is half a workout really a workout?

My calves felt like jello this morning.

Yet I had this need to go to the gym.

And as soon as I hit the eliptical, I was regretting me decision.

I lasted 20 minutes on the machine.

And I went from jello to runny oatmeal.

Sad, since the cardio theatre was showing that Martin Lawrence "Roscoe Jenkins" movie.

After cardio, I did some bicep and tricep curls on the Bosu. Then I did shoulders and chest on the machines.

I felt like I exercised.

Yet it felt half-assed.

I know I could have worked out more. But I didn't.

So does it still count as a workout?

a letter from (boot) camp

Dear MWL friends,

So I did it. I tried boot camp.

I dove right in. 45 minutes of non-stop cardio, abs, and everything in between.

We were doing jumping jacks off steps.

I did lunges around the studio.

And the pushups were killer.

One woman dropped out after 20 minutes.

But I perservered.

And now I hurt.

It's a good hurt.

And I'll be going again next week.

I'm really loving the new gym.

Wish you were here.

Signed,
MWL

I didn’t have funnel cake

I’m patting myself on the back if you don’t mind.

I took the family to Cedar Point Monday and managed to get out alive with some self-respect.

I ate a sensible lunch. Stayed away from soda. And there were no sweets for me.

But I am happy to report for any readers who will be visiting the Point anytime soon, there is a Starbucks.

While I didn’t get a workout in at the gym, we did do tons of walking at the amusement park.

I’m hoping that counts for something this week.

gym envy

It's no secret I was getting bored with my routine.

I had no motivation to eat healthy.

And exercise was nonexistent.

I love C, my personal trainer. But her schedule and my schedule could never co-exist. So I saw her twice a month.

I was going to EMH, a health center associated with a local hospital.

It was nice. It offered many amenities aside from the obvious gym type stuff, such as a spa. But it was expensive. Child care was at a premium. And the demographic included a good number of senior citizens.

So when T suggested I look for a new gym to change things up, I took him up on the offer. A little change could do me good, right?

But imagine my surprise when T said he would workout with me if I found the "right" place. Remember, this is the man that said he would never exercise.

Enter my new gym.

A girlfriend suggested I take a look at her fitness center.

My experience at Urban Active has been great so far.

I'm paying less now for my membership, T's membership, and child care combined than I was at my old gym.

The equipment is fairly new.

They're open late.

And they have child care late. I don't even have to make reservations to get A in.

Honestly, all my excuses for not getting a workout in have been voided.

I'm excited to give this place a try.

T even went for the first time Sunday. He even seemed pleased.

We'll see how my motivtaion keeps.

two days in a row

I have hit the gym two days in a row.

That's HUGE.

I've been such a slacker that I'm actually surprised by my motivation.

The last two days I've pretty much done the same workout.

30 minutes cardio on the eliptical.

30 minutes weights. Saturday I did arms. Sunday I hit legs.

Then 10 minutes of ab work.

I'm sore. But the burn feels so good.

I'm not worried about the repetition. I'm going to try some group exercise classes later this week.

new month, new leaf

I hit rock bottom ten days ago.

I ate what I wanted.

I didn't break a sweat.

And my belly became so large that I hardly recognized it.

So when the calendar read the first of the month, I knew it meant a new beginning.

I was in a rut. I had gym envy. And I was getting bored exercising by myself.

So T took me to a new gym. I fell in love. And surprisingly, so did he.

The man I married that has never once seen the inside of a gym signed up too.

(I'll explain later why I like the new place over the old one.)

I worked out this morning. And my body felt good.

It was so reassuring.

So I'm back.

Look for more posts on my daily (I hope) workouts!

a funny thing happened on my way to goal

I've lost my motivation and can't seem to find it.

And while I'm a long way from goal, I got a kick in the pants last week.

The doctor that performed my surgery earlier this year called me. She needed a patient willing to talk to the New York Times about my condition.

And all I kept thinking was, "oh my gawd. What if she needed to print a picture too?"

Crazy I know.

I work in media and know that a patient interview would boil down to a whole two sentences in the entire article. So needing a picture would be absurd.

But the thought of my picture anywhere brings about such anxiety. Because I know I'm not at my best right now.

I'm turning to food because I'm stressed out. It brings me comfort.

I don't see my daughter often because of our child care problems.

Work has my world upside down.

And rather than exercising, I want to curl into a little ball and hide under my bed covers.

But what if they do need a photo?

I'd be screwed.

And you know, it would be nice to sport a pair of shorts by the end of the quickly ending summer.

So as cliche as it sounds, I'm taking it one day at a time.

Today, my goal is to eat my pre-planned meals and snacks. I also want to walk two miles.

Easy goals. Baby steps.

I'm at a loss for words

Please excuse my absence from this blog.

I promise to be back Monday.

I had a really rough week at work.

And I fell off the wagon I promised I was hopping on.

So I've been circling the hometown. Making very little progress.

But I'll be back. I promise.

I ran...and still came home

It's no secret that I love the neighborhood our temporary housing is in. It's like the walking community has welcomed me into its ranks.

This weekend I hit the .beach.

And no swimsuit was needed.

I walked the mile and half to the beach. Took in the views. Then walked my butt home.

Actually, I ran part of the way too.

And I made it home alive.

I wasn't huffing and puffing after the run either. I felt good.

So I think I'm going to try it again tonight. Running.

I have to start training for that half marathon sometime.

How was your weekend?

wow, I look fat

My friend text messaged me to look at page 20 of our local newspaper. She added that "life is not kind."

And I automatically knew what that meant.

Of course there would be a picture of me during my first 5K.

How embarrassing.

I barely made it through the race. And now I have proof of how unsightly I look.

It's not even negative talk. It's just outright yucky to look at how short and fat I am.

Don't worry. I'm staying on the wagon. I just need to vent. And share with the world a little more so maybe that'll keep me moving.