Slow and Low...that is the Tempo

I am so excited again...I have my second personal training session tonight...and last Wednesday's was killer...in fact, on Thursday afternoon, I could barely raise my arms above my shoulders...making it very tricky to hug on Thanksgiving day.

And last night during bootcamp, I noticed muscles in my shoulders that I hadn't seen since 1962. It's nice to notice small changes...but they are in fact slow changes. It is evident to me that my metabolism is older and slower. Weight doesn't just drop off of me....it's amazing how hard I work out and nothing...

My biggest challenge isn't the working out anymore...my husband thinks I am possessed by it....my struggle is still with food. And it's not that I make bad decisions all the time...I do from time to time, but I think it's that I don't make excellent decisions all the time. Sometimes when I know I should eat something...I choose microwave popcorn instead of some almonds and an apple. I find it exhausting to constantly wonder what I am going to eat. Now don't get me wrong...I plan out my cheat meals like it's my job...but other meals...it's very haphazard.

So Excited!

This past weekend, I suckered my hubby to go to an Open House at my little gym I have been going to for classes, D'Lean Choice Fitness. This new place consists of two of my favorite instructors/trainers from Aspen Fitness starting their own gig.

A little plug for D'Lean...if you haven't checked it out, I highly recommend it. The place is so welcoming and lovely. I never feel intimidated, or stupid there...as I sometimes do at Aspen. They only care to help you regardless of your need. And it's really affordable and you can make the classes what you want them to be.

But on Friday night they had an Open House...which really means there were lots of pyramid people trying to sell you stuff...which really isn't my scene...and even more so, not the hubby's either. But what drew me in was the personal training sessions, at buy 1 hour and get 1 free. So I bought 5 sessions and got 5 sessions free. I AM PUMPED! That is 10 personal training sessions...I have my first one on Wednesday of this week, which is perfect since Thanksgiving is on Thursday! Yeah!

Weekly Goals

It's been some time since I last wrote. I haven't fallen off the wagon...but I just haven't had much to write about. But it's Monday and I am feeling like I need to give myself some real goals for the week...so here goes:

• I will write down everything I eat and do this week....including my overall grade of the day.
• I will NOT eat the yogurt covered pretzels in our cafe. I do not know that is exactly in them and I am concerned that the unknown is not helping me.
• If I stop at Starbucks for a fancy coffee...I must order the small size, it's 90 calories for a skinny vanilla latte...but that is only if you get the small size.
• I will go to the gym twice this week to lift...and I will dedicate a solid 30 minutes to lifting.

I have continued to workout, mainly through classes and am loving it. I continue to take classes at work. But have added a couple more classes outside of work at a new gym, D'Lean Fitness. Basically two of my favorite instructors from my local gym branched off into their own business. I have been taking bootcamp at the new place and loving it.

Back Track Weekend

This past weekend, Friday night and Saturday...anything that is bad for your body...I put into my body, including, but not limited to:

• 1/2 bottle of red wine
• tons of red meat
• Quarter Pounder Meal from McDonald's
• Buttercream birthday cake (and no, it wasn't my b-day)
• Chipolte
• A duo of desserts

On Friday night after running 2.5 miles I proceeded to have a wonderful dinner out with the hubby and his work friends. I had steak and the 1/2 wine. I woke up Saturday morning feeling horrible and I mean HORRIBLE. I contacted my best friend whining about the hangover and she suggested greasy food...I continued to whine about how I couldn't even imagine eating anything. But then she was right...as soon as I ate it...I felt 100% better.

So I guess I had my fun...but I will not loose my focus. Plus, I couldn't stand how I felt this weekend. I felt horrible and sluggish. I want no part of that.

Hands Down

A couple days ago I got a personal invitation from friend to come to her pre-garage sale, sale. Her true garage sale was going to be on Friday, but she invites folks over on Thursday night to take a preview. She mentioned bring my hubby along too...and there would be refreshments...

I honestly him hawed around on whether to go or not. I knew I would find stuff I wanted...as when I re-did my master bedroom a year or so ago...I got all of my stuff from my friends shop. But I also knew that I didn't need anything. It was finally my hubby who said...Let's go...

I am not a huge garage sale person...it's mainly another persons junk to me. Don't get me wrong, I like a bargain...but I like my bargains at MJ Maxx with yellow stickers and red stickers at Target.

But this event last night....WAS. NOT. YOUR. TYPICAL. YARD. SALE. It was a lovely party. Sure...I spent $20 on misc items I probably didn't need....except for that adorable antique bracelet....but the atmosphere...was amazing. Just mingling around...drinking a spiced punch...munching on cookies, dips, and various other goodies. A tour of my friends home that makes me want to throw all of my stuff away and let her re-decorate the whole house...And honestly, if the hubby wasn't fresh back at work...I'D DO IT! My friend PM.....is an amazing decorator...hostess...and person. I am so thankful that she thought to invite me...cause if I get another invite...I will be there early...with bells on...because HANDS DOWN...this was the best "sale," I have ever been to!

Not a Record Week

My week has not been the best with my Caborexia plan. And I hate to hinge it on one thing...but I am gonna...I think it all starts with the no class on Monday. I really look to that class to start my week out strong. And this is not to say that I didn't have an egg white omelet at lunch on Monday or that I didn't do that God awful step class on Monday night. I made the adjustments...which is obviously a step in the right direction, but my desire hasn't been there this week. I am definitely not cheating, but I am also not pumped. And I have been pumped for weeks.

Now I am trying to combat this Fitness Funk I am in by going to HIIT Cardio Class today and hopefully not dying (since I haven't really been working out to capacity or intensity this week) and by continuing to pack my lunches. But I tell you what...It's been a hard week to remain focused.

On a continued focused path...I started a food journal again today based on yesterday's realization that I am consuming too much. My goal is to write down what I eat and what I do from a fitness perspective...and maybe....how I am feeling that day.

I think I am eating too much....

As I have mentioned MULTIPLE TIMES...I am watching and kind of keeping up with the ThinIntervention on Bravo. Love the show and am so sad that next week is the end. I honestly do not know what I will do with out my favorite TV person in the world Bryan. I mean, I love him so much (Don't worry hubby...he's gay...and happily married) I would track him down and make him be my friend. Ahh...but I digress....

So I usually check out the cast food journals and blogs after watching the show weekly. This week I really checked out the food journals...because I am so curious what they are eating...and this a sample of one day of eating:

Breakfast:
Shake - 400 calories
Snack:
4oz cottage cheese with gala apple - 180 calories
Lunch:
2 cups Steamed broccoli
4 oz white meat chicken
Snack:
2 tbsp almonds
Dinner:
4oz turkey breast

Based on the daily diet above...I am EATING WAY TOO MUCH! Because i am going to bet that on a daily basis these people are also working out a bit harder than me. Time to re-evalate what I am eating and if I am really hungry when I am eating....

Sometimes Life Gets in the Way

When I am on a program...I am a creature of habit. I like the same breakfast food, same lunch food, and nearly same dinner food. I like to work out at certain times and if something interrupts this plan...I get fidgety, or down right freaked out.

As I have already mentioned...this week my Monday midday class was cancelled...and I had to go to the horrendous step class. Yesterday was my rest day, as I didn't have time to workout due to mentoring and meetings at night. Then there is today...remember how I was mentioning that I was excited to workout at lunch...

Enter the invitation to have lunch with my husband. My husband who is now working full time and doing great. He works long days though...and doesn't usually get home till 6:30ish. This said husband asked if because he was downtown today, could we have lunch together. At first I automatically said "NO." This would mess up my pattern. But the more I thought it about it. He never asks to have lunch...and due to some other commitments we haven't gotten to see each other that much lately, so I said yes.

But then the fidgety part kicked in...I am nervous...about not working out today. Like it is all consuming. Two days of rest are not a good idea...because I am frightened that it will then turn into 3 days of rest. Which is unacceptable.

So my goal is to run tonight...It's a perfect fall day and I have been mentioning and journaling how I need to add more running to my regiment.

Stay Tuned....

Step Aerobics

By way of this blog...you have now noticed that I love to take fitness classes. The reason I do so is varied:

• I get a varied workout
• I am embarrassed to leave class early and forced to do a whole workout because I just others who leave early.
• I like being around the group...misery loves company I guess.

So yesterday my normal work time class was cancelled (which is very upsetting since I love it!) and I wanted to get a workout in. So I went to a 6:30PM Step Class. OMG! Hilarious! Number one, I was so afraid that I wouldn't get a spot I arrived at the gym at 6:10. And then sat there....waiting. I finally make it into class and put my two risers under my bench and look around and everyone has their benches on the ground. At this point I got a little nervous...so much so that I think I tightened my body up...so when we actually started working out, I was stiff and sore. Then my feet started to really hurt and I just wasn't having fun anymore. But the class goes till 8Pm because there is a separate ab part and Lord knows my abs need some work. To make a very painful story short...I didn't get home until 8:15ish because the instructor wouldn't stop talking and the workout was forever long. I was starving when I got home and my stomach hurt. And this was the first time I had seen my husband all day...I am sure he was pumped to see me...ha! ha!

Today is my off day and then tomorrow I have class back at work...whew...and I am so looking forward to it!

Cheats

I am currently reading Jackie Warner's This is Why You are Fat, yeah...I tend to get obsessed with people and I really do enjoy her ThinIntervention show. And I like her approach...eat clean 5 days a week (like work) and cheat two meals over the weekend. This is a totally do-able plan for me. And I had kind of been following it already. But this weekend I had one planned cheat meal and one unplanned. And what I have decided, I don't like unplanned cheat meals unless they are fabulous. My unplanned cheat meal this weekend was at McDonald's. And it was not worth it....I was so hungry that I inhaled it and didn't even enjoy the greasy burger or the crunchy French Fries.

So next week....My cheats will be planned and I will enjoy them!

Angry

This morning I am angry....now it probably doesn't help that my drive into work was long and so slow because of the rain and an accident, or that it is Friday and I am just plain tired. But what I am most angry about it is my health assessment that I took here at work this morning. I am not angry at the numbers...I knew what those would be...except for the fact that they measured me 2 inches shorter than I thought I was...

What I am most angry with is them circling the numbers on my chart and telling me these are not good numbers. No shit Sherlock...this is why I am working my ass off every day. And then the coach after telling me my numbers are horrible and how I am in this range, etc she asks me if I do any kind of physical activity? I was so angry at her condescending tone at this point I didn't want to even respond....Yeah Lady...I have freaking been busting my hump and sometimes working out twice in one day...but I know you don't believe me...so why bother. So instead I said yes, I had been doing several cardio classes a week along with weight training. And this is how she responds," And have you seen in progress?" (while she circles my numbers again.) At this point I wanted to show her my progress with my fist...but I decided just to answer simply yes and get the hell out of dodge. This woman was hurting my confidence in all I have worked for. And there was a part of me that wanted to show her by eating a cheese and bacon breakfast croissant sandwich...but that wouldn't really being showing her would it? So I went ahead and ate my organic cereal and hard boiled eggs. Nurse Wratchet might ruin my morning...but she would not wreck my Caborexia plan!

I have plans to do another Insanity workout at lunch...WISH ME LUCK!

You Smell Amazing

I am actually going to take a break from my normal diet and fitness rant on this post...Instead I would like to discuss the amount of celebrities who have their own perfume line. I mean we are talking Faith Hill, Britney Spears, Christina A, Justin Timberlake, Usher, Kim Kardashian & Paris Hilton(celebrity might be a stretch on this one, but humor me.) I even hear that Jennifer Aniston has her own fragrance line. OMG! There must be serious money in this crap as I am pretty sure that all of these people didn't grow up with dreams of their own scent, just dreams of cents in general!

But what I don't understand is...WHO IS BUYING THIS STUFF? I can't name a person who I know that would....perhaps because they know I would totally judge them on it...and I would! But someone is buying it and making these people richer... And to be perfectly honest, I am scared of this trend.

Wow...I feel so much better getting that off my chest!

Sweating off the Pounds

I wasn't able to workout yesterday and it was a very hard pill for me to swallow. I haven't taken a day off from working out for over a month now. But yesterday I couldn't work out during the day and last night I had dinner out with clients. However, I still made very good choices, as my dinner didn't taste great to me, so I boxed it up and took to my husband, who informed me today I was wrong it tasted GREAT!

I did realize though upon coming home last night that I wasted about 1.25 hours shopping around, etc waiting for my clients. Why didn't I work out? Honestly, it just didn't even enter my mind. I need to be more cognizant of this. I could have done some sort of alternative work out, it doesn't have to be a couple mile run, class, or personal training....it can be a walk, a stair run, etc. I need to think outside of the box!

Today, I had to do a presentation at an annual conference. I wish I could say I wasn't nervous, but I was and I was sweating bullets and I know I had my heart pumping. I am wondering if that helped my plan at all. I was up there for about 1.5 hours too! Yikes! Then I went to my workout class and worked out! And now I am beat!

I am so anxious to weigh myself this Friday.

Not starting fresh...

It is so refreshing to me that it's Monday morning and I am NOT starting fresh...I am continuing my program. This is not to say that I didn't have an amazing cheat day on Saturday with my best friend and a burger with my husband that night. But I worked out both Saturday and Sunday and other than my cheat meals, I stuck to the program. It has been several weeks that I have been able to maintain this trend and I am pretty excited about it.

Yesterday I went to a "party," where weight loss products were sold in a pyramid type scheme. Luckily I walked away from it...but I also walked away with a saying I really liked. And that saying is "Progress, not Perfection." How perfect is that. How often do we get caught up in being perfect and then beat ourselves up when we slip. I am making progress towards my goal...and that is perfection!

Updating

Ok...Happy Friday. I lost 2 pounds this week. I feel like it should be more, but at least it's something, right?

Yoga was interesting yesterday. For some reason when we started, I wanted to cry. Not because I was sad, not because I didn't want to do it...because I was overcome with emotions. How weird is that? But I made it through most of the transitions and only had to rest a couple of times. I did sweat some and overall enjoyed myself.

Then last night I had my total body class at my home gym. I usually share this class with 3 other women. Last night was no different, except I really did feel like the instructor singled me out and certainly not in a bad way, but in a challenging way. And due to this...I am EXTREMELY sore today, but EXTREMELY happy about it.

Tomorrow is going to be my cheat day, I am hopefully meeting my pregnant best friend, who told me this morning, " Who better to cheat with than a pregnant lady." So bring on the bread basket...at least for lunch....

PS-My hair looks awesome in case you were wondering...ha! ha!

Get it Together Kitty Kat!

I have been busy lately. Other than the constant working out...I have had a small football party at my home, an all day charity event, cooking in, instead of eating out, and let's not forget my actual career. So I haven't had the most time as of late. Due to this...my nails are cracked, my hair has little grey lightning bolts protruding out of it, my body is exhausted, and my skin...well it could use some TLC.

Enter...this weekend....

Starting tonight (Thursday), I am getting my hair cut and colored.

Friday night I will do my own nails, as for the most part, I do a better job than most professionals.

Saturday I am having a facial at my favorite little secret shop, CO Bigelow. I am especially pumped about Saturday, as I am going to make it my cheat day and enjoy a long leisure lunch at Nordstrom prior to my facial.

Sunday I am having a massage.

By Monday...I am hoping to have a whole new lease on life.

Also...on the fitness program that I am so strictly adhering to. My normal HIIT cardio is cancelled for today, so today, I am attempting Yoga. I am admittedly not a fan of yoga. I have the hardest time keeping my attention going in a class that moves so slow. But, I understand this crap is good for me, so I am going to give it a try. Also, I am currently reading Eat, Pray, Love (Yeah...yeah...I know it's been out for years and there is now a movie, but I am taking it slow.) and she seems to think Yoga is amazing and I am liking this Elizabeth Gilbert person, so I'll give it a shot. I mean the last true Yoga classes I took were the hot ones, Bikram Yoga. AND. I. HATED. THEM. The whole studio smelled of won ton soup and it was hotter than balls in there. So compared to that, this should be a dream.

I need these people in my life...

I like to watch a lot of reality TV like most of America and I have decided that I need these people in my real life:
* Jackie Warner: So she can keep my fit and monitor all I eat. Plus the woman is an inspiration to look at...muscles everywhere!
* Brad G from the Rachel Zoe Project: He is sweet and sassy at the same time and frankly every woman needs a strong Gay man's influence in her life.
* Bethany Frannkel: She would make a good substitute for when Brad is out of town styling people because she would tell you like it is. Plus I feel like I owe her a thank you for introducing me to my favorite phrase, "Holy Shit Balls."
* Kathy Griffin: To make me laugh, oh to make me laugh until pee myself.


Yep...that's right...all the reality TV that I watch...it's on Bravo...I might have a real problem on my hand people...a real big problem....bravo Leslie...way to go...

Personal Training

I had one of the best fitness classes last night. It was cold and raining out, but I forced myself to go to kickboxing class at my local gym...and take my boxing gloves. But it seems, I was the only one that forced themselves to go. So I was the only one there, with the instructor. And unlike when I used to teach, she didn't even ask me if I still wanted to do class, she just started it up. I did all kinds of punches and kicks...working up a MASSIVE sweat, which was impressive considering the gym was cold. It was like my own personal training session. AWESOME!

Then when I got home, my awesome husband had prepared dinner. And last night we tried a whole wheat pasta...which wasn't too shabby! Watch out!

Fall is Here

Fall is no longer just in the air, it's here. This weekend was cool and rainy....a typical October weekend here in Ohio. I have continued on my Caborexia plan. I had my one cheat night on Friday night, which turned out to be a disaster and not so much a cheat night, but sometimes that is how the cookie crumbles, right?

Saturday we had some folks over for the OU vs Texas game and served healthy style Amy burgers with high fiber buns...no one complained!

Sunday was a fundraiser day and actually ate breakfast before I went AND packed my lunch to eat while everyone else ate Wendy's.

I also worked out both days. I am very anxious to see my results this Friday morning.

Also this week: My new challenge, YOGA...I am taking a class on Thursday and anxious to see if I sweat, am sore, or enjoy it in the least....

I will update that I am no longer fighting the urge to stop and eat out places...this is a weird change of events, but I am loving it. Last night after I ran 3 miles at the gym, I was starving. Weeks ago I would have so swung through the McDonalds drive thru for either a Happy Meal or a Quarter Pounder Meal. Last night, I hankered for neither. I simply went home and had a mini-pizza on a high fiber tortilla with turkey pepperoni. I am taking this as a very good sign.

"That was just the warm up?"

I attempted to do one of the INSANITY dvd's at lunch today with several people from work....During the first part of the workout when I was dying and my feet were bothering me...one of the ladies yelled, "OMG...that was just the warm up!" It was so very interesting and so very cardio filled. But I have to be honest, we started on the second level...and I can comfortably say...I should have started on LEVEL 1!