A MAKEOVER!!!

If you're still reading The Fitness Diaries, thanks!! I'm excited to announce that TFD will be undergoing some renovations. Cosmetic as well as content. Yes, I'm going to switch my focus to a more fitness-oriented blog with fitness and wellness tips, healthy recipes, and exercises. I'll still inject my moaning and groaning into this blog. After all, what would fitness be without a little complaining?!

Stop by again soon for the new and improved Fitness Diaries!

Metabolism = the arch enemy

The older you get, the more your body works against you. And right now, my body and I are in the boxing ring. I'm pulling punches right and left, but I'm getting nowhere. What gives?

All the Halloween candy, Thanksgiving goodness and Christmas treats have finally caught up with me. I've got some extra weight around the middle, hanging for dear life unto my hips. This week I focused on weight training more so than the running. I read that running doesn't actually do a whole lot in terms of speeding metabolism and burning extra calories, but weight training does. So, I picked up my 5, 8 and 10 lb. dumbells and got to work.

With the help of some Exercise TV videos, I've incorporated some new workouts into the mix. I'm at the point where I'll do anything to become friends with Metabolism. Anything. I've also reworked my eating plan. I read in this month's issue of Web MD that breakfast MUST be your largest meal of the day. Lunch follows, and dinner should be next to nothing. Great! Just the opposite of what I was doing. Metabolism is at its peak in the morning. If you load up in the morning, metabolism will burn many of those calories almost immediately.

That's the new approach, and I'm happy about it. I felt as if I was making no progress before this switch. We'll see how the next week goes.

Getting there

I've been into the running plan for 2 weeks now. If you haven't taken a look at the plan, here's the jist. Over a six week period, I do a walk/run combo that eventually builds me up to running a 30 minute stretch at the end of the six week period. I'm liking it so far, but as I look ahead, I'm thinking Week 4 is going to be challenging, but I'm up for the challenge.

There's a 5K on March 27th for which I'm considering registering. It would be the perfect incentive to complete this running plan. I've already gotten it into my head that I'll be running the 5K...that's helped to keep me on track with the running. I should just complete the registration form already.

Hmmmm. My first 5K at 42...who would've thought?

The weekends are killing me!

I'm having some difficulty staying on target during the weekends. According to the fitness plan that I am following, Saturday is designed as a rest day. I'm OK there, but it's the diet that's the problem. These football playoff parties are bringing me down. So, this week, as we prepare for yet another Jets party, I'm going to be focusing my energies on putting together a healthy snack menu for game days.

This weekend was especially challenging because it was a long weekend, and both kids were home from school yesterday. And Motivation was M.I.A. I've made a mental note to chat with him about that.

Off to run...catch ya later!! :-)

Back to it

I was right back on the horse this morning after a day off. I must say that a day off was much needed. I felt refreshed this morning and was excited to get back into my routine. But I must warn you, I wouldn't recommend anymore than a day off. It's just too risky. You could lose momentum.

Today I resumed the Walk/Run training program, lifted weights for my upper body and did the ab video.

I rewarded myself with one small chocolate covered coconut macaroon. It was delicious!

Not a good day

I woke up this morning with the best intentions. Motivation was there. I was dressed to workout and had my plan of attack written out. But then this happened, and Motivation disappeared. But that's OK because my legs were sore from the Tone Zone workout yesterday. I guess I needed a break.

The Perfect Plan

I found it! A training plan for beginning runners. This plan from Women's Health magazine is designed to having me running a non-stop 30 minute stretch in 6 weeks. It's also designed for those looking to shed 10 lbs. in 6 weeks by running the weight off. Whatever your goal, check it out here.

Days 1 and 2 are down, and so far so good. In fact, it's been a breeze! Not for long!!!!

Finding Inspiration

Do you have difficulty finding inspiration to work out? When I was single, it was easy. To get a guy, I needed to look good. But now that I'm married, I've got a guy who loves me when I'm at my best or with a few extra pounds...jiggly pounds (or so he says!).

Inspiration doesn't come easy these days. But when there are months until my beach days, I easily and quickly become inspired. We live just miles from the beach in coastal New Jersey. Once school is out for the summer, we spend our days at the beach. And hey, I don't need anyone mistaking me for beached whale.

So, I'm getting my butt in gear. This year, I am easing into a fitness routine. I don't want to burn out and tire of the exercise and eating programs. I'm taking it slowly and doing a little bit each day. As my strength and endurance build, I'll add more time to my workouts each day.

I'm not trying to lose weight, but I am trying to make healthier choices when it comes to meals and snacks. I have an enormous sweet tooth which almost always wins out. I'm trying to keep my sweets to a minimum and enjoy them (and my beloved wine) in moderation.

Here's my inspiration picture....Oh, to look like this by May 15!

Ohhhhhh, the pain...

Yesterday morning I woke up with Motivation by my side. Shhhh! Don't tell my husband!! Not to be wasted, Motivation was used to my advantage, and I got right down to business.

I started with a 20 minute Yoga video. I think I'll end with this from now on. So relaxing and calming. Not a good starter, for sure. After yoga, I did a 12 minute abs video. At first I was thinking that 12 minutes is lame. Who does only 12 minutes? But after the workout, I was grateful for only 12 minutes. My abs were feeling the burn!

I ended with a 30 minute bootcamp cardio video which I love. Our cable provider is Comcast, and they have Exercise TV on On Demand. It's awesome, and did I mention incredibly convenient?? Now if I only had a treadmill, I wouldn't need that gym membership.

After all that, I woke this morning to a very sore stomach. Who would have thought that 12 minutes of ab stretches would render me motionless? Every time I cough, I am in utter pain. But pain is good, right?

Here's the plan

OK. I've got my plan in place, and Motivation is back! Check out my plan, and join me if you dare. I'll supplement the plan with a combination of walking/running until my stamina is back to where it was in the summer. After that, it's all running!

I'm off to a great start! This morning I did a high intensity cardio workout to an Exercise TV video and finished off with 20 minutes of yoga. I'm already feeling better! And all that without a single piece of chocolate!!

Those pesky 40's

What is it about your 40's that makes gravity non-existent? Things are sagging, drooping and wrinkling all over. Scary vision, isn't it?

Well, I'm here to tell you that I'm putting my boxing gloves on and coming out fighting against my 40's. They will not get the better of me! I will age gracefully.

Look out 40's. Here I come!

Let's back up...

Now that Motivation is back with a huge sense of accomplishment and a purpose, he's eager to kick my sorry ass into shape.

Here's what happened, and I'm sorry to say that it's not all Motivation's fault. At the beginning of October I had my blood work done to check my lipid profile. For those not in the know, lipid profile blood work includes cholesterol, triglycerides and C-Reactive Protein. When I saw my general physician a week later to go over the results, I was astounded. My cholesterol dropped more than 60%. 60%!! I was amazed. Excited! Yay! All of my hard work with my diet and exercise programs paid off. In a big way!! Oh, yeah, I need to give credit to my daily dose of Lipitor.

So what did I do? I took a week off from exercising. But a week turned into 2. And 2 turned into 3 and so on. It was a snowball effect which turned into a snowman. I'm not proud of it. Considering I was exercising consistently and loving it, falling off the wagon was a huge setback. And an embarrassing one at that.

Anyway, I'm back in a new year with a new set of fitness goals. I want to start running again, and hopefully run my first 5K in April. This is my BIG fitness goal. I want to work up to 3.2 miles by the beginning of April. I'm going to start weight training again. Lastly, I need to re-work my diet/nutrition plan. The holiday damage is done. No use crying over that now. The sweets and wine were fun while they lasted, but they are no more.

To recap:
1) Start running again. Ultimate goal: Run 3.2 miles (non-stop) by April 1.
2) Weight training - 4-5 times per week
3) Get my eating act together. No more wine during the week. Sweets and diet soda in moderation. Lots and lots of fruits, veggies and whole grains.
4) Yoga!

Who's on board? Don't make me do this alone!

Here's the skinny...

The party's over, people. Time to get serious about fitness. I've been researching gyms, and I'm armed with a list. The problem this week is that I've got a sick child on my hands which makes gym visiting impossible. So, I'm putting together a detailed fitness plan which I'll share upon completion. Over the weekend, when Hubby is home, I'll start checking out gyms. I'm anxious to get started.

I desperately need some workout buddies. Please join me. Whether it's pound-age you want to lose or pound-age you want to tone, I could use some support and inspiration. Come on. You know you want to!!!

New Year, New Me!

What better way to start the year than to kick it off with a campaign? New Year, New Me! That's my mantra!

I will set new fitness goals for 2010 which include joining a gym and sticking to a workout routine!! That's huge! I will not falter. Motivation, Determinination, Will Power and all of my other friends are joining me for the ride. Will you?

There's more plenty of room for self-improvement...at least on this end!! Stick around!! I'll post my fitness goals and resolutions by the end of the weekend. Starting Monday, I'm back on the wagon! :)