And the beat goes on...

Happy Tuesday! Hope this week is treating you well! Today was  day 10 of Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred (currently Level 2 Day 3) I can honestly say it isn't any easier than the last 2 days, but I am so totally sweating more! I currently have a love hate relationship with it. Last night, my bestie Liz asked me to go with her to the YMCA and take Zumba with her. I have taken Zumba like last May, so it was like I never took it before. Ok, first off, there is not Latina in me ANYWHERE!! I cannot shake my money maker, shake my shoulders, nothing. I was concentrating so much on getting the movements correct, that I might have stopped having fun. Well, until I looked over and saw my best friend standing there with me. And realized I couldn't ask for better company to spend it with. I do know that we will probably try Zumba again, and have a blast. I do know that the classes that my friend is exposing me too is great for cross training. Going to the Y at least once a week might just get me to join. Besides getting girl time while getting in shape, M will be able to take swimming lessons. Sounds like a win win to me. Even if there are no classes that interest me, M and I can still swim, something that I know I will love and cherish.
So here is to a happy Tuesday and more of Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. She says that doing this should make us feel like we are going to die, yeah, I was probably close to it. I am going to keep on keeping on. 12 days until I will have my second half under my belt. Here's to you and exploring other fitness avenues to keep it fresh. I am thankful that my friend is exposing me to all of these classes, it definitely reaffirms my desire to become certified in personal training.
Have a great night.

Saturday...

First, I wanted to see if you noticed a new look here at PirateBooty Fitness?!? No, you didn't? Look again. My awesome "friend" (I hope to make it IRL) from Running In Pearls designed it for me? Doesn't it look swell?!? I LOVE IT! I think it captures the theme of what I wanted this website to look like. Anyway, let's do a recap so to speak of the last couple days, shall we?

As you know, I have been doing Jillian Michael's 30 day Shred. I missed Thursday because well 1- by body told me I needed to sleep in, and 2, I was on call and I got home super late and I was to tired, so I listened to my body again and just rested.  But, yesterday (was a day off) I actually got to run! I know, super crazy right. My friend AJ and I met up at Plainfield Township's rail to trail and we couldn't have asked for a better day. It was 80 (what the heck, isn't it fall?) so I wasn't really dressed the part of a summer runner, I was dressed the part of a fall runner. Anyway, I am in the process of breaking in new shoes (long story, a post for another day) and I thought I could handle a longish run. What do I mean by longish, well, I have exactly 15 days until my next half marathon, so slowly my mileage will be tapering down. I wanted to run at least 6, but breaking in new shoes is no joke. I did manage to do 5, so it wasn't really all bad, but, I think if I would have had already broken in shoes I would have gone further. Anyway, I was just glad to get out and run. This day care thing is starting to look up and up ;)  After runningYesterday, I did week 1 level 1 of the 30 day Shred, and I am glad I did! 
Today, the local running store Aardvark offered free yoga for runners. I went to last month's free session, so I was definitely not going to miss this one. What did I learn, 1- I wish yoga was cheaper, 2- maybe I really do need to look into yoga dvds, 3- I need to see if there are yoga studios closer to my house. Not that driving to Bethlehem is all that far (maybe 15 minutes) but that is not really convenient for me to commit to it.  The session was alright, it wasn't like classes I have been too before, but it was great at helping me stretch. I am not complaining, it was free and still totally worth it.  After yoga, I went home and did Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred Level 2. Let me first start off by saying that I don't EVER remember ever doing level 2. I must have done level 1 FOREVER!! This level is completely different. I was able to do level one in the comfort of my socks or bare feet without any problems. No, not for this level. I will HAVE to make sure I put on my gym shoes, this level is no joke. I am really looking forward to it though, I really know that while it is not running, it will still help in the long run. I wish I would have known about this level before, or well, I obviously knew about this level, I wish I had done it before. Or maybe not, it has only been one day, the jury is still out.
Hope you had a great Saturday!

*Note: Since this is now being posted on Sunday, I have since done the workout for another day. It did not get easier, in fact, I think it kicked my ass even harder. But, I am going to do this, and I will survive! This is just gearing me up for my next set of goals.

This time of year

This is a beautiful time of year. The weather is getting cooler, the colors are breath taking, yadda yadda yadda. What I don't like about this time of year, is that it gets so dark so soon.  Way too early if you ask me. In the summer, it is light until about 9 pm. Which works well when you work until 730 at night. You still have time to come home and take your daughter for a 2-3 mile run. Well, not this time of year. It is dark before I even get out of work. Makes it nearly impossible to take M for a run. Maybe I really do need to invest in a headlight, and reflective gear, and all of that jazz. Maybe I should get her a headlight so that she can enjoy the nighttime runs with me.

I am supposed to be training for a half marathon right now. Supposed to be is such a good key phrase. I mean I get my long runs in, but it's the short weekday runs that aren't getting in :( Well, maybe I can now get 1 in a week with M being in daycare, but is it too late? How will my half marathon suffer with only my long runs?!? I know that if I don't get a good time, I will be mad at myself, but who can I blame, only myself. I am trying to get some cross training in, I still try to run steps with Bob at least once a week, on my off day, because who wants to run steps at 8pm? I am currently doing Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred, with the hope that it will help me with maintaining some of my cardiovascular capacity. I know it isn't the same as running, but at least it is something? Trust me, I am not complaining, and I don't regret having M, I just wish that maybe I worked a different shift and then I could still possibly run before I picked up M from daycare. I really need to talk to my uncle about getting my bike back. I could at least add that on Sundays and then I could have that as cross training too.  

Let me not complain, things are looking a little better. I was having pain in my foot, which I went to Aardvark to talk to them about it.  From what the salesperson told me, it is possible that the cut of the shoe was too narrow, so they were willing to exchange it for a wider shoe. It's like I got a new pair of shoes for free! I don't know if they will be broken in in time for the half marathon, but at least I have a new pair of shoes, right. 

I am hoping to next month start Beachbody's Insanity program. A few "friends" of mine are Beachbody coaches, and while I know that I cannot be like them, I look up to them, from both of running awesomeness and nutrition awesomeness. Hopefully the 30 Day Shred will re-ignite my weight loss quest and I will be able to keep it going with Insanity and hopefully add Shakeology as supplements.

I know this sounds like me doing nothing but complaining, but getting it off my chest makes me feel better.  I will hopefully sleep well tonight not having this on my chest anymore. I will get up tomorrow morning and do week1 day7 of the Shred. I will do what I can do keep myself moving forward in preparation for my half marathon. I will continue to be in awe of my friends who are running full marathons this weekend and hope they know how their sacrifices they make for their running definitely does not go unnoticed. My hats are off to you guys! All of you amaze and inspire me!

Foodie PenPal

Hi! Welcome to my fitness blog! If you are new to PirateBooty Fitness, you can learn more about me at my personal blog Shelze's World. This is a new fitness blog that I created to separate my working out adventures from my personal life. Not that they don't mix, but one day I hope to be able to make this blog part of my business life. Anyway, here is what you came here for...

In the month of September, I somehow stumbled upon this awesome website called The Lean Greenbean. Within her blog I found the option to join and become a Foodie PenPal. It is this awesome opportunity to meet people all across the US or Canada if you are Canadian, and share your love of food! Who doesn't love to get care packages, especially when they involve food?!? If you wanna know more, click here. I had so much fun, I already signed up for this month! The best part is that who you send too is not necessarily sending yours to you. I sent mine to a sweet young lady in CT where my package came from Laura in Minnesota! Hi Laura! I am so excited about this month, I am already planning my package! But, without further ado...



Yay! A package!!!!

This is the best, most fun thing there is! You put an entire ear of corn in the microwave and it makes popcorn! I have so much fun with this, and M thinks it is awesome! It's a win-win. I will be sad when I run out :(

This envelope had a sweet little note, and also a recipe for the MN wild rice. I am looking forward to the fall weather so that I can attempt to make it. Laura, I know it won't be true MN wild rice soup, but I will try!

I cannot wait to try this dip. Golden Fig sounds delish!

This book was included in the care package, and while I have never heard of it or the author, the little that I have had time to read is really good. I CANNOT wait for a day off and a peaceful day to read this book cover to cover! Thank you! I am always looking for a good book to read!

I can never have enough honey, and this cute little bear is exactly what I need. I love this honey and used it just last week when I was feeling under the weather.

I think it is awesome how through a few short emails Laura was able to learn about me and picked these awesome gifts for me. Thank you Laura and thank you again Lindsay for such a fabulous idea!

The boat launch

Saturday's run with BCR was at the boat launch by my house. I have run this path several times, but never the distance that I knew in my head I wanted to cover. I couldn't run early because my hubby worked last night, but I knew that if he got home on time (which he didn't) I would be able to get there by 7:30 to run with the group. I got there at 7:50 so I knew they would be out running already. But, I KNEW I had to get a run in. With my last run being only 7 miles AND a week ago, I knew I was in for a challenge. I have been having trouble lately mentally getting through long runs. For some reason, mile 6 has been my breaking point. It is usually at this distance that I tell myself, no I listen to the doubt in me head, telling me I cannot go any farther, and fall apart. It is usually a struggle then to finish the run, no matter what the plan was for distance.  So today, I ran by myself. Nothing new, I am used to it, but I completely shut off my brain. I knew I could do the mechanics of the run without thinking about it, I knew I had the endurance to do the run, I just couldn't think about it. But, as the run began I started to think about how far I wanted to go. How far I needed to go with the half marathon coming up. I thought about how I shouldn't be able to finish it because I haven't run in a week. And this was at mile 2! It was then, that I told myself to stop thinking of the total mileage and take it one mile at a time. I also listened to my body. It was sore and stiff and everything in between. But I listened to it. I slowed my pace and tried to keep it constant.At mile 3.5 I wanted to give up and turn around, but I knew that if I didn't try to get my 10 miles I would be very disappointed in myself and would be bummed the rest of the weekend. So, I just kept going. I enjoyed the scenery around me, and the looked at the leaves who in my opinion are turning fall colors way too early. I enjoyed the occasional runner/walker/fisher I encountered. I took it mile at a time. I didn't let myself get overwhelmed with the need to run 10 miles. Hell, at mile 5 at the turnaround I contemplated going a little further, to push myself just a little more.It felt good to run, and I wanted to run more. But I decided not too. I decided I needed to start back home so that I would make the run. Mile 6 still seemed to be a long mile. It seemed like it was the longest mile to be exact. I don't know what I ever did to the 6 mile mark to make it haunt me so bad, but it did. I just kept telling myself take it one more mile. Miles 7-8 flew by and then mile 9 seemed to take it's time. 9.5 to 10 seemed like it was really 2 miles long, but I just kept pushing.  I am so glad I talked myself into running the 10 miles, I really know I would have been disappointed with myself, and well quite frankly, I needed the miles so that I know I will be ok for the half coming up.


On Friday, I started waking up early and doing Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. It's just 20 minutes, but man, does it kick your behind. I don't remember it being so challenging, but maybe then I wasn't doing it right. I have done it 3 days so far (today included) and I plan on continuing it for the 30 days. According to Jillian, she says you can lose up to 20 pounds in 30 days. I will let you know. Maybe this video will reignite my metabolism and help me continue on my path to a healthier weight. I am also contemplating Insanity, which I believe is 60 days. I know that utilizing that program will help me continue my weight loss, but also improve my core which will help with running. Sounds like a win-win situation for me.

I don't do well with changes...

Right now, the hardest thing that I am having to deal with is not running. Yes, I love having the 1 day off a week, but it doesn't leave me time to run. I really wish that it was still light out longer. I have  no control over that. My husband works 11p-7a, so I can't really run in the morning. When I get home from work, he lays down to sleep and I put M to bed. Some nights are harder than others. Tonight, for example, it took almost 2 hours to get her to bed. But, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. On Monday, she starts day care again. While, I don't necessarily want to see her go to daycare, she keeps asking about going to school.  I am hoping that my husband will use the time that she is in daycare and sleep. Before, he watched her while I worked and then my parents watched her in the afternoon so he could rest. Hopefully, now he will be able to sleep for the 8 hours she is in daycare and then be able to watch her once I put her down to bed so I can hit the treadmill. I know, I know, this is my fitness blog. I am getting to that. Starting tomorrow I am going to do what I can at home while the wee one sleeps. Starting tomorrow I am going to do Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. I know it isn't much, but it is something. It is more than what I am doing during the week currently (which is nothing). I have noticed how my mood, my energy, my eating has been affected by the fact that I am not active. I didn't realize how much everything revolved around my physical activity. I mean I did, but at first I thought it was just because I was adjusting to 10 hour shifts. Now, I realize that it is because my weekly mileage went from 16 a week to 10, and now I also don't have my gym time. What a huge shock to my body!

I am really hoping that will all change starting Monday. M will still go to school even on my off days, which will open up some needed me time, and it won't compromise the us time. I need to get up earlier to get my fitness in, so starting tomorrow I am going to try do me. I am going to do the 20 minutes of Jillian Michael and follow it with my 20 minutes of Abs. It's the baby steps, but hopefully they will get me on the right track to feeling better, eating healthier and getting back on the right track to how I felt before I went to 10 hour shifts. Before I let my fitness go, without even trying.

The above all sound like excuses. Excuses are like assholes, everyone has one. But, the buck stops here. I am taking back my fitness. Hopefully!

Run-Yoga-Walk

Saturday was supposed to be a 10 mile run. Supposed to be is the key word. I have to stop planning my mornings down to the last second. Take Saturday for example. I had signed up to do free yoga at a local running store. I really enjoy yoga and wish it was more affordable, so when ever there is an opportunity for me to try it for free or reduced price I sign up for it. Anyway, yoga was at 9 so I knew I had to be finished with my run by 830 so that I could leave to get there on time. Of course, my run started late which then meant that my narrow window of opportunity was even narrower. My run felt great, and it was beautiful. It was around mile 2 that I got so stressed over the time constraint that I stopped running to look at my Garmin because I didn't think that it was possible that I was only running 20 minutes! I started to freak myself out that my Garmin stopped working and on and on and on I went. Then, at mile 3.6 the path that I was on ended and I had no idea what or how that happened. I was certain that my running club wouldn't have chosen a path that wasn't long so I got really nervous. I hadn't seen anyone on my run and since I had never been that far on this particular path, I wasn't sure I knew what the heck was going on. So, I just turned around. Then, I started even more to worry about my time limit. And the pain in my foot. And the time, and the pain, and on and on it went for 3.6 more miles. Finally, I got back to my car. Met up with 2 of the guys from the running club who were there, chatted briefly and then headed to yoga.

This yoga was yoga for runners and we did a great deal of time stretching. I LOVE the yoga classes that I have taken at this studio and since that is one of my few experiences of yoga I didn't really know what to expect. Except for the fact that the yogi was doing a lot of plugs for her business, it was an alright class. I did a lot of stretching, but since the yoga classes I have taken before were hands on, I was disappointed with the lack of touching where the yogi assists you in the correct position. That being said, I will be doing the next free yoga session.

Did you notice how I talked about the foot pain with running. I was/am concerned that it is something wrong with my foot, so since the local running store where I purchased all of my running shoes was hosting the yoga I thought I would talk to them about my pain. I wanted to rule out/ rule in a shoe problem before I went to the doctor. Turns out my generation of my running shoe is cut smaller than the previous generation. Which means I have to get a wider shoe. Luckily for me they are doing an even exchange for the new shoe so I get a brand new pair of shoes for free, but with only 3 weeks until my half marathon, that doesn't give me enough time to break in my new shoes. Guess I will be wearing my older generation shoes for the half. Oh well. Hopefully with the new shoes my pain will go away. If not, I guess I will be off to see the doctor.

I woke up Sunday and my IT band was a little sore. Perfect I thought. (Sarcastically of course). But I knew that I would have the opportunity to walk since I was doing the American Heart/Stroke Walk. It was a beautiful day, and I couldn't have asked for a better one. I got to walk 2.2 miles pushing my daughter. It was a lot of fun, and something my IT band needed. A nice slow stretch.

I spent all day today at work walking. I really should use my Garmin at work one day to see how far i really walk in a day. Maybe I will.  Anyway, I am trying to get shorter workouts in this week with my taper starting next week. Hopefully I will get the opportunity to stretch it out really well, and come Wednesday, i will be running steps again. In the meantime, I guess I should work on getting to bed sooner. A lack of sleep really wears you out for the day.

I hope you had a great Monday!

Happy-Healthy-You!