Wednesday, May 27, 2009

2 workouts in a row and I didn't (quite) die!

Ok, it's official. I HATE benchpresses. If I counted correctly (and odds are I didNOT) I did around 260 of them. I'm being VERY lenient because what I did for most of those reps is probably not even considered a benchpress. But I couldn't wait all night just to finish them.
 I also did 260 air squats. That is a more accurate number, maybe an underestimation. And 130 wall balls. I have a feeling that I will not be straightening my hair in the morning. I don't think my arms will be able to handle that.

But most importantly from today is that Maddie ran 2 miles!! With Mac, her cute dog. And I know this is low, but I'm convincing you here in my blog that Yes, you should do the Candlelight 5K. Good idea. I won't need to buy another iPod if you do. :) (love you)
 So, now I am very committed to running it (I'm writing my check tomorrow), and think that I should better start trying to do SOME sort of training on top of my work outs.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Slam Balls

Today was my 2nd time working out with Bryan as a trainer. It was a good workout, and Angela and I made it all the way to round 3! (That is exciting!!)
 I learned what Slam Balls are. They are a great/ridiculous cardio and strength work out. I think at least. It really got my heart rate up, which led to me burning over 600 calories in total today!
 I'm excited to reach the 6 week mark to get measured again so I can start to see a difference. I can feel a difference. I'm more excited to work out (most days) and I don't get winded so easily.
 Also, I'm going to enter the Candlelight 5K. I'm pretty sure that I have decided to do this whether or not I have anyone to walk/run with. I just need one more iPod. One to run with. :)
 I've found a lot of 0-5k plans out there, but today stumbled across a Dunkin' Donuts zero to 5k program! YES DUNKIN' DONUTS! My favorite coffee ever wants me to be fit too! (and coffee isn't too bad calorie wise either)
 So yes Dunkin' Donuts I will be fit, and I will one day RUN an entire 5K ... ... then maybe more?

Friday, May 22, 2009

new trainer and discouraging dress

Yesterday I met Bryan. He's the new trainer at 4B and he was pretty excited to be there. And it was actually pretty helpful in getting me motivated.
 I did my first Crazy 8s. Which is starting out in a bench press then gradually inclining one click at a time, to a millitary press (I think that's what it's called). BUT on the way up between clicks, doing 15 ring rows or pull ups. I tried the jumping pull ups for the first time. Then on the way down between clicks one "bank run" which is just a quick lap around part of the complex the gym is in. I didn't stop to walk! (yay) but I did get slower. I'm ok with that because there were times where I wanted to walk, but I didn't!
 So, I think I may have set a lofty goal trying to fit into the dress. I'm just being honest with whoever is reading this. But I'm pretty sure I will not be wearing THE dress tomorrow. (that was my mental deadline) I'm trying to not let it discourage me. I will wear it one day - soon I hope. But on the bright side. I get to buy a new dress... :-/

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

The story of ONE cookie!

Today I went to Panera and got a salad. Also, I don't use a lot of dressing, so I was feeling good about my lunch choice. The guy behind the counter ended up giving Erin and me a free shortbread cookie. Fun, right? I've really been cutting down on sweets because I can live without them, and it's just healthy. I decided that I was going to go to the gym despite how much I didn't want to today, and as an early reward I could eat the cookie.
 So Chris, being the good work neighbor that he is, looked up the Nutritional Facts for the cookie. A Panera Shortbread cookie has 300 CALORIES!! O    MY    GOSH! I almost just threw away the cookie then, I should have. But I ate most of it, then when I couldn't bear the thought of how long it would take to burn 300 calories, I threw it away.
 I have really become aware of calorie intake. When you see how much work it takes to burn off what you are eating, you REALLY second guess what you put in your body.
 I didn't make it to the gym so I decided to try to work out some on my own tonight. I bought a Jumprope and did a few different exercises. In 30 minutes I jumped rope, did crunches, leg raises, supermans, and some more things. (Not a whole lot of reps, except I did 400 jumps). I only burned away about half of the freaking cookie.
 I don't think I have yet given advice in these blogs, but I will tonight. Like a lot of women say "A moment on the lips, a lifetime on the hips." That's pretty true. It only takes a few seconds to make the decision to eat crap. But it took me about an hour to burn of that shortbread cookie. It wasn't worth it! I'll leave you with this thought.
 Think about what your eating. Do you really want to add those calories to your body, or do the extra work to burn them off? Wouldn't you rather have less calories to burn, and start seeing results sooner? I would.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Moe's wasn't a good idea.

Today was my first time in 7 days going to the gym. That is not the best idea. I was not loving it. Also, I was not good when visiting Bethany. I didn't exercise, but I DID try to at least keep in mind what I was eating. I turned down a table of desserts! I had one small cookie.
 (on a related note my sister now has her Juris Doctorate.  Now if someone says, "Is there a doctor in the house?" She can say YES! haha. Love you B)
 I'm getting much better at Jumping Rope. Considering it had been since probably the 4th grade since I had Jumped Rope, I feel like I'm doing OK.
 So, I thought that I came to a realization today. That I don't have a very strong "core", then I got to thinking about how difficult the push presses and bench presses were. So add un-strong arms. Then while squatting AND lunging I thought about the strength of my legs. SOOOO suffice it to say that I need to keep up the gym thing for a while. Get all of my parts stronger.
 Another realization, came in the middle of the workout when I told Angela "Moe's wasn't a good idea." Christian and I succeeded at getting the Moe's monday deal, which is not something that you would want to see in reverse. And thankfully I didn't, but at one point I thought Moe was going to re-visit me. So from here on, I'm going to say No to Moe on workout days.
 I also got to experience going into a bridal shop all sweaty and smelly from a workout. Nice - I don't think I know anyone else who has done that. Way to be impulsive Angela! :)

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Have any tips for me?

Today I cancelled the gym b/c I need to get some stuff done before heading to DC (well Arlington). BUT I said I was going to run, and I did! Melissa went out to walk one way, I went out to run the other and we passed around the middle. She actually made it home before me. But I stopped to walk some, and that's what slowed me down.
 If anyone has any tips for staying motivated or getting started running, I would love to hear them. I think that I do find it easier if someone else is running with me. I can't wimp out in front of someone else, I totally can by myself.
 There may be some blog silence for a few days, but my plan is to try to get on a treadmill or some machine while in the hotel in VA. And stick to healthier food options.
Thanks in advance for any tips. 

and on two un-exercise related notes
Benjamin Button is a looong movie. (only made it through half)
LOST finale TOMORROW night!!!!! woo woo.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Partner Day

*I didn't have the partner that I was hoping for - and I hope she feels better. You were missed, and thankfully I survived without you Angela!*
Today was a rough workout. It was partner day, and I was nervous about being the "slow" partner out of the group. Admittedly I was sometimes, but one I got into my rhythm I killed it on the jumprope. I jumped 400 times! Although after doing wall sits for a while my legs did NOT want to do burpees (That is not what I look like doing burpees). This is the first day I've done modified workouts. But if I hadn't my poor partner would have had to wall sit ALL day long!
 An uplifting thing that happened today was that I jogged, for real. I did my 3 "4BLaps" (laps around the parking lot and up Butler) without stopping to walk. NOT EVEN ONCE! I ran with someone (I think her name is Jane) she ended up being my partner for the day. But it was encouraging because she didn't feel like a strong runner either. I just kept pace with her and we did it! I was pretty excited. It's encouraging to know that I can do it, so later this week I'll be taking on the neighborhood. It would be good to know what distance I ran. hmm. I'll have to drive around the parking lot to see.
 I just kept pushing today, that was key. I didn't enjoy everything, but I DID IT! 
All in all this is what I did:
~ 100 box jumps
400 jumps jump-roping
Air Squats until my partner did 200 jumps
60 Burpees
Wall Sits until my partner did 30 Burpees
100 Crunches
75 Russian Twists *didn't hate these*
50 Leg Raises
25 Supermans

And drummmmmroooooollllll.......
burned 727 Calories! The most in 1 workout since I've been wearing my heart-rate monitor.
I'm thinking of going tomorrow. That will be my first 2 days in-a-row. We will see.
Thanks for reading! :)

Saturday, May 9, 2009

small victory

Quick Post.
I tried on THE dress again this morning and got it zipped up! I still have a little bit to go, but It's looking like my working out is paying off. 2 more weeks!

Friday, May 8, 2009

5k

I just completed the Swamp Rabbit 5k! This is the first time I've ever entered a race. umm EVER (can I stress that?) and...I actually liked it. I'm not sure how else to put it. I did walk most of the way, and did some jogging (or yogging as Ana calls it).
 Greta, Ana and I hung out and walked/jogged together. There were around 2,000 people there and the trail was not very big, so at times we were stuck going a certain speed. Once it opened up we were able to jog and do our power walk around people. It was encouraging to try to keep up with the faster people around me. Also, Ana and I had out new heart rate monitors on. My heart was apparently beating CRAZY fast at some point. I'm going to say it was either running downhill in the cemetery or hiking it up the other hill.
 I also think this was one of the hottest I've ever been. (not hot looking, I highly doubt THAT) The humidity was amazing, and horrible. It felt almost like swimming through the air. I'm sure it had to be around 90% humidity. I was "glistening" before the gun even went off.
 Anyways, I'll stop the rambling to say: I enjoyed the race. And I might possibly enjoy running. That is crazy, because I would never have guessed that I would ever say or believe that. I think that I might give it a try. And I'm definitely IN for the next race. Bring it on stroller pushers!
 
So, Dear running. I'm going to give you a chance. Please be easy on me. I think that I might like you. :) Sincerely, Jenn

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Not feelin it.

Today was not the best work out. I think it was a combination of the rainy weather and being sleepy the last couple hours at work. I realized once I had started the workout that I was not feelin it. I was going a little slower than the other ladies I was working out with, granted (gran it) they were some fit women. But Angela jumped into the routine with me, and I am REALLY appreciative for that! (Thanks a BUNCH!!!!) It went by a little better after that, but I kept giving Angela the "no" and "I don't think so" faces. haha
 It just seemed a little harder to get motivated during today's work out, but I made it. All the way. I can still find things to be excited about even if I feel like it was a less than stellar afternoon.
 I was excited/nervous to have my body composition done (results to come - possibly to be posted). That's how I got started today. Someone I don't really know pinching at the parts of me that I like to forget about. Also, I'm 5'4" if anyone is wondering (not 5'2"!) :)
 I got my heart rate monitor today too. Pretty cool! So I'm hoping to include the calories I burn in each workout and I'm really hoping to get my top heart rate down... My first work out it was 195 (ahhh) today it was 193. Slow progress.
 Calories burned in 58 minutes: 542
 

Monday, May 4, 2009

Running in the Rain

 Today's workout wasn't the worst. There were more people in the gym today. I thought it would be more intimidating working out with people who are way more fit than I am. But that really wasn't the case. I really find all of the people I've met at 4B to be very encouraging. 
 I learned how to correctly do a push-up, today. I had the completely wrong idea about how to do them. Now I know I need to use my chest to push up and not worry if my butt is sticking up in the air...haha (I did 5 sets of 21! so all together 105 including my feeble attempts before being corrected)
 I also learned (while doing kettle bell swings) that Brodie is a butt man. He is pretty funny, and really helped with my form. Those are pretty hard for me, I don't quite have the explosion part down yet. (also 5 sets of 21)
 We did many other exercises but ended every set with a "bank run". That just means running from the front door of the gym down around the bank to the back door then back to the front. It probably felt the best out of everything! Even though I was starting to feel it in my lungs by the 4th and 5th time, the rain was amazing!! It was so humid and muggy in the gym, so just getting out in the rain REALLY cooled me down. I think I would take up running in the rain in the future, I liked it that much.
 OK, this is parts kind of gross, for a girl at least. A couple of other new experiences, I've never sweated so much that I couldn't tell if my clothes were soaked from the rain or my sweat. Also, never in my memory have I had sweat drip into my eye. yeh, I just work THAT hard :) Angela, when are we getting our pimpin' sweat bands?
 Well, Happy Cinqo de Mayo, and I hope to update Wed. night.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Day 1 (for real)

So,  I'm really new to this blog thing. But it will be very random, because that is how I am. Everything won't be about exercizing, but that's just what's going on for me now. We'll see how it all unfolds. Thanks for reading!!

 Friday I went with Angela to the gym (that's right I went to the gym instead of going out!) I signed up for a 3 month membership. So bathing suit season, here I come! I did some 4BLaps, which means jogging on Butler Road with all of the traffic watching - fun. I could have pushed it a little further, but I didn't want to pass some of the other girls running. I'm hoping to get my lung capacity up so I can jog some on the days I don't work out.
 It really is a good feeling knowing that I have worked out, even if I feel pretty weak while doing it. Also, I'm really working hard at it. That is not really in character for me, I never really did homework in school and I usually tried to do just enough to get by in classes. But this I'm really trying to do all of the exercises the right way and the right amount, NO CHEATING. Because I'm really only cheating myself.
 I'm not feeling too sore today, maybe tomorrow it will kick in again. I'm hoping that this sore thing will be over soon, but it's good to know that those dormant muscles are still there.

Free Workout

4/29/09
So, this all started when I ordered a dress online. I've said it a lot lately, but my mind and body have disagreements about the size that I wear. I'm determined to get the dress to fit and all of the clothes that have gotten tighter over the past couple years.

 Today is the first day that I really worked out in a long time. The first time since high school that I have done any real weight training. I have been thinking about it for a while, and Angela proved to be the motivation that I needed to get up and do it. I went to 4BFitness with Angela and I will be joining soon, later this week I hope. We did a good workout, just the two of us and a very built trainer-man. I learned what Piston Presses, Goblet Squats, and Burpees are. (Burpees aren't as scary as Angela made them out to be)
 I can feel the workout tonight, but I think that I could push a little harder as I start going more. Aparently today was a good day to start, so we will see how much harder it gets from here.

My top heartrate was 195, and my average was 170.
Also I burned 600 Calories! That is more than a Whopper Junior!