I Did It!

Day 40!!!!

I Made My Way Across America.  40 workouts in 10 weeks.  Doesn't sound like a lot and for some of you it's not, but I had to work at it.  And I did it.  Express Pump today and done.

I decided I was going to celebrate by getting my poor abused feet a pedicure.  I had been putting it off so that it could be an additional incentive to complete the challenge.  When I went downstairs after class to log the workout in the binder, I found a note from my gym buddy to check in my car for a surprise!  She snuck a gift certificate for a pedicure in there.  It was so thoughtful and so unexpected.  Now I was extra excited.  I drove right over to the nail salon and hopped into that pedicure chair.  It was lovely.  Hot stone massages are the best.

Here's the completed pedicure (a nice spring color) and my
completely used up punch card.  

One Day More!

Day 39: 

Today's workout was another midday workout.  I had a couple of things to do this morning. Dress with make-up and everything.  Then I diligently headed to the gym.  Used the make-up cleansing wipe to get the goop off my face (I started carrying these in my gym bag last week or so) and headed out to the bike. I remembered everything this time.

Except my banana.  Maybe I should keep a spare in the car.  Hmm.

At long last.  I am one day away from completing the Make Your Way Across America Challenge!  Yay me!  

I am hoping to get to the Express Pump class tomorrow and then I am going to treat myself to a pedicure to celebrate.  Sounds like a good idea to me.

Day 38

Day 38:

Today was a pretty busy.  Not as crazy busy as some, but definitely busy.  Normally, I would choose not to work out.  It's just such a hassle.  I don't have time.  I can't.

Yeah.  I didn't have a really good reason.  I went to my first events.  Went to the gym.  Worked out on the bike.  Went home and showered and got ready for the next events.  

And it worked just fine.  With the exception of missing a few items in my gym bag (let's just say I'm glad my workout pants were not see through), and the hassle of having to put make up on twice, it was fine.

Not my favorite. Not catastrophic.

This One Counts Too.

Workout: Day 37                                                                               Whole 30: Day -6

After 6, yes, it's really been 6, days of eating "regularly," meaning pasta, bread, and cheese,  I am feeling the difference.  And it's not good.

I feel bloated and full.  All. The. Time.

Hmm.  Maybe there was something to that whole no carbs thing (please don't be the dairy!).  So, with a few upcoming exceptions, it is back to restricting carbs.  

MYWAA Challenge
I should be in California by now!

And the exercise goes on.  A schedule flub on my part meant no gym today.  I was bummed because I really enjoy the Tuesday Body Pump class.  Instead, I took advantage of the nice weather outside and took my poor, neglected dog for a nice, long walk.  That was about just right for the day.  And it counts because I wasn't sitting on the couch. 

A Little Music

Day 36:

Today was back to a good workout on the virtual bike trainer.  And I remembered to bring my iPod, so I had music.  I haven't exercised with an iPod in quite awhile. And since I haven't used it in that long, it still has the same play list.

The ride went fast.  It seemed to be all hills.  Hills are good. 

And I am one day closer.

Does a Bad Workout Count?

Workout: Day 35

"The only bad workout is the one you didn't do"

Really?  Because I am pretty sure today would qualify as a bad workout.  Or maybe just a half-assed workout.  I really wasn't feeling it today.  I'll blame having to "Spring Forward".

I went to the gym.  

I got on the bike.  I pedaled.  I got off the bike.

I got on the rowing machine.  I rowed. I got off the rowing machine.

I logged my "workout".

I went to Starbucks.

Another One Bites the Dust

Workout: Day 34

 Naval Station Newport Gym

The plan was to go to the 8:00 AM spin class this morning with Brian.  But, we both thought it would be better to sleep in and go a bit later.  Then it turned out to be a gorgeous day outside (48 degrees and sunny) and Brian decided to run outside instead, so I headed off the the gym by myself.

I took another turn on the virtual bike trainer.  This is my new favorite cardio.  I also managed to complete the intermediate ultimate fitness challenge.  13 miles in under 45 minutes.  I did 14 miles in 40 minutes.  Not too shabby.   The next level is 20 miles in less than an hour.  Doesn't sound too hard.

Only six days left on this challenge.  

Lunchtime Ride

Workout: Day 33

To fit today's workout in, I went right after my class meeting on base.  I was already there so I figured I might as well jump at the chance.  It was the first time I went to the gym all dressed up.  I had packed a bag with my gym clothes.  I was trying to make it to the Pump Express class, but the meeting ran a bit long.  Luckily, I keep my cycling shoes in the car, so I had a back up plan.  

I had a great ride.  It was just a great, sweaty ride.

After the workout, I gathered all of my regular clothes, boots, big puffy coat, etc. and walked out to the car in my bike shoes and my husband's t-shirt.  I didn't plan that part very well and I didn't want to change back into my street clothes.  

Mama Leone's Chickpea Salad

Brian had been working out at the same time, so we decided to go out for lunch.  Yes, we were sweaty, but the restaurant wasn't fancy and we were hungry.  I enjoyed my favorite salad.  This salad is so good, it doesn't taste like a salad.  And it has bacon. And cheese.

And now I am wiped out.  It was a good workout. One more week.

Ack!

Today a few things happened (or didn't happen, as the case may be).

I decided to stop the Whole 30.  Nobody at our house was enjoying it.  The kids acted like they were being tortured, my husband did a lot of whining, and I was beginning to seriously crave some cheese and popcorn.  And I knew that this was not a way of eating that I would continue.  It was way too restrictive.  And I like food too much.  I will continue to LIMIT the amount of carbs and sugar I eat, but I will not have a full out ban.  If I want to enjoy a bowl of pasta, I will.  And I will still eat Chili Dog Chili!

But I will have to keep going to the gym to combat all the yummy food. 

And on that note, I now have to go to the gym EVERY day up to and including the last day of the MYWAAC.  I just couldn't fit it in today.  

So, all in all, a banner day here.  No diet. No exercise.

An Afternoon Pick Up

Workout:  Day 32                                                                         Whole 30:  Day 10

Today's schedule mandated a later start time for my daily workout.   I didn't get to the gym until after 4 pm.  And it was crowded.

I knew it was going to be crowded, so I went in with two plans:  Cybex elliptical or cycling virtual trainer. I would do whichever one had fewer people on it.  It was a bike shoes kind of day.

There were a lot of hills.  They actually felt good today.  I do not know why.

Whole 30 is still going, but I am craving cheese.  And popcorn.  Cheese and popcorn.  

I don't think the Whole 30 and I are going to have a long a fruitful relationship.

Another one in the bag

Workout: Day 31                                                                                 Whole 30: Day 9

Photo from bodyboutique.net

Tuesdays are my favorite class.  Pump & Pilates.  It looks a lot like this class.  Lots of weights, lots of reps. Today the class was held on the basketball courts because they are installing TRX equipment in the group fitness glass.  I am sure I will try that class out sometime. Stay tuned.  

I had to make a few adjustments in class.  My wrist has been hurting so much that I have been wearing a brace.  This precluded me from holding the bar on my shoulders (I substituted with dumbbells) and from doing push-ups (I did an alternate exercise). It worked out well.  

During the ab portion, I was still flopping on the mat quite a bit, but I noticed that there had been *some* improvement in some of the exercise.  (Translated: I could actually do a few reps of them).

County-style Pork ribs with sugar snap peas.

Whole 30 is still going strong.

Monday, Monday

Workout: Day 30                                                                                Whole30: Day 8

Monday morning was another cold, cold morning but I went to the gym anyway.  I did the virtual trainer for the bike to get some good cardio in.

My gym buddy did the Fitness Challenge.  It was a timed row, 20 push-ups, 20(?) Burpees, box jumps, and something else.  I would have died.  

Still going with Whole 30.  My husband complains about being hungry a lot, but I tell him he's just not eating enough.  I haven't been too hungry nor had any insane cravings. Yet.

One Week

Workout: Day 29                                                                           Whole 30: Day 7

Proof I was there

Today was one of those Sundays that should be spent in your pajamas on the couch.  And it almost was. Until the gym crept into my nice relaxing day. I had to get my workout in for the Make Your Way Across America Challenge (MYWAAC).  So, I very reluctantly out my gym clothes on and drove over to the base gym.  My plan was the virtual trainer on the bikes and that's what I did.  Perhaps I wasn't going full out, but I was peddling on the bike which is more than I would have been doing on the couch.

What' was left in the pot that my husband
spent the day dissing on Facebook

Today also marks the end of the first week of the Whole 30.  So far, so good.  The first week was a bit rough because I hadn't fully planned out what we were going to be eating, so it was pretty boring.  I went to the store after the gym today and hope to have better choices this week.  Case in point:  Yesterday, I planned to have Chili Dog Chili for dinner tonight.  And we did.  And it was delicious.  Everyone liked it except for my super picky (kindest way to describe his attitude) son who swears he doesn't like chili or hot dogs.  So obviously, not the best meal for him.  The rest of us licked the bowls.

Almost OBE

Workout: Day 28                                                                              Whole 30: Day 6

I didn't make it to 8 o'clock spin class this morning because I took my oldest to a dance store in Smithfield.

I didn't get to the gym for the virtual bike trainer because I took my middle child to wander around Game Stop.

I tried not to workout today, but I knew I NEEDED to workout today.  Not for my health (although, yeah, that too), but because I had to work out everyday if I am going to complete the gym challenge I started in January.

So I did.  I pulled out the Pilates DVD again. It is the only workout DVD in the house.  I need to look into other at home options.

Done. When I go to the gym tomorrow.  I will log this in the workout book.  And log tomorrow's workout.  And be on my way to completing what I started.

Whole 30 was a success today.  Stayed on track.  And my friend delivered some Whole 30 compliant hot dogs so I can make Chili Dog Chili.