Insert Witty Title Here

Let me start by owning up to the fact that I didn't run on Monday. To be perfectly honest, I was a little bit intimidated by the week four program (you can see the C25K running program here). I got day 13 done yesterday, but just barely. I was a little bit discouraged after today's run/walk thing, I was horrible. Yesterday was a bad day, and then the running thing just did not help at all. I did receive the book I ordered, and I will start reading it today.

In other gym related news, I trained with Amy on Monday. It was a great session, and we were talking about some of the things that I am doing now that I was reluctant to try when we started. For example, the first time she wanted to start working on the Bosu ball, I am pretty sure that I laughed at her. Another example is doing wall squats, the first time we did them, I had a hard time holding it for 30 seconds, we are now up to 2 minutes. It's just cool to look back and see the progress. Monday evening, I went to Zumba and we were so hot that we set off the fire alarm. Seriously, we had to evacuate the gym because there was a fire alarm. It definitely made for an interesting class.

I normally train with Amy on Wednesday mornings, but we rescheduled for tomorrow. Some of my friends and I have tickets to see Eclipse this morning. Don't judge us! We're just getting in touch with the inner teenager.

So...

My last entry was on Thursday, I am being an awful blogger. Let me catch you up on the weekend's events.

Friday - I finished day 12 of C25K, which means that today I have to move on to the "week four" program. I also went to Zumba in the morning, and Groove that evening.

Saturday- The day started with my usual Saturday morning Zumba session, which was fun until the part where I got an awful dizzy spell. I dealt with dizzy spells the rest of the day, which just plain old sucked. The good thing is that after Zumba in the morning, my husband, daughter and I went for a nice lunch and finally made it to Cochran Mill Nature Center (see this post to see the back story). It was such a pleasant afternoon out there, and while we were there we made the trek to the gorgeous waterfall there. Patrick and Bella both waded in the water, I on the other hand did not want to. This is going to sound crazy but I didn't want to walk back to the car with dirt in my socks. I know it's irrational but I am owning my crazy.

Sunday- I hit up the usual Sunday Groove class. We had a whole lot of MJ played as a tribute to the one year anniversary since his passing. When we were doing the Thriller song, all I could think of is the Thriller scene from the movie "13 Going on 30". By the way, who doesn't love Thriller?

Feelin' Groovy

So, I am breaking out of the slight funk that I have been in for the last few days.. yippee. This is good news for me and those unfortunate enough to be around me lately. I went to Groove class this morning, but I got there just a tad bit late. Once I got it together and got the heart rate monitor working properly we were rocking it out. I know I have said it before but I will say it again, I love having the option of getting a great workout by doing something I love to do.

After Groove, Amy and I trained for the first time this week. She took her frustrations out on me today, there was no Miss Nice Trainer today. She was especially tough on me after I told her how the men's Zumba pants I ordered don't fit quite yet. My butt, hips and thighs are the problem, so we really hit that hard today. Don't get me wrong though, I am not complaining. I go to the gym and workout with Amy to get a good workout and get some results. I've got goals to reach darn it!

Tonight, I have to get in Day 12 of C25K today. I may make the trip to Fayetteville for Zumba tonight as well, we shall see.

For those of you who are interested, there are 34 days until Zumba training and 245 days until the big half marathon.

Bad Ideas

*Warning- slightly TMI*

I went to the gym this morning and finished up day 11 of C25K. This week I am repeating the "week three" program because I wanted to feel a little more confident before moving on to the "week four" program. I stunk it up on that treadmill today, I just wasn't into it like I need to be and I am just disappointed in myself. Getting on the treadmill today after doing the C25K thing yesterday was a BAD idea. Not only did I stink it up, my knee started giving me some trouble which just put me in a bad mental place. Another thing that probably doesn't help is that I am a pms'ing raging b*tch right now. ARGH!!!

HECK YEAH!

Day 10 of C25K is in the bag! It's getting easier, and the I am starting to feel really confident in the ability to run. I felt very Forrest Gump-esque, which had me giggling and probably looking like a crazy person on the treadmill. Thankfully, the giggling did not trip me up and I didn't fall... SCORE! Even my knees haven't given me too much trouble today, it probably helped that I iced them the minute I walked in the door. I might attempt going back outside to run next week but it will have to be later in the evenings or early in the morning to beat the oppressive heat. I might be talking crazy, we'll see how I feel about it next week.

On Saturday, I was talking to a lady and her sister who come to Zumba and they were telling me about their running experiences. It was so nice to hear from people who have done it and lived to tell the tale. One of them told me about some good books to read on running, so I am going to have to make a trip to the book store soon (I hate waiting for things I order online). This is book is by a guy named Jeff Galloway, apparently his methods get some great results.

Lazy Sunday

I made the executive decision today to not go to the gym today. It has been weeks since I have had a day without doing anything at the gym, and I needed a break. Don't judge me, I needed the rest and I will be back to the grind tomorrow. On a good note, I got on the scale today and I am down 3 pounds since last Sunday's weigh in!!! I am now 27 pounds away from my next goal when I hit 150 pounds lost over all. WOOHOO!!!

I'm on a video kick right now, so I'll end today's short entry with the "Lazy Sunday" short from SNL.

Oops, I Did It Again

I posted yesterday about Thursday's activities and didn't post anything about what I did yesterday. I do have a good excuse, my husband and I went out on a date last night so I was pre-occupied. Then this morning was a little rough because I over indulged with some wine last night, so I had a tiny little thing that some people call a hangover.

So, yesterday was like most Fridays and consisted of going to Zumba in the morning. It's funny how the same class can be so different with different instructors. I think it's good to try and see about different teaching styles and the such. Hopefully, it will help me become an great instructor someday. Then in the evening I went and helped my friend while she practiced calling some songs, because she got to call her first song during last night's Groove class. Class after that was so much fun, it was a great way to kick off a wonderful evening. This morning, I went to Zumba but let me tell you, I do not recommend going to Zumba after you have over served the night before. OY! I made it through, but there was no running or anything else today and I am not even going to apologize because I don't care today. There I said it, I just don't care about running today.

I will leave you with some clips from the movie The Hangover. Why? Just because I feel like it, and maybe because I might have just a small one of those things.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otluoIdVvy8

Thursday's Entry... A Day Late

I tried to write this entry last night but I was so tired that the only thing that I was typing was utter jibberish. Yesterday started with a trip to my orthopedist, for the last follow up for my knee. The good news is that my knee is feeling about 50% better than it had been, she said that if I keep up the workouts and the strengthening I should see some more improvement. She gave me her blessing to do the half marathon, zumba thing, and to keep doing what I am doing. She did have to give me another cortisone shot, which she said should have me feeling about 75% better than I had been when we started. Overall, a great visit with some good news.

I headed to the gym to Groove after the fun and excitement that was my doctor's visit. The class was so much fun as always, it put me in such a great mood. Then in the evening I made my Thursday night trip to the gym in Fayetteville to Zumba. I got into class a little too late and my normal spot was taken, it felt so weird to be in a completely different spot. I am very territorial about my places in class, and it messed with me to possibly be somewhere else. The good news was that I was able to get my spot back because my friend needed me to run her video camera so she could record her choreography. Crisis averted! The only problem yesterday was that my knee was a little too sore to do any running yesterday, but that's ok because I am getting it done today.

Feeling It

Holy smokes, I am feeling the effects of yesterday's and today's workouts! My calves have been sore all day and they did not get any better after today's training session with Amy. Actually my whole backside is feeling it as well. It's ok though, because I go to the gym to work out not to be pampered. Maybe two days of training back to back wasn't the best idea, but we had to make up the missed time.

Tomorrow, I have more C25K training, Groove and Zumba class. I also have to go see the orthopedist in the morning, I have a follow up for my knee. I am not looking forward to having to go in at 8:30 in the morning with the little one in tow. On another note, I have 42 days until Zumba training and 253 days until the half marathon weekend. I got this!

CHECK THIS OUT!

I was looking at a picture taken of me at the zoo on Monday and I had to show all of you a picture of me taken back in December before I started all of this. Notice that I tried to stick the little one in front of me to "hide" my size, I thought I was so slick. So, here is what 6 months of hard work looks like. *click on the picture to see a bigger version of it*

I Did The Darn Thing

I trained with my trainer this morning for the first time in about a week, she's been out because of an injury. She took out her frustrations on me this morning, we upped my weights and got it done today. I know for a fact that I will be sore tomorrow because I am was already feeling it. Then, this evening before Zumba I finished day 9 of C25K. It felt pretty darn good to run for longer intervals today, although I had to cut out the last running interval because I had to go to the bathroom and I wasn't going to be able to hold it. It happens, don't judge me or my bladder. Afterwards, I went and got my Zumba on... I know you are all shocked. During Zumba, we did something with our arms that definitely made me feel the work I did with Amy this morning. We'll see what Amy has in store for our session tomorrow.

Not So Sweet Heat

Still in a bit of a funk, and slightly sore from yesterday. Not sure what my deal is but I will shake this off because I am ready to get over this mess. I'm being a whiny pain! I took Bella to the zoo yesterday and while we had fun, it was just entirely too hot to be out there. At least I got some walking in at the zoo, not a ton but some. On a funny note, Bella got to see first hand a little bit about the birds and the bees. We were by the meerkat display and there were some tortoises in a display near by, and Bella runs over there to see them. Next thing we knew, she was going on and on about how mean the tortoises were because they were fighting. They were making sweet sweet love, not fighting. My friend piped up and told her that they were making turtle babies, but Bella just seemed confused. For the record the male tortoise was a jerk, he tipped the female over on her side when he was done, and she ended up stuck on her back after that. 


After all that excitement at the zoo, I headed to Monday night's Zumba class. We had a new song that had way too many squats, I will be feeling it for sure. I just couldn't get into class like I normally do. Shaking this off, tomorrow is a new day. 

Oh Boy...

I was in an awful mood today which just seemed to trickle down into everything today. I had a hard time just shaking off the grumpiness. Then to add to the grumpiness I got on the scale today and I gained a pound, and I know that doesn't sound like much but it was enough to make the bad mood worse. It happens, tomorrow is a new day, and it will be better and not full of my crabbiness. On a good note, I finished day 8 of C25K training today! It felt good to be able to run a little longer today, I am still not going to be breaking any records but I am running more. Like I've said before, I am not a runner but we are working on it and I will be. It's all about baby steps. Before I ran, I went to Groove class, and I really let my crappy mood screw with me in that class today. I was just in an awful head space today. I'm shaking it off! 

Chilled Out Friday

Yesterday morning, I went to Zumba and it was good to take the class with a different instructor. It's always interesting to take someone else's class because everyone does things a little differently. Afterwards, I went and hung out with a friend which was nice because I originally had a photo shoot but it had to be rescheduled. It was so nice to have a chilled out afternoon with Bella and my friend. Then, last night I went to boogie at Groove class. The only problem during the class was that my toe started bleeding, I'm not sure what happened, but it hurt. 


I am planning on doing day 8 of C25K tomorrow, I have to keep the tiara medal in mind.... I have 257 days. Also, I have 46 days until Zumba instructor training... so exciting! Gotta stay focused, because like I mentioned in this post I have some short term goals that I am working towards.

Dancing It Out

Nobody cares if you can't dance well.  Just get up and dance.  ~Dave Barry


Today was another wonderful day! I went to Groove this morning, and it was so cool to watch my friend co-teach her first Groove class since she went to her instructor training. I was so proud of her and it was so exciting to see her shaking it up there. Then this evening, I went to shake it in Zumba. It is always so much fun, and the positive energy at the Fayetteville location is just so contagious. I danced it out today! 


Then, I got the best surprise from a dear friend of mine. She absolutely made my day with her sweet and thoughtful gesture. I really had to hold back the tears, because I didn't want to look like a blubbering mess. I am so blessed to have such incredible friends. 

Today is a new day

*WARNING- This entry might sound a tad conceited*

I am so happy! Today, I finally got in day 7 of C25K!!! I procrastinated too long, but now that it's finished, I am so pleased with myself. As for the pace, well we are still not there yet but at least I am running more and more. Still one hour off the 3:30 to finish, so I would be riding the bus to the finish line if I had to do this today. Luckily for me, I have 260 days to get ready and pick up the pace. I know it sounds conceited but when I started this weight loss thing back in January, I couldn't get up the stairs at the gym without being winded. I avoided talking to people so they wouldn't notice how out of breath I was. There is no way that I would have believed you if you told me back in January that I would now be starting the process of getting ready for a half marathon. I probably would have laughed and made some comment about how your must be smoking crack.

Just for sh*ts and giggles let's look at some of this year's accomplishments.

• I started going to the gym, and working with a trainer
• I started going to the gym for 2 hours sometimes more daily. 
• As of my last weigh in on Sunday, I am down 119.6 pounds since I last got on a scale that could weigh me in the Spring of last year. WOOHOO!!!
• I decided to run a half marathon
• I signed up for Zumba instructor training.
• I have actually started the training for the half marathon.

Ok, as for this afternoon's activities, I went to Zumba. I got on stage for two songs and I hope I didn't mess up too badly. On a good note, I actually looked up at the people in the class when I was on that stage and even made eye contact with a few people. The only problem was that I got to class too late and didn't have my normal spot reserved, I will be there earlier next time. By the way, too late was 10 minutes before the class started. HAHAHA! It's always such a great class with such great energy.

In non workout related news, I got to go out with some old and new friends this evening. It was just so much fun, and so nice to get out of the house for a little while. Lots of laughs, fun and a few drinks. 

Giving 100%

I read a blog called Running While Chunky, which was actually my inspiration for starting this blog. Anyways, on Friday she posted this entry and it has stuck with me since then. It included a Lance-ism which states "whatever your 100% looks like, give it".

Do you have any favorite or inspirational quotes? 

Bad Bad Blogger

It's Tuesday, and my last entry was on Saturday. That is just not going to fly, I said I would document every day so this will be the last time I let it lapse this much. I've been lazy this week in terms of my C25K, and it's time regroup and refocus because there is a tiara shaped medal that I'd like to be the proud owner of.

Here's the quick run down of my workouts since Saturday.

Sunday- Groove
Monday- Training with Amy and Zumba
Tuesday- Zumba in the morning and some more Zumba in the evening.

Tomorrow, I am going to run in the morning and possibly do Group Power and then Zumba in the afternoon. My poor trainer is injured so I won't be training with her tomorrow, I am going to have to get it done on my own. You can expect an entry about day 7 of C25K and all my other fun and games. I've got to kick it up and change it up because I have some short term goals.

SHORT TERM GOALS

• Buy some Zumba pants, sure they will have to be the men's ones but I still want them. I am just a few inches too big.
• I want to be in better shape for Zumba training, I have 50 days to get it done. 
• I want to look fly for my cousin's wedding in San Francisco on August 20th.
• I have another goal that I am not ready to talk about just yet, but I'd like to have it done by September at the latest.

Let's end today's entry on a good note, I lost 8 pounds last week. What's not to love about that?! WOOT WOOT!!!

Where Is My Motivation

So, yesterday was a tough day at our house. I am trying not to think about it too much, but it's tough not to. I am going to try and do the run down of yesterday and today's activities because I said I would keep record of the entire journey even the boring stuff, but, I am not really in the mood to.

Yesterday morning started with my first ever Pilates class. Here were my my thoughts on Pilates.

• I was pretty jazzed that I didn't send the ball flying into one of my neighbors. 
• It was hard to contain the giggles, especially when I thought that my friend was going to come crashing into me and it would be like a modern day "I Love Lucy" episode.
• I moved things that I am not sure I've moved in a long time, if ever.
• I knew I would be sore, but I was surprised at what was sore this morning.
• The class was kind of boring but I will definitely go again because it was a good workout and a different kind of workout. 

After spending the morning at the gym, I went to Target with Bella and a friend. We went in for one thing and left with a lot more than I expected, Target is evil like that. We then headed to Hobby Lobby to get some crafting stuff, and again I left with a lot more than I expected to leave with. This is a re-occuring theme, I might have some issues I need to deal with. While we were at Hobby Lobby I got the bad news about Sparkles from my husband. It was a difficult drive home.

I went back to the gym last night to try and see if I could dance it out, and I was fine during Groove and even immediately afterwards. Dancing makes me happy. Then when I got home, it hit me kind of hard and I had a melt down. I think I might be taking this harder than Patrick or Bella.

This morning was much better. I was really exhausted, but I got my butt in the gym and I went to Zumba. Again, dancing makes me happy. Afterwards, I got to get a pedi with some friends which was great for so many reasons. First of all, they really helped cheer me up today and kept my mind off of things but I am not sure that either of them knew it. Secondly, it was nice to spend some kid free time with some great girls. Lastly, I rarely treat myself to something like a pedicure so it was nice to be able to do that, what a great treat, especially when you get to share that with some fun people.

That's it for tonight. I am exhausted and my bed is calling my name. Getting in Day 7 of C25K tomorrow and I hope to be able to Groove afterwards. There are 264 days left.....

R.I.P. Mr. Sparkles Lipgloss

My daughter's guinea pig Mr. Sparkles Lipgloss passed away today. We are all so sad, but it was absolutely heart breaking to tell her that her little buddy had passed away. She has been crying and she's angry, which is normal but it's just hurts me so much to see her feel so hurt and sad. He was the sweetest cuddliest pig. Sparkles Lipgloss, you will be missed.

It's Official!!!

It's official, I have signed up for Zumba instructor training. It's paid for, and I go for the training class on July 29th. WOOHOOO!!!!!! I am so excited, and I just can't hold it in!!!!! DITCH THE WORKOUT, JOIN THE PARTY!!

Run Like There's Cupcakes At The End

Yesterday was day 6 of C25K, and I rocked it out. I know it sounds conceited but I was so proud of myself at the end of it. I kept telling myself that the tiara medal is so worth it, and that maybe there would be cupcakes at the end. You can get me to do a lot with the promise of cupcakes. I'm feeling a bit more confident about running and avoiding the dreaded bus. I trained with Amy before the run and she made me work, I am sitting here feeling slightly sore and feeling the effects of yesterday's training. I can't complain though, because I train with her to work it out and do the damn thing. 


I went back to the gym for round two for my beloved Zumba class. I went and shook it on stage for a few songs, because it just so much fun. I had a few people come up to me after the class and make comments about how I should be a Zumba instructor. It's funny that they said that because that brings me to something that I have been dying to share with everyone. Today, I am going to sign up for Zumba instructor training. This has been in the works for a while but I didn't want to say anything about it, although I made a little mention of it in this post but I didn't explain what I had planned. So, if all goes well on July 29th I will be a licensed Zumba instructor. Please send positive thoughts. 

I HAVE To Get It Together

So, I really need to get my act together. I didn't make time for my C25K training like I should have today, and now tomorrow I will have to bust my butt after training with Amy to get the running in. I feel stupid about being lazy today, but I will get it done tomorrow.

So, I debuted the new fiona bra from moving comfort. It was like the mega impact bra, the girls were not moving in that thing, but it did cause some uniboob action, which killed it for me. I think this is going to be a running only bra, because it does not make the girls look as nice as the maia bra, but it keeps them reined in. Mo' boobies, mo' problems.

I did Group Active and Zumba today. The active instructor is probably slightly unbalanced, she doesn't give a break between songs, and I think it's an attempt to kill me because I feel lazy if I take my own break between tracks. Slightly off topic, that instructor came up to me before class and told me that she saw me at church on Sunday. I felt like such a jerk, because I am usually off in my own little world, and chances are that I saw her but it didn't register. I will have to make it a point to look for her on Sunday and say hi. I took Zumba afterwards and it was so much fun as always. It always puts me in such a great mindset which is one of the reasons that I love it so much.