longest elliptical ever

Today, I worked out on the elliptical for the longest time yet, and the best part was that I hadn't worked out in days...and still made it!! I went 2,5 miles, uphill, and it took me 41 minutes....I kept a steady pace.  I was waiting on my friend to get to the gym and refused to get off until she got there!!  She finally made it, but it was about 20 minutes longer than I would have normally worked out on that machine...YAY!!! I just did arms and thighs for machines, but so happy to get in a great workout!!!

It's Spring-almost!!

I am so happy that the sun is shining and the ice is melting!  I have been snowed in more than enough this winter.  Yesterday I met a friend at the gym and we walked and talked "kid free" on the elliptical.  I mention the kidless part b/c being snowed in together is taking a toll on my nerves!!  That was therapeutic all by itself, but then we did the circuit machines.  My legs actually feel a bit sore which makes me know I worked them hard.  I got the house cleaned, dinner ready and then walked to get Blake from school.  That's another mile down and makes me feel better all day long :)

late night workout

Yes, 8pm is LATE for me!!  Yesterday, I put off going to the gym until after my husband got home so that I wouldn't have to take my daughter with me.  I had dinner ready...ham & beans with cornbread...yeah, I know...bad choices since I LOVE cornbread with butter!!  Anyways, after eating, I headed to the gym and the elliptical almost killed me.  I guess doing hills on it the day before caught up to me.  I did the "weight loss" program for 20 minutes/ 1 mile...it kept reading my heart and telling me to slow down!!  LOL!!  I did the machines as well, but did not put my normal effort into it.  At least I did something...

Thursday working out

Today I had a dr. check-up then came home, cleaned house, then headed to the gym.  I did 1.6 miles on the elliptical and UP HILLS!!  It took me 25 minutes.  Then I did the circuit weight machines.  I could totally tell that I had taken time off during the holidays because my muscles were weaker.  I used to do 30+ lbs on each arm machine for 3 reps of 10 BUT today I could barely get through 30 reps of 20 lbs....YIKES!  Very happy that I'm back into the working out scedule but still only down 8 lbs.  I'll keep trucking along :)

Move it to Lose it in 2011

Yesterday was my first official start day for the Dr. Oz "Move it to Lose it" 11 week program.  I updated my profile, created a workout program, and started logging my food intake!  I have to admit, at first I was disappointed that a "trainer" didn't immediately email me and start telling me exactly what to do, but as I explored the site and took time to become familiar with the program....I think it is setting me up to succeed! 

Try it at  http://www.sharecare.com/auth/dotfit-register  

Logging food is my best weapon agains over eating...if I don't want to have to "log" it, then DON'T eat it !!!!

Trying a different gym

Today I met my friend Wendy at the gym in Saint Peters.   It was fun and exciting b/c the machines were different and it helped add some variety to my normal workout.  We did 20 minutes on the treadmill, then hit the machines.  Some of the machines we had to learn to do, but totally feel like we got a good workout in!!  We chit-chatted through over an hour of working out!!  We even had some steam left to hop on an eliptical and go about 3/4 mile!! Yay for us!!  Now, on to sign up at the Dr. Oz 11 week challenge!!!   Sign up here, it's FREE !!!    I'll post more as I find out more!

To Harrah's gym

My sister set up a mini-vacation at Harrah's last Tuesday night.  We had had this planned for over a month and the time had finally arrived...I would pick Blake up from school, grab Diana, and head to the casino.  We thought they had a pool and were going to take the kids swimming before Billy got off work, but they don't.  So, we headed to their gym and got in a tiny sampler workout just to try their machines.  I am not much of a gambler, i was just there to swim, eat, workout and relax. (i even packed some good reading stuff!  LOL!)  We had a couple martinis in the room and when Billy got off work, instead of just picking up the kids, she talked him into going to Gitto's for dinner with us.  She is ever so generous and treated us all.  We had the most wonderful dinner ever.  When Billy and the kids left....we headed back to the gym to work off our dinner instead of gambling!  WOW!!

I did figure out that vodka and ellipticals don't mix well!!  My heart rate went WAY up so i moved onto the machines.  It was a shorter workout than normal, but at least we did it.  Then we headed to the poker slots!!  We stayed up late, then had breakfast and headed home!  A close and short vacation-thanks Sis!  :)

5th workout this week!!!

So, yesterday morn was my 5th workout this week!  I love it!  I would have never thought that I'd enjoy it this much, but I feel better and have lost 6.5 lbs.  I'm sure I'll gain them back over Thanksgiving, but at least I'll be at the gym working it back off!  I soooo wish I could say that "this" year, I'm making healthy dishes, counting my calories, baking with splenda, adding more veggies, BUT I'm not.  I am making the traditional yummy stuff that we always make.  I have convinced myself that if I deprive myself of these "once a year" goodies, I'll crave them all year, SO...I'm taking two days to eat the good stuff, get sick of it and then not think about them until next year!!  Nice way to justify things, huh?!?!?

Feeling it

Today I worked out again with my friend, April.  I definitely "feel" the effects of yesterday, but plowed through another workout.  My legs are sore, but in a really good way.  I am sure my arms will be sore because I took April's advice, increased the weight and really pushed myself.  YEAH!  And believe it or not, I'm already looking forward to tomorrow's workout!!!

Buddy System

I missed working out yesterday with my sister and have just felt bummed over it!  I just needed a day to catch up on housework and recover a bit from last week.  A friend of mine, April Westerhold , is what I call my "fit friend"...we had talked in passing about meeting at the gym sometime (she has gone to this gym for a long time) and we just haven't made it until today.  I have to admit, I have been worried that I wouldn't be a very good workout buddy.  I am sooo out of shape and just beginning to get comfy at the gym, BUT I can walk the treadmill so that is where we started!  She ran, I walked fast, we chatted and before ya know it, I had stayed on longer than ever before.  I always look at the minutes, but this time we paid attention to the distance...  April made it to her goal of 2 miles and I ended at 1.5 miles, which is GREAT!!!  

She is used to the loose weights and I only do the weight machines, but it was interesting seeing what type of workout she does.  Yes, I am more comfortable with the machines, because i know how to use them, plus there are NO mirrors to scare me away, BUT I could totally see working my way to that "side" of the gym!  LOL!

The elliptical experience

On Saturday, I went to Saint Charles to meet my Sister for our workout!  This gym is sooo different than the O'Fallon gym because all of the machines are new and high-tech.  Plus, sometimes it can seem a bit intimidating due to all the circuit machines being in the front, right out in the open where you are visible by the whole gym!!  Each time we go, we care less about that, so that's good :) 

We started out by walking on the treadmill for 15-20 minutes (lost exact minutes) and then we did our circuit.  The machines are fun...they feel like you are on a ride!  We definitely pushed ourselves, our legs were shaking when we finished and we headed to the locker room.....then decided to give the dreadful elliptical another 3 minute try.  (Last week we finished our treadmill and wanted to try the elliptical to get the feel of it and it almost killed us!!  We tried for 3 mins. but could barely make it...my heart rate got up to 178 it like 60 seconds...it looks so easy, BUT it was so hard)  When we got on the machine, it actually felt really good...we kept looking at each other like, "seriously??"  We actually loved it!  Come to find out, we had tried the wrong type of elliptical at the O'Fallon gym!  It was climbing a mountain, so no wonder my heart wanted to jump out of my chest!  Now, we can't wait to do our cardio on it tomorrow!!  Go elliptical!!

All by myself...

Friday I went to the gym all by myself...seems silly, but it's funny how you can really get used to having your workout partner with you!  Since my sister and I are both learning the machines together, we don't feel goofy, if it takes us a bit to adjust the seat or figure out how much weight to use (or fall out)!!  Anyways, I got up the nerve to go alone...I started off with the treadmill and walked for 20+ minutes at a speed of 3 and an incline of 2!  That's five extra minutes from last week...yay!!  Then I did the circuit, I could have done more, not sure why I didn't.  I was nervous, but made it through and am proud of myself for going!!

the best workout yet

Each time that my sister and I go workout...we say, "Now THAT was the best workout so far"  Yeah!!  So far, so good!  We have worked out way up to 15 minutes on the treadmill at a slight incline and 3 minutes on the eliptical...of course my sis is at -3 minutes, because she went backward the whole time! LOL! 

The circuit machines we could use some direction on...we do know how to work the machined, but as far as how much weight and how many reps, we are pretty lost.  I try to keep track, but look over at my sister and she is listening to her new mp3 player and not counting or keeping track at all!  She just goes until I hear her say "ouch" then she moves to the next and I follow!LOL! 

I love the feel of working our bodies!  I pray we will keep it up!

Joining the Club

For three weeks my brain has been churning about whether or not to join Club Fitness.  I got a coupon in the mail and it sounded like a great deal, the fact that free babysitting was included made it sound awesome!  I talked to my sister and we decided that we'd give it a try.  The gym gave us a 14-day trial membership and we started going.  At first it seamed really simple...our trainer, Evan, showed us the machines and around the gym, then set up our initial FREE training session. 

We were excited about going to our training session, but that soon turned to muscle-burning, sweating, almost crying pain!!!  Now I have more empathy for the contestants of The Biggest Loser!  I thought I might throw up, but I hung in there and I'm so happy for it!  My Sister and I are soooo proud of ourselves!

Speaking of my Sis....she is such a blessing...she knew that one of my major concerns about joining the gym was finding a way to afford it.  Times are tight right now, even $19.99 a month is hard to justify when you have bills to pay and two little kids at home.   I told the lady at the club that I would have to wait until payday to start my program and Diana says, "Merry Christmas" ...SHE SIGNED US BOTH UP!!! I couldn't believe it, she is way too good to me!! 

Now, we will "have" to stick to it and get in shape!  So far, so good...we are going every single day possible and it feels great!  We have both already lost a few pounds and are excited to see results!  Wish us luck!

I did it !!!

I actually woke up on my own at 4:30am and could NOT go back to sleep...I have had a never-been-met goal of getting up at 5AM and starting my exercise routine, so I guess this morning my sleeplessness was a sign from above!  I got up, got dressed, and was going to go downstairs, turn on the news, and workout on my gazelle, BUT...it was TOO early...no news was on yet, SO......I put on running shoes and tried to sneak out by myself for an early walk around the block (thoughts of peace & quiet race through my head), but then, here comes Blake..."Mom, what are you doing, are you going somewhere, can I go too??!!??"  At first, I'm like  "are you kidding me?"  then I'm thinking, "I guess it could be worse...he could object to going on an early walk for some extra exercise !" I say, "get dressed, Buddy"  THEN...here comes the dog, who when I think about it, does get neglected when it comes to excercise for her....so I get her collar and leash ready....off we go...Blake, Sophie, and I for an early morning walk on a very hot, sticky day.  The best part...Blake is great motivation and since they both had energy, we actually ran most of the way... and I am not a runner...YET !!!!!  lol!!!