Will '08 be great?

[muppet]

65 minutes elliptical
20 minutes stretching and abs

I don't know why I feel so drawn to the elliptical. I get on with the intention of switching to something else after 20 or 30 minutes, but haven't been lately. I didn't work quite as hard today. I just wasn't feeling quite like myself. Feeling great now though!

[muppet]

45 minutes elliptical
30 minutes strength and stretching

I made it 5 days this week! No weather issues.... everything went as planned.
Hope everyone has a nice weekend.
We have been seeing some Spring here -- the drab old grass and dirty snow look so good -- because the snow is melting and before we know it we'll be seeing some green.
I have an appointment for a mammogram today -- gotta go get squashed!

[muppet]

65 minutes elliptical
It felt great-- I was sweating buckets!
I need to get a tough weight workout in, but I might save that till tomorrow and just do some yoga today.
I'm feeling great -- slimmer, fitter.. and the scale numbers have gone down a bit.
I have been eating much better, and have been feeling hungry. I love that empty stomach feeling because I know that is what I have to feel in order for any weight to come off. But last night I did give in before I went to bed and ate 2 brownies. I guess today is a test for me -- to see that I don't let one slip up mess me up long term. I have to say, after I ate the brownies, I really did feel kind of sick. Partly because I knew I didn't need to eat it at all, but also because my stomach had been practically empty and was maybe needing something a little more nutritionally sound. I should have given in to my first instinct and had a bowl of cereal.

[muppet]

20 minutes treadmill @4mph
20 minutes elliptical
20 minutes walking

[muppet]

45 minutes elliptical
15 minutes walking.
I used to just walk for exercise. Now, after a workout on an elliptical, or whatever machine I happen to choose, just walking around the track seems like nothing. Still beneficial to anyone who does it regularly, but it sure doesn't seem like enough for me anymore.

[muppet]

Happy Spring! I am so glad that old man winter seems to be going away. I don't think he's done yet, but I know he's on his way out. It has been a rotten winter, and I don't know what shape I'd be in if not for the gym. There was absolutely no opportunity to exercise outside-- always ice, snow, bitter cold.... Now most of the snow is gone -- you see people out walking everywhere. It's wonderful to see.
I just watched the new TLC program "I Can Make You Thin". I had seen the promotions and thought it was just another goofball scheme, but watching it today, he did seem to tough on a lot of my issues. He focused on eating and that is my big problem. I don't think it's the answer to all my problems. I know that only I can be that answer, but I will definitely watch again.
I did the 'bootcamp' version of TBL workout today.

[muppet]

yesterday- 65 minutes on elliptical
Got a part time job at a Curves. I'm excited! I get to wear sweats to work, and actually work out on the job. I'm glad to be doing something for a job, that is such an important part of my life.
I don't know a lot about Curves, but I do agree with a lot that they stand for. They aren't about sculpting the perfect body, but improving health.
Too many programs are focused on size, shape -- outside things. I don't think there's anything wrong with that and wanting to shape your body and care about how it looks, but I do think it has to start on the inside.
Some people and programs will do anything - risk anything to get to a certain weight or size.
So anyway - just a part time job with lousy pay -- but lots of fringe benefits. It's been OK being unemployed since we have moved, but I'm ready to do something else now. The hours work well for me and my family.

[muppet]

The Curves workout is hard enough for me -- for now. What I like about the one I'm working at is that they do have 'power' workouts, to make it a little tougher for those in better shape. It's too early to tell if I will become bored with the workout, or if it will benefit me to 'just do it' and not have to think about reps and how much weight and all that. I wasn't doing enough strength training before, so maybe this will help.
I want to think less about working out and focus on eating right.
I've had a bad week -- I've been worried about my one of my kids and it's causing me to lose sleep and feel really blue. It's getting better though. I'm getting over that 'helpless' feeling, and am feeling like everything will be all right.
It was also in the 50's today -- Spring might actually get here yet! I think that will lift everyone's spirits.
So quiet around here... Chirp chirp go the crickets!

[Missy]

Just wanted to pop in and say congrats on the new job...very exciting!

[muppet]

The new job is going fine. I do like the Curves workout. I'm used to keeping my heart rate up longer, but I have been neglecting strength training. I've been doing it, but not very consistently. I will be curious to see the difference consistency can make.
I feel kind of bad, because I'm not sure I'm 100% sold on it yet. But I've found nothing that I think is really wrong, or bad advice. It all seems sound, realistic and jives with what I already know.
They want me to consider myself a trainer of sorts -- making sure the women are using the machines correctly, and knowing what machine works what muscles. That part is fairly easy, since none of this stuff is new to me.
I'm not sure I feel qualified. I think that's the problem I have with the place. The people running it, while we might have more knowledge and understanding of fitness than the average person, we aren't professionals. But then again, I feel like most people who post hear know what they're talking about, by living it. So why should a degree make a difference?
They're going to measure me and do my body fat percentage. I've never had that done before. It's just one of those had held body fat measurers ( sorry, don't know the correct term) I'm not sure how accurate it is, but it will be nice to have a general idea. Then it will be nice to see if any progress is being made. The kind of progress that I can't see.....
Well, I'm kind of pooped -- it opens awfully early, and I've been opening the past few days. I think I need a nap!