Ragnar Training Begins

I began my Ragnar Relay Training Program today.  I am going with their beginner program because I'm not quite ready for their intermediate program.  I'm somewhere in the middle.  I just figure that I will adjust the program as I find it necessary.

Today was a 15 minute run day.  I ran for just that much time.  (Because I spent last week on the couch because of back problems)  Anyway, I ran 1 2/3 miles.  My addition to the program is lifting.  I love it and need it. So, after my run, I lifted for 30 minutes.

15 bicep curls 10 lbs
15 tricep extensions 7.5 lbs
15 step back lunges 7.5 lbs

15 bicep curls w/ squeeze 10 lbs
15 tricep extensions 7.5 lbs
25 Squats 7.5 lbs

15 bicep curls 10 lbs
15 tricep extensions 7.5 lbs
15 quad extensions 30 lbs x3

25 crunches
25 scissors
25 bridges

Nothing too strenuous.  I had to be really careful with my back this morning.  But I got plenty in and it felt fantastic to be working out again.

What did you do this morning?

February All Ready!!

I know, I know.  We are a week in already.  But I just can't believe how fast time is flying by.  It's craziness.

In case you were panicking about the time flying by too, don't worry.  There is time to get your fitness goals set for the year.  I set mine back at the beginning of January.  But lets be honest, it doesn't matter when you decide that the time is right for you to improve your health, as long as you dedicate yourself to accomplishing your goal.

To help me with accomplishing mine, I need to let you know what mine are so you can help keep me accountable.

NUTRITION:

By the end of the year, I want to be completely Eating Clean.  This is far tougher than I thought it was going to be.  Planning at home meals, eating out, eating at other peoples homes, holidays, birthdays, vacations.  Lets just say the last couple of months have been rough on my digestive system.

FITNESS:

My running time has been extremely limited since I had my 2 youngin's.  But I seriously want to add miles on my shoes this year.  To do that, my running goals include:

3 = 5K's
1 = 10K
1 =Ragnar Relay

I'm quite excited.  I'm already registered for the Ragnar and two weeks into training.  BooYah!

To add to my speed and endurance I set the goal of:

-lifting 3 times a week
-cross training 2-3 times a week.
-accomplish the Holiday Trim Your Tire Challenge (Nov-Dec)

SELF IMAGE:

Self image is a big deal.  I don't want anyone, especially my daughter to feel as though she has to fuss about her weight and looks her whole life.  To help her to understand that self confidence, sense of humor, kindness, knowledge, and joy are the most beautiful aspects of a person, I am going to need to feel/see these traits in myself.  So, I will be:

-improving my knowledge by reading 100 books.
-improving my self confidence by racing and lifting
-improving my involvement in my community

I am an extreme goal maker.  I know this.  Multiple categories, subcategories. But there is really only one way to make and keep your goals, and that's to do what's important to you and is going to improve your life.  Your way.  With the support of friends.

I would love to be your support.  Will you be mine throughout this year?

Shredding: Strength Class

This mornings Strength Class

10 mins of ab work

5 push ups
15 squats with overhead press (10 lbs)
40 lunges with a bicep curl (10 lbs)
25 tricep kickbacks (5lbs)
25 bench press (12.5lbs)
25 high knees

5 burpees
25 bicep curls & punch (5lbs)
25 side leg lifts (on your hands & knees)
25 flys (12.5lbs)
25 kick backs (on your hands & knees)
50 butt kicks

repeat as many times as you can in 30 mins keeping proper form.

It's been such a great week of working out, but I'm definitely glad that it's Friday. 

Back In The Saddle Again

Monday morning again.  After a week with my kids sick and then a week of my body purging everything it didn't think it needed to be inside me, I am glad to be back at shredding fat.  This morning I:

Worked on my arms.

15 lateral lifts - 5lbs
15 curls - 12.5lbs
15 mowers(?) - 10lbs
15 flys - 12.5lbs
12 curl up/hammer down - 12.5lbs
15 tricep drops - 7.5lbs (yes, I'm making up my own names because I can't remember what it's called)
15 pushups
12 curls -12.5lbs
12 tricep extensions - 7.5lbs

50 squat run - 5lbs

2 mile interval run (treadmill)

Weights and Running.  What more is there?  Okay.  There is a lot more, but I sure do love Lifting.  It's strengthening not just to the body, but to the mind as well.  It's like giving myself a boost of energy and declaring "I can do ANYTHING."  I think I will keep up the strength training.

So, a while ago I mentioned that I was going to try to Eat Clean.  I bought the Cookbook and the Family and Kids version of the plan.  I have read both books and think they are great.  I haven't been able taken the time to really implement the eating habits into my family life, but soon.  I'm working on baby steps.  My first real change is buying 100% whole wheat tortillas.  They were really good this morning on my breakfast burrito.  This week I have planned a couple of meals out of the cookbook.  Here's hoping it all goes well.

Zumba!!

I have only participated in Zumba a couple of times, but I LOVE IT!!  It's so much fun.  And is definitely a great workout.  This past weekend I did Zumba 2 times.  I went to two different classes.  Each had its own teacher with her own flare.  I really liked the first class I went to.  The second class was okay, but the instructor was really hard to follow.  She didn't ever say what was coming up next, and she was kind of spazmatic.  I will be going to the classes taught by the teacher I really like.  I can't wait to go again.

This morning I ran 1/2 a mile until my bowels started screaming at me.  Then I ran up to a Strength Class.  It was a good one.  I'm not sure that a half hour of Strength is long enough.  It should be an hour class. I really liked the instructor.  She was upbeat and fun. 

I just can't help but feel like I didn't workout hard enough today.  I will have to go earlier next time so that I have time to run farther.  And hopefully my bowels won't attack me again.   

Shredding: Killing My Legs

After lifting (lower body) yesterday, I think Spinning Class today was a bad idea.  I can barely walk up the stairs.  I won't do that again.

Yesterday:

squats: 15 @105 lbs
lunges: 24
heel raises: 15 @105 lbs
leg extensions: 15 @ 20 lbs
leg curls: 15 @ 20 lbs

3 sets

Then 2 mile run.

Tough Week to Fantastic Race.

Last week was a rough one.  I wasn't sure I was going to be able to run in my race Saturday.  Actually, the week started out pretty well.  Monday - running.  Tuesday - sleep in. Wednesday- Abs & Arms PLUS running.  But later in the day, I twisted my knee while helping my little one on the toilet.  I have never had my knee hurt quite like it did Wednesday.  Not even after catching for 9 years.

Because I wanted to run my race I took the next two days off of everything.  No running, no lifting, and being very careful in how I moved in my daily activities.  I iced plenty and was able to run Saturday.  I am so glad I was able to run because I ran with my cousin.  We were running in memory of her brother.  AddictIIAthlete was putting on the race.  This race to replace addiction was their inaugural race. Before the race we had a moment of silence and then everyone who was there running for someone who had fallen to their addiction let a balloon go in their memory.  Many tears were shed.

One man ran the whole 5K while dragging a tire behind him.  It was his addiction.  Very inspiring.  I can't wait for next year's race.

Shred Day 16: Pushing Through Anger

When I'm angry I function best if I'm doing at least 2 workouts a day.  Having kids and trying to put in extra is a challenge.  This morning I:

Ran 2.2 miles in 20 minutes (this was a hill run)

25 squats
25 crunches
15 5lb curls (each arm)
25 toe out heel lifts
25 regular heel lifts
25 toe in heel lifts
25 bridges
25 crunches
25 chair dips
15 step back lunges (each leg)
25 heels to the heavens
15 lateral arm lifts 5lbs (each arm)
25 plie squats
25 in-n-outs
15 squeeze curls 5lbs. (each arm)

I did this circuit 2x through.

I little bit of my excess energy has been expelled, but I could really spend the next week getting rid of the rest of it.  Exercising when the outside world is beating down on me is a necessity.  Maybe I can get another workout in later.

What really gets you out and exercising?

My Shred Day #4

Thursdays are always the worst for me.  I did not want to get up this morning, but it was very important to keep me motivated and going to get up.  I did.

Here is what I did:

Cardio Max (Biggest Loser)
Tight Ass Workout - I only went through this one time, because after Cardio Max it was all I could do.

I have never done Bridges before this workout and I didn't really know how much they really work.  Oh man, the pain.

Exercise Example

Little ones just want to do what we do. Exercising isn't just to keep me healthy, it's to teach my kids how to keep themselves healthy.

Sweet Pea exercising like Momma.