Hike

Workout:
6 mile hike to Frog Lake and back (up a big, never-ending hill on the return)

Today I went for a hike with a friend of mine. She'd never been hiking before! Seems strange to me, because growing up, my family went on hikes ... a lot.

I packed a picnic lunch for us. We hiked in on a fairly moderate, mostly flat trail to Frog Lake, 3 1/2 miles. We snacked at Frog Lake. Then, hit the trail again, opting for the slightly more brutal, shorter route back to the car.

Poker was later. Had a good time. I did actually win a little, but I mostly lost money. But, I had a good time. I made my veggie lasagna & veggie 9-layer dip, with multi-grain chips.

Goals:

1. Workout.
2. Eat (a carb-filled) breakfast within 1 hour of waking.
3. Eat 5-6 small meals every day.
   
4. Drink 6 bottles of water.
5. Stop eating at least 2 hours before bedtime.
   
6. Take my vitamins.

nothing

Workout:
None.

I had plans to do my exercise challenge of push-ups, wall squats & mason twists today. Along with another workout, if I could.

I was drained. I didn't have the energy ... or desire.

And then, I headed back to bed soon after ...

Goals:

1. Workout.
2. Eat (a carb-filled) breakfast within 1 hour of waking.
3. Eat 5-6 small meals every day.
   
4. Drink 6 bottles of water.
5. Stop eating at least 2 hours before bedtime.
   
6. Take my vitamins.

back to work ...

Workout:
None.

Today, I chose sleep, instead of a workout.

Goals:

1. Workout.
2. Eat (a carb-filled) breakfast within 1 hour of waking.
3. Eat 5-6 small meals every day.
   
4. Drink 6 bottles of water.
5. Stop eating at least 2 hours before bedtime.
   
6. Take my vitamins.

third new workout

Workout:

Exercise Challenge:
26 push-ups
1 min., 54 sec. wall squat
59 mason twists

SSE Cool It Off
29 min.
burned 94 cal.
HR max: 129
HR ave: 93

Today I did the 3rd DVD of the Slim Series Express workouts. Cool It Off ... stretching. It was a good stretch, some lower back discomfort with some of the stretches. I thought it was a good 30 minute stretch overall. And, again, I liked the music. I do feel more stretched, though, after X Stretch.

Overall, I think it's going to be a no-go for me, though ... seems a little crazy to spend that kind of money on 1 30 minute workout.

I set my challenge goals at what I thought was just out of reach for me. And, I met or surpassed most of them. Which tells me, I need to push myself a little harder to achieve my goals. I can go farther than I thought possible.

Goals:

1. Workout.
2. Eat (a carb-filled) breakfast within 1 hour of waking.
3. Eat 5-6 small meals every day.
   
4. Drink 6 bottles of water.
5. Stop eating at least 2 hours before bedtime.
   
6. Take my vitamins.

another new workout

Workout:
SSE Cardio Sculpt
27 min. (I quit it a little early)
burned 156 cal.
HR max: 144
HR ave: 118

Ab Ripper X
28 min.
burned 136 cal.
HR max: 135
HR ave: 107

Ab Ripper X: (281 ... big jump-up here)
In & Out: 25
Seated Bicycle: 25x2
Seated Crunchy Frog: 25
Wide-Leg Sit Up: 25
Fifer Scissor: 25
Hip Rock 'N Raise: 25
Pulse Up: 16
Roll-Up/V-Up Combo: 14
Oblique V-Up: 20x2
Leg Climb: 8x2
Mason Twist: 20

Today was the Slim Series Express Cardio Sculpt workout. I didn't care so much for the dancing with the weights. To me, it felt like the dancing gave me too much momentum with the weights. And, I felt too loose ... like I didn't have control with my movements. I was afraid of injury because of it. I did like the music on this one, as well ... it was easy to move to.

Goals:

1. Workout.
2. Eat (a carb-filled) breakfast within 1 hour of waking.
3. Eat 5-6 small meals every day.
   
4. Drink 6 bottles of water.
5. Stop eating at least 2 hours before bedtime.
   
6. Take my vitamins.

new workouts

Workout:

Exercise Challenge:
20 pushups
1 min., 13 sec. wall squat
50 mason twists

SSE Cardio Core
29 min.
burned 225 cal.
HR max: 154
HR ave: 134

My challenge numbers were a bit pathetic. But, I tried!

I tried out the Slim Series Express DVD today. Cardio Core. It's a good, quick core workout. I liked the music, and my core was sore this evening. If I needed a short, supplemental workout (less than 30 min.), I would do this one.

Had a party to attend, at a friend's house, for another friend of ours.

I was kind of dreading going. Mildly stressful getting life ready to attend. Food to prepare. That kind of thing. But, once I was there, I really had a good time. I did break down, and had 1 1/2 Mike's Light Lemonades with a bottle of water between them, and lots of water and a cup of coffee afterwards.

Goals:

1. Workout.
2. Eat (a carb-filled) breakfast within 1 hour of waking.
3. Eat 5-6 small meals every day.
   
4. Drink 6 bottles of water.
5. Stop eating at least 2 hours before bedtime.
   
6. Take my vitamins.

do we see a pattern here?

Workout:
None.

I had scheduled and planned on working out today. A long run, or Shoulders & Arms with Ab Ripper X. I don't work tonight, so I can usually get through sleep deprivation for a few hours.

But ... I pushed snooze ... or turned off my alarm ... something.

I woke up barely in time for me to leave for my Sunday evening responsibilities. Oops!

I got 9 1/2 hours of sleep, though!!

Goals:

1. Workout.
2. Eat (a carb-filled) breakfast within 1 hour of waking.
3. Eat 5-6 small meals every day.
   
4. Drink 6 bottles of water.
5. Stop eating at least 2 hours before bedtime.
   
6. Take my vitamins.

and some more sleep ...

Workout:
None.

Again, I woke up a little bit early ... but not enough for me to get moving in time to get a workout in.

Goals:

1. Workout.
2. Eat (a carb-filled) breakfast within 1 hour of waking.
3. Eat 5-6 small meals every day.
   
4. Drink 6 bottles of water.
5. Stop eating at least 2 hours before bedtime.
   
6. Take my vitamins.

more sleep

Workout:
None.

I got up a few minutes early ... but didn't get moving soon enough to workout.

I had planned to work some more on the challenge, but, I forgot about it!

Goals:

1. Workout.
2. Eat (a carb-filled) breakfast within 1 hour of waking.
3. Eat 5-6 small meals every day.
   
4. Drink 6 bottles of water.
5. Stop eating at least 2 hours before bedtime.
   
6. Take my vitamins.

sleep

Workout:
None.

I thought about trying to get up a little early to do a quick, 30 minute workout. But, I've noticed that when I push myself too hard after the first night I work, it's that much harder for me to try to get up the other days ... or in my recovery on Monday and Tuesday after my weekend.

Goals:

1. Workout.
2. Eat (a carb-filled) breakfast within 1 hour of waking.
3. Eat 5-6 small meals every day.
   
4. Drink 6 bottles of water.
5. Stop eating at least 2 hours before bedtime.
   
6. Take my vitamins.

back to work

Workout:
12 pushups

I'm feeling sore from Chest & Back yesterday. I'm doing a pushup, wall squat & mason twist challenge ... but, didn't get started. Except for a quick attempt of pushups before heading for work.

I am so sore, my muscles were hurting as I was reaching out to the floor to do the pushups! Any more, and I would have fallen on my face!

Goals:

1. Workout.
2. Eat (a carb-filled) breakfast within 1 hour of waking.
3. Eat 5-6 small meals every day.
   
4. Drink 6 bottles of water.
5. Stop eating at least 2 hours before bedtime.
   
6. Take my vitamins.

no "just a second" today ...

Workout:
Chest & Back (minus cool down)
Plyometrics (minus warm up & last 2 sections)
1 hr., 28 min.
burned 615 cal.
HR max: 153
HR ave: 126

"What counts in the battle is what you do once the pain sets in." -John Short.

I planned for a little more than I had time for today. But, I got quite a workout in, anyway! (Even if I did have to drop the 30 minute run ... a break is probably good for me, anyway!)

Just before the cool down of Chest & Back, I noticed the time. I could either go for my run, but not have enough time to do anything significant in Plyo, or I could not run, and do most of Plyo. I chose Plyo. Besides ... from a training standpoint, it's like running 5 miles ... or so I've heard.

So, instead of doing the cool down, I popped the DVD out, and started up Plyometrics. Then, skipped ahead to after the warm up (I figured I was warm enough!!).

Chest & Back:
Standard Push-Ups: 14 (6 reg., 8 knees); 14 (3 reg., 11 knees)
Wide Front Pull-Ups: 4 (4 sec. count); 3 (3 sec. count)
Military Push-Ups: 8 (3 reg., 5 knees); 10 (knees)
Reverse Grip Chin-Ups: 3 (4 sec. count); 3 (4 sec. count)
Wide Fly Push-Ups: 15 (5 reg., 10 knees); 19 (knees)
Closed Grip Overhand Pull-Ups: 3 (4 sec. count); 3 (3 sec. count)
Decline Push-Ups: 5; 0 (collapsed ... arms wouldn't hold me up)
Heavy Pants: 16, 15#; 15, 15#
Diamond Push-Ups: 3 (2 reg., 1 knees ... not very low); 0 (tried on my knees ... collapsed ... my arms wouldn't hold me)
Lawnmowers: 16, 15#; 10, 15#
Dive-Bomber Push-Ups: 8; 4
Back Flys: 7, 15#; 6, 15#

Tomorrow, I'm going to do another 5-miler. I'm going to push myself a little harder. Monday's run was at a 16:36 pace average. Tomorrow, I'm going to beat that. I'm going for a 15 min/mile pace for the same run. When I think I need to stop and walk, because I can run/jog anymore, I'm going to push ahead.


Goals:

1. 5 mile run
   
2. Eat (a carb-filled) breakfast within 1 hour of waking.
3. Eat 5-6 small meals every day.
   
4. Drink 6 bottles of water.
5. Stop eating at least 2 hours before bedtime.
   
6. Take my vitamins.

... and the momentum continues ...

Workout:
Ab Ripper X
22 min.
burned 106 cal.
HR max: 133
HR ave: 106

Run/Walk (5.02 miles)
1 hr., 23 min.
burned 782 cal.
HR max: 172
HR ave: 147

Ab Ripper X: (237)
In & Out: 25
Seated Bicycle: 25x2
Seated Crunchy Frog: 25
Wide-Leg Sit Up: 17 (I did a little better today)
Fifer Scissor: 16
Hip Rock 'N Raise: 15
Pulse Up: 16
Roll-Up/V-Up Combo: 12 (I just focused on doing what I could while they were doing their 25)
Oblique V-Up: 15x2
Leg Climb: 6x2
Mason Twist: 19

I didn't have enough time in my day to fit in the Chest & Back workout. But, I'm ok with it. I had a good run, and did ab work.

It seems like when I do my various loops in my neighborhood, when I get near my house, I'm ready to stop. So, instead of trying to figure out a loop that I'd be tempted to quit early on, I decided to head out for half my distance (2 1/2 miles) and then turn around and come back. That would ensure that my 5 mile run would be 5 miles, not shortened to 3 or 4 miles!

It was a struggle, heading out, however. I didn't want to get out there!! If I could have been, I would have been dragging myself out the door, kicking and screaming! But, I told myself I had to do it. I think, when I headed out, I was telling myself I could cut the run short if I didn't feel better. However, in my mind, my plan was to really stick to the 5 miles.

At about 2 miles, it suddenly dawned on me ... I felt great! I wasn't feeling cruddy like I was at home, before the run. It was this total epiphany ... I was "sightseeing" looking around, watching for cars, and listening to my tunes ... and I felt great!

I remembered to walk for my warm-up and cool-down. My pace wasn't great (I've definitely done better) ... 16:36 ... but I don't really care. I got out there and did my thing. And stuck with it for the full 5 miles. I'm getting a nice tan on my shoulders (running in a tank top).

During the last 15 minutes, or so of my run/walk, I noticed that the bottom of my foot was hurting. I fear injury ... not really training enough to be an "over-training" injury. So, I think I will change my plans for tomorrow (was going to do another 4 or 5 miler) ... and will do a shorter run, 25-30 minutes around the neighborhood. Along with a P90X workout, or two.

Goals:

1. Workout.
2. Eat (a carb-filled) breakfast within 1 hour of waking.
3. Eat 5-6 small meals every day.
   
4. Drink 6 bottles of water.
5. Stop eating at least 2 hours before bedtime.
   
6. Take my vitamins.

a fresh week ... a fresh resolve

Happy Father's Day!

Workout:
Run/Walk (2.92 miles)
48 min.
burned 405 cal.
HR max: 168
HR ave: 138

Totally messed myself up today. I took my running route backwards! I headed left from my front door, instead of the usual right! That made my running so much more difficult! Not physically, but mentally I had a harder time keeping my pace and intensity up! How crazy is that?! It's all flat, so there weren't hills that messed me up ... it was totally and completely a mental struggle for me!

I've been reading the book "Running for Mortals". For some reason ... not sure why, but I had stopped "warming up" with my runs. Not that I'm a speed-demon, by any stretch of the imagination. Normally, I start out at a jog, and then push myself based on my HR & the pace showing up on the gps watch. But, the book reminded me that I should be taking 5 minutes to warm up ... so, I did today.

I started out walking ... and I did it in the wrong direction. Now, maybe it wouldn't have been as noticeable had I gone my usual direction (I added an extra loop, so it's not like it was the same exact route I take). But, I had a harder time pushing myself today.

The other thing I'm trying to do, is stay in my HR zone ... and not push harder, to the point of nearing 100%, but keeping my HR in the 70-80% range. I was able to keep my HR max lower than usual (I kept it in the 160s) ... but, my average was considerably lower than it should have been, also!

But, I'm not going to beat myself up any over the lower intensity. I'm going to learn from it, and be proud of the fact that I got out there and ran!

Tomorrow, the plan is more of the same. I'm going to run ... I am shooting for 5 miles. I'm hoping to stick with it for at least 4 miles. And, then, I'm going to do the Chest & Back workout ... or some altered form of it (I might go to the gym for the pull-up part) ... and Ab Ripper X.

I noticed my abs hurt a little from Friday's Ab workout ... but what I really noticed, was my hip flexors ... raising my knees made me feel the workout in my hips!

Goals:

1. Run/Walk 4-5 miles.
2. Legs & Back. Ab Ripper X.
   
3. Eat (a carb-filled) breakfast within 1 hour of waking.
4. Eat 5-6 small meals every day.
   
5. Drink 6 bottles of water.
6. Stop eating at least 2 hours before bedtime.
   
7. Take my vitamins.

another back-sliding

Workout:
None.

Again, today, I didn't get a workout in. I did "pencil" one in on my palm, but, it didn't get done. I slept poorly last night. (That always impacts my day!)

I got a new Wii game that I was playing ... Paper Mario ... but, I headed to bed by 11:30. I even got up early yesterday ... when the alarm went off at 2 pm, I got out of bed! So, I should have been sleep-deprived enough to sleep the whole night!

I finally fell asleep at about 1 am. And then woke at 4 am. I laid in bed, wide awake for another hour before heading downstairs to play more Paper Mario. Slowly working my way through it. I headed back to bed, at about 8:30 ... should have probably just stayed up, and muddled through the day. Instead, I slept from 9 am to 11 am. I didn't want to get up at 11 when the alarm went off, but, I forced myself to ... didn't want another night of poor sleep because I slept the day away!!

I had some shopping to do today. And, then, I got busy with some housecleaning. My bedroom hasn't been vacuumed and dusted in a while. I had accumulations of clothing, and other stuff, that just hadn't gotten put away. So, that was pretty much my day!!

Not that I eat at McDonald's a lot ... or eat meat at all ... but, to remind myself to focus more on nutrition, I watched "Super Size Me" tonight, before going to sleep.

All I can say is ... glad I'm a vegetarian!! ;)

Goals:

1. Workout.
2. Eat (a carb-filled) breakfast within 1 hour of waking.
3. Eat 5-6 small meals every day.
   
4. Drink 6 bottles of water.
5. Stop eating at least 2 hours before bedtime.
   
6. Take my vitamins.

a slight effort

Workout:
Ab Ripper X
19 min.
burned 91 cal.
HR max: 132
HR ave: 107

Ab Ripper X: (214)
In & Out: 25
Seated Bicycle: 25x2
Seated Crunchy Frog: 25
Wide-Leg Sit Up: 13 (I have a hard time sitting up with these)
Fifer Scissor: 14
Hip Rock 'N Raise: 10
Pulse Up: 15
Roll-Up/V-Up Combo: 6 (I continue to struggle with the V-Up part of this exercise)
Oblique V-Up: 15x2
Leg Climb: 6x2
Mason Twist: 14 (I kept getting my thumb caught on the pocket in my shorts ... I stopped because my thumb hurt)

I need to be more consistent with the ab-work. It's one of my weaker areas, and the poorest-looking areas, so I don't want to work on it ... it's not as fun. Even though, I do know I need to, and should.

I expect to be pretty sore tomorrow, after the work I did!

Again, I wasn't able to get away. I don't think they were as busy last night as they were the night before, but, it still didn't workout for me. And, again, when the charge nurse would have been available to watch my patient for me, I had things to do with her and couldn't get away.

Of interest, even though I wasn't able to get away to run the stairs ... over the 2 days, I logged about 21,000 steps on my pedometer! (I take it off when I get home, and put it back on after I'm dressed, when getting ready for work ... so there are probably 100 or more non-exercise steps that aren't getting logged each day.

One of these days, I need to get back into wearing it around home, too. I'm pretty sure on my non-work days, I'm not usually hitting anywhere near 5,000 steps (not counting my running). But, I should!

Goals:

1. Workout.
2. Eat (a carb-filled) breakfast within 1 hour of waking.
3. Eat 5-6 small meals every day.
   
4. Drink 6 bottles of water.
5. Stop eating at least 2 hours before bedtime.
   
6. Take my vitamins.

slowed progress

Workout:
None.

My plan was to hit the stairs during my break, at work. But, because of the patient I had, I couldn't leave for very long ... and, when the charge nurse was available to cover for me, it wasn't really a good time for me to leave.

But, I wore my pedometer and I got close to 10,000 steps!

Tomorrow, will try again.

Goals:

1. Workout.
   
2. Eat (a carb-filled) breakfast within 1 hour of waking.
   
3. Eat 5-6 small meals every day.
   
   
4. Drink 6 bottles of water.
   
5. Stop eating at least 2 hours before bedtime.
   
   
6. Take my vitamins.
   

two-in-a-row

Workout:
Run/Walk (treadmill)
55 min.
burned 507 cal.
HR max: 169
HR ave: 145

When I was ready to head out, at 10 this morning, it was already nearly 90 degrees ... 89!! So, today was definitely going to be a "gym day" today ... and I wasn't going to feel crazy DRIVING to the gym, either!! ;)

I forgot to look at the mileage on the treadmill when I got off ... but I know it was somewhere between 3 and 4 miles. My plan had been to go at it for an hour and a half ... but my foot started hurting ... like there was something in my shoes scratching it.

I was wearing my new Nike Free 5.0 shoes ... not the first time, but, I haven't worn them much.

When I got to my car, I discovered that I had a blister starting. So, I guess it's probably a good thing that I didn't push through ... wouldn't want a real excuse impeding my progress!!

I'm going to try to hit the stairs at work tomorrow.

Goals:

1. Workout.
2. Eat (a carb-filled) breakfast within 1 hour of waking.
3. Eat 5-6 small meals every day.
   
4. Drink 6 bottles of water.
5. Stop eating at least 2 hours before bedtime.
   
6. Take my vitamins.

getting back out there again!

Workout:
Run/Walk (2.44 miles)
50 min.
burned 448 cal.
HR max: 171
HR ave: 142

Today I decided to run to the gym and then workout. The gym is a little over a mile away and it seemed silly to drive there to workout when I could get a workout in getting there & on my return!!

Unfortunately, it was 85 degrees when I left my place ... I was dying by the time I got to the gym. It took very little effort to get my heart rate WAY up! I got to the gym, got some water, went to the bathroom, did a very short set of pull-ups on the pull-up assist machine, and then headed back home again!

For the return trip, I mostly walked ... I didn't want to have a heart attack out on the streets somewhere!!

Goals:

1. Workout.
2. Eat (a carb-filled) breakfast within 1 hour of waking.
3. Eat 5-6 small meals every day.
   
4. Drink 6 bottles of water.
5. Stop eating at least 2 hours before bedtime.
   
6. Take my vitamins.

Day 8

Workout:
None.

I recently finished reading a book I just got (Saturday, actually), called The Eat-Clean Diet. (Maybe that's why I didn't have time to exercise this weekend?)

Anyway, there were a few interesting things in there that I wanted to check into. That requires a bit of a drive to my "local" Whole Foods Market ... I wish there was one closer! And, of course, while I was driving by the Trader Joe's exit, I figured I should stop there, too!

I've now got a fully stocked kitchen, with some interesting, "clean" foods to work with. Not that I didn't have a fully stocked kitchen before ... it's just more fully stocked now! A lot of the grains (anything other than oatmeal or 7-grain cereal) I can't get at my local large-chain grocery stores (Nob Hill, Safeway or Albertson's).

Then, I completely cleaned out my refrigerator. Took everything out, cleaned the shelves. Tossed the stuff that had expired. There wasn't much "bad" stuff in there ... I generally eat fairly clean on a regular basis.

At the end of the night, I thought about a late-night run ... but Jay Leno & bed won out!!

Goals:

1. Workout.
2. Eat (a carb-filled) breakfast within 1 hour of waking.
3. Eat 5-6 small meals every day.
   
4. Drink 6 bottles of water.
5. Stop eating at least 2 hours before bedtime.
   
6. Take my vitamins.

Day 7

Workout:
None.

I had planned on working out this morning. Had it scheduled into the calendar.

My parents stopped by in the afternoon, later than I expected them. I did need to straighten up a little, from the last week and a half of slacking (housework). I could have squeezed in a workout before they got here ... but, they got stuck in traffic ... 2 separate accidents ... so they were delayed.

I actually dozed off while reading a magazine, while waiting for them. Then, after they left, I ended up falling asleep on the couch, while watching the Mythbusters marathon!

Yeah, I've got an incredibly exciting life, alright!! (The family joke is that they all want to live vicariously through me ... not sure why, anymore!!)

Goals:

1. Workout.
2. Eat (a carb-filled) breakfast within 1 hour of waking.
3. Eat 5-6 small meals every day.
4. Drink 6 bottles of water.
5. Stop eating at least 2 hours before bedtime.
6. Take my vitamins.

Day 6

Workout:
None.

I put myself on the cancel list, since we'd had such a low census. Turns out, by the time the weekend rolled around, we apparently had more patients! I got off, but, it looked like barely! I didn't end up knowing if I was getting off, until time for me to be dressed!

I didn't workout. But, I did head out, and hit the mall for a little wandering around! It wasn't very brisk walking, but, I wasn't just sitting on the couch!

Goals:

1. Workout.
2. Eat (a carb-filled) breakfast within 1 hour of waking.
3. Eat 5-6 small meals every day.
   
4. Drink 6 bottles of water.
5. Stop eating at least 2 hours before bedtime.
   
6. Take my vitamins.

Day 5

Workout:
None.
9,000 steps on the pedometer (from when I got dressed for work last night, until I got home this morning).

Again ... a "sleep day" for me.

I kept forgetting to go hit the stairs. I need to make that into a habit. Maybe an alarm at 2 or 3 am on my watch will remind me to do that, instead of sitting there reading my magazine!

Goals:

1. Workout.
2. Eat (a carb-filled) breakfast within 1 hour of waking.
3. Eat 5-6 small meals every day.
   
4. Drink 6 bottles of water.
5. Stop eating at least 2 hours before bedtime.
   
6. Take my vitamins.

Day 4

Workout:
None.
8,000 steps on the pedometer (from when I got dressed for work, until I got home this morning)

Today was a "sleep day" ... I worked last night & I work again tonight. So, today, I chose sleep.

I didn't get a chance to hit the stairs last night. I wasn't particularly busy, but, others were, and I was helping. It doesn't feel right (or look good), when the 1 coworker is so busy she doesn't get to eat anything until 3am, for me to leave for a break.

Maybe tonight.

Goals:

1. Workout.
2. Eat (a carb-filled) breakfast within 1 hour of waking.
3. Eat 5-6 small meals every day.
4. Drink 6 bottles of water.
5. Stop eating at least 2 hours before bedtime.
6. Take my vitamins.

Day 3

Workout:
Walk (1.8 miles)
35 min.
burned 179 cal.
HR max: 128
HR ave: 118

This was my compromise today. I thought about going for a run. Or, maybe doing Chest & Back. But, I felt I should let my muscles heal, and get back to the place that they're supposed to be.

So, I went for a walk around the neighborhood.

Goals:

1. Workout.
2. Eat (a carb-filled) breakfast within 1 hour of waking.
3. Eat 5-6 small meals every day.
   
4. Drink 6 bottles of water.
5. Stop eating at least 2 hours before bedtime.
   
6. Take my vitamins.

Day 2

Workout:
None.

I had visions of working out today. Of getting back on track again.

Really.

My left wrist has been bothering me the last few days. And, getting worse each day ... to the point that actually it hurt to run yesterday, because any movement of my wrist caused a lot of pain.

I was pretty sure it was related to my shoulders. When they're tight, my wrist bothers me more ... though not usually this bad. I've been trying to get my shoulders to loosen, with Tiger Balm. But, it wasn't working for me.

So, I lined up a massage this evening.

Wow!

Umm, I don't say that in a "good way" really. Well, it was a mixed good-bad kind of thing. It was probably the most painful massage I've ever had. I just kept yoga in mind, and tried to breathe through it! That was the negative part. The positive part was that I walked out of there!! Whoopie! haha! No, that wasn't the positive part ... I mean, yes, it was positive, but, the really positive part was that when I walked out of there, I could twist my wrist, and move it back and forth, and it didn't hurt anymore than it usually does!!

Another interesting thing about this massage, was that usually, I'm totally relaxed when I leave, after getting a massage. After this one, though, I felt totally energized! Totally pumped.

My massage was in the evening ... so it was almost 8pm when I left. My mind was going crazy, with the lists of things I was going to do when I got home!!

Unfortunately, the massage was about 45 minutes away from where I live. About halfway home, I was getting tired, and just wanted to get home so I could lay down and go to sleep!!

As far as tomorrow goes, I want to workout. But I suspect that I should allow my muscles to heal, and get back into "place" so I don't waste the money spent on the massage, and need to get another one soon!

Goals:

1. Plyometrics
2. Eat (a carb-filled) breakfast within 1 hour of waking.
3. Eat 5-6 small meals every day.
   
4. Drink 6 bottles of water.
5. Stop eating at least 2 hours before bedtime.
   
6. Take my vitamins.

the beginning ...

Workout:
Run/Walk (2.69 miles)
41 min.
burned 326 cal.
HR max: 173
HR ave: 150

This morning, I was of the mindset that I was going to workout. A P90X workout, and running. I got home, and my place was warm. I had to cool down before I could workout. Then, I was tired and took a nap.

Nothing. I did nothing productive today. I thought about the fact that I had a full day scheduled with things to do. It also occurred to me that in order to get the body I want, I do actually have to work for it.

But, there was no motivation to action.

Finally, I kicked my butt in gear. Loaded the shuffle with good tunes. Put on my HRM & other running gear. Decided to try running in the new Nike Frees ... I've been wearing them around, getting my feet used to them, but I hadn't run in them yet.

And so, I headed out ... was going to do my usual 3 1/2 mile route. But, about halfway into it, I needed to go to the bathroom. And, there wasn't anywhere on my route to stop! So, I headed home. Dropped my route by a mile, but, I got out there!

Tomorrow is more running. I'm noticing my feet hurt a little bit tonight, after the run, so I'll use my regular running shoes for tomorrow's run. (Gotta work those feet muscles slowly!) And, a P90X workout.

My new daily read is from a friend of mine from the BB boards ... "Marathon_Phil".

"Just a second he says - there is no 'just a second'?" - Tony Horton, PlyoX

You know I love really good Philosophy. I even love really good theology. Wanna know how weird I am - I have a double major undergrad - Engineering and Theology - there weren't many of those. This statement above is as good as I've read or heard anywhere, and I look hard.

It says it all to me. All we have is right now, right this instant, that's all we have. We all have such goals, we all have dreams. You know what the perfectly right time to pursue them is, with all your heart, mind, body and soul - NOW. "Just a second he says - there is no 'just a second'!"

There will ALWAYS be something blocking our total commitment to ourselves, to our big dreams. ALWAYS. That is the law of existence. Emotions, injury, depression, divorce, lost jobs, lost loves, loss of every sort will hit every day - "there is no just a second."

You know what the most brutal loss is that occurs everyday, almost every single day, at least for me - the loss of the fire. When you are driving in your car, or praying in church, or daydreaming in a line at the market, dreams are on fire inside. Everyone wants to be ripped in the checkout line. Everyone wants to be great kneeling in church. Everyone wants to be a hero stuck in traffic.

But then the moment comes, the alarm goes off, and that burning flame - is nowhere to be found. What you wake up with - if you are like me - is a little disappointment, a little depression, a little un-nameable fear and terror, a sense that somehow you are not enough today, that today is NOT the day to push for those dreams. That happens EVERYDAY. That is the law of existence. That is the most tragic loss we face daily, the loss of our flame.

"There is no just a second." We are dying kids. I am in the best shape of my life, in the best physical, mental, spiritual and emotional state in my life - but I am dying. My seconds are slipping away. This very second will not come again. It is time to push for my dreams - today. It is time to define them, to visualize them, to write them down, and to think about them with my whole heart and soul. It is time to do scary things, to walk into fearful situations, to push for exhaustion, suffering (as Mike and Tami say) and nausea (as my brother Mark says).

"Just a second." I say that everyday. I say that everytime I push play and just want to cruise. I say that everytime I slide into work for another not so tough day. I say that in every situation that confronts me everyday. "There is no just a second." Awesome. So I will push right now, and dive into the fear, into my dreams right now.

So many of you do that here. I really idolize so many of you. Your intensity and the way you live is how I wish I could live - so I really idolize you, and try to copy you. But since I don't want to offend anyone, let me pick Amy, my buddy Amy who is doing a fitness competition this week. She is the VP of a bank - her job takes her away from her dream. She experienced marriage "separation" (she wrote about online so I feel OK saying it - I share it for a purpose of course), she is sad about where she recently moved to - so many things are wrong. She has so many reasons to say: "Just a second" and all of us would grant it to her. But she never took a second. She kept pushing through everything, and she's making her dreams come true: now, today, this second.

"Just a second he says - there is NO 'just a second'". Tony is quite the philosopher - because there truly is no just second. Not for any of us.

phil

Sheri ... there is no "just a second" ... the previous days are just lost, never to be recaptured. Start here ... in this moment ... to become the best me possible.

Goals:

1. Run/Walk 5 miles
2. Chest & Back. Ab Ripper X.
   
3. Eat (a carb-filled) breakfast within 1 hour of waking.
4. Eat 5-6 small meals every day.
   
5. Drink 6 bottles of water.
6. Stop eating at least 2 hours before bedtime.
   
7. Take my vitamins.

what's the excuse today?

Workout:
None.

I was up late last night ... so I slept in today. I don't get to do that much. Between all my tasks and responsibilities, I have to get up earlier than I prefer, so when I get the chance to sleep in ... I have to take it!!

The local christian school that is associated with my church was having their Spring Fling today. It's usually in the spring, instead of almost summer, but, I guess they had to postpone it for some reason. I usually go over for my lunch, to help support the school. (I am a product of Christian Education, so I try to continue the support.)

So, I spent about an hour there. Last year's food was better, they had veggie burgers. This year, my options were pizza, nachos or pop corn! I had two slices of pizza (an olive one & a cheese one). I was going to leave ... was trying to give my tickets to a friend of mine to give to her sons ... instead she tried to get me to use them. I tried to dunk the principal in the dunk tank. Then, she had me make a "button" (I gave it to a friend's daughter ... it was green with a monkey on it, she loves the color green & she loves monkeys!).

I got home, and did some work in the backyard. Pulled weeds, trimmed up some of the plants. Watered. It was sunny and warm. So, of course I spent some time swinging in the hammock, reading the paper, and just relaxing in the sun.

I've still got a collection of plants that I haven't gotten into the pots.

Then, there was naptime.

Again, I ran out of time, and didn't get the workout or run in ... other than working in the garden.

Goals:

1. Workout.
2. Eat (a carb-filled) breakfast within 1 hour of waking.
3. Eat 5-6 small meals every day.
   
4. Drink 6 bottles of water.
5. Stop eating at least 2 hours before bedtime.
   
6. Take my vitamins.

another day lost ... on the exercise front

Happy Birthday, Rachel!! (Sweet 16!)

Workout:
None.

My niece turns 16 today!! Woohoo! I thought I was going to be hanging out with the family, but, she just wanted to hang-out with her friends. She didn't want a birthday party. (Saved my parents $50 for their roundtrip drive!)

So, I had other things planned today. Planned. Yeah, it sounds like the day was packed with appointments and to-do lists!! It was mostly a "me-day". Hey, we all need those, once in a while!

I had to get up early, for my church responsibilities. Then, I hung out with a friend of mine. We ended up going out for dinner, and then vegging-out and watching movies ...

Got home at nearly midnight. I put on a DVD I've got from Netflix ... "New Rules". It's the "New Rules" segments from the first 3 seasons of Bill Maher's "Real Time" show. A quick 45 min. video. Good laughs.

While I was watching the DVD, I planned out my schedule for tomorrow.

Goals:

1. Workout.
2. Eat (a carb-filled) breakfast within 1 hour of waking.
3. Eat 5-6 small meals every day.
   
4. Drink 6 bottles of water.
5. Stop eating at least 2 hours before bedtime.
   
6. Take my vitamins.

OOPS!

Workout:
None.

My plan had been to start "fresh" with June. A new month, a new, stronger focus on the workouts.

But, instead, I turned off my alarm and slept later than planned! I got 7 hours of sleep in today, as well!!

I slept late enough, that I didn't have the time I needed for the run I planned on doing. Instead, I had to get busy and ready for the company I had coming over for dinner!

I grilled on the BBQ tonight. Veggies, tofu, and bread.

Tomorrow is well planned for me, so I'm not sure what I might be able to do tomorrow ... but we'll see!

Goals:

1. Workout.
2. Eat (a carb-filled) breakfast within 1 hour of waking.
3. Eat 5-6 small meals every day.
   
4. Drink 6 bottles of water.
5. Stop eating at least 2 hours before bedtime.
   
6. Take my vitamins.