Today a video...
Showing posts with label Exercise. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Exercise. Show all posts
Oct 29, 2013
Aug 19, 2013
Say Yes and Figure It Out Later
It's a new week and I'm off to bootcamp this morning. My goal this week is to attend a few fitness classes and get out on my own for at least one run. This weekend I registered for my first half marathon (yikes!) and while I'm nervous about running such a long distance, I'm excited about the prospect of training for such an event. What will I do to train? Run, I guess. I haven't even begun looking into training programs, but I'm sure that will come soon enough. The key is to say yes, set the goal and then figure out how you're going to get there.
The "I Did It" List
went running this weekend for the first time in over two months
attended a killer work out at Positively Fit Lake Highlands
registered for my first half marathon (Feb. 23rd)
had a date with my husband
didn't finish my pancake breakfast on Sunday because I was full
photographed two homes for Houzz.com
weeded my front yard (long overdue)
showered at a friend's house because our hot water heater is on the fritz
Aug 14, 2013
Building the New
Today, after more than three months without real continuous exercise, I returned to class at Positively Fit Lake Highlands. Dragging myself out of bed was tough, but rummaging through my closet for workout clothes that still fit was the hardest and most humiliating part of the process. I was feeling defeated and embarrassed because I've allowed so much weight to creep back over the past season. I was feeling angry at having to start over. I was feeling stupid for having thrown away all of my "fat" jeans. I was feeling resentful of my children for requiring so much of my time that my own needs have slipped into seventh or eighth place in the family line-up. I was feeling sorry and exasperated and weak and all of the things that come with my special form of self-loathing.
Yes, class was difficult. I was winded and out of sorts. But I was happy to be with Mallory (friend and class instructor), working out and talking about strength training, energy stores, family vacations, musical theater and open-hearted children. She said, "You're not beginning again, you are continuing." She's right. I've had a few months off. But in the course of what I hope is a long life, what's a few months? It's time to press on. I'm not a beginner anymore, I'm a continuer.
Stop. Breathe. Stop fighting old thoughts. It's time to rebuild.
Yes, class was difficult. I was winded and out of sorts. But I was happy to be with Mallory (friend and class instructor), working out and talking about strength training, energy stores, family vacations, musical theater and open-hearted children. She said, "You're not beginning again, you are continuing." She's right. I've had a few months off. But in the course of what I hope is a long life, what's a few months? It's time to press on. I'm not a beginner anymore, I'm a continuer.
Jul 4, 2013
July 4th Workout for my Butt
I did this workout today - wowee!
It's a quick 10 minutes, but really intense.
If you've got a second today between BBQ and beer, you should give it a go!
May 17, 2013
Lift Off
The first few weeks of a shift in behavior can feel like a real slog. Getting out the door every other day (and sometimes every day) for a jog or 40 minutes of cross training takes fortitude when its preceded by a pattern of inactivity. Hell, it takes fortitude even when you're in the groove.
But for me, there is always a day, a wonderful moment that I call "lift off", when your body and your brain finally align and what seemed like an unbearable slog the day before becomes easier. Notice, I didn't say easy. It's never easy. It just gets a little bit easier.
The past two weeks of dragging my ass to the juicer and then lumbering out the door for a jog shifted today. I awoke, rested. I looked in the mirror and noticed that my skin tone was better. I met my husband in the kitchen and he said my waist looked slimmer, as did my face. (Compliments always help "lift off".) I drank my green juice, ate a banana, snuggled with my son and then went for a run. And today it wasn't shitty. It was nice. Ladies and gentlemen, we have lift off!
But for me, there is always a day, a wonderful moment that I call "lift off", when your body and your brain finally align and what seemed like an unbearable slog the day before becomes easier. Notice, I didn't say easy. It's never easy. It just gets a little bit easier.
The past two weeks of dragging my ass to the juicer and then lumbering out the door for a jog shifted today. I awoke, rested. I looked in the mirror and noticed that my skin tone was better. I met my husband in the kitchen and he said my waist looked slimmer, as did my face. (Compliments always help "lift off".) I drank my green juice, ate a banana, snuggled with my son and then went for a run. And today it wasn't shitty. It was nice. Ladies and gentlemen, we have lift off!
P.S. Looking for an awesome healthy snack recipe?
To make the fruit and nut bars below, click HERE.
Sep 5, 2012
Taking the Cure
My whole body is revolting against me. I carry a 31 pound kid around for hours and hours during the day. He can't walk or crawl and when I put him down he gets frustrated with his immobility and screams at me. The result is that my body is horribly misaligned and it feels like my hips and shoulders are becoming unhinged.
Today I went to boot camp. The first class of the month is always a physical assessment, which involves running a mile for time. With my body in a state of rebellion, I was sure that running was going to do me in. At first I was in a lot of pain - my joints and ligaments were all out of tune. But after the first few minutes, they began to loosen and even glide. By the half mile mark I was in a rhythm and the pain dissipated. Tonight my jangled bits of body are aching again, but my hour at boot camp afforded me a little break.
A reader (Amber) recently asked me about my game plan for yanking my tired butt out of the "doldrums". She wanted to know how I was going to "kick it up a notch". Great question, Amber, and THANK YOU for keeping my on track. I've got a few ideas and here they are:
1) Reread some of the health literature that got me started on the raw foods in the first place. This includes "The Raw Detox Diet" by Ms. Rose.
2) Get back in a 3 day a week boot camp rhythm. The key is to just show up.
3) I've joined a "Biggest Loser" competition through my local mom's group. A group of us have pitched in 5 bucks each and the woman who loses the largest percentage of body weight (Sept. 11 - Dec. 4) wins the pool. I did it in the Spring (and won) and it was a huge motivator.
4) Start every day with green juice again - not just 3 or 4 days a week. Every. Day. Of. The. Week. Green juice always makes me feel amazing! And it curbs my appetite all morning long.
5) I'd also like to plan a 10-day juice fast again - possibly in October.
6) And finally, this is the first time in a year that I have not been signed up for a 5K. I think I need to find a race and register. I tend to better adhere to my running schedule when I've got a race coming up.
So, there are my thoughts.
Now let's hear yours!
Today I went to boot camp. The first class of the month is always a physical assessment, which involves running a mile for time. With my body in a state of rebellion, I was sure that running was going to do me in. At first I was in a lot of pain - my joints and ligaments were all out of tune. But after the first few minutes, they began to loosen and even glide. By the half mile mark I was in a rhythm and the pain dissipated. Tonight my jangled bits of body are aching again, but my hour at boot camp afforded me a little break.
A reader (Amber) recently asked me about my game plan for yanking my tired butt out of the "doldrums". She wanted to know how I was going to "kick it up a notch". Great question, Amber, and THANK YOU for keeping my on track. I've got a few ideas and here they are:
1) Reread some of the health literature that got me started on the raw foods in the first place. This includes "The Raw Detox Diet" by Ms. Rose.
2) Get back in a 3 day a week boot camp rhythm. The key is to just show up.
3) I've joined a "Biggest Loser" competition through my local mom's group. A group of us have pitched in 5 bucks each and the woman who loses the largest percentage of body weight (Sept. 11 - Dec. 4) wins the pool. I did it in the Spring (and won) and it was a huge motivator.
4) Start every day with green juice again - not just 3 or 4 days a week. Every. Day. Of. The. Week. Green juice always makes me feel amazing! And it curbs my appetite all morning long.
5) I'd also like to plan a 10-day juice fast again - possibly in October.
6) And finally, this is the first time in a year that I have not been signed up for a 5K. I think I need to find a race and register. I tend to better adhere to my running schedule when I've got a race coming up.
So, there are my thoughts.
Now let's hear yours!
Aug 3, 2012
Run For Fun?
I think I may finally at the point where I can sometimes (not all the time, mind you, but every once in a while) run for fun. I've been taking little 2 and 3 mile runs every other day or so while visiting my mom in Oregon. And today, I felt excited to get out and run away from everything for a few minutes. It's pretty exhillerating to run out of the house, away from the computer, away from my kids and away from the feeling that I "have" to be doing something. Then, its just as exciting to turn around and run back - back to my family, back to a cold glass of water, back to my daily routines and comforts of home.
P.S. I thought that this image above was perfect for me. This should be my simple four step plan for the rest of the year. Run longer, eat better, feel stronger, look amazing. Ready, set, go.
P.S. I thought that this image above was perfect for me. This should be my simple four step plan for the rest of the year. Run longer, eat better, feel stronger, look amazing. Ready, set, go.
Jul 29, 2012
Country Roads
I'm in Eastern Oregon for the next few weeks visiting my mother. This morning, after coffee and cuddling with Charlie (who is almost 2!), I went for a run. I took the country road from my Mama's house to the neighboring town of New Bridge. Its a slow steady incline that meanders past farms, fields and burbling irrigation ditches. The weather was cool - about 67 degrees. After running on Monday morning in Dallas, where the temperature was already in the 90's, this morning's run seemed like a dream.
I jogged along for almost a mile and a half until I came to a sign that said "New Bridge - Congestion Ahead". New Bridge is a town of about 30 and the "congestion ahead" notice made me giggle. God forbid two cars try and pass each other at the same time while navigating the gradual fork in the road. Congestion, indeed. This morning, there was no traffic - only chirping birds, grass fed cows chomping on clover and a distant four wheeler humming in the distance.
I jogged along for almost a mile and a half until I came to a sign that said "New Bridge - Congestion Ahead". New Bridge is a town of about 30 and the "congestion ahead" notice made me giggle. God forbid two cars try and pass each other at the same time while navigating the gradual fork in the road. Congestion, indeed. This morning, there was no traffic - only chirping birds, grass fed cows chomping on clover and a distant four wheeler humming in the distance.
It's good to be out of the city for a spell.
Jul 5, 2012
Thirty Four
Today is my birthday. In years past, my birthday morning usually began with sleeping in, then coffee followed by a parade of sweets and sugary treats. One year I ate an entire box of chocolate covered cherries and two years ago I ate half of a red velvet sheet cake by myself. I can't even imagine doing that now. Okay. Who am I kidding... I can TOTALLY imagine eating half a sheet cake. But I'm a stronger person now.
This morning I broke with tradition and awoke when the house was still sleepy and dark. I dressed and left the house for a 6am yoga class. I've decided to add a once or twice weekly power yoga class to my 3-day-a-week boot camp routine. Its important to stay grounded and lose with all the strength training and running!
The class is taught by Christi Jiannino at Postiviely Fit Lake Highlands. Its T/TH from 6-7am. This was my second class and I absolutely love it. A sunrise power yoga class was the perfect way to begin my thirty fourth year on Earth. Tonight, I've asked my husband to take me to a raw/vegan restaurant for dinner. And maybe I'll find my way to a little treat - but just a little one.
This morning I broke with tradition and awoke when the house was still sleepy and dark. I dressed and left the house for a 6am yoga class. I've decided to add a once or twice weekly power yoga class to my 3-day-a-week boot camp routine. Its important to stay grounded and lose with all the strength training and running!
The class is taught by Christi Jiannino at Postiviely Fit Lake Highlands. Its T/TH from 6-7am. This was my second class and I absolutely love it. A sunrise power yoga class was the perfect way to begin my thirty fourth year on Earth. Tonight, I've asked my husband to take me to a raw/vegan restaurant for dinner. And maybe I'll find my way to a little treat - but just a little one.
Oh...
And new birthday shoes!
I've been in need of some cross trainers and these little pink gems are perfect.
I've been in need of some cross trainers and these little pink gems are perfect.
Jun 12, 2012
Positively Fit
As most of you know, I attend boot camp classes at Positively Fit Lake Highlands in Dallas, TX. Its a back yard style boot camp taught by Mallory Mansour Doubuclet. As you can tell from my previous posts, I love attending these classes and count Mallory's amazing work-outs as one of the key factors in my recent weight loss.
Mallory just sent her clients the new summer schedule with some exciting new additions. Since so many of you Dallas-area readers have inquired about my exercise routine, I thought I'd post Mallory's note and her new schedule. PFLH is a fantastic investment and with the free child care co-op and variety of class times, there are no more excuses. Come join me as I endeavour to work off my last 25 pounds!
Hi Friends!
I’m excited to announce the addition of three new instructors bringing their classes to Positively Fit Lake Highlands:
You asked for an early morning boot camp, and you’ve got it! LHAECPTA mom Ann Marie Sager will begin teaching boot camp as an intern on July 2. Her classes will be from 5:45-6:40 AM Mondays and Wednesdays. Your workouts will be a collaborative effort between the two of us as she trains to be a group exercise and Pilates instructor.
Lake Highlands mom, trainer, and yoga instructor Christi Jiannino will begin teaching Power Yoga in the studio every Tuesday and Thursday from 6-7 AM beginning July 3.
Lake Highlands mom and yoga instructor Julie Upton will teach Yoga Flow every Tuesday and Thursday from 11 AM – 12 PM beginning THIS Tuesday, June 19. This Tuesday’s class is FREE, and I have a parent volunteer in the childcare co-op who can watch your kids, also for free. If you’ve never tried a class with me, come for boot camp at 10 for a FREE trial class and stay for yoga!
Please fill out the informed consent forms from my website at www.positivelyfitlakehighlands.com, shoot me an email if you get the chance to let me know you are coming (optional), and show up with yoga mat and water, ready to burn some calories!
Men and Women and Young Adults over the age of 14 with parental consent are welcome!
Mallory just sent her clients the new summer schedule with some exciting new additions. Since so many of you Dallas-area readers have inquired about my exercise routine, I thought I'd post Mallory's note and her new schedule. PFLH is a fantastic investment and with the free child care co-op and variety of class times, there are no more excuses. Come join me as I endeavour to work off my last 25 pounds!
Note from Mallory:
Hi Friends!
I’m excited to announce the addition of three new instructors bringing their classes to Positively Fit Lake Highlands:
You asked for an early morning boot camp, and you’ve got it! LHAECPTA mom Ann Marie Sager will begin teaching boot camp as an intern on July 2. Her classes will be from 5:45-6:40 AM Mondays and Wednesdays. Your workouts will be a collaborative effort between the two of us as she trains to be a group exercise and Pilates instructor.
Lake Highlands mom, trainer, and yoga instructor Christi Jiannino will begin teaching Power Yoga in the studio every Tuesday and Thursday from 6-7 AM beginning July 3.
Lake Highlands mom and yoga instructor Julie Upton will teach Yoga Flow every Tuesday and Thursday from 11 AM – 12 PM beginning THIS Tuesday, June 19. This Tuesday’s class is FREE, and I have a parent volunteer in the childcare co-op who can watch your kids, also for free. If you’ve never tried a class with me, come for boot camp at 10 for a FREE trial class and stay for yoga!
Please fill out the informed consent forms from my website at www.positivelyfitlakehighlands.com, shoot me an email if you get the chance to let me know you are coming (optional), and show up with yoga mat and water, ready to burn some calories!
Men and Women and Young Adults over the age of 14 with parental consent are welcome!
For more information
visit Positively Fit Lake Highlands on Facebook.
May 26, 2012
Morning Run
I'm back in Utah territory! If you've been following the blog for the past year, you'll remember that I began my Smaller Sarah year in Utah. Why is my family here? Because my husband takes a nine week contract every summer at the Utah Shakespeare Festival.
This morning, I laced up my running shoes and went for a 2-mile run around hilly Southern Utah University. It's 50 degrees this morning with a stiff cold wind coming out of the mountains. I've also jumped from an altitude of 149 feet in Texas to an altitude of 5895 feet in Utah. When you add the hills and the wind and the altitude together, it makes for a very different running experience than I've been accustomed to in Dallas.
Never-the-less, I popped in my ear buds (Kanye, Robyn, Gaga and Pink on the iPod) and braved the elements. It felt so good to run the same route that I was walking last summer. What usually took me 40 minutes to walk, I ran in 25 minutes today! My goal is to run that two mile loop 5 days a week while I'm here.
This morning, I laced up my running shoes and went for a 2-mile run around hilly Southern Utah University. It's 50 degrees this morning with a stiff cold wind coming out of the mountains. I've also jumped from an altitude of 149 feet in Texas to an altitude of 5895 feet in Utah. When you add the hills and the wind and the altitude together, it makes for a very different running experience than I've been accustomed to in Dallas.
Never-the-less, I popped in my ear buds (Kanye, Robyn, Gaga and Pink on the iPod) and braved the elements. It felt so good to run the same route that I was walking last summer. What usually took me 40 minutes to walk, I ran in 25 minutes today! My goal is to run that two mile loop 5 days a week while I'm here.
P.S.
Tomorrow, I'll be posting some more questions from readers
for the Q&A series, so be sure to check back!
May 23, 2012
A Little Break from Boot Camp?
I don't know if I'll be able to do it. I'm taking some time away from boot camp to fit in some summer traveling. For the past 6 months, boot camp classes at Positively Fit Lake Highlands have been a three-day-a-week staple in my life and I'm a little nervous about taking a break. My plan while I'm away is to continue strength training at least twice a week and to run 5 of 7 mornings a week. I know it will be a lot more difficult when I don't have my group to meet with or Mallory to come up with brilliant work-out combinations every day. I'll be back in class by the end of June, so it's only a few weeks. But still... it will certainly be a test of my self discipline.Wish me luck!
P.S. I'm only 8 days away from the one year mark! Of course, I'll keep posting every day as my final weigh-in draws near. I'm really hoping to make it to a full 75 pound loss. This week has been great so far, and I have high hopes!
 |
| On my out to boot camp this morning. |
 |
| Group photo of my boot camp class! You ladies are awesome! |
P.S. I'm only 8 days away from the one year mark! Of course, I'll keep posting every day as my final weigh-in draws near. I'm really hoping to make it to a full 75 pound loss. This week has been great so far, and I have high hopes!
May 15, 2012
Me, Boxing
I just bought a 25 dollar voucher for 10 training classes with this guy:
The voucher is for group boxing classes at Bendu Boxing Gym! (Don't worry, Mallory, I'll never leave Positively Fit Lake Highlands - I just need a little work out fling like that time you took the Barre class). I just thought it would be fun and 25 bucks for 10 classes is a STEAL! I don't know a whole lot about throwing a punch, but I sure wouldn't mind looking like this:
Although, I'll probably end up looking like this:
And I think it would be awesome to fight like this:
But I'll probably end up fighting like this:
Apr 28, 2012
Another Awesome 5K
Today, I ran my third 5K! My family and I attended Run the Highlands - a one mile fun run, 5K and carnival benefiting local schools in our neighborhood. This was my son's very first race and he was a trooper! I was so proud of him for keeping up with all his long-legged counterparts. His brother, Charlie, had the advantage of being on wheels.
One of the things I love most about getting healthy and fit is sharing it with my kids. When Walker grows up he won't remember the Pepsi chugging, doughnut downing, ball of lethargy that I used to be. Instead he'll remember healthy happy meals at home, choosing his own produce from the market, running with me on race days, and playing in the child care co-op while I attend boot camp classes. Today he told me, "You're the fastest runner I know, mommy." Sweet little man. Here he is below after receiving his medal for finishing the fun run!
I know that she will HATE me for including her photo here, but this beautiful woman below is the reason I started boot camp in the first place. I met Ladonna for the first time at a mom's group in late October. Our conversation went something like this:
Ladonna: Oh god my arms. I can't reach my margarita, I need a longer straw.
Me: Why can't you reach it?
Ladonna: Stupid boot camp. My arms are sore from doing a million push ups.
Me: Yikes.
Ladonna: You should come with me.
Me: To boot camp?
Ladonna: Sure!
Me: You make it sound so enticing.
Ladonna: No, its really great.
Me: I can't do it. We only have one car.
Ladonna: It's like a block from your house. You could walk there.
Me: Oh. Well, I'm at home with the kids all day. I don't have a sitter.
Ladonna: There's a free child care co-op. Bring them with you.
Me: Oh. (Searching for another excuse...)
Ladonna: Look - either you want to do it or you don't. I'll email you the info.
Me: I guess I don't have a reason not to go.
Ladonna: Then come and you too can have crazy sore arms.
So thank you Ladonna for getting my ass in gear. In return, I am in the process of inventing for you a very long bendy margarita straw for when your biceps give out after a difficult upper-body work out.
The other thing I did today was make more of these bad boys. If you haven't read about them, click HERE. They're super easy to make and super yummy to eat. Walker calls them "sweet balls" and begs me for these dessert treats. Just raw dates, raisins, nuts and a little dried coconut. So good!
One of the things I love most about getting healthy and fit is sharing it with my kids. When Walker grows up he won't remember the Pepsi chugging, doughnut downing, ball of lethargy that I used to be. Instead he'll remember healthy happy meals at home, choosing his own produce from the market, running with me on race days, and playing in the child care co-op while I attend boot camp classes. Today he told me, "You're the fastest runner I know, mommy." Sweet little man. Here he is below after receiving his medal for finishing the fun run!
I know that she will HATE me for including her photo here, but this beautiful woman below is the reason I started boot camp in the first place. I met Ladonna for the first time at a mom's group in late October. Our conversation went something like this:
Ladonna: Oh god my arms. I can't reach my margarita, I need a longer straw.
Me: Why can't you reach it?
Ladonna: Stupid boot camp. My arms are sore from doing a million push ups.
Me: Yikes.
Ladonna: You should come with me.
Me: To boot camp?
Ladonna: Sure!
Me: You make it sound so enticing.
Ladonna: No, its really great.
Me: I can't do it. We only have one car.
Ladonna: It's like a block from your house. You could walk there.
Me: Oh. Well, I'm at home with the kids all day. I don't have a sitter.
Ladonna: There's a free child care co-op. Bring them with you.
Me: Oh. (Searching for another excuse...)
Ladonna: Look - either you want to do it or you don't. I'll email you the info.
Me: I guess I don't have a reason not to go.
Ladonna: Then come and you too can have crazy sore arms.
So thank you Ladonna for getting my ass in gear. In return, I am in the process of inventing for you a very long bendy margarita straw for when your biceps give out after a difficult upper-body work out.
The other thing I did today was make more of these bad boys. If you haven't read about them, click HERE. They're super easy to make and super yummy to eat. Walker calls them "sweet balls" and begs me for these dessert treats. Just raw dates, raisins, nuts and a little dried coconut. So good!
Apr 25, 2012
Action Shots from Warrior Dash
So, here they are...
When most Texans were in church last Sunday, Mallory and I were doing this:
Apr 24, 2012
Duh - Muscle Weighs More Than Fat
Good Lord, I am sore today. Warrior Dash is catching up with me. All of my connective tissue and joints are screaming. Oye. I'll be doing a little tub soak tonight and begging my husband to rub my poor bruised achy body.
So to make my self feel better, I thought I'd look at some before and after photos from just the past two months. From February 16 to March 3, I lost 11 pounds because of a 10 day juice fast and exercise. And from March 3 to April 22 after some big losses and gains, I lost another 3 pounds overall. I've been "stuck" for the past couple of weeks with no real weight loss. However, I've lost a dress size (or two depending on the clothing) and have never felt fitter. Take a look at the photos:
So to make my self feel better, I thought I'd look at some before and after photos from just the past two months. From February 16 to March 3, I lost 11 pounds because of a 10 day juice fast and exercise. And from March 3 to April 22 after some big losses and gains, I lost another 3 pounds overall. I've been "stuck" for the past couple of weeks with no real weight loss. However, I've lost a dress size (or two depending on the clothing) and have never felt fitter. Take a look at the photos:
The adage that muscle weighs more than fat is true and I'm proof!
There is only a 3 lb. difference between the two shots on the right, but it looks like more.
And just for fun, here is my current before and after
from Day One of the Smaller Sarah journey to now.
Can you believe there are only 37 days until the end of my Smaller Sarah year?
I'm going to make this last month count BIG TIME!
Apr 23, 2012
Weigh In - Week 45 (Warrior Queen Edition)
The weeks are closing in as June 1st approaches - almost a whole year since beginning my Smaller Sarah journey! This week has been filled to the brim with activity, stress and joy. My husband has been home from Barcelona for a week and life seems to be resuming a normal pattern. Most of the weekdays were crazy and I was a weepy mess trying to stay on top of all my obligations. The weekend, though, was better. I hosted a party on Friday for Jack's SMU colleagues - a sort of welcome home get-together. Saturday our family attended a dinner for Kenna's Kids, the non-profit organization that has chosen my son, Charlie, as one of their 2012 beneficiaries. Then I finished the week with the Warrior Dash on Sunday morning!
As I stood in front of the bathroom mirror on Sunday morning examining the bags under my eyes, I thought, "What the hell am I doing?" Then I popped two Aspirin, poured myself a cup of coffee and packed my bag for the battlefield. Dread soon gave way to giddiness and in the end Warrior Dash was a fantastic experience.
The best part about doing the Warrior Dash was that I had a partner. My boot camp instructor and dear friend, Mallory, picked me up on Sunday morning and ran the dash with me! My goal was to run the entire 5K, which I did. There was only one obstacle that was beyond my physical abilities, but I surmounted all the others with confidence. The one I missed was a nine story wall with only a vertical rope to assist in scaling. Okay, okay... it was NOT nine stories tall and there were little helpful foothold thingys, but seriously... when I started to climb, all I heard was the voice of comedian Wanda Sykes saying, "Oh nuh-uh girl. That shit ain't happ'nin'." I just didn't have the upper body strength to pull myself over that HUGE wall. Ah well.
Do I feel different? Hell yes. Now I feel like Boadicea, Warrior Queen of the Britons. I don't know if I can lead a Celtic revolt against the Romans, but I can certainly handle a rowdy (and sweet) four year old, a testy (and sweet) 20 month old with Cerebral Palsy, boot camp, and my various domestic duties as chauffeur, chef, event coordinator, financial planner, and family Chief Executive Officer. So Mallory, thank you for running the dash with me and for spending the last five months (gently) whipping my ass into shape. Here I am before and after the Warrior Dash:
Okay back to business. It's Monday. Time to weigh in. I had a great week of exercise and a crappy week of eating. I allowed stress and time-crunches to dictate my diet this week. There were lots of coffee take-out trips, ice cream breaks and even cake. I also drank a lot of beer and wine due to the weekend entertaining. I have not dropped any weight, but I look and feel more toned than I have in over a decade. The weight remains the same, but I'm still dropping dress sizes. So overall, I'm pleased with how the week turned out. My goal for next week is to resume my normal diet, which as you know, mostly entails saying no to refined sugar / flour and yes to veggies and raw food.
As I stood in front of the bathroom mirror on Sunday morning examining the bags under my eyes, I thought, "What the hell am I doing?" Then I popped two Aspirin, poured myself a cup of coffee and packed my bag for the battlefield. Dread soon gave way to giddiness and in the end Warrior Dash was a fantastic experience.
The best part about doing the Warrior Dash was that I had a partner. My boot camp instructor and dear friend, Mallory, picked me up on Sunday morning and ran the dash with me! My goal was to run the entire 5K, which I did. There was only one obstacle that was beyond my physical abilities, but I surmounted all the others with confidence. The one I missed was a nine story wall with only a vertical rope to assist in scaling. Okay, okay... it was NOT nine stories tall and there were little helpful foothold thingys, but seriously... when I started to climb, all I heard was the voice of comedian Wanda Sykes saying, "Oh nuh-uh girl. That shit ain't happ'nin'." I just didn't have the upper body strength to pull myself over that HUGE wall. Ah well.
Do I feel different? Hell yes. Now I feel like Boadicea, Warrior Queen of the Britons. I don't know if I can lead a Celtic revolt against the Romans, but I can certainly handle a rowdy (and sweet) four year old, a testy (and sweet) 20 month old with Cerebral Palsy, boot camp, and my various domestic duties as chauffeur, chef, event coordinator, financial planner, and family Chief Executive Officer. So Mallory, thank you for running the dash with me and for spending the last five months (gently) whipping my ass into shape. Here I am before and after the Warrior Dash:
Okay back to business. It's Monday. Time to weigh in. I had a great week of exercise and a crappy week of eating. I allowed stress and time-crunches to dictate my diet this week. There were lots of coffee take-out trips, ice cream breaks and even cake. I also drank a lot of beer and wine due to the weekend entertaining. I have not dropped any weight, but I look and feel more toned than I have in over a decade. The weight remains the same, but I'm still dropping dress sizes. So overall, I'm pleased with how the week turned out. My goal for next week is to resume my normal diet, which as you know, mostly entails saying no to refined sugar / flour and yes to veggies and raw food.
Pounds lost this week: 0
Total pounds lost: 65
 |
| Mallory and me before the race with fresh shiny clean faces. |
 |
| Mallory and me after the race with our viking hats and medals. |
 |
| We rocked the Warrior Dash! |
 |
| All clean with my official tee-shirt! |
 |
| And a shot of my knees and shins a few hours after the dash. Ouch! |
The "I Did It" List
attended 2 boot camp classes
took a run around my neighborhood
juiced 3 out of 7 mornings
completed the Warrior Dash in fifty something minutes
bought a pair of heels (my first in years)
wore my new size 16 jeans all week
wore my new size 16 jeans all week
Apr 18, 2012
Just Keep Going
Jack is back from Barcelona and back to work. I thought that maybe I would have a little respite when he returned, but I think I was really kidding myself. He's winding up the semester with his students and also completing his documentation and personal statement for tenure review this summer and fall. Its a tall order and his time is not his own.
So I'm still exhausted, still waiting for the end of the school year and still holding down the fort. All of this is markedly easier to do, however, when Jack is in the country and home at night. So it is with a grateful heart and an exhausted mind that I move forward.
I'm nervous about my energy level while attempting to do the Warrior Dash this weekend. In four short days I will be swimming through mud, running through sludge, climbing under barbed wire, scaling walls and jumping through fire. Why? Because it sounded like fun when I registered in February. You're probably saying aloud, "What the hell was Sarah thinking?" But the truth is these 5Ks and athletic markers are what keep me going right now. Going to boot camp three days a week and doing a 1000 push up challenge and running the Warrior Dash are serving a much greater purpose in my life than I ever thought they would. They keep me focused when all I want to do is throw away my calender and skip Charlie's therapy appointment. They keep me grounded when all I want to do is drink a bottle of wine when the kids are down at 8pm. And most importantly, they keep me connected to other moms going through the same shit as I am. Its enlivening to reach for something you think you cannot do. It doesn't even matter if you make it. Pushing yourself and enjoying the ride is paramount.
So I'm still exhausted, still waiting for the end of the school year and still holding down the fort. All of this is markedly easier to do, however, when Jack is in the country and home at night. So it is with a grateful heart and an exhausted mind that I move forward.
I'm nervous about my energy level while attempting to do the Warrior Dash this weekend. In four short days I will be swimming through mud, running through sludge, climbing under barbed wire, scaling walls and jumping through fire. Why? Because it sounded like fun when I registered in February. You're probably saying aloud, "What the hell was Sarah thinking?" But the truth is these 5Ks and athletic markers are what keep me going right now. Going to boot camp three days a week and doing a 1000 push up challenge and running the Warrior Dash are serving a much greater purpose in my life than I ever thought they would. They keep me focused when all I want to do is throw away my calender and skip Charlie's therapy appointment. They keep me grounded when all I want to do is drink a bottle of wine when the kids are down at 8pm. And most importantly, they keep me connected to other moms going through the same shit as I am. Its enlivening to reach for something you think you cannot do. It doesn't even matter if you make it. Pushing yourself and enjoying the ride is paramount.
 |
| photo source |
Apr 14, 2012
Push Ups
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I'm participating in a push-up challenge set forth by my boot camp instructor. Our goal is to do a thousand push-ups in the course of the week. It's Saturday morning and my current count in 810 push ups. Now I have two more days to complete 190 push-ups.
Why am I doing so many push ups? I don't know... I'll take most any dare, I guess. I also know that if I want to have strong arms like Michelle Obama, I need to get cracking. One of the many things I've learned from my boot camp instructor is that exercises where you support your own body weight (push ups, sit ups, plank, etc.) can totally change your physique. So, when she said "1000 push-ups", I said "You got it!".
Why am I doing so many push ups? I don't know... I'll take most any dare, I guess. I also know that if I want to have strong arms like Michelle Obama, I need to get cracking. One of the many things I've learned from my boot camp instructor is that exercises where you support your own body weight (push ups, sit ups, plank, etc.) can totally change your physique. So, when she said "1000 push-ups", I said "You got it!".
The goal... arms like Obama.
Oh... and to someday become a strong black woman.
Apr 10, 2012
Official Run for Human Rights Race Results
I just got the official results from my recent (and first ever) 5K race. My time was much better than I thought it was: 37 minutes and 57 seconds. Yay! My goal was to run it under 42 minutes. And here is a photo of me crossing the finish line. Next up? Warrior Dash on April 22nd and Run the Highlands 5K on April 28th.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)