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:

Day 31: Camel

Day 31: Yoga: Meltdown & Shred, level 1

I really can't express how much I enjoy Jillian Michaels, Yoga: Meltdown. It is so good and so challenging! Each time I do it, I see progress. Since I started, the Camel pose always got me. This is when you stand on your knees, and reach backwards with your hands to hold your heels (like a back bend). In the beginning, I could barely touch my heels with one hand, now today, I could reach back with both hands and hold the pose. I couldn't hold it for the full 15 seconds, but I could do it for about 10 seconds. The last time I did it, I could barely hold it for 5.

Seeing progress like that, only makes me want to continue!

Mairead also has taken an interest in exercising with me! It's so important to teach our kids what healthy eating and exercise does to our bodies.

I've decided to work out for an hour as much as I can find time for - even if that means two 30 minute periods. I may not be able to do it every day, but I my goal is 2-3 days per week.

Tomorrow I will be running!

Day 30! "Mommy, are you burning?"

Day 30: Shred with Jillian Michaels, level 2

Today, I actually did level 1 and 2 of the shred. Because I knew level 2 would kick my ass, I didn't push myself in the first level. I just really pushed cardio and abs. I am really trying to get about an hour of exercise in per day, whether or not it is one hour straight, or two 30 minute sessions. During rainy days, it's pretty easy to do that.

Mairead really has enjoyed exercising beside me, it is so cute! She knows Jillian's face, and she has been using words that she has heard on her videos! As we were doing the shred together, she asks "mommy, are you burning?" - ha ha! All I could do was laugh! "Yes!" I said


Today was the 3rd day of level 2. It was the first time I could really say that I didn't want to cry or feel as though I was in labor. I can't say it didn't hurt, but it definitely is getting easier! I felt as though I really had to push today as I ate an entire sleeve of thin mint cookies! We calculated it out to be about 600 calories! Hot damn, mamma! I don't feel too bad though...I've been really good about my snacking, so it shouldn't hurt too much :)

Day 29: Rainy days and Mondays...

......always get me down! or Moving!

Day 29: Jillian Michaels: Shred, Level TWO..........And.......Last Chance Workout

Agh....8'' of rain this month, and it's still not stopping. This is enough to make anyone not want to do anything!

This afternoon, I did the 'Last Chance Workout' with the girls - not at full blast knowing I would be getting my ass kicked with the Shred when Kevin got home from work.

Once Kevin got home, we did Level 2 - WOW! That is TOUGH. We had done it yesterday after running, and it was like giving me a death sentence. I felt pretty good this morning, so I would do it again. There was no way I'd be running in this downpour today.

Level 2 is definitely a challenge! I like it. It's amazing how far I've come since I first started. I thought level 1 was pretty tough, but this is much more. The strength portion of the DVD is very tough. By the end of the workout, I am breathing like I am in labor pushing out a kid! No joke :)

I have to admit, I like this feeling now. I think of myself fitting into my summer clothes.....wearing a real bikini this summer, and actually feeling good about myself. It is totally worth it! I am also glad Kevin has been working out with me! Definitely more motivation to work harder!

Day 28: Running high my fat arss!

Day 28: Week 5 of the Couch to 5K - but, I just ran today because I forgot to look at what I was supposed to do.... :)

Weather: Cloudy, 40 and WINDY.......like a hurricane! Not really, but it felt like it!

I ran the same trail as I ran yesterday, so no need to post the map - isn't that a cool tool! I love imapmyrun! I also downloaded the PLUS version, which has some cool other features. For $5, it's worth it! 

Duration: 27:59
Distance: 2.49 miles
Pace: 11:22 mins/mile
Calories burned: 263

I hear runners talk about a "running high" they get when they run.....Are they for real? Seriously! I do not get any kind of high when I run. I just want to finish. Somedays, around minute 20, I do start to feel strong, and want to keep running. Though, I think this is because I know I am almost home, and if I keep running, I'll get there faster!

Today was tough. The wind was whipping hard, and when it was a head wind, I wanted to just stop. It was hard. I pray that it isn't windy like this when I have to run the 5K. That will not be fun. I also have decided that running in the cold is not fun either. I am really needing some warm(er) weather. It was also tough because I ran yesterday, too. The next few days are going to be a rainy mess, and if I didn't run today, I would have had to run Thursday, Friday AND Saturday. No thanks! So, today it was!

I will admit, when I get home after a run, I feel awesome. Like right now, I could do another workout. I think I am going to do the shred next...I need to burn some extra calories so I can really enjoy some girl scout cookies! I think about looking good in a bikini and having little to  no muffin top this summer.....Yes, I will work out.

Day 27: Dedication

Day 27: Week 4 of the Couch to 5K

Weather: Sunny, 25 degrees........too damn cold.

Duration: 28:29 (my longest run time yet)
Distance: 2.45 miles (longest distance yet)
Pace: 11:36 mins/mile

I thought I'd add a little something to my blog - here is my morning run! 



I always told myself, I'd never be that idiot running in the dead of winter. Those people are crazy. I turned into 'one of those people' this morning.

I had plans to run with my good friend, Kim, this morning, but when Kevin told me how bloody cold it was outside, I said NO WAY! I called Kim up and asked if she'd want to run this afternoon. She said "I was just getting dressed to go..."..............ah..........OK, I'll go.

When Kevin heard I was actually going to run, he was a bit shocked. I dug out my winter hat, gloves, and a fleece. And I ran. And. It. Was. Tough.

It was great running alongside of a friend. Talk about great motivation. I look forward to running with her again! The run hurt though. It was so cold. The most difficult part of the run was trying to talk and breathe at the same time! How do people do that without dying??? :)

By the end, I was actually feeling pretty good, and I decided to throw an extra few tenths of a mile in!

I am very close to 2.5 miles.....now, I need to surpass that mark, and start working on getting up to 2.75 miles!