May 16, 2008:

Yesterday I had a training session with Cory and Jennifer — WOW.  Hard but I loved it.  Let’s just say I am fully aware of the muscles in my shoulders and back.  It’s a good sore though.  This morning I worked it out with a tennis clinic.  That felt good!  However, I digress, back to the workout yesterday.  I love it because we do exercises I would NEVER think to do.  For example, she has us stand on these jelly disk things to do some basic arm weights.  I asked Cory why and apparently when you have to work at keeping your balance, you burn more calories.  Think gymnasts and it makes sense.  Here’s the thing, if you know me you know that balance is not one of my stronger qualities.  Flexibility, check.  Strength, check.  Balance, uh . . . not so much.  But I’m improving and that’s a good thing. 

So that is the update on my working out.  My eating update is not so pretty.  As part of being held accountable I will be honest.  I’ve been off and on.  I’m actually usually much better than I’ve been this week.  I’ve had my good meals and then I’ll backslide.  So I’ve got to work on that.  The workouts are great — the eating has been fair.  Working out is not the issue for me.  I love being active and I don’t like sitting still.  It’s what I put in my mouth that tends to be the issue.  That and how much of it I put in there!  Here’s to a better day tomorrow!    

May 15, 2008:

I’m making this a blog, even though it’s technically a “page”.  Technical, schmenical.  So here’s my update.  Yesterday I decided to do that whole run/walk interval thing.  Then it poured down rain.  Now, I love rain, I really do.  I think Seattle would ROCK.  And I LOVE LOVE LOVE running in the cold (even though it makes me sick).  I do not like running in the rain.  Somthing about the falling makes it uncomfortable.  However, I really, really, really, really, dislike running on a treadmill, inside.  Why anyone would want to run in the SAME spot over and over is beyond me — truly it is.  We have this BEAUTIFUL world around us and I would rather run outside anyday.  Thus, rainy weather is usually a GREAT excuse for me to skip a workout. 

However, I have a vacation in Cancun awaiting me so I did it.  I ran on a treadmill.  I felt like I was cheating on the outdoors.  I hope he’s not too mad at me.  I didn’t like it but I did feel so much better when I was finished.  And confident.  Love that. 

May 12th, 2008:

Ok, here’s the deal.  I have been blessed with so many things in life but a naturally thin, fit body is not one of them.  You know the people with cut muscles who swear they eat out and don’t work out?  I have to work.  I always have.  I remember when I was little, I would get frustrated with my friends who could actually eat a candy bar and not immediately put on 5 pounds.  My mom would gently tell me that one day their bodies wouldn’t be able to keep them skinny and they too would have to learn how to eat healthy and exercise(although I’ve yet to see it on a few — you know who you are) but that I would already know how.  Still not sure it was an advantage but I appreciate the effort.  So . . . I’m getting serious (yes, again) about getting in shape and eating healthy.  Why?

1) Healthy is good and healthy fights the bad things in our bodies.

2) I feel better about myself and I’m more confident if I am working out (happy endorphins, remember?) and eating things my body needs as opposed to white flour and sugar.

3) My body is a temple and I should treat it as one.  I don’t trash the church, why should I trash my body?

4) I am at my best when I feel my best.  God calls us to be our best so that we may glorify Him.

5) I want to look HOT in Cancun (shallow?  yes, but honest)!!!

So here are the steps I am taking to help me with this goal.

I am back counting my points on Weight Watchers.  So much of the time it is not what I put in my mouth but how much I put in my mouth!  Strawberries are good — a pound of strawberries is not.  I am working out with a friend and a trainer twice a week.  She pushes me.  I like to think I will push myself but I love that Corey will push Jennifer and me.  Plus, I’m competitive.  If Jennifer can do it, so will I.  Third, I am still playing tennis.  It’s fun, it relieves stress, and it can be a dang good work-out.  Fourth, I am going to finish my thesis so that I can lift that weight off my shoulders.  I know, it’s not a weight that is evidenced by the scale but a weight still.  I want it gone. 

Here’s the great news!  One week in, I lost 1.5 pounds!  This is progress.  I didn’t put the weight on overnight, it won’t go away overnight.  Historically, I don’t lose weight fast so I know this is going to be a hard goal.  Here is the first one.  22lbs by Cancun (July 7).  That is roughly two pounds a week from today (May 12).  I can do this.  You can help.  Keep me accountable.