Day 44: Family time!

Day 44: Brisk Walk & Level 2 Shred

Duration: 37:14
Distance: 2.77 miles
Pace: 15:35

Today was such a beautiful day. Kevin came home this afternoon, and I figured we'd shred together or do something. I came up with the idea that we could all take a nice, brisk walk together. We loaded up Mairead & Lilah into the jogger and I strapped Clara (about 15lbs) to my back in the Ergo carrier and off we went. We did our usual course, but walked at a brisk pace instead of running. Clara passed out fairly early into the walk, I think it was when I was "jogging" - she must have loved the bouncing! haha.....Every now and then, I'd kick into a light jog! Clara didn't even awake.

When we came home, I turned on Jillian Michaels for a little more ass whoopin' and went to town! I did level 2. Today was tough. I used 5lbs for the first part of it, but had to switch over to 3lbs. All her plank work just kills me!

I'd say a 2.75 mile walk with an infant strapped to my back followed by a shred was a pretty good calorie burn!

Day 43: Double strollers, Wind & Beer.........

Have one thing in common - They can definitely make things harder! A lot HARDER!

Day 43: Running & OnDemand short version of "No More Trouble Zones"

Weather: Sunny 54 and WINDY.......head winds are NOT fun, especially while pushing a double jogger.

Duration: 33:09
Distance: 2.77 miles
Pace: 11:59 (mind you, I ended up stopping and chatting with a neighbor for a few minutes and forgot to press pause - the pace still would have sucked though)

Today was my running day. Just before I left Mairead & Lilah said they wanted to come. Hmmmmm. I thought. Well, I have a jogging stroller, and I bought it for this purpose, so I guess I should say "yes", right? Well, I did. I never imagined running behind a stroller would be so DIFFICULT! It was so tough, I was dying. My quads were burning so bad. Then, there was a HEAD WIND! Talk about tough. I seriously was huffing and puffing - how do people do this and run effectively??? The only thing I kept telling myself was "it's okay to walk" you're still getting exercise! I ran a lot, but slow....slow...slow....Then, I ran into a neighbor. Of course, I used that as an excuse to stop and catch my breath. I forgot to press pause on my mapmyrun application. Oh well, my run was down the drain by that point anyways.

Once we got home, the girls ran across the street to play with the kids. Our friends offered me a beer and I happily accepted. Wow. That tasted SO good!!!! I had every intention of continuing my work out at home...and I did! When we got back inside, I did the shortened verson on OnDemand of No More Trouble Zones. That is one tough work out! It felt good though. One thing I noticed that with the DVD, Jillian does TWO sets in each circuit, where on OnDemand, she only does ONE set.....there is a HUGE difference!!!!

I am pretty sure having that beer definitely cut down my productivity, but I still did it, right???? So, it still counts...... :)

Day 42 - Gimme a break...

Day 42 - A day off..

Today, I decided to give my body a break and not exercise....well, I went for a walk and played with the girls, but no running......no shred......no yoga.......nada. I was a lazy lazy lady....and it felt kind of good!

Day 41: Fast & Furious

Day 41: Running & Level 2 Shred

Weather: Sunny, 56 and very windy....

Okay......well maybe not "fast and furious" but comparison to what I did on Day 5, I was fast & furious today!

Today (day 41):
Duration: 17:12
Distance: 1.77 miles
Pace: 9:42 mins/mile

Day 5:
Duration: 24:08
Distance: 1.74 miles
Pace: 13:47 mins/mile

Not too bad. I shaved 7 minutes off of my time and improved my pace FOUR minutes from the first week of my couch to 5K.......Seriously? I am pretty satisfied with my improvement less than halfway through my 90 day challenge.

Today was windy. I think there is nothing worse than running straight into a stiff wind. It hurts. Bad. I thought it might be fun to go back to my first course and see how much I have improved since then. So, that's what I did. I never in my right mind would I have thought I'd be able to run under 10 minute miles and go for more than a few minutes straight. I won't tell you it felt great though. I just can't seem to find the "enjoyment" in running like some people do. How do you get there? I really want to...seriously, I do...but it's just tough. I will have to admit I was pretty psyched to see how much I have improved!

Since I ran less than 20 minutes, I came home and did level 2 of the Shred with Kevin. Wow. That definitely kicked my butt, especially after having a hefty workout yesterday with No More Trouble Zones. I am definitely seeing improvements with level 2 now. I can use 5lbs for almost the majority of the workout, but I find myself struggling during the second set, so I tend to pick up the 3's. Overall, not too shabby.

Day 40: I've entered Hell.

Day 40: No More Trouble Zones - full 40 minute DVD

Seriously, that work out is NO JOKE. I think it makes the shred seem easy in comparison to this workout. It is just intense. Today, I tried to do the majority of the workout with 5lb weights instead of 3's, and it went fairly well. My triceps are pissed off. The ab/core circuits are seriously killer, they make you want to cry. If this video doesn't get my body in shape, I don't know what will.

I wish it wasn't 40 minutes or I would do this in place of the Shred and just supplement with cardio (there's no cardio in this DVD). My goal is to do this 3 days per week, and the shred the others. It's such a fantabulous workout I really want to do it as often as I can. I was able to get Lilah & Clara napping early today which allowed me an interruption FREE workout........amazing. Doesn't happen very often!

The one great thing about the DVD is that you don't have to do the entire 40 minute workout. You can pick and choose each circuit if you are crunched for time, which I think is GREAT.

Seriously! Buy this video.....only $9 at Target. Worth EVERY penny.

Day 39: My FIRST 5K!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Day 39: Running - I think I have officially ditched the couch to 5K at this point...

Weather: Cloudy, 50 degrees and windy

Duration: 32:10
Distance: 3.1 miles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 5K baby!
Pace: 10:20 mins/mile



Today, I ran my very first 5K EVER! Even in the best shape of my life (college), I never ran. This is such a huge accomplishment! I can't believe it. When I started running yesterday, I never intended to run 3.1 miles. I felt horrible. I wasn't motivated. I hurt. I had to run. And I did. When I went to make a left onto Fogg Road to go home, I made a last minute decision to keep going straight through another neighborhood. I figured I could walk if I got too tired. I ran for 2.25 miles before I needed to walk, and at that point, I only walked for about 2-3 minutes before starting to run again. I was too far into it now, I had to finish! I had to complete 3.1 miles. AND I DID.

I felt so motivated when I finished! I seriously felt so good. I felt like I could keep going! No, really! Don't get me wrong, I never said I loved it! I still have a love-hate relationship with running. I hate it while I am doing it. I love it when I finish. I love the feeling. Especially after obtaining a goal less than halfway through my 90 day challenge.

I was so motivated when I got home, I threw on The Shred, level 1, and went to town. I was in shock at how easy it was for me! I used 8lb weights for a few of the exercises, and 3lbs for the lateral raises with the side lunges. I barely could get through it was no weights and 3lb weights just weeks ago.

Why did I ever stop exercising in the first place?

Day 38: Yoga is a lot like labor

Day 38: Jillian Michaels, Yoga: Meltdown

Yes, you read the title right!

I haven't done enough Yoga in my life to know the different types. I do know it's a great work out that does a good job in toning your body, etc. The only yoga I've done consistently is the Jillian Michaels Yoga: Meltdown. She does these crazy-to-me poses and has you hold them for 15 seconds. I swear, you have to breath through these for 15 seconds to get through them. Today, I had flashbacks of being in labor with the girls having to breath just like that to get through a contraction........except, I wasn't in labor, I was doing a damn yoga video! Having all three of my girls without drugs, definitely forces you to concentrate, not get too ahead of myself, and to relax. Yoga forces you to do the same in many instances.

So, if you're looking for a challenging Yoga work out - try it! and let me know if it gives you flashbacks of childbirth! :)

I had been doing a lot of weights lately, so I thought I'd give my body a break and just do a yoga. I really enjoy it. It's so relaxing, but at the same time, it gets my heart pumping. Level 1 is getting easier, though I am not quite ready to tackle level 2 on this DVD yet. I still struggle with the Chataronga push ups, and holding the T pose for 15 seconds. Not fun!

Whatcha doin' Wednesday???

Today is the first "Whatcha doin' Wednesday" -

Tell us who you are.....what you've been doing (not just today, but for past week or so)............what you like.......what you hate.........what's the hardest thing about getting in shape/exercising/healthy living..........any recommendations? And anything else you want us to know.....

I thought this may be a great way to learn more about each other as well as get some support & motivation from others.

Leave a comment below............so what are you doing????? Don't be shy!

You all know what I am doing :) - but, I'll post what I am doing exactly later. I'm trying to decide if I want to have some quiet time or do some Yoga! Choices......choices.

Day 37: The Shred is easy...

Day 37: Jillian Michaels: No More Trouble Zones (full 40 minute version)

HOLY CRAP! I just got my ass handed to me!

Today, I went to Target and bought the Yoga: Meltdown and No More Trouble Zones. I don't think they'll be on OnDemand much longer, and I wanted to make sure I had them at home.

On OnDemand, the No More Trouble Zones is only 20 minutes, and is challenging. The DVD is 40 minutes. Today, I did the full 40 minutes and holy shit! It is like the Shred but 40 minutes and NO cardio. It's definitely challenging, but an awesome 40 minute workout. I absolutely LOVE the ab circuits - there are two! Love them! The lunges are getting easier to do, I probably could go up to 5lbs next time, as well as the triceps. With the Shred, you are dying, but by that time, you're almost done....with this dvd, you are dying, and STILL have 20 minutes left of pretty intense circuits!

Definitely makes you sweat! I say try it! Definitely a GREAT FULL body workout that will leave your whole body shaking :)

**Check back for Whatcha doin' Wednesday tomorrow! 

Day 36: Whoa!

Day 36: Running - I think I've kind of fell of the couch to 5K wagon?

Weather: Sunny, 60 with moderate winds

Duration: 30:13

Distance: 2.9 miles (personal best!)


Pace: 10:25 mins/mile (personal best!)

I think I've gone crazy. I absolutely killed my last pace of 11:17 mins/mile. I am able to run a lot more lately, but I still don't like it. Today, I ran for about 1.9 miles before I had to take a break for a few minutes. Not bad. The beginning hurt like hell. When I got home, I still felt good and had a ton of energy. I threw on Jillian Michaels: Trouble Zones and went to town. Unfortunately, they cut it off halfway on OnDemand, so it was about 20 extra minutes of weight training and Abs. A perfect workout for after a run.

Today was also the first day I felt really sore after doing Level 2 of the Shred. I feel it in my lower gluts and abs! YEAH! Get those abs back in shape.

Whatcha doin' Wednesdays.....

I am going to start a new thing here on my blog.....I know a lot of you have joined in on my 90 day fitness challenge.....some of you I do not know.....some of you I know well.

We are all trying to motivate ourselves to better ourselves in lots of different ways.

In a way to motivate each other, I thought it might be fun to have one day a week where we all talk about what we are doing......what we hate.....what we love.....how we do it with kids.......etc....

So, stay tuned for this Wednesday when I start "Whatcha doin' Wednesdays....."

Don't be shy....even if I don't know you, please participate :) 

Day 35: Even on Easter

Day 35: Level 2, Shred

Yes. Even on Easter, I mustered up some energy and got down to business! Kevin and I 'hmmmmmm'd' and "hawwwd' over whether or not we should exercise. It was Easter. Did we have time?

Of course! I thought about all the food I could be eating today, and I didn't want to have that guilt. So. We did. and I am glad we did!

Today was the 4th day of level two of the Shred. I have to say, it IS getting easier. I don't feel like I am going to die. I feel like I can complete the exercises without having to stop.

34: Run, Forest, Run...

Day 34: Week 5 of Couch to 5K

Weather: Sunny, 50 degrees with light winds.....another perfect morning!

Duration: 30:58
Distance: 2.73 miles
Pace: 11:17 mins/mile

Today felt like the last time I ran, though I was able to run for a lot longer distance before I had to stop and take a break. I did the same course I did the last time, the last 5 minutes of my run hurt pretty bad! I almost had to stop and walk a bit, but I kept moving. I still don't understand how some people can run for HOURS!

Day 33: The wall.

Day 33: Yoga: Meltdown with Jillian Michaels

Today, I've hit the wall. I thought I was all motivated to work out....until I started. My whole body was just sore. My groin especially. I felt so weak, and didn't even want to finish, but I made myself.

I haven't taken a break in almost two weeks, so I just did Yoga, took it easy, and finished.

I can't complain! I've felt so good lately...

Day 32: Love-Hate Relationship

Day 32: Couch to 5K, week 5: Run 8, walk 5, Run 8......repeat.

Weather: Sunny, 63 - light winds - perfect.

Duration: 30:33 (longest run time yet)
Distance: 2.72 miles (longest run yet)
Pace: 11:12 mins/mile (I think best pace yet)

No one ever said I had to love or hate running, right? Well, good. Because right now, I am not feeling the love, but I am certainly not hating it either. I do however enjoy seeing my progress each time I run. Today was probably one of my top 3 running days yet. It wasn't too hot, not to windy, not too cold, just perfect. Emmie did an awesome job running with me, and I got a burst of energy right around minute 20 like I seem to do each run. The 10-15 minute point seems to really hurt the most, and I think this is the part that is slowing me down because I need to take a break.

The couch to 5K says to run for 8 minutes, walk for 5, and repeat, but today, I ran, and then walked, and after walking for 2 minutes, I felt like I recovered enough to start running again, and I did. I will admit, I seem to be going away from what the couch to 5K exactly, and going more by how I feel. Not sure if this is a good thing or not.

After I returned home, I did some abs......and I feel the work I did on them yesterday! Whoa! Hopefully those muscles are remembering they are needed after being hidden by a cute baby bump for so long!

Here is my run today: