Back at it

Even though I did manage to get in a quick elliptical workout on Christmas Eve, I'm sure it didn't do enough to help my weight loss. I let myself eat whatever I wanted Christmas Eve through Monday. The holidays are the holidays. It's unfair to restrain yourself while everyone's always eating all the good stuff. Just pick back up where you left off, and move on!
So, I packed the boys up this morning to hit the gym (even though I really didn't want to go).
I get there, and pretty much every machine is taken! So, I hopped on the only thing left, my evil nemisis, the stairmaster. I only had to endure 7 minutes of that before someone got off of the treadmill in front of me! I hopped on there to walk for 20 minutes (a little over a mile). Then I jumped on the next available elliptical. That is what I really wanted to use today. I wasn't really feeling it, so I told myself I'd only do 10 minutes then leave. I ended up just going and going to do the full 30 minute weight loss program!

Workout Recap
Stairmaster ~ 7 min
Treadmill ~ 20 min
Elliptical ~ 30 min

Hopefully, I can consistently go to the gym this week without anyone getting sick or any other type of interruption. I'm determined to get to my goals!

Busy Busy

So this weekend was filled with mostly just work. I worked Friday night, all day Saturday, and half a day on Sunday. Even though, I worked a full day on Saturday I managed to get in a mini workout at my house. I did some jumping jacks, squats, calf raises, and free weight lifting. I also turned the music up and danced around my kitchen with weights in hand :) I know it seems silly, but arms hurt in places I didn't realize they could the next morning.
I did make sure to eat relatively healthy this weekend so as to not gain weight. Surprisingly, I actually lost weight :)
Unfortunately, both my kids are sick right now, so getting to the gym isn't going to really happen in the mornings. Yesterday I worked the daycare and was VERY lucky that my hubby had the day off. So he was able to keep the boys home while I went to work my shift. Then later on at night, he made me do an ab workout (as I requested). I think it's really going to help having him there every night to make sure I do it!
Today, I plan on going to the gym...but not until later tonight when Nathan gets home. The boys can't go out and need lots of rest. I'm not going to be that mom that drags them to the gym while they are sick just so I can break a sweat. I see it all the time in the daycare, and it's unfortunate. Plus, it gets all the other kids sick!

Anyways, these past couple days just prove that even if you don't exercise and just control your diet, you'll lose weight :)

Total Weight Lost ~ 5 lbs (5.3 left to my 5% goal)

Soucy Card 2010

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Routine=Good

So, today I woke up feeling a little sore...especially in my upper abs. It felt like someone kicked me in the ribcage while I was sleeping! I just felt a little off, too. So instead of making up an excuse to not go to the gym, I packed my bag and went. I knew that even if I wasn't feeling well now, going and exercising even for a little bit would make me feel better.

I hopped on the treadmill yet again. I love it more than any other workout machine.

• Started off by walking for 7 min @ 3.5 mph.


• Then alternated jogging at 4.1mph and walking at 3.5 mph for 28 minutes


• Finally, I walked for another 15 min @ 3.5 mph to end the workout

Total workout time ~ 50 minutes (5 minutes longer than yesterday)

Total distance ~ 3 miles (1/4 mile longer than yesterday)

The first 10 minutes of the workout was hell, only because I wasn't feeling very well or motivated for that matter. But once I got into it, I picked up the pace. I burned more calories this workout than either of my two previous runs. I have to say that music definitely provides HUGE motivation for me while working out!! I don't know how I'd do it without my ipod and awesome workout playlist. I'm always looking for motivating upbeat songs to get me all hyped up! I think I'm finally in the right mindset to shed these pounds!

So, after only 2 days of working out, I weighed in this morning.

Total Pounds Lost ~ 2.2 ( 8.1 pounds left to lose for my 5% goal)

On the Right Track

Today was a fantastic workout. I woke up fully set on hitting the gym :) So, today was a little bit better than yesterday.

• Walked for 17 minutes @ 3.5 mph (1 mile)
• Alternated jogging 1 min @ 4mph and walking 1 min @ 3.5 mph
• Then finished off a cooldown.

Total Workout Distance ~ 2.75 miles (1/2 mile longer than yesterday's workout!)

Total Workout Time ~ 45 minutes (5 minutes longer than yesterday)

On a nutritional note, I am loosely trying to cut calories as much as I can. I don't want to overwhelm myself though by trying too hard at both exercising and diet. I also made sure to drink 8 glasses of water yesterday as well! It really looks like things are coming along.

I feel like losing weight is a lot like quitting smoking. (not that I've ever had to quit smoking lol) You can't start until you are really 100% committed because it's not something you can half-ass. I think I finally hit my lowest point and couldn't take it anymore. Also, the bet is also fueling my motivation a little as well (hehehe Amanda!)

Struggles and Success

Ok, so yesterday I was planning on going to the gym. Guess what?! That didn't happen. Once I even begin to think about not going, even slightly, it all goes downhill and I manage to come up with one excuse or another as to why I can't go. So this morning, I got up with the attitude that I was DEFINITELY going to the gym. I packed our gym bag right away and set out my clothes. We got there around 10:30 and didn't leave until 11:30ish.
Today's workout was just on the treadmill (on a 3 incline).

• I started out by walking for 17 minutes at 3.5 mph (a mile).
• Then jogged for 2 minute intervals at 4mph, alternating with walking at 3.5 mph.
• I repeated that 3 times.
• Then, finished off with walking another 17 minutes at 3.5 mph

My total mileage on the treadmill 2.25 miles, and was 40 minutes for length of time. All in all...I think I did a pretty good job. My goal for the rest of the week is to make it to the gym Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday/Sunday. If I can do that, I will have completed one small goal. I think I need something so I can have some accomplishment.

I think a big problem I'm having, is that I thought I would just be able to jump into it and do it like I did last time I lost weight before the wedding. In reality, it took me awhile to lose it then and get going with the jogging/running. I just need to need to keep my head up, and keep trying. Sometimes, unfortunately, that's easier said than done!

Feelin So Good

Even with a packed schedule today, I managed to get in a solid, time effective workout. I was on the treadmill for only 20 minutes but managed to burn 350 calories and went almost 2 miles. I proved to myself that I was able to run at a 6mph pace (even if only for 1 minute at a time)! I started off my walking, then to no particular rhyme or reason, alternated walking and running. I always walk at a 3.5 mph pace, then would run either at 4 mph, 5 mph, or 6 mph. It was nice to know that it was doable for me to run at a quicker pace. When I was working out almost 1.5 years ago before my wedding, I was running at a 5mph pace, and never even attempted 6 mph. Granted, it wasn't for a long period of time, but it's something! Now, I know that I CAN do it! I'm very motivated right now, and to keep things interesting, my friend Amanda and I have a bet going. Whoever can lose 10 pounds the fastest will pay for dinner and drinks at ladies night out :) Also, I've been eating pretty decently the past couple days, so that should help push things along! Now, I just need to keep it up!! Remember the goal for the week is just to MAKE IT TO THE GYM and get a workout in!

Article

I read an interesting article this weekend about why men are able to lose weight faster than women. The article made an interesting point. Men are able to focus on just one thing completely, where as women multitask. Women make it near impossible for themselves to completely tune out everything else and focus on just ONE goal. Men are able to just go in and exercise, without worrying about anything else like diet and so forth.

So, after reading this article, my goal for the next week is to just go to the gym. That's all. Once I am able to make going to the gym a routine daily activity, then I'll move on to making healthier eating choices :)