Fitness: Month Two Check In

Well, it's officially been 60 days since I began my training with the Get in Shape Girl, so it's time for an update.

Starting Weight: 141.8 (ish)
Current Weight: 140.2 (ish)

Sad to say I haven't lost much weight.  But I do feel like I'm seeing changes, albeit subtle.  And I have to admit this month I haven't been that focused as I spent almost two weeks away on vacation where I was definitely not following my meal plan.  But as soon as I came back and started up again, I noticed a quick turn around.  I think at my lowest point I weighed in just over 138 lbs, so I'm fluctuating a bit.

I am noticing an improvement in my pushups, my runs are getting faster, and this week was the first time I was able to hold my planks for the full time for all three sets!  I'm really enjoying the diversity of the workouts, although I wish I had other options for my HIIT.  Unfortunately, I have a very "spartan" gym set up at work, so we don't really have any cardio equipment at all.  So all my HIITs have been sprints.  I tried doing mountain climbers, burpees, etc... for the intervals, but I couldn't keep going for the entire 60 seconds, so I've got to improve a bit before I can try those again.

Tell you what, my upper body is looking sick.  And my booty is looking better too...I notice I've got more of a curve from my lower back to my booty (I should have taken a side pic so you could see).  The lovies are still there, but they've always been my problem area.

One bummer is that I just found out my PT test isn't until February.  I was really hoping it was in November so I could knock it out before the holidays while I'm still in the zone.  I guess this just needs to motivate me to keep up with my workouts and my eating through the holidays so I can get the high score I've been aiming for.  I'll keep you posted!

Missed an update?

• Start
• Month One Check In

Month 1 Check In

Ok, it's been just about a month since I started my fitness journey and I'm noticing some changes already.  Although I haven't lost as much weight as I'd hoped (largely due to a lot of traveling and too much indulging), I'm seeing my muscles again, feeling stronger, and loving the energy I'm getting from eating right.

The biggest challenge thus far is the eating, but I'm make some changes to better work it into my crazy schedule.  I worry a bit about the upcoming month because we are going on a 10-day family vacation up north which always involves a lot of eating (good Italian food and lots of desserts from Joe's side and tons of fresh, homemade food from my dad).  Plus, when/where am I going to work out?!  I'm going to do my best to fit it all in, and am even planning to run with my dad once I get to NH, but I just know I won't be able to strength train as much as I'd like.  It bums me out a bit because I know my time here is limited and I want to make the most of it because who knows where I'll be after September 30th.

The best part so far?  How much food I get to eat!  I eat every three hours...and not just a little snack, but a plate of meat and veggies or eggs or oatmeal, etc...  Sometimes I have to force myself to eat, but it's really helped cut down my cravings a lot.  I'm struggling at home mostly because Joe will sit on the couch and nosh on sweets after lunch AND dinner almost every day.  And since he doesn't cook and I work all day, I'm not always in the mood to cook, which means we go out to eat too much.  But I've been pretty good about watching my portions and ordering healthy items like lean steak and broccoli. 

Checkin' In on Those Guns

Well, that's about it...I can't wait until I'm done with another month so I can see the results!  Now if only I could find a good yoga place here...my muscles are tight!

Fitness Update - Week 3

CAUTION:  This is a text heavy post.

It's officially the start of week 3 of the Get In Shape Girl Workout Plan and week 5 of working out/eating better.  I'd like to say I'm dropping some serious lbs, but I'm not.  Rather I'm building muscle and losing fat, for sure.  I also think I've dropped some water weight that I had accumulated from a lot of eating out.

Inspiration is critical.  Image via

Here's my opinion of each element thus far:


Strength Training
It's mostly circuit-style with groups of 3-5 exercises.  I focus on 1-2 areas each time I ST (which is supposed to be 3x a week), so I have plenty of rest.  The exercises don't require a lot of machines/equipment - which is nice because I can do them at home if I'm off from work.  I'm not pushing myself too much on the weight yet since I'm just getting back into ST, but I'm uber excited to see how much I can push in these next weeks. 


HIIT
Kyra has had me doing High Intensity Interval Training 3x a week after my ST sessions as a way to torch my extra body fat.  Basically I can do whatever exercise I want as long as it's pushing my heart rate for a specified period of time then relaxing for a specified period of time before pushing it again.  It's quick, but not painless.  I'm truly enjoying this part of the program because I KNOW it's going to work.  I know I'm getting faster, my cardio conditioning is improving and I'm losing body fat.  It hurts though...and since I've been sticking largely to sprints (to improve my PT test run time), I've been feeling a bit of shin splint pain.  Think I'm going to try rowing intervals on Wednesday so I switch it up AND I don't kill my legs after my Wed leg session.


Cardio
I've been doing cardio twice a week to (a) improve my PT test run time, which was one of my major goals; (b) train for my upcoming races; (c) burn more fat while giving my muscles a break; and (d) to keep my sanity.  I love running...especially on my own, outside, with the perfect playlist.  Want to sore through a tough issue?  Go running...it works.  I've been averaging about 3.2 miles each session and I can see my time improving already.

Nutrition
This is the area I'm struggling the most - and I knew it would be.  I'm having trouble planning ahead for all of my meals (especially when I get off schedule due to travel or whatnot).  Also, I notice I'm netting a very low number of calories.  I'm used to coming in at 1200-1300 calories, but with the exercise and the nutrition plan, I'm closer to 1000.  Because I don't work out on the weekends and that's when I tend to go off plan, I'm making up for those calories though.  And I haven't really felt tired or overly hungry.  If anything, I'm forcing myself to eat since it's a lot of protein and veggies and that stuff gets rather unappetizing after awhile.  But I know I only get so many calories, so I need to eat all of them.  I think this will get easier as I go along.  I'm definitely a creature of habit and do better when I plan ahead and eat a lot of the same things.   Best tip ever:  set up your phone to remind you whenever it's time to eat so you never miss a meal.  Funny, I find myself heading to eat merely a minute or two before my alarm goes off, so I know it's becoming a habit.

One day.  Image via

Overall, I'm noticing more muscles poking through (my abs are getting serious from all the core work) and I'm feel a lot less swollen.  On top of that, I just feel stronger.  I feel like I'm racing the clock though because I don't want my time on active duty to end.  This is when I'm the most focused on training and I just know September 30th is going to sneak up on me.  Especially since I have a 10-day vacation planned right in the middle of all this. FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS!

July 24th will mark my one-month milestone on the program, so I'll be posting progress photos and stats.

Getting Back on Track

I haven’t shared much about my recent return to the fit side of things (who am I kidding, I haven’t shared much about anything these days!), so I thought I would give y’all a little update.

Basically, I’m on active duty with the military for four months (June through September), so it’s really the perfect time for me to get back in shape.  I’ve really let myself go ever since having Nash, and I feel terrible about it.  I feel bad about myself, I have no energy, and I look like hell.  On top of it, I’m going to be 30 in October and I really don’t want to enter a new decade fat and miserable. I say “fat” lightly because I’m really not fat…merely out of shape.  Skinny fat, if you will.   Ok, don't judge...

So, what did I do?  I signed up for virtual personal training with my friend Kyra over at The Get in Shape Girl.  It’s $30 a month and she sends you a tailored meal plan, a workout plan that fits into your schedule (I’m lucky I get to work out 5 days a week before work), and all kinds of support.  She has this awesome website where she lays out all these workouts and sample meals…and she even started a Facebook group to keep everyone motivated, informed, and accountable.  On top of all that, I have to send her progress pics each month, a weekly review of my workouts and eating, and we do weekly conference calls.  With that kind of accountability, I don’t see how I won’t get results.

Starting Point – 24 June

Weight: 141.8 (I think)

BMI: 23.6 (upper part of normal)

Body Fat: 23.8% (per my scale)

Chest: 34 in

Waist: 29 in

Hips: 39.25 in

So, I’m technically on week one of her plan…I got all the info on Wednesday of last week, so up until that point I’d been doing my own workouts and just trying to eat healthy.  I log all my meals on My Fitness Pal, so I can tell when I’m eating a bunch of junk or missing certain macros.  This morning I did one of her leg circuit workouts and I was dripping…I mean, dripping…sweat.  I can run…I run a lot…but this made me feel really out of shape.

Funny thing is, just 3 weeks or so into working out regularly and tracking my meals, I’m already seeing progress.  My abs have reappeared, my muscles are peeking through, and I’m sleeping better.  I’m super excited about the changes I’ll see in the coming months…and it’s keeping me super motivated.

My only issue so far has been the eating.  I’m supposed to eat 5 meals of protein and green veggies and I’m struggling getting the last meal in…the green veggies in particular.  I can muscle down some protein later in the evening, but I haven’t been able to throw back some broccoli or anything like that.  I just can’t seem to stomach it.  I’m doing a little research though trying to find new ways to get that meal in since I need those calories.  

Five Meals of Protein-y Green Goodness

Throughout my journey, I’ll be posting pics and updating my stats.  I welcome any and all advice, comments, ideas…

Wordless{ish} Wednesday

This week my focus is all on the big day.  The big race.  My biggest accomplishment.  The Princess Half Marathon is on Sunday...  Outfit is purchased.  Hotel plans have been made.  One long{ish} run is behind me.  Now just counting the minutes.



Noshing on some blueberries during my army training

I'm staying focused by eating right...which is no easy task these days.  I've literally been nursing my bad eating habits since I was four months pregnant, and I'm finally feeling in control again.  I'm tracking everything I eat on myfitnesspal and logging my workouts on runkeeper. 



This is the handiest food app I've seen in a long time...You can literally just scan
 each food item and BAM!  It enters it...easy peasy

I'm hardly even tempted to cheat...and that feels good.  I know deep down this is something I want, and I'm only hurting myself if I don't stick to the program. 
 

The Army's version of a "snack"



The perils of radio

So, here's hoping I:
(1) Finish the run on Sunday without any major issues (i.e. death or dismemberment)
(2) Stick with the program
(3) Get back down to my pre-pregnancy weight of 130

Weighty Issues

This is a frustrated post...just an FYI.

So, it's now been 14 months since I had my son.  Never a day in my life did I think I would be this far postpartum and still needing to get my body back on track.  I've been so overwhelmed, so stressed out, and just downright depressed that I haven't been working out consistently and I've been eating like crap.  Who knew it would be this hard...

So, when I found out I was coming here for two weeks I decided this would be my reset button.  I knew I would be all alone, without the pressures of work, family life, or needing to feed others with the foods they love, and I could just be me.  Week one was a totally failure.  I don't think I even tried to eat healthy, although I did work out a bit.  After heading home for the weekend, I realized I was wasting my opportunity and needed to get back on track.  So this week I have been doing really well.  I've been tracking all my food, working out, drinking water, taking vitamins.  Doing everything I know to get back to where I want to be.

And then I hit a roadblock.  You see, I've been tracking my calories on the Spark People app, which lets me input my goals, my food, and my workouts.  It told me my BMR was 1725, and in order to lose 12 pounds in 12 weeks, I would need to cut 3,500 calories a week - either by diet or exercise.  So I've been tracking so far...never exceeding my calories and working out.  Then I decide to google BMR and I find out that pretty much all the other BMR websites out there say mine is only 1435.  Shit.  So, in order to just MAINTAIN my weight, I have to only eat 1435 calories (I've been averaging 1600, minus 190 in exercise).  So, I'm barely maintaining right now.  I'm just not sure how I can get under by 500 calories a day with that low of a BMR.  And not feel like hell, that is.

In addition, I've really been leaning away from animals products these days.  I gave up dairy for the whole month of January and have been planning to go full-on vegan for Lent, but I'm at a crossroads.  The only way I know to be lean and fit is to eat chicken and veggies.  Fish and good carbs.  Cottage cheese and egg whites.  Nothing vegan about that.  So, do I give up my hope of being vegan (which makes me feel better - but that may just be compared to when I was eating crap, I don't know) or do I risk adopting a new eating plan that may or may not leave me skinny and/or sick?  I know it's possible to be a fit vegan, I'm just not sure if it works for me.  But I want it.  But I want to be lean too.

My 30-Before-30



image via

I have heard a lot about these kinds of lists, and I thought it would be great to put one together!  In case you haven't heard about it, the gist of it is to compile a list of all the things you want to do/experience/accomplish before your 30th birthday.  Some people do them right after they turn 20 and give themselves a decade (their lists usually have more difficult goals on them), but a lot of people do what I'm doing - they make their list the day after they turn 29 in an effort to make their last year as a 20-something more meaningful and productive. 

Basically, I just want to make sure I don't turn 30 and say, gee, I wish I had done that in my 20's.  So, without further ado...here is my list:

1. Run a half-marathon
2. Start a retirement account
3. Get paid for photography  (one photo, one session, whatever...)
4. Sew an outfit I'd wear in public
5. Take Nash to see the snow
6. Bake and decorate a multi-layer ombre cake
7. Capture a great "fireworks" photo
8. Take part in a haunted house
9. Go on a big family vacay
10. Visit a foreign country (kind of a gimmee since my unit is going to Japan in Jan)
11. Start a business
12. Get paid to design something (biz cards, flyers, logos, invitations, whatever...)
13. Take a real roadtrip somewhere new and random
14. Can something I grow or make myself
15. Try bikram yoga
16. Begin composting
17. Kick my sugar habit
18. Set up and maintain a photo archive system
19. Do a mud/fun run with a group of friends
20. Go on an adults-only cruise
21. Complete a 30-day photo challenge
22. Buy a new house (near a playground)
23. Master the perfect sourdough bread recipe
24. Start a family tradition
25. Perform a full pull-up unassisted (might be easy for some, but I've never been able to do it)
26. Meet Giuliana Rancic and tour the E! Networks building (ok, this may be dreaming)
27. Build Bubs a sand box from scratch (no plans, no kits)
28. Donate 10 hours of time to either a kids' charity or an animal shelter
29. Learn how to swim
30. Have an awesome 30th birthday party

Ok, there it is, people.  In black and white.  Guess that means I have to stick to it, huh?  This is harder than New Year's Resolutions!!  Wish me luck!

Working It Out

I figured I would do a check in since it’s the start of my third week here at Army duty, so I have two good weeks of workouts behind me right now.  They say it takes two weeks for something to become a habit, so I’m just approaching that mile marker!!  Thank god, because I am so ready for this to get easier.  Not the workouts, per se, but just the getting up early and doing it part.  That was always my biggest issue…especially when I don’t HAVE to get up.

For the last two weeks, I have alternated a day of running (usually about 1.5-2 miles) with a day of circuits (which includes both strength training exercises and sprints).  I have also made sure to add in a day of yoga to combat the tight, sore muscles that always accompany a new training regimen.  This will be the first 5-day week I’ve had, so I’m excited to mix it up a bit.

 

My schedule for this week will be:

·      Monday – 2 mile run

·      Tuesday – Circuits with sprints

·      Wednesday – Yoga

·      Thursday – P90X Plyometrics

·      Friday – 2 mile run

To top it all off, I am running a 5k race with my civilian job this weekend, so I will be running, running, running!  My goal is to do at least one “race” each month of increasing intensity up until my big events, which I still have to register for.  But here is what I’m looking at:

·      July 23rd – Corporate 5k at Wickham Park

·      August 13^th – Run for Pizza Football Kickoff 5k at Avenue Viera

·      September 17^th – Long Doggers 5k Beach Run

·      October 28^th – Pumpkins in the Park 5k in Cocoa Village

·      November 24^th – Suntree Turkey Trot 5k

·      December 3-4 – 10 Mile Tough Mudder in Tampa (this is one of the big ones I’m really scared about)

·      February 26^th – Disney Princess Half Marathon in Orlando

The only downside to all of this, of course, is the money.  If I do all of these events, it will set me back almost $350!  Seems like a lot just to run!  And the Tough Mudder seems pretty intense, so I’m nervous about that one (the website says you get dunked in freezing cold water and electrocuted…sounds like a party).  I need some serious motivation for that one…

Back at Home

Ahhhh, how nice it feels.  Granted, I am tired and Nashie is not sleeping good these days, but I'd have tired over missing him any day.  Today we took this awesome 2 hour nap in the bed and it was so nice...took me back to the days when he was always sleeping with us.  He just sleeps so good when we're close by.  If only we could all sleep together forever...

So cozy we can't wake up

 I noticed the other day that his sweet blue eyes are changing!  We both have brown eyes, but my mama has blue eyes and his mama has green/hazel eyes, so we were both wondering when/if his eyes would change.  It's still too early to tell what color they will be, but I think blue is out of the question.  There is clearly a more hazely/brown coming in, so we'll see what happens.  I think he is going to end up like his mama...blonde hair and brown eyes.  And Daddy's tan skin...sweetness!

The whole pumping thing is still not going that great.  Now that he wants to take super short naps all the time, I don't always have time to pump, so I've only been managing 3 times a day.  Also, the pump just doesn't seem to get the milk out anymore.  It's great for getting it started, but nothing works as good as just squeezing it out manually.  But that's messy, and Joe made a comment today that maybe I am stretching out the skin that way.  My response:  What else am I supposed to do?  We women are supposed to sacrifice our bodies for babies, so it's either feed our baby as much breastmilk as I can manage or have perky boobs.  What is a girl supposed to do?!?   I still have the double pump I bought, in the box, as I was thinking I would return it.  But now I am wondering if I should try it.  I just don't want to open it up, try it, and find out it doesn't work any better than the single one I have...and then I won't be able to return it.  It was about $300, so that's a pricey risk to take.  ::sigh::  What to do...  Maybe I will try emailing the LLL, since I can't seem to make it to their meetings.

Also, NEED to work out and get my diet on track.  I feel so disgusting these days AND I know I need to get serious about this PT test.  I have a feeling I am just barely going to pass and that sucks.  It's just impossible to find time away until I find a babysitter.  Joe is just no help in working out time for me...he's got so many of his own things going on.

Foto Friday

This week I am straying from the typical Nash photo and deciding to indulge my narcissistic side.  A while back, a friend asked who our favorite fitness model was, and it reminded me about how I used to look to her for motivation.  It's appropriate then that I should look to her again as I seek to rebuild my body and find my strength.  So, here she is!

Jamie Eason

She has an awesome attitude, isn't shy about sharing her secrets, and has a really nice booty.  INSPIRATION!

Thoughts on My Gym Experience Today

First off, had a great workout!  Am feeling myself get stronger, although I can tell my running and my abs are waaaaay behind what they used to be.  I can only run for a few minutes at a time, but it's increasing little by little.  I can already see changes in my body, as my muscles start to peek back through.  Feels good!

BUT...I have some other thoughts to share (warning:  I'm a bit snobbish here...don't judge):

1.) Planet Fitness touts itself as "The Judgement-Free Zone."  Yes, "judgEment," not the grammatically correct "judgment."  And today I noticed a sign in the women's locker room that read, "Please do not dipose of sanitary blah, blah, blah..."   Yes, "dipose," not "dispose."  Come on, people!

2.)  Nothing annoys me more than the girls who clearly aren't serious about working out and yet take up valuable equipment space.  For example, today I was waiting to do back extensions because a girl was doing the weirdest, most ineffective crunches on the thing.  After I took a closer look, I got even more annoyed.  Hair down, wearing a regular bra, lifting the lightest weight on the machines, moving at a snail's pace with no apparent purpose/plan.  Um, come with your boyfriend even though you don't work out?!?  Get off the machines and go rent a DVD, chick!  Ugh!  Please note this is different than the regular gym newbie, which I totally understand and support.

3.)  I am not a gym snob by any means.  That is, I can work out in the most basic gyms, and would rather not pay an arm and a leg.  That being said, PF seems to be looking very dirty and rundown these days.  I wanted to roll out my hamstring today, but one look at the grungy, no-longer-white foam roller caused me to decide against it.  Dirty floors, broken equipment, ripped mats...  Ugh!  But I so don't want to pay the $50 a month for Pro Health (plus a $100 membership fee!!).  ::sigh::  Will just have to be sure to wash my hands thoroughly when I leave.

4.)  What kind of gym offers FREE PIZZA?!  That's right, not protein shakes or bars, not fruit or nuts...PIZZA!  PF does...come on!  How serious a gym can you be?!  Here's a link to a great review of PF...I tend to agree with most of what's in the article.

Workouts and Weight Concerns

Today was my first day back in the gym in about 4 months.  It was officially my first time attempting to run since I was about 4 months pregnant.  Even though I know it is safe to run while pregnant (especially if you've always been a runner), I just couldn't get over the feeling that the baby was bouncing around.  It was just too much weight all in the front to be comfortable.

I was so happy Joe agreed to let me have this one hour three times a week.  It means he has to stay here alone with the baby, which I know makes him nervous because he feels like the baby is attached me and he can't console him.  But I really need my "me" time, and the baby will never be comfortable with him if he only spends an hour a day with him.  So I made sure I pumped plenty of milk for him and set him up with everything he needed before heading off to my playground.

I literally had to fight back tears of joy when I stepped on the treadmill...literally.  I was just so happy to be back to doing something I love, something totally for me, and something that I knew would make me feel good.  I haven't had much time to myself, to focus on myself, since the baby, so this was incredible.  I didn't go very far or very fast, but it was enough to get me back in the saddle without over doing it.  I also did about 30 minutes of weights, since I believe it's a balance of the two that achieves ultimate fitness (and a killer bod).

Afterward I had to hit up Wal-mart to pick up groceries for the week.  I was nearly finished and still floating on a cloud when this girl started talking to me.  She was like, "Wow, I keep seeing you everywhere."  You're here buying milk and we're getting half n half, that's so funny."  Meanwhile, I'm like, uh, I've never seen you before in my life.  Then she drops a bomb on me.  "Are you pregnant?" she asks all nonchalantly.  I am literally speechless.  Although yes, I did just have a baby six weeks ago, I actually weigh less than I did before I got pregnant.  And I think I almost look normal...definitely not pregnant.  So I stood there for about a minute...before I am finally able to say, "No, but I did just have a baby."  After finishing our conversation, I make my way to the checkout like a zombie...totally fucked up that some random person saw me and thought I was pregnant.  Ouch.

Only thing I can posit is that I do have a slight pooch because my abs are not strong right now, and maybe I wasn't sucking in or something.  And because I am skinny everywhere else with this little bulge, I must be pregnant.  Ballsy move, chick, nonetheless.  People didn't even ask me that when I was pregnant (until I looked like I swallowed a basketball).  Second time in a day I had to fight back tears...

Bitch.

Thoughts on Me

Since I was officially cleared today to work out, I naturally began thinking about getting back in there.  I think for both achieving my goals and for my overall sanity, I will begin going to the gym next week.  I think starting at three days a week is a good place...don't want to get too sore or tire myself out by overdoing it.

arielsfitnessjournal.com

 So, I asked Joe if I could have one hour three times a week starting on Monday.  Thinking I will go to the gym Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays...since those are the days that Joe generally doesn't have anywhere to be in the morning.  That's one hour that will be entirely mine.  It will be great to focus on getting a little bit of "me" back and just zone out.  After spending all day with Nash today, I realized that I need a break.

I would love to be one of those moms who says I can't be away from my child, but I'm just not.  It's not that I don't like being around him, it's just that I cannot hold him all day and all night like he wants.  But what am I supposed to do?  Let him cry when I don't come to pick him up?  I just can't seem to figure it out.  I'm tired.  And he fusses when he gets bored, which seems to be all the time.  It makes it really hard to get anything done or even just relax.  So I need some space.  Just a little.  Plus, I think it will do Joe some good to spend time with him, comforting him, without me.  I am always the answer and I am getting worn out. 

So, here is my general plan.  Gym three times a week doing a combo of cardio and weights.  Break down:

• 20 minutes cardio (most likely the treadmill since I have to focus on passing the PT test)
• 30 minutes weight training
• Monday:  Full body
• Thursday:  Lower body/abs
• Saturday:  Upper body/abs
• 10 minutes cool down and stretching

I also want to get back in the tanning bed since I am soooo pasty from DC and being pregnant.  Even though I know tanning is bad, I can't seem to let it go.  I just look so much better when I have a tan and no fake tan compares.  Plus it's cheaper to tan this way and I need to amp up for the summer (when I hope to resume my Sunday Beach Day routine like I used to do before DC).

Post Baby Body Adventure

As I slowly approach the six-week postpartum mark - that is, that magical date when one can return to working out - I stop to think about my strategies, goals, and worries. 

First and foremost, I am a little nervous about getting back in there.  I don't feel as though I am healing the way I should.  Not that I really know how I should be healing, but not quite the way I thought I would.  My doctor's appointment is set for the 20th, so hopefully I'll feel more confident by then or else I can ask her what she thinks.  I hope everything is ok and I can be reassured that starting up my workouts will be safe.  Funny I always thought I would be "sort of" working out by now and waiting for that appointment just so we could "get busy" again, but it's not that at all.   I just want to know I can move freely without fear.

So, what are my goals?  I think I have several, all of which I hope to accomplish simultaneously.  Here's the rundown:

• Get under 130 lbs (this is my happy weight and I tend to hover between 130 and 138, so I want to try and get under 130 for a change).
• Earn a 270 or better on my PT test scheduled for 6 months from my delivery date (so approximately June or so).
• Run a half marathon by the end of the year (or early next year if there isn't a good one in the area before then)
• Overall, tone up.  Better booty, better abs, stronger arms.  Do a pull up.  

Nothing that seems too demanding or out there, right?  I just really need to dedicate myself and make no excuses.  It's amazing how hard it is though when Joe doesn't work out.  I feel guilty taking time to go to the gym when he is able to maintain his body without any of that.  And now I will have to leave Nash...  But I must do this for myself.

Strategies are simple.  Work out.  And eat better.  I am already working on the eating thing, but there are still a lot of improvements to be made.

Pre-Wedding Workouts and Such

So, I've been really trying to keep up with my get in shape plan this week. I went to the gym and did an hour of cardio on Monday. I went for a 2.3 mile run on Tuesday. Unfortunately, I didn't work out Wednesday or Thursday, but I did go to the gym yesterday and did a lower body workout. Tonight I added in a at-home plyometrics workout, so that I wouldn't feel guilty.

I have been so hungry this week though, it's crazy. I went to bed starving last night...

Been Forever (haha)

So, I've been receving death threats because I have not updated this in a while. To be truthful, I have just had a lot going on.

Joe and I are trying to get the house in shape for the wedding, we're planning the wedding, I'm looking for a job, we just got back from Vegas, and I'm drilling with the Guard again...so it's been hectic to say the least.

Updates:

Getting in Shape

So, we are about 5 months out and I seriously need a get in shape guide. It's not that I'm fat or anything, I just really need to lose some jiggles. I need to tone up, but I don't have ready access to a gym. Or maybe I should just bite the bullet and join Premiere. It's pricey though. Maybe I'll just do it for a month (even though I won't be here half of that month). It's so tough when you're on the go all the time.


Abs are made in the kitchen. Image from Pixacom.


I know I need to eat better...that's my biggest problem. I eat like a clean machine 80% of the time, but like a monster the other 20%. It's just so hard to eat healthy all the time...especially when you have to cook it, and it takes a lot of ingredients and time...Being here, I don't feel like whipping up any meals or anything. Last night I had baked chicken with baked asparagus and various veggies. It was so lame. But I'm out of ideas. I know I need to never eat fast food, which I've only done recently because I'll go 6 or hours without eating lunch thinking I need something healthy, and eventually I'm like, I just need to eat. So, I need better planning (maybe stop making my schedule so stressful).

So, no fast food. No bread (I've been slipping on this too). And only one sweet a day. This one is tough because I love sweets. But it's for a better good. Need to have a banging wedding day bod...and if we decide to have babies soon after, I don't want to start out looking like a cow because then I'll never get back in shape.


Image from Sionide.net


Maybe I can find a guide online somewhere...like 5-Month Wedding Shape Up. Hmmmm.....


Women's Health Special Edition