Dig deep

Have you ever done Insanity? Are you crazy enough to attempt it? Have you ever counted how many times Shaun T says it during a workout? Where do they get their music from?!?! LOL, all of these were the wonderful things I was thinking working out today. Today was Pylo day. It really should be called sweatfest, but who would buy that? "I'll take one sweatfest today please!" I know I am crazy. I must be. But still, I took some time off of Insanity last week to try to work out some kinks in my life, and if you know me irl, you know there are many. So, I promised myself that I would do whatever I can to make me a better me, a better wife and mom. And, I am doing just that. I have a half marathon in April that I totally want to rock, and therefore I am doing what I can  to help cross train right now. I have to say that I am not sure if it is me who is changing or if I just didn't work as hard at the beginning (ok 2 weeks ago when I started) but I am not only sweating more, but I also think I am slowly starting to be able to do more of the workout before I feel like I.must.die. That is the point right? I am also at a point in my life right now, where I am able to turn my head off and be asleep by 10-1030 at the latest and sleep until 6 am. This is one of the biggest changes that I have made so far in my life. I used to go to bed at 12 or 1 and get up at 6, how I managed that, I have no idea. However, all of this sleep is amazeballs (as my sister would say). I actually wake up refreshed and not tired. While I still don't know if I dream yet, I am ok with that because at least I know I am sleeping. What does that have to do with working out, since this is my workout blog. I feel that getting more sleep is directly related to my level I can bring to my workouts. The better rested I feel, the more I bring. So I can dig deep, over and over!

I am also trying something new, well new to me. I am not sure if I was ever well hydrated before. So, thanks to someone (I don't remember who, if it's you, please let me know so I can thank you) was talking about this app called Water balance where I am able to track my water intake and actually see how hydrated I am. I am one of those visual learners, so for me to actually "see" how much water I am drinking and how hydrated I am motivates me to drink more and turn more blue. I think yesterday I had to drink 1.3L of water! To me that is a lot of water, but I also noticed I didn't get a headache either. Hopefully I can keep it up!

If you read my blog last week, you saw that I had a doctor's appointment to find out about the pain in my foot. Well, if you follow me on Facebook, (if you don't do it NOW) you know that today I got the results of my MRI. It shows that I have some arthritis in my sesmoid bone of my big toe (yes, I said that right, my big toe)

Photo from here

and that between my second and 3rd toe I have a neuroma,

Photo from here

and that I have Achilles contracture. The doctor is hoping that the Achilles contracture will be corrected with Physical therapy and that an adaptive orthotic will help relieve the pain of the sesmoid bone and the neuroma. So, I start physical therapy on New Year's eve. I don't think I have ever needed physical therapy as much as I have since I started running, but I definitely wouldn't change anything for the world, unless the doctor says I have too. 

So, here's to nothing and to continually having to dig deep.  I have no idea what 2013 will bring me fitness wise, but I am working on a Fitness to do list that I will turn into a blog post as soon as it's done.

What have you done lately that had you dig deep?

Insanity

I took an unintended break from Insanity. It turns out that for my sanity, it was probably the best thing to do. See, I wasn't sleeping, so doing insanity before I went to bed helped, but it was really just a band aid on top of other problems.
Anyway, I am starting it again, and committing to myself that I have, no wait, want to do this. I have the awesome privilege of being one of the 15,000 women chosen for the inaugural NWM and I want to be in my prime! I want to be ready. I guess, it also goes to state that I want to run it pain free, which is why over the last week I have had xrays and even an MRI of my right foot to find out why I get pain in my foot at mile 6. As of right now, the xray was negative so there is no stress fracture. I go to the doctor's on Wed to find out the MRI results and then to see what is the next phase. I will keep you posted.
But, I am not going to wait until then. My foot didn't hurt with Insanity, so I am going to start it again. I owe it to myself. I lost 57# in one year, I know I can do it, I just HAVE to do it. So, again, I am taking back my me time. If it means I get up earlier in the morning, that is fine too. My daughter has been sleeping later, so maybe if I go to bed earlier I can get up earlier and work out. That is what I have to do. I can and will do this. For me. For her. I will try to update at least once a week on Insanity. Sundays are my rest days, but I will see how it goes. I will definitely update you on what the foot doctor says, since that is what is keeping me from running longer. That and music. I do need a new play list. Anyone out there offer me a good list of songs to help get me pumped and stay pumped for 2.5 hours of running. And go. Oh, and I am in the market for looking for a better sports bra. And go. I was hoping to go to Lululemon's Princeton location next weekend just to browse, but I am on call both days next weekend. Maybe for my 4 day weekend for year's end I will go. Just to browse and maybe hit the clearance. In the meantime, I am going to focus on what I have that I can do for me...exercise, eat right, spend as much time with Makayla as possible.
I have a feeling 2013 is going to bring me great things, I hope you are there for the ride.
Thanks for hanging on so far!

I am going Insane!!!

No, I haven't lost my mine. Or wait, maybe I have. But, since I feel like my weight loss has hit a plateau, I am trying to kick it up a notch. So, I started Insanity. Today was only the Fitness test, and I have 4 words for you...it kicks your a$$! Sorry for the expletive, but seriously, I thought I was somewhat in shape, then I did this and oye vey! The next 60 days are going to be interesting. Is it bad that I am looking forward to my rest week already?!? No, seriously I am excited to see what Insanity will do for me and my roundness. If you saw me post on facebook about getting beach wedding ready, no, I am not renewing vows, but I have a cousin who is getting married at the beach this summer and I am looking forward to going, just not looking forward to the bathing suit part. So, hopefully after finishing insanity, I will be bathing suit ready. I will finish Insanity the end of Jan. I will try to do it again in June to do last minute tone-ups before the wedding. I know that the wedding is not about me, but I want to be comfortable on vacation, and yes, I am using the wedding as my excuse.
I don't have a lot of running on my plate so far for 2013, I am really going to try to find different races, races that are not only fun, but also longer than 3.1 miles.  So far, I have a 5 mile race this Saturday. I guess people usually get a costumed up, and maybe I still will, but I am more worried about staying warm than dressing up.  Who knows, I still might.We will see how this week goes. My allergies have been a little jacked up. I am on allergy medicine and while I feel like I am going die at times, I also think I am starting to feel a little better. However, while I let it keep me from running the stairs, (I cannot believe I didn't go) I didn't let it keep me from doing Insanity. I may just may need my inhaler to do the workout, and now seeing a Robitussin commerical, I may need that as well, but I will get through Insanity. Some of my friends are a day a head of me, I am looking forward to the jello legs and those fun things that they are telling me. I will bring in the New Year with Insanity. To help celebrate the new me, and leave the old me behind. Who knows what a little Shaun T will do.

So, hopefully I will blog about my Insane adventures every day, but I also hope I don't bore you. Happy Monday! What are you doing to get through the holiday season and bring in the new year?!?!

Fitness Friday

After getting my butt kicked yesterday from Level 3 of 30 Day Shred, I was totally looking forward to getting back at it today. Unfortunately, my allergies have flared up and I can hardly breathe. I know I will be ok, I am on my allergy medicine, it just takes some time to stabilize all the junk floating around my head. Sorry for all the gross details, but I keep it real here. Ha! However, since I am not doing the 30 day shred this morning, I am still going to get some activities in today. I am meeting with a Beachbody coach to discuss my new adventure in the business and with taking my fitness to the next level. Eeek. I start Insanity too. After this meeting, I will run the steps at Lafayette. It might take me longer than usual, but I need to do them. They are paying off (at least I want to believe they are). I am trying to let my legs rest.  Haha, rest so only doing one workout not 2. 

Tomorrow, my friend is hosting a run. It's an awesomely scary thing because there are rules and stuff but not stuff like normal runs.  This run is a loop of 4.4 miles in length. It starts at the top of the hour and the next loop starts at the top of the next hour and so forth. If you don't finish the loop before the next one starts, you are timed out. Apparently this race can go for hours. I am planning on only running 1 loop, but if my running legs are there, maybe I will be able to get 2 full loops.  Next Saturday I have a 5 mile race. I am looking forward to it because the distance seems awesome. I feel that a 5K is too short and with feeling under the weather I don't think I will die with 5miles (right now, 6 might seem forever).
Well, I better get going. I have to get ready for the day and wake my sleeping sweet baby girl. I hope you all have an awesome weekend! I will let you know how the loopy loop race goes!

Where have i gone?

Hi! Sorry I have been MIA, but my personal life is kinda hectic right now. To the point that I feel like every day is groundhog day. But you didn't come here to read about that. So, on with the show.
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I sure know I did! It was an emotional day for me, because as you know, last year, the Pumpkin Pie 5K in Nazareth was the first 5K I EVER did. I ran it again this year as race-aversy present and tried to look back on how far I came. Let me just tell you that this course was NO joke and the fact that for my first race I ran those big hills lets me know something, I LOVE challenges. I did manage a 30 second PR and although I was frustrated at first, I realized with the help of my sister and running friends that had I actually rested my legs (I ran steps the day before and did 30 Day Shred the day of) I probably would have done better. But, hind sight is always 20/20 so at least I PR'd. Speaking of 30 Day Shred, I managed to only miss Monday this week so far bc of my sick child, but tomorrow I am stepping up my game and moving on to Level 3. AGH! Goodness hopes it doesn't kill me, right?!? Right.
Speaking of fitness, I am stepping my fitness up to the next level. I am now a beachbody coach and will be starting Insanity here in the next week or 2. Goodness knows I want to look my best for myself and for my daughter, but I also want to be proud to wear a bathing suit again, especially with a beach wedding this summer. I am also taking Shakeology, another beachbody product, to also try to restart my healthy eating habits. Since I have lost 57 pounds, I am not stepping everything up. I am throwing all cards in the middle and saying go for it!! Who knows where this next stage will take me, but I know it can only take me closer to my goal. Speaking of goals, I am still looking into becoming a personal trainer, I am just kinda waiting for life to slow down a moment so I can catch my breath.
I am also going to be refocusing some of my energy back on my motivation board. I started it last running season, and now that a new one is upon me, I want to update it and add things to help me this year. I am also trying to add some of the same races, but different races this year as well. For instance, I am running the same race that was my first half marathon last year again, but I am also throwing in a warrior dash and a chocolate race (hopefully) this year as well. Variety is the spice of life right?!?
Well, I really should get to bed. 430 will be here shortly and I want to make sure I have enough energy to put into tomorrow's 30 Day Shred level 3 workout! Goodness I am scared and nervous all at the same time. I hope you all have a great night!

Sad yet exciting day

Today, is a sad yet exciting day. How is that possible, you may be thinking, well sit right there and I will tell you. Today is the night before Thanksgiving. Ok, still don't get it. Thanksgiving last year was my first 5K race EVER!! And here it is, the eve of that day 1 year later. I am running that race again tomorrow, as I may every year because of it's significance to me, and I cannot believe how far I have come.  Today, I took down my display of my race bibs from Nov 2011-until today. When I started running, I only imagined signing up for that one race, but something clicked. I never felt so alive as I am running. It's my chance to push myself, and it was something I wouldn't have known had I not signed up for that first race. I cannot believe that a year later, I have run a few 5ks, a 10k and 2 half marathons! Not only that, some of my friends are coming to me asking me for assistance to get them into running. Wait?!?! How did that happen? When did people start looking up to me?!?!  So,  I took down my race bibs and put them in a safe place until I figure something else to do with them. Today is the day that I start with a clean slate. I will reflect on what races I want to participate in this year and what races I most likely won't repeat. I will be looking for longer races (Preferably greater than 5K) and will think of other ways to work in cross training. I just cannot believe how fast that year has come and how when I am having a talk with someone over running, when it comes to a 5K I say "It's only a 5K," not intending for it to come out that way. Ahh well. I will work on that.  Later today, I will be running steps with Bob. He got me hooked on running them, I blame him for my steps obsession.

Tonight, I will be beginning our Thanksgiving festivities.  It will start with taking my daughter to my old high school to see the Bonfire. My high school plays a football game every year (I believe this is the 160th meeting) and the night before is a huge bonfire.  The seniors in high school started collecting wood Mon and then slept out last night to protect the pile of wood. Tonight it will get set on fire. My daughter was too young last year to go, but this year we will be taking her. After that, my cousin and his wife will be hosting their annual Thanksgiving Eve party. My cousin's wife's family comes up for Thanksgiving from Tennessee and we celebrate their arrival. I cannot wait. In the meantime, my sister J will be traveling from Chicago to join us tomorrow for food, family, fun.
So while this blog is about my fitness and all that, this blogpost today was a little about everything else. I hope you have a great Thanksgiving eve, but an even better and blessed Thanksgiving. I have a lot to be Thankful this year, and I cannot wait to see where the new year will bring me.

The Fighter

I don't know how I found this song, but I did. The lyrics seem to be where I am right now, wanting to give them hell.  Who is them? I don't know. I think the them is more my doubt, because I am sure that I am not the talk of anyone out there. But, these lyrics....

Give 'em hell, turn their heads
Gonna live life 'til we're dead
Give me scars, give me pain
Then they'll say to me, say to me, say to me

There goes a fighter, there goes a fighter
Here comes a fighter
That's what they'll say to me, say to me, say to me
This one's a fighter

That's how I feel right now. I need to be a fighter, I need to keep on moving on.  

 

 

Today was an unintended rest day. I didn't sleep well on Wednesday night, and when it was time for my alarm to go off, my daughter climbed into my bed and wanted to snuggle. I am all about spending this type of quality time with her, and I wouldn't trade that in for anything in the world. I made up my mind to just work out then when I came home, but, quality time with my sweet babe is more important. So, today, I made it a rest day.  I enjoyed the moments of spending time with my daughter. I want her to know the sacrifices I have made to get healthier so I can be around for a long time for her.

As you know, I have been doing Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred. If you have been following me on instagram and/or twitter you can see the occasional post workout photo. Like I stated there, I am not sure if the workouts are getting easier so I am working harder or if I am just not as in shape as I thought, either way, it is kicking my butt. Starting tomorrow, I will be going back to an ab routine that I did a while ago as a challenge with some of my friends. Even if I do them 3 days a week for starters, hopefully it will help my core. My core is insanely out of shape.

 

I am focusing so much on the fitness, but I think I need to start looking again at my nutrition. If anyone has any suggestions, please feel free to send them my way.

Speaking of nutrition, with Christmas being a little over a month a way, and my birthday less than a month away, here are an example of some of the books that I am hoping to incorporate into my life. I am not asking anyone to buy them for me, but just trying to shop around so that I can eat healthier, cleaner.

 

I hope you all have a happy Friday! I will be running with my BCR friends this weekend, I have another race scheduled for Thanksgiving, it will be sentimental to me because it was this exact race last year that was my first race EVER! And look at me now. I would have never thought I would be where I am today. How far I have come and how much further I am going to go. I thank each and everyone of you for supporting me and helping me every step of the way. Thank you!