Never Let You Go Lyrics- Colbie Caillat

This song is on my running playlist. As I've said in previous posts, my biggest motivators are my husband and kids. When I hear this song, it reminds me just how much my husband has been so supportive and how he really is my very best friend. I always find myself pushing harder in my run and breaking limits. I know that's because I can feel the positive energy that I get from my love and family. That might sound corny, but its the God's honest truth!

100 Push-Ups Challenge

Today I'm going to try Jillian Michaels' 100 Push-Up Challenge

I'm going to do 10 push-ups every hour for 10 hours. Sounds pretty easy (but I'm not naive!) so we'll see how it goes. 6 AM, I'll do my first 10. I'll report back either tonight or tomorrow to let everyone know how it went!

Ready, Set, PUSH!

Lululemon Sales!

Thank goodness for sales...otherwise, I'd probably be up to my ears in debt. Well, maybe not, but I do love to shop!

I got
2 pair of cropped running pants
1 sports bra
1 jacket

for about $200. The pants alone usually run just under $100, so I got a deal!!! I'll post pictures soon.

Lead in my feet

I might as well be trying to run with my feet in concrete blocks. Lately, I have zero energy to run. I take that back, I have plenty of energy, but my body is saying, "not one more step!" LOL! Perhaps I'll hang my running shoes up like my friend, Ronnie. I need to take a break, find something new, and challenge myself in a different way. Right now, running just isn't cutting it.

I wonder what the change is though. I enjoy the time alone with my good friends Colbie Calliat, P!nk, Beyonce, Justin Timberlake...ok you get who's on my playlists! When I talked to Blythe, she said that I'm in carb depletion that I don't have the glycogen stored in my muscles and it makes my body burn down quickly. Is that a good thing for right now?

I guess its time to hit the drawing board and come up with a new plan...

Lessons in Running

After dinner this evening I decided that since it was such a gorgeous evening out that I would go for a walk/jog. My kids wanted to tag along and that was a great reminder that I wanted to promote healthy habits in our family. So the three of us geared up and headed out.

My kids sort of ran "around" me while I hiked up the road. The would run ahead, walk around, lag behind, etc. I found it quite humorous at their running style and form. Christian ran as if the wind was going to pick him up and carry him away and Marissa sort of trotted (someday she'll learn to put those daddy-long-legs to good use and I have no doubt she'll be fast!). They would say, "race you to the street sign" or "I'll beat you to that tree!" and off they would go, fist pumping, heads back little "toddler tushies" (can I even call them that anymore????) wiggling away.

The two of them only made it about 1/2 a mile before it was time for them to head back to the house. I watched them go down the street back to our driveway and when I knew they were safe with my husband, I finished my walk. I laughed as I thought about the kids. How I wish I could let go and be free of the heavy thoughts and burdens of the adult world. I would love to just laugh and say, "race you to that tree" and that be the extent of my challenges.

So why not change the attitude? Let all my challenges just be mere races to the next tree. Pump my fist, throw my head back, and trot my way to the finish line. I didn't get just some quality time with my kids tonight...I got a lesson in running and a lesson in life.

Sticking to the plan

I'm working hard on sticking to my plan. I run/lift at least 3-4 times a week and I'm really seeing some progress. My clothes are fitting better. Its a vanity thing. Last year, I got down to a size 0-2, but I bought mostly size 2's because I knew that I couldn't maintain "competition size". Well, the 2's were getting a little tight this year and I refuse to buy a bigger size...that's what got me into trouble years ago! I just kept buying BIGGER.

My nutrition plan has been harder this time around. Since I'm not really trying to lose weight, its harder to maintain and make good choices 80% of the time. I know myself though, its like a snowball...I eat a little cake here, some ice cream there, some chips with queso, add a little pizza, oooh a burger sounds good. Well, maybe not those exact foods, since I'm a foodie, but you get the idea. Currently I'm dreaming of sushi or a spicy crab and asparagus handroll! YUM!

Why do I put myself through the hard training and strict nutrition plans? Honestly, because I feel better about myself when I set goals and stick to them. It might be hard to believe, but I'm a little bit of a control freak and my diet and exercise programs are just about the only thing in life where I find control. Don't worry, no need to call for help, I'm not going to develop some sort of eating disorder and work myself out to a rail...but the exercise helps me feel better and the nutrition plan is really a way of life. I try not to see it as "punishment" but more as "my body deserves good/healthy food to make it my best"!

This past week, I hit it hard and I saw BIG results. My workouts were better, my clothes are a little loose, the scale is moving down (not that I'm obsessing LOL!) and my mood is better; thank you endorphins!

So, all those benefits help me stick to my plan just a little easier.

Silly Girl on Treadmill

I got up early this morning and got my game face on for this morning's workout. I dropped my daughter off at school, guzzled my Jack3d and hit the treadmill. I popped in my earbuds, turned it up LOUD and said, "screw the warm up" and bumped the speed up to a steady pace. As I topped off the second mile, sweat dripping, heart pounding, but not even THINKING about slowing down...I totally fist pumped in the air! I GOT THIS! EASY THREE!!!! I'm sure people thought I was nuts, and if they didn't catch the fist pump, no one could have missed the big ass smile (nearing laughter!) I had as I finished up my last 8 minutes.

Brick Wall...You will NOT defeat me!

Brick Wall

I've hit a brick wall. I have lost the intensity in my workouts and the discipline in my nutrition/diet plan. This weekend was emotionally difficult for me and I found myself in a full on "temper tantrum" with my trainer Blythe. I had a pity party and let me just say it was pretty pathetic. UGH!

I feel like I'm STARVING all the time and my workouts just lack UMMPH. Add that to the fact that I've GAINED 5lbs and now I'm just down right pissed off. I know that a big factor to consider is that I believe I'm going through a hormonal change. Blythe did warn me that women go through a big change around the time they turn 30 years old. I've seen my doctor and I did a full health/blood check to see what's going on with my hormones, thyroid, cholesterol and everything else one could think of. Hopefully, I'll get some answers to help get me out of this funk.

Tomorrow is Monday, and I'm going to do my best to just get my focus back and keep my attitude positive. I've got to come up with a plan! Stay tuned...

I love the Spring

but it doesn't love me. I've been doing a lot of running and of course, as the weather gets warmer, I'm running outside. Today, I feel like my head is going to explode. Also, I find that during long runs, my throat gets very congested and I get a horrible headache and runny nose. This has always been common for me while running, I've Googled the "why", and I get answers such as "bad posture" or "allergens" or "cold weather". No real concrete evidence to make me believe any of it. I've never been good at taking pills/medication. I don't like adding things to my body and system. However, I think I may need to talk to my doctor about this issue so I can enjoy my outdoor excursions. :)

Biggest Losers Finale!

Yesterday was the final day for the Biggest Losers Challenge that I organized. At the end of the competition, there were only 10 out of the original 20 members left in the running. The top losers lost 16%, 15% and then three people tied for 9% loss! I couldnt' believe that the top losers lost approximately 30lbs each! That is amazing! 30lbs in 12 weeks! That's commitment!

We are having a quick challenge (only 4 weeks long) for the month of April and then we'll start another 12 week challenge on May 2nd. Some didn't want to lose their momentum so that's why we're having the quick challenge. Its addicting when you start losing weight and feeling great, and why shouldn't it be!?!?! These people are making HUGE life changes and are taking control of their health and fitness. I could not be more proud of the group. Collectively, we lost almost 200lbs!

So I feel great that I was able to help others and I can see why my trainer Blythe loves her work. Nothing feels better than to see the people you love and care about achieve success!!! GO TEAM!