I Signed Up For Commitment Day 2015!!!

January 1, 2015 will start my third year on this journey and will mark my second Commitment Day 5k.   I'm so excited even though I am not a runner.  I loath running, but I loved the Commitment Day 5k this year.  I really felt like I started the year right.  My goal is to beat my old time of 45 minutes.

Sarah is my emergency contact.

One Year Anniversary

                                                     May 23, 2013                                    May 15, 2014

Today marks the one year anniversary since my first workout with Sarah.  Wow, an entire year.  We sure have been through a lot.  We started as trainer-client and I would definitely say that we are friends, too.  I have to text Sarah every day for something even just to check in.  

I remember that first workout and how I was unable to finish it because my blood sugar was going wonky.  I felt like such an asshole.  Sarah must have thought I was a mess.

But I've kept plugging away and made some huge strides.  I lost 50 pounds and then gained a little back and settled into a plateau, but maintaining my general body fat percentage more or less.   I am currently doing D.tox in an effort to get more control of my diet, press the restart button, and move forward with progress.  All the while maintaining a positive outlook about 90 percent of that time.

One year ago today, my knees ached, my blood pressure and blood glucose were under control.  Now, my knee pain is maintained, my blood pressure and blood glucose are lower and within normal levels.  My doctor is thrilled with my progress and hopes to get me off my meds soon.

I've tried my hands at Pilates, yoga, spinning, and running.  I love Pilates and have now increased to two classes a week.  I try to do yoga at least once a week.  I've taken a break from spinning because of an adrenal fatigue issue I had.  I don't run because I just don't like it.  I prefer to just do the first week of Couch to 5k over and over than distance training.  I prefer sprints.  

The weight is coming off slow and that's cool.  I'm learning how to take the every day challenges that come with working hard to achieve what you want.  I can splurge and that's fine.  I can plateau and not let it get the best of me.  I can learn what my body likes and dislikes.  My body hates carbs big time.

I've been off pop and fast food since early June 2013!  I've never been off pop this long ever!!  I've even stopped biting my fingernails.

I've even gotten comfortable showing my pictures.  That is huge for me because I haven't had Sarah show me any of the progress pictures we've taken throughout the year.  I think I'm really turning a corner.

I'm really excited to see where I'll be a year from now.  I'm reflecting on the last year today, but tomorrow starts the work on Year 2.

Week Preview

I took another rest day today because I have my latest health score tomorrow morning with Julie.  I had originally planned on going to the gym and running or possibly taking another yoga class.  Luckily, Sarah texted me early to remind me.

This is a long holiday weekend for me because Monday is MLK Jr's birthday.  Tuesday is my birthday.  I feel like I have been bad on my diet this weekend.  Not pre-May bad, but I've had some gluten and some wine.

I met my friend Brittany for dinner in Dearborn.  We ate at La Pita and had some awesome Middle Eastern food.  The food is not unhealthy, but their bread is so soft and yummy, it's like eating a cloud!  You can't resist and you can't just have one.  I had about three pita breads.  I had a cup of crushed lentil soup, a chicken kabob, some fries, and an insane amount of garlic.  Enough to keep vampires away for a few days at least.

We then went to the adjoining cigar lounge and had a few more drinks.  I had two glasses of Riesling and several glasses of water all night.  It was nice to go out and do something different, but it sure was freezing out!  YIKES!!!!

This morning I went to Trader Joe's and stocked up on some of their soups.  I bought some panccetta and mushrooms to add to my soups.  Also, on my shopping list was a block of mild cheddar to grate myself and some Udi bread to make gluten free grilled cheese sandwiches.  I made one soup from scratch.  It was a recipe that Sarah sent me on Facebook.  It only has two ingredients.  Here it is.

I'm super excited because tomorrow starts the new Fitbit challenge!!  I am determined to get the minimum of 10,000 steps.  I'm training with Sarah on Monday and Wednesday, I have Pilates on Tuesday.  I'm going to get a day or two of running and Spinning in to reach my step goal.

Have a great week everyone!

Couch To 5k - Week 6 Day 1

I had today off from work.  Yay!  I went to Lifetime Fitness at around 8 a.m. to do my next day of the Couch to 5k program.  I took yesterday off from the gym.  I realized I had not taken a day off from the gym since December 26th!  Holy cow!  I totally didn't mean to that and I wouldn't suggest it.  The body does need to rest!

The weather in Michigan is starting to warm up and so is the gym.  There were plenty of cars in the parking lot when I got there.  I think the weather has sort of derailed or delayed some New Years resolutions because the gym has been pretty quiet when I've been there.

I chatted with Sarah in the locker room and she passed her Health Score Certification!!!  Go Sarah!

I made it upstairs and prepared for my run.  You can see from the picture above what I had to do today.  I was a little nervous about the 3 minute walking.  In the past that hasn't been a lot of time for me to "rest" before starting to run again.

The first five minutes was a breeze.  I'm really getting used to running at least five minutes.  I walked for three minutes, then I started the 8 minute run.  It went well and I ran the whole thing.  It did seem to last a while and just as I was checking my phone to make sure the app was still working, it told me to start walking.  Ah!
Then it was time to run the second five minutes.  I knew I could do it.  It was only five minutes.  I did change the speed.  I ran the other two intervals at 5 mph, but I did the first four minutes of this interval at 4.8 mph.  I did the final minute back up at 5 mph.

I have to say I hate running while I'm doing it, but I love it when I am done and have accomplished something.  :)

Couch to 5K Week 5 Day 3

I did it!  I DID IT!!  I flipping did it!!!!  Twenty minutes!  Two Zero!!

I called off from work because of the snow and the nearest freeway to my home being an accident magnet this morning.  I had to shovel myself out of my parking space, and unbury my car, and let it warm up for a half an hour, but I got to the gym and ran it out!

I got a lot of help on my run from my playlist.  A lot of great music came on my shuffle workout mix.  I guess you can say I got a little help from Beyonce and Jay Z (and Monica and Katy Perry, too.)

The temptation to stop running was strong from the get go.  I mean I did some serious shoveling before I got there.  No one would blame me for stopping.  That snow was heavy and was a workout by itself.  But I ran on.  Just keep running.  Just keep running.  

Before I knew it, the app voice chimed in "You are half way done."  Yes!  Ten minutes down, ten to go.  I can do this.  My ears were sweating so bad, I had to take my headphones off around minute 16 and run without music.  I put them back on about a minute and a half before the end so that I could hear the app tell me I was done.  I also put a towel over the screen again, but I did keep peeking.  I took it off for good around minute 15.  The last two minutes seemed easy.  I think my stride got stronger with a minute and a half left.  I think I might have been smiling during the last 30 seconds!  

And finally it was over!!  

I have to say that my body wasn't sore.  It was definitely mind over matter.  You just have to think that you can and you'll do it!

Let It Snow!

This was the view from the path between my apartment complex and Lifetime Fitness.   The snow storm started pretty slowly, but as I write this is, it is picking up steam.  So much steam that I may have to call off work tomorrow if it's not cancelled.

I had a training session with Sarah today, our second of 2014.  My first session of 2014 was on January 2nd and was arm day.  Today was leg day.  My right knee was giving me some issues (and yesterday, as well) but I think that's because of all of the precipitation coming.  It only truly bothered me going up and down steps.

Today's workout was pretty tough.  My cardio for today was running 0.25 miles twice.  I did it the first time at 5.7 mph (I started at 6.0 mph, but decreased the speed within the first 30 seconds).  I finished the run in 2:37.  The second time I ran at 5.5 mph and finished in 2:43.  Since doing the Couch to 5k, running less than 3 minutes should be no problem, but after doing 3 sets of two super-set exercises it's a little more challenging.  I got through it though and there is that satisfaction of get through it.

After the session, Sarah weighed me.  I have lost most of the weight I gained at the Rose Bowl party.  I am only about a half pound heavier than my weight on December 26.  I was a little inflamed (0.383) but my body fat percentage went down to 42.8 percent.  It was 44-point something percent before.  Overall, I am pretty happy with the numbers.  It's a journey with some ups and downs, and it might take me a bit but I'll get there.

Couch To 5k Week 5 Day 2

I did it!  I did today's program without any issue!   W5D2 consists of two 8 minute runs separated by a 5 minute walk.

Besides deleting "Stillness Is The Mood" from my playlist, I put a towel over the screen on the treadmill so that I wouldn't obsess over how much longer I had to run.  It really helped!  I will continue to do that.  I will admit that during the running phases, I ALWAYS watch the clock on the treadmill.

First of all, I need to give myself props for going to Lifetime Fitness this morning when it was just a mere -4 degrees out.  Wow.  It's crazy cold here, but I can handle cold better than heat.

The first 8 minutes was fine.  My right knee started a little achy, but it got better.  I'm guessing the frigid weather has something to do with that.  The 5 minute walk was a perfect recovery.  Then it was time to do the second 8 minute run.  My body was doing fine.  I was mentally thinking about the time (UGH!).  I did take the towel off the screen a few times.  I had estimated that by the time the clock got to 27 minutes I should be close to finishing.

I've noticed that I have to turn up the volume on the voice that says "This won't last forever, you can do this," as opposed to the voice that says "OMG, you can walk a little and then jump back into it."  Now, I was not in any pain or having any respiratory issues, it's just that annoying voice that tries to stop me.  And then I thought about you, my readers.  I've received some positive feedback from several readers about this blog and how inspirational it is.  Thanks for the support, everyone.

After the run, I was happy it was over and I felt like I had really accomplished something.  The previous two days of this program I have had to alter the run a little bit and I felt disappointed.  I think the Commitment Day 5k and the words of encouragement that I have received from my friends have kept me going.  My friend Maddie told me on New Years that she was proud of me.  Now, I'm not the best at accepting compliments, but I thanked her and I have thought about her comment several times since that day.

Commitment Day 5k 2014

I did it !  I lived!

I was nervous about doing the 5k, I'm not going to lie.  I knew I wasn't going to run every single step.  It was going to be cold.  My car said it was 14 degrees.  It was going to snow.  I was worried about it being slippery.  But I did it.  I'm glad I did.

It started yesterday when I drove out to the Commerce club to pick up my t-shirt and my number.  See...

I fell asleep early last night.  I didn't wait for midnight to ring in the new year.  I had to be up early to get to the race location in time to get a parking space.

I arrived at the location just after 7 and stopped in at the Dagwood Deli to grab some breakfast.  I got a breakfast sandwich and ate about half of it.  It was yummy, but I was full after just having half.  I chatted with a woman who was also running the race.  She was very nice.  She was not a member of Lifetime Fitness, she was just interested in getting moving on January 1st.

After breakfast, I went back to my car and just waited for race time.

The race started and I started running.  I'm not sure how far I ran before I started walking, but I did good and I wasn't crazy out of breath.  From then on, I walked and ran.  I honestly couldn't tell you what percentage I ran, but when I did run, I felt like I had a good pace.  I'm pretty sure that I was running faster than my treadmill speed, which I heard is common once you hit the streets.

I finished the race running and my time was 44 minutes.  Not bad.  I guess I'll just improve from that as I get better.  I wasn't super tired or sore, I was just fine.  I grabbed a bottle of water and a banana, and then I drove home.

Was I glad I did it?  Yes.  Will I do another 5k?  Sure.

Couch To 5k Week 4 Day 3

Today I went to the gym to finish out Week 4 of the Couch to 5k program.   I've been having a real issue with the second five minute run.  I am just so out of breath by the time I have to do it.

I got about 1:19 into the last 5 minutes and had to walk.  I did eventually finish the remaining 3:41, but I did it in 3 additional rounds.  So, I did do the 5 minutes, but I needed more than the 90 seconds of recovery.  I was disappointed in myself, but I also didn't want to cause any sort of injury or respiratory issue if I pushed myself too hard.  I know when to stop.

So, the thing I had to ask myself is whether to move forward with Week 5 or continue to try Week 4 Day 3 until I nailed it.  I took a look at the next run and decided to move forward.  My main issue was the recovery time and the next few runs have longer recoveries.  Week 5 Day 1 is run 5 minutes, walk 3 minutes and repeat 3 times.   This should work out a little better for me.  I plan to try this on Monday afternoon.

Massage Saturday

Today was my monthly massage.  I look forward to these Saturdays because the massages really help the issue I have with my left thigh going numb.  I had surgery in 1999 on my low back.  I had herniated discs at L4, L5, and S1.  I had horrendous sciatica and I have suffered some long term nerve damage in the form of my outer left thigh going numb.  It wasn't much of an issue when I was sedentary, but once I started working out, it became an issue.  Luckily, since I've been working with Drea at the LifeSpa, it has gotten much better and only flairs up occasionally.  

The last month or so I've also had some issues with my neck.  I think it has to do with how I am sleeping and it can get quite painful.  It hurts to turn my head to the left sometimes.  So, we started the massage this morning working on my neck and upper back area.

My neck feels so much better and my leg doesn't have the numbing feeling anymore.  My next massage will be on January 11.  

After the massage, I made my way over to a gluten free bakery in Plymouth that I've been dying to check out.  Oh my God, it was AMAZING!!!  Gluten free as far as the eye could see (hey, that rhymes!).  If you are gluten free and in the Plymouth area, check out Rumi's Passion Gluten Free Bakery.  You will not be disappointed.  I bought a loaf of white bread for my mom, some pepperoni and cheese bread and a peanut butter brownie for myself.   I'm eating the brownie right now and it is slap-your-mama good.

Then I made my way to Lyon Township to pick up some gluten free Italian fare at Bon-a-Rose Foods.  Their website is currently down, so you might want to try back in a few days.  They have the most amazing apple sauce (GF), which is actually made of beets.  Their marinara sauce (GF) is also incredible.   They sell other great products as well as frozen meals.  I'm not sure of the GF status of the prepared foods, but I have had the lasagna and the meatballs.  I know that some of the pastas they sell are organic.  So good!!!  And it's great to support local businesses that make the effort to bring healthy foods to people watching their diet.  

I plan to take some of the products from both Bon-a-Rose and Rumi's to my mom's house and have a healthy Christmas Eve and Day.  

I got home and then caught up on some of my DVR'd shows.  I then went back to Lifetime to do Week 4 Day 2 of the Couch to 5k program.  I had planned on going to spinning this morning, but I just couldn't get out that early.  I decided to let over 30 hours go before I ran again since I did Day 1 yesterday.   I would say Day 2 went better than Day 1 although I was sweating even more this time.  The second five minute run was still a killer, but I got through it.  I will probably do Day 3 next Friday.

Have a great weekend everybody!

Year's End!

I am done with work for the year!  Thank goodness!!!

One of the things I am most excited about is being able to come in and workout early and take some group classes.  I'm also looking forward to starting Week 4 of the Couch to 5k program tomorrow.

This was a good week for me in Pilates and with personal training.  I am loving the Glutamine powder I bought.  It sure is helping with recovery.  I'm not even sore after Sarah trained the crap out of me this week.

Today, I bought my first ever Groupon.  It was for 2 weeks of unlimited boxing/kickboxing classes at Title Boxing in Farmington Hills.  The groupon doesn't expire until April, so I will probably use it some time in February or March.  

I'm also thinking about some potential New Year's resolutions.  I am considering possibly doing a 5k every month.  We'll see because that could get pretty expensive since most of them are over $30.  I definitely want to do the Super Bowl 5k since it is here in Novi.   Definitely going to continue training with Sarah for the near distant future.  I want to continue losing weight (duh!).   I want to resume doing yoga at least once a week.   Continue with Spinning/Studio Cycle.  And of course, continue doing Pilates and maybe even bump it up to twice a week.

Couch to 5k, Week 3....DONE!!!

I have officially ended Week 3, Day 3 today.  This week has been difficult, not so much because of the running but because my nasal passages are swollen.  This is pretty common for me during the winter.  My doctor has prescribed something for me, but most insurances don't cover it and it costs $140.  Through trial and error I've discovered that the CVS brand nasal spray that costs $6 works just as well.

So week 3 consisted of a 5 minutes warm up, run 90 second, walk 90 second, run 3 minutes, walk three minutes and repeat once, then a 5 minute minute cool down.  I ran 5.5 mph on the treadmill.  Not too shabby except for the nasal passages issue.

All of this is in preparation for the Commitment Day 5k I am running.   I won't have the program completely finished, but hey I'm trying.  I'm getting really nervous about Week 5 Day 3....20 consecutive minutes of running!!!  Yikes!  I'll probably lower the mph on the treadmill and that should help.

I'm also a little sore from my training session with Sarah on Friday.  I bought some Glutamine to help with my recovery.  I'm going to start using it today and hopefully it helps.

This upcoming week is my last work week for the year!  I am so excited.  It has been a long but great year.  I'm glad to have a break.

Exercise-wise this week, I am training with Sarah on Monday and Wednesday, Pilates with Cassie on Tuesday, and then I'll try and fit in some days for the Couch to 5k program.

Have a good week!

"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.