JO_TO_JOWOW's SparkPeople Blog

Just a couple of months late

Sun, 7 Oct 2012 20:44:07 EST

Well, whoops! It's been quite a while since i've been on here and a lot has changed. I've moved, started a PhD program, and started building a house, all while working. Yikes.

It was a crazy couple of months. Luckily, I stayed pretty good about portion sizes and was steadily working out at the beginning of the summer. I lost weight. But as the summer went on, I stopped exercising. Some weight may be gone, but I definitely don't feel strong, fit, or energetic. Now that winter is c...

traveling

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:53:14 EST

Although most of the traveling I ever have to do for my job is a day trip in the state, sometimes, I get the opportunity to help out other office. This time, they needed help in Hilton Head SC. How could I say no? Yes, Sparkers, I packed my sneakers! I almost talked myself pour of it but I managed to hit the tiny hotel gym before getting the day started. I even worked in some crunches and lunges. There was certainly some rich food in this beautiful southern state. It was difficult to think ab...

Be your own Health Advocate

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:14:13 EST

At 27, I never really thought that I would have to be worrying about my health. It seems now a bit naive to think that youth is a magic shield from germs, disorders, and calories.

Last week, I had a physical from my GP. To be honest, if my work didn't think it was required by OSHA, I really wouldn't have gone, unless my leg/arm/ear was falling off. It turns out, however, that I have an underactive thryoid. Although the levels at the moment are not actionable, according to the GP, ...

Back in the Game

Sat, 4 Feb 2012 19:32:20 EST

Happy Day Before Super-Bowl everybody!! Is everyone getting excited for the big game? Personally, I don't care too much for the game itself. I'm more a beer or two with a bunch of friends. It's a great occasion to be able to get together. In the winter time, it's a bit harder to get a bunch of friends together for the relaxing afternoons we enjoy in the summer time.

Also, Hooray for getting back in the 'game'! I can get back into full-on, heart-pumping, sweat-inducing, muscle burn...

Frustrated

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 20:43:53 EST

I haven't worked out in two weeks. Okay, I confessed.

I'm starting to feel sluggish and stressed out again. I can feel the old nagging negativity creeping back in. I don't like it...they are like clingy shadows in the background pulling me down. 234

When I got on the scale yesterday, I had those two pounds back that I had lost in the initial gung-ho. They might be a factor of the medications from the wisdom teeth between the antibiotics and pain pills?? I ha...

Wisdom teeth only lead to pain

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:11:36 EST

So I've been pretty much out of commission for the past week and a half. I had two wisdom teeth waiting around in the wings for quite some time. The lower one had started poking through and I figured I could just wait for it to come out. Apparently, despite all the brushing and mouthwash diligence, it managed to get infected. My mouth was swollen and I had a fever.

So, the dentist said I should get it out as there is is not enough room for it to actually come through all the way. ...

I love food, and I'm not ashamed of it.

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:48:53 EST

So, we had a wonderful weekend in Boston for the Bruins game. We definitely enjoyed the wonderful food around Quincy Market, at the hotel, and a couple of brewskis at the game. I was a bit inspired at the hockey game by a lady sitting next to me. BF and I were sipping our beers and enjoying peanuts while the lady next to me pulled out a snack bar.

I don't have much guilt for my indulgences over the weekend. I did limit the portion sizes and really enjoy the gorgeous flavors. We tr...

Getting in a habit

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:21:47 EST

Today. I was. actually. excited. about the gym! Woah! I couldn't believe it. I took an Edge Flex class which is 60 minutes of quad quivering, shoulder shaping, and buns burning madness. The instructor makes you do a million reps, fast and slow reps and multi-muscle moves. Last week, my first attempt, made me sore for three days.

Normally, after work, I'm tired and sluggish and soooo tempted to just drive home. It would have been so easy today since it was cold and rainy and the cl...

Planning the Week Ahead

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 21:22:21 EST

Although a lot of people use Sundays to veg and kick their feet up, I always end up using the dwindling weekend hours to get everything ready for the week. It usually involves some couponing, laundry, and cooking a big house dinner. Since I've gotten back 'in the game' of working out, planning the week's workouts has been added to the afternoon activities.

How do you figure out your week's workouts?

Do you do cardio and strength on the same days?
Do you do three ...

Creating a new mindset

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:28:58 EST

Yesterday was a looong day. I was up late on Sunday and had to leave early on Monday morning so the morning workout that I planned was.... um....postponed....

For about 10 hours, I was on the job site, jumping in and out of my car for when I was needed and when I couldn't feel my toes anymore. It wasn't until about 2:30 pmand the battery on my phone was running low, that I realized...wait a minute...this is a good-size parking lot. I quickly measured out the perimeter of the lot on...

Scheduling and Time Management

Sun, 8 Jan 2012 13:12:33 EST

So, for work, I'm often traveling during the day to sites across the state. And, to help me get to the gym more often, I picked one close to work, over an hour away from home. Yeah, I'm all over the place!!

Tomorrow is the first time since my re-committment that I won't be close to the gym. How does everyone find away to manage the time? It's hard to be motivated, especially after a long cold day outside working to come home and do a dvd/work out then do dinner then go to bed. <...

getting back in the groove...

Thu, 5 Jan 2012 21:43:54 EST

For a long time, i've been beating myself up every few months to get back in shape. I'd be all hung-Ho for two months then something would come up, be it cold weather, a vacation, or a move. Well- this time is going to be different. I will make it different. From now on, I'll finally put all these wonderful tools at Spark to help keep me in check.

Now for the goals:
Complete a 5k by July.
Do cardio at least 4x week.
Strength workouts at least 2x week.