Working Out At Night

Well, the day got away from me and I ended up going to the gym at 8pm. Funny thing about it was, I had so much energy! I worked out for 50 minutes... and I don't mean light working out. I was sweating like an ape with mad cow disease. I'm starving but I am just going to go to bed, and pray that the scale gives me good news in the morning.

On a side note, I ran on the treadmill just the one mile tonight again. It looks like I can officially run a 10 minute mile. I know to most people that seems like a really long mile, but to slow, chubby people like myself, I'm Speedy Freaking Gonzalez.

Boom.

Expresso Bike

How in the name of the Lord baby Jesus have I never experienced the Expresso bike before now?! While wondering around the gym today, and trying to think of something to do other than run, I came across a video game/exercise equipment situation. I watched the big screen in front of me while I rode my virtual bike through beautiful cartoon fields, while smoking my animated competition. I nearly forgot I was working out for most of my time with the Expresso bike, except when I was going uphill, and when I was playing with the controls on the "bike" and realized I was increasing the resistance a ton while I was riding. That was scary, but fantastic all at the same time. Something the running community might want to look into for cross-training, no?

After my brief 20 minute jaunt on the pretend bicycle (to be honest, the seat was starting to hurt the lady parts), I couldn't help myself...and I got on the treadmill. I'm either addicted to running (obviously not addicted enough, judging by the size my butt), or subconsciously too afraid to expand my cardiovascular horizons. I only ran a mile, but it was a solid 10 minute mile and I felt awesome enough.

I ate pretty well today. I made a "healthy" baked ziti for dinner tonight. It was the bomb.com, to say the least. I haven't entered my calories into the online log yet, so in all actuality... dinner might not have been healthy at all. I used low fat cheese.....Smart Noodles.....I tried anyway.

I've lost a single pound so far. Just the one.

How to be a Sexy Beast

For lunch I had a foot long sub sandwich today. It was oven roasted chicken, on "whole wheat"..but I'm estimating it was around 600 calories. That was the biggest downfall of the day. I didn't pack a lunch for work and ya know, big girls get hungry often. The only other options for lunch today were sushi or Taco Bell. The foot long won. Remember, no judging.

On Sunday, to remember Lise and Faith Palmer I went for a run. I only made it 2.5 miles, but I have been super sore ever since (pathetic, I know). Today I was feeling extremely inspired and, at the gym, I showed that treadmill who the boss was! There were a few hiccups (like the fire alarm and building evacuation that occurred at mile one), but I got right back on the machine and kept going. After 3 miles of really pushing myself, I realized that it was time to stop. My groin felt like it was detaching from the rest of my body. Too much too soon, especially with my newly-fat body.

I did everything I was supposed to do for The Challenge today, and I didn't even have a calorie overage.

I guess I still have to do something about my jiggly arms before bed. Ugh. Why do we have to have so many body parts?!

I already miss Cheeze-Its. 32 days to go.

The Challenge

Oh don't read the title of this blog with that look on your face. Don't judge me. I told you all from the beginning that I tend to get ideas, then I get lazy and change my mind, or get too busy, or lose self worth, or drive by a Taco Bell, and give up on said ideas. You have done it too, right? Besides, my first objective with this blog was to train for and finish a half marathon and live to tell about it. I've done that! Twice. And I've even directed a few races since. I'm accomplished now. The only problem is, I'm an accomplished, out of shape, fatty. Again. Oh yeah, with little self worth.

I have a few questions that I don't think anyone but God himself can give me answers to. Questions like, why does my body like being fat so much? Why are my body and my mind constantly in a battle over burritos and Real Housewives of New Jersey verses a chicken breast and a 5 mile run? Why can't I just be one of those "naturally skinny" girls (who I'm sure all have terrible personalities anyway)? Why am I always tired? Why do I avoid blogging like I do standing on a scale? Where did I set my glass of pinot grigio?

 Oh man. I could go on for days.

What it all comes down to is, since I had my son two and a half years ago I have lost over 50 pounds. Actually I was close to a 60 pound loss at one time! I was feeling amazing, wearing between a size 6 and an 8, had calves to die for. I took a few months off from my perfect diet and exercise routine (okay, by a few months, I mean eleven of them) and here I am. My stomach jiggles when I run. As do my thighs and my double chin. I bet my freakin' ear lobes jiggle when I run. Blegh. It's gross and I'm unhappy. Clearly, this makes me grouchy and the opposite of perky and inspiring.

 On July 1st I'm turning 28. Guess what happens a month after that? My ten year high school reunion, and ya know what folks? I'm not a supermodel, or a doctor, nor did I invent Post-it notes. I had better walk in there looking damn good if my claim to fame is my hot dog/cornbread casserole. Time for a change. Time for something drastic. Again.

I've created a new goal for myself. Since I refused to pay the outrageous entry fees for the Seattle Rock and Roll Marathon this year (my tradition has been to run it the last two years), I needed to give myself something else to strive for. I wanted to make a plan for myself that will better me on the outside, and on the inside. I need to get in touch with who I am and learn to actually be proud of myself, the way I used to be.
I am calling this.... wait for it......The Challenge.

Catchy, no?

For the next 33 days, I am going to:

•  Exercise for at least thirty minutes a day, 6 days a week. Three of those days should be a run (just to stay relevant and such), and I've gotta do those arm weights. My arms jiggle a lot too.
• I am going to log my food into my handy,dandy calorie counter online. That thing is amazing and somehow makes me feel guilty for eating an entire bag of miniature Butterfingers!
•  I am going to attend church each Sunday without fail. No excuses. The man above seems to help me stay focused..so I figured I would throw this in to be doubly sure I don't sleep in on Sunday mornings.
• I am going to blog. Every night. Whether you like it or not.

 Boom.

Well, that's all I have for now. Feel free to join me in this little adventure. I mean, even if your birthday isn't July 1st, it is a few days before the fourth of July, and who wants to look bloated under fireworks?! Not me and certainly not you!

 Please leave me any suggestions you have for me on fun workouts, healthy food that doesn't taste like crap, or your thoughts on The Challenge.

*que Eye of the Tiger