saturday june 26th

Yesterday Spencer and I walked on the treadmill for 25 minutes. Nothing really exciting, but it was good since I didn't want to go, feeling lethargic, etc. I am always happily surprised by how much more energetic and happy I feel after exercising.

Today we tried to watch exercisetv videos but had issues with Flash. So, Spencer agreed to go to the workout room two days in a row! What a nice husband- I totally didn't want to go, but mindlessly watching food network seemed within my realm of capability. I walked for 20 minutes and then did arm weights and some bicycle crunches and the plank. My arms and abs are really untoned right now, so I am trying to target those areas. I did bench presses with 10 lb weights, side lifts with 5lbs, tricep lifts (holding 10lb weight with both arms behind head, and straightening arms). We shall see how things look in 2 months.

wednesday june 23rd

(writing on thursday)

Yesterday I did an exercisetv workout that was called something like 'sleek and sexy' or 'toned and sexy.' It was basically a cardio bootcamp class condensed into twenty insane minutes. My inner thighs and butt are really sore, but that is good. I really need something that can get my lower abs and upper arms in check, though! What will it take?

Today I am going to hang out with morgan for her bday- we are getting cold stone- exactly what I don't need. But I don't want to diet and kill the fun. One scoop won't kill me. It's funny though, how easy it is to say no to things because I am so focused on losing this bulk. I am trying to make more conscious choices about fiber and lean protein and veggies to munch on, and also watch calorie intake- all those free drinks at starbucks (I just drink lattes or americanos) are still calories that I wouldn't be drinking if I didn't work there. Need to start carrying a water bottle everywhere with me. Goal for the week!

Also, going to stop drinking fruit juice and eat fruit whole for the fiber.

hill climbing

yesterday i climbed the treadmill on inclines of varying degrees for about 40 minutes. I watched Food Network to distract myself, and learned to add a roux to chicken soup to thicken it up. Also, only bake a cobbler for 2o minutes- I KNEW the recipe I made on Father's Day was wrong! Lemon zest instead of juice and some nuts also would make it an actual crisp instead a Berry Mush, which mine was. Anyway, I decided yesterday to make a sort of schedule - m/w/f cardio t/th strength training, saturday pilates or yoga. sunday rest, or go on a walk with spencer. I figured that if summer is about 92 days long, and I workout 5-6 days a week for the whole summer, I should be in pretty good shape by the time autumn comes. You don't want to go into sweater weather with extra bulk. Maybe I could set a goal like 5 days a week all summer and if I do it, I can buy a new pair of boots! My trusty black Ann Taylor ones didn't survive Snowmageddon.

saturday june 19th: week in review

Today, after a lapse of 4 or 5 days I did the Pilates Fit video on exercisetv.tv. Last night was Keeley's graduation party, so after work, it was a rush to get everything done before 6:30. On Thursday, I did do the eliptical machine for 20 minutes and then the treadmill for 20. I have had a really busy week, but I knew I needed to exercise. Wednesday night, Spencer and I were going to work out, but when he got home, I was too tired, so we ate dinner and then walked around the neighborhood for about fifteen minutes. It was nice to walk and talk without the sun being out. If we could do that every night, it'd be great. Monday and Tuesday I didn't do anything because I was hanging out with Morgan all day Tuesday and Monday I had coffee dates and grocery shopping to do.

I asked Spencer today if this summer we could really work on getting in shape, and he said yes. I just want to make exercise a part of my day, not something crazy like 2 hours of kickboxing, but just something every day. I think I do want to start doing more cardio, just until I lose about 5 pounds. I think I will sign up for the tram hike in October, then I have a clear training goal. 3000 ft elevation in less than 4 miles! Imagine how great my butt would look after that!

saturday june 12th

today i did nothing. still recovering from that yoga workout yesterday. arms and lower back- ouch! legs too. last night, i totally pigged out: popcorn, skittles AND a white russian whilst watching the x-files with spencer! ack! But I never do that anymore. Usually dinner is the end of eating for me every night. that is good. Today I even went to a bridal shower and passed up the junkfood and cake (then again, cake is like the last thing on earth i ever want to eat).

friday june 11th

Today I did an intermediate/advanced yoga video on exercisetv. I did not do every rep of every move because it was intermediate to advanced and I was running out of steam. But I liked it. I like that with all the downward-facing-dogs you do, you end up getting an arm workout without doing push ups or lifting weights. I think my lower back hurts a little from it- not sure if I twisted too far in a couple moves or what... ibuprofen and a nap, here I come!

(monday)

p.p.s. yesterday, after we got back from the funeral where spencer and the music team led worship, i did a pilates leg workout, and a stretching workout from exercisetv.tv. it was about 20 minutes altogether, but still glad i did it. learned some good back exercises. i read this quote today, and i think it should be my new motto for exercise, and life in general:

it doesn't matter how much you do, but how often you do it.

amen.

tuesday

today i did NOT vote. sigh. as a past poll worker, i really should have. but, i didn't take the time to research the options, so i did not want to be (gasp) 'an uninformed voter.' better to not contribute, right? (wrong. that was sarcasm).

i DID workout, however. barely. spencer talked me into it. we went to the gym - our room by the pool in our neighborhood- not a real gym- yuck!- and walked on the treadmill for 30 min. I have to say, I am glad we did. I was feeling overly sluggish and hungry before we went, but afterward, i felt calmer and more energetic- if that makes sense. I felt less cranky and excited for our delicious dinner! I have been ROCKING dinner lately. I will post some pictures soon. anyway, my point to this whole post is that spencer bought me a present that arrived today. I knew it was a book, and he did it under the auspice of free shipping, but all the same i am so lucky to have such a nice husband, and i had to brag:

a goal in life (since reading My Life in France) is to own each of Julia Child's books. maybe set up a shrine in my kitchen one day- aw, a little Julia shelf! i already have a mini eiffel tower that we bought on our honeymoon! it is hard for me to realize that people like atticus finch are not real, and that anne frank and julia child are not going to be my best friends one day... that is why we have books, i suppose.

ps.. i just did not feel like capitalizing today, forgive me.

sunday june 6th

yesterday and today i did a pilates workout on exercisetv.tv. for free! it was half an hour long, and I really liked her teaching style! she said a lot of things that made sense, like to push against your arm with your shin in the double leg stretch - i think that's the one- where you are bicycling your legs in the series of five. that made my stomach engage and it never had before! Today, spencer even did it with me! I noticed that today I could do the arm things better, and some of the other moves. It was a good overall workout, and it goes by really fast. Spencer let me buy it yesterday, so it is now on my laptop. I also got a free ab workout with it. i will try that tomorrow.

After our workout, I made us each a bowl of fruit for a snack. Yum. Blueberries, pineapple, mango and grapes.

We even got 8 hours of sleep last night. I think this is the best weekend in a long time. We really needed the break. and this week will be hermit week, too! except for the funeral tomorrow, where spencer is leading worship. After that, though, no more people!

My major goal: GET CAUGHT UP ON QUICKEN!!

free yoga!

Today I looked at the 3 websites Jenny told me about for free yoga workouts. Actually, they have other options, too, but I was curious about yoga. I ended up doing a beginner workout with Megan Townsend on exercisetv.tv. Here is the link.

It was good. Only 20 minutes, nothing super hard, but I was sweating by the end of it. That is what I love about Pilates, and the small amount of Yoga that I have done. You don't have to bounce around like a maniac, do 300 crunches or be out in the sun and heat to get a good workout. And it improves your breathing, posture, flexibility and poise. I feel graceful while I am doing it, like I do in ballet. I stand taller and am more relaxed afterward. (Don't get me wrong, I don't always want to be calm and serene. Sometimes I just want to do hip hop or kickboxing, dress like an escapee from the 80's and blow off steam!)

I just realized I am writing this more like a blog than a journal entry, but oh well. What if it ends up being read?

I am tempted to do more, to 'make up' for the weeks and weeks of no working out at all. I have been so worn down by work. But I won't. Baby steps. Baby steps to the car... (what about bob? anyone?) I think this is the shift from the last 4 months: I have only 12 hours next week and I only worked 2 hours today. I can sleep more, read more, exercise more, cook more, find new blogs, research forums on etsy, FINALLY learn to sew, and clean my house! I actually enjoy cleaning, for the workout and the sense of calm and spaciousness it leaves. Maybe I even have time for a coffee date or two!

Does that count?

Did super deep cleaning in the kitchen today. No workout, no time because I had to get groceries and then get ready to have dinner/game night at Josh & Jaymi's. Jenny told me 3 websites where one can download or watch free yoga lessons, so THAT is my main goal tomorrow, other than reading my Bible. Possibly clean the bathrooms, but I think they can wait a day.

Doing better at portion control. Trying to drink more water also since it is now over 100 and sure to stay that way for the next five months. bleah.