Sunday 9/30

I ran 10 miles this morning and I'm pleased with the pace (8:15). I felt really tired at the start but came around as the miles progressed. It was also a hard start because the temperature dropped to about 43 (down from about 60) degrees. I was actually running in pants at the start and boy did my legs feel heavy. After about 2.5 miles I was able to take them off and then I felt much better. Right now my joints are pretty sore - I'll be glad when the race is over and I can drop some of my mileage. I think my joints will be much happier.

I was able to find some new cross-trainers today. I'm really hoping that it will help with all the pounding my body takes during my gym classes. I was so sore this week in my hips. I definitely don't want to go into the race sore.

Going to a college football game tonight - they are a lot of fun because it is something that we do without the kids. We have some really fun grown-up time. Then tomorrow it is off to my parent's house to pick the kids up. Busy weekend, but great fun too.

Wednesday 9/27

Work-wise this week is going well. I had two great days in gym, not only did I have an awesome time teaching the classes, but the kids had a ball too. It is so awesome to have the kids come into your class with huge smiles on their faces because they are looking so forward to your class. I even had one of the classes swarm up to me in a huge group and we all had an awesome group hug!

The only bad part was what the floor did to my body. It wasn't even an aggressive session but it really did a number on my hips. I have not run the past 2 days because my hips have been so sore. I did get on the bike tonight though. I have also been really tired in the mornings - not sure if that is because of the classes or PMS but I don't like it (especially this close to the race).

I have gotten back onto my Leanness Lifestyle routine - more or less. I still need to do some work with my nutrition and get back to a more balanced fitness routine. I've not been doing much in the way of lifting lately because I've been struggling at adding a second session to my day. I just feel like there is so much to do (with home, work, kids...) and so little time to get it all done. I know time is a common excuse for not exercising - I'm still exercising, I'm just struggling to get in an extra session. There is no excuse for my eating.

I just had a thought. I have a theme for my gym classes this year: "I Can Do Anything!". If this attitude is good enough for my kids, it's damn well good enough for me! I am going to find a way to make it all work!!!

We are back from our weekend trip to the beach. We had an awesome time! The kids, especially, love to go on the beach and run away from the waves. They don't really know how to swim yet so we basically stand, holding hands (which I love) and move forward and backwards with the waves. The waves were pretty big too, so we couldn't even get them out deeper holding them. But ya know what, it didn't matter. We were together and having a blast!

We were also able to get the kids to some amusement rides. The smiles on their faces were worth every penney we paid for the tickets. I'm just kind of bummed that we could stay longer.

Now onto my workouts. I have set a new goal on Leanness Lifestyle. I didn't really want to have to focus on losing weight before my race was over but I've had enough. I need to find a way to regain my focus before this gets out of hand. I am going to try and find some time to read parts of the LL book but time is really short right now. I'll just have to see how things go.

I started my gym classes at school today. All the classes went really well and I think everybody had a good time. I like teaching in the classroom but I have to tell you that I just love getting out there with all the kids during the gym times. We run and jump and just act crazy (in a controlled way of course). I just have the best time! I have 4 more gym classes tomorrow and I can't wait!

Off to plan for tomorrow!

I Feel Like I've Lost Focus!

This weight maintenance thing just plain sucks - it really messes with my brain! While I was in the process of losing all the weight these last 5 -6 months I was really able to focus on that goal. Since I've attained my weight loss goal, I've felt a bit lost. I am really struggling with sticking to my nutrition plan (and yes, I still make one each night - well most nights anyway). There always seems to be this little voice that tells me, "you've reached your goal you can let go a bit - if you're a couple pounds above your target weight, it's not that big a deal......". It's all bullsh** and I know it but yet I am still finding myself with food I know I should not have and shoving it in my mouth.

I remember reading a section in the Leanness Lifestyle book where it talked about going through stages of readiness. These past 5 months I have definitely been in the Action stage, but somehow I've backslid out of that stage and now I'm feeling lost. Yes, some of it is because I can't give my fitness program my undivided attention - school has to have a high priority right now. I'm still learning the ropes at being the primary teacher for a class, last year I was an assistant and worked with one of the best teachers I've had the privilege to be around. She was always in such control and had a wonderful program (helps when you've been doing it for 15+ years). I'm really striving to have a class just like hers. Unfortunately it doesn't come easy when you are just starting out and it takes A LOT of work. Plus, I'm trying to adjust to a new schedule - my dd is now in full day Kindergarten and I've entered the world of having to stop my day in order to go and pick her up at 3 pm.

I'm not trying to use these factors as excuses. I am making the choices about what goes in my mouth and the choices are not currently the right ones. I guess I'm just listing things out in order to try and get a handle on them myself. I'm not quite sure where to start right now. I'm finding it hard to get done all my normal daily "things" so sitting down to re-read LL or something along that line isn't in the cards right now. I need to find a way to get my head screwed back on right. Maybe a leverage is what I need. I'll need to think on it for a while.

I will be going to the beach tomorrow - it's a surprise to the kids and I can't wait to see their reaction. We will be going for the weekend and I'm really hoping for some nice weather so we can have one last hurray on the beach.

Work hard, EAT RIGHT and reach for your goals!

Tuesday - 9/19

Thanks Julie and Anna for your support with my problem the other day. We ended up throwing out 3 of my son's toys because of his uncaring attitude (we are actually donating the toys). As for the lying, we think we got the story about what happened but their stories were still just a touch different the whole time that we are completely sure whether we got the full story or not. We've discussed the situation and hopefully it won't happen too much in the future. I actually read somewhere that when your kids lie (especially at a young age) it is an indication that they have a quick mind - they are testing their imaginations as well as their boundaries.

My runs have been going well. On Sunday, I ran 9 miles at a pace of 8:15/mile. Last year, I ran my race at a pace of 8:25/mile. To say that I'm pleased with this would be an understatement. I'm thrilled that a training run was actually run faster than my race time! It did take a toll on my though - I was exhausted on Monday. I was tired to the point that I didn't do my 3 mile run that was scheduled for that day. I did do about 20 minutes of lifting in the afternoon though. Today, I was still a bit tired but I was able to get out for a 4 mile run.

I also realized something very cool yesterday. I was worried about going to school the day after my race because it is one of the 2 days that I teach my gym class (for 1/2 the school). Well, yesterday I realized that, the day after the race is Columbus day and I don't have school! I will be able to rest and recover! I will need to teach my gym classes on Tuesday but I'm hoping to be in better shape by then.

Work hard, eat right and reach for your goals!

It's been a while......

....since I've posted. This week has just flown by! Trying to get all my routines (home, work and exercise) in place has been not only tough but also tiring. Each day was gone before I knew it.

Workouts have been progressing, I'm still experiencing periodic foot twinges but it hasn't been happening quite as often. I will admit that I have had days where my focus isn't where it should be. On these days in particular, I have made sure that I've not done an afternoon workout. I don't want to push myself into an overtraining situation.

Something happened today that has really made me angry. I'm hoping by writing about it I will feel better. Yesterday I stopped at the local dollar store, to see if there was anything I could use at school. I found a couple of things for school and for my own kids. Both my kids had seen recorders (instrument type) and wanted one. So when I saw a 2 pack for a dollar I thought what the heck. I also bought my son a small nerf type football. Well, some time last night my son took off the small bottom portion of the recorder. I asked him where it was and would he please find it so we could put it back together. He said he didn't know and that he wasn't going to look for it. I told him that if he didn't find it I was going to have throw it away because it was broken. After less than one day he told me he didn't want it and I should throw it away. I told him that if he didn't care about the things I've gotten for him, maybe I should take the football back too (he begged for both the ball and the recorder yesterday). He told me that he didn't care.

I really thought I was doing something really nice for him and I feel like I've just been kicked by my own son. I know he is young (almost 4) but it still really hurts my feelings when I've tried to get him something that he would really enjoy. This on top of a situation last night where both kids where flat out lying to us about something that happened to one of their toys. I know kids try and push their boundaries but I want to believe that my dh and I have taught them better - no lying and appreciating the things they have.

I guess we need a bit more work.

First day of school

Today was a first for 2 people in my family. My daughter started her first day of Kindergarten today and I started my first class today. Ally, my daughter, did really well. It was pretty obvious that she was pretty tired but nowhere near as exhausted as I thought she would be. It will be interesting to see how she does as the week progresses. I really think it is going to take her a couple of weeks to adjust to the longer days - I forgot to mention that she is doing full day Kindergarten. Not all the schools in our area are doing full day classes but it is moving in that direction.

My day went well too. We appear to have a good group of kids in my M, W, F class. I also know most of the kids from last year, so that makes it easier too. I don't know many of the kids in my T, Th class because they are new to the school. This will make it a bit more challenging but it is also a smaller class so that makes it easier. There is still a bit of ironing out that we need to do in terms of how we will work the class but overall the year looks good!

I had a good run this morning. It was nice and cool out, but the wind was a bit of a challenge at times. Still, I was able to run at around an 8 min pace for the 3 miles - very pleased with that. Tomorrow is a 4 mile run. This weekend is supposed to be a shorter "long" run (cut-back week) but I think I'm going to do the long run that is scheduled for next weekend. We are going down to the beach for the weekend and it would be much easier to find a 4 mile route than a 9 mile route. I don't think it will make a whole lot of difference in the long run.

Work hard, eat right and reach for your goals!

Just found a picture from last year's race

Here is a link to a picture I just found.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/dean_delaware_aflac/detail?.dir=e650&.dnm=add6re2.jpg&.src=ph

Hopefully it will work. I look like such a tub! I am so glad that I found Leanness Lifestyle and have made such awesome advances in my health and my appearance!

8 Mile Run & Some Venting!

I had a great run this morning. The weather was beautiful, although it was a bit foggy where I was running. I has some low areas and the fog always settles down in those areas on the cooler mornings. My pace was under 9/mile - I'm not exactly sure what the exact pace was because I got a couple of really funky readings while I was out there.

I did get a couple of twinges in my foot around mile 2 but it cleared up pretty quickly. I'm really starting to think that it is the bunion on my foot that is causing the trouble. I'd be lying if I said it didn't scare me. From past work experiences, I know that foot problems can be really hard to deal with. Even if you go to a podiatrist and have things corrected it can continue to give you trouble for a really long time. Unfortunately, since it hasn't cleared up, I'm afraid I will need to seek medical attention.

I also need to buckle down on my nutrition. Since reaching my weight, which I am maintaining by the way so no real problems, I've been allowing myself some extra "extras". I'm saying this from a performance point of view. My body needs the best and I need to make it a priority to give it the best.

Now I have to take a moment to vent! My husband just got back from his exercise session (he walks). While he was walking a woman drove up next to him and started to verbally abuse him (vulgar language and everything) - the reason for the explosion? She was an EXTREMELY large woman and she was mad at him because he's skinny and because he exercises. We exercisers apparently make those who don't, look bad. Well duh! I'm sorry, I just don't have any patience or sympathy for these people! I'm not going to look down on you because you are overweight but I'll be damned if I'm going to feel bad or take your crap because you are insecure about yourself. I look good! I feel good! I am healthy! That's a whole lot more than she can say.

I think I'll make up some business cards that say Leanness Lifestyle up. If she ever comes near us again, we can had her a card and share with her how much of a difference it can make in your life. Hey Coach David, if you happen to see this entry, don't worry - I would never do that without getting an OK from you. I feel better now - thanks for letting me vent!

Work hard, eat right and reach for your goals!

Conferences

Today was our first day of conferences at school. Things went really well! I will also add that I'm still a bit nervous about all the things (paperwork type things) that I will have to do this year. I'm sure that once I go through the process once things will be fine - just experiencing the fear of the unknown I guess.

My run didn't feel all that hot today. It wasn't bad (about an 8:30 pace for around 4 miles) but I just never felt "good". My foot was a bit sore today. I'm afraid that I'm going to have to see someone about it. The weird thing about it though is that I can't pinpoint one thing that always flares it up. It isn't sore to the touch and there is no swelling - I'm at a loss!

It's getting late and I will be off to bed soon. Since I've been kind of tired lately, I'm actually going to sleep in a bit tomorrow since the only thing I have scheduled is my LBWO and I can do that after school. It's pretty sad when sleeping until 5:30 am is sleeping in - LOL!

Work hard, eat right and reach for your goals!

Very Crazy Tempo Run

I just finished a crazy run this morning. It was my scheduled 40 minute Tempo run. I use my Forerunner to help me with my pacing (because I pretty much stink at maintaining a steady pace on my own). The problem though was that my Forerunner was all over the place. I would be running, and didn't feel like I had slowed down much if at all, and all of the sudden the pace would register 2 minutes slower than I was just going. Then, all of a sudden, I was going too fast and the pace was telling me to slow down. I was very confused!

The above was written very early this morning and now here it is, 8:36 pm and I'm just now getting back to this entry. I can't believe how busy my days have been lately. Between exercising, working, my FlyLady routines and every day life - my days have been VERY full lately. I again have to credit Leanness Lifestyle with giving me the energy to complete these days. Not too long ago, there would have been no way I would complete these days with as much energy as I have. Now don't get me wrong, I am dog tired at the end of the day. However, this time last year, I would have been this tired but I would have completed only 1/2 as much work.

Tomorrow is the start of conferences at school. I am a touch nervous because it is the first time I will have ever done one. Even though I'm nervous, I know that it is going to be a great year and that we have worked hard and done everything we could to get ready. Much of the rest needs to wait until we meet the kids and find out their likes and dislikes and then tailor the class accordingly.

It's getting late and I need to go to bed and get some sleep. Have a wonderful night!

Work hard, eat right and reach for your goals!

It's raining.....Again!

I got up this morning to run and what did I find? More rain falling from the sky. I am so tired of rain and cloudy weather! However, I wasn't going to let some rain stop me from exercising! Today's run was supposed to be a 6 miler so I decided to do an hour on my bike (it's hooked up to a stationary trainer). It was a good workout!

Today was also the unofficial start of school. The kids don't start until 9/11 but this week we (the teachers) need to get in and finish decorating the rooms and just getting things ready for conferences and the start of classes. I've actually been going in every day for over a week so we are really close to being ready.

I've also been trying to get back into my cleaning routines. In the past I've use FlyLady's routines. They have worked well for me in the past so I've decided to try to start them up again. It will take me a while to get back into a good routine but it will be worth it! There is nothing like a nice clean and organized house.

I'm still getting lots of compliments on my body transformation - and I have to be honest....It still feels great every single time!!! I was talking about cleaning routines with FlyLady - Leanness Lifestyle has given me fitness routines that will last a lifetime. I have no doubts about that whatsoever!!!

Work hard, eat right and reach for your goals!

"I'm Ready...I Am Invincible...I Can Do Anything!"

The above title comes from a CD that I bought my husband for his birthday. I was kind of a joke gift for him and a CD that the kids can listen to and I can use at school (especially when I'm teaching my gym classes). The CD is filled with songs inspired by the kids show Kim Possible. One of the songs is titled "I'm Ready" and in the song are the words "I am invincible, I can do anything!" How awesome is that for not only kids to hear but also us adults. I played the CD while I was driving to where I was doing my long run this morning. It is such an uplifting idea and upbeat song that it gets me all fired up to workout. It is definitely going in my psych-up collection.

My run went well - 7 miles at a 8:54 pace. I didn't need any emergency bathroom stops (I was able to plan my route around some bathrooms and stopped even if I didn't feel like I had to). My timing was perfect on the bathroom front. I did have a couple of twinges in my foot, mostly at the beginning. After I got warmed up, it felt really good. I felt very strong the whole time I was running - I really can't believe how far I've come in 6 short months. The weight is gone and I'm feeling strong running 7-8 miles at a time. I know I keep mentioning it but Leanness Lifestyle really feels like a life saver to me. I can't believe just how yucky I felt before finding this program. It has changed how I view everything in my life!

Speaking of feeling strong and doing amazing things - let's here it for Julie A. who ran 18 miles yesterday. Way to go Julie A.!!!! I also want to send some huge woo hoos to Julie B. who is running somewhere between 32 and 38 straight hours - now that blows my mind!! I'm not sure exactly when she started or when she will finish but that woman is amazing!!

Just as both Julies have:
Work hard, eat right and REACH FOR YOUR GOALS!

"It's Raining...It's Pouring..." (part 2)

Just wanted to post that I was able to get my workout done. My UBWO went about 40 intense minutes and then I had a great 30 minute fast paced walk. Had my tunes cranked and had a great time!

Work hard, eat right and reach for your goals
Leanness Lifestyle

"It's Raining...It's Pouring..."

Today was supposed to be my long run day but we are getting drenched by a tropical depression. I can't even ride my bike today because everything is all wrapped up and tied down to protect it from the rain. I will do an UBWO though - at least I'll get some exercising in today.

Work hard, eat right and reach for your goals!

Leanness Lifestyle

Awesome day - 9/1/06

We had our first inservice day at school. It was the first time I had seen some of my co-workers in about 3 months. Many jaws dropped when they had seen how much weight I had lost. Compliments were coming from all over the place! I was telling anyone who would listen, what a great program Leanness Lifestyle is. I don't know if anyone will look into it but it just felt good to let people know that there is a smart and safe way to make a huge transformation!

Today was a rest day. Unfortunately, our weather here on the east coast is pretty stinky right now. I don't think I'll be getting out for my long run tomorrow. I will however, get it done on Sunday. Hopefully, the wind and the rain will be gone by then.

Hopes and prayers go out to all who are being hit hard by this bad weather.

Work hard, eat right and reach for your goals!