I'm absolutely positive I've never exercised for 10 days in a row before...a new, great milestone.
It wasn't anything spectacular- honestly, my quads were STILL sore from kettlebell squats on Saturday. I decided to just go for a slow walk (3.0) on the treadmill and work in elevation. This treadmill goes up in elevation to by levels up to 12. I'm not sure what the % grade is- but but I did 2 minutes at each level working my way up- and then did 1 minute at each level as I worked my way back down. I started with about 5 minutes at the beginning at 0 and then about 6 at the end at 0. I got a great sweat and was glad I got moving.
Tomorrow I'll get a run in and I'm looking foward to it.
Day 10 complete- 100 Day Challenge
Monday, January 17, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
The things you do for fitness- Day 9
Today was one of those days where I really wondered if I would be able to get the workout in- or if I even wanted to. I won't lie, I really considered taking the day off. It was a very long day- my Dad was in town all day starting from meeting him for breakfast and then back at our house all day- including a big steak dinner (he lives out West and misses midwestern beef- so we indulged). He left around 6pm and I just really didn't know if I had it in me.
But I know- I KNOW- I never regret a workout- so I decided that the challenge of 100 Days is simply to do 30 minutes of intentional activity. Doesn't have to be intense or crazy- just move. So- I figured I'd pick out a fun fitness video from on demand and just move along with it.
I started with 11 minutes of Yoga. I've never really done yoga before and I know it can be difficult. The hardest part is trying to follow along while your head is facing down and you need to see the instructor. Fitness Entrepreneurs: You should build a yoga studio where the floor is glass and we can see you from above- that would be awesome. Anyway- after 11 minutes, I decided this wasn't "easy" enough for me today- and that I'd have to do it again another day. So I looked through the videos again and saw something called "Cardioke". Yes...it is exactly what it sounds like- cardio aerobics while singing. It was kind of fun, but also kind of ridiculous. It did exactly what I was looking for- get me moving- but it isn't something I would do often. It was "hosted" by Billy Banks, Jr. Yes- that Billy Blanks, well- his son. This was definitely no Tae Bo.
Day 9- done. And I'm very happy about that. (truth be told, my legs are still KILLING me from the kettlebell workout yesterday- I'd like to never see squats again).
But I know- I KNOW- I never regret a workout- so I decided that the challenge of 100 Days is simply to do 30 minutes of intentional activity. Doesn't have to be intense or crazy- just move. So- I figured I'd pick out a fun fitness video from on demand and just move along with it.
I started with 11 minutes of Yoga. I've never really done yoga before and I know it can be difficult. The hardest part is trying to follow along while your head is facing down and you need to see the instructor. Fitness Entrepreneurs: You should build a yoga studio where the floor is glass and we can see you from above- that would be awesome. Anyway- after 11 minutes, I decided this wasn't "easy" enough for me today- and that I'd have to do it again another day. So I looked through the videos again and saw something called "Cardioke". Yes...it is exactly what it sounds like- cardio aerobics while singing. It was kind of fun, but also kind of ridiculous. It did exactly what I was looking for- get me moving- but it isn't something I would do often. It was "hosted" by Billy Banks, Jr. Yes- that Billy Blanks, well- his son. This was definitely no Tae Bo.
Day 9- done. And I'm very happy about that. (truth be told, my legs are still KILLING me from the kettlebell workout yesterday- I'd like to never see squats again).
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Day 9- feeling strong!
Today- I had a session with my trainer- I did 20 minutes of steady cardio before we started and then 45 minutes of hard strength training full of kettlebells and squats. We did a pre-workout update to my measurements and I'm excited to report the changes.
I was initially measured on 8/3 and started working with my trainer on 8/10. So- essentially- we are talking about 5 months of work with the trainer.
I've lost:
2.5" in my chest
4.5" in my waist (belly button)
4.25" in my hips
2.5" on each arm
2.5" on each thigh
1.5 on each calf
Total inches lost= 24.25"
Considering that the holiday season was a part of this- I'm very pleased with the results so far. I've lost 1% in total body fat and building lean muscle while also still losing weight (albeit slowly as of late)
Some of the change may be very slow- but I'm still very committed to seeing it through to my goals. I'm hoping to hit those goals within this year- but it may take longer. I'm ok with that.
I was initially measured on 8/3 and started working with my trainer on 8/10. So- essentially- we are talking about 5 months of work with the trainer.
I've lost:
2.5" in my chest
4.5" in my waist (belly button)
4.25" in my hips
2.5" on each arm
2.5" on each thigh
1.5 on each calf
Total inches lost= 24.25"
Considering that the holiday season was a part of this- I'm very pleased with the results so far. I've lost 1% in total body fat and building lean muscle while also still losing weight (albeit slowly as of late)
Some of the change may be very slow- but I'm still very committed to seeing it through to my goals. I'm hoping to hit those goals within this year- but it may take longer. I'm ok with that.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Day 8- in the year of the dog
This has been a week of firsts- first 7 days (make it 8 now) of in-a-row intentional activity and I used my YakTrax for the first time and then, today, I was chased by the meanest, most vicious dog (Click at your own visual risk).
I'll give you a moment to recover from the pure terror that dog surely put to you, like me.
***
Better now? ;-)
I've never really encountered an animal on a run- saw some deer in a far off field while in Utah for the Ragnar Relay last June- but nothing where I was being chased. Barked at....
Had my Nike+ data loaded correctly (seriously, Nike- can we get this right please?)- I would share the graph -because it was a great run- but I had to stop and stomp back towards the dog to try to make it retreat. Ugh.
Anyway- so 30 minute run, complete - good pace of 11:19 avg and 2.66 miles done. Nice way to end the work week.
I'll give you a moment to recover from the pure terror that dog surely put to you, like me.
***
Better now? ;-)
I've never really encountered an animal on a run- saw some deer in a far off field while in Utah for the Ragnar Relay last June- but nothing where I was being chased. Barked at....
Had my Nike+ data loaded correctly (seriously, Nike- can we get this right please?)- I would share the graph -because it was a great run- but I had to stop and stomp back towards the dog to try to make it retreat. Ugh.
Anyway- so 30 minute run, complete - good pace of 11:19 avg and 2.66 miles done. Nice way to end the work week.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Week 1, COMPLETE!
Today, I completed 7 days in a row of 30 minutes of intentional activity. Not all of it was super intense- but most was at my typical intensity.
Today was a very nice core workout and then strength training focusing on my chest and shoulders. Then I got on the spin bike for 20 minutes - where I do 5 minute cycles of 1 min easy/fast pedal, 2 minutes of increased tension and then 2 minutes standing pedal at the increased tension.
With a peak at the scale this week- I think I'm down about 2 lbs- but official weigh in is tomorrow morning- so we will see.
On another note- our 2011 team is officially registered for the June Madison to Chicago Ragnar Relay. Team Run DMC (Destination Madison to Chicago), reporting for duty!
Day 7 - #100DayChallenge - Done!
Today was a very nice core workout and then strength training focusing on my chest and shoulders. Then I got on the spin bike for 20 minutes - where I do 5 minute cycles of 1 min easy/fast pedal, 2 minutes of increased tension and then 2 minutes standing pedal at the increased tension.
With a peak at the scale this week- I think I'm down about 2 lbs- but official weigh in is tomorrow morning- so we will see.
On another note- our 2011 team is officially registered for the June Madison to Chicago Ragnar Relay. Team Run DMC (Destination Madison to Chicago), reporting for duty!
Day 7 - #100DayChallenge - Done!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
100 Day Challenge- Day 6; a new adventure in snow running
I had a fun run today- and although my Nike+ didn't calculate the pace/distance correctly, I still think it was fine. Typically when I run for about 30 minutes, I hit anywhere from 2.6 to 2.8 miles in that time. I think that the additional equipment on my feet may have interfered with the Nike timing chip because the chart looks funky and says I only did 2.4 miles. I know that isn't right because my pace felt pretty good and I didn't take any walk breaks. Anyway. . .minutia.
I was so excited because when I got to the cemetery where I run- the paths looked like this:
Snow covered and small patches of iced over snow pack. SOOOOOO, that meant I got to use my brand new YakTrax!!
They are easy to put on (which is not how it would seem when you take them out of the box):
Even more important - they WORK! I run several loops around the outer paths of the cemetery and liked seeing the distinct track in the snow as I came back around. Only one area where the snow had broken up a bit cause my foot to slip ever so slightly. Otherwise, I felt solid on my feet- comfortable and unhindered. I bought these on my own and am not being paid for my opinion in any way- I just think it's nice when a product does what it says it will.
It was 25 degrees, 13 with the brisk wind chill - but with my YakTrax and my Under Armour, I was warm and able to get a nice run in. The downside? I have no excuses NOT to run when it is cold anymore. :) (kidding...I blocked out those excuses awhile ago)
#100DayChallenge Day 6- DONE!
I was so excited because when I got to the cemetery where I run- the paths looked like this:
They are easy to put on (which is not how it would seem when you take them out of the box):
It was 25 degrees, 13 with the brisk wind chill - but with my YakTrax and my Under Armour, I was warm and able to get a nice run in. The downside? I have no excuses NOT to run when it is cold anymore. :) (kidding...I blocked out those excuses awhile ago)
#100DayChallenge Day 6- DONE!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Day 5- weights and pushing it
Today I got almost a full hour workout in and it felt great. I did about 35 minutes of abs and strength training before I did 15 minutes of cardio just to round it out before I picked up my kids for the day.
I focused my strength training on my tri's, bi's and shoulders with some back exercises to balance it out.
I've had a real "hate" relationship with my arms for quite a long time now. No one to blame but myself- I let myself (and them) go- but I love seeing the changes and being able to see the muscles now. This coming summer might be the first time I'm willing to wear sleeveless shirts without serious problem.
I think I love the 100 Day challenge - it is keeping me very focused.
I focused my strength training on my tri's, bi's and shoulders with some back exercises to balance it out.
I've had a real "hate" relationship with my arms for quite a long time now. No one to blame but myself- I let myself (and them) go- but I love seeing the changes and being able to see the muscles now. This coming summer might be the first time I'm willing to wear sleeveless shirts without serious problem.
I think I love the 100 Day challenge - it is keeping me very focused.
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