90 Day Challenge/ Fitbit Challenge

Starting July 1st, registration for the next 90 Day Challenge and combined Fitbit Challenge began.  I normally sign up for every sort of challenge Lifetime has.  This time around, however, Sarah and I have decided that 90 Day would not be good for me right now.  It would be too stressful since we start still trying to figure out what is happening with my body.  I have decided to not do the Fitbit Challenge either even though I am always a top competitor in those challenges.  I've lost my Fitbit One, although I know generally where it is.

I just don't feel like doing challenges with others right now.  I think my main challenge is with myself.  It feels really weird to not be signing up, but it is the best choice for me right now.  Besides, I like to think of myself being on a Lifelong Challenge, not just 90 day.  :)

Slow Work Week = Busy Workout Week

This past week was another slow work week for me.  Work is picking up and I am working four days this coming week.  That's just the nature of the beast in my business.  Feast or famine.

I made great use of my time home.  I did some transcript work and I worked out like a lunatic.  We're talking Biggest Loser Rachel crazy (well, not that crazy).

Sunday I took Martina's Vinyasa Flow class.  Boy, was that class packed.  I swear everyone at Lifetime was in that class.

Monday was a major workout day.  I worked out with Sarah and I took two group classes.  I took Spinning and then Slow Burn Yoga.  Wow, I was beat.  I know Sarah will kill me for doing that much in one day and I may have overdone it, but it's not like I work out like that every day.

Tuesday I took a Spinning Class and my regular Tuesday night Pilates class.

Wednesday I worked out legs with Sarah and that's all I was going to do.  Then I noticed that my right hamstring was tight, so I quickly got ready and took Claudia's Hatha Yoga class in the evening.  I really have to say that I am loving that class and Claudia as an instructor.

Thursday I took a Spinning class and then I came back in the evening for an awesome massage in the LifeSpa.   I really needed that massage because I strained a muscle in my back loading some things in my car on Tuesday and the pain traveled to my abs.

Friday was a much needed day off.  I picked the perfect day because I worked on Friday and got stuck in a surprise trial in the afternoon.

Saturday I was back at it with a Spinning class at 645 and then I came back for Ashtanga Vinyasa at 1215.  Loved the yoga class, but there were two disruptive yogis who were obnoxious.  And then when one of them left, she wasn't quiet or courteous either while the rest of us were trying to meditate.

This week marked the second week of the 90 Day Challenge.  My weight is a little up since the initial weigh in, but I am obviously working hard and am looking noticeably smaller.  I'll take it.  I'm going to talk to Sarah Monday about taking an amino acid supplement.

So, my body should enjoy a relatively restful week next week.  Have a great week!

90 Day Challenge Starts This Weekend!!

This weekend was one crazy weekend at Lifetime Fitness.   It was the starting weekend for the 90 Day Challenge!!!!  I did my initial weigh in with Sarah.  Starting weight: 228.4.  I'm still working my way back down to the 50 pound mark, but as I've said previously, my body fat percentage is down.

I purchased a Stress and Resilience Test, which I plan on doing next weekend.   I'm super excited to retake this test.  I can't wait for the results and this time Julie will do the results instead of a conference call with corporate.

The other things I purchased were supplements.  I mainly just purchased supplements that I was out of or running low on.  The only new supplement I purchased was the Whey Isolate (Chocolate) by Thorne.  Lifetime just started got this brand of Whey recently and there's been a lot of buzz and excitement.  Sarah suggested I use this over the regular Lifetime brand because I have really increased my activity and it will be more beneficial for me.   I also think it will be more cost-effective for me since I get a smoothie in the cafe every day and it costs me $7.

I got home and made my first two smoothies (one for work tomorrow) and I LOVED it!!!!  I added L-Glutamine, PB2, Dynamic Greens, Olive Oil, a banana, and coconut milk.  Totally yummy!

REGISTERED!!!! 90 Day Challenge - Spring 2014

After my training session yesterday, I registered for the new 90 Day Challenge that starts in February.   I'm pretty excited because I need a new challenge to help me get to my next goal.

I signed up for a couple of Try It Tuesdays that I haven't done before.  I signed up for four to be exact.  There are two reasons why I didn't sign up for more.  One, I already do Pilates on Tuesday evenings and I love my class (Linda and Maureen, and trainer Cassie).  Two, I've done most of them already and wanted to leave the space open for new people who haven't done them yet.

The four things I signed up for were: TEAM Boot Camp (April 8), Fight Shape Challenge (April 22), TCX/Total Conditioning (April 29), and the 90 Day 5k (May 6).   My goal for the 5k is to run the entire thing!!

I can't wait to see how successful I'll be this time around.  I want to lose more than I did during the Fall 2013 Challenge (15 pounds).

90 Day Challenge - Spring 2014

Yes, it's that time again!!!  Time to register for Lifetime Fitness' 90 Day Challenge Spring Edition!!!

I was so excited to hear from Sarah that it was time to register for the next 90 Day Challenge.   I love the challenges that Lifetime Fitness does.  I'm definitely going to sign up again for the weight loss challenge.  I officially lost 15 pounds during the Fall 2013 challenge.  I'm excited about what I can accomplish this time around.

Coincidentally, the Spring Challenge ends five days before my one year training anniversary with Sarah.  We've got big things planned and have already set our goals!!!

"I Was RUNNING!!!"

Early in the 90 Day Challenge I tried to start the Couch to 5k program.  Yeah, that didn't work.  I just wasn't ready to go there.  Imagine my surprise when I used my first TEAM freebie session that I won from the Fitbit Challenge and I had to RUN A MILE FOR TIME during Erica's 6 am TEAM Fitness class.  I picked the wrong day to show up to TEAM Fitness that's for sure.

Well, I'll just do my best.  Let's not expect miracles here.  I'll run slow (4 mph).  I'll run for three minutes and then I'll walk.

Three minutes come and go.  Okay, I'll run until I get to 5 minutes and then I'll walk.

Five minutes come and go.  Okay, I'll run to the half mile point and then I'll walk.

Half a mile comes and goes.  Okay, I'll run ten minutes and then I'll walk.

Ten minutes come and go.   Okay, I'll run to the 3/4 mile point and then I'll walk.

I got to the 3/4 mile point and I WALKED......for about 45 seconds and then I started running again and finished the mile.  I finished in just over 15 minutes (but under 16 minutes).

I DID IT (sorta) and I didn't die.

And that is the story of my first TEAM Fitness class.

90 Day Challenge

In early August, I joined Lifetime's 90 Day Weight Loss Challenge.  On the day of the official weight in I was already down 22 pounds.  I was totally psyched because the previous 90 Challenge in 2012 was a disaster.  I dropped out after a week.

Going into this 90 Day, I had a plan of attack.  I was training with Sarah twice a week, I was doing Pilates once a week with Cassie, I won the Fitbit challenge so I had two TEAM sessions to use from that, and I still had 6 TEAM sessions left from 2012 to use.  I also wanted to go back to one of my favorite exercises, Spinning or as Lifetime Fitness calls it Studio Cycle.  I also wanted to try their Yoga classes.

One of the bonuses about being self-employed is that I can make my own schedule.  Also, the summer tends to be a little slower, especially the month of August.  So, I used it to my advantage and  started taking classes in the middle of the day, sometimes doing 2 a day like a crazy person.

I started taking Spinning classes and I was so glad to be back.  It took some getting used to because that bike seat can do some damage to your rear end.  I had a gel seat from a few years back, but I couldn't find it.  So, it was off to Target to get a new one.  (Wouldn't you know, I found my old gel seat last week!)  I also needed some Spinning shoes.  You don't necessarily need them to Spin, but they do make a difference.  I finally got some shoes in late September at a local bike shop that was having a model ending sale.  See.......

I started taking the Sunday Yoga class that Martina teaches.  I really enjoyed it.  I took some classes and seminars with Rickita.  I truly did enjoy yoga, but once September came, my schedule got crazy busy and I haven't gone to a yoga class since.  I plan on going back soon because I do miss it and now have more free time in my schedule.

Another thing that I incorporated into my plan was massage.  It not only helps my muscles recover from working out, but also from sitting for long periods of time and typing transcripts.  I get my massages at the LifeSpa with Drea every three to four weeks.  It helps me tremendously. I had lower back surgery in 1999 and leg surgery in 2006.  I need to keep these areas particularly strong and free from injury.  I live for my massage Saturdays.  

The 90 Day Challenge ended in early November.  I didn't meet my goal of losing 20 pounds.  I think I lost 15.   I did finish in the top 10 at the Novi club, which I was pretty proud of.  I'm also proud of finishing this time.  I didn't do every Try It Tuesday.  I think I did three.  Nothing against them, but they often interfered with my Pilates class.  They are a great way to get introduced to classes you have always wanted to try.

So, all in all, I would say I had a successful 90 Day Challenge.