Back in the game

Hey Jeni! 

How was your Monday? Mine was pretty good. 

So I have a confession- I've not been fully into trying to be at my best for the past two weeks. The good news is that I think I'm getting out of this little slump. 

Why? Food and weight! 

That's right, I've been pretty crabby about my weigh in from about two weeks ago. It sucked, I felt real bad and I kept eating A LOT even though I haven't been doing all of the work necessary! And it was a terrible cycle. Couple that with my knee issues and we have a ripe environment for negativity and self-hate! 

It's time to get out of that. I can say, "Ugh my body sucks" or "Maybe this is how I'm meant to be" but in reality those are cop outs. The way we treat our bodies directly impacts our results. 

So I started this week with a spin class. I struggled with the class, especially with my knee. I toned it down a notch and fought my way through the class.  In the end, I'm happy with how I did. I watched what I ate as well. Of course I still had a cupcake and a piece of chocolate, but I was sure to think about my hunger level all day. Now I am laying in bed thinking about what a good day I had. This is what I was doing before, but I lost sight with some gluttony! 

In the end, I felt much better! I think I am back on track, including getting my 8 hours of sleep! 

Xoxo

Jenne 

Some Old and Some New!

Hey Jeni!

Glad to see all of your progress with running, it's great!

This week has been a little difficult for me as I was feeling under the weather, but I still did a 5x/wee workout plan.  Here's how it went:

Monday: Spin
Tuesday: Icky Day, but did a 10 minute workout in the AM
Wednesday: Weight training
Thursday: Weight training and bike
Friday: Jungshin class and bike
Saturday: Work, Errands, Cupcakes, Parents
Sunday: Ski

Not too bad for feeling under the weather, huh?

So there were a few new things for me this week as well as my trusty other things.  #1- I increased my weights on my strength training.  On some machines I am doing 40 pounds (to me this is a lot). #2- I tried a martial arts style class (Jungshin). Overall, it was really fun!

This week I am hoping to step up the intensity again and maybe do a 6x/week workout plan. I was slacking on water drinking this week as well as sleep.  It is easy to let this stuff fall off, so I am hoping to stay on track this week!

How was your weekend? And new or exciting progress?

xoxo
Jenne

Cabin Fever

Hey Jenne!

  I can't believe tomorrow is Friday!  I had such a crazy busy week!  (I know, I say that every week)  I really do feel that every minute is accounted for and when I let the schedule slip at all, everything is thrown off for days.  I have to say that I am really proud of myself for taking the time for my health the last 2 weeks and running no matter how much is on my plate.  Today, in between work, a doctors appointment and running to the studio at school to do four hours worth of homework, I fit in a 5k.  I was sort of feeling myself resenting the idea of running on a treadmill... but It was only 20* out... I did something I was very proud of.  I borrowed Everett's snow pants and windbreaker jacket and I layered up!  I felt fearless and so badass to be running outside.  The air hurt my lungs at first and my nose was certainly cold, but it was so incredible to be outside and viewing the incredible sights that yesterday's snowstorm provided.  About a mile in I was so overheated and the extra layers did not help my pace at all, and I sure did look like the abominable snowman... but I did it.  I ran in below freezing temps!  I now feel like I can run outside any time I want... no matter what the elements!  By the time I finished my run it had heated up to 27*-  whoa!!  Running outside in Winter has always been something that scared me.  I'm really afraid of slipping on ice (you did visit me in the hospital when I broke my back, so I'm sure you understand my fear of falling...) but look at me, one step closer to overcoming that fear!

  What about you, how do you feel about being active in questionable weather?  For me, I could never ever ever get on a bike in the rain.  Even the idea of it gives me anxiety.  

  Fridays are my non-exercise day- my training plan and everything I have read say you need at least one day a week to recover.  So I eagerly await Saturday.  I am hoping to run a 5k in under 24 minutes and 30 seconds... FINGERS CROSSED!  

Jealous of your 8 hours of sleep!!!  Some day I'll get that!

xo

Jeni   

Spin that Stress Away!

Hey Jeni! 

Happy Monday! How was your day? Mine was the typical Monday, not enough hours in it! 

I mad a pretty productive day at work. Mondays are difficult for me:

1. I am not a morning person

2. I am generally switching gears in my brain

3. There is a lot of work activity in Monday! 

So, back in November/December, I tried to start a weekly ritual- Monday spin.  I like it for a few reasons: I can generally pick up on any increased strength or improvement in fitness level, I like the instructor, it helps me think about my goals for the upcoming week, and it helps melt away stress. I find that if I am feeling stressed out, I can really focus that energy into my workout.  I feel wonderful after doing it. 

Spin isn't easy- but it helps for training and improving endurance on the bike.  So sometimes I love to hate it as well :-) in a good way. 

Today was a little tricky on the bike.  I'm not really sure what happened but abut halfway into the class I wasn't feeling my greatest.  It could have been for a variety of reasons: turbo beginning, red pasta sauce for lunch, too much water (what can I say, I was thirsty today!).  I thin it's good to try and finish things up because this type of thing could happen out on the road, it's about learning about the body and figuring out what works best. I toned it down for the rest of the ride and concentrated on breathing.  I made it through the class. 

Have you developed any fitness rituals? I'd love to hear about them. 

Xoxo

Jenne 

P.S.  I'm convinced it was the red sauce, by the way.  

Back for the second time

Hey Jeni! 

Oh my, it's been awhile! The past two weeks have been very busy, and I'm happy to report, good from a fitness perspective! 

I went to New York last weekend where I ate lots of food and had some girl time with my friends. I felt a little guilty after but remember that I work hard at the gym and it is not often that I indulge in cake, champagne, food and more food! In the end it was a great weekend! What did you do for your birthday? 

So after I got back I decided to hang out. I took about 3 days off from the gym, even though on Saturday I did some core work while watching Sex in the City! This past Monday I was tired. So I decided to take that day to regroup and think about my week ahead. I think those days are needed sometimes. I try not to beat myself up over it, I think that's something that is hard for us not to do. 

On Monday, I met with a trainer at my gym to go over my diet. I'll cover this in another post. On Tuesday, I was back in the game! Here's what I accomplished this week:

Tuesday: Zumba and Strength training

Wednesday: Inclined power walk and row machine

Thursday: Strength training and my own spin routine

Friday: Tried a new class called cycle and core- half spin, half core work! 

Saturday: off from the gym, worked at the mall

Sunday: Weight training and Zumba

I had a first this week- I went into the weight room at my gym and worked out on the weight machines! This is something I haven't done since high school. I get intimidated in there, but I went in! I also did my own core work, too. I went into Zumba feeling the work that I did. I was so proud of myself! I feel what I am trying to accomplish is the better version of me. The best version is on a bike for sure, but it is also building my arm muscles, trying to get a slightly defined core, and being in the best shape possible. Finally, the best version of me is happy with the results of my hard work. 

Tonight I made soup for the week and muffins, I am on a role! I also cleaned, which helps me keep myself on track through the week. Have you cooked anything healthy this week? 

What are your plans for this week? I hope it is getting some rest! I am getting 8 hours of sleep right now every night, trainers orders! 

Xoxo

Jenne