I’ve finally been adding some cardio to my workouts.  I’ve been doing strength training regularly since Nov. and have this month added cardio to the mix.

Here is my workout schedule:

20 min. of strength training 3 days a week.

30 min. of cardio 3 days a week.  I alternate 5 min on the elliptical and then do 5 min of tae-bo.  I have found this “interval training” a lot of fun if that is possible.

10,000 steps a day which has gotten much easier.

I’ve also started to take the stairs vs. the elevator.    That has been TOUGH, three flights and I am pooped!  I have noticed that is has gotten easier.  The first day I seriously did not think I could make it to the top.

Today was a strength day, tomorrow is cardio.

Ive started using my “pedometer” this week. My goal is reach 10,000 steps a day. On Monday, I had about 8,500 which I was happy with. I thought Id work up to the 10,000. I have good news to report, yesterday I hit my goal……but I ordered pizza for dinner.

Self-sabotage.

Tonight we are going to a basketball game…..so I won’t get to do my cardio…..but Im on track for my 10k steps.

Grrrrr

I was looking for my last SF50 the other day and in the process found an old running journal. When I was a “runner” I always kept a journal. I started running in the 7th grade. My dad and I would go to the high school track at night and I would start on the outside lane and run 8 laps, moving in a lane as I completed each lap. 2 miles. I remember the cool nights of March and the hot nights during the summer. I remember making a hand drawn calendar, marking the days with a black felt tip pen. I’d set a goal for mileage for the week and we would be at the track 3 or 4 nights a week. This continued for years. I ran cross country my Freshman and Sophomore years. I was never a “gifted runner”, but loved being apart of the team. I had a serious knee injury my junior year and did not finish the season. My senior year I opted (brace yourself) to try out for Cheerleading. I made the squad and secretly envied the runners on the track while I was doing “cheers and stunts” in the grassy part of the field. Through it all I continued running. I kept a running journal all through my twenties. Once my son was born and I went through a divorce running fell to way side. I haven’t kept a running journal since.

The journal I found in my filing cabinet has a log of Volksmarches I ran in the early 90’s. It was so strange to see distances like 10k, 12k, 20, 10k consistently week after week.

If you’ve struggled with your weight chances are according to Bob Greene (Oprah’s personal trainer), it is tied to an emotional issue. Its never really about the food, according to Bob.

I think my story is much like other moms. When you work full time (or more), are raising kids, being a wife, throw in youth sports….prioritizing gets to be like juggling several balls…..and usually something eventually will fall. Or you juggle with less balls….which is my case. Ive put my health and fitness on the back burner while concentrating my effort on career and family. It’s not something I’m proud of or something I was even realizing at the time. With only so many hours in the day, I have not made taking care of myself a top priority.

Going into a new year, I’ve spent time reflecting on all the things I was thankful for in 2008. I also am setting new goals for 2008 and my #1 goal is the lifestyle change of getting healthy. I’ve rearranged my whole work schedule, work life and even the radio show we do on Tuesdays nights by putting the Fitness journey on the front burner.

Today I hopped on the elliptical and it felt good……once I was done. Here was my workout:

5 min. cardio
5 min. low impact aerobic / tae-bo moves
x 3
30 min. total

10 min. worth of ab exercizes

I plan on sharing my workout routines here and sharing more thoughts vs. just stats.

My current goal is to loose 10 lbs. Im breaking down this “big elephant” of a goal into bite size pieces.

Thanks for reading and joining the journey……

I can’t wait till I’m finally “running”, for now I am taking it one workout at a time.

–

Tips to get you motivated to run/workout:

2. MAMA, GET A NEW PAIR OF SHOES. Two-time Olympian Shayne Culpepper puts new gear she receives as an elite athlete to good use. “It’s fun to break in a new pair of shoes,” she says. “Sometimes that’s enough to get me excited.”

Jumping back in I’m excited for 2008.

I’ve continued to do my workouts in Dec and Im happy to report the success I had with my loosefitting pants…..are still loose.  Yea!

I probably could of titled this post “New Year New Shoes”.  Im on the quest for a new par of running shoes.  I have a pair of walking shoes and an old pair of Nike Pegasus that I’ve been using for workouts.

I purchased a new pair of running shoes this month, but discovered I need to return them.  I wish we had more of a selection of good running shoes at the exchange.  I overpronate vs. underpronate and I prefer a light shoe.  For years I wore Nike Air Pegasus, but the new shoe I found looks like it now cut more for an underpronater.  grrrr.

I’ll be looking for a new pair today…… at the mall…..

Tips to get you motivated to run:

 1. CREATE A BLOG where you post your daily mileage, then give out the Web address to your friends and family. Do you really want Aunt Ellen to ask why you skipped your four-miler on Wednesday?

From runnersworld.com

So I’ve been diligently doing some form of movement during the month of November and trying not to obessively weigh myself. Well today I had an appointment that I wore a pair of pants I hadn’t worn in awhile. I was amazed when I put on my pants, they were actually quite baggy in my legs (thighs specifically). Im sort of in denial about it and keep thinking well maybe there is something wrong with the pants…maybe they stretched?!?

It sure felt good!

More workout details:

Wed 11.28
30 min. resistance training

10 min. sit ups (im not counting anymore just going for “time”)

Thur 11.29
30 min. resistance training

Tomorrow will be a cardio day.

Yea!

My on going progress:

11/17 Sat
30 min resistance training

11/19 Mon
30 min resistance training

11/20 Tues
30 min Step
30 min resistance training

11/21 Wed
30 min resistance training

11/22 Thur
15 min resistance training

11/24 Sat
30 min resistance training
30 min Step
50 sit ups

11/26 Mon
30 min cardio
30 min resistance training
50 sit ups

11/27 Tues
30 min resistance training (am)
20 min cardio - Tae-Bo - With the resistance training I could actually do 20 min. (pm)
30 sit ups

Resistance training exercizes via a pilates tape and Im using 3 lbs. hand weights for the upper body stuff.

I’ve already noticed my legs feel stronger and I can actually do more than 10 sit ups….ha!

I was flipping the channels this morning and saw on one of the morning shows a lady who had lost 240lbs.  Wow!     What an inspiration.

11/14 - Wed

I think I didn’t drink enough water yesterday, either that or Im having a caffeine withdrawal headache since I have had some coffee that last two mornings…..and normally I never drink coffee.

30 min. resistance training

11/16 - Fri

30 min. resistance training

30 min. - step - I need some new music.

It is chilly outside today.  Im feeling much better and somehow have gotten into a routine of my exercises…Katie always seems to find me and comes sniffing wanting to play.  Silly pup.

Wed 11/7

30 Min. resistance training

20 sit ups

Thu 11/8

30 Min. Resistance training

Fri 11/9

30 Min. Resistance training

20 sit ups

Mon 11/12

30 min. resistance training

Tues 11/13

30 min. resistance training

30 min. cardio - Step

I pulled my old step out of the garage and vacuumed off the dust and cobwebs.  It is raining out, so I opted for the step.

Lunch - Salad with grilled chicken….yumm

So of course all this activity is causing some soreness……aches…..but not so bad that I can’t move. ha!

Mon - Nov 5th

30 min. - Stretching and resistance training

35 min walk - 70 degrees so nice outside.  I finally figured out how to purchase songs on iTunes….pretty easy actually and had my new playlist ready.  I love the “clean” version option of the songs I like.

20 Sit Ups

10 Push Ups

Tues - off - 50 degrees today…..what happened to the warm weather??  I was out running errands today, getting my hair colored and cut.

I read today Katie Holmes ran the NYC Marathon…..congrats to her!

Workout details for the past 4 days:

1 Nov - 30 min. cardio - walking

2 Nov - 30 min - stretching and resistance training

3 Nov - 30 min -cardio -walking

4 Nov - 25 min. - resistance training

I’ve slowly gotten back into the workout routine the past 3 weeks and I’m feeling good.

Ive been doing some resistance exercizes with bands and doing lower and upper body.  I would love to have an exercise room and Im thinking about converting one of the bedrooms.  Hmmm….

My current goal is to do some form of exercise everyday.  Currently, Im alternating with cardio 30 min. and 30 min of resistance training.  Im starting off slowly….