Rolling Right Along

I'm on a roll.

And given the dedication to my current exercise regime, I'm growing them too.

This morning I arose at (say it with me) 5:20am. I felt remarkably alert and ready to head to the gym.

I breezed through getting dressed. Until I opened my lingerie drawer. Oh, who am I kidding... There's nothing in there racier than a pair of flower-dy panties. I shuffled around the first layer digging ever deeper as my quarry eluded me.

NO! NO!!

I ran to the latest pile of clothes waiting to be folded and pawed through them trying to fight the train of thought my brain began to board.

Too late. That train was leaving the station. Everything ground to a halt.

Reverse engines.

Look at the clock. Wow. I could get a lot done...

So I searched high and low (see a theme here?) for some receipts I could deduct for taxes and made chocolate/butterscotch chip cookies for my hubbie to take on a trip.

All for the lack of a sportsbra.

Sorriness: a Definition

Every Monday morning for at least the last three weeks, I have carefully set my alarm to go off at 5:20am, sternly telling myself that I would go to the gym.

For the last three weeks, I have risen at 5:20 am.

After dressing in my workout clothes I walked into the kitchen, picked up my keys, paused and said....

Nahhhh.

4?!

I circle the number like a wrestler gauging his foe, contemplating it's magnitude.



It has honestly not occured to me to even consider 4 because I've been so focused on my accomplishment. I mean, running 3 miles is major for a non-runner like me.



4?!



Honestly, FastLane! Are you kidding me? You're going to make a runner of me yet!!!

ALERT THE MEDIA

So yesterday, I mosey up to the gym; amazed that it was not packed with New Year resoluters hot to trot.



I jumped on the treadmill and decided to see how long I could run. Feeling optimistic, I started off at an easy jog. I usually walk a few minutes and then run a few minutes increasing my pace each time I run. This time, instead of walking, I kept running as I increased and slowed my pace.



Honestly, I ran faster to cover more acreage more quickly. (Like you can cover acreage on a treadmill...) Before I knew it a mile had flown by and once I got to 2 miles I sorely (pun intended) wanted to call it a day. But I figured if I could get to 2 miles, what was one more?



Well, whaddaya know?!



I ran 3 miles and no one was surprised--except me.



See, I'm not a runner. I've always hated running and said if you saw me running, look to see who's chasing me. My husband ran regularly when we first got married and encouraged me to run with him. I didn't think I could run and would always beg off.



After waking up one day and finding middle-age breathing down my neck, I decided to see if I could out run it. So I got a personal trainer who helps keep me accountable and helps motivate me. I also have a friend who began running and she really has been my inspiration in her consistency and determination. We hardly ever run together, but I follow her updates like a lovesick fan. If it weren't for her, I probably wouldn't be considering running as seriously as I do now.



Which leads me to consider...we all influence/inspire each other. Whether we are aware of it or not.



Who are you? The inspiring or the inspired?

Running on the Treadmill Could be Dangerous for Your Health.

I do not recommend watching the Food Network while running on the treadmill.

Not unless you want to feel very, very frustrated and deprived.

Especially when Paula was making this "heart-attack-waiting-to-happen". Followed by this scrumptiousness for dessert.

I think I would have gladly run the rest of the night for that.

Just Put One Foot in Front of the Other...

I ran with the sun this morning.

Although, "I plodded as the sun rose" was more like it. (That just doesn't have the same panache though, does it?)

As I ran,
I heard birds calling out their "good mornings",
inhaled the sweet fragrance of an unknown flower,
dodged cars as they rushed to their places of obligation,
reminisced as buses wove in and out of streets,
watched businesses open and employees clock in,
saw trucks delivering their goods to stores--

Watching my city awaken.
,

And as I plodded, I pondered...

how do people do this for 10 and 20 miles at the time?!

Awww Man!!!

Well, that just hacks me off.

I have enough trouble with motivation to exercise anyway and this morning, after my success of running 2 miles on Monday, I was ready to do it (or attempt it) again this morning. In the dark. Around my neighborhood.

This is huge for me.

After awakening and deciding not to go to Body Pump because I'm having some issues with one of my shoulders, I vowed to run instead. "I HAVE to exercise this morning", I said.

Then I couldn't find a sports bra.
Anywhere.

I thought of digging one out of the dirty clothes (I really wanted to run) but...no. Can't do it.

ARRRRGGGGHHH!

I'm Such a Follower!

I am flush with pride!

Last night after I got off work, it was a mad dash to see my girl at gymnastics, then I made a deal with my hubby--"after gymnastics, I'll go to the grocery store while you go run, then when you get back, I'll go run." We did it! I barely made it home by dark, but in the process of trying to out run the sun, I ran 2 miles! Then I was up this morning to meet with the personal trainer! I feel great!

I have set a goal with myself to really boost my exercise regime for the next 2 and a half months or so. I have a client who has gone on his own personal adventure and I'm using the time he will be gone as a mile marker, if you will, to see what I can get done while he's gone.

This is not unlike knowing someone is coming over and going on a tear to get the house overhauled before they get there.

Except, I'm overhauling my body.

I think I'm awakening some latent competiveness inside me. Also, I have a friend who has really begun running "for reals". Again, I gotta step up to the plate. If she can do it...I have no excuse not to do it.

It seems everyone I know is running!

O.K. It's either competiveness or peer pressure.

OW

Tuesday: did a 5k on the treadmill, running 2 of the 3.(whatever) miles.
Wednesday: Boot (or in my case-Bootie) Camp
Thursday: workout with personal trainer

In a stunning display of athletic prowess, I have been to the gym (and actually worked out while there) for three days in a row.

Thank you ....I'll wait for the applause to subside before continuing....
no really, you are too kind.....
now honestly, this is too much....
No. Thank YOU!!!

Sigh.

Now. Where was I?

Oh, yes.

Ouch.

"Just Do It"? Did it!

The over used advertising tag line says: "Just do it".

So I did.

I got out of my bed, changed clothes and (groggily) drove to the gym. I got on the treadmill and set it for a 5k. I ran some, I walked some but when I got to the last mile I girded my loins and ran (and ran and ran, it felt like).

So thank you for the encouragement and sympathy.

Tomorrow will be easier because I have an "appointment" to meet the personal trainer at the gym. Then there's a class on Wednesday night I like that I really hope to make.

I'm off to a good start!!!

Is There Any Help for Me?

Why am I such a reluctant runner?

I go to bed at night pumped up and planning where I'll go to run, how far I'll run and map out a route in my head. I'll weigh the options of running around my neighborhood, driving up town and running around town (where there are more sidewalks), or going to the gym and getting on the treadmill. At night, all of those sound like great ideas.

Somehow, those grand ideas hold no power whatsoever when my ears hear the alarm and my eyes struggle to open the next morning. I amble around, drinking coffee and cruising the internet and then realize, I really need to get ready to go...wherever.

Now, I'm awake and ready to run but can't because I've got to go wherever my obligation takes me that day.

Grrr.

Sometimes I don't like me very much.

Looky What I Did!

So for a person who doesn't really run for exercise, I've sure done a good bit of running in the last couple of days.

I only did it under duress, you understand.

Thursday evening, I was so psyched to go to the gym for a class that has become an unlikely favorite of mine. It's called Bootcamp. The easiest way to describe it is circuit training and exercising at different "stations". The teacher of the class had told me that the schedule would change from Wednesday to Thursdays and this past Thursday was my first opportunity to go.

I actually arrived about 10 minutes early and got on the treadmill to kill time and warm up. Just an easy walk, watching the clock. I noticed people gathering around the door to the classroom, but no teacher. I thought that was odd since she tends to show up early to breath down the neck of the class before her.

Finally, I went over to the door and looked at the posted schedule. Well! They didn't change it after all! It's still on Wednesday! (The people who had gathered were there for BodyFlow, a stretching/yoga class)

Well crap.

Here I am at the gym psyched up for some cardio and my only option at this point is the dang treadmill again. (OH HOW I LOVE THE TREADMILL! *read sarcasm*) I got on and decided to see how far I could run. I realized I can go farther if I think really hard about anything except running. So I did some writing in my head on my book (without a plot). I ran almost a mile before I stopped to walk! Then, after walking approximately a half mile, I cranked it up again to run a solid mile! I then walked for maybe another half mile and called it a night.

On Saturdays, I join a running group that meets. A friend and I walk while they run, then we all go out to breakfast. Except today, my friend didn't come, so what was I to do but start running with a couple of the girls. (Peer pressure, I'm telling ya.) I ran a mile plus a hill before I started walking. I had to walk the rest of the 2ish miles, but I did feel a sense of accomplishment, I have to say.

I may break my arm patting myself on the back...

Progress...At Last

I've been working out with the personal trainer for 2 full months now.

She measured me today.


Last month, I was so disappointed. I thought I was working my behind off and come to find out; not as much as I thought. I did lose 2% body fat though and when I went shopping for some clothes for work, I found I was needing a size or two smaller in the waist! Yippee!

This month, I didn't have my hopes quite as high, having settled into reality a bit more. I wasn't expecting much change especially after having a pms bowl of birthday cake ice cream yesterday (full fat and sugar!). I've eaten pretty well, but less fanatically than I did that first month. So imagine my surprise when I found out that I've again lost 2% body fat and I've lost 2 1/2 inches overall!

That's what I needed to hear today as my body felt it was slogging through molasses.

Hurray!

Sidelined...Again

Ow.

Double Ow.

So, the good news is, I've been very faithful in writing down what I am eating. I'm eating the way I'm supposed to with lots of brightly colored veggies. I'm exercising, not that I can tell anything yet, but hope springs eternal.

So, I've been trying to incorporate more cardio into my routine. This morning, I went to Body Jam, which is a fun dance/cardio class at the gym. I've only been once before and really enjoyed the fact that I'm distracted by the fact that I'm actually exercising!

Today, I'm bouncing, jumping-really doing all sorts of moves that don't come naturally to me. After one particular jump, I landed on my foot sideways which landed me on the ground in one short second. After waiting for the initial ouch to wear off, I tenderly finished the class.
Three hours later....it hurts trememdously if I walk on it and slightly less so if I'm off it.

So, my dear ones. I'm off to gulp some ibuprofen, soak in a bath of lavender and epsom salts and ice this baby.

Crap. It's always something.

Oh, the Indignity of it All

Dahling.

That's the way you start talking when you get a personal trainer. Like I did.

This probably means I'll start wearing sunglasses so big they look like dragonfly eyes and develop a penchant for designer purses.

No offense, but I'm not that kind of "gul".

See? A personal trainer will change your life.

They are also very nosy.

On the very first day, this chick begins measuring things I've been trying to ignore for a very long time. There are just some things it's better the world doesn't find out. My waist measurement is one of them.

Then! She has the audacity to ask me what I eat and that she wants me to keep a food diary!
I mean, if I want to eat Cheet-os on my time, that's my business. It's her business to work them off my butt after I eat them.

Can I get an amen dahling?!