, twenty minutes!!!! 3.3 miles total. Love it!

Saturday & Wednesday

Yeah, I've lost a bit of my fire since my hip / back started being bad. I biked on the trainer 40 minutes avg. speed 19 mph on Saturday. I didn't do anything M or T. Wednesday I did 35 minutes on the trainer at 19.3 mph, then I ran one mile with Lydia, just to see how it felt. It didn't feel great. Sooo want to be better soon!

I've also played my piano a few times since then. I've been doing a lot of Chopin and sight reading.

Wednesday Running/Walking 50 minutes

Running Report- I ran 2 miles with BIG hills in 30 minutes. I walked 3/4 mile in 20 minutes.

Exercise Bike 30 minutes Yoga 30 minutes

Trying to keep up with the exercise bike to keep my "bike butt" from coming back. I did the Crunch Yoga Mama tape because I found it at the library too. I think that's my favorite one so far anyway.

Monday Swimming 1 Hour

Uh, and laundry, sweeping, and vacuuming.

15 minutes breast stroke, 15 minutes freestyle, 20 minutes back stroke, 10 minutes kick board. Freestyle was slow and sputtery tonight.

Friday Running/Walking 30 minutes

Running report- I ran 1 mile in 12 minutes and then walked 1 mile in 18 minutes. My feet did not hurt at all, so hopefully back into running 3 times next week!

Friday Yoga 30 minutes

I also walked around the pumpkin farm with Vance on a field trip for 2 hours in the cold (like 40 degrees). And then tonight I walked around the church parking lot for 30 minutes or so "trunk or treating". I is a tired pregnant lady.

I did Yoga Journal and Lamaze Present: Yoga for Your Pregnancy DVD. I just did: PART 1: ENERGIZING & STRENGTHENING. It was good. A few hard postures mixed in with an easy warm up. It was good for today since I was pretty tired from the pumpkin farm. I might try the relaxation exercises some other day. I have it from the library for a week.

Thursday Strength Workout/Running in Place 1 hour

Arms, abs, legs. I ran in place 20 minutes and it felt really good! I marched in place 10 minutes to cool down.

Exercise Bike 30 minutes (plus major gardening)

2 hours of gardening! Those Asiatic lily bulbs were entrenched and would not budge, I had to dig down 12 inches to get under their root system. I still have probably an hour more I could do, but I don't think I have the energy.

Wednesday

Biked 40 minutes on trainer 18.5 mph.

Sight reading & Schubert approx. 45 minutes

Tuesday Pregnancy Aerobics DVD 55 minutes, Walking 45 minutes

I walked 2 miles again with the kids in the double stroller.

Leisa Hart: FitMama - Prenatal Workout Review- In my defense, all the other prenatal workouts I have done have been major wussy workouts. I totally was not expecting to have to work this hard! First, it starts out with 20 minutes of salsa dance, and then 25 minutes of "yoga". Yeah, she made the yoga majorly aerobic. I was hoping for more stretches to pull out this shoulder that has been bugging me, but it was not that kind of yoga. Very good workout, but not good for a "light workout" like I was expecting.

Tuesday

Biked 40 minutes on the trainer, average speed 18.5 mph. Still can't run; getting frustrated!

Also went for a walk with the two little ones, we probably went around 1 1/2 - 2 miles.

Practiced D major and minor scales and arpeggios for 30 minutes. Practiced Chopin for about 15 minutes.

Monday Walking 1 hour Swimming 50 minutes

Very light walking. It took me 1 hour to walk 2 miles. It was just too nice a day to waste! I also did gardening for 1 hour (planting small root things that will be bushes next year, transplanting bulbs from one part of the yard to another, etc).

Swimming- breast stroke- 10 minutes, freestyle 20 minutes, backstroke 10 minutes, kick board 10 minutes. My left shoulder kept hurting with the breast and back strokes, so I had to poop out early. Gardening shoulder?

Thursday

Yeah, I've had a not so great week for working out. I'm still not running because of my hip, but hoping to get back to it later this week. I biked on my trainer twice last week, but that was it. I should have done more, but I just hate that thing! Laziness. Argh!

Saturday Running/ Walking 30 minutes Strength Workout 30 minutes (1 Hour Total)

Running report- I ran 1 mile and walked 1 mile. I ran the mile in 13 minutes.

Strength- I sooo did not want to do this workout this afternoon after running in the morning. I could not do it yesterday because of holding a feverish little boy all day (and night). Arms, legs, abs.

Friday workout flop

Today was suppose to be legs, back and ab ripper, however I became sick about 30 minutes into the workout. I think all this congestion went straight to my stomach. I am feeling better now. Bryan finished without me, so at least somebody had a good workout.

Thursday Exercise Bike/Marching in Place/Yoga 1 hour 5 minutes

35 minutes on the exercise bike, 10 minutes marching in place, and 20 minutes of Yoga (for shoulder tension).

Prenatal Yoga Complete: I tried several different segments in the "first trimester" section and they were all great for stretching but they put me to sleep. No challenge, no strength training, no deep stretches. I think I'm going back to Crunch Yoga Mama for a prenatal yoga workout that does not feel like it's patronizing me.

Tues,Wed, Thurs

Tuesday- Cardio X

Wed - Shoulders & Arms plus Ab ripper

Thurs - Yoga

All workouts were better this week. I am feeling stronger, but I am having a little seasonal congestion. This makes it a little harder to breath. Still loving it though. All the extra protein we have been eating (and drinking) is making me feel really full. Feels goooooood.

Wednesday Strength Workout and Running in Place 1 hour

40 minutes of strength workout and stretching, 20 minutes of running in place.

Several things kept me from running outside today, so I decided to run in place. I also thought running in place would be good since it's almost all calves, and I did the exercise bike yesterday which is almost all thighs.

Tuesday Exercise Bike/Marching in place/Stretching 1 Hour

I was going to do my strength workout today, but I was too stiff and I already had a ton of planting to do out in the yard. I also did 1 hour yard work today.

40 minutes on the exercise bike, 10 minutes marching in place, 10 minutes stretching.

Monday Swimming 1 Hour

breast stroke 15 minutes, back stroke 20 minutes, free style 20 minutes, 5 minutes kick board. This swim felt soooooo good! No more skipping exercise days, it makes me way too tired.

Monday- Back to Core

Did the core workout for the second time. I did a lot better on it today. I feel stronger after just one week. This is the first time in years that I worked out 6 days in a row. The program allows for only one day off a week. You could also do the stretching DVD, but I just took it off. I am really happy with the program. We are going to try to get some protein powder today. I have some good recipes for protein shakes I want to try out.

Monday

30 minutes F major and minor scales & arpeggios 60-67 bpm. 30 minutes Schubert Impromptu.

40 minutes on the trainer avg speed 18.6 mph. Hip still hurts. Going to the chiropractor again today. Hoping that it gets better by this Friday. Lydia's 24 hour run thing is then, and I really want to be able to do it with her.

Saturday DVD - Kenpo

Great workout. I sweat the most with this DVD. It was also fun to do some martial arts. The forms were not perfect because you have to go fast to keep your heart rate up. Still, lots of fun and burned a lot of calories.

Friday

Did legs and back DVD followed by ab ripper dvd. It was a great workout however the back exercises were all pull-ups. We have a pull up bar that goes on the door frames in the apartment. Bryan had to "spot" me............ a lot.

Definition of Spot: to lift someone up to the bar every time.

Saturday

15 minutes Chopin. 45 minutes sight reading. 30 minutes Schubert Impromptu.

Friday

40 minutes continuous on the trainer avg. speed 18.6. Good workout! Doesn't seem to bother my hip.

Stretching the Meaning of Svelte, But Bear With Me

My stinking hip is still not good. I went to the chiropractor, but I don't feel any better. Wondering if I should go again, or if it still won't help. Do I just run with the pain? Don't know. I think I'll try the bike in the basement today.

Anyway, on another subject. This is the blog where we keep track of our goals and are accountable to each other right? This might not pertain to fitness, but I REALLY need someone to report to. I do the fitness thing without this blog thing, but I have a harder time fitting in piano. I'm wanting to go back to school in a few years (as a music ed / piano major), so I really need to put in some serious time on the piano between now and then. Harlan always says that players of piano are small muscle athletes, and that is true. So for those reasons, I'm going to be posting my piano practices. Like it or not. I just want someone to report to, in hopes to keep me on track. You can ignore them, if you want to.

Here's what I've done today:

F Major scales 10 minutes 60 beats per minute = alternating between quarter, eight, triplets and sixteenth notes.

F Major arpeggios 5 minutes

F Major dominant 7th arpeggios 5 minutes

F minor natural, harmonic and melodic scales 5 minutes

30 minutes Chopin Etude, pages 1-3.

Kajukenbo 10/1 & 10/8

We've been doing push-ups and Jujitsu sit ups consistently at the beginning of classes. At the end. we do "opas" and standing for a minute or so in a horse.

In the middle, we do forms and some other exercises. Last week it was "referencing" across the floor in a horse and power (forward) stance. ("Referencing" is just putting your feet together as you step, but I should them how to use it offensively. See examples here .) This week it was shuffling (this video is perfect BTW) and kicking a shield.

Thursday Yoga 40 minutes

Blah blah, more yoga, blah blah.

Thursday workout

Today was the Yoga DVD. It was funny because Bryan thought it would be easy. He was very wrong. Still, I love the feeling of relaxation I get after Yoga. Even if it was crazy hard and I couldn't do half of the poses. I just do my best.

Tues and Wed workout

Tuesday was the cardio DVD. I expected aerobics but it was more like strength training done so fast that it kept up your heart rate. Very tough, but I was able to keep up.

Wednesday was a Chest, Shoulders & Triceps DVD followed by a Ab Ripper DVD. This was way too hard for me. There must have been over 300 push-ups like exercises in this DVD. Even on my knees I couldn't keep up. So I did my best and stuck with it. Bryan loved it, however I kicked his butt during the Ab ripper DVD. It was awesome. The best ab workout I have ever had.

Wednesday Running/Walking 30 minutes

Running Report- I ran 1 1/2 miles with BIG hills and then walked 1/2 mile. I forgot to look at my watch when I stopped running, so no clue on my running time for this run.

Tuesday Strength Workout 30 minutes

abs, legs, arms.

Tuesday

Got up and ran with the group again. Bob and Greg kept me going, but my stupid hip really wanted me to quit. It usually fixes itself, but this is a BAD one. Anyway, I ran six with the group at around 8:45 minute miles, then I came home and ran a slow 1 1/2 with Lydia.

Monday Swimming 1 hour 5 minutes

15 mintues breast stroke, 20 minutes back stroke, 20 minutes freestyle, 10 minutes of kick board.

Plus, 1 hour of planting bulbs. I was so glad that I made 20 minutes of freestyle. I was so slow and sluggish on the back stroke that I did not think I would make it. Yay me!

The first day is always the hardest

Bryan and I started the P90X workout series today. The first DVD was Core. It was like yoga on steroids plus lots of push-up like exercises. It was really hard but we really enjoyed it. The trainer on the DVDs is really funny and he is easy on the eyes too. More importantly it was cool because we could both work at our own pace and use weights that worked for us. Tomorrow is the Cardio DVD. I am looking forward to it. Bye for now.

Saturday

Challenge of the Bluffs. 5 hilly miles avg. speed 8:30 minute miles 7.1 mph. My hip is really not happy right now. I need a chiropractor! Michael Moginot beat me again! Only this time it was a really for real she kicked my chicken. DARN!!! I'm gonna have to work harder next time.

Saturday Pregnancy Yoga 30 minutes

I did the Crunch Yoga Mama pregnancy yoga DVD again. I wanted to go walking with the babies today too, but it was too cold :(

Friday Running/Walking 40 mintues

Running Report- I ran 1 mile in 14 minutes with flats. I walked like 1 1/2 miles in 26 minutes.

I did about an hour of yardwork yesterday.

Thursday Strength Workout 35 minutes

arms, abs, legs.

I sure as poop did not want to work out today. I feel like lots of yuckiness.

Thursday

I got up early and ran with the group. Again I ended up keeping pace with my buddy Dave, who pushed my pace just the right amount. We ran 6 miles at 6.9 mph or an 8:45 minute mile.

Wednesday Running/Walking 45 minutes

Running report- I ran 2 miles with BIG hills in 28 minutes. Then I walked 3/4 mile in 20 minutes.

I also did about 30 minutes of weeding, or "treeing" as I was pulling up small trees around a bigger tree.

Tuesday Strength Workout 30 minutes

Arms, abs, legs.

Plus, one hour of getting clothes out and put away for fall/winter and one hour of planting in the yard. No morning sickness today! I think the keeping busy is really helping!

Tuesday

Ran with the group today. I finally have someone to run at my pace! Yay, yay, yay!!! I ran with Greg, Dave and Bob today. Dave seems to be just about the right pace for me. 6 miles. I didn't wear my Garmen today, so I don't know my precise pace. It's probably around a 9 minute mile.

Monday Swimming 1 Hour

breast stroke 15 minutes, back stroke 20 minutes, freestyle 15 minutes, kick board 10 minutes.

Plus 1 hour of weeding and yard work. Yard work made my morning sickness go away, so I'm going to try that when I get sick from now on!

Saturday

Speed work 4 @ 1/2 mile, 2 @ 1/4 mile.

Saturday Strength Workout 30 minutes

abs, arms, legs.

I was going to try to go running today, but I was too sick. Blah, four more weeks of morning sickness!

Friday Exercise Bike 45 minutes, Marching in Place 15 minutes

I did not overheat today since I took of my shirt AND my pants, so I could make the whole 45 minutes. That's why I love exercising indoors ;)

Thursday Strength Workout 30 minutes

Finally! I'm trying to get three strength workouts in a week, but I'm definitely only going to squeeze in two this week, if that.

Thursday

I got up early and ran with the group. 6 miles at about a 9 minute mile. Good run!

Wednesday Running/Walking 45 minutes

Running Report- I ran ALMOST 2 miles this time. Woot! I could not make it up this last big hill, but I could see the stop sign that marked "2 miles". Anyway I ran that in 25 minutes, and then I walked 3/4 mile in 20 minutes.

Wednesday

I biked on the trainer for 40 minutes avg. speed 18.1.

Tuesday Exercise Bike 40 minutes, Marching in Place 20 minutes

I was going to do a pregnancy strength workout DVD today, but I woke up with a nasty pain in my neck and shoulder (a crick?). I couldn't do anything with my arms without being in pain that made me want to throw up, so I opted for the exercise bike.

I was aiming for 45 minutes on the bike, but then I got overheated (even though I was inside, in air conditioning, with a big box fan pointed at me). Pregnancy!

Tuesday Morning

I got up to run with the group today. The majority of the fast group weren't there for some reason or another. Some still injured, some still recovering from the latest marathon maybe, some just running on a different schedule; I don't know. Greg was there (who I've been running with the past week), and a gal I've never met before named Christine (she evidently started coming during my maternity and summer leave, and since the fast group doesn't always start with the rest of us, I've never seen her before, but everyone else seemed to know her) anyway Christine is fast. I ran with the two of them for 2 1/2 ish miles at about 7.4 mph (that's a low 8 minute mile). After that I couldn't hang on anymore and began to lag behind. I sent them on their way at the turn around and ran back with the next group back. Over all was 6 miles at about 6.5 mph (a low 9 minute mile average).

Monday Swimming 1 Hour

Breast stroke- 15 minutes, back stroke- 20 minutes, freestyle- 15 minutes, kick board- 10 minutes.

I also got up at 5:30am this morning and went to the doctor, and several stores, and made a double batch of pumpkin oatmeal cookies (sugar free!). Yay me!

She's baaacccckkkk....

Hello all. It has been way too long sense my last post. I had the flu for a couple of weeks and then it has taken me a couple of more to get off my rear again.

My husband and I ordered a set of boot camp style DVDs called the P90X. It looks really tough but I am looking forward to exercising with Bryan. He is mean but I need someone pushing me. Although the exercises seem to be geared more toward men, there are modifications that can be made so I can get lean, not big.

We have to wait a week or so to start because his mom is going to be visiting with us. Until then I am going to walk everyday just so I will not be a total blob when we start this.

I walked 1.5 miles today.

Saturday Hiking on a Trail 30 minutes, Strength Workout 30 minutes

I specified "hiking on a trail" because I think walking in the woods is harder than walking on pavement and this trail had lots of ups and downs.

Strength- arms, abs, legs.

New pregnancy workout schedule for now:
Monday- swimming
Tuesday- Strength (including pilates or yoga)
Wednesday- Running
Thursday- Strength (including pilates or yoga)
Friday- Running
Saturday- Strength

I will probably switch the running to exercise bike or swimming toward the end of the pregnancy when I get ridiculously big or it starts hurting.

Friday Running 30 minutes

Running Report- I ran 1 1/2 miles in 20 mintues and walked 1/2 mile in 10 minutes.

Thursday & Friday

I ran 6 miles with the group yesterday. I got to run with faster people again. It was great!

Today I walked 3 miles with Suzanne. I'm not feeling so great, so I think that's all I'm up for today. Really, if my ears would stop ringing, I'd be fine. It's driving me a bit nuts. Today is not a good day to have a house full of noisy kids. I hope those antibiotics do the trick in short order!

Kajukenbo 9/17

Myself and the 2nd degree black belt inherited the class as our instructor (Sifu) lives an hour+ away from our little class. He's going to check on us once a month or so.

Tonight we did-
stretching
push-ups (Sibak Scorpion, that's the 2nd, loves those 'cause he is not 39 and chubby.)
basics- punches, kicks, elbows and knees
jujitsu sit-ups (See above comment re: Sibak Scorpion)
pad work- we simulated being surrounded w/your back to the wall and elbowing and kneeing out to escape
"opas"- Brazilian jiujitsu bridge escapes
more push-ups

Thursday Walking 50 minutes

About 2 1/2 miles while pushing first one kid, then two kids in the running stroller.

Wednesday Yoga 40 minutes, Strength Workout 30 minutes (1 hour 10 minutes total)

Review of Crunch Yoga Mama-
This was a good workout for today since the morning sickness was making me feel really wretched. It was a very easy yoga workout, though. Only about 10 minutes of it actually felt like a "good" workout, the rest felt like nice stretching or relaxing. The 10 minutes was the 10 minutes of standing poses that were included in the workout. The rest of the workout was modified seated yoga postures. I do think it will be good in the last trimester when my belly is bigger since they show pregnancy modifications for all the yoga poses.

I felt the need to do my strength workout later for a "real workout. Abs,arms, legs.

Tuesday Running/Walking 35 minutes

Running report- I ran 1 1/2 miles with BIG hills in 20 mintues and walked a little over half a mile in 20 minutes.

I wanted to do some free weights later today, but I pooped out :(

Tuesday

I got up early and ran with the group. There were 2 guys from the fast group there today. One of them is coming back from an injury (and he ran/walked over 20 miles on Saturday -can you believe that?!), the other one is still recovering from a marathon that he did on Sunday. So long story short, I was able to keep up with them today. I actually had a run with the group where I felt pushed. It was great! 6 miles today. Will I ride with Team Godzilla tonight? I don't know. I'd like to, but I have a list 70 miles long of things that I should be doing.

Saturday & Today

2 hours of lawn mowing on Sat.

15 minutes of escrima sticks today.

Monday Swimming 1 Hour (Note About Pregnancy Workouts)

I also did some light yard work for about an hour and cleaned out and vacuumed my car out (uh, 20 minutes?).

Swimming- 15 minutes breast stroke, 20 minutes back stroke, and 15 minutes freestyle (with a nice sprint at the end, 10 minutes cooling down with the kick board.

So, I looked up how long I can do crunches, and it's not the last trimester, in fact it's only until 4 months along that I'm supposed to do those. Upon learning of this, I decided to order a bunch of pregnancy pilates & pregnancy yoga DVD's from the library to try work on my "core" (new fancy exercise term for your abs). Hopefully, these exercises will help me keep the whole tummy and back strong to avoid that horrible pregnancy back ache from debilitating me like it did with Vance.

I will, of course, review all the DVD's that I end up doing when I post about doing them.

Monday

I woke up at 4:00 this morning. Not on purpose, however I made the mistake of getting my brain going. I laid back down, but after a few minutes I decided it was no good. I got up, read my scriptures, biked on the trainer for 40 minutes avg. speed 18.5 mph. Then I took Lydia & Ross for a quick 1/2 mile jog around the neighborhood. Lydia is training for a 24 hour relay run next month. When we got back, I woke up Mark, made breakfast, got everybody off to school, showered, dressed myself and 3 little boys (Erik is staying here for a few days), then I walked a mile with Suzanne. Go me! I'm sure if you check in with me in an hour or two, I'll be completely dead. As for now I feel great!

Okay, Okay, I'll post

I've had yet another not so great week for working out. I just have to figure out how to fit it in again. Every time school starts, the weather changes, whatever, it messes up my schedule. So, I had a little bout with my knees (it happens from time to time) so I was being cautious in the first part of the week and did not run. I did the Tuesday night ride 19 miles at I can't remember the speed, so that was good. By Thursday my knee felt good enough to run Thursday morning. I ran 5.6 miles. Eh, okay. Friday I was too busy and couldn't fit it in. Saturday I had a big workout planned with my bro. However he crashed Bruce's bike after 5 miles. That sucked! John's okay, just a few cuts and scrapes. Bruce's bike needs an entire new wheel, and a new tire. We are hoping that on further inspection, the forks turn out to be okay. DARN!! I biked back to the truck and drove to where he was, so I got 10 miles in. It was a rather pitiful workout. NEXT WEEK!!!

Saturday Exercise Bike 30 mintues, Strength 25 minutes (55 minutes total)

Exercise Bike for 30 minutes. Then I did arms with the 10 lb freeweight, 200 crunches, other ab work, and marching in place to cool down.

Firday Sprinting/Walking 40 minutes

Running report- I ran 1/4 mile, twice, and one 100 yard dash type sprint. I walked about 1 1/2 miles total between sprints.

Thursday Swimming 55 minutes

Where is EVERYBODY???

I did 15 minutes of breast stroke, 20 minutes of back stroke, and I only did 10 minutes of freestyle and pooped out. Probably because it's been almost 3 weeks since I swam. I also did 10 minutes of kick board.

Wednesday Running/ Walking 1 hour (3 1/2 miles)

Running Report- I ran 1 1/2 miles with BIG hills in 20 minutes. I then walked 2 miles in 40 minutes (or something like that, I did not look at my watch when we stopped walking).

Tuesday Exercise Bike/Marching in Place 1 Hour

I did the exercise bike for 40 minutes, and then marching in place for 20 minutes. The Edwardsville YMCA pool re-opened this week and I hope I get to swim this week too!

Monday Strength Workout 30 minutes

Arms, legs, abs.

Saturday Strength Workout 30 minutes

Arms, legs, abs, yep.

Firday Running/ Walking (BIG Hills) 35 minutes 2 miles

Running Report- I ran 1 mile with BIG hills (pretty hot day) and then walked another mile (with more BIG hills).

I also did about 2 hours of light weeding and gardening (almost all sitting down). I am POOPED!!!

Thursday & Friday

My week started out bad as fas as working out. LAZY! I'm trying to make it up now though. I ran 6 miles early Thursday and I ran 4.25 all hills miles today. I had set out to run 5.5 all hills, but the heat got to me and I petered out after 4.25 and walked the rest. Oh well.

Thursday Running/Walking (3 miles) 45 minutes

Running report- I ran 1 mile (12 minutes) while pushing the running stroller with my 3 year old in it. I walked 2 more miles with one big hill.

Thursday, Friday, Saturday

I have been walking 3 miles a day for the last 3 days. I slowly increase the incline on the treadmill as I go. My left leg was giving me trouble when I ran, so I backed off a little and went back to walking.

I will be on vacation for the next 5 days. I will report what exercise I can squeeze in when I get back.

See you soon Pooh! You better do some walking with me!

Friday

I ran 6 miles. Average speed 6.7 mph.

Thursday Running/Walking 50 minutes (BIG HILLS)

Running Report- I ran 2 miles with BIG hills in 30 mintues (pretty slow, 15 minute miles). I also walked 3/4 mile in 20 minutes. I was glad I was able to run two days in a row with the crazy busy week the kids and I have had with relatives in town from Idaho.

Thursday

I did speed work with the crazy early group. We ran 1.8 miles to and 1.8 miles from the track, where we did 3 - 1/2 mile burst, and 1 - 1/4 mile bursts. Good work out!

Wednesday Running/Walking 50 minutes

Running Report- I ran 1 mile with the new "running stroller" or converted bike trailer (it's meant to be converted). Renae gave me the idea, thanks Renae! Anyway, the first run out in it was really great, so much better than running with two kids in the other stroller I was using. I will definitely use this stroller for running with kids from now on. I also walked 2 miles after I dropped of Danger Boy at school.

I still have a cold and or sinus infection, so I'm not sure if I will get up to "full speed" on exercise the rest of the week or not.

Tuesday

I got up early and ran 6 2/3 miles with the Challenge of the Bluffs hills. As usual, the groups pace was a bit slower than my usual pace, but still a good workout.

I also biked 19 miles with Team Godzilla. My speed was 18.7 mph average. It's going to suck to have to give Terry's bike back!

Monday

Ran 2 miles and walked 1 mile. Went a little slower today because my left thigh is feeling tight. Going to take it easy tomorrow.

Getting Better

I ran 2 miles in about 24 min and walked 1 mile. It was a lot easier this time and I did not feel like I wanted to cry when I woke up this morning.

I have been doing some simple ab and lower back exercises too. I will have back problems if I don't.

Still a little stiff but all in all much better.

Saturday Running (faster than normal) walking 30 minutes (2 miles)

Running Report- I ran for 1/2 mile at faster than average speed (5 minutes) and then I walked a mile (20 minutes), then I ran another 1/2 mile at faster than average speed (5 minutes). Woot! It felt good to be able to run "faster" for that long, TWICE!

Friday

I ran 6 miles.

Friday Walking 20 minutes, Hula Dance Workout 30 minutes

I wanted today to be a "light" day, but I was not sure what I would do. I ended being invited to a short walk this morning (20 minutes, 1 mile) and then worked out with the Island Girl Dance Fitness Workout for Beginners: Hula Abs & Buns that I did (and reviewed) last week. That workout was just as fun the third time! I'm glad I checked it out again from the library. That light workout really woke me up this morning, and then I felt good for doing a good ab workout with the hula dvd tonight.

Hmmm, mayhap I should try this two light workouts on Friday as an experiment?

Early Morning Speed

I got up to run with the group (which seems to be dwindling since half of the fast group are currently out with injuries). Today was speed day for them, so we ran 1.8 miles to the track, then we did 3 - 1/2 mile sprints, and 1 - 1/4 mile sprint, then we ran back another 1.8 miles.

I'm glad someone is not sore

I ran 2 miles in 24 minutes and walked another mile last night. I woke up this morning feeling like I had been hit by a train. I took a very easy swim today to loosen up. Feeling better now.

I love being in shape; it is the getting in shape part I hate.

Thursday (1 Hour total) Sprinting/Walking 35 minutes, Strength workout 30 minutes (with 10 minuites of yoga after)

Running Report- I ran 5 sprints with lots of walking in between. I was not able to run 1/4 mile, I don't think, I was feeling sore from running Mon. & Tues.

Strength workout- Normal workout, but with 10 minutes of yoga after wards to try to pull out some of the tension.

Wednesday Swimming 1 Hour

I got all 20 minutes of freestyle this time! Woot! I also got two laps of "sprinting" freestyle and it felt so good to end the workout that way.Then I cooled down from my sprint with 5 minutes of kick board and 5 minutes of stretching.

Monday and Tuesday workout

On Monday I ran 1.25 miles and walked .75 miles. The whole thing was pretty slow. I am going to try to work up to three miles and then work on my run time. For now, I am just happy to run as far as I can at any pace.

Tuesday we took the kids to the beach. This was suppose to be my down day but swimming in the ocean and walking the board walk felt like a big workout to me. I am sore today but I am still going to try to run. We will see how far I get.

Tuesday Running/Walking 45 minutes (BIG HILLS) Abs 10 minutes

So I decided to see what it would be like to run two days in a row. I'm pretty sore, and tired, but no major injuries. 4 days a week of running might be possible for me after all!

Running Report- I ran 2 miles of BIG hills in 25 minutes, and then I walked 3/4 mile for 20 minutes. My left foot seemed a little tender, but I also had to wear my other pair of running shoes since my good running shoes were still wet from running in the rain yesterday. I'm starting to think I am crazy hill lady like Renae says!

Tuesday

I ran 4.6 miles pushing Justice & Clayton in the buggy. It took me 45 minutes.

Vacation Running

I ran with Bruce's dad in Santa Claus Indiana. Terry managed to find every single hill in the town, and lump them into a mean run of 6.5-7 miles. That is one tough old bird!

Monday Running/Walking 50 minutes (Flats) Abs 10 minutes

I could not go swimming tonight because the pool does not open when there is lightning going on, and it was raining, and I love running in the rain! So, I ran.

Running Report- I ran 2 1/4 miles in 35 minutes, all flats. I started our running an 11 minute mile for the 1st mile, but then I really slowed down towards the end. It averaged out to about a 15 minute mile. Then I walked 3/4 mile in 15 minutes.

I came home and did the ab work right away. I think I was slow on the running because I need to get used to running flats again. I was also sore from Pilates and doing 6 days of exercise last week instead of 5 days. I think exercising 6 days a week will be worth it once my body adjusts though.

Exercise is war

I swam laps for about 45 minutes today. I couldn't keep track of the number because I was engaged in naval warfare with the enemy the whole time. The evil pilat brother empire was ruthless in its attack, however the mother ship was unsinkable. Grrrrr!

Saturday Hula Workout 1 Hour

Review for Island Girl Dance Fitness Workout for Beginners: Hula Abs & Buns;
This is another DVD I got at the library. It is about a 30 minute workout, but I enjoyed it so much I did it twice. It was more fun than any other dance workout I've done! After 25 minutes of learning seven basic hula dance steps, I felt really able to do this basic dance routine with fun island music to go with it. The steps were fun and easy to learn, and the full dance routine at the end made me really feel like I learned something new. It also engaged my whole stomach, hip, thigh area almost the whole video. No reason to do a separate ab workout today!

Only problem- It really is for beginners, another reason I did it twice was because it was a pretty easy workout and I wanted to get good exercise.

Ran my first mile in a long time

It took me a little over 12 minutes but I made it. I walked another mile after that. Feeling really good. It doesn't take much running for me to get that runners high.

I was worried because I cut my foot on some glass at the pool yesterday, but it did not bother me today. It took me about 20 minutes to dig out this tiny sliver. It was small but it hurt!

Friday Pilates Workout 1 Hour (Strength Workout)

So, I keep forgetting to use the DVDs that I pick up from the library, and review them like I said I would. But, I finally did today! I might do another tomorrow actually.

Review of "Caribbean Workout" Pilates DVD: This DVD was taken from a popular workout TV show called Caribbean Workout, and it looks she does pretty much every workout under the sun on her show at some time.

I liked it better than the other Pilates DVD I did that I got from the library. I felt like I used my abs more, and it also had a whole 20 minute section on stretching (with some very nice leg exercises thrown in there). There were actually FOUR 20 minute sections to choose from, I did 3 of them. I did the "focus on abdominals" "posture and stability" and "focus on stretching" sections. I skipped the "importance of breathing" section because I felt like I got the breathing thing down pretty well from 12 weeks of yoga classes. Great workout and I like the people on the DVD!

Thursday Running/Walking (Fast Running/Sprinting)

Running Report- So, I decided that 100 yard sprints were not going to help improve my running time, so I ran a faster than usual pace for 4 runs of 1/4 mile each in length. I also worked in two actual sprints just for fun though ;)

Wednesday Strength Workout 35 minutes

E is out of town, and the kids wore me out, and I'm so sore from weeding for three hours yesterday! So, I totally did not want to do my strength workout today, but I muscled through anyway. Grrrrrah!

Fun workout

We took the kids to Six Flags in D.C. today. We walked for about ten hours straight. I'm hurting, but it was the most fun I 've had "working out" in a while. I took Pooh's advise and ate as much lean protein as I could today. It really helped control my appetite. Thanks sis.

How I Hate Intervals

I did my speed workout today. 4 - 1/2 mile + 2 - 1/4 mile as fast as I could maintain for those distances. My first 1/2 mile was 3:30, my 2nd was 3:35 and by the last 1/2 mile I was at 3:45. My first 1/4 mile (after having done 4 -1/2 mile bursts) was 1:28 although I think my 1/4 mile route is closer to 1/5 mile. I don't remember what my last burst was. I'm just not made for speed. It feels all kinds of awkward! I'm thinking of having Bruce tape me trying to run fast so we can look at it an try to work on my technique. That is if I don't die of embarrassment watching myself try to run fast.

First day running

I have been walking for over a month now so I think I am strong enough to start running. I made it 1/2 a mile and then I walked for 2 miles. The run in the beginning kept my heart rate above 130 for the whole walk. The only bad thing is that I have been starving ever sense. I will have to be careful not to pig out and send all of my hard work down the drain.

Tuesday Running/ Walking 45 minutes

Sorry again Renae for forgetting my turn to babysit!!! :(

Plus, weeding for 3 hours and yard work for 1 hour.

Running Report--I ran 2 miles in 25 minutes with BIG hills and then walked for 3/4 mile (20 mintues). My legs were sore from that strength workout on Saturday (as my arms were for swimming yesterday). I need to get back into that strength workout routine so I'm not sore for days after!

Monday Swimming 1 Hour

I had a monster headache and I was feeling queasy on the way to the Y tonight, so I almost turned around and went home, but the minute I got in the pool and started swimming, I felt better. Woot! I didn't push and I only did 15 minutes on the freestyle (instead of 20 again), but I felt great! Unfortunately, the minute I got back in the car I started feeling yucky again. Drat!

Walk, Walk, Walk

My friend Jen came over today and we walked all over town. I would guess and say it was around 2 miles. We went swimming after that but it was mostly just playing around with the kids. Still, I feel like I got a pretty good workout. My youngest didn't ask to be carried at all today. I think he is getting in shape faster than me! Now if I could just get him to eat a veggie my life would be complete :)

Saturday Strength Workout 35 minutes Running in Place 25 minutes (1 Hour Total)

Yep, too hot to run outside, so I went indoors for my inside workout. I'm still not back up to 5 hours of exercise a week, but maybe next week. I also need to get back into TWO strength workouts a week. Rah!

The Big Race 2009

The world is upside down! I beat Bruce, Todd and John at the triathlon. My time was 1:21:30, Bruce's time was 1:21:32, and Todd's time was 1:21:43. I don't know what John did. I beat my own best time by over 2 minutes, and though I've placed at that race before, my time was only fast enough for 5th in my division. DARN! There were a LOT of people there today! It's all about who turns up to race. Oh well! I do have to admit that neither Bruce, John nor Todd had their best year. Still, a win is a win. Yay me!

Trent put in an awesome race! He finished in 1:13:33 which took 2nd in his division. He also beat Terry (my MEGA-SVELT FIL) who won his division with a 1:15:02. Both of them set new personal records. They stagger the start times in this race, starting a new person in the pool every 30 seconds. Trent started around 5 minutes before me, so when we were on the bikes, it worked out that he was precisely one lap ahead of me. We were neck and neck the whole time that we were both biking. He's a MUCH faster runner than I am though. I stood no chance after he dropped off the bike.

Bruce started swimming 30 seconds after I did. He had a phenomenal swim, and passed me within our first lap in the pool. He also out biked me, but not by a lot. During our first running lap, I spotted him ahead of me. I gradually ran him down though. I was just fast enough to make up my 30 second head start and beat him by 2 more seconds. HA HA!! I'm still a little bummed that I didn't place. Oh well. There were close to 500 racers this year. Maybe next year.

Hurts so good

The dog walked me for over an hour today. Half of that I had Tyler on my back and Ethan telling me to go faster. We finally find this great hidden park that we were looking for and the park ranger tells me there are no dogs allowed. So I got to stand there outside the fence for half an hour with my dog while the kids played. All the comfortable park benches were in the park, so I just leaned on the chain link fence and looked pathetic. (No sympathy from park ranger)

It's OK though, my children showed me their appreciation when we got home by throwing a huge fit because I would not let them watch TV. AHHHH, feel the love.

Thursday Running/Walking 50 minutes Abs 10 minutes

Plus, I did a lot of standing and walking buying school supplies and getting my son registered for school (3 hours total). I also waxed my legs for an hour. Does squealing in pain and twitching lots count as activity?

Running Report- I ran 2 1/4 miles in 35 minutes (so, about a 15 minute mile, again) with mostly flats and some small hills. I also walked for 3/4 mile for 15 minutes.

Thursday

I was lazy yesterday. I'm taking tomorrow off to rest up for the big race on Saturday. Today I ran an easy 5 miles. Wish me luck for Saturday!

Exercise + Community Service

Painted a room in the new church building today for about an hour. My fingers and arms hurt, but I'm down over 8 lbs in the last two weeks. However I weighed myself just about an hour ago. I could be even lower! Yay me! ;)

Tuesday Night Ride

I rode with the Godzillas 19 miles. Since I'm riding Terry, my FIL's 2nd bike in the race on Saturday, I got to train on it last night. It's a MUCH better bike than mine and it made a HUGE difference! Too bad I've got to give it back! On my bike I am out horsed by pretty much everyone on the team. We all start out in one big body and ride together in a pack for the first bit, then string out pretty quickly after we hit the road (as opposed to the bike trail). On Terry's bike I was able to hang on to the faster pack much longer than on my own (though I still did get dropped eventually). It was a great change. Alas, next week it's back to my old nag. Oh well. I averaged 19.1 mph (according to the computer on Terry's bike, which he says is slow). I don't know what precisely I average on my own bike because it doesn't have a computer on it. I've had to go off of other people's data who finished around me. I think I was finishing around 17 -18ish on my bike.

After the bike ride, I ran 1 mile just to train the transition.

Tuesday Running/Walking 45 minutes, Abs 15 minutes

I think I'm going to take tomorrow off though. My abs are so sore!

Running Report- I ran for 30 minutes with BIG hills (2 miles) and then walked for 15 minutes to cool down (3/4 mile).

starting slow

Walked the dog for 25 minutes.

Walked a lot in downtown D.C. today. We took the boys on a boat tour and of course there is no parking. Not sure how many miles or minutes it took us to walk to the docks, but I will say that my legs feel like spaghetti. Not to mention I'm sunburned.

I think I will take my crispy self to bed early tonight :)

Monday Swimming 1 Hour

I was out of commission last week with a sinus infection (which I hope is gone), and I had not swam in a pool in like a month? So, I was a little worried about how I would do tonight. I did really good! I only swam freestyle for 15 mintues instead of 20, but the rest of the strokes I did the same amount of time (15 on the breast stroke, 20 on the back stroke). I need to get back into abs too, but tomorrow at the earliest I think. Too tired tonight ;)

New to blogging

Hello everyone. I am Timpani's sister Elise. Trying to get back in shape is rough, so Pooh recommended this to me. Thanks for the invite Liz.

I can't spell or type but here we go.

Took the boys hiking for about an hour today. At this point my 5 and 8 year old are in better shape than me. Walked the dog for an additional 10 minutes.

Have a good night everyone!

Jealous?

I thought so.

Saturday Biking

I went biking with Bruce and Terry. I got to use Terry's older bike (which is a really good bike...WAY better than mine). It's amazing the difference good equipment makes. We rode just a hair over 20 miles with plenty of hills.

Friday Hills

I ran my extreme hilly route today. I don't know how far or how fast I went, because my Garmin is on the fritz >:(. I think it was about 5ish miles. I ran for 46.5 minutes.

Back to It

I had a great week last week for workouts. Not so much this week. Oh well, back to it. I did intervals this morning. 4 - 1/2 mile bursts and 2 - 1/4 mile bursts. For the first time ever I actually had brief moments when I didn't feel completely clumsy trying to run fast.

Updates

Well, before I friggin' sprained my ankle today, I was doing quite well. Saturday I played at the pool with the kiddos for a couple of hours. No actual laps, but it was the first time in a long time I was well enough to run around and play. It was totally a workout. Then Monday we went back to Shaw's Nature Preserve and hiked for a little over an hour. Way fun. I didn't have time to work out yesterday (we had friends visiting from out of town), but I WAS going to do some dancing today. INSTEAD, I have to stay completely off my feet for the next two days, maybe more depending on how injured I am, which is not totally determined, but a nasty sprain at the very least. UGH! There goes the four inches I lost off my waist!!!!
The Almighty Liz

Thursday Running/Walking 45 minutes & Saturday Running/walking 35 minutes

Yep, I'm on vacation in the gorgeous city of Minneapolis. They have wonderful mild summers, but I probably would not want to be here for the winter ;)

Thursday running report: I ran 15 minutes, and walked 30 minutes. No idea how far I ran, I hope over 1 mile. Some hills.

Saturday running report: I ran 25 minutes at a much faster pace and I'm guessing I covered about 2 miles. I then walked 10 minutes to cool down. Lots of hills.

I also walked all over nature trails at a bird sanctuary and a bog preserve area for about 2 hours with two kids. Not aerobic because of a kids pace, but still pretty tiring.

Lawn mowing

2 hours of lawn mowing, moving kids play equipment and chopping up toys in the lawn.

Saturday

I ran 12 miles with the group. I hope my knees don't make me regret it.

Feeling Better!

Okay, so I'm feeling better today, which is great. Definitely a more normal cold then has been the case before. We went to the pool, and I did six laps. I would do two with itty bitty breaks between, then a long break, and two more like before. It felt SO good!! I had to hold myself back, but if there's one lesson I've learned in the past 18 months it's this; pushing myself sets me back by a factor of, like, ten, lol! We're going back tomorrow, where I'm going to push things a little and see how many laps I can do consecutively.
The Almighty Liz

Thursday

I've been missing my running buddies, so I got up early and ran with the group today. It turns out that about half of the fast group are currently out with various injuries. Hey, maybe when they get back, I'll be able to keep up with them. ;) I'm just in a difficult spot. I'm faster than the medium people, but I'm not quite fast enough to keep up with the crazy nutso fast people. Anyway, I pushed the medium group till I realized that they were planning on quite the long run, then I relaxed and went more at their pace. We ran about 8.5-9 miles with the Challenge of the Bluffs hills thrown in there. It was a good workout. I don't know what I'm going to do when the kids go back to school. I'll have to get up earlier to do my running, because I'll have to be home to get the kids ready for school. Hence, I won't be able to add the extra 2 mile loop around the mall with the folks I ran with today. I don't always want to be running slow, but for 9 miles, their pace is okay. But for only 6 or 7, I'd like to go faster. Maybe by then I'll be able to keep up with the fast group. I'll have to work on that. I don't know!

Need Some Time Off

*Sigh* I'm sick again. Not too bad this time, definitely getting into the more "normal" zone for that, but all in all, I'm gonna take a few days off. Good news; I lost four inches off my waist!!! And five off my hips, hurrah! I measured myself a month or so ago, and was totally disgusted and vowed to never do that again, but getting out of the shower a couple of days ago I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror (I try to avoid that usually, but sometimes it happens) and realized that I have a waist. Like, one you can see without searching for it. So that prompted the re-measuring, and I am a super happy girl. Funny thing is, my scale says I've gained three pounds. Down with scales!! It's measuring from here on out!!
The Almighty Liz

Tuesday Running/Walking 30 minutes

Running Report- I ran 1 1/2 miles with BIG hills and then walked for 1/2 mile.

Wednesday

I ran about 4.5 miles pushing 2 kids.

Tuesday Night Ride

I'm loving biking! Even though all of the men in my life still beat me at it (that's the peril of being the girl among a hubby, FIL, and a pack of brothers who are all workout nuts - I'm ALWAYS the slowest.) Anyway, even though they still beat me, I feel like the playing field is evened out a bit. 19 miles today. I don't know what my average was - I don't have a computer on my bike >:( ! It felt good though. I think it was in the 18s though.

Dancing

Okay, I did (are you ready?!)....TWENTY MINUTES of dancing!! Two ten minute sections on my video! I was literally dripping sweat when I was done, and holy crow, it's way harder to twenty minutes of dancing then it is to do twenty minutes on my bike!!! But I did it, by golly! (and now, if you will please excuse me, I need to go collapse into a heap for the next week)
The Almighty Liz
PS. Hey girls, did you know we are coming up on our ONE YEAR anniversary for this blog? I think we should have a party!

Monday

Well, I tested out my knees today. I had taken a week off from running because my knee was giving me issues. I ran 5 miles pushing J & C in the buggy just now. I hope my knees don't complain too much! I have a race in less than 3 weeks. I can't afford to be taking time off!! I'm going to take some vitamin I (Ibuprofen) right now.

Something Different

I did about a half an hour or so of hiking yesterday at this nature preserve near our house. It's a totally cool place!!
The Almighty Liz

Friday

Ashley and I walked 4 miles with the dog. Bruce and I biked 22 miles. It was windy and my average was only 16.7 or something like that. Not too good. I meant to workout on Saturday, but I never got around to it. Oh well.

Recovery begins...

I did the first real exercise beyond stretching today: I went for 30 minute walk to pick-up some stuff from the store.
Here's another pic from my test. (For some reason in most pictures of the founder, he is making this hand gesture.)