Shred - Day 3

Shred - Day 3 = Not so bad!

Last night was day 3 of The Shred video.  It actually wasn't quite so bad.  I got a few more big girl push-ups in this time.  The shoulder presses weren't so bad.  Those front raises are still tough.  There's a few moves where I think I'll move up to 8lb weights to get a bit more of a work out.

Has anyone else noticed that on the front lunges Natalie stops lunging for a few times and only does the bicep curls?  I thought I noticed it on Day 2 then I watched for it last night.  Kind of funny. :)

I'm starting to think I might switch to level 2 a bit earlier than the 10 days.  Some of you have said you're feeling quite sore and so far the only place I'm really feeling it is in my shoulders, and it's barely noticeable.  I am however feeling a little "tighter" already .. but it may just be wishful thinking.  I've vowed to stay OFF the scale until Sep 10th for the next measurement/weight day.  That's really tough for me.

Running

I also got a good 70 minutes of running done during soccer practice last night.  It felt great!  I had 2 little stops to talk to some people, but otherwise I just zoned out and ran. 

Food

So far September is proving to be pretty good.  I've been right on target with points, eating a little extra for the exercise.  However, I'm running out of fresh veggies and need to hit up the stand today.


Just a short post today.  Lots to get done and little time to do it in.  Also this being the last weekend before the kids go back to school I have some extra stuff to get done.  Hope everyone has a great day!!

Shred - Day 2

Shred - Day 2 = Uninterrupted Success    YAY!!!

Hmmmm, Day 2 seemed easier.  Maybe it's because I didn't run BEFORE shredding this time.  That would make sense ... DUH!  Still drenched in sweat, still muttering during certain moves (push-ups, squats with presses, and mostly during those side lunge front raise things ... grunt).  But I managed to do the whole first set and two-thirds of the 2nd set of push-ups in big-girl position before dropping to my knees.  My next mini-goal is to do both sets all the way up.

I'm surprised how excited I get before I do the video.  I'm literally SKIPPING down the hallway.  Though I'm sure that won't last - hahhaa.  It's just like I feel that I'm doing something big and positive and I can't wait for the results.

Running

I had a group run planned for today but after I got home from work I just wasn't into driving all the way back into town again.  It sure would be convenient if their run time was a little closer to my after work time.  I'd have to waste about 2 hours in town waiting to avoid the extra drive.  It's a good 20 min drive each way and with my fuel tank on the lower side (as well as my bank account) I figured I could just run from home tonight.

But .... as plans will go, that didn't happen.  After I did the shred, I made dinner, cleaned up, and then I was just done.  I was in bed just after 9:00.  I never go to bed that early.  Good thing I did because we got an INSANE rain storm last night, seriously I thought the house was going to float away.  It kept me up for a good hour or so in the middle of the night. 

Here's the new recipe I made last night.....

BLACK BEAN SOUP

• 1 teaspoon oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 5 small-medium carrots, sliced
• 3 stalks celery, diced
• 2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 4 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon lime juice
• 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth (not condensed)
• 1 can corn
• 3 cans black beans, rinsed & drained
• 1 can stewed tomatoes
• pepper, to taste 
• 1 handful of cilantro, chopped fine
• hot sauce - optional

1. Saute onion, garlic, carrot & celery in oil for about 5 minutes until onion is softened.  Add ground cumin and chili powder, stir through. 
2. Add lime juice, broth, 1 can ONLY black beans, corn, and pepper.  Stir and bring to a low boil.
3. Puree remaining two cans of black beans and tomatoes.  Add to pot, stir.  Cover and simmer 10-15 minutes until carrots are tender.  Add hot sauce if desired.

Makes 16 cups

Nutrition per cup:   114 calories, 0.8g fat, 4.8g fibre

Shred - Day 1

First off, awww you guys are sweet!

First day of Shred = success!!

My day was a bit crazy yesterday. I had work all day, had to pick up rent cheques from my tenants, had the farrier come to trim the horses feet, had to make dinner early, my son had soccer practice and somewhere in there I also squeezed in a 35 min run (during practice) and the shred at about 9:00. But I did it!

Got into an argument with my husband about it though. With everything going on, I didn't get going on the shred until almost 9:00. I was half way through when my son's soccer coach called me to discuss something. When I was just about done the call, my husband came in the room and crawled into bed (my DVD player is in my bedroom). My daughter had already come in the room twice to giggle at me, saying I looked funny. All I needed at that point was my husband to laugh at me, or to bring up the fact how annoyingly cheesy Jillian is (think she's great, but she's pretty cheesy in this video). So I asked him to leave for a few minutes so I could finish up. He thought I was joking and laughed. Then I begged him to leave ... he covered his head with the blanket and said he'd hide. But I still begged him to leave - well maybe beyond beg ... I may have begun to demand and get downright annoying.

So he up and left, and I finished the video. When I came out he'd settled himself on the couch with a blanket and a pillow and he wasn't too happy with me. He thought I was being ridiculous.

Anyhow, we worked it out and he came back. But he thinks that if I feel so silly doing the video then maybe I shouldn't be doing it. He doesn't understand why I'd feel so uncomfortable with "him" watching me. Which is true, he's my husband I shouldn't feel insecure.

Really I need to aim get it done earlier in the day anyway. Yesterday was a bit more hectic than normal.

As for the Shred ...... WOW, it's a bit tougher than I remember. Well, some moves anyway. Some things were super, duper easy and I feel I need more of a challenge, but others one's (weaker areas such as shoulders) left me wanting to "phone it in" hahhahaa. I can tell that it won't be long before I'm muting the TV and putting on some background music (like others have suggested).

I'm also SUPER excited about something I found out yesterday. My son is going to be having one of his weekly soccer practices at a facility that has a running track and a wicked grandstand with lots of stairs to run. YAY!!!! Is it sick that I find that exciting???? That means that I will have at least 90 minutes per week where I have no excuse to not get an awesome, grueling workout - with no where else that I have to be. Most parents drop their kids off and either go shopping or go home, or some sit in their car and read a book, while their kids practice. I like to take that time as an opportunity to get in a workout. Plus, I like to peek in on what they're doing from time to time. WOOHOOOO, this is going to be great.

Where they practiced last year I still got out, but I had to go for about 1/2 mile down a very dark road in a pretty bad area of town in order to get to an area that I could feel safe again. I did it, but I always felt nervous. Now I won't have to worry about that. Lots of lights, lots of people, and a ton of stairs. I love it!!!

Moment of Truth

Today kicks of the 30 Day Shred Challenge which includes all that wonderful starting information.

I took all my pictures and measurements this morning. Got them all ready to go ... then made the fatal mistake of checking out some of the other challengers blogs before I posted.

It's true, there was a small debate going on within my mind as to whether or not I should actually post the information. Insecurity is a tough thing and comparing yourself to others is plain brutal.

But ... I'm sucking it up because I know that putting myself out there will make me stronger. If I don't put it out there then it's that much easier to back out.

30 Day Shred - Beginning Photos & Stats

Weight - 148.0

Measurements

Chest - 38"

Waist - 33.75" (at bellybutton) - 30.75 (at narrowest)

Hips - 38"

Thigh - 22" (at widest - left thigh)

Arm - 12.25" (at widest - just under armpit)

GOALS

♥ Be 144 or less. I know many of you have goals to lose alot more than that, but this works for me

♥ Reduce measurements, specifically Chest & Waist.

♥ Shred or Fitness class every day

♥ Run minimum 3-4 times/week

♥ Track my food EVERY SINGLE DAY

Bye Bye August....

Tomorrow is the kick-off to Syl's 30 day Shred Challenge. I'll admit I'm a bit scared and not yet fully believing that I can pull it off. I'm going to need fellow challengers, and any other wonderful, supportive bloggers, friends & family to help me to stick to my plan.

In the morning I will post my beginning picture & measurements. Then in 10 days (per Syl's "instructions") I will take them again.

I'm adding a list on my blog of my weekly "plan". Mostly it will be the shred and as much running as I can. My son starts back with soccer this week so I'm going to have a couple nights per week where I will get out for a run while he's at practice.

I've been contemplating how much things have changed with my running. When I first started, running was soley for the purpose to assist my weight loss. Now, running is it's own animal. I love it, I crave it, I can't imagine life without it. I finally believe I AM a runner! Before running was just something I did to lose weight, now it's something I do because I enjoy it.

I'll end with a little poster I made myself to reflect some thoughts I've been having lately (maybe to come in a future blog ... or not....)

Hmmm, not appreciated?

I don't know how many of you have discovered Operation Beautiful. I came across it at some point and found it very intruiging. I think it's a great message and the whole concept is just neat.


Yesterday I decided to take a step and posted the following in the communal bathroom in my office building:

This was fairly late in the afternoon (maybe 2:00ish). I'm guessing we have at the very most a dozen women in this building.

So upon arriving to work this morning I ventured into the loo and found that someone had taken it down. Huh??!! It was fairly small, and off to the side of the mirror so it wouldn't be in anyone's way.

Just makes me wonder why someone would take it down. Strange!

Yesterday I had to take my son to the orthodontist for his regular check-up (all is good Auntie I - just the wire was loose, not the tooth) and afterwards we ventured over to the mall to get some school clothes for the kids.

While there we met up with my mother-in-law and decided to have a little drink and a snack. I had an All Bran bar in my purse just because I knew this was going to happen, but instead I succumbed - grrrrr! Actually it wasn't too terrible. I had a bowl of steamed rice, but it was a BIG bowl. I'm guessing maybe two cups of lovely, sticky white rice. Mmmm!

Not nutritious, but it did fill me up and it became dinner. I did have a small fruit smoothie at home later.

My sister-in-law is in town and she came into my room to get me out of bed to go for a walk this morning - heehee. I literally rolled out of bed (as in a front roll off the edge of my bed ... call me Grace). Probably a good thing to go, it was actually nice to get out and walk. I rarely walk anymore and it was nice to take it down a notch.

I still plan to do a run tonight. I crave them now!!

Running Room Disappointment and Landscaping Pics

Last night I met up with a couple ladies to do a running room session (these are the free drop ins you can do). Hmmmm, how was it???? Well, in certain aspects it was awesome, others not so much.

Two weeks ago we went, ran with a 7K group, and it was pretty good. However, this time, the new sessions have started so they are all at the beginning of their training and not running as far. We had planned to run with the 10K group this time, however they were only running 4K last night and we wanted to go further.

So we opted to join in with the half marathon group. The plan was to run about a total of 9-10K which included 7 hill runs.

We start off and first thing we notice is that this leader doesn't do any sort of walking warm-up. She started off jogging right away. OK, a little different from us, but she did jog quite slow (which she did the whole time, so it wasn't just slower to start). We asked her about it after and it seems she doesn't really believe in warm-ups, especially in warmer weather. She said the 'elite' runners don't typically warm up. I'm having a hard time believing that.

About 5 min into the run my friend and I are itching to get going, but the leader is still jogging along slowly. So we pull ahead a bit, but we don't know the way so we have to keep her in sight. We get to a light and one group of runners crosses the street and goes off. We wait for our leader to catch up, and suddenly it's just my friends and I that are left in the group. The rest of our group followed the other group. Hmmm!

The idea behind joining this group was to meet new runners, get inspired, maybe get some tips. I love the ladies I run with, but this wasn't really the idea. So we found our hill then ran it 7 times (the leader only ran it 4 times). It was a good workout, but I wasn't impressed. She cheered us on and was super nice, but I wanted more. Yes, I know it's a free drop in, but I'm using this to judge if I actually want to join a clinic.

We got talking to her about how to become a clinic leader and I personally wasn't super impressed with the procedure. To me it doesn't seem like you need a whole lot to lead a clinic and there's minial "training" involved. I'm not sure I'm willing to pay for just anybody to give me advice, I want to know that they truly know how to teach. I'm very on the fence. I should mention too that the leader we had is the manager of the store...

Anyhow, I had a really good pre-run meal of rye toast with peanut butter & jam and a nectarine. I had no stomach issues and felt energetic. Then after my run, even though I didn't feel like eating, I had a ham sandwich on rye.



Here's a few eats from the last couple days. On the left is my beloved Red River Cereal mixed with some dried cranberries. And on the right is a Samosa that my manager brought me. His friend's wife made it and he knows I love them. I'm actually kind of proud of myself. I didn't eat it right away because I'd packed my lunch. I ate it as part of my dinner AND I only ate the inside part - not the fried outside. Mmmm, so good!



Also, we finally got some pics from the landscaping job my husband and son have been working on. This is why I never see them! They have completely done ALL the landscaping on this property including site services, digging the pond, placing the rocks, landscape design and the paving stone work. I don't know why this collage comes out so small. :( You can click on them to see them bigger.

This is just the front of the house. I don't have pics with me of the back.

Here's a little stone pathway around the side of the house. And one of the front lawn.

This is a paving stone install that my husband designed on the island in the middle of the pond. It's a compass, and where it points north there is an 'N' worked into the tiles. He created the design completely on his own and cuts all the stones. There is more paving stone work from the parking area and back deck, but that will have to come another day. I lvoe the 'furball' tree in the middle pic.

So I leave with a couple questions for runners ....

* Do you believe a warm-up is essential? If so, should it be a walk or do you think a light jog is OK?

* How do you feel about stopping during a run? Do you feel it's OK to walk, or does that make you cramp up? Do you feel it's OK to stop completely to rest?

* If you're running on the road and you come to a light, do you stop or jog in place?