Renewed Focus

I admit the past few weeks I have just been maintaining.  It is time to step up my focus and take it to the next level.  I'm back to logging my food intake and my workouts.  I am ready to feel the burn, not just working out to work out.  This is again why I need to have the next "goal" set in front of me.  Today I am going to research triathlon training programs so I am ready to go on the indoor triathlon on my birthday!!

I am also going to take advantage of the early bird $$ feeds for registering for a number of 2012 races before the new year.

New weekend's race is a 5k trail and the following race is a midnight run on New Years Eve!

Body for Life Week 3 in the books...

As much as I love running, I love less running and energy I gain from lifting weights and doing interval cardio.  I still love running and will never give that up, but it makes me not as energetic. When I was averaging 20 miles per week I had not enough energy to also keep lifting as I had prior to my half marathon training.  Now I'm doing interval running, lifting, and stretching 6 days a week and still fill like I have more to give.  My  body is starting to change again.  I'm down to almost my goal that I set prior to starting body for life last year and I've lost 43 pounds total.  I know I will hit the 50 pound mark by the end this cycle of Body for Life.

Body for Life Challege #3 Begins....12 weeks of intensity....

I set a goal to go back to my body for life workouts after the half marathon was done.  It is the eve of beginning so it is time to set my 12 week goals....

Challenge 3 Body for Life Goals

Five things I will accomplish in the next 12 weeks:

1.  Within the next 12 weeks I will lose 20 pounds of fat and have a healthier BMI

2.  Within the next 12 week I will have a very defined body in which my arms, legs, and stomach will be toned/ripped

3.  I will eat six meals per day of high quality protein and complex carbohydrates in the correct portions, with vegetables in two of the meals

4. Within the next 12 weeks I will reach a new level of fitness by maintaining my long runs of 5-8 miles once per week while still interval training two other cardio days per week

5.   Within the next 12 weeks I will be transformed into another body shape that will be wearing a size 10 and weighing 160 pounds

I will continue: working out 6 days per week, pushing myself, being happy, and loving life!

Putting miles in your training log is like putting money in the bank. You begin to draw interest on it immediately. - Hal Higdon

It is funny what a difference a week, a month, even 11 weeks can make.  When I started on my half marathon training, I knew it would be difficult as the farthest I'd ever ran was 3.5 miles.  Over the past 11 weeks, I have had a few hard runs, even one last week for 9 miles that made me doubt I was going to be able to do this.  Then as if the the planets are starting to align I ran my 10 miler today.  The same path I'd run all the weeks before....but today I ran it twice..to get to my 10 miles.  It's funny....8 or 9 weeks ago when I had to run 5 miles, it was a struggle....My side ached, I had to use the bathroom, I wanted any excuse to walk just a bit.  This hill is too big...on and on...Today on that same 5 mile path I felt like say, "BRING IT!"  I was running so light and effortlessly.

Seriously....last year at this time....my mile was 15 mins..... Today I'm running 5 miles for my week day runs and today finished a 10 mile long run!!! WOW!

I know next weekend is going to be the best run of my life...I am so excited.

Here is a little taste for what I'm in for:

 

I'm so glad I took this journey...it has been amazing.  I also want to thank so many people.

*My husband for being my training partner and pushing me to a place I never in a million years said I'd go!
*My friend Ashley, who is my running inspiration...Without here push to ask for someone to run it I'd probably never had done this!
*To all my family and friends who constantly tell me how awesome this is....
*To the little voices of people in my past who never thought I'd do this or how crazy I was......it was inspiration...
*To the law of attraction.....anything is possible if you just ask for it and believe it is yours.....
*The running buddies I have, who help me with little tips and tricks.....
*COUCH TO 5k
*Anytime fitness
*THANK god for Thorlos
*Under armor
*BODY FOR LIFE
*PROMAX
* Hal Higdon
*my students
*Thank you!!! :)

Enter Week 4 of the Half Marathon Training

Each step I take on this journey I am learning more and more about myself as a person.  I was the person back in October and for the past 31 years who never liked to run.  I mean I was athletic and played sports.  I would work out, but never have I ran as much as I have in the past six months.

Week 1 of 1/2 training was pretty easy.  I am use to working out 6 days a week and the mileage was comparable to my body for life training.  Week 2 is where I started to feel a bit of the strain.  I was doing 3 miles on the treadmill, when in the past I was only doing 2.  The last mile was hard because I was bored inside.  The long runs were outside and I have taken my once 3.3 mile max to a 5 mile max to date.  This week the week day runs are 3.5 and my long runs are 5 miles. 

I am doing much better if I run outside vs. inside because the longer the distance the more my head plays tricks on me.

I am excited about the next 8 weeks as we near the start of the Half Marathon.  I know at this point it is still going to be a struggle at points, but my mind and body are ready to take on this challenge!!!!

Hard Run Race

Last Saturday was the Pecatonica Crooked River Run in my hometown.  It was a 5k that I'd been looking forward too.  Having so many people I knew there made it a bit nerve-wreaking.  I did however knock 3 seconds off my bones 5k which made me happy.

However, the spot at about mile 2.5 to 3.0 was enough to make me the first time ever during a race walk for about 15 seconds.  I was so mad at myself, but when I saw the clock I broke into a dead sprint. 

I never have felt it in my legs so much, but had a bit of feeling going into the day that my legs were still sore from weights on the Wednesday before. 

I am looking forward to a race on this Saturday with fresh legs.  I completed the last week of my body for life challenge x 2.  I'm down 33 pounds and a lot of inches. 

Race to Wrigley 2011

Yesterday was the big race, the Race to Wrigley!  This was the 6th annual race and for the past 5 years I had heard Len and Bob talk about the race always thinking it would be fun, but I was never a runner.  Fast forward to a few months ago I decided yes I am a runner and I registered my husband and I for the 2011 Race to Wrigley.

It was an amazing time minus the rain and I am so glad I did it.  Running through the streets of Wrigley and then down thru the concourse of Wrigley Field out from under the Marquee sign it was a blast!  I finished with a time of 30:24, which was about 24 seconds slower than I wanted!

My husband ran the race with me and this was my first time running a timed race with someone.  He could have easily finished in 27 or 28 minutes, but he slowed his pace a bit for me.

I'm ready for the next adventure.  This Saturday is a 3k Easter run and I'm looking to get around a 17 minute time.  I'm just hoping for SUNSHINE!

Just as the race was about to start in the rain!

Tomorrow marks the start of week 7 of the second body for life challenge!

Under the famous Sign :)

Another Race Completed

Today was The Red Shoe Run in Rockford.  It was my 2nd real 5K race.  I was feeling pretty confident as my last 5k was at night and it was freezing out.  I managed a 30:17.  Today's race included some hills that I wasn't thinking would be bad, but they kicked my time up a bit.  I crossed at about 31:20, I am waiting for the real results in the next few days.

Next weekend is the race to Wrigley and I'm looking forward to that.  The week after is a quick 3k in my town.  I am really enjoying running on the road and races, but it is much different than running on the treadmill.  I am thinking to cut my time down I am going to have to practice running outside more.

Last week I had my body fat measured and I was pleasantly surprised at the results.  I am sitting at 19.42%.  I know it might be just a "good" day but wow, it felt good knowing I'm getting healthier day by day and that my muscle mass has to be increasing!!!

Spring Training is almost over.....ready for real games

I am so excited for opening day!  I'm ready to see real baseball that counts!

I'm in the start of week 3 for my body for life challenge #2.  I've lost 7 pounds the past three weeks and I'm feeling better than ever.  I'm lifting more weight and running harder and faster than ever before.

Life is good!

The Week of Rest...Hardest of My Journey so Far

At the end of my 1st 12 week journey I've come to a sort of crossroads.  I decided that in order to kick my body to the next level and go on the next 12 week journey I needed to give it what it was craving.....rest.  So I committed myself to a week of no work outs.....

Day one of not working out turned into a 20 minute walk on the treadmill. 
Day two of not working out turned into a 3 mile walk around Westlake!
Then reality set in if I want to get ripped, toned, and faster I have to let me muscles take this time to relax and recover.  So Weds - Saturday I did not exercise.  My body repaid me in being very sluggish and tired. 

I am so surprised at how much I look forward to working out everyday!  Thank god tomorrow is Monday and BODY FOR LIFE cycle challenge #2 starts!!!

I am ready to push myself even harder and farther!!!!


In order to start my next Cycle of Body for Life 12 week Challenge I would like to document where I am and where I am going!!!

I want to recap what I have accomplished since the first week of December 2010:


I lost 23 pounds of weight
I gained visible muscle in parts of my body
My body fat % dropped
I worked out 6 days per week, every week for 12 weeks
I ate 6 meals per day, that were balanced with complex carb and protein

My personal mantra:

I am strong, powerful, healthy, and I believe in the power of being the best person I can be.  I am creating a perfect body that is lean, toned, and fit.  I see myself in the mirror as that body.  It is mine.  I will obtain it. 

Five things I will accomplish in the next 12 weeks:

1.  Within the next 12 weeks I will lose 30 pounds of fat and have a healthy BMI

2.  Within the next 12 week I will have a very defined body in which my arms, legs, and stomach will be toned/ripped

 

3.  I will eat six meals per day of high quality protein and complex carbohydrates in the correct portions, with vegetables in two of the meals

 

4. Within the next 12 weeks I will reach a new level of fitness by achieving the addition of core centered works outs into my routine and yoga

 

5.   Within the next 12 weeks I will be transformed into another body shape that will be wearing a size 12 and weighing 160 pounds

 

I will continue: working out 6 days per week, pushing myself, being happen, encouraging my husband, and loving life!

 

Made the First 12 Week Challenge

The last 84 days were spend with much sweat and pain and fun.  I am so glad I found body for life.  It has actually changed my life.  I am down 23 pounds and around 10-11 inches of loss off my body.  My body fat as dropped about 5% and I'm ready to push it to the next level next week.

This week we are taking off as a recoup week and let me tell you how hard it is to take a week off!!!!  I walked the past two days because I couldn't stand not working out.  Today I finally told my body that it needed it to be healthy and ready for the next 12 weeks.

I love working out and I am so happy I made this change for the rest of my life.

Week 11 and the push is on....

Today marked the start of week 11 out of 12 for our body for life challenge. 

I feel amazing, I am down 23 pounds since I started 10 weeks ago.  I am feeling muscles growing and seeing them take shape.  I am going to take a week off and do one more 12 week challenge.  I am in love with the results so far. 

Today I hit another personal milestone.  I was able to break the minute mile pace.  I ran two miles in 19:58.  I was stoked!!!  That felt so good.  I had been trying for ten minute mile for a bit, and to push it over today felt amazing!

2 weeks of hardcore pushing and I will be at my goal in no time. 160 pounds and muscles!!!!!

Week 8 Starting

Tomorrow we start week 8 of the Body for Life challenge.

I am down 16 pounds and feeling amazing!!!!

Start of week 5

Today marks the start of week 5.  It also marks everyone else doing their new years resolution.  It was hard to get a spot to run tonight.  With body for life it is a pretty set schedule, so it wasn't like I could just lift instead tonight, that would mess up the full week.  It is pretty cold outside, so I wasn't going to run outside yet.  So I waited and hoped on the treadmill.  My husband is awesome and he waited for the next one.  It was just about time to get off when he finally got one, so I just pushed and ran longer!  So all in all it turned out to be great!

I didn't weight my self this week.  I am going to wait until picture day on Thursday.  I can tell more weight is leaving and I am feeling so strong!  I love this.  I love feeling amazing.

Good things are happening all around me and I feel at peace!

Cubs convention in just a few days....I am so excited!!!!

Week 4

I am falling in love with Body for Life.  I am honestly making the transition and seeing how it is going to be my life now.  I'm feeling so good as I see my body changing before my eyes.

I got some cool workout clothes for Christmas and I felt good running in a under armor type shirt instead of just a t-shirt, I felt a lot cooler and the sweat didn't feel as heavy on me.....I also just felt good being dressed for my workout.  I know it is silly, but going to the gym, I try to dress for comfort and a bit of look.  It makes me work harder knowing I can see that 160 pound girl standing in the mirror looking back at me!

I am down to 202....

I can also see my triceps without flexing and it is making me giddy!!!!  If I flex....my biceps are also making me smile.....

Getting enough protein has been thing I've been focusing on as of late.  I am really like the myoplex 42 grams of protein shakes!!!  The wisk ball from GNC is legit!

160 is going to be here soon, I'm ready for it!

I also registered for a 88 floor stair climb on Jan 30th, and later this week will be registering for the Warrior Dash this spring!!!!

Middle of Week 3

Currently in the middle of week, so technically 2 1/2 weeks have passed.  I'm still at the same weight I was last week, but I can SEE muscles starting to form under the fat that I'm slowly chipping away at.  I can actually see the muscle definition and it is making me so excited.  In 10 weeks I am going to be a different person.  I am loving it so far.  My biggest hurdle is going to be Christmas/New Years.  I am going to adjust my cheat day which is normal Sunday to Christmas Eve and New Years Eve.  I am hopeful that eating just a few small tempting treats on one day will satisfy my cravings.  My cravings honestly have subsided based on how I felt that first week.  It is starting to get easier to eat the small meals. 

Tonight's workout was the first time since I started couch to 5k way back when that I started running and stopped.  I opted for the bike today, but legs were just too sore from my leg workout.  I needed to change up my cardio tonight.  I missed it and will be back to running Friday....after a killer arm work out tomorrow!

Start of Week 2 - Body for Life

I can honestly say if I had not completed the couch to 5k I would probably have quit body for life by now.  My body is at a point where I am ready for more.  The first week was hard with the diet changes.  My body I think started to do a natural cleanse.  I was in the bathroom a lot!

I have currently lost 4 pounds in the first week and 1/2 of this program.  I am hovering so close to the 199 mark.  I am ready to step on the scale and see those numbers keep falling.

I also started using a app on my ipod called Loseit.com and it has been really cool to track my calorie intake. 

Tonight I did an arm workout that kick my arms sooo hardcore.  My arms are still hurting and I'm sure tomorrow I will feel it!

I am so happy to be on the journey!!!  I can see that beautifully fit body in the mirror and it is coming into focus!