This Saddle Feels Good

After my diet was tossed out the window and stayed on the highway for the duration of my NC trip, I picked it up on my way home and have been planted firmly back on the wagon ever since. Granted, last night during Enrichment at church I noshed two different kinds of brownies (in my defense they were ever so itty-bitty), but still I'm down about 3 pounds and most of all feeling grand. I love love my new workout plan, and so I must divulge. . .

Mondays: 40 minutes on the treadmill set on "Random" for hillwork
Tuesdays: Upper body weight work (mixed in with some combination weight exercises and ab work)
Wednesdays: 40 minutes of speed intervals on treadmill
Thursdays: Lower body weight work with combo and ab stuff
Fridays: My very own Jillian Michael's workout at the gym, meaning 2 minutes intense cardio, 2 minutes strength work, 2 minutes abs. This workout I love. It is fun to come up with different ways to work and move and I glean ideas from workout magazines online and stuff. And I steal from Jillian--ever tried Plank jumps? You get in the plank pose and then jump wide and together with your legs. This is not easy fun or enjoyable by any means.
Saturdays: Long Run! This is my favorite workout of the week. I am training for a half marathon and really enjoy this run. I take it easy, keeping my heart rate up, but not stressing about time or anything. I walk for one minute at every mile marker. This Saturday is a five mile run, and I start building from there for the race in October. So far my knees are on board with this goal. I think they are much happier since I'm doing more treadmill running.

And on the seventh day. . . I rest. I do not set my alarm for 5:30, I eat a big fun breakfast and I try to squeeze in an after church nap. Now, I know you might be shaking your head and thinking I am so awesome for doing this. And it is a really awesome plan. But, there has yet to be a 100% perfect week, but I love the idea and so I will keep planning on it. I do move every day, but sometimes things get cut short or I just don't have it in me to do the Jillian creative workout. But, I am writing down what I eat and embracing the WW lifestyle that lets me eat whatever I want while forcing me to be honest with myself. This is my life, this is my body and if I want it to change I have to change and accept the realities of calories in/calories out. I just take it all one day at a time. I eat, I move, I write, I try. When I am pushing through the last fifteen seconds of those wretched plank jumps, I pick a spot on the gym floor and I zero in on it. I tell myself, "You must do what you think you cannot do." Pretty sure that is Eleanor Roosevelt talking. I can do you this. If you are reading this and you want to do this--you can do this. We pick a spot, we focus on it, and we just keep going. My best will be good enough today. I had this goal of reaching my goal weight by Homecoming in October. It is still possible, but I've decided to remove any kind of time constraints. I will just keep writing and moving and eventually I'll get there. And along the way, my calf muscles keep catching my eye and bringing a smile to my face.

Just Me

I had a lovely visit home with my Mom this past weekend. I went to a dear friend's bridal shower and was only responsible for one other little person, a much lighter load than usual. Emma was a dream, the perfect travel companion. We only had to pull over once for a bathroom break and to feed her, she didn't steal any of my snacks and I got to listen to whatever I wanted. She is superb. I clearly had a too marvelous time, since I gained five pounds in the last week, and though there were slight other factors that might have exacerbated it, I am pretty sure at least four of the five pounds were added over the last three days. In case you wondered if that was physically possible--it totally is.
Am I trudging on? Of course. What choice do I have? Do I give in and weigh 220 pounds again? Do I backslide and live the life of free-eating? Tempting. Or do I take a day off of tracking to give myself a break in preparation for the buckling down that will dawn tomorrow. I'll vote for the final option. I stepped on some freak poison thorn yesterday at the park and so have been limping around on my aching foot ever since. I'm not sure what I'll do if I can't at least walk for exercise tomorrow. I am super excited about my exercise schedule. I think I've created a nice, well-rounded routine, that will give my body enough variety to create nice results. If I do it. And if I stop eating. And if I never see my mother again. One day I will be able to spend more than two consecutive hours in NC and not lose total dietary control. That day was not Friday. . . or Saturday. . .or Sunday. And today, I've eaten three pieces of toast and if Lucy doesn't finish the piece I gave her for lunch, I call dibs. "Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow. . ."---was MacBeth really all about dieting??