March Messes

Riddle me this: why is it that the moment I get into a routine something- be it holidays, travel, or injuries- happens? It really is a frustrating cycle. I’m not whining— but perhaps I am justifying my own slacker mentality…? This week’s excuse: Mardi Gras. Yoga was canceled and Mardi Gras balls (complete with unhealthy food and sugary/girlie drinks) have sabotaged my fitness routine. Today the holiday known as “Fat Tuesday” is official over. Just in time too: spin class tonight! I haven’ worked out since Saturday and, yes, I am ashamed. We bought a scale yesterday and I discovered firsthand how body weight fluctuates: my weight this morning was 3 lbs less than it was last night. Now that I have a scale in my house, I think it will be easier to track my progress. This weekend I am going out of town, but I have a yoga class scheduled there and am bringing my running shoes!

 

The Good, the Bad, and the Hopeful

Well, readers, the last eight days have had their good and their bad. Here’s the breakdown:

                         ~THE GOOD~
I have been working out almost every day and enjoying it immensely. This week, for example, I went to a kickboxing class on Monday night; a yoga class on Tuesday evening; and an intense cycling class last night. Today was a rest day, though I don’t feel like I rested because I was on my feet all day and I am so sore from the last few days.

                         ~THE BAD ~
I’ve been so cheerful about myself that I have let my “diet” slip a little bit. My meals have been healthy, but my snacks could be better. Today, for example, I had a good snack of carrots and peanut butter, but then cheated with a couple half-dollar sized “Famous Amos” chocolate chip cookies.

                         ~THE HOPEFUL~
In the next few weeks, I hope to run more (I can go about 2 1/2 miles if I really try) and eat LESS SUGAR. I hurt all over right now, but- as my muscles get used to the strain- I imagine I will be able to handle the kickboxing/yoga/cycling/abs/run/run schedule with Sundays as a rest day. Think I can manage that?

January Slump and Battleplan

Due to bad weather, my yoga class was cancelled and the gym is closed. Great. I tried running at home but only made it half a mile. I need to find a cardio class I can get involved in. I am also kinda interested in starting with weights.

I realized something this week that I knew before but never fully acknowledged: fitness is not a fix; it is not temporary; it is a lifestyle and it is forever. Even if I meet my goal weight and look fantastic, I will have to keep working to maintain it. This is why I can’t just push myself alone at the gym. I need classes.

Tuesday night yoga classes are great, but that yoga is more for flexibility and wellness rather than working out. I found out my gym offers free fitness classes, so here is what I am going to try next week…

First, in the mornings I will practice yoga and run through my personal ab routine at home. Then workout in the evenings by this schedule:

Monday: Zumba class
Tuesday: Yoga class
Wednesday: Cycling class
Thursday: Zumba
Friday: 5K run
Saturday: Jillian Michaels DVD
Sunday: Random/free day

This should keep me motivated and active. It gives me cardio at least 4 days a week, abs at least 5 days a week, and will improve my running by increasing my stamina and having me run a weekly 5k.

I’m excited to start!

Cycling and Smoothies

This morning I completed my first ever cycling class. The bicycle seat needs a cushion, but other than that it was fabulous! The teacher was fun and the music inspirational, but the actual workout– despite kicking my tail and leaving me dripping sweat– was enjoyable! I will most definitely be doing that again. I stopped by the grocery store on the way home all gym nasty (given the choice, I prefer showering at home rather than in a locker room) I bet the other shoppers appreciated my smell. I bought my first container of whey protein (popular in most of the smoothie recipes I’ve seen) and went home for lunch. Here’s what I made:

  The recipe is somewhat made up, somewhat what I remembered from a protein-less smoothie I made the other day. In any case, it was delicious. New Years Eve “Italian food” party tomorrow so I can’t feel too good about my heath, but today was great and it is not even over.