And we're back!

I just finished doing No More Trouble Zones, and I feel GREAT! I think taking 2 days off was perfect. I'm glad I listened to my Athletic Trainer :) And I sure do love the stim! I got so many replies about posting your blogs on the site, so this weekend I'll post them all!
I really look forward to following all of your blogs as well! So thanks!!!


I got many responses about te 100 lb. party too. I've always been unsure if I wanted to have it because it's a little attention whorish, but we'll see how it goes. I know it's going to be near impossible to get all of my family together this summer, plus all of the other people who have helped me along the way, and if I want it, I want EVERYONE there... so it might still happen, but I'm not sure.


I'm now about 6 weeks away from my first race of 2009 - a 10k or 5k, I'm hoping to do the 10k, but the weather is not cooperating, so I haven't been able to run outside much. I'm hoping by next weekend I can get back to the trail and get my 4.6 in! But we shall see!
Thanks to everyone for your get well wishes, I was worried I'd be down and out for a while, but maybe my body does want to lose weight.... could have fooled me!

Updates and Links!

So this morning when I woke up, my leg felt much better. Last night I tried to do some boxing, but squatting to punch was too much strain on my calf and quad, so I stopped. JJ did more stim, which I guess is helping! This morning I was able to do some squats and lunges with minimal pain! I'm going to run on the treadmill today, but I might not do my HIIT, just keep it at 6 mph.
I weighted myself this morning, and I'm up 2 lbs... which makes absolutely no sense! I have kept my calories around 1600, and even with no exercise, there's no possible way I consumed 7,000 calories. I assume it's bloat and water weight because I could be PMS-ing.
Even though I know I didn't eat the calories, and I didn't workout 2 days in a row because of injury, seeing a +2 is so disappointing. I hope it will drop as quickly as it came on, but I'm just so tired of these 5 lbs. that keep bobbling. I'm so close to a new weight decade... I just want that 2nd digit to drop!
In other crappy news (I'm on a roll, why stop!?), I was so concerned with making sure my immediate family could make it to Cincinnati for my 100 lb. party on May 30, that I forgot about my husband's schedule, which is not going to work... so it's going to be moved to a later date, or just cancelled. I'm still on the fence about it...


So my other reason for this post is, I have so many people who write in saying I inspire them and they love to read my blog. I do go back and read many of yours, but I also know people don't comment and lurk, but might have a blog of their own.
I'd like to add all of your blogs on the side of my page so everyone can be an inspiration with their blogs, and have many different viewpoints on issues and such, so please comment in this post with a link to your blog, and I'm going to add them all!

Injury....

I have been really lucky that throughout the past 2 years, as I've been losing weight, I've been able to avoid any injuries. I am always really cautious, and try to stretch, do warm-ups and cool-downs. Unfortnuately, between my 2 new Jillian workouts, and doing HIIT where I'm running 7.5mph on the treadmill, I might have pushed myself a little to hard/far, and I've had some really bad cramping and I strained my right calf and quad.
It didn't hurt when I finished running yesterday, and I decided since I've been pushing so hard, to not shred last night. When I started Burn Fat, Boost Metabolism today, I started with the side kicks and sumo squats, and I felt like my muscles were going to rip apart - not good!
Luckily, my husband is an Athletic Trainer, so I texted him and asked him what to do. He said STOP, we'll talk later, so I stopped.
Tonight when he got home from work, he whipped out a TENS Unit, which admisters electrical stimulation, or stim, which helps to relieve any muscles that are in spasms, helps to reduce pain, and allows muscles to relax.
Here is a photo of the pads attached to my calf. I also had them attached to my quad, but I opted not to photograph that :)

It has little knobs on it that control the level of stim is produces. I'm extremely tickleish, so it tickles me, and feels like little pins stabbing in a rolling motion... it's an interesting feeling!

JJ said we'll do it every day if it doesn't get better, it might last a few days, but as long as I stretch and just work out until the pain starts, I'll be fine.

I'm really hoping this is a one day thing, because I've been working so hard and I'm really starting to see and feel some big changes again! But I also know how important it is to listen to Dr. J when he says to rest... ugh.

But I can't complain, it sure is nice having an AT for a husband! The pysical therapy office comes to me while I'm watching Biggest Loser!

Reader Questions Answered and Reader Suggestion

Reader Question - To paraphrase, a reader wrote that she's recently started working out, and would like to do treadmill work, but has foot problems and cannot run.
She said she read that I lost the first 50 lbs. by using the elliptical and walking Pumpkin, and wonders how I was able to lose the weight with just this activity because she doesn't think it's possible to lose it all by just ellipticalling. She wants to know what my thoughs are on the elliptical versus the treadmill, and strength training in general...
It's important to understand when you're trying to lose weight, it all boils down to calories consumed versus calories burned. It really doesn't matter how you burn the calories, just that you burn them... so whether it be running, walking, biking, ellipticalling, it makes no difference.
Granted, I do burn twice as many calories running as ellipticalling in a 30 minute workout, so it is more efficient, but when I was as heavy as I was, running was not really an option (or something I cared to do). I did however, really enjoy getting on my elliptical!


You should look at a BMR calculator to find out how many calories you're burning on a day to day basis, and then add in the calories you burn when you do any activity... which if you're using a stationary machine, it should tell you a rough estimate of calories burned. For instance, my BMR right now is 1610, so I burn that many calories per day, plus any exercise. When I weighed more, my BMR was as high as 1900. I would burn around 500 calories doing a 45 minute elliptical workout each night, then a 1 mile walk might be another 100 or so, so I was burning around 2500 calories per day, and trying to stick to 1200-1600 calories each day. As I lost weight, however, the amount of calories burned decreased.


So to get to the point... I loved ellipticalling, it was easy on the joints, it was enjoyable to watch TV, and I just had to keep a mental note of watching me speed to make sure I didn't start to slow down too much, and it was a very effective workout. As long as you grasp the concept of calories in vs. calories out, it doesn't matter what type of exercise you do, as long as you enjoy it, you push yourself, and you stick with it!




One of my awesome readers, Hope, informed me of this -
Jillian (Michaels) has a podcast that you can load to your iPod, and it's great!
It's basically about fitness, health, and she also has a time where she answers caller's questions,you know, Jillian-type things.
The website is:
http://www.kfi640.com/pages/podcasting/


So far I've listened to the past 3 weeks, and it is a great resource! I love Jillian, though sometimes she makes me feel guilty... like the superbowl show, she said DONT EAT CRAP! Simple!!! Well, I ate a little crap.... so I tell you all it's ok to eat what you want in moderation, keep your calories in tact, workout hard, etc., but then she says just don't do it... so it's a little conflicting. But then again, she's a hardcore trainer, and probably doesn't love food as much as I do :)
I hope you still like me, Jillian, even though I sometimes give in and eat badly!
...and no, she doesn't read my blog, but I still talk to her like she does...

What do you think???

"Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels"
This is a quote that's been said over and over (in my mind, mostly from Jillian on the biggest loser), but it's also something one of my readers said in a comment on my Valentine's Day post.


So let me think about it....

Looking thinner....

Tastes DELICIOUS!

So what's the verdict?
I think I can have my thin, and eat my cheesecake, too!


Of course it's true that feeling thin is fantastic... maybe it's not comparable to anything, but that's because this is all so new to me. It's been a LONG time since I wore the size I do now... maybe 6th grade? That's 12 years. However, I have not had cheesecake in a LONG time, and that's some DAMN GOOD cheesecake - best I've ever had/made.
Why can't you indulge a bit in life without feeling guilty? I think you can.... and should!


I'm sure you could go through and count the # of times I have said it's a LIFESTYLE CHANGE, not a diet. You'll eat cheesecake during your life, no need to feel guilty, enjoy it! It's not something you eat every day, is it? No!
In my opinion, and take it for what you want, you can't go thru life being so strict all of the time (unless you want a body like Jillian, which would be so hard to maintain) so why not enjoy it?
Maybe it's just because I love food, I love cooking, creating, savoring each bite, pairing ingredients to create something that is like no other experience, so it's hard for me to accept that phrase... but what do you think?
I love being thinner, but I also love cheesecake. And I see no problem with that. I refuse to believe I can't be thin and eat cake without guilt. It's all about MODERATION!
....It really was the best cheesecake I've ever had....

Jillian Michaels No More Trouble Zones Review

WOW AGAIN!!! So if the Burn Fat Boot Metabolism was like The Shred on crack, this was Burn Fat Boost Metabolism on crack! My abs are throbbing... is that possible?!

Like Burn Fat, the premise of the video is the same, you start with a 5 minute warm up, then do 6 circuits of 5 or 6 moves and repeat. The workout is also 60 minutes.

This video, however, focuses on strength moves more than anything. There are no cardio moves, but Jill brings back the weights and lunges - hardcore!
I used my 5 lb. weights, and Jillian even says during one of the circuits yes, I'm using 3's, because she wants you to do quality moves, lots of reps, and she wants you to really tone. During the first circuit, all about shoulders and theighs/butt, I started with my 8's but switched to 5's during the second move! It was ROUGH!
I really liked this video, it is a serious butt-kicking! I wish there was a little cardio, but I also like how the weights were brought back and the abs were really challenged. I think doing a combo of these two videos is really going to shock my body a bit, and hopefully help me kickstart the metabolism and burn some serious fat!
Again, Jillian uses a few of The Shred's moves, but incorporates many new ones. This DVD really targets the shoulders, bi- and tricepts, abs, theighs and butt. I haven't felt sore in a long time from a workout, but I think I'll be feeling this in my butt tomorrow!


I am definitely going to buy these 2 DVDs this weekend, but use the comcast on demand until then! I highly, highly recommend them! They are a bit longer, so I'm thinking I'll still run/shred 3-4 days a week, and do either of these 2 on the alternating days. I also did the elliptical for 30 minutes when I did "Burn Fat..." so I'll probably elliptical tonight just to get a little cardio in! But it's totally not necessary because this is an hour workout, I just like to do a little cardio when watching TV.


Thanks, Jillian.... if you ever read this! And I really like your headband in the DVDs :)

Jillian Michaels' Banish Fat Boost Metabolism Review

WOW! For anyone who has graduated from the Shred series, and wants to move on to something more challenging.... TRY THIS!!! It's like the shred on steriods. First off, it's about an hour long... so if you want a longer workout than the shred's 20 minutes, or you're tired of doing 2 levels back to back, this is for you! Here are some photos from the DVD...(scroll to the bottom)


Jill starts with a warm up, then goes through about 7 circuits with 5-6 moves in each circut, and repeats the moves in each circuit, so they're roughly 7 minutes each. There are no weights in this workout, and no lunges, but there are many kickboxing moves instead.
The circuits aren't necessarily strength, cardio, abs, but instead are a combination of all 3, which is what makes it pretty rough! There are many of the same squat and cardio moves from the shred series, but with slight modifications.


This is an extremely hard workout, it's long and grueling, so I would definitely make sure I could do 2 shred levels back to back before trying this one out. Jillian doesn't really offer up modified versions of the moves, but she does offer tougher versions (like skaters where you touch your toes each time you slide).


I am super proud of myself for making it through the whole workout with no rests, because you really do move, and crunch, and kick, and jump... it's really true to it's name!


Now, the good news - I have an extreme love/hate relationship with Comcast, right now being one of the 'love' moments, because I tried this workout on demand! It's available right now, and for a while because there is no end date listed. Jillian also has a problem zones no more workout on demand, so I'll be reviewing that one tomorrow.
I am so excited I found this workout because as much as I love the shred, I did want to have something a little more challening, and something different. After I try out touble zones no more tomorrow, I'm sure I'll integrate the 3 videos into a rotation.

Valentine's Re-Cap

Clearly, I enjoyed myself this Valentine's Day :)


So I had Japanese Hibachi and then a big old slice of Nutella Cheesecake, and I am up 2 lbs. this morning... I think it's kind of funny. I mean, I know I really didn't gain 2 lbs, but gosh, when the Hibachi man was squirting oil all over the grill and slicing off giant pats of butter, I was so happy I didn't go for the Chipotle earlier in the day... Maybe I gained 1 lb... because I didn't eat 7000 calories on Saturday... maybe 3500, but def. not 7000.
So now I'm on to the big old weigh day countdown... and I'm a little stressed about it. It's supposed to get cold again, which means no running outside :( It's been so nice... hopefully it will warm back up soon.
So anyway, I have 3.5 months to lose 20 lbs, I'd like to lose it in 3... so that's about 7/month. I'm going to start weighing on Monday and Friday again, just so I make sure I stay on track.
It's crunch time - literally!!!

I have WILLPOWER!!! (today, anway...)

I sincerely apologize if this gives anyone the urge to RUN to chiptole and scarf down a burrito.


This afternoon, I was out running errands. I was at the library (which is across the street from Chipotle) when JJ called to see if I wanted to meet him for lunch because practice had just ended and he was hungry. I told him I was at the library, so he said ok, I want Chipotle.
I had just had a yogurt and banana at home, and wasn't hungry, but I wanted to see him because he's so busy lately, I'll take what I can get!
We're going to a Japanese Steak House for dinner tonight for Valentine's Day, so I know I'll be pigging out then. When we got to Chipotle, JJ ordered his burrito, and I PASSED ON GETTING SOMETHING! Even though the chicken was fresh and the peppers and onions were fresh (my favorites)... I said no!!!
Now I LOVE Chipotle, I could eat it every day, it's my favorite, so for me to pass because I could literally sit there and think - No, I'm not hungry, so I shouldn't eat - was a BIG step!
So there ya go, there's some willpower!!!

Weight Day!

This morning when I weighed in, I was REALLY hoping for 2 lbs... so of course, I lost 1.5! I'm .5 away from my Valentine's Day goal.... so I guess I'm pretty happy.
In other news, the date for my -100 lb. party looks like May 30, so I've got 3.5 months to lose 19 lbs. EEK! I really prefer to have my own schedule and time to lose the weight, but it's really the only time my whole family can get together for the party, and it is somewhat nice to have a date to lose it by. A goal date. I think I can do it. I hope :) It worked out well hoping to lose 50 lbs for my wedding (I lost 47) so I think maybe having a date to get it off by might help.


Also, today at work we had a huge Twilight Valentine's Day party... see http://www.ashleescooking.blogspot.com/ for some photos. What a fun day!


Also, if you friend me on Facebook (Which I think some readers have) please note that you are friending me b/c of my blog, because I won't accept your request if I don't know who you are (not that I know you here either, but oh well!)

Today's Run... I crack myself up...

You have to watch The Office to understand the humor in this post....
I live in the same neighborhood as an elementary school. They recently put in the blinking speedometers that tell you how fast you're going. The cool thing about them too, is they're solar powered! They are only on when school is going on (so like, 8-4 M-F) Usually I run around the block after 4, so they're not on. Well today Pumpkin and I ran around 3pm, right when school was getting out. So I ran past the speedomeer, and IT CLOCKED ME AT 31 MPH!!! I swear, I about died laughing, and the parents in their minivans probably looked at me funny, but I was cracking up. I'm so speedy :) and what are the odds?!

Workout Buddies!

I know, I am at a big advantage because I work at the YMCA, and exercise equitpment is right here for me, but honestly, I prefer to run outside or shred in my own home. As I've said a million times, I HATE the treadmill with a passion, because I get so bored. It's been really hard for me to maintain, or even think of losing weight during the winter because I can't run outside.


However, one of my co-workers, Vickie, uses the elliptical almost daily at the Y. Back in December, we decided to start working out at the same time, and I'd get on treadmill #1 and she'd get on elliptical #2, so we'd be next to eachother, but didn't talk because we had headphones on. It's kind of funny to call us workout buddies because there's no communitcation, but it's all about the accountability. We all have our off days when we don't want to workout, and luckily ours are on different days!
This method of working out is really good for people pleasers, as I am one, because I don't want to let her down, and she doesn't want to let me down! We both always have our workout clothes here, so even on days I come in with the mindset of no, no treadmill today, Vickie asks, and I always give in and go run.
I highly recommend a workout buddy, even if it's only a few days a week, it really has made a difference for me!


Also, that photo is of Vickie and I at the YMCA's family fun night 2 weeks ago. My mom's friend let us borrow her poodle skirts, which brings me to another point - now that I'm a much smaller size, I have the ability to just borrow clothes or costumes from people.... which is something I never could do before!
Being fit is so fun :)

The 200 Sit-Up Challenge

I saw someone mention this on a fitness board, so I decided to check it out. In Level 3 of the 30 Day Shred, the second circut's abs minute is sit-ups, which Jillian praises because it works so much more than just abs (like a crunch). I count every now and then when I'm shredding, and usually I get around 23 in her minute, but I think her 'shred minute' is a little less than a real minute because she gives some direction and has to get you in position.

I decided to check out the website, and see what it was all about. However, when I looked at the test, and the "good-form sit-up" it appears to be a crunch, not a sit-up. Since real sit-ups (with no one holding down your feet) are so much harder, I decided to go for a real sit up, but still follow the premise of the challenge. I'm always really sure that I keep my knees bent high, don't use momentum and swing up, keep my hands clawed around my ears, and stare at the celing to keep good form.

I took the initial test, which was to do as many sit ups as you can. I thought it was as many as you can in 5 minutes, so I had my husband time me, and I got 95 REAL sit-ups in 5 minutes! I was totally psyched because I read this on the homepage - No doubt some of you can already do 100 consecutive sit-ups, but let's face it, you're in a big minority. Most of you reading this won't even be able to manage 20 sit-ups. Actually, I'm sure many of you can't even do 10. AND I DID 95! And really, I could have kept going if I actually knew it was do as many as you can, not as many as you can in 5 minutes.

So anyway, I did it again tonight, and did 140 before my stomach started to get super tight. Then I went back to the website, and it says to take a rest on day 2.

I really need to start reading directions before I just jump into something. Really...

I mean, the Shred works the core like no other, but geez, these sit ups are a killer! But a good killer :) I am feeling my abs tonight like never before.

So anyway, I taped myself tonight b/c I wanted to post video proof that I can do it, but I still am not 100% happy with how I look on camera (ugh, theighs) So maybe I'll get the nerve to post video one day, but I promise, I did 140 in 7:40!

I think I'll rest tomorrow night, but Thursday night, I'm going to see if I can get the 200, and complete the challenge in 4 days! (maybe, just maybe, if I can do all 200, I'll post video... )

Biggest compliment ever - My husband, who is Division 1 NCAA Athletic Trainer told me that he thinks I am in better shape and much more fit than some of the athletes he sees come through the training room.

Yeah, I think this week has put me over the hump of feeling low last week!

Because I'm curious....

I posted a poll on the right side at the top of my blog. It's in regards to the 30 Day Shred. At some point, I'm going to write Jillian and tell her how much I love her, and the shred, and how I want her to come to my -100 lb. party.
Since I'm an accountant and I heart #'s, I'd like to give her some statistical data! Please take my poll and comment here if your answer is a little different from any of my choices...
Yes, this means you need to leave Google Reader for 2 seconds to take my poll.
Thank you :)


Also, I'd like to announce that my sister called me a badass b/c I Shred 2&3 back to back with my 8 lb. handweights.
I pretty much am a badass... haha
But really, my upper body strength has improved 1000% I'm sure!
...and my abs look like Anita's....
;)

Oh, Happy Day!

Yes, that's right, the snow MELTED!
For the first time since Christmas Eve, I was able to run outside!!! (It was still a little slushy/icy though, so I was prepared to break my ankle!)
I asked Pumpkin if she wanted to go for a run, and she sprinted to the door, and continued to throw herself against it until we left, so I think she was excited too!

Friday Weigh Day

I'm up 1lb. which I feel is a small miracle.
So now I'm 2 lbs. away from making the goal of losing Christmas weight by Valentines Day.
This next week, I'm going to kick my butt. Luckily it's supposed to warm up some so I can run this weekend with Pumpkin... I can easily do 2 lbs.... I hope!
:)

Update!

So first off, you all are so freaking awesome. As hard as it is to put myself out there and say how I'm feeling, with the support of so many people, it's worth it!

I do hold myself to high expectations, but it's just because I know I can do it, and there need to be no excuses, but at the same time I need to enjoy my life and realize that pigging out at the Superbowl is just a part of life.

So anyway, I'm still feeling sick, maybe even worse, but I didn't want it to drag me down even more... so today I did a 3 mile run on the treadmill! I had such a stressful/busy day at work, so it was nice to get on the treadmill, blast the music and RUN!

I've started incorporating HIIT into my runs (high intensity interval training). I run at a base speed of 6mph for 20 minutes, then the last 10, I do 1 min at 7mph, then 2 at 5.5 mph, and so on. It feels so good to run that fast, and let me tell you going from 6mph to 7mph is a huge difference! It makes me realize that I'm not a 7mph runner... ever...haha. Running my 10 minute miles is just fine :)

So anyway, I know the scale won't be pretty this Friday, but as long as I stay on target the rest of the week, I'll be ok.

I'm not going to shred tonight because I'm pretty exhausted, but I did run, so I'm not going to feel too bad about not shredding.

Sometimes I think the emotional toll is the hardest part. I can put in the exercise, I can try to eat less... but in my mind it's still never enough!

Oh well, here are a few photos from the superbowl (those are the 3D glasses for the sobe commercial!), I really did have a fun night vegging out...and of the stupid snow that has taken over Indiana.... and got me sick :(

It's sure not easy...

I get so many comments from readers who say I'm so positive and inspiring and I have such a good outlook... well I'd say about 99% of the time I do, but sometimes I'm just over it all and the last thing I want to think about is weight/food/exercise/dieting, etc. I get so exhausted reading about so many different and sometimes conflicting information. So many times I hear "Don't drink any alcohol" and then "Red wine is good for the heart". Then sometimes it's take off a day of exercise, or there's no reason to not at least walk daily... it's so hard to sort thru all the literature out there and find out what is right...


So I might just be in one of my moods - that's what my dad calls them anyway. He says I let my highs get too high and my lows get too low. So right now, I think I hit a low. I've been feeling sick lately, and of course when I get sick, I want to eat lots of warm soup and drink hot chocolate, never any stomach virus where food is repulsive... Work is stressful, my body is achy, I didn't run today... I'm pretty sure I ate too much over the weekend (JJ got me Chinese take out b/c I was too sick to cook, and then we had superbowl food)... so anyway...
Yes, I too have lows, bad moments, breaking points, thoughts of giving up, and I let my emotional eating get the best of me.


So... many of you say I inspire you. Well here's your chance to inspire me. Pick me back up and tell me to get on the treadmill tomorrow. And not drown myself in chocolate next weekend :)