More proof that these weight/strength/core classes are not only kicking my ass, but reshaping my body:

I lost an inch(!) from my waist! It's now 32" :-)

My newest thing -- strength training and working out on my lunch break.

Seriously. I love it.

I'm all stressed out when I get off at noon. I work out for an hour. I'm completely relaxed. And that's it. My stress levels stay pretty normal for the rest of the day.

My goal is two days a week of strength training.

a walk down memory lane

I really wanted to write about something else tonight, something completely off topic. About the guy I met on the plane my freshman year in college.

I met him in this amazingly romantic way, at least at 18 years old I thought so. We were flying home for Thanksgiving and a huge group of us went to the airport together on the metro. I flew to Minneapolis and T was on my same flight -- he had a connection there to California. Long story short, we sat together and we talked for the 2 1/2 hours. It was one of the amazing conversations where you feel like you've met the person before, but also a little awkward because you're trying to impress the other.

Long story short, we went on a few dates -- if you can even call them that, since it was college. He implied a lot of things, alluded to wanting to date me or more. But that's all it was. He never once tried to kiss me. Even when we spent an incredible romantic evening walking around the national mall. Not once.

And so, like any sensible midwestern girl, I wrote him off. I dated other people, who did kiss me. But in between each boyfriend he reappeared. He took me on dates. He alluded to a lot of things, but that's all he ever did. And I thought two things. That he was flakey. And that he liked the idea of me, a sweet midwestern girl meets the big city, more than the actual me.

So fast forward -- oh my god -- EIGHT years. And out of the blue he contacts me. He's living in California. He tells me he's been thinking a lot about me, how he regrets never pursuing me, how he thought I was his true love that night he met me on the plane. He implied he wanted to visit, wanted to become a part of my life again. He gets really excited when I say I've applied to a job in the same state he happen to applly to law school.

What the hell is a sweet midwestern girl suppose to do with that?

I did a strength class at noon and spinning after work. I'm a little sore, but not nearly as much as I thought I would be.

Which means ... time to run this afternoon!

I was contemplating running outside at lunch, but the sleet looks pretty messy and my muscles could use the extra 5 or so hours of rest.

The good news -- I'm down a pound to 130 (damn Christmas cookies!).

I ran five miles yesterday. In 14 degree weather.

And loved it.

And completely undid all the good by munching on a half-dozen christmas cookies and throwing back a beer at a coworker get-together.

A sugar addict, I am.

Today I went snowshoeing with D. My legs were happy that I stretched them out without killing them at spinning. My emotions? I wouldn't exactly characterize them as happy... but... there were moments. And what can I say, I miss the puppies.

Who were very, very happy to see me. Scout couldn't help himself and climbed up into my lap the second I got into the car.

Yes, in the end, despite the brief tears, it was definately worth it. It is what it is, he's not the one. But the puppies still love me.

a confession...

I have a confession to make.

I have become a sugar addict. Ever since cookie baking last week I have eaten my weight in chocolate, cookies, cocoa and sugar.

It's why I'm hovering at 130.5 pounds, a nearly 3 pound gain in 3 weeks.

It's always why I am feeling so lethargic lately. How many times did I run or spin this week? (Once each. Not good.)

On the other hand, I tried a new class yesterday at lunch and I'm pretty sure I'm going back. It's a core strengthening class. It was hard but I can definately feel it this morning.

I'm also dressed and will be leaving in a few minutes for a "body pump" class. Not sure what exactly that means, but it's worth a try. I'm also planning on taking a small break and then going running early this afternoon, when the temperatures start up in the high 20s.

I miss running outside! It's SO much better than a sugar rush (and inevitable slump).

I did not workout yesterday. I did spend the afternoon baking cookies with coworkers and then, after successfully eating none all day, I ate six. For dinner.

It's so cold here my car won't start. :-(

brrrr....

It's suppose to be just a few degrees below zero when the race starts this morning, warming to zero by the time it's over. I keep wondering if it'll be cancelled. The killer is I promised my friend I would do it with her -- although she'll be running a lot faster than me. So all of a sudden I find myself being one of those crazy runners that brave the extreme cold to run a 5k. All for a sticken' t-shirt!

Today's goals

I'm up to 131 and, to be honest, it's time to reexamine my daily routine instead of my weekly one. I mean, I ran 3 miles yesterday and did intervals; on Wednesday I did spinning and weights; on Tuesday I kicked my legs into squats and lunges during the bootcamp dvd. I should be seeing a downward spiral, not up!

I think my eating habits are out of control, though. Large lunchs. Giving in to the cookie monster at work, sometimes literally when they push food on me. Cheese. Hot chocolate every day. I mean, come on!

So today, here are my goals.

1. Drink an amazing amount of water. Water before every meal and snack. And bring lemon slices to work to try and make it tastier.

2. Eat a total of one cookie today. I'm baking for a holiday exchange tomorrow, and one of my cookies is only 60 calories. As I bake, my goal "test" goal is to cut cookies into fourths. That way I can test each of the four batches. Talk about total restraint.

3. Get my veggies on. I've been woefully lax on eating all my veggies. So it's time to get back on the veggie wagon!

Spinning. kicked. my. a$$.

Woah.

snow fall, again

The threat of snowfall (I think we got 4 inches) and all the cancelations kept me away from the gym yesterday. I have this fear of driving home in the dark during a snowfall. Things get icier and dicier and so I did the bootcamp dvd at home. It wasn't exactly spinning... but it felt good.

Because of the new gym schedule change, I can now go to spinning tonight!

remembering the lessens of yore

I have been lamenting lately about the scale and how I could possibly weigh 130 now, yet workout a reasonable amount and seem to eat right. Grrr those two pounds I gained this week.

I have also been wondering how in the world I was a six 6 two years ago and only 5 pounds lighter -- and I didn't really workout. I really miss being a six 6, although I can live with a size 8.

And how it is remotely possible that at 127 in February this year my wool pants were loose and at 128 this month I can barely zip them up?

This is pure insanity!

But then I realized, no. It's not insanity (although the one pound difference does have be confused). I had different eating habits back then. I would never have cleaned off a plate of restaurant nachos at lunch, although I would have made a small plate of nachos at home heaping with veggies and fat free cheese.

Hmm.

Backe then --

- I avoided processed carbs -- ie, banana instead of granola in my yogurt, no bread with my soup, etc.
- I rarely ate desert or candy. If I did, it was a bite or two, not the whole thing.
- I always, always, always left food on my plate, even if it was only a few bites. I don't think I actually finished a meal.

And so, effective immediately, that's what I'm going to do.

back on the bus...

This morning I was back up to 130... time to get back on the eating healthy and watching my portions camp. Obviously I can't go for a week without paying attention to my eating habits, sneaking chocolate and carbs, and basically not workout out.

So here's the plan:

Monday: Bootcamp DVD
Tuesday: Run 3 miles with 1 mile of intervals; arm/back/core strength
Wednesday: Spinning
Thursday: Noon bodyshaping class; run 2 miles easy
Friday: Off.
Saturday: 5k race
Sunday: 4:30 spinning; arm/back/core strength

my poor, frozen ears

I am loosing my steam this weekend. And to be fully honest, it has a lot to do with the frostnip my ears got on Wednesday during my lunchtime run. In my infinate wisdom, I ignored the white skin on the tips of my ear and the stinging sensation until yesterday. That's when I googled frostbite and found out about frostnip, and how you're suppose to apply a hot washcloth to the area to revive it.

I can't believe I've lived 25 years, the vast majority through Minnesota winters, and I've never really thought about this before.

Yes... I know...

It snowed 6.5 inches yesterday, although 13 inches was predicted. I skipped attending a babyshower, even though it was only a few miles away. If I had snowshoes I probably would have trecked there. I know I have new tires and new breaks, but I do not have 4-wheel drive and my emergency lights do not work. Memories of the last three years kept me at home: getting stuck at a right-hand turn; not turning left fast enough ang almost getting hit a few times; going into the ditch (although that one wasn't actually my fault; I wasn't driving); and striking a car that spun out infront of me.

I'm getting conservative in my old age! I even skipped spinning (before the snow started) for the fear of having to get my car the mile home if it piled up too high to fast. (That's what happened when the car ahead of me spun out). It was a weird, semi-lonely but semi-nice-to-be-alone day. I vegged out, baked some pitas and watched Bones and some other shows online.

I also ran 2.5 miles yesterday at the apartment gym and basically died the whole way. It was not very fun. And the treadmill made weird creaking noise the entire time! I also assessed some of the weight machines, which seem to be in good working order. Most of the machines are actually two in one, which surprised me. So many that's what I'll start doing on my lunch workouts.

Today I already dug out my car and went grocery shopping -- I bought way more flour and sugar and butter than I really need for cookies, but oh well. 'Tis the season, right? Now I'm considering if I should run outside or go to the gym and do the treadmill (ugh) or the eliptical and some weights. I have a 5k in a week -- I really should run outside... But my ears... I don't want them to get worse....

a winter wonderland ...

The winter storm has started and, because of my vivid memory of what happened the LAST time a winter storm blew in -- my poor car has never been the same -- I decided against going to spinning this morning.

But, I will run. Either on the dreaded apartment treadmill or outside.

Isn't that a tad crazy? I'll consider running outside but not driving ...?