OMG!

I had to run home and eat something before I go get dd2 and head back to the YMCA for a 2 hour guard shift. Let's hope I don't have to save anyone b/c my shoulder has had enough for today and my whole body feels like I could just flop in a chair and not get up for hours...

I was supposed to spin this am early, but DH had to go into work early and it wasn't going to work. SO I went in as soon as the kids got on the bus and did the WICKED route on the Expresso Bike (Hills from HELL) and then did 1200 in the pool. The pool did me in. I was SOOOOO dehydrated my head was pounding in the shower! AND the hunger... thank goodness I had something healthy to grab when I walked in the door! FAMISHED.

Now I am off to get the girl and go to work. Tomorrow is my DAY OFF!! I dare say I've earned this one!

TRAINING

I have actually followed my training schedule for the last 5 days. I usually just have it as a reference and do my own thing (as if I didn't make up the schedule in the first place). Saturday's workout with the siblings was great. We did 3 mile repeats for times (that we actually logged on our schedule) followed by hill sprints. My butt and quads are sore today! Today I did a weights workout and 20 minutes on the Precor. Tomorrow will be a 4 mile run.

Eating is either really good or really not so good. For example, I had 600 calories left for dinner and a snack Saturday night and ended up going over my allotted calories by eating a sandwich and all the fries that came with it. I know I shouldn't have gone to a restaurant hungry; a salad was just not going to cut it . Sunday got me back on track. I've followed my plan and even had a few calories left over when I headed to bed. It feels good to be in control.

Today I planned to run and swim, but then I had to schedule an emergency trip to the laundrymat with a vomit covered sleeping bag from my daughter's weekend away... I will spare the details, but it cut my gym visit short. I ended up running/walking 4.5 miles on the treadmill and it was good. Swimming will officially be moved to Wednesday.

The Big Loser competition at the Y has sort of been moved to the back seat as I begin to focus on training. BUT I will lose this week and I will try harder to keep both issues at equal priority as we enter the final 4 weeks. My team dropped in the standings -- now tied for 4th, but if we can get it together I am sure we can still win. I intend to try.

Taking a Pass

We get a free pass for one week's weigh in and I think I will use mine this week. I am just not feeling it... My mojo is off and although I am starting to get it together now, I don't think I'll be in time to see any kind of loss for my team. In fact, I've been afraid to get on my own scale (like that's going to make reality less than so).

On the exercise front, I have begun my TRIATHLON TRAINING. Yesterday 3.5 mile run, this morning a killer Spin class at 5:30 a.m. and either this afternoon or tomorrow a.m. I'll be swimming and/or running. Saturday's workout plan is in the previous post. I am working up to running an efficient 10K; the bike and swim are OK now -- I just need the weather to change so I can get outside.

One of the spin instructors who is also an elite triathlete has asked me to be a mentor for Danskin as part of the training program she is running this Spring. As long as it's not too time consuming or takes away from my training I am game. I am also going to lifeguard for her open water swim clinics. I think it will help with my focus to be involved and frankly, I was flattered to be asked.

Getting back into it...

It's so hard to get back into the swing of things when you've been away. My journaling has been spotty and with appointments/commitments, I've let exercise slip as well and since weigh in Friday looms, I need to get with it NOW. I ate a bigger than necessary bowl of cereal, but stopped short of finishing my kids french toast. I grabbed the dog and walked/ran (mostly ran) 3.4 miles. It's surprising how great it makes you feel when you are finished. Renewed, refreshed, in control.

Household chores await, but my objective this week is healthy eating for all. I have to shop and I will make a list while the little one is in gymnastics.

Triathlon Training with my sisters starts this Saturday. We are scheduled for MILE REPEATS x3, followed by HILLS (5 sets of 30 sec sprints). We're not equipped for cold weather riding (temps will be in the low 30s) so we'll have to wait a few more weeks. Hopefully I will get into the pool Saturday afternoon. It's been a while.

Barely a Loser...

Back from a hectic, fun filled weekend with my very best friends. I am physically and mentally exhausted, but doing my best to get back in the saddle.

Let me backtrack just a bit to Friday. I made it to a 5:30 a.m. Spin class and followed that up with a 1 mile run (tri-training and all...). I weighed in at 181.5 a half pound loss!!! Yeah ME! Saturday I did a very fast power walk with some of the girls -- a hilly 3.5 miles. Sunday my head hurt from too much wine and food -- my one day of being indulgent.

My daughter had a doctor's appointment that ruined my chances for a morning workout and tomorrow we are closing on our refinance. I am considering another 5:30 a.m. Spin class. I would love to make it a habit to exercise at the crack of dawn; it makes the day so much more unscheduled, and there is less of a chance of conflicts with my routine.

Tonight we have skating followed by waiting to register for summer programs... Ah, Summer!

A crazy busy week...

Girls Weekend starts Friday afternoon. I have work and Big Loser contest to consider. I have not exercised since Saturday and my time is short. I want to get a hair cut, pedicure, and buy something new to wear out Saturday night. I also wanted to start my triathlon training and lose 2.5 pounds to get in the 170s. Something has got to give --- I think I already know what that will be.... I am going to weigh in Friday morning. I will do my best to do it after a tough workout and I may even sit in the sauna to push the scale downward (it is a contest afterall). With the way I have been eating this week, and the lack of exercise, the best I should hope for is to maintain. That will not help the Wannabes. I have 4 days to keep my mouth shut and hope that I can do better.

As always, I am anxious about leaving my family for 2 nights. I am pretty sure my husband can hold down the fort - though I am always fearful of how the house will look when I get home and which kid will have the worst "Guess what Dad did" story. I am praying for a nice-rain free weekend. The kids will play outside. The dog will get a walk and not mud up the house. My husband will choose to cook out and not mess up the kitchen.... Wishful thinking. What happens will happen. I need to let it go and have a good time. This is my one weekend away for the year.

Big Loser again

182 - Down one pound from last week. I was SO relieved not to have gained, but a loss --- awesome! Motivated once again. I am officially down 10.5 lbs since the start of the competition and we are half way through. Can I lose another 10 before the finish? It's doable, I'll have to work hard.

Triathlon training officially starts MONDAY. I will be swimming, biking and running from now until September. My shoulder is still bothering me, but I am going to keep trying to heal it and do no more damage. I want a successful season. With the weight off, I should be able to see some PRs this year. I am excited to see what a lighter body can do.

I'll keep you posted.

What the HECK?

Yup, weight was up this morning --- I am guessing it's that time of the month, but I am also suspecting that the days I didn't journal my food last week are catching up with me. I will weigh in officially on Thursday --- maybe even Saturday. I WILL SEE A LOSS THIS WEEK! I WILL BE A REPEAT LOSER THIS WEEK. No... matter... what!!!

I am back to journaling religiously. I am back to thinking hard about what goes in my mouth and I am repeating the mantra - It's OK to go to bed a little hungry...

I have plans. I have goals. I am not going to reach them by eating too much and not exercising.
To the GYM!!

Monday Renewal

I had a decent weekend, though I was spotty on the journalling and when I started to add up what I though was a healthy day yesterday, I was aghast to see that I was over by 400 calories. Obviously I need to write as I eat. Lesson learned.

My dog is feeling better. She was so pathetic - limping around like Quasimodo, oozing gross stuff, not eating... By Sunday she was more herself - coming into the kitchen when she heard the cupboard openning (snacks?) and wanting to go for a walk; and this morning the site looks more her natural color and she was happy to walk to the bus stop with the kids. I too was happy to walk to the bus stop and see the girls off to school. My house is in desperate need of a spring cleaning, and I just need some alone time.

My sister warned me that we only have 14 weeks until our Olympic distance Tri. This frightens me... I need to get a schedule together and stick to it. I need to start running like I mean it. I need to get back in the pool for me and not just work. I am anxious--- worried? This morning I going to push for 60 minutes of cardio. Depending on my mood when I get to the gym it will be either 3- mile repeats on the treadmill OR 60 minutes on the PRECOR. I still have a residual cough, so I am not sure that I should push too hard just yet. WHIMP!

Sick Dog, Sad Mom

I woke this morning to a dog that wouldn't get up; she was shaking and slow. First, I LOVE MY DOG. She is big and fluffy and gentle and loving. She is truly my best friend. I was torn between getting my kids ready for school, addressing their concerns about Daisy and helping my dog - making her comfortable, getting through to the vet. I managed a little of both and got the kids on the bus. After closely examining the dog, I discovered the problem - a cyst on her back has ruptured, so it must be infected and sore. We have an appointment at 10:30. I am waiting. She is resting.

I have to work at 12:00. I will not make it to the gym. I am bumming, but another day of rest will probably be a good thing for my never ending cough (this virus has really shut me down).I'll be able to make it up over the weekend. My diet this week is good - yesterday not stellar, but I reigned it in. I have to be dilligent.

My daughter had her annual physical yesterday. She is "at risk" for being obese. The medication she is on has caused her to gain weight. I am trying to keep her active, but I know that I am stressed about her diet, and her future. I was a fat kid and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. I don't want to be one of those crazy mothers that puts their kids on diets or like my mom who constantly stood by with that "should you be eating that" look. I don't want to tell her that her weight is fine, because it is not. I keep saying that what you eat is important and exercise is key. She sees how I have struggled with my weight, but now it is even more vital that she see me succeed. I am predicting a top 3 finish in this BIGGEST LOSER contest. Just wait and see...

BIGGEST LOSER UPDATE: I am a loser.

Down 2 lbs! 183 on the big dumb doctor scale at the Y (my scale gave me another 1/2 lb loss). I am happy to be going in the right direction again, and happy to contributing to the success of our team. We dropped a little in the standings this week. We're now #3 out of 32 teams. We've got a long way to go, so at this point the board is pretty meaningless. It still is nice to know that we're competitive. I SO WANT TO WIN.

I was thinking about the contest at work yesterday and how I am really losing weight; I am not just trying - I am actually doing it. For the last 10 years I have projected out from January 1st's resolution that I would be a certain weight by my birthday. It was usually 175, since my starting weight was always around 200. I am now 8 pounds away from that "magic" number and my birthday is more than 8 weeks away!! I can really do it this time - and I am confident that I will. It's a happy place.

OK, OK, "norovirus"

My sickness was/is the "norovirus" cold-like, flu-like symptoms -- CHECK. Hoping that my kids don't get it. After today I could not bear to have them home another day before Saturday!!!!!!!!! I do love them, but they are exhausting. They fight and whine and demand and I wonder who spawned these babies!!!

I grew up on a farm. In a snowstorm - let's take the Blizzard of '78 - my brother and I had to walk through the path in the woods with water for the animals (the power was out down at the Barn b/c of the storm). My father worked for the power company and was called out; the responsibility was ours at the ripe old age of 11 and 9. We each carried 2 gallon jugs; the snow was up to our waists. It was dark. What was my mother thinking? Evidently we were responsible and capable. My daughter was too tired to clean up her room today and lied about cleaning off the van. My little one cried and fitted b/c I wouldn't let her put the TV on. They both HATED ME. I don't think I have ever said that to my mother - not even under my breath. I guess I need to do better.

Snow! No School! Whatever....

Another snow-filled no-school day. What can I say... No gym, but shoveling for an hour followed by a trudge around the neighborhood with the dog was a decent workout. I was a little witchy with the kids. I want them to go outside and play and not sit around the house all day with the TV on. I still have things to do and not one of them includes entertaining them. I don't want to hear about how bored they are... It makes me want to pull their kid cards!!!

My weekend was mixed. I was really super sick on Saturday. I didn't eat much, and couldn't work out. I had the fever/cold/chills (norwalk virus??). Sunday was my daughter's 1st communion so I had to make myself get better. I got up early and did 4 loads of laundry, got clothes ready for the kids, showered and made myself look presentable and got breakfast on the table. We actually were on time for church at 9:00. We went to a breakfast buffet afterwards (my daughter's choice) and I ate 3/4 of an egg beater omlet with veggies a very little cheese, 1/2 c potatoes and fruit. THAT'S IT! Since I still wasn't feeling 100%, I didn't have the appetite and that made it easier to turn down the breads and breakfast meats. What I gained was a lot of self pride. Look how I handled that one!! It gave me a real push to stay within my calories and sport a loss come Tuesday. In fact, I've already stepped on my own scale and it is showing a 3 pound loss after last week's .5 gain. That would be a great boost to the BIG LOSER TEAM.

And now my poor day... A friend of my daughters showed up uninvited, my other daughter brought the neighbor in to play. I am feeling a little overwhelmed with expectation. The friend is a talker and making LOTS of plans for her and my daughter. I sense that someone will be disappointed with how things end up today and I hope it's not me! (I must get a backbone!)