pretty cool

Today was my first run with my Nike plus attachment for the iPod. Being a visual person, I always enjoy seeing my efforts laid out in front of me . This is what this morning looked like


I'm so glad I decided to start running outside. I love being alone with my thoughts as I watch the sun come up over the golf course. Not sure how cold it will have to get before I'm back in the gym but we'll see! I'll enjoy it while it lasts.

A few people have been commenting about being brave and going to yoga and I've been thinking a lot about that lately. Sure it was really hard the first time and yes, I'm surely the fattest person there. I can see myself in the mirror. I know I look ridiculous at times but as I see it, I would look a lot more ridiculous on my couch watching Oprah surrounded by candy wrappers. All I can say is, if you have a desire to do something, do it. Same with the pool. If you think people are looking at you they aren't. I've learned that fit people have respect for people who are trying. No matter what you look like in a bathing suit, a tank top or a crow pose.

Hope everyone is having a great week. I so appreciate those who are hanging in there and still reading this through all my ups and downs!!!

So far so good

It's been a good week so far. I went for my first outside run in a while on Monday and did pretty well considering there were lots of hills. I bought a Nike Plus for my iPod (because I refuse to switch to AT&T to get an iPhone with the GPS so I have to go old school) Now I can track my progress outside which will be fun.

It would have gotten used for the first time this morning if it weren't for the hot Pranakriya yoga class I took last night. I'm am extremely sore from head to toe. The only thing I might manage later is a dog walk. Hoping tomorrow won't be worse!!

I have been trying out different classes in the hot room and so far this one was the most ass kicking of all. I managed a forearm stand (against the wall of course!) for at least 30 seconds. Being upside down is liberating! I'm thankful for my teacher who is SO encouraging and calls me by name. Her interest really makes me want to keep practicing.

I'm proud of myself for making time for my exercise despite my 12 hour workdays. Sometimes it's the hardest thing in the world to do but it really does help in so many ways. Off to eat some soup and do a little stretch if I can even stand up! Have a great day everyone!

Thanks again Al!

There's nothing like a little inspiration on a Monday morning! I saw Al on the today show this morning being pampered after finishing the NYC marathon and I'm feeling really inspired again.
It's too bad I'm sitting at my desk because I would go run right now! Al you are my hero.

I never run on a Monday morning and now I wish I had. I got some walking in but it didn't really do it for me. I have so much to do to get ready for the half marathon in March and while I've made great progress, I'm nowhere near where I need to be. The plan is to kick it up a notch this week, leave the treadmill behind and take it outside. Maybe a change of scenery will do me some good.

The weekend was so fun. I had a blast with my husband and blew off all my work. I will pay for that today but one can only work so much. The only bummer was I didn't get to have dinner with Tammy as planned. My upstairs shower was leaking through the ceiling downstairs and my brother-in-law was coming over to have a look at it. Turns out it's nothing more than having to re-grout the shower which I will do over Thanksgiving weekend. Good times :)

Good luck to everyone this week. I'll report on my outside running progress later in the week. Luckily we have some fabulous weather on tap.

Thanks Al Roker, my neighbor Jason, Shelley and all my other runner friends who inspire me every day!!! I will do this and I will make you proud!!

just okay

I can't believe how fast this week has gone by. Before I know it, Christmas will be here! I've realized I have entered into a new phase of adulthood - buying gifts early. What a concept!!

I did just okay this week. I ate pretty well and did a Bikram class and some running. Both seriously kicked my ass because I've been slacking. Just okay doesn't cut it because I gained a pound this week. I blame it on hormones (oh and the pizza we ate last night after another 12 hour work day)!

Back to Body Pump for me on Saturday and some sort of outdoor run walk combo on Sunday. Lots of social obligations happening this weekend so I need to earn my fun :) I'm desperate to go to Bikram tonight. The 4:30 class is a lovely way to start the weekend but I cannot spend the money to go twice a week. I will save it for the Tuesday night class with my favorite teacher.

Have a great weekend everyone!

November 1st: Step away from the candy...

It's gone. It's out of the house. I ate so much of it that I didn't even want any more.

I'm finally going back to a more normal schedule and plan on a great week of butt kicking workouts. Combined with the meal planning and cooking I've done, we should be in for a good week.

I'm looking forward to catching up on my blogging. In the mean time, here are my cute dogs!!
Have a great week everyone!

back to reality

In case anyone was wondering where I've been, I finally got a few days at the beach! I haven't been on a vacation in a year and a half and desperately needed it. I was at total burnout stage but I seem to have come back with a renewed energy.

I've managed to maintain my weight loss but my running progress has suffered due to not running. Imagine that! Eating in Florida was pretty much flawless since I had nothing but grouper, oysters and sushi. The drinking however, pretty much non-stop. I'm thankful that doesn't happen very often.

Other than that, I've been working full time at the agency and still working on my own company projects which usually amounts to about 12 hours of work a day- 7 days a week. I'm thankful for the income so I can't complain too much.

I got an encouraging email from the worlds nicest ex-boyfriend asking how my training is coming along for the half marathon and the honest answer is that it isn't. It was the kick in the butt I needed to get back at it. Funny how quickly you can forget just how good it feels though getting up at 5:15 never seems to get any easier.

I'm going to try a yoga class at my gym tonight to ease back in. I've been enjoying Bikram so much but it's an expensive habit so I can really only do that once a week. I figured I should just try it at the Y and if it's terrible, I won't go again. No lavender scented cold towels there! :( Then it's back to running in the morning.

I'm looking forward to getting back to blogging more regularly and spending some time catching up on what y'all have been up to. Hope everyone has a great week!!

namaste

I haven't been around much this past week because of endless piles of work combined with social obligations out the wazoo. That makes not a lot of time for the gym and way to much eating and drinking.

It really wore me down to I started my week with an amazing hot Vinyasa yoga class at 6 am to detox. I swear, if I was a celebrity or just really wealthy, I would do this every single day. I was coming out of the building just as the sun was rising on a really chilly morning and I could still smell the relaxing lavender from the cold towel you get lovingly placed on your face at the end.

This was a new class for me and I was nervous because it's a bit more complicated and intense than Bikram. I think I did pretty well for a fat newbie and even managed a hand stand (against the wall of course!) What a fun and freeing feeling. Speaking of freeing feelings, I wore a tank top for the first time ever in public (if you count the yoga studio at 6am as public) I have just made up my mind that I deserve to be comfortable and I've seen fatter women in worse things. I enjoy the class more when I'm not paying attention to how I look and just moving through the poses doing as much as I can do. Sweet little Astrid, the instructor, has been really helpful making me feel comfortable there. I can't imagine being able to do some of the things she does with her body though!!

I'm running intervals the rest of the week and will attempt another 20 minute run on Friday. I'm hoping this one is better than the last now that the dreaded heat has finally gone.

Getting up at 5:15 is tough and I'm fading fast. This was a boring post due to lack of energy (and brain cells) Hope everyone has a great week!!