Its a law....

I've been trying to exercise & move every day...
but I think its a law that you don't have to on your anniversary.

Yesterday was mine & Ricky's 18th anniversary so we were out enjoying the day..

So no exercise happened at all yesterday...

& even had dessert at one point during the day.

BAM!

First time here... glad to see they had Veggie Burger options
That dessert?  German Chocolate Cake Brownies with coconut cool whip

Life happens... celebrations need to happen.... dessert needs to happen.

On the good side, we split the dessert & when it comes to dessert, Ricky is the one who can down sugar faster then anyone I know... its why he's so slim ... I need to start moving faster to eat sugar & see if it helps me slim down too ...doubtful...

& the other good side?  We walked ALL DAY LONG!!!

Got near my 10,000 steps for the day (was about 9,250)...

So at least I didn't eat dessert & lay on the couch all day....

Life & love needed celebrating...

back to it today

Big Hit Recap

One of my favorite races... the Big Hit...

I love it because its a 1/2 marathon as well as a 1/4 marathon.  6.55 miles.  More my speed lately.

I have done this race since it started in 2010 & was excited for the 3rd year...
though I didn't think I would be doing it.

I registered months ago & then we thought we would be going out of town for vacation.  Ends up, the night before the race, plans fell through & I thought, OK, I'll do the race.  I was going into this race not fully prepared... & already injured... my low back & my runners knee has been giving me fits... but I was determined to get the medal no matter if I had to crawl.

So our first day of vacation & we wake up at 5:30... & its COLD!!!!  Frost everywhere kind of cold.  Ricky was like, "Really?... we're doing this?" ....
Oh sir... you don't know me... I'll go out in the cold for an awesome medal...

We trudge out... in the cold.. & get there just about 5 minutes before the kick off.  That was nice we didn't have to stay out there long.

Yep.... its early & cold... & Ricky is expressing exactly how he feels

It didn't seem like a big turn out this year.  I think because this fall, around the area, there are a TON of new races.  There was a marathon last week, another half marathon in the area in 2 weeks, a 10k the weekend before... its just race central around here.

Lots of cold runners trying to get warmth in crowds

We were off... we were going to do the 1/4 marathon...

It was a beautiful morning actually.  Its always fun to see the sun rise when running.

It only took a few steps for my back to be aggravated.  I knew it was going to be trouble.  But I felt good & strong... & even made the comment "My knee is feeling good"

WRONG MOVE

It was literally like 25 steps after I said that & POP!!! I mean POPPPPP!!!!!! .... there went my knee...

& we were just at mile 2

Are you kidding me?

I knew the idea of trying to get a time comparable to my last 2 races was now out...

I would take a step every now & then & actually have an instinct reaction to scream...
it was that bad.

Ricky wanted to go get the car & get me.  Telling me its not worth it to make my body worse.  My thought was, my knee & back are going to hurt if I sit at home or do 4 more miles... so let's keep going.  I made the choice though not to push myself.  No speed racing, lots of walking, don't over extend the knee...

& guess what?  We had so much fun.

I looked at Ricky & told him to stop talking about my pain... let's talk about fun stuff... & we did... we made a game out of chasing people around us, just talking...

I laughed most of the last 3 miles...

We had seen the lady that bought our Harvey to us from the rescue... she was pacing the half marathon group.  We also saw a running friend who I did her engagement pictures walking down the road.  I love hearing my name shouted from the side & that's exactly what happened... always puts a pep in my step...

So when we got to the end, it was a relief, but proud that I made it... however I had to do it.  My time was 9 minutes slower then last year... 9 minutes!! I know most runners, they would punch themselves in their faces for that amount of time lost.  Me?  I have finally gotten to the place where I'm like, "Whatever"... I still finished.

The end of this race is always the coolest.  The finish line is over Home Plate in Louisville Slugger Field... the coolest end of ANY race...

Are you kidding me with that medal?

We got the medal & I was like, "WHAT THE HECK?"...
this place is known for amazing medals... ones that spin, ribbons with dates & look like baseball bats.. this medal was like a cheap one with a sticker on it... I was so bummed...

Come to find out, the medals hadn't come in time so the "REAL" ones will be mailed to us this week with our times engraved on the back.  Shame its a horrible time.. but it wont tell of the fun we had...

So I did it.. another race.. .injured...

I'm thinking of a new game plan now... I'll talk about that later...

Just glad to know I have another medal to add to the wall...

We ended up warming up at Panera with a bowl of steel cut oats & sparkling water for me, fruit tea for Ricky.  Panera is becoming our post-race tradition.  Not a bad tradition at all.

So I may be slow, I may be in pain, but I still get out at 5:30 & TRY....

I'll give myself props for that...

Failing at a goal...

Dang it... dang it... DANG IT!!

I had a goal... to try & move at least a mile every day or 10 minutes until the end of the year.

I lasted 16 days... even going on the treadmill at 10:00 on some nights to get it in...

Last night though, I didn't do it..

I failed...

I made it 16 days... a little over 2 weeks... & last night, it went down the toilet

I didn't even get take my work shoes & dress clothes off until 10:45 & I had to get ready for bed... while watching Scandal, of course...

I know excuses don't matter really.  I was busy - I was editing pictures - I was watching a puppy & cleaning up pee & potty training... & didn't even eat dinner until 9:30pm...my low back & runners knee were both hurting...

none of it matters... I failed...

very similar to me looking in the mirror last night at my disappointment in myself

In those instances, it feels like I gain an immediate 15 lbs too... how does that happen?

But I'm not perfect...

& I'm realizing that I've never gone 16 days in a row of continuous working out...

& now, I have a better goal - try & beat 16 days...

Its about picking yourself & trying again...

Virtual 50k for Breast Cancer

At the end of September, one of the cool running bloggers that I follow offered up a Virtual Race.

Jess ( www.runwithjess.com ) has put on virtual races before & does them well.

This one was different.  It was about biking... for a good cause.  For Breast Cancer Awareness.  It was labeled #RaceOutCancer ... I'm all about that...

I hate cancer...

I also hate riding bikes...

I hate cancer worse....

But I was willing to do it for the cause & to give my body something else to work at.  I love goals.

Jess made it easy on us... either ride the 31 miles in one shot... which my butt screamed this...

Have you ever rode on a bike for the first time after not riding for awhile?
Ohhhh.... the pain in places you didn't know could hurt!!!

Or you could ride 7.74 miles once a week for 4 weeks
or 1 mile a day in October
or take 2 spinning classes

Well, I ended up doing my own thing... I ended up riding longer on some days then others & broke it up.  I think it took me 5 rides. 

The longest was last night... I had 6.40 miles to go... & October is running out & I wanted to knock this in the butt..
no pun intended...

Hopped back on the spinner & nailed it out...

In the end, my rear end is really getting used to the spinning thing.
Now, not so sure my low back is... but my bum is...

I take these things seriously too... thought about the aches & pains in my low back & my rear ... & to think that aint NOTHING compared to the awesome people who battle cancer every day... to the beautiful women who knock out Breast Cancer every day...

Tough people in this world...

So this new experience was for them...

Who knows... maybe I'll get a real bike & find that its my calling...

This would totally be my luck

you never know...stranger things have happened.

Aches & pains, virtual racing & 2 lbs?

 

Last night I got on the treadmill for my hour of Biggest Loser.

 

Actually used it as my virtual race for US Road Running ...

 

If you've never done a virtual race, this place is very nice.

 

http://usroadrunning.com

 

You register for a race, do it during the month, send them the times & you can compare yourself to everyone around the US... AND you get a medal!! They are NICE medals too.

 

I'm actually trying a new virtual racing program - Jost Running ... http://jostrunning.com/

 

Their medal for November is awesome!  They're also more expensive.  So you have to decide what you like best.

The medal for the 5k



 



 

So I'm on the treadmill & the whole time, my low back is just aching & moaning at me.  Its so frustrating.  Don't know why its so aggravated again.  I think from the 12 hour wedding I did while carrying 3 bags around my body the whole time.  Could be something to do with it..  mm...

 

But I keep on.

 

 

 

Running really is this for me... an argument...

 

My brain tells me to stop... but the other part tells me to keep pushing myself.  My back would hurt if I was sitting on the couch, so why not try & make myself healthier?

 

So I did my virtual race on the treadmill, watching Biggest Loser... trying to get lost it in so I can get my mind off my back...

 

I love the hour long shows now... not messing around.

 

But this week, it all came down to one person's weight.  Talk about pressure.  I'd freak out.  And on the White Team, the roll of the dice came down to Fernada.  Bless her her.  She only lost 2 lbs while every around her was shedding it off.    Her team lost, she was below the red line... she was sent home...

 

Jillian just reminded her that she did nothing wrong - it was just the weight for that week.

 

I get it... it feels like you work so hard sometimes & then that's all the results show?

 

Its so unfair...

 

It makes you want to quit... to give up...

 

Its that struggle with the brain - not even with running this time... but everything.  Want to give up?  Or you want to keep going?

 

These battles happen every day...

 

I know I want to keep going...

 



I will beat her...

I saw this on Facebook this morning posted by Runner Girl

I almost wanted to cry reading it....

I do know my weaknesses... & right now, they are seemingly winning.

I've seen pictures of me from the wedding I photographed & sat with my jaw dropped looking at the face & body I saw.  Someone who looks out of shape, old.  Lots of loose skin & chins hanging around this face.

& I don't get it. 

I do work out
I do eat making choices... & while they aren't 100% great, I know they are better then I could make... & better then others...

its just not fair

Being in my 40's has killed my body lately... its a battle that I can't seem to win.

So when I read this this morning, it motivated me.

I do know these weaknesses... but I have strengths....
A heart that won't give up... that will keep on trying

I WILL train harder.  Age may be giving me a battle, but the war isn't over.

I have lost to her before... I look in the mirror & see I'm currently loosing right now, today... but there's tomorrow... a new chance

I do have the advantage & she IS going down...

The old me...

it begins today....

Drooling with jealousy...

No, I haven't disappeared.

I know it looked like it.  I started a blog & then said, screw this.. I'm eating & being lazy... forget this...

NO!!!!!

Not happening!!!

I actually had a family funeral to go to....
We got a new puppy to add into our fur-family...
I had a wedding to photograph... (talk about moving - on my feet for 12.5 hours!)
Went to groom our other doggie & had church on Sunday...

So needless to say, I've been moving... just haven't been good at showing it...



BAM!! Showing it!!! :)

But this morning, I'm reading through my "running blogs" on BlogLovin'  & seeing a bunch of pictures of some of my favorite running bloggers... all gathered in the same place for a weekend of running.

The Runners World Half Marathon... & a 5k & a 10k thrown in there too....

To me, I just saw an opportunity for lots of BLING ... & lots of fun & lots of free goodies.

So I've been reading all the recaps & seeing everyone's speedy times & every sporting their medals... & I've been sitting here drooling with jealousy...

Honey Boo Boo understand what I mean...

Maybe one day I would end up in a gang like that...

Is there a Slow-Poke-Crew that gets recruited to do these events?
If so, my hand is raised to join in.
I can be the comic relief of the weekend...

Biggest Loser is BACK!!!

I was so excited all day long...

BIGGEST LOSER came back on!

& I have to say, I was thrilled that they knocked it down to an hour instead of two.  It just felt dragged out & the commercials EVERY.TIME you were anxious to see someone's weight... COME ON!!!

But we are down to an hour - just enough time for the knitty-gritty!!!

I actually got inspired & put off my running until 8:00 so I could be on my treadmill & feel like the trainers were yelling at me to get off my butt... & to laugh at me if I puke all over myself...

My back really was hurting on the treadmill...
see?  Its cheap & free training to watch BL while working out

Why was I even more excited?

Because Ruben Studdard is on this season!!!

The teddy bear himself!!!

Though I will say, I was angry as all get out when Clay Aiken lost on American Idol.  You know I can't resist a red head :)

I wish I had a pen & paper on my treadmill though because there was some good stuff being laid out for these contestants to pick up...

 

"You have to have a WHY before you can have a HOW" - Jillian

Why are you wanting to be healthy?  Why are you motivated?  Why are you doing this?  ... once you get that, then you figure out HOW to do it... good stuff.

I loved when Dolvette was talking to Ruben & he was talking about how bad Ruben had gotten.
Anyone else remember when he lost weight & ran a half marathon?.... I do...

 

"You have to have a level of discipline to make changes" - Dolvette

Good stuff right there!!!

...this guy....

Of course, what makes the Biggest Loser are the personal stories...

everyone has one...

Stories of second chances this year... that guy above?  His wife died of cancer & he promised her he would get healthy to take care of his children.  When he took off his shirt for weigh in, he had a Chinese tattoo for "Warrior" on his heart... & when he lost 38 lbs... yes 38 lbs!!!... in one week, he hit it & teared up...

Yep, I can cry & run on my treadmill at the same time...

This year too, they have a "Trainer's Save"... each trainer can use it once a year.  The first team who lost was Jillian's team... & her biggest guy had the lowest percentage...

First week... & you have to leave... always the hardest...

But NO... BAM!!! Jillian uses her save from the start.. I LOVED IT!!!

She told the team, you now have to work harder - she has no save... but I loved she literally gave the guy a second chance...

I think motherhood has made Jillian a softy... in a still kick your butt way...

Anyone else watch it?

Who are you rooting for out of the gate?
Excited Ruben is on there?

For the record... I'm on day 8 of my challenge... keeping it up!  Before Bob Harper makes me cry....

Hello Ice Pack.. my old friend...

Monday... it was beautiful... I was pumped to go...

I walked out of work & breathing in the air.  It was warmer then I expected, which I didn't mind...

I ran to Target to pick up some photography/office supplies & then made my stop at Starbucks.

This has become my 'fuel' for the evenings lately...

Who needs a Starbucks energy boost in the afternoon?
ME!!!!

I get home, get out of the car & go out in the driveway to love on the neighbor's dog... a big yellow lab that is the sweetest giant I've ever grabbed & squeezed like my life depended on it.  My husband got home right when I did so we're standing in the drive way talking about how beautiful the day was...

No time to waste... let me go get my running shoes on...

I turn & OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  My knee...

I will say, it had aggravated me at lunch earlier, but it worked out the more I walked...

So I went on & put on my running clothes, moaning & groaning with every step I took.  The Hubs said, "you're not really thinking of running when you're already miserable"...

Of course I am... hello?  Have you ever met me?

I turn on the Garmin, got my shoes laced... step out of the door.. & this is what happened



except when I laid down, I had a giant yellow lab lick my face

Oh man... the pain....

I have a wedding coming on Saturday & knew I shouldn't push my knee too much...

But I was determined with my 1 mile challenge.  Day 7... I'm not backing down.

So I grabbed my iPod & Nike app & put it on one mile... I didn't care if it took me 30 minutes.  I was getting my mile in....

30 minutes? Funny, right?... it did take me 19 minutes though. 
A painful 19 minutes... but it was done.

This is where I spent the rest of my evening editing pictures... one leg up with ice on the knee...

Hello ice pack, my old friend

I can feel my runner's knee flaring up...
I'm used to it.
I've always had knee problems
always will have knee problems...

Its just another thing I'm used too

But score for me, stupid knee... I got my mile in... I'll keep getting my miles in!

 IN YOUR FACE!

Keep on moving....

This weekend was crazy busy.

I had photo sessions on Friday, Saturday & TWO on Sunday...

That meant I was moving anyways, venturing around town with a camera in hand.  Also meant I was sitting in front of the computer uploading pictures & starting the editing process any time I wasn't doing a session.

But I was conscience of keeping my goal of working out every day still in sights...

I got home late Saturday night, it was 9:30 & I thought, I don't have my mile in... so guess what?  I hit my driveway for a quick 1 mile jot...

So far, its still going...

If anything, I like that my body gets to sweat every day... even if its for 15 minutes a day.  Its something

& look right there... my week on Daily Mile... something EVERY DAY!! 

That's a first for me..

I like it...

The downside of the weekend....

Right on the other side of my computer where I edit, the candy jar full of Halloween candy...

 

 

I ate the whole freaking thing this week...

 

Its funny when you don't think about it - just a grab here, a grab there... & POOF, its all gone. 

 

Ricky came up last night & said, where's the candy.

 

IN MY BELLY!!!!

 



 

Well, that's disappointing.  

 

But at least its gone... right?  New beginnings.  Keep up the challenge - stay away from candy.

 

Onward & Upward....



Running in the Fall

Fall is coming...

What am I talking about?  Fall is here...

Running in the fall is all sorts of great...

Its cool temperatures, not worrying about the nasty sweating as much as usual.  It even involves compression sleeves that helps with the cooler temps.

Its running with beautiful settings all around.  Leaves changing along the path making a colorful run much better then green or brown everywhere.  Oranges & reds & yellows are always a beautiful addition.

The down side... you have to watch for acorns on the ground.  I've gone down a hill & hit one & made me crumble on my ankle & nearly do a great face plant.  I think it was all in slow motion too.  That's always the worse.  Acorns are everywhere though.   Small, but dangerous. Where are the squirrels when you need them?

The worst part of running in the fall?  It's getting darker & darker every day.  I ran Monday & the sun was starting to set earlier... & when it gets behind trees, it gets REALLY dark.  Even a few days makes a difference.  I ran yesterday & at my 2 mile mark, it was completely sunless... when just the other day, the sun was peaking right at the end of the path. 

At this rate, it'll be completely dark so early, I'll be back on the treadmill... or strapping on flashlights everywhere...

As with everything - there's good & bad...

 

Thumbs Up:  Running challenge - Day 3 - 4.46 Miles

Thumbs Down:

 

FitBit Stats:  12,618 Steps / 6.81 miles / 2856 Calories Burned

Survived the cake

My twin nieces turned 9 years old yesterday...

I remember being there to hold them minutes after they were born... & now, here we are 9 years later.

We got to go celebrate & of course, that means Birthday Cake...

...again...

Yep, we just celebrated my mom's birthday with cake... & my grandson's birthday was last week as well, but he's another state away so I wasn't tempted with icing goodness on that day.

But look at me... they brought this out, we sang, blew out a candle & then cut this baby up... & I stayed away from it!  YES! 

It may not seem like much for some people - but me turning down cake?  That's massive for me.

I actually didn't want any.

I just wanted to get home & get in my 1-Mile Challenge & work out...

I want to end 2013 feeling good - & down a LOT of poundage.

So after a rousing game of HORSE ... actually HORSES... we added an S since two of the girls were almost out ... I went home & worked out..
.

Teach 'em young how to play

4.72 on the spinner, knocking off on my 50K Virtual Race & my 1 mile

It was the slowest mile EVER... 17:18... really?  I could probably crawl faster... that's depressing...

but looking at positives, not negatives... I did it...

Thumbs Up:  Obviously, turning down birthday cake
Thumbs Down: That mile... turtle pace

FitBit Stats:  10,039 Steps  / 4.83 miles  / 2,333 calories burned

Date with the Driveway

The weather is so beautiful outside still... I just wanted to go sit in it &  read.

But that's not productive at all... & I ran the day before so didn't want to mess up my legs & back, so took myself into the basement.

A date with Jillian Michaels.

Today's choice was Shed & Shred... I really do like her videos.  She seems much kinder on the videos then on the TV show. 

I wanted to get some toning in ... & Jillian doesn't disappoint.

154 was the Max ... not avg... messed up

I also started my One-Mile Challenge 2013 ... one mile every day for the end of the year.  I was glad to come out of the basement & spent a mile outside.  I didn't want to go down the road because the first half mile is nothing but uphill - which aggravates the back... so I just did it in my drive way...

up & down.. up & down..

the bad thing?  My drive way is also a hill... so I would do a full lap & then a half lap so I wouldn't do the hill.

It was fun because the neighbor's dog did the whole thing with me... confused look and all... but had a ball in his mouth & just kept thinking, "this is playing?"

I know its a slow mile... but its done.

I'm really interested in seeing the difference in my mile now & December 31,2013...

Challenges are good - right?

Thumbs Up:  Did more Burpees with Jillian then I normally do
Thumbs Down:  Not a healthy dinner... PB sandwich... blah...
FitBit Stats: 8,376 Steps / 3.99 miles / 2,571 Calories Burned

Just beautiful....& a goal?

So I have sort of made a goal for myself for the rest of the year.  Not sure how its going to go, but I think its easy enough, but challenging enough. 

Goal:  Run at least 1 mile EVERY DAY for the rest of the year in 2013

Less then 3 months to go.  Easy enough.  Even on a bad day,  busy day, even a sick day, I think I can get in 1 mile.  15 minutes ... yeah, 10 minutes or less for most of you... 15 for me on a bad day... but still.  A goal.  Let's see how this goes.

Yesterday wasn't a problem doing that.

It was SOOO beautiful out.

I ended up using that & going over my 3.25 hurdle again...

Ran 4.47 miles in 1 hour and 3 mins and 59 secs and felt good. Just a beautiful fall day http://t.co/7Foj8tsjY3
— Rebecca Jo (@RebeccaJoKnits) October 7, 2013

4:47 miles... nice...

& I don't know if it was the weather & the NO-HUMIDITY in the air, but I felt really good too.  Not too much pain in the knees or the low back...

I was just moving & enjoying life...

Yep... I probably enjoyed the day so much that I was doing the 'Phoebe Run'

I don't even think I moaned & groaned once about my low back pain, or my knees or my Bicep Tendon...

Take note of THIS day!

Now if every day felt like this...

Thumbs Up: Got a work out in AND made dinner! Felt like a real woman.

Thumbs Down:  Bicep Tendon is ACHING!!!!

FitBit Stats:  15,102 steps / 7.91 miles / 3262 calories burned

Laziest weekend ever....

This weekend got rained out for my regular photo schedule... & it was the first weekend that I didn't leave the house on Saturday in MONTHS...

What did I do? 

Did I run on the treadmill?
Venture for a run in the rain?
Grab a video & do some cardio?
Grab my weights & pump up with strength?
Jump on the Spinner & get some miles in for Breast Cancer Virtual 50K?

No... my butt stayed on the couch all weekend long.

& I felt horrible doing it.

I could literally feel my body just choking on itself.

As of this morning, I am officially the heaviest I have been in 22 years.  That is not fun to say & embarrassing... & humbling.

Its really not like what I did this weekend, I do every weekend.  I can't even begin to tell you the last time I laid on the couch & 'vegged'.

I do work out.  4-5 days a week.
I try
I struggle

But I can feel my body with this weight, & I don't like it. 

I realize that my age is fighting against me. 40 is winning right now.... but come backs happen every day...

I need to be more aware of my food choices.
I need to force myself to work out harder, differently if need be.
I need to make changes.
I need to check with the doctor if things don't change.  (Bio-identical Hormone Therapy?... anyone?)

I laid on the couch & I could feel myself struggling for breath.  What is up with that?  The girl that was 25 lb lighter this time last year.

25 lbs ...

there's that embarrassing thing again...

But I'm ready for a change.

The dreaded 4's

So, if you know me in real life, you know that 444 follows me everywhere.  I even have a hashtag of #444sfollowme on Instagram for just a SMALL glimpse of how often it comes across my life.  I don't even take ALL the pictures from when I see it.. but enough to prove my point.

I head out for a run yesterday. Why?  1. Because it was warm for a fall day.  Cool air is coming... & darkness earlier & earlier... so enjoying what I can get in now. 2. the Hubs stayed to play Corn Hole with coworkers.  3. I'm all caught up editing pictures so I felt like a freebird.

I ended up doing intervals of 2 min run/3 min walk... had more walking because I wanted to go further then normal.  I've been in a 3.25 run lately.  A run to a certain hill that I get to the top, turn around & come home... the usual 3.25.  I busted through the barrier this time.  Kept going.  & I knew to do that, I needed some leg energy because the whole route is hill after hill after MOUNTAIN after hill...

It was a nice stretch of the legs... the walking works for me.  With this low back issue, its hard to run. 

Side note - I really need someone to record me & see if I'm heel striking.  That would make a difference in my back.

But I get home & hit my watch at my usual cut off point (the part in my drive way where the black top & concrete meet... every time, this is my start/stop point)... looked down & saw my distance... yep... 4.44...

I laughed... there it is again...

I have to say too - I was pretty creative.  The humidity was worse then I thought & I had on sleeve.  Which when you sweat, sleeves are from the devil.  So I didn't obviously have scissors on me or I would have cut the sleeves off... & my bare white, jello belly wasn't going to be seen with me taking off my shirt, so I tucked my sleeves under my sports bra... & it stayed the whole time... SUCCESS!!!

Thumbs up: 
* Going further then usual
* Sports Bra MacGyver move

Thumbs down:
* Low Back felt like it had weights on it last part of my run home

FITBIT Stats for day:  13,654 Steps /  7.1 miles /  2505 Calories Burned

Keep Pressing On!!!

What's the deal with planks?

So today was better then yesterday... even after having a traumatic event happen in our house.  Wanna read about our dog almost choking to death?  Then you can click HERE to read about it. 

But I needed to work out after the stressful events.

I got a DVD from Amazon to review from the 10-Minute Solutions.  I have every other video from them.  Really like the concept.  5 10-minute exercises.  So you can do all five of them & have a 50 minute work out, or you can choose which ones you want to do & mix it up, so anything from a 10 minute work out to 20-30-40 minute - all different combos.  You can really mix it up that way, which is nice for the cost of the DVD.

The new one they sent?  The HIT Training (High Interval Training)... it was cool because each 10 minute section had 8 different exercises.  You'd HIT it for 20 seconds then a 10 second rest & then repeat... I was a little intimidated at the high intensity moves, but you can do anything for 20 seconds, right?  It made it more bearable.  I liked that idea of training. 

& man, it didn't disappoint.  I was SWEATING!!!!  My heart rate was up the entire time too.

I did skip one of the work outs just because that section was more aerobic & I knew the other ones would do enough for me for the day.

The only downfall?  The upper body section.  I love good arm work outs.  But this was just planks basically.  Why is everything planks anymore?  Is it the move of the year?  Just different forms of planks ... & the funny thing, when it was time for the abs section of the workout... you guessed it... more planks.

Luckily, I've done enough work outs & videos & classes to know how to do different moves to work the same area.

For someone who has Bicep Tendonitis, I can't hold my body up that long without flaring the tendon. I need options.  I can't stay in a plank for 50 minutes.

But after this workout I ended up staring on my Virtual 50K that Run with Jess is promoting.  With my bulging disc in my back, I can only sit on a bike seat for short periods, so I'm breaking down the 50K into small rides.  So last night was a 3.10 night in less then 10 minutes.  27.90 miles more to go.

http://www.runwithjess.com/2013/08/virtual-ride-for-breast-cancer.html

Thumbs Up: 
Getting started on my 50K

Thumbs Down:
Cadbury Halloween Egg ... Cadbury eggs get me every time

FitBit:  7,564 /  3.39 miles / 2234 Calories Burned

Birthday celebration instead...

So what a way to start off a work out blog...

by not working out...

Its October 1, which is my mom's birthday - so it was straight after work to get dinner, a birthday cake & to pick up the present at my home & head over to celebrate.

It was a night of eating... I actually didn't over eat... regular food that is.  Birthday cake?  Another story...

just one piece... & a spoonful of icing...

See... not a good start...

I got home late & had my photography job to work on, so literally didn't take off my work shoes & my dress until 10:15 pm

... but will be back on track today...

Thumbs up for the day:
* Had a Shakeology in the morning - trying the sample pack. Had the vanilla & it was disgusting.  Had it with orange juice & ice... it was horrid... but downed it anyways

Thumbs down for the day:
* Birthday cake... with no working out

FitBit Stats:  4711 Steps 2.09 miles ... (That's just awful)

I'm embarrassed... don't even look at me...

Fit in your 40's... here we go...

I've blogged for years on my other blog, Knit by God's hand... but really want to be accountable for my exercise.  And while I probably will talk about it in both places, this is for me.  To log my work outs.  For you to yell at me about the work outs...  & hopefully to find encouragement yourself.  Its not easy to stay active & try to stay fit in your 40's... but I'm going to try it...

wanna join along?
wanna encourage me?

I could always use some cheerleaders...