Running Thoughts

I love how Free Day comes exactly at the right time. I'm ready for it, but it will last me to the next one! So, tomorrow is sugar in my coffee day. MMMM. Today, I'm sort of tired. I waited until just before dinner to do my upper body workout. I did chest flyes, chest press, shoulder press, upward rows, tricep extensions, and tricep dips. I am enjoying how it feels to be healthy and able to do things with my kids. I can't wait to ride bikes together as a family. I had to push my bike last summer. We have lots of hills, and I don't know how to gear up and down appropriately. This year, I plan to get help and learn to do it, but last year, I couldn't have done it just because I was so out of shape. I remember last summer, thinking, "Oh no, not another bike ride!" This summer, I'm excited about it. Now, if hubby can stay in town long enough to do some things together (besides moving!), that will be perfect! Sunday is anniversary number 18 for u...

Yay! My SIL is back online and bloggin'! :) I really did a good job of challenging myself yesterday on bicep curls and hammer curls. I should be sore, but I'm not.... Need new bicep exercises. My tush and legs are sore though. Jumped rope this morning and will do pilates abwork. I have had water, boiled egg, and a non-fat plain latte so far. Boring post....I'll think of something more interesting later! ************************************************************** Did pilates! Still no interesting thoughts have crept into my head....so, here is a picture just for fun!

I did something weird to my back, so I'm only doing 2 B's today. I did lunges and more lunges this morning with Sara. I will do biceps before the day is over. I don't have time for much of a post...I am trying to keep Kaegan's program going (which entails an entire day's worth of activity itself...) and unpack and plan dinner and remember snacks and workout and clean and do some laundry. So, I'll update later. Maybe. Just know that I will have done biceps before bed.

...see Sara's post. Hahaha! Yay that Sara started a fitness blog with us! Now, we have Sarah and Sara! So, seriously, if you want to see what I did today for a workout, just read her post! "copy and paste Sara's workout here" It's been so fun having a workout companion, and I will go into a deeeep depression when you leave, Sara. So, you must keep it up and blog about it for your pathetic friend who will be checking up on you....

I received an order today...some cropped pants in size 4. I held them up and thought, "no way." THEY FIT!! They fit. ahhhh. I'll post again after abs (pilates). Ran 10 uphill sprints this morning. Ate veggie omelet and water and coffee for breakfast, then turkey sandwich for lunch (a few chips...), spinach soup, and water. And, oops, more coffee. But...I do drink much more water every day than necessary. I love water. My brain says, "LIFE!" every time I drink it for some reason. :)

Today, Sara and I did an upper body pilates dvd and then took the kids on a long uphill hike for a picnic. It was longer and "upper" than expected, but today was upper day, after all, upper body, that is. We probably went about 2 miles up and then 2 back down. Then, I did chest press, military press, shoulder press, and upward rows. I let the pilates do it for triceps because I felt those the most and because my triceps seem to be more developed than some other muscle groups. Just as Ruth doesn't want to have only well-defined knees, so I don't want only well-defined triceps... Speaking of nice knees, aren't these knees beautiful? Something to strive for, Ruth....

I've had some trouble posting...in fact, I did post and the post is missing...then it wouldn't let me post, so...to catch you up, I've stayed on track!!! Today was jumping rope at the lake while hubby and kids fished (they caught 5 fish!). then, pilates abwork! Tomorrow is upper body! More after that!

Meatball subs!! Yummy! Tomorrow is jumping rope at the lake while hubby and boys fish.

I guess I'm feeling brave...Here is my "after" pic. That's Banjo, the new puppy in front. I know you can't see it very well...I like that fact...but here it is anyway. Results of my challenge: 1 1/2 sizes down from beginning of this challenge. No significant weight change which means I'm gaining muscle. Upper abdominals peeking through. Legs and arms more "shapely." I have energy and feel great! Still in my list of goals: Keep the lifestyle I've created for myself. Lose about 10 pounds on the scales (don't know how long that will take, actually). Lose the "muffin" around the middle...I'm certain I don't need it. To get to a point where I would dare to post my backview. Ha ha! To inspire my children and others to stay fit! Today was cardio. I jumped rope and did pilates abwork. I'm pooped.

Yesterday, I didn't manage to post my workout. So, here it is: We had our amazing DDR tournament and we did abwork on the balance ball for upper abs and obliques. We also did hip-ups for our lower abs. Today is upper body day and I plan to get to that in about an hour. I'll update later! *********************** It's later!! I did upper body this afternoon and plan to jump rope tomorrow morning! Sweet dreams!

Big thanx to Ruth for celebrating with me! Your post made me smile! A lot. Today, I did frog jumps and bicep curls along with hammer curls. Upped the weight and felt it! I'm about to finish off the day with lower body pilates and the plank (and plank variations) which will get my back as well as abs. Tomorrow, Sara and I have a ddr workout planned for cardio. It should be some belly-laughing fun!

I thought that in celebration of the ending of my challenge 3, I'd post a picture of myself in my size 4 pants that Misty sent me. Yay me!

Today was a cardio/ab day. Sara and I jumped rope which is always a good workout. Now Sara wants a rope like mine. I told you it was an outstanding rope! :) Then, we did pilates abwork. She ordered the Body for Life book today. She found it on ebay for a couple of bucks! There were more copies too. 2 ladies here in our little town have begun BFL too. And the daughter of one of the ladies who lives in another city. Cool, eh?

As opposed to yesterday's river run, today Sarah and I walked along the river. We shucked the mp3 players and enjoyed the sound of the river. So peaceful! Today was an upper body day. I was Sarah's personal trainer (ha ha!). Here is what we did: Chest: press and flyes shoulders: press and upward row triceps: kickbacks and lying extensions Tomorrow is free day! We are planning blueberry muffins. Yum!

I had a great run along the river this morning. Sarah went with me and we sprinted 6 Hiits. It felt great. Then, we did pilates abwork. Yay for the plank! It was fun. It's nice having an exercise buddy! Then we carried heavy items down the stairs...this move will never end! I'm really pooped after all that! But happy!

Today was a gorgeous day! I did lower body pilates and pilates stretch. That felt great. I already feel it. Later in the day, I did declined bicep curls and hammer curls. Then, rows and pullovers for back. Eating was pretty good...a little off, but ok. I'm contemplating my next phase of this series of challenges... For now, here is a list of accomplishments this challenge: I have successfully found a groove and am happy about my fitness lifestyle, not seeing it as a temporary way of life, but just "the new me." I managed to make it to a size 6 before my vacation. I can easily wear some size fours. I like that the two above statements are accompanied by the fact that I haven't lost much scale weight, so I've gained muscle and re-shaped my body. My vacation swimsuit pics are not embarrassing...I'll post some when I can get on that computer. I wore and felt great in a tank top the other day. I played tennis and ran a little on vacation (sea level as oppose...

Upper body workout was good yesterday and so was the eating thing. I'm sore today. :) Good sign. I went to the gym this morning and ran Hiits on the treadmill for the first time in a long time. It was rainy and muddy when I got up. I chatted some with a friend or two, and only ran 5 hiits. I plan to do pilates abwork later today with Sara who is our friend here for the summer. fun! Back to real life after a great get-away! I highly recommend a vacation...

Just got home yesterday...just got on-line to blog, and what happened while I was gone?? Ruth went crazy with her blog in anticipation of HS reunion number 20! It's fun lookin'! I haffta say that when I went to my 20 year reunion, I discovered that I looked better than I thought I did! At least people recognised me. :) Did I break out the jumprope on the beach?? nope. But I did run sprints through the airport :), a few sprints just for fun on the beach and uphill (wasn't even winded), and played tennis twice. Mostly, I lay around and the toughest decisions were, "should I lay on the beach or by the pool?" "Do I prefer to read or do soduko?" "shall I take this hammock or that one?" "Will I have the fish or the steak?" All in all, a definite 10 on the vacation-ometer. Now, I am trying to wrap my head around reality. We still have things to move over from the old house, so the workout of the day was running up the stairs and...

Greetings from Young Island !!

So far, I have done nothing but relax and eat the food (and look good, my hubby says). :) Here are some pictures! Don't worry, when I get back home, I will be back full force, but for now...aaah how nice to relax and forget all schedules and worries. We'll see if I use the jumprope I brought or decide to run on the beach.... Pics: www.odell2007.shutterfly.com