Let's Dance!

Monday, March 23, 2009

That's the name of the class I get to head to tonight and I'm so excited!

I'm also at the beginning of that 2 month challenge with the BBB so.... here's my exercise plan for the week:

Mon: Let's Dance! and MTC (Making the Cut)
Tues: 30min run and MTC
Wed: Light cardio w/ gym buddy
Thur: 20min run and MTC
Fri: MTC
Sat: 25min run and Pilates
Sun: OFF

WOOOHOO!!!!! It's ambitious, but I'm ready to be challenged.

As for the pushups challenge -- I'm going to ... postpone it for a while. Revisit it after this cycle of MTC maybe. I've gained what I wanted from it -- to be able to do a solid set of full pushups (about 15 reps). But pushing beyond that gave me some pain in my wrist and shoulder on Saturday, so I'm gonna ease off on that for a while.

MTC has a LOT of pushups in it as well -- so I'll still be doing some -- but only like 10reps at a time, probably max of 4 sets during a day. Maybe one circuit has 10 Scorpion style and on that same day another circuit has 10 some other style -- then I do 2 reps of each circuit... but they're spread out a bit and whatnot.

Hope everyone is having a great start to their week!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

TELERIE 3/24/2009 6:13PM

Good thing to get enough to eat! Glad you're re-adjusting and planning ahead. the dance classes sounds like great fun! Here's to a continued great week - I'm doing well too, did my strength program today and I'm about half way to where I plan to go on this journey... Report Inappropriate Comment

MARLIE13 3/24/2009 3:08PM

I'm just so stinkin' jealous of your Let's Dance class. Stinkin'. JEALOUS! My gym's Zumba classes can NOT start up soon enough. Harumph! lol! LOVE love love your plan of attack for the week. You're right. MTC has tons of pushups but you'll be doing them full strength this time around huh? YOU GO GIRL! Report Inappropriate Comment

MDTWEETY 3/23/2009 8:34PM

Enjoy the dance class! Let us know how it goes! :) Next week I am gonna Zumba at my gym! YEAH! Report Inappropriate Comment

MYLIFE4LIFE 3/23/2009 8:00PM

Dana Dane you are a machine woman! I love it though! I am doing push ups now days, but I still do the modified version. One day I will be doing it the "real" way. Lol. Report Inappropriate Comment

LAFTERSFREE 3/23/2009 7:55PM

after my collapse during the last set in the pushups challenge, i was feeling discouraged but only for about an hour! I feel like i've really improved a lot when from when we began it. I am thinking of going back to week 3 and doing that again, and then maybe just come up with my own number of reps/sets that I'd like to start doing consistently as part of ST. looking forward to pilates on saturday, i've missed it a lot :) have a great week, see ya wed. Report Inappropriate Comment

GOLDENPEARLE 3/23/2009 6:55PM

WOW - WAY TO GO! Sounds like you are a lady on the MOVE. Keep up the good work! Wendy Report Inappropriate Comment

MSSUNBUG 3/23/2009 6:00PM

Sounds like an awesome class--I would LOVE something like that! Give us some details of what it's like! :) Report Inappropriate Comment

SWEATONCEADAY 3/23/2009 4:07PM

have a blast tonight! (as close as there is to a dancing icon on here) Report Inappropriate Comment

SLCOLMAN 3/23/2009 3:49PM

Ambitious plan but you can do it!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

MISSY_MAGOO 3/23/2009 3:24PM

Lets Dance sound like it's gonna be a fun class! Let us know how it went :) -Missy Report Inappropriate Comment

BRUIN2 3/23/2009 2:43PM

Report Inappropriate Comment

Feeling a little crazy....

Friday, March 20, 2009

.... soooo.........

I got all the running books and started looking through them and I have a plan.

I'm not sure I'll be able to see it from A to Z as outlined, I'm prepared for deviations or complete disruptions or complete retooling, or getting stuck on a particular week for longer than I expect... BUT!

I started putting some of the training plans next to each other and it had me in THEORY running a marathon in like... SEPTEMBER.

YEAH. I tweaked and stretched, along with my own personal plan to build up some base mileage before starting ANY of these plans, AND looked up a marathon that is actually where my in-law's live in December.......... so........

I currently have a running plan that will build me up to a marathon distance by the end of this year!!!!!!

I always said, I'm pretty sure I'll never even WANT to run a marathon... but the more I keep thinking about it the more I want to. The original goal was to get up to half-marathon distance by the end of 09. SO! If I'm still able to reach THAT goal, I will be VERY happy.

But I'm not one to just do the bare minimum. At least not anymore. :) Not since I took control of my life and turned my body and mind around and got healthy and fit. SO! I'm aiming a little higher to see what I can really do this year and I have to admit -- I'm a little excited about it. :)

Also -- inspired by the lovely S318830, I looked up for a local CSA today (Community Supported Agriculture group) and although the LAST time I did this, I thought I found nothing, this time -- VOILA! I'm very excited about this prospect!!!! Check out www.localharvest.org to search for a group near you. Basically community members buy "shares" to a local farm and get a box full of the results each week. The one in my area even offers home delivery for a small extra charge! I'm thinking it wouldn't be a problem for me to go pick ours up at their delivery drop off point in town, so why not. I need to get their information, though, so I'm waiting on an email back with how to actually DO THIS THING since they did not have an application or anything of that nature ON their site.

Anyway. That's about it for now. Was tired and sore this morning so I rested more and did not do Pilates as planned. The plan now is to run and do pushups etc tomorrow, and on Sunday hopefully I will be able to make it to the Pilates class at the gym that evening after healthy meal night w/ my good gym buddy. If not I will do it at home. WOOT.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MYLIFE4LIFE 3/21/2009 9:40PM

I wrote down the website. Sounds like a good idea. Is it expensive? I hope you get your 2000 in by Sunday. I want to hit 2000 for next week. We shall see. :) Report Inappropriate Comment

MDTWEETY 3/21/2009 6:06PM

I've looked into the CSA thing before. It seems like a great thing...you get all kinds of cool veggies! Good luck with your plan. I hope you do get to run a marathon someday! Report Inappropriate Comment

THECOOLESTSARAH 3/21/2009 3:48PM

You can so do this, please, it's already in the bag! Report Inappropriate Comment

TAIMOIRAI 3/21/2009 1:04PM

I can't Wait to be able to run a marathon. You go! Report Inappropriate Comment

SLCOLMAN 3/21/2009 12:24PM

Exciting stuff!! Report Inappropriate Comment

SWEATONCEADAY 3/21/2009 10:44AM

go for it dana! i am so proud of ya. Report Inappropriate Comment

LASHERTHECAT 3/21/2009 8:42AM

You sound like me... I never do anything halfway!! If I make a goal...it's meant to be surpassed I would love to run a marathon, but I just don't think my knee and hip will allow it... I do plan to include a small amount of running in my walking program, when I go to the track...we'll see... I do plan to do a 10 K walk in August.... we'll see how much of that is running!! I am SOOO JEALOUS that you have CSA!!! My town is too small and kind of out of the way... We could be involved in one, but the only place for pick up is about 3 hours away...so not worth it... I supply myself with cucumbers in the summer (from my window boxes) - They are my favourite!! And I try to get whatever I can from the meager farmer's market that is 45 min. away... Other than that... in-season veggies are the best I can do. Kat Report Inappropriate Comment

ZORBS13 3/21/2009 6:58AM

When I first started running, I said, I just want to run a 5K. Then I said that about a 10K. Then I said, "I don't think I'll ever want to run a half marathon."...and of course, "I"ll never want to run a marathon!" so you see how well THAT has turned out! Never say never. To be honest, before I signed up for the marathon, the desire was not there, but after the fee had been paid, my motivation and desire burn strongly in me! So you never really know until you commit to a marathon by signing up. Report Inappropriate Comment

WHATAGRL42 3/21/2009 1:27AM

You GO girl! I'm actually flirting with the idea of training for a figure competition. The more I look into it, the more intrigued I become with the idea. I also belong to myfittribe.com, and glean fitness and nutrition tidbits from there. CSA's are way cool. Haven't looked into it, but I live in such an "aggie" town: 3 days ago I just pulled the car over on a rural road while on my way to take the twins to their track meet, and bought baskets of fresh strawberries from this nice little asian farmer dude. I just keep my eyes peeled for these street vendors peddling their local produce, and of course there's the farmer's market. But last spring, our farmer's market had this vendor that was selling homemade chutneys and naan! I had to be careful- was spending more time oogling the naan rather than the greens! *sigh*- me and bread... Report Inappropriate Comment

LIVEYOURDREAMS 3/21/2009 1:15AM

Awesome about the produce thing! I am going to check that out! And I KNOW you can do the marathon, too! You are so hard core when you put your mind to something! Hope everything is going well! Miss ya! April Report Inappropriate Comment

MISSY_MAGOO 3/21/2009 12:21AM

WooHoo runner- you can totally do it! And thanks for the tip about looking into a CSA. I'll have to check my area, my town is surrounded by farms. We have a veggie garden in our yard but don't have enough space for all we like, so we're regulars at the farmer's market :) There's nothing better than local. Report Inappropriate Comment

TRECECOOKS 3/20/2009 9:37PM

Look at you - soon you'll be another Smurfette!! Report Inappropriate Comment

BRUIN2 3/20/2009 9:15PM

What an awesome day for you Warrior Princess!!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

CATIATM 3/20/2009 8:42PM

You could totally do a half marthon. Hello? IIIIIIIII finished one. They're nothing! In fact ... some of the Disney Princess team members were thinking of doing the Disneyland half in September .... if you're interested. Comment edited on: 3/20/2009 8:43:45 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

I'm a tough cookie. :D

Thursday, March 19, 2009

So I went on my baby run today, it was actually a tiny bit longer than I thought it was going to be when I checked mapmyrun, but I did 1.4 miles and felt good the whole time. YAY!

THEN I did my pushups challenge, and I almost stopped after that, but I decided not to be a wussy.

So I did some squats w/ my heavier dumbbells (12lbers), triceps extensions, lunges w/ the heavies, deadlifts w/ the heavies, and some calf raise/bicep curl/shoulder press combination I saw in a magazine one day with my lighter ones (8lbs). YAY for getting in more ST!!! :D I should have done some rows or something, or more for my shoulders now that I think about it, but I'm happy that I got some more done and please with the calorie burn.

I stayed away from core focused stuff because I'm gonna be burning my core out tomorrow morning w/ Pilates. YAY.

I'm also super excited because I requested 4 running books from the library and they are all ready for me to pickup in my library trip tomorrow during lunch. :D

The idea is to select/create a running program to get my mileage worked back up again and also figure out what ST program I'm going to use for the next two months -- starting a new challenge with the Bun Buddy Brigade. :) So far I think I'll do a program from the latest Oxygen for the first month and a round of MTC the second month... but we'll see. Maybe I should flip those since I'll theoretically be running MORE in that second month and MTC is so hardcore and the Oxygen program is more about a shorter split program.

Either way! Excited to be devising a new plan. :)

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

BROWNJB0 3/20/2009 3:15PM

Phew! I'm tired just reading your blog. Yay for tough cookies! Report Inappropriate Comment

TRECECOOKS 3/20/2009 1:44PM

Hooray for you!! I guess your Spring has sprung!! Report Inappropriate Comment

SCHWINNER! 3/20/2009 7:40AM

Have you ever checked out runnersworld.com? They'll create a free training program for you. You enter your stats, how much you currently run, what distance you're training for, how many weeks you want to train, etc... and it spits out a nice chart of a running/training program! Lots of great resources on that site, I highly recommend it! :) Good job on your ST too, that's awesome! Report Inappropriate Comment

CATIATM 3/20/2009 6:48AM

Hey there! I just got home this morning, and I'm sorting through bejillions of emails now. I know I've told you this before, but I think a huge part of your success is how much thought and planning you put into your program. I love that you think ahead, plan it out, and then stick to it. You are awesome!!! Comment edited on: 3/20/2009 8:21:22 AM Report Inappropriate Comment

WOLFKITTY 3/20/2009 2:56AM

Very cool! Thanks for sharing your plans/possible plans with everyone! :D It helps to see your thought process to navigate my own sometimes. I don't even know if that makes any sense. Good for you though! Hugs! Jocelyn Report Inappropriate Comment

SKYFYRE 3/20/2009 12:39AM

Hey Dana, Always great to read your blogs, I've been gone for a while and thought I would pop in and see what you were up to, and as always you are still at it and loving life! So, thanks for the inspiration and yes, here I go again,... Keep up the great work!! Love, krissy Report Inappropriate Comment

SUPERPOSITIVE 3/19/2009 8:49PM

you rock! did i mention u are inspiring? I want to be like you! Report Inappropriate Comment

KMKMOM 3/19/2009 8:09PM

I'm glad you're able to get out there and start running again. I hope all goes well. Report Inappropriate Comment

ORANGE-AVOCADO 3/19/2009 5:16PM

You're so hard core! :) What kind of running books did you get? I've never even looked into running books - but I'm just getting back into running, and am nowhere near serious. (Your baby run is my max right now!) Are the books helpful/information? Report Inappropriate Comment

SWEETZMIX 3/19/2009 5:15PM

Tough cookie indeed. Comment edited on: 3/19/2009 5:15:43 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

TELERIE 3/19/2009 5:11PM

Your enthusiasm is infectious! Report Inappropriate Comment

LASHERTHECAT 3/19/2009 4:18PM

You are the KING of ST!!! One tough Report Inappropriate Comment

SWEATONCEADAY 3/19/2009 4:17PM

Report Inappropriate Comment

SLCOLMAN 3/19/2009 4:03PM

Sounds like a plan is starting to come together for you! Report Inappropriate Comment

CALICAVEGIRL 3/19/2009 3:38PM

Yay for running =) Report Inappropriate Comment

MSSUNBUG 3/19/2009 3:35PM

Good for you! 1.4 miles is no baby run--it's a great run! :) Good luck continuing to build it up. Would registering for a 5k late in the summer or something motivate you? I've got my sights set on our local Turkey Trot--a Thanksgiving Day 5k--as a way to motivate myself to improve my walk/jog pace. Report Inappropriate Comment

MDTWEETY 3/19/2009 3:31PM

Great plan!! :) You ARE a tough cookie, for sure. Report Inappropriate Comment

Beautiful Outside!

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

It's gorgeous outside again! I hope it stays that way till my lunch break and I'm sooo going on a walk if it does. :) Too pretty to stay inside.

I NEVER FELT THAT WAY BEFORE IN LIFE. I have to confess. I would stay indoors as much as possible. Being outside meant most likely getting too hot, sweating, feeling uncomfortable, being embarrassed because I'm sweating and overweight and it'll make me look fatter and more out of shape... yeah. I had kind of an UNlove for the outdoors -- I won't say hatred. I thought it was nice in pictures but did not want to BE there.

Now I don't think about those things AT ALL.

Anyway -- Did my pushups last night. It was tough to motivate myself into doing them at home but I did it while food was cooking and it was perfect. I think I waited a little too long between sets because I would go talk to my DH in between and see what he was looking at online etc., but... I completed all reps without feeling like I was dying!!! The lowest rep set was TEN. I have to admit I was quite proud of myself.

Plan for the rest of the week -- run again tomorrow, do pushups, maybe some other ST and cardio, Friday morning - do my pilates video at home, Saturday - run again. (THESE TWO RUNS WILL BE SHORT SHORT SHORT -- I'm talkin a mile long. Just to start building the habit again.) Sunday I think I'm gonna go to the gym -- there's a yoga and a pilates class on Sunday evening and I think they're starting up again after Spring Break on SUNDAY.

Also I don't have band rehearsals for the next couple of weeks apparently, so I'm going to take the opportunity to do a dance class at the gym I think. I'm excited about that as well. :)

Saturday we're going to see a Led Zeppelin cover band, will be going out to eat before hand. A lot to look forward to!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LAFTERSFREE 3/19/2009 12:08PM

just caught up on all your blogs!!! i decided that was more important than working on my dissertation right now!! LOL, im at the library though, so i gotta get to work, but im glad u've been enjoying the weather, i have been too, i love the crap out of the little nature trail here, it's nothing special, but it gets me outside :) i miss the classes at the gym though, it's so much harder to burn as many calories on my own without the classes that make it go by so quickly!! can't wait to get back, btw, the band starts at 10 on saturday, but prob a lil after, but i still cant find anything on the site about the price. im guessing its gonna be between 10-15 each. we'll seeeee. see ya in a few days!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

MISSY_MAGOO 3/19/2009 1:41AM

So cool to hear that you are now a sun lover! I've always been an outdoors gal- I go stir crazy if I'm in walls for too long. Gotta get my daily dose of vitamin D Report Inappropriate Comment

SHINYSILVRVOLVO 3/18/2009 10:51PM

What a nice realization! I'm glad that you're at that point...I'm still in the unlove stage, but I'm going to get to the love it stage! You're doing amazingly well, and I'm so motivated by your progress! Hugs, and thanks for stopping in!! Report Inappropriate Comment

150-HERE-I-COME 3/18/2009 7:58PM

That's awesome that you're feeling more confident and excited about doing things outdoors!! ENJOY the Comment edited on: 3/18/2009 7:58:25 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

SLCOLMAN 3/18/2009 6:42PM

Sounds busy but fun! The weather was beautiful here today too - I even managed to go sit outside for a few minutes and enjoy the sun! Report Inappropriate Comment

TELERIE 3/18/2009 6:37PM

Sounds lovely! We had a lovely day here as well, but I didn't have much time to enjoy the sun while it was out. Just returned home from umpteen appointments today and I'm on my way to collapse in bed :) Report Inappropriate Comment

TRECECOOKS 3/18/2009 5:58PM

Have a wonderful time!! Report Inappropriate Comment

SWEETZMIX 3/18/2009 5:23PM

Sounds like u have a busy week ahead of you. Lots of plans!! I hope u went for that walk today at lunch! Report Inappropriate Comment

LASHERTHECAT 3/18/2009 4:38PM

I've been taking advantage of the weather to squeeze in a couple of extra walks outside... I heard it's going to snow again this weekend!!! Yikes!! Report Inappropriate Comment

TWCHIARA 3/18/2009 3:57PM

Gee you should feel proud of yourself. You were tired but you pushed yourself and did it - wtg! May you enjoy that walk outside today. Report Inappropriate Comment

Another nice day!

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

So today's been alright...

Some stressful bits at work but it was actually nice to have something to ENGAGE myself with rather than the endless slog of normal day to day garbage. Ya know?

It was BEAUTIFUL outside today!!! I was going to the gym but on my way out to the car (bag packed, lunch with me, all that good stuff) I was like WOW, it's gorgeous, I NEED to go run today. So I got to the gym, put my stuff in my locker, and headed out for a run around campus. JUST under 2 miles, it was nice. SO gorgeous -- we're talking sunny, mild breeze, birds tweeting, blue skies. :)

Last night's Healthy Meal night was delicious -- made a recipe from the Best Life Diet Cookbook -- Cottage Pie

For the Potatoes - 2 Potatoes, 2 tsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp of salt.

For the rest - 1lb 95% lean ground beef, 2 carrots chopped fine, 1 onion chopped fine, 4 cups of Spinach (about 4 oz)... and I'm pretty sure that's IT.

It might have benefited from a bit more seasoning, I added a bit of white pepper to the meat/veggies, and added a touch of salt afterward, also added a sprinkle of parmesan cheese before cooking but BASICALLY.

You boil the potatoes till tender, maybe 20-30min. While those cook, you cook the onion and carrots in nonstick spray till they get somewhat tender, then add the ground beef and crumble and brown it all up. Remove from the heat and stir in the spinach. Then you put that in a 9inch pan.

Drain the potatoes, mash em up with the oil and salt. Cover the beef mixture with the potatoes and bake in a 375 degree oven for 10 minutes -- then broil for 5 minutes (this is when I added the parm) to brown the potatoes a bit and get a nice crust on top.

SO GOOD PEOPLE!!! This is my first attempt at cooking anything like this and I REALLY liked the Spinach in it! That was an unexpected twist for me and I loved that I had something green in there, not to mention it tasted good.

Scale at the gym said 166 so I know I'm right in the ballpark of where my weighins have been recently on that oh most accurate of super fancy schmancy brand new digital scales. :D haha.

Also had a nice bowl of the homemade granola today -- got that recipe from the "Food Matters" book and it is very good. :)

MUST DO PUSHUPS TONIGHT. Did not do yesterday. Grr!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LASHERTHECAT 3/18/2009 8:22AM

Your Cottage Pie is what I know as Shepherd's Pie.... I don't particularly like it, but DH loves it... I've never made it (I do buy it for him occasionally), but it sounds pretty easy... Maybe I'll try it!! Report Inappropriate Comment

MISSY_MAGOO 3/18/2009 1:06AM

I love those perfect spring day runs! (well... for me they're walks, but I'm getting there, planning to test myself with a jog tomorrow:) Mmmm, your dinner sounds good, I might have to make a shepherds pie tomorrow, we did corned beef and cabbage tonight, it's a tradition my DH has to have every St. Patty's day. Report Inappropriate Comment

TRECECOOKS 3/17/2009 10:24PM

I had to go back to mid-Feb. to get caught up!! So sorry Roscoe is still missing - I still pray for him to come home. Glad things like the running, and the push up challenge are going well for you, and that DH had a good diss meeting. Spring is almost here!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

WOLFKITTY 3/17/2009 8:27PM

I missed my push ups last night too. I'm going to do them right now as my husband is getting ready to go out! Thanks for the reminder. HUGS, Joce Report Inappropriate Comment

MSSUNBUG 3/17/2009 8:11PM

YUM! That meal sounds delish--I've got to try it out. DH and I are BIG fans of wilted spinach in any meal. This one sounds like a winner! Report Inappropriate Comment

MDTWEETY 3/17/2009 7:52PM

Everybody is having nice weather. Here it's just kinda OK. But that's all right because I know spring is just around the corner. YAY for your run! You seem so organized and dedicated. :) :) Thanks for your comment on my blog yesterday. Interview went well. Now I have to write the story!! LOL! Oh and BTW, thanks again for the suggestion of the Indian-inspired meals at Target. We just ate one tonight. It was really very good. Lots of sodium, but if I don't eat them every day it's OK. Hubby and I both enjoyed it. I am inspired after today to take more time making meals from a recipe. I did that for a while last year when I was losing but now I've gotten lazy and just stick with the usual staples. I did make some yummy apple muffins today though. Report Inappropriate Comment