Must Throw Out The PB!

To be exact, it's Dark Chocolate Dreams. It keeps me up at night that's how good it is. It's like crack and it's going in the garbage. I think that's why I'm not losing weight...but dayum it's delish!

Consistency is King

Wow, what a difference a little consistency makes! I have always known that from my running, but I'm really finding out with the strength training that the more consistent I am, the easier and better it gets!

I'm loving the Fantastic Four training. I'm done with my second week and I can already tell that I'm getting stronger! Hooray! Hopefully my lunch lady arms will be gone my summer (or at least labor day!!). My cardio has always been good, but I'm also seeing the difference a HRM makes! I took a spin class this morning and made sure I was reaching my zones, made for a much more consistent ride! I wasn't all over the place trying to guess where I should be.

I'm also really happy to report that my food has been pretty good (was going to say consistent but thought that may be overkill :) ) No breads and very little sugar. lots of salads, veggies, yogurt and protein. I did have a Ralph's Ice, but I'm staying away from now on! I also made salmon cakes for the first time, used a mix of oats and oatbran in place of the breadcrumbs - not too bad, but they could have used a little more seasoning. I'm trying to eat all my midweek meals at home, so I'll be trying some new and interesting things in the next few weeks.

Now I just need to get my run on! Depending on the weather I may go out for a run tonight, if not I have a few runs planned for the weekend - a trail run and a prediction run put on by one of the local running shops.

Back On The Wagon!

Killer workout with the "daddy's" (umm....I mean trainers) again this morning. I'm really working my ass off, which I hope help keeps my ass off.....or in my case my huge gut. I HAVE to get my food in order, which is happening RIGHTNOW!!! I'm not going to excel if I don't really buckle down in the food department.

This weekend was pretty interesting, I'm involved with service in young people's AA, which is amazing, but at times a ton of work. We were up in Burlington for EACYPAA 8 which I'm on the advisory council for. Not a lot of time for fun, sleeping or eating well, but I managed to get a short gym workout in - 2 mile run with some quick arm's thrown in for good measure. (note to self - next year pack all my own healthy food...no more crap!)

I was planing in a big run sun morning, but it was really crappy out, so I slept in, which to be honest was probably the best thing for me considering my body desperately needed sleep....and veggies. Before we headed back home we went over to Healthy Living Market - which is sort of like a whole foods. Had an amazing salad then took off for home.

Ok, so onto my goals/schedule for the week:
Mon: Workout done, tap class tonight
Tue: Not sure, most likely a run after work
Weds: Fantastic Four session
Thurs:Pump and Jump class, run
Fri: Strength training
Weekend....Running!!!!!

Fantastic Four

My gym is so great, not only do they have killer classes, cleanliness and overall greatness going for them they also run these really cool contests for members (at a fee of course!).

This spring season is the Fantastic Four - Fit 4 Summer Challenge! Basically a million groups of four compete against each other for the next 8 weeks. Each team meets with a trainer twice a week for an hour session, follows a diet plan and tries to rock it on their own for a chance to win prizes and the "title" at the end. I was skeptical to join past challenges, but was won over by all of the success stories I saw so I decided to give it a go this time around.

So far I've had 2 sessions, both were great. We are doing a strength/cardio circuit that is absolutely killer - think weights, followed by squats, followed by push ups, followed up by....you get the picture! The diet part I'm struggling with a bit - it's not foreign to me, they basically want you to cut out sugar/flour/wheat which is something I did for months, but am reluctant to follow again - I felt too restricted and by the end I was hungry for all the "bad" stuff I couldn't eat. Even though I felt good while on it, once I went off I was a mess (think 10lb gain over the course of a few months). I'm really trying to watch my food and eliminate the sugar. I've cut back, with the goal of no processed sugar by next week.

I'm really excited to see how I progress over the next 8 weeks, the motivation is not only the health/weight loss benefits, but I'm cheap and this is expensive!! :)

Training so far this week:
Mon - Half hour with trainer
Tue - Abs/arms class
Weds - Hour with trainer
Thurs - not sure - maybe spin after work
Fri - Off, heading to Burlington VT for a conference which leaves my weekend workouts looking spotty, hoping to get a run in Sat. morning.

Basterds!

I didn't get in....so annoying, Plus (and I'm sure I shouldn't say this) I have a connection at NYRR. Oh well, next year I have guaranteed entry.

Side note - sorry for the delay on this post, bloggy land was not working for me yesterday. Couldn't get in to write a post!

The Mother of all Marathons....Countdown to Lottery Drawing

Today is the official NYRR lottery day! At 12:00 I will find out of I will run my first ever marathon in the motherland (NYC). I'm crossing my fingers and toes in anticipation. If I don't get in this year, I'm guaranteed next year...but still...I want in like BAD!!

Goals!

So I'm proud to say that I hit all my workout goals for the weekend:
Fri: 20 mile bike
Sat: hot yoga class
Sun: 8 mile run
Monday: arms and abs at the gym (half hour)

Yay for goals!

I'm always talking about my workout commitment issues, but am FINALLY doing something about it! I'm really motivated, and want to keep motivated so I joined this training thing at my gym which starts next week, have some awesome new running partners and am going to stick to a plan for at least 30 days - with no interruptions (to the best of my ability).

This week is looking like:
Today: workout done, dance class tonight
Tue: 3 or 4 mile run, yoga
Weds: 20 mile bike
Thurs: Off
Fri: Run/yoga
Sat: yoga/weights - nothing too heavy
Sun: 10 miler!!!!

Thursday is the New Friday

I am so overjoyed that today is my last day of work for the week. I love me a 3 day weekend...plus it's absolutely beautiful out! Mid 60's..woohoooo!!

Lots of great stuff planned for this weekend. I'm going for a ride tomorrow with my favorite riding partner EVER. We have a flat 25 miler planned, I may also add a quick 1 mile run immediately following - I have to start getting my legs used to transitioning. I'm planning on a Mother's Day Du and would like to actually train for this one (although I did place 3rd in my AG last time :) ) Sat I'm taking a hot yoga class (free!) at a new studio that opened not too far from me. Then Sun I'm running the trail (planning on 7 miles). Lot's of great stuff happening!

I've been pretty active this week, ran twice, spin class. I'm taking today off, I couldn't get my butt out of bed this morning and I'm having my parents over for dinner. I also got a new HR monitor for the gym. I hate not knowing where I am with my workouts, and I have a feeling I am under-training.

Food has been so, so. I ate a slice of pizza which is an absolute no food for me. I'm back on track today, so it's all good!