Running on the treadmill!

OK so today's workout I stretched and warmed up for about 5 minutes and then I got on the elliptical for 25 minutes. The elliptical is a nice low impact workout and I find it to be a great warm up before I run. I end up doing about 1.7-1.8 miles on the elliptical. I do the cross train routine so that I do 5 minute going forward intervals and then 2 minutes of going backwards. Again I like doing this to work all the various muscles in my legs and get a stronger workout.

I got on the treadmill and I did switch it up a bit today. I started out running at a speed of 6.5 mph and then after 3 minutes I slowed it to a fast paced walk of 4.5 mph for a minute. Then I ran faster at 6.9 mph for 3 minutes and slowed down again for 1 minute. I found this was a little less strain on my calves and shins. Then I went up for 7.4 mph and ran for 5 minutes. I went down to a walk for 1 minute and then did my final 6 minutes at 6.8 mph. I was glad to make it to my usual 2 mile marker in 19 minutes and not feel as strained as I did as just running strait through at a pace of 6.5 mph. So I think I will try to stick to the interval training and see how it goes.

Then I walked home and did some weight training. I did a lot of the moves from No More Trouble Zones and I also took out my stability ball and did some core crunches and arm work with it. I like the stability ball because it is gentler on your back and it mixes it up. When following an exercise routine I think it is important to switch things up a bit and now always do the same routines. It keeps your muscles toned better and work harder. Also keeps things interesting. For me when my workouts are too mundane I tend to dread doing them. But when I mix things up it keeps my interest and it gets exciting to challenge my body to push to new levels.

Of course I ended with my ISO 100 shake and tracked everything with my Polar monitor. I like seeing how I can constistenly burn around 600 caloris with an 85 minute workout. Makes me feel it is all worth while :)

An old fat picture!!!

OK so I was looking through old pictures the other day and I came across some from my 21st birthday party. Now when you think back 6 years ago do you remember what you looked like?
For those of us struggling with our weight sometimes I think we forget how we used to look. For me it was an eye opener. I think I forgot how long I have been carrying this extra weight around. I guess back in those days I was more confident so I didn't "feel" as fat as I have these last 2 years.
So I scanned in this picture and I plan to add it in with my collection of "fat" pictures. It is yet another reminder for me of why it is so important for me to keep moving on the treadmill, to keep going to my weight watchers meetings.
I think it is vital to any weight loss program to take progress pictures. It gives you an incentive of what you are working towards and what you used to be. For me looking back at pictures is really the only way I am awakened to just how far I have come. When we look in the mirror everyday we get used to that image that we see. We do not see often how much that person looking back has changed.

So stay motivated, take pictures and track your progress! It is vital to a successful weight loss regiment!

Workout for tonight.. 18:49 !!!!!!!!!!!!!

There it is!!!!!!!!!!! I went to the gym tonight and decided to go hard and boy did I.... I did 25 minutes on the elliptical for 2 miles. Then I got on the treadmill and ran for 2 miles in 18 minutes and 49 seconds!!!!! I was definitely excited to see that treadmill hit the 2 mile marker in under my latest record 19 minutes.
I walked home and then I did Jillian Michael's No More Trouble Zones. Then I stretched and of course ended my workout with my ISO 100 protein shake and put my legs up and iced my shins. I noticed some shin pain earlier this week so I am trying to be proactive and prevent shin splints. I did some specific stretching and put the ice on for 15 minutes after my workout. The ice is a major help and the pain is definetly less now.
There will always be challenges when you are working out but the important thing to remember is always to stretch before and after a workout. Also make sure you are eating healthy and getting enough protein and even some carbohydrates to keep your energy. I like to follow with the ISO-100 shake because it is again as I have said in the past the only protein drink out there that has no fat and no sugar. It is only 2 Weight Watchers points per serving.

Cardio day

so today was my all cardio lower impact day. I do not want to burn out my shins or muscles so today I did 40 minutes on the elliptical for 3.8 miles.
Then I did 20 minutes on the treadmill hill routine for 1.25 miles.
I ended my workout with a nice walk with my dogs.
No weight training or running today but I still managed to burn about 400 calories!
Just goes to show you do not have to kill yourself to get some great healthy exercise in :)

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only 19 minutes tonight!!!!

Yep yep thats right I said it. I ran 2 miles in only 19 minutes tonight! I was excited. It hurt like hell though and more than once I so wanted to push stop on that damn treadmill and get off.... It is hard somedays. People always ask me how did you do it? I just keep doing it. I keep pushing and pushing my body to reach new levels and keep working out and eating right. I know the reward in the end will be worth it but it is so hard sometimes.
So I did my usual 25 minutes on the elliptical cross train routine for 1.8 miles. Then I hopped on the treadmill and ran for 20 minutes 2.2 miles.
I then did Jillian Michaels No More Trouble Zones video. And drank my ISO 100 shake.

So now its rest time! :)

whats for dinner!

OK so I was cleaning out the big closet today and I found a Panini Grill! I was so excited I had totally forgotten all about it. So you know I opened it up and was using it tonight!
So I took some chicken breast and seasoned it with garlic, seasoning salt, and thyme and threw it on the grill with some pam spray. It came out so yummy!

Thats the chicken cooking on it!

And then I put a summer squash on there sliced up with the same spices as the chicken to make a simple easy dinner!
I weighed the chicken on my weight watchers scale and it was only 5 points. The squash was a big ZERO! WOOHOO so I had a simple tasty dinner for 5 points:

Gym Users Beware

OK So as many of you know I wear my polar FT7 heart rate monitor every time I work out hence the pictures when I post. Well I was looking at the elliptical as I was working out tonight and checking the calorie counter and wouldn't you know the elliptical machine was not accurate. So I just wanted to caution everyone who uses fitness machines at the gym and monitors their calories burned with them. It is awesome to look at and realize yes you are burning calories. But make sure you do not take those calories for the face value the machine gives you and think you burning all of them! I took a picture so you could see:

So as you can see the machine was inaccurate it said I burned 332 calories in 25 minutes. And it is linked to the Polar monitor so it know my heart rate at all times and my weight was inputted in the beginning. My Polar monitor said I burned 162 which is most accurate.
Not sure why there is such a large discrepency but the machines are older and maybe this is why.

Whats cooking tonight!

So tonight I made a Weight Watchers Recipe. Garlic Chicken.
It came out actually pretty good.  I liked how the sauce was light.

This recipe is super easy to make!

Ingredients

	1 Tbsp olive oil
	1 Tbsp minced garlic
	10 oz Chicken breast, skinless, boneless, raw
	1 tsp table salt
	1 tsp black pepper
	1 cup(s) reduced-sodium chicken broth
	2 cup(s) cooked brown rice
	1 1/2 cup(s) cooked broccoli

Instructions

Heat oil in pan with garlic
Add chicken breast chopped up
Cook chicken and garlic and season with salt and pepper about 10 minutes until chicken is cooked
Add in chicken broth and broccoli
cook together for 5-7 more minutes
Serve over 3/4 cup of cooked brown rice

Serves 3  and each serving is only 6 points!!!!

Workout For today

OK so my motto is definitely  go hard or go home!!!! hehe thanks Nik for reminding me of that


So tonight I went to the gym and I did my usual 25 minutes on the elliptical machine to warm up. I went 1.78 miles on that doing the cross train reverse routine
Then I got on the lovely treadmill and ran 2.2 miles in 20 minutes!!!!! I set the speed right at 6.4 mph and just ran and ran. I don't stop and I want to of course I want to but I don't let myself. It felt so good when I finished running. Really felt like a huge relief and accomplishment. I also have noticed since I started running for about 2 weeks now my belly is really finally starting to diminish! Today I had to throw away a belt because I ran out of notches! It was so exciting. Last year that belt did not even fit around my waist.
I ended the workout with Jillian Michael's of course and her no more trouble zones. it is available on demand for free! check it out. Then of course I drank the ISO-100 protein shake.
Now its time to rest!

Since everyone keeps asking

So lately I notice people are beginning to notice the change in me. And it is not just the obvious physical change, it has been an emotional journey as well and one I know I am only just beginning. So many people stop me and say wow you look so different what is your secret. How are you losing all this weight?

Every time I tell them the same response: weight watchers and working out. It really is the combination of the 2 that has allowed me to become so successful and motivated. People do not believe me when I tell them how much I workout. And honestly sometimes I find myself not believing it either. A year ago if you had asked me if I ever would weigh 209 I would have cried and probably said no way. It was hard really hard. I look at my pictures of myself and cringe. I really cannot believe I was that huge disgusting mess. And its sad but that is all I see when I look at those pictures. I feel like I do not even know that person.

So I did it one day when I woke up in that body and said that's it enough is enough. I knew especially after I had my daughter that I wanted to be healthy and be around for her. And I do it is true she has really been my main motivator. It really hits home for me when I look at my father as well. He is obese and i know that if I do not make this change and fully commit to it and stick with it that I may end up like him and this is my biggest fear.

I have already come so far but sometimes I feel like wow I have a really long way to go still. I joined Weight Watchers on Feb. 24th 2010 and now 5 months later I am down about 43lbs and 2 dress sizes. I want to keep going I want to become a lifetime member but it looks so far away! I have ups and downs. Some days I feel like I can tackle anything and that I am on top of things and in control of my diet. Other days I feel like I am still that fat girl and I should not bother continuing because I cant ever get to goal. So on those days I say ok have your day tomorrow the Fit B is coming out and you will be running 2 miles!

I think the main point to my ramble is this: decide that today will be the last day you will be making excuses for yourself. Make today the day you commit to making your lifestyle change whatever it may be and stick to it. Know that there will be ups and downs and you will make mistakes but the important thing is to get up the very next day and be better. If you tell yourself you are on a diet then it means something short term, something you will be tempted to cheat on, to me diet means depriving myself. A life style change means long term commitment to taking over your life and weight.

Workout for the day!

Yesterday was a crazy day so I did not workout officially but I did take a 40 minute walk last night.

So I set out to the gym to make up for it today! I did 25 minutes on the elliptical and then I ran 2.15 miles on the treadmill in 20 minutes!! I am so ready to run in a 5K I think I will aim to do one in September.
Then I did No More Trouble Zones weight routines and few extra of my own moves for about 35 minutes.
Finally I ended the workout with a nice relaxing walk with the dogs and a ISO 100 protein shake. I am feeling so energized and amazing.
I really look forward to the rush after a workout I think thats why I have become so addicted to it. I am an adrenaline junkie lol