Happy Sigmaversary.... now get out of bed

Today was the second day of running for me, and it was such a hard day for me to get going. I was pretty much inspired to work-out at the beginning of the day because I was going to celebrate the fact that it was my 10 year Anniversary of becoming a member of the greatest sorority on earth, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated. As the day dragged on, I became increasingly tired. I don't know if it is possible to sleep-type (similar to sleep-walking), but I had to have been doing this by the end of the day.

Yay, Five O'Clock. At least I thought that I was energizing. Then I got home and decided that I was going to just take a 30 minute nap. Thirty minutes turned into a little more then 90 minutes... and I was dreading the treadmill. I kept telling myself who much I used to LOVE jogging and that it was going to get easier. While I did not believe myself, I reluctantly hopped on the treadmill and completed the workout. I had to do the same workout as yesterday, and I was able to increase my distance by .05 miles... so I was okay with that.

Oh yeah, another piece of motivation for me is that I registered for the Columbus Half-Marathon. So YAY me, I failed my attempts last year to train for the Half-Marathon... and this year it is going to be different.

Team YAY Me.

Ambition is Golden when Golden is Ambition

Back to the Drawing Board

Once again, I needed to change things up again. I guess that I at least have been working out on more of a daily basis.

So after having one evening consumed with addressing hair problems, and another evening consumed with washing clothes, I decided that I had to get some better working out in. I am still committed to being able to gain fitness without the gym, so I had to think again about activities that I truly found to be fun and also a workout. I then enrolled in a daily email that is supposed to allow for "3 weeks to a running habit." So Today was day one..... you know this is not the first day one that I've written about in the last month.

So today, I my 30 minute workout consisted of a 5 minute warm up and a 4 minute cool down. In between the warm up and cool down I alternated one minute of jogging with one minute of walking. It actually felt pretty good to have the heart pounding and the beginning of the sweat to begin.

Needless to say, at the end of my workout I really felt good. I felt good to be able to make use of my treadmill. My treadmill has really been neglected over the past few years, so it defiantly is enjoying the attention. It also felt good to feel good. My new goal is to be able to workout on the treadmill to the point that I can obtain a decent workout outside.

I really used to love working out outside, but I have not gotten there in the past year or so... so here is another heave-ho. My ultimate goal would be to be able to jog in some short races over the summer and I would also like to be able to get into the Columbus Marathon half marathon. Ultimately, I would like to build up the stamina to be able to finish a whole marathon, but I think that may be goal of a 35 year old, and I am but 31.

Ambition is Golden when Golden is Ambition

It's Zumba Time !!!!

So, I feel like I'm in love again.

For the longest time I have bounced around to various gyms in search of desirable fitness classes. I have gone to one gym with great classes that occur during times that I could not attend. I have attended gyms with an (one) okay class at a peak time that is so packed that I can't fit in the class. I have attended gyms that offer okay classes that are varied throughout the day, but that rotate times monthly. This means that once I find a favorite class or a few favorite classes, they move to some random Monday or Wednesday morning when I am at work. Classes have run my decision making process when choosing gyms because I get often times get tired of working out with myself.

So I bought this Zumba Wii game sometime last month. I played it like once and was like, this is nothing like going to a class. Then, I had my mind fixed that I was going to do this most expensive power 90x series that I bought last year. After doing this for a little over a week... it began to bore me. Even more disappointing, I knew that I had the same routine to look forward to repeating for the duration of the month, then a new routine to repeat for the second month, and the same pattern for the third. I decided that I would pull this Zumba out again and give it a whirl.

Zumba was awesome yesterday and equally as fun today. I don't know how long this streak will last, but it does break out the competitive nature in me. See, you have to complete certain number of workouts to progress and unlock harder workouts and to even unlock various environments to workout. You also earn a score for each workout....that you can try to beat on the next go round. So after learning what I needed to do to begin unlocking levels, I completed two 20 minute beginner classes to unlock the two 20 minute intermediate classes. Most people would probably only do one class a day, but I need to get to the ultimate 60 minute "Zumbathon."

I am so hyped. What is the best part is that I can dress however and mess up the moves like no other and not worry about who is looking at me. I can also show up at whatever time and I don't miss any part of class ... and I can always see the instructor. This is awesome. I really can't wait until tomorrow, and I am thinking about trying to get a workout in before work (as well as) after work.

P.S. My alternate workout may eventually be to rotate just dance in, or any of my many other fitness inspired Wii games. I am determined to get fit without contributing to the building fund of a gym that I despise the fitness classes or the times that the classes are offered.

Ambition is Golden when Golden is Ambition

Bad Habit

So, I had what I thought was a bad habit, and they say that bad habits are hard to break

Research has found an answer in 21 days to shake this thing that my perception of good can’t take

In the beginning, I thought this bad habit was good and true,

At that time, I knew that this would bring me out of the slump, colored coded blue

Every day I got my rush, my cheeks would blush, and I couldn’t breathe

Seven days a week, I was addicted, and I just couldn’t leave

I’ve read that when you experience love, your palms sweat, your heart pumps and....

It goes on to say that your stomach may go a flutter, and time flies as you count each drop of sand

I have to agree, because I could not see myself without the wooden floors, and water oozing from each pore

I could not imagine a day passing without the... 1, 2, left, right, jump, kick, ....and holding it for four more

You know I had a bad break up, and it lead to a new bad habit

This new habit was worse and I didn’t miss my love a bit

I fell in mindless like as this red screen engulfed my attention

There was not a day that it did not disappoint, I was satisfied, I rated this experience a ten

Day after day, I hoped that I could find my true love again, but it was too much work

Night after night, I would strategize how I could make this new bad habit just a quirk

So I thought and I sought, and one day I had sweat from my head I felt

Finally, I knew I was on track to love and my heart began to melt

See I need a new bad habit, because the one I have is killing me

They say it takes twenty-one day to make a behavior, even a good habit

.... and I am on day three

If at first you don't succeed.... you fail

So I had today all planned out. I had to be at work hours later than usual due to having late meetings, so I was going to get up early today to workout. The workout scheduled for today was Yoga X. I read the reviews and it seemed like something would be challenging, yet fun. The problem is that I did not get up as planned this morning because my bed felt good and I couldn't motivate myself for 90 minutes of yoga fun.

Well, the day progressed rather fast.... and my eating was not the best. It wasn't bad I ate too much food, it was bad because I didn't eat much. Everyone knows that lack of nutrition equals lack of energy, which means a tough time with getting through a workout.

So I finally made it home, with my sticky mat/yoga mat out and dvd in the player, and no excuses in sight. I got changed and I started the DVD as planned. It started out with much fun, and memories of past yoga classes. We did various warrior poses, venyas, planks, downward/upward dogs.... I was working up a sweat and it felt good. At this point in time, I am about 30 minutes into this session. Unfortunately I took advantage of the pause button on my remote and I had to suffer the consequences. I would pause the DVD and resume to try moves that I felt were beyond my skill level. I would fall over and get back up. I would try to balance and my foot would slip. I would try to mimic the move on the TV and curse Mr. Horton. Thirty minutes later, yet only 15 minutes later in DVD world, I had to turn this workout off and take my shower to get ready for bed.

I have to say, I had no intentions of quitting but with every "pause and resume" I felt more and more frustrated. I felt that the frustrations today were not worth getting through the workout so I conceded. I do have to add in here that my lack of balance today may also be influenced by my unbalanced hormones that occur about this time of the month.

Tomorrow is a new day and a new workout. I don't think that there are any other ridiculously long workouts this week, and I am determined to get through the rest planned with this first round. I will also do better with keeping myself full of energy which should translate into a better workout. (But) For today.....I didn't succeed at first.

Golden is Ambition when Ambition is Golden. 4.161

Waiting to Exhale....

"Today was a good day," as Ice Cube so eloquently put it. I started off the day a bit more chilly than expected, but I was successful in packing my food for the day ..... chicken spaghetti.... yum. I am still working on making and eating breakfast, but the Chrysanthemum tea warmed me up and was tasty. It also seemed to soothe my aching muscles; and boy do my muscles ache.

I started working out on Sunday, making today my third day of working out. So my muscles are kind of aching in the way that one's brain feels battered when returning to school as an adult. Many of us know that this is not the most pleasant of a feeling, but once in the groove ... the spasms become ghosts of hurting past. So with every hurtful trip out of my seat, and every shoulder-muscle-tug for answering the phone, and every tear shed for having to go up and down stairs.... I tell myself that it is worth it and that this type of pain is a good pain that will pass.

So after making it through the day and staying true to eating food that I made, with a spinach salad for dinner, I patted myself on the back for a food-job well done. I was also very excited to receive a request to join a CSA or Community Supported Agriculture. It is a chance to be able to pay farmers at the beginning of the growing season to be able to receive fresh produce on a weekly basis for 20-24 weeks over the course of the summer. I am really thinking that I am going to participate in a CSA this year and it will defiantly keep fresh food in the refrigerator to keep me healthy. How neat....!!!!!

Now... duh duh duh,..... the workout. I was not sure if the workout would get completed because I felt exhausted when I got home. I decided to take a short nap that turned out to be 2 hours long. I did get out of bed and I completed the arms, shoulders, and abs rotation of P90X. The mantra for the day that Tony provided was....don't forget to exhale. I enjoyed this workout out, but I only could find my 5 pound dumbbells. I also purchased exercise bands originally but they are far too heavy for me to lift.... so oh well. The hardest part of the workout today was the Ab Ripper X. While completing this, I really think that I could feel my Abs ripping, crying, bleeding, and pleading for mercy. Needless to say, I can't wait until these workouts become easy.

All in all.... Today was a good day, and NO... I did not forget to exhale. Ahhhh

Ambition is Golden when Golden is Ambition.

Left-Overs

Today was a good day in respect to food and fitness so far... It is only 7p and I am planning on staying up to watch the Butler and UConn game that comes on at 9p. I had some meat and cheese for breakfast, a midmorning carrot snack, left-over chicken spaghetti for lunch, and the same for dinner with an expected night of ice-snacks into the night.

I don't know if you caught it, but I did say that I had left over chicken spaghetti for lunch and for dinner, which means that I had my first meal of chicken spaghetti for Sunday night's dinner. I previously discussed how much I dread having left-overs, but I also hate the idea of throwing food away. So by the looks of my pot, I will be having spaghetti for lunch and dinner for the duration of the week... and likely into the weekend... YAY (Not) !!!!! We'll see how long this actually lasts because after I get tired of eating the same dish I make something else and tell myself that the current dish has gone bad and is no longer edible. (At least I am still staying true to eating "homemade" food.)

Just after the "Columbus Tsunami" and right before left-overs, I was able to do my P90X-Cardio X. To my surprise, this was more enjoyable than yesterday's workout. Yesterday was all about reminding me how I can barely hold 5 pds dumbbells while inhaling and exhaling, never mind the fact that I was also asked to rhythmically move my body to the calls of the DVD. Today I had a variety of things that were expected of me, and none of them involved using weights. I got to begin with some yoga..... Downward and upward dogs, planks, warriors, and a memory that these movements were once easy. Then we moved to some kempo (want to be karate) inspired movements. I did enjoy this where I was punching and kicking and pausing the remote..... ahhhhhh fun. Then the DVD laughed at me as we did some plyometrics as though it was supposed to be second nature. He said, "jump left-right.... pause your Heisman stance...you're almost done, only a million more seconds to go." Then it was, "Pull your stool out and stand to the left, now swing your left... followed by your right leg, over the chair and to the floor.... keep it going, your almost done." (Yeah I was almost done, ready to fall out and lay on the floor to watch the remainder of the video.)

I kept going through the motions and completed the DVD. It was estimated that this workout would last a bit over 43 minutes, but I think that it took me an hour. It was enjoyable, but tomorrow is Shoulders, Arms, and Ab Ripper. My upper body is my arch enemy, like Gargamel is to the Smurfs. I will do what is expected of me and I will exceed my expectations. If I don't, it will be evident by my inability to lift my arms or fingers to create a post for tomorrow.

Ambition is Golden when Golden is Ambition... 361

So who needs pavement when you have carpet?

After being so successful with my ability to sneak in a workout as a function of daily activities, I was burdened with thoughts of how to incorporate a heart pumping activity into my routine today. I looked through all of my DVDs, looked through books with workout routines, and thought about just setting a destination to ambulate to and from. The day progressed the best that I was able to do was to prepare some food for dinner. I looked outside and it looked sunny and beautiful, but I just couldn't get my head around embarrassing myself in front of trees, birds, and passersby with how minimal movement could likely bring buckets of sweat. That is when I decided that I had to find something to do in the house.

At first I thought that I would I would make my Wii version of Zumba my best workout companion. The more I thought of that, the more I knew that it would not push me the way that I would like as my fitness increased. Then it hit me.... I was going to dust off my P90X DVDs that had failed me this time last year. After looking at the routine that would be required of me, I was beginning to lose steam. See the standard routine requests that you do what I consider to be a lot more weight lifting then cardio, which is not something that I desire at this point in time. Then I remembered that there is the lean version of the P90X which places more emphasis on cardio. So this is my commitment....I am going to complete and commit to my P90X program. So if I am estimating correctly, this means that I will be done with this program before June is over.

So my blog, is now shifting a bit in my originally perspective because I am going to being by chronicling my P90X adventure. Originally, I was hoping to just voice daily struggles in incorporating exercise into daily activities, but I feel that I need to begin with more of a push down the hill, so here I go. Today I did the Core Synergistics... it was hard, but I am looking forward to building onto where I am starting. I am also incorporating the routine that I will be following for the next three months. See below:

Phase 1 Lean - Weeks 1, 2, and 3

Day 1 – Core Synergistics

Day 2 – Cardio X

Day 3 – Shoulders and Arms, Ab Ripper X

Day 4 – Yoga X

Day 5 – Legs and Back, Ab Ripper X

Day 6 – Kenpo X

Day 7 – Rest or X Stretch

Phase 1 Lean - P90x Workout Week 4 Recovery Week to Rest the Muscles Some

Day 1 – Yoga X

Day 2 – Core Synergistics

Day 3 – Kenpo X

Day 4 – X Stretch

Day 5 – Cardio X

Day 6 – Yoga X

Day 7 – Rest or X Stretch

P90x Lean Workout Phase 2 Schedule

P90X Lean Workout Schedule Weeks 5, 6, 7

Day 1 – Core Synergistics

Day 2 – Cardio X

Day 3 – Chest, Shoulders & Triceps, Ab Ripper X

Day 4 – Yoga X

Day 5 – Legs and Back, Ab Ripper X

Day 6 – Kenpo X

Day 7 – Rest or X Stretch

P90x Lean - Week 8 Recovery

Day 1 – Yoga X

Day 2 – Core Synergistics

Day 3 – Kenpo X

Day 4 – X Stretch

Day 5 – Core Synergistics

Day 6 – Yoga X

Day 7 – Rest or X Stretch

P90x Phase III - Lean

P90x Lean Workout Schedule Weeks 9 and 11

Day 1 – Chest and Back, Ab Ripper X

Day 2 –Cardio X

Day 3 – Shoulders and Arms, Ab Ripper X

Day 4 – Yoga X

Day 5 –Core Synergistics

Day 6 – Kenpo X

Day 7 Rest or X Stretch

P90X Lean Workout Schedule for Weeks 10 and 12

Day 1 – Chest, Shoulders and Triceps, Ab Ripper X

Day 2- Cardio X

Day 3 – Back and Biceps, Ab Ripper X

Day 4 – Yoga X

Day 5 –Core Synergistics

Day 6 – Kenpo X

Day 7 – Rest or X Stretch

P90X Lean Workout Schedule Week 13

Day 1 – Yoga X

Day 2 – Core Synergistics

Day 3 – Kenpo X

Day 4 – X Stretch

Day 5 – Cardio X

Day 6 – Yoga X

Day 7 – Rest or X Stretch

Golden is Ambition when Ambition is Golden... 361

It's a Thin Line between Love and Hate.

So today I was determined to think of a way to get the thirty minute "work-out" that I promised myself yesterday. For a large part of the time that I was awake, I kept thinking, "Man I need to get up off of my toosh and stop watching netflix and lifetime." Then while washing my face I looked at my hands and realized that it was definatley time for me to get my nails done. I then made it my mission to get to and from the nail salon without the use of a car.

Then while making some phone calls, I started hearing something knocking against my window. When I looked outside, wouldn't you know it, it was hailing. "C'mon," I thought to myself, "this cannot be happening." How is it finally April and hail, not rain, is knocking at my window (like the mob) daring me to set foot outside of the house without the shield of my car to get to my destination. Despite this threat, I finished preparing myself for my trip. By the time I was ready to go, the hail had stopped and the sun was shining.... YAY !!!

So I set out for my (short) journey to the nail salon. As I walked, I was able to appreciate the sights and sounds of Spring. I was able hear the hustle and bustle of cars cruising up and down the street. I was also able to see birds in the trees while dodging any possible excrement that may decide to bless me. It was so great. I could feel the blood pumping through my muscles and the warmth that my activity was allowing my body to produce under my fleece coat. Just as I near my destination I see this car.... no this van... pull up and have the nerve to block my passage on the sidewalk. To myself I am thinking, first hail.. now this.... As I near closer to this obstruction, I realize that I know the driver and the passenger, what a surprise. After catching up for a bit and discussing plans for the possibility of future races... we offered our goodbyes and resumed our pre-planned activities.

So I reach the nail shop and I am able to enjoy the services that it has to offer. Just as I am thinking about how awesome a treat this was, I look out the window.... HAIL. Hail is falling from the sky like the tears of a "hoe" that was beat by her "pimp" for not bringing home enough dough... I mean it was coming down. All I kept thinking was that I still needed to make it back home, and I hope that this person doing my nails slows down so that the sky will stop perspiring. I also had a flash back of the "Wizard of OZ" when water was thrown on the witch at the end and she began to melt. I have to say I was not worried about melting, but I just did not want a soggy venture home. As I sat and allowed my nails to try before going back, the sky dried up and the sun "kind of" came out.

On the way back, I was determined to get my heart pounding a bit more than the journey there. The only logical way for me to do this was to intermittently pick up the pace to what my short (I mean long) legs call a job. So I start off with my jog and my heart, thighs, and calves pretty much gave me a punch to the chest, like, "What you doing Willis?" I am one who listens to my body so I slowed to a fast walk. This love-hate relationship continued until I got home, and yes there is a "Thin Line Between Love and Hate."

As I drink some water and prepare the shower, I think of how happy I am to have gotten my "exercise" in for the day... remember I am starting off slow. As I take my shower with a slowed heart, my calves and shoulders are shouting at me. The water hitting the skin is not offering much of a massage as planned, but at least I am clean. I get out the shower and I am also reminded that there are a lot of muscles in my thighs that assist in movement..... Am I really up for this challenge?; I am thinking to myself .

I get myself dressed and ready for the rest of the day, and I feel great. I know that after my body rests for the night and decides to function in the morning, I'll be reminded of my "foot-travels" today. Is this the price of beauty?, NO, It is the price of a healthier lifestyle. Luck for me, I know that this Love-Hate relationship will end and result in a Love Less-Like relationship. This pain is only temporary and I know that this, like most things, shall pass. Can't wait for tomorrow.

Golden is Ambition when Ambition is Golden.

How "Hare" You Stare At Me "Turtle"

The first day of April has proven to have a sunny start. Despite the fact that I was locked away in the cubicle dungeon, I was able to appreciate the pleasant begin of an April Showerless Day. All day, I could only think of how well I did yesterday with my eating and how I needed to stay the course.

Yesterday, I made it through no breakfast however I did break my fast with some yummy Chrysanthemum Tea. (It was more taste, less filling) While I know the tea did not count as breakfast, I had healthy snacks throughout the day and food that was purchased in a drive through. Then, today I pretty much had the same line up and left-overs. I am still working on breaking my overnight fast in the morning with something I can chew instead of something that I can swallow. They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day... and I believe what "they" say.

So today, my slow start to a "workout" came as a result of the ever popular craigslist. I've been occupying the same living space now for a few years, and I had not been motivated to really "move in." Then, I was perusing the list that craig wrote when I happened upon a table. It was a table of solid wood, it looked slim enough to fit in my car, and it had character. (And most importantly) I wanted it. So I contacted the seller and made arrangements the following day to pick it up. To my surprise, I was provided the address and realized it was a soon to open, father-daughter, antique store. The father placed the table in the backseat of my car. The daughter showed me around the store and "made" me buy this interesting mirror that the father place among the table.

Sixty minutes and a long winded conversation later, I finally arrived at home. Since the daughter helped the father carry the table and place it in my car, I feared that I would have the cumbersome task of summoning my "Herculesian" muscles like never before. So while still wearing my heels and clothes from work, I started to pull the table out of the car. I got it most of the way out, then I felt the weight of table as I tried to balance it against my thighs to get it the rest of the way out of the car. And wouldn't you know it, I was successful... to ummmm, get it to the asphalt of the parking lot. The problem is... the door looked so far away, and after that to get it down the stairs and to my apartment, and over the shoe rack, and into the front door.... Well I knew I had some work ahead of me...

I spread my arms wide like a vulture with arms that were stunted at birth. Even with my fingers, I could barely stretch the span of the table. I also have have flaps on either side that can be extended to make the table wider, but they are not able to be held down in a secure fashion so the side nearest my legs proved to be a trouble maker. With every step, the flap attempted to move with me however it did not realize that it was clumsy and instead nearly tripped me. Huffing and puffing I made it the short distance across the parking lot, then eventually through the door and down the stairs, over the river and through the woods. With the healthy glow of sweat, I trucked back outside to get the mirror. Luckily for me, the mirror was not nearly as wide as the table... however it is nearly as tall as I am (which is nearly 7 feet in terms of personality.)

Having the table and the mirror in my apartment successfully was deemed my slow and steady start. I had breaths to catch, a heart to tell to stop pounding, and some new decor to give a home. I was also able to gauge how physically unfit I was at this time. So now I know... this task easily took me over a half hour and that is going to be the measure I will use for future workouts. If I can be so determined to get these objects into my house that seemed to be initially impossible, I know that I can get back in the swing of more "hare-like marathons." I have to start somewhere.... and I have.

Golden is Ambition when Ambition is Golden.