Surfer Girl

Since I promised to try and make my workouts fun I decided that surfing today would be the best way to mix in some fun with a great cardio / arm workout. I am definitely getting the hang of this surfing thing!

A few tips I've picked up on that I wish I knew the first dozen times I tried surfing:

When you are trying to get up, from your stomach to your feet DO NOT put any weight on your knees, you've got to lunge one leg forward and then just stand up, if you put any weight on your knees it's a done deal!!

Also, put your hands flat in front of your face, palms down like you're doing a pushup. Do not hold on to the sides, that just makes your weight get all shifty up front and you'll fall!

So those are my little pointers. They've worked for me anyway!

Between all of the swimming, pushups, and lunges I definitely feel like I got a great workout today and had a blast at the same time! The accountant in me was curious about how many calories I burned surfing for an hour today (I know, the numbers again)! I found this little tool to come in quite handy - a Fitness Calculator! Love this tool, I'm using it all the time now! I wonder how many calories I burned laying on the beach tanning the rest of the afternoon?? And yes I did use my spf 45!

Work it Girl

Have you done this workout? I remember doing this when I was like 8 years old! It's funny how much has changed, and yet so much still the same!!



And check out that outfit! I think I'm going to go buy one and start wearing it to the gym...I'm bringin' sexy back!



I used to love fitness video's. I used to have a whole collection of them and do them all the time. That, of course, was before I was married and I used to do the video's on Friday night while I was waiting for my then boyfriend to call, it was a great way to spend my time. I used to get so much pleasure out of a good workout and now I feel that I've gotten to focused on a number: number on the scale, number of my jean size, number of calories, number of minutes of cardio...SO many numbers! It has definitely taken the fun out of it. Which is terrible! In order to have a healthly balanced life physical fitness is so important, and since it's so important you've got to make it fun and enjoyable, or the pressure mounts until eventually you give up!

I now resolve to make my workouts fun. That's #1. Maybe I'll try to buy that 1980's Jane Fonda workout!!! Leotard included!!

Another Day

I've lost track of the days. Which is too bad, but everday counts.

Today's Workout:

3x20 Walking Lunges

3x20 Walking Squats

3x20 Walking Side Lunges

2 mile run on the treadmill

150 crunches

30 push-ups

Stretching

All of that in one hour. I've started using my office gym during my lunch break. It breaks up the day really well!

Meal Guide

Here's my new meal plan/guide. I was really surprised that I wasn't eating enough, I guess I had never really thought about it. Monday-Friday I have always skipped breakfast -BAD - so trying to force myself to take a quick five minutes for some oatmeal has been kind of a challenge. I do love it though. I find that by lunch time I'm not starving, and I do have more energy in the morning now too.

TOTAL CALORIES PER DAY: 1280

_1280__ x .35 = ___448___ ( Total # of calories of Protein per day)

_1280__ x .50 = ___640__ ( Total # of calories of Carbohydrates per day)

_1280_ x .15 = ___192___ ( Total # of calories of Fat per day)

Total # of calories of Protein per day_448__ / 4 (1g of Protein = 4 calories) =
Total # of Grams of Protein per day__112_
Total # of calories of Carbohydrates per day_640_ / 4 (1g of CHO = 4 calories) =
Total # of Grams of Carbohydrates per day__160__
Total # of Grams of Fiber per day__50__
Total # of calories of Fat per day__360__ / 9 (1g of Protein = 9 calories) =
Total # of Grams of Fat per day__21__

MEAL PLANNING
Divide the total # grams of “Protein, CHO, and Fat”
evenly into 5 meals throughout the day

Per Meal Nutrient Breakdown
__23__ grams of Protein per meal
__32_ grams of Carbohydrate per meal
___4_ grams of Fat per meal
__10_ grams of Fiber per meal

Calorie Counting

Yes, I am that person. I have started counting calories! I was working out a lot, and just not really seeing the results I had expected. So I was talking to my trainer about it, and listing what I was eating. And belive it or not, but my trainer actually said that it sounded like I wasn't eating enough! She's also a nutritionist and an amazing athlete who wouldn't let anyone she's working with start starving themselves to lose weight.

She suggested I actually write everything down to make sure I'm getting enough calories. If you are working out a lot, and not eating enough, your body goes into a starvation mode and starts burning muscle instead of fat because it's easier. I really felt like I was eating enough, I never felt hungry, so I thought everything was good.

My trainer suggested I shoot for about 1,200 calories a day. I thought for sure I was eating that much, if not more. So I started writing down everything, and measuring everything for two weeks. And I was absolutely shocked to find that on most days I was eating less that 1,000 calories. And that most of the calories I was getting was from carb's - bad! I have noticed I'm not getting enough protein in my diet, or enough fruits and vegetables.

I can't wait to take it to my trainer today and get a well-balanced healthy diet that will allow me to start burning fat when I workout instead of storing it!

Day 88

I'm feeling so great these days and feel incomplete if I don't get my workout in.


Today's Workout
1 Mile Run to the gym
4 sets of Squats, heels together for 20 and heels apart for 20
2 sets of pull ups, arms wide for 20 and arms close for 20
2 sets of tricep press
Leg adductor and abductor
1 Mile Run home

May - Day 67 - 87

May has been a crazy busy month for me. Even though I've been on vacation the whole time. My sister came to vists the first week of the month and we had a blast together. We didn't get to work out, but oh well.

Other than that I've worked out everyday and met with my trainer twice a week. I'm getting stronger and loving it. I also quit the eliptical for awhile. I was starting to feel like nothing was happening the more I did it. I would do it for 45 minutes to an hour and never feel any change. So I quit the eliptical and have started running for my cardio. I run a few miles everyday and also do a weight training circuit I learned from my trainer. I've been sticking to a low calorie diet and I'm loving that too. I am noticing now that I've been eating less that I'm just not as hungry. I still can eat whatever I want but now I just pay much closer attention to the portion size.

I bought a really cute new bikini and love the way it fits. I think I'll be in my jeans by the end of June!

Day Sixty-Six

Another great workout with my trainer. We did more power sets. The workouts I'm doing now are so different than anything I've ever done. Instead of just your typical squats and lunges she incorporates upper body moves to go along with every lower body move. It's like a total body workout, and I love it. It's such an amazing feel to work out every area equally. I went 45 minutes early to get some extra cardio in. I'm used to only getting my heart rate up by doing cardio, but doing these power sets and incorporating lower/upper body workouts at the same time really gets my heart rate up. Having a trainer is worth every penny!

Day Sixty-Five

I am still pretty sore from my workout on Saturday, but I know I need to get out and do something to loosen up my muscles. I went for a three mile walk outside. It was gorgeous weather, and my legs feel a ton better now.

Day Sixty-Four

I am so sore today! Every muscle in my body is hurting! But it's a good kind of hurt, if there is such a thing. I love knowing that I have just woken up my muscles and now they know it's time to get back to work! Today James and I took the dogs running and swimming on the beach, we went to a protected little cove, I was worried because my little dogs look just like little baby seals when they're out swimming and we have sharks or a shark in the area right now. So there is a reef by our house and when the tide is low it completely protects the area, that's where we took the dogs. The rest of the day we just relaxed laying on the beach soaking up the sun.

Day Sixty-Three

I had the most amazing workout of my life today! And I owe it all to my new trainer. She is amazing. I can already tell she is going to get me whipped into shape. I went in a little before my appointment to get my cardio out of the way so I could have the whole hour to workout with her. It was amazing to have someone right there to push me when I didn't think I could do any more, to make sure I didn't quit. Everything we did today was something I had never done before and I can already feel it in my muscles. It was such a great workout. I'm going to meet with her twice a week until I reach my fitness goal. We sat down and talked about what my goals are and how to reach them. I also learned that watching your weight on the scale isn't that important, you should be more concerned with your mody mass index. So I went out and bought a scale that measure that, so I can keep track at home too. After my workout and my trip to Target to buy a new scale I was famished! I rode my bike down to this cute health foods cafe by our house and got lunch for James and me. Then we went to the beach and climbed the infamous staircase. I barely made it to the top!

Day Sixty-Two

Just a quick workout today. The usual - eliptical and some weights. I finally scheduled my appointment with my personal trainer. I am so excited about it! I need someone to push me to that next level, and help me get out of my workout routine that has kind of gotten boring. I sware I have gym A.D.D. I get into a routine and then get bored of it, and that is when I typically quit going. So having the trainer will be awesome!

Day Sixty-One

My workout last night was pretty good, by the time I finished my 45 minutes of cardio my poor little feet were throbbing. But today they seem much better. No pain no gain! I have scheduled some appointments with a personal trainer starting next week and I am really looking forward to that. I need the extra motivation! Tonight will probably just be the typical routine. Eliptical for 45 minutes plus some stretching, weights and abs. I have decided as soon as my feet are all better I am going to start running again. I have noticed that when I run the pounds just fall off like magic. I have clocked the distances from my house that I want to start doing every night, or in the morning before work. I'll start that next week.

Day 60

I broke my toe and it has made working out practically impossible. I haven't been able to wear many of my shoes and even walking hurts so running has been out of the question. So I bought a new leather pair of flip flops so I would have something that looked nice to wear out over the weekend. We decided to walk to dinner on Saturday, it wasn't far and the weather was great. But on the way home my feet really started to hurt where the straps were rubbing on the tops of my feet. Once we got home I took my shoes off and I have these huge open bleeding sores where the leather rubbbed away what would have been big water blisters. And they hurt so bad. My poor feet, so now I have a broken toe and huge sores on the top of both feet. I can feel myself just getting fat, and am really starting to worry that even my fat jeans won't fit me now. So I'm puttting some fresh bandages on my feet and I am working out tonight. I will atleast do some weightlifting and ab work if my feet hurt too bad in my gym shoes.

Back on the wagon

Tax season is officially over in one more day. Tonight I went and commited myself to getting back on the wagon. The workout wagon! Not in full force, I only went for 45 minutes, but I got my cardio in, and from now on I'll have some more time and energy to really get in it, and get back into those jeans. I was feeling brave and tried them on the other day. It was funny, they go on, and I guess technically speeking, they fit. But they still don't fit like they used to. So I'm still working towards that. I have also made a great new friend who is also trying to get in her skinny jeans, and that helps a ton. We compare workout notes and remind each other to go workout everyday. It's been very helpful!

Day Fifty-Nine

Another crazy day of working from 6:30 am till 7:30 pm and then going to the gym. It definitely makes for a long day, but it's worth it. Today I was a little sore from my workout yesterday, especially my stomach. I never realized you use your stomach muscles when you're using a whole-puncher!

Today's Workout:

45 Minutes on Eliptical

6 x 15 Squats w/ 40 lbs

4 x 15 Lunges, two sets per leg

60 Push-Ups w/ leg extension

100 Crunches

40 Oblique Curls

Day Fifty-Eight

Today I worked from 6:30 am til 7:30 pm. I had to absolutely force myself to go to the gym after work tonight. And of course, at the end I was glad I went.

I was totally scared to weigh myself but I had to know how much I had gained back by slacking off for over a week. And to my surprise I hadn't gained a single pound. I hadn't lost any, but atleast I hadn't gained it all back. Which is what I was expected, afterall I did eat a whole bunch of birthday cake last week!!

For my weightlifting tonight I decided to go for burnout. I did pretty light weights but did the reps until I couldn't do any more, then rest and do it again. So I don't know how many reps I did exactly. It's bikini weather already so I'm doing tons of extra ab workouts.

Today's Workout:

45 Minutes on Eliptical

Squats w/ 40 lbs

Calf Raises w/ 40 lbs

Chest Press w/ 30 lbs

200 Crunches

100 Modified Bicycle

100 Oblique Curls w/ 5 lbs

25 Push Ups

Stretching

Hopefully all the crunches will pay off!

Day Fifty-Seven

Today we took the dogs for a walk on the beach and let them go swimming. Then it got kind of cold and windy so I went to the gym. I decided to add a little to my workout and ride my bike to the gym. It's exactly one mile to the gym from my house.

Today's Workout:

1 Hour on the Eliptical

2 Miles on my bike

3 x 15 squats

3 x 15 calf raises

3 x 15 chest press

100 crunches

50 lower ab - modified bicycle

25 pushups

Stretching

I felt really good after my workout. And it was fun to ride my bike too. I didn't weigh myself today because I'm pretty sure I've gained back like five of the ten pounds I had lost. So sad! I just need to keep going and be more dedicated and I'll be back on track!

Day Fifty-Six

Today was so nice out and still sunny at 6:30 when I got home. I decided to just hurry, change my clothes and go running. So I ran about three miles in 24 minutes. And I'm so glad I did! Followed by 100 crunches and 20 push ups.

Day Fifty-Five

Oh how time flies. I can't believe it's the first day of Spring already! You know what that means, summer is right around the corner! Time to really kick it up a notch, I just need it to be April 15 so my life can get back to normal. It is quite a challenge to work 60 hours a week, prepare healthy dinners every night, keep a clean house, workout 5 days a week, try to squeeze in a shower (or two!), grocery shop, do the laundry, pay bills, and maintain any level of sanity! I'm about to loose it! I'm just completely worn out. One more month, I keep telling myself that. One more month. I have to force myself to go to the gym now. I do feel better after my workout, but all I can think about at the gym is everything else that I should be doing. It's impossible to do everything and having to pick out what I can do is very hard. It's like I can be successful at work and look good, while my housekeeping falls apart and relationships suffer, or I can be a good homemaker but gain 20 pounds and my work suffers. Where's the balance? I am at my breaking point. I don't know how much longer I can keep up like this. A month...feels like forever. And to make matters worse I am an emotional eater, don't know when that started but it's true. When I'm stressed I want food, don't care what kind or how much. And I'm exhausted which means more coffee and soda which means more sugar. I am basically going to the gym right now to maintain my weight which totally sucks. And since my workouts are typically much shorter than they were a month ago not much improvement is happening as far as toning and definition goes. Which makes working out discouraging because nothing is happening. So I get stressed about that, it's a sick cycle.

Day Fifty-Four

Lunch-Break Workout:

45 minutes on eliptical

100 crunches

20 pushups

Stretching

Not much, but better than nothing!

Day Fifty-Three

Where does the time go? I can't believe it's been a week already and I haven't worked out at all. I feel terrible about it. I was doing so good and I totally fell off the wagon. I have no excuse, well, actually I have tons of excuses; working a lot, I'm tired, I needed to clean house, want some kind of social life, nothing to wear, ipod is dead, I could go on. Time to reset the priorities, again! And today is going to be a rough workout, since I haven't gone in a week. Or did I, I may have gone Monday night, either way, it's been a long time! The good news is it's St. Patricks day, so hopefully the gym will be empty!

Day Forty-Five

I am kind of sore today after surfing all day yesterday. But now I know what muscles I need to work on at the gym this week!

Today's Workout:

3 Mile run on the beach

Stairs

Day Forty-Four

Today's workout was my favorite of all time! We spent the whole afternoon surfing. It is such an amazing workout, it looks so easy that you just don't realize how hard it really is. The waves are still very big so just swimming out past the breakers is a serious workout. By the time I get out there my arms are burning and I can definitely feel my heart rate going up. The reason today was my favorite workout is because when we got out past the breakers, we (me, James and our friend Ryan) were all sitting on our boards talking and an entire school of dolphins came swimming by! They were so close! Like 10-20 feet away! It was absolutely the most amazing this I've ever seen. They were pretty big, and all gray. After surfing for about an hour I noticed another school of dolphins swimming by. This school was even closer and all black, so close if I had been off my board I probably could have touched them. Just an amazing day! I decided that we need to get a waterproof digital camera for our surfing pictures and so we can hopefully get some of the dolphins we see too.

This is exactly what it looked like when we saw the dolphins, so close! I can't wait to go out again!

Day Forty-Three

Lunch break workout.

45 Mins. on Eliptical
30 pushups
100 crunches
stretching
back to work

rushed!

Day Forty-Two

I love my new gym. I love that each piece of cardio equipment has a little tv on it. It is so nice to be able to catch up on my favorite shows and work out at the same time. It definitely makes the time fly by and it's a lot better than listening to the same crap on my ipod over and over. I need some new music, but it's so hard to find good stuf, especially something you can work out to. So tonight I did my cardio and watched one of my favorite shows ever 'What Not To Wear'. I love that show!! It's shorts weather here already so I did weight training on my legs tonight. And sit ups. No arms today.

Today's Workout

1 hour Eliptical

4x15 Hamstring Curl (30lbs)

4x15 Leg Extension (30lbs)

4x15 Squats (45lbs)

100 Bosu situps

Day Forty-One

Today I went to the gym during my lunch break. Last week when I would show up around 6:30 after work the place was just packed, and we all know if I go home after work I just can't make myself leave again to back. So I'm trying something new, I'm going at lunch for an hour and then working a little bit later at night, and if I'm up for it around 7 I'll try going back for an hour.

Today's Workout:
45 Minutes Eliptical

3/15 Chest Press

3x15 Tricep Extensions

3x15 Hamstring curls w/ 15lb weights

I decided to check in at the scale, I guess I was in a good mood or something. But I'm pretty stoked because I've lost 10 pounds!!

Day Forty

Today was one of those perfect So. Cal days. Sunny and 70's. I went for a short run on the beach this morning and then to the gym after laying out and reading for a few hours.

Today's Workout

30 minutes Running

45 minutes Eliptical

Day Thirty-Nine

Today's Workout

1 hour Eliptical

3x15 Chest Press

3x15 Tricep Pushups

100 crunches

Day Thirty-Eight

Today I went straight to the gym after work. I got there just after 6:30 and the place was packed! The only piece of cardio equipment that was available was the bike. I haven't used the bike in a long time. I don't really feel that I get a real cardio workout on the bike because there is no upper body movement. But it was a good workout for my legs.

Today's Workout:

45 minutes on the bike

100 crunches

Day Thirty-Seven

So I basically skipped an entire week because of a stupid head cold. Saturday was the first day I felt back to normal, and I probably could have worked out yesterday but I thought one day of rest after being sick was probably a better idea. Since I've been working so much it was nice to just stay home all day! And I'm not counting those days on my days of progress, they were definitely days of regression and I should start my day numbering at like 32 instead of 37, but oh well! So This week, I'm going to shoot for the same goals I made last week but couldn't do.

New week. The goals for this week are as follows:
200 Minutes of Cardio (atleast 40 minutes for five days)
1000 Crunches (200 per day)
Three Days of Arm and Back toning
Two days of Leg toning

Today's Workout:

1 hour eliptical

200 crunches

Arm and Back toning

Day Thirty-Six

Still feeling a touch of a cold today. I made my favorite cocktail last night and it worked wonders. I need to come up with a cute name for my drink! I am feeling a little bit better, but not sure if two hours at the gym is the smart thing to do. So I'm having cocktail hour (my pink grapefruit airborne and alka seltzer night time cold) again tonight and going to bed. My cardio will just have to wait! And until then it's plenty of fluids and rest!

Day Thirty-Five

I went home at lunch today and packed my gym bag so I could go straight to the gym after work. I've been looking forward to my hour on the eliptical all day. At about 2:00ish I sneezed, and sneezed again, and aaa aaaaa aachooooo, again! And the chills ran down my spine! I can feel the beginnings of a cold coming on. And almost instantly, the back of my throat hurts, my nose is stuffy, I'm sneezing, and my skin hurts. Definitely the signs of a cold! So I am laying low tonight, my packed gym bag will have to save itself for another day! I can not be getting sick right now, so plenty of fluids and rest for today, and possible tomorrow. Speaking of fluids....

Tonight I'm making my favorite cold cocktail and going to bed. Here's what I put in my cocktail, now I am NOT a doctor and I don't play one on the internet, and I'm pretty sure a Dr. probably wouldn't recommend my cocktail, but I'm telling you it works wonders! One of these practically guarantees you won't get sick, and if you take it for two days, all better! Ok, so I take one pink grapefruit flavored airborne tablet, mix with 4 onces of water, and also add one alka seltzer night time cold packet (2 of the plop plop fiz fiz tablets), mix it up, drink it down, go to bed! Those alka-seltzer night time cold tablets knock me out and I sleep so good, and the airborne works hard all night to fight off the virus.

So that will be my workout for today, mix it up, drink it down!

Day Thirty-Four

New week. The goals for this week are as follows:

200 Minutes of Cardio (atleast 40 minutes for five days)

1000 Crunches (200 per day)

Three Days of Arm and Back toning

Two days of Leg toning

Today I started out my morning by doing my first set of 100 crunches. I ran three miles in 30 minutes. I like the pace of a ten minute mile, back when I was racing I averaged about a seven minute mile. I would like to get back to that pace and have the endurance to run 10k's and half marathons. Maybe that will be my next goal after getting back into my super hot skinny jeans! I also ran the stairs by the house three times. About 600 stairs (up & down). Total I had my 40 minutes of cardio. I also did some pushups and another set of crunches.

Today's Workout:

40 minutes of cardio - 3 mile run and stairs

200 crunches

3 x 10 pushups

Day Thirty-Three

Increasing my work hours by 20 hours and increasing my cardio 80 minutes in the same week was not so smart. It is really tough to go from working 35-40 hours a week to 56 right off the bat, and increasing cardio from 120 minutes to 200 made it even harder. So this week I did meet my work requirement (which is obviously more important) but I did not meet my cardio goal. I got 140 minutes of cardio, one whole hour short. I had planned to work from 6:30am to 11am, go to the gym for two hours and then get ready for a matinee with a friend at 3:00. (Yes, I have made my first new friend!!!) But it didn't happen like that. I worked from 6:30 until 1:00, I didn't shower before work because I had planned to go the gym. So I had to go home and get ready for my movie, go to my movie (we saw Juno, so cute!!) When I got home from my movie, my super sweet hubby wanted to hang out with me so bad since I've been working like crazy and not been home much. So I skipped the gym entirely. Next week I'm restructing my day and going to the gym directly after work so I make sure to get it in before I go home to relax.

Day Thirty-Two

I decided to take my gym bag to work with me today. I'm working longer hours, so if I go home after work, with every intention of changing clothes and going to the gym, it sometimes doesn't happen. I get home, see my cute hubby and my cute doggies, and it makes it very hard to leave again. So after work I went straight to the gym. Best idea! I'm going to have to do that every day to make sure I get my workout in. In order to get my 200 minutes of cardio every week I have to do roughly 30 EVERYDAY! I have not done that this week. So today and tomorrow I have to do 60 minutes of cardio to meet my goal.

I am starting to be able to tell a real difference though. My jeans are fitting looser (so are my bras, I feel like the lady in the slimquick commercial!!) and I definitely have more energy and endurance. It is pretty rigorous right now, working so much and trying to get in atleast an hour at the gym every night. I know it will be worth it, just got to stick with it!

Today's Workout:

1 Hour on Eliptical

3 x 15 Chest Press

3 x 15 Tricep Extensions

100 crunches (I know I'm supposed to do 200!!)

Day Thirty-One

Happy Valentine's Day!

Did I workout today - no way!

Instead I had a huge cheese stuffed pasta dinner with really buttery garlic bread and it was so good. I forgot how good cheese and butter taste!! Tomorrow I'm back on the hard-boiled egg whites. But I definitely enjoyed our night out!,

Day Thirty

No exercise today. I hate that I skipped my workout, but I'm exhausted!

Day Twenty-Nine

It is February, and I've been working out for almost one month. Since I'm now basically on month two I need to increase everything. I found this helpful article and have decided to increase the cardio to 120 minutes per week and I'm going to try a few of the exercises they recommend in the article as well. The double ball push up looks great, as does the pass crunch. I'm also going to start doing atleast 200 crunches a day. One set of 100 in the morning and another set of 100 before bed, and any additional at the gym. Yesterday I did a set of 50 for the upper ab and another set of 50 for the lower ab on the bosu. That was a great ab workout, especially for the lower hard to reach abs.

I got this in an email and thought it was soo funny!! And I think it totally fits in with this little blog.

Day Twenty-Eight

This is were some major commitment will come into play! My tax season hours went into effect starting this week. Which means I have to work 56 hours per week until April 15, so it will be very challenging to go to the gym or running before or after work everyday. If I can manage the 100+ minutes of cardio every week, plus two or three days of weight training I'll be ok.

Today's Workout:

45 Minutes on Eliptical

Arms

Abs

Day Twenty-Seven

Such a great day to be outside!

Today's Workout:
3 1/2 Mile Run
20 Pushups

Day Twenty-Six

Running with Denver today. The tide was high so James took Packer and I took Denver on their leash on the street. That was bad! Our two dogs have never really been leash trained. They've been hunting dogs, so they are trained to sniff out everything, run in the bushes to scare out birds. Whenever we take them running it's always someplace we can just let them go, like in the foothills or on the beach when the tide is out. So on the leash today was pretty frustrated for both myself and poor Denver. He would just run right in front of me, so I would end up tripping, and he wants to stop and smell EVERYTHING! My three mile run took about 45 minutes becuase we kept stopping. Denver definitely got more benefit from our workout.

It was so nice today that we went surfing in the afternoon. Great arm workout again. I'm getting the feel of it, and think the next time we go out I'll be able to get all the way up and actually ride the wave!

Today's Workout:

3 Mile Run/Walk

1 Hour surfing/swimming

Day Twenty-Five

Friday! Our visitors left so now I have no excuse. The weather is amazing, it will be 70 and sunny when I get off work. A run on the beach is in order! Since I completely slacked off and ate like the guys do I'll need to hit the stairs a few times too.

Today's Workout:
3 Mile Run
Stairs - 4 x
45 push ups
100 crunches

Day Twenty-Four

Another play day. Tomorrow I'm back on the working out routine. Summer is getting close, I can feel it!

Day Twenty-Three

We had our first visitor today, so I skipped my workout. We did all go for a walk on the beach, although we went pretty slow, meandering really, so I don't think I burned any calories. And of course being a good hostess, I had to bake dessert right! So I know I definitely put more in than I put out today!

Day Twenty-Two

It is so beautiful outside today! I think I'll go for a run on the beach this afternoon.

Today's workout:
3 Mile Run
100 crunches
45 pushups
Squats & lunges just for fun!

Day Twenty-One

Total Slacker! I'll make up for it tomorrow.

Day Twenty

So glad I went running and surfing outdoors yesterday. It is pouring rain and so windy today. I guess it's a good day for just chillin at home watching football. Today will be my day off for this week.

Day Nineteen

Today was a beautiful day. I took my dogs running on the beach this afternoon at low tide. After running and playing with them I was totally energized. So I went and pulled James off the couch and we got ready to go surfing. The waves were pretty big looking but it was so nice out and we both need a lot of experience. Surfing was awesome, or it will be awesome. I didn't get up, I tried a couple times, but the waves were so big they completely bowled me over. Talk about a workout! Swimming through those waves is tough! My arms were on fire! We surfed for about an hour, non stop swimming the entire time. When I got in the shower to rinse the salt and sand off I could hardly shampoo my hair since my arms were so sore! I definitely got a feel for what arm muscles I need to start working on! It was really hard work. But the waves were huge, so once the waves are a little smaller it will be easier, and I'll probably be able to get up!

Day Eighteen

Tough day at the office today. When I got home I was spent. I probably should have gone to the gym and ran off some frustration, but oh well!

Day Seventeen

Today I took a day off from the gym. Instead I took my dogs running and swimming on the beach. We played catch for about an hour and had a good run up our stairs. Those stairs are a killer! No real workout for today, but atleast I got to be outside and active!

Superbowl - not super fat

The Superbowl is this Sunday! And I am hosting our Superbowl Party! Of course I want to have lots of great food without all the fat and calories. I've come so far and can't start slipping now! So I have put together a great menu of healthy versions of the game day food we've grown to love. My very favorite fatty fake is the Vegetarian Taquito! The first time I made these I didn't tell my husband what they were made with to see if he'd like them. After he had had about a half dozen I told him the ingrediants, and he loves them still. They are a game day staple now!

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Vegetarian Taquitos
Corn Tortillas
1 can low sodium chicken broth
1 can Veggie Hash
1 can diced green chili’s or jalapenos
Fat free shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat the oven to 350

Prepare the taquito mix
Mix the can of veggie hash with the green chili’s and/or jalapeno’s depending on how spicy you like your food. The veggie hash is a little more difficult to find, so go to your local health food store. I use both to make them have more flavor, the veggie hash is very bland, so spice it up!

Pour about ½ the can of low sodium chicken broth into a frying pan and bring to a dull boil.

Place one corn tortilla into the boiling chicken broth and let sit for about three seconds on both sides. Place the tortilla on a paper towel, spoon a little bit of the mix down the middle, top with fat free cheddar cheese and roll. Place on a non stick cookie sheet. (use a light coat of Pam or something like that to help). Continue the process until the cookie sheet is full.

Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes or until the tortillas are nice and crispy!

Great for dipping in salsa and hot sauce. Don’t over indulge and use sour cream!!

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Another great option for the guacamole mix you buy in the store is just make it your self!

3-4 ripe avacados
2-3 ripe limes
2 ripe tomatoes, diced
½ onion diced finely
A few sprigs of cilantro, diced

Scoop out the avocado and mash together, add the lime juice, tomatoes, onion, and cilantro to your liking. This makes a great guacamole, it’s not as creamy as it is when you add sour cream, but tastes just as good with less fat and calories. Enjoy with baked tortilla chips, or taquitos!

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Instead of a huge meat and cheese tray try fresh fruit and vegetables with healthier versions of your favorite dips. Use plain yogurt to replace sour cream in your ranch dip. Also try a reduced calorie strawberry yogurt to dip your fruit in.

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Another great substitue for chips and dips is hummus and pita bread.

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Everyone loves hot wings! So try baking breaded chicken tenders. make your own honey mustard, or a low calorie bbq sauce for dipping.

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Instead of having lots of sugary sodas, be a real athlete and have Gatorade and bottled water!

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I'm really looking forward to our Superbowl Party! With all of these healthy alternatives it will be easy to enjoy the game, the commercials, the guests, and the food with out any calorie guilt!

We are lucky enough to be able to walk down and play a game of touch football on the beach at halftime. But even if you're not at the beach try doing something active during half time. That way if there is another costume malfuction you won't have to see it!

Enjoy your Superbowl!

Go 49ers!!! - oh wait, they aren't playing, are they?

Day Sixteen

Last night's class totally kicked my butt! So many lunges and squats, with weights! I was a sweaty sore mess, and too worn out to do anything after the class was over. I'm going to go back to the standard workout tonight. Since I've already accomplished my 100 minutes of cardio, anything I do from now on this week is bonus.

Today's Workout:

Cardio -

30-45 minutes on Eliptical

Legs -

Squats and lunges with 10lb weights

Arms -

Bicep curls and tricep extensions with 10lb weights

Keep on keepin' on!

Day Fifteen

The classes last night were so much fun. I did kind of feel like an idiot at first, I haven't been to a group fitness class in a long time, but it all came back very fast. It was nice to get some variety in too.

The first class was the cario dance. It was an amazing workout, sweating like crazy! But so fun that the hour just flew by. Then I stayed for the energizer core class, which focuses entirely on abs and lower back. Needless to say, it hurts to laugh today!

Today's Workout:

1 hour Cardio Muscle
A class designed to challenge participants both aerobically and anaerobically with an integration of low/mid impact conditioning and high intensity muscular work. Tools could include any of the following: steps, BOSUs, dumbbells, weighted bars, resistance tubing, medicine balls and more.

Followed by....maybe another day of energizer core, but maybe not. I might do some arm strength training instead. We'll see!

Another thing I'm trying, Madonna swares by it, is drink more water. It is a little hard, sitting at a desk doesn't really make me very thirsty! So I will definitely have to make an effort to drink much more than I'm used to.

I weighed myself last night for the first time in over a year,
and I feel the same so I was hoping the experience would go something like this:

However, it ended up more like this:

I realize I am more than a number, but feel like I have a lot of work ahead of me!

keep running.....

Day Fourteen

I hate saying stuff like this, but I am feeling my age lately. It used to be so easy to tone up and shed a few pounds. But now it takes longer and it makes me sore. I still enjoy that sore feeling, it makes me know that what I'm doing is working, or starting to work. I've grown too comfortable on the eliptical, I think. I need to start mixing it up, use some different muslces. Plus I need to start doing something a little more social, try to make nice to some other people at my gym. So tonight I'm going to go to a few classes. I'm feeling pretty excited/nervous but I think it will be a good time, and a great workout.

Today's Workout:

1 Hour Cardio Dance

Designed for those who enjoy a cardio workout using various forms of dance movement, including hip-hop, salsa, belly dancing, tribal and jazz...extremely user friendly, even for a non-dancer. Easy to follow, but challenges the body with non-stop rhythmic patterns for a great cardio effect! Perfect for all levels of fitness and dance experience.

Followed by

30 Mins. Engerizer Core

Effective abdominal workout using concentrated muscular resistance exercises to target the entire abdominal region. Energizers are 30 minute bursts of pure and efficient movement designed to accommodate the member on the go.

Perfect!

Day Thirteen

Ok, after two days of complete slacking I finally made it back to the gym.

Today's Workout:
50 Minutes on Eliptical
Arms:
-double hammer
-chest press
-bench press
-tricep extensions
Abs:
-situps
-ab roller
-side bends

It's nearly been two weeks and no change in sight. I'm going to have to up the ante.

Day Twelve

Total slacker! Again, nothing.

Day Eleven

I didn't do anything today. Too busy. Bad excuse.

Day Ten

Another gym workout tonight. Last night was good, so I'll just repeat that. I don't like to repeat very often but every now and then it's ok.

Today's Workout:
30 Minutes on Eliptical
Arms
- 3 x 10 alternate hammer
- 3 x 10 tricep extensions
- 3 x 10 chest press
Legs
- Squats and Lunges (everyone's favorite!)
Abs
6 sets of 16 plus 4 - crunchies
4 x 15 on ab roller

Day Nine

I read an article on shape.com, it was a workout plan to get ready for bikini season. The goal for the first month of the plan is to spend 100 minutes a week doing cardio. I've already done 80 minutes this week, so I guess I'm just going to go above and beyond this particular article. That's the best way to get results. Tonight the workout has to be at the gym. It's a little stormy today.

Today's Workout:
30 Minutes on Eliptical
Arms
- 3 x 10 alternate hammer
- 3 x 10 tricep extensions
- 3 x 10 chest press
Legs
- Squats and Lunges (everyone's favorite!)

Abs

6 sets of 16 plus 4 - crunchies

4 x 15 on ab roller

Day Eight

For some reason I was extra tired after work today. I came home and plopped myself on my couch and turned on the tv. Just as I was feeling comfy I get two wet noses in my face. Both of my dogs are just staring at me with a look of aniticipation. It's like they knew it was early, warm, and the tide was out, perfect conditions for running on the beach. And they were right too! So off we went to run on the beach. We ran just under three miles, and were able to catch a magnificent sunset at the same time. The only downside, or bonus of running on the beach is once we get back to our beach we have to run up about 100 stairs, our house is up on the cliff. So when you're legs are already a little fatigue to get to run stairs. And that alone is a good workout! Once we got home I did some stretching and push-ups. My chest is still a little sore from the gym on Sunday. I meant to do sit-ups but forgot. Twice as many tomorrow!

Today's Workout:

3 Mile Run

Run the stairs

3 x 10 Push-ups

Stretch

Day Seven

Today was my day off to rest. When we moved my hubby made me leave so much stuff at our house in Boise, like our bbq. I use the bbq like 5-6 times a week to make dinner, and since we haven't had one we've been eating out instead. Which not only has it been adding up $$$$$$ but the extra calories have not been helping me in any way! So tonight I decided it was time we went and got a bbq. I made the best bbq chicken salad you've ever had! I am loving my new bbq and I'm actually glad we left our old one behind because our new one is SOOOO much better! So tomorrow I will just have to hit the gym twice as hard!

Day Six

Today I took my dogs running on the beach with me. We took their decoys with us and I would throw them out into the ocean so the dogs got a little swimming in too! After the Chargers game was over the Packers game started and even though I had already worked out I knew I couldn't handle another fours hours of football. So I went to the gym. I forgot to mention I fixed my ipod! So to the gym for 30 minutes on this new thing. It's like a treadmill/eliptical/stairstepper all in one. It was a good workout for my booty! I did some chest/arm wieght lifting, and ab crunches on another new ab thing. You use your body wieght and pull your legs up on a roller, it's a good workout too! So I killed about an hour at the gym, better than sitting on my butt watching tv!

Today's Workout:

2 Mile Run

30 Minute Eliptical

2 x 10 Chest Press

2 x 10 Bicep Curls

2 x 10 Bench Press

4 x 15 Ab Roller

Day Five

I knew I was going to have a busy day today so I woke up early and went for a quick two mile run along the beach. So beautiful! James had to run downtown to check on his job for about an hour and I was excited to go with him to see where he's been working lately. He has the most beautiful job site I've ever been to. The resturaunt is right on the beach with a patio on the roof so you can see the whole beach. We took a walk down the boardwalk in Pacific Beach so I could see everything, and while we were walking I looked out at the ocean and there were about four dolphins just swimming along. It was so amazing! They were so close to the beach and paid no attention to any of the surfers or swimmers.

Today's Workout:

2 Mile Run

1/2 Mile Walk

Day Four

Today I had to go to CPE downtown and spent an hour and a half in my car on my commute home. I am so lucky that most days it takes ten minutes to get to/from work. By the time I got home it was completely dark, I missed the sunset :( I knew I had to do something so I went to the gym.

What is the worst thing that could possibly happen during the middle of your cardio at the gym? Your ipod dies! And that is exactly what happened to me! I was enjoying my 45 minutes on the eliptical when my ipod just completely froze up! I was devastated! My gym is pretty high-tech, so each piece of cardio equipment has a flatscreen tv attached complete with cable tv. I thought I'll just plug my earbuds in and watch some tv while I finish. But of course, I choose the only piece of equipment with a broken tv! It was pretty boring finishing out my 20 minutes with nothing to read, listen to, or watch. But I did it, I couldn't possibly bring myself to workout any longer without my ipod. I guess I didn't realize how much I depend on that little thing. So 45 minutes was all I got, but under the circumstances, I'm good!

Today's Workout:

45 Long Boring Minutes on the Eliptical w/ a broken ipod

Day Three

I read somewhere that the second day is the easiest day for any kind of new resolution, because by then it's usually over! And I am feeling that today. It used to be much easier to work out because in high school and even in college I always had a group of people to work out with and help keep the motivation high. I've always had at least one friend who was always ready to do something. And now that I am relying on myself and my little blog it is much more difficult. But I am going to keep up with it until it begins to feel normal and becomes part of my daily routine. I haven't decided what the nightly activity will be, whether it's the gym or a run on the beach, but there will be something!

Day Two

I am feeling it in my calves today! Running up two hills, and the stairs was a good workout! The scenery is so beautiful that running is actually kind of enjoyable! Sunset will be about 5:20 today, and I will still be at work. So tonight I am going to my new gym for the first time. No time for a new playlist, shuffle will have to do.

Today's Workout

45 mins. Eliptical

20 mins. Arms

-bicep curl

-tricep extension

-butterfly

-lateral raise

-bench press

100 sit ups

stretch

Day One

Today's Workout Playlist:
Staying Alive - Bee Gees
Heartbreaker - Will.i.am
Find A New Way - Young Love
Release - Timbaland
Take You There - Sean Kingston
Stronger - Kanye West
I Don't Wanna Be In Love - Good Charlotte
Now That You Got It - Gwen Stefani
Potential Breakup Song - Aly and AJ (a little teeny bopper, but it gets me going!)
He Said She Said - Asley Tisdale
How Far We've Come - Matchbox 20
Get It Shawty - Lloyd
Where's Your Head At - Basement Jaxx
The Way I Are - Timbaland
White Light - Gorillaz
The Queen and I - Gym Class Hereos
Oh Timbaland - Timbaland
1 hour

Today's Workout
The weather couldn't be better today, so a 3 mile run outside along the beach at sunset. Followed by 15 minutes of running stairs, combined to make my 45 minutes of cardio. Push-ups next, three sets of 20. One set wide arms, one set arms in close, one set camel style. 100 ab crunches - six sets of 16 plus 4. A nice easy stretch to wrap it up.

Ready, Get Set, Go!

I have to thank a childhood friend for this blog. I am pretty much stealing the idea from her. She started a blog about her training for her first triathlon, and while I am not training for a triathlon I have been having some trouble staying motivated to work out, I have no one to be accountable to except myself. I happen to be married to a guy who can eat whatever, whenever, in large quantities, and never gain an ounce. He doesn't have to go the gym to stay in shape, and I like hanging out with him so much that I am going to the gym less and less.

But now that I have been inspiried by my friend Kelly, it's on!

I am starting my daily workout journal, and since I'm posting it online I feel like I'm more accountable and have to follow through. I have recently moved to the healthy capital of the world too! So that should help with the motivation!

I am going to track my progress and add helpful hints and articles about fitness and healthy living. I have a very favorite pair of jeans, and they looked really amazing on me about two summers ago. They still fit, but don't look quite the way they used to. So for now, the goal will be to look amazing in my skinny jeans again. And when that happens I'll make a new goal.
So- ready, get set, go!